Shattered Memories, Hidden Dreams

Twilight walked back into her library, relived to be back home. She was still trying to process what the princesses told her, but she wasn't sure what to make of it. She'd never heard of Lux or Umbra before, but she doubted the princesses would lie to her. As she was piecing it all together, Spike came walking in with a pair of letters.

"Who's that from?" Twilight asked quizzically.

"Princess Luna." Spike said, rubbing his throat, "Princess Celestia's came right after that one. Burned my throat a bit. But weren't you just talking with Princess Celestia back-"

"Not now Spike." Twilight said dismissively. She lifted the two letters with her magic and placed them on her desk. She was about to open them when she remembered Celestia's warning. "Hey, Spike?"

"Ya?"

"Would you mind running into town and picking up some doughnuts from Sugarcube Corner? You know how I like them."

"Sure, no problem Twilight." Spike saluted and headed out the door.

"Tell Pinkie I said hi." Twilight called as the door shut. With Spike gone, she opened the first letter from Princess Luna:

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

I hope this letter finds you before my sister can respond. I am sure you are still trying to understand everything we have told you. Well, you can dismiss the history lesson, and focus on the task at hand. Find out who is using this form of magic. To help you with this task, I have some information for you. I know what my sister said, but there is still a possibility that the unicorn we mentioned is still alive. He knows more about this book and the magic it contains better then anypony. He's a bit taller then the average pony, with a midnight blue coat and black mane. He's very proper when you first meet him, and is generally polite. If you find him, ask him his name before you mention anything about the book. It escapes me now, but I know his name involves my night somehow. I know there is only a small chance, but if you find him, let me know. And only tell me. Celestia thinks that if he is back, then he will corrupt Ponyville. But he would never do that. I know he wouldn't.

Regards,

Princess Luna

Twilight was a little puzzled by the letter, but decided to put it aside for now. Princess Luna had been acting strangely since they met Princess Celestia on the hill. Although Twilight was concerned about Luna's behavior, she put that aside and opened the second letter from Princess Celestia and began to read:

My Most Faithful Student,

I have no doubt that Luna has sent you a letter in regards to that unicorn from our past. I don't know what she sent, but it will mostly contain useless information. He's either dead or in hiding, and under no circumstances would he return to Ponyville. Instead, focus on finding the book, if indeed it is the source of this. It is a black book, with red pages and written in black ink. There is no title nor is there anything on the binding. If you locate this book, do not pick it up with magic! The book has odd properties that can be potentially dangerous. If you find this book, bring it to me for safe keeping. If you see anypony in possession of this book, avoid them at all costs. The magic they posses is far greater than any you or any unicorn could wield naturally. If they are causing any problems or harming any ponies, alert me immediately. And I'm certain I don't have to tell you this, but under no circumstances are you to read that book! If at all possible, avoid even looking at it. If you read those pages, the dark powers stored in that book will corrupt you, as it did our friend so many years ago.

Good luck,

Princess Celestia

Twilight read the letter once more, just to be sure she remembered what it said. She then stored her letter with all the others Celestia had sent since she moved to Ponyville. ‘A black book with red pages. How many of those can there be in town?' She thought. ‘Still, hunting all around town for a single book is going to be tough. I can ask if any strange ponies have come through recently. But if this pony is supposed to cause trouble wherever he goes, then surly I would have heard something about it since I've come back.' She sighed and slumped to the floor. ‘This is too much to handle. Maybe I should ask my friends for help.' She smiled to herself as she thought of how easy that would be, until she remembered Celestia's warning. She slammed her hoof on the ground. "Ugh. How the hay am I supposed to do this!?" She yelled. She was starting to calm down when Spike came bursting through the door.

"You ok Twilight?" Spike said franticly, looking around the room for a threat. "It sounded like you were yelling."

Twilight blushed lightly and faced away from Spike. "Uh, ya. Was I that loud?"

Spike rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Applejack could have heard you from the farm. What were you yelling for anyway?"

Twilight turned and put on as sincere a smile as possible, which she was certain made her look insane. "Oh nothing. Just a problem I'm having problems solving. Nothing important. Did you pickup the doughnuts?"

