They say there is no greater tragedy, when families and friends are divided, when they are forced to take sides in the name of their ideology. Both believe they are right and both won't back down, fighting until the bitter end. A revolution is coming
They say, there is no greater tragedy, when families and friends are divided, when lovers are forced to take sides, all in the name of higher ideology. Both believe they are right, and both will not back down, fighting until the bitter end...
Lisa sighed, and looked at the mountains of papers, lying in front of her on the desk. Her office in Canterlot was small but quite comfortable. And as she looked upon the unending paperwork, someone knocked on the door.
“...what now – COME IN” she said loudly and the door opened. A very disturbed looking reporter walked in, marched up to her table and stared Lisa right in the eyes: “The Shadow Bolts!”
Lisa rolled her eyes in exhaustion as frustration began to take over her: “Not this again! Look, we've been over this a hundred times! There is nothing to worry about!”
“Tell me what you know about them!” the reporter demanded.
“Read a damn newspaper alright?!” Lisa snapped “I'm getting real tired of-“
“They are up to something, I know it!” the reporter said in a determined voice. Lisa straightened up in her seat, and gave a very dangerous look to the pony in front of her.
“May I remind you- “ Lisa began in a cold voice “ -that the Shadow Bolts are a legal political party, currently working as the opposition to the current ruling government. Under the lead of Princess Luna who is presently the head of the opposition. The Shadow Bolts are citizens and patriots of our country.
Like it or not, we have democracy now. Princess Celestia was elected the leader, Princess Luna as the opposition party. Whether her Shadow Bolts have military strength or not, it doesn't matter.
So once again, I assure you, just like every other military or political official assured everyone, repeatedly, over the past god damn year, the Shadow Bolts only have the countries best interests in mind”
The nervous reporter stayed quiet for a long moment before finally said “Did you know, Lieutenant Shadow was put in charge of their military unit?”
Lisas eyebrows flew up but she calmly replied “No, I didn't know that”
“What do you know about him?” the reporter demanded. Lisa cursed in her mind as Celestia gave a directive to full cooperation with the media, to help resolve any questions that rose over the past year, about the formation of the Shadow Bolts.
Lisa heavily sighed and pulled out a personal file with a small picture on it. A purple colored pony with dark yellow hair was giving her a tired smile from the photograph: “Lieutenant Shadow, Pegasus, former Wonderbolt, exceptional service record” Lisa sighed again “What else do you want to know?”
“Professional data” the reported demanded.
“An exceptionally good tactician. Determined, stubborn. Inspires his subordinates... Close combat skills – average. Flying skills... below average...”
“Below average?” the reporter repeated “Thats a bit lightly put, isnt it? His flying skills suck, he was the worst in the academy”
Lisa didn't answer, and continued to coldly stare at the reporter, as her right hoof slowly collected into a fist. The reporter didn't seem to notice and went on:
“And why do you think a pony, with a rank this low, and flying skills... 'below average' as you put it, would be put in charge of the whole Shadowbolt army ?”
“I don't know – why don't you ask them!! “ Lisa snapped. The reporter waited a minute, then suddenly asked “So, Commander, how has it been, since you were promoted to Commander of the Wonder Bolts?”
“Very busy – as – you – can – tell “ Lisa muttered through gritted teeth, pointing at piles of papers, over her desk.
“Shadow's recent activity is suspicious” the reporter said frowning “I think he's up to something”
Lisa gritted her teeth and stood up “ Listen you – I know this pony personally. He – is a patriot of this country, and did more for it, than you will ever know! He served most of his life in the Wonderbolts, as a loyal protector of this nation and has a mile long service record to prove it. So I will NOT have you stand here and badmouth him, like that never happened!!!”
“...Commander Lisa...” the reporter quietly said “Could it be... could it be that your opinion of him... may be slightly... subjective?”
“Excuse me?” Lisa said in a low, dangerous voice.
“You see Commander - “ the reporter went on “ There were certain...rumors, about the two of you... so, is it possible... that your opinion of him, might be slightly clouded, by your... personal feelings for him?”
“WHAAT?!” Lisa shrieked. The reporter barely had time to duck as she hurled a small Wonderbolt statue at him.
“GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE!!!” she screamed and two guards burst through the door “GET THIS CLOWN OUT HERE!!!” She shouted as the guards began to drag the reporter away. Lisa heavily fell back into her chair and sighed closing her eyes, as the sounds of the screaming reporter slowly vanished in the distance.
Her eyes involuntarily fell on to a small pendant, resting at the end of her table. She looked at it for a moment, then slowly leaned forward and gently touched it.
“...Shadow... what are you doing?” she quietly said to herself.
* * *
It was a sunny day in Ponyville. Of course, in Pinkie's mind it was. It was actually pretty stormy outside, some lightning here or there. Surprisingly, this storm had settled in Ponyville for an entire week -- much to the Ponies' chagrin. Celestia had tried to fix this problem, tried to drive the storm away, but it wouldn't budge. Pinkie sat on her bed staring out the window.
Unlike the week before, no ponies were outside as rain poured and distant sounds of lightning shook the windows. Pinkie thought today would be another boring day with nothing to do, when Twilight burst into the door.
"No time" Twilight said. "There's something more to this storm then I thought." Not waiting for a reply, Twilight grabbed her and the ponies ran out of Sugarcube Corner and headed toward the Everfree Forest.
High above ground, a dark figure watched as the two ponies disappeared behind a thick forest wall. Shadow was sitting on a stormy cloud, watching the ground with a strange smile.
"All is going according to plan. The storm will mask the approach of our forces. Soon... Equestria will be under our control... “
Seemingly satisfied, Shadow took off into the air and began to fly away, slowly diving into the thick gray clouds and disappearing from view.
As Twilight was making her way through the forest, Pinkie kept nervously looking around. “I...I dont like this Twilight.... there were some strange stories about these parts...”
“Uhu...” Twilight said subconsciously “Like what...”
“W-well... there was that one about the Everfree pony....” Pinkie said mysteriously, waving her hooves. Twilight gave her a skeptical look.
“I've never heard of that story”
“Its a pony tale, old as the Everfree forest its self. The tale speaks of a mysterious figure, seen in these woods. A lost pony, or perhaps a manifestation of the forest itself. He takes the form of a brown pony, and is perhaps a guardian spirit of the forest. Various stories were told. Some say it lures the curious ones into the forest, to be lost there forever! While others say, it protects and guides lost ponies home. There are even stories of the Everfree pony leaving the forest, to aid ponies in time of great need... whatever the case, the figure is only known by the name of -”
Pinkie made a very dramatic face:
“Mercy the Everfree!!!”
Twilight gave her a very bored look “Great, can we go now?”
As the two ponies continued to walk, a brown figure carefully watched them from the cover of leaves. Their presence seemed weird to him. Rarely do ponies tread into the Everfree forest and rarer with the weather they were having. The two ponies seemed to be doing something important.
The brown figure rose above the ground and began to slowly follow the newcomers, as he gently stepped on the ground, not making a single sound. He quietly followed their path until he found them, deep inside the forest. It seemed they were hiding behind a large rock and carefully peaking out, to look at something in the distance.
From the direction the ponies were looking at, a faint blue light was emanating from behind the trees. With a closer look, they saw three ponies wearing dark robes, standing around a large blue orb, which was the source of the light. They were whispering something as they looked at the orb. Faint streaks of blue light, shot from the orb upwards into the sky, at regular intervals. This dragged on for several minutes. They seemed very occupied by their task.
"What are we looking at?" Pinkie asked Twilight. Even though she whispered, Twilight still ushered her to hush. "I honestly have no idea,” said Twilight. “My best guess is they've been here since the storm began. But why are they here? Do they have any part in this storm?" She stared at them for a few minutes, and the three ponies seemed to grow more curious of the noises surrounding them overtime.
"I think we'll have to stop them.” said Twilight “I wouldn't want Ponyville to suffer from this storm any longer."
Suddenly the three robed ponies stopped and stood tall, looking at each other. One after another, they coldly spoke:
"Twilight Sparkle..."
"Good”
"She's not alone..."
"...Take them all.
"No pony must report this to Canterlot" The three robed ponies all turned in unison and looked directly in the direction of Twilight and Pinkie. The closest dark robed pony rose his hoof, and at that same moment, five shadowy figures flew down from the trees, right above Pinkie and Twilight.
In unison the figures made a throwing movement with their hooves, and at the next second Twilight and Pinkie were covered in a strange blue cloud. As it slowly disappeared, the five figures surrounded Twilight and Pinkie, and stood into the open. They were all Shadow Bolts, in full uniform. They smiled.
"Poison Joke powder" one of them said. "Your magic, Twilight, will become increasingly ineffective”
"We know magic is your greatest strength, so we took that first”
"You fell right into our carefully designed trap...That emitter?" one of the shadowy mares pointed at the glowing orb "This isn't the real one. Its a fake, we made to lure you in. We fed this information to you, so you'll come charging right to us,” said one of the robed mares.
"Celestia's best hope, the best champion is you, Twilight. If we capture you now, Celestia stands no chance,”.
"Enough talk," One of the robed ponies approached."Take these two and lets go, we don’t have time. The final stage of the plan is in effect...
The revolution will go as planned...
"A good thing, no one else knows of this" one of the Shadow Bolts said. "If someone was to report this to Canterlot, the operation would become... difficult"
The Shadow Blots began to quietly laugh, all looking at Twilight and Pinkie. None of them seemed to notice, a lone brown figure, watching them from a distance.
The brown pony realized what was happening. And realized just who the mares he was following were. He made a strange call and within seconds, four timber wolves appeared on the edge of his vision. The pony grabbed the wolves attention and got them to chase him into were the three robed ponies were chanting.
The brown pony ran past the Shadow Bolts and disappears into the brush. Pinkie suddenly yelled “ITS HIM!!! The the Everfree pony, MERCY THE EVERFREE!!!” Twilight flinched slightly, from Pinkie's screaming right next to her ear. It wasn't the first time an old ponies tale was revealed to be true. The robed ponies were more surprised to see four timber wolves heading straight for them.
"What in Luna's name?!" one of the robed ponies shouted. One of them screamed and jumped to the side, trying to evade the charging wolves. Shadow Bolts scattered, and flew into the air. "TAKE THE PRISONERS OUT OF HERE!" the robed ponies screamed! "DONT LET THEM FREE TWILIGHT"
One of the robed ponies threw off his robe, to reveal himself a unicorn, he began shooting light rays at the wolves.
"Three of you!” a robed pony said as he pointed at the Shadow Bolts "Take the prisoners back to the base. The other two, chase down the one that ran past us! No one must report this to Canterlot!!!
The unicorn shrieked and hit one of the timber wolves dead on. In the resulting chaos, some of the Shadow Bolts fell into their own poison powder, making them unable to control their movements.
Mercy disappeared behind the trees and quickly vanished from view, as a single Shadow Bolt began to fly after him. Mercy knew how to navigate throw the forests thick brush and ran a direct path to the exit and the path leading to town.
The single Shadow Bolt that was trying to catch Mercy, had trouble dodging trees at a high flying speed, and began to fall behind. She broke pursuit altogether, as soon as Mercy entered the city limits. Unwilling to attract attention to herself, the Shadow Bolt gritter her teeth and flew back.
The small clearing where the blue orb stood, turned into a small battlefield. By the time the Shadow Bolt returned, all the timber wolves were taken care off. The unicorn was heavily breathing, sweat coming down his forehead, two of his subordinates, cowering behind him. The other four Shadow Bolts clumsily tried to stay on their feet, still surrounding Twilight and Pinkie. The unicorn gave a demanding look to the approaching mare. She uneasily looked to the side. "I lost him, he knew the terrain too well"
"Damn it!" the unicorn cursed. "You're useless! How could you let this happen!" He glared at the Shadow Bolts for a moment. Then turned away.
"...inform Lieutenant Shadow, immediately. We'll have to move ahead of schedule..."
* * *
Mercy ran into town and suddenly realized, that since no one knew him, they would be confused and unsure if they could trust him at all. He left a note in the library, describing the events in the forest, and the Shadow Bolts planned revolution. When Twilight and Pinkie's friends went out looking for them at their homes, they stumbled across the note. Rainbow, Fluttershy, Apple, and Rarity rushed through the town yelling the news, to everyone they could see, as they made their way to town hall to inform the mayor.
An inconspicuous, average looking pony, in old dirty clothing, gasped and immediately ran off into the closest dark alley, when he heard the four ponies, screaming their heads off. Mercy noticed him in the crowd and began following carefully, then quickly caught up to the pony in dirty clothes in an alley, and silently drew out a strange shovel. As Mercy got close to the strange pony, he noticed him holding a crystal. The pony seemed to have been whispering into it, on the run.
The stranger heard Mercy approach "W-What?" The pony in dirty clothes managed to squeeze out before getting tackled into the ground.
"Oh by Luna, what are you doing?" he looked at Mercy in total fear. His eyes did show fear, but his free hoof, reached behind his back, hiding the crystal.
“Whats that you got there?” Mercy asked skeptically.
“W- nothing!” the pony said, and Mercy heard a cracking sound, as the pony in dirty clothing, finally managed to break the crystal behind his back. Mercy pulled the pony up, and stared him right in the eye “I know what you're doing...” Mercy said quietly “That was a radio crystal, you just broke, wasn't it. Contacting the Shadow Bolts?
“Yeah? What proof do you have buddy?” The dirty pony smiled “That thing is dust now. You've got nothing “as he spoke, Mercy noticed the dirty looking pony, slowly pulling out a small rusty knife, from behind his back.
Just as the pony prepared to make a slashing strike, Mercy head-butted him, knocking the pony out cold. After tying him up and taking his knife, Mercy quickly ran out of the alley and left the town guards an anonymous tip.
* * *
Shadow Wind was kneeling on one knee. His head lowered. Only one other figure was in the room with him. The tall figure and the tall ceiling above, made Shadow feel slightly uncomfortable. He sighed and spoke, still not daring to look at the figure before him.
"My Lady... all is going according to plan. Twilight will be captured shortly, and I personally inspected the real Storm Emitter. It is ready. No pony still knows the real purpose behind the Storm, or its real function. We are on schedule..."
"... Goooooood" the figure responded with a smile "After all this waiting... we can finally set things right..."
Suddenly a door flew open and a pony ran into the tall room. "IM SORRY TO INTERRUPT! THERE'S BEEN A DEVELOPMENT!!!”
