Chapter One: Twilights Dawn
Lightning crackled as the once majestic sphere of blue surrounding the Crystal Empire dissipated into a flooding darkness. Twilight Sparkle stood at the top of the crystal palace watching in horror, her friends, the inhabitants of this town lay bruised and beaten. It only took her a few moments to escape the dark crystals trapping her, and Spike should have been well on his way with the Crystal Heart...
Why is this happening? she thought to herself. Spike had just ascended towards the bottom and yet ponies were fleeing, being brutally slaughtered as they ran. It was too late; Princess Cadance's magic had run out and King Sombra was floating up a bloody baby dragon in his grasp. Twilight looked up at her foe. She was weak... breaking free from those crystals left her drained and tired. Barely able to hold on to her courage, she mustered all the magic she could, but to no avail. King Sombra was in front of her, dropped Spike to fall from the peak of the tower and closed in. His maw of black fog enclosing fast, and suddenly blackness...
”NO!” Twilight Sparkle screamed as she woke from a nightmare, and not just a random one, but a scenario that had plagued her since she aided in returning the Crystal Empire to its original state. As she got up, sweat covered her mane and she shook it off. She was tired and hadn't gotten much sleep since the battle. To make it worse, the nightmares became more frequent and volatile since Trixie had shown up with her strange amulet. She started to hum to herself as she went back into the library, trying to concentrate, but the lack of sleep made it difficult for her. How long had she searched the library for an answer to these hellish dreams?
Book after book, Twilight absorbed the information. Books were flying around her library in her frantic search. Would she find something this night? Not even the book on the amulet itself had the answers she sought. The only sliver of inspiration she had was from Zecora, who thought it could be a reaction to the close quarters of dark magic and the amulet reacting. “There's no such things as curses!” she insisted. “There is always a logical explanation.” But what could be causing this? Had King Sombra really cursed her? Twilight exhausted her energy once again, all night, until it was morning again. Slumber took her, but as soon as her eyes closed, longing for sweet rest, the nightmares began. Almost instantly, she woke up to another beautiful day in Ponyville. She would not enjoy this day. She was far too tired and attempted to lay back down, worn out from last night's search. Not even a moment had passed since Twilight closed her eyes, when none other than Pinkie Pie herself burst through the door to Twilight's library, screaming obscurities and random tidbits of undecipherable alien code that could solve all questions about everything everywhere. But who, really, could understand Pinkie?
“GOOOOOOD MOOOORRRNNIIINNGGGG TWILIGHT!” Twilight grumbled, half-asleep, and yelled at Pinkie to shut up, that she needed her sleep. Pinkie realized with this that Twilight was still worn out and guessed that it was her nightmares again. Pinkie whispered an apology. “I didn't mean to wake you Twilight but Oh! Oh! Oh! the Princess is here!”
Twilight didn't care much; all she wanted was release. She hadn't even written to the princess in a week. “Only seems natural she would wonder,” Twilight muttered quietly, and stood up. She stumbled towards the door. “Uh, Twilight? You don't look so good.” Pinkie Pie mentioned as Twilight reached the sunlight. Her mane was a dull pastel purple and her skin was an off shade of greyish purple. She looked worse than when Pinkie Pie had last seen her. Twilight was bitching to herself quietly, stepped through the door and slammed it as she went through. Pinkie Pie felt alone, longing for her friend.
Everything was different now. Ponyville was the same, but it was just... different. As Twilight went through town, everyone said hello, and she halfheartedly replied with grunts of exhaustion and annoyance. Yes, everything was different, even though the surface was fine and everything seemed normal. Twilight's behavior had caused stirs of emotions with her friends; ponies were cautious around her. For all it was worth, she was loved and treated as a wild animal at the same time, although no one held the rude behaviors against her, for the nightmares were common knowledge around town. Twilight was walking, head drooped and shoulders low, a scowl parked on her face. To make it worse, she hadn't eaten a good meal in a few days either. Between complaining and various curse words towards various ponies she found herself up at Sugarcube corner, and as if she was avoiding the princess, she went in.
