The Shadows Our Presences Cast

(Twilight’s Plain: outside the portal, near dawn.)

Captain Copper was rubbing his head as he read the report from the night watch. He didn’t want to know why Shinning Armor kept giving these idiots to him. They messed up guarding Tirek (Although it was a good thing.) and now they just put in their report of a “Flying metal wings character” coming out of the portal, heading for the crystal empire. He was going to deal with them after his shift and he promised that the next job they get, it was going to be mopping the floors of a school.

Copper was about to enjoy his breakfast when he heard the alarm bell went off. He groan and walk out of his tent. “I swear if this is a joke, I’m going to kill them.” He thought as he walk out and saw that all the guards were surrounding some pony who had come out of the portal. He quickly gear up and draw up his mace.

“Halt Stranger.” Copper said as he approach the group of guards. The pony was dress in some kind of black armor and as Copper got closer, he notice that it was a pegasi as its wings were coated in the same black metal. He didn’t notice any weapons but he didn’t like the armor or helmet because it remind him too much of Nightmare Moon.

“What business do you have here?” One of his guards on his left asked. The strange pegasi didn’t really answer but instead was looking at all the guards around her.

“Five. Six.” Razorback was slowly counting. Copper didn’t get what she was doing until he notice that there were twelve guards and realized she was counting them. He quickly raise his mace and charge.

“Attack!” Copper shouted, jumping towards her.

“Show time.” Razor said calmly and fling her wings. Several feather shot out and made slicing noise as she hit three guards in the chest. The three guards suddenly bust in to flames as soon as the metal feather connected to them, causing screams of agony.

“Ohh, this is awesome.” Razor said, quickly blocking Copper’s attack. She raised her hoof and a blade shoot out of the armor. She brought it down and slice right through him. He roared in pain and collapse on the ground. Five of the guards charge in for an attack while the rest started to run towards town, to get help. Razor chuckle and flap her wings, kicking dust into the air. Suddenly, she shot across at the four that ran and fling a bunch of metal feather at them. They all hit there mark and the bodies hit the ground before the other five could react.

“Now, where was I?” Razor said, bring her metal tip wing to her chin. “That right, you five.” She turn to the five guards. “Do I have a gift for you.” She raised both her front hooves in the air and the metal of her armor simmer and swirl until a large battle ax was form. She allowed it to float in the air and then she twitch her head, causing the ax to fly forward. The guards didn’t stand a chance as cut through all of them like they were nothing but paper. Razor giggle as the bodies hit the ground. She allow the ax to disappear and walk over to the wounded Copper.

“Before I go do my job, I have one request.” Razor said, summoning a small blade and plunging into his leg. “Scream for me.”

(Music plain. Inside the Rebel Bar.)

Starlight try to pick the lock of the cell they were in but had no luck. She didn’t understand why Rebel Bell spared them but locking them inside this cell wasn’t any better. The group was spread out inside, trying or succeeding to fall asleep. Starlight was the only one unable to sleep. As she stare out her cell door, she couldn’t help but feel a weird sense of déjà vu doing this. Suddenly, the door to the cell open and Rebel Bell walk in follow by two body guards.

“I hope you were comfortable. Because you all have five minutes to convince me why I don’t let my friends here have fun?” Rebel said, pointing to two guards who were smirking and holding giant clubs.

“Oh, shut up Rebel.” Fruit said as she rose from her slumber. “If you were going to kill us, you would have done it the second you saw us. Is it because you been talking to Music Weaver or is it guilt because of what we did?” The one guard raised his club when Fruit said this but Rebel signal for him to stop.

“I have no regret about what we had to do. I’m not the one who allow themselves to be caught and held captive.” Rebel said. “Yeah, most of idiots here believe that fertilizers Compassion sells but not me. I know some pony else gave the location of that base but I knew it wasn’t you. I let you live because I think you finally come to you sense. I was referring to the rest of you.” Rebel pointed at Rarity. “Especially you.”

“Sweetie Bell, what are you taking about?” Rarity asked. As quick as a whip, Rebel pull out her weapon and press it against Rarity’s head. Record Keeper try to jump at Rebel but a guard landed a solid hit in his stomach, knocking the wind out of him and leaving him on the ground.

“I know you think you’re my sister and all but say that name again.” She caused her weapon to make that noise again and press it hard against Rarity head. “And you’ll won’t be able to wear any fancy hats.” Rarity was tearing up at this and the rest of the group was afraid to move. Record was moaning in pain on the ground. Rebel look to the side and the said, “You now have four minutes.”

