The Curse of the Lost Prince

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Party
Chapter 2: The Visit
Chapter 4: The mystery of Sweetheart´s disappearence part 2: The Festival
Chapter 5: The mystery of Sweetheart´s disappearence part 3: The Cottage
Chapter 6: The night
Chapter 7: The Deal
Chpater 8: Finding Astral
Chapter 9: The Goal
Chapter 10: Dark Castle
Chapter 11: The truth
Chapter 12: I forgive you...
Epilouge: A New Beginning
Prologue
Chapter 3: The mystery of Sweetheart´s disappearance part 1: The Mysterious Pony

Chapter 1: The Party

After the coronation, Princess Celestia has held a party in Canterlot. There were ponies from the upper class, the Royal and ponies from Ponyville. Twilight was a little unsure of the guests because she barely knows them, but luckily she knew someponies from Ponyville.
It was Celestia´s idea to invite them. But it´s not just a fancy party, which Rarity enjoy being in, but Pinkie was there to entertain the ponies with her party canon and balloons.

She was actually just going to her friends, until she encounters somepony, she knows. Fancy Pants as a white stallion with a blue mane, a noble tuxedo with his little glasses on his chestpocket and a cutie mark of three small gold crowns. Next to him is there a pink-white mare that was on Luna´s size. She is beautiful as a flower, rather a lily and seems very noble exactly as Fancy Pants.
Twilight smiled politely to them and greeted them and the two ponies bowed enjoyable at Twilight, "Congratulations Miss Sparkle, I knew you deserves something special to you..." praised Fancy Pants impressed by Twilights new transformation. Fleur de Lis nodded in agreement and say a few phrases that sound like an admiration.
Twilight thanked for their comment and almost lost the sight of her friends. They talked only a moment, but she was relieved that Fancy Pants and Fleur de Lis should continue to meet other guests. But Fancy Pants stopped and told Twilight that she would greet Rarity from him. Twilight nodded in response. Fancy Pants smiled kindly to her and wished her goodbye.
Twilight curtsied enjoyable and turns around quickly to find her friends, but she soon was distracted by other noble ponies that have a great pleasure to meet the new princess. Twilight greeted kindly at them, but couldn´t see where her friends were. She feels something pulling her from the crowd and the precious ponies quickly shows an uninteresting grimace and shows often cold glances or cold shoulder against Twilight.

"Thank you, you really saved my life!" Twilight thanked very relieved after being released from the crowd.

When she turns her head against her savior, she was very enraptured and amazed to see there is a red mare in front of her and holding her with one hoove.

"It was nothing. You were just about to drown in there... " said the sweet voice and smiled kindly to Twilight, but Twilight stared admiring at the young mare and couldn´t resist her sweet expression.

The young mare has an irresistible natural beauty that simply cannot take the eyes from. Her coat was red as blood and her mane was also red, but red as a rose and as silkier as rose petals. Her eyes were pink as a primrose.
She stared at Twilight with the most friendliest and gentlely gaze, she ever saw. Twilight wondered why the mare looks a bit younger than her or her friends. She´s probably the same age and height as Twilight, but looks more like a young filly than a mature mare. She was thinking of Rarity and Applejacks sisters, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom and even Scootaloo which´s probably going to look like the young mare when they reach their maturity.

"Are you okay? You looks like you´ve seen a ghost? " the young mare asks unsure, but Twilight was just completely blank for a while until she woke up from her craving and turned red on the face of embarrassment.

"...Thank you for saving me... Again..." muttered Twilight embarrassing, but the young mare just smiled and began to laugh a bit.

Twilight got back to her habitual bookworm personality and introduced herself;

"… My name is ...".

"...Twilght Sparkle… I know... " the young mare interrupted and smiled politely to Twilight, which was very tongue-tied than before.

The young mare looked at her expression, she apologized for interrupting, "It´s nothing..." Twilight just responds. "How... how do you know who I am?" Twilight asks quite astonished.
"You can say I've heard stories about you..." the mare replied and begins to tell about how she collected the Elements of Harmony to defeat Nightmare Moon and how their friendship overcame all the evil in Equestria etc.
Twilight was very amazed that she was SO famous. She knows that she did it to teach and protect the friendship she haven´t before, but the scattered stories about her heroism was something she did not expect. Maybe there is a reason why Princess Celestia made her an alicorn. And she just have to accept it no matter what?
"Is there... something wrong, Miss Sparkle ..." the mare asks worried. "No, it´s nothing ...thanks for asking..." replied Twilight awkwardly and the mare smile of encouragement.
They are very silent and can only hear the noise of different conversations. Twilight look around a bit after her friends, but look quickly at the red mare who just smiles at her. Twilight seems that she doesn´t look like all aristocrats here in Canterlot, but looks just like a regular pony. It was also mysterious to Twilight that she hasn´t seen her since she might live in Canterlot, but who knows?
"So... what interests you?" Twilight asks to break the silence and blushed a bit as it was embarrassing for her to ask. At first, the mare looked awkwardly on her, but smiled gently and starts with her interests of books such as astrology, history and all sorts of literature. Twilight just looks so impressed at her. It's exactly the same thing, she interests for!
Sometimes she can´t help but ask her about the books she reads and as the mare responded exactly the same books, she read as a filly and books she had never read before.
"Miss Sparkle… has you heard a legend about a stallion who sails to the seven seas to capture the greatest legendary creature of the ocean?" the young mare asks questionable. "No… I´ve never heard of it…" Twilight responds honest and the young mare sighed like she knew nopony has heard about the legend, so she told Twilight how the story is like and Twilight listens patiently, but couldn´t stop smiling by facination. They felt into a conversation and Twilight forgot all about her friends and feels a chemistry between her and the red mare.
Then she hears familiar voices behind her, which could only be her friends. Twilight turns around and was very happy to see them. She was very excited to introduce her friends to the red mare. "Girls, I want you to meet..." Twilight said exciting and turns to the red mare, but asks for the name, but the mare disappeared suddenly. Twilight has no clue where she went, but seems very disappointing that she can´t introduce a friend to others. Her friends´ looks bemused at her apart from Pinkie, "Who? I don´t t see anypony," said Pinkie and scout up on Twilight's head.
"Darling... Who is this mare, you´re having a conversation with?" Rarity asks which Twilight were relief that she was the only one who noticed the mare.

"I... I didn´t get her name ..." Twilight replied with a melancholy expression.

Her friends looked worried at her, but Applejack encouraged her, saying that they would get to see her again at some designated times. Twilight tried to smile, but the sadness in her eyes were still there. But she got better after knowing the pony, who has many interests as her and begins to tell her friends about her and they listened very patiently for the description.
"She sounds very friendly..." Fluttershy said which sounded a bit like a whisper. "Yes... she is..." Twilight says quietly, but her friends encourages her to hang out with them before they meet the other ponies, they know everything turns out to be okay.

The party lasted almost to midnight, but the guests are still there and half of the nobles and those from Ponyville have already gone home. But that doesn´t stop Twilight to have fun with her best friends. She had forgotten all about her problems and has no intention other than to have fun. Her friends were just about to get something to drink while Twilight´s waiting patiently for them.

"I hope you've had fun today, Twilight Sparkle..." a high and majestic voice said.

Twilight turns surprisely around and was very happy to see Luna, Princess of the Night. "Yes... I have really enjoyed myself..." Twilight answered joyful with a big smile.
Luna smiled back and said she was proud of Twilight; since it was a long time ago since there was somepony who got the same reward. Twilight looked strangely at Luna and asked her, if there was somepony before her. Luna was silent at the moment. Twilight could see on her face that there was sadness, but in her eyes there was... guilt.

"Are you ... okay, Princess Luna" Twilight asks worried.

Luna stares at Twilight which was now changed to her usual royal expression and replied amused that she is fine. They were silent for a moment until Luna got a sharp eye on her sister, who was talking to somepony. Luna told to Twilight that she would check who it is and will come right back.
Twilight nodded understandable and was left again, but luckily her friends came back but they were not alone. Discord was beside them and looked bored a little, but also have fun together early.
Twilight was not very happy to see the Lord of Chaos here, but since he is reformed and has a good friendship with Fluttershy, she and the other got used to have him around. Well... except Pinkie, who sometimes is not "Pinkie" when Discord is about. Everything was in perfect order before Celestia and Luna appears.

"Twilight, I would like to introduce you to someone, you may have met before," Celestia said with her gentle smile.

Twilight wonders who it could be? She has no idea about it, so she asks stupidly to the princess who this pony is. Celestia giggled and responded to her questions.

"Well, Twilight... I want you two meet a good old friend of mine…".

Celestia and Luna moves aside and the sight of a red pony shows out, "This is Sweetheart ... I'm sure you met her after the party started..." says Celestia very discreet.

Twilight was surprised and couldn´t believe her eyes. Is that the same pony, she met earlier? It had to be her; no one here is red and ordinary as her.

"It´s you…" was the only answer Twilight could say.

"I can see you are speechless to see me again. .." Sweetheart giggled.

Celestia and Luna giggled too, but her friends are too tongue-tied, so Twilight wasn't the only one. "Is that her... She looks so... so..." Rarity stammered and couldn´t find any word to describe.
"...Enchanting…" Fluttershy said the word Rarity was looking for while looking astonished at Sweetheart. They stared for a long time on the red mare who just smiled at Twilights astonished gaze.
"So this is how Twilight described her... No wonder you can't find the words to somepony like her..." Applejack said with a surprised look.
The others agreed except for Discord. " Uh... I can´t believe she´s still here... " Discord muttered annoyed. "You know her? " Fluttershy asks curious. Discord nodded as an answer. "You could say that we were... old acquaintances..." Discord just replied quietly and flicked with his paw as he teleported himself into a corner and isolate himself, which makes Fluttershy worried.

Twilight was still speechless, but was overwhelming happy to see her again. She finally knows what her name is, yet introduce her to others and they seemed to be happy for her. It was just unfortunate that the party ended quickly as possible, Celestia was very kind-hearted to let her friends stay overnight in Canterlot, so they went to bed as every maidens leads their guests (and princess') to their chambers.

***

Later that night...

The night was quiet and mysterious as Twilight thought it will be. She could hear Spike snore loudly and there was no other sounds than him.
Twilight stared up at the dark ceiling and still wondering about her fate, but also Lunas expression at the party. She thought if there was anypony else who also should have the title? How come she never heard about it in the history books?
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and she gets up and lists past Spike, "Who can it be in middle of the night?" thought Twilight slightly bemused. She opened the door and was surprised to see Sweetheart outside of her chamber.

"Sweetheart, why are you here? It's over midnight?!".

But Sweetheart just smiled as usual and prays Twilight to comewith her. Twilight did as she was told and followed her through the castle hall. It has been a long time since she´s been here and remembered her good times as a filly. She wonders where they're going, but she recognizes immediately that they were heading to Canterlot Library.
"Why are we here?" Twilight asks oddly. She told to her, that she reads all the books, she knows. But Sweetheart just smiles and walks over to a statue of a pony soldier.

"Not all the books..." she says simply and pulls the spear and the bookshelf opend and the steps appears.

Twilight was so impressed by the secret door and asked her immediately where it´s leading to. Sweetheart explained immediately that it is an ancient place, where no ponies knows besides herself.
The stairs to the secret room looks long and feels like an eternity. Twilight gets shiver of dread and a bit excitement. She was looking around the walls and torches, which was tingling around them.
When they finally reached the door to the secret room, she was even more amazed to see a huge room with giant shelves filled with books. It looked very dusty, but Twilight was fascinated by the books that contains much more stories and legends about heroes and legendary creatures (beside the other creatures, that already existed in Equestria).

Sweetheart draws a thin book with her hoove, "Do you remember the book I told you about?" Sweetheart said to Twilight and shows it to her. Twilight takes it with her magic of the horn and looks at the book´s title:

"The Legend of the fearless Stallion and the biggest catch of the Kraken"

"I... I didn´t know it really existed? I thought it was only a myth, a story told by storytellers?!" Twilight says astonished.

But Sweetheart shakes her head and said that all the books in this room are stories which remained forgotten. No matter how many ponies in this story, that has existed centuries ago, they would all be forgotten and their stories will be nothing but a legend.

"Wow... I never realizes that myths I've read was real... " Twilight said quite astonished again.

Just imagening the urban legends that all ponies have heard about. Ponies or creatures that were real stories?! She asked Sweetheart if there was several books she has not read yet. Sweetheart smiled joyously and shows her around in the secret library and they reads legends and myths all night. They have so much fun, that they completely forgots about the time...

Author's Note

Finally finishs and fixes the grammar. So next chapter coming soon. ;-)

Chapter 2: The Visit

It has been several moons since she and Sweetheart spent time together in the secret library. They have actually spent more time sitting in the library and read different books that was unfamiliar to Equastria's history. Twilight feels she has found a friend who has the same interests and curiousity as hers, and it feels so wonderful that her heart beats joyfully as never before.
It´s like she has found a twin, she never knew. A sister she never had. But it feels like she found a soulmate who just have to wait to be found for all eternity. But she misses her friends in Ponyville, who had already gone home. She feels guilty for not spenting time with them. So she´s returing home to see them again, but she already misses Sweetheart and their secret hiding place. But they writes letters very often. In that way they have a good contact with each other.
But one faithful day, Sweetheart sent a letter where it says that she´ll come to Ponyville and visits her this morning. It made Twilight so happy, she even asked Pinkie Pie to arrange a welcome party in Sugarcube´s Corner and already left onher way to the station to pick Sweetheart from the train. But the train was delayed, so Twilight just have to wait in few minutes.

"Where is the train?!" Twilight thought impatiently and stamping hooves, but suddenly the train appears and Twilight was relieved to see it.

When the train stopped, the doors opened and some ponies got out of the train as Twilight had to move aside to see Sweetheart. But Sweetheart was not to be seen when the last pony got out of the train before the train porter blew the whistle and the train started to drove further to the next station. Twilight seems worried if she even got the train. She was about to leave with sad tears in her eyes.
"Sorry for letting you wait..." she heard a quiet voice that was familiar to her. Twilight turned around and saw a red pony which could only be Sweetheart. Twilight tried to keep the tears, but the tears bursted out of happiness to see her again, while Sweetheart calmed her down with a small gentle smile.

Her greatest friend...

Her soulsister...

Sweetheart was also happy to see her, but Twilight was too excited to show her around in Ponyville. But first she will like to show her home, Golden Oak Library first, but Pinkie showed up and surprised them with a welcome party canon and a welcome dance for Sweetheart.

"Pinkie! You´re supposed to surprise her in Sugarcube Corner!" Twilight said surprised, but also disappointed.

"I know, but it would be more fun if your friend´s already surprised, right?" Pinkie said affectionate and gives her a big smile.

Twilight seems quite annoyed by the surprise, she destroyed and apologizes Sweetheart for it. But Sweetheart doesn´t seem to mind it all and were actually surprised by such a welcome. Twilight seemed to be confused at first, but was relieved. She showed Sweetheart the library and her job as a librarian, but still, she is Celestia's student here in Ponyville. Sweetheart seemed to be very interested in her work and her experiences in the library, which made Twilight proud to herself. She also showed her around the town and introduced the Major Mare and other ponies, she knows. Also the places she loves to go, like Carousel Boutique or Sweet Acre Apple Farm. It has been a fantastic day for her and Sweetheart. They have stashed away much as they forgot all about time.
"What do you say, we take a snack in my most favorite place?" Twilight asks quite excited and pointing at Sugarcube Corner with delicious cakes, you can get.
"Yes, it would do. I am a bit hungry of all the interesitng things, you showed me..." Sweetheart responds appreciative and their stomachs begins to rumble so loudly that it sounds like a cry of hunger. They look embarrassing to each other, but giggled and goes to the Sugarcube Corner, where they ordered two cupcakes (Pinkie already took the decorations away before they got here). Although it´s getting dark, Twilight and Sweetheart still sits on the table and having fun as two best friends, they always has been.

Later that afternoon...

"It´s so wonderful to be with you again! You have no ideas how much I´ve missed the times we have together" Twilight said quite happy of the perfect evening.

"Thank you, Miss Twilight... I am also pleased to be with you too," replied Sweetheart grateful and gives her a hug.

Even Twilight wasn´t completely satisfied with Sweetheart calling her 'Miss', but later after their spending time, she was used to it. They are on their way back to Golden Oak Library to rest from the pleasent day and Sweetheart was allowed to stay here until morning. But they aren´t completly tired, so they tried to entertain themselves with a slumber party, just like her first one with Applejack and Rarity.
They only played Truth or Dare, where they choose most Dare and challenges each other in strange challenges, which made it much more enjoyable and funny than ever. But a few hours of Dare, they quickly got tired and chooses instead truth where Twilight shares her secret truths that she has not told her friends about (only guilty pleasures).

"Do not worry, princess... my lips is sealed!" Sweetheart said with loyal tone with one hoove in the air and another hoove on the chest.

Twilight smiles of joy and feels happy inside, to have a friend like her. Now it's Twilight's turn to ask Sweetheart a question and Sweetheart is ready to answer. She sits and thinks a minute and then something pops up which she thinks it sounds silly, but she has often thought of it from last month, but she decided to ask her anyway.
"Okay... It sounds a bit strange, but..." Twilight said a little bit nervous, but Sweetheart says encouraging to her that whatever she asks, it's not a stupid questions. Twilight feels relieved, but seems quite unsure to ask her, but something has to be told, so she asks Sweetheart;

"Do... Do you have a friend, you really cared about?"

They sat in silence with staring eyes. Twilight felt quite awkward by Sweetheart staring at her with a creepy blank gaze, but she knew it was a pretty stupid question to ask her.
"F-forget what I said! I don´t know why I said that! It just came out of my mouth!" she hastened to say and took a sip of her daisy tea, trying to avoid her gaze, but couldn´t help looking at Sweetheart, still staring strangely at her. She quit drinking and looking directly at Sweetheart.

"S-sorry..." muttered Twilight shameful.

