//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: Magical Terror! // Story: Road to the End // by JusSonic //------------------------------// Chapter 12: Magical Terror! In a part of the Everfree forest, a dark elf was in pain as 7 others are dead by a cyborg. The place was torn a little and there;' blood everywhere. It then thrown a dark elf that Omega just killed it with his owns blade. The cyborg looks at the last elf and it moves to him with a blade that came from its hoof. The elf says in fear, "What…are you…" "I am your end, servant of Grimmore." Omega booms a bit. The elf watches in fear as Omega then raise the blade and then the screen goes black. It then flashes red from the slash sound. --------------- Bai Tza informed both Tso Lan and Shendu about their mission. The female Demon bows in regret as she said, "Forgive us, brother. We were so close in achieving our goal. Unfortunately, their luck somehow returned to Twilight and her family." Tso Lan waves this off, saying, "It matters not. Both Hsi Wu's and your cunning and sly plans were effective, were they not? I might use it against them later; not only driving Nightmare Moon anger, hate and rage to released her full form of darkness but more." "Agree, Tso Lan." Shendu said in agreement. "So what's next? As far as we're concerned, we've lost four pets to Twilight and her family, three dead pets and left one." Hsi Wu points out to his siblings in concern. Already the Demon Lords has lost Mahitos, Egola, Undine and the Flying Leo to the heroes, the Swarm, Hydra and now Lamia are now dead. Only one pet or a few remains. "Not to mention we had lost most of our servants, including Shendu's former ones: Tadaka and Lorcan." Xiao Fung said, counting down the servants that the Demon Lords has lost. "Our remaining servants are three." "What do you propose to do?" Dai Gui ask, wondering what move will be left to do. Tchang Zu thought of something as he suggests, "With your permission, Tso Lan, both my servant and pets will finish the job." Po Kong nods as she comments, "I see, Tchang Zu. With all of them together, they will finish the job, am I right?" "Precisely." "Very well; are you certain that this servant is willing to serve us?" Tso Lan ask Tchang Zu curiously, wondering about the trustworthiness of the final servant. Tchang Zu chuckle as he explains, "I am certain, older brother. After all, it was I who offer him sanctuary. I who spare his life; I who entrusted him my pets; He is my servant." Shendu scoff as he scowls, "He'd better hope not to betray us." "Then, I shall remind him again, and again of who is the one saved his life." Tchang Zu opens the portal. A black figure awaits his order. "My servant, it is time for you to rise your magic. Do what you can to finish Twilight and her family. And Remember, bring Nightmare Moon and Ben Mare alive." The black figure nods his head, just before the portal closed. Hsi Wu groans in suspicion, "I don't trust him. He's kinda reminds me of that sly old pony." Xiao Fung nods as he remarks, "I couldn't agree more." "Indeed. But we have are left with no choice, my brethren, but to rely on him." Shendu said, knowing that the Demon Lords has fewer options left at this point. "Though we are determined to fulfill our objective, Tso Lan and I had planned another to do such a thing before our confrontation." "What would that be?" Tchang Zu asks Shendu, wondering who he's preferring to. Tso Lan smirks as he answers, "You'll soon find out. When the time comes to our last servant, the interesting parts shall emerge." --------------- Back in Ponyville, the Apple Family, Mane Four and the Cutie Mark Crusaders continued their search on finding more food, hopefully both food and tasteful for Ponyville. Apple Bloom looked around her surroundings, just before she sighed. Apple Bloom heads to the barn. Applejack's dog Winona spot and follow Apple Bloom. Applejack continues to search more foods, along with her family. Suddenly, she heard sobbing. Applejack turns and found Winona who is looking at something. Applejack heads to the barn and found Apple Bloom who is crying behind the hays. Applejack approach Apple Bloom from behind, asking in concern, "Apple Bloom?" Apple Bloom startled saw her sister, speaking quickly, "Oh, Applejack? Sorry about 'dat. Ah'll be right back 'ta work." Applejack put her hoof on Apple Bloom from going. Something's wrong and the big sister must know what it is. "Apple Bloom, yew still missed Nyx?" Apple Bloom nods while sobbing, "Yeah. It's been six days an' still no sign o' her an' 'de others coming home. Ah'm getting worried, Applejack. Do yew thinks they're coming back?" Applejack sigh, "'Ta be very honest, Apple Bloom, Ah don't know. But Ah can only hope 'dat they can come home soon." The Earth pony sobs a bit. She is worried, missing Twilight big time. "Yew missed Twilight?" "Eeyup." Apple Bloom sigh while saying, "Ah wish we could be brave like them, but we're not. We're hopeless." Applejack sighs while saying, "Ah know. But we're not, Apple Bloom." Apple Bloom looked shocked at the comment. "Even though we didn't go wit' them 'ta 'de End of Equestria, Ah know one thing, we can't lose faith. We always had one fer them 'ta come an' save our home, no matter what. Ah'm not gonna give up on 'dat hope." Apple Bloom smiles and sobbed, "Me too, sis." Applejack and Apple Bloom sob while hugging each other. Big Mac, Granny Smith, the Mane Four and the other CMC came in. They notice the two sisters sobbing while hugging each other, making them concerned. Granny Smith was the first to speak up, "Everything alright?" Apple Bloom nods a bit, smiling sadly as she said, "Yeah, Granny. We're okay." "Don't worry, Apple Bloom. We're not giving up our hope and faith on our friends, and of course Tough as well." Big Mac nods while saying, "Eeyup." Sweetie Belle asks Rarity hopefully, "Rarity, do you think we would ever see our friends again?" Scootaloo nods as she adds, "It's never been the same without any of them. They're the coolest, awesomeness and best pals we ever had since Twilight and Spike move to Ponyville. Aren't they, Rainbow?" Rarity pauses and said truthfully, "I don't know, Sweetie Belle. But I'm not going to lose my faith on Twilight. Are you going to lose that?" Sweetie Belle shakes her head, saying with a smile, "Of course not, Rarity. I'd always believe in them, and Nyx." Rainbow remarked in determination, "Me too, Rarity and Scootaloo. Listen, it's hard to see our best pals go, but it doesn't mean that we're going to give up. Got it, squirt?" Scootaloo giggles, "You said it." Fluttershy smiles while saying, "Let's hope and pray for Twilight and her family's safely return home." Pinkie bounces up and down, saying eagerly, "And when they do, we're so gonna celebrate the best party ever in our whole life! Yippee!" Dinky comments, "I hope Nyx and her family are fine in their journey." Twist said with a nod, "Yeah, me too, Dinky." Babs speaks up, "We'd better do our best, ya'll. If we're counting on our pals for coming home, then I bet they're counting on us to stand strong." "You said it, Babs." Pipsqueak said. He notices something outside. "What's that?" Pipsqueak approach a box that he saw outside the barn, along with his friends, the Mane Five, Granny Smith and Big Mac. They open the box and gasp in shock and surprise upon seeing the contents inside. "Applejack; is 'dat -" Apple Bloom begins to ask in hope. "Oh mah herd; its pictures o' all o' us: adventures, parties, games an' anything we do." Applejack said in amazement. Everyone took the photo frames out. They saw their photos of all of them including Twilight and her family smiling. "Ah don't know what 'ta said." Rainbow smiles at her own picture, saying, "I do. It kinda helps me cool down." "Me too, Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said, agreeing with her unofficial big sister. "Seeing this picture is giving me hope and faith." Rarity sighs while looking at a picture of her with a smile. "I feel better too, Rarity." Sweetie Belle said, giggling in happiness upon seeing better. These pictures are enough to keep the filly unicorn going. Fluttershy ask her friends, "Do you think we can survive this situation?" "No worries. We can do this. Nothing is impossible when you had faith on our best pals." Pinkie assures her friends with a smile. "Fer a random pony, yer're right about one thing." Applejack said with a smile to Pinkie. "We can do this when we had faith in our best friends." Rarity nods in agreement while saying, "Absolutely." As long as the group has faith in their friends, that's enough to keep the ponies going no matter what. "Let's do this together." Rainbow said while holding a hoof up in determination. "Eeyup," Big Mac said in his usual line of agreement. All CMC members cheers eagerly, "Yeah!" Granny Smith ponders a bit, " I wonder who gave this box to us? More importantly, how does anypony know that?" Behind the barn, Dragon Kick and Jade smiled at the scene. The filly spoke, "You know, I kinda feel bad for not helping Applejack and her friends around. I know we can't, but it's so not fair." Dragon Kick said to Jade in comfort, "I'm sure the photos will boost their faith and morale. With that, the Mane Five and all the ponies in Ponyville can't give up." "I guess. I hope Tao can make the journey end soon." "I hope so too." "Excuse me." A voice spoke to the Mane Five's group. They turn to see a stallion unicorn with a filly nearby. "My name is Joey Dice and this is my sister Karma. Any chance you can direct us to the train station? We're planning on taking the next train to Las Pegasus." "Sure." Applejack said as she gave the directions to the newcomers. "Thank you...say, do any of you know