//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 Nightwalker // Story: Heroes Of Equestria // by Ninyn //------------------------------// Scarlet stared in horror at the creature named Night Walker and in awe at the human standing before her, but where was Night Glade? Did this Night Walker kill him in cold blood?! She thought sadly. The creature Night Walker only growled as it’s blood red eyes focused on the human standing before it, *Growl, Snarl,* it snapped at the human viciously but not attacking. The human put up what looked like a * and a barrier formed between him and Night Walker. “Scarlet I know that you’re scared but you have to trust me. My name is Nightshade of the zodiac realm. I know this might be a lot to take in but I’m from another realm and I’m here to protect you. Glade was a counter part of me and the two of us fused together and became one being. I’m sure you’ve heard the tale of Realms uniting, yes?” he asked. Scarlet’s mind was spinning but she reluctantly nodded staring at Nightshade as she noticed his pine green eyes, “Glade…” she said in a small voice while blushing. Nightshade sighed and turned his attention to Night Walker who was now attacking the barrier. Nightshade pulled out two sabres one black with green writing on it and the other was white with blue writing on it. Scarlet didn’t understand why but she could read the writing on the blades, “Shin Ryu… Shiekatsu Ryu… Dragons? Why would your swords be named dragons?” Scarlet asked. Nightshade sighed, “Because they’re sentient weapons that were crafted long ago,” he said backing away slowly from the barrier as it began to crack, “Shin Ryu was crafted by me and Shiekatsu was crafted by my father,” he said. Scarlet looked at Nightshade from head to toe, “But you like a young man!” she said. Nightshade used his energy and blasted Night Walker back as he broke through the barrier, “I’ve been alive for many years’ Scarlet. More than I wish I had but I did. Please get out of here while you still can!” he said stomping his foot on the ground causing a pink pike erupt from the ground and pierce Night Walker through the chest. Scarlet felt tear’s sting her eyes, “What about you?” she asked. Nightshade smiled, “Don’t you worry about a thing. If there’s one thing I know it’s that I’m not going to lose while defending a friend,” he said. Scarlet choked back a sob and began to run away with Melody close behind her. Nightshade blocked one of Night Walker’s attacks and kicked him in the stomach hard, “Sorry to fight and run but your time will come later!” Nightshade said teleporting away. Night Walker roared in fury sending out a shock wave throughout the forest! Melody turned and felt the negative energy beginning to corrupt the forests life and power. Scarlet turned to yell at Melody but she saw a mystical aura surround Melody as she began to sing a harmonic voice that echoed throughout the forest. Night Walker felt the song of harmony rip away at his insides and he quickly retreated back into his dark cave. Melodies graceful voice began to quiet down as she felt the essence of Night Walker fade from the forest, “It’ll be a long while before we see him again…” she said with a sad look. Nightshade appeared before Scarlet and Melody and smiled, “Nice singing there Melody,” he said with a wink. Melody smiled and crossed her legs while blushing lightly, “It was nothing really,” she said. Nightshade laughed and turned towards Scarlet, “I’m sorry I yelled and rushed you guys out of there like that,” he said. Scarlet scowled at Nightshade, “Who gave you control over this mission anyhow?!” she yelled. Nightshade laughed all the louder, “Star Bright Silver sent me to take control as soon as Glade summoned me missy,” he said sticking a tongue out at her. Scarlet’s body turned dark red at the sound of hearing him call her “missy”, “What did you call me?!” she screeched. Nightshade stuck out his tongue, “Miiiisssssyyyyy,” he dragged it on with a cheeky smile. Scarlet pulled out her bow and shot an ice arrow at him but Nightshade quickly caught it with his bare hand and Scarlet’s eyes widened, *No one’s ever stood still! No one’s ever tried to stop my arrows! Now here standing before me a human catching it with his bare hand!!!* She thought. Nightshade snapped the arrow in half and slashed into the air with his black sabre and motioned for the two to follow him. Seeing the way Nightshade could handle himself she had no argument in following him. Scarlet huffed and blew her hair out of her face and followed grudgingly. Through the portal the three went and they soon appeared within a great white dome room with other humans and Star Bright Silver waiting for them. Nightshade signaled for the other sentients to leave all except for Star Bright, “Night Walker’s on the move. He’s heading for their alternate realm as we speak!” he yelled. Star Bright sighed and looked to the two ponies that had followed him and then back at Nightshade, “Then we must hurry. This Night Walker is even more dangerous than any of us had believed. There are separate parts of him scattered amongst the other realms all wishing to reunite and become one. Kenobi and Skywalker could not fend off the sith version of Night Walker and now that part of him has returned to the shadow dimension!” she