The Sword and the Spirit within/BOOK 2

(Daylight, Ponyville Library. 3 days later)

When Twilight returned to Ponyville, she spent all her time trying to find ways to see if the books memory could be restored. But no matter what remedy she used, she could not restore its magic. But that didn’t stop her, she continued to spend more time on restoring the books magic.

Night after night and day after day, till she finally gave up and rested on her bed. The answers she needed were beyond her reach. “I should know what to do, but I don’t. This books magic is ancient.”

While she just laid there in her bed, Spike came over to the side of the bed for to see if there was something else that needed to be done. “Hey, um, Twilight? Maybe you should quit this whole thing with the Guardian and-”

Twilight quickly got up and put her muzzle in front of Spikes face. “QUIT?!” She yelled while Spike gulped in his throat.

“IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED SPIKE! BUT WE GOT THREATEN BY SOME DARK ALICORN KNOWN AS DREAM SHADE AND I HAVE TO FIND THIS ONE GUARDIAN TO HELP US BRING HER DOWN!!!” She yelled trying to tell spike the situation.

Spike realized that Twilight was on one of her crazy moods, he quickly left Twilight and decided to leave her be for a while. After she was left alone, Twilight laid back on her bed again and went back to her thinking. “There’s gotta be a way to find him, I need a lead.”

She thinked and thinked till finally she got tired. She started to become drowsy and couldn’t keep her eyes open, thanks to her staying up for days. She just laid there with her eyes shut and began to fall asleep. While she laid in bed, she heard laughter in her head, she open her eyes and saw she was not in her room at all.

Twilight quickly got on her four hooves and was surrounded by nothing but complete darkness. She turned herself in all directions and could see any light to lead her out of darkness. “Welcome…”

Twilight heard and quickly turned to the source of the voice she heard. “It’s about time you went straight to bed. I was beginning to think you’d never go to sleep.”

“Drame Shade!” Twilight said, knowing full well who she was looking at. “Where are we?! Why have you brought me here?!”

Dream Shade smiled and walked passed Twilight while she kept her gaze on her. “To talk, nothing more.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes. “Really… I doubt that.”

Both Twilight and Dream Shade turned to each other and gave each a stare that continued to make them enemies. “So tell me... Any luck on finding him?”

“What’s it to you?! Why you after him?!” Twilight said.

Dream Shade gave a smile and sat herself down on the dark floor. “Please sit, and I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

Even tho Dream Shade lowered her guard, Twilight still had doubts about her wanting to just talk. But she did what she said and sat across from her on the dark floor. “Alright, I’m all ears. What do you want?”

“I only need you to listen and understand I’m not here to fight. And also understand other matters.” She said.

“Then what?!” Twilight asked.

Twilight continued to give Dream Shade a stare while Dream Shade just sat there smiling. “I take it the book gave you and your friends no leads? If yes then I’m not surprised, Syrus sure did show us all something that night in the Everfree Forest.”

Twilight’s eyes widened while she gasped. “What do you know?”

“I know a lot… I also know that you and your friends are not getting the truth out of Celestia.” She said while smiling.

“What? Why would she-”

“It’s simple really.” She said while interrupting Twilight. “Why do you think she never told any pony about him till now?”

She narrowed her eyes at her again. “Because you threaten us and said if he wasn’t found in a month, there would be consequences.”

“Yes… But that’s only the beginning of the real terror that will be resurrected in a year.” Said Dream Shade.

What Dream Shade said made Twilight feel a little afraid, but she didn’t show it. “What do you mean?”

Dream Shade had gotten Twilights full attention. “Let me tell you a story that Celestia herself forbids to be spoken of.”

Twilight continued to listen and allow Dream Shade to speak. “Did you ever hear the tale of the two students of Celestia?”

“I have not.” Twilight said.

“I thought so, it a story that Celestia hid away long ago.” Said Dream Shade while continuing to speak. "It’s was a dark time, one that made Celestia do such terrible things.”

