EoAiE

>You awake on a bed to find yourself surrounded by horses. One of them walks up to you, "Hello there, I'm Twilight Sparkle. Whats your name?"
"I..I dont know."
>You rub your head on the bed as Twilight pours you a cup of water, "You honestly dont remember anything about yourself?"
"No, sorry."
>"Or what you did or said?"
>You shake your head as she levitates the water to you.
"What did I say?"
>"Well, you came walking out of the Everfree wearing a long, brown cloak, you mumbled something before collapsing onto the ground, and now here you are."
"I did?"
>She nods as you knock back the water before coughing and almost vomiting.
>"Take it easy! You were barely alive when we found you, and it took weeks for you to stabilize."
"What? how long was I asleep?"
>She hesitates to answer, "About a month."
>Something about that news didn't sit well with you, but you weren't sure what.
>Twilight plants a black book onto your lap as you pick it up, "Does it look familiar?"
"No, why?"
>"You were carrying it."
"I was?"
>She nods as you open it and flip through the pages, "I couldn't read it, it’s in a language I've never seen before. I was hoping you could tell me what it says."
>The book was rigid to the touch, and felt like old, worn leather. On the pages were 4 torn seals, each seal held a certain number of pages.
>Going to the first, you look over the blank pages until you spot a single line.
"I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who stood had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer."
>Twilight brightens up, and looks at the pages before looking at you, "Is that what it says?" You nod as she goes to look at the letters, "You have to show me how your alphabet works, I'd love to translate this book."
"All right."
>On the outskirts of the snow covered Crystal Empire, stands a single snow white stallion, and on his flank is a bow and arrow crossed together.
>He smiles as he begins to walk towards the empire in the howling wind.

>You finish scribbling down the last letter of your alphabet and the sound it represents. Twilight looks over several papers and the words written on them.
>”So, this book depicts the coming of four horses, each one having a different color, and each one having a different skill at their disposal. But, it doesn’t say anything about who they are, or what their purpose for doing the things they do. Was this some kind of fairytale, or a story of your people?”
“I told you already, I don’t know. I don’t remember anything of me, or my past. All I remember is waking up in front of you.”
>”Hmmm.” Twilight rubs her chin as she squints at the pages you helped her translate. Suddenly, Princess Cadence and Spike comes bursting into the room.
>”Twilight!”
>”Cadence?! What happened!?
>”It’s bad, the Crystal Empire, it’s under attack!”
>”What!?”
>Spike jumps up and down holding a scroll, “Its not just the Crystal Empire, Canterlot is under attack too!”

>Over at the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor takes cover behind a stone pillar with several other soldiers. He is beaten, and bruised, but looks down range at the white stallion grinning evilly.
>”Quartz unit, fire!” A row of purple crystal unicorn ponies aim their horns and fire at the stallion. In a bright explosion, it engulfs him. As the smoke settle, the stallion remains smirks walking forward. ”Nothing works against this pony!” He yells slamming his hoof on the ground in anger.
>One of the guards sneers, “It may not even be a pony; it has some kind of magic protecting it from harm.”
>”But it’s an earth pony.”
>”No earth pony could take that kind of damage sir, not from a line of unicorns.”
>Shining looks over at it approaching and snarls, “Only one thing left to do.” Getting up, he focuses his magic and casts a wide force field over the stallion, “You men get out of here, I’ll hold him off, and evacuate everyp0ny you can from the empire.”
>”But sir, he’ll kill you!”
>Shining gives a small smile looking back at him, “I’ll be all right, Cadence is brining Twi…Princess Twilight.” The white stallion glares upset at the shield, and taps it before pulling his hoof back, and slamming it into the shield. Shining Armor winces in pain before looking at the guard, “GO!”
>The guards run off, as Shining turns his attention to the stallion. With each blow Shining strains and winces in pain, closing his eyes, he focuses solely on maintaining the shield.
>Blood drips from his nose, and pools onto the floor as he weakly tries to keep himself up. The white stallion reels his hoof back, as though preparing for the strike to end all strikes. Before he can connect, a rainbow streak slams into him, skipping him like a stone against the ground.
>When Shining opens his bloodshot eyes, he can make out a blurry rainbow outline as Twilight’s voice yells, “Good work Rainbow Dash!”
>Shining weakly mutters ”Twiley?” as his sister comes into view.
>”I’m here BBBFF.”

