Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms

by Alphadude007

Deadly Premonitions

Hey Fimfiction! Quick little warning, if you don't want to read any scenes that involve graphic content, just skip the sections marked with *. Thanks for reading!

-Ponyville Library-

Twilight had been tossing and turning for hours. For whatever reason she couldn't sleep. Maybe I'm just getting used to the wings. Twilight thought as she pinched her eyes shut in frustration. With a groan, she opened her eyes and looked out the window that was next to her bed. The moon was high in the sky, the stars filled the night, ponies were sleeping, and everything was as it should be. There is one problem, however. She thought as she flopped on her back. I can't sleep!

Twilight rolled off her bed. Maybe something to eat will help. She thought as she tiptoed past Spike, trying not to awake the sleeping dragon. She noted that he was cutely sucking his thumb again. And he said he hadn't done that in months. She rolled her eyes as a small smile spread across her face. She carefully trotted down the steps to the lower level of the library, careful not to make noise. After what felt like hours, she finally made it to the bottom of the stairs.

She walked down a circular tunnel that led from the main room of the library and headed towards the kitchen. She exited the wooden tunnel to find a small simple kitchen. Wooden floors, a small iron stove, a wicker wastebasket next to the stove, polished wood cupboards with food and ingredients scattered within, and a pile of chopped wood for a kettle fire in the corner opposite the stove. It was simple, but Twilight loved simple.

She opened one of the cupboards and looked at her choices. Oats? Nah. Too plain. Twilight thought as she kept looking. Some cupcakes from Pinkie? A loaf of bread? Some greens she'd bought from Carrot Top? That much sugar is the last thing I need at this time of night. It's not very filling. And I'm not in the mood for vegetables. Twilight thought as she browsed the food items in the cupboard. She eventually settled on one of the honeycrisp apples that Applejack had given her. She picked out the red fruit and closed the cupboard door.

She sat down on the floor and began eating. The apple's sweetness excited her taste buds as her teeth bit into the juicy flesh. After chewing for a few seconds, she swallowed the piece of fruit and began taking a second bite. Before she knew it, Twilight had reached the core of the apple. Twilight licked some of the apple's juice off the corners of her mouth as she tossed the apple core into the wastebasket. She smiled in satisfaction of her midnight snack and slowly began the trek back to her bed.

She walked down the tunnel to the main library and entered the main room. She turned to go back upstairs, but she suddenly heard something. It was faint, but Twilight could tell it was some sort of whisper. Curious, Twilight listened intently. Come, Element of Magic. Come find us. Her ears perked at this and looked around the room, trying to find the origin of the voice. The whisper continued chanting. Come, Element of Magic. She closed her eyes and focused. The feel of the voice… it seemed to be coming from… that way. Twilight thought as she opened her eyes and turned to the right. Facing her was a bookshelf. Multiple books of many colors and subjects were before her, but the voice was coming from one book in particular. She narrowed here eyes at the book. It was bright white with gold binding that shone in the darkness of the night.

She carefully took the book off the shelf and looked at the cover. Only a pearl embedded in the cover with gold surrounding it was on the cover. No title. No author. Strange. I haven't looked at this book before. Twilight thought as the whisper began to intensify. Twilight's eyes widened at the increased volume of the voices. Come, Element of Magic! Come! The voice said as she put a hoof on the cover. As soon as her hoof made contact with the cover, the voice stopped. Twilight looked around nervously. Gulping, she opened the cover.

Interestingly, she only saw an illustration. No words or text were on the page. There was just a picture of a peaceful Ponyville. Ponies carried out their business while foals played. Twilight's eyebrow rose as she turned the page. It was an illustration of a cave entrance in the side of a mountain, snow blowing past it. What could this mean? Twilight thought as she turned the page. What she saw surprised her. It was what looked like a living shadow held back by a bright blue force field. She couldn't get a definite shape of the shadow, but she could see the outline of a pony shrouded in black shadow. Who is that? She asked as she turned the page, hoping it'd have an answer.

Twilight tried to scream at what she saw, but her voice failed her at what she saw. On a solid black page, two angry yellow eyes stared back at her from the page. Two yellow, remorseless, cold, soulless eyes stared at her. "Hello, Twilight." The voice said in a deep growl.

Pure fear gripped Twilight as the library faded from her vision. *A vision began to fade in as her eyesight cleared. She looked around her and was horrified at what she saw. Ponyville was in flames. All around her, panic filled the air. Ponies ran from strange and twisted creatures. Twilight couldn't tell exactly what they were, but all she could focus on was the death. Dead ponies littered the ground, their blood staining the grass red. A few ponies were burned from the fire, others had fresh slash wounds, some were decapitated, and even some had bite marks on their necks that caused them to bleed out in a slow and painful death. She watched helplessly as one of the creatures jumped onto an unfortunate unicorn mare. The mare screamed in terror as the creature sank its teeth into her neck, blood oozing from the wound. Looking away from the poor mare, Twilight tried to run to save Ponyville, but an unseen force stayed her hooves. Twilight tried to use her magic, but the same force counteracted her horn's magic, making it useless. To the left of her, town hall collapsed to the ground, leaving a pile of burning wood and rubble where the proud building once stood. She tried to look away from the death and destruction, but her eyes were glued to the scene. All she could do was watch and weep as hideous monsters slaughtered innocent ponies, tears welling in her eyes.*

