//------------------------------//
// Prologue: OUCH! 
// Story: Shadows of the Past 
// by TheSupremeLeaderOfChaos 
//------------------------------//

"And... check," Twilight heaved a sigh.

Everything was finally ready. The Princess had sent her a letter, wondering if tomorrow would be a good day for Twilight and her friends to come to Canterlot. They had not seen each other since the Summer Sun Celebration fiasco, and Celestia was hoping to visit with Twilight on a day that the world wasn't ending. 

And so, Twilight had asked Spike to whip up a checklist for the trip, and she had set about packing her bags and getting the library set for her departure. Twilight decided to allow Spike to stay home, though she was asking Lyra Heartstrings to watch over him while she was gone, not wanting to come home to a library in ruins.

Speaking of Spike, it smelled as if he had made some of his delicious steamed broccoli and cheese for dinner! 

Happy to finally relax, Twilight grabbed the third Daring Do book of her bedside table(she was re-reading the series for the fifth time) and left her room. She had left off at the most exciting part and couldn't wait to keep reading. A sheen of purple magic glistened over the cover as the book flipped open and floated in front of Twilight as she started walking downstairs.

She was so caught up in the book, she didn't notice the large stack of laundry blocking one side of the stairs. Suddenly, a shirt sleeve with evil intent wrapped itself around one of her hooves and Twilight cried out as she lost her balance. 

She felt her trapped hoof yank painfully out of the cloth and she curled up into a protective ball as she hit each step on the way down. Twilight landed with a thud and she whimpered in pain as the Daring Do book landed on her face. 

"Twilight!" Spike, who had heard the commotion, came hurrying over to the bottom of the stairs. "Twilight, are you all right?!"

She groaned and weakly lifted the book off her face. "I... I think so." She tried to push herself up, but cried out in pain and collapsed again. "Or maybe not."

"Where does it hurt?" Spike was nearly hyperventilating. 

"Everywhere, Spike," Twilight deadpanned. Spike's eyes widened in horror. 'Maybe not the best time for sarcasm, Twilight'  She thought to herself. "Mostly right here," She held up her left forehoof delicately. "This is the one that got caught in the laundry."

"The laundry? Oh no! I'm so sorry, Twilight!" Spike nearly burst into tears. "It's all my fault that you're hurt! I shouldn't have left it on the stairs!"

"It's not your fault, Spike," Twilight comforted him, attempting to stand up again. "I shouldn't have tried to read and walk down the stairs at the same time." She flapped her wings slightly to keep her weight off her hoof.

"I just hope this feels better by tomorrow morning, or I may not be able to see Princess Celestia!" Twilight said sadly. "I guess I should call my friends over here, and warn them that we might not be going..."

Spike's eyes brightened as he saw an opportunity to be helpful.

"I'll go get them Twilight! I'll get you your food and you can eat and wait for them to get here!" Spike beamed. He helped Twilight over to the couch, then rushed into the kitchen. Bringing out a steaming plate of broccoli, he told the purple mare to stay put, then bustled out the front door.

Twilight rolled her eyes at his antics, then dejectedly lifted a spoonful of broccoli and cheese into her mouth.