//------------------------------// // Reaches of a Shadow // Story: Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms // by Alphadude007 //------------------------------// Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms Chapter 40-Reaches of a Shadow -Canterlot Castle: 1,000 years before Nightmare Moon's return- The soft late afternoon breeze breathed its calm gale upon Starswirl's face, his beard swaying in the wind and the bells on his hat singing their jangling tune. The setting sun shone brightly against the castle, warming the fur of the unicorn wizard. Birds chirped cheerily, ponies conducted their daily affairs in the streets, and all was at peace. But from the balcony of the castle, however, one mind was not at rest. Something's not right. Starswirl thought. He'd felt it ever since the black crystal vanished into the Elements' light. A feeling of dread had befallen the magician's mind, plaguing his thoughts with uncertainty. Sombra has been defeated by the princesses, so what could be left to do? "Master Starswirl?" A familiar voice asked behind him. Starswirl didn't have to turn around to address his pupil. "Good afternoon, Clover." "It certainly is." Clover remarked, taking in the peaceful surroundings around the castle. "So what are thou doing out here? Dinner will soon be served." A grin flickered across Starswirl's mouth. "As much as I would love to satiate my growing hunger, my mind has been elsewhere as of late." "Why is that?" Clover asked, his eyebrows furrowing together. "In the library earlier, when we witnessed the crystal's disappearance, did thou not get the feeling that there is more to this than it seems?" Clover pursed his lips and shook his head in response. "I cannot say I had. Did thee?" Starswirl nodded, opening his eyes to beyond the mountains before him. "Whatever happened in the Crystal Empire, I feel is just a piece of a larger puzzle." "How so?" "Think about it. King Sombra, who from what I read has been in power for a long time, just now turns evil and we are forced to send both the princesses out, with the Elements of Harmony no less, to take care of the problem?" Clover shrugged. "I don't see thy point, Master." "My point is that I fear there is something behind all this. Sombra's downfall and defeat was but one part of a grander scheme. What that scheme entails and whose they are, however, I dread to find out." Starswirl said, his tone filled with uneasiness. Clover's eyes glanced at the ground, hoping the stones could give him the words to speak with his teacher. Looking back up, Clover spoke up. "Whatever may happen, Starswirl, I am confident that our combined power could overcome it. I assisted Princess Platinum and the other pony leaders discover this land, and thou have made such great strides in magic and its studies that I'm sure no pony in a thousand years will come close to thy level of achievement. So despite whatever may be happening out there, I am sure we can face it together." A smile tugged at the side of Starsiwrl's face as he turned to face his student. "I am glad to hear thy certainty, Clover. It is most relieving in times like these." "Glad to help." Clover piped up with a smile. "Now come, let us eat dinner and toast the victory of the princesses." Starswirl gave his enthusiastic student a nod. "I will be with thee in a few moments. Would thee save a goblet for me at the table until I arrive?" A toothy grin flashed across Clover's visage. "No problem, Master Starswirl!" the magician's apprentice exclaimed as he turned to leave, "I will see thee in the dining hall!" Starswirl turned back to face the setting sun as Clover marched down the corridor towards the dining room. The magician's face hardened as a swift breeze caused the bells on his hat to sway and jingle. The feeling was still there, the feeling that it wasn't over yet. If Sombra was a single piece of the puzzle, then what would the next piece of the puzzle entail? -Castle of the Two Sisters: 1,000 years before Nightmare Moon's return- There it is. Luna thought as her eyes beheld the stone palace, standing tall above the trees of the Everfree Forest. The setting sun was barely peeking above the hills to the west, bathing the face of the castle in a deep orange. The shadow of the castle stretched onto the trees below, sheltering any heat-fleeing animals that inhabited the woods. For Celestia, it was a victorious return to her and Luna's former home before the castle in Canterlot was created. For Luna, however, she was mentally preparing for the next few hours that lay ahead. Are thou ready for what is to come, Luna? The voice whispered in her mind. Taking a deep breath, Luna let out a wearied sigh. I do not know if I will be able to stand up to Celestia. But thou have come so far. To give up before the battle begins would be like allowing Celestia to usurp thy power, Princess. Celestia is my sister. I fear that my memories of our past together would hold me back from achieving our goal. Luna replied, her teal gaze resting on Celestia as she flew ahead. Memories flashed through Luna's mind. She recalled how much fun they had together galloping down the Hall of Hooves, the tea parties they had as fillies, their exploits against Discord and Tirek, and now their victory over Sombra. Celestia wasn't just her sister. She was her confidant, her cornerstone, and her playmate in days past. No, Celestia wasn't just her sister. Luna. Let me tell you a tale that was woven together in the fabric of time many years ago. The voice said, Luna's eyebrow arching in interest. Casting a quick glance at Celestia, Luna's eyes returned to the sky ahead of her. I am listening. It all began in a bygone age. The voice spoke, its tone filled with reminiscence. When war and violence were foreign concepts. It was during that time that a great king ruled the land with an iron fist, everything working according to his own purpose. Under his rule were two subjects; a long-time friend named Keeper and myself. Is this ruler still in