//------------------------------//
// The Shadows of Twilight 
// Story: Dragonfire 🐲 Enter The Dragon Hero 🐲 
// by Phantom-Dragon 
//------------------------------//

The girls, Spike, and Scorpan were later having dinner together.

"So," Scorpan began, turning to Spike. "How've you been, Spike? Training went well, for you and the girls?"

"Yeah," Spike replied. "I can see why you trust me with the girls here."

"And what might that be?" Scorpan asked.

"We have something magical between us, ten years ago," The girls, counting Lyra and Bon Bon, couldn't help but blush.

"Good," Scorpan then turned to the girls, "And how about you, young ladies?"

"Oh, Spike was simply marvelous," Rarity smiled. "Still the chivalrous prince he is."

"Not to mention awesome!" Rainbow exclaimed. "You should've see him fly!"

"Ah," Scorpan smirked. "So my nephew has finally learned how to fly again?"

Spike chuckled sheepishly as he replies, "Well, I had a few stumbles, but I've managed."

"Well stumbles or not, you're still getting the hang of it," Rainbow said.

"Not only that," Applejack began. "But I think your styles of fighting are all in good shapes."

"Not to mention your dragon senses too!" Pinkie smiled.

"Sounds to me, the seven of you have made some progress," Scorpan smirked.

The said teens all bowed their heads in response. Then, Lyra remembered something very important, and whispered it to Bon Bon, who whispered it to Twilight.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot!" Twilight gasped as Lyra and Bon Bon both conjured a film projector and a portable screen. "We've been doing some research on the tatzlewurm, and we found this."

Turning the projector on, the girls showed a snapshot of a glowing symbol, which resembles a letter S, with the top curve in the shape of a serpent, the bottom curve in the shape of a lightning bolt, and a bat-like wing sprouting from the middle.

"What the hay?!" Applejack exclaimed. "Is that?"

"It's the Shadowbolts!" Rainbow Dash growled. "They're back!"

"And they had the poor tatzlewurm under their control," Fluttershy stuttered, "Which c-c-c-could mean they've got other poor, innocent creatures enslaved. Oh d-d-d-dear."

"No doubt, Somnambula must've got herself reacquainted with them already," Scorpan began grimly.

"And they're gonna try and get Spike again!" Applejack growled.

"Over my dead body!" Rainbow Dash declared bravely, before she noticed Fluttershy preparing to cry. "Which means they would have to get me first." Rainbow assured.

"Um, guys?" Spike asked. "Who're the Shadowbolts?"

"They're the most corrupted and evil of all magic casters to ever walk on the faces of Equestria and Earth," Twilight began. "Their leader is Somnambula." With that, Twilight brought up a portrait of the said sorceress, as she went on to explain, "The Shadowbolts were founded years before you first came to Equestria, Spike. They were an evil cult, who were in league of Nightmare Moon, the fallen princess." With that, Lyra brought up another picture, of the said princess.

In appearance, the princess is an alicorn, almost resembling Princess Celestia, with the exception of her coat, colored black, with a flowing mane and tail, both resembling the starry night sky, reptilic blue eyes, snake-like fangs, a purple splotch with a light blue crescent moon on her flank, all the while cladded in a light blue suit of armor, covering her head, her hooves, and chest.

"Scary," Spike shuddered, as Twilight continues.

"After they learned about the Dragonfire, they targeted you, in hopes of stealing it, so as to use it in some kind of ritual that could free Nightmare Moon, earlier from her prison in the moon, and increasing her power, tenfolds. So that way, she could defeat and overthrow Princess Celestia."

Spike's chatted his teeth together, as Scorpan placed a comforting hand around the boy's shoulder, "Luckily, they failed, and Princess Celestia is fine," the man's stern expression quickly shifted to sadness as he sighed, "But at a heavy cost."

"I'll say," Applejack nodded grimly, looking to Spike and Scorpan. "When they came for your powers, Spike. You just wouldn't go down without a fight. From what some ponies have said it, you fought bravely, trying to protect Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, even Twilight and Rarity were there." Spike's eyes widened at the revelation, turning his head to the princess who shifted uneasily. 

"But during the fight,"Rarity began angrily. "A certain one of those ruffians played a dirty trick, and tried to do the princess in." Rarity's eyes started to tear up. "You jumped in and tried to save her. But in the end.....you know the rest."

