//------------------------------//
// The Void 
// Story: Shrouded in Fear 
// by TinnyPiano26 
//------------------------------//

Twilight set the burned book on her desk and sat down in front of it, studying the magic it was using to communicate with her. It was dark in origin and was immensely powerful, more powerful than she could even imagine. Any further details were shadowed from her and would require more concentration than what she was capable of giving at the moment. She was also curious about Bright Day and who it was. Even more confusing was how it knew about the Dark One's past and about her. She opened the book again and found the same two sentences written on the same page.

You can't stop him now. There is no hope anymore.

Surely there was a way to stop the Dark One that Bright Day wasn't telling her about. Then again, it did say that the only beings that could truly stop him were his brothers, who were both dead. She sat there and thought about it more and more, and as she thought, a question began to form in her head.

Just who is in that book, exactly?

She levitated a quill and inkwell over to her and began writing in the book again.

Who are you, exactly?

I told you, my name is Bright Day.

I know that, but who ARE you?

I can't tell you.

Why not, huh? Are you some almighty being that sees everything?

I can't tell you, I'm sorry.

WHY NOT?!

Bright Day hesitated for a moment, then replied.

Because it's not time for you to know yet.

Twilight raised her eyebrow in suspicion, then continued writing.

Why are you even in this book?

So that I could give you the information you need to learn when it's time.

So when do I learn what you are?

...

Twilight waited for a response, but it didn't come. After a few minutes, she continued writing.

Well?

... You don't want to know when.

Yes I do.

Are you sure?

Yes, I'm sure.

Very well. You learn when Equestria falls.

Twilight sat staring at the book's words, surprised.

When Equestria... falls?

Yes.

Twilight began to feel tears welling in her eyes.

How long away is that?

Not too long, I'm afraid.

Her tears began to fall and soak the book as she cried and laid her head down. The purple mare cried for a few minutes, finally raising her head and looking at the book, which had absorbed all of her tears and ruined the pages. However, the page with writing on it was fine, and had another line written on it.

There is another way to learn this information. Would you like to know?

Twilight didn't reply, instead simply nodding, hoping that Bright Day would see her.

Then tell me. Tell me what you would like to know.

She picked the quill back up and replied.

I want to know what you are.

The book slammed shut and flew to Twilight's window, hovering in front of it, tapping the glass. Twilight hesitantly got up and opened the window, allowing the book to soar into the sky and disappear from sight. Where it flew to turned pitch black, and a small part of it went back to Twilight, enveloping and carrying her to the large black mass. As much as she struggled, she couldn't get free. She simply went limp and allowed herself to be consumed by the darkness.



Twilight opened her eyes and observed her surroundings. She was in a small, square, dark grey room with only a small candle in the center for illumination. Sitting behind the candle was a figure donning a pure white cloak. It's face was the same color as the room and was wrinkled with age, showing no emotion. It's eyes were seemingly dead, lacking irises or pupils. It raised it's arm and beckoned her closer with a bony, grey finger. She trotted up to the other side of the candle and sat down, staring intently at the creature's wrinkled face. It began speaking in a grumbly, elderly voice.

"Hello, Twilight. It's an honor to finally meet you face-to-face."

Twilight didn't reply, instead continuing to stare at it. The creature laughed heartily and continued.

"I understand you're confused by my presence, so allow me to ease your mind. I am Bright Day."

Her eyes widened and she cocked her head to the side, studying Bright Day more intently.

"Now that that's out of the way, let me tell you where you are."

Twilight broke her stare and again studied her surroundings. It wasn't familiar to her and it's very presence made her feel empty.

"You are in the Void. Or, at least, you're in a part of it."

"The Void?" Twilight finally spoke.

"Yes, the Void."

She focused her attention back on Bright Day. "Why is it a small grey room? I would expect the Void to be more... well..."

"... void?" Bright Day finished for her.

"Yeah."

"Well, really, this place is a void." He gestured around the room. "You are simply seeing it as a place of containment, having the knowledge that the Dark One was once imprisoned here."

She looked back at the walls of the room. Bright Day brought his hands together, making a slapping sound.

"Well, now to why I brought you here. You wanted to know what I am, yes?"

Twilight turned back to Bright Day.

"Yes, I do."

"Well, before I say it, let me tell you of something. Do you remember what I said happened to the Dark One's elder brother?"

"You said he was killed when the Dark One burned the book."

"Yes, exactly."

"What about it?"

Bright Day rubbed his neck and stared at Twilight.

"I lied. He didn't kill me."

Twilight's eyes went wide and she leaned closer to Bright Day.

"You're the Dark One's brother?"

"Indeed I am."

She went slack-jawed and sat staring at him for a good 5 or so minutes before speaking again.

"Wait, if you're still alive, then you can still stop the Dark One, can't you?"

"Oh, that. You see," Bright Day leaned back, "I can't stop him anymore."

"WHAT?!" Twilight glared at him.

He sat forward again and stared into her lavender eyes.

"He has rendered me feeble and weak. It's taking me most of my energy to speak to you like this, hence the elderly features and voice." He gestured to his face.

"But how can I stop him? I'm less powerful than you, and he made you weak!"

Bright Day groaned. "Yes, I know. However, there is a way that you can stop him."

"How?"

"There is a part of the Void that contains a magic that was locked away at the beginning of existence because my brothers and I feared of what would happen if it got in the wrong hands. It is so powerful that any being that got a hold of it would easily be able to overthrow me and my brothers, even if we were in our most powerful state. If you can get it, you will be able to imprison him and make sure he never comes back."

"How will I be able to find it?"

"To you, the area it's locked away in looks blood-red and will make you feel terrified." He pulled a key out of his cloak and handed it to Twilight. "Use this key to open it."

Twilight took the key with her magic and stood up. A door appeared behind Bright Day and opened to reveal a green room.

"Good luck, Twilight Sparkle."

She nodded and walked into the green room, the door slamming shut once she was inside.

"I pray you do not wander into the wrong rooms."