The Beginning of Darkness
Its been a month since I moved to PonyVille. I have gotten stronger and I know how to do more spells. I just can't do the teleportation spell still. I walking down the street until Rarity stopped me.
"Shadow how you been?" Rarity asked
"Good how about you?" I replied and asked her the same question.
" Good just working on some new dresses but I ran out of cloth for the head dresses. Can you do me an favor Shadow?" Rarity had a little bit of concern.
"Yea sure I am free this afternoon." I accepted.
"I need you to go down to Manehatten and get the cloth I ordered. Just say that it is for Rarity and here is a bag of bits to pay for it." She said with an smile.
"I will catch the next train do you know she it is?" I asked because I don't feel like trying to transform into alicorn to pegasus.
" You just missed it the next one is in an hour and I need them please Shadow." She begged
"Fine I will fly."I said
I transform to alicorn and quickly before any attention notice me I transform to a pegasus and bolted out of Ponyville. Everyone in PonyVille knows I can transform from unicorn to pegasus, but they didn't know I was also an alicorn. I was getting closer to the city until my disguise spell was wearing off. I felt my horn. I needed cover. I search for an abandoned building. I was flying quicker so they won't see me. I flew right through an open window of an building and then I looked around where I landed to make sure no one was looking at me. A picture caught my eye. It looked so real it was an pot of flowers. I walked towards it and took me an second to realise it was an painting. I heard hooves steps. I quickly put on an hat I found close by to hide my horn.
"Hi I see you found my hat." The pony said. I took an closer look she had horn which means she is an unicorn. She walked towards me.
"You must be an Pegasus are you from Cloudsdale? I been there before just to visit." She asked
"No I am from Canterlot."I was trying to think what else I could say."For uhh weather patrol."
"That's cool can I have my hat back?" She asked with an raised eyebrow.
"Ohno she will see my horn and see I am an alicorn." I thought to my self as I flew out of the window."Sorry."
"Ohno you don't." she stopped me cold in mid flight I was high off the ground. I see her right next to me,"Trying to steal my hat." I seen wings.
"Wait are you royal?"I asked,
She looked at me then them smile."I know I am an alicorn but it doesn't make me royal I am one of the lucky ones to be an alicorn." She put back on the ground. "Can I please have my hat back. uhh what's your name."
" Shadow. My name is Shadow Sparkles." I answer,"and what's yours."
"Hokey.My name is Hokey Smokes." She imitated me."So can I please have my hat back and stop changing the subject."
I felt nervous but she was also an alicorn so I have nothing to be afraid of."Yes." I sigh taking of the cap revealing my horn.
"So that what you were hiding. Your also an alicorn." She smiled it made me felt better about my self." In Manehatten they don't realise what you look like till you been standing there for an whole hour."
"Really. Did you made that painting." I asked pointing toward the painting.
" Yes I did. Do you like it." She asked
"It looks so realistic. It took me awhile to see the signature and relise it was an painting. Why are you in this building anyway." I asked wondering why an artist like her is here.
"Packing up moving to a small town name PonyVille. Business isn't the same here its to slow now." She said looking down.
"Hey don't be sad I live in PonyVille and I will tell my friends about you I am sure that they will buy your paintings." I said with an smile.
"That's the point. I don't want to leave Manehatten." She sigh," My sister and I lived here for all our lives. I use to sell paintings all the time but then it seems like no one wants them."
"You have an sister?" I asked
"Yes her name is Metallic Aura." She answer
" Is she also a alicorn?" I wondered
"No she is a Pegasus. I was the only one who was born as an Alicorn."She answer,"It does get kinda weird being the only alicorn at family reunions. Howa you do you have a brother and were you born as an alicorn?"
I told an little lie,"No I am the only child and my parents were unicorns I was born with these wings. Here have these." I gave her the bag of bits Rarity gaved me."I am sure my friend would understand. I better get going.I will be back to visit sometime its almost night time."
Hokey looked at the bag full of bits,"Are you sure Shadow."
"Yea, and if she gets mad she will get mad at me for a little while or tell me to get an job to pay her back." I said making sound easy.
