Chapter 2: The unexpected guest

Friday had gone by quickly, the anticipation for the ball built up immensely among the mares. Static, on the other hoof, kept going over the warning that he

had received the night of the invitation, Darkness can find its way into even the brightest of events… what does that mean? He thought as he put on his suit.

Rainbow Dash didn't know about the dream, he decided it would be best not to worry her at the moment; he sighed then checked himself in the mirror,

making sure nothing was out of place. He then heard a door open behind him and a voice said, "Well hello handsome" he smiled, and turned about to reply,

but he was stopped cold as his eyes fell upon Rainbow Dash, she wore her rainbow colored dress donned with the gold fern head piece, and her gold laced

horseshoes. All Static could do for a while was stand and stare in complete awe, he finally managed to bring forth a few words into a compliment, "W-wow,

Rainbow, y-you look… amazing…" Rainbow Dash smiled and walked up to Static, "Well you clean up pretty nicely yourself big guy" she said in response as she

centered his bowtie. "Are you ready for tonight? This is gonna be awesome" said Rainbow Dash, Static quietly gulped, not knowing at all what awaited him and

his friends at the ball, but still he smiled and nodded. The two pegasi then headed toward Ponyville, where they met the others who also wore their Gala, all

waiting in excitement as the time neared for the carriage to arrive. Pinkie Pie was literally shaking with excitement, her pupils shrunk and an ear to ear smile

plastered on her face, "OMYGOSH! This is SOOO exciting! I bet there's gonna be all kinds of sweets, and dancing and music! EEEHHH!" she then began

jumping up and down in place before she was quickly stopped by Rarity, who scolded her not to get her dress dirty before they even arrived. Applejack was

speaking with Twilight Sparkle "Ooh, Ah sure hop this ain't gonna be like the Gala, Ah mean without all of the hoity toity, fancy pants, stick-their-nose-up-at

anythin' ponies. Ah really hope this'll a little more relaxed." "Oh don't worry Applejack, the Summer Solstice Ball isn't near as pristine, this is almost like a

large reunion for all of the royal friends and family, and although it is formal, it's still lots of fun" assured Twilight Sparkle, earning a smile from her farmer

friend as they continued their conversation. Static sat down next to Spike, who was trying in vain to fix his bowtie, while Rainbow Dash went to talk to

Fluttershy. "Problem?" asked Static jokingly, looking at the aggravated dragon who huffed in reply, "The stupid thing won't stay straight! Every time I try to fix

it, it gets all crooked" he then threw his hands in the air and groaned in defeat as he gave up. Soon, the plodding of hooves could be heard and the eight saw

a magnificent carriage, pulled by four royal guards, stop before them, "Well, looks like our ride is here!" said Rainbow Dash happily, Static opened the door to

the carriage as he and Spike let the mares into the carriage first, as soon as everypony was in, the carriage took off again toward Canterlot. The six mares

spoke in hushed excitement as they waited to arrive, whilst Static merely felt anticipation rise in his chest, he was really beginning to hope that the warning

was for nothing, that there would be nothing to worry about, but once again the voice echoed in his head, Beware, it said, only confirming his fears that this

warning was definitely in need of taking heed to. The ride was short, and soon the carriage slowed to a stop, an usher pony opened the door to the carriage to

let out the group, they all stepped out, their eyes widened as they 'oohed' and 'ahhed' at the sight that beheld them. The castle had been decorated from

ground to roof, magnificent light fixtures shined upon the decorative tapestries and many ice sculptures were seen among the many tables that held a wide

array of pies, cakes, and many other delicious foods. The ballroom was filled with many finely dressed ponies, all in small clusters as they talked and laughed

amongst each other, the eight friends simply gazed at the grand scene before them, they were snapped from their trance as the two royal sisters, Celestia and

Luna approached them. "Well if it isn't our guests of honor, we are so happy that you could make it today, please, make yourselves comfortable and mingle

with the rest of the guests" said Celestia, they thanked the princess and then walked into the ballroom. A lively, upbeat tune was playing, and many of the

ponies danced among the crowds, this immediately encouraged Pinkie Pie, who loudly stated, "Gotta Dance!" and sped off for the dance floor. Rarity caught

site of her Canterlot friend Fancy Pants, and went off to make idle conversation, while Applejack, Fluttershy, Spike and Twilight Sparkle went off together to

meet some of the royal family. Rainbow Dash and Static made their way to one of the tables that held a wide range of foods, they filled a plate with what they

wanted and took it to a table to eat and enjoy the sights. Try as he might, Static couldn't make himself thoroughly enjoy the ball, he caught himself casting

sideways glances left and right, twitching his ears to any sudden noise that he heard. "Uhh, are you ok Static?" asked Rainbow Dash, who noticed his

behavior, Static sighed, he knew he would have to tell her sooner or later, he began to tell her, but before he could begin a loud tapping could be heard, the

ponies looked up to see Princess Celestia gently tapping a spoon on her glass so as to get everyponies attention. "Welcome everypony to ou annual Summer

