//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13: Dragoking's Roar to Victory 
// Story: Journey through Demon Land 
// by Shadow Master 
//------------------------------//

Lance was in both shock and worry as he encountered the mysterious pony who claimed to be Tso Lan's Elite Commander. And above, his surroundings was filled with darkness and even beneath the stoned bridge was too filled with deep abyss of darkness. He was scared. But it was the surroundings. Something important made him worry and scared.

"Well? I'm still waiting..." Bakura said calmly while snickered darkly.

Lance turned and glared at Bakura, "Where're my friends?! What have you done to them?!"

"Oh... Care for others than yourself? Such selfless," Bakura commented calmly. Lance continued glaring at him. He snickered, "Very well... I put all of your friends in deep sleep. And where they are? Now that would be telling..."

Lance groaned in anger, "I'm warning you... If you lay a finger on them, I'll kill you!"

"If you want them so badly, all you had to do is play a game with me," Bakura said calmly, making Lance angry yet suspicious of him. He continued, "There are eight guardians guarding and keeping their prisoners in their bay. If you can defeat them, you can save them in time. However, if you died, then both Princess and a traitor belong to us."

Tempted to kill him at once, but Lance knew that his friends need him first before anything else could happen. And above all, he had to rescue both Spike and Nyx at once before bad things could have happen.

Lance sighed calmly, "Fine... I'll follow your rules. I'm ready..."

Bakura snickered evilly, "Did I forget to mention something important, boy. You require a companion to guide and help you in battling them. Without it, you cannot enter and fight."

Lance was in shock and worry as he recalled. He was the only one alive and standing here while the rest of his friends were captured. Dragoking was with them not. Without him, he could not enter and save his friends.

"He has now..." The familiar calm voice called. Lance gasped in surprise as he turned to his back. He found both Zelda and Dragoking coming towards him. She smiled, "He has both of us now."

"Zelda! Dragoking!" Lance called happily. Before he could do anything, Dragoking licked on his face for few times making the former laughed happily, "Okay! Okay! Stop it! Glad to see you too, boy!"

Dragoking stopped his licking as he gave Lance a gentle nuzzle softly. Lance patted Dragoking's head gently. Lance, Dragoking and Zelda turned and glared at Bakura Curse.

Bakura Curse huffed, "So, you are Zelda - the one who meddled and interfered my master's plans and works. I'm surprise to see you here..."

Zelda smiled beneath her cowl, "What can I say? I'm bound to help poor unfortunate souls. Since Lance had not only his companion but an advisor, he can enter. But as long I do not interfere the battles, everything will be fine. I can only advise him. Is it fair?"

Bakura smirked darkly, "Fair enough. You may proceed. I hope the're alright, or who knows what bad things may have happen to them. Till we meet again..."

Bakura disappeared in darkness. The trio remained quiet while looking at the front as they wondered of what happen next.

"Do you think they'll be alright?" Lance asked in concern.

Zelda shrugged, "Who knows? All we can do is do our best to find and rescue them. There's no telling of what or who the Guardians are we dealing with. They could be dangerous or powerful to fight."

Lance sighed, "I know. But they need us now. Let's go..."

The trio crossed the bridge as they all headed straight into the burnt forest along with some dark auras. Hopefully they can find and save their friends from the monsters in time.





The trio continued marching through the burnt forest in search of their comrades. As they continued marching, they noticed something different of the forest. They came across by the greenish, flourish and nutritious forests. They turned their backs and found the Burnt Forest before turned to the front. Strange yet mysterious...

"Something's not right..." Lance said in concern, "What game is Bakura playing with?"

"I have no idea. But it's not a good one either," Zelda said in concern.

Dragoking growled softly yet furiously like something had attracted its attention. Lance and Zelda looked at him for the moment. Before they could do anything, they heard the little girls' screams. They turned to the front as they recognized it well.

The trio headed off to the front. They came to the greenish yet open-space area. They looked up and found three Cutie Mark Crusaders. The latter were holding on the tree's top branch tightly while screaming in panic and fear.

"Somepony! HELP!" Apple Bloom screamed.

Sweetie Belle squealed in fear, "Please! We need help!!!"

"Do something!" Scootaloo cried in fear, "We can't hold much longer!"

"Apple Bloom! Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! Hang on, we're coming!" Lance called out as he and his two companion charged off at once. But they stopped at once as they saw something shocking and surprising to them. He spoke, "It can't be... That's impossible!"

The trio stood before the greenish monster plant was none other than Shocktrap. She screeched wildly and angrily as she swung her vines at her preys from the tree. Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed in fear while smacking and hitting the vines off from them.

"How?! She was killed! We killed her!" Lance exclaimed in shock yet stun.

Zelda hummed in concern, "I do not know. Whatever it was, we must rescue your friends first."

