Our Darkest Days

by Bluecatcinema

The Journey Begins

After the masked pony's attack, Echo and Sunset, stopping only to help up Sterling, rushed over to the crystal castle, demanding to speak with Shining Armor and Cadance. Shining looked quite skeptical as they explained to him what had happened.

"Let me get this straight." Shining deadpanned. "A pony in a kabuki mask attacked you?"

"Indeed he did." Echo nodded.

"And he attacked you using swarms of dark crystals?" Shining continued. "A magic that has never been seen, or even heard of, in all of Equestria?"

"Right." Sunset nodded.

Just then, there was a loud squeaking sound. A crystal stallion walked into the doorway, a bunch of balloons in his hoof. One of the balloons was leaking.

"Pardon the interruption, your majesties." He bowed. "Could I possibly borrow some of that tape behind you?"

"Of course." Cadance smiled, levitating the tape dispenser over to him.

The stallion patched the hole in the balloon. Seconds later, another balloon started to leak.

"Sorry." He cringed. "Could I...?"

"Keep the tape." Cadance declared. "You need it more than you do."

"Thank you, your highness." The stallion bowed, then left.

Shining and Cadance redirected their attention to Echo and Sunset.

"I think you can forgive me if I find this a little hard to believe." Shining declared.

"We have evidence." Sterling held up the little dark crystal he had recovered.

Shining lifted up the crystal with his magic.

"It's an unusual stone, alright." Shining admitted. "Not a lot to go on, though..."

"Believe me, there were a million of those crystals being controlled by that pony." Echo explained, "It was like, whatever he wanted, they did. They turned into a hammer, spikes, even a wave of crystals, all at a gesture."

"That sounds even less like any magic I've ever heard of." Shining frowned.

"But why would they make it up, Shining?" Cadance asked. "The dark magic display was pretty banged up, and I couldn't help but notice a few ponies running scared..."

"I'll admit something happened." Shining nodded. "But I'm finding it hard to believe a single pony wrecked the display."

"If you don't believe us, you can just ask Sterling Cross." Sunset declared, as she then turned to Sterling, who had came in shortly after them, with a gnarly head bump. "Tell them, Sterling."

"It's true, your highness." Sterling agreed, nursing the bump on his head. "All of it. I tried to stop that masked menace, but he used those little black crystal things to knock me for a loop."

"Okay, I guess I can trust the word of one of our best Guardsponies." Shining nodded.

"Thank you, sir." Sterling smiled.

"You really should be in the infirmary, Cross." Cadance told him. "That looks like a nasty bump."

"I'm fine, Princess." Sterling put on a brave face. In reality, he had a major headache.

"Nonetheless, you should at least get yourself checked out." Shining declared. "Consider it an order."

"As you wish, sire." Sterling bowed, then left the room.

"Now can we focus on the matter at hand?" Echo prompted. "That masked pony stole Sombra's spell book."

"Who knows what that fiend could do with it?" Sunset asked.

"I have a fairly good idea." Echo frowned.

"What do you mean?" Cadance asked.

"On it's own, the book can be trouble." Echo declared. "But if it's reunited with the ten lost pages, it will grant the wielder unstoppable power!"

"Now that, I can believe." Shining declared. "I'll send out some guards to try and track it, and the thief, down."

"No need." Echo declared. "I shall track down the book, and the thief, all by myself."

"You will?" Sunset gaped.

"Of course." Echo nodded. "My knowledge of dark magic makes me the perfect candidate. The thief seeks the other pages, of this I am certain. With the right information, I can get there first, and put a stop to him."

"I'm not sure if that's such a great idea." Shining frowned. "One pony, seeking out the book on his own?"

"I am more than capable, I assure you." Echo declared, affronted.

"It's not that, Echo." Cadance chimed in. "It's just..."

"What?" Echo growled. "You don't think I can be trusted with the spell book, is that it?"

"I didn't say that." Cadance told him.

