I want to start and re-explain myself before I get this started. My dad had heart problems in mid September, and was in the hospital till October. I put a post -blog thing on here to let everyone know why I was going to be late putting chapters up, seeing as I was too worried about my dad to get time to write. Then, on October 30th, my dad passed away on us.
So, needless to say, any mo-mint-tom I had to work on this story was stopped dead in it's tracks. So I've been thinking of cancelling this story all through November, but I really didn't want to cause I was so close to the end of the story arc. So....
I decided that I'll at least explain the last few chapters to you guys, as I was going to wrap things up by chapter 30. So please forgive me for not writing the last of this like a normal chapter, but I wanted to at least give this story an ending. As I hate to leave things unfinished!
So without further adoo..... the last chapters of Champion of Equestria!
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Chapter 23: At the Gala part 3
The chapter starts outside the palace as the royal guards and the two sister alicorns fly toward the rampaging dragon. A small unit of guards charge the dragon, but it swats them away like they were nothing more then flies. The alicorn sisters shot up towards the dark dragon, using their magic to catch the stunned guards, then ordering the others to stay back as they handle the dragon themselves. As they finally came within range, they were treated to a surprise when a very familiar, yet dreaded voice roared in mailicious laughter.
Well, well.... If it isn't my DEAR friends Celestia and Luna. Oh, How I've waited such a long time for this day. You may have stopped me a thousand years ago, but not this time. I Guarantee this day shall end very differently.
The sisters gasped in recognition of the dark voice. Celestia spoke for both of them. "What are you planning, Sombra!?" She demanded angrily.
Why, dear Celestia! I thought you would have figured it out by now. He exclaimed mockingly. Very well, Allow me to explain my master plan before your demise. After all, not even your precious Mark can stop me. You see, before our fateful confrontation, a thousand years ago, I was able to find a way to preserve myself. Using dark magic long since forgotten, I was able to split my spirit into two magical crystals. Incase something was to happen to me, which my efforts proved worth it, when Princess Cadence obliterated my body. As I waited for my revenge, the two crystals were separated when they were sent away with a teleporting spell. The first crystal landed in a dragon's den, buried in it's pile of treasure. One of the dragon's foolishly consumed my crystal, thus allowing me to posses it. The other, I lost contact of it and I presumed it was gone forever.
"Then Mark...." Luna muttered, as both sisters connected the dots.
That's right, princess! Our dear friend Mark has found my lost crystal, and has foolishly been using it's powers. You see, Princess Cadence my have destroyed what was left of my body and took control of the Crystal Kingdom, but I was able to live on! Once someone, or something touches the crystals, I'm able to possess them and use them as my new body. As you can see, this is why I'm now a dragon.
"Oh buck..." Celestia swore as she realized the severity of the situation. Sombra laughed at her distress.
And now you see. Fight hard, puny ponies! For not even your best efforts will be enough to stop me now!
Celestia and Luna looked at each other with clenched jaws and nodded. Their horns lit up with magic, as they got into battle ready stances. Sombra just laughed as he watched them. The battle had begun.
Meanwhile, inside the palace, the mane six scramble as they try to take on two rock golems. As they do, Mark and Dark Claw square off. Mark starts by trying to rush him, but Dark Claw easily evades his attack and counters with some sick combos, knocking Mark on his rump. Getting back up, Dark Claw again mocks Mark, calling him "Mega Mark". Mark gets an idea from this and decides to channel his magic to fire small energy shots at Dark Claw, like Mega Man. Firing shot after shot, Mark tries to hit Dark claw for all he is worth, but he takes to the air and is easily able to dodge Mark's attack. Looping around the room a few times, Dark Claw flys straight at Mark, catching him with a hard strike in the gut, before being followed with an uppercut. Knocking Mark backwards into the air.
But Mark is able to twist himself at the last second, and catches Dark Claw with a shot to one of his wings. With Dark Claw now grounded, Mark uses the time to stand back up and start charging up for a KAMEHAMEHA As the energy wave sails at the surprised griffon, one of the golems rush infront him, taking the full blast for him. Even though one of the golems is destroyed, the confusion from it's actions is enough for Dark Claw to rush Mark and slam him to the ground. With Mark pinned to the ground, Dark Claw raises his claw up, ready to finish him off.
