Within a long flowing grassy meadow, two figures sat in meditative stances. The first was Springer the jakhowl, his eyes closed as he put his paws on his knees and let out a long breath. In front of him was Mira, the youngling in the same cross-legged stance as she mimicked his breathing.
"Good Mira." Springer whispered as they both opened their eyes. "Remember, stay calm."
"Okay." Mira replied as she then saw Springer put his paws together.
"Now...watch me." Springer said as a flicker of aura appeared between his paws, forming a tiny Aura Blast. "This is aura, the life force of all things."
Mira didn't reply, instead staring at the slowly forming aura ball. The blue flames flickered in her eyes, her paws reflexively mimicking Springer's. Her mind told her one thing: She wanted to do what he was doing. Closing her eyes next, a very thin layer of aura formed around her paws before a tiny stream of aura began to go out of them. A small aura ball was starting to form, Springer nodding at the sight.
"Good...keep it steady." Springer commented as Mira continued to flow the minuscule amount of aura between her paws. But as she did this, Springer looked up and saw Mira's face scrunching up, flinching as she tried to summon more aura. And as she continued, her paws began shaking, the tiny orb already shrinking.
"Aah!" Mira yelped as she felt a surge of pain shook her body, Springer instantly grabbing her shoulders.
"Mira! Are you okay?!" Springer yelled, steadying her before she could fall over.
"Ow...it hurts." Mira moaned as she opened her eyes. "Why does it hurt?"
"I..." Springer tried to reply, now pouring his aura into the youngling, soothing her pain. "I'm sorry Mira."
As the weeks of training had passed, Springer had found that Mira had the mental part of aura down pat, but her physical aura just wasn't enough. Even the slightest bit of forming an Aura Blast was too much, and this try was just as bad as the last.
Mira let out a long sigh at this, "I'm sorry Springer. I failed again."
"Its okay Mira." Springer replied as he tapped her chin, making the jakhowl look up at him. "You'll get it. I promise."
The young jakhowl looked away, "But..."
Knock, knock!
The two jakhowls turned to see a small door open up in the meadow, revealing a certain colt. It was Heart, and he had a snoring young jakhowl on his back. "Um...I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
Springer shook his head, "No." The jakhowl let out a sigh, standing up, "He didn't want to come, did he?"
"Nope." Heart responded as he walked up to the two, grumbling before flaring his wings and smacking Ace off his back, "Wake up!"
"Augh!" Ace yelped as he fell over, his face kissing dirt. A groan later, he started to stand up as he moaned, "Ow...can't a jakhowl get some sleep around here?"
"Ace..." Heart pulled the jakhowl's ear, making him whine, "What did I tell you?! You need to wake up."
"Yeah yeah, let go." Ace moaned as he swatted Heart's hoof away.
Heart and Springer both shook their heads, Ace letting out a long yawn before scratching his behind. Ace then stared up at the older jakhowl, seeing a big frown on his face, "What?"
"You're late." Springer growled before leaning down, "You shouldn't have Heart have to bring you here. You're supposed to come here to train, and this is the third day in a row you've done this." Springer got down on one knee, "Ace...I asked to get a whole week with the training room because I want to train you and Mira more." He put a paw on the jakhowl's shoulder, "Ace, this is important for your growth."
Ace just stared at Springer, squinting his eyes before turning to Heart, the colt nodding at him. A long sigh left his mouth as he moaned, "Fine..."
"Good." Heart replied before spinning around, "I gotta go to school."
"Thanks Heart." Springer added, "Sorry you had to bring him here."
"Its fine. Good luck with him."
"Hey! What does that mean?!" Ace yelled as Heart left the room, "Come back here!"
A certain jakhowl arm stretched out and grabbed Ace's head, "Oh, no you don't. You're not trying to get out of training. Again."
"Aw, come on!" Ace moaned, "Can't you let that go already?!"
"No. There's a reason why we're in the training room, Ace. You're not going on another eating spree at Sugarcube Corner, or any other outside distraction."
"Yeah yeah..." Ace sighed in defeat, "What are we doing today?"
"Aura training. Come on."
Springer walked back up to where he was before in the meadow, getting back into his meditative stance. Mira sat down in front of him, Ace slowly doing the same. The older jakhowl put his paws together at this, taking a deep breath, "Now, let's begin again. Me and Mira were practicing summoning aura, as I still want both of you to be able to use Aura Blast to protect yourselves."
"But we can't." Ace instantly replied. "We've been trying for months and got nothing."
"That's because you no longer try Ace. That's why we're doing this week." Springer responded before pointing at him, "I've trained you both as physically as I could, but you both are still lacking with your aura. For Mira, it is the amount of aura her body has." Mira looked away at this as Springer continued, "But you Ace, you have the aura, but you don't have the spiritual focus. That's why we're doing this."
"But we've already tried this for like...I don't know, three months?! Its impossible!" Ace barked back, crossing his paws and glancing away, "This is pointless."
"Its not pointless." Springer growled, grabbing Ace's head and forcing him to look back at the older jakhowl, "You need to learn this."
"He's right Ace." Mira added, "We gotta learn this to help protect ourselves."
"From what?!" Ace snapped, "We know to no longer go in the Everfree Forest, and we can fight with our paws."
Springer and Mira sighed at this. They had spent several months practicing marital arts, both young jakhowls able to fight almost evenly against Springer without using aura techniques, though they had to do it together. Springer found Ace was attuned to using a boxing style while Mira preferred a kicking style. However, despite this, they both were having issues using aura into their fighting styles.
"Ace, you need to learn this because-"
"Because of Shade, right?" Ace interrupted, making Springer almost bit his tongue.
A dark glare appeared on Springer's face, "Ace...what did I tell you about that?"
"But I'm right, aren't I?" Ace replied, shining a cocky grin.
That is, till Springer's paw gabbed his face cheeks. "Yes. And that's why you need to learn." Springer let out a loud huff, "Ace, there will come a time where I can't protect you. It may come to Shade, or it may be something else. Whatever it is, you need to learn this."
"But I told you I don't wanna be some fighter like you, or a defender."
Springer let out another low sigh at this, "I know. But you still need to learn this to protect yourself."
He then let go of his face, Ace rubbing the sides before mumbling, "Fine..."
"Good." Springer walked back to where he and Mira were before, both getting in a meditative stance. Ace groaned as he walked up and did the same, closing his eyes along with Springer and Mira. And as they all did this, Springer began to speak, "Now...feel the aura in you. Feel the life around you and within your body. Watch." Mira and Ace opened their eyes as Springer kept his closed, raising his paws as they saw him slowly create an Aura Blast in his paws.
The blue sphere reflected in their eyes, radiating and growing as Springer said, "Now...do as I do."