"You were thinking it, though." Echo glared. "Even you, the Princess of Love, cannot help but think the worst of me."

"That's enough." Shining said firmly. "The truth is, things are getting a little heated out there. The Crystal Ponies were already apprehensive about a dark magic display, and that attack will no doubt make matters worse. They will no doubt level their frustrations at the one pony who was at the display."

"Oh, you aren't honestly holding me accountable for all this, are you?!" Echo snorted. "I would have thought royalty would be above the fear-mongering rabble!"

"I am." Shining sighed. "But that 'rabble' happens to be our subjects, and we must think of them first."

"What exactly are you saying, Prince Armor?" Sunset asked.

"I'm saying maybe it might a good idea if Echo stays in the castle until this blows over." Shining admitted.

"Oh, I get it." Echo spat. "You want to lock me up, so those prejudiced ponies won't have to look at me?"

"I didn't say anything about locking you up." Shining assured him. "Besides, you spend most of your time in the castle anyway, so what's the problem?"

"My problem is that I can't just stand by while the magic of King Sombra himself is on the verge of being used for unspeakable evil!" Echo roared. "If that happens, not only will it set back my research another thousand years, but it could bring about the end of days as we know it!"

"Okay, just calm down." Cadance urged.

"Yeah." Shining agreed. "We all know how you get when you're angry."

Sunset, who didn't know how Echo got when he was angry, frowned in confusion.

"I am calm." Echo seethed. "Though I'd be a lot calmer if you weren't exercising such a patronising attitude!"

"Look, Mr Alchemy." Shining glared, trying to keep his cool. "You can either go back to your study peaceably, or I can have you placed under house arrest. Which is it to be?"

"Neither." Echo glared. "I'm going, and that's all there is to it. Try and stop me."

"Need I remind you that you are still under probation?" Shining growled. "Keep this up, and I'll have no choice but to have the guards throw you in the dungeon."

"They can try." Echo snarled, his breathing getting a bit erratic. "Then I'll just have to show-"

"Echo, don't." Sunset told him. "You'll be no help to anypony in prison."

Glancing at Sunset, Echo took a deep breath, and sighed heavily.

"Fine." He muttered. "I'm going back to my study. But don't think you've heard the last of this... your highness."

Echo stormed out of the room. Sunset followed him.

"Well... that could have gone better." Cadance admitted.

"No joke." Shining sighed, lifting up the dark crystal. "I'd better send this to the records room. Maybe they can find a match for it..."

"Maybe you could have been a little more... understanding towards Mr Alchemy." Cadance suggested.

"My understanding has reached its limit." Shining declared. "We took a big risk just having him here. A risk that hasn't quite paid off yet."

"I know." Cadance nodded. "But antagonising him isn't going to help."

"Then what is?" Shining shrugged. "You heard him. He was ready to fight to go after that book. What else could I have done?"

Cadance remained silent, unable to come up with an answer.

Out in the hall, Sunset caught up to Echo.

"Echo, wait!" She called.

"I apologize for my outburst, Ms Shimmer." Echo told her. "I almost let my temper get the best of me."

"What was all that about 'probation'?" Sunset asked.

"It's a long story." Echo declared. "And unfortunately, I have no desire to talk about it. Now if you'll excuse me, Ms Shimmer, I have a study to lock myself in. You should go back to the Crystal Faire and enjoy the rest of your day. Don't let me get in the way of enjoying your life."

Echo walked off down the corridor. Sunset wanted to follow him, but she could tell he was in no mood for company. With nothing else to do, she indeed returned to the Crystal Faire, but didn't find it nearly as enjoyable as she did before.

As night fell, Sunset made her way back to her apartment. Along the way, she stopped by the side of the castle containing Echo's study. She looked up at it, wondering what was going through Echo's mind at that very moment. As she looked, she noticed a window opening. Echo slid out of it, and flew off into the sky.

"Oh, no." Sunset groaned. "What are you doing, Echo?"

