//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13: Ways of the Warrior 
// Story: Road to the End 
// by JusSonic 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 13: Ways of the Warrior


It didn't take long before Maha Valio's defeat and salvation reach the Demon Lords...and enough to tick off a certain Demon about it, especially with the Demons.

"That traitor; How dare he betrayed me," Tchang Zu roars in fury. "Maha Vailo had the advantage yet he did not finish them with my pets?! He just gave them to the ponies!"

Dai Gui grunts in anger, "Unacceptable!"

"I knew that magician can never be trusted! That freak is too nice!" Hsi Wu remarks in anger and disgust, knowing beforehand that Maha Valio cannot be trusted in the first place.

Po Kong groan, "Now we have two servants left: Tso Lan's and Xiao Fung's! How do you propose we succeed now?!" Only a few servants of the Demon Lords are left big time. Not a good number!

"Indeed. How? I can sense that the ponies are almost finishes their gathering all the ingredients." Bai Tza said, knowing that the Demon Lords' enemies are almost done in their scavenger hunt. "We need to stop them at once."

"Indeed, my brethren. But remember, this is not over yet. In fact, despite all the failing we had, there is some success." Shendu explains to his brethren with a cruel smile on his face.

Xiao Fung looks puzzled as he asks Shendu, "Such as, Shendu?"

"While Twilight and her family think that they had achieved their mission well and defeated our servants and pets, they are unaware of something unexpected that is about to happen." Tso Lan explains with a cruel smile.

"What do you mean, Tso Lan?" Bai Tza ask Tso Lan curiously.

"The master plan of restoring Nightmare Moon draws near."

"Really," Hsi Wu asks in surprise, amazed that there was even a master plan at all that he was unaware of until now.

"How," Dai Gui ask, wondering how this master plan is possible.

"Other than using the Restoration Spell, there is another way to achieve in bringing Nightmare Moon back to herself." Shendu said with a nod, revealing of another way of bringing Nightmare Moon back to herself.

Po Kong asks anxiously to Shendu, "That would be?"

Tso Lan smirk as he comments, "You'll soon learn of our three master plans."

"Three?" Tchang Zu asks Tso Lan in surprise. There are three master plans to get Nightmare Moon into being again?

"What would that be?" Xiao Fung asks, wanting so much to know.

Shendu smirks as he adds, "You'll soon find out, Xiao Fung."

"Xiao Fung, sent your servants and be prepared for those ponies' arrival." Tso Lan requests to Xiao Fung, referring to his sibling's remaining servants.

Xiao Fung nods as he says, "At once, my brother."

"I can't wait to find out more of your master plans, brother." Bai Tza said anxiously, wanting so much to know what these master plans are.

"You will be intrigued, Bai Tza. Trust me." Tso Lan assures Bai Tza with a cruel smile.

-------------

Tao has his back leg crossed while his front hooves push clench gently. Twilight and her group just arrive when they spotted him like this, all of them are curious.

"It's Tao. And what's he doing now?" Spike asks the others puzzled.

Phobos shrugs, suggesting, "Sleeping?"

"I don't know. He doesn't look sleeping to me." Nyx said, giving a curious glance to Tao.

"Let's find out, guys." Ben suggests to the others.

Twilight and their friends approach Tao. Just before they could do anything, Tao smile while he's closing his eyes as he spoke, "I see you have arrived just in time, Twilight and her family."

"What 'de," Tough yelps, startled by Tao speaking to them without opening his eyes. "How does he-?"

"I can hear your footsteps. They are very loud. And they're disturbing my meditation."

"Mommy, what's meditation?" Nyx ask Twilight, arching an eyebrow of curiosity at this.

"It's making the ponies to be relaxed and calm down from any kinds of stress, emotions and problems." Twilight explains to Nyx clearly. "It's so also to train yourself to have patience, calm and faith. Some says it gives you strength. Other says it let you feel the flow of the internal energy. And also, it's the tradition from the Land of Ma and Kouma Island."

"By the look of this, I think it's more like sleeping than training." Bocolix said confused more so than usual.

"Yeah, no kidding," Dumbledore remarked in agreement to his colleague. With the way that Tao is doing it, how could anything be meditating like this?

Tao smile as he taunts the group, "Is that so? Then, I dare you to attack me." Everyone looked surprised and worried. Is it a wise idea to attack their ally when he's vulnerable like this? "Well? Go on. I will be fine."

"I rather not," Bocolix said, shaking his head. This old pony may not be vulnerable if he has a good reason for suggesting an idea like this.

"Yeah, me too," Dumbledore said, not wanting to do so either.

"Then, I'll do it." Phobos remarks as he punch at Tao. But to his surprise, the old pony moves to his left side. The Moon Dragon groan as he was about to attack him again on the right, but Tao dodged. He gave Phobos a big slap on his back head. The Moon Dragon groans. He then attack Tao by punching while the old pony dodge his body continuously. And at the same time, Tao gave a slap on his head each time thatr Phobos punched on any sides.

Phobos gasps for more air. Just before he could do anything, Tao placed his hoof on his forehead. He pushes him down gently, defeating the Moon Dragon.

Nyx gasps in amazement, "Wow. That's amazing."

Phobos pant, "How," He pant some more, "does he," More panting, "do that?"

Tao smile as he explains, "Patience and calm are the virtue to the center of a warrior as light as a feather. Courage, wisdom and power gave strengths and knowledge of the warrior. Friendship, family and love gave the heart of the warrior. Faith is the way of a warrior from those who believed in him and his hope."

"Um......I don't get it." Spike said, blinking a bit. The baby Dragon is not sure what the old pony is referring to.

Twilight of course knows as she explains, "He means that as a warrior, he needs to be himself from learning the principles: patience, calm, courage, wisdom, power, friendship, family, love and faith."

"That sounds cool. I wonder what kinda moves you had Tao before we met." Ben said to Tao with a grin.

Tao grins as he answers, "There are so much more yet mystery for you to discover, young Ben. While it is good for one to admire of another who possess strength and skills, yet it is he must learn of the importance of lessons. A wise seeks power within himself, the foolish seeks others within."

"Say what?" Bocolix ask as this lesson appears to make him even more dumbstruck as usual.

Dumbledore scratch his mane, confused. He adds, "I really don't get it."

"I'm sure you'll soon find out on the battlefield, my friends." Tao assures the group as he smiled as if feeling something. "Ah. Can you feel the wind? It gives harmony and peace to the minds of ponies."

The ponies and Dragons turn for a moment, feeling the wind itself. It does bring harmony and peace to their minds when one thinks of it.

"It sure does, Tao-?!" Ben said as he turns and saw that Tao...is gone...again. "Huh? He's gone again."

And like so many times before, the voice said, "True Strength lies within Unity."

"What?"

"True Strength lies within Unity."

"Another riddle to do," Spike ask Ben, knowing that the voice must be nearby, giving out yet another suggestion on dealing with the next task. The baby Dragon suspects that this voice may be connected to whenever Tao keeps disappearing each time.

"Hopefully, it's not so ridiculous and stupid than the bad luck riddle." Phobos groans, recalling how ridiculous and stupid (to him anyway) the bad luck riddle was before.

"'True Strength lies within Unity'." Ben repeats the riddle to everyone else.

"Well, whatever it is now, something tells me that we had to be prepared for whatever is coming." Twilight said, knowing that the next obstacle is about to get rough.

"But as long we stick together, we can overcome anything, right mommy?" Nyx ask Twilight, nuzzling her legs a bit.

Twilight nuzzle Nyx right, smiling as she respond, "Yes, indeed it is, Nyx. So, let's move on."

"Right, ma'am," Tough said, giving a salute to the princess as the group moves on to the next area.

-------------

Pinkamena was reading as she says to Golden Heart while Omega remains on standby, "Well the gang won Yo-Gi-Oh style and have a new ally; they are doing so well. I have a feeling that they will return soon once they get the remaining things."

Golden Heart smiles as he said, "I see, well I hope that the ponies can remain strong from hunger for a little longer."

Omega was hearing what was said as he says, "Even if I'd scan, all I know nothing about some things of life before I came."

Pinkamena moves to Omega and says, "Well I will tell you all about Equestia and such but might be too much for the readers so anyway you folks go watch the others while I talk with Omega, ok?"

Golden Heart chuckles while shaking his head, "She is as random as Pinkie Pie but she's my little sister."

----------------

The scene soon opens to a flatland area where there was only so few greenery of grass around & some wood trees. Course our focus is more on those traveling across this valley area, Twilight's group riding with Justin the MechBull pulling their cart.

"Where are we now Twilight?" Ben asked his love in scanning their surroundings, not knowing where they ended up now.

"I'm checking, we're…" Twilight was checking their map to understand where they have gotten to until…

"Near a pottery making shop," Phobos interrupted to say something really off random at the time.

"A what," Twilight responded a bit lost in what she just heard just now.

"Phobos, there can't be any pottery shops around here." Nyx responded off in thinking that her friend was delusional or something.

"Then what do you call that there, an empty shack with pottery?" Phobos issued off in stating something was right in front of his very eyes.

Soon the group saw what looked to be of some fashion made-building of a Japanese-home structure with wooden doors & boarded line near the windows. A stack of chop fire logs so neatly cleaved, nothing was a split end. Near the outside of the place was a fashioned made pot-maker chamber where a lit fire would be set underneath a rack for a clay pot to be made.

"Hugh, what do you know, there really 'is' a pottery shop here." Spike rubbed the back of his head puzzled in seeing such a place was in this area.

"But the map doesn't say anything about a shop being setup around here." Twilight insisted that such a structure was not known to be what her map was telling her, and who setup shop in the End of Equestria territory.

"Maybe cause it's new, looky here." Tough Apple pointed out from inspecting the wood, it seemed just basically sturdy and not so rotten. "Dis place looks like it's been here fer a couple o' years, not since 'dis place was made." From the stallion's notice, this place is still young while the surroundings are far more older.

"But who wanna open up a pottery shop in the End of Equestria?" Ben Mare asked the biggest thing on their mind, who would setup shop or even live in this area dangerous to ponies?

"Maybe we should go in and check." Dumbledore shrug off his shoulders of their next choice of doing something now.

"See if the owner is at home, maybe." Bocolix nods in agreement, if they find the owner, maybe they can get some information.

"And if he's not home, what then?" Twilight asked off the subject if the owner of this pottery place wasn't in, what would they do then?

"Maybe you should look behind yourself to find that answer." A voice responded from behind that sounded like an adult and it didn't come from the gang.

Now everyone was almost frozen in shock before turning around to take notice of….a visitor; this creature, physically, he is a tall Earth stallion with a somewhat angular face and a phenomenally develop physique. His mane is jet black and long, and usually kept in a ponytail. His coat is grayish gamboge and his eyes are moderate blue. His attire consists of a set of black pants with European styled boots, and a short sleeved shirt, colored grayish opal. He also wears a floor length, red and white cloak. He appears in his late twenties, but in truth, he is 43 years old. His Cutie Mark, that is hidden, is of that of a katana being taken out by an inch from a bronze sheath; whoever this pony was, he’s good.

"Who, where'd you come fro' mister," Tough Apple yelped in seeing a new pony figure appear out of nowhere just now.

"From behind, and you folks are?" The mysterious older stallion responded to that question with either a sarcastic or egotistical manner of speaking.

"Um, travelers just passing through," Bocolix shrug off to say that they are just those that are traveling by, even in the most dangerous place next to Tartarus.

"Yeah, we're looking for ingredients." Dumbledore nods in agreement while issuing that they are here cause they are seeking some ingredients found in the End of Equestria.

