The jakhowls of Aurarora that had been preparing to set out for war all came to a stop as they stared at Springer, the jakhowl glaring as Razor after he had issued the challenge of a kyosongsai. Razor Fang was growling at this, his eyes wanted to drill holes into the jakhowl as Springer stood there with his friends beside him.
"You dare attempt to claim the right to demand a kysongsai?! You, the outsider who aligns themselves with our mortal enemies!" He turned to Mirage and the elders. "You told him about it, didn't you? You spit in your father's name, Mirage! Trying to get this traitor and his murderous allies to claim the right of leadership!"
Mirage glared right back at him, "You have no right to speak about my father. Not after what you did!" She then threw down a certain blood-soaked cloth on the ground. "Everyone, listen. The ponies aren't your enemies, and they aren't the ones who killed my father." She pointed at Razor, "He is! And he got his lackey, Snivel, to plant the evidence on the ponies!"
The jakhowls all heard this and gasped, all turning to Razor with wide eyes, "You think I had something to do with your father's death?!" Razor roared before pointing at Flash, "He was killed by the blade in his paws!"
"No," Springer stepped forward. "That's just what you wanted us to believe. But it was you who did it." Springer pointed at him, "The elders told me everything about you, including your impressive talent over shape manipulation. You made a sword of aura that was the same shape as Flash's blade, and then had Snivel plant the blood on Lightbringer."
"Do you hear yourself!?" Razor growled, "You're accusing me of this crime?! Why would I kill our leader?"
"Oh, I don't know," Flash gestured to him and the rest of the jakhowls. "Cause you knew killing the one who wanted to work with the ponies you hate and blaming them would get you exactly what you wanted. A pointless war!"
"And honestly," Core walked up, "I don't care why you did this heinous crime. What matters is that you did it and justice shall be brought."
"This is ridiculous," Razor hissed before turning to the rest of the jakhowls. "The ponies have obviously brainwashed these weak-minded fools." He pointed at them, "Blast them!" But the jakhowls did nothing, "What the-what are you waiting for?!"
"A kyosongsai has been declared," one of the jakhowls replied, "Until the challenge has been determined, there is no leader of the jakhowls."
"Don't be ridiculous! He is an outsider! A traitor!" Razor exclaimed while pointing at Springer, "He has no right to challenge me!"
"He's a jakhowl," another one responded "And laws state that any jakhowl, even those not recognized as members of our tribe, can demand one. You must accept the challenge or step aside as leader."
Razor's eyes narrowed at this before turning to Springer, hissing at the sight of the jakhowl, "Think carefully about this. If you waste anymore of my time, I will not be lenient on you. I will accept your challenge and when I do, I won't stop until you are ripped to shreds. You sure you want to face the most powerful jakhowl that has ever been born?!"
Springer glared right back at him. "You're strong, but I've faced way tougher opponents than you and come out on top." He got into a battle stance, "Now let's do this." Razor's glare turned into a smirk as he jumped off the side of the mountain. He flew down and landed on a rock before leaping into the air again. After several flips, he landed right in front of them and stepped on the bloody cloth.
"You had your chance." The rest of the jakhowls leapt down, slowly spreading out and forming a ring around Razor and Springer.
As they did this, Flash moved over to Springer. Putting his hooves on his shoulder, Flash started rubbing them. "You can do this buddy. This nutjob might be strong, but he's been stuck underground his entire life. Probably never been in a real fight. Not like you. You got this."
"Thanks," Springer nodded, "But his lack of experience is probably made up for by years and years of training." He looked over at Razor and saw him talking with Snivel, "He's been waiting for this day for a long time. Now I'm all that stands in his way."
"No pressure," Spike held up a drink for him to slurp through a straw. "But Flash is right. You can do this." The others nodded as well.
As this was happening, several jakhowls moved over to Mirage and the elders. "Do you really think Razor killed your father?" A female jakhowl asked Mirage, who looked hurt hearing those words.
"Yes," Clair replied, "Razor's always dreamed of becoming our leader. He probably feared Sirius would make Springer his successor and any hope Razor had of becoming the king he always dreamed he'd be would be lost. Not that he ever had the right or chance to be one to begin with."
The other jakhowls nodded as the circle completely formed, Springer and Razor stepping forward. As they did this, Razor turned his attention to Mirage and the elders. "I hope you realize how foolish you've been. After I crush this miserable worm, I'll have no choice but to charge you all with treason." The five frowned at him. "Submit to me now and I might overlook this mistake. But I warn you, nothing you do once this kysongsai begins will earn my forgiveness."
"We will never submit to you," Mirage instantly replied, "My father believed in Springer. The fact he did after only knowing him a day proves to me that he's more worthy of leading us into the future than you'll ever be."
