Ghost Guardian of Harmony

Ghost Guardian of Harmony

chapter 7: Attack of Canterlot

His ears lowered as he gazed upon Clockwork, pleading that the elder could help him avoid this confrontation. Clockwork just shook his head, and Phantom sighed in defeat.

He smiled gratefully when Clockwork nudged him give him support instead.

The halfa pawed the floor, trying to quell the nervousness. "Um… So… You were looking for me?" He flinched at how his voice sounded. He didn't mean to speak like a frightened child! He shook his head and straightened his posture, determined to not show his internal conflict.

He squeaked in fright when Pinkie Pie suddenly shoved her face onto his face and start questioning him a mile per second.

"Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie! So your name really is Phantom? How old are you? What happened to the nasty ghost? Do you like parties? Do you have any pets? What's your favourite colour? How do you know Clockwork? Do you have a special somepony? Do you like cake? What does your cutie mark mean? Where are you from? Why are you glowing? Do you like balloons? Ooooh I like your soup thermos!" The pink pony jumped around the poor alicorn as she spoke, making him dizzy trying to keep her in his sight. He already lost track at what she was asking him, and the only thing he caught is how she liked the thermos that was strapped on his side. But before he could open his mouth Rainbow Dash had already pulled the hyperactive mare away from him.

"Quit it Pinkie! We're trying to have a serious conversation here!" The Pegasus glared at Pinkie Pie, huffing with frustration when the pink mare just laughed back in delight.

"Oh right, of course! We are being serious! S.E.R.I.O.U.S, serious!" And just like that, like flipping a switch, Pinkie Pie stopped jumping and gave her best serious face, even standing tall at attention like how a soldier would do.

Everyone held their breath.

"Pffft!" A snort overcame the pink pony, as not even five seconds later Pinkie had quickly lost it when a thought flitted through her mind and a huge grin appeared on her face. She fell down, laughing as silently as Pinkie Pie could to the others befuddlement.

Clockwork just shook his head in amusement, noting Phantom bewildered face beside him. He nudged the colt shoulder, reminding him that he still has an audience waiting for him.

"Ah, sorry but I lost you somewhere at parties Pinkie." He watched as Pinkie reverted back to her goofy self, "Uhh… What was…" he trailed, struggling to remember.

"Do not worry about it, Phantom." Princess Celestia spoke, a subtle chuckle escaped her at Pinkie Pie silliness. "Either way, please allow us to explain." She gestured towards herself and her sister, Princess Luna. The younger of the two nodded and stepped forward.

"Sir Phantom." The Moon Princess began. "I had a dream. No… a vision of what is to became of our future. In this vision I saw and heard of your name being called out. We believe that you are somehow connected with what is going to happen and we plead that you would assist us with our predicament." She finished her expression hopeful. She admits that asking for help from somepony they didn't know is a selfish act. But after seeing this colt, whom was a little bit shy and nervous when not confronting an enemy but still stood tall as if he could take on anything, and not even gods can make him bow down to their whims. And at that, Luna was certain that despite his young age, the young alicorn may just be the saviour that will save them all.

"Princess Luna… are you the one that sent us the letter?" His head tilted to the sides, curious. What she had called him earlier hadn't left his mind. His gaze wandered towards the Princess cutie mark, a crescent moon. "Your symbol is there on the letter too."

"Letter?" The princess blinked in confusion, "No, I haven't sent any letter recently. And we had only known of your existence not even a day ago. I assure you, it was not us whom had sent you any letter that we had known of."

"You didn't? But then who did?"

Everyone turned towards the voice, and Danny quickly clamped his mouth shut at the outburst. Curse his mouth, he was supposed to blend in and not attract any attention! The original, whom was masquerading as Phantom shook his head in panic towards the duplicate.

'Crud! Not again!' He thought when his duplicate spoke out loud of what was on his mind. Truthfully he was about to ask the same thing but as luck turns out the duplicate is the one that beats him to it. He really needs to practice self-restraint! He shook his head towards the duplicate, whom was trying his best to blend back into the shadows with Sam and Tucker.

"Pardon me but is this not your penmanship and mark?" Clockwork voice cuts in, drawing the others attention to himself. With a glow of his horn, a letter appeared out of thin air for the Princess to see.

