> The Redemption
>  by JusSonic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: A Shocking Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 1: A Shocking Return


Within the Everfree Forest, the humanoid Demon Dragons and Dragon Raiders were dressed in their Demonic armors as they were all training hard and quick as they can, along with the Draconian Cult Army and Shadow Demon Tribes at the large yet opened-field. They have waited a long time for this and now, that time is here!

"How's the army, Strikemaster?" Drago ask Strikemaster in determination.

Strikemaster whistled, "Just like walking in the park, boss. Combining our Shadow Demon Tribe and Demon Dragons with Draconian Cults, we're so bad ass army alright; those guys won't know what hit them!" 

"Excellent. Proceed with our plans, without any delays..."

Strikemaster chuckled anxiously, "No problemo, boss." This minion will do anything he can to please his boss. The last attempt...wasn't so well.

"I'm gonna check on Sec. Hopefully, his resurrection plan works well. We need all the best and baddest to deal with the ponies. And soon... the Age of Demon Lords and Age of Dragon can finally come true." Drago said, clutching a fist in determination. 

Drago is mad, very mad. Bad enough Spike joined the good side, but Lorcan is still alive. Why didn't he return to continue where he had left off?! The coward and failure will paid for his failure and cowardice.

Drago turned and headed off. MC Cobra turns over to the others Dragons, looking concerned as he spoke, "Really not want to talk bad behind our boss's back. But I still ain't think it's a good idea to trust the Draconians...”

DJ Fist nodded his head before crossed his arms. Strikemaster understood that and frowns as he spoke, "Yo, yo man. No can do. Boss calls the shots. If I got memorized it, history says Papa Tadaka betrayed ponies because of Princess Bad Moon who did the mess centuries ago.. He sold his soul to the Demon Lords in order to destroy the ponies and freeing them from their prisons."

"You've got a point... But," MC Cobra scowls in annoyance at the mention of the one who failed to destroy the ponies over and over again, "Hearing that name makes me sick, especially his two sons. They make me sick." DJ Fist showed his disgusted expression. 

"Don't remind me. But remember, Tadaka is on our side. We've got nothing to worry about. We're gonna hit Equestria hard and make it our Demon Land; Home for all Demons only!"

"Good idea, Ice."

At the lake, Sec and his three Dragon Generals were setting the ritual up. If all goes well, Tadaka will be back to the land of the living.

Drago chose this time to come over to see how his new allies are doing. The Dragon spoke up, "So, how's the ritual, boys? You're better give me something to put me in a good mood.”

"Process is almost ready. But there are some items we require to perform." Sec spoke. Drago raised his right eye-brow up, wondering what Sec meant. "We need the Blood of His Flesh and Aura of Hatred from a Pony."

Drago groaned in annoyance, "That's gonna be a problem. Any genius got bright ideas?"

"I have one... Twilight harbors a great hatred and anger for Lorcan because of her brother's death. If she and him met, she will do anything to destroy him." Jast said with a cruel idea. He's right. Twilight has never forgiven Lorcan for what he did to Starlight, nor as to what he tried to do during his War back when she was still an unicorn. If she were to find out that Lorcan's alive, the mare would most likely wish to kill him.

Thay chuckled insanely, "I really like it. Pony hates Dragon. And she will do anything to kill him. Pony and Dragons can never be friends." The evil Dragon chuckled evilly at the thought. "I'm gonna enjoy it... very much..."

"There is some problem, brothers. Lorcan did some possible redemption in assisting Twilight and her friends. He may have earned her trust and forgiveness. We must be vigilant..." Cann said seriously. Lorcan must've reformed by now and would likely get the new princess's trust and forgiveness.

Jast just scoff at this, "Highly doubtful. Princess Celestia has hidden him from her friends until the time is right. And by means, Twilight will be doubtful of it."

"What are you trying to say, genius? Better not being an egghead." Drago remarks to Jast bitterly; The villain HATES eggheads.

"What Jast meant is that we make Lorcan a culprit to anger Twilight. As rift continues to grow between those two, Twilight's anger will be complete while Lorcan will drift away from his friends and family." Sec explains clearly to Drago of what Jast just meant.

"Thus, giving us a chance to perform a complete ritual; now this is more like it. MC Cobra."

MC came over as he spoke up, "Sup boss?"

"Keep your sharp eyes on situation and report to me. The Generals and I may have the plans to make Princess very angry..." Drago orders MC. The villain smirks cruelly. If all goes very well, Tadaka will be back and all the ponies are dead.

MC chuckled, "I like it."

"The Plan is in motion, everyone. Be ready..."

---------------------

Lorcan hums as he walks back and forth in his room. The time has come, Celestia has declared it. The former enemy of Equestria has agreed to finally allow Twilight to see him. But what would happen? He may still be angry over Starlight's death...and would most likely kill him on sight; But then again, if Lorcan doesn't show himself...

"Ok, somepony glued my hood down!" Lorcan mumbles, trying to move his hood of his cloak which fails a bit. The Dragon sees his teenage reflection, making him sigh, "Mixed feelings...I'm looking at a reminder of my darkness...on the other hand, I'm not short. I'd rather be short than this...so..." Lorcan puts hood down then glared at his reflection, "no pleasing me..."

Lorcan leaves his room; May as well get this over with...to speak with Celestia to settle on what to do for the destined meeting. During this time, the scarred Dragon wasn't watching where he was going, bumping into a Royal Guard.

The Royal Guard smirks in amusement, then chuckles, "Whoa, whoa. Easy there, little guy. Got lost looking for your mommy?"

Needless to say, Lorcan isn't amused or happy. He hates being called small. It pisses him off.

“I don't think so pops! Do I look like a clown to you?!" Lorcan demands angrily to the Royal Guard.

The Guard Pony just laugh as he pats Lorcan on the head, "He's quite a small guy isn't he?"

Lorcan,:ye twitching behind the hood, begins to snap, "Who you calling small like a grain of rice that you can't see been with your eyes?!"

"Nopony said that, now back off!"

"You wanna go a few rounds?!"

"Don't mind if I do." The Guard Pony said with an arrogant smirk. It would be fun to play with this little wimp. "Not like I can't take a short guy like you."

"If you call me short one more time, I'll get Luna on you!" Lorcan snaps furiously, closing to lose his cool and kicking some guard flank.

"As if, pipsqueak!"

"Ohhhhh....it is on; HIYA!"

Lorcan roars as he jumps at the Royal Guard, knocking him down. The two begins to get into a tussle that causes vases and stuff to fall off their podiums, paintings to fall off their walls, and more damages to be done. Needless to say, another Royal Guard has to call for back up just to break this up!

Not easy to be Lorcan, isn't it?

-----------------

At this time within the Secret Dungeon, Pinkamena & Goldie along with their group were working on their own daily things. Just then, the pink pony senses something that made her react in having felt something. She looked around, but there was nothing, but it did earn everyone in the spot's attention.

"What's wrong, mistress?" Omega asked off in seeing she was acting strange.

"I'm not sure, but I think we're about to meet someone we thought was gone soon." Pinkamena held her head in having felt something of what to expect.

"Someone we thought was gone?" Autumn Gem questions the thought to look at her love.

"Well, I can imagine the feeling." Sombra shrug off to say that if those who thought he was gone return, who else could surprise them?

"Sis, can you be a little descriptive?" Goldie asked in wanting more details on the subject.

"Sorry, but the future of what's happening is undecided. Or, there's a lot of stuff happening that's out of our control and that's really making my head dizzy in ways I can't explain." Pinkamena shrug off to break a Fourth Wall in stating she's having a hard time knowing what's gonna go on.

"Sounds like a Pinkie Pie response if I ever heard of one." Jack Zen shrugs off to say in seeing this was a random act case.

"Well, whatever is coming, we'll have to wait and see, now won't we?" Pinkamena stated off in what they can expect in some bit to be sure.

That made everyone nod in agreement while going about their own business. But it might be that something will happen, and it all involves....something...or someone...that isn't as GONE as many of them and the others thought? With that, everything begins to go dark at this time...

---------------

The latest meeting at the Council of Friendship has begun. The mares and Spike are at the table, talking and deciding on what to do.

"Okay, so far, next subject, a list of who is participating in the Winter Wrap-Up." Fluttershy said as she looks over the list. "That way, we can't let what happened last year happens again, right?"

"Right, that was a disaster." Ben remarks with a slight chuckle. Boris almost causes him and Twilight to break up period. At least he hasn't causes any further trouble lately. "But at least your gift to me helped warm things over."

"Also, I have finished my book." Twilight said proudly as she put a book onto the table, getting the interest of the other mares.

"'the Ghostwriter Parable'," Rainbow said, seeing the title of the book. 

"A story about my latest adventure."

It's true. A while after Winter Wrap-Up was over, Twilight was abducted by a ghost named Ghostwriter, being put into an office building with a few humans named Danny Fenton, Julayla Beryl and Brock (she was turned into a human too), and a robotic fox named Foxxy the Pirate Fox. The Ghostwriter's story kept them all in a time loop, no matter how many times they tried to end the story itself differently.

Luckily, with the help of a computer being named Alter-Ego, the five was able to break Ghostwriter's story and escape. After returning home and making the gift for Ben, Twilight made a story based on her experience. It isn't out yet but the Alicorn plans on releasing it. She hopes everyone loves it.

"You know, I hope to see these individuals that you met, darling." Rarity said with a thoughtful smile. "I got some fashion tips for them."

"And I missed a party? I hate missing parties!" Pinkie exclaims with a howl. "The Pirate Adventure with Sparrowjack and his crew taught me that."

"Don't we know it," Rainbow remarks with a light chuckle. "So, what's next, Princess Eggy?"

Before Twilight could speak, Spike yelps and begins to spits out a scroll. Must be a message from the princess; the mare took it and looks at it. She begins to read, "'Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle, the time has come for me to reveal an important secret to you. You and your friends must come to Canterlot at once to discuss and speak about someone from your past. Please, try not to panic or freak out when you do; Princess Celestia'."

"Someone from your past," Ben asks Twilight puzzled. "I wonder what it is that mom has been hiding. She always made sure to tell us her deepest secrets."

"I don't know, but it must be something important. Okay, everyone, time we go to Canterlot."

The other mares nodded as they cheer, preparing to take their next trip to Canterlot. Ben ponders what his mom wanted to tell Twilight. Whatever it is must be something important...

------------------------

Lorcan stood outside Celestia's study, crossing hiss arm grumpily. The Royal Guard that he fought survived, but needed a whole lot of stitches.

"Well, you are lucky your cover wasn't blown just yet, Lorcan." Luna said to Lorcan with a sigh of irritation. "Better hope it doesn't ruin the plans we got."

"Hey, he started it." Lorcan snorts at Luna a bit. "The flankhole insulted me!"

"Pretty sure what happened was an accident though." Golden Heart said with a sigh, having coming ahead of Twilight's group. "We can only hope that this won't spread too early."

"Anyway, so even if Twilight and her friends could forgive me, whose next; that big Alicorn cousin's of Rainbow's?" Lorcan asked with a scoff. He was concerned as to who else would forgive him for his actions. Brave Heart didn't seem like the type, especially when it comes to bullies like Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

Golden Heart patted Lorcan on the back, speaking to his friend calmly, "Surely he'll forgive you...”

"That'll be the day..." Lorcan grumbled as he lowered his hood, growing into his teenage Dragon form, "When mares wear mini-skirts at least!"

"What?" Luna asked, bewildered by what she's hearing.

"One day...all mares will be required to wear...TINY MINISKIRTS!" Lorcan exclaimed as his eyes sparkled.

Discord and Michael received nosebleeds, goofy grins on their faces. Luna sighed in disbelief as the spirit of Chaos and Royal Guard latched themselves onto Lorcan's legs, drooling over his cloak.

"You're a miracle, Lorcan!" Discord exclaimed, drooling like an idiot.

"We'll follow you till the end of our lives," Michael  exclaimed eagerly. Miniskirts sounded awesome!

"Yes!" Lorcan exclaimed, throwing a fist into the air.

"Tiny miniskirts...." Luna said in disbelief. Is Lorcan serious at all?!

"Oh, aye. It was Lorcan's idea!" Michael explained to the Goddess of the Night, excited for the idea as well.

As Luna walked off with an annoyed expression, Brave Heart appeared. Lorcan screamed like a girl and hid puts his hood up, returning to his baby Dragon size, "Don't let him see me!" Spike's brother hid behind Discord, scared that Brave Heart was out to get him.

Discord, on the other hand, laughed madly as he snapped his finger, making the fake Brave Heart go away, "Ha ha ha ha; Oh, oh. You could've seen the look on your face!"

"Very funny, Discord." Lorcan remarked in annoyance by Discord's prank.

"Thought I might lighten the mood," Discord remarked with a shrug to the small former villain.

The doors opened up as Celestia spoke up, "Lorcan, enter." 

Lorcan sighs as he came into the room; May as well get this over with. The little Dragon, Discord and Michael approach the princess. Golden Heart decided to wait outside.

“Before we begin, Kemmy has told me you gotten into a fight..." Celestia said, giving a disapproval look at Lorcan as if she caught Ben doing something illegal and wrong.

Lorcan, arms crossed, snapped at the princess dryly, "He called me short."

"Truth hurts, I guess." Discord remarked as he played with a paddleball that the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony just conjured up.

"Say that again, and I'll give you Tartarus!" Lorcan snarled at Discord for that truth remark about him being short.

"Enough, enough; we can't let any delays ruin things, especially the foolish idea of miniskirts." Celestia remarked, shaking her head. "I cannot allow those."

"What do you mean you won't approve tiny miniskirts?! Did you not here my speech about it outside, Celly?" Lorcan protests to Celestia. He can't believe what he himself is hearing.

Michael and Discord, clinging to his legs once more, plead, “Please reconsider!"

"We will discuss this later. Now the time for us to begin," Celestia said, clearing her throat, "Now then, Lorcan, stay in your room."

"I thought the idea was that Lorcan would come with you." Golden Heart said as he and Discord let go of Lorcan in disbelief.

"It was at first, but after the incident earlier, we will have to change things. I will speak with Twilight, Ben, and their friends, soften them up a bit then tell them about Lorcan. Then after I explain everything, I will try to hope for the best." Celestia said with a serious look on her face. "If things go well, it will mean one step forward for Lorcan's path to redemption."

"I still say it's a bad idea." Lorcan remarks with a groan of worry, fearing for the worst.

"Calm yourself, Lorcan." Celestia said, putting a hoof on Lorcan's shoulder, calming him a bit. "Tao will be there to assist in the talking. Just stay out of trouble until then. Can you do that for me?"

Lorcan groaned a bit. He hated being cooped up, the scarred Dragon hadn't seen his brother Spike face to face in a long time. Lorcan hated waiting longer.

But Lorcan groaned, "Fine, okay, I will behave...honestly, it's like I was stuck in that damn room for years."

"Well, it took a while for Jus to actually get to this fan-fiction." Discord explained to Lorcan with a mischievous smile on his face.

Lorcan chose not to ask as he prepared to leave. Luna stopped him, saying, "Don't worry. Soon, you will not hide anymore...and you will no longer be seen as a villain when this is all over."

"I wish I got your confidence, Luny." Lorcan said with a sigh as he left the room with his pals following. "For the love of-"

"Enough with the miniskirts! The author will deal with that a few stories later..." Discord exclaimed to Lorcan with an annoyed sigh. The miniskirts will come later...one can hope.

"No, not that!" Lorcan exclaimed with an irritating groan.

"Then what," Discord asked as he made a chair appear, pushed Lorcan into it and got out some paper, going to work like a psychiatrist, "Tell me what's on your mind."

Lorcan sighed, "Well, first off subject, I think that, well, with you, me and Michael getting closer, I think we need a group name...something like the three Chaos makers."

"That's not all, is it?" Discord asked Lorcan in concern.

"No...can you do something about this cloak?" Lorcan cringed, pulling at his cloak.

"Is there something serious you rather talk about? About Twilight," Michael asked Lorcan. He suspected that the Dragon was still hesitating about speaking to Twilight, despite giving his word to do so.

Before Lorcan could speak, Golden Heart appeared, asking, "Refused again?"

"Yeah. I'm just saying ponies could use clothes. What went wrong?" Lorcan mumbled a bit, shaking his head. A few times he tries to get Celestia to order that ponies were miniskirts. And a few times, especially now, she had refused.

"Probably the fact that if you wear miniskirts, that doesn't stop bucking colts looking at their bucking flanks..." Michael commented with a light chuckle.

Lorcan looks disgusted, remarks, "Never thought of it like that, actually." The former villain sniffed his cloak, gagging a bit. This smells." Lorcan prepared to take off his cloak.

"Pony at two o'clock," Discord called out as he took the form of a pocket watch as if making a pun.

"Uh-oh," Lorcan yelped. He put the hood back up, resulting in him changing back to his baby Dragon form as a pony passed by. That was a close one!

"What's the cloak for?'" Golden Heart asked Lorcan, puzzled. During all this time of seeing him in the castle, the Alicorn never thought of why his friend keeps wearing that thing.

Lorcan sighed. May as well explain the truth, "Hiding myself and keeping the small part of Tadaka inside me at bay; Not even Celestia and Luna could keep me in a permanent form."

"I see." Golden Heart said, thoughtfully. "This is just me pitching but it looks like your inner darkness is still trying to get control."

"I know! I keep it at bay by wearing the cloak. If I put my hood down, then I will instantly change into my teenage self!" Lorcan explained in a frustrated tone to Golden Heart. "I was hoping one day that I wouldn't put up with this but it has been years since that defeat long ago."

Michael whistled a bit, "Sounds like you still got daddy issues."

"And what I'm worried about most of all? Twilight may not want to forgive me...at all." Lorcan remarked with a groan.

"She forgave Trixie, Sunset, even Discord." Golden Heart said calmly to Lorcan, recalling Twilight's past successes, "Why not you?"

"Because I took her brother away...even though...I don't know what happened to the body." Lorcan explained bitterly to his friends. "It makes me wonder why I didn't continue looking for one."

"Let's leave that to later, my friend." Discord said, picking up Lorcan. "We got a meeting to prepare for."

"Okay... but I'm still not sure about this." Lorcan said with a sigh.

-------------

Pinkamena was sitting in a chair at the throne room with the group waiting for Twilight and gang. She said, "Okay, we need to be ready. Twilight is really ticked, and once she sees Lorcan..."

Golden Heart spoke up, "I know, that's why we are ready, right?"

The group nodded as Omega had the binds ready and Sombra. His horn's glowing, ready along with the others. The group wanted to be prepared in case Twilight loses it when she finds out that Lorcan is alive.

"Do not go overboard; just make sure nothing goes wrong, okay?" Pinkamena reminded her friends carefully.

They all nodded as they wait. Twilight and her friends arrived at the throne room. They were told to wait for the princesses and Tao to come and explain as to what's going on. The Princess of Friendship was curious. She hoped whatever her former mentor called her here for, the heroes could find a way to help Equestria in some way.

"Oh, I am nervous. I haven't been this nervous since I was trying to find a way out of that office building." Twilight said nervously, recalling the incident with Ghostwriter once more.

"Looks like we ain't 'de only ones," Applejack said.

Sure enough, Applejack was right. Some old Mystic Pony friends were here as well. Blade Dragoon, noticing, saw the Mane Six, Spike and Ben, "Hmm? Ah, my friends, it is an honor to see you here."

"Yeah, it's quite some times since that Clone incident." Warpath said smiling. He hasn't seen these ponies since the incident with the Clones.

"Hey, good to see you two again," Ben said, bowing to his old friends.

"Right, we were wondering what you two has been up to." Fluttershy said with a happy grin.

Virtue grinned to Warpath and Blade Dragoon, speaking to them as if speaking to honorable warriors, "So, these are the brave warriors Blade and Warpath that you spoke of? I am honored. My name is Virtue Dragon."

Twilight bowed to Virtue, speaking, "An honor to meet you, Emperor of Dragon West."

"Twi; Wanna tell me why he was called by that?" Rainbow asked Twilight, puzzled.

Intellect chuckled as he spoke up, "Allow me. Lord Virtue was a peasant before he and his Sworn Brothers joined the Imperial Qin's Army as Captain in dealing with Yellow Horsemen Rebellion. After the Fall of Wrath Qin, Virtue, he journeyed across the Land of Ma in search of helping and protecting innocents from wars. During his journey, he met countless warriors and intellect such as me, Dragonspear and more. After the Battle of Crimson River, most of the Dragon Warriors headed to the west. And it is where our foundation was built as the Dragon West Kingdom."

"Wow!" Rainbow exclaimed in amazement.

"That's awesome!" Spike exclaimed, standing on his one tail.

"Yes, it is a wonderful honor." Rarity said in agreement.

"Are you the reason mom called us here?" Ben asked Virtue curiously.

"I wish." Virtue said, wishing that was in fact the case. "No, there is another reason which only some of us knew of personally."

Twilight was puzzled. If Virtue wasn't the reason for Celestia wanting her, Ben and her friends to be here, then what was?

A light blue Pegasus named Dragonspear, who had a spiky brown mane and tail in a ponytail, and dressed in green armor, spoke up, "Anyway, indeed. It's much like Azure Phoenix and Claw Tiger. Because of my lord's kindness and selflessness, most of us warriors follow him till the very end. For Dragon West's only purpose is to build benevolent for all."

"So Virtue, what brings you here?" Twilight asked, pondering what brings Virtue here.

"I came here to talk... with an old friend of mine." Virtue explained seriously to the princess.

Warpath huffed in anger, "More like an enemy..."

Blade groaned at Warpath's attitude, "Warpath, not now."

"Enemy; what do ya mean?" Applejack asked in wonder.

"You will find out soon, my friends." Intellect said with a serious look.

Sure enough, the Royal Sisters, Azure and Tao finally came in, preparing for what's going to be the biggest conversion. The Alicorn of the Sun could only hope it doesn't end badly.

"Thank you all for coming. You all probably wondering what I called you up here." Celestia said seriously.

"Nope; pur names are the Mane Six and other names. Too late to change them all to 'up here'," Rainbow joked a bit, making some of her friends roll their eyes at this bad joke.

"Pleasant. Now then, as you know, over the years, the Mane Six has grown, making new friends and dealing with enemies alike." Celestia said. She motioned to her sister while saying, "Enemies like Nightmare Moon who is reformed and/or changed in some way. Discord, whose is now on our side. Sombra..."

"That's me." Sombra said with a growl, nodding a bit.

"As well as those still at large, like the Changelings, the Dark Mystic Ponies, the Apocalypse Ponies." Celestia said, bringing up the names of the villains. "But over time, like I said, some of them can be changed if we understand them and are able to reform them."

"Right, Luna and Discord are those who showed that they could change their colors." Ben said with a delightful smile.

"Yeah...not like those meanie pants Dark Mystic Ponies, like Shadow Dragon!" Pinkie remarks, a hint of disgust seen on her face. Tao, of course, seemed about troubled about that.

"Quite right," Rarity said with a sigh, nodding in agreement.

"And Lorcan! Ooooh, don't get me started on him!" Pinkie exclaims, making the Royal Sisters and Tao worry upon hearing that. Luna motioned her to stop, but Pinkie kept on yelping, "That Lorcan was mean! Remember what he did, Twilight, huh? When he beat every one of us up, tried to kill the ponies with his army, and even whacked your brother?"

"I can still remember that day when I lost Starlight!" Twilight exclaimed in disgust and anger. She hadn't forgotten or forgave Lorcan for what he did to everyone, especially to Starlight. “That murdering Dragon!”

"Yep! You don't catch Benny's mom and auntie hanging around with a war mongering murderer!" Pinkie giggled as she somehow got near Celestia's head, giving her a big noogie.

"Yeah...funny you should mention Lorcan." Celestia said awkwardly.

Luna, Azure and Tao nodded quickly. Better get to him now.

--------------------

Lorcan groaned a bit as he walked back and forth in his room. How long is the pre-meeting going to be? The Dragon hated waiting.

Oh, well, may as well take his frustration out. So Lorcan used his magic to make some plates appear, then fired at them, destroying the plates. Lorcan nodded with a grin behind his hood. That felt better. Lorcan made more appear.

Unknown to everyone, the castle maid was heading down a hallway to check chambers for her to clean. The princesses ordered her not to get into any that are labeled "Do not enter without authorization by Princess Celestia." Unfortunately, the princesses had forgotten to tell Lorcan this...and the sign that was over his door was knocked down during his fight with the Royal Guard earlier, falling into the trash!

"Well, may as well clean in here." The maid mumbled a bit as she headed into the room.

The maid came in...and yelped as a blast almost hit her. She looked up and gasped upon seeing the cloaked Dragon teen, whose looked at her in alarm. But unfortunately, things were about to get worse...she could see his true face and his scar!

"Ah, horse crap." Lorcan mumbled under his hood.

The maid screamed loudly in panic, "GUARDS! GUARDS! WE GOT AN INTRUDER!!!!"

The maid was so loud, the Royal Guards heard her and rushed over to the chamber. They saw Lorcan, making him feel hasty, considering that his secret cover got blown.

The guards fired their magical spears, making Lorcan dodge and jump out of the window to avoid them. He landed outside, sighing a bit.

But Lorcan looked up and saw that he landed in the center...allowing more ponies to see him, gasping in shock and alarm.

Lorcan groaned, "Nowadays, you can't make a great escape."

Lorcan made a run for it, jumping as more pursuers chased after him.

-------------

"So Celestia, why did you bring up that scarred monster?" Twilight asked Celestia puzzled. Why would she of all princesses bring up a Dragon who tried to take over Equestria and wipe out every pony there was?

"Careful, that's my brother." Spike said, reminding Twilight.

Celestia was about to speak when a commotion was heard outside. The princess frowned as she flew over to the main doors and opened them.

"What's going on?" Celestia demanded as the Royal Guards are rushing out quickly.

"We got an intruder, princess! The maid found a scarred creature in one of the chambers." A Royal Guard explained to the princess. "But no worries, we are going after him now!"

"No." Celestia gasped in shock, secretly cursing herself. That chamber of Lorcan's was supposed to be labeled!

"Princess, what's going on?" Spike asked Celestia in concern.

"I will explain later." Celestia said seriously, looking at the ones who knew the truth. Luna gasped quietly while Tao nodded grimly. Looks like the cat's out of the bag now! Or in this case, the Dragon!

----------------------

Lorcan ran through down, knocking down trash cans to slow his pursuers down, dodging magic that broke certain parts of the wall. He can't harm any of the ponies! He feared it will let him be seen once again, like his evil self!

"Ugh! Why the hay wasn't this happening years ago," Lorcan demanded as he came to a ledge.

"Got you now," A Royal Guard exclaimed while approaching.

"All this over little ol' me," Lorcan joked a bit. "I'm touched."

Lorcan jumped off then lands on a clothes line, sliding down it fast. He unintentionally collected clothes while doing so. However, at the end of the line is a window where a mare was at.

"AAAAAHH," The mare screamed as she closed the shutters to her windows.

"OOF!!" Lorcan grunted as he hit the closed window before falling downward.

Lorcan landed on the ground. Luckily, the clothes softened his landing. He got up, sighing.

"There he is!" A stallion called out from the rooftop above.

"You won't get away that easily!" Another Royal Guard exclaimed furiously.

"You think that's easy?" Lorcan scoffed a bit as he got up and runs off.

"Gotcha," The first Royal Guard from before exclaimed as he grabbed him. "And this time..."

"Look! A mare with no self-esteem," Lorcan exclaimed, pointing to nothing in particular.

"Huh?" The Royal Guard asked confused as he looked away for a moment.

Lorcan quickly turned the guard's helmet around, blocking his sight. The pony yelped as he let the Dragon go, moving around.

"Guards, useless," Lorcan joke a bit as he ran off quickly.

The Royal Guards kept chasing him with ponies joining in. They ran past a strong tough pony doing poses to a crowd. Lorcan was behind him, mimicking his moves to be hidden.

Unfortunately, Lorcan made a mistake, causing the crowd to gasp on seeing him. He groaned, "Okay, not a bright move."

Lorcan rushed off with the angry crowd chasing him. He leapt over a pile of hot coals. The Royal Guard, Earth Pony types, chased him without noticing the hot coals at first.

"Ouch! Owie! Oh-oh," The Earth Pony Royal Guard exclaimed like mad, their hooves burnt a bit while going across the coal pit.

Lorcan rushed by a crowd watching a pony swallowing swords. He rushed back and grabbed one, making him yelp. The Royal Guards stopped, gasping as Lorcan landed in front of him, waving his sword around tauntingly.

"Want a piece of me?!" Lorcan asked with a mischievous smile behind his hood.

"He got a sword!" One Pegasus Royal Guard exclaimed in terror as Lorcan kept on waving his sword at the guards.

"You idiot," A Unicorn Royal Guard snapped in annoyance as he revealed a sword while shouting, "We all got swords!"

"Yeah," The other guards exclaimed in unison as they got their own swords out.

"Heh heh; Later," Lorcan said meekly, putting his sword down then running off.

Lorcan rushed off, but saw original ponies heading his way. He then saw the Royal Guards getting closer behind him. Thinking quickly, the scarred Dragon climbed up a wall in time, causing his pursuers to crash into one another.

Lorcan continued running, but more ponies joined in the chase. He soon found himself back against a wall that could not be climbed.

"We got you now!" A citizen cried out angrily. "We won't let you almost harm the princesses!"

"Wait, come on." Lorcan said as he took a wallet, opening a part that shows some photos. "I got photos of a wife and three foals, see?"

"Yeah, I got the same photos, too." The Unicorn Royal Guard said dryly as he opens his own wallet, showing the same photos. "They all came with the wallet!"

Lorcan chuckled awkwardly as he ditched the wallet. So much for that! The Dragon took a pair of glasses from out of nowhere and put them over his face.

"You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses, would you?" Lorcan asked mischievously.

A big Earth Pony frowned as he grabbed the glasses then smashed them over Lorcan's head, breaking them. The Dragon cringed as he was given the glasses back.

"Right, right You would hit a guy WITH glasses. Yeah, I saw what you did there." Lorcan said awkwardly.

The crowd roared as the Royal Guards closed in. Looks like this could get ugly.

"ENOUGH!" Luna boomed out in her Royal Canterlot voice. The crowd gasped as they moved, allowing the Royal Sisters, the Mane Six, Ben, Spike, Pinkamena's group as well as the Mystic Ponies to enter. "OUR SISTER AND US SHALL DEAL WITH THIS!'

"What's this? Another Apocalypse Pony’," Rainbow asked in disbelief, shaking her head at Lorcan, "Gotta admit, those guys must be getting desperate. They send in a weak guy who couldn't even fight back."

"All right, who are you? What are you doing in Canterlot?" Ben demanded sternly to Lorcan. "Trying to kill my mother or steal something?"

"Look, my business is...not your own." Lorcan said, trying to disguise his voice, but was having trouble doing so.

"Weird, you sound familiar." Spike said in concern, making Lorcan sweat under his hood. "Say, aren't you the same guy who..."

"We will find out once we open the hood!" Twilight exclaimed sternly. The Alicorn began using her magic to grab at the hood. Once this intruder is revealed, all would be answered.

"N-n-no, don't touch the hood!" Lorcan yelled out frantically. He tried to escape, but it was no use.

His hood was removed...and he grew to his teenage Dragon size. Everyone but those who knew the truth gasped in shock and horror as they saw a familiar figure whose no one had seen in years.

"LORCAN," Most of the Mane Six gasped in shock.

"Lorcan?" Spike asked, stunned. His brother; Here; And still alive?

"Lorcan," Twilight exclaimed in shock and fury, glaring at the murderer whom she'd rather NOT see again!

"Pinkamena," Pinkamena exclaimed happily, making most of everyone looks at her. "What?"

"You see why I wear it?! Old daddy's magic is still inside me...I wear this to stay in control." Lorcan explained frantically and angrily at Twilight for removing his cloak.

"Wow, this day just keeps getting better." Ben remarked sarcastically at this turn of events.

"Everyone leaves but myself, my sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and the ones with me." Celestia said seriously to the Royal Guards and the mob involved in the chase.

"But Princess, with all due respect..." The Unicorn Royal Guard said, trying to speak reason.

"We shall handle this, lieutenant. Everyone else, please leave."

The mob looks a bit uncomfortable, leaving the heroes of Equestria to deal with the one who tried to wipe out the pony kind with his Dragon army. But they all agree to leave the scene, leaving the heroes of Equestria and the Mystic Ponies to handle Lorcan alone.

"Okay, what the buck is going on? How is Lorcan still alive when I clearly saw him dissolved right before my eyes," Twilight demands. She then looks upward, being pissed, "Ghostwriter! If this is another story you're putting me in, I am not impressed at all!"

"Twilight, who the hay are you talking to," Golden Heart ask Twilight a bit puzzled as to why she's talking to the sky like that.

"Twilight was abducted by a meanie ghost writer and was forced to be in a story with a couple of humans." Pinkie explains happily to Golden Heart. "She went through a lot of endings and was killed twice!"

"Twilight got better with each reboot though." Fluttershy explains to the ones who don't know.

"Twilight, listen. This is real, not a story made by a writing villain." Tao explains calmly to Twilight. "Everything you see...is real."

"Oh. Well, if that's the case, then answer me this...WHY THE HAY IS LORCAN STILL ALIVE?!" Twilight yells out angrily as she glares at Lorcan who glares back at her.

Azure decided at this point to speaks up, "Twilight. It's time to put you on another test; A Test of Forgiveness and Release the Darkness."

"Okay, what do you mean? It involves Lorcan, doesn't it? I can't believe it...my brother is here...and alive..." Spike ask, still amazed that Lorcan is still living this whole time.

"But how is he still alive?" Applejack asks in disbelief. "We done saw him git dissolved..."

"Though Twilight did got this feeling that he's still alive, so there's that," Rainbow said, recalling how Twilight got this hunch that has her and her friends investigate Lorcan's former castle and the Everfree Forest.

Warpath sighs, "I know this is going to be a problem if they're gonna shown him to us."

"Not now, Warpath." Virtue scolds his friend not to cause any problems right now.

"The time is now, Princess..." Tao said seriously to the princess. Celestia must explain what is going on before things get way out of hoof here.

"Very well," Celestia said, breathing in and out before continuing to speak. "You all saw Lorcan dissolved right? But in reality, he survived his fight...and has been living here in the castle since then."

"What?" Most of the ones in the dark gasped in shock.

"My brother has been living here the whole time?" Spike asks in surprise and amazement.

"That is correct." Celestia said to Spike, nodding as she confirms what he's thinking.

"Mother, why didn't you let us in on his survival sooner?" Ben asks Celestia in concern.

"The truth be told, I was waiting for the events of Lorcan's war to die down...as well as planning to reveal his survival...but with what's going on since then, it was hard for me to do so. But now, with your recent dream about Lorcan, Twilight Sparkle, Azure decided that the time has come for this to happen. You must forgive Lorcan."

"This is your test, Twilight. Pass it... I may reconsider helping you to achieve your Dark Form." Azure explains calmly to Twilight. In other words, the test is that Twilight must forgive Lorcan to get to her Dark Form.

"You want me to do what?! No! I won't accept it! How could you?! You know that tiny Lorcan can never be forgiven! You should know what he has done to Equestria and Spike." Twilight protests angrily to Azure. Bad enough she found out that monster is alive, but now the princess and Lord Azure wants her to...forgive him?!

"I'm not that little, genius!" Lorcan protests in irritation.

"Yeah, we agree. He beat us up, try 'ta kill everypony we know." Applejack said angrily.

"He almost killed poor Nyx and attacked your son as well." Rarity explains to Celestia as to what Lorcan has done.

"As well as corrupt the Elements long before we send them back to the Tree." Rainbow said with a scowl, glaring at Lorcan.

"Also, he is a Super Meanie Killer Pants." Pinkie remarked, giving a raspberry at Lorcan who raspberries her right back. "Hey!"

"Uh...no comment," Fluttershy said meekly, not having anything bad or any reason to badmouth Lorcan.

"Twilight, girls, the darkness in Lorcan is smaller than one may think." Celestia explains calmly to the Mane Six who still has doubts about Lorcan. "Plus, Lorcan has helped you in the past, correct?"

"Yeah, I saved Fluttershy from changelings when Tirek went all Grand Theft on your kid's body." Lorcan explains, pointing out what he did when Tirek came back the first time. "I even aided you in your fight against the Superior when you first went to the human world to retrieve your crown from Sunset Shimmer, you know, the one from this world."

"That was you?!" Twilight yells out in shock to Lorcan.

"Yep; I could've left you all to rot, but I didn't."

"I supposed it was you who appeared on the Muppet Show with Michael Trotter, huh?" Ben asks Lorcan curiously, suspecting that he was there too.

"Yep, and I did one Tartarus of a number thank you very much." Lorcan explains, proud of the musical number that he and Michael had done for the Muppet Show back then.

"You see? Lorcan had done well for you all in the past. As you have redeemed Discord, Sunset Shimmer, and even King Sombra, you can redeem another soul." Celestia explains clearly to the Mane Six. 

Most of the group seems convinced. Perhaps the time has come for Lorcan to be forgiven...

"Are you kidding?! What makes you think Lorcan needs to be forgiven?!" Twilight disagrees as the others nod in agreement. "How do we even know that he isn't pretending to be clear of his darkness?"

"Twilight, what Celestia said is the truth. And you must learn to forgive him." Tao said calmly to Twilight. 

"If I don't?"

"Then, you fail. Hatred will consume you."

"But Lord Azure...Master Tao...Lorcan can't be trusted." Twilight insists, giving a scared and angry look at Lorcan. The monster almost wiped out Equestria...everyone she knew...and even killed Starlight.

Tao whacked Twilight's head. She yelps in pain as the Mystic Pony scowls at her, "Pay attention! Give him a chance. After what he did wrong since Spike learns the truth, he is redeeming his mistakes."

"Watch carefully of what he's doing, then you will be convinced to forgive him. Are you willing to accept it?" Azure asks Twilight clearly.

After some thoughts, Twilight sighed, "Fine... I'll do it."

"Good... While I'm away with Dragon Kick for some... important request, the Dragon West will be your guide and assistance." Tao explains, pleased that Twilight, despite some hesitation, is agreeing to this. "They will watch your progress and youré doing. Don't do anything so foolish. And don't take advice from Warpath, he's terrible."

"Hey!" Warpath exclaims, offended by the remark.

"I trust you're ready for this."

"Yes, sir. I won't let you three down." Twilight said, trying not to keep her patience. If the Mystic Ponies demanded her to do this, then it shall be done.

Azure put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, lifting her head as he said calmly, "No... Don't let yourself down. You... have to be the one to free from within..."

"What do you mean?"

"You will find out. Rest Assure..." Tao said to Twilight, knowing that it's up to the Princess of Friendship to figure that out herself.

"That's what I'm worried about..." Twilight groans a bit. She is going to find it hard to even forgive Lorcan or see anything good about him.

"Master Lorcan, it's an honor to see you again. Let us rekindle our friendship. Hopefully, we'll have a good time again." Virtue said to Lorcan with a grin on his face as if greeting an old friend for the first time in years.

"Yeah. Hopefully your friends and brothers are okay with me." Lorcan said with a sigh. If Virtue's friends and brothers can accept him, at least that's one hell of a start, right? 

Blade, Dragonspear and Intellect smiled and nodded their heads in agreement. Warpath gave a skeptic look to Lorcan, snapping, "I'm keeping an eye on ya, traitor. Just because you did good doesn't mean I can go easy on you. I never like you, shorty."

Lorcan groaned, "Quit calling me that, numbskull!"

"You wanna mess with me, brat?!"

"I dare ya, you knucklehead!"

Twilight groaned in annoyance, "Sure... this is gonna be fun... Having my enemy at my home only... to be tested to forgive him and having Dragon West be with me. This is gonna be fun... Great..."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Rainbow groans angrily, agreeing with her friend/princess. "I don't think Ponyville will be happy to see him."

"They will most likely shoot at him when he shows up." Rarity said with a scoff.

"Oh, come on, girls. He's my brother...and he seems to be cleared of most of his darkness." Spike said to the Mane Six, trying to explain that Lorcan may really have changed for the better. "If we at least give him a chance...who knows? Who knows?"

"Well...Spike does got a point. I mean, most of you didn't trust Discord at first...but I was given the task to reform him." Fluttershy explains softly to her friends. "So maybe...we should...do the same for Lorcan?"

"Fine, fine...but I will do so and continue doing so on one condition..." Twilight said sternly. She then points a hoof at Lorcan, snapping, "He has to stand trial!"

Most of everyone gasps in surprise and/or shock at this demand. Luna in concern arches an eyebrow as she asks though the princess knew the reason that Twilight would say that, "And pray tell, why?"

"Oh, let's see...attacking Ponyville, almost killing me and my friends, as well as most of Equestria, assault, stealing the Elements, releasing an evil Dragon army...must I go on?!"

"Twilight does have a point. Ponyville won't simply let Lorcan roam around. It's best for him to stand trial before we continue anything." Ben said in concern. Ponyville will not allow a war criminal like Lorcan to roam around free. It's best he stand trial for his crimes before the reformation can begin.

"And since he attacked Ponyville and it's my kingdom, he shall stand trial there." Twilight said sternly.

Celestia pauses a bit then she turns to Lorcan, speaking, "Lorcan? It's your call."

"...fine, fine. You want me to stand trial? I will do it, just to prove I am on the level." Lorcan said calmly. If he must stand trial for his crimes, then so be it.

"Good...I can't wait to see you sweat." Twilight said, giving out an evil grin on waiting Lorcan to sweat in court and be punished for his crimes.

Twilight's group as well as Lorcan then takes their leave, preparing for a trip back to Ponyville to begin the trial as well as the reformation. Luna looks worried and deeply emotional. It would take a miracle for Lorcan to even win his trial...
> Chapter 2: Lorcan's Court Trial
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2: Lorcan's Court Trial


It was a quiet trip on the train trip back to Ponyville. No one said a word or even do anything but sit there. Twilight did not even speak a word to Lorcan who sat by himself. She is upset and hurt: upset that Lorcan is still alive and Celestia didn't tell her, and hurt that the monster who killed Starlight is back in her filly life.

And now, they are expecting her to forgive him?! Only if Tartarus froze over would that ever happen!

Spike meanwhile sat near his brother, silently. It has been a while since he saw Lorcan. Spike should be happy that he is happy...but is concerned, fearing how the events would turn down. Would Twilight finally forgive him? Knowing what happened in the past before, during and after Lorcan's war, there's no way in Tartarus that may happen anytime soon.

Spike finally spoke to Lorcan, "Lorcan..."

".....yeah?" Lorcan asks Spike after a while of pausing.

"Why didn't you-"

"I didn't think you were ready, bro."

Spike sighs, understanding. Lorcan wasn't ready back then to reveal himself to still be alive...and now? Well, at least Spike is happy, instead of angry that another member of his family is still among the living.

"Well, I'm happy that you're back, Lorcan...though I fear with Twilight's current behavior, that may end shortly." Spike said to Lorcan with a sigh. "But...I'm sure the trial will turn out fine."

Lorcan just scoffs at this as if he was granted a pardon before it's time, "Big bucking deal. With what I did to Ponyville before, I doubt they will ever believe the same thing. I mean, Discord causes chaos and then he was reformed by Fluttershy? It took a disastrous monster like Tirek to get Twilight to warm up to him. What? Do we have to wait for the same thing to happen to me before your "mother" eventually warms up to me too?"

"Hey, come on. Don't be like that, Lorcan! Give Twilight time. I'm sure she could..."

"Spike, just don't...not right now. Wait until the trial's over, then try to comfort me."

Twilight glares at Lorcan talking with Spike. That monster has some nerve to even speak with her son after what he did. Lorcan should've stayed dead! It disgusted her big time.

"Twilight, easy, honey," Ben said, nuzzling his love. To his disappointment, it didn't help at all. "If Lorcan was found guilty, he was too small...no offense to him...and powerless to cause any further trouble like before. The court could give him a simple sentence."

Twilight is heard muttering as if wanting everyone else to do so, "Death penalty if I'm lucky."

Lorcan, with his hood up, baby Dragon size again, glares at Twilight as he snaps, "I'm right here ya know."

"Good!" 

"Twilight...please." Ben said, pleading to Twilight to stop before she ruined everything, even intentionally. "You're treating him the same way you treated me last year during Winter Wrap-Up. You promised you would follow your heart. You even made that statue for me."

"I said I would follow my heart only if it involved you." Twilight snaps to Ben stubbornly. Lorcan isn't part of her heart, never will be.

"Please, please, let's not argue." Fluttershy said meekly, wanting the fighting to stop. "Uh...please? Can't it wait?"

Twilight frowns but decides to refrain from doing anymore talking. After all, there will be plenty of time of doing so later.

After a few minutes or so, the train finally stops in Ponyville. Everyone got off the train, especially Twilight's group. The princess sighs in irritation as she leads the group. May as well get to City Hall and...

"Everypony, may we have your attention!" Pinkie calls out happily, getting everyone's attention. Lorcan yelps as she removes his hood, revealing his face. "May we introduce..."

"Waaaaaughh……" The crowds scream in terror and were running away from the sight to protect themselves from the dangerous villain who has returned from the grave.

"....Well...no weapons," Lorcan said. "That's a start."

Lorcan ducked to dodge a bullet from Tough Apple.

"Tough Apple; Put 'dat boomstick down,' Applejack scowled at her cousin who is preparing to fire at Lorcan once more.

"Come on, AJ; 'Dat monster 'dat tried 'ta destroy us all is back!" Tough Apple exclaims angrily, preparing to fire, but Applejack knocks it down, "AJ!"

"Everyone," Ben said, giving a glare at Pinkie for ruining things too early. "Gather at the courthouse, we are having a trial today."

"My word," Mayor Mare said with a gasp. She and her colleagues were passing by when they saw this scene...especially Lorcan. "Princess Twilight Sparkle! Please tell me my eyes aren't deceiving me..."

"Yes, unfortunately it is Lorcan, back from the dead...but he won't be staying in Ponyville long." Twilight said grumpily to the mayor, much to Lorcan's annoyance and Spike's concern. Already she's giving him the death sentence! "Just get the trial ready at once!"

"Yes, of course."

"And someone find something to obtain Lorcan! I ain't taking chances."

"Ugh." Lorcan groans as he slaps himself on the forehead. Now this is getting intense, even for him.

As the Mane Six group were moving themselves, they were unaware that Pinkamena seem to be trailing them along with Golden Heart and the rest of their group.

"Twilight seems really angry, but I fear there maybe more to things than what the enemy maybe planning." Pinkamena address the situation in breaking the Fourth Wall here.

"Why's that?" Goldie asked off in what his sister was talking about.

"Can't say, but my Pinkie Senses say something far more evil is about to happen." Pinkamena shrug off to say this in stating what she could sense. "Like for example; them bringing back Lorcan and Spike's evil corruptive father when Lorcan is trying to show he's reformed." She expressed off the case in what the enemy could do during the time.

That surprised Goldie's group in what they heard, and for those that have lived long enough to recall what Tadaka & his army once did 1000 years ago....it can't be anything good.

"Oh man, if that is the case, then the problems are just starting!" Jack Zen exclaimed in finding that sorta theory to be downright bad.

"You don't think that evil Dragon could returned, could he?" Autumn Gem asked nervously in not liking the sounds of where this may be heading.

"If that is the case, then it'll only lead to Twilight's downfall because of her hatred lingering from the lost of her brother!" Sombra regrettably exclaimed the issue in fearing that such things will become worse for Twilight, who holds a grudge against Lorcan in attacking her and her little brother long ago.

"If such means lead to an end, calculations indicate that if Tadaka's return, he'll continue his long urge to destroy all pony life." Omega issued off in recalling form his databanks in knowing what Tadaka would do if he returns, continue his quest to wipe Equestria of all ponies.

"Well luckily, I have a Plan B for the occasion." Pinkamena issued off in having something to help out, as she pulls out a needle with something in it which got the group very puzzled. "I'll simply inject this into Twilight's neck and this will knock her down a notch, causing her to lose all her anger to the point she will cool down enough to be able to listen and forgive Lorcan. At least that way, she can't let her emotions cloud her judgment if such actions develop." She explained the basic planning step in what to do if Tadaka returns, Twilight will be clouded of remembering Lorcan's evil and believe the two will join forces, etc.

"And if that fails to do so?" Goldie asked his sister of what happens if such a step doesn't work.

"Well that's with a lighter dose, if I use the entire needle injection, it'll simply put Twilight to sleep. But the effects will make her see horror-able visions. Like example as such; for if she fails to forgive Lorcan and lets her hatred continue when she should just let it go." Pinkamena explained that last part of what happens if such a case were to be.

That last part seems to give many in Goldie's group quite a shock in having heard that last part, it sounds much worse if Twilight was given a full dosage of that strange injection needle.

"Are you sure you wanna go that far?" Jack Zen questioned the idea that Pinkamena was thinking, at least the light injection of the needle sounded better than a full on injection to lead to such things.

"Well how else will she know before it comes too late?" Pinkamena shrug off to say in quoting that desperate times call for such desperate measures.

Many still had their own doubts of going so far, but they decided to leave what happens...for when the time calls for it. Everyone here will have to be ready for anything as they continue to trail the Mane Six group to assure...things are not gonna go out of control....

--------------------------------

The Apocalypse Ponies were in the middle of a meeting with Dark Curse attending. They are discussing some ways to break that shield down; So far, no progress from Chase. Of course, they didn't get far when certain Demon Lords appear spiritually...and they look upset for some reason.

"Is there something you wish to tell us?" Tso Lan demanded to the Superior more than he asked.

"No... Nothing is important." The Superior said calmly.

"Hmm... Strange... I could have sworn that... You or Grimmore didn't tell us something that we wish to know." Shendu said with a deep frown as if he's suspecting that his allies are hiding something.

"What do you mean?" Suffocator Jill asks, not liking Shendu's attitude.

"Oh brother, this is going to be like the incident with Boris again." Warring Malice groans a bit, recalling that little incident when she send Boris's goons to the End of Equestria behind her allies' back.

"Who are you to make suspicions of us?!" Fluttercruel demands furiously to the Demon Lords.

Bai Tza begins to hiss furiously, "Stop stalling us! We demand answers now! We demand them now!" 

"Is it true that Lorcan had survived his war?! Has he hidden from us since the aftermath?! Has he helped the Ponies?!" Dai Gui demands to the Apocalypse Ponies.

"What," Trix Lulamoon yelps in shock and disbelief. That monster...the same one who torture her into joining his little Brotherhood is alive?! But she wasn't aware of this!

"Nope; ut isn't true." Liarjack said, looking back while lying as usual.

"We don't know what you're on about either." Psycho Pie said, hanging upside, pondering how her own Demon Lord bonded would taste like cupcakes.

Tchang Zu float away from Psycho Pie, demanding, "Enough lies! Give us answers now!"

The Superior sighed in annoyance, "Very well... It's true... Lorcan had been alive since the aftermath of Dragon War. I was surprise that... You were able to find the truth out."

"Surprise; Try our anger and wrath!" Hsi Wu demands, looking pissed. The Superior has some nerve to keep this a secret from his Demon Lord allies!

Po Kong growled, "Agreed! You dare hide the truth from us?! How many truths are you willing to hide?!"

Xiao Fung snaps angrily, "We agreed to join your brotherhood for our revenge! And so far what we did... is the waste of our time! And we did nothing!" It's true; the Demon Lords are getting fed up with waiting. They want to act now!

"Calm yourself, my dear friends. The time will come. I assure you..." The Superior said, trying to calm the upset Demons down. He feel that they won't do anything to him since their bodies are trapped in the Demon Realm, and only he and Grimmore has the ability to allow them to let the Demon Lords use the Apocalypse Ponies to their advantage.

Dai Gui however interrupts, "Don't bother! We have made our move!"

Tchang Zu nodded his head while adding, "Agreed! We have send Drago and the rest of his Dragon Army to deal with it!"

"You did what?! How dare you?!" The Superior demands, shocked and upset. These Demon Lords went and done this behind his back?! 

Bai Tza hissed as if countering what he's saying, "No! How dare you?! You withhold the truth from us! And you lied to us even more to avoid us learning Lorcan's existence!!"

Shendu hissed in anger, "Lorcan is the Demon Lords' responsibility, not Grimmore! And how dare he claim it was his when he did absolute nothing with it?! We are the ones who help Tadaka and his Dragons fight! We are the ones who gave him the power to defeat them! We are the ones who help Lorcan to start his war! Not this 'Demon God'!"

"Agreed... We became completely weary of it, Superior. Grimmore claimed to be trapped within Tartarus yet he was able to go to another realm and create the Black Hole?!" Tso Lan demands, feeling disgusted that Grimmore was trapped inside Tartarus, yet he almost destroyed the EG world with his Black Hole!

"Either he hides his true power or mere an illusion?!" Bai Tza adds, believing that Grimmore was lying about being trapped the whole time.

"I completely doubt that he hides 'true power' behind his back. A term: laziness is perfect for him." Xiao Fung remarks. He is now half-fully doubtfully that Grimmore was a true threat at all.

Hsi Wu hissed, nodding in agreement, "Agreed. He has the advantages, and he chose to spare them?! It's unbelievable! He can never be better than the previous Demon God; that monstrous-!"

Tchang Zu interrupts Hsi Wu before his fellow Demon Lord would say the name, "Silent, Hsi Wu! Do not speak of his name! I do not wish to hear his than Grimmore's!"

Dai Gui snorted: a bit, "Doesn't matter! We have our mission to complete! Do not interfere, Superior!"

"I'm warning you! Grimmore will-!" The Superior said, knowing that Grimmore will not stand for this treacherous act.

The Superior was interrupted again, this time by Po Kong, "Will what?! Tear us apart?! Take our souls away?! Send us back to the Demon Realm! Don't fool us that easily! If he's truly the mightiest of all, why waste his time for nothing?!

"In fact, we don't want to know his reason." Shendu remarked. He doesn't want to know why Grimmore chose not to do much of anything and let the Demon Lords come out to play. "He wasted enough of our time! We have our own mission to perform!"

Tso Lan nodded while adding, "Indeed... You can try to stop us, Superior. But you need us. I know that... You wish to cover the Equestria into Darkness, and so are we..."

The Superior groaned while slapping a hoof to his forehead, "These Demon Lords! Unbelievable!"

Dark Curse decided to cut in before this incident gets worst to the point of no return, "Allow me; Demon Lords. We are truly sorry for the deception. But rest assured of it, it will not happen again. If you can't trust Grimmore, I can be certain of informing you of some important news."

"Hmm...Very well, Dark Curse. We shall put our trust to you." Tso Lan said thoughtfully. At least Dark Curse would never let him and the other Demon Lords down. "Now if you excuse us, we have our mission to perform; And... If I was reported that Grimmore's Army was sighted in our battles, rest assure... You all will have to answer to me!"

"Rest assure... Grimmore knows what he's doing." The Superior said, cringing a bit. He is not going to be bullied around by these freaks!

"I doubt of it." Bai Tza snort a bit. The Demon Lords' Heads disappeared from sight.

The Superior groaned, "These Demon Lords... They're getting more aggressive and angered than before. Clearly they have no idea what they're doing."

"I assure you, Superior. They're merely angered by your secrets. If you have told them earlier and do not involve Grimmore in their matters, they would have been calm down." Dark Curse points out that the Superior has only himself and Grimmore to blame for not telling the Demon Lords about Lorcan sooner.

"Yes... It was my mistake of angering them..."

"Not you... Him... He should be the one to know what he's doing. Take advice from me. Do not interfere in the Demons Business. That only anger them and even Demon God.'" 

"Good advice... Let's see what these Demon Lords can do. I wonder how they will able to achieve their revenge." The Superior said with a nod. The Demon Lords are up to their limit now. May as well sit back and let them try their hand or hoof.

The Superior will need to speak to Grimmore about this matter of course...

--------------------

Everyone in Ponyville heads into the court house, preparing for the trial of the century. They've heard that Lorcan is alive and will be facing charges for his crimes. Most of them hope for the death sentence of course.

As the Mystic Ponies headed right in, Warpath frowns as he spoke to Blade about this matter, "I'm telling you, brother. I don't trust him. He's up to something. I can feel it."

"Warpath... You must be calm. As far as I know of, Lorcan did some good deeds. Reports had been reported back to the Mystic Council. You mustn't be angry with him." Blade said to Warpath, assuring him that Lorcan did some good since his defeat.

"Have you forgotten of what that bloody Dragon did; He destroyed everything and everypony! He almost killed Brother Virtue when we were at the War of Dragons! And you're going to just forgive him?!"

"Yes, Warpath. And remember, it was Tadaka, not Lorcan. I trust him so much than his father. Lorcan had saved my life a few times, and that includes my expedition against the Water Tiger Kingdom. I owe my life to his. And I am glad to have him back."

Dragonspear nods in agreement, speaking to Warpath as well, "My lord. Always selfless to give someone a chance; And I'm glad you didn't end up at what happened at the Maze of Grave Stones."

"Yes... it was a nightmare." Intellect said grimly, recalling that incident not so well.

Warpath groaned, "I'm telling ya. Your kindness is going to kill you again. This is not the first time you almost got us killed. You'd better hope this buddy of yours really telling the truth."

"I have faith. And trust me, Lorcan will not betray us. I can see his light. There are no lies or darkness within him." Virtue said, confident that Lorcan will show his true self.

"Lord Virtue is right. And I agreed. Lorcan seems to be truthful than before, despite his stubbornness." Intellect said. Lorcan may be stubborn and a bit of a jerk, but he has been proven to be truthful lately.

"I too shall support it." Blade said in agreement, much to Warpath's further frustration.

"As do I, my lord. I too believed in him. He who kept watch on you while I was not there; I am relief to have him on our side." Dragonspear said, giving his full support for the former monster known as Lorcan.

Warpath groaned while rolling his eyes, "That mushy stuff again... Great..."

Now without any moment of delay, we see a new seen that's quite the surprise thing to take up on noticing. Ponyville's own unique Court House that was used to help settle argument cases and suing claims against another pony against certain others depending if they are pony or otherwise. Right now, this was going to be the next to biggest case to take to court in the history of Equestria itself, and why shouldn't it be? For as many ponies were entering the court house, passing a pony statue that was a mare wrapped in a Roman robe, blindfolded while giving the pose of a dignify appearance and held a scale to judge the weight of the guilty and innocent. But inside were nice marvel form window glasses to the sides and above the courtroom. There were seating for the spectators while beyond a wooden gate was two tables used to allow two beings to present their cases. And on the far right side was the jury of the court that consist of 12 members, and in the center was the judge's stand with the gravel and a pad while to it's side was the stand where anyone called to take it, has to present their story about the subject of the case being taken to court. But while we have gotten all of the other stuff out of the way of explaining, the moment has come where the case to court: The Land of Equestria VS Lorcan, the Scarred Ruler!

At this time, we see the Mane Six, along with the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Phobos, even Ben Mare and Spike were among the audience. As they should be, considering their last connection in going against Lorcan in battle, to witness his day in court is…well, rather shocking to say really.

"Well 'dis place is certainly a noisy spot." Applejack responded off in noticing how much chitter-chatter was filling up the entire room.

"Well yeah! We're in court, and it's busy from what's going on here." Rainbow Dash replied off to her friend in knowing why it's always noisy here.

"Anypony who's anypony is here. It's very busy." Fluttershy spoke from seeing a lot of their friends were here, any from Ponyville, to Cloudsdale and even Canterlot.

"Still, don't they think they could at least made the place more….fashionable, the color decor is so last season." Rarity exclaimed from seeing that the style of this room was not befitting for the times of this day an age.

"Oh! Maybe I can try to help with the repainting job!" Pinkie Pie held up one of her hooves in wanting to be a part of the painting crew.

"Guys, focus here! This is no game." Twilight Sparkle sternly was trying to get her friends to be more serious about this. "We're here cause of who's on trail." Even this pony knows the very reason they are here in the first place.

"Twilight's right you guys. And let’s face it, none of us really expected it to ever come to pass at this point." Ben Mare spoke on Twilight's behalf while knowing that even while they are here, this was one place they didn't expect could happen; and on a particular someone.

"Well gee, seeing that all majorly powerful psycho villains end up never being seen again, you think this was a rare opportunity." Phobos shrug off to mention a case that in these times, it's even rare to give power house villains a day in court, heh, imagine how it be if Tirek was to face judgment, like that be the day.

"Phobos, I really don't think we should mention that about now." Nyx whispered to her friend that at this moment, it's best to not bring up the subject of who's going to be the center of the court.

"Why's that? Oh…cause of Spike." Phobos was about to ask why, but then remembered; it's about Lorcan, Spike's only sibling.

"Gee Spike, think yew'll handle 'dis?" Apple Bloom asked the baby dragon if he could be cool with handling what's about to appear here.

"Yeah, what with your older brother in court," Scootaloo nods in feeling that if she was in Spike's shoes, which he don't wear, she worry about this case too.

"Not to mention, facing the charges?" Sweetie Belle also states how at this time, Lorcan is going to be pressed with some heavy charges from an almost successful invasion.

"Yeah well….I almost wish I couldn't see it." Spike slowly responded in feeling this was becoming too much for him to take in on what's happening. "After all, it's obvious where this will end up being of the court's final decision." He looked away with an expression of sadness and sorrow.

"Really; How come you didn't tell me? What is it? Hugh-hugh, hugh?" Pinkie Pie was asking out in wanting to know, what was it going to be like by the end of this court moment.

"Guilty." The others responded in knowing that, from Lorcan's crimes, the jury & the heavy weighted evidence will be pushing to go against the teen Dragon.

"Oh, that kinda response," Pinkie Pie slowly nods her head with another wave of thought; that does sound bad.

Many watched from some shadowy pony coming out from the left to enter the courtroom and sit up in the judge's stand, "Clank-clank, CLANK!" Then another scene showed a clanking of the gravel hammer of the pad of the judge's stand, "All Rise…For Judge Rhodes!" The announcer stallion spoke in having all ponies in the room pay close attention and respect for their judge that has entered the room. Many saw who Judge Rhodes was an Earth Pony with moderate gamboge color coat, medium gray mane and tail with the former as a spike-short and the latter well groomed, and has light-emerald eyes. His Cutie Mark was that of a brown hammer-scale design model which showed two things on the scale; a black triangle-shaped weight item that read 10 tons and a simple white feather, to represent the weight of truth verse false. In truth, his age was about close to a stallion in his 60s, but he seem very much built to be fit and fine, may have a wrinkle or two on the cheeks, but he brings a motivation of wisdom of handling judgment on cases to be fair, even from petty arguments to criminal or even villain acts of a crime.

Also sitting on the left side of the court where special sittings for those among the other ponies. Such as those that were of Alicorn types, like the Royal Pony Sisters: Princess Celestia and Luna. Golden Heart is there as well, watching with his sister, Autumn Gem, Sombra, Omega, as well as Jack Zen. Truly this was a moment where anypony that wants to see the judgment be pass down on such acts, this was the place to be. While Celestia & even Luna herself were once judges when Nyx received judgment when the once former Cult of Nightmare turned her into the evil they believed would change all into an Eternal Night, but that was from most of the darkness from the old Nightmare Moon that controlled everyone & fooled them into believing such things. But back then, Nyx was reincarnated as a filly before magically becoming Nightmare Moon, and like a filly was lost and confused in her judgment that didn't show much terrible evil other than sealing the Royal Sisters in the Sun & Moon, and after hearing everyone's claims, Nyx's judgment was given to return to being a filly under Twilight's watch. But now it's Lorcan's turn and his acts are far too much that even with Celestia and Luna representing as Royal Judges of view on the matter for the kingdom, the citizens of Ponyville wished to have their own judge that would have no ties with Lorcan, but at least be given fair chance. But seeing how the teen Dragon did acts from the shadows, hurt many ponies, raise an army, freed imprisoned Dragons, and even showed no remorse or holds back to killing his own Brotherhood allies did not bold well.

"Well sister, the fair judge has taken the stand." Luna spoke in noticing that with them included, they have one judge to see more reason from his experience to let other ponies know, they are not going to pull anything when Lorcan is facing serious trails here.

"Yes, he's known to be the most fair and lenient judge, very much like us, since other judges tend to have temperament that's a little more than milder, since they are more strict." Celestia nods to Luna that they want a good, clean, honest judging and as it stands, the Royal Sisters must do things that are right…..even if it means making it harder on the reformed Lorcan. "At least this much, Lorcan will have by far a fair judging of the cases that come in." She spoke with a much quieter tone from her voice, once the judging begins, things will be pretty much strange once they've started.

"Clank-Clank," Soon Judge Rhodes was grabbing his gravel mallet to smack it onto his stand's pad that made much loud noises, "Bailiff? Bring out the suspect being charged." The judge turned to, in a surprise notion, Tough Apple, acting as bailiff for the job, in requesting that the suspect of this trail be brought forth to the crowd.

"At once yer honor," Tough Apple replied off in hearing the request and was getting to it. "Presenting in 'de court, known as da Scarred Ruler an son of da deceased evil 'Dragon. Tadaka, entering fer charges is…Lorcan!" The pony acting as bailiff proclaimed forth in waving towards the entry way for the court to see who shall come forth.

Soon silence filled the air as everypony felt quiet before…the culprit came in wearing magical chains on his ankles, wrist, and his tail that held an iron ball connected to it. Many of the spectators were still frighten to see Lorcan enter the room; some remembered what he did when he appeared with the Brotherhood in their first visit to attack was just an opening. While some felt worried, there were at least those of caution and concerns about the teen Dragon as he sat in the spot to the right while in a coincidence was behind the Mane Six's group.

"Hmmm, and who are presenting against the defendant?" Judge Rhodes rubbed his chin in looking around to see who was going to press charges against Lorcan for his crimes.

"That would be me your honor, Miles Hoofworth!" Spoke a male unicorn pony with a blue coat, and a short grayish mane and tail, and had brown eyes, wearing a red suit with gray vest, white fancy frilly ascoff, a white button shirt, and gray shoes that was known as Miles Hoofsworth as he come into the room. "I'll be speaking on behalf of Equestria VS. Lorcan," The defense lawed pony exclaimed in wanting to be the voice to go against Lorcan for the evil crimes he had committed in his quest of conquest.

There were more stares in seeing that there was now more to see in who would be trying to put Lorcan to spend the rest of his life paying for his evil deeds. Though those of our pony heroes group felt some mix emotions about this, they just had a hard time trying to express it.

"Very well then, and for the defendant's defense," Judge Rhodes nods in what he heard, and now wishes to see who will act as the defense for Lorcan against his crimes.

Now more quiet filled in the room that left many of the ponies that were wanting to watch this action freeze up with a bunch of different expressions. It was almost as if asking them if there was anypony that wanna help 'save' the terrible villain known as Lorcan, the Scarred Ruler. It was ludicrous, who in their right sense of a mind would wanna defend someone or even much give the teen Dragon the benefit of doubt that he deserves a second chance. Celestia and Luna seem to feel worry in seeing their subjects show the actions of rejection towards Lorcan, it was like giving up on someone without the slightest bit of a chance.

"Come now, we can't have a proper courtroom of judgment if the defendant doesn't have anyone, anypony willing to defend him!" Judge Rhodes protest off to wave his left hoof in the air in wanting these ponies to snap out of their foolishness in not even caring to give a proper trail for Lorcan by allowing someone to speak for him.

"Buck that!" The Snobbish Duo exclaims with Maxin Talos growling in approval.

"No way am I defending that ass!" Soarin' exclaims furiously.

"Just declare him guilty already!" Caramel exclaims.

Some of the ponies look confused and concerned as more ponies shouted against even defending Lorcan. Boy, the rowdiness just got ugly!

"CLANK; CLANK; CLANK," All the noises from the crowd was being a bit flushed out by the bashing of the gravel mallet on the judge's stand, "Order! ORDER IN COURT," Judge Rhodes yelled out in wanting silence and order in this court, they can't do much if they can't hear nothing.

"Oh-oh; Can I get an order of PB & J Sandwich, some Potato Chips, an Apple Cider Shake, and a piece of Chocolate Cake to go?" Pinkie Pie was jumping and waving her hooves off in making a strange request in confusing the 'order' subject.

"Make that two cakes! All this courtroom stuff is making me hungry!" Phobos also responded in getting to be in the same lost state that the pink pony was in.

"Seriously you two, this isn't a take-out restaurant." Twilight slapped her forehead in seeing these two act goofy, even in a serious debate works in court.

Things were looking more hectic by the moment, if nothing was gonna be done soon, then the princesses would just get loads among loads of their entire land wanting to have Lorcan be sentence to either imprisonment, exile in Tartarus, or worst….death. Celestia and Luna knew the didn't want the latter part from what happened with Lorcan's father Tadaka with the Dragon Council, but now it's different. Without a functioning courtroom to justify the outcome of all that has happened to Lorcan; the princesses can't show restart to forgive Lorcan, even if he's been seen reformed to them, everyone else doesn't see or wants to believe it.

"Luna, it seems that there is too much hatred towards Lorcan to give him a proper chance to have someone defend him." Celestia whispered this message to her sister in seeing a small riot begin to fold in the court.

"Indeed sister, we would aid our friend, but as royals, it would show favoritism against our subjects and we lose their trust." Luna whispered back in knowing they are really stuck with something they can't seem to dig out of.

"This isn't going to be good, without someone to speak for him; Lorcan will be given harsh judgment without anyone bothering to see he's not the same from before." Celestia quietly noted how that without a fair trail, everyone here that has nothing but bad things about Lorcan's work will give them all acts of terrible punishments to have the Scarred Ruler suffer for. "We're both going to have to answer to our subjects quick responses, but….I suppose only a miracle can help him now, who would aid Lorcan at this hour of need?" The Sun Princess was concern that they have no choice but to give in to the will of their subjects, for going against the land is betray, and the royals are not that, but who can still save Lorcan from another horrid fate?

"It would have to take somepony that doesn't see sense, but seeing how Pinkie Pie isn't a candidate that can help in this case, I had to call in…'him', for the dire matter!" Luna quietly motion to her sister that as this case stands, they need somepony that doesn't think too much about such things, kinda like Pinkie Pie, but more…'differently' than the pink pony.

"Sister, you don't actually mean 'the' him of which from different mystery cases, no matter the cause or state, they'll be solved by such unusual skills." Celestia responded in almost disbelief tone, her younger sister has asked for aid from one pony they are both thinking who can be Lorcan's only hope.

"Yes Celestia, I do, what we need here is…a Detective!" Luna nods with a very assuring tone of her voice as she stated with much clear words that Lorcan's best chance to get by here…was the skills of a shaper detective so the royals got one to help.

"Breakissvhhmmm….." Then without warning of any notice, but got a lot of everyone’s attention was….the scene that something…or SOMEONE, went through to smash right inside from the side window. "A stallion unicorn with pale, light grayish gamboge fur coat, dark grayish gamboge short mane and straight tail, and blue eyes. His body is mainly build for athletically type challenges, strength of muscles to fight in tough fights. He has a Cutie Mark on his flank that looks like a magnifying glass with a detective's hat behind it while an eye is seen from the lens part. He wears a long grayish gamboge color over-coat that's left half open, and has a private eye's hat with a black sash line in the middle, wears a brown inner suit with a light gray shirt inside that with a tan & dark brown with white stripe line tie around his neck. In a strange case of 'Row-Ma-Toe', background music of a jazzy sleuth beat played for a private eye, since this guy, he looks just like a….

"Did somepony call for a detective," Yes, the strange detective stood up after he jumped to roll in the room and stand to point his right hoof in the air in pronouncing that he heard his calling.

