//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7: Alone 
// Story: Under the Black Sky 
// by ChronicleStone 
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     Night lay heavy upon Canterlot.  Sky had spent the last hour walking the hallways of the palace alone, trying to bring some sense of stability to his life.  Today’s been a whirlwind.  I can barely remember anything that happened.
After his conversation with Twilight and Spike, he had returned to the palace and personally apologized to each of the council members.  They had been gracious, but the look of concern and worry on their faces had been unmistakable.  Deep in his heart, he knew that he should be the one to finally vanquish the Chimera.  But his head had begun to wonder if that was really the best idea at the moment.
His aimless wandering through the palace had led him rather unexpectedly to the same dead-end hallway he had been to with Fluttershy earlier that morning.  He looked again at the magic-sealed opening with the steps leading into darkness.  He felt strangely drawn to it, as though it held some hidden significance that he was unaware of at the time.  For a brief moment, the magical barrier became a mirror, reflecting his own image back to him…and behind him, he thought he saw a group of ponies staring on from behind him.  They all seemed to be wearing outfits of some sort (uniforms, perhaps?), and they all bore the same solemn expression.  Sky quickly turned around, only to find that he was still quite alone.  He turned back to the doorway again.  It continued to glow, but it offered no more insights or visions.
More confused than ever, he retraced his steps back down the hallway and exited out onto a corner portico.  The stars were hidden by a fog that had recently fallen upon Canterlot.  That in and of itself was unusual, considering that the pegasi usually kept the city clear of clouds.  But the air itself felt warm and musty—it was not the simple staleness that Sky had complained about.  This was heavier and stronger…more oppressive.
The thought stung like a swarm of bees.  Oppressive?  Like my dream?
The similarities were unmistakable.  It had been misty in his dream.  The air had been oppressively thick.  And Canterlot had been dead.
Sky could still see street lamps and window lights glowing from nearby buildings.  He breathed a sigh of relief.  That was just a dream.  You’re in reality here.
But how long until they are one in the same? another voice asked from inside his head.
Sky grimaced.  I’m not talking to you.  This is MY head, and it’s closed for business, especially to you.
A snicker resounded inside his head.  Oh?  Well, then, no need to respond.  Just listen.
He tried to focus on something else: the Council, Twilight and company, his love of carrots…but in the end, all he could envision was the all-too-familiar face of the bearer of this ethereal voice.
What is it you see?  Does it seem like you’ve seen it before?  We suspect that you know precisely where you’ve seen this.  We told you exactly what it was.
I know what you want me to see, Sky replied.  But that means nothing.  I see a light mist over the city, and nothing more.
 And tell us, Sky Streak…can you remove the mist?  Can you move the clouds, as you did at our first meeting?
Sky hesitated.  It was baiting him; that much was obvious.  But why?  He was in Canterlot, where Shining Armor’s shield was still active.  Nothing could get in or out without his say.
Then how did the mist get in?
He shook his head.  He didn’t have to play the Chimera’s game.  If you’re so eager to see me again, why don’t you come get me? he challenged.
The laughter in his head rattled his thoughts and emotions.  His entire body was instantly covered in goosebumps as the sensation caused his skin to crawl.  Oh, haven’t you put it together yet, pegasus?  Do you not understand?
Sky snorted aloud.  What, like you’re gonna come in here?  Good luck with that.
The voice hummed, a sinister smile apparent in its tone.  Have you forgotten our tussle in the realm of the windigoes so soon? it hissed.  Perhaps you need a reminder of what we can do.
Suddenly, the ground beneath his hooves shifted.  It wasn’t a huge shift, but it grabbed his attention.  A moment later, there was a second tremor, longer and more powerful than the first.  We could bring this entire mountain down, Canterlot and all, the voice continued.  What would your precious bubble do for you then?
A third tremor shook the mountainside.  Sky heard cries and screams begin to rise from the buildings below.  A knot formed in his gut—a terrible feeling of helplessness and inevitability that he had feared ever since he had met the Chimera.  He was out of time—he could wait no longer.
Where are you?
Almost instantly, Sky felt a strong force pulling him to the northwest.  He hesitated.  This was exactly what the Council had warned him against: going off alone.  But he was out of options now.  If he didn’t respond to the Chimera’s threats, it would bring down the mountainside, and no amount of magic would protect the city from the destruction of a collapsing mountain.
He breathed deeply, summoning images of friends and family to mind.  He saw his parents, his sister, Twilight, Spike, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity, the Princesses, Shining Armor…
…And Lily.  Lily Pond.  His heart sped up as he thought about her.  What would you say to me now, Lily? he wondered.  You’re a lot more level-headed than I am.  He sighed despondently.  But you’re not here now, so I have to do this on my own.  Don’t be mad.
He turned his attention back to the Chimera.  I’ll be there.  You’d better be waiting.
Ironic to hear that coming from you, the voice mocked.
Sky ignored it.  He slowly opened his wings and took off into the thickening air.  As he passed through the bubble around the city, he could feel the air grow brisk, but a certain dread fell on him, as if the city’s last protection fell from him.  There was no Council anymore.  He had no friends, no family, no support.  It was just himself now.
He and the Chimera.