Mrs. Cake was busy at work and turned around. She seemed startled at the sight of Twilight, skin and bones, unkempt hair and an awkward smirk upon her face. “Welcome to Sugarcube corner...Twilight...can I h-h-help...you?” Something seemed off. Even though Twilight was acting weird lately, her movements today were different. She didn't even seem to recognize her own name, and trotted closer. Twilight was hungry, but for some reason she was compelled. She had to act. It couldn't be helped.
“Heheheheh, ha ha crazy...all crazy.” she whispered. Twilight was now talking to herself and moved slowly towards a startled Mrs. Cake. With this, Mrs. Cake was starting to get frightened. She backed away and Twilight rushed forward, pushing the baker through a back door. Mrs. Cake flew through the doorway, landing on some pots and pans. No one else was home. Twilight's deranged smile, flashing widely as she stepped forward...slowly and slowly, laughing to herself. Darkness had overwhelmed Twilight. The visions of the nightmare obscured her view, and instead of King Sombra leading the invasion, it was her.
Dark energy cracked and popped around the room, Twilight standing over a dead Mrs. Cake. She was startled and almost screamed, but a flash of light went across her eyes, a flashback. What had she done? She watched in horror at the view of Mrs. Cake being absorbed into a dark cloud, suffocating her, using her as a rag doll. Just for fun, Twilight threw her around the room, causing a ruckus, bashing her into shelves and onto counters, repeatedly. Baking tools flew around the room, infused with magic and intent to kill. One by one, the tools streaked across the room, bashing Mrs. Cake in the skull, the body, the legs, repeatedly, causing blood to streak in all crimson glory about the room. Mrs. Cake lay there, bruised and purple from this beating, motionless and unrecognizable. This deranged form of Twilight was smiling as she licked some splattered blood from her face and laughed maniacally. “ Now this is a meal worthy of me!” This wasn't Twilight speaking, but something inside of her, something evil, and the will to succumb was growing stronger.
When the vision ended, Twilight again looked upon the scene, half scared and half startled. She did what the other her compelled and re-arranged, cleaned, and sorted the room, using her magic. She then dissolved the late Mrs. Cake into a brew of discolored batter-like substance. Starving, she ate the magic-infused glob of a dead pony, not even realizing what she was doing. She was back to normal now. She looked around the room, seeing everything sparkling as it had been, but no Mrs. Cake to be seen. Twilight wondered how she got in the back room to herself and where Mrs. Cake had gone, but she felt full and that was enough for her, for now. “Oh no, I forgot about the princess!” She rushed out, bumping into a Mr. Cake and Pinkie coming home. They yelled to her as she ran through, to no avail. Twilight was now on the way back to her library. She did not want to miss an appointment with the princess!
A growing headache impeded her travel, and she had a slight day dream of Mrs. Cake being beaten. She shook it off and continued forward. There's no way she could have done something like that. It still didn't sit well with her, and she rushed off once again to meet with her teacher. As Twilight ran, a voice from behind her made her stop
“Twilight Sparkle! My faithful student.” Twilight turned around and faced her greatest inspiration in life, the princess she loved dearly: Princess Celestia. “Walk with me, Twilight Sparkle. There is much you should tell me,” Celestia sternly said as Twilight came up and trotted behind. Although she was still exhausted, the princess had an aura of energy—no, peace—an aura of peace about her.
“Princess, I'm sorry I haven't written to you recently.” Twilight stammered, as she joyfully trotted alongside the princess. Celestia seemed not to mind; she had heard of Twilight's misfortune, which was why she had come. The two chatted idly until they came back to Twilight's library, at which point they fell silent and went inside. Spike was awake by this time and busy cleaning. He also looked worn, cleaning constantly for Twilight, who didn't seem to mind the mess so much anymore. He began to greet the two, but the princess and Twilight were deep in conversation already. Celestia questioned Twilight first about not writing to her and so on until she got to the point, the nightmares.