Mira instantly began to mimic him as Ace just stared down at his paws. The female youngling took a deep breath, his paws glowing in tiny blue fire. As for Ace, his paws showed a larger flame around them. Springer opened his eyes at this, seeing the aura flames not just consuming Ace's paws, but his whole body.
"Ace, you are spreading your aura around too much. You need to focus on just your paws."
"I am!" Ace barked back, glaring at his paws as his aura flared around his body.
"No, you're-"
"Aaah!" Mira yelped, making Springer turn to her as she fell back again.
"Mira!" Springer gasped before grabbing her, cradling her as he immediately started pulsing his aura into her. "Are you okay?"
"Ow..." she moaned as she squinted down at her paws, "It happened again."
"I'm sorry." Springer replied as he put his paws on hers, pouring aura into it. And as it began to heal her, the two locked eyes as Springer said, "Take a rest, okay?"
"Hey!" Ace barked, making Springer turn back to him, only to see the aura flames now spiking around the youngling's body. In his paws was a now growing orb of aura, the sphere shaking and rumbling. "Why does she get to-
"Ace, you need to stop! You're flaring too much aura!" Springer interrupted, "If you don't stop, you're gonna-"
BOOM!
"Augh!" Ace yelped, the aura ball exploding in his paws.
"Ace!" Springer gasped as he saw the young jakhowl fall over, burns from the exploding sphere now layering his body. A weak moan came out of Ace as he hit the ground, Springer then running over to him and putting his paws on the jakhowl's chest. Blue fire came out of his paws next, the flames slowly glowing over Ace. "Are you okay?" he asked as he slowly grabbed Ace by the head next, helping him up.
"No..." Ace groaned, letting out a tiny cough. "My paws hurt."
"I'm sorry that happened." Springer said as he looked Ace over before staring at his paws, "Here, let me-"
Ace then jerked his paws away from Springer, rubbing them as he mumbled, "Just stop it."
"Ace-"
"Stop it. Its pointless." Ace grumbled as he hopped out of Springer's arms, "I don't wanna do this anymore."
Springer opened his mouth to respond, but just saw a glare in the young jakhowl's eyes. He tried to get up and move over to Ace, but the youngling then said, "I'm done. I don't wanna train today."
"Ace, you need to-"
"I don't need to do anything!" Ace barked back, "I don't need aura! I can protect myself just fine, so I don't need some fancy jakhowl tricks that only you can do!"
Springer's eyes narrowed at this statement, making him point at the youngling, "Ace, you need to learn to use your aura. Its a part of you and-"
"And what? What am I supposed to do after I learn it?! I already told you, I don't wanna be a defender like you! I don't care about fighting!"
"I know that, but you still need to-"
"NO!" Ace interrupted, only to see Springer cross his arms. A light blue flame was covering his body, making Ace backpedal.
"Ace...you need to learn this. Its part of who you are." Springer uncrossed his arms as he continued, "I know I've been forceful, and I know you don't want to be a defender. However, you still need to learn your place in the world, and its not just sitting in a room reading comics and eating junk food all day." Springer then leaned down to Ace's level, the glare on his face fading to show a small frown, "Listen Ace, I care about you. I truly do. I'm not trying to be mean or forceful, but you have to learn this. I know its hard, but this is for your own good."
Ace stared at him for a few seconds, silence covering the area as Mira watched the two stare at each other. That is, till Ace spoke up, "Oh yeah? If that's the case..." he then spun around, "I quit."
Springer's face turned back into a glare, only for Ace to look back and hiss, "I'm done. I'm gonna go find something else to do."
"If you want to do that, then you're not allowed to go to your room." Springer instantly chimed in, making Ace go wide-eyed.
"What?! Then what am I supposed to do?!"
"You'll figure something out." Springer replied before walking up and patting Ace's head with a smirk. "Oh, and because of yesterday, I told the Cakes they're not allowed to give you any snacks, along with Bon Bon as well."
"B-b-but you can't do that! What else am I gonna do?!" Ace yelped.
"You'll figure something out. You don't want to be a fighter or defender, and you don't want to learn your aura. If that's the case, go out there and figure out what you're really supposed to do."
Ace just glared back at Springer, the jakhowl staring at him with a long, cold glance. Seeing this, Ace let out a huff before leaving the room, Springer watching him close the door. And as it slammed shut, the jakhowl slumped over, rubbing his face, "I messed up again, didn't I?" It was here that Mira walked up and patted his side, "Why can't he see I'm trying to help?"
"Ace is too stubborn, Springer. You're just gonna have to wait on him to learn. Remember what Ruby told you?"
"I know." Springer muttered, "I know..."
Mira turned to the door, biting her lip before asking, "You want me to go watch over him?"
Springer looked up at her, "You don't mind?" She nodded back, "Thanks."
MIra caught up to Ace just as he left the castle, both jakhowls walking out at the same time. Silence stayed with them as they slowly made their way to through town, Ace soon finding that Springer was telling the truth. No puppy dog eyes he could try would get him free snacks, no matter how much he tried. It was here that Mira began to speak up.
"Ace...you need to go apologize to Springer." she said as they sat down on a bench in the town's park. Ace's response was just a low grumble, his arms crossed as he was slumped down on the bench. "Ace..."
"I know." Ace mumbled as he looked away. "I just don't wanna."
"Why not?"
"Cuz I don't wanna learn aura stuff. We've been doing it for months and its still not working." He glared back at Mira, "Why bother if its not gonna work?!"
Mira opened her mouth to respond, only to glance away, staring at her paws, "I know...but I still think we should try."
"Why?! You can't even summon your aura!"
"I know." Mira muttered out, "And I really want to use my aura." She lifted her knees up, then embracing her knees with her arms, her head resting on the top of her knees, "You know Ace...I kinda think we're not gonna figure it out either."
This made Ace go wide-eyed, stuttering out, "B-b-but you train with him everyday."
"But I haven't gotten any further either." Mira added, "I just...I just think we should do it."
"Why?!" Ace yelped, his eyes narrowing in anger, "Why do something pointless?!"
Mira just turned to him with a long frown, "Because Springer wants to protect us."
Ace grit his teeth at this, "But he keeps making us do pointless stuff! We're not doing anything important!"
"But we're the only jakhowls out there." Mira replied, her words making Ace's face defuse. Anger began to leave him as he looked away. "And you know you would like to be a defender."
"I..." Ace mumbled out, looking down at this paws, "But I can't do anything like Springer."
Mira opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Silence took over again, two big frowns on their faces. Several ponies walked past them, asking what they were doing, but only barks were their answers. Instead, they just sat there for another hour. And as the time passed, Ace turned to Mira, "Sorry I got angry earlier."
"You should say that to Springer."
"I know."
"And you should go do it. And by doing it, I mean today."
"I know." Ace repeated, grinding his teeth at this.
"Ace..."
"I'll do it later!" Ace replied while crossing his arms, "I don't wanna talk to him right now."