Lance nodded his head as he and his two friends charged at Shocktrap. Before they could do anything, Dragoking charged and rammed Shocktrap to the front. She then held him for the moment as her vines and tentacles launched and grasped him under his vines. He roared wildly as he fired his Mystic Dragon Flame at her but she dodged down and fired her Poison Spit on his face. He roared in pain before shaken it off. He has two heads out from both sides as his took a bite on her weeded yet main shoulders while his main head fired on her head. She screeched in pain. She fired back her Crimson Poison at his Mystic Dragon Flame.

As both Dragoking and Shocktrap continued battling with each other, Lance and Zelda climbed on the vines while charging straight at the plant monster. As the vines charged and attacked, the duo fought back quickly in cutting the vines into pieces. Upon reaching to her head, they jumped and struck their blades on her left eye. She screeched in pain. Dragoking's main head took a bite on Shocktrap's left shoulder hard.

Shocktrap launched her small vines in attacking them both. The duo fought back for 10 times. The small vines grabbed them both. Shocktrap had her vines squeezed tightly on Lance, Zelda and Dragoking's two heads. The trio screamed and screeched in pain.

As the trio struggled in getting out from Shocktrap's vines, Cutie Mark Crusaders looked worry and concern. They looked at each other for the moment. They all nodded their heads in agreement. Scooterloo got on her scooter which hers attached to two ski-boards. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle jumped on the board. Scootaloo charged off at once while they both skied.

As the Cutie Mark Crusaders rode and slided on the vines, they took and threw some rocks at Shocktrap. She screeched in anger as she launched more of her vines in attacking and lashing on them hard and quick. They dodged and avoided the attacks quickly while continued riding around her body and throwing rocks at her for many times. 

One rock threw straight on her left eye. Shocktrap screeched in pain as she squeezed her grips on the captured ones while her three vines grabbed Cutie Mark Crusaders on her grips. Shocktrap launched her vines in grabbing and tightening her vines on Dragoking's main head tight.

As her grips continued strangling and tighten Lance and his team harder, Dragoking growled in pain as he slowly turned and glared at Shocktrap. As he tried to fire his Mystic Dragon Flame, she gripped his mouth tight and harder. Lance groaned painfully as he took his sword out as hard as he can while getting out from Shocktrap's grip. Lance screamed wildly as he quickly threw his Oathkeeper Bloom Blade at her left eye before threw Oblivion Dragoon Blade at hers again. With them thrust her left eye, Shocktrap screeched painfully.

Dragoking's main head released and fired his Mystic Dragon Flame on her face hard and quickly. Shocktrap screeched wildly and painfully as her head slowly melting away. 

For the moment had passed, she melted into dust. Lance and his friends screamed in fear as they all fell from midair straight to the ground. Dragoking's two heads lifted up as Lance and his friends landed on theirs. They all sighed in relief. They all slided straight down to Dragoking's back as his two heads slowly submerged back to his body. Lance summoned his Oblivion Dragoon Blade and Oathkeeper Blossom Blade back to him. 

As his heads submerged into his body, Dragoking roared wildly. Shocktrap was defeated.

Lance asked, "Is everyone alright?" Everyone answered calmly. He sighed in relief, "Where's the rest?"

"No idea. When we woke up from our nap, Shocktrap appeared and attacked us," Apple Bloom said in concern. She sighed in relief, "That was scary..."

Scootaloo nodded her head, "How did she came back alive? I thought we melted her away for good."

Sweetie Belle gulped, "Yeah... What's going on? And where's our friends?"

"That's what we're going to do next," Zelda answered calmly, "Find and rescue them from what guardians we may faced."

Lance nodded his head in agreement, "Yeah... Let's go."

Dragoking roared wildly as he marched off at once in search and rescue their missing friends. Shocktrap's body slowly turned into a greenish yet ghostly light-like. It disappeared into nothingness...





As Lance and his friends wandered through the forest, they came across to jungle forest slowly changes as if its theme shifted to another. It revealed to be a swamp's forest-like. They all looked in concern and worry as they wandered through it.

Suddenly, the screaming of fear and wild was sounded. Lance and his team looked at each other as they knew who was that. They quickly headed off at once. They charged into the opened-space area with brownish swamp. They looked up and found Drake Trio were fighting and battling the Demon Insects. They then looked up and found Eno-Omnium which was sticking above the forest. She screeched wildly and angrily as she ordered all of her minions in attacking the dragons.

"Come on! You want some more?! We eat you guys for breakfast!" Boomer exclaimed wildly and happily as he swung his Boom Drake Spear at Giant Ants to the ground. He pulled and teared the ant's leg. He bitten and chewed on it. He spitted it out, "You see that?! You'd better let us go now before we'll eat you alive!"

"Yeah! Better do the easy way before you get your kind hurt!" Rob exclaimed in agreement while swung his pole in deflecting and knocking the sting shots and blasts back to the Wasps and Hornets, in knocking the flying insects down.

Grunt roared wildly and angrily as he punched and kicked Armored Hercules Beetles and Ants to the ground hard.

"Come on, we'd better help them now!" Lance ordered firmly.