>At Ponyville, you look to the forest from where you supposedly came on the outskirts of Sweet Apple Acres. Silently you ponder as Applejack and Pinkie Pie talk to themselves not far off.
>Applejack sighs, “I sure hope tha others er doin all right, ah still think we should’ve gone with at least one of em.”
>Pinkie sucks on a lollipop, and pops it out, “You heard Twilight, we’re needed here in case somep0ny decides to attack us as well. Canterlot AND the Crystal Empire need protecting, but Ponyville needs it too.”
>”Yeah I know, but at least let me go with Rarity, Fluttershy is nice and all, but she aint much fer fighting.”
>As the two talk, Applebloom bucks apples and collects them into her basket. As she goes about her chores, she loads up a basket onto a cart.
>A single stray apple rolls off, and towards the outline of the Everfree. “Get back here ya silly little apple.” She smiles as she goes to get it, picking it up, she notices the outline of a pony in the shadows.
>Shocked for a moment, she smiles uneasily, “Hello there…uhh..ya want tah buy some apples?”
>The pony steps forward to reveal a dark black unicorn stallion, much larger than her, larger than even her brother. His frame however is thin as she can see his bones from his malnourished belly, his stomach growls out as he looks at the apple.
>Applebloom holds out the apple and smiles, “Ya sure look pretty hungry, ya want an apple? No charge.”
>His eyes widen for a moment before narrowing as he lowers himself to her and speaking in a low, deep voice, “How much?”
>”Huh?”
>”The apple.”
>”Oh, uhh..AJ usually sells em fer 2 bits, but ya can get a steal if ya buy tha pack fer 10.”
>”A pack of apples for 10 bits, and a bushel of apples for 100, but touch not the jam and cider.”
>Applebloom raises an eyebrow and cocks her head in honest confusion ”Huh?”
>The stallion gently pushes the apple away, and to her, “Can you make me a promise?”
>”O..ok.”
>”Keep this apple, it will not rot, and offer it to me in a week.”
>”Why? You can eat it now if ya want.”
>”I just want to make sure everyp0ny had a chance before me.”
>”All right, ah promise.”
>”Good, now run along and play, dark times are ahead.”
>Applebloom reluctantly moves away, and runs off as the stallion smiles, “It would do me no good now anyway.” Looking to the side, he touches a tree, causing it to hiss as it shrivels up into a black husk and crumbles into dust.

>Rarity and Fluttershy ride in Cadence’s personal carriage as the 2 pegasus ponies push with all their might. The Northern Crystal soldiers were bred tough from womb to tomb, or so their reputation went.
>Shooting through the sky Rarity holds on to her large hat gitting her teeth from the force, while Fluttershy hangs on for dear life to her friend.
>One of the stallions looks back, “We’re almost there! Bare with us a little longer!”
>Rarity smiles uneasily and yells back “That’s quite all right! We’re having a wonderful time!” Before her hat rips in two, causing on end to fly off as she reaches for it, “COLT DOWN! WE HAVE TO GO BACK!”
>The stallions roll their eyes and go back to focusing on flying when out of nowhere a red blur crashes into one. Knocked unconscious, his body goes limp as the other stallion struggles to keep the carriage airborne.
>The red blur circles back and crashes into the backside of the other stallion, knocking him out as well. The carriage falls from the sky as Rarity and Fluttershy scream while gripping one another.
>As the carriage falls, Rarity uses her magic to pull the stallions out of their restraints as Fluttershy flaps with all her power to keep them all in the air. The carriage falls and falls before exploding on the ground.
>”Fluttershy! You can’t let us go!”
>”I..I cant! Eeep!” She looks around worriedly as the red blur circles around yet again to deliver a devastating blow. Fluttershy tries meekly to flap away, but the combined weight brings her to a painful crawl.
>As the blur approaches, Rarity closes her eyes and forms a purple crystal barrier around the 4 of them. The blur crashes into it and comes to an abrupt stop, reavealing itself to be a red pegasus stallion. He falls back and goes crashing down to the ground before disappearing into tree brush.
>The barrier flies forward from the force and lands skipping on the ground before dissolving, sending the occupants tumbling onto the ground. After a scrapping stop, the dust settles as Fluttershy and Rarity groan getting up.
>Rarity looks to the sky and rubs her head, “Are you all right Fluttershy?”
>”I’ll be fine.”
>”And the guards?”
>”I think so too.”
>”Good, we should get them to safety before that thing comes back.”
>”What was that pony? Do you think it was the one attacking Canterlot?”
>Rarity replies dryly as she scans the sky, “I think its safe assume to that he is.” She then gasps and tries to drag the stallions away, “Help me Fluttershy, hurry.”
>”What is it!?”
>”He’s coming back, move it!”
>Fluttershy looks to the sky and sees a small object flying towards them, she tries to get a better view and remains standing there, “I don’t think its him.”
>”What makes you say that?”
>”Because its not moving that fast, its Luna!”
>Rarity picks herself up and yells happily ”Princess Luna?!” As though she alone could solve all their problems, and make it all better.
>Luna comes gliding down and gallops over to the two mares, “I came as quickly as I could, the red one is much faster than anyp0ny I have ever encountered. He single-hoofedly took out the entire Wonderbolt squadron, I fear the worst should he remain unchecked.”
>Rarity begs at her hoof, “Oh Princess Luna! I’m so glad you’re here! You need to help up with this pony; he’s much too powerful for the two of us!”
>Luna goes silent as she thinks, “I, cannot.”
>”What!? Why?! We NEED you!”
>”You misunderstand, I literally cannot help you. Did you not read sisters letter?”

