"Holy crap this is delicious." The grey colt moaned as he chomped an entire apple down in a single gulp, his throat bugling as he swallowed the delicious treat. "Ahh." His tongue rolled with satisfied sigh.
"Gee, you really like apples don't you." Twilight giggled as she pushed another to Lloyd who quickly bit into it, not devouring this one whole.
"Oh I love em. I've been to three different worlds and I have to say you have the best apples ever." The once serious colt gave a small chuckle as he munched on the red apple.
"Hmp." Spike grunted from his place on the cushion. The ponies had retired back to the main room after Twilight's intervention before Spike could try and roast the new grey guest. The dragon still seemed untrusting of the colt in the room.
"Now spike, Lloyd's been really helpful and you need to be nice to him." Twilight scolded.
"Yeah yeah." He waved her off, looking between the colt greedily eating the apples with a dumb grin and his lavender caretaker.
"So, I'm going to ask, might regret it but, how are you two related? Or not?" Lloyd stumbled over his words unsure of how to phrase it.
"Oh that's simple." Twilight related the story of getting her cutie mark and how she had hatched Spike from an egg and how from then on he had remained her number one assistant.
"Hmm." He mused eating another apple.
"Are you going to stop eating?" Spike asked a little annoyed.
Lloyd swallowed the lump of apple before nodding. "I will. I promise I have no intention of eating you out of house and home." He said as he gobbled down the last apple on the tray Twilight had brought. His eyes widened and he gave a single huge burp, blushing madly. "Sorry, haven't eaten in a while." He chuckled.
Spike was rolling on the ground holding his sides. "That was great." He said between tears. Twilight was not as amused.
He noticed something else, she was looking out of the window he had been staring out with a longing look. "What?" He asked, his tone returning from earlier.
"The others, they've been a gone a long time, why aren't they back yet?" She asked.
Lloyd lowered his eyes and Spike looked around nervously. They had already brought him up to speed with what was happening. The little Dragon had wanted to rush out and help but the older ones in the room had reined him in convincing him he was best used her with Twilight and Celestia.
"I can't say, they did have some distance to cover." Lloyd said offering and explanation he knew was no good.
"But why aren't they back? Fluttershy and Rainbow dash should have gotten everyone from Sweet Apple Acres back by now. Are they even at Sugar cube corner yet?" The purple unicorn was staring to Panic, images of her friends tugging at her thoughts. Spike put a reassuring claw on her back as he sat next to her.
"I can find out." Twilight looked at Lloyd as he spoke. He gave a simple nod and closed his eyes breathing deep. His grey coat shone with a dull golden light his mane waving as if under a slight breeze. He took another deep breath. "I can feel. . . seven living beings in Sugarcube corner. Two are large, adults I'd guess."
"That must be the cakes." Twilight spoke up.
Lloyd nodded but didn't speak. "Two others are tiny, really small."
"The twins." Spike said with a smile, admittedly he was a little impressed by this pony's power.
"And the last three are small too but not quite so, a little bigger." Lloyd grimaced. "They're moving around a lot, they seem, bothered, unsettled."
"That has to be the Cutie Mark crusaders, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo." Twilight said with a smile but her smile faded. "Is that all that's there?"
Lloyd nodded opening his eyes.
"Where's Big Mac? Granny Smith? And what about Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash?" Twilight was looking around franticly. "You don't think . . ."
"Don't think like that Twilight." Spike assured. "They're fine. I'm sure they're on their way here. Maybe Big Mac just fell behind because of Granny Smith."
"Your right." Twilight nodded, happily accepting the weak excuse. "They're safe right? Applebloom and the others?" Twilight asked her voiced lined with doubt.
The grey colt nodded. "The shield will keep Darkside out unless he forces it open, if he does I'll know, and I'll be there before he can do anything." Lloyd leaned the distance between them and placed a fore hoof on her shoulder. "I know it's hard but for now we have to wait, if we run around and panic then we lose."
"I know." She sighed, her eyes drifted to the window. "But I'm worried."
. . .
"Oh my." Rarity gasped as they stood to the gates of the palace. The once beautiful landscape was marred with scars of battle. Black scorched patches of the garden and smoldering trees blended with split wood and deep cuts in the earth. There had truly been a battle here.
