Prologue Pt. I

"Concentrate Twilight. Feel the flow of magic all around you, feel it flowing through your very veins as you listen to the sounds of the world. Put forth the one thing that keeps you attached to the emotions of this physical world."

Taking a deep breath to calm her increasing nerves, Princess Twilight Sparkle clamped her eyes shut as a swirl of mist began to encircle her standing form, her wings outstretched to brace herself for the spell she was preparing to cast. A bright magenta purple glow began to encompass her lavender purple horn, with which came a bone chilling breeze that grew from the ceiling to whirl around the room, making the dark sapphire blue curtains billow out as if they were plumes of smoke, spewing forth from the mouth of an erupting volcano.

Storm clouds began to gather on the painted ceiling of the small chamber, creating flashes of lightening that struck random spots on the ground. Here and there the smell of burnt tile began to waft into the air, creating a very musty smell that threatened to make her lose her lunch. Holding back the contents of her stomach, Twilight put more energy into her spell.

The storm clouds moved from the ceiling to hover in a spot just a few feet before the Princess. Slowly, they started to chase one another around in a circle that grew faster and faster as the spell was dragged out. A low hum filled the air.

A deafening clop of thunder boomed as the mist circling Twilight began to encompass the floor beneath the raging storm. The wind was starting to die down while a brilliant flash if light began to grow in the center of the clouds. With a resounding pop, followed by a quick crack, there was a shape that took form in the center of the chaos.

Without any warning, the clouds began dissipating at a rapid pace while the mist was filing out of the room faster than Rainbow Dash. When all of the obstructions had left, they left in their wake a perfect clone of none other than, Princess Twilight Sparkle.

An alicorn mare with a lavender purple coat that was just as rich and soft as the original, her wings were just the same, not a feather out of place. Her deep purple eyes seemed to display the same sense of knowledge and curiosity as her original counterpart, while she wore the same crown as the original as well, just not as bright. In all, she was a perfect clone, except for one thing. When she spoke, there was naught but garble that left her throat.

Princess Celestia let out a little giggle, raising a hoof to her lips to keep herself from outright laughing, before she spoke, "That's alright Twilight. For your first time performing this spell, you did a wonderful job." She let out a slight sigh before she used her own magic to pull back the curtains and reveal a setting sun to her most favorite student. "Go now Princess, that is all for today."

Without a second thought, Twilight barreled out of the magic training room and bounded down the hall, heading towards her own private quarters in the West wing of Canterlot Castle.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, with it was the weight that he had been carrying on his shoulders for the last few days. Since they had arrived in Canterlot a week before, Twilight had done her usual, hit the books and never leave until her task was done. She had tore through books, scrolls, virtually anything with writing on it that she could read to learn new magic spells in preparation for a few new lessons that Princess Celestia had in store for her.

Spike's role had been to help Twilight however he could. At times he would fetch books for her, sometimes he would bring her a quick bite of food with some water to keep her throat moist. Other times he would be seen reading a book while lying beside her or reading the same book with her, each one taking turns reading lines until Spike grew bored of the book, which was very rare anymore.

He had enjoyed the time that he got to spend with Twilight, his best friend, and his marefriend. Just to remember that they were a couple was still new to him, but it was something that he could easily get used to. He could still remember when he had told her how he had felt, though he had some help from Rarity. He was overjoyed when she not only returned his feelings, but together they shared their first kiss. It was one memory that they would both remember for the rest of their lives, no matter what.

Though they were now a couple, and had been for the past two months, they had little time to do anything together aside from study. Twilight had intended to change this however, thus she promised Spike that after her lesson they would go out and do something together. Spike did not now what she had in mind for them to do, but with her now being a princess, her name alone could earn them any place that they so desired.

Spike knew Twilight better, and he knew that she would never in her life use her high ranking as Celestia's favorite to garner anything special, aside from a special treat from the royal chefs. Together they were going to have a wonderful night, all he had to do was to wait for Twilight to return. Patience had always been a virtue for him, so he knew that waiting was nothing.

With his new free time, Spike took a moment to look around the room. They had been moved to the Castle's Western Tower, or 'Sun Spire' as it was called by the guards. It had gained this name from when the Princess was living in here, just before she took over Luna's old room.

