Letting You Down

Twilight opened her eyes to find herself in a dark, mysterious area. There was nothing but darkness. Twilight raised her hoof in front of her. She couldn't even see it somehow.

"Hello? Princess Luna?" Twilight called out, confused. She started walking on seemingly nothing. She was a little scared about not being able to see in front of her, but if she were to fall from a ledge somehow, she had her wings to back her up. However, the only thing she was scared about it bumping into someone or something.

This has got to be the strangest dream I ever had— Oof! Twilight thought as she bumped into something, knocking her off of her hooves. Twilight squinted her eyes to see if she could make out a shape, despite the dark. Somehow, she could make out a figure of a pony, and a pony that Twilight knew.

"Starlight! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. It's so hard to see in this dark area." Twilight told her while she got up from the fall. However, her head tilted in confusion when Starlight didn't say anything. "Starlight?"

No answer.

"Hello?" Twilight waved a hoof in front of her face. "Starlight! Can you even hear me?"

Just then, she felt a claw touched her hind hoof. Spooked and alarmed, Twilight jumped. She backed away in a startled manner until she realized that it was Spike that touched her. Unlike Starlight, she could see him perfectly clear. Although his eyes were closed.

"Spike! Don't startle me like that." Twilight told him, still startled.

No answer.

Getting back to her senses, Twilight rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Oh come on! Why would you touch me with your claw and ignore me—"

She stopped when she heard Spike whimper, then tears were coming out of his eyes. Twilight became even more confused. Since when did he become sensitive?

"Spike, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. You just scared me." Twilight tried calming him down by rubbing his scaly head.

Finally, Spike opened his eyes. But instead of his usual green pupils, his eyes were a solid, light green color. As it glowed, purple wisps came out of his eyes, replacing his tears.

Twilight jumped back by the sight. "Spike?!" she gasped.

"Why did you abandon us?" Spike asked her sorrowfully.

"What do you mean? I haven't abandoned you." Twilight told him, worried and confused at the same time. "And why do you look like you're controlled by Sombra? He's been defeated!"

"Does it matter? You still betrayed us." Spike sniffed.

Twilight felt a pang in her heart. "No! I would never do that..."

"Actions speak louder than words. You of all ponies should know that." she heard Starlight's voice. She stepped besides Spike, her body finally visible to Twilight. Unfortunately, her eyes glowed the same hue as Spike's. Although no purple wisps came out of her eyes.

Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You too?" Twilight asked Starlight is disbelief.

Starlight shrugged. "Of course. After all, you betrayed both of us and share the same anger and pain."

Twilight felt her legs start to shake. "H-How did I betray you? What have I done that makes you think that?"

Starlight scoffed as a reply. Spike took a step forward. "You... didn't protect us when Sombra roamed around Ponyville."

"And you told me to look after your precious school." Straight added bitterly.

Twilight felt like she was about to have a headache. "I had to make sure that the students were safe. I would never send you to the school if it wasn't important!"

But Starlight got even angrier. "I did go to the school. But by the time I got there, Sombra already took control of me. It's as if you set me up."

"Set both of us up." Spike finished.

"I would never do that!" Twilight retorted. "Are you both insane?"

"And you wanna know the worst part of it all? This is the second time you have betrayed me. You pushed me aside for your idol, who spat in my face, and you did nothing. And now this?" Starlight told her, this time her expression had shifted to sadness. "I don't know if I should be your friend at all."

"What? No! Those are just tiny slip-ups!" Twilight felt like she was about to cry. Would Starlight really disband their friendship all because of that?

But she shook her head. "I can't have my heart be broken again. I just can't."

Afterwards, Starlight disappeared into the darkness, and it wasn't too long that Spike followed her.

"Wait! Come back! I'm sorry!" Twilight begged.

Suddenly, the darkness disappeared. Instead, she was outside of the castle. Confused, Twilight looked around. At least I'm not in the dark anymore.

She jumped when she heard the castle doors open. Starlight and Spike were by each other's side. Starlight had her saddlebag packed and full, and Spike carried a giant briefcase.

"What a beautiful day." Starlight sighed as she breathed in the air.

Spike nodded. "At least we're leaving on a nice, sunny day."

Leaving? Twilight echoed in her mind. Were they moving out?

"Although..." Spike had a look of hesitation. "This seems a bit cruel that we're moving out without Twilight's knowledge. Should we tell her?"

Starlight looked on in thought. But she eventually walked down the stairs. "No. I don't want to talk to her ever again." she said angrily.

Spike watched Starlight go, and looked back at the castle. After hesitation, Spike shrugged and carried his briefcase and followed Starlight.

Twilight felt like she was about to cry. This can't be real. This can't be! They would never do this!

Suddenly, the world flashed around her. Twilight cowered in fear as her surroundings glitched, and she closed her eyes. Opening her eyes again, she found herself back in Ponyville... although it looked like it had been enslaved by Sombra again.

"Why am I back here?" Twilight asked out loud.

Her ears twitched when she heard hoofsteps behind her. Twilight looked behind her, and gasped by how many hypnotized ponies stared at her. They were the residents of Ponyville, and they all glared at her. Worst of all, Starlight and Spike were at the front.

Twilight felt her hooves start to shake in fear. "Guys? What's going on—"

"Traitor!" Big Mac shouted at her.

"Coward!" Mayor Mare added.

"Left us to rot!" Ms. Cake agreed.

Tears streaming from her eyes, Twilight cowered to the ground, trying to block out the insults. But they kept ringing in her head.

"Stop! Stop! Please!" Twilight screamed.

When the calls got louder, Twilight woke with a gasp, and tears stained her blankets.