Under the Eye of Darkness

MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC!

Chapter 4:

~Mysteries and Thefts~

After visiting the interesting Tent of Legends attraction run by a kind pony named Mirror Image, Twilight arrived back at her home in Ponyville Library- her current residence.

Twilight used a spell and opened up the door to find everything in proper order. No doubt thanks to Spike. She then looked around to see if he was currently around and spotted a note on the shelf.

~Dear Twilight,

In case you're wondering where I am, I went out into the market to buy some groceries since we're almost running out. Hope you're not too worried! Anyway, I'll be back later tonight. If Rarity stops by, tell her I said hi ok?~

~Your Number One Assistant,

Spike

Twilight managed a small giggle. Even when Spike is busy, he still has time to think about Rarity. She decided to eat a little snack consisting of apples and one glass of milk.

As she ate, her thoughts went back to the mysterious voice she heard in the Tent of Legends. All she could recall were the words "*Chaos", *"Doomed", and a name that just randomly popped into her head- "Xerneas".

Just thinking about it made her involuntarily shiver. She decided not to dwell on it and began reading the book she bought titled Equestrian Legends.

After about an hour, Twilight couldn't put the book down! There were so many amazing legends that she never knew (or heard) about! Such as The Sun and Moon's Rivalry, Slendermane, even a particularly interesting one called The XY War.

She began reading the latter legend:

"Back then...in ancient times, before the great birth of the great Royal Pony Sisters, there was a barren wasteland that would soon be known as Equestria. This would also be where two powerful forces would wage battle against one another. That battle would be a battle of Harmony and Destruction. The forces collided for centuries, while their followers fought one another as well. Friends became enemies and enemies became friends. One day, the forces gathered enough energy for one final attack. The two opposing energies clashed against each other and then...vanished, creating a beautiful vast land of peaceful energy. With the war now over, the Age of Equestria would blossom. However, no one would ever know what ever happened to the two opposing forces known as Harmony (whom was called X) and Destruction (whom was called Y). Eventually, these two letters formed the names: Xerneas & Yveltal..."

"Wow! What an interesting tale!" Twilight exclaimed to herself. She put a hoof to her chin and thought to herself, 'Xerneas and...Yveltal? *Why does it feel like I know those names? Hmm...I can't seem to place them. I don't even know why or how I know them!'*

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She got up from her position and opened the door only for her nose to be knocked on by...Pinkie Pie. It appeared she didn't even know Twilight answered the door until Twilight gave a small cough.

Pinkie Pie was a pink Earth Pony with a cotton candy styled mane and tail. Her Cutie Mark was three balloons on her rump. This signified her talent for throwing parties and making everypony smile!

"HI TWILIGHT!! DID YOU SEE THE SUPER-DUPER AMAZING FANTASTIC TENT OF LEGENDS ATRRACTION?!! OOH! NO BETTER YET, DID YA SEE THE NEW PONY IN TOWN? HUH? DIDJA, DIDJA, DIDJA?! I GOTTA THROW HIM A Welcome To Ponyville (albeit temporarily) Party!! OOH! I GOTTA MAKE PLANS AND-" Pinkie Pie was about to continue before Twilight quickly put a hoof to Pinkie's mouth to shut her motormouth up.

"Yes Pinkie I did." Twilight said with an annoyed sigh. "Now could you stop shouting in my face?" She asked politely.

"I'm soooo sorry Twilight! Hee hee. I'm just so nervicited!" Pinkie said enthusiastically.

Twilight quietly gritted her teeth in slight frustration (A.N. Wouldn't you be if someone interrupted your reading time and shouted in your face?) and asked Pinkie, "Why else are you here Pinkie?"

Pinkie put a hoof to her chin and bluntly stated, "I don't remember! Ha ha!"

Twilight shook her head and closed the door as Pinkie bounced off to Celestia-Knows-Where. She then looked at the time and saw that it was already 7:00 PM! Where was Spike? He should've been back by now.

