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Present Day

Golden Oaks Library

Twilight Sparkle

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I tossed and turned with my blankets thrown haphazardly around the bed and floor, while groaning and sweating profusely. ‘Where am I... ‘ I thought myself.

“Twilight...Twilight?” A voice spoke out from somewhere.

"Uh-Wha? Spike? That you?" I asked, sitting up from my spot on the bed.

"Yeah, you alright? You were sweating... a lot." Spike said, looking up at me friend worriedly

“Oh” I dragged myself out of bed and trotted to the bathroom. “Heheh must have had a bad dream last night” I remarked as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

From the corner of eye I saw Spike standing in the doorway. “It must have been very bad, you were screaming and kicking in the middle of the night. I woke up to try calm you but you kicked me” I heard him grunt as he rubbed the spot on his head where an obvious bruise was visible.

“I did?....Oh! Spike I am so sorry are you okay?!” I looked at him in a panicked state.

“Whoa whoa Twilight I’m just fine. It’s just a bruise.”

“Oh I hope I didn't give you a concussion! Or brain damage...oh! That would so terrible of me-”

“Twilight! I’m okay!” Spike pulled my head down to his and gave me a stern look. “Relax I’m not damaged.”

Grinning sheepishly I replied. “I almost did it again didn't I?”

“A panic attack? Yeah.” He let go of me then headed out of the room. “Breakfast is ready when you are Twi!” I heard Spike call from downstairs.

“Okay thanks Spike!” I replied maybe a little too quickly. “Anyway what are these dreams about? Every night this month I have been having them.” I thought closing my eyes for a few moments and then I remembered something very similar from the past… “This closely resembles those nightmares me and my friends had when the nightmare energy took Rarity from us. Even though Nightmare herself wasn't there somehow some of her energy gained sentience”

I snapped my eyes open and began to panic again but shacked my head furiously. “No that’s absurd we already defeated Nightmare Moon and that energy was purified by our Harmony magic.” As I turned to the door the scent of pancakes filled my nostrils. “Oh Spike must be making blueberry pancakes this time.”

Making my way down the stairs I noticed how clean the library was, every shelf and book has been dusted and re-shelved. “Hmm everything is clean but...how long was I asleep?”

“About 10 hours”

“Ahhhhhhhh!! Spike don’t do that!” I glared at him for a moment.

Spike only snickered. “Sorry Twilight but you were asleep for much longer than usual.”

Sighing I asked. “10 hours did you say?” Spike nodded. “Great, just great I am so behind on my schedule.” I grumbled as I made my way into the kitchen and sat at the circular table. I noticed with slight amusement by just how many pancakes were actually on our plates. “Just how many did you make Spike?”

“Well most of them were going to be for me...but considering how badly you've sleeping recently, I thought you could use a pick-me up.”

“Thank you my Number One Assistant” I replied by fondly giving him a quick hug.

“Twilight that's-" I heard him trail off for just a second. "...It's no trouble Twi”

After letting him go I asked. “Did any of the girls come by while I was out?”

“Yeah they did, except Applejack she’s in Apploosa right now, something about a family get together or something.”

Spike shrugged than began to dig into his pancakes. 'For just a baby dragon he sure eats a lot' I giggled before also devouring my own breakfast.

About half an hour later we finished breakfast and head out into town to begin my schedule for the day. Ponyville was about three weeks into spring so the winter frost was long gone but some frozen grass could still be seen here and there. I looked up to see a rainbow trail pass above clearly meaning Rainbow Dash was busy clearing the sky of clouds with the weather team. Probably so she could hang hangout with somepony or take a nap.

“Seems like Dash is pretty busy this morning” I heard Spike point out.

“Yeah when she not napping.” I giggled.

“Hey Twilight I forgot to mention this earlier, but Princess Celestia is coming to visit soon”

“...What!?! How could you forget that and-”  For just a moment I felt an overpowering anger at the mention of the Princess’ name which completely cut off my rant before it even began. “Wha-what was I ...Where did THAT come from?”

“Eh…” Spike noticed my odd look. “Okay where did what come from?” He asked tilting his head to the side.

“I don’t know, besides your forgetfulness I suddenly felt angry for an...ugh never mind. What time did the Princess say she was coming to town?” I continued walking if only to shake off that anger from wherever it came from.

Spike gave me a skeptical look but answered. “Around 3 I think… so about in four hours since it’s 11 o’clock right now.” He stated as we entered Sugarcube Corner.

