//------------------------------// // Leaving It All Behind Celestia's POV // Story: Left in the Darkness // by TheUndiscoveredPony //------------------------------// As we set off from Canterlot, I couldn’t help the worry that passed through me as I flew to Ponyville with my sister, Twilight had always been a dutiful student and even as an alicorn with all her responsibilities, she always found time for me, her teacher. It made no sense that she hadn’t sent a letter for awhile. Something really bad must have happened… And with this monster on the loose, what’s going to happen to my kingdom? “Sister, is thou alright?” Luna asked next to me, placing her hoof on my shoulder. My sister always knew me best, she would know if I were ever upset or worried and even by looking at her, she and I shared the same look. We were frightened for our kingdom and Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight Sparkle is missing and this creature is worrying me. We need to protect the ponies and find Twilight Sparkle.” I say softly, looking back ahead. Grass filled fields fly by and ponies wave as they spot us flying above them. My heart swells with happiness for the ponies, the ponies who believe in my sister and I. We can’t let them down… “Thou will be alright, sister and Twilight Sparkle, too.” Luna says strongly, her honesty shining through her words. Doubt fills my chest but I don’t voice my thoughts, this is no time to lose hope. I sigh and concentrate on the flight, we were almost at Ponyville. Later, the small, colourful city comes into view and we land in the square, frightening some blue stallion that was playing his guitar and singing. He sounded really sad and sullen while singing. “Sorry, sir.” Luna says to the stallion who looked at us with huge eyes before bowing and running off as fast as his hooves could take him. Smiling a bit at his awkwardness, I turn towards the crowd that has gathered in the square. “Princess Celestia, what are you doing here? Is everything alright?” Mayor Mare asks me while walking up to me and then bowing in respect. Her glasses low on her nose, she sends me a questioning glance and looks around to the other ponies who hold worried facial expressions. “Do not worry, Mayor Mare. I am here looking for Twilight Sparkle.” I say to cease her worries, she already has so much on her plate being mayor and she does not need to know that one of her citizens are missing or that there is a creature on the loose. “Oh, okay. That’s good, your highness.” Mayor Mare replies before heading back into the crowd. Sighing, I spot a familiar rainbow coloured mane in the distance, I call out to her. “Rainbow Dash!” Her head whips in my direction and shock fills her features. Bright red eyes meet mine and I take a second to observe her. She supports a red nose and watery eyes which shows me that she has been crying. This can’t be good… “P-Prin-Princess C-c-Celestia!?!” Rainbow sputters out, her hoof coming up to wipe the tears on her face. “Rainbow Dash, are you alright?” I ask while taking a step closer to her. Twilight Sparkle could wait a couple minutes. Luna soon joins me and quickly accesses the situation. “P-Princ-Princess L-Luna!?!” Rainbow Dash says shocked, “Wh-what are you doing here? I thought you were at the castle... “ Rainbow Dash gulps and swallows before looking up at Luna and I. “We came hither looking for Twilight Sparkle,” I see her eyes water when Luna mentions her name, “We wilt speak to her. It is urgent.” Luna finishes. Rainbow Dash shakes her head and looks at us again while tears gather in her eyes. “She’s in her tree house. Your highness, I must leave.” Rainbow Dash’ voice cracks at the end and she holds in a sob before flying away. Worry settles in, everything seems to be crumbling. The creature… Rainbow Dash… What next? “Wait! Rainbow Dash! Where are thou going?” Luna calls to the flying mare but she gets no response and sadly shakes her head. “We must leave, sister. To the treehouse.” I speak softly to Luna who nods discouraged and trots in the direction of the tree house. When we get there, the wind is picking up and we catch sight of Twilight Sparkle’s door violently hitting the frame and then opening again. The door is cracked with the force of the wind and it hitting the frame so many times. I canter to the door, hold it open and enter the treehouse, it is awfully quiet. I walk up the stairs and find no sign of life. The room is turned upside down and everything is scattered. Dread fills me when I realize that she must have left… But then I hear the soft snoring of somepony. I eye the closet and open it, Spike’s inside. “Spike.” I say shaking him away. His eyes flicker open a bit before adjusting to the lighting and looking at me. “Princess Celestia?” He asks, his voice sounding very sleepy. He rubs his eyes and gets up and out from the closet, “Why are you here, your highness?” “Do you know where Twilight Sparkle is?” I ask anxiously. He shakes his head no and I turn to Luna who came upstairs. She wore a sad expression. “What’s wrong?” I ask her, she was supposed to check downstairs and ask Twilight Sparkles neighbors if they had seen her. “Sister, Twilight Sparkles saddle bags art gone and she took her spell books with her. She is not here.” Luna says gravely. Fear hits my core and the world seems to crumble beneath my feet. I mask my face and try to calm my racing heart. My student was gone… Twilight Sparkle would never leave without saying something. What happened for it to come to this? Has she heard of the creature? Has she gone to hunt it? Why did she leave? “We must fi-” Before I can finish my sentence, I am interrupted by a familiar voice behind me. “Where is Twilight? Where is she? I need to find her! It's important!” Flash Sentry.