Tale of the Sixby Andy586ChaptersOvercastThe RiseDefeatOvercastChapter One: Overcast It was a gloomy night at the castle in Canterlot. Princess Celestia was sitting in her room. It's your average high class bedroom. Pictures of her star pupil Tiwlight Sparkle and her friends were hanging all around the room. The bed was trimmed with gold and gems of all types. Expensive furniture embroidered with the Canterlot crest. While reading a letter from Twilight, she felt a frightening chill. Confused by the feeling, she got up from her bed and wandered over to the balcony. She looked up to the sky, but all she saw were clouds with a dark ominous appearance. The Princess called for a guard, and informed him of a mission she'd like run by one of her scouts. "Please inform my guard captain, that I would like one of his scouts to head out to Ponyville. I'd like him to keep an eye on Twilight and her friends, I have a bad feeling something horrible may happen soon." "Yes ma'am." Off the guard trotted in the direction of the guard tower. Princess Celestia went back to her bed to finish reading her letter from Twilight. The scout arrived in Ponyville shortly. He was instructed to talk with the Mayor and keep a low profile in town as to not cause a panic. It was one of your typical days in Ponyville. Many ponies running around, going about their daily business. "Hi! Who are you? I've never seen you around here before. What are you doing here? Are you a traveler?" The scout was bombarded with an array of questions by a bouncing pink pony. Bewildered he stammered back slightly. He knows he needs to keep a low profile he didn't want to seem rude and mysterious, he humored her and responded, "Woah, woah, woah, settle down there miss'y. One question at a time." "Uhh...okay! Well...who are you?" "My name is Sir Sharp Eyes, but you can call me Sharp. What's yours?" "My name's Pinky Pie, but you can just call me Pinky!" Pinky smiled and continued, "So why are you here?" Quickly thinking on his feet he made up an excuse, "I'm here to talk with the Mayor, I have some ideas for the town, and I was told she was the pony to talk to." "Yep she'd defiantly be the pony to talk to, she's in that building over there." Pinky pointed to a large white stone building that very much resembled that of a standard government building. It had tall columns that held up a large awning that read Ponyville. "Ah, thank you very much Ms. Pinky. I'll make due haste to talk with the Mayor. Have a nice day." With that he trotted off to the building. Pinky simply smiled again and continued bouncing toward her destination. A new day breaks out over Canterlot. It's another beautiful day while Princess Luna is walking though the castle garden. A nice cool breeze takes her as she basks in the heat of the sun. Being only recently broken free, she's finding she enjoys the warmth of her sisters sun. While gazing at a bed of stunning daisies, she gets a sharp chill. Not one of a summers breeze, but a cold deep chill. She looks up and sees a trail of smoke that comes from a nearby forest. Slightly freighted by the mysterious chill, she goes to talk with her sister. "Sister, how art thou on this fine day." "Oh hello Luna. I'm doing just fine thank you." "Say..sister, hath thou felt a gloomy chill?" Celestia is some what surprised at her sisters remark, yet understands that she too must have felt it, "Yes Luna, I have. Although I do not know what it is from, I fear something terrible might be taking place." "I feel much the same. Was any burning granted to the residents in the forest recently?" "Why, no I do not believe so." With this the Celestia looks out the window, and too, notices the smoke bellowing out from the distant trees. "This should be checked out Luna, would you like to come with?" Not having gone nearly anywhere with her sister, she quickly accepted her sisters offer, "Yes I would!" On their way to the forest, they notice the smoke is getting thicker and thicker. They start to smell that it is not smoke from burning wood, but from something different they can't quite make out. They reach the edge of the forest and share a quick glance and they continue into the forest. The forest is dence and heavy. There isn't really a path to follow, so they judge the best they can to head to the origin of the smoke. A clearing comes into view, and they slow their pace to walk. They peer into the clearing though a bush. What they see frightens them very much. In the clearing is a small stone alter bearing an emblem they cannot recall ever seeing before. It's shaped in an eight pointed star, circled with thorny vines. In the center of the star is the rough outline of a pony. Surrounding the alter is a dozen gray unicorns all focusing their magic on a statue of a large stallion unicorn. Once again they do not recognize the pony the statue is resembling. Celestia quickly glances at the flanks of the ponies she could see. The majority of the ponies she could make out had an assortment of skulls and bones on them. She noticed the smoke was coming from the combined magic of all the unicorns. Suddenly the earth started to shake. Luna lost her balance and fell to the ground letting out a small yelp. One of the unicorns heard her yelp and turned around looking at the bush. "Intruders!" As the pony yelled out the shaking worsened. The earth in the center of the alter started to shift, and then began cracking open. The hazy blue glow that was once coming from the unicorns stopped and they all slowly started to back up. From the cracks a dark black unicorn rose. His horn spouting a black colored magic lowered himself to the ground. "Princess Celestia, it's been a long time hasn't it," bellowed the black stallion. Celestia emerged from the brush and stepped forward and replied, "Yes Black Crest, not long enough though I'm afraid." Using her magic she shot a brilliant magical yellow arrow toward Black. He