"So what do we do now Alexx?" Asked Twilight. "Well in one year I have my Kaggath with Shadio. He said he accepted the terms. But I think he is still going to invade through the gateway. Sith aren't known to keep their promises." He said. "Then I should go to Canterlot and ask Celestia if she can raise an army." Twilight said. "Yea if Shadio goes back on his deal, we will hoof stomp his army." Said an energized Rainbow Dash. "Alexx I will need your help again with applebucking, we are going to need lots of provisions for the army sugarcube." Said Applejack."
"Right." Alexx replied. "OOH I will make uniforms for all of the soldiers. They will be so glamourous." Said Rarity. "I will set up the celebration party for after we win." Pinkie Pie said hopping up and down. "I-I can't really do much. But I will be there in case we must use the Elements of Harmony." Said Fluttershy. "Elements of Harmony. What is that?" Alexx wondered. "The six of us represent the Elements of Harmony. We have used them twice before. Once against Luna when she was evil. A second time to banish Discord into stone." Twilight Sparkle explained."Well let's hope that is a last resort." Alexx said, hoping to end this before a full on war between ponies and sith occured.
Over the next year, there was barely any time for rest. Alexx along with Applejack harvested the orchard at Sweet Apple Acres, supplying the army with the nutrients to train. Twilight Sparkle with the Princesses and Shining Armor began to train the army in case the attack did occur. Rainbow Dash gathered all of the pegasi and prepared a storm for the invasion. Rarity crafted armor for the army, unique outfits for each division. Pinkie Pie prepared a party for when victory was achieved.
Alexx was requested an audience with the Princesses at Canterlot. When he entered the throne room, Luna, Celestia and Twilight were waiting for him. "You needed to me your majesties?" He said with a bow. "Yes Alexx, you said you were going to duel Shadio when the year was up. Why a year?" Celestia questioned. "Shanos told me, before he died, that the gateway can only be used once a year. It will stay opened for a whole day." He replied. "I see. Now tell us, is thy duel going to take place in Equestria?" Luna asked. Alexx shook his head. "No. There could be many casualties, that is why I requested the Kaggath on his flag ship The Tyra." He replied. "Afterwards I can return to Equestria and we will seal the gateway." "That sounds like a good plan Alexx." Twilight Sparkle said with a smile. Alexx returned the smile to her.
"How goes the training of the army, your majesties?" Alexx asked. "Good, Shining Armor has been working every second of every day, training them all." Celestia replied. "Good." Alexx said. Even with all the training. I do not know how they will stand against an invasion of sith. He thought. "You are dismissed now, Alexx." Both the Princesses said. As Alexx walked from the throne room he felt an evil presence in his mind. All of these preparations will do you no good Stal. In one year I shall crush you in the Kaggath and take Equestria in the name of the Emperor That is what you think Shadio. Alexx thought.
11 months later.
Alexx and Applejack finished their final harvest. "Well that is the last of the apples." Applejack said, tired from a days work. "Yea, yea it is." Alexx replied with a pant. Tomorrow is the day, the day of the Kaggath. Was Shadio going to invade? Or was he actually going to keep his side of the bargain? Only time would tell. "Well sugarcube, I think it's best we call it a night." She told Alexx. "Oh Alexx I forgot. Twilight said for us to meet her at the library after work." Applejack told him. "Okay let's go there." He replied. They walked together to the library. When they opened the door and switched on the lights. "SUPRISE!" Everypony in Ponyville was there.
"Happy Birthday Alexx! Bet you weren't expecting a party before huh? Well I thought what the hay. THERE IS ALWAYS TIME FOR A PARTY!" Said an energetic Pinkie Pie. "My what. Oh." Alexx then remembered that it was his twentieth birthday today. "But ho-how did you know?" He asked curiously. "Oh that is easy, Princess Celestia told us. She knows everyponies birthdays by just looking at them." Said Twilight Sparkle. "You guys are all the greatest." Alexx said with a tearful smile. "Thank you all for everything you have done for me. Now LET'S PARTY!" Alexx shouted with delight. For the next few hours there was dancing, singing, eating of cake, and drinking of cider. He mingled with the ponies and they all gave him their luck. He received slaps on the back and premature thank you's. Everypony had a great time.
