The New Friend (Part 1 of a 2 part story)by SonicLightningChaptersChapter 1: The AlicornChapter 2: The RiddleChapter 3: From the ShadowsChapter 1: The AlicornIt was a beautiful day in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle and her friends were walking to Sweet Apple Acres when they spotted the Cutie Mark Crusaders playing with a little colt. To Twilight's surprise, the colt was an alicorn. "Hey, Twilight!" Apple Bloom called over to them. "This is Thunder Cracker!" Twilight Sparkle and her friends walked over to them. The little colt looked up at them with bright yellow eyes. He had white fur, gray hooves, and a yellow, silver, and black lightning streaked mane and tail. He didn't have a cutie mark. "Hi," the foal said. "Hello, Thunder Cracker." Twilight said. Before she could say more, an older colt trotted over. It was another alicorn! He had yellow eyes, a yellow lightning streaked mane and tail, light blue fur, and white hooves. "Thunder Cracker, it looks like you made some new friends, huh?" the alicorn said, smiling warmly at Twilight and her friends. "I'm Lightning Strike." "I am Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie." she said, introducing him to her friends. Lightning Strike smiled at the cutie mark crusaders. "And what are your names?" "I'm Apple Bloom, and this is Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Applejack's my big sister. She's really nice! You should hang out sometime!" Apple Bloom told Lightning Strike, making Applejack blush and making the alicorn laugh. "I'll consider that, Apple Bloom." he chuckled, gazing at Applejack. "Um... Ya'll seem new 'round here. Would ya like to... I dunno.... hang out with us?" Applejack offered awkwardly, still blushing. "Sure. If you don't mind." "We wouldn't mind at all!" Twilight smiled. She liked the idea of making a new friend. "Great! You coming, little brother?" Lightning Strike called to Thunder Cracker who galloped over with his new friends. "Coming!" The group of ponies walked to Sweet Apple Acres. When they arrived, they settled down under a big shady apple tree and started to talk. "Lightning Strike, I'm an honorary Cutie Mark Crusader now!" Thunder Cracker announced proudly. "Yeah? You're gonna get your cutie mark with your new pals?" Lightning Strike said, ruffling his little brother's mane with his hoof. "Yup!" the foal said, scampering off to play. Lightning Strike chuckled. "It sure is different here. I mean, compared to Canterlot..." "Canterlot!?" Rarity exclaimed. "Y-you're from Canterlot?" Lightning Strike nodded. "Oh, I have always loved Canterlot! It is such a perfect place for a mare who wants to work in fashion, wouldn't you say?" "Yeah." "What made you come here?" Twilight asked curiously. "Oh... just, wanted to see different places, you know. I've been kinda busy in Canterlot." "What d'ya do?" Applejack asked, bucking a nearby apple tree to gather some apples for them to share. "Oh... well.... I...." Lightning Strike paused, unsure of what to say. "A letter for a 'Princess Twilight Sparkle'." said a mailpony. Twilight Sparkle took the letter and opened it. Her friends all waited for her to read it as they ate their apples. Twilight Sparkle was silent for a moment, then... "Huh?" she frowned in confusion. "Well?? What's it say?" Rainbow Dash prompted. "It says that we're invited to Canterlot to meet a new princess." "A new princess?" Lightning Strike perked up. "Does it say a name?" he asked. "Yeah. It says it's Rainbow Dawn Lightning. It's her coronation." "Is it today?" Twilight read through the letter again. "Yes, it is!" "Then what're we waitin' for ya'll? Let's get to the train station!" Applejack exclaimed. The group of friends galloped off to the train station. Before long, they were on the train, heading for Canterlot. "Another princess, like me! I can't wait to meet her!" Twilight said, looking out the window. "Yeah... I think you'll like her." Lightning Strike assured her with a knowing smile. "Do you know her?" "Of course I know her," Lightning Strike laughed. "She's my sister!" "Really?" Lightning Strike nodded. "But wouldn't that make you a... " "Prince?" "Yeah," "Yup, I'm considered royalty. Princess Celestia adopted my sister, Thunder Cracker, and myself as her niece and nephews." Lightning told Twilight. Twilight and her friends were amazed. They were going to be friends with a prince! The only prince she knew of was her brother. "That's... amazing!" "And, you're a princess, right?" he asked. "Yeah. I'm the princess of friendship." she confirmed. "Geez... What else do you do?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Well, I like to fly. And when I'm needed, I serve as the Lieutenant of the Royal Guard." "T-the... Royal Guard? Lieutenant!?" Rarity gasped, looking like she was going to faint. "And when I have free time, I like to read. It's kind of calming, you know?" