Guardian
Chapter 5: Depression
Silver walked alongside Onyx as they left the HQ. He hummed to himself as they walked the forest trail back to Ponyville.
“Well, so we have a few days before we head out to do assignments you volunteered us for. Might as well buy you dinner also,” Onyx said.
“I don’t see the problem. At least we have something to do for the next while,” Silver said as he spied an odd looking rock. He flipped it over to reveal earthworms crawling under it. He chuckled and caught back up to Onyx.
“The problem is that the Rage altar somehow effected you and I tend to find out how before we go for the next one,” Onyx said.
“How do you know it effected me or not?” Silver asked.
“I can tell,” Onyx said stopping to look at Silver intently,” I have studied this sort of thing for years. Keep your emotions in check and if you feel anything unnatural that you suspect to be from the altar, come talk to me,”
“Of course. But I doubt that anything horrible will happen anytime soon, so let’s enjoy our few days off and do stuff we need to do before we leave. I have a few things in mind that I’d like to do,” Silver said as he saw Ponyville in the distance, “Like build a cloud home for example somewhere just outside Ponyville. I heard clouds were good for the back,”
“Do what you want, within reason,” Onyx quickly added, “As for me, I’m going to study up on those altars. I might have missed some information that could be helpful,”
“Have fun!” Silver shouted over his shoulder as he parted from Onyx.
Silver went for a nice quick walk through Ponyville as the sun shone high in the sky. It was a pleasant day that wasn’t too hot or too cold. The very air seemed to be delighted of this day. As Silver walked through Ponyville, he saw Twilight Sparkle out under a tree, reading a book. Silver smiled and looked at her for a second. The sun shone just right... Silver shook his head. He walked over to her. She didn’t notice his presence until his shadow blocked the words.
“Excuse me, could you mo- Oh, Silver! Hi!” Twilight said as she looked up.
“Hey, Twilight. Was just in the neighborhood and noticed you out here by yourself. What book are you reading?” Silver asked as he tried to get a peek at the title.
“It’s kind of silly, but I’m reading a book on ancient rituals,” Twilight said embarrassed.
“Oh? That’s not silly, given the events of yesterday,” Silver said as he looked back up, “Onyx is actually reading up on these things too, if I understood correctly. He’s preparing for our trip to Manehatten soon, so we-”
“You’re going to Manehatten?!” Twilight interrupted, “What for?”
“There seems to be another altar in one of the hotels. From what I gathered by looking at the map, there are four more just like it, excluding the one we just destroyed, and we need to destroy those as well. Onyx and I are assigned to deal with all of them,” Silver explained.
“When will you leave?” Twilight asked, concerned.
“Five days from now. When we deal with the next altar I suspect we get another break and so on,” Silver said.
“Ok. Well I hope you’ll be careful, I have a bad feeling about those things,” Twilight said.
“Sure I will. Anyway, I will leave you to your book,” Silver said as he walked away. He wished they had a longer talk, but it couldn’t be helped he guessed. He had just passed the library when he was hit by what felt like a speeding bullet. He flipped end over end and fell to the ground.
“Again, Rainbow Dash?” Silver groaned as he got up. The rainbow maned pony jumped to her hooves and smiled awkwardly.
“Sorry about that, Silver. I was just trying to find you to keep my end of the deal. You wanted flying lessons right?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Yup, now where shall we practice?” Silver asked.
“I know a great place that’s not too far away. Come on!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly as she turned around to run to their destination. Silver chuckled as he ran after her. It wasn’t a very far run. They had only been running for five minutes when Rainbow Dash stopped and nodded towards the mountain.
“We are going up there?” Silver asked.
“I’m not, but you are. I want to see how well you can already fly. Fly up there and back down again,” Dash ordered. Silver shrugged and stretched out his wings. He flapped them and flew to the top of the mountain and back in pretty good time.
“Faster,” Rainbow Dash commanded. Silver frowned but did as he was asked. She told him faster again and again.
“Don’t tell me,” Silver said as he got back from another run, “faster?”
“Nope, that’s good enough. By what you showed me, you are going to be a good student,” Rainbow Dash said with a smile. When Silver looked at her confused, she laughed, “I could tell you were frustrated and angry. You could’ve left or yelled at me to let you stop. You didn’t do either so you will be easy enough to teach. I doubt it will take more than a few sessions to become about as good a flyer as me,”
“Wow, well-” Silver was interrupted as he saw Onyx come running down the road. He seemed out of breath and hurried. “Hey, Onyx, what’s the matter,”
“We need to leave for Manehatten, now,” Onyx said as he reached them.
“What?!” Silver yelled.
