//------------------------------// // Scroll 5 // Story: The Rider Of Darkness // by GaleWind //------------------------------// Scroll 5 The sun was high in the sky as noon struck. The western town had come alive and they were going about their business. In town, the girls were busy looking for clues and their missing friend. “Where do you think he is? We’ve been looking since we woke up.” Twilight said. “I don’t know but, he couldn’t have gone far. Wait, what’s that?” Applejack asked. The girls looked to where she was pointing and were greeted by a surprising sight. They saw somepony coming towards them on a white zerger. When it stopped in front of them, they saw that it was me and Zepha riding on it. “Hey girls.” I said. “Echo Wave, where did you get that?” Twilight said. “It’s mine. Zepha brought it here when she showed up this morning when I met her in town.” I said while we got off the bike. “That is so cool. Can I give it a try?” Rainbow excitingly asked. “I don’t think so. I had mine modified a bit so, it might be a little too much for you.” I said. Rainbow pouted because she couldn’t drive it. “Where have you been, darling? We’ve been looking for you all morning.” “We decided to try and find some clues outside of town but, we found something better. Braeburn’s okay.” I said. “How do you know?” Applejack pleadingly asked. “I know because I got a letter from him?” I explain while taking out his letter. I gave it to Applejack and she immediately began to read it. When she finished, she lowered it and had a smile on her face. “He’s alright. It says that he met up with the buffalos and wanted to know more about them so he won’t be back for a while but, he sends his best wishes.” She said. The girls gave sighs of relief. “It’s good to know that he’s okay. While we were looking for you, there weren’t any more reports of attacks of any kind. I’ll have Spike send a report to the siblings informing that Appaloosa is safe. Thanks for finding out about Braeburn, Echo. Echo?” Twilight asked. The only response from me she got was light snoring. The girls looked and saw me leaning against my bike, fast asleep. “He wore himself out on the way back. You can discuss talking to him when he wakes up.” Zepha said while picking me up. The girls nodded while giggling to themselves as they moved on. The sound of metal hitting metal woke me up from my sleep. When I opened my eyes, I noticed I was in a train car with the girls and Spike looking at me with teasing smiles. “Why are you all looking at me like that?” They all replied with the same thing. “Nothing.” I noticed that they were looking up and I noticed I that my head was on somepony’s lap. I suddenly cringed at what they were looking at and slowly turned my head to notice a beak in my face. “Did my little stallion enjoy his nap?” Zepha said with a grin. I growled at her a bit as I sat up straight. “How do you get them involved in your little jokes?” “I guess that just want to catch up on you being away for so long.” She said. I looked to the girls for their answers. “Sorry, Echo Wave. It’s just that we haven’t had time to really catch up before we were given this mission.” Twilight said. “Yeah it was fun having you around.” Spike said. “Sorry, sugarcube. It’s just great having you back.” “It really is, darling.” “There all just jokes. There all in good fun.” “If you don’t mind, that is?” I heard all of their responses and could give them a smile. “I understand and I do appreciate it. Even if a certain griffin keeps antagonizing it.” I said as I shot a glare at an innocent smiling Zepha. “Anyway, why are we on a train?” “I had Spike send a letter to the siblings and Prince Scythin responded. He said that they are glad everything worked out and that we’re safe. He also gave us our next destination. We’re heading towards Baltimare. There have been strange reports near Horseshoe Bay.” Twilight explained. “We’re going there next.” I said with a hint of irritation. “What’s so bad about it?” Zepha asked. “I grew up there before I moved to Ponyville. Let’s just say that there was a reason I left.” “I know you got off on the wrong hoof with your sister but, I know you two can work things out.” Twilight said. “I didn’t know you had a sister?” “I don’t talk about her much for a reason.” I calmly said. “We’re two days away from it. I promise you that it will all work out with the mission and between you two.” Twilight said with a smile. “Wonderful.” The trip to my old home town took two days by train and during that time, I had a chance to reflect on it. The city of Baltimare is a port side city. It isn’t as big as Manehattan but, it makes up for its proximity to Horseshoe Bay. The docking ports, nicknamed ‘The garage’, are where all the ships come in for trade, repair or transport. It really is a nice city but, I had my own reason for leaving. We departed the train when we came into the city right as the sun was coming up. We gathered our belongings and the conductor helped me unload my bike from the back car. “Okay, we made it to the city.” Twilight said. “It’s too early to try anything now. Where are we going to stay while we’re here?” Rainbow said. “That’s taken care of. I sent another letter after receiving the royal’s reply. She sent a copy of her key to her house so that we can stay for the time being.” Twilight said while taking out a key. “Twilight, who exactly did you send a letter too?” I asked with a hint of anger. “Well, just promise you won’t be upset.” To say that I was upset would be an understatement. When we go to the place we were staying at, I was absolutely livid. It was a two story house with a river next to it and a boat in it. The house was close to the bay and I already knew who Twilight asked. It was my sister’s house. “I can’t believe you asked Aqua? You do know we don’t get along well!” I explained. Aqua is my elder sister by two years. “I know your upset but, she agreed to let us stay and this might be a chance for you two to patch things.” “Does she even know I’m with you?” “She does now.” A voice said. We look to the house and in