>At the Crystal Empire, Twilight stands before the white stallion with a fading Shining Armor behind her. His body having been run ragged, he pants weakly as Cadence uses her magic to heal him.
>Twilight looks around nervously at all the destruction, “So he’s the one who did all this?”
>Cadence nods, “He did, and not only that, I have no effect on him. I can’t even lay a hoof on him, and Celestia knows I want to.”
>”Well let’s see how my luck holds up.” Twilight charges her horn and blasts a ray out that completely phases through his body before exploding on the other side. She gasps in shock before snarling and flying at him full force, and flying through him as though he was air.
>Scrapping agasint the ground, she turns around and trembles, “Wwhy cant I touch him? What is he?”
>Rainbow Dash comes swooping in yelling, “Who cares!? I can touch him!” She zips through the air, ready to crash into him again but the stallion adjusts his body slightly before disappearing. Rainbow screeches to a stop and looks around, “Huh? Where’d he go?”
>Shining weakly trembles while keeping his only working eye on the sky, Cadence looks up to where he is looking and gasps, “Rainbow looks out!”
>From the sky, the stallion comes crashing down and onto Rainbow Dash, exploding the area into a raging torrent of smoke and shrapnel.

>Applejack loads up a barrel of apples and wipes the sweat from her brow before fanning herself with her hat, “Yer doin pretty gud fer a city colt.” She comments as you load up a cart tiredly and pant.
“I don’t even remember if I’m from the city.”
>”Oh ah can tell.”
“How?”
>”Becuz city boys can never keep up wit me.” She smirks leaning towards you and smiles as you smile back awkwardly.
“Thanks, I guess.”
>Applebloom comes trotting up holding an apple in her mouth and sets it down by the cart, “Applejack, yer never gunna guess who ah ran into.”
>”Granny Smith?”
>”No, a really skinny pony, he looked really hungry, but seemed nice, ya think ya can cook him up sumthin tah eat?”
>”A skinny pony?”
>Applebloom nods, “Uhhuh, had a big ol horn and was really big, bigger than Big Mac. Ya know, sept he wuz skinny, REAL skinny, like see his bones skinny.”
>You felt a sinking feeling in your gut as she described this “skinny pony”, and you dread asking, but it had to be asked.
“This pony, what color was his coat?”
>”Huh? Black, why do ya ask? Is he a friend of yers?”
“Applejack.”
>”Yea?”
“Get everyone inside.”

>Applejack peaks through the blinds and shuts them before trotting over to the kitchen. You, Applebloom, and Big Mac all stand around the table as you flip through the pages of your book.
>Stopping at one page, you point at the scribbling on it.
“Here, “When the forth seal broke, I heard the third living creature saying “Come.” I looked and behold; a black horse. And he who stood before was given a scale, and he told me in a voice like thunder, “A quart of hay for a day’s wage, but touch not the oil or wine.” ”
>Applebloom’s eyes widen in surprise before pointing at the book, “That’s whut he said!”
“Really?”
>”Well, not word fer word, but he wuz sayin sumthin funny bout 10 bits fer an apple and a 100 fer a bushel, and sumthin about jam and cider.”
>AJ cant help but contain her shock “100 bits fer a bushel of apples!? That’s robbery!”
>Big Mac nods a ”Eeyup.”
“Applebloom, where was he?”
>”In the north orchard, by the Everfree.”
>AJ comes walking up to you, “Whut are ya gonna do Anon?” as she asks this, you inhale and exhale trying to gain your bearings.
“Get some answers.”