Rarity's eyes watered as she glanced over the still bodies of gold covered ponies. The white and black stallions fell in various positions across the field but there didn't seem to be many casualties at least. "It's horrible." She sobbed.
Luna straightened herself. She had to be strong, in spite of the fact she recognized a few of the dead by name. They were good stallions, they didn't deserve this. "We must move on. The hall is not far and we must retrieve the elements." Luna tried to hold a strong tone but she knew her grief was only partially concealed.
Rarity nodded and followed the dark mare through the battered garden to the palace itself. Luna paused to nudge one of the piles of white and gold by the door but he remained still. She held back a tear and walked in.
If the outside was a battlefield, the halls were a warzone. Beautiful pillars that had held images of the princesses were toppled and shattered, the walls cracked and burned with fire and magic, the floors smeared in blood from the fallen guards. The glass dome that had formed the ceiling was shattered spilling glass over the floor. While outside there had been only a few of the golden soldiers, here there were dozens, if not more.
Luna couldn't control her tears and cried. The hall could be rebuilt it was nothing that hadn't happened before, but the lives that were lost, they were irreplaceable, and they were lost because of her. The dead were scatted along the halls, in some places in piles. Most seemed to have been cut or their armor pierced but others. . . their golden armor had melted from the heat that cooked them or the magic that had all but obliterated them. The battle had been over for hours but the stench could still be faintly sensed in the air. None of these helped to lighten Luna's grief.
Rarity placed a hoof on Luna's shoulder. "Princess, I'm so sorry." The fashion Unicorn said with tears in her own eyes. "I-I can't imagine. . ."
"Enough." She said firmly raising her dark blue head and swallowing her tears. "We must go on." She looked around again. "Perhaps there are those who are still alive." She hoped. Luna shuddered once and led the way. She was careful near the dead that littered the once pristine halls. Blood had dried in some places but still formed red liquid pools around the edges. Luna and Rarity silently trot from one to another gently nudging the dead guards searching for any signs that they were still alive. None of them stirred from their rest.
Luna led them to the great staircase. The tower where the elements were kept was just up the stairs and down the corridors. She glanced to her right; down that passage would lead them to the bedchambers she had left earlier that night where Pharro had sacrificed himself so she and Celestia could escape. Part of her wanted to see him, hoping for his safety but she did not wish to confirm her fears of his death.
"Princess!" Rarity's urgent whisper drew the mare's attention to another path that led deeper into the castle. Luna didn't understand immediately but she saw the shadows shift and the distinct sound of hoof steps on the marble floor.
Luna stepped protectively in front of Rarity glaring at the shadow across from them. "Come out, we command you!" She called in the royal tone her voice echoing across the high ceiling.
"Princess?" A male voice came back much quieter. The shadow stumbled out to the light of the moon and Luna gasped.
"Artimus!" She cried running over to the dark pony. The black coated unicorn was standing, or more hobbling, in nothing. His golden armor had been stripped away leaving only the helmet which was cracked along the top. The stallion's flank was wrapped in white bandages stained red from underneath and his leg seemed less than steady but he was breathing, better than those around him. "We are so happy to see you are ok."
"I believe ok would be overstating your highness." He grimaced with a slight bow but not able to move very much. The unicorn glanced briefly around. "Where is Princess Celestia? We fear the worst."
"She is safe at Twilight Sparkle's home." Luna declared. She was smiling brightly a tear in her eye.
"Thank goodness. We found your chambers but they were empty and we feared the worst." He dropped his head. "I am sorry Princess, we failed you. I failed you. We couldn't stop the pony who attacked us, he was . . . too strong." The unicorn hung his head in shame.
"Fear not." Luna declared. "We will defeat him and right these wrongs. Tell me are you the only one or are there others alive?"
"Yes, after the fighting I managed to move around and rallied a few of the guard who were still alive. Those who could still fight joined me to check your chambers but all we found was the body of captain Pharro."
Luna dropped her head, a tear in her eye. "So he is gone."
"I am sorry." Artimus whispered. "He was as strong stallion."
