Star Wars: Power of the Dark Side

Star Wars: Power of the Dark Side
Chapter II: Inconspicuous

Night had settled quickly, faster than Twilight would have expected. Her wing clamped the artifact close against her body. Her mind racing as these questions flooded her mind, her vision slightly blurry from this. The cold metal pressing against her fur and skin. Her fear and dread that seemingly came from the idol increased as it came in contact with her. Something she would have to take note of. As she sped along the ground with a brisk pace, she repeated to herself, "Okay so I feel fear and I am cold when I'm near it? Some sort of heat sensitive material or metal?"

She could not know for certain until she studied it, this fact calming a few of the rapid thoughts that flurried around her brain. Her feathers were beginning to grow numb from the contact with the artifact. She pressed it tighter in hopes that it would not fall out of her grasp. Twilight breached the forest and stood in the outskirts of Ponyville. Solace washing over her and her fear suppressing as she saw the few lights a lit in Ponyville, and the very few night owls in town strolling around. Walking slowly about the streets in the early night. Somehow it made her feel better about taking the artifact. She still felt guilty

Twilight pushed on and left all the comforts of the night behind as all of her thoughts and energy were pushed towards the little idol that she held tightly in her wing.

The ground grew softer and less wild and rugged than the trails in the Everfree, her hoof falls more meager than they were on the forest floor. As she sped along, she felt something different. She could not put a thought to it, but she felt more centered to the ground. More in control than she had ever felt. This did not come from within, no it came from somewhere else entirely. It was distinct and yet it was faint at the same time. Likely, this originated from the idol but there was no way to be certain.

As she made her way into town, she began to notice a few changes in Ponyville. It was still the same backwater town she knows and loves, but it has received many changes over the years. The two stark things was that Golden Oaks was gone and replaced with a crystal castle. A few of the buildings as well went under renovation and the aesthetic look did not change overly much it just looked newer. The roofs more thick, preparing early for the winter months. And some of the ponies.

Ponyville it not usually a town to get very many refugees or pilgrims from other lands. It was more of a quiet peaceful town that wished no disturbance from the outside world, almost like it was its own little corner in the universe. This thought calmed her as she breathed through her mouth lightly, drawing in breaths and pushing them out calmly. She felt as though all eyes were on her and even with her calming breaths and thoughts she could not suppress the fear. It seemed to grow stronger, with each and every breath she took it rose in volume and pressure. Her skull felt as if it was going to collapse in on itself. Her bones clattering as she picked the quick way to her new home. She could see it as a beacon in the night, she was close now.

But her dread still rose, her movements growing more weighted and more sluggish. How could she feel like this? These were not hers? Why was she so afraid? And dreadful? And...angry? How could all of these happen at the same time? She had routine checkups to try and cleanse her mind of all thoughts like this, how could they have gathered like this? She would have another thing to study when she would arrive at her home. She needed to get there quickly and to not be seen, as she felt something else. Like something has gone horribly wrong.

Twilight felt a slight heave and tug as she bumped right into somepony, nearly toppling over she heard an all too familiar voice cry out, "Please, look where you are-wait, Twilight darling I am so sorry for bumping into you. I must apologize, please are you alright?"

Twilight gulped hard as she stood there and looked directly at Rarity, gathering her wits back from the impact. She answered, feeling sweat glisten off of her, trying to put on a facade of friendliness, "Sorry...I guess I was just in a hurry."

Rarity nodded, the moonlight caught on her beautiful white coat and her dark indigo mane. She wore a scarf and cloak to beat the cold, but even with the layers she shivered and said, "Has it gotten colder?"

Twilight shrugged, "No, not for the last few minutes. I don't feel a difference."

She did not feel any colder than she already has, more from her nervousness than actual temperature. Twilight tried to read her friend's well rounded and shaped face, her teeth slightly chattered as she said, "Anyways, what has you in such a hurry?"

Twilight felt the world stop spinning, she felt colder than usual. What could be her excuse? Almost nothing worked considering she was just at her castle, both of them. Granted the party ended but there was nothing that she could have said to evade this. All she could do however, was tell the truth. She breathed deeply and said, "I am...currently studying something. I have a small window to do so, so...I was in a hurry back to study it."

While it was not the truth, it was close enough. She was studying something and she did just find it. Twilight never left her friend's friendly gaze as she gave a small smile in response, "Alright, then I won't keep you. Enjoy your studying darling. Have a good evening."

Rarity nodded and Twilight returned a ghost of a smile, but tried to hide the lines well in her face as she replied, "You too."

Twilight sped along and marched towards her home that was just across the street now. No more interruptions, she would begin immediate study of the artifact.

Rarity's gaze followed her friend's as she watched the back of Twilight's head. Her gaze unblinking and unflinching from her friend. Her gaze watched as she grew smaller as she sped along, her pace brisk and yet slow at the same time as if something hung over her head. Rarity's friendly face quickly evaded.

She could sense it, it could not be hidden, not even by a chance. She sensed the thrum, the pulsations, deep and ancient as they were. A seasoned knight knew where it hid. A padawan might not have been able to sense the small nuances of it, but Rarity sensed differently. Even as she did sense it she could not believe that it was one of her closest friends. Something told her to stop her, tell her that what she was doing was wrong. But she could not bring herself to do this.

She breathed a long breath out of her nose, her gaze lingering slowly off her friend as she disappeared in the distance to her destination, looking up into the sky. As if she was calling upon the might of some ancient deity she spoke, "It can't be."

The stars twinkled and blinked in the sky as she looked up a them, the moon beginning its rise to its apex. She closed her eyes briefly, calling out to it and muttered, "The Force shall guide me..."

Twilight slammed the door shut and locked it, her magic gripping idol and tossing it onto the table in her studies. She almost keeled over it had gotten so bad. She leaned, bowing her head to try and gather in more breaths. Sweat dripped from her brow, her fear was more powerful than she could ever hope to imagine. Her vision became slightly less blurry, and her headache drew away. It was as if a cloud moved away from her mind and she could think clearly now. After a few deep breaths, she stood up and eyed this room in the castle.

It was modest in size, considering the grandeur of the rest of the castle, this room was considerably smaller. A south and east window shaped like a silt, the glass panes ornate in design. Small book shelves lined the west and north walls of the room, just to her left of the door. A desk with many papers strewn over it sat in the middle.

Papers strewn about the oaken table, a half empty inkwell with a quill resting in it sat on it. Maps and letters of various cultures and geographical areas. But above all else the idol sat upon it like it was the centerpiece of the room.

The pulsating died, drawing almost completely to a stop and she inadvertently heaved out pressure that built up in her lungs.

Taking a deep breath she gathered her thoughts and calmed her nerves. Whatever had happened to her, it must have originated from the idol...or device whatever it was. She needed answers now.