//------------------------------//
// Darkness 
// Story: Colour 
// by Toraka 
//------------------------------//

Light. Family name Dawn. Light of Dawn, that's how they call me. I live in the city of Canterlot, together with my mommy and my daddy. I've been going to school for two years now and I've made many friends. In the beginning, they were confused about how I am special or even made fun of me for it, but now everypony is nice to me. It's holidays right now though, so I don't meet them as much any more.

The door opens and a note of rose enters my room; Mommy has come in. "Light, sweetie," she says as I try and face her. She has a high voice, always calm and collected no matter what I did. She once told me that every proper mare sounds like that. I don't know any mares besides her and my teacher, so I just believe her on that. "Come downstairs. I think we have great news for you."

Her voice carries a tone I have almost never heard before. It isn't as cold, even a bit lighter than normal. I'm not sure what to make of it, so I just get up and follow her. "Here's the stairs, watch out," she coos as though I didn't know about them. Once on the bottom, she guides me right twice, forward, then left. She's led me into the dining room. Hazel fills the air. Daddy's here, I can hear his heavy breathing too, but he's not alone. It's distant, but I can make out a hint of something new. Before I can make it out clearly, mommy continues, "This is Miss Sparkle, she's Princess Celestia's lead student and might be able to help you."

"Oh, drop the act, Glimmer," replies a new voice. She sounds small, even though I can hear that she should already be about mommy's age. It must be the pony she just mentioned. "Hey there, little one. You can call me Twilight, as somepony else should. But besides that, I think I can improve your situation."

"What situation?" I ask. "I'm doing fine."

"Oh, of course. Maybe you're fine now, but if this works, you'll be much better. Trust me, I won't do anything if you don't agree." I'm not sure if I like her, but she sounds trustworthy. She'll probably stand to her word. If they like her, I suppose she has a point.

I shuffle about, unsure of where to look, even though it's unlikely that she'll hold a grudge. "I guess, whatever you've got in mind."

"Wonderful." She gets up and walks around the table, next to me. Her hoofsteps are soft, almost silent. "I'm afraid I'll have to take you to my study for this, but it's only a walk of about two minutes, I was told that you'll easily manage that."

I nod and begin trotting alongside her steps when, all of a sudden, they're interrupted. "Just so we're clear, Sparkle, your stuff does anything to her and I'll have your head." Mommy's voice comes from behind. It's deeper than normal, but there's still an element of play in it.

"Haven't lost any of your charm, have you," responds Twilight with the same tone in her voice. "A proper unicorn would sacrifice herself before harming innocents, even birdies know that, right? Besides, that name is reserved for use by somepony, and it's not you." We keep going until we reach the door. There, she turns and says, voice sweeter than before, "Bye! I'll bring her back before dinner!"

She leads me outside. It's always irritating, but she keeps me close and keeps talking to me. Before long, she brings me up a few stairs and through another door, then announces that we're there. It's a large room, there is some echo. Now that the excitement is over, I can finally get a hold of my surroundings. "You smell like lavender," I note once I manage to pin it down.

"Uh, yeah, I do. Just a bit." Her voice comes from the far left, then comes closer, together with a large disturbance in the flows of energy. "I can stop wearing it if it bothers you."

She moves in a new direction. Maybe she's headed for the nearest sink to wash it off. "No, keep it," I quickly reply. "Please. It's the best way that I can know you. I just couldn't identify it before."

"Oh. I suppose it is. Now, I've been digging for a bit, and I found this." There is a small impact in front of me, followed by wind and the sound of flying paper. "Do you know any of this?"

After waiting for a moment to check if she is going to say anything else, I state, "Sounds like a book. I've held some before, and if I have to be honest, they don't really hold much appeal to me."

"Yeah, sorry." The disturbance returns and takes the book away. "Anyhow. After hearing about your situation, I've found a configuration – a spell, basically – that might be able to fix it. You ready?"

"Do what you must." I hear some light scratching besides me. After that, a burst in energy, then silence. I blink once and ask, "Did you do it yet?"

She exhales and carries the scent of lavender to in front of me. "This should have worked, but then again, runes were pretty unknown at that time. I think I can improve it. Let me just change that here, Power the Energy..."





"Results?" she asks. After how many hours we've been at it, I'm not sure what she even expects, so I just shake my head. "Disappointing. I was sure I could do something. Well, I suppose there's one thing we could still try." She wipes something on the floor with her hoof. When she redraws it, the waves respond, taking a completely different form, all bundling around that point. "This will create a powerful spell, so I have to inform you that you may be informed about accidental injury, illness, death, or vaporisation. I assume you still consent?"

"If it's necessary for the goal," I respond. As soon as I do, there is a gathering of energy, bound but released moments later. She is using the final spell, routing energy into and through me. I can feel power like never before, running up and down my spine, down and back through my legs and horn.

My eyes burst open. There she is, right in front of me. I try to capture the beauty of each of her hairs, though I'd spend a thousand years at that. Behind her, I can see the city of Canterlot with all of its twists and towers, and the sky, more glorious than any stories could ever have told. It is clear like the waves on a calm day, endless like the world beyond.

After just a moment, the flow of energy stops. The colours fade, and darkness reclaims its place. There is the tranquil sound of rain, but not that of the trees' gentle whispering, or that of the energy bolts' violent outbursts. "I'm sorry," whispers she. "I thought this would work... thought I'd be better than that. There's nothing I can do for you. I'm sorry for wasting your time."

"It was long enough." The room falls silent. I lead her towards the door. "I'll keep this image in my heart forever. Thank you, Miss Sparkle, for showing me the beautiful world of colours."