Spike frowned, as he clutched his hairs in his hand, as Scorpan placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, "It's all my fault. I wasn't around to save you then. Both you and Celestia. We were still in the middle of your training when it happened." Spike held his surrogate uncle's hand, assuring him otherwise.

"Ever since the two of you left Equestria," Applejack took over. "We've been trying to bring those varmints to justice for many moons. We even run up against them, when Nightmare Moon returned."

"You mean, Nightmare Moon's back?" Spike asked in fright. "Now?!"

"Afraid so," Twilight replied. "It was about a year ago, during the Summer Sun Celebration when Nightmare Moon made her first move. Princess Celestia was supposed to show, when only Nightmare Moon appeared. She intended to conquer all of Equestria, and plunge it into a night of eternal darkness," Lyra and Bon Bon projected an image of the said event, in which Nightmare Moon, along with the Shadowbolts, cladded in black and purple, ninja-like uniforms, were seen attacking a village of frightened ponies. "She nearly succeeded, with the Shadowbolts, until me and the girls located the Elements of Harmony, and used them to relieve Equestria of Nightmare Moon's spell," Lyra and Bon Bon projected the said objects, appearing as six colorful jewels, bearing the shapes of the girls' cutie marks, with Twilight's was embedded into a crown. "But before we could use them to defeat Nightmare Moon herself, she and the Shadowbolts escaped, and haven't been seen or heard, ever again. Until now."

"And this is the part where we came in!" Bon Bon began. "We've been tracking down the whereabouts of the Shadowbolts, and our resources have pinpointed their hiding place, here at Crystal Prep Academy." With that, Bon Bon pointed to the said school.

"Crystal Prep Academy?" Spike asked, turning to Twilight. "Hey! Professor Flintheart once mentioned you were transferred from there. What-"

"I was there to spy on them," Twilight quickly answered. "I went undercover as Melody Ravenclaw to find out some valuable information on the Shadowbolts. Though, I'll admit, Lyra and Bon Bon both make better spies, since I had to transfer to CHS before they found out, I was onto them."

"Goes to show ya," Bon Bon began. "You just can't trust some double agents."

"Wait a minute," Spike began. "If you went there as 'Melody Ravenclaw,' then how does Professor Flintheart even know who you really are?"

Silence quickly filled the room.

"Come to think of it," Fluttershy began. "He did mentioned about your brother, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadence. Or in this, Crystal Prep Dean Cadence. Do you suppose they may have told him?"

"It can't be," Twilight replied. "My brother and Cadence have swore, not to speak of this to any humans. Unless..."

"Questions for another time!" Scorpan interrupted. "Given to the lights of these events, it's clear that some extra trainings must be done, tonight!"





Later that evening

After having dinner, Spike was back in the Training Dimension, with Twilight and Scorpan. The three were inside a room, that was filled with purple flaming torches, huge arrays of bookshelves with magic books, flying from places to places. In the center of a room is a huge circle, filled with multiple magic symbols, courtesy of Twilight.

"So Spike," Twilight began, looking at a clipboard. "It seems you've got flight, self-defense, super strength, reflexes, and senses down. But let's see how you fare in a magic duel."

"Bring it!" Spike challenged, while changing into his dragon form.

[MLP Fighting is Magic - Twilight Sparkle Stage Theme]

Twilight complied as she, once again, took her glasses of, and changes into her alicorn form. With a pink glow from her horn, Twilight fired a bolt of magic in the dragon's way, who jumped to the side, dodging the attack. Taking a deep breath, Spike breathed a huge stream of fire, which Twilight blocked by conjuring a stream of water from her horn, extinguishing the flame, and filling the room with smokes. Spike looked, trying to locate Twilight, while listening to the beating flaps of her wings. Then, he hears a hum, followed by the sound of explosion, before a bolt of lightning zipped past him. Spike quickly retaliated, firing a stream of green fire in the direction the spell came from. Twilight saw the incoming fire, and quickly flapped her wings, creating a gust of wind, causing the fire to disperse, and shielding her from the fire. Closing her eyes, Twilight focused a spell in her mind.

'Accelero!' Twilight thought. With that, she was a blur of purple and pink, and landed several punches on Spike, who quickly gave chase, jumping from walls to walls, ceiling beams to beams, and blasted several streams of fires, trying to catch her.

