//------------------------------// // Day of Devils // Story: Third Millennium // by MellowSoul //------------------------------// Twilight returned home on Halloween four days later. Spike, Velvet, and Night Light greeted her with a massive group hug. "It's good to see you guys. I was overdue for a break." "I was starting to think you didn't know the definition of the word." her father teased. "It's truly a blessing and a curse." "We missed you." Velvet stated tenderly. "Hey, Twilight," Spike cut in, "I made a friend." "Cadence told me. Rarity, right?" "How'd you know?" "I asked Cadence to check up on you. You've gotten pretty popular with the mares lately." "Rarity and Rainbow grew up with the others I've been talking to. I told them I was thinkin' of staying for a while and going to school." "You sure it wouldn't be too boring? With everything I've taught you, you'd probably fly through the next few grades." "I can just play dumb. If I pretend not to know anything, I'll master it faster since I'll learn twice." "Sneaky. I like it." "Shining won't be able to make it back until Christmas," Velvet said with a tinge of disappointment, "I'm sorry he couldn't be here." "Don't worry about it. I'm here to help Spike readjust to home life more than anything. He hasn't been back for an extended period since he was six. Figured I should help him get comfortable." "That's sweet of you." "We stick together, right?" "That's my girl." Night Light praised. "Is the old hay ride still up?" Twilight inquired. "Yep. One of the few things left in town these days." "We'll head out around six." "Sounds like a plan." "Now I know where Shining gets it." Spike led his sister back to their old room, closing the door so they could talk in private. "I missed you," Twilight said with conviction, "It's been lonely not having anybody around." "Now you know why I came back." "I do." "It's weird, isn't it? We spend our whole lives chasing after money and status. We end up missing out on the things that actually matter." "Now I know why we found you. You're here to remind us of that lesson." "Pulling away from everyone gave the dark thoughts too much power. I couldn't let myself be controlled by the feeling that life has no value. It would've eaten me alive." "I've felt it creeping up on me, too: trying to convince me that nothing matters - that I should give up." "Why haven't you?" The Alicorn booped her brother on the nose. "Because your existence proves it's wrong." Spike smiled. "That's how I feel about you." "Then I guess we're stuck together, whether we like it or not." "Fine by me." "How 'bout we surprise Rarity and the others with a triumphant return?" "I'll get the camera." The siblings took a photo together, uploading it to Twilight's journal for the world to see. Spike captioned it with the line "Guess who's back". Rainbow was the first to respond. "SLIM SHADY!" "Close enough." Twilight replied. The siblings played Pro Skater 2 and Mortal Kombat until it was almost time to leave. They decided on their costumes for the evening. "Think you're up to playing in the dark realm for a bit?" Twilight questioned. "I think I can manage." "I think I still have some old eyeliner in the bathroom. I'll go get it real quick." "Pinkie said we should pull a prank on the ride." "What'd you have in mind?" Spike retrieved a small pack of bang snaps from the TV stand. Twilight smirked mischeviously. "Classic." "We should hurry. Mom and dad are probably ready by now." "I'll be back in a sec." The pair finished getting ready, joining their parents and heading through the woods to town. "You think they'll notice?" Spike whispered. "Nah. Just be discreet and get rid of the wrapper when you're done." "I feel kind of bad, though." "If we get caught, I'll take the blame." "We go down together. Ride or die." Twilight slung her foreleg around her brother, holding him close in protective affection.