[Blazing's Entry]
The fact that I'm writing this means that I wasn't completely wrong about my assumptions. Void's words about failing still haunt me but so far I've been able to make things go my way. Good fortune was with me when Scream revived me and in my hurry to get out I was completely distracted by what I was going to tell Luna which led to my savior's attempt at grabbing my attention via a very pleasant method. I mean Chrysalis was something but Scream is simply... addictive. Just her breathing into my ear was more erotic than an entire night with the changeling queen.
I'm digressing but it was pretty awesome, ehm. Balls, stop! We're not going back, we don't know how. Well, I'm officially going crazy while trying to remember where I have to be at what time.
Right. I landed at my apartment and I'm going to see Chokey and princess Luna. The breaking point is here and I just have to hope I'm persuasive enough.
[End Entry]
After making myself presentable I break through the door of my apartment, grab some money and go outside to buy food. It's annoying but normal food has been helping less and less. I don't have a clue how long it took ancient changelings to begin eating positive emotions instead of food but apparently my transformation isn't over yet. Ah well, hungry and tired, I walk to the castle.
As much as I try to remember where exactly would Chokey and Void be right now the solution avoids me so I just sneak through the almost empty lower floors of Canterlot castle and toward the slightly more full upper floors. Meeting batponies from time to time proves uneventful as the news of my death wasn't publicly announced.
Without turning around from Luna's door before attempting to knock, I swing my arm behind me and break a spear aimed at me in half.
"You're becoming predictable, Sharp," I grin at the serious bodyguard when I turn around.
"You, on the other hoof, are a complete enigma, whoever you are," he counters while watching my revealed arm slip back, covered by dark green cloak.
"Sharp, I didn't save your firm and incredibly tempting ass during Nightmare Night just to kick it right now so call Luna, I don't have time to waste."
"I will do no such thing. You will not get anywhere near the princess until we know who and what you are."
"Alright. My name is Blazing Light. I'm a unicorn, changeling, magic monstrosity and I can kick you hard enough to make you see last Thursday. Satisfied?"
Instead of answering he spins around, kicks me once, twice and then a small bolt of lightning comes from his horseshoe which I reflexively disperse. He continues his assault with two punches with the second one sending out fire this time with the same lack of effect.
"Cheater! I didn't know you were able to use magic," I comment, not really worried because Sharp's combat skill, while immense, is severely hampered when his weapon is gone.
"You never said anything about being able to stop it," he watches me carefully, assessing his chances.
"To be honest, at this point in time I wasn't able to. So... shall we stop this game or do I have to be serious for a while?"
"I won't let you get anywhere near princess Luna now that I know how dangerous you are."
"Fine. Will you let me in if I surrender or whatever you want from me or do I have to begin bashing the door with your head?" I ask, slowly losing patience.
"You are not Blazing Light. He would never-"
I grab him with my arm before he can react, slam him into the wall and then throw him at Luna's door.
"No, I'm not your Blazing Light, Sharp. That doesn't mean I'm an enemy."
The hallway darkens but my changeling eyes are more than enough to see and my experience from fighting for my life against Luna saves me again when I disperse a much stronger bolt of lightning aimed at me from behind.
"Greetings, princess," I turn to the alicorn hiding in complete darkness.
"Give yourself up and we shall make your fate be only imprisonment," says Luna.
I'm in too deep. The letters didn't help apparently and I messed everything up. Heavens... how I hate fighting Luna. At least I know a lot of her usual tricks but with her knowledge she can easily pull out something new.
"I can't do that, princess. I need to speak to you and I'll do anything to make you listen."
"Then you will do so in the dungeons!"
I can't let myself get locked up. Blocking Luna's next spell, I rush to stunned Sharp, pick him up by his neck and make him groan a bit when my claws dig into his coat.
"I will make you listen, one way or the other."
"Run, princess! It can block your magic," groans Sharp.
