Lakura Dusk, an odd pony that has had a rough childhood and meets a mare that shows some interest in him
Meet Lakura Dusk, an odd pony that perfers to be alone in any way possible, but being lonely comes to the point of not having a friend or something else that he hasn't felt before. He receives a letter in the mail from Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, requesting him to come to Canterlot Palace for "business" though he accepts their invitation, little to be known to him, he is going to meet a beautiful mare and he will try to get her attention. But will she accept him or not?
Author's Note: I have been proof reading the entire story, when I have been reading and though the story focuses around Lakura Dusk and Naruna Light, I think its a bonding experience
As the winter night started the ponies in Ponyville have gone quietly to their home, have settled down with thier loved ones and yet there was one pony who lived in this town came to be known as the Lonely one. For this pony had a dark crisp Corvix mane that showed many wonders of beauty, and having a color teal for his fur, and his cutie mark of a gaming expert, which was a Game controller, with knowledge of many games that he has tested and played for the major companies like Neightendo, Hoofsoft, and Spectral-oni. His name was Lakura Dusk, his childhood wasn't a kind one though his parents had a fight and they left because of trust issues, Lakura never made many friends due to his parents squabbles that happened at home. Now as a full grown stallion with a high rep around the pony gaming community, he has dominated every pony in every tournament, but though being a pegasus, he has been living the lonely life. However when it came to school, he would schedule with the teachers and school board of his next visit to help teach the young fillies and colts, and letting them ask questions, to a certain extent.
"Another day with the young ones," he shook his head as he entered his home, which was close to the Ponyville library, but as soon as he entered his home there was a letter on the floor. Curiosity struck him as he picked it up and saw that it was an invitation to Canterlot Palace, and it had one of the Princess' seals that it was required, but there was something strange about this letter. He began to look at the front and it read: "Equestrian Gaming Tournament held at Canterlot Palace." Lakura opened the letter and it read like this: To the champion of Canterlot Tournament, You have been invited to participate in the best of the best around the country to represent our society in Canterlot. These pony gamers aren't the ones you have faced in the past. You are fully aware of our last champion lost to these gamer ponies, and they have been supported by many sponsors from around the country, just like you. Report to Canterlot Palace tomorrow, first train departs early so get here and try to get some sleep, you will need your focus in the tournament that starts the day after tomorrow. Sincerely, Princess Celestia P.S. Luna says 'hi'
Lakura knew he had been tired from all the stuff he was caught up on during the day and how much he wanted to game all night would've been his thing but if it was a tournament invitation, he wouldn't back down at all. He decided to set his alarm early after he packed the things he will be needing for the tournament, for tomorrow he would be doing alot of training for the game tournament, and he would show the country on how he far he has come since he lost in their qualifier rounds, for it was his time to shine.
The next morning was a bit too early, way too early for the gamer of Ponyville, Lakura gathered his things and headed to the train station being chased by all the little filles and colts that adored him as their hero, which he didn't mind but it was the average game ponies that wanted to show him their new strategies in the game he beats them at and he had no time for this. Lakura barely makes it to the train station, bought his ticket and got on and the train departed for Canterlot. Lakura would take this time on the train ride to rest for the lost sleep he had, which he did, but he didn't notice that there was another pony on the same traincar with him which, she too, had an invitation to Canterlot to partake in its local gaming tournament. She soon discovered that she was in the same car as Lakura, and she decided to walk over and say 'hi' to him. Lakura felt a soft shake and opened his eyes and saw, this mare standing infront of him, though he was shy, but it didn't stop him for letting the mare to sit next to him. As the train continued to travel the two ponies began to talk, until she came to ask this question:
"What's it like to be in a gaming tournament?" she asked.
"Hard to say, many competitors are usually scared, pressured, nervous, or calm," Lakura answered.
"Will I ever get up to your level of gaming?" she asked nervously as she knew she was gonna be playing against other players.
Lakura put his hoof to his chin and put his right wing over her and said some words that were comfortable, "Look I know your nervous about going into this tournament, I was too, but as soon as you forget everything around you and focus on the game at hoof, nothing can stop you, win or lose you only played for fun." As he smiles afterwards to help the mare around his age comfort.
She took those words to heart and she introduced her name, " My name is Naruna Light." For she too was a pegasus, and haven't been widely known as Lakura. She had a bright vanilla cream coat, a Gold/Silver mane, and her cutie mark was a game controller, the same as Lakura's.
Lakura smiled and said, "My name is Lakura Dusk, and it is a pleasure to meet you Naruna, I wish you luck in the local tournament."
As the train stopped in Canterlot, the two ponies got off and went their separate ways not knowing that they would meet each other again. As Lakura walked up to Canterlot Castle, his journey through this tournament is going to be the toughest one yet...he just wished his parents were here to see him make it this far.....
Lakura Dusk enters Canterlot Castle and sees that the main area has been set up for the biggest tournament of all time, seeing casters, reporters, and the players from all around Equestria knowing that Lakura has his work cut out for him in the tournament. Looking up he sees the banner of the game that he has played so much ZooieCraft III Legends of War for this game was made by Zooie Inc. which became the best seller of the games that came out during that year and there was the creator and developer standing in the midst being interviewed by the reporters, Lukra. Lukra was not from Equestria at all, in fact he is a Zooie though he journeys across many areas and his game became so popular in Equestria that many gamers from around the area had gotten to the 2nd highest league in its intense 1v1 matches. Lakura couldn't believe that the creator of the game was going to be here at the tournament, and facing and losing to the creator was greatest right that he received from the leader of the AllStar clan in ZooieCraft. Lakura felt something touch his right shoulder and turned his head and saw Luna, which he beat her in the last tournament, which became his first friend.
"Oh hi, Luna," Lakura said.
Luna smiled with joy and hugged her favorite gaming pony and asked, "How was thy trip?"
"I would say it was doing fine and where's Celestia," Lakura said while being hugged tightly by the princess of the night.
"She is tending to the business for the schedule that is happening for the 3 day of the local tournament," Luna answered as they walked to the dining room.
"Are you going to be participating in this tournament Luna?" Lakura asked.
"Well no, however you still know that I am your clan leader Lakura it doesn't mean that you screw this up for your chance, and besides I am gonna be looking for new members. Because I am gonna be going to be watching over the local tournament and I still am considered the last player to face in the finals, and you know that so are you ready to show that the Night clan that it isn't going to be going down that easy?" Luna said and asking Lakura.
Lakura answered with this, "I will do the best I can and much more to hope for the finals and face against the best players in Equestria."
