//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The First Day // Story: Twilight the Assistant // by JusSonic //------------------------------// Chapter 2: The First Day Pinkamena is reading as she says, "Hmm, seems Twilight Sparkle and Spike decided to switch places for a week." Golden Heart and others are surprised as Golden Heart says, "I have a sight feeling things might not go well." "My readings state 50% it might go very wrong but 50% said they might do fine and another reading 100% that they will understand each other but I think some of us to check this out." Omega said to the others seriously. "Ok and who knows we might learn a thing or two. Goldie, Jack Zen, Omega, Autumn and Sombra, come with me, Havis, Hikari you both know what to do." Pinkamena said. They both nod as Pinkamena and the others head off as she says to us, "Things might get crazy but who knows and one way to know is to see for ourselves." ------------------------------- Spike looks nervous and worried as he prepares himself as the owner of the Library and the Prince of Friendship. The Dragon was never given so much responsibility until now. What if he messed up? Would Twilight forgive him? What will happen afterwards? Twilight meanwhile notices the worried look on his face. The Alicorn spoke up, "Spike, it's okay. I know you will do fine." "Easy for you to say! You've done the librarian part since you first got here to Ponyville!" Spike complains to his mother. "Me? I am kinda new at this. What if I messed up?" "We all make mistakes, Spike. I will be here to assist you if you need help. That's a Pinkie Promise." Spike looks at Twilight who smiles at him. Both knew that the Alicorn wouldn't dare break a Pinkie Promise. It's very VERY important (plus, Pinkie will go mad if she finds out that a Pinkie Promise has been broken). The Dragon nods as he prepares himself for the librarian part. Who knows? It could be fun! Luckily, Spike manages to handle the library's duty well for three to five customers. Cheerilee came in for some history books. Lyra for some books on humans (again). And Dr. Whooves came in for some mechanical books. Surprisingly, they found out that their princess and her assistant has switched places for the weeks, but they choose not to worry about it. As long as it's temporarily, everything will be fine, right? During one moment, Rarity came in, humming, "Twilight...do you got any books on the most rarest gems in Equestria? I need to check up on my list because moi is thinking of starting a collection." Spike rush over, eagerly saying, "I am the librarian now, m'lady! You can count on me." "Oh. Well, you know where it is, Spikey Wikey?" "Sure, I've put it yesterday...uh, Twilight?" "Got it," Twilight said as she begins looking through the 'rare finds' part of the library. Spike may have put it there yesterday but the princess is the one who to tell him to put it there. The Alicorn found the book and levitates it to Rarity. "There you go." "Thanks, I would've got it myself." Spike said to Twilight, rolling his eyes a bit. His 'mother' giggles a bit, knowing that he will do anything for Rarity. "Oh, Spikey poo; I wouldn't dream of letting the new Prince of Friendship go through such trouble." Rarity giggles Spike, putting the book in her knapsack while nuzzling the Prince. "Well, Rarity must be going. Ta!" Spike sighs happily as the love of his eye leaves the library, the Dragon is almost floating in mid-air. And it took a smirking Twilight just to bring him down to Earth again. "Well? Still think you can't handle the librarian part, Your Majesty?" Twilight teases Spike in amusement, snapping him out of it. "Well, it's a start." Spike remarks to Twilight with a shrug. "Heeeeeey princess," Pinkamena said as she, Goldie, Jack Zen, Omega, Autumn and Sombra came into the library. "Just assistant for now, Pinkamena," Twilight said to Pinkamena with a chuckle. "So what can the Prince of Friendship and I do for you?" "We heard that you are two have switched places for the day." Golden Heart said to Twilight with a nod. "We decided to come and see how you're doing." "Oh, doing fine. The Prince of Friendship is looking for a princess of his own, obviously." "Ooooh, wanted to impress Rarity again? Want to give her the Royal Bow?" Autumn Gem teases Spike, making him blush while rubbing the back of his scales. "Hey, just teasing you." "I knew that, I knew that." Spike said with an awkward chuckle. ---------------- Shadow Dragon was alone; meditating in front of the dark fireplace. Before he could do anything else, a dark figure jumped up very high and slammed his first katana near his head. Shadow Dragon turned and had his left hoof blocked the attack before punching right on his enemy's chest off from him. The temporarily Dark Mystic Ponies looked up and encountered a greenish Pegasus