quickly deflected it with his magic. "Tisk tisk tisk, and here I was hoping you'd be excited to see your brother." Luna quickly leaped out of the bush, "WHAT!? Our brother!?! What ever does he mean?" "Why if it isn't Luna too, what a wonderful family reunion," said Black. Celestia now lost for words looking at Luna's confused face, "Yes, Luna, this is your older brother Black Crest. Not long after you were born, our parents banished him for trying to spread evil across Equestria. He is the reason Discord was able to gain power." Luna was lost in her own mind, trying to make heads and tails of what was happening before her. Taking advantage of their position, Black quickly used his magic to encase Luna. With a loud pop, Luna disappeared. Before Celestia could do anything he turned to her and attempted to use his magic on her. She, too, quickly responded their magic meeting in the center of them. "What did you do to Luna," yelled Celestia. Casually Black responded, "I put her some where safe, she would have gotten in the way...." he trailed off as Celestia started to put all of her might into trying to defeat his magic. Though it was not enough, putting a little effort into it, he overwhelmed her and too, encased her in his magic. She slowly rose from the earth barely able to move. With her last remaining magic, she summoned a scroll and pen and scribbled out a small message which she quickly sent away. "What was that? A note? No matter, now that I have you, getting the Elements of Harmony will be easy. Once I have them nothing will be able to stop me." Another loud pop and Celestia was gone. The RiseChapter Two: The Rise Sharp Eyes approached the building with caution. He saw a tan pony with a gray mane sitting behind a desk shuffling some paper work. She wore a white collar with a turquoise accent, and had golden rimmed glasses. He cantered forward toward the desk, "Hello I'm looking for the Mayor." She looked up at him over her spectacles, and appraised him with her eyes, "I'm she. Did you need help with anything?" "Well, yes, I'm Lt. Sharp Eyes of the 2nd Scout Brigade, part of the Equestrian Royal Guard. I was told to report to you when I arrived." "Ahh, I've been expecting you, just a second." She got up and started flipping things from a box on to her desk, "Where is it...I know it's in here somewhere...AH HA! I found it, here." It was a library card with his picture on it. "This is your cover. You're to go to the local library and become friends with our librarian Twilight Sparkle. She is the Princesses prized student." "What I'm I 'supposed to be? Am I to ask her anything specific," asked Sharp. "Um, well she didn't really say in her letter, I was simply told that you and Twilight are to become friends, and you are to watch over her, and her friends. Well sorry here take this, I need to get back to my work, there are many a pony that need their buildings inspected to make sure they're up to code. We've been having problems recently with a lot of...accidents." "Er, yes, sorry to keep you. Thank you for your help." Rather confused as to exactly what he needs to do, he guesses he'll just wing it. That's what he's done most of his life, and it's worked out for the best more often than not. BUZZAP! THUD! "OW!" said three ponies, and a dragon in unison. "Twilight! I though you said this wasn't going to hurt!" yelled Spike. "I'm sorry guys! Really, I didn't think it was going to hurt, it doesn't say anything about it hurting in my spell book..," Twilight trailled off as she saw her friends all on the ground rubbing their flanks. "I didn't even have time to try and fly to stop me from falling...," squelched Rainbow Dash. Flutter Shy stammered, "I..um...it's okay Twilight...it...really didn't hurt...that much..." "I really must say Twilight...you really need to work on our landings, this is the third time your spell failed," proclaimed Rarity. "Again I'm sorry guys...I'll keep trying it on the stuffed animals for now, I'll call you guys back when I'm ready to try it again..sorry again," Twilight said trying to be as nice as possible to her test subjects. "Well then, I really must be going, I have a HUGE, order from a VIP from Canterlot, good bye everypony," Rarity then burst though the front door of the library and trotted off towards her store. "I'm gunna' dash too Twilight see'ya!" With a blaze of rainbow, Rainbow Dash was gone. "Um, thank you for having me over Twilight, um I have to go feed Angel now, bye," Flutter Shy said as she too walked out the door, closing it behind her. "Ugh! I could have sworn I figured out this spell!" yelled Twilight, "Did it really hurt that bad Spike?" "It wasn't really the spell, as much as it was hitting the....BURRRP. Oh boy a letter from Princess Celestia!" Spike yelled out. "Really! Who is if for?" "It's for you Twilight. Oh no!" "What? Is something wrong Spike?" Spike started, "Twilight Elements of Harmony Friends Save Equestria. That's all the letter says, and it's scribbled. That's not like the Princess at all! Twilight, I think the Princess might be in trouble!" "Com'on Spike we need to go!" Twilight and Spike start heading for the door when they hear someone knocking on the door. They share a quick glance, as Twilight uses her magic to open the door, "Who's there?" She stands ready a purple glow slowly coming from her horn. "Woah, I don't mean to bother you, but do you happen to know Twilight Sparkle?" choked Sharp who was not even standing in the door way slightly scared of the unicorns magic. "What do you want with her?" queried Twilight. "I was hoping to check out a book on Military Tactics.." "Oh, I think I have one around here some where, but I'm a little busy, I think the Princess might be in danger." "Princess Celestia?" asked Sharp. "Yes, I just received a letter from her.." Twilight was cut off. "Oh no..this is what she feared..." Sharp started to get quiet and was lost in thought. A