Luna straightened up. "Yes he was. He fought to allow me and my sister to escape."
"Princess, I'm sorry but we really must hurry." Rarity urged from behind.
"Yes, Artimus, have you checked the vault for the elements of Harmony?" Luna returned to her royal posture standing tall to the dark stallion guard.
"No your majesty. The others and I who can have been gathering the wounded and have been searching for survivors. Allow me to escort you." Artimus walked to the stairs and path that lead to the elements. He grimaced but kept going leading the two mares down the corridor.
"Are you alright dear?" Rarity said stepping next to the wounded guard.
"I'll live, I did get injured in the fighting but not as bad as the others." He groaned. He was trying to be strong but Rarity saw the beads of sweat on his brow, he was in a lot of pain.
"Where are the others?" Luna asked.
"We have the wounded in the barracks with all the medics and a few of the Pegasus who weren't wounded we sent to get more doctors and fetch the wonderbolts. We thought we might need to call on their role as warriors again. I and a few of the others have been searching the palace for any survivors." Artimus slumped his head. "We haven't found as many as I wished."
Luna nodded. They passed a few spots of blood but there were no bodies. "I and a few of the others swept this hall already. We found two unicorns still alive." Artimus said. "The elements are just ahead." Artimus shuffled ahead and opened the large doors with a small glow of magic.
The long hall with stained glass windows on each side seemed to stretch on forever. Artimus lead the way across the red carpet glancing from one side to the other. This hall was devoid of the blood and signs of battle as the rest of the castle, a refreshing change from the death they had all passed. Luna looked from side to side, observing the stained glass that depicted their history. The joining of the tribes, the defeat of Discord and his second defeat at the hands of the elements of Harmony.
"Here it is." Artimus declared as they stood before canterlot tower. The large ornament doors set with a single hole in the massive doors. "The elements of Harmony are just beyond these doors." The stallion huffed.
Luna stepped to the stallion and brushed his back. "You have done well Artimus. Thank you, but you should rest."
"Yes, you're going to drive yourself to a grave at this rate." Rarity said from his other side. She glanced down and saw the bandages on his flank had grown more red in the time they had been walking.
"I appreciate the concern, but I'm afraid I cannot." He shook his head, his dark mane shaking. "I'm the next in command right now and one of the few who can still move easily. I can't rest, not yet."
Luna looked away, she didn't want to let her servant see her tears so she sucked them back. So much death and pain, it had not even been this bad when she had become nightmare moon. "We must hurry, the sooner we defeat this monster the sooner we can recover." Luna declared stepping forward.
"Indeed. You intend to use the elements of Harmony against him?" Artimus said, stepping to the side and leaning on the wall for support.
Rarity nodded, eyeing the other unicorn carefully should he need help. "As the bearers of the elements of Harmony we will use them and defeat this monster." She said with a certain air of power Artimus had to admire.
"He is strong, I just hope the elements are enough to stop him." Artimus sighed. When the mares looked to the door he glanced at his injuries. The blood was seeping through the bandages again. At this rate he would lose so much blood he wouldn't be able to walk. His mind was already dizzy and his strength was all but faded.
Luna stepped to the large doors. Sealed with magic ancient even to herself and her sister these doors housed their one and true greatest weapon. Normally Celestia was the only one who could open the doors but Luna knew how to do it, even if her sister thought otherwise. Luna leaned forward placing her horn into the opening of the door. A strong flow of magic cut the path in the door, splitting it up the center. The massive sheet split and fell open pulling apart to reveal a single chest on the pedestal within.
Luna gave a tiny grin, proud she managed to beat her sister's spell, taking pride in that small moment of sibling rivalry. Her magic held the chest and lifted it to them. Rarity stepped next to her, the white unicorn nudged the lid and the chest opened to reveal five shining necklaces of gold and shining jewels, and a single eloquent tiara.
"We have them." Rarity exclaimed, a smile on her face.
"Yes." Luna agreed moving the chest to Rarity. "You should carry them. They are your elements to bear."
The white unicorn nodded, taking the chest and placing it on her back.
"Alright, we should move." Artimus said. With a heavy sigh he pushed himself from the wall and started leading the way down the hall.
