Chapter 5 - The Monster Within Part 1

Meanwhile back in Ponyville Twilight and her friends become saddened by Radiants absence. Twilight misses the the late night study sessions that her and Radiant had, Rainbow misses having a friend she can compete with, Rarity misses her very talented assistant, and Fluttershy and Pinkie miss the kindness that Radiant always shared with everyone. Twilight looks at her calendar counting down to the day Radiant was suppose to come back. Just then a loud scream and bang can heard followed by more screams. Worried twilight rushes outside to see Ponyville being attacked by a small group of Pegusai. She rushes to get the others as they make there way to the group. Once there they are confronted by a red and black carriage. The Pegusai land and salute the carriage as the door opens. Out of the carriage steps a red and black alicorn. He opens his eyes as a dark aura shoots around them.

“So this is Ponyville? Such a disappointment here I was thinking I had sent the human someplace more...populated.” He said with a sharp toothy grin. “Oh well, these things happens now where is the human Radiant Sword I believe his name was.”  He says scanning the group of ponies before him trying to locate Radiant.

“Who are you and what do you want with our friend?” Rainbow Dash says with snarl.

“Oh dear where are my manners. My name is Exodus and i am the one who sent Radiant here to destroy you all and take over the throne until I returned. From the looks of things it seems the little fool couldn’t even accomplish this simple task. Well if you want something done right you must do it yourself.” He said with a laugh as Pegusai and Changelings start attacking the town.

“Girls quick to the castle. We have to warn Princess Celestia.” Twilight says as the five of them run for the balloon. Once in the balloon twilight takes out a scroll and begins writing a letter to Radiant. “Spike send the letter hurry.” Twilight says as Exodus shoots a hole in the balloon as it spins and crashes in a nearby forest.

“Oh so close quickly my minions retrieve the elements and bring them to me. Now let's get this party started.” Exodus says as he walks through town destroying buildings and imprisoning the citizens of Ponyville. Back in the Crystal Empire the scroll lands on Radiants bed while he is in the throne room with Cadence and Shining Armor.

“Very well Radiant if that is your final decision then we shall begin the process.” Cadence says as she climbs down and walks up to Radiant and looks into his eyes. Her eyes flash pink as Radiant falls to the ground. After a few minutes Radiant wakes up and shakes his head. “All done Radiant all ties you had to your former life are now gone. There is one thing I just don’t understand. As a human who was brought here against his will and turned into a pony none the less why were you so adamant on erasing your past? I thought for sure you would want to return home.” Cadence says helping him to his hooves.

“Well Princess it’s simple. Sure I had friends and family back home in the human world and at first all I wanted was to go home. That was until I met Twilight and her friends. Once I had met them everything changed there friendship made me feel whole, like my life had a clear meaning and during the time I’ve been in Equestria me and Applejack have gotten very close then there was Sugar Skull. She was the package that completed everything. So that's why I wanted to start a new life from scratch one where I can be happy in new hometown Ponyville.” Radiant said as a bright flash engulfs him when the light clears Skull gasps in amazement.

“Mr. Radiant your flank it has a mark on it.” She says as Radiant runs over to the crystalline wall of the throne room. On his Flank he spots a grey six pointed star with a yellow rune symbol behind them with six holes with weird symbols in them. Upon closer examination the six symbols soon morph into six new marks. Butterflies, Apples, Balloons, A rain cloud with lightning through it, three diamonds and lastly purple and pink stars both large and small. “Wait those are my friends cutie marks.” He says with a shocked look on his face.

“Yes my brave pupil you were given that cutie mark to symbolize that you are the conduit that can channel and amplify the elements of harmony.” Celestia says coming down from the sky out of nowhere.

“What does all that mean Princess?” Sugar Skull asks with a look of confusion on her face which causes Celestia to giggle.

“Well, my little pony it means that Radiant here is the seventh Element of Harmony. The Element of  Comradery. So, from what Cadence tells me the operation was a success?’ Celestia asks looking over at Radiant.

“Yes Princess I’m now a full fledged Pony with no more ties to my old life. I can now start over with Applejack and Skull.” Radiant says with a smile as Skull rus and jumps on his head.

“Does that mean I can call you daddy now?” She says smiling ear to ear.

“Yes Sugar Skull you can now call me daddy.” He says hugging and nuzzling the crying filly.

“Well, it seems you have been busy Radiant or should I say Noah the human.” a voice says from the far end of the throne room. From the shadows a black and green pony emerged as the guards readied themselves for an attack.

