//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Ashes to ashes // Story: My little pony: Heirs of Chaos // by ChaosEtMundi //------------------------------// Twilight was enjoying her summer vacations as only she could, organizing one and a thousand things with Spike’s help. The little dragon was walking at her side with a to do list that seemed to never meets its ends, although it was nothing compared to her responsibilities as headmare. They were in charge of teaching a whole new generation and Twilight was taking that responsibility very seriously. However, being a princess and the School of Friendship headmare at the same time was tough. She never bothered about hiring guards for her own palace and now she had to deal with all the staff necessary to keep the school working. Fortunately, after the incident with Cozy Glow, the relationships with the Equestria Education Association turned better and now she was getting positive feedback from the one who once tried to stop her dream of spreading the magic of friendship to every creature. Hiring her friends as teachers made everything easier, but chancellor Neighsay made her realize that she needed additional staff, like substitute teachers, and reinforcing some subjects. After all, even if it was the School of Friendship, they couldn’t leave basic knowledge aside as mathematics and history. She was also considering imparting extra curricular subjects, like music and writing classes. However, she could bother about that later. In that moment, the only thing she wanted was enjoy her vacations with her friends and that was exactly what she was going to do after finishing her list. «The school has kept us busy lately, don’t you think so?» «Sure…» Spike seemed worried. «What’s wrong?» «Well… I have been wondering about how close Cozy Glows was to made it out and steal all magic from Equestria. We couldn’t do anything back then, trapped in Tartarus». «But everything went alright at the end». Even when their students were who saved the day, it was very inspiring at the same time. «All our hard work at the school has proved to be worth». «Yeah, you are right. Maybe I'm just overthinking the situation». «Don’t worry, Spike. We have never failed in saving Equestria before and will never do it in the future. After all, no evil can defeat the magic of friendship!» She exclaimed in a triumphant pose, but then a strong and sudden knocking at the palace door made her shrinks. Spike rose an eyebrow and smirked. «Beware, evil could knock the door if you call for it». In a moment like that, Spike felt like having the upper hand, and he enjoyed it. «Fortunately, Spike, the brave and glorious, is here to save the day». Twilight really hated when the little dragon acted that cocky. He then flew to the door and opened it without asking who was there or what they wanted. «Castle of princess Twilight Sparkle and humble home of Spike, the brave and glorious, what I can do for…?» He ran out of words after seeing who was knocking the door. «E… Ember?» «Spike the… what? Who call you like that?» «Who is there, Spike?» Asked Twilight, but the little dragon did not answer her. «Almost everypony at the Crystal Empire?» Twilight pushed him out from the entrance. «Ember! It’s been a while!» She greeted her energetically. «Hey, Twilight». Ember may never get use to pony manners and their friendly stuff. «Sorry for coming by surprise». «No problem, the doors of my palace are always open for the dragon lord». She invited to follow her inside, but Ember had something very important to say before anything else. «Well, actually… I’m not the Dragon Lord anymore». Twilight and Spike were shocked. «How it happened?! Who is the Dragon Lord now?!» Spike jumped on at her eyes level, but, even if they were friends, Ember would not allow anyone to step over her. «I don’t know!» She pushed him away. «Garble came and…!» «Garble?!» Spike exclaimed, being grabbed in the air by Twilight’s magic. «Yes! Garble! Stop interrupting me!» Ember was about to exhaust her patience. «Calm down, Spike» Twilight let Spike in the ground softly. «How did it happen, Ember?» «I was trying to tell you. Garble showed up proclaiming that friendship was making me weak and I was not suitable to be Dragon Lord anymore. He said that I rather prefer the company of weakling critters like you instead of defending our pride as dragons». She remembered perfectly how that cursed red dragon came from nowhere, pointing her with his claw in front of her subjects, and how harsh the gaze of everydragon felt. «He then defied me for the throne and… and…» «You accepted the challenge and lose». «Of course, I accepted! Otherwise I would seem weak in front of everydragon!» Only rage was able to hold her from guilt, but acting like that would not solve anything. She stepped aside and brace herself to keep it down. «I’ve lost everything... I’m the worst Dragon Lord ever». She felt awful, at the very edge of crying and accept how pathetic she was, but then she felt warm and cozy. Twilight