Into The Darkness

I looked around, my jaw dropped. It was a wasteland, the earth was dusty, what's left of the plants were dull and lifeless. Some buildings have collapsed...

Ponyville is usually so full of life…

I gazed up at the sky. There was...something up there, it looked like an eclipse. On the surface was two pony like shapes.

This isn't right, I need to find help! Twilight will know what to do! I would usually try to find Rainbow Dash first but I have a feeling that that isn't a good idea. Why? I don’t know, it's an eerie feeling in my gut that if I try to find her something bad will happen.

I started running down the path away from the hospital and into what left of town. I passed by building by building but not once did I come across anypony. I can’t shake this feeling that i’m being watched though.

After what felt like eternity Twilight’s castle came into view. I skidded to a halt and gazed upon the building. There was something different about it (other than the fact the colors were faded from the castle’s walls.)

I walked up the steps and pushed open the door. I peeked around the corner. The hallway was dark, why would I expect any different?

I pushed the door open the rest of the way and stepped into the castle, the darkness bending around the lantern's light. As soon as I stepped into the building a shiver went up my spine.

Ignoring it for now, I made my way down the hallway toward the kitchen, or at least where I think it is. Along the way I started opening doors trying to find something I could use. Like the saddlebag I just found.

I turned it around and read the tag, Its adult size. Well, guess what? I’m almost adult size now so I can wear it! With a smile of satisfaction I put it on and continued down the hall. I’ll check what's in it later, right now I’m dying of thirst.

Eventually I came across a door with the word kitchen above it, hesitantly I went in. Things looked relatively the same as the last time I was I here, just dustier.

I practically ran to the sink and turned it on, dirty water came flowing out. I let it run for a minute to clear away the dirt. Once the water stopped running brown and became clear I stuck my muzzle under and started drinking the slightly warm water straight from the tap.

BANG

What was that?!
I pulled my head away from the sink and turned around and right in my face was two glowing red eyes belonging to one of the ponies I was trying to find.

Spike.

There was burns and scars and nicks in his spines giving me the feeling that something bad happened to him.

There was an unearthly grin on his face as we locked eyes, neither one of us moving.

“Spike?” I whispered his name, hoping to get through him. the deranged dragon tilted his head and grinned wider.

“You have pretty eyes,” Spike finally spoke “You have such pretty eyes.”

I started backing up slowly trying to think of a way out without causing the thing to attack, he seems more passive right now. I think.

“Pretty eyes,” he laughed softly. Does my eyes have something to do with why he’s not attacking? Or…

I looked down at the lantern, the whole time he was next to me not once did he step into the light. There is something about this lantern that is protecting me.

I glanced at the doorway, even if this weird lantern is protecting me I still don’t want to be here any longer. Not to mention I still need to find the library so I can do a little research about what happened. But first…

I pulled open a drawer and grabbed a knife then put it in my saddlebag. Spike looks like he's going to follow me so you can’t be too careful.

Who knows when he’s going to try and attack me.

I shook my head trying to clear the fear from my mind and then headed out the door, creepy old Spike close behind.

I took a turn left and walked down the hallway before I found the library. I stopped before the door and took a deep breath, I could feel Spike staring at me and it was really creeping me out.

Ignoring Spike breathing down my neck, I entered the library. The library was huge and imitating but luckily I’ve been here before.

Now where would something like this be under? I should probably check under D for diseases first. I walked over to the bookcase and started searching for anything that could help me.

After what seemed like hours of searching I got frustrated and threw my hooves in the air.

“Come on! Stupid library, stupid tree!” I threw the book I was reading across the room and pouted. Then I heard Spike hiss causing me to quickly turn and look at him wide eyed.

The purple drake was glaring at me like I just did something horrible.

“Whats with you?” I asked nervously, He huffed and walked over to the book I just threw and put it back in the place it was originally at. I blinked in confusion, did Spike just…?

Is there still a little dragon left in there?

I shook my head, no thats ridiculous. He’s just another thing like all the others just waiting to kill me.

I got up and walked over to the bookcase and bonked my head against it, there just has to be an answer to what's going on.

“Come on you stupid tree, help me out, please. Tell me what to do.” I mumbled. Suddenly there was a blinding flash, I pulled my head away and looked toward it in awe.

A book in the far right corner was glowing, I walked over to it and pulled it out. It looked dusty and worn down indicating it hasn't been touched in years. I brushed some of the dust off and read the title.

The Elements Of Harmony: A Reference Guide (Updated version)

Isn't this the same book that Twilight read during the events of Nightmare Moons return? I shrugged and opened it to a random page and read it outloud.

“The tree of harmony is an important new discovery for ponykind. The tree is the origin of the elements of harmony and the embodiment of harmony itself. It was created when The pillirs of Harmony infused their magic within some type of crystal seed and planted it.” I skimmed the page until I came across something very interesting.

“It is theorized that if this tree starts to die that the light of harmony itself would soon go out shrouding the world in darkness. There has been several cases of ponies losing their harmony magic. These ponies became dark, twisted, and zombie like craving only darkness and the death of others. These ponies are known as The Lost Ones.” I shut the book and leaned against the bookshelf.

The Lost Ones, huh.