Chapter 5
Twilight, Nyx, Celestia and Luna continued to watch as the battle between the stallion and the giant lizard raged on. Surprised to see how well the stallion warrior could hold his own against the creature. The stallion moved around the area at speeds impossible for any earth pony could perform. Dodging any and all attacks made by the lizard. Blocking and parrying a few lightning attacks with his scythe and even using the horns on his helmet to redirect the attacks back. When an opening was made, he quickly moved in for a few good hits or slashed the creature with his scythe. His jumping capabilities was also unnatural as the four saw him jumped great heights above the lizard whenever the creature tries to swing its tail to hit him. Just then, electricity began to build up from the tip of the tail. They knew that he was indeed no ordinary pony. The stallion was about to perform a move in the air when he realized the princesses and little foal are within range of its attack. The lizard fired the electricity from its tail in multiple lightning strikes. Quickly, the stallion disappeared in mid jump and reappeared in front of the three as if done by magic. He then threw his scythe up high above him and crossed his arms. The wings on his back folded in front of him and harden to a metallic shine. He then braced himself as the attacks came at him head on. Each lightning attack has hit its mark, only to have them reflect back.
“I can’t believe what I’m seeing. How’s this possible?” Celestia asks as all three watched the stallion defending them from the multiple attacks.
“I don’t know sister, but I do know that this pony is the only one that can possibly save us all from this evil creature.”
“Princess Luna. What’s he doing with his tail?” Nyx questions as Luna also looks down to see the stallion’s armored tail moving in a figure eight pattern. The sound of chains can be heard as he picked up speed. He then struck the ground with his tail, burying the talon underground. His tail then rushed further into the ground without stopping. A slight rumble could be felt coming from the ground as multiple chains busted out from multiple points of the ground. Each chain that came out begun to wrap around the lizard’s legs, tail, body, neck, and head. Each chain came out a total of thirteen times and wrapped around the lizard, immobilizing it from moving. This also caused the lightning attacks to stop.
The stallion then removed his tail from the ground and opened his wings. With a flap of his wings, he flew high into the sky. He caught his scythe as it came back down. He raised the scythe over his head as he’s about to fall on top of the lizard. The scythe’s blade glowed silver as it changed it form to a crescent moon. With a mighty swing, he swung down at the lizard yelling in the process. It appeared to be the final strike until the blades on the back of the lizard began to vibrate rapidly. Faster and faster until the chains which held it were cut. As his attack was just about to connect, the lizard shifted a bit forward and blocked the attack with its still vibrating blades.
The princesses and Nyx watched as electric sparks flew out wildly from the scythe as it hit the vibrating blades on the creature’s back. It appears to be a stalemate between the two until the lizard pushed up on his back, forcing the warrior to be pushed off into the air. It then swung its tail and with the claw at the end of the tail, grabbed the warrior by the leg. Before the stallion could do anything, the lizard swung around rapidly and smashed the warrior down into the ground. It continued throwing the warrior up and down continuously, creating multiple impacts on the ground and knocking him out. The lizard then throws the stallion up into the air. It then moves into position as it begins to charge up energy in its mouth.
As the stallion falls, the creature fires a huge electric attack upwards towards the stallion. Before the attack could hit, the stallion awoke and curled into a ball. He then begun to spin rapidly as he continued to fall. The spikes on his back grew as he continued spinning, turning himself into a circular saw blade. With his momentum at top speed, he cut through the lizard’s attack without any hesitations. The lizard stopped its attack and managed to jump out of the way before the stallion made contact. The stallion stopped spinning and stood up to face the lizard. His scythe then started to grew dark as the lizard began to charge towards him. The ponies watched as he stood in place as the lizard charged at him. The stallion closed his eyes as his scythe began to change shape. He drew his right hoof back as he was prepared to strike with his armored fist. The shadow aurora from the scythe then wrapped itself around his fist and forearm, beginning to take shape. The lizard was less than a few feet away from attacking.
“LOOK OUT!” shouted Nyx as the lizard leaped up and headed straight at the stallion with its mouth open. What happens next made the ponies gasps in awe.
A crimson magical circle grew from the base of the stallion growing brighter and spinning faster as he reeled further back. The shadow aurora from the scythe’s previous form had finally taken shape on his right hoof and forearm in the shape of a huge obsidian drill. The drill then began to spin faster and faster as dark energy form around the drill. The stallion finally opens his eyes to reveal the change from blue to fire orange dragon eyes. “Umbra expellam!” He then took a step forward and turned with the drill straight at the lizard.
