Of Light, Dark and The Soulby Wext_NensdayChapters1. The Doors Burst Open2. Bats!3. Strange Happenings in Foal Shores1. The Doors Burst OpenThe doors burst open, and a group of four ponies rushed inside with a tall white pegasus at their head. "This is the third one in as many weeks, if we don't do something soon there's going to be riots." Said a mare as the group turned a corner "There's nothing connecting them, though. Is it possible it's all a coincidence?" Asked a stallion to her left, glancing at the white figure ahead of them. The mare replied, "Not in this town. There have been more disappearances in the past three weeks than in the last thirty years combined, that's no coincidence." "B-but there's nothing to tie them together." A younger mare butted in. "They all happened at different times, in different places to ponies that seemingly had no affiliation with each other. It...it just doesn't make sense." "I know that, Meadow. That's why we're here." Replied the first mare. "We need to find out what the townsponies know." "I just don't get it," Meadow said, gazing at the floor, "who would do this?" The older mare reached out to touch the shoulder of the younger. "Don't worry girl. We'll find them. We'll find her." The silent stallion leading the group came to a stop before another set of doors. "Cloudy?" Asked the other stallion. "Are you okay?" The silent white figure only sighed and stared into space. After a moment he shook his head, coming to his senses. "Let's go." He said and with that pushed through the next set of doors. The group entered a bustling room, filled to the brim with murmuring ponies. On the left of the door was a raised stage and the group trotted onto it. The white stallion took his position at the podium and the remaining group members stood behind him. As the room quieted, Meadow was straining her neck looking through the crowd. "Where is he?" she muttered with a frown. The stallion and mare standing beside her shared a knowing glance and a smirk. They had placed a bet on how quickly she would get distracted. The stallion at the podium cleared his throat and the room fell silent. His coat was bright white and looked like it had just been cleaned and his mane was a dark gray like a storm cloud. He stood tall, his powerful wings folded neatly to his back as he surveyed the assembly before him. He saw worried stallions and mares huddled close to each other, concerned for themselves and their foals. He saw elderly ponies with their younger relatives standing by them with distressed looks. He saw young fillies and colts, bored and yawning, wishing they could go out and play, swatting away the parents that tried to hold them close. He saw all of this and he was more worried than any of them. He cleared his throat once more and all eyes were trained on him as he began to speak. "Good evening fillies and gentlecolts. You know why we are here. Over the past three weeks two mares and a stallion have gone missing. I assure you we are doing everything we can to find them, but we need your help. Anyone with information is invited to step forward and present it. We would greatly appreciate anything you could give us." The room was silent. Not a single pony moved. No one said a word. "Just as I thought." Said the stallion at the podium. "Henceforth I suggest that-" The doors to the hall flew open and a young stallion with a light blue coat, red mane and a horn stumbled in panting. Meadow's face lit up upon seeing him. She shifted her posture, stood a little taller, re-adjusted her wings. The entire assembly turned towards the panting stallion, all their eyes now locked on him. He glanced around and awkwardly side-stepped until he was in the corner of the room. The crowd once more focused on the white stallion at the front of the room. Taking a breath, he said, "Henceforth I suggest that all ponies travel in groups of at least two and that no one goes outside during the night. Whatever this threat is I assure you, we will find it and return the lost individuals to their families." "It's demons!" Cried a voice from the crowd. "They took away my Moon Lily." It was a stallion. He was clutching a mare to his side. Both had bloodshot eyes as if they had been crying. "The demons carried her away. They took away my girl." Meadow shifted her weight uneasily, a frown crossed her face. "Sir, I am deeply sorry for your loss, but I assure you, demons are not-" "Enough of your assurances!" Called another voice from the crowd, a mare's this time. She had tears rolling down her cheeks as she clutched her foal to her. "We want our families back!" The hall burst into a raucous of shouts and cries. The stallion, now beginning