//------------------------------//
// Dark Clouds in the Sky 
// Story: Hidden Spark 
// by EbonyDanger 
//------------------------------//

The sun shone in Twilight's back. Outside Owlowiscious flew past her window and shouted: “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” The purple mare did not even looked up. She was sitting on her table. The breakfast stood in front of her. A bowl, filled with alphabet soup. The letters were as dark as the ink she used and they seemed to form several words: Friends, love, hate, greed, live, evil, envy, attention, caring...
Twilight again did not paid attention. This was her world. Normal, despite this weird incidents. Morning in Ponyville shimmers, morning in Ponyville shines! And I know for absolute certain that everything is certainly fine! She hummed the melody of her daily morning song, while she levitated the spoof, filled with the alphabet soup, and slurped the liquid into her maw. The letters crunched between her theet and the bitter taste of ink caressed her tongue.
“Twilight!” She turned her head around as sudden steps could be heard. The lumber of paws. Spike was jumping down the last two stairs and walked to her. 
“Good morning, Spike”, replied Twilight and smiled softly. 
The dragon stopped in front of her. “Celestia said, I should give this to you.” Spike flinched and buckled over. Funny noises could be heard. Green smoke came out of his mouth. Finalley he opened his maw and with a burping sound and a shot of green flames a parchment role appeared in front of Twilight. 
Now let's see, what we've got here. Curiously Twilight levitated the letter in front of her. It was written in sharp capital letters and said the following: Get to Canterlot this instance. Without the ifs and buts! Princess Celestia, solar Princess, ruler of Equestria, director and founder of the School for Gifted Unicorns, etc.
I wonder, why she wants to see me. Twilight dropped the role. “Spike”, she explained and stood up, swallowing the last few bits of her alphabet soup, “I need to go to Celestia. She has called for me.” 
“Sure thing”, Spike replied. 
Twilight turned around and walked to the door. She opened it and stepped through the entrance.
The mare founded herself immediately in the throne room as if walking through doors allowed her to switch places. The red carpet drowned the sounds of her hooves. Twilight Sparkle looked around. The stained glass windows painted Equestrian History on the walls. The coronation of the royal sisters. The defeat of Discord. The transformation of Luna into Nightmare Moon. And of course all the things the mane six had done, since they whiled the Elements of Harmony: They had defeated almost every great villain.
Two blue carpets with the sun as Celestia's symbol hang down the pink coloured ceiling. The solar Princess herself was sitting on her throne. Her long, rainbow coloured mane floated around her neck. Her dawn coloured eyes rested on Twilight and seemed to eclipse for a couple of seconds. She lifted her perfect brow.
“You have called for me, Princess?”, asked Twilight friendly and bowed. 
“How brave of you to come, you traitorous dog!” Celestia's voice was cold and firm. She stood up and opened her wings. By doing so the mare looked larger then she was and really terrifying. She turned her angular head to stare down at her pupil with one hateful eye.
Traitorous dog? Twilight took a step backwards. She looked around unsure. Guards were standing in every corner of the room. The sun's light broke itself sharply on the edges of their spears. “Princess”, asked Twilight, “What do you mean?” 
“Silence!” Celestia's harsh shout cut off her question and she flinched. The young alicorn ducked down, until her belly touched the red carpet. Submissivley she looked up at her mentor, her ears pressed down.
Celestia slowly stepped forwards. She was walking with a deadly grace. As if she wanted to murder the ground, which was carrying her. Finalley she stopped and her shadow made Twilight feel small and vulnerable as it fall on her body.
“How dare you to dissappoint me like that?” Celestia barked the words. Her horn glowed bright golden and a picture appeared in front of Twilight. The hologram showed her a city, where the villagers were rampaging. They ran around and fought with each other. Something was weird in their eyes. There was a heart in them unstead of the pupil and iris.
A Want It, Need It spell? Twilight shook her head in confusion. Now she could see, what the villagers were fighting for. An empty teacub. “So?”, asked Celestia. 
Twilight stammered: “I do not know, how this happened! I am so sorry, Celestia. I promised to never ever use a Want It, Need It spell after my fiasco with Smarty Pants.”
She shook her head in disbelief. I cannot even remember that I did something like that. Twilight rubbed her hoof against her forehead. “Wait? Is that Big Macintosh? With Applejack's fur and mane?” She shook her head to get a clear mind. This is crazy! This is completely crazy! She looked at the hologram once again.
No, she had not mistaken herself. In this town were her friends. And it looked like all of them had changed their colours somehow. “That couldn't be me”, stammered Twilight, “I would never do such a thing. Princess Celestia, what if Discord had done that? It would resemble him familiar.” 