>The door to Sweet Apple Acres slams open as you peak your head out, and rush out before slamming the door. Your heart is going a mile a minute as you think what you’re about to do.
>Concealing the knife you got from the kitchen into your pocket, you head for the area they told you to go to. Applejack and family watches from the windows as you walk into the trees.
>Applejack leans back and sighs, “Ahm goin after him.” Applebloom worriedly frowns.
>”But sis!”
>”Butts er fer sittin AB, and Anon might need sum help, if one of these ponies is enough tah send fer Twi, there is no telling whut this one could do.” She heads to the door, bites down on a rope and looks back before tipping her hat, “If we aint back in an hour Big Mac, you and AB get out of here and go tah Pinkies.” AB runs up to her sister and hugs her as Applejack smiles and shares a loving embrace with her “Ah’ll be fine AB, ah promise.”
>Gently moving her away, she opens the door and runs out before closing it behind her. Big Mac comes up and reassuringly rubs his little sister on the head.

>In the outskirts of the Everfree, you look along the tree line to see this horse they had told you about. Your heart still thumping with terror, you cant help but notice how deathly quiet it is.
>As you scan, you notice an odd shade of reflective black among the shadows. Your heart almost stops when you realize it is a creature, a large creature. Its form is unmistakably horse like.
>Trembling you walk towards it as you hear a sudden commotion behind you, turning around, you spot Applejack.
“Oh god, don’t scare me like that.”
>”Sorry, but ahm here tah help ya.”
>Too terrified to object or be angry, you nod and go back to looking at the trees.
“Do you see him?”
>Applejack squints her eyes and focuses, “Hmmm, ya, ah see him.”
“So what do we..”
>”HEY YOU! STOP HIDIN IN THEM SHADOWS!!”
>Applejack holds her ground and remains firm as you breathe in and out from the shock. You look back expecting the worst, but he remains sitting and looking over.
>Applejack growls before walking over herself, in a panic, you try to talk her down.
“What are you doing?”
>”Goin tah say “Hi.”, whut do you think ahm doin?”
“Getting us killed.”
>”Yer the one who wanted tah see him, no sense in backin down now.”
>A few agonizing steps later, you are face to face with the black horse. He says nothing, but looks into your eyes for a solid minute before narrowing them and looking away.
>Applejack takes the lead, “Who are ya? Whut do ya want?” Motionless, he remains standing and looking away, causing her only to get more upset, “Ahm warnin ya, ah wont let ya hurt muh family. Or anyp0ny in town fer that matter.”
>The words he utters ring a hollow resonance in your body as his icy demeanor reverberates in his words ”And just how do you plan on doing that?”
>Applejack is taken aback by his tone as well, but does not lose face, “By stoppin ya.”
>”Can you stop the air you breathe, or the pain you feel from a wound? Can you stop death itself?”
>”W..well no ah..”
>”Then you can stop nothing. Even if I should be no more, it is far too late for you, and every creature on the land, sea, or sky.”
“Who are you? Really?”
>His gaze shifts to you as he slowly closes his eyes, “You know who we are.”
“What do you want from us?”
>Opening his eyes again, he narrows them and smiles, “We want many things, but the one desire we share is why we are here, we want you to die.”

>Twilight coughs as she clears the dust away with her hooves before using her magic to blow it away. As the dust clears, the white stallion slowly picks himself up and looks down. Beneath his hooves is a crater.
>In an instant a rainbow streak blitzes him and sends him flying before skidding on the ground, Rainbow pants where he once stood and feels her shoulder. “Colt, what is that stallion made out of? It feels like I hit a rock wall.”
>Coming to stop, the stallion picks himself up and holds his side in a pained wince. Looking to where Dash is, he sneers before turning around, and leaping incredible heights away and towards the snow.
>Twilight, having figured out he is running away charges her beam, “Oh no you don’t!” blasting out a twin beam, the two energies sidewinder around before coming to a connect on him. Twilight smirks before they make contact, only to gasp when they phase through his body.
>The stallion lands with a loud bang, before jumping away again and out of sight. Rainbow falls back relived and groans tiredly as Cadence and a sore Shining Armor come walking up to her. Cadence uses her magic, and begins to heal Rainbow Dash as Twilight flaps up, “What was that!? Who was that pony!? Why did my magic not work!?”
>Shining Armor shakes his head, “I have no idea, before you came, Cadence and all our unicorns couldn’t even put a dent in him. He just laughed off any of our attacks.”
>Rainbow chuckles heartily, “Well he sure wasn’t laughing now, I had him running off with his tail in-between his legs.”
>Twilight ponders her words and goes to look where he took off, “Whats in that direction?”
>Shining walks up next to her and looks towards the barrier, “Nothing, just snow as far as the eye can see. Good riddance, hope he freezes.”
>Twilight shakes her head, “No, anyp0ny who can do what he did probably wont freeze. I don’t think we’re gonna get off that easy. In the meantime, Cadence, Shining, do you think you could watch Rainbow for me?”
>Cadence looks over to her and asks as she is walking away and spreading her wings “What are you gonna do?”
>”Some reading.”

