Guardiansby TyrfangChaptersChapter one Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter one Chapter one Somewhere in Ponyville “What’s the matter, Mudhoof? Scared?” a unicorn colt, pushing another colt down. “What’re you gonna do, Little Mac? Cry? I hear that’s all Mudhooves are good for, crying and farming.” the unicorn laughed, his two friends laughing with him. Macintosh Apple was a small, lanky colt, who didn’t really have any friends. His family owned and worked on Sweet Apple Acres, where he did his daily chores. Last month, his parent’s passed away. Granny Smith didn’t tell him why they died, for fear of him telling Applejack, who was still too young to understand. With Apple Bloom still being a baby, Applejack being in school, and Granny being too old, he was the only one to do the chores and sell apples. He had just finished selling his cart for the day when he was pushed into an alley by his former classmates/bullies, Starlight and his gang. “Leave me alone, Starlight. I’m in no mood to start anything.” Mac replied, starting to stand again. Starlight lit his horn and levitated Mac into the air. A sweatdrop appeared on his forehead. “What’re you gonna do about it? You can’t do anything!” Starlight laughed, flipping Mac upside down before dropping him. His goons, Swift Wind and Moon Blink laughed. But they only laughed so they wouldn’t be Starlight’s next victims. It was a sad existence, but they wanted to be accepted. Macintosh rolled onto his stomach, and lied there, wishing for this to end. Starlight got in close, and whispered into Mac’s ear. “You’ll never be anything more than a lowly mud hoof. You’re nothing more than the dirt you walk on.” “Let’s go, boys.” Starlight said, walking away. Swift and Moon, followed quickly, as to not anger their ringleader. Mac stayed on the ground for a little bit and stared into the dirt. Starlight was right. Earth ponies were nothing special. He sighed, and hooked his cart back up, and trudged on home, Starlight’s words still dancing in his head. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mac walked through the front door of his home, his head down. Applejack was playing with Winona, and Granny Smith was feeding AppleBloom. He walked past, hoping to not be seen by his family, but that’s not the case is it? “What’s wrong, Mac?” Applejack asked. “Nothing,” Mac sighed, “it’s nothing.” Applejack, looked at him, then at Granny Smith, who shrugged, and they both watched him walk up the stairs to his room. Mac flopped on his bed. He couldn’t get the unicorn’s words out of his head. He could just scream, hit something, destroy something. But he wasn’t going to. He needed to be calm for his family. He was brought out of his daze by a knock on the door. “Sonny, you in there?” a voiced called. It was Granny Smith. “Now, I know you ain’t feelin too well, but can I come in?” A grunt was all it took, and Granny Smith was in the room, and she Sat down next to the bed. “What’s eatin ya, sugarcube?” Granny asked. Mac grunted again. “Starlight again, huh?” Mac nodded his head. It was amazing that Granny could understand Mac like she did. But, you know what they say, “with age comes wisdom”. “What did he say this time?” Granny inquired, “Normally nothing gets to you.” “He called me a mudhoof, Granny. But he’s right. I am just a mudhoof. I’m not special. I’m just a pony.” Mac sighed. “Mac, you’re not a mudhoof. You’re a proud earth pony. And Long ago, Earth Ponies were part of a squadron of defenders of Equestria.” Granny said, wrapping a hoof around Mac. “What do you mean, granny?” Mac asked. “I’ve got a story for you, that was passed down the generations.” Granny began. “This is the story of the Earthshakers.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, deep in the Everfree A statue rumbles. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Long ago, just after the unification and the rise of the Princesses, Equestria had no protective force from the Dragon, Griffon and Elk tribes. Since this was a new nation, the elder's had no leader. So, using an ancient art, they bound two fillies to a force that could protect them. This was the creation of the two Sisters. But, what they didn't account for, was the spell's second nature. The void spit out three mighty beings, bound to the Sisters, and ordered to protect their precious ponies. And this is the story of Valris, The Earthshaker, and his band of Earth ponies. Now, Earthshakers were not born. They were created. The Lord of Earth himself hoofpicked these warriors for their valour, strength, and hearts. And he gave them the power of Earth, in its truest form. He created a squadron of destruction, although, he also used his powers to create. He and his crew created the mountain that Canterlot sits upon today. And legend states that during the Battle of Discord, he went on a rampage, and destroyed everything he saw, and since he could not be calmed, he was encased in stone, and left in the Everfree. And it is said, that if a pony be brave, strong, and have a big heart, they could find him in his resting place, the Labyrinth of Ruin. Let it be known that the rage of an Earthshaker is not just legendary, for the Devil himself cries when a pony with a good heart becomes angry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Granny finished her story, she realized Mac had fallen asleep. She looked out the window towards the Everfree. She hoped it was just a legend, but something told her, there was more than she thought. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Macintosh was dreaming. He was running through the forest, and came to a clearing. It was a huge pit, with overgrowth and solid rock spires surrounding it. In the center, there was a statue. It was calling him towards it. He stepped closer and closer, and when he got to the statue of the Pit, he finally got a good look at it. He’d never seen a creature like this. It was tall, taller than the Princess. It didn’t have hooves, and stood on his back legs, and in his claws was a huge hammer. His face was enraged, stuck in the middle of a warcry. He was going to get closer when he heard a rumbling. “YOU. YOU ARE THE ONE WHO AWAKENS ME!?” The statue yelled. Mac ran and hid behind a spire, and he poked his head around to see the statue, gone. “What’re we looking at?” a voice came from behind. Mac yelped, and turned around. The statue had become flesh again, and was crouching behind him! The 'statue laughed, saying, “No need to be scared, little one. I will not hurt you.” Mac walked closer to the statue. “Who are you? You don’t look like a pony.” “That’s because I’m not. I am a guardian from another plane. I am what you ponies call a titan. But that is neither here nor there. I am called Valris.” Valris said, laughing, “You are little Macintosh Apple, yes?” “How did you…?” “This is your dream, lad. I have seen your heart. Although you are young, I have decided to help you. Do you accept?” Valris said, holding his hand out. Mac hesitated, but he wasn’t scared. He needed to be strong to help his family. “Can you make me strong for my family?” Mac asked. ”Boy, I can make you the strongest. But you must never let it go to your head.” Valris said, hand still outstretched. Mac thought about it. “Alright, I’ll do it” he put his hoof in the titan’s hand and shook it. “We have an accord. Now, you must come find my true form, and touch my statue. Follow your heart through the Everfree.” Valris said, and the dream shattered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mac woke with a start. It was still night time, as he packed his saddlebag quietly. He had to find the statue. He snuck out of the house quietly and ran towards the Everfree. He had to know if it was true. Outside the Everfree, Mac looked in, hearing the sounds of the wild beasts and the howling of the trees. He took a deep breath, and walked forward, his heart pounding. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “It's not that bad once you get used to it”, Mac mused to himself. Then the bushes rustled. The kind of rustling sound that sounds…rustley. A growl is heard, and Mac is definitely not scared. The growling gets louder… and louder… A squirrel ran out of bushes. And Mac, who wasn't scared at all, sighed in relief. And then, the ground below him broke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the darkest pits… ...can come the brightest light. Are you the one to wake him? To unleash creation and destruction? To wear the mantle of the Earth in protection of your own kind? Wake up now, foal. Your destiny awaits. Mac woke with a start. He looked up, and saw the hole he fell through. He stood, shakily, glad the fall didn't hurt him. Although, it still hurt like a bitch. He took in his surroundings. There wasn't much to see, because it was dark in the hole. He felt something brush against his fur. Wind. A breeze. A way out. 