with a black mane and short tail, his Cutie Mark was black patch, gun and sword, and he is dressed in the blue armored and helmet Samurai. The stranger smirked darkly. "Burnblast..." Shadow Dragon said, recognizing the attacker. "What's up, buddy? Wanna rematch?!" Burnblast mocks his ally. When Tech came to tell him that Shadow Dragon wanted to see him, the Dark Mystic Pony decided to greet the temporarily leader as usual: with a fight! Burnblast took his second sword out and charged at Shadow Dragon. He stroke and thrust his twin katanas at the apprentice who blocked and dodged the attacks for five times. Burnblast jumped up and whirled himself around him. Shadow Dragon quickly hovered back quickly for three times. Burnblast had his first katana right at his enemy's head. Shadow Dragon dodged down quickly before giving a swipe kick on his leg and made him fell to the ground hard. Burnblast had his left hoof held up, firing bluish fire at Shadow Dragon who quickly deflected the blast thrice. Burnblast launched his head right on Shadow Dragon's chest, sending him to the walls. Both of them had a brief fight for the moment before they had their swords at each other's throats. They both glared at each other for the moment. The two then smiled. Despite the intense fight, Shadow Dragon and Burnblast remain pals...of sorts. "Good to see you return from your space journey, old rival and friend." Shadow Dragon remarks with a chuckle. When Tech told him that Burnblast is available, the villain knew that he had returned. Burnblast huffed, "Well, I'm glad that you haven't lost your touch, buddy." "Hey, buddy! I didn't give you an order to pick a fight with him!" Tech exclaims in annoyance. The mama's colt was watching the fight upon arrival, and frankly, he was a bit irritable at this. "Nopony asked you, nopony." "It's Tech! Tech! I have a name!" "You want me to call your name. Earn it, kid." Burnblast remarked, causing Tech to groan. Why is it that it's so hard to get respect from everypony here?! Burnblast turned to Shadow Dragon to continue speaking with him, "So, what's the situation?" "Princess Twilight had traded place with Spike for a week. And I want you to do something special for him." Shadow Dragon explains to Burnblast, giving a wicked smile, "Time to see how good he can handle as the Ruler of Friendship Rainbow Kingdom." "Interesting... This reminds me of my time alright... No problem. And I've got some friends who are interested in Spike very much..." ----------------- Pinkamena was busy, looking through a book when her senses came up again. She looks up while saying, "You know, I get the feeling that the bad guys might take this as a advantage and send a powerful foe to attack but we will be ready" The group nods to that as they'll be ready for anything. -------------------- At this moment, we find Spike & Twilight were handling matters of obtaining some ingredients for a request someone came to the castle to ask for. Course what was asked was strange stuff, and the only place to find such strange ingredients is in the Everfree Forest of which they reside in, and also…a zebra shaman lives in too. We find the two exiting a hut with Zecora leading them out while giving them a sack of what they need. “Take this, good friends, and depart. For whoever asked of the request, can be at ease when he sees what it is that you hold.” Zecora spoke off with her riddles on the subject of what it was this group seemed. “Thanks Zecora, this here’s another act of me trying to be the prince of friendship, hope this goes well?” Spike replied off to say to the zebra in having what they came for. “What next Twilight?” He asked off in wondering what the new prince for a week should do next. “Well, now we need to check the market place to make sure everyone in Ponyville is performing their deals without any thievery.” Twilight explained the next course of what the baby Dragon is gonna do next. “Right, pickpockets; Okay, let’s go…” Spike rolled his eyes to say this in knowing the thought. But as Spike lead ahead to the two mares, Zecora stops Twilight to speak with her. “It came to my attention that your roles have been switched, and now you play as each other.” Zecora spoke her riddles in knowing what it was that the two have done, one is a prince and the other is the assistant. “Right, I felt bad about what I may have done to Spike in giving him such a hard time, I felt like I did what Lorcan said I was doing to him. Not my assistant or even a brother, but a slave driver.” Twilight spoke to say this in feeling a little bad about what happened in the past, how she treated Spike, what some have said or mention, it haunts her a bit. “So you mean to set things right, learn what it’s like by living the one you feel regret.” Zecora explained by her riddle voice of what this mare was trying to do. “You