"But first, can you explain to us about…yourself. Are you in charge of this place and why are you here to begin with?" Twilight soon started to ask the series of serious questions of why a single Earth Pony was all on his own in this dangerous place.

"I could ask you all the same thing, but for now…just come in and I'll prepare some tea." The mysterious stallion responded off as somewhat lazy in not answering to instead turn things around a bit.

"Tea," The others responded all a bit off-guard in actually hearing such a response out of nowhere.

Soon after a while of some unusual moments, the group find themselves inside the structure where around some parts were some Japanese style furniture, food barrels, and a wooden stack of pottery. For those that could have brought Rarity to see such fine crafted pots, she find that they would be perfect in a room where somepony in her outfit would look fantastic for such showmanship. Moments afterwards, a table was setup in the middle of the room, where the mysterious host had finished preparing tea to serve it out while everyone was either sitting on their flanks or their knees…if they can on that last part, it's hard to get such a feeling.

"So your name is…" Nyx was about to say, but that answer was gonna be done for her and the rest.

"Hiko Seijuro." The revealed stallion "I'm a Potter Perfectionisty, a skilled pottery maker and a true master to make fine pots to help travel around to sell my works to earn a little money to make a good living."

"Wow, no wonder! These here are some quality fine merchandise!" Tough Apple spoke in admiring the pots, for a place that ponies say is a land filled with terror and destruction like Tartarus, finding pots of such craftsmanship that ain't busted is a treat.

"It's no wonder he can live off wealthy." Dumbledore spoke off in seeing how this one guy can live or at least live well enough even without the other fancy stuff to a home.

"But where does he keep it all?" Bocolix asked off in where this guy would keep such a large amount of cash that he makes by selling such fine pottery.

"I think we're getting off track here." Twilight cease the Enforcers little chatter on talking about something that's out of their way. "Mister, tell us, how long have you been here?" The girl wanted to get straight to the point about this new pony's background, at least why he's here.

"Or a better question is, why 'are' you still here?" Ben went off to ask something with a more serious expression.

"Hmmm….and what do you mean?" Hiko slowly sip his tea to narrow his eyes at Ben in asking such a question out of the blue.

"That you're more than a pottery maker and some stallion that makes nice tea. You carry a weapon with you for a reason, don't you?" Ben pointed out a lot of good points that Hiko here, was no ordinary pony, especially when they are within the border territory of the End of Equestria.

"I do, and the point being?" Hiko slowly nods in responding while wanting to know of what Ben's point is.

"Just that for any pony to be so calm while setting up shop here, despite how many ponies have heard terrible things about the End of Equestria, why is it you seem so calm & without worry?" Ben asked off a big issue about this stallion's presence in this border realm that is more like the backyard to Tartarus, both that no ordinary pony could ever live through.

"Probably for many different reasons than you may think, and so…because of the same thing that you yourself is far from normal." Hiko was responding in such a strange manner of speaking, it was both wisdom & simple statement of a new meaning. "An Earth Pony will skills above the average to be seen as something that defines magic & logical meanings. And through the ways of the sword, I have done so." He responded this last part with his eyes looking upwards in stating a claim, that he and Ben Mare are of the very few Earth Ponies that are very much special than what others may think of ponies without horns and wings.

"So like….you use a sword?" Phobos responded off in seeing that this Hiko guy was a stallion that uses a sword in fights.

"It's called a katana, Phobos. Something that old traditional folks wielded, especially those called a samurai." Nyx explained to her friend in judging from this new guy, he wields a sword that's in a form for samurais to fight with.

"Say, maybe you can help us; we're collecting some ingredients to help save our friend's farm back in Ponyville." Spike spoke in suddenly getting an idea, maybe Hiko hewer might have some information to benefit their journey.

"Right, mah family is in jeopardy, an' we need…ugh…." Tough Apple was about to say they need to find the last few ingredients, but just then, something came up. "Wait a second! How many more are we in need o' now?" The stallion farmer was right about his confusion, the group know how many that they've gathered, but how many are left to go?

"Hugh, good point; in all the surviving for our lives, we forgot to recall the number." Ben rubbed his chin in thinking back; they never did know how many are left at this point of their journey.

"Well we're in luck everypony, we only need just 'two' more ingredients before we can go home." Twilight smiled in letting her group know that from their hard struggles, they are now down to just two final ingredients to claim.

"Only two more," The Enforcers responded with both stumped, surprise, but also relief; they do this, and Twilight won't be in this dangerous area no more.

"That's great mommy! What are they?" Nyx smiled in hearing the news, but wondered, what were the last two ingredient names?

"One's the Sacred Flame & the other one is the Magical Fable Dust." Twilight explained the first names of the last two that they seek. "One's where we're heading, the Degree Volcano, and the other, the Perish Falls, will be in a hard place to get." The girl stated about where one of the ingredients they'll find, one's simple, but the other is more difficult.

"Gee, I can't wait," Phobos rolled his eyes in seeing that this will be another dangerous event to overcome now.

"One of those names you seek, I've come across into my possession." Hiko spoke after sipping some of his tea calmly in addressing the manner of the discussion.

"What!" The others nearly yelped from where they sat, did this Earth stallion say what they think he said; he has one of the last two ingredients?

"So you do have one of the ingredients we're still needing?" Spike asked with hopeful needs in wanting this to not be a joke, but the honest truth.

"Yes…" Hiko nods with his eyes shut in addressing the matter very clearly.

"And you'll give it to us?" Twilight asked off in seeing if they can get one of the ingredients now, he'll be a big help to them no matter which one it is.

"That….remains to be seen," Hiko narrows his eyes from Twilight to his tea in addressing the answer a bit oddly with a serious tone.

"Um, come again now?" Tough responded puzzled to scratch his head, what did that answer even mean for them?

"If you wish to obtain that which I possess, you must show me the 'will' to convince my judgment before me and earn it." Hiko explained that before the gang can get what he has, they must first prove they have the 'will' to convince him of such.

"Wait, you mean we have to fight you?" Dumbledore responded off lost in hearing this just now, they have to fight this guy from the other dangerous foes seen so far?

"Well probably isn't that hard, right?" Bocolix shrug off his shoulders to say, after all, they are Alicorns against one Earth pony, right?

"You may recall, I performed an act that saved your lives from being crushed." Hiko spoke with a calm tone in addressing the manner of what he's done to help the group out of a certain jam.

"Wait a second, the only thing we've done was face off obstacles and guardian creatures and other stuff, so…." Twilight was processing what they've went through while solving that riddle question until… "Wait! The canyon, Calamity Canyon; that was you," Twilight suddenly figured it out, when the gang was almost getting crushed by a size they couldn't break through, something sliced it in half…that was 'this' stallion's work.

"Indeed, you looked like you had a hard time against a large piece of rock, so I helped cut in down a tad." Hiko spoke from finishing his tea to set it down on the table, right after letting the group know what's going on.

"Gulp," The Enforcers, Spike & Phobos swallowed hard that if not for Hiko here, they be flatter than pancakes from that little exploration.

"So-So…So we gotta prove dat we can take you on, an' then git de ingredient off yer hoof?" Tough Apple asked off in suddenly thinking that the group gotta beat this one stallion that could slice a mountain in half, is that even possible?

"Unless you want to go to the other areas, but know that time is essential of your journey." Hiko was issuing to explain what the group can do; get the item they want from him, or go after the area he got the ingredient from. "Which will you choose; the long path or the hard path? Both are hard cases, so choose carefully." He issued that if the gang travels to find the ingredient he has from further away, it'll take much time, but if they face him, it could be difficult, so they themselves must choose one or the other; The fact of time for the Apples' Farm rest in the gang's hooves and hands.

"But can't you just let us have it without going through all that?" Nyx asked politely if the group can just have the ingredient, without it, they might not be able to help save Sweet Apple Acres.

"No Nyx, I hate to say it but….he may have a point." Twilight stopped her daughter with a serious face before she started to explain something of the gang's situation itself. "Time is critical, and if he has one of the ingredients and if we leave it be, then how else can we take on the rest of what the End of Equestria may have?" Twilight was right, if the gang can't fight against even one Earth Pony that can slice a mountain, then they may as well have given up this whole time.

"Then Mr. Seijuro, I shall request to face you, one swordsman to another." Ben spoke from summoning his Master Sword, stood up with his Triforce mark glowing.

"Hmmm…true you possess something fierce of great power & a blade to say plenty that are the real thing." Hiko spoke in witnessing that Ben Mare does possess something to be of a formable opponent. "But if you're not careful with your own being, then they'll all be a waste." He issued this with his eyes shut to sip his next cup of tea.

"Don't worry, I'll fight against you and show you how strong our will is!" Ben responded with determination, he'll show this stallion that the gang will complete their task to save the Apples' Farm, no matter what.

Silence filled the air while the others looked between Hiko Seijuro and Ben Mare, seeing a small dense atmosphere of their auras.

"Very well, we'll duel. Meet outside, there's a spot where we can have a proper duel." Hiko slowly nods his head in accepting the challenge as they shall do a duel outside.

Now things were really gonna get off, for the only way they'll get one of the other last two ingredients was to defeat this mysterious stallion of mystery. Soon everyone is outside near a lard land-field with plenty of space for any swordsman to fight in a duel against an opponent. 

"Listen everypony, keep out of this…whoever this pony is, if he can slice a large island mountain in half, then I don't wanna risk everyone partaking, so I'll do this instead." Ben instructed his friends to let him do this, if anything, he might be the only strong wielder of a blade to match against someone just as strong.

"Ben…../Daddy…." Twilight & Nyx responded from the sidelines while the others were silent in about to witness a big battle coming.

Hiko saw how the others were reacting to this, they showed much praiseful hopes that Ben would win and be safe when during this.

"Are you ready?" Hiko turned to ask Ben if he's ready to face him, as he grip a katana with a wooden sheath and hilt of its design, showing he'll fight with such a blade.

"Ready! I've had plenty of training to face off tough opponents before, believe me." Ben responded to hold his Master Sword up, prepared to go at it here.

"And….who were your trainers?" Hiko asked in becoming interested to who was it that helped train Ben to be good with a sword.

"Well besides having the wisdom from the Triforce, my bud Flash Sentry, and Twilight's brother Shining Armor, and even Golden Heart were pretty much like my teachers." Ben Mare shrugs off in explaining how he's had a good moment to know and even learn how to fight with a sword.

"I see…those names." Hiko Seijuro slowly responded in hearing right, as he looks up to the stallion opponent. "Those last two, I know them well. They were once students I helped raises up to be good swordsmen." Hiko spoke off to say that those that the gang knows those that fought with beam saber swords, he helped to train once.

"What?" Ben yelped a bit surprise, as did the others; their pals in Equestria got training from this one pony?

"Now, let our duel commence. My Winter Moon against the Master Sword," Hiko issued from unsheathing his katana by its name as he soon held it with one hoof at the moment.

Now the time for the little chit-chatting had reached a verdict. For now a duel of unlike any other shall soon commence right before everyone's eyes…

The scene now focuses on two Earth Ponies, as they are wielding their weapons in front of their being. Eyes focus, never blinking, it was like a standoff and whoever makes the first move would either gain advantage or get a disadvantage.

"Here I go!" Ben announced, as he held his sword while at the moment, quickly giving it a charging process.

"Ben's already going off first!" Phobos issued off in seeing their guy was gonna make the first move, how bold.

"Sword Beam," Ben shouted out before swinging his sword that unleashed a crescent sword beam straight at the target.

But at the moment, Hiko still kept his usual appearance of never flinching from this act, being calm and collective.

