Chapter 7: Rise of a hero
Twilight Sparkle and the rest of her friends stood at the edge of Ponyville, their gazes unwavering as they scanned the horizon. The stars were
reflected off of the metal of their Element as they stood. The mares had their mission burning in their minds… all except one, a certain cyan pony
stood in silent vigil, her mind wandering back to the previous morning, You have… me, she repeated in her mind. Rainbow Dash's heart felt heavy,
she was mad and upset and confused all at the same time, she wanted Static back, she wanted him to hold her in his strong arms and never let
go, she wanted to look deep into his silver irises once again. All of these feelings and mixed emotions had finally led her to the conclusion that she
loved him… and that she always would. She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard Twilight speak, "Alright girls, now, I'm not sure what
to expect, but be ready for anything, today is the day that it all matters, we can't let this Shadow win. Now the sun should break the horizon any
minute now, and that should be the time that the Shadow arrives so be ready…". Rainbow Dash thought this over in her head, she had secretly
hoped that the Shadow wouldn't show up for if it did, that would mean Static… she shook her head, she couldn't think about that, she had to hope
for the best. Several minutes passed by until Twilight finally said, "The sun will break the horizon… right… about… now!"… but the sun never
showed, it's light blocked by a pitch black cloud that loomed menacingly as it moved toward them. "Silly cloud" said Pinkie Pie, "You blocked out
the sun", "Uh,sugarcube" said Applejack, "Ah don't think that's a cloud, Ah think that there's the Shadow!". Upon hearing Applejack say this,
Rainbow Dash's pupils shrunk, devastation and heartbreak filled her whole being as she let out a despaired and sorrowful whimper, "Oh no… Oh
Static…Why…" a fresh wave of tears escaped her as she looked to the ground. The others looked at her, all with heavy hearts toward their cyan
friend, Fluttershy placed a comforting wing over her shoulder in a warming embrace, "Please Rainbow, you must be strong now like you always
are, I understand what you're feeling, but you must be ready, we cannot let Static's… passing… be in vain". Upon hearing this, Rainbow felt a new
emotion course through her, it wasn't sadness, it wasn't grief, it was… anger… pure anger… and she knew exactly what to take it out on. With a
new fire in her eyes, she stood tall, motioning to her friends that she was ready, and as a whole, they walked out to meet their destiny. They
continued to walk until the Shadow was directly before them, then they heard it speak… in their minds… So, after all these years, I finally have the
Keepers of Harmony standing before me once again… "And just like before, you're going down! HARD!" yelled Rainbow Dash, the rest of the six
then stared defiantly at the Shadow, unmoving in their stance. Pitiful creatures said the Shadow, without your precious Elemental Equine, how do
you plan to defeat me? "Just as we have overcome evil before, Harmony will defeat you! Our bond in friendship is all we need in beating you!" said
Twilight Sparkle, the Shadow then chuckled, Well then, we shall see just how strong your 'friendship' is… and at that, tendrils protruded from its
being, while at the same time, dark shadows formed on the ground that rose into an enormous number of snarling hunters, all staring hungrily at
the ponies. The six knew that it was now or never, and they all, even Fluttershy, took a fighting stance. Rainbow Dash looked out among her
enemies, flexing her legs as she prepared, "this is for you Static" she muttered, then shot off toward the final battle…
(Elsewhere)
Get up… Get up! Static's eyes shot open, at first all he could do was glance around, he wasn't in the large field that he was in when he faced the
Shadow. In fact, he couldn't tell where he was at all, the whole area was dimly lit by a gray-ish hue, and a thick mist obscured his vision to where
he couldn't see more than a few feet in front of him. He tested his legs, they worked, and he stood up, "H-Hello?" He called out, his voice echoed
through the mist, unanswered, "Hello!" he called again louder. As he listened for a response, the sound of hoof steps came behind him, he turned
around and stared into the mist, the hoof steps drew nearer and soon the outline of a large pegasus came into view. Static's eyes grew wide as he
noticed the familiar blue hued fur, and the similar silver irises, "… Dad?..." he said, the pegasus smiled and nodded, "Hello son, it has been a long
time". Static nodded, agreeing, but then he realized, "But… aren't you… you know…" "Dead?" his father finished his sentence with a hint of a laugh,
"Yes quite, been dead for a while now". Static swallowed a lump in his throat, "D-does that mean that I'm…" his father stopped him with a shake of
his head, "No, you're not dead, not yet anyway". Static was then confused, "But, then why do I see you? Why am I here talking to you?" his father
smiled slightly then replied, "Ah that's the question isn't it? Well Static you tell me, what are you doing here? And why aren't you with the Keepers