Both Danny and Phantom sighed in relief.

"Why… this is indeed my writing and mark!" She took the letter for herself to inspect. Her eyebrow scrunched together forming a frown as she turned towards her sister. "But I don't remember ever writing something such as this…?"

Princess Celestia examined the letter, frowning as well when she recognised the curves and edges of the scripts that is undoubtedly Luna's in the letter. 'It seems that there are a lot more that are taking place then they have yet realised.' She thought.

Phantom sighed, "And this just goes back to the question as who had actually written it." He paced back and forth by Clockwork, thinking of how things had just got even more complicated. He turned to Clockwork, he's the Master of Time, so maybe he could take a peek?

Clockwork was silent, and shook his head towards the halfa. Unfortunately, he didn't know whom had written and how the letter could've existed. He is too detached from the current time line to view anything.

He pocketed back the letter, "Either way, there are two things that I am curious about. One, how is it that you were able to summon us here?"

"We used the elements of harmony to bring you all here." Twilight spoke, bringing the others attention to her.

"Elements of Harmony? What's that?" Phantom asked, wondering what it is and how it was able to pull even Clockwork, whom rarely leaves his own clock tower. He had never known the ghost to leave his lair for anything except for the few instances that resulted in their mentor-student relationship.

"They are supernatural artefacts with the power of harmony. Each artefact represents the elements that gave harmony towards this land." Princess Celestia explained, looking quite proud as she explained that. "They are the most powerful force in Equestria."

Clockwork looked thoughtful, "Then you must keep it secure at all times. If it's as powerful as you say I fear the impending evil may just use its power against you."

"Perhaps you're right." Princess Celestia replied anxiously. None of them had known the true nature of their current predicament. Her sister dreams/visions are unsettling. And the creature ghost that Phantom chased is something she had never seen or heard of before.

Twilight eyes scrunched in confusion at the princess doubt, she remembered the time when they fought Discord. Her friends weren't themselves and upon using the artefacts they had refused to work.

"But Princess! How can anypony use the element of harmony if they weren't compatible? We know that the artefacts only work on ones that personify the elements themselves." The others went into a heated discussion amongst themselves.

"There is still a great deal of knowledge that we don't know about the Element of Harmony Twilight. They are from before our time and even my sister and I have not known much about it." Princess Celestia explained, quieting the others. It's true, the Elements of Harmony had existed way before both Princesses came to rule Equestria and nopony knew the true power of the artefacts.

She turned towards Clockwork, "But do not worry Sir Clockwork, we will keep them secured in their vault until they are truly needed." Clockwork peered into her eyes, his own sharp and piercing made the Sun Princess froze. She felt like her soul was left bare open for the latter to read.

"So it seems your highness." Clockwork broke the gaze, and Celestia took a relieved breath that she hadn't realised she had been holding. "On to our second question, why would you need us here? Or more specifically…" He turned towards the smaller pony beside him. Clockwork remembered their expression when the colt told the ponies his name, they seemed elated when he told them that his name is Danny but disappointed when they realised that his last name is Fenton. From that he gathered that they were specifically searching for a certain 'Danny Phantom'.

"Why are they looking for me?" Phantom trailed after him.

"Well… we are not certain quite yet." Princess Luna answered, frowning in worry. She only had her vision/dream to base off, and nothing else.

"With all do respect Princess but how do you know that they are not actually the bad guys?" Rainbow Dash threw in her own thought. She was glaring and pointing her hoof at them. "Something just don't feel right with them. And I never seen male alicorn's before so how do you know that they are not fakes trying to stab our backs?" She accused, crossing her hoofs.

Phantom fur bristled, he took a step forward as if to reprimand her. "Just so you know I did save your friend from being splattered like a painting on the walls. And-!"

"What you did could all been a cover up! I know your type, you be the cute one while he's the mastermind." She pointed towards Clockwork, "Then you get friendly with us, and then pick us off one by one, faking innocence until there are none left!" She almost yelled pushing her hoof onto the small alicorn nose. He took a startled step back. "I bet you do this all the time."

