Spark Of Hope

Legends Never Die

It had only been a few meters Vanilla had strode, when she suddenly winced as a searing pain shot through her legs and hoofs. Her hooves gave up beneath her and she fell in her knees. Minor tears filled her eyes. She thought she had busted a bone, but the thought was unusual, for she didn't take a single fall for the past few hours. Her mane, covered with sweat, stuck to her face like glue. The air was an envelope of thick moisture. The night was still young, though it felt like hours. Vanilla started to breathe hard. She couldn't control the pain or the heat. Her lungs made her breathe non stop, with no pause in between. She was running out of oxygen. She looked behind, wanted to expect that Tharaxia was still there, waiting to help her. But she wasn't. Tharaxia was gone. I deserved it...
Vanilla whimpered and cupped her limbs. She closed her eyes and the tears broke free. Behind the walls of her eyes, memories play in her vision like a video on rewind. She felt herself tremble under the weight of all these memories. Fatigue is reigning her body. Sadness also as its companion. She restlessly breathed and clung onto the dying grass. Screams in PonyVille formed nightmarish echoes in her ears. She gritted her teeth. Still feeling lightheaded, she held onto her will of survival. Darkness began to take over her brain, forming root-like structures in her vision. This is it....I can't do it anymore....

The sound of waves crashing against the cliffs was all she heard. She half opened her eyes as the sun rays forced its way and her peridot pupils dilated. She had no idea why she was at a beach. The sand was damp on where she laid. The waves deposited loose sand on her hooves. It was a cool feeling. She could breathe again. There was no sign of the pain which weakened her. It was as if the pain never existed in the first place. She looked beyond and saw rock docks and sea arcs, enormous cliffs and sand deposited in all sorts of patterns. Shells, of different size and shape, outlined the periphery of the shore. A beautiful sight. But there was something which caught her eye. Something which made her head to turn involuntarily. Markings on the sand. Vanilla got up and walked cautiously, trying not to poke herself with any sharp shells. Upon reaching the markings, she only saw three lines written in a beautiful cursive:
"Fear not, brave one, what thy seek,
Ride along the trail,
Where the Night Children play."

The sudden fall of raindrop on her fur forced her restless eye lids to open. Vanilla blinked several times. It was all just a dream...
She lifted her head up and the raindrops poked her skin like needles. She moved her leg a hair's breadth. There was no pain at all. And then a few centimeters. No pain. And then she extended her legs. Still no pain. Vanilla felt relieved. She parted her lips and smiled.
"So, you finally woke up." A familiar voice descended behind her.
Her eyes grew wide. Is it...who I think it is....
"Come on, sugar, you've been sleeping for hours." The voice said.
She didn't turn back. She was scared if this was still a dream. A cruel dream.
She could hear shuffling of hoofs against the grass. He's coming....
"Sugar, are you okay?"
She could see him clearly now.
"DARKACE! YOU-."
"Idiot, fool, prankster, yada yada yada..." DarkAce replied sarcastically.
Vanilla was so happy. She was filled with delight but at the same time, she wanted punch, kick and throw him up in the air for leaving her alone. But she chose to spare him and hugged him.
"Ugh! I thought you were dead....!" She grumbled under his fur.
"Hey, Legends never die!"
Vanilla rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, legends it seems.."
"Admit it, you think I'm handsome, right?" DarkAce boasted.
"'Course you are, fluffy boy." Vanilla replied with a blow-kiss.
DarkAce flushed red. To avoid being humiliated, he looked the other way and saw a figure running towards him. A hunched over figure and more like limping towards him.
"Umm, someone's coming our way..."
Vanilla turned to look closely at the incoming figure. She recognized that hunched over figure anywhere she'd see.
"AstroStar!" Vanilla gasped.
"Oh...him..." DarkAce groaned and rolled his eyes.
"Guys...! Guys...!" AstroStar came panting and flopped down belly-flat on the ground.
"AstroStar! Are you okay?!" Vanilla leaned beside him.
"Tharaxia....!" He said, still panting for breath.
"Take your time, jeez.." DarkAce grumbled.
"She..she...!" AstroStar still panted for breath.
He took a moment to inhale.
"FALLE'S GOONS IMPRISONED HER AND TOOK HER AWAY!" AstroStar finally spoke.