//------------------------------// // Act I - Chapter 24 - Shadows of the Star // Story: The Alicorn Warrior // by iAmSiNnEr //------------------------------// The Alicorn Warrior Written by iAmSiNnEr Chapter 24 - Shadows of the Star There are those who indulge in their shadows. They are dangerous. And then, there are those who deny their shadows. They can be trusted. And Twilight Sparkle? She denies she has a shadow. She is the most dangerous of them all. After all, those who deny the existence of their shadows are the ones at the most risk of falling. When sunrise came, the ponies of the town were already awake. They had been awoken by screaming. The screams didn’t come from ponies. A crowd had gathered at the edge of the town, gazing at the carnage. Dozens of sandworms, coyotes, and giant scorpions had been ripped apart or stabbed to death by some unknown entity. In some cases, some looked like they were burnt to death. And for one or two, some sort of energy had ripped through them, leaving nothing but a few bones or scraps of skin behind. A few were still alive. Their screams and cries rent the air, causing the crowd to wince. Two brave souls were already out in the sand, putting the remaining out of their misery. Even though no one knew who was the one who had massacred the creatures, a single name was on their tongues. Sparkle. The only one they knew that had this kind of power.  Twilight crumpled onto her bed, her entire mana reserves depleted. The battle had taken a toll far greater than she had expected. Was it just her, or were voices whispering to her?  “Shut up,” she snapped weakly, letting Alpha fall out of her grip and onto the bed beside her. Kill. Maim. Destroy. “Quiet.” Your birthright. Yours. “Go away.” Give in. Power. Be a god. “I don’t care. I just want to sleep.” Twilight? Are you okay? “I said, shut up!” Twilight snapped as she sat upright. Her eyes widened as she saw who she had shouted at. “Oh, I didn’t-” “It’s fine,” Starlight smiled weakly. “It’s just...everypony’s worried about you. You stumbled into the house, your eyes bloodshot and carrying scythes that had green blood all over it. Did you have anything to do with…” She glanced outside the window, where the carnage could be seen in the distance. “That?” “I’m fine,” Twilight forced out, making herself look at Starlight to seem sincere. Scythes? Plural? “You can go.” “What happened to your eye?” Starlight asked, noticing the scar and the angry red tissue. “You didn’t-” “No,” Twilight said shortly. “It’s an old injury. Just, please, leave me alone.” You’re not thinking straight.  “You’re not okay,” Starlight said, unconvinced. “I can sense traces of dark magic on you, Twilight. You’ve been using spells you shouldn’t have.” “What does it matter?” Twilight yelled. “I dealt with the problem! I killed them all! I destroyed them! All that matters is the result!” “Yes,” Starlight said quietly. “The result. The one that ends in you shouting at me. Where’s Twilight?” “She’s right here,” Twilight snarled. “And if you can’t see it with your own bloody eyes-” “Twilight, put down the scythe,” Starlight whispered.  “What do you mean?” Twilight growled. “I already put Alpha down!” “The other one, Twilight,” Starlight gestured. “The black-colored one.” Twilight looked at her left hoof where Omega was, dark magic pulsing off it. Her head cleared for a moment, and she hurriedly let go of Omega. As she did so, her memories came rushing back to her in a rush. During the battle, Alpha wasn’t enough. She had summoned Omega to help her. Without her safeguards, Omega had filtered dark thoughts into her. She had thrown herself into the battle with a bloodlust she normally wouldn’t have had. And now? Her own friend was scared of her.  “I’m so sorry,” Twilight blabbered. “I didn’t mean to-”  “Shh,” Starlight whispered as her horn lit up. “Rest.” The last thing Twilight saw as she drifted into sleep was her friends at the door, peeking into her room. Spike’s eyes lasted the longest, before everything was black. “Hello?” Twilight called out to the darkness. “Anyone there?” Nothing answered, her voice echoing into the darkness. “Echoes,” Twilight murmured. “I’m in some sort of room.” Suddenly, her world shook. “What’s happening?!” Twilight shouted in a panic. The very air in front of her ripped open. “Twilight! I’m finally able to-” the tear closed, before reopening again. “We have limited time! You must-” the voice cut off as the tear briefly closed before opening. Twilight sensed that this was the final time that the tear was going to open. “Imposter! My sister!” The tear closed for the final time. “What?” Twilight rushed to where the tear had been. “What do you mean? Who are you? You sound familiar, but I don’t know-”  You are an alicorn. Twilight paused.  Fit to be a goddess. Listen not to the liars and naysayers. If you wished it, you could send the world into eternal Twilight.  Twilight shook her head. “I don’t want that.” Very well. We shall speak again.  Twilight saw no more. Somewhere, a white-colored alicorn slumbered. A tear fell, streaking down her cheek slowly. On the top of the Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia sat on her throne, looking out at the petitioners in the court. Her lips curled up in a wicked smile as more ponies bowed to her, their adoration for the princess evident. As the next petitioner came before her, her power only grew. In an unknown room, a petal fell from a rose. In the land of ice, the Traveller sipped at his cup of tea, considering his next move. The age of Maximus was over. He had fufilled his purpose. Maximus would disappear. He looked out from his spot, the tip of the tallest mountain. He looked at the framed picture of him and a yellow pegasus in his hoof. He smiled. With a flick of his tail, he was gone, to take on his next role.  Somewhere in the Badlands, a changeling fled his hive, his wings glistening.  In the depths of the caves under Canterlot, a messenger arrived. The seal broken open, Trixie’s eyes widened as she read the contents of the letter that was delivered. In her home in the desert, a lavender alicorn slept, her shadows creeping up on her.