Star Wars: Power of the Dark Side

Star Wars: Power of the Dark Side
Chapter VI: Paths of Anger

"Twilight...Twilight!"
"Ughm..." Twilight groaned as she arose from her sleep, opening her eyes and being greeted by dark lavender fur. She lifted her eyes and squinted at the sudden attack of the sun. Lifting a hoof trying to shield her from the harsh rays. Slowly her vision returned to her and in a quick spell she sheathed the curtains and the room dimmed. She looked around the room, noticing the heightened state of chaos it was in.

She leaned her hooves against the table and massaged her temples as she breathed, closing her eyes, "Six hours of nothing but running around in circles."

She did not feel as thought she had received an accurate amount of sleep. She felt as though she had gotten only an hour or two of sleep, barely any for her to run off of. Mostly physical, but what what stunted her thoughts was a head splitting migraine. She had spent too much time staring at small font words and scratching notes. She leaned against one hoof as she levitated her notes up and glossed over the pages. Only one and a half page of notes. Mainly pertaining of questions than anything. All questions that she could not answer and likely could not with this kind of library.

She looked over at the door as she heard somepony rapping at the door, a small male voice sounded behind the crystal door, "Twilight, are you alive? Sweet Celestia open the door!"

Twilight smiled as she shouted back, her head flaring in pain, "Quit banging on the door! I have a migraine. I'll be out in a second."

Twilight levitated a cloth over the pyramid and its power dimmed. It was responsive to her now, she stopped slightly before she stood up. She lifted an eyebrow at this but shrugged it. It was not the first time it responded to something, it was clear that something caused it to d this. Today, she decided that reading and researching was over and it was time for some physical trials. Mainly, testing the glow and seeing what it responds to. If it responded to anything.

All four of her hooves hit the floor and she groaned at the pain of her sore and cramped hooves, her mind as well split slightly at the loud thud on the crystal floor. She needed something to help her, she could not just run off of very little energy. She had gotten too used to her country life and her body had forgotten the strain she would place on it. A few years of forgetting those countless nights of rigorous study, she must have read every single volume of her parent's study three times and of the Royal Library once. Countless hours and many cups of tea to keep her up. While Twilight had drank a cup the prior night, it was not enough to keep her awake. Clearly.

So, to go to something as extreme as this, it was liberating to say the least. She blinked slowly as she slugged her away across the floor. Time seemed to slow as she advanced towards the door, as most of her energy was made to prevent her from falling asleep and the other half of the energy she exerted was to keep the headache from completely breaking open her head. A slight ringing rose in her ears, muffling all sounds, Twilight stopped and clenched a hoof against her head against the pain.

Twilight felt her anger flare as she wished for nothing more than for this migraine to go away. She growled as she pressed a hoof to her head and felt her heat rise from her rage. It seemed more present than anything else about her and she stopped as she faced the empty and barren face of the crystal door.

Just like that, the migraine was gone. Like a whisper upon the wind it was gone. Like a bite of snake, the migraine was gone and the ringing in her ears had evaded. She glanced once more over the room. She was starting to fear for her life and before her paranoia could take hold of her mind once more she beat it down as she reassured herself that there was obviously some logic behind it. Although, nothing at the moment seemed to spark any kind of reason as to what could have caused her migraine to cease.

She shook the thought away and opened the door to find her number one favorite assistant at her hooves.

Unamusement was plastered on his green scaled face as he tapped his foot and crossed his claws over his white and pink apron. Twilight could not understand why and Twilight gave a smile, she could barely take him seriously in that apron, "Good morning, how is my number one assistant."

She moved in to hug her brother but Spike raised a claw and shoved her away. Twilight was stunned at this and stood back up, waiting an explanation.

Spike scolded, "You might be able to get all the stallions with your silver tongue, Twilight Sparkle. But I am not easily fooled."

Twilight lifted her ears, she had to hear this.

Spike continued, "I woke up at three A.M. and found the light on under your door. After you promised that you would not study that long ever again."

'Ah.' Twilight breathed inwardly and expressed no sudden realization. That was why she did not research well into the night like she did when they were in Canterlot, she had promised Spike that she would not do that again. She must have been so anxious to learn this hidden secret of Equestrian history that she must have forgotten about her promise. Now she had broken that promise and she was "In the dog house" so to speak.

Twilight widened her eyes and said, "Excuse me? Are you lecturing me Spike?"