“CHAOS NIGHTMARE DRILL!” Shouted the stallion as huge dark energy shot out spinning from the drill. His attack impacted the lizard’s abdomen with such force, it tore through and continued on spinning towards the sky. The lizard roared out in pain as the attack continued to pierce through. Everypony couldn’t believe what they were seeing. The same lizard that attacked them earlier. The same lizard that had almost knocked everypony out with electrical attacks and almost eating little Nyx. Being bested by an earth pony stallion, who can use a magic that no one has ever seen before.
The lizard fell to the ground as the attack made by the stallion died down. The lizard cried in pain as it laid there with a hole in its abdomen. The stallion stood there for a moment as the drill finished spinning and turned back onto a scythe. All stood silent as both the lizard and stallion looked at each other. The conscious ponies quietly watched on as the stallion began to walk towards the lizard. Wondering what he’s going to do next. The stallion finally stopped right in front of lizard. Looking down as the creature cried out in pain. What he did next shocked the princesses and Nyx.
The stallion knelt down, placed his hand on his forehead and looked into the lizard’s eye. “Custodem me malum facere tibi ignem pulsaretur portam reliquisti me sed non elit. Sub te scio ‘Nihil’ ... Et præcepit his innocentibus mannis faciem tuam ut percutiat. (I'm truly sorry for hurting you guardian of the fire gate, but you left me no choice. I know that you were tricked by "Nihil" and he has ordered you to attack these innocent...ponies.)” He says as he did a quick turn towards the ponies, giving a sort of confused look before turning back to look at the lizard. “Sed iam tempus est ad aethereum et campos. Illic sanctus eris ab isto ictu et conquiescere possit. Munda prius quam opus tuum. Tantum te oro vicissim exsecratio dira adiecta si necessarium industrios vestris uti licet. Ut ego utor tuis artibus? (But now it is over and it is time to return to the Ethereal Plains. There you'll be able to rest and recover from this wound. I need to cleanse and purify your spirit before you go. All I ask in return, is to use your special ability when needed in a dire situation. May I use your skills?)”
The lizard looked back into the stallion’s eyes for a few moments and then gave a nod. The stallion thanked the lizard and stood up. He took a few steps back and held his scythe horizontally in front of him. A white magical circle began to form on the ground around the stallion. As he focused, the scythe began to float in front of him.
“What is he doing?” Luna asks as with a confused look.
“I…don’t…know dear sister.” Replies Celestia who is also confused as they watched the stallion performing some type of spell.
“Spiritus modum abrepti tenebris conturbavit. Exáudi verba mea. Te a mundavero alteri ‚Nihil‘. Animæquior esto et ad inferos. Relinquere tua potestas me. Pure ad usum tenebris. In nomine antiquis ego vos. (Spirit tainted by dark chaos. Hear my words. I purify thee from the one called ‘Nihil’. Be at peace and go to the afterlife. Leave your power with me. To be used for pure darkness. In the name of the Ancients, I set you free.)”
The magic circle then grew brighter as the stallion spoke the words. The circle started to spin, faster and faster as it levitated up above the stallion. The spell circle then moved towards the lizard and lowered itself down surrounding itself around the creature. The stallion’s eyes glowed a bright red as the circle surrounding the lizard spun even faster than ever, lifting up the creature in the process. The ponies were in awe as they witness the spell being performed in front of them. As the spell circle spun around the creature, the lizard began to fade from existence, leaving only a shadow outline of the creature.
The stallion then grabbed his scythe and positioned himself as the circle began to rotate and circle around the creature. He raised his scythe over his right shoulder and slashed down as the circle stopped in front of him. He then rotated the scythe and slashed upwards on the same circle. Creating an x-shape across the spell. The spell circle then exploded, sending out a dragon made of puree darkness. The dragon the shot out a flame of darkness, surrounding the lizard in a dark, burning twister. A faint roar could be heard from within the twister. As the twister dissipated, the only thing left behind was an orb of red flame. The shadow dragon them ate the flame and disappeared back into the circle. The circle then shrank and floated down to the stallion, floating above his claw. With a nod from his head, the circle then flashed, transforming in a fire red crystal. The crystal glowed and pulsated as he held it in his claw.
“Gratias agimus tibi propter amicum munus habeto pacem. (Be at peace my friend and thank you for your gift.)” The stallion says as he looks at the crystal and places it in an indentation on the side of the scythe’s blade. The crystal then sank into the blade, as if becoming one with the scythe. The scythe then glowed a bright shade of red before returning back to its original color.
