//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: The Halfling Chronicles: Book 1 
// by theultimatebrony 
//------------------------------//

Twilight
Twilight was standing in the caverns underneath Canterlot. This reminded her all too much of the time Chrysalis trapped.
In the darkness Twilight could hear a voice, "Twilight Sparkle," the voice sounded deep and infinitely old.
"Who, who are you?" She asked.
"You will find out soon enough, but I have a message. The pony that holds your heart will fall and the ones you hold dear will prevent you from saving him."
Twilight couldn't believe what this thing was saying. If anypony she knew was in trouble her friends would help.
"What do you mean?"
Twilight's eyes snapped open and she looked around. She was in one of the rooms at the castle.
Shining Armor walked in and exclaimed, "Twily! You're awake!"
"Yeah," Twilight replied, "What happened?"
"You got knocked out and nearly drowned. Luckily your friend Midnight teleported you back to the balloon or who knows what would have happened."
"How's Midnight doing?"
"Where am I?" Yelled Midnight from across the hall.
"Could I go see to make sure that he's okay?"
"Sure, if you can get up. I'm going to tell Cadence and the others that you're alright."
Twilight got up and nearly passed out from a sudden hunger. She walked over to Midnight's room and didn't see anypony. Twilight focused and saw Midnight levitating a chair.
Midnight dropped the chair and hugged Twilight saying, "Thank Celestia you're alright."
"Same to you," Twilight said happily, "Though I didn't realize you could teleport."
Midnight looked at his hooves, "Don't be mad or anything but, from what I researched on Changeling magic I was able to create an energy absorbtion spell. I used it to get enough strength to save us both."
Twilight had no idea what to say. The energy absorbing thing was strange but at least Midnight was honest and didn't try to make something up. Then her stomache growled loud enough to be heard from the kitchens.
"We'll talk about this later but right now I really need to eat."
Twilight and Midnight walked down to the kitchens where Twilight's friends, plus Shining Armor and Cadence were.
When Twilight and Cadence saw eachother, they began to sing and dance, "Sunshine, sunshine. Ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake."
"Glad to see that you're okay," Cadence said.
"Thanks alot," Twilight replied.
Rarity walked up and said, "It's so nice that you are alright darling, but is your friend?"
She pointed to a corner where Midnight was just standing and looking at everypony.
"He's probably just not used to all these ponies," Twilight replied, "You could try to start a conversation."
Twilight went over to a table and ate until she couln't eat any more. When she was done, a loud noise came from 
the center of the room. A dark cloud appeared and said, "Hello everypony."
It was the same voice that told Twilight the prophecy.
"Who are you?" Shining Armor yelled.
"I go by many names, but you may call me Darkness, as I am the embodiment of the darkness in all creatures."
"Why are you here?"
"I wish to shroud the world in eternal shadow and have spent so many millenia working towards that goal."
"We have not seen signs of your influence," Twilight said, trying to sound braver than she felt.
"But you have," Darkness assured her, "For it was I who planted the seed of jealousy in Princess Luna's heart. I sired Sombra and created the Changeling race."
"Be gone!" Twilight heard Midnight shout, "I can see that this form is an illusion."
"Ah, young Halfling," Darkness chuckled, "I can see into your heart. You wish to change yourself before the one finds out who and what you are," Midnight suddenly went pale, "If any wish to visit, I am in the crystal caverns under the city. Until then..."
After the cloud fade away, Twilight looked at Midnight and said, "What did that thing mean when it called you 'Halfling'?"
Midnight took a deep breath, "Being a Halfling means that I am half pony and," Midnight almost whispered the next part, "half Changeling."