The Light of the Night

The area was smooth, the air was still, the temperature not very high, and the humidity was just right, neither hot nor cold. The floor beneath her feet was hard yet comfortable. It was peaceful, calm… Or it would, had her heart not pounded so wildly. It would have been even better, had she not been freaking out, her forehead dripping with sweat.

“What is this feeling…?” She mumbled.

She pulled her hands from her eyes, observing the area around her, trying to control her breathing. No movement, no sound, just silence… Burning the eardrums. A few minutes passed, she heard footsteps behind her. She spun around, her pulse starting to rush, for a moment she could barely breathe. She panted heavily; she could feel how the anxiety wracked her body

“Calm down! Nothing’s wrong! Why are you so—”

“Twilight…”

That voice… Could it be…?

“Sunset?” She called, taking a step forward. “… W-What’re you doing out here? Where are we?”

There was no mistake, there she was: Her moderate cyan eyes looking directly at her, the brilliant amaranth hair with light orange stripes, and her light amber skin. The orange T-shirt with her cutie mark of the sun, a black sleeveless leather vest with bits of gold along the collar, the pink skirt with black belts, complete with the black high-heeled boots with several straps, with blue, red, and green emblems. She took a glance toward the ground, taking a deep breath before turning back toward Twilight, who could see a look of fear on her face.

“I’m sorry Twilight, but there’s no other way…”

“Sunset…? What’re you—”

She walked towards Twilight, and her steps were slow yet persistent. Out of concern, Twilight moved closer to Sunset. As she stopped before her, Sunset’s hands quickly moved towards her neck, clenching as tightly as she could.

“I’m sorry, Twilight,” She murmured, shaking her head. It’s for the best; it has to be done.”

“Sunset!” Twilight cried, struggling to pry her hands. “Wh-Why are you—What are you doin’--?”

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.”

Sunset’s grip tightened, Twilight was suffocating, scratching at her arms.

“Why? T-Tell me, Sun… Sunset…Why are you—”

“Keep speaking!” Sunset threatened, her grip tightening. “It will help you die faster; I’d rather savor this moment.”

“Wh-What?!”

Suddenly, that apologetic frown upon Sunset’s face shifts into a sadistic grin.

“Oh yes, Twilight. I’m so very sorry it has to end so fast; I’d rather see you suffer.”

“What are you—”

“STOP TALKING!!!... Don’t even breathe…”

Tears started to streak along Twilight’s face, her heart raced, gasping for the slightest breath.

“This will be but a fraction of what you did to us,” Sunset growled. “Especially the Friendship Games.”

“N-No! I-I didn’t—”

“’Mean to’? Were those your next words?” Sunset asked, viciously. “Don’t deny it, Twilight. You can never take back what you did. It’s all your fault; we almost died… Because of you!”

Twilight Sparkle started to choke in terror, any air lingering within her body was ceasing to escape. Her body started to tremble, as she could feel her strength fading.

“Sunset… Please!” Twilight gasped. “I-I’m sorry—I never wanted—”

“How does it feel when you’re the one who’s suffering?” Sunset murmured, sliding closer. “This is the only way.”

Sunset laughed distortedly, as Twilight stared into her now vacant eyes. Sunset cackled maniacally, as Twilight saw images of the terrifying scene pulling her into the dark… Cool… Soothing voice… Until…

SNAP!!!

<>

GASPS!!!

Twilight bolting up from her bed, clinging to her neck and gasping for air. It was a nightmare… Another one, worse than the last. Twilight clasped her hands to her mouth, stifling her cries. She quickly took her glasses and placed them over her eyes, looking around the room and not wanting to get up. She wanted to stay in bed, wait until morning.

“You’re going to be okay, Twilight,” Twilight told herself. “It’s only a nightmare, you’re going to be fine… It’s okay, everything will be alright…”

But no matter how much she told herself, Twilight knew it never works… She needed someone. Someone to tell her that everything’s okay, that it’s just a dream and nothing more. She clung to her shirt tightly, a simple white t-shirt that hung just above the stomach and no further. Eventually, she forced herself out of bed, stumbling towards the opposite room, using the wall as a guide. It felt like an eternity before she reached the door, pushing it open.

