The Shadows Our Presences Cast

(Twilight’s Plain. Town Square.)

The square was quite as the two stare each other down. The sound of thunder roll in the distance and no pony move an inch. Finally, Fluttershy started to walk to the three fowls. Razor flick a feather at Fluttershy causing Twilight to fire anther spell at it. It blast into dust but it more than stated that no pony should move.

“Let them go.” Apple Jack said, not a hint of kindness in the tone. Razor smile at this demand.

“Oh, I’m not here for those three.” Razor said, pointing at Apple Bloom at her friends. “Although, I was hired to take them out but I hold no loyalty to that contract. What I really want to do is to fight you.” Pointing at Twilight. “The most powerful alicorn, expect for the two princesses but I get to them later. You see, I killed a couple of alicorns in my time but never had a chance to fight the best.” Twilight look confuse at this statement.

“What are you talking about? There only ever been five alicorn.” Twilight pointed out. Razor laughed and shook her head.

“Do you ever get what kind of magic your dealing with? The time magic allows so many possibility to happen. Worlds were I’m not even born or you. I been to one were Derpy was an alicorn, Derpy! She really didn’t put up much of a fight.” Razor sighed in disappointment. “But you are supposed to be the one who fought back the very darkness itself. You will be the sweetest victory.”

“Alright, then let this be just about me. Leave the fowls out of it.” Twilight said.

“See, I knew you be more concern about these poor little fowls then yourself.” Razor laughed. “Don’t you realize that you about to face death itself and your worry about the lives of these three.” Point at Apple Bloom when saying this. “The traitor, the rebel and the killer. Oh, do I miss that innocence.” She saw the confuse faces and smiled. “Oh wait, you don’t know. Oh that make this some much sweeter.”

“You see, in my world, those three.” Pointing at the Crusaders. “They form a little resisted against the Compassion one, I believe you heard of her. She a little liar but she dose pay well. Anyway, after sweet old Sweetie Bell sent me to kill Princess Cadiance, thing went south. I found out who the Compassion one was and the pony I look up to the most bowing to her hooves. I couldn’t let that happen, so I took out her out. And you what to know the really kick in the back was? You know who turn their back on me after I did this? They did.” Razor pointed at Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell.

“They said we be friend forever. I guess we didn’t take in account for war. Listen to me well, old me.” Razor look at the cowering Scootaloo. “They will leave you, broke and alone when you need them the most.”

“You’re lying.” Apple Jack said, causing Razor to turn back to the four. “I don’t know what happen but my sister would never abandon her friends.”

“Oh, but you do know.” Razor said. “Tell me, how was it meeting the Silent One or Fruit Flower?” The four looked confuse but a light dawn in Rainbow Dash eyes.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Rainbow Dash said. “That Fruit Flower is Apple Bloom.”

“Ding, Ding, Ding. Give the pony a prize. And the Silent One is what left of Apple Jack. She was severely injury when I was done with her.” Razor said, clapping her hooves together. “I thought Apple Bloom would be glad that I tried to put her sister out of her misery but what did I get? Her saying I’m a monster. A monster.” Razor slam her hoof on the ground. “I’m the monster! That what I’ve been called, the monster of the Crusaders. You know how many battle I won for them? For something we all believe in.” Razor was pacing back in forth now, paying no attention to the three fowls. Twilight motion for Fluttershy to try to get to them. Razor continue to rant.

“They never went to the battles, I had to. I watch as friends died on the ground, begging to live, to see their love ones one more time. But I kept on fighting for those two because we wanted freedom, we wanted to choose our path in life. Do you want to know what Compassion big plan in the beginning was? Why we decided to fight back?” Razor turn her full attention to Twilight. “After we lost our royalty and army, every tribe was at a standstill. A stalemate, if you will, and it was growing into a cold war. Every pony was scared and no one knew what to do. Then Sweetie Bell was listen to one of Compassion secret meeting and she found out what Compassion’s plan to do to get all the tribes to agree. She was going to cause an attack by an enemy, one that every tribe could hate.”

