//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: When You Wish Upon a Star // by Nightshine_Eclipse //------------------------------// "She's leaving home after living alone for so many years." Comet Blaze made her way to the town square, still wondering what the hay the town meeting could be about. A weird feeling made its way into her hooves. Was it something about her? By the time she arrived every pony was already there. She sighed, and sat down in the shadows and turned her gaze to Blood Dusk as he stood up on the stage. Fear was something that never came to her, even at this moment, it still wasn't there, but what was she feeling? Comet Blaze was starting to really, really wonder what was going on. Blood Dusk only ever used the stage when something important, really important, was happening. "Welcome, ponies of all ages, I know you all are wondering what is going on, so I will begin the town meeting. As years have gone by, and with less little fillies and colts being born, this tradition has died down, but I will not let it disappear. If you, older folks, think back to your younger years, you will remember having to take The Journey," Blood Dusk announced. When he said that, though, many of the older ponies gasped, their eyes growing wide. It had been so many years since the last Journey was taken, that many believed that that tradition had died. Blood Dusk continued, "It is now time for one of the little fillies among us to take The Journey." All the ponies turned their glance towards the group of little fillies and colts that were clustered together in a big circle, whispering among themselves. Many of the little foals started shaking with fear, as they didn't want to have to take The Journey to the Everfree Forest. The vampire ponies have many stories of the forest where the darkness feeds, and it haunted most of the little foals' minds. The question, though, is: who was the little pony that was going away? The group of Comet Blaze's bullies were shaking, scared that it was going to be them. The funny thing, though, was that that sight made Comet Blaze laugh. She wasn't scared, and she kind of even hoped it was going to be her. But only in her mind did she hope for it. What Blood Dusk said next, made every pony shocked. "The little filly to be making The Journey is... Comet Blaze," Blood Dusk announced. "Comet Blaze, please come up to the stage." Every pony gasped in shock and turned their heads, trying to locate the little filly. The little filly of ash and blood took a deep breath, and slowly emerged from the shadows. The older ponies turned their heads towards her, and watched as Comet Blaze made her way, slowly, to the stage. During these few moments, she kept thinking, I didn't mean it! I don't want to talk to Journey! Please, please tell me this is a mistake! But as she got to the steps, she knew it was not a mistake. After a minute, she galloped up the steps and took her place next to Blood Dusk. Turning back to the audience, Blood Dusk recited the legend. A pony of age must be sent to the place where darkness feeds, and never leaves. Five items are collected to show them their fate. Upon their age of eight, it must be complete. For one day, you may find The One Who Has Gone Away... "As years have passed since the last Journey, I must review and explain what this entails," Blood Dusk announced. "Every pony knows the old tail of the Goddess, Princess Asteria. The fair princess was immortal, but being weaken by the illness, she had passed away. Some believe she didn't pass, only her spirit was captured. Many believed the princess to be reincarnated. During the Journey, the little filly is to find five sacred items. These items will help tell the past of the little filly. In order for us to find our beloved princess and goddess of the stars, we continue with the Journeys, hoping to someday see the return of our long lost princess." Blood Dusk turned his attention to the little filly next to him. "Comet Blaze, you are the next filly to take The Journey. It was a common ritual for a young pony to travel to the Everfree Forest and collect Five Sacred Items. To this day, most of the scared items have been forgotten, but soon they will be known. Comet Blaze you are to find: First, The Plant of Blue that plays you for a fool. Second, A strand of hair from magic itself. Third, Potion of Pink to open your eyes. Fourth, Flower of Desire that comes from the heart. Fifth, A Single Seed From the Infinite Night. Once you have completed you task in finding all five items, you are then able to make your journey back to our lands. Until then, you are not allowed to return back here. Do you understand, Comet Blaze?" The young filly nodded and whispered, "Yes, sir." "Tomorrow you shall begin your journey to the Everfree Forest, until then you are to join me back at my place and we must speak," Blood Dusk told her, then he turned back to the audience, "This meeting is dismissed." The two