"The machine hummed to life at his touch, projecting a hologram in front of the sheet that depicted, he assumed, the ceiling of Canterlot Palace."

"Rainbow began her running start towards the sky, wings outstretched and a smile across her face. This plan was short-lived, however. The instant her snout and hoof passed into the open sunlight shining through her window, she felt what could perhaps best be described as instant regret." (beat) "In other words, she immediately caught on fire. Spontaneously combusted, if you will."

"Word spread like wildfire that another pony was missing. Then another pony, too, was reported. Then another. And then another. Soon, a mob had formed outside of the Mayor’s Office and the Agency’s Tent. This time, however, the agents seemed far less prepared. They scrambled to find somepony to put in front of the mob to stall for time, going through at least three very-slightly-different ponies in just the first hour."