Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms

by Alphadude007

Promised Consequences

-Canterlot Castle: 1,000 years before Nightmare Moon's return-

"Begging your pardon, Highness, but please forgive me if this seems a bit blunt." Commander Storm said, composing himself and clearing his throat before further addressing the princess of the sun. "Thou art doing WHAT?!" Commander Storm exclaimed, his voice echoing off the walls of the throne room.

"I told thee, Commander." Celestia calmly replied from the seat of her throne. "My sister and I are departing for the Crystal Empire upon the morrow."

"Princess, with all due respect, this idea seems absurd. How art thou going to defeat this 'Sombra' character anyway?" Storm asked, giving the princess a concerned look.

"The same way we defeated and imprisoned Discord. I have already sent a servant to collect the Elements of Harmony for Luna and I." Celestia replied.

Commander Storm shook his head. "I just don't know about this, Princess."

"It will be alright, Commander." Celestia said reassuringly. "No creature in Equestria can resist the Elements' power. King Sombra will be no exception."

"It's not King Sombra that I am worried about, your Highness. I just can't shake this…. feeling. Hast thou ever had the feeling that something terrible will happen?" Commander Storm asked.

Celestia nodded understandingly. "Yes, Commander. I have."

"Well that is what I am feeling. There's just this gut-instinct that is giving me all these warning signs. Warning signs to what, I do not know." Storm said.

"Do not worry, Commander. Once Sombra is taken care of, everything will return to the way it was before this whole mess started." Celestia said, standing up from her throne and began walking down the steps leading from it.

"I do not doubt it, Princess." The unicorn guard said, bowing as Celestia passed him on her way towards the throne room exit. "But what of the sixth Element? Magic? Is it still with us?"

Celestia looked down at the guard commander. "Remember the battle with Discord. What happened when we had all the other elements together?"

Storm thought back to when he witnessed Discord's imprisonment at the hands of the celestial sisters. "It appeared. As if out of thin air." He responded.

Celestia nodded. "That is correct. You know the Reference Guide to the Elements of Harmony, right?" She asked. Commander Storm nodded. "It says that when the other Elements are together, the sixth will appear."

"I remember, Highness. But where does the sixth Element come from? It seems to be here one minute and gone the next." Commander Storm said with a confused expression.

"The Element of Magic is concentrated magic power in the form of a charm. The Element of Magic makes itself perceptible only when it is needed. It has yet to disappear since our battle with Discord. Maybe it will fade back into magical energy once Sombra is defeated as well."

Commander Storm nodded. "Understood, Princess. So what is thy plan until thy departure?"

Celestia closed her eyes and exhaled. "I will be preparing myself to utilize the Elements to their full potential. I will visit Luna later today to let her know when the Elements have arrived from the tower."

"Very well." Commander Storm said. "And I am assuming that thou hast no orders for me."

Celestia smiled at the gray unicorn. "Thy assumptions are correct. Thou may return to the barracks to get some rest. Thou will be having a busy day tomorrow."

Storm's eyebrow rose. "How so, Princess?"

"Because you will be overseeing the castle while Luna and I are away." Celestia said with a grin.

Storm returned the grin. "I'll make sure to have this grand castle looking even better for thy return." He said, bowing before he sun goddess.

"Thank you, Commander." Celestia said, motioning for her commander to rise. "I just pray that Shooting Star will make it back alright. In times like these, it helps to have loyal guards like you and her." Celestia said, giving Storm a smile.

Storm returned the smile as he stood back up. "I thank thee that thou hold me in such esteem, Princess. However, thou should not be concerned for Shooting Star. She will be on her own for at least a day, but I have full confidence that she will be alright."

"How art thou so sure?" Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow.

Storm gave Celestia a reassuring look. "Trust me, Princess. I can find no scout finer than Shooting Star. She is competent, courageous, focused, and always knows what to do."

-North Equestrian mountain range: 1,000 years before Nightmare Moon's return-

"I have no idea what to do here." Shooting Star muttered to herself. She looked around her and all she could see were mountains. The snow-capped giants rose up in every direction she looked. I must be in the center of the range by now. Shooting figured. Even below all the mountain peaks, the wind still howled and blew between the mountains, chilling Shooting Star to her core. Well I'm not going to get anything accomplished by just hovering here. I've gotta keep moving. She thought, flapping her wings and flew deeper into the mountain passes.