Both Hokey and I said our good byes and I went back to PonyVille it was dark. I explain Rarity what happen. At first she gotten mad but then she said that's fine as long I helped out a pony in need. It was really late I been at Rarity shop for a while. I decided to go back to the library and relax for a while. I seen an light an really bright light by Sweet Apple Acres. I ran towards it to see if Apple family was OK. When I got there it was a Pony shooting Twilight.
"Hey get away from her." I yelled angrily.
The Pony glance at me and faced off an smirk."Another Sparkles I see and looks like this one is Royal as well."
He sounded old fashion and how he knows my last name was Sparkles."How you know me and stop shooting Twilight and I am not Royal."
"Ahh you said your not Royal." He stop shooting Twilight and turn toward me."Please do tell me this is your sister isn't and your also an Alicorn or I am just blind."
I totally forgot about my appearence. I guess I got use to it from being around Hokey all day.
"Not every Alicorn is Royal." I yelled back remembering what Hokey told me.
He shot another beam but at me."Everypony that is an Alicorn is Royal depending on ancestry." The beam didn't hurt it made my body tingle I tried to move I was paralyzed." Ha both of the Sparkles its now an pathway of what you chose I am not your enemy. I am an allied and here to warn you with this." He stopped the beam.
I felt weird like my body was a puzzle or like when your hoove fell a sleep. I got up and asked" what warning and why did you shoot Twilight with such a weak beam?"
He smiled," Let me explain the warning first The blood red moon will rise and claim its victims." He laughed and I could of sworn I seen an fang."But in the mean time you will learn young philly." I blinked he was gone I lay back down and past out for some reason I pasted out of exhaustion. I wondered how since the beam was so weak how did it make me exhausted and is Twilight OK.
"Applebloom, Applebloom!" I heard Applejack." Go over there and check on Shadow I will go get Twilight. Make sure they are still alive."
Just before Applebloom came to me I tried to get up."Its OK I am ok." I wondered why I felt so weak and tired from such an weak spell from that one pony."How's Twilight?"
"It seems like she is over exhausted what happen here last night Shadow did you guys get in an fight I seen the beams they were bright as day." Applejack asked with concern about Twilight.
I looked at Applebloom she looked worried. I felt weak but I used my magic to get an apple and cut them up in slices for her to help her feel better."No it was an pony I seen him shooting Twilight with some spor of spell then he cast it on me to. It was weak but I think he took some of our power because I felt exhausted and weak." I said trying with all my strength to not look weak.
"I am OK AppleJack. Its fine." Twilight finally woke up."I-I am just tired that's all."
"You alicorns need some rest I will help you get back to the library and get you guys to sleep." AppleJack said in such serious tone that it was hard to say no,"And Shadow I know how you are about being an alicorn so here." She give me an jacket." Its Big Mac, but he has many of them he notice its gone."
I put on the jacket it was stiff it was probly the oldest one he had. Applejack helped us to the library I had to admit if she wasn't there Twilight and I would of past out halfway there. We got to the library but then I remembered I need to help Hokey with her shop.
" Hey AppleJack I need to go to Manehatten something." I said with an little more energy.
"Ohh no you don't you were past out at the acres and you seem a lot more tired then you woke up." She said with a bit of concern.
" No no I will be fine I need get something then I will be right back." I said with defiance.
I started to take off the jacket. It was safe not to show my alicorn self because it was early and nopony was awake yet. I started to fly out of there before AppleJack had time to respond. I was almost to Manehatten."Almost there I seen Hokey's building." I thought to my self.
I knock on the door,"Who is it?" an different voice called as young pegasus a little bit younger younger than Hokey open the door."No if you are here for the building you can't have it."
I seen Hokey behind her."No he isn't for the building." She said with happiness until she seen how tired I was." What happen Shadow you looked tired?"
"Its nothing do you need any help selling your paintings I have to go back quick." I asked.
"Yes, I got done with 5 paintings." She said as she handed over the paintings."You sure you are OK."
"Yea I am going to sell these at PonyVille then I will bring back the bits promise, and sorry for the short visit." I said trying to sound full of energy.
"OK then be safe while flying. In fact take the train it will arrive in a few minutes here is some bits." She give me about 10 bits.
It sounded like an better plan since I was tired. I wait for the train and when it got there I was beginning to doze off. The train ride felt like hours but when I got back to PonyVille I felt so tired I could just fell asleep on the train. I look at the train depot. Rainbow Dash was waiting.