-Sweet Apple Acres-

Applejack sighed in her bed. She hadn't been able to get a wink of sleep all night. She looked outside and saw the beautiful night sky that Luna had made. She smiled for a bit at the magnificent night. Ah bet Ah'm the only pony in Ponyville that isn't sleeping right now. She thought as she stared at the wooden ceiling of her room. After analyzing the complexity of the wood patterns above her for a good half hour, Applejack closed her eyes, trying to think happy thoughts to help her sleep. Ah've got a great family. Granny is as thoughtful and helpful as always, Big Mac is reliable and always supports me, and Applebloom was always the cute and innocent little filly she is. Applejack thought, her eyelids beginning to droop. The apple business is boomin'. We're having more customers than ever now and a new apple tree expansion in the north orchard is beginning next week. That'll bring in even more money. Oh the renovations we can do with those bits. She thought as she closed her eyes, feeling relaxed at the thought of everything going well. Ah have everything I could ask for. A good family, a booming business, and five of the best friends a pony could want. She thought, finally slipping into unconsciousness.

In the dreamscape, Applejack looked around her took note of where she was. She was outside her home at Sweet Apple Acres. The saw the apple trees full of fruit, the big red barn, and the farmhouse. While things seemed normal, there was something eerie about it all. Nopony was anywhere. Big Mac nor Applebloom were in the orchards and Granny Smith wasn't on her rocker outside the farmhouse like she usually was. Applejack's eyebrows furrowed as she began to investigate.

She walked through the farmhouse, checking each room. Nopony was found. "Applebloom? Big Mac? Granny? Is anypony home?" Applejack asked throughout the house as she visited each room. She received no answer. Becoming concerned, she galloped out of the house and into the orchards. "Big Mac! Applebloom! Anypony!" Applejack shouted in the orchard as she ran. All she heard was her voice echo for miles as nopony responded. She was beginning to get scared.

After running through the orchards, she finally came to the big red barn. *To her surprise, the doors were closed. Strange, the doors are always open. Sweat beaded her brow as she slowly opened one of the large doors. She was greeted with darkness. She tentatively walked into the darkness while every sense in her body screamed at her to go back. She ignored them. Ah have to find mah family. She thought as she entered the barn. The only light source was coming from outside, providing her some range of sight. That sight was cut short by a quick slamming of the door behind her, darkness enveloping her. Applejack jumped and turned around to see the door shut.

"Welcome, Applejack. Please turn around." A low voice said. A soft light glowed behind her as she began to slowly turn around. Her jaw dropped at what she saw.

By candlelight, there she saw her family, all with their hooves tied together and wads of cloth stuffed into their mouths. Multiple bruises and cuts could be seen on their bodies. Beside them were four ponies, well one pony and three hideous creatures. They were hideous mixes of creatures. One looked like a changeling with red eyes and two long sharpened bones sticking out of its sides under the wings. The second looked like a pony with half its face missing, only muscle and tissue remained. It had red eyes as well and small sharpened bones poking out of the front hooves. The third was a griffon with red eyes whose claws were twice as long as a normal griffons and it looked like its midsection had begun to rot. Finally, there was the one normal looking pony. He was steel gray with bright yellow eyes, a sharp horn on his head, an unkempt black mane and tail, and on his back were two large wings. On his flank was an image of a solar eclipse.

"Hello, Element of Honesty. Such a strange title for a pony who always lies." The grey pony said in a growl.
"Ah've never lied in all mah life." Applejack said angrily as she got into a fighting stance. She noticed that the three creatures had begun to start circling her and her family.

"Again, a lie. Please tell me this isn't the best this generation can produce." The gray pony said in a disappointed tone.

"Why have you done this to mah family?" Applejack said, growing angrier. By now, the griffon had gotten behind her and the changeling and pony creatures had flanked her.

"To test you, Element of Honesty." The pony said, his horn glowing yellow. Applebloom's ropes disappeared from her legs and the rags vaporized in her mouth with a yellow flash.

Immediately, Applebloom was on her hooves. "Applejack, get out of here!" Applebloom yelled at her sister, but the gray pony grabbed Applebloom and held her in a headlock with his hooves.

"Don't you touch mah sister!" Applejack shouted, charging the gray pony. At this, the changeling and pony creatures tripped her front hooves. Applejack landed on the floor of the barn as they began to beat her. Their claws slashed at her face and body and she could feel her insides hurting after the blows they gave her. Minutes felt like hours as the two creatures beat and cut her. Eventually, the two let up on their assault and allowed Applejack to breathe.

"Tsk, tsk. Such violence, Applejack. I wouldn't make another move like that if I were you." The pony said, shaking Applebloom's head.

There she lay panting, bruised, bleeding, and beaten. Applejack lay on the ground, hoping for an end to this nightmare.

"Now, I want you to tell your dear sister, Applebloom, that everything is going to be alright. Lie, and she will stop hurting. Lie for your family." The pony said with a sick grin. Applejack looked into Applebloom's orange pleading eyes. "Do it, Applejack." The pony hissed, bearing fanged teeth.

Tears began to form in Applejack's eyes. "It's… It's going to be okay, Applebloom." Applejack said, getting each word out between choked sobs.

At this, the gray pony smiled darkly. "Beautiful." He said, grabbing Applebloom's muzzle and the back of her head. With a quick twist of his hooves and a loud and sickening crick, Applebloom's body fell to the floor.