>Rarity screams shocked at Luna, “What do you mean Alicorns have no effect on them?! You’re alicorn!”
>Luna hangs her head at her own shortcomings, “Tis true, sister and I tried relentlessly to harm the red pegasus, but we went through him as though we were specters. Forced to simply watch, as he laid waste to our comrades and subordinates, I did what I only could, and followed him. So that I may give warning of his powers, and abilities, however, he is far faster than I could imagine.”
>Rarity trots nervously in place and looking around, “What do we do? We cant just wait here for him to come back. Luna or Celestia can’t even help us. And Twilight may as well be across Equestria! We’re doowhowhowhoomed!” She cries as Luna forces her mouth shut.
>”Shhh! Silence. The crimson pony approaches.”
>Rarity muffles worriedly as Luna, and Fluttershy drag Rarity and the guards under the shade of the trees. Overhead the stallion flies by and looks down, as though trying to find them.
>He circles around like a vulture before stopping, and blurring off into a random direction. Luna exhales relived as she lets go of Rarity, “We were fortunate for now, but you must find adequate shelter soon. Tis dangerous to be out with such a menace in the sky. There is a town not far off to the south, seek shelter there.”
>Luna gets up, and goes back out into the clearing as Fluttershy calls out to her, “Where are you gonna go?”
>”If I am to be useless as an ally against him, I shall be a herald to those in his path. Sister has gone to warn the populace, so too shall I.”
>Fluttershy frowns sadly, and gently rubs the stallion’s cheeks to soothe them before calling out to Luna, “Wait! We have to get them somewhere safe first!”
>Luna thinks about this for a moment before nodding, and walking over. With her magic she easily lifts them into the air, “Very well, I shall take them to town, but you must return to Ponyville and warn them of this stallion. After I return them I shall return to warning the towns.”
>Rarity nods as her and Fluttershy begin to head to Ponyville, “We will Princess.” The two run and flap off as Luna sighs and looks up at the sky.
>”If what sister says is true, only a miracle will save us.”

>You and Applejack stand before the sickly stallion, the words he spoke just seconds ago still ringing in your head.
>”Die? Whut do ya mean die? What did we ever do tah you?” Silent, he simply stares forward and blinks every so often. Applejack growls “Hey! I’m talkin to ya!”
“Forget him, let’s go back.”
>”We can’t just leave him here!”
“And what are you gonna do? Move him? Watch him? Stay here all day and make sure he doesn’t move? Look at him, he’s closer to death than we are, I don’t think he’s that big of a threat left alone. In the meantime, we should really head back. He could just be a distraction.”
>She mulls over your words, but still cant take her eyes off of him. Snarling, she snorts angrily and walks with you away. The stallion watches you as you disappear into the tree line.
>Walking side by side, Applejack looks down deep in thought.
“I know, I don’t like it either. But aside from being a creepy jerk, he didn’t have much going for him.”
>”Well, you can bet that when we get back ah’ll…” She stops noticing something and then looks forward. You stop as well and look towards where her gaze ends. Thousands upon thousands of apples litter the floor, plump, red, and juicy looking; they literally coat the floor in a bright red hue.
“Whoa.”
>”Th..this cant be!” She rushes forward, crushing a few under her hooves as she scans the trees, “N..no apples, none. How?”
“Whats going on?”
>”Apples only fall when they’re ripe, but..these trees still had 2 months tah go. Why er they all on the ground?” You can see a noticeable change in her appearance, as though she figured something out, “It wuz that stallion! He’s behind this!”
“How? Can unicorns even control nature?”
>Opening her mouth wanting to speak, she only gets out a sound before stopping. Clearly the answer was not in her, and she closes her mouth and goes back to looking at the floor.
>Turning around, she runs towards the farm as you hurry to catch up.