"No," says Luna sternly, "you've been my bodyguard for long time and I won't let this monster change it. What do you want?"
"Did you get my letter?" I ask.
"Yes, I did."
"Can you protect your room with anti-scrying magic?"
Her horn glows for a second. I have to believe that whatever she did was the spell I wanted her to do.
"Done."
"Good. Now use your magic to find Void and Chokey and bring them here. I will wait."
"Can you wait in Sharp's office?"
"Of course but you will have to protect that room as well."
"I did. Go and wait there," says Luna and then disappears into the darkness.
We go to the office and I really hope that Luna wasn't lying. Unfortunately I don't have a choice other than to believe her.
"Sorry, Sharp," I mumble when I sit into one of the chairs inside.
The batpony looks at me and slowly backs away into a small kitchen adjoining the main office. I don't try to stop him. What would be the point?
I'm completely stumped when he comes back with two cups of tea.
"Huh?" I look at him, not even trying to hide my surprise at his calm behaviour.
"I'm entertaining the thought that you might be real Blazing Light," he explains.
"It's a really long story but I'm not your Blazing Light."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. Nopony aside from Blazing would be stupid enough to try to correct me in that assumption when his life and goals are at stake," he smiles and sips his tea.
"I just hope Luna will see it in the same way," I sigh and have a draft myself.
We wait in silence. My plan failed faster than expected but I still have a chance at salvaging the situation. Eventually Luna returns with Void and Chokey, both of them looking very unhappy. That changes when they see me.
"BLAZE?!" Chokey shouts.
"I'm really happy to see you again, Chokey," I smile uneasily. Somehow, seeing her feels incredibly weird instead of good. I just shake my head, it's been a long time, discounting the day she got me killed again.
"Bl-Bla-Blaze... how? I... what's going on?" she stutters.
Seeing her tearing up eyes I can't control myself, rush to her and hug her. Last time I was so focused on getting the situation right that now, when everything broke down, I let it all out.
"It's been so long... so damn long," I just say, biting my lip to stop my own eyes from watering.
I could stay like that forever but Void's voice disrupts the moment and I sit back down to my chair and try to keep my voice steady.
"I think we have a story to hear," the black alicorn says.
They all listen and I don't miss any important details. Some unimportant details are still left hidden though.
"Why can't we just go to Scream's dimension and deal with her right now?" asks Luna.
"Firstly, I don't think that's in your power. Secondly, I need her alive. Thirdly, it wouldn't stop the invasion. Sombra will eventually use Twilight to create a stable rift to connect the worlds even without Scream's interference. The only way to do things right is for me to go to the other side, do what I have to and be in the right place at the right time. To make things completely right, Void needs to have his powers back before the invasion happens otherwise it will be too late."
"Let me come with you," says Chokey.
"That's impossible. I'm the only one who can pass between worlds and you have to help Void get his body and powers back. Keep close to him, he's a good guy."
"Blazing L-" begins Void.
"Shut up!" I command and everypony in the room tenses, "I know what you want to say and it's not important. The only important thing right now is to get your powers back as soon as possible."
"What about you, then?" asks Luna.
"I need you to explain to me how scrying spells work so I can block them. Scream mustn't find me for some time."
"That should not be a problem," interrupts Void, "the magic expenditure needed to bring you back must have been so immense that even with her ability to drain energy it will take her a lot of time to recover."
"Good. Now I have to find the correct cave in the Everfree forest," I sigh.
"Is it all? Nothing more to say?" asks Void
"Voooid," I growl but gather myself, "yes, that's all."
Actually...
"Chokey, Sharp. I'm sorry for killing your Blazing Light but trust me... it was better than what was going to happen to him. I don't need you to forgive me but no matter what happens, I'm glad I was able to see both of you again."
"You're saying this as if it's the last time we're going to see you."
I open the door of Sharp's office.
"I'm afraid it's not. See you in the Crystal Empire."