//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: Darkness Surrounding // by Sigil Flare //------------------------------// It's been two days since the start of our heroes journey. Silverstreak has finally been accepted by the group. It took awhile for Vinyl to warm to the fact he eats meat, but after watching him eat dandelion sandwiches for the last two days, she admitted he wasn't going to eat any member of the crew. It also helped that Silverstreak enjoyed Vinyl's kind of music. Silverstreak had found a true friend in Rainbow Dash. At first she was aggravated by his seemingly effortless coolness. He always had a serious face on and only put on a smile when it was necessary. After a while though Silverstreak caught Rainbow practicing her acrobatics. At first Rainbow started showing off, no reason not to show off her skills she thought. When she looked back Silverstreak was gone. Rainbow went looking for him finding him in the sparring quarters. He had set up a very large cube of metal. He wrapped it with his paw, making it give a metallic ting. Rainbow watched as Silverstreak brought his paw back, she lost sight of it as it flashed forward punching a hole straight through the solid metal block. Rainbow's jaw dropped, but Silverstreak didn't stop he kept going. He brought his paws back and forth in a rhythmic wave of destruction. Rainbow started backing out of the room as the block was turned to rubble in mere seconds. Rainbow froze in place as Silverstreak let out a deep growl and put his paws to his head. He dropped to the floor and writhed as if he was being beaten. Rainbow immediately flew to his side asking if he was okay, looking him over. He slowly stopped writhing breathing deeply. He removed his paws from his head and let them lay on the floor at his sides. “Sorry you had to see that” said Silverstreak panting “What just happened?” asked Rainbow “Should I get help?” “No I'll be fine” said Silverstreak getting to a sitting position “Are you sure?” asked Rainbow shooting him a questioning look “You didn't look fine a few seconds ago. Look at what you did to that block” She pointed in the direction of the remains of said block. “Oh you saw that?” asked Silverstreak looking at his paws his ears drooping “I have no problems if you want me to leave” “Why in Celestia's name would I want you to leave?” asked Rainbow confused “Because I'm a berserker” said Silverstreak “A what?” said Rainbow still not getting it “A berserker is somepony who, when they get too angry or taste blood, enter a blind rage in which they gain incredible strength and will attack anything in sight” said Silverstreak “That sounds awesome” said Rainbow excited “Can I do that?” “No and you don't want to” said Silverstreak with a frown “Why not?” asked Rainbow frustrated “Am I not allowed to be one?” “No it's because when your in the berserker state you can't stop yourself” said Silverstreak looking away “You'll destroy everything in your path.... even your.... family” “Oh...” said Rainbow scratching the back of her neck awkwardly “Well in that case I don't think I want to be a berserker, but why were you so angry?” “I say you practicing your flying” admitted Silverstreak with a awkward smile “I've always wanted to fly” “You could have said something” said Rainbow with a smirk “You didn't have to come down here and wreck stuff” “I'm not one for talking about stuff” said Silverstreak shrugging his shoulders “Hey I'm your friend Silver.” said Rainbow putting a hoof on his shoulder “If you ever wanna talk about stuff come see me alright?” “Really?” asked Silverstreak a gleam in his eye “Really” said Rainbow with a chuckle “I'd never leave a friend hanging” After that Silverstreak started coaching Rainbow Dash in fighting techniques and Rainbow helps Silverstreak handle his anger. They asked Steam Gear if they could fix up the sparring quarters to use as a training ground. With his permission they started renovations. The next day Steam had called everyone else into the chart room to discuss their course. “Alright with Silverstreak now aboard we are going through supplies faster than originally thought” said Steam “We need to make port somewhere to resupply” “What about Stalliongrad?” asked Vinyl hopefully “Vinyl that's north.” said Octavia face hoofing “we're going south” “I know I've just always wanted to go to Stalliongrad” said Vinyl with a smile “Steam why don't we head east towards Fillydelphia?” said Spitfire pointing a hoof at the chart displayed on the table in front of themselves “It's only a day away if we divert course now” “That won't work with the wind we have now” said Steam with a shake of his head “It's blowing from the east. We'd lose more time than we'd gain” “Why not go to Las Pegasus?” suggested Octavia “It's two days away to the east but with the