“S-Sunset?” Twilight whispered, no response. “Sunset!”

But the bed was empty, she was nowhere to be found. She rubbed her neck; she could still feel those hands like they were still choking her.

“You need to calm down, Twilight. There’s a reason behind all this; freaking out does nothing. You have to figure this out!”

Her throat felt raw, her lungs closed, and she didn’t remember how she got to the bottom of those stairs. All she remembered was that she kept walking until she found herself. There she stood, shaking as she slowly curled up against the wall, unable to move. Minutes dragged on, not that it mattered to Twilight, this wasn’t the first time it happened, and it wouldn’t be the last.

It wasn’t until she heard a faint noise nearby, a very familiar sound, that she was able to control a portion of her body. She made a gasping sound, signaling her distress before falling to her knees.

“Twilight? Twilight are you okay?! What’s wrong?”

Twilight tried to say her name, but the words barely left her lips. All she could muster was a harsh, breathy sound. There she was: Sunset Shimmer, standing so close to her, grabbing her shoulders, shaking, trying to ask what was wrong. Twilight gratefully clutched to her night shirt, crying in her grip. Twilight swore she heard a faint voice behind her, but she was so weary and so fearful she could hardly glance.

“It’s okay, Twilight,” Sunset murmured soothingly. “I’m here, it’s alright. I’m here…”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight cried out. “I know I’m a horrible person.”

“What? No, Twilight, you’re not horrible. Why would you think that?”

“A-After what I did… The atrocities I committed… You deserve to hate me. My actions lead to almost everyone getting hurt, or worse… I could have…”

There was no stopping it, something was welling inside of Twilight Sparkle. She begged silently for this feeling to go away, to leave her alone… But the guilt refused to go.

“I’m sorry—I’m—I’m a monster! A freak!”

Twilight Sparkle struggled to regain control, but the harder she tried to fight, the shakier and weaker she became.

“No Twilight,” Sunset shook her head. “You’re a regular girl, just like us.”

“… Sunset, what’s going on?”

The voice was raspy yet very familiar to someone Twilight Sparkle knew . She pulled away from Sunset for a moment, turning straight up. She saw her friend, the rainbow colored hair, the pale, light grayish cerulean skin, and moderate cerise eyes. She was dressed in one of her sports shirts and shorts. The moment Twilight saw one of her friends, her face went pale.

“R… Rainbow Dash?” Twilight whispered.

Twilight tried to regain her composure, but she felt herself going hysterical. As if it were humiliating enough, an ugly hiccup got loose. Rainbow averted her gaze, but the focus was still on Twilight Sparkle, who couldn’t stand to face any of her friends in her state. Before they knew, Twilight quickly got up and ran upstairs to her room.

“Twilight, don’t go!” Sunset called. “Twilight—”

But Twilight slammed the door, locking the bolt, and pressed her back against the frame. A few moments later, she heard someone walk up to the door their shadow seen just under the cracks of it.

“Twilight… Are you okay? Please come out.”

Twilight wanted to respond, but she didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t imagine what the girls thought of her now.

“Hey Twi, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Rainbow Dash mumbled. “You know that, right?”

Twilight sank to the floor, curling up in a ball, wanting to hide away from the world and trying to ignore the voices beyond the door. They may have forgiven her, especially since it was a long time ago, but Twilight could never show her face knowing what they saw. A teenager girl broken beyond words. She spent the rest of her life building some persona, hoping to avoid being shunned. Yet here she was, breaking down in relentless tears, with the only people, who remotely care for her, just an earshot away, not knowing what to do for her.

“Pathetic…”

Twilight heard a voice whispering to her, she didn’t want to look up. But she could feel that unmistakable presence that has haunted her since that day, a presence she knew too well. She could feel it… She felt her standing right in front of her, leaning on the bed.

She looked just like Twilight Sparkle, the same purple skin, and eyes, even the same purple hair with the pinkish streak. But she was different: Her hair floated up, an aqua fire around her eyes, a glowing turquoise horn with a black magical aura, black feathery wings glowing and protruding from her back, even a long, purple tail. Her dress showed off the colors and cutie mark associated with Twilight. Midnight Sparkle, staring at Twilight Sparkle, maliciously, her arms folded over her chest as she smirked.