"For what?" Sweetheart asked confused, which seemed for Twilight a bit odd, but looking down and still sipping her tea.

Sweetheart giggled and guessed that she may seen like she's alone without friends. Twilight blushed embarrassing, but answers a weak, but honest yes. She came to think of her old life in Canterlot where she spends more time studying on her studies than to hang out with her friends. "It wasn´t because I want to be offensive... I... I was just curious to know you better..." Twilight murmured embarrassed.
But Sweetheart smiled and said there is nothing wrong to ask like this. Twilight feels very relieved, but felt guilty of asking such a question. Sweetheart giggled at her reaction, but it means everything is okay now.

"Oh well... Rules are rules..." said Sweetheart reluctant.

Sweetheart´s trying to sit comfortable on her pretty pillow, but found the right spot to sit in. Twilight sitting out carefully and listen attentively to her response. Sweetheart coughing a little as she was about to tell a horror story, but she is ready to share her secret.
"...I do have a friend... that means a lot to me..." Sweetheart said with a sad tone and begins to talk about her mysterious friend who has a interest in astrology and is a master of magic. Twilight´s listening very attentively and show much interest in knowing more about Sweethearts friend. She asked her where he lives, but Sweetheart seems quite insecure and withdrawn, and did just say that she visits him only once a month or a year.
"Don´t you miss him? Can´t you introduce him to me some day?" Twilight says a bit eager to know more, but Sweetheart remains silent, and so does Twilight too. But she could not help but asks her one last time; "Can´t you at least tell me what he looks like?". "I... I can´t say more of it..." Sweetheart just says with a bit hesitation. Twilight seems quite disappointed, but understands if she would not talk about it.
They sit in silence and do not say a word to each other. Twilight is sipping her tea, but still couldn´t help but stare at Sweetheart, who looks down. Twilight still don´t understand why she would not talk about her friend, if there is a reason for it. But she was so desperate and curious to know more about her friend, who almost has the same interests as hers. She suddenly looks at Sweetheart who´s looking up and give Twilight a sweet smile and she did the same. They looked awkwardly at each other, but giggled as it was all something silly. Sweetheart has always been a good friend to her, but she doubts on her trust. But there is certainly something she´s hiding in her head.

"Sweetheart... I have something that I wanted to share with you... A secret..." Twilight says nervously.

Now that Sweetheart has told her secret, she may as well tell hers. "What is this secret?" Sweetheart asks wondering in a loving and innocent way.
Twilight would in fact tell her about her prince from her fairytale, that she has not told her friends about. At first it was just a guilty, but a childish pleasure, which was a secret of course, but later she feels that she just hides it without her friends' suspect, which makes Twilight feel guilty and uncomfortable to hide. But she was a bit afraid of how her friends would react and just say that it´s just a filly dream.
But when she met Sweetheart, she feels like she can trust her and have the courage to tell it without feeling embarrassed. "It probably sounds weird, but..." Twilight says shyly. She takes a big breath and was breathing out. She looks at Sweetheart and have the strong feeling that she can manage to say:

"I... I always dreamt..."

"Look! A shooting star!" Sweetheart interrupted a bit high-pitch, before Twilight could say what she was trying to say.

Twilight looks completely confused as Sweetheart just got up from the pillow and ran past her. She follows Sweetheart having sate her head on the window and her tail swinging anxiously from side to side. Although she almost told Sweetheart her secret, she was actually relieved that she was distracted by a shooting star. Maybe she was just not ready to tell her yet. Even from her friends...
Twilight rises up from the pillow and walks towards Sweetheart, who looked quite admired. Twilight follows Sweetheart´s direction and was astonished by the most amazing shooting star, she has ever seen. She has never seen one with many colors as it was a rainbow that shoots through the galaxy. In fact, she has never seen one in the books.

"Isn´t it just wonderful? Just sit and look up at the stars..." Sweetheart muttered dreaming , but it caught Twilight's attention.

"Yes... It does..." she answered simply and could hardly take her eyes from the shooting star.

There was something magical about it. Something that combines Twilight's cutiemark like it has a connection between her and the star. She doesn´t know why, but for her, it felt great. She heard her name and looks at Sweetheart, who look happier than before.

"You know... when you´re looking at a star, you have to desire something without saying it... like a wish...".

Twilight nods in response, but Sweetheart told her that she already has wished, Twilight must also wish too. She stares a bit longer on Sweetheart's expectant gaze and stares right at the shooting star a moment. She slowly closes her eyes and takes a quiet air and breathes quietly out while she concentrates in a calm way. It did not take so long before she smiles something she fervently desired;

"I wish.."

Chapter 4: The mystery of Sweetheart´s disappearence part 2: The Festival

The Midsummer Festival has been absolutely wonderful... No, not just wonderful. But very phenomenal. Twilight has never imagined, that the midsummer festival can be so interesting to celebrate. Although she didn't read any books about it (even it didn't mention any of it), but luckily she has friends who knows about it and tells her everything she needs to know.
But the festival would never have been phenomenal without Sweetheart. She was so happy that she's still here in Ponyville and the best thing about it is, that they can finally be together. Not only for assistance, but as real friends.

"Shall we bet which of us can pick many apples as possible?" Sweetheart suggested with a competed smile.

She pointed at few barrel filled with water and apples floating like small round boats on the water. Twilight accepted the challenge and went to Big Mac, who was in charge of the stall. Twilight and Sweetheart gave him each of their coin and he responded as usual with a 'Eeyup' and showed them two available barrels. Sweetheart and Twilight was ready with their head almost touching the water and Granny Smith got ready to count down, while sitting on her rocking chain and sounds a bit sleepy;

"Ready... Steady... Go!"

Twilight and Sweetheart dived their heads quickly and collects as much apples as possible. Although they almost drown in the water and their teeth can not manage to gather more apples, they just laughed and had even more fun than ever. Twilight and Sweetheart was very exhausted after trying many midsummer activities. They found a table where they can sit and relax, but they still have a good time in the evening.
"Ah... My stomach is completely full..." Sweetheart said exhausting after eating too much delights, which consists mostly of apples (their stomachs were bloated by Applejacks delicious apple desserts and can hardly eat more).
"Yes... Good thing, our stomachs didn't explode like that incantation, I experimented last week to make the oranges grow!" Twilight said also exhausted but couldn't hold her laughter by the thought of the failed experiment. But they ended up laughing all the time, while the other ponies who goes past them, stares strangely to them.
They giggled after some minutes later until Fluttrshy calls Twilight with a quiet, but a serious tone. "Excuse me..." Twilight said in hurry, but Sweetheart smiled understanding and shushed her to Fluttershy. Twilight smiled quickly to her before she runs across Fluttershy who desperately couldn't find some animals, who just disappeared. Twilight promises Fluttershy to find them quickly as possible, causing Flutterhy to smile a bit shyly (not that shy, but she just smiles like that). Twilight begins immediately to find the animals, like Fluttershy told her, had ran into the woods.

After the search of the animals, she has already found a few squirrels, four rabbits, one deer and two goats as Fluttershy told. It wasn't difficult to get them back (the deer was a challange to capture or tame it, for that matter), but Fluttershy was so happy to see her animals and thanked Twilight to have found them. She was a bit affected by Fluttershy's positive comment, but she was most exciting by getting back to Sweetheart, as she promised. She hurries back to the table where Sweetheart sits, but she was suddenly gone.
"She sneaks out again?!" Twilight thought suspicious and searched all the stalls, they have been through. She are still looking after Sweetheart in a panic mode, but luckily she found her, having a conversation with a light brown pony with a white mane and its cutie mark for four emeralds. She calls at Sweetheart and she turns frightened against Twilight, which almost looked worried.

"You can't just go anywhere like this! Have you any idea how worried I was?!" Twilight said with a severe expression.

Sweetheart apologizes for having left her, but she explained that she was bored and went for a little walk before she could get back to their table, but fell in a conversation with a young stallion named Rare Find.
They introduces politely to each other (although Twilight sees him often here in Ponyville, but have never spoken to him), and he tells what he and Sweetheart talked about how much they loves helping other ponies when they need help. Twilight nodded interested, but thought that she has never seen him help while her and others arranges the midsummer festival. Then again... She did see him helping to hoist the midsummer pole up and decorates the town, so he was right about, what he was saying.
Twilight thinks it was nice to meet him, but right now, she needs to have some quality time with her best #1 BFF. They left Rare Find and went back to their table. She asked Sweetheart whether they should try more activities orjust to hang out with her friends, but Sweetheart shook her head and said that she was a bit thirsty. Twilight can also tell that she's also thirsty and volunteers herself to buy some drinks from Pinkie's small milkshake stall.
Pinkie's stall was not hard to find. As usual Pinkie always puts balloons and confetti, so it´ll look like a birthday celebration. But it looked more like a cake wagon than a milkshake. But instead of Pinkie, Mrs. Cake was in charged and shares some milkshakes out.
Twilight ordered two vanilla milkshakes where Mrs. Cake placed them immediately. Twilight was confused, but Mrs. Cake told her that Pinkie has already made them before she was supposed to help Rainbow Dash and Cloudchaser, and Flitter to hang more candy up to the children's candy tree (a new invention, Pinkie Pie has suggested). She gave Mrs. Cake two golden coins and went back to her table with the milkshakes. But when she was at the table, Sweetheart was already gone.

"Where is she now?" Twilight thought slightly annoyed.

She leaves the milkshakes to find Sweetheart again. She asked every pony, if they've seen her around here, but nopony has any idea where she could be. Including Spike, who claims that he saw Sweetheart talk to somepony a while ago, but don't know who. Even it didn't help much, but she was happy to have a baby dragon friend, who has a good eye than others.
So she tried to ask Fluttershy, but she hasn't seen her since she had to care for the animals. She tried Applejack, but she said she was too busy to sell more apple pies.
Then she tried Rarity, who was obsessed with her new dress. "Have you seen Sweetheart, Rarity?" Twilight asks loudly from the music noise, but Rarity was too approached by her beautiful dress. She was like enchanted by the golden tulips that are finely patterned on the dress. Twilight tried again, but even then, Rarity finally woke up from her trance.
"Have you seen Sweetheart anywhere? I can't find her..." Twilight asked again, but Rarity replied with the same answer as the others. Twilight sighs annoyed, but she NEED find out what Sweetheart is doing. She quickly said farewell to Rarity and rushed away to her quest.
But then she heard a small ego, but she's too busy to focus, but then she heard a sudden call. She turns back and sees Rarity running after her with the dress, floating elegantly in the air. She looked quite winded out with so much attention from the dress, but she said shortly that she actually saw Sweetheart a few minutes ago.
Twilight felt hopeful for the good news. She asked when she last saw her and Rarity responded out of breath that she saw Sweetheart talking with Muffins and Time Turner a moment ago, before she went in the crowd and vanished.
Twilight thanks Rarity and rushs immediately to find Ditzy or Time Turner. It wasn't too long before she found Muffins with her niece, Dinky. She asked her immediately where Sweetheart is. Muffins said that she asked after her muffins as she promised and was just about to tell where she last saw her, but Twilight had too busy without question mark and left Ditzy and Dinky with a confusing expression.
She galloped through the square, and luckily she discovered Sweetheart in the crowd. She followed Sweetheart in fast pace. It almost felt like an eternity when she sometimes loses her, but she knew where she was going. Twilight was already out of the city. She finally saw Sweetheart going into the darkness of Everfree Forest.

"This time you´ll never get away" Twilight thought with a suspicious and succesful glance and went courageously through Everfree Forest.

Author's Note

Finally done. But... It might take a while to finish the third part and was about to reveal Sweetheart's BIG secret. ;-)

Chapter 5: The mystery of Sweetheart´s disappearence part 3: The Cottage

Author's Note

Finally done with the fifth chapter. I'm goin to take a break for the long hard work, but I'll still work with the sixth chapter. I'm also working another project in a long time, but never finish it. So I'm taking my time to finish both. :-)

Chapter 5: The mystery of Sweetheart´s disappearence part 3: The Cottage

Twilight have never been in the Everfree Forest in a long time, but it hasn't changes. Althrough she's often in the woods a lot of times to visit Zecora for example, but it also provides a lot of memories from her first day in Ponyville.
How she and her friends have been through the danger in the forest and the creatures, they have befriended (especially Steven Magnet thanks to Rarity's generosity) and how they became the elements of harmony to defeat Nightmare Moon.