"No! I would never-!" Phantom was cut off when his view was suddenly blocked by Clockwork wing, and before he knew it he was pulled back towards the larger alicorn. Clockwork ignored his yelps of surprise, his focus on the Pegasus in front of him.

"That is enough." He spoke, silencing the others. "You have every right to be cautious of us. Seeing that we aren't residents of your land." He gave Phantom a knowing look, and the pony sighed, folding his ears and wings back submissively. He knew better than to argue with Clockwork. "Although I would greatly appreciate that you don't lash at us without any proof." He gave the Pegasus a stern look, making her flinch upon the larger pony.

"Sorry about Rainbow Dash but she is just worried about her friends that's all." Twilight quickly stepped in between, awkwardly laughing while glowering at Rainbow Dash for angering the Time Alicorn for the second time. The Pegasus gave them an apologetic smile.

"I believe they could truly help us Rainbow Dash. Have faith, you shouldn't worry too much." The Sun Princess assured her, certain that Luna's belief in them is genuine. She understood the worry but so far the visitors had shown that they had meant no harm, only that Clockwork is a little protective of the young ponies that is under him. She glanced over towards Danny and his two friends in the shadows, Phantom was the same when protecting those two in the woods, and he must've retaliated when he saw that the ghost was after Danny.

"Oh that's right!" She suddenly exclaimed, "The ghost, what are you going to do about it?"

"Ghost?!" Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy gasped fearfully. The last of the three hiding herself under a table.

"But ghosts are just old pony tales! They aren't real!" Rainbow Dash shook her head, refusing to believe it. "I mean, that thing is kinda gross looking but I'm pretty sure can use my techniques to fight against them all like HA!" She jumped and flipped in the air, showing her moves, "Fear upon the awesome Rainbow Dash you monsters! I can beat you all up in ten seconds flat!"

"Can you really Rainbow Dash? Seem farfetched if you ask me." Rarity rolled her eyes at the Pegasus antics, she can clearly see that the mare was actually trying her best to not let her fear show upon her face. Then she realised that Rainbow Dash was trying to coax Phantom to join her in the air. Or maybe it was her pride, she did mumble about a black and white comet and how she was going to beat it while she was unconscious.

Raising her hoof to her chin, she wondered how a ghost had dared to enter Ponyville in broad daylight, "Ghosts. I heard they do terrible things to you and there are many of them that move around in dark and secluded places, especially in the night."

It was unnoticeable except for Clockwork, Sam and Tucker, but Phantom - along with his duplicate-self Danny - and surprisingly Princess Luna had flinched at that.

"Not all ghosts are bad." Phantom muttered as he looked away from the others, reluctant to listen on their conversation of how awful the ghosts are or how a ghost might suck or curse upon one soul or how a ghost cannot have emotions. He can't help but felt offended when the others spoke ill of the ghosts. Maybe because he himself is half of one, or maybe most of his friends- and enemies - are ghosts?

He gazed towards Clockwork, who was looking towards a crestfallen Moon Princess. He was about to question it when Sam voiced her argument over the ponies discussion.

"Not all ghosts are bad!" Sam huffed in disdain. Unlike Phantom who had spoken the exact same phrase under his breath, unheard from any except Clockwork, Sam had spoken hers out loud.

'You two are such lovebirds, you ruined it right after Danny- OW! What did you do that for?!' Tucker glared when his thought was interrupted with a kick from the Goth. Nobody heard the comment but Sam knew exactly what was running through his mind.

"What are ya talking about? Clearly that ghost was trying to turn us into pony pancakes. It face looked like it was going to eat me or something!" Applejack shuddered remembering the empty look the ghost had in its eyes. That creature obviously was in for a kill and it almost got Danny! "What if there are more of them?!"

Danny blocked Sam from the others view, giving them a nervous smile. He needed to get the attention off of themselves. "Sorry, but we don't know. We're just ordinary civilian that got pulled into this mess." 'Please ignore us, please ignore us!' He pleaded.

"Well those plant bug thingies were trying to turn us into plant food earlier. Between the ghost and the plant, I prefer facing the ghost, greens are not for me." Tucker butted in, giving his own one piece. He paused when he saw Danny and Sam glaring at him, "I said that out loud didn't I?"

He was rewarded with another kick from both Danny and Sam.

