The Curse and The Spark

Chapters

The Red Night
A Change of Scenery
Inner Turmoil
Fading Hope
Night of Nightmares
A Dark Night in Equestria

The Red Night

The sun baked the ground. Nothing had grown in Equestria for many moons. The land that was once a beautiful and lush land was now barren and deserted. A single pony stood at the peak of a dry hill, looking out at her devastated home. Her once beautiful home decimated. And it was all her fault. All because of that stupid prophecy. She had fought it all her life and there was a spark in her that still fought it. Even until the end. Now the spark was fading along with her life. Once she died, the curse would go to another pony. As her vision turned to black she could feel the curse leaving her. The spark rose defiantly and as her life slipped away she cast a spell that released the spark along with the curse. The last thought she had was that at least she had done some good. Now the next victim of the curse stood a fighting chance against it. But then again, who could stand up against the curse.

Princess Celestia woke with a scream. The dream still vivid in her mind. Equestria devastated. She ran to her window and stared at the stars. All of them were a deep crimson color. The old prophecy was appearing again. The signs had all come. The curse was upon Equestria again. Celestia sighed. She had hoped that the curse would have been destroyed after the last host fought against it. Now she would have to do the unthinkable. The new host of the curse could not be allowed to destroy Equestria again. And Celestia would do anything to protect it from this threat.

Luna also saw the signs. She knew there was work to be done that night and flew into the night unnoticed by the guards or her sister. She had to get to the new host before Celestia did.

Nara galloped through the rain throwing up mist as she ran. The royal guards were somewhere behind her. She could hear them. Hear their breath and hoof beats. Nara had also seen the signs and knew what they meant. How could she not know when the pony they were looking for was the filly wrapped protectively in her bag. The filly with the curse and the mark that came with it. The black eye. Even now she could feel the eye looking at her. There was an evil behind that eye. The evil that Celestia wanted to destroy.

The rain ran down Nara’s face and some of the drops tasted of salt. The guards were getting closer and Nara couldn’t run forever. The rain was so thick now that she couldn’t see her hoof in front of her face if she even tried. Nara was on her last stretch of energy and the guards where only a few paces behind her when she ran into open air and fell into the waiting river below.

Luna had been following the group from above and saw the fall. She saw the guards search to no avail for the mother and her child. After they had left, Luna went down to search for the mother. She found the mother’s body entangled in the sharp rocks protruding from the river. Weakly the mother raised her head and looked at the princess of the night. With all the effort she could muster she uttered a single word.

“Spark.”

Luna gently closed the glazed eyes of the mother and looked at the small filly in her pack. The filly stared back with her bright green eye and her pitch black one. In the black eye was a defiance. A spark. Luna understood that spark and gently lifted the filly up. The filly was a pure white unicorn with a beautiful golden mane. Luna knew that she could never hurt such a beauty and wouldn’t let her sister either. Luna took the small filly and flew off into the majesty of the night, determined to give the filly every chance she could to defeat the curse. A spark was in her. That spark was strong and when there’s a spark, there’s hope.

The guard came to Celestia's throne room early the next morning. Exhausted, he bowed before the princess. The princess gestured for him to speak. The guard collected his thoughts and his breath before beginning. "Princess, we searched everywhere. We were in pursuit of the target but she ran of a cliff and into the river. We went down to check on her but by then she had passed on. There was no sign of any other pony. Unless they flew, no one else was there.

The princess sighed. Hopefully that had been the host but you could never know. The mark was different for each host. She thanked the guard and gestured for him to leave. Hopefully the threat was gone. However, now she needed to attend to other matters. Luna, for instance, was taking in an orphan unicorn filly as her student. At least there was some joyous news for the day.

Luna had much to do to prepare for Celestia. Her sister was coming to see the pupil she had just found for herself. Celestia must never know of the filly's lineage though. The filly was now standing in front of the mirror on wobbly legs. Luna sighted. This wasn't going to be easy do disguise her. She was fine until you saw her eye. What to do about that eye. Ironically, it was the filly that solved the problem. She had toppled over into a hamper of shimmering cloth, a gift from Rarity, and a piece had fallen over her black eye like an eye patch. Luna smiled at the simplicity and quickly set to work making an eye patch out of the shimmering cloth. The work was simple yet elegant and it added a bit of mystery to the filly's looks. The filly was now ready to face the world and more importantly, Celestia.

Celestia looked at the white unicorn with the shimmering eye patch curiously. Luna had explained that the filly had been in a terrible accident that had injured her eye. The eye could now, under no circumstances, be exposed to any light. The filly was a cute little thing and smiled sweetly at her. Celestia smiled right back. This unicorn was surely a sign of hope in these troubling times. She was so proud of her sister for taking on a student. It had already been agreed that all the princesses would help in the little filly's education. Luna had been hesitant on the matter but Celestia had insisted. As soon as the filly was old enough, her education would begin.

