Dance with the Darkby DaydreamsOfAStrangerChaptersPrologue- Coming to terms with fateChapter 1- For Better or Worse?Chapter 2Prologue- Coming to terms with fateA pink mare with golden eyes and a yellow green mane trotted down the road, only stopping to fix stray hairs in her other wise perfectly styled and kept mane. This mare was a Canterlot noble named Healing Magic. She was a doctor who worked and studied in magical injuries, and injuries that could be healed with magic. She wore a satin shawl over her shoulders, which aided in fighting to keep the cold out, and keep the warmth in as she trudged through the snow. Passing through the streets she found only one place open which had the promise of fire, rest, and a posable warm beverage. The only problem was it was very unorthodox. The only place open was a little tent-like hut with stars, moons, and other shapes confirming her suspicions. She entered the fortune-teller's tent quietly, gently tapping on the first wooden object she saw with her hoof. A kindly looking mare trotted out wearing large hoop earrings with a single white star on her pale blue nose. Her mane was also a light baby blue with a single strand of violet striping down the side. She trotted over to healing and smiled beckoning her farther into the tent. Her bright purple eyes flashed to a stove where a kettle boiled, and screamed to be emptied of it's contents. Feeling more relaxed, Healing sat on a near-by cushion, where a table full of letters were littered about. She read over one in curiosity while she waited and noted that the letter seemed to describe how the sender's life was going down the drain ever since a pony named 'Twilight Sparkle' Defeated a Ursa Minor when all she could do was sit and gape at the other's power. She was interrupted from her thoughts when the mare spoke, once she had given tea to both Healing and herself and finally sat down."So, what were you doing out on a day like this? And if I'm not mistaken, you're a noble, so why not call a cabby?" She just nudged at her tea for a second almost seeming sorry for asking before she introduced herself,"Oh. I'm sorry I forgot to say, my name is Lucky Charm Lullamoon, and you are..?" "Healing Magic, Duchess of the Obsidian family. Ummm, you could just call me Healing if you want though..." She stated, her humble tone giving off an air of regality. A little draft breezed through the tent causing Healing and Charm to shiver slightly. Lucky Charm padded over to the window which had been ajar, then turned back once it had been closed,"So, I'm assuming you only came by to get warm? Not for a telling." "Oh, yes, I'm very sorry, your's was the only place I could find," she paused furrowing her brows and sighing,"Well, I'd hate to just drop in for tea and run... I think it would be nice to try a fortune teller.. Or, at least, not me, my foal." "Oh a foal? Well, normally I need the pony present, but I can try." She began her magic tapping into her talent. "No! You don't have to, I'm still pregnant, I mean that you could tell me his or her's fortune?" She corrected quickly before the mistake could be taken too far. "Ah, okay, I didn't know you were with foal, you look very good. Let me correct my magic, and then we'll see." She then changed the course of her magic so it would tell of the soon to be born foal. "Alright, here we go." She floated a crystal ball over which had a barely visible figure on it, yet the closer it got the better the image became. "She'll be very beautiful, graceful, and a bit stubborn. She also may have highly skilled magical capabilities and...!" She paused, a blissful smile full of surprise on her face, making Healing more and more curious until Charm filled her in. "Sweet Celestia! She's an emotion caster?! Obsidian is going to be so excited! Emotion casters seem to be so rare these days! The last time i heard of one was StarSwirl The Bearded!" Healing practically was bouncing in place on the pillow she had been sitting on. Though it seemed almost immediately after this Charm looked dismayed. "Well, though it's not common knowledge, So-" another image had appeared and it made her body quake in terroir. It was a prophecy. "Healing, sit down please, there is more..." Healing sat noticing the look on Charm's face,"Your very high in position, so I'm going to assume you've heard of the Prophecy of The Dimmed Dawning?" "No I have not, what does it have to do with my foal? Is she... involved?" Healing whispered, anxiety creeping into her voice. While all Charm could do is nod, and tell what the Prophecy foretold. "A foal will be born of magenta and blue, gifted with power only truly matched by one. The cold and hatred is reborn, more powerful then thought. The prosperity of the north will fail, and darkness's reign will prevail. The dimming dawn of the north will fall, to be taught to fear and grieve. In the end love will come through, Yet crimes which of darkness will be to blame, when darkness falls and then is saved by the dawn, only for the dawn to fall it's self." Charm recited her voice dull and well rehearsed. It had plagued her before and now she knew what it truly meant. Dimmed dawning meant the foal of blue and purple. The filly was to be the dimming dawn. "I... I need to go find Obsidian, thank you so much, I just... Need to go." Healing jumped from her seat, galloping out into the cold, mane whipping around in the storm raging outside, while the love between mother and child was burning brighter than any storm, and the tears kept the snow from stinging her eyes. Charm looked on in worry, the poor mare, she did nothing to cause this fate, and yet she wanted to help so much. So much, yet it was fate. And fate cannot be changed. Mercy on her. Chapter 1- For Better or Worse?Dim Dawn woke in a happy mood, today she'd get to go to her first day of the School for Talented Unicorns. This meant more then just school though, it meant a chance to show her magical talent and learn to hone those talents. If only she knew what the day held. After getting out of bed Dawn walked down a set of stairs and into a large room where a low table sat with a few pillows that lay around it. She went into a room off to the side of it, with a large tub and vanity. She