ponies got off the stage and walked to Blood Dusk's home in complete and utter silence. Comet Blaze had been there before, as Blood Dusk was technically Comet Blaze's adoptive father, but it was weird for her to go inside, as the only building she had ever recently been in was the school house. The two ponies arrived and made their way into the living room area. "Comet Blaze, I've been meaning to speak with you for some time now. It has come to my attention, with the help of Burning Flame, that you are unable to fly. Am I correct?" Blood Dusk asked. "Yes, sir," Comet Blaze whispered. Blood Dusk sighed. "This will make your journey a bit harder. Without being able to fly, you will have to walk the distance." Comet Blaze looked down at the ground. "Come on, lets eat, then you may rest before you begin your journey tomorrow," Blood Dusk said softly. "Yes, sir," Comet Blaze replied, The two ponies walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table and began to eat their dinner of daisy sandwiches and hay fries. Comet Blaze couldn't concentrate on her food, she kept thinking about the journey. Was she even going to make it to the forest? How would she find her way? All these questions kept popping up into her thoughts. The biggest question that scared her though: What if she doesn't make it? Sighing silently, she pushed the thoughts about tomorrow away. Blood Dusk noticed the little filly was in deep thought, he sighed. Poor little filly, he thought. "Come with me, Comet Blaze," Blood Dusk said as the filly finished eating. She looked up at him and followed his lead, as they walked down the halls towards a room. "Here is were you will sleep tonight," Blood Dusk announced. "Yes, sir," Comet Blaze replied, quietly, not looking at him. "Oh, Comet Blaze," Blood Dusk sighed, "I wish there was a way I could help you. All I can tell you is, try to make some friends." With that, Blood Dusk turned and left the room, leaving the little filly to think about his words. All Comet Blaze could think of is, why would he tell her to try to make some friends? Would there even be any other ponies are her journey to the forest? Or were there other ponies in the forest? Maybe there was something of great importance waiting for her at the start of her journey... Shaking the thoughts away from her, she fell into a dreamless sleep. The next morning, Comet Blaze was awakened by the sound of ponies galloping around the house. At first this scared her, as she is used to sleeping in silence and away from the town at her mossy tree. Then she remembered what happened yesterday. The town meeting, her being chosen, the journey, Blood Dusk. She sighed and shook her head and started getting up. As she started getting out of the bed, Blood Dusk came into her room. When he saw her getting up, he smiled. "Good morning, little filly," he said, nicely. "Morning, Blood Dusk," the filly replied as she walked towards him. "It is still early morning, you will begin your journey at sun high. For now, let us go eat breakfast," Blood Dusk informed her. Comet Blaze just nodded and followed Blood Dusk to the kitchen. Breakfast went by quickly. Comet Blaze kept her gaze on her bowl of oats, that disappeared in a few minutes. During this time, no pony uttered a word. Everything was completely silent, making her get lost in her thoughts. Comet Blaze felt out of place here. She knew she didn't belong here, she belonged out in the trees by the brook, not indoors at this table. Especially not with Blood Dusk. "It is almost sun high, Comet Blaze. My wife has put together a pack for you to take with you on your journey. The materials in it should last you a while. The food supply should last for some time, too," Blood Dusk said, placing the pack over Comet Blaze's back. "I wish you well on this journey, but it is time for us to get to the edge of the town." The two ponies started walking to the edge of the town, which was only about a five minute walk. As they walked, Comet Blaze kept thinking about what this journey could hold. There were so many things unknown to her out past the town, and she couldn't fly for almost half the trip. Shaking the thoughts away, she realized they had just made it to the edge of the town. Blood Dusk turned to the little filly. "This is where you must start to travel alone. I wish you well on your journey, and I hope you have a safe return not too long from now. This journey is not on a timed schedule, so please remember to take all the time you must. Farewell, Comet Blaze, may you travel safely," Blood Dusk said, before turning around and walking back the way the two had originally came. Comet Blaze took a deep breath and started walking away from the town. But before she got too far, she turned around and casted one last glance at her home. Farewell, she thought, before she started sprinting away, farther away from the place she had called her home. If only the filly understood what was about to happen...