As Luna left the room to look over the Canterlot Local Tournament, Lakura went to his spot that he would be sitting at in the Equestrian tournament and started to set up to practice when, he felt a tap on his shoulder that he wouldn't understand that as soon as he turned around Lukra was standing behind him. Lukra was the head leader of the AllStar clan and faced Lakura and knowing that he wasn't a player to expect to almost break his style of play in ZooieCraft III, but Lukra gave a nod of 'good luck Dusk' and walked off knowing that if Lakura was gonna get far to face Lukra in the final match he would have to face all the players and face every player in his clan in order to face the greatest player of the game that is ranked #1 on the Elite League which shows no mercy in the game of ZooieCraft. Lakura shook his head back into focus, knowing that he will have to be doing his best to get far in order to face Lukra and there was no mistake that he will lose to the players of this game.
As the day went on, Lakura has had alot of stress on him facing many players that were in the same league, or any league close to him, all the stress has gotten on him knowing that he is the only pegasus from Ponyville to be in this tournament. After hours of practicing Lakura decided to take a break from all the training and decided to watch the local tournament which it entered the final match and he noticed that the final match is between the pegasus he met on the train, Naruna Light, facing Luna suprised to see the young pegasus facing Luna, which he stayed to watch. As the game carried on the casters of the final match kept shouting out that each battle with the 2 players were at the brink of them losing their voices because Luna was showing great strategies of the map that Naruna hasn't utilized, however Naruna was using strategies that Luna didn't think that was not possisble to over run her map position which forced her back to defend and soon there after Naruna crushed Luna's army that it became perfectly clear to Luna to put the 'good game' in the chat and Naruna beat Luna and the casters where shocked again seeing that Luna lost to a young ZooieCraft player that utilized a build that was not possible and congratulate the young pegasus. Naruna Light became speechless as Lakura watched her be awarded as the champion and a chance to participate in the Equestria Gaming Tournament, for last minute because Luna begged Celestia to have at least 1 more player to join the main event because Luna wanted a chance to see if Lakura, the Night Clan's best player, can beat the champion and hope that their clan makes it to the finals, this caused Celestia to agree fully. Lakura Dusk watched every pony that was in the hall leave so the main event can get set up for tomorrow.
That evening Lakura went to have dinner and noticed Naruna, still in shock that she won, so he walked up to her to give her congratulations and wish her the best of luck as well. But Naruna noticed that Lakura was being very kind to her, its not like the other stallions she has met that didn't care about her or her gaming career. Lakura eventually asked Naruna if she wanted to have dinner with him, she kindly accepted the offer, and they went to a diner that was with in affording range for Lakura and alot of stress was getting to him because not only that he had to keep his cool in the tournament, he had a chance to face the newest member Naruna in the tournament, but it would be hard for her and he has had some practice facing these players that Naruna has no practice against.
As the night went on Naruna began to ask this, "Are you sure that I can get to the final of the Equestrian Gaming Tournament?"
"I honestly don't know, a lot of challenges are waiting when the first match starts, it comes when you scout and defend on what pressure the player might have, but it cause a bit of set back and when the late game scenario comes it kinda ends the game if a move you or any player makes causes them to lose the game, and Luna isn't the kind of player though she was more difficult when she was heavily gaming but after her defeat to me, she began to start recruiting and back then I was the 2nd member of the clan and if you accepted her invitation for you to join, that would make you the 3rd member and Luna may be the leader, she is a great coach," Lakura answered and giving description.
Naruna also replied with this, "I accepted her invitation so that makes me the 3rd member of the Night Clan."
Lakura Dusk just ate the food while nodding and smiling, because he was enjoying the night and he hope it helped Naruna Light to keep calm. After the two pegasus ate their food, they returned to Canterlot Palace where Princess Celestia and Luna arranged for Lakura and Naruna to stay in different rooms to respect their privacy and it would keep them focused for the tournament. Lakura went to bed because he knew that he had to be ready in case he plays first then he would have a last minute practice, but Naruna was already having some stress of the games that are gonna be going on, but she feels some feelings towards Lakura that she hasn't felt before, and after a lot of thoughts Naruna decided to get some rest for the tournament tomorrow, and hope for the best of what she does in the tournament.
As the day started, ponies from the nearest areas of Canterlot purchased their seating tickets and headed directly into the grand hall where their seats awaited. Millions of those that didn't make it watched it live from their computers to see the gamer pony they were rooting for, and the casters and interviewers were already on the stage, taking their place in which they knew that there were gonna be some intense matches in these 1 versus 1 series. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were already gonna be in it, Luna would be the one casting of course while Celestia was talked into doing the after game interviews, began to take their place and they discussed on who is going to win this. Most caster say that Lukra will come out on top as always, however Luna will say that Dusk, Lakura's game name, will be the one to come out on top.
"We have never seen that pony's gameplay before Princess Luna," one of the casters said.
"Lakura is one of the best in Canterlot, however rumor has it that he has faced the creator of the game and almost beat him," Luna said while having confidence.
"Princess, we have all seen Lukra's gameplay and his power to put pressure on while building up his army to crush the player he is facing, how can this be that Dusk is going to come out on top?" the other caster asked.
Luna replied with this, "Just watch the games and you will see how well Dusk plays."
Backstage, players were getting ready for their big entrance, Lakura Dusk has gotten up early and notices that Naruna Light has came in late with the lack of sleep she had so she won't be here until the tournament starts. Naruna Light, was already up, was in the kitchen having breakfast while trying to stay calm, as the audience gather in the great hall of the castle, cameras were already Live and every pony around the nation were watching, those that stay for the pre-game on the players before the games start, are seeing that the games are just about to start. Lukra stepped forward with the Allstar clan behind him and crowd cheered knowing that the best clan in Zooiecraft III: Legends of War, are going to be great and intense games, clan leaders from around Equestria were already making their way onto the stage with the same cheering from the crowd, because the crowd didn't care on who to cheer for, at least it is for the games to come in the tournament. Lukra and the other clan leaders bowed their heads in respect and Lukra, himself, gave the signal to the announcers to start the tournament, with a roaring crowd, and the games have begun.
As the tournament started, Lakura Dusk has been shaking the competition with his outstanding gameplay, heavily focused and rough gameplay, the casters noticed that he could take down Lukra, and Lukra has been watching all his games and noticed that Lakura's game style has changed from their last random match on the ladder. Naruna Light was also watching the game and became shocked at Night Clan's best player beating every other clan member that he has faced and she was already done with her matches and waiting on who to face in the round of 8, for she barely got through that and seeing that Lakura Dusk got placed in the "Death Group" of the tournament it is to say that great games came out of this.
"I can't believe this," one of the casters were saying while the game is going on
"Dusk has made it to the highest tiers of the game," another one said.
And in the casters in unison said this, "Tractainian Nuclear missiles this is impossible, no one in this game has gotten to that stage of the game."
Lukra said under his breath, "Until now, the Allstar clan can't wait for this and Dusk has gotten better since I last faced him."
As the game progressed, the other player couldn't take much more of his army getting destroyed by this passive aggression, no matter if he had Warlocks, Flying Human detector ship which is the better version of the Warlord, it didn't matter. The player tabbed out with this: "good game Dusk and good luck" and the crowd goes wild and everypony watching the stream became in shock that the Brick wall, Salize has been broken to the point that game was already lost in his grip. Salize and Dusk shook hooves and the interview with Princess Celestia.
