//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Path to Harmony // Story: Rise of the Element Gang, Book 3: Heroes United // by Power of Six //------------------------------// Chapter 10: Path to Harmony I liked to think I was pleasant enough and easy to get along with, so long as there was nothing to set me off. I was also willing to admit that, on occasion, I could lose my temper if there was something that really pushed me to my limits. I still recalled that time during the Pinkie sense incident when I’d literally burst into flames with rage. Since then, I tried my best to control my apparently volatile temper. However, with all that was happening, I was sure it would push me to the limit at any moment. With the way my friends were behaving, the chaos that Discord was spreading, the threat of Dusk’s evil “brother” and the loss of Dusk himself, I was now nearing screaming volumes. Though I knew they would go away as soon as either the boys or I found the very book we were looking for. As we were searching, I told them everything that happened. “Okay, let me get this straight,” Leon said, taking everything I told him, “Not only did Discord change the girls, but he took the Elements of Harmony and hid them somewhere? And to top it all off, Dusk has now turned evil and is working with Discord?” “That’s about it.” I told him. “I knew we shouldn’t have split up like that!” Shield spoke up in frustration. “I swear, when I see Discord, I’m going to knock his block off!” “This is definitely the worst day of our lives.” Leon said. “Oh, come on!” I told him. “I doubt this comes close compared to what you’ve all been through.” “Actually, compared to fighting devils, a bunch of evil mages, and the Dark Gang, this is worse.” Leon said. “I mean, our leader has become our enemy, two of our teammates have been turned into a Gloomy Gus and delusional, greedy girl, and we’re stuck on a scavenger hunt while there’s an evil mastermind out there make a mess out of Equestria. Honestly, I can’t believe you think that what we’ve been through back then would be worse than this.” “And I can’t believe none of you even told any of us about this!” I said, stopping my search to glare at them. “What?” Leon asked as the three of them turned to look at me, looking surprised. “How could none of you told us that you’ve went through this?” I said, walking over to them. “I mean, facing off a whole organization and a whole kingdom that threatened Equestria? Why would you all keep this from me, from any of us?” “Wait, you didn’t know?” Shield raised a brow at me. “Of course I didn’t!” I told them. “And I had to learn all of this just while Equestria is being put into chaos and from the one doing all of it! You shared your secret with us, why not share any of that?” “We thought you knew!” Shield told me, all of them looking worried. “Everypony in Canterlot had been talking about it!” “Yeah? Well, I didn’t!” I then turned away from them and hung my head, furious that they all kept this for me while feeling hurt Dusk didn’t tell me. “Twi, we get that you’re mad that we didn’t tell ya about what we did,” Dog said to me, “but let us explain. There’s another reason for why didn’t tell ya.” “Oh, yeah? What’s that?” I asked, sourly. “Well… because Dusk didn’t want us too.” He told me. “Believe me, he didn’t like hiding things from y’all, even you.” “Yeah. It’s not the first time he had to do this.” Leon added. “At least this one was his own choice.” “His own choice?” I asked, my anger turning into confusion as I lift my head and turned to them. “What do you mean?” “Well, before any of this, Dusk once had to keep something he couldn’t tell anypony else.” Leon explained. “It was a big secret that only very few ponies actually knew about. He couldn’t tell any of his family, much less us. To top it all off, he had no choice but to keep it to himself.” “Really? Why?” I asked. “Because he was cursed.” Shield spoke up. “Yeah, apparently anyone who knew this secret was cursed to die from sharing it with anypony. It was only a few years ago that the curse was broken and he could be able to talk about it freely.” “Okay, so why didn’t he tell me about what he did?” “Well, for starters, he didn’t want you girls to know because of all the fame he got for it.” Shield explained. “I mean, Dash would have been all over him to find out what he did for Equestria. He kind of likes his privacy and not really much to taking pride in stuff like that.” I smiled as I knew what Shield said was true about Dusk’s modest. “That does sound like Dusk.” “But the big reason he didn’t tell you was because he was worried.” Leon told me. “Worried? About what?” “About what you would think of all that.” He continued. “He thought that, if you knew and he did something like any of that stuff, you would just be worried about him all the time. I mean, his mom freaked out when she found out he fought a devil.” “So you’re saying he kept this from me… just so I wouldn’t worry?” “Ee-yup!” Dog confirmed. “Even though the fella can take on anythin’, he never wants anypony to worry about him, especially those close to him. That’s just how he is.” “And all of us would have done the same if we were in his hooves, right?” Shield added. From there, I saw what they were saying was true and was now ashamed by how I acted. I thought Dusk didn’t tell me because he didn’t trust me when really he was just looking out for my own well-being and I snapped at his friends for no reason. “You’re right.” I told them, hanging my head in shame. “I’m sorry for losing my temper. It’s just…” “Oh, don’t worry. We get it.” Leon told me with a friendly smile. “Besides, we’ve had somepony blow up at us before. We’ve been hanging out with Dusk for the last few years.” “He’s right, so we get you didn’t mean it.” Shield added, giving me the same smile. “After everything that happened to you today, it was just about time until you finally snapped.” “The point is that there’s no need to apologize, Twi.” Dog assured me. “All’s already forgiven.” Seeing them all smile at me like that, I saw how such great ponies they were. Their honesty, their loyalty, their kindness… it’s like the same the girls all showed me. Now I see how Dusk trusts these