//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: A Labyrinth of Nightmares // Story: Journey through Demon Land // by Shadow Master //------------------------------// After the Battle at Dai Gui's Castle, Lance and his friends rode on their ride, Dragoking. They all headed off to next area. They were heading straight to Hsi Wu's homeland called Skyland, home to all kinds of Sky Demons. And it was where they can find the Demon Wings. They spent nearly two hours in reaching the area but stopped by the Entrance Ground. They were hungry as they stopped for lunch. Lance and his friends were having their own lunches while the rest have different taste. Dragoking nudged on Nyx's back gently while purred like a kitten. Nyx shrugged, "Sorry, Dragoking. No meats." Dragoking growled in annoyance. She continued, "I didn't know that you would be following us. So, why don't you go and find your food first?" Lance nodded his head, "We'll be here until you're done with your lunch." Dragoking growled in disappointment as he gave both Lance and Nyx a whip by his tail. Dragoking then headed off while they both groaned in annoyance. Their friends laughed in amusement of what they saw. As Lance and his friends continued having their own lunches, they always wondered about Metalgear and Drake Trio ate their foods. "So, what kind of food you can eat?" Apple Bloom asked curiously, "Besides ours." Metalgear took a bagpack out as he took some batteries out. Everyone looked at him and his batteries. Wonder what he does with them? Metalgear launched two tentacles out from his back in attaching the battery's both positive and negative parts. STATIC! SHOCK! He was absorbing the electrical energies through his tentacles into his body. For the moment had passed, he threw the battery aside as he proceed to the next one. Everyone was in shock and surprised by his ways. "Okay... Didn't wish to see that happen," Scootaloo commented. Sweetie Belle nodded, "I didn't know Metal Ponies eat batteries. It's kinda weird." "Actually, Sweetie Belle; it's not weird. It's one of their naturals. Metal Ponies require some electrical conservation energy in making themselves complete and ready for their next assignment." Nyx explained. "Say what now?" Spike asked in concern. Nyx grunted a bit, "Metal Ponies eat electricity energy." "Ah..." Her friends nodded their heads in understanding. Jade turned to Drake Trio, "So, what about you guys? I know dragons eat meats and some crystal-stuffs, but haystacks and grasses taste good too." Drake Trio looked shock as they gave the disgusted and puked looks. "No way we're gonna eat the greens. That taste the worst." Boomer said in disgusted. With Rob and Grunt nodded their heads, Boomer smirked happily. Everyone then looked at Drake Trio as they all wondered how or what they ate their foods. "So, what kind of food do you guys ate?" Spike asked curiously. Boomer smirked as he gave a sound of snap. Grunt huffed happily as he headed towards the large log-like. The muscle dragon lifted the log up as it revealed the muddy yet sticky mud, along with several and more of insects-like. Rob took a giant leaf as he picked them up one-by-one. As soon as Rob collected the bugs on his leaf-plate, Grunt closed the log down. The ponies and Spike looked shock and surprise of what they were looking at. They all knew and understand what the dragons ate for their meal times. "Grubs," Rob answered happily, "The best course of dragons' meals." Boomer nodded, "You'd never find them like these guys. They're the best!" "I am Grunt," Grunt agreed. Boomer took a long crimson worm-like into his mouth. He smirked before giving a belch. Rob launched his tongue in grabbing some flies and butterflies into his like a frog. Grunt took set of beetles into his mouth one-by-one. Everyone looked disgusted and puked upon looking at the sights. Boomer approached Spike with greenish beetle, "Try it, Spike. The beetles are the best taste." "I don't know..." Spike said in concern. Before he could proceed, Boomer pushed beetles into his mouth. He took a bite on them slowly and gently. He hummed happily as he swallowed them, "Wow... I didn't know the bugs taste better! Great! Now, I don't have to worry about eating more gems." Everyone looked shock and worry of what they were looking at. Spike actually ate the bugs?! That was no surprise for them to know. "Now that's what I'm talking about it!" Boomer exclaimed wildly as he passed some of bugs to Spike, "Welcome to Drake Trio Brotherhood, brother!" Spike stopped as he had some thoughts, "Brother... Sure wish I could have some dragons to live in Ponyville to talk with and have fun with..." Nyx nuzzled Spike's head gently, "Come on, Spike. Just because Ponyville didn't have the dragons, doesn't mean we're not your best friends or family. You'd always have us." "Yeah, Spike. If it weren't for you, Ponyville wouldn't be the best," Apple Bloom agreed. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Jade nodded their heads in agreement. Spike smiled happily as he hugged them back. "Don't forget about us," Boomer exclaimed happily as he gave Spike a nudge, "Dragons gotta stick together." Spike thought for the moment before he smiled and nodded his head. He and his friends chatted happily with each other. "Strange it maybe..." Metalgear complimented, "How could a dragon like Spike befriend with ponies?" Lance smirked, "That's easy, Buddy Metal. Twilight and her friends raised him and taught him about friendship. That's why he befriended with them." "Why not dragons?" "Yeah... Don't know about that part. But I remember Nyx told me about Spike finding more about himself when he goes for 'Dragon Quest'." "Quite... simple and classic..." Metalgear commented. Lance smirked as he nodded his head in agreement, "Has anyone seen Dragoking? I hope he's not going too far away from here." ROAR! Everyone turned to the front and found Dragoking returned to them. He gave a lick in wiping the dirt off from his mouth. He gave a loud belch while the feathers blown out from his mouth. He smiled happily. Everyone