Nearly a month has gone by since Shadow Spark's appearance, the time of the battle was closing in. In a few short days, a showdown between two powerful fighters will determine the fate of Equestria. If Hydregarn loses, it would not only mean the end of Celestia's rule and utter chaos throughout Equestria, but also The General would leave to the next world, knowing he failed everyone. That knowledge would haunt him for all eternity. But if he won...
Hydregarn was in his home, going over a few things before he went off. Today was his first day off in close to a year. He never really takes days off, until Celestia makes him. He knows he should take more time to relax and let his body rest. But, he has made a promise to himself, one that he will never break.
"Alright, the Pegasus of Cloudsdale need a few more weeks until they can finish that new factory they are working on, Ponyville has a small problem with a few animals from the Everfree, and Trottingham needs help with getting supplies for that dam." He thought to himself.
"I have much to do in these short few days." Again speaking to himself.
"Why do always obsess over your work? You need to take some time and rest." That familiar voice in his head was back.
"I will do whatever I want with my life."
"You know you can't do it all."
"But I can damn well try."
The voice sighed, "You were always like this, always relentless in whatever you were up to. You never took any breaks, or even stayed in one place for more than a few minutes."
"Oh look at you, actually trying to give advice. How long did it take? Oh yeah, seven centuries."
"You should stop doing that to me, especially since what you did to me all those years ago."
"I have indulged you long enough, now get out of here. I no longer wish to speak to you."
"Come now, can't we get through one conversation without you ending it so abruptly?"
"Abrupt, am I? You should talk."
"Why are you so cruel? Yes, mistakes were made, and they are in the past. Just accept them an-"
"I said leave. Your words mean nothing to me."
"Very well. But I will be back soon. And I will keep coming back."
The voice fell silent. Much to Hydregarn's relief, but he felt a wave of guilt pass over him.
"Why does she do this to me? Why can't she just stay dead?"
Later that day, He was on the train over to Ponyville. The animals had to be dealt with first, who knows when they will stop pestering the residents, and start attacking them? The General would try to persuade them into stopping, but he will resort something else if need be.
As he was sitting alone, he heard a small voice talk to him. "Hey mister, you must be Hydregarn!"
"Why yes I am little one."
The small filly's eyes grew at least twice the normal size when he spoke to her. "Oh that is so cool! Can I ask you something?"
"Quicksilver! you shouldn't be bothering The General! Sorry sir." The filly's mother came forward and started to shoo her away.
"Miss, it is perfectly fine. I wouldn't mind having a little company. Being what I am, everyone seems to be too scared to say anything to me, so it does get a little lonely on these train rides."
"Are you sure?" The mare asked.
"Yes I am completely sure. If she does cause trouble, you will be the first to know."
"Okay. Quicksilver, if you need me, I will be just a few seats back, alright?"
"Okay mom! And thanks so much for letting me stay!"
The mare left, and the fidgeting filly sat down across from Hydregarn and began to ask her questions.
"So, I've heard of how old you are, but can I hear it from you?"
"I am seven hundred and twenty six at the moment. In a few months it will be seven hundred and twenty seven,"
"Wow, you're old."
"To you I may be, but to the others I spent much of my time with back where I was from, I would still be considered young."
"Oh wow! And can you really use magic?"
A small ball of blue flames in his right hand. "Does this answer your question?"
"Wow! That is so awesome!" She then fluttered up a few feet from the seat. Hydregarn just realized she was a Pegasus.
Quicksilver the rest of the entire trip asking question after question. Hydregarn was astounded that she came up with enough questions to last the full two hours it took to reach ponyville. At the end of the trip, Quicksilver's mother came to get her.
"She didn't get into trouble, did she?"
"No, just asked some questions."
"Nothing she shouldn't know about, right?"
"No, they were all about what I am, where I'm from, and other trivial matters."
"Wow, how many questions were there?"
"I stopped counting at a seventy five."
"Wow. Okay well, thank you for keeping her occupied for the trip." She tried to give him a few bits for it, but all he said was "The company was enough for me, keep your money."
Hydregarn went about the rest of his trips, and when he got back to canterlot, in was almost an hour till midnight. The next morning was a bright and shining day, perfect for any daytime events. But unfortunately, Celestia had to forbid anypony for going outside Canterlot for the entire day. For today was the day of Shadow Spark's visit.
Celestia and Hydregarn met in the throne room for a final meeting before he headed off to confront Shadow Spark.
"Hydregarn, are you sure you want to do this alone? I can go with you..."
"No, Princess. I couldn't bear to see you hurt. Besides, we made a deal that it would be me and him, nobody else. This must be done by me alone."
Celestia let out a long sigh, "Alright. Just, promise me you will come back."
He turned away, and looked at the floor. "I'm sorry, but I cannot promise that. This battle has only two outcomes, and I have no idea which one of them will come about."
"Hydregarn..."
He turned back around to face Celestia, and detached the massive claymore from his back. He walked up to Celestia and offered it to her.
"Here, I'm trusting you with this. Take care of it until I return."