Author's Note

This is the first part of the story. I hope you enjoyed!

A Change of Scenery

Aurora was feverishly packing everything that could fit into her luggage. Books, a light lunch, lavender scented candles that she was fond of, blankets, and extra eye patches to just name a few. Soon she would be departing for Ponyville to earn about the friendship of magic from Princess Twilight Sparkle. A nock on the door to her suite made Aurora jump. She hastily checked to make sure that her eye patch was properly in place and that she looked as calm and collected as possible. After she had made sure that she was presentable she realized that she had totally forgotten to open the door. She rushed over to the door to open it only to remember a second too late that she could have just used her magic. The person on the other side of the door was Luna. Luna had an amused look on her face and gave Aurora a warm smile. Politely Luna asked, "Could I please come in?" while trying to hide a smile that was rebelliously tugging at the corner of her mouth. Aurora quickly invited her in while running over what she had packed and what she hadn't.

Luna smiled again. It would be good for her to see Twilight. A change of scenery would be good for they young mare. Around the castle Aurora was constantly under pressure to keep her identity secret. Despite the good that it would do for Aurora, Luna was worried for her. Aurora had never been anywhere without Luna. The prospect of having Aurora go hurt her heart. Luna had practically raised the mare and had formed a strong bond with her. Tears started to creep into her eyes.

The tears didn't go unnoticed, and Aurora stopped packing and ran and hugged her friend. She had come to seeing Luna almost as a mother to her. Tears started to prick her eyes and soon tears were streaming down both of their faces. Each taking comfort in each others presence.

Finally they broke apart and Luna was the first to break the silence. "Remember to keep that eye covered. Write to me everyday, and don't forget to pack anything." Aurora smiled though the tears and promised she would. Both embraced one last time before Aurora was whisked away to get onto the train. As Aurora departed Luna watched on the castle battlement with Celestia. Celestia tried to comfort her sister but knew that she could do little to quench the worry. Instead they watched the train grow smaller and smaller in silence before Celestia left. Luna stayed long after the train had left still staring at where it had disappeared.

Aurora had boarded the train with little difficulty. She had a whole car to herself. After the castle was lost from sight she decided to explore a bit. She would, after all, be here for a while. Aurora wasn't disappointed. The train was like a new world to her. Everything was so new. Usually, whenever Aurora went somewhere, she went by chariot. Soon however, she had exhausted her curiosity and retired to her car to think. She had heard much about Twilight Sparkle. She knew that Twilight had been a student of Celestia and had become a Princess when she had mastered the magic of friendship. That was what Aurora had come to study. She also knew that Twilight lived in a library in Ponyville. Aurora would be staying with Twilight. It would diffidently be an interesting trip.

Once off the train Aurora had no idea what to do. Ponies where bustling everywhere. Each had a place to go. This was not unnatural. Canterlot had also been quite busy. However, most people there were used to her eye patch. Here it seemed that everyone couldn't see enough of it. What was worse were the people who tried to hide the fact that they were staring at it. Aurora felt panic building up in her chest. She had to find Twilight before she had a panic attack. As casually as possible she picked up her luggage using a standard unicorn spell. She walked as regally as possible through the crowd, scanning them for any signs of the princess. Instead she saw a pink pony jumping up and down through the crowd waving at her.

Pinky Pie had been sent by Twilight to try to find Aurora. From the description that had been given her, Pinky guessed that Aurora was the pony that a crowd was forming around. Pinky bounded over and stopped right in front of the pony, startling her so much that she dropped her luggage and toppled backwards. Now Pinky could understand why there was a crowd. The pony had an eye patch. Pinky then began the usual welcome for all new ponies.

Aurora stared at the pink pony as she sang and spoke almost too fast to understand. Finally the pink pony paused to breath. Before Aurora could say anything though, the pink pony started again.

"So I'm Pinky Pie! I came to come and pick you up. You're Aurora right? Well of course your Aurora. You're the only one with an eye patch which is so cool! I mean how many ponies do you see that have eye patches. I mean really! They're a really bold fashion statement! You should show my friend Rarity! She would make you a whole fashion line around the eye patch and..."

The pony, Pinky Pie, stopped talking as a pony with a cowboy hat interrupter her. "Whoa there partner. I think you're scaring her." The pony tipped her hat to Aurora. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Applejack. Would you happen to be Aurora?"

Aurora nodded and then collected as much of her thoughts as possible and addressed the pony named Applejack. "Yes I'm Aurora. I'm looking for Princess Twilight Sparkle. Would you happen to know where she is?"

Applejack smiled. "Of course we know where she is. We were sent by her to escort you to where you'll be staying." Applejack looked at the luggage and went and grabbed some of it while Pinkie Pie grabbed the rest. "Here we'll take this so that you don't have to carry so much. You fancy people sure do like to pack a lot."