to look exasperated with these constant interruptions, attempted to calm the audience. "Please, everypony, settle down. I know we're all concerned but we need to remain calm." It was no use, the room had descended into chaos. Stallions shouting, mares crying, foals complaining that they were bored. A look of anger crossed his face and taking a deep breath he screamed "QUIET!!". The shout echoed throughout the hall as the crowd once again fell silent. "Everypony, please remain calm. As I have mentioned, we are doing all we can to return your loved ones to you. I will ask you all to please return to your homes and stay there, do not leave unless it is absolutely necessary. When we have developments I will call you all back here." He paused, looking over the room again. Many in the crowd had their heads bowed like foals who have been told off by their teachers. "Thank you, good day." He turned to leave and his group followed him. Meadow trotted off the stage behind the others, once again searching through the crowd. She paused before leaving through the doors, falling behind the others. Just as she was turning to leave a voice called from behind her "Meadow! Wait!" It was the blue-coated stallion who had interrupted the procession before. "Meadow!" The stallion approached her and her face once again lit up. "Meadow. I'm sorry I was late," A smile now crossed his face as well, "You know how it is. Got distracted in the library again." "I know" Meadow replied, still beaming. "Did you find what we're looking for?" "No." He replied. "That kind of stuff isn't going to be in our library, we need the Canterlot archives." Meadow's smile dropped, replaced by a look of desperate sadness. "Do you think you could contact your brother? He would help wouldn't he?" "Hmm," Brightstar considered "I don't know..." "Please Brightstar, please." Meadow begged. The stallion regarded her and knew there was only one answer. "Of course." He sighed. "Anything for you." Meadow smiled again. "Thank you Brightstar. I-" "Meadow Breeze, where are you?" A voice called from the other side of the doors. "I better go." Meadow said. "They'll need my help." "Good luck." Brightstar said. "I hope you find them." "So do I." replied Meadow as she turned and left through the doors. Brightstar stood there, watching the closed doors for a time. Then, sighing, he left, and trotted back to the library. 2. Bats!It was getting dark, the lights of fires were beginning to shine through the windows of the small town by the sea. In the town centre, across from the meeting hall stood the library, an old barn repurposed to store books. The lights inside began to flicker off and two ponies exited the front door. "Have a good evening Brightstar. I'll get that letter delivered for you." "Thanks Lavender, I appreciate it. Travel safe." The two ponies parted ways. Brightstar walked forlornly down street, his sad gaze fixed on the gravel beneath his hooves. The sun was setting and he cast a long shadow on the lonely road. The street was deserted. Brightstar decided he liked that, he was still embarrassed after his sudden entrance at the meeting. It seemed a long walk home from the library, made worse by the silence of the streets around him. If only Meadow were with him. Then he wouldn't feel so lonely. But after the last disappearance she and Cloudy had personal stake in the mystery. He'd checked every book in the library twice, read through all the journals of the original settlers, checked the town records going back a century, and still had found no mention of disappearances or strange creatures in the night. But he hadn't expected to find anything, the town's library was small, and most of it—like most of the town—was dedicated to farming or fishing. Eventually it got dark, but Brightstar continued on, lost in his thoughts until he heard the flapping of wings behind him. "Meadow?" He said, turning around, "I thought-ugh." He grunted as he was knocked to the ground by something large. Whatever it was had claws, Brightstar knew this because as soon as he hit the ground he felt them digging into his sides. "Aaaaagh" He screamed in pain. He bucked backwards behind him in an attempt to knock whatever the thing was off him. His hooves made contact with something tough and leathery and it was knocked off him. He jumped up and spun around to see what the thing was. All he saw was something large and brown flying at his face. It collided with him assaulting his senses with the smell of blood and rotten meat. The creature rolled on top of him and reached out it's claws once more. For an instant he got a good look at it. It was large, bigger than a pony. Where its front legs should have