“You haven’t changed at all. Broken… Weak… Useless… A puppet.”

Twilight tried to ignore it, tried to ignore her, even as she walked from side-to-side and her voice grew in volume.

“Did you really think they wouldn’t hurt you? You are dumber than I thought, thinking they’d ever trust a sad sap… Like you…”

“They’re not bad people,” Twilight muttered. “Is it so terrible to hope?”

“Only when you’re at your weakest,” Midnight Sparkle spoke, mockingly. “But we’ve been on this road before, haven’t we?”

Twilight Sparkle wasn’t stupid, she knew everyone has their downfall at some point. But this… This was no exception.

“I-I know, but I didn’t mean to. I was just curious, about this whole phenomenon… After what happened, I… I just wanted people to be nicer to me.”

“And what good did that do? Hmm? You invite people in your life, and they burn you the first chance they get. Trust is a mirage of fallacies bestowed upon you, and people break it time and time again. You, of all people, should know how that feels. All human beings know is pain, they enjoy using others for their own malicious, trivial needs… Just as they used you.”

Twilight Sparkle hated when Midnight Sparkle appears, every time she spoke there is nothing but malice. From the other side of the door, she could hear Sunset and Rainbow Dash outside her door, talking to each other.

“Sunset, if you ask me, maybe you should get her to talk,” Rainbow Dash spoke, with a hint of worry. “Friends talk things out all the time, you know?”

“… You’re right, I know you are,” Sunset sighed. “I… I guess I should’ve been more observant… I feel like such a bad friend.”

Twilight flinched, as that statement missed the mark completely.

“Sunset? A bad friend?” Twilight asked herself. “Just because she didn’t—Wait. Something doesn’t add up!”

Now that it occurred to Twilight Sparkle, what were they doing at this time of night? What had Rainbow Dash meant about friends talking to one another. Twilight Sparkle chose to swallow her pride, take a few deep breaths, and swung the door open before they could react.

There they stood, looking right at Twilight Sparkle, filled with surprised. In that moment, Twilight started having second thoughts, not knowing what she was going to do and wonder if this was such a good idea. She felt mesmerized, standing as tall as she could, and maintain complete eye contact. Despite her mind telling her to look away, her mouth opened to speak. Twilight Sparkle should’ve thought this through before making such a reckless choice.

She figured if she outright asked what their intentions were, they would assume she was either crazy or snooping on them. It seemed like Twilight was in a real pinch at this point. Still, the realization Twilight made has forced her to stand there like a schoolgirl. Her mouth wide open, lacking the vocals to speak.

“… Twilight?” Rainbow Dash murmured, glancing her way.

Twilight Sparkle had a difficult time finding the right response, like attempting to talk with a piece of gum in her mouth. But looking at those two, there was no escape.

“Um…”

That was all Twilight Sparkle could say and she wanted to slap herself.

“Great opening line, idiot!” She thought. “Always acting before thinking!”

A few seconds went by and all was silent in that moment. But eventually, Twilight was able to form a more coherent sentence.

“I just… Wanted to know, Sunset, don’t get the wrong idea. I was just…Wondering… What were you doing earlier?”

Sunset Shimmer looked flustered, while Rainbow Dash shared a glance without saying a word.

“… Ah, about that,” Sunset started, her voice restrained. “I was… Trying a catchphrase after hearing Pinkie’s. I was hoping to catch that same ‘spark’.”

“’Spark’?” Twilight asked, curiously.

“Y-Yea, it’s stupid I know. Heh, honestly I have no idea ‘how’ or ‘why’ I came up with that.”

Twilight glanced toward Sunset. It wasn’t the strangest thing she had ever heard, but for right now it made her feel better. Sunset could always get her to laugh along.

“Alright,” Twilight replied, calming down. “So, that’s all you girls were doing?”

“Exactly, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash chimed in. “We’re just trying to—”

“But how about you?” Sunset asked, concerned. “You look exhausted. You want to talk about something?”

Twilight’s face flushed further, as if she started to lose whatever control she had left.

