Rise of the Dark Age

They're coming. You must survive. Let go. It's over. Death is upon us. The end is nigh. WAKE UP.

I gasped, shooting up from where I lay on the ground. My mind was a blur. What was I doing? I couldn't remember. I took a look around. Everything was so dark. I couldn't see. I heard the constant whispering all around me. Much more of it and I would go insane. I worriedly looked around, hoping for any sign of help, something to tell me why I was here, and what was going on. And then, there was a flash of light, and then a flame appeared. A unicorn levitating a torch was before me. "Come," she said, "the Barracks needs your help."Sweat collected on my forehead. I had no idea what was going on, nor what she was talking about.  "I'm sorry," I said, "but what's the Barracks?""We’ll have time to discuss later," she grumbled as she began pushing me through the dark, "but right now it is of utmost importance that you follow me."I didn't argue. I had no idea what was going on. "Who are you?" I asked, curious. I couldn't really see her, other than the glowing horn."My name? No idea. Everyone calls me Gemstone, though.""Why do they call you that?""Long story.""Why don't you know your real name?""Ha! Nopony does anymore.""Seriously? You're a little weird...""Oh? So do YOU know YOUR name, then?"Of course! It's..." My brain blanked. I tried my hardest to think back, trying to remember... Well, anything.What's going on? Why can't I remember my name??? Think, think! Your parents were... Uh, friends... Anyone? AnyTHING?"What the hell is wrong with me!? I know I can at least remember my name!”"There there," she said, "we're almost to my house. Once we’re inside, we can talk."I hadn't even realized it over my confusion, but her torch had been lighting up the scenery for a while. We appeared to be in the outdoors, yet there was no sky. We were following a dirt trail, lined with houses made of burned wood and scrap metal."What... Happened…?""This is the Barracks. Its always been this way."At this rate, it would only be a few more seconds before I lose my mind."Help me..." a quiet voice seemed to call out."Who said that???""Who said what?" The unicorn stopped walking and looked at me funny. For the first time, I saw her face. She had the most beautiful purple mane I had ever seen, or at least, remember seeing. Her white fur was coated in spots of dirt, and a small cut ran down from her left eye to the middle of her nose. She looked at me with her wonderful azure eyes, very confused. "Are you okay? You're drooling..."Was I? "Ehm, sorry, I just thought I heard someone say 'help me'..."I could see fright in her face. She grabbed my mane and yanked me towards her. "What!? What direction? Where was it? What did it sound like? I hope they aren't here already...""I'm sorry, I don't get it. What's going o-""Shut it! We must hurry!"Gemstone shoved me back and began galloping frantically away. I didn't get her at all, but it seemed pretty serious. I flapped my wings and flew after the glowing torch. "Wait up!" I called, "Don't just leave me!"I flew really fast. The wind was ringing in my ears as I zoomed through the air. My eyes were drying out quickly, so I was constantly blinking. "HELP!"I heard that scream, but I didn't want to help it. That was the same voice as before, and I didn't want to find out why that unicorn was running away from whatever hid in the shadows."Gemstone!" I yelled, "Please wait!"The light slowed, and a bigger light grew from it. She was opening a door! Her house! I closed my eyes and flapped my wings as fast as I possibly could, and... I crashed.I heard a door slam as I tried to stand up, but a hoof found its way to my eye. "Shit," I said, "what the hell was that?""You're lying on top of me," said Gemstone, "get off!""Oh shit, sorry!" I sprang up about a million times faster than I flew earlier. "I am so, so sorry!""Yeah, its okay," she said, "just, careful with those wings, alright?""Sure, uh, Gemstone, right?""Yes. Gemstone."Silence filled the room, accompanied only by the feeling of awkwardness. Gemstone kicked her hoof around on the ground. "So, Flarewing...""Flarewing...?""Well, typically we give new ponies names based on what's special about them. And, well, I think flying fast enough to catch yourself on fire is pretty special.""Wait, WHAT???"I finally became aware of the intense pain in my wings. "Ow! Shit! Shit shit shit!!! Get some water, hurry!"The burns were searing hot, and I was missing a lot of feathers. Pink, raw skin was visible on at least half of each wing. Gemstone stopped levitating the torch, which had by now burnt out, and created a small ball of water in mid-air. Slowly, she lowered it onto my back, causing the water to roll on to my wings. It stung like hell, but I needed it."Thanks," I said, "where'd you learn that nifty trick?""My friend Star Gazer showed it to me. She's great with magic.""Cool. So, you never did tell me. What the hell were those things? The things talking to us?""Okay. Those are interesting. Rumor has it, they're three dead creatures which were meant to be immortal. They weren't supposed to die, so now they essentially... Try to... Kill ponies...""Oh, uh...""They can't be seen, because they only attack at night. Ponies claim to have seen them, but to actually get close enough to get a good look is suicide. It’s best to stay in your home at night, otherwise, when they find you, you’ll wish they hadn’t.""I see. That's not the answer I expected...""Welcome to the world as we know it."More silence invaded the conversation. I studied Gemstone. Something about her calmed me. I knew what it was, but I didn't want to admit it, or especially admit it out loud. I had lost my memory, but I still knew what love felt like. And it's a long and confusing trail of misery and happiness all leading to one highway of death. Its a mysterious thing, it is, and I didn't wish to have it then of all times. Yet the feeling remained."Is something wrong?," she said, "You keep staring at me...""S-sorry." My face went bright red.Someone, or something, rather, started banging on the door. "Quick,"" Gemstone yelled, "if you wanna live, and