Star Knight and the Nine-Tailed Fox

by Rakoon1


The Fallen Griffon's Rebirth

The Lord of Chaos watched, sitting on his throne, the battle against Shukaku and he saw how Star Knight managed to defeat the Tailed Beast. It seemed that the young prince was getting more and more skilled with his gift and his courage was increasing.

That worried him a lot, since Star could still become quite troublesome when it was time to take Nine-tails. Although the chances of him controlling the Nine-Tailed Fox’s power were low enough, that brat has proven be capable of defying the odds.

"How can I fight somepony who is constantly evolving?" the Lord of Chaos asked to himself, thoughtfully. "Moreover, given the number of Tailed Beasts that exist, I'm afraid my current group of villains isn't strong enough, especially since Pandora resigned my darkness."

He thought for a few seconds, when one of his mirrors began to shine, meaning that some of his villains were trying to communicate with him. Making a gesture, the mirror approached and Chyrsalis’ image appeared.

"What is it, Chrysalis?" the Lord of Chaos asked. "I'm busy thinking about the next step in my big plan. This better be good."

"Believe me, my lord" Chrysalis replied respectfully. "When I tell you what I have to tell, you will be very pleased."

"Okay, so, go ahead" the Lord of Chaos said. "I hope it's not a waste of time."

"It is with great pleasure, my lord, that I announce that my mutants are ready" Chrysalis said, making a bow. "And I'm proud to say they are the strongest Changelings that I ever raised."

"I see..." the Lord of Chaos said. “This will greatly enhance our power in the Pony World and for my great plan. Good job, Chrysalis. I see your little project was finally completed after decades."

"Despite the interference of that captain of the Royal Guard, I guarantee that the results are even better than we expected" Chrysalis secured.

"I'm glad to hear that" the Lord of Chaos said. "You just brightened my day, my dear."

Chrysalis made a bow and her image disappeared.

"At least, something goes well" the Lord of Chaos said. "Although, it would be nice to be able to test the power of these new Changelings. I know, I will recruit more villains. What villains can I recruit? Most of them are still trapped in Tartarus and I'm not going to risk bringing more villains out of this reality."

Turning to the mirror, he began checking where he could find villains that could help. Then the image of the petrified Arimaspi emerged. After years petrified, his body of black stone had been surrounded by ivies and moss.

"Is it worth bringing Arimaspi back?" the Lord of Chaos asked to himself. "After all, he spent centuries disappointing me. Wait, if I remember correctly, he had the help of a young griffon with great potential. It's a shame that he's confined to a cell in Griffonstone. But that can be resolved. Rothbart!"

And Rothbart appeared in front of his master.

"Did you call me, my lord?" he asked.

"I have a mission for you" the Lord of Chaos. "An easy one, but, if successful, can increase our strength."

"What is it?" Rothbart asked.

"Do you remember Arimaspi?" the Lord of Chaos asked. "He tried for centuries to obtain the Idol of Boreas and almost got it a few years ago."

"Yes, I heard about him" Rothbart replied. "I think Prince Shining Armor was involved. Arimaspi’s mission failed and you removed the darkness of his star seed. Don't tell me you want to bring him back. I've always found him to be annoying."

"I understand the logic behind your conclusion" the Lord of Chaos said. "But no. I'm thinking about his little helper: the former captain of the Griffon Guard, Ulysses."

"But isn’t he in jail?" Rothbart asked.

"In jail and full of hatred for who drove him away from the power he wanted" the Lord of Chaos replied. "Your job will be releasing him."

"As you wish, master” Rothbart answered, making a bow.

When he prepared to leave, the Lord of Chaos said:

"One more thing. Even though he's a good candidate, I have to check if he has what it takes. After all, I'm developing a plan that surpasses all others. I have to know what he's capable of."

"So what are you thinking?" Rothbart asked.

