> Paladin Twilight > by Metal-Max1991 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > I. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Are you certain this is the place, Chancellor?”  The sniveling doubt of Snails pierced Neighsay’s ears as he surveyed the wasteland before him, ignoring the cowardly cretin behind him. The former settlement, now christened Hollow Shades, clung to the land like a rotting wound. Houses, once filled with the sounds of joy and ponies eager to greet the day, stood as charred skeletons that swayed and creaked against the nighttime wind. Dying weeds and dust laid their claim to the surrounding fields. Cobblestone roads, formerly pristine, now lay upended. Bleached bones, once flesh, and blood ponies remained in some ruins or scattered about from the feast of former scavengers. He turned his attention to the parchment clutched in his hands, carefully plotting the following action. “Yeah, how can we be sure he’s even here?” The other fool, Snips, had to chime in what would pass for thought, drawing an exhausted sigh from his lips. He turned towards his less-than-intelligent cohorts, eyeing them with a sneer of intellectual superiority before responding. “Because, my dearly dimwitted minions,” he began the lecture, pointing to a single spot on the map. “This is where Star Swirl the Bearded had managed to seal our master away for the last decade. Understand?” Both stallions looked at each other, then back towards Neighsay, their eyes dull and as vacant as they could be. He sighed again, rubbing his thumb and index finger against his eyes as the two brain-dead stallions before him couldn’t register the explanation. One would wonder how they lived as long as they did without so much as a brain cell between them. He collected his thoughts and tried once more, shuddering internally at the thought of dumbing down any of his words for the sake of them. “Star Swirl put our master here because he couldn’t kill him. So, instead, he locked the master away. We need to unlock the door and let our master back in. Now you understand?” The pair vacantly nodded in reply, eliciting another sigh. “Good, now hand me the rope,” Neighsay commanded, turning to the well in the center of what remained of the city. Despite all the ruination and blight of the settlement, the central well remained remarkably intact. A stylized shadowy figure etched into the brickwork was visible, a warning to deter the ever-curious tomb raider or curious foal foolish enough to brave the ruins.  But not this day. One of the bunglers provided the requested rope correctly, a rare sign of competence. Neighsay quickly secured a section of the cord around a stone jutting from the earth. He turned to his hench ponies, tossing the rest of the rope down into the well. “I shall enter first. Once I am at the bottom, you then shall, one at a time, climb down the rope after me. Think you can manage that?” They responded with a salute or would have had their hands not collided with the other’s face.  “Idiots.” Neighsay could only think as he repelled down the rope to the bottom of the well. Rather than earth and water awaiting his arrival, instead lay a large antechamber. Ornate columns stretched the room's length, and flickering torch lights and shadows danced along the walls and floor. As he proceeded, mosaics depicting ancient battles sprawled along the pathway. Warriors and gods, hordes of monsters and ancient evils beyond the veils of time and history itself. A smile parted his lips, admiration for such craftsmanship swelling in his chest. After the private art tour, he reached the end of the chamber, a large stone doorway greeting him. Carved into the stone, a swirling spiral of shadows, the sigil of his most gracious master. No handle or lock appeared in sight, but there was always a way to open a door. He reached into his saddle bag, grasping for the necessary items to begin the ritual. In no time, he found the artifacts needed. As he readied the runestones, chalk, and various magical bric-a-brac, a sudden thud drew his gaze.  Snails dropped into the chamber, his cohort Snips not far behind, landing on his back.  Neighsay could barely sigh as he returned to the task, carefully drawing the appropriate ritual circle and placing the runes in their precise places while his hench ponies stumbled into meeting him.  Once all was in order, Neighsay focused his magical energy into the summoning circle, the brilliant light traveling along its marked path and into each runestone.  The points glowed, and the stones levitated. The room shuddered and shook. Snips and Snails stumbled and tried to keep their balance while he remained rooted like a mighty tree. The power flowed towards the massive stone door, swirling into the sigil.  