"Oh!" A voice chirped from below a table, a head appeared revealing Fluttershy, "T-those are called Pyunsuke. Mostly harmless and spend most of them loves burrowing themselves in soil and helping the land grow. Usually they are found in the rocky mountain areas. They are very delicate creatures and are easily startled. Maybe your arrival had disturbed them."

"They are also the reason why there are so many gems around there." Rarity grinned.

Princess Celestia approached the three foals, realising that they knew more than they let on, "If you know more of these creature would you mind telling us about it?" she asked, making them even more flustered.

Phantom quickly stepped in between them, stomping his hoofs in warning. "Leave them out of this. They are just ordinary ponies, you can ask me if you want to know about the ghosts."

"Phantom… I…" Celestia fumbled, it seems that both the Clockwork and Phantom hadn't trusted them, or her enough for a simple interaction. "Please, I don't mean any harm towards your friends. I only wanted to ask how they-"

*BOOOOOOOOM* An explosion rocked the air, startling everypony that heard it.

"Not again! Not once, not twice, but thrice?!" Rarity groaned. If this goes on she won't have her boutique left standing by the end of this mess!

"AHA!" Rainbow Dash pointed towards the Clockwork and Phantom in triumph, "It must be their undead army! I told yo-"

"It's Canterlot!" Twilight yell cuts Rainbow's accusation up short. "Princess! It's- it's-!" She couldn't finish her sentence, too horrified at what she saw.

Both Princesses ran towards the window where Twilight was, and froze at the sight. They never expected that they would see something like it happen, but there it was. Canterlot, their capital, the palace, their home, is burning brightly in the distance. The smoke was huge it covered the sun making it look as it was night. The fire raging as it was more than a dragon roaring through the land. Lights and smaller explosions flashed though the smoke, as if even the clouds were upset. All of Ponyville stared at the sight in muted horror, no explanation was needed, and they knew that there was a fierce battle ongoing at the castle. And they knew that they are next.

"IT'S ON FIRE! WHY IS IT ON FIRE? CANTERLOT IS ON FIRE! THE PRINCESSES HOME IS ON FIRE! WE'RE DOOMED!" Pinkie panicked yell filled the air.

Phantom gritted his teeth in anger, knowing what it meant. It was the ghost from before, and it seems like there are more of them and they are attacking the core structure of society of Ponyville, the Palace. These creature are smarter than an average ghosts, he realised. Because if one cripple the matriarch's, the entire society will follow shortly. It's how Vlad worked his way through his hometown. The only difference that these creature don't seem to care about their mortal subjects, while Vlad enjoyed manipulating his pawns.

Looking aside to see the others reaction he found Clockwork grim expression looking at him, and realised the unsaid message through the worried red eyes.

"I'm going." He stated, to the Time Master irritation. Before Clockwork could say a word the small alicorn flew off towards Canterlot without a word.

Clockwork shook his head, spreading his own wings to follow after his charge, "That boy will be the death of me." He sighed.

"Wait for us!" Princess Luna called, intent on following the male alicorns. Her steps were halted by her sister. "Tia?" Luna studied her sister expression, and saw a flicker of doubt flash through her face before it was masked by her usual Princess mask.

"We don't know anything about these enemies of ours dear Luna. We shouldn't rush in recklessly without a proper strategy."

"Let us help." Twilight spoke, "We can use the Element of Harmony to fight."

"Thank You Twilight, we will need every power we can get." Twilight nodded at Princess Celestia words, and rushed into the back of the library to get the artefacts.

Rainbow Dash approached the Princess, "What would you need us to do Princess?"

"Gather up all the fliers you can get and collect all the rainclouds that you could find and stop that flame from spreading further out. Your main objective is to put out the fire. Avoid direct confrontation and use the thunderclouds and wind to cripple them down when you get the chance."

"You have my word Princes Celestia! Come on Fluttershy! We got a job to do!" Rainbow Dash saluted towards the Princess, and flew off to gather the rest of the Pegasus but not before grabbing a panicking Fluttershy with her.

"What about us princess?" Applejack approached her next.

The Princess stood tall as she stated her plan, "Come with us and we will confront the battle in Canterlot. We will split into two teams, half of us acting as offence and the rest will focus on getting the survivors to safety."

