Chapters Everypony gone, everyone i know, my family, my friends. Several years ago, it was my sister who vanished without a trace the day i earned my mark. Just a few years ago, my parents had been reported missing, as well as several other pegasi in Cloudsdale. Last year, it was all three princesses. I didn't believe it was possible. Many other ponies in Canterlot had went missing as well, yet Spike managed to make it to Ponyville, hiding in the library. I began to worry, the mist appearing in every location. The mist, having appeared in Cloudsdale and Canterlot when the ponies disappeared, and now more were vanishing as it passed through each town.
The mist started to enter Ponyville, Applejack and her family going missing, Winona now curled up in Spike's bed, whimpering and whining about something unseen. Spike returned from Sugarcube Corner, carrying a depressed looking Gummy. What possible could be within this? What being could just take away ponies without leaving a trace, a clue to what happened. Angel just the other day came to the library, where i was quietly keeping watch over the other animals. Owlowicious came not long after, holding papers in his talons. His feathers were ruffled, and it looked as though a few had been plucked. Something in the mist didn't want him to leave Canterlot, but he managed to fight his way here. The poor owl looked exhausted, and seemed to be hurting in several places. I didn't want to see the papers, believing they might be notes. Just yesterday, Scootaloo vanished. My heart shattered at the thought, knowing that i didn't even have a chance to try to rescue her from whatever was traveling within the fog.
Today, the last of my friends soon ended up on my list of dissapearences. All that was left was myself, and I couldn't even begin to imagine what was creeping within this fog. All of their pets, hiding here in the library, relying on me to protect them. What could I do? Not even the princesses stood a chance, having been among the first to go, what could a simple pegasus such as myself do? I finally looked over the pages Twilight's bird had brought. I was shocked to read what was held inside the pages.
Magic. These were spells. Spells that I could use, that anypony could use. I can't believe it, these are spells! I knew Twilight was an egghead, but i didn't know she was smart enough to create such magic! There were two spells at least, but each took a few pages of instructions. As smart as she was, not even Twilight could make magic simple for pegasi and earth ponies. I pick up my saddle bag, shoving the pages inside. The two spells were a simple levitation, and an illumination spell. The levitation couldn't possibly lift a pony without a lot of struggle, but I am a pegasus, so i don't need to worry. The illumination spell simply meant i could create a ball of light, that's it. It would take a long while to master these, as simple as they are to Twilight, but that only i meant i can't rely on them.
"Dash, are you sure we should do this? I mean, isn't it dangerous enough with all this creepy fog, let alone going into the Everfree forest?" The small purple dragon shook at the thought of entering the dark forest, especially with all this unnatural mist everywhere.
"Zecora is there, and i believe this originates from the Everfree itself. Anyways, we don't have much of a choice. I'd rather get killed in the forest than face whatever is lurking in the mist," I sighed. It was true. I would prefer being torn apart by timberwolves than i would running face to face with the monster in the fog. This felt like a horror movie come to life, and that is what i believe it is. The only thing on my mind was keeping these animals protected and hope Zecora was safe. I allowed Spike, Opal, and Angel to climb on my back, Gummy finding a comfortable place in my mane. Tank hovered not far away with his propellers, Owlowicous directing him wherever he went, making sure he didn't crash. The poor bird was injured as it was, i didn't want to see him try flying again but he insisted. Winona stayed close to my side, still whimpering softy. I picked up a knife from the table, placing it into the empty saddlebag. I knew it wouldn't do much, but maybe i could possibly keep the animal distracted.
I opened the door slowly, a foul stench filling my nostrils. It reeked, like rot and decay. What could possibly be creating this fog? It was unnatural as it was, but it reeked like something long dead. Spike was mumbling, whispering about something i couldn't quite make out. I crept out the door, quietly making my way around the tall tree, heading in the direction of the forest. I felt like something was watching, waiting, hoping to catch me off guard and drag me to my fate. Swiftly and silently, a trotted straight forward, unable to see more than a foot in front of me. After some time, i could feel the ground beneath me soften into the thick grass that covered the forest floor. I wasn't going to make it to Zecora's with all this fog blocking my view. I pulled out a few pages of paper, reading the instructions to the illumination spell. I read through it several times over before a managed to create a small ball of light. The light hovered a foot in front of me, the fog retreating as though it was living. The owl found a place on my back to rest, shielding his face with one wing. He didn't like the light, being a nocturnal animal. It was daylight, but unless you were high up in the clouds, you wouldn't have guess it. Winona let out a high-pitched yelp and ran underneath me, tripping me.