Aurora was touched by their generosity and soon they where on their way. The tree house that Aurora would be staying at wasn't too far from the station. Pinkie had gone ahead to tell the princess that they'd be arriving soon. Applejack was fun to talk too and knew many tasty sounding recipes. Aurora would have to try her hoof at cooking. It sounded kind of fun. Both ponies stepped into the tree only to find it pitch black. Suddenly the lights went on and a chorus of ponies shouted simultaneously, "SURPRISE!" For the second time that day, Aurora fell over backwards dropping her luggage. Helpful hooves helped her up. One of the helpful hooves was Princess Twilight Sparkle. Aurora hastily bowed, but slipped and fell flat on her face. Twilight laughed and helped her up again. "Hello Aurora, I'm Twilight Sparkle. Welcome to Ponyville and I hope you enjoy the party."

Aurora teared up at the trouble that everypony had gone to, to make her feel welcome. Everyone was smiling and Aurora realized with some surprise, that she was too. With this many happy ponies, it was sure to be a wonderful party.

It was a wonderful party. So wonderful that it lasted through most of the night. So many party games were played that Aurora couldn't remember everything. After the party Aurora asked if she could write a letter to Princess Luna. Twilight whole heartedly agreed and soon a letter was sent explaining all that had happened and how welcome she had been. Spike, Twilights dragon assistant, sent the letter. Maybe studying in Ponyville wouldn't be so bad as Aurora had thought.

Luna finished reading the letter with a smile. Aurora was doing well. Luna had known that Twilight would welcome Aurora. She also knew that Aurora would never be the same after her trip to Ponyville. However, the magic of friendship might just hold the key to curing Aurora. Luna hoped so. It had cured her of her curse. It might be Aurora's only hope, and make her spark ignite into a flame that could cast out the darkness of the curse. However, Luna knew all too well that when there is light, there is dark.

Author's Note

Tell me in the comments what you like or dislike in the story. Please just keep the language clean.

Inner Turmoil

Twilight had instructed Aurora earlier in the day to go and meet the ponies in Ponyville to start her teachings of the magic of friendship. It had been easier than expected. Aurora had asked Pinky Pie to introduce her to everyone and had finished before lunch. The only side effect was that Aurora was now exhausted. It was hard to keep up with Pinky Pie. The towns ponies had been nice enough. There had of course been the stares but Aurora had been getting used to those since she was a filly. The town ponies would adjust. The only question was could Aurora?

Twilight ran over the letter she had received from Celestia. The letter was a request to help Aurora learn the magic of friendship. Twilight had been delighted but had no idea how to do it. She had sent Aurora out to meet all the town ponies. That had been easy. Now Twilight had to find out what to teach Aurora what had taken her years to learn. She wondered if now was a good time for this. Strange things had been happening in the Everfree Forest. No one had been able to explain the strange occurrences. Shadowy figures had been seen, strange lights, and terrifying sounds. Nothing in her book could explain it and the occurrences were only becoming more frequent and terrifying. Maybe she should send Aurora back until the problems were solved. Until then she would have to keep her away from the forest.

Aurora had explored every nook and cranny of Ponyville, learned lots of delicious recipes from Applejack, and met every pony, donkey, griffon, and pet. Now she stood at the edge of a strange forest outside of Fluttershy's cottage. It was dark and didn't look very pleasant. However, it had drawn Aurora in. Something mystical about the forest seemed to call her. A small voice in her head was screaming at her to get as far away from the forest as possible. Aurora would have done well to listen to that voice. Instead she walked on. She walked for what seemed a very long time. It was getting dark and the small voice was telling her to turn around and go back to the library. Whatever was in here could wait until Twilight explained it in further detail. Owls hooted and twigs would snap. Aurora ignored all these as if in a trance. There was smoke ahead that marked something important. Aurora knew that she needed to get to that smoke. There her answers could be answered.

Unknown eyes watched Aurora hungrily. Slowly they stalked after the pretty pony with the eye patch. Then a twig snapped. It almost sounded like lightning to the stalkers and snapped Aurora out of her trance. She whipped around to come almost face to face with a timber wolf. Aurora opened her mouth in a scream that never came. The timber wolf pounced. Ironically it was a timber wolf that saved Aurora's life. He had been stepping one the leaders tail before the leader pounced and resulted in the leader clumsily falling forward ramming into Aurora, sending her tumbling backwards down the hill.

Aurora tumbled down bumping and scraping herself on the way. As she fell a branch of a dead tree snagged her eye patch and tore it off of Aurora's face. The black eye stared out at the timber wolves with hate and rage, while the green one looked at them with fear. The timber wolves stepped back a few paces before regaining their anger at the strange intruder. That pause was all that Aurora needed though. As quick as a whip, she took of. Aurora rushed blindly into the thicket in the direction of where she had last seen the smoke. Her hoof caught on a root that sent her toppling into a clearing. There stood a beautiful zebra. The wolves stopped at the edge of the clearing and snarled at the zebra and her fire. Slowly they retreated back into the forest to lie in wait for the next unfortunate soul to pass through their territory.

