//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 Here We GO! // Story: Realms Unite! // by Ninyn //------------------------------// Nightshade sat in the throne room as the other heroes rested for the night. A couple more swings with his blades and couple other movements and Nightshade sighed, *I don't feel any different… My energy seems… Transformed… But I don't feel any different besides that…* he thought. Star Bright emerged from the garden and saw Nightshade. Nightshade smiled weakly as Star Bright approached him, "Couldn't sleep either eh?" he asked. Star Bright smiled, "Unfortunately… Why can't you sleep dear Nightshade?" she asked with a tiny frown. Nightshade closed his eyes and shook his head, "I thought becoming the "King" would be a little more exciting. I don't feel any different. My capacity to hold energy a little different but other than that… Nothing seems to have changed," he said. Star Bright nodded, "I've been questioning that myself… But there's no doubt in my mind that you can defeat Roark. All of you can together," she said. Nightshade nodded and looked to the starry sky, "Let's hope this works," he said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roark sat on his throne and observed the vile creature's he had brought together. Lord Tirek… The large centaur had grown stronger and taller ever since Roark had infused his magic with the dark matter of the shadow realm. Madaara was considerably powerful… Almost to powerful for Roark's liking. The Sith Lord Darth Sidious sat in a corner eyeing each of the creature's brought together and noticed the missing Exion, "Tell me… I thought your liege had returned," he said eyeing the Shadow Sentient. Roark smirked relieved that the silence was broken, "At last one of you speaks out. Yes Awkright returned… However his injuries were far too severe and I could not heal him. That troublesome hero Nightshade got the better of him," he said. Madaara laughed, "One more pawn out of the way. It seems these heroes are anxious to eliminate us," he said. Darth Sidious rose and walked over to the Ninja Lord, "You seem to be confident in your ability to fight these heroes… Madaara was it?" he said. The ninja smiled, "Indeed. Lord Sidious. The amount of knowledge seems to have extended between worlds. Though I am curious about you… Lord Tirek," he said turning towards the centaur. Tirek huffed and stared down at the two men, "I can adapt and absorb any magic that I come in contact with. The miserable ponies of Equestria have no idea what's in store for them once we take care of these so called "heroes," he said. Madaara glared at centaur, "You're merely focused on one goal? Imagine what the four of us can accomplish together! We can control everything!!" he yelled. Tirek rolled his eyes and walked off. Madaara growled, "Why do we need him?!" he yelled at Roark. Roark laughed, "All in due time Madaara Uchiha. All in due time," he said chuckling. Lord Sidious glared at the sentient from under his hood and returned to his chair to meditate. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morning had come and the heroes were all at the portal to Roark's realm. Surprisingly when everyone was in Equestria they hadn't been turned into ponies except the mane 6. Star Bright noted this and eyed Nightshade, "Maybe while everyone is with you in other realms they take on the form you prefer them to be," she said. The heroes all around looked to Nightshade and then to the mane 6, "So you're tellin' me that you prefer us in pony form Nightshade?" Applejack asked. Nightshade shrugged, "It's the form I've seen you in the most. It's what I'm used to seeing," he said. The ponies all smiled, "Well that's a compliment I guess," Rainbow Dash said. Together the heroes walked through the portal. When the heroes ended up on the other side Nightshade gasped. The heroes looked around… Forest of black trees… Streaming white light everywhere. However within at least a 20 foot radius of Nightshade life and color had been brought back. Star Bright looked around them and nodded, "It seems your powers far exceed Cyrus's by a tremendous scale," she said to Nightshade. Nightshade looked around and noticed the layout of the land had changed… The realm had been slowly brought back together… More than half of the desolated structure's Nightshade had seen on his first visit had been fully reconstructed. Goku started to fly into the air and an energy blast was sent flying at him. Naruto jumped up and knocked the blast away. "So much for surprising the enemy," Sasuke said. Natsu looked to Sasuke