Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms
Chapter 48-Awaiting the Shadow
-North Equestrian Mountain Range: 963 years before Nightmare Moon's Return-
"How much farther?" Clover asked as he reached for the ledge of the cliff.
Not much farther. In fact, once thou clear this cliff edge, thou will have arrived. The voice said in his head.
Clover's hoof grabbed the rocky surface of the cliff to hoist himself up, his destination literally within reach. Suddenly the rock gave way, his hoof slipping and dangling next to him as the rock fell hundreds of feet to the bottom of the mountain canyon below. His other arm burned as he hoisted his flailing hoof back onto the cliff edge and pulled himself up. With a grunt, Clover climbed atop the cliff edge and beheld a dark tunnel ahead of him.
I am getting too old for this sort of thing. Clover quickly reminded himself that his mentor had been achieving both physical and magical feats well into his old age. Being no more than 60, Clover didn't have too much of an excuse. "So this is the place?"
Yes. And thou have thy spell at the ready?
"The shield spell thou told me to prepare? Yes, I remember it." Clover tapped his forehead for emphasis. "So, why exactly didst thou have to choose a spot way out here for me to go? I still have duties that need to be attended to back in Canterlot." he said as he ventured into the cave tunnel.
Patience, my magician. All thy questions will be answered in due time.
Clover grimaced at the response. It had been nearly a week since he got the vision from this being with him, and whenever he asked a question, it was always some cryptic answer. The mountain winds whistled through the tunnel behind Clover as he ventured through the cave.
"Seems pretty isolated to me." Clover spoke up, his voice echoing down the cave. "Art thou sure this is where thou meant for me to find an isolated location?"
It can be. There are many out-of-the-way places in the world. This location is definitely one of the better ones. The voice replied satisfactorily.
Clover continued down the cave, the light fading behind him. His horn lit a faint green to remedy the darkness dilemma. Clover narrowed his eyes and stroked his scraggly grey beard at the sight of the tunnel stretching on in front of him. "How far does this thing go?"
Why not find out? The voice answered.
Pursing his lips, Clover picked up his walk to a trot as he sought the ending of the cave.
A few minutes later, Clover found himself standing at a precipice overlooking a large cavernous area. "So… is this the heart of the mountain or something?" Clover wondered aloud.
It seems so, Clover. The voice replied. In hundreds of years' time, this place will provide sufficient temporary protection for thy world.
Clover's eyebrows knit together. "Okay, before I do this, how do I know thou are not just some voice in my head? That I'm not insane?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth that a soft light began to shine down below on the cavern's floor. The white glow bathed the cavern in a soft light as it continuously expanded and retracted.
Go to him. He has not seen thee in some time. The voice urged.
Him? Clover wondered as his horn's lit brightened. In a burst of green light, Clover teleported from the tunnel's edge and reappeared on the rocky floor beneath the drop-off. The unicorn cautiously began approaching the pulsating white light.
"Hello, Clover." The light spoke. "It has been too long."
Clover's jaw dropped. It can't be. It couldn't be. But he knew that voice all too well. Even though it had been almost forty years, he still remembered that old, comforting voice.
"Master Starswirl?" Clover asked. That name hadn't rolled off his tongue in what felt like an eternity.
"Aye, my student. Well… I guess former student now." Starswirl said with a quick chuckle.
"I recognize thy voice, but what art thou? Thou do not have the appearance of a pony."
"That is because I have been born into a new life, Clover, a new life with a new form. Simply speaking, thou art looking at my spirit." Starswirl's figure replied.
"So the afterlife exists?" Clover whispered in awe. "But why haven't you been able to visit before?"
"The voice in thy mind is the one that has made it possible to visit thee, Clover. And shame on thee, Keeper. Must thou be so secretive all the time?" Starswirl addressed the voice.
My apologies, Starswirl. But thou know as well as I that all will be revealed in time. We cannot divulge everything that will occur. The voice in Clover's head responded.
"Well at least make thyself visible for Clover. My former student deserves to know who it is he is sided with."