At the same time, Sterling was in the infirmary of the Royal Guards' barracks. The physician had insisted on keeping him around for a few tests, worried some dark magic may have "rubbed off" on him. Currently, the infirmary was empty, the physician checking the results of one of the tests. Sterling's head was still pounding. He was perfectly miserable. Even the news that Echo had been confined to his study did little to lift his spirits.

"Lousy dark magic lovin', mask wearin' freak." He muttered to himself. "Maybe some fresh air'll help..."

Sterling wandered over to the window and opened it. He stuck his head out, breathing in the cool night air.

"Ah, that's refreshing." He smiled. "I feel better already..."

At that moment, he saw a bat-winged figure flying towards the outskirts of the Empire.

"Oh, Tartarus no!" He yelled, rushing for the door. "Not on my watch!"

Echo landed on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire.

"Now then." He pulled out a map. "Where to begin?"

Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light, as Sunset teleported right in front of him.

"Ah!" He yelped. "Ms. Shimmer, what in Equestria are you doing here?"

"Don't you 'Ms. Shimmer' me!" Sunset growled. "Do you have any idea what you're doing? If Shining and Cadance find out you're out here, they'll lock you up and throw away the key! Seriously, what are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking I'm Equestria's best hope for keeping the dark magic of Sombra's book from being used for bring utter devastation upon our world!" Echo declared. "I am the most qualified for the job, you know."

"So you know a lot about dark magic." Sunset shrugged. "That doesn't mean you should go off on your own! What's going to happen when you run into that masked pony again? The two of us were no match for them, and you want to chase after him alone?"

"I could have stopped him from taking the book." Echo declared. "But I failed."

Sunset looked at Echo, confused.

"I have to do this." Echo insisted. "It's the only way I can live with myself. And if I end up in a cold, dank dungeon for the rest of my life, so be it. Farewell, Ms. Shimmer."

Echo started to walk away.

"Wait." Sunset stopped him.

"Please don't try to stop me, Ms. Shimmer." Echo declared.

"I'm not going to stop you." Sunset smiled. "In fact, I'm coming with you."

"...Excuse me?" Echo gaped.

"I was there when that masked pony took the book, remember?" Sunset asked. "Getting it back is as much my responsibility as it is yours."

"That is... impeccable logic." Echo admitted.

"Besides, I'm your assistant." Sunset grinned. "It's my job to help you out, and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

"But it will be dangerous." Echo pointed out. "And you could imprisoned just for allowing me to escape. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Of course." Sunset nodded. "That's what friends are for."

"Friends?" Echo glanced at her, confused.

"Sure." Sunset chuckled. "I'm your friend, Echo. And friends help each other."

Echo smiled, touched.

"Thank you, Ms... Sunset." He declared. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"I think I do." Sunset smiled. "I was a lot like you once. Living only for knowledge, not wanting to get close to anypony... but I learned how good it can be to have friends. Trust me, sometimes a friend is all you need."

"I can't remember the last time a pony consider me a 'friend'." Echo smiled. "I-"

Suddenly, a bulky streak rammed into Echo, pinning him against the wall.

"Echo!" Sunset gasped.

"Gah... what in Tartarus..." Echo groaned, trying to push back, only to get his face pressed the wall again.

"So." Sterling snarled. "Tryin' to skip town, are we? Disobeying a direct order from the Prince? That's treason, leatherwings. And pulling poor Ms. Shimmer down with you? Unforgiveable."

"Unhoove me, you brainless brute!" Echo struggled.

"Let him go, Sterling!" Sunset yelled.

"I'm trying to help you, Ms. Shimmer." Sterling frowned. "This guy's poison. You should stay as far away from him as you can."

"Thanks for the advice." Sunset glared. "But Echo is my friend, and I'm going to help him find that book."

"Yeah, no." Sterling declared. "I'm taking this troublemaker right back to the castle. They're gonna lock him up in the dungeon for the rest of his miserable life."

"You're not taking me anywhere." Echo growled.