Chapter 24: At the Gala part 4
Just as Dark Claw is ready to finish Mark off, he is suddenlly tackled by someone. After shacking off the attack, Dack Claw is surprised to see Gilda standing infront of him. He demands her to back off, but she refuses, telling him off for leaving her to die. When he tells her that it's just business, Gilda gets enraged and attacks him. As the two griffons fight, Mark gets back on his hooves and uses this time to charge up his magic for a new attack, based on a Naruto character. But unsure how long the attack will take to charge up, Mark can only watch as Gilda and Dark Claw trade blows.
While that's going on, Twilight and the others are busy taking on the remaining golem. Twilight and Rarity are firing magic blasts at it, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were taking it on close quarters, Pinkie was throwing (and eating) what was left of the Gala's food, and Fluttershy and Spike just watch while everything was going on. Using her lasso, AJ roped the golem to keep it at bay, while Dash kicked loose some chanderliers. With the monster dazed by the blow, Twilight and Rarity are able to charge up their horns and release a blast that blew the golems head, as well as other chunks of him, into dust. With the golem defeated, the girls can finally turn their attention to Dark Claw.
The girls are surprised to see both Gilda and Dark Claw standing infront of each other, both sporting claw marks and bleeding wounds. Dash and the others are about to rush to Gilda's aid, but a firm "Stay back!" from Gilda stops them cold. She explains that it's her fight, and something about a griffon's honor, so the girls are forced to just watch as the fight continues. The fight continues, with Gilda pulling slightly ahead due to the fact Dark Claw's wing was injured by Mark's blast earlier. Gilda stands over the downed Dark Claw, ready to finish her former leader once and for all, but a look back at Rainbow Dash and a quick breathe she stops herself.
"No.... you don't deserve to die. I'd rather see you rot in prison." Gilda says.
"Then you've become as weak as these stupid ponies!" Dark Claw exclaims before grabbing a plate off the floor and throwing it in her face. With Gilda momently distracted, he counters with some savage blows that leave her knocked out cold on the ground. As Dash and the others rush to help her, Dark Claw grabs her and holds his claws near her face. "STAY BACK! Or I rip her eyes out!" As the ponies look on in horror, helpless to help Gilda out, Dark Claw laughs evilly at them.
"HEY ASSHOLE! FORGET ABOUT SOMEPONY?!" Everyone turns to see Mark standing up with his left arm held off to the side. He was glowing a bright blue color and in his left hoof, he held a blue ball of electric energy. "Let's see you dodge this! KAIOKEN!!" Before anyone could do anything, Mark charges straight at Dark Claw in a blue blurr almost faster then Rainbow Dash could even move. The energy hits Dark Claw dead center as Mark screams something before a huge explosion follows....
"CHIDORI!!"
Chapter 25: At the Gala Part 5
"CHIDORI!!!" Mark screams as an explosion of electric energy hits Dark Claw hard, sending him flying out the ballroom windows and falling down the mountain. As the girls rush to the window to get a look at what just happened, Mark stands there panting. "Damn, guess he won't be in the sequel." Mark jokes to himself.
Meanwhile, outside in the air, the princesses and the Sombra possessed dragon watch as the griffon falls to his death.
"It appears your lackies have failed you, Sombra." Luna boasts.
"Give up, Sombra! Your plans are doomed to fail." Celestia demands.
But Sombra ignores them as he looks at the window were the main six are at. Smiling evilly, Sombra gets a wonderfully evil idea.
"Good help is so hard to find nowadays." He rolls his eyes. Sombra looks at the sisters and says, "Hold on just a second." He then shots a massive blast of fire toward the window where the girls are at, before looking back at the sisters. "Now, where were we?"
As the girls look on in horror at the massive fireball heading towards them, Twilight prepares to use her magic to throw a forcefield to protect them. But before she finishes, Mark screams "KAIOKEN!" As he flies infront of them and uses a small force of energy to knock them out out of the way, as he takes the fire blast head on. The girls are horrified as they hear Mark scream in pain and see him fall on the floor as a burnt crisp. They rush to his and Gilda's aid, fearing the worst, but are thankfully surprised to see that both are still alive and breathing. Although Mark is badly burnt and Gilda has some nasty wounds.
