Sinister Shadows

Twilight's head throbbed.  The feeling of intangibility and incorporeality worsened her mind-crushing migraine.  Unseen forces pulled on Twilight from every direction, and twisted and bent Twilight like noodles.

There was no depth to the environment, the world was flat and stiff.  Paradoxically, Twilight free-floated in the grey, empty space.

Twilight shut her eyes against the abyss.  She no longer cared what happened.  Indifferent.  Distant.

Seconds passed into minutes, minutes into days, days into months, entire-life-times.  And still Twilight did not care.

Focus, Twilight! Fight it! Don’t let the void swallow you!

Twilight flailed.  Her hands instinctively clutched her head in pain as the voice reverberated through her body.

Leave! Begone! Twilight futilely strained to shout.  The void refused to carry her voice.

Twilight curled into the fetus position when the voice came once more.

You are the Element of Magic!  You have defeated those who seek to destroy harmony!  Resist the magic of this plane!

The words struck a chord within Twilight’s being.  Images came to Twilight, trickling first, and then a thunderous downpour of memories, too fast for comprehension.  Remembrance dawned upon the alicorn.

I am Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight focused on images of her and other ponies, who laughed, played, and celebrated with her.

We are the Elements of harmony.

Two regal mares, one luminous while the other was shadowy, placed a crown atop Twilight’s head.

I am Princess Twilight.  I was student to Princes Celestia and her sister, Princess Luna.  I defeated Discord.  Chrysalis.  Sombra.  Tirek.

I learned the meaning of friendship.  I aid faithful subjects.  I’ve dealt with fanatical rivals.

Twilight recalled everything that the void had stolen from her.  With some effort, Twilight shook off the last cobwebs of numbness.

I am Twilight Sparkle, Element of Harmony, Princess of Equestria, and Guardian of Friendship!  Nothing, not even this dimensional prison, will stop me!

The tumultuous forces ceased their exertion on Twilight, strengthening her resolve.  However, one force still acted on Twilight, and slowly pulled her backwards.

Twilight grunted as she tried to turn herself around.  After much struggle, she finally succeeded.

There was no noticeable difference.  Yet Twilight was still being pulled in the same direction, without any foreseeable end.

The feeling of intangibility gradually gave way to a sense of surety and realness.  Solidity returned to Twilight.  The environment, without actually moving, reimaged itself into a tunnel.

At last, I can leave this miserable plane of non-existence.

A deep-throated laughter exploded into existence.  Twilight felt that the laughter knew her, mocked her for what she was, and she shivered.

Ashen hands stretched out towards Twilight.  They danced and intertwined, and sought to separate Twilight from escape.

A raspy voice with the sound of ancient, dry, and unused sandpaper called out to Twilight, Twilight… I will have you… as my slave.  You will help me… expand my empire.  The void is eternally hungry….

The hands stretched closer, and encircled Twilight like wolves.  The hands inexorably tightened the sphere, which tortured Twilight by delaying her what seemed inevitable to her.  Tired of the game, the hands bolted towards her.

Twilight slammed her eyes closed, and waited for the sensation of being crushed and torn.

But it never came.  Instead, Twilight felt a sensation of falling backwards, and falling fast.

Twilight opened her eyes.  She breathed a heavy sigh when she saw the sky, tinged lavender by the setting sun.

Relief turned to panic as the gravity of the situation fell upon her.

Twilight’s mind raced back to her flying lessons with Rainbow Dash.

Falling is easier than flying, Twilight.  All you gotta do is spread your wings, slow down, and guide the fall. Rainbow Dash had once said.

Twilight turned herself to face the ground.  And saw that she was much lower than she had originally thought.

The town below raced upwards to crush her body.  Twilight spread out her wings, and winced when her wings jerked hard as they caught the air.

Twilight screamed as she plummeted towards a building’s roof.  One wing clipped the edge with a CRACK and sent her into a dizzying spiral straight for the street below.

Something metallic and yet feathery broke her fall.  Twilight let out a low moan, as the pain of her broken wing registered.

From underneath Twilight came muttering, “Stupid, suicidal, Griffons.”  Twilight was roughly shoved off of the other’s back.

When the other stood, Twilight took the opportunity to study the other.

Twilight noted the golden, gleaming armor of the Solar Guard, as of yet unchipped from lack of battle.  At least they’re friendly.  Twilight also noted that the soldier was a female pegasus.  The angle of the setting sun skewed the rest of the pegasus’s features.

The soldier did not have the same problem, and instantly recognized Twilight.

The soldier took a few moments to string together words coherently.

“T-twi-twilight?  What are you doing here in Pisa?  You left yesterday for Mount Gryphus!  You said the peace talks were important!  And why did you fall onto me?” cried the familiar voice.

“Rainbow Dash!  You’re lessons… came in handy,” Twilight responded through clenched teeth.

‘What do you mean my lessons came in handy?  You aren’t making any sense, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Prepare yourself!  The rest are coming!

“What did you say, Rainbow Dash?’ Twilight asked, still prone on the floor.

