Howl to the Future

"Rarity, come on! They actually look pretty cool, you know."

Rarity sighed, as she busily attempted to trim down her inch long claws with a pair of scissors. So far, she had only managed to make them look all the more awkward, and doing so seemed to be quite painful.

"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash - OUCH!" She attempted to cut another. "Ugh! Scissors were made for cloth, not nails!" She then cleared her throat. "But anyway, if I must be a wolf, than I shall be at least a presentable one for Princess Celestia!"

"I'm sure she won't hold it against you, sugar," Applejack smiled.

Rarity grunted. "That's not the point dearest: I would always hold it against myself! Who knows- AGH! CURSE THESE INFERNAL SCISSORS!"

Applejack shook an incredulous head for a second, before turning towards Twilight, who was currently busy trying to levitate a piece of paper before her by squinting at it.

"Come on... levitate! Levitate! "

The paper did not comply.

Twilight furrowed her brow. "You're a piece of paper, damn you! You're not the moon!"

The piece of paper decided to become the moon.

Twilight groaned in defeat. "UGH! No magic, no wings, no food... I hope Princess Celestia is coming soon, because I'm about to go crazy!"

"You mean crazier," Spike grinned.

Suddenly, there was a flash of anger in Twilight's eyes. She quickly twirled about, snarling at Spike, her fangs showing their glory. "What did you say?!"

He gasped, his eyes widening, before he took a frightened step back.

"Woah! Take it easy, Twilight! It was just a joke!"

Suddenly, she shook her head, blinking rapidly. "O-Oh my gosh... I-I'm sorry Spike, it must just be the stress. I'm getting really hungry..."

"I'll say," he sighed, composing himself slightly.

Pinkie suddenly bounced over to her side, her new wolf status making her not the least less jubilant, apparently. "Twilight, I think your problem is that you're not saying the right magic words!"

Twilight gave her a look. "... What?"

"Repeat after me! Wingardium Leviosa!"

"Pinkie... this sounds ridiculous."

"Wouldn't hurt to try," Applejack shrugged.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, before turning back towards the paper.

"Fine... alright..." she sighed. "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The paper didn't budge... until Twilight angrily tossed it into the air with a claw.

"HAH! TAKE THAT, PAPER! I AM STILL YOUR MASTER."

The piece of paper fluttered to the ground in defiance.

Applejack rolled her eyes.

"Ugh, what am I doing?" Twilight groaned.

"Trying to levitate a piece of paper, duh!" Pinkie grinned.

Twilight sighed. "Yes Pinkie... though wait a second... that gives me an idea."

"What's that?" Pinkie said, bouncing.

Twilight's smile became a slight smirk. "Well... sometimes when that wolf performed magic, she uttered something... Shi'tara, I believe. Maybe it's her way of channeling magic..." She then sighed, closing her eyes. "Yet I have no idea what to utter afterwards."

There was a moment of silence, and Twilight appeared to clearly be pondering something. Suddenly, she turned to her friends.

"Now that I think of it... do any of you remember... a dream? A dream right before you woke up here?"

The four slowly glanced at her.

Applejack nodded. "Yeah, I remember somethin' or other. It's hazy."

"Any details?"

"Song," Pinkie suddenly uttered.

Twilight gazed at her. "What?"

"I remember... song," she whispered.

"What are you guys talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked. "What dreams?"

Twilight sighed. "It's hard to explain. I just remember... talking to someone, or somewolf, in a dream... She liked me. She said I represented Wisdom."

"Mph, so that's who I was talking to," Rainbow grunted. "When you all were possessed."

The five looked at each other uneasily.

"What, you didn't know about that?" Rainbow blinked.

They shook their heads.

"Hooo boy..." Rainbow sighed.

With that, she quickly explained what she had seen when she herself had woken up on the snowy tundra. Her capture, her release by Shining. Everything in keen detail.