wish to redeem what you feel cannot go away, but you must let go of things that stay in the past, and make anew what is just before you.” She explained something to which Twilight must not let what scares her feel like she hasn’t been forgiven. “Um…I’ll…try to understand what that means. Until then, goodbye Zecora, and thanks,” Twilight slowly responded in hearing that strange statement, but it must be very wise words that are hard to understand until the right timing. As Twilight leaves to catch up to Spike, Zecora was left alone now…or was she. “Something has happened.” Spoke a voice, and soon entering the scene from nearby was the pony staying nearby at Zecora’s place; Kilik, the Hero Of Destiny. “Indeed there is, both Twilight & Spike are going to learn how one’s life is just as difficult as the other is.” Zecora responded to say by her riddle speech of how such things go. “But while that is hard on them, I sense there is more…as if something else may come about in their path of learning a lesson to cause a distraction.” She spoke with worry as if sensing something may go wrong at without warning. “I sense it too, something is about to move out.” Kilik stated in looking serious over what maybe happening. “Perhaps I’ll standby, if the situation gets serious, I’ll step in.” He stated, he has decided to stand nearby of the Rainbow Kingdom, just in case something bad happens, like what might occur soon. “Indeed, for you might have done so with Cassie of the Kelpie, if not perform by those smaller than we.” Zecora spoke her riddles again in stating this matter of what else happened and from who performed it. “My Dvapara-Yuga…the scared mirror’s light kept even Kelpie’s hypnotic singing voice from getting me in a trance.” Kilik held his scared treasure, it’s light kept him purified against such forces that would control him. “But I sense that she meant no harm, she had no evil, but her actions were just misguided. Fortunately, aid came from those the Mane Six do not even know…by their pets.” Kilik responded that he knew Cassie was not evil, but he also knew that she was stop and corrected her path…and by the pets of the Mane Six & Ben who are left unknown to all the ponies. “Then be wary, for if an evil did not appear at such a time, perhaps now…they seek an audience from this new situation.” Zecora spoke again her riddles while sounding serious, for if an enemy did not attack then, they may certainly try now. “I shall do so, Zecora.” Kilik humbly bows in respecting the task to be watchful of anything suspicious. Now the scene fads away at this time, for now it seems that while Spike is in-charge….things might get difficult for the one to bare so much responsibilities. ---------------------------------- At this moment, the scene opens up to the market place within Ponyville. The Mane Five & CMC along with Ben, Nyx & Phobos were there until they saw their two pals coming into the picture; Spike & Twilight. “Hey you guys, there’s a booth selling cool books we gotta check out!” Rainbow Dash came near her pals to give them this bit of info. “Did I just here you say cool & books in the same sentence Rainbow Dash?” Twilight raised an eyebrow in hearing those words her friend just said. “Wow, she hardly ever says that about books unless they’re Daring Do.” Spike shrug off to say in knowing what Rainbow likes. “Why darling, it’s not just the books, but who the seller is.” Rarity spoke off to say this in making a fact. “Right, he’s some pony we know. Come on!” Nyx smiled off to cheer in looking excited now. Now everyone was going to follow those that knew where to go. And soon something within the market place, there was a cart booth stand selling some dark emerald cover books, and the buyer was noticed. A Pegasus stallion with dark green color fur coat, a gentle mane & short crescent tail of a light & dark brown color mix, and brown eyes; He’s mostly seen wearing a Fur Felt Fedora hat, along with brown explorer’s outfit on his body, a dark brown vest jacket, and dark tan brown hoof-wear shoes. And for his flank, there was a Fur Felt Fedora hat, archeologist pick & compass as his Cutie Mark (when seen, otherwise, it's hidden under his clothing). He appears well physically fit for his body, and judging from his face expression, a wise-mind in knowing his career & expertise. This pony was none other than… “Jones Venture,” Twilight & Spike responded in union in knowing who this pony was; the once known Kouga who was a barbarian servant for Dai Gui, the Earth Demon Lord. He was cursed with a mask that brought him back to life but as a big unstoppable human with a very ugly face. But when he lost to the Sparkle Family, his mask destroyed, he was free from serving the evil Demon Lord. He took off before meeting Tao who help him regain his pony form and has been living a better life