Watching from the sky, dragon Sombra laughs at the sight of the damage he just caused. Enraged by this, Celestia and Luna charge into battle, firing magic blast at him. Although Sombra's able to shield himself from the blasts, the royal guards take that moment to charge into battle as well. The pegasi fly around him throwing spears and keeping him distracted, while the unicorns on castle grounds cast magic blasts at him. A few are able to get in some lucky hits, before Sombra swats them away. But for ever soldier that falls, the princesses catch with their magic before getting their shots in as well. And as all this goes on, the girls watch from the ballroom windows.
Angry at Sombra for ruining the Gala, as well as for hurting their friends, the mane six decide it's time to take the fight to Sombra. Gathering together, the girls summon their Elements of Harmony, glowing with a bright glow of energy, complete with longer hair and flashy sparkles. Using their magic powers, all six lift in the air and fly out of the ballroom windows, heading straight for the Sombra possessed dragon. Once they get in front of him, they hover in place, ready to fight.
"It's over, Sombra! Get ready to feel the power of the Elements of Harmony." Twilight shouts to Sombra.
"Ah yes, if it isn't Celestia's student and her little friends. I must say, I'm surprised to see you again, but even more surprised to see you controlling the Elements of Harmony." Sombra says with a small smile.
"Enough talking, Sombra! You'll pay for hurting our friend, Mark." Twilight said in anger. The other girls stare at him with fire in their eyes, especially Applejack.
"Ah.... the human." Sombra says with disgust, as he glances over to the ballroom windows. "I must admit, I'm disappointed to see that he hasn't used his dark powers to their fullest. Even MORE that he would take a full burst of dragon fire head on to protect you girls."
"SHUT UP, MONSTER!" Applejack screams.
"Well, I see you girls are really upset about me hurting your poor, stupid, human friend. No doubt you wish to punish me for it by finishing me off." And then, a wicked grin formed on Sombra's face, which caused Twilight to shiver a bit. "So go ahead. Kill me."
"What?!" The girls asked in surprise.
"Come on then, do it! Finish me off like you did at the Crystal Empire. Come on.... DO IT!!!"
"The girls, puzzled by this, look at each other. "Something doesn't feel right." Twilight said out loud.
"Indeed." Celestia commented as her and Luna helped get the wounded to safety. "I'm afraid the crystal that Mark found was part of Sombra's sick plans." She explained.
"We heard some of it during the fight." Twilight replied.
"Then did you also hear that part of my soul was stored inside, and that whoever touches it becomes my new body?"
"WHAT?!!" The girls exclaimed.
"That's right. Mark is on stand-by to become my new vessel." Sombra laughed. "And if you somehow kill me in this dragon's body, then I'll be able to take full control of Mark!"
"No... No! It just can't be true! IT CAN'T!!" AJ cried in desperation, while the other girls look on in shock and horror.
"We WILL find a way to defeat you!" Celestia proclaimed, as her and Luna looked at Sombra with daggers in their eyes.
"Face it princesses, you lost! You can't defeat me, unless you want to hurt the poor little human turned pony. This time, I've thought of everything!" Sombra laughed.
Celestia didn't want to admit it, but Sombra was right! If they did defeat Sombra, he would just possess Mark and the fight will just start all over again. And she doubted they could pull Sombra's spirit out of Mark without harming him. Unable to do anything, The princess of the sun, hung her head in defeat.
"And now..." Sombra spoke, as his body started to glow in a sickly green energy. ".... you DIE!!!"
And then the sky exploded.
Chapter 26: At the Gala part 6
Gilda slowly began to wake up, feeling ever bruise and cut she got from her fight with Dark Claw. Still woozy, she was able to stand up before coming to her senses. looking out from the windows, she saw the princesses, Dash and her friends( who were glowing as they hovered in the air) as they all faced off against the huge dragon. But as she brought her eyes down, she saw Mark laying on the floor, looking very badly burnt. Gilda still had mixed feeling about Mark, seeing as she was once hired to hunt him down, but she couldn't but feel sorry to see him like that. She slowly made her way next to him to check and see he was still alive.
