//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: Without A Purpose // by SuchAFoal //------------------------------// Dawn came swiftly for the two mares. Twilight stared at Rainbow Dash with concern. "Dash...What happened twelve years ago?" She asked, longing to ease her burden. She began slowly. " I can't remember much of those days but, I remember the...snow. Black snow." She paused; Her eyes scanning the rooms emptiness for the missing fragments of her memory. "Many years ago, before I came to Ponyville, I meet a stallion. He was a rising star in the courts of Canterlot. He was so charming and kind. I just....I never had anyone who cared about me like he did. He was nice to me and, for once, I was happy. We started dating and everyday I spent with him was wonderful" Her eyes glistened like a morning dew. A smile crept across her face as memories flooded her mind. "He asked me too marry him and, of course, I couldn't resist. I loved him so much. When I discovered I was pregnant with Scootaloo I was thrilled. I could finally have a family.....or so I thought." ~*~*~*~*~*~* Outside of the Cutie mark Crusaders Clubhouse*~*~*~*~*~*~ Scootaloo stared up at the waning twilight and sniffed the morning air. She giggled as a brilliant blue butterfly landed on her nose. She watched it as it closed and opened its elegant wings. It rose off her nose and into the air to continue its mysterious journey. A moan behind her brought her back to reality. Spike lay sprawled across the grass, nuzzling her blanket. she smiled at him, but her mirth quickly faded. The nights "events" had taken there toll on both of them. "Ooh Spike....What am I going to do with you?" She laughed. He moaned again and twitched; Causing Scootaloo to giggle. She sat down next to him and stroked his head. He smiled and curled around his new mare friend. "I love you.." The little dragon moaned, half asleep. She looked down at him; her face bright red. She, then, stood up quickly, breathing heavily. He opened his eyes and stood up looking at her in concern. "Scootaloo...You ok?" Spike Inquired, standing up. "no..." She breathed, shacking her head violently. I love you sweety; with all my heart. She stared at Spike, but he wasn't Spike. He had a tall slender white body and a blue suit. He stood like Spike and had hands like Spike, but his skin was smooth and his mane was only on his head. He smelled of gunpowder and iron. Scootaloo stared at him and somehow he felt...familiar. "Oh! How I have missed you" He smiled; his face cracking at the edges. She backed away, but her escape was blocked by some invisible wall behind her. "Who are you?" She squeaked in terror. He grabbed at his chest with his hands and wore a hurt look on his face. "You don't remember me?" He whined pathetically. "Can't even remember your dear old dad?" ~*~*~*~*~At the library~*~*~*~ "His name was Gilfy and he was everything I had ever wanted." Rainbow Dash continued, only pausing where her memory failed. "He was so handsome and kind, but he had a tendency to be...vengeful." "So what happened to him?" Twilight inquired, curious. "Well, just before winter, he was doing some research on pan-dimensional anomalies.He was making great headway in his research, but he told me that he kept coming accross the same refrence over and over. "BAD WOLF". When he went to the princess, to try and ask her what the phrase meant, she had him arressted on the spot. I would have gone to his beg for his freedom, but I was in labor with Scootaloo. By the time they released him she was born and we had gone home." She paused and shuffled her hooves uncomfortably. "He was...less than forgiving. He vowed to show Celestia the error of her ways. That same night he went into our basement and locked the door behind him. I waited, with Scootaloo, all night for him to re-emerge. As I waited I heard a humming coming from downstairs--" "Oh my Celestia" Twilight whispered in horror; realization washing over her mind. "--All I remember is the house shaking and darkness. When I woke up I was in Ponyville hospital." Twilight rose and stared in horror at her fiancee. She then flipped around and began searching through her book cases. "Bad Wolf, sonic vibration, Nocte Tenebris Lux ..." Twilight whipered hurridly as she ripped books from there shelves. "What are you looking for?"The cyan pony asked, bewildered. "HERE IT IS!" Twilight exclaimed, triumphantly. "Nights of Dark Light. A phenomenon that only occurs when dark energy passes into our realm. When a portal is opened between our world and the one of the Vashta Nerada. Only twice has this occurred and in both cases the witnesses mysteriously...vanished; never to heard from again." She shut the tomb and looked at the cyan pony. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~In "THE DARKNESS" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Scootaloo gazed at her "father" in awe and horror. He was like pure fire and rage. His eyes like the night and a storm in the heart of the sun. He seemed ancient and forever. Yet, even in her awe, she knew he was something to be fear. His very aura spoke of a terrifying evil. "Come to daddy" He smiled, arms wide open.