three so much, because it’s the same way I know I could trust the very ponies who showed me the magic of friendship. “Thank you, all of you.” I said, returning the smile. “Dusk is really lucky to have made friends like you.” “And we’re lucky to have a bud like him.” Shield said. “Now let’s get back to finding the, um… um…” “The reference guide to the Elements of Harmony.” I said before going back to the search. “Right, you are, Shield. We need to find it before somepony does something she’ll regret.” With that last part, I glared at the four gray mares standing at the hole in my home, one caressing the very rock that made it. “The Elements of Harmony?” Spike spoke up. “Oh, I know exactly where that book is!” he then ran off to the ladder, climbed it, and pulled out the important book we needed from the shelf. “Found it!” “Awesome, little dude!” Shield said before a parchment hit him in the face, making him drop the book which Fluttershy took and held out of our reach. “Fluttershy, you’d better give me that book!” I demanded, angrily. “Come on, Flutters!” Leon said to her. “We need that! Fluttershy didn't return it, but smiled devilishly and—in a sing-song voice—cried out “Keep away!” “Hey!” I tried to stop her, but she tossed it to Applejack, who balanced it on her nose. “Applejack, give me that book!” “I don’t have any book.” she lied, throwing it in Pinkie’s direction. The cynical pony bounced the book on her rump, sending it back to Fluttershy. “Pinkie!” I made for the Pegasus, who promptly threw it back to Applejack, then to Pinkie when she ran to her. “You guys! Stop it right now!" They didn’t even desist, apparently delighting in watching her run around desperately, trying to retrieve the one thing that could stop all of this madness. Dusk would help me. I was now missing him all the more. Ultimately, it was Dusk’s friends who came to the rescue, Dog freezing Applejack’s hooves and Leon knocking Fluttershy aside with a blast of water as the book came to her. “Sorry, AJ. This for your own good.” Dog said as the book fell to the floor. “Sorry, Flutters!” Leon apologized. After finding the book, I was about to grab it with my magic when a blue aura surrounded it, lifting it up as Rarity ran past. “Mine!” “Oh, come on!” Shield said in annoyance as the two of us sprinted after her. “Rare, do you even know what you just stole?” “No, but if you want it, I want it!” Rarity said before winds surrounded her for a moment and she took off as a gray Torna, leaving me to fall flat on the floor when I tried to jump her. “I got her!” Shield then tried to jump Rarity when she landed on top of the wooden-carved pony head, but she avoided him and he crashed into the carving, knocking it off its pedestal. Fueled by my frustration, I then decided to go after Rarity myself and continued to give chase. I almost reached Rarity, just needed to get a little bit closer and I would catch her! When she knocked me into a bookcase with a burst of wind, I then had enough. “Give me that book!” Getting to higher ground, I made one last jump and landed on top of Rarity, pinning her to the floor. “Give it to me, NOW!” “Fine! Here, take your precious…” Just then a dark purple aura surrounded the book, carrying it off somewhere else. I shot her head up, looking for the source of the magic and I became frozen with fright when I saw who it was that had taken possession of it. He had a horrible smile on his face, his fur as dark as his shadow that stretched out towards me, like it was an extension of his body. The book was suspended above his head, as he stood in the hole I made with “Tom”. “Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Diablo Nightfall growled, his purple eyes passing over us. “You and the boys fighting with your friends, Sparkle? Perhaps there is hope for you yet.” “Twilight…” Spike whispered. “Who’s this guy?” “Hold on, that tail…” Shield said, noticing Diablo’s spikeless tail before looking at Diablo with shock. “Dusk?” “Nope! Not Dusk!” He said to him with a smug. “Diablo Nightfall.” “Dusk, is that really you?” Spike said in disbelief, walking over to him. “What happened to you?” “Thank Master Discord.” He told him. “Without him, that loser brother would be here to greet you instead of you getting the honor to meet me.” He then flicked at Spike, sending him flying into the bookcase. Glaring at him, I then watched as he examined the book from its cover. “Hmm. The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.” He then turned to me. “Guess now we know where you got the Elements’ location the first time.” His smile then suddenly grew before he then started walking over to me. “Hand over the book, bub!” Shield said as he, Dog, and Leon got in between me and Diablo, the three of them looking ready to fight as he stopped and lost his smile. “See you three are living up to your promise.” Diablo said, regaining his smile. “Though I’ll get to you later. I have some other business to take care of.” Just then, he used his tail to grab the book, no doubt preparing to use his magic on the three in front of me. Suddenly, something came out of his shadow and grabbed a hold on Shield, Dog, and Leon before then tossing the three stallions aside. After it did, it then disappeared back into his shadow. “Like my new powers? Just one of the gifts given to me through Kishinization.” “What do you want?” Pinkie asked angrily. “Be quiet, spring-hoof!” He sent a blast of magic at her and she started to bounce up and down, her head smacking off the ceiling hard. “Hey, I’m supposed to be laughing at the misfortune around here!” Fluttershy growled as Diablo laughed cruelly at Pinkie’s state. “Then, by all means, proceed.” Another zap of magic and Fluttershy was whisked beneath Pinkie and held in place, so the bouncing pony was constantly hitting her hard on the head every time she shot back down. “What are you here for, Diablo?” I finally asked, wanting to help my friends but at the same time afraid to act for fear of what he would do. “Nothing much, just here to get that little trinket around your neck.” He said, pointing at me to where I realized he was talking about Dusk’s necklace. “What do you want with Dusk’s necklace?” I asked, holding onto