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. But Twilight Sparkle was immediately interested. "Oh, I love to read! Maybe you can come over to my castle sometime to check out some books." Lightning Strike smiled. "Yeah, that would be nice." Twilight Sparkle and Lightning Strike were silent for awhile. Her friends were chatting with each other, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were talking excitedly to Thunder Cracker, who happened to be the first prince they had ever met that was their age. Twilight found herself staring at Lightning Strike. Though she tried, she just couldn't take her eyes off of him. She felt like her stomach was full of butterflies. He was just so... attractive. 'Wait!' she thought to herself. 'He's just a friend! I just pretty much met him!' But, still, she couldn't take her eyes off him. 'Come on, Twilight, get a hold of yourself!' she scolded herself mentally. But still, she stared. Everything about him was perfect. His mane, his voice, the way he moved.... and that breathtakingly charming smirk he was giving her as he looked at her with those warm yellow eyes..... Wait... Looked at her? Her heart skipped a beat and then went into overdrive. 'He's looking at me! He saw me staring at him! Oh, no, what do I do!?' was what she thought. But what she said was, "Uhh...." Lightning Strike chuckled a little. "You're blushing," he told her. Twilight felt her cheeks grow hot. "Umm.... uhh...." she muttered stupidly. "Are you okay?" "Oh! Um... y-yeah! I'm just..." At that moment, the train arrived at Canterlot. The group of friends met Princess Celestia. "I'm afraid I have some bad news." the Princess told them. "What?" Twilight asked. "Due to some... inconvenience, we will have to postpone the coronation." "Oh," "I'm sorry for the trouble." Celestia apologized. "It's okay. We'll make sure to be ready next time!" "But, you can all still meet her, if you'd like." Celestia told them. A beautiful alicorn came trotting in, as if on cue. Her mane and tail had three streaks, one red, one yellow, and one blue. Her eyes were a bright, electric blue, and her fur was white. The feathers on the edges of her wings were light blue. Had Twilight not known that this mare was just going to become a princess, she would of swore that she was one already. "Hey, Lightning! And, you must be Princess Twilight Sparkle?" "Yes, I am." Twilight replied. "Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you guys. You were all so brave when you guys fought Tirek!" Rainbow Dawn told her. "Thank you," "Now, we must go. We have much to do." Celestia said. Twilight and her friends said goodbye to the princesses, during which Lightning Strike and Thunder Cracker hugged their sister. Then the group of friends left for Ponyville. "She's really nice!" Twilight said to Lightning Strike. "Yeah. See, I knew you'd like her!" When they got back, it was getting late. Twilight's friends were tired, so they went home, but Lightning Strike stayed. "So... Do you mind if I check out your library?" he asked with a smile. "Sure. Come on!" She led Lightning Strike and Thunder Cracker to her castle where Thunder Cracker got to read some Daring Do books, and Lightning Strike and Twilight Sparkle got to read a few books together. The next day, Twilight and her friends, including Lightning Strike, had a little picnic in the park. Twilight was sure that her and Prince Lightning Strike were going to be good friends. Chapter 2: The RiddleIt was a week after they had met Rainbow Dawn Lightning. It was another beautiful day, and Twilight Sparkle was going for a walk. Suddenly, a voice started yelling to her urgently. "Twilight! Twilight!!" She turned in surprise. it was Lightning Strike! Her newest friend skidded to a halt in front of her, panting hard from running. "Twilight...!" he gasped. "I just got a letter... from the Princess...... She wants to see us...." "When?" "Immediately!" the handsome alicorn cried urgently. As Lightning Strike led her through Ponyville to round up her friends, he filled them all in. Princess Celestia had just received a mysterious letter that had a threatening riddle. As if that wasn't bad enough, Shining Armour and Princess Cadence have noticed that black crystals had popped up in the Arctic North. Princess Celestia needed their help to find out what was happening and to put a stop to it. "A riddle? Black crystals?? Are we talking about an attack?" "That's just it, Twilight. I don't know!" Soon, they were in Celestia's castle. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, and Princess Rainbow Dawn Lightning were all waiting for them. "Oh, thank goodness! Now we can begin." Celestia said, her face grim. "After I had raised the sun, I received this letter." she pointed with her hoof at a piece of paper on the table in front of her. This is what it said: Greetings, Celestia, A swarm of ever changing ponies and the return of a crystal king are just the beginning of the troubles that my plan will surely bring. You may bring forth the dawn and the rising sun, but shadows are gathering and the night's just begun. A heart of crystal can still be turned as black as night. The sun will set, and the moon will rise with all its might. Your nightmare will spread it wings and take flight. The shadows are gathering to block out the sun. Come on, Celestia, come and join the fun! But beware, for the shadows will take all that you hold dear, for even a heart as pure as crystal can be shattered by fear. "What does it mean?" Rainbow Dawn Lightning asked. "'A swarm of ever changing ponies...'" Twilight muttered to herself. Suddenly she gasped. It all made sense! "The swarm of ever changing ponies would be the changelings!" Everyone looked at Twilight Sparkle. "The crystal king is King Sombra..." "But how? He was completely destroyed by the crystal heart!" Princess Cadence said. "Yes, but his horn remained whole!" Celestia nodded slowly. "The vessel that contains and generates the magic in all unicorns and alicorns... if touched with the right spell....." "The next thing it mentions is the sun, which means..." Luna looked at Celestia in alarm. "A direct threat?" "It appears so." Celestia replied, meeting her sister's gaze. "So, then that little bit about a heart of crystal is talkin' about the crystal heart?" Applejack asked. "Yes! And then it mentions something about shadows and..." Twilight faltered. "What is it?" Princess Luna asked. "I think it mentions Nightmare Moon." The group of ponies were silent for a moment, processing what they had just learned. "Well, if you ask me, it's not just a threat, it's a possible full out attack!" Lightning Strike said, clearly concerned. "I couldn't agree with you less." Celestia sighed. Twilight Sparkle was nervous. Princess Celestia looked like she was literally shaken. "There's something that I should tell you all." Princess Celestia said. "Long ago... before Nightmare Moon, Luna and I had a... brother." Twilight and her friends gasped. "His name was Midnight Shadow." Celestia continued, closing her eyes as if she could see something only she could see. "He was loyal, brave... everything a prince should be. And he loved Luna and I dearly." When Celestia opened her eyes, there were tears in them. "It was with his assistance that we found the Elements of Harmony to defeat Discord. He was the one who found the seventh element." "The seventh?" Twilight asked. Celestia nodded solemnly. "Courage. But... something happened, when we had confronted Sombra for the first time. Midnight was the first to engage Sombra in combat. But... Sombra... h-he... taunted him. Afterwards, our brother was different. Darker. He had always specialized in shadow magic, but he started to get aggressive with it. And when I had to banish Luna to the moon... he snapped." Princess Celestia flinched, as if she was facing her brother again. "I was forced to use the Elements, but, somehow... he managed to escape their magic. I haven't seen him since. I had two losses that day. Two utterly crushing, heartbreaking losses." She took a shaky breath, and continued. "The Element of courage vanished with him." The room was in a shocked silence for several heartbeats. Luna stared at her sister, stunned. Twilight Sparkle's mind was racing. Seven Elements of Harmony? Princess Celestia's missing brother? Why hadn't she heard about any of this!? "If it is Midnight... we need to be prepared." "Princess! We can find the Element of courage for you!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed eagerly. "Yeah, Princess! Ya'll can count on us!" Applejack said. "Very well," Celestia sighed. "But be careful. Even I do not know what awaits you on this journey." Twilight and her friends galloped off, making a slight detour so Lightning Strike could grab his royal guard armor. A black pegasus named Crimson Shield was with them. Crimson Shield was a good friend of Lightning Strike's, and was more than willing to come with them. Princess Rainbow Dawn Lightning was looking after the Cutie Mark Crusaders back in Canterlot. The group came to a halt, gasping for breath from how far they had ran. Twilight and her friends had grabbed the Elements of Harmony, and were standing by the border of the Everfree Forest. "Um... Guys?" Fluttershy spoke up as they neared the dark trees. Twilight stopped to look at the timid, yellow pegasus. "Yes, Fluttershy?" "D-do we... have to go in... t-t-there?" Fluttershy whimpered. "Oh, come on! We need to find the missing Element of Harmony!" Rainbow Dash complained. "Rainbow Dash is right. Besides, maybe we'll find it at the Tree of Harmony!" "O-okay... I guess....." Fluttershy whimpered. Twilight Sparkle turned, took a deep breath, and led her friends into the Everfree Forest. Chapter 3: From the ShadowsDeep in the Arctic North, a dark pony was standing completely unaffected by the icy blasts of wind. He was an alicorn, and a prince. His eyes gleamed red, with snake like pupils. Red wisps of mist were emanating from his eyes. His horn was long and curved with a wicked point at the end, and his mane and tail rippled as if it were shadow. Protruding from the snow, was a curved, red horn. The dark alicorn summoned his magic, making his horn, and the broken horn in the snow glow red. The horn lifted up off the icy ground as shadows gathered from every direction, as if they were drawn to the horn. Slowly, the shadows started to take a shape. The shape of a unicorn. "Rise, King Sombra." the alicorn hissed, his red eyes flashing menacingly in the darkness. The fully reformed unicorn landed on his hooves and opened his eyes. The Crystal King had returned. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight Sparkle and her friends had trekked all the way to the Tree of Harmony. But to their disappointment, there was no other Element of Harmony. "Well, that was a great waste of time and energy!" Rainbow Dash scowled, kicking a pebble with her hoof. "This is an awful predicament!" Rarity complained, tossing her beautiful purple mane with annoyance. "All this way through a treacherous forest, all for nothing! Do you know how many leaves I've had to get out of my mane!?" "Well, I got a few leaves and twigs in my cupcake, and at first I was like --" she gasped, "-- but then I was like "Ooooh!" 'cause it was just like SPRINKLES!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly. "Hmm... Where could it be? If it's not here...... Hmmm....." Twilight muttered to herself, deep in thought. "Princess Celestia said that the Element of Courage vanished with Midnight Shadow. Could it be that it's still with him?" Lightning Strike mused. "I hope not. Because we don't even know where he is!" "Well, I think we best find where it's at, and soon! 'Cause if Midnight Shadow does attack, we'll need all of the Elements of Harmony to stop him!" Applejack frowned at the troubling thought. "If he has it, I'll --" "Rainbow Dash! You have to remember that Midnight Shadow is still Celestia and Luna's brother! If we can help him, then we should! Not just banish him. It wouldn't be right!" Twilight said, interrupting Rainbow Dash. "Sure, I guess." Rainbow Dash shrugged. "The Element isn't here. We have to keep looking." Twilight said, leading the way out of the Everfree Forest. As they were leaving, a mass of shadow materialized in front of them. It started to take shape, until an alicorn stood before them. It had a rippling dark and light purple mane and tail, and was wearing silver armor. He spread his wings, menacingly blocking their path. Twilight and her friends gasped. Lightning Strike and Crimson Shield made a protective stance in front of the Mane Six. The alicorn chuckled darkly, opening red eyes, red wisps of mist coming from them. "Ahh.... Twilight Sparkle," he said softly, his eyes studying her. Twilight shuddered, it was as if those eyes were looking into her soul. "My sister's little student. We meet at last." The alicorn took a step toward them. Lightning Strike tensed. "Stay back!" "Ha! Do you know who I am?" "Midnight Shadow," Twilight whispered. "Yes... smart girl." Midnight nodded. "And i know exactly who all of you are. I really must congratulate you for being able to use the Elements with such ease. It's quite.... impressive." "Where's the Element of Courage!?" Rainbow Dash demanded. Midnight Shadow looked at her thoughtfully. "How am I supposed to know? I have no use for it." he hissed, dismissing the thought with a shrug. He laughed cruelly. "Oh, Celestia's so foolish to send a bunch of foals to stop my plan." "We're not afraid of you!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "Ah, but you should fear me. I am what lurks in the shadows. I am what goes bump in the night. I can be the one who causes your nightmares..." the dark alicorn said, stalking to the shade of the trees, where he seemed to melt into the shadows, his glowing red eyes glaring out at them. "So many reasons to fear me... And yet you claim to have no fear in my presence. You claim to have the one Element you lack: courage." "Now you listen here--" "Ah, yes... Applejack. Do you really believe that you could beat me? Honestly? And timid little Fluttershy... can kindness really withstand the force of fear and darkness? Are you just going to watch and laugh, Pinkie Pie? Or are you actually going to get serious enough to help out? And if you all think that generosity, loyalty, and magic will be enough to stop me... you're wrong." "No. You're wrong." Twilight said boldly, raising her chin. "We'll see about that, Twilight." Midnight Shadow hissed, those eyes flashing before he vanished. Applejack shuddered. "I don't know 'bout ya'll, but I ain't feelin' too good 'bout this..." "If he took the risk of coming this close to Canterlot, then he must be getting stronger." Lightning Strike said grimly, scanning the trees and undergrowth for any threat. "We need to move. Now." "I agree with Lightning. This can't be good." Crimson Shield said. "But where else can we look? We've checked the Tree of --" Twilight was cut short by a loud buzzing sound. "What the --!?" The group galloped to the edge of the forest in time to see a large swarm of changelings descend upon Ponyville. They were being attacked!