He decided to disappear from the library for a while. Sheesh. Pinkie Pie sure does know how to throw a party. I gotta take a breather or I'll be dead before I face Shadio. He thought. It was now night time. The stars and moon were high in the sky. He walked up a hill outside of Ponyville and sat down. "Beautiful out tonight huh?" A voice came from his left. It was Twilight Sparkle. "Yes, yes it is. Twilight, why did you leave the party? Weren't you having fun?" Alexx asked. "I was, but I needed a break." She said. "Well Pinkie Pie knows how to throw a great party." Alexx said. He and Twilight then joined in a laugh.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Then Alexx broke the silence with. "Back when I was Darth Shadio's apprentice. He told me everything is most beautiful before bloodshed. He is right. Tomorrow I face him in the Kaggath. There will be bloodshed, and everything here is incredibly beautiful." Twilight put a hoof around Alexx's neck. "Oh you will do fine Alexx. You will slay Shadio and Equestria will be safe once more." She said with a smile.
"Twilight, the debt I owe you can never be repaid." Alexx said. Taking her hoof in his, "You all have given something to me. When I first arrived here you healed me with magic, Applejack offered me a place to stay, Rarity fixed my outfit, and Pinkie Pie threw me these amazing parties. This friendship is the greatest thing I have ever experienced. William agreed before he died." He said, a tear falling down his cheek, Twilight brushed it away. "This could be very much our last night alive, and I must tell you something." he said, his smile fading.
"I love everypony here. Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash." He paused for a moment, and gazed into Twilight's beautiful eyes, "And especially you Twilight." He said. Twilight's eyes widened. "I felt it when you first healed me. The feeling I received was peaceful. Then when you saved me from the dark side, those feelings deepened. It was as though you touched my heart itself." Twilight hugged him with great force.
"I have those same feelings for you too, Alexx. You saved my friends from certain death, and me twice." She lightened up the hug and backed away. "I-I love you Twilight Sparkle." He said. She approached closely to him. "And I love you Alexx." She replied. They then embraced each other in a kiss. How he wished this moment could last forever, the beautiful night, with the mare he loved. He awoke in the morning next to Twilight. She was sleeping peacefully. He put on his armor and cloak with the force. He knelt over Twilight and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "See you in Canterlot." He whispered in her ear. He then walked out of the library.
Citizens were told to stay indoors. As Alexx walked through Ponyville he saw all of the houses, all of the doors were locked and windows boarded. Not a single soul was seen outside. He made it to Canterlot, where the army of ponies were waiting. All of these brave souls. Prepared to die to protect those they love. Alexx thought. He approached the Princesses in the throne room of Canterlot palace.
"Are you ready to go Alexx?" Asked Celestia. "Ye-yes I am." "Okay, before you go here take this." Celestia's horn lit up and an object appeared in front of Alexx. It was William's lightsaber. "We thought you could use it in thy fight against Shadio." Said Luna. Alexx ignited it. It was no longer red, but a dark purple coloring. The same as Kana's. Alexx realized. He put it on his belt. "Well let us open the gateway." Celestia said. She and Luna began to channel magic through their horns and the gateway appeared. "GOOD LUCK ALEXX!" HIs five friends waved and cheered. Where is Twilight? He wondered, waving to them.
As he neared the gateway, he heard a cry. "Alexx! WAIT." Alexx turned around to see Twilight. She was panting. She must of ran non stop. He thought. She walked closer to him. "Take this." It was a necklace. With gemstones of his friends cutie marks engraved on it. "What is it?" He asked. "As long as you wear this, my friends and I will always be with you." Twilight said. "Thank you Twilight." He said. She put the necklace around his neck with her magic. He then embraced her in a hug. All of his friends also joined in. "You come back now sugarcube. I still need your help on the fields." Said Applejack. "And we still need to party more Silly Filly." Pinkie Pie said. "You just keep being awesome Alexx." Rainbow Dash commented. "Do take care of yourself darling." Rarity said. "Please be safe." Fluttershy said softly. "Come back alive Alexx." Twilight said. He then backed away from his friends, towards the portal.
He flashed a smile and gave a wave. He walked closer to the portal and noticed he began to change. His hooves went back to being hands and he stood on two legs instead of four and his outfit re sized to fit him. He entered through the portal. Looking back one final time to see everypony there. They were all amazed to see his true form. He looked into the eyes of his friends. The beautiful colors they all had. Their lives depend on me. I shall not let them down. I FIGHT FOR THEM! He promised. A tear rolled down his cheek and the image of the palace room closed. A bright light was all that he could see.
When he came too, he noticed he was indeed on the Tyra, Shadio's flagship. There were sith everywhere. All of them looking down on him at the arena. He saw that the Dark Council was there as well. In front of him he saw Shadio. His lightsaber already ignited, a yellow colored blade. Alexx looked into his eyes, those yellow eyes, they burned into him. Alexx ignited both of his lightsabers, one red, the other purple.
"MAY THE KAGGATH BEGIN!!" The Dark Council shouted.
-End Chapter 8