The enchanting purple alicorn strolled through the empty streets of Ponyville, her face filled with curiosity. Using her vibrant purple magic, she effortlessly lifted a scroll into the air, accompanied by an abundance of quills. Completely absorbed in unraveling the secrets within the colossal scroll, she accidentally bumped into an unyielding object. Ignoring the collision, a mischievous glimmer sparkled in her eyes as she continued her journey, her thoughts consumed by the mysterious message on the scroll. The townspeople watched in awe and trepidation as she passed by, her mere presence sending delightful shivers down their spines. No one dared to approach her, fully aware that the alicorn was on a determined mission, and nothing could hinder her progress.
As Twilight Sparkle embarked on her mission, her unwavering determination ensured that no obstacle could divert her path. She pressed forward, occasionally glancing up from her scroll, but only to swiftly jot down additional notes. The scroll itself was of considerable size, much like the rest of her scrolls. Its sheer magnitude left ponies bewildered, pondering how she managed to navigate from her castle to Ponyville without encountering further calamities. Twilight Sparkle, even prior to her ascension as the princess of friendship, exuded an enigmatic aura that intrigued all who crossed her path.
In the realm of Twilight Sparkle's mission, her resolute commitment rendered her impervious to any form of distraction. She persisted in her journey, occasionally lifting her gaze from the scroll, solely to transcribe further observations. The scroll, a colossal entity akin to her other voluminous manuscripts, perplexed all who beheld it. How she traversed the treacherous path from her castle to Ponyville without succumbing to additional misfortunes remained an enigma. Twilight Sparkle, shrouded in an air of mystique long before her coronation as the princess of friendship, captivated the minds of those who dared to delve into her enigmatic persona.
''Twilight! Hey, Twilight!'' Echoed a haunting voice, piercing through the air. If she wasn't burdened by the facade of being the princess of friendship, she would have dismissed it without a second thought. The voice belonged to her so-called "bestest" friend, Pinkie Pie. Against her will, she found herself standing before the ominous SugarCube Corner, unsure if she had intended to be there. Had she taken a wrong turn? Lost in her own thoughts, she had nearly forgotten her intended destination. ''Oh, Pinkie,'' she murmured, her eyes, a chilling shade of purple, flickering between her surroundings and the cryptic notes before her, etched in sinister black ink.''Hey there! What are you up to? Need any assistance? Oh, what's that you're working on? Is it some kind of science project? It looks really fun!'' The bright pink pony was bouncing now, though Twilight had barely lifted her gaze from the scroll to notice the excitement presented on her bright friend's face.
''It's a research assignment from Princess Celestia. She and Princess Luna want me to research some corners in the EverFree entrusted me to explore certain areas that have remained untouched for quite some time. Being somepony who loves to delve into the ''unknown'' I galdy accepted the task. It's gives me an exciting opportunity to uncover hidden secrets and learn more about the history of Ponyville. You know how I love that stuff.'' Twilight's eyes shot up from the scroll, her voice filled with surprise as she exclaimed, breaking the silence that had enveloped their conversation. Pinkie's bright blue eyes locked with Twilight's, holding her gaze for a moment before she finally let her smile fade away. A hint of concern crept into her voice as she spoke, her words laced with worry. "Do you really think it's a good idea to go alone? You know that forest can be incredibly dangerous, right?"
''Certainly, I am fully aware of the circumstances and the challenges that may arise. However, I want to emphasize that I am more than capable of managing a few animals and wild plants. I assure you that there is no cause for concern. I understand your worries, but please trust in my abilities to handle the situation with utmost care and expertise. Rest assured, I will take all necessary precautions and ensure the safety of both myself and those around me.'' Twilight's words had the potential to cause a headache for anyone unfamiliar with her. This was her trademark, as Rainbow Dash would say, "once an egghead, always an egghead." The thought of her friend's voice brought a smile to Twilight's face, filling her with excitement. "It was great chatting with you, Pinkie, but I have to go. I can't waste any more daylight."
''Um, alright, Twilight. But please be careful.'' Pinkie said as she watched the bright purple alicorn proceeded past her, her eyes planted on her scroll for the hundredth time. Pinkie Pie knew that her best friend had a tendency to get caught up in her adventures and while she admired her bravery, she couldn't help but worry for her safety. After all, who knew what could be hidden in that dark forest. Pinkie couldn't help but hold a little bit of disgust for the Princesses, the least they could have done was task this to all of their friends, at least then Twilight would have some fun. Alas, Pinkie also knew Twilight wouldn't include her friends without the princesses saying so. It was a blast from the past, exactly how Twilight had behaved when she was tasked with locating and retrieving the crystal heart. Hopeful that her words would at least resonate with her friend, Pinkie Pie watched with still eyes as the purple alicorn trotted off, the sight pulling at her heartstrings as she got further and further away.
The eerie stillness of the air hung heavy in the EverFree Forest, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. The silence was unsettling, amplifying the already creepy atmosphere of the forest. It seemed as though time had come to a standstill, leaving only the darkness and the unknown lurking in the shadows. The absence of any sound was deafening, making it difficult to shake off the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of one's stomach.