"Hey.... hey! You still alive?" Gilda asked, not risking to touch his burnt flesh.
A faint moan escaped his lips as he slowly stirred.
"Thank the Maker!" Gilda exclaimed. "I was afraid you were cooked too well done.
Mark tried to sit up, but cried in pain as his burnt flesh touched the marble floor as well as being moved.
"Hey now, take it easy! You're hurt pretty badly there." She said to him as he finally got himself to at least sit up.
"Whe.... where's Applejack?" He weakly asked as he looked around. "Are the... COFF COFF!!! Hunghh.... is the girls okay?"
"They're up there!" Gilda pointed up through the windows.
It was then they saw the massive explosion.
The force of the blast flung everyone, except Sombra, from the sky and falling straight for the ground below. Most of the guards were able to right themselves at the last moment, and landed safely. Others hit the ground, hard, and hurt badly, but were still alive. Celestia and Luna righted themselves in the air, and were able to stop from falling. Twilight and the others, however, were stunned by the blast, and were falling at a fast rate. Rushing to their aid, the princesses caught the girls in a magic force field, and was able to land them safely on the ground. The girls moaned in pain, as the blast had done a toll on them. Even the princesses felt the effects from the blast.
And from the air, Sombra laughed as he hovered over them.
"Face it, princesses! I WIN!" He boomed over them, loud enough for most of Canterlot to hear him. "Kneel before me, and I may spear your worthless lifes!"
Hearing all of this, Mark and Gilda watched from the ballroom windows. Who does he think he is? General Zod? Mark thought as he wondered what to do next.
"How are we going to stop him?" Gilda asked with panic in her voice. "If the princesses couldn't stop him, what chance do we have?!"
"I... I don't know. But we gotta do something." Mark replied.
Outside of the castle, Celestia and Luna stood their ground as the looked up at Sombra, too tired to try to battle him in the air. Twilight and the girls were still awake, but too weak to try to use the Elements of Harmony again. Leaving them unable to do anything other then look on helplessly.
"We WILL find a way to defeat you, Sombra." Celestia said as she gave him an icey stare.
"And how do you plan on doing that, dear Celestia? You know that if you know that if you kill me in this body, my spirit will move on into Mark's." Sombra boomed down at them.
WHAT?!! Mark thought, surprised at what he heard. Then all this time.... the magic powers I've been using, were all Sombra's! The realization hit Mark like a sack of bricks.
"Face it, princess. You and your little ponies are doomed. Either way, in this body or Mark's, I WILL rule all of Equestria!" Sombra boosted as he laughed.
"No! I won't let that son of a bitch win like that!" Mark cursed out loud. Closing his eyes as he stood up, he began to focus on summoning all the energy he had left in his body. "Kaioken.... times 2!" He screamed, as his body once again began to glow a blue aura.
"What are you doing?!" Gilda asked, as she watched Mark start to slowly lift off the ground.
"Whatever I can." He turned to tell her. Then began flying off.
"Hey, wait!" Gilda called out, but Mark didn't respond. She tried to flex her wings, but hissed in pain. "Shit. I'm too hurt to fly." Unable to help, Gilda could do nothing else but watch from the windows.
Slowly flying in the air, grunting as the air stung his burns, Mark made his way to Sombra possessed dragon. Once he was hovering in front of him, Mark hovered in place.
"Hey asshole!" Mark screamed, getting Sombra's, as well as everyone else's attention. "I'm not done with you yet!"
Sombra just blinked in total surprise at what he saw.
"What does he think he's doing?" Twilight asked in surprise.
"Oh no.... please Mark. Don't do it." AJ gasped as she watched on.
Holding his arms out to the side, Mark screamed as he focused all the energy and magic he had in his body. His body twitched, his burns hurt from the pain, and he felt like his organs were going to give out. But he pushed on, screaming as the blue aura around him glowed brighter and brighter. Once he felt that he charged up enough, he brought his arms together as he pointed his hooves straight at Sombra.
