The metallic and richest Dark Throne Chamber was filled with both sides of three windows and six pillars and a demonic throne chair on the small stage of the chamber, and its both sides were humanoid dragon gargoyles. It was sat by a black Unicorn with white mane, white beard and mustache, had two eyes: his right was green and left was green; and his Cutie Mark was Chinese Symbol: Darkness and a Staff, wore the black Chinese robe.
He was looking at two mysterious hooded pony, who came through the front entrance. They came before him.
Both of them removed their hood and cloak down, revealing their true self: a crimson skull of Unicorn's head wore the black military coat, and Guildenstern. They bowed before their master, kneeling his head and body down.
"Report," The warlord spoke.
Guildenstern breathed in defeat, "Dark Lord Dark Curse, please forgive me. We were so close of getting him back."
Crimson Skull nodded his head, "Yes... His old acquaintances had failed to cooperate and talk with him. Thanks to those brats he had to protect."
"Including that princess," Guildenstern snarled in anger, "if it weren't for her interference, he would have returned to us. Our plan had fail."
Dark Curse glanced at both Crimson Skull and Guildenstern. Crimson Skull and Guildenstern remained in silent, lowering their heads before their master.
'I should punish them for their incompetence and failures,' thought Dark Curse, having his right hoof gently scratching his muzzle's chin. He smirked evilly, 'Then again, he would refuse the offer again. Torturing the hostages would have brought him to his darker self, yet these mortals he called 'friends' had interfered it! This had proven... a little futility.'
He huffed angrily, 'But I'm not through with it. After nearly thousand years imprisoned in this hellish Dark Mystic Realm, I will be free from my imprisonment. Thanks to Tirek's rampaging attacks, destroying and damaging the forests and cities of mortality Equestria, my minions can roam freely and finding him. Bringing him back to me. If not, war is the answer to end this despicable principles of goodness...'
Dark Curse turned to Crimson Skull and Guildenstern, who were bowing to their master. He waved his hoof up, "Arise, my generals." They stood their four legs up, and looked at him. He began, "Result may have proven futility and worthless. But there will be a way to achieve our objective."
"But my lord, how?" Crimson Skull asked in concern. "His powers were the reason of why most of our kind had been sealed away! We need him to break it and free us!"
Guildenstern nodded his head, bowed, "Yes, my liege. Commander-in-Chief Crimson Skull speaks the truth. We need him to achieve it."
Calm and firm, Dark Curse chuckled lightly, making both Guildenstern and Crimson Skull confuse. He explained, "As I have said, there are other ways to achieve it. And trust me, it will work. I want you listen carefully. Gather the remaining Generals at once. We have some plans to make, and involving Princess Twilight Sparkle, her friends and Shadow Dragon. Their powers are the keys of victory. It's the reason why they have been chosen."
"Yes, my lord," Crimson Skull and Guildenstern bowed.
Dark Curse smirked, "The war will come... And soon, the Equestria and Mystic Realm will be on the right order. And none will have the power against me..."
At very late night...
Twilight and Shadow Dragon had returned to Rainbow Friendship Kingdom. Her friends, Nyx, Spike and even Shining Armor were in great concern and feared, seeing her being harm and injured when she was kidnapped. This reminded them of the Nightmare Moon Incident. Shadow Dragon told them about their battles and involvement of his former comrades: DJ Red, Clumsy Rat, Shades, Longblade and Guildenstern.
Twilight gasped in shock and concern, never thought that DJ Red, Clumsy Rat and Shades would came after him. Spike and Nyx nodded their heads and told her about him able to save and protect them from bad ponies. She was glad that he was here to protect her home and her family: Spike and Nyx.
Furious and angered, Shining Armor growled wildly and loudly, nearly wanted to scold Shadow Dragon for involving his family into his messes. Shadow Dragon nodded his head, admitting his fault and mess he had made. He apologized it; bowing to the ground before Shining Armor, begging him a pardon for the troubles he had caused for Twilight and her friends.
Shining Armor was not convinced by Shadow Dragon's apologize, feeling he will be in trouble again. Twilight nudged his stomach, begging him to give Shadow Dragon a second chance and reminded him of who rescued her in the first place, even though it was his mess. Shining Armor groaned in anger and annoyance, hated his sister had to be right ever since the incident of Canterlot Wedding. He nodded his head in agreement.
Shadow Dragon turned and headed to the stairs, heading straight to his bedroom.
Shining Armor groaned in concern, "I still don't like it, Twiley." Twilight turned to Shining Armor, looking at him. He pounded his right hoof on the ground hard before continued, "I still think he's up to something, and especially his past. I wonder why he's so secretive of it so much?"