"We can make our own way out, you should go and get some rest." Luna said stepping next to the guard her wing sweeping over him. "You've done well."
Artimus hung his head, the praise should have been something any pony dreamed of, but given the event so the night it felt hollow. "Thank you princess." He cringed as his flank burned. "I'll go to the barracks and tell the others you and Princess Celestia are alright. It will raise their hopes."
"That sounds like a great idea." Rarity said as they reached the end of the hall. "But you must get some rest darling, and see your injuries are cared for. You can't help anyone if you're hurt."
Artimus nodded his golden covered head wearily. "You're right." He admitted defeated.
The guard stepped through the chamber to the large main chamber of the palace. Again the scenes of the death and blood filled their view. Artimus sighed and forced his emotions into his throat. "I will rally the guards, if you need our help princess, send up a signal and we will come." He said turning to Luna and giving a full bow, his wounds straining but he ignored the pain.
"Aww how nice."
The black stallion spun to face another. The black Alicorn strode in from the garden his eyes locked on the trio at the crest of the stairs. The sleek black coat under his night black mane and large wings made the monster striding over the floor a fear inducing sight.
"Still a guard who will kneel to their rulers. Such nice dedication." He chided as he stepped to the center of the room.
"Darkside!" Luna snarled stepping forward but Artimus prevented her from stepping past him.
"Is that your name monster?" He asked with a snort.
Darkside grinned. "Indeed, I am known as Darkside." He took a humble bow. Raising his head he looked at Artimus harshly. "I remember you, you're the one that stabbed me."
Artimus chuckled deeply. "Yeah, how's that leg treating you?"
"Fine thanks for asking." Darkside said with a refined air shaking his back leg slightly. "It seems you've have had some bad luck though, guards must be hard to come by." He mused as he slightly brushed one of the bodies at his feet.
"Keep your hooves off them!" Artimus hissed lurching forward but the sudden movements made him cringe and almost fall down if not for Rarity at his side.
"Careful there you might pull a stich. How's that hole in your back treating you?" The dark Stallion chuckled.
"Enough!" The loud voice echoed through the large hall. All eyes fell to the princess of the night standing tall over her wounded servant. "We have heard enough of your uncoth words Darkside!" her voice resounded with power in the royal tone. "Why have ye desecrated our palace again?"
"Oh my apologies your majesty." Darkside mocked as he weakly bowed, stifling back a giggle. "I'm just here to see you and the little one there." He smiled greedily at Rarity who pulled away with Artimus slung on her shoulder.
Luna growled and stepped in front of Rarity protectively, a groan from behind signaled Artimus pulling away from Rarity and stepping next to her. "Be gone Darkside!" Luna commanded.
The black Stallion shook his head. "How about . . . no." he laughed at his joke. He stepped closer to the group but none of them relented holding their ground standing firm and ready for any attack. "I give you all credit for standing up to me. So much like your friends." He said with a happy smile.
"What do you mean?" Rarity asked stepping forward. Something in the monster's tone made her uneasy. He sounded like Rainbow Dash after a race. Victorious.
Darkside smiled. "Oh now I could tell you, but its more fun if you figure it out, but I will say," His eyes wandered all over the room before slowly falling back to the trio. "You look much better than the others last I saw them."
"Liar!" Luna declared stepping forward her horn glowing.
He chuckled at her meager threat. "Not everyone can be saved from the dark." He declared with an air of arrogance. "Take that back to Lloyd, he can tell you what it means."
"Does that mean your letting us go?" Rarity asked. She was trying not to show how concerned she was about the others and truly didn't like being in this beast's presence.
"Of course I am dear." He said in mocking sweetness. "Just as soon as I have that pretty box you're carrying."
Rarity stepped back as Artimus pushed himself in front of her. Rarity noticed then his horn was glowing but only very dimly.
"You wish to take the elements of Harmony?" Luna boomed. "Why?"
"Simple." Darkside shrugged. "I don't like others having weapons to use against me. See I don't know what those things can do, so better to play it safe and keep them away from you." He stepped closer, now only ten feet separated the trio of magical equines and the large demon before them. "Now hand it over and you leave without a fight. Choose to keep it selfishly. . ." he gently nudged one of the golden bodies near him. "And I get to have some more fun right now."