"Um excuse me sir, um, not to be rude but…why didn't you just go through the doors behind us?" Fluttershy shyly was wanting to ask, why this pony came through such a bizarre way?

The detective pony approached the Mane Six, stuck his left hoof out to say this… "I'm Detective Dan." Yep, he announced his name while sounding it off a bit awkwardly?

"Darlin, I don't believe that answers the question." Rarity shook her head that this pony didn't answer what he was asked of Fluttershy's question.

"Thank you! I believe there is a serious case situation here." Detective Dan nods his head while pointing to this room in stating what's going on…for the most part.

"Yeah, this is the spot where Lorcan, you know, the Scarred Ruler, is on trial for attempting to conquer and annihilate us ponies." Rainbow Dash pointed out the fact that as it stands, Lorcan is facing the biggest trial of his life.

"I see." Detective Dan slowly nodded in understanding this message, however… "But wait a minute, how do 'you', know so much about this trail case?" He pointed in wanting to know, how Rainbow Dash knew so much already, "Perhaps, 'you' were a part of the crime too." Dan pointed out in making an accusing point in what he seems to believe is going on.

"What!" Rainbow Dash yelped out in surprise, and then there was some dramatic trumpet playing in the background with lots of crowds gasping.

"Oh Dashie, how could you?" Pinkie Pie cried out cried out in distress in feeling sadden to hear this truth.

"Yep, it's always the good ones that gone bad!" Phobos nods with a stern closed eye, arms cross and nodding head reaction to what was happening here.

"Hay wait a second, Rainbow Dash was there caused she was fighting Lorcan!" Scootaloo protest in saying that there was no way her idol was guilty of such a crime related motion, she was a victim.

"Oh for petty sakes, if the princesses think this is a joke bringing in this…Klutz Detective, then we be better off…" One of Celestia's critics was speaking in feeling annoyed that the princess of the sun had to bring such a dope to help Lorcan, and would have spoke more, but….

"Brzizizivm….." Then without warning, Detective Dan had his horn glow that released a jazzer of voltage right on one of Celestia's critics.

"Waugh-Waugh-Wahahahahaaaahhh….." The critic pony was lighting up like a candle and was doing a weird dance motion before falling on the ground, then getting up to lean against something, then fell on the ground afterwards.

"Badmouthing royalty without a permit, not only is it illegal, but 'bad manners' too!" Detective Dan pointed to the critic guy that lied on the floor while the other critics just lean away from what this guy did. "Whelp, I guess that wraps up the case of 'Sticky Kangaroo'." The private eye proclaimed from reflexing his outfit in seeing he's solved this problem with a bizarre name?

"Oh my, I'm not familiar with a kangaroo." Fluttershy responded in never knowing that some poor animal was in such a situation.

"Much less one 'dat is sticky," Apple Bloom rolled her eyes in seeing that any kangaroo being sticky is not something to be seen that often.

"The poor thing," Sweetie Belle spoke in feeling sorry for any kangaroo under such conditions.

"Princess, who exactly is this pony," Twilight looked to Celestia in liking to know, who this Detective Dan pony really was, and why he was doing these…'weird' acts?

"It's as his name is mentioned Twilight, he is Detective Dan." Celestia nods her head down in letting her student know that Dan was a private detective.

"We feared that nopony would want to help defend Lorcan, so we went for the next best thing." Luna stated that from Lorcan's situation, without anyone to help, the royal princesses had to get the one being that could take the case, no matter the act.

"What? Asking this nut-job to help save your boyfriend?" Phobos pointed from Dan to Lorcan in mentioning how the Dragon teen and Luna a have a 'love thing' happening?

"THOU WILL CEASE THE SUBJECT AT ONCE!" Luna bellowed off in the royal commanding voice against the Moon Dragon's annoyance.

"Okay…" Phobos whimpered with a voice weak voice in seeing not to get this princess upset.

"Oh boy," Golden Heart sighs in seeing things are going to get more crazier than they have been.

"Dan is a good pony and a very renown private detective for his skills, he's just….strange in his personality and behavior acts." Celestia explained in the best way possible, in that despite Detective Dan's strange way, he is a good person.

"Mom, Aunt Luna, I know I've never, EVER, doubted any of your decisions before, but…." Ben Mare spoke firstly with an honest opinion, but rubbed the back of his head on this next part. "I'm not sure if this guy is good with a serious deal like this." Even to the adoptive son of Celestia, the stallion can't tell if this renowned detective can truly be of help for the defense, even to someone like Lorcan.

"That's what they all say my fine friend." Detective Dan swung by to rest his left shoulder near Ben Mare. "And by the way, how's that secret hiding place of yours where ya keeping a present for your mare friend going for ya?" The private eye whispered this out, which made Ben almost freeze up.

"Wha," Ben Mare yelped from hearing this and was getting a few eyes staring at him. "What are you talking about? Ugh, I don't have…anything like that!" He tried to lie his way through as his eyes motion that he was hiding something.

"Oh right, like that false book you keep at the top shelf of 'B' Block, line pattern 15, with title 'Hidden Stock' label on it, which….." As Detective Dan was stating these things, from his magic, made a book float out from under his coat, "I found recently with a little of this!" The guy wiggled the book in question which later opened to be a false book with an open center of a nice and priceless hoof jewelry inside.

"Oh my; How lovely," Rarity simply sparkle her eyes in seeing such a nice jewelry.

"Give me that!" Ben snapped from using his magic to take the book to hold it close to him. "How in mom's name did you know any of that?" The stallion asked, this was suppose to be a secret, so how this silly detective find out?

"Eyes and brains my friend, eyes and brains!" Detective Dan pointed out to say what he used that was his answer.

"The eye thing, yeah, but the brains, I'm not sure about." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in finding that answer a somewhat half true motion.

"As I came into town, I saw you snooping back to Ponyville's library, made a double check on your gift before going back to your pals in pretending ya forgot to turn off the stove." Detective Dan explained forth a moment where he saw what Ben was doing, and checked it out and saw the whole thing when the stallion left the library to attend to the court.

"Ben, is that true?" Twilight Sparkle asked her love if he was actually going to give such a nice gift to her as a birthday present.

"I…wanted to surprise you on your next birthday. Guess my secret hiding place wasn't such a good place after all." Ben Mare shrug to sheepishly rub his back neck in seeing his secret surprise to his love was exposed now.

"Its fine, it's the thought that counts." Twilight shook her head with an understanding expression as she didn't mind this at all.

"Well fine howdy-do, 'dis here buckaroo does seem to have some skills after all." Applejack spoke a bit surprised to believe, Detective Dan knows his stuff.

"Thank you cow-pony," Detective Dan pointed in gladly accepting that comment without hesitation.

"Um hello, aren't I on trial here?" Lorcan spoke in getting some attention his way, after all, he's the one being on trial.

"Whoops, almost forgot short stuff was here." Phobos yelped to suddenly see that they forgot all about Lorcan.

"I AM NOT SHORT! I'M BIG BONE, MOON-RUNT!" Lorcan snapped out loud against Phobos for referring to him as small.

"You wanna take this outside!" Phobos snapped off in willing to fight this guy here and now.

"Now, now boys, lets handle this with the most reasonable subject around. Words," Detective Dan held up his two hooves to try and get some reason to be heard to stop this argument. "I'll be taking the case to help save your bacon, Lorcan! Because I'm Detective Dan," The detective pointed to the dragon on the stand in knowing, he'll be taking charge to save his hid.

"Um, okay?" Lorcan slowly responded to such a bizarre and awkward-like claim.

"Alright, if things are now finally settle in right, let’s start the case!" Judge Rhodes spoke from seeing that now everything is in order, time they start this trial here, "Clank!" He whacked his mallet on the stand to get some attention here. "Someone bring out the file of Lorcan's crime rate." The judge issued out that they look over the defendant's recorded record of all the recent acts he's done in the past up to now.

"Allow me your honor!" Detective Dan asked off that he be the one to aid in the case of getting something relating to Lorcan out, "Poof!" Then out of the blue from the stallion's magic landed a file case. "Now let's see the listings of the crimes at hand. WOOH," Just as the guy was picking up the file to look over it, he nearly yelps in what he finds. "This is some serious stuff!" Soon he began to read out a long list, and boy was it some things to be said about the teen Dragon, "Stealing candies from babies; An Heavy Drinker; A Drug Dealer, and oh dear me, Taking secret photos of Princess Luna when she sleeps to sell to high bidders. Oh for shame!" 

"Gaaughhh…." Much of the crowd gasped in hearing all of this and are shocked and appalled in learning of this.

"Oh Lorcan, you poor, sick and twisted of inhuman dragon quantity you," Detective Dan shook his head in not believing some of the things even filed about the guy.

"Um…" Lorcan felt a little unease from all the strange starings, it's one thing from the ponies being afraid, but this new experience was….a little out of whack for him to deal with.

"I always knew you were a sick Dragon Lorcan, but that last stuff is going TOO FAR!" Phobos declared off with a look of feeling like what Lorcan is just a sick and twisted in a whole new level.

"You brainless dolt; that stuff isn't even apart from what ACTUALLY HAPPENED," Lorcan was protesting forth that what was said about him, that stuff is nothing but rubbish.

"Um, detective, what's that file label address to?" Luna spoke from noticing, that underneath the file that the detective had was a name label that the stallion covered up.

"Hugh, oh it's ah…" Detective Dan flip the file to look at the cover, and then suddenly. "WHOOPS! My mistake," The guy yelped to say in seeing what was actually written on the file. "Turns out, this here was label under Screwy Lou, musta magically called up the wrong file." This earned a lot of sweat-drops that this guy made such a mistake like that. "But boy, let me tell you ponies this, when he was arrested, our Moon Princess gave him a piece of her mind." Dan explained off something that when Luna learned of this, the guy named Screwy Lou got served by her.

"Wha…what did aunt Luna do?" Nyx asked the detective in what her sister/aunt did to that suspect.

"Can't say this to a little fillies and colts in the room, it's too degrading," Detective Dan profound off to mention that the details were too terrifying to be spoken. "But let’s say that the poor sap is living his days as a hermit on an island with broken bones, a couple of loose teeth and implanted false ones and a black eye. He won't be getting lucky with the ladies is all I'm saying." The detective just blurted out everything that he wasn't gonna mention, so now everyone knows.

Now the crowd was in utter speechlessness in hearing what their noble princess of the moon would do, if any would to make her upset.

"Wow, and I thought Luna was scary from being Nightmare Moon." Spike responded in never guessing how scary princess Luna could still be at times.

"Gurfhvm…hum….will the culprit approached the bench!" Judge Rhodes cleared his throat to speak to wanting Lorcan to take the stand.

Now later, did Lorcan in chains approach the bench stand, as he sat down, the bailiff; Tough Apple, held up a book while speaking to the former evil dragon teen.

"Okay, now do yew serve tá tell 'de truth; 'De Whole Truth; An Nothin' BUT 'de Truth," Tough Apple asked off in wanting Lorcan's word, that he'll speak only the truth and not lie that maybe used against him.

"Yeah, like I got much choice." Lorcan shrug off his shoulders in seeing, what other choice does he have. After all, the crowds hate him, and so what difference would telling the good honest truth do if they just think he's lying his way through?

"Good enough fer me," Tough Apple shrugs off his shoulders in hearing this before standing away from here.

"Fruvhmm…Breakisvhmm…." Then Dan thrown out the case file that was not of Lorcan's records, which broke another window that the guy wasn't bothered, but others were. "Poofvhmm…" Then with the use of his magic made a new file, this time labeled with Lorcan's name for sure, "Ah here's the right file. It's address to Lorcan." He motions this to the crowd before deciding to open it up. "Okay, so let’s look at the facts."

"Like you haven't already?" Lorcan muttered under his breath in seeing this guy help him start off with the wrong confusion.

"Now it says here, you were brutally raised by your daddy, Tadaka, to kill ponies. Is this true?" Detective Dan reported off in asking if Lorcan's past is very much correct here.

"Yes…" Lorcan responded to this without delay about this first fact about him.

"Good, we're getting somewhere." The private eye detective nods in seeing they are having a nice turn of getting somewhere here. "Now says here, that after an accident, you believed to have lost your mother, then your father was killed for crimes, and lastly believed your only brother was gone, and all this happened to be revolving ponies. Correct?" Detective Dan reported off in recalling the next events that lead up to the point of critical change of certain incidences.

"Yes, that's true." Lorcan nods with a solid expression in responding to the question.

"And did you not spend your time plotting revenge from what dear old dad taught you to hate, going so far to wanting to kill ponies, use blackmail and forceful needs to bring a plot of downfall on them? Do you not deny these facts?" Detective Dan was really digging into the facts in what was going on that made Lorcan do all the acts to the point of his defeat.

"No, they are true." Lorcan shook his head in stating that what was spoken is the truth.

"And from there, you created the Brotherhood, gain followers, even freed your daddy's army form the Void, and where did it all lead to? Haugh," Detective Dan was now asking Lorcan to really see what the whole point of trying to be evil got the teen Dragon in life, "Nothing except to wanting to kill the source of the hatred that's been implanted in your body that all ponies are evil and Dragons can't befriend them; is this much true?" The guy was really good at pushing the teen Dragon's buttons as he was getting to the bottom truth.

"Yes….all of it, it's true." Lorcan admitted willingly to the fact, what was said, is the truth in what he felt back then.

"Then answer me this, was there even a 'spec' of yourself that actually 'wanted' you to not be doing all those things, yet it lead ya nowhere from shades of darkness blocking your thoughts clearly?" Detective Dan was questioning if deep down, there was at least some conscience inside Lorcan that tried to stop the guy from going too far in the evil acts.

"Precisely….in my acts of hatred, I had believed to be who I was." Lorcan spoke forth an answer that seems rather doubtful before speaking a different tune. "But then in a sudden weak moment in the middle of the calamity, I thought to have seen my other side…the side that did not want the acts of evil to be carried off." Many who heard this were either confused or not-gullibly to believe that, but Celestia and Luna seem to believe in him.

"Very good, then this helps make things a lot more clearer." Detective Dan proclaimed off that made a lot of eyes look to this scene in more puzzlement. "Perhaps even fill in the gap of something we may have over-looked." The guy rubbed his chin in seeing they might have passed something that should have been the real source of Lorcan's situation.

"Objection!" Miles professed to the stating of what was happening here with these questions. "The defense cannot make such a claim if the subject, Lorcan, never shown any of it during his reign of conquest!" The opposing lawyer pony protest that if memory serves the citizens right, the teen Dragon never showed such hesitation, therefore, it's a fraud.

"Well who said he didn't try to show it if that little light was too small to be seen by all the darkness surrounding it? Hugh?" Detective Dan asked off against the professing side of Equestria that wanted justice from Lorcan's evil.

"ORDER; ORDER HERE," Judge Rhodes yelled out in wanting the situation here to be under control now.

"Oh, is it time to order again?" Pinkie Pie spoke out with a smile in thinking this time, they can actually order something to eat.

"Again Pinkie, that's not it here." Rainbow Dash sighed in seeing her friend act this way without a clue to the matter at hand.

"Ah doubt she'll learn." Applejack shook her head in feeling their pink friend won't get the idea much.

"Ladies and Gentlemen ponies, the old and the young, the Royal and the Non-Royals," Detective Dan was raising his hooves to gather some attention to be focus on him. "And of course, the Dragons that are here in the court. And even you in the way back, Old Man Jackson!" He pointed to not just Spike, Phobos, and Lorcan, but even some other pony in the far off corner.

"I'm here!" An old voice responded which made many of the crowds look to who the detective was addressing.

"I plea to you; I implore you. I wail for you. I call to you. I demand of you. I request of you. I…." Detective Dan was making a lot of random states to get the crowds to hear him out and would have gone on if….

"JUST GET ON WITH IT," Yelled out one of the critics in wanting this Klutz of a detective to move it along already.

"Yeesh, alright already!" Detective Dan shrug off his shoulders in seeing someponys can't just be patient around here. "I shall aid in defending 'this' Dragon for you all to see, that what we think we know of him…..WE DON'T KNOW SQUAT!" The guy was making a pretty good accusation that while they all seem to be well informed of the matter, in truth, they might not actually know all that is to know about Lorcan.

"Wait? You mean you figured out something about my brother?" Spike responded in hearing this, did this pony figure out something already?

"Well not exactly, but nopony here knows Squat the Abdominal Snowman in the Icy Mountain." Detective Dan suddenly threw everypony for a loop about not having the answer, but a strange reply instead.

This response earned a lot of ponies to do face-faults in actually falling right into that one. All except for maybe the Royal Princess, Golden Heart, and even Ben Mare for the most.

After some moments to recover from what happened, another pony took the stand to tell their story; Applejack. She explained all that had happened while everyone knows, she's a good and honest to truthful pony they ever gonna come across.

"Miss Apple." Miles spoke in addressing the Earth Pony on the stand.

"Please, call me Applejack." Applejack waved off to the pony lawyer here that's more in siding with Equestria against Lorcan.

"Yes, so let’s get your story straight." Miles stated in wanting to know from everything Applejack said is the full issue here. "Lorcan was behind the abduction of your sister and her friends that were apart of the CMC." This pony spent no time to bring off the worst parts of Equestria VS. Lorcan, by bring out the hammer of justice on the worst moments anypony has been through.

"'Dat's about the Sam Hill of it, they told me wha' happened." Applejack nods with a stern face in declaring what was stated now was the right assumption.

"Hm….and they were used as bait to gain the elements. How did you feel?" Miles responded by rubbing the chin part in thinking over how this pony on the stand must have felt by Lorcan's blackmail stunt.

"Well course Ah was mad, Flim and Flam had left us almost traumatized. But Ah can only say 'dat Lorcan was pulling their string!" Applejack spoke with a serious stern motion in being upset from the whole thing, especially with the Flim-Flam Brothers, that did what they did on Lorcan's orders, no doubt.

"Would you like to say anything else to the court?" Miles requested with a serious tone in what else Miss Applejack of the Apple Family cares to fill in.

"Well that about sums up all Ah got to say. Even how he was 'de one that attacked Ponyville's barrier," Applejack rubbed her chin in thinking up anything else to say that she might have left out, but nothing else. "Alright Ah return 'ta mah seat, judge?" She looked up to Judge Rhodes in asking to get back to her friends now.

"That'll be all then from you." Judge Rhodes nods to the mare cow girl that she can go which Applejack nods in appreciating that before setting off. "And now, who else shall take the stand?" He looked around in the courtroom in who else would like to make a protest about Lorcan.

"I call Rainbow Dash to the stand!" Miles pointed off in wanting the renown dare-devil Pegasus to take the stand to be questioned.

No later did Rainbow Dash take the spot of attention as she did the whole tell truth thing routine too before being asked some series of questions.

"Miss Dash? Would you please tell the court you’re most loyal thoughts about Lorcan and what he's done when he started to appear with his plans for takeover?" Miles asked in walking around the next speaker to explain to the court, the recent actions the Scarred Ruler performed when he planned to rule over their land.

"Yeah, first off, when the Brotherhood first arrived, he attacked my friends, and was almost about to waste Twilight, all for wanting to know where Spike was." Rainbow Dash pointed out these facts with a very stern upset face in recalling what Lorcan was doing back in the past.

"Anything else you have to say of the matter?" Miles questioned if there was something else that Rainbow wanted to say to the court about Lorcan.

"Yeah I got some, he did some crazy stuff we were lucky to get out alive!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed off in being very ticked off about the things the teen dragon did to the Mane Six. "Bad enough he tried to start a conquest and brought the Brotherhood in to distract us and cause harm to our homes, Lorcan even harmed our filly friends! He even clawed on poor Scootaloo's face that time while saying I saw her as nothing but a pest." It was clear this pegasus was very upset in knowing what Lorcan did to try and do harm to everypony, and what he did to Rainbow's loyal fan Scootaloo.

"Haaaughh…." Much of the crowds gasped in shocking horror while muttering some words to another. Celestia and Luna were very cautious in seeing that this could turn ugly fast.

"I wish to make another statement!" Rarity spoke from standing from the crowds that earned her a shot at speaking. "Lorcan even tried to and nearly succeeded in breaking my bond with Sweetie Belle about me not caring for her and that I hurt her." What was heard was enough to almost make some folks cry, destroying a bond between family is pure vile and evil wickedness.

"Objection," Detective Dan raised his voice to protest the manners of all these truthful facts while Lorcan saw how this guy tried to help him, but really, everything heard was closer to the truth then anyone can't deny it.

"CLANK-CLANK; CLANK," Judge Rhodes was smacking his gravel on his stand to get some attention over the loud noises, "Order now! Order! I can see that everypony has had some motive of being angry or upset by the acts." The judge was addressing this manner in seeing how much a lot of ponies were hurt by Lorcan's doing.

"Acts nothing; He wanted to kill us!" A critic of Celestia pointed to the dragon teen in chains in propounding how Lorcan wished to kill them all.

"Yeah; yeah; yeah," The other ponies were all agreeing and it was really getting out of hand for even Judge Rhodes was unable to control.

"My subjects; please calm down!" Celestia tried to speak reason to her subjects that were getting to be too hasty, but then….

"BE SILENCE!" Luna gave off the royal command voice that bellowed the entire room until silence fell upon them. "Thank you." The princess of the moon nods in seeing this was settled much easily.

"Moving along, I'll call my own speaker of choice. I call to the stand….the Moon Dragon, Phobos!" Detective Dan spoke off right now, just before he pointed across the room the next person to get on the stand.

There was a sudden dramatic music heard in the background for a short time while we zoom in slowly to the mentioned dragon. "AAAAAHHHHH….." Of course, Phobos reacted this this matter with a scream when he was called.

"Phobos, why are you screaming?" Nyx asked her friend in why he was screaming just now so suddenly.

"It's that dramatic music, it made me felt like screaming like I was under-suspicion of the authorities." Phobos exclaimed off to say in what happened just now was completely caught him by surprise.

"Well, that does make some sense." Fluttershy spoke with some thought in hearing this claim.

No sooner, had Phobos left his spot to take the stand shortly after Rainbow Dash was done. It was time for this Moon Dragon to speak, from having a bit of a connection to the teen Dragon by his father, Tadaka.

"Now Phobos, if that is REALLY your true name." Detective Dan spoke from approaching the moon dragon, but then quickly turn to face Phobos of this claim. And just like before, more dramatic mood themes were heard for the suspense in what this could mean.

"Okay, ya got me, my true name is Booyah, but I like to go by Phobos instead." Phobos shrug off to say in what his 'real' name is, but really liked to be addressed by what Nyx gave him.

"Oh, a wise guy, haugh," Dan responded to seeing pass the funny guy routine to not be taken lightly. "Where were you on the night of 21st exactly 3 weeks ago?" Detective Dan was pointing and coming off strong to ask this question.

"Um, what now," Phobos responded a bit confused, what was this about now?

"Don't interrupt! You pulled a sneaky stunt without being seen, but ya messed up along the way." Detective Dan stated off in telling this to the moon dragon in question here.

"Hugh! I…I'm not following." Phobos responded a bit more puzzled, but seem to look a bit…nervous.

"Don't play games with me! You know what I mean!" Detective Dan issued off that Phobos' stunt of not knowing won't work here. "When I found Ben's little secret, I recently discovered a messy sight at your sleeping area!" The stallion proclaimed which earned some dramatic music tune that made some ponies gasped in surprise.

"So what's the big deal? Phobos does have the tendency to forget about picking up after himself when he leaves a mess." Ben Mare shrug off his shoulders in not following this detective, where was he getting at?

"Would the mess be…THESE," Detective Dan slowly, and then announced out loud before revealing with magic from his coat….some crumbs.

"Gulp! Um, cracker crumbs?" Phobos gulped with some heavy worry as he sweated while pretending to not know what it is this guy really found.

"No! They're cooked made dough, a pinch of cinnamon, and with the definite flavor of…CHOCOLATE!" Detective Dan was stating forth the subject was of a made food substance, and with the tasty ingredients to.

"Chocolate Flavor," Pinkie Pie shouted out loud in shock, this was sounding serious now. "What's he on about Phobos?" The pink pony asked in wanting to know what the little Dragon was hiding.

"I-I-I-I-I-I, um…..I got a really good excuse for all of this. It's…well…" Phobos was starting to look around in seeing all the weird expressions he was getting, he was feeling uncomfy about now.

"CONFESS! You been taking without permission in your own home! Doing these things behind your beloved care-takers backs, what happened to trusting you?" Detective Dan was pointing his hoof down on Phobos so much, that a lot of eyes stared from the stallion's stern face, it was getting crazy until….

"GAAAAAUGH; ALRIGHT! I ADMIT IT! I BEEN TAKING COOKIES FROM TWILIGHT'S COOKIE JAR!" Phobos cracked under pressure to admit a guilt he could no longer hid and just let it out. "I couldn't help it, they were chocolate flavor! MY FAVOR! Ohhhhh, I'M SOOO WEAK AND ASHAMED! Bwaahahahaaahhh…." Then afterwards, the Moon Dragon covered his eyes and rested his head on the stand to weep of his terrible crime of stealing cookies from the cookie jar.

"There, there buddy, it's okay to cry, let it out." Detective Dan soon was patting Phobos's back to let the Moon Dragon cry out in grief.

Now a lot of the crowds were very much puzzled and confessed in what this was about.

"Well…that explains while we were short some cookies." Ben Mare slowly responded in hearing what's been happening at the castle's missing cookie problem.

"And we almost thought it was our pets doing it." Twilight stated this to Ben in thinking the culprit cookie theft was one of the pets, guess they were wrong.

"Oh Phobos," Nyx sighed to shake her head in seeing this had to happen to her friend.

"Boy, hard to say when I see him cry over a little guilt like that." Spike rubbed the back of his head in finding this act of Phobos' guilt a bit…odd.

"Objection; this question is of no relation to Lorcan's crime!" Miles protest in stating what the detective was doing was of no connection to Lorcan's crime.

"Hay; Can ya give the Moon Dragon guy here a minute, he had to clear his guilty conscience before he could be questioned?" Detective Dan protest to hold Phobos in saying he needed a breather; he was admitting guilt to feel more clear now.

"Boy, this detective is really good." Pinkie Pie nods in seeing this stallion of a detective was very good to make Phobos admit the truth of a guilty act.

"More like he's even weirder than you are, Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in seeing this Detective Dan person was even more stranger and more random than the pink pony would ever be…maybe.

"Eeyup, 'dat's a truthful statement." Applejack nods with a clear expression that they can't help but agree to such a term.

"Quite so indeed," Rarity nods with a noble response that this detective was…puzzling, in the least.

"Well, at least he's helping to sort out things we never guess we kept from each other." Fluttershy spoke with having a bit more fate that this detective was doing a good job, despite his behavior. "That is, if that's really okay." She stated this a bit more shyly from feeling she can't just speak out her mind too openingly clear.

"Okay, let’s keep this moving, you okay now bud?" Detective Dan spoke from getting over the issue fast before asking Phobos a question here.

"Yeah, I'm ready to answer the questions." Phobos spoke from wiping his tears and blowing his nose on a rag.

"Good, what can you tell us about the Dragon that was Lorcan's father?" Dan asked off in wanting this Moon Ddragon to start discussing the matter concerning with Lorcan's late father.

"What's there to know? He was a big jerk, a ruthless guy, and he was making us other Dragons see that we should rule and ponies should lie dead before us." Phobos shrugs off his shoulders in stating what he knows from the old tyrant Dragon that wanted to do so much wrong. "In my book, he was bad to the bone." The Moon Dragon issued forth his own state of mind in this manner.

"Then explain this, why were YOU, in that army to begin with?" Detective Dan asked off while pointing that Phobos, was also on the enemy side.

There was a dramatic instrument beat while the camera focused in on the shocked Phobos.

"Wah; Hey come on, I'm innocent here!" Phobos yelped from suddenly being pushed against the wall from being asked about this claim of being on the bad guy's side.

"Don't play dumb, we all know you were a part of that evil army. And yet you're here before Lorcan freed your old jail buddies." Detective Dan pointed off in knowing full well that Phobos was on the Dragons Army of Tadaka before he got out sooner than his old prison buddies.

"Believe me, those other Moon Dragons were not much as far I call "buddies" or "friends"." Phobos exclaimed from finding this statement a bit insulting that he would call any associates from the void his pals. "As for why I was in the army in the first place, it's all a fuzz; Tadaka did something that made us follow his orders to the letter. At least to the point where after a while, my sense of reason came to me." He explained how Tadaka did something that made them obey the wrathful Dragon while the little Moon Dragon later was rehabilitated.

"And yet you saw error when the others didn't, correct?" Detective Dan raised a curious eyebrow in asking how Phobos saw the light while the other Dragons didn't…at the time in the Void.

"Your Honor! The detective is clearly side-tracking the point of this discussion!" Miles stood up to profess this situation that the chat was not getting anywhere.

"Hold your horses, I'm getting to it!" Detective Dan turned around to get this lawyer pony to give him a couple more time, he ain't going to be rushed. "In fact, I'm calling in a liable source witness for mister Phobos here! Come on in Draco!" The guy issued out before yelling up over the ceiling and towards an opened window for 'someone' to enter the scene.

And suddenly coming through a broken window was a long Dragon's neck. Many at first were scared, but then it was only just Draco, the Captain of the Dragons of Equestria. So it seems that the detective even got this guy to appear in court to speak about related issues with Lorcan.

"Sorry for the fuss, this place isn't large enough that I have to stick my neck through this window." Draco nods in being apologetic about the manner of coming into the place where he can't easily fit in because of his huge body.

"Now tell us boys, how close 'were' you to Tadaka?" Detective Dan asked both Phobos and Draco, seeing they were close to Lorcan's father.

"I stood by his side when a part of the army." Draco nods with a serious motion in being close to Tadaka at the time.

"Me, I was in the back, WAAAAAAY Back from the guy." Phobos waved off with a none-caring tone in stating what he did.

"I see, and Tadaka's influence affected you all in a strange motion?" Detective Dan rubbed his chin in walking around the room in thinking these thoughts over.

"Detective, what are you suggesting?" Judge Rhodes asked in being a bit befuddled in what manner of evidence was the detective trying to get from these two Dragons.

"You're honor! It's a clear fact that Tadaka passed down his hateful influence to any Dragons he recruited." Detective Dan professed to the honorable judge to see what Lorcan's father did in his life. "Some of the saps truly opened up their hearts to become evil, others had resistance, but ended up sharing the same state of wanting to kill ponies by some hypnotic command!" The clues were not off, some Dragons became true evil beings while others, were under some spell before waking up from a nightmare. "And as proven by Phobos, he was least exposed that lead to him being the purest of good Dragons to easily leave the void while Lorcan freed the others by his influence over the elements of harmony." The stallion issued how in one case point, any Dragon that wasn't infected to be evil could not be kept imprisoned if Tadaka never made them become fully evil on hating ponies. "By which case, we've pardon the remaining Dragons from his army that weren't turn to dust or stone, and are remaining as good supporters to Equestria's future. In short, we be without a reliable Dragon army if not for this action on Lorcan's part that would have gone bad when the last few new enemies this area faced." The detective was making good claims, that without Lorcan's intention, any Dragons that were once evil in the void wouldn't be here today being good and aiding the ponies.

"Objection," Miles protest out to stand up in disregarding the matter at hand here. "You can't say that as an act of good will when Lorcan wanted those Dragons to kill us!" This pony lawyer knew like everypony else here, that Lorcan wanted the Dragon army to slaughter them.

"OVERRULE! You're comments, pal!" Detective Dan shouted back to point that this guy pony was cutting in on his moment.

"You can't overrule me! That's the judge's job!" Miles protest again that this detective wasn't getting the full picture here.

"Alright, I overrule both of you!" Judge Rhodes snapped off to smack his mallet gravel on the stand before speaking. "Detective, what is the point of this claim?" The judge wants an answer, a clear one at that in what this explanation was all about involving Lorcan's case.

"What I'm saying your honor is that like Phobos, Draco, and even the rest of what was once the Dragon Army of Tadaka was that Lorcan was influenced by his father to carry on his angry raging wrath against ponies!" Detective Dan held up his hooves in professing the matter that Lorcan was nothing but an innocent victim of his father's own blind hatred. "In fact, it makes perfect sense! Everypony gave Spike the benefit of doubt when he learned about his past, and some feared he followed his dad's footsteps, but didn't do it. Lorcan was just as innocent a victim as anybody Tadaka came in contact with to join his side." This was the important fact to seal the deal, anybody could put two and two together that Lorcan was never in control of his evil acts, it was all because of what was forced into him.

"Objection to the claim," Miles spoke once morrow, against the so-called reasons this detective was responding off. "While it's true, Phobos, Draco and his Dragon army were subjected to follow the evil and were pardon because of other situations, there is another fact." Many awaited to hear what this pony siding on Equestria against Lorcan had to say now. "Spike may have been spared of this fate, but Lorcan wasn't so much. Spike was just an egg in Canterlot's care before being given to Twilight Sparkle, that he never underwent such transactions. Lorcan should have opposed the act to the very end, instead, he succumbed to it, and became just as Tadaka was, a ruthless Dragon unleashing his fury on ponies." These were all partial points to side against the fact, while Spike is young and very innocent of doing such evil acts, Lorcan had more will to resist, but couldn't and thus, becoming the monster he was back then.

Now the crowds were really chattering up a storm from hearing so many accusations about who was right and who was wrong. There were many understandable reasons, but there were many facts to go against the others. It was like a war between what is right and what is wrong, the acts of good and evil, innocent and guilty, nobody was getting anywhere fast.

"ORDER; ORDER NOW," Judge Rhodes shouted out against the noisy crowds for being a bit loud over hearing such a mannered statement. "Thank you, cough…." Judge Rhodes thanked the crowd's silence, and coughed to get some attention on him. "Now I'm sure there are still more things to discuss with the case, but for now, will have a half hour recess." The stallion judge issued off that they'll take leave here to calm their nerves about this case that may still take a moment to get done.

"Yeah; Recess," CMC cheered in hearing that word sound good news to them.

"Oh boy, we can play!" Pinkie Pie also cheered in believing what this meant too, however...

"You guys, it's not that kinda recess." Twilight sadly digress the manner of 'recess' was not to go have fun, but to take a break from this court's trial.

"Twilight's right, we're just gonna give everyone time to settle down before they continue." Ben Mare nods in agreeing with Twilight's statement about the manner on what they'll be doing here.

"Not to mention use the restrooms. I can't hold on much longer." Phobos responded from holding his sides in feeling an urge to hurry on out to use the little Dragon's room.

"CLANK; CLANK," More gravel mallet clanking nosies were heard from the judge's handy work, "Half Hour! Finish whatever business you have before we return to continue our case of trail!" Judge Rhodes orders out to all ponies in the room to do away with any needs before they continue the trail about Lorcan.

With this, a lot of ponies were stretching themselves up from where they sat before quickly leaving the room. Even the group of the Mane Six was leaving to get some fresh air to clear their minds over what has happened here. But as Golden Heart stood up to leave, he saw Detective Dan take Lorcan to a room, no doubt to discuss things in how to turn the case. The male Alicorn even saw the concern expressions from Celestia and Luna, they knew very much that Lorcan was a changed Dragon, but not a lot of the citizens are willing to accept it…not without further proof.

---------------------------------

THE CULPRIT'S HOLDING ROOM.

We see the Royal Guards are standing by a door room that was where the notorious Lorcan, the Scarred Ruler, was being kept in during the court trial's break. And right now, Detective Dan was trying to figure out a way in seeing how they can help make it be that Lorcan, is not a guilty person, but an innocent victim of circumstance. But as usual, the renowned detective was assuring that nothing was lost in this case, no matter how much it seemed hopeless against the odds.

"Well that went pretty well." Detective Dan shrugs off to easily think that display in court wasn't so bad.

"Pretty well; are you blind? They still hate me!" Lorcan raised an eyebrow in hearing such a claim and remarked the idea as a joke.

"Not to worry Lorcan, we got this case in the bag!" Detective Dan proclaimed in not feeling any worry about the situation, not one bit.

"Really, how," Lorcan looked to this pony with a skeptical look in almost finding that claim a bit awkward to believe. "Even if what you said is true, they don't give a manticore's wet back fur about it." The teen Dragon shrug off his shoulders in knowing all too well, no one here give care that he's a changed person now.

"THATS WHERE YOU'RE SADLY MISTAKEN!" Detective Dan hollered out in disagreeing with Lorcan on that subject. "You may see things as a full glass, but I like to see it as half-full!" The detective issued off in how he sees things in another way.

"And how does that help us?" Lorcan raised an eyebrow in what that 'figure of speech' is supposed to do him any good.

"Simple! I'll conduct a little experiment to prove my thesis and help the crowd learn that while they may still fear and dread you, they can be merciful to not let you be guilty." Detective Dan proclaimed off in having a way that, with the right stuff, the experiment will show this teen Dragon is innocent.

"Gee, I wonder how you'll pull that off." Lorcan rolled his eyes in remarking how he'll ever get a break like that. "Celestia and Luna may think you can get me out of this, but I don't know if even you wanted to do this.

"That's precisely why I'm doing this! Cause nopony is giving you the chance you need!" Detective Dan stated forth that with Lorcan's reputation, nobody wanted to help him, even when he's shown to be a changed person. "You and many others may think I'm a Klutz Detective, and maybe it's true, but do I care?" The guy was stating while he shrug off on the center sentence part before daring off in stating how that part on what others think if it really bothers him or not.

"Well…do you?" Lorcan asked with a raised eyebrow in wondering if such a thing bothered this pony.

"Of course I do, I hear it all the time." Detective Dan proclaimed out quickly without delay which earned a sweat-drop from Lorcan, was this pony actually being for real here. "But never-mind about that, the fact is, I learn to live with it. Just as I know you can live with the fact you're not the same as who you once were." The private eye detective renounced off that in any case, Lorcan is no longer the evil he was when he proclaimed to be the Scarred Ruler.

"Hugh, pull that off and I'll really be impressed." Lorcan made a slight chuckle in thinking if such a thing was possible, then he be impressed alright.

"Well for this to work, not only is the experiment I'm gonna do partially dangerous, but we'll need one clue fact that will BLOW everyone's mind away!" Detective Dan declared off in having a way to certainly aid in Lorcan's situation of being in the clean, but 'most' of it is gonna be a very dangerous gamble to play. "And you and me both know it's gonna have to be the pony 'YOU' once had hate for in the past!" The guy pointed one hoof in stating to Lorcan that there was one pony that is gonna have to be apart of this plan to work.

"Twilight; Why her…out of everypony, she holds greater hatred towards me!" Lorcan protests in alarm. Twilight hates him because of what he did to Starlight.

"True, but there's something about what you did to her that I've been hankering to understand since I once took part in the case." Detective Dan stated out in what he wants is for a true understanding that shares a connection between Lorcan and Twilight; a matter of which both have tied fates to. "And the only clues to figure out that mystery, are you two?" The guy pointed out that with both Lorcan and Twilight, he'll solve the case of something that happened in the past. 

"Huuuagh, fate seems very cruel to me." Lorcan huffed off while remarking how it appears that fate is doing this as some sort of punishment.

"Tell me about it." Detective Dan shrug off his shoulders in completely understanding what Lorcan meant by that statement. "Whoops! It's almost show time, let’s get moving!" The guy pretty much yelped when he saw the clock above them read 5 more minutes left until the half hour recess was over.

With that, Detective Dan helped the chained Lorcan get up to leave the room. And they exit out of that room's door where they passed the Royal Guards that wanted to keep anypony out, or from 'someone' inside from trying to make an escape. Either way, the only thing doing for the two, is with the detective helping to save Lorcan from his own crimes after being reformed, now question is; can Detective Dan do such an impossible task. That remains to be seen…IN COURT!

------------------------------

BACK IN THE COURTROOM!

With everything settled, the ponies of the room returned to their seats. The Mane Six along with their friends all sat back in their seats, even Celestia and Luna sat back in their own private seats along with Golden Heart with them. Judge Rhodes returned to his spot as acting judge, Tough Apple still acted as the baliff, and those acting as the sides for Equestria against Lorcan and Saving Lorcan are both in their spots. And even the teen Dragon himself was sitting down in the table spot while Detective Dan prepares to stand and make some speech.

"Ponies of the court; Friends, Foes, and even those among us that like to remain hidden." Detective Dan spoke out in addressing everyone here, while earning a few odd stares from the crowd. "And yes, I'm referring to the pony formerly hiding behind the entrance door that came out of a secret dungeon beneath Sugarcube Corner." The stallion exclaimed off to mention this which made Pinkamena yelp in surprise. "Just let me concoct an experiment to aid in my client!"

Then with a will of his glowing horn, Detective Dan made a strange table with a lab-setup appear before the crowds. Everypony and Dragon was impressed by this magical feat, but the next surprise came when the detective was mixing a few potions in bickers and jars with a little levitation magic to speed up the process. While it was a good display of show of magic and science, Dan had completed some things to which it was time for the next step in what he planned to do.

"Now watch as I'm about to prove something that among pony science minds cannot argue with the pure facts of judging if one is truly pure evil or not." Detective Dan exclaimed forth in having something to show, as he reached for something. "Lorcan, stick out your claws." He asked in wanting the client's claws to be held out before him and the crowds.

"Um, okay, I guess." Lorcan responded a bit puzzled in hearing such a request, but decided to not go against the detective's work here.

"Now this may sting, but just try to bare it." Detective Dan spoke off from holding the Dragon teen's claw.

Then the scene shows the twos shadows to which the detective appears to be wielding…a knife shadowy object.

"Gaaugh….." The crowds gasp in watching this act out of quick judgment.

"He's gonna chop off the Dragon's claws!" One random pony exclaimed with panic in seeing the good detective was gonna cut off this Dragon's claws right off.

Then there was some eerie creepy music playing while the shadows of Lorcan and Detective Dan showed the latter wielding his object against the former's shadow. In wasn't looking good, many were covering their eyes to not see the horrors, but then…. On a closer spec, Detective Dan was actually….giving Lorcan's long nail claw fingers a manicure with a file-nail. You can imagine how many ponies did face-faults in seeing it wasn't a deadly horror display, but something just as oddball-like.

"Lorcan, I gotta ask ya, when was the last time you had your claws treated right? They're filthy and dirty, and that's just the starters." Detective Dan stated off in seeing what a mess this guy's clawed nails were.

"Um, honestly…I can't say when. Probably years," Lorcan responded a bit unsure, he's never done something like this before.

"Okay, what is happening here?" Rainbow Dash asked with a raised eyebrow in not believing what is happening here.

"What's it look like, I'm getting samples from my client here." Detective Dan issued from using his magic to let the claw nails fall into a glass jar that levitated by magic. "Okay, now the toes, come on, don't be shy." The guy asked that Lorcan show his toes as he was done with the claws part.

"Well….okay…" Lorcan responded a bit unsure, but he lifted his feet to get the treatment…AND BOY; COULD THEY USE IT!

"Yikes! And we thought his claws could use some work!" Phobos yelped from seeing what a mess this Dragon teen's feet were, when was the last time Lorcan properly trim his toe nails?

"Excuse me mister detective, how is it you know how to do that so profoundly?" Nyx asked in seeing that this odd detective was performing such nice manicure treatments like pros do for aiding mares to look their best from batty saloons.

"Simple little miss, I spent 6 weeks undercover as a beauty therapist to undercover some Fashion group called the Fashionistas that were stealing the latest fashion works back in Manehattan." Detective Dan pronounced forth his answer to Nyx, which the story got a lot of attention. "Course I picked up a few things, so in my line of detective work, you can never have enough skills to know where they might be most useful in." The stallion shrug off that even if he does stuff undercover, you learn to pick up some new skills that can be helpful in any situation.

"Really; you could have a lot of talents than just one?" Scootaloo asked with excitement in liking the sounds of this part of the story.

"Which means if we had so many talents, how would our Cutie Marks look?" Sweetie Belle stated this to her friends in what this could mean for them.

"Ah think it wouldn't matter, we still could do more than what's on our Cutie Mark!" Apple Bloom exclaimed to her friends that even with one true talent, they can go with having a few more.

"Well, I'm actually very surprised, if not for his strange theme of personality; I think the detective could almost give me a manicure." Rarity spoke in almost seeing the good Detective Dan, as a pony that could really give any mare a nice manicure on their hooves.

"There, all done!" Detective Dan responded from finishing up his work on the Dragon teen's toes while having them samples too. "How do ya feel Lorcan?" The guy asked in wanting to know if Lorcan was feeling much better after a manicure.

"Well now, I can say that my toes and my claws don't feel so bad when I twitch them to move. And it's not too painful either, amazing." Lorcan spoke from wiggling his toes and claw fingers, smiling that the uncleanness between them is gone and it actually makes him feel a lot less stressful too.

"Your honor, is this act really necessary?" Miles spoke off against that the client's defense even give such a thing during trial.

"Keep your comments to yourself, I'm not finished yet," Detective Dan snapped at the lawyer pony trying to go against him defending Lorcan. "Now what I hold here is a sample of Lorcan's clippings, we shall say." The guy used his magic to show all the samples of the teen Dragon's clippings.

"Honey, is there a point 'ta showing us Dragon toe nail clippings? Other than disgusting us," Applejack asked off in almost feeling like they wanna throw up from seeing such a disturbing display.

"Yes there is, for they shall be used in an experiment to show you all something!" Detective Dan proclaimed that what he has in mind will show everyone here something surprising.

Next came the interesting part, where the detective used his magic to make a potion in a jar be brought over to him. Then Detective Dan slowly, but surely poured the samples he got from Lorcan into the potion while everyone watched.

"Poofruvhmm…." From a drop of some of Lorcan's clipping samples into the liquid potion, made it poof with smoke before changing. The jar was changed into some pure sparkling liquid that was clear for all to see.

"And there you have it!" Detective exclaimed to all that he has done it, and is showing his stuff on what he's made.

"Have what, detective?" Judge Rhodes asked a bit puzzled in not knowing what this stallion has to show for them.

"In scientific explanation your honor, what I hold here is 'PURE' magical aura substance of a Dragon's soul." Detective Dan

"Say what now?" A random stallion repeated this off in a surprise tone.

"Did he say pure?" A random mare asked off in finding this news very hard to swallow.

"Care to explain that more, Mr. Dan?" Judge Rhodes asked with a curious expression, liking to know more about what has come to be here.

"Yes, I may indeed," Detective Dan profound out to say to the judge here. "You see, this is the powerful substance which makes Dragons all very powerful, and if it's clear to be seen with a flashy sparkle works, that's good. It's only bad if it's showing the opposite." He explained that what he has is PROOF, that if Lorcan was still evil, then they get something that would be blurry. "And for another fact, any Dragon that takes this will show that they don't react to it by becoming evil. It's only with the opposite kind that it could do the trick. Now, which Dragons here want to be the subject?" The guy was now hovering the jar of a mixed brand potion to the only Dragons in the room to try.

"Not me!" Spike waved off his hands against taking a potion made by this weirdo.

"Eew, that's got Lorcan-cooties!" Phobos cringed at the very thought of taking something that had Lorcan's clippings mix in.

"I'm sorry, but…" Draco was holding up one claw in regrettably regretting the offer.

"Aw you big babies," Detective Dan pouted against these dragons being all scared to try this and prove a point to the crowd. "Fortunately, I can use a substitute of the lizard family to aid in this experiment." He exclaimed in having a way to help show this progress while having another subject try the potion. "Hey Dojo, come on out!" The stallion was calling out a name of someone to come and appear to all?

Then without warning, a green lizard slipped out from underneath of Detective Dan's hat. This was clearly the one called Dojo, being a part of the lizard family, and having yellow eyes.

"This here's my little pet pal, Dojo, he's a lizard, so if anything the side-effects from drinking what is surely pure Dragon aura will produce 'positive' results." Detective Dan issued off to the crowd to not worry, as his pal will take the potion jar of what he's prepared. "Down you go buddy!" The stallion stated from levitating the potion to his lizard pet who took the jar glass while he was position on a table.

"Gulp-gulp-gulp…gaaaugh…Burp," Dojo gulped and then burped from finishing that entire potion. But as everyone looked on, nobody saw any changes, no strange side-effects; nothing.

"Nothing’s happening, are you sure about that…?" Ben Mare was about to say that nothing was being seen from the taking of the potion, it may be dull.

"Wait a second!" Detective Dan held up one of his hooves to have the stallion be patient, time will show itself…about now.

Then suddenly at the moment, a strange reaction of magic enveloped the creature before everyone's eyes to watch a change in progress. The body was shaping to be slightly longer, suddenly have a different appearance. Now the green lizard was changed into a strange Chinese Dragon-form creature with no legs, but arms still, yellow eyes and a bit of combed roll scale hair design. Dojo had completely transformed into an entirely new being from just a simple lizard to a small lizard-Dragon of a serpent verity. Now a lot of ponies and even the Royals were amazed by this stunt show of transformation.

"Hugh, an evolutionary step, from lizard to a slithering Chinese Dragon type," Detective Dan spoke from rubbing his chin in finding this show of effects to be very interesting for all ponies interest in science and magic. "And judging by the eyes, and magic aura any of us unicorns can sense, there is no danger." What this guy spoke was true, all unicorns, even Alicorns like Celestia, Luna and Golden Heart felt now wicked evil senses from the magical aura coming off of Dojo.

"Oh please, like we''re expecting some kook and his gecko to prove Lorcan's innocent." Another of Celestia's critics remarked off in not finding this display all to convincing for them to believe.

Of course, that made Dojo snaps before shouting this as if it was an insult to him…with a clear english voice, "GECKO!" Then Dojo transformed to giant Chinese Dragon that took up almost all of the courtroom, came near the critic of Celestia and other followers and said this loudly and in a threatening manner. "Don't…Ever….Call me….A GECKO!" The transformed creature snapped forth in not wanting to be called as such a thing while making all tremble by such a surprise.

"Gulp…yes sir!" The Critic ponies saluted like stone statues in frozen fear before the fearsome Dojo.

This scene really got a lot of ponies to be a bit nervous themselves, now they worry if this changed Dragon from a lizard, now full grown, will be a danger. And boy did the answer came at a strange surprise.

"That's more like it!" Dojo proclaimed with a sly smile, and then without warning, he shrank back to size, surprising everyone in the room. "I mean honestly, does this handsome and devilish face say 'gecko' to anyone? Or anypony at all?" The little Dragon lizard asked off in almost feeling offended by such a statement on his good name.

"Nope, but you sure gave them a surprise." Detective Dan shook his head off while standing near his pal, boy did Dojo give everypony a surprise in what he did. "And it looks like the sample from Lorcan not only proved an evolution step for my pet pal, but he showed restrain from wanting to clobber them critics of Celestia. Thereby proving, there is no evil left in Lorcan." The proud detective held up one hoof in declaring undeniable proof, that the teen Dragon is not his evil self.

This got a lot of ponies' attention to look back to one another in hearing such proof claims. But the Royal Pony Sisters were smiling in secret, looks like this matter was helping their friend out the most.

"Did you see that?" Nyx spoke to her CMC members in what they saw Dojo just did.

"That was amazing from that trick!" Sweetie Belle smiled in stating how what they saw was very interesting indeed.

"I'll say, the way that little Dragon turned into a big one like that!" Scootaloo nods to happily agree, Dojo grew into a large size real easily.

"Yew know, he could be a good supporter 'ta help ponies see 'dat no matter how small we are, we can reach up fer our Cutie Marks." Apple Bloom spoke in thought of an idea in how Dojo there could be a good supporter for their growing groups cause. "Why, he could be perfect as our Dragon mascot fer our growing Cutie Mark Crusaders Group." The small filly of the Apple Family stated an idea that can be helpful to them.

"A mascot; ME," Dojo spoke off from looking to the CMC, overhearing their offer which made him smile. "Dauhaaah, shucks, you kids, you're making me blush." He let off a giggle in feeling bashful in just thinking he'll be a mascot.

"Well I'll be, sounds like you got a sponsor deal Dojo. You've hit the jackpot!" Detective Dan responded with much joy in hearing his pal is offered a spot for mascot.

"I know right. Farewell lizard days, hello stardom!" Dojo nods in finding this little chance in his life has really changed him, from a lizard to a Dragon, and now to be a mascot of an important group order, even if it is for kids.

"Boy, somebody's taking this very well in having attention." Spike rolled his eyes in seeing Dojo really get a little overexcited over such a few small things like this.

"Look who's talking." Phobos responded off in recalling events where Spike once dealt with such matters.

"Hey-hey, Dragon pals, maybe when this is over, I can help fly us off to a private lava spa and have some chats. What do ya say; it'll make you feel like new Dragons." Dojo came between Spike and Phobos as a friend, and wanted to let them get off on good feet terms, even though he has no feet to speak.

"Mister Dan, while I'm amazed by such a display, can we still focus on the case at hand?" Judge Rhodes interrupted this moment to remind the detective that they still have to deal with Lorcan and about the case matter.

"Certainly, I needed to prepare for the step in showing something equally important." Detective Dan nods in understanding while also mentioning the preparations for another important step here.

"And what-prey-tell, would it be to distract the court here from Lorcan's case from your moment?" Miles asked off rather annoyed that the detective will try to stir the court away from bringing Lorcan down for his crimes.

"Well that is…." Detective Dan was about to say, until he looked to something that caught his attention. "HOLY! Are the makeups on the Princesses wearing off?" The detective pointed out in making some huge shock over a matter concerning the princess of the Sun and the Moon.

"WHAAAAA," Many of the ponies yelped at this and looked to Celestia and Luna. The many stares were even making the princesses feel uncomfortable to look to see if the matter was of any serious meaning.

"Sister, is that true of us?" Luna asked in being puzzled by all the unwanted stares.

"I'm not sure. I don't believe so." Celestia spoke from when the sisters looked to each other, seeing nothing wrong.

"You both don't look like your makeup is ruined. I hardly can tell if you do or not." Golden Heart spoke to calm the sisters that nothing was wrong, so why did the detective go and say such a thing?

While everyone was so focus on the subject of the princesses, Detective Dan saw Lorcan was also distracted by what the madness was going on. During which, the detective was approaching the scarred eye, used a scrapper to get off the dried dead scales on Lorcan's cut mark. Of course, after a while of doing so, even this teen Dragon would notice how close he had someone.

"HEEEEY," Lorcan snapped out loudly that broke the attention on the royals to see what Detective Dan was doing who yelped back from the shout.

"No reason to panic, I got it!" Detective Dan held up his hooves while holding a little pile of something he got off Lorcan this time around.

"Got what?" The other ponies asked in not understanding, what this detective was up to?

"Yes, detective, please explain this bizarre stunt you just pulled." Judge Rhodes asked with a very unsure look in where this was all going here.

"It's very simple your honor." Detective Dan spoke forth in having an answer for his reasonings. "As I've explained before, Lorcan was scarred by Tadaka. And scars buried so deep like his are hard to ever recover and they keep in lock a memory." The stallion explained the situation concurring Lorcan, saying the scar on his eye has more value than they realize.

"A memory in a scar," Rainbow Dash responded a bit unsure if such a thing was true, the scar that held memories.

"Sounds mighty unpleasant," Applejack spoke with a stern face in not liking to have such a memory of a wound.

"So while I may have gotten the nail samples, what I needed was dried dead scales of where this teen Dragon was attacked and….by his testament, stated he became evil from when his scar was born." Detective Dan explained off that within the scar mark lied the truth to a beginning that turned Lorcan who was once pure and innocent into a vile and wicked foe.

"Oh my, that does sound serious." Fluttershy yelped to hold her cheeks in fearing for such a thing to have happened.

"Well I for one find this display a little odd myself." Rarity responded off in what she's heard to be very unpleasant indeed.

"Now watch and pay close attention." Detective Dan spoke off from using his magic to bring another jar of a mix liquid potion to be used for another experiment.

Soon the detective drops the dead dry scales from Lorcan's scar eye into another glass with a portion ingredient inside.

"Oh, what's gonna happen here?" Pinkie Pie asked from almost finding this too exciting to see what shall happen next here.

"This is about to show us the truth that 'SOMETHING', that Tadaka did turned his son from not wanting to kill ponies to be evil!" Detective Dan proclaimed that what he's about to show, is the very thing to show everypony, that what shall be the teen Dragon's innocent.

Soon the scales in the mix potion were sizzling to change the entire object a bit…black. The only thing that anypony can see, was that the samples from the scar just made a black smug cloud in the liquid. It just settled there for some moments and…there was no signs of anything unusual about it.

"Um, Dan, I think we were expecting something more…menacing looking?" Dojo spoke to his friend that maybe what they wanted was something to get their attention, however...

"GRAAAAAUUUGGHH….." Suddenly, something roared from within the jar and soon showed crimson red eyes of wickedness and a open red mouth. It looked to be that of a black soul of a creature that was wanting to seek something.

"Waaaughh…" Much of the crowds yelped back in seeing a strange creature, the very thing frighten them.

"Ah hah; Just as I suspected," Detective Dan trumpeted forth in seeing this strange creature, which the detective sealed the jar with a lid to keep whatever is inside from escaping.

"What detective? What did you find? And what is that thing?" Judge Rhodes asked the good detective in what he has uncovered here, and whatever that black smog thing was.

"A creature that could be in a far more elite class than the old legends of Mini-Weres that are said to be shreds of darkness, your honor," Detective Dan proclaimed something that made even the Mane Six, along with Ben Mare freak out in recalling such creatures. The Mini-Weres were those that could turn a pony into a Demon Pony when come into contact, nobody could forget about that. "These things are able to come into existence by nature or someone that can create them by magic. My theory states Lorcan had one of these parasite things implanted in him when dear old dad scarred him for life." The detective announced the theory stating that Lorcan was infected by such an evil parasite coursing into the teen Dragon by the path of the scar in his eye.

"Haaaauughh….." Much of the gasping crowds were far shocker to hear this. Could such a thing have happened that a father would turn his own son into an evil killing machine?

"It's a fact that Tadaka was a powerful Dragon, so coming across understanding such spells was easy for him." Detective Dan label off that Tadaka could have easily created these things to pass off by simple contact with Lorcan, which explains a lot of the matter from what was known to all from the past. "And these creatures are label as…." The stallion was about to tell everyone here what these dangerous creatures were, but….

"Breakishvmm…" Suddnely, a glass breaking sound caught everyone to drop what they were doing. And they saw what was the broken jar that once contacted the terrible spawn creature.

"Augh Dan? I think we got a problem!" Dojo yelped with a cautious face to se; they have a loose creature in the court room.

"Great Moose On Carnal; That glass was supposed to hold it, it's stronger than we thought!" Detective Dan yelped in seeing a real problem on their hands, and tried to warn the crowds. "EVERYPONY WATCH OUT! A VIRUS-BYTE IS ON THE LOOSE!" He yelled out which only seem to make things worse than to alert everyone to be wary?

"A Virus Byte; what are they?" Rarity asked a bit concern over hearing the name of the escape creature while careful looking out for it.

"Talk later, boys in royal suits, whack everything until ya find it!" Detective Dan responded off before suddenly getting the Royal Guards to follow his orders even without Celestia or Luna stopping them?

Then no later were there lots of screaming and loud whacking noises from the guards trying to stab their spears into anything on the floor. Even Detective Dan was checking and pushing ponies out of the way, and the Mane Six had to be careful too that something was loose in the court; the royal princesses were worried for their subjects. Lorcan looked across the room to try and find the creature, but more screaming cut off that resulted in the Pegasus flying out of their seats into the air or against the wall sides. But just then, a strange blob with a tail and four legs with familiar red mouth and eyes stared with glime in spotting something from it's crawling path on the walls. It was moving straight towards a terrified pony that was a familiar yellow pegasus as it reached her mane to slowly reach her face….

"Fluttershy, in your mane; Watch out!" Twilight Sparkle shouted to point at spotting something behind Fluttershy's mane that was against the walls.

"Hsisihh…." Soon the revealed Virus-Byte hissed with a wicked grin in seeing it's newest victim to be.

"Eeeeekk," Fluttershy squealed in horror, and she didn't have time to get away or dodge.

"Slapppedvhhmmm…." Then suddenly, a giant mallet crushed the wall side where Fluttershy stood; but it almost looked like from a certain angle…that her HEAD WAS MISSING.

"Eeeek; you crushed Fluttershy's head into the wall!" Pinkie Pie yelped out in terror, what has the detective gone and done, since he was the one on the end of the mallet.

"What are you talking; it's fine, see for yourself." Detective Dan responded a bit surprised and offended that the ponies believe he hurt Fluttershy, but from removing the mallet….he spoke true. Fluttershy's head was near the wall, wide eyed in what took place with a scared expression while a large crater mark was made with a splattered black goop mess. "Though she looks pale, but she's lucky we flattened the pest before it made contact with her." The guy explained off while the guards helped bring Fluttershy to her friends to help her settle down from what happened to her.

"Detective, what is going on?" Judge Rhodes asked in liking an explanation for what just happened and from the danger no less.

"I'll tell ya what's going on! These creatures are the deadly symbiotic parasite creatures called Virus Bytes. They're rated as top danger threat creatures that when they come into contact with any living thing, sinks into their bodies, and changes them entirely." Detective Dan explained off the major ordeal about the Virus-Bytes and what they can do when making contact with any living organism. "They are like a virus that spreads without warning and not much a struggle against such strong force, gaining control to perform things its host was never capable of doing; For example; this little pony, is she scary, no. Is she a threat, not partially; is she a danger to all of us; course not." The guy was stating these basic facts and for what Fluttershy is NOT known to be, however…. "But just one Virus Byte to infect her, and you can imagine all the kindness and other stuff on Fluttershy here to be 'topsy turvy'. Just try to imagine what she be if she was evil to the extreme." The good detective issued out for all to imagine the twist of what the Pegasus of gentle kindness were to be like; in a backwards way of picturing.

Many ponies took this moment to imagine in their own clouds of thought; what Fluttershy would be like if such a thing happened. Let’s just say that when many recall her kind, gentle, caring, innocent act of her personality, and how she barely would be much of somepony looking for trouble. But when all that change of a Fluttershy shown to be cruel, harmful, uncaring, and show acts of wickedness and vile tension of unholy likes was enough to turn many faces blue, even for ponies with blue coats. And then the clouds burst off in almost feeling too horrified to picture it anymore. That settled it, none of them even dream to picture themselves in such a position, OR Fluttershy for that matter.

"I think the evil Fluttershy almost made me squeal in terror." Phobos yelped with quiering knees in fearing for such a pony like an evil Fluttershy to appear.

"Yeah, I know the feeling." Spike nods with much worry and concerns if such a thing were to happen to Fluttershy.

"Trust me, that pony's kindness going vile with evil is something even I can't imagine how it turned out." Lorcan shook his head in knowing full well, an evil born from the good hearted Fluttershy, is something no one wishes to ever see or imagine.

"Right as rain; and let’s face it, if Fluttershy got turn evil, we have ANOTHER tyrant wannabe conqueror like Lorcan was!" Detective Dan announced off the horrible picture that many ponies would rather to avoid coming to face. 

"Ponies of the court, are we really going to believe this?" Miles spoke off in trying to get the others to see what is truly happening here. "This detective is clearly a fool for trying to pull off this even more dangerous stunt by letting such a creature into the court!" The pony that was speaking against the defense for Lorcan issued that the detective here was insufficient in what he's doing.

"Bite your tongue pal, Lorcan's no threat anymore!" Detective Dan snapped at the guy here who's been being a thorn since he's been here.

"How can you be sure?" Miles snapped off to protest that even Lorcan could be fooling them to believe he's changed.

"Because the scar is old and dry when Tadaka put it there for Lorcan, and it ran its course to make him evil; it's nothing more than a mark of where such a parasite virus simply emerged into." Detective Dan issued off to explain that once the deed was done, the mark of where all of Lorcan's unfortunate events lead for him in life has now been there as but a memory for the Dragon. "But after another recent event, that evil was finally weaken when his brother Spike hit him on full blast with the elements, and thereby removing the evil from within completely!" Now this part really got a good spot in where the detective pulled out an ace just in time for that statement to be notified.

Now a lot of ponies were chattering up a storm in what they heard. It was true, that when Spike last took down his brother in a one final showdown that took out all of the evil Dragons in the area, Lorcan seemed weaken and then looked as if released from what binds of evil held over him. Of course, this situation was getting out of hand of what to believe or not, so something had to be done.

"ORDER; ORDER NOW," Judge Rhodes was whacking his gravel mallet on his stand to demand silence before speaking. "Alright, we shall move on to the next part of this case before the final judging of the client Lorcan." He issued out that they'll move onto the next parts of the courtroom here in wanting to hear more about the client before the judging can commence.

Now things began to move on from here after a bit of calming and some cleaning up work. As of right now, Miles was speaking with Spike finally taking the stand to speak his tureen of what happened. Many recalls that on the day Spike fought Lorcan, it was believed to be the older sibling's death, just before Psycho Steel The Destructible went off to perform a Magical Kamikaze stunt that almost succeeded in killing the poor baby Dragon, well technically it did, but then the little guy came back to life by miracle means.

"And is there anything else you wanna say that happened that you feel you can't let it be left out, young Dragon?" Miles spoke in wanting everything Spike has to tell the pony groups about his info.

"Well, there is something that I only spoke with my grandpa King Spykoran the Old." Spike spoke from feeling there is something rather important he only ever spoke with his grandfather. "When I was in-between the place of life and death; the place called limbo…I heard my brother's voice there." The baby Dragon explained that during his time in limbo, he heard Lorcan's voice there; calling to him.

Much of the crowds were whispering in what they heard from Spike. Many recalled such tragic moments and some found it unbelievable that one that was dead could come back, but Spike and Lorcan are the living proof.

"You're saying you heard Lorcan's voice? Well I suppose that is true, at the time, you were both…dead." Miles rubbed the chin in pondering this fact very carefully while knowing that this was a true case of what experience this Dragon has gone through.

"Yes, but some magic…a very unknown type of magic, pulled me back from limbo and my soul return to my body, all healed up. And just in-between when I heard Twilight's voice call to me," Spike spoke in addressing the manner of how something came to him, and helped him return to the world of the living, especially when he heard a familiar voice calling to him too.

"Well young Dragon, that is a miracle of a story." Judge Rhodes spoke awestruck in hearing such a tale of a story from Spike. "Does anypony know of what may have accrued to help a miracle be perform?" The judge looked to anypony in the crowd here that may or may not know what happened that made such an act possible.

"I have your honor." Many of the ponies looked to the princess of the sun when she spoke to earn some attention. "My fellow princess, Twilight Sparkle when she was a student back then, was the last near Spike when we believed him dead at the time." Celestia spoke of the old past event when all thought Spike had passed away. "The necklace she wore, is the Love of Eternal, that creates miracles from one's strongest affection to make such strong magic." She explained the powers that are centered around the necklace Twilight Sparkle owns.

"It is a very rare item, one that was given to Twilight by Ben Mare, which was also what cured him from being a Demon Pony and giving him life once more." Luna spoke next in telling all about how such a necklace helped do such miracle works. "And even more so, seem to have the power to reverse an unusual effect on young Nyx, the question if it's a permeant fix or if she can control such a magic still lies in mystery from the necklace's magic of a miracle." She spoke from holding her chin, that such effects are still unclear for the most part.

"But the real question remains, how was it that Lorcan was suspected to have perished, yet stands before us now; alive and well?" Melissa spoke with a clear stern expression in knowing all too well, that Lorcan was reported decease, yet he's here.

"Well you see, it's…um…" Spike seems hesitated to look away, like he has a secret that he's trying to keep, however...

"It's okay Spike, do not feel shameful to tell them what happened before your return from limbo." Lorcan spoke with a sigh of defeat, saying that his brother can say what had happened that revolves around his suppose return.

"Hugh, alright, here's the other fact." Spike sighed in hearing this, and decided, that he may as well tell now. "Lorcan told me to find his body that was tossed into the Everfree Forest, the one that was supposed to have been a clone when I fought him again during that strange event that took place." The baby Dragon stated that he went off to find and locate where his older brother's body remanded while it hasn't lost a spec of its life.

"Who could forget it? Some unnatural bogey appeared, made you roast your brother that made it look like cake walk." Phobos shrug off his shoulders in just recalling the day many saw the strange new face called, Grimmore, and did he do a number of events of gaining a copy of the Triforce to imposer Spike to what some thought he toasted his own brother Lorcan.

"Phobos," The CMC scolded their friend for bringing up a moment of their lives they all rather forget.

"In any event, I found Lorcan's body after separating myself from everyone else." Spike explained out his situation of what happened, which earned a lot of attention from everyone else. "We chatted for moments since his body…was unable to hold form when whatever darkness he had was making him disappear." This caught a lot more listener's attention as the baby Dragon seems to grip his left fist. "I learned a lot, of what troubles Lorcan had to suffer through is was a sad thing to live by, and then we said our departing farewells, only…." He stopped for a moment to look away with some grief expression on his face.

"Only what, young Dragon; Do not be shy." Judge Rhodes spoke with a calm passion in wanting Spike to not fear to hold back, he should let it out.

"In a way, your honorable judge, sir, I felt somehow, that though Lorcan passed away right there, it felt like I could still hear his voice in the wind, saying he be with me…always." Spike spoke from looking up, and then narrowing his eyes down with a solemn expression of letting off a sorrow face from what took place on that day. He believed Lorcan to be gone for good, but he felt that somehow, his brother would watch him….even from the afterlife.

Now this was affecting some of the sappy members of the court room; and by that, we mean like Pinkie Pie and Phobos that were letting out long tears flow out of their eyes. Even the new creature evolved into a Dragon, Dojo, let off sappy tears and wailed in finding this all too much to bear.

"And indeed he is, but not quite what you picture, I'm certain." Miles shook the head in listening to this while keeping a dexterity on composure appearance. "You may go now." The lawyer pony waved off for Spike to leave the stand of speaking to the court, he's done his part here.

"Hey buddy, can't you feel a little moral support for the baby Dragon; that was a very touchy story." Detective Dan snapped at the lawyer pony for not being as emotionally touched by this soft-hearted story that has made many of them feel like crying.

"Touchy or not, emotions have no place in court. I call for the last witness to take the stand, Twilight Sparkle; The target victim of Lorcan," Miles profound off such a response before calling up the biggest fish catch for anypony to focus on; a critical victim with more connections to Lorcan.

Now a lot of silence filled the air, as Spike left, but only to pass by Twilight, who came pass her assistant, adopted son and friend, along with apart of her family, to take the stand. Now many were silent, even the Royal Princesses stood calm, yet firm in knowing that Twilight has suffered much more greater ordeals from Lorcan's act.

"Now Princess Sparkle, may I address you as such?" Miles spoke to address Twilight, who made a silent nod in not minding the formalities of being called by the last name. "You out of anypony here has seen the acts of Lorcan first hand, or hoof in our case, and what he has done." This lawyer pony against Lorcan knows that from out of any suspect witness to the teen Dragon's terror, this Alicorn mare is the best to present.

"Yes, I have." Twilight nods at the first asked question addressed to her.

"And can you tell us something? Despite what Lorcan's attorney states," Miles spoke off in stating before looking back where Detective Dan and Lorcan are still siting.

"Hey-Hey; I'm a detective!" Detective Dan protest out to mention that attorney is such a thing to say, when he is as he should be noted for; a detective.

"Right, what the detective may have spoken gives many to believe in what has happened to Lorcan, but is he forgiving…?" Miles rolled the eyes in hearing such claims while looking to Twilight as kind if Lorcan is someone…that should even get forgiveness at all.

