Star Knight and the Nine-Tailed Fox

by Rakoon1

One-Tail in Danger

In the busy streets of Manehatten, ponies were going from one side to the other, always in a hurry. This was a city where every second counted and ponies were trying as hard as they could not waste a single second.

Living on the streets and struggling to make money, a young lute-player tried to entertain the ponies that passed with his music. He was a pony with a light yellow coat with a lute with musical notes as Cutie Mark, orange mane and celestial blue eyes. His name was Strings and he was quite talented with his lute, which seemed quite worn.

Everything he wanted was to entertain ponies with his music, while they contributed with some bits. However, this desire seemed it wouldn’t become reality. Ponies were too busy and in a hurry to enjoy his music, much less to reward him with bits.

At the end of the day, Strings looked at the glass where the ponies should put their contributions, but only had a couple of bits. The young lute-player sighed and prepared to go home when a voice said to him:

"You play really well."

He turned and saw a mare wearing a cloak approaching him.

"Thank you" he thanked. "It's a shame the other ponies do not share that view."

"What if I told you they could have that opinion?" the mare asked. "What if I told you that I can help you have the recognition you deserve?"

That made Strings drop a skeptical chuckle.

"And what are you, some kind of manager?" he asked, cynically.

"No, I'm something much better" the mare said, lowering the hood and revealing her face. "My name is Adagio Dazzle and you can believe I will make your dreams come true."

And, having said this, she approached her snout to Strings’ ear and began to sing something for him gently. It was then that his eyes were invaded by a momentary darkness and then an evil smile appeared on his face.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked to Adagio.

"I want you to play your song to a friend of mine" Adagio replied. "This song will be... magical. And when you are finished, I guarantee you're going to have all the glory you deserve."

And Strings nodded.

The next day, the sun was shining in the sky, leaving the Golden Desert with a color even more resplendent. Although it was not part of the Light Kingdom, the Golden Desert certainly wasn't far from its neighbor in terms of elegance. Its landscapes, although arid, were quite appreciated by the travelers… when they brought enough water to cross it.

Three travelers were crossing it, with one of them walking with immense excitement. He was a young unicorn stallion with light vermilion coat with three beetles as Cutie Mark, opalish gray mane and brilliant tangelo eyes. Behind him, were two pegasi royal guards, whose armors were different from the Canterlot guards’.

"I'm so glad to finally get to the Light Kingdom!" the young stallion exclaimed happily. "I will make lots of new friends?"

"Silver Mist, you need to stop being so flashy" one of the guards said. "You're going to the Light Kingdom because the villains of the Lord of Chaos can't go in there."

"Although we are almost at the Great Light Canyon, we cannot draw any attention" the other guard said. "What would your uncle and aunt say if they knew how you're acting."

"Come on, can't I be happy to finally get out of Maretonia?" Silver Mist asked, a little annoyed by the constant reproaches of his bodyguards. "I just want to have fun and make friends and, apparently, to do all that, I have to get out from my under and aunt’s protection."

"They are the Duke and Duchess of Maretonia, which is one of the most important duchies" the first guard said. "Their duty is to ensure the safety of their citizens, including you."

"Yes, Yes, I know why they want me there" Silver Mist said, in a way that made his bodyguards to roll their eyes.

They continued for a few moments until they heard movements around them.

"Did you hear that?" the second guard asked.

"It looks like we're being watched" the other said.

Both guards responded, putting themselves in a way to keep Silver Mist protected.

"Gyus, you know I can fend for myself, right?"

But they ignored him and the first guard asked:

"Who's there?! Show yourselves!"

There was a pause and then a voice answered:

"We should be the ones saying that... strangers."

And, in the blink of an eye, they found themselves surrounded by...

"Pony-panthers" the second guard said.

Chief Strongpaw stood out among the pony-panthers and asked:

"Who are you and what are you doing in the Golden Desert heading to the Light Kingdom?"

The guards didn't say anything, but Silver Mist got out of the middle of his bodyguards and approached Chief Strongpaw, saying with a friendly tone:

"Hello, my name is Silver Mist and I'm on my way to the Light Kingdom to make lots of friends. Hey, will you be my friend?"

And he extended his hoof to Strongpaw who just stared it. The other pony-panthers began to talk with each other, surprised by the attitude of that pony to their leader. The two guards rushed to pick up Silver Mist and returned to where they were.