"I heard what happen." Rainbow Dash said." Now if you would of fly off like that to me I would of caught you."
"I know." I said as I was grabbed the paintings off the train.
"Where did you get those?" Rainbow Dash asked."Is this why you flew all the way to Manehatten just for paintings."
I ignored her. I left her saying other stuff about what I did but for some reason I am good at sneaking off. I laughed as I looked back seeking Rainbow Dash was still blabbering. I got to the library. I seen Applejack was mad but I laid in my bed across and went straight to an deep sleep.
It was dark by the time I gotten up. I was full of energy. I looked towards Twilight's bed she was also awake. All she was doing was looking out the window at the stars.
"Hey Twilight." I called,"How are you feeling?"
"Good, its just that I can't go back to sleep, how about you?" She asked
"Same here." I sigh
"Hey I know its late but want to take a little trot I feel like going somewhere." She said with an smile
"Sure." I replied I have this urge to go some where but I don't know where I wonder if she is having the same feeling.
Twilight and I were walking but for some reason she is taking me to the Everfree forest."
"Why are we here Twilight?" I asked
"I don't really know I just felt like it." She gave off an nervous chuckle.
We wonder deeper. We went past an ruins of an castle. An large opening was coming but there was an small temple. There is still many things undiscovered in this forest because most ponys are scare by its unnatural attributes. We felt an urge to go inside this temple. We walked in and the inside looked unaged the temple was full of statues wearing armor, but they were black with an hint of dark blue.
"Why are we here Twilight." I asked getting a bit worry.
"I honestly don't know." She replied with a bit of confusion.
" Ha because you were chosen. I thought I would have to ponynap you." The same pony who we fought was there.
"Who are you." I said angrily getting in attack position.
"Calm down. I am simply not your enemy." He give off an smirk."I should explain myself better I am Skylight Burst, and Princess Luna had sent me."
"Luna sent you to shoot us." Twilight asked confused.
" No she sent me to give you the blessing." Skylight explain."A very powerful and dark blessing indeed. I bet you alicorn didn't notice the two white dots on your neck did you now."
I looked at Twilight's neck. There was a couple of white dots they were reminded me of the movie monster Dracula the Vampony."No, but why are they important."
Skylight chuckled," You are gifted with the blessing of the night. These are ponies that were created by Princess Luna to protect the night, but you will recognize this part you will need some pony blood to help you live."
Both me and Twilight jumped back in shock."WHAT LIKE AN VAMPONY." Twilight yelled.
"Why yes that is the downside. I don't need to I am your teacher to learn these new arts but you both need to first need to finish the transfomation."
I was still in shock imaging myself sucking blood from a pony."No, I can't."
"Yea same here I won't kill a pony." Twilight agreed.
"Don't worry all those myths were misunderstanding of this wonderful blessing. All you will need is about five sips every other week." Skylight said. I am surprise at how calm he was.
"But wouldn't hurt." I asked
"No just a small pinch nothing more. Follow me to this room now." He said and starting to walk off towards a door with Luna's cutie mark. "Now just step inside its almost time."
Both Twilight and I walked in with out noticing. The moon shine in the room like day. The room started to glow, and an blue mist surrounded Twilight . I felt like running to her but the mist also covered me. I felt an strange new power flowing through my veins. My upper jaw was starting to hurt. I heard Twilight screamed in pain. I felt like trying to break this but then I heard an snap. I felt the same pain she did. The mist disappeared. I slowly got up to my hooves and I felt stronger. I glance back at Twilight.
"Are you OK Twilight?" I asked
"Yes I am,and what happen to your teeth."She cut off in middle of her sentence
I felt the fangs with my hooves they were sharp dangerously sharp."You have them to." I told her.
I guess Skylight Burst heard us having a little argument about what happen so he came in. He told us that our sleeping patterns had already been changed since last night, and told us we must go before morning comes or else we will feel weaker but he also said that we can go out in day time. Both me and Twilight walked home with out saying a word until he heard an voice."There you guys are I been lookin for you all night."The cyan pegasus scolded."Applejack is worried haven't you notice her on your couch Twilight."
"No, I am sorry but I got to go come on Shadow we have training to do." Twilight sounded nervous.