"Winona!" I shouted out, my voice trailing off when i saw eyes. I felt like screaming when i heard a familiar tone.
"Such a fool you are to wander alone, any longer and you would be nothing but bone," The zebra stepped forwards, revealing herself within the glowing light. She waved a hoof, signalling us to follow her. I stood up, glad to know she was fine.
"Zecora! Thank Celestia you're alright! I was worried you vanished as well!" I laughed. A glimmer of hope, though i felt like it would vanish just as all my friends had. Zecora nodded, leading us to her hut. I noticed that the windows were sealed tightly, not a single crack exposed. We all swarmed into the small hut, tightly sealing the door behind us. Each animal found a safe spot while Spike and I spoke with Zecora.
"Do you have any idea why everypony is disappearing?" Spike was the first to ask, his cheeks stained with tears. He had been crying, from both fear and sorrow.
"I am sorry little dragon, but my knowledge on this is none," Zecora lowered her head, closing her eyes, the honesty in her tone. She knew nothing more than we did.
"What is with the fog? It's everywhere!" I wanted to know what it was, why everypony within it would seem to leave the face of the earth.
"This is not a mist that you see, but something few would believe to be," the zebra sighed, lifting her head. Even she was heartbroken from the disappearences.
"I think i know what they are, i saw one. The fog is like a ghost, and it follows what has been lurking within," Spike whispered. I turned towards him, shocked that he didn't mention it before.
"What?" I gasped.
"Twilight was muttering something, speaking like she was talking to somepony. There were eyes, hovering in front of her. There was mist all over the library!" Spike side.
"What did she say it was?" Both Zecora and I were curious of this fact.
"I don't know what the creature is called, but I believed she called the mist, Spectars."
"A what?!" I was hovering in the air, shocked by what he said. Spectars. They sounded like a ghost of some kind. Zecora narrowed her eyes in frustation and grabbed a book that looked quite old, though it seemed recently finished.
"You speak of something i have never heard, but their strategies are quite absurd," the zebra was flipping the book over, and opening the cover. One page was torn out, but the other provided much information. The top of the page answered out question.
"So Sike is correct, the fog is actually some being called Spectars?"
"I believe this is so, yet what they become i do not know."
"It says something..." I pointed to a small paragraph explaining the Spectar's nature. "Spectars, often called a Color Vampire due to the first encounter of this being. Only one was known to steal color, but there are no signs of it to this day. They are nothing more than lost souls, of what I do not know. Among my studies, i learned the creature is called a Farucan, a strange beast only coming into existence recently. I learned they can be created when a Spectar merges with the pony, though often the Spectar dies, leaving the pony changed into this new creature. Sometimes the Spectar lives, and it is only a temporary change until the Spectar can be pushed from the mind. I found one who seems quite friendly, and she's told me what she knows. I sketched a picture of the beast, pointing out the many details that make these "farucans" an entirely different creature-"
"What else is their Rainbow?" Spike broke the silence that followed, confused.
"There isn't any more, the last page was torn out," I sighed, flipping through the entire book.
"A beast made between ghost and pony, sounds nothing more than something quite phoney," Zecora stated, doubting the 'journal' was true.
"Zecora, this book appears to be some sort of jounral, written research," I had to point this out, "this isn't fake, this is the truth, our reality. By the sounds of it, the disappearing ponies are probably being attacked by these things. It never stated that all of them were friendly, just one. Even then, that may have been a trick."
"The monster i saw, it had Twilight's mane! It can't be true, it just can't!" Spike buried his face into his little hands, small tears dripping onto the wooden floor.
"I have been meaning to ask you young Rainbow, how is it you can use magic when none but a unicorn can know?" Zecora looked over at me, possibly trying to change the topic.
"Turns out Princess Twilight was smarter than we thought. She made simple spells to give normal ponies a taste of magic," I answered, just guessing Twilight's reason, though only the princess herself would know. Zecora nodded, closing the journal and placing it back on the shelf.
"Rainbow Dash, do you think we'll be able to find them?" Spike looked up at me with pleading eyes, his pain and sorrow showing through. There was no mistaking it.
