//------------------------------// // Ch. 6 Hunting Reaper // Story: Reaper // by CherryTune //------------------------------// Chapter 6 *Hunting Reaper* A couple of days go by and Sunny, Nightfall, Moonlet, and Cherry Tune arrive in Canterlot around noon. The four report to Celestia and immediately prepare Celestia's and Luna's armaments. Luna had woken up and met Cherry and Moonlet by the fountain. “Oh Moonlet I’m so sorry.” Luna says while gently placing her hoof on Moonlets scarred face. “It’s not your fault princess Luna. It’s how we low ponies make a difference in Equestria!” Moonlet responds. “How many times do I have to say? You are not low ponies. Nopony is. We all play our parts” Luna says. They continue to catch up and Moonlet had made her famous cucumber sandwiches with the same smiley faces on them. Cherry brought her banjo and Sunny and Nightfall joined in the small get together while Celestia awaits Princess Twilight's arrival. Earlier in the morning Celestia sent a letter to Twilight stating she has an important task for her. When Twilight arrives in the throne room Celestia greets her and started to explain “Twilight, when the spirits broke free from their tomb your actions and that of the creatures of Equestria sealed them away, but it wasn’t just because the chest was removed from its resting place that weakened the seal. A spirit broke free from the box which caused a ripple of dark energy that triggered the seal at the burial grounds to falter.” Celestia walked over and continued, “The spirit that broke from the chest was a lesser spirit called Reaper. He aggravated the burial grounds barriers and woke up his sleeping siblings. That in turn made things much worse. Had they been dormant we would have had more time but when they woke they began attacking the seal from inside out.” “I asked you here because we located Reaper in beyond the badlands.” Celestia said. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t get away Celestia!” Twilight replied. “You mistake my intention Twilight.” Celestia said “Luna and I must go and try to capture him in the same manner as we did the others. You must stay here and rule Equestria while we are away.” Celestia continued. “What? I can’t rule Equestria, let me capture Reaper, if he’s a lesser spirit, I should have no problem trapping him.” Twilight said. “Twilight… You have gone through so much in the last few moons. You saved your friend Discord from himself, noticed his pain when so many of us didn’t.” Celestia replied. “But what I can see is that you are still hurting from the loss of your friends. Luna and I can take on Reaper, you must rule in our stead.” “Yes princess.” Twilight said while lowering her gaze to the floor. “Twilight.” Celestia responded while lifting Twilight's chin up. “I have no doubt you could find a way to defeat Reaper. But I can’t risk you again. I need you here, to take care of yourself.” She continued. Twilight looked up at Celestia and nodded. “Celestia. Can I see them?” Twilight asked. “Are you sure?” Celestia replied. “I think I am ready.” Twilight said. “Very well, I'll give you the magic to open the vault and I’ll walk with you.” Celestia responded. Twilight and Celestia arrive at the halls to the vault. Twilight breaths in and exhales. “I can take you to the vault but I must go to Luna and prepare for our travels.” Celestia says. They walk silently to the vault, the guards coming to attention as they pass, and before Twilight opens it Celestia nods with a sad smile and then heads to the armory. Celestia flies down into the courtyard where the fountain is and approaches Luna. “It’s time sister.” She says. The two princesses walk into the armory and Moonlet and Cherry Tune help them dawn their armor and robes. They secure the Princesses spears, wrapped in leather and cloth scabbards, on each of their backs. Celestia and Luna remove their crowns and hand it over to Cherry and Moonlet. “Sunny, thank you for taking on this mission. Your little sister will be thrilled your back.” Celestia said. Luna looks over at Cherry and Moonlet “Take care of Twilight. Show her the devotion you’ve shown me.” Celestia and Luna fly off as the sun sets and by sunrise stand at the edge of the badlands. Both carrying their satchels and armaments on their backs. “Are you ready sister?” Celestia asked. “Ready as I’ll ever be Tia.” Luna replied. “Then let’s find Reaper and seal him away so he won’t cause any more trouble in our realm.” Celestia said. They head to Klugetown and meet up with Capper and Celeano. They say that since the Equestrian guards left the hordes had doubled their attacks and creature-napping. They explain the origins of the castle and how Reaper now controls the brigands. Capper also fills them in on the loss of Bulldozer and Sunspot and show them the memorial made out of their spears. The two princesses thank Capper and Celeano for their support and information and head out to face Reaper. Before they go Celeano asks Celestia if she could find a friend of hers called Ra. She explains that Ra was a pirate just like her and when the Storm King came he refused to serve him. After that his ships were destroyed and Ra fled to the brigands. Celestia says she would keep an eye out and take care not to harm him if she can help it. Celestia and Luna arrive mid-day at a hill that over looked Sand Dune. They look into the village and see the hordes start to rustle. The bandits swarm out of the town and head straight for them. From sharks, cats, unicorns, pegasus, ponies, birds, griffons, and hippogriffs. The massive group advances. Celestia and Luna cast off their robes and Scabbards revealing their ancient royal armor and spears. Celestia's was a bright gold shaft with a yellow blade with sun patterns. Luna's was a dark blue shaft with silver accents, her blade was crescent shaped to mirror the crescent moon. Celestia and Luna stand their ground and wait for the closest attacker. He swings at Celestia and she butts him with the back of her spear. The cat got back up and charged again. Celestia and Luna both saw that the creatures were no longer themselves but dusty husks of their former selves. As they hadn’t encountered this kind of magic before they couldn’t undo the apparent curse. “Luna, there’s too many and it doesn’t appear we can help them.” Celestia says while fighting off more aggressors careful not to harm them. “I agree Tia.” Luna says. The both use a magic burst to clear the area then ready their spears, blade forward this time. “Let’s fly passed them and take out Reaper.” Celestia said “Hopefully that will save them.” Luna said. They take to the skies knocking the few flight capable hordes away. As they approach the castle Celestia and Luna are both struck with multiple fireballs that unexpectedly shot from an opening in the roof. They both plummet to the ground land in the middle of the crowded battle field. The impact cleared out some of the horde and they turn to dust. “Luna!” Celestia says while slowly standing. Her armor damaged by the blasts. “I’m fine Tia!” Luna replied, her armor also damaged. “Looks like we’re fighting our way through.” Luna continued slightly excited for the aspect of combat. “Looks like it.” Celestia agreed unaware of Luna's glee. The hordes swarm from every direction and they fight through back to back managing to keep their flanks clear. More and more brigands appear to pour out of the city and every time Luna or Celestia tries to fly off they get barraged by fireballs. They begin to tire and with each passing minute another strike from a bandit lands a hit. “Tia, we can’t keep this up.” Luna said “I know Luna, we must get out of here.” Celestia replied. “Quickly now, we’ll take turns clearing an escape. “Luna said. “Right!” Celestia acknowledges. Luna faced towards the mountain range, lowered her head, and shot a beam of magic through the crowd. It cleared a hundred feet in the horde formation. Luna then ran to the end, with Celestia in tow, clearing the enemies that fell into the rift. Celestia covered their back on the way, and before they reach the end Celestia takes to the front and clears another hundred feet towards their escape while Luna provides security. They continue their escape taking turns defending and clearing finally reaching the edge of the horde. As they run to the mountains they deflect rocks being thrown by brigands and fight of the few remaining flyers attacking from above. The chase went on for a mile or two before only a few bandits were behind them. End Chapter