With a flash of lightning, the door shattered into pieces. The debris rained down as his cronies ducked and made for any cover they could find while Neighsay remained safe behind his magical force field.  “Snips! Snails! Come forth!” Neighsay bellowed as the smoke and dust began to settle. The trembling clatter of their footsteps echoed behind him as all settled, revealing a gaping darkness beyond the doorway. An ancient musk wafted from within, as did the silence.  The minutes passed, and the silence remained. Neighsay furrowed his brow, the magic shield dissipating.  He pondered in increasing worry.  The efforts he'd gone through, meticulous tracking of the runestones, deceptions, payoffs, and the occasional slit throat. And all for what? An empty tomb of a dead god? “You two, get in there and find the master.” He demanded of his stooges, grabbing them by their tunic collars and throwing them into the chamber.  Snips and Snails vanished into the pitch blackness, and the sound of them hitting the floor echoed.  Two faint glows of their magical energy appeared like little fireflies in a meadow. Neighsay watched as the pair split off, searching each side of the inner chamber, their footsteps reverbing as they inched their way around. One glow evaporated like a snuffed candle. The second glimmer ran to the other side, then all around the room, trying desperately to find its partner. Neighsay could only watch as the additional glow vanished. No scream, no noise of any kind.  Neighsay cautiously inched to the doorway; the curiosity and the utter silence piqued his macabre interest.  Glowing white eyes answered him. He recoiled as they marched to the entrance. A chilling air ran up his spine as an arm wreathed in ancient darkness clasped the stone frame, followed by an armored foot stepping out into the antechamber.  His smile and eyes widened as the shadowy figure stepped entirely into view. Blackened armor covered the ethereal form of an imposing stallion. The figure stood two heads above Neighsay. Its mane and tail billowed and flickered like clouds of smoke, as did the cloak clasped around its neck. The horn jutting from the skull curved like a saber, glinting in what little light there was. Its glowing gaze turned its attention to Neighsay, who promptly prostrated himself before the figure. “Who dares come before me?” The figure began, its voice wispy and soft. “Who dares impress themselves before the Lord of shadows, the living void, Emperor of the Abyss?” “Your most humble servant, Lord Stygian,” Neighsay replied, cranking his neck to meet his master’s cold gaze. “I am Chancellor Neighsay of-” “How long have I been imprisoned in this wretched tomb?” Stygian inquired as Neighsay rose to his feet.  “Ten years, master,” Neighsay answered, coughing into his fist before recomposing himself. “In those ten years, the world as you know it has-” “A mere blink of an eye to one as eternal as I.” Stygian interrupted as he strolled to the chamber's center, ignoring the puny mortal before him. “What matters is I am free to continue my reign on this mortal world once more and seek vengeance upon he who has imprisoned me.”  Neighsay followed, attempting to keep pace with Stygian, who, despite being imprisoned for so long, managed to stay steps ahead. “My Lord, wait!” He barked, trying to gain his attention. “I have dedicated the last decade to free you from this prison! I-” Before he could complete his plea, a sharp, searing pain coursed in his chest, Neighsay stared in horror as a long black tendril burrowed into his flesh, oozing darkness crept along his body, and faint gasps of air escaped his lungs.  “Shall continue to serve my whims.” > II. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Alright, let’s try this again, my dear pupil.” Star Swirl’s voice echoed from behind Twilight as she inhaled, readying herself for another round of sparring. She clutched the wooden sword tightly in her fist, centering her stance. Her eyes followed Star Swirl as he circled her like a lone predator with cornered prey. The taller, older stallion casually paced while she remained rooted, or as rooted as a young filly could be. Beads of sweat trickled from her brow. His footsteps echoed through the castle chamber, mirroring her heartbeats. With a flick-like lightning, Star Swirl swung his blade. Twilight dodged right and replied with her swing. The wooden blades clacked against each other, his reflex sharper than hers despite advanced age.  