"NO! APPLEBLO-!" Applejack began to shout, but didn't get the chance to finish. The griffon creature that had been behind her reached down with its claws and put them to the orange cowpony's throat. With a quick slash, Applejack began to feel the life ebb from her as red colored the straw beneath her. Darkness began to fade into her vision as her last sight was the gray pony smiling over her.*

-Fluttershy's Cottage-

Fluttershy sighed as she tried to sleep. I'm probably the only creature in this town that is still awake. She thought as she brushed her pink mane from her teal eyes. She looked down from her bed and saw a white rabbit snoozing peacefully at the foot of her bed on top of the green bed cover. Angel's so cute when he's asleep. Fluttershy thought as she observed her pet.

She looked up at her cottage's chiseled wood ceiling and closed her eyes, attempting to sleep again.

Still unsuccessful, Fluttershy began to think of ways to fall asleep. What about that lullaby I tried to sing for Applebloom and her friends? She thought, remembering how well that went over after Sweetie Belle decided to join in the singing.

Smiling at the memory, Fluttershy began to play the song in her head.

Hush now, quiet now.

It's time to lay your sleepy head.

Hush now, quiet now.

It's time to go to bed. Fluttershy thought as she slowly began to relax.

Drifting off to sleep,

Exciting day behind you.

Drifting off to sleep,

Let the joy of dream land find you. Fluttershy was now on the verge of unconsciousness as her mind continued.

Hush now, quiet now.

Lay… your… sleepy- Fluttershy's mind shut down as she began to dream.

Fluttershy looked at the forest before her. Everything was as peaceful as it could be. Flat-tailed beavers made dams, multitudes of colorful birds chirped and flew amongst the trees, and cute forest critters like squirrels and rabbits scurried about on the ground. Fluttershy smiled and flew over to them.

"Hello, little friends. Having a good day are we?" Fluttershy asked. A squirrel that was cracking a nut nearby turned to the yellow pegasus and nodded happily. "How wonderful." Fluttershy said blissfully. She looked around her. Such beauty. Such innocence. She loved it, all of it. Ever since the day she discovered the ground as a filly, she'd loved the woods and the creatures in it.

*She continued walking through the peaceful woods when a strange scent hit her nostrils. She wrinkled her nose and furrowed her eyebrows at the smell. It smelled strong and pungent. She'd only smelled it one time before. It smells like the time we had to get that sleeping dragon to move. Her eyebrows rose at the revelation. Smoke.

Fluttershy ran towards the smell's origin. Where there was smoke, there was fire. In a forest with so many creatures, she had to get as many critters out as possible. The smell was getting stronger as she approached the middle of the forest. She could now see wafts of smoke coming from over the top of a hill in front of her. She galloped up the hill and was shocked at what she saw.

The once green and luscious trees were now ablaze with bright orange flames. Squirrels ran from their holes in the trees, some of the unfortunate critters were squeaking wildly as fire burned their bodies as they fell. Birds tried to fly from the fire, but would run into burning tree branches. Some tried to fly through, but were set aflame as they passed through the blazes, tweeting loudly in agony. Deer and bears tried to run from the fire on the ground, some getting trampled as the faster creatures ran over them in desperation.

The scene of death brought tears to Fluttershy's eyes. Help them! Help them you cowardly little filly! A low voice in the back of her head mocked her. Fluttershy started to run towards the critters to help them, but didn't look up to see a large branch fall from one of the trees above her. The large branch landed on her back, pinning her to the ground. Fluttershy gave a cry of pain as her back was afire with pain. She tried to push the heavy branch off, but the tree limb was way too heavy for her to get out. A fleeing bear ran by her and Fluttershy saw her chance. "Mr. Bear, can you help me?" She shouted above the roar of the flames. The bear looked back at her, then at the fire that was engulfing the woods. The bear gave Fluttershy a mournful look and decided to run.

"No! Please don't leave me!" Fluttershy shouted, now desperately trying to get out from under the branch. She turned her focus towards the fire that was now approaching her, consuming everything in its path. Her eyes widened as she let out a shriek. Fluttershy turned back to the branch and pushed with all her might. Her efforts were in vain, however, as the fire was mere feet from her. She looked at the oncoming fire and could only scream.*

-Rainbow Dash's house-

"Ugh. Why can't I sleep?" Rainbow asked as she buried her face into her cloud pillow. She sighed into the pillow and turned onto her back to face the ceiling. A Wonderbolts recruitment poster was there to greet her as she looked up. She smiled for a second and then turned onto her side. Clouds were supposed to be the most comfortable things for pegasi to sleep on, yet they weren't helping Rainbow get to sleep.

Okay. Maybe if I think happy thoughts, they'll help me sleep. Rainbow thought, raising an eyebrow. She shrugged. Worth a shot. She thought, closing her magenta eyes.

Her mind scoured her memories, looking for good things to think about. Flight school? The bullies didn't help that experience. Thought Rainbow as her mind continued looking. The first time she flew? The day she got her cutie mark? How she met Gilda? All were good times, but they were temporary happy times. What was one happy thing she encountered on a day-to-day basis? Then it hit her. My friends! She remembered with a smile.

Rainbow thought of the random Pinkie Pie and all the pranks they pulled together. She thought of Twilight and all the adventures they'd had over the past few years. Applejack came to mind when she remembered all the times Rainbow had helped her in the apple orchards. She thought of Fluttershy and how the shy pegasus stood up for her at the Young Fliers Competition. And last but not least, she thought of Rarity and the generous things she'd done for Rainbow.