and Spike were hugging her and, suddenly, she did not fell alone anymore. «Thank you» She embrace them back, at least until she needed to go back due to her proud dragon-self and pushed them away. «Ahem… anyway, I was planning to stay here just a few days before coming back with my father». «But we can’t stand idly by. Garble could still have intentions of invading Equestria and now he may be gathering as many dragons as he can». Replied Spike. «Besides, we are talking about Garble. He would never play fair and you are stronger and, with no doubt, smarter than him». This last sentence made Ember blush for some reason. «Spike is right. Did he wear some kind of amulet or look odd in any way?» Even Trixe was able to hold great power under the influence of the Alicorn Amulet and just to imagine Garble with such power was shivering. «Well, he kinda had something like that mark of yours». Ember pointed Twilight flank. «A cutie mark?» «I wouldn’t describe it like cute but yes. It was like one of those, however I don’t completely understand how it could matter». «It could matter! Apple Bloom caught Cutie Pox once and, for each new cutie mark, she got a new talent! Maybe he got one that grants him strength!» «Can he do that?! Oh, I’ll make him regret it once I put my claws on him! » The fire in her gaze were enough to set the whole Everfree in flames. Suddenly, she and Spike started to glow. «It has begun. Garble is calling everydragon». «If that’s so, we'll help you». They had to gather everypony, but they needed to attend a certain subject first. Ember’s belly growled. «I will bring something to eat». «Don’t worry, I’ll serve myself». She then got close to a pillar and bit it. «Hmm, your palace is tasty as ever». Babbled with her mouth full as they rolled their eyes. Now they understood the real reason she was there to start with. ------------------------------- Her friends came as soon as possible and gathered at the throne room. Everypony but Starlight. She was enjoying her vacations along Sunburst at the Crystal Empire. Rarity was sewing camouflage disguises just like the ones they wore back then at the Gauntlet of fire. «Thank you for coming and thanks, Rarity, for making these disguises so fast». Everypony was at their respective places in front of the map. «I always knew we were going to need these sooner or later. I just need to do some little adjustments». Replied the unicorn, given the last touches to Pinkie Pie’s disguise. She had to be especially meticulous with it, considering the jump everywhere habit of her good pink friend. «However, what is the occasion? Last time, we used these disguises to protect Spike from those awful… I mean, Garble and his gang». «If the Dragon Lord herself is here, it must be very important». Added Applejack. «That’s the cause of this situation. Ember is no longer the Dragon Lord». Replied Twilight, causing even more shocked expressions on them than the ones she and Spike had. «We are going to the Dragon Lands to help her». Everypony then looked back to Fluttershy. «What? Is there something strange in my hair? » The pegasus checked her mane nervously. «Are you okay with it? Aren’t you afraid of dragons? » Asked Rainbow Dash, but that was part of the past. Fluttershy was more used to dragons now as they were teaching Smolder and befriend Ember. «But how it happened anyway? I thought the tittle of Dragon Lord was earn by a tournament». «Garble believe that Ember is weak for having us as friends, so he challenged her and took the title of Dragon Lord for himself». Twilight resumed the situation as short as she could. «However, we think that Garble cheated by, somehow, acquiring a cutie mark». «Impossible, only ponies get cutie marks!» Said Applejack, remembering how Gabi, the griffin, tried to get one with the help of the crusaders. «How Garble could get a cutie mark?» «That’s what we have to discover. However, we must be discreet because…» Twilight was about to explain, but was suddenly interrupted by Pinkie Pie, unable to hold still any longer. «Because we are overthrowing a potential tyrant to reclaim the throne for the legit Dragon Lord and that is an attack against dragon sovereignty!» Pinkie Pie pointed it out, jumping everywhere just as Rarity feared. Everypony heard how the disguise ripped off. «Sorry». «I’m not done yet, Pinkie. Please, don’t move for a bit». At least now Rarity knew where to reinforce the seams. «Yes… basically». Discretion was not optional, because it was a matter of exterior politics just too complex to deal with. If they fail, they could give Garble a real reason for declaring war and they would lose the support of other nations in a long-term conflict. «Twilight, this is not necessary. I can handle Garble by myself». Intervened Ember. «I’m the cause of this problem and I’m the one fixing it». «Don’t be silly». Said Rarity, just finishing Pinkie Pie’s disguise. «This is what friends are for». «We ain’t lettin you alone». Applejack got up, rising her hoof over the table. «Besides, we will never