//------------------------------// // Chapter Two: Friend of Shadows // Story: Seeds of The Alicorn // by MacrossRarity //------------------------------// Twilight regained consciousness, but her head was pounding, and her vision was a blur. Her throat was dry and something felt choking. She looked around. She was alone and trees rose up high. Stars twinkled through branches and in the ghostly moonlight dew shimmered. “Twilight...Twilight...” a raspy voice of no origin but everywhere at once buzzed through her head. She was starting to think curses might be true after all, and as she contemplated this, the voice came again. “Twilight, why do you deny me? We are one and the same, after all.” Twilight, startled, released a stammer, asking who this voice was. “Why, I am you, of course!” Twilight couldn't believe this; a sick joke, she thought to herself. “But I am you, not a joke. I just want to help you achieve your full potential. Why won't you let me in, Twilight?” Twilight began to retort, but as she found the words forming in her mouth, a bear appeared out from a nearby bush. It seemed angry, as if some commotion had awoken it, and it had its eyes set on her. The bear charged forward and Twilight began preparing a spell. “NO!” came the voice, more clear than before, following with a short and mild headache. All Twilight could do was dodge blows, claws coming in from the left and followed by biting as the voice interfered every time she wanted to use a spell. Something to even just put it to sleep was of no avail. Twilight was becoming winded; she was no physical fighter, and her kicks were no good against this mass of muscle. The voice popped into her head. “Let me help you!” Twilight didn't care much by this point and let the voice in. She felt rage. She didn't like this feeling such a disregard for life. She was still weak and tried to fight off the feeling as best she could, but the feeling overwhelmed her. She found new energy coursed through her veins and in horror could only watch as her own movements were guided. Twilight summoned a spell, dodging one last blow to her side as she struck. The spell hit the bear straight on and it stopped moving. The fur on its back began to bubble, to liquify itself, as if the creature was going to melt... and then it was gone. Blood flew everywhere, a heaping pile of gore raining down like a winter storm all around her. She was covered in the innards and blood of the once mighty animal, and just like before, she was compelled to lick some blood off her face, tasting the grotesque victory. She knew what she had done, she hated it, and it had struck her very heart hard to see the damage her magic had wrought. The voice inside cackled fiercely, “You will soon see our full potential, Queen Twilight.” Twilight Sparkle screamed and ran off, and for the first time, truthfully and wholeheartedly, knew she was cursed. The sun was now rising in a picturesque crimson pink and yellow. It seemed fitting. Celestia woke up in a graceful manner, as usual for such a princess. The first thought in her head was to get Twilight to Canterlot. There were things to learn and troubles to be lifted, but as she looked up towards Twilight's usual tidy bed, something was wrong. The bed itself was in normal fashion... well, as of late. Sheets and blankets were strewn across the floor and falling off the bed in chaotic fashion. Celestia began to get worried, but a recently woken Spike assured her she was just in the library... she had to be, that's where she had been for the past month, every morning. A wreck like no other was not found this morning, but instead a sparkling library that had been cleaned by Spike yesterday. Celestia seemed stricken by this for obvious reasons. From what she had heard, Twilight was not her tidy self, and couldn't stay organized to save her life. Celestia, keeping calm, was turning inside with wonder and yearning worry, then out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that there was some commotion to be found in this static library. Footsteps trailed off, or so it seemed, from behind the window, headed towards the Everfree forest. Celestia, feeling uneasy, rushed off, still in a graceful manner, towards the forest, not knowing what would be found but eager to help her favorite pupil in any way she could. The Everfree forest was close now, and in her place near the edge of the forest sat Fluttershy, trying to coax an agitated and rude bunny back towards her. It was Angel, Fluttershy's pet rabbit. Celestia seemed to take comfort in the sight of something as pure as this. Offering a greeting and a wishful wink, she carried on with her mission. “All right Angel, please come back home...you don't have to eat the salad if you don't want to.” Fluttershy spoke in a soft manner, and for a moment it seemed to work, but Angel took off into the forest. Angel followed Celestia for a bit until Fluttershy started yelling, loud but still soft to come back, and threatening to go in after him. With Fluttershy's first step into the woods, Angel took off. Celestia, caught off guard, didn't do much. She couldn't do much to help intervene, leaving a shocked and frightened Fluttershy standing with one hoof off the ground. Celestia offered a friendly smile to Fluttershy, inviting her along for her trek. Usually timid, she definitely felt safe around the princess. Zecora was pacing back and forth. These nightmares were not just Twilight's problem. Not anymore, at least. She took a special interest in this case, not only because Twilight was a dear friend, but also because she reached out to her when no one else would. “Poor Sparkle who shimmered so bright, a cure to dreams in anguish I shall find.” Zecora talked to herself, searching her own library of remedies and cures from her homeland. One bit of information seemed promising, but the materials to make such a potion would not be found so easily: rare desert flowers from Saddle Arabia, a vine that only flourishes down south for one hour every two centuries. It seemed pointless to try, but she felt obligated to repay the kindness shown to her by her friend. One thing Zecora knew was there is always a way to make things appear, through trickery or hard work. She could gather these ingredients, but to do this she would need the help of someone unwilling to help. THUMP THUMP. Zecora jumped a bit, startled by