//------------------------------// // Part Fourteen: Magic // Story: End of Days, End of Nights // by The REAL Mister Pkmn //------------------------------// As the group of seven entered the ruins, they gasped in awe. Stretched out before them was what was once a massive foyer. In the center of the room, there was a large orb with six arms, each one holding a smaller orb. Maestro spoke with a tone of reverence. “The Elements of Harmony…” He then trotted up slowly until he touched the pedestal. “The artifacts older than Equestria itself… I never thought I’d see them in person.” He then grabbed the six orbs in his turquoise magic, and slowly, carefully, levitated them out. He then passed one that had a red knot on it to Melia, and said just one word. “Devotion.” He tossed one with a orange T on it to Zecora, and spoke again. “Honor.” He hoofed another one that had a yellow heart on it to Cloudkicker, and spoke. “Compassion.” He gave one with a green drawstring bag on it to Roseluck, and spoke. “Charity.” He rolled one with a blue five-pointed star on it to Concerta, and spoke. “Humor.” He then held one up to himself that had a indigo arrow on it, and spoke once more. “Empowerment.” Janice raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t there supposed to be seven Elements of Harmony?” Maestro nodded. “Very astute, Janice. However, you must remember: the seventh Element has been lost for around 2000 years.” Roseluck piped up. “How are we supposed to find it, then?” Maestro tapped his chin with a hoof. “According to legend, it requires some kind of magical spark. Something about connections, I believe.” Janice then lit up her horn. “I’m going to try something. Back up a little, but don’t leave the room. I’m unsure of what’ll happen.” Just as the other six placed the orbs down and backed away, Janice’s azure magic danced across the orbs. They lifted into the air, and started to spin around her. Maestro’s eyes widened. “Could it be…?” But, just then, Dark King Eclipse broke through a wall of the palace, startling Janice. The orbs were hurled at high speed and broke against the wall. Janice just stood there, mouth agape. Eclipse guffawed. “Ha! It seems just mine appearance here hast caused thou to do mine work for me!” He then broke out into boisterous laughter. “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Janice spoke in a somewhat small voice. “The Elements… they’re…” Melia stomped a hoof. “We don’t need no dumb rocks to pummel this guy! Let’s go!” Melia shot towards Eclipse, but he just knocked her away. He scoffed in amusement. “Your fire is admirable, child, but since the Elements are destroyed-” Maestro burst out laughing. “OHOHOHOHOHO! Destroyed? Ha! That’s a good one!” He slapped a hoof on the ground. “Don’t you know, you oaf? You can’t destroy what doesn’t truly have a physical form!” Maestro laughed once again. “HAHAHAHAHA! If anything, we’ve set them free.” Eclipse scowled. “What nonsense do you speak? I saw the stones destroyed with mine own eyes! What dost thou mean ‘set them free?’” Janice looked at Maestro, confused. “Yes, just what are you getting at?” Maestro’s eyes gleamed. “We’ve set them free so they can find new hosts to bear their power. And their chosen hosts? Us.” Eclipse charged up his platinum magic. “You speak nonsense! The Elements can only be wielded by those that do not age!” He then tossed the ball of magic at Maestro. “Begone, fool!” Maestro just stood there, unmoving, as Melia moved to intercept the hit. Her name was shouted by the other mares as the magic exploded, and Eclipse grinned maliciously. But all gasped (save for Maestro, who was beaming with pride) when the light dimmed. There, before them, was Melia, with red crystal shards orbiting her. Eclipse shouted with rage. “What is the meaning of this?” Melia touched the ground and spoke. “Devotion! Because I would not stand by and allow Janice to be harmed by the crowd!” Maestro nodded, still bearing his smile. “Do you see what I mean now?” Other shards floated over to the mares, Eclipse trying (and failing) to stop them. Orange shards orbited Zecora, and she spoke. “Because I ensured my word to Janice was not formore; I bear the Element of Honor!” Yellow shards found their way to Cloudkicker, and started to orbit around her. “Compassion! Because I gave the triffid a way to finally rest in the dark forest!” Green shards went over to Roseluck, and started to spin about her. “Charity! Because I gave a prized posession of mine to a dragon in need!” Blue shards swayed around Concerta, and she giggled. “Humor! Because I lifted our spirits when we felt exhausted!” Indigo shards then fell to orbit around Maestro’s horn. “Empowerment! Because, even in the depths of despair, I would not stand by and let my friends give in!” Eclipse chuckled. “A good show, but unfortunately for you, the seventh Element isn’t here! You’re one short! So I win! AHAHAHAHAHA!” Janice shook her head. “I’m afraid that you’re mistaken.” Eclipse blinked in surprise. “What?” Janice continued. “We do have the seventh Element!” Eclipse’s eyes widened as a violet light descended, and floated above Janice. “Impossible! How can a Kirin wield the Element of Magic?” Janice sighed. “The Element of Magic is powered by something that you don’t seem to understand; the power of connecting with others. In other words, friendship.” The seven were raised off the ground, and the shards solidified, and the violet light took shape. “It’s over, Dark King Eclipse.” Eclipse charged up his magic, and hurled it at the incoming beam of rainbow light. However, the rainbow light blasted right through it. His eyes widened. “NO! NOT AGAIN!” He attempted to escape through the hole in the wall, but soon the rainbow light enveloped him. As it exploded white, a scream could be heard across the country, along with the snapping of chains. It was over. The ice-blue stallion saw it all. He chuckled as he removed a black pawn from the board. “It seems they’ve defeated one of my pawns… “ He then set the gaze of the viewing orb to the Canterlot gardens, which had a few statues on display. A few of which he was quite interested in. “... But no matter. I have other pawns for them to deal with in the future.” He then chuckled darkly. “It seems I should… congratulate them.” His eyes gleamed as he charged up his magic for a projection spell. He’d wait until after they met with the Princesses to greet them, of course. All was going according to plan...