//------------------------------//
// A formidable foe 
// Story: Ancient Curse Unleashed 
// by DesertRainstorm 
//------------------------------//

"Hey Sugarcube, you might want to see this," Applejack called out.
Nova dropped out of the tree, landing on the ground in a not so graceful manner. Nova puffed a bit of her hair out of the way, to give the apple farmer an inquiring look. Dash helped Nova up, although the rainbow haired young woman couldn't help but to smirk at the older woman.
The Elements of Harmony and Nova climbed to the top of the hill and peered down the other side. To most of the group’s dismay they saw a group of people in black armor, some with swords that pulsed with magic, some that were lofting above the others. One thing for certain was that they all had some sort of weapon. There was one that was lofted in the air, clutching a sword that radiated dark magic. It was the leader of the group, when it spoke it became clear it was a male.
"Find the Elements of Harmony and bring them to me. If you can find their guide as well, that would be most excellent. Now move out," The voice was rough and pitched low.
"Buck," Nova swore softly, and then realizing what was about to happen, "Get your bags, now! We have to go."
There was a dull flash of blue-grey magic, almost the color of slate, and the Elements found themselves back in the campsite. Magenta and blue magic joined the slate magic in packing everything away. Within a few moments everyone was ready to go. There was another flash of the slate magic and they found themselves on the other side of the mountain.
"Whoa there Sugarcube, you alright?" Applejack asked as Nova staggered a little bit.
"Sorry, it's been awhile since I have used teleportation spells back to back, in a rapid fire manner," Nova replied, shaking her head slightly.
"Who was that?" Twilight asked.
"He's supposed to be dead," Nova muttered and the Elements stared at her.
"Whatever do you mean?" Rarity asked.
"Are we going to have to fight him?" Fluttershy asked quietly.
"That was Dark Spire, the one who cast this spell. More than likely Fluttershy," Nova replied.
"Who exactly is this Dark Spire fellow?" Applejack asked.
"He's a dark Alicorn," Pinkie Pie blurted.
Nova and the other Elements stared at her. Pinkie just shrugged her shoulders in response. Nova grimaced slightly, then with a nod at Twilight she started off again.
"Wait you said Dark Spire cast this spell?" Twilight asked as she fell into step with Nova.
"Yes," Nova's answer was short, and she sounded like she was furious.
"How long ago exactly?" Applejack asked.
"Over four thousand years, I think...The reason he did it was because of a changeling he fell in love with," Nova replied.
"Awww, that's so sweet that you remembered child," An oily voiced said, and a tall man in black armor appeared in front of them.
Nova's eyes narrowed as she glared at the man. He removed the helmet to reveal red eyes and flowing black hair. He smiled darkly at the Bearers of the Elements, sharp pointed teeth glinted in the early morning light. His gaze settle on Nova, and his smile dropped. He scowled at her. In a swift motion he caught her by her throat and pinned her to a nearby tree.
"You are a smug bastard aren't you great-grandfather?" Nova spat at Dark Spire.
"You are most definitely Solaris's daughter. He always was the defiant one. Star Burst only added to his defiance," Dark Spire snarled.
Three blasts of magic caught Dark Spire unawares. He flew several feet away and landed hard. Dark Spire groaned once and lost consciousness. Nova looked over at Rarity and Twilight, both of whom looked shocked that they were still able to use their magic in that manner. Nova glanced at Dark Spire, her amber colored eyes burned with cold fury, and trails of slate smoke started to trail from the corners of her eyes. She blinked her eyes, the trails vanished. She jerked her head and the Elements followed quickly.
"He will not be taken off guard next time," Nova spoke quietly.
"But I thought the only Alicorns were Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence," Twilight blurted.
"And you, Alicorns are long lived compared to most ponies. There are the Emotion and Spatial, if I remember correctly, that are immortal. The others live longer but do die of old age, Celestia and Luna are the Spatial Alicorns, although you could slot in there just fine. Cadenza is an Emotion Alicorn, and you can slot in there too...Anyways Dark Alicorns are more dangerous than Dark Unicorns, like Unc- I, mean King Sombra. They have flight and magic, very dangerous," Nova mused aloud to the Elements.
"Hold on there," Rarity spoke up, "You nearly said 'Uncle' when you mentioned Sombra. Why?"
"No reason," Nova answered and quickened her pace.
"No way you are getting away with avoiding answering this question," Dash growled as she flew in front of Nova.
"Fine! Sombra was my Uncle. I'll explain more when Dark Spire isn't hot on our flanks!" Nova grumbled in response as she scanned the ground for any excavation tunnels.
She finally found one and used a small spark of magic. The ground opened up and swallowed the group.