been were a set of large, leathery wings like a bat. It's hind legs were short, but they had long, sharp talons on them, already red with his blood. The thing screeched as it grabbed him and revealed two sets of razor sharp teeth. The thing's talons dug into his flesh causing him to scream again. The monster began flapping its wings, attempting to carry him away. As Brightstar was lifted off the ground he reached up and punched at the creature's exposed stomach. His hoof made contact and the thing screeched again and dropped him. Brightstar fell to the ground with a thud and the creature flew away into the dark sky, deprived of its catch. Then, bleeding and bruised, Brightstar stood up and began hobbling back the way he had come. Cloud White sat at a table, a cup of cider in front of him. He stared at it, as though it were a puzzle he was trying to solve. He was vaguely aware of the voices in the room around him. A mare and a stallion were arguing. "We can't give them nothing, they're scared already, and scared farmers are not fun." Said the mare. "We find something or we forfeit our jobs, maybe our lives." "You're being over-dramatic," replied the stallion, "They're not going to come for you with pitch forks and torches." "You know full well that that is something they would do, Chaser." Snapped the mare in reply. "Three ponies go missing, not a scrap of evidence to show how and now Cloudy's all distant and unhelpful." She gestured at the stallion sitting down. His gaze was still fixed firmly on the cup in front on him. Chaser looked sympathetically at the distant stallion, "He's allowed to be upset, how could he not be?" He turned back to the mare, "What if it was me that disappeared? How would you feel?" The mare sighed, "I'm sorry, I know. I'm just frustrated." Chaser approached and wrapped an arm around her, "I know darling, we all are. But we can't go and get mad at Cloudy." At that moment Meadow Breeze entered from another room carrying a tray of food. "If you two are done arguing it's time to eat." She said placing the food on the table in front of Cloudy and sitting down. With a laugh the others joined them and began eating. Cloudy sat at the head of the table with Meadow to his left. Next to her sat the other stallion, Storm Chaser and opposite him, the mare, Ivy Rose. The seat to Cloudy's right remained empty, though the place was still set for eating. Cloudy kept glancing at the chair there, as if expecting to see something different each time. But it remained the same. Empty. Thud, thud, thud. A knock at the door. The Pony's heads shot up and they looked around at each other, confused. Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud. Faster and more urgent this time. Cloudy got up and approached the door slowly, cautiously. Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud. Even faster and this time, and accompanied by a voice. "Meadow! Meadow, it's me, I need help." At that, Cloudy opened the door and a bloodied and bruised Brightstar fell through. He stumbled into the room and on seeing Meadow at the table, let out a relieved sigh and collapsed to the floor. The creature flew through the cold night sky. It flew northward along the coast, battling the air currents coming in from the ocean. A faint pain still persisted in its stomach, and that made it mad. It remembered the blue and red pony that it had tried and failed to capture. It remembered how that pony had hurt it, how that pony had escaped. It became even more mad. With primitive thoughts the creature knew it had to go back and find that stallion. And it knew that this time it wouldn't fail. 3. Strange Happenings in Foal ShoresJade. I need your help. I’ll keep it brief; three ponies have gone missing from Foal Shores, all without a trace. There’s talk amongst the townsponies of monsters coming in the night and taking them away. Cloudy says it’s a bunch of nonsense, but I’m beginning to get concerned. Meadow asked me to write you. I figured you’re probably busy, but you know how it is, I can’t say no to her. If you’ve got the time, could you check the archives for anything similar happening around here. I don’t know what type of records Canterlot has on the Blue Valley region, but anything would be useful. Your loving brother, Brightstar. The letter had come during the night, Jade Spectre woke up to find it slipping under the door to his room. At first, he was excited; his brother hadn’t written to him in a long time. But as he read the letter, he became concerned. In a town that far isolated, there were always stories of strange happenings, but actual disappearances… it didn’t bode well. Jade resolved to go to the library today and see what