again. “Well, here’s some old faces I haven’t seen in a while.” Jones Venture smiled in seeing those that have come by to see him. “Boy it’s been like forever since….well, since our journey to the End of Equestria.” Phobos stated to say in when was the last time they say the guy. “So tell us partner, how have ye been?” Applejack asked off in liking to know what this fella has been up to. “I’m doing well, I’m still doing my career in being an archeologist.” Jones Venture stated in what he’s doing that is his talent. “What kinda books are you selling?” Pinkie Pie asked off in peeking at that books being sold. “They’re my adventures into unexplored areas in Equestria. Including this booklet; Demons Of The Land.” Jones Venture pointed out before showing a two booklet wrap object that read the title…with some scary Demons some of the gang had seen. “Is that story…about us?” Twilight asked off in thinking that’s a book that tells of their own adventure. “It’s a two book part adventure, telling of my moment I journey to the End of Equestria and the other tells of new heroes that help save me.” Jones Venture explained how each book was meant to tell another story, the before, and the after one. “Course, I’m now selling the newest book right here.” He shows a new book that shows him as his daring pony self venturing into a tomb. “Oooooh,” The CMC responded in seeing the book it’s self while viewing the title. “Whip Of A Lifetime!” The fillies read off the title in what the book said. “Sounds like a great book! What’s it about?” Ben asked off in seeing the book, it sounds like great story to tell. “Hmph, the day my life changed again to when I became like you all.” Jones Venture smiles off to say this to the group in what this book is about. Everyone stared in confusion in hearing that and was no knowing of what this guy was meaning. “Wait, what do you mean became one of us?” Twilight asked off in trying to understand the question. “You mean when you got turn into a pony then being stuck as Kouga?” Spike stated in knowing that could be a possible answer. “No, something else you six and Ben hold that are much more important to keeping the peace.” Jones Venture shook his head while making a more clearer point of what he’s saying. Finally, it dawn to everyone in what this Pegasus stallion was referring to. But it seem like the last thing to believe, but if they truly think about it…it has to be what makes sense now. “You don’t mean….an Element? As in like…” Ben gasped off in realizing that Jones Venture…has obtain an element and is a wielder like them. “Right, I’ve become an Element User like the rest of you.” Jones Venture nods off to say that there was the truth of the case. “WHAAAAT,” Everyone yelps in hearing this, the one that Twilight’s family helped out long ago has become a new recent Element User; didn’t see that coming. “Woah! From a Demon Lord servant to an Element User; how’d THAT HAPPEN?” Phobos stated in just wanting to know, how in Equestria did that even happen? “It’s all here in my books.” Jones Venture pointed to his new book sale of his latest adventure that the gang can catch up to know. “Oh, really; Why…thank you…” Fluttershy responded surprise, that would be a way to learn and even have something to read. “What kinda element user are you, Mr. Venture?” Nyx asked off the big question; which element has this guy gotten that he can use. Before an answer could be spoken, some cloaked figure was seen secretly swiping some gemstones that was on stands of other businesses. Jones Venture saw the act and then quickly brought out some strange weapon that surprises everyone. A bullwhip that’s extendable by the handle one holds. It possess a simple, cylindrical form, with a dark central part & lighter edges; the lower one is covered in stud-like ornaments & has a small rope hanging from it, to which a star-shaped pendent is attached. And the whip was launched, and as if acting by magic, lasso the crook to tug him across into the open. “Ugh!” The cloak figure yelped from falling on his behind as his hood showed he was not a pony but…a dog. “Well, well, well….look who decided to try to cause a little stunt with a large crowd.” Then Jones Venture came up to pull the hood down to reveal it was some Diamond Dog with brown fur, blue eyes, drop ears, and underneath his cloak was a combat fatigues with heavy boots. “Sleuth Doggone.” He reveals the name of the perpetrator of this act of theft. “Who,” The others asked off in not knowing who this character was? “A Diamond Dog that smuggles priceless gemstones from market places, and when he leaves, it causes a scene in where no pony knows who took their priceless gemstones.” Jones Venture explained who this guy is to the crew. “Doggone! How’d yah know it was me?” The revealed Diamond Dog snapped off in being upset in being discovered. “Not too many Diamond Dogs walk around this place filled with ponies and doesn’t carry a stench of not having bathed in a while.” Jones Venture pointed out this little fact here of the smell this guy carried. “Ugh, he certainly does stink.” Rarity held her noise from detecting such a stink. “Well Spike, here’s a job you can do as acting prince.” Twilight stated to her baby dragon pal to do the join she would do in this case. “Oh, um…right!” Spike shapes up a bit to get himself in the zone. “I place you under arrest for….theft!” He declared this act of thievery and wants this Diamond Dog arrested. “Smooth.