"What is so important to interrupt- " Shadow Wind angrily snapped at him, then froze, as he saw a sheet of paper the pony was holding. He quickly snatched it out of the pony's hooves and looked at it with a bewildered look.
“A status report from our spy in the village, Lieutenant!" the pony spoke hastily, gasping for air. "Its... its bad!" he heavily swallowed before going on “The one who caused this... umm... the decoy team in the forest, thought they identified him as “Everfree Mercy”
“Who the hell is ...-” Shadow suddenly stopped and his eyes slowly grew larger as he began to read the paper out loud " Four - ponies - are - running - through - town - screaming - the - Shadow - Bolts - Are - Coming ?!!?!" Shadow angrily slammed the paper onto the floor.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" He shrieked "MONTHS OF CAREFUL PLANNING! TO FAIL NOW?! HOW COULD-"
"It matters not," a high voice spoke out of the shadows, and everyone froze in silence. Princess Luna slowly stepped out of the darkness and calmly smiled to them.
"It is too late for them to stop us. We will strike now. Lieutenant, are our forces ready?"
"Yes, my Lady" Shadow Wind quickly fell back on one knee "The numbers will be sufficient"
"Good" Luna said with a nod, and pleasantly smiled. "We will fly under the cover of clouds, and strike at the very heart of Equestria...
Canterlot - will - fall...
The country, will be ours..."
The room was filled with loud laughter.
* * *
Four of the mane six, rushed towards the town hall to inform the mayor of Ponyville. When they arrived, they waste no time, telling her all the details. The mayor looked unconvinced, but reached out for a red phone, without any buttons on it, and picked it up. "Hello? Give me Canterlot Security"
A couple of guards burst into the door, dragging the familiar pony in dirty clothing.
"Ma'am!" One of the guards said to the mayor "We have a problem”
"I know" she replied and looked back at the four ponies.
"A Shadow Bolt agent" One of the guards said. "The only thing we managed to understand from him, is that, there is an imminent attack, about to take place at Canterlot! We must mobilize immediately!"
"A revolution is coming... " the mayor quietly whispered. Then looked back at the guards. "Assemble every able soul, and head straight for Canterlot! We must protect our Capital!" the mayor turned to the ponies and they began planing.
Mercy listened in through the door. "I better get my things" he thought. After a very quick preparation, he arrived where they were keeping the captured agent. Mercy sneaked in and after a while, found the right cell. He knocked on the bars lightly, with a crowbar to get the agents attention. The agent slowly looked at the pony and recognized Mercy. He quickly jumped away from the bars, and took a defensive stance.
Mercy calmed him down in a hushed voice : “Hey hey hey, listen I'm not here to hurt you. I just want some information”
“Really” The agent said in a cold voice.
“I want to know whats going on, what your plans are, and the location of the real Emitter” Mercy whispered. The agent made a smug smile “And exactly why should I tell you”.
Mercy smiled back and pulled out the keys to the cell. The agents brows flew up, but he quickly pulled himself together, and his expression became dangerous.
“I dont know who you are... but listen well” the spy said in a very low, cold voice. “I may be weak, and said too much earlier, under threat of torture, to those guards, but I will not say another damn thing, to you, or anyone...
For I believe in something... that drives me, my brothers and sisters... The Shadow Bolts, are not just a political party, or a military unit... they are an idea... For years we watched this countries flaws. We saw the errors made by Celestia, her criminal disregard for national security, her poor judgement, the way she handled things...
We couldn't just watch any longer. The Shadow Bolts started, as an alternative, to the current rule. A different way to handle things, more... professional... more efficient. We are the patriots of this country, and we love it, just like everyone else. So it pains us to see, what its become...
Lady Luna will lead us, into a brighter future... we believe in her... and in her cause... we can make this country better. No, we Will make it better...Remember my words... stranger...
A revolution is coming...
I believe in this, so I will not fear pain, or death any longer. I am prepared to fight, and die for my country... so there's not a damn thing you can do, to make me talk...”
Mercy stayed quiet for a long moment, until he finally asked :” Wheres the real Storm emitter?”
“Its hopeless for you” The agent said, turning around, to show his back to Mercy “You will never reach it in time.
“So... its far outside city limits...” Mercy quietly said.
“..No ! What – NO!” the agent said, jumping towards the bars. But Mercy just quietly walked away. As he disappeared behind the corner, the agent saw, the key to the cell door and his pocket knife now polished and sharpened. Mercy left it, right next to the door, well within ponies reach. The agent looked in the direction were Mercy disappeared to for a moment, before quickly unlocking the cell door, and disappearing into the shadows.
Mercy stole a uniform and disguised himself in it. He walked into the mayors office and told her that the Emitter was outside Canterlot. That Twilight and Pinkie were somewhere in the Everfree forest. Rainbow, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and the mayor all gathered around and assigned jobs to the four. Rainbow Dash was in charge of finding and destroying the Emitter. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Apple Jack were to find Twilight and Pinkie Pie. When the mayor turned back to Mercy, he was already gone.
Mercy prepared to fight by picking up equipment. A shovel with razor sharp edges able to cut down trees easy, two small hatchets and some butter knives now sharped. As he prepared, he thought to himself " I really hope they're as easy to fight off as timber wolfs or those three dumb diamond dogs"
* * *
Canterlot was covered under a heavy layer of clouds. The lively, beautiful city, seemed unnaturally gray, and a strange aura of sadness surrounded it, as if nature itself knew, a dangerous storm was coming.
Bubble Bee flew towards the castle carrying a large bag of fresh apple pies. She had been asked to cater the birthday party of one of the royal guards. However, when she got close, the castle was obviously under stress. Guards were urgently gathering to their posts, shouting commands at each other. "Party's canceled, Bubble," the head guard said quickly before running off. Bubble Bee didn't even have a chance to respond.
Something wasn't right, she was certain of that. "I've seen the guards prepare for battle before, but this seems different," she pondered to herself. "I'd better see if they need my help. I'm sure I can help in some way." And she flew her bag of food further into the castle. "At the very least, I can make sure our brave guards are fed.”
Back with the guards and volunteers, Mercy started handing volunteers armor and tools that could be used as weapons if they didn't have it already. "Never thought i would be making this stuff when I learned how to smith steel" said Mercy. When he came across Rainbow Dash he handed her a crowbar then hid his face so she wouldn't recognizes him as the guard that delivered the information.
Lisa was staring warily at the strange stormy clouds, through the window of her office in Canterlot. The pendant, that was comfortably resting on her desk earlier, was now on her neck. She gently touched it, as her thoughts raced back in time, to a distant memory :
“ She was walking down the hall of the Wonder Bolt Headquarters. Lisa was about to enter the office of the Bolt's commander, when Shadow Wind suddenly burst out of that door, and stormed passed her.
“Shadow!” She called him, “Shadow what happened?!”
“I'm done!” he said, sharply turning around to her “I've had enough of this mess!”
“He just made a mistake “ Lisa tried to protest, not sure if she even believed it herself.
“A mistake?!” Shadow scowled at her “ONE OF MY RECRUITS NEARLY DIED TODAY – BECAUSE OF A DAMN BUREAUCRATIC ERROR!!!” he screamed at her “That obstacle course was unstable and broken! And the only reason why nobody checked or noticed it was a BUREAUCRATIC ERROR?!”
“...Shadow...” Lisa said in a shaking voice.
“HE ALMOST GOT CRUSHED!!!” Shadow screamed out “A green recruit, barely out of high-school, the only thing he ever wanted to do in life, was to be a Wonder Bolt” Shadow said bitterly “And he almost died today..... because our unit, hell, our entire military is surrounded with so much red tape and piles of bureaucratic nonsense, that I'm stunned we barely manage to function at all !”
“...Shadow...” Lisa suddenly asked in an frightened voice, looking at a strange hole in his uniform “...where is your Wonderbolt insignia ?... “ she asked in a shaking voice.
“...I ripped it off, and left it in the Commanders office” Shadow quietly said. Lisa's eyes slowly became wider as she looked at him. They stayed silent for a long moment, until she finally said:
“But Shadow... you always wanted this job... what will you do now?” Shadow looked to the side somewhere, scratching his neck.
“I'm not leaving the military... there's... a different unit, I will be submitting a request to, join.
“....The Shadowbolts ...” Lisa frowned slightly. A faint note of bitterness was heard in her voice.
“They are a serious group Lisa!” Shadow said looking at her. “They work simply, and professionally. No red tape, no obstacles...”
“That group worries me Shadow!” Lisa said, looking him deep in the eyes “There's something funny about them! They put these... ideas ... into everyone minds... their literal worship of Luna is borderline fanatic!”
“They are young idealists... “ Shadow said, trying to calm her down “We need them right now”
“They keep making these ... public meetings and gatherings! Talking about how everything's wrong with this country”
“Well there IS something wrong with it!” Shadow said, anger mixed with a sort of sadness in his voice “Look at what happened to today ! The same things have been happening for the past year!”
“Shadow I'm worried they might have just brainwashed your mind! Think of what you're doing!” Lisa almost screamed out desperately.
“...I have, Lisa” Shadow quietly said, looking down “I've been thinking about it for over a year... Im sorry” He silently looked at her for a moment, then nodded and began to slowly walk away. Lisa gritted her teeth in bitterness, her hooves collecting into fists.
“...So thats it then?” she called to him as Shadow walked away. “You just gonna turn your back on the Academy... on your subordinates... your friends... on me!!” she said in a bitter, shaking voice. Shadow froze, and then slowly sighed looking down. He slowly turned around and walked back to Lisa. Looking her deep in the eyes, he slowly removed a small pendant from his neck, then raised one of her hooves, and gently placed the pendant on it.
Lisa looked at the pendant, stunned. Then looked up at the pony in front of her.
“...Shadow...thats...” she quietly said, but Shadow only smiled “...how long have we been rivals now... since -”
“Day one...” Lisa said, faintly smiling.
“Since my first day in the academy...” Shadow smiled back. They stood in silence for a moment, until Shadow suddenly said:
“Come with me!”
Lisa gasped, and looked at him with frightened eyes. She sighed heavily and finally said “I ... cant...Im sorry... my place is here Shadow”
“I understand” Shadow quietly said with a smile. He nodded his head and slowly walked away. His hoof steps echoed heavily off the empty walls of the corridor. It was gray, and barely any light came through the many windows, just like now...
Lisa sighed, still touching the pendant on her neck, slowly came back to reality. Her Canterlot office now looked even more gloomy than before. A Wonder Bolt slowly approached her, and stood at attention.
"Commander, civilians have been evacuated... our forces are assembling at the city's entrance now. There are many volunteers willing to defend the city... ma'am ? There's so many of our forces here. What are we preparing for, exactly ?" Lisa frowned
"Its a coup d'etat, military takeover" Lisa said grimly, still holding the pendant.
She looked far into the distance, were all the forces were gathering, at the big clearing, near the city entrance.
Suddenly a lightning struck, right next to the city entrance. It was so bright, Lisa flinched as she was momentarily blinded. She blinked a few times and looked back. "What?!" she exhaled. The lightning landed in the clearing, far off from the gathering forces, and at the exact same spot it had it, now stood a pony, in shadowy clothes. Lisa scowled, and smashed opened the window, to fly out, towards the figure.
As she flew closer, her forces on the ground formed a defensive line, far off from the shadowy figure. Lisa landed between them and the figure, and stared angrily at it.
"WHO ARE YOU!" She shouted. The figure remained silent. A rain drop fell on Lisas formal uniform. She didn’t had time to change into Wonder Bolt combat outfit. Then another drop fell. Then another. Then a heavy rain began to pour down on all of the ponies, standing perfectly still. In silence. Only the falling of rain was heard.
A chilling wave of wind flew through Lisas mane, making her shiver. The wind flew towards the figure and blew off his hood, revealing his face. The figure's expression was completely emotionless as he un-clipped his cloak. The wind quickly picking it up and sending it flying away.
"My name is Shadow" the figure said, his face showing no emotion
“You!" Lisa recognized him "WHAT DO YOU WANT HERE!" The pendant shined on her neck, and caught Shadows attention. He looked at it with surprise, and then raised his eyes to Lisa
“... you...kept it...?” he asked, in a quiet voice. Bitter emotions washed over Lisa again, as she quietly replied
“...yes”
Shadow looked at the cities towering buildings, his face still showed no emotion. "Have you finished evacuating civilians?" he asked
"Yes" Lisa shot back "There is no one left in this city, but able mares and colts, willing to defend it!"
"Good" Shadow Wind nodded. "Then let it rain, Lightning" As he spoke, the storm clouds roared with thunder, and massive flashes of lightning, streaked through the sky, and struck the city towers, blowing huge pieces off them. Explosions filled the city. Lisa gasped, her forces began to panic.
Shadow Wind's face was slowly becoming grim as he spoke "This is the power – of Storm Clouds. This is their real purpose, this is why it took so long to charge them... It's over Commander... surrender" Shadow Wind said, as the lightning strikes stopped, and countless Shadow Bolts appeared out of the sky behind him.
* * *
Twilight woke up somewhere, to discover herself in a cart, rolling down a muddy road. Rain was pouring down hard, but she managed to notice the Shadow Bolt figures, guarding her. They were headed into an unknown direction. Suddenly Twilight noticed a strange blue line of light, streak from the ground, somewhere far off in the distance. The light looked familiar.
Twilight frowned. As soon as the light disappeared, she heard a faint explosion somewhere very far off. She looked in that direction and noticed numerous lightning strikes hit Canterlot.
"Oh no!" she cried. Then quickly looking around she noticed Pinkie, lying beside her "Pinkie! Pinkie wake up!!!"
"Auughhwaaa" Pinky said rubbing her eyes. Her tongue slowly recovering from the effects of the Poison Joke. "There's no time Pinkie!" Twilight said, with a worried look "We need to escape and find the real Storm Emitter. We have to shut it down before it is too late. If we don’t, I fear all will be lost..."
"Buuu wheee wiilll weee l-oooook?" Pinkie tried to reply
"I might have an idea" Twilight said, as the blue line of light appeared again in the distance.
* * *
"Dear Celestia," Bubble Bee whispered to herself. She had never seen such a terrifying display of lightning. Dressed in armor and armed with a straight, slender knife, she planted her hooves firmly on the ground where she stood. "I signed up for this, now I have to be prepared for anything." She stretched her wings. "Equestria is counting on all of us. I must be brave." She stared determinedly at the army of approaching Shadow Bolts, waiting for a command.
Mercy shivered with anticipation, the tension so thick somepony considered trying to cut it. Both sides staring at each other waiting for the command to attack. On the very front line he could almost hear the ponies on the other side breath. Waiting.
