The Red Horn

The sun seemed a bit dim, but most ponies didn’t notice. They were too busy with their own lives to take notice. The only pony that did notice was Twilight herself.

Twilight paced back and forth in her room. The sounds of clopping and Twilight mumbling to herself were the only sounds made in the room.

“What exactly happened that day? Well, there was breakfast in the main dining room. After that, I followed Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence into the meeting room. We debated about whether or not we want the changelings to feed off our love…they need it anyway. After that, I told my friends what happened in the meeting…I shouldn’t have told them…but we run our kingdom as a team…I am the princess of friendship after all. But we had a disagreement and I ran away. I hid behind an old mill…then I woke up here…”

No matter how many times Twilight tried to remember, her mind always came up blank. But the old mill had something to do with these horrible visions. Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. She slumped down to the floor.

“Maybe that was where the horn was buried…” Twilight winced at the sudden pain that went through her head. The source of the pain came from her horn. It felt like something was thumping the walls inside of it. She trotted into the bathroom and went up to the mirror. She glared at her reflection. She looked normal, but something was off. Her eyes went straight to her horn. It looked thicker than last night. She rubbed it, it felt a little warm.

“Whatever happened to me, I don’t like it,” Twilight was interrupted by the shy knock at the door.

“Come in.” She replied, trying not to sound worried.

The door opened slightly and a little dragon head appeared from behind it.

“Twilight,” Spike said in a small voice, “Are you okay?”

Twilight sighed and tried to ignore the thumping in her horn.

“I’m fine Spike, what’s wrong?”

Twilight found her dragon friend wrapped around her front legs. His green eyes were filled to the brim with tears.

“Oh Twilight, I thought something bad happened to you!” he wailed.

The young Alicorn loosened Spike’s grip with her magic. She bit her lip and placed her arms around his scaly body.

“I’m fine Spike, really!” She rubbed the dragon’s scales on top of his head. She bit her lip even harder. The thumping went from annoying to painful. What did this horn not like about Spike? What didn’t this horn like about Twilight’s life style?

Spike pulled away from her and glared at her, “Do you know what happened yesterday? Do you think someone ambushed you or something? Maybe it was a changeling!”

The Alicorn laid a hoof on his shoulder, “Calm down Spike, I don’t think I got ambushed…” Twilight tried her best not to tell Spike about King Sombra’s horn the best she could. She didn’t want to put him in danger.

“I actually don’t remember what happened to me exactly.” She sighed. She trotted to the other side of the room and gazed out the window.

Spike rubbed his chin. The first thing came to his mind was Twilight’s new fangs. The second thing was a changeling. He remembered the changelings showing off their fangs every times they hissed or spat. His eyes widened at the thought.

“You know,” He said slyly, “Your teeth are pretty sharp for a pony. Like changeling sharp!”

Twilight slowly turned her head around and gave him a long hard stare.

“I would be one clumsy changeling if I accidently forgot to hide my fangs.” Twilight said in a low voice. She turned away from the dragon.

Spike chuckled and gulped, “Yeah that would be really clumsy…sorry.”

Twilight exhaled and got up. “Let’s go down stairs and eat some breakfast, I’m getting hungry…”

“Twilight, its noon.” Spike said flatly.

Twilight flattened her ears and her cheeks turned bubblegum pink.

“Well,” she continued “Let’s go down stairs and eat some lunch!”

Twilight and Spike found themselves treading down the crystalized hallway. Strong looking crystal pony guards stood tall and firm by the entrance of the dining hall. As Twilight passed the guards, their eyes widened at the sight of her.

“Princess Twilight, are you alright?” one of the guards asked.

“We were told that you weren’t feeling well.” The other guard added.

Twilight smirked at the guards, “I’m feeling fine, I’m just hungry.”

“But we could send the food up to room.” They inquired

Twilight chuckled, “That is very thoughtful of the both of you. But I assure you, I’m fine.”

