The Dawn of Twilight
Torches flickered in a dark room, casting their dancing shadows over a strange scene. Six figures, clad in black cloaks gather around a circular table. Their faces obscured by hoods, they stood silently, regarding what was laid before them. Set in a circle were five dazzlingly beautiful gold necklaces, each set with a brilliant gemstone. Each was in front of one of the attendees, except for one.
One, who somehow commands a presence as if at the head of the table, while being at the same level with everyone. Perched atop the hood of the cloak, sat a golden crown, ethereal in its beauty. Set at the apex of the crown sat a purple sapphire, which shined like a star. The stone pulsed gently with a strange energy. The one with the crown spoke, addressing the others. Her voice was soft, yet commanding. It was a woman's voice.
"Welcome. We all know why we are gathered here. We've waited long enough."
She looked at the solemn figure to her right.
"Prism, is the thunder ready?"
Prism nodded, the movement nearly imperceptible under the large hood.
Fixing her gaze upon the next one in line, she spoke again.
"Serenity, are the manticores prepared?"
"Yes."
The response was almost too quiet to hear. The hushed voice sounded meek, and yet steady, like someone who can control their fears, but not banish them.
"Good. And you, Lady Crystal?"
A refined, womanly voice answered loudly; as if the others couldn't hear.
"My girls are in the city, and they whisper beautiful secrets to me. I even have a few maids!
"Excellent. I trust you have everything in order, Truth?"
The next voice, while also female, was rather masculine.
"Sure do. The suits are together, and the arms and armaments have been done for a week."
"I'd expect no less. Rain?"
"All done, it's gonna be great! I've got it all planned out, we're gonna-"
The room lit up as a gout of flame materialized behind the energetic one, blasting the center of the table, which was followed by a deep rumbling hiss.
A tall, toned creature could be seen in the light from the flames, which were generating from a maw lined with razor sharp teeth. Glistening purple scales covered it's body; Green spines went from the top of it's head, to the end of it's long tail. Attached to that tail was a wicked looking spike, shaped like a spade with bladed sides. Two gigantic wings unfold from its back, and emerald green eyes stare the group down. It then strode over to the leader, then kneeled down next to her, silently.
"Thank you, Blade. Our preparations are done. Check. Now ladies, as we discussed…"
All at once, the crown began to glow brighter, and brighter still, until it was blinding. The necklaces lifted clear of the table and began to glow just as brightly as the crown. Beams of light shot from each necklace, connecting with the crown with a sound like thunder; the impact shook the room, and snuffed the torches. The light disappeared as quickly as it came, and all became dark.
All was silent for a few moments. A soft voice pierced the silence.
"We are ready. The time has come for a new dawn. Today is the beginning of an era"
Through the darkness a new light flourished, a pure white, like fallen snow. The light emanated from inside a deep hood. A purple hoof reached up and pulled back the hood. Inside was an intelligent face, with bright eyes that held a hint of something dark. Atop her head was a horn, which shimmered with colors and lights, swirling like the stars.
"Today is the day we kill Princess Celestia"
9 Months Earlier…
Twilight Sparkle shifted in her bed, yawning and stretching her wings as the light of the sun sifted through her window. Wings? By Celestia, I'll never get used to that.
She opened her eyes to see spike open the last curtain, then dust his claws off.
"Morning Twilight! It's a beautiful day!"
"Good morning, Spike. Ready to start the day?"
"Of course! I wouldn't miss the Sun Festival for the world! It's the biggest holiday in Equestria, where everyone celebrates Celestia bringing up the sun!"
Spike through his arms in the air to make his energy clear.
A high pitched scream was heard, starting far away and getting closer. Twilight smiled and rolled her eyes. "Here we go."
A pink blur slammed through the window, opening it and closing it in one motion. It flew across the room, rolled, and stood up. The pink pony raised her hooves up, standing on her hind two. "We're gonna party till the sun comes up!" She immediately began to dance, and blow on a kazoo that hadn't been there a few seconds ago.
"Well somepony looks excited. How are you, Pinkie?"
The pony stopped suddenly, her mouth dropping open in exaggerated surprise.
"Are you craaazy?" She shook her head, then bounded over to Twilight, putting on hoof around her shoulder.
"I'm more than just excited, I'm super duper amazingly awesomely excited! We get to party all day, then party all night! Then the real party starts when Celestia brings up the sun! Whoo, party! SeeyouatthepartyTwilight!"
With another whoosh, she disappeared back out the window. Spike shook his head, laughing.
