Darker Shadows

by ScorchingFlamesInc


Chapter 1: Prudent Sagacity

The mare could see Twilight's facial expression transform into a mixture of a scowl and confusion. Immediatly after, Twilight grabbed her with her magic aura and lifted her a few inches off the ground.

"How..." Twilight said. Her voice was just life her facial expression. A mixture of confusion and rage.

"I've expected this..." the mare said. "But before you begin asking questions or imprisoning me, at least hear me out."

"Why should I?" Twilight said.

"You know of a lie-detector spell, right?"

"Of course she does!" Spike said. "She knows LOTS of spells!"

"Well, I want you to do something... use it on me as I tell you about who I am. I know that you can't trust me because I am technically Cozy, but at least hear me out."

Twilight stayed silent. But her look changed, making it obvious that she was thinking about this.

Finally, she answered.

"Oh, alright!" she said. "But you ARE aware that you backed yourself into a corner, right?"

"Of course!" the mare said.

Twilight took a deep breath, when suddenly, the glow surrounding her horn and the mare intensified.

"Ok," Twilight said, slightly straining for a brief moment before regaining composure. "What is your story?"

"Well..." the mare began. "I am technically Cozy Glow, and at the same time, a FAMILY member of Cozy Glow. My life started breaking into pieces, before Cozy made my life even worse! Not JUST mine! My friends too!"

When the mare finished her short story, Twilight appeared to be puzzling for a moment, before she gasped and whispered to Spike, who then gasped too. Finally, Twilight put the mare down.

"You believe me?" the mare asked.

"The lie-detector had no issues," Twilight said. "You were completely honest. Come with us. You and Spike can relax in the library while I get you something to drink. You can tell us more about yourself if you want."

The mare nodded in response, and Twilight led her to the library.



Minutes later...



Spike and the mare were both silent while they waited for Twilight to return. The mare still had her cloak on, concealing her cutie mark. To pass the time, Spike told the guest about some of Twilight's best adventures. The mare seemed highly interested. It took about 10 minutes for Twilight to walk into the library with a small cup of cocoa.

"I know it isn't winter..." Twilight said. "But this was one of the first things I pulled out."

"That will do nicely," said the mare. "Thank you."

Twilight placed the cup of cocoa on the table next to the couch the mare was sitting on, before Twilight sat next to Spike on the sofa across from her guest.

"So..." Twilight began. "Any desire to tell us about yourself?"

"Well..." the mare began. "My actual name is Prudent Sagacity."

"Interesting name..." Spike said. "So, what is your talent?"

"I used to work as a therapist in Manehatten. My cutie mark is of a clipboard next to a brain with glasses on it."

"Oh."

"So, Prudent..." Twilight said. "What was life like before Cozy came along?"

Prudent sighed.

"Before the day Cozy was brought into this world... it was OK. I had a special somepony... we were engaged. I lived in the more gloomy half of Manehatten, but I made good work. It would take a while to get to work every day, but it was fine. I had good money, and a decent life. But then, life started to fall and I soon began to feel hopeless..."

"Oh. I'm so sorry to hear that!" Twilight said.

"It was worse when Cozy came along..."

Silence overtook the room for a minute.

"I used to wear my hair like Cozy's you know," Prudent said.

"Really?" said Twilight.

"Yeah... and then after the incident, I started to ... not have it done up in curls."

"I thought you didn't find her to be a disgrace," Spike said.

"It doesn't mean I don't find myself at fault for what she has done."

"I'm curious..." Twilight began. "You look like an adult Cozy Glow... and you said that you ARE Cozy Glow. But you also said you are a FAMILY member of Cozy. It doesn't make sense."

"Well, that's what I'm here for," replied Prudent. "To tell you the story. The story about how Cozy Glow came to be..."

Prudent lifted the cocoa mug with her wing and took a sip before putting it back down.

"It will take a while to tell the whole tale. I hope you don't mind..."

"You have our highest interests at heart. Right Spike?" Twilight said before she turned her head at her dragon assistant.

"Twilight, relax," reassured Spike, "I'm as interested in this as you are. Suprisingly."

"Alright," Twilight replied. She then turned her head back to Prudent.

"You may begin whenever you're ready."