Shadow Wind stood straight, and pointed his hoof forward "End this"
Before anypony could move, a sharp strike of lightning hit, in between the two armies. There was no explosion, but the flash was so bright, Lisa flinched and closed her eyes. Anyone without some form of protective goggles were momentarily blinded. The Shadow Bolts on the other hand all wore protective, dark tinted goggles, and unhindered by the flash, streaked toward the dazed Canterlot army.
"FOR EQUESTRIAAAAAAAAA" Lisa shouted, and still trying to shake off the effects of the flash, rushed forward, aiming right at Shadow Winds grim looking face.
When Mercy could see again he rushed in, throwing the improvised throwing knifes, hitting two or three shadow bolts in their legs and wings, then when he got close enough headbutted a shadow bolt unicorn, and when the other ponies saw this they joined in.
Knocking Shadow Bolts out by hitting them with the blunt end of a shovel and bucking the one's who tried to sneak up behind him he lead the ground units in, fighting tooth and hoof. He looked up and saw Shadow Wind, grabbed one of his hatchets, and threw it grazing Shadow Winds right wing, breaking and removing enough feathers to make him lose balance, and make it harder for him to fly.
Inside Canterlot itself, the ponies were in serious panic. The inner castle walls shook and Royal Guards stumbled to their defenses. Nopony, not even Celestia, saw this coming.
A hefty stallion named Wind Spear was the leading captain of the pegasi royal guards, and he lead his royal guards into the battle. The cause seemed lost, but he was too courageous to caution himself.
Still disoriented, Bubble Bee immediately responded to Lisa's call to attack. She kicked off the ground and flew at the approaching army, surrounded by clusters of other pegasi. She could clearly see the Shadow Bolts as they got closer and regained some confidence from having her sight back. She flew down and back up, giving a brutal uppercut to the first Shadow Bolt she came in contact with. Another tried to ambush her from behind, and she kicked him square in the jaw. "Yeah, what!" Bubble shouted triumphantly as she flew to attack more enemies.
"SHADOW WIIIIIND!" Lisa shrieked and threw a punch right at his face. The next second Shadow completely vanished from view and the punch missed. "What?!" Lisa gasped "He never knew how to properly fly! How- " She was kicked in the ribs from the side and fell to the ground, then quickly rolled over and took a defensive position.
Shadow Wind slowly approached her again. "You're right. I cant fly well. But thats why I feel more comfortable on the ground," he disappeared again. Lisa's eyes widened. She heard air being cut next to her and put up a block just in time to deflect Shadows kick.
"You can move so fast on the ground?" Lisa said in awe. She quickly shook of her emotion and scowled "LOSER! WHO EVEN LET YOU BE A SHADOW BOLT!"
Shadow frowned slightly and looked to the side somewhere, the next second three Shadow bolts flew out, from that direction, and hitting Lisa in unison, they all rolled out of sight.
Shadow Wind looked around and noticed Mercy as he threw another knife.
"You..." Shadow muttered. "I've been informed you're the one, most responsible for almost ruining my plan. Lets do this !"
"Alright lets" Mercy said calmly and spun his shovel on one hoof
"A shovel..." Shadow looked mildly surprised "I am a fan of improvised weapons as well you know... though for this occasion, I had bring a simple one." He slowly reached behind his back, and unsheathed a small katana.
"...I was hoping it wouldn't come to this" Shadow suddenly said, his expression becoming unexpectedly sad. "With as few casualties as possible... thats what she said..." he quietly mumbled to himself. "So much destruction...is this really right..."
He snapped back to reality "Too late now" he glared at Mercy "Begin!" he shouted as he ran forward. Mercy paced to the right and suddenly threw one knife which Shadow Wind easily dodged but then realized theres a second and third heading for him. He moves out of the way just enough for it to only graze Shadows shoulder and cut a few peaces of his dark mane.
The battle in the air was becoming overwhelming. There were just too many Shadow bolts and not enough pegasi warriors. The unicorns on the ground were having a hard time aiming their spells so they didn't hit their own. The Earth ponies were shooting projectile weapons, but everything was happening so fast, not many were making contact.
"I have to ground as many of these Shadow bolts as I can," Bubble Bee thought aloud. She quickly grabbed her weapon and charged at the enemies. She slashed, stabbed, kicked, and punched, aiming only at the enemies' wings. They fell at the ground, where the grounded ponies were waiting
"There," she thought, "this should help even things out”
A Shadow Bolt Unicorn, wearing black robes, was watching the fight from a distance, his look becoming increasingly more worried.
"Sir!" A shadow bolt ran up to him "There's too many!!! They are beginning to push back!!!"
"We always knew we would be outnumbered..." the unicorn said "Thats why our Lady gave us the Storm... I'm doing it,"
"Y-you don’t mean..." the shadow bolts eyes widened in shock and fear
"I have to... or all of this , would be for nothing... Im signaling the Emitter control, to target ponies"
"B-but sir! If that lightning hits somepony, they will d-"
"I know" the unicorn frowned "She... instructed me personally to do it"
"W-What?! B-but she said... with zero casualties...! I thought we were the good guys! We were supposed to free the land from Celestia's oppression! This isn't making any sense!!!"
"I'm sorry... sacrifices must be made" the unicorn muttered with a sad expression, looking down
"D-DONT DO IT!" the shadow bolt shouted
"...too late," the unicorn rose his hoof... somewhere far away a faint flash of blue light streaked to the sky. The unicorn secretly hoped someone would find this machine and shut it down before he would be forced to do this.
Thunder rang, and the shadow bolt watched in fear as a flash of lightning appeared and streaked towards the battlefield.
A flash and - It was deflected! The lightning flew back into the sky and disappeared. The unicorn gasped.
"Sweet Lady Celestia..."
"yeah... I know..." The shadow bolt nodded
"No. Its literally her" the unicorn pointed into the sky. High above the earth, Princess Celestia hovered above ground, faint smoke still rising from her horn, after deflecting the lightning
"LUNA!" She shouted "YOU REALLY PUSHED IT THIS TIME!!!"
* * *
The Shadow bolts surrounding Twilight and Pinkie were far from distracted, even though a whole lot of mayhem was going on around them. They seemed to know that this was happening. They kept a close eye on Twilight and Pinkie throughout their travel. They were trudging along a windy dirt path, surrounded by a foggy forest when they noticed some... odd noises.
"Do you hear that?" one said to another
"I'm not sure, but it's getting louder..." said the other. It was indeed, and it seemed to be the sounds of a bunch of charging animals! They saw a horde of mammals and critters alike coming their way. One of the Shadow bolts smirked.
"This must be a joke," she said. However, Twilight saw this as an opportunity to attack. The animals came to them and charged through them. The Shadow Bolts in return simply dodged or kicked them away. Apple Jack and Fluttershy followed. Apple Jack lassoed one Shadow Bolts legs then bucked another sending him flying.
As they were distracted, Twilight slipped out of the cart and kicked one of the Shadow Bolts, who was currently dealing with a rather angry hare. The Shadow Bolt knocked into another, and the two stumbled and fell into the critters below them. Twilight then finished off the others with rapid fire magic from her horn.
The Shadow Bolts almost disappeared within the cloud of dust, in which Twilight assumed they ran away, seriously injured. However, she knew exactly who was the commander of this attack. Eventually she saw the image of Fluttershy galloping toward her.
"Fluttershy!" Twilight said. "What are you doing here? Or better yet, HOW?"
"The guards found a spy through an anonymous tip. The spy confessed that he knew where to look for the Emitter to one of the guards. Then the guard told the mayor and, Rainbow Dash was sent to find and destroy the emitter. Umm..... Apple Jack, Rarity and I were sent to find you.
I asked my animal friends and they said they saw you being held captive and informed us of your location, so we rushed here as fast as we could........ um.. sorry it took so long...” Fluttershy quietly said.
Twilight was more confident of the situation, now that she had Fluttershy, Apple Jack, Pinkie, and Rarity on her side. However her attention eventually turned to Pinkie, who seemed to be distracted. Twilight and Fluttershy trotted toward her.
"Uhh... what exactly are you looking at?" Twilight said. From Pinkie's viewpoint, a cliff extended from the left and right of Pinkie, Bordering the forest from a rather unsafe valley full of spiked ridges and deadly pits.
But that wasn't as important as what was beyond that. A clear view of Canterlot, ruined and in flames, stood out on the mountain's slope where pieces of it fell off, sliding off the mountainside. A clearing of the clouds above it emitted golden light, contrasting the darkness below it. "Mother of Celestia!" Twilight gasped.
"No, not her mother, just Celestia," Pinkie corrected.
"We need to get to Canterlot, and fast." Twilight continued. "Or else there will BE no Canterlot."
* * *
Bubble Bee had never seen the Princess in such a rage. She had never seen the princess in person before either, but in her pictures she always just looked so wisely calm. But that brief moment of distraction was a mistake; a Shadow bolt came at her and tackled her. Bubble yelped in surprise, and began to wrestle with her enemy. They were heading to the ground, both trying desperately to come out on top. That was when an enemy unicorn made a direct hit with a spell to Bubble's head. She fell to the ground, unconscious.
With shovel against katana, the two stared at each other. Mercy finally asked “Hey this katana of yours, I mean, I can blacksmith, so I got to ask who made it”
"Luna... Luna made it for me..." Shadow looked at the ground. His expression full of guilt
"Luna!" Shadow Wind gasped, forgetting Mercy still standing threateningly next to him.
"What are you doing?"
"...Is this what its come to?" Shadow heard a faint voice and found Lisa slowly walking towards him. She was holding her shoulder, and looking very hurt. One of her wings looked broken
"You have fallen this low?..." she was breathing heavily as she approached Shadow.
"N-no... I didn’t want ... this" Shadow took a step back, fear was beginning to take over him
"YOU - WORTHLESS -" Lisa didn’t finish the sentence. Huge thunder came down from the sky, and all the rain stopped in a second.
Complete silence fell over the battlefield. And from the stormy clouds, a figure emerged. She slowly descended from the sky, with grace, and placed herself in front of Celestia.
“Who are you!" Celestia spoke in a very low and dangerous voice
"I... Am Luna" The alicorn replied
"...No... You're not" Celestia answered. The strange alicorn smiled
* * *
Shadow Wind gasped. So did every other Shadow bolt. Lisa gritted her teeth
"WHO SAID YOU CAN LOOK AWAY!!!" She shouted at Shadow. As if the pain from her injuries left her, she ran up to him and threw a punch as hard as she could. Shadow Wind, looked at her with sad eyes. The punch connected. Shadow flew to the ground and hit it hard.
The Katana flew off his hooves. He didn’t try to dodge.
“...You" Lisa muttered "Resigned from the academy... turned your back... on your home... on your team... on me!!! In the name of some higher ideology!!! All that talk about making the world better! About bringing freedom and peace back to Equestria... its was all A LIE!" She shrieked "THIS IS YOUR PEACE! THIS IS YOUR HIGHER PURPOSE!"
"I didn’t mean for this to... i didn’t want this... not like this..." Shadow whispered.
"SHUT UP!" Lisa ran up to him, and dragged him back to his feet.
"YOU DID THIS SHADOW. YOU TURNED ON US ALL!!!" She was breathing heavily. "Now fight me... FIGHT ME DAMN YOU!!!" She hit him in the face again. Shadow just stood there as the punch connected. He staggered backwards. Then straightened up, and looked at Lisa again.
"Fight me damn you..." Lisa muttered, and for a brief moment, Shadow thought he saw tears in her eyes. But it was probably just raindrops
"...You wanted this..." Lisa exhaled. "Now fight m- "
"Im sorry" Shadow quietly said.
"YOU -" Lisa almost punched him again when Celestia's voice rang loud from the skies.
"Who are you" Celestia repeated. The alicorn hovering in front of her smiled again.
"Very well played... Princess" she hissed.
"You think I wouldn’t be able to tell, if you are my sister or not? I lived with her for thousands of years... I can recognize my sister in seconds.... You are not her... where is she?
"Very good Princess" the alicorn hissed. "But too late. Luna is far away from here, and you wont reach her in time,"
"You monster!!!" Celestia shouted "You manipulated my own people against me! You lied and promised peace to them! And in the end, you betrayed their very trust they placed in you,"
“I don’t need them anymore..." the alicorn answered. “They served their purpose. The Storm Clouds are charged to full capacity now. Enough to level Canterlot, and every living being inside it.... And then... I shall have my revenge on you... Celestia... You will know pain..."
Down on the ground. The shadow bolts looked in shock at who they thought, was their leader. Shadow stared at the sky in despair "She...manipulated us... me... to do this?..."
"Shadow" Lisa slowly approached him "you... stupid idiot" she said as she hugged him.
“SHE WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING! STOP HER!" Someone shouted on the battlefield. All ponies, Shadow Bolts and Wonder Bolts together, everypony who could still fight, flew, fired and directed their attacks at the only one who was behind this. The strange looking alicorn.
“Thats not Luna” Mercy said as he reached for his last hatchet and threw it at the alicorn. The strange alicorn laughed hysterically, as thunder roared, and with just one lightning strike, she deflected all the attacks.
Celestia exhaled heavily. It took most of her powers to shield everypony on the battlefield that could have been hurt in the strike.
"YOU CANT STOP MEEEE!" The alicorn shrieked "WITH THE STORM CLOUD ON MY SIDE - THERES NOTHING YOU CAN DO!
Mercy realized that Rainbow Dash should have destroyed the emitter by now. She was tasked with circling the skies to try and spot its emissions. Once she found it, she was supposed to destroy the core. Something went wrong. Mercy began setting off in the direction of the light that kept going off in the distance. "Can I make it? One way to find out"
As he ran toward the direction of the the light, a Shadow Bolt streaked from the sky, and picked up Mercy into her hooves. Mercy recognized her as the one he saw in the forest. "Faster like this right? " the Shadow bolt smiled.
* * *
"No good, we wont make it!" The Shadow Bolt still carrying Mercy said, as they flew for several minutes, toward the Emitters light as fast as they could. The Shadow Bolts wings were visibly hurt, it was hard for her to fly.
"Is this the end?" The Bolt whispered.
Just then they saw it.
Shadow Bolts away from the fight. They were guarding a prisoner. Not just any prisoner, but Rainbow Dash.
“Stop here,” Mercy said. The Shadow Bolt carrying him said “What? But what about-”?