the necklace to show I was not about to give it up. “Oh, I just thought it might make a good trophy.” He told me. “Something that can help me look back on the day I destroyed the great El Dragon.” He then brought his tail over beside him, still using it to hold the book. “How about a little trade? Give me my brother’s necklace and I’ll let you have your book. Sound fair?” I once again felt that sense of loss and anger at the mention of Dusk and gritted my teeth, a small growl resounding in my throat. He was going to pay for what he had done to Dusk, that much I would make sure of. “No way!” I told him. “I made this necklace as a good luck charm for Dusk. I would rather die than give it to you!” “Really? Gonna be like that?” He then scowled at me. “You’re willing to give up the only clue to finding your precious Elements for that piece of trash?” “It’s not trash to me! Right now, it’s the most precious thing to me! Go ahead and take the book!” “Yeah, uh… ya can keep the book. We, uh… don’t need it anyways.” Applejack said fearfully, her eyes twitching from the lie. “You really are a terrible liar. Though you did give me a good idea.” He shot a spell at her and her hat suddenly crushed her head, weighing her down and preventing her from getting back up. “Do you have a lot on your mind then?” “Applejack!” I did my best to try and support my friend and glared at Diablo. “How can you be so cruel?” “Because I can be… and because I want to. Now let’s see…” Chuckling deeply in his throat, he crossed slowly over to “Tom”. “Ah, of course.” “Keep away! I’m warning you, keep away!” Rarity shrieked. “There appear to be quite a few cracks in this stone, chinks in the armor if you will.” He traced his claw around one such crack. “I wonder what would happen if I were to apply just a little more pressure…” His horn glowed once more, his dark magic glowing from inside the boulder whilst Rarity watched in horror. Gradually, more cracks started to appear across the surface, the ones that were already present started to widen. If Diablo kept that up, the entire boulder would shatter completely from within. Not that it mattered to me. After all, it was just a rock. Rarity, however, was beside herself. “No! Stop! Stop it right now!” “You want me to stop?” He glared right at her, so much she actually recoiled. “Then beg! Get down on your knees and beg me to stop.” Rarity did so almost immediately. “I’ll do anything! Please, I beg of you! Don’t hurt him! You’re ruining his whole beautiful, shining body!” “That’s not begging! You can do better than that!” He roared, grinning at the sight of her weeping and begging on her knees. I felt fear grip my whole body, but I ignored it as best she could. As intimidating and cruel Diablo was along with knowing that he was Dusk under it all, I wasn’t going to let him torture my friends like this. Even though we still needed the reference guide to the Elements of Harmony back as it would lead us one step closer to defeating both him and his dark master once and for all along with saving Dusk in the process, I wasn’t willing to give up the last thing I had to remember Dusk. “Stop it, right now!” She stepped forward, standing defiantly. “Up for that trade now, Sparkle?” He said to me with a smug. “Not a chance! Leave my friends alone, Diablo!” “You dare to order me?!” he demanded angrily. “You attempted to defy me before, Sparkle! As I recall, you also failed!” “Then I’ll try and fail again! Leave them alone!” “Then give me that necklace!” “NEVER! It’s mine, you hear me? And I’m not giving it up to anypony!” “You are as stubborn as he is! Are you really gonna give up your only true key in stopping my master over a few rocks?” “I don’t care about the book! We’ll find the Elements some other way! And then we’ll stop Discord and bring back Dusk!” “Bring back Dusk?” he raised a brow at me. “What makes you think the Elements of Harmony can do anything like that?” “Because I know what you are is Discord’s doing and, by stopping him, we’ll get our friend back!” Though he was surprised for a moment, he suddenly broke into laughter, his magic being canceled. Now, not only was I furious, but confused as well as the black stallion continued to laugh, falling on his back to the floor. I looked around as everypony else was confused by this too. Just what exactly did he find so amusing? “Hey, what’s so funny?” Pinkie asked angrily. “Her!” He said as he continued to laugh, pointing at me. “Thinking that she can just zap me out of existence like she did with Nightmare Moon!” “Well, you are like her, right?” I said to him as his laughter began to die down. “She was made with Black Blood. We turned her back into Princess Luna and we can turn you back into Dusk.” “You…” he said as he got himself back up, keeping that awful smile of his. “You really think I’m anything like Nightmare Moon? Wrong! She was strong, but that was only because she was an alicorn. Dusk didn’t have any magic up to her level and I have proven to be equal to Discord, who we all know is the most powerful being in Equestria! You got lucky the first time, but it’ll take a lot more than that to get rid of me.” “You’re lying!” “Am I? Then how come Dusk abandoned you to find a way to prevent me?” “He… he didn’t abandon me!” I told him, fear starting to grip at me again. “He just left in case he wouldn’t hurt us. So you wouldn’t hurt us!” “You really think that’s the real reason he did that? He went on that search because he knew that the Elements of Harmony couldn't rid him of Black Blood.” I was shocked by what he said. “What?” “Come on, you really think Black Blood is just something Discord cooked up?” Just then, a white book appeared beside him, one he caught with his claw. “Here. Educate yourself.” I then took the book he presented and saw what it said on the cover, which bared the image of three black eyes. “History of the Kishin?” I then opened the book and began reading it, drawn in by the first passage I found and read it out loud. The Kishin, said as the source of all madness, was a creature of great and mysterious power who lived to bring about chaos and destruction. It roamed Equestria, feeding off the life energy of others and drawing its victims by