an Alicorn named Twilight Sparkle correct?" The group gasps in surprise and hope. Sweetie spoke, "You mean, you met her?!" "Yeah, she is the one who reunited me with my brother and help me with my luck." Karma giggles a bit. She explains the latest adventure in the End of Equestria as well as how she got her cutie mark and the reunion with Joey Dice. "Wow. That is awesome...using bad luck against the bad guys." Scootaloo remarks with a smile. "Yeah; I'm glad that Twilight was able to help me...otherwise, I would still be feeling bad about being a jinx." "Shucks, there ain't a thing like 'dat. Just as long as yew believed in yerself," Apple Bloom assures Karma. Then the filly got a thought. "Say, Karma...Ah know yew just got yer Cutie Mark...but how would yew like 'ta join 'de Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Pipsqueak smiles as he suggests, "Yeah! You can make a Las Pegasus branch and help ponies look for their cutie marks!" "Really; that means...I could make more friends?" Karma asks the CMC hopefully. "Sure!" All the CMC exclaims in agreement. "Joey?" "Sure, why not? The more friends you get, the better!" Joey chuckles to his sister, patting her on the head. Karma squeals a bit as she jumps up and down. Apple Bloom grins while saying, "Come on. We can make yew a cape of yer own, give yew yer coronation an' other stuff." "As long as it isn't like the time I got into your group." Babs chuckles while cringing. "Man, what a nightmare that was." Applejack smiles a bit while shaking her head. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just got a new member and a new branch to boot. ----------------------- Pinkamena was reading a book as Golden Heart was done talking with Jack Zen. The Alicorn says, "Well sister Jack told me that the ponies are still fighting the hunger but time is short." "I see. Well once more the gang has beaten more harder tasks and are almost done in their quest." Pinkamena said to Golden Heart. "And Omega should be coming right now with his task done." As on cue Omega came through the window with the head of a dark elf. It places the thing next to Pinkamena and Omega says as Pinkamena was smiling spooky like, "My task is done and the enemy is purged and I got you a head of one of them. I also removed any trace of a battle so not one of Grimmore's forces might find it." "Well done Omega, now go on standby until I can think of any other task." Omega nods and heads to a place and goes on standby. Golden Heart says as Pinkamena places the head at her table desk, "Well seems like he has done the task and you were right about the other forces of Grimmore being here." Pinkamena nods as she said, "Indeed but for now, "I will let you know if anything new happens." "Ok." ------------------ The journey continues on but Twilight and her friends took a break in the middle of the dark forests. Spike shudders while commenting, "You know, these forests are kinda scarier than the Everfree Forest." "I know. I can only hope that there isn't any sneak attack or surprises when it comes to this place." Twilight said in concern. The last thing that she needs is for her group is to be attacked right now. "Speaking of surprises, we should be expecting somepony." Ben said, looking up as if expecting somepony to show up right about now. Nyx blinks as she asks her father, "What do you mean?" "I'm not gonna like this." Phobos remarks, frowning as he hates the sound of what Ben just said. "So who is 'dis somepony we're expect-" Tough was about to begin. Suddenly he heard his banjo being played. He turns and look at his banjo which is still in the same place, "What in tarnation?! Who played mah Joe?!" Bocolix looks at Tough as if he has gone mad. The goofy Alicorn said, "That wasn't me." Dumbledore gulps, "Me neither." Phobos shakes his head while insisting, "No way I'm gonna touch that!" "If not any of us did, then who did?" Spike asks, getting a bit scared. If no one played Joe, then who did? "I did." A familiar voice spoke up. Tao remove a cloth out. Everyone got startled once this happened. "Hello." "How did you do that?! Was that magic? But how could an Earth Pony -" Twilight begins to say, a bit bewildered by what happened. "Calm down, Twilight. It's not magic. This is Trickster's Tools." "Trickster's Tools," Nyx ask Tao puzzled. Spike asks Tao in curiosity, "What's that?" The baby Dragon has never heard of such a thing until now! "I'll show you," The old pony said with a smile. Tao cover himself with the strange cloth. "Now you see me, now you don't." Tao's cloth makes him disappear, much to the amazement of the group. Everyone gasp. Bocolix looks around frantically as he ask, "What just happen?!" Tough's banjo got played again. The annoyed tough stallion scowls, "Quit it, Tao!" Tao, still invisible, chuckle, "But I'm right in front of you." Tough yelp when he turns to the front, "Somehow, yer're getting stranger than before." "And you need to calm down with your temper, sir Lord of the Tempered." Tough groan in chagrin, "Ah was hoping 'dat yew would forget 'dat." "So Tao, what's Trickster's Tools?" Ben asks Tao in amazement and curiosity. Tao removes the cloth to make himself visible before he continues, "The most famous magic trick tools ever made by Humans." Everyone ask in surprise, "Humans?" "Wait, you're not referring to Megan, are you?" Twilight ask Tao in surprise as well. Megan was one of the few human who has ever been to Equestria (formerly Ponyland) in the past. Was this trick one of the inventions that she brought over from Earth? "Why, of course. My forefathers have passed this trinket from one generation to another to have fun and amusing times." Tao explains to Twilight's group. The Alicorn looks amazed. Yet another one of the inventions introduced by the Mag'ne herself! "The strange cloth," Spike ask Tao, glancing at the cloth in general. "It's a Blending Cloth. It allows any user to blend in with any kinds of environment, and such as before. Speaking of environment, where is your little filly friend? Nyx, did you ignore my request?" "Of course not; I did exactly what you asked." Nyx explains to Tao with a smile. "In fact, Karma was very happy than before." "I would like to hear your tale of Karma." Tao requests to the group. Twilight and her friends explain to him about Karma and Joey Dice. The old pony pretends to be surprised as he spoke, "Oh my. That is horrible. Through the painful experience of bad luck, you managed to turn the tide. Well done. That rash gambler sure took a big yet reckless risk to seek and save his sister in the End of Equestria. My. He's such a good brother." "Indeed, Tao, he really is." Twilight sighs. Joey Dice reminds her of her own brother Shining Armor. Yeah, he can be rough sometimes (especially when he was fooled by Chrysalis posing as Cadance at the time) but the stallion cares for his sister, enough to risk his life to help her. Ben glanced at Tao's box, pointing a hoof at it as he asks, "So what else are in there, Tao?" Tao smiles as he asks the group, "Would you like to know more?" "Sure love to." Spike said then nods to Twilight. "But of course, Twilight's the real deal with magic." "Spike, don't be rude. Besides, I told you that all I could do is practice." Twilight said, scolding her adopted little brother for being rude to Tao. Tao smile as he said, "That is true, Twilight. But of course, Spike's right. You're the real deal. I'm not planning to have competition, but to have fun." Tao place his top hat that he took out on the box. The stallion waves his hoof around then put it in to grab something. He pulled out: a rabbit. Bocolix, Dumbledore, Spike and Phobos said in amazement, "Cool." Tao took some cards out. He shuffled them for a few turns before he place them in front of Nyx. "Pick the card, any card, Nyx." Tao requested. Nyx took a card out. She looks at it for a while before the filly put it back. Tao shuffle for few times before he took the card out. He placed it in front of her. The card revealed to be a red heart. "Is this your card?" Nyx gasp in amazement, "Yeah. How did you do that?" "A magician never reveals his secret." "That reminds me of someone else who did that part before." Spike remarks, recalling how Trixie did some magic tricks before; and maybe Pinkie. Tao place a bottle in front of Twilight and her friends. He then places a big coin on the bottle, just before he pressed it down. The coin suddenly ends up inside the bottle. The audience gasps in amazement. They have seen some great magic tricks of sorts. Phobos asks Tao in amusement, "So how many tricks can you do? I mean no offense, but no Earth Pony could do that except Pinkie Pie." Tao smirks as he explains, "As I said before, a magician never reveals his secret. Now, I must continue." Tao place five hats in front of his friends. He took out an orange ping-pong ball and places it on the middle hat, just before Tao move them around. Twilight and her friends continue to stare and look to find the ball. Tao stop his moving. "So which hat possesses the ball?" Tao ask the group. Ben looks at the hats closely, just before he pointed to the far left one. "Whoops; Wrong hat." Tao took the hat out from the middle and reveal the ball. Everyone gasp with Ben saying, "I did not expect that." "No way," Bocolix exclaims in amazement. "It can't be! Can it? Please, you've gotta tell us! How did you do it," Dumbledore insists to Tao anxiously. "Told you once, I'll tell you twice: never reveals his secret." Tao explains to the Alicorns in amusement. These two are anxious to know the secret big time. "So, as a magician, they're not supposed to reveal secrets? Why?" Twilight ask Tao puzzled. Why is it that magicians never reveals their secrets at all? "Some