"Hmm…." Hiko kept himself focus to slowly put his sword in his sheath before… "Hi-Ryu-Sen," He spoke those very words and drawer his sword out of the sheath quickly with his left hoof, sending the sword flying like an arrow, aiming the hilt at the vital point of the attack… "Breakfrusvhmm…." That one sprung sword technique, ended up breaking through the Sword Beam to be split in two while missing the swordsman.

"Uuuaghh…" Ben was now gasping in shock to seeing that his first shot to deal any damage and Hiko Seijuro defeated it.

"Eeeeehhhhh," Dumbledore & Bocolix were wide-eye surprise that it wasn't just Ben Mare that might be an Earth Pony who was tough, this Hiko character might be more than he appears.

"Wha…what happened…just now?" Bocolix responded in not believing what happened had even happened now.

"He completely broke that attack!" Dumbledore issued how Hiko busted a move from Ben's sword that usually doesn't get beaten by villains, course Hiko is NO villain.

"Dag-gum…..what move was 'dat Twilight?" Tough Apple cursed in asking the smart pony what they just saw and how it was even pulled off.

"I'm not sure, it moved to fast to follow." Twilight shook her head in being unable to answer what had even happened just now. "The only thing I can describe is that name that he used, according to a translation book that I once read, that attack is nickname…the Flying Dragon Flash." She issued off that she could only figure out the name of that swordsman technique of what it stood for from translating it.

"He used a move that moved faster than us Dragons could follow?" Spike responded off amazed by that sheer speed that a dragon could pull off.

"This isn't good?" Phobos shook his head for worry, this swordsman pony might be tougher then they gave him credit for.

"Nrrughh…" Ben gritted his teeth, he's seen the first move of what Hiko can do and now it's the other guy's chance to get him.

"I've told you earlier, to be prepared….now, try facing this." Hiko issued off to let Ben be remembered that this will be a fight one needs to prepare for against, and he begins his next move, "Do-Ryu-Sen!" Now he raised the sword up, then immediately bringing it towards the Earth, striking the blade with immense force against the ground. "Pow-Pow-Pow-Powvhmm…." The force of the strike was causing the ground to explode at the opponent, sending a shower of rocks towards them.

"Wooh," Ben yelped as he used his sword to try to defend against the shower of rocks, one think it's easy to swipe off a couple of rocks, but in truth…it isn't 'that' easy.

"Hay, he's fighting dirty now!" Tough yelped to issue off with a frown, that guy was using the ground to attack poor Ben with.

"Unfortunately not, that's an attack called: Ground Dragon Flash." Twilight shook her head to issue this serious issue that was of another technique at work here.

"Another Dragon name and of the Earth too," Phobos responded off in not believing this, Hiko can use a move with his sword to do something to the ground too?

"Hang in there daddy!" Nyx shouted out to support her father fighting hard at this moment.

"Right, you can handle this, right!?" Spike shouted out in giving the same support, at least, he hopes so.

Ben heard those voices after surviving that barrage of stones to just look a little messy, but still kicking at the moment.

"Of course I can you guys, and I'm not gonna fall from a few rock hits!" Ben issued to let his group know he's not giving up yet, far from it actually.

"Then, try to handle this one if you can." Hiko issued the next challenge with a serious expression as he has another maneuver to play out.

Then at the moment, Hiko vanished faster than even Rainbow Dash would have done.

"What! Where'd he…?" Ben yelped in surprise, but kept his guard, where will the swordsman strike from?

"Above!" Twilight shouted to warn Ben of where she managed to find his opponent.

Soon Ben looked up to see Hiko had leaped up very high and so fast while descending towards his opponent.

"Ryu-Tsui-Sen," Hiko announced forth as he soon brought forth another swordsmanship technique.

"Clashvmm…." Ben managed to block in time, but Hiko used his weight and force of the landing to hammer him towards the ground, even Ben's back hooves dug deep in the ground; just how heavy was this guy?

"That was the Dragon Mallet Flash!" Twilight issued in recognizing that move that was performed and what it stood for.

"Boy; that must hurt for Dragons!" Bocolix responded off in thinking what a move like that could do.

"Yeah, I'll say!" Dumbledore responded in agreement to that claim after seeing it be performed.

"Rrrrughhh…" Ben growled from the weight this guy gave him, this opponent was no joke and he had to get serious. "Looks like I got no choice, I'll bring out 'this' move! Triforce Slash!" Ben muffled under his breath in seeing he'll have to get even tougher on Hiko here and so he'll use something that can't be stopped.

Suddenly, Ben's Triforce mark on his body glows with the symbol, as his entire body glows with a powerful aura. Then without another warning notice, a ray of light stun Hiko Seiijuro that was horizontally in front of Ben.

"Wooh, wha's dat little move?" Tough Apple responded surprise to seeing Ben pull something new out of his hat, even if the guy doesn't have a hat per-say.

"It's the move Ben used against the Superior in the Human World version that we went to." Spike responded in recalling Ben unleashing that move before when they went to get back Twilight's crown.

"Yeah, that move really helped him give that guy a good beating, even if the opponent appeared unharmed near the end." Phobos nods in agreement, thought was puzzled to recall that even when they thought they won, the Superior was still unhurt and might not have been all out in the beginning.

"Phobos," Nyx sternly spoke to her friend and pet about bringing up the bad memory of that time.

"This one might do it!" Twilight stated with a hopeful expression, this move of Ben's might help turn the tables here.

"This seems nice, but…." Hiko responded in not feeling any worries as he saw he was trapped to notice two images of the Triforce, and to notice Ben dashing at him to attack…however… "Ryu-Sou-Sen," Hiko spoke from his eyes opened wide to unleash a move that would seem like the katana seemed to fly.

Ben was delivering a fury of slashes, but what Hiko was doing was performing a technique extremely fast repeated blows towards Ben's attacks. Then when Ben was about to fire the final blow with a mighty battle cry, Hiko ended up wielding his sword to end up stopping it while a sonic-boom of wind pressure broke out around and the Triforce images vanished…leaving many stumped.

"No way….you've broken through that one!" Ben responded in almost not believing it himself, that move should have worked, so how… "Just what kinda Earth Pony are you?" Ben asked off in demand, how could one earth Pony be this tough?

"Listen carefully and I'll tell you." Hiko spoke before pushing Ben off a good distance, giving the prince a moment to keep away for any surprises while everyone listens in. "I am Hiko Seijuro: Successor Of The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. I've trained myself to the point that I'm not even considered a 'mere' Earth Pony, I've learned & granted title mastership over the technique: The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu." From just hearing these words alone was enough for Ben to realize little by little who he's really up against. "As such a swordsman, my caliber makes my sword a barrier of sorts, that if one were to enter this barrier, they would be defeated instantly. Even such creatures like Ursa Majors & Dragons or any giant creature cannot even take me on…alone." From the serious gaze from this guy's eyes, this guy was serious, he's even fought against such dangerous and powerful creatures. "Even as it stands for today, I'm known to be the most powerful swordsman in all of Equestria, the thirteen successor to the sword art of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu," When this last part was spoken, that really hit things off with a shock that may have effected this entire battle here.

The others heard this, some were even pondering this 'serious' information about Hiko Seijuro being noted the Strongest Earth Pony of all times. There was no lying in his voice, there was not even any denying that what they are seeing, noticing, plus more that couldn't issue that everything said…was true. And if so, just what is the gang truly facing?

"O-O-O-Oh, is he kidding us?" Phobos was speaking off in almost feeling like this was too much to even be considered true, it seemed totally unreal to take it in. "Is this guy pulling our legs or what?"

"I don't think he is, from slicing a mountain in half to just this much, where was he this whole time?" Spike felt like he was really getting nervous now, there was a pony this strong and if he was with them during their other big time battles, he could have been the greatest assistance ever, so why….

"Gulp….I think I once heard of him. A pony registered by even Equestria's Rulers: Princess Celestia & Princess Luna, as a friend to them, but that was over 20 years or so ago." Twilight swallowed hard in recalling a long while back, how her mentor spoke of a pony of high-caliber that even a Ruler like Celestia says there was none quite like him.

"But tis here fella looks in his 20s!" Tough issued off from seeing that Hiko was about 2o so years old, so how could he be older from something a longs way back?

"Another matter to know, from learning the skill, I've learn to keep my body healthy & strong." Hiko responded to that question that surprised many, he's in his 40s, yet he still retains a young appearance; unbelievable.

"Boy, dat's some diet plan!" Tough Apple responded in finding that knowledge that this pony swordsman has gotten good with a technique to even make his body retain a young appearance, it's simply amazing.

"Ben Mare was it?" Hiko spoke in now focusing his narrow gaze towards Celestia's child across the field from where he stood in almost having something to say now. "You maybe a special Earth Pony from the TriForce, but….unless you've truly become a master with the blade & undergo the measurements; then you might not be able to live up to the Hero of Time of long ago." Hearing this was all kinda harsh in how this swordsmen was pushing one young stallion over the limit in what he's managed to get through, but has a longer way to go apparently.

"Grrr…Just cause you've surprised me, won't mean that I'll roll over. It's true, you're strong; you remind me much of how strong a difference there was from me facing the Superior." Ben growled to struggle with his own bearings in seeing he's truly up against a pony that might even be stronger than him, even with his own special magical ability. "But I won't stand by and let someone that dangerous be loose; I'll push myself to the end to defeat any evil that wants to threaten my home, my friends, and my family." Ben gathered his courage to know that no matter what, he won't let anything harm those he cares and loves, even with his own life endangered.

Things here were really starting to get turn, nopony or anyone would see the day that Ben was up against something since the Superior, to give such a difficult battle. Suddenly at this time, some unexpected rock music was heard in the background.

"Hey, it's the song "Hopeless" from Breaking Benjamin." Nyx spoke off this Fourth Wall Breaking issue of what she's hearing just now.

"Is that supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing now?" Dumbledore asked off in being unsure what to make of something Nyx just spoke.

"Whichever it is, it's hard to tell who's gonna be winning this duel." Bocolix responded in utter confusion since this scenery is playing out weirdly.

Now things were really gonna get things underway, as some singing is heard while the action goes on.

Singer: Here I lie forever, sorrow still remains

Soon Ben charged to strike against Hiko but he held up his katana to block the young stallion's strike attempt.

Will the water pull me down and wash it all away?

"Hrrrughhh," Ben lets out a mighty cry to push with all he's go, but Hiko was not budging from his standing.

Come and take me over, welcome to the game

"It's time you learn a lesson, young stallion." Hiko spoke in issuing this towards Ben struggling so hard but was not even getting by with that.

Will the current drag me down and carry me away?

Soon both swordsmen spark their swords against the other that pushed the other or Ben backwards.

Suddenly the light begins to fade

"Sword Beam!" Ben fired another range technique by charging his sword.

"Clash," Hiko however did what he did before by using his technique that broke through the sword beam technique by Ben's will.

Hopeless, I'm falling down

Soon Hiko dashes so quickly that Ben was seen struggling to keep his opponent from harming him with just his sword.

Filthy, I can't wake up

The others watched as the battle looked to be near intense.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Urgh…Urgh…" Ben was really being pushed come to shove here, what was this guy.

Worthless, it's over now

"Ryu-Sou-Sen Garami!" Hiko spoke to perform a different move from the Ryu-Sou-Sen in which he made blows directed at the neck, but Ben quickly reacted to block such close shavings there.

Guilty, there's no way out

"Nrrguhh…." Ben was starting to sweat up a storm in seeing how close this one pony is to getting to him; the moves are almost too fast to see.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Ryu-Kan-Sen!" Hiko was suddenly unleashing another move as he was besides Ben; Hiro turns in delivering a backhanded swing at the stallion, almost near the neck.

