//------------------------------// // Season 2 Shining Armor RPG: Legend of the Seven Dragon Balls // Story: Raze's Journey // by Roarin Thunder //------------------------------// ~Raze's Journey Chapter 13~ Shining Armor wiped sweat from his forehead and picked up the Dragon Ball, “This is the fourth one! Just two more and I can head back!” He exclaimed as two other ponies joined him. One pony had a map in his hooves while the other held an axe in his magical grip. The first pony with the map was Mace Flinger, he specializes in using a mace to attack his enemies. The other pony with the axe was Greato Axe, he was praised for his amazing strength and the powerful strikes of his axe. Mace looked at the map, “We're making great time! I never expected to be able to find these orange balls so quickly.” He finished as he put the map into one of his saddle bags. “I don't care about these orange balls, when do we get to fight?!” Greato questioned Shining Armor. Shining had been asked constantly about when they would go into battle and his answer was always the same, “Hopefully we'll manage to avoid any conflict before it happens.” “That's just boring, Shining you used to be a go getter! What happened?” Greato said as Shining chuckled. “Getting married to the Princess of Love happened, you'll understand when your older Greato.” Shining said as he looked back at the radar like item in his magical grasp. An orange blip signaled that the next ball was close to them. Shining looked up and saw a huge mountain. He gulped, 'And here I thought we were really close...' he thought to himself as Greato looked at it with a gleam in his eye. “This is a test of will! The other ones are nowhere near as tough as this one will be!” Greato exclaimed as he waved his axe in the air. Mace shook his head, “You two need to think about more than how big this mountain will surely be, but how many nights it will take to get to the top.” Mace finished as Shining and Greato nodded at him. “We'll all remember to be cautious and we'll get through this just like every other time!” Shining exclaimed as he turned to them, “MARCH ON!” with that, the journey up the mountain began. Mace looked around at all the creatures that watched them from a safe distance. He noticed that most of the creatures continued to try and avoid them as much as possible “What's up with these animals? Do they think we're a curse?” “They're probably just timid because nopony goes up this mountain usually.” Shining said as they continued to march. Greato smirked, “We're probably the most threatening things around here! This axe will scare anything” he finished while swinging it around, but Mace noticed that the animals didn't so much as flinch when Greato had done that. “I think they aren't nearly as scared of you as you might think.” Mace said as they continued to trudge onward. “You wanna make something of it Mace?” Greato snarled in reply. “How about you two back off each other before I get caught in the mix.” Shining said with a glare back at them. “Yes Sir!” they both said in unison as they saluted Shining in the usual manner. Shining shook his head and continued walking forward. Mace and Greato glared at each other once more before turning away and following Shining up the path. ~Two Hours Later (It was 7:53 at the beginning of the chapter) Setting Up Camp~ A tent had been set up and a fire had been started as several seats that were extremely small were pulled out of a bag and then were made larger so the three guard ponies could sit around the fire. Shining looked in the fire as it danced around the campsite. The woods seemed to echo with crickets playing a tune. The breeze blew his mane as one of his soldiers spoke up. “Hey Captain? Do you have any idea what these things do?” Mace asked as he turned over one of the orange spheres with his hoof. Shining shook his head, “The Princess wasn't clear at all when she sent me to look for them, I'm completely in the dark and I don't like it...” Shining trailed off as Greato poked the fire with a stick. “What if they're some overpowered force of nature?” Greato asked as he continued to poke the fire with great interest. “Then we would be delivering the ultimate weapon that Celestia could use to protect the entire of Equestria!” Mace said in excitement. “Or it's not a weapon and the Princess is trying to keep us away with a meaningless fetch quest” Shining said as he took the orb into his magical grasp and put it with the rest in his bag. “I was studying it!” Mace said as Shining shook his head. “You were just playing with it!” Shining retorted as Mace shook his head. “I was no-” Shining interrupted Mace. “I know what real studying looks like! My little sister did far to much as it is!” Shining said as Greato laughed. “You two act like children!” Greato chuckled as Shining fumed. “Need I remind you of your childishness with Mace earlier?” Shining asked Greato which made him shut his mouth. Mace smiled despite Shining's comment, “Childishness isn't