turned the water on and bathed, and soon dried and brushed her teeth. As soon as that was done, she skipped back into the large room and sat on a pillow by her dad. "Sleep well, little Dawn?" He asked taking a bowl of yogurt from the table. Dawn looked up and responded quickly," Uh huh! I'm so excited for school! I'm gonna make so many friends!" She beamed at her dad, and grabbed an apple from the table, as well as a bowl of daisy petals. "Good! You're always as bright as the dawn! Now, did you pack your bag last night?" He looked at her expectantly. "Yep! I can't wait! Tell mom good luck for me!" She jumped from her seat after finishing her apple and ran to her room. Then after a good minute, ran down with a magenta and blue saddle bag, a darker pallet of color's than her own,"I'm off!" She saluted in a funny yet cute manner, then ran out the door. Her father called after her, for she was in such a hurry she had forgotten to brush her mane, leaving it a curly mess. When she got to the school she was hyped, so hyped she barely noticed that as she walked the halls all eyes were on her. She got to a locker which had the initials D.D. on the front in blue and magenta color shades. She opened it and put several books in it, only keeping the ones she needed. She turned around soon after and noticed the other foals looking at her with smug looks, or giggling quietly. Of course she didn't understand why, so she just walked through the mob of ponies into the bathroom to check what was up. She looked the mirror and blushed, her mane and tail were a mess. She went to pull a brush from her bag and found it missing, she silently tiptoed through the hall, even though every student was laughing at her attempt to stay unnoticed, and opened her locker, grabbed her brush and scrambled to the bathroom. She silently worked on her mane, making sure every single curl was brushed to perfection, then slipped out of the bathroom to find that the hall was empty, except for a very disgruntled principle. He walked up to her and took her hoof in his ruffly, and brought her to class. She creeped into the classroom head low, very sure of being scolded for being late. And of course she was. "Dimmed Dawn. Why are you late?" The teacher asked harshly, glaring at her while the other foals snickered. "Err.. I forgot to brush my mane this morning so I went to brush it out.. And I guess I didn't hear the bell..." She mumbled, still looking down. "Alright. Go to your seat. Make sure your not late again," she growled pointing to a chair way in the back. This wasn't going to plan for Dawn at all. They started class, learning about Dark magic. Everypony took notes, and listened intently, but a few fillies were giggling in one corner staring at a colt in front of Dawn. She continued to take noted despite, then heard a sharp *Piiissst* and she looked back to the giggling fillies. They nodded and one of them with pink mane and white coat whispered to her,"You see that colt in front of you? Can you ask him if he's single?" She shrugged and went to tap his shoulder gently as to catch his attention. Before she could, the teacher looked back and caught a glimpse of Dawn trying to talk to the colt. "Dawn! Would you please tell me the reason that love is the only way to counteract dark magic?" She called to Dawn, surprising her, and making the two fillies giggle as well as a light snickering from the rest of the class. It was then she realized that she had just been tricked into getting in trouble. "I'm waiting." The teacher tapped a hoof of the desk impatiently. Dawn finally spoke up hoping to be punished less if she confessed she wasn't listening "I'm sorry... I don't know... I wasn't listening.." "Alright, you didn't lie, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to punish you, please come to the front." Dawn stood up and trotted over to the front, and the teacher directed her to sit in the center of the room. "Alright, Dawn, love counters Dark magic because Dark magic is made up hatred and fear. Now, I'm going to use a Dark magic spell on you, to fight back you need to think of love shared between anypony or anything in your life." The teacher explained, starting to generate power in her horn. Dawn sat and felt the dark aura making her cringe, and then began to think about her family and her love of studying magic. It all seemed to become clouded though as she thought for a moment about the morning and how it had all gone wrong. Before she blacked out however, she could see the teacher fall to the ground in agony, unable to control the spell. The foals in the room were shocked into silence as the teacher lost control of the spell. It began to pour down outside, and it hadn't been scheduled for rain. Dawn lost her footing and acted like she didn't know what had been happening. The air grew frigid and the rain turned to a whipping snowstorm. A dark mist began to flow from the flakes outside, a purple and green bubbling adding to it, slowly shackling it's self around Dawn's back legs and pulled her sobbing form towards the door. A burst of light flashed into the sky and the snow stopped, Celestia galloped in, her golden aura bursting forth and working to break the bond of the black smoke. A shock from the spell's power hit her making her gasp and seethe in pain. Her wings were black and slowly shrinking making her scream in agony, she still fought, and the black smoke disappeared, shattering like ice. Dawn felt herself hit the ground. She felt wet grass under her hoofs, and then she looked up, there was a stone. On that stone were engraved two names. Obsidian Crest, and Healing Magic. She looked up further and above her was an umbrella and a cold rainy sky. She looked back at the stone and began to cry, she didn't know what to do and was so obviously in a grave yard. She felt something pull at her legs and she cried harder calling for help. She cried because she though nopony could, or would help her, even her parents were gone. Gone forever. A dark form started to emerge from the smoke which had been holding its self to her legs, yet as soon as it formed it dissipated into a bright, blinding sensation. It all faded to black as she woke. She looked over to her side, there her mother