Rise of Shadow

Chapter 18: Preparations for War
The sun was burning bright over the group as they crested a hill and looked out over a huge camp, hundreds of tents lay spread out over a huge field that stood before a beautiful waterfall. An armoured soldier approached them and bowed low.

“Princess, your generals are awaiting your arrival in your tent. It is the one nearest the fall’s peak.”

Celestia nodded her thanks and the group set off in the direction of the tent that the guard had pointed out. They walked through crowds of colourful ponies who were grimly strapping on armour or polishing weapons. At the peak of the falls Celestia pulled open the door-flap of a massive tent. Three ponies turned to face them as they filed in. One was a bright orange pegasus with a badly scarred face and the other was an ice blue pegasus with a pure white mane shot with golden streaks. The final pony was Fii. Their conversation died off when the group entered. Fii and the blue pegasus ran to embrace the agents as they entered.

“You took your time.” Fii chastised Scotty before pulling Jocky into a long kiss.

“Okay that’s enough of that.” Ratty moaned before turning away. Celestia turned to introduce the other two ponies.

“General War Wager,” She said, pointing to the orange pony. “And Commander Ice.” She motioned to the other.

“I believe you have already met Agent Fii. General, Commander may I introduce Twilight Sparkle and her friends, the wielders of the elements of harmony.” The leaders of Celestia’s military nodded before resuming their conversation from earlier.

“We were just discussing what the best strike would be against Canterlot. We had all agreed on a direct strike into the heart of the city would be most effective.” General War Wager informed them.

“That won’t work.” Ratty told him, all eyes turned to him. “We’ve had word from a reliable source that there is a shield up around Canterlot that prevents any form of physical attack against the city.”

“We have?” Scotty asked surprised and Ratty nodded.

“You weren’t the only one who talked to Sparky remember.”

“So what do you suggest?” Asked Commander Ice.

“All members of the ESS known to White Stripe have been taken prisoner but luckily we have one new member who has never been met by White Stripe.” Jocky told them.

“Miniskate.” Scotty said nodding in realisation and Jocky nodded.

“If you can get us into contact with her, we can tell her what to do.”

“What are you going to do?” War Wager asked him.

“We’ve been on the road since the fall of Los Pegasus so, if it’s all the same to you, I’m going for a drink and a wash.”

Chapter 19: The Plan
Scotty reclined on a lounger that took up part of the central area he shared with Jocky and Ratty. He had towels wrapped around his mane and tail, drying them after his shower. He had inspected his new collection of injuries while he showered too. There was a triple scar on his right cheek from his fight with the griffin soldier in Los Pegasus and a set of slightly fresher wounds from the skirmish in the chill including a cut lip and several claw wounds in his left thigh. Jocky sat opposite him reading a military report of the defences across Equestria, his right eye in a healing poultice that was treating his black eye. Ratty had ducked out for some air about five minutes beforehand.

“Ratty’s still blaming himself for what happened to Sparky you know.” Jocky said raising his head and Scotty nodded.

“He won’t believe that it wasn’t his own doing until he hears it from Sparky himself.”

“What makes you so sure that we’ll be able to save Sparky?” Jocky asked and Scotty sighed slowly.

“It’s Shadow’s magic that created Dark Spark so, in theory when we defeat Shadow Sparky will be returned to normal and besides, it’s better than thinking about the alternative.” Jocky nodded at this.

“Aye, I suppose that’s true.” The door to the tent opened and Fii’s disembodied head popped through.

“Sorry to interrupt your R&R boys but we’ve managed to raise agent Miniskate.” The two agents jumped to their feet, Scotty untangling himself from the towels as he did so.

The trio marched up to the command tent and entered in silence. Ratty, the generals, Twilight and her friends all turned to face them as they trooped in. Princess Celestia sat in a corner, her horn glowing with a faint yellow colour.

“Agents, good to see you.” General War Wager said. “You’ll have to forgive the princess, we’re having to use her magic to boost the signal.” Stood on the other side of the war table from the group stood the hologram of a pony. She was shorter than Twilight by half a head and her purple hair fell flat against the right side of her face down to her chin, it was streaked with white, as was her tail which trailed, twisting, down to the ground. Her cutie mark, almost obscured as it was by a pair of folded pegasus wings, was a pair of roller-skates tied together by their laces. Her deep teal face broke into a smile when Scotty, Jocky and Fii stepped into her field of view causing her image to distort slightly. When she spoke her voice was distorted with static.

