Into Darkness

Their voices slowly caressed his ears, each moment of stir, they grew deeper in their plaintive, indescribable voices. It seemed like an eternity before his eyes opened. The voices increase, intensity unwavering as he struggled to pick himself up.

"Hello?"

"Bluestreak"

"Who's there?"

"Bluestreak"

The words were lost in the ocean of frantic whispers.

Holding his ears down, the whispers merely grew stronger before he snapped, "STOP" an echo carried his voice back to him, before dissipating into the unknown, intriguingly, the voices halt.

He stood up, gazing around as the stone island sailed through the soft fog, carrying Bluestreak with slow momentum, a sudden halt stumbles Bluestreak forward, landing him face first into the dusty rock.

Shaking his head of dust, Bluestreak turns around spitting out the occasional unpleasantness, watching a few more dozen islands of stone sway around in odd fashions. Almost as if they were orbiting something hidden, or continuing on until they were simple specks. Each boasted a flat top, with a spike of ground tapering below it, the origins of some ancient planet Bluestreak thought. The island begins to move once more, a few tacks of rock, inferior to Bluestreak's began to appear as he glided helplessly through the mysterious air.

The fog parted, he stood in awe, nothing but a vast horizon filled with its speckles and spheres of beauty stretched on for eternity. The sky gently swirled a magnificent array of colors alonside the atmospheres of what looks to be planets, beyond the colors and seemingly endless expanse, an ocean of stars looked down upon him in a warm welcome,  as he stepped towards the edge to gaze below, a maw of darkness stares towards him with enigmatic presence.

"Where the hell..." A sudden rumble of the island forces him to back away, searching for the cause. A set of smaller islands had clumped together behind the blue pony, organizing themselves into a stairway to a higher island... which is about to hit.

Bluestreak is tossed around the island, the platforms shaking with untamed violence. He quickly recovers with a pause, hesitantly following the created path up to another larger piece of rock, ahead, was a strange round pool of glowing light.

The pool gleamed in its mysterious aura, Bluestreak neared with increasing curiosity, stopping as his hooves touched the first step, he leaned over the rim, gazing into the liquid. A mysterious array of lights within dance onto his face, twinkling atop his fur like an aurora contained in a radiant pool.

Before long, a mysterious voice would startle him, emanating nowhere, resonating everywhere.

"The first chapter is beginning, touch this stone, and learn your secrets" It said in a gentle hum, a yellow stone  then rose from the radiant pool, swaying calmly as it neared the blue pegasus, he could feel calmness as it neared.

"Who's there!" Bluestreak called, he waited a few minutes, but the voice would not answer, with no other choice than to do what the voice explained, he leaned over the pool and pressed his hoof to it. Something sparked within his mind, that of war, he witnessed the countless battles of other equines, stripes similar to his all shared one thing, protection.

Everything began to glow brightly, until Bluestreak thought himself blinded by the whiteness, before opening his eyes to the real world once more, this time within the airship.

He found himself within the top section, it was dark, but the previous musty smell from before had now gone entirely. Bluestreak let his eyes adjust, the room was empty, a sudden thud from below alerted his ears, with a quick stretch and yawn, he made his way down to the middle deck.

It was moving, after what Bluestreak has witnessed before, he was surprised. A strong breeze was sifting through the spacious room, Darkblood was at the console apparently having noticed as he, letting out a soft "Eep!" As she watched Bluestreak climb down.

"... How-" he paused, startled by a sudden upstart.

"I told you not to touch that one!" A voice hollered from below.

"Well gee golly gosh tin arm, I thought it was the one labeled-"

"NO, None of the are labeled bent beak!"

Darkblood and Bluestreak gazed at one another with confusion before Bluestreak strode down to the engine room. Within the confines, Sword Gear and Striker were having a heated argument, half of the pylons were still laying about on the floor, though the airship apparently flew well without them. Lights flickered and danced across the metallic walls as they bustled with energy, veins of life coursing through the metal, much brighter than before. After a long moment of debating, they both turned towards Bluestreak, jumping back in surprise.

Sword Gear was the first to speak, "Bluestreak you're up! How'd... you-"

"We could hear you from above, I don't have to get you two back in line?"