Razorback lend over and hiss the next part. “She was going to kill a bunch of innocent ponies, dragons, and griffins to make up an enemy. So we try to stop it. At first it was us three but we gather followers and soon we had the resistance. But it came at a price. There was no need to make up an enemy, we became it. So for five years, they make up stories about how we kill griffins or dragons, Compassion work I’m sure. So we thought up a plan to talk Cadiance out of supporting her. I volunteer in case it was a trap. But when I got there.” Razor shook her head.

“Compassion had already killed Cadiance and was planning to put Flutter Heart in charge. Brainwash and all that. Compassion plan to paint it like we assassinate her and was going make a puppet out of her daughter. Should of plan on them both being assassination.” Twilight face drop when Razorback said this.

“You killed a fowl?” Twilight said, the shock plain in her voice. Razor made a noise and rolled her eyes.

“She was a puppet and I cut her strings. Well, probably her vocal cords when I slit her throat right in front of Compassion. You should have seen her face when all her well lay out plans bleed out of the floor. She try to savage it, claim that I kill them both but the doubt was already spreading. Why kill a fowl? What purpose would that serve? And where there doubt, there are rebels.” Razor flip a feather in the air and allowed it to land in front of her. I turn into a blade and she started drawing something in the dirt.

“I basically gave them the army they were struggling to build and they wouldn’t save me. Sweetie Bell or Rebel Bell now, refuse to be seen with me and Apple went running to Compassion in order to save her shadow of a sister. That when I learn the truth. You can’t trust your friends, your family or your hero. Isn’t that right Rainbow Dash?” Razor look over to Rainbow Dash and stab the dagger into the figure which look like a pegasi.

“I’m not your Rainbow Dash. You can’t blame me for things I didn’t do.” Rainbow Dash said.

“See, that what I thought. I wasn’t there when what finally drove you to join that psycho and betray your morals. But when I found out who Compassion was, I realize that you didn’t betray your morals, you just stay loyal.” Razorback said.

“Alright, who really is Compassion?” Rainbow Dash asked, trying to keep Razor distracted as Fluttershy slowly inch over to Apple Bloom.

“Ah, I’m not going to give up that surprise.” Razor said, pulling the dagger out the dirt with her wing. “Oh and by the way.” She flung the dagger right at Fluttershy with pin point training and hit the ground right in front of her. “Move one more inch and next time will be in your neck.”

“What is this?” Apple Jack asked. “You said you’re not going to kill but now you won’t let them leave. They have nothing to do with this.”

“They have everything to do with this!” Razor shouted, smashing down on the ground. “They are my past and maybe I can change this. Stop it from becoming true. They the past, aren’t they? I just want to see my life become better.” Razor smiled as if she was slipping into a fantasy. “So I decided that I will make her my apprentice. I teach her to love and praise me.

“You are insane.” Twilight said, completely in shock

“Perhaps but none of you are going to live to see tomorrow. I won’t kill Scootaloo but every other pony else is fair game.” Razor said. The armor reformed into a helmet and slightly muffling her voice. “So who want to die first?”

“Fight me.” Twilight said, stepping closer to Razorback. “You said you want a real fight. Well, why don’t you take on me?”

“That was what I was hoping.” Razorback said and dive right at her.
(Music Plain. Sewers)

Apple Tree was leading the group through the tunnel but she heard that the cloaks were not far behind. She need to lose them but she was running out of ideas. She could lead them straight to the portal but they might block the entrance or get kill if the guards on the other side see a mob coming out. She turn down a corner and led the five into a dark tunnel, giving them five minutes before the cloaks catch up.

“Alright we need a plan.” She said, panting. “We won’t make it the portal. There too many of them and they all know these tunnels better than me. We need to think.” There was a moan of pain and Apple look to see Sky Watcher was starting to faint. Record Keeper was trying to keep her up but was struggling.

