//------------------------------// // Chapter 25 // Story: The Darkness in our Souls // by Black Light //------------------------------// Chapter 25 It had been one week since I had gone into the library. I hadn’t come out and I haven’t slept the entire time. The princesses had been kind enough to send in a guard every so often to give me food to eat. Occasionally the girls came by and we talked but I never stopped searching through the many books in the archive. Rainbow and Skies both decided to stay in the castle in the guest rooms while I was here and they came to talk to me at least once a day. I always talked to them but I never stopped looking through the archive for what I was looking for, but a week without sleep was taking its toll on me. My body was tired and my mind wandered often. Both Rainbow and Skies told me to get some sleep but I always refused. I needed to find what I was looking for before I could rest. Then one day I found a book called The History of The Shadow Servers. I was extremely surprised that the Shadow Servers actually had something on them here, but I didn’t know much about the group that was following me and I wanted to find out more so I opened the book and started reading. With my mind in the state it was in the only pieces I managed to gather from it was that they served the darkness, that there were many before me who they followed thinking them to be their master, and that they always seem to know who it was. That was all the information I got before I lost consciousness. I woke up in a bed and I looked around. Judging from the décor I was still in the castle probably one of the castle guest rooms. I became aware of the pressure on my chest and I looked over and saw Skies asleep on top of me. I used my magic and levitated her to the bed and put covers over her. I rubbed my head as a magic headache came. It was apparent that I wasn’t fully recovered from my week in the library. I was still weak and it might take a while for my full magical ability to come back to me. I looked over to the side and saw a balcony standing on the balcony was Rainbow watching the sunrise. “It really is a beautiful sight isn’t it.” I spoke. Rainbow turned around and I saw her surprise, but then she smiled. “Yeah, I don’t normally get up early enough to see the sunrise.” She said. “Well I was referring to you, but the sunrise looks pretty good also.” I said walking up beside her. She punched me in the shoulder playfully and had a small laugh. “So did you find what you were looking for in the library?” she asked with a hint of sadness in her voice. “Please don’t go back in there and stay for that long again. It could have been a lot worse than you simply falling unconscious.” She told me worriedly. “I don’t think that’s going to be necessary.” I said as I saw the book I had been holding before I fell unconscious on a bedside table. I used my magic and levitated it over to me. “I think what I need to know is in here.” I said tapping the book with my hoof. I felt another headache from using my magic and the book dropped to the floor as my spell dissipated. I heard Rainbow gasp and she started to come over to me. “I’m fine just kind of exhausted. I don’t think it would be the best idea for me to try and look through that book just yet.” I said. Rainbow gave me a small smile which I gladly returned. I turned around as I heard a small yawn from behind me. I saw Skies sit up and the bed and look around. When she looked at me she had a large smile and flew quickly over to me and hugged my neck tightly. “Skies, Air.” I said as my throat started to close up because of the tight grip around my neck. Skies let go quickly. “Oops… Sorry.” She said. To which I put my hoof on her head and ruffled her mane. “It’s alright.” I said. “Well I don’t have any plans today so how about we all go out and do something?” I said to both of them, and they both gave a nod of approval. “Well then come on I’m sure there’s something cool to do in a hoity-toity city like this.” I said as I walked out through a door. “That’s the closest.” Rainbow called after me. I turned around and walked out the door to the guest room. “I knew that.” I said as I turned down the hallway. “It’s the other way.” Skies said. I peaked my head back around the door. “It may be for the best if you lead the way considering I have no idea where we are in the castle.” I said with a sheepish smile. Rainbow and Skies both rolled their eyes at me with a chuckle. “Come on let’s go” Rainbow said as she walked out the door with Skies. I followed behind them with a grin on my face. This was the first time in a week that I’ve actually had a break. Then a though came to me. “How long was I unconscious?” I asked. Rainbow turned around “Well today is Tuesday.” “So only for the night?” “Not quite you fell unconscious last Monday.” “WHAT! I’ve been unconscious for a whole week!?” I shouted Rainbow was on the floor laughing with Skies. “You should’ve seen the look on your face. You’ve only been out for a couple of hours.” Rainbow said after laughing. “That…Is actually kind of funny.” I said. “But please don’t do that again.” “Alright, alright I won’t do that anymore.” Rainbow said and I smiled. “Of course Skies never said she wouldn’t.” Rainbow said taking off with Skies at a run down the hallway. I sighed. “Mares.” “Tell me about it.” I turned around and saw Shining Armor standing behind me. “Hey there captain. How goes it?” I asked. “I’ve doing alright, how about you?” “I’ve been better.” “I heard you spent a whole week in the Archives with no sleep. I would be surprised if you weren’t.” “Yeah, but thankfully I think I found what I was looking for. Hopefully it will answer my questions.” “So do I. Best of luck to you Shadow.” He said as he walked down the hallway. “Hey you coming or what?” I looked down the hallway and saw Rainbow waiting at the end. I sighed. “Yeah, I’m coming.” I said as I walked down the hallway and we walked through the rest of the castle and walked out of the castle. “So where do you two think we should- *Oof*” I said as I ran into somepony. “I’m sorry, I was distracted.” I said as I looked up to who I bumped into. “Oh, hey Twilight. What are you doing here?” I asked. “Shadow. You’re finally out of the library?” Twilight asked very shocked. “Yes, my natural exhaustion finally gave in and I kind of fell unconscious.” Suddenly Twilight was blocked from my view by the sudden movement of a certain pegasus. “You fell unconscious? Are you okay? You didn’t hurt yourself falling? Did you hit your head? I should go back to my house and go back to my home and get you some ice packs just in case.” “Fluttershy I’m fine, just a little tired. That’s all.” I said with a slight chuckle at the mare’s sudden transformation from the shy pegasus to the protective nurse type at the simple mention of an injury. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. I’m sorry.” She said once again hiding behind her mane. “Fluttershy there is no reason for you to apologize.” I said which got a small smile from her and got her to come out from hiding in her mane. “So what are you all doing her?” I asked. “Well we were actually coming to see you, but we thought you would still be in the library though.” Twilight answered. “Well I’m not, so since we’re all here why don’t we all go out somewhere in Canterlot. Since I don’t see Spike I’m going to say we can go to someplace actually formal here.” “Are you saying that Spike isn’t able to behave himself?” Twilight asked me slightly annoyed. “No I’m saying that since he isn’t here chances are he is behind you somewhere carrying all of Rarity’s stuff, and chances are she brought all of our formal wear.” I responded. “That… is surprisingly accurate.” Was Twilights response as I saw Spike started to come up behind them with three large suitcases stacked on top of one another. I started laughing a little and soon after I was joined by the rest of the girls. Things seem to going my way today.