"Are you crazy?!"

"Do you not know who you were talking to?!"

"Hey, you didn't say anything, so I decided to take the initiative" Silver Mist said.

Strongpaw looked to the young unicorn. There was something about him that was different, and he wasn't just talking about his behavior. He didn't know how to explain it, but he knew that Silver Mist wasn't a pony like the others.

"You're a littled weird" Chief Strongpaw said. "But I can see that your heart has no bad intentions. Our job is to ensure that no one with a heart consumed with darkness approaches our oasis and the Light Kingdom, so please don't get us wrong."

"Don't worry, everything's fine" the first guard said.

"Yes, we understand perfectly" the second guard said.

"They may proceed with your journey" Strongpaw said, while his pony-panthers opened to them the way. "But I advise you to hurry. A sandstorm is approaching rapidly."

And so the two guards advanced, having virtually to force Silver Mist to join them, since he wanted to get to know better the pony-panthers and make friends with them.

When Strongpaw and his pony-panthers began to return to the oasis, he felt the presence of someone else in the Golden Desert beyond those three. However, this presence was different, it was darker. He stopped, causing the others to stop, and told them:

"Return to the oasis, I'm still going to hang around."

"But, sir, a sandstorm is approaching" one of the pony-panthers said.

"I know that, but don't worry" Strongpaw said. "You know sand can't hurt me. Now, do what I tell you."

They then waved and continued their way back to the oasis. Meanwhile, Strongpaw went in a different direction. It didn't take long until he was caught by the sandstorm, but, using his power over sand, he had no difficulty in moving.

Then, suddenly, he began to hear a song. It was a song that seemed to be coming from a stringed instrument. Stronpaw knew that music was coming from the same place that he had noticed. He managed to get out of the storm and then looked around. Then he saw him, sitting on a duma that seemed not have been altered by the sandstorm. Strings was sitting and with his lute in position.

"Who are you, stranger?" Strongpaw asked. "What are your intentions?"

"Who I am doesn't matter" Strings answered. "As for my intentions. Well, let's just say that I'm doing what I was asked to do in exchange for receiving the glory I deserve."

Strongpaw didn't know what he meant, but he knew it wouldn’t do any good.

"I'm warning you, if you have evil intentions, I will not be merciful" he said.

But Strings ignored him and then prepared to play a new song with his lute. He started and then his body began to glow with a dark glow. Seeing it, Strongpaw said:

"That energy... is the evil power of the Lord of Chaos!"

But before he could do anything, strings of dark energy erected and were turned into light bluish gray chains which went in direction of Strongpaw. Reacting automatically, Strongpaw sand began protecting him from the chains, blocking them. However, one of them managed to infiltrate his defense and penetrated Strongpaw’s stomach. He felt a pain, while the chain penetrated more and more inside.

Inside of him, Shukaku, the One-Tail, noticed something strange was coming. It was then the chain appeared and tied itself tight around Shukaku’s neck. Feeling he had reached the Tailed Beast, Strings smiled and changed slightly the rhythm of the song. Red energy began coming out of Strongpaw through the chain.

Strongpaw realized his energy was being sucked, because his power was diminishing. The sand that was still raised fell slowly to the ground. He got the strength to get the chains and try to pull it, but, when he did it, he received an electric shock that made him drop it immediately. Strongpaw looked enraged to Strings, who smiled while he absorbed the energy that was being removed from the leader of the pony-panthers through the chain.

Watching from afar, protected by her cloak, was Adagio. She smiled, as her plan was running perfectly. Why having so much work to capture a Jinchuriki, when someone could extract the Tailed Beast inside and then take it directly to the Lord of Chaos?

Strongpaw couldn’t believe he was subjugated to a magic like that. He was now at the mercy of that lute-playing who wouldn't stop extracting the Tailed Beast inside of him. Inside, Shukaku was trying to handle the power from the chains, but it was then a white mass with the exact shape and size of Shukaku began to be extracted from him, with that mass being extracted by a projection of the chain around his neck that was pulling it out.

A pony-panther who was closed was caught by surprise when he saw what was happening to his leader. Quietly so he couldn’t be seen, he noted how Strings was extracting Shukaku from Strongpaw. He had to do something, but how would he help his leader? Then he remembered he was not far from the Great Light Canyon. He could take a shortcut and get help from the Generals of Order. So, he pulled away as quietly as possible.

