The Student Six enters Twilight's office after being requested by Twilight. Apparently there was something urgent she needed to discuss with them. In the office were all of their professor's as well as the Pillars.
"Whoa, this must be a really important meeting." Said Smolder as she sees that everyone was present.
"You have no idea." Rainbow Dash was breathing heavily as she spoke. She has been flying all over looking for the Pony of Shadows.
"So what's going on?" Sandbar said as he and the rest of the students approach Twilight's desk.
"While you six have been here at the school, we have been keeping tabs on The Pony of Shadows movements. He doesn't stay in one place for long, but when he does, he leaves behind some shadows to infect that area." Said Twilight., looking to all six of the students.
"So, where is he now?" Asked Silverstream, almost afraid of the answer.
"Right now, it's as if he has disappeared from our world, we have no idea of his current whereabouts. But what is interesting is that he has visited 18 places as indicated on our map, and therefore 18 shadows have been left behind." Twilight's face grew very serious. "These shadows are not staying in a single spot however, they're moving...Moving towards the school."
"What!? What could that possibly mean?" Ocellus felt a shiver go down her back.
"Do the math child. Six Pillars, six Professors, six students. That's 18." Starswirl said sternly, narrowing his eyes. "The Pony of Shadows has infected different ponies and creatures with it's shadows to come after us. He wants us destroyed." This news was like a bombshell to the students. They look at each other, frightened as this could mean that they are now being hunted by these shadows.
"So...We are being targeted by these ponies? They are actively looking for us?" Gallus eyes were wide open and his pupils shrink in fear.
"That is our theory, yes." Flash Magnus nods.
"If each one is assigned to attack us, we don't know how well we would be able to protect one another." Said Twilight. "I was debating on telling you six this, as I didn't want you all to panic. But you are bearers to the elements as well, it's not fair to exclude you on this information."
"Yona felt better without knowing." Yona's knees were shaky, despite her trying to hide her fear.
"Well in this case you young ones are prepared. These "Shadow Riders" could be very dangerous." Said Somnambula.
"Shadow Riders? That's what we are calling them?" Asked Smolder.
"Yes, until we can get more information on these Shadow Riders, that is going to be our code word for them." Said Twilight. "You six be careful, we don't know what's going to happen when these Shadow Riders get here. Remember what we taught you, how to hone in with your element. You may be inexperienced, but any power you can draw from it could be beneficial. That is all we wanted to share with you. If you have no questions you may leave, and don't hesitate to come find us for anything." The students nod and quickly step out of the office and close the door.
"Dude, this is not good! We have ponies who are being manipulated by Shadows coming after us!" Yelled Gallus, obviously a bit freaked out.
"Calm down Gallus! Do you want to draw more attention to yourself!?" Smolder yelled back.
"We all need to calm down. It's better we found out, this why rather than being ambushed randomly." Ocellus was shaking were she stood, despite trying to calm herself down.
"Ocellus is right, this way we have taken away their element of surprise. We can prepare for them." Sandbar speaks calmly, placing his hoof on Gallus's shoulder.
"What going to happen when scary shadows catch us?" Asked Yona, a bit of fear in her eyes.
"They will probably duel us, since the Pony of Shadows draws its power from the Shadow Realm, their powers must come from the same source." Silverstream though allowed, looking at the ground.
"That's not a bad observation Silver, we need to rely on that fact alone for now." Gallus let's out a long sigh, finally collecting himself.
"Honestly, what else can we do? Sigh... It's starting to get late, maybe a good night's sleep will help ease the anxiety." Said Smolder.
"Yeah, that sounds refreshing actually." Said Ocellus.
"Think I'm gonna take a shower before heading to bed. Night guys." Said Sandbar. Everyone said their goodnights and then separated as they went to their dorms. The time was passing 11 o'clock when Sandbar got out of his shower. Smolder was already fast asleep on her bed. He stayed in the bathroom, putting on his pajamas and started to brush his teeth in the mirror. Slowly, it started to get cold, very cold. Smolder starts to shiver in her bed and Sandbar finishes brushing his teeth. He steps out and feels how cold it is, it's so cold he could see his breath.
"What the...?" Said Sandbar. Just then, loud footsteps could be heard running past their room in the hallway. Sandbar quickly looks towards the door. In a panic he wakes up Smolder.
"Smolder...Smolder! Wake up!" Sandbar whispered while trying to shake her awake.
"Zzzz...mmmm... Sandbar?...Can you turn down the AC please." Smolder pulls her blanket up to her chin and rolls over.