“Just do it,” Mercy interrupted her. As she quickly put him down, Mercy ran up to the guards, quickly saying “Guys, please ! We need the prisoner ! She's our only hope of stopping the Storm Cloud”.
“We know, our forces already radioed in with the details” The guards said and quickly unlocked the cuffs on Rainbows hooves. She happily began to thank them, when she remembered Mercy's face as the guard, and the one who gave her the crowbar. Before she could ask Mercy handed her the crowbar yet again, and told he needed to get to the Emitter and destroy it, and she had to do it now or they would run out of time.
Rainbow Dash cockily smiled and said in a daring voice:
"Dont worry pal, I got this !” She said taking up Mercy, from the ground.
“Ready....” she said in a daring voice “Here goes”
“SONIC - RAAIINNBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM”
As they flew through the sky, at sub-sonic speeds, Mercy shouted "I really hope its not crowbar prof" He thought about it then suddenly realized: if Luna was an imposter, then where was the real one. He gasped, as the realization dawned on him, and he looked at the emitter with new strength.
Rainbow stopped sharp, right over the emitter. The shockwave of the Sonic Rainboom continued to fly onward, sending trees flying out of the ground.
"There!" She shouted. Pointing at the ground. There was a strange small structure there, build out of white rock. It had no roof or walls, just columns of uneven height sticking out of the ground.
In the center was a large orb, much bigger than the one they saw at the forest. The force seemed to come from underground, through a small opening right under the orb.
Rainbow Dash thought aloud to herself "I don't think I can shatter it with my hooves. It looks too strong... Maybe if I..." She remembered the crowbar.
The orb flashed bright blue suddenly and began to dangerously hum and shake. Something bad was about to happen. Mercy ran underground where he found a small dungeon lit by number of torches. There he saw Luna chained to the floor, unconscious. Mercy began pounding the chains until none held Luna down.
He lifted her over his back and began to carry her out of the dungeon.
Rainbow Dash hit the orb with the crowbar. The orb cracked, and sent a recoil that threw her back. She got up burnt, and jumped towards it again, to hit it over and over, as rays of light began to shoot out of newly formed cracks, flying in different directions. Mercy put Luna down on a safe distance, ran up to Rainbow and began hitting the white stone towers as hard as he could, shattering and knocking them over.
The atmosphere around them seemed tense. The ground began shaking, as flashes and strange sparks began to appear over the area. Suddenly the emitter drained every sound, out of air itself and everything became completely silent for several seconds. Rainbow's eyes widened.
* * *
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA” The alicorn hysterically laughed above the skies of Canterlot. Waves of ponies flew up towards her, only to be violently knocked back to the ground. A strange force field seemed to guard her from the projectiles they sent flying her way. She waved her horn, and an arrow of light flew out of it, missing Celestia by sheer inches, as she dived to evade the attack.
“PATHETIC INSECTS!!” the alicorn shouted “USELESSLY STRUGGLING AGAINS WHAT IS INEVITABLE!!! THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO STOP ME!!! AND IN JUST A FEW SECONDS – THE STORM WILL UNLEASH ITS FINAL SECRET - AND LEVEL - ALL OF CANTERLOT - KILLING EVERTHING AAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"DEMON!" Celestia shouted, faint signs of despair mixed with anger, heard in her voice "HOW DID YOU GATHER THIS MUCH POWER!?"
"You still didn’t figure it out ?" the alicorn laughed "I imprisoned you precious Luna, in an underground cage, just under the Emitter. Her very life magic is whats powering this device! In just a few moments the last drop of her magic will transfer to the emitter and it will be over! For her... and for you!!!"
"No!" Celestia whispered.
"There's no one out there left to stop this from happening!" The alicorn laughed.
"Goodbye...My sweet... Princess Celestia!"
The skies flashed bright. And Lisa hugged Shadow just a little bit tighter.
* * *
A Flash of bright blue energy streaked from the explosion of the Emitter and into the sky, then disappeared. A sudden thunder came down from the sky, blocking every other sound. Sparks of lightning ran through the clouds, and then - The roar faded... and so did the clouds... They disappeared so quickly and suddenly everpony watched in disbelief.
And from behind the disappearing clouds, streaks of sun ray began to shine, and light up the land, in bright cheery colors. It was day...
They didn't even notice, it was day, all this time.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" The strange alicorn screamed, over the skies of Canterlot. As rays of sunshine struck her body, thick smoke began to come out
"IMPOSSIBLLEEEEEEE" She shrieked in pain as more and more sunshine fell onto her. Her disguise faded, and Celestia finally recognized King Sombra's sister. She shrieked and tried to get away, but the bright rays of sun reached out to everyone. There was not a single cloud in the sky.
"Begone... demon of darkness" Celestia muttered, and the dark alicorn vanished in a puff of thick smoke.
Shadow exhaled. He looked at Lisa, who smiled to him, then looked around. The Wonder and Shadow Bolts were helping each other up, working together, tending their wounds. They were smiling. Far in the distance, Shadow could see, a bright green field, were the emitter once stood.
Out there... somewhere, was the one single hero... who managed to stop him from making his biggest mistake, and saved the city he loved, and the ponies he cared about.
"Thank you... Mercy" Shadow whispered, and smiled “Thank you...”
Rainbow Dash got up to go back to her friends. She had one last Sonic Rainboom in her that day. She blasted off crossing the sky, for everyone to see. Mercy finally smiled thinking that it was over.
Twilight and her friends had finally arrived at Canterlot, they stared in horror of what had become of the place. Apple Jack hugged Twilight as she observed the rusted and ruined city, that used to be magnificent and sparkling. She wondered if her eyes were deceiving her but they were not.
A tear streamed from her face and onto the dusty tiles below her as she thought of all the ponies who suffered in the attack. "But is it still continuing?" she asked herself.
The 5 all stood sad looking at the wreckage. A tremendous roar filled the air as Rainbow Dash landed in the wreckage of Canterlot to see her friends.
They looked at Twilight. When Twilight looked up, she saw all of her closest friends were right here with her, and then her eyes light up, as if the elements of harmony had been activated. A beam of light, shot up and into the sky. Then Twilight began using her magic to start piecing together Canterlot. Building by building. The ponies on the battle field watched this, which gave them more hope.
With ponies home's and the castle back together, Twilights magic stopped, leaving all off the mane six exhausted. They looked at the still partially destroyed land. Everypony caught them when they landed, cheering.
The land around them, seemed green, and raindrops sparkled in bright colors of the shining sun. And at that moment, everything seemed just right, for the very first time, in a long, long year.
* * *
A few days passed.
Surprisingly, no one had died in the attack.
Everyone was involved in the rebuilding of Canterlot and together they sang, "Raise the kingdom! 1, 2, 3, 4! Together we can raise the kingdom!"
The Shadow Bolts submitted themselves to Wonder Bolt custody, but asked to delay their upcoming trial for more volunteer work, as they strived to help their country as much as they could. Lisa was seen numerous times, working close with the Shadow Bolts, particularly next to a dark purple one, with dark yellow hair. To everyones surprise, she also became the most outspoken one, to defend them, in every upcoming trial
And Mercy the Everfree, slowly disappeared back into the Everfree forest, hoping to return to being just a old ponies tale.
It was another sunny day in Equestria. Canterlot has recovered greatly from its destruction. Cloudsdale was having a race, between the young the fillies and colt pegasi. Princess Celestia went through her daily routine. Apple-bucking Season had started, and Big mac and Applejack were hard at work getting all of the apples in. But all was not as it seemed...
Deep in the Everfree forest, strange things have been occurring. Animals have gone missing. Entire sections of forest have been rearranged almost overnight. Nopony thought this as strange though. The Everfree was home to that sort of thing.
Hearing reports of this strange activity, an adventuress unicorn, named Silver Sword, decided to look into it. As he moved towards the heart of the dark forest, he heard strange sounds coming from nearby. He sneaked ever so closer until he came to a bush. He hid in it, and peeking out, he saw a hole, swirling with a purple mist, and humming with energy.
"What in Celestia's name is that..." said Silver Sword.
Mercy the ranger, who spent more than most of his time in the Everfree forest, recognized Silver Sword as an old friendly face. The two colts had met before and in fact knew each other. Mercy took notice that he was sneaking. Not willing to blow Silver's cover or startle him, Mercy also hid and waited for Silver to stop hiding before greeting him. Curious of what Silver Sword was looking at, Mercy sneaked a peak at that direction as well.
Silver Sword, intently watching the hole, didnt notice Mercy until he heard him step on a stray branch. He drew his sword and turned around, nearly poking Mercy's eye out, until he noticed who it was. "Oh, it's just you Mercy. Nice to meet a friend out here. Are you here to investigate this as well?".
"Not really, well kinda " Mercy began a long monologue "Lets just say I spend most of my time here. The forest has been acting strange lately. I know my way around these parts and its creatures, and I do want to know whats going on, so I guess we should stick together."
Silver Sword thought on this for a bit. He usually was a lone wolf on these sort of things, but with these happenings and all, he could use the company. "Okay. We need to figure out what to do. Either we investigate this portal, or we take what we found to somepony with a higher authority. What say you?"
"Hmm what would the higher authority do?" Mercy thought aloud. "Its a portal in the Everfree forest, its not like this place isn't weird already. We can take a quick look inside it. I'm sure it goes both ways and it seems relatively permanent. So I don't think it will disappear on us."
A sudden strange noise is heard, like a small thunder, but muffled, and coming from underground. It is accompanied with a brief flash of purple light. The noise is quiet, yet drains every other sound, then fades away. The two ponies stopped and looked at its source for a moment.
It was the strange portal, covered with mist. Slowly, one by one, three dark figures emerged from inside. Their movements were calm, and very deliberate. They were ponies, but unlike any other seen before. It wasn’t because they were colored dark, or because their eyes shined bright purple, in sun light.
It was because their bodies were transparent. There was one other detail. One that was visible only at a very close look. All three of them were completely identical, to the very last detail. All looked completely, almost unnaturally the same.
A strange, disturbing aura was emanating from them, as they slowly stepped out of the portal. They stood in half circle, around the portal, then in unison lifted their heads, and all looked in the same direction, somewhere beyond the tree line. A strange rippling sound filled the air, and in a moment, it formed into their voice. They all spoke in unison. The only words their heavy voice carried were :
"... Find them...."
They said, as they stared into space, past all who gathered close by. They didn’t seem to notice those standing so close to them. Silver and Mercy were thrown into action, with the appearance of theses newcomers. They drew their weapons, and charged theses strange translucent ponies.
Swing after swing did they slice and cut, but to no avail; their weapons moved through them as if they hadn't swung them at all.
"What the hay?" Cursed Silver as the strange ponies drew nearer. They passed through the companions, and as their ghostly bodies mingled with their earthly ones, they felt all light and warmth get sucked out. But these entities didn't seem to notice, and they continued on their way, leaving Silver and Mercy shivering in the humid air.
"Mercy," spoke Silver, finally feeling warmth once again, "if I ever had a reason to get help, now is the time. See if you you can get the Wonder Bolts around here. I know what I need to do." And with that, Silver left for Ponyville, hoping to meet Twilight Sparkle, in an effort to find out what was happening.
Silver burst into the tree house with amazing vigor, but Twilight Sparkle barely noticed. She looked as if she was glued to the book itself. Silver frantically waved his hooves at her face and pushed her around. But to no avail.
Suddenly, a harsh *clank* rang out in the back room. Silver frantically turned about and drew his sword, expecting the ghostly ponies that had emerged from the misty portal. The door burst down in a cloud of dust and ashes. "Holy Discord" muttered Silver as he went inside. There was no signs of recent life. Every shelf, every book, and every table was covered in an inch of ash and dust. The fireplace burnt lazily in the corner.
"What in Equestria happened here?" Silver stuttered as he pulled his cloak around him. The room was unnaturally cold, and a slight draft came from upstairs. Carefully, Silver trotted up the stairs to the second floor. He heard a pony whispering a devilish spell, and an unwavering light seeped through the door at the end of the hall.
Silver slowly stepped to the door with a creaking clop every time he put his hoof down. As he reached the end of the hall, he understood the words better. There was a harsh rasping voice coming from inside. It sounded exactly like the hard whispering of the three transparent ponies, and a shiver coiled down Silver's spine. He counted to three, and hurled the door open, drawing his sword expecting to see a few ghosts sitting in a circle, chanting...
* * *
"This is Wonder Bolt Recon 4-1, beginning another fly by over the forest, over" A sky blue pony streaked over the horizon, and sharply dropped altitude, to hover just above the trees, as he continued to fly towards the center of the forest. A small, yellow glowing crystal, strapped to his neck, flashed once and a voice came out of it.
"Roger that 4-1, keep to planned course and report any new anomalies. HQ out" The pony kept flying over the tree's, carefully studying every detail on ground. A moment later, something flashed in his peripheral vision. He immediately twisted his head there, but saw nothing. He made a sharp turn and flew into that direction.
A second later, three shadows flew up from the ground, and dispersed, each flying in a different direction.
"What the ...." the pony muttered. Something about those three was wrong. It took him a moment to understand, he could see through their dark figures.
"...C-Command, I got something..." he began. Before he could finish his words, more figures rose up from the trees...
"What do you see 4-1 ?" the crystal lit up again.
"U-uhh... some...ponies... flying.... they're transparent!" the blue pony was starting to gasp for air as fear slowly took over him.
"How many ?" said the voice coming from the crystal.
"Uhh... 10.. no 15! .... 20!!!" the pony stopped and hovered in place, stunned, as he saw more and more shadows rise up from over the trees. They streaked towards the sky like a tornado, then dispersed in every direction.
"COMMAND THERE'S OVER 50 OF 'EM!!!! I CANT COUNT, THERES TOO MANY!!! ..... Celestia... MOST ARE HEADING TOWARDS THE VILLAGE! YOU'VE GOT TO – AAAAAAAAAH" His voice was cut off sharp, and only static came through the crystal.
A room full of ponies, monitoring air activity, in the Wonder Bolt headquarters, fell silent. Each one of them turned pale. Just before the crystals signal broke off completely, the HQ heard one more phrase. Its cold deep voice sent a chill down their spine
".... He 's oNe oF ThEm........". It was another minute of silence before one of the ponies at HQ snapped out of the stupor.
"Get me Commander Brown!"
* * *
Silver's eyes widened as he opened the door. Four transparent ponies stood, forming a square. One more in the middle. There were strange signs, painted on the floor around them, in purple ash, that shined somehow. The one in the middle, made a crackling sound that filled the air, and became a ripple of noise so deafening, it was probably heard at the end of the village.
