Chapter 10: Catching Z's, Singing Cupcakes, Gaining Knowledge, Returning Home.
Pinkie Pie didn't understand why everyone was anxious. It was just another attack of darkness again, no bigee. The only ponies who looked calm were the Princess and Applejack. But then again she always looks calm when she's "tryin' tah catch some zee's" Pinkie always wondered how you could catch those little buggers. Fluttershy was sitting next to the bed that Void was on. Twilight was on the other side. Rarity was pacing the room. Rainbow was busy drawing one of the "tickle hands" and then stomping on it, shredding it, and then eating the shreds. Pinkie thought this looked like fun but was shunned by Rainbow when she tried to join in. She was now trying to ease the tension by singing "Cupcakes" but Void began to stir and everyone shushed her.
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Void opened his eyes and was greeted by ponies once again. However he wished it was anyone but them this time. He sat up and looked at everyone. Tears filled his eyes as he said, "I'm sorry...for the guards, for scaring my friends...for everything." He wiped the salty liquid from his eyes and said firmly to the Princess, "I will accept any punishment you give me." Everyone opened their mouth to speak but the Princess had the fastest tongue, "That won't be necessary. I was saying what I said so I could draw out Etherlos. That was Etherlos who was doing the damage, not you."
Everyone turned to her with the same question on their lips but Pinkie said, "I don't know an Etherlos in Ponyville!"
The Princess continued, smiling slightly from the pink earth ponies statement, "Etherlos is a creature that was created when the first ever bad dream happened. He started out small and weak but grew because of all the fear that was generated."
"But what does that have to do with me?" said Void.
"I believe that you were a dream of somepony not in this world but when Etherlos saw you he joined into your body and brought you to existence." The fact sank into the listeners and all eyes were turned toward Void.
"Is there anyway to get rid of it?"
"I haven't heard of a way to remove the spirit without removing the body as well, but I will do some research to try to find a way. In the mean time I need you to stay in Canterlot. If Etherlos breaks free we need to keep him in a contained area."
All the ponies suddenly burst out in a chorus of pleas,
"Please Princess!"
"We'll stop Etherlos if it appears!"
"We havent even shown him around Ponyville yet!"
Princess Celestia was surprised from the amount of begging from the friends to let Void stay in Ponyville.
"Allright my little ponies, I will let Void stay at Ponyville with you, but if I figure out the spell or Etherlos breaks free and can't be controlled, you are to return here, understand?"
Seven ponies responded in unison, "Yes!"