She trotted into the dining you with Spike waddling at her heels. The dining room had lavender colored crystal walls and floor, shined to perfection. Pictures and paintings of royal crystal ponies hung on the walls. The dining table was made out of pure pink diamonds. It stretched out so far, you would have to run to get to the other side. It also had matching chairs with royal purple cushions on the seats. The sunlight shined through the windows, made the room gleam and twinkle like stars.

A young, slightly plump crystal pony skipped into the dining hall. She halted by Twilight with a big grin on her face.

“Good day to you, your majesty, how may I help you?” she said in a slightly airy voice.

“I would like a salad with thousand island dressing please. But go light on the tomatoes.”

The crystal pony nodded and turned to Spike. “I would like a big bowl of crystals please, especially the red ones.” His mouth watered at the thought of red crystals.

The crystal pony chuckled, “Alright then, I shall return with your meals in a little bit.”

As soon as she was gone, Spiked leaned over to Twilight.

“Are you sure you don’t remember anything,” he said in a concerned voice, “You have to remember something.”

Twilight slumped into her chair, “I’m being honest with you Spike, I don’t remember…”

“TWILIGHT.” A group of ponies choired.

Her friends galloped towards her and gave her a big group hug. Twilight nickered and hugged them back.

Pinkie Pie got lose and glared at Twilight, “We were so worried about you! What happened? Did you bump your head? Did somepony attack you?”

The other ponies broke from the group hug and glared at Twilight. Twilight’s heart raced in her chest and her left ear twitched. She sighed and glowered at her friends.

“I don’t know what happened to me. All I remember is sitting behind an old mill and then I woke up in my guest bedroom.”

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow, “Somepony must have ambushed you or drugged you.”

“I wasn’t…or I don’t think I was ambushed. I don’t have any bruises or cuts. Also, if I were drugged, I don’t think I would be down here.”

Rainbow Dash crossed her arms, “I guess you have a point.”

“Speaking of yesterday,” Applejack chimed in, “We’re sorry about our reaction. We didn’t realize how bad the changelings have it.”

Twilight smiled at her friends, “It’s alright girls, and I’m sorry as well. I overreacted…”

“Overreacted,” Rainbow Dash interrupted as she spread her wings and hovered above Twilight. “More like freaked out!”

Applejack yanked the headstrong Pegasus back the floor and gave Rainbow Dash a menacing glare.

“Anyway,” Twilight continued. “The changelings sure can’t be trusted, but believe me, it is better this way. Who knows, maybe we can finally live in peace with them…wow did I just say that?”

The girls and their dragon friend laughed in unison and came in for another group hug.

Once Twilight and Spike’s meal arrived, the ponies seated themselves and asked for meals as well. While they were munching on jewels, salads, and a slice of chocolate cake, Twilight’s mind raced. What happened at the mill? She wanted to investigate the area, but she didn’t know if she could bring her friends along. She wouldn’t be putting them in any danger since there was only one horn. But what if they got in harm’s way? However, they all had been through worse.

“Girls,” Twilight said in a less confident voice. The others stopped their chatter and looked at the princess. “Is it all right if all of you can come with me to the mill? I want to investigate, but I don’t want to go alone.”

“Of course darling,” Rarity replied, “Besides I wouldn’t let you go alone.”

“Me neither!” Pinkie Pie chimed in.

   “You can count me in.” Applejack said as she laid a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder.

“I’ll never leave your side Twilight.” Rainbow Dash said over confident as usual.

Spike leaned in on Twilight and gave her a hug. The others glowered at Fluttershy. The yellow Pegasus was in no mood to go investigate at the mill. She wanted to make an excuse, but what’s the use. She has been through worse.

“I guess I can go investigate. But what if we get hurt? Or lose our memory like Twilight? Or get…”

“Fluttershy take it easy,” Rainbow Dash said, “We’ll make sure nothing happens to any of us.”

