Chapter One: The Darkness We Create.
Twilight lightly galloped inside Celestia's personal library, excited at the fact that she was finally allowed in here; it had been years since she became her personal student and now that she was officially the "Princess of Friendship" Princess Celestia had given her access to her personal library. "Wow I still can't believe I’m in here after all those years of wondering what was beyond those doors."
Spike trotted beside her, it had become quite apparent that the once little dragon was now in his Teenage years, his tail was longer and he stood taller than the pony he called his sister. "I dunno Twilight, remember what Princess Celestia said about the Dark Section?” he said worryingly.
"Yes I remember Spike, but just look at all these books! I promised Celestia that I would be extremely careful of what books I read from the Dark Section, after all Magic is Magic; it’s not all inherently evil. I mean look at Queen Chrysalis for example, we never thought she would turn a hoof. But then she came to Canterlot and begged for forgiveness from Luna and Celestia, and now her and even a few of her changelings are living in Ponyville." She said reassuringly.
"Ugh, don't remind me; I get woken up every morning by that fluffy pink menace FlufflePuff. We really need to find a place for her and Chrysalis to live that doesn't involve the castle Library. Twilight, are you listening?" he asked.
"Yes yes, I heard you Spike. Oh my gosh, Spike look!" She ran over to a bookshelf and picked up a large thick and worn book, not realizing that she has just run right into the deepest part of the Dark Section "Its Starswirl the Bearded's book, Reflections in the Mirror! It’s the only known copy of his spells, he was nearing perfection of a spell that would let him view and communicate with the world behind the mirror!" She giggled with excitement as her hoof flipped through several pages of the dusty book.
"But Twilight, I thought that was just a legend. Even Princess Celestia couldn't prove that there was a world behind the mirrors!” Spike said. She giggled as she replied, "Even Princess Celestia didn't get as close to the proof as Starswirl has and that's mostly because a lot of the research was lost to the ages when he died, it was one of many of his unfinished spells." She flipped through the book some more, noticing that the spell required a large amount of Dark Magic, even more than she had used in the Crystal Empire.
Several hours passed and Twilight delved deeper into the old tome as Spike the Dragon was curled up in a decently sized ball next to her. Yawning, Twilight used her magic to levitate the book as she used her hoof to gently wake up the sleepy Dragon. "C'mon Spike, let’s get some rest; we're gonna have a long day tomorrow. When I practice this new spell, maybe just maybe I can finish it." Twilight was never more excited than she was at that moment, yawning a tad as she stuffed the tome into her saddle-bag, her horn glowing a shade of violet as she prepared her teleportation spell.
Spike rubbed his eyes as he fleetingly stood up, stretching his arms. He nodded as he stood next to Twilight before they were both engulfed in violet magic and teleported back to their castle. But just before they flashed out of the Library, a small folded piece of parchment fell from the book and landed underneath the bookshelf. Seconds later, Spike appeared back in his bed, wrapped in a nice, warm and thick quilt in an upper room of the large crystal spire. Meanwhile, Twilight appeared in the Cutie Map room and sat on her throne reading the book some more. The rooms tall ceiling and crystalline walls sparkled as the light from numerous candles hung against the walls.
"I have everything I need, there's no need to wait until morning. It’s not really a spell that I need Spike’s help with, not that he could read a language this old anyhow.” Various beakers, ingredients and chemicals lined the table and a dozen mirrors encircled the room as Twilight stood in the middle of them preparing to cast the spell.
“Now to add the Dark Magic!" Twilight groaned as both her horn and her eyes glowed a mixture of green, black and purple magic. The magic in her horn intensified as she muttered the same words over and over, "Est malum quod in Nunc continentur!" As the spell reached its zenith, Twilight’s horn suddenly shot the dark magical energy towards the mirrors, at that moment; utter darkness filled her heart as she felt something brooding and evil within her take shape and suddenly be yanked out of her very soul. Twilight fell to her hooves in exhaustion, recovering as she slowly stood up.
Looking at the mirrors, Twilight only saw her reflection cast back at her at first. But suddenly a ripple in the glass appeared almost like water, making her cringe as she peered back at the other her in the mirror. As she studied her reflection she saw it smiling back as the mirror shattered spontaneously. Twilight jumped back, visibly shaken from the sight she just witnessed.
"Get a hold of yourself, you've been working too hard again..." Sighing to herself, she knelt down and used her magic to lift the broken pieces of glass and silver off the floor, sending them into a nearby waste can. She saved the largest piece for last as she picked it up with her hoof instead of her magic, cutting herself carelessly with the shard.
