//-------------------------------------------------------// Returning darkness -by UmbraFang- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Summer night //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note hello everypony i hope you like this story its my first please comment on anything you see or if you like it and give thumps up Summer night It’s seemed to be a normal summer night in ponyville. In the golden oaks library there was a alicorn with dark purple hair with a pink and light purple strips and her name was Twilight Sparkle. She was doing some late night reading, when she heard a knock on the door. She looked at the clock and saw it was about midnight. “Who could that be at this time of night?” she asked herself going to the door. When she opened the door, she saw a dark figure about the same size as her wearing a black hooded cloak and had a scythe but Twilight could tell it was a mare with gray fur about the same age as her. “Yes can I help you?” she asked confused on why the mare was at the door. “Sorry for the intrusion but are you by chance Princess Twilight Sparkle former student to Princess Celestia and the princess of freindship?” the mare asked. “Yes I am” Twilight said even more confused. “Oh good I was hoping you could help me out may I come in?” she asked. “Yes please” she said letting the mare in. “So what do you need my help with?” Twilight said closing the door behind her. “ I was wondering if you had a book on herbs in the Everfree forest?” the mare asked. “Yes I do please have a seat while I get it for you” she said going to one of the ladders in the room. As the mare sit down and started reading a magazine about the Wonderblots. "Are you a fan of the Wonderblots? My friend Rainbow Dash is in the Wolderblots reserve" Twilight said looking over at the mare.Twilight could tell that she had armor because it came out from under the cloak. "Yes i'm a big fan and i'm so happy for her that she is following her dream" the mare said looking up at Twilight then going back to the magazine. Twilight though to herself for an minute. [hmmm? She sounds like she knows Rainbow] “If you don’t mind me asking but what are you doing out at this time of night?” she asked coming back down the ladder with the book. “I would rather not say.” the mare said looking around a little uneasy. “Oh that’s OK, and what is your name?” she asked walking back over to her. “Here you go” Twilight said giving her the book. “thanks for book my name is Rosethorn but you can call me Rose” the mare said putting down the magazine and grabbing the book. Twilight could not help but wonder if Rainbow knew the mare. “Oh could I ask you one more thing? The mare asked stopping just before the door. “Sure what is it?” Twilight asked following. “Could you have Spike send this letter to Princess Celestia? It is very important that she gets as soon as possible” she asked holding out a scroll. “Oh sure I will have him send it first thing in the morning” Twilight said taking the letter. “ Thanks again and sorry to bother you at this hour” Rose said opening the door. “Ok? You're welcome and it’s no problem at all” she said following the mare outside. “Bye Twilight” Rose said starting to walk away. “Bye and you're welcome” Twilight said waving as the mare walked away. “That was weird I wonder if Rainbow knows who she was and why was she wearing a cloak and why did she not want me to know what she was doing?” she asked herself walking up to her bedroom. As she walked in to her room she could hear the light snores of her adopted brother Spike half way uncovered with his arm hanging off. She walked over to him and recovered him and smiled “I wonder who she was and how did she know mine and Spike’s names and why was she wearing armor and had a scythe, why did she ask Spike to send a letter to the princess is she part of the royal guard, I will have to ask Rainbow about it tomorrow when I see her” she said as she go in to her bed. The next morning The sun shined through Twilight's window and into her face. Twilight woke up, stretched and looked at the clock and saw it was 7 am. She got out of bed and yawned. “Spike it’s time to get up” she said walking over to him and pulled the covers off of him to reveal a purple dragon with green spikes. “Just a little longer” he groaned trying to find the covers and hiding under his wings. “No Spike we have a big day today” Twilight said walking to the bathroom to take a shower. “Fine tonight is the Grand Galloping Gala right?” Spike said rubbing his eyes and sitting up. “Yes it is, it starts a 7pm so we need to be at Rarity’s at 4pm to get ready” she said from the bathroom. “Ok I’m going down stairs to make breakfast” he said getting out of his bed stretching his arms and heading to the door but Twilight didn’t hear him because she already turned