inflicting them with a mental influence that would send them into psychological turmoil. “Skip ahead.” Diablo then skipped past a few pages and stopped at a different passage, one I went on to read. After the brave few had managed to resist the madness it caused, the ponies hunted down and defeated the Kishin, free Equestria from madness. But, moons later, the madness had returned. One day, a lone pony had managed to find the remains of the fallen Kishin. Within it, he found a blackened heart with red veins that produced a strange black liquid. From reading that, I then realized what it was. “Black Blood…” “That’s right.” Diablo smugly said as I looked up at him. “The heart he found belonged to the very beast that was vanquished. He didn’t realize it, but the thing was still giving off a wave of madness which easily consumed him. Later on, he discovered the power of the Black Blood and managed to harness it. From master its power, he became a Kishin himself and even managed to gather other ponies to join him, creating an entire race of Kishins. And it is the same race that I belong to. Anyway, Dusk search through this very book in hopes in finding what he needed,” he then used his magic to flip through the pages again, stopping at a new passage, “and that’s when he discovered this.” I read the passage and was surprised to find what it was about. “A cure…” What I said got the attention of the other stallions. “Hold on. Did you just say a cure?” Shield asked. “Yes!” I said, feeling hope rise up within me as the three ran over to me. “It says here that, due to increasing infections of Black Blood, they were trying to look for a cure to it.” “Well, I’ll be!” Dog said, receiving the same smile I had. “So what’s the cure?” “Okay, let’s see… Ah, here it is!” I said as I found what I was looking for. From undergoing procedures and experimentation, using all terms of modern medicine and developments of new medicine, those involved in the projects to cure Black Blood infections have come to a decisive conclusion. As of far… My heart sank when I saw the last part of the passage and was filled with dread when I said “…there is no certain cure for the infection.” “What?!” all three of them said in shock. “It says that they weren’t able to gather enough data to isolate a way to stop it.” I told them. “The side effects of the Black Blood to each victim were all different, not one was the same. They couldn’t find anything to go on to prevent the madness and none of the medicines they made stopped it.” “Exactly.” Diablo said to me as I looked at him with horror. “And those were those just going through Kishinization. I’m already a Kishin, a unique one at that. Which means nothing you do will ever get rid of me! Dusk Noir is history, period!” All the hope I had, the hope that I could save Dusk, was crushed from learning this one fact about Black Blood. No matter how much I want to, I can’t bring Dusk back. I’m so sorry, Dusk. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you! “So… anything else you got to say to me?” Diablo said with that smug of his. From there, now feeling like there was no reason for me to keep it, I used my magic to take off the necklace. “Here, take it.” I told him. “Just give me the book and leave!” “Twilight, no!” Shield said to me, trying to stop me. “I’m sorry, guys.” I told them before Diablo took the necklace in his claw. “Good girl.” He said to me before he tossed the book to me. Taking the book, I then watched as his claw morphs around Dusk’s good luck charm to where it was now in his wrist. “Now…” His horn started glowing again as he levitated Shield, Dog, and Leon over to him. “Hey, you said you’d leave my friends alone!” “I did… but I only meant your little gal pals.” Diablo said to me. “These three, on the other hoof… well, let’s just say that my master hadn’t fed me properly and I’m starving.” “NO!” Knowing what he was about to do, I leaped at him, but he smacked me away with his tail. “Let us go, you freak!” Shield spoke out as I watched Diablo stood in front of him, the three stallions struggling to escape. “Sorry, but I can’t have you missing dinner.” He said to him, not losing that smile. “Now let the feast begin!” He then opened his mouth, about to take a deep breath. Then, suddenly, a yellow aura surrounded his muzzle and his mouth shut close before a zipper appeared and zipped his mouth shut. Soon after, Diablo then got a hold of the zipper and tried to unzip his mouth, the zipper refusing to move. While wondering about his strange behavior, I then noticed this strange, red and black collar around his neck. Seeing the collar in the same aura that had zipped his mouth, I had a feeling who gave that to him. “Well, look at that.” Shield said with a smug, getting Diablo’s attention. “Looks like Discord’s got his Kishin on a tight leash.” With him laughing, Diablo growled at him. Diablo then tried to remove the zipper, using any other method he could think of that could unzip his mouth. After a moment of failing to remove it, Diablo stood up and mumbled something with a defeated look on his face. After he did, the collar stopped glowing and the zipper disappeared. From there, he then canceled his magic and released Shield and the others. “Seriously? He’s giving you three a free pass too?” he asked them in frustration. “What is so important about you that he can’t let me kill you?” “Uh…because we’re awesome, that’s why!” Shield said with a proud smile. “AAH!” Diablo groaned out. “Fine! If I can’t drain you, then I can at least make sure my visit worthwhile!” With that, he sent a blast of magic at one of the shelves, the books flying out of their place and circling him in a swarm, like a flock of birds. “Ever been hitting the books, well here are some that hit back! ATTACK!” This last command was to the books, which soared towards the three and surrounded them in a flock of flapping pages and covers before they could do anything. They snapped at her like angry animals, knocked her on the head with their hardback covers. Every time they tried to fight their way out, the books would force them back into the center and trap them there. I was about to step in and held them until this black cage formed around