'Relax Twilight. I'm sure he's fine. Probably just saying hi to Rarity. Yeah. That's all!' She thought to herself.

Still, after another hour of reading (and constantly watching the time on the clock), he STILL hadn't come back!

'Ok. That's it! Something has GOT to be wrong! Don't worry Spike! I'm coming!' Twilight panicked. She then ran out the door out into Ponyville.

Meanwhile...

Spike was running. From what he did not know. All he remembered was heading to Ponyville Market to buy some groceries for him and Twilight, restock on some gems, maybe even say hi to Rarity. However, it seemed fate had other plans for our favorite baby dragon.

~Flashback~

After he bought the necessary supplies needed, he suddenly heard a scream. He immediately headed toward the scream's location and found it to be none other than Fluttershy's cottage!

It appeared that Rainbow Dash had heard it too because she was there as well; albeit nearly knocked out from exhaustion. Spike could see that the inside of Fluttershy's cottage was covered in blood along with a nearly-dead Fluttershy lying weakly on the ground. As for Rainbow, she is of the Pegasus race and is cyan in color with a rainbow colored mane. Her Cutie Mark was a Sonic Rainboom in the shape of a lightning bolt. This showed her talent at her being able to fly at high speeds and perform a Sonic Rainboom. She seemed to be fighting some sort of...bee? It was of a yellow color with black stripes around it's abdomen. Red lenses were where it's eyes should be and finally, it had transparent bug-like wings with spear-like hands!

"Is that all you got you overgrown bug?!" Rainbow shouted in defiance. "Cause I'm just getting started!"

The bee finally spoke. "Clearly this is a waste of time. I expected more from some pony like you. Especially with you being one of the Elements. No matter. We will take the Element of Magic! Now we will ask again: WHERE IS IT?!" The bee shouted. It then shot out a glob of poison; effectively knocking Rainbow unconscious. The bee then frustratingly flew away to Celestia-Knows-Where.

Spike was beyond scared. Not only that, how'd this thing even know about The Elements Of Harmony? Something like this that could go toe-to-toe with Rainbow was no doubt a big threat to all of Equestria. Wait. The bee said "we". Then does that mean...

Suddenly, before Spike can finish his train of thought, a beam composed of dark energy with swirling rings fired at Spike! He hit the ground hard and blood oozed from his forehead. What he saw, would give him nightmares for quite some time. It had glowing red pupiless eyes, sharp canine teeth, a mane that looked as if it was on fire, and wicked deadly claws. The thing- whatever it was- dripped saliva hungrily at Spike. He then ran as fast as his feet could carry him.

~Flashback Ends~

As he finished reminiscing, he heard a howl in the night. It was absolutely terrifying. Especially with the full moon out. He just had to warn Twilight about all this! But how? He then heard a growl coming from behind him. He turned ever so slowly...AND SAW THE BEAST!

Evil Music (A.N. OPEN IN NEW TAB!)

"Heh heh heh..." The beast laughed. "I finally found you little dragon. Now, I'll be asking the questions. Where is the Element of Magic?" It growled in intimidation.

"I'll never talk!" Spike said in defiance.

"Then you will die...LIKE A DOG!" The wolf creature shouted. It slashed at him with it's claws which left a noticeable gash on Spike's chest. He gasped at this. There could hardly be a creature that can pierce through dragon scales!

"Now know the name of your killer. I am Xehanort!" The beast now known as Xehanort chuckled darkly. Spike took a step back while Xehanort advanced.

Spike made one last gamble. He blew the biggest flame he could at Xehanort who shrugged it off like it was nothing. Finally, Spike screamed, "HELP!"

"Foolish dragon! My powers over illusion are way too great! No one can hear you. And no one ever shall as you draw your last breath in this meaningless existence of yours. Prepare to die!" Xehanort lunged, but was shot by a magical beam of energy.

Spike turned around and saw Twilight standing there with an angry glare at Xehanort.

"Leave. Spike. ALONE!!" She shouted.

To Be Continued!