the knocking on her door. In strolled Celestia and her strange pink and yellow appendage. Fluttershy was basically being dragged inside on Celestia's hoof, and the sight of this made Zecora laugh. Witty comments were given in the zebra's usual manner, halted by a stern look from the Princess. Celestia asked about Twilight, if Zecora had seen her, or for any information in general. Painfully, Zecora spoke the truth, that she did not know the whereabouts of Twilight, but offered the recently found information on the potion she found, old and sacred as it was, and Celestia somehow knew of it. “Astral Disformation...” the name of this brew tasted sour on Celestia's lips; she knew of no successful attempts to make this concoction. Ungodly rare ingredients and dangerous chemistry formed this potion, but there was no denying its power... if legends were true. Fluttershy was lost in this conversation, grasping only a few key parts, but from what she did gather, she knew that this was something important. The effects of this potion can only be brought on by an Alicorn fusing a piece of their very soul into the brew while dreaming of the very essence of purity, among mixing delicate materials into a caustic cauldron. Yes, they both knew they would need some help. Celestia more than Zecora knew who would be the best suited for this job. Zecora packed up some necessities, flasks and vials, as well as some herbs and books. In the short stay there, Fluttershy had only just gotten her strength back, and off they went again. Twilight looked around. The sky had cleared to a soft blue, and in a clearing, she got her bearings. Feeling rested for the first time in forever, she was able to do what needed to be done. First things first was some food. She scavenged for some berries and other vegetable life. She thanked Zecora for teaching her a bit about nature survival, and now it was time to eat. Her stomach was smaller and weaker than it had been months ago, but welcomed the fresh vegetation to the fullest and to bursting, and luckily, a stream was nearby. Twilight trotted over, feeling better than she had in months, and knelt down to drink the mountain's delicious water. Upon tasting the cold water, her eyes closed and she felt bliss. Nothing could bring her down right now... until she opened her eyes. Clasped around her neck was nothing else but the amulet Trixie had worn. Twilight was familiar with this artifact indeed. Starting at first sight, her head becoming clear after a few seconds, things started to make a bit more sense, albeit she still had no clue as to what, why, and how anything had happened recently. It was just a blur. One big blackout. She sat and meditated for a while, looking deep inside herself now, and she felt a calling. “Save me... help me...” a sad serenade cried out to her mind. This wasn't the voice from before, but it was familiar... it sounded just like her. “What's wrong?” Twilight asked out loud. It has me, help...she is coming soon...I feel her.....help me...HELP ME! Twilight's mind went static, a sharp pain crossed, and for a brief second, Twilight felt anger that almost consumed her, but she shook it off. “Still not letting me in, I see?” said the raspy voice from before. The pain flashed again, but Twilight was stronger now. “What are you doing to me?” she demanded to know. The other voice replied, “All in time my, precious queen. I will tell all in time, just as you will accept me... keehahaha!” The voice faded off slowly, the last words echoing through Twilight's head. Shaking off the idea that she might be in serious trouble, she proceeded with her day. Finding a few herbs to pack and using magic, she fashioned a pack from some branches and leaves, packed up some food and water, and went on her way, not fully knowing the direction, but one was better than none. Twilight hoped she was going back home. With all her heart, she wanted to see her friends again, and this... such a simple thought gave her strength. Where is Fluttershy? both Celestia and Zecora wondered as they stepped back into Ponyville. They had thought she was with them, trailing behind. They had assumed that since they heard no struggles or any signs of danger, she was okay. Celestia urged Zecora on; they needed to make haste to Canterlot. Celestia's old acquaintance was going to be waiting, and she wanted to get a head start on the preparations for his help. The chariot arrived on schedule for their departure, and to Zecora's delight, it was a fantastic display of craftsmanship, something to marvel at... but it was nothing when the day-long journey to the castle was complete. Sights the zebra had never imagined now befell her, such grandeur and splendid art so carefully crafted and placed. This must truly be the home of Canterlot royalty. There was no time to gawk and marvel, though... there was work to be done. Over the course of two days, the two friends went around Canterlot gathering materials. Chalk, parchment, flowers, baked goods, and even cloth items, seemingly chosen at random. Everyone watching the two figured it was just gifts for a guest they were told to expect. Celestia spent three days arranging the odds and ends of the trinkets and objects in an unordered fashion. The princess gave the zebra a comforting wink, knowing what followed could be very dangerous if not handled with care. An orb of fire spilled out of Celestia's horn and surrounded a circle drawn on the ground, becoming a flame, a testament to Celestia's might as raiser of the sun. This flame, while at first glance looked rather chaotic in shape and unfriendly to the eyes, gave off a feeling of friendship. The spiraling orb expanded for a short while, becoming a tall, eccentric oval. Cracking sounds could be heard from outside, and the sky darkened a bit. Zecora even noticed some of the framework of the hall buckle. The orb skewed, shooting left and right, slowly falling back into formation... and with one last loud “CRACK,” the orb stopped changing, no longer an orb but a distinct shape. Small bits of lightning shot around the room as a cocky voice filled the ears of all the ponies in the room. “Oh? Oh ho ho ho ho, how fun... Celestia my dear, miss me already?” Celestia cringed at the voice as a shadowy figure became clear inside the flaming shield, and a statue outside crumbled to dust. Celestia responded coldly, “Hello, Discord.”