Fluttershy sighed and munched on her lettuce like a very hungry goat.

After lunch, the seven friends trotted to the old mill. The mill was the only building not made out of crystal. The metal blades on the fan were rusted and some blades were missing. The white paint on the wooden walls were peeling off. Dusty barrels were scattered around the area. Some rotting corn husks were inside the barrels. The building creaked as the wind passed through it.

“What do you think this was used for?” Spike asked.

“Power, maybe a place to store corn. I have no clue.” Twilight replied. She lightly tapped the walls outside the mill. The wood felt soggy.

Fluttershy’s heart pounded in her chest. Her ears flattened every time the building creaked or when the fan on the mill slightly moved.

“I don’t see anything suspicious. Maybe we should go back to the castle.” Fluttershy said in a shaky voice.

“Don’t be silly Fluttershy,” Pinkie Pie replied while popping up behind the yellow Pegasus. “We just got here. Now help me look for some clues.” The pink earth pony took out a giant magnifying glass out of thin air and examined the ground.

Rainbow Dash took to the sky and hovered around the mill. She peeked thru one of the windows. The only things she saw were winding stairs and a bucket dangling from a beam by a thin rope. Applejack and Rarity followed Twilight to the back of the mill. A dry trough stood a couple of feet away from them. Spike peeked inside the trough. He found a couple pieces of corn kernels and some moss stuck to the bottom of the trough. An old fashioned cast iron water pump was beside it. A rusty bucket sat below the spout. The pump handle was missing.

Twilight rubbed her horn and circled around the place she sat. Nothing seemed out of place. The shards of grass were normal. The place seemed void of anything suspicious.

“Umm, Twilight,” Applejack’s eyes darted around the mill, “Are you sure we’re at the right place?”

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash replied as she landed on the ground. “This place is really empty.”

Twilight slumped to the ground. She sat in the exact place she sat yesterday.

“I know this is the place,” She said under her breath.

She glared at the ground, thinking about yesterday. Her mind wondered to the ground. She felt the ground shake a little, even though the ground wasn’t moving in reality. She then heard something burst, even though nothing burst in reality. Her chest tightened. Her hooves trembled. Then a burning pain coursed through her horn. It felt like somepony was jabbing hot nails into it. Twilight grasped her horn and collapsed to the ground.

“Twilight!” Her friends choired. They raced to her side. A single tear rolled down Twilight’s cheek.

“Maybe we should take her to the hospital…” Fluttershy requested.

Twilight’s eyes shot open. She stood up but wobbled a little.

“No girls I’m fine.” She said in a shaky voice.

“Don’t pretend like we didn’t see that Twi,” Applejack said with concern in her voice. “Maybe we should take you to the doctor…”

Twilight teleported right in front of Applejack, “I said I’m fine!” she slammed her hoof so hard she shook the ground.

The other ponies and the dragon shivered in front of the young Alicorn. Fluttershy seemed to vanish, however she crouched down behind Applejack and graveled in the dirt. Twilight’s ears flattened and she turned away from them.

“I’ve shouldn’t of taken you here.” She said under her breath as she trotted away.

The walk back to the castle was quiet and cold. The other’s kept their distance away from Twilight. Even passerby ponies knew there was something wrong. Twilight paused and her friends did the same.

“Girls, I’m sorry.” Twilight said.

The other’s glared at each other. Applejack trotted in front of the others and sighed, “It’s alright Twilight. You probably had a busy week. I guess we all need to get home…”

Applejack’s voice became muffled and distant as Twilight’s thoughts raced about “home”. She couldn’t possibly go home. What if she hurt somepony? Her eyes darted around the amethyst colored sidewalk, the crystalized buildings, and the foals chasing each other around the street. The Crystal Empire looked so peaceful.