"Well he's…." Twilight looked away in almost feeling like answering that question is something to fight against the brain logic and the heart logic. The evidence does show a lot for Lorcan needing to be forgiven, but in her heart…that's asking too much.

"Tells us, did this teen Dragon do something to you that you've been seen as his target to ruin your life, all from the misunderstanding that you stole his brother Spike and he believed him to be dead?" Miles spoke in walking in the room in trying to prey out the testament of what Lorcan has done to this unicorn; Twilight, from beginning to past recent events.

"He did indeed do something…something that haunts me to this very day…." Twilight spoke from her eyes narrowing away, as if trying to avoid a painful subject.

"Then speak, what did Lorcan do to you?" Miles waved off a hoof to have this witness speak her mind on what the subject on court has done.

Now many of Twilight's friends stared worried in knowing all too well what their friend would say. The one thing that makes her not want to give forgiveness to Lorcan, even against the evidence that proves even the slightest bit of innocence.

"He killed somepony special to me and my family. My little brother, Starlight," Twilight closed her eyes to express the manner with much sadness, as a little tear slipped between her eyes. "We were both just a colt and filly, just after the event when Ben disappeared…Lorcan came out from hiding and then…." At the last part, the tear dropped from her eye and slippered on the ground, Twilight cease speaking and almost looked ready to break down.

"Easy child, you don't have to say another word, we all know what happened." Judge Rhodes held his hoof up to gently have Twilight settle down, knowing that in any killing case, no one wants to remember such horrible memories.

"Now we know ponies of the court. Despite Lorcan being a victim of all crimes and plans to conquer, he has still done the deed of a murder! That punishment cannot go undone!" Miles spoke in addressing the courtroom and for all ponies to pay close attention of the matter at hand here. "And I believe this is where even the renowned Detective Dan cannot recover from this case." This lawyer pony was very shrew, bringing up Twilight's tragic moment as a no-way to recover or get out of this case.

"You think your hot-stuff pulling out the last ace up the sleeve, I gotta admit, that's a doozy." Detective Dan proclaimed in admitting the truth; nobody, pony or otherwise would ever think there was a way to get out of such a clear case of murder, but he would though. "But you forgot one very important detail. THAT ALONE WON'T CUT IT!" The detective declared off while shouting to protest the manner; stating it won't stop him one bit.

"Waugh….!" Many of the ponies were utterly shock, after hearing such a claim of murder, can Lorcan even be forgiven for such acts?

"Whah; How dare you!" Miles yelped at utter shock and disbelief that the detective was still able to continue, despite this harden proof of guilt. "This pony alone has had the worst experience of her life because of what the monster did to her? He scarred her not of body, but of mind, heart and soul." The lawyer pony pointed to Twilight that out of anyone else here, she had suffered the most in losing a family member by Lorcan's claws.

"Keep your jitter-jaggers to yourself Miles!" Detective Dan snap off to point at the lawyer in not being done yet here. "I'm aware of the case, cause I was a part of it long ago." He pronounced this news that would interest the court and many others.

Now the courtroom really was silent, the Detective Dan was a part of the case of when Starlight Sparkle was murdered and body not found when Lorcan first made his appearance?

"Wait a second, did he just say….?" Rainbow Dash was utterly dumbfounded to believe what they just heard.

"He was a part of Twilight's poor brother being killed long ago?" Rarity spoke in tragic motion in hearing this, yet finding it almost hard to swallow.

"Well Ah'll be, he was investigating dat problem." Applejack ponder the thought with much unknown thought patterns about learning this.

"Oh dear, this is becoming unbearable." Fluttershy quivered from seeing the situation change much rapidly.

"Yeah, what's he gonna pull out next I wonder?" Pinkie Pie replied out in being very curious in how the detective will do something else very surprising.

"Twilight Sparkle, if…." Detective Dan was approaching the unicorn mare on stand, and was about to do his routine, but...

"Yes, yes, I know, it's my real name and you probably know something about a case relating about me." Twilight cut between the detective's words in knowing very well that this pony would have asked the strange questions like he done so far before.

"Do you take me for a fool that doesn't know what he's doing and just wearing this outfit on occasion?" Detective Dan asked off a bizarre question that might have been sarcasm.

"Honestly, the idea crosses my mind a bit?" Twilight rolled her eyes with a little smile in pretty much knowing, such a thing did come to her mind.

"Well then UN-Cross it; Cause I got some news for you that left you in the dark." Detective Dan turned around to point at the mare in stating to have something that left her in the dark of the unknowing.

"What news? I just explained what's happened to me, I don't have anything to hid and remember what happened very clearly." Twilight asked off a bit annoyed that the detective thinks she has left something out of her story, but it's all the truth.

"You're a bright student, we'll give you that, but you've let fear clouds your judgment to dig deeper in recalling the moments that there…lies the truth!" Detective Dan mustered off to exclaim the matter that in a way of addressing it, Twilight has yet to understand the true understanding of what happened on her case.

"The…truth," Twilight repeated a bit awkward and puzzled, what was the detective even saying?

"Yes, as I shall explain it!" Detective Dan held up a hoof to turn to the crowd in making this announcement to them. "When Lorcan was still under the possession of being evil, his good senses were still active to watch and record all the evil events that took into play." He explained that in any event, Lorcan has clear memory of all the stuff he's done.

"And what does that have to do with now?" Twilight raised an eyebrow in wondering, what this pony aiding Lorcan's case, had in mind here?

"Because there's a piece of the puzzle that's left a mystery on this 'so-called' death of Starlight Sparkle," Detective Dan issued forth that there is something that was left in puzzlement to the case of a pony's death. "Which many are wondering; whatever happened to the BODY!" The guy exclaimed that the biggest case, was that despite a death, there was no body; why?

There was a dramatic music play in the background, followed by many gasp by the audience in what they heard. Could the mystery of a unseen body disappearance finally be revealed to them?

"As such, there was something screwy that happened near the sight young Sparkle here leads us to the killing sight." Detective Dan announced off in mentioning this about something happened during the cause of where the killing scene took place. "We searched, but even with magic, we couldn't find where a decease colt's body was because….something 'else' was there, and it cut off our magic from trying to figure out a clue to what happened." The explanation was very strict and very firm, the case of the investigation seems to have led to trouble of something cutting in the work. "But as of right now, there IS a way, to see the act and learn the truth!" The proud detective announced off that without a doubt, he'll show what happened to the murder event of Starlight Sparkle.

"Wait a second, you mean you come across a theory way to learn what happened to the body?" Golden Heart asked a bit stump to believe, has such a thing been discovered to solve this unsolvable mystery?

"Yes, but hopefully it can work despite what we fear is an unknown force trying to conceal the real evidence of the matter." Detective Dan nods while rubbing his chin, the truth is, whatever unknown force was concealing the truth, didn't want anyone else to know, "Dojo! The Memory Link-up Orb, please." The good detective turns to his trusty pet pal to aid him in this matter with a certain item.

"Nrrrrugh, right here," Dojo was seen struggling with his little size, to push a strange looking aqua-color orb with a golden head-band lock around the center.

"Thanks!" The detective spoke from picking up the item before explaining the situation in detail. "This here's an item specially crafted and created to help in case solving work in letting a few folks that were at certain scenes, recall them 'exactly' as much as they can. However, this feature will enhance and help make the memory more clearer than what the subjects believe is right and we'll display a magical particles of light in reliving such a moment in one's own event." By Detective Dan's standard point of view, they'll be able to projectile some form of illusion magic reviewing one's memory.

"So it's like a movie?" Phobos asked off in thinking it was something like that.

"More like a scary movie." Spike stated with an uncomfy feeling that what they'll see is something scary.

"I don't know if I wanna see mommy's brother get killed even if it's only an illusion of lights." Nyx spoke with concerns in feeling that seeing such an event won't be nice for them.

"Yeah, us too," The other CMC responded in agreement, they rather not witness a young colt's death.

"Hugh, but what other choice is there, maybe this is the answer we need to further understand what happened." Ben Mare sighed in knowing they have no choice, this was something to be the only way to aid them in knowing what hidden truth this case was leading to.

After a few moments to set things up, the good detective had done it. Gold headbands were around Twilight and Lorcan's foreheads as they glow shimmer with life while the orb device sat on a table.

"Alright, this here will let what you both remember, be focus in the orb and then play what can be best be known as the true focus of memory." Detective Dan explained the function of the Memory-Link Orb and what it can do to play both the only key-viewers of the colt's murder disappearance mystery.

"Ready to throw the switch at any given, Dan," Dojo signal his good buddy that he's ready to do this at the given moment.

"Alright, are you two ready?" Detective Dan looked between the teen Dragon and Alicorn mare in wanting coronation for this to work.

"Yes." Twilight responded with a serious look in willing to go through.

"I am." Lorcan also responded with the same measures without a second thought.

"Then here goes," Detective Dan stated before signaling the start of this little experiment.

"Brzizivhmmm…Frusvhmm…" Suddenly, the orb was glowing brightly with surges of energy as the headbands on the subjects were focusing very much on one memory in particular. "Qrufruvhmm…." Then without warning, some illuminated lights flashed before swirling particle lights showing the imagines of Twilight as a filly, with her brother Starlight.

"Well it appears you've produced something that isn't dangerous to us now, detective." Miles spoke a biut dryly that as of the other recent moments, this part was not dangerous to one pony's health.

"Keep watching, we're about to get to the important part here." Detective Dan snapped sternly to the lawyer he's been debating with while everypony watched the display magic.

Now the imagery shows Lorcan, they talk, but no words escape from the lips. Then when the young ones were running, Lorcan grabbed the imagine particles that looked like Starlight, raised a claw before a stab scene took place. Many were horrified in seeing this, but Lorcan seems to grim at recalling the moments, and seeing what expression the filly age Twilight saw then...

"Freeze!" Detective Dan shouted out in wanting to freeze this imagine, which Dojo did by pressing a claw to the orb, "Rewind! And then play it in slow motion!" The stallion issued out in what they need to do next here on the display show.

"Detective, what is it? Did you spot something?" Judge Rhodes asked anxiously in not handling this, what did the pony discover?

"Yes, riiiiight….THERE," Detective Dan spoke from watching the display again, but slower now, and then shouted the moment later, "Just as I figured!" The stallion announced off in having solved something that was the key.

"What?" The other crowds asked in being impatient, what could this pony find that was so interesting?

"This colt in the illusion image was stabbed by Dragon claws!" Detective Dan pointed out with Dojo trying to do some strange hand/claw motion on the orb.

"We know THAT!" Phobos groaned off to yell at the detective for clearly pointing out the obvious.

"But apparently, if we take a closer look here…." Detective Dan was about to say this when he got cut.

"Please detective, I rather not see this, even as an illusion." Twilight spoke with her head looking away, the thought of seeing even an illusion of light particles, her little brother's death-blow stab is too much to wanna see.

"You will and cause you know why? Its cause of your fear, that you failed to notice WHERE Lorcan stab, behold!" Detective Dan approached Twilight to point in telling this mare, that she's been avoiding to look close at something because of fear and regret holding her back.

Now catching the attention of all ponies, even Twilight could not resist the urge to ponder what the fuss was; and there it was. Almost instantly, everypony and Dragon in the room fell into complete bewilder silence at the display. The scene of Lorcan's light particle illusion did stab the illusion of Starlight, but the target was not near the vital parts of the heart or the lungs. Instead, it looked to have missed both by an inch; this left everyone in puzzlement, including one pony in particular.

"Wait! That's…that was near…." Twilight was almost too shock and surprised to see what had happened. When she was still a filly, she was too scared and cautious to think the memory through, her brother's stabbing actually was….

"An aim that didn't impact too closely to any internal organs, yep, that's right." Detective Dan spoke forth in returning the focus of the room to him in what they are seeing is the truth at hand here, "Which means that the fact that Lorcan was a murder to kill was 'slightly' off, but then again, if I was a filly, I be too scared to get the right facts straight." The guy pointed out to exclaim this fact, though some found that part of being a 'filly' weird, but never the less, this was astonishing evidence.

"That's amazing, detective!" Luna spoke in being amazed that the detective found this fact from a long past almost forgotten.

"Indeed, it explains a lot." Celestia nods with a serious notation; this proves that what they believed might be near to being Lorcan's clearing.

"When Lorcan stabbed the colt, he didn't die right away." Golden Heart spoke from understanding the evidence clearly that what happened did not result in instant death. "But is this memory true?" He wanted to know very much, if somehow Lorcan, was lying to his own memory since Twilight couldn't do such a thing?

"Please, even you know that I can't lie to my own memories. But still, I did feel a strange sense when I believed to have killed that colt, something made be miss the organs for the fatal death blow." Lorcan explained forth that he could not rewrite his own memories so easily about the event or any other, but there was something that happened then. Perhaps a small resistance of his good light side aided in not killing the colt he had been so confident he killed when blinded by darkness and anger.

"Yes, it was the little bit of your own goodness that helped make you miss the target, but sadly, it musta been the last time you even felt it until around the invasion." Detective Dan responded in agreement while shrugging off his shoulders that afterwards, the good light in Lorcan, never resurfaced until about near his timely appearance for the invasion.

"I CAN'T ACCEPT THIS!" Twilight snapped out loudly with a stern expression written on her face.

This made a lot of ponies yelped by the rude reaction that the former known student of Celestia, now current Princess of Friendship made. An outburst like that can be understandable, but in this case, it's hard to say.

"Twilight," Ben Mare spoke from seeing how upset Twilight was looking, and that's concerning him.

"Mommy?" Nyx spoke a bit nervous, the only times her adoptive mother gets this mad is when she's going to transform into a flaming-raging unicorn.

"Even if the memory is telling me the truth, that doesn't explain what happened to my little brother's body!" Twilight exclaimed with an angry look to point to the detective in protesting the fact of what happened to her little brother afterwards. "What did Lorcan ever do to him?" She glared at Lorcan with anger in wanting the dragon to spill his guts on what he had done to her little brother, Starlight.

"In truth…..I was so filled with anger and darkness clouding my acts back then….I don't know." Lorcan sadly regrets to shake his head 'no' in not remembering the event all to well. "I had presumed he died by my claws from my old evil act, but hearing this….is puzzling even to me." The teen Dragon spoke with a curious look, he did not even realized that deep down, his own goodness tried to fight back some acts of his evil that almost came over a limit even for him.

"That's where this next memory should fill in, it's something puzzling us." Detective Dan pointed out in earning some eyes that there was to be shown here than meets the eye about now.

Now the memory display continued with Lorcan's illusion light particles shaking a fist of rage and screeching at seeing the illusion of the filly Twilight escape. But then in-between that from when the body light illusion of Starlight was seen…something began to happen. A black bog was causing some of the display iamge to fizzle out, making it hardening to play the stuff right. Many of the ponies felt worrisome by seeing this, but not as much when the strange black bog seem to cover what looked like….a hand. This hand was reaching for a target, but not Lorcan, but the illusion light that was the body of Starlight, and then….nothing. By the time the weird thing touched that colt's body, the image sizzled out to then show a scene where a younger Detective Dan was with Royal Guards before Dojo decided to pause the display.

"Right there is the proof we need. Something was causing a disturbance in the memory, but it's clear that it was happening mostly around the colt that was passed out." Detective Dan proclaimed out that this is the truth that has left them in the dark in what happened. "By the time it's fixed from what we saw and of Lorcan's leave of absence, just shows me and the Royal Guards looking into the place to not find anything when we reported this to the princess." He stated how there was nothing left of any evidence of where Starlight's body was.

"I remember that day, but from what was told of the situation, it was best left to be that the body disappeared mysteriously." Celestia nods with a serious expression in letting her subjects…know this piece of truth.

"But wait…what does this all mean? Somepony, tell me! I have the right to know!" Twilight was almost lost in confusion and pain, what did this mean…what could it all mean about what happened years ago?

"You don't get this then I'll make it clear." Detective Dan stated this out to the very confused mare about this situation. "Yes, Lorcan stabbed your brother, and yes, he had the urge to kill you. But he didn't do so!" This part was very true, Lorcan did wanted to kill, but the facts remain, he never did do them in the past. "And that was the ONLY kindness he had left to stop him before he no doubt went into hiding to grow in strength to plot his revenge on ponies. But the only clear case at this time, is this…." Many were listening in carefully to hear what was about to be said on this suspensive situation. "The case of Starlight's supposed death may somehow, by a SLIGHT chance out of many, that he maybe, JUST maybe…." But at the moment, some other pony finished his sentence.

"Alive….?" Twilight Sparkle spoke these words out in almost wide-eye discreditably in hearing such a claim. "My brother Starlight may not be dead?" The Alicorn mare was almost seen letting out tears from hearing that in some way, her brother, her littlest sibling who was believed to have perished…may just be alive.

"Detective, I suggest you stop filling this pony with false hope." Miles spoke with the upmost stern expression that had to pop this hopeful situation. "If her brother were alive after surviving from the stabbing he received from Lorcan, then why hasn't he return?" This was a very good question indeed, if the subject known as Starlight, was alive at the time from being stabbed, why isn't he here, even presently?

"HOW SHOULD I KNOW? I just finally crack a case that was once 1/3rds to now 2/3rds to being solved!" Detective Dan protest out loudly while stating that this case of the murder and disappears of Starlight Sparkle has only been unraveled by a little bit? "Whatever happened to Starlight Sparkle, an unknown force came between our search for him, it's a hopeful thing to think he may be alive, even if we have to shove the thought he's dead in the back of our minds." The guy stated that in any event, whatever happened to that colt Starlight is left in puzzlement that he could be anywhere, hopefully so more alive than dead after he left the scene.

Hearing this made Twilight snap a bit more into reality, and rubbed her tears away. Suddenly recalling that it may be possible that, Starlight managed to get away a bit, but what if he decided from a later portion when he was injured and needed medical treatment? As for 'who or what' that black bog stuff was that came near the illusion of her little brother's body was another thing left to question.

"CLANK-CLANK-CLANKVHMMM…." Then as all the ponies were in loud chatters to discuss this, the judge's gravel smacking noise snaps them out of it, "ALRIGHT! THAT'S ENOUGH! I'll have order in my court here as of now!" Judge Rhodes declared off that he'll havoc silence here in his own court. "With all the evidence piled up in what we shall find of Lorcan will be in ten minutes." He announced the results for the client to be charged for his crimes, etc., will take place from all the evidences that were brought forth.

With that, the act was to be prepared with the secret jury members going into the back room with the judge and the Royal Sisters attending to hear the final decisions. After the ten minutes were up, they all came out, retook their seats before finally, the time of Lorcan's judgment had now arrived.

"The secret jury members, who's faces are to be left unseen by our viewing glass, has come to a verdict with me." Judge Rhodes spoke from everypony in the room looked to see the jury that ever since the beginning, have been kept in hidden view of their faces, to make sure that they are not to be questioned or recognized in what decision has been made. "Princesses, I'm certain you shall follow the act on what shall be passed down to the candidate." The honorable judge looked to Celestia and Luna in knowing what these two sisters shall do next.

"Yes, honorable judge." Both princesses nodded in agreement, once the judgement has been pass, they will also follow with their own.

"Then this case in what we; the ponies of Equestria, find of the evidence piled here on siding with or against him has been notified and judged with the most careful concerning minds we have to pass off our decision." "And as of right now, the verdict; Lorcan, is hereby found…."

There was a long pause, everyone was anxious to know two things; guilty or innocent. It was the big moment, would Lorcan get what he deserves or not, was the question.

"PARDON; BY UNDER AGE RULING," Judge Rhodes opened his eyes in shouting out loud that the defendant is innocent, and by a strange means!

"WHAAAT," A lot of the ponies had almost lost their senses or were in utter disarray when they heard this? Lorcan is not guilty, and he is pardoned; UNBELIEVABLE!

"Hay judge, what's this about his age?" Phobos asked in looking a bit awkward in hearing such a claim.

"We have looked at the age of Lorcan, and according to Dragon law, the age he's at is considered by the number of still being a teenager. Therefore, he is not of the age of an adult!" Judge Rhodes explained the matter that it's by the law they stand for when dealing charges with young to adult creatures, and how Dragons hold their own law of what is the age of adulthood.

"Hugh, to think being 15 would help me out." Lorcan responded puzzled in hearing that it's cause of his young age, he's not facing the bigger trail threats of his acts.

"But as such for the cases that made him do acts were signs of being infected by a dangerous drug-base substance by a Virus-Byte, and the acts are not of his own," Judge Rhodes spoke that Lorcan was being effected by a terrible illness that controlled his thoughts and acts that make him unaware of his own surroundings. "However, to repent for the acts he's pulled, he'll be put under community service for the lasting to repay his debt of his misbehaving acts." The judge issued forth that Lorcan will do time, but not in jail, he'll be doing community service in aiding in whatever task he's given to repay the trouble he has still caused. "And by the royal standards, the princesses of the sun and moon shall announce when Lorcan has redeem his service of his crimes to live out his life as a free man, or Dragon in this case." The honorable Judge Rhodes decreed out that Lorcan shall receive his parting of sentence from the princesses themselves.

"You have our word honorable judge, we shall observe Lorcan's act." Luna spoke of density to the judge that she and her sister, shall see to of what has been given to the teen dragon.

"And that with his evil no longer within him, he'll truly begin a new life to aid all areas he's done harm to." Celestia spoke in dignified tone that both royals shall see that Lorcan is upholding what he has brought down to repair all harm and damages by his wrong-doing.

"Very well," The noble judge nods his head to Celestia and Luna before looking to the crowd. "CLANKVHMM..." Then with one mighty whack of the mallet gravel on the stand, made this statement. "CASE DEMISS! You may all go home!" Judge Rhodes declared off that this case was over and that everypony is free to leave to return to their daily activities.

Now this was something many were not sure of finding to agree to all so fast now. After all the trouble one teen Dragon caused from being led astray, bringing in a group of crooks, aligning with Diamond Dog soldiers operating heavy machinery to attack them, and freeing imprisoned Dragons that almost spelt their end has been pardoned. At this moment, Lorcan's chains were removed from what binds him to be under-locked and key, to at least not be treated too much like a prisoner.

"Hugh, I'm amazed I managed to not be sentence to death here!" Lorcan exclaimed off from feeling his wrist free of chains, amazed by the fact, he wasn't gonna be killed for his crimes.

"It was fortunate that we managed to bring forth a detective you owe your life saving to, and of a pony, no less." Luna came near the friend she and her sister knew so much from the past, and that Lorcan is saved from his darken past…for the moment.

"Yes, thank you Detective Dan." Lorcan soon turned to thank the detective that risked so much to help save him.

"Hey, what about my aid," Dojo shivered up Dan's neck to rest on the shoulders, asking where his thanks was a bit rudely.

"And you too Dojo. I'll not forget this." Lorcan rolled his eyes in seeing this, much shrug off the shoulders in not minding this one bit.

"Ah go on, you're a free Dragon, just don't go burning down castles and pillaging towns, kay?" Detective Dan waved off to let this teen Dragon know it's cool as long as he doesn't do any more bad things to get into trouble.

"Believe me, I'm not like most fairy tale Dragons." Lorcan made a half-made smile in finding himself being paired by old tales are a little farfetched.

"Come Lorcan, we'll have much to discuss about your community sentence charges." Luna spoke from spreading one of her wings to invite Lorcan to come with her to go somewhere to start doing his work sentence.

"Hugh, well, I suppose whatever they are, I'll have to handle them." Lorcan sigh to shrug off his shoulders in seeing, he'll be doing some labor work to wean his new way of living now.

Soon Lorcan and Princess Luna left down one of the hallways that were opened while some of Luna's guards followed behind them. Now at this time, Celestia was over near the Mane Six, the CMC, Phobos and Ben Mare along with Golden Heart.

"Princess, 'dis here is somethin' we just can't find alright." Applejack spoke a bit optimistic about this whole thing that's gone on.

"While we know that Lorcan has been through much, still, it's…" Rarity was trying to find the right words to say, however...

"It's too risky that you want him to be scoot free like this." Rainbow Dash waved out her hooves in finding that Lorcan being free to do whatever he likes was too risky.

"Rest assure my little ponies, we have all things well under-control." Celestia held up one hoof to try to calm those here that are overly concern.

"You do?" Fluttershy asked with a curious ponder of such a matter.

"You think the princess of the sun would just let the most dangerous Dragon next to Tadaka get off like this without a plan." Golden Heart rolled his eyes in seeing this ponies didn't expect they let off a dangerous creature without first having a plan to help see the progress, right?

"Then what's the plan?" Phobos asked in becoming very interested in wanting to hear this.

"Oh yes! Tell us, tell us!" Pinkie Pie was bouncing up and down in liking to know this too?

"It is just as the sentence Lorcan received, he'll be aiding to make amends." Celestia spoke in decreeing that Lorcan has been given his sentence to aid in the damages that have caused harm to ponies all around, "Which means, he'll be helping right wrongs, and helping ponies in Equestria." This was the fair and noble sentence to give even an old former enemy a new second chance.

"Celestia, is this still wise?" Twilight asked in feeling still much concerns over what is taking place here.

"Mommy, I know you find what has happened very overwhelming, but we should give one fellow being another a chance, right? Isn't that what good-hearted ponies do?" Nyx spoke off in not understanding why her mother doesn't see, that they should give Lorcan the benefit of doubt that he's changed.

"Our daughter's right Twilight, even with Lorcan, the evidence showed much to clear his case, just to get a community sentence." Ben Mare shrugs off his shoulders in seeing that from all the stuff they have seen, Lorcan has gotten a fair judgment to serve out.

"It's still hard 'ta believe it happened." Apple Bloom spoke in finding what happened to have actually happened.

"Yeah, I was sure he gets the book." Scootaloo rubbed her head in finding this event all very strange.

"But would they have thrown it?" Sweetie Belle asked a bit puzzled if someone were to throw a book at someone.

"That case has yet to happen, friends!" The voice of Detective Dan spoke when he and Dojo were coming over to join this conversation.

"Detective Dan, my sister and I wish to give you gratitude for aiding what was almost surely a hopeless cause." Celestia spoke with a smile in seeing the humble detective that helped save Lorcan from a fate from where it seem none would defend him.

"No problem, cause I'm Detective Dan, your highness." Detective Dan nods with a appreciative response to bow before his highness.

"Ya, I think they got most of that message Dan." Dojo rolled his eyes to let his pal know that a lot of the ponies here understand this detective and his way of doing things.

"I must be off to make preparations of what active duties Lorcan shall perform." Celestia spoke to the ponies here in what she has to go and start preparing now. "Take care, everypony." The princess of the sun stated to the group here as she knows they shall do fine.

With that, Ceelstia soon took her leave with someof her own royal guards accompany her.

"Well, with Lorcan aside, you were still pretty cool out there Detective." Scootaloo spoke off that despite what happened, the detective was a pretty cool pony out there during the courtroom scene.

"I'll say, you looked like you just wouldn't quit." Sweetie Belle spoke from smiling happily at how determine this stallion unicorn was.

"No matter how much ye should have thrown in dé towel, ye stand firm." Apple Bloom spoke from seeing how much Dan here was not giving up no matter how far push came to shove he was in.

"Well thanks little ones, that mean a lot." Detective Dan smiled to happily take these comments from little ponies before him.

"So when does my mascot job start?" Dojo asked off to the CMC in recalling the discussion of him having a job as a mascot.

"Wait a moment, we have a lot of questions for you." Twilight interrupt the conversation to have a word with the detective here. "A lot of them involve around how you were on the case of what happened to me with Lorcan, yet you were not around until now. Why is that?" What she spoke was true, where was this detective if he was at Canterlot during her brother's suppose attacker, and yet Detective Dan was never heard from again.

"Ah, in truth, I was leaving my mark across Equestria, helping to solve cases, and earn a name." Detective Dan announced forth that he was doing some travel work in aiding others from afar. "Which is my name, you have no idea how many other cases I had the fortune of solving and cracking down the criminal elements. I'm just glad that the one from what happened to you concerning family is almost complete. I could never forget it while it was on my mind as I searched for answers." The guy explained his own story that, while he did solve other cases, he could never forget the case of a missing colt that vanished.

"Really, you never forgotten," Pinkie Pie asked in being surprised to hear this piece of news here.

"Oh sorry, forgot to pay attention to you. What you say?" Detective Dan asked off from breaking off his train of thought when he was being spoken to.

"Boy, dat there fella is a strange one." Tough Apple spoke from coming near the group in overhearing what was going on with the detective.

"Cousin, ye have no idea." Applejack shook her head in knowing anything, this was just more craziness going around.

"Grruuvhmmm…." Suddenly, the sound of something sounding like a mechanical vehicle was making the noise of roaring and then stopping to be pulled over. The sound of opening and closing doors was heard that made everyone in the room go silent to where only the Pegasus members went to check it out.

"Um, excuse me everypony, but there appears to be some mysterious folks coming out of a strange mechanical vehicle." Fluttershy spoke to get the others attention on picking out the open window, where some strange figure groups of unrecognizable folks are coming out of a vehicle.

"Yeah, and it looks like one of those gangster theme type." Rainbow Dash spoke with a puzzled expression in recognizing such outfit look.

"What! Let me see!" Detective Dan spoke from getting in front of the two mares to see this for himself.

"Oh no; this is bad!" Dojo yelped from being on top of Dan's hat to go wide eye in seeing what was below them.

"What on Equestria has gotten into you two? You act like there's trouble coming our way." Rarity responded in not following the weird pattern behind these two.

"It's trouble alright, back in Manehattan, I got a guy to tell me his case of dilemma." Detective Dan issued forth in recalling one case he was one from taking up a client.

"A fella by his name fitting the word 'Pajamas', first name Tony," Dojo spoke from rubbing his beard in recalling the figure was Tony, and last name ended with the word Pajama in it.

"What kinda name is 'Tony Pe-JAM-Ez' anyway?" Rainbow Dash asked a bit skeptical in not believing someone went by such a name.

"He prefer it is to be pronounced 'Pe-JAH-Mez', and this here's serious!" Detective Dan stated to correctly say the name while seeing there is trouble below. "Cause those guys below are the well-known crooks called 'the Al Dente Brothers'. And by the looks of it, they're packing some serious heat!" Hearing that last stuff be heard really got everypony and Dragon here to be very worried.

"You don't me….magical gun fire or dangerous spell casting, do you?" Ben Mare was asking if the mysterious group was carrying such dangerous weaponry, and right after Lorcan's trail in court.

"No, WORST than that!" Detective Dan proclaimed forth that this was far worst, making everypony have a dreaded expression before…he said this. "They've got, dare I say it….MEATBALLS!" The detective announced with the dramatic music being heard in the background to give it that right drama effect.

"Aaaaahhhhh, the horror," Phobos screeched out in almost thinking of the terror of such things.

"We have to getaway before we get into the crossfire!" Pinkie Pie yelped out to cry in realizing the moral dangers.

"Wait a second, how can throwing food be something to fear?" Twilight asked a bit unsure that panicking over this matter was even necessary.

"Trust us! Those brothers use food base as weapons, and the way they are thrown, you be amazed by what damages can be produced!" Dojo sarcastically mentioned how such characters come along and use weird methods to attack others with and it ain't pretty to watch OR feel.

"EVERYPONY DUCK DOWN & TAKE COVER," Detective Dan yelled out to hoof wave to signal that everyone get down, things are about to get real messy here.

Without much sense of logic, everyone got down and took cover. And just in time, for being thrown through the windows of the court, were meatballs that were smacking into things. They hit to knock off books. They hit against the clock above the wall which cracked a glass. The groups still kept to the ground, unaware of the tragic drama taking place. More meatballs were thrown with some knocking over a statue that fell and broke. A lot of the group yelped from seeing more flying meatballs coming, and some knocked over a globe or broke a computer with its keyboards. It was definitely turning into a mad situation as one meatball hit that rolled up a rolled map board. Then another meatball hit the clock over the ceiling that broke the glass and brought it to break apart across the floor.

"This is crazy here!" Phobos proclaimed out from standing up over this whole thing while trying to dodge a few flying meatballs.

"Phobos; Get down!" Nyx tried to warn her friend, but too late as a meatball hit him in the gut.

"Guaawwaghh….It…GOT ME," Phobos clutched his belly while he was appearing to make a drama scene of being heavily wounded before dropping to the ground.

Finally, after all the nonsense of the throwing meatballs settled in, the sound of engines roaring signal…the Al Dente Brothers leave. Everyone got up, a little spell shock over what had just happened here.

"Oh no; Phobos has been hit!" Fluttershy yelped in seeing the Moon Dragon got hit pretty hard, and by a meatball too.

"Ohhh….tell me….tell me…." Phobos spoke with a whimper voice, as everyone closed in to hear his words. "Is it still good to eat?" The guy asked off a very random oddly question out of nowhere.

This earned a lot of sweat-drops from the group in hearing this question from the Moon Dragon that looked almost ready to kick the buckle. Then when Phobos was feeling better, he actually ate the meatball that KO'd him in the gut; unbelievable.

"Oh brother," Spike slapped his forehead in not believing this had actually happened.

"Just be glad those brothers didn't start throwing eggs, or donuts, or worst…the jelly-creme filled donuts." Detective Dan exclaimed forth in stating how it could have been much worse than this.

"Oh say it ain't so!" Pinkie Pie cried out in fear of every picturing such a thing to happen.

"It's so, we're afraid to say." Dojo nods with a blank expression in saying it's very true without any doubt.

"Well 'dat was the craziest thing 'ta happen." Applejack spoke off in finding that sorta event that came out of nowhere weird.

"Well on 'de bright side, nopony is hurt." Apple Bloom spoke in trying to think of the posotivie outlook on things.

"Right, that goes for Dragons, more or less." Scootaloo stated another fact, even if Phobos got hit, he's okay…they think.

"And looky there, those little penguins seem unhurt." Sweetie Belle pointed in noticing some penguin shape figures.

"Penguins Sweetie Belle," Rarity asked a bit doubtful in hearing her sister say something like that out of nowhere.

"She's right, there they are." Nyx nods in agreement, and she and the CMC pointed to the direction they saw the creatures.

True to words, four strange penguins seemed to be waddling off with a sack bag of unknown containment.

"Wow, four little penguins in Equestria, how exciting!" Pinkie Pie responded with a cheery face in seeing something new.

"Wait a second, those birds should be in the arctic region area, and Fluttershy, they aren't yours, are they?" Twilight questioned the sighting of penguins, and asked her animal loving friend if they are hers.

"Why no, but I do wish to help them." Fluttershy shook her head 'no' in saying this while thinking, she wouldn't mind the idea.

"Wait a second; penguins, far from the cold, and four of them?" Detective Dan repeated some of those statements in what he's heard before…. "GREAT CONNOLLY; Everypony step away from them," The detective shouted in panic before cutting between the ponies and Dragons from the penguins.

"What is it now, Detective?" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in seeing Dan act weird now suddenly.

"Yeah, what's with the freak out?" Spike nods in liking to know the answer to the weird behavior here.

"Those aren't just your average penguins!" Detective Dan proclaimed to state what they have here are not your run of the mill ordinary penguins. "I've come across them time and again to know they are highly skilled commando trained birds for combat. Don't let their cute looks fool you!" The stallion unicorn was pointing and poking at the males of the group to state that the penguins here are not as defenseless as they appear to be.

"Yer're joking, right? Them feather-things commandos, git outta here?" Tough Apple asked off in finding this statement a little off the topic here.

"Trust us, they musta gotten in while we had the trail." Dojo spoke in exclaiming that what is said is the truth, the penguins are not normal.

The penguins then tried to put off an adorable act, especially one of the more cutter ones of the four.

"Awe, how could such cute little penguins cause any troub-Alhh…." Suddenly when Phobos was about to make a statement when getting closer look at the penguins; it happened.

The penguins suddenly gave the Moon Dragon a karate fin chop in the back of his neck, then a spinning back kick to the head and a belly-bounce maneuver that knocked Phobos off to the ponies. Then one penguin hacked up something to the taller one which looked like a grappler hook. Then from careful aim, shot it out through the open window, they grabbed their sack bags which were full of fish; it was fish-surprise night. Then with a smoke-bomb, covered the scene and they all fired the grappler hook and swung to freedom out the window, and out of sight. Now in many cases, you can imagine the surprise look on any pony's face from witnessing what happened here. 

"Okay, did that just happen?" Rainbow Dash asked off in really trying to deny, what just happened here?

"Fraid so," Applejack nods her head in assuring, what happened, happened alright.

"Phobos, are you alright there?" Nyx came over to check on her friend that was taken down…by penguins.

"Yeah, the only thing that hurts more is my pride." Phobos responded off to Nyx from standing up, thou sore a bit. "Beaten and taken down by penguins, oh the shame will never let me down." The moon dragon weaned and moped off in feeling how this will leave a mark on him for life.

"Well, you were warned." Pinkie Pie pointed out with a cheery side that the moon dragon had a fair warning, he just didn't listen was all.

"Them penguins are clever, and when one of them wears a fake mustache, you won't even recognize the leader." Detective Dan stated to the noted fact that not only can the penguins that foiled the group here are clever, but one of them being the leader catches anyone off with a snazzy mustache disguise.

"You're serious? Is he serious about that fact…with the mustache?" Golden Heart looked to Dojo in wanting an honest answer, that such things about those penguins can't be 'ALL' true, right?

"Yep, he is!" Dojo nods with a dry smile in knowing, it's true, it is no lie, which is a shocker in itself.

"Dojo, looks like things around here are becoming awfully unorthodox." Detective Dan spoke with a serious expression in having some thoughts of what's been going on here. "We better get ourselves a place to stay." The pony exclaimed in believing the situation is calling them to stick around.

"Stay?" The others repeated in hearing this right; is the detective actually planning to….make himself at home here?

"After careful considerations, this area in Ponyville has be the middle spot for troubles near Cloudsdale and Canterlot. And after everything, it's clear what needs to be done." Detective Dan stated out in seeing that many troubles have befallen around this area and all overs, and it's clear to the detective…what has to be done to set the balance straight.

"Do you mean…?" The CMC were about to ask if the detective pony had such plans to stay here, or….

"That's right, I'm moving into Ponyville and opening up a Detective Office! If there's a time, I'll solve the crime!" Detective Dan announced off hand or hoof, that he's gonna live in Ponyville and start a busy to solving crimes and cases.

"Ooooh, catchy tune; In fact, I think I got a new song for it!" Pinkie Pie cheerfully responded from hearing that last stuff said, it had a nifty-rhyme to it.

"Here we go." Rarity rolled her eyes in seeing that her pink friend has just come up with something; probably a theme song of all things.

"If there's time, I'll solve the crime! Wherever You Be, He'll snoop to Me, he'll snoop to you!" Pinkie Pie sang off while moving and dancing around with the number she was doing. "So look out world, he's here to prove, that nothing can't escape his eye, cause…" She paused for the moment before some other pony took the line here.

"I'm Detective Dan!" Detective Dan popped up to hold his right hoof up in declaring his name out for all to remember.

Then there was a last number calling to finish that theme song moment with a grand pause and pose for the moment. The others watched with puzzled faces in how seeing that kinda was awkward, even if it did look a bit okay.

"Okay, let’s go set up our place little buddy." Detective Dan spoke off with a grand smile before calling for his pet pal Dojo, to come along with him.

"Whelp, nice having to meet you folks, hope we can hang real soon now." Dojo gave a little wave salute to the group before shivering up the ground to catch up to his pony pal Dan.

The others watched the two leave, as there was another catchy jazzy tune theme fitting for the detective role as they exit out into the open doorways of the new day. It was definitely strange, even after the theme music faded.

"Well, things in Ponyville look like it'll be a little more rowdy than before." Golden Heart shrug off his shoulders to seeing the detective head off, and he with the others know, it's going to get pretty interesting around here.

"Yep, maybe more so then when Ah first came 'ta town," Tough Apple nods with an understanding expression, he remembered when he came, he made a big commotion, and now with Detective Dan, it'll be something almost like it…the term there is 'almost' though.

"Oh, I also have to throw a welcome party for our new arrival staying with us! And a detective to boot, what a surprise party that'll be," Pinkie Pie spoke off in realizing, she'll have to plan a party to welcome Detective Dan and Dojo too, into their neighborhood, as she is the party planning master.

"If he hasn't figured out what you're planning." Ben Mare rolled his eyes to the pink pony in seeing how she gets that way when wanting new ponies to feel welcome. But then he noticed Twilight looking still grim for some reason. "Twilight, you okay?" He asked from approaching the mare to see if something was upsetting her?

"I'm just thinking. What would happen if that detective was here to help us, all those times, maybe he could have made things easier for us." Twilight Sparkle spoke from thinking that from all the obstacles they had to face, what would happen if they had a real problem solver back than to make it easier?

"True, but you and your friends had to learn stuff without some other pony helping out all the time." Ben Mare shrug off his shoulders in feeling, having Detective Dan back in those times, would have helped, but there would be no lesson learned from such experience.

"I suppose." Twilight nods in understanding her special pony's point of the obvious.

"Hey Twilight, don't worry, we'll get through what's happened here. I know you can." Ben Mare wrapped his hoof around Twilight and gave a smile of wanting the mare to not get so stress over the matter, they'll get by it.

"Hugh, I just you're right Ben, cause right now….the situation with Lorcan still has me on edge." Twilight sighed in half-heartily agreeing to Ben, but even now, with Lorcan now out in the open before them….it's a question of wonder; what will happen next?

Soon the entire scene goes dark after that which leaves many questions to be answered. How will ponies be use to Lorcan being free and among them, is he truly not evil anymore, and what deep mystery holds the possibilities that Twilight's little brother is even alive or not if the teen Dragon didn't kill him when they first met. Not to mention, are things in Ponyville ever gonna be the same again if Detective Dan (and his enlarging Chinese Dragon pal; Dojo) move in to start a detective business to which case solving may take a turn to a new level of craziness. And what about those that came into play, if they are seen again, or if more food throwing will be a threat to watch out for, and to be on the lookout for four penguins with skills they shouldn't have. That and so many others are left in the dark, and may either shine sooner or later, is a question left to be…solved.

--------------------------

"I can't believe it!" Warpath exclaims in disbelief as the Mystic Ponies left the courthouse. He was hoping Lorcan would be given the death sentence, but it fails thanks to that weirdo detective! "They actually gonna let him go?! Stupid! This is damn stupid!"

"Warpath! That's enough!" Blade exclaims sternly. "We are here to support Lorcan, not be against him! And we are here to help Princess Twilight for forgive him."

"Master Blade is right. As long as hatred existed in her mind, Twilight will have some difficulties to forgive Lorcan." Intellect said seriously. Even when certain points like the possibly of Starlight is alive was mentioned, the princess still got some doubts.

"Yes... We have to make sure she doesn't unleash her Dark Form. Who knows what it could do?" Dragonspear said, fearful that Twilight's Dark Form would cause a panic.

"Hopefully to kill him," Warpath remarked dryly. Virtue whacked his head, making him yelp in pain. "Ow! Okay! Giving him a chance! I really hate when you do that."

"Be faithful, Warpath. Everything will be fine. I will do anything to make sure it's okay. I've made a promise to Lorcan." Virtue explains calmly to Warpath.

Warpath groaned, "I've got the bad feeling about it."

At the alley of Ponyville, MC Cobra watched everything. He has found out of the results. And while there has been some funny bits, he is still...concerned about how Lorcan was pardoned, especially the Mystic Ponies' presence here.

MC hissed, "So not good! Boss ain't happy about it! Gotta tell him."

-------------

Twilight was uncomfortable when Celestia and Luna gave Lorcan a place to stay while he's serving his sentence: her Friendship Rainbow Kingdom castle and she has to be his caretaker! The Princess of Friendship tried to talk them into giving Lorcan another place to stay: no dice.

Ben takes Lorcan to Spike's room, saying, "All right, Lorcan, you will be staying here throughout your community service. We haven't gotten a bed, just one for Spike."

"You sleep in that? Oh no, you’re not," Lorcan exclaims to Spike bitterly. He clicks his fingers and in a burst of green flames, a bunk bed with mattresses appears. "I call dibs on the top."

"That was awesome!" Spike exclaims eagerly. "I know you will do well!"

"Yeah, I can hope so."

"Come on, Spike, time we make dinner. Lorcan, we will leave you be." Ben said with a chuckle. He and Spike leaves the room, leaving Lorcan to be by myself to make himself at home for now.

As Lorcan unpack his stuff, he notices Twilight coming in, giving a glare. He remarks, "Oh, hey princess. Tough luck, looks like I'm still alive; But since Starlight is proven to be..."

"Not another word when I'm speaking, Lorcan." Twilight hisses darkly to Lorcan, interrupting him. "You might have almost everyone else in Ponyville, even the princesses, buying your...transformation', but you and I both know of what you did in the past; Even if 'there's a chance that Starlight is still alive, I haven't forgotten or forgave that incident. So let me tell you something right now: you make one step backward, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt my family, my friends, everypony I care about, and you won't have to worry about your fate anymore, because I'll make sure your fate ends, right then and there; permanently!" 

With that, Twilight storms out of the room, making Lorcan cringes a bit. This could be more troubling than he imagined it.

---------

In his private rom, the Superior summons a portal, causing Grimmore to appear. The evil Dark Elf spoke, "What is it?"

"The Demon Lords found out that Lorcan is alive. They are pissed and send Drago and his men after him." The Superior said seriously to Grimmore. "They even threatened you and are doubting your power."

"Oh, is that so? I knew that would happen eventually."

"So what shall be done?"

Grimmore pauses then smirks wickedly. He spoke, "Nothing. We will let them have their fun. When they fail...they would have to see how "lazy" I really am; Heh heh heh. Keep me posted."

Grimmore thus disappears, leaving the Superior alone. Looks like the two will leave the Demon Lords alone...for now.
> Chapter 3: Community Service
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 3: Community Service


The next morning hit in Equestria. The time has come for Lorcan to begin his community service. But for Twilight, she is keeping a close eye on Lorcan. If he even steps out of line, even proven himself to be a threat to Equestria, the Princess off Friendship will go through on her threat.

Lorcan yawns a bit as he came downwards to breakfast. Most of the family is there. Twilight of course is elsewhere talking about the work that he will do.

"Morning sleeping head!" Phobos exclaims as he put down a bowl of cereal, with bacon on it. "Got your meal right here. Look! It's happy to see you."

"Thanks." Lorcan remarks with a grunt. "Did Twilight told you what she said to me last night?"

"Yeah, we talked about it." Ben said with a shrug while he's eating. "She told me it's just precaution to make sure you don't get out of line. To be honest, I think she still doesn't think you're on the level."

"No horse crap. I supposed this isn't the first time it happened."

"Yeah, the whole incident when mommy and daddy almost broke up thanks to Boris." Nyx remarks in concern, recalling that moment last year when Boris tried to pull Twilight and Ben apart by making it look like the Earth Pony has broken his promise of not using magic during Winter Wrap-Up. "Mommy didn't follow her heart and well..."

"When Twilight and Ben had that argument, Twilight knocked over that table! Heck, Spike, Shining Armor, Nyx and I had to clean up the mess!" Phobos remarks, recalling that argument not too fondly.

"Oh, you had to bring that up." Spike remarks as he roll his eyes in remembrance. "Anyway, Lorcan, don't worry. Just prove to Twilight that you're a good guy. She will come around sooner or later."

Lorcan pauses then sighs as he begins eating his meal. The scarred Dragon remarks, "Well, here's hoping for the sooner part. Though Tartarus will freeze over before that could ever happen."

The family and Lorcan works on eating their breakfast. Once they're done, Ben and Spike works on the dishes. As Lorcan got up and prepares to head, he is stopped by an arriving Twilight.

Twilight smirks devilishly as she gave Lorcan an apron, saying, "Welcome to Tartarus."

"Been there. I like it there than here." Lorcan remarks dryly to Twilight as he take the apron, putting it on.

"Mom, try to go easy on him." Nyx said to Twilight in concern. She hope her mother doesn't wouldn't give him Tartarus on purpose.

"Oh trust me, Nyx. I wouldn't go that far." Twilight said, assuring her daughter that she will go easy on Lorcan. No promises though. The Alicorn then begins to trot off. "Come, walk this way."

"If I walk that way, I would bruised my hands and feet!" Lorcan jokes a bit, trying to lighten up the mood.

Twilight takes Lorcan to the library, the Dragon looks around in curiosity. How many books does this mare have anyway?

"All right, here's your task, Lorcan...cleaning shelves." Twilight said, giving out a duster to Lorcan.

Lorcan takes the duster, nodding as he speaks, "Cleaning a shelf...ok."

Twilight gave smug grin as she said, " All of them and clean all the books too. Now get to work."

Lorcan frowns, grunting as he got to work on cleaning the shelves. The Dragon is being treated like a slave...just like he accused Twilight of doing to Spike! Lorcan has a feeling that she is doing this on purpose just to spite him.

Lorcan moves some books, but ends up knocking some over, sending the scarred Dragon to the floor.

The others watch Twilight drinking tea while watching Lorcan having a bit of trouble. They sigh a bit. This is going to be big trouble.

--------------

Once Lorcan is barely done with the work at once, he is send out to work out in the community. Ben send the Dragon out on a simple task: helping Fluttershy out with the animals. Simple work, right?

"Oh, Lorcan." Fluttershy said as she spots her friend arriving on the scene with Twilight following with Spike and Nyx.

"Hey, Fluttershy.....thanks for not tellin Princess Temper over there that I saved ya." Lorcan remarks sarcastically, glancing over to Twilight.

"Oh, it's okay. I'm glad to..."

"Sarcasm, Flutter. Geez!"

"Okay, Lorcan, think you could do this?" Spike ask his brother with a hopeful smile.

"Yeah, yeah. I mean, I dwelt with animals before. How care could this be?" Lorcan ask with a sigh, rolling his eyes.

Fluttershy smiles as she gave some honey to Lorcan. The mare spoke, "Here you go. Harry the Bear needs his daily honey. Mind giving it to him gently? He tends to be a grumpy bear otherwise."

Lorcan nods as he goes over to a cave, then throws the jar into the cave. The scarred Dragon grins as he prepares to head off...only to be greeted with angry roar.

Lorcan turns to see a pissed Harry the Bear, growling at him furiously. The Dragon yells out, "Hey, back off, Yogi!"

Lorcan yelps as he dodges Harry's swipe, rushing off with the mad bear in hot pursuit. Fluttershy gasps as she joins in the chase to help Lorcan before Harry would kill him.

"I said gently, gently!" Fluttershy exclaims to Lorcan in worry, trying to fly around Harry. "Harry, Harry, leave him alone. He was trying to help."

"That was gently! What, you want roughness?!" Lorcan exclaims to Fluttershy in alarm. "Ouch! Back off, back off! Ugh!"

Twilight couldn't help but laugh a bit. Spike and Nyx groans in disbelief. Their mother is loving Lorcan being tormented a bit.

"Mommy, I got a feeling that you aren't truly giving him a chance." Nyx said to Twilight in concern.

"Hey, lighten up, Nyxsie, I am just having fun." Twilight remarks with a chuckle to her daughter. "Besides, serves him right, right?"

"Not what we got in mind, not at all."

---------------------

Later, Lorcan's group arrived at the Carousel Boutique.

"I'm sure Rarity will like to have you helping her." Spike said to Lorcan with a hopeful smile. "She always love it when I come over."

"Oh, sure, right, so you say."Lorcan remarked, rolling his eyes a bit. "You think you're only helping just to get close to her?"

"Spike likes to think so." Twilight commented with a shrug.

"Typical." Lorcan sighed.

"Mommy, try to at least be nice and helpful to Lorcan." Nyx said to her mother as the group came in. "At least you weren't like this to Discord when he was reforming."

"No promises, Nyxie." Twilight said to Nyx, giving a wary eye on Lorcan.

Nyx sighed before she said, "Yes, Mommy." Twilight is clearly overreacting about Lorcan.

Inside the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was working on a dress, humming a bit. She noticed her friends coming in...especially Lorcan, much to her horror.

"And what is HE doing in here?" Rarity demanded angrily.

"He's doing his service." Spike explained to Rarity with a bow. "I am hoping he would help you like I did."

"Yes, not like he would mess things up." Twilight explained with a proud smile. That made Lorcan a bit uneasy.

"Well, fine, okay. Just get me my rare gems from over there, Lor." Rarity said, motioning to a chest of gems nearby. "I need to get this dress done ASAP."

"Yes, ma'am." Lorcan said dryly as he headed to get Rarity's gems.

Rarity shook her head while saying to Twilight, "Twilight, I am not comfortable at all."

"Neither am I but Celestia insisted on it." Twilight remarked with a shrug to Rarity. "If he would prove that he himself can be reformed and make up for his mistakes, Tartarus would freeze over."

"Well, frankly, I think it is HE who should freeze over." Rarity commented with a frown.

"Uh, Auntie Rarity?" Nyx asked as she notice something, making her worry.

"Not now, Nyx. Anyway, I haven't forgotten how he almost caused me and Sweetie to not be Best Friends Sisters Forever anymore!" Rarity exclaimed angrily. "My poor Sweetie, she wouldn't look at me for a while."

"Rarity." Spike said to Rarity, getting nervous.

"Yes, Spike, I was getting to you. He even almost got poor Spiky-Wikey killed!" Rarity exclaimed, sobbing a bit. "Oh, it was the..."

"Rarity!" The two little ones called out in concern.

"What? What is it that..." Rarity began to say in frustration.

Suddenly, a loud burp was heard, getting Twilight and Rarity's attention. The two slowly turned to see Lorcan...who just finished off the last of the gems after eating the last one.

"Excuse me." Lorcan said with a chuckle.

Rarity's eye twitched a bit. All her rare gems...were gone...thanks to Lorcan. Then suddenly....

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Rarity screamed in horror and panic.

Rarity was so loud, all of Ponyville could hear, across the grounds...and right up to Canterlot. The ponies there looked around, confused and alarmed by the scream that just occurred.

Back at the castle, the Royal Sisters were at work....when they heard Rarity screaming in horror. Celestia gasped, "What in the Ma'gne's name is that?!"

"Oh, dear. Looks like Lorcan has done something to Rarity." Luna said with a concerned look, knowing that Lorcan must've done something bad that causes Rarity to scream like that.

Back at the Carousel Boutique, Rarity screamed in horror in rage at Lorcan, "YOU ATE MY GEMS!!!!"

Lorcan simply belched again before he remarked dryly, "Well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuseeeee me!"

-----------------------

Drago waited for somewhat a few minutes or so, until the Demon Lords finally arrive. About time. 

"Took your sweet time of getting here, dad... So... did you give them a good lecture about hiding the secrets from us?" Drago asked Shendu curiously.

Shendu hissed, "Indeed, we did. We even insulted Grimmore."

Drago whistled in amazement by this, "Good one. I've always wanted to do that in the first place." 

Tchang Zu groaned in irritation, "It's just so hard to believe that someone so powerful and terrifying we feared turned out to be a fool we ever met. The legend about him could be wrong..."

Hsi Wu hissed, fearing the worst, "Or could be true... No one understands him... I... prefer not to know it. He disgusted me. He dishonored the Demon's name and even his own... "

"And not to mention, he did some sneaky tricks in attacking another world than this one." Xiao Fung remarked with a frown. It's hard to believe that Grimmore would attack the EG world, just didn't do much to his own. 

Dai Gui huffed a bit, "At least the previous one preferred destruction than playing around. I... miss fearing him a lot..."

"I'd rather not. Grimmore is fine for me, as long he puts some effort in attacking than playing around." Po Kong said, shivering a bit. At least Grimmore is easier to tolerate than the previous Demon God. 

"It doesn't matter. We have more important things to do. What is the latest report, my dear nephew?" Bai Tza ask Drago, wanting a report to see what's going on.

Drago groaned while shaking his head in disgust, "The ponies are giving him a chance to prove he's a good guy. Damn that #%king detective. I hate eggheads like him!" 

"Despite of that, Twilight remained hostile to him" Sec said, sensing that everything was not lost. "But she's not alone. General Warpath too had great hatred for him as well." 

"Sec's got the point. Ponies may had forgiven him, but Twilight and Warpath? Yeah right... Like that's gonna happen." Cann remarked with a cruel laugh. It's true. As long as Twilight and Warpath hated him, no way was Lorcan fully forgiven yet!

Jast nodded while commenting, "Precisely... By using their hatred, their minds will be clouded and blinded easily to see Lorcan's performance of good deeds."

Thay chuckled insanely, "Good... Good... I want to see that! I want to see Lorcan's sufferings for dishonoring our master's name..."

"You will, Thay. But be patient, let's watch and plan of how we turn their anger against them. Then, we will have our master returned from the death. I just hope that Elf plans nothing of ruining ours. The last thing I want is another lying Elf ruined our plans." Sec comments, still not wanting Grimmore involved in this. 

"Agreed. And what happens if we failed? You know he's gonna kill us." Drago said in concern, fearing Grimmore will kill them all. 

Tso Lan had his eyes narrowed in anger and determination, "Let him come. He and I will talk."

"I hope you know what you're doing since it was your idea to spoke against the Superior and him for lying to the world that Lorcan was actually worked for us before he went insane, hiding Lorcan's status being alive and claimed that he was able to destroy the world." Bai Tza comments in concern.

Hsi Wu nodded as he thought of something, "Yeah... If he actually did create Black Hole on that world, so why not blow up on this? Is he really clever?" 

"Let us forget about him. And focused on the mission." Shendu said. Now is not the time to worry about Grimmore, but at the mission at hand. 

"Right... MC Cobra." Drago said, turning his attention back to MC Cobra who arrived on the scene.

"Ya rang, boss?" MC Cobra asked, waiting to continue his mission. 

"Scout the area and report to me of what he was doing." Drago ordered MC. 

"Aye!" MC exclaimed as he left the do the task at hand. 

Drago now turned to Strikemaster Ice and DJ Fist to give them their next command, "Strikemaster Ice and DJ Fist. You both continued training the army. I want them to be ready until Twilight got blinded by her hatred and anger, and especially her Dark Form. That... is... perfect..."

Strikemaster Ice saluted as he said, "You got it, boss."

-------------------- 

"Okay, Rarity wasn't a good idea." Twilight said as the group rushes away. They had to get out of Rarity's place as the unicorn was freaking out. 

"No, ya think?" Lorcan asked sarcastically.

"Lorcan, you never should've eaten Rarity's gems." Nyx remarked dryly.

"Hey, I was hungry! Can you blame a guy?" Lorcan asked Nyx, defending himself.

"Well, if its food you want, we got Pinkie Pie." Spike said as the group goes over to Sugarcube Corner. "She is good at having fun, eating, and random stuff. If anyone could help in the redemption process, it can be her."

The gang arrived at Sugarcube Corner, entering the shop. It's Joke Day at the place and Pinkie was telling jokes.

At least she was until Lorcan's group came in. The ponies stopped their attention on the pink pony to glare at the former monster.

"Oh, this is nice." Lorcan remarks sarcastically.

"Hey, hey, it's our old friend Lorcan!" Pinkie exclaimed happily as she zipped over to the group. "Oh, and the princess and the others!"

"Hey, are we on time?" Spike asked Pinkie hopefully.

"Just in time! Hey, Lorcan sounds like a funny guy." Pinkie said thoughtfully as she looked at Lorcan, who looked back at her. "Hey, folks! How about we all have Lorcan make us laugh?"

"Hey, come on, I don't do stand-up comedy." Lorcan said to Pinkie in protest.

"Come on, Lorcan, humor us." Nyx said to Lorcan, urging him to try to make ponies laugh. "Who knows? It could be fun!"

"Sure, good idea, Nyx. Why not Lorcan make us all laugh?" Twilight taunted Lorcan.

Lorcan paused then shrugged as he headed over to the stage, getting on it. Once the Dragon got the mic, he spoke into it, "Hey! What do you call a bunch of Diamond Dogs at the bottom of the sea? A good start!"

A rimshot was heard as the ponies just stared. Lorcan spoke, "Hey, why does Twilight Sparkle like to name her colt-friend's 'firepony'? She doesn't want a stranger making most of his decisions!”

Another rimshot played as Lorcan continued, "Seriously, folks, how many Equestrians does it take to defend their country against the Dragon Army? More than you had!"

After a third rimshot, nopony applauded or said anything. Lorcan mumbled, "Tough room."

"Make sure he doesn't get any cupcakes." Twilight said to Pinkie dryly.

Lorcan was sensing that he was not winning any favorites, so the scarred Dragon thought of something and quick.

"Uh, uh...do you know...how fussy Twilight is?" Lorcan asked quickly, nodding towards Twilight.

The crowd paused then laughed a bit. One stallion remarked, "Yeah, he's right."

"Hey, if she could be any more fussy, she would be renamed Rarity Part Deux!" Lorcan joked a bit at this.

"Hey!" Twilight exclaimed, offended at that remark.

The audience, however, laughed a bit. Lorcan smirked as he commented, "Oh, speaking of Rarity? You noticed how I accidentally ate her gems earlier?"

"No, why?" Caramel called out eagerly.

"Well, she screamed so loudly, Rarity could be mistaken for siren! If her fashion business is slow, she can always perform sirens for the war!" Lorcan joked, making a huge siren noise that sounded like Rarity's scream.

Twilight paused then chuckled a bit. That one was funny because it's so true.

"That's actually a good one." Nyx said with a giggle.

"Also, Rainbow Dash is so fast." Lorcan said with a smirk.

"How fast was she?" The audience called out anxiously.

"I will tell you: she is so fast that she was known to break car alarms in fifteen counties by how fast she's going!" Lorcan joked.

Twilight giggled at that. That was another good joke.

"And don't get me started on Pinkie! Why, I asked her earlier to give me a box of Applejacks." Lorcan said with a grin, making Pinkie perk up. "She left and came back with Applejack in a cardboard box!"

"Hee hee hee! It's funny because it's true!" Pinkie giggled. Twilight, Nyx and Spike laughed alongside her.

"Okay, then there's Fluttershy...well, not to make fun of her but one time, her mane is so big, squirrels once tried to hide in it to avoid dogs." Lorcan remarked with a chuckle. The ponies and Spike all laughed at that one.

Pinkamena's group was in the crowd, watching. Twilight appeared to be doing fine. At least she wasn't angry at Lorcan anymore, right?

Pinkamena commented to the others, "Well, if things go well, I might not need to stab Twilight with the needle......but I still worry our enemy's still planning to attack. Be on guard, and also, some of you can help Lorcan find out what to do."

The group nodded as they split up to cover more ground. 

Meanwhile, the Dragon West Army came over. They were keeping their eyes sharp on Twilight and her friends. Dragonspear acted as Lorcan's warrant and watcher. 

"Well, Lorcan is doing fine." Dragonspear commented. "So far, none of the ponies are trying to kill him."

"Yes." Twilight said, calming down a bit. "Though I still doubt that I was being trusted to do such a task by Azure Phoenix."

"Twilight, calm yourself." Virtue said, patting Twilight on the shoulder. "You are doing fine. He's making you laugh, correct?"

"True." Twilight said with a thoughtful look. It was by this time that the audience applauded while Lorcan was done with his comedy routine.

"Humph." Lorcan remarked while crossing his arms as if satisfied. "At least the Mystic Ponies are not turning against me for once."

"Don't be certain or that, Master Lorcan. There are some doubted your allegiance and loyalties." Dragonspear said. There were some Mystic Ponies who still doubt whether or not Lorcan can be trusted. "And it's best that you do your best to earn their trust."

Lorcan groaned, "Just my lucky day".

------------------

Next up, Lorcan is taking to Rainbow who is practicing her moves. Twilight dropped Nyx off at school while she and Spike continues working Lorcan, almost to death. He has to ride on Rainbow's back while timing her.

"And how is this community service?" Lorcan ask curiously, holding a stop watch while glaring at Rainbow.

"Nothing! It's fun! Hang on!" Rainbow laughs. She zoom off. Lorcan has to hang on tightly, screaming in a panic.

"Heh heh. This is awesome." Twilight remarks as she eat some cupcakes that the princess has brought at sugar cube corner. "Maybe if we're lucky, he would fall off and fell onto his fat ass!"

"Twilight, what happened to the laughing pony who laughed at Lorcan's jokes back at Sugar Cube Corner?" Spike ask Twilight, disappointed by Twilight going back to her recent behavior.

"Hey, that was fun mode. I am back in business mode."

Spike sighs, shaking his head as he continues watching his brother having a rough ride. Is there no way to convince Twilight that Lorcan is on the level for once?

The Mystic Ponies came over to see how the progress's doing. They came just as Rainbow landed, sending Lorcan flying off his back. As he recovers, the Pegasus pony laughs, "15 seconds! Not bad!"

"You're doing well. I'm just glad you still have skills on flying. Otherwise, I would have been heartbroken." Virtue comments to Lorcan who got back up to his feet.

Lorcan nods as he comments, "Well... I did learn one or two thing from the peasant general."

Warpath whacked Lorcan's head while scowling, "Watch it, shorty! That's my brother you're talking to!"

"Hey! He's my buddy too! Unlike you, he doesn't talk bad about me. You idiotic numbskull!"

"You dirty little Dragon s**t! I'll beat you to the ground, asshole!"

"Say to my face, you stupid Unicorn!" Lorcan exclaims angrily, getting very pissed by those latest words.

Warpath roared in anger as he jumped and slammed Lorcan to the ground. They both fought each other hard and quickly for a few times. Blade and Dragonspear quickly grabbed Warpath while Spike pulled Lorcan away. Both Warpath and Lorcan remained glaring at each other while trying to break free from their holds by their friends.

Virtue sighed while shaking his head, "They never changed..."

"What do you expect, father? Both Uncle Warpath and Lorcan hate each other's guts but they both mean well to each other so much." Saber remarks to Virtue with a frown. Those two will never grow up.

"I know, Saber. But he's a good friend."

"Lord Virtue... There's been something I've always wanted to ask. Why? Why did you call him a friend? All he did... was destroy lives." Twilight said to Virtue in concern. After everything that happened, what the hell would he consider Lorcan a friend of all things?

"Right, I mean come on, why even bother?" Rainbow ask in agreement with her friend.

Virtue gave a serious look to the princess, plus the Mystic Pony explains, "He's my best friend. If it weren't for him, my youngest son Kindy and Dragonspear wouldn't have made it back to me safely during Lord Azure's attack."

"What? What do you mean?" Spike ask Virtue curiously.

"Azure and I weren't friends since the Fall of Wrath Qin because of our different goals. Lorcan helped me to resist him. After some struggles and battles and especially Crimson River, my brave ponies and I headed to west and built Dragon West Kingdom. I named it after Lorcan's loyalty and ally. Because of him, I wouldn't have made it far and especially he and Dragonspear saved me from the Battle of the Grave Stone Maze."

"What?! Seriously?!"

"Unbelievable!" Twilight exclaims in shock and more disbelief. He is shock of how protective and loyal Virtue is to Lorcan despite what he did.

"Because of him, I will do anything to repay his debt, even if it means my death. He is... my friend..." Virtue said with a smile. The Mystic Pony must had some weird standards to help someone like Lorcan.

"My lord... Lorcan can't be trusted. How do we even know there's really good in him? He could be bluffing...."

"I know his bluffing when he had his tail itch. And that's why I believed in him."

"But Lord Virtue-!" Twilight begins to protest but Virtue holds up a hoof, interrupting what the princess is about to protest about.

"Twilight, learn to forgive him. If you can't, Lord Azure won't able to help you to achieve your Dark Form." Virtue said seriously to Twilight. Unless she can forgive Lorcan, there's no chance of her getting her Dark Form at all!

"But-!"

"Don't become me when I lost most of my allies and brothers when we were mortals. Please..."

"I don't understand... But I'll try..." Twilight said in hesitation. The Alicorn still got some doubts about her task though, but she will try to do so.

"Thank you." Virtue said with a nod. He is relieved to hear that Twilight will keep on going with the task at hoof here.

"Bah! I'll go and get more wine!" Warpath growls as he prepares to leave. The Mystic Pony pushes Lorcan out of the way. "Get the hell out of my way, weakling!"

"Yeah, you'd better get, drunkard moron!" Lorcan taunts Warpath mockingly.

"Shut the *#$ up, brat!"

-------------------

The scene changes on over towards Sweet Apple Acres, where we see the Mane Six were helping in collecting a load of apples in some wheelbarrow carts. The process was mildly good timing, with Applejack kicking the trees to bring down apples along with Fluttershy swooping around those that haven't fallen yet, Pinkie Pie collecting the apples to toss to Rarity, who then checks their value if they are ripe or not, Rainbow Dash running on a mill wheel to turn them into cider, and Twilight Sparkle, keeping things organized. Spike was also there helping out with the sorting when Twilight used her magic to sort out the barrels.

"Okay, how many more of these barrels are we getting done?" Spike asked from trying to check off another load of finished brand of cider apples.

"Well Applejack said that with Big Mac away on a 'date' planning event with Miss Cheerliee later on, she needed some helping hands, or hooves to fill in her brother's absence." Twilight Sparkle explained to her assistant Dragon friend about the situation the Apple's strong stallion is doing, so of course, extra help is needed to fill in the missing spot.

"Well isn't this a bit, I don't know…much?" Spike asked from looking around and noticing that the group have gotten done….A LOT, of barrels than usual.

"Please Spike, this'll help in getting more cider prepared like last time, remember?" Twilight smiled to remind her dragon friend that by doing this work, they'll be getting ahead start of preparing some Apple Family Cider sale.

"Twilight's right, 'de next apple cider sale is almost near, an' Ah need a lot o' help here." Applejack nods with a cheery expression, with her friends helping out, the cow girl is hoping for a nice sale to go by.

"Why, you don't have much competition, especially without Flim and Flam around to interfere." Rainbow Dash smirked off with pride to remind Applejack that with the Flim-Flam Brothers incident that once happened to the Apple's during their cider sale not going to show up again, they'll be able to sale quality cider no sweat.

"Quite right, even if they did show up, every pony in Ponyville knows of their sly method of business." Rarity nods with much agreement, anypony knows about the stunt Flim and Flam would pull to get customers buying off their stock than of others.

"But you have to give them credit on the singing and dance number, I always enjoy a little of that." Pinkie Pie smiled a bit in thinking how much fun there was when those salesmen ponies did their routine that always catches an audience’s attention.

"Thankfully, it's not a musical debate." Twilight rolled her eyes to sarcastically say how they can be glad such an event never comes to pass.

"Twilight, when do you suppose we'll be done here?" Spike asked his friend about their work in getting a load of these apple cider barrels.

"About the afternoon Spike, if all goes well." Twilight nods from using her horn to levitate a checkerboard to check off the accomplished parts of how far they have gotten.

"Um, Twilight, if we're all here, what about picking up Nyx & the Cutie Mark Crusaders from school?" Fluttershy spoke from feeling shyly about bringing up a sudden subject.

That piece of news hit the mares like a hard brick piece, only more mental than physically speaking. They were so busy trying to finish up this bit of chore work for the Apples, they forgot about their time to go and pick up the CMC from school this afternoon's dismissal.

"Oh my goodness! We got so focused here, we didn't think who pick up the fillies from school!" Rarity yelped in surprise to later learn of this, this was not a good thing for them.

"Aw man, and we're backed up in this work load." Rainbow Dash moans and groans to see they are now too busy to do the other request of pickup kids from school.

"So who's gonna go get them?" Pinkie Pie asked off from looking left and right to her friends. "Maybe Phobos." the pink pony suggested that they let their moon dragon friend do the task?

"Not him, he got sick fro' eating 'de rotten apples an' Granny Smith is helping his sick tummy." Applejack shook her head off saying 'no' while explaining what has happened to the poor moon dragon.