The room had been refitted with a royal King size bed, with elegant emerald sheets and a canvas covering. The floor of the room was made of a dark smokey courts crystal, blended into it were small carvings of the sun, moon, and elements of harmony. Beside of the bed was a single nightstand, golden yellow in color with two drawers and a small grey lamp sitting atop it.

Looking out across the room from the bed, he was able to see the balcony that opened up to a view of Canterlot, and far off in the distance, Ponyville. With the dark sapphire blue curtains pulled back he was able to see the sun beginning to kiss the world goodbye, dipping behind the distant mountain range. With the light of day gone, he was able to watch as the moon began to rise in the sky, with it came the night lights of Canterlot and Ponyville, both elegant against the green landscape behind them.

With only a single bound, he made his way from the bed to the balcony to watch the nightlife of the city. Far below he could see the many lampposts that lined the streets begin to light up one after another, almost looking like a string of lightening bugs lighting up in complete unison. Ponies could be seen walking about, some of those who were in love walked with a certain bounce, while some couples had their tails intertwined together to show their affection to the world.

Looking down the street a ways, Spike was able to see the small doughnut shop that he and Twilight used to visit all of the time. Sitting inside were some mares and stallions with their families, their children clinging on them while eating one of the sweetest treats known to pony kind. It was a sight that was welcomed by him, but one that made him start to think about his feelings for Twilight and their future together. Is Twilight ready for the ultimate commitment, is she ready to have children, though they will look sort of different?

His train of thoughts never ended as Twilight silently opened the door and entered the room, watching her beloved dragon standing at the balcony as she did so. Her eyes went slightly wide as she realized not only that he looked stunning in the moonlight, his amethyst scales reflecting the white light in small sparkles around the room, but he had truly grown in the last two months. He was now standing head height with Princes Celestia, while Twilight herself was just slightly shorter than the Princess.

Taking in a deep breath, she giggled before she began to creep over towards her beloved dragon, unaware of the silent thud of the door behind her. Spike had heard the light, almost silent giggle, which he would recognize anywhere. Thus he was aware that Twilight was in the room, if the heavy aroma of lavender, crossed with the nose biting scent of crushed pine needles, and fused with the heavenly smell of vanilla, did not already tell him.

With a slight grin across his lips, Spike waited until Twilight was standing right behind him before he whirled around to grasp her within his now outstretched arms, making her yelp with surprise and her cheeks flush. Leaning in slowly, they let their eyes fall shut as their lips came into contact with one another, feeling like it was only them in the world, and this one moment to share together.

Their kiss never broke even as the door to their room swung open and a cannon was shoved through it first, firing off a large collection of confetti before a pink pony raced into the room. "Surprise!" Neither Spike nor Twilight took any notice, seeing as how they were still lost in their own moment of serenity and compassion.

"Really now Pinkie Pie, was that necessary. I mean, just look as this beautiful scene at the balcony, you don't want to ruin it do you?" With a shake of her head, a silvery-white mare with an elegantly curled royal blue mane and tail walked into the room. "Tsk, tsk. Terribly sorry dear... Twilight?"

Both lover's had yet to come out of their trance like state, and now one could see that their tongues were wrestling about between their lips. Though that did not stop a cyan colored Pegasus with a rainbow colored mane and tail from swooping in on the couple from outside and almost knocking them over. "Blugh, enough with all this sappy stuff already. I didn't come all the way here to watch this."

At this Spike finally pulled away from Twilight, though she was not released from his arms. Despite the fact that their friends were in the room watching them, he never wanted to let her leave the safety of his loving embrace.

An amethyst purple with black stripes Pegasus walked silently down the various halls of Canterlot castle. His amethyst eyes raised every now and again to see which door or hall he was arriving at, but otherwise he just watched the floor as if it had the answers to all of his problems.

Though he was afraid to admit it to anypony for fear of it reaching her ears, he was in love with his one and only best friend, who he had known since she was a filly. For years now he had loved her, and he wanted nothing more than to be with her, but he thought that what she was looking for in a stallion he would never be able to provide.

