//------------------------------// // Legend // Story: The legend of Lee Roy // by EternalPony //------------------------------// "A long time ago there once lived a legend; a mighty stallion with a strength to rival all. His name was Lee Roy," Spike read, sitting in the dim room with only a candle to read from. He was infatuated with the pages of this dusty old book. Twilight walks in and sees an opportunity. With a small giggle, she sneaks into the room. Spike continued to read aloud, "Lee Roy, The Sky Watcher, The Earth Shaker, the-" "BOO!" Twilight yelled suddenly, seemingly popping out of nowhere. Spike yelped, rocketing up on the nearby bookshelf shaking he looked down, his face in a scowl. "Oh, Twilight, what are you doing in here!?" he asked, his voice still raw with surprise. Twilight looked up at Spike, half surprised how he managed to leap so high. She lifted Spike down with her magic, trying hard not to snicker too loudly. She can't wake up Starlight, she did get Spike good this time. "I sent you to get these books hours ago," Twilight said, nodding to a large pile of books stacked nearby. "So, I came to see what you were doing." Spike shifted embarrassingly. "Ah, I was, but then I found this!" Spike excitedly pointed to the book he’d been reading, which had ended up on the floor. Running over, he gave the book to Twilight, and with her magic, she began inspecting it. "Hmm. Legend of Arion," she muttered, scrunching her face in confusion. "When did I get this book? I’ve never seen this one here before." "Celestia got it for you! Well, one of many," replied Spike, staring at the very large pile of books. They had spent all of yesterday sorting through them, and there wasn't even a visible dent in the stack. "That's weird." said Twilight, skimming through the book in the candlelight. "Why's that Twilight?" asked Spike, looking over her shoulder. "Well, they’re legends, Spike. You know - stories that are often a fabrication of what really happened, sort of like myths," she explained, setting the still-open book down on the table. "Stories of them are told over and over, so this pony, ‘Lee Roy’ may have done something like these pages suggest, but those stories can get exaggerated or are outright impossible." Twilight skimmed through the book again until she found something that clearly proved her point. "Aha! It says that Arion was immune to magic, that's just impossible!" Spike nodded. "I see what you’re getting at, Twilight," he agreed, yawning loudly. Twilight smiled. "Come on, Spike, let’s head to bed. We have a big day of fun tomorrow." It was a bright shimmering day. It was still very early, but the birds were chirping. The bright sun rising began to kiss the morning dew. This would be a lovely morning If it wasn't for all the sudden shaking of the ground that is. The shaking started suddenly and grew over time. “It's making this whole celebration a total hassle. I mean, it's the two-thousandth anniversary of Celestia’s and Luna's reins and I want everything to be perfect. We can't even put up decorations! Calming down the other ponies is becoming a chore, maybe it’s because I'm just as worried as they are. I don't want this getting out of hoof,” bemoaned Twilight, who was too deep in thought to notice Spike talking to her. Spike was forced to pull her mane slightly to get her attention. "Twilight?" he asked. Twilight, finally noticing Spike, she gave him a look of concern. "I'm sorry, Spike, I'm worried because these are the first quakes Equestria has seen in years." Spike, with a large grin, waves away Twilight's words. "Nah, Twilight, we’re fine - it's probably an ursa major rolling in bed or a dragon or something. Look - we are even done putting up the decorations for the Town Hall. See?  Everything is fi-." A sudden roar broke the bustling of the working ponies as a wave of violent vibrations hit without warning, Twilight jumped forward grabbing Spike before both of them were completely floored. She carefully stood - trying hard not to lose her footing, to see the horror around her. It was as if she was seeing everything in slow motion, homes juddered tearing themselves apart, the trees around her seem to gyrate around her, but the thing she will never forget where the screams that pierced even the roar of the ground - the screams of panicking ponies. "Twilight!" Spike screamed at her. Twilight snapped back to reality, Spike desperately pointed to her left, Twilight followed his claw to a group of young ponies taking cover under one of the many platforms they used to set up decorations. The brittle platform juddered and groaned before suddenly snapping in two. Quick on her hooves, she quickly concentrated - horn glowing brightly firing a bolt of magic which froze the platform in mid-air. "Run!" Spike screamed to the others, "Get