Noel rested within the inn called “The Platinum Dragon” with a dark expression across his face. The bartender walked over to him flipping his eye patch up examining the boy thoroughly, “Death should be accepted even if comes at unexpected times. Trust me lad things will be a little easier if you let things go,” he said.
Noel sighed, “What would you know about death?” he snapped. The Bartender snorted and looked around his inn, “Well how about you take a room for the night so you can loosen your mind a bit. On the house,” he said. Noel looked to the strange pony and nodded, “Alright, but don’t expect anything from me…” he said.
The Bartender smiled, “Never that my friend,” he said. Noel looked at the bartender closely, “What’s your name?” he asked. The Bartender laughed, “Raven… Raven Ale,” he said with a mischievous smile. Noel smiled, “Well thanks…. Raven…” he said walking up stairs and into his cozy room.
Raven sat behind the bar and sighed putting his eye patch down, “Oh these bothersome ponies how I wish they had better standings… You better hurry Nightshade… Things are starting to get to interesting around here,” he said quietly.
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As the train pulled into the station Twilight lead Glade through the streets of Canterlot with the remaining mane 6 following behind. "The architecture here is beautiful! I'm quite impressed Princess," Glade said with a smile.
Twilight smiled, "Oh it's nothing really. This is where I grew up most of my life before moving to Ponyville. We've all had plenty of adventures here," she said. The girls all giggled and laughed telling Night Glade about the hearths warming eve play they took part in. They told him about Shining Armor and Princess Cadance's wedding. The invasion of the Everfree Forest was a terrifying event for all of Equestria.
Glade smiled and took in every detail accordingly and found that the events that the friends experienced were similar to the events that had occurred when he was still "living" in his realm. Around another bend a stallion wearing gold and lavender armor. "Twily! It's good to see you again!" he said.
Twilight's eyes sparkled and she hugged the stallion, "What are you doing in Canterlot little sis?" he asked. Twilight smiled at her brother, "Shining meet Night Glade an ambassador from the outer lands brought here by Lady Star Bright Silver," she said.
Shining looked at Glade up and down, "A male alicorn? Does this make you a prince?" he asked. Glade laughed, "No I am not a prince. Celestia forbid haha. No Captain I am merely a warrior of great stature. I am here to meet with Princess Celestia on important business," he said.
Shining Armor nodded, "This business wouldn't happen to deal with what happened in the mines?" he whispered. Glade grew puzzled, "I heard a little about this… What exactly happened?" he asked quietly. Shining looked from Glade to the mane 6, "Hey Twily may I borrow Glade for a bit? I'll escort him to the Castle after I've discussed with him about some of the palace fortifications," he said.
Twilight looked at Shining with a puzzled looked but nodded, "I guess we'll see you at the castle Glade. Shining you best take care of him or you'll answer to Lady Star Bright," she said. Shining chuckled, "Don't worry Twily. I promise he'll be alright," he said.
Glade smiled and then choked as Pinkie Pie hugged him tightly, "Let's have a party when this is all done ok!" she said with a smile. Glade nodded, "Pinkie….! Can't…..Breathe!" he said choking. Pinkie noticed and let go blushing, "Whoopsie. Sorry," she said.
The girls left and Glade followed behind Shining, "So care to explain what's happening?" he asked. Shining sighed, "Yesterday there was a mining team in the Canterlot mines and they were suddenly attacked by an abomination. Most of the ponies escaped except for one… We… We found what was left of the pony scattered across the mines walls…" he said turning a little green.
Glade sighed, "I take it that you ponies deal with death often like this. Do you?" he asked. Shining shook his head, "There hasn't been a murder since many years ago! It's very nerve wrecking," he said.
Glade nodded, "Well maybe I can help with that," he said as his eyes shifted from pine green to electric blue. Shining jumped a bit, "What just happened?" he asked. Glade smiled, "It's my special talent. I told you I'm a warrior Captain. This is part of who I am. Let's go to these mines and find out what's causing all of the trouble," he said.
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Awkright returned through the dark mirror and looked about the cave. The ponies had put up a magical barrier on the entrance and caution signs all about keeping other ponies away from the mines. The fear in the air was most satisfying to Awkright. The ponies had never truly faced a creature of his stature before.
The more he thought about the pony he had devoured and it's agonizing screams it made him shudder with sheer pleasure knowing more would fall in the glory of destroying this pathetic realm! Awkright looked to the ceiling and smiled as he jumped and used his back legs to hold himself in place as he started to dig into it making his way up to the surface.
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Shining and Glade made it to the mouth of the cave which lead to the mines where two ponies looked at the cave with great interest. Glade recognized the two ponies from the train on his way here! It was Derpy and Doctor or whatever his name is.
"Excuse me citizens this is a closed off area! Only off-" Glade cut Shining off, "I do believe I saw you both on the train earlier correct?" he asked. Shining glared at Glade but he ignored him.
The tan pony looked to Glade, "A male alicorn?" he asked. Glade scowled, "Is everypony going to point that out today?" he asked. The tan pony chuckled, "Forgive me I do not mean to come across as rude. I'm The Doctor and this is my assistant Derpy Whooves," he said.
Glade smiled, "I overheard you on the train saying you wish to investigate the mines as well doctor?" he asked. The Doctor nodded, "Quite so. Whatever abomination is wreaking havoc must be stopped immediately. In all my adventures I've never come across a dark entity such as this one. This is most troubling," he said.
Glade could sense even through the barrier Shining had put up that whatever was within the mines was truly evil and powerful, "I believe you should come along Doctor though may I ask out of respect that your assistant stay out here?" he asked.