me. “Uh-uh-uh!” Diablo said, waving a claw at me. “Can’t let you ruin the fun, Miss Sparkle. In fact, it’s so fun, it’s not fair to leave everypony out of it!” With that, I then watched as he then used his magic on the rest of my friends, continuing what he was doing to them before. Trapped within the cage, I could only watch in horror, I watched as Diablo Nightfall laughed maliciously at us all while making Rarity beg before him. Even though I had the reference guide, it wasn’t going to matter if we were all trapped like this. I had to free everypony. Somehow. Dusk’s view I didn't like being down here, in the darkest depths of my mind in this broken and degenerate state, out of control of my whole body while Diablo Nightfall did Celestia-knows-what with it. I knew what that depraved, rage-filled stallion had been capable of doing to me and I knew he would be doing the same to my friends and the ponies I loved. I was rarely angry and kept my temper in check, but a boiling, seething anger towards Diablo was developing, as well as towards his dark master, a need to repay them both in kind for what he had done, both to me and my friends. I would do my best to exact payback on both of them or die trying. Diablo was going to pay for this. All the while, I wondered if the dark pony knew what was happening in here. He was in control of both my body and mind, but I was still down here and gradually climbing my way back out to take him on, getting stronger all of the time. Could Diablo feel me coming back out to challenge him? If so, would he take steps to stop me? If he were to come down here now and face me, I knew that, despite my determination to stop him, I wouldn't be able to match my darker self in this state. I could only pray with all his might that Diablo wasn't taking notice and that I would be strong enough to take him on. I turned around the cave and encountered a long, narrow stone bridge across a dark chasm. Across the bridge, I could see the cave that would take me further up and out, as well as the glinting light of another necklace fragment. I set hoof onto the bridge, intending to get across it quickly… CRACK! With a yell, I jumped back as a long, jagged gap appeared in the bridge, which then fell away, tumbling into the darkness below. I was breathing heavily as I stood back and examined the bridge. I placed a claw lightly on it again and could feel how fragile the stone was. There was no way it would be able to take my weight without collapsing. I considered my options, but knew that the only way across before the bridge collapsed from my weight was to run. Even though the butterfly had vanished again, I knew I had to keep moving. My arms and legs were still rather painful, though I had mastered walking and my lungs and chest still hurt from some exertions. It would push all of them to the limit if I tried sprinting and I didn’t think it would be enough to get me across before it collapsed. There had to be another way… if I could only get to that fragment, I was sure it would be able to give me the strength to run… “This seems to be quite a predicament you find yourself in, Dusk Noir.” said a soft, yet strong voice from my side. I looked and saw that it wasn’t a pony who stood there, but a buffalo, a calf about my height, with tanned brown fur, bird feathers attached to a headdress on her head, and a friendly, yet determined expression on her face. Remembering the custom, I raised my neck to her. “May the ground stay strong beneath your hooves, Little Strongheart.” “And may it stay strong beneath yours, Dusk.” she returned, finishing the greeting with a head butt. “We heard about your quest and decided we should come to lend you aid.” “We?” I asked in confusion. “She’s goldarn right.” Another voice said with the same accent as Apple Bloom. “Dog!” I turned and smiled to see my cowpony friend. That stirred something in my memory. Then I looked to Strongheart and said “Isn’t that a tradition that members of a buffalo tribe always lend help to other bison in their tribe or friend to their tribe if they need it, especially in matters of honor or life and death?” “Once again, your surprise me with your knowledge of my people.” she noted. “There is that but… I couldn’t in good conscience leave you to manage this task, a friend of my people and to me, without help of some kind. It just wouldn’t feel right.” “I’m most grateful for that.” I said sincerely, marveling again at our closeness as friends, despite being part of two different races. Friendship truly was a powerful, wonderful thing. She looked me over and nodded admirably. “You certainly look stronger than the last time I saw you.” I chuckled dismissively. “Have you seen the state of me? I still have trouble walking on my own four legs. I’m no stronger or fitter than when we met last.” “I wouldn’t say that.” She gestured to some of my more severe bruises and cuts. “Despite all the afflictions that torment your body and weaken you, your spirit has remained unbroken. You still had the strength to get back up and start moving again, making your way out of here to wage your battle with a mighty foe.” “Not without help though…” “That does not make it any less significant. Many find it difficult to accept help from others, but taking it is not a sign of weakness, far from it. All it shows is that you can take the strength of those around you, that there are those who care about you so much that they offer help and still have enough of your own to make it all of this way, without help. That is truly admirable and shows the strength you have, not here,” she said, gesturing to her muscles and placing a hoof on my heart, “but here.” “She’s right.” Dog added. “And I can tell ya, out of everypony I’ve seen, you’re the one with the most heart. It’s what got us through all that bad weather, right?” I nodded in agreement before I looked down at her small, black hoof that felt warm against my fur, stared at it for a few minutes, and looked up at her, smiling and gripping her hoof in return. This was true praise, coming from one who knew true hardship and challenges from the life that she had led among her people, from surviving the many feats that she had completed by herself