//------------------------------//
// Heroines 
// Story: Welcome Back, Night Spark 
// by Unicorncob 
//------------------------------//

Twilight Sparkle leaned on the balcony of her castle, taking a deep breath as she looked over how peaceful Ponyville was at night. It gave her a moment to think. Being the Element of Magic, the Princess of Friendship and the Headmare of the School of Friendship were all important jobs, but she balanced them all surprisingly well. She allowed herself a grin for that.
Then, something in the distance caught her eye. Some kind of glow. It came from the direction of her friend Fluttershy’s cottage. 
No, beyond it.
The Everfree Forest? Perhaps Zecora was working on a new potion?
No, even further beyond. 
She was sure that glow was not common. Part of her wanted to investigate.

Her ears pricked up from a knock at the door. Who could that be at this time of night? She figured she could answer this time, so Spike didn’t have to get out of bed.
Her horn glowed, and with a soft pop of magic she was stood behind the front doors of the castle. A purple aura surrounded the handle and pulled the door open.
“Hell--oh!” she gasped, looking at her visitors.
“Twilight, come with us,” said Princess Celestia, desperation in her voice. “We need your assistance.”
“What’s going on?” asked Twilight. “Are we under attack?”
“It is too much of a possibility for us to ignore,” answered Princess Luna. “We called for you because your expertise in magic will likely be required.”
“Ooh, a magical problem?” the purple alicorn gasped, sounding a little more excited than the Royal Sisters had expected. She felt a warmth in her cheeks and cleared her throat. “So, what are we possibly dealing with?”
“Come with us,” said Celestia, walking away from the door. Twilight followed, shutting it behind her. “Luna and I will explain everything on the way.”

The three Princesses spread their wings and took off toward the Everfree Forest.





Dunwich swooped in from the huge hole and landing on his perch. He flapped his wings and cawed with alarm.
“Just as I expected,” said Night Spark. “Dunwich says our guests are on their way.”
Star Shade groaned, her horn pulsing with a sharp ache. “N-not… not yet…”
“Not to worry, dear,” the older mare murmured softly, “you let me deal with them. In fact, would it be okay if I talked to them for a little bit before we finish the process? It won’t take long.”
“Y-...y-yes…”
“Thank you, dear. It will all be over soon.”

The black flame blazed violently inside the pendant.





The Princesses flew low as they neared the castle ruins, and softly landed in front of the tower. The doors laid open wide.
“She used to live here?” whispered Twilight, her voice peppered with a hint of jealousy.
Luna nodded. “And it is where we confronted her before. Now it seems we must do it again.”
“We can’t act hastily,” warned Celestia. “We don’t know what she’ll be doing up there.”
The three slowly slipped through the doorway and up the spiral stairs. Twilight wasn’t sure how to feel. Nervous? Excited? She was a mixture of both. Nervous because she could be facing a serious threat if it had the Royal Sisters themselves acting wary. Excited because it was a potential magical threat, which meant she could put her vast knowledge to the test.

On the top floor was a single door, light glowing inside from around it. Whatever this threat was, it was behind this ancient, rotted wood.
Twilight slowly opened the door and dared a peek through the crack. A magic circle had been etched onto the stone floor. A young Unicorn mare floated in the middle of it, her eyes closed. Her body was almost limp, like she was asleep. A pendant floated beside her, a black fire burning like it was trying to break free.
The three Alicorns entered, and Celestia put a hoof to her mouth in shock.
“Star Shade?” she gasped. She slowly approached the mare. “Star Shade, can you hear me? It’s--”

Star Shade’s head snapped up. Her eyes were black and missing their pupils. Her smirk didn’t fit on her face.
“Princess Celestia,” said Night Spark. “It’s been a long time.”