'If I follow this breeze, I can find an exit!’ Mac mentally shouted excitedly. The breeze led him deeper into the dark until he came upon an opening to a cave that does not appear to be abandoned in the slightest. There were horrid decorations on the walls. Writings in blood in a language too foul to comprehend. Furs adorned the walls, some manticore, some rabbit… and others. Mac made his best effort not to vomit, but failed. Miserably. ‘I've got to get out of here, or I might be next.’ Mac thought. He backed up, and bumped into something. Something fuzzy. Hooves were stomping. The walls rang with sinister laughter. “Oh bu-” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Deep within the Everfree, drums pounded. A fierce beat that meant one thing… Sacrifice. Author's Note Hey, I'm back with a brand new thing that a buddy and I came up with. Tell me what you think. Or don't. Chapter 2“In this time of sacrifice, we offer the Beast of the Earth another child that he may grant us eternal power.” Mac woke up, tied to a stake, hay surrounded him. The drum beat had stopped, and the shadows bore a great number of eyes and teeth. The closest one, his face obscured by moonlight, but his gaze ever piercing, approached Mac. His words were as silk, his tone musical, and his speech immaculate. “So, we are awake, young one? Do not be alarmed, for you have been chosen. Chosen to be the torch that leads us into our rightful place!” the figure said, smiling. “W-what are you talking about? Who is ‘us’? Who are you?” Mac sputtered out. “We are ones who understand. We have seen your heart, Macintosh Apple.” “How do you know my name? What are you?!” “We are the same. We, like you, have been discredited for our race. We are brothers in this time, Macintosh.” The figure motioned to the crowd around him, and they pulled off their hoods. They all had the same smile, their eyes unwavering, and one by one, the cloaks were removed completely. Each crowd member was an equine, with scars on their bodies, rites to the Beast of the Earth. “You are not alone young Apple. We wish only for the best of our kind. The Earthen ones. Like you, we wish for a better place for our families. Don’t you want a better place for your sister?” Mac hesitated. He wanted his sister to grow up, happy and not afraid of others. Before he could speak, the figure cut him off. “Maybe you are not convinced that I am here for earth ponies. Then, for your last sight before you go, I will reveal myself!” The figure pulls his cloak away, and the clouds part from the moon, and it shines on him. The figure reared his legs high, having no signs of a horn nor wings. He spoke: “I, too, am a ‘mudhoof’, he who walks the ground, and tills it for the other tribes.” He spoke angrily, “They don’t understand us, Mac. We grow their food, and for what? To be ridiculed? To be treated as less than the Earth itself? NO LONGER.” “No longer.” the crowd responded. “Yes, they will learn. They will learn of what their actions caused. Be grateful, Apple, for you will be our stepping stone towards our rule!” The figure stomped away from Mac, and picked up a matchbook. He smiled, and lit a match. “No longer will we be made fun of. The Beast of the Earth will be sure of that. We will raise him from his slumber, and make those who laugh at Earth ponies know true despair!” The figure threw the match at Mac. The Figure hooded himself again and the crowd began to chant in unison. “E lawe mai i ka mea nana e hooponopono i ka honua ma ko kakou ano like, i ahaaina ai kakou i ka poe e hoomaewaewa mai ia kakou” Mac struggled against his ties, as the flame from the match caught the first straw of hay on fire. He struggled, and struggled, but soon he was surrounded in flames. The crowd’s chant got louder and louder, faster and faster. The leader shouted over them. “Thank you for your noble service, Macintosh Apple! Your soul will be consumed for the greater good of Earthen ones everywhere!” “E lawe mai i ka mea nana e hooponopono i ka honua ma ko kakou ano like, i ahaaina ai kakou i ka poe e hoomaewaewa mai ia kakou, E lawe mai i ka mea nana e hooponopono i ka honua ma ko kakou ano like, i ahaaina ai kakou i ka poe e hoomaewaewa mai ia kakou, E lawe mai i ka mea nana e hooponopono i ka honua ma ko kakou ano like, i ahaaina ai kakou i ka poe e hoomaewaewa mai ia kakou!” Mac prayed to Celestia, that he may be saved. His final thoughts were of home, and his sister. “I just wish, I could protect her…” The ground shook. The sound of great stones rumbling filled the air. Birds flew from their nests in a panic. Small animals left their homes in an instant. A manticore picked his head up from his nap, yawned, and went back to sleep… only to be woken up again by his mate growling at him for not understanding the danger. (One might say that the act was universal, between the males and female of all races, but that is neither here nor there.) Mac felt the stake cracking behind him… Mac awaited his demise that would never come. The rumbling, as quickly as it had began, had stopped. There was an eerie silence that swept the forest. Popping one eye open, he looked at the Leader, and immediately regretted it. The pony who once held Mac captive...was now encased in stone...However, the look in his eyes told a different story. The heat coming off of the now statue, was intense. Mac turned from the leader, and looked to the rest of the cultists...only to find them tied by vines, impaled by branches, and one with an ice pick lobotomy. He moved his hoof to his mouth to stop the vomit that was trying to force itself up… “Wait a minute…” He thought to himself… He was tied to a stake...how can he move his hoof? He looked down to realize his ropes were cut, and the fire out. “ I’m free… I’M FREE!” He quickly got on his hooves again, and ran to the titan statue… only to trip and slam his face into it. As Mac’s vision faded, he swore he heard somepony speak… “Thank the Stars above, VALRIS IS BACK, BITCHES!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “By the Moon and Sun, I’ve been freed! Finally! Now I can go back to…!”, Valris started to say, before coughing up dust. Luna knows how long he’s been there without a drink. The titan flexed his muscles, and cracked his neck. Centuries of being stone was not fun. “Being rock hard for it all was though…” the titan said to himself, before throwing his head back in boisterous laughter. His laugh echoed in the labyrinth. He dropped his warhammer to the ground, and inspected the area around him. The titan was surprised he still had influence while he was encased. He looked down, to find his charge, the one he called to him. Valris nudged the Earth pony with his hand, poking him in the face a couple of times. “Hey little one, wake up. We’ve gotta get you home.” Valris spoke, continuing to poke the red colt. “Hmm..? Whazat? Why?” the colt mumbled before opening his eyes. In front of him, was the titan, the one from Little Mac’s dreams. His eyes grew wide. “AHA! YOU AWAKEN!” the titan yelled before picking up the colt and putting him into a headlock, “I WAS AFRAID I’D HAVE TO FIND A NEW CHARGE! I AM DELIGHTED YOU ARE ALRIGHT!” The red pony, struggling to breathe, tapped out. The titan put him down, and smiled widely. He was going to have a soldier again. A comrade, a friend, and this one’s blood ran deep. “Now, little one, let’s get you out of here. I’m sure your guardians would not like you out so late.” Valris said, picking up his hammer and throwing it over his shoulder. “But…,” the colt started,” Weren’t you the one to call me out here?” Valris froze. He looked down, then up, then back down again, then back up. His eyes shifted from left to right a couple of times. Then he laughed. “I guess you are correct! Now come, let us not wait time. You probably have stuff to do in the morning!” Valris stated, laughing as he walked away. The colt couldn’t argue with that. He followed the titan, less afraid now than when he came into the forest.... Miles away, a young unicorn is having problems with his spells, while his sister seems to be able to do anything... Author's Note Back again with that late shit know'msayin. But seriously, it took me way too long to pick this back up. Chapter 3“Okay, just breathe pony. You can do this.” “If your little sister can get into the best school in the land, you can DO THIS!” Shining Armour sweat profusely as he charged his spell again. A magenta glow encased his horn as his shield spell grew. It started as a small frontal barrier, and was slowly stretching around him into a dome… CRACK A crack formed in the shield, and it shattered. Shining collapsed in a pool of sweat, his legs splayed out from the amount of energy he poured into the spell. In a daze, he picked himself up and sighed. This is the fourth time today he's failed his "signature" spell. The spell that got him his own cutie mark. He was about to go for a fifth time, when he heard a knock on his door. "Shining? You need to come downstairs, it's dinner time.", A velvety voice called from the other side of the door. Sighing, Shining was about to decline the offer, however, his stomach agreed very loudly. With a blush and a very articulate reply, he went downstairs. Dinner was normal as it was every night. Shining played with his food as he listened to his parents talk about their day, and Twilight talked about her latest test. All was normal. Well, at least it was for three-fourths of them. Twilight noticed her BBBFF was a little down. She didn't want to say anything to upset him, but she hated seeing him like this. Then it hit her. She had a plan. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After everyone had eaten, Shining put his bowl in the sink and trudged back up to his room. He opened his door, only to be tackled by a blur of purple. He shook his head and looked on his stomach, and there she was. His little sister. "Shiny!", Twilight half shouted with full joy. "Not now Twily, I've got some stuff to do. We can play later." Shining said, rolling on to his hooves, knocking Twilight off in the process. "Buuuuuuuuuuut Shiny, you promised me a story!" Twilight whined. She was right, of course. He had promised her a story if she left him alone earlier this morning. "Alright, Twiliy, one story," Shining relented. He had to, before the filly brought out her weapons grade look. All fillies had them, even grown mares still had an effect on him. (He found this out when he tried to refuse his sister's foalsitter attempt to play a game with them. One is bad enough, but two of them? He had a cardiologist appointment on standby for the incident.) Twilight danced in place and quickly went to retrieve a book. A book her tutor gave her before leaving today. She thought if anything could get her brother out of his mood, this book could. And it's time he can spend with his adorkable sister, how can it not help? She hopped in her favorite chair, as Shining dragged in his bean-bag chair from his room. They sat in the living room, and Twilight put the book in front of her brother, before squee-ing expectantly. "An account of Princess Celestia's Guard?" Shining read aloud. This hardly seemed like a book his sister would like. Normally they'd read something about Starswirl, or a calculus text book. Maybe a bad "Knight saves the Princess" story. "Yeah! Princess Celestia gave it to me today! She smiled really big when i accepted it." Twilight said, barely holding in her enthusiasm. Shining chuckled at his sister's display of nerdisism. He knew that wasn't a word, but that wasn't going to stop him from saying it in his head. Besides, had he said out loud, the pony dictionary, the Ponictionary, would have a half hour rant on how you can't just make up words. With that in mind, he began to read. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Celestia's Guard, the Solar Squadron, started in 1 ANM, after the Legion of the Diarch was dissolved due to unknown reasons. The newly appointed Guard used ponies from all three Tribes, and they were sectioned off into different teams, each team with one representative of the Tribes. This was done, of course, to not only symbolize the idea of the Unity of Tribes, but to strengthen that idea of harmony. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Skip ahead a bit Shiny, I've read that part already. I left a bookmark on the page i left off on," Twilight said, sipping her juicebox. Their mother had came by while he was reading, and he hadn't noticed. Sometimes they thought she was a ninja, due to her stealth capabilities. "Alright, alright, we'll skip." Shining said, flipping to the page his sister had left off on. "Swordhorns?" Shining muttered to himself. This was strange, he'd never heard of these guards. Shrugging he continued his reading. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Swordhorns were a part of an elite task force that kept the peace during the time of Unity. They were Unicorns of the highest caliber, with reports of their magic being connected to the Fade itself. The Swordhorns were capable of great feats of magic, not to mention their skill in hoof to hoof combat was nearly unmatched. During the time of Unity, they protected the ponies from outside threats as well as threats that were inside the Equestrian borders. The only mystery that remains of these paragons of magic, was their creation. Any records about these Swordhorns were kept under heavy guard in the Royal Archives. However, by word of mouth, they live on as legends and stories for towns all around Equestria. There is speculation that these may just be that, legends and stories, just to keep the idea that the new Guard has the same pull as these legends. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shining's ear flicked when he heard light snoring as he finished reading. He looked over the book to see his sister sleeping in her chair. Laughing to himself, he put the book down, and took his sister back to her room. He walked slowly out of her room, careful not to wake her, and then retreated back to the living room. Surely she wouldn't mind if he read some more, right? He picked the book back up, and a page flew out. "Horseapples" He thought to himself. If a page was missing, she would notice and he would be dead. Well, not really, but he knew better than to chance it. She can be quite vicious for a filly half his size. He picked up the page only to notice that it wasn't from the book. It was old, torn at the edges, and had faded markings on it... It was a map... Author's Note I think i'm getting better at this updating shit. Chapter 4"This is crazy. Why am I doing this?" Shining whispered to himself as he made his way down the dark streets of Canterlot. Earlier... "Why is there a map inside of a history book?" Shining asked himself, before promptly smacking himself in the face. It was a history book, of course there was going to be a map of some kind. Shining hated himself for asking such a foolish question, however this map didn't look like it should have been there. It looked...ancient. Way too old to be stuck between the pages of a Guard history book. The strangest thing about it though? It felt... Compelling It's as if the map was calling his name. As though it wanted to be found by him. Shining took a deep breath...and made a choice. One he felt he'd probably regret not doing, whilst regretting doing it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Present time The map wasn't really specific, but after cross referencing it with a current map of Canterlot, he realized he'd need to go through the sewers. Since Canterlot was a thriving city with many facilities, including indoor plumbing, it wasn't hard to find a grate in the streets. Finding one that wasn't in the line of sight of Guard patrols, however, was not. Luckily for Shining, he just so happened to ~~trip~~ stumble upon one in an alley way. With the grate moved, and the map secure in his muzzle, he moved down the ladder into the sewers. It felt like time had become molasses in these sewers for Shining. He wandered the sewers, following the map to to the letter, but saw no end in sight. Every step echoed, and the shadows created by his horn started to move in the corner of his eye. Still, he pressed onward. He wasn't scared. He was a big pony, why would he be? ...At least that's what he told himself. Then it happened. He had reached the end of the map... only to find a drop off, with a bottomless chasm. Shining sighed in frustration. This was where the map leads? A bucking hole in the ground? Shining was fuming, ready to shout... then he heard it. It started low, almost to quiet to hear... but with each passing moment, it grew. A chittering noise. Now, the sewers were a place of many a legend. The old mines that ran under Canterlot had been re purposed to fit the bustling city's needs. Some say it still inhabits the souls lost in those mines. Others say it is a maze with no end, and that travelers before