My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: The Rise of Shadow

Prologue

Freedom! So close now that he could taste it, that foolish Celestia and her dark sister surely hadn't thought that the elements magic could hold him forever! Sure he had been imprisoned for almost three hundred years but that had also given him three hundred years to work out how to resist the elements power, three hundred years of watching and planning. He had seen Celestia pass the elements to those foolish little fillies, seen the fall of Nightmare Moon, Discord and Chrysalis. But their mistakes had taught him and he had learned well and he would not be stopped, he had a plan and he would destroy Celestia. Equestria would be his.

Chapter One: The Princesses Worst Fear

In the royal city of Canterlot Princess Celestia was teaching her pupils at the royal academy when she heard her sister land on the balcony behind her. "Luna, why are you awake?" she asked confused, Luna was only ever supposed to be awake during the night. "I felt her sister," said Luna grimly looking anxiously at the young ponies who were looking at the two sisters with profound interest. Celestia quickly turned telling them she would return in a moment and then followed Luna outside the classroom. "You felt Nightmare Moon?" she asked growing very concerned "Yes." "But she was destroyed wasn't she? By Twilight and her friends?" "So we thought but then she returned to me." "When?" "The first time was when Discord escaped and then there was just now." "I don't understand…" Celestia said shaking her head. "I think I do," Luna replied. "I think she only returns if there is a great evil threatening Equestria." "But all the great threats are beaten back; Nightmare Moon locked away, Discord turned to stone." But then Celestia's eyes widened with fear as she realised the one threat she had not listed. "Luna, get to Shining Armour and have him prepare the guard." "Why? What is it?" "Luna, it's Him." "Sweet Celestia save us all." Luna whispered fear spreading across her own face. "I'm trying to! Once you get to Shining Armour head to the Agents and tell them to find Twilight and her friends and protect them at all costs." "I shall." said Luna her wings flapping erratically as she tried to fly away while still controlled by fear. Once she was no more than a speck above the city Celestia turned and walked back into the classroom working hard to keep an air of calm so she would not frighten he students. She reached her desk, found a quill and some paper and began to write. To my dearest and most faithful student Twilight Sparkle…

Chapter Two: That First Kiss

"Go on Fluttershy, it's your turn!" Said Pinkie Pie with that constant laugh that was always in her voice. "I, uhhmm… uhm… pass." Squeaked Fluttershy her eyes looking anywhere but at her friends, Pinkie nodded. "Okie Dokie Lokie then, Twilight what about you?" Twilight Sparkle ruffled her purple fur and smiled "Well, it's a bit of a long story…" She said carefully "So?" said Rainbow Dash "You're the last one of us who still has to tell a first kiss story." "Okay, okay." Laughed Twilight "Back when I was in Canterlot at the royal academy there was one stallion everypony liked. He and his friends were my age but they seemed that bit older, they wanted to join the royal guard you see." "What was his name?" asked Applejack "His name was Scotty," replied Twilight dreamily "One day Canterlot was attacked by a zebra army. Me and some others ended up trapped with Scotty and his friends Ratty and Sparky. We tried to reach the palace but we couldn't cross the courtyard without being spotted. Scotty and his friends went into the courtyard to distract them for us but before he left Scotty walked right up to me, told me he loved me and kissed me…" Twilight's eyes glazed over as she remembered that day. "Wow…" said Rarity "What happened to him?" asked Fluttershy "He… well they don't know for sure but he was never found after the battle." Tears began to roll silently down Twilight's cheeks and Rarity shot forward to embrace her. "I think that's enough for today." Said Rainbow Dash tactfully standing and ruffling feeling back into her wings, the others all nodded and one by one said their goodbyes and left leaving Twilight sitting with Spike in her library. When they had all gone Spike got up and laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry Twilight." He said choosing his words carefully as Twilight was delicate when upset. She gave him a half smile "He isn't dead Spike," she said after a while "He can't be." "How do you know?" "I just… do." The long silence that followed was suddenly broken by a belching sound from Spike who deftly plucked the scroll from mid air and opened it. He read it fast and his eyes widened in shock, horror and fear. "Twilight…" he near whispered holding out the scroll. "You might want to read this."

Chapter Three: The Agents

"And with this I can tell you that you are in the gravest danger and that I am sending you my two most trusted agents to protect you until we can be sure that this threat has been quelled." Twilight rolled up the scroll and looked out over her friends solemnly. "Does the Princess think we can't handle ourselves?" asked Rainbow Dash seeming more angry than worried. "No, she never writes to me like this." Said Twilight "Whatever this is it has her worried as well, she just wants to make sure we're safe." "So when do these agents arrive?" Asked Rarity "According to this they are taking the morning express which means they should be here in about ten minutes." Answered Spike who was looking at a second scroll that had just come through. "Then we mustn't go wastin' any time." Exclaimed Applejack heading for the door, causing the others to follow suit.

