Prologue

There have been many delays today, and many tasks left to complete, so why was Spike choosing now to interrupt my schedule?
"C'mon Twilight, we have to get there soon!" he ordered, while sprinting ahead.
I lagged behind my athletic familiar trying to think. I didn't see what the big deal was or why we had to hurry. He wasn't panicking so it couldn't be trouble, nor was he overly excited. He just wanted for me to go. Why? He ran back from behind the corner to get me. "Why are you so slow c'mon, c'mon!"

Before I could say anything he was gone. Well it must be important somehow if he wanted me to follow this badly. I broke out into a trot, moving a little faster to see what the silly fuss is about. As I caught up to Spike, who was standing still waiting for me, I asked what he was on about. "Why the rush Spike. Can't you te-"

"No time, we’re nearly there!"

I sighed heavily and followed once more. We walked around the corner and into an open area, with the only notable landmark being the library, my house.
"We're here." He smiled folding his arms together.

"And why are we here?" I questioned, as I felt my frustration grow. "You could have told me we were going home."

He just glanced at me with a sly smile. "It wouldn't be as good without me..."

"What wouldn't be as good? Why did you drag me away from my schedule?"

His sly grin stretched his cheeks, "We'll let's find out shall we?"

He definitely implied something, something like a surprise? My aching legs could certainly use a rest right now. I looked at the large hollow tree. The shutters on the windows were closed preventing the light from shining outside. That’s funny, I don't remember closing the shutters.

Well I guess I'll find out when we open the door.

"SURPRISE!"

My heart skipped a beat as the lights suddenly blinded me. "Wha, what is the meaning of this?!"

The pony responsible for most parties rushed out in front of the crowd bouncing around happily. "It's a surprise party for you!" She smiled gleefully. "Were you surprised, huh?!"

I gave her a queried look while biting my bottom lip. "Yes thoroughly. Is there a reason for this party Pinkie?" I smiled and giggled from my next remark. "Is it for 'scaring little Twilight out of her mind party'?"

"No silly!" She continued to bounce as if she was attached to a string.

The other four sentimental mares appeared out of the crowd all smiling cheerfully and wearing party hats. "Oh sugar-cube, don't tell us you forgot your own birthday." Applejack laughed.

Wait, my birthday? As in it was today? As in my special day is today!

I quickly checked my calendar on the wall, it confirmed that they were right. Why wasn't this in my schedule, why did I forget? Was I really that forgetful of important dates? Sweet Celestia I was a silly filly sometimes. Pushing all my questions aside I turned back to the mass of ponies all mingling and dancing to the booming and hypnotic music playing. Everypony was here: Bon-Bon & Lyra, Ditzy Doo, Golden Harvest, Berry Punch, Vinyl Scratch, Octavia, and pretty much all of Ponyville. But most importantly my friends were here. "Well this is a definite surprise. I can't believe I forgot it was today."

"Pinkie did the party preparations of course, and I helped with the decor." Rarity gestured her hoof to all the ribbons and such around the bookshelves.

"I helped with brunch," Applejack added. She reached her hoof over to the table and grabbed a pastry. "Would you care for an apple fritter?"

When she mentioned food, I realised I hadn't eaten since breakfast. Celestia I forgot lunch as well? I levitated the pastry over to me, indulging on the sweet apple taste. I tried to thank her but my mouth was stuffed. Only muffles and crumbs made it out, which they didn't seem to care about.

"Um, Twilight?" The little timid voice sparked my interest. "Happy birthday, I would of got you a present but-"

"Oh Fluttershy you don't need to worry, you being here is all that matters."

"Oh ok, thank you."

The pegasus sneaked off before a blur appeared seemingly from nowhere. "Are you enjoying the party?" the pink pony exclaimed jumping directly up in front of me.

I stepped back slightly chuckling on the sudden appearance. "Yes I am Pinkie, thanks for this."

She sheepishly smiled in response before bouncing off into the crowd. I didn't know what she was going to do but that's Pinkie for you.

"So Twilight, reached the age haven't we?" said Rainbow Dash approaching me, probably too give birthday punches. "Twenty-one years old, that is a milestone and a half."

Wow. I'm Twenty-one, I didn't even realise. I guess I can't believe it.

Finally...

Whoa, that's strange. The sound echoed around but nopony else noticed.

"You are now a fully mature mare..." Rainbow continued.

Shaking off the previous chill I responded. "Yes indeed."

The three eventually walked off one by one to mingle with the other guests. I didn't know how Pinkie got everypony inside, it seemed rather impossible. I walked through the crowd and got every second ponys congratulations or a wave. As I walked, Spike approached from the punch fountain on the table of delicious looking food. "Enjoying the party yet?"

"Yes. I’m still in shock. You guys really surprised me."

"We'll at least you’re having fun."

Not yet...

There it was again. Goosebumps writhed over me. I must be so exhausted from today I'm now hearing things.

"You are having fun right?"

It took me a few seconds of silence to realise that Spike was asking a question. "Oh, uhh... yes Spike everything's fine."

I sure hope it was.

Spike rolled his eyes, sensing that he wasn’t going to get a straight answer from me. He walked off into the crowd waving a goodbye. "We'll ok then Twi."

