The Light of the Night

It was all Twilight Sparkle’s fault, hiding secrets from people. And for what? Was it really to satisfy some monster residing in her mind? Those girls, Sunset Shimmer especially, they trusted her… Yet Twilight brushed them away when they reached out to help. Pathetic, that’s the single word she thought of herself.

After what felt like ages, Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer arrived back at the house. They went upstairs back to her room, as Twilight set her down on the chair with a towel. The room was slightly warmer compared to the chill of winter outside. The heater was on level three, but it still held a stagnant, tense atmosphere that made Twilight shiver.

She opened the drawer above the lamp with no bulb, gently sliding it open. Among a few blankets, buried deep within, was Twilight’s single greatest treasure: A small, purple book with a lock on it. She lifts the book from the drawer and slowly approaches Sunset Shimmer, who eyes the book curiously.

“Wh-what’s this?” Sunset asked curiously. “Some sort of diary?”

“In a sense, it is,” Twilight said, slightly firm. “It’s everything I’ve ever written down since the Friendship Games. Have a look.”

Opening the book, Sunset flipped through the pages, her eyes widen with confusion. She stopped upon a single page, as she proceeds to read the entries aloud.

“Dear Journal,

I don’t know what’s happened to me. If my last entry is correct, these dreams are leading towards something. Something I believe could ultimately change the world… I have no doubt in mind something bad is/has/will happen to me. This begs the real question: How can I change this predicament?”

After reading the entry, Sunset Shimmer looked up in shock, practically spooked.

“Twilight… What am I reading?”

“Keep reading… There’s more.”

Sunset frowned, holding her gaze toward Twilight for a moment longer. Eventually, she drew her eyes back toward the pages.

“Date: August 9th
Time: 2:28 am

This time she’s persistent; I don’t know how much longer I can manage this. I want to tell someone, anyone about this. But I can’t risk putting someone in harm’s way. I’m scared – no, terrified of the outcome should anyone know of this. It’s like a horror movie come to life.”

Sunset paused, her eyes scrolling over the rest of the entry. She looked up, about to ask, before turning towards Twilight. But seeing that Twilight’s own face suggests that she should keep going, Sunset continued hastily.

“Date: August 15th
Time: 7:39 pm

She won’t listen to me… If you’re reading this, the worst has happened, and I’ve lost control. Whatever you do, don’t trust her. She’ll use you until you are nothing but a quantum effect that has never been known to exist.”

Twilight Sparkle couldn’t help but notice how Sunset skipped over the next few sections. She was starting to look nervous.

“Could I really tell her…?” Twilight thought. “No, I must wait until she’s finished. She deserves to know.”

And that’s what Twilight did, waiting while Sunset Shimmer continued to read.

“Date: August 19th
Time: 3:53 am

I’ve managed to suppress her actions for some time… But at a cost…

She set a dream on me, a dream where I’ve killed… Everyone I know. She flies around like a demon from hell, searching every corner for leftover victims to kill. There’s so much carnage, the atrocities are indescribable, yet I see… Everything.

I don’t know why she enjoys this, but I must continue to suppress her actions. I’ve tried several experiments, taken sleeping pills, even caffeine… All in vain.

She not only torments me in my sleep, but I see her even when I’m awake… The chances of stopping her are slipping away… She’ll take over me sooner or later… The very thought scares me…

Date: August 21st
Time: 4:21 am

A day prior to visiting Sunset at her place, I’ve had another dream. It was after the Friendship Games, my friends appear in each version: First Rarity, then Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and… Sunset…

They’re all hurting me, in various ways, physically, mentally, even emotionally. They’d call me a freak, a monster who doesn’t deserve friends… A nobody. At first, I’ve suppressed these thoughts, casted them aside to nullify the abuse. But then… The last part of my ‘dream’, Sunset finally broke me… For some reason, her actions… Her words stung the most…

‘I could never be friends… With the likes of you.’”

Sunset drew her finger along the page, toward the final sentence of that page.

“T-then… There’s eighty-five tally marks,” Sunset counted.

