The Sword and the Spirit within/BOOK 2

While Discord was still in the altered world trying to bring Syrus back. A disturbing problem just rose that might complicate his mission. Claiming to only have left Equestria for a year, even when Discord knew he’s been missing for a thousand years. He rethinked what he said back at the throne room and remembered saying anything could happen if doing something like this.

“Why are you asking how long I’ve been here? And why do you look like you’ve got bad news?” He asked, being very direct with Discord.

Still waiting on his question to be answered. Discord was too hesitated to tell him the truth, so he took a deep breath and took it easy a little. “Funny…” He said randomly, then laughed a little. “Funny you should say that, you see…”

He tried saying more than paused himself. To Syrus, he thought Discord was brain dead for some random reason. He even began to bore and annoy him just by making him wait for his answers. “Spit it out! Why do you act all weird after I said that?!” He asked.

“Because you’ve been gone for a thousand years!!!”  He blurted.

Syrus became suddenly shocked and felt like he was about to fall to the ground. “What do you mean? I couldn’t have been gone that long! It was a year!!!” He roared, but Discord himself was shocked. He started to predict that if he and him tried returning where he left off. It might send him and Syrus to another point in time in Equestria.

“How was I gone for a thousand years when I ONLY LEFT FOR A YEAR?!” He asked Discord directly.

“Because I came here the wrong way!” He claimed. Then went up close to Syrus. “So don’t go crazy about it!” He said while pointing his right finger at his chest. “You’re fortunate that I came here to bring you back.”

“Bring me back?!” He yelled while getting close to his face. “WHAT’S THE POINT?!” He roared.

Discord couldn’t have been more irritated by his yelling but he still had a job to do. He also wished he could zip his mouth, if he wasn’t powerless with limited counts of it. “The point is…”

He slowly pushed Syrus back for a little space. “The point is, Equestria is in danger and Celestia wants you to return.”

Syrus already knew it was her who sent Discord but for what purpose he thought. “After a thousand years? Was I truly not needed back then?!”

“Well… Canterlot was attacked by changelings… The Crystal Empire returned and is now under our rule… Celestia had a student who became a new princess…”

Just hearing that made Syrus remember when he became prince. “Go on…” He said.

“Then my seeds I planted long before you came to be, finally took over.” He said with excitement, then went back to his usual mood. “Till they were all destroyed by the tree of Harmony.”

“So in which case?” Said Syrus. “You weren’t needed at all!” Said Discord with his usual laughs.

Then quickly stopped and resumed his conversation with him. “To tell the truth, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack were always the ones keeping Equestria safe.” Discord said, but while looking at Syrus. He seemed a bit disappointed about the new saviors of Equestria. Discord smiled a little and knew it was Jealousy.

He lowered his head and felt left out of the whole thing. “I see… then they don’t need me.”

He turned away from Discord and began walking away. “And the ponies I loved as a family are dead...” Discord couldn’t let him go and ran in front of him to convince him to return. “Look… You’ll have to let the past be passed. Celestia needs you back and if I recall correctly she’s the only thing to a family you have left. So why don’t you quit this sappy-”

Syrus pushed Discord to the ground, and felt a sudden anger growing with in him. But it rapidly turned to sadness, Discord also noticed a tear was forming in his eyes. But he quickly washed it off and walked passed him. “I’ll need time to think it over. You’re welcome to come back to my home if you like.”

Discord got himself back up and thought back when he first felt he had no friends anymore. Like the time when Fluttershy actually called him a friend, and his actions nearly lost her as a friend when he realized he couldn’t do whatever he wanted without friends.

For the moment, Discord new how he felt, his grief for never seeing his friends again effect him so much. But Discord knows he’ll find friendship with Twilight and her friends. As long as he can learn to accept that. He decides to follow him home and hopefully get back to Equestria soon.

While Discord followed Syrus, he had a strange feeling that they were being followed. He stopped while Syrus kept walking and turned himself in all directions but couldn’t see anyone around, but not seeing anyone around made him think something was wrong. Their in a city and for some weird reason, the area they’re in is empty except for him and Syrus.

