//------------------------------// // Revealing... ( Part 1 ) // Story: The Endless // by BloomingStar //------------------------------// In an unknown island, a hooded mare was having a conversation with different hybrid beings. Discussing something about the duo as they looked to a projected screen that showed the previous battles the children fought. "Their powers are quite formidable," the bull-griffon remarked. "The colt has such power on dark magic," the pony-snake pointed. "That thestral shows promises to him by her lethal flame affinity," the bear-bull admitted. "They are quite strong, but they need more to achieve further victory," the bull-pony declared. "Agreed," the hooded mare nodded, "We must decide of what they should do next." A bull-pony raised his hoof. "Yes? Do you have a suggestion?" the hooded mare asked. "I suggest that we bring them here and lend them some of our powers," the bull-griffon explained. The others looked at him with suprised looks. "Are you serious?" the pony-snake asked. "You realize that there will be consequences if we ever give them our abilities," the pony-bear stated. "Especially the colt," the pony-griffon cringed, "If we ever give him another dark magic, he could lose his control and be overwhelmed." "Are you saying that we have to give our powers to the foals, especially to my son?" the hooded mare gasped. "We only have to share with them our powers so they would have enough strength to reach the final stage of their abilities," the bull-griffon declared, "And because time is of the essence here as the enemy will begin their attack in two days. Our only hope is the children to become stronger." "I see," the bull-pony remarked, "This plan may punish us by our ancestors for such act, but it would be our only chance to be victorious." "I doubt that this will work," the bear-bull shook his head, "But we have little time now, so I will have to agree." "I too agree to his plan. I could give that filly a thing or two on advanced flame magic," the pony-snake chuckled. "Do not push your limits, Neezra," the hooded mare warned. "Oh leave me be, you Wretched Fiend," the pony-snake smirked. "So all of you agree to this plan?" the bull-pony asked. They all nodded as their silent response. "Then it is settled," the bull-pony announced, "We send them here as share with them our magic to be prepared for the battle." "I will go to bring them here," the pony-snake declared. "Very well, do not attack them, but you can disarm their weapons if necessary," the bull-pony nodded. At that, the creature vanished in an instant, leaving just a trail of mist, but showed no direction. "I can't think of any place to go next," Shard sighed. "Well, we can try this one," Venang pointed at a specific location in the map. "Forgotten Peak?" Shard frowned, "I don't it's a good idea, Venang." "Why, afraid of seeing a big eagle?" Venang smirked. "Well, I can hybrids, griffons and many other flying beings," Shard shrugged, "But if it's a big one, then I would seriously run like a chicken." "You are such a dope sometimes," Venang giggled as she kissed him on the cheek, "If you say so, then let's try another." "This island here called Shadow Hide," Shard pointed. "That's a strange name," Venang frowned. "Yeah, it was said to be cursed due to foul dark magic in the area. It was also a place for necromancers," Shard stated. "Indeed it is.." The two flinched by the sound of the voice. They looked up to see a white mist above them. It descended down, revealing to be a mare who had a reptilian skin, curly mane, a long tail that looked like a snake's, and a cutie mark in a form of a snake head with two fangs at its mouth. The duo readied their respective elemental swords as they feared that she was like the others who would attack them. "I seek no harm to you two," the pony-snake declared. "Why should we believe you," Venang growled. "Because I am here to bring you and your friend her somewhere to give you two an offering," she stated. "Why the heck should we trust you?" Shard glared. "Because I am in touch with your mother, Shard Vine," the hybrid mare smirked. Hearing that comment, the colt's eyes grew wide as he was shocked by what she said. "She's still alive?" Shard asked. "Yes, if you will let me take you and your lover here to the island of where she is currently at the moment, we would be willing to share with you our strength and you can be reunited with your parent," she smiled. The foals looked at each other for a moment. "Should we trust this fellow, Venang?" Shard asked. "If what she said is true, then we should take this opportunity to become even more powerful and you can see your mother again," Venang replied. "We should delay our crusade for the time being," Venang added. "Okay, let's do it," Shard nodded. They looked back the hybrid who was still smirking at them. "Alright, we'll take your offer," the duo said in unison. "Excellent, I will take you there in an instant.." The pony-snake hybrid cast a fog around them as their view was obstructed completely by the mist. After a brief moment, they could now see where they were as the fog dissipated. They looked around to see they're in a room that had strange vines at every walls as if they were like decorations. They looked in front to see different hybrids standing in front of them, even the mysterious mare they fought not long ago. The bull-pony took a step forward as he was the first to break the silence. "Greetings, children, welcome to Shadow Hide!" he bellowed. "Who are you?" Shard asked. "One of your kin, young colt. We are different from the ones you faced before. We only seek peace to our tribe," the bull-pony replied happily. "Why are we here?" Venang asked. "To put it simple, we want you foals to have some of our power since the war will begin in just two days," the bull-pony declared. "What? Two days?!" the duo shouted in unison. "Yes," the pony-snake frowned, "Which is why we will share with you our abilities for you to reach to your advanced level." "Wait, what about my mother?" Shard begged impatiently. "After sharing with you our powers, we will reveal her to you, young colt," the bear-bull declared. "Fine, let's this over with," Shard sighed. The duo stood where they were as the hybrids, even the hooded mare fired their beams at them. The two felt like they were hit by a large rock as they felt their muscles increasing, even their minds. After a while, the sensed the beams stopped hitting them, signaling that it was already done. "I don't feel anything," Shard frowned. "Me too, just nothing," Venang frowned. Shard looked at her, gasped by what he saw. "What?" Venang asked. "You might want to look at your own reflection here," the pony-snake conjured a mirror in front of the thestral. Venang looked at it, only to be suprised by her new appearance. Her ears became even more tufted, her wings became as sharped as a blade, her coat turned to gray, her mane and tail became black with black lines, and her eyes became light blue. She noticed her eyes no longer like a thestral's that were slit, instead, they became like a regular pony's. "I like this, you agree" Venang smiled. "Yeah, looks good on you," Shard nodded. "It seems you're still in the same state," Venang pointed. "I was hoping to have new powers and all," Shard admitted. "You will find out soon," the bull-pony declared, "When you use your powers against your enemies, you will sense your true strength," the pony-griffon smiled. "Now, I suppose you want to see her?" the bull-pony asked. "Yes, right now," Shard growled. "And please do it quick," Venang glared, "He could unleash his pure hate when being tested." "Of course, reveal yourself to him, Lucra," the bull-griffon encouraged. The hooded mare nodded as she removed her cloak, revealing her true appearance. She had the same spiky mane like him, even in color, her coat was also in the same color as him, her tail was flat, and her cutie mark was a crystal with swirling traces of dark vines around it. She bore a smile that Shard knew when he was still eight years old. "It's been a long time, my son," Lucra smiled. "Y-you.. Mama," Shard gasped. TO BE CONTINUED