//------------------------------// // Dark as Day (Edited) // Story: Bones // by ANearPerfectStudent //------------------------------//         “To wake one’s eyes to see into the light in the darkness is to look into the eyes of death and see compassion” -Clover the Clever during the NightMare Moon rebellion ______________________________________________________________________________         Twilight pushed open her eyes, heaving muscles yanking up her natural blinds. The bathroom? Ugh, what happened? Was it another one of Pinkie’s parties? Memories from the morning slowly plowed their way through the flood of Twilight’s mind. “Ohhh, that’s right…” Twilight muttered silently to herself.         Her eyes drifted down to her hoof. She peered closely at it, examining the magic that seemed to be keeping it attached. A sutley purple flame glowed from the exposed bone, hinting that the magic was self-cast.         Oh, Celestia, how am I going to explain this to Spike and the gang? Twilight thought silently to herself. Wait! That’s it! Celestia must know the answer! She always does! A tiny voice  gave her a small tisk at her suggestion, but she ignored it, her mind focused on other things.         Reaching into her medical drawer, she pulled out a roll of cloth bandages. She lit up her horn and slowly wrapped her exposed bone, thoroughly covering the hoof in multiple layers of the fabric. Over the years of living with the craziest of ponies, she had gotten used to having and treating minor injuries and has since stocked her house full of medical supplies.         She examined the hidden hoof, deeming it good enough to last the journey to Canterlot. The white bandages looked foreign on her purple fur; she was used to having healing magic at her beck and call, but she doubted any of it would help.         A purple aura surrounded the door and with a small creak, the purple alicorn made her way to her room. Spike sat, passed out by his bed, snoring quietly. A photo of Rarity covered his face, concealing her escape from her house.         Twilight inwardly shivered as an icy chill pierced her fur. The library wasn’t well sealed and often let the freezing air inside. Trotting over to the coat rack, she selected the first one she saw, a dark brown cloak she had used for Nightmare Night last year, and left, closing and locking the door on her way out. As she trotted down the cold street, her wrapped hoof seemed to click against the cobblestone, causing a lopsided echo to bounce through the deserted streets. It was still early in the morning, even Bon Bon and the Cakes were still sleeping. __________________________________________________________________________         It had been rather easy to purchase a ticket to Canterlot; most of the ponies in Equestria were more than happy to allow a princess to use their services, as it made the company immensely popular. For example, the express train she often used had become the most popular train service after her ascension.         Twilight’s head popped out of the train window. There was something about feeling the wind on your face that nopony could ever explain. She assumed it was due to her new pegasus genes making up for 17 years of lost time.         Bringing her head back through the window, her eyes were drawn to the wrapping on her hoof. Even with the layer of wrapping, if somepony looked closely enough, they could see a faint glow squeeze through the edges.         Curiosity quaked throughout herself, overcoming the fear she had had the night before. I wonder what caused this… A curse, a spell, maybe even some magitech? I hope Celestia knows… It was slightly uneasy for her to feel her hoof like normal, but to look down and see bones. She could still feel the choir singing in the back of her head, producing almost a calming lullaby. It felt like a spell, keeping her from taking extreme measure or from freaking out about having an entire hoof missing. Twilight didn’t wish to dispel the chorus; maybe causing panic in Ponyville, or worse, Equestria. It was also a lovely song, one so often sung to her when she was just a child. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How we wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How we wonder what you are! Twilight yawned, her ears tuning out the world around her. When the blazing sun is gone, When she nothing shines upon, Then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How we wonder what you are! The choir inside of her grew louder, almost a faint hymn being sung inside of her mind. Then the traveller in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, If you did not twinkle so. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How we wonder what you are! Twilight gazed out the window, spotting Canterlot in the distance. The sun shone brightly on the mountain-topped city. She felt her eyes begin to grow heavy, her eyes slowly, methodically closing. In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through our curtains peep, For you never shut your eye, Till the sun is in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How we wonder what you are! Her limbs felt heavy, and her muscles ached. She could feel everything inside of herself, working like clockwork. Each part had its purpose and none were without meaning. As your bright and tiny spark, Lights the traveller in the dark,— Though we know not what you are,  Twinkle, twinkle, little star. Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How we wonder what you are! Twilight’s limbs slowly folded into herself, an origami masterpiece quietly snored as she fell into a deep, calming rest. Her wings pressed gently by her sides, her feathers only slightly ruffled by the breeze of the open window. Her consciousness began to drift, ebbing away towards the dark between the stars... her dreams. The tunes of an old melody gently echoes throughout the void, as if guiding her.  __________________________________________________________________________ “Why hello again, Twilight…” The voice bagan, “how are you doing?” This voice was different than the rest. They were all stallions before, not a single mare had ever spoken to her.  This caring feeling. Like a mother… Or a father… This voice had a voice like thunder, yet it came off as sweet as fresh honey. It was a pony who could cause hearts to melt and frowns to transform into smiles. It caused her heart to twitch. She wasn’t supposed to be like this. She wasn’t a good mare. She wasn’t a kind mare. She wasn’t a loving mother. This mare… This Thing was evil. She was evil. Evil in everything. Evil was her as She was evil. She is dead! She had to be. Princess Luna has been here in Equestria for 3 years, there was no way that She could be here now. It was impossible. There was no explanation.  This had to be a bad dream.... This had to be a Nightmare!   A sinister smile came to mind, its sharp teeth perpetrating her mind. It was the voice of a pony she hadn’t seen in the longest time, some three or four years ago. It was that… of Nightmare Moon’s…