yelled. Nightshade sighed and sat down on the floor, “What must we do?” he asked. Star Bright heaved a great sigh and turned to Scarlet and Melody, “My dear little ponies you are about to enter something that should never have surfaced… Will you help us in our cause?” she asked. Melody could feel the urgency in this mare’s request, “Milady it would be my honor to serve with you,” she said. Scarlet looked from Melody and Star to Nightshade and felt the bitter taste in her mouth remembering Glade’s warm touch, “F-fine…” she said letting out a sigh. Star Bright smiled and shifted into her human form and used her magic to hold up the two ponies, “Excellent now let me see here,” she said pulling out a measuring tape then started to examine multiple angles on each of the girls. Nightshade turned and payed no attention to the event, *What have you wrought now?* he thought. “Aha!” Star Bright exclaimed as she snapped her fingers. Scarlet and Melody both felt strange as their bodies elongated and they sprouted fingers and other appendages growing to the height of Star Bright who stood 5’11 compared to Nightshade who was 6’3. The girls felt off balance and almost toppled over but Star Bright quickly dashed forward and placed her fingers on their foreheads and sent forth memory bolts throughout them. Suddenly the girls didn’t feel any different than when they were ponies noting the height and the details that had changed on them. Nightshade turned back around and wolf whistled at Scarlet openly without thinking to well and she blushed, “What are you staring at idiot?!” she said. Nightshade caught himself and blushed then turned towards the thrones staring up at the ceiling. Star Bright laughed and held up Scarlet’s bow and it began to radiate a bright light as it turned from regular brown to a shining silver with decretive streams on the front of it. On the back there were rune’s carved into it. Scarlet looked at the runes and read aloud, “Return?” she said. Nightshade rose to his feet, “Fire an arrow at me and see what happens,” he said pulling out his swords again. Scarlet looked at him and smiled, “Ok,” she said pulling out an arrow. Star Bright smiled as Scarlet let fly and Nightshade deflected her arrow without even flinching. The bow began to glow with a slight red aura and the arrow that lay at Nightshade’s feet returned to Scarlet’s quiver. “Now do you understand?” Nightshade said withdrawing his blades. Scarlet smiled and ran her fingers over the pretty bow, “Thank you…” she said. Star Bright bowed before the young archer and turned towards Melody, “You may not know battle or magic, but I sense great power within your voice. I bestow upon you the necklace of Roark Lindrake. One of the few remaining artifacts recovered during the first sentient war. It was purified in the river of hope itself and has the power to protect you from all shadows and amplify your music not only to heal and protect but you may now cast illusions with your voice. Illusions that not only will fool your opponent but could very well fool you. Be very careful using your magic for it may not always be wise to use the illusions,” she said. Melody nodded and turned towards Scarlet with a pleasant smile, “Now hold on a second,” Nightshade said summoning a box out of thin air. “This is my gift to the both of you,” he said pulling forth a golden wand and a set of red and violet daggers. The wand he handed over to Melody, “This wand was made by my wife before she passed. It aids in illusions and grants one wish per year. Another added bonus is that it can shoot out elemental balls of energy at a whim at your decision,” he said. Nightshade summoned a leather belt and handed it to Scarlet with the daggers hanging on the sides, “These daggers were made by my son Lucius. They were meant to be an offering to me but he was slain in battle before he could perform the ritual… The red dagger has corrosive nectar coated around it giving it a vile bite when it hits a target. The violet blade sends electrical pulses into your target making them go numb while biting at them with a fierce poison of an exion demon. Use them only if necessary,” he said. Scarlet nodded as Nightshade turned and ripped open another portal, “We’re heading back to Equestria. Scarlet and I that is… Melody I wish for you to stay here and train under Elustar’s and Star Bright’s tutelage,” he said. “As well as mine,” A voice called. All eye’s turned to see Kisashi Arunsune walking into the throne room, “She has a very special talent and I wish to put it to its fullest potential,” he said. Nightshade rubbed his eyes and stared in confusion at The Lord Of Chakra, *Kisashi speaking?! Not only is he speaking but he’s speaking openly!?* he thought exasperated. Kisashi walked up to Melody and slid his hand across her face gently causing her to blush, “Oh yes… Very interesting,” he said turning towards Nightshade. “I wish you luck in defeating this part of Walker… He will not be easily defeated having absorbed Equestrian magic… Be swift and agile. Do not hesitate and show no mercy… Destroy The Night Walker at all costs!” he said. Kisashi stepped towards Nightshade and pushed him and Scarlet through the portal head first, “Oh not this again,” Nightshade said with a cross look on his face tumbling back into the realm of ponies.