"Jeez. What kind of civilization would want to live in these kinds of conditions?" Shooting Star thought aloud as she maneuvered between two tall mountains. Then again, what kind of civilization would survive out here? They'd have to be made of stone or something to get over this cold. She wondered.

Looking down at the mountainous terrain below, Shooting Star spotted something flowing between the rocks. A crystal clear liquid was winding its way down the mountains. "Water?" She asked. I suppose that would make sense. Snow melts in a lower part of the atmosphere where it isn't as cold. Shooting Star deduced. But where's it flowing? Well… wherever it's flowing, I'll bet civilization must be along its banks.

Closing her wings, Shooting Star began to free fall towards the stream below. Shooting Star let the wind rush past her ears, the stream coming closer with every second. Her mind began calculating when to get out of the free fall. Gravity works at a rate of near 10 feet per second. The river is no more than three hundred feet in front of me… just a few more seconds. Shooting thought. The dark gray cliffs shot by her vision, the snow from the tops of the mountains giving way to craggy ledges. The clear mountain stream got closer and closer. Behind her goggles, Shooting's bright blue eyes narrowed with determination as she began to reach terminal velocity.

NOW! Shooting's mind shouted. Extending her wings, Shooting immediately exited the free fall and shot through the winding cliffs, turning and maneuvering as she followed the river.

"Woohooo!" Shooting joyously exclaimed as she flapped her wings, barely keeping a few inches above the rushing water. Now… where does this river go? Shooting thought as she flew through the craggy canyon.

Shooting Star followed the snaky river for a while until she looked up and saw a clearing open up past the rocks before her. "Huh? What's this?" Shooting thought aloud as she flew towards the opening. Once reaching the canyon's exit, Shooting landed on a rock that jutted out from the opening, dividing the river in two. Shooting looked ahead and could only sit and gawk in amazement and horror at what she saw.

She'd reached her destination: The Crystal Empire.

-Canterlot Castle: 1,000 years before Nightmare Moon's return-

Luna lay on her bed, trying to get the rest that she had missed the night before. As she lay there, the voice from the book echoed in her mind, whispering its plans to her. Every part of her was screaming that the things the book said weren't true. Yet, something inside her believed every word.

Celestia… my own sister. It just can't be true. Luna thought, her eyes clenched shut in thought. It cannot be! Her mind was divided. One half couldn't possibly believe the things that were being said about her sister. Celestia was too kind and too genuine to betray her for more power. But the other side of her mind said that is what made it so believable, that it would be the last thing to expect. Luna shook her head on her silky pillow, a tear sliding down her cheek. Who should I believe anymore?

"Listen to thy feelings, Princess of the Night. They will always guide thy path." A deep voice filled the room.

Luna's eyes shot open at hearing the voice. She was instantly alert, jumping from her bed and getting into a defensive stance. "Who goes there?" She exclaimed, looking around her room to find the trespasser. What Luna found surprised her. Everything surrounding her was blackness. She spun around to see if her bed was where it was when she leapt off it. It too, was gone in the black. Luna began to panic, turning her head in every direction, but she couldn't see anything.

"Do not fear, Princess Luna. Thou art safe here." The voice said.

"Who art thou? Reveal thyself!" Luna shouted into the darkness, hoping to see the intruder that was she was talking to.

"Behind thee, Princess." The voice said. Luna whipped around to see the being she was speaking with. What she was looking at, however, she did not know.

Before her stood a levitating translucent serpent. Luna looked over the creature, noting its features. Its body structure was similar to that of a draconequus's, but slightly larger than Discord. The serpent's snout extended from its face by a few inches. At the ends of its arms were scaly hands with sharp claws at the ends of each appendage. Finally, Luna looked into the creature's eyes. Her breath hitched at seeing the glowing purple irises that stared back at her.

"Does my appearance surprise thee, Princess?" The serpentine being asked. Luna slowly nodded. "Forgive me, then. My image is less appealing than that of my counterpart's. Speaking of whom, I believe that thou hast met him already."

"Thy counterpart? Who is it?" Luna asked in a tentative tone.