few moments passed Twilight just looking at him about as confused as he was. "Wh-who are you?" asked Twilight. Sharp snapped out of his moment of confusion and pondered what he should say. He knew that he was supposed to stay undercover, but it looks like the Princesses fears already came true. He was told he needed to gather Twilight and her friends and take them to the castle in Canterlot, but he was not told for what. "Yes, I am Lt. Sharp Eyes of the 2nd Scout Brigade, part of the Equestrian Royal Guard. I was sent here to watch over you and your friends in case something happened, but it seems something already has. What did the Princesses letter say?" Spike re-read the letter aloud for a second time. "Then I guess I'm to take you and your friends to the Canterlot castle and re-unite you guys with the Elements of Harmony. Please if you would, gather your friends near the exit of the town, I have to talk with the Mayor and let her know what's going on." Twilight was lost for words, she had no idea what was going on. What happened to the Princess? Why is this scout here? What does she need to do? All these questions continued to run though her mind. She simply nodded, and went to get her friends together. She first went to Flutter Shy, who was sitting in her home tending to Angel her bunny. Twilight told her to go get Rainbow and to meet near the edge of town to Canterlot. She told Spike to get Rarity and Pinky Pie, while she went to Sweet Apple Acres to get Applejack. They finally all met at the edge of town confused as to why they were all there. Twilight explained that the Princess might be in danger and that they were to go to Canterlot and get the Elements of Harmony. As Twilight was explaining what they needed to do, Sharp ran up with a carriage, drawn by two large stallions dressed in Canterlot guard armor. "All of you, please, get aboard the carriage quickly. We must get to the castle as soon as possible," said Sharp, out of breath. They all got on the carriage, and made their way to Canterlot. On they're way, Sharp explained who he was to the rest of the ponies, Pinky Pie, making it very clear that she was the first to meet him in town that day. They pulled up to the gates of the city only to be greeted by fear. The two guard ponies that where normally standing tall guarding the entrance to Canterlot where on the ground in pools of blood, with wounds that appeared to be bite, and tear markings from some other ponies mouth. The gates where open, and the two stallions pulling the carriage continued though the gates, again with more painful sights to follow. All along the streets there were more bodies of motionless ponies scattered about. They all had similar injuries as the two guards at the gate. Then Flutter Shy spotted some pony moving in the distance. "There!" shouted Flutter Shy, the loudest she's ever been, "Some pony's still alive!" She rushed out of the carriage and flew over to the pony's aid. "Ar-are you okay?" questioned Flutter Shy. The pony looked up to Flutter Shy with drone like eyes. They were lost of most of their color, a very pale blue. She was bleeding from her side very bad. Flutter Shy leaned over and grabbed some paper she saw on a table near by and used it to apply pressure to the pony's wound. The pony groaned very loudly, frightening Flutter Shy nearly to the point that she ran way, but she buried her fear and continued to try and help the dieing pony. The wounded pony started to shake violently, Flutter Shy tried to hold her still but with her frail frame, couldn't hold her down well. "Are you guys going to help me or what?" Flutter Shy was yelling again at her friends for aid, but they were all stunned. They've never seen anything like this before. Unlike Flutter Shy fear got the better of them. The pony on the ground stopped shaking and then stopped moving all together. Flutter Shy was crushed. "WHY DIDN'T YOU GUYS COME TO HELP! WE COULD HAVE SAVED HER!" Flutter Shy screamed, tears now flowing from her eyes. Then she heard some movement, she turned to look back at the pony on the ground. ".....pain......agony.....thirst......hun-.....hunger......" whispered the pony, so quietly Flutter Shy couldn't hear her. "What? Are you okay? What do you need?" Flutter Shy asked, re-applying the pressure on the wound. "..................PAIN............THE PAIN! MUST.......FEED!" yelled the pony, as it jumped up to it's feet pushing Flutter Shy back many meters. Twilight finally snapped out of her daze and yelled, "RUN SHY! GET AWAY FROM THAT PONY!" Flutter Shy struggled to get to her feet, now frozen in fear. "RUN!" Twilight yelled again. A rush of gray light swept pass all of them in front of Flutter Shy. It was Sharp. "Quick Flutter Shy, run." He nudged her up and pushed her away. "OW!" While helping Flutter Shy he was bit on the left side of his flank. "Quick go!" Flutter Shy quickly flapped her wings and flew over to her friends who all watched in horror at the sight before them. Sharp returned the bite with a kick, kicking the undead pony in the face. The pony stammered for a few seconds before regaining composure and charging Sharp. "Everypony, into the carriage, I'll hold this one off as long as I can, you MUST get to the Elements of Harmony! Don't just stand there GO!" Just as the last bits of sound left his lips he was met head first with the undead pony they started to fight and exchanged kicks and nips. Twilight quickly rushed her friends back to the carriage and they fled towards the castle looking back at Sharp as he fell to the ground. DefeatChapter Three: Defeat The carriage pulled up to the castle. They all got out and looked at each other. "Sharp is d-dead...," said Twilight. "D-don't say that! I'm...sure he'll be fine," Rainbow stuttered. The two guard stallions unhooked themselves from the carriage and one of them stepped up, "Com'on guys. We need to get you six to the elements. Lets