//------------------------------// // The quest begins // Story: Finding the Truth // by allthatchris //------------------------------// Chapter 5 Chris wasn't sure where he was, but he knew he was in trouble. The area was absent of light, but he could smell the fresh blood and burning flesh. Two white circles in the form of eyes appeared, and a soothing voice echoed in Chris's thoughts. "Don't worry, it is almost over..." The voice faded as the room began to illuminate. Chris could see six cages, each one containing his fallen friends. He opened his mouth to scream, but he made no noise. He looked down and put his hand to his stomach. Blood was draining from a gash in his abdomen, and he could feel himself slipping away. The shadow-like figure began to laugh, as it rushed forward and put its blade through Chris's head. He jumped up in his bed, gasping for air. 'A dream,' he thought, 'it was a dream. Or was it? It felt so real...' He cringed and felt his stomach. There was no wound, but he could feel the pain. He got up and left his room, silently moving towards the kitchen. His feet were much softer than the hooves of ponies, so he found he could move with ease without disturbing any pony. When he reached the kitchen, he stopped and listened. He could hear Pinkie Pie sobbing. He moved quickly to her room. "Pinks? You okay?" She raised her head from her pillow. "Oh Chris, thank Celestia you are okay. I had the most horrible dream. We were all locked in cages, and... and... Her tears were were welling up again. Chris sat at the end of her bed and held her hoof. "I think we had the same dream." Pinkie pie raised her head and gasped. "We should talk to twilight about it in the morning. For now, why don't we split a cupcake and talk about nice things?" Pinkie smiled. Chris knew just how to calm her down. ------------------------------------------ Twilight was shocked. "How could we all have the same dream?" Twilight, Dash, Chris and the others all stood in Twilights' home. "I'm not sure, but maybe we should inform the princess" Chris said. Twilight scolded herself for not thinking of that earlier. She dictated a letter to spike, who quickly sent it over with a breath of emerald flame. Within minutes, he coughed up a reply from the ruler of Equestria. Spike began reading out loud. "Come to the royal hall immediately." "Okay everyone, pack what you need and return here in one hour. This seems to be more serious than what we thought." Twilight began levitating things into her bag as she said this. Chris and the others quickly ran for the door. The seven heroes entered the Royal hall, and bowed to the rulers respectively. Princess Celestia and her sister were sitting on their respective thrones. Celestia was seated in a pure gold chair, adorned with green and red laces and frills. Luna was in much the same throne, except hers was black as night, made of onyx, and the decorations were blue and white. After a few minutes of silence, Twilight spoke. "Is this going to happen to us?" "No, my student, this is merely one of the ways your journey can end," Celestia said. "You must not let this become your reality." Celestia reassured them that they have the power to change this prophetic-like dream. "Chris, in order for you to realize your true potential and save our land as well as your own, you must find your element. Luna and I believe that we know where it is." Chris was confused. "Wait, I thought I was the element?" "Not quite, but you are the only one who can wield the power that the element holds. There is also a chance that the element of knowledge is close to yours as well. If you can retrieve it as well, we can safeguard it here and hopefully prevent the horrors that you all dreamt of," Celestia paused for a moment. She could see the fear in their eyes, and poor Fluttershy was already hiding and whimpering behind Rainbow Dash. "We believe your element is in the Cave of Truth, deep within the Everfree forest," Luna said as she stepped forward. "You seven must journey through the cave and find the element of strength. If you do not, I am afraid we have no hope of saving Equestria." "Say no more princess, we will set two days from now," Twilight said. "That gives us time to gather supplies and plan out our journey." "Very well, my student. Good luck, I expect to hear from you periodically. Chris, it must be you and you alone who enters the element chamber. Whatever trials are in place, they are meant for you" Celestia said with a stern voice. The seven heroes bowed, and exited the hall. Chris was tense the entire train ride home, his creative and vast imagination continuously created vivid nightmares about what awaited him. In order to distract his attention, the others recanted the tale of their elements. Back in the royal hall, Luna questioned her sister. "When the others gained the power of their elements, they were all together. Why is it that Chris must enter alone?" Celestia sighed. A look of anguish and worry enveloped her regal demeanor. "The equestrian elements revealed themselves at the same time, and vanquished the evil before them. It is my fear that knowledge and strength will do the same. If the other elements are present, the ponies will be forcefully attached to a side; Three on one side, three on the other. If that happens, the magic barrier that protects our land will be ripped in half, and will fill our enemies with untold power. It is safer for all of Equestria if knowledge and strength fight alone and uninterrupted." Luna pushed the issue. "Does this mean another human will appear and claim the element?" "Indeed it does, my sister; I only hope Chris is as strong as the universe believes he is." Celestia left her seat and headed for the royal library. "Now if you will excuse me, I must find the true nature of their dream." Luna took a deep breath as she found herself alone in the royal hall. For the first time in her immortal life, she felt as though her sister wasn't in complete control.