Aura sits on the floor, eyes wide but vacant. Wisps of black smoke curl around her ears like headphones.

Aura:Maybe they’re right. I’m just... flickering out.

Zipp kicked the door open with her front hooves.

Zipp:Aura? If you’re ghosting me because I forgot to return your favorite book,I’m sorry!

Zipp rushes in,her Agency badge glowing. She stops when she sees the Shadows. You are right behind her since you're one of her friends too. You noticed the shadows as well as you backed away a bit.

Zipp:Aura! Get away from those things!

Aura:Why? They’re just telling me the truth, Zipp. You’re the hero. I’m the one who needs a break because I’m too weak to handle the light.

Zipp:That’s the Shadows talking, not you. They feed on the "what-ifs" and the "not-enoughs."

Zipp lunges forward but a barrier of dark smoke pushes her back. You gasped as you galloped over to Zipp,managed to catch her in your front hooves.

Aura:Go back to the Agency, Zipp and (Your OC). Start the training. You don't need a partner who's falling apart.

You shook your head in response. You can't let her face them alone. Zipp got on her hooves again as she looked at Aura in determination.

Zipp:I don’t want to be a hero without my best friend. And if you can’t see your light right now? Fine. I'll...We'll be the flashlight until you find it.

Zipp looked at you as you connected your hoof into hers. Yours and Zipp's Cuite Mark magic combined together,glowing in the echoes of the light.

Verse 1:

Zipp:Streetlights humming in the Mystic Heights. I’m searching for a glow in the dead of night. I heard your silence. It sounded like a scream. Lost in the static of a waking dream.

Aura:It’s too loud... the lies feel so heavy. The shadows say I’m fading, drifting out to sea. They’ve built a cage of everything I’m scared to be.

Chorus:

Zipp:I won’t let the darkness take the lead! Aura:Is there still a spark inside of me?

Zipp:Hold onto the bond! Break the hollow spell!

Aura:I’m trapped in a story I’m afraid to tell.

You/Zipp:We’re the Twin Stars,burning through the gray. We’ll find the dawn before the light fades away!

Verse 2:

Zipp:I remember the day we both took the oath To protect every spark,to defend the growth.

You/Zipp:Now the halls of the Agency feel cold and wide!

Zipp:Without our shadow-breaker right by our side. The glass is shattering under your hoof.

Zipp/You:But We'll not turning back! We're won’t accept defeat!

Chorus:

Zipp: I won’t let the darkness take the lead! Aura: Is there still a spark inside of me? Zipp:Hold onto the bond! Break the hollow spell. Aura:I’m trapped in a story I’m afraid to tell.

You/Zipp:We’re the Twin Stars,burning through the gray. We’ll find the dawn before the light fades away!

Bridge:

Zipp:You’re not a mission,you’re our soul The half of me that makes the Agency whole.

Zipp/You:Look at our wings! Let them catch the glare! We'll not leaving you lost in there!

Final Chorus:

Zipp/You:We won’t let the darkness take the lead!

Zipp:We're finding the spark that we both need!

Zipp/You:Hold onto the bond! break the hollow spell!

Aura suddenly sang out in a hopeful singing voice. Her cuite mark begins to Glow bright.

Aura:We're rewriting the story we're here to tell!

Zipp/You/Aura:We’re the Twin Stars! burning through the gray! We’ve found the dawn, the light is here to stay! Yeah,the light is here to stay!

Outro:

Zipp:Just one more step...

Aura:I can see the light...

Zipp/You/Aura:Back to the Heights.

The room is bright again. The purple haze has been replaced by a soft,warm amber glow. Aura is sitting on the sofa now that you came in and wrapped her up with a blanket. Zipp handed her a steaming mug of tea.

Aura:I’m sorry, Zipp.I let them get so loud I couldn't hear my own voice.

Zipp:Don't apologize. The Agency is tough. Mystic Heights is tough. We’re allowed to flicker sometimes.

Aura:I think I still need that break. But... maybe not a break from everything.

Zipp:Good. Because I checked the Agency handbook. There’s a clause about "Mandatory Best Friend Support."