>Just as she sits down with another cup of coffee, Water Works hears something.
>*Click... Click*
>It sounds like it's coming from the front room...
>Before she can get up to investigate, she hears another, much louder sound.
>*CRACK!*
>"Uhm..."
>*CRACK!*
>...Something is hacking at the front door.
>*CRAAAAACKKKK!*
>And with that, she hears the door swing open.
>"Oh, Celestia..."
>As soon as the door is open, the now terrified p0ny hears several sets of hurried footsteps as the intruders enter the cabin. Her heart is racing.
>Just as the mystery intruders get close to the kitchen's archway, the footsteps suddenly... stop.
>...
>A single cloaked figure floats into view.
>"Uhm... Wh-who are you?"
>Two shorter, but similar figures appear behind the first one. They're wearing different cloaks, and actually have feet, unlike the other one, who just... Floats there. They're also carrying axes.
>The three of them glare at Water Works with creepy, glowing eyes. She drops her cup. It lands on the floor, and shatters, spilling coffee on the wooden floor.
>The floating figure whispers something, and the others slowly creep towards the p0ny.
 
>She glances towards the open window on the other side of the room...
>Without waiting another moment, she jumps out of her chair, knocking it over as she does so, and makes for the window.
>Just before she can leap out, both the creatures tackle her to the floor.
>"AAhh!"
>One of the creatures manages to deprive Water Works of her goggles in the struggle.
>She kicks one away, but three more identical creatures have entered the room, and are rushing towards her.
>The three creatures quickly pile on top of Water Works, who struggles as best she can against her attackers.
>Though she manages to knock one of them unconscious by bucking him in the face, the many creatures eventually tie her up before she can give them too much trouble.
>They crawl off the tearful p0ny, and the apparent leader calmly floats over to her.
>With a rather high, yet creepy voice, he speaks.
>"Miserable equine..."
>The leader turns to his subordinates. They quiver nervously.
>"You two..."
>He singles out the two nearest minions.
>"Lock her up somewhere, and make sure she can't escape... She will provide The Master with sustenance."
 
>...
 
>"...And, that's when they locked me away, up there."
"...The Master?"
>"Uh-huh. That's what the leader guy said... He really scared the life out of me... So, what are these creatures, anyway?"
"Unfortunately, Miss Water Works, we haven't the foggiest."
>"Well, actually, Anon... I think I have some idea about what these things are."
>Twilight sounded a little hesitant, there.
"Really? What?"
>"Dark magic."
>"...Dark magic, Twah?"
>"Yes. That is, I don't think they're real, living creatures. Instead, I think somep0ny, or, some... Thing created them... With dark magic."
>Twilight drinks the rest of her water, and puts the glass back on the tray.
>"But, I can't be sure. Anyway, Anon, we should go after the leader guy now. AJ, will you stay here with Water Works?"
>"Sure, Twah."
>Applejack takes a seat next to Water Works, and gently places a hoof on her shoulder.
>"Now, don't you worry, sugarcube. Ya'll be safe with me."
>"Oh, okay. Thank you. Twilight, Anon, please be careful. I have a feeling the leader guy is really dangerous..."
>You noticed that the leader of the group of minions didn't carry any weapons. At least, none that were visible. He probably has something concealed in his cloak.
>Twilight follows you to the door. Before you leave, Twilight stops for a moment, and turns back to the two ponies on the sofa.
>"Oh, and Water Works, when we get back, we'll help you fix those floodgates, okay?"
>"Okay, Twilight. Thanks."
 
>As you leave the cabin, and head over to the bridge with Twilight, you notice right away that the sky has gotten cloudy. The wind has picked up, too.
>"Looks like we'll be getting rain..."
"Good, good... As long as it's not too heavy..."
>Twilight gives you a confused look.
>"Uhh... You... like, the rain?"
"Yes, I do. I've always liked the rain. Except when it's raining cats and dogs."
>"Cats and Dogs? Uhm, Anon, are you saying animals rain from the sky in the human world?"
>Twilight looks very surprised.
>You can't help but laugh at the way Twilight misconstrued that.
"No, no, Miss Twilight. That's just a saying we have. It means, heavy rain."
>"Oh, right. Hee-hee! But, how did you come up with cats and dogs?"
"...Well, because... Uh, I can't remember."
>You both reach the stone bridge, which is about six feet wide, and doesn't have any walls...
"Watch your step, Miss Twilight..."
>"You too."
 
>You set foot on the bridge and start walking across, quickly but carefully, with Twilight in tow.
>When you're about a third of the way across, you see the sky light up in the distance. A few seconds later, you hear a thunder clap.
>The same things happens just as you reach the other end of the bridge, only, it's a little closer now.
>Once you reach the ground on the other side of the river, you look around the area.
>The small patch of land is surrounded by very high rock walls on one side, and the lake on the other.
>To your right, is a small wooden sign. It reads "Flood Gates ->"
>The sign points to a narrow, wooden path that's been built on the side of the mountain. Just like the sign says, it leads to the flood gates.
>...However, built into the rock wall, some twenty yards away, is some kind of ornate stone archway, with an opening.
>"Anon, do you see that?"
"That archway? Yeah, I do... What is it?"
>"I don't know... Let's get a closer look."
>Twilight quickly takes off towards the archway, and you follow her.
>"Ooh..."
>Twilight gazes at the stonework. On each side of the opening in the rock wall, there are statues of seahorses carved into the rock. Or, seaponies, maybe...
>There are also strange symbols carved into the top of the archway. You don't recognise them.
"Miss Twilight... What is this?"
>"It looks like the entrance to a... Shrine, of some sort."
"...Okay."
>You peer into the opening. All you see is a dark, narrow, and somewhat circular tunnel.
>"...Anon, I think the leader guy might be hiding in here. We should check it out."
"If you say so."