"Be still Spike," Scorpan advised. "Do not waste your stamina on a speedy enemy. Let her come to you," Getting the message, Spike took several deep breathes, calming his mind, while listening to the sound of Twilight's wing beats and hoof steps.

Twilight kept on flying, and running, fast, passing Spike, until he stuck his foot out, tripping her up as he did so. After a few stumbles, Twilight shook her head a few times, before firing a magic fireball, which Spike ate.

"You're not half-bad, Spike," Twilight panted. "But can you handle this?" With that, Twilight fired a spell that forced Spike into a frog.

"Oh ha ha," Spike said in sarcasm, before he concentrated his magic and turned himself into, "A pony?" Spike tried again and turned himself into a puffer fish, a platypus, a parrot, a dinosaur, before he finally reverted to human form. "What did you do to me?"

"Sorry Spike," Twilight apologized. "But this is one of the things you have to be prepared for. This spell is used to knock your shape-shifting ability out of loop, for about an hour. When this happens, you won't be able to go dragon properly."

"So what am I suppose to do in the meantime?" Spike asked.

"Simple," Scorpan began. "You must rely on your other abilities to aid in your battles. For example, duck!"

Without hesitation, Spike quickly ducked his head, just as Twilight blasted a bolt of magic from behind.

"That was a cowardly move Twilight!" Spike exclaimed.

"You're going to fight the Shadowbolts," Twilight replied. "First thing you need to know about Shadowbolts, is that they never play fair." With that, Twilight conjured a bola rope, and fired it at Spike, who quickly ducked his head in time.

'Similo Duplexis,' Twilight chanted mentally, making multiple copies of herself.

Spike's eyes widen in bewilderment, as he looked around, seeing many Twilight Sparkles, all readying their horns to fire him.

"Trust your instinct, Spike," Scorpan advised. "No one knows her better than you do."

"But that's all in the past," Spike replied, narrowly evading several magic bolts from the Twilights.

"Search your feelings Spike. Your mind may have been wiped clean by the forces of darkness, but I'm certain your heart still holds the feeling you've had long ago."

Though a little doubtful to his uncle's word, Spike decided to give a try, scanning each Twilight, until he felt a spark when set his eyes on one of them. With that, Spike made a tremendous leap, catching the real Twilight off guard, causing all the others to disperse.

"Good guess Spike," Twilight said. "But, what gave me away?" she asked.

"I don't know," Spike replied. "When I looked at you, I felt....a spark, I guess."

Twilight smiled, as she and the boy resumed their magic duel, "Everete Statum," Twilight shouted, firing a spell that knocked Spike in the air, doing a flip, and landed on the hard floor, a few feet away from her. "Oh, goodness!" Twilight exclaimed, flapping over to the boy. "Are you alright?" She asked, inspecting the boy.

"I think so," Spike groaned, as Scorpan helped him up.

"I'm sorry Spike," Twilight apologized. "I must've gotten a little carried away."

"Perhaps it would be prudent, for us, to first teach Spike how to block unfriendly spells, young princess," Scorpan said sternly.

Twilight nodded in agreement, "You're right.

Without hesitation, Twilight's horn glowed in a magenta aura as she touched his arm, fixing it upon contact. "Whoa," Spike gasped, giving his arm a few stretches, "Thanks Twilight."

"No problem," Twilight replied, as Scorpan changes into his gargoyle form, and walked back to the circle, together with the teens. "Now let's get started on the blocking maneuvers."

Spike nodded as his lesson begins.





After some times have passed, the three were all exhausted, panting heavily, and back in human forms.

"I think, that's enough practice for tonight," Scorpan panted, followed by agreements from Twilight and Spike. Scorpan looked at a clock nearby, "It's time for bed you two. You've got school tomorrow, and I've got work to do."

Nodding their heads in agreement, the two teens exited through a door, back into the real world. Being the gentleman he is, Spike lets Twilight get first dibs on the bathroom, before she walked out in her sleepwear. Afterwards, Spike walked in to brush his teeth, and changed into his own sleep wear. As Spike walked into his room, he passed by another magic door, courtesy of Twilight, and opened it to reveal most of the girls, minus Lyra and Bon Bon, each sleeping, and stirring, in their own beds. Spike quietly walked in, and gave each girls a peck on their cheeks, causing them to blush and smile in their sleeps, before he quietly walked out and into his room.