Clover's eyebrow shot up. "Sided with? What side? I was not aware that Equestria had present enemies."
"That is because it has none." The voice from his head said, this time from Clover's side. Clover turned to see a figure begin fade into his vision. Before him stood a tall serpentine creature with thin arms and legs, the upper part of his body covered by a hood. Clover took a cautious step back at the glowing purple eyes that shone through the darkness of the hood.
"Have no fear, Clover." Starswirl's figure spoke up. "This is the Keeper. He is responsible for the oversight of our world."
"And thou art correct in that Equestria has no hostile neighbors at the moment. However, a greater foe is at work in this realm. Something that will put the entire world at risk." The Keeper said, putting a claw on Clover's shoulder. "That is where thee will come in."
"Me?" Clover held a hoof to his chest as he looked back and forth between his former master and the Keeper. "What am I to do?"
"Thou art to be part of a preventative measure, Clover." Starswirl said calmly. "Thy contribution to the plan is two-fold."
"Thou art well versed in shield spells, art thou not, Clover?" the Keeper inquired.
A quick grin flashed across the unicorn's muzzle. "Surely the teachings that this one taught me," Clover said, pointing to Starswirl's form, "I think I know a thing or two about shield spells. But why would we need one of those?"
"The evil that will soon return must be imprisoned, lest it will wreak havoc on the land before all the preparations are ready." Starswirl replied.
"However, thy magic alone will not be sufficient to contain the threat upon its return." The Keeper spoke up. "That is why I will combine my magic with thine own to create the shield spell."
Clover sucked in a breath and exhaled. "Very well. Where would thee have me cast the spell?"
The Keeper pointed a claw at a corner of the cave where the floor met a massive rock wall that shot up the cavern's ceiling. "Right there. Thou will simply cast a shield spell on that particular spot and I will integrate my magic into thine."
"But what is it about thy magic that will help? A shield spell is simply a shield spell, correct?" Clover asked.
"The creature that will be contained inside the shield can surpass any magic of this world. He would break through thy shield within moments of being placed inside it. Imbuing thy shield spell with the same magic the Elements of Harmony use, however…" the Keeper explained, holding out an open claw. In a flash, a ball of rainbow-lighted energy swirled about above the scales on his hand. "It will be enough to contain him."
Clover's eyes widened at the mention of the Elements. "He won't escape, will he?"
"Unlikely." Starswirl replied. "A unicorn's magic will make the shield, and a unicorn's magic can undo it. Should a day come when the shield is broken, all the world will know of the creature's freedom. Hopefully by then, the magic that will be used to combat him will be found."
"Art thou ready, Clover?" The Keeper asked, casting the unicorn a glance.
Clover's eyebrows knitted together. "I am." He said as he aimed his horn at the corner the Keeper pointed to.
In a flash, a burst of green light shot from his horn and struck the ground of the corner. A glowing wall of green magic rose up from the ground, rising until it touched the ceiling. Clover looked up to study his work.
"Not bad." Starswirl commented. "I see the spells I taught thee thou hast not forgotten."
"As if I'd forget thy lessons, Master." Clover replied with a smirk.
The Keeper stepped forward, the swirling rainbow magic still levitating above his claws. "And now, for my contribution." Raising the magical orb, Keeper thrust it at the wall of magic. The rainbow light exploded against the green shield as it made contact. The Keeper backed away from the shield as the trio watched the shield transform. From where the Keeper and connected the Elemental magic with Clovers, a brighter blue color began to spread across the shield until the entirety of it shone a blazing azure amidst the darkness of the cave.
The Keeper grinned under the cover of his hood at the shield. "And now we wait."
Clover, the Keeper, and Starswirl's floating form travelled down the tunnel back towards the cave opening.
"So now I have to walk all the way back to Canterlot, shall I?" Clover half-joked, slightly raising his voice over the howling mountain winds that blew through the rocky corridor.
"Not necessarily, my former pupil." Starswirl piped up. "I can teleport thee back to Canterlot Castle. Just say when and I will do it."
The trio continued down through the tunnel until they reached the opening. The snow outside blew sideways as the wind threw it to and fro as the snowstorm intensified.
