Tara stretches as she and Twilight enter the spa, seeing Indigo behind the desk without her sister.

"Oh, Tara, I didn't expect to see you so soon." Indigo smiles as she looks up from her computer screen.

"Edward's familiar was feeling down, so I figured a little soak in your spring might help relax her." Tara smiles as the pair walk to the desk.

Indigo steps out and nods, leading them towards the hot spring.

"We haven't got many visits lately since the atmosphere around Kilgharrah seemed to shift most suddenly. Ripley made a comment towards it the other day when she was here." Indigo informs them as they reach the sliding doors.

"Thanks, we'll keep that in mind and my tab is still good?" Tara asks, idly biting her lip.

"Mhmm, Miss Sparkles tab is still B266 in credit, I still wonder why you paid so much in advance." Indigo shrugs as she smiles before leaving the girls to their hot spring.

Tara leads Twilight into the changing room, sighing as she strips slowly, placing her clothes in a basket. Twilight follows suit placing her uniform in the basket beside Tara's as they grab towels and head inside the spring.

"Let's get you fresh first." Tara smiles as she sits Twilight down on a stool, grabbing the conditioner to apply to the mare's mane.

"It seems hopeless..." Twilight sighs deeply as Tara washes her hair, "We can't find any trace of him, not even magically. It's like something is blocking him or something."

Tara frowns, washing out the conditioner before helping with her body.

"It's possible. You did tell me about the gem people and we've had lessons on the Nightmare Force. It could be one or the other has kidnapped/recruited Edward... Also given what you've said, they could have preyed on his state at this time..." Tara soaps up Twilight's front and back, "To this, I'd wager the Nightmare Force lured him to their side."

"Is it weird to be felt up by an alternative version of yourself from another universe?" Twilight asks randomly making Tara blink, realising she's casually groping her chest.

"Hmm, not ideally, no. Though one could argue that's why I didn't realise, we are, by definition, the same person. Logically, it's no different than touching myself, but at the same time it is." Tara puzzles as she squeezes lightly making Twilight freak out and blush deeply.

Tara laughs lightly as she smiles, "I-I see what you mean, doesn't make it any less awkward!" Twilight takes a breath, "I've been thinking... If we travel to alternative universes and see certain conditions, would those conditions influence how we see certain ponies or subjects in a different light."

Tara hums as she doses Twilight in water to wash her off before she switches places.

"Thinking about Lilith or your equivalent?" Tara smiles as her counterpart blushes, "Heh, we can't seem to hide anything either. Random guess, you're bi and it's not the first time you've looked at a girl?"

Twilight nods, "Rainbow/Ripley-" Both girls state at the same time, using either's name for the mare in question.

Twilight takes her turn to laugh, "I guess we both fell for the toned body and brash nature. For me, I'm not sure what happened but Fluttershy had better chemistry than I did, they are getting married soon."

Tara sighs as she finishes washing quickly, "She was wonderful... It just didn't last. Instead, Rarity saw an opportunity, which is fine. Our affair was more an experiment, to begin with, I simply was too slow to claim her affections."

Twilight sighs too as Tara finishes washing, both girls getting in the hot spring to let out a synced content sigh.

"Anyway... I saw how you and Luna are and... It's making me see things I didn't before, certain gestures or nods that are now so clear..." Twilight plays with the water.

"But, you've grown to like someone else and don't think 'Luna', would be open for sharing?" Tara queries, leaning her head back.

Twilight nods, "I know she wouldn't... I also think I've waited too long to see the signs, not for her, but for myself... She's strong, gorgeous and so many other things, but... I really like someone else." She groans, lowering her muzzle into the spring

"You're adorable. Variables happen, we both know this. Because Rarity took Rainbow, I'm engaged to Lilith. Who knows who you might have liked if you didn't get sent here, but you did. From that variable, Edward was the result, it's just how things turned out." Tara stretches, as she looks at Twilight, "Though, we have to find and or save him before you can develop that route."

Twilight lifts her head out of the water, glancing up at the blue sky, "Romance is complicated..."

Tara couldn't help but laugh at that, "I'm sorry, it's like watching me from an earlier stage in development, amusing, but also interesting. You'll get there, just as I did, least you have me to help you." Tara sighs, sinking a little lower, "For now, we soak here then figure out where he could be, or rather where they might have him."

Twilight agrees, also leaning back to try and relax before they continue their search.