"I don't know Spike, but i hope we can," I mumbled, feeling awful about my response. I looked over at Zecora, who was moving objects off of a loose set of boards. There was a loop of rope, the zebra grabbing it in her mouth and pulling it. A hidden door revealed a secret tunnel, though dust filled the air. Spike started coughing and I started to flap my wings to fan it away. Zecora waved her hoof, telling us to follow behind. Winona didn't hesitate to run down after her, the other animals following behind her. Owlowicous was still sitting on my back, though his feathers were ruffled from my sudden movement. Spike was about to step down when the entire tree shook. The mist outside was receding, but the window was soon blocked by a large gray eye. There was a single black slit down the center, dialating as it focused on its target. Me.
"Agh!" Spike stumbled backwards in shock, sliding down the flight of stairs. Owlowicous shot up into the air, swiftly diving down into the passage. Zecora was still standing at the top of the door, shouting for me to move quickly. I could hear the scraping of claws against wood. I was frozen with fear, the zebra having to grab my leg and pull me towards the passage.
"Hurry up Rainbow Dash, the door is weak and will soon crash!" Zecora pulled me right to the edge, climbing back down. The door into the hut fell apart, splintering around the five large claws that poked through. The door was ripped right off its hinges, another arm reaching through. The five claws were spread, attempting to grab hold of me. They barely reached my tail, and not enough to grab hold. The arm withdrew, and the eye peered through the doorway, narrowed in frustration. There was a large crash, and the shattering of glass. A window had fallen out of place, the Farucan's tail bashing the side of the hut. I didn't hesitate to run down the stairs, my last chance to escape this beast. I pulled down the door, sealing the tunnel off from the hut.
"I-i am going to guess that was the farucan mentioned in the book. That thing was HUGE, and definetly NOT friendly," Spike was huddled up in a ball, his eyes wide in fear with tears falling down the side of his face. "I thought it was going to take you too!" He ran up to me, wrapping his little arms around my neck, burying his scaly face into my cyan fur.
"It's fine Spike, really. I'm here, i'm alive," I ran a hoof along his back, reassuring the hatchling.
"That was much too close, lets just hope we won't run into more of those," Zecora was holding an unlit torch, tipping it towards Spike. The purple dragon let out a small burst of fire, lighting up the end. Zecora waved the torch side to side, revealing an array of tunnels.
"Wow, where do they all lead?" Spike was amazed, trying to count how many there were.
"The one we need is to Canterlot Castle, i hope that our travel will not be a hassle," the zebra looked over at me, smiling, before heading towards the central tunnel. We didn't question her, simply following behind. Spike was making sure that all the animal were here. I was looking around at the earthy walls, wary of everything around me. There were small spiders crawling along the walls, maybe a worm or two tunneling through. Roots could be seen breaking through the walls or sealing, dirt crumbling down every few moments. I'm just hoping that the farucan won't cause an earthquake. One cave in, and we're all doomed. Time passed, and my legs began feeling like lead weights.
"We really should take a break, my legs are killing me," Spike was carrying Opal in his arms, while Gummy slept on his head. Winona was beside him, crouched low and whining.
"I have to agree with Spike," I tapped Zecora's shoulder, trying to get her attention. She stopped in her tracks turning around.
"Time is something we have little of, I'm sure the mist is still above," she sighed, looking at me with worry. Spike moaned, wanting nothing more than to rest.
"We've been walking for ages!" Spike groaned, barely keeping up. I sat down and sighed, having trouble lifting my legs.
"Can we please just rest?" I looked up at Zecora, my eyelids heavy with exhaustion. Zecora sighed in defeat, nodding.
"We must make it quick, and let us hope we don't fall for a trick," Zecora muttered, pulling a blanket from her saddlebag. I hadn't noticed that she brought anything, more worried about the creature than anything else. She laid it gently on the earthen ground, sitting down. I collapsed over a clear spot, closing my eyes. Spike was curled up in a small little ball while each animal found a comfortable spot. Winona curled up beside Zecora, while Gummy wandered in circles. Tank was inside his shell right beside me, while Opal was resting on my back. Owlowicous was perched on one of many tree roots, Angel Bunny standin right below him. The little rabbit was having trouble getting comfortable, worrying about Fluttershy constantly. My mind was becoming foggy as sleep overcame me.