power today? Luna asked. He is. The voice replied, a trace of bitterness lining its tone. But that is beside the point. Anyway, Keeper and I were as close as brothers. We grew up together, ate and drank together, we served the king at each other's sides… we were near inseparable. So what happened? An idea. "Luna!" Celestia called, snapping her sister out of her internal conversation. "Yes, Tia?" Luna replied. "When was the last time we slept in that castle? It feels like it's been hundreds of years!" Celestia exclaimed joyfully. Luna tapped her chin with a hoof, trying to count the years. "It certainly has been a long time, sister." She flatly concluded. Truth be told, she hadn't really thought about that until Celestia brought it up. Was it after or before Discord was defeated? It was certainly before the three pony tribes united to form Equestria, so at least that was definite. Oh well. The pair of sisters approached the entrance to the castle, landing just in front of a massive pair of wooden doors. The laughter of fillies rang in Luna's ears as she beheld the grand entrance, reminders of innocent days past. "Well... shall we enter?" Luna suggested, gesturing at the entrance. "So we shall." Celestia replied, her horn glowing bright yellow. One of the doors glowed a similar aura, swinging open as Celestia worked her magic. Once all the way open, the auras surrounding Celestia's horn and the door faded. Upon the regal sisters completely entering the castle's foyer, Celestia closed the door behind them. As Luna and Celestia beheld the entry room of the castle, they found that everything about the castle was just as the sisters had remembered. The draperies that hung above their respective thrones, the rugs on the floor remained unsoiled even after years of not being touched, a touch of moss grew on a stone or two, but other than that, the castle's interior was in the exact same condition as the day Luna and Celestia left for the castle in Canterlot. The pair of sisters walked down the entry hall, stopping just in front of the steps to each other's thrones. It seemed like it was just yesterday when they saw them last. "So I take it we'll be going to our own rooms like we used to?" Luna presumed. Celestia nodded. "Mine on the right and yours on the left. I believe that was the way we had it in the old days." She said, gesturing to their respective hallways that opened up behind the thrones. Luna nodded in reply. "And so the day draws to a close." She remarked, glancing out one of the western windows in the wall to see the sun giving its last glimpse on the horizon. "Thou may go ahead and sleep, sister. I will raise the moon." Celestia stretched her jaw in a yawn. "Very well, Luna. Good night." With that, the sun goddess began walking down the hallway towards her old bedroom. It will come during the Summer Sun Celebration tomorrow. The voice piped up. "What will?" Luna whispered as she began her trek towards one of the castle's towers. Celestia's attempt to claim absolute rule. Makes sense that on a day dedicated to her sun that she would try to muscle in on thy power. The voice said as Luna passed by the entrance to the garden that she and Celestia would dance and smell the plants as fillies. "And thou will help me when the time comes?" Luna asked as the bottom of a spiral staircase greeted her hooves. But of course, my dear princess. Why wouldn't I be? "Just making sure." She replied as she climbed the stairs, her mind growing heavier with every step. Memories dashed back and forth in her mind, taunting her with the smiles and laughter that she and Celestia had together in the castle when they were younger. Then her mind went to what the alicorn had told her in the dream. Two banishments would take place. The first, King Sombra's, had already happened. One more had yet to occur. Still having doubts? Luna paused her climb and shook her head. "No. It's just that I was thinking about what thou said in the dream. About the two banishments? One into the earth, the other from this earth. I now know that Sombra was the first, but now that just leaves Celestia, you, and me for the upcoming banishment. Surely it is Celestia, right? I mean if you and I were to be banished, then it would be three banishments. " Thou are correct in assuming there would be three banishments. But my prophecy still stands. Two banishments will take place. As Luna neared the top of the tower, the evening wind whistled through the open stone archway. And so the moon must be raised once again, only for it to fall again in the morning. The voice said despondently. "And thy point is?" Luna asked, her irritation with all the voice's riddles making itself apparent. That when Celestia is defeated, the long night will begin. The sun would rise no more. The night, thy night, would last forever. Luna's eyes lit up at the suggestion that her night would reign supreme, not Celestia's sun. "For far too long I have let the citizens bask in my sister's sun. After this is over, it is my moon they will hail when it dawns." Luna said, a toothed grin stretching across her face, an ambitious gleam twinkling in her eyes. Then raise the moon, Luna. Raise the moon and lower it one last time. After this night, thou would never have to lower it again. As Luna began to concentrate, Luna's horn glowed a brilliant azure as the sky turned dark from the sun's absence. Looking to the east, her horn's glow intensified. Gritting her teeth, Luna could see the crest of the moon peeking up over the mountains. Letting the magic subside from her horn, she took a few deep breaths as she recovered from her exertion. She had raised the moon. Now get some rest, Luna. Celestia will enjoy her time at the Summer Sun Celebration. We will let her have one more shining moment of glory. The voice said eagerly. Then we will take her together. The lunar princess's eyes narrowed in determination. "And so we shall." She said, beginning her descent down the staircase. "Oh. I almost forgot. I have been talking with