Aurora turned to the zebra in awe through her green eye. She kept the other firmly shut. Groaning she shakily stood before collapsing again from the stress of the evening. The zebra gently started to take the strange pony to her cottage. It wouldn't be safe for the pony to return to where she had come from until the morning. Until then the zebra would tend to her cuts and scrapes. After a little while the pony insisted on walking. That was good, it meant that her injuries weren't too severe. The pony introduced herself as Aurora. The zebra introduced herself as Zecora. When they reached the cottage, Aurora fell asleep on one of Zecora's mats. While Aurora slept, Zecora tended to her cuts and scrapes. The pony opened both her eyes and looked at Zecora before a look of alarm crossed her face and she squeezed her eyes shut. Aurora was just a second too late though. Zecora had seen her black eye. The sign of her curse that had followed her since she had been a filly.

Twilight and her friends met at the town square as the moon hit it's highest point. From the looks of the other ponies Twilight had the feeling that none of them had found Aurora. Fluttershy stepped forward and whispered something into Twilights ear that made her blood run cold. Aurora had left Fluttershy's cottage and hadn't been seen since. Fluttershy had found her hoof prints and found that they led to the Everfree Forest. Everyone had heard the hunting calls of the Timber Wolves that night and Twilight had a bad idea what they had been hunting. Twilight sent Rainbow Dash to scan the forest from above. It was too dangerous to search for the lost pony on hoof. Twilight mentally kicked herself for not warning Aurora about the dangers of the forest. Now she might be out there hurt or lost. Rainbow Dash soon returned with no good news. Twilight wanted to sob. She had failed. Twilight took a deep breath. It was no good to blame herself now. The best way they could help Aurora was to wait until the morning and take a search party in and find her. Hopefully she would be safe until then.

Aurora felt the tears running down her cheeks. Zecora had seen the mark. The thing that made her evil. Her destiny written on her face for the whole world to see. She felt a gently hoof on her shoulder and looked up at Zecora through her green eye. Zecora stood there with tears in her eyes. She gently opened Auroras cursed eye and stared for what seemed an eternity. "The mark of evil on one so young? Oh how terrible fate had become." She gestured for Aurora to follow her. Zecora led her Aurora to book and handed it to her.

"This book you see is not in Twilight's library, but within it holds the key to your destiny. Learn from it from ever range. And your destiny you may change."

Aurora reverently took the old book and slid it into her saddle bag. Zecora looked at her eye and went over to look through a chest. From it she pulled a white eye patch with gold embroidery. Aurora put the eye patch on to cover her cursed eye.

Zecora looked at Aurora approvingly. "This patch has many mysteries. While you where it you shall see that it covers up the curse in thee. But be warned, if the patch comes off, out comes the storm."

Aurora nodded, lost for words. Both retired back to the cottage. A bond formed between them because of the knowledge of the curse they shared. As Zecora slept Aurora stared at the roof of the small hut with wonder. Yet even though her secret had been shared it still rested heavily on her. No one else must find out about the curse. If they did it could mean disaster for every pony. With these thoughts Aurora slept still battling the thoughts of her destiny and what she might have to do to her friends. Aurora smiled softly in her sleep at the thought of these strange ponies becoming her friends so quickly. Aurora realized that she would do anything to protect them.

As the first rays of light hit the trees, Twilight had already organized a rescue party. They stood at the edge of the Everfree Forest when they saw two figures approaching. Twilight sobbed with relief when she recognized them as Zecora and Aurora. Aurora smiled and both she and Zecora raced to the waiting ponies. Aurora received many tearful hugs and scorns for her foolishness. Aurora smiled slyly and responded that her task was to greet every pony and that Zecora had counted. She then apologized for her tardiness. Aurora was asked, or was rather demanded, by the fillies to tell them exactly what had happened. Every pony gasped when they heard of the timber wolf attack. Everyone was grateful that Zecora had been around to help. Aurora had of course left out the part of her eye. Rarity, quick to see something beautiful, had pointed out the change of her eye patch. Aurora simply said that Zecora had given it to her as a gift as she had lost hers in the forest. There was laughter and joy among the ponies as shadows watched their every move.

A timber wolf took the eye patch that he had found and brought it to his master. The mysterious shadow pony sniffed the patch and smiled.

"I believe that we have just found the cursed one."

His laughter rang through the forest only heard by Aurora. Her blood ran cold and a dull pain throbbed behind her cursed eye. Aurora knew that she would have to read the book that Zecora had given her as soon as she got back to the forest. A rebellious spark burned in her. There was hope to change her fate, and as long as there was hope, Aurora would fight for it.

Author's Note

I'm sorry if the pacing is a bit fast for some of you. It's how I tend to write.

