When my mom died, I saw it happen.

   I was just a filly then. She disappeared into the darkness one night, and I followed her, trying not to be seen. Where was she going?

   And then I saw it. The battle against the shadows. She rushed to Princess Celestia's side, and helped her hold back the creatures, along with many others. I wanted to help, too, but I thought that I couldn't make a difference. Besides, they seemed to be handling it just fine.

   I was about to leave when I heard my mom scream. When I whipped my head around, I saw that she had been hit by a shadow.

   "Mommy!!" I screamed and ran to her, ignoring the ponies' shouts and warnings. She lay on the ground, motionless. "Mommy, wake up!"

   Her eyes blinked open, and she smiled at the sight of me. "Help them." she whispered. "You're their only hope."

   "But, what about you?" I asked as tears streamed down my cheeks.

   "Don't worry about me." she said. "I love you, my little Sunset." And she closed her eyes for the last time.

   "No!!" My scream sounded weak and helpless, filled with agony. I hugged her one more time. She was limp in my arms. Now I was furious. How dare those shadows kill the only family I had?! I noticed that without my mom's help, the force field was fading. They were winning, and I knew I had to help.