The Great Eclipse
"You guys done yet?" I said scowling waiting for my brothers. I was bored out of my mind, I had finished half an hour earlier than usual. Solar Flare replied in his country accent, "Hold on Onyx, I'm almost finished, chores come first ya know."
He was taller than a normal Stallion, at least by the books he is. His coat was a white color with a tint of orange. He had three dark freckles on each side of his cheek. The cutie mark was a shape of a star with four flares surrounding it. He told me he could control and create fire from nothing, but everyone knows a lot of unicorns can do that. He's a honest pony, he only wants everyone to stay true to themselves.
"Yeah I know," I sat down. "What were you gonna do anyway," Midnight Shadow said as he galloped by chasing one of our chickens. "I wanted to play some ball with you guys," I looked over at Midnight Shadow and couldn't help but chuckle a little.
Midnight Shadow was a little shorter than Solar Flare. His hair naturally spiked up, but it was only two little tufts in the front. Unlike Solar Flare he had no accent, but his voice was a little deeper. His coat was Dark blue, and in the middle of his hair was a strip of gray. His cutie mark is a crescent shape with a red gem next to it, Solar Flare says that he can create any object he wants when he touches one. This comes in handy when one of the tools brakes. Midnight Shadow was a kind person, a lovable jokester the could get along with anyone. Though don't get fooled he can deceive people easier than blinking.
"Man ever since I showed you that darn game that's all you been wanting to do," Solar Flare said as he walked up behind me staring at Midnight Shadow. "Well if you two meat heads, hehe, would stop watching me chase this chicken and help me I might just play," Midnight Shadow said playfully even though he was the only one chasing the chicken. Solar Flare and I trotted into the chicken pen, as soon as the three of us got together it took mere seconds before we trapped the chicken back into the coop.
The three of us left the pen and headed for our ball field. The field was a large dirt patch where nothing could grow. The game was made for Earth ponies, but since I'm a pegasus and my brothers are unicorns we modified it a little. Midnight Shadow headed for the outer part of the field, Solar Flare took Bucker, and I had kicker. The goal of the game was to kick the ball so hard, and precise that it would go over the fence or land in one of the markers.
Solar Flare (the Bucker) would throw the ball up, and kick it towards me (The Kicker) and I would try to get it past Midnight Shadow (The Catcher) who would try to catch it before it went over, or landed in a marker. We were playing when, "Com'on ya'll we've been playing for hours, Dad's probably got dinner ready," Solar Flare said as he started to trot off the field. "But I want to play some more," I said as I caught up to Solar Flare "come on one more play." "Yeah I wanna play too, but'cha know I don't wanna make dad mad, but if you insist," Solar Flare turned to me with his sly brow look. I looked forward in realization, "umm well you have a point, I mean I guess we can play tomorrow."
"Hey Shadow!" Solar Flare yelled in the air "What's taking yah so long!". "I'm here, geesh let a guy take his time, whoaaa!", Midnight Shadow had fell flat on his face, with a loud thud. "Woah, hmp, y'all alright Shadow?", Solar Flare went to help out Shadow. "Yeah I'm fine sunny boy". I went to go see what Midnight Shadow had tripped over.
"Hey Onyx what'cha doin' over there," Solar Flare said as he looked at me curiously. "I'm gonna see what Shadow tripped over," as I walked over to where Midnight Shadow had tripped, I saw something rectangular sticking out of a near bush. "Hey don't worry about it! It's probably some rock or twig," Solar Flare shouted. I looked at the object In the bush, slowly reaching for it, I noticed that it was a book.
"Ok I'll be there in a sec," I grabbed the book and trotted back to them. "Hey kid, where'd you get that book, and what's it's called," Midnight Shadow asked. "Oh this book here is what you tripped over...", I looked at the cover, "It's called, Learn the truth, the diary of…" "Well who's is it Onyx," Midnight Shadow looked at me. I looked at them, "it's smudged I can't read it." Solar Flare looked at the book and squinted at it. "Well I'm sure dad will know, let's get back to the house", Solar Flare just nodded, "yah, but something just ya know seems off about it." "I think you're over reacting Flare, come on let's go home before dad gets mad."
The three of us were mere feet from the and we could smell the bliss that was dad's cooking. "Welcome back boys, how was your day," our father said as he set our meals on the table. "Good, hey dad, y'all what this is", Solar Flare showed the book to our dad. He looked at the cover, his eyebrows went down, just as he was confused. "No, but where did you guys find it", he looked at us and fround. "Umm I found it, it was out near that empty patch of land," I said breaking the silence. "Hmm, well I'll see what I can find out about it," our father never let us down before, but something seemed off about the way he said it. "Well now that aside, let's dig in," Midnight Shadow started devouring his food instantly after saying that. "I'm not objecting", I said gulping down the first course. "Sure, why not", Solar Flare cracked a grin, but it was one of those worried grins not a joyful one.