Twilight smiled slightly when she thinks about the memories, but she shook them off and tries to focus on following Sweetheart. She follows her to a path that leads to the ruinous castle (which belonged to the princess´s). Suddenly Sweetheart walks away from the ruinous castle and leads her to a different path. Twilight was confused at first, but followd her direction to find out why Sweetheart disappears all the time.
It didn't took long enough before Sweetheart disappeared inside a thicket of willow leaves. Twilight observed and saw two willow trees, which looked ancient. She closes her eyes nervously and put gently her head into the thicket. She took a moment to prepare for the worst, but nothing happened. She opened her eyes and looked amazed at something she has never seen before.
She took a step from the thicket and admires a great meadow. The meadow seems very beautiful and it consists of blue azalea and a long river of the clearest water. Even the stars in the sky looked quite beautiful. It's incredible that she´s never been here before or have never known there was a meadow here in Everfree Forest. She don´t think there´s nopony who´s been here before. She decided to explore a lbit and would inform Princess Celestia about this wonderful discovery. But she can´t, when her only goal was to follow Sweetheart, but... She just disappeared suddenly. Twilight had no idea where she was until she saw a cottage a bit far away. And Sweetheart, which was closed to the cottage.
She sneaks through some azalea flowers with a quick pace to the cottage. When she arrived, the door was opened and she quickly rushed to hide. She stands quietly behind the cottage and could hear Sweetheart´s voice (thankfully the moonlight was clear enough to shine the cottage an it´s shadow hides her shadow). She spoke with somepony inside the cottage, and afterwards it was closed when Sweetheart went back to the forest. Twilight was waiting for the right moment until Sweetheart finally disappeared into the thicket, so she can come out from her hiding place.
She tries to figure out how she gets into the cottage, but she was frightened by a shot from the cottage roof. She noticed immediately, that there´s a star-shaped object that was shot up to the sky. Strangely enough, it came from the cottage, but Twilight was too inquisitive to find out who or what is inside the cottage.
She was looking for some windows, she can climb in, but the only window is on the rooftop, where the stars were shot. She takes the risk to find a way to open the door. But there was nothing else to open the door with only grass and flowers everywhere. But she has no choice but to find another way to open the door. She uses her horn to unlock the door, but suddenly it opened by itself
Twilight looked at it with a confused face, but she gently opens the door and looking around, but everything was too dark. She takes a step into the cottage, but when she emerged, she was very surprised to find a room with larger space. (Even when she took a quick look outside a few times to make sure that she was not seeing things)

~~~

Inside the room, there was a large telescope, where you can certainly see the whole sky at. There is also a large compass in the center of the room with candles around the compass and almost the whole space. Up at the skylight, there's some kind of canon, where the stars were shot at. Twilight couldn't take her eyes off from the magnificent world she is in now.
And an excellent work that has been done. She sees a lot of barrels of flowers. Moon lilies (Twilight read it from a acient botany book in the secret library). There are some azalea-flowers in the barrels too, but it's mostly moon lilies, which has been used. Now that Twilight think about it, it looks like little stars. Maybe it was used to shot in the sky? Just like the shooting star and other star, she saw in couple days ago.
"As soon as I'm back to the festival, I'll report Princess Celestia about it... Maybe this work can be useful to Luna?" Twilight thoughts satified to herself at the thought of another reward. But then she heard the door being open, she hurries to hide in the shade. She tries to be quiet as a mouse, until she hears something stampen from a staircase. She takes a quick look behind some boxes. She looks a shadow of a tall horse.

"It looked a bit like that pony, I saw the other day?" Twilight wondered and watching it."

The tall pony opened the door with its magic and Twilight looked surprised to see Sweetheart. "Wasn´t she here a few minutes ago?" Twilight thought confused and suddenly noticed a basket of muffins. But it didn't take long for Sweetheart to give it to the mysterious pony, while Twilight thought it seems quite suspicious. (She thought Sweetheart already gave the muffins before Twilight came).
She hurried to hide before the door was closed. She took a peek and the mysterious pony siddende disappeared. She sneaked out from her hiding place and try to get out from the cottage and back to Ponyville. But suddenly it got dark in the room and the only light is none other than the moon. She tries to open the door but it was locked.

"I know you're here..." said a mysterious voice.

Twilight was frightened and looked around in a panic face to find the voice. "Who is it!" said Twilight terrifying. It was quiet for a moment, but then she heard a scornful laughter which was an ego in room, until the laughter stopped.

"Get out or I'll turn you into a toad!" said the voice loud and serious, and the whole room lit up with a purple aura.

Twilight knew immediately that it was serious about itand must find a solution immediately. "No, wait! I don't want any trouble". She asks the voice to spare her. The voice fell silent, while the aura still lights up sharply. Twilight closes her eyes with fear and could feel the heat from the aura, but then, the heat felt weaker, and when Twilight opened her eyes, the aura faded away. The voice has spared her, but it demands to know what she was doing here in his workshop. Twilight thinks that it's very odd to call it. But she told the voice that she just followed Sweetheart, to find out what she was up to. It was actually the plan, until she found this secret meadow and the cottage. And she was so fascinated by it that she had completely forgotten about Sweetheart.
The voice was silent for a moment, but he giggled as she said Sweetheart's name. He muttered something like how typical of her, leaving any trails when everything's supposed to be a secret. Twilight didn't really understand what it meant, but she said that if it let her go, she promises not to tell anypony about it. The voice seems quite skeptical and said, "I din't know, if I believe in you, since you're sniffing around, but I don't like strangers who lies in order to escape from the consequences!"
Twilight feels very frightened than ever. Has there ever been ponies who knows about the mysterious pony's secret? It could be since there's no pony who discovered the place, but what happened to those who didn´t keep the promise?
Twilight could hear in his voice that it's not very hospitable and doesn't seem to trust strangers. Twilight confesses that she had intended to report it to the princess, but also realizes that it would be wrong to report without a pony's permission. That's what she learned, when she's still learning.
She said to the voice, that she promises with much honesty to not tell anypony about this place or his work at night (although she often is bad to keep a secret like Spike's crush on Rarity, which everypony already knew). The voice was quiet and seems skeptical again.

"How do I know, you're not lying!?"

Twilight was not surprised to hear it's answer, but she must find a way to get the mysterious voice to trust her. "Because..." She hesitated for a moment, until she remembered something she longed for so long "... Because I have this dream for a long time..."
The voice was silent at her response. Twilight felt quite foolhardy to say something, but she has this feeling, that she need somepony to talk about her secret... Somepony who she can confide. She told the voice, that her dream was to meet the prince from her fairytale and have waited in a eternity for him, but got no luck and she almost lost faith to him. She also told that she wishs she could tell her friends or Sweetheart about it, but couldn't because they'll just say that the prince is nothing but a fairytale figure. But for Twilight, the prince meant more than a fantasy.

"He...". She hesitated for a moment, until she got the courage to put it bluntly, "... He was my guardian angel... He was my only friend, I can confide to..."

It quickly got quiet in the room with the moonlight as their only light. Twilight lowered her head as arelief, but of sorrow. She had finally told somepony about her secret, but it just feels more strange, but somehow, she feels that she's finally escaped from her isolation. She begins to babble about how ridiculous her secret isand laughed humiliating at herself.
"I don't think it's ridiculous..." the voice said calmly. Twilight stopped laughing and stared confused, but astonished against the voice's direction. The voice said that it was an amazing secret she has. And such a imagination, she has. Twilight smiled shyly and took it as a compliment. For the first time ever, there was somepony who liked her secret. And that made Twilight so happy inside.
The voice said to her that it trusts her and letting her go. Twilight was relieved and was ready to leave the cottage, but she stopped and didn't reached the door, which was lighten up for her. The voice asked her, if there's something wrong and Twilight turns around. She asked the voice, if she's going to make this place a secret, she want to see the pony, she was talking to. The voice hesitated and told her, that it's not possible, but Twilight insisted to know who she was talking to. Frankly, she don't know why and wouldn't care it at all, but she had to know if she have to make a new friend.
The voice sighed, but agreed as long as she keeps the place and its identity a secret. Twilight promised with Pinkie promise. It wasn't long before a shape of a head popped out. Twilight was a little bit excited to see who the pony is. A figure appeared out of darkness and standing proudly in front of her. Twilight glared at the figure with open mouth and surprising eyes like she's never imagined in her own eyes...

Chapter 6: The night

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 7: The Deal

Twilight don´t know what to do now. She´s completely confused and has a lot in mind. Ever since Astral disappeared, everything has been a big mess. Everypony is in panic and asks a lot of questions that she can´t answer. Celestia and Luna had already gone to hold a "meeting", and Discord was with them.
But the worst thing about it is that Sweetheart is gone. It was 3 days ago, since the black pegasus took Astral and she don´t know where she was. Or, perhaps, maybe where she may be, but she has already checked their hideaway, but no traces of her.
She decides to take a trip to Canterlot's Palace Hall to think carefully about the situation. She thinks a lot about Astral and the mysterious pony that appeared in her party. And the most important of all; What is Astral trying to hide?
As she walked, she discovered Sweetheart standing in the middle of the hall. She called her, but suddenly she stopped. She tried to catch her, but she was really quick to run.
But luckily, Rainbow Dash came by and grabbed Sweetheart. "I got her!" she shouted to Twilight. Suddenly her friends already appeared, who already found Sweetheart, but was really hard to catch her. She found a room, so they can speak privately. Rainbow Dash put Sweetheart on the floor and they were all in the circle.
Twilight tried to talk with Sweetheart quietly until Rainbow Dash pushes her aside and demands to know what she has done to Astral. Sweetheart got really frightened, and Applejack pulled her tail from Sweetheart.
"There is no use to scare her. We must talk with her with patience," said Applejack with hr serious country accent. She smiled at Sweetheart and then lets Twilight take control.
She looked at her with a worried face, but she wasn´t angry. "Sweetheart... Please, for Celestia´s sake. Please tell us what's going on?" Twilight asks directly, but Sweetheart was just sitting there and shivering. Twilight waited patiently for her and even asks her more. "I... I can´t..." she whimpered. She was scared, she know that, but Twilight had to know if she can help her and Astral.
But Sweetheart still wounldn´t talk and Twilight was just about to lose her patience, but keeps her coldness. Fluttershy offered to try, which Twilight gave her permission to. She spoke to her with a calm tone as if they were whispering and it took not long enough as Twilight thought.
Fluttershy tells her that she has talked to Sweetheart. Twilight was waiting for the answer, but unfortunately Fluttershy said the same reply from Sweetheart, which was a disappointment. Rainbow means that it was waste of time and suggests why they just can´t seaching Astral for themselves. But Rarity and Applejack shushed at her and lets Fluttershy finishs her sentence. "But she knows where he is," Fluttershy concludes, who gave Twilight some hope. But she cannot stand it and would really like to know where he is. Sweetheart got frightend by her reaction, and Twilight was sorry about that. But she really need to know why she can't tell where he is. Sweetheart hesitated, but mumbled that she wasn't allowed to speak.
"But why? What prevents you not telling us?!" Twilight begged desperately. Sweetheart stared at the floor for a moment, but looks up and stares straight at her. "I can't, because... because..."

"Because she doesn't have my permission to speak!"

Suddenly the mysterious mare appeared like a whirlwind and frightened them all. She landed carefully next to Sweetheart, who looked so scared. But she smiled harmly at her. "Where's Astral?" Twilight requires demandly at the pegasus. The pegasus raised an eyebrow as if she didn't know any Astral. "...Astral... Oh, the Astral. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but he only used that name, when he's outside of my castle."
Twilight has already figured it out and didn't care what he was called in real life. For her, he's still Astral. But she even asked questionly to the pegasus, why Sweetheart cannot speak without her permission. The pegasus gives her a smirk and went to Sweetheart with her long legs and elegant steps. She even asked her if she have something to show to her "new" friends. Twilight took a glimpse at Sweetheart, but she hesitated. The pegasus stretched her wing towards Sweetheart, taking her mane aside where it revealed a mark. "As you can see, she´s bounded to me. AND she can´t tell you where your little friend is."
They were in shock. Especially Twilight. Now she better understood why Sweetheart doesn´t talk so much about him. But that doesn´t prevent her from giving up so easily. "What have you done to him ?!" she asked immediately. The pegasus mimicked her voice in a pitch annoying way, yet was disgusted by Twilight´s need for answer and friendship.

"If you really want to know, where your precious friend is, he's already home where he belongs. And there's nothing you can do about it!" she said with an evil smirk.

Twilight thinks it's not fair. But the pegasus mocks them by telling them that they´ll never find him without Sweetheart's help.
Twilight looked at Sweetheart with a sad expression. The pegasus has a point. Sweetheart can´t help her, if she´s under in sort kind of a curse. She looked at her friends completely clueless. Until she got an idea and said something clever to the evil witch. "If we can´t have help, why don´t you just let us find him?".
Sweetheart and her friends seems shocking what she said. But the pegasus just laughed like everything, she says was a joke. She asked her how in the whole world she should do it. Then Applejack came in - which she already figured out what Twilight was trying to do. "Yeah, if you're so sure about it. Then you have nothing to be afraid of."
The pegasus looked convinced and impressed by Applejack´s speech. She thought about it and decided to make an exception. She then explained, they´ll get a riddle about which way they should go. Sweetheart can help them, but she mustn´t mention or show the way. She means that would be cheating.
"If you wins, I´ll let your little friend go." she agreed to them for playing fair and square. "...If not, he belongs to me and I´ll make sure that you´ll never EVER wanted to remember him!"
Twilight's heartbeat stopped. Forget about Astral. That could be the doom, if she don´t beat the witch´s game. But Twilight proves bravely and says it's a deal. "I´ll make sure we wins this game. And freed Astral from your tyranny!" she said with confident. But the evil with chuckled and stares at her with viciously eyes. "I wouldn´t be so sure about that..."

Meanwhile later...

Twilight packed her stuff to her new quest. She packed a few books to read, ususally she would pack a mountain of books, but this time she only packed a book with blank pages. She´ll use it to write the riddles on her journey. She´s now ready. Her friends was waiting for her at the ruin. She said goodbye to Spike, which he promised her to look over the library, when she´s gone. It made Twilight a bit happy, where she gave him a warm hug and went from Canterlot.
Then, she met Celestia at Canterlot´s exit. Her eyes and face were sad and stared directly at Twilight. "You knew about him..." Twilight mumbled quietly. Celestia nodded, but Twilight don´t want an explaination and already understood why she kept it secret.
But before she could go, Celestia grabs her with her wing and looked at her. "Please... save him." she whimpered in tears. Twilight watched her crying like never before(besides Luna´s return). She stared confidently at her mentor and responded that she will save him. Whatever it takes in her new adventure...

Chpater 8: Finding Astral

Ever since they left Canterlot, Twilight used to be prepared for everything. There were also certain times, where she´s not prepared for the unexpected. But right now she don´t know what's waiting for her. The same does her friends too. All excepted for Sweetheart.
She takes her book and took an glanse on the riddle of the dark mare. It was their first clue to find the place, they were supposed to find.

"I give you my first riddle
Use it very carefully and not to little
Listen to a lullaby so peacefully
But the place, you find is not pleasently"

Occasionally, Twilight tries to study a bit and figured out what the riddle means. She looks at Sweetheart with a focused and glossy expression. She would really like to ask her about it, but as Nightmare(the dark mare) said; Sweetheart can not give them help but was allowed to show the way just for a bit before they figured it out by themselves.
Sweetheart stopped and the others were about to bumping her. "Why did we stop?!" Dash asked annoyed. Sweetheart didn´t say anything and stared atnothing. There was three paths in front of them. "I don´t like this..." Fluttershy stuttered nervously, where Applejack comforted her.
Then they heard a lush melody. "Did you hear that?" Twilight asked them, which they can. Twilight looked at each path to hear where the melody comes from. But the melody sounds even higher when she looked at the left path. "This way." Twilight said with a sure confident and they followed the melody. They came to even more paths, but they followed the melody and finally they found only one path where the melody sounds even higher than ever.
They came to a very pleasent place where everything was like a dream to them. Pinkie whipped out all the sweet stuff and party confetties everywhere. Her party cannon was even there too, so she ran to it and fired non-stop.
Twilight and her other friends were exploring a bit in this weird little meadow, then they found their favorite habits, especially Rarity that was completely mouth-watering of all the shining jewels. Twilight seemed to be happy with all the books she could read and looked at her friends. She had completely forgotten everything about the riddle and actually found out that they needed a break after the long journey. She noticed Sweetheart standing alone and looked totally scared. "Why don´t you come and relax for at bit?" It's wonderful. " Twilight said encouraged, but Sweetheart just stood there and freaked out.

"Please... Don´t be fooled..." she heard her mumbling.

Twilight stared at her with a confused face. What does she mean? She just had to ask, but was interrupted by Rainbow Dash, who calls her. "But Sweetheart...". Twilight stuttered, but was interrupted again. "Oh, just let her be! It´s her own fault that she´s been hidden it all from us!" Rainbow Dashsaid pretty careless and called her up to play with the clouds.
Twilight looked worried at Sweetheart, but she says to Dash that she will come later and went back to reading.
Then she got a weird feeling that something wasn´t right. She looked at both sides and stared at the book. It seems normal, but then she felt some prick on her soft spot of the hoove. Twilight licked the blood, but immediately discovered that the book she´s been reading, has thorns. She threw it away and the book became a thorny ball.
She was shocked and rubbed her eyes. She wasn´t dreaming and looked around. She was really surprised that this lovely meadow and the fun activities her friends was doing was in fact a meadow fill with thorn bushes and a strange smell of fungus.
She realizes about the riddle and immediately knew what it meant. A melody with a peaceful sound, where it leads them to a place with their dreams and favorites. But everything was not as it seems and turns out to be a terrible and deadly place. And all happends because of these smelly fungus.
Sweetheart was right. They had been fooled by it´s illusion. She tried to snap them out, but they didn´t listen and they were about to be injured. She called Sweetheart and they tried to remove the thorns from poor Rarity covered in thorns, but one of them became alive and attacked them.
She uses her magic to make a barrier around her and Sweetheart. ANd now, she´s completely helpless and just looking at her friends being tortured by this madness.
But beyond them, a mysterious stranger stared at Sweetheart and Twilight helplessly. He watched them with a big crystal and a mirror as a window. It then glowed its horn to a dark aura and gently transported its magic through the mirror.
The aura floated like a light feather and melted into Twilight's horn. Twilight felt something strange, but hopefully and confident. She glowed her horn and could feel a weak aura that came from the thorns. That must be its weak spot! She then broke the barrier and blasted through the thorns and exploded.
Her friends were finally woken from their trance and looked confused. "What happened?" Rarity asked very confused. But Twilight hesitated. They were normal again, but Applejack called them over and pointed at a scroll, located on the thorn bush. Twilight thought it weren´t there before, but probably because of the illusion. She rolled it up and read it to the others:

