//------------------------------//
// Chapter 24 
// Story: The Return 
// by R-Dashiefan20 
//------------------------------//

I opened my eyes and looked around. I was in a mirrored version of the throne room from the ruins. Except this version wasn't crumbling and falling apart, it looked almost brand new. I saw something move in the shadows across from me. I drew my sword and moved over to the other side of the room. As I approached the far wall, two huge shapes jumped out at me. I dodged out of the way and landed on a charred skeleton. I jumped up, disgusted. I turned to see two giant mechanical bronze bulls standing in front of me. They snorted fire and smelled of burnt flesh. 

"Khalkotauro. Impossible, you were destroyed years ago." I said as they stared at me through black onyx eyes. 

One of them charged me and I jumped into the air. I landed just as the other one blasted flames from its mouth. I rolled out of the way and just barely missed being roasted like a pegasus steak. The one that had just tried to roast me turned and kicked me in the back with its hoof. I flew across the room and banged into the wall. I was dazed as I saw one of them charging at me. I rolled out of the way as it hit the wall and stuck there. I stood up and slashed its neck with my sword. Nothing happened, my sword phased right through it. 

"What the?" I asked aloud. 

'Only dark magic will end these bulls.' The voice said in my head again. 

I put my sword away as the bull dislodged itself from the wall and charged again. I jumped up and over it while I shot a black bolt of lightning at it's back. The lightning coursed through it and it exploded, sending shrapnel everywhere. I landed in front of the other bull as it blasted fire again. I put my arms up to shield my face and closed my eyes, knowing I was done for. I opened my eyes and noticed that the fire was parting around me. I stood up as the fire stopped. The bull started to back away as I shot another bolt of lightning at it. It exploded and sent more shrapnel everywhere. As I watched, the shrapnel from both bulls pulled together in the center of the room and formed a pedestal with a gold and black chest plate on it. I walked over and grabbed the chest plate. As soon as I did, the whole place began to shake and rumble. I ran through the pillars and came out the other side. 

"What happened in there?" Twilight asked. 

"No time, we need to get out of her! The whole place is coming down!" I yelled as I pushed them pushed them towards the exit.