//------------------------------//
// Chapter 18: All aboard the path to certain Doom! 
// Story: Void of the Heart 
// by Lucario247 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 18: All aboard the path to certain Doom!

Unfortunately, the friends were coming up with zero plans. They couldn't think of anyway to find Void or defeat Etherlos. It was the day after Rainbow was hospitalized, and everyone was thinking of plans, when Spike burped up a letter. The letter wasn't rolled or sealed, just a flat sheet of paper. It was very frantic and short.
"Come to Canterlot trouble need help hurry"
All the friends were frozen for a second. And then everyone jumped up, Rainbow wincing while she does this. Twilight just teleports them all to the front gate of Canterlot, and the sight that awaits them is truly horrible. Several dark rips are in the sky around the giant castle. Falling from the rips are giant black meteorites, crashing into the sides of the building leaving massive holes in the walls. The drawbridge was down because a meteor hit the chains causing the whole thing to fall down. The six rushed inside, dodging piles of rubble and jumping over holes in the ground. They had no idea where to go so they just headed to the Great Hall. When they grew near they heard someone crying. Outside the door to the great hall was Princess Celestia. She was the one who was crying. When the friends reached her, she looked up and grabbed Twilight into a giant hug and started sobbing hysterically.
"He took Luna! He took her through the portal and I can't go and rescue her!"
The six tried to calm their ruler down so they could communicate. When she finally calmed down she said, "If you're to fight Etherlos, then you need to be prepared." she pointed her horn at Rainbow Dash's shoulder. The bandages fell off and Rainbow flexed her arm to show the restoration. They opened the doors to the Great Hall and walked in. When they entered the doors began to swing shut. Before they did the Princess let out a gasp and said, "Twili-!" And then the doors shut. The inside of the room looked pretty normal, except there was a giant painted message on the floor and a dark portal sitting, humming, behind the message.
The message said, "Come and find us! We're waiting!" Under that was a heart with an x through it. They started walking towards the portal. One by one they all entered. What was on the other side was very depressing. Sitting on a throne of darkness, was Etherlos, his head on his hoof, smirking like he'd won. On one side of the throne was Princess Luna, inside a dark fire cage. On the other side was... "Void!" shouted Fluttershy.
He was floating above the ground and was encircled with chains. Around his neck was a necklace that had a pendant of a heart with an x in it. His hooves were looking somewhat translucent. He had a sullen look on his face. When he heard Fluttershy say his name he looked up. A flash of happiness crossed his face but was quickly replaced by fear.
"Why are you here?!?" he shouted, "Run!!! Get outta here!!" He was pulling on his chains. A fiery wisp grew around his face and silenced him. Etherlos got up and said, "Welcome ladies! I have brought you all here today to witness the destruction of the precious Elements of Harmony! And by that I mean killing you."
Void was screaming but you could hear nothing.
"However to make this more fair, I've set up a test for each of you. If you pass this test I will allow you to live. But if you fail...well you can probably guess. Hahaha!"
"And we want our friend back!" said Twilight firmly, "And the Princess."
"Oh but of course my dear! However to get your friend and your Princess back you must all pass the test. Do we have a deal?"
The six looked at each other, and then said in unison, "Yes!"
"Than let the testing commence!"
Suddenly all the friends were swallowed by darkness.