"She never gets old!"
Twilight laughed too.
It was going to be a good day.
Once downstairs, Twilight quickly grabbed her bag, pre-packed for the occasion, of course. She combed her hair a little, brushing through the long purple strands. After eating a quick breakfast of oat's on a chopped salad, she turned to the door.
"C'mon spike. Let's go have some fun!"
Spike nodded his agreement, perching himself on Twilight's back. The duo stepped outside and was immediately assaulted with a barrage of smells, ranging from warm apple pie from Sweet Apple Acres, to potato dumplings from the local farmers. Ponies were everywhere, playing games, dancing, or just talking amongst themselves. They looked around, not sure what to do first.
"Y'all lost or sumthin?" A voice from their left asked. Turning, they were greeted by a familiar sight. The rest of their friends were there. Applejack, smirking and waving. Fluttershy, smiling shyly, with angel by her side. Rarity wore a large sun hat, which complemented her yellow scarf perfectly. Rainbow Dash floated in the sky above them, doing somersaults and looking impatient. And finally, Pinkie Pie bouncing up and down grinning from ear to ear.
Her friends. Over her time in Ponyville, she had learned a lot about friendship, and even more about how powerful it truly was. She had earned her wings through the sheer power of friendship. She knew they would stick with her no matter what, and they knew the same of her.
She smiled and waved, trotting over to them. She smiled at them all.
"Hi, everypony! Are you ready to have some fun?"
"Whoo yeah!"
"Oki Doki Loki!"
"Woohoo…"
"Absolutely."
"No duh!"
She smiled and fell in stride with her friends. And they did everything they could. Cupcakes and pies, games and laughing, Twilight and the others partied through the day, and into the night. Shortly after midnight, they took a nap, which pinkie would have no part of, so as to be fresh to dance as the sun came up.
Now gathered in the observatory at the top of the library, they waited anxiously for the sun to rise.
"Ooh, I can't wait for the sun to come up! This is going to be so great!" Twilight sang, just happy to be there with her friends. Rarity and Fluttershy were discussing fashion, Rainbow and Applejack were arm wrestling, and Pinkie Pie was busy making faces with spike. Twilight's horn shone a deep purple and a book rose to her face.
"Okay, girls. According to my almanac, the sun will rise in 32.7 seconds."
She began to countdown, and the others joined in, eager to watch the show.
30… 29… 28…
Twilight adjusted the telescope a bit, aiming for the horizon.
21… 20… 19…
A bit of light started to illuminate the sky, getting brighter as time wore on.
9… 8… 7…
Everyone was practically singing now. The final seconds drew near, and everyone held their breath, unable to speak the last moments.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
The sky exploded with color, as the sun came into view. Brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows lit up the sky, and then, like a shimmering angel, princess Celestia appeared, rising into the sky. Her wings completely unfurled, her hair flowing, her horn blazed a brilliant gold, which completed the beautiful picture.
Gasps of wonder and delight seemed to echo through the city, and even the earth itself seemed a bit livelier. With such a display, however, she was not able to just stop in Ponyville to chat, as see had other places to dazzle. But she smiled and waved at the group upon the library, and they waved back.
Pinkie was literally bouncing of the walls, speaking so fast that Twilight couldn't understand what she was saying, however a few 'wows' and 'amazings' were clear.
Spike hugged Twilight, laughing.
"Wasn't that awesome! I never thought it would be so beauti-"
He began to cough and gag a bit, and suddenly burped, a small scroll appearing with a puff of green flame. "Hehe, excuse me. This is for you, Twilight."
Giggling, Twilight open the scroll and began to read it's content. As she read, however, her smile faded, and then her eyes stopped moving.
"No. No, no this isn't real! This is a joke, right!?"
The room goes silent; they had only heard her talk like that a few times. It always boded ill. Pinkie Pie bounces over, and giggles.
"A joke, huh! Let me hear it. I'll bet it's really funny-"
A purple light envelops her, and she is teleported back to where she was.
Applejack steps up, sounding concerned.
"What's wrong sugar cube? Is it from the Princess?"
Twilight shakes her head, and responds weakly.
"No, not from Princess Celestia. It's from Cadence."
Rainbow Dash hovers over, landing beside her. She puts a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, tapping gently.
"Well then, what does it say?"
Twilight looks up at her, and all can see her face has a faraway cast to it. Several minutes pass in silence, then faintly, as if she had to drag the words from deep inside, she whispers...
"My brother is dead."
To Be Continued…