and smiled, "Then it looks like we'll have to do things the old fashioned way! We're gonna fight our way through!!" he yelled lighting one of his hands with his fire. Nightshade's eyes turned dark violet as he charged towards the open ground. The life had been cast away and the other heroes noticed it as they charged as well. Dozens of exion lined the path they followed. Obi-Wan and Anakin both had many encounters with such odds and gladly took the front lines to fight off the Exion, "We'll catch up just keep going!" Obi-Wan yelled. The others nodded but Nightshade turned towards them, "You better not keep us waiting!" he said smiling. Anakin used the force and cast two Exion over the side of the mountain, "Go!" he yelled. The other continued. Hope was on their side, and Roark was waiting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- High to the east Roark eyed the sparks and blasts coming from where the heroes had entered and smiled, "Seems like they've decided to strike at us first," he said. Madaara looked to the explosion, "A bold move. Even for a hero. I shall take the first stand," he said walking towards the front of the fort. Roark smiled, "No. Lord Tirek shall great them," he said smiling. Tirek smiled and his eyes lit with a dark fire, "I shall crush them," he said smiling. Madaara sighed and watched the dark centaur leave, "You wanted him gone. There he goes. We won't have to worry about him for a while," he said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Only 11 remained of the group, but Nightshade was confident in his friends. Natsu stopped and looked around, "Anyone else hear any screaming?" he asked. Nightshade frowned and looked to the fort very far away, "I see the fort but I don't hear any screaming," he said. From above Tirek came crashing into the ground sending the heroes all flying back. Tirek sent a black fire ball at the ponies, "Be gone!" he yelled. The fire began to rip apart then it started to swirl into the air. The sound of someone sucking on a straw while drinking the last of a milkshake was heard. The dust and smoke from Tirek's impact cleared and the centaur saw the young wizard sucking up his fire. Natsu burped and chuckled, "Now that fire tasted really sweet… Like chocolate," he said smiling. Pinkie's eyes widened, "Chocolate fire?!" she screeched. Natsu laughed, "Yea I can eat fire with my Fire Dragon Slayer magic. Every fire has its own flavor. It gives me power… Except my own that is," he said scratching his head. Pinkie Pie snorted with laughter, "That's so cool!" she said. Tirek roared in anger and lunged at the young wizard who turned and matched the centaur's punch with his own, "I've gotta fire in my belly… Now I'm getting fired up!" he yelled as his fire began to burn around him. "You guys go on ahead and I'll handle him!" Natsu said. The ponies began to run followed by Nightshade and the others. Tirek growled, "You won't get away from-!" he was cut off as Natsu punched him in the face, "Your fight's with me bub! If you wanna follow them you'll have to go through me!" he yelled. Tirek roared and tried to suck the magic from Natsu but found his magic was being countered, "What is the meaning of-?!" Natsu had kicked Tirek in the face. "I'm not gonna let up until all our realms are safe! Take this!" he yelled as he ascended into his Lightning Flame Dragon Force. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Roark laughed a mighty laugh as he looked down on the battle between Salamander and Lord Tirek, "Ah ah ah Tirek. You have to prove your power through force not trickery!" he said smiling wide. Natsu's lightning inferno was growing wide and the centaur had obviously already lost the fight. A great explosion erupted and the huge centaur fell to the ground completely exhausted of all power. Roark teleported to the battle and kicked the fallen creature, "What a waste of my time," he said. "Hey!" Natsu yelled. Roark turned and smiled, "You have my thanks for defeating this one young Salamander," he said. Natsu growled, "Whadya mean thanks?!" he yelled. Roark waved his hand and Tirek was teleported back to the fort. Natsu's eyes flared with anger as he tried to strike at the shadow sentient. Roark turned as Natsu's punch barely missed his face. With a side kick Roark sent the dragon slayer flying into a lake, "I have no time for games Salamander… I have bigger prizes to fight," he said darkly. Large explosions could be seen farther towards the fort and Roark smiled, "The time is almost at hand. You will fall Sentient "King," he said continuing up the path.