"Dusk, what are your prime thoughts of that last match?" Celestia asked.
"Well, it was a lot of aggression from him at the start, but when his aggression stopped and his defense was being built I did a lot of risk plays that some would say impossible," Lakura answered.
"And the Tractainian Nukes?" Celestia asked while Luna is looking at the casters which made them double think about Dusk.
"It was just for show, so much money and couldn't do much about his siege line so why not nuke it to force him to make units that he doesn't feel like making," Lakura answered.
"There you have it everypony, Night Clan's best player Dusk," Celestia said and the crowd went wild as Lakura went off the stage to get a breather for the round of 8.
Day 2 of the Tournament and the last 8 players were practicing for the upcoming matches because the round of 8, round of 4, and the last 2 players will be playing today to face Allstar clan's players tomorrow for the title, even though they made it to the finals, the crowd and everypony that has supported them to take on the true players of the game and the Developer himself, Lukra. Lakura was the last one to get a last minute practice in and that clever build he did in the last match changed the way the players thought of the game is played and they knew that Lakura knows that build and will hard counter it if anypony is using that build. Naruna was finishing up her practice game before the round of 8 started, which made her think on who she was gonna be facing, not knowing who her opponent was going to be.
As the crowd returned for day 2 of the tournament every player were already on the stage, and waiting for the brackets to be drawn on who is facing who. The casters were having their usual pre-game show, giving their points of views and coverage on what happened yesterday of the games and giving their predictions on who is going to win. As the casters finished their pre-game show, all attention was on the big screen where the players would be facing and the drawing commenced, which the crowd, the ponies watching the show live from their homes, the casters, and the players were waiting for the first drawn player. The first player to be drawn was Naruna Light, which she got nervous immediately, and her opponent was, Lakura Dusk. When Lakura Dusk was drawn everypony went into a state of shock because these 2 are clan members however, Naruna has never gotten a chance to face Lakura at all, and is kinda worried if she made a fool of herself. Lakura became stunned in this, not only that he would be facing the pony he met on the train, he wasn't going to like this and basically he has to keep calm and do his best because, he hasn't seen Naruna Light's full potential in the game of Zooiecraft III. The drawing ended after the other 6 players were drawn, and the other 6 cleared the stage so the map vote can begin. As the casters begin to talk about the famous mirror match up in Zooiecraft III: Legends of War Zooie vs Zooie.
"So what are your thoughts on this famous match up?" Luna asked as the maps were being vetoed before the game started.
"Hard to say, its a crazy match up it shows what the Zooie race can do in its prime match up which it is Zooie vs Zooie," one of the caster answered.
"I think that nuke stuff isn't gonna be pulled off because of the powerful detection the Zooie race has, its too risky to use that strategy. Even though Lukra just dominates this match up to death with his insane mech play or full on air assualt that turns into a base race when high tier units enter the field," the other caster said.
Luna rolled her eyes as the casters kept putting their opinion in this match up with knowing that the maps have been vetoed and Lakura Dusk and Naruna Light have taken their seats in their booths and the game has started in this best of 3 series. As game 1 started, Dusk opens up with a Zooie Academy into Mech facility and pushes out and sieges up Light's base, which game 1 goes to Dusk. Game 2 began with a strategic opening by Light which was 1 Zooie Academy into Dark Core, and non stop harassing on Dusk which didn't have the reaction time with this, thus tying the game up to 1-1 on each player. As the crowd grew more louder, many viewers, and players were stunned on how deadly the Zooie vs Zooie match up is and can be, but when the map that says "Lost Sanctum of the Universe" in its name knowing that this map was made for intense games which makes it a non-veto map, because of its popularity. Game 3 between Lakura and Naruna was nonstop aggression from both players, opening Dark Zooies, Robo-tank v2.0, and many more which both players stabalized after their aggression which turned into why the Zooie vs Zooie match up came to be known as, the ultimate tank war, Recognators, Reconsiliators, several Z-wings, for air control, Cerus, Zooie Detector ships, and mechs to give a lot of fire damage takers. As the game progressed, the crowd, casters, and the viewers from all around Equestria watched as Dusk built an army with only few of his ground control units that he has had out on the field to think that Light would catch on and bringing game to his victory when he built "Platinum Star" and started a full scale attack and with not much anti-air, Naruna can't believe she lost in game 3 knowing she made it this far and she has a lot more to learn so she tabs out with this "good game Dusk, Good Luck, and beat them all." And the crowd goes wild yet again as this new rising player continues to stomp all those that get in his way but, he gives Naruna more respect than any other player he has met. Lakura decided not to have an interview until the true finals with Lukra, to him it seemed fair enough, Lukra gives a nod that he wanted to face Lakura alone, and the crowd goes wild and many fans of Lakura are suprised to see this from this pegasus.
Lakura finds Naruna sitting at a table watching the stream while the other 6 players battle it out for the other 3 places, he sits at the table across from her, orders some food, and notices that she feeling down. Lakura goes around the table to sit with her and try to cheer her up, which it got her to to feel a bit better. Naruna is still feeling down on her feelings though, she felt a bit better on the outside, but she did give Lakura a game that would make it great. As the two pegasus ate the food Lakura ordered, Luna watches in the distant seeing some "friendly bonding" time, she would just walk over there and interrupt but, seeing that Lakura hasn't been around a mare his age would feel great on him, and give him some company. Luna leaves the 2 pegasus to eat while the games are going on and goes to Celestia to find out on where Naruna lives, which so happens that Naruna lives in Ponyville but, not near the town's library. Luna slipped the address of Lakura's home in the bag of Naruna just in case she wanted to visit Lakura.
As the 2 pegasus finished eating, Lakura gave a smile at Naruna and headed back to the tournament hall where he would be playing up next, so Naruna stayed and played Zooiecraft III to get better at the game so she can keep up with the other players, just because she lost doesn't mean she can stop playing the game she loves to play. As the Round of 4 started, the crowd goes more louder when Lakura enters the stage, which suprised everypony and the Allstar Clan to think that a pegasus could get this much attention. Lakura Dusk played the games he went up against so well, bringing new strategies to the table of what is going to happen in the game of Zooiecraft III which happens more then ever, and he needed to win this Regional Tournament. As the Round of 8 ended, 4 players were defeated and only 4 remained, which the games of the final four dragged until there were only 2 left. Lakura made it to the finals and faced another pegasus, but this time with a different build in a Zooie vs Human match up of the game.
