Part One
Late at night the princess of Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle returned from flight training with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy accompanying her. The mare’s wings were exhausted from the straining and constant perspiration she’d felt all day. While the sun set in the distance, she received her chance to rest, something much deserved but even more needed.
Upon landing, she bid her helpful allies goodbye and retreated to the inside of her tree house where nopony resided at this time, not even Spike. He was at Rarity's with the Cutie Mark Crusaders having a sleepover. Rarity had suggested this, as Twilight needed the home to herself for the night, and Spike would've been in the way during important practices of dangerous magic. Celestia had assigned her fellow Alicorn goddess a new task: To investigate the powers of Magyk. Twilight entered the lobby and inspected the book Princess Celestia had left her with. Its dark glow made Twilight remember the conversation she and her mentor had just the other day. Twilight had been having trouble pronouncing the odd word correctly.
"Magic? Mahgick?" She just couldn't get it correct at first.
"Like this," Celestia tutored. "Maj-Eeck..."
"Magyk..." She finally got the word down, and wondered why it wasn't simply pronounced magic. As she asked this, Celestia explained the reasons.
"You see, Magyk is most different from the usual aura sent from our horns. That's everyday magic, and is used mostly for common objectives like lifting a hairbrush, or warping from one place to another..." Twilight blinked, trying to understand the difference. "Magyk, or as ponies such as King Sombra called it, Dark Enchantments is only used for personal fulfillment. When used correctly, its nightmarish behavior is said to bring certain individuals to the brink of insanity. So, after much debate between me and the other princesses and lords of Old Equestria, we banished it from use, mainly because of what happened with the Crystal Empire."
Twilight looked through the Canterlot windows to see the spectrum lights dancing on top of the high summit, just visible past misty peaks of some mountains. "What happened, exactly...?"
Celestia huffed, and explained even more. "It was King Sombra who took the darkness too far. He abused Magyk abilities, ceased an empire and ruled it with little mercy. Since then, the use of Magyk has been banished from normal unicorns. Alicorns, on the other hoof, were allowed to use it freely, but only when necessary. I performed a corrupted spell the first time I showed you King Sombra's evil form, and now, I'm afraid to offer you the chance to use it as well. You're ready, I can tell. It's impossible to fall into madness the way King Sombra did, for you're too filled with light... but still, I can't help but to hesitate..."
Of course, questions had to be asked concerning why her mentor was even considering letting Twilight learn about such sinfully immoral practices. "And you wish for me to study this because...
Celestia looked at the book she'd placed on the desk and said, "Because you're no longer a unicorn... You're much more than that. All Alicorns must learn of Magyk. It's one of the factors that aided in the building of life. It's a balance that is required for all life to become equal. You can't have the light without the darkness. Do you understand, Twilight?"
"I'm beginning to... I guess, but isn't it dangerous?"
"Not if you don't lose hope. Think about it, my little pony. You've helped save an empire, taken down then assisted in reforming a diabolic threat formally known as Discord, and saved the world from my own corrupted sister. I think you can handle a measly book." Celestia yawned and asked, "Is there anything else I need to explain?"
Twilight nodded and asked, "What will happen if I do use the book to unlock its darkness?"
Clearing her throat, Celestia said, "I don't know. The spell acts differently towards everypony. For example, anytime I use it, I'm brought to a vision of seeing my star burn out, and all life ending. For my sister, it's apparently losing me to death. I don't know how it will act for you, but whatever happens Twilight, just know you're strong, and you can overcome anything so long as you remember that." Shortly after that, Celestia left, confident her student would do just fine with her studies.
Returning her mind to the present, Twilight observed the book that sat on her working desk, dusty and old, tattered even. She contemplated whether she really wanted to go through with this, or ignore the task assigned. It wasn't going to be as if Princess Celestia wouldn't understand the refusal. Nopony would wish to seek the darkness of this magnitude, but Twilight was curious. She wished desperately to learn, so she approached slowly and nervously. Jitters shot through her hoof as it graced the cover and smoothed the title. Opening it, odd words and symbols coated the pages in an irregular manner. Not a single word was English. Gibberish, nothing but.
Flipping through the ridiculous book, page after page, Twilight began to get irritated. Her wings spread little by little along with her anger, until finally, one single word caught the corner of her eye. She hastily returned to the page, and read it.
"Shadow...? What does that have to-"
In an instant, deep purple aura shot out, almost slapping the mare in the face. It swirled around in the air, lined circles of intense darkness crept through the walls and drenched the luminosity emitting from the candles. As pouring shimmers of crepuscular blackness roared from the pages, Twilight backed away more and more, fear washing over her frame. Finally, the aura sank into her shadow that was sent from the book, and lifted it up towards the wall. Eyes, lavender and green stared at Twilight. They belonged to her own shadow. Twilight tried to stop shaking, but no matter what she thought, there was no ridding herself of the horror from gazing at this demonic being.