"Maybe we can get someone else to cover our spot." Fluttershy spoke out in suggesting someone could cover that opening for them.

"That would be nice, but who could we get to take in a request at this late hour?" Twilight nods in thinking that idea was nice, but the next question is; who? "Ben's busy working at the castle library, so he's out." The mare stated in recalling the stallion with the Triforce Elements times three is working hard at the castle library and it's actually busy about now.

"Hey, maybe I could help!" Spike spoke out with a positive personality in offering to help his pals. "I could go pick up the fillies, no problem." He swung off his left hand in saying he could pick up the fillies of his friends, no problem, right?

"Well that's nice Spike, but while I do let you watch the girls, the school board might find me sending a baby Dragon to pick up fillies from school a bit….irresponsible." Twilight made a sheepish smile to say that if she sent in a baby Dragon to pick up some foals, even grown up ponies might find that as being not-so-responsible for young ones.

"Oh, well then…how about I help around the farm, maybe take Fluttershy's spot with flying around." Spike spoke in trying to think up of another way he could help the void spot of taking over another pony's job.

"But I thought you needed wings to fly." Pinkie Pie rubbed her noggin in seeing Spike can't do a flying task without wings.

"Hello, I got a move that can do it! My Flame Step technique, it'll be just as fast." Spike waved up his arms to remind the mares here that he's got a 'cool' move to use his feet to dash across the skies, and at fast speeds to be on pair with Rainbow Dash's work.

"Spike, I hate to burst your bubble, but that might be more trouble than you think. Twilight had a sorrow expression to tell something about Spike's plan to use such a technique to help them. "That move lets you skip across the sky with your feet letting off heated sparks." The smart pony pointed out a little effect that 'Flame Step' move of Spike's can do whenever used.

"Right, and you would be passing trees to knock the apples off!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed off to say about another matter about the very idea if Spike was to 'help' them.

"And if any o' dat there sparks o' yers touched 'de leafy greeny, they set our acres a blazin' like a bound fire." Applejack stated off that if Spike's not careful, that 'Flame Step' technique of his could set a fire without the baby Dragon knowing it.

"That would be dreadful, we appreciate the effort, but that stunt may have to be left in the back of our minds." Rarity kindly tried to ease the subject of the matter to let Spike know…the idea had some heart to it, just that they think they can manage without any accidental incidences.

"Well…okay. I guess that was kinda bad." Spike lowered his shoulders in feeling kinda gloomy that his idea would backfire.

"Well now, it looks like a pick up for Nyx and the others won't be happening as early as we thought." Twilight sighed in feeling that the fillies at school will have to wait a bit longer than planned before coming home.

"Um, Twilight…there is 'one' being that we can ask to help who's not too busy." Fluttershy suddenly spoke out to approach her friend in making a suggestion at this time.

"Really Fluttershy? Who would that be?" Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow, who did the shy Pegasus had in mind that could offer them some aid.

"Well, he's right over there….Lorcan." Fluttershy slowly and shyly responded while pointing her left hoof out for the others to follow that direction.

"WHAAAAAT!" The other mares all shouted out in a shocking surprised tone from their stations when Fluttershy made such a suggestion.

For just over near a hill spot, underneath of one apple tree that spread its shade over a character was someone familiar. It was Lorcan alright, he wore his black cloak with his hood covering his face to hide it from view. Ever since the Mane Six discovered that the Scarred Ruler himself has returned from death, the mind of Lorcan being nearby did not settle much in their stomachs. Of course, while only five out of the six felt some threaten feeling from the 'former villain' foe, only one saw some goodness, and it was none other than Fluttershy. When it was said that Lorcan was not who he usef to be, that meant that his 'darkness' within himself, the very evil that drove him was now gone, but of course, some actions are too deep to just pass it over. And there was a lot of trust issues going around here.

"Fluttershy, I'm REALLY not sure that's a…." Twilight was about to say in trying to be thorough in her words, but….

"HAVE YOU LOST IT?" Rainbow Dash shouted out to cut in-between the discussion to look at Fluttershy in the eye. "That sounds like something Pinkie Pie would say!"

"No way! Even my party-silly-personality mind has limits, you know!" Pinkie Pie protest out that even she, the goofy and silly member of the group, had some standard of limits. "Yeah, he made me laugh earlier, but that's about it!"

"Darlin' have you forgotten that Lorcan did terrible things, to all of Equestria, and to us?" Rarity sternly spoke with much caution, reminding this Pegasus about all the things Lorcan has done to many of them during the former's declaration of war and conquest.

"But….he's changed. I mean, just look at him." Fluttershy spoke in trying to have the mares here see reason about Lorcan being a changed dragon. And from a view, Lorcan just sat under the shade of the tree of apples, being silent, quiet, not doing anything, not bothering anybody or nothing, but all and all, many find this 'too' suspicious. "He's all by his lonesome, living in a sad and sorrow mood. He's almost like what Tough Apple use to be, remember girls?" Fluttershy spoke in trying to get her friends to see a situation where someone needs help, even reminding the Mane Six of a not-so-long ago event that was vaguely familiar to this.

"Except fer a major thing 'dat unlike mah cousin, he was no power-hungry, pony-exterminating, warlord ruler 'dat almost spelt Doomsday 'ta Equestria." Applejack pointed out with a dry tone in her voice, the complete difference of her once temper-mental cousin, to the former scarred Dragon foe.

"But you're missing the point, he's changed now." Fluttershy spoke in trying to convince her friends to see her point about the situation here. "Spike, you must believe that Lorcan's not his evil self anymore, right?" The Pegasus looked to the one person to side with her, surely a sibling would back up the elder brother, right?

"Hey-hey, don't go bringing me into this out of nowhere!" Spike held up his arms in protest that now he was being forced into this situation now. "Besides, while he knows me, I only know so little about him even now?" The baby dragon shrug off his shoulders to say that even someone like him, only knows so little.

"Listen….Fluttershy, we still have doubts about Lorcan from all the evil things he's done. Unleashing Dragons, gathering the Brotherhood, and what he did to m…e…" Twilight was trying to approach the subject in recalling the bad things, but also stopped from bringing up the subject of her 'little brother' with his demise end. "To everyone that he's ever come into contact with." The smart pony quickly recovered enough to fool the others to believing that was her last reason to be.

"Can't you see what you're all doing? You're being unfair to give someone a chance." Fluttershy protest out to exclaim the thing that the others here seem to be doing about now? "Remember how the Dragons we fought are now on our side?" The yellow Pegasus pointed out a major calling about the Dragon Army of Tadaka.

"Yeah, but from what I heard, 'most' of them were only tempted by some angry essence that made them evil, and the rest are dust or turned to stone." Rainbow Dash waved off her right hoof to speculate the part where it was only a 'few' of the Dragon Army that were not completely evil, the rest, not so lucky.

"Well yes, but what about the Cult of Nightmare Moon?" Fluttershy felt a bit defeated near that first part, but came back with a stronger subject force. "They were ponies like us, but were force to do evil when something tried to twist their minds into thinking and believing such things. Remember Twilight?" The mare had her friends remember the old cult that were wanting the evil Nightmare Moon back, and even Twilight knows all about it.

"Uaagh, I rather not remember such horrible experiences Fluttershy." Twilight moans a bit to lower her head in just remembering such an event from her life.

"But there's more, remember how Nightmare Moon was also a victim?" Fluttershy spoke in bringing up a subject many of the mares know all too well by now. "Both Luna and Nyx were saved from being a terror that struck fear into everypony." Many were slowly nodding their heads in agreement, the evil that was once Nightmare Moon, was gone from Princess Luna, and even the reincarnation of that former Alicorn, Nyx, both free of such evil. "And Ben Mare was also someone that didn't want to be a dangerous creature of darkness, and we helped him despite the circumstances." The yellow Pegasus brought in another subject, when during the Demon Pony event, they found out that it was the long lost innocent victim that disappeared years ago, Ben Mare, and helped to cure him to live a more better life.

"Hugh, I never would have pictured it that way." Pinkie Pie rubbed her noggin in feeling a bit lost in this discussion, as the debating was getting somewhat intense.

"But Fluttershy, those events were different, they were…well, not likely Dragon related until afterwards." Rainbow Dash tried to bring up a good counter measure to what they did to the present.

"So it's okay to forgive Lorcan's Dragon Army that are free from evil serviette, but not Lorcan himself, is that it?" Fluttershy spoke off with a little 'ticked-off' attitude in seeing and hearing what she believes the rest are saying.

"But Fluttershy, even those Dragons were afraid of Lorcan and what he do." Rarity spoke to exclaim a fact that Lorcan was so evil and powerful, the Dragons in his army feared him without question.

"How can we help someone that feels like an outcast because we can't give them the benefit of a chance to show us another side to them?" Fluttershy asked off in feeling a bit annoyed that her friends here are not wanting to help someone when they need help the most here?

"What else is there, if anything, the guy is now less a threat?" Rainbow Dash asked off in remarking that as it stands, Lorcan is still a threat, even if he's not as powerful as he was before.

"Come on, please, lets just give him this chance to prove himself." Fluttershy spoke in pleading that they should let Lorcan have this moment to prove himself.

"Fluttershy, I'm sorry, but…" Twilight was almost about to say they couldn't, however….

"Pleeeeeeeeease….." Fluttershy was no asking with wide sparkling eyes with such a 'puppy-dog pout' that it seemed to have some more force to it? "Don't make this harder, I'll use whatever I can to change your minds." The yellow Pegasus pony begged out while also saying she won't quit until she gets a yes from these guys.

"Even the Stare?" Pinkie Pie asked out puzzled in what her friend meant by 'use whatever' kinda force method.

"She's bluffing, she wouldn't try 'dat." Applejack shook her head in feeling that what Fluttershy said was a bluff.

"But what if she did?" Rarity asked with a sudden look in her eyes of being concern about such a tactical manner.

Now at this moment, no pony could almost refuse, as Fluttershy used her 'Stare' combined with the 'Puppy-Dog Pout' to make it almost irresistible to go against her. The Mane Six, even Spike can see that any further arguing was pointless, so many of them sigh in defeat.

"Hugh, okay, he can pick up the fillies, but he better just do THAT, and bring them home! No funny business, or else!" Twilight sighed off before snapping off in a stern order that if Lorcan picks up the CMC, they are to be alive and well, otherwise, the former scarred ruler himself will face judgment…by her!

"Oh thank you! I'll let him know!" Fluttershy smiled happily to se that Twilight argued to let her do so. And then the Pegasus flew off to get where Lorcan is while leaving the others to see this continue on.

"Well, looks like when it comes to Fluttershy and debated arguments, she could beat you all when using the pleading sad eyes, to her Stare." Spike shrug off his shoulders to feel that arguing with Fluttershy having such a trick, makes that mare almost impossible to beat in any debating matter.

"Spike, that's not helping us here!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed off with an annoyed look that the baby Dragon was not helping out much in this picture.

At this moment, Lorcan continued to distract himself, but that was only for a few short moments. For soon, Fluttershy flew around the corner of the cloaked Dragon's left side, but Lorcan just simply had an empty blank expression towards his smiling guest.

"Um…hi Lorcan." Fluttershy spoke with a cheeky smile with her shy approach to greet this teen Dragon that hid his face under his hood.

"Oh, it's you Fluttershy. What did I do that the others sent you to tell me something of problems I'm causing?" Lorcan spoke from moving the eyes up and then away to notice who was here, and asked with a laid-back personality if the reason Fluttershy was here was cause of something he did.

"Oh no, it's nothing like that, it's just…um…" Fluttershy shook her head in saying 'no' about Lorcan being in trouble, and got down to business. "We were wondering if you could help with a task," The mare asked off the topic of why she was here from her group.

"Hmph, a task you say? What's that, leave Equastria and never return?" Lorcan sighed a bit from speaking casually out if the task requested is that the Mane Six want him to just leave them be.

"No, no, no, noooo, this one's more friendly asking!" Fluttershy shook her hooves up in objecting of such outrageous claims that came out of nowhere. "Since we're all busy, we were wondering if you could go and pick up the Cutie Mark Crusaders; you remember Nyx, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, right?" The yellow Pegasus asked off if just maybe, since the Dragon teen was not busy, Lorcan could pick up the CMC from their school.

"I do, how could I forget?" Lorcan spoke off with a sly expression, but it also faded the moment afterwards in recalling what Fluttershy asked of him. "And are you sure it's wise, you clearly forgotten about a reputation I made when I first came into Ponyville." The teen dragon spoke with a downer tone in his voice, while he had no arguments, if folks see him, well, let's say he's not on good terms with them after the whole 'Lorcan/Brotherhood/Tadaka's Army' event invasion that went off.

"Oh I know you're not evil anymore." Fluttershy smiled and shook her head in saying that this person was not the evil dragon he used to be.

"Right, and Pinkie Pie is smarter than she looks." Lorcan huffed a bit to roll his eyes, stare up at the sky to criticize the part of knowing he's not evil, is the same as saying a certain pink pony is actually smarter then what others see on the outer appearance. "You may as well forget it, it's a waste of time. I know that even from my change of position, my sins are too deep to change anyone's mind about myself."

"That's not true. Why…lots of us have made mistakes. We just learn from them." Fluttershy spoke gently to say that many have made mistakes in their lives as no one is perfect.

"That may be true, but the mistakes I've made are far worst, I know the difference from those you faced to presently speaking." Lorcan spoke from lifting his claw up to study it and then grip it into a fist. The hooded Dragon knows that he out of the Mane Six's previous foes have done things much worse then what other villains that have appeared gone and done by now was…nothing of greater casualties.

"Come on Lorcan, if you say you've changed, then…I wanna believe that you have." Fluttershy spoke to approach the Dragon that hid his face under his hood. "If you show a little of your changed self to everypony, in due time, they'll be your friends." The Pegasus spoke in feeling that with time, Lorcan can make the ponies here see that he's no threat, but a friendly Dragon.

"Right, and the first thing they'll do is try to get me to eat something to stun and seal me up where I'll never return or to a more poison injected approach." Lorcan spoke off with a light-weighted casual response with little sorrow in how he could say the horrible stuff that could happen to him with the citizens of Ponyville. "Huuagh, I suppose I have no reason to blame them if that help them feel relieved. After all, who ever be friends with me?" The Dragon teen sighed while gazing at the ground, feeling that no matter what, no one would be friends with him from all his evil.

"Well…firstly, I wouldn't want anyone to do that to you, and lastly…I could be your friend." Fluttershy spoke in objecting such horrible things ponies could do before, saying with an honest face, that the mare would like to be Lorcan's…friend.

"You would?" Lorcan spoke off to look his puzzled eyes up to Fluttershy, seeing that there was no lies within her very soul, it was…surprising. "Hugh, that's rich. You would wanna risk the chance to be friends with a former scarred ruler that tried to kill your own pony race?" The teen Dragon that hid his face made a sly expression in hearing some pony say they wanna be friends with him, of all things.

"Well, I suppose that does sound strange and terrible if you think of it that way, but…." Fluttershy shrug off her hooves to understand what Lorcan is getting at, however…. "I say that if you really have changed from your former evil self and wanna prove it, then I'm happy to be your friend." The yellow Pegasus smiled forth in being completely honest, as she felt confident that Lorcan really has changed.

For the first time, Lorcan felt some silence while almost looking between Fluttershy and thinking over her words. He's never had any real friends since…the times he's been with Celestia and Luna all those years ago, before he was shaped into being what his father wanted. Could Lorcan really believe that he deserves this, a new chance to live a life, and with friends again?

"Hugh, you would actually wanna be my pony friend?" Lorcan sighs in feeling rather surprise that Fluttershy would want to be his friend, a pony being friends with an old pony killer, now that's rich. "I haven't had that old feeling since Celestia and Luna before my…change." He looked away for a moment in recalling that the only pony friends were the Royal Sister Rulers, but that was in the past when he was still…good. "I can see why you are the suitable subject of the Element Kindness? I wonder how life would be…if 'they' were like you." Lorcan whispers to himself, feeling that if anything, Celestia and Luna might have hard feelings in re-accepting the Dragon as their friend, Fluttershy is different from them, so it's not like they can forgive and forget, right?…Or can they?

"Every pony can be, if they just understand one another." Fluttershy then patted Lorcan on his shoulder to ease up his tension a bit.

"Huuuagh, alright then…you win." Lorcan sighs a bit in feeling defeated here, and without much conflict of physical issues, but of words. "I'll go and pick up the fillies from school." The Dragon stated in accepting to go get the CMC from school, by the Mane Six, but mostly Fluttershy's request.

"That's the spirit! You'll do fine, and others will start thinking differently when they see your actions." Fluttershy smiled to nod in being proud of what Lorcan is going to do now.

"Well, guess I got nothing else to lose." Lorcan shrug off his shoulders while his face was hidden behind his cloak's hood, feeling now's about a good a chance to find out the truth of the matter himself. 

"Click!" Then what Lorcan did next was quite simply a snap of his right fingers. "Prusfruvhmm…." Suddenly before his opposite side to Fluttershy, an emerald portal of flames appeared, giving the Dragon a magical spell trip to save time. "Frusvhm-Wruspvhmm…" Then the next moment afterwards, the flaming portal vanished when Lorcan walked through it. And of course, the action was seen by the others that saw how Lorcan made his leave of the scene, by the magic route.

"Well, as Phobos once said, say what you will, but Lorcan knows how to make an entrance as well as an exit." Spike shrug off his shoulders in seeing that the way Lorcan leaves a scene was always something to be surprising to see.

"Huuuagh, I really am hoping things will not fall apart in what we've just done." Twilight Sparkle sighed from a heavy take of her breath, she really hopes nothing will go wrong from this picture of letting Lorcan pick up foals from school.

"You mean sending a former pony killer out to pick up foals that when no one's lookin, will drop them dead as payback and say there was an accident to cover his tracks?" Pinkie Pie spoke out a really random thing to say which really got a lot of eyes looking at her with such puzzled expressions. "What? What I say?" The pink pony asked off in seeing and feeling a strange sense that she did something without really knowing about it, it figures really.

Yep, this was diffidently going to be one of those cases you never know what will happen in the end as the Mane Six sigh and rolled their eyes after trying to forget what their pink friend just said before going back to work.

---------------

The End of Equestria is recovering quite nicely since the Demon Lords' ejection from there as well as Twilight's group's last stay there. Tao and his group are there, looking for something as per their mission.

"Uncle, I'm having doubts about letting Lorcan staying at Ponyville. She could kill him." Dragon Kick said seriously, expressing his concern about Lorcan staying with Twilight. She may end up killing him than helping Lorcan.

"Not with the Dragon West Army keeping their watchful eyes on them. Don't worry, Dragon Kick; Twilight will learn to forgive him." Tao said to his nephew calmly and in confident. "While she was in the process, we'd better make haste. We can't let Grimmore guess what we were doing."

"Seeker! Are you sure we're going the right way?!"

Seeker huffed as if his abilities were insulted, "Of course, I'm sure! They don't call me 'Seeker the Seeking Mystic Weapon' for nothing. I'm sure it's in this area. We're heading north!"

"That's Po Kong’s Lair!" Dragon Kick gasps. He recognizes this area too well, since Po Kong used to live here.

"That's where we're going! Let's go!" Tao exclaims as the group heads on their way. The mission continues onward!
> Chapter 4: Lorcan & The Timberwolves
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4: Lorcan & The Timberwolves


Thay, Strikemaster Ice, MC Cobra and DJ Fist were hiding behind the bushes. They were watching and looking at the sleeping Timberwolves. If what they saw was correct, this will help in making Twilight hate Lorcan more for this.

"C'mon, let's get started!" MC Cobra snaps, getting impatient. "I've been itching all day of doing nothing! And I wanna do it now!"

"You and me both, Cobra. I wanna break... THEM!" Thay exclaims anxiously.

Strikemaster shushed the two, "Pipe down, guys! You wanna spoil the plans of Jast's! All we gotta to do is wait for the right moment." DJ Fist nudged Strikemaster's left shoulder before pointed at his left. The Cutie Mark Crusaders entered the area. Strikemaster chuckled, "There they are, yo."

"Good... Let's get these doggiies rampage..."

-----------------------------

The scene opens up within the school for young colts and fillies, with only the staff teacher, Miss. Cheerliee putting away some paper work. She hummed a little tune to pass the time, as nothing seem to bother her now and things were going great until…. "Fruspvhm-Gruspvhm…." Suddenly without warning, a familiar emerald lit flame emerged from the center of the room and the brightness made Cheerliee turn around. "Frisisfruvhpmm…." Only to see that the portal of flames died down and left some cloak hooded figure, but his hidden face said it all; it was Lorcan who arrived.

"Waaaugh…" Miss Cheerliee screamed out in terror as she backed away, drop the papers to hit a nearby table of pottery? "Breakrsivhmm…." Without knowing it, the teacher knocked over a pottery vase made in arts and crafts from seeing who was here. "Lo-Lor-Lorcan! Wha-Wha…Why are you here?" The teacher nervously asked off, she remembers Lorcan, who could forget the former Scarred Ruler from the Brotherhood to the Tadaka Dragon Army.

"Well in truth, it's not to stay to fill up the missing classes over my years." Lorcan shrug off to casually state a sarcastic claim of why he's here, even with a silly excuse like that. "I've been given permission by the Mane Six themselves to pick up Nyx & her Cutie Mark Crusader friends. Where are they?" The hooded Dragon teen asked off and then he presented some hoof mark card that was signature by Fluttershy, especially with the butterfly mark.

"Oh, really?" Miss Cheerliee a bit surprised to learn this while taking such a permit card to excuse students from the school. "Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure." The teacher shrug off her hooves to sadly let Lorcan know, the CMC location is unknown to her.

"What do you mean, you're not sure? You're their teacher?" Lorcan asked a bit with a raised eyebrow, something about this seemed kinda fishy if a teacher didn't know where her students are.

"Well yes, but during the time when every other pony's parent, guardian or adult friend came to pick them up, I couldn't find them anywhere." Miss Cheerliee shrug off to say that while the other children were picked up, only those in the CMC were not anywhere at the time.

"Oh you gotta be kidding me! My first good deed of the day and it's a disaster before I even started!" Lorcan slapped his left top head in agony in not believing this. How was he supposed to do something to show he's a changed Dragon from bad to good if something bad happened before he even got here?

"You're first…good deed?" Miss Cheerliee asked off with a little raised eyebrow in hearing this right.

"Long story short, you're seeing before you, the former evil Dragon known as the Scarred Ruler in your mitts." Lorcan proclaimed out to pat his left claw on his chest in stating he's now a different Dragon.

"Oh…I didn't know." Miss Cheerliee put her left hoof on her mouth to almost gasp in surprise to hear this. "I guess from during the invasion war, many thought, until recently, you…" The mare was almost about to say something to recall Lorcan's past, but...

"Perished?" Lorcan finished that part off in knowing what Miss Cheerliee was going to say that she & others thought the former evil dragon died that day. "Trust me, I think most be better off thinking that way, if too many know that I am here at a school for foals, then I can imagine the panic uproar." The cloaked Dragon spoke to hold up his arms against his hidden face, saying it’s best not a lot of other ponies know of his being here at a school because it would cause a big panic. "Huuuagh, proves that my mistakes will always come back to haunt me." The teen Dragon sighed in feeling blue, knowing that even now, his dark road path shall come back to haunt him.

This surprised Cheerliee, she never would have guessed it if she hadn't seen it. Lorcan admits of his mistake and is now living with that as his sinful regret. That might be a little harsh to lay on someone that was just acting out, but is now calm and collective to understand their situation. So the teacher bravely walked a bit towards the teen Dragon looking away and at the ground from feeling somewhat blue, even if Lorcan's scales were purple.

"Well, as a teacher, I might have almost judged you too soon." Miss Cheerliee spoke slowly to rest her right hoof on Lorcan, feeling that maybe…this Dragon is not so bad as before. "Despite what you done, you seem to have learn to reflect off your mistakes, and that helps you to know better." The mare explained forth that, if anything, Lorcan is learning to see the acts he's done, and learn something of right from wrong.

"Hmph. I said I wasn't here to catch up on missing class lessons and you're already tutoring me." Lorcan huffed out a hidden smile in seeing what Cheerliee was trying to do, she was trying to cheer him up…and it was sorta working too.

"Well, you are never too old to learn." Cheerliee giggled a bit in mentioning this fact that Lorcan should know about. Now the teen Dragon felt some form of tiny joy in his chest, it was…kinda nice. "You know, now that I think about it, a few of my students did say something on where the Nyx and the others were." Cheerliee spoke from having this moment to think and just recall something about Nyx and the other CMC's whereabouts.

"Really, where was that?" Lorcan asked from a raised eyebrow, maybe this could be a clue he was looking for to find the missing CMC.

"Well that's just it. A few colts and fillies say they saw them and that Diamond Tiara saw what happened before the students return to their daily activities." Miss Cheerliee shrug off to mention that the students witness that only Diamond Tiara was there before the CMC were gone the next minute.

"Diamond Tiara…hmmm." Lorcan held his chin to think and process this little data fact and put two and two together before…. "Oh brother!" The guy slapped his hidden face inside his hood to suddenly groan out. "Now I remember that filly! And if she was the last to see them, ugh…." Lorcan moans a bit in realizing who Miss Cheerliee said was the last to see the CMC, Diamond Tiara. From the invasion with the Brotherhood, he remembers the filly that bad mouthed him that he wasn't scary, and from recalling old events from watching the ponies, including the selfish spoiled Diamond Tiara, it equals one thing; trouble.

"Something wrong?" Miss Cheerliee asked from looking puzzled and concern, did this mean something from what she said?

"Let’s just say, I know where to find my missing answers to my questions." Lorcan stated off from moving away from Miss Cheerliee in feeling a bit serious now, like he has the answers to this puzzling mystery of where the CMC are now and that's by going to the last person that saw them. "Farewell, and enjoy your date. Believe me, the Mane Six explained how Big Mac was planning something for you." The teen Dragon looked back to the mare teacher, cracked a little smile in saying goodbye, and to enjoy a nice planned date Cheerliee will receive from Big Macintosh trying to set it up.

"Click!" Then what Lorcan did next was quite simply a snap of his right fingers once again. "Prusfruvhmm…." And just as before to his opposite side to Miss Cheerliee, an emerald portal of flames appeared, giving him another magical traveling tactic to use. "Frusvhm-Wruspvhmm…" Then the next moment afterwards again, the flaming portal vanished when Lorcan walked through it, which left now Miss. Cheerliee a bit stumped in seeing that dragon leave her school by such a means.

"Hugh, the way Lorcan enters and exits is almost exhausting." Miss Cheerliee sighed with a little relief from this overly excited moment, especially from seeing Lorcan enter and go in the room by such a flashy display. "Oh, I do hope he finds the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and that they are not in trouble." The teacher spoke in feeling a bit cautious, hoping that nothing bad shall happen to her students…wherever they maybe now.

----------------------------------------

"I'm telling you. Sending Lorcan to pick the CMC up is bad idea." Warpath groaned. Virtue's group arrives to see how Lorcan's doing, only to find out he was send to pick up the CMC of all things! "I'd swear if my son was with them now and get hurt, I'm gonna break his skull!"

"Warpath... Stop accusing him without any proofs." Blade scolds Warpath, annoyed by his reactions once more. "You barely even give him a chance."

Dragonspear nodded as he spoke up, "Master Blade is right. You have no right to accuse Master Lorcan. He's doing well and you insisted of blaming him."

Warpath huffed while remarking, "At least, Princess Twilight and her friends are with me. We all have our rights to accuse. And there is no way that brat is a good Dragon!"

"Yeah, I gotta agree." Rainbow said, crossing her upper fore arms sternly.

Rarity nods as he remarks angrily, "Right. If that ruffian harms Sweetie Belle while picking her up, he would wish that he wasn't send!"

"Right. 'Dat vermint caused trouble! What makes one think he would do 'dis right," Applejack ask in disgust.

"Right, he's...well...I can't think of anything but maybe because all the other insults were already made!" Pinkie exclaims angrily.

The only members of the Mane Six group who didn't insult was Twilight, Spike and Fluttershy: Twilight because she was too upset at the moment, Spike because he hopes that his brother would prove himself at least ONCE, Fluttershy because she was hoping the same thing.,

"Enough! I'll prove to you all that Lorcan has done nothing wrong." Virtue exclaims to the doubting ones in frustration. "Saber, would you mind go and find Lorcan?"

"Sure father." Saber said as he sighed while heading off, "At least, I don't have to worry about my little one. That guy is hard to find one when he went out without any of his friends."

-----------------

The scene shows a building under construction, but most of the workers have gone home. The only ones here were Mr. Filthy Rich and his daughter; Diamond Tiara. And the latter was wearing an evening dress when out with her father from looking over the nearly finished site of the family's next business order. And from seeing what the building was, it was going to become something for secure measures as it was a bank for where ponies keep their coins. What gave that away was the name label 'Rich's Bank Economy' as a way to read it as a fancy way to get folks to keep their money in a safe place.

"Just you wait, when this new building is done, it'll help a bunch on our accountants. Folks will invest their money here, and will make business off of it." Mr. Rich smiled when he was explaining his beneficial aid to helping ponies and their money problems, while also making some extra few bucks himself.

"Sounds lovely daddy, it's the perfect way for ponies like us to live." Diamond Taira smiled pridefully in liking how her father is using this as a way to make themselves richer.

"Now honey, this here's also to help Ponyville from its troubles after that whole invasion thing as well as the past problems with the Dark Mystic Ponies and Grimmore." Mr. Rich spoke with a little sterny tone in hearing his daughter say such a thing while he's doing this out of being helpful to those from Lorcan's last conquest invasion, not just for profits.

"Yeah, I get it." Diamond Tiara rolls her eyes a bit in slightly agreeing with her father without really paying much in mind. "At least the day is almost over and things are looking pretty good in my view." The filly spoke with a smirky attitude that things are looking fine for her the most and some may wonder what sneaky little act lead to such unusual happiness.

"Oh, but it's far from being over." Spoke a mysterious voice within the air that sounded…vaguely familiar.

"Hugh?" Diamond Tiara responded off a bit puzzled as she heard a voice that is too familiar to her.

"Did you say something, Diamond Tiara?" Mr. Rich looked back to his daughter, almost thinking he heard her say something.

"No, I thought I heard a voice. Was that you?" Diamond Tiara shook her head while stating that she thought the weird voice was her father.

"Course not, though it sounds vaguely familiar." Mr. Rich rubbed his chin in thinking this situation over, the voice heard was something he's heard…but where and who?

"Perhaps I can ease the struggle of your thinking minds." The mysterious voice whispered to the two ponies that surprised them to know….they are not alone here.

"Fruspvhm-Gruspvhm…." Suddenly without warning, a familiar emerald lit flame emerged from behind the two ponies, as father and daughter turn around. "Frisisfruvhpmm…." Soon the portal of flames died down and left some cloak hooded figure from the infernos, but his face was seen even from being hidden under his hood; it was once again, Lorcan on the scene. And like what happened before hand, his appearance let off some alarm to those around.

"Lo-Lo-LORCAN..YOUR…YOU’RE ALIVE!" Mr. Rich completely yelped out in surprise shock, the very dangerous Dragon villain is alive…AND HERE BEFORE HIM.

"Yes, so I noticed from similar reactions, or have you already forgotten about the trial?" Lorcan shrug off easily in seeing that from this similar state of shock reaction like any other. "Must we go through with this each time a pony forget that?" He tapped his forehead in being a bit annoyed that he'll be getting some of these surprise reactions every time he appears before those that recognize him.

"Why-why are you here?" Diamond Tiara spoke from feeling a slight bit afraid of remembering the Dragon villain, Lorcan. "Are you wanting to rob my daddy's bank?" The filly girl asked off in thinking that's what this villain is here for.

"Please, I'm not some common fool that lets his lust for greed control him." Lorcan waved off that statement as an insult to his very being. "No, I'm here on a requested task, and I'm searching for answers." The Dragon teen walked pass the ponies, had his claws in hooded rags tug behind his back while speaking with his back turn. "And someone here has something I want." Lorcan spoke off from a turn of his right eye to the only two ponies here that he's seeking an answer of what he wants from them.

"Well I certainly don't know what I have that's yours." Mr. Rich protest out a bit with some bravery, he has nothing that would interest this former villain.

"Too true, you don't have what I want." Lorcan spoke from turning his hooded cover head a bit to respond to the adult stallion, but then the dragon teen made a surprising twist. "But she does…" Lorcan turned around to point his left claw's finger at the one he's referring to, Diamond Tiara herself.

"Me…?" Diamond Tiara responded a bit stumped and surprised to learn this.

"My daughter?" Mr. Rich asked with a puzzled and confused face, why would Lorcan want something of his daughter?

"I will get to the point." Lorcan said as he got into Diamond's face, almost scaring her out of her hooves, "where. Are. THEY?!"

"Maxin!!!" Diamond exclaims in terror. Maxin Talos shows up, growling as he prepares to take down Lorcan to help his boss.

Lorcan just yawns before he punched the pony, sending him flying. The former villain comments, "That was payback for the carriage."

"Okay, look, I understand that Diamond send Maxin because you intimidated her." Filthy Rich said with a sigh. "But at least tell us what you're talking about before doing that again! Now, you think she knows something?"

"Yes, she knows something that I want." Lorcan nods with a serious matter in tone while going on. "The mysterious disappearance of some certain classmates." The teen Dragon in the hood waved out to speculate the part of some disappearances.

"Well, I have no idea what you are talking about!" Diamond Tiara spoke out with trying to tell this former Dragon villain she has no idea what he wants.

"Oh do you know? Funny…" Lorcan spoke from pretending to find that answer a bit… 'falsy' in his literature. "Your teacher says that several of the other students saw where you were the last to see any whereabouts of Nyx, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. Who are otherwise known as, the Cutie Mark Crusaders." Lorcan reminded that filly with the tiara of some certain classmates that are the ones missing, which makes her yelp in hearing this.

"So, what does that mean? That I know about something just cause I saw them last?" Diamond Tiara remotely remarked off to challenge Lorcan's claim with her own.

"Because the teacher doesn't know whatever happened to them. And I'm supposed to bring them back home." Lorcan shrug off his shoulders to say, he chatted with Miss Cheerliee and is in charge to find the missing CMC. "And when I hear everyone spoke about who saw who, yet that someone didn't report, why does that make one think oddly about the big picture here?" The teen Dragon held his chin in making a pondering claim point about why the filly here, never said a word of those missing when her other classmates said something.

"But I…" Diamond Tiara was starting to feel nervous as this Dragon was backing her into a tough corner.

"Diamond Tiara, is this true?" Mr. Rich asked with a look of suspicious if his daughter knew of this and didn't tell him honestly.

"Daddy, he's trying to pull something over our eyes! He's the villain that attacked and wanted to slaughter us!" Diamond Tiara protest in claiming that they shouldn't believe Lorcan, especially from his bad history that makes him very untrustworthy.

"Oh sure, the old 'he's lying, the former villain' routine excuse. But let me ask this." Lorcan shrug off his shoulders in seeing how this was going to be played out, but had a way to weary the truth from the little pony. "Who has a bad history with the CMC, who has a grudge against the members that have no Cutie Marks, those that have are made fun of for siding with blank flanks, and is not very nice to a reincarnation of Nightmare Moon, now a sweet and innocent filly? Hmm…?" Lorcan pushed all the right buttons, he brought up Diamond Tiara's not to perfect record of account in what she's done which was just as mean.

"Well…ugh…." Diamond Tiara was starting to feel all eyes on her, it looks like she was going to be in trouble, so she snorted her way out of it. "I…I-I don't have to answer anything from you!" The little snobbish filly snapped to the teen dragon hidden in his cloak and face hidden by the hood, actually back-talking without fear of this guy. "So I won't say anything, and that's final! Hmph…" The filly huffs a bit with a snooty remark attitude before walking a bit away from her father who seem to sorrow at this and the un-reacting Lorcan.

"Huuugh, I feel that she 'has' done something and won't say it. What am I going to do with her." Mr. Rich sighed in feeling disappointed that his daughter did do something and won't admit it.

With a few moments, Lorcan suddenly spoke from behind the rude filly's father. "Perhaps with your permission, I can 'persuade' your daughter to talk." Lorcan spoke with a little hidden smirk under his hood, as if requesting for the father to let the teen Dragon get the filly to tell the truth of the question she's hiding from answering.

"Oh, and what do you have in mind?" Mr. Rich asked with a rolled eye expression in not really believing this Dragon can do what he says he can do? "You're not going to do something 'hasty', are you?" The parent asked with a raised eyebrow in not wanting this former villain to do anything rash that would put his daughter in any danger.

"Oh no, just scare her enough to spill her guts." Lorcan responded with a little pat on this guy's back to ease off. "Not literally, just so we're clear. So…you agree to my terms?" The Dragon held up his right claw in wanting Filthy Rich to let him get his daughter to tell the truth by scaring means by necessary.

"Huuagh, alright, as much as I recall you’re evil acts, if it'll teach my daughter to tell the truth, then…." Mr. Rich sighed a bit as he slowly was about to shake, but Lorcan beat him to it.

"Then it's time I get to work." Lorcan cut off Mr. Rich and let go of his hoof before looking ahead with his target on sight.

Then what was happening next became something even stranger before anyone's eyes. "Poofvuhmm…" Diamond Tiara was covered in smoke, and then vanished one moment, only to appear in another place? From looking at her surroundings, she saw a great view of Ponyville, just one problem…where was she? That answer came from when the filly noticed that she was on a pole of her father's building, which was WAY high up.

"WAAAAAAUUGH!" Diamond Tiara screeched out in panic and jumped suddenly and grab the pole as something to hang on for dear life? "WHAT AM I DOING UP HERE?" The filly cried out in crying concerns of her safety in this predicament.

"What's wrong? Don't like hanging out?" Lorcan spoke his voice, and then the filly on the pole saw the cloak Dragon teen walking on air before her.

"Hanging out? I'M DANGLING OFF OVER A ROOF WHILE HOLDING ON A POLE!" Diamond Tiara remarked off and then yelled out her lungs in what was happening to her was no joke.

"Hugh, and some Pegasus and Unicorns like using wings and magic to have conversations up on high places. Speaking of which…let's talk." Lorcan rubbed his chin in pondering confused about such a matter of chatting with those that 'hang out' with the other. "Where are the CMC, you know something and you're not telling." The teen Dragon looked down at the filly holding the pole and eyes shut, the guy wants answers to his questions.

"I told you, how should I know! I don't know anything of where or what they are doing!" Diamond Tiara snapped off annoyed that this Dragon teen villain for being former, doesn't get that she's saying she hasn't a clue.

"Creakvhmm…gruvhmm…" But then suddenly, the pole that was sticking out creaked, and began to bench a bit down, much to the filly who saw this and he'd tighter.

"Hmmm, maybe your father's workers failed to see how strong that pole really is." Lorcan spoke from amazingly was hovering in the air upside-down when inspecting the pole. "It must be getting heavy to support…liars." The cloaked teen Dragon remarked off to say, the pole can't handle the weight that increases from a liar.

"What! I'm not lying!" Diamond Tiara responded off in feeling insulted by the rude Dragon. "Grvuhmm-Vrrusvhmm…." But once again, the pole was cracking and benching a bit more downwards. "AAAUGH!" Diamond Tiara even made another cry yelp from feeling herself almost slip that time.

"Apparently, you are." Lorcan dryly stated to point out the obvious thing to see, the filly was lying. "So, why not tell me the truth and you'll go free?" He shrug out his arms to say that by telling the truth, Diamond Tiara can get out of this mess.

"And I'm supposed to trust someone like you?" Diamond Tiara snapped off with a rude tone in not actually buying that she has to trust someone like Lorcan.

"Well the way I see it, you don't have much a choice." Lorcan held his chin to point down in saying the spoiled filly really doesn't wanna argue about the situation. "Just tell me where the fillies are and admit your wrong." Lorcan stated out as he wants this spoiled filly of a rich pony to tell him where the CMC are.

"Forget it! I don't even like those Blank-Flank Group or that Nightmare Moon filly one bit!" Diamond Tiara snapped off towards the dragon in the hooded cloak in what she feels. "As far as I'm concern, they can just be lost and just be food for Timberwolves!" That ended up being a big shocker to believe that a filly would actually want those she hated for such a feat to happen to them. "Gruvfruvhmm…Gruvhmm…" Which in response to this, the pole was breaking further down, much to even the one holding on for dear life all the more. "WAAUGH…WHAT'S GOING ON?" Diamond Tiara yelped out alarm in what's happening to her, she didn't lie that time, so why did the pole break a bit more?

"So, the truth comes out." Lorcan spoke with a serious motive on his face in hearing what this filly truly feels for toss gone missing. "Therein lies a bit of darkness in you, I can see it. The same thing that turned and created Boris the Red Devil." The Dragon teen pointed in stating how this very 'dark' personality help shape one of Equestria's fearsome foes.

"What are you yapping about?" Diamond Tiara snapped off in hearing Lorcan say such jibber-jabber talk. "I'm not that Pony Devil!" The filly snapped in protest of someone like her can be like the Red Devil pony like Boris is.

"Oh, but you have the makings of one." Lorcan toyed in poking the filly's noise in bringing up the next mentioned stuff. "I remember it like yesterday. Boris was a grown, handsome, and popular stallion within the crowds of many adoring fans." This guy rubbed his chin in remembering over the old days, when Boris was once a known Hero of Canterlot before…the changing tide. "Sounds almost like what you have." The former villain made a joking comment in seeing how much this filly is doing things almost like what Boris did from being a colt.

"So…?" Diamond Tiara remotely asked off in what the point of this question was even about.

"So….what happened that he lost it all? I'll tell you." Lorcan shrug off his shoulders to state out a conclusive evidence in how Boris lost it all. "It's cause he still had such deep, wicked, and darkly evil intentions…against Earth Ponies and a rivalry with Ben Mare!" The dragon teen flicked Diamond Tiara's mane in stating all the problems Boris had trouble getting over, but there was more. "Almost like you…despising blank-flanks, making them miserable and being the popularity queen. I say your more like a mini-Boris the Red Devil figure." The former villain concluded a theory from all the acts Diamond Tiara was showing, it all seem to point towards her becoming what Boris is today.

"I AM NOT!" Diamond Tiara shouted out loud in objecting such a suggestion. "This is some trick, isn't it?" The filly snapped off to say in believing Lorcan was just trying to get to her with this. "Creakvhmm-Gruvhmmm…." But of course, the pole that held the filly broke more further then Diamond Tiara even knew. "Haaugh…." Diamond Tiara yelped and grip herself on the pole that dangled her, it must have reacted when she protest against the truth.

"Looks like you're on a last thread. Pity…" Lorcan spoke out in noticing that the pole is just a little away before it breaks and the filly may drop. "There might not be a go back for you." Lorcan waved off his right claw in saying that at this moment, this filly may not be able to go back now.

"What do you mean?" Diamond Tiara asked from not liking the sound of what was just heard now.

"Look below." Lorcan pointed for the filly to look down to see something in what he's stating.

The filly looked down and soon saw a strange ceremonial spell circle of unknown origin. And the spell itself was glowing with a pulsating beat like a heart. The pressure feeling it released felt somewhat odd and strange, even Mr. Filthy Rich who was near step back in finding it…abnormal.

"Hugh….what's this?" Diamond Tiara asked off a bit puzzled as the ground looked almost glowy.

"Why…it's your coronation, Miss Tiara." Lorcan spoke from spinning himself up straight, and made a sit on an invisible chair position in letting off with a sly face…an answer to the question. "The next filly to change into a new Devil-Pony by the dark summonings." The Dragon mentioned this off with a scary tone, stating that this was meant for Diamond Tiara to become...the next Devil-Pony.

"Prussfruvhmmm…." Suddenly, flames erupted from the strange spell decoration, and the skies looked a bit gloomy. Once more, it looked too much like it was a setting sunset to really see, a strange spell was at work here. But what was even scarier was that the bottom out the center was opening up like a portal, awaiting….a sacrifice of a victim.

"HAAAAAAAUGH……" Daimond Tiara screamed out in horror, what was this, what was this former villain trying to do?

"Well, can't say that I tried to help, you caused this." Lorcan shrug off his arms in saying that this was not his own fault in anyway, but Diamond Tiara. "A spell was made that if a pony should deny the holy light and haven't admit their sins, they'll be changed into devils." The hooded teen Dragon exclaimed off that for every pony, being honest & truthful is a sign of goodness. But in a case where they truly are developing wicked and evilness, it'll grow into darkness, and change their outer forms to fit what they truly are on the inside.

"WHAAAAAAT!" Diamond Tiara screeched out in shock, has this former villain lost his mind, how's doing this even 'good' in the first place?

"Sorry kiddo, you forsaken yourself to this, you don't have many friends to come save you." Lorcan shrug off in letting Diamond Tiara know, that she caused her own downfall to go with this path. "And sorry, but Silver Spoon even sees that this act is going overboard, so she's spared, but she'll feel sorry for you." The dragon teen pointed out with a claw to say that even the filly's own closest friend, saw a line that shouldn't be cross, but not poor Diamond it seems. "As far as Maxin Talos goes...well...he's only hired help, right?"

"Creakfruvhmm…." The pole was breaking, and the filly tried to hold on, but felt her grip slipping, and looked down to see…how close she may get into the horrid spell. "Haugh-haugh…DADDY!" Diamond Tiara screamed out for her father to help her and tried to keep struggling useless to go up the pole without much hopeful chance.

"Daddy can't help, he's given you the judgment to clear your sins, but apparently…it's his lost to lose a…bad egg, we shall say." Lorcan shrug off his shoulders to say, that the rotten and spooled filly's father can't help, and in the end, he'll just lose something that was bad from the start.

Even Mr. Rich saw this, and thought with some concern that maybe the act of this tricking Diamond Tiara to tell the truth might be going a bit too far. "Wait, Lorcan! Isn't this going a bit too far?" Mr. Rich protest out over this loud display, he may have said in agreeing to teach his daughter to not lie, but this might be going overboard.

"Sorry, but it ain't my fault." Lorcan shrug off his arms to look down at the stallion saying about not wanting this, but it's out of his hand. "But I'll let you see yourself…Diamond Tiara." Lorcan exclaimed out from hovering close to the scared filly, and held up his left claw opened for something to appear? "Frusvhmm…." Then without warning, emerald flames emerged from it, and then from within…was the image of Diamond Tiara, smirking with a wicked expression as the filly watched this. "This…is….your…." As Lorcan slowly spoke these very deep words, Diamond Tiara saw the image of herself in the femoral of flames shifting into something. "FUTUUUUURE!" From the loud proclamation from Lorcan in making it sound so evilly and darkly to frighten any soul, a new image within the flame was seen? It was a grown mare with luminous vivid crimson coat color, a long messy bluish gray with grayish indigo streaks, and grayish cerulean color eyes. What was more terrifying was seeing the Cutie Mark warped into a tiara crown of black and thorny spikes with blood dripping jewelry off the five edges shaped like silver sword blades, which was also the same worn on this she-devil pony. Worn on nothing but a split four piece black crimson cape that had edges at the bottom which almost looked to turn into wings, and spiky black shoes dreaded with dried blood. What was also horrifying was that a cut mark of 'X' shape was across the face over the nose and each eye was in the opposite center of the mark. This was a new being that Lorcan proclaimed would be the spoiled brat's future; Diamond 'Cruella' Tiara, the Dreaded Red Devil of the future.

Now witnessing this horror even before the filly of the younger stage was enough to leave one more frighten of one's future self to turn out like that if nothing will change. "No….No-NOOOO!" Diamond Tiara spoke in horror and tried to speak against such magical evidence. "Creakvhhmmm…." The pole creaked and now dangled back and forth, with the filly that was almost about to lose grip. "HAAAHAAAUGH! OKAY-OKAY! I ADMIT!" Diamond Tiara yelped and cried out between wanting to say something. "I GOT THEM TO HEAD TO THE EVERFREE FOREST WHERE THEY'RES A TIMBERWOLF PACK TERRITORY! THEY'LL BE SURROUNDED WITH NO HOPE OF COMING BACK!" Diamond Tiara yelled out loud for both Lorcan and her father to hear the arrogantly admitted guilt she had commented.

"Well now, I wonder if this means you'll change…or stay the same." Lorcan spoke in a calm manner, rubbed his chin in asking if Diamond Tiara is going to be a better pony, or…just lie and try to save herself.

"I'll Change myself! Really!" Diamond Tiara proclaimed out in willing to change herself for the better now. "Rivhmm-CLANKvhmm…." But soon the final support structure of the pole snapped off, and let the filly soon begin to descend. "I'll Change…..I'LL CHAAAAAAAANGE!" Diamond Tiara cried out, and then lastly yell this out while she was falling straight for the inferno spell that would take in the sacrifice.

"DIAMOND TIARAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Mr. Filthy Rich shouted out in horror, and was about to watch this foolish scare act almost take his daughter away to become something else.

But within the whole event falling into place, only one being seem to have seen enough in being the mastermind behind this stunt. "Okay, I think this act is over." Lorcan spoke a bit casually to stand up straight, and decided to end what's going on. "Click!" The Dragon was holding up his right wrist, then made a snap with them to signal something else to happen.

"Poof-Frvuhmm….." Then in another sudden twist, all the scenery vanished in a Poof of smoke. The skies remain the same of the setting sun, the flames from the ground of the spell ceremony decoration left without a trace, all looked like nothing even happened. But one major question remained; whatever happened to Diamond Tiara that was almost fallen in the spell that would turn her into a devil?

"Hahuaghhaughhaugh-Aahahaaaahvuhmm….." Diamond Tiara was suddenly seen on the ground, in a ball curl form, hugging herself and chattering her teeth; like she got the scaring of a life-time.

"Honey…are you…alright?" Mr. Filthy Rich approached his daughter carefully, trying to see that nothing was wrong, and that she was okay.

But then what happened next was that the filly grabbed her father's right hoof with such a tight grip while muttering these chattery words. "I'll be good! I'll be good! I won't be a Devil-Pony! I won't be a Devil-Pony! I'll treat the CMC better! I'll try really hard to be better!" Diamond Tiara was pattering and speaking with her eyes twitching and her body shaking like it's got the chills. The filly looked absolutely in the worst looking wear possible, even her father was astounded to see his daughter in…such a state without getting her ego act together.

"Well, that went better than I hoped!" Lorcan spoke off suddenly, as he hovered down to the shaking filly and the stunned father before him.

"HOPED! Look at her?" Mr. Rich exclaimed out loudly while snapping at the Dragon teen in seeing that his 'act' has left Diamond Tiara traumatize. "I haven't seen her this freaked out since Twilight turned into a flaming unicorn and that was long before she was a princess!" The parent argue out to tell that even when the filly was approached by an angry Twilight lit in flames of rage.

"Yes, but I think my method has a more 'deeper' and probably more 'permanent' fix to your daughter to not be so 'bully' anymore." Lorcan spoke off a bit laid-back in feeling his way of changing someone that has a moxie and spunky personality to fit with an over ego, was necessary. "After all, isn't that what you wanted to not repeat from your colt hood?" The dragon teen approached and had a hidden smile under his hood to let this stallion know of something from Mr. Rich's past.

"How…how do you…?" Mr. Rich was almost about to respond to how this being knew that until….

"Let's say, I observed you ponies a lot and learn a bit from certain folks like you, Twilight, and others." Lorcan turns around to wave off in knowing some facts that fit each pony base on their characteristics. Then the teen Dragon tried to study Diamond Tiara, who still shook with her eyes not focusing much from being seen by him. "Hmm, by my guess, she'll be out of that state in about…a month or two. Give or take a half dozen in a year." The guy shrug off his shoulders in feeling, that in due time, the filly will be snapped out of this stupid stage, and hopefully, be a better person.

"A whole month or two while she's like…this?" Mr. Rich protest out in shock as he looked over to his traumatized daughter, who won't recover out of this state for some time.

"Well maybe in a weeks' top, there will be 'some' progress change, but she'll be mostly in the shiver stage." Lorcan shrug off again in not really knowing, but guessing of an outcome that will happen over time of a change for Diamond Tiara. Lorcan doesn't have to tell Filthy Rich of the last time he did this. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get to the Everfree Forest and prevent telling Twilight's group that the fillies I tried to pick up are now in the belly of Timberwolves." Lorcan bowed and then turn to prepare to leave when he spoke this; but then did a double take to the ponies still here. "Which was NOT of my own doing, but so far, I'll need evidential proof of that…and for the little ones' sakes to be alive and without more sadness!" The teen Dragon in the cloak exclaimed out that he'll need them CMC to prove, whatever happened was not his fault, or else the Mane Six think it was some lie to cover his evil tracks.

"Trsuvhmmm…." Then in as quick as a flash, Lorcan disappeared by a blurry wind motion before the two ponies.

"Mhmhmhmhmhmmm….." Diamond Tiara held her father as Mr. Rich held his spooked daughter in his hooves while she muttered this. "I'll be a good filly daddy! I'll listen from now on! I don't wanna bully others for being better! I don't wanna lose myself and be a nasty evil devil!" Diamond Tiara was speaking all of this out in not wanting to become something that really freaked her out, why the only thing that would almost be worst for her, is if her own Cutie Mark vanished & she grew up to be a pony without a Cutie Mark?

"Hush-hush now dear, I'm here. You won't become a devil pony, I assure you." Mr. Rich patted his daughter's mane to calm her nerves before letting her get a piggy-back ride on his back to go home.

"Please ground me! Please-please ground me for all the mean things I've done when you weren't there. I wanna change…I wanna change…I wanna change…." Diamond Tiara spoke off this stuff from holding her head and was requesting to be punish by her own will, while the last bunch was more whispers in wanting to change while being so completely freaked out?

Now Mr. Filthy Rich was almost feeling like he looked to his daughter, like she was talking nonsense, more or less. "My word, not even Twilight had gotten through you like this to be more truthful and wanting to be good…It's almost too good, that it's now scary to believe." Mr. Rich admits that while Twilight was scary for the both during the time of Nyx's disappearance incident when that black filly was in town, this act by his daughter was far more concerning. "I might need to have you see a doctor for regular checkups. I'm starting to wonder if Lorcan has changed for the better if he could do this or not. I'll just have to see for myself." The adult stallion spoke off to himself and his daughter while walking to quickly get the both of them home.

Many knew about how dangerous Lorcan was during the last invasion and conquering war effort the Scarred Ruler tried to pull, but many believed the villain Dragon was gone. Yet with Lorcan back, and while many aren't aware that he's less powerful then he was before, he could do things that were still just as great. It take a huge load to convince many of the citizens, that Lorcan, the once known Scarred Ruler, is now a changed Dragon. Boy, has that guy got his work cut out for him ahead for his timely being back in the picture.

-------------------

At this time, Pinkamena and her group were just outside between Ponyville & the EverFree Forest. However, the pink pony sense something that cause her to look out in feeling somewhat concern as if...sensing something not right.

"What's wrong sis, you got that worried look in your eye?" Goldie asked in seeing that Pinkamena seem distracted for unknown reasons.

"I have a feeling that Diamond Tiara just sent the CMC into danger....and it's directly towards the forest here." Pinkamena explained the case in sounding concern over the issue.

That caused many to feel worried and concern in hearing this, the CMC, alone in the Everfree Forest. That's dangerous considering that there are some terrible and vicious creatures that live in there.

"Shall we assist?" Omega asked off if they should act out now.

"Wait a second...I sense Lorcan is heading there too. It looks like he might help them, which means we have a chance moment occurring here." Pinkamena stop the group in sensing anther character was on the way and it sounds like Loran is going off to help rescue the CMC.

"You mean we might just witness Lorcan doing a good deed?" Autumn Gem asked off in thinking about what act could be done to show one's change of being a former evil foe.

"Yep! We'll keep watch to see how it goes, and then be the live witnesses to the event to prove to the others in what Lorcan did. That way, even Twilight and that stubborn Mystic will see things a bit clearer." Pinkamena issued off to mention how much things can go well if they are the live viewers to seeing what deed Lorcan does to prove he's redeeming himself. "Course, if things get a little uneven, there's still Plan B with the needle, but let’s save that for if it happens." She shrug off to say this in feeling that if Twilight still has bigger doubts, she still has her backup plan.

"We best move it! Who knows what the fillies will find?" Sombra suggested this out in feeling concern about now.

"Alright gang, to the Everfree Forest!" Pinkamena issued forth in sounding off like a Sargent commanding an army to get going.

"Lets hope we can see something good and nothing bad at the time we get there." Golden Heart sigh to say in hoping things will be okay.

Soon Goldie's group rushes off in full agreement to get going. Things begin to fad out around now, and only time will tell what happens next...

-------------------

At the moment, the situation with the CMC were not looking at all too good. The rany into a corner of rocks, and were cut off in front by the Timberwolves with their growling teethes showing. A large Timberwolf that was almost twice the size of the rest of the pack, looked like his coloring faded mostly and had some form of battle scars seem to step forth before the fillies. Even in this case, it doesn't take a genius to realize that the little ponies were now staring at what maybe the pack leader of this tribe of Timberwolves.

"We're caught between a rock an' some sets o' teeth!" Apple Bloom exclaimed out in noticing that they are cornered from the rocky boulders to very hungry looking wolves.

"And I'm guessing that big and mean looking wolf there is in charge." Scootaloo pointed in seeing how was the big leader in taking command of this pack.

"An' Granny Apple said 'ta scare them off is wit' loud pots an' pan noises." Apple Bloom stated in recalling that the best way to get these wolves to go away in peace is making loud clanky noises.

"Which we don't have." Scootaloo dryly rolled her eyes to say that for their situation, they don't have any of that.

"Think we can reason with them like how Fluttershy does with animals?" Sweetie Belle asked her friends with worry if they can settle this like how Fluttershy could.

"Aaaawooooowwhhhh!" The Leader Timberwolf howled up in front of the pack as the wolves began to slowly approach in a low to the ground position of predators hunting prey.

"Gruugraaaaruoghhh!" Many of the other wolves were growling when they were fixed into position, giving no escape from their formation.

"Apparently, we're not like Fluttershy!" Nyx gulped a bit while the fillies stared with concurs that this won't be pretty.

"BARKWH! BARKWH!" Soon the Timberwolf Leader barked in giving the others a command to follow through in announce…the attack. "Frusvhmm…." The wolves jumped from their spots, high in the air, leaving the fillies to hug the others with eyes shut, expecting the end to be quick… "SLASVHMM…." But then a bright light was seen slashing across the dark forest. "Barkruvhm-Arruvhmm…." And the cries of some of the Timberwolves were heard, especially from seeing them get knocked across and their pouncing routine canceled.

When the CMC opened their eyes to notice that they were not dead yet, they puzzled themselves to why it was so. Then in front of the fillies was a hooded cloak being that seem vaguely familiar by appearance. And within what were its claws was a beam saber sword, and from the rescuer that lifted its head up, eyes opened, and some light shown through to reveal it was….

"LORCAN!" The Cutie Mark Crusaders responded a bit surprised to see their rescuer is none other than the returned former villain known as the Scarred Ruler of Equestria. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and even Sweetie Belle are especially shocked to see this guy was here after recalling how he perished from the Dragons against Ponies outcome. The only one not really so shocked to seeing Lorcan's alive appearance was Nyx. The Timberwolves were getting up, recovered from what hit them and glared with growls in seeing the cloaked Dragon teen interrupted their chance to catch prey. 

Lorcan then held up his beam saber sword, which the core was now white instead of black, and burst forth in a glowing green beam color now.

"(You will not harm these fillies under my watch!)" Lorcan spoke from holding his weapon and lifted it up against this wolf pack, telling them this message with a serious expression.

"Awrooovhmm…." The other Timberwolves yelped to look at the other in surprise from what they are hearing Lorcan say to them…and understand it.

"(You….can speak like us? How?)" The Leader Timberwolf responded to Lorcan with a speech pattern that was what the Dragon teen was using.

"(I've dabbled in learning other languages in the past.)" Lorcan wiggled his free claw out in expelling this matter of the language he speaks is of the type to chat with canines.

"Mmmmm, you might be the first Dragon we've seen in a long time that can speak to us." The Timberwolf Leader spoke with an intrigued face, never expecting to find a Dragon that would talk to the wolves.

While things here were going on, the CMC were pretty much in the dark in what was actually going on, without following or understanding anything at all.

"Ugh, what's he doing?" Scootaloo asked a bit puzzled, she was still surprise to see Lorcan, but what's with the weird speech he's gibbering out?

"Tienoggod!" Nyx exclaimed out in surprise tone in recognizing what the teen Dragon was using.

"Tieno-whatsit?" Apple Bloom asked with a raised eyebrow in being confused by what her friend even said now.

"It's another language I read over in one of mommy's books." Nyx explained this fact to her friends to understand that what they are seeing, is another language being done here. "They say with it, you can talk with any canine of any species." The girl stated off to explain such a matter to her friends that Lorcan is trying to talk over with the Timberwolves here.

"Are wolves that look like tree logs count?" Sweetie Belle asked a puzzling question if such a language goes well for those that are creatures made mostly of wood.

"I sure hope so." Nyx spoke a bit wondering and concerning for herself of that matter.

Now back with the wolves and the teen Dragon hiding his face under the hood, the discussion continued to go on.

"(Who exactly are you?)" The Timberwolf Leader growled in wanting to know just who he was dealing with here that this Dragon teen cut into their territory and protected these ponies.

"(Well now…that's the question.)" Lorcan shrug off with a little smile in feeling that question had sentimental connection to this guy being so many things in life, it's hard which to pick from the other.

"(I DEMAND TO KNOW, Who You Are!)" The Timberwolf Leader snarled with more fury with annoyance that this interloper was trying to avoid his question. 

"(I DON'T KNOW MYSELF!)" Lorcan waved out his arms in speaking the wolves' language to bellow out an answer of not knowing the answer to the question. "(Hugh, you see, that's the thing. I'm a Dragon, but beyond that? I…I just don't know anymore!)" Lorcan looked around his surroundings, exclaiming how he really hasn't any other clue to who he really is now. "(I literally do not know, who I am, it's all so intensive.)" As he stated this, the Timberwolves' Leader stared at this guy with some confusion. "(Am I funny? Am I sarcastic? Am I handsome?)" The teen Dragon hidden under his hooded cloak shrug off in making some claims to who he might really from inside to outside appearances.

"Cut the short stuff and give us what we want, shorty.") The Leader snapped off to not wanting to be fooled by these mind games by Lorcan.

"HEY! I'm not short, I'm only Big Bone!" Lorcan snapped off in being insulted from being called short just now.

"Hughhugh, right, and we're just puppets that move without strings." Another Timberwolf remarked off with a cackle in seeing they struck a nerve on this guy.

"Hahahahaha…." The other Timberwolves were snickering in taunting and teasing against this teen dragon for being so upset and angry over being called short.

"Here's our answer, we're not giving up on prey even if you stand against us." The Timberwolf Leader sternly proclaimed out to tell Lorcan, that they will not leave and they'll get their prey, including the Dragon too.

"Okay, so the debating of peaceful negotiations didn't work." Lorcan sighs in seeing this little part to convince the wolves to leave in peace failed. "So we'll have to settle this the old fashion way." Lorcan waved out his free hand in exclaiming that he'll have to settle this the old fashion way of dealing with these situations. "BrIzizizvhmm" Then without warning, Lorcan's saber-beam sword was getting an overcharge boost of energy while the wielder grip the power force. "BRUTALLY!" Lorcan shouted off in planning to fight these wolves with brute force measure for them to get the point.

One rouge Timberwolf roared and leapt at the four; seconds later, he fell, chopped into several pieces of wood. Lorcan scowled behind his hood as he put his beam sword away, "No second chances. I'm that Dragon."

Then in another quick shot, of fast motion, a lot of the Timberwolves were trying to attack, but all were having problems. Lorcan zipped across the field with his original sphere that engulf him, but this one was emerald flames instead of it being black, the wolves just pass on through.

"Grua-Arroouagh!" One of the wolves snarled before they turn to see Lorcan reemerged and then jump to pounce.

"GUARD!" Lorcan held up his left claw and soon summoned a familiar magical square shield barrier.

"Blizizivhmm…" The enemy's pack all attack, the barrier reflected the light of their impact, before….it repelled them. "Arroovhmm…." The Timberwolves cried out a whimsy sound as they were shot backwards from hitting Lorcan's defense.

"Looks like a few of my old moves are still with me." Lorcan reflected himself in feeling how much was still able to come easily to him, just before pointing out his two fingers. "Lightning Bend!" The Dragon teen in the cloak announced as he aimed his next attack. "Brizizivhmm…." That shot out an electric green color energy that was coursing through the Timberwolves before he ceased.

"Grugrugaaaruugh…Roowwoovhmm….!" But strangely enough, that attack barely did much and the wolves were still able to stand.

"Ugh, I'm such a dunce, wood cancels electricity!" Lorcan slapped his forehead in seeing that was dumb, he forgot about the right element to beat the other.

"Awwoooo…." The Timberwolf Leader howled for his troops of the pack to line up around.

"Luckily, fire doesn't get canceled by wood." Lorcan made a sly smirk in knowing one element that can beat his enemies here. "Heavy Crimson…." The Dragon was taking a deep breath and was preparing to unleash his flames of fury until….

"Wait! You'll burn the whole forest!" Nyx shouted out with panicky worry, for if Lorcan uses that move, they'll all be endangered.

Lorcan cease that action and knew instantly what Nyx said was true. Fire would set the whole forest on fire, putting all their lives at risk, so that plan was obviously burned out. But the wolves of the entire pack were all running from all sides, cutting off any chance to dodge out of the way. There was only one way to beat the entire Timberwolf pack with a single blow and it was the one this teenage Dragon used to knock down the council member Jormun with. So without delay, he was gripping his right fist and wielded it up over himself.

"Dragon Crusher!" Lorcan declared out the move of his attack as he thrust his fist directly at ground beneath his feet. "Powwfrvuhmmm…" Then Lorcan delivered a strong shockwave impact on the ground, just as the Timberwolves were a few inches away from clawing the guy in his zone until…. "Bammgrufruvhmm…" A large explosive force unleashed a strong wind pressure shockwave against the wielder's attackers.

"Arroowwoovhmmm…Gruvhmm-mmmphmm…." Many of the Timberwolves were backlashed backwards, clashed against the ground and the trees to the point they were down for the count.

The CMC shielded their eyes and when the dust cleared out, they saw a shocker….Lorcan made a crater from where he stood still in the same position when his fist hit the ground. All was silent for a few moments, and then at that time, Lorcan retrieved his fist from the ground, only to yelp, and ach suddenly to grip that claw, as if it was in incredible pain.

"Oooowwwch! Darn it! I forgot that move was used only in my Battle Mode! Even my real age self in Teenage Form would have been smarter!" Lorcan complained forth from trying to ease his claw that was hurting all over. "As I am right now, short and all, without more toughen scale skin, I'll feel a slight bit of aftershock pain!" The teenage Dragon exclaimed out that right now, unleash he changes, performing that last move that delivers strong impact will cause some damage to him and not just his enemies.

"Grugrugraaaughh….Awoooroooohhh!" There was a growl noise as Lorcan looks up at the only Timberwolf left to deal with…the Leader of the pack.

"So, now it's down to the leader." Lorcan shrug off his shoulders to get himself back to being focus here. "Then let’s do this!" Lorcan made a taunt wave in saying 'bring it on' to the leader of the Timberwolves.

Now it was just down to Lorcan and the Timberwolf Leader, both were giving each other the final stare down. The fillies watched with intensive interest to see, who would make the first move? Both challengers charged forth, with Lorcan blocking a biting attempt with his blade, but felt himself pushed back. It seemed to be evidence that the Dragon teen still was a bit weaken from that 'Dragon Crusher' move of his that he ended up having some pain inflicted on him without warning. But never the less, Lorcan pushed the wolf off his weapon and position himself to fight onward.

Lorcan was clashing his saber sword against the Leader's claws as this leader was very skilled. The two fighters fought until they were now over a hill cliff that was 7 feet below from their fighting. But during a one step backwards, Lorcan trip backwards and saw that he was over near a small cliff. The Timberwolf Leader raised up its left claw and clawed right at Lorcan's right claw hand holding the weapon. Now from the misty air, Lorcan say his own beam saber sword fall to the bottom, and a clump of something that could have almost been believed to be his claw. The CMC were shocked to see this, Lorcan not only lost a weapon, but his own hand.

"(Now you're disarmed!)" The Leader Timberwolf exclaimed from glaring at the opponent before him in his native tongue, saying this was the end for Lorcan.

"(Guess…a-gain!)" Lorcan remarked back at the wolf by the same language for the two to chat as with feeling different about that last statement. "Kichvm…." Then in a twist, Lorcan boosted his back side up by the use of his tail to deliver a kick maneuver under the wolf's chest.

"Graaugh…." The Leader yelped out from that sudden stunt he didn't see coming.

Then in another moment, Lorcan held up his cloth right wrist, and then out from it appeared a glowing emerald color that shaped into…his claw.

"Witchcraft." The Leader Timberwolf muttered in his language in seeing this kind of magic as some form of witchery.

"No, merely an illusion to what you witnessed." Lorcan correctly claimed what was done here was something to trick this wolf to lower his guard.

Nyx saw the beam saber on the ground where Lorcan dropped it and suddenly got a determine face. As she left her CMC group's side to go after the sword below the cliff where above the battle was still on.

"Nyx?" Apple Bloom responded off in seeing her friend doing something as crazy as to go into this fight.

"What are you doing?" Sweetie Belle asked puzzled in why her friend was going for the beam saber sword of their old enemy.

"Isn't that Lorcan's weapon, why are you…." Scootaloo was about to point out whose weapon that was, but before she could even ask why….

"Just helping out!" Nyx responded out with a serious expression to which her friends nearly gasped in surprise. Was Nyx actually trying to help Lorcan, though from the fight, the Dragon teen didn't seem as strong as last they saw him, why would the black filly do such a thing? "Lorcan, catch!" Nyx shouted out to the teen Dragon fighting as she used her magic on the weapon.

Then with all the black Alicorn Filly's got to muster, she tossed the sword up into the air. Where Lorcan soon managed to catch the thing in hand, or claw, and wielded against his foe. Now the two opponents continued to clash blades, claws and teeth against the other for a few minutes against the edge of the small cliff. But then from a chanced moment, Lorcan held his beam saber sword in both claws to stab it into the ground. This unleashed a glowing emerald color across the ground, creating dust clouds as it was breaking the edge corner from where the wolf was and….

"Graaaugh-Arrrooooooaaaauughhh!" The Timberwolf Leader gasped just as he fell from where he stood and though short hit the ground hard. Then Lorcan leaped off from the cliff to land on the ground, just in time to stare at his beaten foe that was still alive from only a little height distant fall.

Once the CMC got a chance to see things clearly after that last stunt, they nearly gasped. All the Timberwolves were defeated, lied across the ground, injured and such, and Lorcan standing triumph over the leader. The leader tried to stand up, but was too weaken and limped a bit every time. Lorcan approached the beaten wolf that lead his pack and had a little smile hidden under his face to see, even in his condition of some lost abilities and strength he had before, he was still a formidable foe to face.

"(Well now, looks like…I win.)" Lorcan spoke with a smug grin in seeing he's bested these wolves, and the leader.

"(Then you can deliver the final blow, kill me. You're a predator, it's what they do when they've bested their prey.)" The Timberwolf Leader muttered in his shameful display in wanting to be killed here.

