Awakening Alicorns
Chapter 2. Lightning-Nightmare of our Memories
Blood spilled from the walls as Lightning ran down a hall. Pillars crashed to the ground, windows shattered, and the roars of an unseen monster followed her wherever she went. I have to escape, she thought, but where? As she ran, a door came into view at the end of the hall. When she reached the door, she noticed she couldn’t open it. The blood oozing from the wall had hardened around the edge, making it impossible to get through. The monster was growing closer, there was nowhere to run. She stood in fear, charging a lightning blast in her horn for when she could see the monster. It grew close, stepping into the light, but there was no monster. Instead, a small filly stood there. There was something familiar about his face, but before she could tell who it was, it let out a blood curdling shriek as blood spewed from its eyes.
Lightning began to scream as it lunged at her. She closed her eyes and released her stored blast of lightning. When she opened her eyes again to see if she had hit it, something had changed. Test tubes, books, and research papers lined the tables in the room she was in. She was back in her bed in the castle. “That filly” she said to herself, “Where have I seen him before? And why did I feel like I had been there before?”
There was a knocking at the door. “Lightning are you okay? Your screaming woke us up!” It was Sun. Lightning could tell she was concerned as the door creeped open. Sun and Luna were standing there, wrapped in magical cloaks representing their power. The flames coming from Sun’s cloak was the only thing that let her see the two mares at her door.
“Yes, I’m fine. I just had a bad dream is all,” Lightning said. “I was running through a castle being chased by a monster. But it wasn’t a monster at all...” She trailed off as she begun thinking about the filly she saw.
“What was it?” Luna asked.
“It was a filly. I don’t know why, but I think I’ve seen him before.”
“Maybe it was a clue to what happened to us,” Luna said, “Maybe if you have the dream again, you could find out?”
“I never want to have that dream again,” Lightning said, “It makes me sick to think about it.”
“It’s all over now. If it makes you feel better, I could sleep in here tonight,” Sun offered.
“No, that won’t be necessary. After that dream, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep again.”
“Suit yourself then. I’ll be on watch if you need anything,” Luna said as she turned to resume her patrol. Sun asked a few more questions before she left to go back to bed.
“That filly....” She thought to herself as she began to remember details about it. His eyes were riddled with guilt, his mouth looked as though it were pleading to be released from his prison. If only I could remember more was the last thought she had before deciding to experiment for the rest of the night.
When morning came, it brought with it the heavenly singing of the birds that resided in the garden. Light creeped in through the open window. Outside, the streets were quiet. That’s odd, she thought, the shops should be open by now. She pushed the thought away and decided to set off to the dining hall. She had been hoping to see the others there, but noone was there. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen any of the servants on her way to the dining hall. She looked around trying to find somepony, but all she could see was a plate on the table where she usually sat. When she walked up to it, she saw a note sitting there.
We’ve been waiting for you
Lightning looked at the note with a puzzled face. after reading it over a few times, she heard giggling coming from outside the door. She looked from the note to the door only to see that the note had vanished. The giggling was growing louder. She decided to go over to the door to investigate, but before she got there the door slammed open. Life’s severed head rolled on the ground towards Lightning’s feet, leaving a trail of blood behind it.
“Life!” she screamed, looking down at her friends head. “Who... Who did this to you?”
“We’ve been waiting for you,” a voice said from behind her. She turned around, and Life’s body stood there, facing her direction. The headless body began slowly walking forward. Lightning could feel her energy being sapped away the closer it got. She tried to back away only to hit something bigger than herself. Turning around, she saw the headless body of Death standing behind her. “Now, we can be together forever.”
“No, stay back!” Lightning was screaming.
“No one can save you now,” the voice belonged to Death.
This is it then, she thought, I’m going to die here.
“Wait,” the voice of Life said, “I think he is coming back.” Hoofsteps sounded throughout the castle. “You got lucky this time,” she said as she and Death left the room. The steps were getting closer. The kitchen door slowly began creeping open as the filly that attacked her last night walked out. He stood there staring at Lightning for a few moments before walking up to her.