"We cannot thank thee enough for thy contribution, Clover the Clever." The Keeper said, looking down at the unicorn. "Thou have bought us enough time to make sure everything is ready for when the creature returns."
"Glad I could help." Clover said. "But how will we remember which mountain we cast the shield in? I don't know if either of thee noticed, but there are myriads of mountains around this part of the world."
"Easy." The Keeper said, reaching for Clover's horn. "We'll leave a marker."
"Wait, what are-" Clover began to say, but was cut off by Keeper grasping his horn. In a flash of green, multiple beams of magic shot to the walls of the tunnels. Within moments, the beams of magic nestled into the cave walls, their glow reducing in seconds. Soon, rows of shining emeralds covered the rocky entrance of the cave.
Letting go of Clover's horn, the Keeper watched as the unicorn shook himself out of his daze.
"Woah. What did thou just do?" Clover asked, rubbing his horn.
"Made a few markers for us to remember." The Keeper said with a gesture back at the walls.
Clover turned around to see the emeralds sparkling for him. "My magic did that?"
"Well, I helped." The Keeper said. "Now I believe thou said that thou have duties to attend to in Canterlot."
Clover turned to look at Starswirl and the Keeper. "So… this is goodbye?"
"For now." Starswirl said. "I will see thee soon, Clover the Clever."
Clover smiled at his teacher's spirit. "Very well. Get me out of here."
No sooner had the words left his mouth, Clover vanished in a flash of white light, leaving Starswirl and the Keeper standing at the edge of the tunnel entrance.
"You taught him well, Starswirl." Keeper said.
Starswirl's form reverberated proudly. "Thank you. Although I must say, going back to the 'thee' and 'thou' language here took some getting used to. Like slipping on a glove you've outgrown."
"You may return. I have one last thing I need to do here." The Keeper dismissed.
"As you wish." Starswirl's form vanished, leaving the Keeper alone in the cave.
Turning to the wall, the Keeper pressed a claw against the stone. Closing his eyes and uttering a short tome under his breath, he opened his mouth to speak. "In this cave, an ancient evil lies within, when released, the long night shall begin. Through it, all races shall bind, as the fates of all become intertwined. The Six will become Eight, and end the Guardians' wait."
The Keeper opened his purple eyes and stepped back, looking at the prophecy he'd just cast onto the rock. Every language, past, present, and future, all were represented.
"Until that day comes, I too shall wait." With a flash of purple magic, the Keeper teleported from the cave, leaving only the echoes of the wind to fill the tunnel.
-Canterlot: Present Day-
Shining Armor dashed through the castle corridors, the wall-mounted torches and stained glass windows blurring past his vision. With the commencement of the Citadel Initiative catching them by surprise, the loud noise didn't help with keeping Canterlot's populace calm. Ponies were asking questions as to what was going on, asking for answers that Shining Armor didn't have.
He slowed his gallop to a trot as he neared the throne room doors. "Guards, open the doors." He ordered the two golden-clad stallions that flanked the double doors. The pony on the right nodded and pulled open his door for the captain to enter.
"Princesses, permission to enter." Shining Armor called as he stopped in the open doorway.
Celestia and Luna looked up from each other to see Shining at the throne room's entrance.
"Granted." Celestia replied, turning back to her conversation with Luna.
Shining walked through the doorway, the guard closing the door behind him. "Princesses, ponies are starting to get a bit panicky with the sudden evacuation and whatever that loud gonging was. My troops need to know what to tell them for them to settle down."
Celestia and Luna exchanged looks.
"Well… I guess this was to be anticipated with the sudden initiative implementation." Celestia said while tapping her chin.
"So you just want me to say that everypony needs to stay calm and for the process to be accelerated?" Shining assumed.
Luna shook her head. "We can't just leave our citizens in the dark, Celestia. They need to know what it is we are up against."
"Agreed, but we don't need them to get into a panic how their livelihoods here would be at stake." Celestia's eyebrows furrowed in thought.