"S-So you're saying that something was inside of us? A spirit?!" Fluttershy squeaked.

Rainbow shrugged. "Yeah, but whoever it was kind of left when that cloaked weirdo did."

The group sighed in relief.

"Nothing to worry about, then," Applejack smiled.

Twilight gazed blankly ahead of her. "Yeah... nothing to worry about."

With that, there was a loud knock on the door.

"Come in!" Twilight called.

Slowly, the door opened, and in stepped a crystal pegasus stallion she had never seen before. His fur was a dim red, and his long mane a brighter, shining version of the same colour, long and cascading down his face in a tangled mess. It was strangely unlike the neatness usually expected from his people. Other than that, he seemed utterly unremarkable, save for the crossbow on his back.

He smiled brightly at the group, before uttering in a serious tone that did not match it:

"So... you're the five lone wolves of this world? Save for one other, of course..."

"Only temporarily," Twilight said, glancing at him uneasily.

He gazed at her blankly, his smile dimming. "Yes." However, it soon lit up again. "Oh, sorry about that. I'm Specialist Red Shard. It's a pleasure to meet you all at last. My people owe you a great deal."

Pinkie bounced in delight at that. "Thanks! But it's totally cool! Hosting that fair was so much fun! I mean seriously, there needs to be more demon kings-"

"Ahem," Applejack coughed, smiling back. "What she means to say is: you're very welcome."

He nodded slowly, before glancing at the five: "Let's see if I have this right: your names are Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy, correct?"

"Ahem!" Rainbow coughed. "I was there, too, you know."

He gave her a slight glance, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. "Yes... my apologies. Rainbow Dash, the Hero of the Skies."

"Heh, Hero of the Skies huh?" she grinned. "Mind spreading that around?"

"Of course, though I'm afraid a few formalities must come first."

"Formalities?" Twilight said, lifting an eyebrow.

"Yes. First off, I must apologize for your confinement. The order to have you all stay near your rooms was given by me."

"So... you're the Red Ranger, huh?" Spike said glancing him over. "Well... you're pretty red."

"And the crossbow totally makes you look rangery!" Pinkie grinned.

The Red Ranger chuckled. "Yes, I am the 'Red Ranger', though that's a title I don't like using myself. It makes me sound 'cooler' than I actually am." He then cleared his throat. "Anyway, I'm afraid a debriefing of sorts is in order."

"Sure, what do you want to know?" Rainbow Dash smiled.

He coughed. "I mean... individually."

"Why individually?" Twilight said, suspicion in her tone.

The Red Ranger smiled. "It's just easier for me to gain the whole picture gradually than all at once, if you 'catch my drift'."

"...Alright."

"I'm glad we can agree! Would you mind going first, then?"

Twilight lowered an eyebrow. "Yeah... sure."

"Then if you'll follow me, please."

With that, Twilight smiled at her worried looking friends, before following the Red Ranger into the corridor and into one of the other guest rooms.

Twilight stood still, waiting for the Red Ranger to begin questioning her.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," he quickly stated. "Would you like some tea?"

"No... I'm not thirsty, just... hungry," Twilight whispered, remaining motionless.

Her stomach then growled. And at that brief moment, she had the insatiable urge to pounce upon the Ranger.

He did look quite delicious.

"Yes, it's unfortunate that a wolf's dietary requirements don't coincide with our own," the Red Ranger nodded.

Something about the look he gave Twilight gave her the chills. It was as if he knew of whom she wished to dine on.

"It won't be a problem for much longer," Twilight snapped, shaking off her thoughts. "Now stop beating around the bush. I know an interrogation technique when I see one. What do you want from me?"

"Sharp as a fang," the Red Ranger said, a smirk crossing his face. "And filled with Wisdom, am I right?"

Twilight's eyes widened.

The Red Ranger put on a dangerous smirk. "You know who I'm talking about, don't you?"