“Who are you, and what do you want with me?” Lightning asked. The filly didn’t answer her. Instead, he walked through her and to the door she had come in through. “Do you want me to follow you?”
He nodded and left through the door with Lightning following him. She had expected to have just entered the hallway again, but instead she walked into room with paintings of war and murder along the wall. There was something strange about some of the paintings though, they had been of her and her friends. The other paintings felt somehow familiar to her, like she knew who was in them. The paintings flew off the wall, spinning around her faster and faster until falling to the ground. Lightning panicked, looking around to see she was now in a forest. The wind blew through the trees, calling her to come closer.
A voice hit her ears, “Are you sure we should be here?”
That voice. Where have I heard it before? She thought to herself.
“Of course I’m sure. I’ve been here lots of times!” a second voice said.
“Well, if you say so, Euphemia.”
Euphemia. Why do I know that name? Approaching the location of the voices, she suddenly realized where she was. The Forgotten Forest, where everything that has been lost or forgotten goes.
She will be waiting here. Waiting for you.
“What? Lightning was looking around, trying to find who had said it.
“Wake up!” Death was yelling in her ear, Life standing just behind her. “You’ve been screaming like a mad mare for hours now!”
“Death, be nice. Can’t you see she had a bad dream?”
“No, it’s fine. I’m glad he did it. What time is it?”
“Afternoon. Now come on, Lunch is almost ready,” Life had concern in her voice.
“Let’s go then. I need to talk to everypony,” Lightning said as she got up and walked over to the door to leave. It made her uncomfortable to walk with her friends after that dream. Images of the dream passed through her mind. The filly, the blood, her headless friends, she had to know what it meant.
Coming through the dining hall doors, they were greeted by the sounds of busy chefs and servants making dinner. Black Aroma, one of Sun’s personal servants, was directing them. “No, no, no! How many times do I have to tell you, phenix eggs are not to be used in salads!”
“But, but, Princess Luna asked for them,” said the smaller, pink pony she was yelling at.
“Next time check with me first.”
“Yes ma'am,” said the pink pony as she left to take the food to Luna. Black Aroma began scanning for other mistakes the chefs were making when she noticed the three alicorns looking at her with amusement in their eyes.
“I’m sorry you had to see that. Its just that sometimes the chefs can be complete idiots. Is there anything I could get you?” she asked, bowing down.
“Yes, actually. Do you know where the others are?” Lightning asked.
“Celestia and Sun have gone out to move the sun, Luna is resting in her room, and Clay is somewhere in the caves.”
“Thank you, Black Aroma. You are dismissed,” Lightning said, turning to face Life and Death, “Let’s go get Luna. I want to speak with you all.”
The day passed slowly by, every minute the suspense of what Lightning had to say was getting to the assembled alicorns, and she could tell it. The sun had gone down and the moon began to rise as Celestia and Sun came into the throne room. Golden Strike and Clover had been chosen to attend the meeting, along with Black Aroma and Death’s new servant, Thunder Mist. Grooves had been worn into the floor where Clay had been pacing, “They’re here now. Can you tell us what you want now?”
“As most of you know, I had nightmares last night. Horrifying nightmares that made me fear for my sanity. Nightmares that gave me clues. Clues to the next alicorn,” Lightning began, “We must go to the Forgotten Forest.”
Sun and Luna gasped at the name while Death asked “What’s the Forgotten Forest?”
“A forest devoted to making your fears come true. Demons, cults, bananas, you name it,” Celestia said.
“Bananas?” Death said looking towards her, “Do I even want to know?”
“Not the same type of bananas you’re thinking of,” Luna spoke up, a grin crossing her face.
“Well then, shall we continue the discussion of bananas or why we should go to the forest?” Clay was becoming irritated that he still had not heard all of what Lightning had to say, his muddy eyes staring at her.
“I think the bananas are more interesting, but I suppose you're right,” Celestia was speaking. “What is it we must do?”
“In my dreams, I heard a voice tell me somepony would be waiting for me. It felt as though she was calling me to come get her, and I need all of you to come with me.”
“What about us?” Clover asked.
“I need you to guide us to a lake in the far reaches of the forest.”
“Understood,” Thunder Mist said, “When do we depart?”