As the Final game of the day continued, Lakura and his opponent, Zanari, were tied 3-3 out of a best of 7, and the crowd went wild as the casters saw that both players were running out of steam, because of the ridiculous plays from both players. Zanari was losing more bases than his opponent due to the fact in the game that the Zooie race can rebuild with absolute ease with magnetizing, and the human race of Zooiecraft takes longer to rebuild making big mistakes can cost the game, which it did and Zanari lost to Lakura. As Zanari tabbed out, "I can't believe I lost to you Dusk, good game and good luck against the Allstar clan" the crowd goes wild and every viewer saw that Lakura Dusk has gotten to the Finals of the tournament. Lakura stepped out of the booth he was in when the series started, exhausted from those 7 games, he left the stage before the interviews could begin. As soon as Lakura entered his room he fell onto his bed and fell asleep as the after game of the tournament started and everypony left the grand hall of the castle for tomorrow will be the games against Allstar Clan's players, top of the game that no one or pony has beaten.
The final day of the tournament, Lukra was already up and was talking to Celestia about when he wanted to host the next tournament. Celestia wasn't too much on the game, however she supported her sister in every way she could to make her sister feel happy. Around this time, another pre-game was occuring and several rebroadcasting over the course of the past 2 days of this tournament that happened. Lakura, now well rested, went to the dining hall and started to enjoy his breakfast for he needed the focus and strength for the games about to come. Naruna Light, was still in bed, stayed up all night watching countless replays and game dailies from Lakura's analysis videos that he made, which turned in a big profit over time. More ponies were arriving and taking their seats, whether they loved the game or not, a tournament finals were always something to be looking forward too, and 2 mysterious pegasus were already in the crowd when they heard the fame of Night Clan's deadly player, Dusk. For these 2 pegasus were Lakura's parents, they resolved their grudges after 10 years and are back together again, which they felt bad when they made their son have a rough young life. As the casters took to the stage, Luna was already in a pissed off mood with her cup of coffee and a coffee mixer, just to keep her awake, put a sign up by her to note that she will probally fall asleep during these matches, but not fully she wants to hear it all.
Stage flares started, the crowd goes wild, millions of ponies watching the tournament around Equestria can't wait for the ending of this tournament, Lukra steps out with a mic in his hand and in a loud voice it went something like this....
"MARES AND STALLIONS, FILLIES AND COLTS, AND ALL THE OTHERS IN BETWEEN. IT IS TIME FOR THE GRAND FINALS OF NIGHT CLAN'S BEST PLAYER, DUSK VERSUS MYSELF....ALLSTAR CLAN LEADER, LUKRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Lukra shouted as the crowd goes wild which it pierced the sound barrier of the stream and almost making everypony deaf. Lakura steps out on the stage and shakes all the players of Allstar with his hoof respectfully to ensure that he has made it there to earn the right to face them all. After that Lakura looked at the screen and noticed something was strange on the board seeing that he is going to face Lukra, which he turned his head to Lukra, and this is what Lukra said, "It appears the young stallion is confused, for if he was going to face my clan he would beat them all. I wanted a challange, and I will have one." Lakura saw the crowd going wild after hearing those words and looked back at Lukra, as he walked up to the mic said this, "Then I will give you a challenge." The crowd went more wild then ever in the tournament as Lakura and Lukra shook and the final match began.
Both Lakura and Lukra opened fiercely in the Zooie vs Zooie match, doing a lot of harassment and leading into late game scenarios that ended in victory or just total chaos. The casters, the crowd, and the viewers of the tournament kept watching as all 5 games, yes its a best of 5 due to how long this match up can drag if it was a best of 7, noticing both Lakura and Lukra were doing the same opening every game which made them think why these 2 players were doing the same opening. In Zooiecraft III, it is heavy focus on the Meta gaming which can make the players think on what the other player might do. As the match number 5 on the map "Lost Sanctum of the Universe" thats where the real right begins. As the casters looked at the score, the series began to tie up to 2-2 on both players knowing that this map will become the deadly battleground of the game. Lakura and Lukra open up with heavy aggressive again this time, Lakura does the safe thing of expanding to keep the aggression on, Lukra doesn't pick up on what Lakura is doing but he continues with his aggression. When Lukra's army pushes into Lakrua's army, Lukra made a small mistake that costed him the game which Lukra knew he wouldn't come back from this so he tabbed out with this, "congrats Dusk it appears I have a lot to learn from your play style than any other player I have met in this game, I wish you best of luck, however it won't be the same on the 1v1 ladder than it is on tournaments, you knew I went easy on you so enjoy your victory, you earned it, good game." After those words were typed the crowd and the casters go wild that Lakura has become the champion of the Equestrian Gaming Tournament, which Luna is woken up by this to smile, that her clan beat their leader and she walked down to the stage and opened up the booth Lakura was in. Lakura had both hooves on his face with tears of joy that he had won his first major tournament, which he came out to claim the trophy and followed by an interview, which Lakura left with these words, "if you think that the best player of Zooiecraft can't be beaten, well that is how you decide on the moves you make and the actions that follow which may lead to intense games."
As Lakura got his things together, for he had work to do in 2 days for when he gets back to Ponyville he is going to be getting some rest while watching all the replays of the games and giving tremendous thoughts about the games. Naruna went to find Lakura, which she had no luck, so she decided to catch the next train back to Ponyville. Unfortunately Naruna was on the next train for Lakura had taken the first train when the ponies were trying to ask him questions and such, but Naruna looked in her bag to see a slip of paper showing where Lakura lived so she decided to pay him a visit when she got back to Ponyville. As the first train pulled into Ponyville from Canterlot, Lakura headed home, while being swarmed by the young ones as they constaly followed him to his home, which Lakura kept listening that he needed a break from this for just 1 day before he gets swarmed again for he knew that school is gonna start again for these young ponies and he knew the the school board are gonna call him in to help teach again. As Lakura got home, he smiled at the young ponies as they ran off to go enjoy their day, Lakura closed the door and fell asleep on the couch in his living room. As Naruna arrived in the Ponyville station, she returned to her home, but to her dismay her home was already gone due to her parents leaving when she left for the tournament to follow her dream and her parents won't be around a gamer pony that doesn't meet their expectations which she looked at the slip of paper and headed to where Lakura lived, hoping he would let her stay in the same house with him......
A knock came from Lakura's front door late that afternoon, early evening, which Lakura woke up to get the door which, he was very tired still so he decided to answer the door out of courtesy. When Lakura opened the door he saw a familiar face when he was in Canterlot, it was Naruna Light. Lakura invited her in so she can visit, but to his dismay, during that night, Naruna told him that her parents left Ponyville because of the choices she made that made them upset. Lakura put his hoof on Naruna's shoulder as she was going through this emotional breakdown, but Lakura offered her to stay here with him which made Naruna look at Lakura, as he smiled politely. As the tears from Naruna eyes stopped she hugged Lakura in which she gave him a kiss on the lips, which made Lakura blush deep red. After they kissed, Lakura went back to bed and Naruna went to bed in the guest room as the night became peaceful within the air.