Lance charged at the battlefield as he swung his twin swords at the Demon Insects. Zelda joined in the fighting while firing her Unicorn Bursts and Magical Sealing Spell at them. Cutie Mark Crusaders were riding Dragoking while throwing some rocks at the Demon Insects. Launching five heads out, Dragoking charged and stomped on them while firing his Mystic Dragon Flames, Electrical Thunder Surge and Frozen Curse Beams at them. He sometimes took a bite on them.

As Lance and his friends continued fighting and battling with Demon Insects, Eno-Omnium fired her Acids at them. They quickly dodged the attacks at once while Zelda fired her Unicorn Bursts and Drake Trio fired their Dragon Flames at her for few times. Lance charged in as he swung his swords at her legs and arms while dodging the attacks from her. Eno-Omnium screeched in anger as she launched her stingers at them. They quickly dodged and deflected the attacks at once. But at the same time, they had to deal with her drones.

As Lance and his team continued battling with the raging Eno-Omnium and her minions, Dragoking charged in as his heads fired his Mystic Dragon Flame, Electrical Thunder Surge and Frozen Curse Beam at her. She screeched painfully before fired hers back at him. He dodged the attacks quickly. He jumped off and landed his claws on legs. His heads bitten and grabbed hers legs and wings tightly. He slowly pulling her out yet tearing her apart. She screeched in pain as she launched her acids on his head. As she continued firing her acids, another head of Dragoking emerged out and fired his Hydro Canon on her face before launching his Electrical Thunder Surge. Eno-Omnium screeched painfully as she got electrocuted to death.

With Eno-Omnium's death, Dragoking's heads submerged back into his body. He roared wildly. Lance and his team cheered wildly and happily that they defeated the Queen of Demon Insects.

Lance asked, "You dragons okay?"

Cutie Mark Crusaders jumped and hugged him, Grunt smiled as he hugged them back, "I am Grunt..."

"Yeah... Thanks for the save. I could have taken him down," Boomer said proudly.

Rob sighed in annoyance, "You did not. But thanks anyway. And now we have whole weeks of bugs to eat."

"You bet! So, what's next, chief?" Boomer asked proudly.

Lance turned and looked at the opened entrance, "We find our friends. Let's move out, guys..."

Lance and his friends gotten up on Dragoking's back as they headed off to the next area. Queen Eno-Omnium and her Demon Insects' body slowly transformed into purplish light-like. They disappeared from sights.





Like before, Lance and his friends found the forest's scene of swamp was changing. It was burnt and crisped forest like entering the Mount Dragoon Volcano's area. They were all getting concern and scared yet they were suspicious about the forest. Something was wrong with it.

"Somepony help me! Somepony!" The feminine voice screamed in fear and worry.

Lance gasped, "Shiroi! It's Shiroi! We've gotta help her now!"

"Hold on, lover boy! We're on it!" Boomer exclaimed in agreement, "Whatever it was, it better be prepared to meet its end!"

Dragoking roared wildly as he galloped and charged at once. They were in hurry to rescue Shiroi before she could get killed.

Lance and his friends came to another opened-space which was filled with mountains of rocks and burning ground. They gasped in shock as they found Moa Sie the scarred Hydragoon chasing after Shiroi who fired her Hikari Strike and Sacred Light Beam at him for few times. The Hydragoon launched his three heads at once.

"Are you kidding me?!" Boomer asked in shock, "Do we have to deal with that?! Really?!"

"Will you stop complaining?! Shiroi need us!" Scootaloo reminded Boomer in annoyance.

"We've gotta help her now!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in concern.

Sweetie Belle nodded her head, "And I think Dragoking will take care of him."

Lance patted Dragoking's long neck gently, "You're ready?" Dragoking roared angrily. Lance smirked, "Then, let's go! I'll cut his heads, you fired that monster's heads."

Zelda nodded her head, "The rest of us will go and rescue Shiroi at once."

Dragoking roared wildly. Zelda and her team climbed down at once while Lance and Dragoking charged at once.

Moa Sie's third head launched out as he tried to gobble Shiroi up. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle threw some rocks at him while Scootaloo charged in towards at Shiroi. Scootaloo grabbed Shiroi before headed off at once. Drake Trio jumped before the third head as they gave him a hard slam

Scootaloo grabbed Shiroi's hoof before flapped her wings hard in charging and running away from him. Moa Sie charged in at once as he tried to attack them. Drake Trio jumped and punched on his heads hard before they landed on the ground and ran off. Moa Sie roared in anger as he charged and chased after them.

As Scootaloo, Shiroi and Drake Trio tried to ran away from Moa Sie; Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Zelda covered them by firing their rocks and Magical Seal Spell on the monster. Moa Sie's heads were closed in ready to feast upon them, Dragoking charged in and rammed him to the walls hard. Dragoking was about to fire his Mystic Dragon Flame but Moa Sie quickly kicked the former off before firing Electrical Thunder Surge at him off.