The fleeting moment of respite was abruptly shattered. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the dense foliage, racing towards her with an urgency that sent shivers down her spine. It was none other than Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship, her regal purple form now tainted with a sense of desperation. Gasping for breath, she fought to suppress a violent cough that threatened to consume her. Her mind was under siege, assaulted by a barrage of tormenting thoughts, each blow intensifying her dizziness. And as the wind whispered through the leaves, it carried with it the sickening stench of blood, a grim reminder of the horrors that awaited. One look at the princess, and you'd question to yourself who you were looking at, for the once familiar princess of friendship, no longer looked like herself. She was no longer the beautiful alicorn she had been when she first stepped hoof first into the EverFree Forest. Her presence was shrouded in an eerie darkness that seemed to consume her very essence. Gone was the once radiant beauty that defined her, replaced by a haunting visage that was now capable of sending deep shivers down ponies spines. It was as if a veil of darkness had been cast upon her, transforming her into a mere shadow of her former self.
Once a symbol of friendship and optimism, the former princess now radiated an overwhelming sense of despair and doubt. Her once majestic alicorn figure appeared diminished, and upon closer inspection, her purple coat was marred by ominous dark splotches. These patches emitted a putrid stench of blood, as if she had been drenched in it. The extent of the blood was so extensive that it obscured her original color, rendering it nearly impossible to discern. Even her once vibrant mane had lost its luster, the colors muted by the viscous crimson liquid, leaving only a faint trace of the once prominent pink stripe. ''I gotta got out of here, I need to leave!''
Desperation consumed Twilight as she screamed into the void, yearning for escape from her wretched surroundings. The urgency in her voice echoed through the desolate space, a haunting reminder of her entrapment. In a desperate bid for freedom, she instinctively unfurled her wings, only to be met with a cruel reality - her wings were no more. They had been mercilessly torn away, leaving behind a grotesque sight of exposed flesh and a torrent of crimson cascading down her trembling body. The pain was unbearable, but she tried to bare it. She had to bare it, if she wanted to get out of there alive.
Twilight exploded into a run, though her hooves burned horribly. She had to get out of there, she had to leave, if she ever wanted to see the light again, she had to hurry. ''Twily? Where'd you go? Don't you want to play anymore?'' Twilight's ears instantly rose as her purple eyes widened. Though the voice was held a strong love, it was replaced by horror and fear now. The words hit her like a ton of bricks, causing her to freeze in place, she crouched down where she stood, in an attempt to hide herself. She couldn't bring herself to turn around and face the source of the voice. The wind seemed to carry it closer, making it nearly impossible for her to ignore. She felt trapped, like a bird caught in a cage. The fear inside her grew stronger, just as another voice entered her ears. ''Twilight, come here. I want to give you this new batch of cupcakes I just baked! I know you'll just love them.'' This voice belonged to Pinkie Pies, though it was covered in darkness. In the blanket of darkness, Twilight lifted her head, just a little, eyes now used to the darkness from staying in it so long. A sense of curiosity and false safety as she focused on her best friend's voice.
''Pinkie Pie? Is that you? I-you were right. I shouldn't have come here by myself. I-I'm so scared. My wings are gone, Pinkie.'' ''Oh Twilight. Come here.'' she beckoned. ''I have some special for you. I just know you'll adore these cupcakes.'' Right in front of her, just inches away, stood Pinkie. Twilight immediately identified her friend by her distinctive pink fluffy mane and tail. And to Twilight's delight, Pinkie held a tray of delicious cupcakes in her hooves, each one adorned with a vibrant purple icing. ''Pinkie, where did you come in from? I've been trying to find the entrance but it's like it just vanished into thin air! We can't be here, both of us need to leave, right now!''
''Why don't you try one of my cupcakes before we go? I know you'll just love them.'' Pinkie said again, there was the sinister darkness behind each syllable. ''Pinkie! For pony sake, I don't want a cupcake! We need to get out of here!'' Twilight screamed at her pink friend. Though Pinkie Pie didn't seem at all impacted, for she just stared at Twilight, with a smile that wasn't her own. Suddenly, forcing her heart to work double time in her chest, Twilight focused on a new sound that threatened to gripple her. A sound that made her blood run cold. A deep, guttural growl that seemed to come from all around her. As she looked around, she caught a glimpse of something moving in the shadows just behind Pinkie Pie.
''Oh sweet Celestia..'' Her body trembled uncontrollably as she gasped for air. The sight before her was indescribable, leaving her speechless. She desperately tried to focus on her magic, attempting to ignite her horn and buy herself some time. But the darkness that enveloped her made it difficult to concentrate. Suddenly, a surge of excruciating pain coursed through her body, causing her to scream in agony. The sound that escaped her lips was so terrible that it felt like it could rip her throat apart. In a swift and menacing motion, a sinister black tentacle lunged towards her, coiling tightly around her delicate horn. With an unyielding force, it yanked with such ferocity that Twilight's horn shattered, severing its connection from her head in a mere blink of an eye. The excruciating pain surged through her body, leaving her stunned and vulnerable, as the once prominent symbol of her magical prowess lay shattered on the ground, a cruel reminder of the power that had been mercilessly stripped away.
The alicorn, once a stunning creature, was now reduced to nothing but the echoes of her agonizing cries as she was forcefully taken away, a trail of dark blood leading and disappearing past the thick, round, bushes.