When Rarity regained consciousness a few minutes later, she was definitely losing it. I swear she would've jumped out the window and run all the way back to Ponyville if Twilight hadn't encased her in a magic bubble. After she struggled for a bit, Rarity simply sat there and balled her eyes out, at which point Twilight judged the streak of insanity had passed and let her down gently onto the couch.
Celestia sighed. "This is definitely a tragedy, but we must think before we act, as we still don't know much about what we're getting into."
"What are we going to do?" Fluttershy asked. "I feel just awful seeing Rarity like this. I mean, having this happen to her sister not once, but twice? It's absolutely horrible."
Fluttershy had rarely spoken the past couple of days, but the shy mare had a point; it was bad enough to see a friend in danger, but it was truly heartbreaking when they're family. I was too young to fully understand when it happened to me, but I still long for my parents. The nightmares only made it worse.
"It is no use leaving until morning, as the last train left over two hours ago. Even if you did find another way back to Ponyville, the night brings many other dangers to a place like the Everfree forest." Luna looked out the window into the night. "I have not quite regained the strength needed to protect against myself -let alone you- from what lurks in the darkest of the corners of that forest, Slendermane included. I fear only the Elements of Harmony may have the power to stop him."
Rainbow Dash flew above us bashing her front hooves together menacingly. "That settles it then. We leave on the first train in the morning, get the Elements from Twilight's house, find Slendy, and show him what we're made of. Right you guys?"
A bit of a reckless plan, but I liked her enthusiasm. Still, we were going to need to think critically about this, as we don't have any advantage except the knowledge of his origin, and the possession of the Elements. Meanwhile he had the jump on us with time, his unknown whereabouts within a massive forest, and that he now had a filly as hostage, if that's the right term for it. Sweetie Belle could be dead for all we knew.
~S ~
We discussed our plans for the rest of the night, only sparing a few hours for rest before our departure. By then, we were completely exhausted. Princess Celestia excused us, and yawning and stretching, we started single-filing out of the door. I was the last to go. Then I remembered one last thing I wanted to say.
I turned back to Luna, who was conversing a little more with her sister, but stopped when she saw me. I cleared my throat as I found the right words.
"Luna, this creature might've been made by your magic, but it's not your fault for what it's done. I forgive you, just as you should forgive yourself." I said, giving her a small smile.
She looked at me with her deep blue eyes. "Thank you, Shadow. You don't know how much that means to me. May my moon and stars guide you when my sister's sun retires from the sky each night. And remember, Shadow Darkfeather,"she added, returning my smile, "You are never alone."
I left with a lighter spirit. Though it would take a lot more than forgiveness to be free from my burden, it felt good to see someone find some grace during these difficult times. This had gotten to be one hay of a life mission, and I had no idea how much further downhill it would get.
~S~
"W-we have to go in th-there?" Fluttershy trembled, hiding behind the rest of the group.
"It's the only place we know Slendermane to be. We have to find Sweetie Belle and the others, and he's the one who's most likely got 'em," Twilight said. She took her place in the front.
I was also rather shaky. I briefly scanned the dark trees. Only a few weeks ago I had been traveling through the same forest, aware of what could be considered the "normal" dangers within. Now I know that the monster who had been created in loneliness and envy-and left me in a similar state-was in there too, somewhere. And we were finally going to find it.
"I need everyone to break into groups of two," she paused briefly, remembering there were seven of us, "...with the exception of Fluttershy, who will be part of a group of three."
Gingerly, everyone followed her instructions and paired up: Twilight and Pinkie Pie were one group, Rainbow and I were the second, and Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy were the third group.
Rainbow poked me in the ribs. "I think Shadow and I will do a fly-over, to see if we can spot anything from the air."
I measured the density of the tree canopy. "Are to sure we'll be able to see through the trees? I mean, I don't know about you, but I don't have X-ray vision."
Rainbow Dash groaned. "Fine, we'll walk; but I'll be the leader."
Not wanting to argue and risk revealing my anxiousness, I simply shrugged and used my wing to motion her ahead of me. Then I followed closely behind.
~S~
We'd gone about a half a mile into the forest, listening carefully for predators that might've been stalking us, but it was eerily silent. Not even birds chirping above us. It felt as if the air itself had become heavier.
I knew the silence was making both of us nervous, but breaking it now could draw attention to us. Besides, our hoof steps and the loud beating of my heart was probably loud enough for anything to have pinpointed our location by now. Even Rainbow Dash had slowly slunk back from her position ahead to walking beside me, her sense of unending courage betrayed by the growing unease in her eyes.
Suddenly there was a large CRACK!, and I jumped away as Rainbow disappeared from my view. I looked around in the dim light, trying to find a hint of her colorful mane, but to no avail.
"Rainbow? Where'd you go?" I yelled, my voice shaky.
I heard a soft grunt, followed by a muffled "Down here." From the direction I'd last seen her. I crept forward, and after a few feet nearly stumbled into a black abyss. I could barely make out Rainbow's cyan coat in the darkness a few feet down, dirtied by the sticks and leaves that had been used to hide the trap.
"You okay, Rainbow?"
She moved around a bit, checking for injury. "Nope. All fine here, but the hole's too narrow to fly up. I'm gonna need a hoof."
Concerned for her as I was, my ears perked up, and I became acutely aware of another sound, deeper in the forest. I could barely make out footsteps and the snapping of wood. Something had heard us. It was coming this way.
I had to think quickly: Could I get her out of the hole before we're spotted, or hide and stay quiet, hoping whatever I was didn't know about the hole? If it did, I could be putting Rainbow into further danger by leaving her behind. If it didn't, I could put us both into danger if it hears me helping her. Either way, it was bad for her if we make the wrong move.
I looked down at Rainbow again. The expression on her face told me she knew about the creature's approach, and was probably going over the same choices in her mind. Then her gaze focused on me.
"Go."
I stared at her, a bit dumbstruck. "W-wha?" was all I could get out.
She narrowed her eyes. "Go!" She hissed again. "I'll be fine. Just find the others." She smirked. "I'll catch up."
I didn't know what plan she had formed in her mind, nor was I inclined to ask, as the creature was close enough that I could hear it grunting and breathing heavily.
And so, with dread filling my heart, I turned and ran.
~S~
I scolded myself for not remembering my new pack Rarity had given me, and how I hadn't transferred my gear into it, or -more importantly- brought either bag into the forest with us. There had been so many events occurring in the last two weeks, I new Something like this would happen. Even simply throwing a rope down to Rainbow Dash would've done more good than simply running to find help.
I've never really been scared by anything, but the force that kept me from going back wasn't just fear. It was uncertainty: whether or not I made the right decision; if I could find the others, and then find Rainbow and rescue her before it was too late. It was guilt: leaving her behind to fend for herself.
I also got six mares involved in what had been MY wild goose chase my entire life. It didn't matter how powerful they were. They were still ponies, flesh and bone, with only one life to cherish. I was reminded of that just a week before, rescuing a young filly from a fate I should've had years ago. Now I was shown this again, but the choice was too hard. I let someone else call the shots.