Sparkle's Bizzare Adventureby Diokno44ChaptersPrologue To An Eternal TaleAct 1 BLOODY ORIGINS:-P1: Divine InvaderAct 1-P2: A Hellish YouthoodAct 1-P3: Arrow of Eros, Power of Agony!Act 1-P4: Heartbroken RagePrologue To An Eternal TaleThe events that would tangle with the destinies of the noble Sparkle Clan began five millenia ago. The Alicorns, demigod like beings created by The Maker, fractured. A trio of them, of whose names are lost to myth and legend, arose to take power from The Maker, and seek true immortality. They rallied any who would join them, and waged a war with the ancient ponies, among the other species of ancient Equis. All seemed bleak, as any weapons were shattered by their dense bodies, or broken in the heat of combat. Alicorns loyal to the Maker joined the ancient Equestrians in their struggle, but even so, their loses were greater than that of the rogue Alicorns. All seemed hopeless... Until one tribe of ponies, a join group of Pegasi, Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Threstrals sought to bring down the fallen Alicorns. Training relentlessly, they were eventually able to tap into the one weakness of these Alicorns-pure light! For since these wicked Alicorns hearts had been tained by darkness, they would be destroyed by the eternal light of purity, hope, and peace. Channeling their inner magical reserves, this tribe of Equestrians were able to attune their very souls to the light of the Maker, and of the blazing sun above. This technique became spread among the ponies, as they could inflict blows with that burned like the heart of the sun itself, and thus the rebellion began anew. Many dark Alicorns fell, their bodies overflowing with light, that they burnt to ash. Through countless battles, burning with heat, life, and a relentless urge to overthrow the tyranny of these evil Alicorns, ponykind eventually came upon the original fallen trio. Due to their enhanced power, upon accepting deals from the Fallen, the archrival to the Maker, the only thing ponykind could do, was seal them away, locking them into stone, and burying them underground, hopefully never to see the light of day once again. But, a ruined and blighted land had been left behind. The progenitors of the modern Equestrians cried out for aid. The Maker granted it. Two Alicorns, Laurel Faustis, Alicorn of Knowledge, and her husband, King Solaire, Alicorn of Life-Energies, had their dual children placed as rulers, mediators between the Maker, and mortal kind. These two Alicorns are known to us today as Princess Celestia, and her younger sister of five minutes, Princess Luna. Together, they faced off against many a threat to the nation. Even through Princess Luna's lunar banishment, Princess Celestia stood as a beacon of hope amongst darkness. Though, not all things stay buried, for the trio of dark Alicorns were not killed, they only slumber within stone. Their artifacts have been uncovered by archeologists, or personal collectors, and are on display in museums, and noble homes. One such home is the Sparkle Estate, home to the kind-hearted Sparkle clan of nobles, from where gallant knights and revolutionary inventors have come from. One such member shall be the beginning of this never ending tale. If Dusk Sparkle cannot embrace the twisting fate of her bloodline, and the courage in her heart, then all shall be lost to eternal darkness.... Act 1 BLOODY ORIGINS:-P1: Divine InvaderA cock crowed to herald the new dawn, as the morning light broke through the polished windows of the Sparkle Estate's windows, which always had the curtains open, aside from when the harsh winter chill came to northern Canterlot. A chartreuse hoof waved in the air, disturbing the dust particles revealed by the light of the sun. The velvet covers shifted, as the owner of the hoof, a well groomed filly slowly lid out from beneath the soft, warm blankets she had wrapped herself in the night before. Her disheveled midnight blue mane was lightly curled at both ends. Her tail was tucked around her waist like a belt.This mare, heir to the Sparkle name, household, fortune, and toy company, beating out Phantom Hive estate, was known as Dusk Sparkle, or to her close friends and loved ones, Sparky. The year is 2284 PB (Post-Banishment), and a little over six hundred years since the banishment of Princess Luna, after she was taken over by the fledgling spirit of a dark Alicorn, who had given an alternate personality she had created true sentience, and had forced her to make war on Celestia. A soft barking sound causes the filly to rouse from her bed. Yawning, Dusk levitates a comb over, and begins to brush her mane back to the neatness her mother and father, a merchant-lady and an archaeologist, often desired of the young twelve-year old filly. She blinks, and turns to the source of the barking. A grey wolf pup, which had been rescued by her father from a collapsing ruin he had been investigating, had become her truest companion, better than a normal dog. She had named it Sif, after a great grey she-wolf who had served one of the Knights of the Sun, a noble knightly order dedicated to Celestia, some four hundred years ago. "Hey girl!" Dusk smiled, as the pup rolled over onto her belly. She began to rub it tenderly, her hoof brushing against that soft grey fur. "Whose a good girl? Is it you?" She chuckled, as Sif yipped and barked happily, her tail wagging. She stopped after a few minutes, and stood up, as did her wolf. "Come on girl, let's get ready for the day." She went over to her closet, and pulled out a dark blue corduroy jacket. Smiling, she slipped it on, as the fabric hugged her body. Reaching to her nightstand, she pinned her family crest, a royal purple, five pointed star, to the lapel of her jacket, smiling. Locking the cufflinks into her cuffs, she patted her leg, as Sif came over. Strapping a violet vest to him, with the family crest emblazoned on the chest and back, she gently opened the bedroom door, and was greeted by the head butler, Silver Platter. Silver bowed, ¨Good morning young mistress," The elder stallion smiled, his bushy mustache like a small brush taped onto his upper lip, ¨And young canine.¨ He smiled, patting the head of Sif. ¨Did you have a good rest?" he asked, stepping aside, as Dusk and Sif exited the bedroon. ¨Yes Silver, thank you.¨ Dusk nodded, as she and her faithful companion started down the grand staircase of the family manor. She nodded politely or greeted the servants and guards she passed on her way. Throwing open the polished cedar doors, she stepped into the morning light, standing outside her family home, her wolf friend gently nipping at her hind hooves. Her father had told her to wait for a carriage. The daughter of a stallion her father had served with in the Equestrian/Griffon-Penguin War of 2277, was coming to live with them, as her father had been murdered by thieves a few nights prior, at least that's what the papers said. Her ears perked up as she heard the sound of hooves and wheels rapidly approaching. She looked up, as she saw an aged carriage turn sharply, as the carriage stopped. The door burst open, as the filly she had been told to wait for, a beautiful half-Pegasus, Half-Earth Pony filly, by the name of Divine Earth. She wore a well tailored forest green suit, which complimented her cream fur, piercing sanguine eyes, and prim cornsilk mane and tail. ¨You are Dusk Sparkle, yes?" Divine asked, a thin smile gracing her chiseled face. A chill went down Dusk's spine, something about that smiled seemed almost, artificial. She glanced at those crimson eyes, which were filled with a sort of hunger that sent icey daggers into the heart of the heir to the Sparkle Estate. Divine then glanced at Sif, who growled at the newcomer. ¨Could you please keep that...mutt away from me?¨ She despised canines of any sort. Dusk bristled, anger swelling in her heart. ¨Sif is not a mutt! She is a noble, kind animal. But, if you wish to stay away from her, do so.¨ She said. curling her hooves up. Normally, she was a mare who opposed the use of violence, but she was always riled up by those insulting her honor, or her family. Dusk nodded, her mane billowing in the wind.¨ She then turned, as a stallion in his later thirties, with a slicked back dark blue mane and tail, with a periwinkle coat, trotted over. He was Midnight Sparkle, Dusk's father. Her mother, Ever Glow Sparkle, was off on a business trip. His thin goatee-mustache combo hugged his chin and upper lip. ¨Ah, Sparky, Divine, I see you two are making the best of friends!¨ he smiled, clapping them on the shoulder. ¨Come you two.