"I got the elements Princess!" Twilight called as she ran back towards the group with the artefacts of Harmony, she frowned when she saw that two members of the elements are missing from the group. "Where did Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy go?"

"They will command the Pegasus to put out the fire. Do not worry Twilight, allow me to deliver the artefacts to them. I will join them in the sky." Princess Luna offered, glancing towards her sister for approval. Celestia nodded and the moon princess spread her wings out to follow the aerial team.

Princess Celestia gazed towards her sister as she slowly disappears out of sight into the clouds. Breathing in to calm herself, she turned towards the rest.

"Let us go."

(Canterlot)

Screams of fear and pain can be heard everywhere though out Canterlot. The citizens screamed and cried as green creatures chased after them. They never saw it coming, they didn't know why they came. One moment it was peaceful, as peaceful as it can be after two bright explosions in the last two days. The inhabitants of Canterlot brushed it off as another of the Knights of Harmony and the Princesses work again, assured that they are doing their job to keep Equestria safe and happy. They never considered that Canterlot could be invaded, as it was proven again and again that the capital was one of the most impenetrable city in the rest of Equestria.

Then, without warning the monsters came.

The guards fell into their usual battle position, confident that they could halt the invasion before it even started. As they always did before. But it all fell apart when the creatures start flying through their front-lines, ripping apart their comrades like they were made out of butter. The guard scattered when they found out that they haven't gotten much luck in directly damaging these creatures, with the exception of the unicorn's magic. And without the support from the others the unicorns are shorthanded, as they are usually more inclined to use magic attacks and shields than strength or amour. While the creatures have no difficulty blowing through their makeshift defence, forcing the guard to abandon their post before regrouping again.

Unable to fight back the disabled non-unicorn guards changed their mission from defending to escorting the survivors to safety. It was no use of them standing around except as bait for the creatures. And thus, the guards fell into a system, the unicorn as their main offence and defence, most of the earth pony as the escort slash damage control team, and the fliers as the bait team.

"Someone! Help!"

The screams of two frightened filly separated from their parents rang through the air. They ran towards an alleyway, only to find themselves at a dead end. Turning back, they gasped as they found themselves staring at a bulky creature that had seemed to have half of its face melted off. It grinned when it saw that the two foals had themselves trapped. The monster was slow, but due to its huge body it has no trouble chasing after two young small foals.

*Grrrraaaaaaarrrrk* Its throat rumbled in pleasure, and another followed it. The two nodded to each other, it seemed that they had both agreed to split the fillies. Licking their tongue, they jumped in for the kill.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" The two held each other, convinced that this will be their last moment of their short lives.

*BANG!*

*ROOOOAR!*

"You two okay?" A gentle voice asked, startling the two from their embrace. Their eyes widened at the silver barrier protecting them, a lavender furred guard pony stood in a protective stance in front of them.

"Mr Starlight! You saved us!" The two fillies cried and ran up to hug him. It seems that the unicorn had come in the nick of time. The two creatures pounded on the unicorn silver shield, furious that their meal was interrupted.

"It's alright, I'll get you two to safety." He assured the children, then glared towards the two creatures held outside of his barrier. He was glad that his barrier was able to hold the assault. Others had told him that his barrier were top quality and would love to have him in the barrier team. He wanted to join, but those are reserved position for the advanced, veteran magic users who had trained all their lives for it. He on the other hand is still a rookie and had a long time to go before he could be physically and mentally ready for such position.

He fears that dream will soon finish along with Canterlot future.

"Follow me, ok?" He spoke to the little ponies. The two nodded, staying close to the unicorn sides as he moved along with his barrier. They flinched when the creatures hit the barrier again and again.

A few yards away, Arkive yelled as he struck a creature with his Storm Gloves, fitted onto his front hooves. This gear is custom made for himself, as it's customary for a high ranking guard - or a captain of a squad - to have their own personalised weapon gear to identify themselves with. He had chosen the storm cloud, and it enabled him to stun his enemy before incapacitating them. It's working well against these creatures, despite his squad disability not able to indirectly damage the creature. Right now he had to trust his squad to run interference while he fends of the larger prey.

