Twilights Past

Darkness was all that Twilight could see, she felt weak and vulnerable. Her arms felt heavy like her whole body when everything came back to her in a rush, the clearing the waterfall, Spike. Spike had betrayed her and she was going to have revenge.

"Twilight?" She recognized the voice, it was Snowflake she could feel him holding her hand as he sighed.

"Of course you're not awake, three months and still nothing. But that's fine Sparks once you wake up we're gonna find the bastard that did this to you and make him pay." She could hear and feel the anger in his voice making her smile a little and weakly rub her thumb over his hand making him gasp.

"Sparks?!" She just smiled wider.

"DOCTOR! DOCTOR!! SHE'S AWAKE!!!" She heard him yell but his hand never left hers.

"Hey Sparks it's ok the doctor is coming ok stay with me just keep that pretty smile up Sparks." He said holding her hand tighter as she heard the sound of rushing hooves.

"I'm right here Sparks I'm not going anywhere." He continued to talk as they unwrapped her head making her wince at the sudden light.

"Contact the princesses let them know she's awake and her friends and family to! Ms. Sparkle can you hear me?" She blinked at the blur and weakly held up her arm to shield her eyes from the sun.

"I do apologize ma'am but your eyes need to adjust to the light. Grab my hand when you're ready to begin." He said as her eyes focused on the doctor before they found Snowflake who had tears streaming down his face with a smile as he waved at her.

She reached out to him and he was instantly by her side moving doctors out of the way as he grabbed her hand.

"You came for me." She stated her voice harsh from disuse as he choked on a sob.

"Of course I did Sparks, I'll always be here for you." He stated making her smile before coughing.

"Here Sparks drink this slowly." He ordered as she took little sips while the doctors stepped back and let them have their moment.

"Sparks what were you doing out there that night?" He asked as she looked down.

"I. I was meeting my lover before a mission we were going to have together but he betrayed me Snow for the clan." She stated as tears started to fall.

"He betrayed me after everything we went through together, years of struggling and secrets. Pain and failure, I hate him so much Snow and I WILL have my revenge." She growled her hair starting to become fire itself before it suddenly went out as she slumped back into the bed.

"Who was it Sparks? Who was your ex and who is this clan?" He asked as she sighed.

"I guess there is no reason to hide it anymore. It was Spike and the Reaper clan that betrayed me, Spike was my lover in secret." She stated looking at his shocked face.

"I'm sorry I had to keep this a secret even from my friends and family, even the princesses don't know Snow." She said holding his hand to her chest.

"Please believe me that I never liked or wanted to keep it from you guys, so many times I've wanted to tell you but I couldn't under the honor code. I'm so sorry Snow." She whimpered and felt him pull her head up to see him smiling at her but with a serious look in his eyes.

"I forgive you Twilight, but no more secrets ok?" He asked as she quickly nodded and hugged him as tight as she could in her current condition while he gave a gentle squeeze.

"I'm so sorry Snow." She kept repeating just as the princess and her friends showed up.

"TWILIGHT!"

After another round of hugs and happy words and then anger and disappointment when she explained the clan to them and her past operations followed by forgiveness and acceptance.

Shining smiled watching his sister be forgiven by her friends while he looked at the lone stallion by her bed who couldn't take his eyes off her while Twilight kept looking back at him and smiling.

"Ok everypony lets go we need to do some tests on her make sure everything is working right." The doctor stated as he and some nurses filed everyone out of the room before running some tests on Twilight.

(Three weeks later)

As Twilight got stronger so did her's and Snowflakes relationship. They laughed and had fun like anyone else but there was something more to the two, they seemed closer and more friendly but the day that Twilight got out of the hospital and was able to train again they had been doing in non stop.

Right now the two friends were in the forest training hard as another explosion rocked the area.

"RAAAAHHHHHH!!!! CRACK!!"

Rainbow winced as she saw Snowflake rocket through the forest before landing a blow on Twilight making her shoot through trees before she flashed away appearing above Snow with magic glowing around her fist and driving him into the ground in a epic explosion.

"Rainbow!! Go get Nurse Tenderheart!" Twilight yelled up at her.

"GOT IT!" She yelled shooting off to town.

On the ground Twilight had Snowflakes head in her lap and wiped the blood from his face and moved the hair out of his eyes.

"Why are you fighting so much to help me?" She asked running her fingers through his hair though she had a small smile on her face as he started to come to and looked up at her.

"Hey." He said making her smile.

"Hey big guy, you know you were suppose to dodge that right?" She said making him chuckle.