"You can't be serious." Sombra chuckled. "Look at you! You look like a burnt chicken. How do you expect to defeat me?"
"Then if you REALLY want to test your strength..... stay right were you are!" Mark screamed as his hooves began to form a glowing ball of energy.
"So that's his plan. He's trying to bluff Sombra into challenging his attack." Luna said as she watched what was going on in the air.
"That's part of it, my dear sister. But I fear that's not all he's planning." Celestia replied.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked as she and the other girls walked next to her.
"I'm afraid, dear Twilight, that Mark maybe planning to take his own life in order to stop Sombra." Celestia sighed.
"Oh dear....." Fluttershy whimpered.
"But why would he do such a thing?" Rarity asked.
"Because he'd rather die then let that monster take control of him." Luna answered. Thinking back on her experience becoming Nightmare Moon.
"H... he must be bluffing." Pinkie half laughed, as her hair began to deflate. "He wouldn't do something that crazy.... would he?"
But another scream from Mark drew their attention back, as the energy ball at Mark's hooves grew bigger.
Laughing, Sombra just hovered where he was as he took a defensive position.
"MARK! YOU GOTTA STOP THIS!!!" AJ screamed.
Suddenly, Pinkie's Pinkie Pie senses kicked into overdrive as she began to shiver and bounce in place.
"Uh-oh.... that can't be good." Dash said, as everyone stared in surprise at Pinkie.
"Everypony! Get down!" Twilight shouted as she realized something bad was about to happen.
"FINAL FLASH!"
A huge blast of energy shot out of Mark's hooves faster then Sombra could react. He barely had time to say, "What the..." before the blast hit him head on. His screams were drown out by the force of the blast, as his body burned in ashes. The blast continued to sail through the sky as it continued to travel until it hit a nearby mountain, blowing it into nothing more then a crater. When the attack was finished, whatever was left of Sombra blew away in the wind. Mark continued to float in the air, though his body was twitching madly and he was panting for air.
"There! it's.... over." Mark panted. He heard cheering below him as it seemed all of Canterlot was celebrating his victory. That earned him a small smile. "And that..... ladies and..... gentlecolts.... was the... last fart of.... the weasel...." Mark's head started spinning as his body final gave out. The last thing he remembered was falling to the ground as everything went black.
Chapter 27: Running down a dream.
Darkness.
Mark awoke to find himself surrounded in pure darkness. At first, he thought he might have been dead, but the many questions of limbo and the afterlife made him not dwell on the subject too long. He tried to stand up, but quickly realized that he was floating, thus giving him the impression he might be dreaming. Suddenly, dim lights, almost like stars, began to fill the darkness around him. Brighter and brighter the stars became, until Mark thought he looked like he was hovering in space. The stars then started swirling around him, increasing in speed like a tornado.
A flood of images suddenly engulfed him, rushing through his consciousness.
Sombra as a young colt living as a noble with his parents in the Crystal Empire. Other nobles respected them and had high hopes for Sombra. Only it wasn't the Sombra Mark knew, but a regular unicorn..... a happy young colt resting next to his mother as she hummed while combing his hair....
Mark reeled wildly, face twisting in pain. He tried to control the torrent of memories, but the force of them was too overwhelming.
Standing on a hill over the graves of his parents, weeping over their deaths and vowing to make something of himself. Then truning and stumbling blindly away, Back to the Crystal Empire....
Tears filled his eyes as Mark thought of his own parents. Grinding teeth, he struggled to seal his mind from the assault.
How impressed the old stallion was when Sombra passed as the head of his class in magic school. The days and nights Sombra spent reading every book on magic he could find, eager to learn everything he could. His heart filled with pride when even the princesses of the sun and moon took notice of his skills.
Mark tried everything he could to stop the memories from rushing in, but they were too strong. Slowly, his strength and will to fight them was failing......
The days he spent training his skills inside the study room, only stopping to eat and sleep. How his powers slowly grew, giving him great pride and confidence. The weeks spent trying to find a way to break all bars of knowledge, to become the most powerful unicorn in all of Equestria.
Mark couldn't fight back anymore..... the memories were too strong.... too powerful....
