Light and Darkness

by FandomPlays1234


Chapter 15: The Molten Fortress

The moment that Starlight and her party stepped into the castle, the first thing they were greeted by was a gust of hot air. Starlight shielded her eyes from the burning air.

"Sweet Celestia, why is it so hot in here!?" she yelped.

"Might wanna take a look at your surroundings," suggested Villager. She looked around and noticed that they were inside a castle with nothing more than several pieces of thin platforms they could walk on and everything else was filled with burning lava.

"Wow," said Twilight.

"Oh god we just got in here and I'm already burning up," said Link.

"Welp I'm out," said Villager. He turned around and was getting ready to leave when the doors slammed shut. "Never mind," said Villager turning back around.

"Let's just find whatever it is we need and get outta here," said Bowser crossing his arms.

"Guys over there," said Lucario. The group turned towards where Lucario was pointing to see a large black portal hovering in between two pillars. A series of stairs led up to the portal. "I suggest we head over there," said Lucario.

"Alright then," said Starlight. "Be careful when walking guys, you fall you're dead," said Starlight. The party followed behind Starlight in an orderly fashion as she led them to the portal. Not too long after they started making their way to the black portal, four small Bowser emerged and blocked their path.

"Halt!" one of the Bowser squeaked.

"What the hay?" asked Starlight.

"You're not getting past this point!" a second squeaked.

"Seriously?" asked Starlight. "And what are you going to do?" The Bowser smirked as they each pulled out a bomb that was twice their size. "You've gotta be kidding me," said Starlight.

"Hehehe, this is where you die!" squeaked the first Bowser. The four Bowser lifted their bombs and threw them at Starlight with their strength. Starlight yelped as she created a barrier that reflected the four bombs back at the 4 Bowser. "On second thought we're dead," he squeaked. The bombs exploded and sent the four Bowser flying into the lava. Four pillars of light erupted from the spots where the Bowser landed. Starlight opened here eyes and looked around.

"Is it over?" asked Starlight. As Starlight searched the area for any more tiny Bowser, Mario was at the back shaking his head in disbelief.The spirits emerged from the lava and hovered over to Starlight as she opened the album for them. Unable to find any more tiny Bowser, the party continued forward. They walked for several more minutes before they ran into their next puppet fighter. Three tall navy blue frogs with pink scarfs blocked the parties path.

"Greninja eh?" asked Lucario.

"A Pokemon I assume?" asked Twilight.

"Yes," answered Lucario. "Starlight if you would allow me, I'll deal with these foul ninjas,"

"Be my guest," said Starlight. She moved out of the way as Lucario stepped forward and held out his palm.

"You face the fighting steel type Lucario, stand down or be defeated," Lucario proclaimed.

"Hmph, we have been given strict orders from the boss to turn away any intruders," said one of the Greninja. "We shall not refuse his order,"

"Then so be it," said Lucario. He rushed forward as he engaged the three puppets.

"So Lucario against Greninja eh," said Mario. "It seems Lucario has an advantage this time around,"

'What makes you say that?" asked Eleven.

"Lucario is a fighting steel type Pokemon while Greninja is a dark and water type," explained Mario. "Dark types are apparently weak against fighting types,"

"Interesting, seems like you did your homework," said Eleven.

"I was mostly tutored," corrected Mario.

"If Lucario has an advantage it probably won't take him too long to deal with those puppets," said Twilight.

"We'll see," said Link. Sure enough within 5 minutes Lucario had defeated the three puppet Greninja and returned with the spirit controlling the puppet.

"This guy claims he's from Megaman's world," said Lucario passing the spirit to Starlight. She opened the album to a blank white page and watched as the spirit entered. After making sure everyone was present, Starlight continued walking through the hot castle. They eventually stopped at one point before crossing a large bridge to drink some water and rest for a bit. Starlight was wiping her forehead with a handkerchief when she noticed someone standing in front of the bridge.

"Hey who's that?" she asked taping Mario on the shoulder.

"Huh what?" asked Mario turning around. He followed her gaze to the strange figure standing in front of the bridge. She wore a yellow robe and was carrying a sword in one hand and a book in the other. "Robin?" Mario asked standing up. The rest of the party stopped what they were doing and turned to face the young woman blocking their path. She looked at Starlight with her glowing red eyes causing her to step back.

"Hello Starlight Glimmer, it's been a while," said Robin.

"What?" Starlight froze in place. "How do you know my name?"

"Starlight what's going on?" asked Twilight walking up next to her.

"Ah Twilight it's good to see you again," said Robin.

"Um sorry have we met?" asked Twilight.

"Obviously, or have you forgotten me already?" asked Robin. Twilight stared at her with a confused look. At that moment the spirit came out from hiding, hovering above her head. Starlight squinted to get a better look at spirit. Her eyes widened and her heart sank when she saw who it was.

"No," said Starlight.