sat in tears, worry stricken on her face. Dawn shifted and her mother looked up. The look on her mother's face was all that was needed to console her. She moved her back hooves in an attempt to move into a more comfortable position. She was struck with pain, her legs had been badly bruised and she wondered if the dream had been real. Yet she knew it wasn't as she looked back to her mother. "Mo...m... Wha... Wat... What happen..ned?" She mumbled trying to open her mouth to speak, feeling all to tired. "Dawn! Oh my sweet sweet Dawn!" Healing scattered to her daughters side, holding her tightly and sobbing. Dawn slowly raised a hoof around her mother's' neck hugging her tightly back. "May I come in?" A melodious voice echoed through the room, and white alicorn, much taller than Healing would ever be, tapped on the door frame, peaking inside. Healing jumped back from her embrace, and greeted her. "Of course! Dawn just woke up, your majesty." Dawn peaked over at the figure, noting the pony's bandaged sides. "Oh Dawn, it's good to see you again. And this time on much better circumstances," She spoke, a small painful note in her tone. She looked at Dawn and stepped over to her side, putting a golden horseshoe on her bedside,"you gave your mother and I quite a scare, tell me, what happened?" "Ummm... Well..." And so dawn recounted what had happened, from her morning to the time she had awoken in the hospital, not leaving out any detail. Celestia listened closely, her expression never changing, though Dawn could tell that she was unnerved by the recounting of her greatest fear, and how the strange smoke appeared to her. Her mother spoke up,"Well, Dawn should be getting some much needed rest, don't you agree princess?" Celestia nodded, and gave a quick smile. She trotted out and Healing followed behind swiftly. Dawn could hear the light chatter of their voices outside, but didn't care to listen very close, she had a great deal on her mind to begin with. Chapter 2Twilight woke to the cold shock of water on her face, while Spike hovered above her a glass in claw. She slipped from the large Crystal bed, and rubbed her eyes with a hoof. "Morning Spike... What *yawn* what's up?" Spike shrugged, replying,"I think there are more tourists at the door, or maybe another pony wanting a book?" Twilight gave a look of dread, and slowly trotted down the stairs leading to the mazes of rooms and then, at the end of it all, the two large crystal doors leading to the outside world. As she went to open it she straightened her tiara, and began the same speech she used almost everyday. "Hello and welcome to the Friendship castle, I am pri-" she stopped when she heard a familiar country twang. "Gosh Twi! Y'all been over run wit' tourists, er sumpin'? Ya' look all tuckered out!" Applejack twanged, putting a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Oh, Applejack! I'm so sorry! These past few days have been crazy!" Twilight apologized, taking her crown off and setting it on a table beside the door. Applejack trotted into the lobby area of the castle, taking care not to laugh at how sleepy her friend looked. "Anyway, how've y'all been' doing lately?" "Pretty well, I mean, as well as I can be on low sleep," she replied nodding her head lightly. "That's good Twi' besides the not sleepin' part, oh! Me and some of the other gals were-" Applejack stopped abruptly, seeing as Spike ran into the room, letter in claw, coughing up green flames. He flopped on the floor and Twilight levitated the letter from his claw and Spike onto a sofa nearby. She began the letter; "Dear Twilight, "My sincerest apologies for waking you early, if you hadn't already woken up. I have request of you, so make sure your sitting down. I may no longer be your mentor, but I can tell that your ready for an apprentice of your own. Every alicorn eventually has one, as you might not have known, StarSwirl the Bearded was actually Luna's apprentice, way back in the day. I trust that you'll consider this offer, as I have a line up of fillies and colts in Canterlot, all of which I find very talented. "Sincerely, Princess Celestia." Twilight gawked at the letter, though her eyes betrayed her delight. "... I'm going to have an apprentice!" She squealed, fluttering her wings and prancing around like a prideful peacock! Twilight suddenly stopped in mid air, while AJ's teeth were clamped around her tail. "Cal'm mfh down' sugar-cube mfh!" Twilight fluttered down and apologized, but still was hyped up at such a notion as being a mentor to another pony! "Don't be sorry Twi'! Ah' get yur excited, ah' would be too if it were me getten' one!" Applejack smiled and gave a chuckle. "Heh' thanks for understanding Applejack," Twilight mumbled rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. Applejack nodded," Well as ah' was gunna say, me and sum of the gals wanted ta' hang out this afternoon, Fluttershy can't come though- she's off with Discord again." "Sure! That sounds great, I bet that you girls could even help with making a test!" Twilight smiled clopping her hoofs together cheerfully. - Dawn woke. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, looking over to the hospital window tiredly. Her eyes widened as she glanced to the side of her bed where another bed sat, and a familiar white alicorn was nestled in. "Meep!" She shrieked jumping under the covers after noticing that that alicorn happened to be missing her wings. Completely. The alicorn opened a large purple eye slowly, and chuckled getting up from the bed and trotting over to the trembling lump in the covers. "It's alright little Dawn, it's just me, Celestia." Dawn crawled out from the covers, a look of relief on her features. But that came to pass as the missing wings came into question. "Oh, yes, the wings. Little Dawn, by now you probably know that even a great leader is not perfect, and cannot always protect her ponies the way she wishes she could. I lost my wings in the fight against the smoke that had over taken you, and I fear that it is a greater force behind it, for my sister has returned her state before she became an alicorn as well." She gave a sad smile,"But I do believe I have a just the thing to cheer you up!" Celestia briskly walked to