The Shadow Guard: The Divided Three.
Ch.1: The Uninvited and Unwanted...
(One year ago, first mission...)
The night approaches. The moon is in full circle, at her highest peak. With it, a pale light illuminating the wastelands. Her Nocturnal Iris showing those prowling within the darkest of nights, revealing their deprived desires, and destination. Stalking towards the eastern border of Equestria, where it is the least defended. There wasn't really much out this way, since it's all barren. This army of Gryphons came around this way to invade, targeting the weakest link. Much like a pack of wolves circling their prey.
Of course, this army was out for its own reasons and goals, all of which will dampen and damage relationships between our races. This is something we cannot allow to happen. Using my psychic abilities, I closed my eyes and focused all of my will towards my Third Eye, sensing out the leader of this war band. And I found him, just within the centre of his warriors, as he had a few flying up high, given the task of the Birds Eye view. Scouting out afar, to see what lies ahead. Clever, but they are looking in the wrong places. They only look in the front, more content on reaching their target, instead of being aware of our presences, or any other.
Sighing, I started counting on how many we are up against...
"So..." A deep voice rumbled to my left, gruff and rough. "How many down there?" He asked me.
"Verifying..." I answered him, while counting. "... 3... 4... Oh my. At least over 5000 of them." I concluded, finishing my assessment as I opened up my eyes. "There are some great fighters, yet far too many young ones. Who have yet to grow and live a proper life..." It is sad, really. That these young soldiers have to lose their lives, over some pitiful, wasteful cause. Filled with ego pettiness and blinding pride. A Dreadful Lie.
I heard a snort to my right. "HA! It's their lost! If they thought they were coming in for an easy kill, well they picked the wrong career!" He said out loudly, filled with the happiness of a madman. His voice was of a higher pitch, making him sound almost like a childish teenager, when really he's a grown stallion.
"Be quiet Blacklight!" Inferno growled at him quietly, with the utmost care. "You will alert them to us!" Oh dear, not again.
Blacklight just grinned at this. "Oh, please. We're here to kill this band of misfits. Why should we wait?" Impatient as ever, Blacklight.
"You've forgotten the plan already!" Inferno was getting ever more furious from this talk. "Medium just told us what is about to happen!" For those who wonder, yes, my name is Medium.
"Stay calm, Inferno." I raised a hand towards the giant Earth pony, for he was almost as tall as Princess Celestia, in comparison of height. For most, he would seem so unnaturally tall by the populace. "You know how he is, and his state of mind." I reminded him.
Grunting, he replied. "I know. But he would make Discord look tame and sane, especially since he's now connected to Chaos magic. No thanks to that mismatch serpent." Inferno stated.
"True. The powers of Chaos he is connected to now, but that doesn't mean he is lost within it. It just tends to show him things that makes sense about Discord's antics." I said to Inferno. "Besides, it has made things a little more interesting. Has it not?" I smiled.
Taking a big sigh, he nodded in agreement. I then turned to face Blacklight. "As for you, while it's not entirely your fault, you still get so easily distracted by it. Learn to control it more efficiently, so that it may not make you forget." I lectured him.
He just rolled his eyes at this. "Yeah right. Like anyone or anything can control Chaos. Discord may have full reign over it, but he goes along with the flow of its nature!"
"But you are neither Discord himself, nor a disciple to Chaos fully. You have conquer both Chaos and Dark, making your own being with the two..."
"No thanks to that Sun Witch." He snarked off distastefully towards Princess Celestia. Of course, these two would blame her for our...conditions. While I may not dislike her for the action she took, because she has reasons to do so, I do not like how some of her other actions have taken fold. They seem a bit rash at times.
But what do I know, it is just my opinion of a matter that should not be discussed on the here and now. Looking back at the Gryphon army, they were near the halfway point of reaching the border. That halfway point, the three of us were standing on top of. A mountain wall of sorts.
They may have the numbers to storm the borderline, the strength to get it done, but they have made one fatal mistake. They never accounted for the weather. Feeling the winds picking up, the three of us look towards our left, to see a sandstorm rolling in very quickly. Not only will this hinder the enemy's visibility and mobility — be that air and ground, but it will make our job easier. Sandstorms are not uncommon out here, but are sporadic within their directions. There have been a few incidents in the past where they move towards our borders, and have caused quite the mess. Those moments had Princess Celestia to conduct a countermeasure for this, to prevent any further damage within the future.
The answer was simple, but it was also, always, easier said than done. A shield was needed, but by conventional means. Large chunks of enchanted crystals were made and integrated within, running along the eastern borderline. Not only will this keep the sandstorms out and stirred away from the border, but it'll keep out the Uninvited and Unwanted.