wind behind our sails it should be less than a day and a half” “Smart suggestion Octavia” said Steam with a smile “I didn't take you for a sailor” “Tavi stayed up all night yesterday studying boating” said Vinyl with a chuckle “She's such an egg head sometimes” “Some of us prefer to be useful Vinyl” said Octavia defensively “Don't you agree Twilight?” Twilight was over in the corner of the room with a glazed look in her eye. She didn't even acknowledge Octavia's statement. “Hey Twilight, anypony home?” yelled Vinyl rather rudely “Huh... what?” asked Twilight shaking her head “Are you okay dear?” asked Octavia concerned for her new friend and shooting a venomous look at the DJ sitting beside her “You don't look well” “Nah I'm fine” said Twilight rubbing her eye with a hoof “Just a little tired is all” “What do you think about going to Las Pegasus?” asked Steam curiously “Isn't that a little off course?” asked Twilight staring at the map on the table a little to noticeably “Shouldn't we be going south?” “Dear we just decided to go that way to get some supplies” said Octavia “You sure your okay?” “I'm fine!” yelled Twilight defensively “Just didn't sleep well is all” “Wow Twilight” said Vinyl laughing “No need to yell” “I'm gonna go take a walk” said Twilight getting up and walking out of the room “Las Pegasus will work out fine, I'm sure you know what your doing” Octavia gave Vinyl an odd look. Steam looked over to Spitfire, who nodded in silent reply. She got up excused herself and left to follow the lavender unicorn. Turning the first corner she caught a glimpse of Twilight's tail disappearing around a corner and began to sneak after her. Spitfire followed her up the spiral staircase to the deck. She stayed out of sight as best she could, ducking behind barrels when Twilight would occasionally look over her shoulder. It was obvious to Spitfire, wherever she was going, Twilight didn't want anypony following her. She lost her as she ducked past the front mast onto the bow of the Albatross. Spitfire got closer to see if she could spot Twilight. She spotted the unicorn sitting on the edge of the bow her front hooves over the edge swaying in the breeze. Spitfire breathed a sigh of relief. All Twilight wanted was a good view and a breath of fresh air. She turned to leave, but stopped as she heard a soft crying sound. Twilight was crying softly, the noise almost drowned out by the wind. Spitfire knew she couldn't just leave her there like this. She trotted over and sat down next to her. Twilight took no notice of her until she reached out and touched Twilight's shoulder with her nose. “Twilight?” asked Spitfire gently “Spitfire?” replied Twilight her ears folding down in shame “What are you doing here?” “I came to see if you were alright?” said Spitfire reaching out a comforting hoof “I told you I'm fine” said Twilight batting away the hoof “Now go away. I want to be alone” “I'm not going anywhere” replied Spitfire sternly “Fine” said Twilight irritably “then I will” “Is this about Sigil Flare?” asked Spitfire a quizzical expression on her face “What are you talking about?” asked Twilight in a panic “He's just a friend” “I didn't say he was anything more” giggled Spitfire “but I'd say he's a lot more than just a friend, if he gets that response from you” “Oh...” said Twilight looking at her hooves It was obvious to Spitfire that Twilight had remorse written all over her. Head down, ears drooped, and eyes closed. “Twilight I know Sigil didn't show up at the meeting a few days ago” said Spitfire “I'm beginning to think you know why” “I...I” stumbled Twilight forcing the words out “I yelled at him” “For what happened to Spike?” asked Spitfire “How...?” asked Twilight confused “Fluttershy told me” Spitfire answered “Yes, for what happened to Spike” said Twilight rambling “I was mad and confused and and” “It's okay Twilight” said Spitfire “No it is NOT okay” yelled Twilight forcably closing her eyes as she remembered “I said horribly things. Things I wish I had never said. I told him he wasn't a pony, That I never wanted to see him ever again” She grabbed her head in her hoofs and yelled in frustration tears streaming down her face “It's not your fault” said Spitfire trying her best to try and keep Twilight calm “Don't you get it!?” screamed Twilight glaring at Spitfire a pained look in her lavender eyes “It's all my fault. I am the element of MAGIC ITSELF! If hadn't have lost to Trixie none of this would have happened to him!” “Don't say things like that!” said Spitfire in a worried tone “Why not? It's true” said Twilight angrily banging her hoof on the deck “All he wanted to do was start over. To FORGET about all the bad things. To make FRIENDS, ponies that care about him, who's lives he wouldn't put in danger just by being ALIVE. I was his ONLY one! And