"So you DO remember me," chuckled Robin. Confused, Twilight followed her gaze to the spirit. It was small but she could clearly make out the shape of a unicorn. She had a red and yellow mane along with light amber coat and glowing red eyes that burned with hatred.

"Sunset Shimmer?" asked Twilight. Robin smirked.

"Who?" asked Piranha Plant.

"Sunset Shimmer, a friend of Twilight," explained Starlight.

"Hey Twilight I gotta ask you something," said Robin. "You remember when you royally kicked my ass back at Canterlot high?" she asked.

"Yeah, well that time..." Twilight was cut off by Robin as she looked at her with burning hatred.

"Well this is revenge for that, for humiliating me in front of the whole school with your ridiculous rainbow power bullshit," said Robin lifting her sword.

"Sunset I was only trying to..." Twilight started.

"Twilight," Starlight spoke up. Twilight looked at Starlight with a confused look. "I hate to break it to you, but that's not Sunset,"

"What?" asked Twilight.

"Well I say it's not her but what I mean is she's not herself," explained Starlight. "Her spirit is being controlled by Galeem, and she won't return to normal unless we defeat her in battle,"

"Sunset," Twilight looked at Robin with sad eyes.

"Come on Twilight can't fight?" sneered Robin. Twilight looked down as a teardrop rolled down her cheek.

"Look Twilight if you can't fight then I will," said Starlight. She was about to take a step forward when Twilight grabbed her by the shoulder.

"No," she whimpered.

"Twilight don't stop me," said Starlight. But instead she pulled her back and stepped forward. "Twilight," Starlight stared in awe as Twilight stood before Robin.

"I'm sorry, please forgive me," Twilight whimpered. She raised her head and dashed out towards Robin. Growling, the puppet Robin lifted her sword ready to attack as Twilight charged towards her. Twilight jumped in the air and attempted to kick Robin only to get knocked back by one of Robin's spells. Starlight watched in awe as she observed Twilight's battle against Robin.

"Wow she's good," said Piranha Plant.

"Impressive," said Eleven.

"Has she fought someone before cause that looks sick," said Villager.

"Poyo!" said Kirby. Starlight laughed nervously as she recalled the number of times Twilight engaged in battle back in ponyville. She quickly refocused as Twilight slid to a stop in front of them. Robin held out her palm as it began to spark with electricity.

"Dodge this," said Robin. A stream of electricity shoots out and towards Twilight. "Thoron!" With some quick thinking Twilight formed a barrier reflecting the attack and sending it back towards Robin. The attack strikes Robin directly in the chest causing her to fall to her knees. Twilight rushed out and grabbed her by the collar of her robe and began hitting her in the face.After three or four hits she spins around and throws her off the edge. Her screams echo throughout the castle as a pillar of light erupts from the spot where Robin landed. Twilight breathes heavily as she turns towards the party who was staring at her in awe. She walked back as Villager walked up to her.

"How did you..."

"Don't ask," said Twilight cutting him off.

"Ok," said Villager following her.

"Twilight," said Starlight.

"So that's all I had to do right?" asked Twilight. Starlight nodded. "Ok," she said.

"Hey look," said Starlight pointing behind Twilight. She turned around as Sunset's spirit hovered around behind her.

"Ugh where am I?" she asked.

"Sunset," whimpered Twilight.

"Twilight what are you doing here?" asked Sunset. "And why is it so hot?" Twilight didn't respond. Instead she walked over and gently held her spirit with her hoofs. "Um Twilight what are you doing?"As tears rolled down her cheek. She held Sunset's spirit against her chest. "Ok then, I don't know what's going on but a hug is nice every once in a while,"

"Hey Sunset," said Starlight walking up to them.

"Oh Starlight, can you explain to me what's going on?" asked Sunset. So Starlight introduced Sunset to her party members and told her about Galeem and the spirits and what they were planning to do. By the end of it, Sunset just looked more confused than anything else. "That's hard to believe Starlight, but if you're friends is saying it's true then i must be true," said Sunset. "Maybe it was so much content that I just got lost,"

"Anyway, we're working on stopping Galeem and trying to fix the damage that he has created," said Starlight.

"Alright you know what, I'm not too sure on what I have to do, but as for now is it all right if I tagged along with you?" asked Sunset.

"Sure thing, it'll great to have on the team," said Starlight.

"Great," said Sunset.

"Just hop in here," said Starlight opening the album to a new page. Confused Sunset decided not to ask questions and jumped into the album. "Well that's that," said Starlight.

"I suppose now we can continue," said Bowser. Starlight nodded.

She turned to Twilight and asked," Are you ready?"

Twilight nodded, "Yes, let's keep going,"

"Alright," said Starlight. So she began crossing the bridge with the rest of the party behind her. Now that Twilight has freed Sunset from Galeem's control she has joined the party. However this was only the start. The bigger challenges lie ahead of them.