Twilight gasped and prepared herself to hear a story she hopes won’t make her think differently of Celestia. “Celestia once trained two alicorn students, both of them showed such promise. Day and night Celestia and Luna would trained them to become such powerful alicorns. Through their eyes, they became great friends. But that made them blind to their true feelings…”

“Their… True… Feelings..?” Twilight slowly asked.

“The feelings of hate and rivalry. They never thought of themselves as friends, but enemies…” She hissed. “But one day… One of the students created something so wonderful, it made Celestia so proud but also made the other student Jealous…”

“What did he create?” Twilight asked.

“Not he, she… She created… Life…” She said.

Twilights jaw dropped while her eyes widened. “Life? But that’s impossible, no such magic or spell exist in-”

“Whether you choose to believe it or not, it is the truth. She could create life, and keep it alive.” She said, trying to make Twilight understand. “That’s when the real problem between the two Students began.”

Dream Shade closed her eyes and raised her head up a little. “The other student wanted to get rid of her. So he devised a plan he had prepared for weeks after, he always got to his lessons on time but every night he would prepare something he knew Celestia would believe. And it worked…”

“What did he do?” Twilight asked.

Dream Shade opens her eyes and set her gaze on Twilight. “That will have to wait… You see, I need Syrus to ask that, not you.”

“Why not me?” She asked.

“Because it’s not your time to know, the rest you’ll have to earn by finding Syrus.” She said.

“We don’t even know where he is, we could help each other!” Said Twilight.

“Oh trust me, the last thing I want is to help you. I have not forgotten my deadline, but I’m going to give you all a break by extending it for 3 months.” She said.

Twilight was surprised to hear what she just said. “Why extend the deadline?”

“Remember when I said, the real terror will be resurrected in a year?” She asked.

“Yes. What of it.” Twilight asked.

“It’s something I hope you and the rest of Equestria are ready to fight, it will be something none of you have ever faced before. And not even you Princesses or your reformed companion Discord will be able to stop it. But before that happens, you’ll have to deal with me, and we’re going to have loads of fun.”

“Fun?” Twilight asked. While she was a little confused. Dream Shade lit her horn and created a bright ray of light. Twilight covered her eyes but while her eyes were closed, she felt that she was back in her bed. She opened her eyes and quickly got herself up out of bed and looked around to see if Dream Shade was around. But no one except for her and Spike were in the Library.

Twilight inhaled and exhaled to calm herself, but after the new warning that Dream Shade gave her, she decided that more answers were needed. “I won’t find my answers in ponyville, but something tells me they were right under my hooves when I was present with Celestia.”

(Scene break, Ponyville, Morning.)

As some of the pony folk of Ponyville were starting to leave their homes, Twilight got herself out of bed much earlier than the rest, and remained in her home looking through history books that could give a lead about Syrus. "Come on, there's gotta e something in these books that could help us."

  History book after history book and nothing about the Guardian that appeared around the time Celestia claimed he was around. “This doesn’t make any sense, everything in our past history is supposed to be recorded. So why is there no record of him, it’s almost like-”

She paused herself and thought of what Dream Shade told her in the dream, and what Twilight told herself after she was released from the dream “Like they were erased…”

She turned to the window with a clear view of Canterlot in a distance. “But why would they be erased? What is it your not telling us Celestia?”

The more she thought about what Dream Shade said, the more she began to believe that Celestia might have been keeping secrets. “Spike?!”

Spike heard and quickly went over to Twilight. ”Yeah Twilight?”

She turned away from the window and used her magic to levitate her bag and other stuff. “Watch the Library while I make another trip to Canterlot.”

“Sure thing Twilight.” Spike said without questioning her trip.

“And send a message to Celestia that I’m returning to see her about the Guardian.” She said while walking outside the door.

“Got it Twilight, when will you be back?” He asked.

She stopped in front of the door and slowly turned her head to Spike. “I don’t know, it all depends on how things go with me and her…”

Spike flinched a little and started to think something bad was happening. “What do you mean?” He asked.

“Don’t worry about it, just let Celestia know I’m coming.” She said.