The same second, visible strings of purple light rose from the floor, engulfing the one in the middle. They hid him for a moment, then all light shot upward through the roof and disappeared from the room completely. Silver looked up, but there was no damage or trace that the light even came through the ceiling.
The dark ponies smiled, all in unison "You are too late, the dome around the village is already up. No one will enter... and no one will leave... until we find those... we are looking for...".
Shadow Wind watched the skies with fear, as he witnessed the purple dome rise up to the air, and engulf the entire village just before his eyes. He was standing on a green hill, just outside the dome. Stunned, shocked. Not knowing what to do.
"Get down!" Someone pulled his hoof and dragged him behind a rock. As Shadow looked back at the dome, he saw ponies inside, run up to its borders and bang their hooves over the dome. But nothing happened. They couldn't leave. He noticed some kind of small dark and transparent pillars, surrounding the dome, in regular intervals. As he looked closer, he understood it was actually, transparent ponies, standing right outside the dome. Purple energy, streamed away from them and into the domes shell.
Shadow looked at the one who dragged him to cover, and recognized Mercy.
"Look" Mercy said, pointing his hoof at the sky, and Shadow saw a whole cloud of transparent ponies, fly towards the village. They entered the dome, unhindered, and disappeared behind it from view. Moments later, some of them came back out, carrying village ponies in their hooves, and flew back in the direction of the forest.
But only very few came out. They weren’t taking everypony. Just a select few...
"...We have to stop this" Shadow Wind muttered.
* * *
Astra Starshine was peacefully shopping in Ponyville square with her cousin Cherry Petalsnow, for supplies for their journey, when she saw Lucky Cloverfield and Savannah running over to them.
"Forest, ghosts, glowing portal, heading this way" Lucky said quickly. After seeing her friend's face, she told her the full story.
"Lucky, we're best friends, but you couldn't have chosen a worse moment to go completely bonkers," Astra said. Just then "LOOK!" shouted a pony. A dome was spreading over the village, enclosing it completely, immediately panic ensued, some ponies ran for their homes, while others stood still in shock.
Astra knew she had to get Cherry back to the inn, or risk her having another one of the magical outbursts that occurred often in young unicorns. "I have to get Cherry back to the inn, find Mart and meet us there," she said.
She expected Cherry to protest, she normally wanted to prove that she was an adult, but today she simply stared open-mouthed at the carnage around her and gave a meek, "yes... return," at her request that they return to the inn.
Some minutes later, Mart Caramel was banging his hooves against the dome, wishing he had Astra's incredible strength when Lucky approached and told him
"We should get back, goodness knows what those ghosts could do". Suddenly, they heard shrieks of fright and looked up to see the transparent ponies carrying some of the townspeople!
"I told you so!" Lucky said, "now let's get out of here." and they ran back to the hotel.
A pony ran up to the dome from the outside, and desperately banged at it, trying to get it. Right in front of him, on the other side, was his loved one, trapped. A ghostly figure appeared outside the dome, just behind the pony. He spun around angrily and charged at it, swinging his hoof
"WHAT DO YOU WANT!" He screamed as he threw the punch. But his hoof went right through the shadowy figure, as if there was nothing there. As he stared at this in confusion, the ghostly pony grabbed him by the throat, and lifted in the air.
"...What?!" The pony muttered. "We cant touch them... but they can touch us?!" The ghostly pony stared right in his eyes, and released a rippling sound, that slowly formed into words. But when this figure spoke, so did every other ghostly figure, even those high in the sky, or those looking into completely opposite directions. They all said in unison
"....The ones who call themselves Bolts.... where are they..." The pony scowled as he grasped for air. He finally managed to inhale enough to mutter "Behind you...."
The ghostly figure slowly turned his head, as a squad of eight ponies streaked down from the sky and landed behind him. Lisa Brown stood in the lead, her best fliers forming a line behind her. She looked determined, angry, and very dangerous.
"YOU WANT THE WONDER BOLTS?! HERE WE ARE!!!!!!" She shouted in a dangerous voice.
The ghostly pony released the one he was holding, and slowly turned around to look at Lisa and her squad. There was but a moment of silence before it replied
"No..... " his rippling voice filled the air. "Shadow Bolts...... I want the Shadow Bolts" Lisa's eyes widened, as she only now realized, every pony that was taken so far, was a former Shadow Bolt.... before their group was disbanded.
"Mercy," Shadow Wind whispered. "Look, around the dome. Some of those transparent ponies formed a circle around it. They're all standing outside, and haven't moved since the dome appeared. They may be the ones powering it.... if we take some of them out, it might weaken the dome... maybe enough for it to fall”
"But we cant touch them, I already tried," Mercy replied.
"I know..." Shadow nodded. "But we need to try something... if physical contact does nothing.... maybe something mental... like magic ? If we could find a unicorn.... "
"Earlier they stole some of mine and Silvers energy" Mercy replied "When they came close to us, so maybe thats how we can effect them. We need to see if we can hurt them with lightning or fire."
"Yes, I am quite busy so-" She said, and noticed the mess that had been caused around her. "What in the name of Celestia HAPPENED!?" She roared at Silver, who was very impatient.
"No time, just RUN!" With that he pulled Twilight from her place, and started to gallop towards the crowd. It seemed everyone in Ponyville was there already. Silver explained the situation as they ran. All she did was nod or shake her head, focused only on what to do. As they reached the boarders of the dome, they suddenly saw Mercy, with an entrenchment tool in hoof, poking out of a newly dug hole, just inside the dome.
"Follow me, I know how to get outside" Mercy said and quickly disappeared from view again. Silver and Twilight looked at each other, and jumped into the tunnel, right after Mercy. The tunnel lead just under the dome, and after a moment, they appeared on the other side.
When they emerged outside, Silver went straight to his friend Mercy, who stood next to Shadow. "I've got Twilight. What do we do know?”
Mercy began to speak "The ghost ponies are only taking former Shadow Bolt members, and ignoring all others. They can't be physically harmed, so we can't reason or fight them. And they stole energy from me and Silver through contact so, maybe energy can effect them. So maybe we need to use magic or something like that.
Twilight was staring intensely at the dome for over a minute, in complete silence. She finally blinked and turned to the group and said, "I think I got it. You said these transparent ponies emanated some kind of repulsive energy ? What was it ? Hate, anger, spite ? And we cant touch them, but they can touch us ? Maybe its because they are the very embodiment of these emotions. Their visual form...
We cant physically hold these emotions, but these emotions can hold us, physically hostage... Is that what this is about?"
Shadow Winds eyes dimmed for a moment. A strange expression formed on his face. "You're saying some ponies hate.... gave birth to this ?............ I see,” He said quietly, more to himself. Twilight stared at him for a moment, before she continued on
"If these indeed are the embodiment of the emotions of hate, all we have to do is give embodiment to our opposite emotion. I think I can make a spell that will surround our bodies with a type of mental armor, made out of your emotion. Physically non existent, but visually and mentally there.
When I cast the spell, it will take form of whatever emotion you will have at the moment. Make sure to feel the exact opposite of hate. If successful, you will be able to confront these beings of hatred."
"But what emotion is directly opposite to hate? " Some pony asked
"I cannot answer that question" Twilight looked at him "For that answer is not absolute, and varies greatly between ponies. Each may have a different understanding, of what that feeling should be. Use it, and it will become your shield and your sword... The rest will be up to you,".
* * *
"GIVE ME THE SHADOW BOLTS!!!!!" The ghostly ponies roared so hard, their voices shook the ground.
"There ARE no more Shadow Bolts!" Lisa shouted back "The group was disbanded! Celestia pardoned all of them, after they helped stop that monster!"
"I DONT CARE!!!!!" the transparent ponies roared, sending miniature earthquakes throughout the land "BRING THEM TO ME!"
"WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH THEM?!" Lisa shouted, trying to overcome the sound waves the ghostly ponies were making.
"I WANT ?!" The transparent ponies froze in complete silence for a moment, their expressions becoming increasingly dangerous. Their voice still echoed of the mountains for a while.
"I want...... THEM DESTROYED!!!" The transparent ponies screamed, all at once. A wave of sound so hard washed over the horizon, that it knocked down every pony from his hooves. The wind was blowing fiercely. Lisa struggled to get back on her hooves.
"Thats what this is about ?.... You are... the embodiment of hatred towards them ?"
"Hatred ?" The transparent ponies repeated, with a grisly smile. "No... I am – JUSTICE!!!!"
“They were pardoned !!! " Lisa said in a firm voice, standing up "I wont let you do this!"
"Then.......... I will destroy you with them" The transparent ponies scowled at her. Their suddenly quiet voice, indicated that the talking was over.
Twilight stood a little more straight, pointing her horn as high as she could. "Understand your emotion.... and focus on it" she said as her horn began to shine brightly. "You are the ones who will stop hatred today.... that emotion alone, will save you, and those you care about" a yellow strip of light slowly came out of her horn, and began to engulf everypony around her.
"Arm yourselves with your will.... defeat the ponies surrounding the dome, stop the ponies being taken away.... find and save those already taken.... that is your mission.... I will wander over the land, and give this power to as many as I see....
Go now.... and don’t let hatred wander anywhere else on this land" The yellow strips of light fully engulfed every pony standing near by. "Especially... in your heart"
Shadow Wind felt a strange energy engulfing his body, washing over him. He focused his thoughts, and looked in the direction where Lisa was standing. At the same moment, he saw a transparent pony charging at her... with a sword.
"LISA!" Shadow screamed.... then everything went white before his eyes.
Lisa tried to dodge the attack, but the transparent pony moved with unnatural speed. As she jumped to the side, she saw him already carrying another strike, with his sword right at her.... She will not have enough time to dodge.
It was over.
Her eyes dimmed for a brief second, as a full wave of emotions washed over her.
She failed.... the one's she swore to protect, as a Wonder bolt...because she wasn't fast enough, all of them will perish... all of them will...
A picture of a pony flashed before her eyes... she looked at him with sad smile...
She failed to protect him........
And now he, and the others will............. he will..........
“NO!" she shrieked in anger. " I WONT LET YOU DO THIS! I WONT !!!! "
Emotion washed over her body, taking form of a wave, and shot outward into the transparent shadow. A flash of light, and the transparent pony flew off, thrown away by the force, that seemed to emanate from inside Lisa
"....what ?..." she looked at herself in surprise, to find that her body was covered in shining, transparent, gold colored armor.
"LISA" Shadow Wind shouted, as he flew right into another one of the transparent ponies. The ghostly figure screamed out in agony, and vanished in thin air, with a trace of dark smoke.
As Shadow ran up to Lisa, she noticed he was wearing this transparent golden armor as well.
".... what, is that" she asked in surprise.
"Are you alright ?" Shadow asked coming closer to her "I thought the spell couldn't reach this far Twilight ?" he asked, turning his head and looking over his shoulder.
"It cant..." Twilight nodded her head, as she came down the hill towards them. "She must have triggered it on her own somehow.... but such a thing never happened before.... otherwise every pony would have it .... Why now ?..... maybe the energy of the transparent ponies, brushed off on us, giving us this ability ? I wander.... " Twilight said, looking up to the sky.
"N-no time to loose!" Lisa said, trying to shake of her shock. "If we can fight them now, we have to hurry! We can't let them carry on what they're doing!" Shadow Winds expression suddenly became sad, as he looked at the sky. Lisa noticed this and immediately stepped closer, putting a hoof on his shoulder.
"Don't think like that Shadow! They're wrong! They're not making justice, they're just crazy! Look at this!" she pointed at the dome "They will hurt Everypony if we don't stop them! This isn’t justified, so don't think for a second any of you deserve, what their trying to do to you !! "
"....yeah" Shadow faintly nodded his head "I understand..." the guilty expression still did not leave his face. Twilight still looking at them from the side, took this moment of silence to speak. "...Come on guys, we need to stop them,”. Mercy put his hoof on Shadow Wind's shoulder and looked him in the eyes saying “Remember, forgiveness is the real end of the fight". It didn't seem to give Shadow very much inspiration.
* * *
Cherry was sitting in the inn's washroom along with several other ponies, suddenly a transparent pony busted through the door, causing everyone to scream, it scanned the crowd, and left. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, glad to have not been taken, when suddenly they heard a ghostly voice
"The Bolts... where are they"
"Oh my Celestia" said Astra
"They're after Telissa! Come on! We have to go find my friend!" dashing out they heard "No..... Shadow Bolts...... I want the Shadow Bolts" Astra gave a sigh of relief, her friend was safe. Lucky looked up at the sky and saw Lisa, she smiled. Lisa had been her idol ever since she went to a Wonderbolts show with her mom. Suddenly the ghosts roared "GIVE ME THE SHADOW BOLTS!" sending tremors beneath their feet, Mart yelped and Cherry ran behind Astra in fright.
"I DON'T CARE" the ghosts roared "BRING THEM TO ME!". Cherry began to tremble while Astra tried frantically to soothe her, she didn't want her to have a magical outburst, especially because it was crowded, she could hurt someone, or herself.
In the chaos Mart thought he heard someone shout, but he wasn't sure.
"I WANT" the ghosts said, then went silent, their words reverberating over and over throughout the town. And then they screamed
"I want... THEM DESTROYED!" in the chaos that followed, several things happened, first, Cherry's eyes rolled back into her head and her horn lit up with energy, firing lavender beams everywhere. Second, Mart panicked, and ran off screaming like a little filly with Lucky, after checking on Cherry's condition, chasing after him shouting "Don't loose your head you pansy, they're not after you!"
Third, Astra flies up into the sky to assist Telissa, who's trying to keep the ghosts from taking anyone else. Fourth, Savannah tries to calm Cherry, which results in her gravity being reversed and her having to cling to the ground with her vines, it would have been funny, if not for the dire circumstances.
Mart ran and ran and ran, he wanted to be safe, he wanted to wake up and find it was all a dream, he wanted Astra to-
Wait, he thought, "I left Astra, I left her all alone in the square!" with that he turned around and almost immediately slammed into Lucky, who said "What in Celestia's name are you DOING!"
"I have to get back, I left her alone!" he responded frantically.
"Cherry's beyond help at the moment, I checked before running after you,"
"Not Cherry, Astra! I left her alone!" he replied
"Astra can care for herself, what I'd worry about now, is that these people are in danger, let's see what we can do to help everyone”
* * *
Silver felt the power course over him. He thought of his dad, of his family, and he felt warmth flow into his heart. He glowed with the power of his happiness. But the transparent ponies were still winning. Even if Twilight could run at her fastest, there were to many ponies to cover. Ponyville was by no means small, and even then the dome also contained other surrounding places.