Chapter 1: The AlicornIt was a beautiful day in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle and her friends were walking to Sweet Apple Acres when they spotted the Cutie Mark Crusaders playing with a little colt. To Twilight's surprise, the colt was an alicorn. "Hey, Twilight!" Apple Bloom called over to them. "This is Thunder Cracker!" Twilight Sparkle and her friends walked over to them. The little colt looked up at them with bright yellow eyes. He had white fur, gray hooves, and a yellow, silver, and black lightning streaked mane and tail. He didn't have a cutie mark. "Hi," the foal said. "Hello, Thunder Cracker." Twilight said. Before she could say more, an older colt trotted over. It was another alicorn! He had yellow eyes, a yellow lightning streaked mane and tail, light blue fur, and white hooves. "Thunder Cracker, it looks like you made some new friends, huh?" the alicorn said, smiling warmly at Twilight and her friends. "I'm Lightning Strike." "I am Twilight Sparkle, and these are my friends, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie." she said, introducing him to her friends. Lightning Strike smiled at the cutie mark crusaders. "And what are your names?" "I'm Apple Bloom, and this is Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Applejack's my big sister. She's really nice! You should hang out sometime!" Apple Bloom told Lightning Strike, making Applejack blush and making the alicorn laugh. "I'll consider that, Apple Bloom." he chuckled, gazing at Applejack. "Um... Ya'll seem new 'round here. Would ya like to... I dunno.... hang out with us?" Applejack offered awkwardly, still blushing. "Sure. If you don't mind." "We wouldn't mind at all!" Twilight smiled. She liked the idea of making a new friend. "Great! You coming, little brother?" Lightning Strike called to Thunder Cracker who galloped over with his new friends. "Coming!" The group of ponies walked to Sweet Apple Acres. When they arrived, they settled down under a big shady apple tree and started to talk. "Lightning Strike, I'm an honorary Cutie Mark Crusader now!" Thunder Cracker announced proudly. "Yeah? You're gonna get your cutie mark with your new pals?" Lightning Strike said, ruffling his little brother's mane with his hoof. "Yup!" the foal said, scampering off to play. Lightning Strike chuckled. "It sure is different here. I mean, compared to Canterlot..." "Canterlot!?" Rarity exclaimed. "Y-you're from Canterlot?" Lightning Strike nodded. "Oh, I have always loved Canterlot! It is such a perfect place for a mare who wants to work in fashion, wouldn't you say?" "Yeah." "What made you come here?" Twilight asked curiously. "Oh... just, wanted to see different places, you know. I've been kinda busy in Canterlot." "What d'ya do?" Applejack asked, bucking a nearby apple tree to gather some apples for them to share. "Oh... well.... I...." Lightning Strike paused, unsure of what to say. "A letter for a 'Princess Twilight Sparkle'." said a mailpony. Twilight Sparkle took the letter and opened it. Her friends all waited for her to read it as they ate their apples. Twilight Sparkle was silent for a moment, then... "Huh?" she frowned in confusion. "Well?? What's it say?" Rainbow Dash prompted. "It says that we're invited to Canterlot to meet a new princess." "A new princess?" Lightning Strike perked up. "Does it say a name?" he asked. "Yeah. It says it's Rainbow Dawn Lightning. It's her coronation." "Is it today?" Twilight read through the letter again. "Yes, it is!" "Then what're we waitin' for ya'll? Let's get to the train station!" Applejack exclaimed. The group of friends galloped off to the train station. Before long, they were on the train, heading for Canterlot. "Another princess, like me! I can't wait to meet her!" Twilight said, looking out the window. "Yeah... I think you'll like her." Lightning Strike assured her with a knowing smile. "Do you know her?" "Of course I know her," Lightning Strike laughed. "She's my sister!" "Really?" Lightning Strike nodded. "But wouldn't that make you a... " "Prince?" "Yeah," "Yup, I'm considered royalty. Princess Celestia adopted my sister, Thunder Cracker, and myself as her niece and nephews." Lightning told Twilight. Twilight and her friends were amazed. They were going to be friends with a prince! The only prince she knew of was her brother. "That's... amazing!" "And, you're a princess, right?" he asked. "Yeah. I'm the princess of friendship." she confirmed. "Geez... What else do you do?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Well, I like to fly. And when I'm needed, I serve as the Lieutenant of the Royal Guard." "T-the... Royal Guard? Lieutenant!?" Rarity gasped, looking like she was going to faint. "And when I have free time, I like to read. It's kind of calming, you know?" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. But Twilight Sparkle was immediately interested. "Oh, I love to read! Maybe you can come over to my castle sometime to check out some books." Lightning Strike smiled. "Yeah, that would be nice." Twilight Sparkle and Lightning Strike were silent for awhile. Her friends were chatting with each other, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were talking excitedly to Thunder Cracker, who happened to be the first prince they had ever met that was their age. Twilight found herself staring at Lightning Strike. Though she tried, she just couldn't take her eyes off of him. She felt like her stomach was full of butterflies. He was just so... attractive. 'Wait!' she thought to herself. 'He's just a friend! I just pretty much met him!' But, still, she couldn't take her eyes off him. 'Come on, Twilight, get a hold of yourself!' she scolded herself mentally. But still, she stared. Everything about him was perfect. His mane, his voice, the way he moved.... and that breathtakingly charming smirk he was giving her as he looked at her with those warm yellow eyes..... Wait... Looked at her? Her heart skipped a beat and then went into overdrive. 'He's looking at me! He saw me staring at him! Oh, no, what do I do!?' was what she thought. But what she said was, "Uhh...." Lightning Strike chuckled a little. "You're blushing," he told her. Twilight felt her cheeks grow hot. "Umm.... uhh...." she muttered stupidly. "Are you okay?" "Oh! Um... y-yeah! I'm just..." At that moment, the train arrived at Canterlot. The group of friends met Princess Celestia. "I'm afraid I have some bad news." the Princess told them. "What?" Twilight asked. "Due to some... inconvenience, we will have to postpone the coronation." "Oh," "I'm sorry for the trouble." Celestia apologized. "It's okay. We'll make sure to be ready next time!" "But, you can all still meet her, if you'd like." Celestia told them. A beautiful alicorn came trotting in, as if on cue. Her mane and tail had three streaks, one red, one yellow, and one blue. Her eyes were a bright, electric blue, and her fur was white. The feathers on the edges of her wings were light blue. Had Twilight not known that this mare was just going to become a princess, she would of swore that she was one already. "Hey, Lightning! And, you must be Princess Twilight Sparkle?" "Yes, I am." Twilight replied. "Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you guys. You were all so brave when you guys fought Tirek!" Rainbow Dawn told her. "Thank you," "Now, we must go. We have much to do." Celestia said. Twilight and her friends said goodbye to the princesses, during which Lightning Strike and Thunder Cracker hugged their sister. Then the group of friends left for Ponyville. "She's really nice!" Twilight said to Lightning Strike. "Yeah. See, I knew you'd like her!" When they got back, it was getting late. Twilight's friends were tired, so they went home, but Lightning Strike stayed. "So... Do you mind if I check out your library?" he asked with a smile. "Sure. Come on!" She led Lightning Strike and Thunder Cracker to her castle where Thunder Cracker got to read some Daring Do books, and Lightning Strike and Twilight Sparkle got to read a few books together. The next day, Twilight and her friends, including Lightning Strike, had a little picnic in the park. Twilight was sure that her and Prince Lightning Strike were going to be good friends.
Chapter 2: The RiddleIt was a week after they had met Rainbow Dawn Lightning. It was another beautiful day, and Twilight Sparkle was going for a walk. Suddenly, a voice started yelling to her urgently. "Twilight! Twilight!!" She turned in surprise. it was Lightning Strike! Her newest friend skidded to a halt in front of her, panting hard from running. "Twilight...!" he gasped. "I just got a letter... from the Princess...... She wants to see us...." "When?" "Immediately!" the handsome alicorn cried urgently. As Lightning Strike led her through Ponyville to round up her friends, he filled them all in. Princess Celestia had just received a mysterious letter that had a threatening riddle. As if that wasn't bad enough, Shining Armour and Princess Cadence have noticed that black crystals had popped up in the Arctic North. Princess Celestia needed their help to find out what was happening and to put a stop to it. "A riddle? Black crystals?? Are we talking about an attack?" "That's just it, Twilight. I don't know!" Soon, they were in Celestia's castle. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, and Princess Rainbow Dawn Lightning were all waiting for them. "Oh, thank goodness! Now we can begin." Celestia said, her face grim. "After I had raised the sun, I received this letter." she pointed with her hoof at a piece of paper on the table in front of her. This is what it said: Greetings, Celestia, A swarm of ever changing ponies and the return of a crystal king are just the beginning of the troubles that my plan will surely bring. You may bring forth the dawn and the rising sun, but shadows are gathering and the night's just begun. A heart of crystal can still be turned as black as night. The sun will set, and the moon will rise with all its might. Your nightmare will spread it wings and take flight. The shadows are gathering to block out the sun. Come on, Celestia, come and join the fun! But beware, for the shadows will take all that you hold dear, for even a heart as pure as crystal can be shattered by fear. "What does it mean?" Rainbow Dawn Lightning asked. "'A swarm of ever changing ponies...'" Twilight muttered to herself. Suddenly she gasped. It all made sense! "The swarm of ever changing ponies would be the changelings!" Everyone looked at Twilight Sparkle. "The crystal king is King Sombra..." "But how? He was completely destroyed by the crystal heart!" Princess Cadence said. "Yes, but his horn remained whole!" Celestia nodded slowly. "The vessel that contains and generates the magic in all unicorns and alicorns... if touched with the right spell....." "The next thing it mentions is the sun, which means..." Luna looked at Celestia in alarm. "A direct threat?" "It appears so." Celestia replied, meeting her sister's gaze. "So, then that little bit about a heart of crystal is talkin' about the crystal heart?" Applejack asked. "Yes! And then it mentions something about shadows and..." Twilight faltered. "What is it?" Princess Luna asked. "I think it mentions Nightmare Moon." The group of ponies were silent for a moment, processing what they had just learned. "Well, if you ask me, it's not just a threat, it's a possible full out attack!" Lightning Strike said, clearly concerned. "I couldn't agree with you less." Celestia sighed. Twilight Sparkle was nervous. Princess Celestia looked like she was literally shaken. "There's something that I should tell you all." Princess Celestia said. "Long ago... before Nightmare Moon, Luna and I had a... brother." Twilight and her friends gasped. "His name was Midnight Shadow." Celestia continued, closing her eyes as if she could see something only she could see. "He was loyal, brave... everything a prince should be. And he loved Luna and I dearly." When Celestia opened her eyes, there were tears in them. "It was with his assistance that we found the Elements of Harmony to defeat Discord. He was the one who found the seventh element." "The seventh?" Twilight asked. Celestia nodded solemnly. "Courage. But... something happened, when we had confronted Sombra for the first time. Midnight was the first to engage Sombra in combat. But... Sombra... h-he... taunted him. Afterwards, our brother was different. Darker. He had always specialized in shadow magic, but he started to get aggressive with it. And when I had to banish Luna to the moon... he snapped." Princess Celestia flinched, as if she was facing her brother again. "I was forced to use the Elements, but, somehow... he managed to escape their magic. I haven't seen him since. I had two losses that day. Two utterly crushing, heartbreaking losses." She took a shaky breath, and continued. "The Element of courage vanished with him." The room was in a shocked silence for several heartbeats. Luna stared at her sister, stunned. Twilight Sparkle's mind was racing. Seven Elements of Harmony? Princess Celestia's missing brother? Why hadn't she heard about any of this!? "If it is Midnight... we need to be prepared." "Princess! We can find the Element of courage for you!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed eagerly. "Yeah, Princess! Ya'll can count on us!" Applejack said. "Very well," Celestia sighed. "But be careful. Even I do not know what awaits you on this journey." Twilight and her friends galloped off, making a slight detour so Lightning Strike could grab his royal guard armor. A black pegasus named Crimson Shield was with them. Crimson Shield was a good friend of Lightning Strike's, and was more than willing to come with them. Princess Rainbow Dawn Lightning was looking after the Cutie Mark Crusaders back in Canterlot. The group came to a halt, gasping for breath from how far they had ran. Twilight and her friends had grabbed the Elements of Harmony, and were standing by the border of the Everfree Forest. "Um... Guys?" Fluttershy spoke up as they neared the dark trees. Twilight stopped to look at the timid, yellow pegasus. "Yes, Fluttershy?" "D-do we... have to go in... t-t-there?" Fluttershy whimpered. "Oh, come on! We need to find the missing Element of Harmony!" Rainbow Dash complained. "Rainbow Dash is right. Besides, maybe we'll find it at the Tree of Harmony!" "O-okay... I guess....." Fluttershy whimpered. Twilight Sparkle turned, took a deep breath, and led her friends into the Everfree Forest.