go." They all nodded and started to follow the two guards. "Hold up..." "What's wrong?" whispered Twilight. "Up ahead, there are two unicorns guarding the entrance to the Hall of the Elements. You guys wait here, we'll take care of them." The two unicorns standing there had an assortment of skulls and cross bones as cutie marks. They were gray with black manes. The stallions snuck up to the unicorns and ambushed them. They quickly took out the one they attacked first with a few rear hooves to the face. The other one jumped back and started casting a black magic at one of the guards. He writhed in pain as the other watched him. A purple magic came shooting from around the corner., hitting the unicorn in the face. "Quick now!" yelled Twilight. The guard fell to the floor as the bolt hit the unicorn. The other guard ran over and started a close fight with the unicorn. Twilight let out another purple bolt missing the unicorn. Rainbow stepped up and flew toward the fight and hit the unicorn with her front hooves knocking him to the ground. One more bolt from Twilight and the unicorn was out cold. Fluttershy quickly ran to the aid of the guard hit by the black magic. "Oh, are you okay? Where does it hurt?" The guard didn't respond he just continued to lay on the floor moaning in pain. "I'll take care of him you guys go ahead and get the elements." said the other guard. "Okay, lets go girls." Twilight ordered leading the way toward the arc-way. They quickly followed not looking back. The next room was a large open room with stained glass windows on the right and left side. At the other end was an alter with six pedestals that held the Elements of Harmony. "There they are! Lets go!" said Twilight running toward them. "Hahahaha! I've got you now!" "Who's there!" Applejack yelled. "Show yer'self!" "That wouldn't be very fun now would it...Applejack." "How do you know mah name?" "Ohh I know all of your names. Twilight Sparkle the magical unicorn, Applejack the honest earth pony, Fluttershy the kind pegasus, Rarity the generous unicorn, Pinkie Pie the laughing earth pony, and finally Rainbow Dash the loyal pegasus. I know you all too well." "This fell'er is kinda creepy if ya' ask me." joked Applejack. "Well if you put it that way..." he cut off and lowered himself from the ceiling a black orb of magic surrounding him. "I guess I'll just have to show my self and prove that I'm really not all that creepy. My name is Lord Black Crest, heir to the Equestrian throne. It is nice to finally meet the wielders of the Elements of Harmony." "Where are the Princesses?" yelled Twilight. "They are...in a safe place. But you guys are the only ones standing in my way of becoming the most powerful pony in the land of Equestria and soon the world. So, how about we just put you guys in the same place," as he finished he shot a ray of black magic toward Twilight. It was intercepted half-way by Twilight's magic. She strained under the power of his magic putting everything she could into holding him back. "Quick girls get the elements!" shouted Twilight. The rest of them made a run for the pedestals, "Not so fast!" six more rays of black magic shot from his horn lifting the Elementso f Harmony from their places floating high in the room. "I got these!" shouted Rainbow and she burst from the ground toward the floating amulets. She gathered them all shattering his magic as she flew by. Black refocused his magic toward Rainbow as Twilight's magic hit him and had no effect. The black beam hit the elements once again and rose them back into the air. A loud pop and they disappeared. "Ack! Where did they go!" "Hahahaha you fools, you see I couldn't send them away unless one who wields them touches them. Now they are gone forever! Hahahahaha!" Black crackled. "No...." whispered Twilight recovering from her last attack. "Prepare to die..." Black was cut off. "No!" shouted Twilight. A brilliant bright purple flowed from her horn unto the floor and around everypony. "We will be back, and we will defeat you!" A loud pop and the six of them where gone. "Wh-where are we? Is this the Everfree Forest?" stammered Rarity, "Ugh and I'm all dirty!" Twilight got up from the ground, "I can't believe that actually worked. I figured we'd all die hahaha." Twilight laughed nervously. "Well Twi' we didn't and now we're safe for now. What do ya'll reckon we do?" "I don't know...we don't even know where the elements are...," said Twilight. "Well it's simple sillies, we just need to find them!" said Pinkie Pie jumping up and down. "Girls quickly dis' way," whispered a familiar voice. "Who...Zecora?" said Twilight as Zecora walked out from a nearby bush. "Yes it is. Now quickly, dis way." said Zecora leading them back though the woods to her hut. On the way there Zecora explained that she was in Canterlot when it was attacked, and survived the initial attack and on her way out found a gray stallion barely moving. "Wait...is his name Sharp?" queried Twilight. "Yes that is what he said his name was." "Whew, so he's alive. He's the one that lead us to Canterlot in the first place to retrieve the Elements of Harmony, but he saved us from one of the crazy ponies in the city." They came up to the hut and followed Zecora inside. They saw Sharp in the corner of the main room tending to his wounds. "Sharp! You're alive!" shouted Pinkie as she lunged forward and gave him a big hug. "Ow! Yes, ow, if it weren't for Zecora here I'd be dead. Now please Pinkie if you could.." "Oh yes sorry, hehe, I was just excited to see you! Thanks by the way, when this is all over I need to throw you a big Thank You party." "Well, did you guys do it? Did you find the Elements of Harmony?" They all looked toward the floor, "No we didn't Sharp, a big unicorn named Black teleported them somewhere." said Twilight. "Oh," said Sharp disappointed, "Well then we'll just have to find them!" "Hey! That's what I said!" shouted Pinkie as they all started laughing.