"No, he was just... help-"

"Striker, I need your eyes in the sky again!" Darkblood called from above.

"Peace out tin arm!"

The Hawk sped off towards Darkblood with haste, leaving Sword Gear and Bluestreak in awkward silence. Sword Gear turns to Bluestreak with a strange look.

"You sure those dreams of yours aren't messing with you? You've been out for three days, mumbling hello every now and then."

"How the hell did I stay fed?"

"Well, Darkblood got the bright idea to spoon feed you in your sleep, I told her it was crazy, same with Striker," he rolls his eyes, "But... it worked"

"That's... reassuring" Bluestreak sighed.

"If you want your sword, it's in the left cargo bay, by a few of the boxes we managed to scrape from the fire, I could use some help over here when you can."

"Sure, just tell me what to do"

For the rest of the morning, the two stallions managed to repair many of the downed Enerstone pylons, strugglig to clamp two thirds of the total into place with their rusted braces. The additional energy boosted them forward with noticeable speed. As noon arrives, they crease a small hill, revealing the crystal castle across the vast grassy plains surrounding the rest of the empire. Sword Gear rushes up next to Darkblood, Bluestreak arrives minutes later.

"Alright, yeah, set us down there" Sword Gear whispered.

"Right behind the rock?"

"Right beside it"

Bluestreak raised a brow. "What are we doing near the Crystal empire?"

"It's our only idea of where to look, besides-" he winks, nudging Bluestreak's chest with his mechanical arm, "I've heard the mares in the Crystal Empire are quite as regal back in Canterlot."

With an annoyed sigh, and an irritated look, Bluestreak punches Sword Gear's mechanical leg, snapping its elbow joint in the opposite direction of its functionality, storming away down to the lower floor. Sword Gear struggles to keep upright with the joint unhinged.

"Much can happen in three years..." Sword Gear mumbled.

"Was, he not supposed to do that?"

"Uh.. well, not really no, at any rate, you should stay here with the ship, Blue and I will head into the city"

"Why here?"

Sword Gear fumbles around, bashing his free hoof into the broken hinge,

"Just in case, sometimes,... it's best to be prepared for anything... especially- CHINK ... well, since no pony else knows about this"

The leg slots back into its original place with a hallow thud of metal.

Aveela nods, "Alright," her head lowers. "Do... you think Bluestreak trusts me?"

Sword Gear's graspers retracted into place on his back before placing a hoof on her shoulder "He has to, don't worry miss I've known him for years, he may struggle to trust others at first but he's the most loyal friend you will ever meet, I assure you."

She smiles, "Thank you Sword Gear" Aveela turns away to the airship's controls as Sword Gear descends and exits the airship.

He finds Bluestreak already starting off towards the crystal city with Striker perched on his back, Sword Gear catches up to him, staring at a solemn face, he looks back to their path.

"You didn't have to be so hostile, especially in front of Darkblood."

Bluestreak remains silent, though his expression visibly shows more irritation.

"Alright Blue, what's wrong?"

"Nothing..."

"Sure isn't nothing, if there's anything that happened in the past three years, go ahead and say it, remember BFFL? Best Friends For Life?"

A moment passes before Bluestreak answers back.

"The dreams... began happening when I found the sword..."

"Where was the sword found?"

"Hidden within a chamber at the base of the mountain that Canterlot was built on, the entrance was thick with vines, well hidden from any prying eyes, I just so happen to... I just... found it"

"It seems to be of importance, especially with the abilities it provides as a blade from that attack."

"Maybe..."

"The dreams, tell me more."

Bluestreak sighed, looking up at the clear sky, the sun was at its peak, shining down upon them with soft warmth.

"Some of them.... are messages..... others... they're...."

"What?"

"...Threats."

A cold wind blew past them, sending a chill down Sword Gear's spine.

"So that's why you always wake in a panicked frenzy?" Striker cuts in.

"Let's talk about this... later... we're almost there." Bluestreak mumbled.