Chapter 3: From the ShadowsDeep in the Arctic North, a dark pony was standing completely unaffected by the icy blasts of wind. He was an alicorn, and a prince. His eyes gleamed red, with snake like pupils. Red wisps of mist were emanating from his eyes. His horn was long and curved with a wicked point at the end, and his mane and tail rippled as if it were shadow. Protruding from the snow, was a curved, red horn. The dark alicorn summoned his magic, making his horn, and the broken horn in the snow glow red. The horn lifted up off the icy ground as shadows gathered from every direction, as if they were drawn to the horn. Slowly, the shadows started to take a shape. The shape of a unicorn. "Rise, King Sombra." the alicorn hissed, his red eyes flashing menacingly in the darkness. The fully reformed unicorn landed on his hooves and opened his eyes. The Crystal King had returned. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Twilight Sparkle and her friends had trekked all the way to the Tree of Harmony. But to their disappointment, there was no other Element of Harmony. "Well, that was a great waste of time and energy!" Rainbow Dash scowled, kicking a pebble with her hoof. "This is an awful predicament!" Rarity complained, tossing her beautiful purple mane with annoyance. "All this way through a treacherous forest, all for nothing! Do you know how many leaves I've had to get out of my mane!?" "Well, I got a few leaves and twigs in my cupcake, and at first I was like --" she gasped, "-- but then I was like "Ooooh!" 'cause it was just like SPRINKLES!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly. "Hmm... Where could it be? If it's not here...... Hmmm....." Twilight muttered to herself, deep in thought. "Princess Celestia said that the Element of Courage vanished with Midnight Shadow. Could it be that it's still with him?" Lightning Strike mused. "I hope not. Because we don't even know where he is!" "Well, I think we best find where it's at, and soon! 'Cause if Midnight Shadow does attack, we'll need all of the Elements of Harmony to stop him!" Applejack frowned at the troubling thought. "If he has it, I'll --" "Rainbow Dash! You have to remember that Midnight Shadow is still Celestia and Luna's brother! If we can help him, then we should! Not just banish him. It wouldn't be right!" Twilight said, interrupting Rainbow Dash. "Sure, I guess." Rainbow Dash shrugged. "The Element isn't here. We have to keep looking." Twilight said, leading the way out of the Everfree Forest. As they were leaving, a mass of shadow materialized in front of them. It started to take shape, until an alicorn stood before them. It had a rippling dark and light purple mane and tail, and was wearing silver armor. He spread his wings, menacingly blocking their path. Twilight and her friends gasped. Lightning Strike and Crimson Shield made a protective stance in front of the Mane Six. The alicorn chuckled darkly, opening red eyes, red wisps of mist coming from them. "Ahh.... Twilight Sparkle," he said softly, his eyes studying her. Twilight shuddered, it was as if those eyes were looking into her soul. "My sister's little student. We meet at last." The alicorn took a step toward them. Lightning Strike tensed. "Stay back!" "Ha! Do you know who I am?" "Midnight Shadow," Twilight whispered. "Yes... smart girl." Midnight nodded. "And i know exactly who all of you are. I really must congratulate you for being able to use the Elements with such ease. It's quite.... impressive." "Where's the Element of Courage!?" Rainbow Dash demanded. Midnight Shadow looked at her thoughtfully. "How am I supposed to know? I have no use for it." he hissed, dismissing the thought with a shrug. He laughed cruelly. "Oh, Celestia's so foolish to send a bunch of foals to stop my plan." "We're not afraid of you!" Rainbow Dash yelled. "Ah, but you should fear me. I am what lurks in the shadows. I am what goes bump in the night. I can be the one who causes your nightmares..." the dark alicorn said, stalking to the shade of the trees, where he seemed to melt into the shadows, his glowing red eyes glaring out at them. "So many reasons to fear me... And yet you claim to have no fear in my presence. You claim to have the one Element you lack: courage." "Now you listen here--" "Ah, yes... Applejack. Do you really believe that you could beat me? Honestly? And timid little Fluttershy... can kindness really withstand the force of fear and darkness? Are you just going to watch and laugh, Pinkie Pie? Or are you actually going to get serious enough to help out? And if you all think that generosity, loyalty, and magic will be enough to stop me... you're wrong." "No. You're wrong." Twilight said boldly, raising her chin. "We'll see about that, Twilight." Midnight Shadow hissed, those eyes flashing before he vanished. Applejack shuddered. "I don't know 'bout ya'll, but I ain't feelin' too good 'bout this..." "If he took the risk of coming this close to Canterlot, then he must be getting stronger." Lightning Strike said grimly, scanning the trees and undergrowth for any threat. "We need to move. Now." "I agree with Lightning. This can't be good." Crimson Shield said. "But where else can we look? We've checked the Tree of --" Twilight was cut short by a loud buzzing sound. "What the --!?" The group galloped to the edge of the forest in time to see a large swarm of changelings descend upon Ponyville. They were being attacked!