"Ace...you have to go to him sooner or later."
"I know..." Ace sighed, looking away again, "Just not right now." Mira began to glare at him, Ace turning to her with a roll of his eyes, "I'll do it Mira, just give me a-"
SPLAT!
"Augh!" Ace yelped as he felt a burst of water splatter into his face. The two jakhowls turned to where the liquid came from, only to see a green coated colt that had a water balloon in his hoof. A giant grin was on the colt's face, his hoof leaning back before throwing the balloon right into Mira's face.
"Eep!" she screamed as water splashed over her face, making her yelp before rubbing her face.
"Hey! What was that for?!" Ace barked as he wiped off the last bit of liquid off his face. However, as he said this, another water balloon hit his face. "Blaugh!"
"Ace!" Mira gasped before another balloon was thrown at her face, the jakhowl reflectively blocking it with her right paw. "Hey! Stop that!"
And as this happened, the colt spun around and stuck his tongue out at them. The sight made Ace hiss, hopping off the bench, "Why you little-"
The colt then suddenly ran off, Ace yelling as he started to follow, "Come back here!"
MIra shook her head at this, getting the last bit of water off her before seeing Ace run off into the distance, "Ace! Wait, come back!"
The youngling cut into a sprint at this, the two chasing the colt through Ponyville's streets. And as they followed him, they saw the colt easily zip through the town, both barely able to keep up as Mira caught up to Ace.
"He's really fast!" Mira yelled as they ran down another street.
"Doesn't matter! Just get him!" Ace barked as they exited the street, now going out into an open field.
And as they kept chasing the colt, Ace's eyes glared directly at the pony. As for Mira, her eyes shifted around as she saw they were already getting further from town. She knew she didn't know much about outside the town, mainly just the Apple's farm and Everfree Forest. Despite this, she soon saw a certain valley in the distance that the colt was heading for. Ghastly Gorge.
"Uh...Ace?"
"What?!" Ace yelled as he kept staring at the fleeing colt.
"I don't like this. Maybe we shouldn't-augh!" she tried to say, only for something to suddenly appear behind her, smacking the back of the jakhowl's head.
"Mira?" Ace said as his eyes went away from the colt, only to gasp as he saw Mira hit the dirt from the blow. "What the-"
He looked up to now see a giant wooden being standing over Mira, a large blunt club in its arm. Ace's eyes went wide as he saw the weapon be pointed at him, only for his ears to hear a sudden sound behind him.
"Hee hee hee…"
And as this noise hit Ace's ears, he glanced back at the colt, only to see the pony had vanished...and had been replaced by something that made him gasp. That and the giant grin it wore.
Springer was now slumped over at a table outside of the town's ramen stand. He had just eaten a bowl Shichimi had given him, the jakhowl grumbling as he sat back in his chair. Ace's words had been repeating in his head, making him sigh.
"Ace..." he whispered to himself, putting his paw over his face, "Why doesn't he understand that I just want to help him?"
But as he said that, a certain memory went through his head. It was when he had gone to the Crystal Empire with Ace and Mira. Ruby had been beyond excited to meet the two young jakhowls, quickly giving them a tour of the city. And while he was there, Springer asked the knight for advice. However, all she could tell him was one thing:
"If Ace doesn't want to train, then you best give up." she had said, Springer then asking her why before she responded, "Jakhowls figure out what they are in a singular moment. This allows them to fully control their aura. I suspect yours was when you first met Flash. For them, they probably haven't found it yet. Until then, you have to wait. You can try to help Ace along, but I doubt he'll cooperate until its time. All young jakhowls are like that."
After hearing this and returning home, he had Spike send a letter to Princess Luna, who confirmed Ruby's thoughts. Despite this, the older jakhowl let out a sigh, grumbling to himself, "But how long is it gonna be Ruby?" He looked down at his paws, a thin layer of aura tracing over them, "I...I don't know if I can protect them forever."
And as these words left his mouth, his ears suddenly spiked up at a new sound.
KA-BOOM!
"What the heck?!" he yelped before leaping out of the chair, spinning around to see a smoke cloud now appearing in the distance. This was followed by several more explosions, these less loud but now visible as flames erupted through the sky. Screams of panic and chaos instantly came next, the jakhowl's eyes going wide before closing. He began to try to connect his aura to others, only to feel a wave of auras around him. "Augh!"
The now panicking crowd struck his aura, surges of emotion crowding the auras he needed to contact. He gripped his head at this, grumbling before glaring at the flames in the distance. "Can't contact Flash. Though I doubt they won't see that." But as he said this, a new thought went into his head. Ace and Mira.
He shook his head, telling himself to a get a grip as a burst of aura appeared around him, his body glitching as he zipped up to the nearest rooftop. He clapped his paws together, sending a pulse of aura that instantly waved over the crowds of panicking ponies. The jakhowl grimaced at the fluxing auras, gritting his teeth as he tried to find two certain auras. And as he did this, he felt something zip by him. Opening his eyes, he saw Rainbow Dash running over to the smoke with some rain clouds, Flash following her. The other defenders weren't far behind, Grand and Iron helping the crowd get away from the disaster area while Lightning and Heart were helping the others with the flames with their magic.
"I need to help-augh!" Springer yelped as he felt his aura spike, making him spin around as he felt two auras in the distance. He instantly recognized them...and they were in pain.
"Oh no." he said before leaping off the roof, landing outside the ramen stand. Shichimi saw the jakhowl and flinched, only for him to turn to her and say, "Shichimi! I need you deliver a message to Flash for me!"
"Um...okay." Shichimi barely replied.
"Tell Flash to find me after he's done with whatever caused that explosion. Tell him Ace and Mira are in danger, and that's why I'm not here."
Shichimi just nodded before sprinted off, the mare watching him race away.
To normal eyes, some would say it was a blue blur racing by. The jakhowl was in full Velocity Strike mode, zipping above the crowds while jumping off rooftop after rooftop. He soon found no roofs left to hold him, hitting the dirt before running at a blinding pace. Despite this, his body showed no signs of slowing down, the jakhowl now wearing a face of desperation crossed with fear as he continued to run.
"Hang on you two. I'm coming." he whispered as he left the town, his feet racing down a road he knew very well. It was the street that led straight to Ghastly Gorge. And as he got there, he skidded to a stop, his eyes pure blue as aura flames covered them. He scanned every bit of the surroundings, only to go wide-eyed as he looked down at the gorge.
In the middle of the canyon was the two young jakhowls...both bound in ropes that were held by cloaks. A loud hiss escaped his mouth as he leapt off the gorge's edge, aura blazing off his body as he landed in front of the puppets. "Let them go!" he yelled before charging at them, Steel Paws appearing in both paws.