Spike was a little freaked out by Twilights smile. "Oookayyy. There was no one at Sugarcube Corner. The Cakes are still in Trottingham visiting family, and I have no clue where Pinkie is." He looked around the room. Then turned back to Twilight. "Where are those letters I gave you earlier?"

"Oh. I put those away. It was nothing important." Twilight lied, still smiling. "Well, since there's nothing else, lets go find the others. There's something I have to tell them."

"Uh, sure. Ok." Spike said, a little confused. "I'll go find Rarity and Fluttershy. Should I bring them back here?"

"Yes, here is as good a place as any." Twilight nodded. "I'll find Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Shouldn't take too long for those two. Then we'll find Pinkie and come back here."

As Spike walked out the door, Twilight double checked that her desk drawers were locked, in case Spike got back before her, then walked out her door. She stood there for a moment, staring at the sun high above her. ‘Hard to believe I haven't slept yet.' She thought. ‘Ah well, nothing I can do about it now. Spike will be suspicious if I come back without the others, and I still need to think of a reason for the get together.' Twilight started walking towards Sweet Apple Acres, her mind still sorting the information in her head.

*

Moon Runner was sitting in the barn, flipping through his book. With his back to the door, he didn't notice the intruder quietly open it, and sneak in. It sht the door silently, then ran to a small pile of hay, attempting to remain hidden. It slipped out quietly and moved slowly toward the unsuspecting unicorn. When it was less then three feet away, it suddenly felt itself being lifted into the air. Moon Runner stood and turned to the intruder. The intruder looked up, and saw the floor. She started to giggle, her poofy pink mane bobbing up and down.

"Looks like you caught me." Pinkie said with a smile. "You're the only pony to ever catch me sneaking up on them. You're certainly a faster thinker then I thought, or maybe you just pay more attention."

"You are not the first to try that trick." Moon Runner said. "May I ask who you are, and why you tried to sneak up on me?"

"Oh, you silly, you know exactly who I am." Pinkie, or rather what looked like Pinkie, melted into a black mist that floated to the ground. There it formed into a tall, elegant shadow of a mare. From its flowing mane to its elegant tail, the creature was entirely pitch black. It opened its pupil less eyes and smiled calmly at Moon Runner, who took a step back.

"You! Stay back you disgusting creature!"

"Oh what's the matter." The creature said, its voice coming for all around them. "Didn't you miss me?" The creature walked slowly, almost seductively, toward Moon Runner who backed away with each step.

"Miss you? You and your siblings have made it impossible for me to return here. I have tried all this time to work up the courage to come back, after what you made me do. And now you dare to come to me, and try to stop me?"

The creature chuckled softly. "Stop you? No. We don't care why you have come back. But we do care what happens to that book." Moon Runner backed into a wall, but the creature continued to walk until its face came extremely close to his.

"Get back, Luxuria." He said through clenched teeth. "I'm warning you."

"You're still so defiant." She said softly, tracing a pattern on his chest with her front hoof. "If only you weren't so stubborn. We could have made you more powerful then that dumb little mare you keep protecting."

"I said, get back." His horn glowed its inky black color, and Luxuria found herself flung across the barn. She stopped in mid-air, and landed gracifuly. She continued to smile, though now it seemed a bit more hallow.

"So, you have improved. I'm impressed. With time, you might even be able to beat Ira in direct combat." She walked back over, but kept her distance this time. "I was sent to deliver a warning. If that book is given to the sun goddess, she will destroy it. If you want to keep your gift, and keep that loathsome mare you love so much alive, then keep the book away from her." She moved closer, until she was toe-to-toe with Moon Runner. "If you fail, she dies. And you will become mine." She touched his cheek, causing him to shudder. "So long, my stubborn little stallion. Maybe someday you'll remember what you really are. But until then..." She slowly turned into black mist. Her eyes lingered for just a moment, then faded away. The mist floated up to the rafters and through the cracks in the roof. "I'll be waiting." She said as the last of the mist floated away. Moon Runner slumped to the ground, and shivered uncontrollably.

From a far away cloud, a quick flash of rainbow could be seen, the leading end heading straight for town.