The thoughts of her friends brought a smile to her face as Rainbow began to feel herself slipping from consciousness. They were her friends and they always would be, and she would always be loyal to her friends. What would I do without them? Rainbow thought as she drifted off to sleep.

Rainbow looked around her. Ponyville? She thought as she saw familiar buildings like Town Hall's spire above the roofs of houses, Sugarcube Corner, and Twilight's library. The sky was a clear blue, not a cloud in the sky. Normally, Ponyville would be bustling with activity on a day like this. However, nopony seemed to be anywhere in the streets. Rainbow trotted along the dirt roads, searching for signs of life. The clip and clop of her hooves were the only sounds she heard throughout the town.

"Hello? Is anypony out there?" Rainbow shouted, her voice echoing through the streets.

Hello, Rainbow Dash. A low voice in the back of her head sounded. Rainbow was instantly alert, getting into a defensive position.

"Who are you?" She asked in a brave voice.

The voice gave a light chuckle. That is a question I can no longer give a single answer to. Just call me Morning Star. The voice responded.

"Morning Star, huh? Where are you?" Rainbow asked, relaxing a little.

Here and there. Does it matter? Morning Star answered.

"Actually it does. I can't find anypony out here." Rainbow said, turning her head to find anypony else in the town.

I can show you where some ponies are. In fact, you know them very well. Morning responded.

Rainbow's ears perked up at this. "My friends? Can you show me where they are?" She asked, a smile spreading on her face.

Of course I can. Morning said warmly. Just go to the center of town. You'll find them in front of Town Hall. Morning's voice responded.

"Thanks, Morning. You know, for a weird voice in my head, you aren't so bad." Rainbow said, extending her wings and shooting into the air. Rainbow flapped her wings as she flew in the direction of Town Hall.

No need to thank me, Rainbow. However this favor I have done you warrants one from yourself. Morning said in her head.

"Anything you want, just gimme the word." Rainbow said, speeding off to Town Hall.

Rainbow soon found herself in the airspace of the largest building in Ponyville, Town Hall. The large circular building was a guiding point for all residents to see. If somepony were lost, they'd be directed where to go in relation to Town Hall. She began descending, flapping her wings at a slower rate. She began to see five ponies in front of the hall, but something about them was not right. As she got closer, she felt her stomach retch at what she saw.

*It was her five friends. She could easily identify them. Her friends, the most lovable and caring ponies she knew, were dead. Twilight and Applejack had deep cuts on their throats while Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy had bruises and cuts all over their bodies, blood trickling out of their open mouths.

"No… no, no, no, no, no!" Rainbow cried as she landed on the ground. She rushed to the bodies, trying to find any way to bring them back. Sadly, they were far past any hope of living. Tears stung her eyes as she knelt next to them and began to weep. All the memories, all the happy times, all that could have been, were now gone.

"Why would you show me this?!" Rainbow shouted as she looked up at the sky, now starting to darken as gray clouds covered the blue expanse.

To show what happens when you're disloyal. Morning Star's voice said, his tone harsher than before.

"Disloyal? I never did a thing against them and now they're dead! What did I do to be disloyal?" Rainbow shouted angrily. Rain was beginning to drop, soaking Rainbow and the bodies of her friends.

I believe you said, 'Anything I wanted'. You split your loyalties, Rainbow Dash. You were loyal to me instead of your friends. They paid the price for your mistake. Morning said cruelly.

"What mistake? Being loyal?" Rainbow asked, now on the verge of sobbing again. Amidst the pitter and patter of the rain, Rainbow heard hoofsteps behind her. She turned to see a large gray stallion. He had a sharp horn, large wings, an iron gauntlet on his right hoof, a cutie mark that showed a solar eclipse, and an unkempt black mane and tail. However, what stood out were his eyes. His bright yellow eyes stared at her menacingly.

"Exactly. Being loyal to another over the ones you were originally loyal to is the very definition of betrayal." The stallion said in Morning Star's voice.

"Morning Star?" Rainbow asked in a whisper. Morning Star smiled darkly.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash. And now that you have seen the fruits of your disloyalty, it'll be the last thing you see." Morning said, thrusting his right hoof out. A blood stained sword blade shot out from a rectangular hole in the gauntlet's hoof. Grinning, Morning Star charged.

Rainbow Dash only had time for a short shriek before Morning's blade entered her chest. Withdrawing the blade from her, Morning stepped back and watched as Rainbow collapsed next to her friends, her hooves trying to cover the wound. Rainbow looked at her dead friends as the life began to leave her. Cold enveloped her body as black faded into her vision.*

-Sugarcube Corner-

Pinkie lay on her bed, exhausted from all the day's activities. That coronation today was superfunnerific! I just wish that it had lasted longer. Pinkie thought as she pulled the covers over her pink body. She closed her blue eyes, thinking about her friends, Twilight specifically. I wonder if anything's going to change now that she's a princess. I hope something doesn't! I don't want her to forget about us in the middle of all her new royal duties! Pinkie thought, growing a bit worried at the thought of Twilight not spending time with her friends because of her new position.

"Now, now, me. Twilight's not going to forget us." Pinkie assured herself. "Now that she's a princess, she'll be busy, but still be our friend."

But still! What if Twilight is called away to Canterlot on royal business? What if she stays there because she likes it more than Ponyville? And what if in the middle of all her work she forgets us and never comes back? Pinkie's mind said worriedly.

