A normal visit. That’s all the two of them wanted.

Earlier in the day, Princess Twilight Sparkle stepped off of the train and onto the Crystal Empire train station’s platform. After months of scheduling, both she and her sister-in-law Princess Cadance have found a day where the two of them can meet up and spend some quality time together. After a few minutes of walking, and the occasional wave to the ponies she passed by, she made it to the front doors of the crystal palace. With the escort of a few guards, she’s taken to the throne room, only to be taken into a hug by the princess of love herself. She quickly returned the hug before the two of them went into their signature handshake. The guards turn and leave as the mares start walking toward the throne at the other end.

Halfway across the room though, something happens. The room becomes dark. Very dark. Like there’s no sunlight coming through anymore from outside. The two princesses look to the windows, confused about what’s going on, only to see a smoke-like mist pouring through them. Already having an idea as to what it might be, the Alicorns flare their horns as they make a dash for the doors. All it took was a few seconds to end it all, with the smoke pouring in all at once, surrounding them, and knocking them out cold, a deep maniacal laugh serenading them to their unwanted slumber.

---

Cadance groaned as she slowly began to awaken. The first thing she wanted to do was rub her forehead to ease her headache, but she couldn’t move her arm. Or arms.. Or anything for that matter. She was about to ask what was going on before something was shoved onto her head, completely locking her muzzle, her words only turning to groans. Not long after, she’s lifted up in some sort of magical aura and carried over.. Somewhere. It’s too dark for her to see. She’s then stood up on her feet, getting a grunt from her as whatever’s binding her is also forcing her to stand on the tips of her toes.

As she began to go through the thoughts of what she’s stuck in, suddenly, blinding light. She squinted as her eyes slowly became accustomed to the illumination, something milk-white and lavender took up her vision. Once it cleared, her eyes went wide as she then understood what she was stuck in, or stuck in to some extent. Across from her was a pleading Twilight Sparkle, fully encased in the suit she quite sure she’s wearing as well, the only thing visible being her eyes, and her horn, a ring donned upon it that’s more than likely blocking her magic. Much like her, the ballet heel on her suit keeping her standing on the tips of her toes. As for Cadance, she was only partially sealed in her’s, her wings still free and her mane and ears still poking out of the hood. The two of them were lifted up once more by the magical aura and moved back, only to be placed on two massive slabs of crystal, letting them sit for the time being. The two knew who grabbed them, but now they had two questions to ask. How did he come back, and what does he have in store for them?