But Syrus didn’t even bother to know why, and neither did Discord. So they resumed back to his place and just ignored the area.

(10 Minutes later)

Discord continued to follow him to wherever, but he noticed that he doesn’t have his wings on him. Before Discord left he was of course given all the details about him but no White wings to make him fly. But he remembered that Twilight also lost her wings and her horn when she came her in the first place. It became clear that this world also effected Syrus, he lost his wings when he first came here.

FInally Syrus turned to a small building and entered it without saying anything. Discord looked at it and could tell if was very old. But he followed him in and noticed most of it was empty. He looked around some more and noticed Syrus was sitting down on a chair near a wooden table. He also saw he was holding what appeared to be a picture frame. Discord got up close to him and leaned down to see what he was looking at.

His eyes saw it was him and 2 other ponies. A Grey Unicorn and a Red Pegasus. Discord thought these two ponies in the picture might be Tana and Red, the ones who talked about. While he still sat there looking the picture. He decided to sit at the chair across from him.

“Sooooooo… Are you just going to sit there being sad or are we going to return to Equestria?” He asked, but he didn’t respawn. A tear rolled down his eyes, but Discord didn’t care much for his feelings, he only cared about getting back and ending this whole thing before he gets stuck too.

Discord started getting bored again with Syrus giving him the silent treatment. “AHHHHHHHH...” He moaned to get his attention but still didn’t work. He tried a different way to get his attention by grabbing a sticky note and writing something on it. After it was done he sticked it right in front of the frame. He looked at it and it said. (Why did you leave them in the first place? LOL!!!!!!) Along with a goofy face of Discord.

His little game Discord was doing finally got his attention, he looked up at Discord while removing the sticky note he put on the picture frame. “You know you look and sound a lot like that guy from my world, what’s his name again?” He asked himself.

“Are you going to answer my question? Or can we go home now PLEASE?!” Discord complained while getting more angry with his dumb humor. “But… You want to know why?” He slowly got off the chair and leaned on the table to look Discord right in his face. “Fine…”

He leaned back down and sat back on the chair. Discord leaned forward to hear what he was about to say. “I’m all ears…”

He slowly took a deep breath and prepared to tell him why. “It all began when my friend Tana was taken from me and Red, and right after we told this to Celestia, she sent out all her soldiers to find her.”

He looked at his picture frame again. “Me and Red tried to find her ourselves, even tho we had help. We chose to do it alone. We spent a week looking for her, looking through every sign, everypony that we were told could have information.”

“But everywhere we search was a DEAD END!” He said.

“Her husband didn’t take my failure to kindly, even he was searching. Me and Silver Light-”

“Silver Light?”Discord interrupted.

“Her husbands name, we was a captain of the guard in Canterlot. But me and him never saw eye to eye…” He said.

Discord continued to listen and listen. “Till one day… I got a letter in the mail from an old enemy of mine. The only thing it said was to meet us alone where we first battled… Mena…”

“And just like that, the moment I dreaded for six years had finally arrived…”

(Scene Change, a thousand years ago. Canterlot)

After Syrus received the letter from Mena, he wasted no time and knew exactly where she wanted to meet him. He flew in the air and headed straight for the castle. Instead of using the front door, he went to the throne room directly through an open window. When he set himself in the center of the room, the guards saw and bowed to him.

He turned to Celestia and quickly presented the letter. “I know where she is!”

Celestia got up and used her magic to bring the letter to her. She examined the letter and read it to herself.  After she was done, she turn her gaze back to him. “The everfree forest…”

“That’s where I’m going, I have to go alone. But I’m sure you’ll-”

“NO!!!” She yelled. “I won’t allow you to risk your life for her.”

“If you feel that way then I’ll bring Red with-”

“I said no!” She walked toward him. “I’m not gonna allow you to risk yourself and your brother.”

“But I have to save her, it’s my fault she was taken.” He started to get frustrated and put him hand on his head. “If I only stayed, we’d still be here, all three of us!”