"I know Twilight better than that. She won't forget us. And hey, instead of trying to worry me, why don't you think about cake?" Pinkie asked her mind.

But what if-? Hey have you noticed that chocolate cake tastes even better with vanilla frosting? Pinkie's mind asked.

"I know. Kinda weird, isn't it?" Pinkie asked, feeling sleep taking over.

Yeah! Chocolate by itself is yummy and vanilla on its own tastes terrific, but combined they make something yummyrific! Her mind said excitedly.

"Hey, brain? Could I go to sleep now?" Pinkie asked.

Oh sure. Goodnight, me! Pinkie's mind thought as she began to sleep.

Pinkie's eyes opened to behold the dreamscape. What she found concerned her. It was just a white room. White floors, white walls, white everything. And it just kept going forever. Pinkie raised an eyebrow in confusion. Normally her dreams had much more activity in them.

"Well this is boring." She said as she began to walk around the empty dreamscape. Maybe I'll find somepony in here. Maybe we can have some fun together when I find them! Pinkie smiled at the thought and continued walking.

Two hours. That's how long it took for Pinkie to give up. "Ugh! This is so boring with nopony to do anything with!" She said, sitting down and huffing in frustration.

"Exactly. Nopony but you and me." A faint voice said behind Pinkie. Pinkie's ears perked at this. The voice sounded sad, as if the voice's owner had never experienced fun in their lifetime.

Pinkie smiled. "Oh goodie! Somepony to do something with! What should we-?" Pinkie began to ask, but didn't finish her question at what she saw. It was her, only it wasn't. Instead of a poofy pink mane and tail, this pony's pink hair fell straight. Instead of life and fun in her eyes, they seemed dead and sad. How can that be? The last time there was more than one of me, things didn't go too well.

"I saw how that incident happened. The town wasn't happy to see that many yous." The sad Pinkie said.

"You knew about that?" Pinkie asked the sadder version of herself. At this, the sad Pinkie gave a dark grin.

"I know everything you know, Pinkie. I've always been here." Sad Pinkie said.

"But how? Unless you've been following me everywhere, I don't know how you'd know what I knew." Pinkie asked, now getting concerned.

"I never have had to follow you. I've always been with you." Sad Pinkie said, frowning. "Do you really think they care about you?"

"Who? My friends?" Pinkie asked, raising an eyebrow. Sad Pinkie cringed at the word 'friends'.

"Yes! Those ponies you dare give that title. They've lied to you, tried to avoid you, and don't even listen to you when there's a present danger!" Sad Pinkie shouted. Pinkie took a few steps back from the yelling pony. Sad Pinkie took a few steps towards her.

"But they're my friends. They've always been there for me and they listen to my problems-" Pinkie said, trying to find a way to get away from the scary pony.

"Listened to you? Please. Remember when you asked Twilight for advice on how to deal with Gilda?" Sad Pinkie asked, giving the normal Pinkie a minute to think. "She didn't care! She said you were the problem and brushed you off!"

"But that was one time!" Pinkie shouted back. "Besides Twilight is a great friend and-"

"What about Applejack, the so-called Element of Honesty? Remember on your birthday a couple years ago when she flat-out lied to you multiple times?" Sad Pinkie asked, slowly walking closer to Pinkie.

"But I needed to hear that. I would have ruined the surprise party she and the girls threw for me." Pinkie retorted, getting mad with this pony for saying nasty things about her friends.

"And Rainbow Dash? The Element of Loyalty has tried to avoid you so many times it's unbelievable! Some loyal friend." Sad Pinkie scoffed.

At this, Pinkie ran up to the Sad Pinkie and looked her in the eye. "My friends may not be perfect, but they are a hundred times better than how you're being right now!" She said through gritted teeth.

Sad Pinkie smiled. "You mean how you're being?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

This confused pinkie as she backed off a little. "What do you mean?"

"Don't you get it? We're the same, you and I. I grew up on a rock farm, you grew up on a rock farm. I moved to Ponyville to leave my past and start a new life, so did you. The fact is, Pinkie, you can't run from your past." Sad Pinkie said. Pinkie's eyes widened at her words.

"You aren't-." Pinkie said, but Sad Pinkie stopped her.
"We're the same, Pinkie." Sad Pinkie said with a smile and looked Pinkie in the eye. "I am you and you are me." She said slowly, each word dripping with venom.

*Pinkie started walking backwards from Sad Pinkie again, but Sad Pinkie ran up to her and tackled her to the ground of the dreamscape. Sad Pinkie's eyes faded from a baby blue to a bright yellow. With a flash of yellow light, metal straps strapped Pinkie's limbs down to the floor.

"You know, all this whiteness is boring me. Let's give this place some color." She said, reaching behind her and took out a carving knife. "I think some red is just what this place needs." Sad Pinkie said with a toothy smile.

Pinkie began to scream but got a hoof shoved into her mouth. "Ah, ah, ah. We don't want to make too much noise or the party might be spoiled." Sad Pinkie said, gently dragging the knife's edge along Pinkie's right arm. Pain erupted where the knife's edge met as blood began to drip from the cut. Pinkie yelped in pain, only to be muffled by the hoof in her mouth.

"And now for some more color. Time for a second coating." Sad Pinkie said, taking the knife and stabbing it into Pinkie's exposed belly. Pinkie's eyes widened at the sudden intrusion as pain exploded in her torso. The floor under Pinkie began to be tainted red by the blood that flowed from her wounds. More muffled shouts of pain resulted as Sad Pinkie's face twisted in sick glee.

