//------------------------------// // D-Day // Story: Shadow Over Equestria // by Cmdr Brohoof //------------------------------// A day had passed since the black pyramid appeared in the skies of Equestria once more. The time for gathering allies was over after all the preparations they were ready. A representative from each of the group was present in the war room Spirit and the two princesses were in the center. The room had been cleared of everything but the magical map and single board to make room for the crowd had gathered. Spirit was wearing his tan clothing with a modified set of armor made from the scale Valam had given him. The chatter that filled the room went silent as Spirit began to speak. “We knew this day was coming. It has been in the back of our minds.” Spirit walked around the map looking back and forth at each group “I know not everyone in this room sees eye to eye on things but we cannot do this alone. We all need each other if we are to make it through this. I can’t promise you that everything will be all right. I can’t promise you that everyone in this room will return but I can promise one thing…We’ll give this thing the fight of its life and let it know that we will not lay down and let it just take us!” The room erupted with applause and cheers. “Please everyone to their positions until we give the signal.” The room emptied with the exception of the representatives and the element bearers. “Everyone knows what to do?” Spirit asked the room. Gilda stepped forward “We fly over the battle field assisting where needed.” “My kin will keep the shadow army grounded while you make your way into the pyramid.” Valam spoke “Also your special request Spirit” Spirit nodded as Twilight looked at him wondering what his special request was. “We’ll keep civilians safe in the tunnels we’ve dug under the city and stop anything that tries to enter” Francis spoke up “All right “Spirit looked at the group of ponies each wearing their element “While Shadows army is busy fighting we’ll sneak in then use the elements to destroy him” “Do it quickly” Luna said “I don’t know how long we can hold out against them” “Everybody get ready to move” Spirit said as each headed to their position. Princess Celestia called out to the Spirit as he and the ponies began to leave “A moment before you leave Sir Spirit?” Spirit looked back at the ponies “I’ll meet you at the tower.” The six ponies all walked side by side through the palace halls “I’m so nervous” Fluttershy mumbled “Don’t worry look at all this stuff Shadow won’t know what hit him.” Rainbow gestured out to the palace grounds where ponies, gryphons and smaller dragons were preparing. “Don’t forget about the shield!” Applejack added “It’s never been fully tested” Twilight admitted “I wonder what that special request of Spirit’s is?” Rarity thought back “Kind of an odd time to have a party besides I’m the one that plans all the parties?” Pinkie Pie remarked “I don’t think it’s a party Pinkie.” Rarity told the pink pony Twilight stopped and headed back toward the war room “I’m going to go back ask Spirit when he gets done talking with the princesses.” Twilight galloped back to the war room and stopped and put her ear against the closed door. She could barely hear talking inside. “Did you tell them” Twilight could hear Celestia’s voice “No” Spirit admitted “They wouldn’t let me follow through if I did.” “Are you sure it will work?” Luna asked “It seems like the only option if what I learned from Sir Lance is true.” “As much as I don’t like it I think your right. Will they do it?” Celestia spoke “They have to” Spirit said sadly Twilight was startled when Spirit opened the door and nearly knocked her over. “Twilight! How long have you been there?” Spirit asked “I uh just got here I wanted to walk with you.” She lied “Oh…ok let’s catch up with the others.” Twilights mind was racing. What was the special request? What was Spirit planning? What didn’t he tell them? “Twilight?” Spirit asked “Huh what?” the pony was brought out of her thoughts “I said how are you feeling?” “I’ve been better” she admitted “a little nervous” “Me too” The seven element carriers where standing on the tallest tower in the castle. The sky was filled with black clouds barely any light could shine through. The pyramid was now directly above Canterlot. Down below the combined forces of ponies, dragons, and gryphons all stood at the ready. Massive amounts of shadows began to pour from the pyramid. Shadows in the shape of various ponies gryphons and even dragons descended onto the shielded city. “Do it!” Spirit yelled Twilight shot an orb of purple light into the air signaling the army below. The shadow dragons breathed green fire onto the magical barrier creating holes allowing an entrance for the shadow army. As the group watched the chaos below them two shadow gryphons landed on the tower behind them them. “Um Spirit?” Fluttershy tapped on Spirits back “Huh?” Spirit turned to face to the two gryphons. He quickly pulled a small black object from a holster on his leg and aimed it at the gryphons after two pops the Shadows vanished. “Nice one!” Rainbow said looking where the shadow had been “What is that thing?” “Just a little trick from my world.” Spirit said “Now where is…” Before Spirit could finish his sentence three real gryphons landed “Sorry were late” one of the gryphons said “Hop on and lets go” Pinkie Pie and Applejack hopped onto the back of one gryphons while Rarity and Twilight got on the other. “Stay close to the gryphons” Spirit said to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy as he mounted the last gryphon. The shadow army paid the group no attention as they landed at the massive entrance to the black pyramid. “Stay in view and come get us as quickly as you can.” Spirit ordered the gryphon “Don’t worry about us…good luck!” the gryphon leader called back as they flew away. “This is it” Spirit said as the ponies formed up behind him. The inside of the pyramid was empty. A