Chapter 1: A Terrible Tragedy

It is once again another day in Ponyville and things are the same as they are in Ponyville...well, if you ignore the fact that there are some more Royal Guards posted in certain parts of the town, especially the entrances, exits and the whatnot.

You see, after Twilight's return from the parallel world where there are human versions of the Mane Six, the Royal Sisters and everyone else, Celestia decided to post extra security because a mysterious villain known as the Superior has conspired and was using her former student Sunset Shimmer in an attempt to kill Twilight and take Equestria.

Also, a few nights ago, a mysterious being had lured away twelve orphan foals to who knows where. Luna witnessed this but didn't get a good look but know that it's a purple alicorn who brought them to the moon. So the Royal Guards will be guarding the schools, orphanages, homes and etc. where foals hang out to keep this from happening until the mystery around the purple alicorn is resolved.

Which pretty much frustrated the citizens of Ponyville who has to deal with Royal Guards observing their movements just to keep the new princess and the foals safe from harm.

Ponies gather in front of the library, wanting to get inside. Two Unicorn Royal Guards block their way in. One of them snaps sternly, "No one gets inside! Unless you are friends, family or have business with the princess or the library, no fans allowed!"

"Aww, come on!" Lyra protests to the Royal Guard in disbelief. "I wanna see if it's true that she used to have hands!"

"No exceptions!"

During this time, Ben came out to get the mail and opens it. The stallion sighs at the commotion, asking, "General Spanish Steel, is this even necessary? Having the Royal Guards here?"

"Forgive, your majesty, but your mother insisted on it after recent events." Spanish Steel apologizes to the prince with a bow. "After the attempt assassination of Princess Twilight Sparkle and the kidnapping of foals of a few nights ago, she felt it's for the best."

"Wait, Twilight was almost killed?!" Caramel gasps in shock as the ponies yell in alarm. "When was this?!'

"All right, everypony leave and go about your business unless some of it is officially here! Move, move!"

Ben groans as he goes inside. Twilight was looking through a book, looking up and asking, "Let me guess, it was madness out there?"

"Tell me about it. I know mom wants to keep you safe but this is getting out of hoof here." Ben said as he checks through the mail carefully, "Just some royal stuff and bills. I will deal with the latter."

"I will send a letter to the princess about this. It is hard living in Ponyville with the Royal Guards keeping an eye out 24/7. Can't she see that I can take care of myself? I may be a princess, but I am also a heroine of Equestria and an alicorn too."

"Grandma was only worried, mommy." Nyx said as she and Phobos came out of the kitchen with breakfast. "Hey, can I go over and play with the CMC?"

"What, and risk not having a Royal Escort?" Phobos chuckles a bit while swallowing his apple whole before spitting the core into a trash can. "Gotta thank AJ for that later."

"Not funny...on the first part."

As Ben gets some dog food to feed the waiting Koga, Twilight calls out to Owlowiscious, "Owlowiscious? Can you get Spike for me?"

"Hoo," Owlowiscious said in his usual way of talking.

"Spike, that's...oh, now don't do that again!"

The owl flew off to wake up Spike from his sleep (again). A knock came at the door as Nyx opens it; One of the Royal Guards peeks in, saying, "Princess Twilight; A Miss Apple Bloom here to see you. She said it's urgent."

"Urgent; Let her in!" Twilight insists quickly. After all Apple Bloom is always welcomed at the library, urgent or otherwise! A familiar filly with a pink bow gallops in, looking worried, "Apple Bloom? What's wrong?"

"Miss Twilight! Wait, should Ah call yew princess now?" Apple Bloom asks Twilight, a bit puzzled as to what to call her friend now.

"Miss Twilight is fine. What's wrong?"

"It's a disaster! Git 'ta Sweet Apple Acres! It's a done emergency!"

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Once Spike got up at last, Twilight decides to delay sending a message about the Royal Guards to the princess as the two friends head to Sweet Apple Acres with Apple Bloom. Upon arrival, Twilight and Spike looks stunned upon seeing a horrifying sight.

The apple trees looks like they are dying! The farmlands used to plant crops are cracked or unplantable! Even the barn itself is in bad shape and the whole was put up during the last reunion! What has happened here?

"Applejack," Twilight calls out to Applejack as she and Spike gallops over to the worried Applejack and Big Macintosh who are gathering what has survived. "What happened?"