Twilight groaned angrily before she calmly spoke, "In case, you haven't forgotten. I, too was secretive in protecting Nyx and her dark past from everypony."
"That doesn't count on trusting him!"
"Yes, it is! In fact, I knew him and understand him because he doesn't want to talk about the past. He was like... like..."
"Like Nyx?"
Twilight's friends, Spike and Nyx looked at each other, showing surprise and concern looks of what she had said.
Twilight breathed lightly, looking at her older brother, "Yes. He was like Nyx. Haunted by the past and trying to escape it. It must have been pain for him."
Unease and concern about trusting Shadow Dragon, Shining Armor spoke, "I still don't like him because of his hidden past. That's what worries me."
"Even if he did, Shining Armor, he helped, protected and saved me," Twilight answered firmly, "I believe in him."
Shining Armor remained in silent, wearing concern and feared mask, still having doubts in trusting Shadow Dragon.
Applejack approached, smiling to him, "Don't you worry about Twilight and her family. You can count on me and my friends. After all, we were the wielders of Elements of Harmony. We helped and saved the Equestria for few times." She listed down, "Beating Nightmare Moon down thrice except reforming Nyx into a good pony. Beating and reforming Discord into a good Draconequus. Saving you and Princess Cadance from Queen Chrysalis. Saving Crystal Empire from King Sombra. Saving Equestria from Discord's crazy plants. And beating and sending Tirek to his prison."
Rarity smiled and nodded her head, "Applejack's right. We can handle it well."
"Besides, Shadow Dragon is a cool friend, as far as my worries," said Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy smiled, "He seems nice, kind and gentle pony."
"And he's a Superhero just like us as Heroines of Equestria and Power Ponies from comic book's city version called Maretropolis!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed happily, bouncing up and down like a happy filly.
"He's a great teacher!" Cutie Mark Crusaders shouted happily.
Spike nodded his head, "Besides, Shining Armor, you've got nothing to worry about him. So, why not trust him?"
Nyx nodded her head, "Just like what you did with me when mommy first introduce me to you, Uncle Shiny." She gave her cutie and puppy dog eyes-like, with an upset mouth to Shining Armor, said: "Pretty please..."
Shining Armor gulped in concern and worry, feeling that he unable to trust Shadow Dragon yet looking at Nyx's pouty face made him difficult to say no. Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike joined in and showed their pouty looks.
Struggled and restrained by their looks, Shining Armor groaned and yelped in anger and defeat, "Alright. I will give him the benefit of the doubts. Don't make me regret."
Twilight's friends cheered happily.
Shining Armor sighed, "But I'm going to stay here for a while. I'm keeping an eye on him. And we have to inform Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Cadance about the incident. Remember, she did want to make sure that Twiley was okay with her ruling as Princess of Friendship."
Twilight smiled, and hugged Shining Armor tightly and nuzzled his face gently, "Thanks, BBBFF. You're the best."
Regret and concern he might had, Shining Armor refuse to ignore in bringing the smile to her. Her smile was precious and important gift to him than his order and mission.
Twilight's friends had left for home. Shining Armor rested in his guest room. Twilight tucked both Spike and Nyx on their beds in her chamber. In his room, Twilight checked on Shadow Dragon, seeing how well and good was he in his condition. She wanted to make sure he was comfortable and well since the incident with Longblade.
She even informed him about the discussion with her friends and family of him. Shadow Dragon breathed deeply, he hated someone to get involved of his past.
"Twilight, you shouldn't have done it me," Shadow Dragon said in upset, making Twilight looking upset and sad. He hugged her gently, making her surprise, "But I really appreciate you for trusting me -" Shadow Dragon departed from hugging and smiled at her, "- even though I told you about my past not to be bothered."
Twilight smiled, "We are friends. We helped each other out. And I understand that you don't want to talk about it. I learned that very much since the day I came to Ponyville."
Shadow Dragon smiled, making Twilight blushed. She smiled back, making him blushed. Their smile made them happy and glad. They had their eyes looking at each other again. And again the sparkling stars and their glowing respective colors passed through their eyes. They gasped in surprise and shock. They both were speechless, looking at each other before they shook their heads.
"I'd better go to bed with my children," said Twilight.
"Of course," agreed Shadow Dragon, smiling at her, "Thank you, Twilight, for everything."
She giggled, "I think it was you I should thank for. For helping and saving me and my family." Twilight smiled, "Good night."
Shadow Dragon smiled, "Good night, Princess."
Twilight exited Shadow Dragon's room. Shadow Dragon turned and slept on his bed, comfortably and gently. He breathed lightly, glad that everything was over and nothing had gone wrong...
Within her private chamber...