Feeling like he was on the verge of tears, he looked up just as he turned down another hall, seeing that he was in the South wing of the castle. Here was where he was to find his close friend and the niece of both Princess Luna and Celestia, Princess Cadence. Cadence was the only pony that he knew who knew so much about love, and could probably help him with his troubles.

Knowing that she was most likely at the end of the hall with her husband Shining Armor, he could not help but feel even more nervous than he already was, seeing as how he now had to not only tell Cadence, but her husband as well. Shining Armor was the older brother to Princess Twilight Sparkle, and told her almost everything that happened in Canterlot, unless of course Cadence made him swear otherwise.

Taking a deep, calming breath to steady his nerves, he proceeded down the hall. Coming to the end, he had just begun to raise a hoof to knock when the door opened, revealing a beautiful pink mare with a cream colored mane and tail. Standing behind her was a white stallion, a sapphire blue mane and tail adorned his features.

"Hello, P-P-Princess. I-I-I was wondering if I c-could trouble you f-for a moment?" He tried to manage a wry smile, but Cadence could clearly see right through it as she opened the door and allowed him to enter.

He was led to a set of couches that had been set up around a crystal table, which adorned a small lamp on the far side with carvings of numerous famous ponies in history along the legs.

Shining Armor and Cadence took one couch while he sat across from them, nervousness written all over him. Both Shining Armor and Cadence could see this, thus they were not surprised when he asked, "Can, t-this conversation s-stay between us p-p-please?"

Cadence smiled warmly at him while Shining Armor said, "Of course Rain. Anything you have to say, I will not tell a living soul, I promise."

A heavy sigh escaped his lips at those words, making him feel like he was more able to be open with them. "Well, y-you see, I uh, sort of, um..." Tears came to his eyes as he found that he did not have the courage to say what was on his mind, the courage to seek the help that he needed in this matter of importance to him. With another sigh, he took a breath and tried again. "Please do not shout or s-say anything to her, b-b-but I-I h-h-have been in l-l-l-love with a m-mare f-f-for a long time now."

He could see Cadence trying to contain her joy at his words, it was evident in her voice. "You mean it?! You are actually in love?! Rain, that is wonderful."

Nothing could deter the onslaught of tears that assaulted his eyes, "But there are complications. I do not know if she loves me or not, or for that matter if I hold any of the qualities that she looks for in a mate or stallion. I just, I just don't know what to do." If it was at all possible, it looked as if every tear in his body was falling at this moment, like a waterfall dripping its last remnants. "I love her so much, but I just know she loves another, I can see it in her eyes. She loves him like nothing I could ever compare to. In my heart I can feel her slowly twisting and turning it to do her bidding, yet also trying to hard not to break it because of its delicacy."

By now Shining Armor was trying to stifle a few tears of his own, or as he liked to call them, 'liquid pride'. This did nothing however to help Rain, but he did not know the full extent of what he was feeling, he had never felt that way before. Cadence however went from happy to depressed in a matter of seconds, for she had been in his shoes when she fell in love with Shining Armor. "Oh Rain, I know what you must be feeling." Tears started to fall from her own eyes. "If I was you however, I would not be afraid to tell her how I feel. She might actually feel the same way you do. You'll never truly know unless you try, but try to tell her in a way that won't ruin your friendship."

Taking a moment to think about her words, he asked, "What if she doesn't feel the same. What if, if..." He did not want to think about his next words, for they would torment him forever if he did. Thinking about an easier approach, he realized that what she said was true. He needed to tell her how he felt, even if she did not feel the same way, at least then he would know.

Wiping away the tears from his eyes with a hoof he whispered, "Thank you, both of you."

Feeling a bit curious as to who he loved, Cadence could not help but ask, "If it is not too much trouble, who is it that you are in love with?" She had a feeling that it was Twilight, but seeing as how she and Spike were together she ruled that out, but then she began to think of her aunts and thought that maybe they were it.

When he did speak, it was sort of shaky, but she could tell that he was happy to be saying it out loud for once. "I love Applejack." It was both a surprise, yet it was not, at the same time. Thinking about how he was and how she was, she could see it actually. This just made her slightly giddy with tremendous joy, that her closest friend that she considered a younger brother, had found love.