I didn't understand till after an minute I heard the heartbeat of Rainbow Dash. I was getting nervous. I finally realize I was hungry."I can't just attack an pony and I will not hurt one either." I thought to myself "Yea I have a lot of training to do today." I told Rainbow Dash,"We have to hurry."
Rainbow Dash looked at us like if we were planning something."Fine but you better be careful of Applejack if she can read you like an book like Big Mac your in trouble."The cyan pegasus said just before heading out.
"Did you hear that too Shadow." Twilight gave an depressed look.
"The heartbeat." I looked down grimly." Twilight I will not hurt any pony at all if I need blood I rather die."
"No don't talk like that who knows we might find a way to not drink blood."She said trying to give me courage.
" I hope so." I said looking towards her.
"Well you stay behind I am going to the library to talk to AppleJack." She said smiling.
"Remember to hide your fangs. We don't need any of that attention towards us." I warned her.
"OK I will but I don't know an illusion spell so I am just going to cover them." She said as she was walking away.
I waited. About fifteen minutes in I was starting to have an real bad craving. I stop myself from thinking that by practicing my magic. The aura of my horn changed my old aura used to be bright purple sorta of like Twilight's but mine is red since the transformation. Her aura stayed the same. An half hour was gone I felt weak. I seen the delivery mail pegasus I didn't know everypony as well as Pinkie Pie did. I believed she was Derpy. She flew towards me and landed next to me. I fought back my hunger. She looked at me with those crossed eyes. She had an frown then she looked in her saddle bag and then gave me an muffin. Then she flew off.
I bit into the muffin. I almost spat it out, but it tasted like an ordinary muffin. I respected the Pegasus generosity so I eat the muffin. I did not feel better as expected. I seen Twilight walking down the hill. She looked like normal and happy.
"About time." I hissed.
"Wow, your such an grumpy pony today." she said smiling her fangs were gone.
"Did you find an illusion spell" I asked.
"Yes I did." She was full of energy
"Are you hungry." I asked
"Nope." She replied.
I looked closer at her teeth an small drop of blood was there totally unnoticeable just by an glance,"Twilight!!" I yelled, "I thought you said that you are not going to hurt an pony."
She could tell I was hungry,"Applejack she's waiting."
I looked at her,"No, The mail pegasus came and gave me an muffin it tasted delicious but since I was hungry for blood I almost threw it up and your there letting it get to you. I held my self back from biting that pegasus., and you just bit into AppleJack." I was really angry.
"Shadow calm down." Twilight said putting an hoof on my back," I told AppleJack that we both turned into Vamponies."She said that we can have the required 5 sips she is waiting for you. She cares for us no matter what we are now."
"Fine" My hunger made me say that but I didn't fight it.
We walked to the library there was no conversation.It was silent we finally reached the library. We walked in AppleJack was waiting pacing back and forth.
"Shadow I heard what happen." She said worried.
"I know Twilight told me." I can hear her heartbeat was getting faster.
"Hurry you can have the little amount of blood."She stretch her neck waiting for me." Come on you need it to live."
I walked towards AppleJack and I put my fangs on here neck. I hesitated I could feel the quivering of her warm skin. Her heartbeat was getting faster and faster."No I can't" I lifted my head." I will be fine I can't hurt you its just isn't me Applejack."
"But Sha-" I cut her off
"No I just can't if I die tonight I will I just can't I am sorry." I said
Twilight had an tear rolling down her cheek." Shadow you have to I don't want to force you but you have to. If you go then it will be will be devastated to all of us and Luna."
Applejack added in"You saved Twilight help Rainbow dash and me and its my turn to help you out."
"No I just can't I am sorry." I said in total sadness."I can't hurt nopony."
"Well I don't want to do this but." Applejack grabbed an needle from the pin cushion from close by." I can't have an friend die from starvation." She pricked herself with the needle. I didn't see this till now it was their backup plan there was two dark spots from ink to show where an vampony must feed on. Blood came out slowly my hunger was getting the best of me. I tried to resistant myself but I could hold it. I came back to my right of mind. I was on biting Applejack's neck sucking her blood.
I released her neck." I am sorry I didn't meant to but."
"Shadow you did what you have to I will be fine." Applejack said as the wounded closed." It will be healed. Twilight cast an faster healing spell on me."