I let him down....” Twilight's entire body shook with the force of her anger and frustration “TWILIGHT SPARKLE!” roared Silverstreak walking up to her and looking down on her She looked up at him with tear stained cheeks and fearful eyes. Silver drew his lips back in a snarl as he spoke “LISTEN TO ME!” “Silverstreak...” mouthed Spitfire choosing not to interfere yet “Listen to yourself!” said Silverstreak growling angrily “Your whining like a little foal! You messed up, so what? Beating yourself up and destroying yourself from the inside out won't help.” “But...” replied Twilight fearfully Silverstreak wrapped a paw around Twilight's neck his claws gripping her fur and hoisted her off the ground shaking her a bit “You are the pony that discovered the Elements of Harmony” said Silverstreak “You said yourself you are the Element of Magic. I know your no Rainbow Dash, but show a little loyalty towards your friends. If you really are his only friend, then you need to be there for him. Your only as strong as your determination to be strong” Silverstreak then threw Twilight across the deck. She landed a few feet away her back aching from impacting the hard metal of the deck. She shook her head getting rid of her daze and caught Silver's gaze before he turned around. It was a look of disapproval and longing. “Now pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and buck up” said Silverstreak beginning to walk away “Why are you doing this?” asked Twilight “Why are you helping me” Silverstreak stopped and not looking back at Twilight and replied “because... Sigil Flare deserves better than me” Then he walked out of view “Are you alright?” asked Spitfire “Don't worry. I'm okay” laughed Twilight “I've fallen out of bed enough times that this is nothing” “What did he mean Sigil deserves better than him?” asked Spitfire confused “I have no idea” replied Twilight thinking “But I think there's more to that wolf than meets the eye” Twilight noticed a glint in the corner of her eye. At first glance it looked like a small black box. Upon closer inspection it was a solid black cube with a golden band running along it's middle. On top it had a very familiar looking Arcane Sigil. “What's this?” asked Twilight picking up the cube in her hoof “I don't know I've never seen anything like it” replied Spitfire a studious look on her face Twilight touched her hoof to the Sigil on top and it flashed bright lavender. The box let out a blast of air and the gold band split in half the top levitating off the cube splitting it in half. In the middle of the now floating cube was a black semi translucent orb. Suspended inside the orb was a brightly glowing star. There was a note inside. It read as follows: Dear Twilight, A gift from Sigil's late father. A family heirloom if I remember correctly. There's an old saying my father used to tell me. When your lost, look to the stars, and they will light your path. Silverstreak “I don't believe it....” stammered Twilight in shock and amazement “What,” asked Spitfire “do you recognize this thing?” “It's a Lorestone” answered Twilight deadpanning “I thought they were just a myth...” “What's a Lorestone” asked Spitfire prodding the orb “I've never heard of them before” “A Lorestone is something said in an old marestail.” explained Twilight “The story goes that a Unicorn was on his way home one night and used a star to guide his path. When he looked to the sky the following night he couldn't see the star in the sky and got lost. When his wife realized he had not come home she grew worried. She had often heard her husband speak of his guiding star. Finding it in the sky she used her magic to pull out of the sky. Doing so she broke it into pieces. These pieces of star were to be named Lorestones. When the unicorn finally return home he met his wife smiling at the door. She handed him a glowing stone in the shape of a star and said “If ever you find yourself lost again, throw this into the sky to find your way home” “So why would Silver give you this then?” asked Spitfire confused scratching her head with a hoof “It doesn't make sense” “Don't you get it?” asked Twilight figuring it out “Who is lost right now? Sigil Flare! He said he would be following us. Silver said he deserved better than him. He was talking about me! He wants me to use the Lorestone to guide Sigil home. Back to me!” She felt like floating away in joy “That sounds wonderful and all” said Spitfire “but how did he get Sigil's father's Lorestone in the first place?” “I don't know” said Twilight seriously “But I'm going to find out.” ___________________________________ Sigil sat in a coffee shop in the outskirts of Canterlot, his head laid in his hooves in defeat. He'd failed. Within the first day he had lost track of the giant ship that Twilight had embarked upon. He