Luna snorted and her horn glowed with a powerful dark blue light. "Never." She declared.
Darkside gave a large sigh. "Always have to be difficult. Even when I'm trying to be nice." His eyes lifted from the floor, glowing slightly. "So be it. Let's see if you're tougher than your sister."
Luna lowered her head and growled magic building along her horn. Artimus huffed once and looked around.
"Now!" he called.
All eyes fell on the dark unicorn before five streaks of light slammed into Darkside's side knocking him over. Before the beast could rise magical chains erupted from the ground and bound him down. As the large animal thrashed in his binds five gold and white forms descended from above. There was the singing of sliding metal and Darkside looked up to behold five white Pegasus with silver blades on their wings drop onto him slashing his hide.
Two made clean cuts along his flank and back before a violet shield covered him deflecting the others. The Pegasi recovered and flew high to the domed ceiling. From the side of the chamber five black coated unicorns, their armor in various states of disrepair walked in. their horns glowing as more binds shackled the thrashing demon.
"Artimus?" Luna asked stunned.
The unicorn smirked in spite of his pain. "I sent out the call when he showed up." Artimus explained. A loud roar made his eyes narrow as Darkside ripped from the chains and stood back up.
"You miserable little ingrates!" He roared. His own horn glowed a deep dark purple.
Artimus' horn glowed as well and the other unicorns quickly rushed in close their own horns glowing. A dark violet blast erupted from his horn streaking towards the unicorns but a massive green shield blocked the beam's path deflecting it up. The blast shattered the ceiling above them but the Pegasus above evaded the blast and dove down again.
Darkside saw them coming and before any reached him his shadow shifted several tendrils of black streaking out to pierce them.
"The tendrils are like snakes and blades! Remember they can shift quickly!" Artimus called. The Pegasus scattered as the spikes streaked up .One of them had his armor clipped but escaped without injury. One hit the ground and charged the alicorn from the side. Darkside swerved to use his magic, in that same instant a second salvo of green light bolted at his side. The black shadow beneath him rose as a solid wall of black stopping the violent spells cold. Darkside's horn glowed it's light sweeping over the floor toward the Pegasus.
The guard tried to leap high but the blast was too fast. He wrapped his wings around himself to brace from the attack. Thrown back he stopped just before hitting the ground suspended in the pale green light of Artimus' horn. Darkside smirked but didn't see two other Pegasus swing in behind and strike him. Their wing blades left a pair of deep gashes along his back. The alicorn snarled and his shadow leaped after them but the fliers flew and high away from him.
"Hit and run! Don't grapple with him! Beware the shadow!" Artimus called out orders to the guards as they flew away and the tendrils chased them but could not keep up with the fast fliers. "We've fought him before, I've seen how he fights." Artimus said as much to himself as to a stunned Princess Luna and Rarity.
Luna had never seen the guards in true combat, only the training drills she had observed but there was much more to them now than she had ever seen. A fire in each of them burned as they fought, Unicorns casting spells around the alicorn and the Pegasus sweeping past him again and again slashing with their blades or scratching his hide. Their attempts were losing success however as Darkside seemed to become more careful keeping a shield around himself so the Pegasus' attacks would only glance off and lashing out with his shadow to drive them back. The unicorns were forced to shield themselves and sometimes the Pegasus more and more as Darkside lashed out with his shadow and magic more.
"Princess," Artimus said gaining her attention from the fight. "Please, you and miss Rarity must flee. We cannot win this fight." Artimus never took his eyes off the battle before him. The guards were fighting well but even with him calling our orders they were still weakened. The adrenaline of the battle would wear off soon. The Pegasus were already slowing, one of them had gotten his wing lashed by a tendril forcing Artimus to order him to retreat. The Unicorns were still five strong but they showed clear signs of fatigue straining to keep up their casting. "Please your highness, leave while we hold him off."
"We cannot allow that." Luna said.
"Yes, you'll be killed if you all keep fighting. We must fight or run together." Rarity said.