"I didn't even turn it up, now listen. Somepony or someone...or something is outside our room." Sandbar whispered loudly.
"Huh? Are you sure?" Said Smolder sitting up.
"Yes... Come on." Said Sandbar. Smolder slowly crawls out of bed and follows Sandbar to the door. They press their ears to the door and listen. Light footsteps could be heard down the hall.
"Dude...Who is up at this time? Curfew was at 10." Smolder was beggining to get freaked out.
"I don't know..." Said Sandbar. Slowly he opens the door and peeks out. The hall was pitch black, he could barely see the door across the hall. He turns his head down the direction the footsteps went. And he could swear he saw an even blacker figure dart out of view around a corner. Sandbar quickly pulls his head in and closes the door. His face white as a ghost, his legs shaking badly, and his eyes wide as dinner plates.
"What? What's wrong???" Smolder eagerly asked.
"I saw something... He sprinted around the corner." Sandbar gulps hard
"Dude...no way. Let's go after it." Smolder punches her palm with her fist.
"Are you nuts!?" Said Sandbar.
"If we have a trespasser, we got to get them and wake up the professors." Smolder narrows her eyes, determined to find this mysertious figure.
"Nnnnnngh! Alright!" Sandbar cringed before agreeing. Both Smolder and Sandbar are about to head out. Smolder steps out into the hall, but Sandbar looks at his duel disk on his desk. He didn't know why but he felt a strong feeling in his gut that he should take it with him. He too then steps out and slowly follows the direction of where the figure went. At this point, they couldn't see it anymore, but they began following the directions from where the coldness was coming from. Which leads them to the front entrance of the school.
"This is where the cold breeze ends. You think they left?" Smolder looks to Sandbar for confirmation.
"No idea." Said Sandbar. Slowly they opened the front entrance, and there standing across the stone bridge in the dead of night was a cloaked figure standing on two legs. The sight of him causes both Sandbar and Smolder to gasp. The figure then softly chuckles.
"Bout time you found me. I was getting impatient." Said the figure, his cloak blowing in the wind.
"Who are you!?" Smolder angerly demanded, pointing her claw at the figure.
"Me, I'm what you and the rest of your pathetic element bearers call, a Shadow Rider." Said the figure.
"Dude...no way...How did you get here so quickly?" Sandbar's eyes were wide.
"That is no concern of yours." Said the figure.
"Show yourself! Who are you!" Smolder grits her teeth and huffs smoke out of her nostrils.
"You may call me, Tiamat." Said Tiamat as he pulls off his cloak behind him to use as a cape. He appeared to be a dragon standing at 5ft tall. He had black scales and he had a mask that resembled the face of the Pony of Shadows. Both Smolder and Sandbar were already shaking, he was very intimidating as all he did was chuckle at them. "These are the element bearers my master sent me to face? Pathetic."
"W-We're not afraid!" Sandbar took a step forward.
"Y-Yeah! Not to some...lame Shadow Rider!" Said Smolder.
"Hehehe, you should. We Shadow Riders are your opposites, we are Disharmony." Tiamat smirks, his sharp with teeth visible against his dark scales.
"Disharmony!?" Both Sandbar and Smolder yelled.
"Yes, our master chose us who harness traits that are the opposite of the elements. He gave us the power of the shadows to harness it into dark magic. In return, we serve him as we bring this world to its knees as we engulf it in the shadows. But in order for us to do that, we must get rid of the Elements of Harmony. My master chose me to be his Shadow Rider as I am full of Jealousy." Said Tiamat. "I stood next to greatness, but as my friends reaped in the glory, I was tossed to the side. Why must they be given the glory!? WHY CAN'T IT BE ME!?" As Tiamat lashed out, the shadows disperse from his back angrily. "Hehehe...the Shadows fuel my rage and have made me powerful. Face me now Elements! I plan on sending your soul to the Shadow Realm to please my master."
Sandbar was obviously scared beyond belief. He closes his eyes and tries to calm himself down. He starts to think of last year, How he defeated Cozy and the Dragon Rulers. If he could face them, he could face this Shadow Rider.
"Ok... Bring it." Sandbar refused to back down.
"Are you sure about this Sandbar? This looks intense." Smolder looks to Sandbar, concerned for his safety.
"I don't think I have a choice." Said Sandbar stepping forward. He then activates his duel disk. Tiamat chuckles as the shadows on his hand form a duel disk on his wrist. It looked twisted and even had a blade on it.
