Kel sat on a chair surprisingly comfortable, despite being used to more earthen furniture back in his former country. The young mage fiddled with his thumb claws, eyes darting over to where two pegasus guards looked upon him with caution. It was four days since the lich had taken the Draconis kingdom and spread a dark ominous cloud. Its bleak features choked out Celestia's sun, casting the lands in shadow. Despite the alicorn's attempts to bring forth her light to pierce the veil, she was only rewarded with the flicker of lightning followed by the clash of thunder as though the conjourer was openingly mocking her at the futile attempt. When they arrived at the Canterlot court yard, much of the city was already in high tension. To have a feral dragon drop out of the sky suddenly sent many a denizen into a panic. Only with Celestia's appearance and Kel's quick explanation of why he was there, spared them an unpleasant end by her horn.
While the feral fed and rested, Kel was ushered into the military room where Celestia and the others waited. After hearing the events unfold from his mouth, she had him excused while she conversed with those present. He vaguely recalled a small dragoness there among them, one who was unfamiliar. The glance was brief before he was shut out completely. Now he sat and waited. Waited while the threat in his kingdom continued to grow and threaten all life on this world.
On the other side of the doors, Luna watched as Celestia glanced over the satchel containing the scrolls the mage dragon had given her. There was worry mixed with anxiety in those eyes and the lunar alicorn could feel the unease in her sister.
The sun alicorn spoke softly, "Demuria. No dragoness commanded greater respect then her. I remember in our younger years how she joked sometimes, that if anything were to be-fall her the kingdom or both, that any history of Draconis was to reside within our libraries."
Turning the fragile parchment with her magic, Celestia could only shake her head somberly,"If what the budding young mage has told is true, then Malefor has grown even more dangerous then before."
Shifting, the alicorn nodded to her guards positioned by the doors,"Send him in please."
Bowing, the armored stallions nodded leaving the small group alone. A minute later they emerged, Kel following the two. Celestia whispered to one to prepare for massive refugees and to be on full alert at all times. Once the two left, Kel found himself being stared upon by nine pairs of eyes.
"Young Kel. I know you have informed us of what has occurred. But for sake of refreshing my memory, can you please describe again what you saw Malefor did before he broke down the castle doors."
He bowed a little nervously, eyes darting to the dragoness standing among the Elements,"Y..yes. The ferals had finished putting down a molten element the lich had conjoured earlier. I could not make out what he said, but two of his cultists brought forth a prisoner. It was a dragon, not one I've seen at all."
Kel paused as the dragoness's eyes started to grow more intense. He glanced to the ailcorn princess who gently motioned with a hoof,"He was alive, but unconscious. The lich murmured something, a dead tongue not spoken by any living being, perhaps beside you. I couldn't make out the words. Only that runes appeared on the dragon captive. Then... then he started to steal his life essence and channel it into his own. When it was completed, the tattered appearance of the lich was gone, replaced by a fully renewed dragon."
The mage yelped and fell, tripping over his travel robes when Cynder tackled and pinned him to the floor,"What DID Malefor do to Spyro?!" she snarled.
"Cynder!"
She turned to see Celestia, the tone in her voice called for restraint and calmness. The dragoness backed away, though the distance was very little. Kel rose cautiously, afraid the foreign dragoness might chew his head off over this Spyro.
"Forgive Cynder's actions, Kel. Spyro is dear to her and the small dragon you described is none other then him. From what you said though is troubling indeed."
"Your highness?" Twilight asked, curious as the others looked on.
"Twilight you are well versed in the magical arts as all unicorns are. However for while there is light magic, there is another source, one much darker and more sinister. It is known as black magic and it is forbidden to be used."
The lavender mare nodded,"I remember from school sessions. There were few group sessions on black magic, but the professors and you never delved too much into it."
Celestia gave a light nod," For good reason. Those who delved in black magic were tainted by its cursed effects. There has been a few in our history, some who... stained the ground with their hunger for absolute power, ever willing to pay what ever price, so long as the results were to their satisfaction."
"How heavy a price, princess?"