But as he got within a foot from them, something happened. A sudden overwhelming surge of pain struck him, making him scream, "AAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Underneath his feet, a giant circle filled with writing and symbols appeared. The circle was massive, taking up all the ground around him and was even going so far as to touch the canyon walls. However, the circle seemed to only focus on one precise point, its center...which Springer was now standing on.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Springer continued to scream, falling to his knees as aura began to surge all over his body. "What is-AAAAAAHHH!" he yelled, his eyes now twitching as he stared down at the circle. The symbols under him were fuzzy in his pain-filled vision, but his hurting brain knew what it was. These were runes, and he knew who made them and why.
And as another surge of pain struck his body, his body clenched up before looking up, now seeing the cloaks stand over him. They had no weapons, just holding the tied up jakhowls. He could see that both were unconscious, both covered in bruises. But as he saw this, the worst was yet to come as a certain dark bipedal figure appeared.
It was Shade, the dark fox now sporting an arrangement of symbols all over his body. They were all a blood red color, all running up his arms and legs. "Hello Springer." he chuckled, his usual smile not showing as he narrowed his eyes with a long frown, "Its been a while."
"Shade..." Springer growled, his face contorting as pain surged through his body. "What did-yaugh!" His fur shot up, feeling the runes under his feet zapping every nerve.
"Hee hee hee...I suggest you don't resist. The runes I've set up there are designed to fire off every pain receptor you have, and they'll surge at every impulse of your aura." He pointed at the runes, "Doesn't matter how much you try, it won't work. You'll just make more pain for yourself."
"You-rurgh!" The blue flames trying to appear in his paws instantly extinguished, his eyes widening in pain.
"Stop resisting and just stand still. I also suggest you don't try attacking me, as my body is decked out as well." Shade gestured to his arms, "Full armor and strength enhancing runes. Specially designed by yours truly." He then crossed his arms, "Now, we really need to talk, and I'm not in the mood to fight today. But since you want to keep fighting those runes, I'll wait."
Springer could feel his nerves clench, teeth gritting as he clenched his fists. Feeling the unending pain from the rune, he stared at Shade as the fox just...glared at him. In complete silence. If there was one thing he knew, Shade loved to talk. And as a complete minute passed, Springer's arms went down to his side, pain no longer zapping him as he let out a long breath. He was no longer summoning any aura, pushing every ounce of power down.
The sight made Shade's smile start to form, uncrossing his arms, "Good. Seems you understand now."
"Let go of Ace and Mira. Now." Springer growled as he glared at him, the runes faintly glowing under the jakhowl's feet.
"Is that their names?" Shade asked as he glanced back at the jakhowls being held by his cloaks. "Not usual names for 'em, though that doesn't really matter." He put a claw under Mira, letting out a snort as he looked her over, "Though I have to say that I have been observing them for a while...and they're not impressive. Not a good amount of aura in this one in particular."
"Let. Them. Go." Springer hissed, only to flinch as another surge of electricity hit him. "Shade..."
"Stop getting angry." Shade barked back, turning to Springer as he pointed at the cloaks, "Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt 'em. They're too valuable right now. At least, until I get some answers."
"Answers?"
"Yes. Answers." the fox scowled, walking up to Springer as his tone continued to increase, "How...are those two alive?!"
"What?"
"You heard me!" He pointed at the young jakhowls again, "How are they alive?! It shouldn't be possible!"
Springer raised an eyebrow at this, "What are you talking about?"
"Don't play stupid!" Shade roared as he walked up and grabbed Springer's neck, shaking him, "Don't tell me you've forgotten our last encounter! I've shown you our species' history! The jakhowls are dead! Master Dark Mist made sure of that!" A dark aura covered the fox's body as he glared at Springer right in the eyes, going bloodshot as he hissed, "The Tricksters gave everything to destroy your filthy kind!"
"Oh. Right...." Springer replied, his brain not fully functioning as his conflicting nerves kept making him flinch. Despite the pain and his mind not completely working, a certain smirk appeared on his face, "Well, it looks like your precious Dark Mist didn't do his job right then."
SMACK!
That was the sound of Shade slapping his face, hissing as he responded, "How dare you mock Dark Mist!"
"I'll mock your kind anytime, Shade." Springer cackled, "Now let them go and let's fight already."
"No! We just started talking!" Shade instantly responded, pointing at the jakhowl's chest, "You don't get out of this!" He spun around next, glaring at the two unconscious jakhowls, "How...how is this possible? How are these two alive?!"
"Why don't you figure it out." Springer chuckled, only to feel Shade grip his neck, "Urk!"
"Shut up! You don't get to mock me!" Shade hissed before shaking Springer, "Tell me jakhowl! Tell me how those two exist!"
Springer was about to reply, only for the pain rune to activate again, making him flinch. Shade saw this, seeing a bit of blood coming out of the Jakhowl's mouth. A series of mumbling came out next, making Shade sigh, "Blast. Seems the runes are sending too much pain to your brain." He then snapped his claw, turning the rune off. In response, the jakhowl slumped a bit, only to feel Shade yank him back up, "I'll turn this off for now, but just because I want answers."
"Yeah yeah..." Springer moaned, his arms slowly reaching up and grabbing Shade's. The fox could feel the intense grip, making him flinch. He glanced down at Springer's arms for a split second before looking back up, seeing a death glare coming from the jakhowl, "How about no."
Springer's body flared with aura in that split second, his body instantly turning into his mega form. A white sphere appeared next, Springer ready to do a point blank Aura Force attack. But as he thrust the orb, Shade snapped his claw, the runes under them glowing as a surge of pain struck the jakhowl again, "AAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
Shade backpedaled at this, seeing Springer's mega form fade in the instant of the surging pain. The fox let out a small gasp, grimacing as he saw Springer fall to his knees, only to look up at Shade with the same glare. "Well...seems you've grown quite a bit since our last encounter." the trickster commented, taking a deep breath, "But I'm in control of this situation, just like last time." He leaned down next, getting to Springer's level, "I'm not gonna just fight you head-on jakhowl, I'm not stupid. Considering what you just did, I know I would lose, even with my enhanced body runes."
Springer just glared at him, letting out a hiss, "Let. Them. Go."
"No." Shade instantly responded before turning around, "I can't do that Springer. I have to know how and why they exist. Preferably why. After all, I can't let more of your kind exist." He then motioned to the cloak restraining Mira, the puppet drifting over to him. He put a claw under her chin, looking back at Springer, "Say, I forgot to ask this. Why is this one's fur yellow? Did she paint it?" The fox leaned up, squinting his eyes as he brushed her fur, "I don't think it is, but I don't remember any females looking like this..."
"Don't you-AAAAH!" Springer screamed as he tried to get up, only for the pain to surge again.
But as he fell to his knees, Shade just laughed before looking back at Mira, "You know, you got here really quickly. I didn't even get time to look these two over." He scratched Mira's chin next, seeing the jakhowl squinting her eyes open. "Hello little one. Sorry my cloaks were so rough."