“We want to help.” Sky said calmly. Every pony turn to her and Fruit sighed loudly.

“Interesting, why do you want to help us?” Rebel said, slightly lowering the weapon and looking at Sky.

“Well it obvious that our leader will not want to do an alliance now and if this “Compassion” One find out we were here, I doubt we will live for long.” Sky said, started to walk closer to Rebel Bell. “I believe we have a better chance of getting out of this alive if we take your side.” Rebel ponder this then single to the guards to leave. Before the last one left, Rebel lean over and whisper something to him. He nodded and left, leaving the group with her.

“I having him bring me a friend, my first lieutenant. She’ll be needed if we are going to continue.” Rebel said and sat on a chair that face the cell, keeping her weapon aim at Rarity. The group wait in deafening silent, the only sounds were of the muffle music still coming from the bar. After a few minutes, the door to the cell open again and a unicorn walk into the room. She was gray fur with a silver mane. Following the mane was a line of fur that was just as silver. Her mark was a dagger.

“You wanted to see…” She started but stop when she saw Rarity and the rest of the group. “You have got to be kidding me! Please tell me you didn’t bring these ponies here on purpose.”

“Silver Back, I need your opinion.” Rebel got off her chair and gestured to them. “They said they want to help. Should we believe them?”

“Well, if they have Luna or Celestia, it might help us to have an Alicorn on our side.” Silver said.

“You serious? What make you think that either of them are going to help us? As soon as they find what you did…” Fruit said. Rebel sharply turn to her and threw her weapon to the side. She pull out a knife and pointed it at Fruit, who stand her ground.

“What I did? You mean, what we did. Because if I remember correctly, it was your idea have Cadiance killed so they lose moral support. You’re the one who allowed several of our soldiers die in the attempt for peace because I knew it was a trap!” Rebel said, weaving the knife with her magic. Fruit got in Rebel face and was staring her down.

“I wanted to talk some sense into Cadiance. You were the one who decided to kill her off and that the reason the peace talks went south. You just wanted to get revenge for what happen to you sister!” Fruit shouted, turning red in the face.

“Oh, and you didn’t!?!” Rebel scream, causing the group to jump back in shocked at the volume. “At least my sister had an end to her suffering!?! What that monster did to yours should have keep you fighting her but what did you do? You gave up. Couldn’t live with what needed to be done.” Rebel shook her head in angry. “And I thought after everything you would finally understand.

“I understand.” Fruit said, cooling off but keeping the tone of angry. “I understand that there is some lines you can’t cross and you just ran across. You want to talk about living with your mistake?” Fruit walk away and sat on the ground. “Then tell them what happen.” The air in the room became thick and every pony seem to hold their breath. Finally, Rebel Bell sigh out through her teeth.

“Fine.” She said with grit teeth. She turn to the group and pull up a chair with her magic. “Something attack our world over twenty years ago and took out almost all the Alicorns and our army. Outside force started to attack and ponies were beginning to lost hope for a future. Then, out of nowhere, some pony came with powerful magic and help fight off our enemies. We didn’t realize at the time but she used this to take out anyone that could oppose her. Griffins, Yaks, and dragons all fell to her.”

“Then, this pony pull out a spell that allow us to travel and keep portal open to allow trade. We needed it for so long, we didn’t question the price until it was too late. When we found out who she truly was.” Rebel pointed to Fruit. “We decided to build a resistance to stop her. It was easy due to so many plains starting to catch on but there were many that were loyal too. Apple here thought we need to find a way to shake up their faith in Compassion.”

“Wait, I thought her name was Fruit…” Starlight started to ask, then it dawn on her. They were friend and she was Rarity little sister so that make Fruit...

“What? You didn’t tell them you’re real name?” Rebel said. Fruit sighed.

“Wasn’t allowed to but I guess there no point to keeping it a secret.” Fruit said. “My real name is Apple Bloom. What left of Apple Jack is the one you all know called the Silent One.”
(Twilight’s Plain. Fluttershy cottage. An hour till Dawn.)

Fluttershy yawn as she started to prep some tea. She is usually more energetic in the morning but she was still suffering nightmares form the memories of Pure. She had to take some potion to keep her asleep most of the night but the tradeoff was groggy mornings. She took a sip of the tea and yawn again. She still had to wake the animals and make sure they are alright. The portal stress some of them but they were starting to get back to normal.