"No. I'll spare you and your lives if you take my command. Leave these fillies be and never come to harming any ponies that enter the forest." Lorcan spoke in offering some deal for the Timberwolves to take that for their lives, they must not harm ponies. "(Whadda say? Sounds like a fair deal, besides, I heard the Apples Family need your howling aids to make Zap Apples, sop be glad it's not banishment.)" The teen dragon shrug off his shoulders in thinking this was the best deal to offer and it would not cause any problem for the Apple Family that need Timberwolf howls to sound the alarm of the rise of the Zap Apples Season.

"(Yes….we'll obey.)" The Timberwolf Leader nods from hearing this as he finally stood on his own two feet.

"(Swear to that on the blood of your species! I know for a fact, even Timberwolves have prides to keep their words by claiming that oath.)" Lorcan pointed his free claw hand at the wolf leader, stating a prideful oath that once made, cannot be broken.

"(Yes…I swear….by our blood.)" The Timberwolf Leader nods with his head kneel down before Lorcan, promising to keep to that vow.

"(Right, that sounds okay to me. Thanks, big fella, and here's a little something.)" Lorcan responded quite brightly to see that the arrangements have been made, now for one last detail. "Click/Frususvhm…." From a snap of his fingers, all the wounds and cuts were healed from the Timberwolves, as they stood up in surprise. "(Your injuries treated, your lives spared, now leave us be.)" Lorcan waved off for the wolves to go as they are healed and won't delay.

"(May I ask…for one thing? What is…your name?)" The Timberwoilf Leader spoke from about to leave with his pack, but wants to know Lorcan's name.

"(My name…is Lorcan.)" Lorcan slowly spoke out in giving the leader of this pack his name, out of that little respect between fighters.

"(Very well, we take our leave then….Lorcan.)" The Timberwolf Leader nods with showing some noble gestures before turning to his brethren. "Aaaaawooroooooovh…." He made a howl up into the air for the others to hear.

"Aaaroooowwooohhhh!" The other Timberwolves responded to this and soon were racing off a fast lead back into the forest. They were soon gone and out of sight from the teen Dragon and the little ponies here.

Once the battle was over, and that the Timberwolves had finally left the area, one task remained. Lorcan turned to see if the Cutie Mark Crusaders were safe, the good news; they were all safe, the bad news; some weren't too happy to see him. This sorta brought forth an awkward and oddly sensation in what the teen Dragon should do here now? He came, he found the fillies, they're alright now, and now he has to take them back where the Mane Six are waiting for their return. Just one problem, how would he get those that distrust him to let the former evil Dragon take them anywhere?

"Um…are any of you…hurt?" Lorcan slowly spoke from feeling the uneasy settling state so he tried to help by asking if the fillies were not too badly injured.

"Well no, we're good." Nyx shook her head with a little smile in saying they are okay, nothing's wrong, or so she beeves without noticing the look of her friends.

"Good, now let’s…." Lorcan almost was about to say in offering a claw to take the kids with him, but….

"KEEP AWAY FRO' US!" Apple Bloom snapped out loud against the cloaked Dragon teen when she backed away with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle with stern expressions.

"Hugh?" Lorcan, and even Nyx responded puzzled to hear this, the other CMC looked more furious than what they were with the wolves.

"You think that by saving us, we'll be used to bait Rainbow Dash and her friends like those other times!" Scootaloo remotely and dryly stated in knowing what the Dragon villain here was planning, not knowing Lorcan is a former villain.

"Right, we won't go with you!" Sweetie Belle sternly stomp her hove on the ground, in declaring how they will not go with this guy.

"But I was asked to pick you up by Fluttershy." Lorcan spoke out in trying to speak honestly in letting these fillies know he means no harm.

"Yew expect us 'ta think 'dat while our sisters an' 'de others wouldn't be easy fer us 'ta let our guard down, yew use Fluttershy’s name; 'Dat's just evil in using her good nature!" Apple Bloom sternly remarked off in seeing Lorcan was trying to trick them with an obvious lie.

"Well…true the others would not have, but…" Lorcan spoke in thinking over in recalling how only Fluttershy asked him while the rest, were not so agreeable to such an idea.

"And did you think we not remember the moments you hurt us and manipulated us to hurt another! You did that which made me hate my own sister for something that was not her fault!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed out with looking almost ready to cry, recalling the evil Lorcan did in hurting them, both physically & emotional, especially with her own sister Rarity.

"Sweetie Belle, wait a second, that's going to far and…." Nyx tried to stop her friend from trying to go too far, however...

"And how you said that Rainbow Dash was own caring of herself and you slash across my face! Well let's see you like getting hurt!" Scootaloo snapped at the dragon teen in remembering what this guy did to her, well she won't stand for it. "Uaagh…." The little Pegasus filly scoop up a rock pebble, and threw it right at Lorcan where it made a tiny impact on his face.

"Guuaaaugh…." Lorcan yelped to cover his eye with the scar that was where Scootaloo's rock hit, and what a bad place to get hit…painful memories.

"Scootaloo! What are you doing?" Nyx exclaimed in shock to see her friend was acting this way.

"What else, defeating myself against this heartless villain, it's thanks to him that he hurt all of us, even almost made us lose Spike!" Scootaloo remotely stated to remind Nyx of the horrors Lorcan has performed, including some that were of killing intent.

"Right, don't tell me yew thinking 'dat he's someone better, he'll never change after all he's done!" Apple Bloom sternly shook her head in thinking the same thing, Lorcan can't change; he's a lowly sly villain through and through.

"He even tried to kill your clone without mercy, and what happened if you never made it in time or…or the opposite." Sweetie Belle spoke off in almost feeling too sad to continue, if the blow done to Nyx was not fix on time…they lose a friend, and then what?

"Trivuhmm…." Suddenly, there was a clunk noise that made the fillies stop for a moment to look back at Lorcan, who dropped his saber sword. "Frsuvhmmpruvhm…" Afterwards, the very weapon was swallowed by the emerald flames before vanishing…by its wielder's command. Nyx sorta felt something was happening, Lorcan lowered his head down, to which the hood almost covered the expression he showed: sorrow. This puzzled the others of the CMC while Nyx seemed concern as they were not sure what was going to happen here. Then without warning, some background music began to play.

"Wait…this is Kaoru To Misao III, the Full Mix Version!" Nyx spoke off in breaking the fourth wall in recognizing the music, but also earned some odd stares from her pals. "What? I said I got a bit of Pinkie Pie's Fourth Wall Break Thing going on." The black filly stated out to her pals in what was going on with her doing stuff like that.

"I suppose if what you all feel is so strong, then it would be best…" Lorcan spoke with eyes to the ground, tone deputing a bit. "For you to go home, maybe only one life shall be lost for the forest to take." The Dragon teen exclaimed before turning halfway around for his right half to be seen more than the front or back, since his body was still within his own cloak.

"Oh, and whose life is it gonna be lost?" Scootaloo dryly rolled her eyes in seeing this villain was gonna take away a live here after all. And he wants some of them to escape so Lorcan can kill them, question was, which of them?

"None other than…my own." Lorcan spoke deeply to lift his right claw, and gently firmed it into a grip.

"So yew were gonna get us, we knew…wait! Come again?" Apple Bloom was almost about to protest, but then stop for her, even the rest to double look at Lorcan for what he just said.

"Did you say it should be…you?" Sweetie Belle slowly asked a bit taken back, that doesn't sound like what a truly vile villain would do, does it?

"But…why would you do that?" Nyx asked a bit worried, what was Lorcan trying to say to them that he'll lose his life here?

"Because….I have nothing to return to anymore." Lorcan shook his head in sadly stating that for him, even with a life, there is no place for him to return to that which he came.

Now suddenly, the background theme changed as the melody suddenly began to play a sad little beat. A small gust of wind gently blew pass the hooded teen Dragon as the CMC were almost wide and shock to hear Lorcan say such a thing that they themselves, can't believe it's true…even for a villain now a former.

"My father forged me to be something of his, to kill ponies, never wanting me to be something else." Lorcan spoke in a soft voice, but loud enough to be heard by the others. "And when I gain this scar, I changed completely." He gently touched the spot where his scar now lies, a mark his father gave him to which the CMC cringe to learn that. "I've lost my path to the light, fell into darkness, and the chance to live my own way in life." He spoke to let his hand gently fall by his waste as the Dragon teen looked up to see drifting leaves, they almost seem to cover the light above him, splitting him from light & shadow, which fit his character.

The fillies looked to the other in hearing this and their own angry and selfish thoughts on Lorcan was starting to fade now….

"I wasted my ambition to make you all miserable, and even tried to harm my own family when they all turn against me." Lorcan held up both claws to gaze at them, he felt a shaking motion from them before…he throws them down as fist shape. "Even now, while I may be free of the Darkness that bind my heart, what's left for me to go to?" The Dragon under the hood spoke from looking to the CMC, but then sadly looked away. "Everyone is not my friend, I pushed them away, I made myself become nothing more than a monster to their eyes." Hearing this was something that the fillies felt almost shocked to learn what Lorcan has now become…presently. "Maybe like those wolves, I'm only more of a loner, to wither along my path, and fade away to permanently stay in the afterlife." Lorcan speaks from staring at some Timberwolf tracks, moved one foot to almost be like them creatures of the forest, but in a way, he has no one. "No one wants to help a being that has fallen and best left forgotten, like a bad dream." Lorcan states this out with no his back turned to the fillies, announcing that for someone like him, he may just almost be better off…being forgotten by everyone all around.

Now the CMC were really overly come by some emotional feelings. They felt sorrow, sadness, guilt and…loneliness to top it all. Could it be that in a matter of sense, this former Scarred Ruler has now been free of the chains that made him evil, but has nothing to feel good about such a freedom? Lorcan was beginning to walk away with the leaves blowing against his back, almost to say that something is forcing his existence…to leave. But then Lorcan's movement cease from a force that held him and let the breeze of gently leaves pass by him was none other than…the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They held on the Dragon's lower cloak & feet to keep him from leaving; but the question is, why?

"Believe me, we know that feeling." Nyx spoke gently to help ease this cloak teen dragon's pain. "I was almost like that…if not for my friends & those that love me, I be lost too," The black filly spoke from such honesty, when she was Nightmare Moon with the Cult, she wondered between being what they wanted, or someone of which those she's come to trust more like family and friends.

"Lorcan…it looks like…we were wrong." Apple Bloom spoke from a little sorrow in seeing that…this person, they misjudged.

"You really aren't the same as who you once were, are you?" Sweetie Belle spoke from understanding what the girls see, Lorcan's good, but lonely side.

"We just jumped to conclusion and didn't think of your own feelings." Scootaloo spoke with self-doubt in what's happened here was the fillies went and judged to hasty.

"You see, everyone makes mistakes, and that's why we learn from them…to better ourselves." Nyx spoke in trying to bring up something that Lorcan needed to hear. "And if you like, we can say 'thanks for the save' and…we would be honored if you be our friend." The black filly smiled up to the teen Dragon under the cloak and hood, saying something very surprising.

Now it was Lorcan's turn to freeze up from what he's heard, all this time, he's thought the CMC would forever hold their grudge. Yet why was it now that they apologized, when they have all the more reason to hate him?

"You…really mean that? After what I've done to each of you?" Lorcan asked out in feeling almost to stump shocked to believe this was true. The teen Dragon hid his expression while pointing to each of the fillies here. "Try to break your clone's neck, capturing you with my foolish minions trying to harm you?" Those parts were focused on Nyx and Apple Bloom, for they were minim crimes, to the more hasher ones. "And more so physically, clawing your face & deceiving a sister to hurt you by my trickery?" Those last ones were focused on Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, those were far more hurtful events. "I'm sorry for them…ever so much." Then from his eye with the scar, a hidden shred of his tear dropped from feeling self-disgust for the harm he's caused the CMC.

"Well, Ah've learn 'ta git over it an' not let 'dat fearful moment control me." Apple Bloom spoke in trying to help Lorcan see that the problems she had from the Flim-Flam Brothers was pass over.

"And even though you used me and Rarity against each other, our sister bond has grown even stronger." Sweetie Belle spoke to let this guy know that the sisters, with their deep love for each other, has helped to strengthen their love for another.

"And wounds heal over time, so we can move on without holding something as trivial like that down on us." Scootaloo patted Lorcan's cloak in stating how even wounds can heal over, as long as they are not what's tying them down with things from the past.

"In other words Lorcan, not only do I forgive you, but it looks like…your heart asked the rest of us to forgive you to." Nyx tapped her chest in stating something, deep within her own soul in feeling what Lorcan's own heart yearns for. "What you believed to be the real you wasn't to be evil and now we can get along with the part that's your true self. And that way, you'll not be alone, with us as some of your friends and more to come…if you just give others time to open up, little by little." Nyx explained such a deep emotion of thought, saying that Lorcan can be something he was truly meant to be, and in time, have friends to never be lonely again.

This one really hit Lorcan deeply within his emotion as he stared down at the CMC for some brief moment to process this. Could even he, the terror that struck fear and caused unspeakable harmful crimes, can be forgiven? The Dragon's fist tighten for some moments before they…began to loosen and drift on his sides. Suddenly, a little ray of light shined on him, and to Lorcan's wide eyes, felt something from the sun for the first natural moment; warmth. He held his left claw to his chest, and felt something else, a slow beat from his heart, one he hadn't felt since from his mother's passing and asking Spike for forgiveness. Could these be feelings he thought left him, from the moment he was scared?

"I…I…I…" Lorcan was having trouble trying to speak, but from looking down at the fillies’ big eye and innocent smiles, the answer came to him. "Thank you…" Lorcan looked away from them in giving them thanks, but to also make sure, that they never see underneath his hood; two leay tear streams came from both the Dragon's eyes. "For giving me, this chance of redemption." Lorcan could only be so lucky to be given forgiveness by even the littlest, most innocent of ponies of their youth. "Now, let’s go home." After wiping away the evidence of his tears, he turn to look at the smiling CMC in stating that it's time they return home now.

"Frsupvhmm…." Then in a fast motion, a magical blur swooped up the group by Lorcan's will. Then in a vanishing step, they were gone from the scene while only a blur was seen passing through the forest. It was also around here that the background theme ceased it's melody by the quieting echoes of the forest.

-----------------------------------

Suddenly, news was spreading all over Ponyville, about the safe return of the Cutie Mark Crusaders that went missing in the Everfree Forest. Many were worried, since the one who told was Filthy Rich and he even mentioned how Lorcan has return and got his daughter to spill the beans about where she tricked the others to go, including how Lorcan scared her so badly, she's still recovering to say 'she'll change' repetitively. Now outside the Ponyville borders, many of the civilians, including the Mane Six soon saw something appear out of a blur entrance. Then appearing was some familiar being who hid his appearance, even his face under the hood before the ponies which earn gasp that the citizens remembered what happened the last time 'the Dragon villain' came to town. But that was pushed away for he moved away to allow the audience to see that those behind him were none other than…the CMC that were happily fine.

"Yahoooo!" The CMC cheered to race off from Lorcan and made many of the citizens sigh in relief to see the little ponies are back, safe and sound. And that goes double for the family members and close friends of them little group too.

"Apple Bloom, yer're A-okay!" Applejack spoke for joy, as she, Tough, Big Mac and Granny Smith hugged the youngest member of the Apple Family.

"Course sis!" Apple Bloom smiled off all giggly in seeing that she was okay, no questions asked.

"Oh Sweetie Belle, I was nearly traumatized!" Rarity held her own sister when she was near her, almost feeling like she would faint.

"I miss you too, Rarity." Sweetie Belle closed her eyes to let the sisters have their huggy moment.

"Scootaloo, I gotta give you points for your bravery, but even more that you're back home." Rainbow Dash held out her open hoof to let the little Pegasus filly slap it and then she came to give Scootaloo a boggy.

"Sweet! Thanks Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo responded with a wide smirk as she got out of that boggy and shook her head to get her mane right.

"Oh Nyx, I can't believe you did something like this." Twilight came up to Nyx as she held her adoptive daughter close as she, Ben Mare, Spike, and surprisingly a slow Phobos who landed clumsily were there to welcome the black filly back.

"Well how were we suppose to know we got tricked?" Nyx spoke in saying that it was not her fault that she and the others were fooled by Diamond Tiara.

"Just like how Phobos here was foolish to eat bad apples? Speaking of, how you holding out?" Spike pointed beside him of the Moon Dragon and asked how Phobos was feeling now.

"BLURAAAAGH!" And in a weird and oddly seen nutshell, the Moon Dragon turned around with a bag and threw up in it before looking back a bit relieved. "That answer your question?" Phobos remarked to Spike who had a somewhat skeptical look about this.

"Yes-yes! Every CMC is back and there are no worries!" Pinkie Pie cheered with a wide smile in seeing that all was right with their little village.

"And we're thankful to that." Ben Mare nods with a smile in being glad nothing ruined this moment.

"And we owe it all to one person…." Fluttershy smiled to her friends while pointing towards a certain character. "Lorcan!" The yellow Pegasus pony declared out the person being responsible, but....

"LORCAN!" The citizens replied out with wide eye shock in looking before them, seeing the hooded cloak figure was none other than…the Scarred Ruler who was once believed to be dead.

"Um, hi?" Lorcan gave a little wiggle of the claw fingers and had a hidden sheepish expression under the hood, somehow sensing, this might get awkward now.

"Waaaaaughh……" The crowds scream in terror and were running away from the sight to protect themselves from the dangerous villain who has returned from the grave, just like when the last time.

"Wait-wait! You got it all wrong!" Nyx spoke out to leave her family, and soon joined by her CMC pals to form a line between the crowd and Lorcan. "He's no longer our enemy, but our friend." The black filly explained out that the enemy before than is now their friend. "Just like it was stated in the trial!"

"Friend? Him! Ye all pullin' something?" Tough Apple responded out in not believing what he's hearing, that's some bad joke there.

"No wait, it's true!" Cheerliee spoke in speaking on the defense for Lorcan. "I can vouch! Lorcan was asked to pick up the fillies from school and he went to find them." The mare teacher that every pony respects was suddenly puzzled, why would anyone trust such a responsible to someone like Lorcan?

"Plus, I asked him nicely, it was me that had him go through the trouble in the first place." Fluttershy spoke in defense that she was the one that asked Lorcan to perform the task in the first place. "I guess since everyone didn't feel comfy with Lorcan's return and there were trust issues, I wanted to help." The shy Pegasus looked away of the stares focus on her after she explained herself to the crowd.

"You wanted to help Lorcan?" Warpath asked puzzled in what they heard sounded almost crazy.

"But it's true, if not for Lorcan's rescue, we be Timberwolf chow!" Scootaloo stomped her hoof on the ground in declaring the truth of the matter of what danger the fillies were in.

"Timberwolves? Ye all were at their territory?" Applejack yelped up shocked, anypony that's tangled with them never come out unscaled. Of course, the only other pony that was lucky to do so was Granny Smith, years back, etc.

"Yeah, but then Lorcan managed 'ta beat them & their leader an' speak in their language 'ta make a vow not 'ta harm any pony in their territory." Apple Bloom proclaimed out that Lorcan did much to save not just them, but all ponies in Equestria to not be on Timberwolves prey menu.

"Wait! He can talk to Timberwolves? Wow, I wonder if even Fluttershy could have pulled off such a hard task." Pinkie Pie held up her hooves to ask out completely baffled, even she can't believe someone did a task that Fluttershy hasn't been able to do…at least yet.

"We were mean to Lorcan, cause we thought he was gonna hurt us, but…." Sweetie Belle explained out that the little ones did try to fight back if they were endangered, however… "In truth, Lorcan was only misguided in the past." The filly unicorn stated on how Lorcan was only being seen as misjudged by others.

"You all remember on who else were just innocent ponies too, right?" Nyx spoke out in reminding the rest of the citizens about other ponies that were in similar states like Lorcan was. "Princess Luna, me, and even Daddy were those to believe were evil, but we were not, we were just lost and didn't know what to do until we found our light from within the darkness." The black filly gave out such words of encouragement in stating the big picture fact, many that had fallen into darkness to become evil, were turn good and return to the light.

"So you're saying that…even someone like Lorcan was a victim?" Lyra asked in pondering if even the dangerous teen Dragon was safe to have around now.

"That's right, I remember Celestia's speech, but I was there to hear Lorcan's story on what happened." Sweetie Drops nods in recalling that when Princess Celestia told the story about Tadaka and Lorcan, the latter was apparently the innocent victim from his father.

"But while everything that happened, is he…." Caramel was suddenly rubbing the back neck part, thinking too much about the major situation of the last big battle Equestria had until...

"It's fine….it's really alright." Lorcan held up his left claw to speak out gently to the entire gathered ponies to cease this tough debate in question. "Just knowing the CMC are safe and you're pleased with that is enough for me." The teen Dragon hiding his appearance within the cloak stated out. "You don't have to worry of my being staying here, though I will be staying in the castle as per assigned, I'll only be a nightmare to your waking." Then he turned his back to the others as if planning to leave now after just arriving.

The crowds felt somewhat lost and confused by this action. Some even wonder, from all the times they saw Lorcan's acts of evil, this time around, there wasn't much of it. This act even got most of the others from the Mane Six in almost feeling a sense of guilt, fighting the urge to either be mad or forgive Lorcan was a tough thing in their minds and their hearts.

"I'll take my leave and let you all get back to your lives…" Lorcan spoke this out with his head not looking back, but he did tilt his neck around, for his eyes to look back with….no evil to express. "But for a little bit, I'm kinda glad to know that…I'm not all alone. I have….little friends…that helped me out too." Lorcan spoke from feeling a small smile come across his face when he actually said that with a little relief to his heavy stress.

The CMC smiled to hear this and almost wish there was a way to get the teen Dragon some help, but when Lorcan was almost gonna leave outside the doors...

"Wait!" A voice cried out and then who showed zoomed up before Lorcan than…Rainbow Dash! "Look here, as a representative on being cool and awesome, I can't allow this!" Rainbow Dash sternly proclaimed that this act is something she'll not accept.

"What can't you allow?" Lorcan asked with a raised eyebrow, what was this pony getting to?

"The fact you try to act tough on the outside, when you're suffering on the inside without letting others help you out." Rainbow Dash pointed out to tell Lorcan that what he's trying to hide is not good, and needs help. "That's not being cool, that's just being a fool! I should know, I've learned that lesson to ask for help, no matter how it ruins an image." The dare-devil pony exclaimed with a cool smile in saying that asking for help isn't all that bad, and one should not hid it away so others don't think differently of that person; even if that someone is Lorcan.

"Dashie's right!" Pinkie Pie spoke out in joining this discussion with a new smile on her face. "Why, if any of us thought of it, we could have seen that you were just a lost victim of tragedy!" The pink pony exclaimed in thinking the one major thing they never saw was just a lonely person crying for help and was never understood until now.

"Well I'm free of what made me evil and you ponies should just pretend I no longer matter." Lorcan nods his head in feeling that while these ponies spoke kind words to the former villain, it's still better they not get too attached to him. "After all, I carry my sins to bear of all I did, I understand everyone's feelings for me to not endanger them." The teen Dragon looked away in feeling that he may as well know by now, everyone will still see him as a threat then an ally, despite having the fewest of friends.

"Lorcan, you don't have to feel like baring all of that weight, that's what friends and family are there for." Fluttershy spoke to approach the lonesome Dragon teen, trying to bring comfort with a smile.

"What?" Lorcan froze from hearing this, what was Fluttershy trying to say now?

"Shoot, darn tooting', if any of us went 'ta get the fillies fro' school, they be goners." Applejack nods with appreciation, seeing that if it been anyone but Lorcan, the fillies would not be here today.

"Fluttershy learned to accept you for your new change to good, if that's the case, we all should." Rarity nods in humble agreement, it was wrong to keep Lorcan out from wanting to be a good person, they should embrace it.

"But does everyone else feel the same, I doubt…." Lorcan looked away, partly distracted that not all share the same vision.

"Aww quiet you’re whining, shorty!" Phobos snapped off to say in cutting off Lorcan and his little whiny tone.

"Huuuagh…." The crowds gasped in surprise, and that was from what Phobos just said. One, saying that the Dragon teen was whiny, and two, he was calling the cloaked Dragon short. Everyone knows Lorcan hates to be called that; that took some guts to say.

"Phobos?" Nyx sternly spoke to her friend for being rude and would almost scold him, but….

"No, lemma speak!" Phobos held up a claw to have Nyx give him this chance to continue to speak his own mind. "Look, I get the part of your rough life, you think I didn't suffer the same! That anyone here didn't handle some tough times while growing up!" Phobos pointed to about himself and everyone in Ponyville, stating how even they have gone through tough times almost similar to what Lorcan described.

Now the crowds grew silent, Phobos spoke true, each of them dealt with a tough matter and much made mistakes. Who's to say they would not have ended up being the bad guy if they were not straighten up to be more in the light than become swallowed by the darkness of evil.

"If you're gonna change, then fine, do it! But don't keep doubting that everyone won't like you if you don't like yourself!" Phobos finished off his end of the discussion in saying that Lorcan should give himself some trust before he wants anything from the others to trust him back.

"You know, I agree!" Ben Mare suddenly spoke in feeling a bit inspired from what Phobos has gone and said.

"Ben?" Twilight responded a bit shocked to see this, Ben Mare was siding and aiding to help Lorcan, of all people?

"Lorcan, I may have had some angry problems with you, but if folks can forgive me for the misdeeds I've done as the Demon Pony…" Ben Mare pointed to state on how he's done bad things when under the influence of being the Demon Pony before adding this in the pot. "Then maybe it's time we buried the hatchet of the evil Scarred Ruler, and learn to be friends…with you." The stallion spoke with a more positive smile on his face and helped to brighten the mood of the other crowds.

"Yeah! What Celestia's son said," A random citizen responded out in agreeing from what Ben Mare has stated.

"I'm all for it!" DJ Pon-3 held up a hoof in wanting to go along with this to.

"The guy's learned his lesson." Octavia nods in feeling the decision has made some feel like they all agree.

"Rough life, we all know it!"Derpy responded off in thinking how everyone here has been through that.

"Yeah Lorcan, you don't have to be lonely." Feathermay nods with a smile, stating the Dragon in the cloak and hiding under the hood, doesn't have to be lonely anymore now.

Lorcan was pretty much looking around, and couldn't believe this even a tiny bit. The citizens were making a mob, and were…chatting for the Dragon to not go, be their friend, and learn to forgive himself and move on in life. The former villain, known as the Scarred Ruler looked all over, and could almost feeling new emotions entering his very veins, connecting to his heart. All this time, he's been learning to hate ponies for their weakness to Dragons, but now…it seems that being their friend is far stronger than not having them at all.

"Then…if you all can forgive me…for all my troubles, I'll make amends some more." Lorcan held his right claw to grip near his heart, as he smiled under his hood while some invisible tear droplet escaped his left eye. "By helping all that I can, and to those I consider…friends." The teen Dragon exclaimed off in what he'll do now to be a better aid to those around him.

"Yeeaaaaahhhh!" The crowds cheer to hear the news, and many of them were gathering around their new friend and former enemy; Lorcan.

"Let's hear it for Lorcan's new turn of leaf on live!" Derpy came up to hug Lorcan in what could almost be described as a 'bear hug' by strength of this pony's joy for the teen Dragon.

"Come here yew!" Applejack came near Lorcan ate the hug to give him a noogy on the head which was playful, even if the teen Dragon kept his hood on during that process.

"Thank you darlin'!" Rarity came up next, and surprisingly, gave a little kiss peak on the guy's cheek to for saying 'thanks', from saving her sister.

"I um…ugh…" Lorcan was almost too flabbergasted in what happened as he luckily hid a little blush on his cheeks with his hood over him.

"Hehn, you think you be speechless if maybe Luna gave ya a kiss?" Phobos spoke off with a sly teasy remark in who Lorcan rather blush a kiss from, the Princess of the Moon.

"Don't even try to start that again!" Lorcan snapped lightly at the moon dragon by standing over Phobos, the last thing he wants is to have this discussion now of all times.

The crowds laughed with joy from seeing this display take form. However, while everyone else was having a fun time, Twilight was still distant from the crowd, with only Spike by her side. Both seem to share a feeling of 'doubtful trust' about Lorcan being here.

"Well this is certainly something I never thought happen, turn our enemy into our friend." Twilight Sparkle shook her head in feeling almost bizzard out by the end result of a former major enemy.

"What about you Twilight, do you trust him?" Spike asked Twilight in being puzzled if the mare was going to now trust Lorcan now.

"A part of me still holds distrust for him Spike, even if he is changed? What about you for your brother?" Twilight shook her head in having some distance with trusting Lorcan, but wondered about Spike trusting his older brother.

"As of right now, not sure. I mean, I thought when he died, I finally understood him." Spike shrug off his shoulders in feeling that he really doesn't know what he should be doing now. "But learning he was alive and kept himself hidden, kinda makes me not know if I can truly trust him…as a brother?" The baby Dragon admits that if Lorcan never truly died, why did he remain hidden until now of present time…could he not have trust his little brother with such a secret?

"So…what does that leave you and him?" Twilight asked from being a bit curious in where this might lead the Dragon brothers.

"For now, our brother-relationship is kinda unbalanced." Spike shrug off his shoulders in feeling that for right now, the situation of the brothers is in need of fixing. "But, maybe despite all that, until it gets fixed, he and I'll probably be friends at the very least." Spike mentioned off to say that for the most part, the Dragon siblings will still be friends, the brother tiding will recover in due time, maybe.

"Wow, you feel like the trust of brothers is damaged, yet you still want the two of you to be friends?" Twilight Sparkle asked with a raised eyebrow in not believing what she is hearing right now, that's some resolvement from Spike here.

"It's confusing to admit, but….Lorcan's gone through a lot, maybe overtime…..we might be more of a family when our lost bond is fix." Spike shrug off to feel a bit of their family needs some time to regrow what was shattered, the baby Dragon has a new connection with King Spykoran, his grandfather, now it's time to regrow an old bound with his brother. Lorcan.

"Huuuagh, I sure wish I had your way of thinking Spike." Twilight sighs to look back at Lorcan getting a bit over-crowded by ponies that were laughing, and in some weird sense, he crack a little smile to not be seen like he was having; fun. It might be that the mare with the smarts might be the only one that might not give Lorcan much a chance, and may wonder….if she…or even her family like Shining Armor & the rest in Canterlot will approve of Lorcan being back and being a changed being. Time will tell, and that's always a strange event that's left mysterious.

Looks like things here of Lorcan's new change is slowly turning Ponyville around. Though some had their doubts at times, but when Diamond Tiara recovered enough that the CMC saw her, the snobby filly was actually, get this 'NICE' to the blank flanks in that group. She looked still somewhat like a few twitch reactions, but she seem to be wanting to be much kinder. Many have heard of this filly saying she change, and from Lorcan's doing, ended up making other ponies think if he could do such the 'impossible' to make Diamond Tiara nicer, then maybe that teen Dragon has become good. And while Lorcan and Spike's relationship with being brothers was still in repair, they were still on some friendly terms, even if the latter had some trust questions for the former on being true and not hiding anything else from him? Twilight Sparkle, despite her friends, her family, and those that have decided to give Lorcan a second chance in life, the mare was still holding old memories of Starlight, her little brother, and the day he was killed…by the teen Dragon. True, Lorcan was manipulated to be such a villain, but it's hard to really let go of the past to live a better life for the future. So as it stands firm, things with Lorcan in ponies peaceful lives is going to be one 'heck' of a major improvement to handy, on many accounts.

Warpath looks disbelief as Blade chuckles, "You see, brother. I told you Lorcan didn't do anything wrong. And even our nephew spoke the truth."

"Indeed. Lorcan did well in saving lives." Dragonspear said, proud of what Lorcan has done to save the CMC. "This should prove that he can be trusted."

Warpath groaned, "Fine... I admitted. It was wrong for me to judge. That doesn't mean I can go soft on that runt."

"I'm afraid. Warpath is right. This is merely the beginning." Intellect said seriously, suspecting that it's not truly over.

"Yes... I understand... I have hope that the Equestrian Ponies give Lorcan a chance, as do Princess Twilight. When that happens, we have nothing to worry about anymore." Virtue said. He knows most of the Equestrian Ponies here gives Lorcan a chance. The question is, how long?

-----------------------

"How could this have happen?! Why now?! This is unacceptable! I won't allow it!" Drago exclaims in rage. He got reports of what happened and the villain isn't pleased. He was hoping that when the Timberwolves tear those CMC apart, Lorcan would take the blame for it!

The Demon Lords' but Tso Lan and Shendu grunt in agreement and anger. Shendu spoke to Jast, "I presume this was merely the beginning?"

"Yes, my lord. I decide to give Lorcan a chance to win ponies' trust for once." Jast explains, giving out a cruel smile. "And once the trust is gained, we will break and shattered it. It will fulfill our plans."

"So, you're saying that you wanted Lorcan to be trusted?" Cann ask, scoffing a plan that even he finds stupid. "Yeah, right. Like that plan is gonna work."

"Jast is right." Sec spoke, making everyone turned to him. "This plan will work. And once it happens, we can finally fulfill our destiny as well as the Demon Lords'."

"Indeed... This is perfect. This is something I should have done when they came to the End of Equestria." Shendu said sinisterly. If he had done this before, Twilight and her pony friends wouldn't believe alive now.

"Agreed. Proceed to the next plan." Tso Lan demands. "Let us see if Jast's plan works or not. And more importantly, how long the trust Twilight can give to Lorcan?"
> Chapter 5: Wrongful Blame
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5: Wrongful Blame


Time has passed since Lorcan has come to stay in Ponyville, and things are getting better. Most of the town is now trusting the former villain who has shown indeed that he has changed his ways, even helping out and not wanting to rip a pony's throat out.

Of course, although most of the Mane Six now trust their former enemy, they are concerned about Twilight who had yet to show trust. There has been some bad spots. One time, during the time when the Everfree Forest tried to destroy ponies' home when a nearby construction of a theme park threatened to destroy the home of the deer living in the forest, Lorcan ends up almost ruining things by making smart ass remarks, especially towards the deer and Twilight, who is close to blasting him for each time.

The second time is when Spike suggested that Lorcan shares the last name of the family as an adoption...something that Twilight wasn't keen with at all. But after some convincing (so to speak), the Princess of Friendship agrees to let Lorcan have the last name of Sparkle...for now.

At this moment, the gang are preparing for the Friendship Reunion Holiday, in which the Mane Six would get together and hang out since it has been years since they first got together. As things are getting ready, Ben decided to show something to his pal Lorcan.

"This here's Nightclaw, my brand new Fury Dragon that I received as a gift from Wild Maniac, who taught me the ropes of Wild Winter Wrap-Up and Dragon riding." Ben said motioning to Nightclaw who is rolling around nearby in a field.

Nightclaw roars as he sniffs Lorcan, then licks him a bit.

"Gah! I've been poisoned!" Lorcan jokes a bit, making Ben laughs.

"He likes you! I'm guessing he can sense you had change too, otherwise Nightclaw would've tore you to pieces." Ben remarks to Lorcan with a chuckle.

"Yeah, thanks for the kind words, Benjamin. Okay, big guy, back off."

Nightclaw roars as he heads off to get some food for himself. Lorcan grunts as he got back up, sighing. At least it's good to know that there's one Dragon who wasn't a part of his army who wants nothing to do with him.

Lorcan smiles a bit then spoke up to Ben, "Hmph, I see we have something in common."

"What's that?" Ben ask Lorcan, wondering what he means by that.

"We both have scars." Lorcan explains, nodding to the scar on Ben's chest from his fight with Fafnir, which he looks down at.

There is a flashback to Rainbow Rocks Remake when the gang returns from the human world. The Mane Six notice a bandage on Ben's chest.

"Hey, what happened to your chest, Ben?" Rainbow ask, pondering as to what happened.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

We cut back to the present as the flashback was interrupted by Twilight who is giving an annoyed look at Lorcan who groans in irritating. The flashback was getting good too!

"Relax, Twilight. I was showing Nightclaw to Lorcan." Ben assures Twilight with a smile as she came over, glaring at the "enemy". "Also, I was going to tell him about my scar..."

"What? So he can give you another?" Twilight ask Ben dryly.

"Twilight!"

"And if I were you, I keep Nightclaw away from him! No telling if Lorcan would try to enlist him into something dangerous. That would've been a wrong choice I would rather not go near!"

"Oh really, then if that was the case, then was your choice in helping your daughter change to be good a wrong choice too?" Lorcan asked to rhetorically remind Twilight of how she met with Nightmare Moon's reincarnation that time.

"I don't know! But she was a child, what was I supposed to do?" Twilight snapped off in almost about to lose her patience.

"Sure, that's real useful." Lorcan laughed off remotely in seeing such a weak comeback from his brother's mother/sister/friend.

"You know, this isn't the way for you to be nice to your caretaker, if you can still call me that!"

"I'm sorry, you have given me no reason to even be nice to you! You used me, enslaved me and I have had it! Screw what Celestia says! You are hopeless!"

"Lorcan, Lorcan. Please go inside, okay?" Ben requests to Lorcan. The Dragon should go inside before he ends up making the whole matter worst. The former tyrant grunts as he does so. While he leaves, Ben sighs as he turns to Twilight, "Twilight? I don't understand you. Why are you doing this to Lorcan?"

"You know why! I can't keep my guard down around him." Twilight snaps in frustration to Ben.

"So far, mostly everypony around here believes him to be trustworthy."

"Well, what if I was right, huh? What if all of it was Lorcan's act?"

"Twilight...Detective Dan has proven beyond a doubt that he was controlled by Tadaka years ago...perhaps, just give him another chance." Ben explains to Twilight. The Alicorn shake her head, groaning a bit in sadness. "Is this about Starlight?"

"Oh, never mind. I don't want my friendship reunion with my friends to be ruined because of this!" Twilight growls as she flew back into the castle, not wanting to go into this further.

Ben sighs sadly as he shakes his head. What is it going to take?

-------------------

Lorcan groans as he throws a ball around the room. Unbelievable! All this time and Twilight still won't give him a chance! What is it going to take? Does some monster has to attack Ponyville for her to get it through her thick skull?! He told Celestia that this was a bad idea!

Lorcan saw Spike and Nyx coming into the room. He roll his eyes while asking Spike sarcastically, "So, Spike... Anything else your 'mother' want to torture me with?"

"Would you relax? Twilight's not up to something again. And trust me. You're not doing anything." Spike assures his brother, insisting that there isn't anything wrong. "You're joining with our Friendship Reunion."

"Yeah." Nyx chirps in agreement. It will be fun!

"In case, if you guys have forgotten... I can't! You both are not allowed to go near me." Lorcan reminds Spike and Nyx with a sigh. After his outbursts that almost got King Aspen to end any chances of fixing the problem with the Everfree Forest as well as the theme park building, Twilight forbids Spike and Nyx from going anywhere near him.

"No worries. Just leave the talking to me and Nyx." Spike said to Lorcan with a smirk.

"Yeah, she would understand." Nyx said to Lorcan in agreement.

"Yeah... Like how you guys tried to kill her when you're both turned into monsters?" Lorcan ask sarcastically. He yelped. That doesn’t sound like a good thing to say! "Er... No Offense."

Spike and Nyx said at once, "None taken..."

Spike sighs as he sat on his lower bunk, "I guess this is how you felt when you being controlled by Grimmore."

"Spike... I was working under the Demon Lords, not the Demon God." Lorcan groans as he put his things away, annoyed that monster that tried to kill him was mentioned in this conversion. "After my dad died, I work under Drago for revenge and war. But I suddenly got controlled by Grimmore to betray the Demon Lords and wage a war against the ponies. He just want to make everyone miserable. And boy, I really hate that god making mess of it."

"In truth, Lorcan... Billy was upset and angry about what VISION-KING did that others liked a lot, but he didn't for his own reasons. It caused too much arguments from the past to now, and how you should do after your war. I honestly feel sorry for you a lot. Not only because of your deeds, but your character had some trouble in where it leads you since Lorcan's Wrath." Nyx said, breaking the fourth wall much to his disbelief.

"Is she always like that?"

"Just ignore her." Spike advises his brother as to not worry about it for now. "Come on. Let's see what the Cutie Mark Crusaders are up to. Hopefully, it's good and safe."

"Spike, just relax. It's not gonna be like the Gabby Gum Problem or Twilight Time." Nyx assures her brother/uncle that her friends won't be up to anything bad like what happened those mentioned two times. After all, they meant no harm, right?

"That's what I'm worried about."

"What I'm worried the most is your spoiled mother." Lorcan said with a groan, concerned as to what Twilight would do to him next time.

Spike whacked Lorcan on the back of the head, scowling, "Watch it, Lorcan! That's my mother you're talking about!"

----------------

Twilight sighs as she finished packing things up. She can't believe how things went bad this morning. Half of her wishes to forgive Lorcan...but the rest wants him buried in the dirt for what he did! Why can't Twilight just forgive Lorcan already?

"Good morning, Princess Twilight. I hope you're having a good morning." Virtue said as he came into the room, grinning to the princess.

Twilight sighed, "If you're talking about giving a chance to Lorcan, I'm still doubting. Anyway, I'm going to see my friends. I want to have some discussion." The princess turned and found Lorcan near Spike and Nyx much to her annoyance and disbelief. "What did I told you two not to go close to him?!"

"Come on, Twi. Lorcan saves them. Can't you acknowledge that?" Spike ask, reminding Twilight of how Lorcan had saved the CMC from the Timberwolves.

"Besides, if Silverlay is here, you would have given her a chance." Nyx adds suddenly.

"Who's that?" Lorcan ask puzzled. He has never heard of this "Silverlay" until it was brought up now.

"It's my imaginary 'sister-like friend'. That was before his birth." Twilight explains with a sigh, recalling Silverlay. Boy, what great times she had! "I've always wanted to have a sister. But Starlight and I make an imaginary sister to play with. But you do have a point, Nyx. I'll give him a chance."

"That's good. And by the way, I would like you to meet my other son." Virtue said suddenly.

"Son?" Most of the group ask surprised upon hearing that.

"You got a kid?" Lorcan ask Virtue in amusement.

"This is my youngest son: Kindy Dragon." Virtue said as he motions to a pony who came over, standing near his father.

A young greenish Unicorn Kindy Dragon with a black Mane in a bun and short tail but also without his Cutie Mark bowed as he said, "Greetings. I am honored to meet you."

"Oh wow." Nyx said with a smile. "He looks almost to be around my age...unless he's older than that."

"Tell me about it!" Spike exclaims, whistling in impress.

"I would be honored to join with you. I would keep an eye on you and your progress of forgiving Lorcan." Virtue requests to Twilight. Hopefully by the time it's over, the Princess of Friendship will finally put this grudge fest with Lorcan to rest.

"Trust me, Lord Virtue. I don't think I can forgive him." Twilight groans as she shakes her head in doubt. If the princess hasn't forgave Lorcan before, why would she now?

"You will. Trust me... You will."

-----------------------

The Mane Six, their friends and families decided to have the Friendship Reunion Holiday at the park. Twilight and her friends does this ever since they became friends.

Lorcan groaned as he spotted ponies glaring at him. There were some who were still suspicious of him. After they were gone, Lorcan took his hood off, ignoring the looks when he looked like a teenage Dragon. He groaned, "Thank Celestia! Has Pinkie ever heard of turning the heating off!"

The reason Lorcan said this? Pinkie brought her traveling oven with her and boy, was it hot!

"Doesn't the change bother you every time you take the hood down?" Spike asked Lorcan in concern. 

"Got used to it...wish I didn't have to wear this thing." Lorcan sighed, panting a bit.

"Pinkie, turn the oven off." Ben advised to Pinkie. "You're making Lorcan sweat."

"Oh, right, sorry bout that." Pinkie said, apologizing for her oven causing problems as she turned it off.

"All right, thanks." Lorcan sighed a bit.

"So princess, how shall one does this?" Virtue asked Twilight curiously.

"Well, normally my friends and I do an activity while the foals play their own." Twilight explained calmly to Virtue, ignoring Lorcan for a moment.

"Speaking of which, Lorcan, can you foalsit Nyx and Spike for that?" Ben asked Lorcan. He wanted him to keep an eye on Nyx and Spike for their activities with their friends.

"Foalsitting Nyx and Spike? Look, Ben, I never looked after any-" Lorcan began to speak in concern but Ben held up a hoof, interrupting him.

"Please?" Ben asked Lorcan kindly.

Lorcan grunted as he headed off to where the foals were playing.

"Lorcan is doing all so well." Fluttershy said kindly. "I wanted what else we can do for him."

"Maybe we should take Lorcan to the Freddy Faz..." Pinkie said about to bring up an idea when a certain Pegasus pony flew in, looking horrified.

"NOOOOOOOOO!" Rainbow yelled out frantically. 

"What?" Pinkie asked, startled. What just happened here? 

"Let's not beat around the bush, okay?" Rainbow suggested, ignoring the puzzled looks from the others.

"Hmmm, let's see what the other foals are doing." Virtue said thoughtfully. "Maybe Lorcan is showing them...something fun."

Twilight looked irritated that she had to check in on her 'ward', so early but she grudgingly agreed on doing so as the gang got over to some bushes to watch.

Sure enough, there's Lorcan speaking with the foals. He smirked while giving feathers to them. What was he up to?

"Let's play a game...of...TICKLE TORTURE!" Lorcan exclaimed with a chuckle.

"And how do you play it?" Dinky asked Lorcan curiously.

"Simple. I run and you try to tickle me." Lorcan suggested playfully. "The foal who catches me wins."

"That sounds like fun!" Sweetie exclaimed happily.

"GET HIM!" Spike laughed.

The foals and Spike chased Lorcan who ran off, laughing devilishly. He decided not to use his powers for this. Don't want to cheat.

"That game sounds so much fun." Kindy Dragon said with a smile.

"I know!" Pinkie giggled happily. Twilight looked hesitant. It sounded like fun...right?

"PILE ON, LORCAN!" Nyx squeals as she and her friends jump on Lorcan, piling onto him.

"GAAH!!" Lorcan screamed before he found himself being tickled by the kids.

"Tickle, tickle, tickle!" The CMC giggled a bit while tickling Lorcan.

"Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle!" Nyx giggled as she and the rest tickled Lorcan with their feathers.

"Oh, help, help! I am being tortured by little foals!" Lorcan exclaimed with a laugh.

Just then, Lorcan, Spike and the foals stopped as they saw the grownups arriving at the scene, Twilight gave a skeptic look at this.

"Having fun?" Rarity asked the group curiously.

Lorcan gave out a devilish and mischievous smirk then exclaimed, "Pile on the princess and friends!"

"GET 'EM, GUYS!" Apple Bloom yelled with a grin.

Then the CMC and Spike all pounced on Twilight and her friends, who screamed as they fell to the ground, assaulted by the foals. Twilight ended up being knocked down by Nyx and Spike, while the main members of the CMC tickles their sisters/adopted sister respectively.

"Hey, stop, come on!" Rainbow laughs as Scootaloo tickles her.

"Sweetie! Hee hee he!" Rarity giggles happily as Sweetie tickles her with feathers.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack giggles a bit as Apple Bloom tickles her while giggling herself.

"Tickle, tickle on mommy!" Nyx giggles as she tickles her adopted mother with Spike helping.

Lorcan grinned as he got back up, watching the tickle fest. Even Twilight found herself unable to keep from laughing.

"Nyx, Spike-- Ha ha ha ha ha!" Twilight laughed as she was tickled, "St-Stop it!"

"Oh no!" Lorcan taunted as he jumped in to tickle Twilight as well. "Dragons and ponies are enemies again! Ha ha ha!"

Twilight pushed Lorcan off, glaring at him. For a moment, everyone else began to get worried...then she smirked and used her magic to grab a feather, tickling him, too.

"A feather for a feather!" Twilight laughed.

"N-No! Stop!" Lorcan laughed uncontrollably as the purple Alicorn tickled him.

Virtue chuckled a bit. Looks like Twilight could finally be warming up to him!

Lorcan got away as he then took out a football from his cloak. The former Scarred Ruler spoke, "Who wants to play Mud Football?"

"Mud Football?" Rarity asked Lorcan confused.

Lorcan smirked as he fired a single shot into a cloud. Soon, it began to rain, causing mud to be formed on the ground.

"Hoo, doggies. We better git indoors." Applejack said in concern.

The foals and Dragon however just blew raspberries at the ponies. Phobos taunted playfully, "This is Mud Football. You gotta get us!"

"Come on, what, you scared?" Twist taunted at the grownup ponies eagerly.

"Oh, is it so on!" Rarity giggled happily.

"MUD FOOTBALL!" Pinkie exclaimed in a football uniform. "WHOOOOO!!!"

"Well, honey? Want to get them?" Ben asked Twilight with an eager grin.

"Like they say... PLAY BALL!!" Twilight called out with a playful grin.

The foals and adults laughs as they play a game of mud football. Often, Rainbow would grab the ball and would get a touchdown. The magic users didn't use their magic so that everyone could be equal. And despite all the mud, the ponies don't mind getting themselves dirty as they tackled one another, trying to get the ball. They had a lot of fun.

When they do get inside, Lorcan showed the ponies a new activity: a game of pinball. Or in this case, putting someone in a moving trash can and bounce around the walls.

The ponies and Dragon cheered as Pinkie laughed, riding in the barrel, playing pinball, "Boing! Boing! Boing! Getting a billion points! Got an extra ball!"

"Yippee! This is fun!" Nyx exclaimed happily.

As time passed, Twilight's hatred and anger for Lorcan slowly depleted as she shown her calm and gentle smile. Ben noticed this and grinned.

"So, looks like the Princess of Friendship is showing her true colors." Ben said to Twilight thoughtfully.

"Yeah." Twilight said with a nod as she watched Lorcan throwing a pie at Rarity. Despite this, she laughed a bit.

"I suppose now you can finally forgive." Ben said to Lorcan hopefully.

"Well...maybe." Twilight said thoughtfully while smiling. "Perhaps...I was wrong and the rest of you were right. Starlight would want me to forgive."

"Of course he would, Mommy." Nyx assured Twilight.

"And I would also, Twilight." A female voice said. Twilight gasped in shock and delight, recognizing the voice.

"Could it be?" Twilight ask as she recognizes whom the voice is.

She and her family turned and saw the source of the voice; a blue unicorn who looks just like Twilight when she was a unicorn, except her mane colors were periwinkle and ghost white, her eye color was dark grey and her cur color was dark blue. She also had three white freckles between her eyes.

"Hello, Twilight." The unicorn said with a smile.

"Silverlay!" Twilight exclaimed excitedly before she ran up to her and the two hugged and nuzzled each other happily.

"I thought you made her up." Nyx said, confused to see her.

Well, she did...but I managed to conjure her up in existence." Twilight explained to Nyx happily.
"Glad to see you again." Silverlay said with a grin. "I agree that you should do the right thing and forgive Lorcan. After all, he haven't done anything cruel and..."

"Silverlay, I get it. I think you're right." Twilight said with a smile. "I think we will head up to the princesses' former home. It's time we put an end to this once and for all."

"I agree." Silverlay said with a nod, "After all, I'm really glad to be your sister."

"And I'm glad to be your niece." Nyx said with a happy giggle, nuzzling Silverlay playfully.

-------------------

At the Ruins of the Royal Sisters' castle, Twilight and her friends have gathered at the area. They looked at the castle, discussing the activities of today.

"I love the game of pinball! Woo-hooo!" Pinkie exclaimed happily as she spun around. "I want to do it again!"

"An' wrestling wit' de' Dragon...priceless." Applejack remarked with a light chuckle.

"And the Mud Football? Well, I hate getting dirty...but going down is worth is." Rarity said, smirking happily at the activity involving playing football in the rain.

"It was...nice." Fluttershy said politely.

"At least the Everfree Forest was calmer since the last time we were here." Rainbow commented, glancing at the forest. "Now it won't be trying to destroy Equestria thanks to deer magic."

"Deer goodness, let it not be true." Ben taunted, making everyone laughed.

Twilight chuckled, she gave a smile while speaking, "You know... Lorcan, I'm ready to forgive you." 

"Really? I hardly notice that. Don't try to pull my leg." Lorcan said in concern. He hoped Twilight wasn't joking about that. 

"I'm serious." Twilight said making everyone look at her. Is it true? Is she finally…going to forgive? "I guess... you really change for the better. After all, it's one thing I learn from my adventure: when enemy did something good, they were given a second chance. If I know Starlight, he wouldn't want me to go down the path. 

Lorcan sighed, "Thanks, Twilight." Looks like everything was finally going for the best for him. 

That is until Twilight and her friends heard menacing and malicious laughing across the area. They looked around of their surroundings. They found more Eight members of the Shadow Demon Tribe, Dragon Raiders, Dragon Minions and Draconian Cult Army who had surrounded them including Drago and his gang. 

"Draco!" Twilight shouted angrily.

"...Sec. Head of the Draconican Cult...." Lorcan growled, recognizing one of them though quietly under his breath.

"Who are you creeps?!" Spike demanded, glancing at the rest of the Dragons. "I know Drago and his goons but..."

Drago chuckled cruelly as he spoke up, “It looks like we cornered the rats to their edge. We've got them right where we wanted them.” 

"Indeed. And we couldn't have done without someone from inside." Jast said, making most of the heroes gasps. To them, it sounded like they were betrayed! But by who? 

They chuckled in agreement, "Good one. A spy help us to lure them here! Good one!" 

"And to think... They really believe in him. Yeah, right. These ponies have the right to suspect him from the start." Cann said with a cruel smile. Most of the gang, especially Twilight, looked suspicious. Who betrayed them? 

"Who are you talking?" Virtue demands sternly to the enemy. "We demand to know who!"

"Lorcan, you did well to bring the first princess here for us to finish. We are honored." Sec said to Lorcan slyly.

Shocked and angered at this, Twilight glared at Lorcan as she shouted, "You!"

"I knew it! I knew that dirty little Dragon is up to something! I was right from the start!" Wartpath exclaimed furiously. He can't believe that he was starting to go soft on that little traitor!

"No! I didn't plan with this!" Lorcan exclaimed frantically. Most of the group believed this...but Twilight and Warpath were the only ones who don't. "I left Drago where he was before I start my war! I never contact my general Sec since he died."

Drago just chuckled cruelly, "Oh, Lorcan... Always good in lying. We're so glad to have you on our side. Demon Warriors, attack! Kill them all!" Then the Demon Warriors lunged towards the heroes.

"Stand back!" Ben exclaimed as he quickly fired a Light Arrow to the ground. It flashed, causing the attackers to yelp while getting blinded.

The group quickly rushed off, making their getaway. Lorcan sent out flames at the Dragons in hopes to get them away. Twilight and Warpath did not look back or even want to. As far as they're concerned, Lorcan was one of them now!

"You're not Dragons...your vessels for my father's soul." Lorcan said to the Dragon minions sternly.

"We are the Draconian Cult!" One Dragon exclaimed madly.

"Taking my last name, eh?" Lorcan asked in amusement. "Ok...let me show ya how a Draconian really works..."

Suddenly, MC Cobra backhanded him, knocking the Dragon unconscious. The Dragons piled on him quickly.

Spike gasped as he tried to rush in, but Twilight used her magic to keep him still. The Dragon protested, "Twilight, let me help him!"

"No! He murdered my brother and betrayed us!" Twilight snapped angrily. "If he goes with his father's cult, good riddance! And as Princess, I order you not to aid him! Not you or the Elements!"

"But Twilight, he'll get killed or kidnapped!" Applejack cried.

"I don't care! He's better off where he is; with the villains!" Twilight yelled harshly. "The way I see it, he's nothing but a Mudblood!"

The Mane Six’s group kept on fighting off their attackers, but soon, they ended up falling to the bottom of the ravine nearby. They got up just in time to see Drago and the attackers sliding down the slope after them. 

"We got them! Kill them!" laughed Drago madly as they all reach the bottom as well. The cult begin their attack on the ponies' group once more, resulting in them making a run for it down the canyon, with their enemies still in pursuit. Dragon continued to yell out, "Use your training to kill as a unit well!" 

The Mane Six’s group kept on running until they stopped at a wall. The gang turned and saw the followers closing in on them. They are trapped. This seemed like the end to them. Twilight and her friends jumped up in an attempt to climb the walls but they were too steep. They then saw some logs piled up nearby and began to climb them (with the Pegasi flying). As they continued to climb up the logs, Twilight looked up and frowned. Lorcan was on the ledge above him looking concerned for everyone, the former villain woke up a few seconds and came here in hopes to convince Twilight of the truth. 

"Lorcan, you got them! Kill them now and fulfill the prophecy of the chosen one!" roared Drago eagerly. 

Yep, that's enough to convince Twilight that Lorcan had turned traitor. Twilight exclaimed, "Everyone, hang on!"

The others with Twilight hung as she prepared a spell. Lorcan was about to do so but Twilight quickly teleported herself and the others off the scene. The magic impact caused the logs to go falling down. The evil Dragons yelped as they quickly ran to avoid being piled on! 

"Oh, great." Lorcan groaned a bit, shaking his head as he left the scene. Things just got complicated. What now?

Drago shakes his head as his minions recover. He yells out, "Idiots! We almost got them!"

"Doesn't matter." Sec said with a cruel smile. "Things are going well according to plan..."

-------------------

The skies has cleared up as every pony is preparing to close up shop...but without warning, a flash appears, startling everyone. They gasp upon seeing Twilight's group exhausted and almost hurt. Spike and the CMC yelp in pain due to scratches they have gotten during the escape.

"Princess! Oh dear!" Mayor Mare exclaims in worry and concern for the Princess of Friendship.

"Twilight, what happened?" Flash ask Twilight as she and Sunset gallops on over.

"We were attacked at the castle by Drago and his goons, along with a cult of Dragons." Virtue explains to Flash in concern. "We..."

"It was Lorcan! That traitor betrayed us, he's a liar!" Twilight exclaims furiously.

Everyone on the scene gasps in shock and disbelief. Lorcan has betrayed Twilight and her friends?!

--------------------

The Demon Lords appear before Drago, Sec and their group, recovering from the failed attempt. Shendu spoke up, "Well?"

"We've done all we can... As soon as Twilight unleashed her fury, Lorcan will be thrown away like garbage and never bothered to be forgiven." Drago explains to his dad with a cruel chuckle. The ambush failed but at least it will cause Twilight to fully despise Spike's brother.

"Indeed. The plans are finally coming together. Our enemies shall feel the wrath of our Demon Lords and Tadaka's." Sec said with a cruel chuckle, looking thoughtful. "Soon, my master shall exact his revenge on them. He shall bring his children back to us."

"You all have done well. I am pleased and proud of it. Now we wait until the right moment to strike." Tso Lan said with a smile. Everything will go according to plan.

"Yes... Our revenge can finally be complete." Shendu said wickedly. The Demon Lords' waiting will finally pay off.

"Yeah and we get to eat!" Po Kong exclaims happily, making the others roll their eyes at this.

"Ponies will rue the day they even messed with us." His Wu said laughing wickedly with his brethren.

Drago smirked eagerly. He said while holding a fist of determination, "Let our final ploy begins..."

---------------

The ponies gathers around their leader who explain what happened to them. Most of the citizens are stunned, shocked and/or furious. Twilight and her friends has apparently fallen into a trap, and it seem like Lorcan was the one who set the princess up to be destroyed along with her friends and loved ones!

"Hey, look." Caramel said, frowning as a familiar Dragon shows up on the scene.

"Ugh, what the hay is he doing back here?" Lyra ask Sweetie Drops. The crowd glares as Lorcan made his way up front.

Lorcan saw the furious look on Twilight's face. The Princess of Friendship now believes in the inevitable. Still, he got to try to speak reason to her before it’s too late.

"You...you got some nerve to come back after what you did." Twilight snarls, a hint of darkness can be heard in her voice.

"Twilight, you got to believe me." Lorcan said with a gulp, trying to get up the nerve. "Damn it, I have nothing to do with..."

"Don't play dumb, the Cult of Draconian! Any of these ringing a bell?"

"...the what?" Spike ask confused as he apparently never heard of that name until now.

"The cult of Draconian. Just your average worship nut jobs. Devoted to my dad, they named the cult after our surname, little bro." Lorcan explains as he grips his fist a bit. I knew it...they'd follow Pops to the end." Turning back to Twilight, the former villain continues, "Yeah, I heard of them and I had nothing to do with their attack!"

"Do you seriously think I was born yesterday?!" Twilight snaps angrily at Lorcan. The scarred Dragon looks angry. He had enough of this!

"Than stop acting like it! I am reformed, how many times do I-" Lorcan dodges a blast from Twilight. He scoffs. "Oh, sure! Fine, don't listen, accuse me all you want, Sparkle. But let me tell you this, kiddo, it'll only make you a hypocrite." The Princess of Friendship did not respond. She just listen as Lorcan continues, "Who forgave Trixie when she enslaved this town? Who forgave Sunset after she threw a fireball with the intent of KILLING you, might I add? Yeah, they were kind acts, but did you forgive Discord at first? NO! You treated him like the plague like how you're treating me!"

"I have reason to! You killed-"

"Did you not heard what the guy said in court or were you just thinking of how to kill me? There is enough evidence to suggest that your brother is alive! I have done nothing but try to take over this town and I didn't win! I was corrupted just as the two unicorns! You wear that crown on your head and demand respect! But apart from saving the world Celestia knows how many times, what exactly have you done as a princess apart from whine about how you don't think you can handle it, huh?" 

"It did get annoying a bit." Rainbow comments. She yelps as Applejack steps on her hoof.

"At least I have a title! And as Princess, I am about to sentence you" Twilight snarls angrily. Forget the verdict before. It's time for the princess to pass her own sentence!

"On what charges?!" Lorcan demands angrily.

"Fooling us all and helping those Dragons!"

"But Mommy, it wasn't like-" Nyx begins to protest but Twilight interrupts her with a wing, not wanting to hear it at all!

"ENOUGH!" Twilight charges angrily and furiously.

"Hmph...You're acting just a tyrant now, Twilight. Ignoring others and only believing your right. I'm sorry for all I did, but you just won't accept. Fine, I know how it is...I'll go. And when you snap out of your delusion that I'm still Tadaka's pawn, give me a call." Lorcan remarks bitterly, shaking his head in disgust. "You always jump to conclusions without having the heart to believe in your family. No wonder Shining Armor banned you from his wedding and Ben ended things with you during Winter Wrap-Up."

Twilight growls and goes into Flame Mode. The ponies gasped upon hearing Lorcan mentioning the breakup. That was a big mistake!

Pinkie, waving her hoof in a disapproving manner, comment, "Oh no, he didn't!"

"Winter Wrap-Up? More like Winter Break-Up. Ow!" Rainbow exclaims, she yelps in pain on the last part because Applejack whacks her on the head. Now is not the time to say that when Twilight is this angry.

After Twilight bursts out, she lands, giving an angry look at Lorcan while snapping, "Say that again..."

"Look, I know I sounded harsh--but you're being a bitch." Lorcan comments to Twilight, making her growl furiously.

Phobos remarks in agreement, "Oh! He gotcha there!"

"Phobos!" Twilight exclaims angrily at Phobos.

"What? Just being honest."

"He's got a point." Applejack said with a sigh, deciding it's best to butt in at this point. "Ya were kinda harsh on Ben when ya banished 'im fro' Winter Wrap-Up."

"Hey, you sided with her!" Rainbow protests to Applejack, pointing out that her friend sided with Twilight when it happened.

"Even though it was Boris who humiliated daddy." Nyx comments in agreement.

Lorcan goes to leave, to Twilight's notice. The Princess of Friendship then teleports in front of him, snapping, "Hey! I ain't done with you yet!"

Lorcan looks at twilight and sighs, "why can't you see I'm not the villain I was?!"

Twilight growls angrily, "Because you KILLED MY BROTHER!!!"

"I told you before, remember?! The guy at the trial said there is a high chance he's still alive!!!!"

"Likely story, YOU MURDERER!"

"You're blinded at rage, girl!" Lorcan exclaims angrily, wanting to so much to box Twilight's ear in.

"PISS OFF!" Twilight snaps, making her friends and the crowd gasps in shock and alarm, even Rarity fainted at that. "I am not blind with rage! What I'm seeing is the real Lorcan, the one who killed my brother and almost wiped out all of Equestria!"

"Fine Twilight...you want the real me?" Lorcan takes off his cloak...a dark aura surrounds him as he grows to his teenage size. "THIS IS THE REAL ME!"

"Yes, it is...a monster."

"You disgust me...you treat Discord like the plague simply because he turned your friends gray? End of the stinking world! How many times?! I'm reformed, Twilight!"

"Mummy, why are you so determined not to believe Lorcan?" Nyx ask frightened. She hasn't seen her mother this angry before, even in flame mode!

"Yeah, like was mentioned before, you forgave Trixie, who practically abused me and Nyx when you were gone, regardless of her using the Amulet, you forgave Discord, to some extent, after he corrupted your friends. So why is Lorcan any different?" Ben ask Twilight in concern. Even the Prince of Friendship is scared for how his beloved is acting!

"He tried to have you killed!" Twilight reminds Ben of how Lorcan once used Boris to kill him!

"I wasn't thinking straight! You trying being controlled by a scar, it’s not pretty, let me tell ya. Plus, you heard what the detectives said for the zillionth time in hopes that it gets through your thick skull that I must remind you, your brother may still be out there!" Lorcan exclaims while putting his hood down, changing back to his baby size once more. The former villain is reminding Twilight once more of what Detective Dan once said to her.

"But...you...but...."

"And you have blame the attack by those Dragons on me!

"I want justice done! You need to pay!" Twilight exclaims, wanting to toughen up. She isn't going to allow Lorcan to win this battle!

"PAY FOR WHAT?! Being controlled all my life?! I paid for that already...with my childhood and mother, mind you! What has ever happened to you that can compare itself to what I lost?!" Lorcan demands to Twilight, challenging her to name one thing that happened to her that is like what he lost.

"I lost Ben." Twilight is near tears as the fact she's losing the argument is rearing its ugly head.

"But he wasn't dead! He came back, but me! Fifty years I was alone whilst you not even close! You could have easily moved on! You overreacted to not being able to be with your "special somepony" by becoming extremely depressed every time the subject of you being in a relationship is brought up, which has been said to have gone on for years. Yeah, OK, what happened was very tragic, but with you reacted so strongly to it for that long is not only ridiculous, but it's not good for your mental health. No offense, I hope Ben." Lorcan turns back to Twilight as he continues berating her, "And no friends after him! Did you really think you could have only one friend, Sparkle!"

"You…"

"And don't you dare have the audacity to say I can't change if you think Trixie and Discord can. Do I have to remind you that was corrupted like Trixie and yet you don't forgive me!"

"SHUT UP! SHUT THE BUCK UP, YOU SCARRED RIDDEN FLANKHOLE!" Twilight exclaims, exploding once more, causing the ponies and everything else to back away in shock and fear. "We are not having that discussion anymore! You brought these Dragons into Ponyville! You have them tried to kill us!!!"

"What? You can't-" Lorcan exclaims, protesting about that once more.

""The Cult of Draconian", your last name. I don't know why Celestia thought you could change..."

"So you're willing to forgive Trixie and Discord easily? They done worse than I have!"

The crowd murmurs in agreement at this. Twilight had had enough. It's time to pass the sentence and be done with this!

"They didn't kill my brother! And as Princess, I banish Lorcan Draconian from Ponyville!" Twilight exclaims with a furious snarl.

Everyone gasps in shock and horror. The Mane Five and Ben look worried as a song begins to pick up...

"No, no, no, no, no!" Pinkie snaps as she got in front of the camera, stopping the music. "We aren't doing 'One of Us'. The author hates that song! Let's not turn this moment into something bad."

Rainbow Dash sighs, shaking her head, "Pinkie, now's not the time to be random."

"Now LEAVE!" Twilight demands angrily, ordering the villain, in her eyes, to leave Ponyville and never come back ever!

"Miss Twilight, please-" Apple Bloom pleads, trying to speak reason to the angry Alicorn.

Twilight ignoring her exclaims more loudly, "NOW!"

"...fine!" Lorcan scoffs as he turns to walk, then stops. "Quite hypocritical. How you told Brave Heart never to take revenge and here you are...taking revenge."

"I have the authority to do what I want!"

"You're acting no better than Sombra when he was still a monster..." Lorcan remarks bitterly. Twilight's eye twitches in fury. He dare goes there...HE DARES GOES THERE?! "But I'll leave. See ya."

Lorcan walks off when suddenly a loud bang noise is heard. The scarred Dragon groans as he lays on the ground, his legs bloody and brunt from the attack.

"Twilight, what are you-" Ben exclaims in horror. His love went and shot Lorcan right in the back while he was leaving!

"SILENCE!" Twilight exclaims in anger, giving out a huge dark aura. Ben was frightened, enough that he backs off. She drags Lorcan to him then whispers, "Don't you ever compare me to that tyrant ever again...."

"Then stop acting like a tyrant." Lorcan exclaims furiously to Twilight.

"Be lucky I don't kill you."

"If you would just listen to-"

Lorcan doesn't get another chance. Twilight is beyond reason now as her dark aura is getting bigger. Even Spike is terrified of this. Her sister is beyond reason to the point that talking to her will be considered suicide!

"Before I throw you out for good...HOW DARE YOU LET THEM IN! After I gave you the benefit of the-" Twilight begins to say Lorcan, once again reminding him of his "crime".

"You? You show nothing but hate ever since you found out I was alive!" Lorcan insists bitterly to Twilight. "You used me as a slave, you wished I was dead and not even the news that Starlight isn't dead-"

"It's all lies! Stop it! DROP THE ACT! My daughter, son and three innocent fillies are injured because of you!"

"...you are so blind by the past. I'm sorry, I tried being nice, I tried being civil, but you...you're the princess of friendship...start acting like it. Not a paranoid tyrant!"

Everyone gasps in horror as Twilight is now completely losing it. That was the last straw! She knocks Lorcan flying to the ground, knocking his hood off and turning him into his teenage look, revealing his scar bleeding from the attack. As he got back up, Twilight stares at him than, screaming like a banshee, bucks Lorcan in the face, knocking him flying into the Everfree Forest.

"Lorcan!" Spike and the CMC exclaims in horror. They go to run after him, but a purple barrier stops them. 

As Lorcan got up, he looks stunned to see Spike now blocked from him. The scarred Dragon cries out, "You got no right to keep Spike from me!"

Twilight smugly says, "I adopted him stupid." With a satisfied look, the Alicorn heads back into her castle. She then turn to give one more look to the terrified crowd, especially her shocked friends and colt-friend. "Oh, and if anyone is caught bringing him back in, they will answer to me!"

Mostly everyone gulps as Twilight goes back into her castle, slamming the doors upon entering. Lorcan bitterly leaves the scene, much to the sadness of Spike and the others.

What will happen now?

----------

Celestia and Luna were in the middle of the conversion, speaking of the situation with the Dark Mystic Ponies...when the doors are slammed open. To their shock, Lorcan came in, barely alive and is bleeding.

"Lorcan! What happened to you?" Luna ask Lorcan in horror.

"....I told you this would happen, Celestia. I told you!" Lorcan yells out angrily to Celestia.

Lorcan storms off to get himself fixed up in his former room. Celestia looks stunned as she heads to the balcony that shows the lands, especially Ponyville. The Princess of the Sun shakes her head in shock and sadness.

'Twilight? What had you done?' Celestia thought sadly to herself.
> Chapter 6: Realizations of the Past
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6: Realizations of the Past


Storm clouds has gathered over Ponyville...except there was no storms scheduled for today. Nope, they are caused by the darkness now inhabiting the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom castle.