OvercastChapter One: Overcast It was a gloomy night at the castle in Canterlot. Princess Celestia was sitting in her room. It's your average high class bedroom. Pictures of her star pupil Tiwlight Sparkle and her friends were hanging all around the room. The bed was trimmed with gold and gems of all types. Expensive furniture embroidered with the Canterlot crest. While reading a letter from Twilight, she felt a frightening chill. Confused by the feeling, she got up from her bed and wandered over to the balcony. She looked up to the sky, but all she saw were clouds with a dark ominous appearance. The Princess called for a guard, and informed him of a mission she'd like run by one of her scouts. "Please inform my guard captain, that I would like one of his scouts to head out to Ponyville. I'd like him to keep an eye on Twilight and her friends, I have a bad feeling something horrible may happen soon." "Yes ma'am." Off the guard trotted in the direction of the guard tower. Princess Celestia went back to her bed to finish reading her letter from Twilight. The scout arrived in Ponyville shortly. He was instructed to talk with the Mayor and keep a low profile in town as to not cause a panic. It was one of your typical days in Ponyville. Many ponies running around, going about their daily business. "Hi! Who are you? I've never seen you around here before. What are you doing here? Are you a traveler?" The scout was bombarded with an array of questions by a bouncing pink pony. Bewildered he stammered back slightly. He knows he needs to keep a low profile he didn't want to seem rude and mysterious, he humored her and responded, "Woah, woah, woah, settle down there miss'y. One question at a time." "Uhh...okay! Well...who are you?" "My name is Sir Sharp Eyes, but you can call me Sharp. What's yours?" "My name's Pinky Pie, but you can just call me Pinky!" Pinky smiled and continued, "So why are you here?" Quickly thinking on his feet he made up an excuse, "I'm here to talk with the Mayor, I have some ideas for the town, and I was told she was the pony to talk to." "Yep she'd defiantly be the pony to talk to, she's in that building over there." Pinky pointed to a large white stone building that very much resembled that of a standard government building. It had tall columns that held up a large awning that read Ponyville. "Ah, thank you very much Ms. Pinky. I'll make due haste to talk with the Mayor. Have a nice day." With that he trotted off to the building. Pinky simply smiled again and continued bouncing toward her destination. A new day breaks out over Canterlot. It's another beautiful day while Princess Luna is walking though the castle garden. A nice cool breeze takes her as she basks in the heat of the sun. Being only recently broken free, she's finding she enjoys the warmth of her sisters sun. While gazing at a bed of stunning daisies, she gets a sharp chill. Not one of a summers breeze, but a cold deep chill. She looks up and sees a trail of smoke that comes from a nearby forest. Slightly freighted by the mysterious chill, she goes to talk with her sister. "Sister, how art thou on this fine day." "Oh hello Luna. I'm doing just fine thank you." "Say..sister, hath thou felt a gloomy chill?" Celestia is some what surprised at her sisters remark, yet understands that she too must have felt it, "Yes Luna, I have. Although I do not know what it is from, I fear something terrible might be taking place." "I feel much the same. Was any burning granted to the residents in the forest recently?" "Why, no I do not believe so." With this the Celestia looks out the window, and too, notices the smoke bellowing out from the distant trees. "This should be checked out Luna, would you like to come with?" Not having gone nearly anywhere with her sister, she quickly accepted her sisters offer, "Yes I would!" On their way to the forest, they notice the smoke is getting thicker and thicker. They start to smell that it is not smoke from burning wood, but from something different they can't quite make out. They reach the edge of the forest and share a quick glance and they continue into the forest. The forest is dence and heavy. There isn't really a path to follow, so they judge the best they can to head to the origin of the smoke. A clearing comes into view, and they slow their pace to walk. They peer into the clearing though a bush. What they see frightens them very much. In the clearing is a small stone alter bearing an emblem they cannot recall ever seeing before. It's shaped in an eight pointed star, circled with thorny vines. In the center of the star is the rough outline of a pony. Surrounding the alter is a dozen gray unicorns all focusing their magic on a statue of a large stallion unicorn. Once again they do not recognize the pony the statue is resembling. Celestia quickly glances at the flanks of the ponies she could see. The majority of the ponies she could make out had an assortment of skulls and bones on them. She noticed the smoke was coming from the combined magic of all the unicorns. Suddenly the earth started to shake. Luna lost her balance and fell to the ground letting out a small yelp. One of the unicorns heard her yelp and turned around looking at the bush. "Intruders!" As the pony yelled out the shaking worsened. The earth in the center of the alter started to shift, and then began cracking open. The hazy blue glow that was once coming from the unicorns stopped and they all slowly started to back up. From the cracks a dark black unicorn rose. His horn spouting a black colored magic lowered himself to the ground. "Princess Celestia, it's been a long time hasn't it," bellowed the black stallion. Celestia emerged from the brush and stepped forward and replied, "Yes Black Crest, not long enough though I'm afraid." Using her magic she shot a brilliant magical yellow arrow toward Black. He quickly deflected it with his