¨ he turned into the house, the duo following. The servants and guards had been lined up, Divine and Dusk standing on either side of Midnight. ¨Now then, all of you shall treat Divine her as if she were my own flesh and blood. Her father risked his life to save mine, both of us were almost killed by a Penguin Megaspell in '78.¨ The servants nodded, ¨Good.¨ Midnight then trotted to his study, humming. The servants dispersed to do their duties, as did the guards. ¨Let me help you with your bags Divine.¨ Dusk smiled, reaching for the pleather strap on one of Divine's saddlebags. As she was about to grab the bag, she felt a hard object impact her cheek, causing her to let out a yelp of pain, rubbing her stinging cheek. Divine glared at Dusk, placing a hoof on top of her chest. A death glare silenced the growls of Sif, whose fangs were bared. ¨Listen very closely Dusk, I despise others being near my things. I, Divine, care less for any aid from you.¨ she pressed her hoof into Dusk's chest, causing the mare to groan in pain. ¨In eveyrthing I do, I always come out on top, if you ever, EVER dare lay a hoof on any of my possessions again, I will break the leg that holds it!" She smirked, and brought her hoof back onto the floor. ¨And remember, keep that mongrel away from me.¨ Grabbing her bags, Divine ascended the staircase, and began making her way to her new bedchambers. Dusk groaned, clutching her injured chest, Sif licking her tenderly. ¨Ugh, thanks girl.¨ She patted Sif's head, smiling slightly. Rubbing her chest, she began making her way to her bedroom, and laid down in bed. ¨Good night girl.¨ she yawned, slipping out of her coat, and under her covers. Sif howled, and fell asleep, along with her mistress. Divine had invaded Dusk's life. Act 1-P2: A Hellish YouthoodDivine had been a resident of the Sparkle Estate for a little over two months now. In that time, Divine had everything within her power to make Dusk's life a living hell. Divine had beaten Dusk at chess, one of her favorite sports, several times. She had better table manners than Dusk. Whereas Dusk often piled her plate, or more often than not, plates, high with as much food as she could, then piling into her mouth. In contrast, Divine Earth only got what what could fill her belly, rarely less. On one meal, when Dusk had been gorging herself with two plates stacked high with rich meals and pastries, Divine, from personal experience, ate only a plate of Neighponese fried rice, fried, well-done steak, garnished hay, and a trio of rich cream cheese rangoons, with a glazed coating. Midnight had praised Divine's etiquette, which had caused Dusk to grumble around her meal. A loud cheer rang out from the surrounding nobles, merchants, and other spectators. Both Dusk and Divine attended Silver Chariot's Fencing Academy for Youths. Today, a training tournament had been arranged. Master Silver Chariot, a renowned knight, master of the quick rapier, and the main-gauche. He always wore his gleaming silver armor, his face obscured by his armet style helmet, his eyes the only things visible, a piercing midnight blue. His rapier, polished so it shone in the morning light, was named Mémoire, the Prench word for Remembrance. What little was known of him, was that his mentor in swordsplay, a wisecracking noble from Prance, had been made a quardoplegic, then murdered, by a member of a gang of thugs while visiting Pitalia. His parrying dagger was known as Venguer, Prench for Avenger. He nodded at Dusk and Divine, who wielded a parrying dagger in their off-hoof, and a rapier in the other. ¨You may begin.¨ Silver said, his voice deep and authoritative. He rarely spoke, but when he did, it was with the authority of the master swordstallion he was. Dusk and Divine raised their dulled blades before their faces, as a sign of respect for their combatant. They gently nodded at one another, their foreheads tapping against the cold steel. Dusk's horn slid against the steel, causing her to shiver, as a chill went down her sensitive horn. Dusk took a deep breath, and then gasped. While she had been getting ready, Divine's wings had perked up. Dusk barely had time to jump back, and parry, for Divine had lunged, their blades CLANGing as metal rung against metal. ¨That was dirty Divine!¨ She growled, as she began stabbing at Divine with her capped rapier. Divine grinned, easily dodging or deftly parrying each of Dusk's strikes. Dusk was shocked, it was like Divine and the wind around her had fused. Dusk growled, as she readied her rapier, and started with a quick slashing motion. That was when she noticed the smirk caressing Divine's face. ¨Ÿou foal¨ Divine whispered, slamming the blunted tip of her well-worn rapier. Dusk gasped, spittle flying from her lips. The blow caused her to bend slightly, as the wind was knocked from her lungs. Perfect! I have you where I want you...Dusky! Divine thought, whipping out her training main-gouche, and roughly slammed the pommel onto Dusk's right foreleg. Dusk let out a cry of pain, as she felt the bones in her dominant foreleg shatter. She felt her grip on her rapier loosen, as it clattered to the rubber mat. She groaned, glutching her foreleg, sniffiling on the floor. A loud round of applause came from the crowd, as Divine took a bow, smiling broadly. She shot a smirk towards Dusk, sheathed her blades, and trotted away, a crowd following, leaving Dusk in agony. ¨Hrnk,¨ Dusk groaned, rubbing her foreleg and forehoof. ¨Curse you Divine Earth.¨ She muttered, teeth clenched. ----X---- The following morning found Dusk and Sif, sitting beneath the shade of a spreading chestnut tree. Before them sat a babbling stream, as clear as crystal, and as clean as a freshly pressed suit. Dusk's foreleg was wrapped in bandages. The family Doctor, Tender Hoof the Tenth, had used a bit of Earth Pony healing magic, as well as some medicinal herbs, to speed up the healing process. From what he had said, Dusk would have full use of her right foreleg again within two to three weeks. She flexed her right hoof, and winced, Sif nuzziling her injured leg. ¨Thanks girl.¨ Dusk smiled, patting her faithful companion's head with her left forehoof. She sighed, her breath as a visible puff of air in the chilly early morning. air. That was when she heard a cry of pain come from nearby, causing her to stand, and turn her head. Nearby, a screaming colt was being beaten, and she galloped to his aid! ----X---- ¨Heh, look at the little pansy!¨ Two older ponies, one a muscular teenage Unicorn filly with a dark grey coat, and a white mane, and a lithe, smirking Earth Pony colt, rammed their hooves into the already bruised Earth Pony colt laying in the dirt, curled in the fetal position. ¨Hey you two!¨ Dusk yelled, having arrived at the scene of the assault. The two stopped beating the colt, who appeared to only be a little bit younger than Dusk. Righteous fury swelled in her heart at seeing the injured colt, bleeding from several small cuts on his quivering form. She galloped forward at the bullies, slamming her shoulder into the snout of the taller Earth Pony colt, sending him reeling, blood flowing from his injured nose, as he clutched his bruised jaw. ¨Why you!¨ The Unicorn filly growled, landing a blow to Dusk's face, causing her head to whip back. ¨Take that, you luxurious dickhorn!¨ While the filly was a part of the upper-middle class, she still had some resent to the nobility. She helped her partner in crime up, ¨Let's get out of here, these two aren't weren't our time.¨ She spat on the ground, glared at Dusk, and left with her injured friend, hobbling. ¨The colt shivered, slowly standing on weak legs. ¨T-thank you miss.¨ He smiled slightly, one eye closed. ¨I'm Silver Drift.¨ He wobbled slightly, leaning against an aged tree trunk. Dusk huffed, clutching her injure cheek, and wiping the floor from her lips. She turned to the colt, smiling warmly. ¨Dusk Sparkle, and, are you alright?¨ She asked, rubbing her bandaged foreleg, ¨You look pretty bad.¨ Silver shook his head, ¨This is nothing.¨ He limped away, hopefully back to his home. Exhaling, Dusk smoothed down her fur, called Sif over, and began making her way back to the Estate. She had done a good deed today, and that's what mattered to the heir of the Sparkle Household. Her father and mother always taught her to do her best to protect the innocent, and that is precisely what she had done. As she entered the house, she stopped at the staircase, rubbed her foreleg, and entered the expansive library that resided within the estate. It was well known, even becoming a jape at parties, that the Sparkles loved knowledge as much as they loved each other. Twilight sat at her desk, an ancient, ornate helmet before it. The faceplate was formed like the visage of a hideous gargoyle-like beast, with razor sharp fangs. ¨Now, what cruel warlord could have worn you, my friend?