//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13: So Close Yet so Far 
// Story: Believing in Something that is True 
// by Nightglimmer22 
//------------------------------//

Chapter edited by: Brickbrock24



Glimmer crept around the dark forest. She wasn't quite sure for how long she had been wandering. Twenty minutes? An hour? Maybe two? Glimmer felt like she had been wandering in circles, for everything looked the same and she could have sworn that she was seeing familiar landmarks over and over. Glimmer peered up at the blackened night sky, the small light from the moon and stars barely let Glimmer to stretch out her wings to see if she could retch the top of the trees. She scanned around her but nothing looked familiar. Deep inside, nervous emotions lurked within her. Glimmer had never felt so afraid in such a long time, she had no idea where home was or where she was. Glimmer stopped panicking and took a breath.
Maybe it would be better if I waited until morning to gain my bearings, it will be easier to find out where I am.
Glimmer thought to herself. Once she got that idea into her head, Glimmer felt herself calming down. She lowered herself to the ground and began to roam on a little farther through the woods. The chilly night air made Glimmer shiver. She was about to lose hope when she found a small cave. She perked up and trotted toward it. The sharp rocky walls of the cave nerved Glimmer but as soon as she surveyed the area, she sat down. All four of her limbs instantly felt like lead as they collapsed onto the floor. She was so relieved to be able to sleep for once and strip her body from the fear that crawled inside it like an unwanted parasite. She spread her wings to act as a blanket. At once her eyes became heavy and her vision was blurred with obscurity.



Glimmer felt a push at her side, she woke up with a start but she couldn't see much through her blurred vision. She slowly began to sit up and rub the sleep from her eyes, in the corner of her eyes she saw a dark figure. Glimmer's heart skipped a beat as she scooted half hopped away from the figure, she was still disoriented.
"Do not be afraid child. We must hurry, for these woods are dangerous and wild," The figure said.
"What's going on? Who are you and how did you find me?"  The figure helped Glimmer to her hooves and ushered her out of the cave, Glimmer squinted her eyes at the setting sun.
"I went out to find ingredients for my brew. Some herbs and a little nut, the perfect taste for stew," the figure explained.
Now in the light, Glimmer could see more of what the figure looked like. A light gray mare with fascinating markings all around her body stood before her. The mare also had a short gray and white mane and tail, within seconds it had occurred to Glimmer that she was a zebra. Zebras were very rare in most parts of Equestria, how did Glimmer get so lucky to meet one up close.
"You’re a zebra," Glimmer breathed out in amazement.
"Indeed, child, I am Zecora; and who are you my dear? These woods are far too dangerous, I fear," Zecora replied. The two continued walking farther from the cave. Glimmer was stunned at how different the forest looked in the light, it's almost looked beautiful. Glimmer soon saw a small hut made of the base of a large tree. Smoke blew from the open windows of it.
"My name is Nightglimmer. I was trying to find my father, who lives Manehattan, but I must have gotten lost. Do you think you can help me?"
"Of course! But stay here and have something to eat before you get back on your feet," Zecora said with a smile.
"Thank you!"  Glimmer followed Zecora into her home. It was warm due to the big pot of broth boiling in the middle of the room. Glimmer looked around the small shelter, she noticed multiple masks hung from the walls, with shelves of potions and herbs beneath them. "These masks are really cool, where did you get them?"
"I never stay in one spot. Those masks represent the many places that I have sought," Zecora explained as she stirred in the herbs she gathered in the woods. The enticing aromas made Glimmer's stomach grumble and her mouth watered. How long had she gone without eating? Glimmer had found a nice place to sit down, Zecora trotted over and handed Glimmer a wooden bowl filled to the brim of thick rich broth. The color reminded Glimmer of pumpkin pie, something her father would bring home on special occasions. 
"Eat up, then rest. Then we can set out for tomorrow's quest." Glimmer thanked Zecora for her hospitality and began to inhale the food in front of her. After a few more bowls, Glimmer was stuffed to content. Zecora had made a small bed for her to sleep on and soon enough, sleep took over.



Glimmer slowly woke up, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. She scanned the room in search for Zecora, who was already up packing.
"Good morning! I will take you to the Ponyville train station; for I am in need of a quick vacation." Zecora handed Glimmer a small loaf of bread. Glimmer devoured it quickly and, together with Zecora, they both left the hut and entered into the forest. "This is forest Everfree. Although it looks scary, it has its beauty." Zecora explained. They continued to trek through the forest, they continued to walk on a path, flowers grew on the sides. until Glimmer spotted a small light at the end of the path. The opening grew bigger and brighter until there was no forest left. In the distance, Glimmer saw a village.
Excitement stirred within Glimmer, she had heard such wonderful stories about Ponyville and the princess that lived there. During the long trot to the village, Glimmer couldn't help but admire the scenery she wasn't used to. Due to being raised in Manehattan, Glimmer didn’t really see many big fields and meadows. The luscious green grass and the numerous varieties of colorful flowers were almost hypnotizing to her. They had reached the middle of the town when a pony came up from behind.
"Zecora, what a nice surprise!" The two turned to see a purple pelted alicorn walk toward them. Glimmer gasped and bowed before the princess of friendship.
"It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Twilight," said Glimmer.
"Hello, it’s nice to meet you, too. What is your name?"
"Nightglimmer," Glimmer said as she stood back up to a normal position.
"Nightglimmer? Shouldn't you be with Spitfire?"
"Well, it's sort of a long story. But right now I need to find my father who lives in Manehattan. I need to talk to him, I'm sure that he's the only pony I know who can help me."
"Are you sure?" said Twilight, her voice sounding slightly unconvinced. "Well, I guess we can give it a shot. I will go with you to help find your father."
"Thank you, princess." Glimmer turned to the zebra. "Thank you for everything, Zecora."
"Good luck." The zebra replied. 
Glimmer followed the princess to the train station, the unfamiliar setting of the small town compared to the large city interested Glimmer, she was curious about the ponies life style.



