On The Edge of The Beard

The moonlight was shining down on the world of Equestria. The animals were asleep and the clouds were gone. The peaceful town of Ponyville was deserted and quiet. Not a single shop was opened except a night café.

A small whoosh broke the silence in the night as a shadow ran past Sugar Cube Corner. A tall, hooded figure was rushing towards Ponyville Library with something in its hooves.

Not many ponies were awake at this hour, even less were aware of the hooded figure. It stopped at the Library, the moon high up in the starry night.

A clock was heard. It chimed twelve times. It was midnight. The hooded figure raised its hoof and knocked.

Knock, knock, knock. A little pause. Knock, knock, knock.

"Uhh... just a little longer Mom... wait, huh?"

Twilight Sparkle woke up from the sound of the knocking. She peeled her eyes open as the knocking continued. She looked over to her nightstand, her golden watch from Rarity laid there next to Ancient Magic History, Vol II. It was 12.11 AM.

Who could be knocking at this hour? Maybe a new delivery of books, a pony that wants a loan a book or? She thought to herself while getting out of bed.

She turned the light on in her room. The purple bed was ruffled with the blanket hanging on the sides. Spike was snorring on his little bed curled up in his blanket. Twilight smiled at the sight and went downstairs. The knocking continued and was getting louder.

"Yeah, yeah I'm coming." She yawned, stretched her sore back and went over to the door. The figure was now pounding on the door and fast. Well someone is in a hurry! Twilight opened the door.

She was immediately tackled by the hooded figure. The figure was strong enough to make Twilight fall back and hit her head on the nearest bookshelf. Books fell down to the floor and Twilight consciousness was beginning to fade, the blackness made her vision blurry and started to sway. She couldn't take it anymore and she fell backwards on a pile of books.

Unknown location.

Huh? Where am I? Twilight was floating in a black void. She looked down on her body, she was wearing a black nightgown. The gown was made of floating smoke. It was surrounding her and engulfed the purple colour of her body. Her sanity was fading and her mind, filled with crazy thoughts.

She looked around the void and saw the silhouette of a unicorn mare, it was floating a few feet away from Twilight. It had it eyes closed, it was sleeping.

Twilight started to think rapidly. Her heart beating 100 times faster than usual

How will I get out from this place? Who is that unicorn? Why is it sleeping? Why is cupcake frosting so delicious? Okay, I'm starting sound like Pinkie Pie and that's a bad sign.

Twilight noticed that the black unicorn was waking up. The unicorn's eyes shot open and laid them on Twilight. It started to smile an evil smile. It started to chuckle.

"Hahahaha! I see that thee fell in to my trap! Now thee might wonder why thee are here and the answer, well I don't have it! Hahaha!" The mare was floating towards Twilight while saying this in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

"Who are you? What is this place?" Twilight's heart was playing a drum solo.

"I am the Lost Mare of Darkness and this is my humble imprisonment. The Black Void at The End of This World!"

The Lost Mare of Darkness... hmm... where did I read about her? Twilight tried to think deep in to her memories but her control over the dream wasn't strong enough. The Mare of Darkness smiled and replied.

"Thee have read about me in the Book of Equestrian Legends. Chapter 4, Heroes of Magic." The Mare of Darkness lowered her voice. This thing can read mind!? Twilight was baffled by it.

"Why yes I can read minds. I learned it from my father. Oh, he was so powerful until time took over his mind." The Mare of Darkness wiped away a tear that rolled down her cheek.

"What's your name?" The Mare of Darkness looked at Twilight with confusion. "I've already told thee my name."

"I know that but I mean your real name, when you were alive." Hope she tells me.

"I do not speak of that and I'll never will!" The Mare of Darkness replied with the Royal Canterlot Voice, crossed her arms and looked away.

Uhh! Just like Rarity when she has fashion problems!"

"But who was your father?"

"He was..." She stopped there, looked away and sighed. Come on! How is it?

"Starswirl the Bearded..."

A few minutes later

Ponyville Library

Twilight's senses was coming back to her. Touch, hearing, taste, smell and sight. The Mare of Darkness... the daugther of Starswirl the Bearded. How come it never was in the books that I've read about Starswirl the Bearded. Not even in the ancient scrolls that Princess Celestia have in the Royal Vault.

She put her hands to her face. She could feel that she was laying on her living room couch. She heard somepony in the kitchen, sipping on something.

Twilight tasted the insides of her mouth. Dry as a desert.

She sniffed the air a few times. The smell of coffee made her relax. Twilight lifted herself from the couch. Her head was pounding in pain and tiredness. Ah, buck that hurts! She felt the back of her sore head. A large bulge was there.

"Oh. You're awake." You don't say. The hooded figure spoke to her. The voice was deep but Twilight recognized that it was a mare but it reminded her of somepony. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you from your sleep but I'm here on royal Canterlot business." Might be a messenger from Princess Celestia.

Twilight rubbed her eyes and opened them. The mare was taller than her and had a dark blue cape and hood to cover her face. She had been sitting in Twilight's kitchen, sipping on a cup of coffee.

"Okay, nice to meet you. My name is Twi.." She was cut of by the mare.

"Twilight Sparkle. Yes, I've know who you are and where you're from..." The mare said it in a bit higher tone.

"Who are you?" Twilight asked the mare quickly. The mare turned her head and took of the hood.