The Book was nowhere to be found, though Ponyville would never forget the day it's power ran amok. Twilight became reclusive, flying over the Everfree Forest with her many stolen wings. Feeling lost without her magic horn and betrayed my her old friends, she prowled the forest, punishing any foal unlucky enough to find her awake. Princess Celestia once motioned to kill her, but Spike intervened.

"This is Twilight's way of calming down. If it takes her a thousand years, so be it."

Celestia looked at Spike, and halted her guards. "You're right. I was being rash." She looked into the setting sun, its light fading quickly.

“She was a nice kid. Like a mother to me, and caring to my needs." Spike shook his head. "What exactly happened back there, Princess Celestia? She started acting this way... well, she started acting this way after a trip to your old castle. Rainbow Dash mentioned a book.” Princess Celestia frowned. She looked carefully at the dragon before turning around and looking at the full moon.

“It was a book." she began. Spike looked at the sunset moon alongside her, listening intently. "It was meant to be a way to defeat Discord. A way to master the spells he used and then throw them right back at him. Starswirl himself prepared it after arduous study. Once it was made, however, we realized that there was no way to contain the power bestowed by The Book. It resurfaces from time to time, each time with a new host full of desire for one thing or another. Its last victim was none other than my sister, or as you knew her, Nightmare Moon. My sister was shown only what mattered to her; a way to become more powerful than me. We were still fillies at that time; she became older using The Book's wicked magic. When you used the Elements of Harmony, you negated her aging spell. When you used the Elements on Discord, you negated all of his spells that The Book was based on.”

“So let me get this straight; you're telling me that the Elements are in complete opposition to that Book?” Spike thought he had a grasp on what the Princess was speaking about. Was The Book just as powerful as the Elements?

“Well, you could argue that the Elements are the pure antithesis to The Book. Actually, that's exactly how I would phrase it. The only problem is that Twilight was the Element of Magic, and to restore her is now nigh on impossible. I only fear what this will do to the integrity of the other Elements...” Celestia paused to make the sun disappear beyond the horizon. “As long as the book does not resurface, we will be fine. Unfortunately, its resurfacing is destined to happen. Should it appear once again, Spike, I task you with tracking it down and destroying it, once and for all.”

Spike nodded and walked away without another word. He would train for that day, prepare for the moment when The Book would strike once more. And this time, he would be ready for it.

Well lookie here! What a trooper! You've read my entire fanfiction- not exactly a noteworthy feat, but a feat of importance nonetheless. You may notice a few similarities to Cupcakes. Half of them were intentional, but some were... unexpected. Needless to say I carved a different perception of a similar (not the same) plot. Put any complaints about this being a 'half-assed copy' in the comments, please, because everyone loves to hear you whine. What's this? Was I too soft on you? This can't be the ending? It's too jolly to be the ending of a horror story? Well, you're half-right. This is the ENDING, but not the END. As it happens, there's a sequel. It's called The Stone, and it takes place three months after the events of this story. I'll give you the link - but first, let me thank you (yes, you). I just want to thank you personally for reading the entire fanfiction. If you ever draw fanart, make sure to tell me! I've reserved a little section at the end of this book just for fanart. Don't see the little section? That's probably because nopony's sent me anything. Well, I've kept you waiting long enough. Enjoy The Stone (it's about 20% cooler)!

Oh, and have a link to my and StaticWave's dA. He'll love that.