he could find. So what if he had work to do, it could wait. His brother might be in danger. He tucked the letter into his saddlebag and strapped it on. He left his room and headed towards the library just as the first light of the sun began to filter through the windows. He was excited, there was going to be a lot of reading today. When Brightstar woke up, he was sore. He found himself in a cosy little room, lit by light filtering through the curtains of the small window. He tried to roll over, but pain immediately shot through him. At first he thought he’d stayed up too late at the library again, but when he saw the bandages wrapped around him, the memories or the previous night came rushing back. He tired to get up; he had to warn someone. He got out of bed on shaky legs and stood up. Then fell down with a thud. He lay there for a while, trying to get breaths in through the pain, until he heard hurried hoofsteps coming towards the room. The door opened softly, but no pony came in. “Brightstar?” It was the voice of an angel. “Are you awake yet?” It was Meadow. Brightstar groaned from his position on the floor; still in pain from falling out of the bed. “Brightstar!” Meadow exclaimed as she pushed her way into the room to get to his side. “What are you doing!?” She helped him up and gently guided him back into the bed. “You can’t go hurting yourself again, you’re banged up enough as it is.” “I-I had to warn you.” He muttered weakly as he was tucked back under the covers, barely able to lift his head. “I w-was…” “You were what?” She asked. “Being silly?” She smiled weakly in an effort to make him—and herself—feel better. “I-I was a-attacked…” Brightstar sputter out. “You were attacked!?” Meadow nearly screamed. “Who was it? Who attacked you?” But Brightstar’s eyes were already beginning to close as he fell back into unconsciousness. “Brightstar, Brightstar, stay with me.” Meadow shook him in an attempt to wake him. “Brightstar. Brightstar! Who attacked you? I need to know. Brightstar?” Brightstar groaned quietly as he fell back deep into the blackness of sleep. “Attacked!” Exclaimed Cloud White. “By whom?” Meadow shook her head. “He fell asleep again before he could tell me,” Meadow said somberly. She sat at the table, next to her father. Storm Chaser sat on Cloudy’s other side and Ivy Rose paced around the room. “This is big,” Ivy said as she walked back and forth. “Whatever attacked him might be the same thing that got the other ponies.” She stopped in front of the table. “If it is, he could be our only clue to finding them. We have to go wake him up and find out what he knows.” “You can’t wake him up!” Meadow shouted, leaping up from her seat. “He needs rest.” “I know he’s hurt but there are families who can’t get any rest because of loved ones that were taken away from them,” Ivy declared. “He’s our only hope. We have to find out what he knows.” “What do you think, Cloudy?” Asked Chaser, ending the argument and silencing both Ivy and Meadow. Cloudy considered it for a moment, his solemn eyes fixed on a portrait hanging on the wall. He sighed, turning his eyes towards the three ponies in the room with him. “Ivy’s right, if he knows anything, we should find out as soon as possible.” “Exactly!” Ivy said. “I told you-” “But,” Cloudy interjected. “Meadow’s right too. He’s in no state to offer any information to us. We’ll have to wait until he’s better.” Meadow smiled smugly at Ivy, who just scoffed back and slumped into a chair. “Should we tell the townsponies?” Chaser asked. “They ought to know.” “If they heard there was an attack, they’d panic." Ivy responded. "Best to keep it between us until we know more.” “Dad?” Meadow asked softly. Cloudy sighed heavily, his eyes drifted back to the portrait. “We’ll wait until we hear from Brightstar.” He got up from the table. “For now, just keep encouraging everyone to stay inside. I’m going to rest. If anything happens, wake me up.” He walked away sullenly, fatigued. “We’d better find them soon.” Chaser said. “Without Jewell, I’m not sure how he’ll make it.” His eyes widened a second after the words left his mouth, instantly turning to Meadow. “Oh no, Meadow, I didn’t mean-“ “It’s okay Chaser.” Meadow sniffled as tears started to slowly run down her cheeks. “We’re all struggling, but we manage. I just wish she was here…” “Meadow…” Ivy began but trailed off. “I’m going to go check on Brightstar, make sure he didn’t wake up again.” Meadow said, standing from the table. “Call me if you need me.” She walked off, trying to keep her head high, but the others could hear her sobs as she exited the room. Ivy Rose and Storm Chaser shared a worried look. They both knew that whatever was coming, Meadow and Cloudy would need all the help they could get.