to cover!" The ponies under the platform wasted no time in running away. Twilight let the platform drop, breaking under its own weight and crumbling to a million pieces. Without a moment to think suddenly just within earshot - the terrible sound of cascading debris. She turned around as an entire wall of a tall home collapsed, ready to cascade upon a small group of fillies. No magic could possibly reach them in time. Twilight yelled, desperately galloping as fast as she could even though she knew she could not make it in time. Then suddenly she saw a sudden dash of color. "Rainbow!" Twilight yelled in awe. Rainbow Dash decked out in full Wonderbolt uniform gave a salute to Twilight and pointed the other fillies to safety. "Applejack is coming shortly!" Rainbow Dash hollered, and with that, she was dashing off to help as many others as she could. With no time to spare, Applejack arrived with a large wagon filled with a bunch of brave relatives. Just like Rainbow Dash said, a wagon filled with - what could only be Apple family relatives, dashed into town; Applejack riding it like a wild bull turning it swiftly to the right making the wagon skid ever so slightly before stopping. Jumping out, she faced them, "Alright, everypony, we need everypony safe and out of danger!" followed by a loud cheer of agreement, and they all fanned out to find and help as many other ponies as they could. Applejack shot Twilight a quick look of concern. Twilight dispelled any worry with a swift nod of encouragement Applejack simply returned the nod and then rushed off into a direction. In the meantime, Twilight began to do her own searching with Spike close behind her. She met pony after pony ushering them to relative safety. But it wasn't long before a sudden crack broke through the air and a home started to topple. Quick on her hooves, she rushed into range and began concentrating. Her magic spilled forth and became a blanketing barrier which pushed against toppling structure. She winced while her face contorting from the sheer force. "Spike!" Twilight called. Spike knew exactly what to do, running over to direct the ponies inside out of danger. “Hurry!” Twilight called the force from the structure becoming too much for her. Spike ushering the last of the ponies inside, peered inside one last time before running away from the building, “Okay, Twilight that’s all of them!” Spike hollered. With all the strength she had Twilight pushed the structure making it cascade into a large crumbled pile. Then just as suddenly as it started, the quake stopped. Everything became eerily quiet, as everypony slowly came out of hiding. The only sound that broke that silence was the Wonderbolts zipping by. Twilight peered around. She looked at the ponies, the still standing homes, the… crumbled piles. The destruction, of her little town, made her want to cry. "Twilight!", called Pinkie Pie breaking her out of thought. Twilight looked off to her side to see a frantically galloping Pinkie Pie, who was gasping for air. "Twilight,” she gasped, “we need you! It's horrible! They're trapped!" Pinkie Pie was clearly in a panic, but Twilight wasn’t wasting any time. "Take me to them," she insisted, as they started running off to the outskirts of Ponyville. It was bad - very bad. The entire home they arrived at was a crumpled pile, only being held up by Starlight's bright cyan magic, flickering oddly time to time and a single, huge support beam. Just within eyeshot, in what looked like the living room, three foals were sitting and by Celestia they were scared. The quake may have stopped, but by the groaning emanating from the large beam, it may not hold out for much longer. The home was surrounded by ponies, all desperately trying to help. Rainbow Dash, in the thick of it, was lifting everything she could. Applejack was doing the same, while Rarity and Fluttershy were doing their best at calming down the mother. Starlight was trying to hold the entire structure aloft, she looked absolutely exhausted - she looked like she may have been doing this for some time. The mother was frantic, and upon seeing Twilight and Pinkie Pie she rushed over. "Please help my babies! They have been in there such a long time! Please Princess Twilight, save them!" The Mother then fell to her knees, hot tears streaming down her face. Twilight gently lifted up her chin and with her calmest voice said "I'll get them out of there unharmed, I promise." she said staring intently into her eyes further legitimising her promise. The mother seemed to calm down and she began wiping her tears away. "I need you to stay with Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Spike. We will get them out," Twilight declared. Spike then took the hoof of the mother and moved her away. "Rarity, I need your help to lift this beam," Twilight