In Youth Eternal - A Dark Secret

In Youth Eternal; A Dark Secret

By AAAAAAAB

Chapter 1: A New Day

It was the beginning of a new day for Equestria as sunlight crept through the crack in the closed drapes of the Ponyville Library. The thin stream of light shined down upon a waking Twilight Sparkle. Slowly, the mare's well rested eyes crept open. The blanket slid off of the purple mare as she stood up and stretch her legs, causing her flank to raise into the air, giving a moderately loud yawn.

The drapes dispersed quickly with the touch of the unicorn’s magic, causing light to flood the room. Twilight moseyed on down the steps from her bed, where she found Spike was still sleeping. A check list and quill levitated over to Twilight, encased in a purple aura. Before looking it over, Twilight turned her head and looked at the still sleeping Spike.

Twilight trotted over to Spike, giving him a little nudge with her hoof. “Oh Spike~! Wake up! We have work to do!” said Twilight with a wide grin. Spike simply mumbled something and turned over in his bed. A mildly annoyed look crossed Twilight’s face, only to form into a scheming grin moments later.

“Well, I guess a certain baby dragon won’t get to have his green emerald for lunch today,” taunted Twilight, with a playfully sarcastic tone. Spike bolted up quickly with widened eyes at the very prospect.

“Alright alright... I was hoping to sleep in more though,” he deadpanned as a scowl adorned his features. The dragon felt disappointed at having to be up and about this early.

“Sorry, but we have things we need to do today. First we are supposed to help Fluttershy tend to her animals,” replied Twilight, glancing at her check list.

"But I will get to have my gem, right?" asked Spike, drooling at the thought of consuming the succulent emerald.

Twilight glanced at Spike, chuckling softly. "Of course, Spike," she replied.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Spike opened his mouth to speak. “Alright. Let’s go, then.” Twilight smiled at Spike again. The mare made her way towards the front door with her number one assistant following behind, opening the door with her magic.

With that, the two stepped out the door and embarked onwards to Fluttershy’s cottage.

*     *     *

A number of hours passed.

The door to Fluttershy’s cottage flung open, with the graceful, pale yellow pegasus pony gliding outside. “Oh, thank you so much, Twilight! There were so many animals to help today,” she spoke, with her soft, calming voice as she held the door open.

Stepping outside, Twilight replied with a friendly smile. Fluttershy smiled back at her.

“I’m glad I could help, Fluttershy!” said Twilight. “I just hope next time Spike doesn’t accidentally let the chickens loose again,” she joked, giving Spike an amused look. Spike rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath in irritation.

The two ponies exchanged their goodbyes for now, with Twilight and Spike departing from Fluttershy’s small home.

As the pair made their way down the dirt road, away from Fluttershy’s cottage, Twilight turned to Spike. “So, what’s next on the list?” asked the lavender unicorn. Spike glanced at the check list, his green eyes quickly scanning the contents, and then back at Twilight.

“Next, we’re supposed to help Applejack and Big Macintosh carry apples into the barn. After that, we’re supposed to help Pinkie Pie with- ugh!” Spike’s sentence was suddenly cut off. He stopped in his tracks and began to gag until emerald green flames erupted from his mouth. The flames swirled for a brief moment, and materialized into a rolled-up scroll.

“A letter from the Princess? Now?” said Twilight, curiously. "I wonder what it's about."

Spike unrolled the scroll to read its contents. *Ahem!*

“My Faithful Student Twilight. I would like you to meet me at my Castle tomorrow afternoon. I have something I wish to discuss with you.” Twilight arched a brow after Spike finished reading the scroll. The mare had hoped the letter would have been more specific.

“What could the Princess want to discuss with me?” she asked rhetorically. Spike simply shrugged and shook his head briefly.

They began to walk towards Sweet Apple Acres, pondering the situation. However, Twilight was quick to move on. “Well, we will worry about that tomorrow. For now, let’s just focus our tasks,” she said, as they continued towards Sweet Apple Acres.

*     *     *

The purple pair eventually came upon the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres.

The apple farm was a pleasant sight as usual. Surrounding the paths that ran through farm were whole fields of lush apple trees. Occasionally, there were other crops as well. The smell of fresh apples lingered within the air, much to Twilight's delight.

The pair made their way towards the barn, where they saw Big Macintosh. The red stallion was just now trotting into the equally red wooden structure with a load of apples in the saddle bags, which were mounted on his back. Applejack exited the barn ust as Big Mac disappeared behind the doors.

The orange cowpony quickly noticed the Twilight and Spike. “Well howdy Twilight! Spike!” said Applejack, giving a nod to the pair.

“Hello Applejack!” chimed Twilight with a friendly smile. "How are you?"

"Ah am fit as a fiddle," replied the orange earth pony, beaming with confidence.

“Anywho, Ah’m glad ya’ll could make it today. Got a lotta' apples ta' harvest and we’d like to finish up early,” explained Applejack, gesturing with a hoof. The orange earth pony turned around to see Big Macintosh exiting the barn. “Isn’t that right Big Mac?” she exclaimed.