¨ She thought aloud, looking over her notes. From what she could tell, the ancient helmet, dating to, at most, the Dawn Era, when the Emortuus the name give to the Alicorns that betrayed the Maker, and sought dominion over all life, if not reality itself. ¨I shudder to think at the stallion or mare that wore you, what horrors they commited, and...¨ Her horn sparked, ¨What forbidden magic have you been enchanted with.¨ She set the disturbing helmet back on her desk, ¨Blood magic courses through you.¨ she then grabbed a small vial, filled with a tiny bit of her blood, and poured a few drops onto the metal. Its eyeholes burned with a reddish, fiery glow, as it seemed to compress, and glow, before returning to normal. Smilight, she set the vial back in its holder, and left for her bedroom. Meanwhile, as the heir of Sparkle Estate slept, the mask glowed once more, and if one listened carefully, they could hear faint screams, and a dark laughter. Act 1-P3: Arrow of Eros, Power of Agony!A little over two weeks had passed, since Dusk had rescued Silver from two ruffians wishing him harm. The heir of the Sparkle Estate was strolling through the nearby town of Manehatten, a bustling city of some four thousand souls. As she was about to turn a corner, she heard a familiar, kind voice call to her. "Hey Sparky, wait up!" the voice called. Dusk smiled, turning to find a Pegasus colt trotting towards her at a brisk pace. His salmon fur, freshly groomed, glistened in the sunlight. His short, widow's peaked cherry mane was combed, his bangs brushed to the left. The colt's gleaming emerald eyes reflected the incandescent sun hanging above them. His name was Blue Skies, the son of a merchant-lord, and a former Seapony mercenary. He would be Dusk's fiancee when they came of age. Originally, they could barely be in the same roon together, but they eventually grew closer, as a bond between them formed. "Good morn Blue Skies." Dusk smiled, her cheeks tinging a rosy red color. She always enjoyed spending time with the gallant colt. She strove to be a gentlemare whenever possible. Her eyes fell upon a vibrantly colored poster hanging on the wall of a nearby bakery, Suger Coat's Scrumptious Sweets. "Blue, it seems the fair will be arriving tomorrow, shall we visit?" Blue felt his heart flutter, as if his heart had morphed into butterflies that fluttered through his chest. A smile bloomed on his face, as he nodded eagerly, nearly hitting his head against Dusk's spiraled horn. He chuckled, "Sorry, beloved." He scratched the back of his head, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead. His family had always said he was a bit awkward in social situations, but he rarely let that deter him. "I would love to take you to the fair tomorrow morn." His tail swished behind him. "Shall I swing by your manor, at..." He glanced at the looming clock tower. "...nine o'clock?" he asked his betrothed, fixing his mane with a tender hoof. "I would love that." Dusk agreed, her eyes sparkling with joy. Already, her mind's gears were turning with ideas on what she would wear, how the date would go, and other such thoughts. Suddenly, Blue froze, his eyes widened. "What is it beloved?" Blue Skies gasped, "I almost forgot! Father asked me to pick up some medicine for grandmother!" He pecked her on the cheek, and spun on his heels. "I'll see you later!" Blue began galloping to the local pharmacy, the dirt kicking up into a small cloud beneath his warm hooves. Dusk chuckled lightly, continuing on. Her father and mother had asked her to take their matching pistols, Ivory and Ebony, an engagement present, to the local gunsmith. The twin unloaded firearms rested in her saddlebag. Dusk Sparkle came upon the gunsmith's shop. Twenty One's Guns was a family business, with the owner taking up the moniker of Twenty One. The current owner, the fourty-second Twenty One, whose real name was Guns A. Roses, was a jovial mare who had served with Dusk's father in the Royal Guard. The bell hung over the door jingled as Dusk stepped inside. Twenty looked up, her slightly wrinkled grey coat shone lightly as she noticed her customer. Her short fuchsia mane was tied back slightly. "Ah, Lady Dusk Sparkle, what can an old gunsmith do for you?" she asked, scooting her chair from her workbench, wood scraping against wood. Her bronze colored work glasses, with small lenses that could added with the flick of a switch for more intimate work, hung on her forehead. Dusk trotted up to the counter, and laid the twin hoofguns, their handles polished, with grips matching their names, onto the metallic counter. "Father and Mother want these tuned up." The duo would often train in the backyard, a sort of romantic evening for them, and rarely needed them in defense. Their magical capabilites, and guards would take care of most threats. Twenty scooted her chair over, keenly inspecting the dual weapons. "Ah, Ebony and Ivory, me own mother forged these two beauties." She smiled, gently holding them. Humming, the gunsmith carefully placed them on the workbench. "Come back tomorrow dear, and I'll git them fixed up nicely." Suddenly, the clock tower chimed the hour, the heavy, baritone chiming echoed through the town. "Oh, best git yerself back home dearie, or else Midnight will have yer head." she teased. Twenty, or Guns as she went by when out of the shop, or to close friends, had been something like an aunt to Dusk, and a sister-like figure to her father. Dusk smiled, tossing a small pile of bits onto the counter as a tip. "Thank you auntie." She nodded, and trotted briskly out the door, the bell chiming as it closed behind her. Twenty One smiled, and turned back to her workbench. Grabbing her tools, she began working on the twin pistols, humming quietly. The heir to the Sparkle name whistled a jaunty tune, as she trotted towards her home. The large manor shone in the crisp sunlight. Dusk nodded towards the two house guards at the gate with a smile, which they reciprocated gladly. Warm cobblestone turned to smoothed out dirt. The black iron gate, with its sharp, gilded tips, swung open for the fourteen year old mare. As she passed by the burbling, chiseled stone fountain that stood before her home, she smiled. Whistling, Dusk called, "Sif, oh Sif? Where are you girl?" the mare called out. Dusk was surprised when Sif did not come, but she sometimes did, sometimes she would wait for hours, then find Sif bounding into her bedroom, her golden eyes shining like the incandescent sun above. Shaking her head slightly, Dusk briskly walked up the stairs, and into her mansion. the wide doors slamming shut behind the gentle noblemare. Four hours later, it was dinner time. Dusk and Divine sat across from eachother, the silverware delicately placed by the polished dinnerplates. Both Midnight and his wife Ever Glow Sparkle had already retired to their chambers for the evening, The ancient grandfather clock, its sweet smelling wood freshly polished by the head butler, chimed every so often. The duo were dining on well-cooked steak, fried rice with steamed hay, warm apple cider, and a few slices of freshly toasted, Pitalian garlic bread, with savory homemade gravy. Divine's manners were impeccable as always, her cider glass never spilled a single dollop, her food remnants never fell from the plate. That wasn't to say Dusk had bad table manners, but a few drops of liquid or bits of her meal did find themselves on the fine table cloth. Act 1-P4: Heartbroken RageIt had been another day of frivolity for Dusk Sparkle and her beloved, Blue Skies. The local fair had come to town.... {Four hours earlier} Two ponies, dressed in finely tailored, yet still simple and comfortable, travel clothes, passed through the brightly painted arch way of the fair grounds. Dusk Sparkle was dressed in a navy blue sweater beneath a smart tyrian purple blazer. Her betrothed, Blue Skies, was dressed in a smooth black vest, where beneath it lay a freshly pressed white, button down shirt. A pair of violet saddlebags, the clasp being the family crest, were slung over Dusk's back. "So, where shall we stop by first, Sparky?" Blue asked. The teenage colt not so subtly ran a hoof down Dusk's back, towards her plot. He froze when he felt a magical aura wrap around the hoof. Blue Skies let out a nervous chuckle, as he turned his head, finding Dusk's horn glowing, and a knowing smirk on her face. "We'll save that for later." Dusk