Twilight nodded, not mentioning the numerous times she’s written of her nightmares. Not even included the fact each tally mark represented each time she encountered Midnight Sparkle in her nightmares. Nor did Twilight include the occasions where she dies numerous times, along with the fact she grew sick of marking the events encountered in her dreams.

Twilight couldn’t help but she Sunset would just turn to the next page, where that dream is happier. If only to ease the worry she could see on her face. At least, to read an entry where it’s just the two of them, the good times… Such beautiful times. Either one more than the tales of Twilight’s inner struggles with a demon she herself spawned.

“Twilight… You’ve… Died in your dreams?”

“Yes…” Twilight nodded, softly. “There’s so much I wanted to explain to you, Sunset. Everything that’s happened, why I never told anyone. Before I ask you to do that, please read to the very end. Everything you need to know will be revealed.”

Sunset nodded, as Twilight took a deep breath. Twilight looked out the window, while Sunset returned to reading, the former watches the snowflakes fall toward the ground.

“Sometimes… I can control my dreams,” Twilight spoke. “But lately, they’d take control of me. She’d only inflict minor damage to me, but it’s what she really does to me… That terrifies me. She tries to control me, even during the day. My ‘dreams’ would loop day in and day out, making it harder for me to sleep… And every time I do, I keep re-living the entire experience again and again and again!”

Twilight Sparkle felt a pent-up rage building within her, a rage she wasn’t aware she had. Suddenly, she burst like a volcano awakening from a deep slumber.

“You see why I keep secrets?! Why I can’t tell you or anyone else?! Why I shield myself from everyone and everything?! I can’t even look at you without feeling some form of negative emotion! Every night, every time I fall asleep it happens to me. This is something I need to do myself; otherwise, I’ll lose my consciousness. Or worse… I’ll ‘kill’ everyone, my friends… My family… You. I don’t want that to happen… Especially to you…”

That last sentence escaping her mouth, Twilight Sparkle felt something within her snap. The rivers of tears flowed from her eyes, as Twilight collapsed and cried. No longer could she hold back the pain and sadness welling from within. Sunset dropped the book on the floor, catching Twilight as she dropped to her knees, having finally vented her emotions.

“Twilight!”

“I couldn’t tell you that,” Twilight cried, struggling to regain her composure. “I couldn’t tell anyone. Nobody close to me. It just seemed easier if I…”

Twilight’s voice trailed off, as she held an arm to her face, crying silently to the point not even Sunset could hear her. Yet her expression in turn was less than adamant.

“… To tell you the truth: I planned on… Taking my life, should it get any worse…”

In that moment, Twilight turned away from Sunset, afraid to speak further or even come up with a coherent sentence… And then, she felt a hand under her chin, turning her towards Sunset’s face. Twilight had no idea what she’d do and for a moment all she did was look into her eyes.

“All the more reason you should’ve come to us,” Sunset spoke, breaking the silence. “We would ‘never’ hurt you; we’d do anything to help. You don’t have to hide anymore, we—no… ‘I’ won’t let that happen. I swear I’ll do everything, in all my power, to save you. Even if it takes an eternity to defeat Midnight Sparkle, I will save you…”

She gave a small smile toward Twilight, before leaning in and wrapped her arms around her friend with a hug. Twilight turned from Sunset, trying to hide whatever shame was left. She didn’t know how to respond; it was like speaking to a wall. Sunset was so determined, even Fluttershy wouldn’t know how to justify this. It’s not that Twilight was unappreciative… She was just so afraid.

“What if the others are unable to help?” Twilight asked. “What if we’re the only ones left?”

“Then we’ll use that against her,” Sunset whispered. “There’s this book the other Twilight gave me… I want you to write her a note. Tell her everything that’s happened, and she’ll tell us what to do.”

“I c-can’t,” Twilight sputtered shakily. “How can I explain this to her if I don’t understand this myself?”

“You can because I want you to, Twilight,” Sunset murmured.

To say Twilight was surprised was an understatement. Sunset Shimmer was taking this entire situation better than she expected.

