//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: Favours 
// Story: Lesson 28 
// by SaltyVampireHorse 
//------------------------------//

	Starlight Glimmer awoke to a shrill ringing in her ear. Her field of vision increased as her eyes widened, though her sight was still blurry and out of focus. Rising to her hooves, she tried to observe her surroundings but to her surprise, all she saw was blackness as if her eyes were still shut. The darkness surrounding her seemed unlike any nighttime she had encountered before. The air was thick and heavy as if laden with steam, while the ground beneath her hooves was damp and puddle-like but quite murky and viscous.

“What is this place?” Starlight asked herself. She tried to take a step forward into the utter darkness but found her hooves to be stuck in heavy strands of black, sap-like slime. A disembodied voice suddenly echoed through the dark, resonating in a deceptive and sly tone as in the manner of a serpent.

“Look how far you’ve come Starlight Glimmer—you have even impressed me,” the voice spoke, “but you didn’t think about moving on without repaying my favour did you?”. The strands of dark sludge began writhing and climbing up her legs like vile little worms. 

“What do you want from me?” Starlight demanded.

“Did you forget? We have big plans you and I. Seek the Endless Archives, come and find me.” the voice said. The dark tendrils engulfed Starlight and all went cold.

***************

She suddenly sprang out of bed in a cold sweat, her pulse rapid, pupils dilated and her breathing profuse. She recognized her sleeping chamber which Twilight had graciously lent her. A thin ray of sunlight broke through the slit in the curtains. She got out of bed and used her magic to open them. The harsh sunlight caused her sleepy face to scrunch inward. Staring out the window for a moment, she let out a sigh and then headed to the throne room.  Still drowsy and groggy from her nightmare, Starlight greeted her teacher in the throne room.

“Morning Twilight.” she said still half asleep.

“Good morning Starlight!” Twilight responded most cheerfully as Spike arrived with a cart carrying breakfast. 

“Geez, you look awful Starlight. Another nightmare?” Spike asked.  Twilight looked at her student with concern.

“Yeah the same one. Again” Starlight said with a yawn. 

“Hmmm, maybe this is something we should discuss with Princess Luna later today.” Twilight said as she reviewed her schedule. 

“Later today?” Starlight inquired.

“You do remember, we are having a council with the princesses today, right?” Twilight said.  

Starlight face-hoofed, “Oh, right. Sorry Twilight, I forgot. I’ve been sorta out of it lately what with the lack of sleep.”

“All the more reason to mention these dreams to her.” Twilight said, slightly worried. 

“Uhh you guys mind if we head out after breakfast?”  Spike said as he stuffed his face with a croissant. 

Twilight giggled, “Of course, Spike”.

“I’ll just go and freshen myself up before we leave” Starlight said as she left the throne room. 

She entered the bathroom and approached the vanity, turned on the sink and stared blankly as the basin as it filled with water. Once filled, she splashed water on her face. The cooling sensation dissipated the sleep in her eyes and revitalized her. She then peered into the mirror and suddenly jumped back in fear and revulsion.  A veiny, sharply-shaped yellow eye with a red pupil leered at her maliciously.

Starlight turned away and shut her eyes tightly, her breath beginning to hyperventilate.  She counted to five in her head and opened her eyes again and gave a sigh of relief upon seeing her reflection in the mirror once again. The high-strung unicorn then returned to her quarters, gathered her belongings and joined Twilight and Spike as they began boarding The Friendship Express bound for Canterlot. Though her mind was still clouded with what she had been experiencing as of late, she tried her best to block it out and think of more optimistically.

Keep it together Starlight, as with any problem there is a solution. Lets just focus on the task at hoof calmly and intelligently. But as she stared blankly out the window she knew that an answer would not come easily.