The darkness seemed to expand in an endless landscape in every direction, Edward sat in a cross-legged position to meditate on his feelings as instructed by Shadowfright. Assuming he is all but along till his concentration is stolen by a familiar voice.

"So, we're reduced to this, are we?" The voice asks, chuckling a little.

Opening his eyes, Edward blinks as in front of him is practically a reflection of himself, albeit a little darker in aspects.

"Over a little spat between friends?" Edward sighed, "I feel like I need to get over it."

The being squints slightly, "Little? Hmm, you stayed in Rainbow's dorm then took up Shadowfright's offer. Is it as little as you wish to believe? Trying to repress your broken feelings again?" The dark reflection chuckles amusingly.

"While I am angry and disappointed at Alexander for not telling me about his forbidden Wyvern familiar, everyone else is suffering around me...." He looks down, "Even Twilight is probably wondering where I am."

"You don't even know how long we have been here, has your 'brother' even been looking for you? How much time do you think she'd waste on a pointless search?" Dark Edward asks, moving to lay on his side.

Edward closes his eyes and disregards what his darkness said about Twilight's search. Taking a deep breath then releasing it, he continued, "For the past five day's, six if you including meeting with Shadowfright, I've been trying to find out what my resolve is." He opens his left eye, "I've figured out half of what I want to do."

The dark version of himself adjusts to face him, lying on his stomach with his head in his hands. "That must be an interesting idea... Given the only likely way out is accepting me and fully taking Shadowfright's deal to fight Alexander in order to subdue Ventus... Are you so sure you won't succumb to the dark, again?"

Edward bit the bottom of his lip, "The last time I let that happen, my heart was torn to pieces by...." His body felt heavy as he calmed himself, "By one that shall not be named." He looked at his shadow self unamused, then an idea passed his mind, "Did you want to make a deal?"

Blinking slightly, dark Edward seemed confused, perplexed even. "Okay... I'll bite, you've intrigued me."

"You take over my body and we take care of Alexander with our combined might. This will leave me satisfied with the anger that I have left over. Then when he is down, we destroy that mirror the gems are in and Shadowfright as well." He explained, "My desire, no matter what it takes, is to have a peaceful outcome and as a reward, you get to stay with me."

Dark Edward blinks even more, "You do realise I am a shade of the Shadow Plane? Normally not considered a good thing... Your willingness to take on a shade is abnormal and hasn't been a thing for centuries... The last tribe to do so were banished to the moon."

Edward leans back and gets his legs comfortable, "That’s an interesting fact that you gave me. I need you to work with me, I’m not as violent as you think I am. I am, as you said, abnormal." He leans forward and looks his darker self in the eyes, "Abnormal for my nature to be a gentle giant until something pisses me off. I am willing to fuel you with all of my anger and negative emotions, but for a price. Then there is you, what do YOU want Dark Edward? As I see it you need to have your own freedom." Edward fiddles with his fingers to make them pop.

"That is... A rather interesting offer. I suppose I'm curious enough to see just where you end up after all this... Whether or not you will keep your friendship or burn it. Human nature is so... Fickle. It's amusing to watch." Dark Edward states floating slightly, morphing into a black silhouette with red eyes and a wide grin. "She's coming..." He states before sinking himself into Edward's chest, causing him great discomfort.

Hearing footsteps, Edward is soon confronted by Shadowfright, who crosses her arms. "So, had enough time to think yet? I'm honestly surprised you stayed in here this long."

Getting comfortable with his new friend within him, he smiles, "I had to set some plans, Alexander is quite clever with his wind." 'Do I let you take over or?' He thought, asking Dark Edward thinking he'll respond.

'I'm taking a nap... You'll know when it's time.' The shade replies before going silent as Shadowfright hums.

"Good, then you'll at least be somewhat ready when we start taking the front. The earth and lightning houses are first... You'll come in when required." She informs him before walking off into nothing.

"As you wish, Shadowfright." Edward smirks, but then realizes something, "Um... How do I get out?"

Author's Notes:

So, after sifting through some life stuff we bring you another chapter. Also, I'm unsure if we have asked this before, but we are making an inquiry to those of you who read TS, OM. As of yet, we have mostly had heavy ecchi moments, softcore at best basically. We are asking if you'd like to, or if we should include optional clop chapters. To this end, we have created an anonymous poll to collect your opinions on this matter. The poll will be up for two weeks from this chapter's release date. We hope to hear your feedback and that you keep enjoying Two Spells, One Mistake.