“Don’t act so surprised… I always knew something was going on. I’ve always had this feeling there’s something gnawing away at you. But I know you, Twilight Sparkle… You’re stronger than this.”

“What?”

“Your dreams… They’re not real. Sometimes it’s all pure coincidence. I know things get rough, especially when reminded of the horrible acts you did. I’ve been through that myself. Not to mention I… I’ve caught glimpses of your dreams, but there’s no way I should know that. Sometimes… On rare occasions, I’m in your dreams… Unable to do anything about it…”

Twilight flinched at this revelation; a shudder crawled around her entire body.

“Sunset, I’m so sorry…”

“No, don’t be sorry,” Sunset interrupts, hugging her tightly. “I’m not giving up on you. Together, we’re going to work this out.

“B-But she could come around any day now. What if I lose control of her? What if she… Takes over?”

“Well, we’ll have nothing to lose. What do you say, friend?”

“Sunset… I can’t! No matter what I say or do, she won’t back down.”

“Neither will I. Alone, you can’t… But what about together? With a bit of kindness and our friends, she’ll eventually see you ‘can’t’ be controlled.”

Twilight struggled to figure out an answer, yet she hugged Sunset back, tighter than before.

“How can we figure this out?

“I don’t know. Even if we don’t, we’ll keep trying. Don’t you see? I’m never going to abandon you; you mean more to me than anyone in this entire world.”

This was just like Sunset Shimmer; this Twilight knew for a fact. Somehow, even under the darkest circumstances, she always tries to put a positive spin on things.

“I won’t give up,” Sunset continued. “We won’t stop till Midnight is defeated and she no longer poses a threat. You may not be able to win this all alone, but with me… And our friends, we’ll find a way until you’re completely free. Because we have one thing she’ll never have…. Friendship.”

“This will be more complicated than you think… But I will face my demon. I will tell everyone what I’ve told you. That is, if you’ll help me.”

Sunset hugged Twilight Sparkle harder, her voice choked.

“Of course I will. You can always count on me… I’m sorry for not noticing this sooner—”

“Shh,” Twilight shushed softly. “It’s okay. You couldn’t have known…”

They sat in Twilight’s room for what felt like ages, it was all so much to absorb. After fully making up, they began formulating a plan, a process that took almost a whole day. But together, they formed a plan which they believed would be effective against Midnight Sparkle. It was determined they’d use Twilight’s old amulet, which she created prior to the Friendship Games, to transport themselves into Midnight’s own world where, if necessary, they’d battle her. It would take a ton of magic for it to work, but it was the best option they had.

“You have nothing to worry about, Twilight,” Sunset assured. “Whatever happens, I’ll always be here for you. As long as there’s breath in my body, I’m not going down without a fight.”

Taking a deep breath, Twilight nodded as Sunset handed Twilight her old journal she mentioned, taken directly from Sunset’s bag.

“Care to help me write this one, Sunset?” Twilight asked.

Sunset offered a huge smile, as she sat beside her friend.

“Ready when you are.”

Together, they opened the journal as Twilight picked up a pen with one hand. They turned to the next blank page, a look of determination on Twilight’s face. They proceed to write along the page, Sunset’s hand over her own, as they wrote to Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria.

“Dear Princess Twilight,

Twilight Sparkle, of this world, and I plan to descend into her very subconscious. An evil entity lingers within her, the same one that emerged during the friendship games. We have no idea how we’ll face her, but we need to do this. If we don’t stop, she’ll take over our world… And eventually, your own. I—no… ‘We’ hope you’ll respond back as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Sunset Shimmer & Twilight Sparkle

After finishing the entry, Twilight Sparkle closed and placed it in the drawer next to her journal. Twilight was genuinely surprised Sunset would go this far for her, even after everything she did and how she acted. Twilight turned towards Sunset, retaining a hint of uncertainty.

“… Can I ask you something?” Twilight asked, hesitantly.

“Sure,” Sunset nodded, turning to Twilight. “What is it?

Twilight took a very long, a very deep breath. The silence suffocated the air around the girls. After gaining her courage to speak up, a few questions came to mind.