laughed happily and in amusement in seeing how funny and happy Dragoking can be when it comes to his foods. After the lunch, Lance and his friends left to Skyland. They were travelling across the long road with some beautiful yet nutritious forests-like. For nearly two hours, they came across the gate-like in front of them with giant walls of greens. Both Metalgear and Grunt headed off in scouting the area. Lance and his friends had to wait for their allies return from the journey. Cutie Mark Crusaders and three dragons looked at the signboard as they all read it. "Labyrinth of Nightmares? What the heck is that?" Scootaloo asked in shock. Jade shrugged while she continued to read, "Those who wish to enter the Land of Sky must overcome the Nightmares within you or be consumed forever. Beware of the guide or he shall lead you astray. Well that seems friendly..." "Tell me about it. I don't even want to imagine about it when it said nightmares..." Spike said in fear. Nyx took a book as she explained, "Labyrinth of Nightmare is Hsi Wu's strongest fort in keeping his enemies from going in or out because it creates our deepest nightmares. And once we enter the labyrinth, we'll be facing ours. Once we face them, it's either we fight or get consumed. And above all, this labyrinth was guarded and protected by Hsi Wu's Elite Commander: Ghoul Keeper. Ghoul Keeper is not a friendly ghoul, and he'll make sure that all of us stayed in there forever..." "Ghoul Keeper? Ooh! Sounds scary," Boomer mocked happily. Rob whacked Boomer's head, "It will be if you don't control that attitude of yours, moron!" "Why you! I'm gonna make you eat those words, Egghead!" Boomer exclaimed in anger. Boomer and Rob punched at each other hard for few times. Everyone laughed in amusement and interested upon looking at two dragons fighting with each other hard and quick. Lance and Shiroi turned to the front as they found both Metalgear and Grunt returned from their recon. "I've brought unfortunate news. There is no alternate route in getting over the labyrinth," Metalgear explained in concern, "And the only way to get to Skyland is go through the labyrinth." "I am Grunt," Grunt said in fear. "Well, we've got no choice," Shiroi said in concern, "We have to get through it, even it means we have to face our worst nightmares." Lance smiled gently, "It'll be fine. Trust me. We can handle it. Let's get moving." Lance and his friends gotten up on their ride of Dragoking as they all entered the Labyrinth. As they all entered, the gate behind them closed at once. The ghoulish skeleton-like with a crimson eye-ball dressed in purplish Grim Reaper's robe appeared from the gate. He chuckled evilly yet sinisterly. He turned to his back as he opened a small portal to Hsi Wu. "Master Hsi Wu, the plans has gone swiftly as we had hope for." The Ghoul Keeper said happily. Hsi Wu smirked, "Excellent, Ghoul. Keep them occupied in the Labyrinth until all consumed by their own nightmares." "Yes, my master." Hsi Wu's portal disappeared from sights. Ghoul Keeper laughed evilly as he slowly disappeared from sights. As Lance and his friends travelling across the labyrinth, they found themselves lost within for nearly half-an-hour. And all they found the labyrinth was greenish grass of walls, along with misty fog... "Is it me or the Labyrinth getting foggy than before?" Spike asked in concern. Boomer snickered, "What's the matter? Scared?" "As if! Just worry!" Spike protested. Rob nodded, "Spike's right. This is not a joke. Ghoul Keeper could appear before us any minute..." "Ha! I'm not afraid of that ghoul!" Jade exclaimed proudly. Scootaloo smirked, "Yeah! If he wants to piece with us, he'd better do it now!" "Like now?!" The sinister voice asked evilly. Everyone yelped in shock and worry as they looked around of their surroundings in search for the voice. They then looked up and found Ghoul Keep appeared from the sky. They yelped in fear. Ghoul Keeper chuckled evilly, "Whoops! Did I scare ya?!" "Ghoul Keeper?!" Apple Bloom asked in worry. "In the flesh," Ghoul Keeper said happily before chuckled evilly, "As a matter of speaking from fleshlings..." Sweetie Belle squealed in fear, "I hope he's not hungry for us." "What the heck are you up to?" Nyx demanded angrily. "Isn't it obvious? I'm here to keep you here to get interested of my park until you get consumed!" Ghoul Keeper answered evilly, "Until all are gone, Princess of Demon and Spike shall return to their true masters." "NEVER!" Nyx and Spike exclaimed in anger. Shiroi held both Nyx and Spike tight together, "You won't take any of them without the fight." Dragoking growled in anger as he roared at Ghoul Keeper. Ghoul Keeper yelped in shock and fear as he quickly drifted away from the Hydragoon. Lance took his swords out as he was ready to fight, "I'm not letting you take any of them without the fight!" "Option - guide us to exit or face consequence!" Metalgear said angrily as he aimed his Buster Canon at Ghoul Keeper. "I think not," Ghoul Keeper exclaimed in anger as he held his scythe up. As it glowed darkly, he chuckled evilly, "I shall separate you all! Let's see if you can face them, you little insects!" Before Lance and his friends could do anything, the ground was shaking very hard. They yelped and screamed in fear and worry of what they were dealing with. The mist became foggier as it slowly consume them all while the ground was shaking for the moment. As the mist dispersed, Lance and his friends found themselves in different sectors of the labyrinth. They all muttered and chatted in fear and concern that they were in different areas: Lance and Shiroi on the northwestern sector, Nyx and Dragoking on the southern sect, Spike and Metalgear on western sect, Cutie Mark Crusaders on eastern sect, and Drake Trio on southeastern sect. Ghoul Keeper appeared on the sky as he chuckled evilly and darkly, "Whoops! It looks like you've got separated!" "Ghoul Keeper! What the hell did you do to us?!" Lance asked angrily. Ghoul Keeper chuckled evilly, "Keeping things interesting by separating