get a chance like this! A secret mission! Overthrown a tyrant and stop a war before it begins! It will be awesome!» Rainbow Dash was looking forward to jump into a new adventure and she hoofbumped hers, followed for everypony else. «We can do it!» «We are not just doing this for Equestria. We are doing it for you». The good intentions of Twilight and her friends filled Ember’s chest with a warm feeling. «Let’s do it!» It was her turn to rise her claw and join the tradition. «For the Dragon Lands!» «For Equestria!» Exclaimed all the ponies and Spike. «And friendship!» Ended Twilight, rising their hooves and claws. They were determined to succeed. However, none suspected that Ember has been followed to the palace and, at that very moment, a hooded figure was seeing everything from a distant window. The stranger got away levitating and hid under the shadows of a tree, before conjuring a little blue fire ball. «They know». The figure took off the hood, revealing herself as a grey unicorn with bright yellow eyes, resembling in appearance to the night guard of princess Luna at Canterlot. She talked to the flame, being answered by an ominous whisper. «I see… It took less than we expected. Come back at once, Last Flame. We have to proceed before their intervention». The flame trembled and got larger. The stranger stepped back, and the blue fire ball became a portal. «I really missed them». She smiled, turning back to the castle. However, as soon as it came, that smile disappeared. «But you will not stop me. Not this time». Hiding again under the hood, she then stepped into the blue fire vortex and vanished. -------------------------------- Dragons of all kinds and sizes answered the call of the Dragon Lord, summoned from every corner of the world through the annoying shine of their scales. The young ones could not wait to get rid of that itchy feeling, unable to think a reason for Ember to use the power of the scepter and do such massive calling. However, the elders had lived enough to know why they were there. Dragons were going to war and it was just matter of time before the order to burn down the whole world. The biggest ones took the rocky slopes, pushing away the smaller ones from their predilect places without hesitation. Even the enormous Torch was between them, but he was as clueless as the youngsters. Their silhouettes against the shadowy skies of their volcanic home and basalt pillars were a reminder of how powerful and terrible a dragon could be, or at least enough to turn Fluttershy into a shivering statue. «I… I’m terribly sorry… I thought I could do it… but I can’t!» She mumbled in fear. If Ember could know something like that would happened, then she would have come alone from the beginning. «Don’t worry, Ember. It’s just… a minor problem». Spike saw her preoccupation and tried to calm her down. However, time was not their ally. «For each minute, more dragons come. If Garble gives the order before we reach him, you better say goodbye to your cute pony home!» «We will split. The first group will go around the Dragon Lands and climb that hill». Said Twilight at last, pointing a volcano to Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy. «Gave us a signal if you need our help. Meanwhile, we will continue along Ember and Spike. If things start going wrong, Pinkie will create a distraction for us to flee». «At your orders! I will make the best distraction ever!» Answered Pinkie with a military pose, bringing up a confetti canon from nowhere, ready to fire. «Not yet!» Everypony has to stop her before she could ignite the wick and bring color to that shadowy place. Ember caressed her temples. «Do you bear this daily?» «You get used to it». Spike did shrink his shoulders and then the group splitted in two. ------------------------------ Rarity managed to pack a pair of binoculars, both decked out with purple ribbons and jewelry. Too extravagant for Applejack, but there was no other option. The three of them laid at the edge of the volcano, trying to keep their friends in sight among the colossal crowd, reunited around the monumental throne of the Dragon Lord. «I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t be here. I’m just getting in your way». Fluttershy wanted to be helpful, but even at that distance she could feel her knees shiver from fear just by seeing the silhouette of those nightmarish monsters. «There’s no need for an apologize, Fluttershy. You were very brave to come with us and we ain’t gonna make you do something you don’t want to». Replied Applejack, with that countryside accent so rooted to her as an apple tree to the ground. «Besides, we have a better view from here». «Does anypony see Garble out there?» Asked Rarity, trying to reach the throne with the binocular’s sight. «No weasels at the barn». Rarity stared at her with a blank expression. «Nothing at sight, miss». She rolled her eyes. «I… will look around and see what I can find». Mumbled Fluttershy, although they did not hear. She ventured through the rocky slope of