//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: The Biggest Ilusion // Story: The Tale of The Epic Lyre // by Magenta //------------------------------// Knight Shade raised and saluted the three little ponies, "I had been expecting you, for it seems that you were the ones who got away, what manners! Welcome back anyways, there's no denying that in the end you couldn't resist my talents. Soon all of Equestria shall be mine. Lyra laughed heavily, "Hahahahaha!" She kindly removed her hood and said, "Excuse me, with all due respect, but I consider that your style is SO outdated. For a funeral I guess it's okay but not for us!" "How dare you?" replied the white colt raising his hoof "But you see, it's not my full intention to make it something trendy all across Equestria, au contraire, I shall make it last forever!" "This guy so reminds me of Nightmare Moon..." said Pinkie Pie, "FOREVEEEER!" "Well you should know that the eternal darkness threat has been around several times that we already are aware enough to overpower it!" cried Twilight as the other ponies stared. "Oh really? Then that could only mean one thing..." he said, "You three despise my music so much that you'd hate me too, is that it? Did you hear that, Ponyvillians?" "Hate Knight Shade???" said a startled little filly, Scootaloo to be exact, "Why, that's the most horrible thing you guys could ever do!" Twilight shrugged as she saw the orange pegasus talk wonders about their opponent, were they stuck inside a nightmare by any chance? "Oh, no, Scootaloo, not you!" The Cutie Mark Crusaders soon went and joined the dark musician and Applebloom continued praising him, "Shame on you, Twilight, he's been nothing but nice to us these last few days and now all you wanna do is be a stubborn party pooper!" "Oh, yes!" cried Sweetie Belle, "You should learn to open up your little noggin so you can enjoy the most beautiful things in life, like Knight Shade of course. Just look at him, isn't he grand?" "Yes," said Scootaloo extending his cape, "And check his awesome outfit. Why, he has made enough merits to earn his own cutie mark." "And those eyes..." said Applebloom with a dreamy voice, "have you ever stumbled upon such a magnificent stallion, he's even cuter than big ol' Macintosh!" And from the crowd the red colt shouted out, "Eeyup!" That last part infuriated Lyra so much, "THAT DOES IT! I have had it up to here with this little poser, let me at him, Twilight, let me at him!" But Twilight responded wisely, "No, Lyra, we can't give in to his mind tricks or else it will be harder that he surrenders the Epic Lyre to us! We'll have to use the high magic." "MAGIC, you say?" said Knight Shade cantering across the room with certain arrogance, "Of course, that's what unicorns do, am I right, what else can you do but just ma-gic?" "What do you mean by that?" said Twilight heavily concerned. "I meant to say that it's the ONLY thing you can ever do, without it you're just an aberration of a pony with a horn. That's why they weren't wanted in Greyville, you want to solve everything with incantations and fancy potions! Well I can tell you this; my magic resides in music therefore I seriously doubt you can be a fair match." "My magic comes from within, from the heart just like my friend Lyra told me," continued Twilight, "and believe it or not it is a genuine as any other talent. Plus, we have The Elements of Harmony, the strongest magic we know that is fed upon the friendships I've made; generosity, kindess, honesty, laughter, loyalty and last but not least good old fashioned magic!" "So true, Twilight Sparkle, if that's your name, I never doubted your ways," said Knight Shade, "But your precious friends are not around to help you out, are they? Perhaps it was because they decided they were better off with me? And who exactly will rely on now, Lyra Heartstrings, do you honestly think that she is friend material for you?" "How did he know that?" cried Pinkie Pie, "don't tell me you can "see" things too?" "I don't really need to, I am a very good observer...I know your intentions quite well about taking the Epic Lyre back where it belongs, the legendary treasure that bound the entire kingdom...your efforts I presume are so weak. This instrument was powerful and it will be more powerful now!" "Yeah, it SO happens that it's not yours so you just can parade in here and do as you please!" said Lyra upset. "Boo, hoo, "said Knight Shade stroking the lyre, "I actually did some justice rescuing it from an old pile of dust gathering in the Canterlot Castle? You want this back? It will cost you, probably your own sad little lives..." "You are so full of...Twilight, don't trust this guy," said Lyra confident, "It's about time you found out who calls the shots here in Ponyville!" The mint colored unicorn displayed her powers even though they weren't as fancy as Twilight's but they sure stirred things to grab Knight Shade's attention. "Come now, you're so terribly boring, girl, it's so much easier to get accustomed to my elegant self, you and I could make great things together, I believe so...your friends didn't think it over." Suddenly Octavia and Vynil Scratch came out of nowhere and it seemed they had fallen under the musical spell. "I wouldn't mind forming a band as long as I was the leader." "Never in this town, pal!" said the unicorn, "Come on, Twi, show them what you're made of." "Okay, I don't exactly what will happen but I hope it does the trick..." Pinkie Pie and Twilight put on their matching tiara and necklace of the Elements of Harmony contained in the book that bore the emblem of Equestria. They levitated for a while