Twilight didn't know when they began, why they occurred, and much less why the events at the Crystal Empire replayed themselves so vividly; however, she brought up what Zecora said, and this saw a spark form in Celestia's eyes. Of course the Alicorn Amulet was inherently a haven for madness and very dark magic. But why would this have such an effect? Celestia bore a troubled look, her flowing mane seemed to dull a bit, and her eyes grew a bit dim. Twilight picked up on this as well and asked what was wrong, her lack of sleep catching up with her once again. Celestia nodded and told Twilight she would like her to return to Canterlot Castle with her in the morning. Celestia didn't know much about this, but she had her ideas, and knowing the amulet to be in the Everfree Forest close by... she wanted Twilight as far away as she could get her. “For now, rest easy, my faithful student. Know that I will watch over the night for you.” And although the midday sun was shining, Twilight collapsed in a spasm of gasping breath and exhaustion, a deep slumber that she longed for at last.
“MWE HE HE HE.” Lightning once again clouded Twilight's vision, and unlike previous encounters of this hellish landscape, she wasn't witnessing the Crystal Empire, but her home in Ponyville burning, and shadows filling the fresh air with smoke and chaos.
She woke up, startled, and oddly feeling more rested than usual, but not in her library. She had been sleepwalking and stood in front of Zecora's hut. Even though she was herself, pulling at her heart was a feeling that could not be evaded. She snuck into the home of the wise zebra, grabbed the key to the box that contained the amulet, and set off through the forest.
Twilight didn't know where she was going. She didn't even want to go, but this feeling compelled her very soul onwards towards a place, when suddenly she stopped. Moonlight cast an eerie glow across the scattered trees, in the center of them a grassy glade where the earth had recently been turned. She wanted to to turn back; fear was wanting to take control, but she couldn't deny this lust, a curiosity that had summoned her to this spot on this night. Using her magic, she dug. The earth rose around her, and there, clad in mud and disgusting grandeur, was the box that contained the Alicorn Amulet. The box seemed to unlock itself, then the amulet seemed to float up to Twilight and latch itself on her neck. Twilight was gone.
Author's Note
Thank you Scootareader, best friend a pony could have, for proof reading and the early stage criticism! Thank you for reading everypony!
Chapter Two: Friend of Shadows
Twilight regained consciousness, but her head was pounding, and her vision was a blur. Her throat was dry and something felt choking. She looked around. She was alone and trees rose up high. Stars twinkled through branches and in the ghostly moonlight dew shimmered. “Twilight...Twilight...” a raspy voice of no origin but everywhere at once buzzed through her head. She was starting to think curses might be true after all, and as she contemplated this, the voice came again.
“Twilight, why do you deny me? We are one and the same, after all.” Twilight, startled, released a stammer, asking who this voice was. “Why, I am you, of course!” Twilight couldn't believe this; a sick joke, she thought to herself. “But I am you, not a joke. I just want to help you achieve your full potential. Why won't you let me in, Twilight?” Twilight began to retort, but as she found the words forming in her mouth, a bear appeared out from a nearby bush. It seemed angry, as if some commotion had awoken it, and it had its eyes set on her. The bear charged forward and Twilight began preparing a spell.
“NO!” came the voice, more clear than before, following with a short and mild headache. All Twilight could do was dodge blows, claws coming in from the left and followed by biting as the voice interfered every time she wanted to use a spell. Something to even just put it to sleep was of no avail.
Twilight was becoming winded; she was no physical fighter, and her kicks were no good against this mass of muscle. The voice popped into her head. “Let me help you!” Twilight didn't care much by this point and let the voice in. She felt rage. She didn't like this feeling such a disregard for life. She was still weak and tried to fight off the feeling as best she could, but the feeling overwhelmed her. She found new energy coursed through her veins and in horror could only watch as her own movements were guided. Twilight summoned a spell, dodging one last blow to her side as she struck.
The spell hit the bear straight on and it stopped moving. The fur on its back began to bubble, to liquify itself, as if the creature was going to melt... and then it was gone. Blood flew everywhere, a heaping pile of gore raining down like a winter storm all around her. She was covered in the innards and blood of the once mighty animal, and just like before, she was compelled to lick some blood off her face, tasting the grotesque victory. She knew what she had done, she hated it, and it had struck her very heart hard to see the damage her magic had wrought. The voice inside cackled fiercely, “You will soon see our full potential, Queen Twilight.” Twilight Sparkle screamed and ran off, and for the first time, truthfully and wholeheartedly, knew she was cursed.
