//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 PT.1: Get your hooves off my friend! // Story: Twilight Sparkle: Dark and Light // by str1pped gh0st //------------------------------// *Ponyville Three Months Ago* I walked back inside the treehouse after getting some books from Fluttershy about dragon history. I put the books on a table and placed my scarf on the hook near the door. A pretty big snow storm was happening outside. "Spike, I'm home!" I knew he was still here, I just didn't know where. I then heard a familiar voice. "Up in the bedroom, Twilight. How was it?" "Worst, but best weather I've ever seen." I began to head upstairs and I saw Spike, on his belly, writing on a paper. "Hey there, what are you doing?" He looked at me and gave a confident look. "I'm writing a poem for Rarity. I know she's gonna love it!" The entire room was dimly lite from the window, so I could barely see all of him. "Don't you want some light?" I questioned how he has written so much with barely any light. "You don't need to see when you're blinded by love." he said as he sat up and cupped his hands together and tilted his head. Suddenly, a large snow pile covered the window and the window slightly opened. A cold breeze went through the entire room and Spike started to shiver and curled up in a little scaly ball. I got a cold shiver soon after and decided on something. "You want to light some candles and cuddle in bed with me?" I gave him a warm smile. He looked up, gave a slight smile and nodded. Soon after, we had a few candles around the bed and we were both sitting on the bed. "Wanna hear a story to let the time go by faster?" He answered my question with another nod. "Okay, when I was around your age I used to have really bed nightmares. The darkness really used to spook me. When it got really bad, my dad gave me this old candlestick. He called it "The Shiner"." He looked at me with an amused look. "The Shiner, huh?" "Yeah. If I ever got scared of the dark, I could just blow on it and the magic light would scare the monsters away." "Oh, sure. Wasn't Smarty Pants there to help you?" "No, he was my study buddy. The Shiner however, helped me during the dark. In fact." I began to activate my magic and brought a tiny and slightly rusted candlestick over to us. "Here it is. I want you to have it." "Twilight, you can't be serious, I can't take this. This was your childhood friend." he said with a surprised, but unsure look on his face. "I want you too have it. It will help you, as it helped me." He took it from my magic and inspected it. He smiled and began to blow on it. "There, now we're safe from the monsters." He had a confident look on his face. I slightly chuckled and began to pet his head. "My hero." He smiled and started to give me a hug. I gave it back to him and we sat there for a few minutes. He was more than an assistant or a friend. He was part of my family. *Bright Foals The Present Day* I was sitting in a room with an older stallion shining a light in my eye. "Hmmh. How do you feel, Ms. Sparkle? Any nausea, disorientation, anything like that? Ms. Sparkle? How are you feeling?" I suddenly started to get flashes of vague memories from last night. My eyes started twitching and the doctor me a concerned look. "I'm okay, my head's fine." I had to lie about my headache and memory loss. He'd send me to a hospital for tests. I couldn't leave without Spike. "Mm. Very well. I don't think you have a concussion, but you've obviously been through quite a shock. You should take it easy for a couple of days." He then turned to his bag and started to look inside for something. Well then, Ms. Sparkle, we're done here. If the pain gets any worse or you experience any other symptoms, you should come see me. I'll let you get on with it then. Sunset -- ah, Sheriff Shimmer is waiting for you. She's very good at her job. I'm sure she can locate your friend in no time." "Okay, thank you sir." I trotted out of the room and saw the entryway of the building. There was a mare in a uniform, standing behind the front desk. There was also the mare from the diner, messing with the lights. "Thank you for testing the lights, Ms. Weaver. Everything seems to be fine." The mare behind the counter sounded thankful, yet somewhat annoyed. "I don't have the luxury of being complacent, Deputy Grant. The bulbs need will need changing soon. You can't change them