As the storm closes in on us all, we placed on our protective gear on. A heavy, black, hooded cloak, and goggles. Unfortunately, the weight of the cloak weighs down on my shoulders a bit, for I am not like my two brothers. But I can work with it, something as trivial as this is not to be my main focus. While I do not wish death upon the younglings, I have no choice but to offer a quick, painless, and
merciful one. At least this way, I won't feel so terribly guilty of it, knowing I have given them the easy way out. But still...
"... Medium?" Inferno called me back to reality.
"Yes, I'm fine." I told him. "Now then, when the storm blankets over us all, we strike." He stared at me for a while longer, before facing the enemy. Even though he didn't say it, he knows. But Blacklight doesn't, and he will become aggravated by it.
It is almost upon me. Perhaps it will become relevant at the end, and I can feel it. Just then, the sandstorm finally hits. Surprised, the Gryphons were completely swallowed by it. Unable to make heads or tails, they were disorganised. Blacklight was the first to leap into action. With his Falx in hand, his skeletal wings flurried with purple energy, making up where the fleshy bits and pieces would be. Jumping into the storm, he flies along its air-currents, if you can call it that, using it to glide his way through the unsuspecting troops, while cutting them up. Of course, he would be crazy enough to fly into a sandstorm, but it never prohibits his flying by any means on its own. No matter how fierce the weather may be, he can still soar through it, like it was a sunny day.
After waiting for a few moments, Inferno drew his Great Sword from his back. Nosferatu as he named it, although I wish he could have named it something else. Something more authentic to its origins, since the mass metal was made out of Dragon's Starstone. A rare, sacred and secretive material to the Dragons culture. Everyone believed it to be a myth and were none the wiser. The Dragons were not bothered by this, so they used that to their advantage, and kept it safe. But they were bothered about most of things that were made up around it.
Anyway, he walked up to the edge and jumped off. Now, I know that's completely stupid and such, but we are not your normal operatives, per se. For we cannot conduct within Equestria. Our mere presences alone will raise suspicions among others. Even though this is our first mission, I knew we could never be able to operate within the domesticated department. As such, we only go to Canterlot to discuss some things with Lone, the leader of The Shadow Guard. And rightfully so.
I waited for some time, not wanting to interfere. Even though the Sandstorm suppresses the screaming of the panic and dying, I can still feel what they feel, and it's quite the terrifying experience. As they try to stop Inferno razing through their ranks, Blacklight kept picking them off, one by one. Creating even more panic among them, as they couldn't figure any of this out, and started to become disorganised.
Eventually, I levitated down within that soup, touching the bloodied ground, filled with the many dead. There are those who were barley alive, whimpering from the agony of dying. These ones, I have showed mercy, ending it all for them. At least they won't have suffer an even worse fate, anymore. Using my psychic abilities, I sensed the enemy's numbers have been dropping rapidly, down to four... three thousand now. No doubt Inferno's handy work. He seems to be gunning it for the Marshal-General's head.
Of course, I can hear the Marshal-General's screaming in fear, as he shouted out orders, having his troops forming a defensive wall around him. Not that it would matter, there's not much that can stand against his Nosferatu, nor Dragon's Starstone, for that matter. Even he doesn't speak of how powerful it is.
With Blacklight creating weak points within, skydiving on top of them and cutting their heads off. Inferno charges headlong at them, easily breaking through their defences. They tried to attack him at once, but even that was proven fruitless, as he effortlessly cut them down with one swing of his massive sword. Closer and closer, he draws near. His prize beginning to freeze up, as he saw Inferno coming for him. Before he could do anything, the Marshal-General had his wings cut off by Blacklight, as his personal guard were killed off beforehand.
Those who have witnessed this have abandoned their positions and ran away. Although, Blacklight still picked them off, even though they have lost the will to fight impossible odds and surrendered. The Marshal-General himself was begging for one of them to help, but none dare to spare a glance his way, as Inferno walked over to him. There were some poor unfortunate souls who still fought on, but have met their imminent demises. Once all opposition was demolished, Inferno strolled up to the downed Marshal-General, grabbed him by his feathery head, and lifted him up to his eye-level.
"P-P-Please, show mercy! Grant me mercy!" The Marshal-General pleaded for his life. "If y-you do that, I'll give you whatever you want! Any! Just name it--" Soon though, he fell silent. Inferno already had what he wanted. Cutting off his head, the body fell upon the ground.
Just then, the Sandstorm shifted its direction towards the border, revealing the damage we have caused. Quite the sight, to be sure. Nothing short of violence at its peak.
"Excellent. Now then, let us gather the deceased and erase them. No evidence left behind." I said, as we all got to work with piling the bodies of dead Gryphons. Of course, there are those who played dead among them, and I can tell which one. Once discovered, they panicked and started stuttering over their words. These were the young ones.
"Hey? Want me to finish them off?" Blacklight suggested, as he walked up to them.