"Arkive! I'm telling Princess Luna that you love her. Also, I have found two little fillies with me and I REALLY NEED ASSISTANCE!" Starlight shouted through telepathy.

The Pegasus slipped, and gasped when he barely evaded the claw of one of the creatures. He kicked the creature in its stomach, snapping back towards Starlight, "Did you know that I almost got beheaded?! And no I don't! I'm her freaking guard pony! Also, don't yell at me! I heard you just fine! Give me a second alright? I'm a little- oh gross you did not just puke on me! This better not be acid!" He zapped the offending creatures away, grimacing as one of them ended up losing hold of its stomach content from his previous kick, which ended up splattering into green goop on his amour.

Starlight chuckled despite his situation, his barrier already had cracks all over it from the constant pounding, and he can't keep this up for too long! "Well hurry up! I can't hold these up much longer against these ghosts!" He muttered. 'Ghost? Why is he calling the creatures as ghosts?'

"Gost?" The children mimicked him, their eyes wide with fear. "They are ghosts?!" The children screamed when more of the ghosts came and pounded against the barrier.

"Shhh, it's okay fellas. Don't worry, we're almost there!" He told the fillies, grimacing when more cracks started to form on his barrier. Focusing his magic to increase the strength of the barrier, he hoped that the ghosts will gave up and move on. The children screamed behind him, realising that they are now surrounded and trapped, only separated by a thin layer of silver. Starlight paused, suddenly feeling like he had done something like this before…

"STARLIGHT!" Arkive shout pulled him from his thoughts. The stallion shot beams of electricity towards the creatures, making them screech in pain. The others, alerted by the cry came to assist their brethren. Arkive was quick to dodge, zapping them whenever he got the chance. "Get out of here, I'll take care of these guys."

"Right!" Starlight agreed, relieved at the intervention. "Come along fillies."

Arkive sighed in relief as he saw Starlight pull the children away from danger. He reared towards the creatures with an enraged neigh, making them flinch. "You picked on the wrong pony to mess with!"

They roared back in response.

The others took the two fillies from Starlight, vowing to bring them and the other survivors to a safe refuge. He turned back towards the battle, there are still ponies stranded in there, but no matter there he looked there are at least two or three of them rampaging around. There are so many of them! How are they going to get rid of all the ghosts?!

He frowned at that, are they ghosts? But aren't ghosts just tales of the old? He should be calling them goop monsters.

No. He shook his head, ghost seemed like the right thing to call them. It would explain why nopony was able to touch them. 'Oh if only the princesses were here, they would know what to do! The messenger should have reached them by now, what had happened to him?' He searched the sky hoping that the messenger was just late and not gravely injured.

"Look out!" Somepony cried out in alarm. Starlight turned to see a moving fire barrelling towards him. Starlight quickly jumped out of the way and it crashed right onto a perfume shop. Looking closely Starlight realised that it was a cart of hay bale, and the fire hungrily licked away at the flammable liquid of the perfumes.

"Sweet Celestia! Everypony clear the area!" Starlight shouted, and ran towards the shop to try and pull the cart away to stop the fire from spreading too far in. If the fire spreads towards the shop perfume storage they won't be able to stop a massive explosion from happening!

"Wait, that's it!" Starlight exclaimed, and threw open the door to the storage area. He started piling the perfume bottles and throwing them into the fire. The non-resilient bottles melted, fuelling the flames.

The others yelled at what he was doing, but Starlight just brushed them off, "I've got a plan!" He shouted back, and they shook their heads at his antics muttering that the pony had gone crazy.

Arkive flew over, wondering why the ponies are fleeing a particular area. "What's going on? Is there another of those creatures in there?" He pulled one of the fleeing pony, demanding answers.

"Sir Arkive! You're here, good we were just about to get you and-" He paused when he noticed the green covered armour of the captain. "Did you kill some sir?"

"Hardly, I just made them bleed." Arkive quickly answered, unwilling to tell the truth that he was actually covered in vomit. "They fled before I could damage them further. Now tell me the situation." He demanded, diverting the conversation away from the blood- vomit - on his armour.