1. The Doors Burst OpenThe doors burst open, and a group of four ponies rushed inside with a tall white pegasus at their head. "This is the third one in as many weeks, if we don't do something soon there's going to be riots." Said a mare as the group turned a corner "There's nothing connecting them, though. Is it possible it's all a coincidence?" Asked a stallion to her left, glancing at the white figure ahead of them. The mare replied, "Not in this town. There have been more disappearances in the past three weeks than in the last thirty years combined, that's no coincidence." "B-but there's nothing to tie them together." A younger mare butted in. "They all happened at different times, in different places to ponies that seemingly had no affiliation with each other. It...it just doesn't make sense." "I know that, Meadow. That's why we're here." Replied the first mare. "We need to find out what the townsponies know." "I just don't get it," Meadow said, gazing at the floor, "who would do this?" The older mare reached out to touch the shoulder of the younger. "Don't worry girl. We'll find them. We'll find her." The silent stallion leading the group came to a stop before another set of doors. "Cloudy?" Asked the other stallion. "Are you okay?" The silent white figure only sighed and stared into space. After a moment he shook his head, coming to his senses. "Let's go." He said and with that pushed through the next set of doors. The group entered a bustling room, filled to the brim with murmuring ponies. On the left of the door was a raised stage and the group trotted onto it. The white stallion took his position at the podium and the remaining group members stood behind him. As the room quieted, Meadow was straining her neck looking through the crowd. "Where is he?" she muttered with a frown. The stallion and mare standing beside her shared a knowing glance and a smirk. They had placed a bet on how quickly she would get distracted. The stallion at the podium cleared his throat and the room fell silent. His coat was bright white and looked like it had just been cleaned and his mane was a dark gray like a storm cloud. He stood tall, his powerful wings folded neatly to his back as he surveyed the assembly before him. He saw worried stallions and mares huddled close to each other, concerned for themselves and their foals. He saw elderly ponies with their younger relatives standing by them with distressed looks. He saw young fillies and colts, bored and yawning, wishing they could go out and play, swatting away the parents that tried to hold them close. He saw all of this and he was more worried than any of them. He cleared his throat once more and all eyes were trained on him as he began to speak. "Good evening fillies and gentlecolts. You know why we are here. Over the past three weeks two mares and a stallion have gone missing. I assure you we are doing everything we can to find them, but we need your help. Anyone with information is invited to step forward and present it. We would greatly appreciate anything you could give us." The room was silent. Not a single pony moved. No one said a word. "Just as I thought." Said the stallion at the podium. "Henceforth I suggest that-" The doors to the hall flew open and a young stallion with a light blue coat, red mane and a horn stumbled in panting. Meadow's face lit up upon seeing him. She shifted her posture, stood a little taller, re-adjusted her wings. The entire assembly turned towards the panting stallion, all their eyes now locked on him. He glanced around and awkwardly side-stepped until he was in the corner of the room. The crowd once more focused on the white stallion at the front of the room. Taking a breath, he said, "Henceforth I suggest that all ponies travel in groups of at least two and that no one goes outside during the night. Whatever this threat is I assure you, we will find it and return the lost individuals to their families." "It's demons!" Cried a voice from the crowd. "They took away my Moon Lily." It was a stallion. He was clutching a mare to his side. Both had bloodshot eyes as if they had been crying. "The demons carried her away. They took away my girl." Meadow shifted her weight uneasily, a frown crossed her face. "Sir, I am deeply sorry for your loss, but I assure you, demons are not-" "Enough of your assurances!" Called another voice from the crowd, a mare's this time. She had tears rolling down her cheeks as she clutched her foal to her. "We want our families back!" The hall burst into a raucous of shouts and cries. The stallion, now beginning to look exasperated with these constant interruptions, attempted