anything to be worried about, it means that you still know how to have fun! Just like the Element of Laughter!” Shining grimaced at the thought of Pinkie as she bounced everywhere, “I'd rather keep myself a little bit more mature than that...” he trailed off as Greato summoned his axe and began to clean yet again. “Why must you constantly clean that axe off Greato?” Mace asked as Greato smirked. “For battle of course! These woods harbor dangerous foes and I wouldn't want you two to be hurt during a skirmish.” Greato said as he shined up his axe. Shining frowned at that, “Are you trying to say that you would be the only one capable of fighting off anything out here by yourself?” “Of course! Whom else would be there to save a shield and mace user?” Greato said as he thrust the axe into the air via magic. Mace looked at Greato, “A mace is a powerful weapon and this ones not ordinary! I can infuse spells with it to increase it's damage output!” Mace finished as his horn fired up and his mace became covered in what appeared to be fire. “That puny thing would never compare to my grand axe slam! This axe is reinforced with magic and is able to handle high speed swings and cut through most any object!” to prove his point, Greato sliced his axe through the air and cut straight through a tree and caused it to fall and hit the ground. Luckily the noise hadn't attracted to much attention. Greato and Mace looked at Shining expectantly, “What?” Shining asked them as they continued to stare. “It's your turn!” Mace said to Shining. “Yep, come on Shining! Show off!” Greato exclaimed as he put down his axe. “Were you two playing this whole time and not actually competing against each other?” Shining asked them as they both began to laugh. “Of course! Mace and I have hung out with most of the other ponies in the Guard! This is just what we do on some weekends!” Greato said as he chuckled. Mace smiled, “Yeah! At first I thought it was just ponies making fun of me, but I learned it was just the opposite! Most of the Guard always brag nonstop because we haven't been in to many situations where battle is necessary.” finished Mace as Shining facehoofed. “How do you two function?” Shining asked them. Greato answered, “Hey! We're just like any other pony, we pay our taxes one hoof at a time!” Shining felt his mind break a little, “I'm going to end up drowning you both before the end of this aren't I?” “You might go insane, but there's a high probability that you won't” Mace said as he chuckled now. Shining shook off his confusion, “Well, I'm going to turn in for the night. Make sure this fire get's put out!” with that, Shining disappeared into the large tent. Mace looked at Greato, “Now what?” “I'll take up watch and you can go to sleep if you want.” Greato said to Mace. “I'm sleeping outside tonight and you can quote me on that.” Mace said as he took out a small bag out of the larger bag they carried and then he activated his horn. In seconds the little bag became a big sleeping bag. “That miniaturization spell works wonders for light packages!” Mace said as he opened it up and got inside. He closed it with his magic and said “Night!” Greato shook his head, “Night.” Then he began to watch... and watch.... then he watched some more. ~Inside the Tent~ Shining had taken the bag containing the orange spheres into his tent and had laid it down beside where he slept. The bag had begun to tip over and as soon as it touched the ground, one of the balls rolled out and tapped Shining on his head. Suddenly his dream of returning to his wife turned into a dark storm, “Wha?! What happened?!” Shining questioned as lightning struck down in front of him. Shining flinched and fell back as golden arks of intense energy flashed outward and began to fill the skies with darkness all around Shining Armor. The shimmering arks of light spread outwards through the clouds as it came to an end in front of Shining. The light began to burn into a fiery aura as a green form came into shape. 'What is that thing?' was all Shining could think as he found red piercing eyes staring at himself. “Hmmm... Who are you supposed to be little pony?” asked the creature that floated above Shining Armor. Shining felt his mouth moving and the words seemed to tumble out, “Umm... I'm Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard.” he finished as the creature moved closer. Upon closer inspection it looked like a dragon. “Shining Armor... You sound like something from a princess's fairytale” The Dragon said as he inspected Shining. Shining had no idea how to react to that comment, 'He's a big overgrown Dragon and I'm a little Unicorn...' he finished that thought quickly as the Dragon put one of it's big claws to it's chin. “Okay then...” Shining said as the Dragon looked at him once more. “You have an impressive amount of achievements, I just took a look into your past and it's filled with Hydras, Griffons, and Dragons! All slayed by you and your little group.” Shining stepped back as his