Before long we were all done with our dinner, and heading up to our rooms. Got up to my room and just yawned,it had been an exhausting day. When I started climbed into bed I heard my brothers out in the hall, "Hey shadow," I could hear Solar Flare he being very quiet. "Yeah what is it," Midnight Shadow replied. "Do y'all wonder what's in that book, dad knows everythin' about this land, a book he don't know seems off, ah don't know do I sound paranoid?" Solar Flare looked worriedly and Midnight Shadow. "No you're not paranoid, bro relax, whatever it is he probably just doesn't want us to stress about it, remember he's a good man, he'd tell us if he knew anything about it."
Midnight Shadow sounded very convincing, but I knew Solar Flare wouldn't believe he didn't worry. "Yeah, you're right, well time to get some rest," I could hear hoofsteps leading to Solar Flare's room. Although it sounded like Midnight Shadow just stood there, I thought I heard him mumble something, but it was too quiet if he did. I was exhausted, staring at my ceiling, the only thing on my mind was that book, it was old, and how come we never found it earlier. Ugh so many questions, but there were two I couldn't let go, who is the author? and why was it in a bush? I tucked into bed and drifted off to sleep.
"Huh, what, why am I up, I just fell asleep", I had no idea why I was awake, but I really didn't care. I took a deep breath, *Cough *Cough *Cough, "Oh that's why" my mouth was more dry than the dust on the ball field. "Ugh better get a glass of water", I got out of bed and headed to the hall. The hall was completely dark, little light had entered from the window at the end of the hall. I reached the bathroom, my mouth had been getting dry lately so I've kept a couple of plastic cups next to the sink. *Creeek I turn the knob of the sink, "umm is this some kind of joke, no water is coming out." I tried over and over, even using the other knob, but nothing seemed to come out. "Ugh I need some water my throat is killing me, well I guess I'll go down stairs to get some, stupid sink," I left the bathroom and headed for the stairs.
Though the quiet night I heard a soft voice, "where is it." It was Midnight Shadow's voice but why was he down stairs, was he looking for a glass of water too? I walked downstairs, I looked around for Midnight Shadow. I walked around the corner of the stairs, and a dark blue aurora was coming from the kitchen. The aurora started to fade to black, "Shadow, I know that's you. Why are you here." The blue aurora emitted from Midnight Shadow's horn, "I could ask you the same thing, little bro," he chuckled a little. "I'm down here for a glass of water, the sink upstairs wasn't working," Midnight Shadow was now looking through the cabinets. "Oh that all..." He turned to me, and a ray of dark blue light traveled to my glass from his horn, "... There you little bro". Water soon filled my cup to the brim. I took a sip, "So what are you looking for? Obviously it's not a glass." "That's for me to know Onyx. You got your glass, you can go to bed now," he kept rumbling through stuff. "You filled my glass with water, come on the least I can do is help you look for, whatever it is you're looking for,"I insisted. "No Onyx, I'm sorry, but I don't want you involved in this, run back to bed now," he pointed toward the stairs. "Ok fine, but let throw my cut away, alright," Midnight Shadow nodded. I walked over to the trash, something just gave me a weird vibe, but I don't know what. I opened the trash, I had only a little bit of water left in the cup so I just dropped the whole thing into the trash.
"Now Onyx, umm get away from the trash," I looked at the trash, a mysterious purple light was coming from inside. Midnight Shadow now stood in front of me. He opened the trash can with his horn, slowly the purple light faded. From the glow a book dropped into Midnight Shadow's hooves. "Onyx please whatever you do, don't tell anypony or thing that. I was looking for this, the book," Midnight Shadow looked at me, he had that look ,that a look a certainty in his eyes. "Ok, I won't tell anypony, but why..." Midnight Shadow cut me off "was it in the trash?" I nodded. "Because he doesn't want us to find out whatever is in here," Midnight Shadow looked at the book again. "Onyx, whatever is in here, you can't tell anypony, especially Solar Flare, Onyx, nopony can know about this book, nopony," he looked worried a little, his eye enlarged and his pupils shrunk. "Alright, nopony can know..." I looked at him and nodded, "...can do." "Anyway, time to go up stairs and go to bed, we need to rest up for tomorrow," he put his arm around my shoulder, and roughed my hair up a little. Soon the dark blue aurora disappeared when he walked up the stairs. Walking up the stairs, I saw the aurora coming from Midnight Shadow's room. I trotted back to my room, and got back under the covers, I went back to staring at the ceiling. "What's in that book. What's... In... That... Book..." I said it and started thinking, but before long my droopy eyes turned to closed.
