//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 Meaning // Story: Realms Unite! // by Ninyn //------------------------------// Awkright walked over the rubble of the castle wall and looked at the scattered ponies on the ground. Nightshade was nowhere to be seen which meant Awkright had done his job well. With a howl the Exion returned to their realm and Awkright continued up the steps to the throne room. Two guards charged at Awkright but he easily swatted them aside. Kicking open the door and found a pink pony standing before him. Without a word the pony pulled out a canon and pulled the trigger sending forth an explosion of confetti knocking Awkright over the wall. "Can't come this way yet Mr. Wolfy!" The pony called. Awkright turned and saw another door with a bunch of signs with different phrases, "Ponies this way! FOOD! Nice Wolf Demon Thingy!" Awkright snarled and walked towards the door and let out a tremendous howl down the hall way knocking down party decorations and other knick knacks. The ponies giggles echoed throughout the halls, "Well I guess the fun way of inviting you didn’t go well. I guess we'll have to do this the hard way then," she called. A loud horn went off and the ground below Awkright sprang up and shot him into the hallway. At the corner a chair opened up and caught him locking him in place. Another canon appeared and let out more confetti sending Awkright down another hallway into a large container and it began to spin very fast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the forge Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Shining Armor had melted the gems and silver down into a single slot in the shape of a spear. Shining let the materials cool but Twilight walked up and cast a spell on it speeding up the cooling process. Shining pulled out a tool and pulled out the cool material and began to hammer it. With his magic Shining began to bend and mold the material into a rounded poled and began to hammer down on one end until everything was smoothed out. Rarity took an enlarged pin and pushed it into the end of the pole sideways. Fluttershy filled a small basin full of water as Shining tossed the spear into it. Twilight looked to Shining who was drastically exhausted. Twilight sighed, "Shining I'm sorry but you're going to have to stay down here when we go back to face the demon," she said. Shining began to rise, "No you're not. I won't let you face that thing alone," he said. Twilight smiled softly, "I won't be alone so long as my friends are at my side. You need to rest. You've lost almost all of your strength. We need to handle this," she said. Shining looked into his sisters eyes and sighed, "I guess you're right… Please be careful ok Twily?" he asked sadly. Twilight nodded, "Don't worry we'll all stick together!" Rarity piped up from behind. "You bet! Woo hoo!" Fluttershy quietly cheered. Shining Armor chuckled, "Good luck Twily," he said as the three girls began to head back towards the throne room. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ `Awkright was sent flying out of the container as it began to slow. Awkright tried to shake the nausea from his head but ended up falling over. The pony began to laugh uncontrollably from above, "You're such a silly wolf! Ha ha ha!" she squealed. Awkrights eyes blazed with rage as he began to climb. The pony pulled on a string and a boxing glove came out from the wall and punched Awkright in the jaw causing him to fall back down the stair well onto a panel. Awkright heard gears grinding and tried to get up quickly but the floor sprang up and sent Awkright up the stairwell into a wall. Awkright fell onto the stairs his eyes spinning and a splitting headache pulsing inside his skull. The pony was gone and Awkright got to his feet, "I'm tired of these senseless pranks pony!!" he yelled as he began to climb the stairwell knocking everything in his path aside. The pony waited for Awkright to get to the top and pulled a lever dropping him into a container full of liquid! Awkright accidently swallowed some of the batter and scowled, "Is this…. *tastes the batter again* cake batter?" he asked. Awkright looked above and saw the pony smile, "Order up!" she squealed pulling another lever that closed the container shut causing the floor to tilt and send the container into a large oven! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight and Rarity wove together a powerful rope to launch the arrow/spear and tried to figure out where exactly to set up. A blur flashed by and Pinkie Pie stood next to Twilight, "Hi there! You might wanna tie that thing up against those against those pillars and fast!" she said. Rarity and Twilight raised their eyebrows, "There's no time to question! I stalled that bad guy coming up the stairs and he's coming from that direction!" she said. Twilight looked to Rarity and shrugged as they began to tie the rope to the pillars. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The oven had opened and Awkright was fighting his way out of the cake. The cake had been covered in frosting and the side that wasn’t destroyed said, "Love Pinkie Pie," with a heart at the end of it. Awkright roared, "Pinkiiieee Piiiieeee!!!!" he called causing the castle to rumble. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Out on the wall Fluttershy looked for Nightshade and couldn't find any sign of him. All she saw was the destruction Awkright had caused and the injured ponies. Heading to the main grounds Fluttershy found Applejack and Rainbow, "What happened to Nightshade?" she asked. Applejack shrugged and Rainbow Dash sighed. "We saw him get hit by the blast from that Awkright guy… We hurried to see if anything remained but we found nothing so we helped the injured guards," Rainbow said sadly. Fluttershy nodded, "The guards seem alright now. Good job girls. Come on! We don't know where that meany is coming from but we've gotta help Twilight," she said flying back towards the castle. Applejack started running after her while Rainbow Dash looked to each of the guards and turned back to follow her friends. Pinkie had set up more party canons around the room and had them ready to fire. The thread was set with the arrow leaning against it. Twilight put some protective barriers around the door way and kept her mind focused on a powerful blast. Rarity had cast an illusion on the floor where Fluttershy and her animals had dug a hole. Applejack came in after Fluttershy and looked around, "What have y'all been up to?" she asked. Twilight looked from Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash and scowled, "Where is Nightshade?" she asked. Fluttershy frowned, "He didn't make it Twilight," she said sadly. Twilight frowned and her ears lowered, "Oh… He….T-That big jerk…" she said with tears filling in her eyes. Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked to each other, "What are we gonna do now?" Rainbow asked. Twilight sighed, "We finish off this thing for Nightshade," she said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Awkright had finished his climb and he was now heading towards the main hall. A great flare lit the hallway blinding him. Standing before Awkright were two alicorns. Awkright smiled darkly, "The princesses… What an honor!" he said. Princess Celestia glared at him, "We cannot let you cause anymore harm to our land. Your time has come to an end," she said. Luna's horn began to glow. Awkright smiled, "I've heard to many stand before me saying that to my face my dear princess. I promise the both of you are no match for me," he said. Luna hit Awkright with a blast of magic and Celestia hit him from above sending Awkright into the dungeons. Awkright landed on his feet and turned and slashed at Princess Celestia. Celestia dodged the swipe and tackled Awkright and Luna readied a blast, "Take this!" she said blasting him once more piercing through his shoulder. Awkright howled in pain and sent a blast at her and caught Celestia by the throat, "I'm tired of these games!" he yelled throwing Celestia into a prison cell knocking down the gates and causing rubble to collapse on top of her. Celestia's crown skittered across the ground at Awkright's feet. Picking up the crown Awkright pulled the gem in the middle of it free, "One down… one to go," he said turning towards Luna. "What a beautiful instrument you were long ago my dear princess. You can be that way again," he said coyly. Luna smirked, "I'm afraid that time is long since past demon. I am more powerful than when I was Nightmare moon. I will not fall so easily," she said. Awkright smiled and lunged at Luna. Luna slid to the side and caught Awkright with her magic and sent him flying far through the ceiling. Awkright was pierced through by several shards of rubble. Blood dripped from Awkright's body, "You'll pay!" he yelled. Luna flew up and landed across the pit away from Awkright, "What is that gems worth to you?!" she yelled. Awkright smiled, "This realm shall cease to exist soon so I shall tell you my princess!" he said. Luna glared at him, "You see my employer has a grand idea to recreate the realms as his own in a more… unified manner. Starting with the original seven. I promise that you will feel nothing. If anything you'll be completely erased from existence and reborn as a far more beautiful creature. Now the last thing I need is that lovely gem resting in your crown," Awkright said motioning for her to give him the gem. Luna growled, "Silence you cur!!" she yelled sending a blast at Awkright blasting him through the throne room door into the barriers Twilight had set up. The mane 6 yelped in surprise and began pulling on the band that would launch the spear. Awkright got to his feet smoking from the barriers magic and lunged at Luna and smacking her hard across the face through a wall knocking her crown far to the side. The ponies let the spear fly at Awkright but he turned and caught it easily, "How smart of Nightshade to share my secrets. Pure elements can harm me correct but it all matters if you can pierce my