The Search for Light: Finding New Hope.

Chapter 5: The Shade.

(Elsewhere)

“Princess, This is urgent. You have to come with me, somewhere private.” The lavender alicorn speaks to her former  mentor. “What is it Twilight?” The elder alicorn asks, as they walk down the twisting halls of the castle, going deeper, and deeper into it. They venture even father still, before Twilight feels safe to speak again. “Celestia. I was reading through old tomes. And I believe that. . “ She trails off, looking down to the cobblestone floor, deep within the castle’s depths. “Believe what, Twilight?” Twilight responds with a despondent sigh, before she continues speaking.

“I believe that. . That. . Something is going to awaken, to return. Something that is more powerful than Discord,  more evil than Sombra.” Celestia keeps her steadfast expression. “Celestia. I believe that Neros is going to return.” The ancient alicorn just stands there. “Twilight. What you say. Do you know for sure that it is true?” Twilight opens her mouth to speak, but instead, only replies with a small nod.  “If Neros is to return while the elements are gone, it means sure disaster for equestria.”  Twilight shakes her head, quickly using her magic to pull a book out of her saddle bag. “Yes, that would be true, but according to this, there is an artifact that can stop Neros and the Shade.” Celestia takes the book from Twilight, quickly reading through its pages. “Yes. I know the artifact this book speaks of. . It’s” Twilight cuts of the Princess, speaking anxiously. “The Celica. An amulet that if filled with enough power, could banish anything into the void. Forever. No way of escape.” Celestia smiles, even in slight despair of the situation, at her former students knowledge.

“Yes Twilight. There is a problem though. The last time I saw The Celica was a thousand years ago. Before Nightmare Moon.” Celestia looks down. “I don’t know where it is now, or where it could be.” Twilight walks up to Celestia. “Let’s ask Luna then. Maybe she knows.” Celestia shakes her head. “Luna wouldn’t know. I. . I never told her about it.” Twilight gives the white alicorn a look of confusion, before gasping. “You were going to use it on her, weren't you? You knew about Nightmare Moon.” Celestia shakes her head, sinking lower in guilt. “Yes. But only as a last resort. I would never want it to come to that. To completely lock away my sister.” Twilight nods, putting her hoof around Celestia. “I understand. You had it then? So, what happened to it.” Celestia sniffs, before regaining her normal, regal, composure.   “I had kept it with me, at all times. Then, one night, I woke with a fright, and it was just missing. I didn’t have much time to think about it, because that was when Luna. . “ Celestia trails off, holding back her guilt.

“And don’t you think that’s related? Luna could’ve found out about. We have to ask her Celestia.” Celestia nods solemnly. “I don’t think so. Luna is smart in many subjects. But, she would have stolen it earlier, if she thought I would have used it.” Twilight shakes her head. “Celestia, I know you feel guilty about what happened in the past. You should be. But, it’s still just the past. We need to go to Luna. Now!” Celestia, a little surprised by her former students reaction. “Twilight, I. . . You’re right. Though, Luna is very busy right now. We can wait till she gets back to the castle.” Twilight sighs, dropping the subject. “Fine. We can wait.”

Celestia nods, and walks away from the ancient study of the castle, back to the throne room. All the while, thinking to herself. Neros. I hoped that he would never awaken. I haven’t seen any signs, but if he is to return, then I must start looking for them. To properly prepare. And, last time, me and Luna were only barely able to defeat him, and seal him away. And that was with the elements. And we forgot about his Shades. I’m pretty sure they are still lurking somewhere in Equestria. . . But, ever since their last attack, on Canterlot, they haven’t dared show their presence.

Celestia was brought out of her thoughts, by the clicking of hoofsteps behind her. “Princess, wait. I want to know more about Neros. The books were very vague, only saying that he is a major threat. A danger to all of Equestria.” Celestia stops in the hall, turning to Twilight. “He is not just a major threat, twilight, Neros is the end. Without the elements, his return would mean sure destruction of everything. The last time he awoke was disastrous. There are still remnants, scars on this land, that show his terrible power. And, while not a big as threat as himself, his Shade are pretty dangerous.” Twilight gives her a confused look. “His Shade?” Celestia nods. “Yes. Beings of pure darkness. They are very similar to the changelings, in nature. They can easily disguise themselves like us. But they also have the power to bring out our own darkness. They can take it, and give it form. When our darkness and a Shade mix, it  changes them into an Umbra. Essentially, our dark self.”

Twilight nods as she takes in this information.  “But, it was the darkest things in our life, that caused the brightest parts in it too. In those times, when the darkness ruled the land. When it imprisoned us. When we had thought that everything was over. That all was lost in Neros’ grip.  But it wasn’t the end. For, the darkness fueled our hope, made it burn brighter.” Celestia stops speaking, letting silence take over again, but only for a moment. “Please, remember that Twilight. No matter how dark it gets, there will always be those who carry hope like a torch. Lighting the way for others to follow. It is a great honor, and a burden. But, you and your friends know that all too well.”

“Princess. . I know we would both like to believe that hope, and friendship, can stop this. We all would like to believe that. But, hope and friendship can only bring us so far. That’s why we need The Celica.”  Celestia sighs, as she turns away from Twilight, continuing to walk down the hall. “I know Twilight. But like I said, The Celica could be any in Equestria, maybe even in other lands. Other realms even.” Twilight speeds up to keep up with the elder princess. “I was already thinking about that princess. Me and my friends can search for it.” Celestia looks back at twilight as they keep walking through the long, old hallway. “Twilight. I wouldn’t ask of you, or your friends, to do that. The Celica can really be anywhere. Who knows how long it would take to find it. You all have families who would worry for you.” Twilight nods. “I know Celestia, but in this situation, it would either be ‘goodbye, see you later’ or ‘goodbye, forever’ And I really don’t want that second one.”

“Ok Twilight. Go to your friends. Tell them everything and start preparing. You have a long journey ahead of you. I’ll call you back once Luna’s returned.” Twilight gives a small smile to the princess before her horn flares up, teleporting away from the hall. Celestia stands there. And stays. Waiting for nothing in the silence. A tear forms in the corner of her eye, before slowly running down her cheek. “I fear, Twilight. That it may just end up being ‘goodbye. Forever.” Celestia speaks into the empty hall, before regaining her steadfast expression, and continues to her throne room.