Dark Skies

My training was difficult. Luna was deceptively cunning and had me studying five old magic books in just three days! I will admit, there were times that I wanted to give up; but I remembered the oath that I made to myself. With each passing test and trial, each more formidable than the last, I struggled but I persevered. After a month of studying and trails, Luna gave me a week off for some R&R. I didn’t use most of that time eating out on ice cream, (though it wasn’t a bad idea), but I continued to study; trying to learn the most practical and powerful I could find. I was in the observation deck with an apple I bought at the market; trying out a spell that could permanently transform an object into another, similar spells exist but those only last for a certain amount of time. Making the effect permanent would take a lot of magical energy, to my knowledge only the princesses can perform such a feat.

“What are you doing, my apprentice?” Luna asked, walking in the room with a small black box.

“Trying out this spell I found.” I reply, returning to my concentration.

“My…this spell…this is rank A magic. Very powerful…” She looked at me with both concern and intrigue.

“Shouldn’t you be relaxing, you’ve been training non-stop for weeks now; that kind of strain could hospitalize you.”
I held my breath, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to picture in my mind to change the apple into a block of marble. It felt like I was trying to blow my intestines out my ass, but when I opened my eyes, the apple still stood where I left it. A bead of sweat rolled down my face, my glasses began to fog up and I was sucking in air like a vacuum.

“You really should rest…if you overexert yourself, then you will disrupt the flow of magical energy flowing in your body.” Luna spoke, looking more worried than before.

“No…I can do this…I just…have to…” *THUD!* I pass out on the cold stone balcony.

I open my eyes to a dark room, white light shining through the window and a brisk draft flowing through. Luna must have put me here in a bed when I passed out.

Ask not the sun~ why she sets~

That singing…and the music? Where is it coming from?

Why she shrouds her light~ away~

I got up and out of the bed and followed the singing.

Or why she hides her glowing gaze~
When night turns crimson gold to grey~

I walked down the hall, up to the observation tower, and I slowly creaked open the door. What I saw stunned me. I saw Luna…she was the source of the singing…

For silent falls the guilty sun~
As day to dark does turn~

Her voice was mesmerizing, I was put in a trance and I slowly walked up to the open archway, a few feet away from her. I stood there listening to the angelic music.

One simple truth she dare not speak:
Her light can only blind and burn~

No mercy for the guilty~
Bring down their lying sun~
Blood so silver black by night~
Upon their faces pale white~

Man…I never heard anything like that. It was…elegant, graceful much less beautiful. Luna looks back at me, almost looking startled. She quickly turned her head, but there was a split second moment where I could have sworn I saw her blushing.

“Oh, sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” I said sheepishly.

“No, no…it’s alright.” Luna replied.

“Your singing, it was…beautiful.”

“Why...thank you. My mother sung that to me when I was a filly, it was a sweet lullaby that put me to sleep. Big sis thinks that she has the better voice, but I will give her the benefit of doubt.” Luna look back again, this time giving me a charming smile.
“Well…I think I go back to sleep, try to ready myself for the last few days I have to relax.”
“Yes…and may the night bring you pleasant dreams.” Luna stated.

“Man, this is outrageous!” Chase yells at the waiter, “I ask for one daisy sandwich and you expect me to believe that this is the reasonable price for one?!”
“Chase, calm down. I’ll help pay for the sandwich if you don’t have enough money.”
“No dude, I can pay for it.” He replies. “It’s just the SOMEPONY doesn’t seem to understand fairness with finances.” Chase slams down the bits need to pay and storms out of the restaurant. I apologize to the waiter and canter behind Chase.
“That was bullshit! Last time I go to get an overpriced sandwich that I could have easily made at home!”
I walk up next to him, “Relax man, it didn’t cost that much.”
“Oh whatever…” He cursed under his breath.
I look to him with some concern but I bat an ear and continue walking.
“So what is next on the to-do list for today?” I ask.
“I’m not sure, but I think we could-glarb bleth osht mutsh.”
“I’m sorry what?” I look to Chase and I froze in shock. Chase was suddenly covered in various cuts that were spewing out blood, patches in his fur made holes large enough to see his entrails. On top of that, he had one and one half of a wing and his whole lower jaw was missing; tongue flopping around like a wet noodle.
“What the fuck!? Dude!! What happened to you?!?!” I screech out. Chase then looked at me with at first a confused look and then his eyes began to tear up…all before disintegrating right in front of my eyes.
“CHASE!!!!!” I scream, legs collapsing and digging my hooves in his ashes; I began to cry profusely.
*GROAR!!* I loud roar sounded from behind me. I turned my head, vision blurry, but all I saw was a large black cloud of smoke, sparks crackling from within along with the sound of clicking gears and gyros. I tried to scream, but my throat couldn’t produce a peep. My instincts kicked in and I started running. I ran as fast as I could, not looking back; but the smoke kept getting closer and closer. Soon it was close enough that I could feel it wrapping around my tail. I tripped and smacked hard on the floor; I tried to get up, but my hoof got caught on a twisted vine. I look up one last time at the smoke, reeling itself back like a cobra… then it lunged for me, shaping itself into a demented creature and swallowed me whole.