Chapter 9
Fluttershy felt like she was about to collapse from exhaustion at any moment. How long had she been roaming this forest? What if she never found her friends? Or what if the Tenebris already got them?! 'No, I can't think such hopeless thoughts.' Fluttershy told herself. 'You just need to keep going and you'll find them eventually.' Fluttershy stopped, she squinted into the distance at two figures heading in her direction. Could they be? With what little stamina she had left, she galloped in the direction of the figures. She wanted to call out, but she needed to save her breath so that she could keep moving with out stopping. The figures noticed her coming toward them. The smaller figure flashed a light, and was aiming it at Fluttershy. Fluttershy skidded to a stop. Had she been wrong? Had she run into the Tenebris again? She cowered down and put her arms over her head.
"Don't hurt me!" she cried. The figure hesitated and carefully stepped toward Fluttershy. Fluttershy shut her eyes, waiting for the figure's attack.
"Fluttershy? Is that you?" asked a familiar voice. Fluttershy opened one eye and saw who the figures were, none other than Twilight and Discord.
"Twilight...Discord...at last." Fluttershy finally passed out, causing distress for a certain Draconequus.
"Fluttershy!" He snapped himself into a doctor's outfit with a stethoscope and everything. Though it was for show, he carefully examined Fluttershy's injuries and used his magic to heal them. "So many scratches. What caused this Fluttershy? Was this the Tenebris' doing?" Fluttershy didn't answer, too tired to get anything out.
"It's best that she gets some rest now." said Twilight.
"Like I couldn't see that for myself." said Discord. He picked up Fluttershy and gently carried her.
"We should also look for a good place to set up camp before so we can rest."
"Again, I could figure that out on my own." Now with Fluttershy in their group, Twilight and Discord continued onward until they found a good spot to set up camp. Twilight used her magic to create a barrier around the clearing, just in case. Fluttershy started to stir, regaining consciousness.
"Fluttershy, how do you feel?" asked Twilight.
"Tired." said Fluttershy tiredly. "But other than that, I think I'm okay."
"How did you even get here?" asked Discord quizzically.
"Well, I was in Twilight's library, when these black tentacle things shot out of the portal and grabbed me, pulling me inside. I think they were the Tenebris Eve warned about." Fluttershy's eyes widened when she realized something and asked, "Where's Eve?"
"We got separated from her and Sunset and Starlight when the Tenebris first showed up." said Twilight. She then shot a quick look at Discord. "Which wouldn't have happened if somepony had put aside whatever petty jealousy they have against her and helped her before she was blown away."
"Well excuse me princess, not everypony can be as forgiving as you. Besides, in case you've forgotten, your unicorn friends jumped on their own. It's their own fault for getting themselves lost." snapped Discord.
"Grr!"
"Both of you, stop it!" said Fluttershy, standing between the two. She looked at them sternly before saying, "Fighting isn't going to get us anywhere. We need to find Eve, Sunset and Starlight before the Tenebris do, we need to warn them."
"Warn them? About what?" asked Twilight.
"I overheard the Tenebris planning something, they want to have us fighting against each other. Whatever they have planned, it requires all of you to be angry and upset."
"Twilight's been doing an excellent job at that without the Tenebris' help." said Discord.
"Discord, I might not fully know what's going on with you to put you in such a foul mood, but for the sake of stopping the Tenebris and helping to free Aestas, you're going to need to put aside your differences until later." Fluttershy looked him calmly in the eye. "Do you think you can do that?" Discord said nothing for a few moments before nodding.
"I can swallow my pride for a little while, I suppose." he said. Fluttershy then turned to Twilight.
"Twilight, I know how Discord can easily annoy you, but he's still our friend. Try to be more patient with him, and don't hold his mistakes over his head. It's no good for him." said Fluttershy. Twilight breathed in.
"I'm...sorry...Discord." she said. Discord.
"Apology accepted. Though, I was expecting you to say it sooner." he said.
"You need to apologize too Discord." said Fluttershy. Discord folded his arms but he still said, "I'm sorry." But in his head he thought, 'That you don't understand my reasonable dislike for Eve.' Fluttershy clapped her hooves.
"Now that everypony has made up, we can get back on track." she said. Twilight and Discord mumbled under their breath, thought Fluttershy couldn't make put what they were saying. She dismissed it and instead, sat down comfortably on the ground as Twilight took out the rations of food she'd brought.
"Do you suppose they're all okay?" Fluttershy asked Twilight. Twilight did her best to give a reassuring smile.
"I'm sure they're fine." she said. Though honestly, she had a feeling inside that they were in great danger.
"....Ugh! My head!" Moaned Sunset Shimmer. The unicorn rubbed the temple of her forehead with her hoof. A splitting headache was pounding, and making her eyes feel like they were throbbing. "That guy did a real number on us didn't he?" There was no answer. Sunset Shimmer got up, there was nothing but darkness all around her. Where was she know? Did that unicorn/Tenebris have something to do with it? Probably. An aura of magic formed around Sunset's Shimmer, as she cast a light to get a better idea of where she was. But even then, nothing changed. There was still darkness. And nothing more.
"Starlight!" she shouted. There was no answer. "Starlight!!" Then, Sunset heard a low growl. Her pupils shrank as she slowly turned to the sound, her horn still lit, she looked into the face of a horrible monster. Covered in thick fur, with massive claws, and had an unnerving look in its eye.
"Who are you?! Where's Starlight?!" asked Sunset. The monster attack her with break neck speed. Sunset quickly cast a barrier spell to avoid getting any further attacks. 'What is this thing?! Did it do something to Starlight?' The magical aura of Sunset's horn grew brighter as she shot a ball of energy at the monster, sending it onto its back. But it got back up and jumped onto Sunset.
"Grr! Get off!" yelled Sunset, fighting to get the monster off of her. She levitated the monster off and got back on her hooves. She pawed her hoof on what served as the ground and charged at the beast, head butting it. She'd need to defeat this thing, and find Starlight...wherever she was.
Starlight Glimmer was lost in darkness, she lit up her horn to try and find Sunset. That's when she heard a loud roar.
"What was that?" she asked herself. She turned and found a grotesque monster. The beast roared at her loudly. Starlight immediately took action and shot a beam at the monster from her horn. The monster's arm stretched out and knocked Starlight onto her back. She jumped back up and onto the monster. The monster let loose another roar and used its appendages to get Starlight off it. The monster pawed what served as the ground and head butted her. Starlight had to win! She wouldn't lose to this thing. She'd defeat it, find Sunset, and get out of wherever this place was.
Erebus watched, entertained by the spectacle of the two unicorns fighting each other. Casting spells or using physical attacks. He wondered just how far they'd go before one triumphed over the other. Or if they'd take each other out. Either way, it was quite a show. He wanted to stay longer, but he needed to check on the progress of Moros and Pseudea so that he could report back to Nightshade. He shifted into his normal, Tenebris form and flew away, leaving the unicorns in their fight. Not caring what happens to either of them.