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in how that could have gone. Later on, Fred & Barney arrive to help take Sleuth Doggone away from the scene by orders of their new ‘prince’ that wasn’t Ben. “Well Fred, looks like management has changed.” Barney responded off to say this about their currency. “What are ye talking about, it’s still the same?” Fred asked off in what his bud was saying. “But now Spike’s giving the orders than the princess.” Barney stated that now Spike’s gone from assistant to prince. “So, just cause they switch places, don’t mean we don’t do our jobs right?” Fred shrugs off his shoulders in thinking that’s nothing to worry over. “Hey, maybe one day, we’ll switch and you can listen and do some things I say.” Barney replied off in thinking up something that could be good for them. “In your dreams, wise guy, now keep moving here!” Fred scolds his bud for the wise idea of a joke before they continue their job here. “Doggone it! I’ll get out Jones Venture! This won’t be the last you hear of me!” Sleuth Doggone groans off to yell out his last cries to struggle while being escorted away from the scene. Now the Royal Guards were out of sight with the Diamond Dog crook as everyone looks to Jones Venture’s whip as it seems…something else. The Mane Six and even Ben felt some strong force of magic and it was familiar to them while different, could this weapon be…? “So, what do you think…this here is the Seeker Whip, which made me become the Wielder of the Element Of Whip.” Jones Venture showed his new weapon to the group in stating that from this, he’s become a user to a weapon type element. “Wow! Now I wanna read the book to learn how that adventure happens!” Pinkie Pie spoke out in liking what they see, and hearing it wants her to read the book of this guy’s adventures. “Us too,” The CMC called out in wanting to see the book as well. “The new book is usually more expensive, but for friends & those that help me become who I am, I’ll give you a 50 percent discount.” Jones Venture smiled forth to tell the gang this about giving them a discount for a favor he owed one of them. Soon many of the gang were getting some of Jones Venture’s books title ‘Whip Of A Lifetime’ to learn how this guy became an element user as many read the book, it spoke like so: After being returned to normal, Jones Venture explored other areas until he came across a legendary temple tomb that held a strange magical object that would make only the most adventurist of explorer adventures worthy to wield, and he took a shot. After passing the trials, he found what was the bullwhip like his own, and like any archeologist; he knew it was the lost Seeker Whip. After escaping a few death traps, he gain the whip, but he also felt a strong magical aura over him, and realized something from some markings on the walls that read: “Thou that shall pass thy trial & claim thy whip, shall become a true explorer seeking adventure. And become an element; the Element Of Whiplash!”. And after learning this, the whole temple tomb began to shake as it was about to come down, so Jones Venture put his new whip to the test and managed to escape another close call at death’s doorstep. Once obtaining the whip, he recalls his terrible fate serving the Demon Lords, he felt almost unworthy to hold such an element. But then the element soon magically glowed to infuse itself into Jones Venture and transformed his own whip into the same version, but more magical. Seeing this surprise feat, Jones smiled to think that if the element doesn’t wanna leave him, then who is he to argue, and he’ll just be living this as an example to do good to fix his old mistakes of his past. Everyone was very thrilled in what they have read and it seem like now they have a new ally on their side. But at this moment, Jones Venture notices a strange look on Twilight’s face as she seem to focus on the book. “Something on your mind, princess,” Jones Venture asked off in seeing something bothered Twilight. “Oh, no…it’s nothing. And…I’m not acting princess today; I’m the assistant role while Spike’s in command of acting like a prince.” Twilight yelps a bit while trying to correct the state of what she was today and what her area field is