thoughts turned darker, 'I've offended him! And that means I have to get away from here!' Shining finished his thoughts and began to run away while stuck in motion 'I CAN'T RUN AWAY!' “I know what you're thinking, you think I'm offended by you killing off the dragons! I'm afraid that your fear is baseless, I know none of the dragons of your world nor have I any desire to save the ones whom should suffer for their crimes against you ponies. I do wish to speak with you if you want to stop running for five minutes.” The Dragon said down to the pony whom had recently been cowering in his wake. Shining now looked up at the Dragon in mild curiosity, “Talk about what?” he asked the creature above him. “A threat that has been forgotten, I looked into the past of this world and it seems that Celestia has forgotten this human and he shall-” The Dragon was interrupted by loud thunderous blasts. “Shining! Something is interrupting and taking over my power over this sacred area! You must get out!” The Dragon roared over the blasting sounds as Shining faded from existence in a huge white light. ~Waking World~ “WAKE UP!” yelled an alarmed Greato Axe. Shining jumped up and quickly trotted out to see Greato Axe staring down a group of Gryffons. He noticed Shining immediately, “It's about time one of you woke up, I was beginning to have a little trouble with these four Gryphons here!” The Gryphons stared angrily at the now awoken Shining Armor. “You brought more ponies onto our territory?!” the first Gryphon said to the others. “Yeah, who do you think you are?!” a second Gryphon. “I'm the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor!” Shining Armor exclaimed to the Gryphons. “And I'm Greato Axe! What about all of you?!” Greato said while pointing his hoof at the Gryphons. “We're the Gryphons who rule this area! I am Saber!” Saber said as he pointed to his other gryphon friends. “The second Gryphon here is Gex, the third is Sly, and the fourth is Fen” Saber said as the other Gryphons smirked at the ponies. “Now that we've got the formalities out of the way, which of you wishes to die first?” Saber asked as a gust blew up and whipped the trees with a bit of force. “Nobody has to die today Saber! Just leave and we'll pretend this never happened.” Shining said to the Gryphon. Saber pondered this for second, but before he could say anything, the fourth Gryphon mentioned roared “I will not wait for this a moment longer! Die Pony!” Fen finished as he charged at Shining Armor. Fen met with a shield instead of any part of the Prince that stood before him. Then an axe was slammed violently through Fen's back instantly cutting off the lower portion of the Gryphon's body. “I don't take kindly some creature messing with my mate here and that goes for the rest of you!” Greato said as he swung his axe threateningly at the other three Gryphons who were still on their talons. Mace came out of his tent and noticed the already dieing Gryphon on the ground, “Greato, you sure do know how to make a point. Now we'll have to clean this up when we're done...” he said as he used his magic to pull out his mace. Shining Armor summoned his magic which created a blade of ethereal energy, “Attack on my mark.” he commanded as the Gryphons crouched at the armed ponies. The group of ponies stood on one side while the three remaining Gryphons stood on the other side. They stared each other down as the wind rustled the trees around themselves. “Now!” Shining yelled as he galloped towards Saber. Shining swung his magical blade into the air and then downward as Saber moved swiftly to one side. Shining change it's direction in midair and made the magical blade go to the right as Saber ducked in the nick of time. Saber smirked and then flew forward and cut Shining on the side of his left shoulder, “Errgghh!” Shining groaned as he swung the blade around where he guessed Saber was coming around for another attack. Saber hadn't expected Shining to react quickly and he tried to dodge the ethereal blade, but it caught him on his back left leg, “Damn Pony!” It cut into his skin and into the flesh drawing a healthy amount of blood from Saber. The attack had slowed down Saber and Shining jumped at the chance to strike at his enemy. Saber, however got up quickly and moved away from the blade and back flipped over the charging Shining Armor. Saber then moved forward to jump Shining from behind. Shining noticed Saber moving in to attack and then did the only thing he could think of. He dug his front hooves into the ground and then went forward lifting his back hooves into the air. Then Shining bucked Saber as hard as he possibly could which caused the Gryphon to smash into a tree and then slide down it slowly before hitting the ground with a thud. 