The Sword and the Spirit within/BOOK 2

Welcome to Equestria.

Syrus opened his eyes. Jolting up, he breathed heavily while pressing both his hands against his chest. As he was trying to calm himself, he noticed that the open wound the white horse spirit had given him was gone. He lifted his white shirt and saw no scar or any open wounds at all, and realized that the room he was in was very dark.

A light lit up on his back. He reached back with his right hand and felt a very familiar grip.There was a sheath on his back. In the sheath was the sword he found at the pawn shop. Even with the blade’s bright light, it didn’t help him find where he was.

“This is really weird, how do I get out of this dark-” he paused and just stood there for a good ten seconds.

“Wait,” Syrus thought, looking at the sword. “Am I dead? but how-”

A bright light appeared behind Syrus, He turned around and went into a defensive stance.

Out of the light came the white horse he met before it killed him. Syrus narrowed his eyes and clenched his teeth.

“YOU!” He yelled, looking at the horse. “YOU KILLED ME!

The white horse started to walk toward Syrus. “Don’t you come any closer or I’ll use this sword against you!”

 The white horse continued to walk towards him.

 “Do you hear me?!” Syrus raised and pointed the sword at him. “I’m warning you god damnit!”

“You can’t fool me, Syrus,” it said, pointing his hoof at him. “If there is one thing I know about you, it’s that you don’t have what it takes to kill me with that sword.”

“You’re right,” he admitted. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t try.”

Syrus had crossed the space between himself and the white spirit. He swung at it with everything he had, but the spirit lit up his horn and created a wave that pushed Syrus back. Again, Syrus raised his blade to strike down the Spirit horse. The white spirit horse recreated the wave and pushed him back, this time landing Syrus on his backside.

“You’re wasting your energy, Syrus.” said the white horse as he looked down at Syrus.

Syrus got back up and turned to face the horse.

“Damn you.” Hissed Syrus.

The white horse raised his front left hoof. “Please hear me out, Syrus.”

“NO!!!” Roared Syrus, pointing the sword at the horse. “I’m dead because of you.”

“You’re not anymore, I regenerated your wounds and brought you here, to Equestria.”

“Like I care what you did!” Yelled Syrus. “ I want you to send me back, I need to help the old man before it’s too late to save him!”

The spirit lowered his head. “You are too late...” mumbled the spirit.

His eyes widened, “What?” He spit, tears began to roll down his face. “That’s- THAT’S A LIE! HE’S NOT DEAD! HE CAN’T BE!!!”

“It’s true,” mumbled the spirit.

“NO!!!” Syrus dropped to the floor and began to cry.

The spirit walked over to Syrus and used his left wing to touch his shoulder.

“I’m sorry.” the spirit said softly. “I didn’t know he meant so much to you.”

“H-he w-w-was the only person I h-had left in my life.” He sobbed, his voice full of sorrow and guilt.

The spirit sat right next to Syrus. “Yes, I looked through your memories and saw your family die right-”

“Shut up,” shouted Syrus. “Stay out of my head.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry. But you can’t let the feeling of guilt consume you. You need to understand that life ends the same way for everything. It’s the way it all works.”

Syrus was still on the floor grieving for the man that took him in, he didn’t move or say anything else for a good minute. He raised his head and turned his gaze to the Spirit.

“Why did you kill me?” He asked.

“To bring you here and-”

Syrus cut him off, “I already know that, I want to know the real reason.”

The spirit got up on it’s hoofs. “Because I need you to become the new Guardian.”

“Is that all?” Grumbled Syrus, gripping his hands tightly. “Cause that’s a terrible excuse for killing and bringing me here.”

The spirit narrowed his eyes, he knew that Syrus was going to make a move with the sword. The spirit moved 2 feet away from Syrus and prepared to defend. Syrus turned to the spirit, looking at him with a serious face. He readied his sword, putting his legs in a warriors stance.

“Are you really going to attempt another flawless attack?” The spirit asked with sarcasm.

“You want me to be this Guardian? I say you got it.”

The spirit did not want to hurt him, so he came up with something that may get him to listen.

“If you kill me, you will never return to your world.”