“Syrus!!” She yelled, stopping right in front of him. “What happen to her wasn’t your fault, you didn’t know what was going to happen and you shouldn’t blame yourself.” She set her wing on his shoulder. “But for right now, remain here where it’s safe…”

He shoved her wing off him, turned away and left the throne room. Celestia tho couldn’t help but feel guilty that everything she was doing for him was for his own good. but everything she had done, was for the greater good of keeping him safe. For years Celestia has treated Syrus like family, like a son who doesn’t listen to his family. But deep down she cares for him and only wants what’s best.

She turned back to her chair. “Get a rescue team ready, we’re bringing back my student.”

“Yes princess.” One of the guards said and left to prepare.

(Scene change, ten minutes later. Princes Chambers.)

Syrus entered his chamber, slammed shut his door and just roared. Then after that, he just laid down on his bed. Pouting like he just got shunned, all his searching and for what he thought. He heard his door open and knew who it would be. “Hey… I heard what happen… Don’t hate her for what she’s doing for all of us.” His brother Red Scale said.

“Go away…” He moaned, while laying on his bed.

Red jumped up on the bed and tried to turned him face up. “You never know when to quit pouting do you.” Said Red.

Syrus quickly got off the bed and just stood up with all his energy in him. “What would you have me do? Just disobey her orders?”

Red jumped off the bed and looked at him directly. “Since when do you ever care about what she says? I thought the almighty Guardian didn’t listen to nobody.”

“I’m not like the others… I’m trying to change, be different than the Guardians before me.” HE said, trying to act all wise.

Red flapped his wings and went right up to his face. “Quit talking like them, you’re not some Guardian that can just sit back and allow your elders to free our friend!”

“It’s better than springing the trap they set for me! Besides, Celestia will get her back. I know she will…” He said, now lying to himself.

“You don’t know what I saw that night! That Alicorn was unlike any other, the one covered in black flames.” He said, trying to tell him what they’re up against. “Think about it, what if they knew this would  happen?! What if they expect Celestia to go instead of you?!”

“Celestia would have known that would happen! Just like she somehow knew Luna betrayed her!” He sat back on the bed and crossed his arms together. “She would have suspected a trap only for her…”

Red got on the bed too and sat near him. “What if, she’s not always right?” He asked, thinking Celestia is really that dumb to believe she knows everything. “If she heard you say that, she’d give you one hell of a lecture.” Syrus predicted.

Syrus got up and headed towards the door. “Where you going?” Red asked. “I’m going for another walk, they tend to calm me down in times like these.” But before he could open his door, three knocks came from it and they wondered who it could be. Syrus open the front door and saw it was just a Mail Pony.

“Mail for the Prince and Guardian?” The pony asked. “Yeah that’s me…” He said.

The Pony just dropped the mail, turned away and left. “Have a good day, your highness.” The pony said while leaving. Syrus reached for the mail on the floor and brought it back in his home. He sat back down on his bed again and opened to see who sent it. When he did, it startled him deeply.

The notes in the message were very clear.

“Did you really think we’d not know Celestia would stop you? Infact… We were counting on it, the place where we first met was to be our confrontation. But when word got to me that Celestia told you to stay. We’ve decided to relocate to the old Castle in the forest. Oh and don’t worry about Celestia and her search party… We’ve made sure they don’t get in our way again.

To the one who hates you the most, Mena… “

After Syrus read it, he knew then that Celestia was walking into a trap. Red also saw what was written on it and knew they had to act. “This is bad.” Red said.

Syrus quickly got off the bed and summoned his sword to his right hand. “Its time to go, you ready?” He asked. Red Scale Smiled and finally saw the old Syrus comeback. “As you would maybe say… HELL YEAH!!!”

Both he and Red quickly flew out the balcony and headed straight for the Everfree Forest. Red and Syrus only hoped that Celestia and her company were alright. But their main concern was saving Tana.

(8 minutes later, above the Everfree Forest.)

Red and Syrus saw the old castle dead ahead. But they decided to go in slow and not let Mena and her new companion know they arrived yet. But one thing they noticed, was the sun was setting. Just looking at it reminded them of the Nightmare Moon event, but that didn’t stop them. They entered the castle, and it looked just like they remembered it. OLD…

“Should we split up?” Red asked.

“No… We’re sticking together…” He said.

