//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A Different Place // Story: The Pony Guard // by TheClownPrinceofCrime //------------------------------// The fiery portal opened up in the middle of a grassland; it dropped off Kiara there before it closed back. Thus, the cub was left stranded in the middle of nowhere. “Huh? Whe-Where am I? What’s going on?” she asked, looking back and forth. She saw herself in a certain grassland far from the hills. She didn’t see any form of life anywhere in that area; therefore, she slowly went forward to find out where she exactly was. “I thought Scar was going to destroy me,” said Kiara. “But he throws me into some place... unknown? This doesn’t even look like the Pride Lands at all!” She continued further in her journey to discover what this area was exactly. She went to and fro until she spotted a larger hill. She went there to the very top thereof. From there, she looked down below the hills to discover... actual civilization? “What is that place?” she asked. She saw a small town below that was filled with residents of some kind. Driven by curiosity, she went down to see for herself who these inhabitants were. IN THE PRIDE LANDS “Kiara has been kipnapped?!” Zazu exclaimed. “Yes, she was taken by Janja and his hyenas,” replied Nala. “I don’t know what they have planned for Kiara, but we have to rescue her before she gets hurt!” “This is terrible,” Simba said. “Kion, you think you and the Lion Guard can take out the hyenas and bring back Kiara?” “Absolutely, Dad! We will make sure that she remains unharmed and that Janja and his hyenas will never return to the Pride Lands! Right, guys?” Kion said, looking at his friends. “Definitely! You can count on us!” Bunga smirked. “We are ready once you are ready, Kion,” said Fuli. “Come on, everyone! Let’s rescue Kiara and stop Janja together!” Kion commanded, running outside of Pride Rock with his four friends following behind him. “To the Pride Lands and—!” “LION GUARD DEFEND!” the rest of them finished. IN THE VOLCANO “You think the Lion Guard will come here, Scar?” Janja asked. “Indeed, Janja,” said Scar. “They will come here to rescue sweet little Kiara while they have no idea that she is already... how should I say it... gone. (Chuckles evilly) Once they come here, you will do your part that will lead them straight right to me! Then, I will do my part as well.” “Ahhh, brilliant idea, Scar,” smiled Ushari, wickedly hissing. “Those arrogant fools won’t know exactly what will hit them.” “They won’t indeed, Ushari. They will be in for a big surprise,” Scar said, laughing maniacally. BACK IN PONYVILLE “Here, Twilight, is this the book you’re looking for?” a little dragon asked. The purple unicorn saw it in his grasp and eagerly took it from him with her magic. “Perfect! That’s the one!” replied Twilight. “This book perfectly explains the specific spells I must learn and master! This will be a perfect opportunity to practice them!” “Sure, but for what purpose? Is there something going on?” Spike asked as he was very curious. Twilight dropped the book on the floor as she suddenly felt a little sad. This instantly concerned Spike. “What’s wrong? Was it something I said?” “No, no, it’s not you, Spike. It’s actually... something else.” Twilight replied, turning her head away. Spike then came closer and put his arm around Twilight. “You can tell me, Twilight. I’m listening.” Spike assured. She sighed heavily before she answered. “It was that fearful vision I had when King Sombra came back to the Crystal Empire. That traumatizing scene of Princess Celestia giving me that cold look of disapproval and... (sniff)... disappointment was really... horrible.” Twilight said before she sobbed. Spike patted her on the back and stroked her hair. “It’s okay, Twilight! Be thankful that wasn’t real! We should also be thankful that Sombra has been defeated for good and won’t cause us any harm anymore!” Spike softly smiled. After thinking about it, Twilight weakly smiled back and hugged Spike. “You’re right, Spike. And it was all thanks to you that the whole empire was saved.” “Me? It was really nothing. Cadence was the one who empowered everypony with the Crystal Heart’s magic of love to stop Sombra!” Spike said. “Yes, but that would not have happened if you didn’t take the Crystal Heart to her so that she could do her part. You are my hero, Spike.” Twilight said, giving him a hug again. Spike returned the hug. “Thanks, Twilight. That really means a lot.” Spike said. “You’re welcome,” said Twilight, breaking the hug. “Anyway, about the spells, I want to learn about them so that the next time I experience any sort of mind control, false illusion, or any other evil spell that might harm my mental facilities, I will know how to counter them and repel them. I just... don’t what to go through that frightening experience again.” “That makes sense. Is there anything else I can do for you?” Spike asked. “Not at the moment. You can go outside and spend some time with Rarity if you want,” said Twilight, smiling. Spike smiled after she said that. “Thanks, Twilight! Good luck with your spell practice! If you need me, you know where to find me.” “Will do. See you later, Spike!” Twilight waved. After he left the treehouse library, she opened the book to look for the instructions on the specific spells she was studying about. “Hmmm, let’s see... which spell do I want to start first? Oh, yes! I will begin with this one...” Spike walked past Sugarcube Corner and spotted the Carousel Boutique in a distance. “Ah, there it is! I hope Rarity isn’t too busy today. (Sighs dreamily) Finally, I can spend some time with the most beautiful pony in Equestria...” Suddenly, his eyes caught something to his right. He looked on his right side to see something... unfamiliar. “What is that thing?” he asked himself. He curiously turned to a different direction to discover what that thing was. Kiara looked back and forth to see ponies everywhere in the town. She felt a little uncomfortable to see most of them stare at her with awe like they’ve never seen a lion cub before. “Why are they staring at me like that? Besides that, I’m in a town of equines far from the Pride Lands? What is going—?” she said in her head before seeing the baby dragon before her eyes. Spike and Kiara awkwardly stared at each other for a few seconds. “Ummm... hi?” Spike waved.