No sooner had he got undercover, when there was a creak at his door, and there stood Twilight, in a yellow average pajama, with pink trimmings and pink hearts.

"Twilight?" Spike asked.

"Sorry, Spike," Twilight said, quietly. "I was just wondering....that is, if you're alright with it....could I maybe sleep with you for tonight?"

Hesitant, Spike looked at the girl, seeing the sincerity in her eyes, as well as some hope, "I don't know," Spike answered, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, you sure uncle won't think we...."

"Not to worry," Twilight quickly replied with a blush. She quickly cleared her throat as she explains, "I've asked him about it, and he's completely okay with it."

"Just like that?" Twilight nodded in response. "Alright, if you say so." With that, Spike patted a spot next to him, which Twilight eagerly complied. "Comfy?" He asked.

"Very," Twilight smiled. "Just like old times."

"Like old-we've done this before?" Spike inquired.

"Yes," Twilight replied nostalgically. "During our schooldays in Princess Celestia's School of Gifted Ponies and Magical Creatures."

"Princess Celestia's School of Gifted Ponies and Magical Creatures?" Spike asked. "My mother owns a school? Or was it just named after her?"

"She's the headmistress of the school," Twilight answered.

"Wow! She's a princess, a mom, and the headmistress of a school?!" Spike whistled. "I hope I wasn't too much of a handful for her back then."

Twilight couldn't help but giggle lightly as she answered, "On the contrary, you were quite helpful, as a hero, a son, a prince, and an assistant," Twilight twirled a piece of her locks, as she started to blush. "And that's saying a lot, considering how young you were back then."

"How come?"

"Well, Princess Celestia has always been answering that it's a part of your Dragonfire. It speeds up your intelligence, and maturity, far beyond any regular humans' at your age. Even dragons aren't normally that intelligent at your age then."

"Well, lucky me."

"Yeah, lucky," Twilight chuckled, looking nostalgic at the boy. "And I'm even luckier with you as my number one assistant, and best friend."

'Here's another story of the past,' Spike thought.




Past

"Before I was even a Princess of Friendship, especially an alicorn, I was quite a loner, prior to meeting you," Twilight narrated. "I felt rather content, didn't thought I would ever need to make a friend. Except my brother, Shing Armor, who was my BBBFF."

"BBBFF?" Spike asked.

"Big Brother Best Friend Forever," Twilight answered. "But all of that changed, when you and I met for the first time."

A young, unicorn Twilight Sparkle, roughly around age 6, with a blank flank, was passing by some ponies, reading her book without a care in the world, until she arrived at her destination, the Public Library of Canterlot. She went in to check out some books, on the matters of magics, and was carrying a huge stack with her magic, that she wasn't seeing where she was going and crashed into someone, causing her books to fly all over the place.

"Oh, sorry," Twilight apologized. "I wasn't looking where I was....going." Twilight looked shocked, to see a young Prince Spike, lying before her, with a Power Ponies Comic book on his head, and some of her books piled on him.

"No, by all means, it's my fault," Spike replied. "I should've looked where I was going."

"No, really," Twilight exclaimed frantically bowing her head. "A thousand pardons, your majesty."

"Uh...you're pardoned?" Spike replied hesitantly.

Twilight looked up at the prince, before she noticed the mess around the library, "My books!" Twilight exclaimed, using her magic to pick up a few.

"Here, let me help," Spike replied, picking up a few books, and handed them to the filly, before he later helped to locate the rest in the library.

"Wow, thanks," Twilight smiled, after all of her books were recovered.

"Is that all?" Spike asked.

Twilight took the moment to quickly scan the sides of the books, before answering, "Yes, that's all of them." She looked up at the young prince and smiled gratefully, "Thank you."

"No problem," Spike smiled. "Hmm, quite the scholar of magic I see."

"Yep," Twilight nearly lost her focus as some of the books nearly fell over. "Phew, that was close one."

"Here," Spike said, taking half of the loads. "I'll take half, and you take the rest."

"Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't want you to trouble yourself over me."

"No, really. I insist."

Twilight smiled as she and Spike walked back to her place. On the way, Spike decided to struck up a conversation, "So, who might you be? I don't think I got your name."

