Legends of Equestria: The Candy Kingdom

It was late that same day and Vanilla was in her room with another of her best friends, Starlight Wishes a cream-colored Candy Unicorn with teal mane, which would be spending the weekend with her friend.

"It was nice your father let us to do this little slumber party. Unfortunate Blue cannot join us." Starlight said.

"Yeah. It's really a shame that Blue had to stay home and take care of her sister. Cherry had to get ill right now? And why haven't you brought your sisters?"

"You know I would never bring Caramel, she thinks it's something of spoiled little girls, and Mint is training as usual."

"What about Snow and Cookie?"

"I don't know. I've not seen snow in a while and Cookie simply said she coundn't come."

"Well, at least you're here with me." Vanilla smiled.

"You think I'd let my best friend down? A party is never a party without at least one friend. Besides, I think everything is more peaceful without many people."

"Girls, bedtime!" King Candy called on the other side of the door.

"Okay, Daddy!" Vanilla replied. "Well, we better go sleep anyway, we'll have plenty of time to have fun tomorrow." She turned off the light and went to bed. In minutes was almost asleep when a light woke her.

"Star, turn your horn off and go to sleep." Vanilla muttered, hiding her head under the pillow.

"I wanted to ask you something." Protested the unicorn, going to the bookshelf and returning with a book of dark blue cloak with the symbol of a moon and several embroidered stars, floating in front of her.

Vanilla only heard the sound of her friend's footsteps and finally put her head out to spy on what her friend brought.

"My photo album." The princess said. "Moon and I asked Bill to take them the last time we went to Canterlot. Was a very fun day. Moon always turn them fun. But I don't like going out of Sweet Island very much."

Starlight simply lay on the floor and began to examine the photos.

"Moon is that crazy filly who lives watching the stars, isn't she?"

"She's little, but very intelligent for her age. But also, her mother is very smart, works hard, and Moon is just too curious."

"I've heard that Dragonia's ponies are dangerous." Starlight said, absently.

"They say that because of the dragons. Said they lived there before the arrival of the first ponies reached there, and this ponies managed to ally with the dragons. Even after they rebelled and eventually expelled from what is now the kingdom of Dragonia say that something still remains in the hearts and souls of ponies there. personally I never saw anything strange."

"Taking those suspicious maks, right? Everypony in Dragonia has a birthmark shaped like a dragon claw. A whole kingdom!" She almost screamed the last part.

Vanilla had to admit, it was a strange thing, but never happened nothing to say that this could be something more than just a simple mark.

"It is rather strange. And perhaps not a birthmark, it might be part of some tradition or something. Dunno. Certain ponies are simply afraid of what they don't understand. So, what you wanted to ask me?"

"I just..." Starlight began, so stopped. "Wait" You hear that?" She lifted her head and looked at the door.

"No. What?" Vanilla asked sleepily.

"The sound of hooves. Has anyone in the hallway."

"Must be Bill in one of his rounds, go to sleep."

But the next second the two heard a crashing noise in the hallway, apparently someone bumped or tripped on something. The two friends looked at each other and ran to the door. They opened a loophole just to spy on what was happening in time to see a shadow turning down the hall.

"Let's see what it is!" Vanilla called, chasing the shadow.

"But wasn't you who was tired?" Starlight protested, before chasing her friend.

The two ran to where the shadow had gone but neither saw no sign of anything suspicious. They continued to the throne room, still nothing. But while Starlight was ready to give up and go back to bed, Vanilla was willing to find out what it was.

A silent search took them all around the castle, always avoiding the guards, since they shouldn't be out of bed so late. They had found nothing when they passed in front of the door leading to the tunnels and found the strangest scene they would never have imagined.

Two creatures, apparently a mixture of pony and dragon were fallen before the open doors.

Vanilla couldn't believe! She recognized the armor of the guards who should be protecting there.

"Vani, I'm getting scared! shouldn't we warn your father and go to sleep?" Starlight suggested nervously.

"How can you sleep with all this happening?" Vanilla asked excitedly.

"Your guards turned into dragons, someone broke into the castle, it's enough reason to believe that I'm having a nightmare and go back to bed."

"You can go if you want. I'll see what's happening."

"Are you crazy?! Whatever has knocked out two dragon-ponies or whatever they are. You thinks you have any chance?"

"I will not let it see me. Come with me or stay here, as you want."