Some distance away, Silver Mist walked a bit ahead of his bodyguards, saying:

"It's a shame I couldn't make any friends with the pony-panthers. It would have been pretty cool. "

"This kid doesn't change" the first guard said.

"At least now we can get to the Light Kingdom without further delay" the second guard said.

In the place where Strings was extracting Shukaku, the white mass was about to abandon Strongpaw. Trying to resist even more than what he was already resisting, Shukaku pulled the chain and then let out a roar. This caused Strongpaw to release a red energy that rose in the air as if it was smoke and then explode.

It was at that moment Silver Mist stopped suddenly and looked back. He heard a cry of help, a kind of cry that he knew quite well. His bodyguards approached and the first asked:

"Silver Mist, what's wrong?"

But he didn't answer. At that moment, a pair of green insect wings appeared at the bottom of his back and he took off, moving away quickly in the opposite direction.

"Silver Mist, where are you going?" the two guards asked, while trying to follow him.

"One of our pony-panthers friends is in danger!" he exclaimed.

"What did you say?!" the first guard asked.

“Don’t tell us you’re going to help!” the second guard said.

“Of course” Silver Mist replied, taking more altitude and flying faster, leaving his guards behind.

Strings continued with his task of extracting Shukaku from Strongpaw, making the chain extracting energy to himself.

“This chain…” Strongpaw said, while observing the chain that connected him to Strings. “…doesn’t stop extracting my energy…”

The pain increased and the same white mass that was being extracted from Shukaku started to leave the place where the chain had penetrated.

Silver Mist was flying over the Golden Desert, following the cry of help he had heard and found Strongpaw and started down toward him. Seeing the white mass that was leaving him, he realized.

‘But that is…’ he thought to himself. ‘There’s no mistake. That’s Tailed Beast energy! When the Tailed Beast is extracted, the Jinchuriki’s body suffers a lot of damage. He may die!’

Strongpaw saw Silver Mist approaching, getting surprised by his wings. However, he gave no importance to it and exclaimed to him:

“Stay away! This has nothing to do with you!”

“It does have something to do with me!” Silver Mist shouted back.

It was then that Strongpaw realized. It was because of that Silver Mist seemed to be not like other ponies.

“You’re a Jinchuriki too” he said.

“And that’s why I can feel your pain too” Silver Mist said. “I learned that friends must understand each other’s pain.”

Getting close, he extended his hoof to take the chain that linked Strongpaw to Strings.

“Stop it…!” Strongpaw said.

Silver Mist touched the chain with his hoof, but then he received the same shock that Strongpaw got.

“It’s sucking out my power…” Silver Mist said, while tolerating the pain.

He then fell on the ground.

“Are you all right?!” Strongpaw asked.

Adagio noticed Silver Mist and realized he was another Jinchuriki. He should be the one Oogie Boogie was trying to identify. She didn’t want to believe her luck. She had at her reach two Jinchuriki. She couldn’t lose that opportunity, so Adagio used her voice to send hypnotic infrasound waves to Silver Mist to also catch Silver Mist’s Jinchuriki. He then started playing at the same rhythm before sending the chains agains Strongpaw and another dark string get out of his body and another chain appeared, starting going in Silver Mist’s direction.

“Silver Mist, be careful!” Strongpaw warned, while he was getting up.

He then noticed the chain coming in his direction and took flight. However, the chain followed him and penetrated in his lower back. Once that happened, Silver Mist’s wings disappeared and he fell on the ground.

“Silver Mist!” Strongpaw called.

He started to get up, saying:

“I’m sorry… I think I failed…”

Strings played again and the chain stretched, starting to absorb his energy and causing pain to him. He then proceeded to take the two Tailed Beasts from Strongpaw and Silver Mist. While Shukaku’s white mass of energy was being taking even more, the same was starting to happen to Silver Mist’s Tailed Beast.

That beast resembled a blue armored rhinoceros beetle with six of his seven tails resembling Silver Mist’s wings and the seventh being an actual tail, all growing from the end of his abdomen. His eyes seemed to be covered by a helmet-like skull, from inside of which, an orange glow could be seen. He also had spike protrusions on his shoulders and a row of slits on each shoulder and six legs, three on each side, which were also covered by the blue armor, with the exception of the extreme ends which were green in color. He also had two pincers with three parts on his face, covering a mouth full of sharp teeth and on his back behind his head, it had a large two sectioned horn protrusion.