After hearing what the Lord of Chaos wanted, Rothbart went to Griffonstone. For his trouble, Medusa decided to accompany him.

"You know, I've never been in Griffonstone" Medusa said, with the hood of her cloak hiding her snakes, while she and Rothbart walked. "It would be nice to be able to add its rulers to my beautiful collection."

"Our only objective is to free the one our master wishes to add to our group in plan to resurrect Ten-Tails" Rothbart reminded. "We don't have time to increase your honey collection. By the way, this mission was given only to me. What are you doing walking behind me?"

"Come on, Rothbart, don't be so rude" Medusa said. "We are teammates and we should treat each other with respect."

"Yes, but look that messing in my personal mission is not showing respect" Rothbart replied.

They finally arrived at the mountain where Griffonstone was located.

"So this is where the proud griffons live" Medusa said. "They really do have their heads in the clouds."

"You stay here" Rothbart said, as invoked a cloak and put him on. "I'll go alone."

"And why can't I go?" Medusa asked.

"You’d delay me" Rothbart replied. "This mission requires description and given that I'm the only one who can transform into a creature resembling a griffon and that your eyes turn anything into stone, I'm going alone."

"You know, you can't have friends being antisocial" Medusa commented.

"Who said I want friends?" Rothbart asked.

And having said that, Rothbart turned into his mutant form, stretching his wings, and took flight in the direction of Griffonstone. When he got there, he landed. The kingdom, although it seems the same, seemed more refined and with more movement. Moving quickly and discreetly, Rothbart went through the kingdom, heading to the castle, located in the highest location.

Getting there, he noted in the position that every guard occupied. He saw that the space for maneuver was almost non-existent. The griffons knew very well how to build a fairly tight surveillance. However, he had something that they didn't have: magic. Using the properties of the cloak he was wearing, Rothbart managed to use the shadows to hide himself completely from the guards and thus he managed to get in.

Once inside the castle, Rothbart advanced through the corridors, looking for the dungeons. While he walked, she felt somepony approaching and hid in the shadows. Gael and Greta, both with crowns on their heads and the first wearing his armor, appeared.

"I got a postcard from my uncle" Greta said to Gael. "Now he's in Oldenmark."

"So he decided to switch the beaches of Las Pegasus by the cold climate of Oldenmark" Gael said. "He's really enjoying his retirement."

"Yes, he only complains of not having your dad around to cook for him" Greta said.

"Well, that can be arranged" Gael said. "I think my father didn't take some vacations for some time. Well, now that I think about it, he never took vacations."

"I believe that when we work with something we like, is quite tricky to get vacations" Greta said.

"Yes, you're right" Gael agreed.

And they moved away.

Rothbart came out of the shadows, pleased that his magic worked quite well. He continued his way, finding the one that would take him to the dungeons.

At the Dungeons of the Castle, doing push-ups on his cell was Ulysses. Despite the time he spent locked, Ulysses had certified that his body didn’t weaken, always keeping in mind his revenge. Thinking of all those who have contributed to his fall just gave him more motivation. And it wasn't just thoughts, but also the scar that Princess Greta did. That scar was the memory of the day of his fall.

Stopping with the push-ups, he went to the door of his cell and told to the guards that were out there:

"Hey, when will you give me something to eat?! I'm hungry!"

"Pity!" the voice of one of the guards said. "Here, you eat only when we give you food!"

"You bastards, you know who you're talking with?" Ulysses asked.

"Yes, with an idiot who thought he could control our race with a one-eyed monster" the other guard replied, laughing with his colleague.

Ulysses, mumbling, returned to the interior of the cell. What he would give to get out of that filthy hole.

It was then that he began to hear a fight out there. It seemed that the guards were fighting someone who shouldn't be there, which sharpened his curiosity. Ulysses approached to hear better, but then it stopped, with the fall of what should be two bodies. Steps proceeded to the entrance of his cell and Ulysses prepared to fight whoever was out there. The door opened of outburst, having been broken, and a hooded figure entered. It was Rothbart.