When the morning express pulled in to the Ponyville station the sky had become grey and overcast and the rhythmic pitter patter of rain bouncing of the shelter marked the beginning of a storm. Twilight was the only pony stood out on the platform not caring about the rain, the evil that even scared Princess Celestia was likely coming for her and her friends and she was ready to show that she was strong and ready for it. The doors opened on the carriages allowing the trains occupants a mad dash for the shelter of the station. Twilight became aware of her friends gathering behind her as she saw two ponies, one a pegasus the other a unicorn, step off of the train and make a beeline through the dashing crowd for them. It took Twilight a moment before they became clearer through the rain and when they did she stood rooted to the spot for a moment before darting forward towards them. Just as she reached them she raised her right foreleg and smacked one of them around the face, he looked at the other one and then back at Twilight before saying "What did I do to deserve that?" Twilight then pulled him into a choking hug before replying "You let me think you were dead for five years!" At this he laughed, shrugged a pair of strong shoulders and said "Fair enough." Twilight made a small whimpering sound at the back of her throat before hugging him again. "Did I miss something?" Asked Rarity confused, it was Spike who answered her. "It has been a long time since I have seen him." "Who is he?" "That's Scotty."

Chapter Four: The Explanation

In that few minutes on the train station platform Twilight had nearly fainted from the wave of emotions that raced around her body like flames – relief, resentment, anger and the only one she was feeling now above all the others love. Scotty and Ratty were now standing in the centre of the library with huge grins on their faces, after a while Ratty ruffled in the pocket of his cloak and brought out a small gold bit and tossed it to Scotty who caught it expertly with his wing. "What's that for?" asked Twilight confused. "We had a bet," Scotty explained "On where you would be living, I bet a library." "What did Ratty bet?" "A laboratory." Said the blue unicorn smiling. This brought laughter from everyone in the library who were all sitting around the fire attempting to warm up. "So," Twilight began. "You're alive." "Well noticed." Said Scotty as he sat down beside the fire and sighed as the heat washed over him. "How?" "Long story." "We're not going anywhere." Twilight pointed out, gesturing to the window through which could be seen sheets of rain that might as well have been going sideways. Then just to make her point she sat down. Scotty sighed and tapped his hoof on the ground a few times before he began. "When the zebras attacked we knew we had to get you and the others to safety so we contacted the princess and told her we were on our way to the palace, she agreed and told us to be careful. We were, but there was still no way we would have all escaped. So we sent you off and moved to hold off the zebras there. We held them off long enough for your brother and the rest of the guard to arrest them. After that Celestia came to us and offered us a job." Scotty paused here. "What was the job?" asked Rainbow Dash who was sitting on top of a bookcase near to the fire. "Working as the first strike team for the Equestria Secret Service." Scotty replied. "You're joking!" Exclaimed Twilight leaning forward. "No that's completely true." Replied Ratty. "Anyway we spent about a year in training, then three serving on the front lines of the war in Saddle Arabia, and then we have been on missions all around Equestria for about a year now." Said Scotty. "Why didn't you tell me you were still alive?" Twilight asked him. "Believe me Twi, I would have wanted nothing more but we were not allowed because of our jobs." Twilight nodded at this before her brow furrowed and she said. "Wait, there's only you two here, where's Sparky?" Scotty and Ratty exchanged glances before their faces became pictures of sadness. "He never made it out that courtyard. Zebras grabbed him." Scotty stopped and turned to the window. "No-pony has seen him since." Twilight nodded sadly, Sparky had been her friend too. Spike yawned loudly breaking the silence. The day was fading fast but the storm was showing no signs of stopping. Twilight stood up. "Spike, bring up blankets and pillows for everypony!" She said. "No-pony is going anywhere in that storm, so you'll all be staying here."