Despite the fact that he was excited to see Applejack and tell her how he felt, he could not help but feel like it was all for naught, as his nerves began to come back and assail his body like a giant tidal wave washing past a seaside city. "Thank you, now if you will excuse me, I shall take my leave of absence. I will be sure to tell you what happens."

Applejack sat down upon her crimson red silky, soft sheets, letting out a relaxing sigh as she did so. Leaning her body back upon it, she stretched out as she closed her eyes for a moment to take in the fresh, clean scent of the sheets. A pleasant mixture of crushed juniper berries, freshly made apple tarts, and a invigorating scent of jasmine. Although it was a pleasant smell, it did not have the scent of fresh paper, or the slight stench of ink, it did not smell like him.

Deep within her heart she felt a constant pain of loneliness, just thinking about him made it feel even worse if it was at all possible. She wanted to tell him how she felt, let him know that she was going to be there for him forever, no matter what the cost to herself, but she could never bring herself to do it. The only thing that held her back, the one thing that would refuse to elude her, was the courage to say so. Fear of him rejecting her kept her at bay, and being as tough as she was, she had hoped that the courage was there, but she never felt it.

At night, like she did now, she would look at the other side of the bed and imagine his head resting there, watching her every move until she curled up into the bed with him. He would hold her in his arms and never let go, even if it would kill him, for he loved her with his whole heart. Yet, she often felt alone and lost, even when she knew that he was her best friend. It was never enough for her, and each day she felt her sanity of being without him starting to slip away.

In an almost inaudible whisper she said, "I love ya Rain, and I wish ya felt the same way bout me." Tears began to trickle from her eyes as she grabbed a pillow and buried her head into it, letting her hat fall to the floor as she tried to cry away the pain that stabbed at her heart.

Her head jerked up at the sound of hooves clopping against the stone floor of Canterlot castle just outside of her door before a knock rang forth, echoing throughout the room. She held still as she listened to see who it was, wondering if she should answer it. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard his soft and caring voice, "Applejack, it's me, Rain. You may be asleep, I uh, just wanted to say good night and uh, if you can hear me, I would like to talk to you about something whenever you are awake."

Not knowing what it was that he had to say, she almost bolted from the bed as she made her way to the door and jerked it open, seeing Rain's cutie marks just as he was walking away. "Rain, wait." His head slowly spun round until their eyes met, and Rain could once again see all of the love that the mare had in her eyes, though he did not know where it was directed. "Please, I am awake now, what is it that you wanted to say?"

She turned around after he entered the room and made his way to sit before her bed, watching intently as she carefully made her way to sit on the floor before him, never letting their eyes part for even a breath's moment. Neither could hear the faint beating of their hearts as they rapidly tried to get close to one another, though they could hear each others words as though they were the last that they were ever going to hear.

"Applejack, we have been friends since we were young. After all that time, I began to develop a deep sense that something between us was changing." In her mind Applejack was screaming at herself for not being forth going with her feelings before. "Applejack, I cannot really say what I am feeling in your way, but I can in mine. My heart burns for you, it waits to see your smiling face everyday. Not a days goes by that you are not the first thing on my mind. I don't know if you can see me the way I see you, but I love you."

Applejack held her breath to see if this was a dream, when she found that it wasn't she couldn't help herself. Silence filled the room, not a sound aside from their soft breathing could be heard. Rain watched Applejack as a sea of emotions flashed in her eyes before settling once again on love, but this time it burned stronger than he had ever seen it burn before. "Rain, I love ya too." A single second of silence was held after her words, during which Rain looked at Applejack as if he had not heard her admittance of feelings.

Nothing was said as Applejack rose to her feet and pushed Rain to where he lie on his back, looking up at her while she looked down at him, their eyes locking in an eternal embrace. Together they let their eyes drop while their lips drew near to one another, unaware of the white beam of light that encircled them. Neither one seemed to notice as their lips came together that a sense of weightlessness began to overtake them.

Together they began to float upwards towards the night sky, unaware as they passed through the ceiling of the Castle. The overwhelming sense of love, joy, and passion that assailed them drowned out all other senses. Nothing else in the world mattered to them other than each other, yet a strong force drove them apart, beginning a loud bang that resounded in their ears followed by their worlds being cloaked in shadow...

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