you from each other." Everyone chatted and muttered in anger at him. He continued, "And what kind of games we're playing is to find each other back at the Central Sect while finding the lost child?" "Lost child?!" Spike asked in shock, "What's that supposed to be mean of that?!" "Did you do something to him?!" Apple Bloom demanded angrily. Ghoul Keeper chuckled evilly, "Nothing but giving a good taste of nightmare to him. Reunite with each other and save him before nightmares get to you." "When we get out of this, we're gonna come after you!" Lance exclaimed in anger. "I doubt of it..." Ghoul Keeper said darkly, "But better hurry. The child cannot hold his ground much longer. Good luck..." Ghoul Keeper disappeared from everyone's sights. They all chatted and muttered in anger at him as they all wanted to kill him so badly. Lance sighed, "Alright, Listen up! Meet up at the Central Sect! If you find the kid, make sure you keep him safe! No matter what happens, don't let the nightmares best you off!" "Got it!" Everyone exclaimed in agreement. Everyone headed off in finding the child and Central Sect, and hopefully for them to overcome their nightmares before they got consumed... On the northwestern sector, Lance and Shiroi were travelling across the labyrinth. They looked around of their surroundings. So far, they found was walls of grasses and bushes, and sometimes a dead end. They kept on searching and looking way out to central sect. Shiroi held Lance's hoof tight, "I'm scared." Lance gently nuzzle her face, "It's alright. We can make it." "But what about the nightmares? What if Ghoul Keeper said is true? What if... we get consumed then overcome them?" "We'll overcome them. I promise you that, Shiroi. No nightmares scare us off that easily." "But Lance... What if... What if we can't?" "We can do it. We've make it too far. We can do it." "But there's something I'm afraid the most. Something that I don't want to do. I don't want to hurt someone I cared and loved so much." Shiroi sobbed in great despair and hurt Lance was in shock. She continued, "I don't want to hurt someone I cared." Lance was speechless and worried as he wasn't sure how he could help her. He gave her a warm hug, "Shiroi... Don't be scared. And don't worry about you 'hurting' someone else. Because it won't happen. I promise you for that." "Lance..." Shiroi said in shock yet surprise. She smiled, "Yes... You're right. I won't hurt someone. Let's go find the child and our friends." "Good... Let's go," Lance nodded his head. Lance and Shiroi headed off in search of their friends and Central Sect of Labyrinth of Nightmares. On western sect, both Spike and Metalgear looked around in search of Central Sect. Metalgear took the lead, Spike remained behind of him. Metalgear armed his Buster Canon at every direction in search of any intruder. "Hey, Metalgear..." Spike asked in concern, "Have you ever dealt with nightmares before? Coz I did, it's not a cozy one." "Never... I never encountered or had a nightmare symptom before," Metalgear answered. "Dude... It's not a type of sickness. It's just something the ponies scared of." "Isn't that considered 'symptom'?" "No, it's not." Metalgear huffed, "Admit that I'm right, Spiketail Jr. The nightmares are ponies' terrifying yet dangerous symptoms. There is no cure to save them from that symptoms." He sighed in annoyance, "Both dragons and ponies are not immune to it, but Metal Ponies are not. I'm proud to be that one." Spike groaned in annoyance, "I can see why Boomer got some problem with you. You're one annoying robot alright." "What's a robot?" Metalgear asked curiously. Spike chuckled a bit, "It's just like you. That's what robot means, except it does have a mind and a heart of its own." "I do not find it amusing..." Metalgear said dryly. Spike sighed, "Never mind, Robopony. We'd better get going and find our pals. Hopefully, we don't get attacked by the nightmares." Metalgear nodded, "Affirmative." Spike and Metalgear headed off in search of their friends. On eastern sect, Cutie Mark Crusaders were looking around of their surroundings in search for their friends. Like the rest, they found nothing. Apple Bloom sighed in concern, "Girls... I'd never told you this but... I'm scared. I really wish Applejack was here." Her friends were in shock and surprise of what Apple Bloom had said. "Apple Bloom... There's nothing wrong to say anything like that," Sweetie Belle said calmly. Scootaloo nodded her head, "Yeah, we're scared too. I also wish Rainbow Dash was here." "Besides, Apple Bloom; what you did back at Bayou - awesome and amazing for picking a fight with the Chimera!" Jade said proudly. Apple Bloom smiled, "Thanks. I appreciate of that too. But fighting with the nightmares-" She gulped in concern, "- totally a different thing. There's no telling of what we would be dealing with." "We can handle it. No worries about it," Jade said confidently, "We've got nothing to worry about what we're dealing with." Scootaloo nodded, "Yeah. We overcome most of our problems. Dealing with the nightmares won't be a problem. We can do it." Sweetie Belle nodded, "Yeah. We can do it." Assured by her friends, Apple Bloom smiled in relief as she and her friends headed off in search of their friends. Drake Trio were looking around of the surroundings. Each time Boomer made the direction, they got lost or reach to the dead end. Both Grunt and Rob got annoyed by the attempts for five times. They came across the last corner to a dead end. Rob groaned in annoyance, "This is the sixth time we make the wrong turn. Do you even have any idea how to get out of here?!" Boomer groaned angrily, "Why don't you shut up?! At least, I'm leading my team! What could you have done, idiot?!" "I would have analyze the situation than going off to nowhere, thank you very much!" "Yeah, that sure takes some sweet time to get us lost, idiot!" "Somehow I really wish that you would never been made as the leader! I only hope you had realize that with you as the leader, we'll be doomed!" "Somehow I really wish you realized that without