A light mumble came out of her mouth, Shade motioning for the other cloak to walk over with Ace. As he did this, both young jakhowls began to wake up, now seeing the fox front and center. However, his usual grin was not there, a look of intrigue with a long frown on his face instead.
"What the-" Ace moaned out, his eyes starting to adjust as he saw Shade walk up and touch his chin. "Who...who are..."
"Hello there. My name is Shade." The fox chuckled, the statement entering both jakhowls ears. And as their waking up brains caught up, they both went wide-eyed.
"You...you're Shade?!" Ace yelped, his body reflexively trying to move, only to now feel the ropes binding him. He glanced down for a split second, soon looking back up as Shade began to show a small grin.
"That's right." The fox did an obvious mocking bow, "I am Shade, the Trickster. Master of deception, follower of Dark Mist...and a lover of tragedy." Those words made both jakhowls flinch, only for their eyes to drift to what was behind him, now seeing a certain jakhowl in pain.
"Springer!" Mira cried out.
"Help us!" Ace added, only to see the pain rune activate again, zapping Springer. "What the-"
"RAAAAAAHHHHH!" Springer howled, trying to stand up, only to scream again.
The sight made Ace and Mira go wide-eyed, seeing the runes around him shine as they saw blood now fly out of Springer's mouth. They saw Springer fall back to his knees, the older jakhowl screeching as the pain rune kept activating.
"What are you...doing to him?" Ace mumbled out, his lips shaking at the sight.
"Eh, don't worry about him." Shade laughed, "He won't help you thanks to my runes. Besides, maybe you can give me the answers I seek."
But as he said this, Mira suddenly barked, "We're not telling you anything!"
Shade's eyes shifted to Mira, seeing the fear now gone on her face as it was replaced with an angry glare. That is, till he looked back at Ace, seeing him not add to Mira's outcry. Instead, he was still wide-eyed and shaking as he watched Springer suffer under the runes, making Shade smirk. He waltzed up to the youngling, putting his claw under Ace's chin, "You're not as brave. Surprising for a jakhowl. They're usually so gung-ho and reckless." A big grin began to form on Shade's face before turning to Mira, "I suspect you won't tell me anything."
"That's right! Springer told us all about you!"
"Oh? And what did he say?"
"He said you're evil!" Mira yelled, "He said you hate our kind for stupid reasons, and you're just as dumb!"
The fox twitched at these words, making him hiss as he walked up to Mira and gripped the top of her head, "Is that so?!" His claws slowly began to tighten his grip, "Did he tell you how much I've tormented him? How I made my life goal to make him miserable before taking his pitiful life?!"
Mira just glared at him as she replied, "He said you're dangerous, but he'll always beat you!" Shade's eyes narrowed at this, only to increase his grip, slightly clawing into her head as she cried out, "AAAHHH!"
"Mira!" Ace yelped before trying to move again, only to just squirm as he yelled, "Leave her alone, you big bully!!"
Shade raised an eyebrow at this, turning to Ace, "Ah. And there's the backbone you jakhowls always show." In response, he flexed his claw, making Mira scream in pain again. Ace growled at him, Shade shining an even bigger grin, "Don't get angry. You knew I was gonna do that. But I can stop if you do one thing for me."
Ace kept squirming in his bindings, only to let out a huff, "What?!"
"Tell me how you two exist."
"Huh?"
Shade rolled his eyes at this, letting go of Mira before walking up to Ace, "Tell me...how you two...are alive?!" Shade screeched before pointing at Springer, "I showed that aura snot behind me the truth of the jakhowls. Your kind is dead!" He raised his voice at those last words before leaning up to Ace, their heads about to touch as he hissed out, "How are you alive?! Where did you come from?!"
Ace didn't say a word, just glaring back at Shade before the fox pointed at Mira, "If you don't tell me, I'll start with her." He then raised up his claw, a dark aura appearing around it, "And it will be very loud and very very painful."
As he said these words, Ace saw the claw slowly come up to his face, Shade chuckling before turning to Mira. Ace then saw fear now appear on Mira's face, her eyes shrinking at the sight of the claw. And as Shade pulled his claw back to thrust it, Ace yelled, "STOP!"
Shade turned to him, raising a small eyebrow, "Oh? Ready to tell me everything?" The young jakhowl grimaced at the sight of the fox glaring at him, then feeling Shade put his other claw on the top of his head, "Well?!"
Ace's eyes darted to Mira for a second, seeing the mix of fright and anger on her face. And then...her face showed a determined glare, the jakhowl nodding to him. The sight made Ace do the exact same, glancing back at Shade as he yelled, "Never!" He then spat a glob of spit into Shade's eyes.
"Blaugh!" Shade hissed before rubbing his eye. "Why you little-"
"I'll never help you! We're jakhowls, and we're not scared of a big bully like you!"
As these words went through the fox's ears, his teeth began to grind as he let out a long hiss. "Grrr…" he growled before grabbing the top of Ace's head again, "You blasted jakhowl!"
A dark aura formed around both claws, the one on Ace's head now burning him. "AAAAAHHHHH!" Ace screamed.
"Ace!" Mira yelled.
"Now you're gonna suffer, you stinking, little-"
And as Shade began to roll out more insults, Ace continued to scream n pain before screeching, "Springer! Help us!"
THOOOM!
The ground suddenly shook, Shade freezing in place as he felt something shake the area behind him. His claw was just a centimeter away from Ace's stomach, the fox slowly turning around. And as he did this, his eyes slowly began to go wide. "What the-"
His words cut themselves as he now saw a giant aura Springer head, the sight making him let go of Ace as he fully spun around. As this happened, Shade looked down and saw Springer was in Mega Form, his body slowly ascending as the jakhowl glared at him. The jakhowl's eyes were dark red, showing nothing but rage and anger pouring out of them. "Shade..." he hissed as two giant aura paws appeared next, Springer slowly preparing to clap his paws together as the aura paws mimicked his movements.
"No, wait-" Shade yelped before both aura paws slammed into each other in one mighty clap, a shockwave instantly flying out of the clap. The force of the attack made him go flying, the fox screaming as he was sent flying, "AAAAAHHHHH!"
"Springer!" Ace and Mira cheered, both seeing the mega jakhowl now fully standing up.
But as they shined two big grins at the sight, they found they were still bound to the cloaks, both puppets having been able to brace against the aura clap shockwave. And as this happened, Shade landed a small distance away and yelled, "CLOAKS! KILL THEM NOW!"
Two daggers appeared in the cloaks, ready to go for the throats. But as this happened, both giant aura paws suddenly grabbed the cloaks, crushing them with a single clench of the fist. However, it left the jakhowls completely fine and free, safe despite the puppets being destroyed instantly.
