Dark Ascension

We'd travelled for days on end. The changelings had not attacked us since Clover was injured. She's fine now, but I still haven't been able to tell her about...

We'd come to a small clearing, a dirt road piercing through the trees making a pretty obvious pathway. I looked around me and I saw animals fighting each other over food and shelter. It was inevitable. We are closer to the source of dark power, it was evident in how the animals were reacting to the smallest things. But it was more evident in their eyes. They were hopeless voids of white. Nothing contained. I could tell that Clover might be catching onto what is happening to these innocent creatures. She occasionally stopped to try and stop the fighting she saw, but no effect.

Now was a better time than any. I had to tell Clover about all this. It would break her heart, she would be crushed, but I had to... I just couldn't though. I forced myself to ask her to talk.

"Clover. Can I talk to you for a second?"

She stopped abruptly, then swivelled around slowly, looking suspicious. "What's wrong Super?" She inquired.

Starswirl had told us to walk on ahead, likely so that we could be alone to talk. He simply slowed to a walking pace, slow enough to stray behind us.

"Clover... You've noticed the animals, right? How something is happening to them. They fight over nothing but simple ordeals like food and shelter when there is more than enough for all of them in this habitat. Well, do you know why this is happening to them?"

I tried to ease her into the conversation, so that when it hits, I can try to make it easier for both of us. She, very rarely doing so, took off her hood and talked to me unconcealed. Her bright purple main glistening in the sunlight. For once in a lifetime, I saw her beautiful lavender skin shine. But I lost all nice thoughts when I remembered what I was about to do.

"I... I don't know. But it hurts me, you know. Seeing all these lovely creatures fighting each other. I..." She shed tears. She broke down to the floor just like that. I crouched down and curved my hoof around her head, trying to calm her down. Now wasn't the time to tell her. I couldn't hurt her any more than she already is. Starswirl caught up to us and stood silent.

"Clover, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I... they are doing this to each other and it's breaking you apart. Nothing has hurt me more to see you in tears as you are. Don't take this harshly, because I know how bad you feel. I'm sorry, but we must keep going. As disheartening as this is we can't let it break our wills. We've come so far, we can't fail now. You're a strong girl Clover, fight against your tears!"

Those words came out like a canon. Words stormed out of my mouth before I even thought to say them, faster than lightning.

"We can't let it... break our wills... huh... I feel like my will is broken already, Super. I've always been the shy and reserved pony in our group... Never really showing my emotions to either you or Starswirl. Yet look at me, a broken wreck. I can't bear seeing the fauna acting like this... How can I possibly cope?" I couldn't blame her for how she feels... She's always had a love for animals, it's practically her defining trait alongside her affinity for spell craft. Seeing her like this is... devastating... I had to speak. "I know it's... hard... but you have to be strong, Clover. We can find out why this is happening to the animals and we can stop it together, I'll always help you. But for now we have to press on. Be strong Clover!"

Clover slowly but steadily stood up, still shaken but strong. She wiped her tears away then concealed herself with her hood again, looking like she'd never take it down again.

"Thank you Super... You're always there for me when I need you. Always trying to help me when I'm like this. Someday, I need to return you the favour..."

I felt stronger for what Clover had just said to me. She walked towards me, then raised her hoof to cross my body. I repeated this action, resulting in a hug. It felt amazing to be able to be so close to Clover, i-in the friendship sense. She was still crying, but this time with a wide smile. She was crying... happily? It was confusing... sadness and happiness were two emotions that could almost never be together at once. She was sadly happy? Happily sad? I couldn't explain it. Suddenly my muzzle felt damp, I groped for a hoof-kerchief. But on further inspection, it wasn't my muzzle. It was my eyes. I was... crying? But I would have known that I was...