the table at the end of the bed and pulled a small letter off of it, giving it to Dawn. "What is it?" Dawn asked trying to pry the small envelope open with her hooves, as she was told to not use magic till she was released. Celestia floated the letter from Dawn's hooves, and opened it to show Dawn. "This is an invitation to join in Princess Twilight's Test for finding an apprentice. I am willing to bet that you will do very well there," Celestia glanced out the window, a smile filling her face for a short second. "But... Umm... I don't think I'd do so well... I mean... I wasn't even able to control my emotions long enough to block that spell..." Dawn said sadly, coming close to tears. Celestia quickly summoned a tissue and dried the filly's tears."Dawn, did your mother ever tell you what an emotion caster can do?" Dawn shook her head with a confused look plastered to her face. "Well, and emotion caster is very strong in magic, and that ability amplifies the users magic depending on mood. Think of something good and happy, then test your magic little Dawn." Dawn pressed her ears back and tried to think of good times. A memory from along time ago came up and she genuinely smiled as she remembers a picnic she and her father shared when she was young. She focused her magic on flowers by her bed, trying to change the color. Suddenly, she felt a tug in her magic and she stopped it to see the pink flowers a bright shade of orange. "Very good, now, I just want you to remember this- everypony and everything is special, and everypony can become good, you just need to show them how to change... I'd best be off little pony, your mother will be here in just a bit to bring you home." She opened the door with her golden aurora, and stepped outside. - Dawn padded onto the large marble floors of the palace, her mother following closely behind. The room that the hall led into was huge. A group of fillies and colts were gathered in the center, either talking or playing with their respective magic. Dawn froze when two familiar faces became noticeable. The two pink and white fillies were there, gathering a collection of followers in the group. She realized she should have stayed in bed, because the minute she stepped into the group it was silent. "Alright Dawn, have fun, I'll see you this afternoon." Dawns mother stated trotting out of the room. Dawn gulped and waved quietly to her mom, before turning around to face the pink and white fillies. "Wow. How did you get in here in the first place? The princess probably pitied you or something. You couldn't even defend your self from that spell. Maybe they should have named you Dimwit!" The pink maned one said cackling. "Ya you show her Prim!" The other white and pink filly cheered, soon to be joined by the other foals in attendance. Dawn scowled and padded past them, sitting down and pulling out a book from her saddlebags. "Proper, maybe we should be more clear with our friend here!" Prim went over and smacked Dawn across the face."You're dumb and ugly and no one likes you. You won't ever have any friends! Your no better than a mud pony!" She shreaked. Dawn sniffled, rubbing a her cheek carefully. Dawn felt the same magic she had used on the flowers, but this time it felt more powerful, one filled with rage. Her horn lit up with magic, and as Prim went to hit her again, she was blasted away by a powerful field of magic. Dawn growled, brandishing her glowing horn in the filly's direction."Leave me ALONE!" Her horn flashed and the room was lit with an intense furry, but then she stopped. Dawn remembered what her mother told her all the time... Hate isn't the way to go, kindness and understanding goes much farther... Dawn cast a concealing spell, hiding the large bruise on her cheek, and began to read once more, as if nothing ever happened. A few minutes passed, and Twilight finally arrived, Pinkie pie in tow. Twilight levitated a stack of flash cards, beginning to speak."Welcome everypony, fillies and colts. You already know who I am, so let us begin!" Twilight lit her horn and a cascade of boxes fell into the room, and the foals all watched in dismay, what kind of challenge is this? Pinkie bounced up and began passing out the boxes while Twilight elaborated as to what it entailed,"Alright. So for this test, I want you to open the box only using magic, and keep what item is inside the box safe. Go!" As soon as she said these words, six of the twelve foals used a fire spell, where one would focus their magic into a ball of light, and destroyed the boxes, and nopony saw an item undamaged leave the boxes. Dawn was discouraged, but found herself thinking once more... What does an emotion caster do best? Dawn slowly rose the box to her height, examining the edges and finding any holes to sink her magic through. Finding a very small knot hole, she sent her magic through reaching to find the item, and it's dimensions. It turned out the item was a letter, a small one at that. Now she had the task of opening said box. Then it clicked. If Celestia could teleport a letter from Canterlot to Ponyville at a distance, maybe she could teleport a letter out of a box short distance! Focusing her magic, Dawn imagined the letter in front of her, the faded scroll-like letter, with rich black ink writing, tied up with red string. She scrunched up her nose, and closed her eyes, praying to Celestia that it would work. She opened one eye, and the letter sat in her magical embrace, the box clattering to the floor. Prim's eye twitched, and she proceeded to throw a tantrum, sputtering curses. Proper, Twilight and all the other foals watched in astonishment as the filly burst into flame, then subsided, running out of the room. Pinkie, meanwhile was trying not to laugh, but failing miserably. Not to say she was miserable. No, she was quite jovial. Twilight raised brow, then noticed Dawn's success. "What's your name little foal?" Dawn grinned and replied her name was Dimmed Dawn. Twilight's smile faulted for a second. The Princess was right. The prophecy was coming true. Twilight's smile quickly returned though, as Pinkie pulled a cannon from her mane, and the room was filled with party decor. Dawn squeaked in surprise, and she pulled Twilight in a hug. Twilight smiled, but she knew all to soon... This would change.