now. “And the reason for doing that,” Jones Venture raised an eyebrow in hearing such a thing be said. “It’s well…because of things I did I feel upright in just putting them behind me, the bad stuff I may or may not have realized what I did to him when I know they are still there.” Twilight spoke softly for only the two of them to talk about the issue. “I know the feeling.” Jones Venture slowly nods in understanding the message, as he can relate to some part of it. “I kept asking myself, if I deserve to be among the living after I took a gamble to be saved and turn into a monster by the Demon Lords. If I deserve Mystic Tao’s blessing to turn me pony again. I also ask if I’m worthy to wield this new element I received.” He knows what Twilight means of having doubts if one’s own actions are forgivable so easily after such hardships. “I guess we each have our share of problems, hugh?” Twilight sighs in feeling blue, she and Jones both have had such unforgivable moments in their past. “And even right now, Tao is in an argument with Mighty Heart in being a slave driver to him. Hearing that brought back the memories.” She explained how it all was started from what Tao & Mighty Heart started. “Hmmm….seems hard to imagine how that would go,” Jones Venture lightly responded to say, he’s grateful to Tao for helping him and grateful to Twilight on a different note, but… “But…the only advice I can give you, is to remember what you did and move on.” He simply spoke off to say what this mare should simply do with herself. “What…why?” Twilight asked off surprise, can she just move on while remembering such deeds. “Because it’s in the past, nothing you do can change it. But you can make something new by what you do today.” Jones Venture explained the issue of what Twilight can do now that is important since she can’t change the past. “That’s why I’m still around; I wanna make a difference now. And I vow to do so, for those I care for.” He explained what he’s trying to do; he’s making up for his old mistakes. Twilight felt lost on words, Jones Venture…the guy who suffered to be the Demon Lords servant, and robbed of his pony-hood, has come to such terms. Perhaps, maybe it’s something else for her to think about as well to help her and Spike’s bound not be severed by what the pony done in overworking or mistreating her baby Dragon assistant. “Oh, hey Twilight, what’s next on our to do list?” Spike spoke to interrupt the moment with a thought he wanted to know. “Oh, ugh…we need to discuss some things at the Council of Friendship meeting.” Twilight snaps back into reality in recalling the next schedule they are due for. “Which now you’re running,” Phobos pointed that Spike’s running the meeting since he’s acting prince to this Rainbow Kingdom. “Oh, I better get going. Thanks for the book, Jones Venture!” Spike spoke off to say in knowing this as he gets up and sets off to be going. Soon everyone said their goodbyes and thanks for the books as they made their way out. Jones Venture smiled in seeing the group head off, he feels like they’ll be okay…however… “Hmmm,” Jones Venture turn with a serious expression as he saw a vague shadow near an alley way before it vanished, both it and its presence of something…that was watching. “Felt like there was someone else watching us; it’s no Diamond Dog either, whoever it is….they must be a new serious deal for those ponies, just like with the Demon Lords.” He spoke in having a suspicion that something was not right here, it felt like an evil force upon this kingdom, something as great as the Demon Lords. “Better stick close by, in case danger should get out of hand.” He issued what he best do, if there was signs of trouble, he best be the one to get himself and anyone else…out of danger. The scene zooms away at this time with more puzzling questions of what is gonna be happening vaguely soon within this kingdom. And the bigger question will be…can Spike the Baby Dragon handle it, or mess up? Who knows? ------------------ Later, at the library, Twilight and Spike were having a discussion. "I gotta confess, Twilight. Those difficult jobs I got were...well...difficult." Spike remarks, stretching his back, "Like looking up the taxes, dealing with all those problems, especially with Lyra asking if we can get into the human world." "I keep telling her, the mirror only works on certain years." Twilight said while rolling her eyes a bit. "But no worries, little one, we will handle those tasks for later." -"Yeah, I can only hope." Spike remarks with a sigh. The rest of the Mane Six, Ben, the CMC, Nyx and Phobos were busy looking up books, listening in on the conversion. The two are doing well so far. RING! Twilight and her friends looked up and found a dark brown Earth Pony with a curved-black mane and tail, his Cutie Mark was a Lightning shape with three katanas on