thee all this time, but I have never gotten thy name." A period of silence hung between Luna and the voice as the moon-ruling alicorn walked down the stairs, her hooves clomping on each step. I have a multitude of names, Princess Luna. But there is one name that would be appropriate given what we are about to undertake. Just as though reign over the night, thou will need my assistance ruling the day as well. Thou art the night, while I am thy Shadow during the day. Shadow. Luna repeated the name in her mind. A tad ominous... I like it. "Glad to make thy acquaintance, Shadow." Luna said, stepping out of the tower and back towards the atrium. "Now then, what shall our strategy be for tomorrow?" All in good time, Luna. The Shadow responded. For now, thou must rest. Thou overcame a great foe today, but tomorrow thou will face an even greater confrontation. "Celestia." Luna growled as she approached the two thrones before her. They stood side by side, neither throne claiming dominance over the other. Luna knew that was a lie, despite the appearances the sisters displayed. Celestia had always received more respect and credit than she ever did. Tomorrow, that all changes. She thought, a quick yawn escaping her open jaws. The Shadow was right, she needed her rest. Luna's horn lit a faint blue aura, the same magical field enveloping the Elements of Harmony that adorned her neck. With a fling of her magic, the necklace was sent to the ground, clanging against the stone as it skidded across the floor. As I have raised the moon, so shall I make the sun set. Luna thought, an anticipating smile spreading across her face. It only makes sense that the sun sets that night may begin its reign. -Malakh Kingdom: 10,000 years before Discord's Imprisonment- "What a glorious day, is it not, Keeper?" Morning Light said as he admired the view from the coastal mansion. The sun glistened on the surface of the water, painting the waves to look like liquid gold. The palm tree branches swayed in the soft breeze, their leaves rustling and flapping in the wind like the golden toga on Morning's back. The pearl-white sands stretched along the seashore, the golden surf washing up and down the beach, almost dousing the leather sandals on the Malakh's feet. Keeper walked alongside Morning, putting an arm over his comrade's shoulders. "As glorious as any other day in our lord's kingdom." He said with a smile as his tunic fluttered in the breeze. Morning shrugged, a grin of his own growing on his face. "But it's something about today that just makes me feel glad. I cannot quite place it, though." "Master Light!" A youthful voice called behind them. Both Morning and Keeper looked behind them to see a lad dressed in a white toga with a golden cape that hung from his shoulders. Morning greeted the boy with a warm smile. "Abundance! What news do you bring?" Abundance pulled a scroll from the folds of his toga and handed it to his master. "A message from the Apostolate. They say that it's urgent." Morning unfurled the scroll, the silver ink sparkling in the midmorning sunlight. Morning Light, By order of the king, you have summoned to the Council of the Apostolate to partake in a discussion regarding the course of actions to be taken in preparation for the yearly Worship. Your attendance is required three weeks from this day. Reply to this letter to confirm your reservation amongst the Apostolate as soon as you are able. Come prepared with ideas in mind and we look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Hailed be the king's name! Regards, Swift Justice Rolling up the scroll, Morning Light handed the parchment back to his assistant. "Abundance, take a letter." He ordered, Abundance obeying his master's order and took out a blank piece of paper, his finger positioned on the paper. "Ready?" Morning asked, Abundance nodding in reply. "Swift Justice, I accept your invitation to attend the meeting at the Apostolate. I anticipate the discussions that will be had when all have arrived. Hailed be the king's name. Morning Light." Whipping his finger across the paper, golden letters followed the path Abundance's finger made, the letters and sentences forming on the paper. Upon the letter's completion, the young Malakh rolled up the scroll. "Thank you, Abundance. See to it that this letter is delivered to Swift Justice no later than dinner tonight." Morning dismissed his servant, Abundance giving a quick bow and began walking down the hallway away from Morning and Keeper. "What was that all about?" Keeper asked, arching an eyebrow at his friend. "Swift Justice just invited me to help plan the yearly Worship." Morning bragged, a smug grin finding its way onto his face. A smirk tugged at Keeper's mouth. "Congratulations!" He said, patting Morning on the back. "That's a pretty big honor." "Makes you wish you had gotten it, right?" "Oh, no way." Keeper responded, waving his hands at Morning's suggestion. "I'd much rather be at my post." "Speaking of which, when's your next shift?"" Morning asked, the pair of friends looking at the position of the sun. "Soon. In fact, very soon." Keeper said, quickly turning back towards a cobblestone road behind the beach. "I'll see you later, Morning. Can't be late for the rotation of the guard." "Well then off with you!" Morning shouted. "It was getting boring here anyways." Waving a hand back at his friend, Keeper called out, "Hopefully I can see you in time for dinner!" Morning gave a brief laugh as he waved goodbye to his friend. "Hopefully so. See you around, Keeper!" With that, he turned back around to face the ocean. A beauteous day such as this offered the opportunity to do various things around the kingdom. For now, however, Morning Light simply wished to watch the ocean waves coming and receding back into the sea. Maybe the day is glorious in how I perceive it to be. Maybe it's my choice to see this morning as beauteous, thus making it so. Morning wondered, unaware of the impact that thought would have on the rest of his life.