'That should take care of him for now.' Shining thought as he went off to help Mace whom was dodging talons in a frenzied fashion. ~Jump Cut to Greato Axe~ Gex flew into the air and disappeared behind a cloud. Greato looked around as the Gryphon flew down and struck Greato on his side with it's talons and then flew right back up. Greato's blood dripped down from where Gex had slashed at him, 'He's already got me... He's able to fly down and gain speed while all I can do is sit and wait. What am I going to do?!' he thought to himself as he heard the wind begin to pick up. Gex came down and flashed out his talons as he closed in on Greato, “Not today!” Greato yelled as he swung his axe into the air while summoning fire around the axe. Gex dodged it gracefully and slashed down his other side. Gex then landed and smirked, “Looks like you're not quite as challenging as I thought you would be considering the strength you seem to exude!” he finished with a laugh. 'This ones the smartest of the bunch, what am I going to do?' Greato asked himself as the Gryphon stepped forward. “You will just be another kill for me, It's time to end this!” Gex lurched forward and struck openly while making sure to stay away from the axe. Greato dodged away from Gex and sidestepped him yet again as the Gryphon charged into where he had been previously, “Stop moving around little pony! I promise that if you do this will end quite fast.” Gex said as it pounced yet again. Greato summoned flames from his horn and at the same time made his axe slash downward in an ark towards Gex, “You're trying this again?!” Gex quickly got out of the way of the incoming attacks and then rolled to add more distance. Then Gex sped forward and was able to get a hold of Greato's horn. Gex gripped it and suddenly the axe stopped in midair, then it fell to the ground. “You're a one trick pony it seems, but It looks like it's all over from here!” Gex grabbed Greato and slammed him into the ground “See?! I knew it was only a matter of ti-” CRACK! Gex fell over as Mace Flinger looked on at the damage he had done. His mace floated back onto his belt and he watched as blood seeped out of the wound he had made, “I was getting sick of his voice, you alright Greato?” “Uhh... Yeah, I'm alright! Just a little dazed...” Greato said as he picked himself up off the ground. Greato looked around and noticed the third Gryphon was missing. “Where's that other Gryphon at?” Greato asked as he continued to look around. “You mean Sly? He fled as soon he saw Saber be defeated by Shining. I'll admit that I expected more from them, but we have two that are still alive!” Mace said as Shining joined them. “Shining, how was your first tasted of action since the wedding?” asked Greato as Shining smiled. “It was refreshing! I haven't had any action... since my.... wedding....” Shining finished as he started to realize how wrong that sounded. Greato and Mace burst into laughter at Shining's expense. “I assume you had relations with that bug queen and Cadenza afterward, which one was better?” Greato asked as Shining's face grew red as tomato. “I- I- Ah? Do- This is stupid! I'm getting some water!” said Shining as he trotted away while Greato and Mace stifled their laughter. Greato had stopped first, “We should tie up these two Gryphons and then dispose of the deceased one.” He pulled out some rope and tied up the Gryphon that had almost killed himself. Mace went to the one that was currently slumped against the tree and then pulled out some rope from his pack. He made sure to tie up the Gryphon and then used his magic to pick up the Gryphon and then towed him to camp alongside Greato whom carried the other Gryphon. ~Camp~ Shining Armor drank water from a canteen that he had left at camp as Mace and Greato trotted in with Gryphons on their backs, “We'll drop them off right here and- Oh! Looks like you've woken up Saber, don't try anything funny.” The Gryphon in question grumbled as he tried to break out of the rope that held fast against his constant movement. The other Gryphon that had been smashed in the skull by Mace hadn't woken up yet. He lay dazed on the ground and jerked only slightly. “I doubt that one Mace got is going to wake up, what are we going to do with him?” Greato asked Shining. “We'll have no choice but to dispose of him too.” Shining said as he looked at Saber “We'll have to ask Saber about the area around here, I'm sure he'll know something more that we'll have to look out for.” Shining finished with a look in Saber's direction. Saber gave him a glare in return and turned away with a growl. “We'll give Saber some time to cool down and then we'll talk.” Shining said as Mace and Greato saluted him. Shining saluted them both back and then went inside his tent. ~End of First Night~ ~Meanwhile in another dimension....~ Raze was smacked into the ground by a large object and hit hard into the ground. Raze grumbled as he rubbed his head, “Damn thing...” he finished as Discord popped up in front of him. “That looked like it hurt!” Discord said in a sarcastic way. “It did!” Raze exclaimed back to Discord. “I didn't feel anything.” Discord said as he popped out of existence. “DISCORD!” yelled Raze as the screen fades to black. ~The End~