"You...saved us." Ace gasped as he felt the aura paw hold him. He could feel a small tear grow in his eye, his mouth mumbling out, "Thank you."
"Thank you so much!" Mira added.
"Yeah...thank you." Ace repeated, mumbling as he looked back at his paws before glancing up, "Um...Springer? I'm-"
"RRRAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!" roared a certain fox, making both turn to see Shade walking up to them, a dark aura pulsing off his body. As he did this, the blood red symbols on his body began to glow, signifying the runes on his body were now activating. "I will not lose again!" He opened his mouth, a giant black orb appearing before his teeth, "DARK BLAST!"
A black sphere shot through the canyon, Ace and Mira gasping before Springer raced in front of them. The giant aura jakhowl head and paws came with him, Springer crossing his arms as the aura arms mimicked him. As he did this, the ball struck the giant aura paws, Springer grimacing at the blow.
And as the attack began to fade, Shade let out a cough. "Grrr….blasted jakhowl!" The runes on his body began to glow, a dark aura slowly growing on his body.
"You're...not touching...them." Springer muttered, his body shaking as he felt the aftermath from the pain runes still affecting his nerves.
"Springer!" Ace gasped as he saw Springer sway back and forth, only for the jakhowl to flash a paw at him.
"Don't. I'll beat him." Springer glanced back at Ace, the anger filled red eyes gone. Instead, he showed a calm, long stare. "Just watch me."
Ace and Mira both nodded, Springer turning back to Shade as the fox began to summon another orb. However, this one began to grow, Springer knowing what was coming next. "DARK FORCE!" Shade roared, a black beam now flying through the canyon. Springer crossed his paws again, blocking the attack as Ace and Mira jumped behind some rocks. And as they watched, they saw Springer get pushed back, the Dark Force breaking through the aura avatar.
"You won't win!" Shade screamed, "I will beat you this time! I will kill you and those other jakhowls! I will destroy your kind!"
"No...you...won't." Springer muttered out as he felt his feet grind into the dirt, his whole being pushed back as he stared ahead, "I will protect them. I won't let you hurt the jakhowl, and I will beat you again!"
With those words, the jakhowl suddenly felt four paws touch his back. He glanced back to see Mira and Ace holding onto him, pushing his back as their feet grinded against the ground as well.
"We're with you!" Ace yelled.
"Beat him Springer!" Mira added.
Springer could feel the aura from them, the life force flowing through their paws and into his body. He shined the biggest smile he could to them, nodding back before turning back to Shade. "We won't lose to you Shade." His body began to glow, a large blue flame burned around all three. Ace and Mira stared up at Springer as they felt the aura pour out of him, their bodies being consumed in the blue fire.
"THIS...ENDS...NOW!" Springer screamed, uncrossing his paws as the avatar's paws did the same. The arms struck the beam, cutting it in half in one single motion.
"WHAT?!" Shade yelped as he saw his attack, only for his feet to reflexively backpedal as he saw a new sight appear. Before him was no longer just the head, arms, paws and chest of the aura avatar. Instead, Springer's aura avatar began to grow giant aura legs, the Trickster now facing a massive aura jakhowl.
"Whoa..." Ace gasped as him and Mira stared up at the avatar.
"Its huge!" Mira added.
Shade just stared at the giant, his whole body shaking. He looked down at his arms, staring at the runes on his claws. "What is...I'm...scared?" he whispered, "But he's just a...just a...jakhowl."
And as he said these words, his eyes narrowed, hissing as he grit his teeth. "No....NO!" A dark aura consumed his claws, his body doing the same as the runes began to shine like crazy. "I WON'T LOSE TO ANYTHING!"
But as he looked back up at Springer, he saw the jakhowl now putting his paws together, the avatar mimicking again. The aura paws put themselves together, a giant Aura Blast appearing. Ace and Mira watched the giant aura paws twist and turn to form the Aura Blast, the paws spinning around like they were making an orb around them. The sight made Mira gasp, "That's it! That's how we can do it!" She then turned and whispered into Ace's ear, the jakhowl going wide-eyed as she asked, "What do you think?"
"Whoa...let's try it!" Ace gasped before nodding.
"DARK FORCE!" Shade screeched as he fired another beam, Springer firing the giant Aura Blast at the same time. The beam struck the sphere, the orb easily going right through the Dark Force attack. Shade saw this and quickly leapt to the side, hopping onto one of the canyon's walls before climbing up in an almost instant sprint. His claws dug into the rocks, jumping up one of the lower walls just as the giant Aura Blast hit the ground behind him.
BOOM!
An explosion struck his back, making him flinch. Despite this, he turned back to Springer, huffing before charging at the avatar. "If he's that big, his attacks are gonna be slower. I'll just charge and hit him with a point blank Dark Force!"
He began to sprint on the canyon side walls, his runes giving him support as he ran through the area. But as he did this, his eyes went wide as he saw the next sight. Springer's avatar was making a massive Bone Breaker...and swinging straight down.
"No, wait-" Shade yelped as the weapon came straight down, the attack almost covering the whole canyon.
THOOM!
"Augh!" Shade screamed as the giant Bone Breaker slammed down onto him, the whole canyon shaking as the blow struck the area. An explosion of dust and smoke came next, Ace and Mira gasping as they saw the Bone Breaker fade away.
"WOW! Did you see that?! That was awesome!" Ace cheered, "Springer did it!"
"But we can't see!" Mira countered, "What if Shade dodged that?"
"How?! That thing struck the whole gorge!"
And as he said that, the jakhowls gasped as they saw the blue flames around them start to fade. They turned to Springer, only to see him revert to his regular form, the avatar fading. "Springer!" they both yelled as the jakhowl fell to his knees, his body shaking as he slumped over. A thud came next as his face hit the dirt, Ace and Mira kneeling down at this, "Springer! Springer!"
The older jakhowl didn't respond, just letting out a small moan as he closed his eyes. Both jakhowls began shaking him, tears appearing in their eyes as he wouldn't respond. "Springer! Please get up!"
But the older jakhowl wouldn't respond, the only coming from him was a small breath coming out of his mouth. The two looked him over, Ace still shaking him as Mira put a ear to his chest, "His heart's beating...but what happened?"
"It must have been the pain rune thing." Ace replied, more tears going down his face, "He...he got so hurt because of me."
Mira turned to him, placing a paw on Ace's shoulder, "Ace...this isn't your fault, its Shade's. We need to-"
Her words came to a stop as her ears spiked up, Ace's doing the same. They both spun around, now seeing a certain Trickster raise up from a pile of rocks. "Hee hee hee…" Shade cackled, his mouth spitting out a glob of blood. His whole body was covered in dirt and mud, his left eye was closed while his legs dragged on the ground as he glared at the duo. "Hee hee hee...I won. Springer may have got some new power, but I still-"
"Stop!" yelled a voice, making the fox raise an eyebrow as he saw Ace and Mira standing in front of Springer. Both had their arms stretched out, glares on their faces. "We won't let you hurt Springer anymore!"