"And now for the final splash of color!" Sad Pinkie shouted as she took the knife out of Pinkie's belly and put the edge to Pinkie's throat. "And this is how you end a masterpiece." She whispered in Pinkie's ear as she swiped the blade across Pinkie's neck.

Pinkie's vision faded to black as the life bled out of her, the image of a smiling evil Pinkie standing over her with the bloody knife.*

-Carousel Boutique-

"Oh of all the nights to not get some beauty sleep, it had to be tonight." Rarity said, exasperated with the lack of sleep she was getting. The white unicorn sprawled across her bed, her purple mane a tangled mess atop her head. She sighed and turned on her side as she tried to get comfortable.

Come on, Rarity. You had an exhausting past few days and you need your sleep! Rarity thought to herself. She thought over the events in the past few days. Rarity had gotten her cutie mark switched on accident, used her element on Twilight to help make her into an alicorn, made dresses for the coronation that occurred a couple days later, watched as Twilight was crowned a princess, and participated in the coronation parade that followed. Rarity's body was tired, but her mind wasn't letting her rest.

Rarity gritted her teeth in frustration and opened her bloodshot eyes to stare angrily at the wall next to her bed. Maybe I just need something to help me sleep. Maybe I need some pills or something. Rarity thought as she kicked her rear hooves over the edge of the bed. She slid off her bed and began walking to her kitchen downstairs. Too exhausted to use her magic, she manually turned the door handle that led to the stairs. The wooden door opened with a pull as Rarity stepped through the doorway and began the trek to the kitchen. The steps creaked as each hoof pressed on them. I need to get that fixed at some point. Rarity noted as she approached the bottom of the staircase.

She looked around at her kitchen. The circular table was in the corner, a stove and oven on the opposite side of the room. Above the stove and oven were cupboards of food and spices. The memory of seeing Sweetie Belle try to make breakfast for her flashed in her mind. Rarity gave a tired smile at the memory and walked to the cupboards.

Rarity pulled one of the cupboard doors open, revealing a collection of pill containers and sheets of dissolvable medicinal tablets. Hmm… where is that Hayquil bottle? She thought as she browsed the cupboard. She soon came across a purple liquid container with a cylindrical cap. Got it! Rarity grabbed the Hayquil and closed the cupboard door. Her horn glowed a soft blue as the cap screwed off, opening the container. She walked over to the table and set down the bottle. Grabbing the cap on one hoof and taking hold of the bottle in her mouth, Rarity poured the purple sleep aid into the cap. She put the bottle down on the table and used her magic to levitate the cap to her mouth. With a quick gulp, she swallowed the Hayquil and screwed the cap back onto the container.

I'll put it back in the morning. Rarity thought with a yawn. She set the container back on the table and walked back towards the stairs. She began to climb back up the stairs but became extremely drowsy halfway up the stairs. That was fast. She felt like she was going to collapse as she neared the top. After what felt like an hour, Rarity reached the floor of her bedroom.

"Okay. Now to get into my bed and…go…to-" Rarity said, but dropped onto the floor. She gave no resistance to the sleep that her mind was going into.

Rarity opened her eyes and beheld one of the greatest spectacles she'd ever seen. Below a clear blue sky, there were gems. Gems everywhere. Bright red rubies, bold blue saphires, shimmering green emeralds, see-through diamonds, and many more invaluable treasures were everywhere. Mountains of them lay before her as she stared in awe.

"So… many." Rarity said, gawking at the piles of treasures. "And all mine!" Rarity shouted with glee as she dove into a mountain of emeralds and amethysts. The feeling of all the valuable rocks gave her a feeling of bliss as she swam through the gems. She breached the surface of the gems, sending the priceless rocks flying in all directions. She clutched a few random amethysts and looked at them, analyzing their texture, shape, and the beauty of the purple riches.

"All mine! All…mine." Rarity said, her excitement dwindling as she realized that there was nopony else in the dreamscape. There were all these jewels and nopony else to be around. Gems were nice, but Rarity began to feel the need for someone else in the dream. I wish somepony else were here to share in my joy. Rarity thought, looking at the rubies in her hooves.

Oh but there is, my dear Rarity. A low voice said in the back of her mind. Rarity stiffened at the alien voice.

"Where are you? Or more importantly, who are you?" Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

I can be your greatest desire, Rarity. As for where I am, let's just say that I don't stay in one place for too long. I could be here in your dream one minute, and in the streets of Manehattan the next. The voice said. This answer confused Rarity as she looked around.

"Well thank you for that vague answer, gentlecolt. However, I do not have need for such obscurity." Rarity said in a posh tone. "You said there was another in this dream with me?"

Yes. He is one that is very close to you. He will be found beyond that ruby mountain to your left. The voice said, causing Rarity to look to her left. There she saw a large mound of red rubies.

"Thank you, kind sir. Now if you don't mind, I'll be off in search of this fellow dream dweller. By the way, you said that he was very close. What did you mean by that?" Rarity asked, trotting down the hill of emeralds and amethysts.

He is one that is of the same mind as you. In fact, you could say that you two are… intertwined. The voice responded.

Fine. Be vague. Rarity thought as she knit her eyebrows together at the voice's answer.