the mines were re purposed, would go mad in its halls. They said the crystals did something to the mind. The was even a rumor about crocodiles living in the sewers! Shining knew these tales were old, and completely untrue, Why would the Princess allow such evils to be under the very city she resides in? Besides, only vermin would live in the sewers, so it's probably just a rat. Shining though proudly, and turned to face the chittering noise. He shined his horn to get a better look...only to see the shining eyes in the abyss. He took a double take. Rats don't have eight eyes...do they? Of course they don't. His sister did a school project on the Black plague and why rats weren't responsible. He knew Rats had two eyes each...but he also knew what had eight... The spider engulfed the tunnel they were in, and moved closer, its fangs glistening in the light of Shining's horn. The chittering, has stopped, but in Shining's mind, a voice spoke...it sounded like velvet, and held the grace of an angel... My, my, my, a little pony in my home? What art thou doing here? Do you not know that this is not your home? Shining nodded in fear, paralyzed by the sight before him. The fangs alone were bigger than his body, and he swore he saw them dripping with venom. What really got him was the eyes. The creatures eyes seemed to hypnotize him with their magenta glow. He felt compelled to listen, and stay put, even if his instincts were screaming for him to run. Now, it has been quite some time since I had a trespasser in my domain. No, no ,no, this will simply not do. The spider crawled closer, and Shining stepped back, his hoof nearly going off the edge. He turned to look at the drop off, and then the creature in front of him. He could see the dark hairs on its legs,and the mark on its abdomen. A laughter rang out in Shining's mind. Now, let's not be hasty, colt. You've nowhere to go! A trespasser like you needs to apologize to the master of the house. I have webs that reach all through these sewers, and knew when you stepped in. Now, come to me, so that you may...apologize... Shining stepped forward, but hesitated. He looked at the spider with defiance, if he was going down, he was going down swinging... if his legs would stop shaking. Do not play games with me, boy. Shining steeled his gaze and prayed that he would make it out alive. He had things to live for! Story time with his sister, his mom's home cooking, and his sister's foal sitter's plot! You know I can hear your thoughts right? Not that it matter's. If you will not come to me, then I shall make you! The words rang in Shining's head as a snarl, as the spider lifted itself and shot a rope of web at Shining. Quick to react, Shining raised his shield to block it. Don't fail me now shield, this is life or death! Shining thought as he gritted his teeth. The shield held, but something wasn't right... Why was he moving closer to the spider? I told you before, whelp, that I have webs, everywhere. Shining looked down in horror as the ground beneath him started to move. A very thin, but strongly weaved web was under his feet. The spider was using it to pull him closer! That shield wont stay up forever whelp, and when it fails, I will await another trespasser. "Wait, I know the Princess! She'd be upset if one of her ponies was eaten by you under her very nose!" Shining said, hoping to scare the spider into stopping. Another laugh rang out in his mind. Oh I know her too, whelp. She and I have an understanding...and she is free to walk my sewers and in exchange I keep it secure from monsters during the night. However, you are not her, and I will not be denied a trespasser. She will understand. Shining closed his eyes and sent more and more magic into his shield as the spider lunged at him. CRACKA-THOOM The shield exploded when the fangs hit, and it sent the spider reeling. Shining, however, wondered how he became a pegasus. Then it hit him. He was falling. He looked down, and saw the endless abyss. He blinked. The last thing he saw in the corner of his eye, was a flash of yellow from where he fell. Then, the darkness swallowed him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When he awoke, he was on the bank of a pond. He got up shakily, and took in his surroundings. The walls were made of a pale blue crystal that seemed to never end. The cave itself was rather empty. The only things of note were the multitudes of crystal formations, ,the humongous blob of writhing tentacles in the center of the room, and the pond he washed out of. Wait.. He froze. He turned around slowly and looked behind him. The blob 'looked' at him, and started moving closer to him. Then it flashed,. When Shining gained his eye sight back, he saw that the blob was no more, but a two legged entity took it's place. It wore a purple robe with runes inscribed on the hems. Shining blinked, and then he realized he wasn't on the ground anymore. "Holy shit, I'd forgotten how adorable you bastards are!" What The bipedal entity had picked up Shining and started petting him like a dog. "Who's a good pony?!" it asked. Shining was, obviously. He knew that. Wait, I'm not a dog! Shining thought as he charged his horn...only for the entity to grasp it. "Yo, you're a unicorn too?! That's dope as shit! I'm gonna teach you all manners of spells and shit! Oooh it's gonna be so much fun!" The entity said, giving the colt a noogie. "Who and what are you?1" Shining half shouted as he squirmed in the thing's grasp. He knew it was male by the voice, but this was ridiculous! "Oh, I'm Alchos! Magic creator extraordinaire. Had an alias about a millennium ago, but nobody cares about that! What about you, kid?! You wanna be my student?" Alchos said, his eyes shining with hope. "Sir, you don't even know me! All I did was follow a stupid map here!" Shining grumbled, "Also my name's Shining Armor, not 'kid'." "Details, Shiny, details. I'm giving you a deal here! Your magic will be spectacular! I used to teach Unicorns to defend this land ages ago! C'mon, pal? Please?" "Wait, you taught Unicorns?" "Hell yeah I did! Gave em a sick name too. What was it...Horn blades? Axe heads? Spear chuck..." "Sword horns." Shining said. "Oh, fritata, that's the spice! Sword horns! Guards among guards! Stallion's stallions. Magical mitochondria!" Alchos shouted with theatrics. Shining blinked. He knew this 'Alchos' had a lot of magic. It was bleeding off of him. He knew he needed help with his magic, but he couldn't ask his sister. She put it all into mathematics and theory which made his head hurt. This guy, however, probably knew a hooves on approach. Besides, he needed more guy friends anyway, especially since Spike was only a baby. Maybe it'll help him be more popular at school? "I'll do it." Shining said, hoping that this wont come to bite him later. "ALRIGHT! NEW FRIEND AND STUDENT!" Alchos bellowed, his voice echoing through the cave, "You and I are gonna be the best of pals Shiny-boy!" Alchos lifted Shining up and bop'd him on the nose. Alchos grinned at Shining's confused face, and set him back down. "First things first, however. You need to get back home. Now that I know your magic signature, I can just summon you here at a whim. However, you're a kid, so you've got school and shit. That's dope, stay in it, or join the guard when you're old enough. Structure is good. Anywho, you need to get home before your 'rents realize you're gone. Take this." Alchos rambled, while tossing Shining Armor a quill. "What's this for?" Shining said, holding the quill up in his magic. "To let me know when you're out of school and ready to train, kid!" Alchos laughed, the runes on his robe now glowing, "Now, since your signature is close to your parent's, it'll be easy to teleport you there. Just focus on them, and you'll be good. Also, write down the word 'ready' on any sheet of paper when you want to come here. This quill is also enchanted to appear in your hoof when you want it. Don't think about the pink alicorn!" "Pink alicor- wait! Explain all that again?" Shining started. "Too late, magic's charged!" Alchos shouted as the teleportation spell took hold with a snap, and sent Shining to his residence...if Shining focused on it that is. "Hopefully there isn't a pink alicorn. I've been down here way too long to know." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Shining Armor?" "Y-y-yes Miss Cadenza?" "I've told you before, it's Cadence." "Yes miss Cadenz- I-I-I mean Cadence." "...You're lucky you're cute, Armor." "I am?" Author's Note SQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAD, HERE COME THAT BULLSHIT This chapter brought to you by a fever dream and Waka Flocka.