“Eeyup!” replied Big Mac, with a calm and relaxed smile. He was a pony of few words.

“We would be glad to help!” said Twilight. “Let’s get started.”

"Alright, follow me," Applejack ordered with a friendly tone.

*     *     *

It was now the afternoon.

Twilight entered the barn, carrying her final load of apples on her back, followed by Spike who was dragging his own basket. She gave a sigh of relief as her baskets dropped onto the floor with a thud. Sweat drizzled down her face from the previous hours of hard work.

Applejack and Big Macintosh soon entered the barn themselves with their respective final loads. “All in a day’s work!” exclaimed the orange mare.

“Eeyup!”

“I’m just glad we finished before my back broke,” joked Twilight as a sheepish grin crossed her face. Although, her back and hooves were sore from all of the work. Overall, her body felt heavier as a result of exhaustion. Applejack and Big Mac seemed to be fairing better, being used to such farm labor and all.

Applejack laughed in reply. “Hehe! Well anyways, thanks a bundle Twi!” Applejack said. The orange mare turned to look at Spike who was also tired from hard labor. “And Ah'd like ta' hank you too, Spike!”

“Don’t mention it,” said the baby dragon, wiping sweat off his forehead.

“Why don’t we go in for some cider?” suggested Applejack.

Twilight smiled, but had to decline. “We’d love to, but we also have more things we need to do before the day’s end.”

“Ah, well, come by anytime, sugarcube,” Applejack said. The orange mare felt a little disappointed, but understood that Twilight needed to take care of important things.

They all exchanged their goodbyes for the day. Twilight and Spike left Sweet Apple Acres physically sore, but happy to have helped their friend and her brother. Now it was onward to Sugarcube Corner to help Pinkie Pie set up for Derpy’s birthday party.

*     *     *

“Well, that outta do it!” exclaimed a certain pink pony. It was another job well done setting up a party. Streamers and balloons of all sorts of colors were set up around the room. Various tables of baked goods and punch were scattered for anypony who wanted a snack. A single round table had a number of gifts stacked on it for the special birthday pegasus. A turntable was set up so Vinyl Scratch, stage name DJ PON-3, could DJ for the party.

Pinkie Pie hopped up and down in place with her usual happy-go-lucky smiling. “This will be Derpy’s best super special Birthday Party ever!!” she exclaimed. “Do ya wanna stick around Twilight? Do ya do ya do ya!?” As usual, Pinkie Pie ran her motor mouth, speaking quickly with excitement.

Twilight nodded. “Fortunately, this was the last thing on the check list for today.”

By this time, a large number of ponies had gathered to attend Derpy’s party. They mingled around for a while to wait for the her to arrive.

A few more minutes passed, with Rainbow Dash pushing a sitting Derpy through the doors of Sugarcube Corner. The ditzy grey pegasus was blindfolded, as this was a surprise party. Knowing what a silly klutz she was, a blind fold would have made it downright dangerous for her to travel alone.

“Okay. We’re here, Derpy,” Rainbow Dash told the ditzy pegasus, panting and sweating from the hefty task of pushing her.

With that said, the blond-maned pegasus removed her blind fold. Her eyes were crossed as usual. But that didn’t stop her from lighting up with joy at the sight of her Birthday party. “Wow guys! I just don’t know what to say!” chimed Derpy; her eyes beaming with glee. The adorable klutz was very happy.

Pinkie Pie hopped over to her. “Happy Birthday!”  she exclaimed, as the music started. Party lights turned and everypony started to have a great time. Although Derpy was a rather clumsy dancer.

*     *     *

The doors to the Ponyville Library opened with Twilight and Spike stepping into the main room. “Wow. I am exhausted.” said Twilight.

“But still, the party was great! Especially the part where Derpy accidentally got her head stuck in the cake,” Spike said, laughing at the memory.

“Yeah.. That was pretty funny,” replied Twilight. “But now, I need to get some sleep. I’m supposed to visit Princess Celestia tomorrow.” She strolled on up the stairs and into bedroom.

“Hey, Twilight?” said Spike, entering the bedroom after her. “I’ve got nothing to do tomorrow. You think I can tag along?”

Twilight looked down at Spike and smiled. “I’m sure Princess Celestia wouldn’t mind!”

Spike climbed into his small bed and covered himself with his blanket. “Oh, good thing. I’d have nothing to do otherwise,” he said. Spike looked up towards Twilight. “Anyways, goodnight Twilight.”

The lavender unicorn promptly closed the drapes with her magic. “Goodnight Spike. Sleep tight. We have a big day tomorrow,” she pointed out. "Whatever it is the Princess wants, I'm sure it's important." A sparkling purple aura lifted a blanket over the mare as she laid down in her own bed. She snuggled briefly, closing her eyes.

With that, the two fell into a peaceful slumber, waiting for tomorrow to arrive.