desired to keep their techniques to themselves for gain and selfish desires. Others fear that some ponies would never understand or are ready for the path that they faced. Mostly, the magicians believed in magic and faith. That is such as you, dear Twilight; Now for my last trick. Twilight, will you be my volunteer?" "Okay." The Alicorn princess said, willing to try anything. A bit later, Twilight is inside a rectangle box. "So, why am I in this box?" Tao took a saw out. Everyone gasp in worry. Spike yelped, "You seriously going to do it?!" "You're crazy than weird!" Phobos exclaims frantically. Tao could end up killing Twilight, even if she's an Alicorn now! "Are you sure I'm going to be fine?" Twilight ask Tao in worry. This box appears to be magic proof so she couldn't teleport out should the worst come. Nyx hides behind Ben while gulping in fear, "I don't like this." "No offense, Tao. Are you sure that's good idea?" Ben asks Tao, concerned for Twilight. "Do you believe in magic?" Tao ask making Ben nod. "Good, watch and be amazed, my dear friends." Tao start sawing the box slowly. Twilight close her eyes to be prepared for the worst while others watch especially Ben and Nyx. After the saw, Tao open the box in half. Everyone was in shock, including Twilight. Bocolix and Dumbledore fainted. Tough, Spike and Phobos open their mouths in widen amazement. "I think I'm going to be sick!" Spike groans, feeling like throwing up at any given moment by what he just seen. "Me too," Phobos remarked, turning almost green as well. "Mommy; Are you alright?" Nyx ask Twilight in worry. Twilight blinks as she answers, "Well, I don't feel any pain, at all. It's kinda weird." Everyone but Twilight and Tao ask in amazement, "Seriously?" No pain, none at all? "How can that be? Tao, can you explain?" Ben asks Tao in amazement. Twilight is all right, not hurt at all? Tao smile as he said, "Of course; And now for the revealing part." Tao approach Twilight's top part. He hit the box making it open its own front. The top part reveals Twilight's whole body inside the front box. Everyone was shocked but amazed. Bocolix and Dumbledore, who recovered, gasp at this sight, "No way!" Tough remarks in awe, "'Dat is some trick." "I'm glad that it's not real." Spike sighs a bit. The princesses and his family would kill him if anything were to happen to Twilight. "Me too," Phobos said in agreement. Twilight came out of the box, safe and sound. "I'm glad to see you're alright." The Alicorn said as Nyx nuzzle Twilight's leg while she nuzzles her daughter's head. "That was shocking but amazing. I thought I would be killed by the saw." Twilight said, relieved to still be alive after this display. "Yeah, that's amazing. But be glad that I didn't want to lose my temper." Ben said sternly then spoke to Tao softly, "No offense, Tao." "None taken my dear boy." Tao assures Ben with a light chuckle. "I wasn't expecting somepony to understand my tricks. After all, like I said, everypony, a magician never reveals his secrets." "Even so, I'd say that's a great trick, Tao." Nyx squeaks in delight. Tao must be an expert magician in this. "Yeah, but promise me not to perform the 'death' trick." Spike said with a shudder, preferring to the saw one. Tao smirks as he remarks, "No promises can be made, Spike." "That's amazing, Tao. I wish I could understand your secrets." Twilight said to Tao. The Alicorn is anxious to know how those tricks that Tao pulled was done. "You'll soon find out, my dear. Oh, one more thing: despite not knowing a magician's secret, there's one thing you could do to him, using his trick against him." "What's that supposed to be mean, Tao?" Ben asks Tao puzzled, not sure what his friend meant at first. "I'm sure you'll find out soon, my dear boy. Now for my final trick," Tao waves his stick around his head, "Alakazam!" Tao hits his head with his black magic stick. A puff of smoke appear, Tao disappear in it. Everyone gasp to see this grand finale! Amazing! "He's gone. Again," Phobos said in amazement. "I was hoping to see more of his tricks." Spike said with a pouty look on his face. Tao's tricks were awesome too. "Well, as long he doesn't play mah Joe again, oh he's gonna be sorry fer 'dat." Tough remarked while fuming. The gang waits in case Tao is sticking around again. But after a while of silence, they came to the conclusion that Tao is gone for good this time. "I was wondering if that's the trick he used to disappear?" Bocolix ask, pondering if that disappearing trick is how Tao disappeared from the group before. "Beats me," Dumbledore answers with a shrug. And soon, a familiar voice spoke of, "Defeat Magic of Darkness with tricks, free the magician and beasts from chains of Thunder." "Huh?" Twilight ask, wondering what the choice is referring to this time. "Defeat Magic of Darkness with tricks, free the magician and beasts from chains of Thunder." "Let me guess, another riddle?" Ben asks Twilight, knowing that another riddle has occurred, involving the next obstacle in the gang's path. Twilight nod as she repeats the riddle, "'Defeat Magic of Darkness with tricks, free the magician and beasts from chains of Thunder'." "Ah bet my hoof 'dat Tchang Zu is holding a poor pony or creature as his servant or prisoner." Tough said with a ponder; Kouga, after the group freed him from Dai Gui, told them about two other servants like Maha Valio and Peta. Perhaps the 'magician' is one of them. "To free him, we had to beat him like we did to Kouga." Spike said, recalling what the group did to save Kouga before. "I guess so." Phobos mumbles, knowing that freeing the next pony means fighting him roughly again. "We know the last part, but what does he mean 'Defeat Magic of Darkness with tricks'?" Nyx ask, puzzled by that part of the riddle. "I don't know. But whoever this pony is, he could be very powerful in using magic." Twilight said in concern. Tao's magic is parlor tricks; the next magician may be for real. "I bet we had to use our tricks and wits to beat him." Ben suggest with a nod. "Then, let's go. Be prepared for anything, guys. I have a feeling that these Demon Lords are not giving up yet." "Right," Everyone said as they prepare themselves for the next area and servant in line. ----------------- Within a certain part of the End of Equestria, the skies seem to swirl around, seem like a dark storm was coming. Within them clouds was rumbling, flashing, quaking noises of thunder & lightning. And at the mere center, Twilight's group was riding their cart from across some open plains with Justin pulling them while Tough was seeing them unnatural weather patterns. "Them clouds don't seem natural." Tough spoke off in seeing something begin to stir up above them. "Since when is anything in the End of Equestria 'natural' to us," Phobos spoke off in seeing that this weather is like anything else them face, unnatural to their very lives. "These things don't look like Pegasus made them, why's that Twilight?" Spike questioned the thought of seeing these clouds aren't done from pony skills and wanted to know why. "Some parts in Equestria aren't controlled by Pegasus Ponies, Spike. They help control the weather to help safe guide ponies, but anywhere else is possibly too dangerous for them to control, so they just leave it to nature." Twilight explained this logic to everyone that while the group have their skies under control with their weather usage, the Pegasus can't control natural weather creation in areas too far or dangerous for a Pegasus to reach for. "Brother, if it is nature, then where's the rain?" Dumbledore responded off in puzzlement in seeing this situation and wondered, where the rain be? "Forget that, rain and lightning don't mix well with us." Bocolix protest the idea of having their situation hard enough without extra dealings. "Wooh, but look at that up ahead!" Nyx responded to look forward with Rabbitchu, Owlowicious & Koga looking out with her at…something. At the moment, some bigger flashes of lighting, louder noises of thunder & strong vortex winds center above the skies where the gang are traveling through. The weather just went from just an average stormy section to becoming a more fearsome force than they were anticipating. "Ah was right; 'Dis Ain't Natural!" Tough shouted from the storm becoming a bit more fearsome suddenly. "Wait, I think I see something!" Ben stated from looking ahead of them to notice….a shadowy figure on a hill spot ahead of the gang. "Is that….a person?" Ben pondered off in not having good enough vision to tell with this storm coming in and ruining much of his eyes' sight. "He must be either very brave or very stupid to stay out during this storm." Phobos remarked off in seeing this weird character appear and isn't reacting to the storm happening around. "Not unless he's controlling it." Twilight issued with a raised eyebrow in having a different thought of what this person was 'truly' doing. "He is?" The Enforcers responded lost in puzzlement, who could be controlling the weather in the End of Equestria? "Why do I get the feeling we're gonna approach the trouble," Spike gulped in having a feeling they are gonna approach where trouble maybe awaiting for them to come and get some. "Cause we got no choice! Hiyaaah! Justin!" Tough Apple responded to Spike of that issue while ordering Justin to head towards the stranger ahead. "Mwruuaaghhh," Justin roared out during the storm before trying to pull the gang's cart. Now the group approach what was a tall hill spot where it wasn't steep, easy to scale, and there was some person who sits cross-legged and meditated with his hands cross and eyes shut. It was a tall humanoid male wearing a dark gray-blue cloth (the outfit maybe navy blue), gold