the volcano, hoping to find the courage she needed to help her friends. «Come on, Fluttershy! You have seen dragons right into the eyes before! You can do it!» The first step to self-believing was convince herself, but, at the very moment she looked behind and her eyes meet those nightmarish figures on the horizon, she couldn’t do anything but picturing herself as their appetizer. «I can’t! » She hid in one of the many fissures at the volcano’s slope, an ancient fumarole, extinct long ago. However, there she heard voices resounding in the rock. «I need the scepter now! » Demanded the first, a rude and cocky voice. «Listen, you little piece of henchpony, gimme the scepter now or else!» «I… I’m terribly sorry! Let me see what I can do!» Answered the second, weak and insecure just like her. This built up enough confidence in her to venture through the cave and follow the origin of those voices. It may has passed centuries since the last eruption, but it was possible to see the burning shine of the magma at the end of the tunnel. Step by step, Fluttershy went inside that sleeping beast, just like walking into the jaws of a dragon. She felt fear, but the voices got nearer and the weak one woke up in her the need to help as well she needed to stop the second one, who was clearly a bully. Once at the end of the fumarole, she could see what was happening in the heart of the dormant volcano. There she saw a grey as ash unicorn, wearing a ragged cape, followed by a red dragon just as big as Ember. «That must be Garble». Said Fluttershy to herself, sharpening her gaze to figure out if he actually had a cutie mark. However, she was too far away from them to see anything in detail. «Patience, Fluttershy, you must be patient». The unicorn and the dragon got close to a wall, marked with a claw scratch on the rock. There, the unicorn drew an eye with her magic and the rock slid aside, revealing a secret chamber at the heart of the volcano. «Master, Dragon Lord Garble wants…» Announced the unicorn, but the impatient dragon pushed her aside roughly. «I want the scepter, geezer! And I want it now! » Demanded, but the answer took its time to rise from the darkness. «We have a deal, Dragon Lord Garble. I granted you power and you, in return, will lend us the scepter as long as your subjects take to arrive for the invasion» A third voice came out, an outstanding whisper that reached every corner of the magma chamber. «We are not done yet. Be patient, there still more dragons to come». «I’m the Dragon Lord now and they want to see me there! I cannot show up without the scepter!» His demands were followed by an ominous silence. «Hmmm… that is true, you shall be recognized as a strong leader by your subjects» Finally, the third voice seemed to agree with him. «However, you must return with the scepter or the deal will be broken... and you know what it means». The paw of a creature appeared from the chamber, holding the scepter of heliotrope. Fluttershy only could see what seemed like a baggy sleeve. «I have seen enough». Murmured Fluttershy, determined to return with Applejack and Rarity as fast as she could. However, the sound of her hooves was noticed by Garble. «What was that?» He turned fast, but there was nothing else than rock, magma, the unicorn, and the dark chamber. «We are inside a volcano, that kind of sounds are common». Replied the henchpony. «Whatever you say, weirdos». Garble pushed the unicorn again before taking flight and leave the magma chamber of the dormant volcano. «Are you sure about this? I thought you needed more time». She got up, dusting off. «More time would be welcomed, but the scepter already revealed what I needed. For now, we just have to wait until that poet disguised as a bully do his part». Answered the voice as the rock walls slid again to their original position. Fluttershy ran stumbling through the fumarole, almost forgetting that she was a pegasus and could fly just fine as Rainbow Dash. She crossed the volcano slope and came back to Apple Jack and Rarity, agitated, and imbued with the unmistakable odor of sulfur. «What happened to you, darling?!» Rarity took a fancy perfume and tried to took off that pestilence from her. «Where in tarnation have you been?!» «Well, I…» She was about to tell them everything, but in that moment, Rarity noticed a familiar figure flying toward the crowd. «Is Garble!» She exclaimed, pointing the binocular straight at him. «By Celestia! He does have cutie mark! Look at his back!» «Are you sure?! I may be just a tattoo or something like that». Applejack left Fluttershy, trying to focus the binoculars to see what seemed like a blur stain in his back to her. «Well, actually…» «Oh, I’d wish Twilight were here to tell us what to do now». Interrupted Rarity, exhausting Fluttershy patience at last. «Garble is being helped by a unicorn and a clearly evil creature hidden inside the volcano! » She yelled, making them startle and tossing the binocular from the edge. «I’m sorry, it was not my intention». Her authority