me, you are so lost!" "I... AM... GRUNT!" Grunt exclaimed in anger as he held both Boomer and Rob high before slammed their heads in each other hard. Grunt let them go while sighed, "I am Grunt..." "You're right. Sorry, buddy," Boomer said in concern. Rob nodded, "Yeah... We'd better focus on the mission. Let's hope we can find them." Drake Trio headed off in search of their friends. On southern sect, Nyx was riding on Dragoking as they were searching and looking for their friends. Even with Dragoking's long neck, he was unable to find or search any of his allies. Dragoking growled in defeat and concern. Nyx patted on Dragoking's neck gently, "It's okay, Dragoking. We'll find them. I promised." Dragoking growled softly making her worried and scared. She sighed, "I know. You're right. This place... It scares me. Something about this scares me out. I don't know what it was. But I know one thing - truth about me." Dragoking gave her an odd yet concern look. She gently patted his head, "I guess worry you too much, didn't I?" Dragoking gave her a long lick on her face. Nyx giggled a bit, "Yeah... I shouldn't be worry of it. Thanks, Dragoking. Come on. Let's find our friends." Dragoking roared wildly. He marched off as he and Nyx searched for their allies and friends... Ghoul Keeper watched the event as Lance and his friends searching through the labyrinth for both reunited and rescued the lost boy. They then arrived at the empty area. He smirked darkly as he waved his skeleton hand from right to left. The Labyrinth of Nightmare was covered by the greenish mist while Ghoul Keeper did was laughed evilly yet sinisterly upon looking at the event. As the green mist affected Lance and his friends, their eyes glowed in black like something block them from looking at something. Nightmares had begun... (Lance's Nightmare) Lance found himself back at home, Ponyville. He was in shock and confuse of finding himself back at home. Before he could do anything, he found his father standing before him. "Dad... You're alright?!" Lance asked in shock before he chuckled a bit, "Of course, you're alright. Listen, I need your help now, dad. Nyx, Spike and the rest got lost in the labyrinth. Maybe-!" "Tell me, son..." Shadow Dragon said darkly, causing Lance to stop talking. He continued, "Tell me... Are you proud to be part of another family?" "Another family? Dad, what are you talking about?!" "Are you proud to have Nyx, Spike and Twilight with you? Are you really okay with what you have?" Lance was in shock and worried as his father never asked him about having a new family since his mother's passing. He hummed in concern before answered, "Yes... I'm kinda happy and glad to have a new family. Mom told me to have a good life. I can't let her down now..." "You already did..." Shadow Dragon said darkly. Lance was in shock and concern of what he had said. He then pointed at the floor. Lance turned and found dead Twilight, Spike and Nyx. He continued, "You lied to me. You lied to me! I trusted you to look after them. And you repaid her kindness by killing them?!" Lance gasped in shock before he shook his head in denial, "I didn't do it. I didn't! I could never hurt them! I love them!" "Liar! You're not my son! Die!" Shadow Dragon exclaimed in anger as he summoned Darkness Blade. Shadow Dragon jumped and slammed his Darkness Blade on Lance's head. The son took both of his Twin Dragon Swords in blocking before kicking his father off. Shadow Dragon swung his Darkness Blade at Lance, who blocked and deflected the attacks for three times. Shadow Dragon swiped Lance's leg off before kicked the latter off to the walls hard. Lance was about to get up but Shadow Dragon slammed Lance to the ground before stomped the latter for four times. Lance moaned painfully as he struggled to get up. Shadow Dragon kicked Lance off before glaring at him, "You disappointed me. You failed your mother. How can you be my son when you murdered the family who were trying to help you?" "Dad... I didn't do it... Please..." Lance said weakly. Shadow Dragon held his Darkness Blade up as he readied to kill Lance. Lance sobbed in pain and despair, "Dad... don't... DAD!" (Shiroi's Nightmare) Shiroi screamed and squealed in fear as she looked at her hooves. They were covered by blood. She quivered and shivered in fear as she slowly moved back. She looked up and saw more dead bodies of both ponies and dragons. "No... Not this! Anything but this! Nooooo!" Shiroi screamed in pain. Shiroi gasped as she saw more ponies and dragons approaching them. They cried in anger as they all threw some rocks and stones at her. She screamed in pain and despair. As they continued throwing more rocks at her, her body and horn glowed in pure green. She gasped in shock. "Noooo! No! No! Not now! Don't! I don't want to hurt anyone! I don't want to hurt anyone!" Shiroi screamed in fear and pain. Dragons and ponies slowly moved away from her as she glowed brightly while screamed in fear and pain. BOOM! They all got blasted away from her. For the moment had passed, she found herself glowed in green. She gasped in shock. Shiroi looked and found something shocking and scary for her. Shiroi saw thousands of innocent ponies and dragons killed and dead. She screamed in pain and fear as she held her head tightly. "Nooooooooo! Not again! Not again!" Shiroi screamed in pain. As Shrioi continued screaming, her body glowed in green again. She then launched multiple blasts in hitting and killing more innocent ponies... (Spike's Nightmare) Spike found himself at Ponyville. He was in shock and surprise that he returned home safely. As he looked around of surroundings, he found Mane Six standing before him. He was in surprise yet relief and happy to see them. He called them as he was about to hug them. But he was stopped by the force-field. "Hey?! Twilight, what are you doing?!" Spike asked in concern. "You're not welcome here..." Twilight said darkly. Spike gasped in shock. She continued, "You don't belong here, Spike..." "What?! Why?! Why?!" Spike asked in shock yet pain. "You're a