"I'm Twilight Sparkle," Twilight answered. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, young prince."

"Feeling's mutual," Spike replied. "So, if I may, what do you need all of these books for? I don't think I've ever seen a pony carrying this many books before."

"I'm going to enroll in Princess Celestia's School of Gifted Ponies and Magical Creatures," the filly answered. "So I need to study a lot, if I'm going to pass an entrance exam in order to get in."

"You too, huh?" Spike inquired. "That's me as well."

"You're taking the entrance exam as well?" Twilight gasped.

"Yep," Spike answered. "Uncle Scorpan and I have been studying for the past weeks. He told me that, if I want to go to this school, then I need to study more than just the martial arts."

"But, why couldn't you just get yourself enrolled without taking the exam? You are the Dragon Prince, and the son of Princess Celestia's, aren't you?"

"I may be a prince. But I still have to play by the rules of getting into the academy. I have to prove myself worthy enough to get in. You think I'd stoop to Prince Blueblood's levels of getting in?"

Twilight was silent for a moment, before she replied, "Good point."

Finally, both kids made it to Twilight's home.

"Well, best of luck to you, Twilight," Spike shook hand and hoof with Twilight. "I hope we'll be classmates."

Twilight smiled, "It would be an honor, your highness," she bowed.

"Oh please, just call me Spike," the young prince replied modestly. "We're friends. Aren't we?"

"Friends?" Twilight looked hesitant. "I don't know. I've never had a friend before."

"Well, now you do," Spike smiled, before he changed into a dragon and took his leave. "Good-bye!" With that, he pulled out a tuft of cloud from his cape and flew off, leaving a bewildered Twilight behind.





Throughout the coming weeks, Twilight was busy studying by herself, and grew more anxious with each passing moments.

One day, she happened upon Spike and Scorpan, quizzing each other, out on a balcony of the public library. Scorpan was reading some questions off of the notecards, while Spike, thought carefully and answered the questions, either correctly and incorrectly.

"You're about to cross a bridge that's guarded by a troll," Scorpan began. "The troll will ask you, how many questions?"

"3 questions," Spike answered.

"And how do you answer the third question?"

"Uh...." Spike was clearly stumped. "I don't know that!"

Scorpan shook his head, as he explained, "You don't answer the third question. In order to get pass him, you ask him with a question of your own, regarding to his third question. For example, if he asks, 'what comes first? The chicken or the egg?' You will ask him, 'where does the chicken come from?'"

Twilight watched, as Spike looked anxious for a moment, before he took a deep breath, and became more calmer. Intrigued, Twilight mimicked the technique and suddenly felt calmer.

'Wow!' she thought. 'I actually feel much better.' She watched Spike and Scorpan studied some more, listening and smiling as she hears Spike correctly answering the questions he got incorrect the first time.

However, her secret presence didn't go unnoticed, "You know, if you wanted to study with us, no need to hide," Spike called out.

Twilight flinched, "How'd you know I was there?"

"You were breathing kinda loud," Spike replied. "Plus, I can hear you a mile away."

Twilight came out, rubbing her foreleg in shame, "I'm sorry. I haven't been feeling so good, with the whole studying and everything," Twilight bowed her head in shame as she left. "I'll be out of your hair for a moment."

Spike and Scorpan looked at each other, before Scorpan inches his head towards Twilight.

Getting the message, Spike called out, "Wait!" Twilight stopped in her track, as the boy ran up to her. "Why don't we study together? I could use some extra hands-er, hooves." Twilight smiled as she joined the study session.





 Soon, the big day came for both Twilight and Spike to take their entrance exams into the school. Spike was able to pass, thanks to his uncle's teachings, while Twilight was able to pass, thanks to the calming technique she secretly learned from Spike and Scorpan. As a final part of their exam, both kids needed to amaze the judges with something truly spectacular. Spike succeeded by putting on a fire performance, and creating a fiery image of the sun, finishing it off with a loud roar that made the sun burst into a beautiful display of fireworks. Meanwhile, with Twilight, the young unicorn managed to create a sparkling display of the constellations: Draco, pegasus, taurus, Aquila, Scorpius, and Lyra, before condensing them all together to create a dazzling firework-like display of a supernova. In the process, Twilight not only got herself accepted into the academy, but she also got herself a cutie mark.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!" she cheered, jumping around and out of the room, where she met young Spike.