"C'mon everypony it's time to sing Happy Birthday!"

It had been a whole year since I've heard this tune. Every time I heard it, I felt like my life is going in the right direction.

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Another year of experiences added to my life.

"Happy birthday...to...you."

Something was off; the voices were slowly becoming muffled as they continued to sing.

"Happy... Birthday... dear... Twi-light."

The voices were gradually drowned out, warping as they slowed in speed. The disorienting noises were finally gone until only one voice remained.

And we're going to have so much fun together...

The crowd was blurry, all the sound around me had been silenced. Only a white high pitch noise echoed and continued as they cheered hooray. The whole ordeal was disorienting and forced me into a drowsy state.
I simply waved back at them as a sudden headache struck me, making me dizzy and light headed. I stumbled slightly over to the table, stabilising myself in time before I fell over. I was not feeling too well, I might just go upstairs.

I was approached by one of my friends, which one I didn't know. Her speech was drowsy and low, barely audible. I muttered out that I was fine and needed some sleep. At least that's what I think I said.

Avoiding eye contact with the other guest, which was nearly impossible, I made my way up the steps. I could hear every hoof impact, it echoed in my mind as if I was in slow motion. My vision blurred like I was staring through a translucent glass pane. The striking headache increased drastically, scratching and throbbing inside my skull.

Soon...

Out of all the things I could hear in my dozy state I heard a voice clear as day.

Soon Twilight...

The seductive voice resonated in my head. Every time I heard it my coat tingled. A cold, sinister tingle. It was a mare’s voice with a very sly and romantic tone to it, like whoever was saying it was smiling deviously. I made it to my bed before my vision failed. I collapsed helplessly onto the mattress with only that voice laughing away my consciousness.

Soon...

***

The sunlight pierced my dreamscape past my eyes, slowly lifting me from my sleepy state. My eyes watered as the brightness of the outside world burned my sight. I waved my hoof in front of me trying to stop it. When that didn’t work, I thought to roll over, backside to the window. I rolled and the pain struck. My mind shook and throbbed making me cringe. I growled in pain, clutching my head between my fore hooves.

Awaken...

Then the pain was gone. It left as fast as it came relieving me of the extreme feeling. I sighed with relief. Now I could relax. Maybe now I could finally get some sleep. My eyelids slipped down making me rock back into my dreams. Wait, its daytime, what time is it? I perked my ears as I scanned around the room for the clock. Through the slight blur I made out the hands in the distance, and it was nearly twelve. "Sweet Celestia I'm late!"

Oh no no no no no no, this was bad. I'm behind schedule! Everything is out of order. What was I supposed to do anyway, oh no I've forgotten. I sprung to my hooves and accelerated down the stairs looking for my schedule. "Spike, Spiiiiiike." I looked for my dragon assistant who didn't seem to be in earshot. "Do you know where my schedule is?"

Silence. In fact, I couldn't even hear the outside world for that matter. If there was one thing that Ponyville doesn't lack, it is peaceful background ambience, and there was a severe shortage of that right now. I looked around and noticed how the walls were bleak and less vibrant with fog emanating from the outside window. Without the background noise it painted a grim, bleak scene. No pony was in sight for as far as I could see. The fog clung to the ground smothering what colour it could. This couldn't be real, why is everypony gone? How? When?

"Oh questions Twilight, why must you question everything?" The sudden cold shivers took hold once again.

The seductive voice echoed slightly, reminiscent of the Royal Canterlot Voice only slightly quieter. I looked back, sure that it was coming from behind me. To my surprise there was nothing. "Who's there?"

"Someone who has been waiting for a while Twilight Sparkle."

The voice seemed to come from everywhere. I felt this strange presence pass behind me causing me to reactively turn around. Back and forth I turned to try and see it, to try and find the voice.

"It's time for you to move on and begin anew."

"What do you mean, Where am I?"

I was breathing intensely, inhaling and exhaling hard and fast. My heart was beating rapidly, sending surges of adrenaline through me. My ear twitched from every little sound, either sudden passes of wind or hoof steps on the wooden floor. "Who are you?"

"Take a look..." A shadow crept from the corner of my eye approaching me.

I turned, only for my heart to leap into my throat and cut my breath. It was coated in smoke that was slowly dissipating. Once gone, the pony became visible. It looked sickly and horrible, its coat was almost grey and its mane and tail were a tangled mess. But it was the eyes and sinister grin staring directly at me that was most disturbing. The eyes were a bright green with long slits splitting down the iris, much like a cat or dragon. "What is this?"

The figure chuckled slowly, making me step backwards slightly. I was about to ask again before it suddenly moved.

It lunged forward at me, pressing its lips against mine. The creature had just kissed me. Its lips were cold and wet as they pushed against mine. Even though I was thoroughly repulsed and scared, a weird feeling creep up from inside me, which felt alien to any other sensation before. Before it could pierce me with its tongue I pushed it back.

I couldn't make sense of this. Before I could gather my thoughts though, I stepped back, dropping me into oblivion.

Author's Note

This is only setting the context of the fic. Clop will follow in future chapters.

Always comment on how its going and suggestions, feedback and the likes.

-Twhylight