I was sad. I didn't want to do it but Applejack made me.'She did it not because she had to for Twilight but because she actually cared about me. Every since my parents seen so much potential in Shiny Armor and Twilight I was like their shadow. They didn't care what happen to me. Even when I got accepted to Luna they still believed that I will be part of her army of Nightmare Moon. For the first time in an long time I felt like somepony other than Luna and Twilight cared about me. "Thank you Applejack for your help."
"Your welcome Shadow I am glad your still alive and don't worry you won't need another drink in an month or so." Applejack gave an smile." I got to get back to Sweet Apple Acres see all of you later. Take care."
"Bye Applejack" Twilight replied back.
"Now what Twilight" I asked.
"Didn't Skylight Burst said something about Luna. we try will get in contact with Luna." Twilight replied she cast the clean up spell on her self while I wash my face and tried the illusion spell that Luna taught me. I totally forgot I was lookin like an Alicorn. I transform back to an regular Unicorn.
"Hey Shadow how come you didn't teach me that spell before. " She asked
"Its kinda hard to explain it." I replied with an small smile.
An knock came on the Library door both me and Twilight are scared if anyone seen us and told an royal guard.
The knock on the door stunned both Twilight and me. "Who do you think it is?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know, but I am going to see who it is." I said cheerfully.
"Shadow but what if its Celestia's royal guards looking for us or worse." Twilight argued as she looked at me with an raised eyebrow.
"Don't worry we didn't kill no pony or anything did we and if it was the royal guards they probly came to check on you princess." I stated as I was at the door.
I open the library doors just to see Princess Luna. I was excited,"Come in Luna." I greeted.
Luna walked in but she wasn't as happy to see us. "Twilight,"she called,"Shadow come here I need to talk you." Both me and Twilight sat in front of Luna."Have you see any weird ponies around."
"Yes,"I blurted getting her attention." There was this unicorn and his name was Skylight Burst. I found him casting an spell on Twilight then I called him telling to stop then he shot me it felt weak but it made both of us fall of sleep."
"Are you OK?"Luna asked.
"Yes," Twilight chimed in."But that is not all." She made the illusion spell disappear and showing Luna her fangs.
"This is bad he got the wrong unicorn. Shadow you were suppose to get the blessing not Twilight." She declared
" No it also gotten me." I said confusing dropping my spell showing my fangs and wings.
"Celestia must not find out that Twilight got this Blessing of The Night." Luna commanded."I do not know what will she do to Twilight, but that isn't why I came here I found this in the old castle." She dropped a scroll.
I took the scroll," Why were you there?" I asked while unraveling the scroll.
"Just felt like going there." Luna answered.
I unraveled the scroll and started to read it.
"All my years of studying my time is almost here to pass, but before I pass I felt an unpleasant danger coming forth to Equstia. Therefor I am going to pass my magic to an family in which that generation of danger comes gets it, but two in which they must find before darkness overcomes them. The power I have passed was:Protection, Magic of the highest degree, Darkness, Light, and Hope. I also found this prophecy during my research it will be here by casting the hidden word spell its an dark spell and its very tricky. Just imaging the words being drowned in light and it shall reveal the prophecy.
With best of regards Star Swirled The Bearded."
As I gotten done reading I felt weird but when I looked at Twilight her eyes were big once again she was stunned. "Who signed it?" She asked
I gave a small chuckle,"Star Swirl The Bearded."
"A-a-and he past his powers possibly to us?" She asked.
Luna reply."Think about it all of you Shiny Armor, You, and Shadow have an strong point in magic. Shiny Armor in his protection spell, you with magic, and Shadow I am not sure but the explosion at the school has spoken for you." gave a sigh. "I thought to my self I could use dark magic without becoming corrupt like Twilight." I looked at the scroll. I looked up towards the window giving an reflection. Around my eyes the white part were green and and dark mist were sweeping out my eyes and my horn aura was black filled with green blotches. Then a bright light came from the scroll I seen the words moving and then being place a different place. Luna and Twilight was starting at me as I stayed this way to read this prophecy. I cleared my through an read aloud," When the harmony is broken. When all else has failed. Five blessed ones shall come and give light into darkness. Four shall give to the sky while the other prepare for the night. Therefor hurt of the blistering knives of lies. The one left alone will be given an choice.To join or To die."My voice shudder on the last part the words were place back in the original letter. The green around my eyes faded my aura disappear.I felt light headed. I took a step towards the fire place, but all I did was stumble. Twilight came to my aid.