jewel chest-plate up to his shoulders, blue blades out of his back, a top pointed dark gray-blue wizard hat with golden spike horns with two that dangle round red orbs & one red jewel from above the hat near the forehead, and from his tan skin is dark blue eyes with a red painted forehead mark, and above his cheek & above forehead are golden horns shaping like the style of a dragon's mouth; Just then, the strange figure that could almost be like a magician opened his eyes to stare at….some new presences around his field area. "So, you have come…at last." The mysterious magician spoke in focusing his serious gazes at those approaching him from below. "Alright buddy, just who would you be, the weatherman?" Phobos asked off to rudely demand whoever this guy was and what business he has in being here, and for what, to cause them trouble. "Phobos, now's not a good time to tell jokes." Nyx hushed her friend to not being starting something without getting all the facts of the situation here. "My name…is Maha Vailo." The mysterious figure spoke from looking at the travelers in stating who he is to them. "I am….a Magician, seeker of perfecting my abilities." He exclaimed himself formally in what he is and what he is doing with his station. "Maha Vailo? Ain't 'dat 'de name fro'…?" Tough spoke off a bit curious like the gang heard this name from somewhere. "What Kouga warned us about; He's one of the other servants to the Demons!" Spike yelped in pointing out, that this new guy was another servant to the Demon Lords. "You are correct; I serve Tchang Zu, the Thunder Demon." Maha Vailo spoke with a firm expression in not being wavered by the actions the others below are doing. "I was once taken to study magic by traveling, ways to perfect my own skills; only to become a prisoner to one of the Demon Sorcerers." He spoke in explaining himself of being one that walked his own path, but now has become a prisoner to serve Demons. "Wait a second here. Demon Sorcerers," Dumbledore responded a bit puzzled in hearing a different name for the eight demons they have come across so far. "I thought they were the Demon Lords!" Bocolix responded of in recalling that the eight Demons in this place went by a different name, so why this sudden issue? "They abide to any of those names." Maha Vailo issued off with a calm demeanor before going into further details, "For they are Demons that know sorcery, and are considered dangerous from Ancient China. And now as of today, many consider them, the Demon Lords for ruling over all things as the Eight Immortals of the world." This explanation has helped clear up a few things for the gang that either knew or didn't know this part of some facts. "Long ago, I came across one, I fought to my best and lost." This spell-caster explained himself of what happened to him to his present state. "So now you’re just a servant?" Ben raised an eyebrow in getting what this guy was about now. "I am a prisoner, yes. But even still, I do not let it detain of my path." Maha Vailo responded with a diligent attitude in stating he has not let his possession change his 'true' course. "Tchang Zu, the Thunder Demon, who I fought and lost to, gave me a place to serve them…" Many can now figure out, the Thunder Demon wanted this guy as his own private servant and seem to have gotten it. "Realizing my state, I decided to follow up with a fail-safe deal. I shall serve under the Demons, and until I am defeated by a stronger spell caster, wizard, magician, anyone at all, shall live with this curse that I cannot undo, no matter how powerful I am." He explained with his closed eyes in stating a sad fact, that even if the magician has become powerful in due time, he can't get out of being signed to serve Demons so easily. "That's terrible." Twilight responded in horror and sadness, this guy is a prisoner, like so many others the Demon Lords have ruined. "Indeed, serving under evil was not of my choice, but my options were little, so I made the best of it." Maha Vailo opened his eyes in answering Twilight's response of feeling sympathy for him, but he's managed to get by somehow. "And now I have been sent to face the foes that have face and defeated much enemies within this land, even the Demon Sorcerers themselves." He was slowly getting out of his sitting possession to hover himself up into a standing possession before the ponies and dragons group; his targets. "Let me see it, the strength that can fight against the powerful Demon Lords. But be warn, I have spent much time making myself much stronger and I may even surpass my old self that fell to the Demons, to be now their rival in the arts of sorcery." Maha Vailo forewarned this group to be wary, he was sent to fight, stop, and defeat this group by the Demon Lords, and he is on a level to be a much harder rival to match the Demons that he lost to. With that said, the gang quickly got out of the cart to scatter themselves around. Tough got his rifle and shotgun, just for double insurance of anything. Nyx used her magic to transform into her Battle form and was feeling ready now. Ben summoned his Master Sword in preparing for anything against this magician, even Twilight & the Enforcers brace their magical horns. Spike & Phobos were standing ready for…well, anything to happen, they guess. "Everypony, fire your attacks at once!" Twilight instructed the group in what they'll try first here. Soon everyone either used a magic spell, Dragon fire breathor rifle shots that were all unleashed to attack the opponent that stood there. But as the attacks were going after the target, he made no signs of dodging what was coming, why? "That trick won't help when I use this." Maha Vailo exclaimed in not showing any fear as he has a trick up his sleeve, "Mirror Force." He spoke forth these words while waving his left hand out forward. Suddenly to everyone's shocking surprise, a magical glass rectangle top to bottom mirror formed up that took all of the absorb attacks. And then without another second afterwards, the mirror completely shot off those that it took to be fired right back at the other side in a scattering barrage force. "Watch out, he's sprung a trap!" Ben shouted out with a worried face, their foe just pulled a stunt which the group set off. Now the gang was ducking and dodging from all flashy light beams that were impacting and destroying every single spot of ground near them. It was almost amazing to believe that was supposed to be their strongest combined effort and now it's used against them. Once that event settle down, did the group see that it was okay to come out from their cover areas…for now. "Man; that was close! We almost got knocked out by our own attacks!" Spike responded a bit shaken in what almost got the gang by their own attacks. "Don't sell yourself short yet! This guy looks like he still has other tricks to play!" Phobos issued off in feeling that this Maha Vailo guy ain't out of tricks yet. "Hey Bocolix, lets hit him with that spell!" Dumbledore spoke off towards his pal in what they can do to fight against this guy's tactics. "Right, only this time, we'll stop it before then!" Bocolix nods in getting what the Enforcers can do and what to perform to not fall for the same trick. "13 Totem Poles," The Enforcers announced off in having their thirteen totem poles pop out of the ground before splitting into sections to fire off multiple attacks. "An attack is still the same; however, there is another method to stop it." Maha Vailo spoke off in stating what he sees coming, only to prepare a method to stop the attack. "Negate Attack!" He spoke forth these words while waving his right hand out forward. Then without warning, a swirling turquoise, pink-red and dark color vortex pattern appeared with three swirl light trails flowing inside it. This spell that was cast completely took the attack of the thirteen totem pole sections that impacted Maha Vailo's area to cease their attack attempts. "Whhaaat; He stopped it!" The Enforcers yelped in seeing this move that completely left them totally shock that that stunt was stopped easily. "It appears I'll have to show you…my strength." Maha Vailo exclaimed in seeing he'll have to show what his strength in magic really is made of, "Sacred Lightning!" He holds up his hands which begins to create a storm cloud above with this next spell maneuver before suddenly, unleashing lightning magic that came down to his hands to fire it off at the targets. Now the gang ends up with quickly either evasive actions of defense or offensive stunt works. As the attack zapped over their heads to almost give a shocking feeling that would have been harmful, even if it did blow away some portion of a boulder nearby the cart. "MWRUUARRRUGHHH," Justin was suddenly acting all frighten to start riling up to start charging and bashing against random things, even almost it's passengers. "Heads up! Run-Away Bull!" Tough shouted off to the gang in seeing Justin going a little out of control here. "Nyx, you, me and Ben will try to fly around his blank sides." Twilight instructed to her family in what they can do to fight against this spell caster guy. "Right, this guy doesn't look very fast." Adult Nyx nods in hearing this, from what they can tell, Maha Vailo hasn't moved much after standing. "Yet there seems more to him that we can't figure out." Ben stated with a stern face, this guy seems like he's hiding too many secrets for them to not know what will come. The trio begins to fly off in an attack coordinated pattern when approaching their foe. Course, question remains…should the best with magic usage lead this attack while the others are left behind? "If you're going to attack me, try making sure you don't leave your companions