“I didn’t-, “Rainbow Dash began.  Vortexes opened above them in the air.  Twilight Guards and changelings were dumped and fell onto the street.  A final vortex opened, from which Eclipse landed on his feet.

Rainbow Dash could only stammer.

Disoriented, the Twilight Guard and the changelings were still sprawled on the floor.

Rainbow Dash thought to cry,” Changelings!”  The pegasus fumbled to draw her sword.

The changelings dizzily stood, as did the Twilight Guards.  Flash shouted an order, “Surround them!”

The Guards did as ordered, and forced the changelings into a precarious position.  Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash dragged Twilight away- Twilight insisted that Viridian be retrieved first- and took care to not jostle Twilight’s wing.  Rainbow Dash then went back for Viridian, and dragged the unconscious mare next to the prone Twilight.

“Surrender now and be allowed to live, or die in vain,” Flash shouted.

“Kill them now!  They are traitorous, and will not stop their malicious ways!” Eclipse decreed.

Flash ignored Eclipse.

“Pizurk-hai, barash brûf!  Azagon! Azish!” a changeling cried in the cursed Black Speech.

(For those not fluent in Black Speech, this roughly translates into “Changelings, crush the insects!  Kill Twilight!  Kill them all!”)

The changelings surged forward, yelling cries of “Maukgothlob!” and “Maukmatum”.

(Again, roughly translates to “For the Queen!” and “Fight to the death!”)

It was a bloody massacre.  The changelings were outnumbered two to one.  The changeling’s great advantage of superior numbers was non-existent.

Magical fire roasted them, swords cleaved heads from bodies, attackers pressed from all sides.  Still, the changelings were true to their word.   They died in servitude to their Queen.

Flash stood over a dying changeling.  The changeling laughed, and said with a hoarse voice, ”Aarûz, aan agh ran afbûrgulur, lorz aa-”

Flash plunged the sword through the changeling’s abdomen.  The last word gave way to a gurgling in the changeling’s throat.  Flash whispered to the already dead changeling, “You’re the fool if you think I will let that happen.”

(“Soon, sun and moon will be cast in darkness, stupid-.”)

The Twilight Guard may have won, but the escape, the void, and the battle began to take their toll.  Several of the Magi and Elementals simply flopped onto the ground.  The Twilight Guard moved towards the buildings and stood against the walls for support.

Flash trudged to Twilight, sword dragging on the bloody ground.  “Caduceus!  Shining Sea!  Tend to Twilight!” Flash shouted to a Judge and an Elemental who were tending to the wounded.  They nodded and came over to Twilight.

First, Caduceus asked for Twilight to sit straight.  He gently folded the wing against Twilight’s back.  After he checked that the wing was in a proper position, he reached into his pack and pulled out a roll of bandages.  The field medic proceeded to wrap the bandages around Twilight’s wings and her body.

“There.  Do not, I repeat, do not, attempt to use your wings before thy are fully healed.  And I will determine when your wings are healed.  Doctor’s orders,” Caduceus commanded.  Flash shot Caduceus a look.

“And you Flash, need to take a chill pill and rest.  Seriously, you should rest,” Caduceus suggested.  Flash ignored the recommendation and instead sat down to clean and sharpen his sword.

“Caduceus, stow it and continue tending to the rest of the wounded,” Flash ordered.

While the two Judges fenced words, Shining Sea worked her Elemental magic on Twilight.

Shining Sea placed her hands on Twilight’s shoulders, and energy flowed from Shining to Twilight.  The very touch felt cool, and Twilight’s buzzing mind calmed.  The pain faded away, and gave way to comfort.  Twilight would later swear it was like a phoenix-down bed.

“Sleep, Your Highness.  We will take care of everything,” Shining Sea whispered.

The last thing Twilight heard before she zonked out was Flash, “Rainbow Dash, go to Pisa’s town hall and inform Shining Armor of our arrival.

Twilight once more found herself in a strange world.

Blue mist shrouded everything.

Not this again… No, no, no…

Twilight’s breathing became erratic and fast.

“Twilight, there is no need for fear,” another spoke.

Twilight’s breathing calmed.   Twilight had fallen to the floor and had not noticed.  The other offered a hand and helped Twilight to her feet.

“Luna… this journey, this life… is terrifying,” Twilight began.

“Shh, young one.  We all must face obstacles in life,” Luna began as she stepped closer to Twilight.

Twilight gasped when Luna embraced her without warning.

“Shhh.  Thou art frightened,” Luna said soothingly as she rubbed Twilight’s head, “Thou have faced many opponents in thy time as my sister’s protégé.  Thou will face many more in the future.  However, thou will surely defeat them as surely as the sun and moon rise and set,” Luna assured.

“How can you be so sure, Luna?  How is it that certainty finds you but eludes me?” Twilight questioned.

Luna stepped back, and held Twilight at arms lengths by the shoulders.  The two princesses locked eyes.

“Because I know thy true enemy.  Not the Griffons, not the changelings, nothing outside.  Only… thou,” Luna answered.

“Why must you and Celestia be so cryptic?  Your riddles and half-truths only further my frustration!” Twilight yelled.  She broke free of Luna, and turned her back to the goddess.