as part of the traditions of her tribe, yet at such a young age. She returned his grip, just as hard enough to make me wince, but she returned my determined smile, echoing his silent expression of thanks. We didn't need words to say that we had understood each other. We let go and returned our attention to the bridge. “Now, on the subject of that,” she said, looking at the bridge, “it looks like you could use our help here.” “If you’d be willing to give it.” “If you’d be willing to accept it.” “I am.” “Then I will help. If you ask nicely.” We shared a laugh at this, but soon returned our focus. I pointed to the other side. “I need to get over there and continue on, while also getting that stone, but the bridge is too fragile to support my weight. Would you be able to run over and get the stone?” “If we were to run, the bridge would still crumble and you would be trapped over here. Besides, we have another solution.” “What’s that?” I saw a glint in her eye and her legs begin to tense. I saw that with Dog too. “Wait, what are you…?” I didn’t have time to finish as they both suddenly jumped out onto the bridge. I tried to call out, to stop them, but she was too quick. My shock heightened further, landing neatly on a part of it. Instead of crumbling and falling, it remained stable holding her weight and still supporting her. They smiled at my gob-smacked expression. “How…how did you…?” “You could rival a desert viper with how wide your mouth has opened.” she remarked with a giggle. “Ee-yup!” Dog said in agreement, giving me an amused smile. I blushed and closed my mouth, but I was still wide-eyed from their achievement. “How did you manage that? I can see how Dog did that, but how did you?” “As you know, we buffalo have to learn well the ground beneath our hooves. Some parts of this bridge are more stable and stronger than other parts. It’s merely a matter of finding the right part.” she explained, tapping the ground with her hoof. It didn’t even shift. “Incredible.” I whispered, then louder. “But how does that help me?” “Simple. We’ll go first and see which part of the bridge is stable, while ya follow behind us.” Dog started to walk back towards me, with only small cracks following in his wake, before returning to where he’d jumped to. “Still, we’d move quickly as we can. Even with these parts, the bridge isn’t entirely safe.” “Right…okay, I’m coming.” Slowly, cautiously, I stepped onto the part of the bridge Little Strongheart and Dog had indicated. I could feel a slight rumbling below my hooves and claws, but other than that the bridge remained in place. I let out a small breath of relief, then proceeded to follow Strongheart and Dog across the bridge, still moving slowly and carefully. Though they had said to move as quickly as possible, they moved at a reasonable pace to let me keep up, due to my state. Every now and again, I couldn’t help peering down the bottomless gorge below and shivering slightly. Even though I trusted both Dog and Strongheart, I still couldn’t help but feel a little scared at traveling across the bridge. It was the fear that maybe she would get it wrong and I would end up stepping on a more fragile part of the stone. I didn’t know how far down the gorge went, but I was sure I wouldn’t be able to get back up if I fell. Then I’d never been able to get out of here and stop my darker self… It was when I felt like this that the cracks seemed to increase and the stone appeared to be a lot less strong than it should be. Luckily, they were a source of great comfort for me. Whenever I jumped or yelled at a breaking bit of stone, they would calm and remind me that they were here to guide me and that I had nothing to worry about. This instantly made me feel better and braver to be able to cross the bridge. We were soon close to the end, Strongheart and Dog making it safely off the bridge before I did, who was still close behind her. The minute she stepped off, however, I became scared again, began picturing myself falling into the blackness below…and that's when the stone cracked again and I heard a distant rumbling. “What was…?” Strongheart looked behind me and her eyes widened. “Dusk, look!” I did so and discovered much to my utter horror, that the last crack was enough to shatter the bridge entirely. Now, the whole thing was crumbling and falling into the dark…and it was swiftly catching up to me, so I would fall too. “Dusk, quickly, run!” she cried out. I tried too, but the pain was too much and he ended up collapsing. "I can’t! I don’t have the strength!” The bridge was almost up to me, I would soon fall. Strongheart fretted from the other side, trying to think of something. Then, her face hardened and she held out her hooves. “Then, you must jump.” “What?! I can’t!” “Don’t worry, we’ll catch you! Trust us.” Dog said as they gazed at me imploringly, their eyes boring into mine. Realistically, I knew that I barely had the strength to jump, let alone run. But at that moment that I gazed into their eyes, I stopped listening to that part of my mind and began to believe what they were telling me. Regardless of what my strength might be, they were still my friends and they wouldn't let me fall. I had to trust them…I had to jump. My legs coiled like springs, I could feel the ground give way beneath me. With one, painful move that made me cry out, I jumped, just the bridge fell away beneath me. I soared towards them, holding out my claws, willing myself as I sailed over to them that I would make it. I reached out, so did they… …And I made it! With an iron grip, Strongheart and Dog held me, dangling off the edge as the last of the bridge fell away. Heaving with all their strength, they hauled up to the other side and I collapsed in a heap next to them, drawing long, painful breaths. “I… I did it…” I panted, raising my head to look at them. “Thank you.” “Well, we weren’t just goin’ to leave ya.” Dog said as he and Strongheart helped me back up to my hooves and claws, swaying a little but still standing. “I told ya to trust us.” “You did…and that was what gave me the strength. Now then…” I staggered over to the beam of light, where the next fragment was suspended. It had a splash of orange against the black, reminding