"Huugh…Haaaughh…" Ben was almost gasping before quickly leaping out of the way, that last move….nearly got him. Pause of instruments is heard at the moment.

"What was that move just now?" Spike asked off a bit nervous in seeing what happened just now.

"That move, it was different, but its last word was kanji at the end of the skill, simply would mean 'to attack at the head'." Twilight explained with a very worried look, noticing that what Hiko performed, it was almost an attack around Ben's neck area.

"Yikes! This guy sounds seriously scary!" Phobos yelped in fear while the Enforcers swallowed hard, this Hiko guy is not to be underestimated.

"Better bucket up, cause they're going at it again!" Tough Apple issued their focus back at the battle.

Now the singing of the song is heard again while the fight continues.

Silent I go under, I am not afraid

Ben was seen trying to make another go but fired off a spiral move of his charged Master Sword.

I can see the daylight shine and slowly drift away

"Arashi!" Hiko responded in where he curls himself into a ball then began to spin in a complete circle with his sword extended.

Safe to say it's over, sink into the grave

"Clashvmmm…" Both swordsmen clashed their attacks, and Ben's attack was again, overpowered to have pushed him back.

There is nothing left inside, but I am wide awake

"What was that move?" Dumbledore asked Twilight in not knowing what the name of that attack was.

"The Storm," Twilight responded with a narrow eye motion in what was the name of Hiko's last move there.

I can hear the devil call my name

"That sounds really bad." Bocolix issued in not liking the name of that technique performed by Hiko Seijuro.

Now the combatants soon charged off to clash again.

Hopeless, I'm falling down

Ben was trying everything in his strikes with both hooves around his blade, but….

Filthy, I can't wake up

Every-time a strike was thrown,. Hiko was able to read through it and predict many countermeasures to overwhelm Ben.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Ryu-Tsui-Shou-Sen!" Hiko soon leaped up to perform a descending downward move with the Ryu-Tsui-Sen.

Worthless, it's over now

Ben was able to counter but the difference was this guy immediately rising back up with the Ryu-Shou-Sen for a double hit attack that caught the stallion off guard.

Guilty, there's no way out

"Urrrugh…" Ben struggled from that last impact, and could tell he just barely survived that one.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Sou-Ryu-Sen!" Hiko flipped his sword, soon was drawing the sword with immense speed from the sheath. Ben managed to block that but then Hiko used his sheath for a second attack that caught Ben off guard.

Another pause moment for Instruments while the group were doubting what they were seeing.

"A two sword technique: Paired Dragon Flash, that was…." Twilight was almost gasping in surprise, this Hiko Seijuro, he knew so many techniques with the sword.

"Totally unfair in mah book," Tough Apple remarked off to say in what the group witnessed.

"This guy seems really, REALLY good mommy?" Nyx responded with worry in seeing her father almost on a last leg.

"Ben, you gotta try something unexpected!" Spike shouted out to encourage his friend.

"Yeah, hit him with something BIGGER!" Phobos yelled out for what the Earth stallion from their side can really do.

Now the singing returns, with Ben hearing what the Dragons said to him.

Hopeless, I'm falling down

"Alright Hiko, try taking on a move even Lorcan couldn't block!" Ben challenged the swordsmen with a special move up his sleeve.

Filthy, I can't wake up

"I see then I'll bring out something of equal means." Hiko responded with a light nod, as he prepared himself now.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Get ready!" Ben issued, as a glowing bright golden aura covered around his body & surrounding himself by floating triangle forms.

Worthless, it's over now

"Triforce-Charge Strike!" Ben roared out as he was running, his Triforce mark glows more & his speed increased infinity well.

Guilty, there's no way out

That speed of Ben's was happening in a blink of an eye as he charged himself to impact Hiko with a tackle, plus with the Master Sword create even more of an impact force.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Hiten Mitsurugi Style: Ku-Zu-Ryu-Sen!" Hiko spoke from gripping his katana in the sheath to perform this when Ben comes.

"The 9 Headed Dragon Flash; No…BEEEN," Twilight whispered in surprise before shouting for her love to stop his attack.

But it was already far too late for that…

Hopeless, hopeless

Within the rank of godlike speed of that style, a light flashed from Hiko Seijuro, an illusion of nine swords striking forth at once. A form of Japanese Kanji words showed up to where Ben Mare's charged attack was frozen, and each different kanji. Ben's frame was red while the types of attacks in kenjutsu-first, the karatake (downstroke), Kesagiri, the slantwise downward stroke to the shoulder, reverse Kesagiri, right Nagi (belly stroke), left Nagi (reverse belly stroke), right upward cut, left upward cut, and the Sakakaze, upward stroke; Finally, the stroke that pierces at the shortest range to the chest, the Tsuki. A Japanese kanji frame was seen in the background, as Hiko Seijuro was seen across the field with eyes glowing from showing his strongest form while the color scene of everything was normal and everything return to its proper speed length. In a shocking display, Ben's technique & glowing aura vanished without a trace as he fell onto the ground.

Now as the music was ending, it looked like from Ben Mare's situation, it would indeed be his loss. Then everyone only stood to watch in surprise as now Hiko Seijuro slowly was moving his katana from his position when he made his move. But just as he was about to turn to leave…

"Wa…Wait…" A voice was heard, making all eyes focus on…Ben Mare. "This…isn't…over yet." Ben spoke to bring himself up by grabbing his sword to push himself upwards.

"Hoo….You're still conscious? Even after I hit you with one of my Succession Techniques," Hiko responded in feeling a bit amazed that Ben managed to get by that last technique, "As expected of Celestia's child & wielder of the Triforce." He issued in seeing that Ben is truly not one to crawl over to play dead.

"Now I can see why you're said to be the best…hugh-hugh…" Ben spoke from his exhausted breath to carefully pick himself up while looking like he's struggling with his own body. "Which is why….no matter what happens, I'm not about to give in. Not when so much is on the line." Ben issued that he won't call it quits, too much of Ponyville & the Apple's farm depends on their mission.

"Are you so certain? You're willing to risk the chance, that's your decision, but…" Hiko spoke with a serious expression before looking to Ben with this issue. "What of those that care for you?" He stated about what Ben will do about himself when those that care for him see the risk of losing the young stallion.

Ben froze in surprise; that certainly was an unexpected surprise he wasn't expecting to hear; what did Hiko mean?

"Even if you say you're doing this for them, if you die here, then it will only trouble them with grief." Hiko Seijuro remotely issues this statement with careful words to choose in addressing the manner. "It's one thing to fight for what's right, but to blindly risk yourself for others without thinking about your existence in their lives is no better than losing yourself in the mist of foolishness." He was telling Ben that just letting himself risk the dangers without the consequences if he wants to live or not will do more harm than good. "I shall ask you this question….how strong is your will to go, should you not remember to be with those around?" Hiro narrow his eyes to Ben, expecting the truthful answer to what he's wanting to do, either sacrifice himself to protect others or live to always be with those one cares for.

Ben thought about this very hard, in the past, he's only cared much for Twilight, for Nyx, for his mother, his aunt, and many other friends he's come to make. But now with him having abilities of great responsibility, he has to protect all he cares for, however….can it be said he hasn't realized that if he dies, what then? What would happen to everyone he's come to know, love and want to spend his happy life with…what then?

"You're right….about that." Ben sighed in giving himself to sigh in defeat over what Hiko has said. "If I die, then it wouldn't matter if my friends & family are safe, they would be sad…just like Twilight was when I was gone for so long." When he was turn into the Demon Pony, he made a lot of ponies that care for him sad, Ben doesn't, he never wants them to feel that way again. "I won't die & let that happen, I'll fight to live and fight to make sure they live with happiness. I'll do it because I want to live beside everything that happens." Ben looked up with a determination all over his face, he sees something he never came to understand, and now….Ben knows.

Suddenly, something was happening that the Triforce glow a strange new force that released glowing particles that came around Ben's area. As everyone watched in either amazed or stump expressions, something was forming from the little lights into objects. One was an adult-sized metal heater shield of silver outlines and inner blue surface, it bears the emblem of the Triforce in it's golden coloring as well that of a red bird below the Triforce. The second object was of a bow with some gray silver bottom and top in the middle and decorative bottom and top edges with a string attached.

"Wha…what's this?" Ben responded confused to seeing the two strange new items on him now, and strangely, his injuries were slowly being healed up by the Triforce's magic; unreal.

"It would seem that from your Wisdom of acceptance, Courage to overcome a fearful image has granted a new Power of awakening within you. Two other gifts that the Hero of Time once wielded," Hiko spoke in issuing what Ben seems to have done is awaken something by the three elements of the Triforce directly close to the Hero of Time himself. "The Hylian Shield, used by knights of old & the Hero of Time himself, but over the courses, the shield may possess more than the strongest & unbreakable shield of such durability, but gain a trait to block fire, electricity, even curse attacks. And to have the ability of the Mirror Shield to deflect sunlight, magic & attacks," After he explained what the shield near Ben is capable of doing, next was the bow. "Even gain the Hero's Bow to create unlimited enchanted arrows, with that, you can fire arrows of fire, ice, and even light arrows. And the last ones are said to smite evil with the light of justice, a few average creatures of darkness would instantly be defeated by those while giving harm to the stronger ones." He finished explaining how now with the bow, Ben can now gain access to using it to fire off some arrows of a different element to serve him, even one to cause the most hurt on evil creatures.

"Wha…I…I don't believe this!" Ben was so surprised by all of this at once, he was left utterly speechless. "All I did was…" How did one thing he did cause him to now have not just a sword, but a shield and bow & arrows now?

"You've managed to uncover your next step in getting stronger and these are the rewards." Hiko point blankly explained the matter right before Ben's presence. "Now, I guess if that's settled, if we should continue; only now….if I should be serious enough." He question that with Ben now much stronger now, and with new gear to his arsenal, he'll be tougher at this point for Hiko to not be so easy on him.

"Wait! Wha yew mean serious, weren't'cha already?" Tough asked off a bit lost and confused, so were the others. They thought Hiko Seijuro was being serious from fighting Ben.

"I think that's his term answer alright." Nyx responded that if the fight got any serious, this could get ugly real fast.

"When we were fighting, you used both hooves on our weapon, a smart choice to increase more from your body giving extra strength to deal greater blows. However…" Hiko was explaining the manner that for any swordsmen, using two hands or hooves to wield a weapon will give more strength term of power to the swing. "I haven't begun to be serious, and as such, have fought you with only my one hoof on the blade." He explained a crucial point that this whole time, Hiko was fighting with only one hoof on his katana, he never even welded it with two.

"You mean you STILL haven't gone all OUT?" Phobos screamed out in disbelief, that's gotta be even more harder to believe then the rest.

"Wha…what happens if you do?" Spike nervously asked what happen if Hiko Seijuro fought with both hooves on his weapon.

"Well, if I was more serious with one hoof, this would happen." Hiko issued from approaching near a spot where behind his side was a mountain, "SLASH/Kurpowruvhmmm…" Then from swinging the katana against in an upper vertical manner, the mountain was shown slipping down from where it was station. "A mountain would be split in two, if I had both, an entire canyon would be chop in half." Hiko explained this with a serious manner that once again caught everyone by surprise.

"Gulp-Gulp…." The Enforcers swallowed double hard, that did look freakishly scary, so if Hiko fights super-seriously, then it's an instant 'game over' for them.

"Are you ready young stallion?" Hiko turned to Ben as he was now feeling like his strength return anew, heals recovered and with more things to wield.