the doorway was a dark blue unicorn mare with a black mane and tail and wearing a business suit. This was my sister, Aqua Wave. “Hello, Aqua Wave. Thank you for allowing us to stay with you.” Twilight said. “It’s no problem, Twilight. I don’t mind you girls staying over. Although, I wasn’t expecting you to bring company with you.” She said as she glanced at me and Zepha. “Echo Wave, so nice to see you again and I see you brought a friend with you.” She said. “I’m not here because I want too. I’m only here for my friends and that is it.” I said with a bit of irritation in my voice. We continued to stare at each other until another voice broke the silence. “Aqua, is something wrong out there?” The voice said. The girls looked towards the house and saw a tan earth pony with an orange mane and tail and also wearing a business suit but, I saw differently. I saw a walking shark-like creature. “No, everything is find, Seeker.” She said to the stallion while placing a kiss on his cheek. The girl’s aww’d at this while I was left shocked and disturbed by the show of affection. “Seeker, it’s good to see you again.” Twilight said. “It’s good seeing you girls again as well and I see that you brought friends.” “Seeker, this is my little brother, Echo Wave and Echo, this is my business partner and colt friend, Seeker.” Aqua said as she introduced the two of us. “So you’re Aqua’s little brother. It’s nice to finally meet you. The girls told me a lot about you from their last visit.” He said while gesturing for a hand shake. I was reluctant at first but, gave a simple hand shake. “Well, as much as we like to get acquainted, we have to get to the boat. We will see you in the afternoon.” She said as she and Seeker got into the boat and sped off. The girls and Spike went into the house as I saw the boat disappeared. I heard the girls discuss something as I walked in. “I didn’t know Aqua worked on a boat.” Zepha said. “Both her and Echo’s parents own a boat design and manufacturing company. Their parent’s gave the company to her because she was older.” Twilight explained. “So, they don’t get along because Echo believes he should run the company?” “No, that isn’t it.” “Well than, what is it?” “It’s because I don’t want any part of it. All I want to do is continue being an artist.” I finish the explanation as I sat down on the couch. The girls asked Zepha to not push the explanation for and she agreed. It was mid noon when we got settled in and the girls decided to do some sightseeing and clue gathering. Twilight went to the local book store for any recent additions. Applejack went to the farmer’s market to acquire any new apple seeds from traders and Pinkie Pie tagged along to find new ingredients for cupcakes. Spike went along with Rarity to the shopping district for new fashion designs. Zepha had decided to take a nap and the only ones left awake in the house were me and Fluttershy. “You know, Fluttershy, I thought you would go and see the park not too far from here.” “Oh, I don’t mind. Besides, I don’t have anyone to go with me.” She said from the table. “I can go with you if you want." “Oh no, I couldn’t ask you for this.” “Nonsense, besides, it will give us a chance to catch up.” “Okay, thank you.” She said and we left. We arrived at the park and she immediately began to enjoy sights of the park. She started a chorus with the local birds and I must say. She hasn’t lost her touch. We had just relaxed on a nearby bench. “Thank you ever so much for coming with me.” “No problem, Fluttershy. It was nice catching up with you.” I said and she smiled in response. It was then that I noticed that the park suddenly became silent. I than heard the sounds of wings. “Do you hear anything?” I asked her. Before she could answer, something had tackled me and sent me flying into the nearby trees. “ECHO WAVE!!!” Fluttershy shouted. However, before she could check on me, something landed behind her. She slowly turned around and went still with fear. A giant bird like creature stood behind her with an evil grin. “Well, looks like I found a juicy little pony this time. Don’t worry, I don’t bite.” He said. Fluttershy was completely frozen in fear and couldn’t say anything. Before he could lay one claw on her, a dagger flew right past him. He turned around and saw me, fully transformed. “You so much as touch her and I’ll pluck you alive.” “Ah, I heard about you but, I didn’t think you would show up here.” “Get away from her.” I growled. “What could you possibly do against me?” He asked as he went ten feet into the air. I looked towards Fluttershy and she was looking at me in fear. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now and as for you.” I said while pulling the handle out. I took out a pink pearl, placed it in the slot and said one thing before slamming the handle in place. “It’s time to show you who really rules the sky.” The pearl began spinning in place. “Kind Sky.” The wind itself began to encircle and envelop me. When the wind subsided, both parties were shocked to see that metal wings with pink feathers appeared on my back with the pearl imbedded at the base of each wing. However, what shocked Fluttershy the most was the element of kindness symbol on my helmet. I drew my sword and flew straight up, slashing the monster’s left wing off. He shrieked in pain as he came crashing into the ground. I pulled the handle out and called out to Fluttershy before slamming it back in. “COVER YOUR EARS AND CLOSE YOUR EYES!!!” “Kind Sky, Exceed!" I used my wings to jettison me downward into a kick. The wind encircled me and I turned into a diving drill. “May the Wind, Scatter this evil” He yelled in agony when I hit him. It was like the wind itself was shredding him to pieces. When the wind subsided, there was nothing left of him. I was about to disappear but, a small voice stopped me. “Wait!” I turned around and Fluttershy was standing there, still shaking a bit in fear. “Thank you for protecting me but, why are you doing these things? She asked me. I only gave her one answer before the shadows consumed me. “I have my reasons.”