“The train is literally leaving, we need to go,” Onyx said as he turned around. Silver looked at Rainbow Dash. She nodded and Silver took off after Onyx. They ran as fast as they could. Silver couldn’t get an explanation out of the winded Onyx so he had to wait until they were on the train. They skidded around the corner and ran across town, dodging ponies and stands. Silver yelled “Hi!” to Applejack as he passed her stand. Pinkie Pie appeared out of no where, bouncing alongside Silver.
“Hey guys, where you going?” She asked.
“To Manehatten,” Silver explained.
“Can I come along?” Pinkie asked.
“Sorry, Guardian only mission this time. Maybe some other mission,” Silver said.
“Okie doki loki!” Pinkie yelled as she happily hopped away. As they neared the train station, Silver felt a sudden reluctance as he got closer. He stopped and Onyx kept running, not noticing Silver.
“Silver!” He heard Twilight yell behind him. Silver turned around. She came running up behind him. “I need to tell you something,” she said.
“Sorry, train is leaving for Manehatten. I have to go. Maybe when I get back,” Silver said.
“I thought you weren’t leaving for five more days!” Twilight exclaimed. Silver shrugged.
“So did I,” he said quietly. He turned around to see the train start moving. Without saying anything, he ran after it. He was surprised at the speed it accelerated. He was losing ground to it quickly so he did what he could only do, jump. He leaped as far forward as he could and landed on the edge of the caboose. He started to fall backwards back to the ground, but he managed to fall forward onto the train. Silver looked back to see Twilight running after the train. Silver doubted she would make it, but there was a brilliant flash of light then suddenly, she appeared right before him. She jumped and grabbed onto the caboose’s balcony. Silver grabbed her hoof with his mouth and helped her up. “Well, I guess you can tell me now,” Silver said looking at Twilight.
Silver wondered how he would explain Twilight’s presence. They walked through each train car until they finally found Onyx inspecting the beds once again. When Silver was about to say something, Onyx cleared his throat.
“Welcome aboard you two. Help me pick out the best beds please,” Onyx said matter-of-factly. Silver and Twilight went to work with confused expressions. After about an hour of finding the perfect beds, Silver lay in his looking out the window. Onyx had gone to get some food while Twilight was in the bunk under Silver’s.
“Well, this will be fun,” Twilight said. Silver just grunted. The bad feeling had stayed with him. Onyx had yet to explain the sudden rush to get to Manehatten. Most likely not good. As if on cue, Onyx returned with a tray of sandwiches.
“Eat up!” Onyx said. Silver wasn’t hungry so he just lay still staring out the window. Onyx poked him in the back and when Silver turned around, a sandwich was shoved into his face. “Eat, it might be your last one for a day or two. That brings me to why we are leaving so early,” Onyx said, “We just got word from the mayor of Manehatten of a sudden breakout of city wide depression. So far... self extermination rates had sky rocketed throughout the city,” Onyx sadly said. Twilight gasped. Silver didn’t say a word. “So, naturally, Marshall slashed our break time to nothingness and we were sent out to investigate. We think it’s the altar of Depression and it has been activated. So stay frosty and think happy thoughts,” Silver didn’t know if that was supposed to be a joke. He slowly ate his sandwich.
Later that night, as everypony was getting ready for bed, Twilight called for Silver. Silver looked down to see her beckoning him to he bunk. When he slipped down, she brought out a book and opened it to a marked page. The title read “Old Gods and Other Higher Beings.”
“So, we are going to talk about myths and legends?” Silver asked.
“Not all of these are just myths and legends,” Twilight said, “For instance, there is one in particular that I want to show you,” Then she pointed to a picture of a huge dragon with bat like wings and giant horns on its head. It’s mouth was open agape and a great flame was shooting out of it. Above it was the name “Nafarious”.
“Nafarious?” Silver asked.
“Yes,” Twilight said, “It says here, ‘When the last Shadowshaper and Lightbringer clash, the old god rises under the power of the Gems of Destruction,’”
“Sounds dandy,” Silver said, “But I bet it won’t happen in our time. There are at least two Shadowshapers I know of and I’m sure there is another Lightbringer besides me...” Silver trailed off. He noticed something odd about the picture. The two ponies that were fighting under the dragon, one of them was glowing brightly while the other was dull. “Is that supposed to happen?”
“It started doing that around the time you showed up in Ponyville,” Twilight said. Silver shrugged.
“Maybe it’s supposed to do that, anyway, I’m tired and I think we should all get some sleep,” Silver said. He jumped up into his bunk and turned to face the window. It was nearly pitch black outside. Silver sighed as he fell asleep.
“Silver look out!” Topaz shouted as another mortar came barreling down to their position. Silver ran right under it and after Sapphire. She suddenly went wild and ran off after some shadows.