The sun was now rising in a picturesque crimson pink and yellow. It seemed fitting. Celestia woke up in a graceful manner, as usual for such a princess. The first thought in her head was to get Twilight to Canterlot. There were things to learn and troubles to be lifted, but as she looked up towards Twilight's usual tidy bed, something was wrong. The bed itself was in normal fashion... well, as of late. Sheets and blankets were strewn across the floor and falling off the bed in chaotic fashion. Celestia began to get worried, but a recently woken Spike assured her she was just in the library... she had to be, that's where she had been for the past month, every morning.
A wreck like no other was not found this morning, but instead a sparkling library that had been cleaned by Spike yesterday. Celestia seemed stricken by this for obvious reasons. From what she had heard, Twilight was not her tidy self, and couldn't stay organized to save her life. Celestia, keeping calm, was turning inside with wonder and yearning worry, then out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that there was some commotion to be found in this static library. Footsteps trailed off, or so it seemed, from behind the window, headed towards the Everfree forest.
Celestia, feeling uneasy, rushed off, still in a graceful manner, towards the forest, not knowing what would be found but eager to help her favorite pupil in any way she could. The Everfree forest was close now, and in her place near the edge of the forest sat Fluttershy, trying to coax an agitated and rude bunny back towards her. It was Angel, Fluttershy's pet rabbit.
Celestia seemed to take comfort in the sight of something as pure as this. Offering a greeting and a wishful wink, she carried on with her mission. “All right Angel, please come back home...you don't have to eat the salad if you don't want to.” Fluttershy spoke in a soft manner, and for a moment it seemed to work, but Angel took off into the forest. Angel followed Celestia for a bit until Fluttershy started yelling, loud but still soft to come back, and threatening to go in after him. With Fluttershy's first step into the woods, Angel took off. Celestia, caught off guard, didn't do much. She couldn't do much to help intervene, leaving a shocked and frightened Fluttershy standing with one hoof off the ground. Celestia offered a friendly smile to Fluttershy, inviting her along for her trek. Usually timid, she definitely felt safe around the princess.
Zecora was pacing back and forth. These nightmares were not just Twilight's problem. Not anymore, at least. She took a special interest in this case, not only because Twilight was a dear friend, but also because she reached out to her when no one else would.
“Poor Sparkle who shimmered so bright, a cure to dreams in anguish I shall find.” Zecora talked to herself, searching her own library of remedies and cures from her homeland. One bit of information seemed promising, but the materials to make such a potion would not be found so easily: rare desert flowers from Saddle Arabia, a vine that only flourishes down south for one hour every two centuries. It seemed pointless to try, but she felt obligated to repay the kindness shown to her by her friend. One thing Zecora knew was there is always a way to make things appear, through trickery or hard work. She could gather these ingredients, but to do this she would need the help of someone unwilling to help.
THUMP THUMP.
Zecora jumped a bit, startled by the knocking on her door. In strolled Celestia and her strange pink and yellow appendage. Fluttershy was basically being dragged inside on Celestia's hoof, and the sight of this made Zecora laugh. Witty comments were given in the zebra's usual manner, halted by a stern look from the Princess. Celestia asked about Twilight, if Zecora had seen her, or for any information in general.
Painfully, Zecora spoke the truth, that she did not know the whereabouts of Twilight, but offered the recently found information on the potion she found, old and sacred as it was, and Celestia somehow knew of it. “Astral Disformation...” the name of this brew tasted sour on Celestia's lips; she knew of no successful attempts to make this concoction. Ungodly rare ingredients and dangerous chemistry formed this potion, but there was no denying its power... if legends were true.
Fluttershy was lost in this conversation, grasping only a few key parts, but from what she did gather, she knew that this was something important. The effects of this potion can only be brought on by an Alicorn fusing a piece of their very soul into the brew while dreaming of the very essence of purity, among mixing delicate materials into a caustic cauldron. Yes, they both knew they would need some help. Celestia more than Zecora knew who would be the best suited for this job. Zecora packed up some necessities, flasks and vials, as well as some herbs and books. In the short stay there, Fluttershy had only just gotten her strength back, and off they went again.
Twilight looked around. The sky had cleared to a soft blue, and in a clearing, she got her bearings. Feeling rested for the first time in forever, she was able to do what needed to be done.
