//------------------------------//
// Chapter 39: Past Lives 
// Story: The Elements of Honor 
// by Flanagan 
//------------------------------//

The next day came quickly for the three. they had stayed up the entire night revealing every secret that they had been keeping from one another had been revaled. Battleaxe told them of his fear of being forgotten by everypony, Warhammer spoke of how hard it had been on him being away from Luna and Greatsword told them about Record Keeper and his nightmares. Though their stories differed there was one thing they had in common, The Shadow had visited them at one point. They finally understood that he had been trying to break them, but that wouldn’t happen anymore, now they were stronger than they ever were. They appeared in the main cavern to see the others already awake, except for Derpy. She was still curled up in a ball in Dante’s arms. Seeing the three appear from the darkness, he nodded in their direction.
“I take it that your private conversation went well?” he asked quietly.
“Indeed it did,” Warhammer replied. “I truly feel that I know my brothers as one should know their brother, our bond has become so strong that I feel that nothing could break it.”
“That is a good thing,” Dante gently waking Derpy from her rest. “You’ll need such a strong bond with one another to stop Destruction. I’m off to gather supplies for my lair. Make yourselves at home. Maybe get to know the ponies I have come to know as friends.”
Dante walked into the shadows, Derpy waving her forelegs wildly as he disappeared. A few moments later they could hear the flapping of titanic wings. Then, nothing, Dante was gone. The three took Dante’s advice and went to become better introduced with Dante’s associates, their first stop, Event Horizon. 
“Good morning, Event Horizon.” Greatsword called to get his attention.
Event Horizon looked up from the strange contraption he was working on, then down to the three. He smiled and flew down to them, “Morning gents,” he said. “How was your little talk?”
“It lasted all night,” Battleaxe said, yawning a little. “But it was worth it.”
“I’ll bet,” Event Horizon said. “But may I ask what you were talking about?”
“I’m sure you understand if we don’t want to reveal any details of our talk to you, Event,” Greatsword said. “It’s nothing personal against you, it’s just that we don’t know you to well, we just met yesterday you know.”
“I understand,” Event said. “But I don’t think it’s really fair I know almost every detail of your lives, but you know nothing about me.”
“Well, we’d be happy to hear about it,” Battleaxe said. “If it’s not too personal.”
“Oh, of course not, I just need where to begin,” Event Horizon pondered on where to start. “Well I was born in Manehattan, lived there my whole life. Then I got a military scholarship and went to college and received multiple degrees in engineering and scientific studies.  About four years ago I was surveying materials in the Crystal Mountains and that’s when I literally ran into Dante.”
“I bet THAT was an experience.” Battleaxe said.
“I felt like an apple in front of a parasprite swarm,” Event Horizon replied. “I’d never seen a dragon, let alone one so big that I mistook it for a mountain. But he told me of the ancient evil that he feared would return to Equestria, so I decided to lend my expertise to him and Derpy.”
“Dante knew Derpy before you?” Greatsword asked, looking at the happy little pony eating away at one of her massive muffins
“Yeah, Derpy was actually the first one of us Dante knew. I don’t know how long they’ve known each other for sure, but they’ve been together for a very long time.”
“Well, that’s interesting,” Battleaxe said. “What about the others?”
“Why don’t you just ask us?” Sun Screech said from behind the group. “Instead of the one in front of you?”
“One thousand apologies, Sun Screech,” Warhammer said. “We didn’t see you behind us.”
“Well, maybe next time you should look around before you ask about other ponies.” Sun Screech scoffed.
“So what’s YOU’RE story then?” Battleaxe asked.
“Well since you asked,” Sun Screech thought. “I was born in Colton, nothing really happened there, so I went to college, that’s where I met Event Horizon. I was looking for him in the Crystal Mountains when I met Dante. Event Horizon was kind enough to explain to me the situation before I had a heart attack, and Spark was intelligent enough to hold me down.”
“You’re most welcome,” Spark said hovering over. “I’m pleased to do whatever it is I can do to help.”
“What about you, Spark?” Greatsword said. “Mind telling us about you?”
“Questions? For me?” Spark beamed. “Splendid! Well, I was born in Canterlot and attended Princess Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns, I was even in consideration for becoming the Princess’s personal protégée. But sadly it was not to be, another unicorn actually received that honor on her entrance exam. Pity, I could have done so much to help.” Spark floated to the ground and stood before the three. “Dante found me about two years ago while I was surveying strange anomalies near Trottingham, I was fascinated by his story and offered my unequaled assistance.”