In that moment, a white mass of energy was also being taken from Seven-Tails. Both him and Shukaku were struggling against the chains as much as they could. Meanwhile, Strings continued to receive their energies, while playing the lute. Adagio watched the scene, smiling. Just a little bit longer and she would have two Tailed Beast to give to her master.

Running to the place where Strings was extracting One-Tail and Seven-Tails, the pony-panther who had gone to take some help was now leading Golden Paladin, Mirror Coat and Melody to there.

“Are you sure this is the way?” Golden Paladin asked to the pony-panther.

“Yes, sir” he answered. “It’s just ahead.”

“We have to be quick” Mirror Coat. “We cannot allow the Lord of Chaos to get One-Tail. If he never gets it, he will not be able to get the others.”

“Let’s just hope it’s not too late” Melody said.

The two Jinchuriki continued to have their energies being stolen by Strings.

“Damn it…” Strongpaw said. “I told you not to come.”

“How can I stay away?” Silver Mist asked. “I think any Jinchuriki would come to save a fellow Jinchuriki if he or she was in danger.”

When he said that, Strongpaw remember Prince Star Knight, who did everything he could to save him when Shukaku took over him.

“Maybe you’re right, but in a situation like this one, it would be a fool thought to do” Strongpaw replied.

The rhythm of the music of the lute increased and the same happened with the intensity of the Tailed Beast energy absorption, which caused more pain to Strongpaw and Silver Mist, pain that was shared by their Tailed Beasts. The pain was so intense that Strongpaw fell on his knees. It was at that moment that Silver Mist had an idea.

He concentrated for a moment, and then accessed his magic. His wings appeared slightly and began to release energy in the form of silk threads involving him and Strongpaw, creating a cocoon of energy. Both Strings and Adagio were surprised by it.

"What's that?" she asked.

The energy cocoon became a real cocoon made of silk with great resistance. Inside of the cocoon, Strongpaw, who had got up, said:

“This is…”

“My power” Silver Mist said. “But it isn’t enough to break these chains.”

In that moment, the red energy that was running through the chains just slowed down.

“So, I’m going to try to buy us some time” Silver Mist continued.

Outside, Strings continued playing and then noticed the energy flow slowed. He realized it was the cocoon that was suppressing the energy absorption. Adagio, who also realized that, started to dislike the way the situation was taking. If Strings took too long, they would risk the pony-panthers to show up... or worse, the Generals.

Inside the cocoon, Strongpaw realized the energy slowed and asked Silver Mist:

“What did you do?”

“I made a cocoon with threads of energy” he explained. “This cocoon is a complicated tangle of super-fine energy threads that weakened the absorption, just as I thought.”

“It didn’t stop it” Strongpaw realized. “The rate of energy being sucked out has definitely slowed down and lessened the pain… But eventually, out Tailed Beasts will be extracted. In my case, I can still survive, as I have One-Tail, but in your case…”

But Silver Mist gave a little laugh and said, while putting is front hooves behind is head, in a relaxing way:

“Negative thoughts aren’t good. I’m sure somepony will come to save us!”

“How can you be so positive?” Strongpaw asked.

“Well, in a situation like this, we kind of don’t have any other options” Silver Mist replied.

“But I’m sure nopony will come to help us” Strongpaw said.

“Don’t say such things!” Silver Mist exclaimed, rising up, and then starting to yell. “Hey! Is somepony out there?!”

Strongpaw sighed and then said:

“Your voice won’t travel through this cocoon.”

Realizing he was right, Silver Mist made a depressive air and said:

“Oops! Darn it.”

But then he filled himself with determination and exclaimed:

“Then I’ll just pull this out with brute strength!”

And he started to pull the chain with all the force he had, but the only thing that Silver Mist managed to do was getting entangled with the chain and fell on the ground.

“I think we’ll have to wait to be rescued, after all” he said to Strongpaw.

“I think that’s very unlikely” Strongpaw said.

“Again with those negative thoughts” Silver Mist.