vanished as soon as it came, but Applejack and Rarity were still astonished. «Oh, deer…» «You are awesome, Fluttershy! Then Garble cheated after all! We only need to discover who those guys are and reveal it to anydragon!» Rarity praised her energetically. «Lead us to the bad guys and we will give ‘em a lesson!» Applejack was ready to cut the problem from root, but Fluttershy didn’t find an entrance other than the fumarole. «Can’t you lift me with your magic, Rarity?» «My magic is more delicate rather than powerful». «You should take magic classes from Twilight to fix that». It was just too late to lament that Rarity preferred to thread a needle with her magic than using it for less practical purposes, like lift herself or an earth pony over a magma chamber and save Equestria from war. ------------------------- Twilight and the others were breaking through the crowd. Ember and Spike procured to divert attention from the rocks that were following them, sneaking up across claws and tails of dragons at least ten times bigger than them. Although not only the giants were called by the new Dragon Lord, there were also the last candidates at the Gauntlet of Fire and smaller dragons like Smolder. She was impatient to flee and return to Mount Aris, where she was spending her summer vacations with her friends. «She first made me go to the School of Friendship and now is calling literally everydragon, just like the summer vacations were not about to end». Complained the young dragon. «What are you up to, Ember?» «Taking back my throne. That’s what I’m up to». Replied Ember, startling Smolder. «What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be up there?!» She exclaimed, drawing the attention of everydragon around. «What’s going on?! » At that moment, Garble flew over them and landed over the monumental throne. «I will tell you what’s going on! All heil to your new Dragon Lord! » The voice of the red dragon was amplified by the natural concavity of the throne. «Gar-Gar? What the…? What are you…? Ugh, never mind… I’m done». Smolder grunted, caressing her face as it were melting. Finally, the scales of everydragon stopped shining. «We will invade Equestria and those puny ponies will be unable to do anything against us!» «THAT’S your plan? If you are going to attack another nation, at least think about some strategy!» Ember rose her voice and everydragon around cleared the area. Everydragon but Spike. «Ember! We don’t know how to beat him yet!» The little dragon tried to stop her, but they could not wait any longer. She had to take Garble down at that very moment. «You already said it, I’m smarter than that boulder head. Just trust me». Ember was filled with determination and Spike could see it clearly as an open sky. «Good luck, Dragon Lord Ember». Smiled as he stepped aside. «What are you doing here?! I banished you from the Dragon Lands!» Garble exclaimed, pointing at her with the scepter. «You even brought that pony lover runt with you!» «I won’t allow you to take our people to war!» Ember took flight and rose over the crowd toward the throne. «Also, even when you did banish me, you also called everydragon and that include us». «Ember! You better have a very good explanation for all this, young lady!» The enormous figure of Torch was unmistakable among the crowd, just as that voice capable to reach every corner of the Dragon Lands without the help of the natural amplifying effect of the throne. «Garble proclaimed that I was weak! But the only weak here is him!» She turned to the usurper in defiance. «You cheated, Garble! I demand a rematch!» «Ha! I’m the Dragon Lord now and I don’t need to accept any challenge if I don’t want to!» He said with a palpable pride. «Also, I already defeated you once. I can defeat you anytime!» «Then prove it». Ember smiled triumphant and everydragon reacted to her defiance just as she expected. «Fight! Fight! FIGHT!» They all chanted, beating the ground with their tails and feet. Garble was against the ropes by his own words. Finally, Ember got the chance to take back what was rightfully hers. «Why didn’t you stop her, Spike?!» Exclaimed Twilight as soft as she could inside her rock disguise. «We don’t know how to beat him yet!» «We must trust her. She can do it». He replied. «That was awesome! And we are at first row!» Rainbow Dash wanted to see every moment and Pinkie Pie gave her popcorn below the disguises to enjoy the show. «Sweet!» «I already want to celebrate once Ember gave him what he deserves!» Said the party pony. «Who at your talking to?» Asked Smolder, rising an eyebrow. «Huh? Emm… with… nodragon? I’m just nervous» Said with a forced smiled in his face and leaning at Twilight, the walking rock. «You are a weird dragon». Smolder sat over Rainbow Dash’s rock, covering its eye holes. «Ah! C’mon!» She complained, fortunately being unnoticed by Smolder thank to all the cheering and noise from the dragons around as the battle was getting set. «I just hope Ember wins». Smolder didn’t know what her brother was thinking, but