"... No." I held up my hand, halting his advances. "Enough blood has been shed. I will deal with them later."
"Medium, there are too many bodies. I doubt you can just wish them away like that." Inferno informed me.
"Still, I must do this." I stated to him. "For who will do the deed?"
"I guess burning them is out the question." Blacklight said.
"It will only alert unwanted attention. Continue on piling, I'll be there in a moment." I told them as I turned to the gathering, frightful younglings. As they huddled closer to one another, I bent down and reached out to cup the closest cub's cheek, who flinched from the contact. "There, there. No need for fear anymore. You are safe now..."
"How?" He asked. "How can we be sure you won't...try to kill us?"
"If I wanted to, you would have never saw it coming." I answered him. "But no, none of you are dying here. I've had enough of seeing the young dying too soon." I firmly stated to them.
They were surprised by this, and then the shame and guilt started to settle within their beings. "We're sorry..." He said quietly, as they started to cry. "We're so sorry... It's just that... They promised us so much..."
"Do not let them control your thoughts, nor let them twist your hearts. They have no right to do either." I told them calmly. "They have no right to do anything unto you all, and for that they have lost the right to live..."
"Medium, we're racing against time." Inferno stated. "We need to get this over with, and be done with it all."
Nodding at this, I got up and turned away from the younglings. "Wait here and don't leave. I'll be back." I told them as I walked over to the mass piles of corpses.
Closing my eyes, I tapped into my psychic powers, focusing and directing. Soon enough, the bodies started to glow, as they all faded away. Eventually, there wasn't a trace left of their existence. But that wasn't all that was lost, for it was at this point, I knew I have lost a part of me. That being my eyesight. Sighing, I removed my cloak, and then my goggles.
"Beautiful as ever... Medium?" Blacklight started, but then he looked my way. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry Blacklight, but..." As I talked, I opened up my eyes, showing him and Inferno the milky white orbs. "Unfortunately, I have become blind."
"WHAT!?" Blacklight exclaimed, enraged by this outcome. "Are you fucking kidding me!?"
"Please, don't swear in front of the--"
"No way! This is bullshit! Why is this even happening!? On our first mission success, no less!"
"SILENCE!!!!!" Yelled Inferno, which scared the younglings. "Blacklight, enough already! This isn't helping!"
"Oh, and I'm suppose to accept this!?" Blacklight pointed towards my condition. "Hell no!"
"For Damnation's sake! It was going to happen either way, there's no going around this!" Inferno argued back.
"So you knew this was gonna happen!?"
"I suspected it, yes! Telling you would've made you tear your part of the mountain down!" After that, Blacklight huffed and turned his back to us.
"... I'm heading back home and have a smoke." With that said, he took to the sky and flew away fast. Leaving us alone.
"Well, that's just great." Inferno said with a sigh.
"It could have been worse." I commented, as I turned my attention back on the younglings. "I'll be taking them back."
"Of course you would..." He doesn't sound happy.
"Please, hear me out." I pleaded with him.
"I know what you're planning on doing, but they won't be able to leave. It's a security risk." He reminded me.
"I know that. But we can't let them go back home either. They'll be branded as criminals, for something they have no control over." I told him.
"Life is harsh and cruel. What were you expecting, a miracle?" He said that last part sarcastically.
"I'm only doing what is best for them." I stated firmly.
Snorting, he relented. "Fine then, but you'll have tell him about this."
"Of course I will. I was planning on it anyway. Now come, I'll get us home." Gathering the younglings, I pulled out a stone and used it to get us all home. Once there, we got them settled in. They were quite thoroughly surprised in awe, so explanations was expected, but will have to wait for another time...
(Canterlot, one week later...)
"... Enter!" I heard him say, as I knocked on the door. Opening it, I entered on in and closed it behind me.
"Greetings Lone. Long time, no see." I said to him.
"Sheesh! What happened out there!? I was beginning to worry!" He exclaimed, getting up from his seat. "Honestly, what was... Hey, what's up with the blind folder?" Walking over to me, I held up my hand to stop him.
"Sorry about that, but fear not, the mission was a success." I told him the good news.
"Really!? Well, thank fuck!"
"Language, please." I scolded at him.
"Alright, alright. But, seriously, while that's good and all, it still doesn't explain the get-up. What happened to you?" I asked me.
"I'll show you..." Undoing my blind folder, I showed him the state of my eyes.
"What the--!? When did this happen!?" He demanded.
"Just after the battle, as we were erasing the evidence." I answered him calmly.
"So what, we're all suppose to accept this!?"
"Think of it, as a transcendence. I may have lost my eyesight, but I have gained anew sight for seeing things. Beyond what we all usually see normally." I explained to him. "It has taken a while, but I can still see you and the others..."