"That must of took a lot out of you huh." Twilight smiled but with an worry eyes.
I nodded. Princess Luna added," Be safe Shadow I must report back at Canterlot before my sister become worry of my disappearance, and I must raise the moon." Luna walked out the door and I heard the beating of her wings.
I was cold sitting by the fireplace. For some reason that single spell made me cold, but how it was just a spell for decoding messages but using dark magic. I shiver and told Twilight that I was going to bed.
I was looking up at the ceiling wondering about the prophecy. I thought to myself "What does it mean four shall give to the sky while one be prepared for the night." I closed my eyes for a while until I felt the air change. I open them I was in an castle not the one in Crystal or Canterlot. Just then I heard hoof steps I quickly dove behind an loveseat blocking anypony view to see me but give me an chance to spy. As the hoofs steps gotten closer I looked around, and seen a crib half blocked from my view since an table was in my way.
"Luna." The pony said "Why now?" I felt like I recognized the voice. The stallion walked past my hiding spot I plan on running out the castle. I did the exact opposite of running but tip toeing. I looked in the crop an grey unicorn with an red mane. I was stun not because of the young colt but his eyes it felt like an. "What you want? If its the baby.No" The stallion shouted. I twisted my head but his appearance shocked me. He had an black coat and his mane was like mine, but what really caught my eye was that he was an alicorn, but I felt safe around him like I knew he wasn't going to harm me, but he looked like me is this the future of my life.Questions began filling my head "Where's Twilight? Where am I? What did Luna did?"
"State your business Midnight of Sparkle Messenger of Star Swirl." The older mirror image of myself commanded.
"Sir Star Swirl wants to take the baby its not safe here. He already been bitten by her." Midnight said with concern. I looked over to the baby colt on his back left hind leg there is an dark pitch black spot.
"No it won't spread he will be an normal young alicorn." He shouted. I quickly looked at the young colt he did have wings I was confuse.
"But Prince Dusk Shadow. He is the last youngest living colt alicorn, and you are the last prince alicorn." Midnight pleaded.
"Hey hey what going on here." I commanded rage building up as I walked up to Midnight."Why do you want to take this colt, and Star Swirled was dead. He's been dead for 900 years already."
"Nightmare-" Midnight got cut off.
" She isn't Nightmare Moon she is Princess Luna fool." The prince denied.
The scenery changed to the castle being burned and the young colt in the prince's hands, and and bearded unicorn was standing there concerned. The prince was badly injured his wings each had an arrow in them and one through the torso. He was crying over the colt "Take him and keep him safe." I notice something different about him the white of his eyes were different. They were green. The Prince shut his eyes and didn't move. The bearded unicorn took the baby into his grasp of his magic. You are not meant for this time Eclipse. The young body turned into an white light and went into the unicorn.
I closed my eyes hoping it was over but then I heard a voice."Midnight Sparkle my grateful student my time has come."
"But Star you can't leave." The indigo unicorn name Midnight Sparkle.
"I am going to give my powers of magic in you family for the reward of being there for me." Star Swirl changed into a bright white light and disappear.
It was blank now nothing to see or hear. It was an black void.
"Shadow." A sorrow voice called I knew who it was but what I was feeling was indescribable.
"What." I called back
"I should of told you earlier." Luna cried
"Was the baby yours?"'I asked
"Yes and its also you." She choked a little bit
"How?" I question"When my parents are Twilight Velvet and Night Light."
"That is now." She answeard."Star Swirl when he took you when." She sobbed."When your father was dying he took your magic, your soul, and your very essence and past it down to Midnight Sparkle. Before I banish you were my child." She started to cry more."But I let evil taken me I was giong to let it take you."
I interrupted"Luna I get what you were saying but what else are you hiding about my past."
Luna said nervously"Your name back when you were mine was Eclipse Shadow."
I reply back but hiding my true emotions so I would upset Luna anymore."So I been using my surname as my first and that night when I got my cutie mark was that a lie." I sorta joked.
"Yes." Luna answer coldy.
I was stunned."What you mean."
"I used an illusion spell to give you one its always active since I have more advance power." Luna answered
I woke up in an depression.
"Good morning sleepy head its almost noon." Twilight said cheerfully
I could look at her as my sister anymore.