too…vulnerable." Maha Vailo responded to the group's endeavor would not be enough, unless they can protect what helps them out, "Raigeki!" He held up his hands to the skies to prepare another spell to be unleashed here. At that moment, worry and concern filled in Twilight, Ben and Nyx's minds when they heard this claim and learn of what was to come. They could attack, but then their friends would be wiped-out by what was about to come their way without much protection from other strong magic users. "Quick, teleport to the others and cast a barrier!" Twilight instructed quickly in fearing what this opponent was gonna try out on their group of friends. Quick as they did, Twilight, Ben and Nyx got back to the others, even informed Dumbledore & Bocolix to cast a strong barrier. Next moment to happen was a large thunderbolt that smashed into the ground and was dragging around the entire spot where the heroes were positioned. Once the fierce lightning show was over, a lot of the ground was completely a wreck, if anything was hit by that spell, they be vaporized out of existence, that's some serious stuff. "How was he able to cast such a strong spell?" Ben asked off in finding that what this magician did seemed, a little extreme. "That could have destroyed any of us in one hit." Adult Nyx issued with concerns, despite Maha Vailo not liking to serve Demons, he won't be so easy to fall. "It seems it's time I try something else." Maha Vailo responded in sensing a shift in the battle time, as he magically summoned something around…..his neck around. "First, I shall reveal this; the Black Pendant." And then suddenly that appeared in a glow of light, was a necklace with purple beds and a strange golden line frame around the outskirts of a violet pendant before he worn it around the neck. And from a sudden moment, a glow came around the magician from one source, but then a second source was seen before fading, he had activated something. "Wait! Now he's showing us his jewelry, what kinda freak of an opponent shows us his bling-bling stuff?" Phobos asked off puzzled in not getting why this weird foe of theirs is showing some jewelry, who does that kinda stuff during a battle? "Hey Ben, try firing something stronger. Ah got my hoofs full trying 'ta relax Justin." Tough issued from where we see the stallion wrestling to settle their MechBull down after what happened earlier. "I got just the attack. Hey Maha Vailo," Ben responded before bringing his Master Sword to get charged and called out their opponent. "Try stopping this move! Sword Beam," With that challenged issued, Ben fired another sword crescent beam from his weapon heading for the magician. "As you wish…Spell Shattering Arrow," Maha Vailo responded before casting from a wave of his hands, to unleash….a golden arrow with light-violet tail feathers in the back, as it glowed with some pink sphere sparkles. And soon that arrow was shot off, once it came in contact with Ben's attack, the odds were…shattered. The arrow completely destroyed the Sword Beam technique when they impacted while some unseen pink spheres flew off that bypass Ben's presense from the shocking force of that collision force. "No way; He actually broke my attack!" Ben responded in almost being completely shock that that happened. "Ughh…and why do I feel a bit hurt now?" Ben held his sides in feeling some inflicted pain, something musta hit him during that time that arrow destroyed his own attack. "Because for every spell you all control, for each destroyed by this type, inflicts damage to those that brought out their spells." Maha Vailo explained what spell that he used, the Spell Shattering Arrow can inflict pain when it destroys one or many spells one target or more use out during the battle. "Now I shall use this next spell to increase my strength, but weaken little of my defense, Elf's Light." Maha Vailo issued forth in preparing to increase his strength while letting a little of his defense drop. At that moment, from waving his hands form, created what seem like a small elf fairy of light & gold, as it flew around Maha Vailo, increasing his glowing aura of strength while another glow was seen that triggered another stage from this active spell. "Let’s fry this turkey!" Phobos issued this off to Spike in what they can do to stop this opponent. "I'm with you!" Spike nods with determination in going along here. "Eat shotgun pal!" Tough shouted out to the magician with his shot gun aim, "Bang-Bang-Bang!" From the loud noises of Tough's gun and then the combine fire attacks from both Dragons were going at the magician. "With this Amulet of Ambition," Maha Vailo spoke in presenting something from within his cloth; a golden sun-star shape item with an open eye center that was crafted as an amulet, "If I battle those with a higher level, I shall gain more attack times the difference in our levels from this continuous spell." He explained the ability this object would grant him as his body was glowing from a golden light with another mix of energy as well. Then the magician performed another Sacred Lightning that completely totaled the others attacks and was going right for the attackers. "Yiiikkkesss," And that caused the Dragons and Tough to duck and dodge away as they saw that attack completely zipped pass them. "Ugh, fellas, anytime which ye save our hides; Nows a good time 'ta do it," Tough asked out towards the ones with magic to help save the day or something here. "Gladly," Ben stated forth before using his magic to fly up to prepare to strike down the opponent. "A blade for a blade," Maha Vailo responded before casting a spell around his right hand, "Miracle Sword." He spoke these words before another magical glow covered him firstly and then a second glow effect was seen. Then Maha Vailo made a sword saber appear, but one with a large size pink-red gem form cover over the thin blade. And soon Ben Mare was clashing his Master Sword against the magic blade of the magician. "Brother, is there always something to you making things appear?" Ben remarked off in saying how that this magician makes a lot of things appear look magic, was that a thing with this guy. "There is, for if we battle and if you still remain on the field at the end of where you should have taken damage." Maha Vailo was responding in stating something of what's to happen to the stallion at this moment of time. "This equip item can be used to disappear to prepare another spell." As he spoke this, he pushed himself away before his own weapon vanished at that moment. "And that is….?" Ben raised an eyebrow in not knowing what this guy was up to. "This…Thousand Knives," Maha Vailo slowly spoke which surround him that were a bunch of knives in the numbering count of a thousand as he grabbed some in his hands. There the magician fired forth the bunch of knives that were heading directly for their target. "Ben! Watch out!" Twilight cried out in seeing her love was about to face a battalion onslaught of 'killer' knives. "I got this, I hope!" Ben responded to assure his love, but sheepishly issued this last part in feeling that this might be even an extra bit for the stallion to survive this. Soon Ben was dealing with the heaviest burden he ever seen, trying to survive an onslaught stunt of a thousand knives all among to cut him up. As Ben had to be quick, he was using his sword to swing of to bat a few knives and fired a Sword Beam to help stop most. Course the stallion made sure to be evasive, especially when some knives got through to his defense and managed to land a cut or two. After a mere few minutes, Ben slowly levitated back to the group where the others saw a few minor cuts on him. "Father, are you injured?" Adult Nyx came near her father with concern in seeing this. "No, just a few scratches, but that was almost too close." Ben responded in trying to push off that it wasn't he couldn't handle, but truth be told, it was almost lights out for him. "It's time I decide to continue my advantage….by letting myself look through this." Maha Vailo spoke in bringing out another item for him to use now; a tome-book with a lock keyhole seal. "Yes, the Magic Formula shall be perfect to increase my attacks a good seven-tenfold." As he was skimming through the book to know it's contains of knowledge, his magical aura glowed more and a second glow even made it brighter were his strength, was going up. "That…doesn't make things with us feel any better." Spike spoke of in having a bad feeling that this Maha Vailo guy keeps finding ways to attack, trap them and keeps getting stronger, but was that all there was? "You said it, like this guy getting stronger each time with trinkets wasn't bad enough." Phobos groans off to feel that when this magician brings something out, they are on the edge of their life. "And now…." Maha Vailo finished looking through the book formula of magic to prepare himself, "Sacred Lightning!" He held up his hands, a storm cloud began to rumble before lightning came down and then he aim it from his hands at the group, which they dodged, but it blew off a larger batch of dry trees. During the battle, the gang suddenly begins to notice…something off; That the last few latter attacks seem stronger than they should be from their understanding. "Is it me or does every time this guy puts on or carries something, he gets stronger?" Spike asked in having a strange feeling, that their opponent keeps getting stronger each time he wears or wields something. "That must be it, those magic items & things must act to increase his power!" Twilight responded in suddenly realizing what the magician is trying to do here. "You are half correct on that assumption, however…." Maha Vailo spoke in seeing thay the group has begun to