“Man, am I glad to see you guys.” She said. Scotty offered her a quick smile in return.

“Sorry for the rush agent Miniskate,” he said “but we aren’t sure how long our signal is going to last so we’ll have to skip the formalities.” Miniskate nodded her violet eyes becoming deadly serious.

“What do you need?” She asked.

“We need the crystal that’s keeping Shadow’s shield around Canterlot destroyed.”

“Now?”

“No, we’re staying here for two more days while the last remaining troops check in then we’re going to start the five day march to Canterlot.” Miniskate nodded again her image flickering. “So we’ll signal you again when we need you to move on the crystal.”

“Got it. I’m guessing you want me to hide away after that.”

“Until our forces break the Canterlot walls, yes. Then you’re free to help out in any way you see fit.” Miniskate grinned.

“Not a problem sir.” She told him.

“One last thing kid,” Commander Ice said stepping forward. “You’re our only contact left in Canterlot who can pull this thing off, so basically, the fate of all Equestria rests in your hooves and yours alone.” Miniskate’s smile froze and she stood stock still form a moment before it leapt back.

“Ok then,” She said. “No pressure.” The magical aura that came from the necklace she wore faded and her image flickered out of existence.

Chapter 20: A Moment to Stop, Think and Love
Two days later Scotty was alone in his tent reading a report from the Crystal Empire which told him that a valiant defence led by Prince Shining Armour was holding well against an army nearly seven hundred strong. There came the noise of a pony clearing her throat from outside and he looked up from a paragraph giving him a casualty report. Twilight Sparkle’s crystalline voice called out.

“Scotty, can I come in.” He leapt up and swept away the reports, carefully hiding the Crystal Empire one which he had just read and which told of Princess Cadence being taken prisoner by enemy forces and brought to Canterlot.

“Yeah.” He called back. “Come in.” She entered and Scotty had to scramble to keep his jaw from dropping open. Twilight was wearing a set of golden armour with a royal purple tunic underneath. On her head she wore a helmet that presented a hole for her horn and a groove in which she would usually place her element crown. She grinned from beneath her helmet and Scotty noticed a lock of blue mane poking out from it and sitting neatly on her forehead.

“So what do you think?” She asked, obviously pleased with her new equipment.

“It looks good…” Scotty said his voice trailing off, Twilight’s smile faded and she walked over and sat next to him on the sofa.

“What’s wrong?” She asked undoing the clasp on her helmet and placing it gently on the ground.

“I went to war in Saddle Arabia to protect you from all this.” Scotty told her, his voice heavy with sorrow.

“All what?” She asked him.

“War, destruction and death.” He told her. “It’s a horror I hoped you would never have to face, that’s why I never told you I was alive. Because I didn’t want you to get hurt.” Twilight stared at him for a moment, taking in what he had just said. He had sacrificed everything, even love, to protect her from the horrors of the world. She didn’t know what to say so instead she decided to let her actions speak for themselves. Wrapping her forelegs around him she pulled him into a tight hug, he turned to her and placed his head on her shoulder. They stayed like that, as still as statues, for about five minutes, letting that simple embrace say what a thousand words could never say; that she still loved him, that she forgave him and that she would never ever let him go again. Eventually Scotty raised his head and kissed her, gently at first but then five long years of separation caught up with them and she pulled him close into her and kissed him back harder.

Across the camp another love was blooming, Ratty was sitting around a campfire with the other five girls, all of whom were wearing their own newly forged sets of armour. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy wore shining sliver with dark blue tunics beneath, Applejack wore golden armour with a bright red tunic, Pinkie Pie wore a slate grey steel armour with red beneath and Rarity was in icy blue with a purple under armour. They were carrying on the first kiss stories they had been telling the night before Shadow’s arrival. Fluttershy was still refusing to share, Rainbow Dash was boasting about a tough young stallion at the Wonderbolt academy, Pinkie Pie hadn’t yet kissed anypony and neither had Applejack. Rarity was taking every chance to bounce around having to share and Ratty himself was telling the story of a mare he met on the frontlines in Saddle Arabia.