I woke up sleepy eyed in my room, which was unusual. Midnight Shadow or Solar Flare usually woke me up. I got up and went to the sink for my glass of water. I grabbed one of the cups and turned the knob, nothing. "Oh right, no water," I frowned at the sink. "Hey Onyx, turn both at the same time," a voice that sounded like Midnight Shadow's spoke. "Umm ok," I put a hoof on each handle and turned them both, nothing. "Thanks for the advice, but still no water, wait Shadow where did you go," looked around for Midnight Shadow. "I meant turn the knobs the other way, Onyx," I didn't know where the voice was coming from, or even who's it was anymore.
I stepped back from the sink, "just do it if you want some water." I slowly approached the sink and turned the handles backwards, and slowly a purple liquid started to flow out of the fasit. "What is this? Who are you? Where are you?" I closed my eyes and backed up. The voice started laughing, getting louder and louder soon it was the only thing I could hear. "Stop, STOP!",
Everything went silent. "Umm stop what, hehe, the thing that might want to stop is your yelling kid", Midnight Shadow and Solar Flare stood right outside the door with puzzled looks on their faces. "Umm y'all need some help Onyx?" Solar Flare asked. "No, sorry for bothering you guys", I looked down, feeling embarrassed.
That voice it was deep, not deeper than Midnight Shadow's, be definitely more scruff. I had never heard anything like that. I walked out of the bathroom following my brother, when I remembered. "Oh I left the sink on!", I rushed back to the bathroom. I looked at it, it was completely normal. "Huh I swear I left the sink on", I stared at it for a second.
"Onyx, come on kid we gotta get going", Midnight Shadow was yelling for me. "Yeah, I'll be right down", I shook my head and started down the stairs. "Somethin's up with Onyx, don't'cha think Shadow", It was near impossible to hear what he had said. "Yeah, it's probably lack of sleep, he's going to be fine", I followed them, it was noticeable that I was. "Hey guys I'm here," I tried to make it like I just got there. "Y'all ready tah get tah work," Midnight Shadow and I just nodded our heads.
We each trotted to our stations, since our dad goes to the market on Tuesdays, we didn't have much work. Solar Flare and Midnight Shadow would go and check on the crops, while I would fish. I got to the lake and picked up the fishing rod. I cast the line out and began to wait... and wait ... and wait some more, and slowly I got very, very bored. "Kid wake up", the voice from earlier whispered in my ear. "Huh, it's you", I opened my eyes to see complete darkness, actually I had no idea if I had even opened them.
"Hello Onyx", the voice sounded as if his mouth was right next to my ear. "Wh-who are you?", my voice was noticeably shaky. "Don't be scared, you freed me, I won't hurt you...", by his voice you could tell he was amused."I just wanted to say thanks", his voice faded and a bright white light emerged from behind me, two voices were barely noticeable but I couldn'tmake out what they were saying. When the light began to shine brighter the voices faded, the only thing I could see faded the day.
I awoke as the day started to set. I could here Midnight Shadow and Solar Flare call for me. "I'm over here guys", I shouted for them. "Kid yous just about gave me a heart attack, come on Shadow is back at the house so let's go kid," he gave me that scowl that I'd rather not argue with.
Arriving at the front step Solar Flare took me aside. "Kid, Shadow was well actin' kinda funny, if y'all notice anything weird talk to me, got it," under his seriousness I could tell he was worried. It couldn't have been that bad, I mean I've only been out for a couple hours, right?
We walked in, I could see Midnight Shadow and dad sitting at the table, they were eating while Solar Flare and I sat down, no one said anything. I looked over at Shadow, he saw me, but he just glanced at me and went back to eating. I looked at Solar Flare, he gave me that look of 'see what I mean'. We just went back to eating, it was VERY uncomfortable.
After dinner was just as weird as dinner, no conversation, no sound, nothing, just silence. I decided not to speak, thinking well it's probably my fault since well I got so far behind that shadow had to do my chores, and no one likes doing anyone else's chores. I climbed into bed feeling so guilty.
I could hear Midnight Shadow and Solar Flare in the hall again. "The kid's been gone for a couple day Shadow, why didn't you say anything". A COUPLE DAYS! I'VE BEEN GONE A COUPLE DAYS! I tuned back in, "You think I don't know, I'm not gonna interrogate him Flare, honestly I could care less". "Shadow, what's wrong with you, he's your brother, younger brother I might add, and you're just gonna say nothing about his absence". "Yep, that what I said, not if you'll excuse me I'm going to bed, goodnight Flare".