Until the Empire was engulfed in flame. Carts and carriages were toppled over. Merchant stands were nothing more but dust. The buildings were no longer ruby, light sapphire blue, or lime green. They were an eerie black. The ground was a dirty ochre color. Black crystals erupted out of the ground. The sounds of screams and cries filled the air, so did the aroma of blood.

While Twilight glowered at her fantasy, Spike lightly poked her hoof. Twilight nearly leaped into the air. Her coat was moist from sweating so much.

Her eyes flashed around her scenery. Everything was normal. No fire, no carts thrown around, no mayhem.

“Twilight,” Spike said in a low voice, “Are you okay?”

The princess continued to trot. “I’m okay Spike don’t worry about me.” She replied, but her mid was elsewhere.

***

It wasn’t Spike’s snoring that kept Twilight awake. It was the constant pain in her horn. It wasn’t as bad, but still it annoyed her. Twilight rubbed her horn and tiptoed out of bed. She dragged her hooves into the bathroom. She turned on the light and gazed at her horn. It looked normal except the fact that it got a few inches longer, and it seemed to curve upward.

“What is happening to me?” she said to her reflection.

A small knock at the door broke Twilight from her concentration. She tiptoed to the door and opened it gently. Behind the door was Princess Celestia.

“I’m sorry to wake you at this hour.” Celestia whispered.

“That’s alright, I wasn’t sleeping anyway.” Twilight whispered back.

“Are you sure about not going to Ponyville,” Celestia asked with concern in her voice. “I don’t think you want to stay in a place where the red horn first had problems.”

Twilight looked at the floor and swished her tail, “I don’t know what to do. I’m trying my best not to alarm my friends. But, they’re worried about me. I wanted to investigate the mill alone, but I knew my friends wanted to tag along. I made the mistake by inviting them. I almost put them in danger.”

Spike snorted in his sleep and flipped over in his little bed, facing away from Twilight and Celestia. Celestia gestured that they take their conversation in the hallway. Twilight gently closed the door behind her and sat next to Celestia. The hallway was quiet and cool. Twilight gazed up at Celestia. She looked different without her crown and shoes. But her mane still swayed, even though it looked a little dull.

“I think it would be best for you to go back to Ponyville.” Celestia said breaking the silence.

Twilight gawked, “With all due respect Princess Celestia, but why?”

“I think that horn is being triggered by the Crystal Empire…I think it knows it’s in the Crystal Empire.” Celestia replied.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Do you think the horn has a mind of its own?”

Celestia stood up, “Follow me Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight followed the sun goddess down a long narrowed hallway. The walls or floor weren’t as radiant. The flames on the walls grew dim. They stopped at a large dark gray, crystalized door with an iron door knob. Celestia opened the door and led Twilight down some dark, creaky winding steps. It reminded Twilight about her first experience with this castle. When they finally reached the bottom, Celestia lit the room with her magic. Twilight gawked at the massive bookshelves. The bookshelves were so tall, the top was hidden in cobwebs.

Celestia led Twilight to the end of the hidden library. They came up to section with many old magic books. All of them were written by Star Swirl the Breaded.

“Okay…where is it…oh here it is.” Celestia mumbled. She took a book off the shelf. It was covered in a thick layer of dust. Celestia blew the dust off and showed it to Twilight.

        “The Wonders of Dark Magic, by Star Swirl the Breaded,” Twilight read aloud. “Huh, I don’t think I’ve read this book before.”

Twilight levitated the book away from Celestia. Most of Star Swirl’s books were thicker than a dictionary, but this book was only 42 pages long.

“Back then, there wasn’t much information about dark magic. But, I do believe that this book could answer some questions.” Celestia replied warmly.

“Why is the book down here?” Twilight asked.

“I had all of these books relocated here. Most of these books have dangerous spells in them. Some of them are too hard to read. Some of them I find…frightening. However, all of them are banned in some places.” Celestia replied, leaving Twilight even more confused.

“But you can have that book Twilight. I think it can shed some light on this horn. Maybe it can help overcome it as well.”