Fading Hope

It had been three days since the incident. There had of course been the reprimands and the apologies. After that Aurora had found sanctuary in her room. There she had read the book cover to cover. In it was the history of the first cursed one on to the last one. Each one had fought the curse until the bitter end. None of them defeated it. What was worse was the more the host fought, the worse the curse became and the more destruction done. This didn't bode well for Aurora. Silently Aurora cried herself to sleep the night she had read it. Her once bright spark of hope was now a mere ember.

Twilight looked at her student that day concerned. She had heard Aurora cry herself to sleep and knew that something was wrong. Upon inquiry though, Aurora simple said that she was fine. Twilight simply knew that something had happened in the forest that had hurt Aurora more than any wound. Twilight sat wondering how to cheer her up when she was struck by brilliancy.

"You want me to organize preparations for Nightmare Night? I thought you were the most organized?"

Twilight smiled at Aurora and explained that it was a teaching experience. The ability to organize both your time and priorities is important in friendship. Aurora agreed doubtfully. What did organization have to do with friendship. She thought it had to do with loyalty, generosity, kindness, laughter, honesty, and magic. However, she was the student and therefor would do what the teacher requested of her. Plus, Luna would be there. that thought filled Aurora with excitement. She would finally be able to see her mentor. Twilight smiled as Aurora raced off. She knew that this would at least take her mind of her worrying. Maybe Twilight would be a good teacher after all. Sending Aurora away wouldn't be necessary. She seemed to be doing just fine, and the forest had seemed to calm down. It looked like the storm was over. Unfortunately, the storm was only beginning.

Aurora stopped at Applejack's farm. It always amazed her how beautiful the farm was. She raced the rest of the way to find the Apples in the middle of their chores. Applejack was delighted to see her and even more pleased when Aurora explained her need for caramel apples and other goodies for Nightmare Night. Soon Aurora had sampled every spooky treat that the Apples could make and was as full as a barrel as she went to go see Rainbow Dash about the weather for the event. It needed to be as cloudy as possible without covering the moon. That itself took the least amount of time. Rainbow Dash was the fastest pony in Ponyville, although Applejack begged to differ. Plus, Aurora got to see her new air stunts to impress the Wonder Bolts. Ahead of schedule, Aurora went to see Pinkie Pie about the party and games and found things well on their way. Fluttershy would be hiding in her hut during Nightmare Night so Aurora went strait to Rarity's to see how the decorations were coming along. Rarity was putting up banners with beautiful silver moons and of course, Nightmare Moon. It was hard to believe that Aurora's beloved teacher could have been such a monster. Then again, who was she to judge who was a monster. Aurora's day was once again reminded of the cloud that hung over her head, and she speedily finished the rest of her tasks.

The dark figures gathered around their master. They had just reported the events they had seen from the town the ponies called, Ponnyville. It was hard to gauge his mood. Their master smiled slyly. Tomorrow they would attack the town and take the pony they had seen. The one with the golden hair and the beautiful black eye. Their mark.

One of the group separated in secret. He discarded his dark robe that would keep him invisible at the edge of the forest. He had to warn the golden pony before it was too late. Her darkness couldn't be awoken. She was too pure. Unlike him, who had been among the shadowed ones for more time than anypony could remember. He had to warn her because he had also once been pure and knew what the shadowed ones could do to even the purest pony.

The master smiled as he stared down at the running figure of his supposedly "loyal" subject. It didn't matter though. The traitor would have to go through some rehabilitation when he was caught again. The master was very confident that he could turn even the purest of hearts. What confused him was how the young colt had undone his work. He frowned in annoyance when he realized the answer. It was the white mare with the mark. She must have had some affect on his dark magic that had shrouded his subjects conscious. No matter. Soon he would be seeing one of his oldest puppets. Princess Luna, or as she was known throughout the shadowed ones, Nightmare Moon. What better time to bring back his best student then on her own holiday. The puzzle pieces were falling into place at long last. Finally, the prophesy which he had spoken of thousands of moons ago was beginning again on it's endless cycle. Only his mistress could have done anything more evil than Millennium, Discords protégé, and servant to the bringer of the end, Eclipse.

Author's Note

I know this one's shorter than the others. Sorry.

Night of Nightmares

The decoratioins were complete, and Aurora was exhausted. The moment she hit the pillow she was asleep. As she slept she dreamed. The dream seemed so real. There was a young colt in all black running around the town. In some odd way, she knew that he was looking for her. Why though, would anyone look for her who she had never met? Or had she? There was a faint memory of his face that she couldn't her hoof on. Then the dream changed into a nightmare. Heat surounded her. Ponyville was on fire! Aurora spun around to put out the nearest flame to see none. The awful realization hit her. She was the one on fire. The fire was spreading from her cursed eye. Aurora screamed as the flames consumed her body and the whole town. All around her, she could see her friends being consumed along with her. Their cries fed the fire. Aurora wept helplessly. Then a darkness swept over the dreamscape. The darkness of thousands of dark hooded ponies swooped out of the fire. Aurora screamed as they desended upon her.