had been forced to retreat back to Canterlot so as not to get lost. Now he had no idea where Twilight was headed and no way to follow her. It seemed hopeless. What's worse is that he couldn't get her out of his head. Every time Sigil closed his eyes he saw her face in tears as he was walking away. He took a look at his mug of coffee in front of him on the table. He smacked it off the table with a hoof and it shattered on the floor. The ponies in the coffee shop turned to look at who made the noise. The shattered mug glowed a faint gold and began piecing itself back together. It flew up and landed back on the table in front of Sigil causing him to look up into the face of princess Celestia herself. “That's very disrespectful to your host” said Princess Celestia sitting across from Sigil “What are you doing here?” asked Sigil inspecting the newly reformed coffee mug “How did you find me?” “I noticed you walking in here and thought I would check up on you.” replied Celestia “Make sure your okay” “I'm terrific” replied Sigil laying his head on the table “So glad you decided to stop by” “Don't you sound happy” said Shining Armor walking into the coffee shop “Ah Shining” said Celestia smiling “What are you doing here?” “I always come here on Tuesdays” said Shining with a smile “The have half priced lattes. I do wonder why it is you are here Princess?” “I was just checking up on your Sigil Flare” replied Celestia pointing a hoof at Sigil “So your Sigil Flare” said Shining glaring at him “What are you doing here instead of chasing after my sister?” “Your sister?” asked Sigil worriedly “Your Twilight's brother? Look if your here to beat me up or something just do it now and save me sometime” “As much as that sounds like fun” said Shining handing him a letter “I actually wanted to give you this letter. It's from an old roommate of mine. He just happens to be on the ship Twilly's on board. You may want to take a gander at it.” “How did you get this?” asked Sigil “How did he know you would give it to me?” “he sent it with his falcon Talon. It is dated yesterday.” said Shining “That's just how he works. Sometimes I feel like he can see the future.” “Do you know what it says?” asked Celestia enjoying all the mystery, a pleasant smile on her face “I didn't open it” replied Shining dutifully “It was addressed to Sigil Flare” “Could it be from Twilight?” asked Sigil hope shining in his eyes “It could be” answered Celestia motioning for him to open it “Why not open it and find out?” Sigil grabbed the letter in his magic and tore it open and skimmed over the contents. He wore a confused expression on his face when he lowered the letter to the table. “I don't get it” said Sigil “It only has two sentences!” Shining Armor grabbed the letter and read it aloud “If this letter finds you lost, look to the night sky. There you will find a star most bright, shining with a lavender light.” “I understand it perfectly” said Celestia with a smile “It's a set of instructions for you to follow” “What are you talking about?” asked Shining “How can you understand it?” “Because it's written like the poems an old friend used to write.” said Celestia “He saying that if you got lost you should wait until the sun sets and look to the sky. If you find a star shining brighter than the others, with a lavender light follow that one.” “How can a light shine with lavender light?” asked Sigil “that seems impossible” “Think about it for a second” said Celestia with a chuckle “Do you two know any Lavender Unicorns?” “Do you mean a Lorestone?” asked Sigil beginning to understand “Where did Twilight get one?” “I don't know but that is what the letter says” said Celestia “What are you two talking about?” asked Shining confused “What's a Lorestone?” “How do I follow her though” asked Sigil “She must be miles away by now” “Sigil” said Celestia “You know spells that Equestria could only dream of. Surely you must have some way to catch up to them” “I will think of something Princess be sure of that” said Sigil blushing at her praise “I must go off to prepare whatever it is I am going to be doing” He stood up and began to trot for the door “Take good care of my Niece” said Celestia with a chuckle as he walked out the door Once Shining Armor had gotten himself and Celestia a latte, he sat down across from the Princess. Handing her the latte he said “I sure hope Uncle knows what he's doing” said Shining “If not I fear that Sigil will be sadly disappointed” “Don't worry” replied Celestia sipping on her latte “I know my brother better than anypony. He knows what he's doing or he wouldn't be doing it.” “Still though,” said Shining wiping off a latte foam goatee with a hoof “Don't you think we should have told Twilly that he was her Uncle?” “And take away the fun of telling her himself?” chuckled Celestia