As Twilight followed Celestia, the pain in Twilight’s horn returned.

***

“ALL ABORAD.” cried the train conductor pony. Crystal ponies stumbled out of the train cars. They had tired looks on their faces after their vacations outside the Crystal Empire. Some of them had warm smiles on their faces, they were glad to be home. Regular ponies raced onto the train in large numbers. Another train screeched by and dropped off more ponies, both crystal and regular.

“NEXT STOP, MANEHATTEN.” Nearly tardy ponies dashed onto the train before it took off. The Manehatten train’s whistle blared into the air and pierced ponies’ ears. It chugged away aggressively. The next train coming up was the Ponyville train.

Twilight and her friends waited for their next train home. Twilight felt a little better, but she still thought about the horn. Her friends chatted away, while Spike noticed how quiet the Alicorn was.

“Well, I’m happy we’re heading home.” Spike chimed. Twilight remained silent. Her wings looked tight on her back. She glowered at everything around her, except her friends. The sounds of foals cheering and adult ponies chatting away made Twilight feel sick. The cloudless blue sky, the radiant buildings, the pleasant aromas of freshly roasted corn and baked goods. All of these happy things would one day be nothing but blood and fear at Twilight’s hoof.

The screech of train wheels caught Twilight’s attention. A colorful train halted some feet away from the main six and Spike. The doors opened and ponies and even some cattle bounded out of the train cars. Once the creatures cleared a conductor poked his head out.

“ALL ABORED.” He cried. Twilight’s friends gathered their saddle bags and trotted to the train. Twilight wobbled her way to car with Spike jogging at her heels. Without Twilight’s knowledge, the dragon also noticed something off about her horn. He didn’t remember it being longer and thicker than usual.

The girls and Spike settled themselves in the middle of train car. Twilight took a window seat. Spike sat next to her. He glared at her, he didn’t dare try to look at her hot eyes. His stubby tail twitched uncomfortably.

“Twilight, are you…”

“I’m fine Spike.” She answered without emotion, but she sounded very harsh to Spike.

“NEXT STOP, PNOYVILLE.” The conductor shouted as the train chugged away.

Rarity pulled out a lilac colored silky scarf out of her saddle bag. Dark violet crystals dangled from the ends. Following that scarf was an ivory colored scarf with radiant sapphires on the ends. The next one was bright pink with rose quartz, a golden one with red crystals, a pale yellow one with emeralds, a rainbow stripe one with rubies, and a light purple one with lime green stones.

“A young mare in the crystal empire made these scarves for us. She wanted me to give them to you.” Rarity said as she wrapped her scarf around her neck. Each pony took their scarf, Spike wrapped his around his neck and took Twilight’s scarf. He handed it to the forlorn princess. Twilight still gazed out the window. Her magic aura levitated the scarf out of the dragon’s claws. She didn’t wrap it around her neck or even glanced at the gift.

The other ponies stared at Twilight with widened eyes.

“Aren’t these scarves beautiful darling?” Rarity chimed.

Twilight remained mute, she scowled as she stared out the window.

Fluttershy tapped the tips of her hooves together, her tail switched back and forth.

“I think the scarves are very pretty Rarity.” The yellow Pegasus replied.

“I’m glad you like them Fluttershy, I just wish somepony else would like them too.” Rarity snorted.

The princess still remained quiet. Rainbow Dash groaned and nearly jumped out of her seat.

“What’s going on with you Twilight? Why are you so bummed out?” she demanded.

“That is none of your concern.” Twilight answered coldly.

Her friends shifted in their seats, their ears flattened, decides the ticked off Rainbow Dash. Applejack tugged on the blue Pegasus’s tail.

“Simmer down Rainbow. Don’t make things worse. I reckon Twilight is feeling under the weather. The best thing to do is to leave her alone.”