Twilight was writing her book, "The Ghostwriter Parable", but is having trouble when her daughter is trying to talk to her, obviously upset over what she did.

"How could you do that to him, Mommy?!" Nyx exclaims angrily and disbelief at her own mother.

"He is a monster, and he is never to return, and nopony is to see him ever again!" Twilight snaps at Nyx darkly and furiously. "Not Spike, not you, not Ben and not anypony! If they still think he's innocent, then they are Mudbloods, too!"

Nyx, looking shocked and hurt at this, then started shedding tears of anger, quietly spoke, "You... You... You're not a princess...

Twilight in a threatening tone demands, "What did you say?!"

"You're no princess! You're a monster!"

"How dare you speak to me that way! You sassy, little--"

Nyx shockingly punches Twilight in the face as she screams, "SHUT UP!!!" The impact of the hoof punch caused Twilight to fall to the floor before looking at her daughter in shock. "If you don't want to reconsider, then I have no reason why I'm still living with you! I HATE YOU!!! I DON'T EVER WANNA SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN! SO JUST LEAVE ME ALONE AND GET YOUR OWN LIFE!!!!"

Twilight then begins to get angry as she stood up, yelling, "THAT'S IT! NYX, YOU ARE GROUNDED UNTIL I RECONSIDER! GO TO YOUR ROOM AND STAY THERE!!!"

Twilight then flash a teleportation spell at Nyx. The Alicorn glares angrily at the one she once called her mother as she was teleported back into her room. The Princess of Friendship then cast a spell to confine Nyx in there.

Twilight groans as she tries her best to get back to her book. So why the hay is she having trouble doing so?

------------------

Celestia's group came over to the door to Lorcan's locked room. Ever since he came back, the scarred Dragon just went into his room, sobbing in sadness while healing himself. The former villain had yet to come out.

"Lorcan? You been in there for hours." Golden Heart calls out to Lorcan in worry.

"I'm never coming out. I can't ever show my face again!" Lorcan yells out as he pace in his room in sadness and anger. "I tried my best, my best, you know. I acted good and nice to all of the kids, but Twilight wouldn't give me a chance and now, every pony hates me!!!" The Dragon takes off his hood, turning to his teenage self as he stares in a mirror. "She's right, I'm nothing but a monster!!!" Lorcan sobs loudly, much to the concern of the others. He is acting like how Rarity once did when her reputation was ruined thanks to the clothes that her friends made her create for them.

"You’re not a monster, Lorcan." Luna said calmly, trying to assure Lorcan.

"He kinda is." DIscord remarks with a shrug.

"Shut it!" Michael snaps in annoyance at Discord.

"Look, Twilights just angry. Just go and talk to her." Golden Heart said calmly to Twilight. Maybe if the two were to try again to talk...

"Leave me alone! I want to be alone! I want to cry myself to sleep, I want to burn all the miniskirts I have-don't get any ideas, Discord- I wanna die! I'm so pathetic!!!!" Lorcan exclaims as he lie down on his bed, sobbing and wanting to die. "Celestia, your student...oh your student!!! She's so....so...." He growls in disgust at what Twilight had done to him.

"What did my student do to you?" Celestia asked Lorcan calmly. She suspects that Twilight must've done something that caused this newfound pain towards the Dragon.

"She accused me of betraying her, banished me before beating me!"

"But why?" Luna asked in concern. She and the others don't know much of all of the details yet!

"Let's see, probably because she bucking hates me!!" Lorcan snaps bitterly to Luna, still sitting in his bed.

"How did this happen?" Celestia ask Lorcan in concern.

Lorcan explained everything. Princess Celestia listens as she looks sad when Lorcan explained the details to her. What has happened?

------------------

Twilight decided to sleep in the library tonight. The Princess of Friendship feels like she isn't wanted upstairs, especially since she locked Nyx in her room and Spike, Phobos and Ben aren't happy with her at the moment.

Sunset however came into the castle, frowning a bit. Twilight, seeing, sighs in irritation, "Can this wait until tomorrow?"

"What's your problem? You can't just ground Nyx because she supported Spike's brother!" Sunset exclaims angrily at Twilight. "I even came by here to talk to you because I thought I would help you snap out of that funk you're in about your brother. But I guess I was wrong."

"Why don't you just get outta here and stop trying to get me to reconsider my decision and fixing my family?!"

Sunset looked at her with a disapproving look in her eyes. Then she said in an ice cold tone, "Lorcan's right. You never listen to reason. You're always gonna be a bitter, lonely pony."

With that, Sunset stormed out of the room, slamming the door as she left. Twilight was now left all alone. She placed her hoof on her face, as a tear ran down her cheek. What Sunset said did sting her heart more so than she would admit. But what was even more painful…was that she was right.

"I did the right thing...didn't I?" Twilight whispers sadly to herself.

Twilight didn't answer herself, she just goes to her made shift bed and lie in it, sobbing herself to sleep. Why is it when she tried to make the right decisions, they always end up going wrong?

--------------------

After Lorcan finally stop feeling sorry for himself, the former villain paces in his room, pissed off. He was close to finally being redeemed for his mistakes...only for those flankholes of Dragons and that anger Twilight to take it away from him!

"I can't believe that princess! I knew being her adopted family was stupid idea... Buck this! I completely buck it off! I don't know what you're up to, Drago. When Twilight learns the truth, she's gonna kick your ass." Lorcan exclaims in disgust and anger. He wanted to end it all.

The shadowy hooded figures loomed behind the window. Four of them smiled and smirked devilishly. They took their knives out as they are readied to fight. Of course, they stopped as Lorcan begins to sing, unaware of their presence.

Lorcan: Eleka nahmen nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka nahmen
Eleka nahmen nahmen
Ah tum ah tum eleka: eleka:

He grunts as he threw the book out the Canterlot Castle window, unknowingly missing the figures.

What good is this chanting?
I don't even know what I'm reading!
I don't even know what trick I ought to try
Kids, how are you?
Already dead or bleeding.

The scarred Dragon scoffed bitterly.

One more disaster I can add to my
Generous supply?

He never understood it...all he wanted was to do good...but he got hated for it

No good deed goes unpunished
No act of charity goes unresented
No good deed goes unpunished
That's my new creed
My road of good intentions
Led where such roads always lead
No good deed
Goes unpunished!

He made a image of the CMC, Nyx and Spike appear. His expression softened as he gazed at him.

Kids...
Nyx....
Spike..
SPIKE!!!!!

Luna heard the Dragon's roar of anguish and sighed sadly. Michael could only listen to his friend's ranting from outside the room.

One question haunts and hurts
Too much, too much to mention:
Was I really seeking good
Or just seeking attention?
Is that all good deeds are
When looked at with an ice-cold eye?
If that's all good deeds are ( he scoffed bitterly)
Maybe that's the reason why

No good deed goes unpunished
All helpful urges should be circumvented
No good deed goes unpunished
Sure, I meant well -
Well, look at what well-meant did:

Lorcan looked at his cloak and his eyes narrowed...Twilight always said he could never change or be welcomed from her...she wants him dead...so be it.

All right, enough - so be it
So be it, then:
Let Ponyville be agreed
I'm wicked through and through
Since I can not succeed
Spike, saving you
I promise no good deed
Will I attempt to do again
Ever again

Lorcan took one sharp nail and slowly went towards his wrist...

No good deed
Will I do again!!!!

SLAM!

Luna and Michael stormed in, just before Lorcan could stab his wrist. The guard yelps as he saw what his friend was about to do, "Buck! Guards, get in here!"

The guards rush in, grabbing Lorcan who struggles in their hold. He screams out, "Let go of me, let go! I don't want to live! I want to die, kill me! Mommy!!!"

Luna sighs sadly as she has the guards escort Lorcan out. He needs to calm down before the Dragon ends up killing himself big time.

Meanwhile, the figures hiss furiously before disappearing into the shadows. Their attack on Lorcan will wait...for now.

------------------

The next day, it continues storming in Ponvyille. The mayor and authorities asked the citizens to stay inside until it clears up. But most of the folks knew it's centering on the Friendship Rainbow Kingdom castle...where the angry princess is at.

Twilight groans a bit as she is trying to get some work done, but the storm won't let up. Just then, the Mane Five, Ben, Spike, and the Mystic Ponies came in. They got to try to convince her to reconsider her decision and snaps out of her anger before she becomes something that Twilight has feared of becoming when she first became a princess in the first place!

"Sugar cube, we need 'ta talk." Applejack said seriously to Twilight.

Ben sighs, "Look, Sunset did take it too far with that insult last night...but what you did to Lorcan...come on, you know better than that."

"If it's about Lorcan, then don't bother." Twilight snorts furiously to Applejack. "I don't want to hear his name again!"

"Twilight, listen. It's not his fault, please." Fluttershy said to Twilight, trying to beg her to listen to reason. "Lorcan claimed that..."

"He's a liar and a bad one too! In fact, when tomorrow comes, I am banning his name used around me."

"Oh give me a break!" Rainbow scoffs to Twilight, disbelieved by this. "Why is it you won't hear the side of Lorcan's story but rather keep to your own?"

"Rainbow, you can talk. You don't trust Discord back before Tirek." Twilight snaps in annoyance at Rainbow.

"Only cause he's not trust worthy at times."

"Whereas Lorcan is." Rarity said with a scoff to Twilight.

"He is anything but that. He'll survive. I did the right thing. As princess, it is my duty to protect my subjects." Twilight said as she goes back to work on her book.

"So you’re willing to give Trixie and Sunset, who tried to kill you by the way, a second chance. But not Lorcan." Spike said to Twilight with a frown. He is calling his big sister out as if she's a hypocrite!

"Has everypony forgotten the invasion?!"

"We haven't but you might of." Ben said with a sigh, shaking his head. "Twilight, forgive me for this, but you're acting like what happened when you kicked me out of the Winter Wrap-Up because of outside forces causing a misunderstanding."

"Oh, so, is that it?" Twilight ask Ben, glaring at her colt-friend in annoyance. "We're going back to arguing again?"

"There were times when we didn't get along. Remember the incident when Fluttershy was turned into Flutterbat?"

"Oh, I can remember it very well as in a flashback!" Pinkie exclaims happily as we go to a flashback (don't ask).

------------------------------

Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm sorry. I just don't like the idea of taking away the thing that really makes the vampire fruit bats..." she inhales, "vampire fruit bats! It just feels wrong!" 

"But if we don't do this, there won't be any apples left for anypony here in Ponyville. Doesn't that feel wrong, too?" Twilight asked.

Fluttershy sighs, feeling saddened. Her friends wanted her to use the Stare in hope to stun the bats so that Twilight can cast a spell to force them into not eating apples anymore. Fluttershy refused but her friends demanded that she does it anyway. 

"Twilight, I don't know how to say this, but... I have to agree with Fluttershy." Ben said to Twilight with a sigh.

"What are you saying, Ben?" Twilight asked Ben in concern, not liking where he's going with this.

"I mean, the idea of Fluttershy using the Stare on those bats? It doesn't seem right."

Applejack, exasperated, asked Ben as if he was acting like a genocide just happened but doesn't give a hoof about it, "How could yew take her side?"

"She's right, Ben. Why are you taking Fluttershy's side?" Twilight ask Ben in disbelief.

Ben annoyed ask, "What's with you and sides? Why do you now think I'm working against you?"

"Well, you're not helping! AJ needs our help, and Fluttershy has to do the Stare. Otherwise, there won't be any apples left in Ponyville."

"She's right! Think about the cider, Ben!" Rainbow exclaims, freaking out as if preparing to lose it if there's no more Apple Cider anymore.

"I don't care about the stupid cider! Besides, I'm a prince. I have royal duties to do!" Ben exclaims, annoyed by this.

Twilight sarcastically remark, "Well, excuse me, Your Majesty! Don't let me stand in the way of you training with Chase! I'm just trying to save a friend's farm here... again! You helped me save it once by going to the End of Equestria with me."

"Mommy has a point, daddy. And it's also thanks to Tao that I'm now your real daughter, seeing that I have both your and mommy's blood instead of that nasty Tso Lan." Nyx said, siding with her mother on this one.

"She's got a point." Spike remarks with a shrug.

"I appreciate that, Nyx, but it still doesn't matter about the idea of Fluttershy using the Stare." Ben said with a sigh.

Fluttershy meekly said, "Thank you, Ben." She appreciate Ben coming to her aid like this.

Applejack rolls her eyes while remarking, "Oh, give me a break."

"Ben, Fluttershy is gonna use the Stare, and I will have to help her." Twilight said to Ben in determination.

"Well, you wouldn't have to if you didn't keep messing up!" Ben snaps angrily at Twilight. This made Alicorn angry as if he has to go and went there.

"I'm messing up?! Well, we could at least have asked you to use your Triforce powers on those bats!"

Ben frustrated screams out, "ARGH! I can't talk to you when you're like this!" He storms out of the library and slams the door closed, much to the alarm of the mares. Boy, Ben sure sounds upset.

Phobos dryly ask, "What's with him?"

Spike shrugs. He has no idea either.

---------------

"Luckily for us, things got better though Fluttershy became a bat for a while." Ben said to Twilight, ending the story right now. "I don't want a third time like that to happen. So please, at least listen to reason."

"Right, Twilight. Besides, Lorcan lied when his tail winced." Spike said in agreement.

"I don't believe in him. Whatever he said is a lie, I won't believe in him! Never again! I won't fall for his tricks." Twilight exclaims sternly and in anger.

"Awww, Twilight, come on!" Pinkie insists to Twilight, getting on her nerves. "Don't be a meanie evil pants."

"Pinkie's right. Poor Lorcan could be out there all alone." Fluttershy said to Twilight in concern.

"At least reconsider!" Phobos exclaims in agreement with the others.

"Why are you even refusing to listen?" Ben ask Twilight in concern, noticing how she sobs a bit. "Is this about..."

"If this is about your brother..." Spike began.

Twilight explodes, "STARLIGHT'S GONE!!!" She then breaks down, weeping. "Starlight... is gone..."

"So what, if 'dis what 'dat about?" Applejack ask Twilight in concern. "Didn't Detective Dan say..."

"Enough! I don't want to hear it! At least Warpath is the only pony who knew about Lorcan." Twilight exclaims, nodding towards Warpath for being right on Lorcan.

Warpath huffed, "Thanks. Told ya! I told you that Lorcan can't be trusted. What do you say, big brother?!"

"I'd said... We've been set up." Virtue said suddenly and without warning.

"What?" Pinkie and Rarity ask surprised by what Virtue just said.

"Are you serious?" Spike ask, angered by Warpath's words but is shocked to hear what Virtue just said.

"What are you even saying?" Twilight demands angrily by Virtue. "You saw what happened! You were there! What gave you the right to even say that we were set up?!"

"Twilight, please listen to him!" Ben exclaims, pleading to Twilight to listen. The Alicorn scoffs but grudgingly agrees to do so.

"When Drago arrived and Lorcan protested, I found that his tail didn't winced. It proves that he's innocent and been set up for Twilight to blame him." Virtue said as he points out a fact. Lorcan's tail didn't wince, so that means he's innocent. The Dragons set up the ambush for Twilight to blame him.

"But brother-!" Warpath begins to protest but Blade interrupts him.

"Brother is right, Warpath. Whatever Drago had said, he was the one who told a lie, not Lorcan." Blade said in agreement with Virtue.

"Are you serious?! Are you kidding me?! Are you going to make mistake like letting the Devil Destroyer stayed in our home?!"

"Lorcan is most honest and trustworthy since the day he helped Dragonspear rescued my infant Kindy from danger!" Virtue insists to Warpath sternly. He and Twilight looks bewildered and upset. Virture still supports Lorcan despite all the evidence to the contrary.

"I shall support that as well! I will not believe it!" Dragonspear insists. He refuses to believe that Lorcan would still be evil after all he did for Ponyville.

"Well, that is true." Fluttershy said, speaking out lightly. "I also refuse to believe it."

"Right, those Dragons are the cruel evil ones, not Lorcan." Rarity said in agreement, putting a hoof to her chin thoughtfully.

"Plus, as he is my brother, I got to support him again." Spike said with a smile.

"Right! Thumbs up for Lorcan!" Pinkie exclaims, wearing a thumbs sign on one of her hooves. Don't ask how she got one!

Warpath frowns as he spoke up, "You know, Virtue... For someone like you being powerful and strong Mystic Councilpony, you're soft! You didn't have the guts in finishing your enemies off! You always let them a chance! When your back turn, you let yourself get attacked!"

The ponies looks shocked, alarmed and/or disbelief. Even Twilight is shocked by Warpath's accusation towards Virtue like that!

"Yes... You're right. I'm soft... But I did not abandoned my kindness to those who risked theirs to defend me, even you or Lorcan." Virtue said calmly to Warpath in light of what he said. "Because if I do that, I'm no better than anyone else and proven that I am more a tyrant than benevolent."

Warpath shocked spoke, "Brother..." He thought for a moment. He then sat down on his flank while looking down. He then looked up before bowing down in shame. "Forgive me... I was trying to protect you. I was trying to help you. It's what I was supposed to do! I made an oath that I'll protect you no matter what! I'm sorry. I really am!"

Virtue helped Warpath up, speaking to his brother, "I know. But pleased... What did Lorcan ever do to you?"

"Nothing... I was overreacting and selfish. I kept on blaming him for destroying lives. But he really wants to help and redeem."

"Yes... That's all he wants."

Twilight was silent as the conversion goes into her head. She then remembers some familiar words from the past.

Ben's voice echoes in Twilight's head, "Really? Is following one's duty more important than the heart?"

Sunset's voice echoes in Twilight's head as well, "Lorcan's right. You never listen to reason. You're always gonna be a bitter, lonely pony."

Suddenly, without explanation, Pinkie's voice echoes in Twilight's head, "There's no place like home...there's no place like home...Auntie Em, Auntie Em...and Toto too..." Twilight looks confused at that.

"Twilight...Twilight." Spike said, shaking Twilight a bit, snapping her out of it. "Are you okay?"

"I...I need to be alone." Twilight said sadly as she leaves the library. Most of everyone watch on, expecting that the words she just heard is in her head.

Could this mean Twilight is reconsidering her actions?

------------------

Flare Tiger decided to visiting Lorcan and reveal behind the secret of his Earth-Mare friend, who listen and guide him on the path until the friend has disappeared. When she's arrived until Lorcan noticed her and sighed.

Lorcan spoke, "So... You're Flare Tiger?"

Flare Tiger grinned, "Eeyup, old friend."

Lorcan turned around and looked in shock, asking, "Old Friend? I never knew you!"

Flare Tiger giggled, "Maybe... Ah should or...."

Flare Tiger cast the Tsukinousagi, the largest hammer that had a crescent moon with a rabbit, she hold the hammer on it as the symbol flash, it was held up to show off, when the Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Tao walked into the room and is surprised to see Flare Tiger hold the Tsukinousagi. Lorcan's eyes wide and shocked when he realized who she really is.

Lorcan asked, "Kasai Doragon?"

Flare Tiger smiled while saying, "Eeyup! It's being a while!"

Lorcan confused, "I.... I don't get it...."

Princess Celestia chuckled, "That's because she's Element of the Dimension."

Lorcan asked, "Dimension?"

Princess Luna giggled, "She control over the space and time."

Tao hummed, "Flare Tiger, What is your weapon doing here?"

Flare Tiger gulped, "Um... Ah kinda.... Mostly evolved..."

Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Tao, and Lorcan shouted with a gasp, "EVOLVE!?!?"

Flare Tiger nodded as she looked at the Tsukinousagi, explaining, "Well... Ah was able 'ta be working so hard and managed 'ta gain very good..."

Tao shudder, "How....how many evolves did you do?"

Flare Tiger hummed, "Four times... Ah prefer to kept them hidden until 'de time is right..."

Princess Celestia asked, "Could you show us, Please?"

Flare Tiger nodded as she held up her Tsukinousagi while she spoke, "This is 'de third evolve, its name is Tsukinousagi. Also, it had Earth magic power by slamming it on 'de ground or hitting flying rocks."

Tao asked, "Name after the moon and the rabbit?"

Flare Tiger giggled, "Kind of... Now..."

Flare Tiger channel the Mystic Hammer into a Shear as she held up, saying proudly, "This is mah first evolve, the Fire Dragon Spear!"

Lorcan whistle, "Is it meant for slaying evil Dragons?"

Flare Tiger groaned, "Well, no. It's didn't slay, but able 'ta purify any evil darkness within innocents. It can be doing fire magic."

The Royal Sisters looked awed as Flare Tiger channel the Mystic Shear into Mystic Lunar Claws and smiled while adding, "This is Night Stakers as it is Lunar's Claws, but it is different because Lunar Guard had three of them, the claws on mine is four, on 'de back on the armor are daggers. And for the magic, its better hidden and used for need, happened to be water magic which is used for healing spells."

Princess Luna squealed, "Oh! Thou should use them as a surprise!"

Flare Tiger giggled, "Well, later, now..."

Flare Tiger channel the Mystic Lunar Claws into Mystic Fans and smiled, she now explains, "These are the Onmyô Fans, which meant Yin Yang Fans as it uses wind magic. Ah barely used them because Ah still practice with them as they're not ready to be useful yet."

Tao whistle, "Nice... I still remember those days, Iris Crystal used them before..."

Princess Celestia nodded, "Yup, that's those faithful days which I remember Lord Azure Phoenix teaching Iris Crystal in the dance moves..."

Flare Tiger surprised as she didn't knew it but smiled while adding "That's so awesome! Maybe, one day, he would happily teach me, but not right now... And about Twilight Sparkle..."

Lorcan huffed, "Oh, her... All I don't care!"

Flare Tiger hummed, "Well, What's if Ah told ya, Ah knew who behind Starlight Sparkle's disappearance?"

Tao gasped as his eyes widen, "You... You knew it... Not only Mystic Ponies knew it but.... even you...."

Lorcan shocked then sighed, "Well... You got me... I believe you. I think I need setting with Twilight Sparkle for things to be needing to be sorted out..."

Flare Tiger giggled, "EEYUP!"

They chuckled as Lorcan and Flare Tiger walked out then head back to Ponyville. The princess decided to take a different way to talk to Twilight.

------------------

We find Twilight alone in a room, looking down in sorrow and out her window. Witnessing what has happened after she let her inner darkness blind her anger and hate to which frighten everyone around her; neighbors, friends, even her family. Twilight felt like curling up into a ball right now to reject the outside world until...someone else came into the room from a white light.

"Twilight?" Celestia's voice was heard as she and Luna enter to see Twilight in such a state.

"Princess Celestia...Princess Luna...?" Twilight spoke off in seeing who was here, before looking away. "You must have heard of what I've done." She stated in knowing why the Royal Sisters are here.

"We have..." Celestia nodded her head firmly on the topic.

"Then I really have failed, I let my blind hatred for Lorcan get me distracted, and done things that seems...just awful." Twilight spoke off in feeling like her world just came crashing down around her. "Worse of all, I've failed the Mystics test, I won't be able to use a Dark Form to protect myself from dark temptation if I let such things with Lorcan guide my anger." She failed to trust Lorcan, and now from her failure, she failed a test by the Mystics.

"Twilight, while it is true you made a mistake, we all have gone through events. Even myself when my jealousy for my sister cause darkness to guide me as Nightmare Moon and killed Tadaka's loyal guard & friend." Luna explained the case of how she to let darkness get to her heart, and made her done things that are truly unable to take back.

"Luna?" Twilight looked to Luna of what was she trying to say.

"To this day, I live with that sin, but I must not let it distract me from my duties now. Letting the past bind you like chains leads to no freedom. The example is seen from how Tadaka still hates every pony because of what I did." Luna regretfully stated in knowing that her crime of the past can never be overlooked, and exist so long as Tadaka holds that inner grudge.

"But that wasn't you, it was Tso Lan, he did all of that." Twilight spoke forth in stating that what happened wasn't Luna's fault.

"Shifting the blame will not solve anything, the only path to achieve peace...maybe to forgive." Celestia spoke off in telling Twilight this piece of information. "Let me tell you something Twilight, what can also be the one true way to defeat your enemy? You have shown it much in the past." She spoke forth in asking a strange riddle at this time.

"A true way to defeat an enemy...well, I had my friends help me, we work together as a team." Twilight spoke to think this through of the logical answer.

"True, but there exist another way that even goes over the strength of teamwork." Celestia nodded lightly to that, but there was another answer to consider.

"And...that is?" Twilight asked in wondering what the other choice is.

"To defeat an enemy....you make them your friend." Celestia smiled off to simply say this off as the answer.

"Hugh?" Twilight raised an eyebrow in having heard that, and was off...how can one defeat an enemy by becoming friends, can that work at all at times?

"The method may not work for the greatest of all evils, but there are some who's hearts are not so full of dark hatred & vile instincts, that they can be saved." Celestia stated to explain that the theory method works on those that are not 100 percent evil, and have a chance to redeem themselves.

"Myself, Trixie, Discord, Sunset Shimmer, even Pinkamena helped Sombra be free of his evil. The road to achieving it, lies in what choices the doer can do." Luna explained how those that were going down such a road were saved when they had good friends help them out.

"I understand, but...right now, even if I make up with Lorcan, I can't even show my face to the Mystics who tried to teach me the secret of the Dark Form, only to blow it up in my face." Twilight sadly stated that even if she makes amends, she may as well be seen that she'll never achieve a Dark Form to protect herself.

"Perhaps you may or may never achieve that, that form you must overcome darkness which is even too much for Equestrians. But, however, there is a power you can get closer to awaken that is more pure and doesn't require such dark teachings." Celestia spoke forth in stating this while also mentioning something that may just help cheer the mare up.

"There is?" Twilight asked off in having heard this, what could be better than the Dark Form the Mystics wanted to show her?

"Remember what we said about awakening a power greater to reach the Mystics level, Pinkamena has already awakened her own." Luna smiled off in reminding Twilight of one pony whose gain strength to be a true reflection of her element.

"You mean...the Element Evolution?" Twilight gasped forth in remembering that, a power that is stronger than even their Rainbow Forms; Element Evolution could make them be stronger to fight even the toughest and hardest of foes.

"You and your friends can achieve it, but you must first overcome your greatest obstacle before you. Perhaps this being vulnerable to darkness and of what you can truly become is that obstacle that someday you must learn to face and overcome." Celestia spoke forth in stating that to achieve Element Evolution, one must overcome their greatest trial, ordeal and obstacle, and Twilight's path to obtain her Element Form maybe what she is having so much difficulty now.

"If you do, then you may obtain your Element Form, and not even the dark temptation of darkness could control you. However, it appears you still need time to slowly overcome it." Luna stated off that it appears that Twilight has much to learn and overcome, the darkness that could rule over and change her...she needs to conquer it to reach the next step.

"I see. So...unless I can truly overcome my greatest obstacle, a trial that is set on my own limit, I can't awaken my Element Form?" Twilight stated in seeing things a bit more clearly, so that's something she must overcome, then the teachings were not a waste of time to learn about the Dark Form. "But would it also mean...that my greatest foe to face, might be...the side of me I fear of becoming. And there is only one pony I know of today who fits the bill." As Twilight looked out the window, flash images of Twilight Moon are seen; could it be that for her to awaken her Element Evolution, she must defeat her greatest obstacle of what Twilight Moon reflects of her; letting darkness and evil shape her into a creature that is truly evil as the original Nightmare Moon.

"Come Twilight, it's time to go now." Celestia spoke forth in speaking terms of preparing to go.

"You must make peace with Lorcan...and yourself." Luna kindly stated this as what needs to be done now.

"Your right, I'm coming." Twilight responded to say this, as she wipes her tears away.

Now Twilight leaves with the Royal Sisters, hopefully the case to finally forgive Lorcan..and ask for forgiveness in return...is approaching. Hopefully, it is not already too late.

--------------------------------

Meanwhile, Lorcan and Flare Tiger were heading on their way to Ponyville.

"Okay, remember, let me do all 'de talking first then yew can speak." Flare Tiger spoke calmly to Lorcan.

"I don't know how that can work." Lorcan said with a sigh. "I am already banished and can't get in by a purple barrier."

"Lorcan, if life serve me well, it's 'dat barriers can always fall." Flare Tiger explained with a chuckle. "Yew wanna ask fer forgiveness, right?"

"No. I rather not, I don't want forgiveness." Lorcan said bitterly. He noticed his tail wincing. "Aw, damn it."

"Yer lie detector tail said otherwise." Flare Tiger pointed out to Lorcan. Whenever he lies, his tail wince.

"All right, fine, so I do wanna ask for forgiveness," Lorcan grumbled.

"Or fer her forgiveness." Flare Tiger said with a giggle. She stopped, frowning.

"What?" Lorcan asked Flare Tiger as he looked around, noticing something moving around all over in the shadows. "We aren't alone, are we?"

"Duck!" Flare Tiger exclaimed. Lorcan ducked in time as an assassin was about to hit him, only for the Alicorn to blast him away. "We got company!"

The assassins appear, surrounding the two. They got their weapons at the ready.

Lorcan sighed in annoyance as he looked up, "Sec, Cann, Jast, Thay? I know you four are here. Come out."

Four familiar figures appeared, but their hoods were removed, revealing them for the first time. Sec was a black scaled Dragon with blue eyes. Cann was a yellow Dragon with dark blue eyes who was often impatient, laid back but questions his brother Sec sometimes. He acts like Demyx and Xigbar, though he'd say 'yeah, right' instead of 'as if'. 

Jast was a red Dragon with green eyes. A key strategist, he would analyzes foes from a distance and plan out attacks, and he never loses his cool. And as for Thay, he is a white Dragon with black eyes and bloody tally marks covering his body, though on his forehead was a space for six more, his targets: the Mane Six. He acts like Victor Zsasz from Batman. 

"Hello, Lorcan." Thay said with a cruel chuckle. "Miss us?"

"Like fleas to a dog!" Lorcan growled furiously to the cult members. "Your attack cost me everything!"

"Oh, you will get everything back...once we're done, the true leader of the dragons will return." Sec explained with a cruel chuckle. "You know who it is, correct Lorcan?"

"I do, and I do not want to mention the name of that bastard I once called father." Lorcan sneered.

"In a moment, you will beg for mercy and more." Sec said sinisterly.

"Attack." Cann ordered viciously.

The assassins jumped into the air, ready to attack. Lorcan and Flare Tiger prepared themselves. This could get messy!

-------------------------

Back at the Rainbow Castle, Twilight came out of her room with the Royal Sisters. She noticed her friends are waiting...along with Nyx!

"Okay, who let Nyx out of her room?" Twilight asked in irritation. "I thought I grounded her for life."

"I did Twilight." Luna said seriously to Twilight. "She needs to be here just to help you through this before we can speak to Lorcan who is on his way here right now with Flare Tiger."

"I don't know why I should!" Nyx pouts angrily as she turned around, not wanting to face the one she once called 'mommy'. "She ground me for no reason and kicked out my other brother!"

Twilight became angry, about to lose it again. She snapped, "If you want to act like that, maybe we can say to Tartarus with Lorcan!"

"Twilight, why is it that you give Trixie, Sunset and Discord a chance and yet Lorcan is treated as the plague before?" Celestia asked Twilight, trying her best to be calm and patient with Twilight's latest outburst. 

"He killed my brother!" Twilight exclaims angrily and in annoyance. “At least, some part of me still think so!” 

Tao whacked her head with his staff. As Twilight felt her forehead, the Mystic Pony scolded her, “You silly pony! Did you forget that he was possessed by the darkness Tadaka and Grimmore left within him?!" 

"I-I…" Twilight began to protest but groaned in frustration. Why must she always be forgetting these kind of things?! 

"We're not turning our backs on you, my student, this is simply a lesson..." Celestia explained calmly to Twilight. 

"And if you don't pass it, you will never be a true friend or a princess!" Nyx yelled harshly, "And I will never forgive you again, and neither would Starlight!"

Twilight heard these words and was shocked and hurt before she growled in rage at hearing those words.

"How dare you speak about my brother that way," Twilight snarled, "You... YOU MONSTER!!!" 

"Celestia, I wish to speak with Twilight privately." Azure said seriously. It's time for him to step in and teach Twilight a lesson. Celestia nodded as she moved aside, letting her former love in. "Twilight, I'm truly disappointed in you. I thought you're better than anyone else."

"But Lord Azure! Lorcan! He lied and betrayed us! I saw it with my own eyes!" Twilight protested to Azure in concern. 

"Did you even bother to know Lorcan's lying? And I meant his tail winced? When Lorcan lies, his tail winces." Azure explained calmly to Twilight. Did she see his tail wince or not? 

"He-! But-!" Twilight groaned, obviously fighting a losing battle. "No... I didn't see it." 

"Twilight... Allowing anger and revenge will clouded your mind and reason. And tell me, is this what Starlight would wanted? Is revenge so important?! Are you willing to take that risk? Are you willing to become King Sombra?" Azure scolded Twilight. He was reminding her of the fact that the Alicorn wanted to avoid being what Sombra once was. 

"Lord Azure... I-I-!" Twilight began to protest, but Azure held up a hoof, not wanting to hear it right now. 

"I don't want to hear it. Pinkamena." Azure said before turning to Pinkamena. Time for her to step in. 

Things were not looking to swell, the Cult was causing trouble from behind the scenes and it looked like Twilight's little enraged behavior was reaching its critical point of no going back. Pinkamena and Goldie's group witnessed the action with Twilight, and knew that if something wasn't done, then there might not be any going back. 

"I really wish it didn't come to this, but...Twilight...you left me no choice." Pinkamena said sternly to Twilight. 

Then without warning, Pinkamena then rushed past the crowd, and approached Twilight's location to which before the princess could respond... "Stabfruvhmm...." A stab noise was heard when Pinkamena was behind Twilight who had lightly widened eyes in what happened, as the pink pony had injected a needle serum into the Alicorn mare's bloodstream around her neck area. As the pink pony backed away while many that saw this were shocked, but their attention turned towards what was happening with Twilight. 

"Pink...amena...cough...cough....what do you...do?" Twilight faintly coughed while trying to collect her thoughts in what just happened. 

"I'm sorry Twilight, but you left me with no choice. I really didn't want to go with Plan B, if you continued to let your hatred for Lorcan continue to cloud your judgment." Pinkamena regrettably spoke out in stating these things that were for the mare's own good. 

"What...do you inject...cough-cough...in me?" Twilight slowly asked off to cough more, but felt...woozy. 

"A hallucination you'll see from failing to forgive Lorcan, and for not understanding the truth/ I just hope...you'll survive it." Pinkamena spoke to say this in sounding terrible in knowing what comes next for poor Twilight to now have to deal through. 

"You....ugh!" Twilight tried to reach over to Pinkamena, but her vision blurred out before she fell onto her side and appeared to be unconscious. 

"Alright, everyone, nothing to see here! The princess will be fine!" Golden Heart issued off in making sure the crowd doesn't panic in seeing that Pinkamena did something to Twilight and would think its treason. 

Twilight's world began to swirl while the voices blurred out, as everything was going blank and dark at this time. 

--------- 


UNKNOWN DREAM HALLUCINATION
 

Twilight finds herself in darkness, looking confused. What's going on? Suddenly, the Alicorn saw a vision...of her speaking right after Lorcan was revealed to still be alive.

"You hid this monster for how long?" Twilight asked the princess sternly.

"Two years." Lorcan explained to Twilight making her scoff a bit.

Twilight yelped as the vision disappeared. Then she gasped as another one showed herself speaking to the princesses...and Celestia looked pissed!

"TWILIGHT SPARKLE!!!" Celestia exclaims angrily to Twilight, the vision one. “First, you banned my son from his first Winter Wrap-Up and now you mistreat and exile Lorcan?!"

"He betrayed us!" The other Twilight protested furiously to Celestia. The first one gasped in shock and horror. Is this how she was acting recently? 

"You are blinded by hatred! Remember when I told you to follow your heart?" Celestia exclaimed as the first Twilight briefly saw a flashback to Celestia telling Twilight to follow her heart. 

Back in the other one, the second Twilight protested angrily, aura glowing, "I said I'd follow my heart only if it concerned Ben!" 

"Well, you weren't concerned about him when you yelled at him!" Celestia pointed out coldly to the other Twilight, reminding her of how she acted before. 

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!" The other Twilight shouted as her eyes glowed.

What happened next was disturbing to the real Twilight: the vision one fired a huge blast at the Royal Sisters. The two gasped as they tried to block, but it was too late. The blast engulfed them both, causing an explosion.

When all was clear, there was nothing of Celestia and Luna but ashes, their remains on the ground.

"If I have to rule Equestria in my way..." The raging Twilight started. Then, her eyes started glowing like King Sombra's as she made an evil grin while finishing menacingly, "...SO BE IT!!!" Then she started laughing maniacally.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" The real Twilight screamed in pain, anguish and sorrow after watching this.

The first Twilight's eyes widened in horror as another vision showed her using her darkness to cover most of Ponyville, turning them to her side. And soon, the princess made an announcement: to find Lorcan and hunt him down.

"Why did you do that?!" Nyx demanded in horror that Lorcan is hunted down now.

"Listen, sugarcube, we can't stand let y'all be tricked by that monster anymore!" Applejack exclaimed, possessed by the darkness.

"He's not a monster!" Sweetie Belle protested, horrified by this.

"Well, we beg to differ!" Rarity, possessed, exclaimed darkly.

"And that's why we're going to find and kill him." The other Twilight said wickedly.

"Yeah!" Most of the possessed ponies cheered in determination.

"What?!" Ben gasped in shock and horror. "But Twilight, you didn't kill Discord, Trixie or even Boris!"

"I will kill you all if you get in the way!" The other Twilight snapped as she used a spell to trapped Spike, the CMC and Ben in spheres. "Just stay there until Lorcan's head is mounded on my wall!"

"MOMMY, NO!!!" Nyx cried as she banged on the sphere in vain.

Twilight, the real one, looked stunned. Had she been acting like this to Nyx?! Another vision showed the group cornering Lorcan. He tried to reason with them, but the ponies refused to listen and attacked him. He was attacked with no resistance...then Twilight saw the Cult beginning the ritual and Tadaka's spirit entering his body.

Twilight was left remorseful but still not trusting Lorcan slightly. But another vision was shown of her executing thieves, thugs, crooks and the bandits for the public in warning future misbehaving ponies. 

Twilight even saw her working her guards and citizens tirelessly in building a fortified wall and making the Rainbow Kingdom look like a Grey Kingdom (pun joke, cause there is no color of rainbows, only dull gray sorrow). 

"From now on, I am your dictator, and all who are me will be destroyed!" The evil Twilight shouted. Then she glared deathly at the CMC as she finished with a demented grin, "Starting with the Blank Flanks!"

"No, please don't!" Twilight cried in horror. But no one could hear her. She could only watch as the CMC were beaten by her possessed guards. How could this lead to this?

Twilight even saw herself delivering severe punishments to complaining ponies, EVEN children for either not following her rules or dare question her authority. No one was safe from the dark pony's wrath!

The mad Twilight was seen attacking other royals that wanted her to change her behavior, but went against it. The mare wanted to avoid seeing this...but cannot. 

Another vision was shown where the Plunderseed Vines were growing, entangling the gray castle and the wall that was being built. The Everfree Forest was taking control of Ponyville... and yet, the corrupted Twilight was actually welcoming it. In fact, she suddenly changed colors. Her mane and tail colors turned black, purple and green, and she now wore a black princess dress with black-and-green slippers along with a matching crown.

"From this day forward, Twilight Sparkle is no more. Now all will before... Princess Twivine Sparkle!" The evil Twilight shouted before she started laughing maniacally as lightning strikes in the background before the rest of the corrupted Mane Six laughed along with her, their evil laughter striking fear to all their slaves.

Soon, as the evil laughter loudly echoed in her mind, more visions are shown, much to Twilight's horror. She saw herself ordering her men to chain all civilians to be kept under lock and key within her kingdom to live miserable lives, just like from King Sombra's rule. She held a Death Fight where those who don't learn their place, are fighting either friends or monsters for their own survival. The mare would turn those Twilight was annoyed with to stone with horrified expressions, just like Discord once was.

Then Twilight saw Twivine publicly blasting a stallion where his child watched as a lesson was taught for stealing food from her gallery, begging to forgive him as he wanted to feed his child and asked that he live to raise the child, before making the child an orphan into a cold miserable home after Twilight vaporized the stallion that asked for forgiveness. 

"NO MORE! NO MORE!" Twilight wailed a bit, wanting to die. "I don't want to see anymore..."

Just the Azure and Pinkamena appeared. The Mystic Pony spoke sternly, "It's time you learn the truth of what happen if one pony desired revenge than forgetting what you truly meant to do and be. Other than yourself of course..."

"Trust me, Twi. It's not pretty. It happened in Ma; we'll start with Virtue's. It happen before and during 'Battle of Grave Stone Maze'." Pinkamena said seriously.

Twilight, Azure and Pinkamena arrived in the Chinese Throne Chamber of Dragon West Kingdom. They looked up and found Virtue, dressed in his greenish armor, sitting on his chair. He looked down while showing his pain, raged and angered. Concerned Lorcan, Dragonspear and Intellect Feather stood before him looking worried. Virtue's Wife Tigress, a light peachy Unicorn with a short brown mane and tail while her Cutie Mark was a Tiger Claw and Chakram, was neared him. She shown her feared and concern looks as her husband begins to rage on.

"Yes... We must defeat the Water Tiger Clan..." Virtue explains seriously to his allies.

Dragonspear gasped at this announcement, "But Strikespell and the Phoenix Kingdom are the true threat! What is the point of attacking the Water Tiger Kingdom?!

Virtue slammed his hoof on chair's right handler, scaring the Hell out of everyone as he snaps, "What's the point?! You..." He stood up angrily. "How dare you say that?! Avenge Blade's death! What other reason do we need?!"

Intellect Feather remained silent and calm while showing his firm gaze at his emperor. Tigress was in shock and scared when she looked at Virtue's hatred. It looks like he is turning into something that isn't truly him at all!

"Virtue... Don't. Attacking the Water Tiger Kingdom is what Strikespell wanted." Lorcan explains to Virtue, trying to help him. "Once you or even you did defeat them, he will take the advantage to kill you! Equestria won't able to stop them! And trust me, Celestia didn't want to hurt her former love because she loves him! And the Dragon and Tiger Kingdoms are the only ones who can stop Strikespell from attacking!"

Intellect nodded while adding in, "Qin may have been destroyed. But the Phoenix Kingdom will conquer the land by force. We have to stop them first before they could destroy anything else!"

"Please, my lord... I don't know why my brother did it. But I'm sure he didn't mean it because of... because..." Tigress begins to explains, trying to find the words needed to get sense through her mad husband.

"It was my fault. I have underestimated them. I always though the Water Tiger Kingdom is an honest nation, willing to help us. But because of the mess I made, they betrayed us..."

Virtue sighed as he finally calms down, "You're right..."

"Azure... What- what am I seeing? I'd never seen how angry Virtue is... He's beyond being a kind pony." Twilight said in shock and disbelief. She always known Virtue to be better than this. What is this that she's seeing?

"The past... Virtue's and Lorcan's Past. This is before the Three Kingdom became one powerful nation and even those who died are chosen as Mystic Ponies. What you're seeing... happens after Blade's death." Azure explains calmly. This is the past and Twilight is witnessing it all for the first time.

"How?"

Azure sighed, "I set the alliance between mine and Water Tiger in disposing of Blade at the 'Battle of Great Defender Fort'. And we did."

Twilight looks stunned and shocked. Azure actually did that? The Alicorn spoke up in horror, "Azure... How-how could you?! Of all the ponies, you could do something like this."

"That was in the past. After we became Mystic Ponies, we all reconcile and forgive each other. And I even went and see Celestia." Azure explains that happened before was in the past. Since those times when the right ones become Mystic Ponies, they have apologize and forgiven one another of their deeds.

Twilight sighed, "I guess it's over."

"Actually, Twi... This is the beginning." Pinkamena said seriously to Twilight.

As the door opened, a green armored West Dragon Guard entered and bowed down. He spoke up to his lord, "I bring news!"

"Not now!" Intellect exclaims to the guard. Now is not the time for this!

"If those Tiger bastards want to fight, they're gonna have to wait!" Lorcan exclaim in agreement at this.

"Please! Sec the Duke had turned on us! And General... General Warpath has been killed!" The West Dragon Guard explains making everyone but Azure and Pinkamena gasp in shock and alarm. "He and his squadron have taken his head and fled to the Water Tiger Kingdom!"

"Bastards! Damn you, Sec! How dare he?!"

"The relationship between us and Dragons... How could he do it?!" Dragonspear demands, shaking his head. The relationship between the ponies and Dragons had been good...but now, Sec went and done this?!

Virtue slowly got up while his body shaken and shivered in fear and shock. He begins to ask slowly as if wanting to wake up from this damn nightmare, "Warpath... He's dead?" Tigress fell to the floor while sobbing and crying in despair and pain. Virtue sobbed and cried in anger and rage, "Nooooooooooooo!:

Virtue took his sword up. He unsheathed it. He turned to his throne chair and gave it a hard slash. Everyone but Azure and Pinkamena were in shock and feared of what they were watching. Virtue here appears to be no longer himself. Hearing what happened to Warpath has truly change him.

"Oh Celestia...” Twilight gulps a bit. But one thing she doesn't understand: Sec? Wasn't he the same Dragon that she saw yesterday?

"About Sec? Sec the Duke is Sec II's father. The one we met that afternoon? Lorcan was right. Sec is the real liar..." Pinkamena explains to Twilight. The Sec that killed Warpath was in fact the second one's dad!

Virtue fell his flank on his back. Lorcan and Dragonspear approached and helped him up. Virtue screamed in pain, raged and anger, then slammed his hooves on the ground. The time to not act is over! The time to avenge is here! Everyone but Azure and Pinkanena looks shocked, horrified and alarm at this.

"My lady Tigress, forgive me... I fear this will be hard on you. I... I must avenged Blade Dragoon and Warpath Temper!" Virtue exclaims in determination and anger. His friends are dead, he must act! "I will have Claw Tiger's head! I will have my enemies' heads! I will have them executed! I will avenged them all!"

"Virtue..." Lorcan said to Virtue in sadness.

"Virtue... Don't do this! This isn't what your brothers wanted! You have to stop!" Twilight exclaims, calling out frantically to Virtue. Is she what others feared she would be turning into?! Into...this?!

"It's pointless, Twilight. We're in the past. What happens before, it's too late to change..." Azure explains that what she's seeing is already happening and there isn't anything the Alicorn can do to change it now.

"I hope everything's fine. I hope Virtue doesn't let his anger blind him."

"Hmm... Funny to hear that from someone who was blinded by her hatred."

"My lord, I-!" Twilight begins to gulp. But the truth be told, Azure is right. She is being blinded by her hatred.

"Proceed to the next one." Azure said calmly, ordering for the next scene to be shown at once.

"Right. And trust me, Twi. The next one... is painful." Pinkamena said seriously to Twilight. Whenever the pink one is like it, you can tell that something troubling is about to occur!

The scene shifted into some sort of stone like area. Twilight, Azure and Pinkamena watched and witnessed the Battle at the Grave Stone Maze. Both Dragon West Soldiers and Water Tiger Soldiers charged into the battlefield and fought against each other hard and quick while screaming angrily and wildly. As soon as three to five battles ended, the war prisoners and even the traitors from the Dragon Kingdom were brought before Virtue and his soldiers. The traitors bowed down and begged for mercy and explained their situation.

"SILENT! I'm done in listening to you! Because of you, my brothers had died! Kill them! Kill them all! Terrastrike, Heavy! Avenge your father and Rogue! Make them pay!" Virtue exclaims in fury. Twilight gasps in horror, could this be like when she wrongfully banished Lorcan before?!

Terrastrike, an armored darker greenish Pegasus with a brown short mane and tail tied with sash, wielded his father's Blue Dragon Crescent Blade while teenage Heavy wielded his father's Serpent Forked Spear. The time to execute...is now.

"This is for father... and brother..." Terrastrike said quietly.

"Die, you bastards! May hell take your lives away!" Heavy exclaims in madness.

Terrastrike, Heavy and Dragon West Soldiers drew their swords and spears out as they executed and decapitated the traitors and enemies. They came across a black-purple scaled adult fierce dragon who could only be Sec the Duke, Sec II's dad. Twilight looks horrified some more.

Sec the Duke growled, "Virtue... bastard Emperor of Dragon! Your brother is an idiot! He's the reason why I betrayed you all! You've made a mistake! My descendants and children will avenge me! They will have your head! Mark my word!"

"I'm gladly that they can try." Virtue said darkly. He swung his sword in decapitating Sec's head. He turned and glared at his allies. "No prisoners! No mercy! No kindness! This is war! This is vengeance! We shall not rest until I have Claw Tiger's head! Forward!"

Terrastrike turned to his soldiers while giving out the orders that everyone had now heard, "You heard him! Move out! Take them down!"

Heavy cried, "No mercy!"

"This can't be good. I've got the bad feeling about it." Lorcan said as he watch the madness unfolds here. How ironic that he will be doing the same thing many centuries from now!

"Yes... We have to protect him." Dragonspear said to Lorcan seriously. Virtue needs protection from not just his enemies...but from himself.

As Virtue and his Dragon West Kingdom charged and battled with the Water Tiger Army; they defeated yet killed, slaughtered, destroyed and decapitated their enemies to their deaths. Twilight looks shocked, horrified and disgusted at this. Virtue is merciless and reasonless!

"I can't believe it... This is what happen if I let my anger get the best of me." Twilight said stunned while shaking her head.

"That's not the worst of it... Because of his anger, he ignored everyone, even Intellect's advice and plans. He was defeated, and his army..." Azure then sighed. He hates to see this again, let alone show it. But it must be done. "Best you look at it..."

The scene shift to night time at the Grave Stone Maze. Twilight saw and witnessed the blazing and burning flames at the military camps. The Dragon West Army cried and shouted in fear as they were running away for their lives. They had lost, nothing can save them all now! The Water Tiger Army came out of the bushes and rive as they murdered and killed all of the Dragon West Army. Twilight is stunned. She is seeing what appears to be the end.

Virtue came out from his tent as he witnessed and saw the destruction and burning of his forces. The soon to be Mystic Pony gasps, "No... It can't be... How could I?! How could this had happen?! Damn it! No! This can't be happening!"

"Virtue! We have to run!" Lorcan exclaims to Virtue. No one can win here, the two must flee!

Terrastrike and Heavy helped and guided Virtue through the forest. With some remaining squadron and units of army, Dragonspear came and helped them in escaping while battling and fighting against countless Water Tiger Army members. As soon as they approached the misty gravestone area, Lorcan stopped and stood before his enemies.

"Lorcan!" Dragonspear exclaims in shock. What is that damn Dragon doing?!

"Go! Get out of here! I'll hold them on!" Lorcan exclaims. He turned and glared at his enemies. He is armed with his sharped claws. "Come and get me, bastards!"

Lorcan roared angrily as he jumped and attacked his enemies by firing his Dragon Flame and slashing his Dragon Claws and Dragon Sword in defeating all of Water Tiger Soldiers. Twilight looks stunned at his actions. She has never seen him like this before, only the evil side that was shown...when Tadaka, the Demon Lords and Grimmore had corrupted him.

As he continued battling with his enemies, Shorty and his soldiers came as they fired and shot their arrows on Lorcan's chest. The future Scarred Dragon groaned angrily before roared wildly, "You're not getting pass of me! Go to hell!"

Lorcan charged and battled against his enemies as hard and quick as he can. Shorty and his soldiers continued firing and shooting their arrows on him for a few times. After defeating his enemies, Lorcan fell to the ground as he panted.

"Damn it... Never thought I'm gonna died." Lorcan mumbles to himself.

Twilight is stunned. For the first time in forever, she feels...sorry and sadness. But that will have to be put on hold as Shorty come closer, ready to finish Lorcan off.

"Time to finish you. It's so hard to believe a Dragon like you was willing to help and defend the vengeful lord." Shorty said sternly to Lorcan.

"He's not my lord. He's my friend." Lorcan said to Shorty calmly, despite how close he is to be dead.

"You're welcome to go home..."

"Noooooo!" A familiar then Mystic Pony calls out in horror. Dragonspear jumped up as he slammed his spear on the ground in causing a powerful shockwave in destroying or blowing his enemies off. "Come on! Let's get out of here!"

Dragonspear grabbed and held Lorcan on his back. They both turned and escaped the battlefield. Shorty and his soldiers got up and went after their enemies.

"No.... This can't be... Is he?" Twilight still shocked by the events that she is now witnessing.

"You have to find out by yourself, Twilight." Azure said to Twilight with a nod.

The scene shifted into a sleeping chamber; Tigress, bandaged Lorcan, Intellect and Dragonspear stood before Virtue who was sleeping on his bed due to his illness since his defeat. Virtue moaned painfully, "Forgive me. I wanted a land of benevolence, like we talked about..." He sighed in regret. "But I allowed my anger and grief to consume me... And It cost men their lives..."

"Lord Virtue..." Twilight whispers in sadness and worry.

Tigress grabbed and touched Virtue's hoof. She pleads to her love, "No, my lord! It's not your fault. It's not."

"In fact... It was mine. I should have done the promise as soon as we took the Western Province. I'm truly sorry..." Intellect apologizes to his lord in regret and sadness.

Virtue smiles weakly to the ones who stood by his side. He spoke weakly, "My friends... Thank you for supporting me till the last, especially you, Lorcan."

Lorcan sighed, "Well... At least, I did a favor. Look at me... No argument from Warpath... Finally, I can have some peace." The Dragon sighed at this, realizing what he just said. "Sorry... Didn't mean that..."

"None taken... My son, Kindy Dragon... He must take over when I'm gone... Saber was killed because of me. My oldest adopted son... He was prefect to lead the kingdom. But now... he died in protecting me. And I repaid him is death... What kind of father am I?"

"My lord... Please... He did it to help you and avenge all of your fallen comrades..." Tigress said to Virtue calmly.

"That doesn't give me any excuse... ignoring everyone's advice and let them died for nothing..." Virtue sighed, feeling more regret and sadness. "If Kindy proves... inadequate, Intellect... You must lead the Dragon West Kingdom..."

Intellect shook his head and bowed down, insisting in shock, "No, my lord! I cannot!"

"You must complete the task... I have left unfulfilled..." Virtue turned to Tigress, wincing some more. Death for him...is near. "My lady.... I'm sorry for the pain I caused you."

Tigress sniffed, holding his hoof while saying, "My lord... With you... I was happy..."

Virtue turned and looked up to heavens. He spoke up, "Ah.... Blade... Warpath... Saber Dragoon... Everyone... I'm sorry I took so long... Now we go... Together always..."

With his last breathe given, Virtue closed his eyes calmly while having his hoof fell off Tigress's hold. Dragonspear hissed in anger while looking away from the scene. Tigress cried and sobbed in despair and pain. Intellect bowed down to the ground. Even Twilight looks down, paying her respects to the fallen one.

Lorcan sighed before bowing down, "Rest in peace, brother..."

Dragonspear, Intellect Feather and Tigress stood up and bowed before to Virtue Dragon. Twilight spoke softly, "Lord Virtue..." Will this await her should she keep on what she's doing? And is what happened to Virtue's son Saber? Will this be the same thing to Nyx?

"Do you see it now? Anger... leads to sufferings... Because of that, you wasted life for vengeance. I hope you understand..." Azure explains calmly to Twilight who now see the truth. 

Twilight cried and sniffed in pain and despair, "I... I... I understand now... And the way Lorcan talk to me... He was trying to convince me. And I let my anger blind me..."

"There's still time to fix it. It's time to find and apologize to him."

Twilight sniffed while saying, "I will..."

"Otherwise, you will be like this!" Pinkamena booms out.

The scene disappears, showing a familiar Twivine who appears, laughing madly as she lunges forward, appearing to engulf everyone....

---------------


THE AWAKE WORLD


"NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Twilight was seen screaming at the top of her lungs and sat up quickly with a look of terror on her face.

Twilight was sitting somewhere, recovering from her hallucination. Then she hears the door open and turns around.

Lorcan or what appears to be him spoke, "Are you gonna stay in your room feeling sorry for yourself all day or something?" She tries to get a better focus. "You owe Nyx an apology for the way you treated her last night." It's actually Spike. "Are you okay? You don't look too good."

With some deep breathing, Twilight suddenly notices she's back at Rainbow Castle, in her bedroom, and still all together. Then she looks around to see her friends and family by her side, along with Pinkamena & Golden Heart's group. Twilight suddenly coughs a bit, but tries to get her thoughts again in what happened, and why she seem so shaken....was what she saw a dream, or a hallucination.

"You okay Twilight?" Ben asked his love if she was alright now.

"Ugh, I feel awful." Twilight held her head in feeling like she's been flushed or something.

"Probably a side-effect of the serum I injected in you. Again, sorry, but it had to be done." Pinkamena explained the case again while apologizing in having done what she had to do.

"I saw things...horrible images...the likes I wish...I don't want to say or remember." Twilight spoke off to say this in feeling like what she saw, was something she rather not go through again.

"Then did you learn something?" Golden Heart asked if maybe what his sister did must have made Twilight realize her mistake.

"Those things...my choices....they spread so far to be the end of Ponyville...maybe even all of Equestria." Twilight held her covers close to her in feeling a shiver from feeling horrified by some realization she experienced.

"Mommy?" Nyx ask Twilight. She squeaks as her mother grabs the feeling, hugging her sadness and regret, with tears coming out of her eyes.

"Oh, Nyx...I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry..."

Nyx is hearing this, the voice of love and regret that she was used to. The filly hugs Twilight back, tears coming out as she spoke tearfully, "I understand, mommy. It's okay..."

"Then it means you've come out of it, and without being too late to make things right." Pinkamena smiled off to say this in knowing that Twilight has realized her errors and can now correct them.

"So then what are we waiting for? The day won't move faster if you don't get active!" Jack Zen questioned off in when Twilight's gonna get moving here.

"Right, we have to reach Lorcan and make things right." Nyx nodded off in agreement on the topic itself.

"You ready now Twilight?" Ben held out a hoof in awaiting for Twilight to take it.

"Right, come on everyone....we have to make everything right. For all of us...myself...and for Lorcan!" Twilight spoke off in becoming determine to take Ben's hoof to get out of bed.

Everyone cheered in seeing that Twilight's back with them now, and they all head out of the room. Hopefully, everything can be settled before the situation can get much worse. And with that, everything goes dark at this time...while leaving us puzzled in what awaits us and our heroes to face against; whatever it is, it will be something from the past...

"Princess Twilight Sparkle!" Fred exclaims as he and Barney rush into the next room. "We got reports of an attack between Ponyville and Canterlot."

"Yeah, doesn't look good." Barney remarks, nodding in agreement.

Twilight's eyes widen in shock. It could be too late!

-------------

Lorcan cringes as he fell to his knees. The cult members have outnumbered him and Flare Tiger a billion to one. It doesn't look good.

"Look at you." Drago laughs as he and his goons appear from out of nowhere. "You used to be someone...now? You're just a short freak with a scar."

"Shut up...Drago." Lorcan groans. He yelps as DJ Fist kicks him. "Gah!"

"Not so tough now, are ya?" Strikemaster Ice ask with a wicked sneer.

"Be silent, Strikemaster. We got the rage from earlier...hold him still." Sec orders calmly. The villain then took out a dagger and stabs Lorcan in the arm. The former villain screams in pain as blood came out of it which Sec calmly collects with his dagger. "Now you made finish him...we got all we need."

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" A familiar Canterlot Voice booms. Everyone turns to see Twilight's group and everyone with her arriving. The help has arrived!

"Princess, you are too late..."

"Attack!" Virtue demands as his side jumps up, trying to attack the enemy and save their injured friends. They don't know what happened but they all gotta act and fast!

The battle continues to rage on, with almost neither side getting an advantage here. Drago was scouting at the battlefield when he noticed Twilight was going to...aid Lorcan? Drago growls in seeing that Twilight, who hated Lorcan right down to the core, was going to give him aid in the fight to survive against Tadaka's remnant forces.

"Grrr…ARRRRUGH! Someone stop those two!" Drago roared off in annoyance, and wanted any available evil Dragon to stop such an event; but they were all busy with their own feats. "Fine, I'll do this myself!" Drago begins to charge in, only to be cut off from two chain blades that stop him by wrapping around his arms. "WHAAAT?" He roared off in fury to look at who was holding him back, and saw it was Pinkamena that was keeping him from going anywhere.

"Sorry, can't let you go. This is something Twilight and Lorcan need to do to patch up a relationship you broke!" Pinkamena made a sassy remark towards the guy in keeping him from interfering.

"Grrrr....you just made a very big mistake here? GROOUUAARRRUGHHH!/Powwfruvhmmm..." Drago darkly remarked off in a threaten tone, before he used his Dragon fire breath to shot out big flames at the pink pony.

Pinkamena suddenly had to draw back her chains to dodge that incoming fireball from almost roasting her.

"Get that little pink freak!" Drago yelled out for someone to get Pinkamena.

Much of the free Dragon cult members were seen charging to attack Pinkamena. But the pink pony stares against her overwhelming odds to swing her blades around to make like a spinning tornado. All enemy Dragons that attacked were getting hack, slash, chop from even getting too close to the attack. When she stopped, many of the evil dragons working for Drago and Sec were scattered and beaten across the ground.

"Grrr...." Drago growls with a growling Dragon sound while steam was blown out his nose in showing how mad he's getting.

"Twilight's seen the truth, the chance of your demon buddies seeking revenge is falling apart. So it's over now, Drago!" Pinkamena lectured the enemy that his chances to fool Twilight is over.

"Oh, I'm just getting warmed up." Drago remarked off with a sly smile on his face that this was far from being over.

Soon Drago pulls out some metal pole, blows fire on both ends to start swinging it around in having other skills then just speed, strength & fire spell & breath attacks; he's also got some martial skills for combat.

"Your so toast! ROOUUAARRROGHHH!" Drago remarked off to say before he soon charged straight at the pink pony.

And soon a combat clash was going on between Pinkamena & Drago. They were clashing with their weapons, and the pink pony was somewhat caught by surprise that Drago could fight well with a weapon in hand. But she yelped from watching out for the hot flames off the tips of that rod weapon he used, almost burn a bit of her mane.

"FIRE IN THE HOOOOOLE/Powwfruvhmmm..." Drago yelled out to say before blasting a Combination type tire spell right at the target.

"EEK!" Pinkamena yelps to duck down in avoiding that attack from hitting her.

"KURBOOMFRUVHMMM..." Then an explosion happened that destroyed a portion of where the pink pony stood, definitely wanna stand clear of getting burn there.

"Okay...this is really starting to not look good here." Pinkamena stated off in seeing that Drago is really bringing the heat here. "But no matter what, Twilight will realize that the only real monsters around isn't guys like Lorcan....but you and your buddies!" She stated off this matter in knowing that Twilight will know who the real monsters are, those that never learn to change and stay evil and Lorcan is the opposite cause he WANTS to be good.

"Spare me your words, and get ready, for when this is over....we'll be having a pony BQQ." Drago smiled off to say this while getting under the pony's fur.

"NOT ON MY WATCH!" Pinkamena yelled out in getting herself into a battle position.

"We'll see...LONG LIVE...THE AGE...OF DRAGONS!" Drago remarked off before yelling off this battle cry and started to charge in full force.

"LONG LIVE...THE AGE...OF CUPCAKES!" Pinkamena held up her blades in making a weird battle cry at this time.

Then a record scratching sound was heard that made many viewers look to the pink pony as if staring at some weirdo that made the weirdest declaration war cry ever. 

"What? Should I have gone with ponies instead of mixing it up a little?" Pinkamena asked off in seeing that everyone thought she was weird for saying something like that.

"ROOUUARRRUGHHH!" Drago was heard roaring out that caused Pinkamena to snap her attention and stop an attack from getting to her.

Now the battle between Pinkamena and Drago continues to be clashing on in which the pink pony wasn't gonna call it quits here for even a second. Hopefully the others can hold out and win their own battles while Pinkamena is keeping Drago occupied.

"Enough of this!" Sec said as he got up, recovering. "We must leave NOW!"

Sec, Drago and their Dragons disappears, leaving Flare Tiger and the injured Lorcan behind. They got what they needed. No need to stay behind any longer than they had to.

"Lorcan!" Twilight cries as she flew over to Lorcan and begin to hold him. "Lorcan! Lorcan!"

"What happen?! Who did this to him?!" Spike demands in shock and alarm, seeing the stab that Sec made when he attacked Lorcan.

"Those jerks who attacked us." Flare Tiger explains as she got up but barely. "They assaulted us while we were on our way here. One of them, Sec, stabs Lorcan in the arm."

"The cults... Lorcan wasn't really part of it... Let's find them now!" Twilight exclaims in determination. She made a huge mistake in letting this happen.

"Twilight... Twilight..." Lorcan spoke up barely.

"Lorcan! Stay here! You need resting!"

"No! They did it. Those bastards have it..."

"What? What did they have?" Ben ask Lorcan, fearing the worst.

"They're bringing Tadaka back from dead... The fight between us... It's their ploy... Stop them... Stop them..." Lorcan moans a bit before he fell unconscious.

"Lorcan..." Twilight said quietly and sadly to herself. What have she done?

-----------

In the Everfree Forest, the Dragons gathered, ready for the resurrection that will spell the end of Equestria for good. By the time their enemies figure out that they're here, it will be too late.

"The preparation is done. We have the Aura of Hatred and Blood of His." Sec said wickedly and madly.

"Good... The Reign of Demon Lords and Dragons can finally begin..." Drago said with a cruel grin. Everything has gone according to plan. Soon...
> Chaper 7: The Resurrection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7: The Resurrection


Everyone came back to the Rainbow Castle. Twilight has took down her barrier so that Lorcan can be brought in without being bounced off. As Lorcan lies in his bed resting, Twilight and her friend were preparing, along with 500s of Royal Guards and Dragon West Mystic Soldiers. Tadaka is on the verge of returning and they must stop his resurrection before a war between ponies and evil Dragons begin new!

"f what Lorcan spoke is true about bringing Tadaka back, then we must be prepared and ready to fight against Tadaka. Knowing Tadaka, he will finish what he had started." Intellect said seriously.

"Well guess what? I'm gonna finish what I should have done. Break that jackass to pieces!" Warpath exclaims furiously. Tadaka has cause too much trouble for too long!

"I agreed, Warpath. Tadaka must be brought to justice." Blade said in agreement with his brother.

"Indeed. We're not gonna let him destroy the alliance between ponies and Dragons again." Dragonspear said seriously. The first time almost destroyed all of Equestria, the second time was the same thing. They can't let a third time be the charm!

"Agreed... We have to stop them." Virtue said in determination.

"And you will need all the help you can get." Azure said to his allies calmly while coming into the room. The Mystic Ponies must work with the Equestrian ponies. They wish that they themselves had helped when Lorcan send in his war the last time. The Mystic ones shall make up for it. Azure Phoenix brought Bladestrike, One-Eyed Anger, Bullhound, Schemetrick and Strikespell and thousands of Phoenix Mystic Soldiers, knowing that the upcoming battle is gonna be Tartarus.

"Azure. Thank you for coming. This is just like old times when we faced against Devil Destroyer at the Flood Fortress."

"Indeed. And now we're united to face against the threat of the alliance between Dragons and Ponies. And we will stop them from destroying the harmony and alliance."

"Agreed. We must stop our enemies." Celestia said calmly.

The two former enemies nodded in agreement, making preparations. Centuries ago, they were at each other's throat. Now? They are working together to stop a true threat from emerging.

---------------------

The Mane Six's group and Flash spoke amongst each other, making their strategies with their allies. Sunset is amongst them. She is relieved that Twilight has come to her senses...but Lorcan's return must be kept a secret...for now.

"I just thought of something." Pinkie said thoughtfully. "Isn't Tao supposed to be out of town at the moment on some quest? How is it that he's still around?"

"Oh, well...I guess I must've imagine him and brought that one into existence like I did Silverlay." Twilight admits to her friend, blushing in embarrassment. "In truth, I always wish that he's here, to guide me."

"Okie dokie lokie!"

"And Sunset? I owe you an apology."

"No apology needed." Sunset said calmly, holding up a hoof to assure her friend that no apology is needed. "You only acted because you were upset. I'm glad you came to your senses."

Twilight then turned to Flash. "And Flash. I'm also sorry for threatening to have you court-martialed last year. I know you were only trying to protect Ben."

"Hey, you're already forgiven, Twilight." Flash assured her.

Anger huffed, "Just like old times... Working together to deal against the greater threat. I hope you're not rusting on the battlefield, Blade."

"Question my strength as much as you want, Anger. I'm here to help my brother and Lorcan to stop Tadaka from rising." Blade said, brushing off Anger's words. As long as the Mystic Pony is here to stop a tyrant from coming back, it doesn't matter.

Bladestrike nodded while speaking, "Agreed. The Fate of Dragon and Ponies' Alliance rest on us. We cannot let it be destroyed. If we fail to stop them..."

Dragonspear sighed, "Drago will turned all of good and migrated Dragons into evil. They will rule Equestria and the Mystic Realm under theirs and their masters' iron claw. We must not fail."

It's true. Once Tadaka has come back, most likely the villains will work in turning those against them into their allies. The heroes of Equestria must NOT let that happen.

"Hey, fat pony. I hope you're not gonna be sloppy on your job. Coz if you are, I'm not gonna help you." Warpath jokes to Bullhound, much to the latter's irritation. He always like to make joke against his pal.

Bullhound groaned, "I watch what you're saying if I were you, Warpath. You're the one who is sloppy when it comes to wines."

"Shut the hell up!"

"Tell me, Master Intellect... Do you have a brilliant plan in stopping Tadaka's complete resurrection?" Schemetrick ask Intellect hopefully. There must be a way to keep Tadaka from making his return.

Intellect sighed as he shakes his head at the question, "Unfortunately no. There is one way we can achieve it."

Schemetrick chuckled, getting the idea, "I know what you had in mind, Intellect. I can see why Cunning Fury admire your brilliant mind. And not to mention why Navy Skills has jealous issues on you. You and I share the same ideals."

"Indeed. And I can see why Azure favored you as his advisor and strategist. We're ready."

A familiar pony came into the room, smirking at Ben while speaking, "Hello again, Ben... I hope you're not slowing any of us down. Because if you do, I won't plan on rescuing you."

Ben groaned at Strikespell, why must he treat him like this, "Quit treating me like a kid. I'm a strong and heroic stallion now. You used to respect me when we met again in saving Mangani."

"Beginner's Luck. In battle, impress me."

"I'll prove that to you."

"I'm counting on you." Strikespell said to Ben with a nod. If the adopted son of Celestia would prove himself, that would be impressive. Yet, he wonders when the princess will get around to tell Ben the truth.

"Lord Virtue, Lord Azure; we're ready." Twilight said. The group is ready. They must strike before the cult would bring Tadaka back and destroy everyone. She turned to Virtue, his past is still on her mind. "Lord Virtue... I'm sorry too."

"For what?" Virtue ask Twilight, not sure as to what she meant at first.

Twilight sighed, she still can't get the images out of her head. Still, she spoke on, "I can see why you treasured Lorcan as your best friend. And not to mention, I understand why everyone was worried about me. I saw your past. It must have been painful to you."

"Yes... It was very regretful and hard. But at least, yours is not worse as mine."

"But- But-!"