Aurora was still screaming when Twilight woke her up. Twilight stood over her temporary student worried. It had taken almost an hour to wake her up. The procedings had already begun. Luna had finally come and awaken her protege with a spell. Aurora looked up at her two teachers and realized that it had only been a dream. She calmed herself down and asured them that she was fine. Now was the time of Nightmare Night after all. The others laughed more out of relief then out of humor. The night went well after that. Aurora was escorting the fillies through the candy route with Pinky Pie. Pinky Pie had dressed up as Gummy, and Gummy had dressed up as Pinky Pie. Aurora was dressed as Clover the Clever with a black eye patch. She had seen no need to wear the magic one as her eye seemed to be normal. Twilight had dressed up as some magical alicorn that no one knew about. The fillies were very cute in their little costumes. There were pirates, witches, cats, ladybugs, and spiders. Their bags were swollen so much that some of the seams were tearing.

It was time for the traditional candy apeasement for "Nightmare Moon" at her statue. It was in the Everfree Forest, and sent shivers up Aurora's spine as memories of the last time she had been in there haunted her memory. Something in the memory bothered her. As they reached the statue it hit her like lightning. She had seen the colt in her dream here! The fillies were putting their candy at the foot of the statue. Aurora felt the need to run. She had to get out of here. Evil was here. Aurora wished she had brought her eye patch. Her thoughts were interrupted as one of the fillies, Pipsqueak, screamed at the top of his lungs as dark figures moved in from where they were hidden, lying in ambush. Now Aurora really wished she was wearing the mafic eye patch, for as they got closer, her eye felt like it was on fire.

The dark colt ran through the entire village but couldn't find the white mare. The colt was unfortunately nervous in crowds and wouldn't ask any pony about the whereabouts of the white mare. He ducked into a treelike library as a crowd of fillies ran excitedly past him. In his haste, he tripped over a book on the ground and when tumbling into Aurora's room. Twilight had been in the other room grabbing something that she had forgotten when she heard him. Before she could say a word the colt asked if Aurora was anywhere around. It was the only thing he could think of in the situation. Twilight was speechless. The colt sighed and quickly told her about the interest that the master had in Aurora and that Aurora was in danger. Twilight needed no further prompting. For some reason she trusted the stranger. They rushed out to where Aurora had gone calling to Luna and the gang to follow them. The eye patch remained on Aurora's dresser.

The children gathered around Pinky and Aurora as the hooded figures slowly came closer. Sirens were going off in Aurora's head. She put it aside as she got her priorities strait. Her first priority was to get the fillies safely away. Her second one was for her to get away. Funny how she placed her life second. If she survived she's look into it. She screamed, "RUN!" at the top of her lungs as she blasted three hooded figures back with a stunning spell. The green light from her magic illuminated the figures just as Aurora and Pinky rushed the fillies out of the clearing towards Ponyville. The hooded ponies had shaken of the shock of the magic and were gaining on them. Aurora screamed at Pinky to go on as Aurora stopped, turned, and charged at the hooded ponies. Pinky Pie could only keep running as her friend raced towards certain defeat. Tears ran down her face. For once, she had nothing to laugh about.

Twilight saw the group before the colt did. Pinky ran into Twilights blinded by her tears. She started babling nonsense and sobbing. Twilight had never seen Pinky like this and it made her more terrified than anything the colt had told her. She looked into Pinky's terrified eyes and asked in a shaky voice, "Pinky, where's Aurora?!" All Pinky could do was point back towards the Everfree forest. The colt took of like a flash. Twilight huridly told Pinky to take the fillies home and raced after him. The colt suddenly stopped suddenly causing Twilight to run right into him. There standing in the center of a ring of hooded ponies was Aurora and it looked like she had conjured a shield of protection. It also looked like the shield was failing fast. She cried out as the sheild failed and the hooded ponies attacked.

Aurora wished that she had thought her plan out better. Then again she didn't have a plan at all. She had simply known that she had to but Pinky and the fillies some time. It had gone downhill from there. Her eye hurt to much for her to concentrate. The only thing she could do was put up a weak sheild as the hooded ponies bombarded her with spells that made her sheild flicker dangerously. What was worse was the voices in her head. She couldn't hear what the voices said but they distracted her enough that her sheild was failing even faster. Eventually the sheild fell as Aurora knew that she could never defeat such evil. It was imposible. Then Twilights voice had come like the sun through fog and Aurora could think again. She took in the situation quickly. The hooded ponies had gained a lot of ground against her and were coming even closer. She couldn't let them get any closer. She also couldn't let them hurt Twilight. No one would hurt her friends. Her eye sight became even clearer until it was white. This was power. But not from the curse. It was her own. She would worry about where the power had come from later. First she had to deal with the hooded ponies. She couldn't see anything but knew that she had to drive the hooded ponies away. Then came blinding pain and the world went black with tints of green and red.

