My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
In Real Life Book 3: Descend Into Darkness
Written by: ThomasZoey3000
Chapter 1: The Outcast
By now, you would assume things would be going well for Matthew, the human that befriended the ponies of Equestria and stopped two evil forces in the course of two years, but you would be wrong. If anything, they were bad for him.
It all began just one month after the big battle that went on across three different worlds. The world Sunset Shimmer calls home, Equestria and Earth. While two of the worlds were grateful, the third was not. People who had been forced out of the comic convention in Toronto started blaming the boy, who they didn't know the name of, for interupting their time and for the damage done to the area around the Rogers Centre. At first, it wasn't too serious, but soon residants started to get involved in the blame game. As a result, Matthew knew he couldn't show his face in Toronto again.
As the months went by, it just got worse. Residants along the highway between Markham and New Liskeard started blaming Matthew for the damage done, saying that no cartoon pony could cause the damage, but the boy shown in the fight in his own yard could. Police forces started looking for him, and a couple of times, Matthew nearly got spotted by them while out on the road. For his own sake, by October 2016, he called off any future trips to America or the rest of Canada. He eneded up just travelling around Northern Ontario, mostly in the North Bay and Sudbury areas.
By January 2017 however, things changed again as the Government started to get involved, and stating that once they find the boy responsible for the attacks on Toronto and the highway leading to New Liskeard, he'd be locked up for the rest of his life. Some people agreed to the punishment, but others wanted him to pay in nastier ways. In February, he had to start wearing a heavy duty coat, hat and sunglasses just to hide his face. He even had to call off his 'Friendship is Magic' group just to be on the safe side.
At first, when the whole thing started, Sara was supportive to Matthew. She managed to get him everything he needed to keep his face hidden from the world. If people started to get suspicious of Matthew, Sara would find a way to get the attention focused on her and allow Matthew to get away. However, by March of 2017, Sara was getting fed up with this and wanted Matthew to stop hiding his face and try to tell the world his story. Fearing of being caught, he didn't and this sadly was starting to create a rift between the two of them.
Now with his relationship with Sara and his Freedom on the line, Matthew was thinking up ways on how to help himself out of this mess. But he didn't count on a single dark event that would change things forever.
It was a sunny winter's afternoon and both Matthew and Sara were heading into town. The truck though wasn't doing so good as the engine was making terrible noises, and it had been hard to start up that morning.
"I'll pull into the mall parking lot and look the engine over," Matthew said to Sara. "You can go in and do some shopping if you want."
"You mean in what's left in there, there's hardly anything left in that mall. I still don't see why we couldn't take a little trip over to North Bay or Sudbury and do some shopping there."
"You know why we can't go there Sara."
"Oh give me a break," she groaned. "Those videos and photos don't really show your face that well, so I say you have better chances of slipping by un-noticed."
"I'm not taking chances here Sara. Tell me, how many times have you had to get people's attention away from me?"
"Uh..."
"Too many to count, that's how many. So I'm sorry, but that's not going to happen. Maybe on your own, but not with me in the vehicle."
"But I don't want to travel alone, I want you to come along with me, and there's another issue with you staying in New Liskeard. How are you suppose to film trains for your film company? As far as I recall, you've only made seven DVDs and been getting requests for more, yet you can't do that with what we got here."
"I honestly don't know how to respond to that."
"Because you don't have an answer. You need to leave New Liskeard if you want to continue filming. I can't be the only one to provide for our home Matthew."
"Well sure I can go out, but try telling the rest of the world to get off my back already."
Sara sighed and gave up, he was too stubborn at this point. Finally though, they reached the parking lot and Matthew went to work on the engine. At first, it grumbled aganist him and wouldn't act properly, until he kicked the side of the truck hard with his heavy winter boots. After that, the engine started working again.
"Good, now to see how Sara's doing."
Despite the rough patch they were going through, Matthew was a gentleman and would help Sara if she bought too much. He walked into the mall and went into the dollar store, which was pretty much almost all that was left in the mall. It really did look like a ghost mall now with many stores closing, and even a resturant moving out.
"I miss the good old days. Oh dang it, now I'm staring to sound like I'm old."
