//------------------------------// // Chapter Three: Something is Amiss // Story: Rise Of The Shadow Walkers // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Something Is Amiss Morning approached as the rays of the sun beamed into Stardust’s room, stirring him from his sleep. His eyes slowly opened, he gave a yawn and stretched his limbs, then reluctantly removed himself from under his covers. As he did so, he failed to notice a feather fall from one of his wings. He gave another yawn as he made his way over to his lavatory to clean himself up. Indoor plumbing had come around, but it took pumping to get the water to come. Stardust had a tub with a faucet and pump. He used his magic to begin the tedious task of pumping the water into the tub for a bath. After a minute of pumping, he was satisfied with the water level. He dipped a hoof in to test the temperature and, much to his dismay, it was chilly. “Brr, cold.” He eyed the water carefully. “I wonder.” Stardust shifted his eyes back and forth. He looked back at the water and lit up his horn, casting the same heat spell he used last night to light the candle and fire place to show Sunflare. He held it for a few seconds and saw steam start to rise from the water. He ceased his spell and dipped his hoof in the water again. “Wow, it worked, that’s much better. Nice and warm. I am SUCH a genius.” He said to himself before climbing into the tub. Star sighed out in contentment at the comfortable warmth of the water. “Wait till I tell Sunflare about this.” Stardust stayed in the tub a few minutes before finally getting out, drying himself off, and making his way to the mess hall. He met up with Sunflare on his way to the mess hall. “Good morning Sunflare, how are you doing this morning?” He asked cheerfully. Sunflare didn’t seem as happy as Stardust as she wore a bit of a frown. “Okay I guess. The water this morning was cold for the bath. I hate these cold seasons, makes it hard to enjoy a bath.” She looked at Stardust and saw the smile on his face. “Why are you so happy? Wasn’t your bath cold too? Or did you skip it this morning?” Stardust kept his smile as he answered. “No, I didn’t skip it, it was actually quit enjoyable.” She eyed him carefully. “How?” Star looked around first to make sure no pony ears were close enough to hear as they walked. He then put a hoof to her ear and whispered. “I used that heat spell I showed you last night to warm the water. It was great.” He snickered to himself. “What? No fair Stardust.” Sunflare whined. “No fair I have to have a cold bath and you get the luxury of a warm bath because of your…..” She paused a moment, taking care not to speak too loudly. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Your magic research.” They entered the mess hall as they continued their talk. “Hey, if you want to learn how to use that spell, I’m more than happy to teach you. That way, you can have a warm bath every day.” They came to the table where many bowls of fruits and vegetables were laid out for others to take. “I don’t know Stardust, what if we get caught?” They both levitated a bowl up and made their way to an available table. “Don’t worry Sunflare, it’s a simple spell and can be learned easy, I’ll teach you in my lab where we won’t be disturbed. Trust me, you won’t regret it. You’ll be able to make the water warmer than what we usually get in the summer times.” Stardust said with a smile. The two then took a seat at the end of a table. “Really?” Sunflare asked. “Really.” “Well…all right, it would be nice to enjoy a warm bath during these cold months.” Sunflare conceded. “*Ahem*” An elderly sounding mare’s voice sounded from the end of the table the two were sitting at. Stardust and Sunflare looked to the source and saw an elderly pegasus mare standing before them with a grey coat, white mane and tail, and yellow eyes. Her cutie mark was hidden by the grey frilly dress she wore. “Oh, council pony Sore Sight. Good morning.” Sunflare greeted. “Good morning miss.” Stardust also greeted. “Good morning, you two. *ACHOO!* Sniff* Uh.” The mare sneezed out. “Are you all right?” Stardust asked. “I fear I may be…be….*ACHOO!* *Sniff*Pardon. I fear I may be coming down with a bit of a cold. Blasted cold weather making the water cold.” She said as she took out a handkerchief and blew her nose. “My apologies.” “It’s all right mam. Did you need something?” Sunflare asked. “Yes *Sniff* I needed to speak with you, Stardust.” Sore said. “With me?” Stardust asked. “About yesterday.” “Yesterday?” Stardust grew more nervous with each word. “Yes *ACHOO!* *Sniff* Pardon. I was looking for you yesterday as I needed to speak with you about something. Yet you were nowhere to be found. I asked some of the castle staff if they knew where you were and one of them said they saw you leaving the castle and heading out into the village. Then I found, just this morning from another member of the staff, that you did not return until late last night. Would be so kind as to…to…*ACHOO!