“My subordinates are very obedient to me” Strongpaw said. “I said to them to go to our oasis while I would come here to investigate an intruder. Probably, they will take some time to realize I am in danger. Furthermore, there are some inhabitants of the oasis who wouldn’t care about what happens to me.”

“Are you serious?!” Silver Mist asked.

Outside, Strings observed they now had no escape and it would be a matter of time until he got their energy. To speed things up, he continued playing in a faster pace.

Inside the cocoon, Strongpaw continued, while Silver Mist was trying to untangle himself from the chain:

“In the past, when I was a kid, the only way I could relate to others was with hate and a desire to kill. Everypony was afraid of me because I was the Jinchuriki and that made me hate them. But then I heard a voice telling me to not hate them, but to show the best of me. That voice belonged to the Lord of Order. So because of him, I became the leader of the pony-panthers. Although the most of them now accepts me for who I am, there are some who don’t and I’m sure they don’t care about what happens to me.”

Silver Mist managed to untangle himself and stood up saying:

"But you still have friends who care for you. You said yourself that now the majority of your people accept you, so I'm sure they will come to save you."

Hearing those words, Strongpaw said:

"Maybe you're right, but even so, our situation is quite precarious. I'm sure this lute-player is working for a villain of the Lord of Chaos. Even though they knew we were here, stop him will not be easy."

"We don't know until we try" Silver Mist said. "After all, he is only one, right?"

Strongpaw was impressed by Silver Mist’s optimism. Was what he said true? Will they be able to be saved?

The three Generals of Order continued to follow the pony-panther as they approached the place where Strongpaw and Silver Mist were. A lute sound began to be heard.

“This is the sound of the lute that the strange pony was playing” the pony-panther said.

Listening the lute, Melody managed to notice something on it.

"But what..." she said. "No, it can’t be."

"What, Melody?" Golden Paladin asked.

"I think..." she started. "No, I'm sure. This lute sound has the Thirteenth Note."

"Wait, you mean the pony who is extracting Shukaku is a Prodigy?" Mirror Coat asked.

"A Prodigy who has been corrupted" Golden Paladin said. "That only increases the urgency of the mission."

Adagio watched Strings continuing to absorb Shukaku and Seven-Tails’ energy, when she noticed Golden Paladin, Mirror Coat and Melody arriving from afar with the pony-panther.

"Damn it..." she said.

They arrived on the scene and were amazed by the fact that there was a cocoon in the place where it should be Strongpaw.

"But that's..." Melody started.

"Yes, it's a giant cocoon" Golden Paladin said. "And that must be the corrupted Prodigy."

It was then the two guards accompanying Silver Mist appeared.

"Who are you?" Golden Paladin asked.

"I know them" the pony-panther said. "We found them while we were doing our patrol. But they were accompanied by another pony."

"We're looking for him" the second guard said.

Hearing that, Golden Paladin pondered for a while and then asked to Mirror Coat:

"Mirror Coat, can you tell if Strongpaw is in there?"

The General of Knowledge invoked a hoof mirror and pointed it to the cocoon. In it, he could see Strongpaw and Silver Mist and then realized something that left him surprised. Both Strongpaw’s and Silver Mist’s respective energy was being absorbed and the two energies seemed to be quite similar, which meant...

"So, Mirror Coat, who is in that cocoon?" Melody asked.

The two guards exchanged nervous glances and then Mirror Coat replied:

"Two Jinchuriki."

"One of them is Chief Strongpaw" the pony-panther said. "But who's the other?"

"The Jinchuriki of Maretonia" Golden Paladin said, turning then to the two guards. "I know you belong to the Royal Guard of Maretonia for your armors and by your looks, it looks like I got it right. The other Jinchiriki is yours."

The two guards placed themselves in an attack position, but Golden Paladin said:

"You'd better calm down. We have no interest in capturing your Jinchuriki. My siblings and I are Generals of Order. We are from the Light Kingdom and we already have our own Jinchuriki. Besides, if we continue losing time, those in the cocoon will lose their Tailed Beasts. And, if I'm not mistaken, if your Jinchuriki lose his Tailed Beast, he will die. The sealing spell that pony is doing is extracting the Tailed Beast energy and ultimately the beasts themselves.”

“Oh no, if that happens, Chief Stronpaw will become very weak” the pony-panther said to Golden Paladin. “We have to save him!”

“And what do you intend to do?” Golden Paladin asked to the two guards.