on the shower. About ten minutes later Twilight came in to the kitchen. They sat down and enjoyed their food for a bit. When Spike he was done he got up and was about to leave the room when Twilight called him. “Spike there is a scroll on the desk I need you to send to the Princess then you can have the day off” she said following him out in to the main room of the library. “Really!!” Spike said happily. “yes just meet us at Rarity’s when its time” she said smiling. Spike ran over to the desk and sent the letter on fire with a green flame and was about to leave, “where are you going Spike?” she asked. “I’m going to ask Rarity to be my date to the Gala and then help Applejack out on the farm see you at 4” he said running out. “Good luck” she called out giggling. Spike wasted no time as he ran he stopped at the flower stand and bought a rose and continued to the Carousel Boutique and knocking on the door. “Coming” Rarity said as she walked up to the door and opened it. “Well hello Spike I was not expecting you till later” she said a little confused on why he was there so early. “Rarity will you be my date to the Gala?” he asked handing her the rose. “”Oh Spike I’m sorry but I really think we should go just as friends” Rarity said frowning a little. “Oh ok I understand” Spike said as he turned around disappointed and started to leave. As he walked to Sweet apple acres he could not help but wonder why she turned him down. He continued to let his thoughts wonder so much he did not see the blond haired mare in front of him till he ran in to her and knocked her down. “Oh I’m sorry Applejack” he said helping her up. “Its ok sugercube but why were you spacing out?” she said dusting herself off. “I asked Rarity to be my date to the Gala but she turn me down and I was just wondering why” he said lowering his head. “Listen sugercube I don’t think that she is the right girl for you anyway you how she is when it comes to guys but don’t worry I know there is a girl out there that is just right for you” she said giving him a reassuring smile and lifting his head. “You really think so” he said feeling better about the whole thing. “Yes I do, now let’s get to work so we can make it to Rarity’s in time” she said grabbing a basket for some apples. Spike nodded and grabbed one too as they set of into the orchard. //-------------------------------------------------------// The day before the Gala //-------------------------------------------------------// The day before the Gala Meanwhile earlier that morning in Canterlot Shining Armor was walking into the throne room to meet with the princesses to talk about tonight. “Good morning princesses” he said bowing. “Oh good morning Shining” Princess Celestia said looking over from her sister to him. “Princess what is the plan for tonight?” he asked looking and standing back up. “The same as last year don’t you think sister?” she asked looked back over to Luna. “Yes I think that will do nicely” Luna said nodding. "Very well I will take my leave then” Shining Armor said bowing and leaving the throne room. Just then a cloud of smoke came into the throne room and turned in to a letter. “Oh we have a letter from Twilight” Celestia said opening it. As she read it she started to smile. “What is it Sister?” Luna asked trying to read over her sister's shoulder. “Well it’s not from Twilight it’s from Rosethorn it says that the mission was a successful and that she is on her way from the Everfree Forest to Canterlot and should be here soon” she said looking over to Luna. “Oh that good to hear” Luna said smiling. After about an hour later the doors to the throne room open with no one there. “Leave us” Celestia said to her court they nodded and left the throne room and dimmed the room. Once the doors close she spoke “Ah Rosethorn it’s good to see you again” standing and walking over to them followed by Luna. The same mare that meet Twilight walked out from the shadows of the room. “It's good to see you too princesses” Rosethorn said removing her cloak at reveal that she was a light gray Pegasus with a black mane and tail with red and gray strips with a scar on over her right eye and a three piercings on her ears with a black sheild with two scythes as a cutie mark wearing black leather with a purple crescent moon on the breastplate. “Rosethorn did you get the book on the herbs too?” Luna asked. “Yes Luna” Rosethorn said smiling revealing the book under her wing and hands it to her. “Rosethorn how did the mission go?” Celestia asked looking back to her. “Very good Princess we will not be seeing any attacks from the changelings for quite some time so the Gala should go off without any problems” Rosethorn said turning her attention back to Celestia. “Rosethorn you don’t have to be so formal when it’s just us” Celestia said putting a hoof on her