*” She blew her nose again. “*Sniff* pardon. To tell me what you were doing?” “Uh…um…well you see Sore Sight, mam, I was just….uh…” Stardust had trouble coming up with an excuse. He couldn’t let on he had a house outside the castle or it would raise suspicion. Sore Sight looked on at him expectantly, waiting for Stardust to give an answer. Sunflare grew worried as well. She thought fast and provided an answer. “He was getting supplies!” She answered quicker and a bit louder than she meant. She quickly clasped her hooves over her muzzle. Sore Sight cocked an eyebrow at her. Stardust looked at her nervously, then back to Sore Sight. “What she said. I was getting supplies for my lab is all.” “I was helping him.” Sunflare added. “I see, and why did you come back so late Stardust? Care to explain tha….tha…*ACHOO!* *SNIFF* Pardon. Care to explain that?” “Well, you see, I just…wanted to…get a better look at the stars is all. Not just look at them through a telescope. They really are quite beautiful.” Stardust offered. Sore Sight eyed him curiously. Stardust and Sunflare both gulped. “Very well, but do try not to stay out too late.” She said. “Of course madam. I’ll remember.” Stardust responded. “Uh, this blasted cold made me forget what it was I wanted to speak with you about in the first place. *ACHOO!* Pardon.” “Well if you remember, I’ll be in my lab most of the day so you can just come by any time and see me then.” Stardust offered. “*Sniff* Ugh, I suppose so. Very well then, you may continue with your meal. I will see you around Stardust, Sunfla…fla…fla…..*ACHOO!* *Sniff* Pardon.” “You should really take it easy today mam, since you’re not feeling well and all.” Stardust said. “I appreciate the concern Stardust, thank you. I suppose I should just relax in my room for the day, or at least until I’m over this blasted cold. Ah…AH….*ACHOO!**Sniff* Pardon.” She blew her nose again. “Good day you two.” She said as she turned to leave. “Gosh, I almost feel sorry for her.” Sunflare stated. Stardust rubbed his chin in thought. “Hmm, I wonder.” He quickly got up from his seat and went after her. “Madam Sore Sight?” He called. Sunflare was surprised by this and just watched. Sore Sight stopped in her tracks then turned to face Stardust. “Yes Stardust, what is it? *Sniff*” “Madam Sore Sight, what if I told you, I have a way to make water warm?” He asked. Sore Sight cocked an eyebrow. “Excuse me? Stardust, this better not be one of you…you….*ACHOO!**Sniff* Pardon, one of your unapproved experiments.” Sunflare had come over to join them. “Think about it Sore Sight, mam. Never having to take another cold bath again? Never having to worry about catching a cold from them? Being able to relax and enjoy a nice warm bath whenever you want? Doesn’t that sound nice?” Sore Sight seemed to smile at the idea. “It does sound lovely.” She soon regained her straight face. “But it is unapproved, such a thing will not be allowed.” “Then let me take the steps to get it approved. I promise madam Sore sight, this could…” “*ACHOO**Sniff* Pardon.” “Uh…this could really improve the quality of life for every pony in the castle…and the village.” Stardust said. “I promise, I haven’t been using any magic to do these things, but I have been looking into it. I do have the research, but I haven’t been messing with spells to test it.” This, of course was a lie. He did have the research and all, but he had also been using magic to test it. “I suppose that is acceptable. Very well, I will inform the rest of the council you wish to pursue this and we will convene to discuss the matter. Be sure to have a valid argument at the ready.” She gave a light smile. “To be honest, I really do like the sound of it and hope it goes through, you will most certainly have my vote.” Stardust and Sunflare smiled. “Thank you madam Sore Sight, I really appreciate this.” Stardust said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go lie down, I fear a headache is coming on as well.” Sore Sight then turned and continued on her way. “This is great Stardust. She actually likes the idea. This could be a step in the right direction to getting your research approved.” Sunflare stated. “I know, this is so big, I have to get to work and get my notes together. Care to help me, Sunflare?” Stardust asked happily. “You know it.” The two then went back to the mess hall to finish their breakfast, failing to notice Stardust had lost another feather from his wing. The day, Stardust and Sunflare were in Stardust’s lab jotting down and recording notes they had made before regarding the stars. The room had three wooden tables, four shelves full of books and scrolls, and star maps stacked on the tables. There was a black telescope set up near a window at the back of the room with yellow trimmings. Sunflare was on one side of the room opposite the door while Stardust was at another table going over