"Hydregarn, are you sure? You never let anypony even touch your blades. But this one, this is your pride! Why would you trust me with this?"
"Because, Celestia, if I am to not return, you will need something to remind you that a piece of my memory will be here with you."
Celestia began to shed tears, then she wrapped her front legs around his neck. He returned the embrace.
"Well, I must be going. May fate be on my side." And he turned to leave.
Celestia then laid her hoof on the sheath of the blade, and felt an enormous power ebb from it, and it felt like it had it's own presence. She immediately removed her hoof.
"What the.... what is with this thing?"
As Hydregarn made his way through the city, only Father's Pride and Dragon-Tooth at either of his sides, the ponies who he passed gave his looks, as if saying, "Good luck." A few wished him the best of luck. And one familiar voice rang out from the rest.
"Kick his flank, General!" Quicksilver yelled as he walked by.
"I will try, Quicksilver!"
"Don't try, Do it!"
"Such an innocent kid..." He thought to himself.
He got to the gates, and the guards there told him to make sure he made it back in one piece. Among them, Tempest Feather.
"Get back here before dark, alright?"
"We will see what happens, Tempest."
"Hydregarn...." This was the first time Tempest addressed him by name.
"Yes?"
"Take this necklace, it always brought me luck and strength when I needed it most. So it might help you. If not, use it as a reminder that I'm right by your side. Even though I am away from you."
He put the necklace on. "Thank you, Tempest. Now I must be on my way."
He began the long walk toward the meadow, which was at least two miles away from Canterlot. He took some time to admire the scenery, because it just might be his last time in this peaceful realm. after nearly an hour of walking, he came to where the battle will be waged. Shadow Spark had not yet arrived, so he took some time to sit down and relax in the sun. Something he hasn't done in a very long time. After about a half an hour, he felt someone coming near.
"Well, it seems you held your end of the deal." Shadow Spark commented.
"I have yet to fail in upholding my word."
"Shall we review the terms once more?"
"No, let us begin. I know not whether or not I will claim victory, but I have friends waiting for me to come home. And I will not make this easy for you."
"Very well, but give me a moment." Shadow's horn began glowing.
A purple veil of mist shrouded his body. When it was clear, Shadow Spark had a body like an anthromorphic version of himself.
"So this is why you wanted a month. Time to craft a body like mine to better you chances. Clever."
"And this is not the only small enhancement." More mist flowed from his hand, and a long, purple, cruel looking blade formed from the mist.
"Now we can fight on equal terms, General."
Hydegarn drew Father's Pride, "Then let us start, you make the starting countdown."
"Fine, ready?"
"Set."
"Go."
Shadow Spark came speeding toward Hydregarn, his blade coming in a long arc. The General's blade countered Shadow's, but as he did this, Shadow took the chance and tried to knee Hydregarn in the stomach. But his attempt failed, Hydregarn delivered a heavy strike with his left elbow. Drawing the first blood by bloodying Shadow's nose. Even if he had not been wearing his armor, that hit would have dealt a stunning blow. The armored guard on his arm intensified the effect.
But as Shadow was stumbling backwards, he swung his sword in an uppercut. Cleaving a long cut along Hydregarn's chest. Both warriors took a step back.
This time, it was The General who would make the next attack. Shadow was still slightly stunned by the recent hit. Hydregarn came barreling forward and slammed his boot into his chest. Shadow Spark went flying for a few feet, then he dug his blade into the ground and used the momentum to swing himself right back at Hydregarn. The resulting swing from Shadow Spark succeeded in cutting a deep gash through Hydregarn's shoulder. But he didn't get away with it, for Hydregarn landed an equally deep cut along Shadow Spark's side. They began slashing at each other, the other swinging with near equal speed and both unable to land a hit on the other. for at least two minutes, this stalemate continued. Yells and the clashing of metal were all that was heard for that period of time.
Until Hydregarn saw an opportunity to land a hit. Shadow Spark swung his blade from his right, and Hydregarn stuck his blade the same way it was traveling. Shadow Spark lost control for a brief second, and that was all Hydregarn needed to land a crippling blow. He stabbed right through Shadow Sparks side, but due to his spinning movement, he was unable to pierce any critical organs. But he left his blade embedded in Shadow Spark's body, and stepped forward to slam his fist into his face. As Shadow Spark had that heavy blow dealt, he took a stab, and landed it in Hydregarn's right shoulder. But this was a mistake, Hydregarn grabbed his arm and dragged him to the right, a very hard blow being dealt by his knee right at the base of Shadow Spark's ribcage.
Shadow stumbled away. He threw a heavy curse to the sky, and a second cruel looking edge was summoned to his other hand.
"Getting angry now, are we? Well if it is a duel wielding fight you want, then that is what you will get!!"
"BE SILENT!! NOW YOU DIE!!!"