and the purple unicorn's eyes glowed like shooting stars. A multicolored storm followed while she made an effort to reach Knight Shade. He, of course stood fearless and with incredible confidence. The light that emanated from the ponies was so blinding that it managed to teleport the party of three to a whole new place. They weren't in Ponyville anymore. "Is every pony alright?" said Twilight Sparkle gasping. Lyra came down and helped her get up. "Ya know, we have travelled SO much already to remember what it's like to be at home," said the mint colored unicorn. "But this place sure looks familiar, wait a minute...why are we in Greyville again." "It's not the actual Greyville, it's a vision of the past, "said Twilight somewhat tired. "This might be related to Knight Shade's past. I didn't know that only two Elements of Harmony could do that. Maybe they're trying to tell us to remind of happier days." "And where is he now?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Shhh, here he comes!" said the purple unicorn. The arrogant colt was just a little foal back them and there he stood facing some other villagers taller and older than him who kept teasing him as well. "They say your momma's a witch and that she hides in a cave underground..." said a chubby sand colored pony. "That's a lie!" replied young Knight Shade. His crimson colored eyes began to shed tears as he felt the anger building up inside him, "She's just gifted and can see the future and that could be of great help to others, she's not doing any harm." "Fine, whatever," said a skinny gray pony with tousled mane, "That could only mean one thing, you're the same as her!" "In that case, I'll give you a great big scare to all of you, you'll see," said the little foal as he stomped the ground. Twilight couldn't help feeling sorry for him. Some words came to mind, "The past does hurt but that doesn't mean that we will carry it around for the rest of our lives." The three disappeared from that scene and then they jumped into another moment in Knight Shade's memories. Now they peeked inside Madame Belladona's house and happily watched how the little colt told stories. "Mother, I've heard that not so far away from here is a vast kingdom named Equestria where a beautiful and wise princess rules away in Canterlot. It is a place where ponies so much like us exist full of wondrous colors and shapes; some of them have horns on their heads and some large, feathered wings. I bet if I wish with all my heart someday I might be a part of that world." "Sounds like a wild goose chase to me, "said Madame. "But if we're so alike why is it that we can't be friends with them?" Madame stood and looked worried, "You see, there are many things that keep us apart. They are so graceful, and we are so ordinary." "Then I do want my dreams to come true! Once I step into Equestria I will become so famous that every pony shall respect me!" "Such a wish is a very tall order, I don't know what to say, Dear, I don't want to see you suffer." They hugged each other so tightly. "You know well I don't belong here, so please let me be, please..." Madame sighed, "Oh well, I suppose but I simply can't come, you'll have to face this one alone." The ghostly figures of Twilight, Pinkie and Lyra observed this heartwarming scene that Pinkie couldn't help it but burst into tears, "That is SO SAAAAAAAAAAAAAD! It has to be the saddest thing I've ever seen in all of my life." "Calm down, girl," said Lyra upset. "You see, this was what I meant with empathizing. All of these things could happen to any pony, even me, and now I know what to do!" said Twilight. The vision faded away very quickly and they were zapped into reality once again back to the great cave. Knight Shade gazed upon the three ponies, "Nice try, unicorn but don't get any ideas that I will change my mind..." "But this means that you did have good intentions so please leave Ponyville alone before you cause more damage!" replied the purple unicorn. "I realize that it's not easy to fight for your dreams but shouldn't have tried the easy way out by using dark magic! The Epic Lyre represents a great treasure to us because it was crafted by the most amazing and skilled ponies. If you us it for your own benefit that music will corrupt us all bringing chaos!" "Hush now, child, I think it's time you should leave, I'm tired of all this whining, you're only here to ruin the fun," said Knight Shade hitting the ground with his hooves for he felt that they were peeking into his private memories, "Go away or shall teach you a lesson you shall never forget!" Lyra interrupted, "Wait, Knight Shade! Twilight just wants to help cuz, cuz..." "Yes?" said the white colt. "Cuz she does have feelings for you!" The purple unicorn froze and blushed as soon as she heard that. Knight Shade responded to such a wonderful gesture by simply saying, "I KNOW!..but then again doesn't every pony else? She's always welcome to saty as long as she leaves me to my affairs." "Well I'm not gonna stick around to watch that, come on girls!" cried Lyra. The three joined forces though they weren't quite sure of the results. The stranger from Greyville stood up to them and resisted like never before summoning a thick storm cloud where the Night Shadowers gathered. Twilight didn't seem to mind this very much for she relied on her experience and put all her heart into her magic, this time she pointed at her foe and looked at him straight in the eye. She may have overdone it for she saw as the young colt fell to the ground exhausted. "By all means, girl, what have you done to me?” cried Knight Shade desperately and limping from his