The alicorn drew a glance to the dark clouds rumbling in the sky outside the windows,"A price that would grant them immortality."
The room remained silent save for the occasional buzz of Sparx's wings. Twilight shifted as she and the others allowed this to sink in before speaking up,"Are you saying that what ever Malefor has learned, he is immortal?"
Luna erupted into laughter, causing most to jerk their heads back in surprise. The moon princess silenced the sudden outburst before her demeanor became serious,"A mockery young Twilight. The spell would steal a pony, dragon griffon,any living creature's soul and have it bind itself the conjourer. The greater the life essence of the creature, the more powerful and long lasting the caster will be. But the price for the toll is... unfathomable."
Spike gulped, posing the question Twilight was about to ask,"H how bad are we talking?"
"The creature would die, the caster would be granted a prolonged life span... until his or her own natural ran out. Then they are living on borrowed time."
"Borrowed time? You mean they stole their captors watches, cause they wanted to keep time?" Pinkie asked, puzzled.
"Nay pink one. Meaning they would have to continue stealing lives from their prisoners to keep living. A mock immortality that if disrupted would result in their enevitable death. The spell does not grant them such, it only adds others essences to their own rotten bodies." Luna replied.
"How ghastly. To rob a living being of their own life just to fuel their own. Its like cutting up a perfectly made gown, adding it to a horrid mish mash patchwork and calling it fashion." Rarity responded, agast by what she had heard.
"You said it lengthens the caster's life for as long as the poor wretch they took it from. What about if they are already dead?" Cynder asked.
Celestia traded glances with Luna before both sisters could shrug,"We're not sure. The dead should remain as such and their impression either good or bad remembered by those who recall their deeds. What Kel has indicated, it has granted Malefor new life. But being from a different world such as yours, I doubt the affects of the spell would have the same result."
Tapping her gilded hoof, the sun alicorn baded every pony and dragon there to follow her. The guards opened the double doors, saluting as the alicorn sisters passed, followed by the mane six and two dragons.
"Young Kel," Celestia motioned.
The mage hurried to walk along side the ruler,"Yes?"
"You mentioned the Queen saying Malefor wanted her. Alive I presume."
He nodded,"Yes. We can only assume by your statement the soul spell is only temporary. Malefor will have used Spyro's essence to fuel his own to over throw her. Then..." he paused and clutched the outer sleeves to his robe,"Rob the Queen of hers to continue what ever it is he is planning."
They traveled down the hallway, the hoofsteps muffled by the carpeting. On occasion the windows would flicker with a flash of lightning, a low rumbling of thunder following shortly after. They reached the base of one tower then climbed the spiraling staircase until the group reached the balcony. Celestia gazed far into the distancewhere Draconis laid. The others remained silent, even Pinkie Pie despite being the most energetic and lively of the group.
"Cynder. Now would be a good time to fill us in on what Malefor is plotting. You and Spyro have dealt with him before. Surely something may come to mind that could give us a glimpse at to what he is after."
Cynder stood at Celestia's side as her eyes joined the alicorn. The dragoness kept silent as the two listened to the light breeze tugging at their wings, while the thunder continued to growl in the clouds overhead. Turning, she gazed at Kel, his words still echoing in her mind,
The earth shook and tore itself apart.... molten earth moved in its own accord... dreaded rocken golems, beasts spewing fire....the Lich calling down lightning like a weapon...
"He will continue what he once started on Avalar."
All eyes fixed on Cynder. She drew in a breath, closed her eyes and let it out slowly,"When me and Spyro awoke from a slumber, Malefor had laid claim to most of Avalar upon our awakening. When we began to thwart his attempts at total domination, he fought back with fire and ice. Summoning great golems, he threw everything in our path, but we continued to topple every creature that stood in our path. Upon seeing his defeat at claw, rather then go down peacefully, Malefor... used his powers in an attempt to tear Avalar itself apart. Only the power of the purple dragon, me and Spyro namely, we ended his tyranny."