She walk outside and smell the cool morning air. She did enjoy the morning time, the coolness of the air and the sound of birds singing. That when Fluttershy notice something. Usually the birds are singing their cheerful songs but there was a silence in the air. A silence that chill Fluttershy to her bones and made the cool air feel like an arctic wind. Then a noise pierce through the air and for a moment Fluttershy let out a breath she was holding. The birds were starting to sing, at least that what she thought.

But instead of a song, she heard them giving off sharp chirping noise, warning calls if she remember correctly. But it wasn’t just one or two of the birds, it was all of them. The air suddenly filled with all the shrieks and screams of the birds in distress. Fluttershy watch as several took flight, heading all in the same direction, towards the east. She also watch as mice and other rodents follow in pursuit. She knew these sigh but Rainbow Dash said that just a thunderstorm today, nothing bigger. They never would make a tornado, so that leave…

Something flew over Fluttershy and her first thought was it was another bird. She look to see it was a pegasi, cover in armor, heading for Apple Jack’s farm. She notice that all the animals were going the complete opposite direction. Fluttershy flew towards Twilight’s Castle instead, because she had a bad feeling that told her she was going need all the help she can get.
(Music Plain: Rebel Bar.)

The group all stare at Fruit aka Apple Bloom. Most of them couldn’t get their around it and Pinkie Pie was taking it the hardest. Her jaw had hit the floor in an almost comic fashion and she then start to stutter.

“But, but your accent…” Pinkie started but then went back to mumbling silently, making no sense.

“I had to lose it under Compassion orders.” Apple Flower said. “You don’t want to know what she would do if I didn’t obey.”

“But how is the Silent One your sister?” What going on?” Rarity asked, all the more confuse.

“Let Rebel finish and all will be made clear.” Apple said, turning to look at Rebel. Rebel nodded and continue.

“So I, Apple and Scootaloo form the rebellion and things were rough the first five years. I took command, Apple was our recruiter and Scootaloo was the lead solider. She was the best at combat and she was quick at picking up fight styles. It was the sixth year when we decided to do something risky. We had heard of Candice’s support for Compassion ways and we believe if we took away that support, we might have a chance.”

“What we didn’t know was that the years of combat had change our Scootaloo into something darker than we thought. She had killed some many enemies for the cause, I think she started to think she had no friends. The mistake we made was sending her to talk to Candice instead of Apple Bloom or myself. Candice must have said the wrong thing and the next thing we know, she was found dead on her throne room floor.”

“At the time we were trying to make peace with several Griffin tribes and Yaks nation from other Plains. Compassion used this event to stop all talk and getting several ambassadors killed in the process. That not even the worst part.” Rebel started to tear up.

“Scootaloo found out that Compassion had three ponies as her adviser. Three ponies thought to be dead. Apple Jack, Rainbow Dash and my sister, Rarity. And she just lost it. She kill my sister and Rainbow Dash, almost got Apple Jack too but was stop. She fled and disappeared for years, leaving Apple Jack near death. From what I heard, Compassion fix her up and made sure she couldn’t speak.”

“What happen to Scootaloo?” Rarity asked.

“Don’t know. Last I heard, She change her name to Razorback and was in prison at the Omega Plain.” Rebel said.

“Not anymore.” Apple Flower said. “She was in the bar before the mob. She was carrying a pack full of some kind armor.”

“Oh no.” Silver said. “She was the one who bought the new armor.” Rebel turn to face Silver, eyes wide with fear.

“What new armor?” She asked.

“Blood Bullet made it. It was supposed to literally be the most powerful armor and it made the user almost indestructible. The perfect killing machine to quote him.” Silver answer. Rebel slam her hoof on the ground and scream.

“And you gave it to her!!!!” Rebel scream. “Do you know what this mean? You might as well gave it to death herself! Who know who’s her target is?”

“I do.” Apple Flower said grimly. “And you’re not going to like it.
(Twilight’s Plain: Apple Jack’s Farm. Dawn)

Apple Bloom rub her eyes as she got up and stretch. The three decided to have a sleep over since Rarity was gone. They ate popcorn and telling ghost story all night. She smiled as the sun light was shining and was expecting it to be a good day. She cock her head to the side when she notice that rooster didn’t call. Why in the world didn’t it? She suddenly heard something land on the roof. A thundering crash came from above and the other two woke to see a hole in the roof. Staring from the hole, was a pegasi cover in black armor and was smiling.

“Hello girls.” She said, pulling the wood away. “Hope you girls got enough sleep because we’re going to have a grand old time.”