They passed the crystal arch leading into the city, open to all. Guards and equines of their respected crystal appearance chatted and gossiped, going about their lives happily. A few eyes darted to Bluestreak's appearance every now and then, giving Bluestreak a slight nervous feeling as   they neared the center, towards the Crystal Castle. A few airships of small sizes sailed overhead towards an overhanging, elevated port on the other side of the tall castle, they all utilized hot air or other normal applications, nothing like the airship they had in their possession. Striker lights up excitedly.

"Hey, it's the crystal heart! Can we take a close look?"

"Quiet Striker, remember the rules." Bluestreak hissed back.

Striker began grumbling in silence as they pass the beating heart.

"Do we know where we're going?" Bluestreak asked.

"No, ask somepony for directions." Replied Sword Gear.

"Why me?!"

"Just do it sleeping beauty."

Bluestreak sighs in annoyance, walking to the nearest crystal pony. A mare about the same age as Bluestreak stops for him, giving a warm smile.

"Hello, do you nee- oh my, you have quite an interesting visage." She giggles. Bluestreak's cheeks grow flush.

"U-uh yeah, do you k-know where the library is?" He could feel his legs beginning to tremble.

"Of course sir, it's just over there on that side of our city." She continues giggling before pointing to a large building beside the Crystal Castle.

"T-thank you"

"You're most welcome! If It's not too bothersome, how did you get such an alluring stripe?"

"It's... uh, I was born with it."

"Oh, that is interesting indeed, I apologize if I was offensive." She smiles again.

"It's fine, thank you again." Bluestreak replied, smiling awkwardly, before they separated, he could still hear her giggling. Striker and Sword Gear are standing about.

"It's over here fellas" He motioned, crossing the large expanse of roadway.

Sword Gear grinned, "She ask about the stripe?"

"When do they not ask about the stripe... It really makes me nervous."

"Don't worry pal, we're here for you"

Bluestreak shook his head.

"Oh boy, looks like the Crystal City is getting a regal visit."

"What? Where?"

"Over there, the princesses."

Sure enough, Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Twilight were strolling about a ways to their left.

"You don't see that everyday."

Striker chuckled silently before whispering, "Hurry up before they ask about Bluestreak's stripe as well" A low chortle could be heard from Sword Gear.

Stepping up to the doors, they are welcomed by the sight of two crystal griffon statues watching over the entrance. Bluestreak lifts a single wing upwards, Striker skitters beneath in answer. Sword Gear raised a brow.

"What are you two doing?"

"Libraries don't like birds"

"And you kn-"

"Let's just say I'm, slightly an egghead too." Bluestreak interrupted.

"You're putting emphasis on slightly"

"Yes, it's a fact." Bluestreak clarified with a hint of his emphasis.

Sword Gear rolled his eyes, giving up.

"And here I thought all pegasi were die hard athletes..."

"The more you know Tin arm" Striker commented below the wing.

They entered the library, expecting crowded aisles, constant whispers, and the occasional chuckle. Instead, barely anypony was within the premise. The Librarian greeted them, an aged Crystal mare with a soft pink mane and tail, her coat was a light violet tone, behind a set of antique glasses were a set of magenta eyes. "Welcome to the Crystal Library, if you need any help, feel free to ask." The group smile before moving on down a set of stairs to the base floor.

Bookshelf after bookshelf lined down the various paths of books and stairs, above, chandeliers of crystal flickered about with their magical flames, presenting a warm glow across the massive building of knowledge, Bluestreak never realized there were bigger libraries than back in Canterlot or in Ponyville. With a quick chain of nods, the group split up and began their ambitious search, Striker took the high shelves, haphazardly sifting through books with his beak and talons, before one slips from his grasp and clonks Bluestreak.

“Try not to get us kicked out?” Bluestreak hissed,

“Heheh sorry, musta slipped” He whispered from above.

Bluestreak rolled his eyes, focusing on the search. Meanwhile Sword Gear, on the other end makes use of his graspers, searching through page after page, nothing catches his attention other than mostly known locations of other empires.

Griffons,

Dragons,

Zebras,

Sea Ponies,

“Sea Ponies? Is this… What bloke wrote this?” He muttered to himself sliding the book uncaringly into its rightful, yet unlikely spot.

For the next four hours, nothing eventful happened, albeit half of the library had now been searched with no success of any forgotten empire. Bluestreak sends Striker to Sword Gear to meet in the middle.