Virtue hold up a hoof before Twilight could say anymore. The Mystic Pony spoke up calmly, "It’s okay, Twilight. The most important thing is you've learned your lesson. I can see why Azure Phoenix admire you... You learnt and understood the situation very well."

Twilight pauses then smiles as she spoke, "Thanks..."

"Think you're going on the war without me? Don't try it." A familiar voice comes onto the scene. Everyone turns to see Lorcan bandaged up and barely moving, coming in.

"Wait, you want to come?" Spike ask Lorcan in concern.

"Lorcan! Yew are barely alive as it is!" Flare Tiger exclaims to Lorcan in concern. "Yew go back 'ta bed little Dragon!"

"Flarey's right, you are in no condition to be fighting again." Rainbow points out to Lorcan that the Dragon is still hurt from when Twilight had harmed him before, along with the attack by the evil Dragon. "The third time, you could be dead!"

"Right, we don't want to lose you this time." Nyx said with a nod.

"Look. I don't care of what I'm doing. I'm doing of what needs to be done. And trust me, I'm gonna finish it." Lorcan said seriously. He felt responsible for having a hoof for what's going to happen tonight. The Dragon want to fix it.

"Lorcan, please. I can't let you go! After what has happened, I can't put the risk of you again because of me..." Twilight spoke quietly and sadly. She is still regretting what she herself had done and this time, wants Lorcan to be alive.

"Listen, Twilight. I get it of what you had done in the past. But remember, it's Sec. That bastard is mine to kill! He and his dad owe me for ruining everything. And I'm gonna make sure that my dad is in hell for good!"

"Lorcan..."

"I've done with that jackass. I'm truly done with that past. I want to redeem it. And I meant it. I can be funny Dragon, but I'm a serious one too." Lorcan snorts as smoke came out of his nostrils. No more Mr. Funny Dragon! Time for some flank kicking or tail kicking!

"Alright, Lorcan. I'll let you." Twilight said with a thoughtful smile.

"What?!" Most of everyone gasps in shock and alarm. Did the princess say what they thought she said?

"Twilight, be serious!" Applejack protests to Twilight over her decision. "'Dat Dragon is barely alive."

"Right, Twilight, don't make a bad decision again!" Rarity insists to Twilight, worried that her friend may be making a bad decision like before.

"Don't tell me you are sending my brother on a suicide mission!" Spike groans, slapping his forehead. "I knew you would..."

Twilight spoke over the crowd's protests, "No. I'm not against him. I'm giving him a chance of redemption. And the time is now."

"Thanks..." Lorcan said, giving his former enemy a weak smile.

"Then, we're ready." Virtue said seriously. Looks like there's no going back now. Lorcan is now part of the mission.

Celestia cast a spell on Lorcan, causing his injuries to heal, much to his surprise. The princess smiles while saying, "We need you to be in tip-top shape for this."

"Thanks, Tia." Lorcan said as he took the bandages off. His wounds are gone, as if they were never there to begin with.

"If I were the enemy, where would I be hiding and performing the ritual?" Luna ask thoughtfully. There must be some place where the enemy would perform the ritual, but where?

"Reports claimed that the Dragons came from Everfree Forest." Celestia said. She recall the deer sending her messages, telling her of how the Dragons are last seen leaving the Everfree Forest. "I'd say it's the perfect way of them in spying on our situation and plan to attack Ponyville, then the rest of Equestria.""

"Not if we stop them first. It's time to end the Dragon's Rebellion for good..." Azure said in determination as everyone cheers in agreement. Time to stop the rebellion and nip it in the flank/butt.

----------------------

The Dragons were in the center in the middle of a pit with some crystals in the center of it. The time had come for the resurrection to be at hand! Once Tadaka is back, no one could stop him!

"Prepare the ingredients." Shendu ordered sinisterly. He and the Demon Lords were there, overseeing what could be the return of one of the biggest evils that Equestria had ever seen!

"Lava of a Volcano!" Cann exclaimed as he poured in some lava from a cup. The pit began to move a bit.

"Fang of a Reptile!" Jast ordered as he broke one of his fangs out. It hurt a lot, but it's for the best. The Dragon groaned in pain as he threw the fang right in.

"The Body of Old!" Sec exclaimed as one of his men somehow dropped a huge Dragon corpse into the pit.

"Is it soup yet?" MC Cobra asked impatiently.

"Rage of an enemy." Sec said as he opened up a vial then opened it. Some darkness poured into the pit in success. He took it without Twilight even realizing it.

"Blood of the Son." Thay laughed as he dropped Lorcan's blood from the knife.

Soon, the pit began to explode before boiling a bit. The time was almost here.

"The time is coming. With Tadaka's might and genius on our sides, both Demon Lords and Dragons can rule the world!" Drago exclaimed with a mad, twisted laugh. 

"Long Live the Dragons and Demon Lords!" Sec exclaimed. All the ritual needed was to be finished up. 

"Indeed... Finally... After so long, our dream of conquest on this mere weakling and pathetic land can finally come true..." Tso Lan said wickedly and in determination. He and his brethren had waited a long time and now, it's finally here. 

"And the revenge on those who have banished us to the Demon World!" Bai Tza hissed wickedly and in hatred. "Especially Twilight Sparkle..." 

"Indeed. Spike and Lorcan will pay for their treacherous betrayal!" Shendu said wickedly while nodding. 

"Not a chance!" A familiar voice of Celestia's exclaimed. The villains turned to see that she had arrived, along with her allies, army, etc.

"It was you! I should have known." Twilight said, seeing the heads of the ones that she, Ben, Nyx, and their group in the End of Equestria has banished. "You eight Demon Lords are responsible of this mess. What exactly are you trying to achieve in bringing Tadaka back?" 

Shendu smirked as he explained, "You see, Twilight... Tadaka was the best as Peta. When you tore Peta apart, it makes Drago and his minions in bringing him back alive. So, Tadaka was perfect to come back alive. He is the key strategist in leading to conquer the world." 

Bai Tza chuckled as she added, "To resurrect him, we required both blood and hatred. Both of you are perfect." 

"You bastards!" Rainbow shouted angrily.

"You're even worse than before!" Nyx exclaimed in agreement. "I almost lost my mommy because of you!"

"You guys never change, not at all!" Ben yelled angrily.

"Right...you're bad guys." Fluttershy said meekly.

"You used us, try to turn us against one another!" Twilight exclaimed angrily while nodding. "Luckily for us, we found you out!"

“It doesn't matter. When we're through with you, I will have my daughter back. I will fix her the way she was meant to be. And above all, all of you will be forgotten! She is the Princess of Demons!" Tso Lan explained darkly. He will get Nyx back and forced her back to what 'she was meant to be'. 

"Hello! I'm the oldest than her! I'm the Prince of Demons!” Drago exclaimed, annoyed that he was being forgotten all of the sudden. 

"Demon Dragons. Remember that, son." Shendu reminds his son, rolling his eyes at this. 

"Destroy them all! Wipe them out! Sec finish the job!" Tso Lan exclaimed, ordering Sec to finish the ritual. Hopefully for the villains, they can get this done before it is ruined! 

“Yes, sir!” Sec exclaims, saluting as he turns to Jast. “Jast! Finish the work! This ends now!” 

"Right!" Jast said with a nod.

"How many times do I have to tell you idiots?!" Nyx yelled angrily, "I am not your daughter! I am not the Princess of Demons! And I WON'T GO WITH YOU!! YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME BACK, YOU S**T-FACED COCKMASTERS!!!" Hearing this got Tso Lan to yell out in shock from hearing her insult.

"WHOA!" Most of everyone exclaimed in shock by the language.

"She didn't learn that from me!" Twilight exclaimed in shock.

"Awesome burn, Nyx!" Rainbow praised with a grin.

"Yet please don't do that again." Ben said to Nyx awkwardly. "Your grandma would think we're setting a bad example for you."

Tso Lan's shock almost immediately turned to rage. How dare she speak to him and his comrades that way! He growled as he shouted at Nyx in rage, "No one insults Tso Lan like that!!!"

"Oh, how embarrassing." A familiar voice said sarcastically and playfully. Then, Discord appeared next to Celestia while glaring smugly at the villains, "Little Nyxie must've picked that language up from a satirical adult cartoon series that's not for children."

"FIGHT THEM!" Tso Lan roared furiously. The fight went underway as the ponies and Dragons charged at one another.

Pinkamena spun her blades, making a tornado as her tail spun with her sword ready to fight. She commented, "Even if we fail to stop the return of Tadaka, that does not mean we will allow the Demons to reign with this monster. Let's show them what we are made of!"

"Yeah, let's rock!" Rainbow shouted determinedly.

The Unicorns fires out their magic, the Pegasus flew around, hitting their enemies. The Earth Ponies quickly did not waste time in knocking the lower enemies down big time. They can't allow Tadaka to come back or all is lost!

"Anyone for chaos?" Discord asked with a smirk as he snapped his lion fingers.

The result of the snap made the start raining anvils on the Dragons, most of them yelped as they dodged being hit like crazy.

Virtue took his Twin Lord Swords out, then swung and struck down on most of his enemies while dodging and avoiding the attacks. As his body glowed greenish, he charged and gave an X-shaped mark with lightning strikes. 

Blade Dragoon swung his Crescent Dragon Blade in defeating most of his enemies while blocking the attacks. He then unleashed the powerful stroke of win in blowing them away. 

Warpath punched and kicked his enemies hard and quick while having his body deflected and hard strong against any kinds of attacks. He roared wildly while jumping up high. Warpath took out his Serpent Forked Spear and slammed it on the ground in creating an earthquake. 

Dragonspear dodged and avoided the attacks quickly while swinging and striking his Dragon Spear at his enemies one-by-one. Three enemies struck their spears at him. He dodged and slide down straight to the front while tripping them to the ground. He jumped up as his body glowed. Dragonspear swung and thrust his spear at most of his enemies hard and quick for a few times before giving a hard swing of his spear on them. 

Saber Dragoon dodged and avoided the attacks while striking and slashing his Twin Dragon Sabers at his enemies hard and quick. As his body glowed brightly, Saber cried wildly. He disappeared. As the enemies screamed in pain upon receiving the attacks, Saber appeared at the back of them. 

One-Eyed Anger cried wildly and angrily as he blocked and deflected the attacks against most of his enemies while swinging and striking his scimitar at them hard and quick. His body glowed in blue as he swung his scimitar in destroying most of his enemies for three times. Anger then jumped up and slammed his on the ground in summoning the fire in destroying them. 

Bladestrike roared in anger as he charged and swung his blades against his enemies. As his body glowed blue, he roared in anger as Bladestrike launched his powerful swinging axes at them hard and quick. 

Bullhound roared wildly as he charged and rolled as a ball in ramming and charging on most of their enemies hard and quick. The Mystic Pony jumped and slammed his Mace in slamming on the ground hard. 

Azure Phoenix dodged and avoided the attacks while swinging his Phoenix Emperor Sword against them quick and swift. As his body glowed blue, he swung his sword in summoning the freezing hails and arrows in defeating most of his enemies. 

Strikespell dodged and blocked the attacks quick and fast while he stroke his Dual Blade at his enemies for a few times. He parted his Dual Blade in two as he swung and struck his Twin Phoenix Dual Blades in defeating and destroying most of his enemies. Strikespell summoned the diamond hails of ices in destroying most of his enemies.

"Falcon... PUNCH!!!" Pinkie shouted as she used Falcon Punch on one of her enemies, sending him flying.

"Take that, you evil Dragons!" Rainbow shouted as she kicked one of her own enemies before dodging a few blows from another one.

"TRIFORCE SHOWER!" Ben shouted as his Master Sword fires a shot into the sky.

The shot made a Triforce in the sky before showering down blasts at the enemies, knocking them down and sending them all packing hard.

"I'll make you regret insulting us with vulgar words, filly!" Tso Lan snarled at Nyx.

"I'd like to see you try it, lizard lips!" Nyx taunted the villain before blowing a raspberry at him, pissing him off even more.

"SPIRIT STRIKE!" Ben exclaimed. He then spun around quickly, causing a huge blast that hit the Demon Lords, knocking them away in shock. "Ha! You like that?! I've learned that myself! It can hurt any Demon Lords even when they are out of their bodies!"

"Good shot, Daddy!" Nyx praised Ben with a grin.

"What do you think?” Ben asked Strikespell as he gave a cocky grin. 

Strikespell huffed while rolling his eyes, “Beginner's Luck as usual.” 

Ben groaned in disbelief. Was there no way to winning Strikespell over? "You're stubborn as always. I never understood of why you can't even appreciate me."

"Simple... You're an illegitimate son of Celestia." Strikespell remarked bitterly to Ben. 

"Why, I oughta-!” Ben snarled. Who does this jerk think he is calling him illegitimate?! 

Saber stepped in before this conversion turns worst, "Illegitimate or not, we've got mission to perform! I swear to the Dragon God if you don't shut up for the moment! I will give some knuckles in waking you up!” 

"Fine!" Ben and Strikespell groaned in annoyance. Their little argument will have to wait…for now. 

"Twilight, teleport us over." Lorcan said in determination. "If we can do that, we will interrupt things before Tadaka comes back."

"You got it." Twilight nodded, sharing Lorcan's determination, "Hang on!"

Twilight grabbed Lorcan then made a huge teleport. The cult was close to finishing things up...but then the Alicorn and Dragon appeared, startling them all. Both of them blasted at the cult members, knocking them back.

"Give it up, Sec! It's over! You can't win! Looks like you failed your dad." Lorcan exclaimed, giving a sneer to Sec and his pals for their failure. "No vengeance. No revenge. Ponies and Dragons will live in peace together as always!"

Sec hissed in anger, "Not if I make one final part of the ritual, traitor. Long live Tadaka!" 

"Don't you dare-!" Lorcan exclaimed but Draco flew in and fire a blast, keeping the two away. 

"Hurry up and finish things!" Drago called out to Sec quickly. 

"To bring one powerful General from the death, we four give our lives to him! Our might! Our strengths! Our powers! They are his to command! We give ourselves….so that Tadaka Draconian will live!!!" Sec exclaimed as his eyes glowed along with his allies. "LONG LIVE THE AGE OF DEMONS AND DRAGONS!!!!"

Suddenly, the four cult members turned into energy before flying into the pit. Twilight and Lorcan fired blasts in trying to stop them, but it's too late, they were already inside the pit. Soon it exploded, making one huge rumble. 

"NO!!!" Twilight exclaims in horror. That doesn't look good. "STOP!" Twilight yelled out to where she and those with her try to stop the ceremony from continuing on.

"Too Late, Sparkle!" Drago made a sly remark in stating this issue at the enemy before gazing back at the ritual. "WaAaaaay Too Late!" Drago spoke forth this with a wide grin on his face while strong winds were blowing across him and the others.

"It is time." Intellect said grimly. Everything has been for naught. Tadaka is finally making his return.

Schemetrick nodded, saying in agreement, "Indeed, Tadaka has returned... This one... is different... I believe those cults have added the Dark Mystic Amulet in him to be strong and powerful."

"Just as I predicted. But in order to destroy him for good, we must weakened him." 

"Let's begin the ritual. I can hope Tao, Dragon Kick and Seeker returned home safely."

"They will. Come and we must perform the tricks now." Intellect advises his pal. The two meanwhile must weakened Tadaka once he wakes up or all is lost.

Intellect and Schemetrick set the ritual at once by pouring the black and white powder on the floor: a yin-yang symbol with Chinese Symbols of the North, South, West and East and Four Sovereign Creatures and the candles. They then sat down and chanted calmly and firmly.

------------------

At the Tombs of Thousand Heroes Graveyard; Tao, Dragon Kick and Seeker had arrived on the area. They looked around in searching and looking for their objective.

Suddenly, something glowed and beamed at them. Tao, Dragon Kick and Seeker turned and looked up. They smiled in relief. The heroes have found it.

"Boys... I think we found it." Tao said calmly to the others as he takes the object that the group was looking for.

"Good... We'd better get back home now. I just hope Twilight wasn't trying anything stupid again. I hope she forgave Lorcan." Dragon Kick said, hoping that the situation with Lorcan has been resolved.

"Don't worry, she will. We must leave now before Grimmore found out what we were up to."

"Yeah! No kidding!" Seeker exclaims in agreement. The longer that the group stays here, the most likely that Grimmore would figure out what's going on.

Seeker transformed into a giant dragon. Both Tao and Dragon Kick took a Chinese Lantern-like with a candle wax on it. They turned and jumped on his back. He flew up to the sky, heading back to Equestria.

Not one of them are aware of what's about to happen.

--------------------

"Spike, Spike, Spike! Get outta here! He's back!" Lorcan exclaims to his brother in alarm.

"Who's Back?" Spike ask Lorcan although he is already suspecting that that "he" is!

Soon the ritual was completing itself as the blood from Lorcan, the remains of Tadaka's planted seed of evil and hate was absorbed into crystals that emerged from the ground. This was the familiar Body Rejuvenation spell from the Book of Forbidden Spells that Drago & Sec's group somehow obtain the knowledge to use it. The crystals were forming themselves, shaping and growing larger and larger, before eye holes were made, and light was returning to them. And soon, the crystal shell cracked before imploding to break off to reveal what was within. It is a huge dragon with sharp teeth and fangs, green slits for eyes, and a horn that matches Spykoran the Old's the King of the Dragons and Spike's grandfather, on his head to his tail, he has a purplish black body color and has messy hair. There was no mistaking it, this was...Tadaka!
> Chapter 8: Tadaka's Moment of Return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 8: Tadaka's Moment of Return


The scene opens up to where the battle against Drago & the rest of Tadaka's followers are seen. Twilight & everyone else that banded together to stop the resurrection of Tadaka...has failed. The resurrection was completed by both use of a strange portion of Sec & his fellow members that gave their lives up to help increased Tadaka's power upon his return with the use of the Body Resurrection Spell. So not only was an old evil pony hating Dragon back, but he was probably badder than he was before. And soon as the crystal shell cracked off after successfully being revived, guess what he said.

"I......LIIIIIIVEEEEEE!" Tadaka waved out his arms to yell this message out in being alive again, as his roar and unfolded wings set a gust of wind blowing across the field.

"Yo, that thing is Lorcan & Spike's pop?" Strikemaster Ice questioned off in never picturing the two baby dragons were related to this guy who look scary.

"Who knew?" MC Cobra shrug off to say while DJ Fist nodded silently in agreement there.

As Tadaka slowly stands before all, his eyes seem to focus on only a few subjects in particular; Dragons. From a midrange was Lorcan & Spike and close to him was Drago and his crew and the rest of other Dragon minions that some were of his old army. 

"Welcome to the land of the living, Tadaka. I am Drago, Son of Shendu, the Fire Demon Lord whom you swore an oath to be blood-Dragons." Drago grace Tadaka in presenting himself for the old war dragon to recall who he is, by mention of his father.

"Ahhhh, I see...so you are Shendu's offspring. You carry his Fire Demon bloodline within you." Tadaka spoke off in recognizing Drago to be the image of being Shendu's son.

But then Tadaka's gaze shifted towards the Dragons that are further ahead of him; one that wears a cloak that hides his scar and the other baby Dragon that stood near him. Tadaka could register both of them from determining what dragon species they are...

"Lorcan....I see you are alive, the Dragon who stands with you...could he be…your unhatched sibling from the egg?" Tadaka spoke off in recognizing his older son, and even suspects the one near Lorcan, is his second son that he never saw since Spike was only an egg. As the former removes his hood, turning into his teenage former, Tadaka, "You remove the hood...and grown, I see..."

"You forced me to, taking away my childhood!!!!" Lorcan exclaims furiously at the monster who was once his father.

"Come my sons, it is time to begin our legacy." Tadaka held out his claw to offer his children to join him in the dawn of a new Dragon age.

"Sorry, but we're not interested!" Lorcan remarked off to state this in giving his refusal.

"Whaaaat?" Tadaka lowly spoke while growling and blowing steam out his nostrils in sounding....both annoyed and upset by that tone Lorcan used.

"Unfortunately....both your sons have sided with the enemy, they're now pony lovers!" Drago gritted his teeth to state this in a spiteful manner of where Lorcan & Spike stand; as their enemies.

"Is that so?" Tadaka responded in learning this news after his return. "Tell me Lorcan, what happened to my teachings, have they not dug deep within your soul?" He asked forth in wanting to know, what happened to Lorcan when he CLAWED that scar on his son's face that made him be more agreeable to kill ponies.

"Oh they did, and they ruin my life before Spike help saved me from it!" Lorcan stated off to remark the fact that serving his father's will mess his life up until Spike, his brother, freed him.

"Spike?" Tadaka raised an eyebrow in being puzzled, but look to the second son in where the two siblings share the ideal of the message. "I see, so my second child was named after my father during his time of legends. How regretful to be reminded of a name that has sided with the weak beings know as ponies that should be...destroyed!" He spoke off in realizing his second hatched child was named after King Spykoran the Old in the old days, back during a time where the Spike of old was friends to ponies, which only made Tadaka find this bothersome.

"Hey! Just cause your here, doesn't mean we're gonna let you get away with that!" Spike protest to say this in trying to not stand for hearing their blood-father badmouth ponies.

"It will seem, I'll need to teach you BOTH, a lesson. And if you do not learn to respect your father..." Tadaka slowly spoke his words while stepping off from where he was revived to stand very tall in the center. "Then you will learn to fear your father to learn Obedience!" He stated this off with showing death glares in about to teach those that do not respect him...some manners.

"Tadaka!" Tso Lan spoke as the Demon Lords got his attention. "A wonderful chance to see you back."

"Yes, it's good to see you return at our side again." Shendu remarks to the Demon Lords with a sinister smile.

"Now ponies are dead!" Dai Gui exclaims with a mad roar.

Tadaka saw the ponies nearby, preparing themselves for a battle. He spoke in amusement, "Well, well, well... What do we have here?"

"You remember the Princesses...with them are Celestia's son Benjamin Mare, the Mystic Ponies, the new Elements of Harmony, Tso Lan's daughter Nyx...and Spike's new mother Twilight Sparkle." Shendu explains cruelly as he motions to Twilight who frowns at the tone of disrespect.

"So... This is Twilight Sparkle?" Tadaka chuckled in amusement. He had heard about her from Grimmore during his stay in Tartarus...and now he finally met the Alicorn. "So this is the pony who tortured and enslaved my sons? Well now... You shall pay for your insolence."

"Hey! Don't make fun of mommy like that!" Nyx exclaims angrily at the villain.

"Fine, who 'de hay do yew think yew are?" Flare Tiger demands furiously, looking pissed.

"We won't let you harm my friend!" Rarity exclaims in agreement, preparing to kick some flank.

"That's our mother you're talking at." Spike snaps furiously in agreement, defying his dad.

"Hell yeah! Why don't you pick somepony's on your own size," Lorcan exclaims in agreement and anger.

Tadaka growled as he claws at the ground in fury, "Insolent brats! You'll pay for speaking that tone at me!"

"Bring it on, bastard!"

As things seem to stand, Pinkamena and her group get in a fighting stance in being ready. As they see that Tadaka himself was preparing to make a move.

"Well Twilight, hope you're ready. You're about to see a true monster up close and personally ugly." Pinkamena spoke near Twilight's party in knowing they best be ready, cause things are about to heat up with the arrival of a monster AKA Tadaka.

Twilight nodded silently in understanding that consent of a warning, they must all be ready in what they shall face.

"Tadaka...this doesn't have to go like last time!" Celestia steps forth in hoping to once again, get reason in Tadaka.

"Celestia....you should know me better by now. When I start something..." Tadaka was slowly speaking before he soon raised up his right claw. "I FINISH IT!" He roared off this manner while swiping his claw at the ground; which trigger something like a command signal.

From that signal moment, all of the Dragons that serve Tadaka soon were charging off to attack the ponies group. With the revival of their long lost leader, the inspiration seem high. Everyone was getting ready here, cause now the heroes are about to be dealing with Dragons who are gonna fight harder with the return of Tadaka.

As things look grim, Pinkamena spins her blades around, making a tornado and spins her tail with her sword, as she was now in a battle ready position.

"Get ready every pony! Even if we fail to stop the return of Tadaka, that does not mean we will allow him, the Demons, or who knows who else to wipe us out! Let’s show them what we are made of!" Pinkamena spoke out in giving that little speech there to help motive their pony side here.

After having heard that, many of the brave ponies soon started to get themselves ready as the Dragons were coming at them. It was neck and neck, either one was about to attack, and soon.....well they just CLASHED or CRASHED into another of whoever knock the other back. And soon a battle of Ponies VS Evil Dragons begins anew here.

"Twilight, the time is now." Azure said to Twilight seriously all of the sudden.

"What? What do you mean?" Ben ask Azure puzzled. 'The time is now'?

"You don't mean-!" Twilight gasps in shock. Azure means her Dark Form...the same one that the mare couldn't get into before because she was angry at Lorcan, blinded by what he did, especially to Starlight. "But I'm not ready!"

"The time is now. Now... Unleash your power. Remember what I've taught you." Azure said to Twilight calmly. The ponies need the Dark Forms for the major fight against Tadaka.

Azure and Twilight closed their eyes together as their bodies glowed in dark and their respective colors: navy and lavender. Phobos puzzled ask, "What the heck are they doing?"

"Err, Twilight, Azure? Now is not the time to be doing this lesson." Sunset spoke out to Twilight in concern. With the evil Dragons ready to assault, doing this may be consider to be a time waster!

"Best we let them." Flash said to his love in confidence. "Twilight may surprise us yet!"

"Remember, Twilight. It’s time to let go your hate and anger. Forgive Lorcan and his wrongful sins. Channel them as your might and strength. Not by your hatred and rage but love and faith." Azure said in confident. Twilight must forgive Lorcan and his wrongful sins in order to make it to the next level.

Twilight nodded as she spoke quietly and calmly, "I understand. Darkness can be used for good. After what I've seen... I forgive Lorcan... I apologized to him. I have no hate or anger... anymore..."

The greenish lights emerged from the ground as they engulfed both Azure and Twilight. They both transformed into their Dark Forms. The heroes of Equestria look amazed. So this is what the Dark Form looks out without being consumed by the darkness! Those assholes are goners now!

"I'm ready..." Twilight spoke up, in full control of herself. This time, the darkness won't take her. This time, she will use it to help take Tadaka down!

"Welcome to Twilight's hell, dad. We're gonna knock your ass!" Lorcan crows to his father in determination. Tadaka is going to be dead again this time!

The heroes of Equestria prepared for their battle against Tadaka and his forces.

"I'll make you suffer!" Drago shouted, snorting out flames. "Both Nyx and Spike are mine to kill. And I'll reformat them as my slaves."

"Not gonna happen!” Spike snapped in defiance, not wanting Drago to make a slave out of him and Nyx! 

"Used us once, not happening twice!" Nyx exclaimed in agreement. No way was that jerk going to put Nyx and Spike under Shendu's control twice! 

"You want them, you're gonna have to get through me! I'm their dad!" Ben shouted as he stepped in front of his kids, ready to defend them. 

Strikespell chuckled, impressed that Ben was willing to give his life to save his kids, "Now I'm impressed..."

"About time you guys come together and beat those monsters." Saber remarked, noticing that Strikespell was finally impressed with Ben's actions. Looks like the time has come, then! 

"Let's do it!" Ben shouted in determination as he, the Mane Five, Nyx and Phobos charged at Strikemaster and his gang as if in the style of Big Hero 6 of the final battle. 

Tadaka fires out blasts at Twilight and Lorcan who dodges them. The scarred Dragon spoke out to his former enemy, "We need to beat this guy together!"

"I'm a princess, you're a simple Dragon. I can take care of this." Twilight remarked to Lorcan with a slight scoff. Lorcan just sighed and frowned. That Dark Form was messing with her self-judgment a bit. 

"Your funeral." Lorcan remarked with a shrug as he stepped aside to let Twilight take her shot at the creep. 

"You think that Dark Form could frighten me? What a joke!" Tadaka taunted.

"Oh you want a joke? Knock knock." Twilight remarked to Tadaka with a smirk.

"Who's there?" Tadaka asked Twilight with a frown.

"YOU'RE DEAD!" Twilgiht snapped, flying at Tadaka and hit him on the chin. But to her surprise, all it did was annoy him. "Celestia damn it!"

"Fool!" Tadaka shouted, "I am all powerful! Nothing can damage me!"

"Now do ya see, Sparkle?! You can't hurt a Dragon whose had years of experience just because you're a princess!!!" Lorcan snapped at Twilight in annoyance since the mare not did not heed his suggestion. 

"But...I saved-" Twilight began to protest but Lorcan cut her off quickly as he began his own protest. 

"You can't always save Equestria. You didn't save the Crystal Empire and you didn't stop the Changeling Invasion." Lorcan explained, pointing out how it was Spike who saved the Crystal Empire, and Shining and Cadance was the ones who stop the Changelings’ invasion. 

"Are you scolding me?!" Twilight asked in annoyance from Lorcan's attitude. 

"Somepony has to, after how you treated me and how your arrogance has blinded you..." Lorcan remarked with a scoff at this. 

"Aww, how cute, you're fighting like a couple." Tadaka remarked, taunting how Twilight, due to her Dark Form, and Lorcan were arguing. "Do you two want to be alone so you can make out?"

"You're gonna eat those words when we get through with you!" Twilight shouted angrily.

The battle was going out between Drago and his supported evil allies in having the extra firepower. And with Tadaka now back, things seemed to look grim. But then without warning, multiple attacks fell from the sky and exploded around the evil dragon army. And something flew from above that landed that were actually...more dragons, but these guys....were friends to the ponies. 

"The Dragons of Equestria!" Spike called out in seeing that their side's dragons are here. 

"Finally! Now we got a more fair chance here!" Phobos exclaimed in seeing that they can now stick it to the enemy. 

However, time stood still from the moment the new surprise allies came to help. Tadaka seemed to study the Dragons, as he recognized them while it was the same thing, vice-versa. And soon, Tadaka spoke towards the one Dragon commanding the bunch that stood in his way. 

"Captain Draco...it has been a long time since I've seen you." Tadaka spoke off in seeing who was now here; the captain of his army from long ago. 

"Not long enough since we all believed you died before we were sealed in the Void!" Captain Draco exclaimed off to say this in lastly recalling what events took place; Tadaka was executed and his army sealed in the Void until Lorcan set them free. 

"Then tell me...why have you appeared in my way of the path to eradicate these pony vermin?" Tadaka asked this while gazing at the captain, sounding upset that a fellow Dragon of his army, was getting in his way. 

"Because...we have changed. The ones here were the lucky Dragons who were not turn to dust or turn to stone...in letting their hearts succumb to your hatred for ponies." Captain Draco explained forth this matter that they are not the same as they once were while others devoted to Tadaka and his intentions perished. 

"Then where is it...that you now stand?" Tadaka raised an eyebrow in being curious of what answer he shall get. 

"We stand....as not of your old army...but as the Dragons of Equestria!" Captain Draco explained forth this to open his wings, declaring boldly of who he and the other dragons are. "We who are freed of being blinded by hate, choose to protect those we have done wrong. Even your older son, has seen his error ways and chooses to save these creatures." As Captain Draco expressed his own feelings of where he and other good dragons stand, Lorcan felt surprised that he too, was involved in the discussion. 

"Hmph! This is your answer? Have you forgotten what one pony did to my most trusted & loyal friend?" Tadaka scuffed off in finding this claim as fool-hearty, for he has not forgotten what Nightmare Moon did to him long ago to resent ponies. 

"I have not, but the actions of Luna were not of her own...she was manipulated, but a creation from the Moon Demon Lord Tso Lan. It was he that we have learned who brought this anger to blind you." Captain Draco explained the case that while they remember the dragon that was close to Tadaka, the one who laid siege to causing such problems lie with the Demon Lords to turn this Dragon to rage. 

Silence filled the air as the biggest truth came out; that Tso Lan created Nightmare Moon as an evil essence that possessed Luna to turn evil from being jealous of her sister Celestia, which, in turn, caused much unbalanced events before Luna was cured. But after hearing this and when Drago and Strikemaster Ice's crew felt like Tadaka was gonna set his anger on them or not...they heard evil laughter before it died down. 

"You think I care for such matters of whose fault it really was, the one who did the deed was a pony, and so her crime shall be handed down to ALL of her kind!" Tadaka explained forth that it doesn't matter who caused Luna to turn evil, she and she herself failed to be stopped and killed his trusted guard and so judgment shall be the destruction of all ponies. 

"Then you leave us no choice, Dragons of Equestria, we shall fight against Tadaka and his army to protect our pony comrades!" Captain Draco look down in seeing that negotiations are no longer possible, and gave the order that they are to attack their former master & his new army. 

"Right!" Storm Dragon replied off in hearing that. 

"We're ready!" Ice Dragon stated in being ready to go. 

"Let’s rock them out!" An Earth Dragon issued off to say this thing. 

Now the Dragons of Equestria first struck out with their own separate breath attacks of fire, ice, lightning, earth, etc. All attacks managed to inflict damage to many of Tadaka's new evil army. And soon it was becoming a battle of where it's Dragon vs. Dragon, good Dragons vs. evil Dragons, and so forth and so forth. 

"This is between you and me, Drago. I'm gonna make you pay for hurting my family and especially my mother!” Spike snapped, snorting out smoke from his noise. 

"Try it, small fry!" Drago taunted, holding out a claw and did a gesture that spoke, 'Go ahead, make my day'. 

Drago roared in anger as he charged in and struck his claws at Spike who quickly dodged and ran back as fast he can for a few times. The villain then launched his Demon Dragon Flame at Spike who yelped in shock before rolling over to the front. He crawled to the front. Drago turned and grabbed Spike's left leg, then he whacked and slammed him on the ground hard and quick on both sides for a few times. Drago then spun Spike for a few times before throwing him right to the tree's log. 

Drago was about to attack when the Mane Five jumped and slammed onto him. Drago roared in anger as he struck and knocked them hard and quick for a few times. 

Spike groaned and moaned painfully as he slowly got up. Drago came over before he punched and kicked on the baby Dragon to the ground for few times. Drago grabbed Spike's neck tight as he was prepared to fire his Dragon Flame. 

Suddenly, Ben charged and rammed Drago hard into the tree in allowing Spike to be free. Drago turned and battled with Ben who blocked the attacks with his Hylian Shield for a few times. The son of Celestia then swung his Master Sword at Drago who dodged and fought back at him. As Ben thrust his Master Sword at Drago, the latter dodged to his left before giving the former a hard kick. 

Spike breathed heavily as he struggled to get up. He turned and glared at Drago, demanding darkly to his enemy, "Leave... them... alone... Drago!" 

"No worries... I will until I finish you off!" Drago exclaimed evilly. “Hyper Dragon Beam!” 

"Megaflame!" Spike shouted out an attack of his own. 

Drago launched his Hyper Dragon Beam blasts at Spike's Megaflame as they both clashed at each other for the moment. 

"Give it up, kid! No way you can win!" Drago taunted Spike wickedly. 

"Trust me... I'm not giving up! I won't let you hurt my family! Nova Megaflame!" Spike exclaimed in determination as he shouted out another attack. Time to take that jerk down! 

Spike launched his Nova Megaflame in blowing and destroying Drago's Hyper Dragon Beam back to his mouth in knocking the latter back hard. 

"That's... for ruining my family's special celebration, asshole.” Spike remarks bitterly while snorting out more. 

"Spike... Watch your language. Nyx may have said it. But no way, I'm gonna have another to talk that!" Ben exclaimed, scolding Spike for using language like that. 

"Sorry..." Spike said sheepishly to his adopted dad. 

Twilight, Azure and Lorcan worked together, trying to hit Tadaka who got smack a bit times, but he appeared to be holding his own.

"MEGABREATH!" Tadaka roared as he sent out a blast from his mouth, knocking the trio down. "DARK CLAW!"

Twilight and Azure yelled as Tadaka slashed them, knocking the two Dark Form ponies down. Even in their Dark Forms, they were outmatched by Tadaka!

With the way things were starting to stand, the heroes look like they are gonna need some extra bit of luck. The balance was almost starting to get a bit more in Tadaka and company's favor at this rate. 

"This shall be the end of the pony species once and for all! Nothing will stop my plans now!" Tadaka announced forth that soon, the pony race shall be destroyed for good this time. 

"I'd rethink that claim if I was you!" Spoke a familiar and yet strangely puzzling tone voice in debating that subject from…above that folks heard. 

Then, at the moment, something was dropping from the skies that soon made loud impacts on the ground to suddenly stand as tall and fearsome looking as the Dragons around. When the smoke clouds were clearing, the ponies were able to recognize that which has come to their aid: The Machines of War from the Vault in Canterlot. There were many Scoot Falcon 4300 units, RhinoRex Tank 8000 units, Octo-Apple Launcher 7000 units, the Naga Troopers, and even the tough Kingler, BIG Golem, Inferno Weazo 7400, Forest Gorilla 6500 & Black Widow X-ATM. And leading the group in the middle was a familiar mechanical bot, the GAROOZIS, as it let off a mighty dragon roar. And at the same time, a short heroic trumpet noise was heard in sounding the heroic arrival of some saviors. 

"Detective Dan?" The pony gang responded off in complete puzzlement and bewilderment in seeing who had appeared out of nowhere during the last second of their battle. 

"That's right baby! I'm back and ready for duty!" Detective Dan spoke off from being inside GAROOZIS, as he looks ready to combat some bad guy behind. 

"Where the heck were you all this time?" Lorcan asked off to raise an eyebrow in seeing this kooky guy show up out of nowhere just now. 

"Cut a guy some slack, them home renovation folks are murder!" Detective stated off that he was elsewhere in trying to get himself a nice home in Ponyville, but some home management was murder on him. "But anyway, heard about what happened, and I KNEW, there was trouble blowing in, so I stepped up to the plate and tossed in a curve ball!" The guy was stating in some strange baseball analogy that he saw trouble and was here to help. 

"In short, he got all of the Machines of War you pony folks used the last time you dealt with Tadaka's Dragon Army." Dojo was seen on Detective Dan's shoulder in making things brief about bringing up the heavy artillery. 

"Yo, check out some of them things!" Strikemaster Ice spoke off in seeing what it was that they got to see now. 

"Never seen anything like that before!" MC Cobra shook his head off to say while the quiet DJ Fist nods his head in agreement. 

"Grrr….quit being impressed, you idiots!" Drago growled at his elite henchmen for being impressed by such a show-boat display. 

Now the backup calvary has arrived, the short trumpet play was starting to die down. And soon the Machines of War stood forth in preparing to give their aid in stopping and taking down the enemy. And the one leading them was probably the last pony anyone expected, and it gets crazier from when he’ll give a speech rant. 

"Alright, you sorry excuses for Dragons! First: You frame Lorcan after I've helped clear his name?" Detective Dan spoke off in making his ranting to complain about what’s been going on. "Then you go and start making Twilight go all kooky-nutty, making her look like a complete fool and trying to get everyone to go against her?" The guy was literally pouring this stuff on pretty thick, even Twilight signs in thinking that’s too much pressure to take again. "And now you've revived some big bad Dragon fossil and wanna wipe us ponies off the map?” He stated off in seeing what it is that the enemy is up to now, the destruction of all ponies. "I got one word for you, pally. GAME OVER!" Detective Dan narrows his eyes in focusing on the enemy in having this little matter to say. 

A record player scratching noise was heard, as it stopped everyone to stare at the weirdo detective in what he just said in terms of something that didn't sound right. 

"Two words!" The Mane Six and company corrected Detective Dan's words.

"WHATEVER!" Detective Dan rolled this eyes in not bothering with the details right now. 

"Hmph, to think ponies would require the aid of machines…shows how weak they truly are." Tadaka scoffed off to say this in seeing that ponies were truly weak creatures. 

"I take that as an offense." Omega issued off in feeling offended right now. 

"Alright. Boys, let's get ready to make some noise!" Detective Dan stated off in deciding that it’s time to turn up the heat here. "Ignitions on! Thrusts on MAX! Battle theme music!" He was making these announcements to get things ready, but the last one sounded…extra weird. 

"That last part, I can do." Dojo smiled off to say, slithering to press a button on the machine that had a subwoofer stereo to start playing something. 

"CHAAARRRRGGGEE!!!!" Detective Dan yelled out loud in announcing the time to attack was now. 

Suddenly, the background was playing 'Blood Shot' from the Megas XLR OST. And soon, the Machines of War were seen scattering off to attack all of the evil dragons working for Tadaka. 

"Run them to the ground!" Tadaka narrow his eyes to let off a growl in commanding his own army to eliminate these annoyances from his sight. 

The evil Dragons let off evil hisses and roars before taking flight or charging forth. Soon all sides of Dragons VS machines had begun again. 

"Ruvhmmm…Powwfruvhmmm!" BIG Golem reared its right arm to deliver a smacking punch against one evil dragon that knock him into four more evil Dragons. 

"RHINO-CANNON - FIRE!/Powwfruvhmmm…KABOOM!" Those piloting the RhinoRex Tanks charged up the cannons and soon blasted powerful shots that blow away more of Tadaka's Dragon forces. 

"Bang-Bang-Bang-Bang-Bangfruvhmmm…." The Black Widow X-ATM was firing its gating guns that was knocking out a few evil Dragon fliers in the air to come crashing down. "Pow-Pow-Powsruvhmm…" Even the Scoot Falcon 4300 units were soaring in the air to fire laser shots to cause damage to the evil dragons to which they couldn't swat, it’s like swatting flies that bite back. 

"Purrfrsusuvhmmm…" Inferno Weazo 7400 unleashed it’s flamethrower that was roasting off a few of Drago's own teen Demon Dragon servants that couldn't take the heat. 

Strikemaster Ice and his crew were facing up against the Naga Troopers, but the slithering things seem pretty good at combat and firing lasers from their tridents. 

"Yo, how'd these guys be so tough that they give problems?" MC Cobra asked off in not seeing this event coming from a mile away. 

"I heard they were off the grid from that Three Tribe Leaders plot, yo." Strikemaster Ice stated off in last hearing the things were taken over by the once evil tribe leaders that started a three tribe war again. 

"RABBITCHUUUU/Brrizizizvhmmm!!!" Then as DJ Fist was about to attack the next thing coming at the trio, they got a bad pick when it was Rabbitchu, who let off a thunderbolt attack on them. 

"Waahahahaaaaaughhhh!" Strikemaster Ice’s crew were suddenly getting an electrical shock treatment from the unsuspecting little yellow rabbit. 

"GHO-Keeeyy/Poowwfruvhmmm!" Kinglet was seen smashing his big right claw against the ground that sent a shockwave that plow down more evil dragons. 

"Pow-Pow-Pow-Powfruvhmmm…KABAM-KABAM-KABAM-Kabamoommfruvhmmm…." The Octo-Launcher 7000 units were firing many magical shots from apples they took in and boy did they help take down more of the evil dragons. 

"We've got evil dragons at 12 o'clock!" Dojo was panicking in seeing where the next group of enemies was coming around their side. "Evil Dragons at 3 o'clock!" Then Dojo noticed from inside GAROOZIS that more evil dragons came from the other spot. "4…6, no 9 o'clock!” He was getting panicky in seeing that they are now surrounded around all sides. "Oh, man, Dan, we're cornered!" Dojo gripped his head in seeing they were in serious trouble here. 

"I got yer clocks, right here!" Detective Dan smiled off to say in pressing a button on the control panel for something to happen. 

"HEAT HYPER/Powwfruvhmmm…Kurboomfruvhmm!!!" Soon GAROZIS opened its mouth and fired off a flaming heavy emerald flame attack that blasted to knock off enemies from 9 to 3 on a clock scale time pattern out of the park to crash into the ground beaten. "Chain Kunai! Frsuvhmmm…Clupowwfruvhmm…" Then GAROOZIS swung his chain weapon off to tie up the other evil dragons, and then hurl them across to smash them into more of their evil buddies. 

"Wahoo! Go Dan!" Pinkie Pie cheered off in seeing that their side was winning here. 

"Awesome job!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in loving this little show here. 

"Round 'em up, partner!" Applejack cheered in liking this here rowdy-o. 

"Are you kidding me? Grrrr…CORNER HIM!!!" Drago growled in fury. One whack-nut detective was giving them a harder time, that's so stupid. 

Soon, many of Drago and Tadaka's army were trying to surround Detective Dan's spot. "Prsusvhmmm…Powwwvvuhhmmm…." Too bad Detective Dan activated the booster rockets on GAROOZIS, and… "POW-POW-POW-Powfruvhmmm…" Let's just say that it was like watching someone plow down a bunch of evil dragons that were like bowling pins…and guess who the bowling ball was? 

"My word….we're finally getting somewhere." Rarity stated, seeing that their chances were getting better here. 

"Leave it to crazy and unexpected ponies like that detective to turn things around." Ben shrugged, seeing that Detective Dan may have his moments in battles than just detective work. 

"I know, it's like seeing Pinkamena and Pinkie Pie team up." Twilight rolled her eyes to say in seeing this act was like seeing their two random pink ponies doing this sorta scene. 

"Guess they and Detective Dan make a funny team." Adult Nyx stated off to make a slight joke in how funny that wacky teacup could be. 

“Well it looks like we’re finally getting through, let’s keep this up!” Golden Heart stated off in seeing this was their chance to make a turning point. 

“Right, can't let Detective Dan and the rest have all the fun. Let's go!" Jack Zen said, wanting to get in on this, too. 

"Yeeeaahhh!!!" The pony side cheered in seeing that it’s time that they too get involved yet again. 

Finally, the battle was going the ponies' way, as everyone was pitching in to help and stop the evil Dragons. The tide was rapidly changing, many of the forces that sided with Drago and Tadaka were thinning out. The only thing left to go for…was the big bad leaders themselves. 

"DOGPILE ON THE BIG DRAGON KAHUNA!" Detective Dan roared off in ordering all the Machines of War to topple on Tadaka. 

"He can't be serious!" Spike raised a suspicious eyebrow, thinking that plan is insane. 

"WAAAAAUUUGHHHH!" Detective Dan made a loud battle cry, as he was charging forth to begin the attack. 

"He's serious." Phobos rolled his eyes to state the stupid are about to become even stupider. 

"Clopfruvhmm…Clopfruvhmmm…Clopfruvhmmm….Clop-Clop-Clop-Clop-Clopfruvhmmm…" Soon, GAROOZIS, and then many of the other bigger and heavier Machines of War were all joining together to doggrel right on top of Tadaka. There was utter silence at the time in which nobody even made a sound of this awkwardness. 

"Oh, this will NOT end well!" Lorcan slapped his forehead in pretty much knowing, things are about to get ugly, really, REALLY fast now. 

"Rouurrarrrughhhh!" Suddenly, little flashes and glowing burning light was seen before a loud roar of anger was heard. "Powwfruvhmmm…" Then without warning, all of the Machines of War were scattered across the frontal field, and GAROOZIS skid the most backwards. Soon Tadaka stood up in showing that he looked really annoyed to gaze at the rebellious bunch. At the same moment, the background battle theme music was canceled off at this time. 

"I grow tired of this, I shall make an example of you of your doom kind! You, shall be the first to DIE along with the other ponies, for your ignorance, annoyance, and you’re complete STUPIDITY!" Tadaka yelled off in having had enough of these acts, he'd end things by first eliminating the one called Detective Dan and take out the rest along with him. 

Soon, Tadaka was starting to gather a large amount of magical energy to come into his mouth, as he was going to perform a very big, and deadly dragon breath technique. 

"Shirley Lou, this is Kooky-Pooky and Scaly-Lips!" Detective Dan was speaking on a comm-link to use codenames. 

"I never understood those codenames you gave us." Dojo raised an eyebrow on the last two codenames spoken to address them; Dan was Kooky-Poky & Dojo was Scaly-Lips? To him, they sound weird. 

"The big foe is about to unleash something big, it's time to go with Plan J! Reroute all Machines of War's magical power outputs to it!" Detective Dan gave the order in what they are gonna do, they are gonna use all their power in one fell swoop here. 

"Wait, Plan J? Dan, you're not gonna….” Dojo yelped in recalling that plan, and began to feel worried about it. 

"Sorry, little buddy, but he’s asked for this, it’s time to bring out….the Jammer!" Detective Dan shrugged off, indicating there was nothing he could. The creep here was asking for it. 

"Aw, Dan, no one deserves that!" While Dojo tried to help state to reconsider this plan of action from Detective Dan's big step, the pony brought out a red button switch from under his shirt. "Not even a revived creep like Tadaka." Dojo tried to state that even this enemy to all pony life in Equestria shouldn't be made to suffer such a maneuver. 

But Detective Dan didn't listen once again as he initiated the sequence of some system. "Rerouting all power from GAROOZIS and connecting other Machines of War to…the Jammer!" While Detective Dan did that and pressing a few button commands, the ponies outside were wondering what was happening. 

"um, hello? You're about to be attack, what are you guys doing?" Rainbow Dash yelled out, annoyed that Tadaka's preparing a big attack, and Dan wasn't moving fast enough. 

"Somethin' must be goin' on." Applejack stated, having a suspicious feeling at this moment. 

Then suddenly, the Machines of War began to glow in a strange color pattern, and then, all focus magic glow beams around the outside spot of GAROOZIS. After that, a strange blue cube was appearing with the red bright words reading 'The Jammer' on it. 

"What is that supposed to be?" Fluttershy asked off in not knowing what it was they were seeing here. 

"I'm not sure, that’s not one of the things stored in the Vault." Adult Nyx raised her eyebrow in recalling the stuff that was put in Canterlot, but that thing wasn't one of them. 

"It must have been made, but for what purpose?" Rarity raised an eyebrow in questioning what this sorta device was meant to do. 

Then Dojo popped out of GAROOZIS to look down at the heroes in back of him. "Um, for all you ponies and friendly Dragons, I advise many of you to cover your ears. Detective Dan just called out 'The Jammer', and trust me, it won't be pretty!" Dojo explained off in what those that value this info, should pay heed to what's about to come. 

"Huh?" Much of the ponies responded, not even the good Dragons were following what was coming here. 

"Believe me, you're about to see a power that not even the Eight Demon Lords or even Tadaka can withstand against." Dojo issued forth in stating what's about to be unleashed here was truly something to be on the lookout for. 

"Why am I getting that uncomfortable feeling about this?" Golden Heart stated in feeling like this could be trouble. 

"You and me both." Ben agreed. 

Soon, the blue cube was shapeshifting itself into a stage. Then a disco ball and a microphone stick appeared, but then, appearing by magic was Detective Dan teleporting himself on the stage. After that, speakers started to stretch out from the other parts of the stage, looking like from a stand point, Detective Dan was about to unleash something to stop against Tadaka's attack, which was looking like a giant sphere of flames like the sun. 

"Um, Twilight, better make some earplugs appear!" Pinkie Pie spoke off in having a strange Pinkie Sense at the moment. 

"Why…?" Twilight raised her eyebrow in finding something about this plan that required earplugs. 

"Cause while this may affect you guys, probably won't affect us much." Pinkamena shrug off to simply say this in knowing what’s coming soon. 

"I'm actually feeling that they aren't kidding!” Jack Zen remarked as he sweatdropped, having a bad feeling that when the two random pink ponies say something like that, it should be taken seriously. 

So without any arguments, Twilight was quickly making her magic to spread it out for all ponies and good dragons to be magically receiving…earplugs! Drago and his crew were puzzled in what the heck was going on with the heroes group, while Tadaka wasn't caring, as he was now fully prepared to end things with his final attack. 

"Huchguaghumh!" Detective Dan cleared his throat into the mike to test it, causing it to effect the speakers. It wasn't long before a lot of the good guys had on earplugs while there was none for the bad guys. 

"NOWWWW….DIIIEEE/POWWFRUUVHHHMMM…." Tadaka issued off as he soon breathed out a hurling fireball the size of the sun straight for the ponies. This was it, it was do or die time. 

"This will be bad news for anyone to take a maximum output in what's to come, so hang on tight!" Pinkamena warns the entire crowd in seeing what’s about to come, but not from the enemy it seems. 

Then it happened, Detective Dan unleashed his 'Jammer' by….SINGING! Secret Note….BRACE YOURSELVES! 

Detective Dan: I…gave…my love…of cherry

The vibrating sound waves from the speakers were blasting Tadaka's attack with Detective Dan’s singing voice. Though from hearing it, it sounded like a powerful wailing noise that completely obliterated Tadaka's fiery attack, causing it to be extinguished. And the signing itself was just…terrible. 

Detective Dan: That had…no…stove…. 

Most of the Mane Six, Goldie's group, CMC, Royal Sisters, baby dragons and grown dragons along with even the Mystics were holding their ears tight for dear life, as their eyes were wide open from the sound they still heard. Even the bad guys like Drago, Strikemaster Ice and his crew, and the rest of the evil dragon army were trying to drown out the noise, but it was TOO UNBEARABLE! 

Detective Dan: I…gave…my love…a chicken.... 

Phobos was scrunching his teeth while his eyes began to twitch from overhearing the awful singing. Lorcan and Spike were trying to withstand this noise with their eyes shut and ears clamped tight. 

"Woo-hoo! Yeah/Rock that thing!" Pinkie Pie and Pinkamena were actually enjoying that song, even though it was so bad. 

Detective Dan: That had…no..bones... 

"YO! WE OUTTA HERE!" Strikemaster Ice yelled out from trying to block off the sound of that awful singing. 

"WE CAN’T TAKE THIS!" MC Cobra replied off in which they all started to book on outta here along with more of Drago’s troops. 

“GRRAAAUGH! COME BACK! RRRUUUAGH! CURSE THAT DETECTIVE!" Drago roared off to stop them, but he clutched his head tightly to groan and then had to end up retreating with those that couldn't bear this. 

Tadaka was gritting his teeth in standing his ground while taking this unimaginable attack; never had anypony ever tried something so…unpredictable! 

Detective Dan: I…gave…my love…a ring…. 

Those that had different music taste made weird faces, but many of Tadaka's Dragon army, even Drago and his entire lot had fled the scene from being unable to withstand such horrible, HORRIBLE singing. 

Detective Dan: That had…no…end... 

Suddenly, Detective Dan's so-called 'singing' caused a strange paralyzing sound effect on Tadaka while before the pony made a bow, as he was finished. That much was probably the greatest relief anyone was gonna be having at this time. 

"Grrrr-uurrogh….can't…move…" Tadaka's body felt numb from that terrible signing that paralyzed him, and he growled in fury over this. 

"Alright, Dan!" Pinkie Pie cheered from the performance that was done. 

"One more time!" Pinkamena cried out in wanting to hear another. 

"NOOOOOOOO!!!!" Many of the nearby heroes rejected that idea instantly. 

"I can't believe it! This will literally go down in history!" Golden Heart spoke off in stating this with much disbelief of what's happened. 

"That we survived Tadaka's return and stop him from destroying ponykind." Jack Zen pointed out in how things will be remembered of this day. 

"No, that it took the absolute WORSE singing voice to stop our enemy from vaporizing us completely!" Goldie remarked, knowing that that day would be remembered that it took terrible signing to stop the monster known as Tadaka. 

"Alright, folks! This is your moment! Time to deal the final blow to the enemy!" Detective Dan issued forth in seeing this was the moment for any heroes to deal with the final blow now. 

Having heard that plan, it sounded like a one-way shot, but the wacky detective was right; this was their chance to finally take down Tadaka. So without any delay, those that were willing to took up arms and prepared to end things. And the ones that were gonna end this nightmare and the evil influence of Tadaka would be down to only a certain select few choice heroes in question… 

Tadaka spun around, slashing Lorcan, Twilight and Azure hard and injuring them. Looks like he's going to finish them off.

"Time to finish this. Schemetrick, now." Intellect said quickly. Better stop Tadaka before he finishes the three off! 

Intellect and Schemetrick all called out at once, "Spellbinding Ritual!" 

A black circle with a yellowish star shape emerged from the ground. It then launched and shocked pure white electrical lightning struck at Tadaka who screamed in pain. Within his body, a dark amulet-like with symbol of Demonic black serpent and 'darkness' slowly cracked for a moment. It then exploded, harming the Dragon. 

"My lord! Now's your chance!" Schemetrick called out to Azure's group. Tadaka was weakened now! 

"Tadaka had been weakened!" Intellect exclaimed in agreement. Time for this to end now! 

"Now, Mommy! Now!!!" Nyx cried.

Lorcan brandishes claws as he looks at his cloak. He mumbles, "I don't wanna do this....But I have to do this." The Scarred Dragon tears off his cloak, as he slowly turns into his teenage Dragon form. "This…is for you, Luna." 

Lorcan then roared at his father who chuckled, "My son...finally revealing his real age."

"Sorry, dad but you gotta die now!"

"Oh…is that a threat?"

"All you done is treat me like a pawn...you forced to commit those crimes...you're the reason I'm like this!!! I dunno why you're back, but really I don't care!" Lorcan exclaims sternly.

"How odd since you neglect my teachings since your childhood." Tadaka remarks cruelly to his son. "I have been raising you during that time."

"Childhood?! That's a joke! You done nothing but use me!! Everyone, stay out of this!" Lorcan demands. Twilight, however, took the chance to fire a spell at Tadaka who knocks it back. Lorcan jumps away in time to avoid the attack. "Argh!"

"I can't stay here and fight a battle you can't be able to win by yourself!" Twilight exclaims to Lorcan sternly.

"That smarts." Lorcan mumbles as he dusts himself off. "Sparkle...you can't be this dumb! You can't win against him!"

Twilight scoffs as she stood in front of Tadaka, charging up for a Unicorn Burst. The mare made some mistakes before and she won't this time.

"Move aside, Pony." Tadaka said to Twilight wickedly. "My son and I have some unfinished business to attend to…and it doesn't involve you."

"You don't scare me! I won't let you harm him!" Twilight exclaims sternly to Tadaka.

"SPARKLE!!" Lorcan exclaims in alarm. Twilight is going to get hurt if she doesn't get the hell out of the way!

"I said….STAY OUT OF THIS, pony!" Tadaka snaps at Tadaka.

Twilight quickly fires the Unicorn Burst at Tadaka, a very powerful one. An explosion occurs where Tadaka was at. But then Twilight gasps as the dust is clear...and Tadaka is still standing!

"I don't understand..." Twilight said in concern and disbelief. That shot was head on so why the buck didn't it wipe him out? She thought her Shadow Form would give her a chance!

"Oh…you don't do you? Ha ha ha ha. Oh, poor, poor Twilight Sparkle. So naive and so stupid." Tadaka taunts Twilight wickedly. The Alicorn believes that she could take him out all on her own! Pitiful!

"I...I...."

"Move!" Lorcan exclaims as he shoves her away from a fireball.

"You…you saved me. Thanks." Twilight said, grateful for the rescue.

"It's like I told you before, Sparkle. I'm on your side…not his."

"And now…you will…burn!" Tadaka exclaims in fury, preparing to finish this once and for all. 

Lorcan looks at his loghtsaber like beak sword and told Twilight, "....Sparkle...get going!" 

"But-" Twilight spoke in worry. Lorcan can't possibly beat Tadaka on his own. He needs help!

"Now!!! Run. I'll hold him off! Just go. Now." 

"All right"

Twilight runs, making Lorcan nods a bit. At least she's safe from harm. The villain turns to his evil father, speaking, "Now, pops...where were we?"

"I was about to burn you alive and use your bones as toothpicks!" Tadaka remarks wickedly, smoking came out of his nose. He maybe be weakened but the evil isn't going down without a fight yet!

"It's the family bond that makes this special..." Lorcan declares as his claws glow as he charges at his larger father.

Then both Dragons clash, firing attacks at each other as if in an intense battle of Avatar vs. Fire Lord. Twilight watches nearby in hiding in concern and worry. One thing's for certain: despite how powerful Lorcan is and how weakened Tadaka is, the latter got the full advantage. Lorcan is still too weak to fight without any help!

"Twilight, you must go out there and help him." Ben said, encouraging his love to go out to help Lorcan.

"How? I did nothing but be nasty and cruel to him lately." Twilight explains in sadness to Ben while looking down. "He told me to leave...I don't think...."

"Then stop thinking, sugah cube!" Applejack exclaims as she and the Main Four came over to their leader. "An' start acting wit' yer heart!"

"Right! Let's use our Rainbow Power and kick Tadaka's tail!" Rainbow exclaims in agreement, reminding Twilight that the Mane Six got one shot: the Rainbow Power.

"I don't know...it didn't work on the Shredkiller because we weren’t able to use it the last time...and I have been lacking in friendship lately because of what I did." Twilight said in sadness and doubt. The Rainbow Power won't work. She and her friends has been fighting.

"Then let's forgive and forget." Fluttershy said, hugging Twilight.

"Eyup! We forgive ya because we're friends, that's what they do!" Pinkie exclaims, hugging Twilight as well.

"Right, as long as we do that...and you can forgive Lorcan...the Rainbow Power will come back, Darling." Rarity said, nuzzling Twilight as she, Applejack and Rainbow joins in on the hug.

Twilight looks speechless, smiling as she looks down, crying. The Alicorn mumbles, "Thank you...you're the best friends a ponies would ever have..."

Soon the Mane Six begins to glow, much to Ben and those nearby's amazement. Looks like this could be it!

Tadaka smirks wickedly as he slams Lorcan to the ground hard. The evil Dragon cackles, "Look at you! Once my greatest pawn....you're weak! Just like the rest of these ponies you care so much about!"

Lorcan angrily spits at Tadaka, snarling, "Do you have any idea how much I've suffered because of you?!"

"It matters not! You and the ponies aren't meant to live here. They do not deserve to exist in this world; in MY world! Prepare to join them! Prepare to DIE!"

Without warning, Spike jumps in and hits Tadaka with a Dragon Punch, knocking him away from Lorcan. The baby Dragon exclaims, "Leave Lorcan alone! You're not taking him away again!"

"YEAH!" A familiar group exclaims as they joined in. To the surprise of most of the confrontations, the Mane Six flashes in familiar form: it's the Rainbow Power. It has returned for this hour of need!

"They're right. Lorcan belongs to us. Prepare to meet your hell!" Twilight exclaims to Tadaka in determination. It's time this monster will meet his demise for everything he had done!

Warpath laughed wildly, "I like you’re thinking. Get the hell outta our hone, bastard!"

"I'll not lose!" Tadaka exclaims in determination. He fires a blast at the Mane Six...only for it to be knocked away. "WHAT?!"

"Now, girls!" Twilight exclaims sternly. "Let's show him what Rainbow Power can do!"

The Mane Six fires off a familiar beam, the one that they use to defeat Tirek. Tadaka screams as it hits him, ripping a hole right through him. The evil Dragon looks shocked and alarm as his heart is exposed. This cannot be!

"No, no...I cannot be defeated...I wasn't risen...just to die again!" Tadaka exclaims in horror and alarm at the fact that he is falling...again! "Damn you!"

"....Tadaka...I'm Lorcan the Dragon! I'm no longer a Draconian...I'm a Dragon who'll serve and protect Ponyville as long as I live! Every time you wanna piece of me....I'll be waiting!!" Lorcan snorts as he fires a blast from his mouth. Tadaka screams as it hits his heart, destroying it once and for all. "It’s over...May your bloody bones burnt in hell..."

"Curse you... you traitor... I'll come back..."

"I'll be waiting, asshole... All of us are..."

Tadaka's body slowly turned into ashes and disappeared...everyone watch as the last of him dissolved away in shock, hope and/or relief.

"Is it over?" Phobos ask hopefully, the Moon Dragon hopes that the evil one is gone for good this time. "Is he..."

"Yes, it's done." Celestia said with a sigh, watching where her former friend Tadaka used to be. It's like watching his death all over again. "Tadaka is gone."

"Yes, it is like watch happened with Uncle Tu..." Luna begins to say but her sister sternly interrupts her.

"Luna, we agreed that it's best not to speak of his name anymore after Twilight's complaints of our behavior towards his demise. It's best to remember the good memories of him, rather of the hateful facts about him."

"Yes, of course, sister."

The heroes cheer on as the Rainbow Power Mane Six goes back to normal. The six mares smile happily. It's great to use the Rainbow Power again after so long. Who knows? Someday, they will use it again in their adventures.

On the top of a mountain edge, two shadowy figures stood on it, a brown Pegasus dressed in a navy British uniform a with cape and captain's hat-like while his Cutie Mark is a sword and gun and another was an Earth Pony with a black mane and tail in a short ponytail dressed in a brown coat with hooded. They were looking at Twilight and her friends as the girls and their friends celebrate their victory.

One of them spoke, "Master Haytham... It appears Master Grimmore was right. Tadaka has failed..."

Haytham nods as he adds, "Indeed... I have no less expect from that traitor. But then again, when our master made a move, we shall too."

"I see... If Lorcan survived the next attacks, then we shall finish the job?"

"Precisely. And give him regards for being a good puppet to our masters, Shay Cormac. And once you're done with him, search and bring me Captain Jack Silver. He and I have some unfinished business."

"Yes... Master Haytham. It will be done." Shay said to Haytham with a nod, recalling Jack Silver. The meeting will come soon enough...
> Chapter 9:  Ji-Ga-No's Sudden Appearance!?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 9: Ji-Ga-No's Sudden Appearance!?


Now after such a long time, we return to the castle where the Mane Six, the CMC, Ben Mare, Spike, Phobos, and all the rest of the others apart of this group were having a 'Celebration' party about now. Of course, the whole thing was Pinkie Pie's idea, and right now, she was throwing her pals a party in honoring how they managed to get by their first quarrel match with 'the' Tadaka, the Dragon that went to war against Celestia and Luna, build an army of fearsome might, who made Lorcan who he was long ago, and who was believed to be gone. It was a miracle that the gang survived such a quarrel match against a drain who was stronger than even Lorcan was when he did the invasion of conquest. The only difference between those outcomes, Tadaka didn't take the Elements of Harmony to stop him, and now Tadaka is once again gone for good. Right now though, anyone who's anyone, was making it the flashiest moment to cheer for their success.

"Thank goodness it's over." Apple Bloom said, hanging out with her friends.

"Yeah, and I'm glad Twilight dropped Lorcan's banishment." Sweetie said, squeeling in agreement.

"As long as she doesn't do it again, I'm fine." Scootaloo remarks, drinking some soda.

"You know, it's awesome using that Rainbow Power again." Rainbow remarks to her group while they're hanging. "I hope we use it again in the future."

"It depends on if it done comes out or not." Applejack said, chewing on an apple. "Hopefully Tadaka's supporters stay away fer good 'dis time."

"Right, they're scary." Fluttershy admits, yelping in worry.

But as all of this was going on, the others slowly began to see that the one not having much fun…was Twilight Sparkle. After the whole event from meeting the Dragon that Celestia and Luna once called friend, Tadaka, it was something to see the real deal during that close call. But even after that brief victory, many were starting to think something happened during that moment that distracted Twilight the most. So some of the partying guests and those that live in the place came to see what was up.

"Hey Twilight, why so glum?" Ben spoke out first in liking to know, what was on the mare he loves' mind that distracted her even from enjoying the party?

"Hugh, oh sorry, it's nothing...well, actually it is, um…." The smart mare was surprised to relax the situation at hand and tried to get herself together. "Hugh…look….It's that after everything that's happened, I feel like a real…jerk." Twilight Sparkle sighed before willingly admits that she was being something of a jerk towards someone.

"But Mommy, why would you say that?" Nyx asked a bit puzzled in not understanding why her mother would call herself such a thing.

"Because sweetie, we had someone here who's been trying so hard to prove he's a good person, and while he's been able to live for the future…I've only lived in the past." Twilight pats her daughter's head while trying to put on a smile in saying how she has been unfair to someone they all know who was trying to help.

"Wow; that is sappy. No wonder you say that about yourself." Phobos shrug off to remark what the mare was saying, only to get stared at by the others. "What! Just saying!" The Moon Dragon shrug off in feeling some watched stern pressure all around him now.

"I think I know who you're talking about Twily, maybe it's time to make amends." Shining Armor nods and came over to gently hug his sister to give her support. "Especially since Lorcan has wanted some relief from you who he hurt most of all." Even this stallion knows that the person Twilight meant was Spike's older brother, the same Dragon that caused such a tram on this mare's life so far.

"That's what your brother did, he forgave Lorcan of something he did from being blinded. Now…it's your turn to share the love." Cadance nods with an assuring smile to let Twilight open up her heart to finally give Lorcan a chance.

"Okay, Spike, where's your brother?" Twilight nods in hearing all of this from her friends as she then looks to her assistant to ask where his brother is now.

"I saw him outside the top balcony, being by himself." Spike explained to Twilight where he last saw his brother.

"Well, could you take me to him?" Twilight asked for some aid in being taken to meet Lorcan, wherever he's at.

"Sure." Spike nods with a smile in understanding how Twilight wants this, so he'll help out.

"Maybe some company could help you be brave, if you don't mind." Fluttershy spoke out in offering a chance to let Twilight have her friends to encourage herself.

"Shoot, 'dat's a swell idea, everypony has some nervous feet sometimes." Applejack nods with a smile in thinking that idea wasn't too far bad to use.

"Yeah, we'll stick to you like glue!" Rainbow Dash came near the smart pony and patted her back in assuring the group be there.

"There's no 'I' in team." Rarity responded off with a quote to let them know they stick together.

"Thanks girls, I appreciate that." Twilight nods with a smile in feeling glad to have her friends around to help her out here.

"And then we can continue the party." Pinkie Pie nods with a joyful tone in what they'll do afterwards.

"Yeah!" The CMC and the others cheered for that last one, that way they can return to celebrate.

Now the scene changes to where outside the balcony is Lorcan, keeping his hood from his cloak over his face. He looks up to the night sky Luna has made and looked between the stars that shine. But during which case, the teen Dragon pulls out something from under his cloak's sleeve to present it out into the open. The item in question was crafted from pure silver, it was shaped like a circular pocket object with a chain to allow one to hold the item to dangle or wear around their neck. The design on the front was shaped like a long-bodied Dragon with crimson ruby eyes. But once opened, was clear white-blue bottom, like the ocean with an orange sphere in the center that glimmered and a crescent moon that seem to rotate around it. It was playing a little melody, a nice, calm, gentle sound that brought peace to the night sky. Lorcan shut his eyes in trying to imagine something, something of happiness, just before...

"Lorcan!" Twilight's voice was heard calling out to the distracted teen Dragon.

"Waaugh!" Lorcan yelped and quickly shut the music off by closing the locket's lid. When he turn around, he saw Twilight was near the opening of her balcony and her friends behind her. "Oh, it's just you all." Lorcan sighs in seeing it was only the pony group, no one of a bigger threat.

"Wow wee, what was 'dat sound?" Apple Bloom responded from what she and the others heard Lorcan listening to.

"It sounded very pretty." Sweetie Belle nods with a smile in liking what they heard that sounded nice.

"It came from that item in his claw!" Scootaloo pointed in noticing the item in question was with Lorcan, who held the thing from seeing it was found out.

"Girls, girls, give the Dragon some space." Rarity spoke to polity get the fillies under control to not go too wild over one little detail.

"Still, that was a nice melody Lorcan, how'd you come across it?" Nyx spoke out in liking what was heard, as it had a nice sound to it.

"It's…an old family heirloom I brought out from storage. The Dragon Locket: Harmonious. Named after a Dragon that loved for her music to be heard far and wide." Lorcan spoke from holding the locket close to him as he explained a bit of its origins before letting it dangle from the chain necklace end. "This locket plays a melody that was used to calm me to sleep as it was something crafted with fine materials & a gift from….my mother." That last part had Lorcan look away with a deep sorrow in his voice when he said who had given him this precious gift.