Prologue- Coming to terms with fateA pink mare with golden eyes and a yellow green mane trotted down the road, only stopping to fix stray hairs in her other wise perfectly styled and kept mane. This mare was a Canterlot noble named Healing Magic. She was a doctor who worked and studied in magical injuries, and injuries that could be healed with magic. She wore a satin shawl over her shoulders, which aided in fighting to keep the cold out, and keep the warmth in as she trudged through the snow. Passing through the streets she found only one place open which had the promise of fire, rest, and a posable warm beverage. The only problem was it was very unorthodox. The only place open was a little tent-like hut with stars, moons, and other shapes confirming her suspicions. She entered the fortune-teller's tent quietly, gently tapping on the first wooden object she saw with her hoof. A kindly looking mare trotted out wearing large hoop earrings with a single white star on her pale blue nose. Her mane was also a light baby blue with a single strand of violet striping down the side. She trotted over to healing and smiled beckoning her farther into the tent. Her bright purple eyes flashed to a stove where a kettle boiled, and screamed to be emptied of it's contents. Feeling more relaxed, Healing sat on a near-by cushion, where a table full of letters were littered about. She read over one in curiosity while she waited and noted that the letter seemed to describe how the sender's life was going down the drain ever since a pony named 'Twilight Sparkle' Defeated a Ursa Minor when all she could do was sit and gape at the other's power. She was interrupted from her thoughts when the mare spoke, once she had given tea to both Healing and herself and finally sat down."So, what were you doing out on a day like this? And if I'm not mistaken, you're a noble, so why not call a cabby?" She just nudged at her tea for a second almost seeming sorry for asking before she introduced herself,"Oh. I'm sorry I forgot to say, my name is Lucky Charm Lullamoon, and you are..?" "Healing Magic, Duchess of the Obsidian family. Ummm, you could just call me Healing if you want though..." She stated, her humble tone giving off an air of regality. A little draft breezed through the tent causing Healing and Charm to shiver slightly. Lucky Charm padded over to the window which had been ajar, then turned back once it had been closed,"So, I'm assuming you only came by to get warm? Not for a telling." "Oh, yes, I'm very sorry, your's was the only place I could find," she paused furrowing her brows and sighing,"Well, I'd hate to just drop in for tea and run... I think it would be nice to try a fortune teller.. Or, at least, not me, my foal." "Oh a foal? Well, normally I need the pony present, but I can try." She began her magic tapping into her talent. "No! You don't have to, I'm still pregnant, I mean that you could tell me his or her's fortune?" She corrected quickly before the mistake could be taken too far. "Ah, okay, I didn't know you were with foal, you look very good. Let me correct my magic, and then we'll see." She then changed the course of her magic so it would tell of the soon to be born foal. "Alright, here we go." She floated a crystal ball over which had a barely visible figure on it, yet the closer it got the better the image became. "She'll be very beautiful, graceful, and a bit stubborn. She also may have highly skilled magical capabilities and...!" She paused, a blissful smile full of surprise on her face, making Healing more and more curious until Charm filled her in. "Sweet Celestia! She's an emotion caster?! Obsidian is going to be so excited! Emotion casters seem to be so rare these days! The last time i heard of one was StarSwirl The Bearded!" Healing practically was bouncing in place on the pillow she had been sitting on. Though it seemed almost immediately after this Charm looked dismayed. "Well, though it's not common knowledge, So-" another image had appeared and it made her body quake in terroir. It was a prophecy. "Healing, sit down please, there is more..." Healing sat noticing the look on Charm's face,"Your very high in position, so I'm going to assume you've heard of the Prophecy of The Dimmed Dawning?" "No I have not, what does it have to do with my foal? Is she... involved?" Healing whispered, anxiety creeping into her voice. While all Charm could do is nod, and tell what the Prophecy foretold. "A foal will be born of magenta and blue, gifted with power only truly matched by one. The cold and hatred is reborn, more powerful then thought. The prosperity of the north will fail, and darkness's reign will prevail. The dimming dawn of the north will fall, to be taught to fear and grieve. In the end love will come through, Yet crimes which of darkness will be to blame, when darkness falls and then is saved by the dawn, only for the dawn to fall it's self." Charm recited her voice dull and well rehearsed. It had plagued her before and now she knew what it truly meant. Dimmed dawning meant the foal of blue and purple. The filly was to be the dimming dawn. "I... I need to go find Obsidian, thank you so much, I just... Need to go." Healing jumped from her seat, galloping out into the cold, mane whipping around in the storm raging outside, while the love between mother and child was burning brighter than any storm, and the tears kept the snow from stinging her eyes. Charm looked on in worry, the poor mare, she did nothing to cause this fate, and yet she wanted to help so much. So much, yet it was fate. And fate cannot be changed. Mercy on her.
