//------------------------------// // Scroll 6 // Story: The Rider Of Darkness // by GaleWind //------------------------------// Scroll 6 Fluttershy just stood there in trying to figure out what to do next. After witnessing that fight, she just stood and waited for something else to happen. A groan behind her caused her to jump a bit. She turned around and went to see where the voice came from. She peaked behind the bushes and gasped at the sight of her friend. “Echo Wave, please be alright.” She begged. I groaned a bit before I opened my eyes. “Fluttershy, what happened?” I asked. She replied by wrapping me in a tight hug. I winced in pain a bit until I heard her sobbing. I looked down and saw her crying. “Echo, I’m so glad you’re alright. I was so scared.” She said weakly. I hated seeing her like this. The only thing I could do is pet her head to try to calm her down. “Shh. It’s okay, Fluttershy. The bad thing is over now and you’re safe. That is what’s more important now. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep you from harm.” I said. She looked up and managed a small smile but, then she gasped. “Echo, you’re bleeding!” She exclaimed. I felt my head and there was a cut on my forehead. She helped get me to my hooves and walked me over to the bench. She looked through her bag and took out some medical wraps and a first aid kit. I only stared as she started treating me. “I always have something ready in case a poor animal is hurt.” She said with a small blush. While she was tending to me, she told me everything that happened while I was out. “Are you sure he said that?” “Yes, I think so. I know the siblings said he created them but, I think he’s trying his best to correct his mistake. Even if it’s through violence.” She said. That’s Fluttershy for you, always trying to the best in any creature. When she finished treating my wound, we decided to head back to the house. When got back, everypony was in the living room, including my sister and Seeker. When they heard the door open, they turned and were shocked at my condition. After they were done asking questions, Fluttershy began telling them what happened. When she was done, every face in the room had looks of shock. The girls immediately took their friend to the kitchen to calm her down. They wanted to see if I needed anything but, I reassured them and said to look after her. I was left in the room with Zepha and Seeker. “Don’t beat yourself up. You couldn’t have guessed that would happen.” He said. He patted me on the shoulder and left for the kitchen. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Zepha asked out of concern. “Yeah, I’m fine. The thing just surprised me. Right now, I’m more worried about my sister and sharky.” I said. “I asked the girls about that. They said Aqua met up with him about nine months ago. Apparently, he was a manufacturer of boats back home and decided to work for your sister’s company. They hit it off four months later when he moved up the latter and she noticed him. “When did she make him a business partner in the company?” “She made him one a month later.” She answered. I sighed heavily about this information. This just begs the question of where else these things have gotten and how far up they are. I saw a glow from my backpack and picked it up. I opened it and the glow was coming from the book. I opened it and a letter appeared on the front page. “What is that?” “It’s a message from Chief Thunderhooves. It looks like they met some escapees from one of the facilities. The weapons I gave them worked and no one was hurt. The staff I gave him covered their movement and they are tending to them now.” I flipped the paper and responded. I placed the paper back on the front page, closed the book and a flash occurred. When I opened the book the letter was gone. ‘Where did it go?” she asked. “I sent the letter back to him. The paper is special. Once the message is sent back with a reply, the first message fades away and vice versa. It can be used multiple times.” I explained. The girls came back and Seeker came back in from the kitchen. It looks like pinkie made cupcakes judging from the amount on the plate she balanced on her head. The rest of the time was spent on making sure I was okay and what to do next. They decided to check ‘The garage’ tomorrow and see what shows up. It got late and everypony decided to turn in for the night. “Girls, the rooms you stayed in before are still the same. Echo, the basement is still the same as you left it.” She said. I nodded and everypony went upstairs for bed, except for Twilight. She had this worried look on her face. “Twilight, what’s wrong?” “I just don’t know what to do? The attack on you two just scares me. Now, this kamen rider shade can use the element of kindness. This is unlike anything we’ve been