Razor shook his head before turning to Springer. "Your poisoning of their minds truly has sunk too deep. I hope you understand the pain and suffering you'll have caused for them." He got into a fighting stance. "When this is over, they will be forever banished from Aurarora. And if they go scurrying to those ponies for help, I'll simply crush them when I conquer the rest of this land."
"You won't be crushing or conquering anything," Springer responded, "Your reign of terror ends here and now." As he said that, the jakhowls around them formed Aura Blasts.
"Kyo!" They held their paws up. "Song!" The competitors stared one another down, "SAI!" The Aura Blasts flew into the air and collided, creating a loud explosion that signaled the start of the fight. The two shot forward, Razor creating a Bone Breaker sword while Springer used his Steel Paw. The pair roared as they reached each other, Razor swinging down the weapon as Springer raised his paws and blocked the attack. The weapons clashed with a loud clang, Razor's strength instantly pushing Springer back.
But Springer quickly regained his footing and roared, "Aura Force!" He thrust his paw, firing the laser as Razor swung his sword in response, cutting right through it. And as the laser was sliced in two, Razor created an Aura Blast and leapt up before throwing the orb. Springer quickly dove to the side and fired his own, only for Razor to backhand it with ease, knocking it away just as another Aura Blast formed in his paws, but this one he shaped into a star that he threw at Springer.
Springer gasped and side-stepped, barely missing his ear. Razor then launched more stars, Springer quickly dancing around them, only for one of the tips of the star nicking his cheek. His friends watched this, grimacing as they saw Springer keep getting forced back while Flash and Core just stared at the sight.
And as Springer dodged another star, he put his paws together and formed an Aura Guard. The stars began to bounce off the aura barrier, Razor growling as he kept firing Aura Blast after Aura Blast. "You can't stay in there forever!"
"I don't need to," Springer replied as the explosions kept smacking the shield, "Just long enough for you to exhaust yourself."
"Shows what you know," Razor spat, "I'm the strongest jakhowl to have ever lived! I've spent years preparing for this war, and I've honed my body to become the perfect weapon! I can go for hours!"
He then fired an Aura Force, the laser slamming into the shield and causing it to start cracking. Springer groaned as he felt the attack, "If you're so powerful, why do you need the other jakhowls? Go wage your stupid war on your own and leave the rest of us alone!"
"I could," Razor hissed, "But these jakhowls need to see why we are the most powerful creatures in this world. Our conquest of those worthless ponies will prove to the other species that they are right to be afraid of us! We will no longer hide away from the world! We will rule it, and crush any who dare oppose us underfoot!"
The jakhowls around him went wide-eyed at this, almost all frowning at the idea. They began to murmur, whispering how they wanted to live in peace and not have to constantly worry about being attacked. They wanted justice for what happened to Sirius, but now they didn't know what to do. And amongst the crowd, Snivel saw that the crowd was starting to turn against the Razor's opinion.
At the same time on the other side of the fight, Ace and Mira were watching their guardian as the shield began to crack. But as they did this, Ace saw Snivel moving away from the group. He had a feeling he wasn't just bored about the fight, so he nudged Mira before talking to her through his aura, "We might have a problem,"
"What is it?"
"I just saw that Snivel jakhowl walk away." Mira glanced out at the crowd, only to see no sign of the green jakhowl.
"Where'd he go? We better keep an eye on him." Ace nodded and when nobody else was looking, they also broke away from the group and moved around the outside of the circle.
And as this happened, Springer felt his shield giving way and dropped it before it broke, leaping into the air as the laser blasted down under him. He summoned his Steel Paws and spun like a top, flying down at Razor and slashing into him.
"Augh!" The red and black jakhowl staggered back, clutching his now bleeding chest as Springer landed. The blue jakhowl started launching several more slashes, Razor backpedaling as he dodged each one by the thinnest of margins. He then formed a Bone Breaker sword and used it to block one of the attacks, pushing Springer back and cutting at his shoulder.
"Gyah!" Springer jumped back and touched his arm, feeling a slight sting as Razor charged in to stab him. But Springer jumped to the side, rolling on the ground before forming a Bone Breaker that he snapped in half. The two jakhowls charged at one another, both clashing so fast that Flash was the only pony that could track their movements. And as this happened, he went into Theta Mode to keep track, the pair seeming to be evenly matched, Springer managing to hit Razor in several spots, but receiving several cuts for his troubles. They weren't deep, but each one had to be stinging and distracting him.
The pair then stopped moving and locked weapons, glaring at each other as they attempted to overpower the other. But as this happened, a cut on Springer's leg exploded with pain. "AUGH!" He cried, losing his balance and allowing Razor to push him back. He staggered and barely managed to avoid getting his head cut off as Razor swiped at him, only for the cut in Springer's arm burst with pain. "Raaah!"
"What's happening?" Heart cried as Springer dodged an Aura Blast while clutching a cut on his side.
"I think Springer's injuries are more severe than they look," Soul added with a grimace, only to see him fall to his knee.