some star maps. “Hmm, according to these notes, The o’mare constellation will be in view within the next month signaling the start of winter, yet these stars seem out of place for that. I need to see the map of the fall night skies. Sunflare, can you get me the star map of the fall sky from last year please?” Sunflare turned from the table she was at to get the requested item. When she turned though, she froze in her tracks at what she saw. A single shadow tentacle like object emerged from Stardust’s shadow and reached over to one of the shelves, grabbed a star map, and brought it over. Unaware of what was going on, Stardust took the scroll from its grasp. “Thank you Sunflare.” “Um…Stardust, I didn’t get it.” She said with a shocked expression. He looked over to her with a curious look. “What do you mean?” She pointed a hoof to his side. He looked down just in time to see a shadowy bulge sink into his shadow. His eyes went wide. “By the heavens, what was that? Sunflare, did you see that?” “I did.” “Well, what was it?” Stardust asked. “I….I don’t know, it looked like some shadowy snake thing or something.” Sunflare answered. Stardust looked back down at his shadow in thought. “It can’t be…can it? Did it actually work?” Sunflare grew confused. “Did what work?” “That experiment I conducted the other night, it may have worked.” Stardust answered, starting to sound excited. “Experiment, what experiment?” “The one that was supposed to help me find that new form of magic I was talking about. It may have actually worked!” Stardust wore a huge grin on his face. “This is wonderful, I gained access to a new form of magic!” Sunflare quickly rushed over and put both her hooves over his mouth. “Shh, you want every pony in the castle to know?” She removed them and took a step back. “Sorry, it’s just this is big, it actually worked.” “So what now?” Sunfalre asked. “Now, I need to experiment with it, figure out how it works and what it’s capable of. This is so exciting.” Stardust paced back and forth as he began making plans on how to work with it. “Wait, let’s see if I can do that again.” He eyed the shelf nearest the door and picked a target with his eyes, a red book. “Okay, here goes.” He concentrated and focused on the task he wished to complete. His shadow began to move. Sunflare watched carefully as Stardust focused. Just like before, a single shadowy tentacle rose up from Stardust’s shadow and moved towards the shelf and up to the book Stardust wanted. The thing grabbed the book and pulled it off the shelf, then brought it over to Stardust. “It worked…it actually worked…I DID IT!” He jumped with joy with his wings spread out. Two more feathers fell out without notice. Stardust quickly dropped to the ground and clasped his hooves over his own mouth at the same time as Sunflare. They looked around to see if anypony might be nearby. Once they saw the coast was clear, they removed their hooves together. “This is so….incredible.” Stardust said in a whisper. “I’ll admit this is big, Stardust, but you need to be careful. Who knows what this kind of magic is capable of, it could be dangerous.” Sunflare offered. “I know Sunflare, that’s why I’ll be extra careful when testing it out.” It was then a thought popped into his head. “Sunflare, what time is it?” Sunflare looked out the window to see the position of the sun. “It’s about ten in the morning. Why?” Stardust let out a gasp. “Oh my gosh, I’m going to be late!” Sunflare soon realized what he meant. “Your meeting with the council! You better get going.” “Right, thanks Sunflare, I’ll see you later.” Stardust gathered a few scrolls together, gave Sunfarle a quick peck on the cheek, and headed out. Sunflare was caught off guard by this. She wore a look of surprise and a blush. Stardust stopped in his tracks just after exiting his room and turning right. “Did I just….nah.” He shook his head, then continued on his way. Stardust soon came to a pair of wooden doors. He used his magic to open them and stepped through. The room he entered was large and had two rows of benches, five on each row. At the end of the aisle was a wooden podium that stood before a long table with seven ponies sitting behind it. The rest of the council that ran the village had gathered. From left to right was Earth Shaker wearing a brown suit, Sore Sight wearing her grey dress, Snooty wearing his green suit, Auburn wearing a dark brown suit with frills coming out of the sleeves, and the rest of the council. Another earth pony mare with a cherry coat, purple mane and tail wearing a beige and white dress covering her cutie mark and pink eyes. This was council pony Berry. Next to her sat a unicorn stallion with an orange coat, brown mane and tail wearing an orange suite and had a stack of books for a cutie mark, with yellow eyes. This was council pony Civil. Finally, next to him sat a Pegasus mare with a black coat with a black and white dress covering her cutie mark, a pink mane