Eternal Darkness

by Sapphire Glitter

Rating: teen
Tags: Princess Luna, Original Character, Rainbow Dash, Suicide / Self Harm, Tragedy, Horror, Profanity, Violence, Princess Celestia, Lightning Dust, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death
Length: 2563

The Hippogriffs investigate the dissapearance of the ponies of Equestria and search for the facts of the dissapearances

The Hippogriffs enter Equestria and find its borders unattended following the information about the mass ponyville dissapearance and no word from the Princesses in over a month

upon arrival to Canterlot the Hippogriffs find Canterlot to be vacant except for 2 survivors, a pegasus and a unicorn, both badly injured , 3 days pass to allow them some rest, then the search for facts begins

(alt Continuation of Flashgen's "A Fleeting Light In The Darkness" and its sequels (last entry being "They're Never Coming Back" )

Published 2020-07-18 20:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2020-07-24 11:52:14 UTC

Log #1 (Case Opened)

Hippogriff Offices Of Royal Affairs

Date: February 1st (10 Months after first suspected disappearance) 3 days since finding survivors

These documents are known to contain the last moments of the Equestrians and the testimonies of the only known survivors of what we refer to as the “Equestrian Incident” while the borders were closed under the “Ponyville Mass Disappearance Case#3467” these events occurred within the Canterlot Castle and around the city of Canterlot

see attached files of Princess Celestia logs of a one “Twilight Sparkle” and others from a one earth pony “Applejack” ,a journal titled “Solace”, also included logs from the investigation of “Raven Inkwell” and “Verdant Vines”

Descriptions of survivors:
Pegasus, white coat, black mane with fiery streak, flame on flank, eyes: yellow

Unicorn, blue coat, reddish mane, sparkles on flank, eyes: reddish like mane

MEDICAL: Although their sanity is in question after ramblings of “Shadow Creatures” known to be “Shadow Walkers” calling to them in nightmares as well as strange markings and changes including, cuts, bruises, frostbite on the wings of the pegasus to the point of still being frozen and being blackened, changes to their eyes, the original colors faded, attempts to thaw the wings of the pegasus have failed as if the ice was magic (Side Effect from the conditions of the incident or contact with the darkness?)

Doctors note: The Subjects mental state is designated as :UNSTABLE: worsening conditions due to the nightmares, they shall remain under close observation while asleep

Additional logs we've found have shown that the testimonies of the Pegasus and Unicorn are mostly accurate, however still strange
~Signed Rubytrail, Hippogriff ambassador to Equestrian affairs

Witness Signatures~ (Hardly Legible) Sapphire Glitter
~(Hardly Legible) Sky Lux

Lawfully here under Queen Novo & Princess Skystar

Supporting literature: Ghosts, Goblins and Ghoulish Figures :(entry: Shadow Walkers)

interviews shall occur of the survivors shortly starting with the first discovered journal of Sky Lux

Interview Topic: Journal of Sky Lux Journal 1 of 2, Final entry

as follows:
December 24th (By Sapphire’s logic, assuming i'm not insane yet)

It’s been hours since Sapphire vanished into the darkness after attacking me, my injuries still sting and it appears blood has been thrown across me….was this done by them in the night? Was I that close to death? Whose blood is this?

someone has written in my journal again, likely while i was unconcious proving it wasn’t Sapphire or anypony else

In case someone finds this, know that Equestria has fallen. Those creatures, the ones Celestia had once called Shadow Walkers, I am the last surviving pony as far as I know, I can hear them calling to me… the voices of my past, Sapphire, Lightning Dust, the investigators, The Princesses even, those who are missing...dead…. They're calling me….i even could have sworn i saw Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy in the darkness (How did the bearers of the elements of harmony get taken by this? would the elements have worked?)

With each fading moment with each light flicker the darkness grows, I knew it couldn't go on forever, even the tales of Nightmare Moon's eternal darkness held light, this darkness is like staring into a black hole where no light escapes and the sun never returns, as it’s been a month by time records and Celestia’s Magic had not been effective against it…. nor had any escape attempts

sometimes the darkness had returned those who attempted to escape (why?) flying out was not an option, magic teleporting, had no effect by reports of unicorns, it just sent them into the darkness….surrounded by…….them, while Celestia and Luna’s magic seemed to not to effect the darkness, how did something like this overpower alicorn magic? drive them to insanity? Why did they try to teleport when no others had succeeded?

I'm being watched from within, they're inside the library as the darkness has grown since Sapphire seemingly ran through the locked gate….. i can see them at brief glances in the darkest corners of the room, they no longer hide but…..torment me, they no longer care as they know i am the last since Sapphire’s disappearance hours ago, they want me to surrender, the whispers sound like screams…...all screaming failure and laughing at me in evil tones, conducting research will be impossible for i am too afraid to turn my back or search the library with many of the light sources now being out, i shall write more soon as i should keep more vigilant watch, it feels like they're breathing down my neck.