"What do we do?" Spike asked, Twilight and the others not responding back to the drake.
Mirage began to worry she might have led Springer to his doom, the jakhowl then looking down to where Springer's charges were supposed to be...only to find nothing. "What the...where'd they go?"
Ace and Mira had detected Snivel as they continued to climb over some rocks. Following his aura to a higher section of boulders, they saw that they were now overlooking the area the kyosonsai was taking place. The duo then spotted Snivel, who was hiding behind one of the larger rocks with a perfect view of the fight. And as they approached, Snivel summoned some aura and condensed it down into a tiny needle, one that was so small that it was almost invisible.
He held the needle between his paws and looked around the rock, then threw it. Moments later, Springer cried out in pain despite not being hurt. The pair gasped at this, "Cheat!" Ace yelled, making Snivel gasp before turning to see a charging Ace. He slashed a Steel Paw at him, the green jakhowl jumping back with a startle.
Mira then fired an Aura Blast, Snivel yelping as he made his own and threw it, both attacks connecting and cancelling each other out. But as this happened, Ace leapt at him and summoned a Bone Breaker, Snivel jumping back at this before firing a ton of tiny aura needles. And as they struck Ace...he barely felt anything. Just a slight prick. "Well, that was anticlimactic."
Mira glanced back down at Springer's fight, seeing the jakhowl covered in cuts. "They only hurt because they're being driven into open wounds. On their own, they're weak."
"Kind of like him," Ace added.
"You won't stop me!" Snivel growled back at the two, "Razor will be the leader. And when he's in charge, I'll be on easy street."
"What?! That's why you're helping Razor?!" Mira yelped, "He's going to wipe out our entire species!"
"Oh please. I've seen how powerful Razor is. Those ponies won't stand a chance. And when he rules Equestria, I'll be his right paw jakhowl."
With that, he started firing Aura Blast after Aura Blast at the pair. Ace leapt in front of Mira and used his staff to deflect them as Mira took a deep breath. She remembered what Mirage had taught him, the yellow jakhowl digging deep as she started to glow. Taking a few steps back, she then charged as Ace continued to deflect the orbs.
And when she was right behind him, Mira leapt straight up as the light around her flew off and split into two. Snivel saw this and gasped when he spotted a trio of Miras flying at him. He fired another Aura Blast and struck the middle one, but found it just vanished. He then shot the one to the left and it vanished, leaving only one, only for Ace to charge in with an Aura Blast, Mira making one as well.
And with a mighty roar, both slammed their attacks into Snivel in unison, the jakhowl screaming as the attacks exploded and blasted through a rock before slamming into another. He slumped over next, the two panting for a second before walking over to the knocked out jakhowl.
"Come on." Mira grabbed Snivel's right arm, "We gotta show everyone what he was doing."
"Right!" Ace replied as he grabbed the other arm.
Springer panted as he stood opposite Razor, holding his aching arm while his opponent shined a huge malicious grin. The bursts of pain had stopped, but he found he had no time to counter Razor as the other jakhowl charged at him. Springer tried to put up a shield, only for it to instantly shatter upon Razor's sword strike. Razor then swung at Springer and he staggered back, losing his balance as his opponent threw a punch right into his gut. Springer gasped at this, the air being forced out of his body.
Razor then grabbed Springer's neck, Razor lifting him up before slamming him down into the ground. Had Springer had any air in his lungs, it would have been forced all out again. Springer began to cough, only for Razor to put his knee into the jakhowl's stomach.
"It's over," Razor hissed, "You were a fool to think you could beat me. I am the future of the jakhowls, not you."
Springer gasped again, feeling the world around him go black. "You're not the future of the jakhowls," he managed to force out. "And neither am I."
"Oh?" Razor loosened his grip a little, "Then who is?"
"Nobody," Springer gasped, "No one being can become the future of an entire race." He reached up and gripped his arm, trying to pull it off his neck. "You...me...we're nothing? Dust in the wind. We're just a single step on the journey our race will take. No more important than the last step, or the step that comes after. It's only the collective steps that give our race meaning."
"Maybe," Razor tightened his grip again, "But one step is all that stands between walking into prosperity, or walking off the edge of a cliff. And I won't let us walk off that cliff."
Springer felt himself beginning to black out again, and as he stared at the growling jakhowl above him, only one idea came into his head. He then closed his eyes, and with all the focus he could, he connected his aura to all those around him. Razor and the others felt this, Razor raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing?!" Springer didn't answer and instead thrust his paw up and grabbed Razor by the temple. And before Razor could pull away, Springer's eyes shot open and revealed themselves to be glowing. The rest of the jakhowls did the same, all now being brought under the Aura-Scape's power and pulled into Razor's mind.
In the blink of an eye, Springer was inside a white void. Multiple images appeared around him, but he was only focused on one. One he hoped was on the front of Razor's mind. And sure enough, an image appeared that he passed through. In a flash, he was standing in front of the Tree of Ancients and moving closer. He then heard movement coming from within and leapt up, using his Steel Paw to dig into the tree above the entrance.