through. I just hope everything works out in the end.” Twilight said before walking up the stairs. The way she talked just proves to me that I must push forward until everypony is safe. “It will work out in the end, Twilight. I promise “ Me and Zepha took the steps downstairs and into the basement. It was set up like a regular bedroom but, she noticed a sketchbook on the night stand and picked it up. “Are these your drawings?” She asked. I nodded in agreement and she looked through it. In it were a few of my early drawings from when I was a colt. She liked most of them but, than she got to the designs. “Are these boat designs?” “Yeah.” “I thought you didn’t want to be part of the company.” She said. I sighed as I walked over, got the sketch book and sat on the bed. I patted the spot next to me and she sat there. “At first, I was joined with the company. My specialty was making the sonar equipment for the boats. That’s why my cutie mark is sound waves. “How did you get your cutie mark anyway?” “One day, when I was six, our parents took us to the company. I was curious about a piece of equipment and asked my dad about it. He said it was called sonar and I wanted to know how it worked. Dad said it was just sound bouncing off of things so, I tried it myself. I placed a bunch of stuff in my room, turned off the lights and used a radio and some earphones to see. While I did this, I realized that you can see without using your eyes. When I made it to the door, there was a flash of light and sure enough, there was my cutie mark. When I told my parents, they were so proud.” “When did you start disliking it?” she asked and I sighed again. “Well, when I got old enough and they gave the company to Aqua, I asked if I could work there making the sonar equipment and she said yes. Things worked out well and then, she asked if I wanted to be co-partner but, I declined.” “Why didn’t you agree?” “I didn’t join to run the company. I joined to make sure the boats that came out were safe and didn’t damage anything. My parents accepted that I wanted to find my new career but, my sister was another story.” “That’s when things went south.” “We got into a bit of a falling out after that. She was always more concerned with the company than I was. We got into a few arguments which culminated into me leaving. I took a train to ponyville, met the girls and the rest is history.” I said as I finished my tale. “Wow, I didn’t think it was that bad. Do you still hate her?” “I don’t hate her; it’s just that we left off on a bad note. I haven’t talked to her since and now she’s with this walking fish and I pray nothing has happened between them.” “You really worry about all of them, don’t you?” “Of course I do and I swear if that thing has done something to her.” I said angrily. I was just so agitated that my fist started to tremble. Zepha placed here hand under my chin and turned my head so I met her eyes. My blue eyes met her red ones and I knew she was trying to calm me down. She leaned forward and did something I was used to. She kissed me on the lips and I returned it before pulling back. “I know you worry about them but, you need a calm mind before rushing off.” She said in a caring tone. I nodded in agreement as I got up and turned the lights off. I got back in bed, pulled the covers over both of us and prepared for sleep. “Remember, a calm mind wins battles.” “Right.” I replied and went to sleep. The next day was anything but pleasant. The girls came downstairs to check up on me but, ended up seeing me, asleep in bed with a half-naked griffin in my arms. It took the next hour to convince them that nothing happened but, Zepha made it difficult. After the explanation and breakfast, we headed out and went to ‘The garage’. Aqua and Seeker decided to tag along despite our protests. When we got there, our first decision was to split up and search. The group lead by me had Zepha and Seeker and we checked some of the warehouses for clues. “This is the third warehouse and still nothing. What are the rumors anyway?” Zepha asked. “The only thing Twilight said is that a few ponies have gone missing around here.” “Well, we could check the one where we keep our prototype boats. The only time anypony is allowed in there is in the day.” Seeker said. “Are you sure about that?” I asked. He nodded and we walked to the farthest warehouse. “Echo Wave, I want to ask you something.” He said. “What is it?” “Have you ever been to Manehatten before on your travels?” “I did, once, a long time ago. Why?” I answered with a question. He continued walking but, I caught a glimpse of the side of his mouth going up. “No reason.” We reached the warehouse and saw the doors open. Inside, we saw about twelve seracs disguised as workers. Seeker whistled to get their attention. They heard it and immediately dropped