“I don’t get it. She just got hit in the wing. It a scratch really. Why is she fainting?” Record asked. Apple walk over and look at the wound. It was just an inch deep but some greenish clear fluid was around it. Apple sniff it and smell a bitter nutty smell.

“Oh no.” Apple said. “Core poison. It made by the seeds of the apples. It very effective at what it does.”

“What!?!” Record shouted.

“Kills.” Apple said grimly. “There no antidote and even if there was, we have no way of getting to a doctor in time.” Record look shock and started muttering to Sky. Apple look down the tunnel and heard the mob coming closer. “We need to get moving.”

“Wait.” Sky said weakly. “Is there another way to the portal from here?”

“There is.” Apple said, pointing down the tunnel. “This split into two section but it take twice as long to get there. Why do you…” The light dawn in her eyes. “No, I won’t let you.”

“You just said I was done.” Sky moan, her breaths becoming shorter. “If I can get them to follow me that will buy you all enough time to get to the portal.” Sky started to walk but collapsed to the ground. Record pick her up and was holding her again.

“You can barely walk, let along fight them off.” Apple said. “We just need to keep moving.”

“No, you need to get them to the portal.” Record said. “I’ll take Sky the other way. Get them out of here.” Record started to walk down the tunnel, holding Sky.

“No, we can’t do this.” Rarity said, starting to step in front of the two. “We need to stay together.”

“We don’t have time for this.” Record said, sternly. “You need to go save your sister. She in danger. I’m going to do one thing I can do for my friend. I’m going to not let my friend die alone.”
(Twilight’s Plain, Above Town square.)

Twilight dodge another batch of feather, flipping through the air and fire a freezing spell. It bounce off of Razor’s armor and she charge towards Twilight. Twilight duck down at last minute and kick Razor in her chest plate. It didn’t do anything but allow Twilight to fly down faster and it threw Razor off balance. Twilight landed right next to Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack, who were watching for an opening.

“What the plan?” Rainbow Dash asked as Twilight slide to a stop.

“Her armor is impossible to break and she is more skilled at flying then I am.” Twilight said, panting. “I can’t keep this up. We need to think of a plan.” Rainbow Dash look to the rolling clouds of the coming storm and back at the incoming Razor.

“I got an idea, just get the fillies out of here.” Rainbow Dash said. She jump into the air and charge at Razorback. She managed to jump on Razor’s helmet before she could react. Razor stop heading for Twilight and turn to see Rainbow Dash flying right behind her. “Look like you see still have a lot to learn.” Rainbow Dash said, with a mocking tone.

“Oh, I know enough to destroy you.” Razor growled.

“Then show me.” Rainbow taunted. Razor roared and charge right for her. Rainbow turn and flew high into the sky.
(Music Plain. Sewers)

Record was dragging Sky at this point. They were making as much noise as possible and it was working. They heard the mob coming and in about ten minutes, they be here. Record set Sky down and sat on the tunnel wall. He sighed heavily and look up to the celling of muck and grim.

“Record, what did you do before you join the Doctor?” Sky asked, weakly.

“Is that really important?” Record asked.

“We are going to die in about nine minutes, me in a little less. I just want to really know you before I go.” Sky said, tears slowly running down her face.

“I was a mine inspector. I went into areas that might have poisonous gases or dangerous fumes. I created spells that lit them up in different colors and allowed ponies to harvest gems safely.” Record Keeper said, trying to ignore the sound of running hooves. “It how I met Doctor Hooves in the first place. He was collecting stones to make into fireworks or something and I stop him from going down a tunnel that had signs of a large methane build up. Save his life as he put it. Convince me to join that day. Should have said no.”

“That funny.” Sky said, kind of loopy. “I join after meeting him on one of my jobs. I was just supposed to watch for snow clouds but instead he caught me watching the stars. It how I wanted to die, under a starry sky. Instead, I’m dying in a sewer, not even a sewer in my home. I just want to see the stars one more time.” Sky started weeping softly and Record did the one thing he could. He cast the spell that he mention before and the gases around them light up in the tunnel.