After walking over gems for a few minutes, Rarity reached the ruby hill. She looked closely at the rubies and noticed that they weren't ordinary rubies. Fire rubies. Rarity identified the gems, grabbing one of the heart-shaped rocks.

A loud roar that sent shivers down Rarity's spine sounded from behind the hill. Slowly, Rarity began to move behind the hill to see what caused the roar. She stepped carefully on the gems beneath her, hoping not to cause too much noise. After what seemed like a couple hours, she rounded the mountain. Her pupils shrunk at what she saw.

She saw a large purple dragon with lime green spines and a matching underbelly had its back turned to her. The large beast was snacking on gems by the handful, taking chunks out of the mountains and gobbling them up. She'd seen this monster once before.

"Spike?" Rarity whispered in surprise. The large dragon stopped chewing on the gems in its mouth and whipped its head in her direction. Rarity saw that he looked exactly the same as when he'd been corrupted by greed and turned into a monster, destroying half of Ponyville in the process. There was one difference, however. His eyes, instead of their green color, were bright yellow.

Spike let out a puff of black smoke from his nostrils as he narrowed his eyes at the small white unicorn below him. "What do you want?" Spike bellowed in a deep voice.

Rarity was taken aback by his greeting. "Spike! Don't you remember me? It's me, Rarity!" she shouted at the dragon, hoping he'd not see her as a threat.

"R-Rarity?" Spike asked, holding his head as though he was trying to remember.

Hope surged through Rarity. "Yes! You do remember me!" She exclaimed with joy.

"Yes. I remember. I remember how much you love gems." Spike's said, his voice taking on a dangerous tone.

Rarity's blood went cold. "No! I mean, I do love gems, but do you remember anything else?" She asked with begging eyes.

"Don't need to. I remember all the times you turned me down, used me as a doormat, and never thanked me for any of the work I did for you." Spike said in a low tone to her. Rarity was now deathly scared of the dragon that stood before her.

She stammered to come up with a retort to his accusations. "Well, I… but-"

"Some Element of Generosity. Too concerned with her own needs to remember all the work her friends have done for her." Spike said cruelly.

Rarity now had tears in her eyes. "But Spike, I do care about you and remember all the things you have done!"

"Then why have you waited until now to tell me?" Spike asked, folding his arms. "You probably just want to soften me up to take these delectable little treasures. Well you can't have them! I was told that they are for me alone." Spike said, his yellow eyes turning to the mountain of gems next to him.

Rarity took a couple steps back from the dragon. "No! I'd never do such a thing!"

"Another lie to confuse me." Spike said dismissively. "Well you're not getting these jewels. Come to think of it, it'd be easier to be rid of you right here." Spike said in a dark tone.

*Her heart skipped a beat as he said that. He wasn't just mad at her. He was going to kill her. "Spike! I am sorry for the way I've been treating you! I have been so caught up with my own success that I forget to thank you for all you do for me!"

"Too late, my dear. I've had it with you and your deceit." Spike said, extending an open hand towards the unicorn. Rarity didn't have time to turn and run before a giant scaled hand grabbed her and pulled her up to Spike's eye level. Rarity shrieked as she looked into his eyes.

"And to think I had feelings for you." Spike said coldly, looking up and opening his jaws while dangling her by the tail. Rarity was screaming and crying for mercy, but to no avail. She felt as the claw released her tail. She fell wailing into the black gullet, the darkness of Spike's mouth consuming her vision.*

-Ponyville Library-

Spike was curled up in his basket bed. He was in a comfy position, but just wasn't going to sleep. He sighed and opened his green eyes to stare at the ceiling for a few minutes. He should be sleeping, but he wasn't. He tried to think of ways to fall asleep. Some milk? Nah I'd make too much noise and wake up Twilight. She needs her rest. Spike thought as his mind continued to think of was to slumber.

Eventually, his mind settled on one method. Well, I haven't done that in months, but it does relax me. Spike thought as he brought his thumb up to his mouth and began sucking. He felt like such a baby, but his thumb-sucking was doing the trick. He slowly began to feel his mind slip when a small creaking sound caused him to crack open his eyes. Spike saw Twilight slowly descending the staircase.

She's probably doing one of her late night readings again. Spike dismissed the alicorn's actions as he closed his eyes again. This time, he fell asleep with ease.

Spike looked around the dream and saw heaven. Everywhere he saw, gems were stacked everywhere in mountains as far as the eye could see. Heck, even the ground was made of jewels. He started drooling on the spot as he slowly walked over to a mountain of sapphires. He approached the big blue mountain in an almost trance-like fashion, his eyes swimming with hunger. A big smile spread across his face.

"Woohoo!" Spike shouted, diving head first into the mountain, consuming every gemstone in his path. The tanginess of the sapphires excited his taste buds as he devoured the blue rocks. All these gems, and they're all mine! I could feast on these for the rest of my life! Spike thought as he leapt out of the mountain, sapphire pieces covering his chin and around his mouth.

"Yes, Spike. They are all yours."A deep voice said from behind Spike.

Spike's smile faded as he turned around to face the one who spoke to him. What he saw was a massive stallion standing in front of him. The stallion had gray fur, a black mane and tail, a solar eclipse cutie mark, a metal gauntlet on his right hoof, a horn, and two large wings. The stallion's bright yellow eyes unsettled Spike, however.

"Who are you?" Spike asked, raising an eyebrow.

The stallion gave a low chuckle. "If only I had a bit for every time somepony has asked that. I have no single name, my dear dragon. But you may call me Shimmering Jewel."