Solstice Ball, may I say it is a pleasure to see all of you here this evening. We are so glad to have the royal family and all esteemed ponies of Equestria here

under one roof once again. Tonight, I would like to propose a toast to seven of our guests, guests that I am sure you all have heard of. These seven are the

reason we are all here today, and that all of Equestria is safe, so, without further ado, I would like to recognize Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie,

Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, the Keepers of Harmony, and of course, the Lightning Elemental Equine, Static!". When she said this, seven spotlights shone on

each pony, the room was then filled with cheers as they waved to the crowd that was now surrounding them. At first, Static was pleased as he looked out

among the cheering crowd, but the longer he looked, he saw something… rather strange. The shadows along the wall that were cast by the lights… they

seemed to move, they snaked along the room, growing darker as they reached the floor, Darkness can find its way into even the brightest of events, the voice

echoed in his head once more. Static was about to call out a warning to the ponies, but before he could, a deep, chilling voice echoed throughout the ballroom

that silenced every pony there, "…Bravo…". The crowd soon saw the shadow that had made their way to the center of the ballroom, they quickly backed away,

some letting out a startled gasp, the shadows then began to rise from the ground as it took shape. Soon, a dark outline of a large unicorn could be seen, color

soon faded into view and more details were seen, the unicorn was a stallion, his fur was a dark grey with black streaks along his side. His eyes were a blood

red, he had a long forelock that separated at the top and hung down to his jaw. The strangers mouth was curled into an evil grin as he looked at the

frightened ponies around him, he then spoke once more, "Oh… don't stop the festivities on my behalf" he chuckled menacingly, "I'm just here to… meet… the

Elemental Equine, do you mind showing me to him". Static heard this and immediately stood, a look of serious determination on his face as he slowly walked

to the center of the room to face the unicorn, "I am Static, Elemental Equine and hero of Equestria, and just who are you?" he sounded more confident than

he had felt then. The unicorn looked at him and laughed, "Well since we're being so formal, allow me to introduce myself, My name is Lord Darkstrike, master

of darkness, controller of shadows, and your soon to be executioner". Static was filled with anger at his last words, sparks of electricity danced along his fore

hooves, Darkstrike saw this and continued to laugh, "Oh I wouldn't try that if I were you Static, you haven't a clue what you're dealing with…" "And you don't

know who you're dealing with!" yelled Rainbow Dash as she ran to Static's side, soon joined by the other five, all glaring toward Darkstripe's direction. "Ah

yes, the Keepers of Harmony, how quaint. Do you really think you have what it takes to defeat me?" he said, "We have more than what it takes!" said Twilight

Sparkle as she began to concentrate, her horn shone brightly as the each mare's element began to materialize onto the respective owner. Darkstripe laughed,

"Well then, since you're so eager to show me, let's see it then!", Twilight and the rest of the mares began to concentrate, but something was wrong, the

elements weren't glowing, they did absolutely nothing, the six ponies were speechless, only to break the silence from Darkstripe once more, "Fools, you have

no power over me, your precious Elements have no effect! Now… as I was saying" shadows began to extend from his body, they then shot out and pinned

down the six ponies, Static was filled with rage as he lunged at the unicorn, but was thrown back by him as another shadow wrapped itself around Static's

body, "I'm here to deliver a little… message… to you, listen closely…" what the unicorn said next seemed like that of a prophecy:

One will rise, five will fall, this is the will of the darkness' call, earth will crumble, wind will die, fire will fade, and water will dry, lightning will be no more, and

soon the darkness will rule forevermore…

As he said this, Darkstripe began to fade, releasing the seven from his grip, the last thing Static heard before he vanished was, "You have one month, do not

keep me waiting…" The seven ponies slowly rose from the ground, confused and startled by what had happened, "Who…what was… that all about?" said a

speechless Spike as he rushed to Twilight as she stood, "I'm not sure Spike, I've never met any power like that that the Elements didn't have an effect on…".

"And how did he know me?" asked Static, "What did he mean by five? And what was with all this talk about earth, wind, fire, and water?" nopony had an

answer, each just as confused as the other, finally, Princess Celestia came to them, a solemn expression on her face, "You seven must follow me, I will answer

all questions that you have" "And why can't you tell us now?" asked Static, a little more angrily than he meant. Celestia looked at him then sighed, "It'd be

best if we were in private, but what I can tell you, is that he is after you… and the others". This confused Static, "Others? Like who?". Celestia lowered her

voice as she answered, "The other four Elemental Equines". Static's heart skipped a beat as he heard this, he wasn't the only one? A voice echoed once again

in his head, one that he had heard many time before, but only now did he understand… You are not alone…

How was that? You all let me know! Something tells me this may be a long story, so I will try my best to keep the chapter coming! R&R please!