“As soon as everyone is ready. Until then, I shall be waiting at the gates.”
“Alright, we’ll be there in an hour,” Luna said, turning towards the armory so she could get her equipment.
“See you in an hour, you're majesty,” Black aroma said to Sun as the group dispersed to gather weapons and armour.
Time passed as the group waited for Life to show up. Each of the alicorns had been dressed in armour suited to their element. A weapon floated around each of them, moving with its wielder in perfect harmony. Lightning had an ax that shot sparks as it moved. Sun held handgun made of fire in her magic. Luna’s mace bent the shadows around it as Death’s scythe scraped against Clay’s hammer. Celestia was doing her best to keep her greatlance away from where the others were standing, hoping that she would no hit them by mistake.
“Sorry I’m late! I just couldn’t get my armour on for the life of me,” Life came up, her body encased in the very essence of life itself. Warding bells jingled behind her as she ran. “Shall we leave now?”
The group set off to the north, not knowing what they would encounter. The path towards the Forgotten Forest was littered with bandits and monsters this time of year. The clouds had grown dark, a gentle rain fell from the sky. Wind whistled through the trees as the team made their way down the road. The journey had been quiet, too quiet.
“Hold on. I hear something,” Golden Strike was scanning through the bushes for any signs of a possible threat. “Someponys crying... Over there.” She was pointing in the direction of some bushes.
“I believe you mean ‘Over der!’” Luna said in a childish joke.
Celestia smacked her with her tail, “Now’s not the time to be an idiot! Wait until you’re alone with a guard before you try to pull that shit!”
Luna huffed, “Well you’re being a no-fun bitch, aren't cha?”
“Can the bickering wait?” Clover asked in a hushed voice, “We don’t know who or what is over there.”
Black Aroma had gone around the clearing while Thunder Mist flew into a nearby tree, positioning themselves in a flanking position. Sun approached the source of the crying. She passed through the bushes and the crying stopped. It had gone quite far a few moments before a scream broke through the air. Gunshots fired through the air as a three-horned, flaming squirrel burst through the opening Sun had left. It ran around frantically, trying to crawl up onto one of the larger ponies.
“Get it off! Get it off!” Luna began screaming as it tried to crawl in her mane.
“Scared of a little squirrel are we?” Life asked with a sarcastic tone. The ‘normal’ ponies had gathered back into the trees where the gods were.
“Do they even care about what happened to Sun?” Golden Strike asked.
“Apparently not. It looks more like that squirrel is their main focus now,” Clover replied.
“We can’t just let my queen stay in there, can we? We have to go get her!” Black Aroma was shaking with fear at what could be happening to Sun.
Lightning, who had overheard them, walked over, “I agree. We can’t leave her in there while these idiots fight over a squirrel. Thunder Mist, I want you to fly over the trees and tell me what you see. Aroma begin charging a magic blast, just in case whatever is behind those bushes decides to attack.”
“Ok, I’m goin...” Thunder Mist was interrupted by a magical bolt shooting from the bush, disappearing in a cry of agony and blood. An old unicorn stood staring at them, bloodlust filling his eyes.
“The master does not want you to interfere!” He cried, blasting Clover and Golden Strike, leaving blood where they once stood.
“I still don’t see what the big deal is. It’s just a squirrel after all,” Death was looking at Luna. They didn’t seem to notice, or care, about what was going on. The six alicorns just stood there fighting over the squirrel.
“WILL YOU DUMBASSES STOP FIGHTING ABOUT THAT DAMN SQUIRREL! SUN IS MISSING AND THIS BASTARD JUST KILLED YOUR SERVANTS!” Lightning, visibly pissed beyond comprehension, was using the royal speaking voice. The old unicorn looked on in amusement, stepping closer for a better look.
“They died? I hadn’t noticed,” Clay looked over at where they once stood. “But Black Aroma looks just fine.” In the midst of the arguing, other ponies, twisted from the demons that lived in the forest, had gathered around, each wearing a suit of armour clinging swords and axes together.
“Hey, it looks like we found a party!” Luna sounded happy as she lifted her mace into the air.