Both Dragoking and Moa Sie roared wildly and angrily at each other. They charged in and battled with each other hard and quick. Dragoking swung his claws on Moa Sie's third head hard before rammed him off hard. Moa Sie roared in anger as his second took a bite on Dragoking's second. Dragoking swung his fist in knocking Moa Sie hard before firing his Electrical Thunder Surge on the latter for the moment. Moa Sie fired his Earthquake Destroyer on Dragoking's head. Moa Sie launched seven more of his head out and bitten on Dragoking's three heads hard.

Seeing Moa Sie taking the bait, Lance climbed up on Dragoking's neck to his head. He jumped up and flew. He swung his swords in decapitating and cutting all six of them. Just as Lance was about to cut the last one's head, Moa Sie's main head dodged down and gobbled Lance up. Moa Sie swallowed Lance up into his throat.

Lance muttered in annoyance, "I really hate that!"

Dragoking roared in anger as his three heads fired Mystic Dragon Flames on his enemy's six decapitated heads. His third head bitten on Moa Sie's last head before tearing his apart. His second head swooped and scooped Lance up. His main head fired his flames on Moa Sie's last head. Without any of his heads, Moa Sie fell to the ground in dead.

After his head submerged, Dragoking roared wildly. Lance climbed down from Dragoking. Lance and his friends cheered wildly as they all embraced with each other especially Lance and Shiroi hugged each other happily.

"That was the close call," Rob commented in concern, "I'd never want to piss another Hydragoon again."

"I am Grunt," Grunt agreed.

"Me too," Cutie Mark Crusaders agreed.

Lance kissed Shiroi's lips for the moment. He departed and asked, "Are you alright? Did that monster hurt you?"

Shiroi shook her head gently, "No... I'm fine for now. You came in time. Where exactly are we?"

"I do not know," Zelda said in concern, "Something tells me that Bakura didn't just set the game for us to find and save our friends. He's up to something."

Shiroi nodded her head, "Yeah... Like how did Moa Sie came back from the dead? We killed him."

Lance hummed in concern, "I don't know... But we'd better find the others now. When we're done with rescue, I'm gonna have some words with that jerk."

Lance and his team moved out again to find their friends. Moa Sie's body transformed into reddish light-like which disappeared again.





Lance and his friends continued passing through the corridors of forest. But like before again, the forest transformed into hard stoned forests. They became suspicious and worry about it. They had to be firm and ready for their next enemy. Upon arriving to the open-space area which was filled with loads of mountains and rocks, they spotted Metalgear firing his Buster Canons at the giant stoned minotaur-like.

As Metalgear firing his Buster Canon at the Minotaur Warrior, the latter slammed his punches on the former. Metalgear dodged and fired his Buster Canon at the Minotaur for few times. The Minotaur stomped his feet on the ground in summoning the pointy rocks up from the ground. Metalgear quickly dodged the attacks while dashed off to the back of Minotaur. He jumped and gave the minotaur a multiple Sword Slashes. Metalgear was about to land, the minotaur turned and whacked him to the mountain's walls hard. Metalgear moaned painfully as he struggle to get up.

As the minotaur was about to kill Metalgear, Dragoking charged and rammed him to the walls. The minotaur roared in anger as he punched Dragoking off. Dragoking rammed his head on the minotaur off. Dragoking summoned his three heads off and attacked the minotaur.

Lance and his team came and checked on Metalgear while asking him about the minotaur and why not his Metal Guardian.

Metalgear moaned painfully as he explained, "That's... Dai Gui's Pet - Terracurse the Minotaur. And the reason why he was replaced with mine was he died some time ago." He groaned painfully, "But be carefully, he's strong as his master. He cannot be underestimated."

Lance nodded his head, "Got it." He turned to Shiroi, Cutie Mark Crusaders and Zelda, "You guys look after Metalgear while the rest of us takes care of the Minotaur. Come on, let's go!"

Lance and Drake Trio charged off at Terracurse. Terracurse and Dragoking continued battling with each other. Dragoking's two heads took the bite on the minotaur's two arms hard. Terracurse rammed his head on Dragoking's head before grabbed the latter and slammed him to the ground hard. Terracurse stomped his feet on Dragoking's body hard and painful.

Lance flew straight up and thrust his twin swords on Terracurse's back hard. Rob flew up and dropped Boomer off as he slammed his Boom Drake Spear on the minotaur's head. Grunt charged and rammed the monster's right leg while both Zelda and Shiroi fired their Unicorn Bursts on the left leg. Terracurse fell to the ground hard. Lance and Drake Trio jumped up and attacked the minotaur's head and back for few times. 

Terracurse screeched in anger as he got up at once. He turned and stomped his feet on them as hard and quick as he can. Lance and Drake Trio dodged and avoided the attacks from the minotaur. Shiroi, Cutie Mark Crusaders and Zelda threw more rock at Terracurse, in order to buy more time for Lance and Drake Trio to escape.

As Terracurse was about to stomp on them, Dragoking swung his tail on the former before firing his Hydro Canon, Spike Splinters and Metal Bullets at him. Terracurse roared in anger as he punched and swung the attacks off before charged in. Dragoking was about to attack, Terracurse punched on the Hydragoon's guts. With him formed with hardened stone armor, the minotaur grabbed and strangled Hydragoon's neck tight. Dragoking responded the attacks by launching his two heads bitting and chewing Minotaur's arms hard. Despite that, Terracurse continued strangling and choking Dragoking.