"DUEL"
[Sandbar vs. Tiamat]
"I will go first element. I draw." Said Tiamat. "I will start us off by summoning the Kidmodo Dragon! {100atk. 200def. Lv3}"
"I thought you were supposed to be scary, that thing looks cute." Sandbar taunted.
"Heh, just you wait. I place one card face down and then I end." Said Tiamat.
"My move, Draw." Said Sandbar. "Sweet! I activate Reinforcement of the Army! This allows me to add one level 4 or lower warrior type monster from my deck to my hoof. I add Rose, Warrior of Revenge to my hoof, who I now summon! {1600atk. 600def. Lv4 Tuner}. She will now attack your Kidmodo dragon!" Rose slashes her katana and destroys the little dragon.
"Grr....hehehe, Thank you. When Kidmodo Dragon is sent to the grave, I can special summon one dragon type monster from my claw. The one I pick is Armed Dragon Lv3! {1200atk. 900def. Lv3}." Tiamat chuckles darkly under his breath.
"Armed Dragon! Not Good!" Sandbar exclaimed.
"That...seems familiar." Smolder looks at the armed dragon with both interest and confusion.
"Is that attack the end of your turn? I have your soul to claim." Tiamat crosses his arms.
"...yeah, I enter main phase 2 to place one card face down and now I end." Said Sandbar.
[Sandbar 4000/Tiamat 2900]
[Sandbar 4 cards/ Tiamat 4 cards]
"Finally, I draw." Said Tiamat. "Now that it is my standby phase, I can send Armed Dragon Lv3 to the grave to special summon Armed Dragon Lv 5 from my deck. {2400atk. 1700def.} I will also set one monster. Now, I will now attack your rose!" Armed Dragon Lv5 Roars and fires a fireball at Rose, engulfing her in flames. Sandbar lets out a pained yell and takes a few steps back.
"GAHHHH!!!! H-hey! I felt that!" Sandbar places his hoof on his chest and looks down at himself.
"Sandbar! Look around you!" Yelled Smolder pointing to a thick purple mist around Sandbar.
"Oh no....The shadows...It's a Shadow Game!" Cried Sandbar in distress.
"Hehehe...Hahaha! Quiver before the powers of the Shadows! Unlike your test by the pathetic tree of Harmony, These Shadow Games come with consequences! When you lose, your soul will belong to the Shadows!" Tiamat points his claw at him before turning it into a fist.
"...What a minute... How did you know the tree tested us with Shadow games?" Sandbar looks to Tiamat.
"Hehehe, I believe now is the perfect time to reveal to you, my true identity." Said Tiamat reaching for his mask, slowly pulling it off to reveal...that it was Spike. But it was a twisted version of Spike. His eyes were red as blood, his scales black as the night, and he was much taller.
"SPIKE!?!?!?" Yelled Smolder shock.
"DUDE!!! No way! That can't be you Spike!" Sandbar's jaw was practically to the floor. Spike smirks and then chuckles at them.
"Yes, It's really me, just a more 'powerful' version of the Spike you know." Spike points at them, a crooked smile befalling his face. Smolder could feel tears form into her eyes, seeing Spike corrupted by the shadows was almost too hard to look at.
"Spike how could you man!? You're our friend! Professor Twilight's Step Brother! Why would you betray us!?" Sandbar grits his teeth and narrows his eyes in anger. Spike's smirk turns into a bitter and angry glare. His blood red eyes seem to stare right through Sandbar.
"Because!!! I am tired of being a lackey to these so called Elements of Harmony! All the work I put in day in and day out to help, and I get no recognition! Just because I wasn't part of the final blow to send Equestria's enemies to oblivion leaves me out of the cake, when I have done far greater than most of what Twilight's friends do! Where is my glory!? WHY IS MY SONG LEFT UNSUNG!?!?!?" Yelled Spike. His voice distorts the louder and angrier he gets. The Shadows on his back begin to lash out like crazy, almost hitting Sandbar. "It's not fair! Even you! Now that you and your pathetic friends have been officially recognised as the next generation of Element bearers, the whole world knows who you are, and what have you all done!? Stop the dragon rulers? That has been done without you before, we didn't need you this time. Were you there when Discord was released, when Chrysalis invaded Canterlot, or when Tirek escaped Tartarus!? NO! But I was, and no one knows who I am, AND NO ONE EVEN CARES!!!!"
Both Sandbar and Smolder could feel the hurt and pain in Spike's voice as he rants. Smolder looks over at Sandbar, who has shed all fear, he stares down Spike with a determined face.