Shining's eyes lit up as an idea sprang into his mind. "Say it's a temporary relocation." Both princesses turned to the captain at his suggestion. "That we would protect their homes and businesses while they are away in other cities while we defend Canterlot."
Celestia gave Shining a brief smile. "Well that would answer the worries about coming back to Canterlot with nothing they left to greet them. And what of the current panic that is beginning to spread?"
"We call for peace." Luna spoke up. "Tell everypony to remain calm and to inform them that Canterlot has been threatened. Their frenzied state would only make the situation worse."
"So, in summary?" Shining raised an eyebrow at the princesses.
"Hold on, we need somepony to take this down." Celestia said, turning back to the royal pegasus scribes that sat at the sides of her throne. "Quill, Ink, come take a decree."
Quill, a brown pony with crème fur and his brother Ink, with a vice versa color scheme, stood up from their positions as they each grabbed a scroll and quill to write with. They approached the princesses with their writing utensils at the ready.
"What is it you wish to decree, your Majesties?" Quill asked, tapping his scroll with the quill.
"Quill, take your message to the Canterlot guards. Make sure it is told on every street corner. I don't want anypony to not get this decree." Celestia ordered.
"Ready." Quill nodded and readied himself to write.
"Citizens of Canterlot, we apologize for the abrupt changes to your daily lives, but what we have to warn you of is of the highest concern. Canterlot has been threatened for the second time in two years, but this time, we will be prepared. I have ordered the Citadel Initiative to be carried out, a plan designed for the city's protection. Civilians are to be transported to other cities throughout Equestria while the guards will stay behind and defend our nation's capital. It would be best to cooperate and not panic, so that your transportation will proceed efficiently and safely. Finally, I assure you that your livelihood sill be intact upon your return to Canterlot once this crisis has passed. Thank you for your cooperation and be safe."
Quill finished his writing and looked up. "Is that all, your Highness?"
Celestia nodded. "Yes, and thank you, Quill. Now go and spread that message through the city."
With a quick bow, Quill rolled up the scroll to where he could carry it with his mouth. As soon as he had the scroll secured between his teeth, Quill galloped through the throne room doors and out of sight.
"Your turn, Ink." Luna said. "This one will go to every major city in Equestria. Manehattan, Ponyville, Fillydelphia, all of it."
Ink gave a swift salute and pressed his quill to the scroll. "Yes, Princess. Gimme the message."
"Citizens of Equestria, have no fear in these dark days. Canterlot has come under threat of attack, but we will be ready for when the danger comes. As you hear this message, civilians from Canterlot are being transported across the country, some of which may already be in your city. Fear not, for this is a temporary measure for the sake of the citizens' safety. Your mayor will be instructed to provide accommodations for the refugees, but if you feel the need to open your homes to them, then do so by all means. Thank you for your support and we will let you know as soon as it is safe to return the Canterlotans to their homes. Finally, this is a call to all guards and volunteers. If you haven't heard the call of all military-able ponies to Canterlot, then heed this royal decree. Everypony will do their part, be it serving on the home front or in the defense of Canterlot and you must as well. One or the other, we all must do our duty. Hold strong, Equestria, as we face our darkest hour."
"A bit more melodramatic than Celestia's, but it'll certainly get the message across." Ink commented as he finished writing.
Luna gave the scribe a smirk. "Thank you. Now go, ponies need to hear that message."
With the message in hoof, Ink spread his wings and shot into the air and out the throne room doors.
"Well spoken, your Majesties." Shining said with a confident grin. "Do you wish to give the guards any messages or will that be all?"
Celestia's expression hardened as she addressed the captain. "Tell them to ready themselves for the coming week. They have not had to face such an evil that will be coming. Let them know that Canterlot is now at war, and we will not let our city be taken."
Shining Armor saluted the princesses upon being given his orders, and spun around to march back out of the throne room.
Luna and Celestia looked back from the captain to each other.
"So while he readies the troops as the citizens are evacuated, what are we to do in the meantime?" Luna asked.
"For now, we wait." Celestia hooked a hoof over Luna's shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. "We wait."