This put most of the gang in silent in realizing what they have just discovered. The locket in Lorcan's clutches was something of sentimental value because it's something from his family. And even more so, it was something from the mother that gave him birth, including Spike when the baby Dragon was but an egg at the time.

"From…mom you say?" Spike slowly responded in being very surprised to realize what his brother held was really important.

"Yes, huaaagh, maybe I suppose I should have given this to you, little brother." Lorcan nods with a little sigh as he approached up to Spike in saying this to him. "Seeing as how you might not remember her much, she spoke that when we hear this music, it's like she's with us." As Lorcan was explaining the precious connection of the locket with the brothers, the elder one reached for Spike's left claw to gently place the item there.

"Really…wow." Spike responded when he accept the locket from being so stunned as Lorcan gently close that fist gap to hold the item carefully as to say not to lose it.

Soon Lorcan was walking pass the others inside the castley before leaping off the second floor to land in the center of the room without breaking a leg.

"Lorcan…wait." Twilight spoke in wanting to say something, as she and the others took the stairs down. "I have something to say to you." The smart pony stated out quickly in wanting to let the older dragon know something.

"Yes, what is it?" Lorcan asked from being a bit curious to what Twilight wanted to say, to him of all creatures.

"I wanna say…that I'm sorry." Twilight Sparkle took a deep breath and let out what she wanted to say to Lorcan.

"Sorry, for what?" Lorcan responded a bit unsure, what was Twilight saying 'sorry' for, it was kinda puzzling him.

"For always giving you the benefit of the doubt that you've changed and become a good person from who you once were." Twilight Sparkle exclaimed out in stating the fact that Lorcan has changed from his evil ways. "I always thought I still be suffering from what happened long ago, with me and Starlight." The mare paused for a moment when she brought up something relating to her little brother. "I blamed you for that day when I lost my little brother, and did things later on with Spike in worrying what would happen to him if you two ever meant. Would I lose him like Starlight…I was afraid." Twilight looked away with a sorrow face in knowing how much she feared of a result, should it come to pass.

"So you say, but if you feel that saying you forgive me for that act, I can understand if you don't mean it." Lorcan response with self-guessing that deep down, Twilight still holds a grudge even if she says she's sorry. "After all, what I did was a great sin of harming a foal who wish to protect his little sister." Lorcan stated out in holding his heart in feeling, knowing that what he did was an act that was unforgivable.

"That's just it, if Starlight was here and saw that you were a changed Dragon, he might ask that I forgive you." Twilight stated off to let Lorcan know something in which case, her little brother might have been the forgiving type than her. "He was always a thoughtful colt back then, and if I don't move on with my life, it'll almost be like when I thought I lost Ben Mare." Twilight looked to her love, she lost one person in her life; she can't let that be done again. "Can I at least ask that…we be friends?" Twilight looked to the ground, then up to Lorcan in asking for this small request.

"Unbelievable." Lorcan shook his head from processing all that he was hearing from this discussion. "You, who fueled my hatred, you who I once believed took everything dear to me? Now ask for my hand, or claw in this case, for forgiveness?" The teen Dragon stated out in feeling that this was awkward, the very pony mare that he held a grudge, was now asking they be friends now. "I rather be shocked you still carry hatred towards me, even if I have changed." The guy stated to himself in seeing that in his cloak, his appearance is a mystery, he's doing many things, but for Twilight to wanna get along with him now suddenly is too surprising to believe.

"Hatred destroys us, blinds our thoughts and turns us into monsters, I saw how that was true…from Tadaka." Twilight spoke of stating the workings of such hatred as proof showed what became of someone like Tadaka, who let rage blind his judgment and act rational without a second thought of the consequences. "If I let my old hatred towards you carry on now, then I'll eventually be consumed, I don't want to do that and do something hurtful." The smart pony stated forth her objective on the matter and why she must not let anger and hatred, cloud and judge her path. "To my friends…and my family." The girl looks to those around her as they smiled, so did she, as Twilight must be sure to protect them, not hurt them, even if that means letting go of her anger of what happened in the past with Lorcan.

"It would seem you've given this much thought." Lorcan spoke from a deep thinking of his thoughts before looking up to the mare he caused such trouble. "Then if you're brave enough to move on from what happened in the past, then it's the same for me." Lorcan proclaimed out in seeing that if someone, even Twilight, can move on forward from what happened in the past, then so can he.

Soon Lorcan took Twilight's right hoof and they both shook, signing forth their sign of friendship towards another.

"About time!" Rainbow exclaims with a smile. Looks like Twilight and Lorcan has buried the hatchet.

"Actually, there appears to be signs of hesitance in Twilight." Azure said, noting a look of concern on Twilight's face. "But when the time comes, someday they will all be dissolved."

"At least now, Twilight would be less like a barbarian." Rarity said, relieved that Twilight is showing signs of some change towards Lorcan.

"Well bro., I gotta say I'm proud of you." Spike approached his brother to happily give him the proud pat on the back. "And you know what? If our mother was here, I think she be happy to see how lucky we are." Spike stated from holding up the locket Lorcan gave him as for both brothers to look at.

"Hmm…yeah, being surrounded by loved ones, that be just like to be so pleased we are living…a happier life." Lorcan nods a bit in understanding that very well, and then he looked at the locket Spike held to just rest a claw on it.

"TRsivhhm-fruvhpvhmm…" Just then, when both brothers held the locket in their claws, it unleashed a bright glow that flashed across everyone's sights.

"Waaugh…." The crowds yelp out in surprise, they had no idea what was happening, but they were now blind as bats by the glow.

"What's happening?" Pinkie Pie asked out to her friends in not understanding what was taking place.

Suddenly, something was being heard in the background, a familiar music from the locket.

"Hey, that sounds like 'Galaxia's Locket Music' by extended version." Nyx broke the fourth wall in explaining out the melody that was heard by the gang.

"Man, I gonna learn how to break fourth walls like you and Pinkie do!" Phobos turned to say this to Nyx, seeing that doing that whole Fourth Wall Break thing was really something else.

Soon something began to happen as golden sparkle particles were dancing out from the locket, and soon began to take shape of a large Dragon within the room. This Dragon was mostly in the form of a light golden aura color theme, from the scales to spikes, to horns, tail, wings, claws and teeth, you name it. But there was more, once the forming of this creature made from golden magical particles was formed, it was shown to be a pink big Dragon with yellow hair and red scales, some could almost believe that was it's, no, her true form. In some way, it was hard to say if this being was of magical or spiritual origin, or of a mix from the two.

"Wooh! Is that…." Rainbow Dash was slowly starting to say, but someone finished for her.

"A Dragon?" Rarity exclaimed out in what appeared to be a Dragon of some kind.

"But it looks different." Applejack raised an eyebrow in noticing this was no ordinary dragon, it didn't look 'too' mean.

"Wait girls, that's a female Dragon?" Fluttershy spoke out in seeing that whatever this surprise dragon of magical energy was, it was female.

"That's not just any female Dragon! That's…" Lorcan slowly stated out with his eyes behind his hood, before he soon took the hood down, and he magically shifted from his small form to his teenage form from its effect. "Our Mother! Sindell!" Lorcan announced hence forth in who the dragon before the rest was that he knew.

"WHAAAAH!" The other ponies responded in surprise in what they just heard Lorcan just go and say now. The very magical image of this Dragon was the deceased Sindell, the wife of Tadaka, and the mother of Spike and Lorcan?

"That's…mom?" Spike slowly responded in a wide-eyed surprise reaction, this mystical Dragon was…his mother?

"AHHHH! THE GHOST OF TADAKA'S LATE WIFE! SINDELL, HAS COME TO HAUNT US!" Phobos cried out with wide eye panic, thinking this Dragon wanted some payback or something other.

"I don't think she's a ghost Phobos." Nyx calmly patted her worried Moon Dragon to assure him, that this magical form of Spike's mother, Sindell, was not of an evil ghost.

"Unbelievable, I think I've heard of something of this spell!" Twilight spoke with so much doubt and disbelief while almost recalling something very much relative of this form of magic.

"Wait! This Dragon isn't a ghost then?" Shining Armor responded in hearing his sister right, if Sindell, who's deceased to this day, is not of ghostly origin, then of what brings her to this part of the living?

"I've read about the same thing. This spell takes enough of one's life essence to contain it within an object, thereby, leaving a part of their own spirit to watch things if the body is no more." Ben Mare explained out from recalling something very similar to this spell taking one's own spirit and encasing it in objects to live on for them. "It's a Spirit Infusion!"

"Then this is really…the mother of Lorcan and Spike? Did she place enough of her own life force in the locket, to someday see her sons from what Tadaka was doing?" Cadance spoke from being very surprised to see this, Sindell must have thought ahead that if someday, Tadaka's revenge got her caught in the cross fire, she would want her spirit to live on somewhere, to see her children.

That was a good question, as speaking of that very mother dragon, Sindell looked down to notice everyone in the room. But her focus seem to focus mostly on one, two Dragons out of the three in the room. As she soon smiled in looking down from where Spike and Lorcan were, showing their total surprise expressions at seeing a spiritual Dragon.

"So…this was mom? She's….very pretty." Spike spoke out from recovering from his surprise shock as he was now looking up at his mother, noticing how beautiful Sindell is, or was, whichever fits the bill.

"Yes….she was." Lorcan nods with a silent response as he knows all too well in recognizing his own mother.

Then Spike was near, where the mystical claw of this Dragon touched his little cheek. Sindell had wanted to rub her claw against the youngest Dragon of her family. Spike felt frozen at first, but then he suddenly was relaxing, like almost like all was fine in the world.

"I…I can feel it…her touch…its very warmth. It's so….nice." Spike spoke from smiling and then he closed his eyes for a second to hold the claw of his mother. Then the baby Dragon opened his eyes to see his mother silently tilt her head forward were the baby Dragon was looking to his brother, and got the message. "Lorcan? I think…she wants you here too." Spike responded in somehow understanding that silent message from his spiritual mother as she wanted 'both' sons near her.

"Me…?" Lorcan responded to point at himself while sounding completely surprised? "But I….I couldn't…I've…done to much to need comforting." Lorcan was nervously trying to make up some excuses, knowing full well, the last thing a former villain needs; was the comfort feeling of a mother's embrace.

"It's okay, I can't explain why but…." Spike nods his head while shaking it, saying something that's puzzling him. "Somehow, mom is saying she forgives you for all the trouble that's happened." Spike finished off from when he looked up to his magical formed mother, Sindell nods with a gentle expression as if that enough was to be convincing her elder son to listen.

"Mother...forgives me, she knows what occur? How?" Lorcan responded all too surprised, how was it, that someone deceased, knows all that he's done.

"I'm not sure, she just…knows." Spike shrugged off his shoulders in feeling that, the Dragon siblings' mother just knows these things.

"Mother…." Lorcan turned to the magical spirit of his mother, Sindell, as he approached her slowly with caution. "Your kindness warmth my heart before the days of my scar, could it still now even from everything to this day? Can you…forgive my wrong actions?" Lorcan asked in wanting to know something of equal importance, can he be forgiven so easily even when his mother is just a spirit, can anyone like the Mane Six just accept it now more than ever?

There was no answer for that, Sindell just suddenly held open her wings that unleashed a golden dust in the air. Then what happened next was something that surprised everyone in the room, Sindell's wings acted like arms, bringing Spike and Lorcan closer to her as the mother Dragon rested her head over her children. Spike and Lorcan were at first, lost by this, but then truly felt nothing to be scared of as they felt something any child could understand; the inner true emotions, of a mother's love. The dragon sibs closed their eyes, smiled while enjoying this hug embrace that neither one has felt for in many ages. In in the basic of the truth of this matter, the scene was so touching, it was even effecting some of the others?

"Gawaahahaaaaaugh….this here's TOO touching!" Phobos let out a lot of tears while holding a tissue to wipe away what he cried out.

"I know, sniff…it's like watching a soap opera. Sniff…it's beautiful." Pinkie Pie nods in feeling so totally overwhelmed by this, it's almost too good to be true, but it is.

"Well how about that, it's like a little of their family found them." Ben Mare smiles to nod in noticing, how much Lorcan and Spike are at their happiest, being with someone that's really close in the family.

"I guess…everyone that has a family, needs them…to support each other." Twilight rest her head to her lover's neck, feeling simply overjoyed in seeing this.

"Too true, even if their mother is no longer around, her love for her children remains ever so strong." Cadance nods with such strong understandings of things, Sindell, has wanted to give her love to both children, and now she has.

"We couldn't agree more to that." Shining Armor nods in agreeing with his wife, this moment looks like it would go on forever.

Soon, it was this time, the mystical energies surrounding the Dragon began to slowly fade downwards. Sindell's spirit was slowly returning back into the locket, but not before having her face her sons once more. From all open eyes, the Dragon siblings could only make one thing their mother's magical spirit form did next. 'I Love You My Sons!' It was faint, and very soft and gentle, but both Spike and Lorcan froze in hearing their mother say she loves them, it's like their life was opened to new heights at this point. Soon Sindell's head vanished into golden particles, and return to the locket in Spike's hand. It was from around here, that nice melody of the locket soon stopped and re-closed itself afterwards.

"Hey, you guys gonna be okay?" Nyx asked in seeing that the brothers seem to be a bit sad that their mother had to leave.

"We've never been better." Lorcan nods with a little recovered emotion to dry his tears off to look like his old self, but more happy. "Seeing our mother here has helped heal even my own heart from what was almost shrouded in complete darkness." He tapped his heart, where he felt the greatest warmth within, something he's missed all this time in his life, love.

"And even though I'm glad to have seen my mother, there is one family I'm still proud to be with." Spike spoke from wiping his own tears off and soon came up to Twilight, Ben and Nyx along with Phobos. "With Twilight, and all of you." The baby Dragon gave Twilight a hug while mentioning this fact out to all family and friends here.

"Awww, thanks Spike. I…um, we, feel the same." Twilight nods to hug Spike right back while mentioning this fact to him for reassurance.

The scene shows outside the castle where the lights still were on, but there was some motion of action happening. From the sounds of it, there were voice chatters, some arguments of Phobos teasing Lorcan from that whole thing ruined his image, and some laughs a bit afterwards. At this time, a lot of ponies would need to relax after the exhausting time they all had to endure, and boy, was it ever worth it. But they must always be cautiously watchful, for even with some good times, bad times are never that far away.

------------------------

At this time, we enter a place that is not of Equestria, but of the prison behind the Gates of Tartarus. The entire scenery was as dark and an inferno place for only the worst among the worst to be kept locked away. But even so, there was one who reign supreme over all, the Overlord King himself; Grimmore. Even with this foe kept in a place none can escape from while Cerberus guards the gates, he is no small threat or a fool to be underestimated. But the scene mostly focuses on Grimmore's General, Ji-Ga-No, the Metallix Dragon as he was seemingly resting on the ground undisturbed within the center castle in this prison reign/ Or so it seemed, before he suddenly shot himself up with wide open alert eyes, as he suddenly felt…a familiar presence from the other side of Tartarus/ 

"Hmm…I sense something." Ji-Ga-No muttered from rising his head in trying to sense what he felt just now? "This magical aura, it's weak, but it feels like…" When he sharpened his senses, he suddenly came across an answer to which even he found…propitious/ "No! That's impossible! How can it be? It's…" But before he would have snapped off in what he discovered, something interrupted, or more likely…someone.

"It would seem very true, my general?" A voice spoke out to which Ji-Ga-No looked over to his left spot to see a portal of flames, and resting on his throne with his head resting on his right palm was Grimmore. "The presence we sense is none other…than Lorcan." Grimmore spoke in recognizing the presence of someone they know, someone, they believed was dead.

"How can that even be possible? That whimsy Dragon perished from that final conflict!" Ji-Ga-No responded off practically surprised to learn this, how is Lorcan even alive?

"Yes, but it seems he's back from the grave, none the least. And more surprising is joining those he wished to kill, the ponies." Grimmore spoke with his smile never drifting from bother in foreseeing how the events here are shaping up to be, especially the once Scarred Ruler siding with those he wished to destroyed.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaah! Does he actually think he'll earn back their forgiveness, a waste of time," Ji-Ga-No taunted off with a wicked cackle in hearing such news, Lorcan wants to side with ponies he tried to kill, what a laugh. "He was better off being dead from that failure." The Metallix Dragon remarked off in what position Lorcan was better suited for, being alive will only be another troublesome bother to tend to.

"Maybe so, but he's return was not 'too' hard to foreseen." Grimmore spoke from sitting himself up straight to tell his general of noticing signs of a fallen foe's return. "When he and his brother were between the realm of the afterlife, both of them return, yet the older one seem to perish again for good." The Overlord King rubbed his chin in describing the outcome that took place when Spike and Lorcan died on the battlefield, then returned to the land of living before the elder one cease existing. "But it seems he's been hiding his present's return to the living, and now that we know, things could be interesting." He smiled with a thought, if Lorcan has return to the game, perhaps things will be more interesting.

Of course, Grimmore already knew this, as well as Tadaka's return, the Demon Lords and their minions' plan but did not wish to mention this to Ji-Ga-No yet...as well as most of the forgiveness that Lorcan has been given.

"And just how is it interesting, that Tadaka's foolish elder son has return strikes as interesting." Ji-Ga-No slithered up more in just pondering what was so interesting about an enemy's return.

"Well, it'll make things less boring if he's a part of the ponies' lives." Grimmore waved off his free hand in simply thinking how much Lorcan could be seen being a part of the ponies and their lives. "But I do sense his strength is weak, perhaps the last fight has taken its toll on him." The Overlord King turned his head to rub his chin with his eyes shut, focusing in realizing; Lorcan is in a weaken state after his return. "Ji-Ga-No! Why don't you go investigate the matter and see how Lorcan is doing?" Grimmore opened his eyes to give these orders to send his general to find and see Lorcan's conditions on the matter.

"Is that wise? You know the moment I go out, I'll most likely scar the area into another battlefield." Ji-Ga-No hovered in the air asking if his master wishes for such a task from the most brutal warrior of the army.

"Well that's why you'll have to be stealthy. Do 'try' to, after all…we don't want to go scaring up folks of our approach…yet." Grimmore waved off to simply request his warrior tries to not be too noticing, they don't wanna bring too much pandemonium to Equestria…yet.

"Oh believe me, I'll try, but I can make no guarantee of what happens afterwards." Ji-Ga-No made a wicked sly smile in understanding the orders, but with him, doing that is like asking him not to be himself, and that's no surprise.

"Excellent!" Grimmore tapped his hands together to tap his fingers in a rhyme mix in seeing how things shall go for him from here on outward. "MWAH-hahahah-HA-HA-HAHAHAAAAAH!" Soon, the Overlord King was making a loud cackle that was spreading out of his castle and across the realm reign of Tartarus. It would seem that loran's return doesn't worry the villain to much at all, quite the opposite, Grimmore looks forward to seeing what Lorcan can bring forth while doing good for ponies. Truly, the days ahead will continue to look 'grim' in how things may turn up for the future.

The scene suddenly goes dark around this time, as if to change the scenery around for what's happening next.

---------------------------

The scene opens up to the Everfree Forest, and it's been kinda quiet lately in this late evening. Where even now, we see two Dragon brothers in the middle of a familiar area where 'someone' saved some fillies from the Timberwolves. Lorcan and Spike were at this time, picking up some very rare mushrooms that were growing around the place as a special assignment for them to accomplish. And while Spike is now seen as a more capable dragon than before, the reason his brother is aiding is cause Twilight may wanted extra help in gathering the objects (secretly getting Lorcan out of the castle).

"Remind me again why we're picking up fungus?" Lorcan asked with some annoyance that he had to bring his brother out here, only to collect some weird mushrooms.

"Cause Twilight said she needed the rare Masa Fungus to perform a science experiment to make antidotes for it." Spike shrug off his shoulders to give a response to Lorcan's question in why they are here.

"And these are to cure what, again?" Lorcan asked a bit stumped (no pun intend) from looking at the mushroom he pulled and bagged it away in a sack.

"Oh some usual cases. Foot Fungus, Itchy Fungus and don't get me started of Bottom Fungus." Spike tap his fingers to count the number of Fungus Diseases, including one for one's bottom, which shall remain unspoken for.

"Trust me, I won't even bother." Lorcan shook his head in feeling that just asking for the answer was a bad idea. "Yet I feel she'll use one of these on me afterwards." Lorcan spoke from looking at his full sack, feeling that he'll be treated to get some fungus disease as payback for his former evil life's work against ponies.

"Aw come on, Twilight wouldn't do that!" Spike waved off to have his brother not be so depressed over such a thing. "Now if it was April Foals Day, then maybe." The baby Dragon pointed out in thinking how if it was a day to prank someone, that be the holiday to do it.

"Huuugh, she's giving you these tougher assignments now suddenly?" Lorcan responded off to change the subject, noticing that they are alone, in the Everfree Forest, known to be dangerous, and yet Twilight allowed Spike to come here alone.

"Yep, since I prove I can handle myself pretty well if I'm in trouble." Spike spoke off in posing in a mucho form in showing off how tough he is now.

"Believe me, I know." Lorcan shook his head in feeling pretty silly that Spike was doing that, though in truth, it was from the little brother, that the elder sibling was bested.

"Hey Lorcan, can I ask something?" Spike spoke out when the two were still gathering more mushrooms. "How bad was our father, really?" The baby Dragon went off to ask some personal question that was on his mind. "I mean, right before his first demise?"

Lorcan froze in hearing that question with upmost shock in being asked that. Describing his father, Tadaka, was like recalling all the past events Lorcan has dealt with in being raised to kill ponies for killing the father's bodyguard even by accident. After gathering the thoughts together, did Lorcan managed to make a response to this.

"Spike, why would you ask something about our father?" Lorcan responded back in what was with Spike to even ask such a thing. "I thought you heard all about him from the others, as well as what you saw during our big battle with him." The older brother mentioned off in learning how much of him and his father's background was explained before hand.

"But not the stuff from you, what was he like? Was he know as the biggest and most terrible Dragon of all ages from what happened?" Spike pointed out in wanting to know a lot more, and Lorcan was perfect to know if Tadaka was the worst Dragon villain around.

"Huugh, in truth Spike, there is no such thing, as 'just' good Dragons. You should know, not all Dragons as nice." Lorcan sighed and shook his head while expelling how every Dragon is not perfect, some as good and others are bad, and Spike knows that from the green dragon to the teenage Dragons the brother came across to Drago and the new Dragon Army. "But I suppose, in truth, father was only just 'one' of them. Yet there were others before him." Lorcan mentioned off in rubbing his chin, placing his father in a category among other dragons that have earned a name as terrible villains from ages pass.

"Others? Like what kind?" Spike responded a bit puzzled, this part of the discussion suddenly earned his interest.

"I don't know for certain, but the greatest Dragon that was the true terror for many that knew him, it was Smaug." Lorcan shook his head in not having all the answers himself, but did know of the legends revolving around one particular case. "He existed long before our father, even grandfather's time. But Smaug was said to be the true monster in the ancient world during another war." What the teen Dragon under the hood cloak spoke was sounding very serious stuff, no questions asked.

"Wooh, he sounds bad." Spike responded off in hearing this, and was almost blown away by this. "So, how was he defeated?" Spike asked his older brother if he knew how Smaug was finally beaten long ago.

"A small hope accord, one scale defense was weaker than the rest, an archer took an arrow, shot it, and kill the beast that not even a kingdom's army could best." Lorcan nods his head down in expressing the fact, that it was through one small loop-hole, that one individual took the shot, and managed to kill a mighty creature. "That one being, became a hero, and the story of Smaug was told ever so." The teen Dragon looked away and at the ground, knowing that telling the story always brought up a reminder to Dragons to be cautious, not of their defenses, but of Dragons as evil as Smaug.

"You know, that's funny. That's the same way Fafnir was beaten when we came back to the Human Realm."

"Yeah, but Smaug isn't careless as Fafnir was."

"So there has never been a dragon as powerful as Smaug?" Spike asked off in pondering a thought, that after all this time, no other dragon has risen to become the 'new' Smaug to this very day.

"Be lucky you and I never meet a Dragon that could be even 'closely' on pair of such evil that makes our father look like a kid." Lorcan smiled a bit while looking to his brother, as he responded this with a laid-back sense, even to make a funny joke about comparing the father to Smaug.

At that, Spike kinda laugh at that joke, it was too funny cause it's true. Soon both brothers were just about done in gathering the mushrooms, and then afterwards, Lorcan would use his portal transport spell to get them home lickety-split. But suddenly, something was happening as the clouds began to swirl with lightning coursing through it, loud thunder noises escaped from it. It was here that the Dragon siblings finally took notice of the unusual moment of a storm outbreak.

"Wooh! The Pegasus ponies didn't mention anything of rain showers!" Spike responded a bit surprised in seeing there was going to be some nasty storm on the way.

"That's cause, this isn't pony work, but of another." Lorcan stated out from looking a bit serious and concern, he could see this was not of Pegasus work, but of 'another' presence instead.

"Wahahahaha, haaahhhh!" Just then, something came out of the dark swirling cloud vortex that seemed to swim out of it…like a long serpent of some type. "At long last we meet, it's been too long, Lorcan." The creature was of Chinese Dragon, but its appearance was unlike any Spike has seen; it was bio-mechanical by its structure. It was none other than the evil Metallix Dragon, Ji-Ga-No the general from within the Grimmore Army as he slithered down in the Everfree Forest and raised his neck up high in looking at the two Dragon brothers.

"The feeling would be mutual if we were friends." Lorcan remarked off with a serious gaze in staring at the foe before him and Spike. "Just what are you doing here, Ji-Ga-No?" The teen Dragon snapped off in sounding like he knows who this unexpected being is.

"So, the rumors are true, you are indeed still alive…Lorcan." Ji-Ga-No remotely spoke in lowering his head to almost invade Lorcan's personal space from just having a look see. "My master and I felt your return, hard to forget a strong magical aura such as yours." The serpent Dragon exclaimed forth in knowing all too well in what aura of magic Lorcan uses, whether it was good or evil, they are the same.

"Drat! And here I thought it would at least go unnoticed!" Lorcan cursed under his breath, somehow, this guy and his 'master' have learned of his sudden return, and he seem to be trying to keep it in the down low.

"Lorcan? What's going on here? Who's this Dragon?" Spike asked his brother in seeing something was going on, and he's left in the dark.

"A general that serves in the one being that almost got you to kill me before Spike." Lorcan sternly exclaims out with a frown in knowing who was here before the brothers was an enemy that belongs to one who tried to kill the Scarred Ruler last time.

"Wait…as in that Grimmore guy, so this Dragon works for him?" Spike responded completely surprised, so this strange Dragon works for the big overlord king himself in Tartarus?

"Oh aren't you a smart little fellow?" Ji-Ga-No spoke with a smug expression in turning to take recognition of Spike's existence now. "We never been introduced. I, am Ji-Ga-No, the Metallix Dragon! The most Brutal General to serve under my master; Grimmore!" The Dragon boasted of his standards that were of high recommendations to be well recognized.

"Um, Metallix? What's that?" Spike responded off a bit puzzled as he's never heard of any dragon of that type.

"He's someone that last Grimmore aided me in my…'old' ways, he spoke of creating a new Dragon breed." Lorcan sternly explained out something that once happened in the past when this guy was evil before going good. "And he told me of who it was, but I never gotten to see him except to know it was a Chinese Dragon that was a fusion of biotic organs and metal alloys to create the first subject, a bio-flesh creature of metallic machinery; Ji-Ga-No." Lorcan made another serious expression, seeing that even now, the dragon before him, is a creation by Grimmore's own touch.

"Wooh, sounds nasty!" Spike yelped out to respond in finding this news almost too shocking to believe.

"I do love to be flattered of my past, but I have other issues to tend to." Ji-Ga-No spoke off in cutting between the brothers who yelped in remembering he's still here. "Such as much to see how you're situation has come to be, Lorcan, and it would appear…it's a struggled condition." Ji-Ga-No spoke in looking to Lorcan for just staring at the cloaked Dragon and noticing…the conditions this one has gone through and lost after his defeat in the past.

"I can still FIGHT, even against a soldier of Grimmore!" Lorcan snapped off back against this Chinese Dragon of metal scales. "Trusvhmm…." Then Lorcan lifted up his hood, which triggered a change reaction that covered his body and then before Spike and Ji-Ga-No, stood Lorcan in his taller, Teenage Form, of his true age.

"Hahahah-Haaaaah! Don't even kid yourself!" Ji-Ga-No laughed off wickedly in seeing what Lorcan was planning, he was going to fight him. "As far as I know it, the power you had when you had Equestria under your control couldn't compete with mine. And you stand even less a chance to try now when you’re HALF the powerful Dragon you once were!" The enemy exclaimed to pressure Lorcan down with snappy remarks of the great and heavy lost burden the former Scarred Ruler suffered.

"Grrrrr!" Lorcan growled under his breath when being reminded of his 'limitation' at this moment of his current strength.

"I can already tell of your condition Lorcan, and my master and I figured out your condition." Ji-Ga-No motioned forth to lean his head closer, as if trying to dig Lorcan a hole. "While you’re still recovering, somehow, during your return to life, left your body in a disarray. You can't maintain your forms right, so you need that cloak to help with the process." Lorcan frowned with annoyance, seeing that now these guys seem to have him paged now. "Without the hood, you appear as your teenage form and you have up to a good full power of your abilities you haven't lost or trying to regain, but when the hood is down, you become small. And with that, your power is cut down as you can't use them as a short shrimp!" The Metallix Dragon remotely remarked off to state that Lorcan's condition is more problematic than anyone would think.

"I'm NOT SHORT!" Lorcan shouted out against this guy for saying he's small, but then again, Ji-Ga-No was a lot bigger than him and Spike anyway.

"Hmph, such a short temper, I can see how others take advantage of it." Ji-Ga-No taunted off in seeing this former Dragon villain get upset so easily.

"Hey! You can't speak that way of my brother!" Spike frowned to protest in what this new guy was saying to his brother; bad choice of doing however.

"I WATCH THAT TONGUE, if I were you!" Ji-Ga-No soon leans his head over Spike's head as if his forehead could press the baby Dragon's head into the ground, and Spike looked to be a deer in the headlights in this situation. "The only reason you managed to defeat your 'weak' brother was not just some training from your old grand-pappy, but from the Elements' aid, mere trinkets won't save you every time!" The Dragon snarled off to tell this message to Spike, as if hammering the truth of the matter to which even the baby Dragon felt some nervous feeling in where he stands against Ji-Ga-No.

"Brizizivhmm…" Suddenly, two beam saber swords appeared with one aiming close to Ji-Ga-No's left ear. "Keep your distance from my brother if you know what's good for you." Lorcan snarled off to the enemy to not be anywhere near his brother, he won't let harm come to Spike.

"Oh my, how touchy. You both have some nerve to rise a tone or a blade against my presence." Ji-Ga-No spoke off in sarcasm in seeing how the brothers are standing up for another. "However, I came to scout out what I wanted to learn, and so now I'll return to my master's side. Within the Gates of Tartarus." Ji-Ga-No leveled himself up right in declaring how he'll now be leaving with his task done.

"Wait a second. I thought nobody was supposed to get out!" Spike responded a bit puzzled, how was any prisoner from Tartarus able to slip pass Cerberus, the three-headed dog would have noticed by now, right?

"Hahahahaha, do you think my master wouldn't have learned how to bypass such defense?" Ji-Ga-No cackled out in finding that rather humorist to hear, as if escape was not possible. "Listen carefully, the only reason he does not come here now is that he's binding his time. Waiting for the moment…to STRIKE!" The dragon tapped his claws together and then pointed them at Lorcan and Spike, stating that Grimmore's escape will come to pass, no mistake about it.

"So you ARE planning to invade? When will it happen?" Lorcan snapped off in hearing this, and demands to know when such an event will occur?

"Hard to say, Grimmore loves to see many squirm, the question remains….when he decides it's time?" Ji-Ga-No shrug off his shoulders in not knowing that answer himself, so it'll just be a surprise, he guesses. "Mhphmhmhmhm, you're both as overly worried-wort as your dear uncle." The Chinese Dragon cackled out while rubbing in a fact on how much fearful concerns the brothers are making, like their uncle once did.

"Our uncle?" Spike responded a bit puzzled and confused, what was this guy going on about now?

"Wait a second! You mean Tadaka's brother, as in the second son to King Spykoran the Old?" Lorcan responded off a bit shocked to hear right, Ji-Ga-No was referring to an uncle of their father.

"How do you know about our father's brother?" Spike looked with a skeptical expression in how someone like Ji-Ga-No, even knows something of their missing family member.

"Oh…it's not just me, but also Grimmore that knows what has truly happened to your dear uncle? I believe his name was Kenbroath Gilspotten Heathspike; yes, that was it." Ji-Ga-No spoke with a smog expression in letting the two dragons before him know that he knows of their missing uncle. "How ironic, we know where he is, and yet even the mighty King Spykoran doesn't even know of his second son's location. Truly, he's befitting his title, the Old Fool!" Then he made a wicked cackle in making a toying remark how even the great Spykoran is so old, he's barely even keeping up anymore.

"WATCH IT! You can't talk that way about our grandpa!" Spike snapped at this guy, pushing aside some fears to defend his family member.

"For once, Spike and me are in agreement, even if he's a distant family member, he's still family!" Lorcan declared out in agreement, he and his grandfather might need their relationship build up, but they were still family.

"Nwaugh-haugh-haugh-haugh, how amusing you both seem to entertain me to no end." Ji-Ga-No laughed off some more in once again, seeing the brothers try so much to stand against him. "I suppose with everything said and done, I'll take my leave…" Soon the dragon was beginning to levitate himself up and turn his back to the others. "Oh, but just one last thing I forgot to tell you." Ji-Ga-No spoke out in suddenly having something remembered that he needed to tell.

Then a big clash of thunder was heard, for quicker than Spike or Lorcan could react, Ji-Ga-No was right in their face. And once more, a strong dark-purple aura of magic was covering over him, as Ji-Ga-No soon made his shouting reminder of the upmost threatening message.

"DARE TO GET IN MY WAY AND I'LL TEEEEAR YOU APART! PIECE BY PIECE! AND BURN YOUR FLESH & BONES SO THERE'S NOT EVEN A SINGLE ASH REMAINING OF YOUR EXISTENCE! UNDERSTAAAAAAND!" Ji-Ga-No's roaring yell was so loud, it could almost shake the very foundations of the ground that trembled beneath his might, for if Spike and Lorcan get in his in even the slightest, he'll not resist to end them in the most 'brutality' of means necessary.

"WAAAUGH…" Spike had completely yelped backwards to land on his bottom, looking really wide-eyed in surprise.

"Grurarrugh…" Lorcan tried to remain where he stood, and tried to keep a serious expression, even under such a heavy pressure of Ji-Ga-No's magic that was becoming hard to breath.

"Good, you now know of the consequences…for now." Ji-Ga-No slowly spoke in amusement, seeing his message got through to the dragon brothers. "Trisvhmm-Trisvhmmm…." Soon a pillar of light shot up from the Everfree Forest that went into the clouds, rotating it in a swirling rotation. "WAHAHAHAHA-AAAAHHHH-HAHAHAHAAAAAAH!" Ji-Ga-No was heard making a loud and wicked cackle as he slithered himself up the pillar of light like a dark metallic serpent before they all fade out of existence….the Metallix Dragon was gone; for now.

"Gauaugh…." Spike then struggled to stand, and then after he got up, wiped what was on his forehead; heavy sweat. "Oh man, I'm sweating up 'this' much, and that's only from feeling his magical aura!" Spike exclaimed out with worry, whatever Ji-Ga-No is, just feeling his magical pressure at this close range, made him sweat so much, like he was trembling.

"Tripvhm…" Soon Spike saw Lorcan dug his own beam sword in the ground, almost looking like he'll lose his balance. "Haaauh-Haaaauh-Haaaaugh….that aura…." Lorcan spoke from trying to get in more of his lost breath from what almost overwhelmed him to unconsciousness. "Gupvhm….that's not normal. Even mine and Tadaka's auras never had such full focus of evil. It's almost like…his could truly be on near par with Smaug!" Lorcan exclaimed from each taken breath, almost exhausted, Ji-Ga-No's power, it was more overwhelming than what he or even Tadaka could even muster.

"Do…do you think Grimmore possibly made him from this Smaug guy?" Spike asked a bit worried in seeing how much his brother was so distracted, if what he asked was true, then are they in trouble!

"I doubt it. Smaug's mystery after death was said to have been lost for ages. No person could recreate him." Lorcan shook his head 'no' on that answer, there is no one that could recreate a Dragon like Smaug; he was the only Dragon of his kind with that much power. "But I see for Grimmore, he's done the next best thing, and I fear to think, there was more to Ji-Ga-No than that. And even more fearsome of his master's strength." Lorcan exclaimed out to state with much worry, Ji-Ga-No didn't look like he was going full power, and that's not a good sign, even worse is that a Dragon like him serves Grimmore, that would mean one thing; the Master is stronger than his General. "We need to head back." Lorcan stated out from finally standing up with his own strength to his legs.

"I wonder if everyone else managed to see what we saw," Spike asked off from wondering this out that if others saw what they did just now.

"Let's see, a giant light bursts forth from the ground, into the clouds as it swirls, a serpent Dragon of Chinese origin slithers up it and vanishes all entirely." Lorcan rhetorically was stating off all the actions that have taken place that if they were small, no one would notice, but that's the opposite. "I say yeah, they'll most likely have seen it." The Dragon in the cloak nods in shrugging off his shoulders, feeling practically half of Equestria saw that. "But what I really fear is how many with strong magical sensors managed to pick up this aura. I do fear to say this, but maybe even grandpa might have almost felt that from where he's very far." Lorcan spoke with deeper concerns, despite the light show, those that have truly heighten their magical senses would have surely felt that. That meant King Spykoran the Old, the Council of Dragons, the Royal Pony Sisters, Golden maybe…even perhaps those from the Mane Six's group, such as Twilight, Ben Mare, and little Nyx.

"Yeah, and after looking back from our last fight to determine Equestria, the both of us together, I'm not sure we equal half of what that guy dish out." Spike nods in feeling his brother maybe on to something, both Dragon siblings combined efforts to settle an old score would be nothing from what they just witnessed.

"All the more reason we need to be-careful and to prepare for the next day." Lorcan nods off in stating this serious motion while walking a bit away.

"Yeah, wait, what? What are we gonna prepare on the next day?" Spike nods, but then yelps in wondering what his brother was saying next here.

"The same thing I'll be doing as will you when you get the chance." Lorcan stated with his head turned to his brother, before declaring this news. "Train to strengthen ourselves and hone in our abilities while learning something new." The Dragon teen held his left grip in proclaiming what they gotta do, no matter what the next day and soon after. "I know we are not seeing eye to eye at this moment with 'trust', but please trust me when I say this….We must be strong, to protect those around us." Lorcan requested that he and his brother Spike must trust the other in knowing that 'true' danger will soon be upon them if they do not act quickly to be prepared for it.

"Yeah…I guess you’re right, bro." Spike slowly nods in giving in, he feels Lorcan is very right, the enemy in question, maybe quiet for now, but that doesn't mean another war will soon break out.

With that, Lorcan brings back down his hood which changed him back into his smaller form. Soon the brothers took Lorcan's portal transports to leave the Everfree Forest. And of course, they had to return to pick up their mushrooms, in all the excitement, they almost forgot those things. But the real fact remains, Equestria will soon be dealing with another threat in the future, the question of when, where, what, how, why, and on the 'whom' part will it all begin. It's another mystery that will leave many shocked in the near dawning to a darken day, almost like…the Apocalypse.

---------------

Meanwhile within the secret dungeon underneath Sugarcube Corner, Pinkamena, Golden Heart, Jack Zen, Autumn Gem, Sombra & Omega are seen. But at the sudden moment, a strange heavy weight was in the air that seem to cause a bit of a shakeup. For some, they were gasping from having felt something animus & terrifying, others managed to withstand it. When Pinkamena & Golden Heart check near a periscope, they saw something spiraling up into the swirling storm clouds that look...like a black metallic Chinese Dragon, before it vanished. And when it was gone, everyone that could sense the strangely intense magic felt relief again.

"What in Equestria was that? I never felt something that horrible?" Autumn Gem asked off in looking like she was half-alive & half-scared senseless, what was that feeling that almost overtook her.

"That presence, as if death could almost be by our doorstep." Sombra stated in being in better shape than Autumn Gem, felt like he just managed to hold off against what hit them.

"You be right, cause I fear of recognizing what was just seen. The Metallix Dragon; Ji-Ga-No...has appeared." Golden Heart issued off to say this in looking dreadfully serious in announcing who has made a sudden appearance in Equestria after all this time.

"You have to be kidding me? You don't mean 'THE' Ji-Ga-No, the absolute WORSE Dragon in Equestria history?" Jack Zen asked off in hoping that wasn't the case as it maybe some cruel joke.

"Unfortunately, my brother doesn't joke around. And if we know anything, the enemy that was just here for only mere minutes before this one showed up is a bigger threat to be certain of." Pinkamena explained off to say that from having dealt with Tadaka, with the arrival sign of a new enemy, shows Ji-Ga-No is more terrible then who they already beat.

"My instruments have managed to determine the strength of this foe from our last vanished enemy. There is no error....subject: Ji-Ga-No....is worse than TEN Tadakas." Omega explained of in what his systems managed to determine, & the results made everyone feel like their furs & manes are standing on edge.

"Great! An enemy that strong & from hearing the legends of Death & Destruction when a Black Dragon is seen soaring in the skies, he's Grimmore's most powerful General of the Grimmore Army!" Jack Zen issued off in knowing how terrible Ji-Ga-No is, when that Dragon makes an appearance, all Tartarus breaks loose & the he serves as a messenger of the end to come when he's seen

"How can we stop a creature that powerful when it took so much effort to beat Tadaka alone?" Autumn Gem asked off in fear that this didn't look too good for their side.

"Even if all our group’s army brought together, we stand no chance if Ji-Ga-No wipes us off without breaking a sweat." Sombra stated that the enemy could kill them without even trying, that's how scary Ji-Ga-No is.

"There may still be a way, to take down an enemy that powerful, we have to slowly strengthen ourselves by defeating the enemies present." Pinkamena stated to say this in how they just might get by in surviving against Ji-Ga-No, by first defeating the other foes that they are facing currently in their activeness.

"The ones currently being active are the Apocalypse Ponies & the Dark Mystics, are you saying we have to beat them first Pinkamena?" Goldie pointed out the only active enemies they got dealing with, do they have to defeat those guys first.

"It won't be us Goldie, the Mane Six, Ben, & many other allied forces will have to help us stop them. Cause in order to defeat the Three Lords, we start at the bottom to work our way up." Pinkamena explained the case that to survive, they need to work their way up to defeat those that they CAN fight before going up against even seriously threatening foes.

"Understood: Then mission is determine. The Apocalypse Ponies must be stopped first, before moving onto the Dark Mystics, and lastly..." Omega responded off in having heard this to know just what they need to do here.

"The Grimmore Army & the Demon God himself. You know how things work, gotta take out the other problems before going for the TOP of the most dangerous adversary around." Pinkamena stated off to explain this serious matter to her group in how they gotta deal with the problem, take on the Three Lords from rank numbers three & two before going after the one sitting at the top. "I just hope we'll slowly get that strength before we go toe-to-toe against the best." She stated in knowing that facing the biggest threat first is just plain insanity, like asking for a death wish, so they gotta get stronger first.

"As you say Pinkamena, we have to have faith." Goldie patted his sister's shoulder to calm her.

"Thanks bro., I like hearing that." Pinkamena smiled of to feel a bit more easy in having heard that.

The scene begins to close off and fad away from here. Looks like many that have sense the mere presence of Ji-Ga-No know, that if the Equestrians even stand a chance to survive the worse to come...they need to get stronger by facing off those that are currently after their lives. Let’s hope that they can manage that before rushing off where doom & despair await...they can only hope.

---------------------------

At the time being, Drago was seen having a meeting with the spirit heads of the 8 Demon Lords: Hsi Wu, Xiao Fung, Tchang Zu, Dai Gui, Bai Tza, Po Kong, Tso Lan, and his father, Shendu. All of them are still licking their wounds, to speak, over Tadaka's defest. But then suddenly without warning, a sudden wave shook the area before some strange pillar of light was seen resonating from the Everfree Forest area. That force alone made those that sense it feel some tension in the air.

"Would someone mind telling me what the heck was that," Drago asked off in feeling freaked out in what he sense, what sorta incredible magic aura was that; it felt so dark and pitch black, it was unlike anything he's seen and felt till now..

"The magical presence...I've sense it before in the past. But it couldn't be...Ji-Ga-No." Shendu spoke in having sense to realize who it was that has appeared.

"Impossible! We all heard he was badly damaged by One-Eyed Anger of the Mystics!" Tchang Zu stated off in recalling that evil Dragon's fate.

"But wait, if he's really back, then that means.....WE'RE DEAD MEAT!" Hsi Wu panics off in realizing that they are in big trouble now.

"What are you talking about?" Drago look at his father, aunts & uncles of what they are talking about.

"You know that within the Three Lords, there are soldiers & rank elites, correct?" Bai Tza spoke to tell Drago of this system of balance in power.

"The Apocalypse Ponies are 13 elite members with their own soldiers called Dusk, while the Dark Mystics have their own brand, but they also have the Demon Generals." Xiao Fung stated off in making this stated point of understanding the organization of each of the Three Lords.

"Grimmore has an army of creatures in Tartarus, even his strongest warriors: The Elite Warriors that can compete against Ultimate Warrior Rank opponents." Shendu pointed off in stating where the third Lord has his own built forces.

"The Demon Generals are said to be the strongest in Dark Curse's army, but Grimmore...has one that is exclusively dangerous." Tso Lan spoke in being dreadfully serious at this time.

"Ji-Ga-No....I've seen his power, not even us Demon Lords or all of Tadaka's Dragon Army could defeat him....he is a power that would take 3 to 4 Demon Generals from the Dark Mystics to defeat. And that's if they are lucky." Shendu spoke with much concern thought over the issue that from one certain Dragon, Ji-Ga-No, is by no means a foe to be underestimated.

"You're kidding me, Grimmore had such a powerful general? Why's he acting now after we learn about Lorcan?" Drago asked off in hearing this to be as surprise as his family.

"Believe us, we wish he didn't get involved. He's the most brutal & barbaric, if he were unleash now, there be nothing left to conquer." Po Kong spoke off in stating with much great fear over Grimmore's general, he's one who could wipe out everything and seeks thrills in brutal combat.

"Now I see it, there are so many of us wanting to destroy our enemies, the most powerful makes use of others..." Tso Lan spoke to say in slowly realizing what seems to be the case here. "Grimmore is plotting something far greater ahead, to everything....he sees as moving a game piece to observe what happens." The reason Grimmore doesn't act, is cause there are so many other evil forces that he lets them to everything, as a god lets his servants do his task.

"Dai Gui is no game piece!" Dai Gui complained to say this over the issue.

"Yet we were blinded to forget, he sees all, even of what we're up to." Tchang Zu stated in feeling cautious now, if they anger the Demon God, they're toast.

"Then he'll send Ji-Ga-No to kill us. His Dragon Messenger of DEATH!" Hsi Wu panicked off in seeing that they are dead if Ji-Ga-No comes because of what they did in speaking out of term about Grimmore.

"Nonsense, we are needed still, we're still in use of the host of the Apocalypse Ponies." Bai Tza stated in reminding those here that so long as they serve the Three Lords from the third group, they won't receive a Demon God's wrath.

"What do we do then?" Xiao Fung asked in what they do from here.

"Ji-Ga-No is about the worst thing you wanna face, he's like Kishin Akuma, but a Dragon." Po Kong shivered much when she spoke off those noted facts of two scary names.

"Drago, whatever happens, do not, and I repeat, do not push your luck against Ji-Ga-No...if you want to be breathing." Shendu warns his son in what to do and to be cautious.

"Fine, I get it...I'm not a big idiot to not know when not to cross a line after sensing that disturbing power." Drago rolled his eyes to shrug off his shoulders, he gets it, be careful, he's no idiot when it comes to facing serious big threats.

"Very wise...for now, we must go." Tso Lan nods off to say this in seeing that with this, they must leave.

With that, the spirit heads of the Demon Lords vanish without a trace now. Drago then leaves where he spoke to them, just before his three hench-dragons showed up.

"Yo D, you see that crazy pillar thing spiraling in the skies?" MC Cobra asked off in bringing the subject in the direction of the Everfree Forest.

"I did, and you better be glad 'IT' doesn't try to come kill us." Drago growls off in fury with his grit teeth while making this remark of their luck.

"Yo Dog, something trippin' you up?" Strikemaster Ice raised an eyebrow in seeing that Drago looks seriously spooked out or something.

"A lot, but we best remember this boys...if we wanna keep our heads, then you best not insult a Demon God...unless you want a death wish by his Dragon Messenger." Drago turn to point this off in giving a fair warning to his group that if they wanna stay alive, don't question that which is Grimmore, or else they'll be greeted by the one foe that will chew them out and spit them out afterwards...Ji-Ga-No.

That left Strikemaster Ice's crew feeling a bit lost as the other two were as silent as DJ Fist. And soon Drago leaves the sight to continue his own daily basics of the day. As everything begins to fade out at this time...
> Chapter 10: A Small Reward
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 10: A Small Reward


Tao and his group came back from their mission after a while of being away. They arrived just as Spike and Lorcan told everyone of their confrontation with Ji-Ga-No. The princesses, who arrived just as they saw the light from the Everfree Forest, are concerned alongside Twilight. If Ji-Ga-No can make it out of Tartarus, chances are Grimmore could too...but when he could is the question.

"Hello, everypony. Did I miss anything?" Tao spoke curiously as to what had happened in his absence.

"Oh, nothing much....except Tadaka's worshippers got Lorcan blame for something that isn't his fault, Lorcan got blamed, Tadaka came back but was killed again while Twilight got her Dark Form with the Rainbow Power being used again, then Ji-Ga-No show up, scaring the crud out of Spike and Lorcan here." Phobos said absentmindedly.

"Phobos!" Most of the gang scolds Phobos for that.

"What?!" Tao yelped for a moment like having a heart attack before he whacked on everyone's head. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?! No? Then, stop doing it again! Honestly! When you ever learn of stop being reckless..."

"Hey, hey, it isn't our fault!" Ben groans, feeling his forehead a bit. "Ji-Ga-No's appearance caught us off guard.

"I agree. Besides, I apologized for what I did to Lorcan." Twilight said with a groan while feeling her own forehead. "I got a Dark Form that will be useful again when I get better control of it."

"Tao, please calm down, okay?" Lorcan snaps to Tao with a sigh. "At least things are back to normal...or what's close to it anyhow."

Tao pauses, calming down somewhat as he spoke to Twilight, "But... The most important of all - you finally forgiven Lorcan. And not to mention, you were able to control your Dark Form."

"Yes. You were right. But I still have much more to learn. My Dark Form still tough for me to deal with." Twilight said with a sigh. She couldn't beat Tadaka in her Dark Form. Then again, the mare is starting out so she got a lot to learn to use it better.

"Rest Assure, Twilight... You will make it. As long as I am here, you will get control of your Dark Form." Azure said in confidence to his student, patting the princess on the back.

"Yeah... Thanks..."

"Though I sense it's because you aren't fully forgiven Lorcan as of yet..."

Twilight comment, "Well, I suppose Lorcan's reform IS genuine after all. Still, it will probably be years before I forgive him COMPLETELY. Well, either that or until I get absolute proof positive that Starlight IS still alive."

The Mystic Ponies hesitates, concerned about that comment. They ponder whatever or not they should tell Twilight now...

"So was your mission a success?" Celestia ask Tao curiously, changing the subject. The Mystic Pony smirks while holding up something. "I see."

"This is the one we were trying to get before Grimmore knew about it." Tao said as he holds up some sort of lamp weapon in one hoof. Don't ask how he did so.

"What is 'dat thing?" Applejack ask, glancing at the lantern curiously. "Looks like a lamp."

Seeker smirked as he explains to the ponies in the dark, "It's called 'United Chi Lamp', the most powerful yet effective Mystic Weapon ever created by our Creator: Mystic Avatar. It is said that whoever wields it can take and unite all of Chi, Powers and Might of individuals into one. And not to mention, making the person stronger too. Kinda cool."

"Wow!" The CMC exclaims in amazement and excitement. That is a tough weapon to have.

"Imagine if we would've use that against Ji-Ga-No." Spike said excitedly, recalling the precious confrontation with Ji-Ga-No. "We would've shown Ji-Ga-No who's the boss."

"Yeah, but Jus finished his previous chapter before Nigel could give out the suggestion to do so. Whatcha gotta do?" Pinkie ask with a shrug, leaving the others puzzled by that.

"Of course. If we ever have problems with our Xros Fusion or maybe low in energy, we can use it to fight and defeat our enemies. That's a great idea." Twilight said with a squee while clapping her upper hooves together. That lamp will be useful in any future fights.

"Yeah!" Ben exclaims with a laugh while slapping Twilight on the back. "That would be great."

"And it's a great accessory for lighting up places in case the town goes dark." Rarity said with a giggle.

"And it's...nice." Fluttershy said meekly. Okay, so she couldn't think up of anything cool or exciting to say.

Tao smiled in approval as he spoke, "I'm glad you like it." This lamp can be a useful weapon when the time comes.

--------------------------------

The Demon Lords are in one room, speaking of what happened when Grimmore shows up. They are still a bit intimidated by him, as Ji-Ga-No's appearance have shown...but they aren't about to let him terrorized him for the rest of their lives. The time has come for the Demon Lords to defy Grimmore.

"Well, well, well... It looks like someone had failed the mission miserably. And I heard that most of you have insulted me for being weak and lazy... Perhaps I need to give your demonstration and remind you of whom you speak of." Grimmore said darkly, not amused by what he was told by his allies.

Dai Gui groaned, "More insults to us. Heard that before so many time. I'm bored."

Tchang Zu nodded in agreement, adding, "So am I."

"What do you want?" Shendu ask Grimmore in annoyance. Bad enough Ji-Ga-No's appearance gives him the Demon Lords the weepies. At least it happened after Tadaka was defeated, not during the confrontation.

"To remind you that I am Demon God." Grimmore reminds his so-called allies darkly. Must he remind these Demon Lords as to who is in charge around here?

"If you are a Demon God, why must stay out and do nothing?" Bai Tza demands, challenging Grimmore as to why he had yet to do anything. "You managed to broke through the dimension and nearly threaten the other world but you decide to spare it!"

Hsi Wu hissed in agreement, "What kind of Demon God are you? A Demon God means to bring destruction - not fooling around! You hardly put any effort in that."

Po Kong nodded her head while grunting, "Indeed. You have disgraced and dishonored the name of Demon God. The original one was the true Demon God. He shown no mercy or caring of the world because he desire one thing: Destruction."

Xiao Fung nodded while adding to the point, "Indeed. It's the reason why we were born to do in the first place. I never know how you gain it. Clearly, we don't care."

Drago smirked while taunting Grimmore, who didn't say anything yet to counter their argument, "What's the matter, elf? Truth hurts you? It does hurt, doesn't it. This is something that you can't even do anything."

"You little insects. I watch your words if I were you." Grimmore hiss furiously as he held his hands with dark flames, making the Demon Lords and Drago yelp a bit in alarm. "I will brunt you in hell now! I shall remind that I am the true Demon God, not the original one! He was a fool, but I'm not! Destruction is my bidding. But to do so requires a right strategy. And here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to burn you in hell!"

The Demon Lords and Drago remained steady and silent as they watched the Demon God readied to attack. It looks like this is it for them...if a certain Demon Lord hadn't spoken up at this point.

"Yes... You should or your shouldn't," Tso Lan spoke. Grimmore looked at him as he continues, "Listen carefully, Grimmore - the reason you chose to ignore and spare us because... we have some use to you. And trust me - you do not want to waste us that easily. Because we have more plans than one to accomplish the goal. A goal that you require to achieve it: Freedom and Destruction. If you do it, then the Apocalypse Ponies and your army will fall. And trust me, you wouldn't want Dark Curse kept on gloating, now wouldn't you?"

Grimmore groaned in annoyance before smirked darkly. He chuckled evilly, "Well play, Tso Lan. No wonder you are the wisest and powerful among Demon Lords, I'm impressed. And you're right. I have some use of you. I'm not gonna waste you. But I will warn you again - insult me, I will incinerate you to hell..."

"Do as you pleased. But we won't fail since we're not your army."

"I'm warning you..."

As soon as Grimmore's portal disappeared, the Demon Lords and Drago sighed in relief. That was a close one. They defy him that time...but their luck may not hold out if they push it too far later.

"Remind me not to go through that again." Drago said, shivering a bit. Grimmore still scares the Tartarus out of him!

"Yeah. Right. Sure, definitely." Most of the Demon Lords said in concern and worry. They were lucky that time. The next time or any later time? There's a reason Grimmore was the new Demon Lord, not the previous one.

"Someone have to remind him about being a Demon God. Or else... he will disgrace it more..." Shendu said, frowning while scowling a bit.

"Matters not. We have what we need. Tadaka may have died, but we require something that our former master require. Twilight's Pure hatred and Draconian Blood - they will be used for the future..." Tso Lan said with a smirk. Despite Tadaka's recent death, the Demon Lords got what they need should the need calls for it.

"Right, yeah." Most of the Demon Lords said in agreement as well.

"And we knew who to thank for making that happened." Shendu adds with an evil smirk. The only villain who helped make that part happen.

"Thank you, Lord Dark Curse..." Bai Tza said with a serious nod. Dark Curse has helped the Demon Lords well.

--------------

Guess what, folks? Pinkie is throwing another party in Ponyville, to celebrate Lorcan's Victory and his Redemption party. Twilight had apologized to everyone, announcing the apology in public. The recovery progress may not be easy but Twilight and her friends will get it done. Most of the ponies talk and mingle...except for Diamond Tiara who stayed away because of what Lorcan had done to her before.

"Wow, I haven't seen a celebration like this in...well...since Pinkie's last party." Fluttershy said, smiling at the turnout is for this party this time.

"Yes, good work, Pins." Rainbow said to Pinkie who squees happily at that.

"Thanks!" Pinkie exclaims happily while bouncing up and down. "Remember that Super Bowl commercial we were in? We had so much fun!"

"Uh....whatever you say."

Pinkamena meanwhile is having a little conversion with her own group, bringing up something that Lorcan spoke about not too long ago.

"What did Lorcan mean about mini Skirts?" Pinkamena ask Golden Heart curiously and puzzled.

"Well............I am still surprised Lorcan said anything about it." Golden Heart said, getting an awkward look. "If that happens, every mare would be wearing one."

"I like to see somepony try to get me in a skirt. I dare them."

The group lightly is scared when she said it but nod at what she meant.

"Detective." Twilight said as she confronts Detective Dan. "One thing that bothers me: why didn't you say anything about the revelation of Starlight's "fate"?"

Detective Dan say, "Simple. The machine that showed Starlight getting stabbed could only be used by two people: you and Lorcan. But seeing that Lorcan was seemingly dead, the machine could not be used. Plus, I tried to get members of the court to realize that was more to it than meets the eye, but they wouldn't take me seriously. Can you believe me? Not take ME, seriously?"

"Yeah, I can believe it."

Some balloons lands near Twilight's group where Lorcan is at. Spykoran the Old had arrived, relieved that both his grandsons, including one that he thought was gone for good, are okay. He is sad to hear that Tadaka had come back temporarily and didn't arrive in time to help him. Perhaps Tadaka is truly beyond help.

The scarred Dragon frowns as he pushes a balloon, scowling, "I swear if I get magical sparkles over me, I'm outta here."

"Lorcan... I'm sorry for everything I did to you. I hope you forgive me." Twilight said gently. The Alicorn raised her hoof up, wanting further forgiveness. Lorcan huffed before crossed his arms.

"I'm not gonna shake your hoof."

"What?!" Most of the group yelp in surprise upon hearing that.

"Oh come on!" Sweetie yells out angrily, still upset. Lorcan is not going to shake Twilight's hoof or some horse crap?!

"Lorcan, what the buck?" Scootaloo ask Lorcan with a frown.

Lorcan then hugged Twilight. She smiled and hugged him back gently. The crowd understands now: the former villain wanted to hug her instead.

"Thank you, Lorcan. And welcome to the Sparkle Family." Twilight said to her new son gently. She may still hold some bit of grudges...but who knows? Maybe over time...

"All right! Nice, Lorcan!" Spike exclaims with a smile.

"Yeah, you are truly a member of the Sparkle family now." Ben said to Lorcan, who grins a bit.

"Uh, mommy? After what had happened so far...am I still grounded for life?" Nyx ask her mother meekly.

Twilight laughs a bit as she nuzzles Nyz. The Alicorn said, "No, not anymore. I was a darn foal for even doing that in the first place. Besides, grounded for life is a harsh punishment for a filly."

"Phew."

"Lorcan...." Spykoran spoke as his head peeks in through a nearby window (due to how freakingishly big he is). "You have truly come a long way. Which is why I wish to make an offer."

"And that is?" Lorcan ask Spykoran curiously, pondering as to what Spykoran had in mind.

"I can turn you back into a proper baby Dragon, restoring the wasted childhood you could not have. Of course, this means you would permanently be the size of a baby Dragon and do not require the cloak to maintain the form."

Everyone pauses as Lorcan went silent. This offer seems too good to turn down...but will Lorcan take it or stick to his problem forever?

"Lorcan?" Luna ask Lorcan in concern as the baby Dragon had yet to spoke. "What is..."

"After doing some thinking...I decided why not?" Lorcan ask Spykoran with a shrug, much to the surprise of everyone.

"You do know that it would mean you would start all over of being a baby Dragon, correct?"

"Yeah...but folks remember my teenage Dragon form as a monster. I would rather set a-new here."

"Very spell, then perhaps yourselves." Spykoran said as he concentrate a bit, casting some sort of spell.

Everyone watches as Lorcan glows a bit, yelping as he rose up...then a flash appears, making everyone cover their eyes to able being blind. When all is clear, the gang saw the cloak falling to the floor...along with Lorcan who is out of it...and in his baby Dragon form!

"Look at you now, Lorcan." Spykoran said with a smile as Lorcan got back up to look at himself. "It is done."

"I'm...I'm small." Lorcan said. He smiles happily. "I'm small, I'm small!" The Dragon laughs and grabs Phobos, beginning to dance with him. "I'm small! Ha ha ha! I'm...." His eyes widen in realization as Lorcan lets go of Phobos, sending him crashing to the floor. "SMALL?!"

"Oh, boy!" Phobos groans as he got back up. Lorcan is upset.

"Sadly yes." Celestia said with a smile. "Your mind has been rewritten to have childish thoughts, the serious and cold things you hold have been toned down. You can now lead a normal childhood, but the spells you knew during your time of evil must be relearnt. You can probably, however, use fire and your lightning."

"And my size..." Lorcan ask with a pouty look on his face.

"You'll grow like any other Dragon."

"But I'm 52 years old."

"Dragons age more slower than ponies. You'll be a teenage size roughly...100 years." Celestia explains to Lorcan with a sheepish smile.

Lorcan's eyes twitches. Tough yelps in alarm, "Hoo doggy! He's gotta blow!"

Everyone ducks for cover, preparing for the worst. Even the magic users uses their magic, preparing for the worst. And then...

"Oh well." Lorcan said with a shrug, much to everyone's surprise. "You win some, you lose some."

Everyone sighs in relief. Lorcan has taken the news of his new size and such very well. The question is, for how long?

"Now one thing left to do." Lorcan said as he holds up his former cloak. "Get rid of this bucking thing!"

"Yyou really wanna do this?" Michael ask Lorcan in concern.

"...yeah...just do it." Lorcan said. He set the cloak on theto ground....he then breathes fire, setting it ablaze. As discord played on the bagpipes, Lorcan watched the cloak until it was consumed by the flames. He then turned and walk away blankly.

"Wow; that ended nicely." Rainbow remarks sarcastically.

Spykoran sighs as he looks away. The grandfather of Spike and Lorcan spoke, "Now if only Tadaka was that simple..."

"I know you wish to save him, Spykoran old friend." Celestia said calmly, patting the old Dragon on the forehead. "But he is beyond help. There's nothing that could be done to help him."

"I know...I know...."

Just then, a newcomer comes up, looking around. Celestia spots him and recognize who the pony is.

"Ah... General Haytham Kenway. I'm glad you make it. I was worried that you would be busy on your duty with Borgia." Celestia said to Haytham with a smile.

"And miss Mr. Lorcan's Victory Celebration. Not a chance, my friends." Haytham said with a chuckle, waving off the concern.

"Ben, this is Haytham Kenway. Haytham, this is my adopted son: Ben."

"Greetings, General." Ben said, saluting the general in respect. "It is an honor to meet somepony with your status."

"It is an honor to meet you." The general said. He smirked and thinks, 'So much like his father - naive and fool. If he was close to me, I will take this as my advantage to find and capture him." Haytham then continues speaking, keeping his true nature a secret, "I must say, young ones. You did pretty well for young ones."

"Hey thanks." Rainbow said, posing a bit. "We have some difficult times, but nothing we can't handle."

"So thoughtful o' yew." Applejack remarks, rolling her eyes at what Rainbow just said.

"Thank you, sir. A lady like me shouldn't be fighting...but I will if it means helping my friends." Rarity said with a smile to the general, waving a hoof through her hair happily.

"Yeah! And live to PARTY!" Pinkie laughs as she brought out her party cannon, firing like mad. "BOOM!"

"Thanks." Fluttershy said quietly while moving back a bit shyly.

"I hope Lorcan have a good time with his celebration if he can. I must be excused for now..." Haytham said with a chuckle as he trots off quickly.

Most of the others look at each other in concern. They don't know why but they don't like how Haytham said that just now.

---------------------

Lorcan was walking down the stairs. As he kept on going, he waved to some ponies who waved him back to him. In front of him was a brown hooded pony who was approaching Lorcan. As the crowds became crowded, the brown hooded pony approached Lorcan. The former activated his right hoof Hidden Blade before he stabbed right on Lorcan's heart.

Lorcan yelped in alarm, "What?! What the-?!"

The brown hooded pony smirked as he slowly move Lorcan to a nearest seat. He put him down on the chair. Lorcan looked at the Hidden Blade. He gasped in shock while feeling his body getting weak and begins burning, along with his vision blurry and having more headaches. The Dragon looks up and recognizes the cloak that the attacker is wearing.

"Wind Assassin?" Lorcan ask in shock and disbelief. The Wind Assassins were supposed to be on Equestria's side! "How? Why?"

"The name's Shay Patrick Cormac. Not that you'll remember me. I'm just doing my job." Shay said to Lorcan darkly.

"Assassinate me? Why would she do it? Why would Celly and Luna do it?"

"Oh... I guess you didn't know the story. I'm not with the disillusioned Assassins. I work for Grimmore's Knights to save this world from falling."

"You're mad... What Grimmore promise, he lied..." Lorcan hisses furiously to Shay. Another one of Grimmore's tricks. He wants to make Lorcan paid even though the battle's over!

"I don't care. As long as I complete the mission and save the world, that matters. I can't let the world fall into chaos and ruins again. The world needs to be controlled, not being loosen canon." Shay said, dismissing Lorcan's claim. Apparently to the Dragon, he is a nut!

Lorcan moaned painfully, "When the world knows about it, we're gonna stop you..."

"I doubt it. I not only stab you to death, but with the Dark Plague Poison and Amnesia as well. Your body will become weak. Then, you'll die. If you survive it, you remember nothing of whom you met."

Lorcan gasped, "No...."

Shay smirks underneath his hood as he adds to the horrified Lorcan, "The revolution will start soon. The Wind Assassins can't do anything to help you and your friends. Equestrian Eliminator is keeping an eye on them."

Shay turned and headed off. Lorcan got up while shivering in pain and breathed heavily. When he touched Spike's shoulder, the latter turned to smile at the former. Lorcan looks up and smiled as he stops shivering.

He can't his brother know as to what had happened yet. Lorcan can beat this...somehow...

------------

On the outside of Friendship Rainbow Kingdom, Shay Cormac met up with Haytham Kenway. The former bows as he spoke, "It is done, Master Kenway."

"Well done, Shay." Haytham said with a crooked smile. Lorcan is going to die or worst...and no one will know about it until it's too late. "Now... Go and find that pathetic pirate. Dead or alive - it matters not. I personally want to burn him in hell. He'll pay for what he has done."

"Aye... He'll pay for betraying me too..."

"Go forth now..."

------------------------

The scene opens back towards Tartarus, where within the castle in the center of the worse place in all of Equestria, lies within the throne room the most evil being of all; Grimmore. At this time even after the events of Tadaka's death & Lorcan gaining his new chance at life, the Demon God was sitting upon his throne, letting his right hand magically summon...a magical chest board; which displayed a map region of all the areas in Equestria & those beyond from the Mystic Realm. Slowly, but surely, chess pieces of every character that has earn some recognition is seen from the Mane Six, Ben Mare, & Pinkamena in Ponyville, Celestia & Luna in Canterlot, even a few face images on the chest pieces of certain Mystics were seen in the Mystic Realm. But the pieces were white, & then what was summoned were dark pieces to show the forces of evil, the Dark Mystics, the Apocalypse Ponies, the Demon Lords with their vessel users, Drago & his crew, the Brotherhood in Safe Haven, all of them displayed in areas in which 'HE' knows where to find everyone that cannot escape his sight.

"All of the pieces are beginning to move." Grimmore spoke forth in seeing the actions that are taking place here & now.

Two pieces are seen, Lorcan that was once black turn white was staying near Ponyville. The other dark piece was Tadaka, which fell & vanished from sight in signaling his death.

"Old pieces fall, but new ones take their place." Grimmore stated forth in mentioning what he is seeing here even after the fall of Tadaka.

Suddenly, new pieces of light & dark begin to slowly pop up on the magical chessboard map of Equestria, showing both heroes & villains alike. Within the Frozen North showed two pieces of ice giant figures of a queen & king. Another shows Merluck on an island far across the sea chart border. Strange mutated Dark Mystics with three strangely bird-lizard mutated things. Within a tower shows a strange half dark & half light colorful jester foe within a strange castle hidden by illusion to all but those that can pierce its layers. Even the whereabouts of Discord II causing a stir of trouble on a city by turning folks into mushroom toad-worts. Even Fafnir's piece as it & Brave Heart were again facing off. And a strange centaur mage seeking to find...a magical lamp. There were still many more things to be seen, but this is as much that can be noticed...

"The game is set, let us see how far these heroes will go?" Grimmore said cruelly. "Tadaka was 'only' just the beginning step, the rest will not be as simple."

Then Grimmore's eyes slowly lit up in making certain pieces begin to move out. Strange events occur with each piece's magic representing aura of a crafted character face off against a villain...or a hero. But there was something within Ponyville, the piece carved with half of Chase The Warrior as a white, but the other was Shadow Dragon of the Dark Mystics that was black. It showed his piece moving about inside Ponyville as there was a strange shield over it until....one tap cause it to break; which meant...the Mystic Shield would be...

"With the trials set aside, events will play forth, but in the end..." Grimmore "I shall see all & know all, before any can escape my sight."

The scene backs out towards the castle of Grimmore, as evil laughter is heard with a heavy aura of the presence of the Demon God at work. No mistake, something will come within the future to take place, & those that will fight against such evil will have to be prepared. But what about things that cannot be avoided....everything goes dark with this single question to mind: what awaits for Equestria in the future...is a mystery.


The End