Ben was still puzzled if even now, with a shield and bow that may have belong to the Hero Of Time long ago can help him defeat a great swordsmen like Hiko Seijuro. But then suddenly, who should step in front of Ben to keep him from going near or from Hiko coming to the young stallion than…Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight," Ben responded off in shocking surprise, what is the mare doing in blocking him from Hiko?

"If you want Ben, you'll have to go through me!" Twilight issued with a serious face that if the swordsmen wants her love, he needs to get by her first.

"Interesting challenge, considering he asked you to stand aside while only us swordsmen fight." Hiko spoke in studying Twilight's act while recalling this was a fight between only him and Ben, none of the others.

"Then if you wish to continue, cut through me!" Twilight sternly issued to objecting that if Hiko wants to continue, he must get by her. "You may be strong, even stronger than we thought, but I won't standby to watch the pony I love struggle anymore." Twilight is tired of watching, she'll fight to make sure she doesn't lose Ben ever again.

"That so," Hiko raised an eyebrow in focusing more on this brave Alicorn princess here.

"Wait-wait," The Enforcers suddenly steep in to block Hiko from Twilight with very equally worried and terrified faces.

"Don't kill Twilight Sparkle, sir! Please!" Bocolix requested that Twilight would not be harmed here in anyway.

"Yeah, you never hurt a lady, would ya?" Dumbledore issued off about this guy would never hurt a mare, now would he?

"You two, what are you doing? I can handle this!" Twilight sternly asked why Dumbledore & Bocolix were doing this; this is her issue, not theirs.

"But if you get killed, we know a lot of ponies will be miserable." Dumbledore issued off about what happens if Twilight dies suddenly, many of those that love her will feel sadden.

"Yeah, and believable us, we don't want that any more than they do!" Bocolix nods in agreement, especially since if Twilight dies, Boris will be madder than any angry devil and they wanna avoid that.

"Shoot! If it's about protecting mah pals, then step aside an' Ah'll help out!" Tough Apple soon approached to bring out his gun in wanting to protect his pals. "Ah may not have magic, but Ah got guts and a pea-shooter! So go on an' hit me, Ah won't beg & cry!" He issued his own resolve to not sit back and watch this; he'll protect his buds to the end.

"I'm standing by my parents!" Nyx issued from transforming in her Battle Form to stand up to the strong swordsmen. "I've been reincarnated as suppose to be evil, but Twilight brought me to see things differently and with Ben, I gain somepony that was special to her. I have parents now and I won't stand to see either of them leave me." The adult Nyx issued about how she now has something that she cares for much, and won't let anyone try to harm those she has come to love like a child to her parents.

"Twilight took me in when I was a baby hatchling and raises me like I was her own brother. I won't just watch her die, OR any of my friends!" Spike issued from becoming serious to step up and even pulled out his own flaming beam saber.

"Yeah, and I say some cool stuff too, but everyone else already used them. So I'll just say, you wanna get to one of us, you gotta beat ALL of us to do it!" Phobos steps up to the plate, but shrug off his shoulders to not having something clever, but even he knows they stand strong together.

Ben & Twilight smiled in seeing their friends and family stand up to give aid even against such a situation. And the one who saw this act was Hiko as the guy looked to everyone's eyes to close them…seeing what needed to be seen.

"Very well…" Hiko Seijuro spoke in a quiet tone at first that was mysterious while putting his katana back in it's sheath. The others thought the guy was reaching for something from his clothing until… "Here." He issued to suddenly toss out something in a wrapped cloth shape.

Twilight used her magic to catch the item and gently unwrap it…only to discover that…it was some magic colored dust, could this be…

"The Magical Fable Dust ingredient; from the longest & hardest place we haven't gone to yet in the Perish Falls!" Twilight exclaimed in utter shock to see that they have in their possession, the next to near final ingredient. "But…why are you…we haven't even beaten you!" The Alicorn princess was confused, why was Hiko Seijuro giving them the ingredient that he had and believed to get it if the gang proved their will of worth to him?

"I said I was wanting to see and test your will if you wanted the ingredient and you've proven that right now." Hiko spoke with a calm response that he just wanted to test out the group's will to where he could give them that ingredient. "A strong stallion stands up for himself and even stronger stallion stands up for others." He spoke with this quote that was important for the group to hear out. "When you fight, one must always remember, they are never alone. Keep in your hearts of those you care and they'll inspire strength the likes you can only imagine." He explained that for those that fight, so long as they are never truly alone, they can accomplish many things.

"Wooh, I never would have thought of that!" Dumbledore responded a bit surprise to hear and learn this piece of news.

"Me neither, it sounds almost….awe-inspiring." Bocolix responded in feeling a bit touched by those words of wisdom.

Soon Hiko turns to point at something of a path ahead of the gang, further from his area. "Travel down through this area and you'll come across the last thing you seek." Hiko issued in explaining where the gang can go and hopefully obtain the last thing they need for their journey.

"Really; you mean it?" Nyx responded with a smile before reverting back to her filly form.

"I think he does Nyx." Spike smiled to look to Nyx in seeing this guy was being straight honest.

"Oh-boy; The final ingredient," Phobos cheered in liking what they've just been noted, it was perfect.

"Well Ah guess we's were wrong 'ta think ya a bad pony, sorry about dat there." Tough Apple spoke to sheepishly apologize in thinking this Hiko guy was being bad, but he wasn't, just a strict teacher maybe. "I guess yew wanted 'ta teach us something', hugh?" The stallion responded in thinking he gets what was going on somehow.

"The lesson is learned and for one of you has helped you've uncovered much sleeping abilities within." Hiko nods with a calm expression while slowly walking up to the group. "But keep this in mind, as a wise word of caution." He stops near the gang and near Twilight & Ben to listen to this carefully. "Like myself and even Ben Mare, there are different ponies that are just as strong that they are not just Alicorns or Unicorns. They can be Pegasus and even Earth Ponies with unique abilities & special magical powers unlike the average bunch." What he spoke was an alert warning that out there, there are creatures, ponies that are far more than average, they possess something to be equally surprising that they aren't even in the league strength or magical scale readings of Alicorns.

"Wait a second, others…like you and me?" Ben shook his head in almost being so shock to believe, that means he and Hiko were not the only ones, there are possibly others too.

"Tell us, could those others possibly be what the Superior has gathered for his twelve members?" Twilight asked in wanting to know, she and her friends fought against the Superior, he might not be a normal villain, and if he has others working for him on a near comparison, that could explain a lot.

"Hard to say, you'll need to uncover the truth for yourself." Hiko shook his head with a stern face as he doesn't have the answer to that. "But as long as you keep in mind the strength with your friends, then you can become a stronger princess than you are now." Hiko looked his eyes down to Twilight in explaining that if she lets it, her friendship with those around her, can give her much in the upcoming battles.

Twilight felt silent in hearing those words, yet seemed almost trouble by them. Would Twilight be strong after what happened in her coming here without the rest of the Mane Six, that was the hardest thing on the pony's mind. But perhaps, she can learn to forgive and forget, after all, friends only do what they think is best for another, even if it's by different meanings & terms.

Now the gang got onto Justin the MechBull to set off on their next destination. Many were giving a little farewell wave to Hiko as the lone Earth Pony stood near his area to watch them disappear down a hill zone. Now he was all alone…of was he?

"You should know, to never sneak up behind a swordsman that has such sharp senses." Hiko Seijuro spoke to with his eyes close to grip his katana to bring it out to prepare to attack….a nearby shadow.

"How long did you know?" A voice came from the shadow near the house as it took the form of the Equestrian Elimantor while keeping himself in shadow form in case he needs to escape from an attack.

"Long enough to know that you dodge close when I struck that last mountain area." Hiko smiled off to issue how long he's known of the extra company, and how this agent of Grimmore was near a mountain the swordsmen attacked. "If you're going to fight me, then you best be prepared for it!" Hiko exclaimed about if this guy wanted to fight, he best be ready for what he can do.

"I am." Equestrian Eliminator issued from knowing his combat skills are superior to others so he'll handle facing the strongest Earth Pony but by his own ways.

"Really then, which part," Hiko suddenly issued this off that caught the pony in shadow by surprise, "The part where you serve a master or the part where you must keep close eyes on the princess." Hiko exclaimed that for this strange pony, it's seeing what his task is, to serve Grimmore or learn things about Twilight Sparkle by keeping close tabs on her.

"Hmmm…" The Equestrian Eliminator snarled a bit to look away, even in shadow form, it's easy to tell his expression. "I can see that fighting you will be more troublesome than it's worth. Whatever, I have my mission." He shrug off his second guessing to get his head in the game instead of letting this one pony play mind games with him.

With that, the Equestrian Eliminator soon vanished into his shadows to leave the area. While Hiko Seijuro could sense the guy's presence no more, he did sense another character coming up behind the hill.

"That one still has doubts of his existence, doesn't he?" Hiko sighed to exclaim while sheathing his katana as the one that appeared was…Tao.

"Indeed and I almost doubted if you were not taking it easy on Celestia's child." Tao slowly nods while issuing the fight that he saw, Hiko was a little rough around Ben Mare, it was a first to fight somepony that has the strength of a monster, sorta speak.

"Doesn't matter, he's learn the lesson, now I'll be off." Hiko responded to Tao before turning to prepare himself to leave now.

"Oh, to do more training or to sell pottery; which I must say, I was hoping to purchase some this evening." Tao responded with a cheeky expression to ponder what would Hiko do, and he has his eye on purchasing some nice pottery for himself to own.

"Both I suppose." Hiko stops to respond to the old pony's requested question before his eyes shifted upwards to the sky to…think. "A New war struggle will rise, from powerful adversaries while at the same time, new heroes will dawn in the hour of the light." He spoke in telling himself and Tao that it won't be long before great evil comes out and that it'll take great heroes to stand up to them.

"Indeed and that youth may even play a key role when reunited with Twilight, but Grimmore's wicked powers have tangled 'too' tight on his soul," Tao nods to that agreement, but it seems that the one called the Equestrian Eliminator is very much trapped within servitude towards the Overlord King: Grimmore. "Every day, the seal in Tartarus grows weaker, one day soon, the Dark Elf will be truly free unless something can be done." Tao issued about the coming when Grimmore can be free to rain havoc, and stopping him is gonna be very hard.

"Something will be done but not yet as it stands. Grimmore & the Superior are both taking steps with their own goals." Hiko Seijuro responded that in due time, something will accrue that they'll need to be wary off. "For now, all we can do…is prepare for the fight against some of Equestria's most powerful forces come into the picture." Hiko gaze off across the horizon in knowing full well, that the world of Equestria shall be facing two powerful foes, question remains; how will the heroes respond to such matters.

Hiko notices two familiar ponies arriving. The first one, Dragon Kick, spoke, "Hiko Seijiro."

"Dragon Kick, It's been a while. For an immortal Mystic Pony, you haven't change a bit. I'd say you had so much more to learn as Mystic Warrior."

Dragon Kick groan, "Why does everypony still think that I'm Mystic Warrior??"

Jade scoffs, "Duh. Coz you beat some Demon Lords from the past and not to mention some couple bad guys like Discord, Smaug the Great and Grimmore."

"While that is true, for Grimmore, I was lucky to survive of his stupid tricks and magic. I really hate him."

Hiko glances to the filly, asking, "This is......."

Tao responds to Hiko, "Jade Adventure, my grandniece."

"And my niece," Dragon Kick explains with a shrug.

"So, you're Hiko Seijiro? Cool! Can you teach me the ways of samurai?" Jade ask the samurai hopefully.

"Absolutely......" Hiko said at first. Jade smiled hopefully, "Not."