"I'm sorry you feel that way Spike, but what you have become, what you allowed into your heart, these shadows, you will get no sympathy from me. I no longer fear you, and I will defeat you Spike." Sandbar stood defiantly against Spike, not backing down and not showing fear. Spike starts to chuckle again.
"I don't need you to fear me Sandbar, I need you to grovel before me, begging for you to keep your soul right before the Shadows rip it from you with force! I end, And because I end, I activate the effect of Armed Dragon Lv5. Since I destroyed a Monster with him, when I end I can tribute him to special summon Armed Dragon Lv7!!!" As soon as Armed Dragon Lv7 appeared on the field, Sandbar sprang into action.
"Not so fast Spike! Lv decks are so predictable, I knew getting this monster out was your main goal, So I set this trap card, Bottomless Trap Hole!" Sandbar's card is flipped face up.
"NO!!!" Spike hollers in anger, gritting his teeth.
"When you summon a monster with 1500 or more attack, it is instantly destroyed and banished!" Said Sandbar. Armed Dragon Lv 7 roars out painfully before being destroyed. Spike hangs his head and clenches his fists.
"Stop this now Spike, I will not back down. Call off the Shadows and end this with respect. We know this isn't you, you know your friends will never leave you out of the glory. Your contributions are treasured by your friends. Please, stop this." Sandbar was begging, trying to reach out to him. Spike could be heard growling to himself, slowly his growls turning into soft chuckling, then his chuckles turn into maniacal laughter as he flings his head back up and stares at Sandbar as he laughs.
"You think my greatest monster is my pathetic Armed Dragon Lv7!? That monster is nothing but a ghost of my old self, he is nothing compared to what I really have for you!" Spike began to look deranged. "By all means, take your turn for now, Sandbar, do you really have it in you to take me out!? I want to see you try!"
[Sandbar 3200/ Spike 2900]
[Sandbar 4 cards/ Spike 4 cards]
"If this is the path you want to take, then so be it, DRAW!" Yelled Sandbar. "I summon Envoy of Chaos {1500atk 0def. Lv4} Now I activate the spell double summon! This card allows me to perform a second Normal summon! I tribute Envoy of Chaos to tribute summon Curse of Dragonfire! {2000atk. 1500def. Lv5}. Now I activate Foolish Burial to send Gaia, the Mid-Knight Sun to the grave. Now with the last card in my hoof, I banish Gaia the Mid-knight sun, and Envoy of Chaos from my grave to special summon Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the beginning!" As Black Luster Soldier is summoned, to Sandbar's surprise, he turns to face Sandbar.
"Master! I can manifest myself again!" Black Luster Soldier looked very concerned for Sandbar. His eyes then go wide and he slowly turns back to look at Spike, then narrowing his eyes. "Who is this!? I feel much evil coming from them!"
"It’s good to see you, Soldier, but now isn’t the time for a reunion. It's one of the Shadow Riders Twilight warned us about. It's Spike, the shadows have corrupted him." Sandbar looks back at Spike, he had a choice to make. End this now, or spare him.
"This is unfortunate. Even the most innocent cannot ward away the shadows." Soldier closes his eyes and shakes his head.
"Soldier, I want you to attack his face down card." Said Sandbar, "Then Dragonfire go for the direct attack." Soldier lashed out and slashed the face down card, it flipped to show a sinister looking face before being destroyed. While Curse of Dragonfire zoomed past Soldier to wing attack Spike, which launched him backwards. "I went easy on you this turn Spike. I could have ended you with Soldier this turn, but you still have time to stop. If you don't, I will end you next turn. I end."
[Sandar 3200/ Spike 900]
[Sandbar 0 cards/ Spike 4 cards]
Slowly Spike stood up, the shadows seemed much more agitated now that he was losing. He turns back towards them with an angry smirk.
"You choosing to spare me will be your downfall Sandbar! As the face down card you chose to destroy with Soldier was Morphing Jar! Now we discard our whole claw/hoof and redraw 5 cards." Spike discards his claw and draws more cards.
"I had none, so thanks for the free cards." Taunted Sandbar, drawing a new hoof.
"hehehe, It may have benefitted you, but it benefitted me more as I just discarded Pitch-Black dragon, Divine Dragon Apocralyph, and Infernal Dragon, all of which are dark monsters." As spike boasted, Sandbar only looked confused.
"So? What does that mean?" Asked Sandbar.