"Don't know. All we Apples did 'de usual growing an' cropping 'de field." Applejack explains as she puts some apples into the back of a wagon. "An' in couple o' a few days, not one seed grow."

"It's like something suck 'de life out o' 'e ground." Apple Bloom explains in worry and fright to the concerned princess.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh said in concern. Sweet Apple Acres has always been grown for growing food, so what has happened that caused it to stop?

"If we don't do something, there won't be any growing and harvesting foods for everypony." Granny Smith groans a bit in despair.

"Alright, I'm gonna try something." Twilight said in determination. She isn't about to let her friends lose their farm and reputation just because of this incident.

Spike gulped as he asks, "Are you sure? You're sure gonna do it? I know you mean well, but what if it won't work?"

"Do what?" Applejack ask, wondering what Twilight is about to do.

"Age Spell," Twilight explains. The Apple Family was shocked. They recalled what happened the last time that their friend tried this spell...and it wasn't pretty.

"Have yew lost yer sanity? Yew tried 'dat before, but nothing happens, remember?"

"Well, now I'm an Alicorn, I should be able to do it. Hopefully, I can restore their growth sooner or later."

Twilight gathered her power before she fired at the ground. But for some reason, nothing changes. Not one seed grew. This surprised the princess. She was hoping that something would happen this time!

Apple Bloom sighs in sadness, "So much fer 'de age spell."

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh said in concern.

"Now what," Granny ask Twilight in concern. Unless a solution is found, the family may as well packed up and leave!

Twilight thinks for a while as she smiled. She said, "I know one pony whose could help us."

---------------------------------

If there's only one pony, or creature, who would tell what has happened to Applejack's crops, it is the Everfree Forest's resident magic making zebra Zecora. Twilight has Apple Bloom fetch her from her home and she arrived with the filly soon after.

"Twilight, I came as fast as I could. So why have you summoned me from the Everfree Wood?" Zecora asked in concern and rhyme.

"It happened without warning, Zecora." Apple Bloom explains to Zecora in worry, "Like our trees just stop giving life."

"I see." Zecora said while checking on the ground. "Such disaster have I seen this before."

"So is there anyway 'ta make 'de field grow?" Applejack ask Zecora. Perhaps there may be hope yet!

"There is, my friend. Ingredients I know such exists. But what you seek is no joke. Danger and threat, there will be." Zecora said to her allies sternly.

"Where can we find these ingredients? If you give the location to us, I'm sure we'll get it done." Twilight said in determination. All the ponies have to do is find the ingredient and the fields will be back to normal in no time!

Zecora sighs as she explains, "As I had said, Princess Twilight, the ingredients do we seek and require, should we ever need it to restore the growth of the field, is far more dangerous than Everfree Forest. These items are far from Equestria, 'The End of Equestria'."

The Apple Family, Twilight and Spike were shocked and scared upon hearing that. Spike gulps as he asks, "The End of Equestria? You mean everything is coming to an end?"

"Does 'ds mean it's over fer all o' us?" Apple Bloom ask, fearing the worst.

Twilight shakes her head as she explains clearly, "No, Spike, Apple Bloom. What Zecora means about The End of Equestria is far away from the peaceful and beautiful home and city. That place is filled with dangers, ghosts, demons and monsters."

Zecora nods as she adds, "What danger lies there, hope, I cannot provide the advice or possible solution. But if you truly need these ingredients, then seek me from my home. The ingredients we require will be listed."

"Ghosts... demons... and monsters," Apple Bloom asked fearfully.

"Yes, but there's more than that, I'm afraid." Zecora said seriously. "Rumor has it that the End of Equestria has...cannibals."

"Cannibals?!?!" Apple Bloom cried in fright as she held Applejack's leg.

"Correct. Again, the choice is yours but should you agree to go on this task, I shall be at my home with the list you will be needed." Zecora said with a nod as she heads back home.

Twilight and the others stood there, thinking about what Zecora. The only thing to save the farm is in one of the most dangerous places in Equestria. This could take time to decide...

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"Yer're not going 'ta ''De End o' Equestria'! 'Dat place is full o' dangers and curses!" Applejack protests to Twilight in alarm. The alicorn decided to go to the End of Equestria to get the ingredients but her friend doesn't seem thrilled about hearing that idea at all.