“Are you going to abandon your own Jinchuriki?” Melody asked.

“Don’t be such a fools and let’s fight together” Mirror Coat said.

“If we act now, we can save them…” Golden Paladin said.

The two guards exchanged a look and then they agreed to collaborate. The first said:

"Please, save Silver Mist."

That made Golden Paladin smile and say:

"Don't worry."

The General of Peace observed the current situation, trying to come up with a plan and then he had an idea that would be able to work.

“From what I gather, that Prodigy’s back is vulnerable” he said. “This is what I come up with. We’ll divide into two teams: an attack team and a rescue team. The attack team will sneak in close and attack from behind, while the rescue team will seize the opportunity and rescue the two. Me and you three…” he pointed to the pony-panther and the guards “will attack the lure-playing Prodigy.”

“Understood” the guards said.

“But I’d like to be on the rescue team” the pony-panther said.

“No, Melody and Mirror Coat are needed for the rescue” Golden Paladin said, turning then to his siblings. “You both know what to do.”

“Very well” the two General said.

“Let’s go!” Golden Paladin exclaimed.

And so, he, the pony-panther and the two guards headed to Strings. Reaching the top of the dune, the two guards prepared to tackle against Strings, while the pony-panther was preparing his claws and Golden Paladin carried his hoof with magic to create a strong impact. However, Strings noticed their powers and, changing slightly the harmony for a few moments, created a barrier around to protect him from all attacks, repelling the attackers.

“What is that?” the first guard asked.

“It’s a defensive spell” the second guard replied. “How can he do that being an earth pony?”

“He is using the music to do that” Golden Paladin answered. “But I have a feeling defense is not the only think this barrier can do, so watch out.”

He was right. With a flash of light, the barrier shot to the air a bunch of light missils that then started to fall over them. Fortunately, Golden was fast and created his own barrier to protect himself and the other three.

While Golden Paladin and the others kept distracting Strings, Mirror Coat and Melody watched closely the cocoon. Mirror Coat watched for a few moments and then carried his horn with magic. He then, using his hoof mirror, managed to detect a point in the cocoon that wasn't as cohesive and, using the magic he had focused on his horn, began to cut that part of the cocoon. That made Strongpaw and Silver Mist to turn and see Mirror Coat getting in, followed by Melody.

However, on the dune, after the shooting, the second guard said:

“Damn it! We can’t get close to him!”

“It’s an impregnable barrier!” the other said.

“At this rate, we’re not helping Chief Strongpaw at all” the pony-panther said.

“No, this is sufficient” Golden Paladin said to them, making them look at him. “Just drawing his attention away will make Melody and Mirror Coat’s job easier. That is what we are here to do.”

Inside the cocoon, Mirror Coat asked to Strongpaw and Silver Mist:

“Are you two okay?”

“See!” Silver Mist exclaimed to Strongpaw, while rising up, enthusiastically. “Someone came to help, after all!”

“How did you…” Strongpaw asked.

“One of your subordinates warned us” Mirror Coat answered.

“He was following you, just for precaution” Melody said. “Tanks to the Lord of Order he did the right thing.”

After this, Mirror Coat used his hoof mirror to see where the chains were stuck and he saw they were penetrating at the main energy point.

“I can see where they are” Mirror Coat said. “Melody, now it’s up to you.”

“Okay” she said, approaching.

“Wait, you know how to get rid of these?” Strongpaw asked.

“This chains were created by a special kind of magic of Music” Melody said. “I may be one of the few beings that can undo this, except for the caster. Let’s see.”

She focused and then she unleashed a set of infrasonic waves that started to interfere with the magic of the chains. Then, the interference was such that the chain that was penetrating Strongpaw stopped sucking out the Tailed Beast energy.

“All right, the flow stopped” Melody said.

“Thanks” Strongpaw thanked.

Melody turned to Silver Mist and say to him:

“You’re next.”

“Okay” he said.

Mirror Coat and Melody worked together to also stop the energy flow of the chains. Once they did that, Strings noted that the flow had stopped flowing and, wondering why that happened, stopped playing.

“The lute-player is acting strange…” the pony-panther observed.

“Yes, something must have happened” Golden Paladin agreeded, smiling then. “And I know what it was.”

“Those two Generals must have done something” the second guard said.

“You’re right, the enemy definitely looks flustered” the first guard agreed.