"Did Shining Armor said Shadow Dragon?!" Princess Celestia asked in shock yet happy. She received the letter from Shining Armor. She was shocked yet happy for it. Her tears came out from her eyes, flowing down on her face. She smiled, "He's back. He had return."
"Sister?" Princess Luna asked in concern. She and Princess Cadance were at Princess Celestia's Private Chamber for discussion. "How have thou come to know of Shadow Dragon?"
Princess Cadance smiled, "He was an old friend of ours." She sobbed softly, "A very good one I ever met and even for someone he loved with."
Princess Celestia smiled, looking at both Princess Luna and Princess Cadance, "I will explain to you later, Luna. But for now -" Took both quill and scroll in levitation from writing desk, she wrote it down. "- I have an old friend to inform."
Both Princess Luna and Princess Cadance watched and looked at Princess Celestia, writing down on her scroll.
Land of Ma was one of Equestria's countries, yet was ruled by three of her old friends and warlord: Emperor Azure Phoenix of North, Noble Virtue Dragon of West and King Courage Tiger of South and Atlantis.
Its history was well known to be continuous war between several warlords across the land. It began after the formation of Equestria, Seven Kingdoms were created for one purpose: total control of the land. One kingdom known to be Devil Kingdom had defeated other six kingdoms and controlled the land for nearly a decade. His tyranny knows no bounds. Three young generals named Azure Phoenix, Virtue Dragon and Claw Tiger, watching ponies suffered and killed by the powerful Emperor Tyrant for too long, launched the Coup De'tat in overthrowing the tyrant emperor for good. After the coup, three generals had their own kingdoms: Azure Phoenix on North, Virtue Dragon on West and Claw Tiger and his sons on South.
Within the private chamber of North's Capital City Palace: Ma Lou Yang, Azure Phoenix the light black Alicorn with dark mane and tail in Chinese style with golden crown, had small black beard and mustache, wore the navy robe with armor and cape and his Cutie Mark was a Blue Phoenix Symbol with Imperial Seal, reading the bamboo scrolls on his table. He was surrounded by three shelves of books on left, and artifacts on right.
The scroll appeared in front of him. He levitated it, reading it carefully. His eyes widened in shock and surprise.
Azure Phoenix placed the scroll aside. He looked up at the moon and said: "So, you have return, old friend." He breathed lightly, "Tao... You old fool. When you ever learn?"
On the next day, everything returned to normal. And nothing bad had happen and even to Twilight and her friends. Shadow Dragon had his mane cut into his spiky and short mane. He left Rainbow Friendship Kingdom, claiming that he was going for searching something important from Zecora at Everfree Forest. Twilight nodded her head, allowing Shadow Dragon to head off.
Suspecting on Shadow Dragon's activity, Shining Armor decided to follow. Twilight argued with him about trusting him. He argued back, hoping to make her understand of why he had to make sure that Shadow Dragon can be trusted. Most of her friends, and even Nyx and Spike agreed. They were curious of what Shadow Dragon's doing.
Reluctant, Twilight Sparkle had to agree with her older brother's suggestion. She and her friends headed straight to Everfree Forest in finding of what Shadow Dragon had been doing...
An hour had passed, at the circled forests and grasses, Twilight and her friends had arrived on the middle, looking for Shadow Dragon. But behind them was the large cave. Nothing...
"Where is that devil?!" Shining Armor asked angrily.
Twilight sighed, "Calm down, Shining Armor. I told you before, you need to trust him." Shining Armor glared at her. She continued, "I trusted him since the day he came to Ponyville and rescued me twice. And it's my turn to help him."
Shining Armor groaned in irritation, "I still don't trust him."
"You will," Twilight smiled gently, "I know you will. Just be patient."
Shining Armor groaned in defeat, reluctantly, agreed with his sister. He really hated his sister being right about some ponies, and especially the incident he had.
Twilight and her friends looked around of their surroundings. Each of them had concerns and worries that they may had gone wrong way.
"Do you think we went the wrong way?" Rarity asked in concern.
Applejack shook her head, "No... We saw him coming here. This had to be it."
"I don't understand one thing," said Fluttershy, "why would he come here for?"
HISS!
Twilight and her friends gasped in shock and feared, turning to the caves. The sound came from it! They wore the mask of fear and concern, looking and staring at the cave. Something was in there!
"I think we're about to find out..." said Rainbow Dash in fear.
Crimson glowing eyes appeared with serpent irises. They slowly approached to Twilight and her friends...
Twilight and her friends slowly backing, while watching the upcoming mysterious creature behind the cave. THUMP! Two giant demonic claw was in front of Twilight and her friends. The long neck of a black demonic serpent of a black body with spiky mane-like and his long tail risen from the cave, roaring in anger and wildly.