"I did it!" they cheered. "I passed!" They both stopped to look at each other, incredulous. "You did? Me too! Stop copying what I'm saying! You stop it now!" Both kids looked to each other and shouted, "Jinx! Double jinx! Triple jinx! Quadruple jinx! Infinite jinx!"

The two kids shared some laughs as they congratulated each other.

"But I'm telling you! I did it!" a voice whined. Spike rolled his eyes in annoyance, while Twilight looked to see a whining Prince Blueblood, pulling Princess Celestia in vain by the tail. "Come on auntie! You can't do this to me! I'm too handsome! The ladies love me! I'm begging you, auntie! Please! Don't send me to Magic Kindergarten!!"

Having enough, Princess Celestia teleported the prince away, much to every ponies' relief.

"Finally," another voice sounded. "I can hear myself think again." The voice revealed itself to be a unicorn filly, somewhere around Twilight's age, with bright yellow coats, blazing red mane and tail with yellow streaks, jade green eyes, and a blazing sun for a cutie mark.

"You're telling me," Princess Celestia grumbled, before she looked and smiled upon seeing Spike and Twilight. "Ah, Spike! How did it go?"

"I did it mom!" Spike exclaimed, holding out his acceptance letter as proof. "I'm in the school!"

"Well done Spike," Celestia smiled, before turning to Twilight. "And who's your friend here?"

"Mom, this is Twilight Sparkle," Spike said, while the young filly stood, shock to be in the presence of the Sun Princess. "And Twilight, I'm sure you already know mom."

"H-h-h-hi!" Twilight said, breathlessly.

"Hey!" the fiery unicorn shouted. "Show some respect! Bow your head!"

"Now, now, Sunset," Princess Celestia shushed the unicorn, placing a gentle wing on the filly's shoulder. "No need to fuss over me."

"Sunset?" Spike inquired, looking at the unicorn in question. "As in Sunset Shimmer? My mom's star pupil?"

"That's me," the unicorn answered proudly. "So you're Spike the Dragon Prince," She looked at the prince suspiciously. "Somehow, I pictured you to look more...dragon-like."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Spike scratched his head, before Sunset sniffed him.

"You may not look like a dragon." Sunset began in disgust. "But you certainly have a dragon's scent."

"Sunset!" Princess Celestia scolded.

"What?" the unicorn began innocently. "I'm just curious to why he's called the Dragon Prince, that's all."

"I understand your thirst for knowledge, Sunset," Princess Celestia began. "But you should at least be more respectful to others. Especially, if they're not ponies."

Sunset looked, and could see they were expecting an answer from her. Swallowing her pride, Sunset began, "I'm sorry, your majesty. Normally, I don't socialize with dragons. I don't know any pony who would." With that, Sunset took her leave, "Now, with all due respect, I've got some studying to do."

Princess Celestia watched solemnly as Sunset left, before she turned to Spike and Twilight, "I'm sorry about Sunset Shimmer. She's kinda new to the whole concept about humility."

"So we notice," Spike replied. "But for some reason, I can't help but think she just needs a friend."





Spike didn't have time to ponder on that statement, as he and Twilight began their first day of school the next day. Since the beginning, the two were inseparable. Both have been study buddies, and would always be found, taking notes, and quizzing each other. Eventually, Princess Celestia permitted Spike's stay with Twilight, in the filly's dorm room. For the next few weeks, both have made excellent scores on the quizzes and exams. With Spike's help, Twilight  even managed to make some friends, in the form of Minuette, Lemon Heart, Twinkleshine, Lyra Heartstrings, and lastly Moondancer. At some point, Sunset Shimmer started to open up, and joined in the friendship circles, much to the suspicion of every pony, given to how the unicorn's been known to have a fascination with the dark arts. Spike on the other hand, was willing to give the unicorn the benefit of the doubt.

"You think that's all your fire breath can do?" Sunset asked, levitating one of Twilight's book for demonstration. "Check this out," With that, Sunset breathed a stream of fire from her mouth, and the book disappeared.

"SUNSET!!" Twilight screamed, before the book reappeared above her head. "What? But you-how did you?"

"Fire Transportation Spell," Sunset answered proudly. "I read about it in some old books. Saves carrier pigeons and some working birds the troubles of flying through strong weathers. And helps to deliver messages twice as fast."