Lance and his team tried to knock the minotaur off from hurting and killing Dragoking but Terracurse ignored. Before anything could have happen, Metalgear fired his Hyper Emerald Beam on Terracurse's back hard. Dragoking's main head fired his Electrical Thunder Surge on Terracurse's head for the moment. As Dragoking ceased from firing his Electrical Thunder Surge, Terracurse fell to the ground hard. The minotaur was defeated.

After his heads submerged down, Dragoking roared wildly. Lance and his team helped and healed Metalgear from his deep injuries. They asked him if he was okay or not.

"I am fine. Thank you for your concerns," Metalgear thanked gratefully.

Lance smiled, "No problem. Just glad to see you alright, buddy. Have you seen any of our friends?" Metalgear shook his head in shame and upset. He sighed in anger, "Damn it."

"We'll get them back. We can do it," Shiroi said calmly.

Lance smiled in relief as he nodded his head. He and his team headed off at once to find the rest of their friends at once. Terracurse's body slowly transformed into yellowish light-like which disappeared, like the rest.





On the middle floated island with the some clouds, Red Arsenal fired his Gem Revolver Blast at his target. It then flew down and blew him off and away from it. It then flew up to the sky. Red Arsenal groaned painfully as he armed his bow and arrows at his target. It revealed to be the Cursed the Bloodthirsty Bat. It flew down as it launched its Sonic Screech Wave at him. He was blown away to the edge of the floated island.

As Cursed flew down and ready to fire its Giga Storm Blast, it got blown away by Storm Gale. Cursed blown away from the area. It screeched in anger as it saw Lance and his team had arrived at the area. Dragoking charged at Cursed as he fired his Mystic Dragon Flame, Storm Gale and Electrical Thunder Surge at it. It dodged the attacks while firing its Demon Curse Beam at him. Lance and his friends helped Red Arsenal up as they asked if he was okay.

"Yeah... I'm okay," Red Arsenal said firmly before groaned painfully, "Damn it! We've gotta bring that monster down! It's too fast for me to take a shot."

"That's one thing to do," Boomer smirked proudly.

Cutie Mark Crusaders screamed happily, "We're gonna built the Balista! We're gonna build the Balista! We're gonna build the Balista!"

Lance nodded his head, "That's right. Drake Trio, help them out. The rest of us - let's distract it as much as we can!"

Drake Trio and Cutie Mark Crusaders started in building the Balista, Lance and his team charged off and attacked Cursed.

As Dragoking jumped and tried to bite on Cursed, it flew down and blown its Giga Storm Blown at him to the island's edge. As it was ready to attack, it got its back exploded. It turned and glared at its enemy: Lance and his team.

Cursed screeched in anger as it turned and flew straight down towards them. It then launched its Sonic Screech Wave at them. They dodged to the front at once. Zelda and Shiroi fired their Unicorn Bursts at its back while Metalgear and Red Arsenal fired their Buster Canon and Arrow Explosive at its as well. Cursed screeched in pain as it turned and charged straight at them. Lance charged straight at it. As Cursed launched its Demon Curse Beam, Lance jumped and hovered over its head. He landed on its head as he thrust and pierced his swords on it for few times.

Cursed screeched in pain as it shook its head while flying around. It then went down to knock him off. Before it could do anything, Dragoking rammed his head on it up high before firing its Earthquake Destroyer at it while Lance landed on his head. Lance and his friends armed themselves in ready to attack.

Cursed screeched in anger as it launched its Sonic Screech Wave at Lance and his friends. They screamed in pain while holding their ears tight. With them pinned down, it charged down and fired its Demon Curse Beam on the ground. It charged straight at them.

CLAWED! Cursed screeched in fear and anger. As it turned, it found its claws got caught by the Balista's Claw as Drake Trio and Cutie Mark Crusaders turned and pulled the wheel of ropes back hard in bringing it down. It screeched in anger as it tried to get off from the claw. Lance and his team came and helped their friends in bringing it down.

As the Cursed was close to the ground, Dragoking bitten on Cursed's back hard before he slammed it straight down on the ground hard. He then bitten the wings off before firing his Mystic Dragon Flame on it. Cursed was turned into crisped yet ashes. Dragoking roared wildly while everyone sighed in relief and grateful.

"About time you got here," Red Arsenal said in relief, "Don't know how long I can take with that bat. I thought it was killed..."

Lance nodded his head, "Come on. Let's go. We've gotta find Jade, Steel, Ali, Nyx and Spike. Then, we'll deal with Tso Lan's Elite Commander."

"Bakura Curse?!" Red Arsenal asked in shock. Lance nodded his head as he and his friends turned and looked at him. He knew something about Bakura Curse. He continued, "That damn pony! We have to be very careful with him! And trust me - he's no ordinary fighter. He can create illusions and summons any monsters - dead or alive, to fight his enemies. I can't believe we were easily caught by him."