"Who are you?" Ulysses asked.

"Someone who, depending on your answer, you will be able to get you out of here" Rothbart replied, lowering his hood, revealing his owl face.

"You don't look like a regular griffon" Ulysses noted. "What are you?"

"A sorcerer who can take the form of an owl, although I still retain some of my pony attributes.

"So you're a pony. I don't need the help of a cheap pony to get out."

"So why haven’t you done that yet?" Rothbart asked.

But Ulysses did not respond to that question.

"That's what I thought" Rothbart said.

"What do you want from me?" Ulysses asked.

"I'm not who wants something from you" Rothbart replied. "But my master seems to be interested in your qualities."

"Master?" Ulysses repeated. "Who is this master you are talking about?"

"The same master that your former partner in crime served" Rothbart replied.

That made Ulysses realize.

"So you're Arimaspi’s friend" Ulysses said. "One more reason to finish you!"

And he advanced against Rothbart, raising one of his talons to attack, but Rothbart used one of his to stop the attack and then, using his magic, launched Ulysses around the room, causing him to hit hard against the wall.

"You're such an idiot" Rothbart said, approaching a few steps while Ulysses raised his head. "No wonder Arimaspi easily fooled you. But also, back then, you were just a pawn of a servant of the Lord of Chaos. Now, you have the opportunity to serve him without being through one of his servants. You can be a villain like me and many others."

"A villain?" Ulysses asked, rising up. "Lord of chaos? What are you talking about?"

"You must know that everything that exists is ruled by two entities" Rothbart told. "One of them creates, and the other destroys. Since always, they are in conflict. Right now, these two entities are in a war for the control of this reality. My master, the Lord of Chaos, the one who destroys, would like to give you the opportunity to serve him."

"And what's in it for me?" Ulysses asked.

"Aside from your freedom, maybe your revenge" Rothbart said. "Did I told you that one of the Lord of Chaos’ enemies are the rulers of the Crystal Empire, where one of them is called... Shining Armor?"

Hearing Shining Armor’s name, Ulysses’ anger increased.

"It seems that I've got your attention" Rothbart said.

"O accepted" Ulysses said, rising up. "I do everything to destroy those who put me in this cell."

"Perfect" Rothbart said. "However, there is a little detail you need to know."

"And what is it?" Ulysses asked.

"The Lord of Chaos want to know what you are capable of" Rothbart said. "If you get out expertly, so you can meet him."

And, having said that, Rothbart headed for the exit, saying:

"Good luck."

And, putting his hood, Rothbart ventured into the shadows once more to get out of Griffonstone.

Realizing the conditions, Ulysses headed to the exit. On the way out, he noticed the guards Rothbart defeated. Then, rushing, he went upstairs to get out of the dungeons and, getting to the top, he looked carefully to see if someone was coming. Seeing the empty hallway, he advanced. Using the wings to move rapidly, he soon crossed with a pair of guards.

"The prisoner!" one of them exclaimed. "He got away!"

The two guards tried to attack Ulysses, but he, whose physic had been developed while he was in prison, managed to subdue them. He wanted to finish them off, but, knowing it wasn't late for him to be surrounded by guards, he decided not to waste time, so I kept running. The first guard said, while standing up:

"I have to inform the king and the queen about this."

The fugitive griffon, using the knowledge he had of the castle, was able to take the fastest way to the exit. Given that there was a lot of guards watching the castle from the outside, he couldn't get out from the windows. Along the way, he found more guards, but he defeated them every time. He began to see the exit, but before he could reach it, Gael appeared in front of him.

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

"Well, look at that" Ulysses said. "You've grown a lot, Gael. I can't believe you were able to make a crown to settle in that big head of yours."

"Return to your cell, Ulysses" Gael said. "We don't want to force you."