"I have to. For you, Applejack, you family and for our home; so I'm not going to let you or your family starved to death." Twilight said with a frown. How could Applejack refuse her idea of going to the End of the Equestria? Don't they care for their home, "If I don't, then what are you going to do?!"

"We Apples are gonna move 'ta a new land, somewhere we can start our growing an' harvesting 'de field." Applejack answers Twilight's question. The Earth pony doesn't want her friend to risk her life on a foolish hunt so it's for the best to move elsewhere.

"Then that means you won't have time to visit us. You will be far away from us." Twilight protests to Applejack in concern. If the Apples move away, they won't have time to visit their friends anymore!

"Better than going 'ta 'dat place!" Applejack snaps sternly to her pal.

"If you do that, then what about everypony; what about our friendship; what about the Cutie Mark Crusaders; What about Cheerilee? And what about your Apple Family Reunion?" Twilight ask, trying to get Applejack to see sense. "Don't you see? You're destroying your own and your family's life. You're putting Equestria in danger! I'm going to that place if it's the last thing that I do! So don't you dare move your home to another place!"

"Twilight, thanks fer being honest an' devotional, but what yew are going 'ta do is 'de most stupidest an' dangerous thing 'dat Ah ever heard in mah life!" Applejack snaps with a frown. "So, forget about it!"

"I will not, Applejack. I'm not going to argue with you. When I'm said I'm going to do it, I really mean it! I'm an Alicorn. So, I should be fine. You're not going to stop me from what I'm doing." Twilight exclaims angrily to Applejack. She turned her look away from her while adding, "Now if you excuse me, I've got some packing to do."

Applejack groaned, "Yeah, 'dat's fer yew 'ta git yerself killed! Take mah advice, 'princess'; stop doing 'dis! Ah can't lose mah very best friend 'ta do it, all just fer 'de sake o' mah home!"

Twilight glared at Applejack while yelling back, "And I'm not going to lose mine either. I'm going to save you and your family. That's a Pinkie Promise; if nopony not going to help, then I'll do it by myself."

Twilight slammed the Apple Family house's door. Applejack groaned and yelled angrily,"'Dat pony is twice stubborn as 'de mule; Stupid Alicorn!"

Apple Bloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith looked at Applejack with concern. The little sister is the first to spoke up, "Maybe Twilight's right. 'Dis is our home. Ah don't want 'ta move away fro' our home an' friends. Otherwise, it would never be fun."

Big Macintosh nods in agreement, adding, "Applejack, I understand your concern and devotion to our family. But maybe you should trust Twilight in handling this, maybe she can do it. There is hope."

Granny Smith adds, "Applejack, I've told all of our family that our Apple Family Reunion will always be at Ponyville, and of course, it's our only home."

Applejack groans, "Ah can't! Thanks fer understanding, but Ah'm not going 'ta let Twilight do something stupid. Nopony has ever come back alive fro' 'De End o' Equestria. Twilight is like a sister 'ta me."

Apple Bloom said gently, "She is 'ta me too, AJ, like when she tried 'ta advise me about mah Cutie Mark an' help me too."

Big Macintosh remarks in agreement, "I kinda like your friend too. She's quite cute and beautiful. But now, I consider her as sister too for being polite." While it's true that he used to like Twilight in the past, nowadays she is like a sister to him as well.

"Applejack, if you really trust Twilight as part of our Apple Family, then let her do it. There's maybe hope. But for now, we need to focus on saving some good food for ours and Ponyville's survival." Granny Smith said to Applejack. The old mare is suggesting that the family let Twilight thinks what she knows is right to save the Apple Family from leaving.

Applejack sighs, "Ah guess so."

----------------

Twilight decides to try to ask some familiar friends of hers for help before she heads off on a dangerous quest. She found the rest of the Mane Six at Sugarcube Corner, hanging out as usual.

"Girls, listen, we got a problem." Twilight said to her friends in concern.

"Go ahead, tell us darling." Rarity said to Twilight with a nod.

"Right, we're here, willing to help!" Rainbow exclaims with a smirk.

"As long as it isn't anything too...dangerous," Fluttershy said meekly to Twilight.