“Sapphire! Get back here! That’s an order soldier!” Silver shouted after her, but she wouldn’t listen. He could’ve caught up to her, but his armor weighed him down. She had shed hers to run faster. “Sapphire!” Silver shouted as he turned the corner. He skidded into a food stall and shattered it. When he had exited the ally they were in, he found himself in the town square. Sapphire was standing in the middle. Silver sighed relieved and started to go towards her, but then she fell sideways to reveal a knife in her chest. “No!” Silver shouted. A shadowy figure stood there, taking out the knife. The blade was a dark silvery color with a green glow about it. The handle was red with many gems lodged into it. The shadowy figure looked up and laughed.
“Weak little foal, this loss is just but one of many,” the stranger said, “She was too weak to live anyway,”
“You’re going to pay!” Silver shouted. He charged the attacker and tackled him to the ground. Silver’s armor helped hold it down as he reached for the knife. Silver took the knife in his mouth.
“You might strike me down now, but I will return,” the shadowy pony said. Silver grunted and struck the knife deep in the pony’s neck. It burst into a cloud of purple smoke and Silver stumbled around for a second, dazed. When he came to his senses, he ran over to Sapphire who lay on the ground, bleeding.
“Sapphire, it’s going to be all right,” Silver said as he took off his helmet. His eyes were dull and weary from constant war and struggle. His mane was plastered to his head. Sweat and tears fell down his face.
“Oh, Silver,” Sapphire said weakly as she checked her wound, “we were never meant to do this,”
“Do what?’ Silver asked, confused.
“All of this,” Sapphire said like it was the only thing that she could mean, “This war, these battles. We were never meant for this,”
“Sapphire, we were thrust into this willingly,” Silver said on the verge of tears, “I even argued with the captain to get you into this army. Now come on, I’m going to get you back to camp,” Silver started to pick her up, but then she cried out in pain so he let her back down.
“Remember when we were foals?” Sapphire asked dreamily.
“Ya,” Silver half laughed half cried, “You always helped me with the bullies who picked on me for being an alicorn,”
“Ya, remember when Onyx got caught stealing extra cookies for us and said he was only doing it for himself?” Sapphire asked.
“Yup, he is a great pony when it comes to being loyal to friends,” Silver said, but then he turned serious again, “As your commanding officer I-”
“Silver,” Sapphire interrupted, “Even though you are a captain, don’t you think this war is needless? So many good ponies die...” Sapphire trailed off.
“Come on,” Silver said, “we have to get you to a medic,”
“I love you, Silver,” Sapphire said weakly.
“No...” Silver said as he saw her close her eyes, “I love you too, Sapphire,”
“Goodbye,” Sapphire coughed and she closed her eyes. As her last breath left her, Silver bowed his head over her body. He wept for what seemed like hours until all of the sounds of battle crashed around him. He sensed another pony was there with him.
Silver woke up suddenly in the train. It was still dark outside and the lights in the train car were off. Around his eyes the fur was wet from tears. Twilight was standing beside him with a worried look on her face.
“What? What happened?” Silver asked as he looked around.
“Nothing, it’s just that you seemed to be having a nightmare,” Twilight said. Silver took a deep breath. Fresh tears stung his eyes as he thought back to his dream.
“I need some air,” Silver said as he rolled to his hooves and walked to the back of the train. When he was outside, he could see the sun steadily rising out of the east. There was a blue flash and he found Sapphire standing beside him.
“I’m sorry you remembered that,” Sapphire said sadly.
“Me too,” Silver said, “What happened?”
“I wish I could tell you, but if I do...” Sapphire trailed off as she winced, remembering some type of pain from a while ago, “Just... try not to think about it while near the next altar,”
“Why, what is the next altar?” Silver asked.
“The altar of depression,” Sapphire said as she disappeared. Silver sighed and hung his head over the railing. The door behind him opened and Twilight stepped out. Silver wanted to say something, but couldn’t find the words. She stood next to him and watched the sun rise. Silver stood up straight and looked with her,
“Beautiful isn’t it?” Twilight asked.
“Yea, it is,” Silver sighed.
“Want to talk about your nightmare?” Twilight asked.
“Not now, maybe later,” Silver said, “It... it... it’s too sad to talk about,”
“I understand,” Twilight said. After a beat, she lay her head on his shoulder, “At least it was a dream,”
“Right... a dream...” Silver said slowly. His mind was a chaos of emotions. He couldn’t place which was the most important to feel.
After several minutes, the train slowed to the stop and Silver noticed they had arrived in Manehatten. The two ponies met up with Onyx of the platform and walked into the city. Silver expected it to be bustling with ponies with business to do, but it seemed strangely empty.