"Wow!" Spike exclaimed. "Can I learn some of that?"

"Anything that breaths fire, can learn this spell," Sunset smiled, showing the boy the spell, on a specific page in the book.

From then on, Spike's had study partners, in the forms of both Twilight, and Sunset. With Twilight, the two would study some basic spells of teleportations, levitations, transfigurations, and a studying spell designed by a brilliant unicorn named Hayscartes. Meanwhile, with Sunset, the both of them would practice offensive and defensive spells, covered in Scorpan's class.

One day, during a fall break, Spike was flying on a cloud, while Twilight was busy reading a book. The young prince looked, to see the book showing pictures of famous landscapes of Equestria, from Mt. Everhoof to Neighagra Falls.

"You know, just because we can see places from the books, doesn't mean we're actually there," Spike said.

"Well, not all of us can fly you know," Twilight replied.

"Then come on," Spike invited. "Fly with me."

"What?"

"We can get out of the city," Spike explained. "Go see the world.

"Is it safe?"

"Sure!" Spike replied. "Do you trust me?"

"Huh?"

"Do you trust me?" Spike repeated, handing his claw out.

"Yes," Twilight answered, as she casted a Walk-On-Cloud Spell on herself, before she gingerly took his claw.

With a burst of speed, the two flew out of the city, traveling to different parts of the world.



Spike and Twilight flew to Yakyakistan, where the yaks all blew their hair up, watching the kids, bewilderingly. Their next stop was Manehattan, where they circled around the Statue of Liberty(Pony version). Rainbow Falls where they both touched the rainbow waterfalls, watching as the colors rippled through their hands and hooves. Lastly, the two flew over the oceans of Seaquestria, where the sea ponies rose up to greet the kids, including the magnificent, Queen Nova.

After several trips of flying, it was nighttime, by the time the kids returned to Canterlot.

"So, what did you think, Twilight?" Spike asked, as he dropped her home.

"That. was. AWESOME!!" Twilight exclaimed. "Even better than reading from the books!"

"I told you so," Spike smirked, before he was tackled in a hug by the enthusiastic filly.

"Thank you, Spike," Twilight smiled. "Next to Cadence and Shining Armor. I'm glad to have you as a best friend."

Spike smiled as he returns the embrace, "I'm the one who's glad to be here, for ya."




Present

"Wow," Spike smiled. "We actually went flying around the world in a single day?"

"Yep," Twilight smiled. "If it weren't for you, then I'd never learn to be more open to the world around me."

"I'm so glad I went from prince, to study partner, and then a teacher for you," Spike smirked.

"That's why I picked you as my number one assistant," Twilight's smile soon faded, as she recalled the tragic event. "That was also when...when...."

"When what?"

"When it happened..." Twilight replied, as she recalled the event. "It all happen so fast."




[14 Sun (Vocals By MEMJ) - Pony Empires]

"One moment, you and I were just studying for an upcoming test," Twilight narrated. "The next thing I could remember, we were fighting of the Shadowbolts, I was taken prisoner, and you were left to fight off on your own."

"If I can't have your powers," Somnambula turned to Princess Celestia. "Then I'll have your mother instead!"

Waving her staff, a dark lightning bolt was shot out, from a nearby cloud, aiming towards the princess, "MOTHER!!" Spike screamed, jumping in between the bolt and his mother, taking the full hit to the head.

"SPIKE!!!" Celestia screamed in pure horror. At that time, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy arrived at the scene, too late.

"Spikey-Wikey!!" Rarity wailed, crying her eyes out, besides Princess Celestia.

Twilight Sparkle, in chain, looked with shock, and horror at the sight of her best friend, injured, and unconscious. Then, something snapped inside her, as her eyes turned flaming blue, with narrow red pupils. 

"SOMNAMBULA!" Twilight screamed demonically, as she was shrouded in smokes of dark magic. "YOU WILL PAY!!!" In that moment, Midnight Sparkle was born.

In a fit of anger, Midnight Sparkle lashed out at the Shadowbolts, sending waves of magic in their way, cutting down structures of the castle, breathing fire, swallowing a whole barrage of arrows with a blackhole, before she fired them back. Her eyes, burned even more intense, as she caused several parts of the castle to explode, with her mind.