As Syrus was about to strike, he heard what the spirit said and decided to lower his sword.

“What does that mean?” He asked.

“I’m the one who sent you here, I can send you back but only if you do what I ask of you.”

Silence filled the dark void, Syrus decided to put the sword back into the sheath and listen to the spirit. He didn’t like the idea of doing what the spirit wanted, but it did not alter the fact that if there was any hope in returning to his world he would need to do exactly what the spirit wanted.

“Fine, I’ll do it,” he whispered “What do you need of me?”

The spirit smiled, walking right up to his face. “First, you must learn to harness the sword’s power. Find the Princesses of Light and Dark, only through them will you achieve a power to defend this world from darkness.”

“How do I find them?”

“There is one place to find them, and you will know when you see it.” His horn started to light up the darkness.

 Syrus covered his eyes and everything faded to black.

 *Scene break*

Syrus woke to a soft bed and realised he was not where he thought he was. He got off the bed and took a quick look outside a window and saw he was in a city with horses all over the area. He took a few steps away from the window and looked to see how to get out of the room, finding a door that went down some very narrow stairs. He descended the stairs  spotting a grey pony.The grey pony had his sword on the table while she seemed to be preparing food.

He slowly walked over to the table and reached out to grab his sword. As he slowly grabbed it by the grip, he started walking backwards to get away from the unsuspecting grey pony. He turn to what looked like the door that goes outside, he opened it slowly and looked back to see if the grey pony even noticed. As he was about to make a break for it, the doors grip glowed, it shut itself like somebody just slammed the door almost to his face.

“You know, it’s very rude to leave and not thank the ponies that brought you here.”

After Syrus heard those words, he slowly closed his eyes and turned around slowly to open them and saw that the grey pony was still doing preparing food in the kitchen. After the pony was done, she turn her gaze to him.

“I must say to you, I was hoping you’d be a little polite and just say hello or thanks when you came down.”

“Well I just thought maybe-”

“What?” Said the grey pony.

Syrus was looking at her purple eyes and her beautiful light purple color colored mane. “Nothing, it don’t matter.”

The grey pony rolled her eyes. “Are you hungry?

“Well, if you have food that I’m used to eating. The answer would be yes, I’m starving.”

“Good, now sit by the table.” The grey pony said.

After she went into the kitchen, Syrus reattached the sheath to his back. He went to what looked like the table and sat down on a wooden chair. He looked to see if their was any other pony.

“So are you the only one here!?” Syrus called.

“My sister Mosa, she’s out doing whatever. My name is Tana.”

“Ah, Okay.”

He noticed that there were a lot of bookshelves in the house. He didn’t bother to asked since he was a stranger to this new world. As he waited for food, he saw the ponies outside the window again and thought they might not accept him for being different. He turned his gazed back to the kitchen and continued to wait. Tana’s horn glowed and lift the plate of eggs and toast along with juice.

“Here you go,” She said.

“Um, thanks I guess.”

Syrus picked up a fork and used it to slice a piece of the egg. He ate it and noticed it tasted just like the ones back home. He just digged in and didn’t even bother to say anything else.

“Okay...” She looked at him thinking he hadn’t eaten anything in weeks. He ate both the eggs in one bite and drank all of the juice while holding his breath the whole time.

“Wow, I never thought you’d be so hungry... but you were asleep for nearly 3 days. So I guess it would make sense why you’re eating very fast.” She said, looking at him awkwardly.

Syrus widened his eyes and dropped the fork on the table. “I’m very sorry for eating like that.”

“N-no, it’s fine.” Tana said, with a grin on her face.

“Where are my manners,” he laughed. “My name is-”

“Syrus, I know,” she interrupted.

His jaw dropped and he started to think she looked in his head too. “Alright I’ll leave it at that, but thank you for the meal.”

“It was the least I could do for you, since it might be hard for some- ahhh whatever you are, to fit in around here. I bet you don’t know what you can do here, huh.” She said, stating the fact.

“I’m just a person, that’s all. But I do know one thing I have to do and that’s to find two princesses.”

“You mean Princess Celestia and Luna right?” She said, knowing who he’s looking for.