The friends watched the depressed Alicorn glare out the window. Twilight didn’t move for 20 minutes. Around the 25 minute mark, a female earth pony pranced in front of the girls with a red cart full of refreshments. They bought some oats, a couple of chocolate chips cookies, six cupcakes (well Pinkie Pie bought six cupcakes), and seven glasses of lemonade. While the ponies ate their snacks, Spike stood in front of Twilight with a small bag of oats. Finally, Twilight looked at her friend. His green eyes were huge and sparkling.

“Do you want some oats Twilight? They’re honey flavored, your favorite!” Spike asked while holding the oats out to her.

The girls tensed up as Spike stood in front of Twilight. The Alicorn’s horn soon glowed. She levitated the bag out of Spike’s claws. She opened the bag and ate a small hoof full of oats. The dragon and the ponies sighed with relief.

After nearly four hours of awkward silence, the mane six and Spike finally made it to Ponyville. At the train station, The Cutiemark Crusaders were bouncing at the sight of the mane six. Applebloom ran up to her sister with a big bear hug.

“Howdy there Applebloom!” the cowgirl greeted.

“How was yer trip? Did you get me a souvenir?” the young filly eyeballed her older sister’s saddle bag.

“Easy there partner, you’ll get yer gift once we get home.” A big smile appeared on Applebloom’s face.

Sweetie Belle beamed at her own sister, “How was your trip Rarity?”

Rarity bit her lip as she Twilight bounded out of the train. Spike was stuck carrying her heavy saddle bag.

“It was a very interesting trip Sweetie Belle,” she said while glancing at the princess, “Anyway, I got a load of things. Let’s go home and try them on.” Rarity shoved some clothes in front of her little sister. The two hurried out of the train station.

Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash glowered at Rarity heaved Sweetie Belle and her belongings out of there.

Rainbow Dash rustled Scootaloo’s mane, “I got you something too little buddy.”

Before Scootaloo’s eyes were new black handles with a rubies incrusted into them.

“Wow, thanks Rainbow Dash!” the young Pegasus hugged her heroine.

Fluttershy and Pinkie smiled as the foals got there gifts. Their smiles faded when they saw Spike heaving. He was drenched in sweat as he carried the saddle bags.

“Do you need some help Spike?” Fluttershy asked.

“I got it…but I wouldn’t mind the help.” He replied.

Pinkie pie took one saddle bag and Fluttershy took the other.

“Why didn’t you let Twilight carry them?” Pinkie asked cocking an eyebrow.

“I didn’t offer to, once the train stopped, Twilight got up and forgot them. I called to her, but she didn’t hear me I guess. Except for her bag, she had her bag with her at all times.”

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie looked at each other. Spike got closer to them and gestured them to get closer to his face.

“I want you two to keep this between us,” Spike whispered, “Twilight’s horn looks longer and thicker doesn’t it?”

The two ponies watched Twilight sit in profile position. Ever since she was turned into an Alicorn, her horn did change in size. However, it did look different. It looked a lot bigger, almost like Princess Celestia’s horn. It looked a bit darker too.

“Now that you mention it, her horn does look different.” Fluttershy said worried.

“Yeah, not to be a Debbie Downer, but her horn looks a lot like that King Sombra’s horn.” Pinkie added.

Fluttershy jumped at his name, “I thought K-King Sombra was destroyed. He was destroyed right? Oh, I hope he didn’t do this to Twilight!”

Spike pet Fluttershy’s mane, “Well I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”

On the other side of the train station, Twilight’s narrow eyes widened. Her pupils dilated so much they were the size of grapefruits. Her breathing got heavier and her hooves trembled. Ponyville was engulfed in flames. Ponies were screaming bloody murder. They darted here and there trying to rid of the flames on their bodies. Baby ponies cried at their dead mothers coxing them awake with their tiny hooves. One pony was trying to put his melted skin back on his flank.

Twilight shuddered as a warm hoof touched her shoulder. She spun around and saw Spike, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie glaring at her. She looked back into space, the horror was gone.

