The Dark Apprentice: The Call of Shadows

Twilight walked gingerly up to the Castle chambers just outside Celestia's room.

"Its unlocked, please let yourself in Twilight". Said that all familiar regal voice from behind the door.

Twilight gulped and slowly pressed her away inside.

"Twilight Sparkle, its so good to see you." "I apologize for summoning you like this but this is of serious importance, I believe your brother has already informed you about some of this?". The Princess asked in an attentive tone.

Okay just act like your usual concerned purple self, your not the Dark Apprentice, your not really banging her sister. Your a virgin, a virgin!

"The.. Dark Apprentice, you... know about that too Princess Celestia?". Asked Twilight, now in the full flow of her usual natural act. Although now this seemed like she was having to act just to seem like herself.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. In the beginning I didn't tell you about the full title or the role of the Faithful Student, it would have meant telling you about what that involves. And now you know, im afraid the time has come for you to take on the true role of 'The Faithful Student', Twilight Sparkle I ask this of you in the name of the Crown. Will you oblige me and take on the role of faithful student?"

Twilight stood there perplexed, it wasn't like she could just say no. But without knowing the terms of this agreement she was about to be entering into, without the parameters and rules of engagement set before her, the reluctance to do so was overwhelming. However saying no could also sway Celestia's suspicion onto her, something which was totally out of the question. It was also clear to her now that Celestia most defiantly disproves of this Dark Apprentice. Just what had Twilight gotten herself into, the reality of that was now just settling in. And since suspicion currently wasn't on her, it was in her best interests to keep that suspicion as far away from Twilight as possible.

"Yes" Twilight replied in a little sheepish voice. It was just enough to show Celestia she was willing to proceed.

"Im afriad you are going to need be the one to investigate the identity of the Dark Apprentice".

Twilight winced for a moment and stood there wide eyed, her jaw ready to hit the deck.

"Me?". "Wuu...why would you want me to do that?" The lavender ponies imagination had just reached epic proportions, what in the heavens was she thinking.

"Sometimes Twilight, when faced with a foe such as this. The best form of defense is to attack, the Dark Apprentice is extremely hard to detect and is a master of disguise and espionage, you may be well versed in with magic Twilight but you are also known by almost everypony in the Kingdom. That is the biggest difference between you and the Dark Apprentice, nopony in Equestria knows who that is."

Except me and your sister

"What I'm saying is, the closer you get to the Dark Apprentice, the easier it will be for he/she to not discover who you really are. It will be the last thing they expect. Luna included". She continued.

"You will report to me once a day, currently I have a theory that you could have already come into contact with the Dark Apprentice. Ms Mi Amore Cadenza, or she is being controlled by the Dark Apprentice to gather information about you. Either way I think with Mi Amore would be a good place to start." She said.

"And do what?" Twilight asked, her stomach was in her mouth at this point, but she managed to keep it down.

"Just watch, you need not spy on her. Why not offer to aid in her fashion tour that's coming up in a few days?" Said the Princess, who now to Twilight, seemed to have a good point.

'She clearly didn't doesn't seem suspicious of me' Thought the lavender Alicorn. 'But if she were to discover who I really am, it would break her heart. And possibly our trust forever.' And that Twilight could not allow.