magic. "Tisk tisk tisk, and here I was hoping you'd be excited to see your brother." Luna quickly leaped out of the bush, "WHAT!? Our brother!?! What ever does he mean?" "Why if it isn't Luna too, what a wonderful family reunion," said Black. Celestia now lost for words looking at Luna's confused face, "Yes, Luna, this is your older brother Black Crest. Not long after you were born, our parents banished him for trying to spread evil across Equestria. He is the reason Discord was able to gain power." Luna was lost in her own mind, trying to make heads and tails of what was happening before her. Taking advantage of their position, Black quickly used his magic to encase Luna. With a loud pop, Luna disappeared. Before Celestia could do anything he turned to her and attempted to use his magic on her. She, too, quickly responded their magic meeting in the center of them. "What did you do to Luna," yelled Celestia. Casually Black responded, "I put her some where safe, she would have gotten in the way...." he trailed off as Celestia started to put all of her might into trying to defeat his magic. Though it was not enough, putting a little effort into it, he overwhelmed her and too, encased her in his magic. She slowly rose from the earth barely able to move. With her last remaining magic, she summoned a scroll and pen and scribbled out a small message which she quickly sent away. "What was that? A note? No matter, now that I have you, getting the Elements of Harmony will be easy. Once I have them nothing will be able to stop me." Another loud pop and Celestia was gone.
The RiseChapter Two: The Rise Sharp Eyes approached the building with caution. He saw a tan pony with a gray mane sitting behind a desk shuffling some paper work. She wore a white collar with a turquoise accent, and had golden rimmed glasses. He cantered forward toward the desk, "Hello I'm looking for the Mayor." She looked up at him over her spectacles, and appraised him with her eyes, "I'm she. Did you need help with anything?" "Well, yes, I'm Lt. Sharp Eyes of the 2nd Scout Brigade, part of the Equestrian Royal Guard. I was told to report to you when I arrived." "Ahh, I've been expecting you, just a second." She got up and started flipping things from a box on to her desk, "Where is it...I know it's in here somewhere...AH HA! I found it, here." It was a library card with his picture on it. "This is your cover. You're to go to the local library and become friends with our librarian Twilight Sparkle. She is the Princesses prized student." "What I'm I 'supposed to be? Am I to ask her anything specific," asked Sharp. "Um, well she didn't really say in her letter, I was simply told that you and Twilight are to become friends, and you are to watch over her, and her friends. Well sorry here take this, I need to get back to my work, there are many a pony that need their buildings inspected to make sure they're up to code. We've been having problems recently with a lot of...accidents." "Er, yes, sorry to keep you. Thank you for your help." Rather confused as to exactly what he needs to do, he guesses he'll just wing it. That's what he's done most of his life, and it's worked out for the best more often than not. BUZZAP! THUD! "OW!" said three ponies, and a dragon in unison. "Twilight! I though you said this wasn't going to hurt!" yelled Spike. "I'm sorry guys! Really, I didn't think it was going to hurt, it doesn't say anything about it hurting in my spell book..," Twilight trailled off as she saw her friends all on the ground rubbing their flanks. "I didn't even have time to try and fly to stop me from falling...," squelched Rainbow Dash. Flutter Shy stammered, "I..um...it's okay Twilight...it...really didn't hurt...that much..." "I really must say Twilight...you really need to work on our landings, this is the third time your spell failed," proclaimed Rarity. "Again I'm sorry guys...I'll keep trying it on the stuffed animals for now, I'll call you guys back when I'm ready to try it again..sorry again," Twilight said trying to be as nice as possible to her test subjects. "Well then, I really must be going, I have a HUGE, order from a VIP from Canterlot, good bye everypony," Rarity then burst though the front door of the library and trotted off towards her store. "I'm gunna' dash too Twilight see'ya!" With a blaze of rainbow, Rainbow Dash was gone. "Um, thank you for having me over Twilight, um I have to go feed Angel now, bye," Flutter Shy said as she too walked out the door, closing it behind her. "Ugh! I could have sworn I figured out this spell!" yelled Twilight, "Did it really hurt that bad Spike?" "It wasn't really the spell, as much as it was hitting the....BURRRP. Oh boy a letter from Princess Celestia!" Spike yelled out. "Really! Who is if for?" "It's for you Twilight. Oh no!" "What? Is something wrong Spike?" Spike started, "Twilight Elements of Harmony Friends Save Equestria. That's all the letter says, and it's scribbled. That's not like the Princess at all! Twilight, I think the Princess might be in trouble!" "Com'on Spike we need to go!" Twilight and Spike start heading for the door when they hear someone knocking on the door. They share a quick glance, as Twilight uses her magic to open the door, "Who's there?" She stands ready a purple glow slowly coming from her horn. "Woah, I don't mean to bother you, but do you happen to know Twilight Sparkle?" choked Sharp who was not even standing in the door way slightly scared of the unicorns magic. "What do you want with her?" queried Twilight. "I was hoping to check out a book on Military Tactics.." "Oh, I think I have one around here some where, but I'm a little busy, I think the Princess might be in danger." "Princess Celestia?" asked Sharp. "Yes, I just received a letter from her.." Twilight was cut off. "Oh no..this is what she feared..." Sharp started to get quiet and was lost in thought. A few moments passed Twilight