Hydregarn drew Dragon-Tooth and prepared for an attack. But to hid surprise, Shadow Spark began to send powerful blades of magic flying toward him. Hydregarn used Shadow's preoccupation of anger and his concentration on sending these magic weapons at him to weave and deflect through them right to Shadow Spark. He then drove both of his swords right through Shadow's shoulders, and pinned him to the ground. But at the same time, Shadow rose his blades and stabbed Hydregarn right under his ribs. Nothing major was damaged, but the pain made him flinch enough so that Shadow could move his legs up to kick The General off of him. Shadow Spark shot up, and ran straight towards his opponent. Both of them clashed their swords together and they were holding one another at bay. Hydregarn tilted his head back and crashed his head right into Shadow Spark's. Both of them took a few dazed steps back.
Shadow Spark came charging in once more. All of their blades locked together again. But this time, Shadow Spark sent a powerful wave of purple lighting coursing through his swords, right though to Hydregarn's body. He fell to his knee, struggling to hold up his arms to keep Shadow from delivering a killing blow. Shadow Spark's swords were slowly getting closer to Hydregarn, and the entire time Shadow Spark had a crazed smile of his face.
"Now it is time for you to die Hydregarn!!! I hope you have made your peace with this world!!"
He could not reply, the force of the magic was crippling, and he had to concentrate on keeping his arms held in place. But, as long as he lasted, he started to lose consciousness. But then, memories started to flash before his eyes. From the first time he met Celestia and all the others. He remembered all those who gave him strength, those who he fought for, and those who he would defend to the very end. But the memories were just not enough for him to recover. He was lost.
But then a familiar voice rose from his mind.
"Hydregarn! Get back up!" The voice yelled at him.
"I....I can't..... its too much..."
"So this is how it ends? You kneeling in the dirt to some weakling!? You are HYDREGARN!!! KING OF KINGS!! Son of the most powerful two in your world!"
"I know, but I can't keep awake..... it's over..."
"So you are just going to let all those who supported you fall into shadow? Let them fall into HIS control?"
"I WOULD NEVER LET THEM INTENTIONALLY!!!"
"Then rise! Fight for THEM!! FIGHT FOR THE WORLD YOU CALL HOME!!!!"
"You are right!"
Hydregarn regained control of himself, and began pushing himself back to his feet. Shadow Spark amped up his lighting's power, but couldn't keep him from rising up. He got to his feet, and his face was right in Shadow's fear filled face.
"This is your end, Master of shadows!"
Hydregarn broke the lightning spell and let loose a flurry of slashes, each inflicting heavy damage on Shadow's body. After about forty gashes, Hydregarn shot Shadow with a furious wave of magic power, sending him flying. He landed about a hundred feet away.
"How....how did you manage to get back up?" Shadow Spark asked, anger oozing from his tone.
"When you have others who stand by your side, you can never truly fall."
"But there is nopony here!"
"That is true, but they stand by me in spirit."
"Enough of you foolish thoughts! THIS ENDS NOW!! YOU WILL DIE ALONE IN THIS FEILD!!! AND YOU WILL BE FORGOTTEN!!"
Shadow Spark began to undergo one more form. He got a few inches taller, much more bulked, and he just looked like a shadow corrupted monster. Fangs, claws, and a roar to match.
"So you wish to fight like the beasts? Very well!"
Hydregarn sheathed his blades and rose his fists.
"I heard this from one of the foals a little while back. Come at me, bro!"
"With pleasure!" The voice sounded hollow, like there was no soul left.
The two came rushing toward each other. When they came close, Shadow Spark landed a deep wound on Hydregarn's chest, and another down his back. But Hydregarn used his close proximity to take hold of Shadow Spark's arms, then he kicked his right shoulder with unbelievable force. A sickening crack was heard as the shoulder bones were broken. Shadow Spark let out a massive cry of agony, and another as Hydregarn did the same with his left shoulder. Somehow though, Shadow was still able to use his arms. Shadow Spark tried to retreat a short distance, but failed. His captor had a steel vice grip on him. Hydregarn released one of his arms, but used his free hand to begin to pummel Shadow Spark's midsection. Blow after blow was dealt, each one causing Shadow Spark to let loose cry after cry. He eventually let go of Shadow Spark, and he fell to the ground, beaten and bloody.
There was a large boulder about a dozen feet away, and Hydregarn took hold of the broken body that lay in front him by the feet. He dragged him over to the boulder, and rose his body into the air, and slammed him into the stone. he repeated this a few times before throwing him to the side.
Shadow Spark tried to cough out a few words, but was silenced by the sight of Hydregarn's entire body resonating with a blue aura. Then, a massive dragon's head behind him, and it let out a earshattering roar.
"SHETREN'S JUDGEMENT!!!" Hydregarn yelled.
A massive beam of energy blasted Shadow Spark's already devastated body. He let loose one more scream of agony. The blast lasted about ten seconds, and then it subsided. Hydregarn fell to his knees.
"Damn, I got caught in the blast, it doesn't seem to have damaged me very much though."
He looked down, and Shadow Spark's body was lying there. Then Hydregarn felt his neck, it was weak, but he was still alive.
"She felt he deserved a chance, that is a first."
He then grabbed Shadow Spark, tossed him onto his shoulder, and began the painful walk back to Canterlot castle.