Chapter one Chapter one Somewhere in Ponyville “What’s the matter, Mudhoof? Scared?” a unicorn colt, pushing another colt down. “What’re you gonna do, Little Mac? Cry? I hear that’s all Mudhooves are good for, crying and farming.” the unicorn laughed, his two friends laughing with him. Macintosh Apple was a small, lanky colt, who didn’t really have any friends. His family owned and worked on Sweet Apple Acres, where he did his daily chores. Last month, his parent’s passed away. Granny Smith didn’t tell him why they died, for fear of him telling Applejack, who was still too young to understand. With Apple Bloom still being a baby, Applejack being in school, and Granny being too old, he was the only one to do the chores and sell apples. He had just finished selling his cart for the day when he was pushed into an alley by his former classmates/bullies, Starlight and his gang. “Leave me alone, Starlight. I’m in no mood to start anything.” Mac replied, starting to stand again. Starlight lit his horn and levitated Mac into the air. A sweatdrop appeared on his forehead. “What’re you gonna do about it? You can’t do anything!” Starlight laughed, flipping Mac upside down before dropping him. His goons, Swift Wind and Moon Blink laughed. But they only laughed so they wouldn’t be Starlight’s next victims. It was a sad existence, but they wanted to be accepted. Macintosh rolled onto his stomach, and lied there, wishing for this to end. Starlight got in close, and whispered into Mac’s ear. “You’ll never be anything more than a lowly mud hoof. You’re nothing more than the dirt you walk on.” “Let’s go, boys.” Starlight said, walking away. Swift and Moon, followed quickly, as to not anger their ringleader. Mac stayed on the ground for a little bit and stared into the dirt. Starlight was right. Earth ponies were nothing special. He sighed, and hooked his cart back up, and trudged on home, Starlight’s words still dancing in his head. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mac walked through the front door of his home, his head down. Applejack was playing with Winona, and Granny Smith was feeding AppleBloom. He walked past, hoping to not be seen by his family, but that’s not the case is it? “What’s wrong, Mac?” Applejack asked. “Nothing,” Mac sighed, “it’s nothing.” Applejack, looked at him, then at Granny Smith, who shrugged, and they both watched him walk up the stairs to his room. Mac flopped on his bed. He couldn’t get the unicorn’s words out of his head. He could just scream, hit something, destroy something. But he wasn’t going to. He needed to be calm for his family. He was brought out of his daze by a knock on the door. “Sonny, you in there?” a voiced called. It was Granny Smith. “Now, I know you ain’t feelin too well, but can I come in?” A grunt was all it took, and Granny Smith was in the room, and she Sat down next to the bed. “What’s eatin ya, sugarcube?” Granny asked. Mac grunted again. “Starlight again, huh?” Mac nodded his head. It was amazing that Granny could understand Mac like she did. But, you know what they say, “with age comes wisdom”. “What did he say this time?” Granny inquired, “Normally nothing gets to you.” “He called me a mudhoof, Granny. But he’s right. I am just a mudhoof. I’m not special. I’m just a pony.” Mac sighed. “Mac, you’re not a mudhoof. You’re a proud earth pony. And Long ago, Earth Ponies were part of a squadron of defenders of Equestria.” Granny said, wrapping a hoof around Mac. “What do you mean, granny?” Mac asked. “I’ve got a story for you, that was passed down the generations.” Granny began. “This is the story of the Earthshakers.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, deep in the Everfree A statue rumbles. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Long ago, just after the unification and the rise of the Princesses, Equestria had no protective force from the Dragon, Griffon and Elk tribes. Since this was a new nation, the elder's had no leader. So, using an ancient art, they bound two fillies to a force that could protect them. This was the creation of the two Sisters. But, what they didn't account for, was the spell's second nature. The void spit out three mighty beings, bound to the Sisters, and ordered to protect their precious ponies. And this is the story of Valris, The Earthshaker, and his band of Earth ponies. Now, Earthshakers were not born. They were created. The Lord of Earth himself hoofpicked these warriors for their valour, strength, and hearts. And he gave them the power of Earth, in its truest form. He created a squadron of destruction, although, he also used his powers to create. He and his crew created the mountain that Canterlot sits upon today. And legend states that during the Battle of Discord, he went on a rampage, and destroyed everything he saw, and since he could not be calmed, he was encased in stone, and left in the Everfree. And it is said, that if a pony be brave, strong, and have a big heart, they could find him in his resting place, the Labyrinth of Ruin. Let it be known that the rage of an Earthshaker is not just legendary, for the Devil himself cries when a pony with a good heart becomes angry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Granny finished her story, she realized Mac had fallen asleep. She looked out the window towards the Everfree. She hoped it was just a legend, but something told her, there was more than she thought. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Macintosh was dreaming. He was running through the forest, and came to a clearing. It was a huge pit, with overgrowth and solid rock spires surrounding it. In the center, there was a statue. It was calling him towards it. He stepped closer and closer, and when he got to the statue of the Pit, he finally got a good look at it. He’d never seen a creature like this. It was tall, taller than the Princess. It didn’t have hooves, and stood on his back legs, and in his claws was a huge hammer. His face was enraged, stuck in the middle of a warcry. He was going to get closer when he heard a rumbling. “YOU. YOU ARE THE ONE WHO AWAKENS ME!?” The statue yelled. Mac ran and hid behind a spire, and he poked his head around to see the statue, gone. “What’re we looking at?” a voice came from behind. Mac yelped, and turned around. The statue had become flesh again, and was crouching behind him! The 'statue laughed, saying, “No need to be scared, little one. I will not hurt you.” Mac walked closer to the statue. “Who are you? You don’t look like a pony.” “That’s because I’m not. I am a guardian from another plane. I am what you ponies call a titan. But that is neither here nor there. I am called Valris.” Valris said, laughing, “You are little Macintosh Apple, yes?” “How did you…?” “This is your dream, lad. I have seen your heart. Although you are young, I have decided to help you. Do you accept?” Valris said, holding his hand out. Mac hesitated, but he wasn’t scared. He needed to be strong to help his family. “Can you make me strong for my family?” Mac asked. ”Boy, I can make you the strongest. But you must never let it go to your head.” Valris said, hand still outstretched. Mac thought about it. “Alright, I’ll do it” he put his hoof in the titan’s hand and shook it. “We have an accord. Now, you must come find my true form, and touch my statue. Follow your heart through the Everfree.” Valris said, and the dream shattered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mac woke with a start. It was still night time, as he packed his saddlebag quietly. He had to find the statue. He snuck out of the house quietly and ran towards the Everfree. He had to know if it was true. Outside the Everfree, Mac looked in, hearing the sounds of the wild beasts and the howling of the trees. He took a deep breath, and walked forward, his heart pounding. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “It's not that bad once you get used to it”, Mac mused to himself. Then the bushes rustled. The kind of rustling sound that sounds…rustley. A growl is heard, and Mac is definitely not scared. The growling gets louder… and louder… A squirrel ran out of bushes. And Mac, who wasn't scared at all, sighed in relief. And then, the ground below him broke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the darkest pits… ...can come the brightest light. Are you the one to wake him? To unleash creation and destruction? To wear the mantle of the Earth in protection of your own kind? Wake up now, foal. Your destiny awaits. Mac woke with a start. He looked up, and saw the hole he fell through. He stood, shakily, glad the fall didn't hurt him. Although, it still hurt like a bitch. He took in his surroundings. There wasn't much to see, because it was dark in the hole. He felt something brush against his fur. Wind. A breeze. A way out. 'If I follow this breeze, I can find an exit!’ Mac mentally shouted excitedly. The breeze led him deeper into the dark until he came upon an opening to a cave that does not appear to be abandoned in the slightest. There were horrid decorations on the walls. Writings in blood in a language too foul to comprehend. Furs adorned the walls, some manticore, some rabbit… and others. Mac made his best effort not to vomit, but failed. Miserably. ‘I've got to get out of here, or I might be next.’ Mac thought. He backed up, and bumped into something. Something fuzzy. Hooves were stomping. The walls rang with sinister laughter. “Oh bu-” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Deep within the Everfree, drums pounded. A fierce beat that meant one thing… Sacrifice. Author's Note Hey, I'm back with a brand new thing that a buddy and I came up with. Tell me what you think. Or don't.