dragon, Spike. You don't belong here. And above all, your family work for Shendu! I can't believe my assistant actually work for Shendu?!" "No! That's not true! My dad risked his life to stop them! He risked everything! He'd never work for them!" "Don't be a liar!" Twilight sighed, "I'm sorry, Spike. I can't let you stay. You belong with the dragons, not with us. It's time for you to go home." "No! Ponyville is my home! I don't want to go away! I wanna be with you! You're my mom I ever had! Please!" "I'm sorry, Spike. I really am. Goodbye..." "Twilight, don't!" Twilight unleashed the force field into a large state, causing Spike to thrown out from Ponyville. Spike screamed in fear as he pounded on the force field as he begged and cried for them to let him in. He screaming and crying in pain and despair. "Twilight, let me in! Twilight, please! TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT!" Spike sniffed before cried in pain and despair, "MOMMY!!!" (Metalgear's Nightmare) Metalgear looked at himself. He was in shock as he found himself wounded and damaged. He struggled of getting up from the ground. But his mechanical hooves and wings were not helping him much. He groaned and moaned painfully while cried for help. No one was found to help him. Metalgear hissed in pain, "So... is this how nightmares feels like? Damn... This is the worst... Death... I can't die now... I can't... My clan needs me... I can't die now... I can't now..." (Cutie Mark Crusaders' Nightmares) Apple Bloom screamed in fear as she found herself lost in the barnyard. She looked around of her surroundings while calling out for her family. For the moment had passed, she found no one but herself. Before she could do anything, she heard the roaring noise. She turned her back and found a same Chimera that chased her. The Chimera chased after her. "Not again! Leave me alone! I haven't done anything wrong! Applejack, help me!" Apple Bloom screamed in fear. Sweetie Belle found herself voiceless as she was unable to sing anymore. She tried to talk but nothing came out from her voice. She also found herself stood in front of the crowds. She yelped in fear as she can't talk of sing. They booed at her. 'What's wrong with me?! Why can't I talk or sing?! Please, help me! Rarity!' Sweetie Belle thought in fear. Scootaloo screamed in pain and fear as she found her wings missing. It was worse enough for her to fly but lost her wings was most painful thing she ever had. Most of Pegasus left her alone as they all flew to the sky. "Please! Don't leave me! Please help me! Don't leave me!" Scootaloo begged in pain before she cried and sobbed in despair, "Rainbow Dash... Please... Help me..." Jade screamed in pain as she tried to offer her help to her friends but all denied her as they claimed that she can't be trusted and not reliable as well. She cried in pain and despair that no one trusted her as a team player. Jade sobbed, "Why can't you trust me? Please... I can do anything... I can do anything..." (Drake Trio's Nightmares) Drake Trio screamed in fear as three of them were facing and dealing with their own nightmares. On Boomer's Nightmare, Boomer tried to lead his team in getting out of the labyrinth. So far of his success, it was nothing but mislead and wrong direction. "Come on, team! We don't have much time! We've gotta get out of here!" Boomer exclaimed in anger. He moved out. He turned back and found his teammates weren't making a move. He groaned, "What's your problem?! Let's move!" Suddenly, both Rob and Grunt disappeared from his sights - leaving Boomer alone. Boomer yelped in shock, "Guys... Guys?! Don't leave me alone! Please!!!" Rob's nightmare, Boomer led Rob to be the leader. By using his intellect skills, Rob was trying to figure it out of how to leave the labyrinth. He analyzed the situation carefully as he tried to solve the problem in getting out of labyrinth, but found nothing... "It's no use... We're trapped..." Rob said in fear. Boomer and Grunt argued and shouted at him. Rob yelped in shock as he covered himself from arguing. He muttered, "Boomer's right... I'm no leader. I let anyone down..." Grunt's nightmares, Grunt found his teammates went missing. He looked around in search of his friends. He roared in fear as he saw himself a blackish ooze emerging from the ground. It slowly formed the monstrous form of Grunt. He tried to beat and knock the monster out. He only manage to hit the shadow of his monster. As the monster disappeared from sights, Grunt found his two best friends were killed. Grunt gasped before he roared in pain. (Nyx's Nightmare) Nyx came down from Dragoking's back as she looked around of her surroundings on the empty area. She stopped. She saw her another-self inside the watery tank. She gulped in fear. "What... How? Is this me?!" Nyx asked in fear. Suddenly, the water tank opened in two. Nyx quivered in fear and worry as her another-self pony came out from it. Nyx yelped, "Who are you?! What are you?!" Her Dark Self smirked, "I am you... But not you..." Nyx looked confuse and scared of what her dark doppelganger had said. The Nyx's Dark Doppelganger continued, "I am the Princess of Demons. I am the Daughter of Lord Tso Lan. I am... Princess Black Yue of Rising Moon." Nyx squealed in fear, "No! I can't be! I'm not a Demon! I'm not Tso Lan's Daughter! I'm Twilight's Daughter, not the Demon!" Black Yue chuckled evilly, "Don't be delusional and foolish. You are not what you are meant to be. You are who you are supposed to be, not to be pretend to be with mortals." "I am not! I'm a pony! I won't believe it!" "Then, I'll open your eyes to see the truth! Return who you were meant to be, Yue!" Black Yue jumped and fired her Dark Unicorn Burst at Nyx straight to the walls hard. Nyx shook her head. Black Yue fired more of Dark Unicorn Bursts at Nyx who dodged and avoided the attacks quickly. Nyx then flew off to the sky at once. Black Yue followed her. Black Yue continued firing her Dark Unicorn Bursts at Nyx who fired her Unicorn Bursts at her. As Black Yue and Nyx continued flying around while firing