“Who are you and that's not my name anymore.” Radiant says as he puts Sugar Skull down. “Run and hide behind the throne Skull.” She nods and runs as Celestia, Cadence, Armor, and Applejack stand by Radiants side ready to fight.

“Haven’t you ponies ever heard of the term don’t shoot the messenger. I have no intention of fighting I’m simply here to give you a message from my lord.” The pony throws a scroll to radiant as he opens it and reads it. His eyes widen as he grits his teeth.

“Whats going on Radiant?” Armor says noticing his friends dismay.

“Ponyville is under attack by an unknown army. Led by a Lord Exodus the pony claims to be the one that sent me to this world.” Radiant continues to read as he stops again. “I was sent here to destroy Equestria? That’s impossible I could never do that.” Celestia gently takes the scroll from him and burns it.

“Doesn’t matter what he sent you to do the fact is thanks to the elements of harmony prevented that from happening.” She says reassuring the gray alicorn.

“Oh and I was supposed to give you this gift.” He says as he slides a bag over to radiant before disappearing. “My lord says this should make things interesting.” Scared Radiant unravels the bag making everyone wretch in horror. Before them was a severed blue Pegasus wing. “ That's Rainbows Wing.” Applejack says in horror as Radiant falls silent. He begins to grit his teeth in anger,

“Calm yourself Radiant. There will be time for revenge later. For now we have to focus on saving Ponyville first. Twilight and her friends are hard fighters they will be fine.” Celestia says putting a hoof on Radiants back. “For now I want you to train. You will need all the skill you can muster to defeat Exodus. Meanwhile I will enlist Luna’s help and work on securing Ponyville.” Celestia says as she teleports out of the throne room. Radiant stays quiet as he heads down into the dungeon of the castle.

“Where are you going” Applejack says following Radiant.

“I’m going to take Celestia's advice and train. After all I’m the seventh element I can’t fail...no matter the cost.” Radiant says closing the door.

“Ugh where are we?” Rainbow says as she feels a stinging sensation on her back. Twilight looks over at Rainbow and hasps covering her mouth.

“Rainbow your wing is gone. From the looks of it Lord Exodus cut it off while we were passed out.” Twilight says as she scans her surroundings.

“Oh dear twilight you give me far too much credit. However I would never do such a savage thing. Now my underlings however well that's a different story.” Exodus says with a laugh as he stands on the other side of a set of cell doors.

“You're so screwed when Radiant gets here.” Rainbow says standing up and rushing at the bars.

“Oh yes indeed I will be and after I had a messenger give him your severed wing I imagine he will be near the verge of bloodlust when he sees me. You see Radiants mission was to destroy Equestria and I intend to have him do that. You see inside him is a rather nasty rune that when activated by intense damage to the host's body. The host transforms into a savage beast that kills everything in its path. That same stone is also inside me and once his is activated mine will be to and we will destroy this world and move on to the next world and the next and so on. It will be a truly marvelous sight. It’s a shame you all won’t live long enough to see him transform. TaTa” Exodus says as he walks away laughing.

“A beast that kills anything in its path. What could that beast possibly be.” Twilight says as she goes over the many beats of Equestria.

“Whatever it is it doesn’t sound very nice.” Fluttershy says hiding in the corner.

“He’s wrong I know radiant he can fight it and beat that bastard.” Rainbow says looking out the window of their cell.

Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months as Radiant trains to his limit everyday. The thought of Rainbows wing fuels him to continue pushing himself beyond his boundaries. As the day goes on Radiant stops and comes up to the castle. In the throne room Awaits Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Shining Armor, and several dozen guards.

“Radiant Sword you are tasked with the duty of Rescuing your friends and defeating Exodus. Meanwhile we will work on securing the town and wiping out any resistance.” Shining Armor says as he signals his guard to bring out a chest. “In this chest is a helm, boots, chest peice, wing guards, and flank guards. With this Armor which bears the sigil of The Elements of Harmony you will be the one who takes down the evil King Exodus.” Radiant puts on the armor and readies himself.

“Let’s go save Equestria.” Radiant says he storms off into the sky as everyone follows him. Applejack and Sugar kull follow behind them in a guard drawn carriage as they head for Ponyville. Shining Armor and Cadence sit on their thrones.

“Do you think he will make it?” cadence says worried for Radiants safety.