continued. Rarity was trying hard to keep her mane in some semblance of dignity but quit on the task at hoof to give a confident nod. "Will do Twilight, ready when you are," she responded. Starlight on the other hoof wasn't so confident. "Twilight! glad to see you here the-", she paused for a second to catch her breath, "- I was here for so long, I don't know if I can do this any longer." Twilight, gave a quick look of concern but shook her head clearing her thoughts. The sooner those foals are out of danger the sooner Starlight can rest, she instantly turns on her hooves. "Rainbow Dash! Applejack! We are going to move this beam! I'll need your help!" she commanded. They gave her nod, and rushed over to the beam, having to clear debris away by desperately throwing and shoving away the large disjointed parts of the building. Twilight and Rarity lend a magic hoof frantically moving the rather large boards that joint out everywhere. Suddenly Starlight's magic begins to wain. A long moan shot forth from the beam sending chills down Twilight's spine. "Hurry! I c-cant, hold it much longer!" Starlight pleaded. No, we are running out of time, they did not remove as much as she would have wanted but, this has to happen now. “We can't wait any longer, this has to happen now,” Twilight commanded, "Everypony get ready to lift the beam!" Rainbow and Applejack launched themselves to the gigantic beam, they gave each other a nod and then looked to Twilight awaiting their signal. "NOW!" Twilight yelled.  Horrible moans erupted from the beam as the ponies struggled to lift it. They were trying with all their might, but it was just... not enough. “Come on!” Rainbow’s face contorting as she struggled. Suddenly in a blink of an eye, two Wonderbolts in a dramatic style landed almost instantly. Rainbow’s face brightens, “Spitfire!, Soarin!” she called. “We got you, Rainbow.” Soarin beamed. “Need some help?” Exclaimed Spitfire. Spitfire and Soarin both took a side next to Rainbow Dash each ready to do their part. Horrid moans escaped again, but the beam started to move ever so slowly as dust and sand seeped from every pore. “Harder guys! Pull harder!”  Applejack exclaimed. “I'm comin’ Applejack!” Declared somepony barreling past Twilight. Applejack face brightened, “Big Mac! Aren't I glad to see you!” she beamed. “Eeyup,” Big Mac exclaimed taking a place next to her. “We are here too, Twilight!,” Somepony shouted. Two unicorn guards flank Twilight’s every side, eyes fixed on the beam horn’s glowing wild with magic. The beam erupted in terrible moans as it was significantly lifted higher and higher. Debris started to fall just about everywhere as they were displaced. "Just a little more," blurted Rainbow Dash. The beam moaning its disapproval as it was lifted even higher before finally there was just enough room for three teary eyed foals to escape. Galloping past the legs of the others, they ran towards the embrace of their loving mother. Suddenly, Starlight's magic broke and the entire building came tumbling down. Dust and debris went everywhere, not only creating a large crash but also a huge dust cloud. "Applejack! Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out stepping forward gripping the tuft of fur on her chest in anticipation. To her relief both came out of the dust, coughing along with the others, all unharmed. "Yeah!" cheered Rainbow Dash while making sure to high hoof the other parties. "YEEHAA" Applejack hollered, throwing her hat into the air in celebration. "Glad that's over," Rarity said. letting out a long sigh of relief and sitting down. Twilight was taking a moment to calm down. All she wanted to do was think and catch her breath. "Princess Twilight!" one of the foals was yelling, grabbing the attention of everypony there. "That lady!" the foal continued. Twilight whipped around, eyes wide with worry, to see Starlight was completely unconscious. Thankfully whatever the palace is made of, it may shake but it's impervious to quakes. Twilight was sitting with the others in the throne room, staring at the map waiting - just waiting. It's hard having this many guests in one place, This was the only place other than Cloudsdale that she could think of that is safe. The palace is big, but housing every pony in ponyville? Let's just say it's a little cramped. Including Twilight, there were five of them present. “We are just waiting on Rainbow Dash to report back, and for a report on whatever Pinkie is doing," Twilight said.  “While we are waiting, did you guys get everything done?" Applejack rose walking to Twilight and placed a hoof on her shoulder "It’s okay, Twilight, I made sure that all the ponies are safe, everypony is accounted for." Fluttershy quietly flew over, giving Twilight a reassuring smile. "I made sure to bring all the animals too, they’re safe." Rarity wandered over, giving Applejack a pat to move aside. "I made sure that everypony here is comfortable. I even had Spike write a letter to Celestia, so there is no need to worry, darling." Right on cue, Spike - who was just sitting reading the book from last night, trying to pass the time - felt that familiar gurgling sensation before burping up a letter, luckily saving the book he was reading in the process. The book fell onto the floor. With a sigh of relief, he picks up the letter. Twilight galloped over to investigate. "What does it say, Spike? Are the Princesses coming?" she asked, anxiously shifting on her hooves as she waited on Spike’s response. "Hmm. Celestia and Luna are on their way! But Griffonstone is very far, so it will take them a little while before they get here. She also apologizes for not being able to be here sooner." Twilight was relieved, sitting down once again. Just then the throne doors opened, grabbing everypony's attention and revealing a familiar pink flank. Rarity was the first to speak up "Pinkie, what are you doing?" Pinkie was continuing to walk backward, her head shifting from side to side as if she was afraid of being followed, before finally turning around. "Pinkie what's that silver thing on your head?" Applejack asked, with an eyebrow raised. "It's tinfoil, Applejack, but never mind that. I finally know what's going on!" Spike began to chew on this claws nervously. "W-What is it? Is it your Pinkie sense?" "No, Spike, I didn't sense anything - that's half of the problem. But it. Is. Far. Worse." Twilight was giving Pinkie a curious look. "What is it, Pinkie?" "I know why I didn't sense anything, why Celestia and Luna chose today to go to Griffonstone on their own day of celebration, why I didn't help much with the collapsed house and why Fluttershy has barely even been mentioned so far!" Pinkie said, before running over and standing on her chair. "I EVEN know why Starlight fainted!" she proclaimed. Everypony was too confused to say anything. Pinkie Pie, looking around some more and then over her shoulder, to tell those present what her theory was. "It’s because we are in a poorly written fanfiction! It all makes sense! Everything that has happened is convenient for the plot." Twilight facehoofed, but could not help smile at Pinkie’s ridiculousness. "Pinkie, your sense wasn't explainable in the first place and come to think of it I haven't seen it much at all. Celestia chose today to go to Griffonstone because she was inviting them over for the celebration and Luna loves to travel. You helped a lot in that calamity - no one was ready for a quake that big and that fast, and you know how Fluttershy is.” Fluttershy nods, "I might not be able to lift beams, but I do know how to calm down just about anypony and corralling animals," Fluttershy smiles proudly. Pinkie looked bewildered for a second. "Huh, I guess you're right," she said, throwing the tinfoil hat to one side. Twilight's mind began to wander. "Does anypony know how Starlight's doing?" Rarity and Pinkie give each other sad looks. Rarity clears her throat, "We don't know Twilight. She used her magic for hours and the doctors say that she may just need rest. They want to be certain." she says looking down. This was not something Twilight wanted to hear. She was proud, but her heart broke knowing Starlight may be hurt. She could not help but tear up, but before the tears could fall, she felt a warm embrace. Spike was looking up at Twilight and her heart couldn't help but melt. The others used this as a window of opportunity to do the same. Now surrounded by her friends, she could not help but feel better. "Thanks, guys I needed that," Twilight announced. Spike, giving a nod for a job well done, went back to reading his book. It was not long before a very tired Rainbow Dash flew through the nearby window. "Rainbow!" everypony seemed to cheer in unison. Rainbow Dash flopped on her back on a nearby chair and let out a large, loud sigh. She stretched as she groaned, "Hey, everypony." Twilight give Rainbow Dash her full attention. "Rainbow Dash, what did you learn? Rainbow sat back up and pointed to the map. "Canterlot, Appleloosa, even Dodge City have all been getting hit by quakes," she reported. Rarity gasped. "Canterlot! Oh, my!" Rainbow Dash put on a reassuring face. "Don't worry, they’re being protected by the Guard, even the Wonderbolts," she said reassuringly. Applejack chimes in. "What about Appleloosa?" "Dodge City and Appleloosa have been evacuated to Cloudsdale, but that's the weird part,” Rainbow Dash reported.  “No other places have been hit! Not Manehatten, or the Crystal Empire  - just these places." "Whoa, how is that even possible?" Pinkie asked. "I don't know, Pinkie, but I think I have our answer." "Why's that, Twilight?" Pinkie queried once more. "Well Pinkie." she paused to think of an explanation, before continuing. "Quakes are like dropping a coin into a fountain. They create waves that move out from a point like where the coin hits the water." Rarity interrupted. "So, if the quakes are hitting these places, then that means..." Rainbow Dash gasps "There! The Ruins! It has to be coming from around there!" "That's right! All we need to do is go there and I can use my magic to repair the earth around there. Then this whole thing will come to an end!" exclaimed Twilight. A now reinvigorated Rainbow excitedly flips, "Sounds like a pla-." Just then, another quake hit, shaking the castle. In the distance, pony screams and yells could be heard throughout the castle, as the quake continued for several seconds before stopping. "And not a second too soon." "Twilight, what are we doing again?" moaned Spike. Twilight rolls her eyes, "Spike, weren't you listening?" She looked back at him and she could feel him squirm embarrassingly. After a deep sigh, she explains their plan once again. "Rainbow and Fluttershy have flown on ahead to look for a fault or some kind of fissure," she said. Spike looked confused. "Huh?" he managed. Applejack turned to look at Spike. "It’s like a crack, Spike," she reiterated. Pinkie started snickering "Crack!" Pinkie and Spike were both now laughing hysterically. As Spike calmed down and wipes away a tear, Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled. "If Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash find the - crack," Twilight continued, as Pinkie and Spike were trying hard not to laugh," I can repair it right then and there. That's why we are going near the ruins, Spike." The Everfree forest seemed untouched from the quakes that have been happening. There only appeared to be a few sticks here and there that had fallen off the trees. Twilight couldn't help but feel anxious again, she hoped the castle was alright. She felt a pat on her shoulder and looked to find Applejack. "Don't worry Twilight, everything will be fine. We can fix the castle right up,"Applejack reinsured, giving a reassuring smile. Just then Spike gasped loudly, "They’re back!" Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew down. "Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy!" Twilight called, running over to greet them and hoping for good news. "Did you find anything?" Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy looked at each other with a sad expression. Seeing the exchange took some of the wind out of Twilight's sails. Rainbow nudges Fluttershy. "Oh, um, I'm sorry, Twilight, we didn't see anything," she said sadly. Rainbow Dash, jumping in, continued. "We looked at every place we could think of but we didn't find one crack," she grumbled, kicking a stone tossing it a few inches. Twilight looks to the ground. "It has to be here, I am sure of it. Let's keep searching." Concentrating, Twilight made her horn glow with sudden magic, and a beam of light shone forth onto the ground, revealing the earth beneath. Spike, his eyes wide with surprise, was looking at Twilight with a sort of awe. "I haven't seen you use that before!" he exclaimed. Twilight, smiled proudly, "Come on girls, let's find that crack!" as she charged forward with renewed vigor, her friends close behind. They searched for what seemed like forever, so they decided to take a quick break at a small clearing near the castle of the two sisters. Twilight took a small bite of the lunch she’d brought with her as Spike snored quietly next to her. Poor Spike, he was so jittery when the quakes came - not to mention the aftershocks. She was just glad he was trying to relax, like reading that book. Twilight retreated to her thoughts with a sigh. Maybe they somehow had the wrong area? Did she and her friends make a mistake? I know what to look for, I read up on the subject prior to our coming out here. Why aren't I seeing any of the signs? It has to be here! It has to be near the ruins. She stares off to the castle in the distance and wondered at how much of their hard work was lost due to these quakes. Her thinking was interrupted by a large boom. Spike jumped awake. What is tha-" he began, just as another quake hit, rocking the earth beneath them and making the trees gyrate violently. Then just as it started, it was gone almost instantly. "Everypony OK?" yelled Twilight, whipping around. Applejack was the first to get up. "We’re okay, Twilight. More importantly, what was that?" she asked. "It came from the castle!