First things first was some food. She scavenged for some berries and other vegetable life. She thanked Zecora for teaching her a bit about nature survival, and now it was time to eat. Her stomach was smaller and weaker than it had been months ago, but welcomed the fresh vegetation to the fullest and to bursting, and luckily, a stream was nearby. Twilight trotted over, feeling better than she had in months, and knelt down to drink the mountain's delicious water. Upon tasting the cold water, her eyes closed and she felt bliss. Nothing could bring her down right now... until she opened her eyes.
Clasped around her neck was nothing else but the amulet Trixie had worn. Twilight was familiar with this artifact indeed. Starting at first sight, her head becoming clear after a few seconds, things started to make a bit more sense, albeit she still had no clue as to what, why, and how anything had happened recently. It was just a blur. One big blackout.
She sat and meditated for a while, looking deep inside herself now, and she felt a calling. “Save me... help me...” a sad serenade cried out to her mind. This wasn't the voice from before, but it was familiar... it sounded just like her.
“What's wrong?” Twilight asked out loud.
It has me, help...she is coming soon...I feel her.....help me...HELP ME!
Twilight's mind went static, a sharp pain crossed, and for a brief second, Twilight felt anger that almost consumed her, but she shook it off.
“Still not letting me in, I see?” said the raspy voice from before. The pain flashed again, but Twilight was stronger now.
“What are you doing to me?” she demanded to know.
The other voice replied, “All in time my, precious queen. I will tell all in time, just as you will accept me... keehahaha!” The voice faded off slowly, the last words echoing through Twilight's head.
Shaking off the idea that she might be in serious trouble, she proceeded with her day. Finding a few herbs to pack and using magic, she fashioned a pack from some branches and leaves, packed up some food and water, and went on her way, not fully knowing the direction, but one was better than none. Twilight hoped she was going back home. With all her heart, she wanted to see her friends again, and this... such a simple thought gave her strength.
Where is Fluttershy? both Celestia and Zecora wondered as they stepped back into Ponyville. They had thought she was with them, trailing behind. They had assumed that since they heard no struggles or any signs of danger, she was okay. Celestia urged Zecora on; they needed to make haste to Canterlot. Celestia's old acquaintance was going to be waiting, and she wanted to get a head start on the preparations for his help.
The chariot arrived on schedule for their departure, and to Zecora's delight, it was a fantastic display of craftsmanship, something to marvel at... but it was nothing when the day-long journey to the castle was complete. Sights the zebra had never imagined now befell her, such grandeur and splendid art so carefully crafted and placed. This must truly be the home of Canterlot royalty. There was no time to gawk and marvel, though... there was work to be done.
Over the course of two days, the two friends went around Canterlot gathering materials. Chalk, parchment, flowers, baked goods, and even cloth items, seemingly chosen at random. Everyone watching the two figured it was just gifts for a guest they were told to expect. Celestia spent three days arranging the odds and ends of the trinkets and objects in an unordered fashion.
The princess gave the zebra a comforting wink, knowing what followed could be very dangerous if not handled with care. An orb of fire spilled out of Celestia's horn and surrounded a circle drawn on the ground, becoming a flame, a testament to Celestia's might as raiser of the sun. This flame, while at first glance looked rather chaotic in shape and unfriendly to the eyes, gave off a feeling of friendship. The spiraling orb expanded for a short while, becoming a tall, eccentric oval. Cracking sounds could be heard from outside, and the sky darkened a bit. Zecora even noticed some of the framework of the hall buckle. The orb skewed, shooting left and right, slowly falling back into formation... and with one last loud “CRACK,” the orb stopped changing, no longer an orb but a distinct shape. Small bits of lightning shot around the room as a cocky voice filled the ears of all the ponies in the room. “Oh? Oh ho ho ho ho, how fun... Celestia my dear, miss me already?” Celestia cringed at the voice as a shadowy figure became clear inside the flaming shield, and a statue outside crumbled to dust.
Celestia responded coldly, “Hello, Discord.”
Author's Note
Thank you Scootareader, best friend a pony could have, for proof reading and the early stage criticism! Chapter three will include alot of closure about certain points in this chapter, be longer and progress the story. As is usual fashion for stories : ) thanks for reading everypony!
