//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: The Suppressor of Shadows // Story: Sunrise // by Black Kyurem //------------------------------// "Huh?" said Spike and the ponies. "That's just a myth," Twilight added. "See?" replied Discord. "What did I tell you? You're not taking this seriously." "I did my research, for your information," said Twilight. "While the Suppressor of Shadows is believed to be the unicorn capable of containing all forms of dark magic and negating all of its harmful effects that would normally cause corruption, it's never been spoken of any further than being an old pony tale." "So was the legend of Nightmare Moon," said Discord. "And that really happened in pony history, didn't it? Surely you've learned to cut back on your skepticism by now." "Well... okay. If it'll help save Princess Celestia, we'll go and find this Suppressor of Shadows." "That's the spirit!" "Do you know where he is?" "What makes you think I know everything?" "Because you brought it up, duh!" said Rainbow. "Well, why can't this just be something you have to figure out for yourselves?" asked Discord. "Because we're runnin' out of time!" said Applejack. "We don't want yer riddles, games, or... whatever! We need to save the Princess before it's too late!" "Fine, have it your way. If you wish to find the Suppressor of Shadows, look to the one place that gets you straight to the source." "I thought we said none of your--" Rainbow started to yell, but Discord interrupted her. "No. More. Hints," he said firmly. "You ponies are smarter than this and you can't always count on me to bail you out of every situation... especially when you choose not to be nice to a friend." Rainbow growled. "Now if you'll excuse me," resumed Discord, who used magic to conjure nurse clothes on himself. "I have a sick Princess to attend to. The Discord is in!" And with that, Discord teleported away. "Well..." Spike huffed. "That stunk!" "That jerk!" shouted Rainbow. "I knew we shouldn't have listened to him!" "Let's not be hasty, my little ponies," said Luna. "Discord at least gave us a clue. I'm sure that this place that is 'straight to the source' means that it's the place where we can begin to solve our problems. So, this Suppressor of Shadows is known to diminish dark magic, which in turn keeps the peace. What else do we know that can help keep the peace?" Twilight suddenly gasped. "That's it!" she said. "The Tree of Harmony! If the Elements of Harmony were once used to bring harmony where there was chaos from Discord and darkness from Nightmare Moon, then that's where the Suppressor of Shadows must be!" "Come on, girls!" said Applejack. "What have we got to lose?" "Well, there's the Princess as a start," said Rainbow. "Right, so we have to hurry!" The Mane 6, Spike, and Princess Luna entered the Everfree Forest to see if the Tree of Harmony could give them a clue. "You know, Twi" said Applejack. "I just thought... Even if we do save the Princess and all, it still doesn't explain the... twilight-colored sky." "I know, Applejack," said Twilight. "But first things first. We have to find a cure for the Princess. She needs all of us right now. We've been in many terrible situations and no matter how bleak they were, we somehow always managed to set things right. And it's because of our friendship that we prevail." Applejack smiled. Soon, they all arrived at the Tree of Harmony's location. But instead of finding the tree, all they saw was black-colored magic swirls forming the shape of a whirling tornado. "Oh, no!" cried Fluttershy. "The tree!" "It's... it's horrible!" cried an aghast Rainbow Dash. "What do we do?" asked Applejack desperately. "I had once given in to the darkness," answered Luna. "Maybe I can help here. The Suppressor of Shadows must be here." She took a few steps towards the black whirlwind. "Be careful, Princess Luna," said Fluttershy. "Suppressor of Shadows!" Luna called out. "Can you hear me? It is I, Luna, Princess of the Night! My sister is fading! She suffers from the Shadow of the Dark Sun! I have brought you her most trusted subjects, the former bearers of the Elements of Harmony! We have been told that you hold the answers we seek! Will you help us?" At first, there was no answer, but then... "You seek the Elements of Harmony," said a dark voice from the whirlwind. "But they are gone." A dark-colored unicorn stallion with a way brown mane and tail, a slightly curved horn, and wearing shades, stepped out of the magic swirls. "Shadowstealth?" said a bewildered Twilight Sparkle. "You're... the Suppressor of Shadows?" asked Spike. "You know this guy?" asked Rainbow Dash. "We do," said Twilight. "Spike and I met him once when he told me he recently saved Ponyville from some kind of remnants of Nightmare Moon. I never knew he was the Suppressor of Shadows, but now it makes sense. He's not just a myth. He's real. Shadowstealth is the Suppressor of Shadows, the answer to our problems. "Yes... I was..." answered Shadowstealth. "But now... I will enforce them upon Equestria!" "You what?!" gasped Twilight, dumbstruck. But then, an epiphany hit her. "Oh no! When you purged the remnants of Nightmare Moon in Ponyville, it took hold of you! You're being controlled by... Nightmare Moon!" Shadowstealth smirked. "This wasn't supposed to happen," said Luna. "When Shadowstealth absorbs dark magic, he suppresses it with the aid of the Tree of Harmony, containing the powers of darkness within so they could be used for good." "Correct," said Shadowstealth. "And with the Elements of Harmony removed... I am the now the nightmare's new herald!" "What are ya sayin'?" asked Applejack, horrified. "He's saying that the Elements of Harmony have been stolen!" said Luna. "They had been removed from the tree and without them, the tree didn't have the power to help suppress the dark magic that Shadowstealth absorbed!" Shadowstealth levitated off the ground and glided backwards into the black magical wind, his front hooves spread and laughing maniacally.