The serpent sighed. "He goes by multiple aliases. However, he may be referred to as the Shadow."

"The Shadow?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. He has been courting you with a scheme of his for the past few days now. I warn thee, Luna. Should thou accept his offer for power, it will set in motion a chain of events that can only end one way."

"What dost thou mean? His offer for power?" Luna asked.

The serpent folded his arms. "Thou knowest what it is that I refer to, the whispers of betrayal against thy sister and the warnings to be wary. These are false consultations."

"How can thou be so sure?" Luna asked, narrowing her eyes at the serpent. "How do I know that thou aren't just trying to trick me?"

The serpent shook his head. "I have seen his multiple attempts at ruling this world. He will do whatever is necessary to gain power. Getting to thee and turning thee against thy sister is just another ploy of his."

Me? Just a pawn in some greater being's grand scheme? It's not possible! I refuse to accept that! Luna thought.

"I never wanted any of this!" Luna shouted at the stone-faced serpent. "I have been arguing with my feelings, my mind, and that being you call the Shadow ever since he came into my life."

The serpent's head lowered to Luna's eye level and put a clawed hand on her shoulder. "We must act with what we are dealt, Princess. There are millions that wish they weren't in the positions they are in, but they can't just wish it away. They must fight through their present circumstances, as must you."

Luna looked into the serpent's glowing purple eyes. "Thou said that should I pursue the Shadow's interests, the chain of events I start would only end in one way. What does that mean?" She asked with a fearful expression.

The serpent exhaled and rose back up. "It is best that I show you rather than tell you." With those words, the serpent faded into the blackness surrounding Luna.

Luna looked around her, trying to see where the serpent went. Suddenly, a bright light flashed before her. Luna lifted her hoof, shielding her eyes from the light. After a brief moment, Luna lowered her hoof to see what the light was. What she saw made her jaw drop.

She was in the middle of a grassy plain that was surrounded by hills. The darkness of night covered the land. Stars filled the sky, but there was no moon. Luna looked down and beheld what was in front of her. Before her were rows upon rows of ponies and griffons, all armor-clad and wielding variety of weapons. Some had swords, others had spears strapped to their sides, and some of the griffons had strange bow-like contraptions strapped onto their backs. Before Luna could study the army in front of her further, a shrill war cry rose up from behind her. The sound was nothing like she'd heard before. It sounded like ponies whinnying, but with a growl mixed into it. Slowly, Luna turned to see what made the sound. In front of her was one of the most terrifying things she'd ever seen. Another army stood before her, only this much army was much more frightening. An army whose soldiers were all mutilated and disfigured. Not one soldier looked alike. They all had rotting flesh on some parts of their bodies and some of the pony-like creatures with more rotted flesh had bones protruding from the skin in multiple places. However, they all had one similarity. The eyes of every mutant were glazed red.

"Shadow!" A familiar voice from the pony-griffon side cried across the field. Luna turned around to see who was speaking. Luna looked and beheld who was speaking. It was herself. Luna was looking at her future self. Future Luna was clad in silver armor from head to hoof. On her head was a luminous helmet with a hole in the top for her horn to stick out. On her breastplate and the center of her helmet was a black crescent moon. On her right hoof was some sort of dark blue metal gauntlet that had the same moon symbol engraved onto the wrist.

Future Luna spoke again, sending shivers down Luna's spine. "For long enough, you have terrorized this land! You butchered, enslaved, and destroyed everything and everypony we hold dear! But no more! Your night is over! On this day, the dawn will be heralded! On this day, a new sun will rise! On this day, the light banishes the dark back to whence it came! So tremble, you forces of darkness! For the sun is rising, and the day is in our favor!" As Future Luna spoke, a bright light began to rise behind them, causing Luna to squint as she watched her future self give a final battle rally. "Guardians of Light! Today we banish this present darkness! For Equestria! For the Griffon Kingdom! For the Crystal Empire! And that darkness may be purged from this world!" Future Luna shouted, thrusting her gauntleted hoof, a sharp blade shooting from the armor piece. Raising the blade high, Future Luna shouted one last time. "CHAAAARGE!"