Twilight left the Library, leaving Spike alone and not turning back. She stopped in the middle of Ponyville and decided to use her wings to get to Canterlot herself. She jumped in the air and flapped her wings as best she could, when she was high enough in the air, she used all her strength to fly towards Canterlot. Her flying had improved after many months of training, but she still wasn’t so used to it since she was born a unicorn and not an alicorn. “HEY!!!”

A voice from behind was heard, Twilight stopped in mid air and turned to the source of the voice she heard, in her site she saw Rainbow Dash flying towards her and stopping right in front of her in mid air. “Where do you think you’re off to?” She asked.

“Out of my way Rainbow, and go home.” Twilight said.

“You’re going to Canterlot to talk with Celestia about the Guardian again, aren’t you?” She said, guessing on Twilight intentions.

“That’s none of your business Rainbow, now turn back and go home!” She said.

“This business involves me too, Twilight!” Said Rainbow Dash

The words from her made Twilight think maybe this had something to do with that red Pegasus. “It’s about Red Scale isn’t it?”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “He’s part of my family tree, except our family tree is pretty long. That’s why my cutie mark is the similar to his. He once had the same speed magic as I do right now.”

She turned around and positioned herself to Canterlot. “I have questions I want answered too, you coming?” She said, while flying to Canterlot.

Twilight faced hooved herself and sighed. She decided to just forget about it and follow behind Rainbow Dash to Canterlot. Now the only thing for Twilight to do was to see if Dream Shade was telling the truth about Celestia keeping the real story from everypony.

But Twilight knew it might not be as easy then she would think, if Celestia had been keeping the events of the lost memories inside the book a secret, then something told Twilight that the teacher she knew, may have kept more secrets then just the one she wants to know. But all that mattered little, Twilight had more important questions to be answered.

(Daylight, Canterlot castle throne room. Hallways)

Twilight and Rainbow Dash both entered through the throne room doorway, and saw guards all round the throne room and with Celestia where she always is. "Princess Twilight, and Rainbow Dash, Welcome back to Canterlot.

While she was welcoming both Twilight and Rainbow, Celestia could tell from the expressions on their faces that something was wrong. Both of them stopped in the center of the room and readied themselves to speak. "Did you get my message?" Twilight asked.

Celestia nodded. "Yes."

"Then you know why we're here..."

Celestia closed her eyes and tilted her head down. “I told you this before, I’ve given you all that I-”

“STOP LYING TO US!” Twilight yelled.

Celestia opened her eyes and set her gaze on Twilight. What Twilight said, made Celestia think she knew something she didn’t tell them. “What are you saying? I-I would never-”

“Dream Shade told me you’re keeping more than we need to know a secret! Where is Syrus, tell us!” Twilight raised her voice again, while Rainbow was looking at Twilight like she’s changed.

“Dream Shade? How would she even know-”

“She told me things last night while I was asleep, and I believed her. But right now I don’t believe you, I knew something was up when you gave us very little info on Syrus."

Twilight took a few steps forward. "What is it you’re not telling everypony? Why have you kept this from us?

Celestia sighed and tilted her head down again. “Alright, I’ve kept this from all of you for far too long… Perhaps now is the time to let it be heard.”

Celestia got up and used her magic to closed the entrance to the room and cover all of the mirrors with their achievement merged on them. Nothing but darkness covered the room, till Celestia lit her horn and fired a ray of light at the center. Her magic created an image of them looking at it from the sky. “The everfree forest?” Said Rainbow.

“Why are you showing us-” She paused herself and remembered what Dream Shade said. "Of course, the incident in the Everfree forest before he disappeared."

As Twilight and Rainbow looked at the image of the everfree forest, they both saw that there was some magic duel going on inside the forest itself. After seeing so many sparks of magic, fire started to form from inside the forest, Twilight and Rainbow both gasped and saw how far it went. But out of no where, all the clouds started merging into one massive cloud. It created a rainstorm that was used to relinquish the fire from the forest. After that the image of the forest stopped.

Celestia opened all the curtains and opened the throne room door as well. But what Twilight and Rainbow Dash saw made them both think the Guardian had a brutal battle. “What did you just show us?” Rainbow asked.