in the dark." she said as she turned with a focused look on her face. The deputy slightly rolled her eyes. "*sigh* I'll be sure to take care of it, Ms. Weaver. Have a nice day now." She began to wave her hoof at her. "Very good. I'll come back later to remind you, just in case." She then trotted out the door, still carrying the lantern with her. The deputy noticed me and put a smile on her face. "Oh, Ms. Sparkle, sorry about that, the sheriff is waiting for you in her office. I looked at the door with a confused face. "Who was that old mare?" "That was Cynthia Weaver. I guess you can call her the town eccentric. She used to be the editor of the local newspaper, but she's focused on, oh, other things these days." I began to trot over to the sheriffs office and began to slightly open the door. "Yes?" I heard Sunsets voice and soon saw her, standing away from the door. she soon turned and noticed me. "Ah, Twilight. Please, come in." "Have you started looking for Spike yet?" I didn't want to sound rude, but I couldn't imagine where Spike was. I wanted him back so badly. "A group of my best guards are already on it. Now, can you tell me what happened?" "I'm not sure. I can't remember. I snapped at Spike about something. I walked out of the cabin." "The cabin on Coltron Lake?" She wasn't convinced there was a cabin there. "How did you end up at Caramel's snack station?" I wanted to tell her what had happened last night, but I couldn't. She'd think I was insane, making it all up. She wouldn't help me if she thought I was joking. Suddenly, a scroll appeared from a tiny flash and dropped on the floor. I picked it up with my magic and began to read it. It said: Stop talking to the guards. You'll do exactly what I say if you ever want to see your dragon friend again. Go to the back lot. There's a hole in the fence on the left. Look inside the cart. I left a little something there to convince you we're all on the same page here. After you ditch the cops, you're gonna met me I Elderwood National Park. There's a spot called Lovers' Peak. Midnight. And don't do anything stupid, princess. We're watching you. I lowered the paper from my face and the look of horror was on my face. Sunset looked concerned and tried to get my attention. "Twilight, are you okay?" I quickly shook my head to get back into reality. "What's wrong?" "Nothing, I just need to get some air. How do you get to the back part of the building?" She looked at me, still concerned, but she trusted me. "Once you get to the main room, go to the right, through the prison cell hall. Don't worry, there's only one stallion in there, and he's harmless." She pointed slightly towards her left. I smiled and gave her a quick nod. I trotted out and the deputy was talking to the doctor. "Ms. Sparkle, can I help you with anything?" "I need to get some air, the sheriff said I could go out back." I proceeded through the door to the right and it was very dark in there. There was also only one stallion in a cell. "Hey! Hey, mam! Hey, can you turn on the light -- the lights on? The deputies, they won't -- they don't understand, they wont listen to me. I, I need it to be bright in here!" He's just like Ms. Weaver. I decided to comply and flipped the switch to turn on the light. "Ah, thank you, you're a good pony." I walked out the door and the early morning light hurt my eyes and made my head ache. The letter had said "go through the fence on the left." I looked to my left and found the fence, and behind it, the old cart. I walked to it and saw there was a hole with some wood covering it. I tried to push it, but the board still stood strong. I decided to break it open. I turned around, readied myself and released my back legs, bucking the wood and making it crumble. "Yes!" I walked through and looked inside the cart. There was an emerald that had a chunk bitten from it. Only Spike eats gems like this. Now I was sure this mysterious pony had Spike. Suddenly, my horn started to vibrate like crazy and I activated it. An image of Pinkie Pie and a random unicorn mare appeared. Pinkie looked really happy to see me. "Pinkie?" "Twi! Twi, thank Celestia! Where the heck have you been? I've been trying to reach you for a week, you and Spike. I've been worried sick. I took a super speedy train here yesterday! I'm here, here in Bright Foals! Hehe, sounds like Bright Falls." "Pinkie, listen to me. I'm at the