While Syrus continued on, Red followed from behind and both kept their guard up. As they searched through the sisters castle, they heard the sounds in all directions. But then saw it was the wind from outside, since there were too many open holes in the walls. They came into a three way to go hall way. At first they wondered which way to take, till Syrus spotted one of the hallways leading down into what looks like a basement. He decides to walk down that way, while Red continued to follow without asking why.

When they both reached it, they both felt a sense of dread. Syrus could also feel a very dark presence down there. Something he hadn’t felt since Nightmare Moon. “I don’t like this, bro…” Red trembled

Syrus gently patted Red on the head. “Remember what Thunder Wave said, overcome your fears.” He began his descent down the stair. “Or your future will remain the way you are.” He continued down the dark stair hallway, Red continued to follow him down and is now doing whatever it takes to be brave.

As they both continued descending down a dark hole. Syrus felt the strange magic energy was getting closer and closer. Finally they reached the bottom, but it only took them into a small room with what appeared to be prison cells. He used his swords magic to get brighter and lit the room. And the cages were all empty except for one. In it was a grey unicorn out cold. They quickly recognized who it was.

“TANA!” Both Syrus and Red yelled.

Tana was chained up from both front and back hooves and the neck. Syrus used his magic to break open the cell and to free her from the chains. Red Scale held on to her and was glad to know she was still breathing. “She’s gonna be okay, but we best get out of here before-”

Then a strange black ring wrapped around her horn glowed and glowed so bright. It teleported all three of them away from the underground cells and sent them on the top of one of the towers of the old Castle. Syrus was the first to get up on his feet, he looked around and saw it was night time. “What the hell just happen?”

Red got up to and also looked around. “It’s seems we’ve been teleported outside, on one of the towers it seems.”

“Well… We’re outside now, let’s get Tana out of here before trouble finds us.” He said.

Red was about to get her but before he could, he spotted the Dark Alicorn cased in flames right behind Syrus. “Um… Bro… Trouble found us…” Red pointed at the Dark Alicorn, Syrus quickly noticed and drew his sword at whoever is was. “Who are you?!” He yelled.

The dark Alicorn didn’t answer. “I’m not gonna ask you again!” But it still didn’t answer. Syrus wasted no more time. “Red? Get her out of here.”

“What? No way-”

“Just do it!” He yelled.

He didn’t like the fact that he told him to flee with Tana. But right as he tried to get away with Tana. A barrier shocked Red and made him fall back to the ground. Syrus looked back to Red and saw he and Tana both got zapped. “Red! Are you alright?! RED!!!” No response from either of them. He returned his sight to the dark alicorn. “You… What did you do to my family?!”

“Family?” A female voice was heard from behind. “Last I checked, your family was killed, were they not.”

He didn’t bother to turn around to know who it was cause the voice gave it away “You…”

“You don’t have to keep your guard up yet. My friend here wants to talk, before he kills you.” Stated Mena.

“Does he now… Well I got something I want to ask you, before I talk to anyone else.” He said.

Syrus turned around while lowering his guard. He and her were once again face to face. “I need to know something.” He said.

She took a few steps forward. “Ask away…”

“Just one question… How did you know I was severed from my world when we first met?” He asked, wanting to know how she knew. Mena narrowed her eyes. “What’s it to you?”

He smiles and takes a step forward. “You can’t expect me to believe it was coincidence, where I come from, we don’t believe in coincidence.”

Mena showed no sign of emotion or any shock. But she smiled and started to laugh, and her laugh began to grow. “Well look who finally caught on!!!” She said while still laughing , she finally stopped and looked at him with a scary smile. “Sorry about that… But it’s true, we knew you were coming into this world for many months before you did.”

“We?” He asked.

“Me, him, her, and thousands more.” She stated.

“The thousands are in a deep slumber, waiting for the moment to rise once again.” The dark Alicorn finally said something.

Syrus looked back at to the dark Alicorn. “Moment?”

Mena did a humming laughing. “Him… He’s coming back…”

Syrus returned his gaze to Mena. “And Him would be?”

She took a deep breath. “The true master of this entire world… It’s creator… It’s God…

Chapter end.