"Because now, I can show you my ultimate monster!" Yelled Spike. He grabs the Armed Dragon Lv7 card and holds it in his claw and hoists it high above his head. "Shadows Corruption!!!" Slowly, a crimson red glow forms around the card as the shadows around Spike soon dart and are absorbed by the card. A loud painful roar can be heard as the card is being corrupted, both sandbar and Smolder cover their ears as the roar was earpiercing.
"SPIKE! SPIKE STOP! I can hear your monster! You're hurting it!" Yelled Smolder who has been mostly quiet since Spike revealed himself. Spike shifts his eyes to her, their eyes meet as he then smirks at her showing his teeth. He continues the corruption till the pained roar of Armed Dragon stops.
"What did you do Spike!? What did you do to your card!?" Sandbar glares angerily at Spike, stomping his hoof.
"Meet the newest addition to my deck, courtesy of my master the Pony of Shadows." Said Spike as he brought the card down and held it outwards. "The Dark Armed Dragon!" Sandbar, Smolder, and even Soldier flinch back in shock and horror at the new card.
"That is a cruel and twisted fate for that poor monster... it must be liberated!" Soldier looks on in disapproval at Spike.
"This has gone too far Spike! You have crossed the line now!" Shouted Sandbar.
"You haven't seen anything yet Sandbar! Now that I have 3 dark monsters in my grave, I can special summon my Dark Armed Dragon straight to the field! HYA!!!" Said Spike as he slams the card on his duel disk. The Monster is summoned to the field, from there the corruption of Armed Dragon are visible and it lets out a horrid distorted roar. Both Sandbar and Smolder look at it with horror as the Dragon shifts its eyes to them {2800atk. 1000def. Lv7}.
"Spike...What you have done, it is despicable! I can't believe you've done this!" Sandbar takes a few steps back as he fazes up at the abomination
"Hehehe-Hahahaha! This is the power of the Shadows Sandbar, Allow me to show you the might of my new dragon! By Banishing one dark monster from my grave, I can send one of your monster's to the grave!" Said Spike.
"Master!" Soldier calls out, turning to Sandbar.
"I..I can't stop it!" Sandbar looks back at Soldiers with worry.
"I banish two of the three dark dragons in my graveyard to destroy both of your monsters!" Yelled Spike. As the cards are banished, Dark Armed Dragon lets out a hellfire of crimson fire breath that ignites both Black Luster Soldier and Dragonfire. Soldier yells out in pain as he is destroyed. "Don't forget Sandbar, I still have my attack! Dark Armed Dragon, Shroud him in the shadows!" Dark Armed dragon continues to breathe his dark red fire as moves past the playing field and engulfs Sandbar.
[Sandbar 400/ Spike 900]
[Sandbar 5 cards/ Spike 4 cards]
Sandbar yells out in pain as the fire burns him, the fire rolling over the top of his head and fully engulfing him. He drops down to all four of his knees as the fire grows up and over his back. When th fire finally dies down, Sandbar had collapsed on the ground.
"Spike! Stop this! Please stop this! This was never meant to be you! You are not this cruel! Please Spike!" Begged Smolder with tears running down her face. Spike Shifts his attention to her.
"What do you know about me Smolder? How could you possibly know what I would do?" Spike glares at Smolder.
"I know that you would never willingly hurt any pony, or any creature! You are too good natured. You would put your own safety at risk just to save your friends, think back to when you molted, your first act with your new wings was to save Rarity from the Roc. That's the Spike I know, not THIS!" Smolder yelled out in emotional pain. Spike's eyes widen slightly upon hearing Smolder. Rarity, He hasn't thought of her since the corruption. slowly he looks down at his own hand, he scales stained black from the shadows. For a slight second, the Shadows peel away from his mind, his eyes returning to normal, as all he could think about was Rarity. He himself could feel a tear forming in his eyes and then run down his cheek.
"...Rarity..." Spike said to himself softly.
"NOOOOO!!!!!" A loud voice rang out causing Spike to drop to his knees and cry out in agony, and Smolder to cover her ears again. The voice was deep and angry, it was the voice of the Pony of Shadows. "You do not think of her! Your mind and soul belong to me, and you are to destroy the elements! UNDERSTAND!?!?!?!?"
"NNNNNGH!....Yes my master..." Spike Said as he slowly stood up, his eyes going back to their blood red color. "I end my turn Sandbar! Stand up so I may finish you next round!"