"Now you solved the first puzzle, I'm giving you my next riddle ..."

"Wait, puzzle? What puzzle?! We haven´t solved any puzzle ?!" Rainbow Dash said angrily. Twilight and Sweetheart looked strangely to each other, but Twilight read quickly to the others:

"Your next trip will be long
But the path, you seek is not near
Keep your patience and be strong
And seek after a stoned giant in tears"

That does that mean? " Applejack asked questionable. But then something shone upon them. Tiny lights appeared and became some kind of a path and without hesitation, Sweetheart and Twilight followed the path. The others also followed. "Are you sure it's legal? I mean Nightmare said we shouldn´t get help." Fluttershy said worried.
Sweetheart gave her a serious look and replied that if she or they broke the rules, "she" would have appeared. Twilight looked at Sweetheart's scared look. She had the feeling that she hides something more than just Astral. But she and her friends chooses to follow the path and she hopes, they could save Astral on time...

Twilight had never ever been so exhausted in her life. She had travelled before, but never like this. They followed the spark almost the whole night night. Even though Nightmare said that they only have three days to find her castle, but it feels like an eternity. But then the little spark disappeared in the dark and they stood completely clueless in a unknown forest.
"Now what?!" Rainbow Dash complained in a grumpy tone. Twilight wasn´t entirely sure. And she can´t blame Sweetheart with that. They followed the spark whichs turns into a path until they figured it out what to do next. Twilight decided to camp here, because they really need to rest after a hard trip.
Applejack finds firewoods for fire. The others built a large tent with sticks and old leafs. They sat silent for a moment, but planned what to do tomorrow. And Rarity can´t stop whining about how terrible this trip was.
Finally, they all went to bed and fell deeply asleep. But Twilight couldn´t sleep. She noticed, Sweetheart was still on up, sitting on a rock and stared through the horizon. She would like to speak with her her, but decided sleep.

"What a waste! You're nothing but a useless coward! You can´t even fight with a spear! You're doing nothing but sitting in that dusty old library and reading books! Weakling! Coward! Weirdo!"

Twilight woke up with a set. She had the most strangest dream, but funny enough she couldn´t remember what she dreamt about. She saw her friends were already up. They got breakfast thanks to Applejack's bag filled with supplies and also Pinkie's (which Twilight wondered how many stuff, she can have in her bag).
They packed their stuff and proceeded to the last path, where the little spark had left. Twilight rereads the riddle again, but someone interupted her. "Hey Twilight! How's it going?!" said Pinkie, who poped up in front of her, so she got startled. "Pinkie" shouted Twilight. Pinkie giggled by her small prank, but even asked her how she´s been. Twilight hesitated, but even responded that everything didn´t go as she planned. She complained about that they might had been circling and Sweetheart would never talk to her. Pinkie listened carefully to her, but as always she says something that makes no sense. "Maybe you should look for something that wasn´t meant to be," Pinkie said, hoping away from Twilight. Twilight stood back with a confused expression, but smiled half.
They had wandered until it got dark, while finally Twilight saw something that could be their rescue. At the horizon there was a big clif that looks like a giant and seems to be crying. Perhaps this is what the riddle said. She called the others and the ran in a relieve to the rock. But when they reached the cliff, their hope was changed into disappointment. They saw the rock did not look like a giant, but only three rocks.
"Great! Another dead end, what should we do now?!" Rainbow Dash complained again. They stared lost on the rocks. Applejack suggested that they should camp and find a solution tomorrow.

It was already evening. Twilight's friends were sitting in front of the fire and telling horror stories. But Twilight would rather be alone to solve the riddle, but suddenly she felt stressed. She saw Sweetheart sitting on a tree trunk and looking up at the sky. She decided to sit next to her, silent, but admired the stars.
"It's... really great those stars..." Twilight said a bit awkward, but she heard Sweetheart mumble yes. "You know... Some stars have existed long before he came along. Twilight looked at Sweetheart, who's still looking up at the stars. She saw her smile and said that every star tells a story. Twilight knew about that, but hearing from Sweetheart sounds so interesting in her ears. Some of them had existed longer than the other stars and some of them were just only a few years old (probably because of Astral). Twilight listened fascinated to her. "It may not make sense to everypony, but if you look closely to the stars, you'll see something that cannot be seen from our eyes..." Sweetheart said in a calm and sweet tone.
Suddenly, something sparks within Twilight´s eyes. She took the riddle and read it through. Sweetheart looked at her with wondering eyes. But Twilight was too busy to read the riddle, that she knew immediately what went wrong. There was no stoned giant in the first place. It was all meaningless, and she knew the answer.
She called her friends over. She explained to them that she found out why they didn´t meant to find, what they were seaching. "Everything we've been through was not to find a stoned giant... but something that doesn´t make sense!" she proclaimed.
Her friends were confused, but Applejack even asked her what she meant about that. Twilight showed the scroll to them and pointed to the sentences, "We had marched a whole day, right? So what if the riddle actually meants that we should find another road. We just have to combine the last words to find an answer. Which means the nearby must the river!"
Her friends just looked confused at her while Twilight studied the river. The answer must be the river. She looked at the last sentences again.

"... Long... Near... Strong... Tear..." she muttered focused.

She thought of something far and looked at the river, then she thought of something that was strong, but there was no one or something strong besides the light breeze. There was nothing nearby and no rainy season. Then she saw a deer drinking from the river and a single drop drippled from it's mouth.
"I think I know where, we can find the next riddle!" she said loudly to the others and ran along the river. Sweetheart and the others followed her until they reachs a small cave. It was pretty wet inside, but she just approched the cave. Her friends followed with her.
When they were inside, they noticed three signs of a rain drop. But there were more of them. Twilight immediately knew that it must be a puzzle. She followed the instructions from the riddle and took some long steps. Her friends followed her and looked pretty careful. Suddenly a bored Pinkie accidently hopped over them, "Pinkie, no!" Twilight shouted, but too late, she already landed on a random symbol and the gorund shucked. Rainbow Dash flew hurried and grab Pinkie before stone made a large hole.
She sat her gently beside Twilight. She warned her to be careful and the booby traps. But Pinkie just shouted that it was fun, but realised, this is serious. She apologises to them for making such a fuss, but Twilight forgave her and told to be careful next time.
They continues to the symbol, which was the right one. She told Fluttershy and Applejack to stay put, just in case, which they understoods. Then the felt a strong breeze, they saw another symbol next to it. Rainbow knew what to and flew fast enough to quickly push the stone button. Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity and Sweetheart took some steps again, but felt something dripping above their head. That´s the third button and Pinkie jumped to stand over it. Twilight smiled and told Rarity to stay there in safety, which leaves her and Sweetheart.
Twilight immediately knew that the last source is something nearby, but where? She looked around again, but noticed something that was different from symbols. The sign has a strange shape, so Twilight went closer to the drawing raindrop. Her friends stayed there as she had asked them for safety. As she approached the symbol, she studied a little bit and noticed a small button hiding well on the symbol. She pressed it and it opened, where a round box appeared. Twilight called her friends over, cause she finally solved the puzzle. Her friends were relievd, but already astonished by the sight of the box.
"How did you know where it was?" Rarity asks absolutely amazed. "... I got some help..." she just said and looked at Pinkie and Sweetheart. She smiled at them and opened the box with a new scroll roll. "Read it up!" Pinkie said loudmouthed, but luckily Applejack closed her mouth and let Twilight read. She rolled it up read out loud for the others...

Author's Note

Chapter 8 done!!!!

Chapter 9: The Goal

"A young unicorn was sitting at the edge and looking up at the stars, until he was interruptus by someone calling after him."

Why did you ran of? We were looking all over you!

"The unicorn didn't answer to the light brown pegasus who seemed worried."

Come on, nopony got hurt. It was just an accident...

Accident? Didn't you see that I almost killed the princess'! Can't you see I can't control my magic!

"His horn glowed with a dark blue aura inside a iron hornshield, but the pegasus just smiled a little bit."

It's nothing Nighty. Just few magic training and some practices, you'll be a great knight.

...

What if I don't want to be a knight...

Huh?

I... I never wanted to be a knight... I only did it to make my uncle proud. Even my brother and father...

It's just nonsense, Nighty. You can't just sit in that dusty library and ready books. How are you gonna defend yourself?

I have magic...

"The pegasus laughed like it was a joke, but the unicorn wasn't pleased by that. The pegasus apologizes and said that all will be forgotten and being a knight is the most awesome job in Captain Hurricane's garde."

No Lightning! It's not, I hate it! I've never wanted to stay outside and guard a stupid wall while being bored to death!

"The pegasus just stared at him with confusion"

You have no idea how it feels to have this thing on my head! They might think that I have a magic condition, but I felt it more that that! Maybe I can't control it, but I can't hide myself just to please my family. They will never accept me, if I told them that I want to become a wizard like Starswirl. I'm just a black sheep to them!

Calm down Nighty. I´m sure they´ll understand, if you just tell them how you feels...

Easy for you to say! Your parents are proud gor your career of doom, but what about me? They expects ME to be something greater than living in the dark and staring at the stars!

...

They´ll never understand me! I wishs mom was here... she understands me...

"The unicorn ran into the forest and his friend shouted at him to come back, but the unicorn already disappeared."

Twilight woke up gasping after air. It was the same dream again, but it's really annoying that she can´t remember it. It was also the second dream since yesterday.
She looked very confused and saw that her friends were eating in front of the burned bonfire. She got up and ate with them. Sweetheart told her that she and the others had gone through the riddle since morning. Twilight was absolutely astonished that they were up all night to solve the riddle for her? But it also seemed that they got along pretty well, despite the terrible incident. But it also seemed that they had already forgiven Sweetheart, which made Twilight happy.
Sweetheart also said that they might have solved it and it makes more sense tnhan previous riddles. Twilight was relieved to hear the good news. She sat down at Pinkie's side and mumbling at the scroll:

The sky as dark as night
And the moon as bright
I now give you my last riddle:

Through the dark forest, you´ll see a path
A path, that leads to a mountain
You will find the center of darkness
But never be lead by the Queen's wrath

"Alright girls. Now we know this time, it shows the right way." Twilight said very confidently. The others agreed and got ready to march on. "Don´t worry, Twilight. We can do this, together!" said Rainbow Dash very faithfully. Twilight smiled and they left immediately. "Hold on, Astral... We're coming soon..." Twilight thought hopefully...

They marched through the woods until they reached a small meadow with little trees. They also saw a huge mountain at the horizon, which means they are already here. But they already decided to camp and rest a little. Even if it's only one day left, but only until midnight so why not.
They camped and sat at the fire to eat grilled vegetables. It also seemed that they had fun, despite the troubles, they've been through. Twilight immediately noticed that Sweetheart was gone, but she sat on a rock and looked at the stars again. Twilight excuses her friends and went to Sweetheart to sit by her side. They sat silent again, without speaking to each other, "You know... I've never got to say that I was grateful for you and your friends... for all..." Sweetheart said, so Twilight got a scare. It got a bit awkward, but Twilight then said that she and her friends would always be there to help a friend. She saw Sweetheart's childish and sweet smile, she knew. She then realizes what she had often thought about, when she began their quest, so she asked very carefully, "I was just wondering... How did your met... her?".
They glanced at each other with hesitant eyes. Twilight immediately knew that it was a bad idea, so she quickly changed the subject.

"You just asked a question, what's wrong with that?" Sweetheart said quite calmly, but her gaze was still empty.

"I know, but I'm just ruining everything," Twilight says doubtfully.

But Sweetheart just smiled and quoted from their previous conversation that any question is a question. "In fact... she wasn´t always like that..." mumbled Sweetheart very quietly.
Twilight asked her what she meant with it, but still looked surpirsed like they were old friends. Sweetheart had to tell her how Nightmare was before. She told her that she used to be very caring and kind. Everypony from the past always depended on her and she helped them all the time. And her appearance, where back then, she have dark brown mane and the light-colored coat, expecially her gentle and chewed smile.
"What happened then after?" Twilight asks curiosiously. But Sweetheart hesitated and looked down. Twilight knew immediately that she would not talk about it, so she said it was okay.

"Mother... became someone she's not..." muttered Sweetheart completely despised.

Twilight looked completely surprised on her. Did she refered Nightmare as... No, she properly heard wrong. She got up and asked Sweetheart to get ready. Her friends had already packed up and got ready to go further up to the mountain. Fortunately, they saw a path that leads to the mountain. Twilight felt that there´s still hope that they can save Astral from the wicked witch.
While they talked a bit about their new plan, Applejack interrupted them. "Did you hear that?" she said quietly. "I can´t hear anything," said Rainbow Dash, but Twilight shushed at her and listening too. There was something growl around the the trees. They looked around very carefully and tried to listen to the sound. Then a shadow appeared, the shape was large and looked like a lion, but the tail was thin and sharp. Like a scorpion tail.
"Run..." Sweetheart whispered. And they ran with all forces to a little trail, but were stopped by the figure so they had to find a way out, or else they had to split to lure the beast away. But it caught Twilight and its sharp claws tores on her chest. Sweetheart was trying to save her and luckily, Rainbow Dash was just in time to fight against the beast, and Applejack swung on her lasso and caught it. They distracted it while others helped Twilight to safety. They succeeded to escape from the beast and found a safe place to camp again.
"Now what! How are we gonna pass that monster?" asked Rainbow Dash angrily. Fluttershy suggested that she could calm the beast, which wasn´t a bad idea and it worked before. But Rainbow was pretty impatient and told Fluttershy, that they don´t have less time. While others discussed about plan B, Sweetheart took Twilight somewhere else and nursed.

"Well... It wasn´t according to the plan, but it could be worse," Twilight laughed, but her wound stings.

"Sorry!" Sweetheart apologized, but Twilight was okay and has been through this before. But Sweetheart looked very serious at her, yet a bit scared. "Just promise me... you don´t freak out...".

Twilight seems to be confused by her words, Sweetheart sighed, she cloesed her eyes and started to hum a gentle melody. It doesn´t seem special to Twilight, but suddenly she began to shed a tear and more tears shedded from her closed eyes. "Sweetheart... what´s wrong?" asked Twilight a bit panicking, but then she heard more hummings and it came from the tress. She saw them glowing very yellowish and some golden syrups came out. But those syrups looked pretty different than normal acorn syrup. She saw it floating around, until they reached her chest. She looked surprised, but when she looked at Sweetheart, she noticed that her tears turn into gold and they runs like a river.
When she stopped humming, the lights and the humming trees also stopped. She stared at Twilight with her deer eyes, while Twilight removed the bandage and suddenly noticed that the wound was healed. She gasped in shock and was about to scream, but Sweetheart stopped her and reminded her not to freak out. Twilight tried to calm down, but she starts to blabbering with questions and how long she´s been doing that. Sweetheart responded that she has this in her whole life. She even told her, that she don´t remember how she got this ability. All she ever remembered was someone, she befriended, betrayed her and lost her faith to trust somepony again.
Twilight couldn´t say anything while staring comepletely astonished at her friend. She never realized how hard it must be to live in solitude and never trust anybody else besides Astral. "What... about me..." she asked to Sweetheart, but she just stared at nothing. Twilight didn´t want to press her to talk, so she stands up walks towards her friends.
"I´ve always believe in you..." she heard Sweetheart´s voice. She turns around and saw her standing up from the ground and stared at her. "I don´t think you are a bad pony... but I have this feeling that you´re is pure... Not because it made you a alicorn and being the Princess of Friendship. But you are more than just special...".
Twilight smiled a bit, even though it didn´t make sense, but she knew what she was telling. Sweetheart walks towards her and together, they walked to the bonfire, where her friends were.

They came up with a plan to distract the beast, but they don't have food enough. So one of them must distract it until other were safe. Rainbow Dash volunteered to do it, but Twilight refused it because of the dangerous risk. Rainbow doesn't seem to approve it, but they almost argued in silent.
"I'll do it." Sweetheart said confident. Twilight and her friends looked at her with surprising looks. Twilight still refused to let her do it, but instead tried to lure it away withher magic, but Sweetheart still insisting to try. "She's right Twilight... There's no options..." Fluttershy said as a surprise for others. Twilight doubted, but gives it a try. Sweetheart smiled and promised her that she'll come back. She found a sharp stone and ripped on her leg. Rarity gasped and fainted, so Applejack quickly grabbed her. Twilight was a bit shock by it, but Sweetheart just smiled and told them to hurry, before she ran through the meadow. The other quickly hurier towards the small path, but Twilight looked back in a worry, but ran as fast as she could.

They reached the path without any signs of the beast and they ran and ran up to the mountain top, where they saw a big cave. Twas a loud roar above them and Twilight looked down in hope of seeing Sweetheart, but no sighs of her. They finally reached at the top, they need to get inside before the moon stands over the mountain top. Twilight looked around, still hopping to see Sweetheart, but Applejack convinced her to com with them before it's too late. Twilight sighed and followed them.
Suddenly, she heard steps behind her. She stopped and waited to see. Her friends stopped too and even asked her why she just stood there. She waited and saw a figure coming closer and closer. The figure revealed itself as Sweetheart who smiled at Twilight. Twilight was about to cry, but she ran to her and hugged her. Her friends were surprised too, but they too ran toward Sweetheart to give them a hug too. They were really happy to see her, especially Pinkie who jumped hysterious and being extremely joyful.
"How did you escape?" Twilight asked curiously, but Sweetheart just smiled and said that it was a long story. But Pinkie interrupted them and yells that she's so happy that everything is alright now, but informer them that they need to hurry. Twilight and Sweetheart realized the goal and they rushed to the cave. It was pretty dark here, Sweetheart reminded them that there might be traps around here. "Aren't you gonna be punished for that?!" Twilight asked worried. But Sweetheart told them that's okay now. They're already reached their goal.
But their moment were again interrupted by not Pinkie. It was Rarity who got distracted by the most beautiful gem inside the cave. She rushed to it and admired the shiny stone. "No Rarity!" Sweetheart yelled after her, but it was already too late. Rarity tried to take the gem from its spot, but suddenly something opens under them and they fell down into a big hole, where they glides and got separated from each other...

Author's Note

Done with chapter 9. Sorry about the last riddle, I know it didn't rhyme but I think it sounds okay.

Just to note that the dialouge colors of the dreamscape part were a part of a important role later on. If you see the blue one, you´ll understand later, when the the time has come.

Chapter 10: Dark Castle

Author's Note

So... chapter 8 is finally here. And I apologises for the long waiting, but it was worth it. :-)

And more has been going on. Well, I will not spoil it. Read it or yourself. ;)

Chapter 10: Dark Castle

Twilight woke up at an unknown place. She remembered that something opened under their feet and they fell. But they were also separated from each other and now she is here with a difficult situation.