With that word, ponies and griffons began galloping down the hill, their war cheers and shouts rising up against the enemy, the fire of battle in their hearts. On the other side, every mutated soldier began galloping to meet the enemy in the middle of the field, their snarls and cries filling the air. Luna looked up, seeing armored pegasi and griffons filling the sky while the mutants' winged troops flew up to meet them in aerial combat. Luna looked from side to side, seeing each side coming closer. She was too stunned to move as the opposing armies galloped and flying closer and closer together, their war cries growing to a crescendo as they neared each other. Luna looked back at the pony-griffon side to see her future self galloping straight towards her, a righteous fury in her eyes. Just as both armies were about to collide where Luna was standing, the vision exploded into a bright light. Shutting her eyes and covering them with one of her hooves, Luna protected her vision from the brightness.

After a few moments, Luna opened her eyes again to see that she was back in the darkness she was in before. Her heart was racing and her breathing was quick as the images she saw burned into her mind. What did I just witness? Luna thought.

"Should thou become involved in the Shadow's undertakings, what thee just saw is what will happen in the end." The voice returned as the serpent faded into view in front of Luna.

"That pony at the front of the fight? That was me?" Luna asked. The serpent nodded. "And that was the sun rising behind my future self's army… was Celestia doing that?"

"All things will be revealed in due time, my little pony." The serpent said with a slight smile. "For now, it is time for thee to wake up. Thy sister is coming to get you up soon."

"Wait!" Luna shouted, holding a hoof up. "I have so many questions! What was that I saw? What are the Guardians of Light? What is-" Luna asked, but was cut off as the darkness surrounding her instantly filled her vision.

Her eyes fluttered open as Luna tried to get her surroundings. Luna looked around and saw that she was in her room and under the covers on her bed. "It was all a dream?" Luna thought aloud, looking down at the covers. But what about the battle? And the serpent? It all seemed so real. Luna recalled, shaking her head. Luna began to think over the serpent's words and what it said about this Shadow that she was talking with. Her thoughts then strayed back to the battle she witnessed. The last thing Luna would want to do was bring war to Equestria, especially over something as petty as jealousy. Now that she thought about it, much of the voice's advice was not grounded in any truth that she knew of. Maybe the serpent's right. Maybe Celestia wouldn't betray me after all. Luna thought. For the first time in what felt like forever, Luna smiled.

A soft knocking sounded from her bedroom door. "Luna? Art thou awake?" Celestia's voice said from the other side.

"Yes, sister. Give me a minute." Luna said, kicking the covers off and getting up from her bed.

As Luna trotted to the door, a voice whispered in the back of her mind. Be careful of her intentions, Luna. Remember what I said.

-Canterlot Castle: Present Day-

Celestia looked up at the stained glass images that lined the walls of the throne room. They all depicted famous historical events that had occurred during her reign. The imprisonment of Discord, the redemption of Luna, Spike saving the Crystal Empire, and so many more events filled her vision. Celestia began to reflect on everything she'd been through. She had been able to take control of the situation, directly or indirectly, and defuse it with no harm done to her subjects. This time, however, Celestia feared that her power might not be enough to stop what was to come.

Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. We have only two days until we can get to Starswirl's tomb. I can only hope that we find a solution down there. She thought.

"The answer may be closer than you think." A familiar and mischievous voice said behind her.

Without turning around, Celestia already knew who it was. "What do you want, Discord?"

Discord feigned a surprised expression. "Well. Somepony's not in a very good mood today."

Celestia shook her head and turned around to see the draconequus. "It's just that… I don't know what to do. My power, Luna's power, hay, even the power of the Elements of Harmony are inferior to that of the Shadow's."

Discord gave Celestia an understanding look. "And you feel overwhelmed by this?" Celestia nodded. Sighing, Discord spoke up again. "Have I ever told you what it felt like to be consumed by the Elements?"

Celestia shook her head. "No I don't believe so. How is that relevant to the present situation?" She asked skeptically.

Discord began to recall when he was first imprisoned by the Elements' power. "When you and Luna first used the Elements of Harmony on me, it made me feel something I hadn't felt in a long time." Discord paused to look at Celestia's expression. "Fear. I was scared to death. I didn't know what the mystical charms that two pony princesses were using would do to me. As I was turned to stone, a part of me was glad that I wasn't killed. But being turned to stone, I soon realized the implications of such a fate. To me, that was more frightening than death itself." Discord said with a frown.