stare at me for another day, I suggest you follow me into the cellar, now!"She opened a wooden door on the floor and revealed the small, dirt enclosure which she called a cellar. It was dark, and would most likely be pitch black when the door shut. I looked at the metal door to her house. It was bending inward with every strike. I noticed that every time it moved, I could catch a glance outside. If I just went at it from the right angle, I could catch a glimpse of the creatures.I walked closer and more to the side. I peered at the corner of the door. When it got pounded on again, a green mist quickly oozed in and shoot right at me. I was sent spiraling across the floor and right into the cellar."Shit," I said, coughing. "Gemstone?""What is up with you and falling on me? Are you trying to rape me or something?""What? No! I would never-""I know, just get the hell off of me!"Once again, I went up faster than a balloon goes up into the sky. And the balloon is in a big rocket.Gemstone got up and wiped the dirt out of her mane. Then, she laughed. She laughed, and she was staring right at me."Come on, haha, let me get that for you!"Gemstone took her hoof and brushed my orange mane (a feeling which I must say was quite pleasurable). A few pieces of dirt crumbled out of my hair as she rearranged my mane to how it was before."So " I said, "let me get this straight.""What?""You were laughing. And fixing my hair. When there's a creature outside with deadly mist powers?""Yup. Speaking of which, better shut the door."I hadn't even realized it was still open. I would've closed it a long time ago. Total darkness showed me that she had done it. Another torch lit up the room."Where'd you get that?""I didn't 'get' it, its a spell.""Huh. I didn't know you could do that...""Another trick from Star Gazer.""I'd really like to know where SHE learned it.""She doesn't even know. We all started with abilities we had from our past, yet we don't remember how we got them.""You're creeping me out...""Wuss.""I bet you were like this too! On your first night?""Actually," Gemstone said, "I got my name because of my first night. I found a gem... I don't know why, but I reacted to it. It, saved me, in some way, I guess. I don't know. I was running from the voices, crying, confused. I was a damned coward.""Sorry, I didn't know... I didn't mean to-""I'm not done. When I was running, I tripped. I picked it up, thinking it was some dumb rock, and tried to throw it. Of course, I couldn't see them. I touched it, and poof. I found myself inside a metal shack with Star Gazer.""Wow. You had an eventful first night...""Seems like you have too.""Compared to yours? Uh-uh, no.""You met a pretty girl, you've discovered that your flying speed is incredibly fast, and you have escaped death three times.""Three times?""The whispers earlier? When you first woke up? My stone got rid of them. You hadn't realized I was there yet.""Huh. So your definition of eventful is getting a crush, getting burned, and being saved by a dumb rock.""Sure." She rolled her eyes. "You sure are a charmer.""I'm not even trying. Its not worth it. Celestia knows how long I'll live.""Celestia?""Holy shit!" I staggered back and fell over, dizziness consuming my vision. "I remembered something!""Oh? On the first night?""Yeah! There was this being, Celestia! She ruled... Something... Ugh, what was it?""You seem to remember more about the past than most ponies... I should inform Star Gazer about this tomorrow morning.""Yeah. I'd like to meet her myself, actually."Gemstone approached me. "Are you sure you don't want to rest here a few days?""You'd really do that for me?""Why not? We're friends, yes?""Uh... Okay! Yeah, sure! Thanks a lot!""You're excited. I lock my door at night, you know. Don't try anything.""Why do you keep saying things like that?""I dunno. I'm being rude, aren't I?""Hell no. You gave me a place to stay. I'm very grateful.""Well, alright then."Gemstone approached the wall nearest her. Pointing the torch at it revealed a clock. It read 3:21. "Huh," she said, "it's late.  We'd better sleep.""On the ground? This world sucks...""No, no, I've got you covered!" Gemstone lowered the torch to the ground. A cotton bag was on the ground, with a pillow at the opening."Just one bed?" I dropped my head. "You lied... I get it. The ground it is.""What? No! Supplies are short, this is simply all I have! I meant we would share, Flarewing."Sharing a bed with her... Just the thought of it made my face turn bright red, and despite my red fur I was surely noticeable. "Are you... A-are you sure?""Oh come now, I don't bite.""Just a minute ago you were saying you'd lock your door so I couldn't try anything. And now you want me to sleep with you?""Yup." She smirked."I don't get you...""HELP ME!" The eerie voice cried out from outside.I jumped into the sleeping roll. "Nevermind, I'm ready!"Gemstone got in behind me. My face was on fire. I was so embarrassed. I also was scared shitless, and I knew she could tell.I couldn't help but think as I lay there what happened to the world. Had it always been like this, or did something else happen? Something tragic? And... Was this 'Celestia' responsible? Just... Who was she? So many questions remained unanswered.Gemstone grabbed the back of my mane. "Flarewing," she said, "look at me."Awkwardly, I shifted so I was facing her. "What?"Will this take your mind off of that thing?"I wasn't sure what exactly had led to this, but our lips were now locked together. I closed my eyes and kissed back. It was beautiful. The most exciting experience I could remember. And it was with the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Our lips finally parted, and she stared at me, smiling. "All better?""What... Was that...?""Most ponies don't forget vocab... Wow... That was called a kiss. Its when-"I kissed her again. She giggled. "I presume you're staying? She asked me, wrapping her hooves around my back."Hell yes." With that, I dozed off to sleep. The next day, I needed to figure out what I was going to do about my situation.As I slept, the same words repeated in my head.

They're coming.

They're coming.

They're coming.