>When the two of you reach her home, she breaks in and starts hollering, “Code Red Delicious ya’ll! Drop yer horseshoes, and blow yer tissues! We got us an entire orchard tah harvest before nightfall! Lets move, move, move!”
>Apparently this was something they practiced, as Big Mac and Applebloom drop everything they are doing and start rushing to get farm gear. The three run out and into the barn, before emerging with carts, crates, and buckets.
>They run off together as you stand dumbfounded as to what to do, you feel yourself taking a step forward when you hear Twilight yell your name, “Anon!”
“Twilight?”
>You look around and see her coming down from the sky, she gallops over and pants, “I need your book Anon.”
“We need you first, we have a problem.”
>At the same time, you both say to the other, “I think I just saw one of the four horses.” Before going wide eyed, and feeling your stomachs drop.
>Inside the house, you and Twilight read side by side, or rather, you read for her while she scans the book up and down.
“Ok, so the first horse in this book has a white coat, and was given a crown and a bow to go out conquering. And you said that you ran into a white horse with a bow cutie mark, but no crown?”
>”Yes, but he was trying to take over the Crystal Empire, or at least destroy it.”
“Ok, so that’s one horse. The second one is a red horse, who was given a sword and tasked with taking peace, and men would slay the other. Haven’t seen that, that’s good right?”
>”I hope so, I really just want this to be one big coincidence.”
“Hate to burst your bubble, but we haven’t talked about the third horse yet.”
>You look down at the page and clear your throat.
“ “When the third seal broke, I heard the third living creature saying “Come.” I looked and behold; a black horse. And he who stood before was given a scale, and he told me in a voice like thunder, “A quart of hay for a day’s wage, but touch not the oil or wine.” And what we saw out there, was a black horse. Really skinny, practically starving. He said it was too late for us, and they all wanted us dead.”
>Twilight exhales and looks to the book, wishing for it to give her some answers, “The book said four, who is the fourth?” You go back to the book and sigh.
“ “When the fourth seal broke, I heard the voice of the fourth creature saying “Come.” I looked and behold, an ashen horse; and he who stood was given the name Death; and Hades followed with him.” “
>You say nothing else and simply sit looking at the book too, Twilight shakes her head, “Death.”
“Yeah. Kinda scary.”
>”Anon?”
“Yeah?”
>”Does that book say anything about them being immune to anything?”
“No, I don’t think so. It just says who they are, and what they were given. Why?”
>”Because I literally can not touch them, it’s like I’m not even there.”
“Wow.”
>”Yeah, wow.”
>Before you can continue your conversation, you hear a pair of hooves come running up, “Twilight!”
>You look back to see Rarity, and Fluttershy at the door. Twilight sees them too, “Girls?”
>Rarity runs up and wastes no time, “Twilight it was awful, I lost my favorite scarf!” before crying at her hooves as Fluttershy comes up.
>”Not only that, we ran into a really fast red stallion, he tried to hurt us.”
>Concerned, Twilight looks at the two of them, “Are you hurt?”
>”We’re fine, Princess Luna came to help us. But..”
>Rarity suddenly gets up, her makeup smeared from tears, “PRINCESS LUNA CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST HIM!” Before sobbing and falling to the ground.
>Twilight sighs, “So them too huh?”
>Rarity is on her in a second, “No, tell me its not true, tell me you can hurt them!”
>”I wish I could, but, I can’t touch them either. I don’t know why.”
>Rarity begins to start crying again as Rainbow comes flapping into the door with Pinkie Pie bouncing behind, “Geeze Rarity, I can hear you from across town.”
>Twiligh gasp, “Rainbow!? What are you doing here?! You need your rest!”
>”Tsk, as if I could take it easy when my pals need me. Besides, I’m pretty sure we scared him off for good.”
>Twilight somberly looks around at all her friends, and Applejack too as she comes in a few seconds later. “Girls, we all need to talk.”

>Everyone had shared what they saw, heard, and know in regards to the three mysterious stallions that suddenly invaded Equestria. Sitting at a round table, Twilight taps her hoof on it and sighs.
>”Ok, so Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were the only ones who could hurt them. And the third is a sickly, starving unicorn about 10 minutes away. Its unconfirmed yet if he has any powers, or if he can be hurt.”
“Yeah, and I mean, I wasn’t gonna hit a sick, starving guy ya know? I mean he technically hasn’t done anything.”
>Twilight shakes her head, “Sorry Anon, but I don’t feel that way. If he IS one of them, then we must treat him as a threat. Girls, lets go.”