"Maybe you're a little too quick for me." He said making her giggle.

"We have to get your speed up Snow or the dragons are gonna cream you." She smiled as he sighed.

"Yeah I know, hey what are you doing after training?" He asked as she shrugged.

"Don't know was gonna hit the showers and then just stay home why what are you thinking?" She asked making him smile.

"How bout I treat you to dinner for kicking my ass yet again, what do you say?" He asked as she stopped for a second before smiling.

"Sure call it a date." She said getting a smile from him.

"Sorry Sparks no can do, I got a mare now I finally took your advice while you were out and asked Blossom Forth out." He said as she sighed.

"Oh, well congrats Snow I'm happy for you. Friend date then?" She asked as he gave a sad smile and nodded just as Tenderheart came and started to fuss over him before he was led away. Twilight looked after him for a second before her fist clenched but sighed and looked down.

"Can't really get angry since I did tell him to find him a mare." She said to herself before heading back into the forest as Dash floated beside her.

"Hey Twi where are you going?" She asked.

"To train, I need to get my strength back so I can take Spike down and the clan." She said when Dash flew into her view with crossed arms.

"No, you've been training non-stop ever since you got out of the hospital!" Dash said.

"Dash I've been trained to fight non stop for days on end even after I pass out. I just need some time alone is all." She said but the pegasus wouldn't move.

"Dash. Move." Twilight growled.

"No, we're worried about you Twilight. You're gonna have to make me move." She said grinning missing the smirk from Twilight.

"Fine."

"Wait wha-HURK!" Twilight caught the KO'd Dash and threw her on her shoulder before flashing away to the river she was betrayed by Spike.

After a while Dash woke up and looked around to find her friend floating in the water in a bikini and sunglasses along with a sucker in her mouth.

"Hey Dash! Come on in the waters fine, I got a extra bikini in the bag." Twilight called out making her smile and went to change.

She came back with a red bikini and cannonballed into the water soaking the relaxing Twilight.

"HA serves you right for knocking me out!" Dash yelled as Twilight sighed and layed back on her back floating across the water surface.

" So whats the plan?" She asked floating next to the mare.

"Well you're looking at it." Twilight said putting her hand behind her head and let out a sigh.

"This is boring." Dash stated while Twilight sighed.

"Then go home Dash I told you I wanted to train but you had to be difficult." She said getting a hmph from Dash.

"I just didn't want you to over work yourself is all Twi, we're all worried about you and I don't like being the messenger to the nurse when you and Snowflake duke it out. I don't like to see you get hurt either." She said floating above the mare.

"And it don't look like your training to me." She said as the mare sighed and stood up on the water making her fall into the water.

"Whoa! How are you doing that?!" She yelled making Twilight smile as she skated across the water.

"Years of practise, can't actually skate with skates on but I'm pretty go like this. Not as good as Pinkie but pretty good." Twilight smiled at the gawking pegasus.

"Hey Twilight after you're done here what are you gonna be doing?" She asked as Twilight smiled.

"Go home and I guess sleep, why what are you thinking?" She asked.

"Why don't you come over and have some fun with me, Pinkie and AJ? We're just gonna be telling stories and hanging out, pleeeaaasssseee?" She asked as Twilight sighed before nodding.

"Why not I could do with some relaxing." She said before plunging into the water.

(A few hours after an awkward lunch with Snowflake)

Twilight was walking down the cobbled road from AJ's house stumbling from the hard cider and party that Pinkie threw early for her's and Dash's anniversary.

Snow had been there but they left early while AJ had to turn in early as well for work in the morning, there were a couple of stallions that tried to hit on her and even some mares but she just wasn't interested.

Twilight fell to her knees just outside the farm her head swimming when she heard hoofsteps coming her way.

"Hello? I need some help." She slurred as a figure came into view along with three others who started to laugh.

"Oh I bet you do babe." One said.

"Please, I need to get home I don't know what's going on." She mumbled her vision going black.

"Don't worry babe we'll help you." Another snickered when she heard the sound of a hard strike and crunching of bone along with screaming before all went silent. The last thing she saw was a dark figure step into her view and pick her up.

(Are you ok ma’am where are your friends?) The stallion asked as she giggled.

"You talk funny, can you take me home? I live at the library." She said as he looked at her confused.

(Library? Ok.) He said and took off into the town looking for the library.

(That morning)

Twilight woke up with a splitting headache when she heard yelling from downstairs making her grab her shirt and stumble downstairs to see her friends yelling at a black unicorn stallion in a defensive stance and while Dash, Pinkie, Rarity, and AJ yelled at him while Fluttershy was trying to calm them down when he spotted her.

