//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: Forest’s Corruption 
// Story: The Shadows Cast Over A Weary Sun 
// by runner2 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 4: Forest’s Corruption

A few weeks had passed since Celestia was forced to banish Nightmare Moon. An air of unease had been hanging over the town since knowledge of what had happened spread. On top of the already devastating news, many odd events had been happening since then as well. The weather in and around the town had begun to act on its own, without pegasai help. Many strange plants had been growing around and into the town. But the worst had yet to come.

On the night of the end of the 3rd week since the banishment, strange noises were heard in the forest around the town. 
The guards and citizens were unsure what could be making these noises, and were scared of them.

Quill, along with a few other ponies, ran into the ruined castle in search of Princess Celestia. After a few minutes of searching they found her curled up on her bed in the castle, one of the few rooms that survived the magical explosion mostly intact.

“Princess Celestia. We are in need of your help.” Quill said.

Celestia slowly raised her head, dried tears visibly staining her cheeks, before responding, “What is the matter Quill.”

“There have been strange happenings in and around town for the last few days. Now there seems to be some unknown creatures surrounding the town and making ominous noises. We are not sure what to do, so we are requesting your help in protecting us from what¬ “

A loud scream echoed through the halls, followed by the sounds of the creatures. All of the ponies turned to look back, seeing one of the towns ponies being chased down the hall by what looked like a large wolf made of wood.

Celestia jumped from her bed and instantly fired a magic blast at the oncoming creature. It yelped and retreated. Turning her gaze back to the ponies, she ordered them all to return to the town and barricade themselves in their homes.

They all nodded in agreement and rushed back to town. Celestia took flight over the town and seen several more of the wooden wolf creatures, as well as several other unknown ones, terrorizing the town.

Using her royal voice she shouted, “MY LITTLE PONIES, RETURN TO YOUR HOMES AND BARRICADE YOURSELVES INSIDE! I WILL PROTECT YOU ALL!”

The ponies, following her command, did as ordered. Flying around, Celestia had to fight back several more of the wooden wolves to protect her subjects before she could try to take care of the problem.

After several hours of continually fighting off the beasts, Celestia was beginning to tire. With a bright flash, Celestia erected a barrier around the town after blasting the last of the creatures outside of its limits. She knew that she couldn’t keep the barrier up for very long with all of the creatures attacking it from the outside, trying to get in. After several tense moments she came up with a plan. Celestia only hoped her power was strong enough for it though.

After a few minutes of building up her remaining power, she unleashed the massive spell. In a blinding flash of light, the whole town vanished, appearing on a distant mountain overlooking the forest and surrounding valley. After expending so much energy, Celestia collapsed in the middle of town.