//------------------------------// // 2 The Fellowship of Equestria // Story: Dark days of Equestria // by hyderpony //------------------------------// This chapter begins at 7 am, round about early June and the heat of summer was starting to take its toll on everypony. None stop heat for 3 months now! Princess Celestia, no disrespect or anything but could you turn the sun down just a skosh? Or maybe it could be Ahuizotl that's causing this awful heatwave? Anywhooo (and no it's not Buttercream Sundae) here is Gallup Crush. There she is laying in bed asleep The heatwave doesn't seem to bother her. She had been busy all week training on the obstacle course trying hard as ever to join the Wonderbolt Reserves! This was the last week of her training. So all that flying, press ups, dizzitron tests and trying to impress Spitfire was so tiring for her. No wonder she's hardly noticed the really hot day. She was just motionless in bed. Gallop was also happy but at the same time, she was sad as well. She just didn't show it on the outside. On this very day, her dad was Killed. Murdered by Dark Dash. Gallop slept on in bed and then: BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP The clock alarm went off. Then a few minutes later the alarm went off again. Gallop got up this time and turned off the alarm. “It's the last day of training yay! And today is the day of the test.” She said looking happy and determined. Yep. She was either like Moondancer or Twilight Sparkle today. You decide. She just really loves tests and it was always good to learn new things all the time. As said before, Gallop got out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She picked up the Colgate toothbrush and started to brush her teeth. After 3 minutes, she then brushed her mane. Gallop had a cute face and is well known to the town especially Spike. Gallop kissed Spike at Heartwarming day and she could remember it so well. it did feel good after all. Spike on the other hand, claw or paw is all grown up now and she doesn't know if Spike even remembered that day 15 years ago. Gallop left the bathroom and went into the living room. Then suddenly there was a knock at the door. Gallop went to the door and opened it. It was Rainbow Dash. “Hey Gallop, how you feeling?” Rainbow said. “I'm doing great Rainbow and I can't wait for the test,” Gallop said. “You remind me of Twilight,” Rainbow said laughing a little. “Well I do want to pass Rainbow,” Gallop said. “You will pass the test, I know you will. You've worked so hard in your training.” Rainbow said. “Thanks Rainbow,” Gallop said. Gallop then saluted to Rainbow Dash and then Rainbow saluted back. Rainbow Dash was about to leave until Gallop asks: “Oh, how long will the test take?” “Well the thing is, with this test it could happen at anytime. It is the unknown and your training will kick in when it does happen,” Rainbow answered. “Oh right. Like anything could happen?” Gallop asked. “Yep. Anything. And you'll need to be ready when it does happen.” Rainbow said. Gallop got her house keys and went outside with Rainbow Dash. The sun was so hot and there were no clouds in the sky. You could say it was too hot for Derpy to fly by. “The weather team have been busy then, Rainbow?” Gallop guessed. “Yes and it's odd too,” Rainbow answered. “Odd? In what way?” Gallop asked. “Well according to the weather forecast, Ponyville was supposed to rain today but instead, it's been hot for 2 months. We had not much rain at all.” Rainbow replied. “Maybe they didn't know about the rain.” Gallop assumed. “That's not possible! They said it was going to rain last week too and still, it was hot and sunny.” Rainbow said puzzled. “That's odd! Should we find out what going on?” Gallop asked. “No! I have no control over the weather team now.” Rainbow said. All a sudden Spike was running to Gallop. “Gal...lop. I have... a mess... age for... you!” Spike said in a struggle. “Really what is it?” Gallop said. “Hold on”. Spike said. Trying to get his breath back. Spike then eventually belched out a letter. It was a scroll and looked like a royal scroll. Gallop picked up the scroll and then said: “This is a royal scroll right?” Gallop asked. Rainbow looked in shock and said: “It's from Princess Celestia Gallop and it's addressed to you! You'd better open it” Rainbow said. Gallop opened the scroll and started to read it. “Gallop Crush, I have no time to explain. But your life is in danger and once more Equestria is in danger too! Dark Dash is alive and active again. You are to meet Twilight at the Castle of Friendship and she will explain more to you. I also know that you have a test to do which I am aware of and I send my deepest apologizes. But Equestria hangs in the balance! I have given the order for you to become a full member of the Wonderbolts. Let's just say you have past that test. But another one will come to you soon. Equestria needs you! Princess Celestia”. Gallop looked stunned at the letter and hoofed the letter to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash looked at the letter and her mouth dropped open and said: “Wow, Gallop nice one!” Gallop looked at Rainbow and then said: “We need to go Rainbow and fast. Twilight needs us.” “Us? But the letter just says you.” Rainbow said. “Oh really? Then why is your Cutie Mark flashing then?” Gallop asked with a smirk. Rainbow looked and yes her Cutie Mark WAS flashing. “It must be for the same thing then and now I am in the Wonderbolts, I need backup,” Gallop said. “You're right Gallop! Let go. Fast!” Gallop and Rainbow took off fast and flew to the Castle of Friendship. They then enter the Castle and it looked the same like the last time she was there. Pictures lined on the walls, the same winding corridors with lots and lots of rooms. It might have felt chilly to them as well. Moments later Gallop and Rainbow enter the map room and there sat Spike, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, Twilight and a new pony she's never seen before. It was a pink pony with a purple mane with a bit of blue on it and her cutie mark was a white star with two glimmering streams. “What going on Twilight?” Gallop