The swirls of green, red and blues fill the tunnel and Sky eyes lit up. She watch as the color dance on the ceiling and created shape of ponies dancing.

“It not the stars but the different colors of these fumes do make a pretty scene.” Record said, choking on his tears.

“Thank you.” Sky said and with a couple of chocking cough, she started to shake. The shaking last for about a minute and then she let out a rattling noise. Record started to shake Sky’s body and when he realize that she was gone, he finally started to cry.
(Twilight’s Plain. Five mile away from Ponyville in the air.)

Rainbow Dash was hiding behind a storm cloud as Razor flew right past her. She just needs to get her deep enough that maybe… She suddenly felt a stabbing pain in her back and felt something wrap around her throat.

“Hi, how are you doing?” Razor whisper into Rainbow Dash’s ear, opening her helmet to allow her to talk. Razor increase the pressure of the blade in Rainbow Dash’s back. Rainbow struggle to breathe and hope that they were close enough. “Did you really think you could out fly me? Me? I’m disappointed in you.”

“You still have a lot to learn.” Rainbow Dash said and threw her head back. It smash into Razor’s mouth and broke open her lip. Razor cry out and let go of Rainbow Dash, allowing her to fly deeper into the storm. Rainbow dive into to a cloud and bounce off it. She saw Razor give chase but bouncing off the cloud gave her a more of a jump. Rainbow Dash ricochet off of multiple clouds with Razor following right behind.

“You can’t fly away forever!” Razorback shouted, starting to catch up. Rainbow Dash open her wings up full, causing her to fall back quickly. Razor flew around her and turn to charge at her. But she saw that Rainbow Dash was smiling. “What is so funny!?!” Razor shouted.

“You never pass flying school or you would have known two things. Number one is in order to build up a lighting storm, you need to hit the clouds in the right spot.” Rainbow Dash said, starting to fly lower. “Number two is to never wear any metal while working a storm, they tend to attract lightning.” She turn and dive down. Razor look to see several storm clouds gather around her and taste the air charging.

“Oh.” Razor said, looking up and then down to see what was inevitable. “I guess she got one over…” Before she finish, six lightning bolt hit her at once, one for each limb and the wings. She felt like the sun itself was burning out of her chest and her limb were imploding on them self. She shot down to the ground with a smoke trail fallowing right behind her till she hit solid ground.
(Music Plain. The sewers.)

Record Keeper was still holding her when they approach. He look to see one of the cloaks holding a blade in one of those hoof claws and coming very close to Record. He look to see that they were wearing mask similar to Compassion but clearly made out a cheaper material.

“How sweet.” The pony said. “Anylast words before I sent you to Tartus?”

“Yeah.” Record said, grabbing a small object he tuck into one of pack he was carrying. “Eat this.” He revel an apple with a missing stem. The cloak pony was confuse until a small clicking noise seem to be made. The pony back away and turn to its comrade.

“Run! The fool got a bomb!” The pony shouted. They started to turn as Record started to laugh.

“You can try but you won’t outrun the blast. Should have vent you sewers more often!” Record shouted after them. He look back at the ceiling and seeing the colors dance one more time. “You got too much methane.” He never hear the last click.
(Twilight’s Plain. Razor crash site.)

Twilight land right next to the hole that wasn’t there before. She saw Rainbow Dash was a few feet away, limping towards her. Rainbow Dash was smiling but Twilight could tell she was in serious pain.

“I knew I could do it.” Rainbow said, coming closer. “You want to know why? Because I’m the best.” She collapse to the ground and Twilight caught her.

“We need to get you to a doctor.” Twilight said, holding her up. “At least, it over.”

“WRONG!” A voice shouted from the crater and Razor shot back up. Rainbow Dash turn and was about to jump at her but Razor summon a hammer. She swung it at Rainbow Dash but her aim was off, only glancing a blow. It was enough to throw her to the side and leave Twilight in the open. Razor turn the hammer into a black cloud and shot it at Twilight. It wrap around her throat and head, blocking out all light and sound. Then, Twilight started to hear something. A whisper, voice she never heard before was now talking directly to her.