Sirius stepped outside and looked around, allowing him to carefully jump down while concealing his aura. He moved into the tree and waited out of sight as Sirius returned. As the elder did this, Springer saw a Bone Breaker form in his paw that quickly reshaped itself into the exact same shape as Flash's Celestia Gear.
And in a flash, he moved in and covered Sirius' mouth before thrusting his sword.
"You old fool." He pulled and drew the sword from his back, dissolving it as it dripped blood everywhere. Sirius fell to the ground and Springer watched himself move around the elder. "The jakhowls don't need you ruining their lives." He kneeled down in front of Sirius and took something out. A cloth. "Those ponies will destroy us unless we destroy them first. But a weakling like you would rather bow down to them and become their slave. Well, I won't let you bring our noble clan down."
Sirius coughed as blood began to fill his mouth, "Razor...don't do this."
"It's over," Razor hissed, "War is coming, and I'm gonna be the one to lead us to victory." Sirius then slumped over as Razor used the cloth to soak up as much blood as he could. After that, the scene changed to show him standing in front of Snivel. He gave him the cloth and Snivel nodded before walking out of sight.
That was all he got to see before everything around him went white and he could feel Razor fighting against him. He was suddenly ripped from the vision and returned to the real world, where Razor pulled himself away from Springer as he clutched his head.
Springer gasped for air, finally able to breathe and panting as air began to fill his lungs. As he did this, he glanced around and saw the jakhowls' eyes returning to normal. He hoped they saw what he had and slowly, they all turned to glare at Razor.
"You monster," Mirage growled in both anger and sorrow. "You took my father from me just so you could take command and trick everyone into thinking you were right!"
"I am right," Razor growled, "I'm doing what's best for the jakhowls, and once I win this kyosongsai, you will all follow me!"
"You're not winning anything!" Ace's voice suddenly called out, making them all turn to see him and Mira pulling Snivel toward the circle. "You broke the rules and had your friend here interfere!"
"Tell them!" Mira pulled Snivel's arm back, making him cry out in pain.
"Okay, okay! I admit it!" He screamed, "I was throwing aura needles into Springer's wound! Razor told me to!"
Razor let out a snarl, only for the other jakhowls to glare at him. "You have violated the laws of the kyosongsai!" Chrome exclaimed at this, "By our ancient laws, you are no longer fit to compete for the right of leadership! You are no longer fit to be part of our tribe!"
As he said this, Soul rushed over to Springer, her horn shining as she began to heal him. Springer sighed as he felt his wounds slowly close up, the jakhowl turning to smile at his charges. They grinned back as they threw Snivel to the ground while the rest of the jakhowls began to surround Razor Fang.
"Come quietly," Core growled, "You have much to answer for."
Razor's whole body shook, rage pouring off of him. "No...NO! This isn't how things were supposed to go!" They could feel him starting to build up energy. "I...I am the most powerful jakhowl! The king of our race!"
"You are anything but a king!" Clair spat, "You are a fool, and a thug. If your parents were alive, I'm sure they wouldn't even be able to look at you!" Razor's eyes went bloodshot red at this as Clair added, "Now surrender yourself."
"No," he whispered, "I'm...NOT DONE YET!" With that, his body exploded as a wave of aura flew off him, knocking everyone back. Jakhowls hit the dirt, some rolling and others slamming against the rocks. The only ones left standing were Springer and his non-jakhowl friends, Mirage, and the Elders. Twilight had put up a barrier to protect Flash, Spike and the twins while Chrome and Core had done the same with an Aura Guard. They all watched as Razor glowed and began to transform, his eyes glowing red as he entered his King Form.
"Great..." Flash sighed as the shields faded, "Like this nutjob wasn't bad enough without that."
They watched him as he began to gather more aura, only for some of the jakhowls to push themselves up and saw Razor looking ready to start hurt those around them, charging at the insane jakhowl. "Wait!" Mirage cried as some launched several Aura Blasts at him while others created Bone Breakers and Steel Paws.
Razor saw them all coming, able to sense each of their auras as they drew closer. He didn't even move as he instead unleashed another, though weaker, wave of aura. This wave caused the Aura Blasts to explode, the force of them being blasted back to those that fired them.
As some of the jakhowls were knocked back, others got through the aura wave and attacked, only for Razor to disappear. Within seconds, each of his attackers felt themselves struck in the chest, neck or stomach. They all cried out as their attacks faded as Razor returned to where he originally was and spun around.
"How strong is he?" Spike asked as Razor glared at Twilight, his eyes narrowing on her as he charged with his sword forming in paw, "Look out!"
Twilight prepared to put up a shield, but Flash was quicker. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Twilight and blocked the aura blade with his own. "You're not going...anywhere near her," Flash grunted at the impact.