>In the open field, Twilight and friends looks for the starving stallion as you look around confused.
“I don’t get it, he was right here.”
>A deep voice calls out from the blackness of the Everfree, “And I still am.” All attention goes to a small gap in the trees as he comes out and sits himself by the edge of the forest. “I have no reason to hide.”
>The ones unfortunate enough to know their power hesitate to approach, but Pinkie begins to look him over curiously and with a bit too much enthusiasm, “Wow, they weren’t kidding, you really ARE starving. Here, eat this.”
>She pulls out a pie and tries to shove it in his face, but a deep purple energy shield crushes the pie and stops Pinkie’s hooves dead in their tracks.
>”Your offering is pointless to me now, not when you know of prosperity, and an easy life. Food is so readily offered when one knows another meal is around the corner, but would you be so generous if that meal was the meaning of life of death I wonder?”
>Twilight, having heard enough of him stands before him and wastes no time, “Who, or what are you?”
>With a pause, he looks her right in the eyes, “We are the beginning of the end, our presence means the end of days. And we are creatures on this land, same as you.”
>”You’re nothing like us, you have powers, and abilities nop0ny posses. And I can’t even lay a hoof on you, what kind of creature can do that?”
>”Funny you should ask, Princess Twilight. Just how many other ponies can match your powers and abilities? How many can lay a hoof on you? Are you not a creature of this land?”
>”That’s different, I, we’re not the same!”
>”But we are; just as your friends no longer are the same to you, I am not the same as you.”
>”Just what are you?”
>”You should use what little peace you have left to enjoy life, because Death comes for you all, and we are the precursors to her arrival.”
>”Death?”
“The 4th horse right? The one in the book?”
>Rather than replying, the stallion lays himself down, and stares forward towards the town.
>Twilight growls, “Don’t ignore us.” But still, he remains looking forward. Twilight tries to strike him, but phases through his body. With an angry yell, she turns around, “Let’s go.”

>Entering Sugar Cube Corner, Twilight slams the door open and walks in as the rest follow behind. Everyone seems worried about her, but its Applejack who speaks up first, “Now Twi, ah know he wasn’t the most helpful but, ya gotta admit, at least he aint raisin all heck like the other two.”
>She sighs deeply almost to calm herself down, “I know, and I’m sorry girls. Its not right for me to get so upset, I just..hate not being able to help when everyp0ny needs me.”
>Applejack smiles and walks over before placing a hoof around her friend, “You’ve gone and saved everyp0ny more times than I can count, so don’t fret none if ya cant this time. Leave it to us.”
>The rest of the mares all nod in agreement as you look between them all. Twilight sighs again and looks at her hoof, “Thanks girls.”

>Your stomach growls as you look down at it as Applejack laughs, “Anon has the right idea, some food will do us some good.”
>She leads everyone to a table as she and Pinkie Pie begin serving everyone assorted apples, and pies. Everyone chats up and begins to eat only to stop and discretly expel the food from their mouths.
>Rainbow Dash gives a disgusted groan, “What is this AJ, rotten?”
>”Ah don’t think so, we just made this yesterday.”
>”Well it tastes awful.”
>”Maybe it was just a bad batch, I’ll get some freshly made apple cobbler from the fridge.” As she goes to the fridge and opens it, she gasps in shock as everyone turns to face her.
>Inside the fridge are hundreds of small black insects crawling about and tumbling out. She slams the fridge and pants in terror as Twilight gets up, “Everyp0ny get up and go around town, see if this is occurring just here, or if its spreading. Celestia help us if this becomes a common thing.”
>Like a coordinated unit they all get up, run out, and go their separate ways. Only you, Applejack, and Twilight remain behind.
>Twilight goes over to AJ and places a hoof on her, “AJ, you can stay here. Nop0ny would hold it against you, you have a lot to look after with the farm.”
>”Thanks Twi, I’ll scrounge up what little good food we got and give it tah everyp0ny. Ya’ll er gonna be mighty hungry when ya get back.” She laughs nervously as Twilight comes up to you.
>”Anon, I’m going to need that book of yours.”

>Twilight paces around her study as crudely depicted drawings of the 3 horses float around her. She mumbles things to herself as you sit on a chair and try not to look and feel useless.
>Spike stacks books upon books onto a table as Twilight picks them up one at a time, and flips through them. Groaning upset, she tosses it and goes back to the pictures, “There is literally no mention of these horses! Who are they!? What are they here for!? Why do they have powers!?”
>Suddenly a voice calls out from the side, “I can answer that.” Twilight and you look over to see a large white horse.
>”Celestia!” Twilight gallops over and hugs her, “I’m so glad you’re here, you probably know but..”
>”I know, and I’m here to tell you everything.”
>”What..what do you mean?”
>The large white horse looks over to you and smiles, “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve properly been introduced.” She walks over and extends a hoof to you, “My name is Princess Celestia, and you?”
“Anonymous.”
>”It’s a pleasure to meet you Anonymous. But, could you grant a moment of privacy between my student and I?”
“Oh, sure.”
>You and Spike both walk out, and hear the door close behind you as Spike gripes, “Oh cmon, why kick me out?”