Chapter 2“In this time of sacrifice, we offer the Beast of the Earth another child that he may grant us eternal power.” Mac woke up, tied to a stake, hay surrounded him. The drum beat had stopped, and the shadows bore a great number of eyes and teeth. The closest one, his face obscured by moonlight, but his gaze ever piercing, approached Mac. His words were as silk, his tone musical, and his speech immaculate. “So, we are awake, young one? Do not be alarmed, for you have been chosen. Chosen to be the torch that leads us into our rightful place!” the figure said, smiling. “W-what are you talking about? Who is ‘us’? Who are you?” Mac sputtered out. “We are ones who understand. We have seen your heart, Macintosh Apple.” “How do you know my name? What are you?!” “We are the same. We, like you, have been discredited for our race. We are brothers in this time, Macintosh.” The figure motioned to the crowd around him, and they pulled off their hoods. They all had the same smile, their eyes unwavering, and one by one, the cloaks were removed completely. Each crowd member was an equine, with scars on their bodies, rites to the Beast of the Earth. “You are not alone young Apple. We wish only for the best of our kind. The Earthen ones. Like you, we wish for a better place for our families. Don’t you want a better place for your sister?” Mac hesitated. He wanted his sister to grow up, happy and not afraid of others. Before he could speak, the figure cut him off. “Maybe you are not convinced that I am here for earth ponies. Then, for your last sight before you go, I will reveal myself!” The figure pulls his cloak away, and the clouds part from the moon, and it shines on him. The figure reared his legs high, having no signs of a horn nor wings. He spoke: “I, too, am a ‘mudhoof’, he who walks the ground, and tills it for the other tribes.” He spoke angrily, “They don’t understand us, Mac. We grow their food, and for what? To be ridiculed? To be treated as less than the Earth itself? NO LONGER.” “No longer.” the crowd responded. “Yes, they will learn. They will learn of what their actions caused. Be grateful, Apple, for you will be our stepping stone towards our rule!” The figure stomped away from Mac, and picked up a matchbook. He smiled, and lit a match. “No longer will we be made fun of. The Beast of the Earth will be sure of that. We will raise him from his slumber, and make those who laugh at Earth ponies know true despair!” The figure threw the match at Mac. The Figure hooded himself again and the crowd began to chant in unison. “E lawe mai i ka mea nana e hooponopono i ka honua ma ko kakou ano like, i ahaaina ai kakou i ka poe e hoomaewaewa mai ia kakou” Mac struggled against his ties, as the flame from the match caught the first straw of hay on fire. He struggled, and struggled, but soon he was surrounded in flames. The crowd’s chant got louder and louder, faster and faster. The leader shouted over them. “Thank you for your noble service, Macintosh Apple! Your soul will be consumed for the greater good of Earthen ones everywhere!” “E lawe mai i ka mea nana e hooponopono i ka honua ma ko kakou ano like, i ahaaina ai kakou i ka poe e hoomaewaewa mai ia kakou, E lawe mai i ka mea nana e hooponopono i ka honua ma ko kakou ano like, i ahaaina ai kakou i ka poe e hoomaewaewa mai ia kakou, E lawe mai i ka mea nana e hooponopono i ka honua ma ko kakou ano like, i ahaaina ai kakou i ka poe e hoomaewaewa mai ia kakou!” Mac prayed to Celestia, that he may be saved. His final thoughts were of home, and his sister. “I just wish, I could protect her…” The ground shook. The sound of great stones rumbling filled the air. Birds flew from their nests in a panic. Small animals left their homes in an instant. A manticore picked his head up from his nap, yawned, and went back to sleep… only to be woken up again by his mate growling at him for not understanding the danger. (One might say that the act was universal, between the males and female of all races, but that is neither here nor there.) Mac felt the stake cracking behind him… Mac awaited his demise that would never come. The rumbling, as quickly as it had began, had stopped. There was an eerie silence that swept the forest. Popping one eye open, he looked at the Leader, and immediately regretted it. The pony who once held Mac captive...was now encased in stone...However, the look in his eyes told a different story. The heat coming off of the now statue, was intense. Mac turned from the leader, and looked to the rest of the cultists...only to find them tied by vines, impaled by branches, and one with an ice pick lobotomy. He moved his hoof to his mouth to stop the vomit that was trying to force itself up… “Wait a minute…” He thought to himself… He was tied to a stake...how can he move his hoof? He looked down to realize his ropes were cut, and the fire out. “ I’m free… I’M FREE!” He quickly got on his hooves again, and ran to the titan statue… only to trip and slam his face into it. As Mac’s vision faded, he swore he heard somepony speak… “Thank the Stars above, VALRIS IS BACK, BITCHES!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “By the Moon and Sun, I’ve been freed! Finally! Now I can go back to…!”, Valris started to say, before coughing up dust. Luna knows how long he’s been there without a drink. The titan flexed his muscles, and cracked his neck. Centuries of being stone was not fun. “Being rock hard for it all was though…” the titan said to himself, before throwing his head back in boisterous laughter. His laugh echoed in the labyrinth. He dropped his warhammer to the ground, and inspected the area around him. The titan was surprised he still had influence while he was encased. He looked down, to find his charge, the one he called to him. Valris nudged the Earth pony with his hand, poking him in the face a couple of times. “Hey little one, wake up. We’ve gotta get you home.” Valris spoke, continuing to poke the red colt. “Hmm..? Whazat? Why?” the colt mumbled before opening his eyes. In front of him, was the titan, the one from Little Mac’s dreams. His eyes grew wide. “AHA! YOU AWAKEN!” the titan yelled before picking up the colt and putting him into a headlock, “I WAS AFRAID I’D HAVE TO FIND A NEW CHARGE! I AM DELIGHTED YOU ARE ALRIGHT!” The red pony, struggling to breathe, tapped out. The titan put him down, and smiled widely. He was going to have a soldier again. A comrade, a friend, and this one’s blood ran deep. “Now, little one, let’s get you out of here. I’m sure your guardians would not like you out so late.” Valris said, picking up his hammer and throwing it over his shoulder. “But…,” the colt started,” Weren’t you the one to call me out here?” Valris froze. He looked down, then up, then back down again, then back up. His eyes shifted from left to right a couple of times. Then he laughed. “I guess you are correct! Now come, let us not wait time. You probably have stuff to do in the morning!” Valris stated, laughing as he walked away. The colt couldn’t argue with that. He followed the titan, less afraid now than when he came into the forest.... Miles away, a young unicorn is having problems with his spells, while his sister seems to be able to do anything... Author's Note Back again with that late shit know'msayin. But seriously, it took me way too long to pick this back up.