“Kill the weak one become the better. You need to stop wasting time. They are not your target. The betrayer must be dealt with then we can show you so much wonders. All you need to do kill the betrayer from the darker side. Now WE NEED TO LEAVE!” The voice blasted into Twilight skull and she was blasted back into the sunlight. She was dazed and look to see Razor was now shaking her head.

“Your right. I’m sorry. We need to hunt her down but how? Of course, she would hide there.” Razor said to herself it seems. She turn her attention back to Twilight. “Sorry. As fun is it to fight you losers. I need to take out my real target.” Razor said then jump into the air, flying to the north. Rainbow Dash struggle to get back up and was clearly wounded, bleeding from a gash on ribs.

“What was she talking about? Where is she going?” Rainbow Dash panted out, nearly collapsing. Twilight look scared and started flying towards the train station. “Where are you going?” Dash called after her.

“I know where she going. That’s Nightmare Moon’s armor and it aiming for it old owner. I got to get to Luna.” Twilight called back, hoping she can get there in time.
(Music Plain. Near the portal.)

Apple push a sewer cover open and crawl onto the street. She help the rest up and close it back up. The path was clear, line with a few lamp post and if they move now, they will make it before any pony could catch them.

“Come on. Let’s move.” She shouted and the group started running towards the portal. They were half-way there when a loud click was made and some pony shouted from behind.

“Don’t move!” The group turn to see two ponies standing behind them. One was Counting Coin, holding a blast barrel and aiming it at them. His satchel of bits was on a string around his neck. The other was Fire Star, smirking in approval.

“I have to say.” Fire Star said, walking slowly to them with Counting Coin using his magic to keep his weapon steady while walking beside Fire. “I would have bet the loyal ones would have caught you but looks like it a good thing I had to make sure. You own me five bits.” Count roll his eyes at this but keep the barrel steady. “So how do we want to do this? Shot or a beheading?”

“Count, why are you doing this? You know what Compassion is, what she plans to do.” Apple said, slowly backing up. She hope that maybe if she gets close enough, she’ll be able to get the group to jump into the portal. Count step a little closer and motion with the barrel.

“You think I’m an idiot? I’m not joining sides. Each one of the leader is a crazy psychopath. I figure if a war is going to break out which will happen, I’d make a profit off of it.” Count said, stepping on the metal cover of the sewer. “I mean, who going to stop me? Rebel? She either dead or not caring. Either way, I get to have the joy of taking your whiny hide out.”

Apple close her eyes waiting for the blast but heard something and open them back up. A rumble noise had started and was becoming louder. The ground was shaking and Count started to look around in confusion.

“What in the world…” Before Count could finish, the cover he was standing on blast into the air in a column of fire. Fire Star jump back but his leather coat caught on fire. He yelp in pain and started running down an ally, crying out a string of words that made no sense to the group. As he disappeared into the darkness, a loud yell came from the sky as Count came crashing back down. He stop suddenly in mid-air with a startling crack and let out a painful gasp.

The group look over to him and Rarity let a startle cry. He would of hit the ground and probably survive the fall, if not a little bang up. Instead, the coins bag he had on had caught on a lamp post and was now holding him in midair. Apple walk slowly over to him and pick up the barrel that drop beside him.

“Let just leave.” Rarity begged. “I just want to leave this place.” There was another gasp from Count and Rarity quickly went quite. Apple Tree lean in closer to hear what he was trying to say.

“Please…” Count rasp out. “Kill…me…” Apple pointed the barrel to his head and bump it softly.

“Didn’t break it complete. You’re in so much pain, you just wish you can die.” Apple said. Then, she lean in close and whisper into his ear. “Welcome to my world.” Apple turn back to the group and started to walk away. “Let get out of here. I’m done being the nice one.”