She uses her horn to light the cave up and look around. She called to her friends, but there was no answer from them. Then she started to walk, in hope for finding her friends again. She looked around the cave and thought it looked a bit creepy. She has been in many caves before, but this one is something completely different. Then she stumbled again and bumped into a rock where a random vision appeared. She saw an unknown pony in the hood, exactly the same as Astral´s, but the vision changes and she saw the same pony again, now in training ofmagic by... Clover the Clever?
Twilight starred at a stone wall in confusion. What was that, she saw? But she heard some voices and could recognize them. She heard Sweetheart's voice, so she shouts at her name.

"Thank goodness, I´m so happy to hear you again!" Twilight yelled.

Sweetheart too was happy until they heard more voices. Twilight heard only a loud pitched fancy voice. "Rarity... Is that you?" Twilight muttered speechlessly. Rarity cried in joy, and then Applejack and Pinkie's voices came along, followed by Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Twilight was very relieved that they were gathered. She told them that she is trying to find a way out of this cave and find them later. That would also be the case for others, so they started immediately.
Twilight went into the big cave in front of her, but it was so dark that she almost tripped. There was nothing but rocks, but Sweetheart warned her and her friends that there were hidden traps. Because Nightmare had prepared it all if anyone shold come here.
Twilight checked on her way if there is secret booby traps, but nothing had happen so far. She sighed peacefully. But then she heard Fluttershy's scream and turned frightened around, but she accidently stepped something that dropped below her. There was a sharp spear at the stoned ceiling in which it lowered and termed down towards her. Twilight couldn´t use her magic so she ran out of the trap and landed in safety.
It was dark again, so she got carefully up on her legs, but unfortunately, she tripped and hits her head again. And again, she saw another vision of the same unicorn along with Nightmare. She heard him murmuring very quiet, but Nightmare looked very surprised but also satisfied. Meanwhile, the unknown pony looked very depressed. And sad... Twilight woke up again and had the strange feeling that she has seen it before. It reminded a little bit of her fairytale book...
But then, she remembered Fluttershy and called her name on the other side of the cave. Fluttershy mumbled quietly although it sounded a bit loud. Twilight was very relieved to hear to her voice, but there is another surprise. She heard Sweetheart's voice, telling her she just managed to save Fluttershy from the trap.
"How far are you?" shouted Sweetheart after Twilight. Twilig shouthed back that she´s almost spearheaded into a kebab, but was close. Sweetheart told her, that there is a resort where they can meet. Twilight was relieved and said she will be hurry. She ran as fast as she could, and turned quickly to the right. When she did, Sweetheart and Fluttershy were already there. Fluttershy was very pleased to see her and ran up to her for a hug. She also whined over the traps she´s been through. Twilight calmed her while Fluttershy cried out loud.
Luckily Pinkie showed up with a big jump and just drove on Twilight. She wondered how fun she had, which Twilight and Sweetheart warmly glanced at her. Then Applejack, Rainbow and Rarity appeared, which probably had found each other a long time ago. But they were happy to see each other again. "Are you okay girls?" she asks them. The others were fine even though they were about to be crushed og speared. Pinkie says it was a bit of fun, but pretty scary. Rainbow Dash seemed a bit off, so Twilight asked her if she´s oaky. But Rainbow looked really intense at her, "Okay? It's not okay. That... is... AWESOME!" she exclaimed jolly. Twilight and her friends shone their mouth completely. How can she cheer something dangerous? But Twilight knows that Rainbow Dash loves all the danger, but not the worst.
She quickly changed the subject and asked Sweetheart if she knew a way out since she´s now allowed to show the way. Sweetheart said that there is only one trap to go, but this is much harder than the others. Twilight was a bit nervous, but still feels hopeful when they were so close to their goal. She and her friends immediately entered the dark cave. Sweetheart guides them past the trap and they managed to slip past the arrows that shots after them.
"There it is!" Sweetheart shouted and pointed to another cave. Twilight immediately knew it must be where Astral is, so she started running. But Sweetheart just managed to push her away before a giant spear almost hits them. Twilight was in shock and hadn´t been aware of it. "Are you okay? You should be more cautious next time," said Sweetheart. Twilight feels a bit embarrassed and giggled nervously. Suddenly, her friends managed to run past the spear and asked many times if Twilight was hurt or okay. But their eyes were directed over her head. Their expression was changed from worried into astonishment. Twilight followed their eyes, and now her eyes were opened more wider. There was a huge castle of shiny crystals standing in the middle of a big cave.
Twilight and her friends stared admired at the castle, except Sweetheart. She then said, this is the place where Astral is. Twilight nodded and looked at her friends where they were looking at her, but nodded confidently. They started to walking towards to the castle, although Sweetheart mumbled quietly over that there was something she had forgotten.
As they were passing by, they stared pretty impressed by the big shiny cave. they almost shines like tiny stars. But they reached straight to the gate. She called at Nightmare and said that they had already finished her riddles. But there was no answer or the slightest reaction.

"Maybe she´s not at home," Rainbow said in a sloppy voice, which others stared strangely at her. "What?"

"I don´t understand... We passed her tests so why don´t it open up?" Twilight asked frantic. She looked at Sweetheart after a reply, but she looked just plain.
Then they noticed something shaking on the ground, even the pebbles was jumping a round. "What was it?!" Fluttershy asks scared. They heard a big rumble. "Sweetheart... What were you trying to mention?" whispered Twilight a bit nervous. Sweetheart wasn´t sure, but it was clearly something important. Then the rumble became even louder and the seven ponies backed up. They looked around to see where the sound came from, but it was too dark to see. But before they could react, a big black horse protruded and almost stamped on them. Twilight and her friends hurried away from the giant horse.
"Oh now I remember! We´re have to pass the giant guard who guarded the castle!" Sweetheart shouted with relief. "You know, you have the worst timing of telling us this!" Rainbow Dash shouted in annoyance.
But Sweetheart felt embarrassed by it, but they continued to distract the giant horse. It stamped and swung his big forelegs, but luckily Dash avoided and saved Fluttershy in a scared stage, but with a brave look. Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie just managed to jump from the stifling death, but Pinkie laughed hysterically as if it was a some kind of a rollercoaster. Twilight used her magic to prevent it from swinging and stamping on her friends, but unfortunately it almost hits her and was thrown away.
But as she were hitting, another vision suddenly appeared. This time, it shows the unknown pony again, sitting in a crystal room and looks completely sad. He had fire marks, but Sweetheart appeared before the sight faded. Twilight shook her head and looked at the big giant. She has no clue of what the vision has to do with it, but she knew it has something to do with Sweetheart. So she called to her and finally found her. She whispered quickly in her ear and pulled a long scarf tied together. It was from Pinkie when she encouraged her from a long day after their journey. Sweetheart nodded and took the scarf with her mouth and ran.
They ran around the giant horse in hopes of distracting him, so her friends could get away. They were about to run around the huge legs of the horse, but he was too fast, so Twilight uses her magic to source his big hooves. It didn´t succes, but it hurried the guard and trampled after her.
The others hurried away and even tried to open the gate. Sweetheart galloped quickly to them and helped them while Twilight distracted the giant guard. They quickly found a handle and they pulled down, and the gate slowly opened. They hurried inside, but Sweetheart left them to save Twilight. She grabbed the scarf and pulled her through the guard. It ran after Twilight, but stopped up in front of Sweetheart. Twilight don´t know how, but she noticed the cold and angry look as she had never seen before.
The giant glanced at Sweetheart and slowly moved backwards into the dark again. Sweetheart breathed lightly and galloped slowly to the gate.
The six ponies were too exhausted to notice Sweetheart's action, but Twilight was totally amazed at her. She would like to ask her about it, but went silent when she saw the serious look in her eyes.
The seven ponies are now inside the castle. The hall was big and crystal clear like outside. There was two stairs on each side and a chandelier that shines without candles. Rarity stared admired in the castle's big hall and couldn´t help fizzle around and admiring the crystals, but most of its mirror image. Applejack whistled impressively and commented it´s much bigger end Twilight's. In a good way, of course. But Twilight was eager to find her friend and called carefully to Nightmare, but no respond. But they heard a scream coming from Rarity. They rushed towards her and looked completely surprised when they saw Rarity lying on the clear floor, swirling around. They tried to calm her, but Rarity just pushed them away and screamed.
"What's wrong with her?!" Rainbow Dash said completely out of confusion, but then she also started screaming, falling and rolling around on the floor. Everyone looked pretty confused, then they also started screaming and running around or rolling scared on the floor. "What in the Equestria happens to them?!" Twilight yelled comepletely panicking and looked at Sweetheart after an explanation.

"They're... in a trance of their biggest fear..." she said terrified. Twilight raised an eyebrow. "What?!"

Sweetheart explained shortly, that the castle Nightmare created was cursed. It creates visions from their worst nightmares and if they could not overwhelm their fears, they would be caught in their dreamscape forever. Twilight understood it very well, but she can´t just stand there and doing nothing. She tried to help her friends to get them out from their trance despite Sweetheart's warning. But her head started to sting a bit like she just got a headache. Her eyes began to swearing, so she rubbed a bit. But when she opened her eyes, she was in her old home in Canterlot with her books. She also saw Celestia far away, but Twilight was just relieved to see her again.
"Princess Celestia! I need your help!" She called after her, but she didn´t respond. Twilight had to gallop to the princess, but she noticed something that seemed off. "Princess..." Twilight muttered a bit uncertain.
Celestia turned her head toward her and stared very strictly at her. "You've disappointed me..." she whimpered. Twilight stared confused at her, but when Celestia's gab opened, there was a loud scream whcih Twilight quickly held her ears. Appearently, the books screamed too and began to fly around her while she heard Celestia and her friends say some insults that she feared.

"You're a disgrace!You're not suitable to be my student! You are not a real princess!You're nothing but an imposter!

Twilight tried not to listen these illusions, but she couldn´t help but crying and feeling like a useless flaw. It felt empty. "Twilight! You must fight your fears!".
She heard a familiar voice. Sweetheart was right. She had facing her fears before and could do it again. She dried her eyes and standing up with a rank confident. Her horn glowed and looking forward her fake mentor and friends to show her fearless face, but something isn´t right. The screams and fearsome faces were still there, Twilight lost a bit courage and seems more confused about her actions.
"I don´t understand..." Twilight muttered completely speechless. What should she do? But she heard Sweetheart's voice again. "You have to try! Fight your inner fears!". "Inner fear?" Twilight said a bit confused. Her worst fear was in front of her, and even though she had previously fought it, she still don´t understand what went wrong.

"What you see, is not what you feared mostly," Sweetheart said convincining. "You have to dip down. Like REALLY dip down into your true fear!"

Although Twilight didn´t quite understand what she meant by "dip down", but she tries her best. She holds her head and concentrates deeply in her mind. The words from the ponies she knew, flowed through her ears, but she focused a lot and Sweetheart's voice gave her courage to focus.

"Dip down... Dip down..." she muttered very focused until she finally found something, that lightens her spirits;

"... Dip down... Dip. DOOOOOWWWNNN!"

The unknown room around her turns white and the light was sharper. It blinded her a bit, but she saw a figure in front of her, she ran and suddenly stopped. She stood just there with big eyes.

"What can you see?" Sweetheart whispered questionable.

"It´s... Astral?" she replied, comepletely surprised. Astral stood in front of her and stared blank at her. He stared deeply, but she could feel the warmth she actually longed for.

"When I was little... I had always dreamed of meeting the prince from my fairytale book I found long ago. I had a lot of dreams and imaginations of him and being with him the whole night until dawn, and since then I had waited and believed in him.". The room around her was shaken a bit and the light turns almost into a gray-colored atmosphere, and the illusion was blurred. "But... The older I got, the less I believed in him. I... know that he was not real, but... I couldn´t believe myself that he wasn´t even real. And I was afraid I would lose my faith in him. But when I met Astral..." Twilight's eyes wetted into tears, but she laughed a bit of joy. "I couldn´t believe my own eyes, but... he WAS real! And I'd never been more happier than before. He was everything I imagined and... I knew right from the start, there was something missing... a missing part of me. My friends... my teacher and my family were important to me, but... I know it sounded selfish, but... Astral, my prince was the only reason for my motives. He and the fairytale gave me the foundation... To make me feel more alive than ever!!"

The bright atmosphere broke into small pieces and Twilight looked amazed by it. And it's as if she opened her eyes and saw Sweetheart holding her in a comfort way. "Sweetheart..." she groans exhausting. But Sweetheart shushed at her and whispered quietly, "You've overcome your greatest fear."
Twilight looked completely astonished on her and herself. Sweetheart was right... She had seen the fear and it was not something she was worried about or overreacted to impress her mentor. But she had never lost faith in the pony that had helped her from worries and expectations.
But they were quickly disturbed by Pinkie's hysterical laughter and the others who were completely lifeless and either slacked, or rolled around. But she and Sweetheart could not help but laughing at Rarity's big eyes and the gap that bubbled. "Go. I'll help them from their trance," reminded Sweetheart, and went to one of them to help them. Twilight took a quick look at them before she walked up the stairs.
It did take a bit longer than she expected, but it did led up to another big hall and it's the same size as below. She looked round after Astral, but there was no sign of him.
"Astral... Are you there? It's me, Twilight," she called, but still no respond from him. Twilight doubted if he's actually here. Or was Nightmare just fooling her, even though she passed her tests.

"Twilight..."

Twilight looked startled up by the sound of a familiar voice. On the third staircase, a figure appeared from the dark. The figure took the form of an alicorn, like Celestia and Luna, but his wings were much larger, and his dark blue mane flashed like stars in the sky.
Twilight was in shock. He looked a bit like the unicorn fro her dreams before, but he looked really different. Even his cutiemark was a full moon instead of a crescent. "You look... different?" Twilight said out loud, but meant it in a good way.
"I... I see you're in good hooves, Ast-" Twilight stopped saying his name. She had a feeling that it was not his real name. Yet it just came out of her mouth. "Midnight."
She was a bit shocked when he said something. "Midnight Moon is my real name.". Twilight nodded and Midnight glanced at her as he walked down the stairs. Twilight couldn´t stop looking so surprised at him. He looked completely different. She began to stumble about her quest and feel embarrassing to herself, but Midnight fences and put his one wing on her back that had calmed her.
"Hush, my dear Twilight. No need to be rush," he said, but wondered about where her companions were. Twilight bits on her lips with eyes of concern, "They were a little bit tired of our journey," she said in a doubtful way, but Midnight looked a biy suspicious, but nodded.

"Say, would you like something to eat?" he asked politely, "You and your friends must be hungry after a long journey.". Twilight appreciates his generous soul, but politely declined his offer, cause she wasn´t that hungry. Midnight nodded understandable, but even asked if he would like to take a walk. Twilight smiled and nodded in accept. Midnight reached his long wing in front of her. Twilight wasn´t sure, but she accpeted it by holding his wing with hers. And together, they started to walk up to the third stair.
Twilight stared admirably at the crystal walls and the shiny sculptures. Despite the castle being cursed, but she can see there is beauty and a slight of goodness. "It´s... beautiful..." Twilight mumurs to herself, but was quite embarrassed by saying out loud, but Midnight giggled and seems to not mind. Twilight blushed a bit, but felt a bit of joy inside her. Or rather, in her chest. Her heart beated slowly, but fast. She wasn´t sure if she´s too nervous to finally meet the real Astral. Or was it because he was just like her?
By the time, they finally stopped to another floor with much bigger hall than the others. Twilight wanted to ask him, how he got here, but don´t want to upset him. "You were about to ask me, how I got here?" Midnight said just out of nowhere. Twilight was a bit startled and wondered how he knew that? Can he read her mind?

"Y-yes... if you don´t mind..." Twilight stammed nervously.

She did notice Midnight´s expression was a mix of sadness and isolation. Maybe because he spent a lot of years in this castle, but she knew exactly, that he didn´t want to tell her.

"You know... It´s okay, if y-"

"I choose to give my soul than let others suffer..."

Twilight was a bit surprised by hearing him. He started to tell her, that he once was a young colt who has dreams. Even the night times, he adored very much. He even had dreams of becoming the most greatest wizard, like Starswirl which he idolized very much. Twilight was surprised to hear that. She also idolized Starswirl the Bearded, but she´s more interested in hearing Midnight´s story. He continues by telling, that he was in training of becoming a royal guard by his uncle request. He tried to make him proud, but he was never happy about his future.
That all changed when Clover discovered his magic, and she decided to give him lessons of sorcery. And by the time, he learns more spells and learns to take more control over his powers. He soon become the repected wizard in Equestria and those ponies he knew, loved him by his kindness.
Twilight said that it sounds like a great adventure(which apparrently felt like deja vu), but Midnight´s stare turns into sorrow. Twilight knew, where this is going. Midnight explained shortly that Nightmare, the witch, cursed his village out of nowhere. And when she made a deal with Clover and the princess´ who seemed familier with the witch, that she wants the most powerful host to gain her power and even become the ruler of her kingdom. Supposedly, Clover should have been the one, but because his act of bravery, he choose to give himself to her.

"... And for that, I became the prince in her kingdom..." he said finally.

Twilight felt a shock inside her. All what he told her, this was exactly what the fairytale book says. And the visions... some of them she saw, was actually Midnight who was just an normal pony before all this. She couldn´t help but feel bad for him and teel him how sorry she was, but Midnight just smiled. "Hey, I would like to show something," he said and started to walk. Twilight followed him to a balcony. Midnight´s horns lights up and he whistles a gentle tone. Suddenly, a small light appeared and flew around them, but landed on Twilight´s snout. It was a dragonfly with blue wing shining. And when she was about to pet the small creature, it flew away and more dragonflies showed up and swirled around the cave. Twilgiht was amazed by the sight. She has never seen anything like this.

"Wow...".

"Yeah... wow," he said with a happy smile.

Twilight continues to stare at these beautiful fellas. But a small dragonfly flew around so fast, that it hits Twilight´s eye by accident. And even fall down. It didn´t hurt, but it was the most gentlest startle she ever have. Midnight helped her up, and suddenly, another vision appeared again.
Twilight thought it was strange to have it like that, but she´s more curious about what it´s about now. She was in the wood and it´s almost dawn. But something rushes in the bushes and she hides quickly behid a berry bush. She took a quick look and saw Sweetheart. No surprising to see that, but... there is more. She also saw Midnight in his unicorn form and he seemed nervous.

"Quick! We´re almost there!"

And they suddenly dissapeared in the woods. Twilght tried to follow them, but couldn´t catch them up. The vision stopped and Twilight was back to reality. She was laying on a bed and looked confused, but luckily Midnight was there. She asked him what happened, and he repsonded that she just fainted after the incident. Even Twilight has no idea why it did happen, but she approciated Midnight´s help.
But when she got out of the bed, she quickly regconizes the room. She felt like she has been here before, but suddenly she remembered something. Something from her visions. She even remembered that Midnight screamed before she woke up. And she still has the bitter scent of something burning.
"Burnt..." she thought to herself and took a quick look on Midnight. She started to remember that Midnight has once escaped and the half of his face was burnt. That´s probably explained why he only appeared in night time. But as the fairytale said; he was cursed to wander in night times forever.

