Author's Note: I've decided to split this chapter into two separate parts.


The path of which I walked continued to haunt me; tearing away at the innermost regions of my mind. It has been days since the tent had tried to overthrow me, to drown me within its river of blood. Days, and yet I still continued to walk. To hope for a future where I could be happy, wishing for the light of day to rescue my tormented soul.

But the Everfree was void of all light, with the darkness of the forest casting a permanent shade of death and despair. I knew that this would not end well for me, but I still had the pointless sense of hope.

Just outside of the Everfree, six worried residents of Ponyville stood in wait.

"Are you sure we can't just fly in there and rescue her, Twi?" asked the brave blue pegasus known as Rainbow Dash. "I mean, you've got me flying, you with your magic, Fluttershy can get some animals to help out, Applejack could buck some evil things, and I'm sure even Rarity could do something useful." Rainbow said while sticking her tongue out at the white unicorn known as Rarity, who simply humphed as response.

"Yes, the forest is a very large place, Rainbow. It would take us all night to search the whole thing, even with the help of Fluttershy's animals. Plus, with little to no protection, well; it's just too dangerous." Twilight answered, her ears splayed back in sadness, and a massive frown stricken across her face.

"I know, Twi. Danger this, evil that. But come on! This is Darkened Bliss we're talking about! Don't we owe her more than simply sitting around, doing nothing?" asked an agitated Rainbow. "I mean, it was kinda our fault. We should be out there, Twi. We need to be out there."

The pink party pony present known as Pinkie Pie nodded her approval, and began bouncing in place. This action seemed to give the other ponies a sense of courage, and one by one, they too began to nod their approval, siding with Rainbow Dash and her request to search for their friend.

"Then it's settled." Twilight said with a sigh. "I'll go get some supplies, and will write a letter to the Princess informing her of where we'll be going, just in case anything should happen."

Rainbow Dash took to the air in excitement. This was surely going to be one hay of an adventure, and all to rescue a friend. Right at this moment, she felt just like Daring Doo. Nothing could stop her from finding her friend. Nothing, not even Celestia herself. She loved Darkened Bliss, and they would reunite. It was just a matter of time.

All six ponies started trotting in silence towards Twilight's library, so they could gather the much needed supplies to make their journey as safe as possible.

Rainbow took one last glance at the Everfree forest, a single thought on her mind.

"Please don't be dead."

Deep within the Everfree, Darkened Bliss felt an unusual sensation overcome her. It felt almost like a spark had attempted to ignite the embers of the eternal flame within the coldest regions of her soul. It was a pleasant feeling, though she was unsure as to why she felt it. What had she done to deserve this warmth? Was this the sign of good fortune, or a tale of a pony with no end? She was afraid to discover the answer, knowing full well that it wouldn't be pleasant.

She continued to walk down this path once more, a path of which she now considered to be the gateway to tartarus itself, for it showed no signs of mercy and all signs of sin.

She had come to accept the demons lurking through the shadows, and waited eagerly for them to make yet another twisted appearance. To give her yet another vision of death and decay. A part of her insane mind had even come to enjoy the illusions that the forest brought forth, as they were the only constant holding what thin thread of sanity that remained in her mind.

A calm wind blew throughout the Everfree Forest, causing the leaves on all of the nearby trees to rustle. Except, the echoing sounds of demonic laughter never followed with the breeze, nor did the wind itself carry an evil tune. It was just a breeze, a normal breeze of wind, like something you would find in the world surrounding the Everfree Forest.

Darkened Bliss was nearing the edge of the Everfree, and the forest wasn't trying to keep her within its sinful grasp.