Upon trying to magically light the candles back up, her guest stopped her by asking, "Dim lights, please..."
Gasping at the sound that was low an scratchy, she asked, "Who said that?!"
"Me... your shadow. You summoned me." The voice was unidentifiable regarding gender.
Twilight just stared at the menacing obscurity as though nothing was there. It was still connected to her, but stretched and donned eyes, which weren't at all pleasing to her. "You're supposed to be my shadow? How am I to believe that? You came from the book!"
"Don't be naive. My life force was what you saw leaving the book. I am you! What? Don't believe me? Question me then, ask me things only you, Twilight Sparkle could know."
"Alright," Twilight said, sure this being was still lying. "When I was taking a test for Celestia in my intermediate stages, what did I put for answer number five?"
"You thought String Stem was a tailor. He was actually the author of various books, mostly involving ancient artifacts."
The shadoe was correct, but Twilight was still unsure, so the questions continued to flow, and every answer the fiend gave was one hundred percent correct. Finally admitting defeat, Twilight grumbled, "You win... Why are you here?" There was worry clearly detectable in her voice.
"To tell you the truth."
Becoming annoyed, Twilight claimed, "You're not being very clear with your words."
The being gave a small chuckle, and finally told her its name. "You may call me Shade, your shadow. I've lived with you since you were born, and I know everything about you. Most importantly, things that you won't accept, Twilight..."
Squinting, but still feeling the pressures of fear sinking in, Twilight asked, "What might those be, Shade? I know myself better than anyone! What could you possibly know about me that I don't?"
The being just continued to chuckle and uttered, "The Truth." For a long pause, Twilight situated herself to sit, eyes locked onto her shadow, waiting for it to reveal its meaning behind such promising murmurs. "The student of Celestia, and new Alicorn of Equestria... didn't she know all that was stolen?"
Twilight asked, "What do you mean?" She was becoming more curious to hear its words than before.
"As a filly, she played with her dolls. Stallions on the chessboard would get up with her magic and go where she wanted them to. Such a carefree individual... Upon leaving home, she thought she'd earned the title of Princess Celestia's Faithful Student... Kee hee. Little did she realize, while sitting in the waiting room of the royal student's school, her own friend sat wanting the same exact thing. If only you'd not shown early, the other would've become what you are so proud to be this day..."
"Who? Rarity?! She's never been interested in learning under Princess Celestia's wing!"
"What makes you so sure I've been referring to her?"
Twilight looked down, lost in confusion. Who could this being mean? Twilight returned her glances to Shade and asked, "Then who? Tell me. Who did I steal this from?"
Shade just giggled under its amused breath and said what Twilight would've never believed. "Trixie Lunamoon."
Devastation struck Twilight's soul. She slowly started to try and remember that day. As she did, she whispered to herself, "That... c-can't be..."
Never in a million years would she had been able to guess Trixie, of all mares was in the same room when all that was going down. Using its magic, Shade showed Twilight the remembrances only it could view while dormant. Trixie sat with her head low, the filly seemed to be asleep, but Shade explained, "She was meditating... She was so ready to do anything to impress those judges, even the impossible. Then..."
"They called me in," Twilight said, finishing Shade's sentence. "I remember now... I had passed her on the way out. I smiled and... oh, no... I've never realized it till now! I must've hurt her so badly... Trixie..."
"It's shocking, I know, for her to come into this scene so unexpectedly..." Its constant words of torment echoed through the walls with enjoyment. "I can show you more, but I warn you, with every truth revealed the closer you come to understanding how horrible a mare you really are. I'll tell you now, you don't deserve those wings! Why, you barely deserve your horn!"
"Enough!" Her yells ended the existence of the event. The room returned to normal, and Shade was gone. The book serenely closed on its own. Twilight looked down at her shadow on the floor. It held all kinds of bothering secrets, but Twilight knew now more than ever that she didn't require such powerful heartbreak. One objective settled in her mind that night. She had to go and apologize to Trixie immediately. Taking flight during such late hours, Twilight struggled with powerful winds, trying desperately to make her way to Trixie's caravan. She used her magic to find where the mare was, as it would've been pointless to simply go searching for her blindly. Not to mention, being an Alicorn and all, the locator spell was all too easy to perform, even during flight. It shot a beam of radiant, yellow light from Twilight's horn that directed her straight to Trixie.
For miles she flew, wind slapping her face and some tears escaping from both the speed and the depression setting itself in. Finally, she spotted it nestled underneath the trees. "Took me long enough," she said, still panting from the long journey. As she landed and the golden line that guided her dissipating, she saw the lights inside were still on. All that time, Twilight had known Trixie without ever truly introducing herself.