sheriff's station. Come and get me. I can't talk now." The mare to her right looked relieved. "Yes, please, go and bother her! She hasn't left me alone!" "Twilight, what the heck is going--" The call was interrupted before she could finish. I had to get Sunset to let me go. I needed to get to Elderwood National park to meet Spike's kidnapper, or kidnappers. I walked back inside the hallway to find the stallion on the floor sleeping. Then suddenly, the T.V. near the door turned on with a flash of light and I saw myself in the cabin room with the papers and ink, just like last night. "A writer is a light that reveals thee world of his story from darkness, shapes it from nothingness, the way a sculptor carves a statue from a block of granite. If I stop, the world filled with friendship dies. Darkness will reclaim it. It's a long, hard journey into the dark. Spike's life is at stake, but I can't think about that, or I'll lose it. The dread lingers at the edge of perception. I'll push on. Anything is possible here. I'll rewrite the lessons of friendship, remind the world about them, I'll save him." The T.V. then turned off and smoke erupted from it, just like last time. I walk out of the hall and back into the main section of the building to find Sunset Shimmer talking to a stallion in a sweater vest. "Marvelous, Sunset. I just wanted to settle all the damage the Flim Flam brothers might have inadvertently caused on their recent and regrettable little outing." I began to walk up to both of them and Sunset noticed me first. "Are you feeling any better, Twilight?" "I'd like to leave. Am I free to go?" "Well, we still need to talk about--" "Am I under arrest?" "No, of course not." She gave me an assuring look. "But I need to know where you'll be staying, so I can get in touch with you." The deputy cut in to tell where to go. "I'd avoid the Motel. The Magical is known for its roaches. The cabins at Elderwood are pretty nice though." "That sounds perfect." I gave a slight smirk. At least I now don't have to worry about getting there now. The pony with the sweater vest had an idea though. "I'm Doctor Emil Hartcolt. I'd like to invite you to stay at Coltron Lake Lodge." Seeing the pony who talked to my Spike in the flesh made me get steamed. "Did you talk to my friend?" "I had the pleasure of discussing your situation with him on several occasions." He still had that smug look on his face. His stupid face. "Did you set something up with him?" "I invited him here. My clinic is a place where--" Before he could finish his sentence, I used a push spell, right in his face at full power. I think I broke his muzzle. Sunset pushed me back and the deputy started freaking out. "Wow, wow, hey Twilight, take it easy. What was that about?!" Before we could continue, the door opened and Pinkie Pie came bursting in. "Alright, nopony move! Get your hooves off my friend!" Sunset looked slightly surprised at the sudden appearance of Pinkie. "Pinkie Pie, what are you doing here?" "Trying to save my BPPFFL." I looked at her, confused. "What?" "Best Pony Princess Friend For Life, duuuuuh. If you have problems with Ms. Sparkle, you talk to me. You silly fillies won't know what hit you when I sic my party cannon on ya!" Dr. Hartcolt began to get back up, still with that stupid smug look. "No harm done, Sunset. I'm alright. I don't want to press charges. Ms. Sparkle, my offer still stands." I ignored him as I started to walk towards the door. "Get me out of here." Pinkie and I walked through the door. "What in the name of fun cakes was that about, Twilight? We don't need a replay of that thing that happened when you had those Grand Galloping Gala tickets. I thought they were gonna lock you up!" I had to talk to somepony. I told Pinkie everything. She thought I was making a joke. But when I mentioned the pages, I had her. The fact that I had written something, even if I couldn't remember it, was enough for her. She smelled a party idea. And she believed that Spike had been kidnapped. Anything beyond that was another party. I had a midnight appointment with the kidnapper in a place called Lovers' Peak, somewhere in Elderwood National Park. The plan was to rent a cabin. We had finally arrived and Pinkie was giving me a lecture about how bad this was. "I don't like it, Twilight I don't like any of it. It's not good. In fact, it's disgusting, like dirt." We approached