Chapter 3“Okay, just breathe pony. You can do this.” “If your little sister can get into the best school in the land, you can DO THIS!” Shining Armour sweat profusely as he charged his spell again. A magenta glow encased his horn as his shield spell grew. It started as a small frontal barrier, and was slowly stretching around him into a dome… CRACK A crack formed in the shield, and it shattered. Shining collapsed in a pool of sweat, his legs splayed out from the amount of energy he poured into the spell. In a daze, he picked himself up and sighed. This is the fourth time today he's failed his "signature" spell. The spell that got him his own cutie mark. He was about to go for a fifth time, when he heard a knock on his door. "Shining? You need to come downstairs, it's dinner time.", A velvety voice called from the other side of the door. Sighing, Shining was about to decline the offer, however, his stomach agreed very loudly. With a blush and a very articulate reply, he went downstairs. Dinner was normal as it was every night. Shining played with his food as he listened to his parents talk about their day, and Twilight talked about her latest test. All was normal. Well, at least it was for three-fourths of them. Twilight noticed her BBBFF was a little down. She didn't want to say anything to upset him, but she hated seeing him like this. Then it hit her. She had a plan. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After everyone had eaten, Shining put his bowl in the sink and trudged back up to his room. He opened his door, only to be tackled by a blur of purple. He shook his head and looked on his stomach, and there she was. His little sister. "Shiny!", Twilight half shouted with full joy. "Not now Twily, I've got some stuff to do. We can play later." Shining said, rolling on to his hooves, knocking Twilight off in the process. "Buuuuuuuuuuut Shiny, you promised me a story!" Twilight whined. She was right, of course. He had promised her a story if she left him alone earlier this morning. "Alright, Twiliy, one story," Shining relented. He had to, before the filly brought out her weapons grade look. All fillies had them, even grown mares still had an effect on him. (He found this out when he tried to refuse his sister's foalsitter attempt to play a game with them. One is bad enough, but two of them? He had a cardiologist appointment on standby for the incident.) Twilight danced in place and quickly went to retrieve a book. A book her tutor gave her before leaving today. She thought if anything could get her brother out of his mood, this book could. And it's time he can spend with his adorkable sister, how can it not help? She hopped in her favorite chair, as Shining dragged in his bean-bag chair from his room. They sat in the living room, and Twilight put the book in front of her brother, before squee-ing expectantly. "An account of Princess Celestia's Guard?" Shining read aloud. This hardly seemed like a book his sister would like. Normally they'd read something about Starswirl, or a calculus text book. Maybe a bad "Knight saves the Princess" story. "Yeah! Princess Celestia gave it to me today! She smiled really big when i accepted it." Twilight said, barely holding in her enthusiasm. Shining chuckled at his sister's display of nerdisism. He knew that wasn't a word, but that wasn't going to stop him from saying it in his head. Besides, had he said out loud, the pony dictionary, the Ponictionary, would have a half hour rant on how you can't just make up words. With that in mind, he began to read. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Celestia's Guard, the Solar Squadron, started in 1 ANM, after the Legion of the Diarch was dissolved due to unknown reasons. The newly appointed Guard used ponies from all three Tribes, and they were sectioned off into different teams, each team with one representative of the Tribes. This was done, of course, to not only symbolize the idea of the Unity of Tribes, but to strengthen that idea of harmony. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Skip ahead a bit Shiny, I've read that part already. I left a bookmark on the page i left off on," Twilight said, sipping her juicebox. Their mother had came by while he was reading, and he hadn't noticed. Sometimes they thought she was a ninja, due to her stealth capabilities. "Alright, alright, we'll skip." Shining said, flipping to the page his sister had left off on. "Swordhorns?" Shining muttered to himself. This was strange, he'd never heard of these guards. Shrugging he continued his reading. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Swordhorns were a part of an elite task force that kept the peace during the time of Unity. They were Unicorns of the highest caliber, with reports of their magic being connected to the Fade itself. The Swordhorns were capable of great feats of magic, not to mention their skill in hoof to hoof combat was nearly unmatched. During the time of Unity, they protected the ponies from outside threats as well as threats that were inside the Equestrian borders. The only mystery that remains of these paragons of magic, was their creation. Any records about these Swordhorns were kept under heavy guard in the Royal Archives. However, by word of mouth, they live on as legends and stories for towns all around Equestria. There is speculation that these may just be that, legends and stories, just to keep the idea that the new Guard has the same pull as these legends. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shining's ear flicked when he heard light snoring as he finished reading. He looked over the book to see his sister sleeping in her chair. Laughing to himself, he put the book down, and took his sister back to her room. He walked slowly out of her room, careful not to wake her, and then retreated back to the living room. Surely she wouldn't mind if he read some more, right? He picked the book back up, and a page flew out. "Horseapples" He thought to himself. If a page was missing, she would notice and he would be dead. Well, not really, but he knew better than to chance it. She can be quite vicious for a filly half his size. He picked up the page only to notice that it wasn't from the book. It was old, torn at the edges, and had faded markings on it... It was a map... Author's Note I think i'm getting better at this updating shit.
Chapter 4"This is crazy. Why am I doing this?" Shining whispered to himself as he made his way down the dark streets of Canterlot. Earlier... "Why is there a map inside of a history book?" Shining asked himself, before promptly smacking himself in the face. It was a history book, of course there was going to be a map of some kind. Shining hated himself for asking such a foolish question, however this map didn't look like it should have been there. It looked...ancient. Way too old to be stuck between the pages of a Guard history book. The strangest thing about it though? It felt... Compelling It's as if the map was calling his name. As though it wanted to be found by him. Shining took a deep breath...and made a choice. One he felt he'd probably regret not doing, whilst regretting doing it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Present time The map wasn't really specific, but after cross referencing it with a current map of Canterlot, he realized he'd need to go through the sewers. Since Canterlot was a thriving city with many facilities, including indoor plumbing, it wasn't hard to find a grate in the streets. Finding one that wasn't in the line of sight of Guard patrols, however, was not. Luckily for Shining, he just so happened to ~~trip~~ stumble upon one in an alley way. With the grate moved, and the map secure in his muzzle, he moved down the ladder into the sewers. It felt like time had become molasses in these sewers for Shining. He wandered the sewers, following the map to to the letter, but saw no end in sight. Every step echoed, and the shadows created by his horn started to move in the corner of his eye. Still, he pressed onward. He wasn't scared. He was a big pony, why would he be? ...At least that's what he told himself. Then it happened. He had reached the end of the map... only to find a drop off, with a bottomless chasm. Shining sighed in frustration. This was where the map leads? A bucking hole in the ground? Shining was fuming, ready to shout... then he heard it. It started low, almost to quiet to hear... but with each passing moment, it grew. A chittering noise. Now, the sewers were a place of many a legend. The old mines that ran under Canterlot had been re purposed to fit the bustling city's needs. Some say it still inhabits the souls lost in those mines. Others say it is a maze with no end, and that travelers before the mines were re purposed, would go mad