front leg, "You hurt me...you know I'd never do that to you!" "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm, really, really, really sorry," said the unicorn timidly. She ran to his side and examined his leg for any possible injury, "Are you alright?" He lowered his head and maliciously smiled, "Silly pony, I got you now!" Knight Shade took hold of the Epic Lyre and quickly produced the song that enchanted Ponyville. Her lavender eyes began to turn gray and empty, the bright colors from her coat dimmed and her body paralyzed to the point of becoming a statue. "NOOOOO, Twi, no!" cried Lyra hardly. "Not you!" Knight Shade laughed with a sort of elegance, "I'm awfully sorry, dear, but she was quite fond of my music, it was just a matter of time. Without her the both of you represent no harm for me. Your so called Elements Of Harmony sound so childish now. But then again I ask myself, Lyra Heartstrings I reckon you wanted this," he said pointing at the lyre, "I wonder what else can you possibly do to take it off my hooves?" Lyra looked puzzled but try to stay focused and avoid Knight Shade's mind tricks, "Ah, but you see I don't actually want it! As if!" she said as she winked to Pinkie Pie and then softened her voice, "Watch this..." Then she turned again towards Knight Shade, "I shall face with what I have, magic or no magic, my old lyre against yours." "Have you gone mad?" exclaimed the white colt, "If you had no chance of winning at the Festival what makes you so sure you can do it now?" "So, maybe I skipped a few lessons at school but I'll still play like never before using the magic that lives in my heart! A musical challenge; the best pony takes home the Epic Lyre, just like, that!" Knight Shade answered confidently, "Very well then, as you wish..." Pinkie Pie said, "Wait, Lyra, are you really sure about this?" "Like Twilight said to me before she slipped away, I'm all we got left! Rock on!" The dark pony from Greyville was uninterested in doing battle, instead he let Octavia and Vynil handled his dirty work. Although the competition was unfair, two against three Lyra accepted. "Oh, rookie," said Octavia unfolding her cello and giving her a depictive look, "Do you think you have real talent? For years my quartet has been the pride of Canterlot delighting them with our well executed symphonies, what could a simple, rusty old lyre do?" The chords that emanated from the instrument took life but there was a hint of evil in them. Meanwhile, Lyra attempted to dodge them carefully, "Don't you know? The lyre has been in my family for generations and it fills us with great pride. Its soft chords have the power to soothe the most savage beasts while your huge cello over there only makes them weepy." "I beg your pardon? This instrument is a well-known symbol of elegance while yours is forgotten and obsolete..." Lyra grew mad at this last comment, "Oh yeah? You think this is obsolete?! Sing with me, Pinkie!" No matter what the issue together we should stay If clouds darken your day There’s nothing you should fear If all alone you are, there's some pony you can trust, So push away your fears, together we will cheer it's the right thing to do together we will cheer and there's no time to looooose cuz the skies are ever so clear!!!! Octavia literally dropped her jaw and made a long pause. She then giggled, "Oh, please, stop joking, rookie and fight like a pony!" It so happened that she wasn't very amused at Pinkie's improvised song that even Lyra was a bit disappointed. However she listened to a bit of the melody that was produced from the cello and remembered some words that could work with it. Maybe I'm now what you think, But that's okay with me, Sorry I can't be As fancy as you want, But if look again I might just even flaunt. And like mommy said to me... Oh, Lyra, when will you grow up? Can't you're the greatest thing That could have happened to simply anyone I know I never was, What daddy wanted to But that's ok I still shine on Like I the day I was just born! Suddenly Knight Shade joined her in her singing: Maybe I wish to forget about what I should do… And then Pinkie joined; If ever you should doubt please don't fall down The darkness clouds your day And you may come out and play... And then Knight Shade continued with a more malicious tone: And I'll have you slain And take away the pain You silly little girls Are no big match for me And then a big star will I be no questions to be asked. Knight's Shade miniscule body was surrounded by a powerful and obscure cloud comforted by his faithful Night Shadowers. "Those look exactly like the ones I saw in my dream!" said Lyra while she gaped. She shrugged and felt and thought of the worst thing ever. The night is cool, you see, for you will never die eternal shall you be and fall apart as well. Lyra shook her head and thought to herself, "Come now, Lyra, if this were actually a dream then where's that mare with super amazing powers to wipe them all out...wait, what if it was me all the time, what if I..." The shadows gathered while they whispered into her ear as if they came from a very deep well: Soon you will be ours, soon you will be ours... Her perky look gradually turned sleepy and she began to lose balance, "Wha...did you say?" "Just as simple as singing a lullaby to a child, Lyra Heartstrings..." said Knight Shade galantly. "There can only be one Epic Lyre." Lyra regained control of her emotions and shook her mane wildly, "I know you don't want to do this, how can you make these innocent ponies suffer so much, didn't you use to care about them?" Her rival went silent for a few seconds, "Hmmm....why, yes! I do