giggled as she released his hoof, letting it fall back to the ground. She playfully stuck her tongue out at Blue Skies, swaying her hips as she headed towards one of the game booths. Older model mana launchers, crossbow like devices with a crank on the top section, which would fire both mundane, as well as magically created, self reloading bolts, were placed on small platforms. Targets of varying size and distance were placed on the wall above them. "How many bits, good sir?" She asked the aged male Changeling sitting at the booth. The wrinkled, grey maned Changeling chuckled, his amber colored eyes staring into Dusk's. "For most, it would be four bits, but for a noble, I'll red-" He stopped speaking when Dusk raised a hoof. "My family taught me to never put myself above my fellow Equisian." Dusk said, fishing in her saddle bag. She tossed four shining bits onto the counter. The drone nodded, and slid the bits into his register. "So, the objective is to fell as many targets as possible?" The drone nodded. "Good," She cocked her head slightly to face Blue Skies, who have trotted up behind her. "Watch and learn Blue, the Sparkle Clan females are expert marksmares." She teased, pecking him on the cheek. She took a deep breath, as shimmering blue bolt swiftly formed in the chamber as she touched her hoof to the trigger. She took aim at the targets, keeping her breathing steady. She could feel her concentration growing, her senses becoming more focused. Dusk could feel the morning sun's warmth flowing through her body. She closed her eyes, as she could hear her heart's razor sharp beat, her blood flowing through her veins. Opening her eyes, she quickly fired the mana launcher, bolts appearing as fast as her hoof moved the trigger. Each target had been hit, and, to the trio's surprise, were smoking slightly, a strange surge of golden, electric like energy surging through each bolt. The bolts had not only all but destroyed the targets, but left holes the size one of Dusk's hoof in the wall behind the target. "Oh dear, I apologize, it seems I got carried away." She put a few more bits down as compensation. The stallion, dumbstruck, nodded, hoofing a large stuffed wolf to Dusk. Dusk smiled, setting the mana launcher down. "Here Blue." She hooved the stuffedn wolf to her speechless lover. "Thank you, that was fun." She coughed into a hoof. The Changeling found his senses, and chuckled, "I haven't seen shooting like that since my pa. He would take me out to the shooting range when I was a pupa. That was when I met my wife, one day when I had entered adulthood. She was a pretty little nymph." He turned to the two, who were heading to another booth. "You two take care now!" The stallion then went back to reminiscing. The couple passed through several more game booths. In all that time, even though Dusk or Blue didn't always win a stuffed prize for their other half, it was the time they spent enjoying each other's company that made it worth while. The two now found themselves seated on a small wooded boat, atop a large water slide. "Are you ready Blue?" Dusk asked, smiling warmly. She nuzzled her coltfriend, who currently had his hooves wrapped around her waist. Blue gave a slow nod, as a click was heard. The gate in front of them lowered swiftly. With a rush of raging water, and screams of delight, or a scream of abject terror from Blue, the two went hurtling downward, water spraying around their craft. The two stopped at the designated end of the ride, both damp from head to hoof, and laughing heartily. After hours of merriment, the fair was closed for the day. The two were walking towards Dusk's mansion. Dusk turned, and laid a gentle kiss on Blue's lips, smiling. "I enjoyed today my love." She reluctantly let go of Blue's hoof. "I'll see you tomorrow." She turned, and swiftly trotted away, waving. Blue blew a kiss to Dusk, as he went the opposite direction. What neither knew was that they were being observed from behind one of the thick oak tree trunks, by a certain mare. Divine Wind smirked, as she went ahead of Blue. Blue whistled a slight tune, a skip in his hoof steps as he bounced down the road towards his own manor. While it wasn't as big or as old as the nearly 700 year old Sparkle Estate, it was home to the stallion. As he rounded a corner, he came across three mares. The one at the head he recognized immediately from that smug demeanor and piercing gaze. Divine Wind, Dusk had told Blue about the insults, the beatings, and the few thefts of Dusk's possessions her adopted sister had committed. Two other mares, known to be hoodlums, flanked the haughty mare. Divine trotted forward, as Blue readied himself in a fighting stance. "Blue Skies, isn't it? You and Sparky make such a...." She licked her lips, smirking, "Wonderful couple." Divine stroked Blue's cheek, causing him to flinch and back away. "You yourself are such a marvelous specimen of stallion." She moved her hoof downward, resting it on one of Blue's shoulders. Her very touch made the hair on his body stand on end like porcupine quills. "Now, I'm wondering, have you and Sparky caressed your lips, like true lovers?" Blue's eyes widened, as Divine suddenly slammed her mouth against his. He felt bile rising up his throat as her tongue slid into his mouth. Blue wrenched himself free, faliing onto the damp dirt road. He stared, coughing, as Divine's two cronies praised her for her sheer bravado. Divine smirked, "You see Blue, you thought your first true kiss would come from Dusk, no? Your first didn't come from Sparky, it came from I, Divine!" She cackled in delight, as Blue froze. Blue crawled towards a pile of dirt, as he picked it up. As he touched his tongue to the first particle, the dirt clump fell from his grasp, as he rolled over, clutching his stomach. "You think my perfect lips are as good as dirt do you?" Blue could only groan in response. Divine growled, as her smirk turned into a maniacal grin. "Oh, don't worry," she flicked her hoof, as a thin butterfly knife slid out from her sleeve into her waiting hoof. She slowly advanced towards Blue, "It's not over yet...." Blue's eyes were frozen in fear. Dusk arrived home to find the assistant butler, a Griffon lion of around thirty years of age, of eastern Prench descent, stood by the gates. Dusk stopped when he noticed his downcast look. "Ah, Monsieur Bellrose, is something wrong?" She asked, coming up to the griffon. He sighed, bade her follow him, as he turned and started off towards tbe large family cherry tree. Dusk found her father, dressed in his old naval peacoat, with the family crest pinned on the lapel, dark blue slacks, and a cloak to keep the chill out. Her mother, who had one of Midnight's forelegs wrapped around her shoulders, was dressed in a dark grey evening gown. A few other servants stood nearby. Dusk's eyes fell on a fairly small mound of dirt, where a crude stone Cross of the Maker had been inserted into the cold earth. Dusk's eyes widened, as her breath caught in her throat. A-a grave?! she thought, as she rushed forward. Midnight turned to his daughter, appearing to have aged decades from the sorrow. "I'm sorry Sparky." Dusk's eyes fell on the cross, finding the name Sif etched in the stone. Dusk's breath was caught in her throat, all she could let out were choked gurgles. "It seems somepony, a burgler or a possible assassin from one of the other noble houses, might have tried sneaing in here. They bound and muzzled Sif, shoved her in a box, and one of the butlers accidentally placed her inside the garbage disposal unit." He sighed, "We haven't found any tracks or any sign of the perpetrator, so they must have fled after committing this vile deed." Dusk balled up her hooves, struggiling to even speak. She knew of only one pony who despised both her and Sif enough to murder her best friend and loyal companion. "Where's Divine?" She asked under bated breath. A servant to her left said Divine was shopping at the local book store. Once the service was ended, Dusk trudged up the stairs, memories of her fond years with Sif, from puppy to adult, weighed her heart and mind with grief. As she entered her room, her screams of rage and sobs of sorrow were muffled her her comfy pillow. Divine made her way back to the manor, the cool evening wind blowing through her mane and coat. A few bags filled with books lay on her back. "Hmm, perhaps burning that worthless mutt alive might have damaged my chances of gaining the Sparkle Family fortune." She smirked, "Though it was fun, and only Sparky would suspect me." She rubbed her chin as the mansion came into view. "If force and terror do not help me gain the fortune, perhaps feigning kindness will." She chuckled as she headed into her adopted home.