hide!" said smiling while picking up Luna's crown and removing the gem. Awkright now held both of the gems and howled with glee as he turned towards the main 6. A great pulse of energy erupted forth from the gems and Awkright was reverted to his human form! Looking around Awkright growled, "Regardless of my form I can still finish to little ponies off!" he yelled charging at them. The girls charged at Awkright who merely laughed and sent a repulse of dark energy knocking them down. Standing above them Awkright smiled, "Light's out my little ponies!" he said darkly as his dark matter blast. Awkright let his attack fire but it was sent flying towards the ceiling! Awkright gaped and looked around and saw another human figure leaning on the throne room doors, "You thought… A couple of rocks would be enough to get rid of me?! Well Awkright… I'm sorry to inform you that I'm far from finished with you!" Nightshade smiled as blood dripped from his forehead. Awkright snarled and sent a dark matter blast at him, "What is it with you upbeat heroes?! Just DIE ALREADY!!" he yelled. Nightshade smiled and drew forth Shin Ryu and deflected each of the blasts and activated his sentient mode once more and appeared right in front of Awkright, "I'm not ready to die yet…" he whispered darkly. Awkright punched forward but Nightshade swiftly turned and cut off the demons hand and kicked him high into the ceiling! The ponies looked at Nightshade with fear as he turned towards them, "I promise I'm still the same guy. This is my true form. The gems reacted to Awkrights touch and sent a pulse throughout the entire realm reverting me to my normal state," he said smiling. The ponies smiled and turned to see Awkright charging down from the ceiling at Nightshade who laughed and withdrew his blade and stepped inward dodging Awkrights punch and focused his energy into one arm, "You have to remember Awkright. There will always be a light to snuff out shadows like you. I stand for all that is good! I fight for those in need and for those who have nothing! I will not let you or your master win! This is the end for you! I may have been injured but you've been tossed around a lot today. Your body's at its limit!" he yelled punching right through Awkrights stomach! The girls all gasped, "Nightshade?!" Rarity shrieked. Awkright coughed and gagged as Nightshade kicked him far back into the throne. Nightshade readied an energy blast, "Audios!" he said. Awkright smiled and stomped his foot into the ground and disappeared. Nightshade let his attack fizzle out and looked all around the throne room, "Whoops," he said scratching his head. Twilight glared at him, "Whoops? You call this a whoops?! Do you have any idea how long it took to remodel this place after the grand galloping gala?!" she yelled. Nightshade threw up his hands, "Listen I didn't mean for this to happen! It was an accident I swear!" he said. Pinkie put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, "Accidents happen all the time Twilight! Please give Nightshade a break. He saved us from that evil wolf," she said. "Yeah he totally whooped that things butt!" Rainbow Dash cheered. Twilight looked to her friends then to Nightshade, "Fine, but who's going to clean this mess up?" she asked. Night-shade tapped his chin, "I'm sure I can get this place fixed in a jiffy. Go find the princesses while I work on this!" he said. The girls all now had worried looks on their faces and headed off towards the hallway Luna had come from. Nightshade looked outside the throne room and back, "Oh boy… This is gonna take a little while," he said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Awkright reappeared in Roark's throne room battered and beaten. Roark came into the room and looked down at the demon, "You survived?" he asked raising an eyebrow. Awkright coughed up blood, "I'm here aren't I?" he asked handing Roark the gems. Roark smiled and took the gems and crushed them in his palm causing them to turn into dust that flowed into his body. The air around Roark crackled with power, "You may not have killed Revan or the ponies I intended to be slain but you provided an excellent opportunity to free an agent of darkness from the realm of harmony. His name is Lord Tirek and he shall be joining my cause from here on out," he said. Awkright managed to get to his feet, "He shall be a valuable asset to our victory," he said wheezing. Roark's eyes turned red, "Our victory?" he snarled. Awkright looked at his master with uneasiness, "Master?" he said. Roark snarled viciously and echoes of Awkright's terrified and painful screams echoed throughout the fortress and faded with the sound of the wind. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hours had passed after Awkright's escape and Nightshade had just finished the castle walls repair. Nightshade crawled back up the stairs to the throne room and collapsed on the throne room rug. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were both standing in front of a window talking quietly and turned to see the human collapse. Twilight and her friends rushed to his side and helped him lean against a wall on the far side of the room. "Are you alright?" Fluttershy asked. Nightshade chuckled lightly, "I'm exhausted. Thanks for asking," he said smiling. Twilight rolled her eyes, "Alright well let's fix you up," she said as her horn ignited. Nightshade pushed her aside, "I can't have you do that. There are too many energies inside of me that might hurt you. I have to heal on my own. Not even Sarominae can heal this injury. It's something I have to get used to," he said. Twilight frowned and turned to see the Princesses approach, "You have done us a great service today Nightshade. We will commemorate your-" Nightshade cut Celestia off, "Forgive me milady but ceremonies and awards can wait. I do not mean to sound offensive but I must leave immediately. That monster that attacked was nothing more than a pawn to distract us from his masters plans. There are other realms that you can't even imagine and I need the help of these 6 ponies to defeat him. Do I have your permission to have them journey with me?" he asked. Celestia looked from Nightshade to the mane 6 and sighed, "You can go. Please watch over my little ponies. They are very dear to me," she said. Nightshade struggled to his feet and nodded, "You have my word Princess," he said. Rainbow Dash cheered, "Alright! Time for another adventure!" she yelled. Applejack looked to Nightshade, "Now journeyn' with you is fine and dandy but where are we goin'?" she asked. Nightshade chuckled, "First I need you all to gather the elements of harmony, and that magical box the tree of harmony," he said. Twilight scowled, "How do you know about that?" she asked. Nightshade blushed, "I saw it when I first met Pinkie. When we rode through the Everfree Forest and my abilities saw the tree and the box. There's something powerful inside the box. We should gather the elements and the box. I believe they can work together," he said. Twilight looked to the princesses and back to her friends, "Alright. Let's do this," she said with a heavy sigh. Nightshade smiled, "Everyone grab hold of me," he said. The ponies nodded and grabbed Nightshade. Nightshade focused on the brightest area of positive energy and teleported to the tree of harmony. When they arrived the ponies all had very nauseous expressions, "I… I think that teleporting is very weird. It's not as flashy as twilights but… oh boy…" Rainbow said. Pinkie Pie was giggling while walking around in circles, "I feel so silly," she said. Twilight shook the dizziness away and looked to the tree of harmony, "I'm sorry we have to take these so soon. I promise we'll be back as soon as possible," she said as she started pulling the elements out. Nightshade eyed the element of magic, "Hold on before you pull that element out," he said. Twilight looked at him, "But-"Nightshade held up his hand, "Trust me," he said focusing his energy into a rock he had picked up. The rock changed shape and began to glow with a positive aura. The rock had been turned into a relic that resembled the element of magic but it was colored blue, "I infused this relic with the heart of my energy. It should be able to keep the Tree healthy and stable until you return," he said. Twilight nodded and pulled the element of magic out of the tree as Nightshade quickly put it into the tree. A blue aura surrounded the tree and it seemed to change in color as it accepted the relics energy. Nightshade smiled and turned towards the chest and pushed his energy into the vine loosening the chest so Twilight could take it off of it. Nightshade smiled, "Alright. Shall we begin?" he asked. The girls all cheered as Nightshade started heading for Zecora's hut. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Odion had gone and Zecora had returned to her home. Star Bright was passed out in her bed and all Zecora could do was chuckle as she walked back out the door where she bumped into Nightshade and the girls, "Oh my. Is this a human before my eyes?" she asked. Nightshade chuckled, "Hello Zecora. Where's Star Bright?" he asked. Zecora chuckled and pointed behind her. Nightshade scowled, "What happened?" he asked. Zecora shrugged and started heading for Ponyville. Nightshade turned into his pony for so he could walk through the door, "Star?" he called as he walked up to her bed. Star Bright had a girly smile on her face and her hair was all frazzled. The girls all blushed when they saw her but it didn't seem to faze Nightshade, "The mission here was a success. Time to go," Nightshade said. Star Bright giggled, "Alright. Let me get cleaned up and I'll meet you back at the palace," she said. Nightshade nodded and led the girls back outside, "Alright. The heroes are united… at last… Now let's hope this goes as planned," he said sending up a magical orb around them, "Time to meet our other allies!" Nightshade called to the others. The girls all nodded as they teleported. Star Bright watched as they disappeared, "Good Luck," she said frowning.