The following morning came with no surprise to young dating couple, which they agreed on not to get to close to each other's privacy life, Lakura was in bed, due to Naruna's knock on the door last night, in which he was catching up on the sleeping hours he lost, while Naruna was in the kitchen making breakfast and reading some of Lakura's works in the gaming industry. Which it came to her surprise that Lakura has been making a huge profit with these works, and she saw Lakura walking into the kitchen from the aroma of food and getting a root beer, as his coffee, to wake up from the caffeine it provided. Naruna smiled as Lakura smiled back, as the he drank his root beer when he finished drinking water before he drank the soda. As the morning progressed, Lakura would be getting ready for game analysis on pro games, to break it down for lower league players, and then be coaching other players that requested him to coach them. Naruna watched him get ready for his usual schedule, and asked Lakura if he would let her join him on his game analysis. Lakura wouldn't turn this down at all, he accepted her invitation to join, which made her smile in delight, but he told her that the game analysis isn't gonna be for another few hours, which she nodded anyways.
Lakura suggested that he has a day at the school for the little fillies and colts and he wanted her to come. Naruna accepted the invitation, and so they went to the local school in Ponyville, which to everyone's surprise to see that Lakura would never get a marefriend. Some of the residents, meaning all but the colts and fillies, would not question at all, but being Lakura's popularity the residents couldn't help to ask some questions, which Lakura answered with respect while the little children followed the dating couple till they were at the school. As the day progressed the two were treated with lunch, thanks to Princess Luna, at the Quailsant in Canterlot. The two enjoyed the day so much that when they got back to Lakura's house, Lakura started to get things ready for the Zooiecraft dailies he does on a regular basis and having Naruna there meaning he can have some extra help in analyzing the games and discussing the builds of the recent tournament. The daily went on for hours with Lakura and Naruna giving both their respective opinions and judging from the tournament, most of the viewers would ask key questions, most of them would want to try the builds out for themselves, however Lakura stated that all players saw the tournament, if they saw the build they were facing against, it would get shut down quick, and he always continued to say "try to manipulate your opponent", the daily ended with fine questions and such, Lakura turned off the stream and Naruna saw that he was getting another stream ready this time he was gonna do something that he had never thought of doing, coaching Naruna and helping her to get better from another player he promised to teach.
Naruna became shocked that he offered her a chance to participate in training with another player that she has never played against, she agreed to participate, which Lakura asked her to go into another room while he trains this other player. The games that were being practiced on were helping Naruna get better at the game as well as the other player Lakura was training, as the training ended the two dating couple went to bed as any pony would do, however Lakura would be up all night talking with Luna about certain clan related things, for recruiting and many more stuff. Naruna just went to bed after kissing Lakura on the cheeks, which still makes him blush everytime she kissed him. The next day, Lakura was already in bed, Naruna was up getting some games in when a letter came in the mail, though Naruna set the letter on the table for Lakura to read, she saw here name on the letter. She wanted to read the letter, but she wanted to open it when Lakura was up. Hours later Lakura managed to get up and stumble into the kitchen, getting his daily caffeine, as usual, noticed Naruna sitting at the table looking at a letter that she hasn't opened.
The 2 ponies talked, when Naruna opened the letter, that she will be representing Night's Clan in Trottingham tourney for Zooiecraft III: Legends of War. Lakura put his hoof on her saying, "Don't be nervous, I will be there with you to help you, and coach you, but the games you have to win on your experience from the past few days." After hearing those words Naruna hugged him and said, "Thanks Lakura, you seem to be there to help." Lakura smiled and kissed her on the lips which made her blush hot red, which in return she kissed back.
The train ride to Trottingham was the least of Lakura's worries, seeing that Naruna stayed up all night preparing training for this tournament. As the train neared the station, Lakura nudged Naruna gently, because she was asleep on the train ride to Trottingham, so she could be awake by the train stopped. As the train stopped at the station, Lakura and Naruna got off, and once again they were swarmed by fans, the two did their best to get to the tournament area. At the tournament area, the two noticed many players that were clanless and seeing the big clan leaders there, which Lakura became the new clan leader since Luna was just gonna be the Night Clan's coach, the ponies noticed how famous Lakura is and now know that the Night clan, though small, was famous for taking down the All Star Clan in the last BIG tournament held in Canterlot. All the announcers introduced many players though Naruna wasn't mentioned for some reason, though Lakura went to find out why.
Moments later, Naruna was already practicing against other players beating them, sometimes losing to cheesy plays, while she was taking a rest many players walked up to her seeing that she was new to the famous clan. These Trottingham players were no less than common low lives that cause bad mannering to all players, pro or not, which making them feel right to make fun of Night Clan's newest member, Light, which was Naruna. They kept making her feel down and saying that Night Clan doesn't have no right to recruit some worthless pegasus, that fell to her own teammate, as the bullying continued Lakura stepped in and said this, "If you have a problem with Night Clan's newest member then you have a problem with me, and if this continues I will make sure to put your clan to shame no matter what build in the game you play against me, I will put you to shame in front of this crowd." The players heard these words backed off to regroup with their clan in the tournament hall, Lakura turned to Naruna and took her to an area that he arranged for her. Naruna was already in tears, to see that they bullied her to the point of breaking down into tears, she kept saying to herself to pull herself together and stay calm, Lakura hugged her when they got to the area that he arranged for her.
Many casters and announcers kept the crowd going and the other clans were fighting while Lakura let Naruna calm down while he took her spot which brought them to the finals. Most of the players that bullied Naruna fell to Lakura's might and the casters seeing that the Leader of Night Clan is unstoppable with the power of the Dusk, it would be time for the Light to shine in the game. Naruna saw that Lakura was already bringing the clan to the finals, but when the finals were announced as a 2v2 in ZooieCraft III Lakura went to get Naruna and they were gonna face Trottingham's greatest clan: Flialation. This clan has been giving alot of problems in the Zooiecraft game, for they were cheap hacking players breaking the game down, Lakura did his research on this clan and invited AllStar clan into the game to watch, not knowing to the other clan and every other player and caster, Lukra let his best human race player, AllStar Zakovia, be in the game under a hidden connection to help protect Night Clan in case things went wrong. As the announcers stated that the players will be playing on the new patch update for ZooieCraft III, while this was going to nerf a unit from the game because of how broken the unit was, and the unit was the Zooie Race's greatest tank: The ZR-6000 The Reclaimer. The game started off with Lakura and Naruna doing teamwork opening, Naurna would be protected by Lakura's defenses, which made Flialation upset seeing that they were trying all their builds to crush the Night Clan's best player, Dusk, and they were being crushed by Light's army. The crowd was already shocked seeing the Trottingham's best clan being beaten by Night Clan while AllStar clan watched while working out the new patch that was going to be released the following day. On the Final game, the 2 clans were pulling out the stops and pulling all attacks but still the Flialation clan couldn't break Dusk's defense, until they broke through with the Reclaimer unit that they relied on so much before the patch update, which they over packed it with so much power that Allstar was given permission from the admins to step in and stop the hacking clan from winning against Night Clan which in this causes them to lose their gamer tags and everything that came with it, owing millions of Bits, the money of Equestria, to the owner of the game which is an automatic disqualify, however 1 last match had to be shown, Night Clan's Naruna Light vs Allstar clan's Zakovia, a human race vs a zooie race match up, the brutal match.