“I have no doubt. Twilight told me how much he has improved. Back in Ponyville the girls finally formulate a plan to escape. Once the guards fell asleep they put their plan into action. They pooled together what strength they had left and eventually busted a hole in the wall small enough for them to squeeze through.. Once free they began to run far away from the center of town as possible. As Radiant and the Princesses approached ponyville they noticed Twilight and her friends and quickly landed.

“Twilight up here!” Radiant yelled as they land shortly after radiant lands Applejack and Skull jump out and rush to Radiants side.

The seven friends hug each other tightly. “I’m sorry about your wing Rainbow. If I had gotten here in time then maybe I could have saved it.” Radiant says disappointed in himself. Look at you girls you're all dirty and emaciated. What happened?” Radiant says as his armor gleams in the sunlight.

“We have been trapped in a prison cell for several months. We didn’t get much food or water.” Twilight says weakly smiling.

“Celestia and Luna please take Twilight and them somewhere safe and make sure they get their strength back.” Celestia looks at Radiant.

“Are you sure. Can you handle Exodus by yourself.” Celestia says ordering her guards to help Twilight and her friends. “I also want you two to look after my daughter for me.” The girl's eyes widen as Rainbow stands up.

“How in the hell do you have a daughter?” Rainbow asks as radiant strips off his armor except for his boots and chest piece.

“It's a long story I’ll tell you all when this is over.” Twilight notices his cutie mark.

“Radiant you got your cutie mark!” She says with a smile.

“Not only that but I’m also the seventh Element of Harmony. The Element of Comradery.” Radiant says with a smile before rocketing towards Ponyville.

“Comraderberry what's that?” Pinkie says in confusion as Twilight puts her hoof on her face and shakes it.

“Comradery Pinkie it means a feeling of trust, a bond created by a shared goal or experience. Radiant fights for what we all fight for. To protect our friends and family. Radiant lands in Ponyville as he begins attacking Changelings and the evil Pegusai. He kicks, blasts, and stabs his way to the center of town. As he stand there covered in goo and blood more cannon fodder attack. Kicking into full gear Radiant continues to fight and kill everyone who attacks him. He yells and snarls as a pile of bodies soon amass around him. Scared the remaining enemies retreat as Radiant spits and continues his mission. As he runs through the streets and alleys of Ponyville his mind becomes clouded with rage and anger. His once beautiful home now a burning wasteland. His once happy friends now weak and near death. Radiant stops in another town square and looks around. More enemies converge from the roof only this time they are armored and have bladed horns. Radiant steadies his breath as he closes his eyes before opening them again. The armored ponies attack radiant moving faster than he can read. They scored several hits on Radiant as he is picked up by his hind leg and thrown into a building. He flies out attacking once again as the knights continue their relentless assault on Radiant. They stomp him into the ground and knock him around with kicks and hammers. Radiant lays on the ground bloodied and broken as the knights all stand to one side. A large Earth pony walks towards him wearing the same armor.

“All that power and you still couldn’t beat us. What does Exodus see in a weakling like you.” The pony says slamming his hoof repeatedly on radiants back as he coughs up blood. “Now here is what's gonna happen little colt. I’m going to kill you and wear you like a nice pelt. Then I’m gonna kill all your friends and the best part is you're too broken to stop me not even Exodus.” he says as he laughs aiming his horn at Radiants throat slitting it. The ground begins to tremble as the guards step back as Radiant rises up and turns white before a flash of light blinds the attackers. As the light clears Radiant appears as a eight foot tall grey skinned creature with yellow eyes huge teeth and razor sharp claws and horns. “W...what the hell are you.” The pony screamed as Radiant lunged forward as he tears the pony and his guards limb from limb as blood splashes the walls and pools on the ground.

“Wh...What is this? What happened to me?” Radiant says gripping his head and roaring loudly.

“This is what happens when the beast rune is activated.” A voice says as Radiant looks around a black abyss. “When the body is subjected to intense pain and stress this rune activates giving the host control of this new body.” The voice continues to say.

“Who are you show yourself?” Radiant demands in an angry tone.

“Calm down child no need for aggression I am a friend. You may call me Starswirl the Bearded.” The voice says as an azure blue pony with a long white mane and matching beard steps into the light. “You see son Exodus wanted to activate this rune and use you to help him destroy Equestria but because of the power of friendship that courses through your cutie mark and the fact you have become the seventh Element of Harmony as counter acted the runes connection to Exodus. However, you are not yet ready to use this form. Your body has been turned into unbreakable stone. It will break and set you free once you have mastered this new form. Now come this way son it’s time to start your training.