Sandbar who was still on the ground since the attack. He struggles to get to his hooves, slowly and meraculiously, he stands up. He was panting hard and looks at his duel disk. He was hesitant to draw. If he doesn't draw the card he needs, he is done for, and he will lose his soul. He closes his eyes for a second to regain his thoughts when he can hear Twilight's voice. It's what she told him earlier today when they were all in her office. 'Remember what we taught you, how to hone in with your element. You may be inexperienced, but any power you can draw from it could be beneficial.' Sandbar knew what he had to do, just like how Fluttershy and Mage Meadowbrook showed him, he had to hone in with his element. Though he was never successful in being able to do this yet, it was worth a try, what did he have to lose at this point that wasn't already at stake. Sandbar controls his breathing and clears his mind as he tries to communicate with the element of kindness.
"This is pathetic! Make your move or this match will...be...forfeit..." Said Spike as he was watching Sandbar, his voice trailed off as Sandbar slowly started to glow. Sandbar's mane began to move as if the wind was rushing through it as he started to glow more and more. He opens his eyes, only for them to shine a bright yellow color, he has done it, he has honed in on his element. "No...This cannot be! You are too inexperienced to call upon The Element of Kindness!!!" Spike yells in anger, gritting his teeth.
"No Specter of the Shadows, you have simply underestimated us, for that you will be punished." Said Sandbar, his voice sounded as if multiple voices were speaking all at once.
"S-Sandbar???" Said Smolder in awe as she watched him.
"We draw!" Said Sandbar. "We have done it, we drew the card we need." Sandbar looks at Spike with determination. "We play the spell Super Soldier Ritual! This card allows us to Ritual summon a new variation of our Black Luster Soldier. By offering both marauding captains, and blue skilled magician in our hoof, we bring forth, Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier!!!" As the card is played, Black Luster Soldier returns to the field, this time wearing brand new armor. Soldier looks at himself before turning back towards Sandbar.
"Master! Master you did it! You are one with your Element!" Soldier gives him an approving smile.
"No...This cannot be!" Yelled Spike.
"Black Luster Soldier, we command you to destroy the Dark Armed Dragon!" Sandbar held out his hoof towards the dragon.
"Yes master!" Said Soldier as he holds his shield close to him. The Dark Armed Dragon turns to Soldier and growls at him.
"Have at you, you vile beast!" Yelled Soldier as Dark Armed Dragon then roared at him angrily. The Dark Armed Dragon then spews crimson fire at Soldier who promptly blocks it with his shield. He then Charges the dragon before jumping high into the air and slashes the dragon in the chest with his sword. the dragon lets out a pained roar as it is finally destroyed.
"You may have destroyed my Dragon Sandbar, but I stand tall! I am still in this!" Spike growls, pointing his claw at Sandbar.
"No you are not." Sandbar remains standing straight up. "As Super Soldier has a devastating effect. When he destroys a monster, the owner of that monster then loses life points equal to the destroyed monster's attack!"
"WHAT!?!?!? NO! NOOOO!!!" Yelled Spike as his eyes widen.
"It's finally over Spike!" Yelled Sandbar. Soldier lands directly in front of Spike, he tries to back up, but was caught off guard as Soldier raises his sword and brings it down hard on Spike, dropping his life points down to zero.
[Sandbar vs. Spike: Winner Sandbar]
Soldier quickly returns to Sandbar's side As Spike then begins to cry out in pain. He plants both of his claws on the sides of his head and he drops to his knees.
"GAHHHHH!!!! NO!!! NO PLEASE! MASTER! HAVE MERCY!" Yelled Spike in a pained panic.
"Sp-Spike!" Yelled Smolder as she took a step forward.
"SPARE ME MASTER!!! HE WAS NOT TO CALL ON HIS ELEMENT!!! PLEASE!!! PLEASE FORGIVE MEEEEEEE-AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!" Spike yells out one more time as a massive amount of Shadows spew out of Spike's mouth, nose, and eyes. As Soon as the shadows leave, Spike goes limp as he collapses to the ground. Sandbar in response slowly starts to dim as he returns to normal. The massive amount of energy he just exerted also causes him to stumble around before falling to the ground and passing out. Soldier tries to catch him, but as soon as Sandbar loses consciousness, he dissipates.
"Sandbar!" Smolder yells out to him before finally dashing to him. She cradles the back of his head with her claw, he was still breathing, but he was completely out. Within no time, Smolder can hear a massive thud behind her as if a Pegasus just landed. She slowly turns to see Headmare Twilight, still in her nightgown.
"What in Equestria just happened!? What was all that magic I felt!?" Twilight yelled.
End of Chapter 8