Twilight and her friends wore the mask of fear and scared, watching and looking at the arrival of demon serpent from its cave.
Seeing a Hydra in front o his eyes had sent a shiver to his spine, Spike gulped nervously, "Why now?! Why it had to be a Hydra?!"
"Got any idea?! Coz I'm ready for something," said Nyx in fear.
"Two words -" Pinkie exclaimed, watching the Hydra roared in anger, lifting its head up high, making her scream "- Scrrrrrrraaaaaaaaammmmmmmmm!"
The Hydra lowered its head down, glaring at Twilight and her friends. It hissed at them, looking hungry and satisfying at them.
Applejack gulped in fear, "This fella is one hungry monster!"
"Any suggestion?! Should we use our Rainbow Power?!" Rarity asked in fear and concern.
Twilight shook her head, "No. We've beaten and fought Hydra, so we shouldn't be fear of it. We can do it. But first -" She turned and looked at Spike and Nyx. "- Spike and Nyx, hide somewhere! Fluttershy, keep an eye on them."
Fluttershy, Spike and Nyx nodded their heads. They turned and headed straight to the big rock. They hid behind it. They took a peek on the battle. Fighting with Hydra won't be easy when facing something furious and dangerous...
The Hydra stomped its claws, marching towards Twilight and her friends, who moved backwards slowly while looking at it. It hissed hungrily.
The Hydra launched its head at Twilight. A rope grabbed its top mane tight. It roared in anger, feeling its head being pulled. It turned and found Applejack pulled the rope tight and while pulling back hard.
It growled in anger, preparing to strike. It got its face slapped on both sides for few times. It growled in anger. It looked around of its surrounding, In front of it, Rainbow Dash, who flew on both sides in high speed, hitting on its face. It growled in anger and rage again.
Its face blasted by purplish, bluish and light crimson beams. The Hydra looked down, it found Twilight, Shining Armor and Rarity firing their Magical Unicorn Bursts at it.
The Hydra shook its head hard, before swung its head up, bringing Applejack up and hit right on Rainbow Dash to the ground. It roared in anger, launching its head at Twilight, Rarity and Shining Armor, who quickly jumped to their left.
Pinkie Pie held her Party Canon in front of the Hydra. She blasted its party streamers, sprinkles and balloons at its face. It grunted angrily, feeling its nose ticklish and wounded, it held its head up and roared in anger. Pinkie blasted another canon ball at the Hydra. It bit the ball tight on his mouth. HISS! It smashed it into pieces. Pinkie Pie gasped in shock while the Hydra chuckled lightly.
Twilight groaned in anger, gathering much of energy on her horn; creating the small ball of purplish lights. The Hydra roared in anger, launching his head right at her. She gasped in fear. The light crimson and blue mixed force field appeared and covered her up. The Hydra bit on it tight and hard.
It growled in anger. It turned and saw Shining Armor's horn glowed in light crimson while Rarity for her blue. It swiped its tail at Shining Armor and Rarity at Pinkie Pie hard to the ground. The force field went down. Rainbow Dash held Applejack on her front arm hooves, while flying straight to the Hydra. It lowed its head down, before launching on both of them hard, dropping them on Shining Armor, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. The Hydra had its tail, slamming on them hard.
Twilight gasped in fear and shock, watching her friends beaten and defeated. The Hydra hissed; looking at her. She groaned and snarled in anger. Her magical ball grew bigger and larger. She blasted it at the Hydra. The Hydra dodged down and moved forward to the back of Twilight's. It launched its tongue out, grabbing Twilight's back left leg. It lifted and dragged her; making her yelped, pulling her towards it. She turned to her back. She gasped in fear, looking at the darkness of the monster's opening mouth.
"Noooooooooooooo!" Twilight screamed in fear.
Its tongue let go of her leg as the Hydra gobbled her within its mouth of darkness.
Twilight's friends and family gasped in shock and fear. The Hydra lifted its head up. GULP! Twilight within the Hydra's mouth, went down on its throat to the bottom. The Hydra smiled in satisfactions and enjoyment. They sobbed in despair and anger, and even for Nyx and Spike.
Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie screamed in pain: "Twiiillliiiggghhhttt!"
Shining Armor snarled in anger. He screamed: "Twiiillleeeyyy!"
"Mooommmmmyyyy!" Nyx and Spike cried in despair and pain.
The Hydra looked at the weakened state of Shining Armor and his friends. It smiled in satisfaction. It roared wildly while charging its head at Shining Armor and Mane Five, preparing to gobble them up.