“Twilight?” Fluttershy asked. Twilight looked at the Pegasus. Fluttershy looked normal. However, the hide on her face sagged. Her teal eyes slowly liquefied and rolled down her saggy face.

Twilight shrieked smacked Fluttershy’s hoof off. She galloped away from them and nearly crashed into other ponies.

Tears formed into Fluttershy’s eyes. Pinkie Pie nuzzled her as Spike took the saddle bags and tried to chase after the young Alicorn.

The crystal castle shined in the sun. It looked a little out of place, but most ponies were used to it by now. Inside the castle, Twilight was in her dark room. Her nightstand was toppled over. Her books were scattered all over the floor. Inks trailed out of their bottles and quills were scattered here and there. Twilight swaddled herself in her blanket. She wilted on her bed, with her doll Smarty Pants in her arms. She rocked back and forth in the dark. The bag that held Star Swirl’s book was in a chair near Twilight’s bathroom.

A sharp knock at the door grabbed Twilight’s attention.

“Twilight!” Spikes muffled voice shouted behind the locked door, “Twilight what’s gotten into you? You made Fluttershy cry! You snapped at Rainbow Dash, and you won’t tell us what’s going on!”

There was a long silence, “Go away Spike. I don’t want to put you in danger.” Twilight said in a low voice.

Spike balled up his claws and smoke rose from his nostrils.

“Twilight, I’m worried about you. Especially your horn…”

Spike paused as he noticed the door shaking. It rattled so violently that the door knob vibrated. The hinges glowed and popped off. The door then paused. Spike stood still as sweat rolled down his face. Within seconds, the door busted into tiny pieces. Spike ducked and rolled away from the door. A shadow loomed over him. He looked up to see bright red eyes only a few inches away from his own.

“The horn is none of your concern Spike. Now if you don’t get away from me and leave me alone, you’ll suffer the consequences.” She said in a very low voice. Spike shook underneath her. He wanted to move but couldn’t.

The red in Twilight’s eyes faded. She shook her head and glared down at Spike. The dragon shivered under her. Small tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Spike?” Twilight said confused. She reached a hoof towards him. But, Spike pushed her hoof away and ran towards his room.

“Spike wait, I’m sorry, that wasn’t me talking!” she winced when she heard a door slam. Twilight stomped and bounded into her room. Her door materialized back, this time she locked it tight.

Twilight slammed herself into her bed. Smarty Pants fell to the floor and landed with a soft thud. The Alicorn buried her face in her pillows and wept.

The Next morning, things seemed normal. Ponies went out to open their shops and other businesses. Foals raced to school as their parents raced to work. A cab pony washed his cab outside his apartment. Dr. Hooves galloped by and ran into a muddy puddle. Unfortunately, the mud got onto the clean cab. The cab pony moaned and wiped away the dirt.

Derpy delivered her morning mail route. As she flew around the sky, she waved at Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie pie. Only Pinkie Pie waved back. The four ponies trotted, while Rainbow Dash flew, towards the Castle of Friendship.

“It’s a good thing Spike can send us letters,” Fluttershy said in a shaky voice. “I feel awful for him, why would Twilight threaten him like that.”

“Well, she did scream at you Fluttershy, so there is something wrong with her.” Pinkie Pie chimed in.

Rainbow Dash nearly halted, “What! She screamed at Fluttershy! Why would anyone scream at Fluttershy?”

“She even smacked poor Fluttershy’s hoof!” Pinkie Pie added, “Poor Fluttershy burst into tears after that.”

Fluttershy wrinkled her nose, “Pinkie pie, I accidently spooked Twilight. I didn’t realize that until after words.”

“Well she should at least apologize for her behavior.” Rarity said.

Spike watched out for the girls on the third floor of the castle. Once he saw them, he let the doors down to let them in. He opened the doors gently so Twilight wouldn’t hear them come in.