He walked around the isles looking for Sara. As he walked, he overheard two people talking, and as one would expect, they were talking about the attacks, "if you ask me, that guy should just turn himself in right now," said one. "I mean, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands."
But his friend had a different opinion, "I bet you that person had made robots to be a distraction, just so he could get away with his crimes."
"It's amazing how easily they forget that Equestria and the ponies that live there are real," Matthew thought to himself.
He waited for the two people to get what they wanted and left before he went to get some things for his own collection at home. As he finished picking out the items, Sara came up, "I got what I wanted, what about you? And will the truck run?"
"Oh it'll work fine, and yes I found what I'm looking for."
They went over to the cashier to pay for everything. As they waited in line, a small young girl looked over to him and seemed to recongize Matthew's face from the photos and videos on the TV and internet. Matthew realised this and did a gesture of 'Shh' to the child. The child nodded and pretended to look away.
"At least kids don't blame me."
As he and Sara got to the cashier, they heard a message coming from the speakers playing music and news from the town's radio station. The message was coming from a live conference in Ottawa.
"The boy responsible for the damage done to the highway leading into Northern Ontario, and Toronto has not been found. But I want to assure the citizens of this country that we have our best dectivies on the case and they will find him, and we'll be sure to bring the boy to justice. He will not be getting away with his crimes, so if you're listening..."
"That'll be ten ninty three sir."
"Huh?" Matthew had been listening so much on the message that he didn't notice the cashier until they spoke to him. "Sorry, uh one second." He reached into his wallet and pulled out a ten dollar bill and a Twonie.
"Are you alright Sir?" asked the cashier.
"Yeah I'm fine, just not getting enough sleep I guess," Matthew answered.
He recieved his change, then left with Sara, making sure his face was covered in his disguise, "and that Sara is why I don't want to leave New Liskeard anytime soon."
"Darn it," she muttered under her breath, but it wasn't loud enough for anyone to hear.
Meanwhile, back in the town of Ponyville in Equestria, Starlight Glimmer was walking back into the living room after being approached by fan ponies, "you save Equestria twice, and you get too much attention."
"You'll get used to it in due time Starlight," smiled Twilight from her couch. "Though it's safe to say those ponies have forgotten about your past."
"Not all of them, there are still some that remind me of those days." Starlight shuddered, "which I wish to forget."
"Don't worry you will, I mean, just look to Sunset Shimmer. She did some bad stuff, yet she's one of the most popular girls at Canterlot High and she's one of seven heroes of the school and city."
"Yeah I guess that's true."
Starlight climbed onto another couch and layed down on it, "that said, I just want some peace and quiet. I don't want to hear anymore thanks for either setting the Changelings free from Chrysalis, or saving three worlds at the same time. Which reminds me, did they ever figure out how Chrysalis escaped?"
At that moment, Spike came in, "uh guys..."
"According to Celestia, she was able to slip out of her anti-magic colar and fooled the guards into thinking she was somepony else," said Twilight.
"Guys, there's a..."
"Once back in the changeling hive, it wasn't hard for her to capture Rose and lock her, along with her followers up. With little choice, the changelings had to follow Chrysalis again."
"Seriously Guys, I have a..."
"Until we came into the kingdom and gave them a choice. Still, I wonder where Chrysalis is now," pondered Starlight.
"One can only guess," said Twilight.
"GUYS!" Spike shouted. This got the two ponies' attention, "sorry to interupte your relaxation, but I got a message from Princess Celestia."
"Thanks Spike, but you didn't really need to shout," smiled Twilight. Spike rolled his eyes. Twilight took the scroll in her magic and read it out loud; "Dear Twilight Sparkle and Friends, you are invited to come to the Crystal Empire to attend a thank you ceremony for your brave actions into saving three worlds."
"Again?" groaned Starlight. "That's the fifteenth one already."
"I know, but listen to this...I'm aware that you have been to alot of ceremonies as it is following the big battle, but the ponies and creatures from across the land want to see you and give you their thanks all together. After that, they promise for no more ceremonies, except for the one involving Starlight and her team's actions in the changeling kingdom. Opps, I think that one was suppose to be a secret," giggled Twilight nervously.
"It's alright, at least we'll be thanked for those actions," said Starlight.
Twilight continued to read the message out loud; "and this time, they would also like you to invite our human friends to the celebration."