just looking at him about as confused as he was. "Wh-who are you?" asked Twilight. Sharp snapped out of his moment of confusion and pondered what he should say. He knew that he was supposed to stay undercover, but it looks like the Princesses fears already came true. He was told he needed to gather Twilight and her friends and take them to the castle in Canterlot, but he was not told for what. "Yes, I am Lt. Sharp Eyes of the 2nd Scout Brigade, part of the Equestrian Royal Guard. I was sent here to watch over you and your friends in case something happened, but it seems something already has. What did the Princesses letter say?" Spike re-read the letter aloud for a second time. "Then I guess I'm to take you and your friends to the Canterlot castle and re-unite you guys with the Elements of Harmony. Please if you would, gather your friends near the exit of the town, I have to talk with the Mayor and let her know what's going on." Twilight was lost for words, she had no idea what was going on. What happened to the Princess? Why is this scout here? What does she need to do? All these questions continued to run though her mind. She simply nodded, and went to get her friends together. She first went to Flutter Shy, who was sitting in her home tending to Angel her bunny. Twilight told her to go get Rainbow and to meet near the edge of town to Canterlot. She told Spike to get Rarity and Pinky Pie, while she went to Sweet Apple Acres to get Applejack. They finally all met at the edge of town confused as to why they were all there. Twilight explained that the Princess might be in danger and that they were to go to Canterlot and get the Elements of Harmony. As Twilight was explaining what they needed to do, Sharp ran up with a carriage, drawn by two large stallions dressed in Canterlot guard armor. "All of you, please, get aboard the carriage quickly. We must get to the castle as soon as possible," said Sharp, out of breath. They all got on the carriage, and made their way to Canterlot. On they're way, Sharp explained who he was to the rest of the ponies, Pinky Pie, making it very clear that she was the first to meet him in town that day. They pulled up to the gates of the city only to be greeted by fear. The two guard ponies that where normally standing tall guarding the entrance to Canterlot where on the ground in pools of blood, with wounds that appeared to be bite, and tear markings from some other ponies mouth. The gates where open, and the two stallions pulling the carriage continued though the gates, again with more painful sights to follow. All along the streets there were more bodies of motionless ponies scattered about. They all had similar injuries as the two guards at the gate. Then Flutter Shy spotted some pony moving in the distance. "There!" shouted Flutter Shy, the loudest she's ever been, "Some pony's still alive!" She rushed out of the carriage and flew over to the pony's aid. "Ar-are you okay?" questioned Flutter Shy. The pony looked up to Flutter Shy with drone like eyes. They were lost of most of their color, a very pale blue. She was bleeding from her side very bad. Flutter Shy leaned over and grabbed some paper she saw on a table near by and used it to apply pressure to the pony's wound. The pony groaned very loudly, frightening Flutter Shy nearly to the point that she ran way, but she buried her fear and continued to try and help the dieing pony. The wounded pony started to shake violently, Flutter Shy tried to hold her still but with her frail frame, couldn't hold her down well. "Are you guys going to help me or what?" Flutter Shy was yelling again at her friends for aid, but they were all stunned. They've never seen anything like this before. Unlike Flutter Shy fear got the better of them. The pony on the ground stopped shaking and then stopped moving all together. Flutter Shy was crushed. "WHY DIDN'T YOU GUYS COME TO HELP! WE COULD HAVE SAVED HER!" Flutter Shy screamed, tears now flowing from her eyes. Then she heard some movement, she turned to look back at the pony on the ground. ".....pain......agony.....thirst......hun-.....hunger......" whispered the pony, so quietly Flutter Shy couldn't hear her. "What? Are you okay? What do you need?" Flutter Shy asked, re-applying the pressure on the wound. "..................PAIN............THE PAIN! MUST.......FEED!" yelled the pony, as it jumped up to it's feet pushing Flutter Shy back many meters. Twilight finally snapped out of her daze and yelled, "RUN SHY! GET AWAY FROM THAT PONY!" Flutter Shy struggled to get to her feet, now frozen in fear. "RUN!" Twilight yelled again. A rush of gray light swept pass all of them in front of Flutter Shy. It was Sharp. "Quick Flutter Shy, run." He nudged her up and pushed her away. "OW!" While helping Flutter Shy he was bit on the left side of his flank. "Quick go!" Flutter Shy quickly flapped her wings and flew over to her friends who all watched in horror at the sight before them. Sharp returned the bite with a kick, kicking the undead pony in the face. The pony stammered for a few seconds before regaining composure and charging Sharp. "Everypony, into the carriage, I'll hold this one off as long as I can, you MUST get to the Elements of Harmony! Don't just stand there GO!" Just as the last bits of sound left his lips he was met head first with the undead pony they started to fight and exchanged kicks and nips. Twilight quickly rushed her friends back to the carriage and they fled towards the castle looking back at Sharp as he fell to the ground.
