Dark Horse: A My Little Pony Story

You know I could be anywhere

But here with you, the time I share

Is as bright as the sun

Prose stood in front of Twilight Sparkle on the dance floor as Pixie Dust sang a slow song; a love song. She didn't know what to say to Twilight. They had somewhat known each other for a while, but they'd never really held a decently long conversation.

"The gala is beautiful," Prose commented. "I can't believe I get to be here."

"Of course you get to be here! You saved all of Ponyville," Twilight commended. "You even saved me!"

"Yea, I guess I did do that," Prose admitted.

There was a slightly awkward silence for a short moment.

"Do you... wanna dance?" Twilight offered.

Prose exhaled, relieved they were finally going to dance. "Yes, I would like that," she said.

She held out her hoof for Twilight to take, and they began to slowly sway back and forth to the music. Prose couldn't help but notice Twilight's attention wasn't fully on the dance. Twilight kept subtly glancing around the room, as if looking for something.

"Is everything okay?" Prose asked.

Twilight glanced back to Prose, realizing how inattentive she'd been.

"Everything's great!" Twilight cheered.

Prose wasn't really believing that.

"If you want to step outside or something, that's okay," Prose offered.

Twilight's eyes widened slightly, as if she'd just gotten an idea.

"Actually, there's somewhere I need to go, but I think you would love it there. You should come with me!" Twilight suggested.

Prose raised an eyebrow at her, slightly suspicious of her motives, but just as eager to spend time with her.

"Sure, I'll go," she hesitantly agreed.

"Perfect!" Twilight grinned. "Follow me."

Prose followed Twilight as she abruptly left the dance floor. Twilight guided her through the event hall, zigzagging around attending ponies.

"Where are we going?" Prose asked,

"You'll see," Twilight responded. "You'll love it."

Prose followed her as she led her down staircases and out of the doors to the event hall. The streets at night looked so beautiful as Twilight ushered Prose through Canterlot. They walked for a couple long minutes before Prose caught sight of two marble unicorn statues. The statues sat in front of a large pillared building topped a magnificent glass dome.

"The Library of Magic!?" Prose exclaimed.

"I knew you would like it!"

Prose followed Twilight up the steps to the Library of Magic. She had wanted to visit this place while her and her friends were in Canterlot, but she feared they wouldn't have the time. Twilight was right, she did love this place. Twilight pushed open the doors and let Prose inside. Prose's jaw dropped in awe as she marveled at the extensive collection of books before her. A sole librarian roamed the building, organizing books.

"Excuse me, ma'am?" Twilight called out to the librarian.

The librarian turned towards Prose and Twilight.

"Do you know where I could find any books on the history of the Crystal Empire?" Twilight asked. "Specifically regarding any... difficulties they've faced?"

The librarian walked up to the pair of ponies.

"Anything we have on the Crystal Empire is going to be deep in our history section. I doubt we have anything, though, considering its... erasure," the librarian advised.

"Right," Twilight remembered. "Thank you anyway."

Twilight immediately bolted towards the history section of the massive library. Prose followed shortly behind her. As they arrived, Twilight began frantically searching the shelves.

"Are you sure everything's okay, Twilight?" Prose asked from behind her.

"Of course!" Twilight said without turning around. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't know... I guess I was just hoping we could spend time together tonight, but you seem rather... preoccupied," Prose sighed.

Twilight turned away from the books and back to Prose.

"I'm sorry, Prose. I want to spend time with you, I really do. But this matter is kinda urgent," Twilight confessed.

"Urgent? Why? What's really going on, Twilight?" Prose asked, desperate to find out the truth.

Twilight sighed. "If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anypony," Twilight warned.

Prose mimicked zipping her lips shut, indicating she could keep a secret.

"Well, you know how I've been a little tense this evening?" Twilight started.

Prose nodded.

"Well, before I headed into the gala, I spoke with Princess Celestia. She didn't want to cause a massive panic, so she only told me, Princess Luna, and a couple of other royals. It's suspected that there's a major threat to everypony at the gala, and nopony even knows about it! It's basically up to me to figure this all out before the gala is over," Twilight explained.

"My friends and I actually have some experience controlling a major threat," Prose boasted. "We might be able to be of some assistance, if you need it."

Twilight made a doubtful expression. "You and your friends have accomplished some impressive feats, but this issue is almost out of my league."

"Which is why you need all the help you can get," Prose predicted. "Speaking of which, why haven't you told your friends? Surely they could be of some help."

"You may be right about that, but I really don't want to make this their problem. Lately, we've been facing quite a lot together, and this night was supposed to be a relief for us," she sighed. "I can handle it on my own. I have to."

Prose looked quizzically at Twilight. "Will you at least let me help you?"

"I... I guess I've already roped you into this. But trust me, this won't be easy. This is serious, Prose. I've only barely defeated him once before. We don't even know how he managed to come back."

"'Him'? Come back? Who are we talking about right now?" Prose asked.

"Do you know anything about the Crystal Empire?" Twilight inquired.

"Of course," Prose responded. "Not that much, of course, but it's quite fascinating."

"The reason you don't know that much about it is because it disappeared for a thousand years. Once it reappeared, somepony else reappeared with it. Somepony evil. Somepony who Princess Celestia believes is here this very night."

"Who?" Prose asked, desperate to know what exactly was going on.

Twilight tensed and looked around to make sure nopony else was lurking in the library at the same time as them.

"Princess Celestia thinks King Sombra has returned."