"DRAGOKING!" The familiar voice shouted. The Hydra or known to be Dragoking ceased its attacking. Shining Armor, Twilight's friends, Nyx and Spike gasped in shock. They turned to the left and found both Shadow Dragon and Zecora, coming out from the shadows of forests. Shadow Dragon glared at the Hydra. It smiled uneasily. He said, "Let her go." Dragoking shrugged its head. Shadow Dragon groaned, "Now!"
Dragoking groaned angrily. It grunted angrily, pushing the ball form hard, from bottom to the top of its throat, like it was pushing something out from its stomach. Dragoking lowed its head down. It spitted his greenish slime of ball out. The ball turned to the form of Twilight's lying on the ground. She coughed out loud yet painfully while breathed for more air.
"Twilight!" Twilight's friends and family cried, approaching to her in haste, checking on her.
Shining Armor held her up, and asked: "Twiley! How many horns do you see?"
Twilight moaned painfully and dizzily. Her eyes looked tired and exhausted like she had a bad dream. She looked at vision of her brother's horn yet it became blur. It became three...
"Three?" Twilight answered weakly.
Shining Armor put her down on the ground. Zecora placed her right hoof on Twilight's forehead, checking whether she had a fever or not. Zecora smiled, looking at her friends.
"She is fine. No harm had come to her. The Belly of a Beast may prove to be dangerous in bringing unfortunate souls to Hell. Yet survive its burn before perish? She'll survive."
Twilight's friends and family breathed in relief, glad Twilight survive the attacks. Shadow Dragon smiled in relief as well. He yelped in pain like he received the punch from someone. He turned and found angry Shining Armor, glaring at him.
"Where the hell were you?!" Shining Armor demanded angrily, glaring at Shadow Dragon, "Do you have any idea what you had done in the first place?! You let this monster ate Twilight up! And not to mention... that thing was your pet?!"
Shadow Dragon had nothing to say. Everything Shining Armor said was right. He looked down in guilty. He thought he made sure of it never happened, yet he did not expect her and her friends to follow him.
"Shining... Armor... Don't..." Weakened Twilight said. Shining Armor glanced at her. She continued, "It... wasn't his... fault... He was... trying..."
Concern, Shining Armor spoke, "But Twiley -!"
Zecora cleared her throat, getting her friends' attention to her. She spoke, "You should not worry of a wanderer. He means us no harm."
Shocked, Shining Armor argued, "But what about the Hydra?! That monster!"
Dragoking growled in anger at Shining Armor.
Zecora giggled lightly, making ponies but Shadow Dragon looked confuse and surprise. She explained lightly, "As of that, my dear friends, Shadow Dragon spoke of your information of me, sought me out for his male Hydra's food without resulting the dead animal for him."
"A male Hydra? Seriously?" Rainbow Dash asked in shock.
"Dead animals?!" Fluttershy asked in fear. She hated dead animals! She loved them so much and unwilling to sacrifice them until they were safe from harm at all cost. Why would Shadow Dragon need dead animals for Hydra to feast. She gasped of realization, "The Hydra is the carnivore beast. That's why."
Zecora smiled, nodded her head, "Furthermore, Shadow Dragon hidden Dragoking from you and me, so we do not be frightened of his appearance." She breathed lightly, "But if you had not come..."
"Twilight wouldn't be eaten up!" Applejack answered Zecora's rhyme.
Rarity nodded her head in fear, "Or even Shadow Dragon and Zecora wouldn't have noticed Dragoking's attack!"
Pinkie looked surprise and concern, "Wow... That is so scary."
Spike turned to Shadow Dragon and asked, "What kind of food you're going to give to Dragoking?"
Shadow Dragon smiled, glanced at his back: a big carriage of thousands cans of crimson soup with meats. He pushed and took it down before Dragoking. He used his mouth, took a big bit on three cans, eating them up.
Spike gulped in concern, "Meats?! Yikes!"
Shadow Dragon nodded his head, "Sorry. But Zecora didn't kill them. She kept the dead one for peace in burial ground."
Zecora sighed, "But I was reluctant in letting him feast on poor souls' bodies." She smiled gently, "But it was a nature. Herbivores eats plants. Carnivore eats herbivores. And carnivores suffered to the ground."
Shadow Dragon breathed lightly, turning to Twilight Sparkle, "Now you understand why I left to find Zecora. Because I was afraid that you will be frightened by Hydra since he was part of reptile family."
Understanding Shadow Dragon's words, Twilight smiled. She was indeed afraid of snakes ever since her fillyhood. She was afraid of them so much. But with Shadow Dragon's assurance, she was safe and happy, "I understand."
Shadow Dragon smiled. He turned and glared at Dragoking, "Do you have something to say, boy?"
Dragoking grunted. He sighed in defeat, knew it was his fault for starting the mess on the first place. He lowered his head before Twilight. Twilight's friends and family yelped in concern, wondering of what he was going to do.