Spike remained in his stern arm crossed pose and replied, "That's right Twilight, you made me a promise and you broke it."

Spike always took somepony's word seriously and if somepony promised him something and did not follow through with it, they would not expect to hear much from Spike in a few weeks. She once forgot to reward him for his honesty and he refused to talk to her for two days. She could only imagine what it would be like for his future wife, Twilight would make sure to warn them about this. Of course, he still had a lot of growing up to do and this was merely an expression of his current age.

Twilight tapped her hoof on her chin, a playful smile on her lips as she mused, "Recall with me, but did I not catch you a few nights ago reading your comic book at one o'clock in the morning?"

Spike faltered slightly in his pose and quickly threw it back up as he replied, "Yeah well...that's not-"

"The same thing?" Twilight shifted her weight in her hooves, "Tell me how that's not the same?"

Spike opened his mouth as if to speak but his words faltered halfway between thought and speech. Twilight caught him, as she often did. There were slight perks in being his superior in age, thought it would not mean much as she would constantly confuse her family with questions and statements that would make them reconsider and be more specific with rules. Twilight thought of three different rebuttals she could use on herself and five rebuttals against those thoughts if Spike knew them as well. If there was one thing that Twilight was good at, it was arguments.

And it would appear that Twilight claimed another victory as Spike breathed in defeat, "Fair point..."

He slumped and Twilight nuzzled his cheek and said, "Aw, it's okay Spike. Listen, if it upsets you that much, then I will not do it as much."

Spike made no action against the affectionate motion and merely state sarcastically, "Oh, not as much, that is very reassuring."

Spike smiled and prompted Twilight to chuckle, "Okay, this will be the last time for a long time."

They continued down the stairs and made their way quickly to the kitchen and before the aroma could find its way to Twilight's nostrils, Twilight asked, "What is for breakfast?"

Spike shrugged, "Toad-In-A-Hole and Prench Toast with homemade cinnamon syrup."

When she could smell the sweet aroma of eggs, syrup, and toasted bread Twilight breathed happily, "It smells delicious Spike."

Spike shrugged, "Yeah well, I try."

Twilight took her seat, scooting her chair close to the table and resting her head in her hooves, a deep muted sigh escaping her lips. Spike voiced, "What the hay were you researching anyways?"

Twilight remained silent for a moment, as she considered whether she could tell him about the artifact or not. This was Spike, her most trustworthy friend, and would risk his own life for her's. For all tense and purposes, Spike was her brother and she was his sister. Therefore, she had a level of trust that she offered to no other, other than him. He is inclined to know this, isn't he?

Twilight mused and chose her words carefully, "I am studying an artifact."

Twilight glanced over at Spike who was standing on a step stool and finished preparations on their meal, "I'll take it that you haven't finished?"

The princess shook her head, "No, there just isn't anything written for this particular artifact. It seems as if it does not exist, along with the ponies who made it."

There was an air of silence, an air that was heavier on Twilight than it was on Spike. She prayed to the gods that he would not ask too many questions. While it is an artifact and device of massive destructive powers, and something like that should not be left out to her most trusted comrade. Twilight broke the silence as he stepped down and he held two plates of food, "All that I heave learned about it so far is that, it is dangerous. And yes, I know what I am doing."

Spike chuckled, "Then I guess I shouldn't remind you to be careful."

Twilight smiled as Spike rested her plate in front of her, "Yes I know."

Twilight looked down at her plate and took in the wafting aroma she had not paid close attention to when it rested in front of her face. The warm scent bringing peace to her and all thoughts of the artifact escaped her as she levitated her fork and cutting an edge off of her toad-in-a-hole and took in the generous bite. Savoring the flavor and after downing the swallow she took a sip from her coffee and continued on with her eating in silence.

The toad-in-a-hole was the best she had ever tasted, Spike always made it just right. The Prench toast even, was outstanding. All of these wonderful things that Spike made was excellent. Twilight had considered making breakfast one morning, it had went very well until she turned the stove on with nothing in it and caused a series of unfortunate events that almost caused Golden Oaks to burn down. Spike came rushing in and reassured her that he could make breakfast and requested her to sit down and wait.

She was great at cooking lunch or dinner but all bets were off if she was cooking breakfast. A simple and yet annoying fact that made Twilight irritated as she thought about it. She shoved the thought aside and continued her meal. She only had a few bites remaining.