"Okay, okay. I get it." He said, sighing in relief. "Alright, make your report..." I recalled all that has transpired, and to how we have executed the plan on stopping them. "... Well, you guys seem to have done more than enough. You three, literally, single-handedly diverted a international crisis for all. And that's saying a lot." He gave his compliment on our success.
"They wouldn't be dissuade from a doomed caused, even if you had all the facts." I told him.
"True. So, about those who have abandoned it all together?" He inquired about the survivors.
"On paper, they would be all branded as rebels and traitors alike. Active Terrorist trying to disrupt the relationship between nations, causing fear and hatred among the populace." I answered him.
"Well that's not untrue..." He said after hearing this.
"Either way, they're all locked away for life."
He nodded at this. "Good. Now, is there anything you want to tell me? Off the record, of course."
"Yes. When we were gathering the bodies, there were some younglings that used their dead. Trying to hide from the slaughter." I told him about them. "They were terrified of us, not that I blame them. But they could have ended up on the chomping block, if they didn't do it. So I've taken them in and hoping to train them."
"Hmm..." Lone hummed about this information. "Why didn't you erase their memories? You can do that easily with your psychic abilities, you make magic look like a joke."
"I know, but to let such talents go to waste? I can't do that to them." I answered him, feeling quite disgusted by the mere thought of doing that. "I would be no better, than those who have already paid for such heinous acts. I rather they keep what was given to them..."
"Even though it was all a broken promise?" He questioned.
"Yes. Because I will help them forge an even better life with it." I stated firmly.
"But that also means they can't leave, last time I've checked. They are not with The Shadow Guard, and you know that." He countered.
I just gave a chuckle at this. "Says the one who's filled with secrets."
"Yeah, you got me there. But still, it'll be dangerous for them."
"It isn't like I'll have them go out on missions. I rather have them as the village guard. They'll become a great asset to the people."
He winced at that. "And Blacklight calls me a funny asshole. You're sending them through one meat grinder, into another."
"So I am. But, as Inferno as his father would put it; Life is harsh and cruel..."
"Well, alright. I guess this concludes our meeting." He said. "I'll go tell Celestia the news then."
"Very well, I'll be taking my leave then." I bowed to him and was about to teleport back home, only to feel him grab me by the shoulder.
"Should I tell the others about your... Condition?" He asked.
I nodded at this. "Yes, please do. It'll ease them into the change."
"I'm not sure if Mist will like this."
"Just hope he'll take it a lot better than Blacklight. He exploded when I told him."
"What about Inferno?"
"He suspected this would happen, so he wasn't entirely effected by it." After that, he let go of me and I pulled out the stone. "Until we meet again." After saying that, I teleported back home. Leaving Lone to do the rest...
(Lone Shadow, Canterlot Castle...)
"Ah! Lone, just who I wanted to see." Celestia said, as I was waiting within her quarters. "Although, I wish you could have been a little more tactful in your approach."
I just shrugged at this. "Eh, whatever. Anyway, I'm here to make a report. It's about that Gryphon army." I said to her, getting to the point. "It's been dealt with."
"So a mission success? Thank you, and do give your team my congratulations." She was pleased with this. "Honestly, you have no idea how much that was driving me crazy all week."
"You and me, both. They were making some extra precautions." I told her. "Those that have abandoned it are now branded traitors for terrorist acts and ploys. We won't need to worry about another one happening again."
"You know Lone, you haven't really told me much about this group." I knew what she was suggesting, but I can't tell her that. "Who are they, exactly?"
"Sorry, can't tell you that. They want to remain a secret, even from you. Said something about protection." Technically, it was true. But I never told her about those I have recruited within The Shadow Guard.
She huffed at this. "Oh fine. But I want to meet them one of these days."
"I can't make that happen. They don't even live in Equestria's borders anymore. Not to mention, this was their first mission, ever." I stated to her. "On the plus side, we can now officially intercept outside threats more efficiently."
She gave an exasperated sigh. "I feel as if they fear me. It's not like I'm going to banish them to the moon!" Okay, one; they don't fear you, they just have mixed feelings about you. Mostly hatred. And two; banishing them to the moon wouldn't be your first answer, if you were to meet them. But I wasn't gonna tell her that.
Again, I just shrugged at this. "Well, they wanted to experience what Life is like outside Equestria. Not to mention, they feel alright living out there. This way, we'll get the drop on any outside force, such as the Gryphon army."
"Yes, I suppose that was for the best." She said.
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'm gonna head back." I said to her, making my way out.
"Please do keep me informed. Goodbye." She said to me.
"Later." I replied as I went back to the mansion. With that done, I needed to tell the others about the news. "Seriously, when did I become a messenger boy?" I grumbled at this, because I got things to do, still. Medium, for all of your sage-like thinking, you can be a real pain in the rear at the worst times!