“Y-Yeah… I-I’m doing well…” Twilight stuttered. “N-N-No need to worry about me, I’m just… I’m just trying to—”

“Oh, would you two quit dancing around the subject?” Rainbow interrupts, with her hands on her hips. “Twilight, it’s pretty obvious something’s wrong. Just talk to us.”

Twilight flinched at the sudden statement, gritting her teeth. Twilight must have acted like such a ‘dunce’, stuttering around like an idiot.

“I’m just having a rough night, okay?” Twilight asked, irritated. “Between school and the Friendship Games, which is bad enough—”

“Twilight, what happened?” Sunset asked gently. “Whatever’s causing you to act like this, I want you to know you can tell us ‘anything’.”

Immediately, Twilight turned away from them, staring at a nearby wall. She was so embarrassed to even look at them, but she couldn’t hide the truth for long. A deep sigh escaped Twilight’s lips before she proceeded.

“I had another nightmare. But there’s nothing to—”

“Nothing?” Rainbow answered, bluntly. “From the way you reacted, it’s obviously far from the truth.”

Twilight Sparkle was starting to really regret opening the door. Rainbow Dash stared at Twilight; her eyebrow raised as her gaze never left. Sunset Shimmer, meanwhile, glanced at her fingers and folded them together.

“Twilight, you and I both know it wasn’t nothing,” Sunset spoke. “You look… Terrified, not to mention you’re sweating and even twitching. Whatever’s happened, we won’t think any less of you.”

“Can’t… Can’t we just wait until—” Twilight started, anxiously.

Sunset Shimmer neither nodded her head nor even spoke, but she seemed to get the picture. She shot a quick glance toward Rainbow Dash, who gave her an imperceptible nod. She turned with a deep breath.

“No, Twilight. We need to deal with this right now.”

“But… I’ve already wanted enough time!” Twilight groaned, irritated. “Can’t we just forget this ever happened…”

“No!” Sunset suddenly shouted. “Please Twilight, whatever problem is making you act out, it’s obvious you need our help. If you won’t let me, you leave me no choice but to stay here until you do.

“B-But I’m fine now,” Twilight replied, with a shaky smile. “Can’t you see?”

“I’m sorry, Twilight. But that’s not enough. We can’t turn a blind eye from this, even if you asked.”

Twilight did whatever she could to hold back a gasp threatening to come out, barely releasing a shudder. There was nothing Twilight could do… She could feel a cold glaze into her eyes. She swore she could see the malicious smirk, the twisting of her face… Twilight felt herself lose control of her breathing, as if it became too much to bare.

“Twilight?” Sunset asked, concerned. “Twilight?!”

Twilight snapped out of her thoughts, turning back toward Sunset… Only Sunset. Whatever Twilight saw initially, they seemed to disappear: The cold eyes… That twisted smile… The dark aura emitted from her… Gone.

“Snap out of it, Twilight,” Twilight thought to herself. “It’s only a dream.”

True, it was a bad dream, the worst she ever had. But Twilight knew better to keep herself in check, to ensure everything is going well. The reality, though, is that Twilight wanted to curl up and scream into oblivion. She placed her hands in her pockets, hiding the shakiness.

“But, uh, can we please talk about—”

“Twilight, no more lies!” Sunset begged. “I want to help you with whatever’s happening.”

Twilight glared at her feet. Couldn’t they sense the dark energy? Couldn’t they feel the tension cracking around them? It seems so easy for them to turn a blind eye to it all, while Twilight constantly felt that presence, that chill in the air that otherwise left her friends undisturbed. Twilight wanted to do just that, but they wouldn’t let her.

“… Fine,” Twilight sighed. “We’ll talk.”

“… How about I make you two a drink?” Rainbow suggests, gently. “I’ll be down in the kitchen. Better to talk things out, especially to folks in need. But seriously, Twilight, you look as if you’re sinking in quicksand.”

“… Alright,” Twilight mumbled, reluctantly.

As Rainbow Dash turned and went into the kitchen, Sunset made her way up into Twilight’s room.

“I know it’s hard Twilight,” Sunset spoke gently. “But you and I both know we’d have to talk about this eventually. Maybe we can find a way to resolve this dilemma you’re having.”