their Unicorn Bursts at each other, the dark doppelganger fired the Demon Night Beam at the latter. Nyx quickly fired her Night Lunar Beam back. But Black Yue's Demon Night Beam fired and shot it back straight at Nyx. Nyx was knocked out as she fell straight to the ground. Nyx moaned painfully as she struggled in getting up. Black Yue held Nyx to the ground hard. Black Yue laughed evilly, "Staying with the ponies makes you weak, my weaken form... You should have embrace the Demon when you have the chance, fools!" Nyx yelped in shock as she shook her head in denial, "No! NO! NO! No! Noooooo! I'll never become the Demon! I'LL NEVER!" With Princess Yue continued laughing evilly, Nyx struggled in getting out from her dark doppelganger and the truth of herself... With Nyx struggled in getting off from her darkest nightmares, Dragoking growled in concern. He roared wildly and angrily as he feared and worried that he couldn't do anything to help his friends. As Lance and his friends struggled in getting out of their own nightmares, Ghoul Keeper had watched the event from the sky. He chuckled evilly and darkly. "Everything is going according to the plan..." Ghoul Keeper chuckled evilly, "Nothing can stop the plan..." A sudden harmonic yet gentle music sounded. Ghoul Keeper yelped in shock upon hearing the music. Ghoul Keeper growled in anger, "Who's playing the flute?! Goddamn it! Who's playing?!" As Lance and his friends struggled in overcoming their nightmares, they all heard the harmonic yet gentle and calm music. Everyone gasped in shock and surprise as they all listened to the music. As they all listened to the mysterious music, their hearts beating very hard yet quickly as if Lance and his friends were risen from their defeats. Their eyes glowed brightly as they readied to face and overcome their nightmares. (Lance's Nightmares) ?: So far away To reach our distance Our Hopes are in Deep Hard to reach it Shadow Dragon was about to thrust his Darkness Blade at Lance. Lance quickly took his Twin Dragon Swords. He deflected his swords at Shadow Dragon's before kicked the latter off him. "You're right about one thing..." Lance said painfully, "I didn't really like the idea of having new family. Because... I don't want anyone replaced my mother! But deep down, they're important! And I would never ever kill or lose them! I promise my mother that I'll protect them!" Lance swung his Twin Dragon Swords at Shadow Dragon for few times, causing the latter struggle in fighting back. "Ever since you and Twilight took me in, I've became so close to Nyx and Spike. They really are my brother and sister! I'll do anything to protect them! They're my important and precious! Even if I made new friends or gets a girlfriend, but I will never abandon them! And I know one thing about you... You're not my dad!" Lance swung and slashed his Twin Dragon Swords at Shadow Dragon's chest hard. Shadow Dragon's body slowly dispersed into darkness. Lance breathed heavily before gave a long sigh. He dropped his swords to the ground. He looked to the front as the walls slowly cracked and shattered. It opened into a light... (Shiroi's Nightmares) ?: Yet never been lost As I feel the comfort I've not forgotten Moments we have shared So I know how close we are together now Shiroi screamed wildly. The scenes had cracks as it slowly spread across them. The ponies or dragons she 'killed' slowly dispersed into a light. Her body's glow of greenish slowly dispersed as hers glowed in bright white light. "I buried the past because I'm scared of hurting someone..." Shiroi said painfully as she held and clenched her chest, "And trust me on this, I'm not afraid of it! My parents helped me to get up and overcome my sins! I conquered my darkness! I controlled that powers! I never hurt my friends or my family! Never again! NEVER!" As Shiroi's body glowed brightly, she launched the multiple yet many Hope Light Beams across the darkness. The walls and screens slowly cracked and broken into pieces. The darkness became the light. Shiroi slowly yet gently landed on the ground. Shiroi looked up, "I'll never let that happen..." (Spike's Nightmare) ?: Bonded so Pure Save me from Despair Soaring with you here Makes me more confident Spike slowly stood up as he touched his claws on the force field gently. As he clawed and clenched his tightly, the force fields slowly received some cracks. CRASH! The force field opened into the shape of door. He entered it as he approached to the Mane Six. "You're not Twilight or any of my friends," Spike said angrily, causing Mane Six shock and surprise. He continued, "I know it because they were my family! I've known Twilight and my friends so much since the day I was hatched and arrived at Ponyville! The 'Twilight and my friends' I know of could never have abandoned or left me alone! NEVER!" As Ponyville slowly dispersed, Mane Six slowly transformed into ghouls. Spike continued, "I knew it. You really aren't them! I know it because Twilight promised that she would never leave me alone! I know that because she's my family! She never treated me differently! She never did! That's why I know you're fakes! You're my nightmares!" Six ghouls disappeared from sights before the walls of darkness opened into the lights... (Metalgear's Nightmare) ?: Feeling alive For you I must thrive It won't be easy Metalgear sighed as he slowly laid down on the ground. He then looked up to the blue sky, "I'm... I'm not supposed to be afraid of the symptom. I guess... Metal Ponies are not immune to it because there's one thing we mortals and others have common. We are afraid..." He chuckled a bit, "Ironically, I always thought I'm not supposed to have one until... until now..." Metalgear smiled, "To be honest... I've always wondered of what it means to have a heart. And now, I have. If I truly die again, I hope my friends can give me a proper funeral. That would be... nice..." The walls of darkness cracked and shattered as it slowly turned into lights. (Cutie Mark Crusaders' Nightmares) ?: Open my heart For us to reconnect Our hearts are One