DefeatChapter Three: Defeat The carriage pulled up to the castle. They all got out and looked at each other. "Sharp is d-dead...," said Twilight. "D-don't say that! I'm...sure he'll be fine," Rainbow stuttered. The two guard stallions unhooked themselves from the carriage and one of them stepped up, "Com'on guys. We need to get you six to the elements. Lets go." They all nodded and started to follow the two guards. "Hold up..." "What's wrong?" whispered Twilight. "Up ahead, there are two unicorns guarding the entrance to the Hall of the Elements. You guys wait here, we'll take care of them." The two unicorns standing there had an assortment of skulls and cross bones as cutie marks. They were gray with black manes. The stallions snuck up to the unicorns and ambushed them. They quickly took out the one they attacked first with a few rear hooves to the face. The other one jumped back and started casting a black magic at one of the guards. He writhed in pain as the other watched him. A purple magic came shooting from around the corner., hitting the unicorn in the face. "Quick now!" yelled Twilight. The guard fell to the floor as the bolt hit the unicorn. The other guard ran over and started a close fight with the unicorn. Twilight let out another purple bolt missing the unicorn. Rainbow stepped up and flew toward the fight and hit the unicorn with her front hooves knocking him to the ground. One more bolt from Twilight and the unicorn was out cold. Fluttershy quickly ran to the aid of the guard hit by the black magic. "Oh, are you okay? Where does it hurt?" The guard didn't respond he just continued to lay on the floor moaning in pain. "I'll take care of him you guys go ahead and get the elements." said the other guard. "Okay, lets go girls." Twilight ordered leading the way toward the arc-way. They quickly followed not looking back. The next room was a large open room with stained glass windows on the right and left side. At the other end was an alter with six pedestals that held the Elements of Harmony. "There they are! Lets go!" said Twilight running toward them. "Hahahaha! I've got you now!" "Who's there!" Applejack yelled. "Show yer'self!" "That wouldn't be very fun now would it...Applejack." "How do you know mah name?" "Ohh I know all of your names. Twilight Sparkle the magical unicorn, Applejack the honest earth pony, Fluttershy the kind pegasus, Rarity the generous unicorn, Pinkie Pie the laughing earth pony, and finally Rainbow Dash the loyal pegasus. I know you all too well." "This fell'er is kinda creepy if ya' ask me." joked Applejack. "Well if you put it that way..." he cut off and lowered himself from the ceiling a black orb of magic surrounding him. "I guess I'll just have to show my self and prove that I'm really not all that creepy. My name is Lord Black Crest, heir to the Equestrian throne. It is nice to finally meet the wielders of the Elements of Harmony." "Where are the Princesses?" yelled Twilight. "They are...in a safe place. But you guys are the only ones standing in my way of becoming the most powerful pony in the land of Equestria and soon the world. So, how about we just put you guys in the same place," as he finished he shot a ray of black magic toward Twilight. It was intercepted half-way by Twilight's magic. She strained under the power of his magic putting everything she could into holding him back. "Quick girls get the elements!" shouted Twilight. The rest of them made a run for the pedestals, "Not so fast!" six more rays of black magic shot from his horn lifting the Elementso f Harmony from their places floating high in the room. "I got these!" shouted Rainbow and she burst from the ground toward the floating amulets. She gathered them all shattering his magic as she flew by. Black refocused his magic toward Rainbow as Twilight's magic hit him and had no effect. The black beam hit the elements once again and rose them back into the air. A loud pop and they disappeared. "Ack! Where did they go!" "Hahahaha you fools, you see I couldn't send them away unless one who wields them touches them. Now they are gone forever! Hahahahaha!" Black crackled. "No...." whispered Twilight recovering from her last attack. "Prepare to die..." Black was cut off. "No!" shouted Twilight. A brilliant bright purple flowed from her horn unto the floor and around everypony. "We will be back, and we will defeat you!" A loud pop and the six of them where gone. "Wh-where are we? Is this the Everfree Forest?" stammered Rarity, "Ugh and I'm all dirty!" Twilight got up from the ground, "I can't believe that actually worked. I figured we'd all die hahaha." Twilight laughed nervously. "Well Twi' we didn't and now we're safe for now. What do ya'll reckon we do?" "I don't know...we don't even know where the elements are...," said Twilight. "Well it's simple sillies, we just need to find them!" said Pinkie Pie jumping up and down. "Girls quickly dis' way," whispered a familiar voice. "Who...Zecora?" said Twilight as Zecora walked out from a nearby bush. "Yes it is. Now quickly, dis way." said Zecora leading them back though the woods to her hut. On the way there Zecora explained that she was in Canterlot when it was attacked, and survived the initial attack and on her way out found a gray stallion barely moving. "Wait...is his name Sharp?" queried Twilight. "Yes that is what he said his name was." "Whew, so he's alive. He's the one that lead us to Canterlot in the first place to retrieve the Elements of Harmony, but he saved us from one of the crazy ponies in the city." They came up to the hut and followed Zecora inside. They saw Sharp in the corner of the main room tending to his wounds. "Sharp! You're alive!" shouted Pinkie as she lunged forward and gave him a big hug. "Ow! Yes, ow, if it weren't for Zecora here I'd be dead. Now please Pinkie if you could.." "Oh yes sorry, hehe, I was just excited to see you! Thanks by the way, when this is all over I need to throw you a big Thank You party." "Well, did you guys do it? Did you find the Elements of Harmony?" They all looked toward the floor, "No we didn't Sharp, a big unicorn named Black teleported them somewhere." said Twilight. "Oh," said Sharp disappointed, "Well then we'll just have to find them!" "Hey! That's what I said!" shouted Pinkie as they all started laughing.