During the night, he decides to study the most dangerous, yet powerful magic forbidden to all unicorns.... Dark Magic! The power Sombra felt as he mastered many spells and could hear dark voices whispering to him. Encouraging him. But then, one spell went wrong, the force of the dark energy was stronger than he expected. The spell turned on him, possessing mind and body. He had screamed. He was changed. He was stronger. He was.... SOMBRA!
Snatches of the unicorn's memories continued to flash through Mark's mind. A whirlwind of dark events and emotions overwhelmed him, making it impossible to think. Submerged in the maelstrom, he knew neither who nor where he was. He was too weak to cleanse himself of the alien presence that clouded him mind. Violent, cruel images from Sombra's past exploded behind his eyes until his very spirit cried out in anguish at the bloody sights.
A pile of bodies rose before him.... innocents slaughtered by the unicorn's orders. Those he didn't kill, he would make them his slaves. All of the Crystal Empire taken over by the evil ruler's hoof or word. There was no escape from the carnage that surrounded him. He wavered like a candle in the wind, unable to withstand the tide of evil. He prayed for someone to lift him out of this nightmare, but there was no one to guide him. If only he could remember what he was supposed to be: man or stallion, hero or villain, unicorn or earth pony; all was jumbled together in a meaningless frenzy. He was lost, completely and utterly, in the swirling mass.
Suddenly a cluster of his own memories burst through the dismal clouds left by Sombra's malevolent mind. All the events since he had arrived in Equestria came to him in the cold light of revelation. His accomplishments and failures were displayed equally. He had lost much that was dear to him, yet fate had given him rare and great gifts; for the first time, he was proud of simply who he was. As if in reponse to his brief self-confidence, Sombra's smothering blackness assaulted him anew. His identity trailed into the void as uncertainty and fear consumed his preceptions. How was he supposed to fight such a dark force like this?
He fought against Sombra's sinister thoughts, weakly at first, then more strongly. He whispered words from the lord's prayer and found they gave him enough strength to withstand the shadow blurring his mind. Though his defenses faltered dangerously, he slowly began to draw his shattered consciousness into a small bright shell around his core. Outside his mind he was aware of pain so great it threatened to blot out his very life, but something.... or someone.... seemed to keep it at bay.
He was still too weak to clear his mind completely, but he was lucid enough to remember his experiences in Canterlot. Did he really defeat Sombra? Were the girls okay? Will Sombra take control of his body.... or did he die, and was now hovering in limbo? He didn't know the answers.
Mark...
Stay strong, Mark.
He recoiled at the touch of another consciousness.... one so vast and powerful it was like a mountain looming over him. This was the one who was blocking the pain, he realized. Slowly, a large orb burned through the darkness like a full moon in the sky. A better look, he realized it was in fact the moon he was seeing... with a dark winged figure flying out from it.
Pr... princess Luna? He finally asked.
Indeed, my young friend. With a flicker of an unspoken though, the last of Sombra's influence was brushed away like an unwanted cobweb. Freed from the oppressive weight, Mark let his mind relax as the vast darkness was replaced with the night sky in an opened field. I have protected you as best as I could, but you were so greatly wounded that I could do nothing more than shield your sanity from the pain.
A mix of joy and concern washed over Mark all at once.
What happened?! Is Sombra defeated? Are the others okay? What happened to me, am I dead? Ca....
Easy young warrior, everything is alright. Although you won, you suffered horrible wounds. Luna replied, cutting him off. She hung her head low, as if she was ashamed of what she was about to say next. Sombra was a wicked soul. Even in defeat, he refused to go peacefully.
Realization hit Mark on what Luna was talking about. Then that wasn't a nightmare I was having... that no good bastard did try to possess me!
I'm afraid so. But fear not, the other princesses and I used our combined magic to free you of his evil spirit. But... She paused.
But, your afraid that the damage may have already been done.
Luna simply nodded.
How bad is it?
You will learn when you awaken. But for now, it is time for you to rest, Mark. When you wake, you'll find yourself save inside Canterlot. Now sleep. She raised a hoof, as if in benediction, and peace crept through Mark.
His last though was that of Applejack's smiling face.