Dragoking stuck his tongue out. They shown grave concern and feared masks. Twilight remained standing before the Hydra. His serpent tongue gently touched her face before licked hers for three to five times. Twilight giggled happily. Her friends and family breathed in relief. He ceased his licking, looking at her.
Twilight smiled, gently patted on his head, "Okay, Dragoking. I forgive you. After all, you were hungry."
Flutetrshy smiled, patted on his head gently, making him smiled, "Yes, he is. After all, like Zecora had said, it was a nature for him to find meats and eat them."
Nyx chirped happily, "Dragoking is a nice Hydra."
Her friends and family gathered around of the Hydra, commented happily and petted on him. Shadow Dragon smiled in relief. He turned and found Shining Armor's glaring at him. He sighed in defeat, had the feeling that Shining Armor won't forgive him easily.
"Sorry," Shining Armor spoke. Shadow Dragon gasped in surprise and shock, looking at him. Shining Armor continued, "I didn't mean to offend you. I'm just..."
Shadow Dragon smiled, "I know, you were just looking after your sister. That is only natural."
"Yeah... You're alright pony. I trust you... Giving a benefit of the doubt."
Shadow Dragon smiled. He bowed before Shining Armor, glad to know he finally had a male pony to trust him. Shining Armor smiled. He bowed down.
After misunderstanding incident, Twilight and her friends returned to their home: Ponyville. Muttering. Chatting. They looked shock and surprise in seeing many ponies were running, galloping and trotting to somewhere.
"What they hay is going on?" Applejack asked.
Twilight narrowed her eyes, suspecting that Longblade's colleagues were about to make their appearance to the public. She and her friends had to be prepared for it. She had to make sure that Shadow Dragon won't become a murderer... no matter what...
"Let's find out," Twilight said sternly.
Twilight and her friends walked on the hallway of Ponyville's towns and houses. They trotted and walked to the Ponyville Hall. They spotted the large navy chariot with golden phoenix on its back. Unlike the chariot she encountered and see, this one has two black dragons. On the chariot were Azure Phoenix. Before the stage was guarded by some navy Chinese armored ponies.
On left were three Pegasi: Blazefist the dark crimson Pegasus with black short spiky mane and tail and his Cutie Mark was a fist within Blazing Fire dressed in 19th Century brown coat with blue armor and long scarf, Aquastroke the cyan Pegasus with brown and black mane and tail in ponytail and her Cutie Mark was Waterbender Symbol, and another was a pale Vampire Pony with short black mane and tail and his Cutie Mark was two axes with three bats Cutie Mark dressed in cyan Kung Fu Suit and black coat.
On middle were three Earth Ponies: Laxtinct a Dark Green Earth Pony with short and gentle black mane and tail and his Cutie Mark was Fist in boulders dressed blue armored within of light green coat, Lightningblade the dark brown Earth Pony with curved-black mane and tail and his Cutie Mark was Lightning shapes with Three Katanas on each sides, and Saber Dragon the light yellow Earth Pony with black mane in bun-shaped and short tail and his Cutie Mark was Twin Sword and Dragon Symbol.
On right were three Unicorns: Tailtech the orange fox-Unicorn and his Cutie Mark was a wrench and communication device, Princess Icy the white Unicorn with blond mane and tail in braided and her Cutie Mark was Ice Crystal and Sword, and Shorty Thinking the light crimson with brown short mane and tail and his Cutie Mark was Book and Twin Knives dressed in crimson Chinese Robes.
On the chariot besides with Azure Phoenix were... Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadance?! What were they doing here?!
Twilight and her friends looked at each other, having same thoughts, nodded their heads. They headed to the front. Ponies moved aside, allowing Princess Twilight and her friends moved to the front.
Princess Celestia smiled happily, seeing Twilight coming towards her and her friends. She, Princess Luna and Princess Cadance stepped down from the chariot. She hugged Twilight gently. Shining Armor hugged Princess Cadance.
"Twilight Sparkle," Princess Celestia smiled, "I'm glad to see you are right from harms."
Twilight smiled, "Thank you, Princess Celestia. But... what were you and princesses doing here?"
"Aaahhhhhhhh!" Someone screamed happily.
Twilight and her friends turned to their back. They found nine ponies who were guarding and protecting Azure Phoenix, surrounded Shadow Dragon and chatted happily with him. They looked surprise and shock about it. Did they know about him?
"Buddy! You're alive! Thank goodness!" Laxtinct shouted happily, hugging Shadow Dragon tightly.
Shorty smiled, "It's so good to see you! We are united and together again! Dragon Strike Force are back together!"