Ulysses giggled and said:

"I want to see you trying, Gael. You know perfectly well that I've always been stronger than you and, during the time I spent in that cell, I didn't do nothing but strengthen my muscles. Do you think you can defeat me?"

And Gael smiled, asking:

"Who says I have to beat you?"

Suddenly a headache invaded Ulysses. It was unbearable. As the headache raged, his will began to be repressed. He knew that feeling. Someone was using the power of the Idol of Boreas. Turning, he saw Greta holding the idol.

"We don't need to do that when we have something that is able to stop you" Greta said.

"We promised not to use the idol, but we can't afford to have you free" Gael said.

Rothbart watched in the shadows how Ulysses was trying to not be controlled by Greta. Would his will be strong enough to resist the power able to control the griffon race? That's what the Lord of Chaos wanted to know. He knew that Gael and Greta would use it to stop Ulysses and, given that only those with an unwavering desire could overcome the power the idol had, this would be proof of his worthy.

Ulysses was still trying to resist, but it seemed that the power of the Idol of Boreas was too strong. He fell on his knees.

"Enough of this" Greta said. "Now go back to your cell."

Ulysses felt her body beginning to move on its own, like when Arimaspi controlled him. If he didn't do anything, he would return to the dark and filthy cell where I was and he would be humiliated again, not to mention he would be deprived of the revenge that had been promised to him. He would have to endure the fact that Gael and Greta were happy together, while he languished in the dungeons. All the hatred and anger he felt began to full him with forces and so he felt the influence of the Idol of Boreas getting weaker. He began to stand up and say:

"I don't want to... I don't want to go back there!"

And he liberated himself completely, to Gael and Greta’s astonishment.

"Impossible!" Greta exclaimed.

"Your..." Gael started.

And he launched himself to attack Ulysses, but he also attacked and soon pinned Gael against the floor.

"Gael!" Greta called.

"You're still weak compared with me, Gael" Ulysses said. "Now, I'll get my revenge, right here, right now! What if I started by giving you the same scar that your dear Queen afflicted me?"

And he raised his talon, ready to scratch Gael’s eye, but he was caught by someone who grabbed his talon. Ulysses looked and saw Rothbart.

"That's enough."

"Let me go" Ulysses said, setting his talon free. "What are you doing? I'm about to start my revenge!"

"You will have plenty of time for that" Rothbart replied. "You just got to prove yourself to the Lord of Chaos and you earned your freedom. Of course, if you want to go back to where you left, I can do it."

After all, Ulysses noticed that getting his avenge from Gael wouldn't be enough. He wanted everything he wanted to fulfill in the past and that was something he could do if he served the Lord of Chaos.

"All right, let's go" Ulysses said.

"Wise choice" Rothbart said.

And, having said that, Rothbart used his magic to teleport himself and Ulysses with black smoke. Greta approached Gael and asked him:

"Are you okay, Gael?"

"Yes, but I can't rest now" he said. "We have to capture Ulysses before he walks away. However, Greta, you have to tell our allies that Rothbart was involved in the escape."

"Okay" she said.

Medusa waited patiently when black smoke appeared and Rothbart and Ulysses appeared.

"Oh, so you're our new partner" Medusa said. "I have to say, for a griffon, you are quite attractive."

"I don't need praises from an insignificant pony" Ulysses replied coldly.

"I like your attitude" Medusa said, always smiling. "But you should know that I'm more than just a pony."

"We'd better stop talking" Rothbart said. "It seems that King Gael didn't give up trying to recapture our new colleague."

He pointed to the sky, and Gael and some griffons were approaching, flying.

"Ulysses!" he exclaimed. "You're not going anywhere!"

"What a bore!" Ulysses said. "I got him."

"That won't be necessary, Ulysses" Rothbart said. "It's time for you to learn some team work. Medusa, if I recall correctly, you wanted a royal griffon to your collection."