to calm the audience. "Please, everypony, settle down. I know we're all concerned but we need to remain calm." It was no use, the room had descended into chaos. Stallions shouting, mares crying, foals complaining that they were bored. A look of anger crossed his face and taking a deep breath he screamed "QUIET!!". The shout echoed throughout the hall as the crowd once again fell silent. "Everypony, please remain calm. As I have mentioned, we are doing all we can to return your loved ones to you. I will ask you all to please return to your homes and stay there, do not leave unless it is absolutely necessary. When we have developments I will call you all back here." He paused, looking over the room again. Many in the crowd had their heads bowed like foals who have been told off by their teachers. "Thank you, good day." He turned to leave and his group followed him. Meadow trotted off the stage behind the others, once again searching through the crowd. She paused before leaving through the doors, falling behind the others. Just as she was turning to leave a voice called from behind her "Meadow! Wait!" It was the blue-coated stallion who had interrupted the procession before. "Meadow!" The stallion approached her and her face once again lit up. "Meadow. I'm sorry I was late," A smile now crossed his face as well, "You know how it is. Got distracted in the library again." "I know" Meadow replied, still beaming. "Did you find what we're looking for?" "No." He replied. "That kind of stuff isn't going to be in our library, we need the Canterlot archives." Meadow's smile dropped, replaced by a look of desperate sadness. "Do you think you could contact your brother? He would help wouldn't he?" "Hmm," Brightstar considered "I don't know..." "Please Brightstar, please." Meadow begged. The stallion regarded her and knew there was only one answer. "Of course." He sighed. "Anything for you." Meadow smiled again. "Thank you Brightstar. I-" "Meadow Breeze, where are you?" A voice called from the other side of the doors. "I better go." Meadow said. "They'll need my help." "Good luck." Brightstar said. "I hope you find them." "So do I." replied Meadow as she turned and left through the doors. Brightstar stood there, watching the closed doors for a time. Then, sighing, he left, and trotted back to the library.
2. Bats!It was getting dark, the lights of fires were beginning to shine through the windows of the small town by the sea. In the town centre, across from the meeting hall stood the library, an old barn repurposed to store books. The lights inside began to flicker off and two ponies exited the front door. "Have a good evening Brightstar. I'll get that letter delivered for you." "Thanks Lavender, I appreciate it. Travel safe." The two ponies parted ways. Brightstar walked forlornly down street, his sad gaze fixed on the gravel beneath his hooves. The sun was setting and he cast a long shadow on the lonely road. The street was deserted. Brightstar decided he liked that, he was still embarrassed after his sudden entrance at the meeting. It seemed a long walk home from the library, made worse by the silence of the streets around him. If only Meadow were with him. Then he wouldn't feel so lonely. But after the last disappearance she and Cloudy had personal stake in the mystery. He'd checked every book in the library twice, read through all the journals of the original settlers, checked the town records going back a century, and still had found no mention of disappearances or strange creatures in the night. But he hadn't expected to find anything, the town's library was small, and most of it—like most of the town—was dedicated to farming or fishing. Eventually it got dark, but Brightstar continued on, lost in his thoughts until he heard the flapping of wings behind him. "Meadow?" He said, turning around, "I thought-ugh." He grunted as he was knocked to the ground by something large. Whatever it was had claws, Brightstar knew this because as soon as he hit the ground he felt them digging into his sides. "Aaaaagh" He screamed in pain. He bucked backwards behind him in an attempt to knock whatever the thing was off him. His hooves made contact with something tough and leathery and it was knocked off him. He jumped up and spun around to see what the thing was. All he saw was something large and brown flying at his face. It collided with him assaulting his senses with the smell of blood and rotten meat. The creature rolled on top of him and reached out it's claws once more. For an instant he got a good look at it. It was large, bigger than a pony. Where its front legs should have been were a set of large, leathery wings like a bat. It's