Twilight said nothing, she just watched Sunset slowly cross her room. Twilight turned her gaze toward the floor, sighing.

“Twilight,” Rainbow Dash called, softly.

“Um… Yeah?” Twilight responded, wincing.

Twilight Sparkle braced herself in preparation for a poorly planned, yet respectable attempt to help Twilight. One that only Rainbow Dash could pull off.

“Perhaps Sunset is better help than me,” Rainbow admits. “I’m not good at this sort of thing…”

“Uh… Thanks, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight smiled.

“Hey, what’re friends for? Now, you go talk to Sunset. She’s a good person, it be uncool to leave her hanging.”

Twilight understood what Rainbow was saying, nodding in response. Satisfied, Rainbow turned away back into the kitchen.

“Hey Rainbow!” Twilight called, as her friend turned back. “Can I ask you a favor…?”

“Shoot!”

“Um… Can you not bring this up with the others? You know, pretend this never happened?”

“I can’t promise they won’t find out. But don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”

Twilight smiled, offering a silent thanks. Rainbow smiled back, continuing downstairs to leave the two girls some alone time. Twilight turned and entered in her room, seeing Sunset sitting on the bed waiting for her. But Twilight’s eyes widened, because there sitting next to Sunset, Midnight Sparkle sat along the edge… And Sunset didn’t seem to notice she was there.

“Are you sure you can trust them?” Midnight asked, cruelly. “You should just play hard to get; just run away like you always do.”

“No… I can’t keep running from this,” Twilight argued, mentally. “They won’t hurt me; Sunset would never hurt me. I trust her; she’s more help to me than you are!”

“Fine!” Midnight shrugged, with a smirk. “But when she turns against you, when all your little friends turn on you, don’t blame me. I warned you first.”

As Midnight Sparkle spoke, Twilight felt herself frozen in place and closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them back up, she saw Sunset still waiting for her to speak… Midnight Sparkle was nowhere to be seen. Twilight shrugged, leaning against the wall opposite from her. Sunset sat on the bed, fumbling with the sheets. For a moment, there was nothing but silence.

“… Twilight,” Sunset repeated, softly. “I hope you know you can talk to me if something’s wrong.”

“I know, I can,” Twilight smiled. “I know you think I’m keeping secrets from you. But I’m okay, I really am. I was only having a—”

“Twilight… I want to believe you, I truly do. But your tears and voice suggest otherwise; I’m not oblivious. I-I was worried about you! The worst thing about this is that I don’t know what to make of what’s going on!”

Twilight couldn’t believe what Sunset was saying. She could barely look at her without cringing. Her heart pounded; her hands felt cold.

“Sunset, there’s no need to—”

“Twilight, I want you to talk to me about your dream. Please don’t keep me in the dark.”

The dark… So cold, so scary—Twilight shook vigorously, her smile becoming difficult to maintain.

“It was just a dumb dream,” Twilight wanted to say.

But when she tried to say those words aloud, her voice gave out before she began. Her voice produced a more softer mumble, sounding as if she ‘intended’ to speak but it came out vaguely.

And there, Sunset Shimmer still sat, patiently with a small, sad frown. There was no denying it: Twilight brought this on herself. Sunset was here because she was worried, that Twilight’s the reason this is happening. She almost hurt the people who actually wanted to be her friends… She never wanted that to happen.

But the image, the one from her dream, gripped her mind… Refusing to go away. She remembered Sunset rushing toward Twilight, strangling her, speaking with an empty apology coupled with a hollow smile, and the snap of her neck… But ‘the smile’, it was so familiar. Twilight swore she saw that before, from someone… Icy…

“No…” Twilight thought, her face paling.

“Twilight?”

Twilight felt the cold grip and the sharp nails of ‘her’ clutching her shoulders, massaging her. Her malicious face against her cheek, breathing an icy breath into her ear. Twilight’s breathing was out of control, as she fought hard to keep the monster in check… But she was beside her and Sunset couldn’t see her.