The Doctor looked from Glade to Derpy and nodded, "Assistant please remain here I believe this stallion may have some idea of what's down there. Don't you Night Glade?" he asked. Glade jumped, "H-how did you-?!" he stuttered. The Doctor smiled and pulled Glade to the side, "I know who you are Nightshade. I know of The Sentients and what other denizens that reside in time and the realms. The Legendary Gallant warrior's reputation precedes him though I never would have dreamed of meeting you in Equestria," he said.
Night Glade sighed and nodded, "Let's go," he said. Shining Armor nodded and followed Night Glade into the mines with The Doctor in tow. Glade looked around and noticed the blood all over the walls and grimaced, "This energy…" pebbles fell from the ceiling and Glade brushed them off and looked up. A hole had been dug into the ceiling!
The claw marks on the wall were enormous! Glade felt the blood drain from his face and his ears fell back which was rather weird for Glade. "We have to hurry! Doctor I hate to ask this but please stay behind! This enemy is far more dangerous than I thought! It's an Exion!" he yelled.
The Doctor stared at Glade with wide eyes, "An Exion? Fantastic! I must get a close observation of this creature!" he said with enthusiasm. Shining Armor stared at Glade in confusion, "What in the name of Celestia is an Exion?" he asked.
Glade turned to the both of them, "An Exion is a dark and desolate demon from the lowest pits of hell. This one in particular is the Lord of Exion! Daemon Exion Awkright! Doctor I'm terribly sorry but you must stay here! I have no idea in Equestria where he might strike next. Shining Armor please show me the way to the castle," he said.
Shining Armor nodded and ran out of the cave. Glade ran to the mouth of the cave and turned back towards The Doctor, "You know Doctor if you'd like you can examine the scene a little more thoroughly since the royal guard won't be coming near," he said with a smile.
The Doctor smiled and nodded, "Good luck Nightshade. May Celestia's and Luna's blessing be with you!" he said pulling out his sonic screw driver. Glade smiled and left the cave chasing after Shining Armor.
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Awkright couldn't stand the amount of positive energy Equestria was radiating! The very air made his body shiver in pain, "All I need is the stones and that will be it!" he snarled as he hid in an alley staying out of sight.
In Awkrights mind Roark called to him, "I thought you would've been done with the mission by now Lord Awkright," he said. Awkright sighed, "I never knew the positive energy in this realm would be so… so large and bright! You should have sent one of the others!" he snarled back.
Roark's anger could be felt in Awkrights mind, "None of the others know of the existence of this realm and if they did they think it was child's play! They wouldn't even have bothered to go there in the first place! However you know of what I seek in that realm so therefore you were the greater decision in this quest. Retrieve the Princess and the stone's I require before your return! Do not fail me Lord Awkright or you will suffer dearly!" he snapped. With that Roark's presence left Awkrights mind leaving him to ponder what his master had in mind before moving on towards the castle.
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At the castle Twilight and her friends sat in the royal ballroom and talked gossip while waiting for the princess, "You know Twilight you never did explain what happened after going to that alternate world," Rarity said. Twilight blushed, "Oh nothing special just turned into another version of myself like when we transformed into breezies. Except I was a little taller than in this form," she said looking down at her hooves.
Pinkie Pie giggled, "I bet it must have been super fun! I mean it's not every day you meet opposite versions of your friends!" she said. Twilight giggled, "That's true Pinkie, but now that I've visited that world it makes me wonder if there are other worlds that have the same effects as Canterlot High's. What if there's a dragon version of ourselves in another world as well and so on and so forth?" she asked.
Rainbow Dash sighed, "Ok Twi I think you're looking a little too deep into your science mumbo jumbo. I thought we were here on official business? When's Glade gonna return with your brother?" she asked.
At that moment Glade burst through the doors huffing and puffing, "We have to set up defenses around the castle!" he said. Twilight and the girls stared at him and Shining Armor in confusion.
Glade took a deep breath, "An ancient evil is on its way to the castle. Why I'm not sure but it can't be good! What caused the murder in the mines was an Exion. A dark and terrible demon!" he yelled.
The girls all gasped, "How could this have happened?" Twilight asked. Glade frowned and sighed, "I'll be honest it's time you know everything girls. My real name is Nightshade. I'm from another realm. Multiple Realms exist at once never interacting. Star Bright Silver and I are guardians of the realms. There are several other sentients and realms. I am the guardian of the Zodiac Realm. Star Bright Silver has sent me here to recruit you girls to help fight against the darkest evils of the realms. Roark Lindrake was a sentient who fell long ago to the shadows and has returned to destroy all that is light. He's gathering the evils and I'm not so sure why he would come here. I haven't felt any dark presence within this realm at all," he said.
(Now Nightshade shall remain what he was called in the previous chapters. Lol)
The girls all looked at him in confusion except for Twilight who's eyes were wide and her smile large with excitement, "So this means my theory was correct!" she said. Nightshade put a hoof up, "Only half right Twilight. As far as I've seen there's only been a separate version of myself in most of the realms," he said.
"Then how do you explain our Canterlot High counterparts?" Twilight asked. Night-shade scowled, "Counterparts?" he asked. Twilight nodded. Nightshade sighed, "A minor detail for right now. Shining Armor please go set up the defense's of the castle. I must speak with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna," he said.
Shining Armor nodded and ran to the castle's wall. Twilight and the girls led Nightshade to the throne room. Nightshade felt the pressure of battle roaring inside of him, *I haven't felt like this since the pit… I sure hope the ponies can handle fighting something like this. If not then we're in for a large disaster,* he thought.