Chapter 1- For Better or Worse?Dim Dawn woke in a happy mood, today she'd get to go to her first day of the School for Talented Unicorns. This meant more then just school though, it meant a chance to show her magical talent and learn to hone those talents. If only she knew what the day held. After getting out of bed Dawn walked down a set of stairs and into a large room where a low table sat with a few pillows that lay around it. She went into a room off to the side of it, with a large tub and vanity. She turned the water on and bathed, and soon dried and brushed her teeth. As soon as that was done, she skipped back into the large room and sat on a pillow by her dad. "Sleep well, little Dawn?" He asked taking a bowl of yogurt from the table. Dawn looked up and responded quickly," Uh huh! I'm so excited for school! I'm gonna make so many friends!" She beamed at her dad, and grabbed an apple from the table, as well as a bowl of daisy petals. "Good! You're always as bright as the dawn! Now, did you pack your bag last night?" He looked at her expectantly. "Yep! I can't wait! Tell mom good luck for me!" She jumped from her seat after finishing her apple and ran to her room. Then after a good minute, ran down with a magenta and blue saddle bag, a darker pallet of color's than her own,"I'm off!" She saluted in a funny yet cute manner, then ran out the door. Her father called after her, for she was in such a hurry she had forgotten to brush her mane, leaving it a curly mess. When she got to the school she was hyped, so hyped she barely noticed that as she walked the halls all eyes were on her. She got to a locker which had the initials D.D. on the front in blue and magenta color shades. She opened it and put several books in it, only keeping the ones she needed. She turned around soon after and noticed the other foals looking at her with smug looks, or giggling quietly. Of course she didn't understand why, so she just walked through the mob of ponies into the bathroom to check what was up. She looked the mirror and blushed, her mane and tail were a mess. She went to pull a brush from her bag and found it missing, she silently tiptoed through the hall, even though every student was laughing at her attempt to stay unnoticed, and opened her locker, grabbed her brush and scrambled to the bathroom. She silently worked on her mane, making sure every single curl was brushed to perfection, then slipped out of the bathroom to find that the hall was empty, except for a very disgruntled principle. He walked up to her and took her hoof in his ruffly, and brought her to class. She creeped into the classroom head low, very sure of being scolded for being late. And of course she was. "Dimmed Dawn. Why are you late?" The teacher asked harshly, glaring at her while the other foals snickered. "Err.. I forgot to brush my mane this morning so I went to brush it out.. And I guess I didn't hear the bell..." She mumbled, still looking down. "Alright. Go to your seat. Make sure your not late again," she growled pointing to a chair way in the back. This wasn't going to plan for Dawn at all. They started class, learning about Dark magic. Everypony took notes, and listened intently, but a few fillies were giggling in one corner staring at a colt in front of Dawn. She continued to take noted despite, then heard a sharp *Piiissst* and she looked back to the giggling fillies. They nodded and one of them with pink mane and white coat whispered to her,"You see that colt in front of you? Can you ask him if he's single?" She shrugged and went to tap his shoulder gently as to catch his attention. Before she could, the teacher looked back and caught a glimpse of Dawn trying to talk to the colt. "Dawn! Would you please tell me the reason that love is the only way to counteract dark magic?" She called to Dawn, surprising her, and making the two fillies giggle as well as a light snickering from the rest of the class. It was then she realized that she had just been tricked into getting in trouble. "I'm waiting." The teacher tapped a hoof of the desk impatiently. Dawn finally spoke up hoping to be punished less if she confessed she wasn't listening "I'm sorry... I don't know... I wasn't listening.." "Alright, you didn't lie, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to punish you, please come to the front." Dawn stood up and trotted over to the front, and the teacher directed her to sit in the center of the room. "Alright, Dawn, love counters Dark magic because Dark magic is made up hatred and fear. Now, I'm going to use a Dark magic spell on you, to fight back you need to think of love shared between anypony or anything in your life." The teacher explained, starting to generate power in her horn. Dawn sat and felt the dark aura making her cringe, and then began to think about her family and her love of studying magic. It all seemed to become clouded though as she thought for a moment about the morning and how it had all gone wrong. Before she blacked out however, she could see the teacher fall to the ground in agony, unable to control the spell. The foals in the room were shocked into silence as the teacher lost control of the spell. It began to pour down outside, and it hadn't been scheduled for rain. Dawn lost her footing and acted like she didn't know what had been happening. The air grew frigid and the rain turned to a whipping snowstorm. A dark mist began to flow from the flakes outside, a purple and green bubbling adding to it, slowly shackling it's self around Dawn's back legs and pulled her sobbing form towards the door. A burst of light flashed into the sky and the snow stopped, Celestia galloped in, her golden aura bursting forth and working to break the bond of the black smoke. A shock from the spell's power hit her making her gasp and seethe in pain. Her wings were black and slowly shrinking making her scream in agony, she still fought, and the black smoke disappeared, shattering like ice. Dawn felt herself hit the ground. She felt wet grass under her hoofs, and then she looked up, there was a stone. On that stone were engraved two names. Obsidian Crest, and Healing Magic. She looked up further and above her was an umbrella and a cold rainy sky. She looked back at the stone and began to cry, she didn't know what to do and was so obviously in a grave yard. She felt something pull at her legs and she cried harder calling for help. She cried because she though nopony could, or would help her, even her parents were gone. Gone forever. A dark form started to emerge from the smoke which had been holding its self to her legs, yet as soon as it formed it dissipated into a bright, blinding sensation. It all faded to black as she woke. She looked over to her side, there her mother sat in tears, worry stricken on her face. Dawn shifted and her