of Harmony like you should have been?". Static didn't answer immediately, he sighed deeply before finally saying, "I saw that they all had so much
to fight for, a reason to live, but if they faced the Shadow, they would have been put to risk of losing it all. I figured… I didn't have anything to
lose, so it would be easier to face him alone…" his father unexpectedly chuckled then, making Static even more confused before he finally said,
"You remind me so much of myself, I guess the apple doesn't fall from the tree does it? I used to think just the way you did Static, whenever
trouble brewed, I would be the first one there, not because I wanted to be a hero, but I didn't want others to put themselves at risk of having to
leave everything that was dear to them. I myself felt I had nothing to lose either, but that all changed". Static was now quite interested at this
point, and leaned closer to his father as he listened more intently, "It all changed the day I met your mother… what a live spark she had in her, I
fell in love almost instantly. The more our bond grew from that day, I learned that I had found more than a mate, but a reason to fight, a reason
to live, I had found something worth fighting for…" Static gasped mentally as he heard this, Rainbow Dash's voice echoed in his head, I guess
when you have something worth fighting for, you never want to give it up. It all made sense to him then, they fought not just because it was their
duty, they fought so that all they loved and cared for could have a safe future. His father broke him from his thoughts as he asked, "So son tell
me, what do you have worth fighting for?". Static had his answer almost immediately, without a seconds hesitation, "I've got my friends, the
citizens of Ponyville, but most of all, I have her… the love of my life" his father smiled and nodded, "Good answer my boy, and excellent choice,
that little cyan pegasus with the rainbow mane, I think she's just right for you, just don't ever let her go… now, don't you have somewhere to be?"
as he said this, the ground beneath him began to glow a brilliant blue, Static felt new energy pouring into him then, he looked to his father once
more, who was turning and trotting back the way he came, "Hey dad!" he called out, causing his father to stop and turn to him, "Say hi to mom for
me" was Static's final request, his father smiled and nodded, then turned back to leave. Static felt his newfound energy building up, filling his
whole being until finally, he shot off back to the realm of the living, hitting the space where his body landed in the form of a lightning bolt, causing
a plume of dirt and debris to shoot up into the air. When it all cleared, there stood Static, standing stronger and more determined than ever
before, his wings shot open and he took off, "Hang tight everyone! I'm coming!" he yelled before turning back into a lightning bolt, zooming to his
friends aid…
(Back at Ponyville)
The six mares fought with every ounce of strength they could muster, but their energy was quickly depleting, they knew they had to end it soon,
or else they would be finished. The hunters never seemed to end, for every two they took out, another ten took their place, Twilight thought fast,
and using what energy she had left, she sent out a shockwave of magical energy, clearing out a large space and allowing the mares to regroup,
"Alright girls, I think it's time we showed this Shadow what the Elements of Harmony are capable of!" she said, all of her friends nodded, their
faces burned with determination. In unison, they faced the Shadow, their Elements began to glow as they rose to the air, brilliant light shone from
the Elements as their power increased, finally, a large rainbow colored beam shot forth, making contact with the Shadow. The Shadow let out a
loud cry of pain as the Elements energy hit it. The light faded, and the six ponies descended back to the ground. They had first thought they had
succeeded, but the Shadow didn't disappear, instead, it yelled out in a mad rage, six shadowy tendril shout out of its form, quickly and painfully
wrapping around each pony. They cried out in pain as the tendrils squeezed the air out of them, foolish pests, it snarled, did you really think your
little hope in the power of 'friendship' could save you? Now you will die, and the darkness will once again rule this pitiful world… now… go and see
your friend in the afterlife… but before the Shadow could continue, a loud battle cry could be heard, the six looked up, and from the Shadows form,
a huge lightning bolt exploded forth, "LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!" yelled Static as his lightning form flew through each tendril, disintegrating them
on contact and causing the Shadow to cry out in pain again. Static then returned to his normal form once more, as he landed in front of the
bewildered mares, Rainbow Dash Walked forward as he touched ground, "Static?" she breathed, not believing her own eyes, "You… you came
back?... but…" Static spoke up before she could finish, "I finally found what was worth fighting for, it just took me a while to realize she was right
here in front of me this whole time". When she heard him say this, she was filled with so much joy she couldn't comprehend it with words, so