“Go my brothers and sisters! We must not let our master’s plan be interrupted!” The old unicorn commanded as one of the attackers sprang forward slashing a blade through the air in an attempt to hit Celestia, only to be knocked away by Clay’s massive hammer. Pony after pony, they stormed into the clearing replacing the fallen faster than they were dieing.
Lightning swung her ax into the side of a pegasus that tried to dive into the group. She looked for any way to escape, but could only see more of the twisted ponies pouring into the clearing. Death had his scythe through the neck of a unicorn the same moment Life stabbed her horn into a earth pony’s heart. Celestia and Luna fought together in the center of it all, lance and mace swinging at any opportunity they found. Clay had made a wall of stone around one edge of the clearing in hopes of slowing the advances of the grounded earths and unicorns. Arrows shot from the trees at the alicorns and the occasional gunshot fired into the crowd. The battle was looking bad, there was no way they could win.
“But master! They are interfering with your plans!” The old unicorn (let’s call him Jim) said, turning to face nothing. “Brothers, the master has spoken.... we must let them go.” The swarm had begun to break up, the twisted ponies broke through the trees.
Dead bodies filled the clearing, Black Aroma among them. The alicorns had assembled around her body, magic trickling from their horns into Life. With a surge of her magic, Black Aroma came back from the dead. “What... What happened?”
“You died sweetheart. Only reason you're here now is because Life brought you back in time,” Clay said, “Now back to where we were before so rudely interrupted. Where is that damn squirrel!”
Black Aroma looked at Lightning, “Do they even care about what just happened? Clay has a knife sticking out of his wing for Sun’s sake!”
“You forget, we are gods. Not much phases us, but apparently squirrels are one of the few things that do,” Lightning said. The annoyance of how her friends were acting made her disappointed to call herself a goddess.
“Hey Lightning! Get over here and help us cast our spell! You don’t want her trapped in this form, do you?” Clay called over from where he had the squirrel cornered.
“What do you mean?”
“Jim turned Sun into a squirrel, we thought it was obvious,” Celestia said, charging a healing spell. “After that fight, I need some help!”
“An almighty alicorn turned into a squirrel.... Am I still in Equestria?” Black Aroma asked. She had begun stumbling from the shock of dieing. Lightning had seen the world of the dead long ago, back during the Great War. It wasn’t a pleasant place, no order, no joy, no pain. The fear of being hunted, of being followed, followed wherever you went. Only the bravest souls could leave with their sanity or limbs intact.
“It was worse when we were all here,” sorrow was in Life’s eyes.
I must not be the only one having memories of the past, Lightning thought to herself. Might as well help with spell. Magic tendris left her and filled Celestia. With a flash of blinding light, Sun, in all her glory, laid passed out by a tree. The grass around her caught on fire. Control over her power must have slipped away in that degrading state.
“Does this mean someone has to carry her?”
“No, Luna. I’m fine,” Sun was rising from her sleep. “One of you help me get my stuff out of the bush.”
“I will,” Aroma said, helping Sun to her feet before going into the shrubbery.
“Where do we go from here?”
“Forward. We’ve come too far to turn back now,” Lightning was moving down the road again, not caring if she was followed or not. Her mind was focused on one goal, the alicorn that waited in the forest. She wanted to know who Euphemia was. She had to remember. She just had to.
Continuing down the path, a lake came into view. This is the lake from my dream! I must be getting close! Lightning ran faster than the wind, hope welling inside her. She was close to the answers she was seeking. The trees grew thicker. Flowers and bushes grew wild along the path. Sunlight sparkled across the water, animals splashing around trying to cool off. It was beautiful, everything had its place here. Everything but a small island in the middle of the lake. It was barren. No life could be seen. Lightning looked the island over, seeing a small altar standing in the middle of some fallen pillars.
Lightning flapped her wings as she soared over the water. The moment she had been waiting for.
I’ve been waiting for you. Now you can join me in my imprisonment! The wind stirred, pulling Lightning into the air. She heard her friends calling her, but they were too late. She had gotten tired of waiting. The world grew dark and cold as she was pulled into the altar. She had failed her friends. No hope was left in her as she slowly began to rot and die.
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