5 hours later? the screams stopped

I searched Sapphire’s saddle bag to find a book titled “The Crystal Heart”, the text within may show the crystal heart may block out the darkness at least by hastily scribbled notes...is not much but it is a hope….that's when….she appeared…… I'm currently staring at Sapphire….im NOT going to that thing it….it is NOT her…. shes calling for me

IT’S NOT HER
IT’S NOT HER
IT’S NOT HER
IT’S NOT HER

these creatures feed on your mind, your fears, loves, they try to torture you with those you care for, trying to say its all hopeless, they take those who resist by force, using the Cold winds or force to remove light…….or….just wait you out, why me? Why did they choose to torment ME?

With my last moments of light as my lantern begins to fade, I say beware of this foul place, do not seek refuge here, for they shall be back for you next…….along with those taken

If you find yourself upon falling darkness, the l..g.ht is not your savior… it only delays... the…inevi-.......

They’re all here..i can see them….it’s windy in here...my lantern won't last much longer

i shall enjoy my last sight of my friends

Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve

( missing letters as well as additional short script of text is covered by bloodstains on this journal although it appears to be the last entry of the current journal as no further notes or page tears are apparent, besides scratches across a few pages and across the cover is scratched the words “We’re still here

interview and further journal reviews will continue after 12pm by Rubytail and supporting medical and investigative personnel as well as security detail

Additional orders on Equestria Incident case:

All investigative personnel have been ordered to leave Equestria 2 hours before sundown, leaving much of our expedition limited given realizing our first expedition was lucky to escape nightfall only for the sun to come back up (Even in Celestia and Luna’s absence the sun and moon raise and lower (are they still alive somehow?)

Equestria’s borders have been blocked and all surrounding lands have been warned with the Everfree forest and Ponyville being given a “Ground Zero” status along with an order for all to stay away

Cloudsdale has not been located, perhaps the pegasi there moved Cloudsdale to a different location, at this time it is unknown

All further information is to be reported to the Hippogriff Office of Royal Affairs and all witnesses or additional information are NOT to be disclosed to the public and only surrounding lands leaders on a need to know basis, therapy and psychiatric treatments are to be rendered to all who participate in the investigation or in the review of any such materials in regards to this incident by the Royal medical staff under a confidentiality agreement to not reveal personal information unless it pertains to the investigation

Log #1 Status: Completed and closed for royal review

~signed: Rubytrail

Log #2 (Sapphire Interview #1)

Hippogriff Offices Of Royal Affairs

Interview #1
Subject : Sapphire Glitter

Date: February 1st

Rubytrail entered the hospital to be greeted by the head of the security detail, Sunray

“Hello Sunray, anything new to report?”

“No ma’am, the pegasus is still fading in and out of consciousness, the unicorn however…. is awake” Sunray spoke in a nervous tone

“What’s the issue?”

“She has been….jumpy at best, she hit the doctor who woke her up”

Rubytrail took mental note

“There are no changes with the pegasus?” she inquired

“No changes ma’am, the nightmares and talking in is sleep persist, he speaks in a strange tone making threats”

Sunray motioned for Rubytrail to follow into the next room which was converted into a makeshift isolation zone, to see the unicorn sitting at the table.
Ruby took out a quill and prepared her journal to take down notes as well as sat her thick saddle bags on the table, which were filled with the journals and research notes from the original finding from Ponyville mass disappearance

“State your name” Ruby said

“Huh?” the unicorn replied, confused

“State….Your…..Name” Ruby repeated

“Sapphire Glitter”

“Residence?”

“Canterlot, Equestria”

“So miss Glitter, what exactly happened… in Canterlot”
Ruby said as she took out the evidence journals called “Research Notes” and “Sweet Apple Acres Crop Rotation: Spring ‘83 to ____” and slid them to Sapphire

“I-.....I don't know what happened to them, i just know they're dead...these journals were the first logs from the disappearances….whatever i saw could not have been real” Sapphire said almost in fear

“What did you see?”

“I saw those who had disappeared, into the….darkness… and the creatures within. The darkness is a game with one rule… Stay in the light”

“A game you say Sapphire?” Ruby said as a Hallucination manifested in the corner of the room, only Sapphire’s view she stared at it

“Sapphire?” Ruby said as she looked behind her

“They’re clever, they make you seem safe in company of those you care for while they wear you down… wait until you leave the light or are close enough to strike… one by one they come, every blink is another pony gone… only to hear their screams and a new voice added to the whispers of the night”

“What whispers? and surely nothing can take a pony as fast as a blink”

Sapphire jumped up and over the table towards Rubytrail

“ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME WHAT I SAW? I WATCHED MY FRIENDS DISAPPEAR ONE BY ONE….” Sapphire screamed as Sunray rushed to restrain her

“MISS GLITTER, CONTROL YOURSELF” Ruby said as she regained her composure

“Sorry...miss?”