"It's been too long, old friend," agreed Terrorcreep.
"We miss you so much. We really do, leader," Icy said happily.
"Yeah," Aqua said, "It's been too long, pal. We've been wondering of what you had been doing. Hope something good than the things you had done."
Saber Dragon nodded his head, "I hope you haven't forgotten about us."
Shadow Dragon shook his head, "I hadn't, old friends. Thank you for thinking about me. I'm very grateful to see our friendship hasn't been forgotten. In fact, I'm doing fine when I came to Ponyville."
Lightningblade snickered a bit, "My dear friend, of course, we will not have our friendship be forgotten. Not after everything you had done for everyone."
"Yeah! You were amazing friend we ever had," agreed Tailtech.
"So, finding a date? Hoping to move on," Blazefist asked slyly.
Shadow Dragon chuckled lightly, "Not yet. But thanks for thinking about me -" His tears formed on his eyelids, dripping and flowing down, "- I'm very grateful."
Princess Celestia and Azure Phoenix approached to Shadow Dragon, looking at him with her happy smile. Shadow Dragon smiled and bowed before them. Twilight and her friends watched the event of how it goes.
"Your majesty," Shadow Dragon said calmly.
Princess Celestia smiled, "Hello, Shadow Dragon. It's been some time or long time."
Shadow Dragon smiled, "It was." He turned to Azure Phoenix and bowed before him, "Lord Azure."
Azure Phoenix bowed, "Greetings, young hero. I have been looking for you after nearly thousand years. Now I finally found you."
Twilight, her friends and citizens of Ponyville gasped in surprise. They chattered and mumbled with each other about Shadow Dragon lived for thousand years and wondering how was he related to Princess Celestia and Azure Phoenix. Wondering if his old friends were same age as he was.
Azure Phoenix continued, "As you can see, my dear boy, the Jade Emperor has finally relieve your exile. You can finally come home. To be together with your friends, your family and us. And Commander-in-Chief Susano wished you to return to Ultimate Mystic Warrior. You had give your second chance, my dear boy."
Shadow Dragon's Dragon Strike Force showed their smiles in pleasant and great, hoping their very best friend returned to them. They had not been together for nearly thousand years.
Shadow Dragon smiled, shaking his head gently, "Lord Azure Phoenix. Thank you for the offer, but I had to decline it. Thank you very much, master."
Azure Phoenix and Dragon Strike Team gasped in shock and surprise. He declined it?! After so long, he refused?!
"But... Shadow Dragon. What you did from the past was not your fault. You may had done wrong, but you save and redeem everything in time especially you sealed all of Dark Mystic Ponies at the hellish world. I've tried to reason with the Emperor for centuries. I did it for your father and family. They missed you so much. They wanted you come back. And even your team."
"With all due with respect, my lord, I'm retired of the battles. I'm no longer had interest of fighting nor becoming high rank. I learned that since the very day..."
"Shadow Dragon..."
"But don't worry, my lord, as for my team. They are welcome to my home as much as they want. They were and always be my best friends," said Shadow Dragon, placed his hoof on Twilight's left shoulder and smiled, "After all, I have been assigned for new duty. Helping and protecting the Princess of Friendship."
Twilight looked surprise and shock of it. She thought Shadow Dragon would have gone back home... Wherever he came from... But he chose to stay because of her?
"It seems your mind cannot change when you had something to do: protecting mortals." Azure Phoenix breathed lightly, "Very well. As for our Mystic Ponies, they are free to visit Equestria."
"Really? When did it happen?"
"After Tirek's Defeat, Jade Emperor had some concerns of protecting and helping Equestria Ponies more effective and helpful because of some destruction he had made on this area. Therefore, I am liaison between Equestria and Mystic Realm for further protection and alliance. It happened as soon as Twilight had accepted her role as the Princess of Friendship. The contract was signed."
"I see. Thank you for information, sir." Azure Phoenix smiled at Shadow Dragon. Shadow Dragon breathed lightly, "What of my father and family? Were they okay?"
Azure Phoenix smiled, "They are fine. They just need to see you to visit them. Or better, they can visit you."
Shadow Dragon smiled, "Send of my regards, Lord Azure."
Azure Phoenix nodded his head. He turned and headed straight to his chariot for further business, leaving Dragon Strike Force and Shadow Dragon had happy reunion together. Azure Phoenix looked at Princess Celestia, who smiled at him. He smiled. Gotten up on his chariot, he whipped on his dragons, flying to the air and way back to his homeland. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna disappeared in the blink of white light.
