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// Special Preview 3 
// Story: Star-Crossed School Days 
// by mechafone 
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Spark Storm practically flew through the forest, in the treetops. He had long since mastered the art of tree hopping, his wings being the key. He could leap hundreds of meters if he timed it just right, and be kept aloft by his wings just long enough to make it to the next tree.

Today was the day of the Summer Sun Celebration. Loathe though he was to stay away, he had snuck into town to watch Celestia raise the sun. He'd seen it plenty of times before in Canterlot, but seeing it out here in the countryside would've been gorgeous, if it had actually happened. He had decided to stay outside, resting on the roof and listening to the celebrations inside. He didn't mind staying out of it. It was a little lonely outside, but it was something he'd come to grips with years ago.



Soon enough, it was time for the sun to rise. It was a little confusing and more than a little alarming when that didn't happen. He decided to go peek in the window to see the ponies panicking. Suddenly, he felt very, very alarmed. His feathers were bristling as they sensed a powerful force, something stronger and more deadly than anything he'd faced in his long years in service to the Princess. Wait...where -was- the Princess? Wasn't she supposed to be inside? Inside, things were happening. First, the ponies were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Second, a large, dark Alicorn mare appeared in the town hall inside. She was more beautiful than any creature of the dark he'd ever seen. Large, regal, deadly, powerful.

He narrowed his eyes as he watched the scenes inside unfold. Nopony was getting hurt, at least not yet. Long ago, he had learned the lesson of being patient and gathering intel before just rushing blindly in to the rescue. Inside, the dark mare was laughing maniacally and firing lightning down upon the royal guard as they rushed her. He let out a slow, amused chuckle. Now this was just too funny. Another pony that could summon lightning at will? Once he had a chance to confront her, this would indeed by interesting.

He was about to head inside when he noticed the mare dissolving into mist. The mist fled, quickly followed by Rainbow Dash, shouting some obsenities as she was outpaced. Well, if it could outfly Rainbow Dash, there was no catching up to that thing.

The next thing he saw really caught his attention. A familiar purple mare ran out of the town hall, headed downtown towards the library. His attention was now completely on her. Twilight Sparkle? From Canterlot? What the heck was she doing here? She ran with intent, as if she knew something. He was going to go find out. He ran off the rooftop of the town hall, briefly enjoying the feeling of near weightlessness as his wings carried him to the nearest rooftop. Sometimes it really felt like he could fly, and he loved coming to town under the cover of night to do this. A change of setting was always fun.

He followed Twilight silently, running in stealth mode. He stuck to the shadows, which complimented his nearly black fur and hid him well. As she crept into the library, he leapt up into the branches of the great hollowed out tree, opened a window which was luckily unlocked and slipped inside to spy. He crept closer and closer until he could hear Twilight rummaging through her things on the bottom level. As he surveyed his surroundings, he saw many things he recognized from his time in Canterlot. Her telescope, her endless collection of books, and...he nearly let out a bark of laughter as he recognized the small, purple dragon mumbling something about Nightmare Moon.

What? Was that what that alicorn creature was? Spike opened his eyes once more, furiously fighting the sleep that was taking him. He could've sworn he saw a pony up on the second floor, staring down at him. It seemed familiar. As he drifted into deep sleep, his dreams were strangely comforted by the presence of an old friend.

Spark crept away from the edge as he heard voices. He slipped closer as the conversation continued. Well, could this night get any more interesting? All his old friends from before he was exiled were here. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Flutttershy. Things were getting infinitely more complicated as the girls talked about Elements and Harmony and how they had to stop Nightmare Moon.

Spark made a face. This was just waaay too weird. All his old friends and acquaintances, gathered in one spot, talking like they had to save Equestria. He was trained to protect Ponyville and the Everfree Forest, and on frequent occasions, Canterlot. Had Celestia really forgotten to mention that all of his closest friends were some kinds of heroes as well? He was going to have a serious talk with the Princess when...well.

