Chapters I: The Living Nightmare
Twilight's carriage flew across the air as two stallions pulled it through the dense fog. Twilight was actually fond of the fog; it soothed her as the wind bellowed at her face. She stared at Spike just beside her, looking tired and dreary-eyed. It made sense; Twilight and Spike were returning from a meeting in Canterlot, and the meetings tended to be boring, especially for Spike's young age.
"Why did I have to be at that boring old meeting? I could have spent the entire time sleeping in my own little bed," Spike complained.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Spike? You were there to keep track of the minutes. You still have a job, you know. You have to be mature and responsible."
"I know, but maybe sometime I could get a break. It seems lately all I've been doing was work. When can a baby dragon squeeze in a little time to nap?"
Twilight yawned. She felt a little sleepy herself. Maybe I might take a nap once I return as well, she thought to herself. Soon, Ponyville came into view, even with the dense fog in the way. The carriage made a smooth landing, and finally stopped. Twilight jumped out of the carriage and nodded at the two stallions. The stallions beamed proudly as Twilight and Spike walked past them.
Ponyville was empty, not a living soul to be seen. Twilight smiled at her thought, realizing that she couldn't see anything. Twilight and Spike strutted through the empty streets, and passing the market square. Twilight felt a little uncomfortable about the town. Where is everypony? Eventually, they found their destination: the Sugarcube Corner. Spike opens the door for Twilight. Twilight smiled and nods at Spike, and lets herself in. Spike closed the door behind him.
The Sugarcube Corner was just like the square: lifeless. Mr. and Mrs. Cake were no where to be seen, and Pinkie Pie had also disappeared. Twilight frowned. Nopony in here too? , she thought. It seemed a little odd that everypony was gone. Was everypony away for something? Was I missing something that I didn't know about?
Twilight walked to the counter and yelled, "Hello! Is anypony here?" Nopony answered. Twilight tried again.
"Mr and Mrs. Cake? Pinkie Pie? Where are you guys?" Again, no answer.
Twilight was starting to be annoyed. It wasn't like Pinkie Pie to be missing all of a sudden. She always pops out of no where and greets whoever walks in. Today didn't seem to be the case, as Pinkie Pie was absent from the store.
Twilight looked around the store. Something seemed off about the store to her. The colors were a little bit gray, and light black liquids appeared to be slowly dripping down the walls. Twilight started to become a little uneasy with the place. Twilight turned around to find that Spike was no where to be seen.
Twilight gasped. She glanced around the room worriedly. Where did Spike go? she thought to herself worriedly. Twilight knew that Spike would never leave her sight, so this action was completely unrealistic.
"Spike! Spike! Where did you go?" Just like previous attempts, Spike didn't answer. Twilight stomped her hoof to the ground, frustrated.
"Spike! I really don't like this place. We better go."
Twilight started to breath a little heavier and faster. Nothing seemed right about this place. It was too quiet. The floor boards let out a small creeking sound. Sweat started to appear on her face. She started breathing faster. She almost felt as if someone was watching her. The only thing Twilight could hear was her own breath, and the slow breathing behind her neck. Twilight stopped breathing completely, her eyes wide open. She slowly turned her head, to find a cloaked pony with a steak knife in his hoof, ready to strike.
Twilight screamed.
Twilight awoke with a burst of sweat advancing down her forehead. She breathed heavily, shocked at the sudden awakening. She glanced around the room. Nothing appeared to be out of place. It was still the middle of night, possibly around 2:00 AM in the morning. Twilight swept away the sweat from her face.
It was only a dream, Twilight reassured herself.
Just a dream.
Twilight didn't sleep at all that night. She was too worried about the dream. Did it even mean anything? Twilight shrugged that thought off when she put the bits on to the counter of the Apple's counter. Big Mac gave her the three apples that Twilight ordered. Twilight thanked him and grabbed the bag by her mouth. She then walked away from the stand.
Unlike the dream, the market square was busy, with ponies buying goods and fillys playing with each other. Twilight found a table with Rarity eating a scone. Rarity looked up from the scone, and smiled at Twilight.
"Hello, Twilight!" Rarity greeted Twilight.
"Hi."
Twilight plunked the apples on the table and sat herself into the chair. Rarity's smile faded as she noticed Twilight's tired face.
"My, Twilight. You look like you didn't get in any sleep at all!"
"I didn't, really. I had a very weird nightmare. I dreamed I was arriving in Ponyville. When I went to the Sugarcube Corner, there was this pony with a cloak, ready to stab me with a steak knife!"