hallway led deeper into it no doors, no branches it just lead up toward the top of the pyramid straight to a wooden door one of which was familiar to Spirit. “I’d bet everything Shadow is in here” he said “Ready?” Spirit looked at the group of ponies they each gave him a nod. He threw open the door like he had watched Sir Lance do long ago. Finally Spirit met the orb in person it seemed larger than before. It floated toward them “I’ll admit you are much more of a pain than you predecessor” the orb said “You’re going down” Rainbow yelled back “Really what makes you think that?” Shadow said in an insulting tone “Cuz we got Spirit now” Appejack said standing next to Spirit A loud cracking noise filled the room as part of the ceiling fell. The dragons had attacked the pyramid reveling Shadows throne room to the sky. “My Spirit you sure put on a convincing show.” “I did what you asked; I brought them here now live up to your end.” Spirit said as he approached Shadow “What are you talking about?” Twilight asked “The look on your face is priceless” Shadow said with a hint of joy “Your “Spirit” as you call him has betrayed you.” The group gasped as Spirit walked to Shadow’s side “How could you!?” Applejack asked “after all that” “We trusted you!” Twilight yelled Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie began to cry “Why?” Rainbow looked at the Spirit “I’m sorry” Spirit looked at the ground as Shadow laughed maniacally. “Let’s get this over with I have a world to destroy.” “Yes” Spirit said sadly “Why are you doing this?” Twilight called out “Ignore them” Shadow told Spirit Shadow began to hum and Spirit began to yell in pain. The ponies looked on terrified at the events going on in front of them. Shadow disappeared as Spirit collapsed to the floor. “What happened?” Rarity said aloud Spirit jumped from the ground and stretched his arms “Ahhh” he said his voice had changed to Shadows “it’s been so long since I’ve had a physical form.” Spirit turned his sights on the ponies “as for you.” Shadow drew Spirits sword then dropped it as he grabbed his head. “what’s this fighting me?” Spirits voice changed back to normal as he yelled “Now…I’ve…got…you” Spirit said struggling to control his body. He reached into a pouch and pulled out an orange device similar to his weapon and aimed it at the hole in the ceiling. A ball of light flew from the orange object through the ceiling. Spirit dropped it as Shadow spoke again “What are you doing we had a deal!” Through the hole the ponies could see Valam drop the Blood Ruby into the room it landed hard next to Spirit. “Whats this?” Shadow asked “You’re trapped” Spirit said “NO...!” Shadow yelled as he tried to leave Spirits body “And with a physical form you can be defeated” Spirit turned to face the ponies The ponies all realized what that meant “No….” Twilight said “Use the elements on me it will destroy Shadow.” Spirit said as he clutched his side in pain as Shadow tried to take over again. “We can’t do that.” Applejack objected. “What about you?” “You have to hurry I don’t know how long the ruby can hold.” Spirit glanced at the Blood Ruby as it began to crack from holding back Shadows magic. “You had this planned all along didn’t you?” Twilight asked “Yeah” “All right” Twilight said “No you can be serious there has to be another way!” Applejack jumped in front of Spirit “Don’t worry Applejack…” Spirit said “Guys whatever were going to do make it quick!” Rainbow was watching the crack in the ruby grow. The ponies each walked up to Spirit to say their goodbye “Thank You” Fluttershy said through her tears “I was really looking forward to throwing you a party” Pinkie Pie managed to say “You never told me where you’re from” Rarity pretended to scold the human Rainbow Dash approached them human not looking him the eye “I’m glad I got to meet you” she said quickly walking away. “We’ll never forget you” Twilight said Applejack ran up and placed her front legs over the human he gave the pony an awkward hug. They formed a circle around the human “As soon as the ruby shatters do it” Spirit said barely able to stand. The seconds seemed like an eternity. The ruby began to creak and shattered into dust. “NOW!” Twilight yelled Each pony focused their element onto the Spirit his element glowed and shattered filling the room with light. They could hear the voice of Shadow fade away. When the light subsided in the middle of the room stood a statue of a human. “Is is it over?” Applejack asked “Yeah” Twilight said sadly They all approached the statue of their friend “Look!” Pinkie Pie said she pointed her hoof at the statues face “He looks happy” Sure enough the Spirit was smiling. “Come on sis” Apple Bloom called out as she ran through the palace garden. Spirits silver necklace was jingling around her neck. “Carful there’s still construction going on.” Applejack warned her sister Canterlot was still under repair months after the war against Shadow. New buildings had been built to replace those that were too damaged to save. “Over here” Apple Bloom disappeared behind some scaffolding into a domed structure. “Now Apple Bloom what did I tell you…about” Applejack trailed off as she saw the statue of Spirit in the middle of the room. Apple Bloom stood at the pedestal of the statue looking up at the human. “Hello Spirit” she said “I miss you. Why did he have to go?” Apple Bloom turned to her sister. “Aw come here sugar cube” Applejack held Apple Bloom “He did it to save us…all of us. If it wasn’t for him…” “I know I didn’t even get to say goodbye” Apple Bloom sniffled “Go on do it now” Applejack nudged her toward the statue. She looked up at the smiling human “I wanted to thank you for what you did…and everything…I hope to see you again someday.” “Come on little sis let’s get going those apples won’t sell themselves” Apple Bloom and Applejack trotted out of the memorial. Apple Bloom turned back to get another look at Spirit and she could have sworn that the Spirits smile was a little bit bigger.