Midnight Rising

Midnight raced outside, her horn glowing purple to light the path out of the forest.

As she began to see the river, the black alicorn suddenly tumbled forward. To her surprise, she quickly stopped rolling. Yet, when she looked up, she saw a face tense with anger.

And that face belonged to Silver.

Midnight smiled nervously. "Err... hi?"

Silver looked down at her, not impressed.

"'Hi?' 'Hi?!' That's what you say after scaring me half to death!? Amber and I were worried sick about you when you were nowhere to be found. And what's worse, you didn't lower the moon and raise the sun. We thought something had happened to you! Now Amber is attempting to lower the moon using a levitation spell, and she can't handle an object that big, that far away! And you  have the nerve to say 'hi?!'"

Midnight shifted her eyes. "Um... yes?"

Silver rolled her eyes and growled in frustration. She sighed. "Now that that's out of the way, what were you doing in the forest?" she inquired, looking over Midnight's shoulder.

Midnight stood and put a hoof on Silver's chest.

"It's a long story. I'll tell you later."

And with that, Midnight charged toward the river side where Amber was attempting to lower the moon.

~~~

The two mares' hooves beat on the ground like thunder as they ran to where Amber stood, her horn sparking with energy, her forehead beaded with sweat, and her face tense with concentration.

Midnight called out to her, yet the gray unicorn didn't appear to have heard.

Silver, whose face was now full of worry, stomped a hoof and cried, "Amber Spider! I found Midnight. You can stop now!"

Yet, Amber seemed to be in a trance, and her only reply was a quiet rasp: "Can't… stop..."

Midnight and Silver cast a worried glance at each other before quickly galloping to the pest control pony. But, they were too late, as Amber was already crumbling to the ground.

Silver stopped suddenly, almost falling to the ground in horror. She opened her mouth to scream, but it never came out.

Midnight continued towards Amber's unconscious body, and levitated it with her magic.

"C'mon, Sil! We gotta get her to the forest!"

This shocked Silver back into reality. "The... forest? But..."

Midnight was already at the tree line. "No time to explain!" the black alicorn yelled. "We just have to get there!"

With a sigh, Silver raced after her friend.

Following the invisible path Blaze had guided her through, the alicorn princess and unicorn astronomer stampeded through the forest in hope it wasn't too late. Luckily, the two came upon the blacksmith's workshop quickly. Midnight attempted to open the door, but it was locked. She tried using magic, but it was no use.

"Blacksmiths and their mechanics," she grumbled, rolling her eyes.

She peered through the door to see if could call out to him. Midnight saw him leaning against one the anvils, brushing a front hoof in the dirt that made up the floor.

"Blaze!" the black alicorn panted, simply to get Blaze's attention. It was successful, as the blacksmith's head shot up and turned towards the door.

"Please, please, PLEASE let us in! I- I mean, we need you!" she pleaded.

The red stallion quickly got up, and trotted towards them. Several whirring noises came from inside before the door swung open and the duo stumbled inside.

Blaze cocked an eyebrow at Silver, but his eyes widened when they met Amber. "What happened to her?" he inquired.

Silver widened her eyes and pleaded, "She was trying to lower the moon. You have to help her!"

Blaze's eyebrow cocked once again and his head tilted. Silver bent her knees in desperation. "Please!"

The blacksmith turned and walked towards one of the side rooms. When nopony followed, he turned back around and said, "Doesn't your friend need help? Follow me."