Chapter 28: A time to heal
"....waking up!" He heard an excited voice. Pinkie Pie.
"Good, the guy's been sleeping long enough." That voice was Rainbow Dash.
Mark stirred unwillingly, loathing to listen. The warmth that surrounded him was too comfortable to leave. Another voice sounded again. "Mark? Mark, you okay?" That one got his attention. It was Applejack.
He reluctantly forced his eyes opened and found himself on comfy bed, covered in blankets. All around him, was Twilight and the other girls, staring at him intently. "How do you feel?" Twilight asked.
Disoriented and confused, he let his eyes roam over the room. "I.... I don't know." He said, his mouth dry and sore.
"Then don't move. You should conserve your strength, Mark." Fluttershy said, running over to a nearby table. Why was that? A coughing fit made him dizzy, lightheaded, and ache all over. His limbs felt feverish and heavy. Fluttershy lifted a cup from the table and held it to his lips. "Here, drink."
Cool liquid ran down his throat, refreshing him. Warmth flowed in his belly and rose in his cheeks. He coughed again, which worsened his throbbing head. "Are you.... all okay?" He asked.
"Sure are, sugarcube. Thanks to you." Applejack smiled, as she stood closer beside Mark's bed.
"You're a hero, darling. You saved all of Canterlot." Rarity said, excited.
"The princesses are talking about having you knighted for your actions. All of Canterlot is talking about it." AJ said, placing a hoof over Mark's shoulders.
Mark smiled weakly, still confused, but happy it was finally all over. Looking over to Twilight, he asked "What happened?"
Twilight looked a little sad. But Rainbow Dash cut in, "We WON! It was awesome! When you fired that huge blast, it turned Sombra into nothing more then ashes!"
"And for a dragon's body to be burnt like that, would require a great deal of power. Seeing as dragon scales can withstand lava." Twilight explained.
"right... anyway, the blast was so powerful that it completely destroyed a near by mountain." Dash finished.
"So he's dead?"
Twilight shook her head. "Yes... and no. When his physical body was destroyed, his spirit moved into your body. (Just like he said would happened.)"
"You were in a bad way, sugercube. With your burns, exhaustion and Sombra trying to possess your body... we didn't think you would survive." AJ said sadly.
"The guards caught you as you were falling from the sky. You were then rushed into the medical bay of the castle. The princesses and I tried to heal your wounds as well as expel Sombra's spirit from you." Twilight explained. "But...."
"But you guys ran into a few problems." Mark finished for her. "Yeah, princess Luna was telling me about it. So, how bad is it? Did I grow another head or something?" He chuckled nervously.
Everyone just stared at him, not saying a word.
"Ooooooookay..... well, how long was I out for?"
"About a week." Pinkie piped up before anyone else.
"A WHOLE WEEK?!" Mark exclaimed, as he went to hit his head with his hoof. But before it connected to his forehead, it touched something else.... something hard. "What the..."
As he brought his hoof down, he was shocked to see that the color of his fur was no longer blue.... but a dark grey. Alarmed, Mark pushed the blankets off his torso and looked in shock as he saw all of his fur now that color.
"Mark...." Twilight began, getting his attention. Worry reflected in her eyes. "You have to understand, removing a spirit from a body is a very tricky thing to do. If not done right, it can harm or even kill the victim the spirit has possessed. We did all we could, but there were limits we couldn't pass while doing it..... Especially with the injuries you had."
Rarity, using her magic, lifted a small mirror and floated it infront of him.
Mark just sat there as he looked at his own reflection, dumbfounded at what he was seeing. He was no longer an earth pony, but a unicorn. I... I look just like Sombra. He thought. It was true, his features now strongly reflected Sombra's. The grey fur, the black hair, the only thing still normal was his eyes and horn. His brush with death and possession had left him changed.
Pity showed on all the girl's faces as Twilight murmured, "You have paid a terrible price for your victory, Mark."
"It doesn't look so bad, darling." Rarity tried to reassure him.
"Yeah, now you look like a kinder Sombra!" Pinkie happily piped in.
"Pinkie!" Dash exclaimed.