Rarity widened her eyes. Then she took another bite, obviously waiting for more.
"What happened then?"
"I woke up. It was so strange. I don't even know if it means anything."
Rarity's interest peaked, widening her eyes slightly more with her scone resting on her hoof. Twilight shaked her head, disappointed with the lack of reason for the dream.
"There's not much else to tell you. That was all that really happened. I can't make heads or tails out of it."
"Well, you know, whenever I am faced with something I don't really understand, I sit down and think about it very hard. I don't think about anything else unless it is very indeed important."
Twilight rested her head on her hoof and thought for a moment. There was almost no connection between anything that happened in the past few weeks, and Twilight certainly did not remember a cloaked pony with a steak knife threatening her life. Twilight shrugged her shoulders. Rarity's face drooped.
"Well, it works for me, anyways."
Suddenly, a light pink invaded Twilight's face. Big, beady eyes stared back at her. Twilight screamed and fell out of her seat and slammed into the ground. She groaned. Twilight looked up to see Pinkie Pie bouncing on top of the table. Rarity looked very annoyed.
"Pinkie Pie! Why did you jump me?" Twilight asked, getting herself up. Pinkie Pie was smiling at Twilight as she bounced up and down.
"I'm sorry, but there is an emergency right now! At first, I thought it was because of a fire or something, but it's actually something really bad! I don't know who did it or why, but maybe it could be Applejack, or someone else. I really don't understa-" Pinkie Pie talked hastily, before being interrupted by Rarity.
"Pinkie!! Calm down. What is going on that is so important?"
"It's Fluttershy! She's been foalnapped!"
Rarity dropped her scone that she was about to eat. Twilight's eyes widened at Pinkie Pie. Twilight turned around and broke into a trot, leaving Rarity and Pinkie Pie behind. As Twilight ran, thoughts flooded her mind. Fluttershy has been foalnapped? Who could have done it? And does this mean something about the cloaked pony from my dream?
II: Shadow Heart
Twilight sprinted down the market square. Thoughts swam around her mind as she tried to piece them together. It was a difficult job at best. This has to mean something about my dream, she thought. I don't know why, but I just believe it does. Whatever it was, Twilight had to find out anyways, fearing for her friend's safety.
Twilight arrived at the town hall, with many ponies crowded at the center. Mayor Mare stood behind a podium, displaying a nervous look. Twilight tried to get a better look, but many ponies were there at the same time, which made it extremely difficult to get a view behind the mass of curious and worried ponies.
Mayor Mare finally started to speak, with a dash of worry audible in her voice.
"Greetings, citizens of Ponyville. As many of you may know, a recent foalnapping has just taken place. Fluttershy, who is a Element of Harmony, was taken from her home during the middle of night and taken to an unknown location. As of now, no progress has been made."
Twilight gulped. She wondered how the foalnapper was able to grab Fluttershy and get away with it. Then again, Fluttershy was never really skilled in defending herself anyways.
Mayor Mare continued. "So now, we have decided to send in one of the best detectives. He resides in Canterlot, and he is a very smart and trustworthy colt. May I please ask Detective Shadow Heart to the stage and introduce yourself?"
A red colt walked to the podium from the side, and pushed Mayor Mare away. Mayor Mare gasped in disgust. The colt gave a threatening stare at the Mayor. She backed away slowly, cowering against him. Twilight stared at the red colt. He had black messy hair and a black pointed goatee on his chin. Why does he look so familiar?
Everypony whispered to each other, obviously noting the brute action made. Shadow Heart raised a hand, signalling for silence. Everypony stopped their discussion and stared at the detective. Shadow Heart started to speak.
"Thank you, miss. My name is Shadow Heart. I am well known in the crime district, receiving several awards for my many accomplishments. I solved many high-profile cases, many of which would've taken several months to solve with mediocre detectives. I solve them in a matter of weeks.
"I was recently called to solve this case by the Princesses orders. However, Princess Celestia has recommended someone else to 'aid' me with the case as well."
So far, Twilight was dubious about this character. He seemed snobby and self-centered. She could not possibly imagine the pain and suffering that his partner would have to go through. Although, something still seemed familiar about this colt. Twilight pondered for a moment, then suddenly made a breaking realization.
"By the Princesses order, she has recommended her faithful student, a mare that goes by the name of Twilight Sparkle."