“Any luck?

“Pffft, nothing” Sword Gear sighs.

“Maybe we’re not looking in the right place?”

“What if you tried really hard?” Striker cut in.

“Striker, you’re not helping”

“He never helps Blue”

“I’m glad we’re in agreement” Bluestreak grumbled.

Striker lands on a nearby bookcase, glaring at the two ponies talking him down. As the two look back towards the other unexplored end of the library, Striker wanders about the shelf, if felt loose under his claws, and certainly had not been replaced like the others in quite a long time, he swayed his weight as it creaked in a playful manner.

As he did, the board’s hinges grew loose, causing it to slide, Striker attempted to lift the heavy slab of crystal from falling, his talons simply scratched across its surface without traction, causing it to clatter loudly on the rocky floor, Sword Gear and Bluestreak freeze in place as the librarian comes over with a worried face, before gazing in shock at the bird.

“Hey! Go! Shoo!” she yelled at Striker, as he spread his wings, a book slid out beneath him, the door nearby faintly clicked as she opened it. The librarian then took it and attempted to swat the hawk towards the door, before a massive grinding noise froze her too in place. It was that of a stone slab sliding on another of its kind, heavy and drowning every bit of noise that was not of its own. Bluestreak rammed his metal ear into the stone, locking the main prong from overtoning like last time.

Four massive book shelves within the center where Bluestreak and Sword Gear were watching began rotating, knocking over the nearby pillars of knowledge. They all gasped as a storm of cluttering books and pages flapping in the wind amassed on the floors around them. The ground shook, tumbling them around, the circular middle began raising as the four large bookcases continued to rotate.

Bluestreak shoved Sword Gear off just as some of the books came falling down on them, from afar he could see a domino effect chaining towards the librarian, continuing its spiral upwards, Bluestreak jumped from the raising platform and glided over to the librarian who was too scared to move from the incoming book avalanche. Just in time, he grabbed her arms and threw her away, just barely escaping in time.

Then, everything fell silent, the last of the books had fallen, and much of the library was now a wreck of shattered crystal bookcases and heaps of disorganized books. The bookcases had stopped spinning and were all facing their elongated ends at the middle.

“Blue! Strike!” Sword Gear called out.

“Fi-...fine!” Striker muttered from a distance, popping out from a small pile of crystal empire history that took him down.

“I’m fine Sword Gear, how about you?” Bluestreak climbed over the piles, waiting for an answer, though worry had seeped through his mind, it was quickly replaced with surprise as Sword Gear stood before the raised platform in an abnormal silence. A glow emanated from the interior of blue, humming stone

“Enerstone here?” Bluestreak said with confusion, it twined its way through the small seven foot wide circular interior, but what had truly piqued Bluestreak’s curiosity was the small orb within the center, as Bluestreak climbed down level with the platform’s small entrance, his amulet began to hum, the closer he moved, the louder it became.

Something snagged his neck and yanked him forward as he came into spitting distance, it tethered him further in, acting almost like a leash to foil his escape. The sudden yelling behind them grew stronger, before Sword Gear could rush to his friend, two pegasi guards tackled him down before dragging him away

“Bluestreak!” He cried out, but Bluestreak’s gaze lay anchored to the large orb. He saw what others could not. Images of a past age flashed in his mind, before morphing rapidly into another form. A large circular building kept reappearing between courtyards and strange rock formations beside buildings. There were floating islands in the midst.

A strong hoof grabbed Bluestreak’s shoulder yanking him away, dissipating the images, but his neck caught on the tether, it was enough to shatter the orb, flashing brightly, the surprised cries of everypony sounded as the library returned to normal. It was then Bluestreak came to his senses.

Grabbing at one of the confused guards, he slams him into the other one whom was pinning down his friend, they fall to the hard floor in a loud clunk.

“C’mon let’s go!” Bluestreak dragged Sword Gear on all fours and they turned away from the orb. Bluestreak looked to his amulet, glowing, but no longer humming, peeking back, nothing was there, ‘what was that...’ he thought, before following his friend.

Striker swooped beside them as they dashed over the mountain of books, up the staircase and through the Library doors, a confused crowd awaited them.