(Hello. How are you feeling.) He asked in Neighpanese making her smile a little bit.

"My head is killing me, were you the one that brought me home last night?" She asked as he nodded.

(Yes, some stallions were going to take you to their home with them. You looked like you needed a doctor not a roll in the bed. Miss?) He replied making her smile.

"Oh um sorry I'm Twilight Sparkle." She said as his eyes went wide before they narrowed in anger.

"YOU!" He shouted taking out his sword making her go wide eyed.

"You will die this day Lady Death." He shouted as he exploded with power knocking them off their hooves while Twilight flipped in the air and stuck on the wall while as he flashed away appearing behind her swinging to take her head off.

CLANG!!!

"Hm so the rumors are true, you're a master at our art." He stated before round house kicking her into the hardwood floor and cast a spell stopping her friends from helping her.

"Stay out of this." He warned and jumped away as kunai flew at him.

"You made a mistake attacking me in my own home." She growled but was hit by a devastating blow imbedding her into the wall making her cough up blood.

"If this is the legendary Lady Death I am not impressed." He growled as she pulled herself out of the wall and jumped away as kuni stabbed into the wall where she was.

"I was betrayed by the Reaper Clan! I was used and was nearly killed by someone I trusted with my life!" She screamed making him pause with his sword at her throat.

"You lie." He says as she growled.

"I was a member of the Reaper Clan for what reason do I have to lie? To save my own life? Please you of all ponies should know how we operate, you think I would throw my honor away just to save my own skin? Then you don't know your enemy and it will be your ruin." She stated glaring at the stallion who glared back at her for a minute when he pulled his sword away making her sigh when she on hit hard in the face by him.

"TWILIGHT!!"

"That was for my friends you killed." He growled before releasing her friends.

"So tell me ronin, what are your plans now?" He asked while sitting down on her couch while she rubbed her jaw as her friends glared at him and helped her up.

"Revenge." She growled as he nodded.

"Then we are allies then. We can set up here to plan our next move. So what is your next move Lady Death?" He asked as she sat across from him with a calm look on her face that could rival her teachers.

"NOW YOU WAIT JUST A SECOND BUB! YOU ARE NOT STAYING IN HERE WITH TWILIGHT AFTER WHAT YOU JUST DID!" Dash yelled as the two stared each other down.

"He will be staying here with me, after all he did keep me from getting raped last night, and I honor a debt." She said while he smiled.

"So it's true you are kind at heart as well." He stated as his horn flashed and a duffle bag appeared in the room landing with a thud.

"So what is your plan?" He asked as she sighed.

"I have to get my strength back, so I will be training till I think I'm ready to take on Spike." She said making him grunt.

"So he was the one that betrayed you? Why do you need train if all he-" He was stopped when he saw her lift her stomach showing the black scar where she was stabbed with the dragon poison making his jaw drop and move over to her.

"He stabbed you with that and you still live? You really are Lady Death." He said letting his fingers gently slide across it making her wince while he pulled his hand back.

"You Lady Death are amazing." He said as the mare sighed before smiling at him.

"Thank you, if you would like you can train with me. I could show you the Dragon style along with the Burning Fist." She offered as he nodded.

"Very well I accept your offer Lady Death." He stated getting a nod from her while the others gawked at them.

"Twilight you can’t be serious!" Dash said.

"I am, this stallion is part of the Lu Bin Clan out of Neighpon. Theirs and my ex clan have been at war with each other for years, I was just the piece they needed to tip the scales enough for them to win." She stated as the stallion growled.

"Your clan wiped out mine to nearly the very last stallion, mare, and foal." He snarled making them all turn to Twilight.

"What? It's true what he said, when I was with them we were ruthless and still are. I've killed because that is what I was trained to do and was ordered to do, who's to say if I was part of his clan then they wouldn't have done the same?" She stated as he narrowed his eyes.

"My clan was never monsters like yours." He stated as she turned back to him.

"Don't lie, your clan was every bit as if not more ruthless as mine. I've seen what you do to your prisoners after you get the information you need out of them, it's why the order was given that if you were going to be captured then you were to commit seppuku." She said in a dead tone making him look down.

"I saw the bodies your clan skinned and strung up like a prize taunting us of what you did to one of our own." She growled remembering friends she lost herself from the war.

"So don't sit there and act like the victim when you were just as bad. You lost the war and were played a bad hand in the war, if its any condolence I was never a part of the raid on your compound." She said making him look up at her and sighed.