"Oh, really?" Sterling sneered, flipping him around, putting them face to face. "And why is that?"

"Because if you do take me back, I will reveal to everypony the existence of those lewd photos of Princess Cadance you have under your bed at the barracks."

"...What?" Sterling gaped.

"'Lewd photos'?" Sunset grimaced, "Sterling..."

"How do you know about those?" Sterling started sweating.

"How I know isn't important..." Echo smirked. "What's important is that if you don't release me right now, I will reveal them to all and sundry. I wonder how Prince Shining Armor will feel about one of his 'best' Guardsponies being in possession of photos of his wife, one of which reveals certain bits?"

"You wouldn't..." Sterling whispered viciously.

"Try me." Echo grinned. "If you take me down, I'll take you down with me."

Sterling gritted his teeth in fury... before he then released his grip.

"Okay, I'll let you go!" Sterling snarled, pushing Echo away from him. "You'll probably wind up dead anyway. Not my problem..."

"Excellent." Echo smirked. "Come along, Sunset. We have work to do."

"You're really gonna do it, aren't you?" Sterling smirked. "Going traipsing off after some lunatic and the pages of a magic book?"

"It's the right thing to do." Sunset declared. "Like Echo said, it's our best shot at ending this."

"And here I thought he was smart." Sterling snorted.

"To be honest, I don't really care what you think." Echo sneered. "What we do, we do for the good of Equestria. Our fates aren't important."

"Your fate, maybe." Sterling sneered.

"That's enough, Sterling." Sunset glared. "Personally, I think Echo is being really heroic and selfless."

"You do?" Sterling gaped.

"Thank you, Sunset." Echo smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse us, Mr Cross..."

As Echo and Sunset walked away, Sterling started thinking, and came to a conclusion. He then stepped forward.

"Not so fast." Sterling declared.

"What now?" Echo rolled his eyes.

"I'm coming with you." Sterling smiled.

"Pardon me?" Echo frowned.

"I'm still your babysitter, aren't I?" Sterling grinned. "Besides, I wouldn't want Ms. Shimmer getting killed during your asinine quest."

"I can take care of myself, you know." Sunset frowned.

"Well, I'll take care of you too." Sterling winked. "Plus, I'm raring to have a rematch with that masked weirdo."

"I'm terribly sorry, but I doubt we'll be needing a muscleheaded imbecile on this quest." Echo said derisively.

"Wanna bet?" Sterling sneered. "I'm a Royal Guardspony, remember? I can get you places. Over borders, into vaults, even get us access into restricted areas. And..." He flexed one of his hooves. "I am highly trained in hoof-to-hoof and all sorts of ranged combat. If we meet any unsavory characters along the way, you can count on me to handle them the best way I know how..."

"I hate to admit it, but he has a point." Sunset sighed.

"...Oh, very well." Echo groaned. "You may come with us."

"Terrific." Sterling smiled. "I'll bet the three of us will make quite the dream team."

"More like a nightmare..." Echo muttered.

"We'd better get moving." Sunset declared. "The longer we stand around, the more chances somepony will realize Echo is gone."

"Sound reasoning." Echo nodded. "Now, we go. And make no mistake, the fate of Equestria is in our hooves!"

"Drama queen." Sterling snorted.

"Testosterone anachronism." Echo shot back.

"Bat-winged nerd!" Sterling yelled.

"Troglodyte!" Echo retorted.

Sunset rolled her eyes. It was going to be a long trip...

Comments

[danick]

It starts

[HolyCross9]

Cadence is right that Shining should have handled that without threats or confrontation.

[Koala2001]

"Let me get this straight." Shining deadpanned. "A pony in a kabuki mask attacked you?"

hmm.... Let me guess... Big hero 6? I mean the kabuki mask and the thousands of crystals that do what ever the kabuki guy wants and even the balloon guy with the tape, all of this is pointing to big hero 6

[MLP Fangirl]

Big Hero 6 reference!!! Rather obvious, but I don't care.