"You think a pathetic pony like you can stop me?" Razor asked, only for Flash to start glowing.
"You clearly weren't paying attention when Springer showed you his memories." Flash deadpanned.
"Of course I didn't! It was nothing but lies, just like your lies over friendship!" Razor spat, the defender rolling his eyes at that.
"It's no lie. Here, let me show you the power of friendship. ARMORiZE!" Razor was suddenly blinded as Flash morphed into his Shining Guardian form, the pegasi then slammed his hoof into Razor's face before thrusting his sword, Razor quickly blocking it.
Everyone watched as Flash and Razor began to clash, both blades clanging as their bodies slightly vanished in their eye due to how fast they were moving. As this happened, Springer pushed himself back to his feet, "I gotta get in there."
"No! You haven't fully recovered," Soul instantly replied.
"It'll have to be enough." Springer groaned as blue aura coved him. "Mega Mode Power!" He transformed as he leapt at Flash and Razor, using his Steel Paw to slash at Razor's sword.
"Raaaah!" Razor roared as he blocked the attack before leaping a few feet back as Flash and Springer stood side by side. "How pathetic. Needing the help of this pony to even stand a chance against me."
"Like how you needed your little friend's help before?!" Springer responded as Razor growled. "And being able to work with someone else isn't a weakness. It's strength that those like you fail to see again and again. And like all those before you, you'll regret that mistake and every other mistake you've made."
"My only mistake was not destroying you when you first got here." Razor's body glowed as his voice got louder, "You...thinking you can come here and take my title as king! I'll kill you!"
Springer and Flash tensed up at this before the two, Mirage and even Twilight started firing at him with beam attacks. But as this happened, Razor was surrounded by a red dome of aura, which blocked all the attacks and several others thrown at him by the surrounding jakhowls. That dome then quickly began to reshape itself into his head before he floated into the air, the head growing the rest of his body beneath it.
The jakhowls screamed as they ran away from the red avatar, all fearing that they were about to be crushed beneath its feet. Some continued to fire at it, but Razor's avatar just swatted the attacks away. And once the form had completely solidified, he let out a roar before launching an Aura Force through the energy jakhowl's mouth.
"Look out!" Twilight screamed before teleporting all those around her away, the laser hitting the ground and causing it to explode. They reappeared behind the rocks and watched as the avatar started looking around, firing laser after laser from his mouth.
"What do we do?" Soul asked.
One of the lasers then hit part of the mountain, causing it to shake and rocks to break loose. They all gasped at this, some fearing Razor would cause the cave entrance to Aurarora to collapse. But Springer was more worried about his two charges, who were still near that mountain.
"Run!" Ace cried as he and Mira tried to escape the falling rocks, blasting some of them as they ran.
Snivel was right behind them, "Razor!" He called out, making the larger jakhow turn to him, "Bring me inside before I get crushed! Please, hurry!"
But the jakhowl inside the avatar just glared at him.
"Useless," he opened his avatar's mouth and charged up another Aura Force. "Not only have you never been able to access your stronger form, but you allowed actual pups to defeat you!" Snivel's eyes went wide as the laser exploded out the avatar's mouth. "BEGONE!"
Snivel screamed as he tried to run, only for the laser to explode around him, sending him flying as a cloud of dust consumed him.
Seeing him intentionally blast the mountain was the last straw. Springer got up and ran toward Razor, summoning as much power as he could. "RAAAAAAAAAAH!" He leapt into the air as an orb of aura formed around him, which then quickly reshaped itself. Razor heard his voice and spun around, only to get punched right in the avatar's face by Springer's. He staggered back as the blue energy jakhowl completed and grabbed the red one's arm.
He then pulled him away from the mountain, spinning the avatar around him until Springer had his back to the mountain. "Yeah!" Ace cheered, "Get him!"
"Beat that overgrown bully!" Mira added while the rest of the jakhowls and his friends cheered as well. The two jakhowls began trading blows, Razor slashing at Springer while Springer kept punching him.
But as he did this, Razor began to step around, not even looking as he walked about, threatening to crush any jakhowl underfoot. As this happened, Springer tried to push him away, only for Razor to notice. Laughing at this, he started attacking Springer while trying to push him above a group of jakhowls, forcing the defender to stay in place.
"So weak." Razor laughed as he opened his avatar's mouth and unleashed a blast of aura at him.
"Whoa!" Springer yelped, raising his arms as the beam struck his avatar. The force almost knocked him over, Springer doing everything he could to hold his ground.
"That's right!" Razor cackled, "Now fall! Fall into the mud like the miserable worm you are!" But before Springer could be overcome, something slammed into Razor's back. "AUGH!" His attack stopped and he almost fell over, only to spin around and see a flying Flash, "You ponies really are dumb. You actually think you can defeat me?!"