The ground beneath me began to shake, and my eyes snapped open. I shot up into the air, watching as a bolt of white lightning flew through the tunnel just over my head. I looked down the dark path, exepecting to see a source, but the ground was shaking violently. There was a loud roar, and i knew something large was coming. Zecora looked down the passage and narrowed her gaze. She turned away quickly, leading us through the tunnels. Spike was quick to follow her, and i landed, continuing down with the animals shaking on my back. They were terrified, little doubt in my mind about it. There was another bolt, and i froze in my tracks. I shook my head, and continued down the passageway. Our group was stopped at an intersection, and Zecora ran down the furthest one on the right. I looked back, noticing that the thing was gaining up on us. Another roar shook the tunnel. I bolted down the passage, barely noticing that the tunnel was getting smaller as we went. We slowed our pace when the ceiling was only a foot above our heads.
"It should not be able to fit, let us hope the lightning doesn't hit," the zebra looked back at us, making sure we were still following. Spike climbed up onto my back, taking another attendence. I walked alongside Zecora, Winona crouched low beside me, whimpering. Gummy was still sitting on my back, while Angel slept on my back. Tank was on Zecora's back, his propeller broken. How it happened, i simply guessed her crashed into the ceiling or something. Opal was curled up in my saddlebag, the one with the pages. Owlowicous was calmly flying just above us. There was a loud roar, telling us the beast couldn't continue any further. I could see a dim light ahead of us. We picked up our pace, but a bolt of lightning shot through the tunnel, destroying the ceiling above us. Dirt and rocks crumbled down around us, though the tunnel managed to stay standing, though the ceiling was now higher up. I could hear the ground shake, the sounds getting closer. I shot forward towards the light, not realizing it was coming through a crack in the ground. I crashed into the ceiling, but to my surprise it rose up, a nice clean circle of earth rising up into the air and crashing onto the castle floor a little bit away. It was still half sealed, but there was enough space for us to get through. I rubbed my head, which was aching from the hit. Zecora raised her forehooves up, telling me to carry her.
"I won't be able to get everyone up in time," i realized this, i might not be able to. Thankfully, the levitation spell wasn't as hard as illumination. I swooped down, grabbing hold of Zecora's forehooves and carrying her up. Gummy and Angel floated up with us from the spell, and they were set down on the marble floor within what appeared to be an armory. Owlowicous carried Tank up, though it was difficult for him. Opal had leapt out of my saddlebag upon entering the room. I flew down, grabbing hold of Winona. The poor dog was whining, worried. As i was rising up, another bolt of lightning shot through, striking my wings. I crashed into a cavern wall, Winona dropping to the ground with a yelp. I slid down the wall, barely staying concious. Standing up, i attempted to fly but a sheering pain ran through my wings.
"Zecora!! I can't fly!!!" I shouted for help, my wing twisted. Winona pulled close to my, whimpering. The beast was charging down after us, having made the tunnel wider with that bolt. I narrowed my eyes, patting the ground with a hoof. A charged forward, one last act of bravery. If i was going to die, then let me die fighting! The beast reared up, surprisingly startled. As i struck the large eagle-like hind claw, there was a storm of mist filling the tunnel. There was a sound of wing beats, soft, and the mist began to recede. My eyes shot upward, looking up at the reason. There was a tall, colorless alicorn hovering above me. I stumbled back, shocked, but the mist thickened around her and the monster landed before me. I took no time to study it, to register what happened, but once again i charged at her, which i was guessing it was now. The farucan lowered her head, open ing her jaws wide. She was either expecting my speed to prevent me from getting away in time so she could swallow me whole, or she was going to release another bolt of lightning. I jumped up, barely clearing her wide jaws, and landing on her head, right between two curved horns. The beast reared up, and i quickly wrapped my forlegs around the shattered horn in the center. I was thankful that it had a broken horn, meaning no magic.
Zecora held out a hoof, reaching out from the sanctuary. I released my grip and leapt, reaching out a hoof. The zebra barely managed to catch hold of my hoof, Spike helping her me me through. My legs gave out, and i crashed on the solid white ground. Zecora and Spike struggled to slid the ground back over its place, sealing off the tunnel. I heard a yelp, a loud thump, and the sound of scraping claws. My eyes widened up as i realized my mistake. I peered through the crack in the ground and shouted.
"WINONA!!!!!!" I shrieked, unable to locate the small dog. I started to pound at the ground with my hooves, hoping i could get through.