Midnight asked her if everything is alright. But Twilight just stared at him with shocking eyes. She couldn´t hold it back any longer, "Why didn´t you escape?"
Midnight frozes and stared blank at her. But Twilight isn´t a fool. She started to demand him why he couldn´t escape second time or even tried to break his curse. But Midnight said nothing and just walked out of his bedroom. Twilight was a bit frustruated and followed him, asking him to stop. But Midnight kept walking and finally stopped in the middle of a unknown room. Twilight was exhausting for chasing after him, but still demanding him to answer her questions.
"You don´t know what she can do..." he reponded in a frigting tone. But Twilight still doesn´t get, why he didn´t even try to fight back. But Midnight reminded her with fright in his eyes, that she don´t know what she´s capable of. And she shouldn´t been involved of this, which makes the room take a darker scheme. But Twilight didn´t care. All she have in her mind is to save her him, her best friend and all ponies, she loved. The room started to lighten up, but one shadow stayed put.

"Please Midnight... please tell me why you can´t leave? Just because you have a dumb curse, doesn´t mean you can´t let Nightmare win!" she said confidently.

But Midnight was quiet and stayed at nothing for a moment. But he mumbled something, Twilight couldn´t hear. She aksed him to speak a bit louder, and he did while looking... frustruating with frowned angry eyes.

"I´ve never asked you to save me!"

"I... I don´t understand?"

"No you don´t? I´ve never asked any of this. I never wanted you to involve all of this. And you know... I´ve never wanted to leave here!"

Twilight frozed. Did he really mean that? Did he actually mean that he liked this place? To be Nightmare´s prisoner? Twilight tried to be reasonable, but Midnight kept shutting her out and told her leave. But Twilight just stood there with a surprised look. And tears floating down on her cheeks.
Suddenly, she heard voices which were her friend. They were cured and was happy to see her. They were even surprise to see Midnight looking different, but Rainbow Dash reminded them that it was a perfect rescue. But all what Twilight could say: "Let´s just go."
The others was caught in surprise. And in confusion. One of them asked her why she said that, but Twilight just kept telling to just go. But Sweetheart wasn´t gonna give up asked her why she´s saying that. Twlight stared at her in a miserable way, but Sweetheart already knew the answer and started to question Midnight about what happend before they got here.
Midnight stared in a pitiful way and responded thta he want to be left alone. And that he would like to stay here.
Twilight´s friends gasped, yet Sweetheart seems more surprised. She asked him why he´s acting like that.

"Don´t you want to be free? Didn´t you want to feel the sunlight again? Why did you just change your mind like that, when you suffered in so much misery!?"

Midnight was about to answer, until they were interrupted by a wicked laugh. The room turned into a dark-schemed aura, but the room started to shake. Appearently, Some shadows in scary shapes came out of the crystals and swirls mischiously around the hallroom.
"She´s here..."Sweetheart whispered afraid. She told the others to run, and so they does. Except for Twilight. She stared frightingly while hearing the laughter of Nightmare. She then looked at Midnight who lowered his long neck and looked dissapointed. But Twilight was soon dragged by Sweetheart an d she can no longer see Midnight anymore.
They ran down towards the stairs, but they were already trapped. Shadow-like creatures flew around and pulled their tails or wings, while lauging at them. "Why you nasty, disrespectful beasts!!" Rarity shouted angrily at them. Applejack and Rainbow Dash tried to fight them off, but they don´t seem to take any damage.
Luckily, Twilight came in and helped them. She shoots from her horns, which seems to take some of them down, but these things just kept coming and laughed at them more. Twilight and her friends were surrounded. Defendless and scared.

Then, a light appeared and have scared those monsters off. They were happy to be safe, but was blinded by the heavy light. They heard Sweetheart calling them, and Twilight told them to follow her voice. They ran through the darkness and the noises of laughters. When they finally reached Sweetheart, they were surprised to see a blueish portal. And right next to it,there is Sweetheart. Twilight was about to ask her, but they don´t have time. She told them to jump to safety, which they did without hesitation. Twilight was about to, but wants to take Sweetheart with her.
"Go, Twilight! I´ll be fine!" she shouted and pushed her. Twilight shouted at her name, but she vanished through the portal. Despite the fact that their goal failed, she couldn´t get the sight of Sweetheart´s sad look and the haunted grin of Nightmare.

Ha ha ha ha!!!

Chapter 11: The truth

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 12: I forgive you...

After their escape from Nightmare, were Twilight and Sweetheart finally safe in a cave along with their friends. Well... Some of them. Inside, they were already arguing almost at nothing, but they got quiet when they saw Sweetheart. "Hey... Long time no see..." Sweetheart said quietly, but it quickly awkward between them. Except for Twilight who was actually happy to see her, despite the last interaction before they got separated from the castle.
"What is she doing here?" Rainbow asked pretty rude, and Fluttershy shushed at her for her rudeness. Sweetheart seemed a bit sad, when she said these words. Then Rainbow Dash asked her why she haven´t told them that she could make a potal. it would have been easier, if they could just teleport to the castle, if she didn´t have to keep it a secret from them. Sweetheart hesitated and Rainbow kept pushing her, Twilight told her to stop it, but she didn´t care and kept pushing poor Sweetheart until she almost cried. Luckily, Applejack defended her and told Rainbow off, which made Sweetheart smile a bit by relief.

"Maybe she has a good reason why she did it," Applejack said in defense.

But they kept argueing about in an endless loop. Rarity managed t stop the arguement and somehow they started to relax, but staring intensely at eachother.

"Well, I agree with Applejack. Sweetheart only did what she thought was right," Rarity said with a bit moral, which Applejack puffed proudly. "... But... on the other hoove... She should have told us the truth and make this journey easier." She concluded with a sarcastic tone.
Applejack sighed annoyed, yet Rainbow smiled in triumph. Then Applejack started to argue with Rarity, "Oh that is so typical of you! Always making things worse and more dramatic than before!" she said and stared angrily at her. Rarity stared offended at her and excuses her for being reasonable. Then they continued to argue again and soon all her friends bacame a part of it. (Except for Fluttershy and Pinkie of course. Well, she tried to cheer them up by singing, but the three ponies shouted with a not now. She was so sad that she too began to argue with them, mostly about her cheering song.)
It felt like an eternity with their loud shouting mouths. So loud that it echoed through the walls and they could literally get caught by now. While they shouted at eachother, Twilight tried to clear her head and find a quiet place to talk with Sweetheart. Although she was happy to see her, she even has many questions which Sweetheart understood without asking her. First, she asked her how she can transfer a portal and why she didn´t tell her. Sweetheart hesitated, yet she answered her first question; "I´ve been doing it as long as I remember. I only uses it for necessary reasons... and I didn´t tell you that, because..." she stopped and seem a bit frighting. Twilight said it´s okay, if she don´t want to tell more. Sweetheart smiled and implied that Twilight was gonna ask her why Midnight acted strangely at the castle.
Again, Sweetheart remained silent, but Twilight kept asking her in a soft way why Midnight rejected their rescue and why he said these mean things to her. Sweetheart kept quiet, but a tear sheded from her left eye and she started to cry. Twilight tried to comfort her and told her it´s gonna be okay. Sweetheart was calmed, but her eyes were still wet and luckily no slime in her snout. They gave eachother a smile and Sweetheart told her everything. Long story short, Midnight only was rude and mean to Twilight, was because Nightmare watched every move they made. Even keeping an eye for them, when they are in quest. Twilight was in shock. She has no idea that Nightmare was capable of that. Sure, she might be powerful and all, but stalking them? That was pretty low for her status.
Twilight asked her, if there´s any ways they can defeat her twisted game, but Sweetheart shucked her head, saying that they can´t stop her. Twilight felt a bit of hope is lost, but asked her friend if there is no way they can save Midnight. Sweetheart shuck again her head and apologizes for not being helpful. But Twilight comforted her again, telling her that she´s not useless and she did tried her best. Sweetheart smiled with a better feeling and they hugged eachother. She told her that they need to gather her friends around to make a new plan. She helped Sweetheart up and they walked toward the shouting crowd that seems like an never-ending cicle. But as they walked she heard Sweetheart mumbling something. Her voice was quiet, but could clearly her whisper;

"She´s not what she seems to be..."

"What?"

"Nothing!"

But Twilight clearly heard her say some word, despite her mumbling. There is something, she didn´t understand. Why is everytime, she´s with her or sometimes asking her questions, she always kept saying that. She even remembered that Midnight was saying the same, when he `insulted´ her. (At least that´s what she remembered)
She stopped walking and kept thining what Sweetheart meant. She even stopped too and asked her why she stopped, but Twilight didn´t listen and was in her own mind. She started to realize something. Something she never thought about it. Sweetheart and Midnight was saying the same thing, but never when Nightmare showed up. Then she remembered a shadow, she never noticed before. A strange shadow who was stalking her and her friends. And when they´re taking a break to make a new plan, she noticed her strange look at Sweetheart, even from their last conversation. She´ve never questioning it, which was strange. But strangely enough, she never remembered anything of it. Even from her dreams of Midnight´s past until now.
"What could it mean?" she thought to herself and mumbled these words again. She kept mumbled with Sweetheart with a confusing look and the loud crowd of her friends.
Until... something got her attention. She did remember something from her foalhood, such as when she goes to bed, she noticed a dark shadow creeping under her bed. But mostly, when she´s reading her favorite fairytale and the shadow kept watching her. She remembered how scared its creepy red eyes was and it almost showed teeth as if it growled. And she almost got nightmares of it. Twilight always felt that Nightmare´s shadow guards seemed familiar, but less scarier than she remembered. But the one from the forest looked slightly different. Sweetheart did say that Nightmare kept an eye on them, but it´s funny that this one has a different form...
Something sparks in her mind. Whern she puts all pieces together, it all started to make sense now. Like she solved a piece of an unsolved puzzle, esspecially the sentences that bothers her mostly.

"She´s not what she seems to be..."

But her thought faded away because of the crowd noises, and she lost her concentration. But sknew that they don´t have much time to argue, so she tried her best to reason them, but they just kept argueing (except Fluttershy who was just sitting there, holding her ears from the noise). But they didn´t wanna listen to her. Twilight started to get annoyed and suddenly, her horn glowed unexpected but Twilight seemed to not notice it. As she was about to make them stop arguing, Sweetheart suddenly came in and told them to shut up with all her might. Which surprisingly caught their attention.
There was an awkward moment between them, even Twilight stared confusing at Sweetheart´s confidence. Luckily, Rainbow Dash broke the awkwardness and asked Twilight why Sweetheart shouted like that. Twilight was clearing her throat and responded that she has something to say. Her friends finally paid attention to her, while Twilight was explaining that everything they do. The quest and the witch´s test. They were nothing but games to Nightmare and she has been watching them the whole time. Her friends was surprised at first, until Pinkie confirmed that it wouldn´t be surprising that all villains does that. To make sure, we are not cheating on their way for example. That´s true, so that wasn´t an evidence enough. But still... she couldn´t help but feeling unconvinced by that. But the question is, why is she watching them, if she wasn´t keeping them an eye from cheating, if it´s just a game for her. Cheating...

"What if... what if she wanted us to cheat." Twilight implied.

Her friends seemed dumbfounded by her conclusion. One of them even asked her what makes her think of that. But Twilight implied to them, that Nightmare told her and her friends from the first night, that Sweetheart was allowed to show them the way, until they reached the path that leads to the castle. Before, Sweetheart helped them to solve the puzzles, but she never said that she´ll help them, if there are troubles. Like the manticore-like beast who attacked them.
Her friends was starting to understand the situation, but Applejack asked her why Sweetheart didn´t try to save them with her portal-technique and looked at the quiet Sweetheart. But all she did, was just staring hesitated at them. But Twilight already knew the answer. "This is what Nightmare wanted." she implied, which leaves her friends confusing.

"If she told us about it, it would have been a easy win for her.” Twilight explained to them. “Remember, all of this is just a silly game for her.”
Her friends seems to understand the while situation now. They felt at bit guilty of accusing Sweetheart for something, she thought she could protect them from. They apologizes her for their rude behaviour. Well, all but one. Rainbow Dash just need some space to think about everything, they´re been through together, and perhaps... she would apologize later. Sweetheart just smiled with an accepting smile and nodded understanding. Now everything is forgiving, Twilight asked her, if she knew a way they can save Midnight and perhaps passed those creepy shadows without getting caught.
Sweetheart said, she knew some secret doors, they can sneak in without being caught. But she also suggested, they need a plan to get Nightmare out of the way. Twilight asked her why they need to make a plan for that. Sweetheart stared at her with a serious look.

"We need to be out of Nightmare´s sight."

Meanwhile...

"Did you find them?!" Nightmare asked ragely to her shadow guard. The guard growled nervously with rolling thumbs, but on a split second, the witch slams it with her large wing and sudenly, it poofed out of the blue. The other shadows seemd scared by this scene, while Nightmare in a rage, gave them order to find Twilight and her friends. They nodded in response and quickly scattered through the walls. Nightmare sat exhausted on Celestia´s throne, "Why am I surrounded by fools? How could this simple unicorn be hard to capture?" she sighed in annoyence. But she heard a tiny giggle behind her. She stared intensely at Discord who just couldn´t stop giggling.

"What´s so funny, freak?!" Nightmare asked with a angry voice.

But Discord just couldn´t hold it in and just laughed. Celestia begged him to not make things worse, while Luna was quiet (despite a small smirk). Discord thought that everything was so hilarious, that it almost seemed like a bad joke. He kept laughing, before he could react to Nightmare´s evil glance, but instead she just chuckles. "Oh Discord. I almost forgot how fun you were before you decided to conquer Equstria. It was so cute...".Discord thanked her for the compliment and asked her kindly to let them out, which was a surprise to the sisters. But her chuckle went back to a frown and told him to shut up. "Geez, so dramatic." Discord mumbled dissapointed.
"You´ll never get away with this!" Celestia said in with hope, but Nightmare smirks and shakes slowly her head. "Really? Just like you never could have saved little Nighty from becoming a mindless shell?" Nightmare asked her with a mocking tone, while staring at the emotionless Midnight. Celestia kept quiet after that, feeling guilty and defeated. "That´s what I thought." Nightmare said.
She finally reaches to the throne and was trying to find a new plan. Suddenly, she heard a loud noise coming from the door. She ordered her shadow to check who was knocking. But as the shadow got closer to the door, it suddenly disappeared outside with a strong bright light. "I know this light..." Nightmare mumbled with a familiar feeling. She ordered a few shadows to guard the prisoners, while she´s checking the situation. But as she walked out from the door, the two shadows seemed relax, but suddenly got poofed from the strange light. The two princesses looked surprised, until Twilight and Sweetheart came out from their hide-out. Celestia was relieved that they were okay, yet Discord complained that there is no fun anymore. But Sweetheart just glanced at him, which surprisely (in Twilight´s pov) made Discord awkwardly silent. They set them free and asked them to go inside the secret door, where they would be safe.
Now they are alone with Midnight, who just sits besides the throne without movement. "Are you sure this is gonna work?" Twilgiht asked to her friend, which she replied that it will. Sweetheart did explain to her, while planning on distracting Nightmare from Midnight, that she knows a spell that could reach inside his mind and get him out from the darkness. Twilight thought it sounds dangerous at first, but was convinced that it is the only way to save him. She instructed to her, that first she need to light her horn as some kind of a communication to reach him. If his horn glows too, it´s the sign of responding the light and they were allowed to enter his light. Twilight does so and her horn lights up. It didn´t take too long, until Mignight´s horns glows light-blueish.
"He responded to us!" Sweetheart said in relief. "Let´s hurry, before she comes back!". She jumped towards him in hurry, which startled Twilight before she could reacts to her movements. But when she got closer, she could feel his energy like some part of him were still there. She thought to herself that she finally reached her goal and was ready to bring Midnight back.
But before they could reach their hooves towards him, an invisible force pushed them away from Midnight. They stared confused to each other until they noticed a dark shadow, which didn´t take them too long realize who this shadow is.

"This trick you pulled before... That was really impressive. But so predictable if you asks me."

Twilight and Sweetheart turns around and saw Nightmare standing behind them with a sly glare. They jumped with startled looks, yet Sweetheart´s face seems more horrified than startle. "But how? It was supposed to work?!" Sweetheart said wih a shaking voice. Nightmare laughed with amusement and even complimented to her that she looks more sweet when she´s afraid. She commanded her guard to bring something out. And to their surprise, all her friends in disguise of Twilight was gathered. "You almost got me there. But you forget that I see everything." Nightmare said with wickeness in her eyes.
But Sweetheart stoop up against Nightmare and she wasn´t afraid anymore. She gathered all the confident enough to tell her, that she´ll never get away with it and that Midnight will be free from the blasted curse. But Nightmare just laughed and squeezes her face which Sweetheart was irritated, yet Twilight seemed confused by their interaction.

"Oh, my poor little Sweetheart. You always looked so cute, when you´re angry."

But then Sweetheart ran towards her and pushed her?! "What are you doing, you disgraceful worm!". Twilight had never seen her like that. Her expression was a bit of rage and scared a little bit. She got a bit distracted until she heard Sweetheart yelling at her, that she need to go. Twilight hurries towards Midnight, but Nightmare pushed Sweetheart away and flew in a fast speed. She pushed Twilight away from Midnight with her spreading wings.

"You think you can defeat me?! I am invincible! No one can stop me. Not even a whiny filly who lives in her own fairytale world!"

Twilight frozed. She was shocked by what Nightmare said. Luckily, Sweetheart came to the rescue and pushed her again. "Twilight! Snap out of it, we need to go. Now!" Sweetheart shouted at her. Twilight finally snapped out from the shock and started to focus on the target again. She ran towards Midnight again and jumped to reached the light. Sweetheart got up and followed her. Nightmare tried to catch them to prevent them to reach Midnight, but it was too late for her.

"NO!!"

Twilight and Sweetheart has finally made it and disappeared from the world...

Everything went in slowmotion. Twilight was a bit nervous over what will happen to them next, but Sweetheart seemed calm and determint, when she took a quick glance on her. She felt a bit of courage to face the unknown, and also relieved to finally find Midnight inside of his mind.
They finally reached the destination. They landed with a gentle elegance, but the floor and the entire room seemed endless. Then, they heard some voices from the distance. Twilight was a bit scared by the creepy egos, but Sweetheart doesn´t seem scared. "I remembered it all like it was yesterday..." Sweetheart mumbled to herself. Twilight was a bit curious to know what she meant by it. But she seemed too distracted to explain and told her that they gotta move and walk into the unknown. Twilight just followed her.
As they walked, she could hear some happy egos, especially a genlte voice from a mare. But as farther they go, the egos began to stretch into a big filters, almost like a cinema at home. She was startled by the transformation, but already forgot it, when Sweetheart explained that these filters was memories from Midnight. Twilight felt relaxed and facinated by this new discorvery, until something caught her attention. She sees some ponies mocking the filter and she could Midnight´s voice as if he was crying. She just couldn´t get her eyes out from the memory.

"... What a joke! You think you can impress my sister with your precious books?! You´re nothing but an odd mule..."