"You are right Lady Death and I apologize, I won't bring anymore dishonor to our fallen comrades." He stated as she nodded.

"Good. Now before we go any further what is your name?" She asked

"I was to be clan head before the clan was destroyed, also my fellow clan members that are in hiding are still in danger and I need to get them to safety. Please if you would Lady Death help us, prove to me that you are not with them anymore." He said as she nodded and got up pulling the secret book opening the hidden armory.

"Fine we leave tonight." She stated getting a nod from him as he got his armor out and sword so he could begin to sharpen and check his equipment while she pulled out her gear checking it over and sharpen what needed to be.

"Oh and my name is Darkfire." He stated getting a nod from her as she looked at her shocked friends.

"That will be all, I have to prepare for a mission I'll let the princess know before I head out." She stated and led them outside before turning to Darkfire who was looking down in thought.

"What is on your mind Darkfire?" She asked as he sighed.

"If you are really going after Spike of the Reaper Clan then we will need to train long and hard. I will be sharing clan secrets with you that only a member of the head of the family knows." He stated looking up at her as she nodded.

"Good then we are fair since I will be doing the same with you." She stated getting a nod from him.

"Lets get some sleep Lady Death." He stated as she nodded.

(Later that night)

Darkfire and Twilight landed on a tree branch just outside the where some of the refugees were surrounded by Reaper death teams who were trying to burn them people alive.

"I'll clear the way you get your people out of there and back to Ponyville." Twilight said and flashed away before he could say anything watching in awe and horror as she systematically cut down the enemy ninja.

Twilight cut down each ninja one after the other taking off their heads or cutting them in half as anger started to take her making her glow white with red eyes leaving a flash of fire after each kill while the survivors watched each dragon be cut down with brutal effect.

"DIIIIIIIEEEEE!!!!" Twilight screamed as she plunged her sword into a dragons face getting blood all over her making the remaining dragons falter and start to retreat watching the fire demon slaughter them.

"NO RETREAT!!" She screamed cutting their forces off and killed any who tried to get away leaving a path of death and fire in her wake.

"YOU’RE ALL GOING TO DIE HERE!!" She screamed as her power doubled blowing them off their feet as some begged for mercy but got none as their heads left their body when a large dragon stepped forward with a cocky smirk.

"You took on the weak little demon now come face a real warrior!" He yelled swinging his large sword at her as she charged him bringing her own sword to meet his only pausing for a second when they clashed before her sword cut straight through his and continued her charge while he tried to escape.

"NO NO NO! MERCY!!!"

"YOU WILL HAVE NONE FROM ME!!!" She screamed just as she cut his head in half  horizontally while he screamed.

She turned to see the rest of the dragons running making her growl and flash away, the only thing the survivors heard were screams from the dragons before the mare returned back to normal but drenched in blood while her sword dripped with the fresh blood. She walked towards the survivors as they started to panic until Darkfire stepped in front of her.

"Lady Death?" He asked as she stopped and looked at him making him shiver at the sight of her dripping in blood and a small smile on her face while the glow from the fire gave her the look of a real demon.

"Move your people out Darkfire, lets go home and set up some space for the children." She droned as he nodded stepping back while she pasted before flashing away.

(1 month later)

Darkfire woke up to the sound of laughter and some baby crying along with lots of talking. He looked around and saw the ponies they recused making him smile when he saw Twilight the Lady of Death smiling and playing with a foal while its mother folded laundry with a smile on her face.

He made his way down the stairs getting bows from other members of the clan making him smile. He came up behind Twilight as she tickled the little foal making the baby squeal with laughter as he smiled, maybe there was more to this mare than met the eye.

"Good-BAM- CRASH!!!" Darkfire looked back at where he was launched and could see Twilight holding the child protectively while he glared at him.

"Darkfire let that be a lesson to you not to sneak up on a mare, especially with a foal in her arms." She then smirked ask the baby giggled and squealed while he pulled himself out of the hole in the wall and stumbled over to them.

"I'll be sure to remember that Lady De-HURK!" He gasped for air while the mare smiled at the foals mother who rolled her eyes at the two while the baby giggled and bounced on Twilights lap.

"When around the people I am just Twilight, you understand Darkfire?" She asked while he started to turn blue from her hand around his throat making him nod quickly before she let go making him gasp for air.

"I don't need for these people to think I'm going to kill them in the night Darkfire so keep your mouth shut." She said as he glared.

" Don't think you can order me around Lady Death." He hissed back making her growl before getting up and handing the baby back to the mother and walking away.