notice things, but there's more to it than that. "My true skill is for each magical object I equip with to myself, my special inner ability ends up increasing my own magical powers far higher than what others expected." From this explanation alone, it's crystal clear; Maha Vailo kept getting a secret additional strength whenever he used an object item, no wonder he was stronger than appeared. "Wait, so every time you wear something or wield it, you get double the boost effort? That's totally unfair!" Phobos complained off in suddenly realizing what was happening now, and it was a complete disadvantage to their side. "Wait, that means if we can remove that special effect of his…" Bocolix responded in suddenly getting an idea in what the gang can do to defeat this magician guy…. "We can regain a lost advantage! Let's try it out!" Dumbledore responds to his pal that if Maha Vailo can't use his special ability, he won't get any stronger. "A valiant effort, but too late," Maha Vailo responded without a change of his focus expression as he waved out his hands from his scantier to his sides. Suddenly, something shifty showed up that was a strange spacy cosmic ring that rotated around the magician. "I have cast a continuous spell: Constellar Belt." Maha Vailo responded in stating what he has just performed just now. "Now any effort of my abilities' activation cannot be negated." He explained that now no matter what the group tries, they can't stop his ability from being stopped. "Awwwhhhh…" The Enforcers moan at this, now they lost a chance for an advantage. "Then just try this!" Adult Nyx flew from above the foe with her horn charging an electric glow, "Thunder Burst!" The Battle Form Nyx announced off in lifting her head upwards for a bit. Soon Adult Nyx fired that looked like a blast wave of thunder electricity towards her target; But then something truly unexpected happen when it came near Maha Vailo. The guy waved his left hand to suddenly make, a dark violet cylinder with question marks in the mid center and diamond figures near the bottom and top and one was sitting by while another was taking Nyx's attack. "What? Is that a cylinder?" Adult Nyx asked off puzzled, what was this guy doing with her attack? "Magic Cylinder; when you declared an attack, this trap was sprung." Maha Vailo explained what he was doing at this moment when all of Nyx's attack got absorbed. "This negates the attack and allows one to inflict to my opponent equal to its attack." He explained how this trap spell works in negating enemy attacks to sending them back. Then the magic cylinder was finished before the other one turns to suddenly unleash the absorbed attack right back at the attacker; Adult Nyx. Luckily though, Ben managed to cast a strong barrier that protected his daughter, though it pushed her back from feeling how strong that force was. "Gees, I know my daughter is stronger in that form, but I never thought I defend against her own attack." Ben responded in never seeing that he do something like that soon. "Um fellas, where were we precisely?" Tough asked off a sudden question that puzzled his mind. "Why are you asking that question now?" Twilight raised an eyebrow in not following what Tough was asking now. "Cause of the area, look!" Tough issued off to say this simple answer about where they are. All around the gang, they finally took notice of the atmosphere and the land, becoming dark and red color framework around the ground work. Something about this could almost give anybody the shiver in what happened that this place changed like…like magic. "What happened to this place? It never looks a bit dark & red?" Bocolix asked off in finding this little environment way different than before. "It's like we've entered a field of fiends and they might pop out." Dumbledore spoke off in what they could see this place be home to. "Long have I performed this Field Spell as a continuous for our battle; it is known as Yami." Maha Vailo explained forth that he changed this entire field they were fighting in to something else for his advantage. "And slowly, it has turn this entire field we fight in into my advantage for a small portion of strength & defense will come to Spell-casters & fiends, while it decreases all fairy type creatures." From this explanation alone, makes one know, the opponent now has the bigger advantage here. "Oh No; Wait, we're ponies and Dragons, right?" Phobos yelped off to say, but then asked which creatures that the gang were in this place. "Yeah, but it's not good for us if he keeps getting stronger!" Spike snapped off to have the Moon Dragon realize that their situation is earning more attention at this time. "Now, to aid my needs…with the Book of Secret Arts," Maha Vailo spoke from bringing out a new book and a feather ink pen to write stuff in. "Thus increasing my offense & defense, three-fold." As he explained this, his strength grew and his secondary ability increased it as well. "Everypony listen, we have to weaken him somehow or he'll keep getting too strong for us to even defeat." Adult Nyx turned to shout this out to her friends and family about taking down this magician that keeps getting stronger. "Let’s hope we can even make it 'ta try 'dat?" Tough asked off in feeling if the group don't do something, they won't get anywhere fast enough. "Swords of Revealing Light," Maha Vailo spoke forth in waving his hands out towards….Nyx's Battle form position. At the sudden moment, something shot down that came around Adult Nyx's air-space, glowing swords of light. And once they were set in, everything around Adult Nyx…just froze, no other movement was made at this time. "Nyx," Twilight cried out in worry in seeing something happened to her child. "What happened? What did you do to her?" She sternly looked to Maha Vailo in whatever he did to Nyx that she's frozen. "I can assure you, she is unharmed, however…" Maha Vailo spoke in explaining what his efforts here are not harmful to Nyx's condition. "Continuing this battle would put her in danger and the Demons want her alive. So the spell used will keep her frozen in place….for three executive moments of us battling each other." That explanation was enough to say that Nyx will be free to move after this guy has made three moves in fighting the enemy. "Then we'll either have to stall you or beat you in three more times of either us attacking the other!" Ben declared off in how they'll try to fight this guy to help get Nyx out of that frozen state. "That won't matter, once I perform this." Maha Vailo issued before magically summoning a book in his hands, "The Spellbook of Power. I shall gain hundred-folds in strength." As he spoke from holding the glowing firry outward appearance of a book of tremendous power, Maha Vailo's magic grew far more in strength and even hiss secondary ability gave another boost to that too. "Wait, isn't that…like a 1000?" Spike yelped to ask if what this magician was gonna do was get more stronger than before. "I'm really feeling like we're facing the Superior again, only this time…this guy's a lot nicer, sorta." Phobos moans to state that this fight is like the Superior giving them trouble, except this Maha Vailo might be a nicer guy than that mysterious enemy. At the time, the battle was shifting where now the heroes were starting to see…how out-class they are against a magician with such tricks. For anytime Maha Vailo fired his attack, the power and force of it was tremendously huge that even simple barrier spells could block little to leave teleport or dodging around that. Even Spike & Phobos were having their own fair share of difficulty with this guy, their own attacks and skills to fight against Lorcan and this magician just managed to pull more surprises from the next. "It's time for you to decide what act you'll follow through." Maha Vailo issued off before he is seen preparing another magic feat. "I will hide and you must choice how to fight. Magical Hats," With that, he entered what were four large black top hats with yellow question marks and a checker's flag stripe around the bottom center. When the hats shuffled before setting themselves out, this made the gang have to figure out…which hat to attack. "He's kidding, right? He wants us 'ta find him in a bunch o' hats?" Tough asked off with a raised eyebrow in finding this act of guessing a little weird, even against an opponent that's a magician. "Clearly, he doesn't realize 'who' he's dealing with!" Twilight issued off in having her horn glow extra bright with magical focus, "Twilight Star Shower!" The mare made her familiar move rain down a bunch of shooting stars of energy around the area of the foe. "Sword Beam," Ben shouted off from having a charged sword before swinging it out. It wasn't long before all the hats were gone, not a single one was left here, "Did that get him?" Spike asked in wondering if they got their target, but… "I'm afraid not." Maha Vailo's voice spoke off from appearing a distance away from the group and from where the attack hit the four hats. "Hey no fair; you said we could choose which to attack and we attack them all!" Phobos protest in seeing that this guy cheated when they tried to figure out which hat he hid under. "I anticipated that and used the Shift spell." Maha Vailo responded in stating what he performed to avoid such a ploy. "But you should be more aware of the Trap Spells that you set off." He issued with a stern face in saying the group here has triggered something in not being careful it seems. Just then, Ben was caught by a sudden surroundings of chains coming out of nowhere to bind and tighten him in keeping him from moving. "What, what are these?" Ben struggled with the chains, but he somehow couldn't get them off