Herald of Shadows

Deep inside Twilight's mind she was walking a familiar path to meet up with her favorite teacher.  She knocked three times on the wooden door when she reached the destination.

"Enter," hissed a deep voice.  Twilight walked in slowly.  "Ah, Herald of Shadows, I see you have arrived,"

Twilight, or Herald as the voice called her, nodded and smiled with fanged teeth at the unicorn pony hidden in the shadows.  "May we begin?" She asked calmly.  He nodded, and they began their lesson.

* * *

Twilight woke up in her house smiling happily.  Her lesson had gone very well, and her magical abilities were increasing incredibly!  As Twilight got up she saw a messily written note stuck to the wall.

It said: Twilight, I know you don't like to go outside much when it's sunny so I went instead.  We were running a bit low on food and supplies. While I'm out, would you mind straightening up a bit, I bet there are some ponies who would like some books!  -Spike

'Twilight' how she resented that awful name.  It was like a scar on a perfectly beautiful pony!  Almost ruins everything!  No, her real name would never be Twilight Sparkle ever again.  Her true name was The Herald of Shadows!  That was her name she was given by her beloved teacher.  That was the name she knew that powerful unicorn as. He never revealed his true name to Herald, so she called him Beloved Teacher.  As she thought back, she realized what an awful teacher Celestia had been.  She thought the name in disgust.  To think, the great Herald of Shadows had ever looked up to that pathetic pony.  And she was supposed to be royalty?!?  No, soon there would be no more princesses.  Only two powerful unicorns ruling over Equestria.  When she was ready, that is.

A sudden tap tap tap interrupted Herald's thoughts.

"What is it this time?" She grumbled.  If it were another pony asking for a book....Herald shuddered.  She didn't want to lose her temper before she was ready.  Her Beloved Teacher had forbidden it.  Nopony was ready to know of her strength yet!  Herald opened the door to see her little dragon assistant.  He looked a bit distracted.

"Well,"  said Herald, "bring in what you bought."

Spike stood in terror as he stuttered, "T-T-Twilight?"

Herald's eyes released a bit of purple shadow as she got angry and snapped at the trembling baby dragon, "DON'T CALL ME THAT NAME!!!!  My name is the Herald of Shadows!"

Spike looked down as if he couldn't look her in the eyes without suffering terrible pain.

"Sorry Herald of Shadows,"  he muttered, "but you have some.......visitors."

She just glared at him, then thundered, "What have I told you about guests?!? Send them away!"

Spike tried to protest, "BUT TWILIGHT! IT'S YOUR FRIENDS! THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT YOU!"

For one moment the red left Twilight's eyes and she looked about to cry.  Spike's hope lifted, then was crushed a moment later as Twilight's eyes returned to their previous color.

"I have no friends!" She hissed, "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to my beloved teacher."

Spike confusion was obvious.  Was there something Twilight wasn't telling him?  "T-Twi?" He said cautiously, "Princess Celestia is dead.  How are you going to speak with her?"

Herald glared at the little dragon, "I hate that awful excuse for a pony!"

Nothing but that could have hurt Spike more. That is until Twilight said the thing Spike had dreaded she would say weeks ago.

"And," said Herald, "I hate you! Get out of my house!"

With that Herald threw Spike out with her magic and slammed the door in his face before he could walk back in.

Outside the library was horrible.  As Spike and the other ponies cried, the clouds covered the sun.  It had started to storm.

"Was Twilight doing this?" Spike wondered to himself.  "I'm sorry girls," Spike said to the surrounding ponies.  It was, however, the pink, usually bright and happy one he spoke to specifically.  Pinkie Pie burst into tears at the loss of her friend.  Together the small group walked away from the overgrown treehouse....