Twilight hissed as she quickly brought her hoof up, assessing how badly she had hurt herself. She noticed however that there wasn't a single drop of blood on the shard, odd considering that her hoof had a fairly bad gash. She looked again to be sure she wasn’t crazy, but only saw the same gash starting back at her, eerily bloodless.
"Huh, that's peculiar." She paid it no real heed however as she picked up the shard and stood up. Hearing a noise that resembled scratching, she quickly turned around to the mirror directly behind her, but only saw her own reflection staring back at her with evil, hateful eyes. She could only watch in horror as her reflection clutched the piece of mirror in her hoof and slowly lifted it up to her neck. With an evil grin, it slowly dragged the sharp, pointed edge across her neck from ear to ear, making Twilight scream as her skin slowly separated with her own blood flowing down her neck. She clutched at her neck as she frantically reached for her box of medical supplies on the table, knocking over several glass beakers. The shards of glass only compounded her blood loss, making her fall to the floor amidst a coughing fit as she descended into a pool of her own blood.
Spike suddenly jumped awake, hearing the scream even from several stories above. He jumped out of the window and in a flash his large Purple and Green wings spread out as he flew right into the map room. He landed next to the nearly unconscious Princess and picked her up in his claws. "Twilight what happened, what did you do?" His eyes widened with fear as he noticed the last remaining sparks of dark energy resonate in her eyes, a sure sign that something had gone horribly wrong.
Twilight could barely lift her hoof up as she pointed to the mirror, managing to croak out, "There...in the mirror..." It was the same mirror that she peered into only moments ago, but now it seemed nothing more than a portal of pure despair. "Spike..." she croaked out as she dropped her hoof and passed into unconsciousness. Panicking, Spike lifted her up and carried her on his back as he flew out of one of the many windows, hoping that the doctors at the PonyVille hospital would be able to save her.
***
"That was nearly 3 weeks ago, and she hasn't come out of her bedroom since she returned from the Hospital.", His voice quivered with worry as he twiddled his thumbs, concerned with the state of his friend after such traumatic events. Princess Celestia nodded in understanding, eyes seeming unperturbed at hearing the horrible news. "Not to worry Spike; Luna and I will research this spell further and see exactly what has happened, maybe the spell had some negative after effects."
"After effects?! She was using Dark Magic, and we all know what happens when Ponies use Dark Magic. Just look at King Sombra, he's still banished because he tampered with things beyond his control. Twilight thinks she can control all kinds of Magic and she doesn’t how dangerous a lot of it really is." He then realized how foolish he sounded as he yelled at Celestia and apologized sheepishly. "I'm sorry your majesty..."
Celestia smiled as she nodded in affirmation. "No need to apologize Spike; you're just worried. I am too, but getting ahead of ourselves won't make the situation any better." Spike nodded as he bit his claws rapidly out of nerves. “I won’t keep you any longer princess, and I’ll be sure to inform you if anything changes.”
Princess Celestia nodded, Spike walked beside her and he lead her out of the castle; waving goodbye before making his way up to Twilight’s room. He felt his heart beat faster with each step he took up the stairs. Once he reached her door, he tapped his claws against the wood. “Twilight, can I come in?” He said quietly, opening the door as he peered inside.
Twilight sat in the corner, she wore a black hood; that covered her head. Twilight groaned, looking away. Spike stepped up to her, with each step his heart raced, slowly placing his clawed hand on her shoulder. “Twilight, it’s gonna be okay” He looked around the room and noticed that she smashed all of the mirrors in her room.
Spike slowly turned her around, “Twilight what happened?” He asked, he was never able to get the full story from her. He looked into her eyes, paying no attention to the now large scar that lay across her neck.
“The mirrors…” She groaned, “The mirrors are trying to kill me.” Spike tilted his head in confusion. “That’s simply not possible Twilight, mirrors are nothing but glass and silver; they can’t do you any actual harm.” He said reassuringly.
“Then what do you call this?!” She tried to scream but it only came out as a muffled croak, pointing to the large scar on her neck. “We’ve known each other for years, hell we’ve practically raised each other..and in all that time have you ever known me to be suicidal?” She barked in rage, smacking his hands away.
“Well, no…but maybe all this stress of being a Princess has finally gotten the better of you. I mean, ever since the first time you left to help someone in need of Friendship it has been one thing after another.” Spike mentioned, placing his hand back on her cheek. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.” Spike smiled, remembering the time he was called to the Canterlot Royal Court to take his Guardian Oath.