Twilight looked at her young pupil in awe. Her eye had turned white and magic was surging around her like a magical storm. The hooded ponies were blown back a few paces and then each was caught in a ray of white magic. They flinched away from the light and ran. The hooded ponies were retreating. Twilight ran towards her pupil only to see a bolt of black magic hit Aurora's side. Aurora fell with a shout of pain and lay curled in pain with the ocasional twitch as black magic began to encircle her. Twilight screamed and ran to her. She hugged Aurora as tears ran down her eyes. She waited to be shot with the same magic; not caring anymore. She had failed her student. Her tears ran down Aurora's face and she stopped twitching as the black magic faded away. After a while, Twilight realized that she hadn't been shot yet. She looked up to find the young colt had mad a sheild with his magic that was a light gray. He was sweating from the effort and probably couldn't hold on form much longer.

Aurora was in blackness. Then the pain occured. It flashed across her in strips of red and green. She thought she was going to die right then. It would have been more merciful than this. Then came a rain of pure white drops of water. The pain was washed away as Aurora laughed and danced in the soothing rain. She caught a drop on her toung only to recoil in shock. The rain was salty. How strange. Still, it washed away the pain so she continued to run and laugh in it like a young filly. Nothing could hurt her now.

Twilight gently set Aurora down and rushed over to the colt. She gathered her magic and cast a strong protective sheild. The colt gratefully layed down, his sides heaving. He opened one of his eyes and muttered his thanks. A bolt of black magic hit the sheild causing Twilight to step back a pace. Her eyes widened. Who could have that much magic?! An old pony stepped out of the shadows and grinned slyly. Twilight gasped. It was Star Swirled the Bearded. She stuttered out his name in shock. The old pony snarled and sent anouther bolt of magic rattling the sheild. "You are never to use that vile name again. I am now known as Millenium. The soon to be ruler of Equestria." He was about send another bolt of magic at the sheild when he was hit backwards with a ray of magic from above. It was Princess Luna!! Twilight couldn't have been happier to see the princess than right now. Surprisingly Star Swirl, or Millenium, cackled. "Hello Luna. Long time no see. I see my spell was destroyed by your exile to the moon. What a pity. I'll have to do it all over again. Oh well." Before anyone could move, Millenium had shot his black bolt right at Luna. She shrieked as she fell and black magic enveloped her. Twilight screamed as Luna began to change. Luna stood and grinned slyly. Luna was now gone. There was only Nightmare Moon.

Author's Note

I'm sorry this took so long. I hit a writers block and couldn't write for a few weeks. I also added in a few head cannons of mine so I hope you don't mind. If you don't like it it's your opinion and I respect it. Leave suggestions for me in the comments. What I'm doing wrong or what could be improved. Thanks again for your patience.

A Dark Night in Equestria

The rain had stopped. Aurora cried at the loss of the soothing salty rain. When she looked up it wasn't black anymore. She was flying high above the field where she had been before the pain had hit her. It was so beautiful to fly. The world looked like a quilt below. She envied the pegasi who got to see this everyday. No pony could be seen for miles. There was only her floating free of her pains and fears. She looked down and realized that she had thought to soon. Down below were five ponies. She could also see some hiding in the shrubs watching the five ponies in the clearing. A magical shield was guarding three of the ponies while one laughed and one tried to destroy the shield. A voice next to her startled Aurora away from the figures far below. "I had hoped that the curse would never have activated. It would have been better for every pony."

Next to Aurora was a gray mare with white spots covering her body. She had a black mane with a blue streak and ice blue eyes. There was something very familiar about the mare. Aurora simply couldn't put her hoof on it. The pony gestured sadly back towards the ponies. Aurora looked back down at the ponies and gasped. She saw them with a new clarity and realized that they were not just random ponies. It was Twilight and Luna! Twilight was keeping a shield wall up while a colt she didn't know was laying down exhausted. The mare next to him was non other than herself. Aurora looked down at herself and realized that her body wasn't moving and she couldn't tell if she was breathing. The worst was yet to come still, for outside the shield was an old pony with a black hood pulled back to show his face, but what was terrible about the scene was that standing next to him was Nightmare Moon.

Aurora cried out at the sight of her mentor in a state of such evil. She turned to the grey pony in outrage. "Stop this! This cannot be real!" Aurora started to cry as the face of the mare looked sympathetic instead of outraged. Aurora would have preferred it if she had been mad at her. The fact that she had looked sympathetic simply proved that it wasn't of her doing. That meant that it was real.

The mare looked deep into Aurora's eyes. "A choice must be made. You cannot save them all and save yourself. You must leave one or the other behind." Aurora clenched her jaw. "Then I will sacrifice myself to save them all. I have to save them all. You cannot make me choose!" The grey mare's eyes flared a bright red. "Do you have any idea what will happen if you don't save yourself?! You will destroy all of Equestria! You have to find a way to keep the curse at bay before it consumes you! You're lucky it hasn't already!"