love and I love Equestria so much that I went through some terrible ordeals to get her and become famous!" "So that means that you do understand what it's like to work hard, you would never hurt the ones you admire the most?" "Whatever do you say, rookie, where are you trying to get with all of this nonsense?" "We, I, saw your own mother and she is well aware of what you're doing," said Lyra feeling weary. "I listened to her stories about you and I think you don't belong with the forces of evil, maybe you need to try harder to succeed and not take the easy way out." Pinkie Pie continued," IT'S SO TRUE! Very true indeedy, the magic of friendship has taught us that we can get along with any single creature no matter how they might be. Being rejected is not a reason to use spooky magic...or whatever it is." Kinght Shade's attitude continued to be indifferent, "You know...you're boring me with your overrated things about magic and friendship so much, why don't you just take a break, seriously, you look a fright!" Lyra held her beloved instrument firmly. She took ownership of the situation and continued to think that the insolent yet charming little colt was worth fighting for. "I can't rest until you understand well the meaning of my magic, " she shouted. A beautiful and turquoise light emanated from her body at the same time a force lifted her ten feet above the ground. Musical notes gradually appeared in thin air. Lyra's pupils went blank yet she was still conscious of these supernatural events. It was the same feeling that she got when she was that night at the Festival trying her best to protect any pony else yet she was not afraid at all. In fact, the sensation was so refreshing as she had released her true spirit and it was beyond wild. Some notes escaped from her lyre; I still have faith in you, hold on and do that for me, I still believe in you... "What's going on?" asked Knight Shade stunned. For there's a special place, where you and I can be, I still believe you can, to find that promised land And if you think it through it's now or never, kid you need to look inside yourself forget about what you did. The dark pony of Greyville was starting to feel intimidaded with this melody which brought memories of his childhood. "That sounds like an old lullaby Mother sang to me when I was so much younger..." he sobbed, "Why, why are you doing this to me?!!!" Lyra kept on playing with such sweetness and passion that she no longer looked upon Knight Shade as a rival but only a lost child. I still have faith in you, there's greatness inside you please don't weep, my dear there's not a thing to fear "Wow! That was VERY VERY impressive," cried Pinkie Pie while she swang from side to side. All the other ponies slowly began to wake from their trances for the dark magic of the Lyre was weakening. Luckily for Lyra, BonBon reacted to the soft music and cried, "Lyra...that's my Lyra singing!" There's not a thing to fear… "Stop it right now! I can't stand it any longer," said Knight Shade even more furious. He took off his cape and grabbed the Epic Lyre to counterattack the unicorn, yet she only responded now in a maternal and protective way. "Dearest Knight Shade, tell me why have you corrupted your dreams?" "Why are you talking that way, don't you understand you have become my enemy?" "But it was your dream...those things must never be wasted," continued Lyra. Knight Shade shook his head and smiled, "But I do have one and it is to conquer you all!" "A sad vision it is yet it can be changed. What good is there having all these ponies worshipping you every single day when you realize that none of them love you. They are imprisoned against their will, even you..." "Leave us alone, you know nothing at all," shouted the colt, "I am happy with what I have , I am some pony, why do you insist in shattering my dreams?" "I don't shatter things," said Lyra, "My wish is to make every pony happy yet the road to true happiness isn't always easy, it's not done overnight." "What about using magic, Mother told me so!" said he. "It's true that it helps aplenty but it's purpose is not to be manipulated like you have done. Is this what you actually want, do you consider this place a paradise?" "Yes I do!" he said. "Your dark heart will only make the lyre cause grief and despair, I can make these Shadowers go away so you can see how awful this really is." The mint colored unicorn ceased to play and closed her eyes while a stronger wind produced by the sneaky Night Shadowers came closer to the young colt. The sound produced from the legendary instrument forged by powerful ponies such as Starswirl was now gruesome and began to vibrate in an ever so violent way. Lies is what she speaks the lyre your true love it is "Something's not right here," said Knight Shade struggling to hold the instrument, "Why won't it work in my favor now?" The Lyre of Legend is the perfect excuse to steal your heart an offer you can't refuse! "NO!" he shouted, "This wasn't meant to be evil. It never will be! I didn't want to hurt them, so innocent, so graceful..." You shouldn't doubt why waste your time thinking how these ponies are slowly sinking? "All I wanted was to be a great musician, some pony loved and respected by all...all this because...because...I wish to loved." Knight Shade couldn't resist any longer and tumbled down to the ground, the weight of the lyre was so great for him. The Night Shadowers continued with their wicked chants. I do say, my dear sisters," said one of the goulish mares, "That colt couldn't resist HER," as she said pointing to Lyra. "So true it is," said another, "Perhaps she will give in."