Celestia breathed in and out from the nose and started to slowly walk towards Twilight and Rainbow. “What you two saw was a recording of the past, the forest is where Syrus and his friend Red were reunited with their lost friend, Tana.”

“You mean… That dark alicorn hunter and unicorn were at the forest the whole time ?” Rainbow asked.

She nodded yes. "Correct, but they used Tana as bait to lure both of them inside the forest."

"Why would they do such a thing?" Twilight asked.

"Because Mena, my once trusted student wanted revenge on both him and his friends."

"For what reason?" Rainbow asked.

"During the time when Luna was Nightmare Moon, Mena once had a brother. But because the path they both took, they joined my sister on her conquest to take over Equestria. During the war-" Celestia paused, feeling a sense of regret and not being able to stop the blood shed. "Syrus killed her brother."

Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash gasped, but also knew that things such as that could happen during war. "But what about the incident in the forest?" Twilight asked.

She closed her eyes again and turn towards a window that had no image on it. She opened her eyes and kept her gaze at whatever she could see outside the castle. “When they discovered where Tana was being held, they went without my help. They risked their lives to save her and because of their batle to rescue her, the conflict inside the forest set in on fire. He was able to stop it, but when he came back to Canterlot, I could tell he wasn’t the same anymore.”

She turned back to Twilight and Rainbow Dash. “Red Scale’s wings were badly injured during the battle and Tana was stabbed by his sword.”

Twilight and Rainbow both blinked and became a little confused. “His sword? Rainbow asked.

“I don’t know for sure, but his sword penetrated Tana and nearly killed her.”

Both Twilight and Rainbow became more confused and were now wondering why it happen. “Did Syrus do it?” Twilight asked.

Celestia nodded. “No, he said his sword was taken away from him during the battle. At first I found it hard to believe, but Mena and that dark assassin used it against him and his friends.”

Twilight stepped forward to speak. “But how? As I read in the books, The Sword of Light can’t be used by nopony else, except for it’s master.”

“Trust me, I was concerned just like you are now. But Syrus told me how they did it, he sated theat they used some strange bracelet wrap around the grip of the sword.”

“They used that to control the sword?” Said Twilight.

Celestia nodded yes. “It wasn’t the first time I heard something like that happening. Something else told me there was another force pulling the strings that night.”

Celestia again turned to the window again. “Something I hadn’t felt in over thousands of years, And I can’t remember where.”

“That’s a first…” Said Rainbow Dash.

“What happened after they returned from the battle?” Twilight asked.

Celestia heard and continued to gaze out the window. “Syrus brought Red and Tana home safely. Reds injuries were serious, but Tana’s were very fatal. She had internal bleeding, but our healing unicorns did there best to save her. She was lucky it wasn’t anything that couldn’t be healed like the parts keep us alive.”

Celestia tilted her head down and also remembered something that could complicate his return. “I also think Syrus might have a grudge on Luna.”

“Wait what?” Rainbow said, while getting more confused.

“Syrus had a grudge on Luna? But why?” Twilight asked.

“It started around the time when she became Nightmare Moon…” Celestia slowly turned to them and stopped half way. “Luna’s darkside killed Tanas sister.”

Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash gasped. “She what?” They both said.

“Syrus cared and had feeling for her sister, I just hope he can find it in his heart to forgive her for what Nightmare Moon did.”

Rainbow Dash flew up to Celestia and stopped right in front of her. “We can make him forgive her if he doesn’t.”

“But first things first, we need to find him. I even forgot to mention that Dream Shade is extending the deadline to 3 months now.” Twilight said while walking towards both Rainbow Dash and Celestia.

“If that’s true, then hopefully we’ll have time to find him, but something tell me I know who can help us.” Celestia said while having an idea that Twilight won’t like.

“And who is this you speak of?” Twilight asked

Celestia came closed to both their ears and whispered the one that she believed to help with the situation. After she told them, they started thinking Celestia had lost it completely. “DISCORD?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!”