“That’s interesting,” Battleaxe said. “What about you, Derpy?” Derpy ignored Battleaxe’s question and continued to eat away at one of her muffins grinning ear to ear as she ate it. 
“Well, I guess I’ll ask her later,” Battleaxe said. “Come on Warhammer, let’s see what these guys got to eat.” Warhammer nodded and followed his brother to what they presumed was their kitchen. Greatsword stayed back momentarily, admiring the work that Event Horizon was doing. 
“You look a lot like him, you know.” Derpy said.
Greatsword turned to see Derpy standing right next to him staring off into the distance. “Look like who?” he asked.
“Well, your DAD of course!” Derpy said. “Battleaxe looks a lot more like your guy’s mom though.”
“You knew my parents?” Greatsword asked.
“Uh… yeah, everypony in Ponyville knew your parents,” Derpy said. “They were the local blacksmiths.”
“Blacksmiths? Ponyville? I’m FROM Ponyville?” Greatsword said.
“Yeah!” Derpy said. “You lived there your whole life, until you left to join the military.”
“Who were my parents?” He asked.
“Armor Smith and Forge, they loved you three SO much.” Derpy lowered her head. “I’m sorry they died when you were so young.”
“T-they’re dead?” Greatsword stuttered.
“There was an accident at their shop, Armor Smith got you three out quick,” Derpy explained. “But when he went back for Forge, the building collapsed on them.”
Greatsword’s eyes grew misty. He had parents that loved him, parents that died for him and he couldn’t even remember them. Derpy saw that Greatsword was devastated by this revelation and quickly gave him a hug.
“It’s ok, Greatsword,” she said. “I’m sure they would be proud to see you now.”
“I just pray that I never disappointed them for who I am now.” Greatsword said. “I’ve failed so many.”
“Don’t say that,” Derpy said. “War never changes… you can’t save them all, even if you do your absolute best.”
“Bro you hungry or not?” Battleaxe called from the kitchen. “They’ve got Frosty mini wheat, your favorite!”
“Guess I’ll go get something to eat,” Greatsword said. “You take care Derpy.”
Greatsword looked behind him, but Derpy had already gone back to eating her giant muffin. Completely oblivious to the fact that he still hadn’t left her side. He only shook his head at the happy cross eyed pony and continued to their kitchen.
Greatsword walked into the kitchen, only his brothers were there. They had three bowls, a gallon of milk and the box of cereal Battleaxe used to get Greatsword’s attention. He took his place next to Warhammer at the massive table that the other two were sitting at.
“Damn I’m a good cook!” Battleaxe said. “Just look at this bowl of cereal I just made.”
“I think it needs more bacon strips…” a voice echoed.
“Was I the only one who heard that?” Battleaxe said looking around. The other two shook their heads. They rose from their seats and looked around for their enemy.
“Well, this is convenient…” The Shadow said, still hidden in the caves darkness. “The last time I had you all in one place was nearly five years ago, after you cock-blocked me.”
“What do you want?” Greatsword asked. “You know you aren’t welcome here.”
“I’m used to not being accepted,” The Shadow said. “But since everypony was talking about their old lives, I thought I should throw my two bits in the conversation.” 
“We don’t want to hear YOUR life story,” Greatsword growled. 
“Well, I for one am now insulted by such rudeness,” The Shadow said. “And FURTHER more, I used to be a pony like you... But then I took an arrow to the knee… and the chest, and the face, pretty much every part of my body you could think of I had an arrow in it.” 
“What?!” the three said in unison.
“Is THAT so hard to believe?” The Shadow asked. “I thought I made it clear a few months ago, that I once was alive.”
“We still don’t want to hear your story.” Greatsword said, his brothers nodded in agreement.
“Well too damn bad!” the shadow said laughing. The three were then teleported somewhere that they had never been before. It was blackness as far as they could see, then The Shadow made it bright enough just so they could see him.
“Where are we?” Battleaxe asked still looking around, trying to find his bearing.
“Well we’re in my own personal plane of existence,” The Shadow said proudly. “It’s like a secret club house, just for me! Here I’m everywhere, there is nothing I can’t see, hear, smell or feel without noticing.”
“Why did you bring us here?” Greatsword asked.
“To keep Dante’s pesky little ‘workers’ from interfere with MY story time,” The Shadow said, “Now, where to begin.”
The Shadow scratched his chin while he floated around his plane for several moments. “Ah, I know! I’ll start with my father, Omnipotent!”
“YOU’RE his SON?!” Battleaxe shouted in disbelief.
