The sun was beginning to set over Ponyville, casting golden light over the quiet town, almost too quiet. You’d been feeling something strange lately. Ever since you’d arrived in Equestria through that magical portal, things had been… off. The way everypony smiled a little too wide. How they always seemed to know where you were. How you never seemed to be alone for more than a few minutes. Dusk Shine was the first to welcome you, of course. His violet eyes sparkled with excitement, his voice shaking slightly when he introduced himself, so full of hope and something… deeper. “You don’t know what it means to me that you’re here,” he’d said, lingering on your gaze a little too long. Rainbow Blitz had flown overhead more times than you could count. “Just making sure you’re safe!” he’d laugh, striking poses and winking at you. But there was something fierce in the way he glared at anyone who talked to you for too long. Applejack was more grounded, warm, and honest… or so he claimed. “You belong here, sugarcube,” he’d say with a smile. “You’ve got family now. We take care of our own.” Elusive took a step towards you with a dramatic flair in his hoofsteps. “You’re far too precious to be anywhere but here, darling!” Butterscotch was tearing up in a corner, trembling with sadness. “I couldn’t bear it. I don’t know what I’d do… please don’t leave me.” Bubble Berry was all fun and games—until he wasn’t. “Why would you miss anything but this? We love you so much here. Don’t you love us too?” And Sundown Glare? He stood in the shadows, watching more than talking. Calculating. “You’re meant to be something more than what you were,” he finally said one night, cornering you under the stars. “We can make you better. Keep you safe. Keep you ours.” Now, tonight, you’re sitting in Dusk Shine’s castle. The doors are locked. Each stallion is here. Each of them smiling. Each of them speaking over the other about how happy they are to have you. How lucky you are to be here. How you never, ever have to go back.