"Invite Matthew and the others?" Starlight was surprised to hear that, "well if they are going to this thing, then I'll be more than happy to go. Gosh, I haven't seen Matthew since before Hearth's Warming."
"You met up with him then?" Now it was Spike's turn to be surprised.
"Oh yeah, he was in town one day showing the Crusaders some of the model trains from his world. I believe he's come back to Equestria twice since the big battle."
Twilight stepped down from her couch, "but he may not want to come to the celebration, knowing him, he's probably tired of getting them as much as we are."
"Well we won't know for sure until we go ask him ourselves?"
Twilight had to agree with Starlight on that one.
"Alright we'll go ask him, but it might be best to wait till later this evening."
"Why?" Spike asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Cause knowing Matthew, he's probably busy at this time," answered Starlight. "In fact, I bet you more than anything, he's either filming trains or working on that beat up pick-up truck of his."
"Uh, what's a pick-up truck?"
"Come on you stupid truck, start working!" shouted Matthew.
He and Sara were at the parking lot for a big department store, but now the truck wouldn't start up. He worked on the engine for a third time that morning, but still it wouldn't work.
"Should I call for a tow truck?" Sara asked kindly.
"No!" He stopped and calmed himself down, "I mean no thank you Sara, I can get this piece of garbage working again, just be patient with me. As for you..." he glared at the truck as if it was alive, "I'll get you started, one way or another."
He worked on the engine for a fourth time until he felt it was all fixed, "try it now Sara!" She turned the key again, but the engine only made a pathetic sound as it tried to start. "ARRRGGGGHHHHH!" Matthew shouted. Then something unexpected happened. His blue eyes suddenly turned red, he raised his right foot and smacked it aganist the truck numerous times until at last, it roared into life. As soon as it did, his eyes went back to blue and his anger subsided.
"I guess all it needed was a good kick," commented Sara.
"I guess so, now let's get out of here before we attract more of a crowd."
There were at least fifty people in the parking lot, who saw the whole thing. Matthew put the truck into gear and started driving away, "and this truck's behaviour Sara is another reason I don't want to travel outside of New Liskeard."
"Sure Matthew, whatever you say."
Happily, there was no further incident getting back to the house, and they even found a package on the porch, containing things Matthew ordered a few weeks back, "say what you want about the mail service, but around here, even in Wintertime, it is good. Ow, my throat," he groaned a moment later.
"Well you did shout at the top of your lungs."
Both of them walked into the house and were once again greeted by Bridget the Cat, who rubbed up aganist Matthew's legs.
"Hey Girl, it's good to see you too." He patted her a few times, then once he kicked off his boats, he walked over to the ktichen and got out a Ginger Ale to drink. After drinking a bit of it, he coughed lightly, "oh man, I hate it when I scream out loud."
"Guess it's back to the workshop," sighed Sara. "I guess my cooking lessons are off again tonight."
"Yeah sorry Sara, but that truck is our only means of transportion. Without it, we're done. Besides, I rather be working on the truck in the garage and not watching the 'Let's Blame Matthew for all the Damage' shows."
With his can of Ginger Ale in hand, he walked back outside and drove his battered up pick-up truck over to the garage for repairs.
"And at one time, he used to leave that for another time and focus on what he's gotten in the mail, as well as watching My Little Pony. Do you think things will get better for him?" she asked Bridget. But she didn't meow at Sara, who sighed unhappily, "didn't think so."
While all of this was going on, far off from Ponyville in the desert leading to Appleloosa was an empty area that nopony was using, except for one. A former flyer in the Wonderbolts Academy sat on a rock as rain clouds spat their water out everywhere, and remembering where it all went wrong. The Tornado in the sky, being yelled at by a pony she thought was her friend and being forced out of the Academy while the other pony continued on.
"You did this to me," she muttered under her breath. Her mane limped over her eyes after being soaked for minute upon minute. She growled to herself, "Rainbow Dash, you made me into an outcast. One day, I'll get even with you!"
No sooner had she shouted that, then a lightning strike lit up the sky. Not wanting to get hit, she flew to a nearby cave, which had been her home for the longest time. After being thrown out of the Academy, she had been thrown out of her own home for being a failure, and was forced out of town by the ponies who made fun of her for not getting her dreams.