what they were doing. “You guys can search in here. I’m going to check outside.” He said. Me and Zepha agreed but, immediately a problem showed up. The workers hadn’t moved from their spots. “Seeker, why aren’t they moving?” I asked. He was silent for a minute until he answered. “I don’t know but, I do want to say one thing though.” “What would that be?” I asked while taking out my driver. “I didn’t appreciate you slashing me across the back four year ago.” He said in a deep voice. The seracs began taking out their weapons. I set up my driver, placed the grey gem in and proceeded. “Henshin.” I transformed, drew my sword and gave it to Zepha. “Do you know how to use this?” I asked. She answered by slashing the closest two with ease. “I think I can manage.” She answered with a shrug. I drew two daggers and turned around to face Seeker. “Last time, I was just learning. Now, I’m finishing the job.” “Is that so? You wouldn’t be the first one that accidently snuck in here.” He said with a grin. It was then I noticed that his eyes were completely soulless. I sprinted forward and slashed his neck. He fell to the ground and his features faded away and his place was a serac. I heard laughing and noticed a walkie talkie next to it. “Where are you?” I growled. He just chuckled and said one thing. “Where do you think I am?” “HELP MEEEEEEEE!!!” A voice said from the background. That was Aqua’s voice. “Try not to keep us waiting.” He said and then it cut off. I looked back to see Zepha take down the last one. “How are you going to find them?” “Right before it cut off, I heard a boat startup, which means that he’s just leaving into open waters.” “How are you going to catch them?” She asked. I looked around the warehouse and noticed a boat covered by a tarp. I walked over to it and took the tarp off. Underneath it was a medium sized jet boat. I got in it and noticed that the sonar equipment was on my design. “This is the boat me and my dad were working on before I left.” “Is it fast?” She asked. “You have no idea.” We got the boat in the water and I immediately took off. I told Zepha to find the girls and meet us at the house. I made it out into open waters and turned on the sonar. The sonar equipment I helped develop utilizes magic to specifically identify the object on or under the water. Other sonars dwarf in comparison. I picked up a boat signature five miles out and put the boat on full throttle. I saw the boat and went up to it. I saw Aqua in it, shaking in fear when she saw me. “Who are you?” “Where is he?” I shouted. My answer was given when he jumped out of the water, took me overboard and dragged me underwater. “You know, I think it’s poetic that I get to kill you before I do away with your sister. Don’t worry; I make sure it’s quick and painful.” He said with an evil grin. “The only one going to get a quick and painful death is you.” I said while conserving air. I kneed him in the gut, releasing me. I pulled the handle out, took out the pink pearl, placed it in and slammed it back into place. “Kind Sky.” The water around me began swirling in place, making me look like a miniature whirlpool. When the water calmed down, my wings had formed. “What good are wings in the water?” He said while laughing. He’s answer was given when I flapped my wings and jettisoned me forward and allowed me to throw a punch at him as I went by. “These wings of mine aren’t just for the sky. They call on the power of the wind itself.” I proclaimed as I continued my onslaught. I went in close, grabbed him and shot toward the surface. We exploded out of the water, right next to the boats. “GET TO THE OTHER BOAT!” I shouted down towards Aqua. She somehow heard me and jumped on to the boat I came on. When she was clear, I looked at Seeker and said this: “This is for all the innocent ponies you’ve harmed and trying to do the same to my sister. Now, Prepare for your judgment” I threw him down straight toward the other boat. I pulled out the handle and slammed it back in. “Kind Sky, Exceed!” I drew my sword and the wind began surrounding it. “May the Wind, Scatter this evil.” I clenched my sword and slashed it in his direction. The wind materialized and became a torrent of air. He yelled in pain as the air sliced him and the boat in half. The boat’s explosion pushed my boat away with Aqua in it. I flew towards it and landed right in front of her. “Who are you?” She asked while still shaking in fear. I noticed that the magic in her eyes was gone. I pressed the pad on the side on my driver and the transformation cancelled. When she saw me behind the mask, she was shocked. “Echo, is that you?” she said through her tears. I went towards her and embraced her in a tight and calming hug. “Yes, it’s me. Don’t worry sis, your nightmare’s over.” I said and she began crying into my shoulder.