each side entering the library. "Hey there," Spike said as he greeted the new pony. Twilight cleared her throat, saying, "Spike...Proper greetings." "Oh, sorry. It's my first time job. Sorry about that." Spike apologized to Twilight. He cleared his own throat and tried again. "I mean, welcome to the Library of Friendship Rainbow Kingdom. What can I do for you, sir?" The newcomer smiled as he spoke, "I wish to borrow a book. Do you have a book called The Seven Samurai?" "I think we had one." Spike said, motioning Twilight who goes to a shelf to look for the mentioned book. "Right here, sir," Twilight said, using her magic to levitate the book over to the new pony who takes it. The newcomer smiled while saying, "Thank you, Princess Twilight and Spike." "You're very welcome." Twilight said with a nod. "Wait, wait, wait," Pinkie exclaimed in surprise and confusion, "How did you know who they are?!" "Yeah, we haven't seen you until today!" Rainbow exclaims, bewildered. "It's quite simple. Everyone from the Mystic Realm knows about you two well, especially how you earned the title: 'Princess of Friendship', Twilight." The newcomer said to Twilight calmly. "Wow!" Nyx exclaimed in amazement. "Yeah, I got to admit, word does spread around." Rarity said with a nod. "So who are you, tall, brown and stranger?" Phobos asked the newcomer, wanting to know who this new pony is. The newcomer bowed the temporary prince and assistant as he introduced himself at last, "My name is Lightningblade, the Warrior of Thunder. I am one of the Ultimate Mystic Warriors." "Oh, an Ultimate Mystic Warrior," Fluttershy exclaimed with a smile. "That explains a lot." "Eeyup! Powerful than most Mystic Ponies an' Equestrian Ponies," Applejack remarked with a nod. "We are glad to have your presence here." Nyx said, bowing to Lightningblade in respect. Lightningblade smiled, happy for the respect. He glanced to Twilight and Spike as he spoke once more, "Both of you are very close to each other, are you not?" "Yes, we are." Spike said with a nod. "Despite some problems, we always put it behind us." "And always be there for one another like a mother and son would." Twilight said, hugging her adopted son to prove Lightningblade that they are indeed close like a mother and son. Lightningblade smiled in approval as he spoke, "Good to know that the Princess and her servant are very closed and equal to each other. And Twilight and Spike, do not break your bonds to each other no matter what; Because you both had shared wondrous and unforgettable memories and moments. Treasure them well..." Twilight and Spike, knowing that their new friend is indeed correct, said at the same time, "We will." Tao and his family entered the library as Lightningblade left at the same place. Phobos, noticing, grinned as he said, "Hey, look, it's the Tao family!" "Hey, Tao," Twilight said with a smile while bowing to her old friend. But then, she noticed Tao wasn't paying attention, only scowling at Mighty Heart. "Hey, good to see you guys." Rainbow said waving and giving a hooves up to her friends. "Welcome back to our library." Ben said to his friends with a smile, trying to give in a greeting. "So, how are you two now? Forgive and forget?" Twilight ask Tao and Mighty Heart. She hoped that her friends would kiss and made up...minus the kissing part! Tao and Mighty Heart huffed angrily, refusing to look at each other as they snapped at the same time, "If he said sorry first!" "AW, COME ON!" Sweetie yelled in annoyance. "Those two still at it," Apple Bloom asked in disbelief. Scootaloo couldn't help but chuckle. Somehow, she found this amusing. "What happen?" Spike asked Jade in concern. Jade groaned in annoyance, "Long story short: these guys stopped talking to each other, instead they asked us to tell them about this." Mighty, refusing to look back, snapped to Jade, "Jade, I will not apologize to that rubbish salespony until he apologized first!" "Ben, please tell Mighty that the Salespony do not apologize to his assistant because he started the mess in the first place than himself!" Tao remarked bitterly to Ben, not wanting to say a word to his lazy assistant. "Mighty, Tao said -" Ben said, starting to tell Mighty Heart what Tao said, but he ended up being cut off. "Nyx... Please tell Sensei that I did nothing wrong but he himself wouldn't let me take a break." Mighty Heart remarked angrily to Nyx. Nyx shrugged, turning to Tao to speak, "Mighty Heart said..." "Applejack; Please tell that fat pony that I'm just doing my job as his boss and mentor for making him as a Mystic Acolyte than being a criminal!" Tao exclaimed angrily. The ponies groan in irritation. This is seriously getting out of hoof here! Applejack spoke to Mighty Heart, "Tao said-!" Mighty interrupted Applejack as he spoke to Rarity, "Rarity, please tell sensei that I already