"What?! Why not?! Don't tell me I'm just child for not understanding about the ways of samurai. I hate it like Dragon Kick just said it."

Dragon Kick scolds his niece, "Jade, manners."

"While it is true, Jade, I don't teach the students, all for the sake of violence and bloodshed, but rather for the sake of harmony and peace." Hiko explains calmly to Jade. "Violence is not the way to save the Equestria, unless if the enemy proven to be dangerous and powerful threat to Equestria. Such as understanding my principle can you achieve it, I will not teach you."

Jade groans in disbelief, "Great. First Dragon Kick couldn't teach me about having Ma Fu flank-whooping when I was 100 years-old, and now the super samurai pony won't teach me; So uncool and unfair."

Hiko sigh in annoyance as he speaks to Dragon Kick, "Does your niece enjoy violence that much?"

Dragon Kick sighs, "All because of my adventures against the Demon Lords and Grimmore. Ouch. That elf sure has bad magic against me. It hurts me a lot when he uses his Dark Magic. I tried to teach Jade to have discipline and the ways of Ma Fu. But you get my point."

Hiko nods while answering, "I understand. Your niece really need some discipline and calm herself down for once in a while."

"Don't I know it."

With that much said, things will truly begin to shake like never before. As the scene grows a little dark with Hiko Seijuro leaving to perform his own objections while Tao, Jade and Dragon Kick slowly vanishes in their own form of magic. Things around here are just gonna keep getting more out of control until something truly big happens….and then everything will rest of fate itself.

----------------------

At the CMC's tree house in Ponyville, the ceremony for a new Cutie Mark Crusader was about to commence.

Sweetie smiles as she prepares to read, "Ahem, uh..." The unicorn notices that most of the coronation paper has been eaten. "Wait, where's the rest of it?"

Twist burps a bit then said sheepishly, "Sorry, Sweetie. I was so hungry that I ate most of it."

"Twist," The other CMC shouted in annoyance and unison.

"Never mind, I don't need the rest, just the important stuff." Karma said with a smile.

"Right; Yew git all 'de rights 'dat we will tell yew about, as well as instructions on making 'de branch in Las Pegasus." Apple Bloom said with a smile. "But mah cousin Babs Seed will fill yew on those details, right cous?"

"Right, Apple Bloom!" Babs laughs as she hugs Karma. "Leave it 'ta me, Ah will give ya the instructions needed."

"Yeah, it must be cool to be a Cutie Mark Crusader!" Karma laughs with glee.

"Just watch out for two things: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon." Scootaloo said to Karma in concern. "Well, okay, just Diamond Tiara."

"She's a bully an' a liar." Apple Bloom explains to Karma seriously. "She's done a lot o' bad things."

"Each worse than the last," Sweetie added.

"Relax; I got luck on my side." Karma explains with a smirk. "Good for me, bad for her."

"I would believe it when I see it." Scootaloo said with a frown as the foals walk out of the tree house.

"Hey, losers," Diamond Tiara taunts as she and Silver Spoon walk by. "Still hanging out? I'm surprised your place is still standing."

Diamond laughs cruelly, but fails to see a huge hole in the ground until the mare screams as she fell into it.

"Oops. Big Mac just dug 'dat up." Apple Bloom said in surprise.

"I rest my case." Karma said proudly.

"Okay, I believe it." Scootaloo said with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Joey Dice explains to the princesses of his and Karma's problem with the Mafia in Las Pegasus.

"I see. Well, Mr. Dice, rest assured that I will send the Royal Guards to deal with the Mafia." Celestia assures Joey Dice with a smile. "I doubt that they will give you any future problems." 

"Thank you...but with what's going on from what you told me, princesses, I feel that Karma and I can't leave until this mess is resolved." Joey Dice sighs, knowing that it wouldn't be right to leave while Ponyville is in the middle of a crisis. "Is it really as bad as all that?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Luna said seriously. "And if you wish to assist Ponyville in this time of need, we will appreciate all your kind efforts."

"Thank you." Joey Dice said with a nod. "I will do what I can to help."

Joey Dice trots to inform Karma of his decision. Celestia looks worried. Luna notices as she ask, "Sister, is everything alright?"

"Oh, I was wondering if my son and his family will come back soon." Celestia explains to Luna with a sigh. "I know so far that they made it through the End of Equestria okay...but I fear what would happen once they take on Shendu or Tso Lan. They are the most powerful demons of the Demon Lords to date." 

Luna then pats her sister's back, saying gently, "Be brave, sister. Twilight Sparkle, Ben Mare, Spike, Nyx, and yes, even Tough Apple and Phobos have fought worst before. Remember, Twilight risked her life to defeat my evil self, Discord back when he was evil, the Changelings, King Sombra, Lorcan, and even your former student. Your son has dealt with various obstacles as well as Boris and the Superior. And you do remember Nyx's tasks when she started out, correct?"

"Yes, I remember...when she banished you and me to the sun and moon…but although her cult wanted her to be the Nightmare Moon that they wanted, Nyx wouldn't have it." Celestia said gently. "She instead became a different ruler...and when the time came, she helped Twilight and her friends free us."

"Then worry not. They will come back someday. I believe they are the right warriors to help Ponyville in this time of need." Luna said to Celestia with a small smile.

"I can only hope, Lulu." Celestia said, looking up to the sky, wishing for the best.

------------------------

Twilight and her friends were on their way to the next location which is a huge dangerous volcano. As they do so, they spotted Tao who is on top of a plank that consists of first: one big pyramids, second: vertical line of three boxes and third: three balls. He also stands on the plank while balancing the stick on his two hooves with many plates that consists of different kinds of fruits.

Tao threw them up. He then jump and then balances his front hooves down while his back one held the sticks to the plates and fruits.

Spike spoke, "Its Tao. But what's with those stuff that he's doing?"

"Each time we came, Tao's acting strange and weirder in doing something........strange." Phobos commented, recalling how stranger Tao was whenever the group finds him.

"Even so Phobos, I'd say it's okay for him." Nyx said to Phobos with a nod. "After all, he did advise us on something important each time."

"What I'm worried about is what he's doing." Twilight said, worried about what Tao is doing at this moment.

"True, let's find out what Tao's been doing." Ben suggested.

Twilight and her friends approach Tao. Upon doing so, the Alicorn was the first to speak, "Tao?"

Tao looks down to the group literally. Smiling, the old pony said wisely, "Ah, my dear friends, I see you had arrived."

"Yeah, as usual, but what's wit' 'de stuffs?" Tough ask, glancing at the stuffs that Tao has now.

"Why I'm balancing." Tao explains to Tough with a grin.

"Balancing? For what," Nyx ask curiously while tilting her head a bit, pondering.

"Don't you think what you're doing is dangerous?" Spike ask, concerned for Tao's safely.

Tao chuckle, "Spike, have you ever heard of 'never judge a book's cover'?"

Twilight giggle as she answers, "Funny. We're kinda been there before." It's true, the ponies has deal with the same judgment concerning a 'book's cover' before in the past.

"Good. Then, you should know that what I'm doing is not dangerous, but rather be cautious, patient and calm in balancing the stuff." Tao explains to the group with a smile.

"Why?" Bocolix ask, a bit unclear by the answer.

"Is it so important?" Dumbledore ask, bewildered as well. What kind of answer is that anyway?

"Of course," The old pony said. He push his front hooves down before he jump up high. The balls falls on up. Tao lands on the plank while holding the plates and fruits on his left, and his right holding the three balls. He is fine, much to the group's amazement. "Imagine the stool. If one of the stool's supports failed, then it shall fall from not only its balance, but its unity."

"How's that gonna explain to us?" Phobos asks confused.

Tao threw the two items up high. He then kicks the balls to Phobos just before he held the sticks to balance two plates and some fruits. The balls hit on the Moon Dragon's head. They bounced just before going down on him. Phobos try to grab them, but instead, he got three in a vertical line. The Dragon try to hold them, but the balls wiggle and shake. His hand slips the three balls off. They fell and bounced on Phobos's head a few times.

Phobos became dizzy from the ball bouncing. Tao smiles as he explains to him, "That's the reason it's important of balance, Phobos."

Spike did some thinking, holding his chin as he begins to speak, "So, let me get this straight. If the stool's like us, and one goes down, then others will fall, too? Like Game over?"

"Indeed. Unless one must balance the weights and fates of the mission and battles, one will not only lose his chance of victory, but the ones that he cared for." Tao explains the secret of unity. "The unity shall fall. You can't rely on magic to do it. It must be you alone to balance them."

"'Dat would be?" Tough ask Tao skeptically.

Tao threw the sticks, plates and some fruits at Ben who panicked and shook his head. Ben quickly grab the sticks first, then the plates and some fruits while standing with his two back hooves down. He balanced them all at once, much to the amazement of those with him.

Nyx cheers on, "Wow; Way to go, daddy!"

"See? Everything and everywhere requires balance and even for light and dark. Balance is very important to both individual and unity. If one fails to cooperate and work as a team, then the unity shall be destroyed." Tao explains the balance thing to the newcomers.

Twilight, whose back was turned as the others look at her, nod as she said, "I understand, Tao. And thank you for the advice--" Of course, when the gang turns back again, guess what happened? "Mr. Tao?"

"He's gone, again." Spike said as Tao is now gone, even the area where he was is now vacant. That old pony has a weird habit!

"Boy, talk about a few times of déjà vu all over again." Phobos groans, wondering how many times that Tao must do this.

"Wait. If Tao's gone, then what happened to the pyramid and boxes and plank?" Bocolix gasps in alarm, recalling the stuff that Tao was holding before.

Everyone look at the pyramid, boxes and the plank, which are no longer held by the missing Tao. The boxes and plank were about to fall upon Twilight and her friends. The plank fell towards Twilight. She quickly hold the plank, just before putting it down. The three boxes are falling down. Tough quickly grab the boxes in a vertical line quickly. He sigh of this as he put them down slowly.

"I guess Tao's right about one thing. We rather have to balance by ourselves than using magic." Nyx said, now understanding what Tao is explaining to the group.

"You bet, Nyx." Spike said in agreement. Maybe without magic, the gang can find another way to balance.

"Well, balance is important. But to do that, we have to be very patient, calm and cautious, or else who knows what happen if one is not careful with balance." Twilight explains to the others, knowing that unbalance could lead to disaster.

As usual, the voice returns, saying, "Guide the unbalance to the balance of the twins."

Everyone all ask at once, "Huh?"

"Guide the unbalance to the balance of the twins."

"Okay. We know that we had to be balanced, but what's with 'guide unbalance to the balance of the twins'?" Spike asks, scratching his scales in curiosity. Sounds like the oddest riddle yt.

"I had no idea, Spike." Nyx remarked, not having a clue either. This riddle sounds like a toughie.

"I bet someone is worse than us for not understanding the balance." Phobos said in concern. The Moon Dragon suspects that it involves trouble up ahead.

"Whoever it is we're dealing with, we'd better be careful." Ben said, knowing that the riddle must prefer to something up ahead.

"Right, c'mon. The last item is beyond somewhere in the forest. Let's move on." Twilight said, urging everyone to continue onward for the last ingredient.

-----------------------------------------------------

In the deep dark forest, Twilight and her friends continue to move on in their cart. As they did, they heard something 'zoom fast' sound-like on the trees. They look around as to be cautious as the next foe may be here.

Spike looks around, startled while asking, "What was that?"

"I'm not gonna like it." Phobos remarked, fearing the worst as usual.

"I smell rats in this forest." Nyx said with a frown. Something is not right here.

"Okay, guys. You know the drill." Ben said as he got his Master Sword prepared for what could be a major fight.