***
Spike never looked more nervous in his life, if he had to venture a guess; he was more nervous then the time he had to light the torch at the Equestria Games. But nevertheless there he stood, in front the entire Royal and Noble classes. He was still a baby dragon at the time, looking up to all four Princess' he twiddled his small thumbs before quickly standing at attention while the bugle horns deafened the courtyard.
Celestia stood up from her throne, using her magic to magically lift a large gold medallion that bore the sign of crossed spears that sat below a helmet of the Royal Guard. "Spike, here today you will take the most solemn oath a member of the Royal Guardian Corps can take." She said in a tone that demanded Spikes complete attention. "Do you swear to defend, protect and stand at the side of Princess Twilight Sparkle; in all situations. Calm or dangerous, to keep her from harm; by others and herself?" She barked in the Royal Canterlot Voice, the very same one that Luna was so fond of.
Spike gulped, he felt as if his tongue had grown three sizes too big for his small jaw. "Y-yes your highness, I do. I swear that no matter what i will protect my Princess from all harm, and I will always stand by her side." Spike said in a nervous but reassured voice, though he couldn't help stuttering as he said it.
All four Princess' smiled at the small dragon, Celestia stepped down and used her magic to place the medallion around Spikes neck. "Then take your position beside her, and may you always be vigilant in your watch." Spike held the large medallion that was nearly the side of his own chest, his gaze growing wider as he peered at it before releasing it from his grasp, a few moments later a pair of Guards appeared, one of Celestia's Royal Guards and one of Luna's Night Guards. He stood before them in the position of attention as they handed him a tall spear and helmet.
Spike smiled widely, grasping the helmet; noticing that it was quite different from the helmets the other guards wore. His was the same color as Twilight's coat and cutie mark. He quickly placed the helmet atop his head and grasped the spear in both hands before taking his position beside his Princess. Smiling at her as he placed his hand on her hoof. "I promise, I promise that i won't ever let anything happen to you..."
***
Meanwhile back in the bedroom Twilight smiled, caressing her cheek in his hand. “Thank you Spike, I-I think all I need is some rest.” Spike nodded, helping her over to the oversized changing curtain that stood beside her bed. “Sleep well my Princess, I’ll be standing guard outside if you need me.” Spike said chivalrously before bowing and stepping outside.
Twilight stood in front of the only mirror that she had left in the castle “I will stop you, I won’t let you hurt anyone else.” She said in a demanding tone as she pulled a thick black wool drape off the tall mirror. Once the cloth was removed she saw herself standing in the mirror, nothing strange happened.
“Maybe the stress is getting to me…” She shook her head before placing her hoof against the scar, following the jagged edge that lead from one ear to the other. Suddenly, a loud scratching noise once again filled the air; Twilight cringed. Clutching her ears as she fell to her knees. “Ow!”
The noise seemed to carry for what seemed like eternity before it finally stopped, Twilight took a deep breath and stood up after regaining her composure. And there in the mirror was a single word, “Death” was etched into the glass and try as she might she could not remove it. The word seemed to be etched onto only one side of it.
She clutched her hoof over her muzzle before nervously stepping back. “No no no no” She said repeatedly as she threw the thick black cloth back over the mirror, before running to her bed and hiding herself under the blankets. “It’s just a dream, it’s just a dream” She said over and over before finally falling into deep slumber.
***
Even in her dreams she couldn't escape this nightmare, Twilight was running down a long dark hallway. Mirrors littered the walls, the mirrors cracking and shattering as soon as she passed. "What do you want from me?!" She screamed, running. No matter how far she ran, the hallway wouldn't end, more and more mirrors appeared until she was completely surrounded by them. Twilight stopped, reaching a dead end as dozens of mirrors surrounded her.
The largest mirror stood in front of her, scratching again filled the air as the words "You" and "Death" appeared on the glass. Twilight screamed, curling into a small ball using her wings to shelter herself. "Why me? And whose death?" She peered up as the scratching continued. Twilight gazed upon the last word that now laid etched into the mirrors surface "Friends." Twilight screamed, "NO!" She woke herself up from her nightmare, as Spike rushed into the room.
Spike ran up to her bed, "Twilight are you okay?" He asked, sitting down on the bed. "Just...just a nightmare." She said briefly. "I see, maybe some sleeping tonic? Something to keep you from dreaming?" He asked, setting his hand on her hoof.
Twilight, shuttered; curling herself close to her companion. "I don't think that would help at this point Spike, but maybe you could stay here with me? I'd feel a lot safer knowing you were laying next to me." Spike blushed crimson, smiling as he laid down on the large oak frame and mattress. Pulling his princess into a warm embrace. "I won't let anything hurt you, I Promise." Spike reassured her before they both fell into a deep calm sleep.