Chapter Five: Shadow

The first screams to echo through Ponyville woke Scotty and Ratty who rolled to their feet and into defensive stances, a manoeuvre they had practised hundreds of times and had got down to a fine art. Once they were satisfied that there were no immediate threats nearby they quickly roused the others. Once they were all woken Twilight opened her mouth to ask what was going on when a scream split the silence. As one they all moved to the window in time to see Derpy Hooves and Time Turner running past with three Zebras chasing them dressed in black armour. "Zebras," Scotty spat angrily. "Every time its zebras." "What do we do?" asked Pinkie backing away. "We don't panic." Replied Ratty his face grim. At his point Rarity decided to panic and run screaming into the night. Scotty looked at Ratty and some unspoken communication passed between the pair before Scotty spoke up. "Alright, everypony stick together and we'll go out, find Rarity and come back here, we are doing nothing else. Got it?" Once everyone had agreed they grouped together and left the library. Almost as soon as they stepped into the rain they were attacked by two zebras. Not that the zebras got very far, Ratty tripped one and sent it tumbling into Scotty's hind legs which he fired off in a vicious two footed kick that dented its armour and knocked it unconscious. The second one then met one of Scotty's hooves which he brought up in a quickly executed spin kick that sent the zebra sprawling in the mud. They ran on after this, with the agents protecting them from attacks until they reached the square in front of Rarity's shop where they all stopped and stared in horror. Fire was passing along the rows of houses and ponies were running around in fear as the black armoured zebras ruthlessly hunted them down. But by far the most horrific thing was Rarity, held upside down in obvious agony with a black magic aura surrounding her. The ponies all ran to her when suddenly a hideous hissing whisper filled their minds making them stop and clutch their heads. "So," The voice said. "This is Celestia's secret weapon. Six fillies and two overly ambitious colts. Well, I am disappointed." Scotty fought his way to his hooves and yelled at the air. "Show yourself!" "You asked." Said the voice. With that there was an ear splitting crash and suddenly a huge black and navy blue pony stood bellow Rarity in the centre of the square. He had two horns sprouting from his head and his unicorn horn was raggedly broken, he also had a pair of dragon like wings and red lizard like eyes. "Who are you?" Asked Scotty above the roar of the wind. "I'm Shadow, my dear Agent Scotty and I am the worst thing you shall ever face in your, from here on short, lives!" "Let Rarity go!" Yelled Twilight standing strong at Scotty's side. "You asked." Shadow said again and threw Rarity through the doors of Carousel Boutique with a sickening crash. "Rarity!" Yelled Applejack running after her, the others following, leaving Scotty, Ratty and Twilight standing facing Shadow. "Give up Shadow!" Yelled Ratty. "Three on one! That's not fair!" Whined Shadow putting on a fake pout before smiling. "Not that I need it but I'm gonna bring in some help anyway. I mean my little team is just dying to meet you again Agents." With this two new ponies stepped out of the shadows. One was a zebra with red eyes and an ugly scar running down his face and the other was a dark green unicorn with golden eyes and a black mane with red streaks through it. "White Stripe." Scotty said as if he had been expecting it addressing the zebra. "What's the matter Scotty? Nothing to say to me?" Asked the unicorn. At the sound of his voice all three ponies froze and looked at him. "Sparky?" Scotty asked aghast. "Its Dark Spark now thank you." Said Dark Spark. "OK family reunion time over." Interrupted Shadow "But I'm afraid it really it is time for you all to die." "You shall be doing no such thing, Shadow!" Yelled a commanding voice from behind them. The group turned and saw Princesses Celestia and Luna walking up behind them dressed in armour. "Ah, yes I was wondering when our great rulers would be joining us." Said Shadow nodding. "Twilight, my student," Said Celestia. "You have done well but we can handle things from here, go and help your friends." Twilight nodded and ran to the shop to help Rarity. "It's over Shadow!" Yelled Luna from her sister's side. "Luna my dear, it is far from over. You really shouldn't have come here tonight." Then he took a step forward, lowered his head and a spear of black magic shot from his broken horn and struck Luna straight in her chest. She cried out but before anyone could do anything she was lost behind a veil of blackness. Meanwhile White Stripe and Dark Spark charged at the agents and Celestia lowered her head and fired her own spell at Shadow which he nimbly dodged. Ratty was quickly overwhelmed by Dark Spark who kicked him and sent him spinning through the doors of the burning town hall. Scotty then beat back the zebra and his former friend before turning in time to see Celestia get struck by a bolt of blue magic and be sent sprawling. The black veil surrounding Luna dissipated, only it wasn't Luna who was standing over Celestia. "Hello again, Sister." Said Nightmare Moon. Shadow smiled and ordered Nightmare Moon to take her sister away before he turned to Carousel Boutique and Twilight and her friends. He gave them a menacing grin before his horn glowed again making a black aura surround the shop, which promptly collapsed on top of the six friends. "NO!" Yelled Scotty as he was struck by a wave of black magic and flung backwards through a house. As he lay in the street with his wing bent at an impossible angle, he saw zebras round up the citizens of Ponyville and take them away and Celestia being unceremoniously dragged into a black chariot which then took off into the night. He saw flames spread all around the town and burn it slowly to the ground. He lay there for nearly an hour before, mercifully, darkness covered his vision.