Aurora stepped back at the onslaught only to step into open space. Aurora fell screaming as the ground rushed towards her. Above her she could still feel the red eyes on her and hear, "You can only save one or the other!" She hit her still form on the ground and took in what felt like the first breath ever.

Twilight began to cry at the position she was in. Luna was once again Nightmare moon, Starswirled the Bearded was evil, the colt who had helped her was out for the count, and Aurora had been hit by the same magic that had turned Luna. A terrible thought occurred to Twilight. What if the same thing was happening to Aurora? She spun around to see Aurora gasp in a breath and sit bolt upright. Aurora took one look at the situation and zapped both Twilight and the colt. Twilight screamed only to find herself outside Zecora's hut.

Aurora looked at the old pony with determination. She didn't care what the grey pony said. She would save all those who were dear to her. Even if it meant sacrificing herself. "Turn Luna back!"

To her cry of outrage the old pony just chuckled. "You are a very feisty one miss. Who would have thought that the curse would be on a pure white pony. Fate can be so funny nowadays. And what makes you think I'll turn Nightmare Moon back to that pitiful state she was in. This one suits her much better." Without warning Aurora charged at the old pony. The old pony merely sidestepped and continued to chuckle. "Yes. Let your hate for me grow and bloom. Let the curse take hold of you." A voice behind Aurora made her gasp. It was Nightmare Moon. "Aurora... RUN!!" The old pony frowned and hit Nightmare Moon with another blast of the black magic. Her words still echoed in Aurora's head as tears ran down her face. "No I won't leave you!" Nightmare moon turned to her and shot her with a teleportation spell. Both Aurora and the old pony were screaming as Aurora disappeared only to reappear at Zecora's hut.

Zecora looked at the sobbing form of Aurora. "To despair you must not bow, for if you are to fight back you must act now. Twilight, there is something you retrieve to stop Auroras dark sight. A patch of white which just might hold back her dark sight."

Twilight just stared blankly at Zecora. "Zecora what do you mean by dark sight? And what patch of white?"

For the first time since the library, the colt spoke. "She is cursed Twilight. I'm guessing the patch of white is the eye patch Zecora gave her. If we can get it on Aurora we can possibly stop the curse from spreading from her eye."

Twilight eyes hardened as her blood started to rise. "How do we know we can trust YOU! YOU'RE one of THEM!" She started to advance on the colt slowly and menacingly as the colt backed up in shock of the onslaught. Twilight had no idea what she would have done if Aurora hadn't started sobbing and crying out almost breaking her heart. Twilight sighed and regained the composure that a princess must have and turned back to the colt. "I am deeply sorry for my actions and if you believe that the eye patch will help I will gladly help in any way I can.

The colt nodded and silently sighed in relief. He then laid out his plan to get the eye patch and not be killed in the process. By this time the dark ponies would have certainly taken over Ponyville so first they needed a distraction. Something that the dark ponies couldn't resist. Then they would need to teleport in and out as quickly as possible before they were discovered. Simple as that. Twilight looked at the colt thinking that it may turn out more complex than they would expect but decided not to voice her opinions. They would go and retrieve the eye patch tomorrow and be back before lunch. Hopefully. Maybe.

The colt was on lookout from the library door as Twilight searched for the eye patch and continued to keep the magical invisibility shield going. Why were they in an invisibility shield? To put is simply, the plan had been anything but simple. The distraction had only brought everyone's attention to the caster, Twilight. After that they had tried teleporting only to find that there had been a spell blocking any teleportation spells. The colt had tried disguises but hadn't even made it past the first guard without being recognized. Twilight's coat was unfortunately noticeable. The guard was now sleeping contently locked in a convenient broom closet they had found. Twilight had then decided to put up an invisible barrier up around them and to sneak into town. So far that plan had worked and if they could get the eye patch it would all be worth it. Then a thought occurred to him. "Why was this so easy? This shouldn't have been this easy!" Panic started to build up and he spun around only to be zapped by a bolt of magic that sent him sprawling. As he lost consciousness he realized exactly why it was so easy and now he couldn't do a thing about it.

Twilight almost laughed out loud and held the eye patch above her head triumphantly. She rushed out to find that the colt was gone. The invisibility shield allowed them to see each other but no one else. Or at least it should. Twilight swung around to find herself facing a dark pony. All thoughts about the colt vanished as she turned tail and ran. If she had looked back she might have seen him being dragged away but the only thing she could think about was getting the eye patch to Aurora as quickly as possible. As soon as she was out of Ponyville she could teleport. No sooner had she teleported than an old pony who had been watching all of what had happened stepped out of the shadows and laughed at how simple it was to trick these ponies.

Author's Note

Sorry this took so long but I've been busy and it's hard to write every day. Hope you enjoy!