As she approached and knocked, Twilight gulped and noticed she felt cold inside. What if Trixie was unforgiving? Sure, that would be selfish, but all this did belong to her anyway; being Celestia's student, becoming an alicorn, having the friends she did, all of it didn't truly belong to Twilight, because she stole it all right from underneath Trixie's muzzle. If she never tried that day, Trixie would've passed and more than likely she would've become the student Celestia always wished for. After all, at the time, Celestia was in search of a successor. If Twilight never existed, the role would've definitely gone to Trixie.
The door opened. The show mare looked surprised to see such a familiar, though hurt face at her doorstep. "Twilight Sparkle?! What brings you here?"
"I... need to talk to you..."
"Are you crying...? Has the Great and Powerful Trixie done something to emotionally hurt you?"
Twilight shook her head, and was allowed in. Her hostess got some drinks prepared and showed her guest to a circular table, still confused as to why strands of tear stains could be seen on Twilight's cheeks. "Can Trixie get you a cloth, your highness?"
That last word was the last thing Twilight wanted to hear, for it mocked her conscience and reminded her that it should be Trixie being called highness. "Yes, please..." Twilight sniffled with a new drop falling from her right eye.
Trixie levitated the rag over and began clearing the lines of liquid away while asking, "Why do you cry, Twilight? Tell us! Please...?"
With a sigh, she began. "I'm not... supposed to be a princess..." Trixie blinked, but continued to listen. "I've just seen the passed, and I can't believe it, but...I st-... I had... oh sweet Celestia..."
Out of randomness, more tears shed freely, so Trixie walked over to comfort Twilight. "Oh, come now... Stop this, Twilight! You can tell Trixie. What is it?"
Feeling Trixie's tight tugs solemnly gave her the strength to admit, "All I have... belongs to you."
"Wait... huh?" Trixie questioned, not sure what Twilight was truly saying.
"When you were a filly, you and I, we both wanted admission into the Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns, right?"
Shocked by Twilight knowing this detail of her life, Trixie asked, "But... how could you know that? Trixie never told anypony about those days of Trixie's life!"
"I used a type of magic, the kind that... well, it's difficult to explain, but I saw you in the same room, and just before your turn, I was called in... If I had never arrived, it would've been your turn, and without a doubt, you would've gotten Celestia's praise with time. Trixie, I'm... just so, very sorry."
The showmare almost didn't believe it, but with the memories surfacing, her seeing Twilight pass by with that cocky grin spread tauntingly across her face, Trixie understood now that Twilight was telling the truth. "After you left..." Trixie began, "They stopped the day's testing, and Trixie returned home, forced to live with the knowledge that she had been so close, and yet failed... You mean it was Trixie that should be an Alicorn, and not you?"
"I'm sorry... I just-" Twilight collapsed and broke into sobs. Her face buried itself into Trixie's chest. Tears rippled down the two's coats while cries of unrelenting sorrow pierced their ears. Twilight could no longer form solid words, for they came out in indeterminable squeals. Trixie didn't shed a single tear. Instead, she smiled, and accepted it. "Trixie isn't mad, Twilight. She is happy you came to admit this to her. Trixie hadn't remembered it, but now, looking back, she sees you passing by as a filly. Trixie thanks you for being so honest and sincere."
Twilight looked up at her friend, feeling more peaceful with the words of her host fresh in her head. "You're seriously not upset?"
"Well," Trixie said with sarcasm. "She's a little annoyed, but far from upset. Trixie's just glad you went so far out of your way to tell her this... Thank you, Twilight Sparkle. You're a true friend."
Twilight felt a forceful hug be pressured onto her, and loved it every moment. While her eyes closed, tears still cascading away, Twilight asked, "C-Can I, maybe stay with you tonight? I'm tired, and Ponyville's a little too far away to make the trip..."
Trixie chuckled and responded with, "Of course Twilight. Trixie's caravan is always open to you if you ever need someplace to stay."
Fortunately, she had an extra mattress Twilight could use as a bed. It wasn't as cozy as her usual bed back home, but it worked just fine. Trixie walked over to the candlelight and was about to blow it out when Twilight asked, "Please leave it low...? I'm a bit afraid of the darkness tonight."
Snickering, Trixie nodded understandingly and asked, "You know I'm not that concerned with the whole Alicorn thing, right?"
"You're not...? I mean, I was just thinking about maybe going to Canterlot and-"
"It's all right Twilight," Trixie assured. "I'm fine being a unicorn... and besides, I'll bet having those wings are more trouble to keep care of then they're worth."
As the two laughed at the remark, Twilight wished Trixie a good night's rest, and the show mare did the same to her guest. The sounds of crickets could be heard outside, instantly placing the two magic weavers in their dreams. While Twilight dreamed of how good a friend Trixie had become, Trixie slept with the thoughts of how she didn't care anymore of becoming an Alicorn. Though it would've been a wonderful experience, she knew Twilight deserved the privilege more.