"Oh, right. One of the rookies is gathering the perfumes from the shop storage and piling them into the fire sir, we guessed that he was trying to take the creatures out all at once." The pony answered, he was in charge in relocating the others from the battle. Arkive paled, not many of them knew that the creatures can just fly through the fire like it was nothing.

"What?! Who?!"

"It's Starlight sir." Another answered, before running off.

Arkive turned towards the direction of Starlight in horror. "T-that idiot! What are you trying to do?! We can't even touch them with normal fire, how are you supposed to get them with an explosion?! We'll be at a disadvantage!"

He found Starlight easily since it was the only fire with a cart sticking out its front entrance. Inside he found the unicorn levitating barrels of perfume over planks of burning wood. He released the spell.

"Starlight!" Arkive shouted and grabbed the unicorn away from the sight. Using every bit of his strength Arkive crashed through one of the walls onto the ground outside, barely avoiding the huge explosion from the collective pile of perfume and fire. They hid behind a brick building, hoping that it would shield them from the shrapnel's of glass from the continuous explosion from the overheated perfume bottles.

Arkive hit the back of Starlight head, hard.

"Ow! That hurt! Arkive?!" Starlight cried, stumbling to stand with a few cuts he received from rolling on the debris filled ground. He seemed surprised that his friend was the one that had pulled him out from that shop.

The Captain pounced at his long-time friend, pinning him down under him, "What. In. THE MOTHER OF EQUESTRIA DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!" He shouted, making the other flinch in fear at the volume of his voice. Arkive stomped his hoof angrily, "YOU. COULD'VE. DIED!"

"I'm sorry! I just thought that if we made a huge enough explosions the Princesses will hear them all the way from Ponyville?" Starlight whimpered from below him. He didn't mean to make his friend worry.

Arkive was speechless. Starlight must have noticed the disappearance of their messenger, in truth their messenger was injured trying to fly out of Canterlot. Because of these creatures ability to fly, they could easily spot a Pegasus or two trying to flee the city. It was stupid and reckless of Starlight, but it was one of the most brilliant ideas ever! Not only Ponyville, but all of Equestria will be able to hear the explosion of that scale.

"Did you get your idea from yesterday and this morning explosion?" He pushed Starlight nose in irritation, ignoring the pony whine of displeasure.

"Um, maybe? Probably?" Starlight wilted at the angry glare still directed at him, "If you want to know I was going to put up a shield around me when the explosion was about to go off."

Arkive almost choked his friend, "Did you think a shield would protect you when you were stand THAT close with THAT kind of explosion?!" Starlight just smiled sheepishly.

"Maybe?"

Arkive threw his hoofs up in frustration. "Whatever! Come on, we still have to find the other survivors. And no more explosions!"

"Sorry…" Starlight got up to follow him, he smiled a bit at Arkive. He might be angry but he was just worried about him. "By the way, you look good in green vomit."

He narrowly avoided a swipe from Arkive.

"It's not vomit! It's their blood!" Starlight just laughed at his friend denial. "Well it's somewhat true! Not all of them puke on me you know!" Arkive stated, making Starlight pause.

"Eh?"

Arkive started, "Ok fine, I admit most of these is vomit, but a few of them actually bleed on me."

Starlight tilted his head, "But they look like the same…" The green liquid on Arkive armour didn't seem like it was from two different type of liquid. Vomit came from the stomach, while blood are bodily fluid.

"That's just it, I think there is no difference in their body, vomit nor blood. They are just a bunch of animated, beastly looking glob of green goop. So…"

Starlight had a thoughtful look on his face, "So maybe if we damage them enough they will just cease to exist."

"What?" Arkive gave him a questioning look.

"Oh! Well um, I know you will think I'm crazy," He ignored his friends' grumble that he always seems like he had a screw loose in his head, and continued, "But I think that these creatures are actually ghosts."

"Ghosts?" Arkive mimed, flying a little lower to hear his friend better, "What do you mean ghosts?"

"Well they kind of go through things like a ghost would and they kind of look like one. And I don't think you can kill something that's already dead. You can maybe beat it up out of existence I guess." Starlight said looking down at the ground pawing at it. How does he know this? It's like the information are flowing into him. Maybe he heard about it somewhere before. He didn't remember having gotten amnesia previously…

"Well that's the last thing I need. Mortals versus ghosts. How can we fight against them now? I hope your wrong about them Starlight." Arkive sighed and flew higher into the air. "You go help the ponies of the east and I'll take the west." He finished, flying towards his destination.