“Manehatten has gotten... quieter since I was last here,” Onyx said as he kicked over a rock. Silver looked around. He couldn’t see anypony except for his friends.
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Silver said. He turned to Twilight who was in deep thought. He half wished she hadn’t come. He felt this was about to get very dangerous, very fast. Silver closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, he saw the sign for the Lotus Hotel, their destination. “Come on,” he said as he started making his way to the building.
The hotel was closed down. There was police tape across the door and boards were nailed onto it. Silver blew the doors open from a blast of magic.
“Stay here,” Silver said as he walked through the opening. He looked around the lobby. There was a giant waterfall in the middle of the velvet room. At the base was a little island with a giant altar on it. Floating above it and emitting waves of blue energy was a blue crystal. Near by was a tiki bar inside of a pool and it had stools all around it. Silver jumped onto the bar and over to the island. When he was near the altar, he felt nothing. He chuckled at himself for thinking this would be dangerous.
“Wait...” said a forlorn voice above him. Silver looked up to see a grey earth pony standing on a balcony. “Do not disrupt the shadow altar,”
“Why not?” Silver asked.
“It calms this town,” the pony said slowly and mournfully, “This town used to be a place of chaos and rush. No it is a town of order and calmness,”
“This isn’t natural tranquility though,” Silver said, “I need to destroy this crystal,”
“Will you listen to what I have to say first?” the pony asked. Not waiting for an answer, he slowly descended to Silver and was right across the little stream of water from the waterfall.
“I guess,” Silver said as he felt a sudden calmness overcome is haste.
“I am the care-taker of this altar,” the pony said, “you can call me Caregiver. Ever since I was placed in charge of this altar, I felt so calm, so sad, it was beautiful,”
“Being sad is beautiful?” Silver asked.
“Yes, it is a wonderful thing,” Caregiver said, “here, let me see into your deepest thoughts and memories,” Caregiver nimble jumped to the island and touched a hoof to Silver’s head. Suddenly, the memory of Sapphire’s death played again through his mind. When it was done, tears were streaming down Silver’s face. “I see now, a great sadness is upon you for what happened to your love,” Caregiver said slowly, “my daughter died in my hooves the same way your friend did,”
“I tried to protect her...” Silver said.
“There was nothing you could do,” Caregiver said, slowly reaching into his belt that he wore.
“She just wouldn’t wait for me...” Silver started sinking to the ground. The power of the crystal was growing stronger.
“She chose that doom for herself,” Caregiver said as he brought out a sharpened knife.
“I could have done so much more... it was my fault,” Silver was now lying down on the ground.
“Yes, let the sadness envelope you,” Caregiver said through the knife’s hilt that was in his mouth.
“She depended on me... I let her down...” Silver sobbed as tears poured out of his eyes.
“Will you let the depression sink in and calm you?” Caregiver asked cautiously.
“Yes... Yes I-”
“Silver!” Twilight shouted as she ran to the balcony. When she saw the scene before her, she called for Onyx. Caregiver growled and threw the knife at her. It barely missed, but Twilight lost her balance as she dodged it and fell over the rail. It seemed as if Silver was awaken out of a dream as he heard Twilight’s cry. He jumped up and stretched out his wings. He flapped them hard and flew up to Twilight. He caught her in mid air and flew back up to the balcony. He shot the crystal with a bolt of magic. It shattered like glass all over the island. He felt the power of it quickly fade.
“The disturbers of the altar shall be buried with it!” Caregiver shouted. Silver shook his head and ran for the door. Onyx and Twilight were already outside, waiting for him. Suddenly, there was a large quake and the building shook. Silver had to stop or he would lose his balance. The arch above the doors crumbled and debris fell in front of the doors that led towards Silver’s freedom. He ran over and tried to push the debris out of the way while Twilight tried to force the doors open with magic. Silver stopped and turned towards Twilight.
“I’ll find another way out, run!” Silver shouted. Twilight hesitated, “Go!” Silver shouted again. She turned around reluctantly and ran away with Onyx. Silver turned around and ran down a hallway. The floor above him collapsed in his wake. Silver threw open a door and ran up the stairs. He had to stop again as the building shook once more. After several flights, he opened the door to the roof top. He stepped out into the daylight. Underneath him, the building shook like a thing possessed. Silver peered over the edge to see Twilight and Onyx a ways away, looking back at the building. Silver backed up and prepared to jump. He dashed off and got his wings ready. At the last second though, he heard maniacal laughter and a great darkness came over his vision. He couldn’t see and considered stopping. Too late. Silver felt nothing under his hooves and fell towards the ground. The darkness gave way to show the grass rushing to meet him. The shock made his hesitate a moment before finally, he stretched out his wings. His was too close to the ground.
“No!” He heard Onyx shout right before he hit the ground full force.