instead, she ran up to him, kissing him deeply, their eyes shut as they did. When their lips parted, she nuzzled his neck saying, "Don't ever leave
me alone like that again", he replied, returning the nuzzle, "I never will, not even for the world". As heartwarming as the scene was, there was still
an enemy that needed to be defeated, "Well as much as I love a good romantic moment" chimed in Rarity, "We still have a problem on our
hooves! Couldn't you two wait until this is over?". This seemed to work as the two pegasi's eyes shot open and they both faced the group, "Right"
said Rainbow Dash, "Well what are we waiting for? Let's do this!" she began to walk forward before Static held out a hoof, "Not yet, you girls aren't
quite, ready" "What do you mean?" asked Rainbow Dash. He stood in front of her before replying, "Let me show you" he then touched his hoof on
her Element, a strand of electricity spreading across it causing the symbol to glow brightly, he then repeated the process with the other five until
he ended by tapping the crown on Twilight's head. The light from the Elements then began to spread out among the bodies of the mares, engulfing
them in a cocoon of light. The sight that met the mares was breathtaking, when the light faded, each one saw that the other was clad in bright,
almost shining armor, each similar in design, but at the same time, unique to their individual element. The necklaces had been replaced with a
jewel on the chest plate in the shape of their Element, and Twilight's crown had been changed into a shining helmet. Each of the mares looked in
awe and amazement, until they had finally heard the Shadow again as he regained composure, Fools! You have sealed your own fate! Prepare to
die! Static stepped forward, glaring at the Shadow, "That is where you're wrong" he said, "We have sealed your fate, not ours, no darkness, no
matter how strong, can withstand the power of the just and the righteous, and now, we will show you our true power, together!". He then rose to
the air, followed by the others as their newfound strength summoned the power of the Elements once again, the six circled around Static, their
symbols growing brighter and brighter, Static extended his hooves, strands of electricity shooting from the tips and surrounding the mares, when
the strands of electricity connected, a ball of energy formed in front of them, when it reached its maximum size, it shot out, not in a rainbow
colored beam as usual, but a blast of pure, white energy, hitting the Shadow. It cried out once more in pain as its form began to disintegrate, NO!
THIS CANNOT BE! YOU CANNOT WIN! NOOOOO…" its final cries quieted as the last of the Shadow disappeared from sight, allowing the sun's light
to shine through once again. The seven ponies landed, the armor fading as they mares touched ground. Static was met with an enthusiastic hug as
Rainbow Dash hurried to him, all he could do was hug her tightly in return, he then looked into her rose colored irises, and smiled. He then looked
out to the rest of his friends, this is it, he thought, this is what I fight for, right here. And at that, he looked back to the love of his life, gently
kissed her forehead and said, "Come on, Let's go home"…
Epilogue
All the ponies of Ponyville had been returned to their home, Cloudsdale had been returned to its rightful place in the sky, and a huge celebration
had been thrown in honor of the ponies that had saved them all. At town hall, a grand stage had been set, where the seven ponies stood proud as
the crowd cheered. Princess Celestia stood before them, the crowd grew quiet as she began to speak, "Citizens of Ponyville, we gather here today
to honor the bravery and valiance of these seven ponies, who risked their lives to save ours, and to save Equestria from being plunged into
darkness. Without further ado, I hereby represent these medals of highest bravery to each, showing with their selfless acts, that all that is good
will always conquer evil". When she finished, Princes Luna stepped forward, placing a medal over the head of each pony, the crowd cheering as she
did so. When the last medal was given, Princes Celestia spoke again, "And now I woulld like to give a special thanks to the one that had made this
victory possible, we had all known him for only a short while, but I am certain he has shown bravery beyond those of normal ponies, and with that
said, I would like to give you, Static, the newest hero of Equestria!". Static stepped forward, bowing to Celestia as he did, "Congratulations Static,
your parents would be proud" she said quietly, he smiled in return, silently agreeing as he looked out to the crowd who was now cheering louder
and chanting his name. As he had done before, he pushed his hoof forward, and with a sweep of his head, bowed before the citizens. He looked
back up, glanced to Celestia, then to his friends, then his gaze fell upon Rainbow Dash, who looked at him with a look of pride and happiness.
When he saw this, he knew that finally, after all this time, he made it. He was finally… home.
The end! I don't know about you but I loved the ending. Tell me what you all think of it. Plus I want you all to tell me wether or not I should continue this as I was thinking of making a series of this. Let me know!