"If there was a way to get even with all of them, I'd take it," she growled.
"Would you now?" asked a voice.
The pony jumped and looked around nervously, "who said that? Who's there?"
"Relax dear child, I will not hurt you. After all, you and I are in the same predicament."
"Oh really?" the pegasus pony asked with a raised eyebrow. "Were you thrown out of the Wonderbolts Academy and later forced out of your hometown because you were a failure?"
"No, but I was forced out of my kingdom, the one I worked so hard to take and ruled for many years. And it's all because of that Twilight Sparkle and her Dragon; Spike."
A sudden memory came back to the pegasus pony, "she wouldn't happen to be purple and is a unicorn?"
"I believe she's an alicorn now, but at the time, yes."
"Then she's friends with the pony that ruined me."
A slight sinister chuckle could be heard, "as I said, you and I are in the same predicament. But I might be able to help you, if you can help me."
"I don't help others, I help myself," retorted the pegasus pony.
The dark voice spoke again, "I would expect that from a strong powerful pegasus like yourself, and I admire that. Now normally, I wouldn't ask for help, but I can sense much greatness in you and with our strength, we can do so much damage and take them down once and for all."
"All I want is an army that's just as good, no better than those good for nothing Wonderbolts."
"And I can provide you with that." The pegasus pony raised an eyebrow at this, "if you can do me a favour in return."
She looked to the shadows firmly, "and what would this favour be?"
"Bring me the Crystal Heart from the Crystal Empire. With it out of the way, I can take back what was mine to begin with, then I'll help you remove the Wonderbolts from the face of Equestria, forever."
A smirk came to the pegasus' face, "sounds interesting, but I would like to ask for one favour when you do that."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"When you hurt Rainbow Dash, don't finish her off. I want the pleasure of doing that myself."
A chuckle could be heard from the shadows, and moments later, a figure appeared with a broken horn on his head and scars all over his body, "so, does this mean we have a deal?"
"I believe so. Name's Lightning Dust, and you are?"
"King Sombra." He extended a hoof and Lightning Dust shook it back, "dear child, I do believe we'll show Equestria just what we're really made of."
"That's something I'm looking forward to," and she cackled with laughter while a flash of lightning lit up the sky outside.
"A pegasus after my own heart, I like that," and King Sombra chuckled to himself under his breath.
In Ponyville, Pinkie Pie was moving some boxes around for the cakes. As she placed some boxes down, she suddenly started shaking voilently. The Baby Cakes thought it was funny, but the parents weren't, "Pinkie, is everything okay with you?" Mrs Cake asked.
"I think so, but I haven't felt something like that for a very long time," she replied. "It usually means, something unexpected is about to happen."
"Something unexpected?" Mr Cake asked with a raised eyebrow.
"But where? And to who?" Mrs Cake asked.
"Don't know." She suddenly started shaking again, and in her shakes, she could see herself in a strange town, shroudded in darkness and seeing a two legged creature fighting what looked to be a dark figure. The two legged creature almost looked like Matthew. "Oh I hope this time I'm wrong," she said out loud, "cause if not, then dark times are coming."
"To Equestria?" Mr Cake asked.
"No, to Earth, and into Matthew's life."
Back at the Castle of Friendship, Twilight and Starlight were getting ready to head to Earth, "it'll be nice to see Matthew again," said Twilight, "and learn how he's been doing since we last saw him."
"You might want to also check to see if he knows more about you than he did last time," added Spike with a chuckle. He then looked to Starlight, "You'll have to introduce yourself to him again, cause I don't think he'll recongize you."
"I only changed the front of my mane Spike, not all of it," chuckled Starlight. "I'm sure Matthew will be able to tell it's me."
Twilight nodded with a chuckle of her own. "Now Spike," she said to her dragon assistant, "I want you to deliver the message to all our friends and tell them to meet us here at the castle. We'll go just as soon as we return with Matthew."
"This is, if he's not too busy."
"Hey, don't jinx us Spike," said Starlight.
"Okay I won't, and I'm going." He walked away from the duo, but stopped after a few steps. He watched as Twilight's horn lit up and within moments, they were gone. "Let's just hope this time it doesn't result in trouble for either of our worlds." With that said, he headed for the front doors of the castle.