"HEY WHERE ARE YOU GOING!?" He yelled as she looked back at him and glared.

"Out. Take care of your people." She stated and walked out of the door before slamming it shut making many of the stallions wince while the mares giggled.

"Good luck with that one Lord Dark, she has a lot of fire to her." A stallion stated patting his shoulder.

"That mare and I are NOT seeing each other! She's too much of drama queen to be my type and not to mention what she’s done in the past." He stated while looking at the stallions were starting to turn white and looking behind him making his pupils shrink.

"Drama Queen huh? I offer you and your people my home and this is how you repay me? Drama Queen really?" He heard and could feel the heat coming from the mare as he turned around to see a VERY pissed off Twilight Sparkle with narrowed red eyes making him gulp before he glared back at her.

"Yeah well if it wasn't for you we wouldn't need your help or home!" He yelled making her power start to climb.

"Stop talking Darkfire. Now." She stated looking at the curious people around them while he growled.

"DON'T ORDER ME AROUND CLAN KILLER!!" He yelled making her go wide eyed as the people started to whisper.

"Shut the hell up Dark!" She hissed as he smirked.

"Or what LADY DEATH?!" He yelled as the people gasped before starting to glare at Twilight some even yelling chanting for her death.

"Get out." She said looking down making his smirk drop and the people go wide eyed.

"Wh, what?" He stammered.

"Get. Out." She repeated while the people started to panic, where would they go and what about the hunters still after them?

"GET OUT!!!!!" She screamed blowing Darkfire off his hooves and landing on the floor hard, he looked up to see her red eyes glaring at him and tears flowing down her face.

"Twilight?" The burning mare looked down to see a little filly tugging on her jeans.

"Can't we stay, I like staying here with you." She stated making all anger at Darkfire vanish as she knelt down and ran her finger through the fillies hair.

"I don't know sweetie it's up to your family and everyone else's along with Darkfire if you can stay. But I don't think will since they know who I am now cause of mister big mouth over there." She said pointing at Darkfire.

"But I think it's time to let you guys find a different home here in Ponyville or somewhere in Equestria and start your clan over." She stated as the filly hugged her catching her off guard.

" I don't want to go Twilight." She said making the mare smile and hug her back.

"I know sweetie." Twilight stated before more children started to come forward saying they didn't want to leave.

"Enough. With who I am, nothing can be back the way it was and I think you would be happier somewhere else than with your clans killer living upstairs." She stated as the children looked down and nodded while the adults started to pack up their tents and head out before too long it was just Twilight and Darkfire.

"If you need me send me a letter Darkfire, I wish you luck with your clan." She said opening the door for the last of the people while the stallion spit at her while she took it.

"Now leave Darkfire." Twilight stated as he looked out at the 34 families waiting for him, 82 ponies in all waiting for him to lead them.

"Darkfire I won't tell you again." She said snapping him out of his small panic attack and walked past her with his head hung low.

"For what its worth Twilight, I am sorry." He said as she snorted.

"I've been told that before once." She said making him wince realizing he had just betrayed her as well.

"If I find anymore of your people I will send them to you." She stated getting a nod from him and out the door he went to take his role as leader of the clan and help rebuild it.

(Hours later)

Twilight sat in the window of her tree looking out where the clan left when she heard the door open and hoofsteps coming upstairs. She pulled out a kunai just in case as she saw Applejack poke her head in and smiled at her.

"Hey sugarcube. Ah saw that the Neighponese folks left, any reason why?" She asked as Twilight sighed.

" Because they found out I helped in destroying their clan and things got out of hand so I made them leave, kids didn't like it but it's not up to them. Besides I think they will be happier living away from here or wherever they go." She said looking out at road hiding the sorrow on her face till she was pulled to look at a smiling Applejack.

"It's gonna be ok sugarcube." She simply stated while Twilight tried to keep the tears in and Applejack made it harder as she was pulled into a hug making the first sob escape and then the dam while she cried all her pent up sorrow and pain from years of keeping it in.

Applejack smiled down at Twilight who had fallen asleep on her chest, tears soaking her shirt but she didn't care and just ran her fingers through the mares hair the occasional hard sniff coming out. Applejack just continued to console her friend till the sniffles weren't so hard.

"It's gonna be ok sugarcube." She said picking the mare up and putting her in her bed and headed downstairs after she made sure her friend was going to be fine before leaving the house.

Back in Twilights room the mare rolled over wide awake and thinking, about her future and those of her friends.