"Yo, Red! You wanna piss off, then piss that Elite Commander off," Boomer exclaimed in annoyance.

Metalgear nodded his head, "Boomer Bang has the valid point. Bakura Curse had caught us off guard when we were asleep. We must move at once. We must find our friends and defeat him."

Red Arsenal sighed, "Fine. But Bakura Curse is mine to take when he's down. He owe me for putting an illusion on me."

"Fine. Let's go." Lance said firmly.

Lance and his team headed off again in search of their friends and allies. Cursed the Bloodthirsty Bat's body slowly transformed into blackish light-like. It disappeared like the rest of the monsters.





In the dark yet thundered area with the dark pond, Steel Blaze fired his Blazing Chakrams of [iMighty Glory Shots at both Calamora and Leviathan. Jade and Alyson were hiding behind the rocks. Leviathan fired his Lightning Blasts while Calamora fired her Water Torpedo Beam at him. He yelped in shock as he quickly hovered and jumped back of the rocks.

"Okay! Seriously need some plans now!" Steel Blaze said in concern.

"How?!" Jade and Alyson asked in concern and worry.

Leviathan fired more of his Lightning Arrows and Calamora fired her Ice Beam at Steel Blaze and his team while approaching to their enemies. Before they could do anything, they heard the roar. They looked up and found Dragoking falling from midair. As soon as he landed on the ground, he swung his tail at them away from him. Dragoking roared wildly and angrily. 

Lance and his friends checked on Steel Blaze, Jade Adventure and Alyson Joy if they were hurt or not. They replied that they were fine. Lance turned to the front as he armed with his Oblivion Dragoon Blade and Oathkeeper Blossom Blade.

"Let's finish this..." Lance said firmly, "Shiroi, Zelda - keep your eyes on Cutie Mark Crusaders. Everyone charge!"

Lance and his team charged straight at both Leviathan and Calamora while Shiroi and Zelda remained behind in looking after Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Dragoking launched his six heads up as they fired Mystic Dragon Flame, Earthquake Destroyer, Electrical Thunder Surge, Hydro Canon, Gale Storm, Metal Bullets and Frozen Curse Beam at both of Leviathan and Calamora. Both monsters blocked and deflected the attacks from his attacks. As soon as Dragoking ceased the attacks, Lance and his team charged and attacked them. Lance, Metalgear, Red Arsenal and Steel Blaze attacked Calamora while Drake Trio deal with Leviathan.

Metalgear and Red Arsenal fired their Buster Canon and Machine Crystal Blaster at Calamora's head for the moment. She screeched in anger as she slammed her large tentacle on them both but missed when they dodged the attacks. Both Lance and Red Arsenal charged in and jumped onto her as they both pierced and thrust their weapons on her head. Both Meatlgear and Red Arsenal fired their Hyper Emerald Beam and Oblivion Destroyer Beam on Calamora's head for the moment. She screeched in anger and pain as she launched Tsunami Twister in washing them off from her. She then fired her Hydro Canon at them. They all quickly dodged while attacking her but dodged from her tentacles attacks. Red Arsenal fired his arrow on Calamora's left eye before he got knocked straight to the walls hard. Metalgear charged in as he punched his Electrical Fists on her for few times before got washed away by her Bubble Beam. Lance and Steel Blaze jumped and landed their weapons on her head before they got caught by her tentacles.

Boomer jumped on Leviathan's head as he whacked his Drake Boom Spear on the latter's head for few times. Leviathan roared in pain as his tail grabbed Boomer and gave him Electrical Shock for the moment. He then threw Boomer off. Leviathan fired his Lightning Arrows at Rob who blocked and deflected the blasts away while charging and swinging his pole on it for few times. Leviathan remained firm and strong before firing his Lightning Blasts on him off. Leviathan charged in as he prepared to gobbled both Boomer and Rob up. Grunt charged in and held its mouth tight for the moment. Boomer and Rob got up as they both charged in and attacked him from the back. Leviathan screeched in anger as it launched its twin tails in grabbing both while giving them a shock.

Shiroi, Zelda and Cutie Mark Crusaders watched the battlefield with great fear and concern. They were about to attack.

Dragoking swung his tail on Leviathan's body hard before grabbed him and thrown on Calamora's head hard. He then fired all of Elemental Attacks on them for the moment. They both fired their Water Torpedo Beam and Thunderstruck at him. For the moment, their blasts clashed and pushed each other hard. Leviathan prepared his Paralyze Sting while Calamora prepared her Ink Spit. Dragoking quickly swung his tail on Leviathan's legs, causing him to paralyze Calamora while her Ink Spit on his face. As they both screeched and screamed in anger of getting up, Dragoking fired his Elemental Attack on them both. They both got destroyed.

All six heads submerged down, Dragoking roared wildly. Everyone came to the round and chatted happily to see each other here. They all were in relief. They turned to the front was darken corridor of forest. They knew what they had to do now...