>Back in the room, Twilight serves her mentor a glass of water and sits before her, “I’m sorry I don’t have any snacks.”
>”They’ve all rotted right?”
>”How did you know?”
>”Twilight, do you know just how old I really am?”
>”Thousands of years?”
>She nods silently before continuing, “In my time, I’ve seen many ponies come and go, but that’s not all I’ve seen.” Deep in Celetia’s mind, she thinks back to the many instances of war, screams, and creatures killing one another, “Ponies declaring pointless wars in the name of long forgotten kings, conquering one another for food or greed, in these harsh times, ponies have gone hungry during long famines, and eventually, they all die. Does this sound familiar to you?”
>Twilight looks down and thinks before coming a realization, “The horses, they…they do this?”
>”Long ago, when Equestria was wild and the ponies did not live in harmony, there was chaos. Ponies stole, killed, and oppressed one another.”
>”That’s awful.”
>”Indeed, those were awful times to live in. Still, in the midst of all that chaos, a miracle was born. A pony pure of heart was chosen to rise up, and lead her kind into a brighter, more happy future. The day was safe, but the night still needed its protector. Another pony was chosen to rise up, and keep watch for the dangers of the world.”
>”Was it you and Luna?”
>Celestia nods, “A power beyond our comprehension chose Luna and I to be the guardians of Equestria.”
>”Why are you telling me this? I mean, its fascinating don’t get me wrong, but..”
>Celestia takes a more somber expression and looks forward, “If this power created me, is it unimaginable that it also created others?” Before Twilight can reply, it dawns on her as Celestia smiles “I’ll tell you everything I know.”

>Back at Sugar Cube Corner, Applejack panics as she scrambles around the house. Tearing apart everything as she looks for food that has not already rotted, and is still edible.
>”Ah can’t believe it, everything has gone bad!”
>Applejack tosses and throws things out of the cabinets as Applebloom looks on worriedly before hanging her head and walking up the steps.
>In her room, she reaches under her pillow and brings out a large, red apple. She stares at her bloated reflection in it and looks over it in wonder before setting it down and looking out her window.
>Deep in the orchards, on the border of the Everfree, the sickly horse sits patiently and looks back towards the farm. As he sits a sudden rustle alerts him as he looks back and sees a white horse come up behind him.
>Neither exchange words before making eye contact and going back to looking at the horizon. In the distance, a red blur streaks across the sky before zig zagging and landing in front of them.
>Slowly the red horse gets back up and walks over to the two and looks between them before focusing on the black horse, “Is it done?”
>The black horse nods slowly, “Yes, its only a matter of time now.”
>The red horse sneers an evil grin and looks to the town, “Good, I can’t wait to hear the screams as they tear one another apart.”
>The white horse sits down and sighs as though resting his body before wincing and feeling the side he was stuck on. The black horse notices and slightly shifts his gaze, “Are you all right?”
>”I’m fine, I just wasn’t expecting it to hurt so much.”
>”You forget we are not indestructible, and I advise taking more caution when confronting these creatures. They are not as helpless as they seem.”
>The red one looks back unimpressed “These ponies are weak; it will only take a couple of days to eradicate them.”
>Upon closer inspection of his face, the black one notices a slight bump on his forehead and smiles, “Says the one with an injury on his head. How did they ever manage to lay a hoof on the red death I wonder?”
>He gives a tsk and looks away when suddenly Luna comes flapping down, out of breath and before the three horses. Without another word, neither speaks as Luna looks between them, “By the stars, there’re three of you. Celestia was right, you ARE the horses of the apocalypse.”

>In the treehouse, Twilight looks at her mentor confused, “The 4 horses of the apocalypse?”
>Celestia nods before pinning the pictures on the wall, “4 horses that were given power far beyond my own, and tasked with brining destruction to the world.”
>”Why? What did we do?”
>”I know not why they do what they do, but it is not uncommon for world wide destruction. I’ve lived a long time Twilight, and in that time I’ve pieced together a whole world of ancient technology. Tell me, do you know what a train is?”
>”Yeah, we use them all the time.”
>”Do you know who originally made it?”
>”Easy, Thomas Training 1350..”
>”It was not Thomas, Thomas simply reconstructed it from an ancient machine found deep in the Everfree. It was black, and had vines all around it, but despite our primitive knowledge we were able to fully reconstruct it. And that was not the only thing we found, computers, cars, electronics, all ancient technology from a race long since gone. Further than even I have existed.”
>Twilight was at an honest lost for words, in fact, what could she say to this? Everything she ever knew was being turned upside down, and with it came the news her home and way of life would be destroyed.
>Before she can say another word, several explosions flare to life in the distance, “What was that!?”