"Dash! Stop it! She's gone!" Spike grabbed my foreleg and dragged me away, and i covered my face with my other forhoof. Tears were streaming down my cheeks, and i grieved for the little dog. I failed Applejack, failed to protect her beloved pet. Spike was trying to cheer me up, patting my shoulder gently. Zecora was walking along a row of armor, locating what appeared to be a mage outfit. She pulled on a dark green cape, holding up a wooden staff. I stood up, realizing that she was getting prepared for something. She put on some charms, making herself appear like a mage. I scanned the row of armor, locating a nice simple cover up. I picked up a metallic helmet, sliding it on. My mane was disheveled, but it just made me look more like a warrior. I put on some leg armor before clipping a small dagger onto some body armor. I used the levitation spell to lift it, sliding it onto my back. Zecora walked over to me, grabbing my injured wing with her hoof. She twisted it, snapping it back into place. The pain was awful, rippling through my body. I pulled the wing close to my body and screamed from the suffering. Spike ran over to me, holding up some bandages. He helped Zecora wrap it around the weakened wing, preventing me from using it.
"Do you still have those pages? I've been seeking to use true magic for ages," The zebra questioned. I nodded, refusing to stand up now. It hurt, the pain still surging.
"Yeah... they're in my saddlebag," i sighed. Zecora flipped open the bag, picking up the pages and placing them in her own saddlebags. I finally mustered the strength to stand, picking up a few weapons, and placing them into my saddlebags. Zecora helped me hang up the saddlebags, and we put our armor back into their places.
Spike was in the castle library, looking for something. I was walking through the halls of the castle. I heard a flutter of wings, and saw Owlowicious land on a bust not too far from me. There was a piece of paper in his talons, and his feathers were all ruffled up. He hooted, telling me in his own language to take the paper. Nodding, I grabbed the page and straightened it out. I was shocked to see what it was.
"Oh my Luna! I cannot believe this! You found the page!" I hugged the little owl tightly, and he let out an annoyed hoot. I released him, studying the image on the paper. Spike must of heard me shout, as he came running down the hall. Zecora trotted over, curious of what lied within the missing page. I looked closely at the paper, reading the name it gave the creature. A swallowed hard, tears swelling up in my eyes. Spike leaned over, looking at the paper.
"Lightning? You, know her?" He pointed at the title, as though he was reading my mind. Zecora peered over my shoulder and her eyes widened.
The Missing Page
"Quite a mighty hybrid indeed, she just may be a friend in need," Zecora was looking closely at the details, reading the small paragraph below it in her mind.
"This is the one I met, she claimed her name was Lightning. She told me she's been like this for several years, though her will is strong and the form is not permanant, though she prefers this form over her old self. She told me the only thing that prevented her from staying like this forever, was her little sister, whom she longs for constantly," I read it aloud, tears streaming down my cheek as i choked on the words. This farucan, was my sister. The one following us arround. Her color was lost, but i was able to recognize her, as much as she's changed. Her mane, was much like my own, and that wasn't a coincidence. I always looked up to her, and to hear that she disappeared the day i earned my Cutie Mark, i was devastated. She used to be so well known, but her fame vanished just as she had. The beast, she wasn't trying to hurt me. She was, trying to keep me away from the danger.
"You care for her, don't you? Who is she?" Spike looked up at me, poking my leg.
"Just, don't worry about it," I sighed, walking into the nearest room. I climbed up onto the bed, crawling under the covers. I buried my face into the pillow, my heart aching, tears staining the soft bed. Zecora began to knock on the door, and a loud roar bellowed out. It wasn't as loud as the one that was following us in the tunnel, and the tone was different. I quickly climbed out of the bed, opening the door. We ran towards the armory, putting on our chosen armor. I slipped on my saddlebags and picked up a spear.
I heard Opal hiss and I ran after her. One of many windows in the hall was wide open, the ground by it soaked with rain water. There was a farucan perched in the window, matching the size of a normal pony. Opal was sitting on its curved horns, and the beast looked extremely annoyed. Its coat was pure white, but soaked with water. It's tail feathers and mane were both purple, styled in a fancy away. I stepped back, dropping the spear. I heard it clatter against the ground. Spike closed his eyes, small water droplets glinting under his eyes.
"She hates the rain..." He whispered, just some hope. Under the farucan's eyes were blue, like makeup. She didn't have wings like the other one, but she still had her horn. Opal jumped down, hissing and spitting, shaking the water off her soft fur.
The beast turned to look at me, tilting her head. I simply smiled, waving my hoof to say hello. "Would you like to come in, Rarity?"
