Chapter 6: Alone again
"No! This can't happen!" said Static, he knew he was having a nightmare, but it all seemed too real. Each direction he looked, he saw his friends
suffering, the Shadow had them in its cold grip, slowly draining the life out of them. He tried moving to help them, but he was glued to the spot,
unable to move, "Static, help! Help us! Please!" the group called out to him, he wanted to help, to aid the dying voices that beckoned for him, but
he couldn't. Fear twisted his consciousness as he watched his friends die right in front of him, he was powerless to do anything, he soon noticed a
pool of dark liquid filling around him, and he began struggling with all of his might. The liquid filled the space, each one of the mares letting out a
fearful scream as it filled over their heads, the last thing Static saw before he too was overcome by it was Rainbow Dash, her eyes wide with fear
as she let out a final desperate, "Help"…
Static woke with a start, clamping his mouth shut as he forced back the scream that tried to escape his body. He slowly stood from his sleeping
mat, breathing heavily as he shook the last few images from his mind, he looked around and saw that the others were still asleep. They had
decided thenight before to all rest at Sugarcube Corner, since it was the largest building that could accommodate all of them comfortably, and it
kept them all in one place so they weren't separate. Static let out a soft sigh and quietly walked out of the building, not noticing Rainbow Dash
open her eyes and watch him leave. He took off as he stepped outside, it was still dark, and there was a cool breeze in the air, Static accepted to
comforting coolness ashe flew. He landed on a cloud just above the town and looked out toward the dark horizon, thinking. His mind kept drifting
toward what he had seen at Pinkie's party, such joy and happiness, the friendship that they had shown, he never knew anything of that matter. It
wasn't until his arrival in Ponyville that he really seen how great friendship can be, but even then, it was the friendship he had seen around him,
none of these moments were his own experience. "Trouble sleeping?" said a voice behind him, he turned to see Rainbow Dash flying next to him.
He merely shrugged and replied, "Just some… dreams", he didn't want to worry her with the horrific visions that he had experienced, "R-Rainbow?"
he then said, "I-I've been thinking lately, I'm starting to question if it was a good idea to crash here when I did". This remark caught Rainbow
Dash off guard, "What do you mean?" she asked confused, "It's just" answered Static, "I've been thinking about what you said, about having
something worth fighting for, and you're right, you and the others have so much to fight for, what do I have?". This question made Rainbow Dash's
heart drop, confusion and anger began to rise in her, "Now hold on a minute, you came to us for help, why are you just bailing out now? You know
you can't beat the Shadow on your own, so…" "I just can't let you!" snapped Static, his sudden tone causing Rainbow Dash to flinch slightly, Static
sighed and continued in a softer tone, "Rainbow, you have so much here, your friends, your job… ponies that care and look up to and adore you.
You have so much here, so much to lose, and I would never forgive myself if something happened that I took you from all of that. For me it's
different, I… have nothing… all my life I've been alone, nobody looked up to me, I was never respected, I have to admit I envy you. But now I
realize, I have nothing to lose, perhaps this was how it was meant to be, I… I'm sorry Rainbow…" he couldn't say anything else, so with no more
than a sideways glance, he took off. Rainbow Dash felt as if her heart was being torn into pieces, she wanted to call out, to tell him he was wrong,
but she couldn't find her voice, she watched him with tear filled eyes until he was long out of sight before she finally said softly, "You have… me"…
The sun was just rising over the horizon, its light shining into the window of Sugarcube Corner. The warmth and brightness of the sunshine slowly
grew stronger, and soon the five sleeping ponies rose from their slumber. Twilight Sparkle yawned deeply and looked around, blinking sleep away
from her eyes, she then stopped as she noticed that they were two short in the group, "Girls" she said to the waking ponies, "Where's Rainbow
Dash and Static?". The others looked around, just as confused as their purple friend, "Where have those two gone now?" said Rarity, "I'm sure
they had a good reason for doing so" Replied Fluttershy quietly. "Well what kinda reason made them wanna head outta here so dang early for?"