“Well, are they the Princesses of Light and Dark?” He asked.

Silence filled the room. Tana closed her eyes. Syrus looked at her thinking he might have said something wrong.

“Why are you looking for them?” She asked, knowing what she saw in his head before she and her sister brought him back to Ponyville.

“Don’t you know?” He asked “I suspect you looked through my memories and would’ve known why I must see them.”

“Yes, I know but, I want to hear your side of the story.”

“Hmm, alright fine.”

Syrus got off the chair, took out his sword, and laid it flat on the table. “I’m looking for them because of this sword.”

“The Sword of Light?” Tana asked, knowing full well what the sword was named.

Syrus blinked and thought maybe this was a major breakthrough. He sat back down on the wooden chair. “What do you know about this sword?”

“I know more about it than you, I also know that its previous owner was an alicorn named Thunder Wave Also known as the Guardian, the greatest defenders our world had. Till he sacrificed himself to save all of Equestria, but that was 500 years ago.”

“Really, I suppose he was a soldier with many talents huh.”

“He wasn’t just a soldier, he was a general of Equestria. His abilities even out-matched Celestia and her sister Luna.”

“That powerful huh, but how did this sword come to my world?” Syrus asked, pointing at the sword.

“If I read correctly, Thunder and the sword vanished right after the incident that took place during the great pony war. Using all of his magic to bring peace to our world, he cast a very powerful spell that destroyed his enemies, along with himself.”

Tana looked down at the sword. “Most of the ponies back then thought the sword was lost forever.”

“How do you know all this?” Syrus asked, keeping his gaze on Tana.

She smiled “I have books with written history and I read them everyday” Tana said, looking at her book shelves. “What, did you think they were there for display only?”

“Well, I kinda-” He paused, “never mind, it’s going to take me awhile to get used to this world till I get home.”

"Thunder Wave was the strongest Guardian our world ever encountered. They are the keepers of light and dark, their goal is to prevent wars and protect the innocent."

"Sounds like a hero job."

"You could call it that... But Thunder Wave was a kind Alicorn, so I read. others before him had different opinions about being a Guardian."

"Okay, I get it. Guardian this, Guardian that, let's focus on something more important right now."

The front door opened, and in came Tana’s sister Mosa. She looked to see if anyone was around and saw Syrus and Tana sitting down at the table.

“Mosa, welcome home. Look who’s finally up.” She pointed her hoof at Syrus.

Mosa took a good look at Syrus and smiled. “Wow, I thought you’d never wake up.”

Mosa sprinted over to Syrus. “What’s your name? Where are you from? How old are you? Are you male or female? What’s your height? What’s your-”

“MOSA!” Tana yelled, narrowing her eyes. “That’s enough out of you. I’m sorry, she can be a little crazy at times.”

“That’s okay.” Syrus said, looking away from Mosa. “Let’s just get back to the matter at hand.”

“Right, you want to find the Princesses. That’s not going to be easy for you, I have to admit.”

Syrus looked at her with concern. “What’s wrong? Do they live far away or something?”

Mosa stepped forward to speak. “It’s not about them being far away. It’s about being granted an audience to even speak with them, well except for Tana.” Mosa said, pointing her hoof at her sister. “She goes the unicorn school for the gifted and it’s at Canterlot where the Princesses live.”

“Canterlot?” He asked

Mosa drags Syrus to the window and points her hoof at a big arch mountain. “Do you see that city on the mountain? That’s Canterlot and Tana goes there every year when school starts.”

“I’m one of the best unicorns in my class, I’ve met princess Celestia maybe about four times. She’s the kindest Princess I’ve ever met”

“How come your sister doesn’t have a horn like you?” Syrus asked, touching Mosa’s head to see if she had a horn.

“All ponies are made differently. My sister is an earth pony. I’m a unicorn. There are also pegasi. Princess Celestia and her sister Luna are all three, meaning they have horns and wings. Their kind are called alicorns.”

After hearing what Tana said, Syrus walked around for a bit and turned his gaze back at the window to take another look at Canterlot. “Is there any way for them to come down and meet me personally?”