"Oh?" Shade chuckled as he lifted up a claw, a thin layer of dark aura consuming it. "Want me to kill you first?"
"Go ahead and try!" Mira barked back.
"We'll kick your flank first!" Ace added.
"Oh please, like you could beat me. Don't think I haven't been observing you two. You can't even use your aura!" Shade laughed as he pointed his claw at them, "But since you're so eager, I'll gladly take you out here."
And as Shade pulled back his claw, ready to thrust it at one of the jakhowls, both glanced at each other. They gave each other a nod before putting their paws together. Mira then raised her paws up, having both be horizontal while Ace's were vertical. The sight made Shade raise an eyebrow, "What are you doing?!"
"We're doing an Aura Blast!" Ace yelled as blue flames began to surge in his paws, Mira's doing the same.
Shade just let out a cackle at this, "HA! I've seen what you two can do, and you'll fail. Besides, it'll take more than one measly-urgh!" The fox suddenly tensed up when he felt something grip his feet. All three looking down, they saw two thin aura paws gripping the Trickster's legs. "What?!" Shade glanced back up to see Springer on the ground, his back now radiating a bonfire of aura. However, it was the eyes of the jakhowl that made the fox stand still. They were white, staring at him like a unconscious beast.
"How is this-you should be out of aura! You've been reduced back to your adult form!" Shade hissed as he tried to move his legs, only to flinch as the thin aura paws tightened their grip. "Urgh! That's it!" He pulled his claw back next, pointing them down at the aura paws, "I will win this, and you will-"
"Hey Shade!" Mira interrupted, making the fox glance up to see both jakhowls still in the same position as before. However, this time...there was an aura blast now forming between their four paws.
"AURA BLAST!" they yelled in unison, all four paws thrusting forward as the sphere of aura began to fly right at the fox. Shade tried to react, pulling his legs up, only to feel Springer's aura paws keeping him place.
"Grrr...let go!" Shade yelped before looking back at Aura Blast, crossing his arms next as the sphere hit him. "NO!"
KA-BOOM!
An explosion followed this, consuming the fox in a plume of smoke. And as cloud began to form, the two jakhowls slumped over, gasping for air. "That took more than I thought." Mira moaned, looking down at her paws. "Does Springer regularly do that all the time by himself?"
"Yeah..." Ace added as he stared at the smoky fog, only to clench his paws as he got in a fighting stance. "But I don't think its over yet."
As Mira looked back at the cloud as well, the two ready for a fight as the smoke faded...and Shade was gone. "Huh? Where'd he go?"
"Oh, come on!" he yelled a voice below them, making them look down. The next sight made both raise eyebrows as they saw a tiny black fox now staring at its paws, "That was enough damage to revert me back to this?!"
"Uh..." Ace began to say, only for Shade to spin around and growl at him.
"Shut up! I haven't lost this!" Shade screeched, "I won't lose to some aura-loving furballs!"
"Wait...are you Shade?" Mira asked, only to see the fox hiss at her with blood-red eyes.
"Of course I'm Shade!" The fox screamed before yelling into the skies, "And I'm gonna make you pay! CLOAKS!"
In what seemed like a split-second, two cloaks appeared in front of the duo. Both were brandishing giant metal axes, the sight making them backpedal as Shade pointed at the jakhowls, "Cut them in half! NOW!"
And as they raised their weapons upward, the two jakhowls clenched up and-
BLAM!
Two beams of light suddenly cut through the air, slicing both cloaks in half. "What?!" Shade yelped, now seeing his pawns flop over as their axes clanged into the dirt. "Oh, come on!"
Ace and Mira glanced back at this, now seeing a certain bullet of light approaching. Before they could react, the light morphed into one Flash Sentry, the pegasi landing between them and Shade. This was followed by the other defenders, all of them charging down the canyon, including Heart and Soul.
"Everypony!" they cheered, smiles gracing their faces as they all ran up to the scene.
"You okay?" Flash asked as he turned to them, his eyes going between the duo and Springer, "Sorry we didn't get here earlier."
Both shook their heads back, "Its okay, we understand."
It was here that Heart and Soul got to the jakhowls, both running up and hugging the jakhowls. "Thank goodness you're safe!" Soul cried as she tightened the hug.
"We're...okay." Mira wheezed.
"Yeah!" Ace replied as Heart let him go, "Springer saved us, and now we can use Aura Blast!"
"Really?" Heart responded, the jakhowl nodding back, "Cool!"
Flash then put his hoof on Heart's mane, getting his attention, "Let's celebrate later. We got work to do."
Heart glanced up and nodded, both turning to the Shade as the others got up there as well. All turned to glare at Shade, the fox growling at the sight. "No...NO! You gotta be kidding me! Not another plan ruined!" Shade pouted, his teeth gritting before he called out again, "Cloaks! All of you come here right now!"
Within that instant, ten cloaks appeared in front of the fox, all wielding axes and swords. Heart's body lit up as got in front of the group, smirking at the wooden puppets charged. The fire-wielding colt slammed into two of them as Flash cut down two more with a single swipe of his sword. Lightning threw three daggers, hitting three cloaks in the head before surging a bolts into the trio, burning them inside-out. And as Grand and Iron began to take out the other three, Shade began to backpedal as he put his paw in his mouth.
"Figures this would happen. The jakhowl learns something new, and now you all ruin my fun." Shade sighed as the cloaks were instantly destroyed.
A head of a cloak fell in front of him, half of it burnt off. Lightbringer was now pointing down at the fox's face, Shade staring at its owner with a deadpan stare as Flash said, "End of the line Shade. You're going back to prison."
"No, I'm not." Shade replied in a deadpan tone. "You're not going to do anything to me."
"Oh yeah?" Iron added as he pointed Piecemaker at his face. "And why is that?"
Shade responded with taking the paw out of his mouth, along with a small red sphere. "Simple. I'm leaving. Cloaks, distract them please." Three more cloaks suddenly landed in front of the fox, all pointing axes at them as Shade tapped a button on the sphere. And as the puppets were cut down, a ball formed around the fox. "Goodbye. Tell that knocked out fleabag there I will be back." He then shined one last big grin, staring at Ace and Mira, "I'll see you later, aura snots."
The sphere shined a vibrant light before suddenly vanishing, leaving not a trace of the fox. A fireball from Heart hit the area a split second later, the colt growling as he saw he had missed. "What?! Where'd he go?!"
"Its too late kiddo. That thing just let him teleport away."
"Seriously?!"
"Yes. That was...Doom's invention." Grand grumbled before staring down at the cloaks, "And these..."
