The Light of the Night

Twilight Sparkle awoke with a burst of energy after a peaceful rest last night. Wearily, Twilight peer outside greeting the new day, a new beginning. Looking towards her drawer, Twilight’s mind felt incredibly fuzzy, as if someone tried to break into it. Then, she turns toward the other side, seeing Sunset lying beside her. Had she been looking through her drawer while Twilight was asleep?

Twilight stood up as her hands began to shake nervously, walking towards her closet while lifting her night dress and casting it aside. Putting on some regular clothes, her usual attire of choice, Twilight grabbed her book and opened the first page. Sucking the very air through her teeth, Twilight rubbed her eyes with her free hand.

“Goodness, how much more of this can I take?” Twilight asked herself.

Walking over to her bed, curling up on her mattress without waking Sunset, she peered towards the book in her hands. It all felt like an lifetime, but she was nearing the end of the road with Midnight Sparkle. With a quick glance, she noticed an additional entry, one she didn’t recall writing. This writing was far more articulate, more advanced compared to Twilight’s penmanship. It didn’t take long to realize what had happened.

Twilight,

If you are reading this, you already know I’m fighting Midnight Sparkle. Don’t be upset; it’ll be alright. She nothing compared to the trouble I’ve faced before. I’ve been up late making sure you were fast asleep, keeping Midnight at bay.

Twilight, I know you want to protect everyone, that you feel it’s your responsibility and no one should get hurt. But I have one request to make and I beg you to hear me out: Don’t throw your life away, not even for mine. You’ve already shown you can handle your own mess. There is no need for you to shield me or anyone else from this evil creature. This is no longer a burden for you to carry on your own.

I believe in you; I know you can solve this. And I know for a fact that we are of service.

Signed,
With all my heart,
Sunset Shimmer

P.S. If I’m not here when you wake up, please—

The writing stopped there, she could feel the heat on her face rise up, already starting to build around her eyes. Twilight rubbed her eyes to see more clearly – it’s too late to cry now. Twilight was prepared to shut the book, face the music, until she noticed something fall from one of the pages.

Bending over to pick it up, Twilight took one look and saw that it was a note – of Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, together.

“Why had I not noticed this before?” Twilight asked herself.

It felt so alien to her, but now… As Twilight pocketed the book and as she got up, it was closed. Had it done so on its own accord? Twilight had to have been here…

“Sunset…?”

Sunset stirred from her sleep, opening her eyes towards the girl sitting beside her.

“Twilight? Are you okay? Is there a problem?”

Twilight shook her head, assuring nothing was wrong, that all was good. She cracked a smile, knowing that she was safe if only because of her.

“Sunset?”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“I…”

Twilight gripped her right arm, drawing a deep breath.

“I have something I need to say to you…”

Sunset sat up, her attention entirely upon Twilight Sparkle. Taking a deep breath, Twilight turned to look directly into Sunset’s eyes.

“What’s wrong, Twilight?” Sunset asked, worried. “Did something happen last night?”

Twilight nodded slowly, in response to her question. Deep down she knew… She knew Sunset Shimmer was inside her mind…

“I had a dream… Midnight was there again…”

Twilight took her time, explaining every detail to Sunset Shimmer. With every word coming from her mouth, Sunset’s own mouth widened over everything Twilight told her. After explaining the entire story, she was flabbergasted. Twilight had no idea what Sunset would say next.

“Would she yell at me?” Twilight thought. “No, she would never do that. She sees me as her friend. We wouldn’t be doing this now if we didn’t come this far.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this?” Sunset asked.

“I didn’t want you to worry,” Twilight replied.

“Hmm… When should we call the others?”

“Anytime is fine with me.”

Immediately, Sunset Shimmer took the phone off the drawer and proceeds to dial their friends.

<>

Several hours later, the whole gang had arrived, they gathered alongside Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer in the living room of the house.

“So, when do we kick Midnight’s butt?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“We still need a plan before rushing in,” Sunset explained, standing up. “Twilight, care to fill us in?”

Twilight nods, before she too emerged from her seat.

“The plan involves diving deep into my consciousness,” Twilight explained. “However, if we all go in at once, Midnight Sparkle will kill us all. The best we can do is split off into separate teams. The sooner we choose, the sooner we strike.”