Twilight felt a sharp pain in her chest. Although it wasn´t one of hers, she could help, but feeling angry and wanted to kick that stallion who bullied poor Midnight,but despite that she knew how he felt. She heard Sweetheart calling after her, so Twilight has no choice but to leave the memory behind. Luckily, she could see Sweetheart from the distant and followed her direction. When she got closer, Sweetheart were just stranding there, stift like a statue. Her eyes was big and wet, almost like she was crying. Twilight asked her what’s the matter but didn’t get her response. She followed her eyes. And to her surprise, she saw a pony sitting. It was a young unicorn and Twilight already recognizes him with just a glimpse.
"Midnight!" she called to him and he looked up and was surprised. "Twilight... W-what are you doing here?" he asked her confusing. He also notices Sweetheart who was more happy to see him.

"We´re here to free you!" she said with joy, but Midnight seemed more sad than happy by the news. She asked him why he looks sad and that he can finally be free from the control. But instead, Midnight just shook his head and sat down. "Don´t you see I´ve done terrible things, Sweetheart." he said.

"What are you talking about?! Nightmare was the one, who made our lifes into misery! She´s the one to blame, not you!" Sweetheart said with a convincing look.

It was a bit of a shock in Twilight´s ears. She thought with a disbelieved look, how he has done horrible things, if he didn´t do anything wrong. Well, despite lying and hiding his identity, but he didn´t have any choice, if Nightmare wanted to hide him from the world.
Sweetheart tried to convince him to come back, but Midnight just kept guilting his wrong doings. Twilight stepped in and finally confronted him. Well, she did confront him at the castle, but this one feels different. Now she´s determint to make him snap out from his guilt.

"What exactly did you do wrong?" she asked.

Sweetheart and Midnight seemed surprised by her question. But Twilight didn´t hesitated to ask him more question, like if he committed a sin, he mostly regretted. Or did he hurt someone, a friend or a relative he dearly loved. Midnight was sppechless by the last one. He started to cry, "I... I didn´t mean to do it! I didn´t mean to hurt anyone!".
He collapsed and cried out loud. His eyes was watering like a waterfall and kept cried over how much he missed his friends, his family and how much he regretted to have made the deal with Nightmare.
Sweetheart felt really sorry for him, but tried to take her tears in. "Twilight... don´t you think it was a bit... harsh...". Twilight admitted she was a bit hard on him, but he need to face the fact, that he can´t keep hiding and guilt tripping forever. She told Sweetheart, that Nightmare can´t control him anymore and he needs to stand up for his freedom. She could see on Sweetheart, that she seemed amazed by her speech. She saw her smile happily and felt her proudful eyes. Twilight smiled too and said that she don´t need to worry, "... I know what I´m doing."
Sweetheart nodded and stepped back. Twilight turned back to the crying Midnight. She then opened her arms and hugged him tightly. Midnight stopped to cry and looked surprised by this. But Twilight kepts hugging him.

"I understand how much pain you went through. But you can´t keep blaming yourself for your actions. Your sacrifice to protect those you loved was the mostselfless and devoted thing, I ever imagine."

Midnight seemes confused by her words, but she kept hugging him. She told him, depite not knowing his story, she always admired his bravery, even if he was scared on the inside. And how much he tried to keep his good side to survive all these years. She even told him, the story about kept her going and she always believed he was real, despite being a filly´s imagination.
Midnight didn´t seem to recall some story, but it didn´t matter. When they let go from hugging and stared at each other, he was surprised to see her tears flowing down like a waterfall. But she wasn´t sad, but happy. She even wiped her tears and said how embarrassing she must look, but Midnight didn´t mind. They smiled for a bit, until Twilight confessed that she always wanted to meet her prince ever since they met. "I know... you told me that before." he laughed, but Twilight shoke her head. "... Even if it´s only a dream... I´ve always believed that you were real...".
It caught as a surprise for him. He took an glimpse on Sweetheart as if she knew about it, but she just kept smiling. Then he turn back to Twilight who was heavily crying. He asked her what´s wrong, but Twilight reassured him that she only crys with tears of joy and relief.

"You always gave me hope, whethever I´m feeling down. I know it may sound weird, but... somehow, I´ve felt that you were always with me. To make sure that everything´s gonna be okay. Dreaming about you is like an encouragement to keep going on my studies and goals... "

Twilight still couldn´t help but cry with joy and started to hug Midnight again. He stared at her shockingly and can feel her warm tears on his shoulders, he heard Twilight whispering in his ear, "You are the reason to give me faith on friendship...".
Midnight felt an surprising shivering and could feel Twilight smiling. She told him, that despite not wanting friends to distract her studies, she has this strange feeling that friendship can be a good thing and that she shouldn´t be afraid to have friends. Just like the day she came to town and the moment she met her friends to defeat Nightmare Moon.

"... You gave me faith to be strong and never give up. I didn´t care if ponies saw me as weird... but one thing I know is... I will always have faith in you no matter what..."

...

... I forgive you...

Midnight was touched by her words and embraces her gently. "Twilight..." he whimpered calmly as his tears slowly flowing down on his cheek. But as they were embracing this beautiful moments, a strange light shines around them. Sweetheart was amazed by that, but then, it started to lighten up the room like a sunshine...

Author's Note

Okay, I finally finished this chapter. Never realizes it takes too long to write on chapter down. Xb
But I´m really happy that I´m finally reaching this chapter, I was mostly exciting of. Well, not quite what I have in mind, but it still works. Esspecially Twilight and Sweetheart who teleported into Midnight´s mind and we get some small infos about his past. I might write it all down in my deviantart some day to explain his history with Sweetheart and Nightmare. (And also their stories and connection to each other)

But next chapter will be a sort of a epilouge, cause I was too tired to write more chapters. XD. But it will be long and might takes some months or a year to finish it.

So please be patient and please put some comments, if you like my stories or what things I should do better next time I´m writing a story.

See you next time. ;)

Epilouge: A New Beginning

Twilight sat in her library and read a book in a quiet night. She couldn´t sleep and was feeling a bit stressful after a long schdules and a huge celebration, Pinke had thrown. "I should´ve take a nap a long time ago." Twilight thought to herself. Then, there was a knock on the door. She wondered who will visit in the middle of the night. When she opened the door, she was surprise to see Sweetheart outside. SHe asked her what she was doing here, but Sweetheart shushed and ask her if she can stay overnight. Twilight seems skeptical, but politely let her in.
She took some blankets and a pillow and told her it´s alright to share a bed, but as her friend instead passed by her room and went to the library. She thought it was strange, but follows her. When they were inside, Sweetheart sat on a pillow and picked a book from her bed. As Twilight stared confused on her, she just put the blankets and pillow aside, and sat beside her. "What are you reading?" she asked. Sweetheart didn´t respond, but nodded. Twilight wasn´t sure what she meant by it, but She got a bit startled by her whimper. "I just couldn´t sleep..." she said. That wasn´t the respond, Twilight was looking for, but that works too. She sat beside her and took a book to read with her, but it was too quiet. She took a glimpse of her friend, but Sweetheart did the same too and Twilight looked away by embarrassment. They sat quiet for a moment, but luckily Sweetheart was the one to break the ice, "I... took this book you liked from our secret place...".
She gave her the book, which was her favorite. Twilight even looked amazed by the title and started to scroll it quickly. This book was about a young apprentice of a wizard who taught her healing magic and went to a quest to prove her worth to her mentor. Twilight thought it sounds familiar, when she read it, but honestly she didn´t care much. She only loved the mysterious real-life stories that turns into myths.
She began to mention about The untold tales of Raggedy Randy, a weird pony who just loves to collect rags and gave it to the princess for marrige. It made Twilight and Sweetheart burst out of laughter because of these goofy stories.
But they stopped laughing to catch their breath.

"Do you have this feeling that even though everything turns alright, you can´t shake this feeling away..." Sweetheart mumbled.

Twilight didn´t pay much attention to what she said, but even asked her what she meant by it. Sweetheart implied that even though the evil is gone, but she felt that some things were still there. She can´t explain why, but it´s just a feeling, she has.
But in Twilight´s mind, something ticks some bad memories that she´ll rather forget. But she couldn´t shake the moment when they tried to stop Nightmare. She remembered one thing, she never forgets. She remembered the walls inside the castle started to move and flew right into Nightmare, but it didn´t hurt her. No, they cleaved together into a armor suit, even covering her wings. It was scary to imagine them like giant knifes as she swung her wings towards her friends. But the most scary part about it, is that she always saw her reflection in Nightmare´s mirrored armor and fear was the only thing, she sees.

"Yeah... I think I know what you mean..."

Sweetheart just nodded and continued to read on her book. Twilight did the same, but unfortunately the bad memories still gives her chills that crawls inside her skin, like a haunted ghost.
But the reflective armor wasn´t just the only scary part from their battle. No, it was a horrible incident that still haunts her. They defeated Nightmare. Or so they thought. Nightmare just emerged into a giant monster and grabbed Midnight. She started babbling about how she should´ve destroyed his mind, when she got the chance.
Her ego was like a loud roar than any manticores. It was also that moment, where she gently grab his wings, mumbling something before she ripped his wings with an aggressive laughter. It was a terrified view, even her friends looked pretty horrified and felt scared. It was also an traumatic memory for her.
But when she thought everything is lost, Midnight har prepared something, that seems like it was a dream. When he called Sweetheart to take something out, she was surprised to see that she took the elements of harmony from her sack. She didn´t understand how it is possible, but with no hesitation, Midnight despite being weak, performed a strange spell that brought her and her friends together along with their gems. It felt familiar, even taking her back to their first meeting and the moment, they defeated Nightmare Moon and their other victories.
It surpisingly deafeated their enemy like a blast. Suddenly, something strange had happen too. As she was deafeated, there was a big green smoke that surrounded her, as she laughed with a mocking tone towards them;

"You really think you won? Ha! You think you´re better than me cause you were the heros?! I don´t think so! Only I know how it all turns out!"

That´s the last thing, Twilight will rather forget, though she couldn´t. Perhaps it is something to remain, yet buried within and think of it as a abandond memory. But there is one thing, that made her relief of happiness. It was a time, where she and her friends, helping the wounded Midnight to find the exit. It was lucky, that Sweetheart was there guide them, cause after their fight with the evil witch, the tunnels was too unrecognizable to find a way out. Maybe it was cursed too?
But when they finally reached the exit, the sun was rising. Twilight was so relieved to feel sunlight again and saw her
friends´smiles of joy, and hugged each other as a comfort. Sweetheart smiled and a tear slowly rolled on her cheek. But she saw Midnight standing on the cliff and stared at the sun, she got a bit worried. It didn´t burn him as Sweetheart once described, so his curse is broken. But she asked him if something is wrong. But Midnight looked at her with a smile, that Twilight has never seen before. She remembers hearing him say;

"It´s strange... I´ve been living in the dark for a thousand years. I´ve already forgotten the sun and the beautiful colors of the sun rising into dawn... I got used to the comfort of the night...
But... after Nightmare is gone... I have this strange feeling, that I haven´t felt in years. It´s like these chains that kept me inside the castle was cut off and dissappeared. My body felt lighter that ever. I could feel the wind on my mane and I can breath! And... the warm feeling on my face.

I´ve... never felt this way before...

I feel... free."

She took a glimpse at Sweetheart who´s still reading her book. She still has so many questions, despite finally knowing Midnight´s past now. But... There is one thing, that bothers her most.
"So... are you finish reading your fairytale book?" Sweetheart asked, that broke the awkward silaence. Twilight was almost speechless. It was like Sweetheart knew what she was gonna ask, despite keeping it quiet. Although... She never mentions it to her besides her dream? She just responded that she didn´t read it in a long time. Sweetheart just smiled and said that all stories should be taken for granted, just like the other stories in their secret hideout. Then she got up and stretching her legs. "Do you mind if I can get a herb tea?" she asked to Twilight. She just nodded, even when she asked her, if she would like to have tea too.
When she closes the door, Twilight started to speculate why she was asking about her fairytale book. Or the real question is; how did she know about it? Many questions flushed around her, but got interrupted by Sweetheart, who just came back with a teatrolley with two cups of tea. She places the teatrolley between them before she took her cup and drank it. Twilight uses her magic to teleport her cup, but lost her appetite for tea. She just stared at Sweetheart who just seem casually calm and just continued her book. Twilight decided to ask her a question. She puts the cup on the floor and stood up. "There is something I´ll like to ask,". Sweetheart just stared dumbfounded at her, but Twilight could see that she knew what she was talking about. "How did you know I have this book?" she asked directly. But Sweetheart just stared at her. "I just know that. Didn´t you know I´m great at spotting things!" she responded with a big smile. But Twilight seems pretty skeptical. She didn´t really buy her lie and something doesn´t add up.
Sweetheart nervously kept her smile, but Twilight told her to drop the act. So she did and sighed. "What do you wanna know?" she asked pretty sarcasmic, which came as a surprise for Twilight. Twilight wanted to ask her so many questions, but only asked her about how she knew her fairytale book. Despite wanting to demand many answers, she felt like she already knew them and asking her wouldn´t matter. Sweetheart sighed calmly, but seemed pretty annoyed by that. "I just happens to know." she just said. Twilight stared at her with a mix of confusion and frustruation. Then Sweetheart asked her that she has forgotten that she also lived the same time period as Midnight, which Twilight objectified that she didn´t. There was a awkward silence between them, but Sweetheart broke the awkwardness that she too isn´t normal and recalled to her friend that she was a `part´ of Nightmare too. Twilight nodded, yet Sweetheart sighed. But despite how she came to excist or how she came into Midnight´s life, she´ll do everything to make sure that Midnight would never be unhappy, even in terrible situations.
Twilight felt something strange. It was like all unsolved puzzles was gathering around her mind and became one picture. "It all makes sense now..." Twilight thought to herself and stared surprisely at Sweetheart. "It was you, isn´t it? she whimpered. Sweetheart stared at her in confusion, but Twilight was too busy to confirm her conspiracies. How could she be so blind? Of course it was Sweetheart who made the fairytale. It did all make sense now. Twilight was confirming her theories that her new friend who just happens to live with a long lifespan, made this book as a call for help. The only cry that someone would read this as a sign. It does make sense, that Midnight was actually a real pony.
Twilight couldn´t stop making ideas of all the crazy stuff, she´s been through. Sweetheart tried to get through to her, but she didn´t pay too much attention. She has no choice but to yell at her;

"Listen to me at once!"

Twilight was in shock, yet awaked from her conspiricies. But she feared that the echo was so loud, that it might wake Spike up, but luckily it didn´t. He still sleeps like a rock.
Twilight saw Sweetheart with serious eyes, but did apologize to her (even she didn´t do anything wrong?). She was pretty exciting and curious to know how she manages to slip the book to the library, perhaps it was meant to her, if she have psycic powers to sense from the future. Or something like that. But she saw Sweetheart´s eyes staring directly in her eyes and she felt a bit creepy awkwardsness between them. But she did give her a small smile before saying;

"Who said I wrote this story?"

Hearing this, Twilight felt a bit dissapointing that her conspiricy was false. But some part of her was happy to finally know the truth. Sweetheart shook her head and giggle for a bit. She told her how silly she looked when she thought it was her. Twilight realizes that too and made a small laugh. They stopped and sighed by the awkwardness. But Sweetheart implied that all she know is, that someone truly dear to Midnight, wrote this story to those who read this, will know his story and give them a slight of hope to finally open their eyes. "... You were the only one, who have a bit of faith to know, he´s real". It was true, but Twilight felt more proud than ever. Since fillyhood, she just thought it was just a childish tale, but she kept it within her as a encouragement to reach her goals. Even having a bit faith to finally have her dream come true.
She wanted to ask more about Midnight´s life. Other than she know from her fairytale book. But before she could ask her, Sweetheart quickly interrupted and ran in Pinkie Pie-speed towards the window. "Look! A shooting star!". Twilight shook her head and followed her. She wasn´t annoyed, but perhaps asking can wait. She looked up at the sky and was pretty amazed by the star. A star so rare and has the beautiful rainbow colors than the most shooting stars, she sees.
"Quick! Wish something!" Sweetheart said in a childish way and closed her eyes. Twilight closed her eyes too, but instead of wishing, she started to remember something. She remembered when she and her friends were celebrating, she notices Midnight slipping into the garden and she followed him. One time, she have a weird fear of getting lost in the garden maze, even though Princess Celestia escorted her while having lessons. But as she got older, she didn´t feel frighting anymore. She did thought it was weird at first, but maybe it´s just a filly thing. Luckily, she already found Midnight standing in the middle of the garden and stared up at the sky. Twilight came a bit closer asked him what constellation he was looking at. but he didn´t answer, so she have to look up. There were so many stars, that she couldn´t find any constellations. But she took a glimpse on Midnight, who actually smiles...

"It´s beautiful, isn´t it?" he asked.

Twilight just nodded, but she knew that Midnight knows. Although... she did miss someone dearly to her. She missed the blind pupil in his eyes that felt kind, but very much wiser. His lightblue mane swirling in the wind, and the dark blue fur. She missed his mentor personality and the interesting life lessons (if you could say that...). For the first time in her life, she never thought of missing someone who wasn´t there. Someone who was the same pony. The only one was the disguise of the prince. Could it be... that she missed... Astral?

"I´m sorry I wasn´t the one, you missed..." she heard Midnight say. She was startled by his respond. Is he psychic? How did he know that? Twilight tried to change subject, but Midnight just laughed and told her not to apologize. But she did feel bad of thinking that way. She even tried to confess to him that she did miss her old friend. Not only his company or because he was Midnight, but... "... I just missed the one, who made me feel... like myself..."
She thought he would be upset, but instead he smiles. He even said that he knows how he feels. He even admitted that he was going on a journey to find himself. Twilight was a bit upset that he´ll leave soon, but was more curious to know where he will find out there. Midnight wasn´t sure yet, but he told her the reason why he´doing it, was because he has been living in Nightmare´s curse for so long, that sometimes he even forgot who he was. And even missed out the wonderful things, that happens. He wants to find out more about himself than he thought.

"That´s my decision," he said with a smile.

Twilight understood. They gave each other a hug before he was about to go. Twilight wasn´t sure if the princess´s knew about it, but Midnight reassures her that he gave them the message. "I hope you find, where you´re looking for," she said with a calm voice. She tried to smile, yet she couldn´t get her eyes from the scars on his back. Scars that used to be his wings...
"Don´t worry about me, Twilight. I´ll be fine," he reminded her with a reassuring face. Twilight knows and just nodded. But before he was about to go, he gave her a light kiss on her cheek and she blushed like never before. She stared at him with a startle look, yet he giggles as if he teases her. He said his goodbye and went out from the garden, leaving Twilight still blushing and confused. But she made a big smile, knowing he will be alright.

"Bye..."

That was the last time, Twilight ever saw him. But she never felt more happier than ever. Well, more than that. She pets on her cheek, still remembering the light, but delightful kiss. Sweetheart interrupted her daydreaming and asked her if Midnight was looking at the same stars as they do now. Twilight thought about it, yet still couldn´t hold her giggle from Sweetheart´s childish look, but she thought it was cute.