Twilight's heart skipped a beat as she heard her name being called. She stood completely still, eyes wide-open. Shadow Heart scanned the audience. He rested his eyes directly at Twilight. Shadow Heart grinned, then slowly broke into a laugh. He pounded the podium and laughed hysterically. Everypony glanced at each other, while some stared at Twilight. Twilight turned green, and almost felt like vomiting. Even Mayor Mare stared at Shadow with a confused look.
After a good minute, Shadow Heart giggled a little more then stopped, while still grinning. He took out his hoof at Twilight.
"Twilight! It's been such a long time. Come up! Come on!" Shadow Heart yelled enthusiastically, not aware of the confused looks transmitted to him. Twilight lowered her head, and made her way to the podium. Upon her arrival, she looked up at the colt. It has been a long time.
Shadow Heart put his arm around Twilight. Twilight tried to escape, but his grip was far more superior.
"Everybody, this is Twilight Sparkle! She is going to help me with this case. We used to go out as fillys, Didn't we, Twilight?" Shadow Heart explained. Many ponies oohed at the two. Twilight blushed, then finally escaped from Shadow Heart's arm. Twilight turned her back, while forcing Shadow Heart to do the same. Twilight gave him a face of anger.
"Why are you talking about our past relationship at a time like this?! You know we agreed to never talk about it again!" Twilight hissed at Shadow Heart.
"I know. It's just that it's been such a very long time since I seen you. You know what happens when ponies don't see each other for a while."
"I hate you! You never cared about me! You were always talking about how you were going to be a detective one day, then you left me for your studies! What kind of coltfriend does that to his marefriend?" At this point, Twilight was breathing heavily. Shadow Heart stared at Twilight. He sighed.
"Twilight, I left because I needed to fulfill my dream. I always wanted to be a detective, and you should've understood the circumstances. Everypony has a dream. You didn't seem to really want to hear about it."
Twilight gave a blank expression. She looked out at the audience, then at Shadow Heart. She sighed.
"I didn't want you to be a detective because I knew you were going to be gone. You would have to everywhere in Equestria, and I would never have time to actually see you. I wanted to have a family, but it's difficult when the father isn't there to be with his foals."
Shadow Heart winced. That last sentence burned into Shadow Heart's mind. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. Shadow Heart then looked at Twilight. He took a few steps closer, and pressed his lips into hers.
Twilight didn't know how to react at the time. She would regret it later, but at the time, punching Shadow Heart square in the jaw seemed like the most reasonable solution. Everybody gasped as Shadow Heart pounded to the ground and layed there, blood slowly receding from his mouth. Mayor Mare quickly shuffled to the podium and made closing statements. Everybody left the town hall, still unsure about the situation. As everybody left, Twilight stared at Shadow Heart. His chin started to bruise, and blood littered on to the wood of the gazebo.
"Tell me when we'll meet later." And with that, Twilight walked away.
Shadow Heart slowly and painfully smiled. What a mare!, he thought.
III: Old Friends
Twilight slammed the door behind her. The Golden Oak Library looked a little messier than usual. Spike was organizing a pile of books before noticing Twilight enter. Spike studied Twilight for a moment; She appeared agitated and angry. Her face was scrunched into a face that could kill if faces could kill ponies. Spike looked at her with worry. Not because of Twilight, but fearing for his own safety.
"Hey, Twilight. Is there something wrong? I heard about Fluttershy. I'm sorry about that," Spike said, attempting to ease Twilight of her bitterness. Twilight moved past Spike, not even glancing at him. She magically opened her refrigerator and took out a carton of milk. She levitated a glass and poured the milk into the glass. Twilight placed the carton back into the refrigerator and walked to her table and slumped herself down.
Spike stared at Twilight as she peformed these actions. Spike knew something was bothering her. Spike wasn't present at the meeting at the town hall, so he wasn't too entirely sure about what was troubling her. Spike had to know; the curiosity was killing him.
Twilight sipped on her milk, staring off into blank space with a face that could threaten one's life. Spike walked to Twilight and tapped on her lightly. Twilight didn't respond to the action. She continued sipping her milk. Spike decided that one more poke couldn't hurt. As Spike's finger was about to land on Twilight's skin, Twilight smacked her glass down on the table.
"I can't believe that stupid colt did that to me! He never had the right to do that! I never asked for it!" Twilight exploded, with red starting to appear on her cheeks. Spike backed away a few steps, aware of the fact that Twilight had a potentially dangerous weapon in her hoof that she could use at any time.
"Stupid idiot... that stupid, stupid idiot..." Twilight droned out.
Spike raised a finger and asked, "Twilight? Are you okay?"
Twilight looked down at the baby dragon. Twilight twitched a little bit. She breathed out, and calmed down a little.