"Nice to meet you, Jewel. But I have one question." Spike said.

Shimmering Jewel grinned. "Just one?" he said jokingly.

"What is this place?" Spike asked, looking around at the glistening gem hills that surrounded them.

"It is your paradise, Spike. All these gems are for you and you alone." Shimmering said, his irises glowing yellow as they looked into Spike's green eyes. The green in Spike's eyes began to fade and was soon replaced by the same hue of yellow as Shimmering's.

"All mine, huh?" Spike asked, greedily staring at the mounds of gems.

"Yes, Spike. All yours. Now go have some fun." Shimmering said with a warm smile.

"Thank you, Jewel." Spike said, sprinting towards another mountain of gems.

"No, Spike. Thank you." Shimmering said, disappearing in a yellow flash.

Spike devoured every gem he could see. He loved this feeling. The feeling of having everything to himself. These were his treasures. Nopony else could have them. He wouldn't let them have the chance to steal his jewels! Spike soon felt himself growing larger. His spines sharpened, his muscles grew, and he began to grow. He didn't care though. He was too busy attending to his treasure. In celebration of his treasure, he let out a loud roar. All these jewels were his. Nopony could have them.

While he was busy munching on some amethysts when he heard a demure voice behind him.

"Spike?" Spike's head turned to see a small white unicorn with a curled purple mane and tail. Rarity? Spike thought.

"What do you want?" he asked the small pony.

"Spike! Don't you remember me? It's me, Rarity!" she responded.

"Rarity?" Spike asked. As soon as the name left his mouth, Spike felt his conscience get shoved back into the back of his mind. It was his body, but he wasn't in control anymore.

Wait, what is this? Spike thought as Rarity replied.

"Yes! You do remember me!" The white unicorn shouted excitedly.

"Yes. I remember you. I remember how much you love gems. Spike said in a dark tone. What?! No! That's not what I'd say! What's going on here? Spike's mind was frantic as he tried to regain control of his body.

"No! I mean, I do love gems, but do you remember anything else?" Rarity asked in a pleading tone.

"Don't need to. I remember all the times you turned me down, used me as a doormat, and never thanked me for any of the work I did for you." Spike growled. NO! That's not what I'd say! Give me back my body! Spike shouted internally as he fought for control, straining his mind to stop himself.

He heard Rarity try to mumble something to defend herself, but Spike kept at it. "Some Element of Generosity. Too concerned with her own needs to remember all the work her friends have done for her." Spike saw how this brought tears to Rarity's eyes. Now he was mad. When I get this body back, I'm going to make sure you don't get back in! Spike yelled at the force that controlled his body.

"But Spike, I do care about you and remember all the things you have done!" Rarity cried. I know you do, Rarity! I want to say it back to you! Give me just that, you stupid body! He shouted at himself mentally.

"Then why have you waited until now to tell me?" Spike retorted. At this, Spike stopped fighting for a moment. He does have a point. Wait! No! I won't let you hurt her! Let me back in! Spike thought, resuming his fight for control. "You probably just want to soften me up to take these delectable little treasures. Well you can't have them! I was told that they are for me alone." Spike said, turning his yellow eyes to the mountain of gems next to him.

"No! I'd never do such a thing!" Rarity shouted back. She's the Element of Generosity for pony's sake! Why would she? Spike thought.

*"Another lie to confuse me." Spike said apathetically. "Well you're not getting these jewels. Come to think of it, it'd be easier to be rid of you right here." At this, Spike's conscience froze. NOOO! You wouldn't dare! You wouldn't do it, you monster! He shouted internally.

Rarity was close to sobbing at this point. "Spike! I am sorry for the way I've been treating you! I have been so caught up with my own success that I forget to thank you for all you do for me!"

"Too late, my dear. I've had it with you and your deceit." Spike said, reaching out to grab her. Don't you dare hurt her! Don't you dare, you son of a mule! Spike shouted at himself, trying even harder now to regain his body. Spike felt Rarity's fur in his hand as he grabbed her and pulled her up to eye level. Rarity looked into Spike's yellow eyes and shrieked.

"And to think I had feelings for you." Spike said coldly as he looked up, opened his jaws and held the screaming unicorn by the tail. Rarity! NO! Spike thought as he felt his hand release her. Spike's conscience went blind with rage as he felt her go down his throat.

As soon as she disappeared into his belly, Spike got his body back. That wasn't me. That couldn't have been. He had just killed her. Out of greed, he had just killed the only mare he had felt love for. Tears came to Spike's eyes as they reverted from yellow back to green. Spike looked up at the sky. Instead of crisp blue, it was now gray with clouds.

"AAAAAUUGHHH!" Spike roared at the sky as rain began to pour. "Where are you, Shimmering? Where are you, you lying piece of manure?!"

"No need to shout, Spike. I'm right here." Shimmering's voice said to the right of Spike. He turned to see the gray pony sitting atop one of the gem mounds.

"Why did you do it?" Spike asked, his mind numb with rage and his eyes stung with tears.

"To show the price of greed, my dear dragon." Shimmering said with a smile. "And now that you have seen what happens when greed comes to fruition, you have my permission to die." Shimmering said, extending his right hoof, causing a blade to spring from the gauntlet. Spike didn't have time to react before Shimmering shot in front of him and drove the blade between his eyes. As soon as the blade pierced his scales, Spike's vision went black.*