“Okay then” I took a moment to think. ‘Why did I feel angry like that? Especially at the mention of my mentor?’ As I was lost in my own thoughts, I failed to notice everything seemed to stop around me until I bumped my muzzle into a wall and landed flat on my haunches.

“Ow” I looked up and heard a voice coming from nowhere.

“Twilight”

“Huh? Was that you Spike?” I turned around only to see nopony around. “Hey, where is everypony?”

“Don’t ignore me little mare”

“Wh-who’s there?!”

“Me or what was me” The voice growled.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Answer me!”

“You know exactly what I meant Twilight! ...But that’s not important right now.”

I started breaking out in a cold sweat as this creepy voice sent chills down my spine. It sounded so cold and angry, like a snake protecting itself from a threat.

“Soon very soon your entire world will fall apart and the ones you cherish the most will suffer” The voice was obviously feminine but was I was too scared to notice. The voice laughed as it continued. I will enjoy those days when I am free of this infernal prison.”

Swallowing the fear that was trying to pour over, I yelled. “Who are you and what do want with my friends?!?”

“All you need to know right now is the name …Dusk” The voice laughed across my ears.

“Dusk?...W-w-well Dusk I will not allow whatever you are planning to happen”

“You don’t have a choice foal....” The voice vanished as light returned to my vision.

“Twi...ligh…”

“Ugh”

“Twilight! ...wak…com...on! Twilight!”

Jumping to my haunches in surprise my looked around and noticed that I was laying down in the middle of the bakery. “What happened Spike and where is that voice?”

“Voice? What are talking about Twi? You suddenly passed out on the floor!”  Spike exclaimed while he was helping me to my hooves. “Geez , are you sure you’re okay? That scared me.”

“I’m fine Spike just tired is all.”

“I don’t know Twilight maybe you should get some more rest.”

“Oh is one my bestest best friends tired?!” A loud cheery voice called out from behind the bakery’s counter. “I have just the thing!” I twisted my swiftly and saw Pinkie Pie pulled out a very large bullhorn from out of who knows where. “A wake-me-up-bullhorn!” I lit my horn knowing what  was about to happen as Pinkie took a deep breath.

“Everypony run for it!” A stallion called out.

“Oh no not again” I heard Mrs. Cake groan.

Before anypony could get a hoof outside Pinkie blew on the horn which caused every pony in the bakery to fly into the walls and out the door with the exception of Mrs. Cake who I noticed ran into the kitchen then closed the door. I luckily put up a barrier around myself and Spike before the Pinkie’s explosive antic.

“Pinkie! Was that necessary!?” I exclaimed dropping the barrier.

She giggled. “Silly Twilight of course it was.” She said as she waved her hoof at me dismissively.

I blinked then rolled my eyes and sighed. “Right.”

“Oh whoops sorry teehee! Sorry Twi-Twi!” Pinkie said as she started bouncing around me.

“I guess it’s just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. Anyway how are the orders coming along?” I managed to regain some of my composure but couldn't get my mind away from thoughts about that creepy voice from earlier.

“Just fine actually I’ll be heading to Canterlot soon to help out your old buddy Donut Joe!” Pinkie happily exclaimed.

I put up a forced smile. “Oh? That’s great ...Spike we should get going and finish the schedule see you later Pinkie” Spike hopped on my back as we left the building while Pinkie Pie waved from the corner of my vision before heading back to work.

“Hey Twilight that wasn’t much of a reaction.” Spike pointed out clearly with another worried tone which I noted but pointedly shrugged off.

“Hmm? Oh I guess not…”

Eventually I began to feel sick to my stomach while a painful headache formed. I couldn't prevent my body from wobbling back and forth than I collapsed on the dirt street.

“Twilight! Are you okay?!” Spike exclaimed.

“Spike”

“I’m here hold on I’ll get help!” I saw him looking to the sky and he gasped. I turned my head over a bit and saw a golden chariot coming our way.

Princess Celestia and her guards descended from the sky, the aforementioned princess went wide eyed at the sight of me former faithful student lying in the middle of the road. Celestia jumped off the chariot and galloped to reach me. “Get help from the hospital immediately!” The guards nodded and flew to the hospital.

“Her breathing isn't good Princess!” My vision began to blur.

I could feel Celestia's warm magic envelope me and levitate me onto her back. The guards eventually arrived with the medics in tow.

“Hold on Twilight”

In the far reaches of my mind I heard the voice again. Angry whispers and laughter filled the void while that female voice spoke. “Soon…” Next Chapter: Chapter 3 - Dusk and Dawn Estimated time remaining: 25 Minutes