'Maybe it's time to move on.' She thought as she started to drift off and into a dreamless sleep.

(3 months later)

Twilight sighed as she trained beating in a dead tree before she stopped and just looked at the tree thinking, over these past few months her friends started to get more and more distant while Snowflake was always too busy to do anything so it was just her by herself.

'I think I'm going to head home for a while. Nothing else to do here anyway plus I haven't seen mom and dad in a while.' She thought taking off her bloody wrappings and bathing in the river that was close by and putting on fresh clothes and headed for the train station when Applejack spotted her heading past the farm.

"HEY TWILIGHT!!" She called out to her but the mare continued to walk by while Applejack looked confused before she spotted the large bag over her shoulder and where she was headed as she went wide eyed.

' Is she leaving?!' She thought and took off after her when Twilight flashed away.

'NO!' AJ thought and took off towards the train station.

Up in the clouds Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were having a relaxing time just watching the clouds lazily roll by till they heard a few shouts below them making them look down to see a sprinting Applejack as she jumped over things and nearly knocking down ponies making them worry.

"Come on Fluttershy lets go see what's up with AJ." Rainbow stated getting a nod from the timid mare flew down to the sprinting mare as she jumped over Scootaloo and Applebloom.

"Hey AJ where's the fire?" Dash asked and could see the panicked expression on her face.

"Twi is leaving Dash and I don't know where to!" AJ said making the two go wide eyed.

"WHAT!!??" They all jumped when they saw Pinkie beside them.

"Babe? When did you get here?" Dash asked as the mare frowned.

"No time for that! We have to get to Twilight!" She said and raced ahead of them.

"Fluttershy go get Rarity while we catch up with Twilight!" AJ stated getting a squeak from her but she fell back and took off to Rarity's house.

As they trio made it to the train station they saw it pulling off and Twilight in the window with a bored look on her face. Pinkie sank down to her knees and started to cry as Dash went to help her.

"We're to late." Applejack said watching the train fade away into the distance just as Rarity and Fluttershy showed up.

(Canterlot)

Twilight stepped off the train and slung her bag over her shoulder smiling a little at the city she grew up in a feeling of home washing over her and warming her soul while she made her way home.

'Home, it's been forever since I've been here.' Twilight thought with a smile as she took the paths she knew by heart back to her home.

She could see the white house not to far away making her smile wider and even saw her mother walk out to get the mail when she spotted her and tears started to fall as the older mare ran to her throwing her arms around her daughter. Twilight savored her mothers warmth like no matter what nothing could hurt her.

"OH honey what a pleasant surprise!!" Her mother cried squeezing her.

"Oh sweetie we missed you so much! How come you never write us anymore or call?" Dim Star asked as Twilight sighed.

"I'm sorry mom things have been a bit crazy and just really busy is all." Twilight stated letting her mother lead her into the house.

"Come on inside dear and relax, you father will be home any minute." She said while they came inside and she went into the kitchen while Twilight went and put her things in her old room. She smiled looking around at her room just as the front door opened and closed.

"Dim I'm home!" She heard and raced down the stairs to see her aging father who was giving her mother a kiss before he spotted her and froze.

"Hi daddy." She said as he smiled while tears started to gather in his eyes and his lip started to tremble, he held out his arms unable to speak as she ran into them and buried her face in his chest feeling him wrap his arms around her.

Unknown to anyone besides her family Twilight was a HUGE daddies girl and he ate it up cause in his eyes his daughter could never do anything wrong and he was VERY protective of his little girl.

"Ah oh baby girl it's so good to have you home." He stated kissing the top of her head and laid his chin on her head while he tried to blink the tears out of his eyes.

"So baby girl what brings you home?" He asked still holding her as she pulled back some and looked a little sad and automaticly his father mode kicked in.

"STAR GET MY BAT!" He yelled and looked down at Twilight.

"Now sweetie tell me who hurt you and daddy WILL make sure that it never happens again." He said while Dim Star rolled her eyes.

"Daddy it's not that I have that situation under control, it's just I needed some time home. My friends are getting distant and more than a few of them have dropped me out of their life or ignore me so I just needed some time away and at home." She stated making him smile.

"Don't worry baby girl they're just stupid since I'm sure it became public about what you did while you were missing and afterwards?" He asked as she laid her head on his chest and nodded.

"Well the way I see it is if they can't accept you for who you are then they're not very good friends and they don't deserve you." He stated matter a factly making her smile.

"Thanks daddy you always know what to say." She said just holding her father and starting to fall asleep feeling him scoop her up and head upstairs.