asked Applejack, Twilight shrugged, then looked outside the window where she saw the back of the cyan pony, her shoulders were hunched and
her rainbow colored forelock hanging over her face. The five mares walked out to the porch where Rainbow Dash sat, a concerned look on their
faces, "Rainbow, are you ok? Where's Static?". Rainbow Dash didn't reply immediately, instead she breathed a deep sigh and looked up to face
Twilight, her eyes red and puffy, as if she had just finished crying. Twilight felt a lump form in her throat as she mentally guessed what her friend's
answer would be, "H-… he left… he's gone to fight the Shadow… alone…" that was all she could say, she hung her head again, squeezing her eyes
shut to prevent new tears from falling. Twilight thought about this, "But… why would he do that? Doesn't he need our help?" asked Pinkie Pie, with
a surprisingly serious tone, Twilight shook her head, unable to answer her friend. "What are we going to do now?" asked Fluttershy, worry and fear
creeping into her voice, "I guess" answered Twilight, "All we can do… is wait"…
(Back with Static)
He flew as fast as he could, newfound strength giving him the boost he needed to reach the end of his destiny. Static knew it had to be now, it was
either going to be him or the Shadow, but as hard as he tried to concentrate on the matter, his mind kept drifting off to… her. He didn't fully
understand why, but leaving her made him feel heavy hearted, as if he wanted to turn back and fly to her, and never leave her side again. He
shook his head of his thoughts, I have to concentrate on the task at hand, he thought to himself, he remembered that he did this so as to not
endanger the others, the ones who had so much there for them. He had nothing, he was alone his whole life, and perhaps that's how It'll end… he
stopped as he finally found his target, the Shadow had never faltered in it's pursuit. So, Static heard the Shadow speak to him mentally, The
almighty Elemental Equine finally graces me with his presence, but where are the others? Where are the Keepers of Harmony? "They aren't here,
it's just you and me, and today it ends!" yelled Static, preparing himself for battle, he then heard the Shadow laugh at him, a menacing chuckle
that filled Static with a heated rage, Do you honestly think that you can defeat me alone? Foolish stallion, you are no match for the Shadow, the
darkness will crush you like an insect. Static couldn't take any more of the Shadow's mocking, and in a blind rage, he yelled out a battle cry as he
shot forth huge bolts of lightning at the billowing mass, the impact created a large hole in the Shadow, which yelled out as if in pain. Static
smirked, thinking he had weakened it, but it quickly disappeared as he heard an evil sounding chuckle emanating from it as the hole quickly
closed. Fool, do you think your simple element could stop me? Static had quit listening to it however, as he sent blast after blast of lightning
toward the Shadow, each one doing no significant damage. The Shadow continued to speak as it extended shadowy tendrils from its body and
circle around Static who didn't notice until it was too late, you fail to comprehend the enormity of my power, the concentration of darkness that I
possess is far too great for you to handle alone, honestly, a simple pegasus like you never stood a chance. The tendrils then wrapped tightly
around Static, cutting off his breath as it slowly strangled him, And when I'm finished with you, I will move on to the Keepers, they will be no
match for me either since you so foolishly tried to defeat me alone, and that is how you will die… alone… no one will grieve for you, they will soon
forget the legend of your heritage, and you along with your legacy will crumble to dust. The Shadow then sent a blast of dark energy through its
tendrils, bombarding Static with a pain he had never experienced in his life. The shortage of oxygen and the high amount of pain soon numbed
Static, he felt himself fading away, his last thoughts were of all the ponies he had failed, the world he had failed, but most of all, he failed the one
he loved, "Rainbow…" was his last word before his mind fell into darkness. The Shadow released his limp body, letting it fall to the ground with a
dull thud. The Shadow then moved on toward his next target, too easy, it said…
Now cue dramatic music! Tell me what you think of this chapter, was it enough of a cliffhanger? Please review!