She looked up at the shooting star, perhaps they were looking at the same stars. Who knows? But She was hoping that Midnight soon will come back, so they can have their usual star-watching again. She looked at Sweetheart and gave her a hertwarming smile, an so did Sweetheart too.

"Yes... I hope so too..."

Author's Note

Finally done with the final chapter!!

It was quite of a journey to finish this story ever since 2014. Even thought it didn´t quite go as I planned, but I never gave up to write and finish my story, and my goal of this is complete.

I do hope you enjoyed this story and you all welcome to ask questions or if there are things, I should do better next time.
But other than that, i´m glad this part is complete. Perhaps i´ll do more of Midnight´s journey next time. ;)

I do have a deviantart, if you´ll like to see my other arts, including my three characters: https://www.deviantart.com/divamanga19.

See you next time. ;)

Prologue

This is the story how I met my prince... But it´s not any kind of prince... and probably not my speciel somepony... but a prince from my fairytale…

I remembered how it all started when I was a filly. I usually loves to read books about magic and spells and I studied much until I learned how to use them. But when I was in the Royal Library to find more spell books, an old book fell from the shelf.
My little horn glowed and picked it up with a purple aura around the book. I carefully studied the book and since it was ancient, it should turn into dust, but it was perfectly fine. I took it up to my room without my parents' notice; I blew some dust from it and opened the first page of the book. But I was surprised that the pages looks new inside and the letters was clearly to read.

"Once upon a time..."

I read the whole book. It was a fairytale but never knew there was kind of it from many years ago? I read the book again, which is about a unicorn prince who sacrificed himself to save his subjects from an evil witch whose black magic were darker and stronger than any kind of magics. I read to the ending with a conclusion that tells that one day, somepony would come and rescue the unicorn prince from his eternal prison which was a curse, where he had to wander at the night in eternity and never see the sunlight again.
I was very amazed by the fairytale, but it makes me wonder why there´re only three pages while the rest of the book was blank. I had no clue about it, but I read the story again all night and forgot all my questions...
I remember I didn´t get used to be tired in the morning and even my studies, but I couldn´t help but get to bed and read the fairytale over and over again and I´d never get tired of it.
My whole childhood of the fairytale of the unicorn prince had followed me all the way and I was quite happy to have it. I was pretty good by hiding my daydreams from my tutor.
I often daydreamed about one day I would meet my prince from the book. I also kept my hopes of meeting him, perhaps at night, but I knew he was nothing but a fairytale character or a "morale" as everypony called,when it was used to foals to teach them some life lessons. But for me, it seems like it was a sad but true story about a pony with a horrible life...
The other ponies often teased me about my prince who will never come or my parents claims that the prince was just a imaginary friend. My babysitter and even my brother believes in me, but I knew they only said it so I wouldn´t feel lonely.
But I actually didn´t care at all. I didn´t care about the other ponies bullied me or call me stupid nicknames. I know I have no friends, but the only loneliness I have is my fairytale book. Whether he might be wandering around in the quiet night, I´ve always kept my patience on him. Maybe not today, not tomorrow, but maybe in a few years, I would meet him someday and I would always keep my faith on him no matter what...

Well... Let me tell you how my childhood dream came true...

10 years later...

Twilight has never felt so happy in her entire life. Not only she was a faithful student of Princess Celestia, but she also got something that she has never felt so happy before: Friendship.

"The most valuable gift, a unicorn could wish for."

Friendship is so magical that the Elements of Harmony has brought them together to defeat Nightmare Moon and other evil powers. And after writing the last puzzle of Starswirl the Bearded's journal that didn´t understand the friendship as Twilight does, she will be rewarded by something other ponies have never seen before; She became a Alicorn!
In fact it was so magnificent that Twilight was the first pony who was crowned a princess (besides Princess Cadence). Princess Celestia has already decided to organize a big event for the new princess in Canterlot.
Twilight and her friends and even her number-one assistant, Spike was on their way by train to Canterlot. They were very excited to celebrate Twilight's coronation. Everyone was happy on her behalf, all except Twilight. She should indeed be happy for the reward, but it felt like it´s not she expected. "Is there something wrong, Sugarcube?" the orange pony asked with grain golden mane tied into a small ponytail. Twiligt viewed Apple Jack and answered she is fine. Applejack smiled tell her that her friends can´t wait to the coronation. Twilight give his friends an see-ya-later-gaze, hen her friends left and her expression seems very sad when a maiden leads Twilight to her own chamber.

Twilight sits in her chamber, while two maidens makes her ready for the coranation. But why does it feel like it´s not for her? Of course it came as a surprise to her, but is it really what she want?
There was a knock on the door and e maiden opened the door. Twilight was surprisely happy to see Cadence again and they sing their Sunshine song with a dance, they made up.

"Sunshine, sunshine, Ladybug´s away
Clap your hoof, and do a little shake"

"It´s so nice to see you again," Princess Candence said happily and gave Twilight a big hug. She looked very admiring by Twilight's new change and so does Twilight at Cadence´s dress that was simpel, but very beautiful to look at. Twilight tried to smile, but neither can she smile. "Is there something wrong?" Cadence asks worried. "I'm fine..." Twilight replied simply, but since Cadence was her babysitter she wasn´t too easy to be fooled, so she admitted her problem to her sister-in-law:

"Cadence... Do you... Do you have this feeling that you don´t feel like, it´s not exactly what you ever imagined..."

Cadence looked a bit strange at Twilight like it was a stupid question, but she sighed and sat next to her which she tells her life story on her first day in Canterlot. Twilight already knew her story about when she was a pegasus and her experiences in the unknown. She also told her how Celestia took Cadence in and she felt like she was a part of the family.
"...I remember how surprised I was when I was in a unfamiliar place with Celestia..." Cadence giggled at the thought of it. Twilight also giggled by the thought of Cadence's frightened expression while Cadence continued the story; "I was unsure what came next, but I was quite grateful that Celestia made me the one, I am now..." Cadence ended with a gentle delight in her voice. Twilight just stared at her with a question mark over her head, but she noticed the warm smile and her hooves on her chest.
"You... you really know what you really want to be..." Twilight said with a sad tone. Cadence puts her one wing on Twilights shoulder and nuzzled her nose on Twilight´s cheek. "...Actually, Twilight... I didn´t expect what would happen to me... And if Celestia didn´t made me into a princess because of my talent, I would never have been your babysitter and marry your brother," Cadence giggled with a friendly smile. Twilight giggled, but Cadence actually has a point. But Twilight sighed and Cadence embraces her with her gigantic wing, "No matter what you expects, you just have to accept the fate you got... and you should be thankful for that..." Cadence said encouraging and left the room.
Twilight still sat in front of the mirror while two maidens tells her she should be out about a minute. Twilight just nodded and see the two maidens leave the room. She stared at her reflection and looks so majestically.
Is it true what Cadence said? Will she just have to accept it as it is? Twilight had expected more than that, but is it just like that? Is her destiny JUST to become a princess without a reason? She knows what the Princess said before, but in her ear it wasn´t the answer she seek.
There was a knock on the door again and a young mare with a black dress and white apron opened up without Twilights response. "Are you ready to go, Miss..." said the young maiden shyly. Twilight stared at her in the mirror for a while, but gets up and walks sophisticated with her gold shoes towards the door. She reached the door while stopped and looking at the young maiden, "I'm ready..." She answered and smiled softly at her while the young maiden blushed. She was out of the room and a guard stood in front of her and leads her to the coronation hall…

Twilight looks very nervous when she entered the coronation hall. She can see, there are many ponies, looking amazed at her in her majestic dress. Even her parents looked very proud at her and it makes her happy inside. Although she tries to smile in front of the audience and listen patiently at Princess Celestia's short speech about her astuteness and heroism, she felt empty. Like there is something missing but she just don´t know what it is, besides Cadence's advice.
After being crowned as princess with her new crown with the symbol of her element, she was followed out to the balcony with the three princess´ and her friends and family who are 20 centimeters away from her. She can see the crowd bawling and shouting of joy at the sight of the new princess. Twilight didn´t know exactly what to do now in addition to wave and smile awkwardly to the audience.
"Say something Twilight..." Celestia whispered in Twilight's ear while she waves to the other ponies. Twilight seemed very surprised, but she was not nervous more and stand erect on balcony and starts her very first speech, she can think of;

"A little while ago, my teacher and mentor Princess Celestia sent me to live in Ponyville. She sent me to study friendship, which is something I didn't really care much about."

Then she took a gaze to her friends and smiled proudly at her. Twilight smiled with a bit watery eyes and continues her speech;

"But now, on a day like today, I can honestly say I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I've made with all of you."

She turns to her friends and they steps forward onto the balcony where they kept touched by Twilights speech while Pinkie Pie was about to cry;

"Each one of you taught me something about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful. Today, I consider myself the luckiest pony in Equestria. Thank you, friends. Thank you, everypony!"

The ponies hooted and stamped as Twilight ended her speech with relief, but also by happiness to speak her true voice out. She waved gratefully to the crowd and went inside, where she meets her brother Shining Armor and Cadence. "I'm so proud of you..." Shining Armor said in a proud voice. Twilight smiled at his brother, but discovered that he cries. Shining Armor dries quickly his eyes and came up with an excuse that it was liquid pride. Twilight giggled, but she was aimed at Cadence, who smiled and winked at her.
Twilight smiled again as she hears praise from her friends and Pinkie cheers that it was the best coronation ever. "We love you, Twilight" Fluttershy said with the quiet voice. "I love you too, girls..." Twilight responds and embraces them.
Even she has friends by her side, she felt calmer than before, but sometimes she still felt empty in her head and her heart. She still feels that there is more than she just have, but what was missing? Something that could be the final piece of her questions?

Author's Note

Well... I finally manages to publish my first mlp fanfic in fimfiction. I was proud to myself, but also new to everything. :-)

In the prologue, I rewrites my two prologues together from my fanfiction profile (Through I still uses it), since it was a long prologue to write, but I manages to look from my old stories and rewrites them again. Also I ewrites some grammars, I didn´t notice before and made some few changes.

But the first chapter is coming soon

Chapter 3: The mystery of Sweetheart´s disappearance part 1: The Mysterious Pony

Ponyville has always used to be a quiet town with friendly ponies and where anything exciting things can happen. But ever since Sweetheart came to the town, things has changed by time.
In fact the ponies was quite happy for her, even Twilight was happy for her ever since she decided to stay with Twilight, where she helps others with their daily schedules. For example, where Rose Luck had forgotten to deliver a bouquet to Matilda, who has a friend on visit, Sweetheart just showed up and volunteers herself to deliver the bouquet to the donkey lady. Everypony was so happy for her and showed their gratitude to her helpful spirit. Even Twilight felt joyful for Sweetheart to feel welcome in the town and finally has found a place that made her useful to both the town and Twilight as a newcoming princess.

One sunny day she saw Sweetheart, walking along with a pony that has a dark liliac cape with a hood which covers the entire head except for the muzzle. Twilight was not sure if it's a stallion or a mare, but this mysterious pony was very tall. Just as tall as Princess Celestia.
Twilight follows them with her eyes, and when they stops to the path that leads to Everfree Forest, they separated and the mysterious pony disappeared in the woods, while Sweetheart was on the way back to the town. She was heading to Twilight, who's quickly looking down and pretended to check the list of duties. Sweetheart asked her if there is something she can help with. Twilight responded with a yes and gave her a stack of lists.
"Sweetheart... Who is this mysterious pony, you were walking with?" Twilight asks curiously, while she gives Sweetheart some papers. Sweetheart paused for a moment, but she replied that the tall pony was just a traveller who´s just asking for directions. After Twilight has finished to give Sweetheart half of the list, she quickly explained to her what she´ll do in the lists. Sweetheart nodded understandable and went herself in the process of performing lists.
Twilight was happy to have somepony who can help her to fulfill the rest of few things she can´t mangage to finish. She's almost like a assistant (Spike is still her assistant #1, so that would make Sweetheart her 2nd assistent). While she was doing some obligations, she was wondering about Sweetheart and the mysterious pony who disappeared in the woods, like a shadow. It almost feels like they know each other...

One beautiful spring day, Twilight and the ponies organizes a midsummer festival in the town square. Twilight has never been a festival, but she has heard stories about how pretty the star-shaped decoration at the buildings and the lanterns floating elegantly in the sky.
She has heard that noble aristocrats celebrates it and took place in Canterlot ballroom or in the royale garden, which she never notices before, but today Princess Celetstia offered them to celebrate the festival for the first time, which makes everypony stamp by joy. Which makes Twilight to wonder how she´s never heard it before and how could it be that everypony knew about that? Even her friends was talking about it.
She was at a table in the city street and helps Rarity to cut some gold papers into stars and sometimes moons, and hangs them with the ribbon which was hanging on a bushy rod which was called a "Maypole"."

"Rarity... How come I've never heard about it when you knew it?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Well darling, I've never heard it either, but since I hears rumors about this 'magnificent' festival, I was obsessed with it and hopes we could celebrate it in Ponyville. And my dream came true!" Rarity responded and seems quite tense and honorable for helping to arrange it. Twilight smiled slightly at the thought of a dream that would come true. Her little daydream was quickly disrupted by Lyra Heartstrings, who asked after Sweetheart.

"Sorry, but I'll tell her when I see her," Twilight said just as she sees Lyra nod and walked away.

She thinks it's weird that Sweetheart just disappears when there are other ponies, who needs her help. "Don't you find it odd, when Sweetheart just disappears for a moment?" Twilight asked suspicious to Rarity, but Rarity replied simply that she´s probably has other plans to do.
Twilight didn´t say anything and continues to decorates in the town. But it´s strange that many ponies´s never wondering, where Sweetheart could be or what she was doing. She has a feeling that somethings is going on strangely. She and Rarity finished the decorations, Sweetheart appeared suddenly and her expression looks so ordinary happy. Twilight asked her where she had been (almost trilliard times the other days), but she got another excuse (and sometimes the same excuses) to have found some beautiful flowers for the party.
She shows them as evidence and Rarity were so admired by golden tulips which she has never seen before. Twilight wasn´t impressed by the flowers, but thinks they are pretty. Sweetheart gave them to put some flowers as decoration, but before Twilight could tell about Lyra, she said suddenly that she knew and have already given the strings of her harp and pointed the direction. Twilight followed the direction and to her surprise, she saw Lyra practices with her ready-made harp and waving to Sweetheart as she could hardly believe her eyes.
How did Sweetheart know that Lyra lacked some strings to her harp concert, when she has been gone for nearly 3 hours? Twilight was just about to ask her about it, but when she turned around, she was already gone. Rarity immediately said to Twilight that she would help Applejack while she adored and admired the tulips.
Everything seems pretty strange recently. It's almost like everypony (especially Rarity) didn´t thought about where she got the tulips from? It´s strange that others didn´t notice that Sweetheart goes into the woods every day and disappeared like magic. She has seen her go into the woods a lot of times and gives her the same excuse to find interesting things or was SO busy when she was in the woods FOR SO LONG!
She heard Rainbow Dash and Cloud Chaser calling for helping her to clear the cloud until tonight. Twilight agreed and flew up to her, even she has a lot of training to do. After a whole thinking, while helping Rainbow Dash, something tells her that there is something mysterious here in Ponyville and have a clear suspicion that Sweetheart is up to something. She has already planned, when the festival starts tonight, she keeps an eye on her so-called "best friend" and follow her if she decides to slip back into the forest...

At the Midsummer Festival...

Although Twilight isn´t quite interested in the festival, but she wasn´t expected this evening will be something special. She never expected the lanterns floats slightly in the air or hanging on the houses, that can be so beautiful to look, especially the fields in various forms are very beautiful. She walks around to enjoy the good karma around her, she sees other ponies that looked to have fun, especially the young ponies who runs playfully around the maypole.
She looked at Applejack, who sells candied apples and pies with Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy with her animals as a small zoo for foals. Rarity with her new dress inspired by the golden tulips, while delivered midsummer wreaths to happy ponies. And Rainbow Dash, who´s just... Having fun? Everything seemed to be alright as Twilight has no reason to worry about... Well, especially Sweetheart. But it was still nice to see Sweetheart, who´s still there and have fun with some ponies who loved her, even Cutie Mark Crusaders and other fillies, and colts were very extraordinary happy for her.
Twilight was thinking to spand a bit time her, but came straight to Princess Celestia, asking her about the decoration and the festival. Princess Celestia commented how nice Twilight's work has made, she blushed by flatter until she leaves Twilight to meet with Mayor Mare adn her sister, but promises her that they will meet later. But she was most anxious to hang out with Sweetheart and fortunately she is still there.
She was about to meet her, but she notices that Sweetheart had become popular in the last few days. She didn´t mind it all, but she was very happy for her to find new friends, but also misses her. But before she could find one of her friends, she heard Sweetheart calling her and gallops towards her. But then she stumbled over a pony hoof and landed right in front of Twilight.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked almost in shock.

"I'm okay, it didn´t hurt this time," Sweetheart said in a clumsy tone.

Twilight and Sweetheart giggled and walks along to some stalls with various activities and contests each other like they were competitors, but was having fun at the same time. She always knew that Sweetheart often can be clumsy. Sometimes in Canterlot when Sweetheart came with tea while sitting in the secret library to read books, she often stumbles over books and loses cups and teapot with dandelion tea, and was almost burned. Or when she goes somewhere else in the castle without realizing that there was a staircase and just falls down, where she has sprained her leg and had to stay in bed in almost three weeks!
Luckily she didn´t get any injuries after tripping over a hoof and it was just an accident. But it doesn´t prevent them to have fun in the midsummer festival, especially when they´re dancing around the maypole. Not only she was happy to have her friend on her side, but she was also happy that Sweetheart was still here with her...

Author's Note

I made some changes from my fanfictin account, and also the title. I wasn´t sure about how I should call it. At first I named the chapter "The Festival", but then I realizes that this chapter is about Sweetheart´s mysterious behavior by disappears in the woods or talking to the same stranger (not really happend, but that´s what she´s doing). So I named this title now. I was thinking to name it both, but it would sound stupid.
I wasn´t really sure, if I should find another name or uses the same, but I´ll figure it out later. Also there is three parts as you notices, and I´ll post a picture of Sweetheart in my deviantart and here (if possible) to give you a impression of how Sweetheart looks like. :-)

Edit: I gave the first part a title (sort of...). Very different than my fanfiction account, but I figured that I should give it a another title to explain more about the chapter. It was after I read BrushStroke's "Instant Teenager" fanfic and gave me a idea to the title. :-)