//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: The Dark Menace // Story: Equestria Wars Episode XVIII: The Fall of the King // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// Charming Thunder gazed out of the window as preparations to rule Equestria was being made. Many forces were being trained, some of the citizens were being mind controlled. The figure appeared as Charming Thunder's shadow as he turned and looked at it. "What are your orders?" the echoing voice said as he looks upon his king. "The Jedi Temple located in Hippogriffia is posing a threat to the Crystal Empire," Charming Thunder said as he walked to his throne and sat on it and looked at his champion and servant. "I want you to go there and destroy it, wipe out the Jedi. Leave no survivors." "I have studied the area. The temple is having a bad case of Storm creatures attacking the temple." A red wormhole appears above the owner of the echoing voice and Charming Thunder could see Storm creatures wielding blasters attacking the Jedi there. Charming Thunder studied the Storm creatures in action. "You could use them to your advantage, have an army ready to raid and destroy the temple. But I don’t think they will listen to you." "Maybe not me, but I know of two who will lead them. I will demonstrate a power that the Phantom Ruby can provide." The echoing voice chuckled darkly. "It wouldn’t be believable if your evil half Father didn’t come back, despite your father being alive. Perhaps this will strike fear into the ranks of the Equestrian Empire and its allies." The red wormhole changed from the attack of the Storm creatures to a certain pony. "But I must ask; what will the fate of your son, Starshine, will be?" "He means nothing to me. Strike fear to him, but do not kill him." "Understood, your highness." The red wormhole disappeared and another appeared beside the owner of the echoing voice. "Your orders will be carried out." The owner of the echoing voice entered the wormhole and it closed behind him. --------------------- Starshine arrived in the cave tunnel and encountered the wounded Padawan he recognized from the holo and a lone figure. He had black fur, has a pair of alicorn styled wings. He wore a silver-colored mask with large ears with white and black circular patterns on the inside, with the right ear being black with white circular patterns and the left being white with black circular patterns. While his left eye is visible through a red visor, his right eye is covered by a black lightning bolt-shaped piece, similar to an eyepatch, that is connected to his mask's right ear. His left eye is purple. He has white mane on the back part of the mask and tail, the mane style was similar to Rainbow Dash’s. Around his neck looked like the Alicorn Amulet but the gem in front of it was not that but rather a slightly twisted tetrahedron magenta ruby. On the front/forehead of the mask is an orange round gem stone with a spiral pattern. "Stop struggling, Padawan," the figure said. "Your life was over the moment you set foot here." "Who are you?" the Padawan asked. "Why would you kill me?" "Because you are weak and a fool to face me." Starshine then stepped up to intervene. "Whoever you are, step away from that Padawan," Starshine ordered. The figure turned to face him and he got a little scared at his appearance and sensed his power. "Hmm. So you must be Starshine, the son of Princess Twilight. You are....dangerous. You killed my future soldiers." "Does this mean you command the Storm creatures?" the Padawan asked. Two Storm creatures came through the tunnel and stood behind the figure with their weapons drawn towards Starshine. "Not yet, but I will soon." "Lay down your weapons. I don't want to hurt you." The figure then laughed. "Just like a coward you are on the inside. Your so called Jedi Order will be dead. My master commands it." The figure then began to glow red and made duplicates of himself as Starshine drew his vibro sword and shook in fear. One of the duplicates came from behind and kicked him in the back of the head. He quickly got up and struck at the duplicate which caused it to vanish into thin air. He used his magic to take care of the other duplicates and the Storm creatures then charged at the real one. He then leaps in the air and readied a piercing strike. The figure then floated in the air and laughed darkly as he slowly vanished. "Beginners luck if you ask me. Don't worry. We will meet again." Starshine then turned to the wounded Padawan and walked up to him. "That was amazing!" the Padawan said. "I thought we were done for." Tempest Shadow arrived to the scene of the action, but was too late "You two alright?" Tempest asked. "What happened here?" "This masked stranger attacked us, Miss Tempest. He was scary looking." "Thank Celestia that you're both safe. At least he wasn't one of the Storm creatures." "He claimed that the Storm creatures will soon be his army." "I knew that those Storm creatures weren't the only problem. I warned the council about those creatures aren't mindless beasts since the attack of Canterlot years ago. This is proof." Tempest turned to look at Starshine. "You held off all these attackers by yourself with only a practice saber. Impressive." Starshine blushed at the thought. "I only followed my instincts, that's all," Starshine said. "They served you well." "This battle's over, but we don't want anymore Storm creatures coming through here." Tempest walked past the two Padawans and closed her eyes to use her magic to collapse the cave tunnel. She then wiped off sweat off of her forehead and turned to face Starshine and the Padawan. "That should hold them back, for now." "I can see why you are a Master." "Oh, I am no Jedi. Just a regular unicorn helping the Jedi cleanse the area of Storm creatures." "I'm injured, Tempest," the Padawan said. "Are the training grounds safe for travel?" "Not yet. I'll get you to a medcenter." Tempest then looked at Starshine. "You seem alright to travel alone. You should report to the Jedi Council." "This valley isn't safe yet; I don't feel good about leaving." "We have Jedi Knights rooting out the last attackers. You need to tell the council about the masked figure you encountered. Follow the path leading out of this valley. You'll find the Jedi Temple through the mountain pass. I'll see you there as I make my report to the council." Tempest walked with the wounded Padawan to safety away from the Padawan training grounds as a shadow watched from afar; chuckling then vanished. --------------------- Charming Thunder sat on the throne as he closed his eyes to meditate. The red wormhole opened to reveal the figure he sent to Hippogriffia. "Your report?" "Starshine is very quick and is making his way to the temple as we speak," the figure reported. "I could sense his fear the moment he faced me." "Good. Convince the Storm creatures to prepare an attack at the Jedi Temple and return to me with your success." "As you wish, your highness." The wormhole closed and Charming Thunder got up from his throne and gazed out of a window.