“… It was fun but we both knew it was just a one-time event.” He finished off grinning at their expressions of wonder. Rainbow Dash then decided to steal the limelight from him by telling more stories of her adventures at the Wonderbolt academy. As she dove into her stories with herself and Pinkie Pie being the only ones who were really deeply enjoying them, Ratty found his eyes kept being dragged back to Applejack who was attempting to reassure Fluttershy that her animal friends back in Ponyville would be alright. He looked at her golden mane, orange coat and emerald eyes for a long time, she was beautiful, a little pony at the back of his mind told him even as another told him that there was no way it would work out. This internal debate raged within him for a good twenty minutes and soon became more than a little frustrating; as soon as his mind worked up the courage to stand up, walk over to her and ask her out, another doubt would spring up and crush that courage completely. Eventually the fire burned down and Rarity yawned, suggesting that they all headed to bed. Ratty nodded, hiding his disappointment took all of his training and skill at self-control. As he trudged up through the tents towards his, Scotty’s and Jocky’s tent he allowed himself a quiet moment to wallow in his own self-pity.

There was a soft swooshing sound from above his head and a playful voice said. “She likes you too ya know.” He looked up to see Rainbow Dash perched on the crossbar of a nearby trebuchet grinning down on him. He decided to play the ignorance card.

“Who?” He asked and Rainbow Dash looked at him her crimson eyes gleaming.

“You know who.” She told him. “AJ.” He gave up and sat on the grass.

“How can you tell?”

“Duh, usually when somepony won’t stop talking about somepony else you can tell things like that.”

“She… talks about me?”

“Yeah, like, all the time! Look listen pal, Applejack’s always been a good friend to me so I want to know one thing.” Ratty looked at her, suddenly suspicious.

“What’s that?”

“If I let you go back down there, if I let you ask her out. Will you ever hurt her?”

Ratty didn’t even need to think about that question. “No.” Rainbow Dash smiled mischievously.

“Good, because if you do, agent training or no, I will hurt you.”

Ratty smiled. “You know, I don’t doubt that for a second.” Rainbow Dash smiled back warmly.

“Her tent is the one on the left of our little group. She usually stays with Twilight but I’ve got a funny feeling that Twi won’t be coming back to her tent tonight.” Ratty smiled and turned to walk back down the hill when Rainbow called out to him.

“Ratty,” She said and he turned. “We all march to war tomorrow, so make tonight a night to remember.” He laughed quietly and set back off down the hill. Rainbow Dash smiled to herself and stretched her wings. “Oh AJ,” She whispered under her breath. “I got you a little present!”

Chapter 21: Equestria Marches to War
The next morning brought with it a cold, wet mist that obscured the distant horizon from view. Twilight knew she needed to get up but her body seemed completely unable to move. She was curled up against Scotty in his bunk, neither of them willing to move and break the spell just yet. After about five minutes of lying still and staring into one another’s eyes Scotty reached over and pinched her cheek lightly between two feathers on his wing.

“I love you.” He told her and she repeated the statement right back. Smiling, the red pegasus sat up and rolled out of his bunk stating he was going to cook breakfast. He made it to the flap that separated his bunk from the rest of the tent whilst keeping his nonchalant air intact before his hoof caught on a piece of Twilight’s armour which was haphazardly strewn around the place and he fell flat on his face. Twilight began to laugh hysterically and roll around on the bed in joyful glee. Scotty picked himself up, muttered “Hilarious.” Under his breath and continued. A quick check of the other bunks revealed that neither of his fellow agents had returned last night for which he offered a silent thanks to Celestia. He began to fish around for things to cook whilst Twilight gathered her armour and went for a shower. When she returned he placed a plate of the tastiest looking pancakes she had ever seen in front of her which she quickly devoured not having realised how hungry she was until this point. Scotty himself then went for a shower while Twilight cleaned up and slipped into her armour. She was ready to go and Scotty had just slipped into the midnight black tunic that lay under his own armour when Ratty and Jocky showed up and quickly dressed as well. Once he was sure he had gathered all of his gear Ratty disappeared once more whilst Scotty and Jocky attempted to work out who he could have spent the night with.

They still weren’t sure when the call went out for the army to gather although they soon found out. The friends all stood gathered near to the Princess and Scotty quickly spotted that somepony was missing.

“Where’s Rainbow Dash?” he asked Jocky quietly but the big pegasus simply shrugged. Scotty spotted Ratty stood with Applejack.

Twilight quickly caught her friend’s eye and mouthed the words. “You and I are going to have a little chat after this.” Applejack just flashed her a cheeky grin and stepped closer to Ratty who put his leg around her protectively. Scotty, Jocky and Fii who had all been watching this affair with interest were almost dying from laughter by the time Princess Celestia stepped forward to address the army.