And with that she flew into the tunnel, leaving her friend behind. She had to get to the tree, expecting for, whatever was down there, got lost in the tunnels. Lucky she had a good memory and knew the way. She just had to be careful not to be seen, but that was all.

The tunnel was dark, forcing Vanilla to land and go trotting carefully. If only Starlight weren't so fearful. Although she had to admit that the dragon-ponies were even frightening, especially considering all that she had heard about Dragonia.

What she wouldn't give to Flame to be there with her. No. If she really wanted someone to be there, that someone would be Sgt. Platinum, she would know exactly what to do in that situation, especially considering they were her guards who had been turned into dragons.

The tunnel was dark, forcing Vanilla to land and go trotting carefully. If only it were not so fearful Starlight. Although she had to admit that the dragon ponies were even frightening, especially considering all that she had heard about Dragonia.

What she would not give for that Flame was there with her. No. If she wanted someone there, that someone was the Platinum Sgt. She knew exactly what to do. Moreover, they were her guards were transformed into dragons and attacked.

But she was from Dragonia and would only come to Sweet Island in a week.

Vanilla hadn't a week. She just ran a few more corridors and arrived at the door. By the time there wasn't anything suspicious, nor a sign of her reason to be there.

Then she realized she had come too late, the doors of the tree's hall were open and there was a hooded figure.

Despite her first intention is to not be seen at that moment she couldn't help herself, jumped in front of the door and shouted: "Stopped there, thief!"

The figure turned to her, then threw back his hood, revealing it to be none other than Dusky Spark.

"Well, well, well, what have we here? The little filly is playing the bold princess just because Dad let her leave her home for once?" He scoffed, laughing. "I'm not here to hurt anyone or destroy anything. All I want is a little bit of power from you. Then you better turn around and forget you ever saw me here, if you know what is best for you."

"No!" She replied. She wasn't afraid. It was just an ambitious pegasus, certainly older and stronger, but not as fast as her.

"Why, darling, there's no reason to play the brave. It's too late. And it's just a fruit. It's not like it's harming the tree, or you, or me. You have nothing to gain and nothing to lost, I, on the other hand, have much to gain and nothing to lose, so why this?"

"Because you broke into the castle, did whatever you did to those guards and is stealing the only thing worth more than money on this realm. Needs more?"

She wouldn't back down, in fact she wanted to provoke him to chase her to push him away from the tree. She didn't know that he had already picked one of the fruits/marshmallows.

"If you came here to stop me is wasting your time." He laughed and threw the marshmallow in his mouth.

Vanilla frozen in place, waiting for the next events that she probably would regret not having listened to Starlight... But for a moment nothing happened. She sighed in relief.

"It seems that your plans got off, no?" She laughed.

But then a white aura began to surround him, Vanilla took a nervous step back. Dusky laughed.

"What was you saying, princess?"

But then the aura became green and turned into a wave of flames, he screamed, Vanilla walked back, until she felt herself hitting the tunnel wall. Now she was definitely scared. Why wasn't she in bed?

The flames were extinguished, but the creature that now laid on the devastated area, besides still looking a bit like Dusky Spark, looked more like some kind of insect-pony. It was black, had a threatening horn, insect wings, prickly mane and sharp fangs. At least that's what Vanilla thought at that moment, when she thought the dragon-ponies were the worst she had ever seen.

He began to wake up. Stood upright a bit wobbly.

"What happened?" He muttered, taking a hoof to his aching head, then he felt the horn. Shocked, ran a look for every part of his body that he could, before running near a crystal and examining his reflection.

"What happened to me?" He muttered in surprise, then turned to Vanilla. "You!" He exclaimed angrily. "What did this thing to me?"

The little filly couldn't help but cringed over against the wall, wishing she could do magic as her friend and fade away.

"I don't know what happened." She finally managed to say. "I don't know what went wrong."

"Liar! Was you who brought me here to begin with that whole story about power. I should have known it was a trap."

Vanilla decided to react. With all her strength she pushed him away and quickly flew into the tunnel.

She was desperate to get out. She needed to find her father, anypony, just needed help. She not even dared to look back. She coundn't lose, much less waste time. She could see the light, almost out when she felt something bump into her and they both collide against the wall.

Dusky had gotten what he wanted. She couldn't stop thinking. He had reached her so easily.

"End of the line, princess." He threatened.

Vanilla closed her eyes frightened. Then she noticed the brightness of a light and felt the weight being lifted off her, she looked to her right and saw Dusky fallen a few feet away. Then she looked across the tunnel and saw her father standing there menacingly, Starlight half hidden behind him.