of him. "Shadow Spell," Maha Vailo addressed the Trap Spell that caught the wielder of the Triforce. "You triggered it and are now caught that you can't attack while losing a seven-tenth of your strength." That explanation spoke enough that Ben felt his strength weaken all so sudden. Then around Twilight came a strange spell circle with other strange symbol patterns on the top, bottom, side to side, almost like a hexagram form. And when they enshrouded the mare in the center, she suddenly felt…unable to escape. "Ugh…what's happening to me?" Twilight struggled to see her stuck fate and was unable to know what was going on. "Spellbinding Circle," Maha Vailo addressed the next Trap Spell that has caught the new Alicorn princess here. "You also triggered this when you attacked the hats at once to activate it, now you cannot attack and can't escape being caught while also having seven-tenth of your strength decrease." From that explanation, Twilight felt her own strength beginning to fade a bit. Now with Ben and Twilight in a near submission, only a few other choices were left to use in attacking and escaping their binds….with magic. "Now's the time in where even magic shall be ineffective. Behold…" Maha Vailo spoke from opening his right hand that magically summoned a staff; it was a blue staff with a fin-butterfly wing off the top near the orb before the guy held it. "The Rod of Silence - Kay'est." He addressed the wand that he now holds within his hand. "That won't stop us, once we get out of this magic and hit you with…hugh?" Twilight and some of the others were gonna use their magic…but it never came. "Nothing happened!" This left the mare confused, what was going on around here? "As spoken, this rod is a continuous spell, negates other spell effects that target the equipped wielder." Maha Vailo explained froth that so long he holds the rod, none of the group with magic can harm him. "Boy, you really have us in your trap, don't you?" Ben responded off in seeing this Maha Vailo really have them in a tight spot. "Don't threat Ben, you's got me, Spike & Phobos 'ta back ye up," Tough spoke in saying that Ben has the others to help him if those that can't use magic are out of the job here. "Us too," The Enforcers proclaimed that they won't let this guy hurt Twilight; they gotta protect the mare or feel the angry wrath of Boris. "Unfortunately, that too is at an end." Maha Vailo responded in being ever claim as he prepares to spring…another trap for this occasion. "For now I trigger my continuous trap spell….Gravity Bind." He issued this off to lower his left hand that focus his magical power….downwards. Just then, something was appearing on the ground, green line patterns that was covering everyone and…making them feel strange. "Urrrrgh, what is this? I feel….like I've put on weight." Phobos groans to struggle in what was keeping him down, unable to get up. "This spell makes those that are stronger than a level 4 & higher caliber of creatures, unable to attack." Maha Vailo explained the power that this spell can perform when used to trap targets. "And since normal civilians cannot venture to this land, only the strongest can get through. It's sad to see that strength be turned against you." He addressed that now the strength of the others is being turn against them instead of helping out. Now the gang is truly in a pickle, they are stuck in a trap where they can't move, can't use magic, what can any does to defend? Suddenly, one creature was seen moving against Gravity Bind to stand up for its friends and it was…. "Chu…." Rabbitchu, yes, he stood forth in wanting to protect those that were its friends from harm. "Rabbitchu, hugh, guess you must've found a loop-hole to this guy unable to bind you." Spike responded with much relief; guess Maha Vailo's trap spell doesn't register the little yellow rabbit/weasel in a high enough level to be frozen in place. "It seems I shall weaken you all with this next attempt…" Maha Vailo issued off in seeing that it's time that he deliver the next attack to end the traveling group, "Diffusion Wave-Motion!" At that moment, from the rod was unleashing a shockwave of magical forces to all around, all attempting to impact it's targets. "Chhuuuu….." Rabbitchu soon stretched off its tentacles to firing a lightning surge of electricity. The little guy made a barrier wall of his tentacles with the electricity in the center. Both forces came in contact before a large explosion covered the area, everyone wondered what happened. Once the clouds cleared, Rabbitchu managed to extend its tentacles to stretch far to absorb all those scattering spell attacks, but it left the little guy very much damaged. All of the metal frames seem ready to tear off at the moment another attack like that was fired. "Uh oh; Rabbitchu's a little low on fuel!" Bocolix yelped in seeing the little mechanic was looking low on fuel. "And we're about to get another serving!" Dumbledore cried out in seeing what their foe was gonna do next, hit them again. "Now to finish you off; to destroy all of you on this field….and what I'll retrieve shall be…the remains for the Triforce within one of you. Its spell properties, I'll study over them." Maha Vailo issued off in preparing a spell to end his foes here while later shall find Ben to study his Triforce for its magic intrigue magicians like him. "Now behold the final curtain….Flash Of the Forbidden Spell!" He held his arms together before flapping them out in aiming his rod to unleash…a flash of sealed magic in fire form... "Hoooo," Suddenly, Owlowiscious is seen flying up to Maha Vailo's face to attack him. "Arff-Arff," And Koga leaps off from the owl's back to drop in on the new spell that was launched, but the cub's weight shifted it mostly. "Gaaaugh," At that moment, Maha Vailo yelped when an owl and wolf cub attacked and with the latter that kick the rod off of this magician's grip. "He dropped the staff!" Tough shouted in seeing the thing that stop magic spells from being done is out of the guy's hold "Quick, use magic to free each other and stop that attack!" Twilight instructed the group in what to do as she was starting with her own situation. Now the gang was acting fast in freeing themselves and in preparing to stop the attack Maha Vailo fired off. With luck the two pets escaped Maha Vailo, only for him to see the caught opponents escaped his traps to now have the spell casters make a powerful spell that completely stopped the Flash of the Forbidden Spell cold by turning it ice. "I did not foreseen owl & a wolf's cub interfering." Maha Vailo spoke off in being calm to state how he never expected to be attacked by little animals like these. At this moment, the spell that held Adult Nyx allowed her to be free. And now the girl was trying to figure out and recall everything that happened. "Nyx, stay there and wait for our signal!" Ben secretly spoke by a telepathic mind-link to his daughter to discuss a secret plan to finally beat their foe, "Hey Maha Vailo! How about you try a spell to really finish us off," Ben shouted out to point his sword in challenging the magician to give the next one, his all. "Yeah, if you're so powerful, why not make ugh…" Dumbledore was slowly trying to play along in trying to taunt the opponent, but didn't know what else to say. "Ugh…ugh….oh wait, I got it! A Black Hole," Bocolix was in a loss of what to say to sound intimidating, and then just blurted out what came to his mind. "A what," Tough, Phobos, & Spike responded a bit surprised that they were asking for something that could truly finish them off. "To ask for such a challenge, I shall not back down. Very well, I didn't want to perform this, but you made your choice." Maha Vailo responded a bit surprise himself to be ask this, but never the less, he responded to such a challenge. Suddenly, something began to form in the center field of where the gang was, and it was first…a dark sphere. But then that sphere began to swirl out to expand its range to form what looked like a black hole. The gang was mostly worried while they backed away on the ground or flew further up away, the gang gets sucked in by that thing's gravity and who knows where they'll end up. "The Dark Hole shall suck everything away. A pity you wanted to go out this way." Maha Vailo issued off in floating near the gang while careful not to be suck in, now once this spell sucks in the ponies and Dragons, it'll be all over. "Not us! But you," Adult Nyx came to suddenly tackle the surprised Maha Vailo in forgetting about her after his last attempt to end her friends failed from their pets. "Uuuaaghhh," Maha Vailo yelped from his decent to end up having his lower half get drawn in by the black hole spell while Adult Nyx flew away, "Noooowwughh!" Maha Vailo struggled to get himself out of this bind that would end him. "No matter how powerful an opponent maybe…" Twilight spoke with a stern expression in explaining this issue that even if opponents, foes or otherwise, they think becoming powerful is the key to everything. "They can't survive something even they would be finished with." To the mare, losing the ability to breathe or get sent in a black hole, even those that are mortal can't survive that. "Uaaugh…Huuuagh!" Maha Vailo was struggling to get himself out, one of his hands got sucked in too; this might be it. "Quick! Give us your hand!" Ben flew over with his Triforce power to offer a hoof to the magician. "Why? You've won! It's my loss!" Maha Vailo asked off confused, why would his opponents try to save him? "Not on your life!" Ben issued off that he won't let a foe's life be taken by such means. "Literally speaking'!" Tough issued off that Ben won't let an opponent's lost be the loss of his