in its halls. They said the crystals did something to the mind. The was even a rumor about crocodiles living in the sewers! Shining knew these tales were old, and completely untrue, Why would the Princess allow such evils to be under the very city she resides in? Besides, only vermin would live in the sewers, so it's probably just a rat. Shining though proudly, and turned to face the chittering noise. He shined his horn to get a better look...only to see the shining eyes in the abyss. He took a double take. Rats don't have eight eyes...do they? Of course they don't. His sister did a school project on the Black plague and why rats weren't responsible. He knew Rats had two eyes each...but he also knew what had eight... The spider engulfed the tunnel they were in, and moved closer, its fangs glistening in the light of Shining's horn. The chittering, has stopped, but in Shining's mind, a voice spoke...it sounded like velvet, and held the grace of an angel... My, my, my, a little pony in my home? What art thou doing here? Do you not know that this is not your home? Shining nodded in fear, paralyzed by the sight before him. The fangs alone were bigger than his body, and he swore he saw them dripping with venom. What really got him was the eyes. The creatures eyes seemed to hypnotize him with their magenta glow. He felt compelled to listen, and stay put, even if his instincts were screaming for him to run. Now, it has been quite some time since I had a trespasser in my domain. No, no ,no, this will simply not do. The spider crawled closer, and Shining stepped back, his hoof nearly going off the edge. He turned to look at the drop off, and then the creature in front of him. He could see the dark hairs on its legs,and the mark on its abdomen. A laughter rang out in Shining's mind. Now, let's not be hasty, colt. You've nowhere to go! A trespasser like you needs to apologize to the master of the house. I have webs that reach all through these sewers, and knew when you stepped in. Now, come to me, so that you may...apologize... Shining stepped forward, but hesitated. He looked at the spider with defiance, if he was going down, he was going down swinging... if his legs would stop shaking. Do not play games with me, boy. Shining steeled his gaze and prayed that he would make it out alive. He had things to live for! Story time with his sister, his mom's home cooking, and his sister's foal sitter's plot! You know I can hear your thoughts right? Not that it matter's. If you will not come to me, then I shall make you! The words rang in Shining's head as a snarl, as the spider lifted itself and shot a rope of web at Shining. Quick to react, Shining raised his shield to block it. Don't fail me now shield, this is life or death! Shining thought as he gritted his teeth. The shield held, but something wasn't right... Why was he moving closer to the spider? I told you before, whelp, that I have webs, everywhere. Shining looked down in horror as the ground beneath him started to move. A very thin, but strongly weaved web was under his feet. The spider was using it to pull him closer! That shield wont stay up forever whelp, and when it fails, I will await another trespasser. "Wait, I know the Princess! She'd be upset if one of her ponies was eaten by you under her very nose!" Shining said, hoping to scare the spider into stopping. Another laugh rang out in his mind. Oh I know her too, whelp. She and I have an understanding...and she is free to walk my sewers and in exchange I keep it secure from monsters during the night. However, you are not her, and I will not be denied a trespasser. She will understand. Shining closed his eyes and sent more and more magic into his shield as the spider lunged at him. CRACKA-THOOM The shield exploded when the fangs hit, and it sent the spider reeling. Shining, however, wondered how he became a pegasus. Then it hit him. He was falling. He looked down, and saw the endless abyss. He blinked. The last thing he saw in the corner of his eye, was a flash of yellow from where he fell. Then, the darkness swallowed him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When he awoke, he was on the bank of a pond. He got up shakily, and took in his surroundings. The walls were made of a pale blue crystal that seemed to never end. The cave itself was rather empty. The only things of note were the multitudes of crystal formations, ,the humongous blob of writhing tentacles in the center of the room, and the pond he washed out of. Wait.. He froze. He turned around slowly and looked behind him. The blob 'looked' at him, and started moving closer to him. Then it flashed,. When Shining gained his eye sight back, he saw that the blob was no more, but a two legged entity took it's place. It wore a purple robe with runes inscribed on the hems. Shining blinked, and then he realized he wasn't on the ground anymore. "Holy shit, I'd forgotten how adorable you bastards are!" What The bipedal entity had picked up Shining and started petting him like a dog. "Who's a good pony?!" it asked. Shining was, obviously. He knew that. Wait, I'm not a dog! Shining thought as he charged his horn...only for the entity to grasp it. "Yo, you're a unicorn too?! That's dope as shit! I'm gonna teach you all manners of spells and shit! Oooh it's gonna be so much fun!" The entity said, giving the colt a noogie. "Who and what are you?1" Shining half shouted as he squirmed in the thing's grasp. He knew it was male by the voice, but this was ridiculous! "Oh, I'm Alchos! Magic creator extraordinaire. Had an alias about a millennium ago, but nobody cares about that! What about you, kid?! You wanna be my student?" Alchos said, his eyes shining with hope. "Sir, you don't even know me! All I did was follow a stupid map here!" Shining grumbled, "Also my name's Shining Armor, not 'kid'." "Details, Shiny, details. I'm giving you a deal here! Your magic will be spectacular! I used to teach Unicorns to defend this land ages ago! C'mon, pal? Please?" "Wait, you taught Unicorns?" "Hell yeah I did! Gave em a sick name too. What was it...Horn blades? Axe heads? Spear chuck..." "Sword horns." Shining said. "Oh, fritata, that's the spice! Sword horns! Guards among guards! Stallion's stallions. Magical mitochondria!" Alchos shouted with theatrics. Shining blinked. He knew this 'Alchos' had a lot of magic. It was bleeding off of him. He knew he needed help with his magic, but he couldn't ask his sister. She put it all into mathematics and theory which made his head hurt. This guy, however, probably knew a hooves on approach. Besides, he needed more guy friends anyway, especially since Spike was only a baby. Maybe it'll help him be more popular at school? "I'll do it." Shining said, hoping that this wont come to bite him later. "ALRIGHT! NEW FRIEND AND STUDENT!" Alchos bellowed, his voice echoing through the cave, "You and I are gonna be the best of pals Shiny-boy!" Alchos lifted Shining up and bop'd him on the nose. Alchos grinned at Shining's confused face, and set him back down. "First things first, however. You need to get back home. Now that I know your magic signature, I can just summon you here at a whim. However, you're a kid, so you've got school and shit. That's dope, stay in it, or join the guard when you're old enough. Structure is good. Anywho, you need to get home before your 'rents realize you're gone. Take this." Alchos rambled, while tossing Shining Armor a quill. "What's this for?" Shining said, holding the quill up in his magic. "To let me know when you're out of school and ready to train, kid!" Alchos laughed, the runes on his robe now glowing, "Now, since your signature is close to your parent's, it'll be easy to teleport you there. Just focus on them, and you'll be good. Also, write down the word 'ready' on any sheet of paper when you want to come here. This quill is also enchanted to appear in your hoof when you want it. Don't think about the pink alicorn!" "Pink alicor- wait! Explain all that again?" Shining started. "Too late, magic's charged!" Alchos shouted as the teleportation spell took hold with a snap, and sent Shining to his residence...if Shining focused on it that is. "Hopefully there isn't a pink alicorn. I've been down here way too long to know." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Shining Armor?" "Y-y-yes Miss Cadenza?" "I've told you before, it's Cadence." "Yes miss Cadenz- I-I-I mean Cadence." "...You're lucky you're cute, Armor." "I am?" Author's Note SQUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAD, HERE COME THAT BULLSHIT This chapter brought to you by a fever dream and Waka Flocka.