Lightning patted his side at this, making Grand turn to him to see a small frown. As this happened, Heart and Soul hugged their jakhowls, Soul asking, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." they both replied, Mira then looking down at her mentor as tears filled her eyes, "But Springer..."
The jakhowl was still knocked out, his body laying in the dirt. Flash leaned down at this and picked him up, replying to the younglings, "Don't worry, he's been through worse. Come on."
A few hours later...
The group was now in the castle, all watching Springer as he laid in his bed. Long heaving snores were coming out of his mouth, the jakhowl still haven't waken up yet. And as he laid there, Ace and Mira were on the sides of the bed, huge frowns on their faces.
On the trip to the castle, Ace and Mira had broken down to Heart and Soul, especially Ace. Ace had not stopped crying since leaving the canyon, Heart surprised at how emotional the usually lazy jakhowl was. Flash and the others keep reassuring him Springer would be okay, but Ace wouldn't stop crying.
"Its all my fault..." Ace moaned, rubbing his eyes as tears kept flowing.
"Ace..." Heart added as he patted Ace's back. Ace had said the same statement over and over, the others telling him it wasn't. But Ace wouldn't listen.
"Its all my fault..." he repeated, "I just...I just wanted to have fun and...and now Springer is all hurt, and its all my fault!"
A long sigh escaped Heart's breath at this, his eyes shifting to Mira. She had barely talked since they got to the castle, just staring at bed. Soul was hugging her at the same, Mira barely embracing back. He then looked back at Ace, the jakhowl sniffing as Heart slung a hoof around his shoulders.
That is, till Flash walked up and leaned down beside Ace. Heart saw this and Flash gave him a small nod, the colt taking his hoof off the jakhowl before Flash moved over to Ace. He tapped the jakhowl's shoulder, making Ace turn to him as Flash then put his hooves on both of Ace's shoulders, "Ace....I want you to listen to me." Ace just sniffed back, Flash taking a small breath before continuing, "Ace, this is not your fault. Why this happened is because Shade is a monster."
"But-" Ace barked out.
Flash put a hoof over Ace's mouth, muting the jakhowl despite not being able to understand him. "Let me speak. Ace, do you know what Springer would think if he saw you like this?"
Ace blinked at him, Heart then leaning in and saying, "He'd say to stop crying Ace."
"Don't give him the answers Heart. He needs to figure it out on his own." Flash said with a slight nudge to the colt before tuning back to Ace, "Now, Ace...what do you want Springer to think when he wakes up?"
Ace just stared back at him, seeing a long stare in Flash's eyes before glancing at Heart, the colt giving him a nod back. Seeing this, he began to slowly reply, "He'd...he'd want me to be strong."
Heart translated for Flash, the defender then shaking his head, "No."
"No?"
"Ace....Springer wants you, to be you."
"Huh?"
Flash let out a small chuckle, knowing he didn't need Heart to translate for him, "Ace, Springer just wants to protect you, and that's why he's been training you. But, he also wants you to be yourself. He wants you to learn and grow, and he's just worried you don't want to do that. And if that means you don't have to become some master of your aura, he'll accept it."
"He...he will?" Flash nodded back. "I...I..." Ace looked down at his paws, letting out a whimper, "I don't want that."
After Heart telling him what he said, Flash tilted his head at this, "What do you mean Ace?"
Ace's eyes slowly went back up, "I...I wanna become stronger. I want to be able to fight!" His eyes narrowed as blue flames began to form around his paws, "I wanna become a strong jakhowl!"
Flash and Heart shined two big grins, both nodding back as Heart said, "There you go Ace! That's what I'm talking about!"
"That's a good answer Ace. Springer will be proud." Flash added as they both patted Ace on the shoulders.
And as they said this, a small stirring sound rang out. "Springer!" Mira exclaimed as they all turned to see the jakhowl now waking up.
"Uhhhh…" Springer moaned as his eyes slowly opened, now glancing over to see Heart and Soul holding back Ace and Mira from jumping onto and hugging him.
"Morning bud." Flash chuckled as he walked around the bed. "How you doing?"
"What...happened?" Springer groaned, raising his head off the pillow as he rubbed the side of his head.
"A lot." Flash commented before pointing at Ace, "But somepony has something to say to you first."
They all turned to Ace, new tears falling down his face as his lips quivered, his body shaking as he looked back at Heart. The colt nodded back, Heart spinning around before he exclaimed, "I'M SORRY!"
"Huh?" Springer moaned as saw the jakhowl cry, blinking as he tried to respond. "Ace?"
Ace lowered his head, "I'm so sorry Springer...its my fault that you got so hurt."
Springer's brain started to catch up as he saw Ace cry, only to reach out and pat his head. The gesture made Ace stare up at him with wet eyes, "Ace...you don't have to apologize."
"But-" Ace tried to say, only for Springer to pat his head.
"Ace...I'm here to protect you. Don't you remember?" Springer added.
"But..." Ace muttered out before hopping on the bed, standing on it while bowing, "I'm sorry. And I...I want you to train me! I want to be strong!"
Springer blinked at the jakhowl, his eyes shifting to Heart and Flash, both showing smirks and nodding. A small chuckle came out of Springer's mouth, patting Heart again. "Alright. But you'll have to get serious. That means no sleeping in...and trying to do snack breaks."
"I know. I will." Ace replied, not hesitating with his words.
"Good." Springer then turned to Mira, seeing a giant smile on her face. "Looks like you'll be having a rival student."
"I know. And we have something really special to show you."
"Oh? And what's that?"
"Just something really cool when you get up."
It was a few hours later that Springer felt like he could get up, the group going to the training room, Ace and Mira showed off their Aura Blast, the attack making Springer cheer, telling them both that this was the first true step into aura training. After that, Pinkie suggested making a small party, celebrating their victory over Shade. Most were for it, only the defenders not in as they wanted to help the town from the damage Shade had done. The two jakhowls had taken their next step into their days of becoming true jakhowls, and it was just the beginning for both.
Meanwhile...
Within a dark, damp cave, a certain tiny fox was sitting in a chair, surrounded by several cloaks. They were all shuffling through the place, moving boxes, weapons and food all around the area. While they did this, the fox was tapping the seat with his paw, growling as he stared up at a few pictures on the wall. They were pictures of Springer, along with several sheets of rune diagrams.
"Blast it...why did I lose again?!" Shade screeched before firing a Dark Blast at the picture of Springer, destroying it. He then began to scratch the sides of his head, "Why...why?! Why do I keep losing to him?! He's just a jakhowl! And now there's three of them!"
The fox slumped back into the chair, hissing as a cloak put down a box of pears beside him. He glared at the fruit, taking one before chomping into it, "Grrr…" he growled while munching on the pear, "I will have revenge. Mark my words, I will win one day." His teeth crunched into another piece of the pear, hissing as he slumped back again, "I just need one good idea..."