Prologue To An Eternal TaleThe events that would tangle with the destinies of the noble Sparkle Clan began five millenia ago. The Alicorns, demigod like beings created by The Maker, fractured. A trio of them, of whose names are lost to myth and legend, arose to take power from The Maker, and seek true immortality. They rallied any who would join them, and waged a war with the ancient ponies, among the other species of ancient Equis. All seemed bleak, as any weapons were shattered by their dense bodies, or broken in the heat of combat. Alicorns loyal to the Maker joined the ancient Equestrians in their struggle, but even so, their loses were greater than that of the rogue Alicorns. All seemed hopeless... Until one tribe of ponies, a join group of Pegasi, Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Threstrals sought to bring down the fallen Alicorns. Training relentlessly, they were eventually able to tap into the one weakness of these Alicorns-pure light! For since these wicked Alicorns hearts had been tained by darkness, they would be destroyed by the eternal light of purity, hope, and peace. Channeling their inner magical reserves, this tribe of Equestrians were able to attune their very souls to the light of the Maker, and of the blazing sun above. This technique became spread among the ponies, as they could inflict blows with that burned like the heart of the sun itself, and thus the rebellion began anew. Many dark Alicorns fell, their bodies overflowing with light, that they burnt to ash. Through countless battles, burning with heat, life, and a relentless urge to overthrow the tyranny of these evil Alicorns, ponykind eventually came upon the original fallen trio. Due to their enhanced power, upon accepting deals from the Fallen, the archrival to the Maker, the only thing ponykind could do, was seal them away, locking them into stone, and burying them underground, hopefully never to see the light of day once again. But, a ruined and blighted land had been left behind. The progenitors of the modern Equestrians cried out for aid. The Maker granted it. Two Alicorns, Laurel Faustis, Alicorn of Knowledge, and her husband, King Solaire, Alicorn of Life-Energies, had their dual children placed as rulers, mediators between the Maker, and mortal kind. These two Alicorns are known to us today as Princess Celestia, and her younger sister of five minutes, Princess Luna. Together, they faced off against many a threat to the nation. Even through Princess Luna's lunar banishment, Princess Celestia stood as a beacon of hope amongst darkness. Though, not all things stay buried, for the trio of dark Alicorns were not killed, they only slumber within stone. Their artifacts have been uncovered by archeologists, or personal collectors, and are on display in museums, and noble homes. One such home is the Sparkle Estate, home to the kind-hearted Sparkle clan of nobles, from where gallant knights and revolutionary inventors have come from. One such member shall be the beginning of this never ending tale. If Dusk Sparkle cannot embrace the twisting fate of her bloodline, and the courage in her heart, then all shall be lost to eternal darkness....
Act 1 BLOODY ORIGINS:-P1: Divine InvaderA cock crowed to herald the new dawn, as the morning light broke through the polished windows of the Sparkle Estate's windows, which always had the curtains open, aside from when the harsh winter chill came to northern Canterlot. A chartreuse hoof waved in the air, disturbing the dust particles revealed by the light of the sun. The velvet covers shifted, as the owner of the hoof, a well groomed filly slowly lid out from beneath the soft, warm blankets she had wrapped herself in the night before. Her disheveled midnight blue mane was lightly curled at both ends. Her tail was tucked around her waist like a belt.This mare, heir to the Sparkle name, household, fortune, and toy company, beating out Phantom Hive estate, was known as Dusk Sparkle, or to her close friends and loved ones, Sparky. The year is 2284 PB (Post-Banishment), and a little over six hundred years since the banishment of Princess Luna, after she was taken over by the fledgling spirit of a dark Alicorn, who had given an alternate personality she had created true sentience, and had forced her to make war on Celestia. A soft barking sound causes the filly to rouse from her bed. Yawning, Dusk levitates a comb over, and begins to brush her mane back to the neatness her mother and father, a merchant-lady and an archaeologist, often desired of the young twelve-year old filly. She blinks, and turns to the source of the barking. A grey wolf pup, which had been rescued by her father from a collapsing ruin he had been investigating, had become her truest companion, better than a normal dog. She had named it Sif, after a great grey she-wolf who had served one of the Knights of the Sun, a noble knightly order dedicated to Celestia, some four hundred years ago. "Hey girl!" Dusk smiled, as the pup rolled over onto her belly. She began to rub it tenderly, her hoof brushing against that soft grey fur. "Whose a good girl? Is it you?" She chuckled, as Sif yipped and barked happily, her tail wagging. She stopped after a few minutes, and stood up, as did her wolf. "Come on girl, let's get ready for the day." She went over to her closet, and pulled out a dark blue corduroy jacket. Smiling, she slipped it on, as the fabric hugged her body. Reaching to her nightstand, she pinned her family crest, a royal purple, five pointed star, to the lapel of her jacket, smiling. Locking the cufflinks into her cuffs, she patted her leg, as Sif came over. Strapping a violet vest to him, with the family crest emblazoned on the chest and back, she gently opened the bedroom door, and was greeted by the head butler, Silver Platter. Silver bowed, ¨Good morning young mistress," The elder stallion smiled, his bushy mustache like a small brush taped onto his upper lip, ¨And young canine.¨ He smiled, patting the head of Sif. ¨Did you have a good rest?" he asked, stepping aside, as Dusk and Sif exited the bedroon. ¨Yes Silver, thank you.¨ Dusk nodded, as she and her faithful companion started down the grand staircase of the family manor. She nodded politely or greeted the servants and guards she passed on her way. Throwing open the polished cedar doors, she stepped into the morning light, standing outside her family home, her wolf friend gently nipping at her hind hooves. Her father had told her to wait for a carriage. The daughter of a stallion her father had served with in the Equestrian/Griffon-Penguin War of 2277, was coming to live with them, as her father had been murdered by thieves a few nights prior, at least that's what the papers said. Her ears perked up as she heard the sound of hooves and wheels rapidly approaching. She looked up, as she saw an aged carriage turn sharply, as the carriage stopped. The door burst open, as the filly she had been told to wait for, a beautiful half-Pegasus, Half-Earth Pony filly, by the name of Divine Earth. She wore a well tailored forest green suit, which complimented her cream fur, piercing sanguine eyes, and prim cornsilk mane and tail. ¨You are Dusk Sparkle, yes?" Divine asked, a thin smile gracing her chiseled face. A chill went down Dusk's spine, something about that smiled seemed almost, artificial. She glanced at those crimson eyes, which were filled with a sort of hunger that sent icey daggers into the heart of the heir to the Sparkle Estate. Divine then glanced at Sif, who growled at the newcomer. ¨Could you please keep that...mutt away from me?¨ She despised canines of any sort. Dusk bristled, anger swelling in her heart. ¨Sif is not a mutt! She is a noble, kind animal. But, if you wish to stay away from her, do so.¨ She said. curling her hooves up. Normally, she was a mare who opposed the use of violence, but she was always riled up by those insulting her honor, or her family. Dusk nodded, her mane billowing in the wind.¨ She then turned, as a stallion in his later thirties, with a slicked back dark blue mane and tail, with a periwinkle coat, trotted over. He was Midnight Sparkle, Dusk's father. Her mother, Ever Glow Sparkle, was off on a business trip. His thin goatee-mustache combo hugged his chin and upper lip. ¨Ah, Sparky, Divine, I see you two are making the best of friends!¨ he smiled, clapping them on the shoulder. ¨Come you two.