Now I'm freed form Loneliness Cutie Mark Crusaders decided to overcome their deepest nightmares. They knew their best friends did the same thing before. Apple Bloom turned and faced against the Chimera. The Chimera roared angrily and wildly as she was ready to attack. Apple Bloom huffed, "I faced you once before, I'll do it again. I'm not afraid of you! You'd think my family ain't here for me?! Think again! My family had and always been for me! I know that because my sister was always with me!" Before the Chimera could do anything, she disappeared from sights. Apple Bloom sighed in relief. Sweetie Belle struggled in singing as she continued and continued in singing for few times. She then screamed wildly. She gasped in shock. She smiled as she sang brightly, gently and harmonically. Everyone cheered happily to her. "I did it... I finally did it..." Sweetie Belle said happily, "when talent shows come, I'm ready for it." Scootaloo took the scooter up as she rode on it for few times. She followed and chased after the Pegasus by the use of her scooter. After few times in chasing them, she finally caught up with. The Pegasus and even Rainbow Dash commented of how fast and crazy Scootaloo gets. Scootaloo turned and found her wings returned to her. Scootaloos sighed, "My wings may not be on best of flying. But it doesn't mean that I'm giving up. I still got my skills and scooter to help." Her friends were in danger as they were hiking on the mountains. Jade charged in and helped them. Despite her powers weren't strong, she refused to let them go. With the might of hers, she pulled all of her friends up to the platform. They cheered and commented happily to her for helping and saving her life. Jade smiled, "I'll keep on fighting. I'll keep on doing it because... They're my best friends." The walls around the Cutie Mark Crusaders shattered into pieces as the light glowed brightly. (Drake Trio's Nightmares) ?: Lost can be Pain For us to bear it But a Hope lighted Now I feel protected. Boomer, Rob and Grunt looked around of their surroundings in search of each other. They found each other at the empty area. They turned and found the blackish ooze monster standing before them. They looked at each other for the moment. They all smiled. Despite how much they hated and argued at each other, they were still best friends. Boomer and Grunt charged right at the monster while Rob remained behind as he tried to analyze the situation and solve it. As Boomer and Grunt dodged the attacks while fighting with the ooze monster, Rob took a Mega Gem Blaster. He fired it right on the monster's chest. It then exploded into pieces. They cheered wildly and happily upon winning the fight. "Yeah... My teammates may nag me all they like," Boomer said happily, "But I'm always be there for them. They're my friends..." Rob nodded, "Well... I'm not exactly a great leader but I'm always happy to help around. After all, I'm the smart guy..." Grunt hugged both Boomer and Rob happily, "I am Grunt." The Drake Trio chuckled and laughed happily together as the walls slowly shattered into pieces, with the light shined brightly. (Nyx's Nightmare) ?: Now that I know I can see the Light We share together That lasts us Forever Here with you, I finally can go home now... As Princess Black Yue readied to finish Nyx off, the latter fired her Unicorn Burst at the former's face hard. Nyx kicked Princess Black Yue off. Princess Black Yue roared in anger as she fired multiple Demon Blasts at Nyx, who remained still as she dodged and avoided the attacks. Nyx marched towards at Princess Black Yue. Before Princess Black Yue could do anything, Nyx punched on the former's chest two times. She then swiped the Princess of Demon's legs before kicked the latter off. Nyx charged in and slammed Princess Black Yue to the walls. Princess Black Yue roared in anger as she got up at once. She then fired her Demon Night Beam at Nyx who fired her Night Lunar Beam back. As both sides clashed and pushed at each other, Nyx's powerful beam pushed back and shot straight back at Princess Black Yue out. As Princess Black Yue struggled to get up, Nyx approached and stood before the weakened Princess of Demons. Princess Black Yue breathed heavily, "Go ahead... Finish me... Fulfill your destiny, Yue. Be what you were meant to be..." Nyx took a deep breath before she spoke firmly, "No... I'm not you, Yue. I am Nyx, daughter of Princess Twilight Sparkle and General Shadow Dragon. It's what I'm meant to be. I'm a pony, not a demon..." "Fine then... Let's see how long can you stay as a pony, Yue..." Princess Black Yue said calmly. The walls of darkness shattered into pieces while Princess Black Yue dispersed into darkness. Nyx smiled calmly as she stared and looked at the lights glowing brightly... As Lance and his friends overcoming their nightmares, the greenish mist across the labyrinth slowly dispersed. It was replaced by the glowing white light. The Ghoul Keeper screamed in pain as he kept on hearing music and feeling his chest burning by the pure white light within. "Nooooooooooo! It cannot end like this!" Ghoul Keeper screamed in pain, "Nooooooooooo!" As Ghoul Keeper glowed brightly, so as the Labyrinth of Nightmares. For the moment since the light bathed the Labyrinth of Nightmares, it dispersed. The Labyrinth of Nightmare was cleared of the greenish mist. With the mist cleared, Lance and his friends found each other at the open-field. There was no Labyrinth of Nightmare. They were in shock and surprise in seeing at each other. They charged at each other as they gave each other a passionate and happy hug while commented and remarked happily of seeing each other save and sound from the danger. Lance hugged both Spike and Nyx tightly and passionately, "I'm glad to see you two safe." "Hey! We're not the babies. We're the tough kids before you even met us," Spike commented confidently. Nyx nodded, "Yeah, Lance. But thanks for thinking about us." Lance chuckled a bit as he gave them a gentle pat, "Yeah, I know. But... I am your older brother. It's my job to make sure you guys are safe." "Yeah..." Spike and Nyx agreed. "We have one more objective to complete..." Metalgear spoke calmly. Shiroi nodded, "The child. We have to find him." "I am Grunt..." Grunt said calmly as he pointed out at the bluish Pegasus-Lion Hybrid with white spiky yet long mane. He spoke, "I am Grunt..." "We found him..." Rob explained. Lance and his friends approached to the blue Pegasus. The latter was crying and sobbing in despair yet pain and fear like something had scared him off. Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike approached and checked on him whether he was okay from the nightmare. "Hey, you okay?" Nyx asked calmly. The Pegasus cried, "No... I'm not okay. I'm scared. I'm scared." Everyone remained quiet as they listened to him. He continued, "I couldn't be brave. I wanted. But all I did was run away. I can never be brave. I let everyone down..." Everyone looked at each other for the moment. They nodded their head in agreement as they turned to him. "Listen, kid..." Lance spoke first, "I know you're scared and worried that you won't able to help everyone because of your scared. But in truth, admitting it means brave." The blue Pegasus turned to Lance as he continued, "I know it because I was scared too." "Why?" The Pegasus asked curiously. Lance continued, "I was scared of monsters and strangers. I don't know what to do. I never make any good friends. But that night, when my mom was attacked by a bugular, I couldn't bear to let it happen. I did unthinkable thing to do... I gone out and save my mom. He's tough, alright but in the end, she managed to knock him out in time..." "Really?" "You bet. You'll be brave. All you need is some help and training. That's what I've been doing since my foalhood. Trust me, kid. You'll be brave." The blue Pegasus thought for the moment before he smirked, "Yeah... I'll try." "I know you will, kid. So, what's your name?" "The name's Ace Swift." Lance patted on Ace's left shoulder gently, "Everything's a-okay now. Nothing to worry about." "You know what worries me? The Ghoul Keeper and Labyrinth of Nightmares," Boomer said in concern, "What happen to it?" Apple Bloom nodded, "Yeah... The last thing I remember was I'm having a terrible nightmares. And the next, I heard a music. It helped me to overcome it." "Me too," Sweetie Belle agreed. Scootaloo nodded, "Ditto too, man..." "So, where does the song came from?" Jade asked in concern. Metalgear shook his head, "I do not have the calculation or analyze of how the song of flute entered the area." He pointed at the front, "But I do know one thing. Ghoul Keeper has been defeated..." Everyone turned to the front. They found the burnt and crisped corpse of Ghoul Keeper. They looked shock and surprise by it. "What happen to him?" Spike asked in shock. Boomer shrugged, "Maybe he got roasted by barbecue. It would be nice to taste it now." Shiroi shook her head, "I don't think so. Ever since we came to the Labyrinth of Nightmares, I sense this place nothing but darkness and especially when we faced our nightmares. It was scary and painful. But because of the music and light, we overcome the nightmares. And everything became bright, no darkness." Rob hummed calmly, "If that is true, then Ghoul Keeper is the source of this mess since he's the Keeper of Labyrinth of Nightmares. Without him, the Labyrinth is nothing but an empty shells." "That's relief to hear it," Spike remarked. Lance smiled, "Well, at least we've got out of it." Lance and his friends exited the front. They gasped in surprise as they awed in shock yet amazed by the appearance. They saw the land was not a land, as it was filled with thousands of small floating island platform-like. Some were connected by bridges to the ground or to others, but others had some bouncy clouds. They all commented and remarked in surprise, amaze and shock of the landscape. They heard the familiar song. They looked around in search of it. They turned to their left. They found a familiar character playing the flute. She stopped playing and turned to Lance and his friends. "Zelda?!" Everyone but Ace Swift cried in surprise. Zelda smiled beneath her scarf, "I see you have overcome the nightmares. I'm in relief." "Was that you?! Were you the one playing the song?" Nyx asked in surprise. With Zelda nodded, everyone awed in shock yet amazement by her answer. She continued, "I heard the cry. And I knew that all of you have entered the Labyrinth of Nightmares get to Skyland. But to defeat Ghoul Keeper, you require a great help. Thus, I gave you the Song of Harmony." Everyone commented and remarked in surprise and amazement of what they heard from Zelda. "Well.. Thanks for the help, lady," Boomer thanked. Lance nodded, "Yeah. Thanks. But there's one thing I don't get it. How did I get over here if there was no other way to get to Skyland?" Zelda smiled, "Now... That would be telling, my friends." Everyone but Ace Swift awed in disappointment and annoyance. She continued, "I believe we have another objective to accomplish: the Demon Wing..." Everyone commented and agreed with each other of what Zelda had said. Lance spoke, "Then, we'd better get going. Time is wasting..." Lance and his friends got up on Dragoking's back while leaving both Metalgear and Boomer to recon on the Skyland. They were now searching and looking for the Demon Wing from Skyland, and above all, they had to be careful with the Ruler of Skyland... At the Tower of Sky, Hsi Wu saw the event through his Crystal Ball. He screeched wildly and angrily. He took the crystal ball up and thrown right on the walls hard. It shattered into pieces. Both Demon Bats and Shadow Bats remained bowing to the ground. Hsi Wu breathed heavily, "Think they've won? Think again... I'm not about to let them do what they want. I'm not going to let them near my pet!" He chuckled evilly, "Okay, Yue... It's time for Uncle Hsi Wu to play with you... Let's see what can you do, little girl..." Hsi Wu did was smirked evilly and darkly. The event around Skyland was about to enroll... To be Continued... Review and Suggest...