me of the peach-colored farm pony. It seemed that Strongheart and Dog were just as honest and truthful as she was. Maybe that was part of what drove me, I thought, taking the stone and attaching it to the rest. Once again, I felt a boost in strength when it made contact. One less one to find. I thought, turning back to the two. “Thank you for your help, Little Strongheart. You too, Dog. I need to continue on now. There are still other fragments to find.” “We understand. I have done all that I can and am proud to have done it.” Strongheart and I butted our heads again, raising our necks to each other. “May the spirits of my ancestors watch over you, Dusk Noir.” “Likewise, Little Strongheart, until next time.” I watched them as she and Dog sprinted off down another passage, then continued up the more upwardly inclined route. Now, I was far stronger than I had ever been since I was down here. That last fragment had restored to me the ability to run, as I was now galloping down the tunnel, the sounds of my hooves echoing off the walls. Hopefully, I would be out of here in no time now, especially once I regained the ability to use my magic, though I wasn’t sure what effect it would have in here. The next chamber I entered was almost the same as the last one, except this one had stone pedestals set up above the gorge. Each one had varying heights and just enough space for a pony to stand on, all of them leading higher up to the top of the cave. Across the other side, I could see the next fragment, like a beacon in the darkness calling out to me. So, it looked like I would have to jump up to each one in order to get out, which seemed simple enough. I stepped up to the first pedestal and tried to jump for it. A stab of pain shot through my body and I ended up missing the edge, falling back down and hitting the ground hard. The result was the same whenever I tried it. It just hurt too much, I still had a lot more recovering to do. How was I going to get out of here without some kind of help? “Looks like I’m stuck here.” I muttered dejectedly. “You cannot give up, from this little slip-up, not now you have come so far, Dusk Noir.” Said a voice. When I turned, my sight beheld a zebra, her mane done up in the style of her people, adorned with golden jewelry, a kind smile upon her face. “Zecora!” The two of us exchanged a hug. “Oh, I’ve never been happier to see you.” “It seems as though you need some help again.” Said one voice, one I haven’t heard in a long time. “Can’t seem to go one day without needing a hoof.” Looking the other side of me, I was shocked to find a pegasus stallion with a lean figure and was about the height of Celestia’s shoulder. I gasped as I saw his yellow eyes, a sapphire coat, and a teal mane and tail. I knew who this stallion was, especially with the twin silver swords crossed into an X behind a shield that had a golden four-leaf Clover on it. Of course, this was just the one from my memories as a young stallion, still I felt like I could shed a tear at the sight of my old friend. “Silver Blade.” I asked, still in awe of seeing my friend. “You need some assistance to get over this cliff?” Silver Blade “I certainly do.” I agreed. “I don't suppose you have something?” “As a matter of fact, we do. As for you, I have prepared this special brew.” Zecora said, then she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a beaker of green, smoking liquid. “Drink it at this time and it will give the strength to climb.” I took it, staring at it warily. I had no reason to doubt Zecora as she was certainly gifted at her trade, but I still wasn't all that confident about drinking this strange potion. But, it wasn't like I had any other options and I needed all the help I could get. I uncorked it, tried to ignore the strong smell that emerged from it and drank it. Twilight’s view As Shield and the others took shelter from all of the books that were attacking them, yelling out in pain whenever one of them swooped in and attacked, I watched as Diablo continued to laugh away at the horrible torments he had put them all in. I was still trying to figure out what to do, fear dominating as I tried to find a way to save all of my friends. I had been at this for a while until… “AGGGGGGGGHHHHH! MY HEAD!” Diablo’s scream caught my attention as I looked to him to see him writhing and screaming like an animal while clutching his head and roaring in pain. The magic he had inflicted on the others suddenly wore off and ceased to have an effect, the cage disappearing and the book dropped to the floor. All the while, he continued to scream and screech in pain, a horrible groaning sound. “What… what’s going on?” he asked before he looked down at the floor and gasped, gaining a look of shock. Turning to where he was looking, I saw that it was actually Dusk’s necklace. Looking at it, I was surprised to find one of the stones giving out a fading pulse of color, that color being dark blue… like Dusk. “No… no, it can’t be…” Diablo said, actually sounding afraid. “That’s impossible…” “Hey, what’s going on with Diablo?” Leon asked as he, Shield, and Dog came over. Approaching with caution, I managed to get close enough to where I could place a hoof on his cheek. Flinching, he then turned to look at me and I was shocked to find his eyes filled with fear. It only lasted for a moment before he glared and, with a growl and snarl, smacked me away with his claw. With one last roar, he then galloped away out of the library, still bellowing about his head. “Well, that was weird.” Leon said we stared after Diablo. “Yeah, why’d he run away for?” Dog asked. “More importantly, why’d he look so scared?” Shield asked. I then remembered what the guys told me and what I just saw happening with Dusk’s necklace. “You guys said that Dusk got that new stone back at the castle, right?” I asked. “Yeah.” Shield answered. “Did that one have some shade of blue on it? Like the same blue as Dusk?” “Well, yeah.” Shield then raised a brow at me. “How’d you know?” “A moment there, I saw one of the stones glowing.” I told him. “And it was the same color as Dusk.” “One of the stones was glowin’?” Dog asked me with surprise. “Maybe that’s what spooked Diablo.” “But why would