"Get away from my daughter!" King Candy threatened, walking toward Dusky.

There was no time for reaction from Dusky before King Candy cast a spell on him. The girls closed their eyes when a bright light filled the hallway and when finally extinguished, there was no sign of Dusky anywhere.

Vanilla couldn't do more than sigh in relief. That had been close. She and her big curiosity and stupid courage, which appeared in the most inopportune times and lacked the hours she needed most. No wonder she and Moonlight Shoot were so friendly, they had so much in common. Although, after the episode that night she was worried.

"What was you thinking?" She heard her father ask angrily.

No. Well, yes, he was angry, but she was more... disappointed. She tried not look him in the eyes.

"I'm sorry. Just wanted to find out what was going on."

"I think the dragon-ponies were reason enough to avoid the trouble you got into, I warned you." Starlight commented.

Vanilla just gave her a look of 'which side are you in?' but she thought it best to keep quiet this time.

"But it was a reckless attitude you come here alone after confirming that something powerful had invaded."

"Now I know." Vanilla sighed. Then an idea came to her mind. "What happened to Dusky?"

"I sent him somewhere away from Sweet Island, but even I don't know where. Don't know if any pony can use this kind of power with precision, but if anyone can, that one is right and only Princess Celestia. Though I don't doubt Princess Crystal can get close to it, she has studied this kind of thing, spells of space, time and dimensions, portals, and other strange things." King Candy explained.

"No. I mean to have him turned on that..."

"Dusky Spark made a wish to the tree, he got what he wanted, but not the way he wanted, for his heart was full of darkness and he was taken by them."

"But what exactly was that?"

"A sort of mutant, although he retained some of his pony aspect, more than is common in this type of creature. You were lucky that your friend here has some sense and called me and I got here on time. Though that neither has much sense. Temporarily out of bed in the middle of the night. I'm sorry but Starlight will go home tomorrow morning and no parties like this again until you be a little more responsible. Also going back to study at home. Look what happened here, imagine if I leave you alone out of there."

"But, Daddy!"

"Without this 'but'. You has no responsibility to go out alone. Just hope nothing has happened to the tree."

"That tree care more than me, isn't it?" Vanilla suddenly exploded angrily.

"That's not true! Came running up here for you, but if I'm worried about the tree is because I know you're fine now, and without it there is no Sweet Island."

Vanilla accompanied her friend back to her room without saying a word to her father. She was scared, upset and too angry for anything that wasn't sleep.

Vanilla awoke next morning feeling a little bit sick from the night before. She shouldn't have done what she did. She shouldn't have ignored her father that way, also.

She came down to breakfast thinking about apologizing, that idea was soon forgotten when she realized they had a new guest, especially for who he was.

Golden Hammer was a unicorn from Dragonia, who study healing spells and potions, was also good with repairs, since he had been a carpenter in Canterlot before reaching the city of dragons. His presence there was not a good sign. He only came to Sweet Island with his wife or older brother, if he was alone there was a sign that had urgent problems and Vanilla had a good idea of what could be, just couldn't believe it, much less admit, even if it was to was to herself.

"Good morning daddy! Morning Gold!" She greeted, putting her best smile to hide how much she was worried.

"Good morning Vanilla!" Golden smiled. "You've grown since last time I saw you!"

"So.. What is the reason for the visit?" She ventured to ask.

"Your father told me everything." He warned. A more polite way to say: Don't use lying, I know what you did! At least that's what the little pony thought at that moment. "It looks like something hit the tree."

"But you can fix it, right?" Vanilla asked. What had she done?

"Unfortunately, Vani, sorry. It's the own tree's magic, by darkness. Beyond my power to fix." He sighed. He spoke as if the fault occurred had been his. "But it's a very slow spell. Managed to contain it before it from spreading."

Vanilla sighed in relief. At least everything was fine. She was sure her father would send a letter to Princess Celestia, who would come as soon as possible and solve everything.

But she has been wrong before. And if she was wrong now? And it that wasn't that simple? What would she do?

"I think I'm going to my room." She muttered, trotting away.

"You haven't even begun to eat your breakfast." King Candy commented worried.

"I'm not hungry. I'll notify Star to come down and tell Bill to wake me at lunch."

With that she went up to the roof. Had no intention of sleeping or talking to her friend. Actually, she just wanted some time alone to think. She would descend later before anyone noticed. She had never regretted anything so much in her life and hoped it wouldn't happen again.