Looking at the inhabitants of Equestria, the dragoness nodded softly,"He will again take over. Equestria, Draconis, Gryf every major faction and country will fall under his domain. If we once more try to stop him, it will most likely result in the same: Malefor will rip your world apart, rather then give it up."
"Madness." whispered Luna.
"Madness indeed Lulu. Quite unlike the chaos I prefer."
Every pony (and dragon with dragonfly) jumped at the new voice.
Celestia whirled around to find Discord lounging lazily upon a small dark cloud, its thunder and spats of lightning like that if an ill tempered dog. The draconequus was slurping orange juice through a swirly straw that was sticking out of an apple.
"What do you want Discord? Here to kick us while we're down as you would put it?" Luna scolded.
"Hardly your royal moon rump. While I find Malefor methods for turning Equestria and every other nation upside down delightful, the wee dragoness mentioning complete utter destruction just does not sit well with me. I enjoy chaos for a good laugh. This... excuse for a zombie back up bag of bones will soon come to understand just how foolish it was to play puppet with moi."
Yellow eyes were soon stared upon by regal one as Celestia bore down on him,"What game are you playing?"
"Celestia I'm hurt." he replied backing away with one hand upon his chest, visibly upset,"Come now just because we never see eye to eye," A few eyes started popping up around the alicorn,"to eye, to eye, to eye," the alicorn swatted them aside glaring as they poofed, "does not mean that I, as the only resident draconequus will sit by and allow this villian to get the last laugh on us. Equestria is my home too, you know."
The alicorn stood back and looked at her student, friends and fellow subjects,"What if I refuse your help? What if I deny your offer of help in favor of my kingdom safety?"
Discord sighed and tossed the shriveled fruit over his shoulder. A small explosion rocked the grounds beneath him, screams echoing off the walls. He ignored Celestia's eyes narrowed upon him while he picked his teeth with one fang,"Then I'll sit by and watch him suck you all dry like fruit bats in Applejack's trees. After all," he grinned and pressed face to face with the princess,
"Misery looooves company."
Celestia made a disgusted noise and pulled back,"Very well. As Twilight and the Mane six stand present, let it be decreed that Discord, the draconequus is offering his services to Equestria to overthrow Malefor's rule." She held out a hoof. Discord seemed all too pleased to shake when she spoke again,"Pinkie Pie Promise."
"Whaaaaat?" he said almost flabbergasted.
"Pinkie Pie promise that you will never pull any tricks or any stunts, nor attempt to discord any of my ponies or Twilight and her friends until Malefor has been dealt with."
The draconequus sucked in a breath. So she was going to nail him with that does she? Fine, he can play their game... for now. Ignoring Rainbow Dash's smug look of triumph, Discord shook the alicorn's gilded hoof.
"Let us make preparations before departure. Cynder will be our guide and will inform us if anything is off. We shall re-group at the castle gates within the hour."
Twilight and the Mane Six left via the unicorn's teleportation spell to prepare. The alicorn sisters followed soon after leaving just Cynder, Sparx and the draconequus on the balcony. Cynder felt uneasy around the odd creature. Something about his appearance left an uncomfortable feeling. A feeling of distrust. Discord grin never faltered even as he disappeared in a puff of pink smoke to prepare. Once alone, Cynder looked over to distance where she knew Spyro was being held. Sparx's wings buzzed as he settled on her shoulder.
"I'll get him back for the both of us, Sparx. I promise." She assured him.
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Deep in the dungeons of the Queen's castle under heavy guard and shackle lay the prone form of Spyro. His coloration had faded to a dull look and the appearance looked that if a sickly nature. Sapphire had been sent down a couple of time to give Malefor a prognosis on his well being. Each time the results were the same: A coma with no determination of when the dragon would, if ever, awake. After giving the guards the order to send for her the minute he awoke, the ambassador took to the steps at the end of the hall.
Neither of the guards checked upon the suttle twitching in the dragon's limbs. Nor hear the grunts escaping from his lips. The fanatics were so dulled by Malefor's influence their senses were almost flat. Thus those posted never saw the dark shadow pooling around Spyro's body and began to submerge the unconscious dragon.