To her horror the white mare shook her head. “No! It would not resemble him at all.”
Celestia's horn glowed once more and the hologram vanished. “I am very disappointed in you, Twilight”, she said sharply. The purple mare turned her head away and sighted. I know. “You have not just rejected my trust in you, moreover you have failed one simple task. I cannot tolerate such a thing.”
“I know, Princess”, replied Twilight and looked at her mentor, “I promise, it won't happen again.” 
“I said, silence!” Celestia stamped on the ground and the alicorn flinched once more. Celestia said: “You won't fail me again, because you will never ever walk into this castle or the town again. Twilight Sparkle” – she lifted her head – “by royal degree, I, Princess Celestia, banish you into the Everfree Forest!”
What? No! Twilight Sparkle sprang to her feeth. “No!”, she shouted. Her eyes started to water. Her fear clutched on her heart like an evil shadow and she felt like someone, who had fallen into cold water. Desperation stroke her with its wet claws. “No, please!”, shouted Twilight, “This won't happen again. I promise!”
Steps could be heard and out of the walls came her friends: Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. They stared at her with the same hate and contempt that laid in Celestia's eyes. 
“What have you done to us?”, asked Rainbow Dash. 
“My farm, it is ruined!”, declared Applejack. 
Pinkie Pie shouted: “Nopony breaks a Pinkie promise!” 
Fluttershy's voice was as sharp as a blade. “Nopony likes you. Why are you even here? You weren't born in the village.” 
“From all the things that could happen to Ponyville, you. Are. The. Worst. Possible. Thing!”
Twilight flinched and stumbled backwards. What...what have I done? My own friends, they hate me! Fear shoked her throath. “Please”, whimpered Twilight and tears floated down her cheeks, “Let me explain.” 
The five ponies circled around her, nose lifted and eyes closed in anger. They sang in a harsh, terryifing chorus: “Stop the Twilight, stop the Twilight! Make her vanish into the night. Stop the Twilight, stop the Twilight! Make her vanish into the night.”
The circle around her got closer and closer. Twilight panted in fear and backed away. Her widened eyes rested on Celestia, who returned the glance coldly. “Leave!”, she commanded and thunder cracked behind her. A cold laughter seemed to wrap itself around Twilight. 
The mare could no longer stand it. She whirled around, broke through the circle and sprinted towards the door. With a loud bang she went through it and found herself in the dark and shady Everfree Forest. The trees surrounded her and as she turned her head around she saw the gap, which used to be the door, closing behind her.
I am trapped. Twilight swallowed. She trotted towards the forest. Fog grow between the branches and trucks. The leaves whispered words into her ear. As Twilight pirked them up, she could really hear someone speaking: “Do you need help?”
“NO!” Twilight's hooves thundered over the ground as she suddenley started to sprint. The mare gritted her theet and her mane flew behind her. Her wings were partly open. With furious eyes she looked around. “I do not know who or what you are!”, she shouted desperatly, “But I want to stop right now! You are torturing me. Why are you doing this to me?”
The voice replied: “I have done nothing to you. I want to help. If there is a problem with your magic, I can make you controll it. If there is a problem with your mentor, I can talk sense into her. If there is a problem with your friends, I am sure, I can help too.”
Twilight braked as she saw a shadowy mare between the leaves and branches. Her yellow eyes gloomed and she was smiling. Twilight spun around immediatley and ran into the opposite direction. “Get away from me!”, she shouted, “Leave me alone!”
The shadow mare answered: “I won't.” And she transformed herself into mist and floated behind her. Twilight shrieked and ducked down. The mist rushed above her and the air started to smell of smoke as if something was burning....

***

Twilight shouted something she did not even understood and woke up. The mare sat in her bed and tried to caught her breath. It was a dream, Twilight, nothing more then a nightmare. Breath! In and out, in and out! Her chest rocked wildly and her fur fumed from sweat. Her mane was a mass. She was breathing in fast and eager movements.
Suddenley she realised something. There was one aspect in her dream, that had followed her into the reality. Or did this aspect entered her dream? Whatever. Her nose twitched as she smelled the sharp, stinging scent of smoke.
Oh, my Celestia! The blancet flew on the ground as Twilight jumped out of the bed. She rushed over to the window and hit it with her nose. Through the glass the mare could see smoke, rising from a building not far away. Wait! Is this Carsoul Boutique? Twilight's maw dropped.
Then the alicorn whirled around and jumped down the stairs. Spike, who woke up from the noise, lifted his head. “Twilight, what is the matter?”, he asked sleepy. I have no time to explain it, Spike. You better see it yourself. Her magic wrapped itself around the small dragon and he landed on her back. “What the hay....?”, stammered Spike and wrapped his arms around Twilight's neck.