The chains got loose from Strongpaw and Silver Mist, however they started to act as if they were confused or looking for something. They then withdrew from the cocoon, returning to the place where Strings were. Seeing the chains acting strangely, the pony-panther asked:

“What’s happening?”

“It looks like it’s alive!” the second guard commented.

“That’s creepy!” the other exclaimed.

Golden Paladin, who knew that type of sealing spell, knew the chains would continue to look for the Tailed Beast energy and, at that time, in addition to the two Jinchūriki, there was only one place where they would find it...

The chains became threads of darkness again and wrapped around Strings’ barrier, starting to push hard until they broke it. Finally, they wrapped around Strings, holding him completely. This made him scream, while he felt the energy he had stolen being taken. Strings, along with his lute, fell from the top of the dune to its base.

Watching it, Adagio realized her plan had failed.

"I better get out of here before they realize that I'm around."

And, having said that, she disappeared in a wave of darkness.

Those who were in the cocoon got out and Strongpaw said, looking to Strings:

"It looks like the spell turned against the wizard."

They all approached Strings and Golden asked:

"Why did you attack the leader of the pony-panthers? Why were you stealing the Tailed Beast?"

"It was the Lord of Chaos who sent you?" Mirror Coat asked.

"It seems obvious, don't you think?" the second guard asked.

"We can't affirm he works for the Lord of Chaos without having evidence" Mirror Coat said. "He can have been sent by a kingdom that also wants to have its own Jinchurki."

"She promised me..." Strings began to say, making everypony turn to him. " She promised me I would have the glory I deserved."

"Who said that?" Melody asked. "Who promised you?"

"A strange mare" Strings answered. "She had a strange and sinister voice, but at the same time beautiful, captivating. She said her name was..."

"Adagio Dazzle" Melody said. "Of course. She used her power to corrupt his heart and then used his special power to capture One-Tail."

"And when she noticed the presence of another Jinchuriki, she couldn't resist and sent Strings to capture him as well" Mirror Coat said.

"If you hadn't run away from us like that, all this wouldn't have happened" the first guard said to Strings.

"Maybe not to him" Golden Paladin said to two guards. "But probably it was thanks to your Jinchuriki that we could keep the Lord of Chaos from capturing the first Tailed Beast."

"He's right" Strongpaw, addressing to Silver Mist. "You managed to give us more time until the arrival of Golden Paladin and the others and, for that, I thank you."

"Oh, well..." Silver Mist said, scratching the back of his head and blushing. "You don't have to exaggerate."

"And what do we do with him?" Mirror Coat asked, referring to Strings.

"Let me take care of him" Melody said.

She then began singing a soothing song, which served to illuminate the lost hearts, and, after making sure he was no longer controlled by Adagio, she used her voice again to release him from the dark threats, in the same way she freed Strongpaw and Silver Mist. Then, Golden Paladin invoked his chains to absorb the Tailed Beast energy that was inside of him. After this, Melody used his magic to get the lute and extended it to Strings, saying:

"This is a beautiful instrument."

"Thank you" Strings thanked, getting the lute. "I have it since I was a foal. It was with him that I got my Cutie Mark. I promised myself I would bring happiness to ponies with my music... but it seems that I can’t do even that."

Melody looked at him and then said compassionate:

"What if I told you that you can still do that? I have a music studio in Canterlot. It is open to anypony who loves music. Why don't you join there. You won't have to worry about costs and you will have a roof and food. The only thing you have to do is play your lute the best you can."

Strings seemed surprised by that invitation.

"After everything I've done?"

"What you did you did without having the awareness of what you were doing" Melody said. "But if you want to learn real music, you know where you need to go."

"Thank you..." he thanked.

"Now, I think you could use a bit of shade and water in the oasis of pony-panthers" Melody said, turning to Chief Strongpaw.

"Well, now that we know that nothing bad will happen for a while, I don't see why not" Chief Strongpaw said, motioning to his subordinate who started helping Strings getting to the oasis, and the leader of the pony-panthers turned to Silver Mist and his guards. "If you want, you can also join us."

Silver Mist wanted to accept the invitation, but the guards were the first to respond.

"We appreciate, but we must return to Maretonia immediately" the first guard said.

"What?!" Silver Mist asked. "Why?!"

"After what happened, don't you think you better come home?" the second guard asked him bluntly.