I could tell what Solar Flare had meant about Midnight Shadow acting weirdly. I thought it best not to but my head in, he was probably just tired, but I get what he's going with why bother talking with someone who's chores you just did. But the fact still remained, how come I was out for days when it was only minutes for me.
Dwindling on the thought, Midnight Shadow's voice could be heard through the wall. "Finally, the others wouldn't understand, but this book explains a lot, ok where was I? Hmm… Here! The world is full of great wonders. Books said of a great world where princesses raise the sun and the moon. A great world with people and adventure for everyone. All those fairytales and stories
Oh course the BOOK! Midnight Shadow had been reading, that must be why he's acting so weird. I tuned back in, "Still reading I see, well now comes the good stuff, like I said the farm is fake, the crops are for the Equestrian Princess's guards, that's where "father" goes on Tuesdays, but next Tuesday I will find the way out of this place, and no more will I live a lie."
A lie, this place isn't a lie, is it? Midnight Shadow had stopped reading, and from my door I could see the light in his room went out. I drifted off to sleep, but no voices had shown up, it was peaceful dream about absolutely nothing, exactly what I needed. And I thought for a second. If the moon stops shining, so will the sun. I had no idea where it came from or what it mean, besides the obvious meaning of it. I drifted to sleep thinking about it.
I woke up to the sounds of Midnight Shadow and Solar Flare arguing. I couldn't make out what it was about. I went to go get my glass of water and I heard Midnight Shadow, "Come on Flare, you and I both know that this isn't the life for us, if what he says is true we can finally find our true destiny." "That's nonsense Shadow, now Ah don't wanna hear 'bout nothin' but the farm now and if I do you better learn to run boy", all I thought was, you go Flare.
Finishing my glass I headed downstairs, Solar Flare and Midnight Shadow both looked at me. With a concerned look Midnight Shadow said, "Um Onyx, Flare and I decided that today you should just stay here, rest up, because tomorrow we'll have something big for you to do." "Oh come on guys, I can help I..." Flare cut me off, "Onyx take a break today, there's not much today, we've got it," Solar Flare looked at me. With one glance I sighed and nodded.
They both trotted out to the doors. I just sat down, and started thinking. I don't think I had ever been alone since I had started working. Not even when I was sick!I just waited looking at the Grandfather Clock that seemed to tick slower and slower.
I got up and went to go get another glass of water. It seemed as though hours had gone by when each minute ticked by. After I had downed the water I headed to the pantry, there was so much food, but I grabbed the box of little bite sized crackers. I ate a few and put it back, usually I could eat a whole house, but I wasn't that hungry even with no breakfast.
Being alone, I was able to think. It's not that I don't know how to think, it was just something I never set time for it. Anyways I started thinking, maybe something in that weird book could explain why Midnight Shadow was acting so weirdly. Obviously I should tell Solar Flare, but reading something isn't that important so I'll just take care of this.
I galloped up the stairs, the rooms were arranged; Solar Flare's, Mine, Midnight Shadow's. I slowly opened the door to Midnight Shadow's room, not knowing what else was in there. To my surprise the room was actually cleaner than mine, and that's hard. It was so organized I had no idea where to start looking.
Midnight Shadow knew that someone would go looking for the book eventually so I'm sure he would have hid it with great caution. Everything you could think of was there; a bookshelf, I didn't even know he read, a bed probably 4" by 7" or something like that, a closet full of junk, even some of Solar Flare's retired bandanas were in there.
First of all I'm not stupid, he wouldn't hide it in the bookshelf he'd hide the book behind it. I put my hooves on the shelf and scooted it back a couple feet, nothing but some ripped up pages, that were too beaten up to read.
I went to his bed, this time I looked around it, but there was no place it could have been placed. I got on my stomach and reached under the bed, I flailed my arm under the bed trying to see if the book was under there, but all I found was an anger management book.
After searching the whole room I push everything back to where it was. The light coming from the window started to fade. I know they'd be coming back soon. I trotted up to Midnight Shadow's bed and sat on it. With one sigh of exhaustion I laid down. *Donk. I felt dazed as I sat up, Shadow's pillow was hard a a rock. I slid my hoof under the pillow and pulled out the object. "Wow… The book, who would've thought?" I said it sarcastically. I opened the book, and as soon as I did I heard Shadow's voice calling from outside. "Onyx come on, I thought you wanted to play ball?!"