"Yup." Flash smirked as he glowed as well, "Once again, you should have been paying attention when Springer showed you everything. If you did, you'd know you're not the only one who can create an avatar." With that, he formed the sphere of energy around himself. Razor's eyes went wide as the sphere then took shape and started forming the alicorn avatar.
"Impossible! No pony can have that kind of power!" Razor exclaimed as Springer raised his avatar's paws at him before firing his own force attack. It struck Razor's avatar, knocking him forward, the red giant staggering away from the other jakhowls. Flash and Springer smirked at one another before Flash's avatar flew down, and once close enough, Springer's faded and he fell into Flash's energy field.
Phasing through the light, he joined Flash in the air above Razor. "Ready partner?"
"Anytime!" Springer cheered before they grasped paw and hoof.
Razor regained his balance and looked back at his opponents, only to see the alicorn avatar begin to transform. "What?!" He growled as the energy construct rebuilt itself into a bipedal from while jakhowl-themed armor began to form around it. Soon, the transformation was complete and the pony jakhowl fusion spread its wings and took to the air. "What the...you dare use that power with a pony?! What kind of insult is this?!"
"No insult!" Springer replied, "This is the power of two friends, working together."
Flash smirked at this, "Maybe you'd understand that if you actually had friends." The avatar flew down and formed a Bone Breaker sword as Razor got into a defensive stance and formed his own blade. The two giants swung their blades, the clash causing a powerful gust of wind that almost blew everyone away.
Many of the jakhowls at this point had run around the base of the mountain and taken refuge there, all safe from this powerful wind, but those that hadn't were forced to take shelter where they could. Ace and Mira had found a section of rock that formed a shield they could hide behind, while Twilight and the elders had put up magical barriers.
They watched as the two swords struck one another with a mighty clang, only for the hybrid avatar to pull back and fly above Razor. This caused the red and black jakhowl to stagger forward while the avatar launched a laser from its horn, hitting him in the back.
"Augh!" Razor felt the explosion, then spun around and launched his own. But Flash and Springer managed to spin through the air and dodged the attack before firing another laser. Razor blocked it with his sword as the flying avatar raised their sword and charged it with energy. That energy then flew off it when the sword was swung through the air, sending out a crescent of energy. Razor's eyes went wide as he once again blocked the attack, though the blow sent him staggering back. The flying avatar then shot down and before Razor could respond, spun around and kicked him in the head before spinning again and thrusting a hoof into the red giant's chest.
"AHHHHH!" He staggered back, hitting the dirt and causing the surrounding area to shake. He panted at the strain of all the damage he had felt his avatar take, coupled with keeping the construct in one piece. And as he did this, the flying avatar slowly floated down to the ground. "How?!" He pushed his avatar onto one knee, "How is this happening?! I'm the strongest!"
"Maybe you are," Springer replied, "But being the strongest doesn't mean you can't be beat. Especially when you're all alone." He turned to his friend, who smiled back at him. "Time and again, I've seen those weaker than the threats they face overcome them because they had others that cared for and helped them stand against that threat. No one being is invincible." He pointed his sword at him, "Let's end this...now."
Razor let out a snarl, only to glance away as he saw the mountain and spotted something that made him smile. "No." He turned back to Flash and Springer, "This isn't over yet!" He launched an Aura Force from his avatar's mouth and it struck Flash and Springer, knocking them back as Razor pushed himself to his feet.
"Stop!" Springer yelped as Razor charge at the mountain.
"What's he doing?" Heart asked, Mirage not willing to wait and find out. She fired her own Aura Force at this, only for it to simply bounce off the energy body. The other elders also launched their attacks, along with Spike and the ponies shooting at him, but Razor either didn't feel the attacks or tuned them out, too focused on his goal to stop.
And then he thrust his avatar's paws, "You're mine!" He declared as Ace and Mira saw the giant paws, both firing Aura Blasts to no effect. He then grabbed both in the energy construct.
Flash and Springer charged at this, both yelling, "STOP!" only for Razor to spin around and hold up the duo in his avatar's paw. The pair were screaming at this, both in pain as Razor let out another laugh.
"ACE/MIRA!" Heart and Soul cried as Flash and Springer came to a stop. Seeing this, Razor thrust his other paw forward, striking the hybrid avatar back.
"Let them go!" Springer roared as their avatar regained its footing, the avatar's horn preparing to unleash a beam of energy. But as it did this, Razor clutched his paw tighter, Ace and Mira's screams now increasing in volume.
"That's right," Razor cackled, "Try to blast me and I'll crush them like grapes!"
"You coward!" Flash roared as Springer stared at his charges. "Let them go and settle this like a real warrior!"
"Razor!" Mirage cried from the ground. "This isn't our way and you know it!"