the lodge and the waitress from the diner approached us. Wait what? "Hi Ms. Sparkle! Pinkie, you found her!" "Hi Derpy." "Oh, wow, I was just thinking about you, too! It's really cool to actually meet royalty. I was just bringing the Doctor some coffee. He's in the back, checking out some samples he got." She turned around and looked at the clock in front. "I really need to go! Great seeing you again, Ms. Sparkle!" She began to walk away, but turned to Pinkie. "See you later, Pinkinator!" They bumped their hooves as Mrs. Hooves began to fly away. We both walked inside the building. "Wow, you seemed to be friends with her, quickly." "Well, you shouldn't be surprised this point. Plus, she helped a lot when I was looking for you. Seriously, Twi, what you were saying back there, just listen to yourself. What you shot somepony? And his body just disappeared? When was the last time you slept? Are you on a sugar rush? Have you been drinking?" "What, no! Look, Pinkie, I'm missing a week, and someone's got Spike, and everything's just --" "Do you understand what it sounds like when you say stuff like that? And Dashie thinks I'm random. When you start confusing fiction with reality, you're buying yourself a one-way ticket to the funny farm that's not actually funny." I walked to the door and began to head outback. "Wait here." I turned and saw Dr. Hooves examining a plant in a chair. "Hello again Dr. Hooves. You rent cabins here?" He just noticed me. "Oh, hello there Twilight. Yes, I do. Actually, I'm sorry about this, would you mind grabbing the registration form from the front desk? I'd get it myself, but my hooves are kind of full at the moment." "Sure" I walked back inside and Pinkie continued to lecture me. "Seriously, Twilight, you can't just go and meet a kidnapper. Those situations always leave a bad taste in your mouth. You need to talk to the guards." "He's a part of my family. And it's my call. Can we talk about this later?" "No! This whole thing -- listen, you hit your head. I mean, geezy wheeyzy, Twilight, come on. You gotta understand how crazy all this sounds. If you're trying to pull a joke on me, freak me out (which isn't very like you) it's working. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha, let's have a laugh on Pinkie. Well, you had me going there. Real funny, Twi. You can quit it now." I walked back outside the cabin and handed the paper to Dr. Hooves. "I think this is the form you wanted?" "And here are the keys. Okay, you're all set, Twilight! Glad to have you staying here." "Thanks." I grabbed the keys with my magic and put them on my ear. "Can you tell me how to get to Lovers' Peak?" "Oh, sure! It's at the end of the nature trail. Just follow the paths, you'll get to it eventually. It's an easy walk. Nice spot, too! Me and Ditsy went up there yesterday. Watch out for the bear traps though. Hunters can't help themselves." I walked back inside to hear more of Pinkie's reality check (a reality check from Pinkie Pie...now I know I've gone insane). "Look, Twilight, you're asking me to believe that you shot somepony who went POOF! Into thin air! Ponies who were bulletproof until you pointed a flashlight at him. You hear that from ponies who end up spending their time in padded rooms that look like marshmallows!" "I'm done talking about this. We aren't speaking of this until we get to the cabin, got it?" "But--" before she could finish, I shut her lips closed and trotted out of there. *A few hours later* We finally got to the cabin, but Pinkie is still going on about this. "That's just crazy talk Twilight." I just stood there, thinking of what to do. "Twilight! Twilight? We should go back to the sheriff, or call Princess Celestia." "Damn it Pinkie! They'll hurt him." I was getting tired at this point. I knocked over a lamp because of my frustration. "This is not a goddamn debate, Pinkie. I'm going to Lovers' Peak. He said to come alone." She picked up the lamp and looked at me with a sad expression. "What did the lamp do to you?" She put it back and continued to talk to me. "I understand what's happening. But you're my BPPFFL and I'm worried you're turning into a nut cake. Listen, whatever you want me to do, I'll do it." "You stay here, and if I'm not back by morning, call for help." I walked outside and looked around. With the moon shining blissfully, I trotted down the stairs. Time for round two.