The girls all ran outside. He figured it was time to keep up and protect them if he had to. He smirked down at Spike one more time as he slipped out the same way he came in and looked up, sensing a presence. Ditzy was there, a look of pleasant, but shocked, surprise. "Spark!" She gave a cry and hugged him tightly, nuzzling him affectionately.

Spark smiled and hugged her back. It had been a long time since he'd come to visit. He held her out at hoof's length, a kind but urgent look in his eyes. "Look Ditz, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to-" She put a hoof on his mouth to silence him. 

"I know. Listen, that sparkly cloud thing, it was here! It stopped at the window like it was listening. Whatever you guys were talking about in there, I think it heard you!"

Spark frowned. That was valuable information. He gave her a quick hug, and then hopped down the tree and turned to look up at her. "Ditz, go and make sure everypony goes home. I don't want to see any stray ponies out tonight. Hop to it!" Ditzy saluted, then flitted back towards town hall. That taken care of, Spark Storm ran as fast as he could towards the Everfree after the girls. He worked his wings, creating a line of electric light behind him like the Wonderbolts when they were doing a show.

He caught up fairly quickly, then leapt into the trees some ways away so they wouldn't see him. He knew for a fact that Twilight wouldn't want to see him. He wanted to go with them, but he'd made a promise to interfere as little as possible with Ponyville affairs. He hadn't gone too far when he noticed that he wasn't as alone as he thought.

He skidded to a hault when the starry mist from before came close, circled him twice, and then it began to materialize into the regal looking dark Alicorn he'd seen in the town hall. Nonplussed, he stared at her. This kind of situation was completely new to him. Manticores? Easy. Harpies? Cake. Blood-thirsty griffons? No sweat. But dark, powerful Alicons? Was there even a guidebook for this kind of thing?

Deciding he could at least try to communicate with her, he took a tentative step towards her. "Uh...Hello." He offered lamely. 

To his surprise, however, she smiled approvingly at him. "Hm. Yes. Greetings, Storm-Bringer." Her voice was smooth and strong. Even her voice was attractive.

"Well, uh...I guess you could call me that." He shrugged. Her non-aggressive stance and way of speaking was disarming. He had to be more careful. He cleared his throat and began again. "My name is Spark Storm. And you are...?" 

At this, the Alicorn raised her wings over her head and spoke with a loud, proud tone. "I am the Goddess of the Night. And you, Storm Bringer, are far more beautiful than I could have dreamed."

Spark Storm's mouth fell open, his eyes wide and questioning. Was the Goddess of the Night hitting on him?

He gave her a sideways glance. This discussion was totally disarming, and he was letting it get the better of him. "...Have you been hitting the royal sauce?" Nightmare Moon pulled her head back and released beautiful, booming laughter. "Oh! You are a delight, as well as visually appealing."

She approached him, her eyes rolling over his body in ways that made him feel like she was violating him. In all honesty, he wasn't sure how he felt about this. "Mm. Strong legs. Quite a build for a Pegasus. And your powers of the storm are most impressive. Yes, you will do quite nicely..." She purred, the starry mist that was her mane trailing down his back. Spark Storm tried very, very hard to keep his wings from popping in the presence of this sensual creature.

He stammered and finally backed away from her. He was forgetting that this Goddess was probably the enemy. "H-hold on a moment. What do you mean, I'll 'do nicely'?" She smiled down at him as she stood in front of him, her muzzle barely inches away from his. He could feel her warm breath on his mouth. His wings protested against the pressure he was applying to keep them from flaring.

"I am the Queen of the Night. Soon, the light will intrude upon my kingdom no more. I will rule the night, and the night will last forever! And you," she said, moving closer to him. He was frozen where he was, completely taken in by her secuction, "You will rule the night with me! You will be the King of my night!" He had no hope as she leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth. The kiss was passionate, and he couldn't help but reciprocate. His wings finally popped, his feathers twitching with pleasure. All too suddenly the kiss was ended, and she was gone.

What the hell did he just let himself get dragged into?