At that, Twilight desperately tried to compose herself, but it was too late.

"Gotcha."

Suddenly, the Red Ranger was upon her like a storm, his quiet, friendly deamanor changing to an unseen ferocity.

"You talked with her, didn't you?!" he spat.

"Talked with who?!" Twilight yelped.

"Don't play dumb. An Element of Equilibrium. Wisdom! What did she say?!"

"I don't know! That she wanted to change me, that was all! To accomodate herself!"

"Did she mention complete equilibrium! Did she mention wanting to bring it back?!"

"I DON'T KNOW!"

"Why did she let you go?! Why is she not controlling you now?!"

"I. DON'T. KNOW, DAMNIT! NOW GET OUT OF MY FACE!"

Without even realizing she was doing it, Twilight flung a claw.

The Red Ranger drew his crossbow, snarling.

Wood and Claw met in parry with a terrific CLACK!

The Red Ranger pushed forward, his eyes an inch before Twilight's own. "She's not in control of you... but she's still there! Don't you feel it?! DON'T YOU SENSE IT?!"

"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY?!"

He shook his head. "This was all a trap! I should have seen it... I have to take action! I'm sorry!"

Without saying a word, he jolted few steps back and aimed his crossbow. The tip of an arrow was pointed right at Twilight.

"What the hell are you doing?!" she cried.

The Red Ranger glared at her, before bringing a hoof to the trigger. "The right thing."

Twilight froze in place, unable to speak, but before she could hear the twang of the device, a new voice took its place.

"Would you mind telling me why you have that pointed at my student?"

Twilight twirled about. Standing on the balcony was an agitated, but strangely non-furious looking Princess Celestia.

"I don't have time for this!" the Red Ranger hissed. "I'll explain later!"

Within a split-second, he pulled the trigger. Twilight gasped in horror.

The arrow flew-

"Eeep!"

-Only for a beam of solar light to strike it, disintegrating it into ashes. Princess Celestia's horn was still sparking when Twilight looked over to her.

"Put your weapon down," Princess Celestia said calmly.

"You don't understand!" he shouted. "You weren't there! You were never there! Not until it was far too late!"

"I understand completely," Celestia said, her tone remaining calm. "I understand that you're angry. You're nearly a thousand years old, even if many of those were in stasis, and your line saw the world in one of its darkest hours. You hunted for them. Destroyed their woods. It may not have been your will, but was it any surprise that they would strike back? What weapon they would use? One that should have been trusted by no one. You were all fools!"

"And yet... you turned your back on us... when the page turned into the unknown."

"I did. I am bound to fly in the random winds until treachery stenches it. Only then will I intervene. Be lucky worse hadn't happened. It certainly did to my sister!"

"RAUGH! Enough talk of the past! We're wasting time! We need to act quickly!"

"P-Princess, what is going on?!" Twilight asked.

Suddenly, before she could answer, bursting into the room came Shining Armor, Spike, and the rest of Twilight's friends.

"Hey, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" Rainbow snarled, glaring at the Red Ranger's crossbow.

"None of your concern!"

Shining narrowed his eyes. "Then answer to your prince. Would you mind telling me why you're pointing that at my sister?"

"She's not your sister! Not completely... You don't know what I know, Prince of Light!"

"Then tell me!" Shining roared.

"It's too late for that! The trap is sprung! She is coming!"

Shining took a menacing step forward.

"Who's coming?!"

At that, Fluttershy gave a squeak, gazing elsewhere. "I-I think I know."

With a puff of smoke, his question was answered. The figure in black appeared out of thin air upon the balcony, and only a second later, five blackened tendrils extended from her and into the converted wolves.

"No!" Twilight cried. "He was right! This is it! She's going to- RAUUUUUUGGGGHHHH!.!.!"

Twilight's eyes began to glow a bright purple, and with that, she twirled towards Shining.

"This is impossible!" Shining snapped. "The spell I cast... how did she break through it?!"