“Rubytrail”

“Right… So where was I? The whispers weren’t the first thing, that was the nightmares. We figured we were all a little on edge after many places went dark but...they only started after Sky came from Cloudsdale… he flew into Canterlot shouting for everyone to evacuate, that we would be next and then the guards hauled him off to the castle… seeing my friend hauled off with no explanation from the guards put me and everyone else on edge”

“So you say the nightmares only started when the pegasus came into town?”

Sapphire nodded “Yes only after Sky Lux came”

Rubytrail noted this down as several of the hospital staff and security detail had reported nightmares within the last 3 days as well as those who were on the original expedition

“What of the Princesses?”

“The Princesses….started acting strange after a short time….”

“How so?”

“It all started a day after Sky Lux came…as a pair of guards disappeared in the middle of the night and seemingly left all of their gear within Canterlot Castle….”

Sapphire Knocks on the door to Canterlot throne room

“No visitors allowed”

“NO you listen here Celestia damnit… my friend is in the…..” Sapphire stopped as the door opened to reveal Princess Luna

“Hello my Princess” Sapphire said as she was quickly dragged in

“You know this stallion?” Luna said as she quickly walked to the bed laid out in the center of the throne room

“Yes... he’s my friend, what’s wrong with him?” Sapphire said in a panic

“See for yourself, he has been in slumber since he laid down to rest, His nightmares have not stopped and i cannot enter the dreams” Luna said as they reached his side

“It is too late….the light can't save you now…. your fear soothes us…...we are still in the shadows” Lux said as he continued ranting in a strange voice asleep

“This has been the same everywhere, his coming means the same fate for us” said Princess Celestia

“What do you mean Princess?”

“This is the result of the quarantine of the rest of Equestria, Ponyville, Fillydelphia, Saddle Arabia, Maretropolis, Appleloosa, Las Pegasus… His arrival means Cloudsdale… just three days after it had been moved near Manehattan….which i fear means their fate has been sealed also….these Shadow walkers have now taken all but Canterlot and the Crystal ponies… which i have ordered to go into hiding and not come out” Celestia said as shock swept the room

“Shadow walkers?”

“Yes, Shadow walkers. they date back many years as an old tale, but the truth is they’re all too real and now two of my guards have disappeared in the night.” Celestia said

“……..and that’s when Celestia and Luna started to change, they slowly became more and more strict, and with each day their mentality changed and they became distressed, their psyches began to change quickly after endless night set in, as they were already in fear of what they knew was inevitable"

I'm sure you would be able to find extra detail from Sky's journal as well as my journals" Sapphire said as she wrapped up the story

"We haven't discovered your journal Sapphire, where might it be?" Ruby inquired

"Last places I had it was in my saddle bags, I lost them on the way to the Starswirl the Bearded section of Canterlot Library"

“Well your information has been useful, we’ll be back to check in with you tomorrow and hopefully we can discuss more after we review your journal, have a good afternoon miss” Rubytrail began to gather her things as nightfall was coming

Rubytrail walked out of the Room leaving the unicorn to rest.

Ruby had a long night ahead

Hippogriff Offices Of Royal Affairs

Investigator: Rubytrail

Date: February 2nd (Midnight)

Reading through other logs left by the ponies of Canterlot report that the castle went dark first, while logs of the guards said the city went dark relatively quick (Quote: "a quarter a night") someone is lying here

The unicorn Sapphire has confirmed what the documents had said to be accurate, and a copy of the occurrences in the journals from ponyville has been dispatched to all investigative personnel and security leads.

Sapphire's testimony suggests that contact with the victims ensures the events to occur again, meaning termination of the survivors is required and will be set upon a timeline to be enacted immediately

Even if they may have more information, they are to be disposed of between a time of 5 to 10 days, including their overseeing security teams

interviews of the pegasus known as “Sky Lux” shall begin in the morning

i am formally requesting head Investigator status on these proceedings

I have sent for retrieval of Sapphire's Saddlebag and accompanying journal in Canterlot and it should be here by tomorrow afternoon

I've reported hearing others talking at all hours of the night but the guards nor Sunray have heard anything, I don't care who it is but they need to quiet down

this is Ambassador Rubytrail signing out as interview #1 is complete

Lawfully here under Queen Novo & Princess Skystar

Log #2 Status: Completed and closed for royal review

~signed Rubytrail