If only they could bring some backup... At that moment all breath was taken from him. The transparent ponies wouldn't draw power off of you, but they could still touch you. He was tackled and thrown by the ponies, and he hit the dome with a dull thud. He swung his sword, and found that it now also could touch these monstrosities.
The sword sliced into the pony, turning him into dark smoke. He got up and thought, even though he can effect them now, there are too many to deal with. Again, if only... He looked behind him. In the place he had been, a crack in the dome had formed. He had a brainstorm. Calling out in his loudest voice, he yelled.
"ALL PONIES WITHIN THE SOUND OF MY VOICE. THE DOME, IT CAN BE BROKEN! GO AFTER THE TRANSPARENT PONIES, SURROUNDING THE DOME ! THEY ARE POWERING IT !!! PUT ALL YOU'VE GOT INTO YOUR STRENGTH, AND DESTROY IT! "
Mercy stared into the eyes of 13 transparent ponies, all at once and they stared back into his. They stared into each other until they were all one. Transparent ponies all spoke at once inside his head.
"Give into the hate, to the rage, and get revenge.” the transparent ponies voice's echoing in a raspy whisper.
“You saw what they did to so many innocent ponies, doesn't that just make you burn with hate? Didn't you care for those ponies that were put through such pain?" Mercy looked up and said out loud, but in a calm voice. "Yes I do care for them, but they forgave the Shadow Bolts. I know we never got to say that at the pardoning, but we do, all the ponies of Ponyville and Canterlot do, we forgive the Shadow Bolts. And now we forgive these embodiments of revenge, we forgive you too."
With that the transparent ponies that tried to possess Mercy were nowhere to be seen or heard. It was as if they faded away quietly, and gently when Mercy let go of the hate.
"I know why they're really here now. The transparent ponies are whats left of our hate, anger and rage for the Shadow Bolts. While we pardoned them, it still lingered inside us. We have to let go of these feelings for real.
"TWILIGHT GET READY!" Lisa shouted, as Twilight jumped into place, raising her horn. A strip of gold light flew out of her horn, and formed a large circle, hovering vertically, high in the air. Wonder Bolts beyond count, that just arrived from Canterlot, flew right through the hovering circle, shining with light, and when they emerged from its other side, they were covered in gold, shimmering armor.
"FOCUS ON THE DOME! GIVE IT EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT!" Lisa roared as she pointed her hoof at the purple dome, surrounding the village. Again and again, did the Wonder Bolts slam against it. Slowly but steadily, cracks began to appear. But some of them were starting to slowly close back up.
"THE TRANSPARENT ONE'S SURROUNDING THE DOME!" Shadow Wind shouted "THEY'RE GIVING IT POWER! TAKE EM OUT!" Indeed there were transparent ponies, standing around the dome on the outside, at regular intervals. The purple energy leaking out of them and into the dome, became much more visible now.
They all scowled and roared. Every single pony, every one of them who could fight, charged forward, and even with the slightest of their touch, the transparent ponies disappeared with a puff of dark smoke and a roar not from this world. A very large crack appeared in the dome, it grew larger rapidly and shot up from the bottom, so high up the dome, it almost reached the top.
"EVERYONE! NOW!" Lisa screamed "GIVE IT EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT!" They all charged forward, tall and small, in air and on ground, from inside the dome, and out, all at the same time, they slammed at it again and again. The dome shook in response, almost roaring in defiance as countless cracks filled its surface.
The transparent ponies stopped and looked in anger and a little bit of sadness, at the ponies working together, as one, to bring down the dome that separated them all. With one final shout, they pushed forward, and the dome gave way. It roared, and shattered into small tiny fragments you could barely see in the sun, and shining purple, began to silently fall to the ground. The ponies rushed inside hugging their loved ones, and hurrying to help their friends.
The transparent ponies stood very still and not one of them moved, as they watched this. A very strange expression was on all of their faces. Not anger, or hate. But sadness and envy. A single transparent pony, marched down the street, in the center of the village. His movements were sharp and solid, but it looked as if he was all shaking with barely contained anger.
"Im so sick of you... " He muttered. "Shielding them with your lives.... trying to smooth my anger with your emotion, and your love, and you Mercy. Giving every last bit of your soul.... protecting these... criminals. You are so big on forgiveness when something was done directly to you.... But what... IF IT WAS DONE TO SOME BODY ELSE! AND YOU ARE THE ONE LEFT UNSCARRED! CAN YOU FORGIVE FOR WHAT THEY'VE DONE TO YOUR LOVED ONES AS WELL!?"
"Please, lets just end this" Shadow Wind stepped out in the street "After everything I have done... the only thing left for me now, is to take responsibility for my actions.... I'll do whatever you want... I'll let you do what you want with me just... leave the others alone" The transparent pony froze and glared at him, with anger, never seen before.
"You........." Every transparent pony looked at him, from every direction, in unison. "The one, solely responsible for orchestrating the events of that day .............Shadow Wind" the transparent pony spited those words. "........ I will..........END YOU!" The transparent pony roared and charged forward. Shadow Wind didn’t move. He opened his hooves, and looked back, in shame
"This has to be done" Shadow whispered, and closed his eyes.
"Stop!" a tiny voice shouted nearby, and the transparent pony pulled a sharp stop, just a few meters from Shadow. The transparent one stared in surprise, at the small filly, that stood between him and Shadow, protectively spreading her hooves.
"I wont let you hurt Shadow... Its wrong!" she said bravely in defiance.
Shadow was stunned, he recognized the young pony as his student from so long ago, it took him a moment to remember. He snapped back to reality and gasped.
"Lily ? What are you doing?! You need to get out of here!" Shadow tried to shield her, and pull her away, but she wiggled her way out of his hooves, and took place again between him and the transparent pony.
"I wont let you bully him!" She said in a defiant voice "It's wrong!"
"You............" the transparent pony muttered as his face became distorted with anger
"JUST YOU TOUCH THEM!" Lisa shrieked as she landed between them, spreading her wings wide, to shield them. "JUST YOU TRY!!!!"
The transparent pony took a step back, anger catching his face more and more.
"We wont let you do this!" more and more ponies stepped in, shielding Shadow and Lily from the transparent body of hate, that stood before them. More and more came, until they formed a solid wall, all spreading their hooves in a protective manner
"You wont hurt another" they said "Not one other" as they stared at the transparent pony, with unshakable resolve.
The transparent pony looked down. Dark wings materialized on his back and spread out. "Enough........ If you shield a criminal....... then you are a criminal too. I will end all of you" The transparent pony said, and streaking into the sky. He stopped high above the village, spreading his hooves. A sharp spark of purple light appeared in between his hooves. It grew larger and began to roar, first quietly, then quickly becoming louder.
All remaining transparent ponies froze, and purple light shot up from them, turning them into dark smoke, as the light from their bodies shot up, and into the glowing spark, between the hooves of the pony, high above.
"I will erase this village... and all of its sins... I will erase all of you" The transparent pony muttered. Pegasi jumped upward, towards him, trying to smash into him, but a sphere of dark light materialized around the transparent pony. The pegasi smashed right into it, and fell back to the ground.
"What?"
"Why cant we pierce it ?! It worked before!"
The transparent pony looked at them, down below. "My desire for justice, is far greater than any emotion you could through at me. Nothing will stand in my way.........The Shadow Bolts will pay...... one way or another"
The spark in his hooves grew brighter by second. In a few moments it became as bright as the sun. Ponies tried to stop him but to no effect. They could not pierce through the barrier. Shadow looked at Lisa and she looked back at him.
"Its my fault..." Shadow whispered. She shook her head.
"It is..." Shadow insisted "I made this possible, everything that happened, everything thats happening now, is a result of my actions.... it is because of me"
"No Shadow" Lisa was shaking her head. "If it wasn't you, that alicorn monster would have found somepony else, and manipulated him just in the same way... these events would have happened. Whether you had been a part of them or not...
You joined her back then, because you thought she was Luna. You believed you were doing the right thing, making a revolution in a country that did not function properly... you wanted what was good, you loved this country and everyone in it... You meant well" she smiled and Shadow looked at her with sad eyes.
"River!" a pony shouted, as he ran through the street "River what are you doing ?" he shouted in a faint voice. His back was bandaged and it was visibly hard for him to walk, but the wound looked old, long before the attack of today. The pony looked at one of the transparent ponies standing in the street, right in the eyes.
"River, what are you doing?" he asked the transparent pony again. The transparent pony froze.... all of them froze, even the one in the sky. All the transparent ponies stopped and looked at him, in shock. Stunned. The spark in the hooves above ponyville, started to slowly dim, until it disappeared.
"River.... please stop." the pony asked the transparent one again. The transparent one took a step back, frightened. It took another, then began to slowly back away from the newly arrived pony.
"...River! ...w-wait!" the pony said, but as the last words left his mouth, all transparent ponies disappeared. All of them. All at once. And quiet appeared over Ponyville.
Shadow and the others rushed to him, looking in shock. "D-do you know those ponies ?" Lisa asked
"Yes!" The bandaged pony answered. "That is my brother"
As Lisa's eyes widened, she remembered a vital detail... all of the transparent ponies looked exactly the same, to the very last detail. As if they were all - the same pony.
"Oh my God" Shadow whispered as he looked at the sky "Gentle River... I remember him..." as the words left his mouth, his mind drifted to the past. To a distant memory, he tried to forget, but his conscience, his guilt, didn't let him.
A court room so big, it housed every citizen, in Ponville. Three rows of Shadow Bolts, sitting in front of the crowd, their hooves chained. None of them dared to look up, from the guilt they bared. Celestia, standing next to them, reading the verdict
"In light of the new evidence, it became clear, every detail of past days events, were solely orchestrated by the Alicorn sister, of King Sombra. Not only did she capture Princess Luna, impersonated her, and thereby deceived all those loyal to Luna, but also set up, all the events that made, the Shadow Bolts loose faith in me.
She played and used me, just as she used the Shadow Bolts and us all. If anyone is to blame for this disaster, it is me, for I have not discovered this plan sooner.... perhaps all of this could have been avoided.
The Shadow Bolts.... in their firm belief they were carrying the will of their Princess, did what they thought, at that moment was best, and when they discovered the true meaning of their actions, stood once again, in the name of Equestria, and fought bravely by our side again, as brothers, risking their lives, to stop the Alicorn monster, that had plotted to destroy our very home.
In light of these new events, I, Princess Celestia, declare the Shadow Bolts, free of all charges, and to be released in the court of law”
Many different voices were heard from the crowd, but eventually they were drowned by the loved ones, of the Shadow Bolts, who rushed forward and hugged, their brothers, sisters, fathers and daughters, who looked back, shy, still wearing their Shadow Bolt uniform, which they were ashamed to be in. As Lisa rushed forward and hugged Shadow, a piercing voice was heard from the back of the crowd.
"THIS IS WRONG!" a small pony shouted. The courtroom fell silent as they all looked at him. While he just angrily glared back."MY BROTHER WAS HURT IN THAT ATTACK! ..... HIS WINGS -" the ponies voice broke, as he tried to fight the tears back. "HE MAY NEVER FLY AGAIN!" He screamed, as tears fell down his face. "BECAUSE OF THEM!..... AND NOW YOU SAY - THEY ARE INNOCENT?!" The small pony shrieked.
"Gentle River - " Celestia stepped down from the podium and started to walk towards him.
"NO!" he shrieked back "THIS IS WRONG!" As he burst the doors open and ran out of the room, his words still echoed off the tall walls.
"This is wrong" Shadow Wind repeated again. And looked back at the bandaged pony. "He blames me for what happened to you.... for what I -"
"Shadow," the bandaged pony stopped him "I don’t even know if it was the Shadow Bolts that caused this, a random accident or my own clumsiness. It was so chaotic back then, I don’t even know who caused that piece of debris to fall. Maybe it fell on its own, maybe not... it doesn’t matter.
Its just how these things work Shadow... its just combat... Back when you were still with the Wonder Bolts, brought light to the skies, and trained young pegasi to fly, from the village, I always looked up to you. All you ever wanted was what was best for the village, for everyone.
Maybe mistakes were made, maybe a wrong turn, but in the end, you meant well... Your a good man, Shadow" the bandaged pony said with a smile. Shadow looked at him in shame
"You can still say that ? .... after everything I've done................. You lost your wings.... Because of what I started"
"You didn't start this, Shadow" the bandaged pony smiled "That Alicorn did, and even if you didn't come with her, some pony else would, and I would have probably lost my wings just the same. I don't hold a grudge or anger against you.... Thats just how life is sometimes" he gently placed a hoof on Shadows Wind shoulder.
Shadow looked away for a moment, as a single tear fell from his eyes "Im sorry," he whispered. Lisa gently stepped in, and looked at the bandaged pony.
"Tell me... what happened to River, in the end.... did he .......?"
"No" the bandaged pony shook his head. "He was fine, and looked like every other pony. He visited me at the hospital, just one week ago. He used to come everyday, but then he disappeared and didn't come anymore,"
"I wonder what happened to him, how he came over this power" Twilight stepped closer, looking up at the sky.
As she did, a voice rang, it seemed from the heaven itself. The voice, without a doubt, belonged to Gentle River
"Citizens of Ponyville. I have placed a very serious amount of energy, under your village. It will go off, and destroy everything, in a very wide radius. There will be no more Ponyville, and no pony inside will survive....
The only way to avoid this is - Give me Shadow Wind... and I will spare all of your lives. He must go to the forest, and follow me through one of my portals. There I will pass judgement on him. I will not pursue anyone else, I will not harm another. After Shadow Wind enters the portal, I will leave this land, and never come back.
Resist, and you will all die. Justice must be made.
It is simple.
Give me Shadow Wind. Or you will all perish.
The choice is yours.
Telissa was shocked, she knew River from the time he was a colt, she had no idea that he could be capable of such things. She looked over at Astra and saw the exact same thoughts in her eyes. Meanwhile, Lucky and Mart, the latter of whom had finally calmed down, looked at each other, grim determination in their eyes
"Mart" said Lucky "in case we don't make it, I want you to know... I'll always love you... like a brother!" she turned around, oblivious to Mart's crestfallen expression, "now let's find Cherry." she said "we shouldn't have left her in the first place.
Cherry had come out of her trance and was sitting staring at everything she did when she heard Lucky say, "it's fine now, you're safe." she turned around to see Savannah back on the ground, with Mart and Lucky standing next to her.