redeemed everything from being Shredkiller's hound." "Oh dear," Rarity sighed a bit. Why must she get involved in this insane matter? "Mighty Heart said..." "Tell him that he is still acting like a dog, Rainbow Dash!" Tao snapped angrily, much to Rainbow's annoyance. What's the point of letting other ponies tell the other if they kept interrupting?! Rainbow groaned, "For Celestia's sake, why don't you two argue instead of us telling the other?!" Everyone but Tao and Mighty exclaimed, "Rainbow Dash!" "Please, you two. Can't you make up and be friends again?" Fluttershy pleaded to Tao and Mighty Heart sadly. She hated it when her friends fight. It's not right! "I mean... Rainbow Dash and Applejack often had fights before, but in the end, they make up. Please?" Tao and Mighty Heart turned their backs on one another, both stubbornly yelling out, "No!" The heroes sighed a bit. This could be more difficult than one could imagine. Pinkie groaned, "It's like disowning Andrew over again." "At least my younger brother had some manners than his stupid mother." Tao remarked, referring to Mighty Heart's mother on the last part. At least with Andrew, he's easier to handle. "At least my mother is not a monster like your son!" Mighty Heart snapped right back at Tao. That seemed to hit a nerve. Tao turned back to Mighty, yelling out in fury, "How dare you?!" "I dare you!" Mighty Heart exclaimed to Tao once more. Twilight and Spike were getting worried. This fight was about to get ugly right in the library even! Dragon Kick got between the two before any punches or blasts were thrown. He exclaimed, "Uncle, Mighty; please!" "Tao has a son?" Ben asked in surprise and disbelief. He didn't know about this until now! Twilight shrugged while explaining, "I did ask, but they told me that he meant very much to Tao before he did something bad and died." "Wow." Pinkie said in surprise. "I never knew this." "I wonder what bad thing he did before dying." Phobos commented curiously. "Who knows? But it must be serious if Mighty Heart would bad mouth it." Nyx remarked. Her fellow CMC nodded in agreement, knowing that she's right. Whatever Tao's son had done, it's very serious indeed! Dragon Kick sighed, shaking his head as he spoke to Twilight, "This is what I meant. You have to help me, Twilight." Twilight smiled while speaking, "Of course. Prince Spike and I would be glad to be your assistants to solve this problem." "Prince Spike? What the heck?" Jade asked in surprise. Even the other Mystic Ponies, as well as Tao and Mighty Heart, were surprised to hear this declaration. "Short story: Tao and Mighty Heart's argument made my mommy switch jobs with Spike." Nxx explained the predicament to the Mystic Ponies. Jade groaned in disbelief, "No fair. I wish I could switch with Heavy!" "Absolutely not," Dragon Kick snapped to Jade sternly. He is not having his niece trade jobs with Mighty just to get out of her responsibilities, "Never mind that. Let's fix my uncle and Mighty Heart's relationship now..." Spike gulped, "This is going to be a pain." Helping the two make up was easier said than done! ---------------- A group of Dragons have reached the forests, somewhere near Manehattan. They were almost close to heading through the city, and maybe scare the locals, when a familiar pony appears, much to his notice. "I'm glad I found you, Drago." Burnblast said calmly to the newcomer. "Burnblast... What do you want?" Draco ask Burnblast, wanting to know what Burnblast wants. He and his pals are getting close to the End of Equestria and Equestria's borders. Burnblast smirked as he explaisn, "Information about Spike...." "Where is that traitor? I want to make him pay for what he had to my dad and my family! My dad is now my mom in that mare's form!" "I will tell you very soon. But...I need you cooperation first..." Soon the Superior and the Apocalypse Ponies appears, much to Draco's notice. Looks like Burnblast is bringing his allies to his meeting. Sure enough, Shendu appears near Warring Malice, smirking as he said, "Draco..." "Dad," Draco said as the two hug one another...even though it's kinda awkward since Shendu is being linked to Warring Malice since Draco is also hugging her. Even the Apocalypse Ponies member herself is finding this awkward. Once they're done, they let go with Draco adding, "Despite you being bonded with this dumb pony, you are still powerful than ever." "Indeed. You are doing quite well, son." "Should I even be involved in this?" Warring Malice asks awkwardly, making the two villains glare at her, "Never mind." "Well, Draco, it's good to meet your...presence." The Superior said calmly. "I got a feeling things will change from now on." "Indeed. Now then, tell me, what's going on with Spike?" Draco asks anxiously to Burnblast and the Apocalypse Ponies. The Dragon wants to know every detail...