"So how does this help me?" Celestia asked.

Discord smiled. "When the Elements were used to free me and after Fluttershy reformed me, I began to think. What I thought was a cruel punishment at first was later a chance for redemption. What I perceived to be bad, actually turned out to be good in the end."

Raising a tentative hoof, Celestia asked, "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that things will work out. They always will. Think about it. The Shadow is the culmination of everything dark in this world. Dark as night, you might say." Discord said, earning a confused look from Celestia. "Every night heralds a new dawn, Celestia. You of all ponies should know that." He said, making Celestia smile a little bit at his words. Discord looked into Celestia's purple eyes and continued. "Have faith, Princess. The night may be coming, but the day will always follow."

Celestia gave Discord a smile. "Thank you, Discord. I really needed that."

Discord extended his arms and grinned at the solar princess. "Well what am I here for?"

Celestia gave a light chuckle. "So is that all you came by to say?"

Discord stroked his chin. "Actually, there is one other thing you should know."

Celestia's smile faded a bit. "And what might that be?"

"Luna." Discord said, the name of her sister caused Celestia to become instantly concerned. "Don't worry, she's fine. She just got a message from Twilight a few minutes ago and left almost immediately upon receiving it."

"Where is she now?" Celestia asked hastily.

"I'd guess the Ponyville Library, but-" Discord began to speak, but was cut off by a bright blue flash of light next to him and Celestia. They both turned to see what caused the flash only to see Princess Luna standing in the middle of the throne room.

Luna turned and saw that both her sister and Discord were staring at her. "Oh. Hello, Tia. Discord. Did I miss something?"

-Northern Equestrian mountains: Present Day-

"Do you remember where the cave is, my Queen?" Raspian shouted over the mountain wind that blew past the two changelings, the wind whistling as it blew through the holes in their hooves.

"Even if I tried, I wouldn't be able to forget where its location was!" Chrysalis shouted back as her perforated wings fought against the chilly wind. The trip hadn't been difficult until they had reached the mountains. The only thing that was preventing the two changelings from getting to their ally was the howling mountain wind.

"We need to land soon, Highness! We'll freeze out here soon!" Raspian warned. Chrysalis nodded back in reply. Knowing that changelings were cold-blooded creatures, she figured that they would survive for no more than half an hour in their present conditions.

"We are almost there! I remember going past these mountains the last time!" Chrysalis yelled as they passed two snow-covered mountain peaks.

Raspian exhaled, his breath turning to smoky fog as it exited his nostrils. "With all due respect, your Majesty, every mountain here looks the same to me! How can you remember where the cave is?"

After a few moments of looking down at the mountainous terrain below, Chrysalis looked at Raspian with a smile. "I'm sure you would remember the snow bank down there that you crashed into!" She exclaimed, pointing a hoof at a flat snowy surface in the middle of a cluster of peaks on one side and a cliff on the other.

Raspian's eyes lit up with familiarity. "Oh yeah! I remember that! Let's go!" He shouted, diving towards the snowy mesa below.

"Raspian! Not so fast! Remember the last time you came in that quickly?" Chrysalis shouted at her captain, taking off to catch up with him.

Raspian turned his head to see his queen. "Of course I remember!" he shouted back, turning his head forward and closing his eyes smugly. "How could I not remember how to land on that snow? I think I have learned my less- OH BUCK!" Opening his eyes at the last second, Raspian saw how quickly approaching the snowbank. Having no time to slow down, he shielded his face with his hooves, bracing for impact. Raspian smashed headfirst into the snow bank, leaving only his tail visible above the snow.

Chrysalis softly landed next to her captain in the snow. Chrysalis chuckled at seeing Raspian in this state for the second time. "Hehe. It would help to see where you're going. Perhaps if you weren't so smug about learning from your past experience, you wouldn't have to learn this lesson as well." She said with a sly grin.

"Ha ha ha." Raspian's muffled voice sounded from underneath the snow. "Mnd gvng me a hf out of hre?"

