Wing

Prologue

"...In our darkest hour there is light.

...Even if only in one's mind." -- Star Swirl the Bearded

A cloaked figure swept through the corridor, keeping to the shadows. Moonlight streamed down on the cobble, illuminating the dust particles stirred up by the heavy robe of the dark intruder. A nightguard stallion, of unicorn breed, stood erectly in the threshold of the Professor's lab, leaving room for none to trespass.

From across the hall came a minor flash of pink light, which floated lazily toward the guard's horn. The light seeped into the twisting ivory and his cold eyes seemed to grow softer for a moment before hardening to their previous state.

The cloaked stranger, hiding behind a potted palm, caught the flicker of a pink mane reflected in the flickering torchlight, then the gleam of a white coat, and finally a unicorn across the hall revealed herself. The nightguard pony perked up as his cheeks reddened.

"R-Rose Quartz, Milady!" He stuttered, "Master Star Swirl is out. He shall return with the sun upon the morn'. "

Rose Quartz laughed lightly and fluttered her lashes. "I know, love. As his assistant, the Professor allows me to research into the wee hours. Therefore..." the mare slid past the guard and trodded into the lab, "...would you be a dear and get some rest? I can take over for you here."

The stallion's horn and cheeks glowed pink and his eyes went soft, as if in a trance. "Many thanks, Milady. Good night."

The figure in the darkness watched Rose Quartz disappear into the lab and listened for the clack of the guard 's hooves to fade off. As soon as the coast had cleared, he stole into the lab, keeping to the edges of the circular room.

All around, on long tables, someone had strewn beakers, mortars and pestles and black cauldrons, stewing away who-knew-what on low flames. Strange ingredients pickled in jars on the shelves and reference books and spells were laying open on every available surface, even the floor. At the center of the cluttered wizard-paradise was a large contraption, extending into the glass ceiling, used to observe the sky as it shifted above from night to day.

Rose Quartz was at the complicated machine, using her unicorn witchery to twist knobs and push levers. Her expression was contorted in concentration as she worked, and the cloaked creature saw this as a chance to retrieve what it was he had come for. Shrouded in the black cloak, he slipped to one of the tables and grabbed a wood and leather saddle device. Just as he was about to slip out, he heard a high-pitched squeal from the unicorn behind him.

"THE THEIF! GUARDS, GUARDS, HE HAS RETURNED! Aaaaahhhhh!" She caterwauled, and as the sound of soldier hoofsteps became louder the theif's heart began to race. His brows knit together in fear. It was over!

From above came a sudden, bright flash of white-violet light, pink and purple stars shocking his eyes with their brightness. The feeling of wind whipped his mane, and turned his stomach. Then, as suddenly as it had started, the gusts of wind and flashes of light stopped and everything was nothing but still, profuse darkness.