The five ponies met Spike on the first floor. Then they marched to Twilight’s room.

Once they were there, Applejack knocked on the door with great force.

“Twilight are you in there? We want to talk to you.” Applejack said in a loud voice.

“Fluttershy I’m sorry. I’m sorry for acting so distant on the train.” Twilight said in low voice behind the door.

“It’s okay Twilight. I’m sorry for spooking you.” Fluttershy replied warmly.

Rainbow Dash groaned and jumped in front of the door, “Enough with the apologies! We want to know why you’re acting like this, and we want to know now!”

“If I tell you, I will put you in great danger.” Twilight replied.

“Great danger!” Applejack exploded, “Girl, we took out Nightmare Moon, took on the lord of Chaos, battled changelings, saved an entire empire, and battled big threats against Equestria multiple times! We’ve faced danger dozens of times. What makes you think we can’t face this?”

“Because you can’t face this!” Twilight exploded back, “The horn that was once on King Sombra is too much for you!” Behind her door, Twilight smacked her hooves on her face. Tears streamed down her hot face and her heart raced in her chest.

“What!” Rarity exclaimed.

“B-But I thought King Sombra was destroyed?” Applejack said very bewildered.

Fluttershy shook and let out a small cry while Pinkie Pie comforted her.

“D-did King Sombra do this to you?” Rainbow Dash asked in a small voice.

“No, it’s more complicated than that. Girls, please just leave before something worse happens.” Twilight bellowed, more hot tears streamed down her face. Her horn started to thump again.

“No way!” Rainbow Dash said proudly, “We’re not gonna let you face this alone. We’re your friends Twilight, we will always be there for you!”

Twilight sighed, “Thank you girls, but I don’t know what this horn can do. All I know is that it can cause great destruction. I s-saw visions…horrible visions. Ponies were dead before me, the sky was red, and there was blood everywhere. I even saw all five of you dead, by my own hooves.” Twilight buried her face in her hooves and sobbed harder.

The others stood there, eyes widened and jaws dropped. Fluttershy wept right along with Twilight. Spike couldn’t hold back the tears either. The fear was there. The fear was so big it almost took a shape in the room. The girls could see it, the screams, the blood, and the murder.

“No, no we won’t let that happen!” Applejack exclaimed.

Twilight chuckled behind the door, “You know what happened to Sombra. The Crystal Heart pretty much killed him. My best bet is to destroy me with the Crystal heart as well.”

Fluttershy sobbed even harder, “No Twilight, no! We could never do that to you!”

“Then leave! I knew none of you would be up for the task no leave!” Twilight shouted.

Before anyone could protest, Twilight teleported in front of her friends. Without warning, she teleported all of them near the exit. Even Spike. Twilight teleported herself on the other side of the room.

“Leave now!” she commanded.

Applejack stood her ground, “Twilight listen to us! We’re not gonna let you kill yourself. We’ll find a way to save you!”

Twilight gritted her teeth, “Leave now that is an order!”

“An order we can’t follow.” Rarity chimed in.

Her friends trotted towards Twilight with Spike following them. As they got closer, a sharp pain jabbed Twilight’s horn. The Alicorn’s wing flared and the horn’s tip stared to bubble. The bubbles were black and smoking. Just then a flash of black magic aura burst from her horn. The sharp aura cut the roots to the chandelier above the Cutie Map. The roots connected to the ceiling began to snap. The chandelier swayed back and forth. Twilight’s friends stopped in their tracks. The last root snapped, the chandelier came tumbling down. The others yelped and ran out of the way. The tree root chandelier crashed as it hit the floor. Pieces of broken glass shards were strewn all over the floor. Some roots even broke off.

Everypony’s heart broke in two as they saw the chandelier groveling on the map. Twilight let out an ear piercing cry and teleported out of sight. The girls had no idea where Twilight teleported to, but Twilight had no choice but to go back to the Crystal Empire.