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash. Rarity, dusts herself off "Oh my, what is happening up there?" Twilight was looking to the castle once again. "I don't know, but we need to check it out, let's go." sounding more worried than she wanted. Twilight quickly used her magic to put Spike on her back, galloping off with the rest of the party following close behind. The Castle did not look as bad as Twilight feared. Inside it was another story entirely. All of their hard work was ruined. Twilight was devastated, looking at all the debris and fallen decorations.  She wandered over to a pillar that had fallen, now just a crumbled mess. Before she could say anything, she could feel that ever familiar hoof on her shoulder. Applejack - she knew she was there for her. Everypony was there for her. She looked around only to see the others doing exactly what she was doing - wandering around and looking so sad. “What was I thinking? We all helped clean up the castle, we all have a history here, and this was the place we all became friends after all,” stated Twilight. "Twilight?" The small voice of Spike met her ears his small claws gently tugging at her mane. How long has he been this quiet?  She had quite forgotten he was even there. "Twilight, are you okay?" Spike asks. Twilight used her magic to put the dragon down onto the floor. "Yes, Spike. I am now," she replied, giving him a big hug before turning to the others. "Come on girls! let's find us a crack!" "Hey! I found something!" suddenly exclaimed Pinkie.  Everypony turned to see Pinkie waving at the end of the room, just to the right of the thrones.  Everypony curiously trotted or flew over to where Pinkie was standing. Pinkie pointed down, revealing a dark staircase. Rarity gasped. "Oh my, where on earth did this come from?" "I don't know." Pinkie shrugged “Pretty convenient huh,” Twilight peered into the dark staircase. "The quakes must have opened this up." Applejack stepped forward "Does anypony know where this leads?" The others stared at each, confirming that not one of them knew. Rainbow Dash, trotting forward and walking down a few steps, looked back. "Well, let's find out! It has to lead somewhere. If it’s nothing then we can always just come back." Twilight nodded and concentrating once more, a small light erupting from her horn as she slowly walked down the dark passage. Fluttershy whimpered and hesitated for a moment as the others followed Twilight, before stepping forward and catching up with them. The passage was dark and debris littered the floor. Vines were everywhere, they were on the ceiling, the walls - nobody could walk two paces without walking into some. The passage went down further and then went straight. It was not long before you could see a light at the end of the passage and the light emitting from Twilight’s horn was no longer needed. Twilight and the others kept walking until they come to another staircase that leads up to an opened doorway, itself also covered in these vines. As they entered the doorway, they all gasp in unison. They had found a large courtyard, completely overgrown, the bushes filled with brilliant flowers and fallen pillars. Large trees were smothered with these green vines that seemed to cover everything. In the center of the courtyard was a large statue of a pony in armor, braying magnificently. "Dead end, sorry everypony," sighed Rainbow Dash. "It's okay, Rainbow Dash, this place is wonderful," responded Twilight trotting forward taking in their new surroundings. Spike, peered around jumped with glee "this place is awesome!" he exclaimed. Applejack nudges Twilight's shoulder "It looks like somepony likes this place," she said with a smile, pointing over to Fluttershy and Pinkie smelling the nearby flowers. “Wait - where's Rarity? Better yet, where's Spike?:  thought Twilight. It did not take long for her to peer toward the statue, noticing Rarity eyeing it with a frown and Spike eyeing Rarity more than anything else. Twilight nonchalantly trotted over. Upon seeing Twilight approaching, Rarity ushered her closer. "Twilight, do look at this statue. I never saw anything like it." Twilight looked closely at the statue.  It looked so real - whoever had made this was an amazingly gifted sculptor. No detail was overlooked, from the bolts and hinges of the helm to the straps on the breastplate, even the shine of the metal. Unfortunately, the statue was in a state of disrepair, with deep cracks running head to hoof. "It looks amazing, Rarity," Twilight admitted, stepping still closer for a better look. Rarity nodded. "Too bad it is in such disrepair, I would have taken it home." Twilight trotted away from the statue and became enamored with some gorgeous flora. She suddenly had an odd feeling that she had forgotten something. The anomaly! She quickly concentrated and that familiar light shimmered on the ground once more. She was scanning the ground and almost immediately found something. "Ah Ha! I found it, the thing that we’re looking for!" The others cheered and come to look at what Twilight had found. "Yeah! It wasn't a dead end after all!" said Rainbow Dash, flipping happily. Twilight frowned "That's weird." she murmured. Spike, looks up at Twilight "What’s wrong?" he asks. Twilight, taking a deep breath "well Spi-", she states just at that moment another loud boom shot through the air.  