"Come on baby girl lets get you to bed and we'll talk more in the morning." He said getting a nod from her and helped her into her bed that he made sure to get her just incase she came to visit.

"Night daddy." She mumbled and smiled feeling him kiss her head.

"Night baby girl." He said brushing a lock of hair out of her face.

(That morning)

Twilight smiled looking around her old room letting out a sigh when the door opened and in walked her mother making her sit up.

"Come on downstairs sweetie your father took a day off so he could have some time with you." She said making Twilight get up and get dressed after she took a bath she saw her father in some jeans and a white t-shirt sitting at the table, when he saw her he smiled and motioned for her to sit.

"So sweetie how long are you gonna be staying with us?" Dim asked bringing out some breakfast.

"Um I don't know I wasn't gonna stay that long just a few days since I haven't seen you guys in so long and the wedding wasn't really a nice get together since after the attack I kinda partied and then left, sorry about that by the way." She said looking down as her mother wrapped her arms around her.

"Sweetie I guess you had missions you needed to do at the time so I understand and I know your father does as well." She said getting a nod from the stallion while Twilight just ate this warm feeling up, she forgot how good it felt being home and how safe it felt being home.

"I really have missed you guys so much." Twilight said while her mother let go of her and sat down beside her.

"We miss you to dear but we know that you're busy with your friends and saving us all." She said as a message appeared in front of her.

"Twilight it looks like the princess would like to see you." Dim said as both her husband and Twilight groaned.

"Ok, sorry for wasting your day off today daddy." Twilight said but was pulled into a hug.

"You are never wasting my time sweetheart but I really do wish you would come home every now and then instead of waiting till something bad happens." He said getting a nod from his baby girl.

"Now go see what the princess wants sweetie and we'll set a date sometime in the month for us to have a family day." He said making her smile and wave as she flashed to the roof tops and took off across them.

"She's going to be ok dear, she's a big girl now and she's tough." Dim stated getting a nod from him.

"You think maybe it's time we should teach her our way?" He asked as Dim smiled.

"I think she's ready." Dim stated and pulled him into a kiss.

"Now since you have the day off dear why don't we spend some...alone time together?" She said heading back inside with a extra sway to her hips giggling at her husbands goofy look.

(Castle)

Twilight moved through the castle quickly and found the throne room but no princesses and went to find them, when she spotted them at the front doorway.

"Princesses?" Twilight called making the both turn surprised to see her behind them.

"How did you-?"

"Your guards are very lax, I can't tell you the number of times I got past them since I was a filly to read up on spells or to do a mission." She said crossing her arms.

"My question is how did you know that I was here?" Twilight asked.

"Your friends sent a letter worried about you." Celestia said as Twilight sighed.

"Well I'm fine I just wanted some time at home to clear my head and just be away from drama and everything right now." She said as Celestia nodded.

"Well I am sorry to intrude on your family time." Celestia said as Twilight waved it off.

"It's no trouble at all princess, but what was it that you summoned me for?" She asked as they sighed.

"Twilight we wanted to let you know that there are some rare and valuable spell books in the old castle." Celestia started.

"We also want you to bring them here for storage." Luna said as Twilight nodded and gave a salute before flashing away leaving two giggling alicorns.

"Even if what you have planned for her has been set back sister I think that she will still make a fine addition to us." Luna said getting a nod from Celestia.

"If she can forgive Spike and move on then I say she will be right for ascension." Celestia said as they walked into the throne room.

(Everfree forest, Old castle of the sisters)

Twilight appeared just outside the castle and looked around making sure the coast was clear.

"Well Twi, might as well get this over with." She said heading inside.

"Place is pretty creepy, why did I have to come and do this? Some private in the guard could have came and gotten this stuff, oh well the princess did say that there were some pretty powerful spells around here better go check the old library and then I'll hit up their old chambers." She said to herself moving through the old hallways coming to the old throne room and smiled walking up to the old throne of Celestia's.

"Oh my subjects WE would like our cake with EXTRA frosting on top of the frosting already there and chocolate shavings along with a strawberry on top, we are watching our weight after all." Twilight said before laughing.

"Oh man she cracks me up thinking she's sneaky, HA!" Twilight said while elsewhere a certain princess's eye was twitching while her sister was having trouble breathing from laughing so hard.

"SO if I was a library where would I be in a old dank castle that hasn't been used in a thousand years?" Twilight said walking around before taking a right and spotting the large library sign about the double doors.

"Oh, well they still need arrows or something pointing to it." She made her way through the doors and stopped shuddering at the sight of so many lost books and knowledge.