Lakura and Lukra were already talking in the chat about patch updates seeing that all the players now know that Lakura has a contact with the creator of the game, and that all hacking is illegal when the creator is on, which he is always on making updates to the game, the announcers and casters were stating that the Night Clan's best player was already a force to be reckon with, but what about the clan's newest member, Light, most of the caster think that she will have a tough time with the Allstar clan Zakovia. Some of the caster put some of their faith into the young pegasus for a victory that no one will see yet and to think that Night clan chose a player called "Light" into their clan boggles all in the game. As the match began underway, Dusk, Lakura's gamertag, and Lukra were already talking about certain game stuff to test out for alot of stuff while the casters were talking about how Zooie vs Human match up in the Zooiecraft can be deadly, a lot of builds can happen early on. Light, Naruna's gamertag, was already playing cautious in the beginning of the game seeing how her opponent plays in the early game. Zakovia usually opens up with a lot of aggression and that is how he plays though, he tends to mix in an economic build with his aggression which doesn't throw off a Zooie race opponent player, seeing that they have the better economy than the human race in Zooiecraft, but still getting caught up in economy is the best way for a human race player to win against a zooie race player in Zooiecraft. As the game progressed Naruna started to do harassment with a dark zooie harass, which led Zakovia making units that he didn't want to make to keep his opponent from harassing his econ and hurting his production, while he came in with Cosmic Banshee units to disrupt Naruna's econ, which it didn't hurt as much seeing that a Zooie player can get up to 4 bases before the mid game, if left uncontested, which came to Zakovia's downfall in the game when he saw many units of Naruna march across the map while he had nothing left to defend with when he was doing harassment at her base, which the game ended in this, "Congrats, I never thought that a pegasus that was chosen to show the power of Night Clan's true potential, can lead to some overwhelming crushing victories while maintaining their calm and collective ability. Keep up the good work miss Light, good game, hopefully we meet again in the game.{Allstar}Zakovia has left the game, {NC}Light was victorious as the crowd goes wild many players that came seeking a clan would turn to Night Clan for a way to enter, but to them entering won't be easy. Naruna stepped out and hugs Lakura, and she is awarded with the trophy of the tournament and she became more calm and collective about her now which she can now show the players in the game she loves to play, and that other players will tend to watch out for her way of playing the game.
On the train ride back to Ponyville, Lakura smiled as Naruna was, once again, asleep next to him while they were on their way home to Lakura's house in Ponyville. Though the Night Clan was still in its early stages when Luna recruited Lakura, and now that Luna is the Coach and that Lakura is now the leader of the clan, a lot will have to change for the clan and the two young dating couple, because their relationship hasn't been known yet in the gaming community which this has got a lot of players to think why these two are together. But still, none of the pony players in the gaming community don't care on how famous Lakura is and mostly because of the way he plays. When he doesn't show his feeling status in the game of Zooiecraft, it tends to put his mind at ease until the game is over, though it does concern him about Naruna from time to time. As the two got home, Naruna went to get a bath while Lakura started to do nightly patch testing with Allstar clan leader/creator, Lukra. When the balance patch hit, the ranking system reset though Lakura was already in the Elite Rank area which made it easy to win a game, and Naruna was placed into the Master's League in ZooieCraft, though she did manage to practice more when more stuff was added to the Zooie race in the game, after her shower of course, Lakura was already doing his daily nights with players constantly asking him about builds since the new patch hit in the game, though Lakura did bring in Lukra to help with these questions saying, that it was the best they could do though they have been testing a lot of the builds most players would be using in the lower leagues, which made some of the new players feel a bit easy on themselves, however Lukra did say that the builds that were asked are gonna get countered, no guarantees that it will succeed or not. As Lakura's Daily ended, he went to sleep while Naruna stayed up all night playing as usual so she can climb the ladder in the game, though when the next day came Lakura got up and received email from his mailbox from his computer seeing many players that have met the requirements from a lot of clan seekers, though Lakura ignored them, he decided to look into the requests more which decided to get Luna into this as well seeing that she is the owner of Night clan which should be fun for her to see these players joining one of the best clans in Equestria.
"Been a thousands places and shook a million hooves, I don't know where I am going, but I know just where I will be..." as the radio was playing while Lakura was talking to Luna about the new clan recruits, which Luna decided to take a look further into these new players. Naruna was asleep still smiling about her fantasy dreams, she has been having lately, but is woken up by announcer on the radio gaming channel, "That was The 5 Death Stallions' new song Battle Born which was to show respect to one of the famous players we have yet to see in Trottingham since the crisis occurred. Up next is Disruption, Avenged Mare, and many more after these commercial breaks." As Lakura and Luna were looking over the players on the recruitment list, Naruna comes in and sees them and sits with them seeing the players on the list that Lakura and Luna were discussing while having the game open to get info while studying them. Lakura turns to Naruna, shifting his head at her saying, "go and get something from the store, there's bits on the gaming table this might be a while," which Naruna did and she did go to the store to get the items that Lakura put on the shopping list.
As the morning continued, Luna said that she will look over the players and decide which ones that are going to be in the Night Clan will be sent a message to them from a letter by postage. Naruna returns from the market, Lakura helps her put the groceries up in to where they need to be and both of them sit down and talk about their future. Mostly because the Night Clan is going to get bigger and the dating couple was already starting to get noticed by some of the gaming community, though they didn't mind at all, though it did bring up questions on Night Clan's motives for having 2 dating ponies in the clan in the first place. After the 2 discussed on what plans they were gonna be making in the future, the day went on like any other day, Lakura would be doing game analysis with troubled players, while Naruna was doing her daily ladder dosage on Zooiecraft III. Though a strange knock came at the door and Lakura answered it, and it was a package addressed to him with a note attached saying, "For the best gamer in ZooieCraft III, on behalf of Zooie Inc. this game hasn't been released yet though I think you might find some fun out of it. Lukra"
Lakura signed the slip that was to acknowledge that this is his home, and received the package and opened it and saw the latest game from Zooie Inc., "Legend of the Platinum Zooie". Lakura read that this game became the best game in the market from Zooie Inc. and Equestria hasn't received this at all, yet anyways Lakura was the first to receive it, and noticing that its the first game to be a First Person game from the company. Naruna finished with her ladder on the game and saw that Lakura was setting up a game that she never saw, or heard of that her coltfriend would get his hands on, though she saw the note from the Head of Zooie Inc., meaning that this was important for him to test, so she watched him play the hardest game from Zooie Inc. Days passed and since this game got released many pony gamers got their hands on it and discovered that this game was put on the most Difficult game in the Equestrian Gaming News, EGN, those that beat the game noticed that they accomplished the impossible, though some of them beat the game on the most difficult level: Wrath of the Gods, this game got much attention in Equestria though Zooiecraft still stood strong and Zooie Inc. stated that "Legend of the Platinum Zooie" wasn't to be better than Zooiecraft, but was to show a part of the Zooiecraft universe that was not shown.