The earth shook beneath them as the sound of loud cracking replaces the loud boom. All eyes shot to the statue as the cracks deepened and the stone splintered. "Everypony! Get to me NOW!" yelled Twilight with all her might, as they all galloped to her. She forces a magic bubble, surrounding them just in time. The sounds of shattering stone and a huge roar erupted out of nowhere, covering the area with thick dust. They all stared at the place where the statue had once stood, from within Twilight's bubble, as the dust in the air started to clear. Where the statue had once stood was a large, living, breathing stallion, covered head to toe in heavy armor. The magic bubble dissipated, leaving the ponies in silence. The heavily armored stallion seemed to be unaware they were even there. He just began stretching and looking around slightly. Who was this stallion? Why had he been a statue? Why was he here? So many questions raced through Twilight's head. She just needed to stop freaking out and calm down. Rainbow Dash had other ideas.  "H-hey!" she yelled to the stranger. The stallion immediately stopped what he was doing and turned around, shooting his gaze at them. The others glared at Rainbow Dash. "He clearly started this! He's totally a bad guy," she harshly whispers. "Let me handle this, Rainbow Dash,” said Twilight, straightening up and clearing her throat. The stallion just continued glaring at them, unmoving, Twilight started to move forward, attempting to introduce herself. "Hello my-" "Duratus!" the armored stallion commanded, his voice booming and echoing throughout the courtyard, “Quis es!?” he commanded again, kneeling low as if he was about to sprint or even fight. "That's it!" yelled Rainbow Dash without warning, Applejack jolted to life stepping forward to try and grab her before she could do anything drastic, but Rainbow Dash bolted past her grasp and the others. Flying straight at the armored behemoth, he suddenly leaped up almost impossibly high, catching a surprised Rainbow midair. Twisting her around, he launched her in the opposite direction. The pony landed with a loud bang before reaching back and whipping forward a bola, ensnaring Rainbow Dash as she landed in front the others. "Rainbow!" yelled Twilight, turning to see if she was ok. "Twilight!" Spike screamed. Twilight heard the loud clang of armor before whipping around to see the armored pony closing in on her.  She forced up a barrier as he approached forward, the stallion's pace never altered. “Vos non potestis prohibere ad me!” The stallion roared as he approached the barrier. Suddenly the barrier, - Twilight couldn't explain what she was seeing - the stallion never stopped, the barrier started to fold in on itself. Expanding like rubber AROUND the stallion as he moved forward before tearing completely. The Stallion charged forward -leaving the spell to disperse- closing the distance quickly as the stallion's mighty hoof shoots forward hitting the intended target. Suddenly Twilight felt a sharp pain explode from her horn. The sudden jolt made her crumble and squirm away. She looks up at her attacker only to see a sudden bolt of magic smack into the helm of the stallion with a loud ping. His helmet rocketing away, leaving the mystery stallion revealed. Grunting, stumbling back covering his face. A hoof touched Twilight's shoulder making her jump. Rarity, accompanied by a very worried Spike, pleaded "Come on, get up, Twilight!" Rarity was frantic but helped Twilight up and away from her attacker, her hoof instinctively went to her horn. She couldn't help a sigh of relief to find it was still intact, even if it still stung. Rarity gave Twilight a wary, frantic look. "Are you alright, darling!?" Twilight took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "I am fine, Rarity," she said with a voice that sounded shakier than she would have wished. Her horn was hurting, but she didn't care at that moment. She needed to know how her friends were doing. Gently pushing Rarity and Spike away, she peered over to see Fluttershy frantically trying to untie the bola, whilst Rainbow Dash was squirming to get out. She then saw something that sent chills down to her very soul. The stallion - he had fur and mane of brown but beyond that, his features could not be seen clearly in any real detail. He towered above all of them, so much so that his shadow seemed to consume them. But those eyes - those eyes were black as coals that pierced right through the ponies in front of him. His head unmoving, his