Equestrian Requiem

by Violet Runner

Chapter 1

“Long ago, the world was covered in darkness. Shadows grew like weeds upon the land and hope fled. Many heroes came and went, attempting to drive out the source of the shadow, but to no avail.

As all hope seemed lost a man stepped forward. “I will seek out and destroy the source of this evil!” He claimed. Of humble birth and inexperienced, but pure of heart he went forward to fight the shadows. He journeyed far and wide defeating many creatures of the shadows but was unable to locate the source. Weary from battle and fearing his search was in vain he collapsed on the ground.

Suddenly a figure stood before him, looking up he saw it was an Alicorn, a winged unicorn and a being of light, rare in such dark times. Sensing the courage in his heart the Alicorn spoke to him. “Be not afraid young hero for your quest is not in vain. If you truly seek to destroy the darkness that plagues this land then head west. There you shall find an island where the darkness is strongest.”

Filled with new resolve and following the Alicorn’s advice the man traveled west. After many days of travel he finally arrived upon the shores of an island where the darkness seemed to be strongest just as the Alicorn had said. As he traveled farther inland he was met with many beasts and monsters which he made quick work of. When all the monsters were slain he discovered they were guarding a small village where the inhabitants were forced to sacrifice one of their own to the darkness. After speaking to the village elder he told him of a cave where they were to send their sacrifice and where the evil behind the darkness lied.

Leaving the village the man continued onward to the cave which the elder spoke of. When he reached it however he was met once again by the Alicorn this time with a sword strapped to her back.

“We meet again brave hero.” The Alicorn spoke. “You truly are brave to come here. It is for this reason I have decided to fight alongside you and present to you this sword.” She said as the sword floated over to him. “Foraged in the light and fires of the sun itself, may it bring you victory in all your battles.”

The two entered the cave ready to banish the darkness once and for all when a large form appeared in front of them. “Who dares enter my domain?” It hissed in a voice more foreboding than a storm.

“Those who will end your plight upon this world.” The man said raising his sword which glowed brightly in the darkened cave. The being said nothing, only letting out a slow deep laugh before it attacked. The battle was long and hard as the two fought back the darkness, over land, sea and sky, the Alicorn allowing the man to ride her, before finally finishing on the island they started on. As the final blow was struck the Alicorn used her magic to open a portal and cased the darkness into a realm from which he could never escape.

The task complete light once again returned to the world and the man was herald as a hero and decided to stay with the people of the island village he saved. The Alicorn, no longer need returned to her own land
-

“-promising to return to see him once a year till he died. Hey are you paying attention?” Our history teacher ask angrily, looking at me as she stopping her story about how our town was founded.

“Huh? Oh! Yeah, I was.” I said rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"*Sigh* I would think as a member of one of the oldest families on the island you would have a little more respect for it's history." The teacher said before continuing her story. "In order to honor the hero's brave deed and courage the people of the village held an annual festival filled with story telling, games and a large feast. When the hero died a sword tournament was added to the festival, the winner of which would play the role of the hero in a ceremony re-enacting the defeat of the great evil." She finally finished.

Well for the most part. She may have said some stuff about how some the rules of the tournament changed over time but I kind of zoned out and just stared out the window. It was the last period of the final day of school before summer vacation and I didn't really care for local mythology. Sure I enjoyed the festival and all but the story behind it and the whole sword fighting shtick wasn't really my thing. The festival was this weekend and the school always helped organize it, so I guess she was contractually obligated to at least discuss the historical aspects it.

---

“Hey want to come over to my place? I just got the latest game.”

“Sure that sounds fun!”

“My parents finally got our pool open want to come by for a dip?”

“Ok.”

I sighed as I walked out of the school, listening to the other students as they talked to their friends about their plans for the summer. I sometimes wish I could join them but making friends has never been my strong suit and I tend to be a bit of a loner. I began my walk home passing by the town square seeing some people working on getting some things set up early for the festival and sword tournament.

I breathed in the sea air as I turned onto my road. I always liked the sea, the sound of the waves rolling in and out, the feeling of the sand beneath my feet, just traits of growing up on an island I guess.

“I’m home.” I called as I entered the house, taking my shoes off.

“Welcome home. How was your last day school?” My mom asked as I walked into the kitchen.

“It was good I guess.” I said as I opened the fridge pulling out a can of pop. “Do you know if Dad’s going to be home tonight?”

“Sorry, he called and said his flight was cancelled and won’t be home until Monday.” Mom said apologetically. “Also, do you think you could keep it down? I just put your sister down for her nap.” She said asked quietly.

“Alright. Call me when dinner’s ready.” I said as I walked into my room.

My dad works as a representative for a major company and has to travel all around the world and is rarely home so it’s mostly just my mom, one year old sister and me. I wish he was home more but his job is really high paying and allows us to afford some of the stuff we have.

I spent the rest of the day in my room playing video games until dinner time after which I walked outside to the beach taking in the night air. I always liked the night. Calm and peaceful. Like the sea after a storm. I sat there for a while listening to the waves and the faint sound of the horn of a passing ship. Eventually however, it was time to head back inside and head off to bed.

---

“Good morning everyone. You’re listening to 98.5, your local radio station.” The radio host greeted as my alarm clock went off.

“Uh.” I moaned getting out of bed. I wouldn’t really call myself a morning person but once I’m up, I’m up.

“It’s seven-o-clock and the day of the town festival. Come on down to town square for a day of fun and games starting with the annual open sword tournament. Registration starts at eight and ends at ten. It’s open to all levels as well as all sword types and styles. And make sure to stop by our both for even more fu-.” I turned off the radio as I got ready for the day.

“Morning.” Mom greeted as I walked into the kitchen.

“Morning. What’s for breakfast?” I asked sitting down at the table.

“Pancakes with maple syrup imported from Canada.” She said putting a plate with a stake of pancakes in front of me.

“Awesome!” I said pouring the maple syrup over the pancakes.

After breakfast we climbed into my mom's mini-van and began the short drive to town square which was blocked off to traffic for the sword tournament. We parked a few blocks away before making our way to the park where the festivities were taking place. They had a bouncy castle and a giant inflatable slide for the little kids. A couple of midway games and a few of those carnival rides that set up in less than an hour and barley pass the safety inspection. Though most of the food venders where set up by the sword tournament there where a few set up around the park. Along a few of the streets there were dozens of booths where merchants were selling a few of their wears or promoting different functions around town.

“I’m sure you probably what to go off and do your own thing so go ahead.” My mom said putting my sister into a stroller. “Just make sure to meet us back at the car at three thirty.”

“Ok.” I said giving her a kiss on the cheek before heading to check out what the merchants had for sale.

I walked up and down both sides of the streets but none of the venders had anything of interest. I was about to go check out one of the rides when I say a bright light flash in an alleyway.

“What the heck was that?” I said entering the alley to investigate.

The alley way twisted and turned the light flashing every once and a while being my guide. Suddenly I came to a dead end and the flash of light had stopped.

“Must have been the sun reflecting off something.” I reasoned, not seeing the source of the light.

Sighing I leaned against one of the walls and suddenly I was enveloped in a rainbow light.

“What the?” I said as I began to sink into the wall. “Hel-!” I screamed before being swallowed by the wall.

Author's Note:

The legend at the beginning co-written by Smaug the golden.