asked. “Rainbow, Gallop. You'd better sit down. This is very important.” Twilight said seriously. Rainbow sat in her seat. She gave an obvious sigh after she said that. Twilight then used magic to get a chair for Gallop. Gallop sat down and looked around. “Gallop, this is Starlight Glimmer. Starlight this is Gallop Crush.” Twilight told the two ponies especially Gallop. Wow. I've heard so much about you Gallop and I'm so pleased to meet you at last.” Starlight said honored to meet her pony to pony. “Oh, you have?” Gallop asked Starlight. “Yes. I always wanted to meet the pony who helped so much 15 years ago and you have shown friendship to all the ponies you have met.” Starlight said. Gallop just blushed and then said: “Thanks, Starlight. But why am I here?” Gallop then looked at Twilight. “Okay. I have a confession for you Gallop, that I have kept away from you and my friends a long time ago.” Twilight replied. It took a few minutes to take in but in time Gallop then said: “Oh? Then please go on Twilight. it must be important!” “Gallop I knew your name even before you came to Ponyville all those years ago,” Twilight confessed addressing the others. They all then looked at Twilight in shock and Gallop said. “How did you know my name?” Gallop asked. “By this book. Twilight said holding up a book with her magic. It reads “Dark days of Equestria.” Twilight flipped through the pages and she started to read. “Dark Dash date of birth: Unknown. Dark Dash murdered ponies years ago. His first murder was an earth pony who was in a Hot Air balloon over far away lands. It had been raining at the time and then the sun came out 10 minutes after the rain. Dark Dash was flying up in the sky at the time and thought it's time to play a game with that Hot Air balloon. He then laughed at his thought....” The mane 6 shuttered afterward when Twilight said he laughed at his thought. She continued to read: “At the time Dark Dash had a power. A new power to make Dark Rainbows. Dark Dash flies ahead to put the Dark Rainbow to the test. This rainbow looks like a normal Rainbow, but if anypony is to hit it they would be killed on the spot”... Rarity then fainted “Don't worry Twi, I got this.” Applejack convinced Twilight and she continued on: “This Rainbow can even burn them and if hit the rainbow was so hot it will fry them alive so painful it would be like as if you just hit the sun. Fluttershy then cinched and covered her eyes. “He killed many others. His last kill was a Pegasus pony called Lighting Crush”... Twilight then stopped. reading as she looked at Gallop, She had tears in her eyes. Twilight walked over to Gallop and asked her If she was okay and then asked if she can read on. Gallop said yes to them questions. She then asked if Gallop was sure she was alright and asked again if she can continue. Gallop said yes again, then a few minutes later she continued reading: “Dark Dash was never captured and the whereabouts is still unknown. It is also not known if Dark Dash is a mare or a colt.” “I'm so sorry Gallop”. She said feeling sorry for Gallop and guilty at the same time. “It's okay Twilight. it happened on this day my ... my....” Gallop could not continue. Spike came up to Gallop and put his claws on Gallop's hoof. “It's okay Gallop,” Spike said. Gallop felt better and then she looked at the others. “Okay, Gallop. It's our our job now to help you and help you on your quest.” Twilight said. “Quest?” Gallop said looking confused. “Yes. Dark Dash is after you and the whole of Equestria! It'll be down to you to find him and if you must kill him as well.” Twilight said. “Kill?” Gallop asked. “If it comes to it Gallop, but knowing you, I don't think that'll happen,” Twilight said. “Can I just help him?” Gallop wondered. “You can try. But it will be hard.” Twilight answered. “Well, I will give it my all and acting in the moment to do the right thing,” Gallop said. “First Gallop you have to pick three guides to help you on your quest,” Twilight said. “Can't I have 4?” Gallop asked. Twilight thought it through and then said: “That is not a bad idea!” “Okay. I'll pick Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Apple Bloom.” Gallop said. “Wait one minute Sugarcube, Apple Bloom is my young sister.” Applejack said. Gallop looked at Applejack and then said: “Applejack, I pick you and Apple Bloom to be my guide and I think you'll do a fine job at it. But Equestria needs me and it needs you too. Apple Bloom is grown up now and please let her help me on the quest?” She begged. “If you want Apple Bloom to step aside, that'll be fine by me and I'll just be one pony down.” Applejack pondered on Gallop's tactic and begging. Gallop was about to do the 'puppy dog' look but then Applejack quickly said: “All right fine. Me and Apple Bloom will help you and you'll need us too when you travel by hoof.” “You have my loyalty” Rainbow Dash said. “You have my laughter,” Pinkie Pie said. “And you have my honesty,” Applejack said. They all hoof bumped afterward. “Right then. That means you ponies will be The 'Fellowship of Equestria' ” Twilight announced. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie and Applejack smiled. “I don't have a ring and if I had a ring I will kill it with fire at mount doommmm.” Pinkie Pie said jumping up and down. Gallop just laughed. “I'd better get Apple Bloom then,” Applejack said. She then ran off to get her little sister. “Right Gallop, take this!” Twilight hoofed Gallop a walkie-talkie. “I have cast a spell on it, so it will work anywhere in Equestria.” She said. “Ohhh a walkie-talkie? I like walkie-talkies! They sell them at Argos and Amazon... I WANT ONE TOO!!” Pinkie said looking at Twilight. “Oh, I knew this would happen. Here you are Pinkie.” Twilight hoofed another walkie-talkie to Pinkie Pie. Remember Pinkie, only use it when you really need to.” “10-4 Twilight.” Pinkie Pie said in the walkie-talkie... Oops sorry as Twilight 's walkie-talkie made a squelch because the walkie talkie sound range was too close. Now the quest has begun. Only time will tell when will it be over? “Oh not just yet you lovely beautiful readers.” Pinkie Pie said in a flirty way.