Chapter 3
Sand started to shift around the manipulator that robbed the elements of harmony. He sat there, staring out of his window with a calm expression, gazing at the subjects his sister had sent to face him. He sighed as he opened his wings wide, causing the sand around him to sink into them. Once the sand was within the large feathers, they all shot out in rapid speed, taking forms of small birds. He folded his wings and watched as his sand birds left to the sky, heading towards their assigned target.
“Let’s stall them now, make sure their visit is not too much to worry about.” He muttered to himself, clapping his hooves together as his horn started to glow. The sand birds eventually smashed into each other, taking a much larger form. When the giant bird was completed, it became noticeable from a far distance of the approaching characters.
He softly smirks before setting his hooves back down to the ground. His horn stopped glowing as he began exiting out his room. He glanced back one more time before closing the door behind him, sure that their encounter with one of his greatest spells would buy him time to prepare for their visit. But without him noticing, there was a small alicorn filly hiding in the dark corners, staring out the window frighten. Her horn started to glow as sand started shifting around her, but eventually it fell flat to the ground, causing her horn to shoot out sparks before she collapsed to the ground exhausted. She stared back out the window worry, silently hoping the approaching subjects of Celestia’s could push through and make it safely to the castle.
“Twilight, what is that?!” Rainbow Dash cried out, pointing at the giant sand falcon.
“It’s a falcon made of sand! It seems Déjà vu created it and sent it to us. He doesn’t expect us to make it so fast.” She stated, gritting her teeth angrily as her horn started glowing.
“You sure your magic can work on that thing? Shouldn’t we work together and escape from that thing?” Applejack asked in a worried tone.
“I am aware of that and hope we would be capable of escaping such a large creature. I am going to see if I can distract it and perhaps stall it for a while, in order to bid you guys time to escape.” She said.
“But what about you, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked, frighten from the massive approaching creature.
“Don’t worry; I think I can count on you two guards to guide that thing away from the others, right?” She asked, looking at the two pegasi royal guards. The two nodded their heads, giving her a determining smirk.
“Okay, then be careful. If that does not work, we will try assisting you and distract that large ruffian.” Rarity stated.
“Since when were you giving out plans, eh, Rarity?” Dash asked.
“I’ve seen enough large creatures for the time being. I should at least be glad it was not that sand dragon. I will become peter by that bird.” She stated smirking at Dash as the carriage from the right flew by the side of the other. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie both hopped onto it, alongside Rarity and Applejack. Rainbow Dash glanced back at Twilight who motioned for her to leave with the others, but the Pegasus ignored such command and landed by her side.
“Not going to happen, Twilight. It would not be fair if you get all the action now, hmm?” She asked, smirking at the shocked lavender mare. “You guys go, I’m gonna stay behind and help out Twilight!” Dash yelled.
“Are you sure, Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked, looking at her friend worried.
“You bet. I always wanted to test out my new flying trick that will knock that bird out of stupidity and into amazement!” She said, staring ahead at the approaching sand falcon. Twilight gave herself a few seconds to think of a plan that will suit her and Dash and smirked at the conclusion made. She figured it would be best suitable for Dash to be beside her and chances are, they might be able to take down the falcon than distract it.
“Alright, Dash, I have a plan.” Twilight said, looking at her with a confident smile.
Once the carriage separated from the other that was carrying Twilight and Rainbow Dash, the four watched from a distance the sand falcon chasing the other carriage that changed its course. Applejack adjusted her hat before glancing at the guards carrying them. She soon looked back at her two friends from a distance and gulped hoping whatever plan Twilight had in mind would work. Eventually, the sky became very bright as the sound of rippling electricity crackled through the sky, startling the four. The next thing they saw was a bright light that blinded them for a few seconds.
Rainbow Dash dashed through clouds, attempting to outrun the small sand birds that chased her from behind. She made sure to keep good close to Twilight and the carriage holding her so that she would not stray from her friend. Twilight was charging up her magic, preparing to launch a new spell that she had been working with her for a long time. She was confident that it would work, as long as Dash distracted the giant sand creature that sent out small birds of its own at her.
The fast Pegasus was soon startled by a surprise attack from the sand falcon’s birds that formed together into a mid-sized version of a falcon, flying towards her in great speed. She had no time to avoid its sweeping hit as it flew to her right side and rammed her, sending her through a few clouds. Rainbow Dash regained her balance once she landed on a cloud, skidding back. She glared at the approaching falcon that was heading straight towards her. Huffing out angrily, she took off towards it, gaining a large amount of speed. Wind blew hard against her face as their collision was close.
She soon smirked, dashing down; causing the bird to fly over her before exploding into pieces after the fast mare flew upwards, crashing through its belly and out its back. She shook her head side to side, getting sand out of her mane before flying towards Twilight struggling with the other guards against the large falcon. When she flew towards its face, she came into a painful sudden halt, crashing into the sand that was hard as rock. It stunned her for a while before she gasped and leap off its face after tendrils of sand sprouted out to grab her. She landed next to Twilight and sighed in relief.
“I’m almost done with the spell; do you think you can at least distract it a bit longer?” Twilight asked.
“I will try, but ouch…I did not expect the sand to be that hard.” Dash groaned, before getting up and taking off.
“Just a bit longer, Dash.” Twilight muttered, “And we can catch up with the others.”
Déjà vu sat in front of a giant hour glass chained to four columns inside of a massive room where darkness filtered behind them. He had a concern look on his face, staring at the forming cracks on the hour glass that held magical sand. But what was within in the sand that was only revealed to be in a crystalized form was a pony whose appearance remained obscure. The door behind him that cast light from the hall caused him to slightly turn around. It was the alicorn from before staring at him with a frightened expression as she started trotting to him.
“You should not be afraid, my daughter, the time is growing short, but the presence of this event will surely be wonderful. I just hope I have enough time on this world before I cast the ultimate time spell.” He said.
“What of auntie Celestia and Luna?” She spoke in a soft tone, fragile and soothing.
“They must first face judgment along with the world. If they were to not face judgment, then all that we have worked for would have been for nothing. Until then, I will see to it that this event follows up…even if it cost me my life.” He said in a stern tone.
“But do you really need the Elements of Harmony?” She asked.
“Yes…I do, Twelve. Without it…I will not be able to complete this. Time spells are not so easy for me to manage than it is for you. The more I use it, Twelve, the faster my life span decreases. It’s not so great than I was at when I was young.” He stated.
“Is there any other way you can do it without putting your life on the line?” She asked in nervous tone.
Silence came into the room as Déjà vu stared deeply into the crystal inside of the hour glass. He shook his head slowly and turned to his daughter. “No, that is why you will take my place in keeper of time.”
-To Be Continued-