"But I wrecked the square" Cherry said "aren't I going to be in trouble?"
"I'm certain they'll understand" said Astra, who was walking up with Telissa beside her "What happened today is enough to scare anyone, now let's see what we can do to stop this."
"Shadow," spoke Silver, "you don't have to do this. We'll find a way, we just need to delay him." He looked at Twilight. "Find something about this type of magic. Maybe we can defuse it”
Suddenly a dark silhouette flew above ground and Mercy noticed one of Rivers transparent copies, leaving the area. He jumped in front of it and said "You have harassed and traumatized countless innocent young ponies today, you are no better than any Shadow Bolt, maybe worse" the silhouette became enraged. Mercy stared at River standing tall in front of him and said :
“I, no we have forgave all of the Shadow Bolts from the bottom of our hearts” River got ready to dive-punch. Mercy continued “the only one that should be brought to justice today is you” River lets out a scream, and flies as fast as he can ready to punch Mercy
“But the cycle must end and I FORGIVE YOU” Mercy catches River, and hugs him making him turn solid and drained most of Rivers negative energy, but was hit by the punch and was in serious pain
"Let go! Let go!!!" River cried in pain, trying to wiggle his way out of the grasp, but to no effect. Something strange was happening to his body. The more solid it appeared, the more dark smoke began to come out of it
A sudden voice ripped through the air, so dark and menacing, it sent a chill down everyones spines.
"RI-VVVVEEEEEER!" A female voice hissed, and the dark smoke coming out of River, slowly took a faint shape of an alicorn. "H-h-heees trying to stop you-u-uuuu.. Rivvveeer..... END HIM!" the smoke shrieked
"N-no!" River faintly answered. "I don’t - want to do this anymore"
"YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE IT NOW?!" The smoke leaking out of him, roared. "IT IS TOO LATE FOR REGRETS NOW - RIVER!!!! YOU WANTED POWER, AND I GAVE IT TO YOU - YOU'RE MINE NOOOOOW!!!!!"
The smoke shrieked, and those watching gasped in horror, as it took shape to remind them more and more of the Alicorn Monster, they faced weeks ago, above Canterlot
"YOU!" Shadow Wind roared, pointing his hoof at her "LET GO OF HIM NOW!"
"RROOAAAAAAAARRRRR" The Alicorn shrieked back at him. "YOU WANT RIVER ?! COME TO THE PORTAL IN THE FOREST, SHADOW WIND, COME ALONE. OR I WILL END RIVER, EVERY SHADOW BOLT I ALREADY TOOK, AND THEN YOUR PRECIOUS VILLAGE YOU CHERISH SO MUCH!!!!"
"Let-me go," River cried in a faint voice, but the smoke engulfed him once more, and both River and the dark Alicorn disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Only the Alicorns voice remained, echoing off the buildings for a few long moments. Shadow ran up to Mercy, who was visible in pain. "Are you alright?"
“I've been in much worse” Mercy said acting like he just remembered a traumatizing event. A white pony with a red cross as her quite mark, appeared next to them
"I'm a medic, I'm here to help you!" she said as she quickly sat next to Mercy, and opened a first aid kit. "Please show me where you’re hurt"
"Shadow" Lisa stepped close and put a hoof on his shoulder. Before she could speak again, Shadow cut her off.
"Im going”
"W- you cant!!!!" Lisa shouted "Do you understand what your saying?!" She glared at him "The moment you set your hoof through that portal alone, there will be nothing stopping her from ending your, right there ! Then River, your Shadow Bolt comrades, and then everyone else in the village! You cant just walk in there alone!!!" she grabbed one of his hooves with both of hers
"....what choice do I have Lisa ?" he looked back at her with sad eyes. "....I started this.... now I just have to finish it" he said and looked down.
"Shadow no! NO!" Lisa said and grabbed him tighter. "I WONT LET YOU!" Shadow only quietly mumbled something, still looking at the ground. Lisa, just barely loosened her grip, trying to catch what he said "W-what...Shadow?"
"IM SORRY!" he screamed and throwing her hooves off, he jumped to the side, spreading his wings. Lisa rushed forward to him, trying to pin him to the ground, but he threw a kick, sending her flying back. The next second Shadow's wings grasped for air, and he shot upward with unbelievable speed, and streaked through the sky, towards the forest.
"Shadow.... SHADOW!" Lisa screamed, trying to get up. Twilight ran up to her, holding her down. "Wait Lisa please, we cant just rush after him" Twilight tried to say in a calming manner
"WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING?!" Lisa shouted at her, tears starting to form in her eyes. "I SHOULD JUST LET HIM GO THERE AND D-"
"I didn't say that...."
Twilight slowly helped her get up. "What I meant was, if we just blindly rush after him through that portal, it will all be over. What we really need to do, is figure out a way, how to follow him, without the Alicorn noticing, until its too late." Lisa got up and pointed her hoof at Twilight
"We don’t have much time for this" Lisa said "If you don’t come up with something fast, I'm going! You understand?!" She was heavily breathing as she pointed her hoof at Twilight
"....of course , I understand" Twilight quietly said.
Silver looked at the arguing ponies. "We're on the same side here. Lisa, we won't leave him. We will still do whatever it takes. But for once, please not live up your personality to your name." Lisa turned her back to him, crossing her hooves. Silver thought for a moment
"I'll go. I know the forest like the back of my hoof. If anypony can follow him silently, it would be me. And besides," he drew his sword, "How many of you know how to fight with a sword?"
The nurse was putting bandages back into her bag and, when she turned around, the colt she had just finished taking care of was already gone. She ran and told Twilight and Silver that her patient was missing. Realizing that she was the one taking care of Mercy, they already knew he was going to help Shadow Wind. Mercy ran through the brush of the forest straight for the portal. Mercy knew the Everfree forest well. He was able to catch up to Shadow and began following quietly.
Lucky was murmuring, going back and forth between the zebra and pony languages, and staring at the spot River and the Alicorn vanished from, her face contorted in shock.
"Lucky, are you okay?" said Mart
"It's her, during the attack she razed my mother's lab to the ground, they barely managed to evacuate in time, and saved most of the research and rare plants. She got lucky that day, no one was hurt except for minor burns and smoke inhalation." Lucky said.
"Let's see what we can do to stop her before anyone else gets hurt." said Mart
"He left us.... he left...." said Telissa "he's going to..." she burst into tears
"We'll save him" said Astra "and we'll make that monster pay for what she did, then and now." Cherry just sat, terrified of that thing, a look of shock on her face
"Savannah fight cloud!" she said "Savannah fight cloud for Cherry!"
"Savannah that's insane!" said Lucky "you're just a plant, you wouldn't stand a chance against an alicorn!"
"Savannah fight alicorn cloud!" she said defiantly "Savannah fight for Lucky and Cherry!" and walked over to the big group of ponies in the center of the square, followed by everyone else.
* * *
"No, no!" cried River " I don't want to do this anymore,". he was sitting down on a cold surface, holding his head with both hooves. "I did a bad thing...." It didn't matter that he had his eyes closed. He was completely surrounded by darkness anyway. There was nothing to see
"Come nowww--- R-r-riverrrr" a voice hissed over his shoulder. "Weeee are so clossseee.... I thought you wanted Justice for what was done to your brother...."
"I did something bad!" River cried out "I hurt a pony.... he didn't do anything.... and I hit him.... I hurt him--"
"RIVERRRR!" The voice behind him roared, draining his thoughts. "Focus now Riverrr..... Shadow Wind..... remember Shadow Wind...." River stopped for a moment and opened his eyes. He was sitting in a very large and dark, empty area. It looked like a cave, but the surface was strangely smooth, unnatural. The only small light, came from a purple circle, faintly shining above, on what could be the ceiling of this place. The portals entrance...
"Shadow Wind....." River repeated "I remember...."
"Yesssss..." the voice hissed again, and the darkness softly touched his shoulders.
"He was a Wonder Bolt once.... I remember" River quietly said "He was an instructor at the Academy.... he trained new recruits.... He even made a special program in schools, to teach young pegasi to fly. He used to come down to Ponyville himself, and help everyone personally. He wore his shining uniform, covered in medals... and my brother used to look up to him. 'He will teach me to fly, when I'm old enough' my brother liked to say. He was a good man"
"And then he betrayed you, and your brothers trust!" the darkness hissed "He is the one responsible for everything..... he led the attack -"
"No" River cut her off "It was you! It was you - you monster! I know.... Celestia tolled me everything..... She came and talked to me, and explained how you set her up.... how you made her look reckless. How you made it look like she made mistakes... and wasn't concerned with the countries security.
How you made the Wonder Bolts loose faith in her. Once it was too much for them to bare, you masked yourself as Luna and offered them a solution.... a coup d'etat. They believed in you.... In Luna... they believed it was the only way....
You made them believe... But you betrayed them... you never cared about this country.... about saving it, or making it better... you just wanted to destroy everything.... You.... Monster
"ENOOUUUGH" The darkness cried and grabbed River, holding him tight. He tried to struggle, but it only brought pain. "WE MADE A DEAL RIVER..... EVEN IF YOU BACK AWAY NOW, IT IS TOO LATE.... REMEMBER..... I LIVE IN YOUR SOUL NOW.......". River gasped as fear began to take hold of him
"I CAN MAKE YOU FORGET WHATEVER I WANT.... AND MAKE YOU DO WHATEVER YOUR HEART ONCE DESIRED...."
"...N-no..." River tried to cry out.
"YOU WILL FORGET EVERYTHING - UNTIL THERES ONLY HATE LEFT IN YOUR HEART" the darkness fully covered his body, and its color became more and more dark.
"YOU WILL END THIS" Rivers body shook and he closed his eyes shut
"YOU WILL..... DESTROY SHADOW WIND"
Rivers eyes opened, and they shined purple bright. His mind drifted away somewhere, giving room for a different entity to take over. River smiled and laughed
" I Am King Sombra's Sister..... I Am Named Blinding Hate "
* * *
The portal shimmered with purple light, and Shadow emerged on the other side, into a large, dark empty area. He couldn’t see the walls, only the floor and the ceiling, which looked unnaturally smooth. The only light came from up top, where the portal still shined. Some distance away, stood River. His colors looked solid dark, and he appeared to be much taller than his natural shape. He had huge wings and a long horn, even though he was an earth pony. His eyes shined with a purple dangerous light
"Shadow Wind.... " River spoke, but his voice was so deep and distorted, it sounded as if it was somebody else. "After so long.... I can finally ... end this"
"Where are the Shadow Bolts !" Shadow demanded. "Release them - And River first.... then I will do what ever you want". Darkness itself swirled from the air, engulfed Shadow and slammed him over the floor, pinning him in place
"You forget your place Shadow Wind.... you're no longer in a position to bargain...." the dark alicorn said in a deep voice
"WHERE ARE THE SHADOW BOLTS ?!" Shadow Wind grunted, still pinned to the floor, unable to move "WHERE ARE MY FRIENDS?!"
"Oh I took good care of them" the alicorn calmly answered. As she did, a number of figures drifted out of the darkness. Shadow gasped as he saw his comrades, engulfed in darkness, their eyes closed, purple energy sipping out of them, and slowly disappearing in air, as if feeding the dark around them.
"Its no easy task maintaining this realm, I fed on their life force to use all my powers.... doesn’t look like they have much left in them... oh well... they served their purpose..."
"LET EM GO!" Shadow screamed looking at them
"Oh no Shadow... I want you to watch this.... I want you to suffer as much as you possibly can, before I end what is left of your life... then and only then will my revenge be complete"
"River.....enough" Shadow faintly said, and looked at the floor "Just end it quickly"
"You think your talking to River right now ?" The alicorn smiled and let out a cold laugh. "He's so lost inside my soul now, I'm not even sure he can hear you"
"So you just used him ? ... to get to me ?" Shadow asked looking at her
"Wasn't it a great plan, after all.... so much benefit comes from using others.... you...the Shadow Bolts...River" The alicorn laughed. "I will enjoy this... Shadow...
Now lets see.... River hated you because his brother lost his wings after the battle.... I know... Why don't I start............. by ripping, your wings off" The alicorn smiled. Darkness swirled around Shadow grabbing his wings. He let out a faint sound, and looked back at the alicorn.
"So its just blind revenge.... because I turned on you, at the last moment.... your more lost than I thought" Shadow said and smiled through pain, as the darkness began to slowly pull at his wings. The alicorn, frowned slightly
"How does it feel Shadow... the moment before you loose something you cherish ?"
"Idiot" Shadow laughed "You think I care about something so meaningless ? I CANT EVEN FLY STRAIGHT, YOU THINK I'D CARE IF YOU TAKE MY WINGS OFF ?! Such a pitiful creature you are.... a feeble attempt to take revenge on Celestia, that failed miserably, and now you're trying to - "
"Oh but Shadow" The alicorn cut him off, and gently smiled "You think I wanted revenge against her ?" Shadow frowned and looked back at her
"What ? You started this mess, the attack of the Shadow bolts, to get back at Celestia ...... " Alicorn seemed as if it was about to laugh, then in a second she became very serious. The seriousness that became anger. Her eyes sparked.
"What in the hell are you saying..." she barely managed to squeeze the words out from her anger "You still didn't recognize me ?..... You still don’t remember me ..... You still have no idea what I've been doing and why ?!"
Shadow looked at her, anger on his face gave way to confusion.
"IDIOT!" The alicorn screamed "HOW DID YOU NOT RECOGNIZE ME, THE MOMENT I SHOWED MY REAL FACE ABOVE CANTERLOT?!" she was breathing heavily, barely containing her anger.
"REMEMBER WHEN I SAID I WANTED REVENGE ?
IT WAS NEVER AGAINST CELESTIA - IT WAS AGAINST YOU!
ITS YOUR FAULT!!! EVERYTHING IS YOUR FAULT!!!"
"W-what ???" Shadow began to understand less and less by the second. "Because I turned on you at the battle in Canterlot ?"
"NO YOU FOOL!!!! YOU DONT EVEN REMEMBER?!?!?!
YOU DARE!!! TO FORGET WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME!!!!!!!
EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED - ATTACK OF THE SHADOW BOLTS, RIVERS JUSTICE, YOU BEING HERE NOW
YOU ALONE - IT WAS ALWAYS AGAINST YOU - I WANTED YOU AND YOU ALONE TO SUFFER THE MOST!
DO YOU REALLY THINK ANYONE WOULD PUT A USELESS LOOSER LIKE YOU IN CHARGE OF THE SHADOW
BOLTS ?!