"Hang on, Nyx and Spike; we're coming," Lance said calmly. He turned and noticed Dragoking's condition. He looked tired yet painful and pale since he had lots of scratches and burnt marks from some previous battles. He asked, "Dragoking... Take a break. We'll take care of the rest. You deserve it."

Dragoking roared wildly as he stomped his claws on the ground while shaken his head at the forest. Everyone was in shock by his reaction. He would rather fight to save his masters than wait to rest.

"Dragoking...." Lance said in shock yet concern. As he had some thoughts, he sighed before showing his determined and firm eyes, "Alright. We'll go together to save them. Ready everyone?"

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement as they all marched off at once. They were now on to find Nyx and Spike, and defeat Bakura Curse. Both Leviathan and Calamaro slowly transformed into Navy Bluish and Cyan Bluish lights before they disappeared from sights.





Lance and his friends passed through the dark forest as they had arrived on the stoned bridge area. It was where Lance, Zelda and Dragoking start their journey to find and defeat the Guardians while saving their friends. They looked up and found Nyx and Spike chained to the ground while Bakura standing before them. Nyx and Spike gasped happily in seeing their friends alive.

"BAKURA!" Lance cried in anger as he armed himself with his Oblivion Dragoon Blade and Oathkeeper Blossom Blade, "Let them go now!"

"Not... yet..." Bakura said weakly and painfully, "You think you've won?! Think again! You may have defeated my souls but we're not through yet!"

"What's with him?" Boomer asked curiously, "What does that jerk mean 'my souls'? He has nine lives or something?"

Metalgear gasped in shock, "Lance! The monster we defeated - they were part of him! The reason why the monsters were alive was Bakura had summoned them through his souls. And if they were killed, they would affect him effectively and powerfully. He'll be killed."

Red Arsenal smirked as he held his bow and arrow in aiming at his enemy, "A perfect way to finish him off for good..."

Lance held his sword in stopping Red Arsenal from attacking He turned and glared at Bakura Curse, "Last chance, Bakura. Let them go, and I'll let you live. All of your masters' pets and commanders are dead. You're the last one! Give up now!"

"Never..." Bakura said darkly, "I have... one last trick... I summon you - Skull Reaper!"

Bakura screamed in anger as his body glowed darkly yet purplish. The dark light circle appeared before him as the giant deadly and demoniacally mantis's skeleton-like with twin giants scythes and four arms and four legs dressed in his purplish Grim Reaper's Robe with demonic wings appeared before his enemies. He had his third blink in purple before screeching wildly and angrily. Everyone gasped in shock and feared.

"So, tell me..." Bakura said darkly, "What will you do next when options are out?"

Everyone was about to attack but again Lance held his sword to stop them from moving. He spoke firmly, "I'm gonna end you... for good. Both you and your Skull Reaper can go to hell!"

Dragoking lifted Lance up on his head. He looked at Hydragoon's serious and firm face. Lance nodded his head in understanding. Dragoking roared wildly.

Bakura smirked, "Good enough. This will be our final duel..."

"Let's Duel!" Lance and Bakura exclaimed wildly and angrily.

Both Dragoking and Skull Reaper roared wildly as they both charged at once. They both had clashed at each other for the moment. They both tried to push each other off. Lance and Bakura jumped as they both swung theirs swords and scythe at each other for three times before jumped back on their own monsters. Skull Reaper used his four skeletal hands and punched on Dragoking's stomach. Dragoking fired his Mystic Dragon Flame on the reaper's face for the moment before swung his tail on Skull Reaper to the ground hard. 

Dragoking held Skull Reaper to the ground. Bakura Curse was about to attack but Lance slammed his swords on the former to the ground hard for the moment.

"Guys! Go! I'll hold him off!" Lance called out, "There's no telling if he's an honorable one like the rest of his pals."

"You heard him! Move out now!" Red Arsenal exclaimed firmly.

Red Arsenal and his team charged and crossed the bridge at once. Seeing his enemies crossing the bridge, Bakura screamed in anger as his body glowed darkly. He unleashed his Dark Spectra Destroyer on both Lance and Dragoking off. He had Skull Reaper to get up. The mantis reaper screeched in anger as he swung and slammed his twin scythes on Red Arsenal and his team.

Dragoking launched his tongue in grasping his enemy's scythe. Both him and Skull Reaper struggled for the moment. Red Arsenal and his team quickly headed off at once to the end of the bridge. They helped and freed Nyx and Spike from their prison.

Dragoking summoned his second head in firing the Electrical Thunder Surge on the mantis reaper's head. Dragoking swung his tongue on Skull Reaper's scythe in striking the latter's stomach hard. He then rammed the mantis reaper off before swung his tail on Skull Reaper down hard. He was about to fire his Mystic Dragon Flame but Skull Reaper launched his Souls Attack on his face. Dragoking got pushed back as Skull Reaper swung his left scythe on Dragoking's legs in falling down. Skull Reaper turned and fired Hellfire Curse on the Hydragoon for the moment. Dragoking used his tail and whacked Skull Reaper to the bridge's end. Dragoking fired both Mystic Dragon Flame and Electrical Thunder Surge but Skull Reaper fired his Demon Curse Spell. Both got clashed and deflected off.