¨ he turned into the house, the duo following. The servants and guards had been lined up, Divine and Dusk standing on either side of Midnight. ¨Now then, all of you shall treat Divine her as if she were my own flesh and blood. Her father risked his life to save mine, both of us were almost killed by a Penguin Megaspell in '78.¨ The servants nodded, ¨Good.¨ Midnight then trotted to his study, humming. The servants dispersed to do their duties, as did the guards. ¨Let me help you with your bags Divine.¨ Dusk smiled, reaching for the pleather strap on one of Divine's saddlebags. As she was about to grab the bag, she felt a hard object impact her cheek, causing her to let out a yelp of pain, rubbing her stinging cheek. Divine glared at Dusk, placing a hoof on top of her chest. A death glare silenced the growls of Sif, whose fangs were bared. ¨Listen very closely Dusk, I despise others being near my things. I, Divine, care less for any aid from you.¨ she pressed her hoof into Dusk's chest, causing the mare to groan in pain. ¨In eveyrthing I do, I always come out on top, if you ever, EVER dare lay a hoof on any of my possessions again, I will break the leg that holds it!" She smirked, and brought her hoof back onto the floor. ¨And remember, keep that mongrel away from me.¨ Grabbing her bags, Divine ascended the staircase, and began making her way to her new bedchambers. Dusk groaned, clutching her injured chest, Sif licking her tenderly. ¨Ugh, thanks girl.¨ She patted Sif's head, smiling slightly. Rubbing her chest, she began making her way to her bedroom, and laid down in bed. ¨Good night girl.¨ she yawned, slipping out of her coat, and under her covers. Sif howled, and fell asleep, along with her mistress. Divine had invaded Dusk's life.
Act 1-P2: A Hellish YouthoodDivine had been a resident of the Sparkle Estate for a little over two months now. In that time, Divine had everything within her power to make Dusk's life a living hell. Divine had beaten Dusk at chess, one of her favorite sports, several times. She had better table manners than Dusk. Whereas Dusk often piled her plate, or more often than not, plates, high with as much food as she could, then piling into her mouth. In contrast, Divine Earth only got what what could fill her belly, rarely less. On one meal, when Dusk had been gorging herself with two plates stacked high with rich meals and pastries, Divine, from personal experience, ate only a plate of Neighponese fried rice, fried, well-done steak, garnished hay, and a trio of rich cream cheese rangoons, with a glazed coating. Midnight had praised Divine's etiquette, which had caused Dusk to grumble around her meal. A loud cheer rang out from the surrounding nobles, merchants, and other spectators. Both Dusk and Divine attended Silver Chariot's Fencing Academy for Youths. Today, a training tournament had been arranged. Master Silver Chariot, a renowned knight, master of the quick rapier, and the main-gauche. He always wore his gleaming silver armor, his face obscured by his armet style helmet, his eyes the only things visible, a piercing midnight blue. His rapier, polished so it shone in the morning light, was named Mémoire, the Prench word for Remembrance. What little was known of him, was that his mentor in swordsplay, a wisecracking noble from Prance, had been made a quardoplegic, then murdered, by a member of a gang of thugs while visiting Pitalia. His parrying dagger was known as Venguer, Prench for Avenger. He nodded at Dusk and Divine, who wielded a parrying dagger in their off-hoof, and a rapier in the other. ¨You may begin.¨ Silver said, his voice deep and authoritative. He rarely spoke, but when he did, it was with the authority of the master swordstallion he was. Dusk and Divine raised their dulled blades before their faces, as a sign of respect for their combatant. They gently nodded at one another, their foreheads tapping against the cold steel. Dusk's horn slid against the steel, causing her to shiver, as a chill went down her sensitive horn. Dusk took a deep breath, and then gasped. While she had been getting ready, Divine's wings had perked up. Dusk barely had time to jump back, and parry, for Divine had lunged, their blades CLANGing as metal rung against metal. ¨That was dirty Divine!¨ She growled, as she began stabbing at Divine with her capped rapier. Divine grinned, easily dodging or deftly parrying each of Dusk's strikes. Dusk was shocked, it was like Divine and the wind around her had fused. Dusk growled, as she readied her rapier, and started with a quick slashing motion. That was when she noticed the smirk caressing Divine's face. ¨Ÿou foal¨ Divine whispered, slamming the blunted tip of her well-worn rapier. Dusk gasped, spittle flying from her lips. The blow caused her to bend slightly, as the wind was knocked from her lungs. Perfect! I have you where I want you...Dusky! Divine thought, whipping out her training main-gouche, and roughly slammed the pommel onto Dusk's right foreleg. Dusk let out a cry of pain, as she felt the bones in her dominant foreleg shatter. She felt her grip on her rapier loosen, as it clattered to the rubber mat. She groaned, glutching her foreleg, sniffiling on the floor. A loud round of applause came from the crowd, as Divine took a bow, smiling broadly. She shot a smirk towards Dusk, sheathed her blades, and trotted away, a crowd following, leaving Dusk in agony. ¨Hrnk,¨ Dusk groaned, rubbing her foreleg and forehoof. ¨Curse you Divine Earth.¨ She muttered, teeth clenched. ----X---- The following morning found Dusk and Sif, sitting beneath the shade of a spreading chestnut tree. Before them sat a babbling stream, as clear as crystal, and as clean as a freshly pressed suit. Dusk's foreleg was wrapped in bandages. The family Doctor, Tender Hoof the Tenth, had used a bit of Earth Pony healing magic, as well as some medicinal herbs, to speed up the healing process. From what he had said, Dusk would have full use of her right foreleg again within two to three weeks. She flexed her right hoof, and winced, Sif nuzziling her injured leg. ¨Thanks girl.¨ Dusk smiled, patting her faithful companion's head with her left forehoof. She sighed, her breath as a visible puff of air in the chilly early morning. air. That was when she heard a cry of pain come from nearby, causing her to stand, and turn her head. Nearby, a screaming colt was being beaten, and she galloped to his aid! ----X---- ¨Heh, look at the little pansy!¨ Two older ponies, one a muscular teenage Unicorn filly with a dark grey coat, and a white mane, and a lithe, smirking Earth Pony colt, rammed their hooves into the already bruised Earth Pony colt laying in the dirt, curled in the fetal position. ¨Hey you two!¨ Dusk yelled, having arrived at the scene of the assault. The two stopped beating the colt, who appeared to only be a little bit younger than Dusk. Righteous fury swelled in her heart at seeing the injured colt, bleeding from several small cuts on his quivering form. She galloped forward at the bullies, slamming her shoulder into the snout of the taller Earth Pony colt, sending him reeling, blood flowing from his injured nose, as he clutched his bruised jaw. ¨Why you!¨ The Unicorn filly growled, landing a blow to Dusk's face, causing her head to whip back. ¨Take that, you luxurious dickhorn!¨ While the filly was a part of the upper-middle class, she still had some resent to the nobility. She helped her partner in crime up, ¨Let's get out of here, these two aren't weren't our time.¨ She spat on the ground, glared at Dusk, and left with her injured friend, hobbling. ¨The colt shivered, slowly standing on weak legs. ¨T-thank you miss.¨ He smiled slightly, one eye closed. ¨I'm Silver Drift.¨ He wobbled slightly, leaning against an aged tree trunk. Dusk huffed, clutching her injure cheek, and wiping the floor from her lips. She turned to the colt, smiling warmly. ¨Dusk Sparkle, and, are you alright?¨ She asked, rubbing her bandaged foreleg, ¨You look pretty bad.¨ Silver shook his head, ¨This is nothing.¨ He limped away, hopefully back to his home. Exhaling, Dusk smoothed down her fur, called Sif over, and began making her way back to the Estate. She had done a good deed today, and that's what mattered to the heir of the Sparkle Household. Her father and mother always taught her to do her best to protect the innocent, and that is precisely what she had done. As she entered the house, she stopped at the staircase, rubbed her foreleg, and entered the expansive library that resided within the estate. It was well known, even becoming a jape at parties, that the Sparkles loved knowledge as much as they loved each other. Twilight sat at her desk, an ancient, ornate helmet before it. The faceplate was formed like the visage of a hideous gargoyle-like beast, with razor sharp fangs. ¨Now, what cruel warlord could have worn you, my friend?¨ She thought aloud, looking over her notes. From what she could tell, the ancient helmet, dating to, at most, the Dawn Era, when the Emortuus the name give to the Alicorns that betrayed the Maker, and sought dominion over all life, if not reality itself. ¨I shudder to think at the stallion or mare that wore you, what horrors they commited, and...¨ Her horn sparked, ¨What forbidden magic have you been enchanted with.¨ She set the disturbing helmet back on her desk, ¨Blood magic courses through you.¨ she then grabbed a small vial, filled with a tiny bit of her blood, and poured a few drops onto the metal. Its eyeholes burned with a reddish, fiery glow, as it seemed to compress, and glow, before returning to normal. Smilight, she set the vial back in its holder, and left for her bedroom. Meanwhile, as the heir of Sparkle Estate slept, the mask glowed once more, and if one listened carefully, they could hear faint screams, and a dark laughter.