RIVERS BROTHER COULD FLY BETTER THAN YOU, AND HE WASNT EVEN A WONDER BOLT!!
I DID IT SO YOU WOULD TAKE MOST OF THE BLAME! I DID IT SO YOU WOULD FACE LISA IN BATTLE
SO YOU WOULD HURT HER, AND AS A RESULT, YOURSELF.
EVERY PUNCH YOU THREW AT HER, ALL THE PAIN YOU MADE HER GO THROUGH, IT HURT YOU TEN TIMES
MORE.
I MADE YOU GO AGAINST THE ONE YOU CHERISHED MOST -
AND YOU DID IT BY FREE WILL, CHOOSING DUTY OVER YOUR FEELINGS - AND IT CRUSHED YOU!!!
I SAW YOUR EYES SHADOW. I KNOW WHAT YOU FELT.
YOU TOOK ALL THE BLAME FOR WHAT SHADOW BOLTS DID! EVERY ACCUSATION THEY THREW AT THEM
AFTER THE BATTLE,
YOU DIVERTED TO YOURSELF. IF ANYONE WAS GOING TO BE PUNISHED, YOU MADE SURE IT WAS ONLY YOU!
AND WHEN THAT OLD PRINCESS PARDONED YOU, I MADE SURE, YOU WOULD SUFFER MORE!
STILL DONT GET IT?! I WAS THE ONE WHO TOOK THE WINGS FROM RIVERS BROTHER!"
"What ?!" Shadows face was slowly turning white
"I WANTED TO CREATE SOMEONE WHO WOULD HATE YOU,
AS MUCH AS I DID." The alicorn shrieked.
"FROM WHAT WAS LEFT OF MY SOUL, I SEARCH AND FOUND HIM. I PROMISED HIM JUSTICE AND HE BELIEVED
ME. I STRUCK AT PONYVILLE AND THE SHADOW BOLTS AND I KNEW, THAT ULTIMATELY YOU WOULD TAKE THE
FALL FOR THIS ONE AS WELL.
YOU WOULD STAND OUT FROM THE REST, AND ASK THAT ONLY YOU BE PUNISHED.
I JUST PROVIDED YOU THE OPPORTUNITY." The alicorn sighed, and seemed to slightly calm down
"And now you’re here Shadow.... Now you are here...
The only one I ever hated .... the only one I wanted to destroy the most...
My revenge... was always meant for you..."
Shadow was staring at her with wide eyes. His jaw opened. He tried to think but couldn’t, he tried to find a reason but failed. He opened and close his mouth several times, before words finally came to his mouth.
"... you went this far............ Why.... what have I done to you ?"
The alicorn took a step back, as if she was slapped across the face
"You will insult me more Shadow ? ... with your pitiful memory.... your single act that destroyed my life did not even win a second moments notice in your thoughts... so much as you even forgot it...
I really will..........destroy you.........
As a Lieutenant in the Wonder Bolts... you led a mission once, outside the Equestria boarders. A strange occurrence took place in the near by lands. Ponies were going mad, and turning on each other. They said as if hatred itself had materialized and pushed them to their limit. You were sent to investigate.
There you found me.... Oh how I loved to play with those little fools, how I loved to watch them turn on each other... to watch them suffer....
And then you came.... Shadow... the Wonder Bolt...
In your shining armor, you fought me, until I had no strength left. When my last drop of power left me, my spell backfired, and turned on me.
It was over. The spell consumed me, changed me....
I lost all emotion I had.... I could no longer feel happiness, I could no longer enjoy life.
All I ever felt from that moment was Hate...
Blind... meaningless hate, towards every living being that still existed and dared to enjoy life around me.
You made me go through suffering I could not escape...
And now... I will do the same to you...."
"Now I remember you... Blinding Hate" Shadow mumbled through pain, as the darkness pulled harder and harder on his wings "You were an abomination that thrived on suffering of others. Your understanding of your own happiness meant causing pain to those you see around you. You haven’t changed.... your still just every bit as twisted as then....
I cant help you.... I'm sorry.... for there is no cure for madness..." Shadow said in a firm voice and looked her right in the eye "Even if I wanted to help, I cant. As long as you will bare hate towards others , you will continue to suffer into eternity......
For what its worth.... I'm sorry I caused you to suffer, all this time... I didn't know your spell would backfire. I don't like causing pain to others.... I'm sorry"
"...Sorry.... you're SORRY!!" The alicorn shrieked and began to shake in anger. "I don't want your apology.... I WANT YOUR LIFE!!!!" Shadow began to scream as the pain became unbearable.
* * *
Mercy was now watching from behind Blinding Hate. She was unable to see him through her hatred. Mercy couldn't bare to watch, as he ran up and grabbed the black smoke and threw it to the ground. He hit it, only for the smoke to disperse around his hoof.
“Remember what really happened !! Stop making memories that aren't there ! We both know what really happened.” Mercy said staring at the black cloud that was Blinding Hate. "Look back in your memories, try harder and focus" Mercy said insistently "The pony that did that to you, what did he really look like?"
"WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU- ?" Blinding Hate roared, as Mercy head-butted her, sending fake memories deep into her head. She let out a sharp scream.
Mercy began to push further “What color was that pony ?”
"No thats impossible..... HE'S BROWN" she screamed. Mercy continued
"What else ? That pony didn't have wings. Shadow was also a low ranking officer. They would never send him on a complex mission like that. Shadow doesnt even wear armor. He is a kind pony who taught flying to young pegasi. Not going out stopping alicorns.
"WHAT?" Blinding Hate shrieked in anger.
"Look closer at the ponies who did this to you ! There was no group of Wonder Bolts. It wasn't Shadow who did this to you. It was me ! "
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH" The alicorn screamed, baring her teeth.
"I couldn't stand the hatred you were causing so Silver and I stopped you" Mercy kept pushing fake memories deeper into her head "When you got up, overwhelmed with rage, you blamed the first pony you saw and that was Shadow Wind. I spared you, because you cried my name. Now its time to finish this.
"I........ I WILL END ALL OF YOU" Blinding Hate shrieked, as she forgot about Shadow, and rushed towards Mercy.
Lisa burst through the portal, followed by countless others. A scream of horrible pain, attracted her attention, and as she looked to the side, she saw Shadow.... A brief moment, and she turned completely white, from horror and shock, at what was being done to him. Another moment and she screamed in rage, her voice filling the cave, and draining every other sound. Her eyes were burning with fire.
She turned to the alicorn and cursed her loudly. All her feelings from the past day, all the terrible memories from past events, all her accumulated emotions that she tried to suppress, now spilled out, as she cried in anger and pain. Her body flashed and light up so bright, it became like a star.
Light rushed forward in every direction, dispersing the darkness, and reaching into the darkest corners of the place. The Alicorn shouted and screamed in pain, as the light touched her body. Her figure became distorted more and more, her screaming more incomprehensible.
Just a shadow of darkness, still dancing before a waking sun.
"I'll never forgive you..... demon" Lisa cried, as small tears began to fall from her face. "You destroyed so many lives.... just to satisfy your emotions.... you monster...." she scowled at the alicorn, light still shining from her body, eyes burning with fire.
"I'LL END YOUUUUUUUUU" Lisa shrieked and rushed forward in a flash. As she connected with the dark monster, the Alicorn screamed, as if light itself washed over her body, and threw her away, from Rivers body. He slowly began to fall to the ground - and was caught into Lisas hooves. She gently stepped back on the ground, and placed River next to her.
His coat looked completely white.... his real color was white. Lisa looked back up, and saw a misty figure still dancing some distance away, trying to escape the coming light
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" The alicorn cried "YOU CANT STOP MEEEE. YOU'LL NEVER STOP MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!" Her distorted, transparent body was being shaken with spasms. "WHERE IS HEE?!?!?!" She hissed, and her eyes fell on Mercy
"YOUUUUUUOUOuuuuu ..... I'LLL TAKE YOU OUT FIRST!!!!!" She shrieked and rushed towards him. Mercy didn't counter attack, simply moved to the side, letting Blinding Hate crash herself into the hard stone ground. Mercy looked down at her with sad tired eyes.
"Don't you look down at me with pity !!! This isn't over ! As long as you fight back, I will get stronger" Blinding Hate said. Mercy grabbed her shoulders and stared deep into her eyes. As he stared in them, he saw fire. They stared into each others eyes and the world began to spin around, faster and faster, until the two became one.
"A battle of will, is it?" Blinding Hate hissed.
"Its time to forgive" Mercy said
"NOOOO !" she screamed back.
Mercy said three words "I forgive you" and without screaming or pain, Blinding Hate faded away. Maybe it even was the first time she felt good, in a long time. She got smaller until she was small enough to lay in the warmth, that was in the bottom of Mercy's heart.
Mercy heavily sighed and looked at the others " It is done, lets go home”
Lisa ran up to Shadow, as he slowly tried to get up from the floor.
"Shadow ! Shadow are you ok ?!" She asked in a panicked voice
"I'm..... I'm fine Lisa " he tried to smile, but a sudden spike of pain, cause him to scream out. He began to fall to the ground again, but Lisa caught him, and gently held him, in her hooves. His wings looked very bad, and even their slightest movement caused him visible pain. "..........Shadow....." Lisa called in a weak voice, and she slowly hugged him. Shadow felt a tear, slowly drop from her cheeks
"Hey.... c-come on, I'm ok ....." he said in a calming voice, slowly hugging her " I'm alright...... I'll be alright....."
* * *
The ponies slowly walked out of the portal to see Twilight, Silver, a whole army of Wonder Bolts and village ponies, and a very angry nurse.
"Right forgot about her" Mercy said as he tried to run back into the portal before getting caught. "Sorry Shadow but I think I will be missing the late night lunar rave party." Mercy said and began to complain to the nurse as she attempted to drag him back to the hospital “Hey I'm fine, its just a flesh wound, you already bandaged it, come on......."
"Hey Mercy......" Shadow called " That was very fast thinking back then, making Blinding Hate believe that it was actually you who stopped her......
Mercy smiled. " It was all I could think of, to get her to focus on me "
"I guess she was so swallowed by hate, she was ready to believe anything....." Shadow quietly said " It was very dangerous though, making her believe that, so she would come after you, instead of me....... dont.. do it again, ok ? The burden of my actions.... is only mine to bear"
"Shadow, she forgives us from the bottom of her heart. Mercy will always triumph over Hate" Mercy said and smiled again.
As they walked, Shadow was leaning heavily on Lisa. His wings uselessly spread, were dragging the ground. They didn’t take two steps before the sky flashed above them, and two figures appeared, covered in light, and gently stepped down on the ground before them.
Princess Celestia and Luna, covered in shining royal armor, looked both worried and tiered, breathing heavily.
"Is it over ?" Luna asked, nervousness ringing in her voice.
"Yeah....." Lisa said in a tiered voice and looked at Shadow. He seemed to struggle to stay conscious, from the pain in his wings, leaning heavily on Lisa for support
"....I'm sorry we couldn't come sooner" Luna said in a faint voice, looking at Shadows wings "It took every bit of mine and my sisters strength, to defuse the energy bomb under Ponyville. Still.... we were too slow...."
"Its alright.... my Lady" Shadow slowly mumbled through pain, and smiled "I swore, after all, to give my life for this country .... whatever happened to me, whatever pain I had to endure... if it helped protect my country, even a little bit, I don't regret it"
".... Shadow" Luna looked at him with sad eyes
"Let us delay no longer" Celestia spoke, raising her horn.
"We will teleport you to the hospital now... you have done enough..... my comrades..... my friends.... Rest now.... As a result of your noble and selfless actions today.... I trust the future... Will be a little bit brighter.
* * *
Time passed, and the weather slowly began to change. It really seemed like every day, became a little more sunnier than the last. Lisa was standing in formal uniform, next to a doctor in the hospital. Her nervousness was so visible it began to slowly transfer to those nearby. The doctor wiped the sweat off his forehead, and looked at Lisa.
"Well ??" she finally asked him, unable to remain still any longer. "How did it go ?" The doctor coughed briefly and answered "We finished the final series of operations on Shadow's wings but... I'm sorry miss, but its still not clear whether Shadow will ever be able to fly again.... only time will tell....." he sighed.
".... I understand" Lisa said, looking down at the floor.
"If... you'll excuse me" the doctor said nervously and left the hall, going back to his work. Lisa stood in place for another moment. She closed her eyes, sighed heavily, and collected herself. She looked behind at somepony, nodded her head, then began to walk down the corridor until she came to a closed room. She hesitated for a moment, then opened it and came in. "....Shadow ?" she quietly called, looking inside.
Shadow was laying in bed on his stomach, reading a book, with a cheery smile. His wings were completely bandaged, and awkwardly spread open over his head. He heard Lisa's voice, turned to her and smiled. "Hey Lisa, you ok ?"
"I'm fine Shadow.... are.. you ok ?" she asked uneasily, stepping into the room
"Yeah its all good" He said smiling and throwing another brief look at his book. "It doesn't hurt anymore"
".... you still can't lie very well" Lisa said, with a strained smile, coming closer to him
"Its not like I've been flying very good anyway" Shadow said looking at her. "Its going to be fine.... don't worry"
"How can I not worry...." Lisa said with a sigh, sitting down on a chair. "By the way... there's someone here to see you....".
"Oh! Who is it?" Shadow smiled looking very excited.
"Come on in guys" Lisa said, waiving her hoof. Shadow's eyes slowly widened, as more and more ponies poured in through the door. Little Lily and Silver, followed by Luna, River and his brother, then half a dozen former Shadow Bolts. All stood next to his bed and smiled. The curtain separating the room between Shadow and the other patient slid aside to reveal Mercy behind it, with bandages around his chest.
"....you guys" Shadow smiled back shyly.
"We came to wish you to get better soon!" Lily said in her tiny voice, jumping in place. "The doctor said, if you get better, you'll need a lot of exercise to learn how to fly again! So when you get better - " Shadow smiled, but the light in his eyes slightly dimmed. " - I can teach you to fly again!!!" Lily finished in a happy voice "You taught me slowly and patiently when I was little once, and I was a terrible student, but you never gave up on me! So I'll never give up on you too!!!! I'll definitely teach you to fly again!!!! " She said and blinded him with her smile.
"....Lily..." Shadow said, at a loss of words. The filly shined a ray of light to his heart, and for a brief second he believed it was possible.
Then he looked at everyone in the room and smiled to them ".... Thank you everyone " he finally said.