Nightshade sat on a tall chair in which she called her 'throne', the long room separated her from the door. She stared at a small milky white orb that she had stollen from a powerful wizard many moons ago, this orb could tell the future and was very helpful to her. "Darkflight!" Nightshade called as she say a stallion passing the door from the hall. "I have visitors coming and I need to meet them, stay here and regulate the patrols while I am done?"
The stallion trotted down the long room as he retched her. "Yes mistress, how long do you think you will be gone?"
"What does it matter?" Nightshade said in a harsh tone.
"Your right, I apologize." Darkflight responded as he bowed and exited the room.
Nightshade once again stared at the orb hopping to see more of the vision but it forbade it. 
"Ugh, useless thing!." Nightshade set the orb down on a small table next to her throne and stepped off of it. She trotted down the room and into the hall to find her room. The labyrinth would have made anypony lost but it was forever in her memory. All of the secret passages and hallways to get to different room. Nightshade stopped at the familiar door at the end of a hallway. She stepped into the room and made her way to the table toward her left. A queen size bed lay against the middle of the wall as she walked into the room, the light baby blue sheets mixed well with the white walls. Nightshade stared down at the table and at a two sided picture frame. On the left side was a picture of an old friend, Star Blitz. The baby blue pelted mare with the scarlet red mane had her hoof wrapped around Nightshade's neck, laughing. Nightshade had a giant grin on her face as she stared back at the pony taking the picture. Nightshade smiled as if she were in the moment, right before the picture was taken. 
"Soon Star Blitz, Soon I promise." Nightshade though, this soon brought tears to her eyes as she blinked them away, she began to remember the tragic day when her friend's life had ended after a battle against the Wonderbolts. She knew then, Both Star Blitz's dream snd hers was to take over Equestria. Nightshade's head spun, quickly she trotted over to her bed and laid down hopping that it would go away soon but instead she was sucked into a familiar dream. 



"Hey, Nightshade, tell me about yourself." said Star Blitz as the two pegasi flew across the sky together. The sun shone brightly from behind them as they continued east, not knowing where they were heading.
"Well, what do you want to know?" Nightshade responded, worried of where the conversation might end up.
"Well, you never really told where you came from. So, let’s start there."
Nightshade was hesitant to answer. She had hoped to keep personal matters like that confidential. She stared at the pleading look of her friend. Nightshade felt that she could trust this new friend of hers and possibly understand her struggle.
"Well... I come from Manehattan. I also have a family. Well, had one."
"What? Then why did you leave?"
"It’s a long story and kind of complicated."
"I've got time," Star Blitz said with a bit of curiosity in her voice. Nightshade took a deep breath and answered her friend.
"I had this idea of creating my own colony; which would soon be big enough to take over Equestria. I pitched this to my husband, but he refused.” Nightshade's expression grew dark as she recalled that night. “He could have had everything he ever wanted and my daughter could have been living the life of a princess.” Nightshade began to feel a medley of sorrow and rage seep into her words as she continued to speak. “We could have ruled this wonderful realm together and finally stopped licking the hooves of those pampered alicorns! Yet, he refused and took custody of my little filly! He’s probably going to waste my daughter’s talents by making her work at the weather factory! I swear, my husband cares more about his pathetic job than he does me.”
The two were silent for a bit, Nightshade peeked a glance at Star Blitz. She wasn’t making eye contact with her. She looked like she was still soaking in the story Nightshade told her like a sponge.
"You’re probably thinking what an awful idea that is," Nightshade said quietly.
"No, Nightshade, I don't. I think that it’s a great idea. True, it does sound like a crazy idea; but maybe we could start that colony together, just how you imagined it, and raise an army powerful enough to take over Equestria!" Star Blitz said as she turned her head toward Nightshade, whose eyes were wide with amazement. “What should we call our new clan?” Star Blitz asked enthusiastically.
"The Shadowbolts!" Nightshade said proudly.



Within an hour, the train was already stopping to meet the platform of Manehatten.
"This way! I know where to go from here," Glimmer said as she spread her wings to fly. Twilight was right behind her. Glimmer was caught off guard by the sudden ache that hit her-homesickness. A homesickness she'd been too busy to recognize until that moment. Everything looked familiar now. It was a beautiful, tranquil day. The shone brightly with no clouds in the sky to mask its radiant beams of light. Glimmer flew down a street and found her house. There it was, exactly as Glimmer remembered it. Glimmer landed and Twilight followed suit. Together, they both arrived at the house and knocked on the front door. Nopony answered. The house was as quiet as a tomb.
"Dad? Are you home?" Glimmer called out after nopony answered the door. Glimmer turned the knob and found that the door was unlocked. When Glimmer and Twilight gasped at the scene they found. The inside of the house looked as if a tornado had hit the place.
No! Glimmer thought. She raced up stairs checking every room until she came to her dad's office. The door was open and inside the room stood a tall mare. Her pelt was a Her eyes glowed an eerie purple color and she wore a sneer on her face. She spread out her wings to show their full size, which blocked sunlight from entering the room.
"What a pleasant surprise," The mare said with an evil chuckle. Twilight trotted up from behind her and gasp. They both thought the same thing: Nightshade.