Resolve
The journal remained open as Twilight moved here eyes about the room, making sure that she was unseen. She watched the only door in the room checking the lock mechanism from a distance. She looked about the room in candle light watching the shadows dance along the floor and walls. Once she was sure that she could not be seen by another, her eyes moved to the words of the journal.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The boy we had used in the first experiment had died a few days later. The child would do nothing but scream and laugh like a maniac. I had never seen behavior like it before. When we returned from the sleeping quarters, we went to check on him and record his status. He found him lying in a small pool of his own blood. His head was smashed in and pieces of his skull lay littered on the floor. We had no inclination of as how this could have occurred.
We decided to dispose of the child’s body in the Everfree Forest. After we finished disposing of him we knew we would need to continue to next step, a larger creature. We continued to research into the idea of taking control of a larger animal or pony. There was only one way that we could do it. We had to make a focal point for our magical abilities to be amplified enough for it to succeed. We discovered that we could not just create a focal point. Its creation required additional measures.
The focal point required was a special type of well. Our research revealed few details pertaining to its creation. We had to improvise with most of the materials required. It took us three weeks to gather the materials required for its creation. The next step was to put a drop of blood into the well from each member of the team. The water inside the well turned into a deep red color and began to glow slightly. The others were satisfied with the results of our improvisation but I was not. The red water seemed to be alive. It glowed and pulsed with life. It was strange to me and to my utmost regret I brushed away the feeling.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Twilight looked up from the book again, her eyes darting in every direction. A soft chuckle escaped her lips. The shadows cast by the lone candle danced in the room, making shapes and forms. She got up out of her chair and went to the desk near the door. She placed the journal down atop its surface. She unlocked the room door and slowly made her way up the few stairs into the main room. Her body and mind were weak from lack of sleep and nourishment. Her face had grown slightly pale in the days past. Spike heard the door creak open and rushed to the stair way to see Twilight walking up slowly, her head down and her eyes looking to the ground.
"Twilight, Twilight! Are you alright? You look terrible. You were down there for two days! Your going to kill yourself, if your not careful. Is that book that important?" Spike asked concern and fear for his friend flowing through his voice. Twilight only kept walking toward the kitchen. She did not look at the baby dragon.
“I…was reading the book from the table. Remember?” Twilight responded weakly.
"Twilight please, this isn't like you! I've seen you do this only once or twice in all the years we've worked together. I'm concerned for you. You need to take care of yourself." he said raising his voice slightly to make his point.
“I’ll be ok Spike. Don’t worry about it. Right now all I want to do is get something to eat and rest a little bit.”
“Ok Twilight, but please look after yourself. I don't want to lose a friend." he told her his eyes wide and wet.
“Spike, you won't lose me. I'll always be around. But please, let me eat and rest for a while alright.” she told Spike, almost oblivious to his concern. She ate a small meal and made her way to her bed.
When she reached her room, she almost collapsed from the exhaustion. She ell into her bed in a heap. She did not pull her covers over her, her eyes were shut almost as soon as she hit the bed. Her mind would not rest however, she tossed and turned. Her body ached and twitched with small spasms. Her mind's eye was open and she could hear a being speak.
"Twilight? Oh Twilight, your mind is strong and your magic stronger. I can see your future. It is grand. I know a way for it to be even better than what I can see. All you need to do is give me what I want and I will grant you power unlike any the world has ever seen. Your teacher would be so proud of you. Isn't that what you crave most? If it is, then let's make a deal." the deep baritone voice rang in her head.
Twilight's eyes shot open flying around the room trying to locate the source of the voice she had just heard. Her breath was shallow and her heart was racing. She looked out her window trying to gauge the time. The sun had vanished beyond the horizon. The moon and stars shone brightly next to their black background. She took some deep breaths trying to calm herself. She slowly put her head back onto the pillow and closed her eyes once more trying to gain a few more hours of much needed rest.
“Twilight, I know your mind. You look up to your princess and mentor. What if I told you that I could give you the power to take her place? Well I have the kind of ability. I can give you the power that you need to fulfill your every whim and every desire." the voice said with an enticing tone.
"No, I won't do it. I could never do something like that." Twilight said within the confines of her mind as if trying to tell the voice to go away and give up its effort.
"That's funny my dear. I know you wouldn't do such a thing willingly. That's why I am going to take your mind from you!" the voice rang again.
Twilight's body shot upright and she let out a scream. Her breathing increased again and she was mumbling to herself. Her head shot toward the stairs as she heard soft but frantic steps coming.
“Twilight! Are you okay, what happened!?” Spike yelled with concern for his close friend as he ran up the stairs.
“I...I had a bad dream, that’s all. I’ll be alright.”She said while waiving a hoof to dismiss him.
At that spike turned around to go but turned to look at his friend again. Spike's face showed nothing but concern for his dear friend. He continued to look at her with fear and concern on his face. His eyes were wide and hoping. He did not want to leave her side.
“I’m fine Spike, really.” she said forcing a smile onto her face.
“Promise?” he asked, still highly concerned.
“Promise” She said with her usual pep in her voice as reassurance.
Spike hesitantly turned and went down the stairs not wanting to start a debate. Twilight heard his foot steps reach the bottom floor and she lay her head on her pillow once more. Her eyes closed and her mind drifted away into a peaceful slumber.
"She is close. A little bit more nudging in the direction I want her to go and she'll be mine. She has a strong will, but even the strongest of wills can be broken, if given the right incentive. Her resolve is almost gone and once she is vulnerable she will be mine." a voice whispered unto itself.
Next Chapter
Descent