Weeks have passed and Lakura and Naruna have been put as senior members of the Night Clan and new members have been nothing more than just new players that got to a high level with non stop games, though some have noticed the relationship between Lakura and Naruna. As Naruna's practice got to the point that she can beat players beyond her level and she still almost beats her coltfriend, though Lakura still comes out on top, shows that she has gotten better since the last 2 tournaments. And finally Night Clan gets a big invitation to a tournament that is held, once again, in Canterlot for a National Tournament, Lakura would guess that All-Star Clan would be there, and the two couple set out to Canterlot again this time with a bit more curious on why did their clan get acknowledged in the Nation, though they got 2 best players in their clan, well they will soon find out that it would be more then they can handle in this tourney. As the train pulled into Canterlot, the two saw that the city was crowded than they expected seeing multiple gaming clans coming in from whatever transport they were arriving on, though they didn't mind on what was going on until they got to the castle.
"I hardly believe this, of all the days for a peaceful week and yet you schedule this tournament here in Canterlot, why did you do this again?" Celestia questioned Lukra.
"I believe we talked about this last year Celestia, you agreed to this and this would upset your sister am I correct," Lukra answered looking into the Princess' eyes.
Celestia closed her eyes and nodded her head, "well I haven't been paying attention to the news of 'gaming' only my sister pays attention, though I won't be conducting the interviews in this tourney, I need my time to work with other things."
Celestia walks off to work on a lot of stuff that she needed to do as Lakura and Naruna noticed Lukra which he shook his head meaning "sorry you two, All-Star Clan is just going to be making sure the rules are followed so everyone can enjoy the game, and Lukra walks off to get things ready for the tourney. Lakura wanted to do something for his marefriend and he was determined to show her, no matter what....
As the tournament started, many players in day 1 were eliminated, but stayed for the ending results of the tournament. Though some of them enjoyed the fine dining of Canterlot and wanted to come here often to enjoy some peace and quiet from the loud and cheering of the tournament. As the first day of the tournament was ending only a few were in the finals and the rest was going to be held tomorrow and then the finals on day 3, the players, including Lakura Dusk, were anxious to get the day started again but when the matching began for tomorrow an Anonymous player was his first match up and he recognized that it was his Zooiecraft rival, though never met the player in life. Lukra turned to the pegasus and saw his expression on why this player that gave him so much trouble on the ladder and he barely won against the player, that has been out playing him in everyway which caused Lakura to play during the day, to avoid this player. Because something about this player made Lakura feel uncomfortable, that it made him feel like this player was watching him when Lakura started his gaming career, after his parents divorced and went their separate ways.
Lakura didn't think much about the player he was soon to face later that night, for he had to give the crowd a game that would change the way that players have seen Zooiecraft in years. Lakura stayed up way late, showing a lot of unique stuff to Lukra, which became interested in the way how Lakura was planning his strategy which lead to the point of him saying that he should try the builds out in the match tomorrow. Lakura took Lukra's advice and he went to bed with the strategies that he worked on for this match that will soon be going on in the morning. As for Naruna, she stayed up all night playing against players that were trying to get higher in their ladder matches, and keeping her voice down so her coltfriend can get some shut eye. The following morning came with no surprise to Lakura in a tournament, breakfast, check mail, and head out to the tournament area for the matches however for Naruna, she was in bed in which she stayed up to the crack of dawn to see her coltfriend off to the tournament, though she will be watching the games live when the tournament starts in the afternoon, which saves her time on that.
Lakura shook his head when he arrived and said, "today is gonna be a long day."
As the audience gathered at the castle, most of the ponies were talking about rumors of the famous grudge match between Lakura and this "Rival" of his. Many say that these 2 have been fighting for the top spot in Equestrian gaming for years, and this tournament will put a stop to that, others say that its to bury the past behind them and move on however, it didn't matter to Lakura at all, he will be triumph in anyway possible. As the 2nd day of the tournament started as schedule, the audience went crazy to see Lakura facing his rival, and while the casters were talking about these 2 players and the map veto, which became apparent that this match is a best of 3 and the games to come out of these games are gonna be crazy. Most of Allstar clan were there watching the games to make sure the rules were kept, otherwise there would be problems that would erupt into chaos.
As two legendary rivals of the game sat in their booths, their strategies mastered, gameplay on the verge for sheer dominance in the coming games, and winning the tournament. On the first map of the best of 5, Lakura's rival opened up with a very aggressive style in which Lakura lost immediately, though in the second game Lakura returned the favor in hurting not only his opponent's economy, but his opponent's production as well. Game 3 went to an over economy play to Lakura's rival, the same in Game 4 on Lakura's economy build that crushed his opponent which brought it to a Game 5 on "The Lost Sanctum". On the final map, both players were at each other's throat with harassment of all sorts and maintaining their play style for the late game scenario, though this is when Lakura's rival starts to lose his focus when he notices Lakura's play style is different from what he has seen and can't seem to identify on how to counter it and which cost him the game and in which it cost him the chance to beat Lakura, and typing out this in the chat, "I can't believe that after all these years, you truly beat me congrats Dusk, and good luck I know we won't see each other again" in which the crowd goes wild and the casters went crazy that Lakura won against his rival and it made him the gamer that he came to be. After Lakura exited his booth, he saw two pegasi that looked familiar to him, and which tears came to his eyes seeing his parents in the crowd to see him come this far. Though he saw them leaving the tournament with his rival, which looked younger than him.
Lukra approached the pegasus and helped him off the stage, in which he asked Lukra, "you knew they would be here?"
"Yes, I knew they were here, but you got here by who you are and don't let it go of what you have become Dusk," Lukra answered
Lakura sighed and put his head down in exhaustion, though it was short because he was hugged by Naruna, and congratulating him on his victory, which brought him to smile more on what has to be done for the rest of the tournament. As the second day drew to a close only four players were left in the bracket, though Lakura barely made it through to the quarterfinals due to his extreme gameplay in front of the crowd, in which he became determined to beat these players and take home the trophy. That night Lakura studied on the builds he had done and watching the games of the players he may be facing.
On the final day of the tournament, only four players remained to battle for the trophy and the mystery prize that Allstar was giving out during the tournament. Lakura prepared for the matches to come but he would only face two of the three players that were in the quarterfinals with him. Match pairings completed, casters started talking about a lot of strategy with the matches to come, and much more the audience became more excited than ever. Lakura became the noticed one in which he steamrolled his way through every player that stood in his way, in which it has made him stronger in finishing the tournament that today is his time to shine. Lakura stepped into the booth and the game has begun in the best of 1 in the quarterfinals because the best players tend to go all out in the game in which they need to survive until the end.