***

The mare was sprinting through the streets in the direction of Rarity's dress salon. Her wings were partly opened in fear. Twilight had not even reached the boutique, when she could see the orange glow of the fire. Oh, no! The mare gasped. Spike, who was still sitting on her back, started to chew on his claws. “Rarity....”, he whispered.
Finally they reached the boutique. Orange flames were shooting out of the windows like the tongues of a hungry animal. The smoke towered in the air. One could hear the sizzling noise of burning woods. Rarity stood like a ghostly silhouette in front of all this terror. Her eyes were widened and Twilight could see blank fright in them.
The mare stopped so abruptly, that she catapulted Spike from her back. “Ouch”, the dragon grumbled. 
Twilight was not listening. “Where is Sweetie Belle?”, she asked, because she could not see the white filly, standing next to her big sister. 
Rarity was crying. “She is somewhere in the building”, she shrieked and yelled: “From all the things that could happen, this. Is. The. Worst. Possible. Thing!”
She sank down and whined. Twilight touched her shoulder. “Don't worry, Rarity”, she said, “I'll get Sweetie Belle and you get the others. We need to stop this fire.” Rarity looked up and nodded, still tears in her eyes. What the alicorn then did, was very brave, but also very reckless: Twilight closed her eyes and concentrated herself as she opened the inner chains to her magic. A flash of violet light and she teleported herself into the burning building.  
Twilight coughed for breath. She looked around. The fire surrounded her. The flames licked over the walls. They tore the precious dresses appart. Smoke filled the air. It laid in the room like a fog. The heat made Twilight's fur fumed with sweat. She coughed once more and narrowed her eyes. The toxic gasses made them water.
“Sweetie Belle!”, roared Twilight and almost choked at the taste of smoke in her mouth, “Sweetie Belle, where are you?!” 
“I am here!”, a thine voice shouted, “I am here!” 
Twilight's head flung around, while her ears tried to find the direction of the voice. But the smoke clouded her vision and the roaring of the fire made it hard to hear anything.
A location spell! I need a location spell. This is my only chance. Twilight furrowed her brow. She rose to her hindlegs. A flash of purple light and then a small dot appeared in the air. It did not stayed there very long. Dragging a purple tail behind itself, it moved into the fog. Twilight started to ran after it.
It was difficult to move in the boutique. The fire was dancing around her, the tongues snapped after her, scorching her fur. Twilight jumped around as if she was standing on hot stones. The smoke swirled around her, stung in her eyes and made her blind. Every breath filled her powerful lounge with thick, sticky ash.
Come on, come on! Twilight jumped over a burning dummy. Her head jerked around. The light dot was shooting towards the stairs. Sweetie Belle must be in the first floor of the boutique. Twilight sprinted over the stairs. Behind her a shelf crashed and hit the stages. The wood broke apart and sparks rained down on her fur and there extincted like tiny shooting stars.
Okay, now the way back is blocked. Twilight gulped. She watched the flames, dancing over the staris, climbing higher and higher. With every second she missed, Sweetie Belle was in more danger. The alicorn turned around and ran upwards the last few stairs.
The first floor only had three rooms. The bath and Rarity's and Sweetie Belle's bedroom. 
Twilight shouted once more: “Sweetie Belle!”
“Over here!” Her voice sounded so scared. It came from the door, closest to her. Twilight did not even used her magic. Instead she spun around and kicked viciously against it in the movement, she had learned on the apple farm.
The wood shattered under her hooves and she stumbled into the room. Sweetie Belle was standing by the window. Her eyes were wide in fright. Ash laid in pashes on her coat and she clutched Rarity's cat Opalescence against her. That one had bristled her fur, which made her look like a dirty ball of snow.
“Twilight!”, shouted Sweetie Belle, “You came.” 
Twilight quickly checked on her. “Are you alright?” She nodded. “Then let's get out of here.” Twilight used her magic to levitate Sweetie Belle on her back. The white mare was about Spike's size, but she was a little bit lighter. A glance backwards. The top of the stairs gloomed orange. Twilight again mobilized the last bits of her magic and teleported outside of the building.
They poped out of mid-air. Twilight took a deep breath. Air! It was such a welcoming gift after all this smoke. She spotted Rarity, who had already gathered Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. “Out of my way!”, shouted Twilight, who dashed down. As soon as she landed, Rarity ran over and pulled Sweetie Belle from her back into a thight hug.
“Sweetie Belle!”, she called, tears streaming down her face, “I was so scared! What were you thinking?” 