shoulder. “Sorry Celestia” she said with a small smile. “So will you be attending the Gala tonight?” Luna asked. “Well the Gala isn’t really my kind of thing and besides I really want to get back to work” Rosethorn said shrugging. “Rosethorn, you remind me so must of your father, he was just as much of a workaholic as you but you need a break” Celestia said in a concurred tone. “I know but I’m so close to finding were Sombra's lair is” Rosethorn looking back at the princess. “Rosethorn you have been at this for a long time now, I know you want revenge for your father’s death but you need to move on, he would not want you to waste your time trying to avenge him, and beside we have not really seen anything from him since then, you need to take some time to relax and have fun once any awhile, if you won’t do it for me do it for him” Celestia said in a caring tone. Rosethorn sighed “Ok I will see you tonight” turning to leave but stopped at the door. “Celestia” she said turning around. “Yes?” Celestia said turning back around. “Thank you” she said as she opened the door and then the light from outside the door hit her turned in to a shadow. “Your welcome” she said smiling as she sat back down on the throne and brighten the room again. Meanwhile back in ponyville it was about noon and a Pegasus with rainbow hair was lounging on a roof when she heard a voice below calling her. “Hey Rainbow are you up there?” the voice asked. Rainbow rolled over and looked over the edge to see Twilight. “Oh hey Twilight wants up?” Rainbow asked standing up. “I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before?” Twilight asked. “Sure that sound good” Rainbow said jumping down. They walked over to a café and order some sandwiches and fries and sat outside to enjoy the nice summer afternoon. As they ate Twilight was still wonder about the mare from last night. “Hey Rainbow do you know a mare with gray fur and black armor by any change?” Twilight asked finishing her food. “Why?” Rainbow asked a little confused at the sudden question. “She stopped by the library last night but she didn’t say her name so I was wondering if you know her and because she was acting little bit like you” Twilight said standing up. “The only mare around here that I know that gray around here is Octavia but she doesn't have armor” Rainbow said throwing her trash away after Twilight. “That’s what I thought too but she did not act like Octavia” Twilight said as they left the café. “I have no idea who she was sorry Twi but I got to go see you at Rarity’s” Rainbow said about to take off. “It’s ok I just though you would know that’s all” Twilight said as started to walk away. Rainbow flew as fast as she could without doing a sonic Rainboom towards Fluttershy’s house. “Sorry I’m late Fluttershy” she said landing. “Oh it’s ok I really down mind” Fluttershy said softly. After helping Fluttershy for an hour she started to feel uneasy. She stopped what she was doing and started looking around. “Rainbow is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked looking up from a squirrel. “I just feel like we are being watched” Rainbow said still a little uneasy. “Oh really” Fluttershy said looking around. “Yeah but there is no one around” Rainbow said looking back at Fluttershy. “Let's not worry about it right now and get some lunch” Fluttershy said a nervously. “That’s a great idea I’m starving” Rainbow said going over to a tree and sitting down with Fluttershy following. “Here Rainbow” she said handing Rainbow a daisy sandwich that she pulled out of a picnic basket. “Thanks” Rainbow said taking a bite. They sat quietly for a few minute enjoying their meal and the weather. “Hey Fluttershy do you remember that mare that was in our class that just disappeared one day?” rainbow asked. “Why?” Flutters asked tilting her head in confusion. “Did you ever hear what happened to her?” Rainbow asked. “No I’m sorry Rainbow I never heard what happened” Fluttershy said sadly. Rainbow’s ears fell onto her head and she lowered her head “its ok Flutters no one knew what happened some don’t even remember her.” “Rainbow is everything ok” Fluttershy asked noticing her friend’s mood change. “oh everything is fine I’m just a little tired its almost time for my afternoon nap” Rainbow said trying to sound happier. “oh its time for me to meet Rarity at the spa join us if you want to that is” Fluttershy asked. “No but thanks for the offer though Fluttershy I will see you later” Rainbow said taking off. “ok bye Rainbow” Fluttershy said leaving for the spa. “she remembers me” a shadow said coming out of the branched of the tree and follows Rainbow. Rainbow found a fluffy cloud to take a nap not far from Rarity’s “why am I so sad about this, maybe a nap would help get over her” she said curling up but she could not but replaying memories in her head.