At the park, Twilight's friends and Shadow Dragon's teammates had discussion about each other's personalities and about their friends. Shadow Dragon smiled in impress and happy, seeing his friends here and had been reunited. Twilight looked at Shadow Dragon, showing concern and worry about him. She wondered of who or what he really was, and how long he had been, and more importantly, what really going on. Twilight turned and looked at him, concern yet hesitantly to ask him.
Twilight sighed, knew she had to know about him, "Shadow Dragon..." Called by her, Shadow Dragon turned and looked at her. She asked, "Who... Who are you?"
Shadow Dragon sighed in defeat, decided to tell her since she had helped him, said: "Twilight, I'm not Equestria Earth Pony." Twilight gasped in shock.
He continued, "I am or was Mystic Pony. I was adopted and raised by my father, Mystic Councilpony of Light. Most of ponies think of me strange and different pony, calling me a demon because of my future. I wanted to prove them that I am not. I worked and trained so hard to prove that. And I did. Not only that, I came to this world. It was magnificent and beautiful. I met a pony who was a lot like you, Twilight. She was kind and best."
Twilight smiled, "You must have a good life."
"No, it wasn't," He said, "But things didn't go so well. I became so obsessed with powers and high ranks to prove the world that I am better and the best Mystic Warrior. The Jade Emperor relieved of my duty. I... I ran away and lived with mortals. But I encountered some mad and evil ponies. They... They murdered my first mortal friend."
Twilight gasped in shock, "Oh Celestia..."
Shadow Dragon nodded his head, "And so I joined Dark Mystic Ponies that would lead... Second Mystic War or known to be a Coup De'tat..."
Twilight gasped in shock. Shadow Dragon breathed in fear and concern. He can tell of her looks: feared and worried of his dark past. She was going to hate him for the things he had done from 900 years ago.
"I wanted to build the perfect world for both, so there will be no evil and chaos. But I realize my mistake and error. And so... I betrayed the Dark Mystic Ponies and helped Mystic Ponies to restore order of both world. I sealed all of Dark Mystic Ponies at Dark Mystic Realm. But I was banished and exiled for nearly thousand years..."
"How did you manage to seal them?"
"One of the powerful Element that balance two worlds and two forces. The Element of Darkness," Shadow Dragon answered. Twilight gasped in shock. He looked at her, and giving her a nod: "Yes, Twilight. It is one of powerful twin Mystical Elements of Harmony that balance both Light and Darkness. It controls the darkness and everything that was chaos and destruction. But only the Chosen One can control its destructive powers, as long as you do not possess too much hate and anger. And I almost did to two worlds. But now, no more..."
Twilight asked, "What of Element of Light?"
"That I don't know. No one knows of what happen to the Element of Light when Mystic Avatar and Lauren Hope Faust defeated and sealed the most powerful and dangerous Demon God Apocalypse Devil. They both passed away and its Element of Light disappeared."
"Yes... I know that story well. After Mystic Avatar and Lauren Hope Faust passed on, they left two of their children: Celestia and Luna on the hooves of Equestria Ponies for further protection and training to be the next rulers. As for the Element of Light, there was a legend. It said that The Element of Light revealed itself and reunited with its twin brother: Element of Darkness when it sense the heart of love between Light and Darkness. It sound romantic and wonderful. But what about the Element of Darkness?"
"But it returned to the Mother Tree of Harmony until the worthy one wields it."
"That means you..."
"Yes. But I abuse it so much because of my hate and anger for the world. If I hadn't, none of this could had happen." Shadow Dragon looked at Twilight, who had wore the worry and pitiful mask. He sighed in concern, "You must have hate me... a lot."
Twilight shook her head gently, "No, I don't hate you." Shadow Dragon looked shock and surprise at her. She continued, with a smile, "That was the past, but this is now. You had proven to be better than before. It means this is Shadow Dragon I met from the first day he came to Ponyville, not the one who wants to destroy the world. After all, you helped me and my friends so much. You are welcome to stay here. This is your home."
Shadow Dragon gasped in shock and surprise, yet his heart pound in happiness and surprise. He finally found a place called home. He smiled, "Thank you, Twilight. For believing in me and giving me a second chance."
Twilight smiled, "We are... friends. And about your family. I really want to meet them. Care to tell a story?"
Shadow Dragon smiled, "With pleasure, princess."
Shadow Dragon and Twilight Sparkle had a chat about his family. Spike and Nyx took a peek on them. They both giggled and chuckled happily.
"Mommy really likes him," said Nyx.
Spike nodded his head, "No joke. I wonder when they will go tell of how much they care and love each other."
"Maybe when the climax came, they will tell of how much they love."
"I can bet at the end of how the story goes."
Both Spike and Nyx giggled, continued looking at the scene of both Twilight Sparkle and Shadow Dragon talking and chatting happily about the past.
To be continued...
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