A/N: I apologize for my short absence, but here is the next chapter for this story, enjoy everybody.
Shadows of the Past: chapter 8: a new problem
The train ride seemed faster than it usually does, but eventually they arrived in Canterlot, the entire time, the soldiers failed to give a real explanation as to why they were even being called there, but they knew it had to be something important, the soldiers sounded very serious.
But soon the train pulled into the Canterlot city train station, they noticed the station was filled with E.S.S. guards, the door opened as the breaks screeched to a halt and they slowly filed out of the train and on to the platform.
When the smoke from the engine began to clear, they looked to their side and saw none other than Comet standing there, with guards at his sides; they walked up to him with confused looks on their faces.
"Comet, care to tell us what is going on" Flame said with an irritated look, Comet just sighed, "I wish I knew, but the Princess made it an absolute priority, that you arrive here as soon as possible, we don't have much time, she excepting you, we need to go" he said as he turned and walked away, the others all exchanged confused looks, and then followed him, to the multiple carriages that were waiting for them.
After they got into the carriages, they set off towards the castle, "Comet, you have to know something, tell us what's going on" Flame said in a serious tone, Comet looked at him, "I'm going to be honest with you Flame, I don't know much, nor does Shining Armor, but the Princess has been acting very panicked lately, but what I do know is that, two night s ago, an unknown group of ponies, broke into the castle vaults, only two things were stolen, but the Princess Celestia, won't tell us what they were, but it's making her very uneasy, she's not acting like herself, all she did, was tell us to bring you all here, as soon as possible, that's all I really know" he said, Flame knew when he was telling the truth.
Soon after, they arrived at the castle, Comet lead them straight into the throne room, where Princess Celestia sat on her throne, with an uneasy look on her face, a glimmer of relief appeared on her face, when she saw them walk in, she stood up and walked towards them with a smile.
"Thank the stars you are alright, but I'm sure you are wandering why I called you here?" she asked, Flame turned and looked at all the others, and then turned back to face the Princess, "actually, by now, we are kind of used to it, but we would still like to know" he said, the Princess frowned, "very well, follow me" she said as they began walking out of the room, they were surprised to see that she was leading them to the lower levels of the castle, past the dungeons, to a part of the castle that none of them had ever been to.
Soon they came into a big hallway; they walked across it, and in front of them stood a massive door, it stood wide open, they turned and saw Captain Shining Armor and Princess Cadence talking with some guards, when he noticed them, they both turned and smiled, and walked over to them, "Twiley, thank the heavens you all made it here safely, something bad has happened" he said as they all turned to face the Princess who stood in front of them with an agitated look on her face.
"this is the Canterlot castle vaults, where some of the most powerful and dangerous relics are kept, nopony is allowed to come down here, except for the guards who keep it safe, as I'm sure you know, two night s ago, an unknown group of ponies broke into the vaults, and stole two very important and dangerous items from the vaults, but what's even more disturbing, is that the entrance to the vaults, is protected by a very powerful spell, that only I or Princess Luna could break, and somehow these intruders managed to break that spell and gain access to the vaults" she said as she turned just in time to see two royal guard ponies walking out of the vaults, between the two of them was a stretcher, carrying a body, under some covers, they saw that the cover was stained in blood, the sight of it made Twilight and all her friends gasp.
"As you can see, the intruders killed the guards, whoever they are, they are very skilled in hoof to hoof combat, as well as magic" she said with a solemn face, she stayed silent for a while, when Flame took a step forward, "what did they steal Princess, you never told us" he said with a curious look, Princess Celestia took a big shaky breath, "you should know, there are many dark and powerful items in these vaults, some of the were never meant to see the light of day again" she said before she turned to them.
"as far as we know, only two things have been stolen, but they are two very dangerous items, one of them was a spell book, filled with the darkest and most powerful spells known to this kingdom, and the other item, was the very same necklace, worn by Shadow Blaze himself" she said turning to face them, when they all heard this, their eyes widened in sock, especially Flame's, this was something that celestia expected.
A few moments after, Flame regained his posture, "but…why would anypony want to steal his necklace, he's dead, what would they need his necklace for" he asked looking up at her, she sighed and looked away for a minute, a hesitant look in her eyes, she then turned back to Flame and the others, "I think I might know, and I hope I'm wrong, but, inside that spell book, there is the spell, that has the power to bring a pony back from the dead, and I think they plan on bringing Shadow Blaze back, this must not happen, you remember what he did when he returned, last time, which also part of the reason I called you back here" she said with a serious look on her face.
Flame frowned as the memories flashed back into his mind, the war, all the pain and suffering he caused, the very thought of him returning, made him shutter, but he kept his cool, and then turned back to face the Princess, "but, what does this have to do with us coming back here?" he asked, the Princess frowned, and looked at him, "the spell only works on a pony who was killed by another, there are three things that are needed, the spell itself, an item that belonged to the pony…" she said as she hesitated to say the last part, leaving them all in suspense.
"What, what's the last part?" Flame said wanting to know the answer, she sighed and looked down at him, a pained look in her eyes, she knew he wouldn't like the answer, but he needed to know, "the last part of the ritual, they need the blood of the one who killed that pony, in this case…it's you Flame" she said with a sad look in her eyes, when they heard it, all eyes fell on Flame, who just stood there, his eyes wide in shock and fear, his mouth wide open, he shook himself out of his shock, and looked back up at the Princess, "me? But why me?" he asked in a panic, Celestia expected this, "don't you remember, you were the one who killed him, the elements only weakened him, but you delivered the killing blow, it's your blood they need, and they will stop at nothing to get to you, which is why I called you here, if they stole those other items, then they would surely come for you, I knew you would all be safe and they would be unable to get to you, I apologize for not telling you before, but it was absolutely necessary that you be here" she said in a calm tone, Flame looked at all his friends and family and then back to the Princess, "so we can't leave, what are we supposed to do, just sit around and wait" he said with the slightest hint of anger in his voice.
Celestia looked down for a minute and then looked up, "it's for your own protection, you will be free to go anywhere in the city, but you must keep a watchful eye for anything strange, you will be staying with Captain Shining Armor, under constant protection, I'm sorry, but there is no other way, when these thieves have been caught, then you will be free to go, I'm sorry Flame, but this is the only way, if they get even a drop of your blood, they can use it to bring him back, and if they do, he will be more powerful than ever before, and he will come after all of you first, this is for your own protection, I'm sorry" she said as she walked past them and out of the room, leaving them alone.
Flame took a deep, shaky breath, as he tried to remain calm, but found in increasingly hard, then he felt a hoof on his shoulder, he turned and saw Twilight trying to comfort him, just as they stayed like that, Shining Armor walked up to them, "I wish there was a better way, really I do, but you'll be safe with me, come we'll take you there, and you can get settled in" he said as he led them out of the room.
A/N: now that was interesting, things are heating up fast; see you guys next time, peace.