"I'm sorry I bursted at you, Spike. It's just that... Sweet mother Celestia... that stupid colt," Twilight spoke calmly with a hint of annoyance audible at the last part of her sentence. Spike stared at her with confusion visible on his face.
"Twilight, whose this colt you keep talking about?" Spike asked.
Twilight realized how vague she was before. Twilight blushed a little, then started to explain.
"My apologies for the confusion. Princess Celestia paired me with one of my ex-coltfriends whose name is Shadow Heart. He led me to the stage and talked about our relationship in public. In public! Then, he just... he just..." Twilight stuttered for a moment, building up a burst of fiery emotion. Spike backed up slowly, anticipating the possible outburst.
"Twili-" Spike started to speak.
"He kissed me!! " Twilight cried out, spilling her milk on to the table. Spike ducked down and covered his head. Twilight stared into space, breathing in and out heavily. She then looked down at Spike, still cowering. Twilight eased a little. She pranced down from her chair. She walked over to Spike and smoothed his scales. Spike looked up at Twilight. Her face was not as angry as before.
"I'm sorry, Spike. Maybe I over reacted a little bit. Besides, that was a long time ago, I can still be friends with him anyways," Twilight said smoothly, almost mother-like. Spike smiled at Twilight. Spike was glad that everything was patched up. Twilight turned her head to find the milk dripping from the table.
"Oh, goodness! Gotta fix that up!" Twilight magically grabbed a cloth and wiped the table. Spike felt something in his throat suddenly pounding up to his mouth. Spike covered his mouth, then regurgitated a burst of green flame. A letter appeared out of the flames. Spike catched the letter as it fell to the ground. Twilight looked up from the milk spill and rudely grabbed the letter from his hands. Twilight opened the letter and scanned the letter.
Dear Twilight
I have heard about your recent burst of aggression at the meeting at the town hall. As my student, I find this behaviour completely irresponsible. You should be able to accept your partners, no matter who it is.
I understand that Shadow Heart was a coltfriend of yours, and I can feel how he could have "betrayed" you for his studies. But you must remember that the past is forgotten and you should tie some loose ends with your partner. I am counting on you, as this investigation is very serious, and might be dangerous as well. Please get along with Shadow Heart. He seems like an "interesting" character.
Sincerely
Princess Celestia
Twilight read the last sentence. "Interesting" was a good word for it. Shadow Heart was always the sporadic type, and he changed personalities every other ten minutes. He could be happy to serious in a matter of seconds. Somehow, Twilight liked that in him. She didn't know why, but it just seemed right to her.
Maybe...
Maybe Twilight and Shadow Heart could...
No!, she thought to herself, attacking the very thought. He broke my heart years ago! I will just keep it as friends, and maybe see how it goes. Resting with that decision, Twilight placed the letter on the table and continued to scrub the floor with the cloth. But with every passing moment, not a second went by that Twilight hadn't seriously considered her going back to Shadow Heart.
Shadow Heart rested on a comfortable bed in a hotel room. He received a couple of stitches on his face, but nevertheless felt much better. He stared up at the ceiling and thought for minutes on end. One subject pranced around his mind : Twilight Sparkle.
She is a wonderful mare, Shadow Heart thought. I should have never have left her for my studies.
Shadow Heart stood himself up and walked to the desk nearby. He pulled out the chair and sat himself down. A bottle of vodka rested by the corner of the desk, still full. Shadow Heart popped the cap and took a gulp. He finished drinking, and rested the bottle down. Shadow Heart was, but never admitted, a heavy drinker. He had too many thoughts swimming around his brain, so the only thing that could shoo them away, was vodka. He liked the refreshing flavor of it as well. it was almost his best friend, when nobody else would care. He started to drink, when he left...
A knock was heard from the door. Shadow Heart perked up and jumped down from the seat and walked to the door. The person who knocked was a grey mare, whose eyes were cross-eyed. She was carrying a mailbag. The mare rustled through the bag that she was carrying, and pulled out an envelope.
"Delivery for Shadow Heart!" She said enthusiastically. Shadow Heart looked at the envelope and took it from the mare's hooves. He thanked the mare and closed the door. He studied the envelope for a moment. Unlike most envelopes, this envelope was completely black. He ripped open the envelope and skimmed through the letter. His eyes darted across the letter frantically. His mouth started to open slightly. He ripped the letter into pieces and jumped back into bed. He pulled the blanket up to his shoulders and fell into a deep sleep.
There is no way I am going back. Shadow Heart thought.
Never...