"Get a king to my collection is something that doesn't happen very often" Medusa said, lowering her hood and revealing her snakes. "It will be a pleasure."

Gael, seeing Medusa, recognized her and said to his guards, while covering his eyes:

"Don't look at her eyes!"

Although some of his guards listened in time, some did not and Medusa was able to petrify both of them, who fell to the ground, breaking into several pieces.

"Retreat!" Gael exclaimed.

And he and the other griffons retreated.

"Impressive" Ulysses said, seeing how Medusa had petrified the two griffons.

"Thank you, but this is not the best that I can do" Medusa said, hiding her snakes again.

"We're leaving" Rothbart said. "Our master is waiting to meet his new follower."

And so they disappeared, appearing in the Desolate Zone.

"What are we doing in this place infected with Changelings?" Ulysses asked to Rothbart and Medusa. "I thought we were going to see the Lord of Chaos."

"So this is our new colleague?" a voice asked.

Rothbart turned and faced Adagio, who had also just appear.

"He seems very impatient" she commented.

"Yes, and perfect to serve as a distraction to the idiots of the Order" Oogie Boogie said, appearing too.

"How dare you?" Ulysses asked. "I'm much more than just a distraction."

"So that means you're a snack" another voice said.

Ulysses turned and faced with Chrysalis, who had behind her what appeared to be three Changelings wearing hooded cloaks.

"Believe me, from what I see, you don't seem to be worthier than any other creature that serves as food to me" Chrysalis said, approaching.

"Come on, guys, be nice" Rothbart said. "He has already proved his value to our master."

"In fact, he did" another voice said.

And the Lord of Chaos appeared, making everyone, except Ulysses, bow before him.

"My Lord, as you requested, I brought your new soldier" Rothbart said.

The Lord of Chaos approached Ulysses.

"Kneel before your master."

Despite his proud, Ulysses had to recognize that the mere presence of the Lord of Chaos gave him the chills through all his body and that his look reminded him of all his worst nightmares. When he found himself, he was kneeling before him.

"Good" he said. "It seems that now you know who's calling the shots here. I must say, Ulysses, I was struck by how you managed to resist the power of the Idol of Boreas."

"Thank you, my lord…" Ulysses said.

"Now that I helped you escape from that cell, it's time for you to help me in a little experiment" the Lord of Chaos said.

"Experiment?" Ulysses repeated.

"Chrysalis created new types of Changelings that I hope they can help in my plan" the Lord of Chaos said. "I want to know their strength, but I also want to know what you're capable of too. So... you're going to fight them."

When Ulysses realized it, the villains formed a large circle around Ulysses and the three hooded Changelings who advanced. It was then that they dropped their cloths, revealing their appearance.

Ulysses was caught completely by surprise, because those Changelings were very different from those he had already seen. The lowest had a long curved shovel-like horn and with a carapace like the ones beetles had; another had long antennae and the third, despite being quite similar to the normal Changelings, it had a set of four longer wings, similar to those of dragonflies, and even a scorpion tail, in addition to larger and sharper fangs.

"See if you are able to face my enhanced Changelings" Chrysalis said.

"And I thought they couldn't get uglier" Ulysses commented. "Well, let's do it. See if you have a mop and a bucket because the ground is about to be full of Changeling guts."

The mutants hissed to Ulysses in a threatening way and then the Changeling with antennae and the Changeling with the scorpion tail began to go against him, while the Changeling with the carapace stayed behind. Ulysses also advanced, but, reaching the two Changelings, dodged their attacks and slipped past them, headed for the one behind. Through observation, Ulysses realized that he shouldn't be quite fast due to its carapace and therefore was less dangerous.

However, when he began to attack it with his talons, he realized the great feature that Changeling had was a pretty solid defense and a great resistance. But the most surprising feature was the horn which was used as a lever to lift Ulysses as if he was nothing. When he found himself, the griffon was thrown in the air quite easily.