At that, Twilight gave him a wicked grin.

"Ooooh... a little lunar magic here, a little lunar magic there. I'm not surprised you haven't heard of it...  ponies were always about the arcane, and never strayed far into the night, except maybe... the one bound to it," 'Twilight' said smugly. "I am glad she's better, though. It was a mistake to place trust in an abomination." She narrowed her eyes. "Though still, 'Prince of Light', I have to ask: do you fear the night? It would be wise if you did, but either way... I will always remember your face "

Shining gave a grunt. "Like usual, I have no idea what you're saying, but hear me now: this time we play for keeps!"

However, before he could react, a shadowy tendril emerged from his 'sister', slamming Shining into the wall behind him.

'Twilight chuckled. "You never were the brightest of the two of us, 'brother'."

"Stop this!" Princess Celestia hissed.

"How about me?!" the Red Ranger spat, ignoring her. His crossbow was now reloaded. "Do you remember the face of your enemy!?"

"Vaguely," 'Applejack' chuckled. "Though all we remember about you is that you weren't even worth remembering."

Another tendril flew, and a second later, he, like Shining, found himself hurtling into the wall.

Rainbow snapped towards her, shooting a glare.

"I didn't like him, but that was still a bad move..."

With that, both Rainbow and Spike growled, the latter taking a deep breath, preparing his built-in flamethrower, and the former cascading towards the Figure in Black.

"STOP!" Princess Celestia roared, glaring at the group.

Rainbow and Spike froze. The six wolves snapped to her, the figure in black's sun-hot eyes piercing her behind the veil of her hood. Her cold voice then came forth:

"Princess Celestia."

She raised an eyebrow. "Do I know you?"

"Dea."

Princess Celestia squinted in thought.

"Tara Shelth reo Maya?" she asked.

"Dea."

Celestia's eyes widened. "I thought you were dead."

"Many did," 'Applejack' smirked. "But you should know very well: in a ghost story, nobody is truly dead."

Princess Celestia chuckled slightly, smirking at 'Applejack' as if to say 'you're seriously going to try to condescend to me?'

"Princess..." Rainbow Dash said nervously. "Are ya going to fix this or what?!"

She gave a hefty sigh. "I'm afraid... that's not up to me."

She winked towards Rainbow, and she could barely see her mouthing the words:

'Keep them safe.'

Rainbow blinked in confusion.

"What?!"

Without answering her, Princess Celestia turned towards the Figure in Black. "So, giving Equilibrium another try, then?"

She nodded.

Celestia narrowed her eyes, smirking. "Then hit me with your best shot."

The Figure in Black narrowed her eyes. "Sara Luna TEUN!"

"Yin and yang. Hooves and fangs. We shall sing the song of flames!" Pinkie beamed.

With that, blackened tendrils were released from all six of them. As Rainbow and Spike gasped in horror, their princess, standing stoically, was encased in a caccoon of vibrating magic, as if she was being ensnared by a group of snakes.

"Oh that's it: I've had enough of you guys and we only met yesterday!" Rainbow spat.

"Ditto," Spike grunted. "The Crystal Palace is invitation only, you know." He then smirked. "But allow me to send you a letter."

With that, Rainbow dashed forward while Spike released a roaring jet of flames.

However, before either projectile could strike, a familiar blackened shield encased them. The flames broke upon it, and Rainbow was sent flying backward before careening into the floor.

"I really... really... need to stop doing that," she moaned.

"Hundreth time's the charm, right?" Spike snarked.

The Figure in Black, satisfied they were safe, then drew a yellow, vacant crystal. Slowly, she brought it before Princess Celestia.

"Tara soon, maya deriak," she whispered.

Then, to Spike and Rainbow's horror, the tendrils unwrapped around their goddess. A goddess who immediately collapsed to the floor, her eyes blank and expressionless.

The crystal was glowing as bright as a star.