"Yep it's official I'm moving in." She made her way over to a private area and found a study room.

(Three days later)

Twilight groaned stretching and looked up to see the dirty roof making her sigh.

"Well I better get those books." She said to herself opening a hidden passageway she came to Celestia's room and grabbed the candle sitting on the bedside and a brick on the wall turned showing a journal making her smile and flash away to Luna's room and ran some magic over a floor tile where it opened showing her a collection of books and at the bottom was her own journal.

"There got them both, now time to head back." She said and flashed away.

(Canterlot)

Twilight appeared in the throne room just at the end of day court. She walked up to Celestia who looked over and smiled at her.

"Welcome back Twilight we were starting to get worried about you." She stated while Twilight handed her the books.

"Yeah sorry about that but I did find some useful stuff around there I hope you don't mind if I take some to my library?" She asked getting a smile from Celestia.

"Go ahead Twilight, they are doing nothing but wasting away." She said waving her on getting a squeal from Twilight.

"Thank you!" She called over her shoulder and flashed out the door to her home.

Twilight appeared in her parents house to see her mother and father look up and smile at her.

"Hey baby girl we didn't expect you to be back so soon." Nightlight said getting up and pulling her into a hug followed by her mother.

"I'm glad you came by actually because we have something to tell you." Dimstar said.

"Ok what's up?"

"We would like to train you in our family style of fighting, it will be grueling and hard work but once you're done you will be on a level that could rival one of the sisters." She stated while Twilight looked at them shocked.

"Why didn't you tell me any of this sooner?" She asked while her father brought her close to him.

"Sweetie when we saw you weren't interested in fighting we decided to just keep it between us, not even your brother knows of this since he stays in the Crystal Empire. But with you and since we know you've had prior training we can skip the basics and move right into your advanced lessons." Dimstar stated as Twilight thought for a minute before smiling.

"When do I start?"

"As soon as you gather your gear meet us at the mountain retreat, we'll be waiting." Nightlight said as they flashed away soon followed by Twilight.

(Ponyville library)

Twilight appeared inside her library and grabbed her gear quickly before slipping on her old training uniform and walked out the door heading down the street towards the train station once again.

She was in a white training gi with a black dragon belt around her waist, she wore fingerless gloves with molded metal knuckles. Her hooves were wrapped as she flashed away to the station.

When she appeared she was shocked to see Pinkie Pie who had a blanket around her watching the tracks, her hair was deflated and it looked like she had been crying.

"Pinkie?" Twilight called out watching as the mares ears popped up and looked behind her.

"Twilight?" She asked while tears started to come down her face and she got up moving over to her and wrapped her arms around her before she started to break down crying once again.

"Shhh, shhh, hey come on Pinks what's the matter?" She asked petting her hair while the mare kept a death grip on her soaking her gi.

"You left us." She stated as Twilight pulled back.

"Pinkie I didn't leave you guys I just went to have some space and be with my family is all. Well I guess I did leave you guys technically but not in the way you're thinking I promise."

"What do you mean have some space?"

"I guess not really me having some but just wanted to be alone and away from here for a while. I just feel like you guys are getting distant so I'm taking a trip and I don't know when I'll be back, I'm not leaving you guys behind Pinkie. I'm going to go train with my family in the mountains for a while so please don't be upset Pinkie, I am coming back to guys ok I would never leave you guys." She said pulling the mare into a tight hug that was instantly returned.

"You guys are my best friends, I would never just run away from you guys if we're having problems but after everything thats happened I just want to get away and have some me time for once." She stated feeling Pinkie snuggle into her neck and whimpered.

"You're not going to be gone very long are you?"

"Honestly I don't know Pinkie, just wait for me ok and tell the others I'll be back as soon as I can." She squeezed the mare one last time before pulling back just as a train pulled up and ponies got off while she headed to get on.

Pinkie watched as the mare disappeared in the crowd with a frown on her face before she headed home to Dash to tell her what was going on, her friends were not going to be happy.

(Canterlot mountain heights)

Twilight walked down the path towards her family's cottage with a small smile on her face letting her senses reach out when she felt something flying towards her making her turn bringing up her sword only to watch as it was cut in half. She only had time to gape at her sword before she was sent flying into and through a patch of trees.

"You're going to have to be a lot more quicker than that baby girl." Twilight looked up to see the covered face of her father when her mother appeared at his side.

"He's right sweetie but we'll work on that once your training starts, come on lets go get some sleep. You have have a long day ahead of you." Dimstar said helping her daughter up.