“Maybe.” Mosa said, putting her hoof to her chin. “I mean we could always send them a message to let them know you’re here and you want to see them. But that would take about a week since they get a lot of mail every day. Why do you want to see them anyway?”

“So they can help me master ‘The Sword of Light’, that’s why I need to meet them.”

Tana stepped forward to speak. “What makes you think they’ll help you master that sword?”

Syrus closed his eyes and turn to face the two mares. “Because, I think I was brought here for a reason.”

“Really, but what makes you think that?” She asked, keeping her gaze on him.

“Well, think about it why else would I-”

“You lying Syrus,” Tana said. “I went through your memories and I know how you really got here and why you need their help. It was the spirit of Thunder Wave that brought you here.”

“Okay maybe I might not have been honest with you two but he said he wouldn’t send me back till my mission here was done.”

“Did you believe him?” Tana asked.

Tana was concerned with how Syrus said he wouldn’t send him back till he was done.

“What are you trying to tell me here Tana?”

Tana wanted to tell him something but decided to change the subject. “You family’s death was-”

“DON’T!” Syrus shouted. Syrus took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I did that, I-”

“It’s alright Syrus.” Tana said, knowing what he’s been through. “But you’re not going to meet the Princesses. The timing isn’t good at the moment.”

A tear began to roll down his face but he wiped it off before the two mares could notice.“When’s the perfect opportunity to go to Canterlot?” He asked.

“We could always use the train to head right over to Canterlot city.” Mosa said, “but the castle is very well guarded and you would have to be very quick to get-”

“Hold on a minute, what are we discussing now?” Tana asked, looking at both Syrus and Mosa.

Mosa put both her hoofs on the table. “It’s obvious right, we’ll sneak in the Castle and-

“Wait, wait, wait.” Tana interrupted, turning her gaze to her sister. “You want to sneak in Canterlot castle? Do you know what Celestia might do if we see her without permission?”

Mosa smiled, putting her hoof on her sister. “You worry too much Tana, it’s not like she going to kill or banish us to the sun or moon.”

“Yeah but I don’t want to upset her by doing-”

Mosa interrupted her sister. “Our new friend deserves to see the Princesses, how else will he-”

“Okay girls, that’s enough! Let’s give it a shot first thing tomorrow morning and if all else fails, I’ll tell Celestia or Luna I forced you two to bring me there.”

The two mares thought Syrus was crazy for even thinking about that, but they decided to think about his plan. Tana still thought it was a very bad idea, unlike her sister Mosa, who thought it would be fun. He sat back down on the wooden chair, waiting for them to make up their minds. Tana was the first to speak.

“Alright.” Agreeing with Syrus. “We’ll do it your way. First thing tomorrow.”

Mosa smiled. “Tomorrow we get to be ninja’s!” She cheered.

“Okay, let’s not be too crazy about this Mosa.” Syrus said, getting back up. “Tana you know the castle right?”

“Yes, but I think you better ask me that question first thing tomorrow.”

Mosa dragged Syrus. “Come on Syrus, let me show you around Ponyville.”

“Umm, okay. We’ll be right back Tana.”

As Syrus and Mosa went outside, Tana followed them for a bit and noticed Mosa was drawing the attention from Syrus. Most of the ponies had surprised faces while others tried to avoid him. Tana couldn’t blame them because he wasn’t a pony, but Mosa seems to think he’ll fit in perfectly. All she had to do was show them that he’s a nice-- whatever he is.

“Syrus,” she whispered. “You can’t trust Thunder Wave, he may have been kind but he was once a liar and whatever he has in store for you may not be what you want.”

Scene Change, Somewhere deep in the forest with no light to shine.

"This world shatters… The balance of both light and dark is beginning to break…" She opened her eyes while they started to glow red. Out of the darkness came a pegasi with sword wings.

"What’s wrong?" The dark unicorn just stood there and didn’t even turn her gaze to the pegasi.

"There’s something I must know… I must go near Ponyville..." She said.

"Do you require protection?" He asked.

The dark unicorn started to walk away without saying anything else and disappear in the shadows of the forest. While she left, the pegasi could see red eyes from all directions. But it mattered little to him. "I understand..." He said to himself as she left.

Preread by IkioStar