For few moments, the stallion stood there looking at his scythe. The princesses and Nyx looked on wondering what he’ll do next. He then turned around and started walking towards the fallen ponies. No pony could do anything as they were still feeling the effects of the lizard’s attack. This also put them in a predicament as he was still wearing his armor. He stopped and knelt down in front of Nyx, looking at her. Nyx then notice that his eyes had changed back from orange-red to light crystal blue. He placed his scythe next to him and used his armor like claws to remove the cut tongue from around Nyx’s body. The princesses looked at each other with feelings of intrigue as the stallion had completely removed the tongue from Nyx. Celestia then notices Nyx’s wing in very bad shape, possibly caused by the lizard crushing Nyx with his tongue. The stallion looked on at the damaged filly’s wing, carefully touching it with his claw. As he checked the little pony’s wing, Nyx whelp in pain as he lightly touched joint point before the tip, causing her to close her eyes in order to prevent tears from forming. He then removed his claw and stared straight at her with a calm expression.
“Fortis fuisti parvulam nutriebat. (You were very brave little one.)” Nyx looked up at the stallion with a surprised emotion. “Permitte me Dominus ut curarem te et aliis. (Allow me to heal you and the others.)”
The warrior then picked up his scythe as he stood up. Using the bottom of the staff, he stabs the ground in front of him. He then raised his forehooves and held it in front of him. Closing his eyes for only a few minutes. Then a calming wind blew from out of nowhere, creating a peaceful atmosphere in the area. He then spoke in a calming manner. “Calore cordis doloris mei. Da mihi virtutem sanandi vulnera? (By warmth of heart, your pain I feel. Grant me the power, your wounds to heal!). Suddenly a faint musical tune could be heard echoing through the wind as it continues to blow. The princesses and Nyx heard the lovely tune being played through the wind.
“It’s beautiful. What a lovely tune.” Luna says as she listens in to the music.
“Indeed Luna, but where’s it coming from?” asks Celestia as looks around trying to hone in on the music’s location.
Just then, the stallion began to glow a greenish color as the trees and other plant life began to sway to the music as if they were slowly dancing. The green aura then flew out from the stallion and started covering the sky. The aura flowed towards Twilight and the others, covering them in the same green aura, then lifting them up carefully like a newborn foal. Even LockOn who was further from everypony else, was lifted as well. The aura carried everypony across the field towards the stallion casting the spell. Soon, the aura even surrounded the princesses and Nyx as well, lifting them up in the process. Each pony circled and hovered around the stallion as he focused his magic.
As the music continued playing through the wind, Nyx notices the scythe glowing a bright green color. The scythe then let out a shockwave of magical energy, surrounding everypony in range with a bright green aura. After the shockwave had hit everypony, AJ, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Sunset, Spike and LockOn awoke from there unconscious states. Luna, Celestia, Twilight and Nyx could not believe their eyes as they saw their family and friends awaken. Nyx then began to notice that the pain in her wing had faded away and begun to flap her wings as if she wasn’t injured. Twilight saw this and began to notice herself that the numbing pain from the electrical attacks earlier had subsided. Her attention then aimed towards Rainbow Dash only to find that all visible wounds inflicted on her had vanished. Everypony began to notice that any pain given to them physically by the creature had vanished like they have never been injured at all. They all looked at each other for a moment and then turned to notice who was casting the spell as they hovered in place.
The stallion then lowered his arms, at the same time, each pony covered in the green aura was carefully lowered as well to the ground. As each one landed safely on the ground, the aura surrounding them flew off their bodies and returned to the stallion. The aura disappeared from around him as the musical tune quietly faded into the wind. The aura surrounding the stallion was the last to disappear as he took deep breath and opened his eyes.
“What in Celestia’s name?” Spoke Rarity as everypony looked at each other in confusion.
“Uh girls. What the hay just happened to us?” Rainbow Dash looks at herself as she replies.
“It was a healing spell. He just healed us.” Replied Nyx as she looks at the stallion. Luna and Twilight both walked up to Nyx.
“How do you that Nyx?” asks Twilight with an eyebrow raised.
“Because he told me that he was going to heal us.” The reply surprised everypony present. Even Luna was surprised and shock to hear that Nyx could also understand his language.
“How could you know what he was saying? Even I couldn’t understand what he was saying when he spoke to you. This doesn’t make sense.” Twilight turns her head and looks at Luna. “First Luna and now, you. This information doesn’t match with any of the books I’ve read so far in my life.”
Luna then lowers her head and look at Nyx. “If you do understand what he said, then tell us. What did he exactly say to you?”
