//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: Midnight Shadow (Outdated) // by Orzo Pasta //------------------------------// ----------- The device was nearing completion. I had installed most of its core components, with four out of the five necessary Arcanium drive shafts already implemented within the various gears and mechanical components of the large machine. I had at first attempted to make it small enough to be hoofheld, but early designs lacked sufficient power to operate correctly. The new design was about two-thirds the size of an average full-grown pony, and it had to be moved on wheels due to its high weight. It could still perform its intended function, however, which was all that mattered. I would have continued until the device's completion, but the sun had already set, and I couldn't afford to suffer a decrease in efficiency due to sleep deprivation, no matter how tempting it might have been to continue my work. I set the unfinished fifth drive shaft on the workshop table and made my way upstairs, the night being little more than a minor delay to me. When I woke up the next morning, I had a headache. ----------- From the moment I opened my eyes, I knew the headache would make it nearly impossible to focus. I hated to do so, but I knew I had to suspend my work until I could focus again. In the meantime, I tried to come up with an explanation for the migraine's source, in the hopes to prevent it from happening again. At first, I wondered if it could be a result of exposure to the materials I worked with daily. I dismissed that idea fairly quickly, as the effects would have shown up much earlier if that were the case. I also wondered if it could be due to dehydration, before rejecting that theory as well. I then started to believe that the headache was caused by stress. I had simply been working too hard. I ultimately decided to designate half an hour per day to be a break period, hopefully reducing the stress of my work. There wasn't too much I could do about all of the other sources of stress in my life at the time, so I simply had to hope it would be enough. I was, at first, unsure of what to do during the half-hour break period. As I stood in my bedroom, mere minutes after I had woken up, I remembered something I had forgotten about. I slowly walked downstairs, out into the living room. On the small table against the far wall, right where I had left it, was the Alicorn book, right next to Silver's pendant, both of which had remained untouched since I had set them there four days ago. I grabbed the book, sat down in one of the smaller chairs in the room, and opened the front cover. I skimmed the first page; there wasn't much point in re-reading it. I turned the page, and began to read. ----------- Day One of writing in this stupid journal: I hate this. My parents told me I had to write a 'journal,' so that my life would be 'properly documented' when I take over leadershipof the House of Supremacy. It's some sort of tradition, according to them, going all the way back to the founding of the Alicorn Order. I, personally, believe that it is the dumbest thing I have ever had to do. Why should I write down everything I go through? I don't even want to be the House Leader! So, to make this marginally less boring, I'm going to use this journal to rant about everything I hate. First, that prophecy page they put in the beginning of every book. That's not an exaggeration, I mean every single book that has ever been printed in the history of the Order. I'm sick of seeing it all the time, mainly because it reminds me that I'm not in the House of Wisdom. The head of that house gets to tell the king himself what to do, while all I'll get is a shiny necklace that I'll never get to use. Not that I'd need to use it, anyway. My magic is more than enough on its own. Still, it's not fair that I'll never get to use the magical artifact I am, by birthright, entitled to own. They keep telling me that it's too 'dangerous' to be used except in times of crisis, and yet my father insists on wearing it at all times. Speaking of my father, I should probably write down some stuff about myself, so he doesn't get mad at me for 'not taking the journal seriously' (although I have no idea how he expects me to take something so utterly pointless seriously). My name is Radiant Glow. I'm the daughter of the leaders of the House of Supremacy, who are so self-righteous that they named their house after how great they think they are. I wish I was in the House of Wisdom, but if I had the chance to change to the House of Altruism, or even the House of Shadows, I would do it in an instant. If I led any those houses, I'd actually get to do something. In a few days, I'm going to meet the other heirs, and we're all supposed to go to what my parents called 'leadership training.' The way they described it, it sounded more like a seven-hours-a-day lecture about the most boring topics imaginable, every day for seven whole years. I already can't wait for it to be over. ----------- Day Four of writing in this ridiculous journal: Today was the first day of The Most Pointless Thing Ever. That's what I've decided to call it now. It's a much more accurate name than what they call it. It was about as miserable as I expected. There were six of us in total. Each of the houses' individual heirs, as well as the daughters of the king and queen themselves. I don't remember their names, but then again,I never remember names. It's easier for me to call ponies by their eye color, because then all I have to do is look at them and I know what to say. There was a Blue (he's from the House of Wisdom, lucky), a Yellow (more of a hazel, really, but it's easier to remember yellow, and she's from the House of Altruism), a Green (just like me, except he's from the House of Shadows), a Purple, and a Light Blue (the daughters of the king and queen). The teacher was one of the most boring ponies I've ever met. She spoke in a flat, monotone voice, and hardly moved at all while she was lecturing us. At one point, I counted the time between her blinks. If there was such a thing as competitive staring contests, she'd be the world champion. We got a lunch break about halfway through. That was basically the only time the six of us were allowed to talk to each other, and it was the best part of The Most Pointless Thing Ever (although that isn't saying much). Green was really talkative, which was surprising considering he's from the secret-keeping house. He mostly talked about small, insignificant things, like the weather, the food we were having for lunch, and whether or not the rest of us went to the hoofball game last night. Almost as talkative was Purple, although she was a bit different. She mostly talked about how she couldn't wait to rule the Order, and all of the things she'd change when she took over. Her sister, Light Blue, didn't say much of anything. Yellow was the same way, although she did smile at me once when I glanced over. Blue didn't say much either, but he did say a few things. He talked mostly about magic, something we both seem to be interested in. I have to say, he really knows a lot about it. -----------