mother looked up. The look on her mother's face was all that was needed to console her. She moved her back hooves in an attempt to move into a more comfortable position. She was struck with pain, her legs had been badly bruised and she wondered if the dream had been real. Yet she knew it wasn't as she looked back to her mother. "Mo...m... Wha... Wat... What happen..ned?" She mumbled trying to open her mouth to speak, feeling all to tired. "Dawn! Oh my sweet sweet Dawn!" Healing scattered to her daughters side, holding her tightly and sobbing. Dawn slowly raised a hoof around her mother's' neck hugging her tightly back. "May I come in?" A melodious voice echoed through the room, and white alicorn, much taller than Healing would ever be, tapped on the door frame, peaking inside. Healing jumped back from her embrace, and greeted her. "Of course! Dawn just woke up, your majesty." Dawn peaked over at the figure, noting the pony's bandaged sides. "Oh Dawn, it's good to see you again. And this time on much better circumstances," She spoke, a small painful note in her tone. She looked at Dawn and stepped over to her side, putting a golden horseshoe on her bedside,"you gave your mother and I quite a scare, tell me, what happened?" "Ummm... Well..." And so dawn recounted what had happened, from her morning to the time she had awoken in the hospital, not leaving out any detail. Celestia listened closely, her expression never changing, though Dawn could tell that she was unnerved by the recounting of her greatest fear, and how the strange smoke appeared to her. Her mother spoke up,"Well, Dawn should be getting some much needed rest, don't you agree princess?" Celestia nodded, and gave a quick smile. She trotted out and Healing followed behind swiftly. Dawn could hear the light chatter of their voices outside, but didn't care to listen very close, she had a great deal on her mind to begin with.
Chapter 2Twilight woke to the cold shock of water on her face, while Spike hovered above her a glass in claw. She slipped from the large Crystal bed, and rubbed her eyes with a hoof. "Morning Spike... What *yawn* what's up?" Spike shrugged, replying,"I think there are more tourists at the door, or maybe another pony wanting a book?" Twilight gave a look of dread, and slowly trotted down the stairs leading to the mazes of rooms and then, at the end of it all, the two large crystal doors leading to the outside world. As she went to open it she straightened her tiara, and began the same speech she used almost everyday. "Hello and welcome to the Friendship castle, I am pri-" she stopped when she heard a familiar country twang. "Gosh Twi! Y'all been over run wit' tourists, er sumpin'? Ya' look all tuckered out!" Applejack twanged, putting a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Oh, Applejack! I'm so sorry! These past few days have been crazy!" Twilight apologized, taking her crown off and setting it on a table beside the door. Applejack trotted into the lobby area of the castle, taking care not to laugh at how sleepy her friend looked. "Anyway, how've y'all been' doing lately?" "Pretty well, I mean, as well as I can be on low sleep," she replied nodding her head lightly. "That's good Twi' besides the not sleepin' part, oh! Me and some of the other gals were-" Applejack stopped abruptly, seeing as Spike ran into the room, letter in claw, coughing up green flames. He flopped on the floor and Twilight levitated the letter from his claw and Spike onto a sofa nearby. She began the letter; "Dear Twilight, "My sincerest apologies for waking you early, if you hadn't already woken up. I have request of you, so make sure your sitting down. I may no longer be your mentor, but I can tell that your ready for an apprentice of your own. Every alicorn eventually has one, as you might not have known, StarSwirl the Bearded was actually Luna's apprentice, way back in the day. I trust that you'll consider this offer, as I have a line up of fillies and colts in Canterlot, all of which I find very talented. "Sincerely, Princess Celestia." Twilight gawked at the letter, though her eyes betrayed her delight. "... I'm going to have an apprentice!" She squealed, fluttering her wings and prancing around like a prideful peacock! Twilight suddenly stopped in mid air, while AJ's teeth were clamped around her tail. "Cal'm mfh down' sugar-cube mfh!" Twilight fluttered down and apologized, but still was hyped up at such a notion as being a mentor to another pony! "Don't be sorry Twi'! Ah' get yur excited, ah' would be too if it were me getten' one!" Applejack smiled and gave a chuckle. "Heh' thanks for understanding Applejack," Twilight mumbled rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. Applejack nodded," Well as ah' was gunna say, me and sum of the gals wanted ta' hang out this afternoon, Fluttershy can't come though- she's off with Discord again." "Sure! That sounds great, I bet that you girls could even help with making a test!" Twilight smiled clopping her hoofs together cheerfully. - Dawn woke. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, looking over to the hospital window tiredly. Her eyes widened as she glanced to the side of her bed where another bed sat, and a familiar white alicorn was nestled in. "Meep!" She shrieked jumping under the covers after noticing that that alicorn happened to be missing her wings. Completely. The alicorn opened a large purple eye slowly, and chuckled getting up from the bed and trotting over to the trembling lump in the covers. "It's alright little Dawn, it's just me, Celestia." Dawn crawled out from the covers, a look of relief on her features. But that came to pass as the missing wings came into question. "Oh, yes, the wings. Little Dawn, by now you probably know that even a great leader is not perfect, and cannot always protect her ponies the way she wishes she could. I lost my wings in the fight against the smoke that had over taken you, and I fear that it is a greater force behind it, for my sister has returned her state before she became an alicorn as well." She gave a sad smile,"But I do believe I have a just the thing to cheer you up!" Celestia briskly walked to the table at the end of the bed and pulled a small letter off of