"Please your highness." Artimus' voice lowered to a whimper she had never heard from a guard. "We are the royal guard. We failed once before to protect you and Princess Celestia, please give us the honor to defend you once more." Artimus stood high and proud, ignoring the blood dripping from his flank. "We will hold him off as long as we can and wound him as much as we are able. I only ask that you defeat him." For the first time a smile broke the guards face. "And remember us."
Luna choked back a tear before she nodded. "Fight well Artimus." Luna pulled Rarity close who was crying herself before spreading her wings.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Darkside shouted. The shield around him dropped and he spread his own wings leaping into the air. With a roar he smashed two Pegasus guards from the air and leaped at the princess who's horn was beginning to glow.
Two black tendrils shot from his underside aiming for the princess exposed chest. Artimus slid between the two his horn glowing as a green shield appeared. The shield held for only seconds before shattering like glass. The tendrils slid through and pierced the unicorn's body one in his chest and the other splitting his helm and grazing his left eye with a splash of blood and a pained cry from the unicorn.
"Artimus!" Luna called preparing to attack herself but his voice halted her.
"Run Princess!" he called. With a yell his horn erupting a fountain of magic striking Darkside full in his exposed chest. The large beast gave a grunt as he fell back to the ground and was pounced by the Pegasus. Luna clenched her eyes shut and vanished in a ball of dark blue light.
Darkside roared and glared up at the injured, one eyed unicorn. "You stupid little bastard."
Artimus grinned, ignoring the blood that covered his now wounded left eye blocking his vision.. "You don't hate me yet, but you will. Clip his wings!"
The Pegasus on his back lashed out with their wing blades but before they could find purchase, the shadow erupted from under them grazing their wings but quick movement on their part spared them their lives. One however was a moment too slow and the tendril gripped his leg. With a violent jerk the Pegasus fell to the floor with Darkside. Artimus tried to call out but three spikes pierced the guards armor and hide erupting blood from his neck, head and torso. The now red stained Pegasus gave single cry before falling limp.
Darkside seemed happy with his kill and flung the body at the unicorns. None of them could react to the body of their comrade flung at them before the body knocked three of the down like bowling pins. Darkside used the chance and charged power to his horn. A dark blast erupted and caught one of the fleeing Pegasus in his wing, scorching the appendage and sending him to the ground with a screech of pain.
"You two get him out of here!" Artimus called to the two remaining Pegasus. They quickly obeyed grabbing the wounded Pegasus and carrying him from the room on their backs. The unicorns were back and shielded the fleeing wounded from the black tendrils that tried to snare them. "Round up!" Artimus called.
The unicorns understood the order and quickly ran to circle the alicorn. The larger dark stallion growled lashed out but Artimus was shielding them so the tendrils glanced off the shield. The unicorns circled the stallion and without another word each of them let loose a blast of energy that circled the alicorn. Darkside tried to move and thrash but the spell cast on him from all sides held him in place. His shadow even thrashed and cut at the bubble of green power that surrounded him but seemed to have no effect.
"Enough!" He howled. "I am done with this game and I'm done with you! I have fought gods and demons, they believed they could hold me as well. You are nothing!" Darkside gave a mighty roar, power gathering not only on is horn but across his body.
Artimus did what he could but couldn't seem to disrupt the magic the monster was using. "Focus on the shield! Stand strong!" Artimus called but his own wounds were making it hard to follow his own advice. The world was dark around his eye, his vision failing in his remaining eye. He locked eyes with the alicorn as his power grew. The other unicorns seemed aware that something was coming but none of them retreated, no one ran or relented, they stood firm pouring their power to the shield.
Darkside took two long breaths before throwing his head back in a howl. A sphere of black energy grew from his core engulfing the entire room. The shield shattered, the unicorns sent flying or consumed in the black light. The entire room was enveloped in darkness as Artimus stood as firmly as he could before the energy struck him.
Then all he saw was darkness.
Ok really long chapter there. I really want to ask for everyone to leave some comment on the latter half of this chapter. I wanted to make the guards seem like they were actually kinda tough since they seem to get written off as evil or weak in everything I've read. So let me know, please review, and blah blah blah. You know what I'm saying.