"Shut up! I will not be denied anymore!" Razor stomped his foot at this, sending a wave of wind that struck Mirage and blew her back. Twilight caught her in her magic, only for both to glance back up and see Razor clench his giant aura paw, making the two scream again, "I'll do whatever it takes to annihilate anyone that tries to stop my destiny. Now don't move and accept your deserved punishment!" He started firing blast after blast from his avatar's mouth, hitting the hybrid and knocking it back. Flash and Springer tensed up at every impact, each blow pushing them back, only for cracks to form around them.
"Springer!" Mira cried as the gold and blue avatar began to break apart.
"Flash, no!" Ace yelled as Razor charged at them.
"NOW BE CRUSHED!" He punched the damaged avatar and unleashed a burst of energy from his fist, causing the humanoid energy pony to explode and send Flash and Springer flying. They cried out as they both struck the ground, slamming and rolling as Flash's armor vanished and Springer barely kept his Mega Mode on. Their friends gasped at this, only for Razor to fire another blast in front of them.
"You will stay back. You will not help them. Stand and watch what happens to anyone that tries to defy the king of the jakhowls. Stand...and watch the future of my world!"
Flash and Springer both glanced up at him at this, the two trying to get up. And as they saw the avatar began to walk over, he moaned out, "Alright," Springer sighed, "You won. Now let those two go."
"Not yet," Razor snarled, "You still have to pay for your insults to me. Coming here. Trying to steal what's rightfully mine. Calling me a coward. You will pay for them all." He pointed at him, "Kneel before me. Announce that I am the true future of the jakhowls, or I will crush these two like the insignificant pests that they are."
"You slimeball..." Flash growled.
"I'm tightening my grip," Razor smirked as he did so, Ace and Mira screaming again. And as this happened, Springer saw the pain their faces. The sight made his heart sink, his mouth beginning to move as the words formed in his throat-
"SPRINGER!" Mira's voice filled the air, making him stop. "Don't give up! Keep fighting and don't listen to this bully!"
"Yeah!" Ace added, "He's just like Shade, just a big old bully!"
Springer went wide-eyed at this, only for Razor to raise an eyebrow, "Who is Shade?" he asked, the group now seeing that Razor really hadn't paid any attention to Springer's past.
But as Razor continued to squeeze them, Ace let out a scream before saying, "Don't worry about us! Do it for the jakhowls and the rest of Equestria. Blast him! Blast him right now!"
"Ace...Mira..." Springer whispered.
Razor laughed at the pair, "HA! You stupid pups! He will surrender as long as I have you. He is weak, just like you."
Ace and Mira just glared at him. "You don't know anything!" the yellow jakhowl pup growled, her body starting to glow along with Ace. "We're not like you."
"We're a team!" Ace added as the glowing grew brighter. "No...we're more than that! We're a family! Even if we're not connected by blood, we're connected. That's what Springer taught us when he wanted us to be the next generation!"
Mira nodded, "And there's one thing we've learned about family." Then, they both yelled out in unison. "WE ALL FIGHT FOR EACH OTHER!" With that, the light exploded off of them. It started out as blue, coming from their aura, but then it changed to a shining golden light that filled the air.
"AHHHH!" Razor cried, feeling his avatar's paw burn as the light ripped through the construct. The light off the two then flew off them and curved down toward Springer. The twin energies spiraled around before slamming into Springer, making him gasp as he felt it flow through him.
Everyone gasped as Springer stood up and was completely enveloped by the light. Then, his eyes shot open as he felt new strength flow through him. The golden light began to merge with his body and form armor-like constructs around him, a helmet forming around his head, covering everything but his ears and bands. The same armor then formed around his lower arms and legs, with holes in them to allow his spikes to poke through. Finally, armor appeared around his chest and had an opening for his chest spike to stick through.
From his back had something else begin to form out. A pair of energy wings that looked like they were made of feathers, which began to beat as Springer was lifted into the air. The energy constructs remained on him and shone with an amazing light, while Springer felt more power than he had ever felt in his entire life.
Everyone else was in utter amazement. The bright light should have blinded them, but it actually made them feel better, stronger. The jakhowls that had fled around the mountain had been drawn in by this light, all just as amazed. Ace and Mira just stared at this, only to feel themselves falling.
Razor barely flinched at the sudden transformation before glaring at the pair. He attempted to grab them again, but Springer appeared in front of the avatar and threw a punch. The force struck the remaining energy paw and made it explode, knocking Razor back with a cry.
He then spun around and caught the two before practically warping down to where the others were. "Springer..." Mira looked him over, "What happened to you?" The jakhowl didn't reply, instead turning to Razor as he picked himself up. He then took to the air, flying through the sky like he had had wings his entire life.
Razor healed his avatar's hands and summoned a blade, slashing it right at Springer, only for the defender to summon a Steel Paw and slash at the sword, and to everyone's amazement, the blade shattered. "No way!" Ace gasped as Razor pulled the sword back.
"Impossible." Razor whispered as Springer formed an Aura Blast in his armored paw, which then reshaped itself into a star that he threw at Razor. The star shot through the air and Razor ducked under it, only for it spin back around and slam in his neck.