Act 1-P3: Arrow of Eros, Power of Agony!A little over two weeks had passed, since Dusk had rescued Silver from two ruffians wishing him harm. The heir of the Sparkle Estate was strolling through the nearby town of Manehatten, a bustling city of some four thousand souls. As she was about to turn a corner, she heard a familiar, kind voice call to her. "Hey Sparky, wait up!" the voice called. Dusk smiled, turning to find a Pegasus colt trotting towards her at a brisk pace. His salmon fur, freshly groomed, glistened in the sunlight. His short, widow's peaked cherry mane was combed, his bangs brushed to the left. The colt's gleaming emerald eyes reflected the incandescent sun hanging above them. His name was Blue Skies, the son of a merchant-lord, and a former Seapony mercenary. He would be Dusk's fiancee when they came of age. Originally, they could barely be in the same roon together, but they eventually grew closer, as a bond between them formed. "Good morn Blue Skies." Dusk smiled, her cheeks tinging a rosy red color. She always enjoyed spending time with the gallant colt. She strove to be a gentlemare whenever possible. Her eyes fell upon a vibrantly colored poster hanging on the wall of a nearby bakery, Suger Coat's Scrumptious Sweets. "Blue, it seems the fair will be arriving tomorrow, shall we visit?" Blue felt his heart flutter, as if his heart had morphed into butterflies that fluttered through his chest. A smile bloomed on his face, as he nodded eagerly, nearly hitting his head against Dusk's spiraled horn. He chuckled, "Sorry, beloved." He scratched the back of his head, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead. His family had always said he was a bit awkward in social situations, but he rarely let that deter him. "I would love to take you to the fair tomorrow morn." His tail swished behind him. "Shall I swing by your manor, at..." He glanced at the looming clock tower. "...nine o'clock?" he asked his betrothed, fixing his mane with a tender hoof. "I would love that." Dusk agreed, her eyes sparkling with joy. Already, her mind's gears were turning with ideas on what she would wear, how the date would go, and other such thoughts. Suddenly, Blue froze, his eyes widened. "What is it beloved?" Blue Skies gasped, "I almost forgot! Father asked me to pick up some medicine for grandmother!" He pecked her on the cheek, and spun on his heels. "I'll see you later!" Blue began galloping to the local pharmacy, the dirt kicking up into a small cloud beneath his warm hooves. Dusk chuckled lightly, continuing on. Her father and mother had asked her to take their matching pistols, Ivory and Ebony, an engagement present, to the local gunsmith. The twin unloaded firearms rested in her saddlebag. Dusk Sparkle came upon the gunsmith's shop. Twenty One's Guns was a family business, with the owner taking up the moniker of Twenty One. The current owner, the fourty-second Twenty One, whose real name was Guns A. Roses, was a jovial mare who had served with Dusk's father in the Royal Guard. The bell hung over the door jingled as Dusk stepped inside. Twenty looked up, her slightly wrinkled grey coat shone lightly as she noticed her customer. Her short fuchsia mane was tied back slightly. "Ah, Lady Dusk Sparkle, what can an old gunsmith do for you?" she asked, scooting her chair from her workbench, wood scraping against wood. Her bronze colored work glasses, with small lenses that could added with the flick of a switch for more intimate work, hung on her forehead. Dusk trotted up to the counter, and laid the twin hoofguns, their handles polished, with grips matching their names, onto the metallic counter. "Father and Mother want these tuned up." The duo would often train in the backyard, a sort of romantic evening for them, and rarely needed them in defense. Their magical capabilites, and guards would take care of most threats. Twenty scooted her chair over, keenly inspecting the dual weapons. "Ah, Ebony and Ivory, me own mother forged these two beauties." She smiled, gently holding them. Humming, the gunsmith carefully placed them on the workbench. "Come back tomorrow dear, and I'll git them fixed up nicely." Suddenly, the clock tower chimed the hour, the heavy, baritone chiming echoed through the town. "Oh, best git yerself back home dearie, or else Midnight will have yer head." she teased. Twenty, or Guns as she went by when out of the shop, or to close friends, had been something like an aunt to Dusk, and a sister-like figure to her father. Dusk smiled, tossing a small pile of bits onto the counter as a tip. "Thank you auntie." She nodded, and trotted briskly out the door, the bell chiming as it closed behind her. Twenty One smiled, and turned back to her workbench. Grabbing her tools, she began working on the twin pistols, humming quietly. The heir to the Sparkle name whistled a jaunty tune, as she trotted towards her home. The large manor shone in the crisp sunlight. Dusk nodded towards the two house guards at the gate with a smile, which they reciprocated gladly. Warm cobblestone turned to smoothed out dirt. The black iron gate, with its sharp, gilded tips, swung open for the fourteen year old mare. As she passed by the burbling, chiseled stone fountain that stood before her home, she smiled. Whistling, Dusk called, "Sif, oh Sif? Where are you girl?" the mare called out. Dusk was surprised when Sif did not come, but she sometimes did, sometimes she would wait for hours, then find Sif bounding into her bedroom, her golden eyes shining like the incandescent sun above. Shaking her head slightly, Dusk briskly walked up the stairs, and into her mansion. the wide doors slamming shut behind the gentle noblemare. Four hours later, it was dinner time. Dusk and Divine sat across from eachother, the silverware delicately placed by the polished dinnerplates. Both Midnight and his wife Ever Glow Sparkle had already retired to their chambers for the evening, The ancient grandfather clock, its sweet smelling wood freshly polished by the head butler, chimed every so often. The duo were dining on well-cooked steak, fried rice with steamed hay, warm apple cider, and a few slices of freshly toasted, Pitalian garlic bread, with savory homemade gravy. Divine's manners were impeccable as always, her cider glass never spilled a single dollop, her food remnants never fell from the plate. That wasn't to say Dusk had bad table manners, but a few drops of liquid or bits of her meal did find themselves on the fine table cloth.