it, giving it to Dawn. "What is it?" Dawn asked trying to pry the small envelope open with her hooves, as she was told to not use magic till she was released. Celestia floated the letter from Dawn's hooves, and opened it to show Dawn. "This is an invitation to join in Princess Twilight's Test for finding an apprentice. I am willing to bet that you will do very well there," Celestia glanced out the window, a smile filling her face for a short second. "But... Umm... I don't think I'd do so well... I mean... I wasn't even able to control my emotions long enough to block that spell..." Dawn said sadly, coming close to tears. Celestia quickly summoned a tissue and dried the filly's tears."Dawn, did your mother ever tell you what an emotion caster can do?" Dawn shook her head with a confused look plastered to her face. "Well, and emotion caster is very strong in magic, and that ability amplifies the users magic depending on mood. Think of something good and happy, then test your magic little Dawn." Dawn pressed her ears back and tried to think of good times. A memory from along time ago came up and she genuinely smiled as she remembers a picnic she and her father shared when she was young. She focused her magic on flowers by her bed, trying to change the color. Suddenly, she felt a tug in her magic and she stopped it to see the pink flowers a bright shade of orange. "Very good, now, I just want you to remember this- everypony and everything is special, and everypony can become good, you just need to show them how to change... I'd best be off little pony, your mother will be here in just a bit to bring you home." She opened the door with her golden aurora, and stepped outside. - Dawn padded onto the large marble floors of the palace, her mother following closely behind. The room that the hall led into was huge. A group of fillies and colts were gathered in the center, either talking or playing with their respective magic. Dawn froze when two familiar faces became noticeable. The two pink and white fillies were there, gathering a collection of followers in the group. She realized she should have stayed in bed, because the minute she stepped into the group it was silent. "Alright Dawn, have fun, I'll see you this afternoon." Dawns mother stated trotting out of the room. Dawn gulped and waved quietly to her mom, before turning around to face the pink and white fillies. "Wow. How did you get in here in the first place? The princess probably pitied you or something. You couldn't even defend your self from that spell. Maybe they should have named you Dimwit!" The pink maned one said cackling. "Ya you show her Prim!" The other white and pink filly cheered, soon to be joined by the other foals in attendance. Dawn scowled and padded past them, sitting down and pulling out a book from her saddlebags. "Proper, maybe we should be more clear with our friend here!" Prim went over and smacked Dawn across the face."You're dumb and ugly and no one likes you. You won't ever have any friends! Your no better than a mud pony!" She shreaked. Dawn sniffled, rubbing a her cheek carefully. Dawn felt the same magic she had used on the flowers, but this time it felt more powerful, one filled with rage. Her horn lit up with magic, and as Prim went to hit her again, she was blasted away by a powerful field of magic. Dawn growled, brandishing her glowing horn in the filly's direction."Leave me ALONE!" Her horn flashed and the room was lit with an intense furry, but then she stopped. Dawn remembered what her mother told her all the time... Hate isn't the way to go, kindness and understanding goes much farther... Dawn cast a concealing spell, hiding the large bruise on her cheek, and began to read once more, as if nothing ever happened. A few minutes passed, and Twilight finally arrived, Pinkie pie in tow. Twilight levitated a stack of flash cards, beginning to speak."Welcome everypony, fillies and colts. You already know who I am, so let us begin!" Twilight lit her horn and a cascade of boxes fell into the room, and the foals all watched in dismay, what kind of challenge is this? Pinkie bounced up and began passing out the boxes while Twilight elaborated as to what it entailed,"Alright. So for this test, I want you to open the box only using magic, and keep what item is inside the box safe. Go!" As soon as she said these words, six of the twelve foals used a fire spell, where one would focus their magic into a ball of light, and destroyed the boxes, and nopony saw an item undamaged leave the boxes. Dawn was discouraged, but found herself thinking once more... What does an emotion caster do best? Dawn slowly rose the box to her height, examining the edges and finding any holes to sink her magic through. Finding a very small knot hole, she sent her magic through reaching to find the item, and it's dimensions. It turned out the item was a letter, a small one at that. Now she had the task of opening said box. Then it clicked. If Celestia could teleport a letter from Canterlot to Ponyville at a distance, maybe she could teleport a letter out of a box short distance! Focusing her magic, Dawn imagined the letter in front of her, the faded scroll-like letter, with rich black ink writing, tied up with red string. She scrunched up her nose, and closed her eyes, praying to Celestia that it would work. She opened one eye, and the letter sat in her magical embrace, the box clattering to the floor. Prim's eye twitched, and she proceeded to throw a tantrum, sputtering curses. Proper, Twilight and all the other foals watched in astonishment as the filly burst into flame, then subsided, running out of the room. Pinkie, meanwhile was trying not to laugh, but failing miserably. Not to say she was miserable. No, she was quite jovial. Twilight raised brow, then noticed Dawn's success. "What's your name little foal?" Dawn grinned and replied her name was Dimmed Dawn. Twilight's smile faulted for a second. The Princess was right. The prophecy was coming true. Twilight's smile quickly returned though, as Pinkie pulled a cannon from her mane, and the room was filled with party decor. Dawn squeaked in surprise, and she pulled Twilight in a hug. Twilight smiled, but she knew all to soon... This would change.