Nyx replied. “He told me how brave I was and then he chant a rhyme that healed us. I think the words were by warmth of heart, your pain I feel. Grant me the power your wounds to recover or something like that.” She looks down as she scratches her head with her hoof in heavy thought.
AppleJack looks around with a confused look. “Hey yawl. Does any pony know what happened to that creature that attacked us?
“Why don’t you ask him? He seem to know what happened.” Pinkie pointed at the stallion as he turned around and began to walk away from the group.
“HOLD ON THERE PAL! Where do you think you’re going?” shouted Rainbow Dash as she speed right past and stopped in front of him. “As much as any pony here would like to thank you for stopping the beast. There’s still the question of who you are and where did you come from?”
The stallion just stood there with a puzzled look. Other’s joined in on asking questions. “Yes dearie. What’s a fine pony such as yourself doing here and especially in that getup? Every pony looks at Rarity with a stern look. “What?”
Sunset, alongside LockOn, walks up to the stallion. “We’d like to thank you for saving us and would very much appreciated if we knew your name.”
The stallion looks at Sunset from behind with no emotions. He then turns his head and continues to walk away from everypony. Everypony present looked on with various emotions as the mysterious continues to walk away. Looking at each other with confusion on the situation at hand. Princess Luna galloped towards the stallion. Concerned of wanting to know who this mysterious pony is and can he be trusted.
“W…Wait! Wait, please!” She stopped in front of him just as he slowed to a stop himself. Both peering at each other waiting for one to speak. Luna looks into the stallion’s eyes, seeing the light blue crystal eyes that shined a bit in the moonlight. With no signs of emotions coming from him, Luna speaks out with a calm comforting manner. “I know this is sudden, but please hear us out. We’d really like to thank you for saving us. Especially my apprentice Nyx and sister. To express our gratitude for this deed, we’d like to ask you if you join us for some dinner and talk with us. I’m sure you have questions as well to ask of us. We can really help each other if you would accept our offer and perhaps be friends.”
For a few minutes, nothing happened as everypony looks on for his answer. He then walked on past Luna and into the Evergreen forest. Before entering the forest, everypony present saw his armor disappearing into a shadowy mist. As the armor disappeared from existence, the stallion fell forward landing on his fore hooves and continuing into the forest. Luna stood in place looking on as the stallion disappeared from site. She then sat down and looked down with a sad look. Nyx and the others walked up to Princess Luna and gave her a group hug to comfort her.
“Gratias vobis oblatum non possum non recepi. (I thank you for the offer, but I cannot accept it.)” A voice coming from the forest echoes out to the others.
“Was that him?” Fluttershy says as each pony peers into the forest to find the source of the echo.
“It was indeed him.” Luna look on with a shocked expression.
“This is getting weird.” Exclaimed spike. “Does any pony know what that voice said?”
Luna stood up and walked to the edge of the forest. “Why? Why can you not accept our invitation?! Why can you accept our friendship?! We won’t harm you in any way!” She continues to shout into the forest as everypony watches on surprised on how Princess Luna was reacting to the voice. Princess Celestia however could only look on with sadness.
Finally, the voice responds. “Credas mihi similem . Qui in tantum ut occiderent atque delerent ego ad me. Maledictus mea vita id sciant nec compuncti, ab amici vel . Si ea quae per circuitum tuum esse et quanti tu mihi te requiret . Periculum sequitur me ubicumque et vado. Id quod dixi antea , non nocet hoc dico , sed de vita et qui non consequuntur interfecerant quemquam in via ad me dubitare. (You cannot trust someone like me. I’ll only bring death and destruction to those who become close to me. My cursed life knows no remorse from friend or foe. If you value your existence and those around you, you will not look for me. Danger follows me where ever I go. As I said before, I mean this world no harm, but the others who are in pursuit of my life are and they will not hesitate on killing anyone in their way to get to me.)” Nyx attempts to translate every word possible to everypony as the others continue to listen in and understand what is happening. “Optimum foret oblivisceris me in animas vestras perrexit . Quisquam amicus esse non possum. (It would be best that you forget about me and continued on with your lives. I cannot be friends with anyone.)”
“WHAT OTHERS!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN CURSE!? PLEASE TELL US!” Silence follows for a few moments. “AT LEAST GIVE US YOUR NAME!”
It was then that the mysterious pony’s voice vanished. Luna stood there gazing into the Evergreen Forest hoping to hear an answer, but alas, nothing. Celestia walked over to her sister and gave her a comforting hug. “Come on dear sister. Let’s head home.” Luna looked over to her sister and gave a sad nod. Everypony decided not to tell any pony of the events that has happened tonight and headed for home.