and tail, and red eyes. This was council pony Rosey. Stardust approached the podium and stood before the council, each had a stern look. Stardust set his notes on the podium. “Greetings council, I thank you for taking the time to meet me like this.” He stated with a nervous smile. “Stardust, miss Sore Sight here says you may have something that could help to improve the quality of life in the castle and for the rest of the village, is that true?” Auburn asked. “It is sir, I have…..accidentally….come across a way that could allow us to heat up the water in our bathtubs so we could all take a nice warm bath when we wanted instead of….” “ACHOO!” Sore Sight sneezed out. “*Sniff* Excuse me, please continue.” She said. “….of having to suffer cold water.” Stardust finished hesitantly. His statement got the other council members talking amongst themselves. Auburn just looked at him, while Sore Sight smiled as she liked the idea. “You say you came across this by accident?” Auburn asked. “Well….yes.” Stardust lied. Auburn narrowed his eyes. “How?” “Well…..I was working hard one night and…..was getting frustrated with these results I was getting from watching the stars. In my tired and agitated state, I…..” “ACHOO! *sniff* Excuse me.” Sore Sight sneezed again. “……used a standard levitation spell to get a scroll I needed to look at, but instead, without realizing it, I set it on fire by accident. I was able to put it out before the scroll burned up. So there you have it. I figure if I can harness that, then….we could use it to light candles and fireplaces easily. Plus, possibly have warm baths.” Auburn’s scowl remained. “If you think we’re going to approve this…..heat magic, you are sadly….” “Now hold on Auburn.” Civil interrupted. “I think this sounds like he may be on to something.” “Yes, it does sound intriguing.” Cherry agreed. “I know I’ve been rather annoyed with having to take a cold bath every morning.” Earth Shaker said. “ACHOO! *Sniff* Pardon.” Sore sneezed again. “And I believe it is because of these cold waters that I came down with this blasted cold I’m suffering from. If this warm water can help, I say we look into it more.” “But….but he…..” Auburn tried to argue. “All those in favor of letting Stardust look into this heat magic, say I.” Rosey called out. All but one hoof went into the air. “I!” All but one agreed. “All those opposed?” Civil asked. “Neigh.” Auburn said. “This is an affront, we don’t need to be looking into something like this. Things are going just fine as they are, we know all we need to know about the world.” “Sorry Auburn, but the I’s have it.” Snooty said. He then looked to Stardust. “Stardust, you may look into this heating magic of yours further when you have the time.” Stardust was grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you, council. I promise you won’t regret it.” “Congratulations Star….star…..ACHOO! *Sniff* Pardon. Congratulations Stardust.” Sore Sight said with a tired smile. Stardust gathered his notes again and galloped off back to his lab. A few more feathers had fallen out from his wings as he ran off. He burst into his lab. “Sunflare, Sunflare I have great news!” Sunflare turned around from the table she was in front. “Yes, StarduOOF!” She was interrupted as Stardust took her in a big hug. “The council approved! I can look into the fire magic more! Isn’t that great?” “That’s….great Stardust….can you….let me go now please?” Sunflare said through gasps. “Oh, sorry.” He released her and she took in a deep breath of air. “This is wonderful. I’m just one step closer to opening so many minds and being able to conduct the research I want. This is so GREAT!” “Congratulations Stardust.” Sunflare said with a smile. “Thank you Sunflare, I really appreciate your support.” Stardust suddenly gave Sunflare a big kiss on the lips. He held it for a second then pulled away. “Oh, this is too perfect, Auburn tried to turn me down but the other council ponies were on my side.” As Stardust went off on a rant, Sunflare was blushing with a look of shock from the kiss. “I need to get started and gather all the research I have on the fire spell. But I’m going to have to make it look like I’m taking my time with it. If I suddenly come out with all I already have, it could raise suspicion.” He turned around to face Sunflare. “I’m going to need your help Sunflare.” “Huh?” Stardust’s voice addressing her snapped her out of her stupor. “I said I’m going to need your help with this.” “Oh, uh….sure…no problem.” She answered, still in a bit of shock. It was then Stardust realized what he did. “Oh…..uh….Sorry Sunflare…I…I just kinda…..I dind’t mean to…..I mean……I was just so…….well…..I….I should probably go for now.” He turned to leave. “Stardust……wait.” Sunflare called to him. Stardust stopped in his tracks and turned his head to her. “Yeah.” Sunflare hesitated a moment, pondering if maybe now would be the time to tell him how she felt. “Um….can we……talk?”