"It's okay." Mark reassured them. He turned to face Twilight, "Just answer me one question. Did you guys get all of Sombra's spirit out of me?"
"Yes." Twilight nodded.
"I.... I won't turn into him, will I?" Mark started to tremble. "I... couldn't live with myself if I lose control and hurt one of you girls."
"Hey now! You don't have to worry about that sug." AJ said as she hugged him.
"She's right. As far as we found out, the only thing to change was just your features." Twilight explained, as she joined in the hug.
"Besides darling, you look postively smashing as a unicorn now." Rarity added as she joined in.
"You're still our friend Mark. And we'll be there for you no matter what." Fluttershy joined in.
"And if you do start to act funny, we'll be right there for you." Dash boosted, before joining as well.
"Yeah!" Pinkie jumped in.
Mark's face beamed as a lone tear rolled down his cheek. "Thank you girls. You mean the world to me."
And they all continued to stay a group hug for several long minutes.
Chapter 29: We are the Champions
After Mark was healed enough for it, Celestia decides to hold a ceremony for Mark in Canterlot. It seemed like all of Equestria showed up, as the streets full of ponies from every city. Ponies from Ponyville cheered there local hero, and even Shining Armor and princess Cadence came down from the Crystal Empire to be there. Princess Celestia and Luna handled the ceremony, as Twilight and the other girls watched close to Mark. For his action to save Canterlot from Sombra, as well as the time he saved Ponyville from the golem, Mark is knighted, and giving the title of Champion of Equestria. Even Prince Blueblood had no choice but to honor the title now.
With a burning sense of pride and happiness, Mark promises to use his magic powers for good. To protect his new home, freinds, and his marefriend, Applejack.
The En...
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold it! You can't finish the story like that!
Pinkie?! How did you get here?
Through the front door, duh!
...........
Anyway, you can't finish the story that way, silly-billy. It's too short and doesn't have any detail.
Okay then.... How do YOU think I should end it, then?
Like this....
Chapter 30: Epilogue
Rising out of his bed with the rising sun, the young earth pony colt exited his room and made his way downstairs into the kitchen. There, he found his aunt, Apple Bloom just finishing breakfast.
"Good morning, Applescotch." She said with a smile, as she handed him a plate of food.
"Good morning auntie." He replied before digging into his breakfast.
"After ya finish your grub, your mom and pop wanted ya to help with today's chores." She told him.
"Okay..." he sighed, before continued his meal.
Apple Bloom smiled at him. Ahh.... I remember being young and full of energy like that.
After finishing his breakfast, Applescotch made his way outside. It was a bright and beautiful day on the farm, perfect for apple bucking. As he walked closer to the apple trees, he spotted Uncle Big Mac plowing the garden. After sharing a quick wave hello, he continued making his way towards his mother and father. Soon enough, he saw them talking together as they gathered apples from the trees.
".....it much more easier for you, honey." He heard his unicorn father say.
"Now come on, sugercube, ya know I can handle it just fine on my own." His mother replied.
"I know, AJ. I just worry about you, though." The father smiled, wrapping an arm around her.
"I know, I know. That's why I love ya, you big silly goof." She said before giving him a loving kiss.
"Ewwwww....... mushy stuff." Applescotch broke his silence, and the moment. Earning a giggle from his mother.
"Someday you won't mind it so much." His Father said.
"All right boys. I got to get a move on finishing with feeding the critters. Can I trust you two to handle the apple bucking till I get back?" Applescotch's mother asked them.
"Eeeeeeeeyep." His father jokeingly replied.
That earned a laugh from Applescotch, while the mother just rolled her eyes before continueing her chores.
"Well big guy, you ready to buck some apples?"
"Yeah!" Applescotch answered excited. "Do you think we can practice some magic as well?"
"Now Scott, you know your mother doesn't like it when you do magic on the farm. You remember last time." His father answered.
"Awww....." Applescotch pouted.
"Okay, tell you what.... you do a good job today and I promise we'll practice some later tonight." He smirked.
"Alright!"
"But I expect you to do three Kamehamehas."
"Okay dad."
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There, better?
Yes. That's much better. I love a happy ending!
Me too, Pinkie. Me too.
The End!