It was then that the Changeling with the scorpion tail appeared next to him out of nowhere. With those wings of dragonfly, its speed was far superior to any Changeling that he had faced. It gave to Ulysses a strong punch that threw him against the ground with a loud bang. Ulysses looked to see the Changeling descending rapidly and preparing the sting of its tail. With great reflexes, Ulysses rolled and the Changeling’s spike stuck on the ground, holding it. Before that chance, Ulysses prepared to attack it.

However, he was not able to attack, because something hold him and Ulysses realized it was the antennae of the other Changeling, who had stretched it to restrict the griffon’s movements. With that opportunity, the Changeling with carapace started running towards him, preparing his horn.

"It seems that the rookie is done" Oogie Boogie said.

"Don't jump to conclusions, Oogie Boogie" Rothbart said. "The fight is not over yet."

When the Changeling with carapace was almost hitting Ulysses, the griffon gave a boost with the hind legs, which enabled him to take a leap that made the Changeling fail the attack and, at the same time, pulled the Changeling that arrested him, making it crash into the one with carapace. With that shock, the Changeling with antennae dropped him.

"What a surprise..." Adagio said, admired.

"It looks like our new colleague has hidden tricks" Medusa commented. "Your Changelings are having a hard time, Chrysalis."

The Changelings Queen didn't like the comment, but she didn't say anything because the fight was not yet over.

After having being released, Ulysses relaxed a little, but lowing the defense proved to be a bad decision, since the Changeling with the scorpion tail had released itself and tried to attack the griffon with its stinger. Fortunately, Ulysses saw it in time and dodge, with the two of them looking at each other intensely. When they prepared to attack each other, the Lord of Chaos said:

"That's enough!"

And everyone turned to him, with the two fallen Changelings fallen lifting.

"Congratulations, Ulysses, you just passed on my last test" the Lord of Chaos said. "You are officially one of my personal villains."

"Thank you, my lord" Ulysses said, making a bow.

"And as an incentive for you to do a good job, I will give you a gift" the Lord of Chaos.

And he raised his spear, pointing it to Ulysses, and released a darkness that enveloped the griffon for a while and then disappeared. Ulysses then felt a power passing through his body, with that power taking the form of electricity.

"Amazing!" he exclaimed, watching the electricity running through his body.

"You still have to learn to control it, but I believe that we are closer to our goal now" the Lord of Chaos said, turning then to Chrysalis. "As for you, Chrysalis, I'm impressed with your mutants. They came out pretty well."

"Thank you, my Lord" Chrysalis thanked, while she and the mutants made bow to the Lord of Chaos. "But, if I may, I want to introduce them properly. First, we have Crush."

She gestured to the Changeling with carapace.

"He may not be the brightest Changeling and his body isn't up for speed or infiltration, but he possesses a great strength and his body is able to withstand several blows."

Then, she pointed to the Changeling with antennae, saying:

"And her name is Obsidia."

"Wait, that’s a she?" Oogie Boogie asked.

That made Obsidia grunt to him what made him say:

"With that sensitivity, that's for sure."

"Obsidia is perfect for an infiltration mission, due to her high sensory acuity precision and navigation capability. Furthermore, she has antennae that allow her to hold her opponents."

Finally, she turned to the Changeling with dragonfly wings and scorpion tail.

"And this is Scorpio, the perfect combination of speed and lethality" Chrysalis said. "In spite of its constitution, his lightness is what makes him faster in conjunction with his wings that give him more speed and maneuverability in the air. Not to mention his scorpion tail that allows him to perform surprised attacks with great precision."

"I have to admit again that you did a good job raising them, Chrysalis" the Lord of Chaos said. "I can see that creating this mutations of yours was not a waste of time."

"I'm glad to hear that" Chrysalis said, while she and mutants bowed.

"It is good that my brother and his followers watch their backs" the Lord of Chaos said. "Because stop my big plan will not be an easy task now."