hind legs were short, but they had long, sharp talons on them, already red with his blood. The thing screeched as it grabbed him and revealed two sets of razor sharp teeth. The thing's talons dug into his flesh causing him to scream again. The monster began flapping its wings, attempting to carry him away. As Brightstar was lifted off the ground he reached up and punched at the creature's exposed stomach. His hoof made contact and the thing screeched again and dropped him. Brightstar fell to the ground with a thud and the creature flew away into the dark sky, deprived of its catch. Then, bleeding and bruised, Brightstar stood up and began hobbling back the way he had come. Cloud White sat at a table, a cup of cider in front of him. He stared at it, as though it were a puzzle he was trying to solve. He was vaguely aware of the voices in the room around him. A mare and a stallion were arguing. "We can't give them nothing, they're scared already, and scared farmers are not fun." Said the mare. "We find something or we forfeit our jobs, maybe our lives." "You're being over-dramatic," replied the stallion, "They're not going to come for you with pitch forks and torches." "You know full well that that is something they would do, Chaser." Snapped the mare in reply. "Three ponies go missing, not a scrap of evidence to show how and now Cloudy's all distant and unhelpful." She gestured at the stallion sitting down. His gaze was still fixed firmly on the cup in front on him. Chaser looked sympathetically at the distant stallion, "He's allowed to be upset, how could he not be?" He turned back to the mare, "What if it was me that disappeared? How would you feel?" The mare sighed, "I'm sorry, I know. I'm just frustrated." Chaser approached and wrapped an arm around her, "I know darling, we all are. But we can't go and get mad at Cloudy." At that moment Meadow Breeze entered from another room carrying a tray of food. "If you two are done arguing it's time to eat." She said placing the food on the table in front of Cloudy and sitting down. With a laugh the others joined them and began eating. Cloudy sat at the head of the table with Meadow to his left. Next to her sat the other stallion, Storm Chaser and opposite him, the mare, Ivy Rose. The seat to Cloudy's right remained empty, though the place was still set for eating. Cloudy kept glancing at the chair there, as if expecting to see something different each time. But it remained the same. Empty. Thud, thud, thud. A knock at the door. The Pony's heads shot up and they looked around at each other, confused. Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud. Faster and more urgent this time. Cloudy got up and approached the door slowly, cautiously. Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud. Even faster and this time, and accompanied by a voice. "Meadow! Meadow, it's me, I need help." At that, Cloudy opened the door and a bloodied and bruised Brightstar fell through. He stumbled into the room and on seeing Meadow at the table, let out a relieved sigh and collapsed to the floor. The creature flew through the cold night sky. It flew northward along the coast, battling the air currents coming in from the ocean. A faint pain still persisted in its stomach, and that made it mad. It remembered the blue and red pony that it had tried and failed to capture. It remembered how that pony had hurt it, how that pony had escaped. It became even more mad. With primitive thoughts the creature knew it had to go back and find that stallion. And it knew that this time it wouldn't fail.
3. Strange Happenings in Foal ShoresJade. I need your help. I’ll keep it brief; three ponies have gone missing from Foal Shores, all without a trace. There’s talk amongst the townsponies of monsters coming in the night and taking them away. Cloudy says it’s a bunch of nonsense, but I’m beginning to get concerned. Meadow asked me to write you. I figured you’re probably busy, but you know how it is, I can’t say no to her. If you’ve got the time, could you check the archives for anything similar happening around here. I don’t know what type of records Canterlot has on the Blue Valley region, but anything would be useful. Your loving brother, Brightstar. The letter had come during the night, Jade Spectre woke up to find it slipping under the door to his room. At first, he was excited; his brother hadn’t written to him in a long time. But as he read the letter, he became concerned. In a town that far isolated, there were always stories of strange happenings, but actual disappearances… it didn’t bode well. Jade resolved to go to the library today and see what he could find. So what if he had work to do, it could wait. His