"Prepare for the enemy come out." Bocolix said, knowing the next drill in line.

Dumbledore got ready as he continues, "Beat the crap out of them."

"Ready 'ta lock an' load, Ben." Tough grunted while getting his gun out.

"Whoever we're dealing with, it's gonna be tough opponents." Twilight said as her horn glows. The next opponent or opponents could be tough ones so she cannot get her guard down for a moment.

Twilight and her friends continue to be vigilant and cautious in their surroundings while moving on as the enemies go around and around on them. The trees got rustled by their surroundings. Suddenly, the 'zoom fast' sound is heard. The ground is stomped by someone.

Twilight and her friends turn and encounter two humanoid rabbits dressed in white robes uniforms. The first one is blue and male while another is pink and female with small purple bow.

As the others look oddly at the newcomers, the Rabbit Boy spoke, "We've been expecting you, Twilight and family."

"Welcome. We are-" The Rabbit Girl was about to say but without warning...she was cut off.

Spike sigh while rolling his eyes, "You're Xiao Fung's Servants."

"And you're not Peta that we're expecting." Phobos adds while looking a bit bored, much to the twins' surprise.

"But you're here to stop us from gathering the ingredients while trying to capture me and my dad to Demon Lords." Nyx said, a bit bored as well. Somehow, this isn't what she's expecting.

The Rabbit Boy and Rabbit Girl were shocked and surprised. Both yell out at the same thing, "How did you know what we're gonna do and who we are?"

Twilight shrugs as she explains, "We've been fighting most of your masters, servants and monsters. It's always the same routine in fighting us."

Tough remarks as he adds, "Yew can't be Tso Lan's servant. Ah bet mah hoof 'dis servant is most fierce an' smarter than anyone, even yew two." The rabbits glared at Tough, annoyed by the comment.

"If we remember what the other guys said before, Peta is very dangerous and powerful servant than anyone." Bocolix said, recalling what Kouga and Maha Vailo has mentioned before.

"Eeyup," Dumbledore remarks while nodding a bit.

"As far our concern, the servants we know of are Bai Tza's: Somnambula, Dai Gui's: Kouga, Hsi Wu's: Shadow Ghoul, Po Kong's: Kobalos, and Tchang Zu's: Maha Vailo." Nyx said, counting off the servants that the group has took on and defeated so far in their adventure.

Spike sigh, "I bet my scales that my dad and brother were Shendu's servants." How ironic that two members of his family were indeed servants of Shendu.

"Thus, it concluded that Peta is going to be Tso Lan's." Twilight said, deducting in conclusion.

"While you're Xiao Fung's servants, you're not what we expecting. So who are you?" Ben ask curiously to the rabbits.

The male rabbit known as Yang groan to the female one known as Yin, "I told you that they would figure it out. I told you that we should sneak attack on them. But no; it has to be the code of Ma Fu, P-lease!"

Yin frowns as he snaps, "So what? This is a code of honor. In fact, I couldn't care of what Xiao Fung had said. I'd said we do what we want in dealing with the situation."

"Whatever." Yang scoffs before turning back to the group. "By the way, ponies, the name's Yang."

"And I'm his first twin sister, Yin." Yin explains with a smirk.

"We're the Yin-Yang Twins. We're here to stop you here for good." The Yin-Yang Twins said, doing some poses. Of course, the group just stares at them oddly.

"It would be awesome that we'll be the one that kick Wilight, two purple Demons and some doofus ponies while getting Nightmare Moon and En." Yang explains with a laugh.

Twilight sighs as she corrects Yang, "It's Twilight, Yang!"

Spike and Phobos snaps in annoyance, "We're Dragons!"

Tough, Bocolix and Dumbledore offended by the doofus remarks, yells out, "We're not doofuses!"

"It's Ben!" Ben corrects Yang in irritation.

"And my name is Nyx!" Nyx exclaims to Yang with an annoyed sigh.

Yin in amazement asks, "Nyx? Wow, that name is better than Nightmare Moon. I think it fits for a little filly."

"Thanks. At least, one servant is respectful as Maha." Nyx said, pleased that at least one servant is respectful to call her by her real name.

"Whatever. As I was saying, if we beat you guys down for good, then we can earn our freedom!" Yang exclaims eagerly. Hearing this caught the group's interest. So more folks enslaved by the Demon Lords!

"Let me guess, Yin-Yang, you guys got captured and forced to serve Xiao Fung?" Ben asked the Yin-Yang Twins curiously.

Yang groans in chagrin, "I hate it when they do that!"

"Ignore my dumb brother, but you're right about us." Yin said. "We were once ponies and the best martial art fighters from the Land of Ma."

"You were both ponies?" Spike asks the group in surprise and curiosity.

"I guess Kouga isn't the only one." Phobos said impressed.

"What were you doing here?" Nyx ask the rabbits, wondering what the two former ponies turned rabbits are doing in the End of Equestria in the first place.

"That. You can ask my stupid brother." Yin said, giving an angry glare to her brother.

"Why are you blaming me?" The male rabbit protest. Yin glared at Yang who groans. "Okay, okay, fine, it was my idea. Since we became the best martial art fighters, so we deserve the challenge to fight."

"In other words, you came here without realizing the consequences?" Twilight guesses, although she doesn't really need an answer.

"You fought Xiao Fung but ended up losing. You were turned into humanoid rabbits as his servants." Ben said, guessing the next part right.

Yin shrugs as she answers, "Yup."

"Of all the animal beings, why stupid and fluffy bunnies," Yang ask, annoyed by his appearance. "Somehow, I think Xiao Fung is making fun of us, just because we got a little overconfident."

"A little," Yin scowls to her brother in irritation.

"Okay, a lot." Yang admits, rolling his eyes.

Phobos pauses then spoke dryly, "That's........dumb, pal."

"Seriously, all for the sake of fighting and winning," Spike ask Yin and Yang, rolling his eyes at the explanation. "You guys really need to be careful of what you're doing."

Yin and Yang scowls angrily, "Hey!"

"Look, we don't want to make problems. You guys look okay and innocent." Twilight said, knowing that Yin and Yang aren't truly bad. "Maybe you should let us by."

Yang interrupts with a snap, "Oh no, egghead! You're so not going by without a fight."

"Besides, after what you did to the other servants, the Demon Lords especially the frog Demon are putting pressure on us." Yin explains the problem that she and Yang are going through right now. "So, you know what this mean."

Ben groan in disbelief, "Why do we even bother to ask; the immature ponies."

"We're not immature, pal!" Yin and Yang both yell at Ben at once.

"Sure sounded like ones to me." Spike remarks in amusement.

"Anyway, let's get down to business." Phobos remarked, preparing to fight these two rabbits and get it over with.

"You're right! Enough talking, it's fighting time!" Yang remarks as he prepares to rumble.

Ben groan, knowing that it comes down to this, "Why do I even bother?"

Nyx transform into Battle Mode. Twilight and her friends armed themselves: Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore armed their magic, Tough armed his gun. Ben armed his sword. Spike and Phobos readied their fists. Yin and Yang readied to fight. Yin's hand is filled and glowed with blue aura. Yang armed his sword.

"Twilight; You, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore will take care of Yin while me, Tough, Spike and Phobos take care of Yang." Ben instructs the others on what to do in the battle. It's going to be a tough one...

"Okay, Yang, we need some plan to defeat our enemies." Yin instructs Yang with a smirk.

"Who needs it?! Kowabanga! Ponies," Yang exclaims as he charge right at Twilight and her family. Yin groans angrily. He swung his sword at them as fast and hard as he can. Twilight and her family dodge as fast and far away from them. They kept on dodging while Yang continue to attack while groaning, "Why you keep running away from us?!"

"Boy, yew really need 'ta calm yer temper down!" Tough exclaims to Yang. He then realize something, the stallion sounded like Tao from earlier. "Wow, now I sounded like Tao."

"I don't care! Just get into the fight."

Spike rolls his eyes while remarking, "Boy, and we thought some ponies are dumber."

Phobos nods in agreement, "No kidding."

Yang continues to swing his sword at his enemies until he got clashed with Ben. The stallion spoke to the rabbit calmly, "You know, Yang? You're quite an amateur."

"Why you," Yang scowls, a bit annoyed by the comment. "I'm gonna get you, pal!"

Ben and Yang fought through their sword fighting as they clash their swords while blocking and avoiding the attacks as fast as they themselves can. The two fighters got their swords clash just before they move out. Ben hits on Yang's head. The male rabbit groaned as he turn and glare at Ben. Yang yells angrily as he swung his sword at his enemy as fast as he can. Ben continue to dodge and block the attack as fast as he can while the Earth Pony hits and slaps on Yang's head after evading them.

For a few turns of the battle, Yang groan angrily of letting his head get hit. He was about to attack Ben. But instead, Phobos and Spike gave Yang a big punch.

Yin shakes her head while remarking, "Yang really need to calm his temper down. I'd swear if we survive this, I'm gonna lecture him to the end."

Yin arms herself in battle while her hand glows in blue. She blast her blue orb blasts at Twilight and the Alicorns. They kept on dodging the attack. While Yin is close to Twilight or any of the Alicorns, she attacks them with her punches and kicks. The Alicorns continued to dodge the attacks as fast and cautious as they can. Twilight use Levitation Spell and levitated Yin up. The female rabbit growl angrily as she shook the purple aura out as hard as she herself can.

Twilight chuckles a bit while saying, "Boy, you're worse than Yang."

"Hey, I'm not immature as he is." Yin protest to Twilight in irritation.

Nyx sigh at this, "Yeah, right."

Bocolix laughs a bit in amusement, "She really needs to calm down."

Dumbledore nods in agreement, "Yeah, kid....."

"KID," Yin screams in rage at what Dumbledore just called her just now. "You do not call me that; Alicorns!"

Yin yells angrily as she stretch her arms and legs out while her eyes glow in blue. The mad rabbit freed herself from Twilight's Levitation Spell, much to the princess's alarm. Yin blast her blue orb blasts at Twilight and her friend but they dodge the attacks as fast as they can. While Twilight and her friends continued to dodge the attacks, the Alicorn Princess herself gave Yin a big slap on her head.

Yin growl angrily, "Hey! Quit it!"

Twilight said, "Not until you give up."

Yin growl angrily as she continued to attack Twilight with her blasts, punching and kicking while Twilight continued to evade the attack, and at the same time the mare gave the punches and slaps on Yin's head. The female rabbit got annoyed by this, why won't she give up?! She was about to attack, but instead, Yin got blasted by Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore's attacks.

Soon Yang and Yin got defeated as both opponents fell to the ground. For a moment, it looks like the fight is truly over. Just before Twilight and her friends approach them however, Yin and Yang yell angrily as their hands glowed in red and blue. Yang's hand became fire while Yin's hands are ice. The battle isn't over yet!

Twilight and her friends were shocked at this latest turn in events. Yang remarks madly to the group, "You're so busted, pal! Feel the burn, pal!"

"And Ice!" Yin exclaims n agreement.

Yang and Yin fire their fire and ice at their enemies. Twilight and her friends continued to dodge the attacks as fast as they can and away from them. Yang yell angrily as he used his sword which engulf in fire and blast fire-throwers at Ben, Tough, Spike and Phobos. Yin blasts her ice beam at Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore.

While Yin and Yang continue to attack, Twilight's team and Ben's team continue to dodge the attacks. They came across each other. Twilight's team flew over while Ben's team went under them. Yin's ice power and Yang's fire power got collided and clashed at the same time. Thus, it engulfed in an explosion, causing them to almost be knockout.

