//------------------------------// // Chapter two // Story: Famine // by rabidplushy //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkles groggily opened her eyes as the morning light filtered through the curtains of her room, gradually waking her up. With a sigh, she slowly sat up in bed, stretching her tired muscles and rubbed her eyes. After a few moments of gathering her thoughts, she stood up and went downstairs to fix herself some breakfast As Twilight made her way down the stairs, she couldn't help but feel the lingering fatigue in her muscles and the exhaustion tugging at her eyes. Making her way into the kitchen she looked through what little food they had. ”Thank Celestia the princesses were able to donate some of their rations  to us, I'm starving…”  Twilight Sparkle sighed as she opened the cupboards and drawers, taking stock of their scant supplies. “Oh dear..” She muttered as she noticed that most of the food items had been used up, leaving only a few things left to keep her going Twilight Sparkles quickly began cooking breakfast for herself and Spike, using the sparse supplies at her disposal. Her stomach growled in anticipation, and her hunger gave her the extra motivation necessary to push through the fatigue and worry that had plagued her mind. Once she was finished, she carried the meals into the dining room and waited for Spike to come down. After a few minutes, Twilight heard Spike's footsteps on the stairs, indicating he had finally woken up. "Good morning, Spike. Sleep well?" Spike gave her a quick nod as he stepped down into the dining room, his expression still tired but brightening up as he saw the prepared meals on the table. “ This looks amazing twilight!” Spike said with an excited tone. Twilight watched as Spike sat down and immediately began chowing down. Without saying anything, she took her own seat and began to eat the food she had prepared for them. “It's not much but hopefully it will get us by for now..” she said with a slight tone a worry in her voice. “It’s perfect twilight” Spike said smiling at her trying to keep her spirits up. Twilight watched as Spike sat down and immediately began chowing down. Without saying anything, she took her own seat and began to eat the food she had prepared for them. As twilight finished her breakfast, she decided to get back to her research for a cure to this awful famine in her old books. As she picked one out from the shelf, she found herself drawn to a book on the everfree forest,as she read through the book she found a page about a magical stone that is rumored to exist somewhere within the Everfree Forest. According to the book, the stone has the ability to show people the future, and it is said that if used correctly, it can be of great help to those in need. But, with all the dangers lurking within the Everfree Forest, and with her still being exhausted , would it be worth the risk to hunt for it? The more Twilight read about the mystical stone, the more she felt drawn to its promise of showing her the future. Unfortunately the book gave no knowledge on where to find the stone, But of course that wasn't going to stop her so With no idea how to  begin her search and no guarantee that she would find it in the vast, uncharted depths of the Everfree Forest, she decided to take the risk and venture into the unknown. For the first time in a long time she finally sees a glimmer of hope. "I've found something, Spike. A magical stone that is said to appear somewhere in the Everfree Forest. The legends say it can show people their future, which means that if we can find it, it might hold the key to curing the ongoing famine." Twilight said excitedly, her eyes shining with hope. "But you know how dangerous the Everfree Forest is! There are all kinds of monsters and creatures lurking in the shadows, it's not safe for you..." Spike continued in a panic, trying to convince her not to go, but Twilight was determined to find the stone and couldn't be swayed. She was convinced this was their only hope and that she would find the stone, even if it meant facing the dangers of the Everfree Forest. Twilight smiled gently at Spike, trying to reassure him. "I appreciate your concern, Spike. But I have to do this, for all of Ponyville. I'll be fine, I promise." “Alright twilight just please be safe and try to come back soon ok?” “Of course Spike, you don't have to worry about me. I've dealt with much more dangerous things than that forest, I’ll be fine.”She said with a reassuring tone, hugging spike.  After packing her things Twilight Sparkle set off toward the perilous Everfree Forest with a sense of purpose and determination. Despite her fears, she was determined to find the mystical stone and discover the key to the much-needed cure. She ventured into the unknown, walking through the dense foliage and dodging the dangerous wildlife that thrived in the dark, mysterious forest. As the hours passed and her fatigue began taking its toll, Twilight remained steadfast and focused on her mission.