brother might be in danger. He tucked the letter into his saddlebag and strapped it on. He left his room and headed towards the library just as the first light of the sun began to filter through the windows. He was excited, there was going to be a lot of reading today. When Brightstar woke up, he was sore. He found himself in a cosy little room, lit by light filtering through the curtains of the small window. He tried to roll over, but pain immediately shot through him. At first he thought he’d stayed up too late at the library again, but when he saw the bandages wrapped around him, the memories or the previous night came rushing back. He tired to get up; he had to warn someone. He got out of bed on shaky legs and stood up. Then fell down with a thud. He lay there for a while, trying to get breaths in through the pain, until he heard hurried hoofsteps coming towards the room. The door opened softly, but no pony came in. “Brightstar?” It was the voice of an angel. “Are you awake yet?” It was Meadow. Brightstar groaned from his position on the floor; still in pain from falling out of the bed. “Brightstar!” Meadow exclaimed as she pushed her way into the room to get to his side. “What are you doing!?” She helped him up and gently guided him back into the bed. “You can’t go hurting yourself again, you’re banged up enough as it is.” “I-I had to warn you.” He muttered weakly as he was tucked back under the covers, barely able to lift his head. “I w-was…” “You were what?” She asked. “Being silly?” She smiled weakly in an effort to make him—and herself—feel better. “I-I was a-attacked…” Brightstar sputter out. “You were attacked!?” Meadow nearly screamed. “Who was it? Who attacked you?” But Brightstar’s eyes were already beginning to close as he fell back into unconsciousness. “Brightstar, Brightstar, stay with me.” Meadow shook him in an attempt to wake him. “Brightstar. Brightstar! Who attacked you? I need to know. Brightstar?” Brightstar groaned quietly as he fell back deep into the blackness of sleep. “Attacked!” Exclaimed Cloud White. “By whom?” Meadow shook her head. “He fell asleep again before he could tell me,” Meadow said somberly. She sat at the table, next to her father. Storm Chaser sat on Cloudy’s other side and Ivy Rose paced around the room. “This is big,” Ivy said as she walked back and forth. “Whatever attacked him might be the same thing that got the other ponies.” She stopped in front of the table. “If it is, he could be our only clue to finding them. We have to go wake him up and find out what he knows.” “You can’t wake him up!” Meadow shouted, leaping up from her seat. “He needs rest.” “I know he’s hurt but there are families who can’t get any rest because of loved ones that were taken away from them,” Ivy declared. “He’s our only hope. We have to find out what he knows.” “What do you think, Cloudy?” Asked Chaser, ending the argument and silencing both Ivy and Meadow. Cloudy considered it for a moment, his solemn eyes fixed on a portrait hanging on the wall. He sighed, turning his eyes towards the three ponies in the room with him. “Ivy’s right, if he knows anything, we should find out as soon as possible.” “Exactly!” Ivy said. “I told you-” “But,” Cloudy interjected. “Meadow’s right too. He’s in no state to offer any information to us. We’ll have to wait until he’s better.” Meadow smiled smugly at Ivy, who just scoffed back and slumped into a chair. “Should we tell the townsponies?” Chaser asked. “They ought to know.” “If they heard there was an attack, they’d panic." Ivy responded. "Best to keep it between us until we know more.” “Dad?” Meadow asked softly. Cloudy sighed heavily, his eyes drifted back to the portrait. “We’ll wait until we hear from Brightstar.” He got up from the table. “For now, just keep encouraging everyone to stay inside. I’m going to rest. If anything happens, wake me up.” He walked away sullenly, fatigued. “We’d better find them soon.” Chaser said. “Without Jewell, I’m not sure how he’ll make it.” His eyes widened a second after the words left his mouth, instantly turning to Meadow. “Oh no, Meadow, I didn’t mean-“ “It’s okay Chaser.” Meadow sniffled as tears started to slowly run down her cheeks. “We’re all struggling, but we manage. I just wish she was here…” “Meadow…” Ivy began but trailed off. “I’m going to go check on Brightstar, make sure he didn’t wake up again.” Meadow said, standing from the table. “Call me if you need me.” She walked off, trying to keep her head high, but the others could hear her sobs as she exited the room. Ivy Rose and Storm Chaser shared a worried look. They both knew that whatever was coming, Meadow and Cloudy would need all the help they could get.