Chrysalis shook her head as her crooked horn lit up bright green. A green aura surrounded Raspian's tail as Chrysalis's magic pulled him out of the snow. Once free of the snow bank, Raspian stood up as Chrysalis let go of his tail.

"Thanks." He said, using a hoof to brush off some snow that stuck to his mane.

"You're welcome. Now shall we stop fooling around and get to business?" Chrysalis asked, walking to the side of the mesa where the cliff was. Raspian trotted behind her and approached the cliff's edge. Looking over the edge, Raspian could see the tunnel entrance where they found Lodestar.

"After you, milady." Raspian said extending a hoof off the cliff edge.

Chrysalis put a hoof to her chest and tilted her head. "Such a gentlecolt." With that, the changeling queen leapt off the edge and flew into the cave entrance.

After watching Chrysalis go in, Raspian sighed and looked around the mountains one last time. Putting on a brave face, he jumped off the cliff edge, extended his wings, and maneuvered his way towards the cave entrance.

Raspian flew into the mouth of the tunnel entrance, flapping his wings as he descended onto the black tunnel floor. Raspian looked around, seeing that the cave was exactly the way as it was when they had left it. Emeralds dotted the cave walls, giving a faint greet light to the otherwise pitch-black cave.

Walking down the tunnel for a few moments, Raspian stopped to look at the markings that they had found the first time. The ancient letters and symbols covered the wall to his right, the runes lit up by the emeralds surrounding them.

In this cave, an ancient evil lies within,

When released, the long night shall begin.

Through it, all races shall bind,

As the fates of all become intertwined.

The Six will become Eight,

And end the Guardians' wait.

Raspian's eyes narrowed at the memory of what the letters had said. Raspian rubbed his chin with a hoof and he began to ponder the meanings of the mysterious markings as he read them. The long night shall begin? The fates of all become intertwined? Six becoming Eight and end the Guardians' wait? After thinking over the glyphs for a few moments, Raspian came to a conclusion. I still have no idea what these words is saying. He thought, disappointed that the runes had stumped him.

Raspian's ears perked at hearing a voice ahead of him in the tunnel. "Raspian? You back there?" Chrysalis's voice sounded.

"Yes, my Queen. How far ahead are you?" Raspian asked.

"Almost at the central chamber. I'll wait up for you." Chrysalis's voice replied.

At hearing this, Raspian began briskly trotting down the increasingly dark tunnel to reach Chrysalis. Soon, Raspian couldn't see two feet in front of him because of the darkness of the tunnel.

"Your Highness? Am I any closer to you?" Raspian called out.

Chrysalis responded, this time her voice sounded much closer. "Hold on."

Suddenly, Raspian saw a glowing bright green looking stick floating in the middle of the darkness. Her horn! He realized, a smile widening on his face. Raspian galloped down the tunnel, Chrysalis's horn becoming larger and larger until he could see the top of Chrysalis's head being illuminated by her horn's light.

"There you are." Chrysalis said as Raspian caught up to her.

Raspian gave a sigh of relief. "Yeah. Let's try to stick together this time."

"Agreed. You can turn yours on too, you know." Chrysalis said as she turned and began walking down the tunnel towards the central chamber.

"Oh right." Raspian said, thankful the darkness masked his embarrassed look. As he concentrated, Raspian's horn began to glow bright green like Chrysalis's. "There we go." He said, following Chrysalis deeper into the tunnel.

After several minutes of walking down the tunnel, Raspian and Chrysalis finally reached the central chamber of the cave. The tunnel opened up into a massive cavern, in the corner of which was what looked like a swirling mass of shadow.

Raspian looked up at Chrysalis, looked back at the cavern, and swallowed. "Well… this is it." Raspian said, jumping off the tunnel opening and extending his wings. As he glided down towards the cave floor, he saw Chrysalis doing the same. Soon, both changelings were on the cave floor, only a few meters from the shadowy creature before them.

Chrysalis cleared her throat and spoke. "Lodestar." She said to the shadowy figure.

The Shadow's eyes opened, revealing his glowing yellow irises. Even though the changelings couldn't see it behind the shadows surrounding him, a fang-toothed smile grew wide on his face.

With a growl, the Shadow began to speak. "Ah, Captain Raspian and Queen Chrysalis. Welcome back to my dwelling place. It's been too long since we last met."