“Why, yes, yes I am,” The Shadow said. “But I share no blood relation, you see my REAL father was killed before I was born, and my mother died giving birth to me… if THAT’S not an omen, I don’t know what is…” The Shadow teleported into the middle of the three. “Anyway, dear old ‘dad’ decided to take me in after I was born...” He began to chuckle at himself. “I think that makes it less creepy that I had sex with my little sister, don’t you?”
“You’re sick shadow…” Warhammer growled in anger.
“I know, but then I was not ’Shadow’,” he continued. “Back then I was called Iscariot, the first alicorn to ever be born.”
“The magic that came off of them resulted in you didn’t it?” Greatsword asked.
“Well, aren’t you smart!” The Shadow said appearing over him to pat his head. “but yes I was born a few years before Celestia, but I didn’t linger, I struck out on my own before Destruction even came…” He thought about those days for a few moments, then continued “And over a few thousand years of living as a prince I decided that I wanted more.”
“You led the evil ponies against Omnipotent…” Greatsword said in disbelief. “How could you do that to your own father?!”
“I wanted to rule his creation,” The Shadow answered casually. “Call me greedy, but I wanted the Elements of Honor for myself.”
“But you were killed by what you wanted to control.” Battleaxe said.
“Got that one on the nose!” The Shadow exclaimed, blowing into a party favor. “Well anyway while my soul was floating through existences I was met by a very strange black cloud.”
“Destruction…” Greatsword said.
“Ten points to Greatsword!” The Shadow said. “He promised me another shot at the elements if I would join him, and do you know what I said?”
“Yes?” Battleaxe said sarcastically.
“NO!” The Shadow said. “I actually said no to the offer, you see once I died I was stupid enough to think that I didn’t deserve to rule in my Father’s place, or take any revenge on him.” 
The Shadow popped in front of the three. “But once I said no, I felt very heavy, I was falling through the plane, and gentle colts it was as hot as… well, hot as hell.” The Shadow then appeared upside down, only inches away from their faces. “Destruction offered me one last time before my soul was sent into eternal damnation, THAT’S when I said yes and ever since I have been doing Destruction’s will.”
“His will?” Greatsword asked.
“Yes… yes… his ‘will’,” The Shadow repeated, rolling his eyes. “The windigos, Discord, my personal favorite, Nightmare Moon and pretty much every evil that you could think of, just to soften up Equestria for his return.”
“Soften us up?” Battleaxe said.
“Absolutely!  And I must say I’ve done a great job, hell ponies don’t even wear clothes anymore!” The Shadow paused then gave the three an evil glare. “Then YOU three had to be born…”
“What?” Battleaxe asked. “Why would us being born make it so that you would stop your psychopathic reign of terror?”
“Didn’t Dante told you the story?” The Shadow said. “YOU three are the representation of the NEW Elements of Honor, and believe me we’ve tried everything to kill you…” The Shadow rose his hooves. “Timber Wolves, Smog, me, having your house fall on you-”
“YOU killed our PARENTS?!” Greatsword roared.
“Yes I did.” The Shadow sang. “And I loved every second of it, the fire, the screaming… the sound of bone shattering under cobblestone and timber, the hissing of blood boiling in the heat…”
“YOU MONSTER!” Greatsword roared taking flight to attack the shadow, only to be slammed back on the ground.
“I could KILL all of you right now if I wanted to…” The Shadow said laughing. “And not even Destruction could stop me, but I’m not going to on account I like you that much.” 
“If you won’t kill us then let us go,” Battleaxe said. “I think we’ve heard enough.”
“Aww… Very well, if that’s what you wish…” The Shadow said slightly disappointed. “I even made these newspaper hats for our new club, but if you don’t want to join, I’ll have to just keep them here.” The Shadow’s broken horn began to glow a mix of black and red. “I’ll see you very soon then, more than likely in Canterlot… hint hint.”
The three were teleported back into Dante’s cave, except about fifteen feet above the ground. Greatsword extended his wings and grabbed his brothers before they fell head first on the rocky surface. The other ponies in the cave quickly ran into the kitchen and saw the three landing hoof first on the ground.
“What happened?” Event Horizon asked. “Something wrong with the food?”
“The food’s fine,” Greatsword said. “Has Dante gotten back yet?”
“He got back about an hour ago,” Event answered. “We were actually starting to look for you.”
“Good,” Battleaxe said. “Because we need to get to Canterlot.”
“Why?” Sun Screech said. “We need nothing there.”
“Destruction’s coming back,” Greatsword said, leaving the ponies around him in shock. “And we’re going to kill him.”