“We’ll discuss more about it in the morning,” Sunset added. “Right now, the best we can do is rest here tonight and should something happen, we’ll be here. Anyone have any questions?”

Sunset looked around, seeking any raised hands. Fluttershy timidly rose her hand.

“Um… When do we go into Twilight’s mind?” She asked, nervously.

“The best time to strike against Midnight is early in the morning,” Twilight answered. “Ten in the morning, to be exact. That’s when she’s at her most dormant state.”

“Not to complain darling, but isn’t it rather rash to strike so early?” Rarity asked, objecting to the plan.

“If we stand a fighting chance, we need to,” Sunset answered, with a sharp look. “This might be the best time to do so. To be blunt, we have no other choice.”

The look on Sunset’s expression said it best: They were in for a serious confrontation. They had no idea what they were getting into, but they knew this had to be finished without a hitch.

“No choice?” Pinkie asked. “Meaning to say that there’s a teeny-tiny-bitty chance we might never, ever, ever come back home?”

“’Friad so, Pinkie Pie,” Applejack spoke. “We ain’t got much choice otherwise. But I must ask: How do you reckon we do this?”

Twilight nodded, mostly towards Pinkie’s question. Applejack’s, on the other hand, drew a very good point.

“The details are a bit hazy I admit,” Twilight spoke. “But if my calculations are correct, we should be able to use the amulet to transport ourselves in and out of my mind. With Sunset’s abilities, we should stand a slight chance against Midnight. Of course, this is merely—”

“What Twilight means to say is there are no options we have for beating Midnight,” Sunset clarified. “This may be the best ‘bad’ decision we have, but it’s the best one we have.”

They all faced each other, uncertain of this decision, before turning to Twilight Sparkle. It wasn’t long before Rainbow Dash was the first to speak.

“Well, if that’s the only way, I say we go for it!” Rainbow Dash spoke. “Besides, with Twilight’s smarts and Sunset’s magic knowledge, there’s no way we can lose! Who’s with me?!”

Rainbow Dash placed her hand out, waiting to hear what her friends have to say. Once more facing each other, a final decision was seen upon their faces. They look towards Twilight and Sunset with big smiles upon their faces.

“Well, count me in!” Pinkie shouted happily.

“Me too, Twi!” Applejack answered, enthusiastically.

“Here-here!” Rarity said, placing her hand out.

“I’ll do my best to help,” Fluttershy said, slightly underwhelming.

“Looks like you have our full support, Twilight,” Sunset declared, boldly determined.

In this very moment, Twilight felt as if she could cry a river. They were all gathered before her, ready to throw themselves into the fire just to help her. It was a remarkable feeling no one could ever experience such as this. But here she was, just lucky to have this moment.

“Thank you girls,” Twilight said, crying softly. “This means so much to me, your willingness to put yourself on the line. I don’t know what will happen, but I want you all to know I truly appreciate this.”

The girls patted each other along the back, as Pinkie Pie pulled them all into one big hug, nearly squeezing the very air out of Twilight Sparkle. But she did not mind at all, it was the best feeling she could ever have and one she hopes won’t be the last. This feeling, love, it was so nice to have. Nobody back in Crystal Prep would ever do this, not for her…

“Well, it’s still bright and early,” Pinkie points out. “Anybody hungry? I brought snacks! I’ve got candy corns, caramel apples, chocolate bars, popcorn balls…”

As Pinkie Pie rambled on, Twilight couldn’t help but released a small laugh. If there’s one thing she came to expect about Pinkie Pie, she too can brighten any corner regardless how dark it is. Even for just a short period of time, all of Twilight’s troubles vanished without a trace. She couldn’t ask for better friends than these girls. Loyal to a fault, the nicest girls in town, and a group of friends willing to lay down their lives to protect each other, regardless of what stands in their way. It doesn’t get any better than this.

For the next few hours, Twilight Sparkle had nearly forgotten of her dilemma, even about Midnight Sparkle. For the first time in ages, this felt like a dream Twilight did not wish to wake from. But eventually, she and all the girls turned in for the night, preparing for the final battle still to come.