Yin growls to Yin in annoyance, "Hey, watch it pal!"

"You're the one who needs to watch it!" Yang yells out at Yin right back.

"That's it! I so had it enough. I don't know what you've been doing! But this has gone too much!"

"You said it, sis. It's time for our special technique!"

Yin and Yang screams out at the same time, "Xros Fusion Spell!"

Twilight gasp in worry, she knows this spell from a certain forbidden book that her teacher told her to study. Yin and Yang stood on the ground while moving their hands around three times. Their hands glow in both red and blue. Yin and Yang blast their red and blue at each other that collided and clashed. The blue and red mix together into the purple; The purple aura itself fire back at Yin and Yang and drag them both, combining the two into one giant purple rabbit while dressed in black Kung Fu Uniform.

The creature known as Yinyang with a brutal voice booms out, "I am Yinyang; I shall be the one to destroy you all! Prepare yourselves."

"This is not good. Xros Fusion Spell is giving them strong powers." Twilight gulps in worry. She feared to deal with something like this someday but why now?

"So how are we gonna beat them?" Ben ask Twilight, wondering on a way to stop these rabbits in their combined form.

"Even though Yin and Yang had combined their strengths as one, but they're still immature. If we beat them with our tricks, they should be able to deactivate their Xros Fusion Spell and argue at each other. As long they had positive energy with them, they will continue to stay in unity."

"Then, let's do it!" Nyx shouts out in determination. Time to take these twins down!

Twilight and her friends charge at Yinyang. Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore flew up high and fired their magic at Yinyang as fast as they can. The fused being tries to smack and punch on Twilight and her friends but they're too fast. On the ground, both Ben and Tough charge at Yinyang's legs. They hit his legs very hard. Yinyang fall to the ground. He was about to get back up, but instead, Spike and Phobos blast their Dragon and Moon Rage at Yinyang's face.

Yinyang scream in pain as he got up quickly. Just before the fused creature could do anything, Twilight used her Nova Punch on Yinyang's face, along with Ben's Sword Beam and Nyx's Night Star Implosion. Twilight and her friends continue to use their magic and powers to beat and defeat Yinyang as hard as they can while dodging his attacks.

"Why can't I defeat you," Yinyang demands in frustration. So far, he is losing to these ponies and Dragons!

"You two are amateurs. You can't even fight well. I bet you just skipped all the lessons about Ma Fu and ends up losing." Ben explains to Yinyang. He isn't taunting, just explaining the truth to the two inside the being.

"Shut up!"

"Just admit it, Yin and Yang. The reason you go to the 'End of Equestria' is because of your laziness and obsession in winning. That's why you got caught by Xiao Fung." Twilight explains, trying to reason to Yin and Yang.

"Shut up!" Yinyang screams. He refuses to admit his mistake or admit defeat so easily!

"There is nothing wrong to admitting defeat when you know it's the truth." Nyx points out to Yinyang. "You need balance to be together as well as being hardworking ponies. You two seemed to argue a lot."

Phobos chuckles a bit, "I guess they don't know the meaning of hardwork and balance."

"Yeah. Not like any of us. We keep on practicing and working hard." Spike explains while motioning to himself and the others. It's true because thanks to practicing and working hard, they were able to do better each day.

"Yew bet, yew two," Tough remarked in agreement.

"It looks like Yinyang needs timeout." Bocolix commented, knowing that Yinyang will need major timeout to think about what he was told.

Dumbledore ask Bocolix curiously, "How much time will that be?"

"Hmm; I don't know; Forever."

Twilight and her friends laugh. Yinyang growl angrily as he yells angrily. But in this case, it was two separate beings taking turns doing all the talking.

"Shut up! You ponies! I'm the best in all of Equestria!" Yang scowls angrily to his enemies.

"You; you can't even do well in your chores." Yin snaps to Yang in disbelief.

"At least, I'm good at fighting than you are."

"I'm way better than you in studies. I'm the best because I'm oldest."

Yang continues arguing with himself/herself/whatever, "It's not!"

Yin snaps at Yang right back, "It's too."

Yinyang mumble and argue himself with Yin and Yang's voices. Yinyang glow in black as he started to shrink into two familiar beings: Yin and Yang. The two fought each other in a puff of smoke for many times. It would've been funny in any other cases. Eventually though, Yin and Yang got exhausted and tired before they lay down; those two aren't resolving anything fast!

Twilight pauses a bit before saying, "It looks like we win." It's funny that the group won so easily in this contest

Yin pant while asking, "But how?"

"We're the best. We're good at martial arts. We cannot be beaten!" Yang groans in disbelief. How could those ponies and Dragons has beaten both him and Yin? They didn't fight hard enough!

"That's because you two argued and always think of your goals." Twilight explains clearly to Yin and Yang. The truth sounds a bit hard but it's the only way to explain the losses to the opponents.

"The reason that you're beaten is because you guys don't understand the first meaning of 'balance' and 'hardworking'. None of you had." Ben explains calmly. "That's why you keep on arguing and fighting over stuff."

"You two maybe good at martial arts, but you two always fighting and arguing over for what? For fun," Nyx ask Yin and Yang, wondering what's the point in fighting and arguing with each other anyway.

Phobos remarks to make a point, "I may be selfish, but I'd never let my friends down." It's true. The Moon Dragon may be a bit of a jerk but at least he does his best not to let his friends down no matter what.

"No matter what kind of arguments we had, we'll always be together." Spike said, hugging Nyx and Phobos proudly.

"You know. You two remind of us of having an argument." Bocolix said thoughtfully. It's true, Yin and Yang reminds him of when Bocolix has argument with Dumbledore over some silly thing or another; Kinda amusing, to be honest.

"We maybe argue, but we'll always be together." Dumbledore said in agreement. Yeah, he and Bocolix almost lost their friendship due to a foolish nasty argument that the two had but ever since the fight with Po Kong, the two has done their best to do better.

"What about yew? Don't yew care fer each other?" Tough ask the rabbit. Yin and Yang thought for a moment, just before they sobbed and cried. The stallion's question has indeed hit home big time for the two...and what the ponies said has touched them in a way none as ever done before.

"You know. You're right. We'd always argue and fight over something we want: to be top of the martial art champion. We'd never care for each other because of our stupid rivalry. We were so caught up of being the winner." Yin explains, sobbing a bit in sadness.

"So, we thought going to the End of Equestria will make us be famous and best; to see who will be the one to become the best martial art warriors. But we got caught because of our argument and fights." Yang continues, sobbing some more.

"Besides, I guess we deserve to be punished."

"You bet. Both of us never care for each other. I'm sorry, sis, for bringing you into a mess."

"Me too, Yang; I wish we could be like you." Yin said, saying the second part to Twilight's group.

"Somehow, you guys are awesome. We wish we could have met you earlier." Yang said in sadness and regret while looking downward.

Twilight however just smiles as she spoke, "Admiring is fine, but you have to be yourself to prove that you can do it."

"But most important of all, you need family to stick together, no matter what." Ben explains to Yin and Yang calmly.

"It balanced our dream of what we want and love of who we care for." Nyx said in agreement.

"If you have that, then I bet everything will be fine." Spike said. The Baby Dragon and the others are indeed correct. With balance and family, Yin and Yang will be fine from then on.

Yin and Yang pauses to think, then smiles while saying at the same time, "You're right."

"So do you care for each other?" Phobos asks Yin and Yang.

"We do because we're twins and family."

"I love my brother, even though he's quite annoying and a jerk." Yin chuckled, ignoring the glare from Yang. "But sometimes, I felt being protected when he's been there for me whenever I needed. He's like a real warrior." This causes Yang to smile because of that.

Yang spoke next, "I really hate to admit it but I too love my sister. She can be pain in my flank like she's so smarter than me. But to be very honest, I'm glad to have a smart sister like her."

"Do you mean it?"

"I wouldn't lie to my sister when it comes to battle except for food."

"Come here, you arrogant bunny!" Yin laughs eagerly.

Yin and Yang hug. But suddenly, their bodies glow in white light as they all transformed into a blue Pegasus colt with black spiky hair and a pink Unicorn filly with a white long mane. They are both dressed in white Kung Fu uniform. Yang has a sword Cutie Mark while Yin has a book Cutie Mark.

Everyone gasp at this miracle. Yin was the first to speak, "We're....."

"Ponies again! Yeah, we're ponies again! No more rabbits! Yippee!" Yang laughs. Yin and Yang hug and bounce around, happy to be released of their curse after so long, so to speak.

Twilight pauses to recall the riddle from before. She smiles while saying, "Guys, I figure the riddle out."

"Really," Ben asks Twilight in amazement.

"The twins must be referring to the Yin-Yang Twins."

"I bet we taught them about the importance of dream and love of family, am I right?" Spike asks Twilight with a smile.

Nyx nods as well, adding, "Spike's right. I think we had to help them to be balanced together."

"I bet Xiao Fung took advantage of it, and make them hate each other until they had forgotten the importance of life: family." Ben said, suspecting Xiao Fung's role in Yin and Yang's transformation. "That must be his curse, and only the balance of Yin and Yang can overcome it to be loved and together again."

"Just like us." Phobos said thoughtfully.

Yin and Yang bow while saying at the same time to the ones who helped them, "Thank you so much! We're in your debt, Twilight and her family."

"No problem. Okay, I'm going to teleport you two safely to Ponyville. You'll be safe from harm." Twilight said, preparing to teleport Yin and Yang to Ponyville so that they will be safe from the Demon Lords and any further harm.

"Thank you."

Twilight used her magic and teleport both Yin and Yang out in a bright light of orb. Nyx sighs happily, "It's so glad to see them both together."

"You bet. I only hope they don't forget." Spike said. The baby Dragon is hoping for Yin and Yang's sake that those two don't forget their lesson anytime soon.

Ben smiles, patting Spike on the back while saying, "I'm pretty sure that they won't, Spike."

"Ben's right. C'mon, let's finish this journey for good. Let's roll everyone." Twilight said as she and her friends got on the cart, and move on to the next journey. Only one more ingredient and their journey will finally be over.

-----------

"Why do you even keep those two jokers in the first place; they're much more annoying than Kobalos." Hsi Wu asks Xiao Fung in annoyance. The Demon Lords heard about the latest failure but unlike the last few times, they are annoyed by Yin and Yang than the success of the enemies.

"Hsi Wu's right. Why do you make them as your servants in first place?" Po Kong ask Xiao Fung with a frown.

"They're jokers to play with. I guess they're useless to us now." Xiao Fung remarks with a shrug.

"That leaves one only." Dai Gui said. The Demon knew that there is only one servant left to stop Twilight and her family now: Peta himself.

"Do you believe Peta will complete his mission, brother?" Tchang Zu ask Tso Lan in concern.

"What of your master plan, Tso Lan?" Bai Tza asks in insistent as she wants to know what he and Shendu has been up to.

Shendu smiles as he asks Tso Lan, "Brother, is it time?"

"Indeed, it is. My brethren, it is very pointless for all of us to continue in hunting and capturing Nightmare Moon while performing the Restoration Spell on her. As far as I'm concerned, all of our servants and pets have failed us miserably. But in fact, this is great advantage to my master plan." Tso Lan explains sinisterly. All of the Demon Lords but Shendu were confused and shocked. What is he talking about? "Now, my first master plan begins." Tso Lan opened a portal to a black figure waiting for him.

The servant known as Peta spoke in a booming voice, "You summoned me, master?"

"Indeed, my faithful servant. It is time to show these imbeciles of what they should and shouldn't have done. I have special mission, just for you to do it."

Peta smirked as well as Tso Lan. The first of the master plans is about to start...