“You have come here to liberate Equestria from those who would see it burn. Those ponies now stand in the crown jewel of our kingdom and I for one will not let this stand! Today I march on Canterlot to overthrow Shadow and his blight over our land! Shall I march alone?”

“NO!!” Came the overwhelming cry from the ponies before her.

“Shall you march alongside me?”

“YES!!”

“Then let us march. For Freedom and for Equestria!” Celestia yelled as the sun crested the hill behind the army throwing the waterfall into a barrage of rainbows.

“FOR EQUESTRIA!!!” As that final cry sounded Rainbow Dash shot from the sky and with a resounding boom, let off the largest sonic rainboom known to history.

Chapter 22: Miniskate
Miniskate got their call just as the sun was beginning to rise. She was in a basement under a safe house in the centre of Canterlot when the hologram of Scotty flickered into existence.

“While I must admit the view is awesome from this cloud I’m stood on,” He said to her. “One of the main points of this view seems to be covered by a huge shield. Agent Miniskate, break it for me.”

Miniskate narrowed her eyes and grinned. “Sir, yes sir.”

Scotty smiled and flickered out of existence.

Miniskate strapped into a black padded jumpsuit that flickered a few times before becoming completely invisible. She silently crept through the city, making sure not to bump into anypony along the way, until she arrived at the royal observatory. The zebra forces had turned the place into a fortress. Miniskate spread her wings and flew silently up to the top level and landed on a balcony. In the centre of the room beyond was a massive crystal with a wide beam shining upwards toward the centre of the shield. A door swung open at the side of the room and three zebra’s entered. The one at the head of the group, she reasoned, must be White Stripe himself.

“I’m going to be taking charge of the protection of the crystal myself.” He said to his two companions. “And, as such, I want two other troops in here with me at all times.” The two nodded and spread out, beginning a patrol of the chamber while White Stripe looked at the crystal itself.

“This is the only thing protecting us from that army out there and we shall be protecting it as if it was the most important thing in the world.” As he was speaking one of the guards had walked out onto the balcony and was now stood less than a metre from Miniskate’s nose. Silently she reached out and grabbed him, muffling his astonished cries for help she held him until he fell into unconsciousness. Once she was certain he was out she dragged him over to the corner of the balcony where he couldn’t be seen. She then took off and flew around to the balcony on the other side of the chamber and slammed down onto the second guard’s back, slamming his head into the ground and knocking him out. This manoeuvre had sacrificed her element of surprise so she deactivated the cloaking device and turned to an astonished White Stripe. He shook his head and shrugged the cloak from around his shoulders.

“Why, hello there.” He greeted her his voice low and menacing. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” Miniskate faced him across the chamber and spoke with a clear, even tone.

“Agent Miniskate of the ESS.” She introduced herself and he scoffed.

“Is Blue Mask that desperate for new blood that he just lets anypony into his little club? Why, I’d say you’re so young that you could have only gotten your cutie mark yesterday.” She raised an eyebrow.

“Short, not young.”

“Ah so that’s what it is.” He nodded in mock understanding. She narrowed her eyes.

“Look, I’m not here for a friendly chat, I’m actually on a very tight schedule so if you don’t mind…” She flapped her wings and shot forward intent on slamming into him and knocking him over. However, when she got close enough he leapt into the air and came around with a brutal spin kick to her ribs. She sprawled onto the floor and slid for a few metres. She lay still for a moment in shock as he circled her slowly. Eventually he moved in close to finish her and she swept his legs. He fell flat and she picked herself up, kicking him across the floor. He grunted in pain and picked himself up. Then she was on him again, her hooves flying in from all directions, driving him back. Eventually she managed to grab and throw him, smashing his body through the crystal which shattered into a million tiny little shards. Miniskate didn’t even allow herself to celebrate that victory even as the shield fell and she heard the great war horns of Equestria sound their glorious chorus. She charged White Stripe once more, driving him back onto the balcony. He stumbled away from her and leaned against the railing. She took a breath, swung her hoof back and slammed an uppercut so powerful into his chin that it lifted him clear off the ground. The zebra crime lord tumbled backwards over the rail and felt himself become weightless. She watched as he plummeted to the street far below.

“That’s for Los Pegasus!” She spat after him.