the idea of turning Ponyville into ashes was terrifying. «She will… GO EMBER! GO!» Spike cheered and everydragon around did the same. Smolder’s hopes grew stronger and she also yelled the name of her Dragon Lord, followed by Torch himself. That was how the whole Dragon Lands resounded with the names of the two contestants, right before both started the battle. Ember underestimated Garble the first time, but she would not repeat the same mistake twice. She was confident about her agility and how predictable that bully could be as his only strategy was reducing her by brute strength. She dodge and counter attacked, grasping him by his arms. «Impossible! You couldn’t get this strong in just a few days! You are totally cheating!» Complained, but then the mark behind his back begun to shine dimly. It was similar to a scarred eye. «I always have been this strong! Unlike you, I know how to use it!» She replied, causing a massive cheering among her subjects. «I will not lose! I HAVE to win!» He roared and the mark intensified its shining. Suddenly, his eyes turned red and emanated a crimson mist from them. Everydragon saw the mark as he enraged, but that wat not it. Suddenly, Garble grew bigger, and bigger, turning into a massive dragon just like Spike did when he was dominated by greed. «I’m stronger than you! I’m stronger than ANYDRAGON!» The red dragon became a monster, smashing rocks with every strike and setting the sky on fire with his breath. Everydragon was astonished. Ember tried her best to dodge every attack, but then he finally caught her in his claws. «Gotcha!» He smiled devilish. «We have to stop him! He is clearly cheating!» Exclaimed Spike, yelling at Torch. But even the biggest of dragons could do nothing to save his own daughter. «Of course he is cheating! But nodragon can interfere!» He replied in frustration, but that was the only thing they needed to hear. «Then we are going to do it!» Twilight got rid of the disguise and she flew right into the battle, conjuring magic beams against the usurper. «Finally! Is our time to shine!» Rainbow Dash was free from that annoying custom to join the party. Speaking of which. «Let’s go, Pinkie!» She lifted her into the sky as she brought out her cannon. «Professor Rainbow Dash?! Headmare Twilight?!» Smolder could not give enough credit to her eyes for what they were seeing. «And Pinkie Pie!» She was a living weapon with an unlimited ammo of fun and cakes, firing at will against Garble. «Ponies?! What are they doing here?!» Exclaimed Torch in indignation. «Saving your daughter! That’s what!» Even if Torch could squish him with his pinkie, Spike would never allowed anyone to talk against his friends, the only ones who could help Ember., and, by the first time in his life, Torch had to swallow his pride and watch how a bunch of little and colorful ponies were saving his only child from the claws of Garble. «No! It’s not fair!» The red dragon tried to get rid of them. However, it was futile. Twilight and her friends were able to release Ember from his grasp and she rose into the skies. «You say that Friendship make us weak! But you are wrong! Friendship make us STRONGER!» Ember propelled with all her might, becoming the most powerful projectile ever seen. She was a meteor falling from the sky, reaching speeds unknown by dragon kind, and then she landed a powerful punch right at his monstrous jaws. Everydragon frowned in sore and saw how Garble fell over his longed-for throne and Ember rose victorious. «Dragons from the Dragon Land! Who is your Dragon Lord!» «Ember! Ember!» They replied, celebrating with burning flames and vigorous roaring as Garble got smaller, shrinking to his original self. Finally defeated, it was moment for some questions. «Where did you get that mark?» Asked Twilight, followed closely by her friends. «Speak up now and we will go easy on you!» Commended Rainbow Dash, while Ember was reaching the scepter to proclaim her victory. Garble grunted and shaked his head in confusion, but he reacted to what Ember was about to do. «Wait! Don’t touch it!» He tried to warn her, but then, at the very moment the burning flames of the Dragon Lord authority came back to Ember, the scepter shattered in an explosion of light. «Oh, Garble, you broke our deal». Hummed a voice, like a whisper in the wind. «What a herald grants; a herald can take». The mark behind Garble's back vanished and the fragments of the scepter turned into dust on Ember’s hands. Suddenly, a magic signal sparked from the volcano. «Is Rarity signal! Let’s go!» Ordered Twilight and they flee at once, lifting a very downhearted Pinkie Pie after that sour triumph. Spike flew toward Ember, but there was no word on the world able to cheer her up. The only thing he could do at a moment like that, was being at her side and share her pain in silence. A silence that spread across the Dragon Lands like never did before. -------------------- Inside the dormant volcano, the ash unicorn galloped through the rocky galleries toward the magma