Shadow Over Equestria

by Cmdr Brohoof

Casualties

Time seemed to slow down Twilight concentrated hard until her horn began to glow. Spirit was almost out of sight when she cast her spell on him. He was teleported behind Twilight and landed with a thud.

“DON’T EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT” Twilight cried as she hit him with her hoof

“Thanks” Spirit said as he stood up

Twilight and Spirit headed back to Valam’s chamber. They met an exhausted Rarity along the way.

“I…was…..afraid ….I “Rarity panted

“You did good Rarity where is the ruby?”

“Valam has it” Rarity said catching her breath

The group continued on to meet the elder dragon. She was standing in the chamber holding the ruby in her massive claws.

“I never thought I would see this again. That seems to be going around a lot today first a human then the ruby”

“Glad we could be of service” Spirit said “With that ruby we have your support correct?”

“Of course human I will oversee things personally.”

“Thank You” Twilight said

“Well let’s get going” Spirit looked at the two ponies “Long walk back for us”

“If you want” Valam said “I can give you a lift I’ve always wanted to see the Pony capital up close and where better to work
with you than there”

“You mean give us a ride?” Rarity asked

“Correct”

“On you?”

“Yes” Valam replied

“Alright let’s go!” Spirit ran toward Valam

Valam lowered herself to allow them an easier climb up. Spirit was already on her back while Rarity and Twilight were slightly
nervous.

“Come on!” Spirit yelled “this is going to be awesome.”

The group carefully positioned themselves on the massive dragons back.

“Spirit I thought you didn’t like flying?” Twilight asked

“Yeah but how many chances do you get to ride a dragon?”

“Ready” Valam asked

“Yup” an excited Spirit exclaimed

“I’m not so…”

Valam took of vertical toward an open hole in the roof of the cave. The opening was just narrow enough for them to fit

“WOAH!” the group exclaimed

Within seconds they were far above the lava fields. They could see the entire lay of the land and how massive the fields
were. Valam headed off towards the edge of the forest where the group had entered. They flew low over the wreck of the
Rusty Reel to the amazement of the still stranded crew.

“Did ya see that Cap’n!?” a deckhand said in amazement

“Aye looks like our friends were successful in their mission. Now stop lollygagging and get back to work!”

“You think they saw us” Twilight yelled over the wind

“How could they miss us?” Spirit replied back

Canterlot quickly came into view on the horizon

“I can’t wait to get back I’m going to the spa first thing” Rarity told the group

Valam landed in the courtyard startling the guards there. They quickly surrounded the dragon their pole arms at the ready.

“Easy boys” the guard captain said “take a closer look”

Valam lowered her wings to reveal her passengers. The group jumped off and approached the captain of the guard.

“Quite the entrance Sir” he said “I would assume the dragon is on our side.”

“I have a name” Valam said sternly “its Valam”

The captain stepped back slightly “Uh..of ..of course I meant no disrespect.”

“I will go meet your princess now” Valam said as she took off with a powerful flap from her wings she took off to the large
balcony connected to the throne room.

“Glad she’s on our side” the captain muttered “Back to you posts” he commanded the guards “Also Sir Spirit Princess
Celestia instructed us to tell you to see her as soon as you returned”

“Thank you Captian. Come on” Spirit was already heading to the throne room

As they walked to the throne room the palace was filled with a somber mood. Every pony they passed seemed to be staring
off into the distance preoccupied with something.

“Whats wrong with everypony?” Rarity asked

“You sense that too?”

The group entered the throne room the two princesses where there along with Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

“Hello” Celestia said even she didn’t seem to be her usual self

“Did you meet Valam already?” Spirit asked

“Yes I asked her to wait till we discussed something with you.” The white alicorn remained seated at her throne.

“Is this about why everybody seems so down?” Spirit asked

“Yes.”

“Well what’s wrong?”

“We’ve been attacked.” Celestia said sadly

The room was silent. To Spirit being attacked had been part of daily life he could tell the ponies were struggling with this
new experience.

“How bad?” Spirit said as he approached Celestia

“Cloudsdale is gone”

Rarity and Twilight gasped at the news.

“How many made it out?”

“We…we don’t know I sent a group to scout the area. If you’ll excuse me but I need to be alone.” Celestia left the room.

Spirit looked at the floor thinking about what to do now.

“Damnit” he muttered “I’ve been to slow”

“Don’t blame yourself” Twilight tried to comfort the angry human “you’ve been trying hard”

Spirit stormed out the throne room the ponies watched him leave. As Spirit made his way through the castle he met Artie
Fact

“Good evening Sir Spirit I’ve just returned from the desert with your things I was very careful transporting them they are in
your quarters.”

“Huh” the Spirit was preoccupied with the Cloudsdale news. “Oh right thank you”

Spirit went to his room and sat on his unused bed He spent most of his time planning and reading he slept mostly in the war
room or during their travels. His “things” Artie had spoke of where things that came with him when he came to Equestria. He
glanced through the object not one was a personal object all of them tools of war.

Spirits train if thought was broken by a knock at his door.

“Come in” he announced

Applejack poked her head into the Spirits room

“Hey there you all right?”

“Yeah...I’ve just been under a lot of stress”

Applejack sat down next to the Spirit on his bed.

“We all have”

“I’m usually good with stress but I’ve never had so many counting on me. When I heard what happened I felt like I let all
those in Cloudsdale down.”

Applejack placed a hoof on Spirits shoulder “You had no way of knowing.”

“I know. Applejack are you worried about your family?”

“Of course.” Applejack thought for a moment “Spirit do you have any family?”

He looked at the orange pony “No my parents passed away long ago I was an only child.”

“What about a special somepony?”

Spirit laughed “No never did find the one too busy I guess.”

“Well you’re always welcome in the Apple Family.”

“Thanks. Come on lets go see if the scouts have returned from Cloudsdale”

Several gryphons and Luna’s guards were in the throne room delivering a message to Princess Luna.

“Sir Spirit” Luna called “glad you could join us. Lieutenant please tell Spirit what you told me”

“Yes ma’am” the bat winged pony faced Spirit and saluted “Sir”

“At ease Lieutenant. What did you find?” Spirit returned the salute”

“Cloudsdale is a total loss” Spirit grimaced at the news “We we’re unable to enter the city proper we could see the ruins
from the ground and Shadows forces occupied the city”

“Shadows forces?” Spirit asked

“Yes sir they almost look like ghosts. They have the appearance of a pony but have solid yellow eyes and are as black as
the night itself.”

“Survivors?” Applejack asked

“We found a few scattered on the outskirts below the city but I don’t think we found over twenty. Most of them were too
terrified to speak.”

“Make sure they are taken care of” Spirit ordered

“Of course sir…there is something else” the Lieutenant stated

“What is it?”

“We captured one of the enemy. It was somehow knocked unconscious and was trapped.”

“Where is it now?”

“The palace guards have it sealed in one of the vaults below”

“I want to see it” Spirit said with a hint of anger in his voice