Bakura summoned his Dark Spiritual Ghosts in attacking his enemies. Lance quickly jumped up and flew towards his enemies as he swung his twin swords at them with swift and hard. Bakura slammed his scythe on Lance who blocked it before kicked him off. Lance was about to attack, Bakura unleashed his Underworld Strikes on Lance for few times. Lance got knocked to the ground hard. Bakura charged in as he slammed his scythe on Lance but deflected off. Lance got up at once. 

Both Lance and Bakura swung their swords and scythes at each other while blocking and dodging them for few times. Lance then launched his Dragon Cross Strike while Bakura launched his Terror Curse Strikes. They both swung their attacks at each other hard and quick for few times. They had the clash for the moment while glaring at each other.

Both Lance and Bakura had their weapons glowed as they deflected and dodged back at once. They charged in. Lance unleashed both Dawn Blade Stroke and Night Curse Strike while Bakura unleashed Reaper's Curse. Both sides charged and clashed their blades at each other for the moment. They got exploded causing both ponies to jump back and knocked towards their own pets.

Dragoking had Lance up on his head. Before they could do anything, Bakura cried wildly as he and his Skull Reaper charged in. They were about to unleashed their Hellfire Curse. Dragoking charged in. He slided down before slammed his tail on Skull Reaper to the ground hard before firing both Mystic Dragon Flame and Electrical Thunder Surge on both Bakura and Skull Reaper, who turned and fired Spiritual Curse Beam back. They both glared at each other for the moment.

"It looks like we're even match," Bakura said darkly before he chuckled evilly, "But... Only one of us can leave the bridge."

Lance nodded his head, "Yeah..." He then looked at the stoned bridge. He sighed in defeat, "There's one thing we can do about this... And it ends today!"

Before any of them could ask or do, Lance jumped up high as he unleashed his United Transcendent Sword on the bridge hard, followed by Dragoking's powerful Earthquake Destroyer on the bridge. The bridge cracked as it slowly broken into pieces. 

Bakura and Skull Reaper gasped in shock and feared. Before they could do anything, Lance jumped up and thrust his Oblivion Dragoon Blade and Oathkeeper Blossom Blade on his chest hard before unleashing his United Transcendent Sword on him hard. Dragoking fired his Elemental Attack on Skull Reaper. They both got exploded into pieces.

Before Lance and Dragoking could do anything, the bridge destroyed and collapsed while they both fell into the pit. They both screamed in shock and fear. Lance's team gasped in shock before cried and called their names. They came to the edge. They looked down and found Dragoking clawed on the walls while Lance held tight on his pet's mane.

"You guys alright?!" Steel Blaze asked in concern.

"Yeah..." Lance called back, "We're fine."

Dragoking climbed up to the top. Everyone sighed in relief as they came and embraced both Lance and Dragoking while crying happily. They were all safe from danger. Zelda, Steel Blaze, Alyson Joy and Sweetie Belle used their magic in healing his injuries while Shiroi, Nyx and Spike helped and patched on Lance's injuries. Drake Trio, Red Arsenal and Metalgear were on patrol.

"Seriously, Lance - enough with stunts," Nyx said in annoyance while healing his injuries, "You almost give me a heart attack."

Spike nodded his head, "Yeah! Not cool! We already had enough in seeing someone get hurt."

Shiroi sighed in annoyance, "Are you always so reckless? You really need to be careful. We're at the Demon Land. We can't afford to lose someone important."

"Sorry..." Lance chuckled nervously, "It's an old habbit. I just didn't want to take the risk of losing someone I cared."

"Thanks for caring of us. We owe you and Dragoking a lot," Steel said happily as he patched Dragoking's injuries. He asked, "Think that Bakura's coming back to haunt us?"

Red Arsenal headed to the edge and looked down as he found both of dark purplish and blackish mixed light slowly coming out from the pit. They both disappeared from sights. Other than two souls, the area slowly changed and transformed into the hardened rocks with some burning lava. Everyone was in surprise and shock by the landscape's changes. They were back to Mount Dragoon Volcanic.

Red Arsenal smirked, "He won't be back for another monster tricks."

Boomer sighed in relief, "Good to hear... I so had enough with fighting monsters. I'm exhausted..."

"Affirmative," Metalgear agreed, "And above all, we also had defeated Elite Commanders as well. Only Tso Lan and Shendu are left to deal with."

"Then, let's move out." Lance said in confidence as he slowly got up while recovering from his injuries, "It's time to finish our journey for good. We've got two more days to go."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement while Dragoking roared wildly and happily.

Zelda smiled, "I'm glad to hear that, my friends. We must go at once. Time is running out."

Lance smiled, "Let's move out now."

Lance and his team got up on Dragoking's back as they all headed off to Shendu's Palace. They were ready to finish their next journey for both Courage Flame Orb and Dark Soul's Aura...

To Be Continued...

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