The blue colt with a yellow mane and a lightning bolt cutie mark awoke on an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar place. He looked around hazily noticing a window to his right and a bookshelf straight across from him. As he sat up he realized he was higher up than the rest of the room. Down below, there were even more bookshelves. As he examined the room, he heard footsteps coming up a flight of stairs. Then, a white pony with a pink mane bursts through an open doorway and franticly says “Lightning!? Lightning, are you ok?!”

Lightning realizes that it’s Crystal Flower, his dear friend. Although, his memories of her are limited to the two of them going home after failing to beat the dragon, killing some thieves, being captured, and escaping and coming here. “Crystal, I… I hardly remember anything.”

“Oh, fantastic! I thought you said you hardly hit him Spike!” Crystal shouts in anguish.

“If he has amnesia, it isn’t because of me. Trust me, I know exactly how hard I wacked him and it just wasn’t enough to do that. I do wonder how he got amnesia though,” Spike says.

“Are you Scar Stride’s partner?” Lightning asks.

“Yes, that’s me. The name’s Spike. Now, why don’t you come down here and I’ll fill you in,” Spike says. Lightning makes his way down to the other two and sits. “Now, to begin, we are the only four ponies who know of all this trouble,” Spike explains.

“Wait a second, who the heck is Scar Stride?” Crystal asks. Lightning fills her in on everything she missed. “Wow, that’s confusing,” Crystal says.

“Yes, now let me explain. Those ponies you ran into were the Dragon Legion. They intoxicate ponies with their Shots so they don’t run away and then when those ponies’ bodies are at their weakest point after about 2 weeks, they “brainwash” them by using some sort of magic that Scar Stride can’t even pinpoint. That’s how they convert ponies. Now, their master is the leader of the dragons. Specifically, the one you two went to try and kill. That dragon, Galar, is the leader of the dragons and he tells Snarebrood, leader of the Legion, what to do. Now, they fear the pure-bloods because their blood is so pure, it makes them more able to survive and gives them great strength and energy. Not much is known about them and their history because Galar whipped out the last of them a few years into his adulthood,” Spike explains.

“But, those two guards said there haven’t been any pure-bloods since Galar’s birth,” Lightning questions.

“Yes, well nopony knew of the Crusaders. Not to be confused with those three little fillies, they were a secret group of 3 who were the last pure-bloods. Well, actually, one of them wasn’t really a pure-blood, but she fought like one. The only reason they failed was because they didn’t possess the 3 Sacred Ruins. These runes must be wielded by those pure of heart and soul. They are the only way to stop Galar. But, he has become so powerful that only pure-bloods who use these runes may stop him. But now I fear his power may stop even that. That is why we need you Lightning Striker,” Spike says.

“Dang Spike, for a baby you sure… wait a second, you mean I’m a pure-blood!? Me? Wow,” Lightning says, surprised.

“Well, yes, the Dragon Legion’s entire base is run on dragon power, er, well, more like Galar’s very soul. That’s why you were able to bypass their security and their shots. Scar Stride is also a pure-blood who works as a sort of double-agent. He woke up, like you, was immune to the wash and gradually rose in rank until he was Snare’s second in command. He was able to snoop around Ponyville as an assignment but instead he came to me. We used to be very good friends when I was very small. I would usually only see him around Ponyville and he would always give me a gem. Sigh, good times… ahem, anyways. We studied as much as we could and now we’re experts on them. Well, except for the Wash. Lightning, do you wish to help save Equestria?” Spike asks.

“Will I be rewarded and be famous?” Lightning asked hopefully.

”No, nopony will ever know or can know. Nopony must know of these dark secrets. Will you still do it?” Spike asks.

“Darn. Fine, I’ll save the world or whatever. Can you get Scar to quit his dayjob and help me? Crystal needs to come too,” Lightning demands.

“I’m sure Scar could convince Snare to allow him to take a leave to go on an extended spy mission and Crystal is strong enough to go. One thing though, Crystal isn’t pure so I’m not sure she could help in the final battle,” Spike says.

“She’ll have to, there are 2 pures and 3 runes,” Says a mysterious voice in the doorway.

“Scar!” Spike says happily as Scar takes a seat.

“Yep, it’s me. I heard the plan. It’ll work. Snare granted me leave and I didn’t even have to ask,” Scar says.

“Did anypony realize these two were missing?” Spike asked.

“Nope. They weren’t in their files because I got rid of all the ones with them in it,” Scar says with a sly grin.

“Fantastic! Alright, you 3 better get some rest, we will discuss our next move tomorrow. Have a good-nights rest and make sure you’re ready,” Spike says.

“Sleep? Gladly,” Scar says as he falls asleep on the spot. Lightning went back up to the bed he was in.

“That seems to be the only bed other than sleeping down here with Mr. Snores-A-Lot,” Crystal says jokingly.

“Then come into bed with me,” Lightning offers. Crystal gets into bed next to Lightning.

“Good night Lightning.”

“Good night Crystal.”

And they fell asleep, together.