eyes unblinking. Twilight could feel her legs give way, his face showed no emotion making him all the more terrifying. "Spike, protect Twilight!" Yelled Rarity quickly galloping forward. Spike nodded, as Rarity joined the rest of her friends as they lined up to face this foe. The stallion was silent, his terrifying gaze never leaving Twilight. Then he started to walk slowly, each armored step clanging loudly. Rarity, tired of waiting, her horn glowed brightly as she sent a bolt of magic at the attacker. The stallion didn't move, nor did he alter his pace. His hoof shot up, blocking the bolt of magic, as he continued to walk forward. Rarity shot another, then another. The stallion blocked both with ease. Rarity's cheeks inflamed, her eyes narrow, her horn glowed brightly as she reared back letting loose a huge bolt of magic. The stallion did not react. The bolt of magic hit him, the impact making a large dust cloud to form around him. Applejack gives Rarity a look of surprise. “Whoa!” Rarity shrugged. “Ugh, guys?” Pinkie said nervously, putting a hoof on Applejack's shoulder and pointing up. The armored stallion roars as he landed smashing the ground in front of them, violently shaking the ground beneath them.  Applejack recovered quickly and charged forward, turning to buck her attacker. The armored stallion met her strike head-on, hitting him square in the jaw. Without so much as a pause, he grabbed her leg and launched her behind him, but not before taking the rope that was tied around Applejack's waist. Quickly laying down as Pinkie Pie went sailing above him to land on Applejack. He stood back up to block two more bolts of magic from Rarity. The armored stallion, now with the rope in his jaws, whipped the lasso forward, ensnaring a surprised Rarity before yanking it back in an ark. Finding herself in the air, Rarity shrieks loudly. As she went soaring through the air, the rope intertwining itself around a tree branch. The armored stallion then took the end of the rope and smashed it into the ground, keeping Rarity aloft. “Yeah!” Rainbow Dash cried as she finally struggled free. The armored stallion didn’t miss a beat, however, whipping forth another bola and ensnaring her once again. “Oh, come on!” she complained struggling once again. Fluttershy frantically moved in to help Rainbow Dash untie herself. The loud clanging of the armored stallion coming ever closer, until he finally altered his gaze to Fluttershy, instantly freezing in fear. Tears welled up in her eyes as she cowered away from the terrifying figure. Pausing only for a second, he passed by them. When his soul-piercing gaze left Twilight for the first time, she could finally think. She needed a spell to help her friends and she knew just the one. She concentrated, her horn glowing, and then nothing - just sparks. What? She tried again, and once more her horn produced nothing but sparks. What’s going on!? The clanging from the stallion coming ever nearer. Come on! Nothing but sparks. She needed to run, she needed to get away. “Spike? Let’s g-!”  Turning around,  a large tree lands in front of the only exit. She looks back and meets the armored stallion's gaze, shocking her once again, he was closer than ever. She could fly! She needed to get help. Twilight, grabbing Spike and taking off, the armored stallion leaped once more into the air as she smashed into him. They crashed back to the ground, Twilight squirming backward until she hit the tree. Spike valiantly charged forward only to be swatted aside, rocketing to a nearby bush. Suddenly, Applejack roared, tackling the armored stallion followed closely behind by Pinkie. The armored stallion roared to life, bucking wildly and smashing the ground. Applejack hung on for dear life, before being thrown off and crashing into a leafy canopy of a nearby tree. Pinkie didn't last much longer, as the armored beast simply grabbed her, tossing her away. He slowly walked toward Twilight, as she squirmed, trying to get away. Her back pressing against the tree, he smashed his hooves on the tree towering over her. “Tu sub aresto!” he snarled.  Twilight could not help the hot tears starting to fall down her cheeks. Suddenly his gaze changed, subtly. “Look at me” he commanded. His voice was rough but clear as day - Twilight did not know how to react. “What?” she questions, averting her gaze and trying to look for her friends. “Don't look at them, look at me!” he commanded once more. Twilight reluctantly obeyed. The armored stallion stared into her eyes for what seemed like forever, and just as suddenly as he spoke, he flopped back with a clang. He sat and looked at all of her friends behind him. As he turned back to face Twilight, it was if he was a completely different creature. “I've made a horrible mistake haven't I?” he stated, rhetorically.