"Well we got our hooves full here don't we?" one of the casters asked while Luna was drinking her coffee to stay awake a little bit longer, again.
Lakura pulled off a strategy that worked and in which it cost his opponent the series, and in the last of the quarterfinals he pulled off another game build that has become unknown to the player in which the game went to Lakura, in which got Allstar's attention seeing that this pegasi is unstoppable, though Lukra knew that what he said is true however another player stood in Lakura's way. As soon as the final series came a player of unknown origin, invited by Lukra, to face the challenger that stood between him and the trophy. Lakura approached the figure as Lukra was finished talking to this creature, for the unknown creature turned around and it looked like one of those Zooies Lakura heard about, but it wasn't. The creature extended his hand to Lakura a waiting a shake.
"Name's Zakovia, I heard a lot of you though I know you haven't seen the other race that is in the game have you," Zakovia said
Lakura shook Zakovia's hand with his hand, "its a pleasure to meet you, and there was another race?"
Lukra stepped in between them and gave the all clear for a best of 3 match. The maps were selected and the games have begun, Lakura noticed something different about this player seeing that the race that he uses is unknown to him, though outside his booth Lukra announced the new race to Zooiecraft, to clearly balance the overpowering of the Zooie race in everyway.
"Recently we decided to add the mythical Hybrid race, due to the players that didn't have a play style with the Humans and Zooie race, in which the Hybrid race will be keeping the game balanced and I asked my friend to test out the Hybrid race, in which after today the patch will have the Hybrid race in its update," Lukra explained to the crowd as they grew in excitement.
As the last match started, many new strategies were made with the new race in the Zooiecraft game, while Lakura was facing an opponent that he has no clue about though maintaining his ground in the game for the first match. Zakovia, on the other hand, was already gaining the upper hand in the second match with very aggressive style of play that caused the set to go 1 to 1, however Lakura knew that he will beat this player no matter what and when they came to the map; "Driagant", the last fight had begun. On this map Lukra explained to everyone that this map is the newest in every way with a greedy play, a balanced play, and an agressive play, though the players won't know what to do on this map so they did what was best; which was to beat the living stuff out of each other and become victorious. As the game came to the late game, Lakura BARELY pulled off a win with the mighty Zooie Armada fleet, still a late game winning strategy, and Zakovia smiled and typed, "good game, young Dusk", and the crowd went wild with excitement with Lakura's first victory of his actual real tournament facing real hard players and becoming the best in Equestria and countless more.
Lukra bowed his head to the young pegasi and to the Princess of the Night, saying that he was destined to win, and handing Lakura the trophy, which looked like a ZR-5000, Z-Wing, in flight across the universe and an enclosed letter to the champion. Lukra told Lakura to open it when he got home safe and sound, and with that Lukra took his leave with his clan after the crowd left seeing the epic games that came from the new champion. Lakura looked at the trophy showing how remarkable it is, but he felt something was missing still, so he traveled back to Ponyville to relax after a great tournament. Lakura went to buy something while he was on his way back home in Ponyville.
As soon as the train entered Ponyville, many colts and fillies were already swarming him with smiles and questions on how he won, though Lakura wouldn't tell them, he just walked with a smile till he got home. As he entered his home, Naruna was already home after the tournament ended watching the streams as usual, while Lakura put the trophy on a shelf and opened the letter that he was given. When Lakura opened the envelope, it contained a photo of his parents when they were kind before they went into chaos, and a note which read:
"Our dearest son,
Your mother and I love you so much that we lost each other in our fights while missing you become the stallion you are to this day. We know that you have questions for us, but as soon as your reading this you already have answered your questions, and if not well Lukra told you to look at the trophy carefully and see what you have become. May your future in what your dreams carry and good luck our son, one day we will meet again..... Love, Mother and Father"
Lakura was already in tears after reading this letter and he put it by the trophy and the photo of a family that he used to have, and with a smile he remembered the good days before it went to chaos, though they still loved him after all these years which made him happy and that having a marefriend made him happier than ever. Naruna entered the room looking at Lakura all puzzled and he turned around to face her and gave his marefriend a smile that knows everything is gonna be okay. The next day was usually the same, though Lakura became head overseer in the game admin area of Equestria, because Lukra was already busy updating the game to make it playable to all in the Universe leaving Lakura to monitor the game online. While Naruna was co-captain of the Night clan, she did her best to check recruits that wanted to join their clan, she finally got to the spot on the game where she is noticed and winning her first tournament made both of them happy with her accomplishment.
Months after the tournament, the two pegasi enjoyed a relaxing weekend talking about a lot of stuff on what they could do, though marriage never came to their mind. After that they start to make their way back though Lakura stopped in front of the door with Naruna behind him, in which he turned around and presented her with an engagement necklace, for her hoof in marriage. Naruna went silent and blushed greatly and couldn't help to say 'yes' to Lakura and which he put the necklace on her, gave her a kiss, and entered the house with her behind him to enjoy a night together. The following morning came a note for them in which it read:
"I, Lukra, would like to say congrats on both of your success. You two pegasi are what this game needs and I urge you to look at the new update with extreme caution though you will like what I put on the game. Now onto the serious business, the tournament that used to be held at the castle in Canterlot, won't be happening because Celestia wants me to host it somewhere else and in 5 years time I will announce the location of it only to you, Dusk and Light. The reason why, is because I am leaving you in charge of it, meaning you are gonna work together in preparing the next tournament location and letting me know where it is. This isn't the big problem, I know you can do this I have faith in you all.
Sincerly Lukra, head admin and King of the Zooies
P.S. I heard about the engagement and good luck to you both."
Two years later after Lakura and Naruna got married, their life went easier in ways of planning new tournaments and doing analyse videos and helping many players with problems and watching the game carefully to prevent cheaters. And with twin pegasi children, they became the popular ones around school even to the day they graduate. They are told legends of how their father beat the mythical AllStar clan, which the clan doesn't show itself much after the big tournament, which got them to wonder if the clan actually existed. Asking their father which in turn he showed them the trophy and the photo of the clan they asked that is nothing but a myth to the new generation of gamers. A letter came in the mail for Lakura saying that he was gonna play one last time before he retires to take care of his family, though they will be clan leaders no matter what, but this letter had the royal crest of a familiar clan that only they know who to pick.
Lakura packed his bags and went to show all that the legendary Dusk has one last game in him to prove that he is no longer the Lonely One, but that he will show all that he means what he has become. Naruna watched in the distant with their children seeing her husband go and prove himself all the new tactics that they came up with in that he had to prove it all to the world and the universe that he has a heart, and he will never surrender.
"Live life to the fullest, we aren't certain on where it leads though we all know where we will be, when we get there." - Lukra