life, that ain't right. Seeing a chance, Maha Vailo took the hoof by Ben that slowly helped him escape his own demise by the powerful spell that the magician conjured up. Soon the spell of the Dark Hole slowly vanished when it was no longer being of use, giving the others a chance to sigh with relief that they won't worry about that spell no more. "Why…did you save me, when you could have let me perished and you would be victorious?" Maha Vailo asked off from getting himself together, why did one of his opponents risk to saved him? "Hay buddy, do you even hear half the stuff your saying?" Spike asked off in not believing what this magician was saying much the things from his mouth. "You're a good magician Maha Vailo, but ending a life to gain victory is no small price to pay for, even in defeat." Twilight explained this matter of their meaning to the guy that was saved by them, their opponents. "Wasn't there something else to your life besides seeking to better yourself in magic?" She asked in wanting to know, if perhaps, maybe…Maha Vailo wished to gain something else besides more ways to increase his magical abilities from his special trait with magical equipment. The magician was silent in hearing this before sighing to speak here. "I have one, wishing to know the meaning of having comrades, true friends that I've never been able to learn." Maha Vailo answered off in wishing to know what it feels like, to have friends, "Somewhere when I left my home, far from this place that's known; as the Secret Village of The Spellcasters. A place long made after many of use seek'd guidance from the Moochick society and have since developed our own society in the studying of magic." He explained something where there is a hidden village of many spell-casters like him but the village was helped made by the Moochick society to help in their development. "Wow, sounds like your one of the best bunch." Tough responded off in thinking this magician was one of the best magicians of spellcasters the gang has meant. "No, I am still a novice compared to the other Spellcaster magicians, many are young & inexperience, others are wise & very powerful." Maha Vailo spoke forth in issuing how that there are many that are either beginners to those truly powerful Mages. "I seek'd to explore and develop my abilities, until that path was stopped…" He looked away in stating what happened to him on his journey. "By the Demons," Adult Nyx spoke while reverting back into her filly form, the Demon Lords must have stopped this guy when he was exploring. "Well, that shouldn't be a problem now, remember what happens if you come to being defeated." Ben smiled in stating that if they beat Maha Vailo, then he won't serve the Demons since it was only as long as he's never defeated. "I would…be released from their service. Only in defeat and since I continued to make myself stronger…" Maha Vailo suddenly realized that since he always made himself get stronger with passing of time, it would be seen he's made it almost hard for any to free him…until now. "You lost anyway to us cause we managed to figure out how to be clever." Phobos smiled off to issue how this group managed to beat Maha Vailo hands down, before getting a slap from behind on his head, "Owww, hey!" The Moon Dragon groans from whoever hit him, but there were too many whistling innocently. "So, what are ye gonna do now?" Bocolix turned to ask what the magician will do now. "You gonna try to stop us?" Dumbledore asked in hoping this guy doesn't wanna continue their fight from earlier. "No, I admit my defeat; you've beaten me fair and square." Maha Vailo slowly began to sit up in admitting this was his defeat. "I suppose now I can leave this place, maybe return to my own home." Maha Vailo responded with some deep thought in what he'll do now. "Before I depart, I shall give you these as a reward for beating me." He issued with some compassion in his tone in wanting to award the gang that defeated him. Soon Maha Vailo waves his right hand that glowed and passes over Twilight's neck-line. And then what appeared were gray rings with one that looked like a Manta-ray with a black hole on its back with a yellow eye and the other was like a long serpent around a center red-gem in the middle. The new princess was baffled in seeing not just four items that were around her neck, but six. "These are…Guardian Rings." Twilight yelped in recognizing the new item rewards they got from Maha Vailo were of Guardians. "Correct, they are Torpedine & Gymnote, The Electric Sea Creatures. Both are Guardians that focus around lightning. I was given them by Tchang Zu, the Thunder Demon, as creatures to have them seek terror, I sought no such means." Maha Vailo nods his head in explaining what those Guardians were for Twilight's group to know their names & standings with one of the Demon Lords. "But seeing you hold four Guardians of your own, you will need much strength ahead of you." He issued with a serious face that the gang will need plenty of strength in what will lie ahead of them. "Why's that, is it because…?" Ben raised an eyebrow to almost ask the question, but was done for him already. "You are getting closer and closer to ending your quest. I know of the spell, Lifeless Growth that has affected your home, and the ingredients that you've collected." Maha Vailo nods with a deep understanding emotion of what was happening with this group as they were shocked to learn what horrible spell caused the events in Sweet Apple Acres to start in the first place. "Do take care for there lies the last few perils left unfazed. One of which is where you may come across Peta." The magician pointed down a path for the group to continue to travel by, for there they shall find other places to overcome and find things they seek as well as face another foe to watch out for. "Ye mean 'dat jerk 'dat's said 'ta be even scarier than yew & Kouga?" Tough pointed out with a raised eyebrow in recalling from Kouga of how bad this Peta guy might be. "Peta was the only one that has truly become a creature to serve the Demons. And he contains great power." Maha Vailo nods with a serious face before explaining things more of the next foe to watch out for. "He is favor to the Demon Lords because he insures the End of Equestria never becomes anything than a terrible plain for where none can return from." He issued what horrors this Peta person is and seems to be a very serious creature to be on the watch out for. "If one can defeat him, then this place that was once the Valley of Peace can be able to slowly recover…in due time." From hearing this claim, many began to wonder, if this forsaken place can truly begin to slowly thrive like it was in the past before great evil ruin it. "I've told you all there is, I shall heal your injuries before departing, safe juries to you all, my unique comrades." Maha Vailo responded in believing that before he leaves he'll heal those that have helped save him and have become….his friends of a unique meaning. Soon Maha Vailo began to cast a healing spell, all the injuries and wounds and cuts the group has gotten…vanished without a trace. All feelings of pain were gone like they were never there, the ponies and Dragons were amazed that such a high-level of healing magic was possible. Soon the magician vanished into the skies after giving his final farewells to the group in wishing them luck. And once the magician was gone, the field returns back to the way it was before it was changed into Yami, but when in the End of Equestria, it's hard to tell apart. "Well, he's gone." Dumbledore responded in seeing they saw another new former foe turn friend leave them. "And we're healed up." Bocolix responded in seeing that everyone is all 100 percent back to being healthy again. "Good, ye can help me get Justin back on 'de crate fer our traveling need," Tough spoke towards the Enforcers that if the others are fine, they can help the tough stallion get their MechBull back in the cart of their ride. While the stallions were helping to settle Justin the MechBull of the worries of the storm and everything was settled, those that stayed around were chatting something. "Say Twilight, you think what he said was true?" Spike asked Twilight something on his mind. "About we're almost being through?" Phobos stated that they heard Maha Vailo say they were almost being done in their journey; the term use was 'almost' by the way. "It is true, cause we're just about there." Twilight smiles to nod that the group are almost through in getting what they need before heading home. "That's great, then what are we waiting for, lets continue our journey." Nyx smiled to say that if they are about done, then they better continue this trip on the road again. "Let’s just hope we'll manage to make it through without any more magicians or spell-casters giving us such a hard time." Ben smiled to make a joke about how if they meet any more like Maha Vailo, it'll be another long day for them to get through. With laughter filling the air did the gang get together on their cart to have their MechBull pull them to continue where they were heading off; And boy howdy, that was one magic duel fight the gang almost thought was even harder against Maha Vailo then it was with Kouga. But while both former foes were tough to beat, the trickery part will be what still lie ahead, other dangers in this land that's the End of Equestria, other creatures to face, and even the Demon Lords & Peta at best. Things are gonna continue to exceed up for a bit more with Twilight's group. But the heroes aren't gonna call it quits until the job gets done. Besides, with two more additional Guardians with the gang, if the gang gets into trouble, they'll know what to do.