Act 1-P4: Heartbroken RageIt had been another day of frivolity for Dusk Sparkle and her beloved, Blue Skies. The local fair had come to town.... {Four hours earlier} Two ponies, dressed in finely tailored, yet still simple and comfortable, travel clothes, passed through the brightly painted arch way of the fair grounds. Dusk Sparkle was dressed in a navy blue sweater beneath a smart tyrian purple blazer. Her betrothed, Blue Skies, was dressed in a smooth black vest, where beneath it lay a freshly pressed white, button down shirt. A pair of violet saddlebags, the clasp being the family crest, were slung over Dusk's back. "So, where shall we stop by first, Sparky?" Blue asked. The teenage colt not so subtly ran a hoof down Dusk's back, towards her plot. He froze when he felt a magical aura wrap around the hoof. Blue Skies let out a nervous chuckle, as he turned his head, finding Dusk's horn glowing, and a knowing smirk on her face. "We'll save that for later." Dusk giggled as she released his hoof, letting it fall back to the ground. She playfully stuck her tongue out at Blue Skies, swaying her hips as she headed towards one of the game booths. Older model mana launchers, crossbow like devices with a crank on the top section, which would fire both mundane, as well as magically created, self reloading bolts, were placed on small platforms. Targets of varying size and distance were placed on the wall above them. "How many bits, good sir?" She asked the aged male Changeling sitting at the booth. The wrinkled, grey maned Changeling chuckled, his amber colored eyes staring into Dusk's. "For most, it would be four bits, but for a noble, I'll red-" He stopped speaking when Dusk raised a hoof. "My family taught me to never put myself above my fellow Equisian." Dusk said, fishing in her saddle bag. She tossed four shining bits onto the counter. The drone nodded, and slid the bits into his register. "So, the objective is to fell as many targets as possible?" The drone nodded. "Good," She cocked her head slightly to face Blue Skies, who have trotted up behind her. "Watch and learn Blue, the Sparkle Clan females are expert marksmares." She teased, pecking him on the cheek. She took a deep breath, as shimmering blue bolt swiftly formed in the chamber as she touched her hoof to the trigger. She took aim at the targets, keeping her breathing steady. She could feel her concentration growing, her senses becoming more focused. Dusk could feel the morning sun's warmth flowing through her body. She closed her eyes, as she could hear her heart's razor sharp beat, her blood flowing through her veins. Opening her eyes, she quickly fired the mana launcher, bolts appearing as fast as her hoof moved the trigger. Each target had been hit, and, to the trio's surprise, were smoking slightly, a strange surge of golden, electric like energy surging through each bolt. The bolts had not only all but destroyed the targets, but left holes the size one of Dusk's hoof in the wall behind the target. "Oh dear, I apologize, it seems I got carried away." She put a few more bits down as compensation. The stallion, dumbstruck, nodded, hoofing a large stuffed wolf to Dusk. Dusk smiled, setting the mana launcher down. "Here Blue." She hooved the stuffedn wolf to her speechless lover. "Thank you, that was fun." She coughed into a hoof. The Changeling found his senses, and chuckled, "I haven't seen shooting like that since my pa. He would take me out to the shooting range when I was a pupa. That was when I met my wife, one day when I had entered adulthood. She was a pretty little nymph." He turned to the two, who were heading to another booth. "You two take care now!" The stallion then went back to reminiscing. The couple passed through several more game booths. In all that time, even though Dusk or Blue didn't always win a stuffed prize for their other half, it was the time they spent enjoying each other's company that made it worth while. The two now found themselves seated on a small wooded boat, atop a large water slide. "Are you ready Blue?" Dusk asked, smiling warmly. She nuzzled her coltfriend, who currently had his hooves wrapped around her waist. Blue gave a slow nod, as a click was heard. The gate in front of them lowered swiftly. With a rush of raging water, and screams of delight, or a scream of abject terror from Blue, the two went hurtling downward, water spraying around their craft. The two stopped at the designated end of the ride, both damp from head to hoof, and laughing heartily. After hours of merriment, the fair was closed for the day. The two were walking towards Dusk's mansion. Dusk turned, and laid a gentle kiss on Blue's lips, smiling. "I enjoyed today my love." She reluctantly let go of Blue's hoof. "I'll see you tomorrow." She turned, and swiftly trotted away, waving. Blue blew a kiss to Dusk, as he went the opposite direction. What neither knew was that they were being observed from behind one of the thick oak tree trunks, by a certain mare. Divine Wind smirked, as she went ahead of Blue. Blue whistled a slight tune, a skip in his hoof steps as he bounced down the road towards his own manor. While it wasn't as big or as old as the nearly 700 year old Sparkle Estate, it was home to the stallion. As he rounded a corner, he came across three mares. The one at the head he recognized immediately from that smug demeanor and piercing gaze. Divine Wind, Dusk had told Blue about the insults, the beatings, and the few thefts of Dusk's possessions her adopted sister had committed. Two other mares, known to be hoodlums, flanked the haughty mare. Divine trotted forward, as Blue readied himself in a fighting stance. "Blue Skies, isn't it? You and Sparky make such a...." She licked her lips, smirking, "Wonderful couple." Divine stroked Blue's cheek, causing him to flinch and back away. "You yourself are such a marvelous specimen of stallion." She moved her hoof downward, resting it on one of Blue's shoulders. Her very touch made the hair on his body stand on end like porcupine quills. "Now, I'm wondering, have you and Sparky caressed your lips, like true lovers?" Blue's eyes widened, as Divine suddenly slammed her mouth against his. He felt bile rising up his throat as her tongue slid into his mouth. Blue wrenched himself free, faliing onto the damp dirt road. He stared, coughing, as Divine's two cronies praised her for her sheer bravado. Divine smirked, "You see Blue, you thought your first true kiss would come from Dusk, no? Your first didn't come from Sparky, it came from I, Divine!" She cackled in delight, as Blue froze. Blue crawled towards a pile of dirt, as he picked it up. As he touched his tongue to the first particle, the dirt clump fell from his grasp, as he rolled over, clutching his stomach. "You think my perfect lips are as good as dirt do you?" Blue could only groan in response. Divine growled, as her smirk turned into a maniacal grin. "Oh, don't worry," she flicked her hoof, as a thin butterfly knife slid out from her sleeve into her waiting hoof. She slowly advanced towards Blue, "It's not over yet...." Blue's eyes were frozen in fear. Dusk arrived home to find the assistant butler, a Griffon lion of around thirty years of age, of eastern Prench descent, stood by the gates. Dusk stopped when he noticed his downcast look. "Ah, Monsieur Bellrose, is something wrong?" She asked, coming up to the griffon. He sighed, bade her follow him, as he turned and started off towards tbe large family cherry tree. Dusk found her father, dressed in his old naval peacoat, with the family crest pinned on the lapel, dark blue slacks, and a cloak to keep the chill out. Her mother, who had one of Midnight's forelegs wrapped around her shoulders, was dressed in a dark grey evening gown. A few other servants stood nearby. Dusk's eyes fell on a fairly small mound of dirt, where a crude stone Cross of the Maker had been inserted into the cold earth. Dusk's eyes widened, as her breath caught in her throat. A-a grave?! she thought, as she rushed forward. Midnight turned to his daughter, appearing to have aged decades from the sorrow. "I'm sorry Sparky." Dusk's eyes fell on the cross, finding the name Sif etched in the stone. Dusk's breath was caught in her throat, all she could let out were choked gurgles. "It seems somepony, a burgler or a possible assassin from one of the other noble houses, might have tried sneaing in here. They bound and muzzled Sif, shoved her in a box, and one of the butlers accidentally placed her inside the garbage disposal unit." He sighed, "We haven't found any tracks or any sign of the perpetrator, so they must have fled after committing this vile deed." Dusk balled up her hooves, struggiling to even speak. She knew of only one pony who despised both her and Sif enough to murder her best friend and loyal companion. "Where's Divine?" She asked under bated breath. A servant to her left said Divine was shopping at the local book store. Once the service was ended, Dusk trudged up the stairs, memories of her fond years with Sif, from puppy to adult, weighed her heart and mind with grief. As she entered her room, her screams of rage and sobs of sorrow were muffled her her comfy pillow. Divine made her way back to the manor, the cool evening wind blowing through her mane and coat. A few bags filled with books lay on her back. "Hmm, perhaps burning that worthless mutt alive might have damaged my chances of gaining the Sparkle Family fortune." She smirked, "Though it was fun, and only Sparky would suspect me." She rubbed her chin as the mansion came into view. "If force and terror do not help me gain the fortune, perhaps feigning kindness will." She chuckled as she headed into her adopted home.