Spike suddenly broke her reverie of breakfast as he asked, "Can I help you with it?"

Twilight looked up and knit an eyebrow, "With what?"

Spike rolled his eyes, "With your research."

Twilight shook her head after pondering for a moment, "No, I'm sorry it's too dangerous."

"I can be careful if it's dangerous." Spike reassured her.

Twilight waved a hoof and shook her head, "It's not that I don't trust you around it, it's that I have no idea where this comes from or who made it. For all I know it could be a device that reacts negatively to dragons and I couldn't help myself if something bad happened to you."

Spike appeared defeated and dropped his fork on his plate, Spike always wants to help. He takes it to heart if you don't want him to help. Something he would likely get over in time but it did not stop Twilight's heart from sinking at the sight of his disappointed face. It always pained her to see him disappointed, but she was looking after Spike's well being. And while most of what she said was true, she also wanted an excuse to be alone. Twilight sighed, "We are running low on parchment and ink. Could you head over to Quills and Sofas and get more? You would be doing me a great service to my research."

Spike sighed with malcontent, "I guess so."

Twilight stood up and made her way over to Spike and nuzzled his cheek, she asked softly, "Aw come on. Who's my number one assistant?"

Spike smiled very lightly and replied, "I am."

Twilight pushed, "Now say it like you mean it."

Spike pointed at himself and said more proudly than before, "I am Spike Scales and I am your number one assistant!"

Twilight smiled and nuzzled him again and put her dirty dishes in the sink, "That's the spirit."

Twilight then made her way down the hall and before she left the kitchen she called back, "If you need me I will be in my studies."

Twilight slammed the door behind her and let out a breath of relief. She was so glad that she had avoided that situation. She calmed down and looked back up, "Alright, now. Time for some physical trials."

Since she could not find head or tails anything about this artifact, she decided to study what it does and its purpose. She approached the covered artifact and removed the cloth cover. As it was revealed the thrum began once again and it pulsated a hateful red light. Twilight shrunk under the glow even though it was inanimate and should not have such effects on her. But there was just something so unnatural about the artifact itself.

Twilight cast another detect magic spell and still came up with nothing. As princess of magic her spells were more pristine and better crafted than most unicorns. If there were hidden spells or runes on it she would have sensed it.

Twilight tapped her chin, "Okay, there is still no magical property to it, yet it pulsates with dormant power. And it is otherwise unlocked, making it so that anypony can come along and use it for nefarious purposes."

Twilight wrote this down and inspected the artifact closer. She brought the dark ebony and red glass pyramid closer to her face and it felt oddly warm. A far cry from the bitter clod she felt when she held it under her wing. Turning it over she tried to notice anything that would catch her eye. Nothing to peculiar stuck out besides the obvious runes inscribed on it. Though it is in no runic language she was familiar with, and she knew them all.

She did notice a crack that ran up the ebony edge of the pyramid. Outlining two of the pyramid faces. It was no hairline fracture that with barely one touch and it could fall apart, no this was a crevice that holds a secret compartment inside the artifact. Whatever was inside was emitting the red glow.

Twilight snaked her magic into the crevice and tried to pry it open, carefully. She did not want the thing to explode or harm her in any way. She pulled with all the magical force she could offer and it did not budge. She tried again and muttered, "Come on..."

She dropped her magic and pulled with her hooves this time. Anger began to swell within her, this clearly could be opened and there was no clear mechanism that could open it so this seemed like the logical answer. It boiled inside of her and the pyramid suddenly jolted and surprised Twilight, dropping it with a sudden yip.

It was solid as it hit the ground, it did not bounce or roll it plopped to the ground. More anger seemed to flow through her as hours upon hours of stress and anxiety finally surmounted and she had enough. In a quick burst of rage she shot bolt of purified magical energy and it slammed against the artifact.

After she had done that she realized what she did, she fumbled for the artifact as she heard a high pitched squeal emanate from the artifact. Twilight did all she could to try and not cause it to explode or something. After she realized there was nothing she could do she prepared for the worse and at a flash of light Twilight threw up a quick magical shield. Clenching her teeth and straining her hooves agians the floor she waited for the inevitable explosion.

She had really done it this time, she should have just let the artifact be.

When no force came crashing against her shield she only stopped casting the shield, she still flinched if there was still a delayed reaction. Her blood ran cold as she heard an unfamiliar voice say to her, "Hello."