Arkive took off where he saw the most of those 'ghosts' and did what he could to fend them off. Starlight went the other way but he soon found himself tripping over something. He hit his head first to the floor and shook it off. Looking back to see what he had tripped on, he paled at what he saw.

It was Spark Amethyst. A friend that starlight made in the guard unit. He lay deep in a pool of blood as his dull eyes stared off at nothing. His head was at an odd angle, his throat violently clawed at and his chest… His stomach was-!

Starlight covered his mouth to stop the bile from coming up. Tears rolled down his face as he backed away quickly and then he noticed that there is something still in the corpse chest digging its way through it as if trying to find something. Its green body was mixed with the colour red and its mouth dripping with blood.

"Oh my-" Starlight quickly shut himself up. It was too late, the ghosts heard him and turned to glare at its unwanted spectator. Starlight noticed that this ghost was different from the others. It was much bigger than the rest, a darker colour scheme and much more disturbing glow.

The ghosts growled at him and was about to attack when something caught its attention. It looked down at the dead body it was in and grinned. Its body soon started to take shape, growing until it was the same size as the pony it was standing in. The form of Spark amethyst but with sharper teeth and a pointer horn grinned. Instead of his usual colour it was a duller shade of white, its flank absent of any cutie mark. The body of Spark Amethyst looked back to him with his usual red eyes under the brilliant red mane.

Starlight paused, wondering if it was just his friend soul inside a new body, but as he stared into its eyes he realised that there was no soul in those familiar eyes. It was just… dead.

"That's more like it." The ghost said, its voice sounded far away as it echoes in what was once Spark Amethyst. This was the first time he had heard any of the ghost speech other than the growls, roars and hisses that they made.

It frightened him.

"What's wrong starlight? Where is your happy smile you got plastered on your face all the time? It's me, Spark." The ghost said. It stepped out of the body it was in like a bug shedding its old skin, walking up to Starlight with a big grin on its face.

"Y-you killed him." Starlight said backing away from the ghost. "Y-your're not Spark."

"What do you mean? Don't you remember your old friend? I am him. I am his ghost. An ecto manifestation of his soul." It said getting closer, licking its teeth as it gazed upon Starlight trembling body. Its grin got even wider. "I am Spark Amethyst."

"No! You're lying!" Starlight shouted. He felt so confused and scared. This is not his friend! Spark was nice and kind. He had a strong heart, he doesn't talk like that! He can't be spark, he just can't! Starlight bumped into a wall and that was when he notices that he was cornered.

"I'm wounded. Why don't you believe me?" It's face now close to Starlight's. "I was just but an empty shell but once I killed your friend and took his soul I became a part of him and he became a part of me. We are now one." It smiled, stroking Starlight's face, "So believe me cute and innocent Starlight. I am your friend."

"So that's why you all felt so different." A voice spoke, startling both Starlight and the ghost. They turned towards the source, shocked to see a black and white alicorn hovering by the junction of the alleyway. Starlight wondered who it was, as all of the alicorns he knew of are the princesses. He had never known of any male alicorns before.

The ghost laughed, "And who is this little thing? Shouldn't you be at home, crying under your mother's arms while the others ate your entrails? Run along now, I was talking to my friend here."

"For your information ever since I was young my mother taught us to how kick butt while we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner." The alicorn retorted, disgusted at the ghost comment. "And you should wait an hour after eating before you shape-shift or you will get stomach ache."*

Ghost-Spark growled, "Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?!" The alicorn smiled.

"Who am I? I am Danny Phantom. Ghost hunter and protector of Amity. I am the right hand of justice and the boot that is going to kick your sorry ass all the way back to whatever hole you came from, ghost! I am death incarnate, and the last living thing that you will ever see. God sent me."*

Back in Ponyville, Sam and Tucker felt like they have the need to glare at their friend still existing duplicate. "Why do I feel like you just made a stupid/funny movie reference?" They both asked and the duplicate sputtered, denying anything of the sort.