“Why are you going so far for someone like me? What is it about me you find worthwhile? How can you forgive me for something so monstrous?”

For a moment, Sunset stood there in silence. At first, Twilight assumed she’d frown at her, telling her to hurry along. But instead…

“It’s because we are the same,” Sunset answered. “We are both monsters, having gone through much loneliness in our own way. My friends helped me, showing me what I’ve done was wrong. Granted, the roles we played are different and alter in some degree, but… We’ve went through similar phases… And we complete each other. But the most important reason of all: I would kill for a friend like you. You are too irreplaceable to say otherwise now that we’ve come this far.”

Twilight blushed slightly as she said that, yet what did she mean she wondered. That alone never made any sense.

“W-What?” Twilight asked, with uncertainty.

Sunset released her hand, turning towards the window. Twilight followed her eyes, watching as the snow continued to fall. Not as bad as before, but still it snowed… Twilight didn’t realize just how determined Sunset truly was to help. She shifted over to the bed, placing a hand upon her left cheek delicately.

“I’m going to get something to drink. Want anything?”

Sunset shook her head at the question. Where they were going now, it was only a matter of time before it came time to go. Twilight made her way out of the room and strolled down the kitchen… When she saw her. The last person she wanted to see, peering towards Twilight from the foot of the stairs.

“You truly believe she will help you? You’re really grasping straws, little star.”

“I don’t need this!” Twilight said, with a hint of anger. “You won’t deter me from regaining my life!”

Midnight Sparkle seemed to notice Twilight’s body language, observing her next steps. Yet from the look on Midnight’s face, she was enjoying it.

“Oh? Did I strike a nerve in that teeny, tiny brain of yours? You always were so naïve.”

Twilight couldn’t stand the way she mocked her. Then she watched, as she held up her hand and from her palm flames emerged like something out of a magic show.

“Amazing how you actually believe this creature… I would think you’d wise up and turn her away. It appears I was sadly mistaken.”

It was clear Midnight Sparkle had no intent to back down, even with the ignorance and anger welling within her own words.

“You really think the ‘Power of Friendship’ can stop me? You’d have to have friends to begin with, don’t you?”

That mark of cynicism and sarcasm struck a chord, very hard. No one could really match Midnight Sparkle in this seemingly never-ending battle of wits.

“You may be right about me,” Twilight admits. “I have no idea what I’m getting into. But… At least I have someone to watch my back. I won’t let you push me around anymore, like you did at the Friendship games. I DENY YOUR EXISTENCE, MIDNIGHT SPARKLE!”

A burst of magic came fourth, pushing Midnight Sparkle slightly back. Twilight covered her mouth, noticing the look of shock upon her expression. But the moment proved short-lived, as a devilish grin formed upon her face. Even if she didn’t seem pleased by Twilight’s sudden aggression.

“So, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star… How she finally grows a spine. I applaud you for your courage, but I’m not a fan of rebels. You’ve suppressed me for far too long and you leave me no choice but to obliterate you!”

A fireball of cyan flames forms on her palms, but just as she was about to hurl the ball… She stopped. This effectively caught Twilight Sparkle off guard.

“No… Too easy. I’m curious as to how this little game of ours will end, who am I to turn down ‘playtime’?”

The ball of fire dissolves from her hand, the once angry Midnight Sparkle placed her hand down upon her hip.

“I'll spare you, for now. But know this: When you come after me, I’ll be waiting. I promise to make you wish you’d let me take over you…”

With those final words, Midnight Sparkle once more disappeared from view. That left Twilight Sparkle alone to ponder on what had just happened.

“What did I just do?” She thought to herself. “Where did this bravado come from?”

Twilight ran upstairs for Sunset Shimmer, finding her tucked in a blanket on the bed. She had fallen fast asleep, a faint smile upon her face. She was still here; Twilight’s eyes weren’t playing tricks. This felt too good to be real, like another illusion in her mind. But she looked so real, just as her words and reassurance felt so real. Either way, as Twilight quietly tucked herself beside Sunset, confirming she was there by the warmth of her back, as Twilight leaned against her… They decided to take this hour to rest… Until dawn.