"Azarath Metrion ZINTHOS!!!" Midnight roared, hurling a whole tower in Somnambula's way, nearly crushing the witch.

"Shadowbolts!" Somnambula shouted. "Disappear!!"

"But what about the Dragonfire?" another Shadowbolt asked.

"Forget about it!" Somnambula replied. "We have to get away from that monster!!"

With that, the Shadowbolts all started to disappear in a puff of smoke.

"You're not getting away!" Midnight Sparkle roared, preparing to fire another destructive spell.

"Twilight!" Applejack called as she and the rest of the girls piled themselves on top of their friend. "That's enough! They're gone!"

"Let them go Twi!" Rainbow groaned. "They ain't worth it! We've won the fight!"

"Won?!" Midnight hissed.

"Spike needs our help!" Fluttershy said.

With that, Twilight reverted back to normal as she and the girls returned to a crestfallen Princess Celestia, cradling a comatose Spike, with her magic.




Present

'So that explains everything,' Spike thought, before he found himself embraced by a tearful Twilight.

"I'm sorry Spike," Twilight cried. "I'm so sorry. I had all the knowledge about magic. But in the end, I failed to protect you from the Shadowbolts." With that, the girl cried even harder. "I'm such a failure, as a friend, and as the Princess of Friendship."

Spike, out of impulse, hugged Twilight, as he whispered, "Twilight. It's okay. It's all over now. We're together again. You, me, and the girls. Well, most of them anyway," he said, still unsure of what became of Sunset Shimmer, and some others. "Please, Twilight," Spike started to tear up as well. "Don't cry. I hate seeing good girls, like you cry. You're not a failure. You tried the best you could, and that's all that matters," Spike looked at the girl again, trying his best to put on a reassuring smile, "I may not remember everything yet. But what matters is, I'm here for you now. Forever, and for always, no matter what happens."

Twilight smiled even brightly, as she tearfully resumes hugging Spike, even tighter, "Oh Spike...thank you," Twilight sobbed. "Please Spike. Promise me you won't ever jump into danger, and that you would never leave us again."

"Don't worry, Twi," Spike replied, still hugging the girl. "I promise you, I won't. Never again."

With that, Twilight kissed Spike on the cheek, causing his eyes to flash a purple light, concealed by his eyelids.

"I love you, Spike," Twilight cried.

Spike smiled, "I love you too, Twilight," he said. "You, and the girls."




Elsewhere

In a hidden campsite, Somnambula was pacing back and forth, with the Three Magicians, scorched and tied up in ropes, with the flying monkeys watching over them. Just then, the sound of leavings rustling was heard, as a tall woman appeared, followed by a group of hooded figures in dark robes.

"Somnambula," the woman greeted.

"Abacus Cinch," Somnambula greeted.

In appearance, Abacus Cinch has a long dark fuchsia hair with streaks of light fuchsia, tied in a bun in the back, with a long elegant curl at the top, light grayish blue violet eyeshadows painted over her piercing, grayish fuchsia eyes, moderate raspberry lipstick, and a beauty mark, located on the upper left of her lips. For attire, she wore a dark blue coat with matching skirt, over a light blue sweater, dark mulberry pantyhose, and dark blue high heels. The only accessories she wore are three pearls for earrings, and a fiery jeweled necklace around her neck.

"It's been many years," Abacus began. "So, how goes your search for this 'Dragonfire?'"

"I've found it," Somnambula answered bitterly. "Though, I lack the muscles required to secure it." Just then, Somnambula felt a burning sensation, as she and Abacus both looked at their wrists, each bearing the symbol of the Shadowbolts, glowing and flashing.

"Somnambula! Abacus Cinch!" a voice called out from the lake, the water spun before  they took on the shape of an alicorn.

[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle(2003) -  The Shredder's Theme]

"Your highness," Somnambula gasped, before she bowed her head, followed by Cinch and the rest of the group. "I knew you would return. I've been hunting for the Dragonfire, for you, for the day in which you would perpetuate your face upon Equestria, once more. But Twilight and her friends..."

"Twilight Sparkle?" the alicorn exclaimed. "You mustn't let them interfere! I will claim the Dragonfire and resurrect my glorious empire! The bearers of the Elements of Harmony, must be destroyed!"

"As you wish, Mistress Nightmare Moon," Somnambula bowed, followed by the Shadowbolts.