"AUGH!" Razor screamed, only to then try and punch Springer in the air. But the jakhowl vanished in a blur before several super speed streaks slashed the avatar, the armored jakhowl reappearing behind Razor and blasting him with an extra strong Aura Force. This pushed him forward, away from the mountain and everyone Springer cared about.
His friends watched from the ground, "It's like his power's been tripled!" Spike exclaimed as Razor tried to slash at Springer again, only for the defender to dodge and throw a punch into the avatar's face, knocking Razor back.
Clair stared at the sight as she thought back to her great grandmother's words, "A jakhowl who would awaken a form greater than any other jakhowl, and use it to defeat the greatest threat our race has ever faced."
The others turned to her as Mirage gasped, "Springer's the jakhowl of the prophecy?!"
Core then glanced down at the younger ones. "And you two somehow helped him awaken it. How?"
Ace and Mira blinked at the elder, only for Flash to walk over to them, "That's simple. Aura is the energy of the soul. So maybe if your soul is pure enough, something like this can happen." He smiled at the pair. "Springer was willing to risk his very life to save you two, and you were willing to do the same. That pure intention, complied with your care for each other must have awakened something."
"That's surprising poetic coming from you." Twilight commented.
Flash just shrugged, "I can use big words when I want to."
The alicorn giggled and shook her head before turning to the elders, "He's right though. It created a new more powerful aura, that Springer was able to turn into a new power."
"But if that's true, why hasn't something like this happened before?" Chrome asked as Springer stopped Razor's punch with his bare paws.
"I don't know," Flash responded, "Maybe it's something that can only happen around a special jakhowl, or maybe no jakhowl's wish to help another was pure enough. Though that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that Springer has to power to take Razor down!"
The others smiled at this, only for Cress to point at the battle, "Or does he?" They turned and saw Springer's glowing armor was starting to dim. "The power Ace and Mira gave him is starting to fade."
And as Springer avoided another slash from Razor's avatar, he could feel his strength starting to wane "I need to end this, now." He charged and summoned a golden Bone Breaker that he prepared to thrust into the avatar's chest, but Razor blocked it with his own Bone Breaker.
The giant weapon shattered, but Razor was able to grab Springer and crush him between both his energy paws. "Now I've got you!" He growled as everything except Springer's head was trapped, the armor around Springer's head now no longer glowing and starting to flicker out.
"We have to do something!" Soul cried, Flash and Heart flaring their wings, only for Mirage to walk in front of them.
"He needs our help. All of our help." She turned back to the battle and closed her eyes, trying to think the purest thoughts she could. "Springer, my father believed in you...and you were right. One jakhowl can't be the future of our race. Only when we all combine our strengths will we be able to forge the future we want." She started glowing. "Please, take my power and use it to save our kind from this monster." With that, her eyes opened and the light exploded off of her.
It shot toward Springer and Razor, hitting the avatar's hands. Springer felt this, as his armor once again solidified and started glowing, only for Razor to tighten his grip.
"She is right." Chrome added as each of the elders stepped forward and closed their eyes. "You can do this." They all began to glow at this, "We are right behind you. We trust you. So please, stop the madness before it's too late."
The light shot off of him at Springer as Core continued, "You're strong in both body and in spirit. You have the strength needed to lead us into a golden age."
"Don't give up," Cress declared, "Not yet. Our people need someone like you. So please, keep fighting."
Clair nodded. "I don't need to see the future to know you are who we need. You, who doesn't seek power, are the one that is most worthy of having it." All their lights flew off them, meeting with Core's light. They also turned golden and struck Springer, causing his armor to shine even brighter than when it had originally appeared.
Seeing this, one by one, each of the jakhowls watching began to focus. Spike and the ponies could only watch as each of them glowed and unleashed a light, all of them flying into Springer. And as each one hit him, he began to push Razor's grip back, the mad jakhowl starting to feel himself get overwhelmed.
"No!" He cried, his avatar squirming to keep its grip.
But then Springer let out a mighty roar. "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The avatar's arms exploded from the wave of energy flowing out of Springer, the defender thrusting his arms and legs out wide. The blow pushed Razor back, only to see Springer begin to fly upward, light now forming around him, "This...end...NOW!" The light then flew into Springer's paw and began to spiral around, forming a golden Aura Blast.
"No," Razor screamed as he began firing Aura Forces at Springer, only for the light surrounding him to act like a barrier, deflecting each attack. "NOOOOO!"
Springer then shot down as Razor fired another laser, only to thrust the orb forward, striking the beam and splitting it in two. "Aura...DESTROYER!" With that, the golden sphere struck the head of the avatar and unleashed a light so bright it blinded all those that saw it.
And as they were forced to close their eyes and look away, Razor's voice filled the air as he screamed in absolute agony, "AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!"