"Thank you for everything you've done" the other guard said.

And, having said that, the two guards moved away, having to force Silver Mist to accompany them. Strongpaw also turned away, following his subordinate and Strings.

"It seems that some ponies still prefer to keep their Jinchuriki in complete secrecy and confined to their territory" Mirror Coat observed.

"Of course, Jinchuriki are created to be the main defense of the kingdom they inhabit" Golden Paladin said, turning then to Melody. "By the way, Melody, I have to express my surprise. I never thought the Thirteenth Note could be used in sealing spells."

"It can be used in several different ways, depending on the Prodigies" Melody said. "Although the Thirteenth Note emerged from my light, I don't even know all its capabilities. Some may have a soothing power, like Sweetie Belle’s, or have other amazing abilities, like Strings’."

"The conversation is good, but I have to report the events to Princess Twilight" Mirror Coat said. "See you later."

And he invoked one of his portals and crossed it.

In Twilight and Blue’s bedroom, Leaf Mane was checking the latter’s recovery, who was in his bed, after what happened with Star. Twilight was watching from a distance.

"Everything looks fine" Leaf Mane said. "With my medicine, you managed to recover quickly, Your Highness."

"Yes, except for this scar" he said, referring to the large scar that he had on his chest, that was where Star hit him.

"It looks good on you" Twilight said. "It only excels your courage."

"Thank you, Twilight..." Blue thanked, smiling at his wife, turning then to Leaf Mane. "By the way, Leaf Mane, how is my son?"

"Well, he's pretty much okay" she replied, while finishing changing Blue’s bandages. "Thanks to Nine-Tails’ energy, he just has now some burns that should soon disappear completely."

"Don't worry, Blue, Star is fine" Twilight said. "Right now, he's playing with the twins and Timber. And I put Spike watching them just in case."

In that moment, the mirror of the room flashed and Mirror Coat got out of it.

"Your Highnesses, news from the Golden Desert" he said, making a bow to Twilight and Blue. "The attempt to capture One-Tail was stopped successfully. We had a few surprises, but nothing that we couldn't deal with."

"Good" Twilight said. "I don't even want to imagine what would have happened if the Lord of Chaos could get the first Tailed Beast."

"I'd like to see his face right now" Blue said.

Adagio returned to the throne room of Lord of Chaos and, when she entered, she faced with the other villains who were also there.

"Look who's back" Ulysses said, cynically, while Adagio approached. "Hey, Adagio, I think you forgot the Jinchuriki."

That made some of the other villains to laugh. Adagio ignored them and moved on to the base of the staircase of the throne of the Lord of Chaos, where he was sitting, kneeling and saying:

"My Lord…"

"Adagio..." Lord of Chaos said. " Adagio... Adagio... Adagio... What a disappointment. After so many successful missions, you come here without a single Tailed Beast, not even the one with only one tail."

"There were some complications, my lord" Adagio said. "The Generals interfered and managed to prevent my plan to extract One-Tail with the power of a corrupt Prodigy."

"I would be surprised if some of your plans worked" Ulysses said.

Adagio used all her self-control to not assault Ulysses.

"For those who lost to an eleven-year-old kid, you talk to much, Ulysses" she said, still kneeling to his master.

That made Chrysalis and Medusa to laugh and Ulysses looked furious to Adagio and intended to attack her if it wasn't for Grogar who told him:

"If I were you, I wouldn't do what you're thinking."

"Despite having failed in the mission to capture the One-Tail, I was able to identify the last Jinchuriki, the one containing Seven-Tails."

"Impossible!" Oogie Boogie exclaimed. "How'd you do it, if I've been trying to do that for years?"

"Actually, it was a stroke of luck" Adagio replied. "While my puppet was extracting the One-Tail from the leader of the pony-panthers, the Jinchuriki appeared to try to save him. I tried to capture the two Tailed Beasts, but it seems he had powers that were able to delay the process long enough for the Generals to arrive and ruin everything. However, despite the outcome that my mission had, it has not been completely unsuccessful."

"In fact, it wasn't a... complete waste of time" the Lord of Chaos said. "Thank you, Adagio. Now we know exactly where to find all the Tailed Beasts. Now, we can start playing seriously."

Author's Note:

The Thirteenth Note is something that I took from the series Freefonix.