he be afraid of a glowing stone?” Leon asked, confused by this. “I don’t know.” I told him. “But whatever the reason, I just hope it’s only for the best and not the worst.” Dusk’s view The minute that I swallowed the potion, which to my surprise tasted very sweet, I felt a great surge of energy shoot through my body, far greater than what the stones so far had given me. Far from beating Diablo, I now felt I had the strength to climb a whole mountain whilst also carrying several huge stones and Pinkie’s pound cake that actually weighed far more. Without a moment's hesitation, I crouched and sprang up to the first ledge, pulling myself up triumphantly and turning to face Zecora. “Coming? I could use the company.” I said to them. “To proceed together, would be our pleasure.” She gave her bag to Silver Blade as he then took off to the top and, making an equally effortless bound, she jumped up to join me. So the two of us began our game of ascending leapfrog in a sense, with me jumping up first and waiting to help Zecora make the next leap, holding out my claws to pull her up. Thanks to the effects of her potion, I found what would have been exerting exercise surprisingly easy. However, I knew the power wouldn’t last forever and I made sure to keep at a reasonably quick pace. Zecora seemed to be managing just fine without the need for a potion. I knew that, due to the life she led back in her home and the many dangers that existed, she would have been required to remain in pique physical condition. Apparently, she also took part in a form of meditation that involved balancing on bamboo poles in a state of perfect balance. She had tried to teach it to me, but I only ended up smashing a large quantity of her work. Luckily, she hadn’t held it against me. “Sweet mother of flames, this is high.” I remarked as I pulled her up onto another ledge. Zecora nodded, staring up at the end. “It seems for every obstacle you overcome, another comes along to spoil your fun.” “Hard to argue with that.” I paused to make the next jump. “I’m starting to think I’ll never make it out of here.” “Indeed, the road you take is long and it seems to go on and on.” She placed a hoof on my shoulder firmly. “But you must take heart and continue or your foe will destroy all you knew, not just all you see here, but those you love and hold most dear.” I sighed and shook my head. “I know what’s at stake, Zecora, but…can I really beat him?” Zecora was silent as she considered this carefully. “For certain, I cannot say, if you can best him on this day. But though this seems your darkest hour, know you possess a greater power, one against which he cannot compete and, using that, he will be beat.” “But,” I stared up at the sheer heights I still had left to climb, feeling more diminished than ever, “he defeated me and threw me down here like I was nothing. I can’t even hope to match that. How can I compete with that?” “Now that, I say is wrong for what fails to kill simply makes us strong.” She gestured at me. “Why, just look here. For, despite your doubts and fear, you are climbing up and out, ready for another bout. Just when he beat and threw you to the floor, here you are back again and stronger than before.” “I…I suppose you’re right.” I nodded, thinking about all I had been through so far. “Indeed, for as somepony once said: if the fall does not bring our demise, then our greatest moment is when we rise.” I stared at her, dumbstruck by her words and feeling deeply affected by how much I was strengthened by them, perhaps even more so than what her potion provided. “Very profound.” was all I could comment, only one jump away from the end. “Yes,” she agreed as I hauled her up, “a good quotation is a diamond to a pony of wit, whereas it is a pebble in the hooves of a twit.” “True enough.” I chuckled, jumping up at the last stage, But I missed and began to fall, but Silver grabbed my claw and pulled me up. Once he did, I then helped Zecora up for the final time. “Look at that, we made it!” “Yes, but I would rate that it is not yet time to celebrate.” she said, warning. “Now, as part of the journey on which you rise, it is time to claim your prize.” I took the next fragment, which had a hint of purple to it, but deeper than the Magic fragment. Generosity, like how Zecora was when she gave me that poster and how she and Silver stuck by me until we reached the top. The strength it gave me was fading now, but I regained some of it when I reattached it to the rest of my necklace. “Now I regret that, for the next part of this zone, you must go on alone.” Zecora said sadly. “I know.” I murmured, hugging Zecora gently. “Thank you, for all your help.” “For this problem, more large than small, it was no trouble at all.” She bowed her head to me. “Farewell and good luck to you, my friend Dusk.” I waited until they left, then sprinted on ahead, my butterfly reappearing and possessing new additions to its wings. This time, it possessed the cutie marks of both Applejack and Rarity. Saving my growing curiosity about this for later, I pushed on for knowing that it wasn’t far to go now until I faced Diablo Nightfall. Hopefully, I’d be ready. Diablo Nightfall’s view “What… what is happening to me?!” I demanded to no one as I rolled around on the ground. I had been screaming where nopony could see me as I was still feeling the agonizing pain in my head, piercing me like a thousand knives were being forced into my skull. It had died down a little now from before, but it was still pounding away at my head painfully. This headache, it had lingered after my battle with Luna and Dragonis and now, far from dying down, it just seemed to keep getting stronger, up to the point where even I was having trouble coping with it. Seeing that stone glowing blue, I knew what it meant and still couldn’t believe it. But why was this happening? Then I realized what was causing it. That magic she’d performed, when Luna had touched my horn… she must have done something to me, something to cause this. I didn’t know what it was or why it was doing this or what it would ultimately do, but now I would try and focus, find the source of what was causing it and when I did… Well, it was going to get a little messy!