chamber. She was the bearer of bad news, but her master already knew it and she found him contemplating the molted rock at the edge. He was fully covered by a red hooded tunic with baggy sleeves, fastened to the waist by a black cloth belt, only letting see a long beard and a crooked cat-like tail. He was bearing a staff with a blue crystal at its end like a claw of three fingers. But the most remarkable feature was the golden artifact he carried on his back. It just looked like Garble's mark and the one at the collapsed wall: A scarred eye. «I know. They are already here». He did not need to hear it from his subordinate, as the six ponies showed up heroically to face them. «Surrender now and you will have a fair trial!» Twilight said, backed up by her friends and the menacing shining of her horn. «Or you better not and let us have some fun!» Added Rainbow Dash, anxious of beating their flanks and toss them to jail as they deserved. «You ruined the party! You better have a good reason!» Exclaimed Pinkie, aiming her party canon. «There is always a good reason». Answered the tall and mysterious creature under the tunic. «But, for now, the only thing you need to know is that the Heralds of Chaos have returned». He turned to them, showing the unmistakable smile of a feline and then a blue fire vortex appeared at his back. «We will meet again soon, my little ponies». They tried to stop their scape, but the unicorn and the abbysinian vanished into the portal without leaving a trace. «The Heralds of Chaos? Who in tarnation are they?» Asked Applejack. «I don’t know. But this may not be the last time we will face them». Replied Twilight, determinated to discover the identity of that new threat. ----------------------- At a distant place, the insides of a hut at the middle of nowhere suddenly were illuminated by the blue flames of a vortex, before two silhouettes emerged from it and the darkness took over again. «Where are we? Is a heir here?» Last Flame couldn’t see her own hooves in the dark, but she didn’t cast any light spell. «…is it safe?» Then, a little sphere of light appeared at the center of the room. She averted her eyes, obfuscated. They had appeared inside an office-like room, between a deteriorated desk, a fireplace and a poorly made wood door. «We are where we should be. Patience». The abbysinian remove his hood and sighed. His aging face looked tired and a crystal eye hanged over his forehead. «How did it feel to see them again? Did it bring old memories up?» His words were friendly, but emotionless. «And what’s that for?» «We can end this once and for all, but I’m afraid your feelings will interfere. You know them better than anypony in the world and you know what will happen if we fail». «I know… it was… nice to see them, facing us like we were the bad guys». «We are». The unicorn kept silence for a moment. «We still need to find every heir to succeed». She finally broke the silence. «There’s no need for that now, Last Flame». The ash unicorn couldn’t believe it, but the magic of the ancient dragons revealed more than he expected to find. «The heiress of Moonlight is even more powerful than I ever could imagine. She has taken my teachings to a whole new level. Last Flame, she is the key». There was a but of excitement in his tone, but then he was suddenly attacked by headache. Last Flame helped him to sat behind the deteriorated desk. «Be a good filly and make me some tea, please». The fireplace ignited spontaneously with a snap of his fingers and he toof off everything they needed from his baggy sleeves. «We’ve increased the doses every time». She commented worried, pouring water from two different recipients into a kettle. «None is going to get hurt, right?» She added some herbs and put the kettle on the fire. «If what you say is true, we only need the power of that heiress». «Is it important to not hurt anyone?» The unicorn took off her hood and saw him straight in the eyes with her amber gaze. The abbysinian sighed, caressing his temples in pain. «It will be difficult, but not impossible… there is a certain ritual we could use». «What should I do?» The sorcerer took off pen and paper from his baggy sleeves and wrote a detailed list of what she had to gather and where she could find it. «I will be right back». She hid again under her ragged cape and went outside. «Be careful, Klugetown is a treacherous place». He had no need to warn her, but his words just slipped off his mouth. «You are getting soft». «No, I’m getting old… ugh… talking to myself again…» He shacked his head as the whistle of the kettle begun to make itself heard in the gloom. He got up the chair and took off a fine porcelain cup from his sleeve. «Nothing she could do matters. You already know what will happen». «It is true, but that’s why I have to take some measures» He sip his tea ceremoniously and finally came back to his ominous serenity. «I’m sorry, Last Flame, I could not keep my promise». With the same pen, he drew the symbol of the scarred eye in a little piece of paper.