“N-No,” Twilight stuttered, feeling the claws against her skin. “It’s nothing, I-I…”

“Don’t fight it, Twilight…” Midnight spoke, devilishly. “You and I both know this is a war you cannot win. You’re a monster; she doesn’t deserve to be beside you.”

“I-I just—” Twilight shuddered. “I don’t think I can—It’s silly—You wouldn’t understand, even if I—”

“Twilight, it’s okay,” Sunset assured. “You know I would never hurt you. I promise everything is okay.”

It was just a dream, Twilight knew it… But it felt so real, so coincidental. And she could hear her giggling with sadistic glee.

“Go ahead… Tell her! Hit her where it hurts; you know you want to.”

“I… I had a dream… Where I was… ‘Killed’ by you,” Twilight cried out.

Twilight felt her entire body trembled, the grip from Midnight’s clawed hands clenching tightly as if she could feel her tearing off the fabric from the back of her clothes. Sunset’s eyes widen in surprise and, for a moment, she appeared devastated.

“Now… She’ll show you what I’ve been talking about. About what she’s hiding from you, little Star…”

“I’m sorry,” Twilight whispered, crying. “I can’t figure out why… Please, don’t be upset with me. I know you’d never do that; I’m not scared of you. It’s just—”

“I know, Twilight,” Sunset nodded. “I know…”

Sunset leapt forward, approaching Twilight, who closed her eyes expecting the worse. But then, she felt her arms wrap around her, hugging her tightly. Twilight nearly flinched, squirming in her embrace, against one of the few people she held dear. She raised her arms hesitantly before quickly hugging Sunset, planting her face upon her shoulder, crying against her shirt.

“I’m sorry…” Twilight gasped. “Please don’t leave me… Please don’t leave me!”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Twilight,” Sunset whispered, softly. “It was a dream; none of that is real. They’re illusions, a conjuring in your mind. It’s okay to not understand.”

“I know you’re right, but—”

But what else could Twilight say that she hadn’t already said. The tears poured from her eyes, as her breathing started to shake. Only Sunset’s soft, warm pajamas provided any comfort like resting on a soft blanket.

“I know you’re scared of something,” Sunset continued. “Something has been eating at you in your dreams. Do you know what it could be?”

Twilight knew who it was, but for some reason she couldn’t utter her name… As if Midnight was manipulating the scenario, holding back the truth.

“Why is she doing this to me?” Twilight thought. “What could Midnight possibly gain by harming me?”

She recalled her dream; it wasn’t Sunset Shimmer… It was Midnight Sparkle, her clawed hands wrapped tightly around her neck. She tried snap away the failure Twilight Sparkle represents. That feeling made a chill crawl against her spine. Sunset waited for an answer, but she saw Twilight couldn’t speak. She saw her shiver, sobbing into her shoulder, begging for comfort.

“Don’t worry, Twilight. I promise I’m not going anywhere, there’s nothing to worry about. I’ll stay with you tonight, so you can rest peacefully. We can talk more about this in the morning.”

Twilight hesitated for a few seconds, looking at her unevenly. Twilight reminded herself that this is Sunset Shimmer, a girl who would never hurt her, much less strangle her, she shouldn’t be scared so long as Sunset is with her. Logically it makes sense, Twilight always had feelings for Sunset in more ways than words could explain.

Twilight nodded gratefully, most of her fears dying away. Sunset lead her to the bed, laying her gently on the mattress, tucking her into the soft sheets. She caressed her friend’s face, as she took Twilight’s glasses and laid them on the counter, before giving her a soft kiss on the forehead.

“Don’t worry,” She repeated. “I’ll sleep with you tonight. I promise nothing bad is going to happen.

“T-Thank you, Sunset,” Twilight whispered.

It wasn’t until Twilight allowed her eyes to close that she realized how tired she truly was. It had been such a long night, full of regret she wanted to unhook from her mind. A brief respite of calm welcomed Twilight openly as Sunset tucked herself beside her, lying back as Twilight wrapped her arms against her and laid her head upon her chest. But as she opened one eye, she saw Midnight Sparkle looking down at her, and the two stared silently while her gaze was more sinister.

“This isn’t over, Twilight Sparkle…” Midnight Sparkle whispered, before disappearing.