“Thy enemies did not create the doubt that now controls thou.  Thou did.  Thou must conquer thyself, thou must gain control of thy fears.  That is the true trial of your journey, of life,” Luna explained.

Twilight said nothing.  Luna continued after a momentary pause.

“I once let my fears take hold, and distort my vision of this world.  I do not wish to see the same thing to happen to thou.  Forgive the past, worry not about the future.  Live the present,” Luna counseled.

“Forgive the past? He betrayed you, Luna.  He cast you into darkness!” Twilight countered.

“I’ve chosen to forget him…” Luna answered hesitantly.

Twilight turned to face Luna.  “Even your son?  Have you forgotten Eclipse?” Twilight asked angrily.  Her eyes gleamed with an inner fire.

Luna gasped.  The lunar princess fell to her knees.  “Eclipse… he… he left me… after… I did not know he was even still alive,” Luna choked out.  The distraught mother looked up at Twilight.  Tears left streaks on her face.

“Does thou know where he is?  Is he alive?  I beg thou to answer, Twilight.  Please…” Luna pleaded, already on her knees.

I should force you to find out yourself, Twilight thought angrily.

Twilight, what is wrong with you! Snap out of it, Twilight rethought, while she shook her head to clear the dark thoughts.

Twilight answered quickly before Luna could misinterpret,” Alive.  Your son is with me, alive and well.”

Luna broke down, and began to sob uncontrollably.  “Eclipse… my son… my son… I am sorry…”

Twilight shifted uncomfortably.  The Princess of Magic and Friendship was at a loss for words.  She turned, and left Luna to her emotions.

Twilight woke as the first rays of sunlight danced across her face.  She sat up.

"Twili, you're awake!," someone yelled.  Not seeing who I'm talking to is getting extremely annoying, Twilight thought to herself.

"Brother?  Is that you?" Twilight asked.  The sun in her eyes made it hard to see the rest of the room.

"Shining Armor stood up from a stool in the corner.  "Who else would it be!  I insisted on being the first one to see you wake-"

A knocking came from the door, followed by a voice.  "Lord Armor, I ask that I be let in.  You've seen her wake first, now let me see it with my own eyes!' Flash called from outside the room.

Shining Armor laughed.  "Of course.  Bring in Eclipse as well," Shining answered as he unlocked the door.

Flash burst into the room.  Eclipse strode in behind the guard.  Last, but not least, was Viridian.

"Your Highness, are you feeling all right?  Would you like me to fetch Caduceus-" Flash stopped when Twilight started to laugh.

"I appreciate your concern, Flash, but it could be put to better use.  Such as preparing the return to Ponyville," Twilight explained, and continued when Flash tried to protest," I assure you Flash, I am alive and well, thanks to the Twilight Guard's efforts."

Flash nodded.  "As you wish, Your Highness.  We shall prepare for the return home," Flash affirmed.  He rushed out the door.

"You heard the princess!  She is fine, and wants us to prepare for the return trip!  Go,go, go!" Flash ordered to the waiting Twilight Guard.  A cheer ensued, and then the sound of a stampede exiting the building.

"They had all insisted on waiting outside.  You have an excellent Guard, Twili," Shining Armor commented.

Twilight noticed Eclipse was still in the room.  "Eclipse, is there something you need?" Twilight asked.

"No, but I come with advice: Never lose sight of who you truly are," Eclipse consoled.  He dipped his head ever so slightly, and then left the room.

"Is it true, Twili? Is he really Luna's son?" Shining Armor asked.

"To my current knowledge, yes. We shall see when we reach Equestria," Twilight replied.

"We? Twilight, the war is still going on.  We can't leave Pisa-" Shining Armor began.

"I have a feeling, brother.  I don't think the Griffins want to continue this war any longer.  Especially with the revelations of yesterday," Twilight explained.  Shining Armor cocked his head quizzically.

"Trust me, I think it would be best if the occupation of Pisa were to end.  I will explain more later, but we need to prepare for the departure from Pisa.  And I mean everyone's departure from Pisa, not just mine."

Shining Armor sighed, and closed his eyes on concentration.  "Very well, Twilight.  I'll trust you on this one.  I think Viridian wants to talk to you now.  Rest easy, sister," Shining Armor reminded.  Shining Armor left the room.

Viridian seemed on the edge of tears.  "Twilight, thank goodness you are all right.  I was worried about you.  Is your wing okay?" Viridian asked.

"My wing has been better.  But I must tell you that I am fine.  There is no need to worry," Twilight assured.

Viridian smiled the biggest smile Twilight had ever seen.  "So.... if you weren't interested in Flash, are you interested in Eclipse? He's royalty..." Viridian asked, saying the last word with a bit of a musical pitch.

Twilight groaned.  "Viridian, I love you, bit there's a limit to everything."

"I'm joking, Twilight.  I don't think Eclipse is that much interested I you, either."

"What are you trying to say?  That I'm not good enough for him?"

There was a moment of silence.  Then the two mates broke out into a for of giggles.

"I can't wait till we get home, Twilight."

"Neither can I.  Neither can I."