The swords uncrossed, Twilight attempted to strike his chest, which met with his party instead. Her horn glowed, magical energy charging for a quick blast. She fired, though Star Swirl’s burst countered her bolt. The wooden swords continued to clack and clash throughout the castle foyer. Beams of magic energy zapped and zipped, dissipating against each other.  Swords crossed again, Twilight heavily panting as she locked blades with Star Swirl.  “Good, my child,” he proudly proclaimed, a smile pursing his lips. “You're doing much better than our last session.”  Her eyes widened, and the warmth of pride radiated throughout her body as she smiled. The sudden hit to her calves and the pull of gravity, however, brought her back to her senses and onto the marble floor. A breath of surprise escaped her lungs as the tip of the wooden sword poked her sternum. “And that is the match.” Star Swirl triumphantly declared, quickly sheathing the practice sword as he extended his free hand to assist Twilight back to her feet.  She grasped his hand, dropping her sword as she stood while he continued to impart his aged wisdom on the young filly. “Pride cometh before a fall, my dearest,” he started as he brushed the dust off her tunic. “Hubris is the enemy of humility. One should always strive to be humble in defeat, gracious in triumph, and wise in rectifying mistakes.”  “Yes, father.” She replied, retrieving her training blunt and sheathing it like his.  He chuckled, patting her shoulder. “That's my girl.”  Their ears perked to the creak and groan of the chamber doors opening, an alabaster mare stepping through the entryway. Both smiled at the approaching mare, Twilight bursting into a full gallop in contrast to the mare’s calm saunter.  “Mother!” she chirped, her arms quickly trapping the leg of the mare’s regal gown. The mare chuckled, lightly tussling Twilight’s lavender mane as Star Swirl closed the distance between himself and her. The two embraced, their lips briefly sparked as Star Swirl caressed her cheek. “And how is our little paladin in training?” The mare inquired, her cerulean eyes gazing at Twilight, who still had a grip on her leg. “She’s come quite a ways, my dear Velvet.” Star Swirl answered, smile beaming with pride. “In time, who knows? She may even become a greater warrior than-” Another set of doors heaved open, followed by a thundering clatter of armored stallions galloping towards the three. Twilight hid behind Velvet’s leg, peeking to catch a quartet of stallions clad in golden armor addressing Star Swirl. “Sir!” One of them barked. “An army of shades and monsters approaches south of the city.”  “Are you certain, Captain?” Star Swirl inquired, hand firmly resting on the stallion’s pauldron. “Positive, Sir.” He unhesitantly responded. “I have a battalion holding them on the main roadway. The rest of my troops are-” A thundering blast interrupted, knocking three soldiers to the ground before Star Swirl could cast his shield. Debris bounced off the shimmering bubble, and dust clouded the chamber. As the stallions rose to their feet and the dust settled, soldiers clad in blackened armor forced their way through.  The two groups clashed, steel sparking and clanging against steel. Amid the chaos, Star Swirl observed the familiar form of Neighsay enter the fray, whips of living shadow dancing from his fingertips and eyes. With a flick of the wrist, Neighsay cast forth a tendril of darkness, trapping one of the defending sentries. Before he could counter the action, he witnessed the tendril reel in what appeared to be the stallion’s soul, ripping it away as the physical body collapsed to the floor.  The blackened knights, just as swiftly, slashed and stabbed the others; their bodies dropped to the floor with streaks of crimson ooze staining their otherwise pristine armor. Before they could advance upon the captain, brilliant lights struck them center mass, golden lightning coursing around their shadowy bodies as they screamed in agony.   As they fell to the ground, Star Swirl exited his shield, sword drawn in defense and hand sparking with magical energy.  “Captain, I need you to take them out of here.” Star Swirl commanded, briefly turning to face Velvet. “My dear, it’s time. You know what to do.”  She nodded, scooping up Twilight in her arms as the captain ran to their side, ushering them out of the room, Twilight’s cries for her father echoing as they left. He turned again to face Neighsay; the dark energy swirled around his body as the chancellor laughed demonically.  “You might have stopped me once, mage, but you won't stop me again!” Neighsay boasted. The shadowy magic billowed out of him, and the cloud reformed into the shape of Stygian, a shimmering black great sword held tightly in his grip as Neighsay’s body fell with a thud. “As long as light shines on our world and hope springs eternal, your evil will never win!” Star Swirl shot back, charging at his foe with full force. Their blades clashed and scraped against one another, sparks dancing between them as they locked themselves into combat.  *** “This way, Captain!” Velvet ordered as she galloped down the long, marbled hallway, veering to the left, forcing open the wooden door to another chamber while struggling to keep Twilight from squirming out of her grasp.  “Let me go! Let me go!” Twilight demanded, flailing her legs and pounding her fists against Velvet’s back in a tantrum. Velvet ignored her protests, passing her off to the captain as she entered the nearly empty chamber. Like many before, the room bore bare white walls and a glistening crystal window. Unlike its brothers, however, in the center of this one chamber stood a wooden and glass cabinet. A great sword sheathed in a glimmering scabbard bearing the stylized symbol of the sun hung within it.  One well-placed swing of her fist and the glass shattered into fragments. She hastily lifted the sword from its moorings, leaving the room just as quickly. “Hurry, Captain, we must go to the docks.” She ordered. “If we're lucky, the ship will be ready to depart.” The Captain nodded in response, shifting the still-struggling Twilight onto his shoulder while following Velvet close behind.  *** Fire and chaos swept through the city under the moonlight. Monsters and ponies swirling with twisted shadow magic carved swaths of death in their wake. Bodies of friends and foes littered the streets, and the collected red and black blood washed into the storm drains.  Young Twilight could only gaze in horror and confusion, her young mind struggling to process the chaos as the captain and Velvet raced down the city streets to the pier.  What was happening? Why? Is father OK? The thoughts overwhelmed her as tears ran down her face.  “There’s the ship!” Velvet called out from behind her. “Hurry, Captain!” She could feel the captain’s pace accumulate, and his breathing grew harsher and heavier as he galloped with all his strength. As they ran, a fluttering shadow darted out of the corner of her sight. She tried following it, but wherever she looked, the shadow would bolt behind a building or box.  The captain’s speed slowed, signaling they were near their destination, as did the scents of propeller oil, refined magical essence, and wood wax in the air. As the captain came to a trot, the shadow following them sprang from the darkness.  Though equine in shape, moonlight gleamed off its carapace, and its wings buzzed as it hovered. Twilight recognized it from one of her father's bestiaries, a changeling. She screamed, feeling the captain turn to face this new threat.  “Velvet, take the girl!” He barked, swiftly unsheathing his blade as more changelings joined their comrade. “I’ll hold them off as long as I can!”  A familiar glow of magic surrounded Twilight’s body, lifting her off the captain’s shoulder and pulling her towards Velvet, who quickly wrapped the young filly in her arms.  As they ran towards the gangplank, Twilight watched the swarm descend upon the captain, who furiously slashed and stabbed those who came close, severing limbs and heads with each swing. For all that fell by his sword, more soon surrounded him, engulfing him in a buzzing black cloud. She stretched out her hand, hoping she could somehow save him. Among the furious buzz, his dying scream echoed as Velvet made it to the ship's deck.  The propeller roared and hummed to life as the ship lifted away into the night sky. Twilight jumped from her mother’s arms in a mad dash to the edge of the deck. The glow of fires and the billowing of smoke were all she could see as they floated away from the city. Tears rolled down her face as she knelt upon the deck, hands tightly clutching the railing.  “Daddy, no.” She sobbed, curling into a ball, thoughts racing throughout her mind. Her home, her people, and her father were all taken within the night. The familiar warmth of her mother's hand gently caressed her cheek, wiping away the tears. Through wetted eyes, she gazed upon her mother, also weeping for those they lost. “We must be strong, my dear,” Velvet said through tears. “Strong for your father and all the Equestrians counting on us, depending on you, my child.” She wrapped Twilight in a warm embrace, stroking her mane and patting her back.  Twilight could only weep into Velvet’s arms, unsure of her future or where they were heading to now.  As she drifted asleep, exhausted from all the stresses and shock, Velvet smiled.  The future of their world rested in this young filly cradled in her arms, and the sacred blade, she hoped, would deem her daughter righteous and noble.