//------------------------------// // The Message // Story: Blazing Darkness // by shadeofthenight //------------------------------// Canterlot, 12:00 pm Achoo! Luna's sneeze echoed loudly off the walls of her room. She had been feeling ill for a few days, and it seemed that whatever it was was getting a lot worse. Because normal medicine would not work on allicorns like Luna or Celestia, she would be forced to wait it out. Luna turned to the door as she could hear her sister come in. "Luna? Are you okay?" Celestia asked, concerned. "I wish i was Tia, but this cold is getting worse." Luna sniffled. Celestia came over to her and looked her up and down, studying Luna's symptoms for the umpteenth time. Then she sighed and said "You know you can always just use the hibernation spell for a few days and speed up getting rid of it." Luna tilted her head,"Hibernation spell? I've never heard of that before." Celestia smiled,"Well its a spell that causes you to fall asleep for a few days, but it speeds up the recovery process of the sleeping pony by tenfold." While Luna was considering this, Celestia felt a burning pain in her head followed by a flashing image of a pitch black room and a pair of glowing different colored eyes in the center. Then the image faded, leaving her breathless and alarmed. How could he have penetrated my mind? Celestia thought to herself, but was brought out of her thoughts by Luna making a decision, "Alright Tia, I'll try the spell. But only for three days. I don't want to stress you out with adding the Duties of the Night to your already huge list of them." Celestia smiled and kissed her on the cheek,"Thank you Luna. I'll be back in a few to help you with the spell." Then she turned and headed out the door. As soon as she was out of earshot of her sister, she broke into a fast run towards the barracks before she was stopped by the sound of an explosion right behind her and Luna crying out in fear. She turned and saw that Luna's chambers had been destroyed. "Luna!" Celestia cried out, racing towards the destroyed chambers to get to her sister and see if she was okay. WHAM! Celestia slammed into the closed door and impaled her horn into it. "Tia!" Luna yelped as Celestia's horn was only a few inches from her body. Celestia shivered as she had been so afraid for her sister's safety, but she had seen the destroyed room and had heard Luna scream! Or did you? said a voice in her head. "Celestia? Are you alright?" Luna asked worriedly as her sister withdrew her horn from the door. Instead of answering, Celestia raced down the stairs outside and flew to the guards barracks. Within a minute she had landed on the top, scaring the patrol guard on duty. "You! Get me the fastest flier in the barracks right now!" She ordered him. The guard saluted and raced inside, leaving Celestia to her thoughts. He can't be free, he can't! That monster's prison was sealed by me personally! How could he manage to break free? The guard returned with a pegasi named Blur. Celestia turned toward her, "I need you to fly to the Crystal Empire as fast as you can and inform Shining Armor and Cadence about a Red Dusk." Blur tilted her head, a little confused,"A Red Dusk milady?" "Shining Armor and Cadence will understand, now go!" Celestia ordered. Blur took off without anymore questions, gaining speed until she was gone from sight. The guard who had brought Blur saluted and went back on patrol, seeing as how his princess didn't seem to need anything else. Celestia watched him leave, then heard that same voice again in her headSo, you have chosen to resist. Very well, bring as many of your sun lovers as you want, it will not make a difference. Another burning sensation passed through Celestia's body as a sliver of darkness tearing itself from her horn caught her eye, but it dissolved in the light, Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle's house, Main room Twilight Sparkle sifted through her books, looking for the right one that had more details of the spell she was about to perform. Ever since she had become and allicorn, it had been hard to walk through Ponyville without everyone bowing and scraping at her hooves, so she had decided a few days back to develop an illusion spell that would change her appearance. That way she could go through town without drawing much attention to herself. As she looked through her books, she failed to notice the sliver of darkness inching out of the shadows towards her, as it headed straight for her horn and sank into it. Twilight frowned, feeling something else besides her thoughts. She sorted through her thoughts and found the intruder, a pale image of a cave in the Everfree forest. Twilight Sparkle was puzzled,I don't remember this location, whats it doing in my mind? Then she began to hear a voice, only it simply repeated Help me, Help me! Pain, terrible agony! Then it faded, leaving Twilight Sparkle puzzled and worried at the same time. Spike came into the main room, holding a rather large tome. "Twilight, i found the book you were looking for-. Twilight? Whats wrong?" He asked, seeing her startled face. "Spike? Did you hear anything?" She asked. Spike looked confused,"No...Was i supposed to?" He replied. She shook her head,"I think somepony is calling to me for help." "Somepony is in trouble? Who?" "I don't know Spike, but i have a feeling that we might have to go to the Everfree Forest. Can you go and get our friends so we can go with the elements of Harmony?" "Sure thing Twilight! But um, do you want to write to the princess about this?" Spike asked. Twilight considered it, but something in her mind saidNot yet. "Lets wait for that until after we find who is in trouble okay Spike?" "Got it. Be back in a few minutes." Then Spike left, leaving Twilight alone. She projected her thoughts to the intruding image,Whoever you are, hold on, Me and my friends will be there soon.