“Opal”, Sweetie explained, “I could not let her alone.” The cat stood there, rooted to the spot, her fur was bristled and her tail stood straight in the air, which made it look like some kind of toilet brush.
Applejack interrupted them sharply: “We still need to get the fire out.” They looked at the burning building. “We need lots of water.” 
Rainbow Dash asked jokingly: “If that is all? Give me ten seconds.” She dashed away. Twilight tilted her head back. The mare could see the blue pegasus, swooping through the air, snatching every rain cloud in her reach.
Rainbow Dash brought the massive thunder clouds above Rarity's boutique to a halt. She jumped on the greyish fabric. A loud thunder crack could be heard and the water rained down. It was a long fall. Twilight heard several hissing sounds as the flames came in contact with their arch-enemy. Smoke raised, but soon was replaced by the white steam. It wrapped itself around the building and hide it from the sight of the ponies. Rainbow Dash slowly landed on the ground. “You do not need to thank me”, she said and bowed, “It was a pleasure.”
Twilight heard Rarity whimper. “This is a catastrophe!”, yelled the white unicorn and threw her head backwards, “I am ruined. My life is ruined. From all the things that could happen this. Is. The. Worst. Possible. Thing. Ever!” Sweetie Belle hugged her sister, who fall down and started sobbing. “What shall I do now? My whole life...it is gone! Just like that.”
Fluttershy stepped by her side. She opened her wing and laid it on Rarity's shoulder. “You and Sweetie Belle are alive”, she whispered, “And that is the greatest treasure.” The mane five looked at the unicorn, pity and sadness in their eyes. Poor Rarity. These words won't help her that much. Twilight sighted and looked at the boutique.
Or what was left from it. The fire had hollowed it out. The walls were covered in ashes and parts of the furniture were collapsed. They laid there, a undefinte mass of wood, shattered fabric and melted needles. The smoke danced above it like a sad mourn. Twilight remembered her own feelings, she had during her fight with Tirek, when the centaure had destroyed her home, the old library of Ponyville.
Therefore she could easily place herself in Rarity's position. Twilight understood this shock, this sadness, this feeling of being left with a hearth, torn appart. A home was not just a roof above your head, it was so much more. A safe harbour, to which you always could return. A home was the nutshell, in which you kept your memories. This place of safety and belonging.
And Rarity had not just lost that. She had also lost something, that was so important in her life. Her  boutique was a symbol for her love for fashion, her sense as a stylist and dressmaker. Something, that had defined Rarity as a person.
“But what actually had happened?”, asked Spike and his question broke the freezing motivation of the group. 
The ponies turned around to face the dragon. “Hmmm?”, they asked. 
“Come on”, he said, “There has to be a reason, why this fire broke out. It just could not come from no-where.” 
The others nodded. “Ya're right, Spike”, replied Applejack, “Come on. Let's search for evidences.”
The ponies started to walk around the building. They piked their nose in everything, looked under every smoking bar. Twilight squeezed her eyes. She could hear Rarity sobbing. The unicorn sat there, unable to look at her now destroyed boutique. Sweetie Belle tried her best to comfort her big sister.
Twilight stood near a window, the glass was melted from the fire bolt. The mare ran over the fabric thoughtfully. The liquid glass stuck on her hooves like tar. Iiihhh! Disgusted the alicorn shook her hoof and watched the dark mass drop from her leg. This fire had caused an imense distruction.
Twilight looked around in the hope from some better evidence. Her friends were moving themselves on the other side, throwing broken furniture and torn dresses behind them. Pinkie piked inside a hole and came out with a black coloured snout. They all were searching, but nopony was really sure, what they were looking for.
At that moment Twilight spotted something glowing near the burned building. The mare blinked. What is that? Her horn flashed as Twilight used her magic to leviate the broken pieces. She threw them behind her. Underneath the burnt bricks and melted glass she found a strange glowing fabric. It looked like some kind of magically changed hay and as Twilight bent over it her hairs nearly cought fire.
Ouch, hot! Twilight sneezed and lifted her head. She was about to call for her friends when she spotted something. Several tracks on the muddy ground. Hoofprints. Twilight's eyes widened. Very carefully she placed her hoof next to one of the prints. The mare lifted it and looked at the tracks. No! No! This cannot be.
Fright grabbed her hearth and she almost choked. Her fur bristled. Twilight Sparkle whirled around and ran off the scene. She thought, she heard Applejack shouting “Twilight, wait!”, but she was not listening. The print burned itself into her eyes. It couldn't be. It was absurd. It was so wrong like one of those wooden bars cheaters covered in gold leaf to sell it stupid, old mares as true gold. And yet Twilight could not deny the fact: Those prints on the crime scene had been her own.