"Unfortunately, Fluttershy, it is." Twilight said in a serious tone, "For Sweet Apple Acres, I have to go to a place nopony had ever went to before and lived to tell the tale, so I could get ingredients that are needed to keep the Apple Farms growing."

"What?" Pinkie asks in surprise, worried like the others.

Twilight explained to Mane Six of what she's going to do. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie became worried and scared.

"So, you're all in?" Twilight ask, hoping that her friends would come with her on this quest.

"Yeah, about that," Rainbow said calmly at first. Then she yells like a mad pony, "Are you crazy?!"

"Twilight, nopony has ever return from 'The End of Equestria'. If we go there, we will get ourselves killed or trapped in a land of dirt! I cannot stand it!" Rarity exclaims in fright. Twilight couldn't believe what she's hearing. Apparently, her friends don't want to go either!

"Then, what about Applejack; we can't let her and her family starve to death." Twilight points out to her friends, reminding her of what would happen unless this is done.

"Maybe they can move to a new home where they can start their growing and harvesting. I think that's a good idea." Fluttershy said meekly and gently.

"Yeah, Twilight; It's not like it's the end of the world." Pinkie said happily. Twilight couldn't believe it. It's just like what happened at the Canterlot Wedding when her friends aren't worried about her concerns about her brother Shining and the fake Cadance all over again!

"It is! Don't you realize it?! Without the Apple Family, we can't sustain our supplies and support Ponyville. It was founded by them! Built by them! They are the ones who made us what we are today! So you're gonna just let Applejack to move her family to a new place like that?" Twilight ask her friends in disbelief.

"Twilight, I understand that you want to help Applejack. But believe me, that's the only way, instead of going to that horrible place." Rarity said to Twilight, trying to speak reason to the mare.

"She's right, Twilight. And I think what Applejack did is the right thing." Rainbow said, believing that Applejack not wanting to do is for the best.

"Even if she lives far away, Applejack and her family or we can visit." Fluttershy said in agreement.

"Besides, Ponyville can survive without them, because we have cupcakes, cakes, sweets, ice cream and everything from Sugarcube Corner." Pinkie said, missing the point. Twilight groaned angrily. She then left angrily. "Was it something I said?"

Rarity, Rainbow and Fluttershy shrugged in reply. The yellow Pegasus pony asked in worry, "You think we did the right thing? I mean, when we dismissed Twilight's worry because of her over possessive of her brother before, it turned out to be a big mistake."

"Awww, I'm sure that Twilight will calm down. Besides that was involving something like a Changeling Invasion. We're talking about the idea of going to a Tartarus Zone here!" Rainbow points out to Fluttershy with a shrug.

"Right, and I am sure that Twilight will see sense and change her mind...I hope." Rarity said in concern.

------------

Twilight was disappointed. No one is wanting to come with her to the End of Equestria, even her friends are too scared. What happened to friendship anyway? Still, the mare will have to go to the End of Equestria if she wants to save Applejack's home.

Upon arriving at the Golden Oaks Library, Twilight explained to Ben as she packed her stuff for the journey.

"With all due respect, Twilight," Ben said calmly at first then he shouted angrily. "But have you lost your mind?! You're going to kill yourself by going to that place!" Twilight ignored the talking and argument. Ben, annoyed, continues, "Twilight Sparkle! Are you even listening? I understand that you want to help Applejack. But if you go to that place, you're going to get yourself killed. Didn't you hear of the legends? Nopony survive and return from 'The End of Equestria'! Think about it!"

"Maybe moving Applejack and her family to new place isn't that bad." Nyx said thoughtfully, trying to reason with Twilight. "We can visit them, instead of them visiting us only. That's good idea. No offense."

"Twilight, they're right; It may be difficult and complicated to us and them. But that's the only way." Spike said in concern. He doesn't want Twilight to get killed going on a quest that she may not come back from, even if the pony is an Alicorn.

As soon as she packed everything, Twilight turned and glared at her family. Angrily, the alicorn snaps, "How could you all think that way?!" She turn her face to Ben while asking, "Ben, what happen to being a hero and willing to help me through the problem and overcoming the obstacles? Aren't you my Prince Charming? I'm really ashamed of you, Ben!"

Twilight then turn to the worried Nyx as she continues, "Nyx, I'm very disappointed at you! If you really care for Apple Bloom as your friend, then how could you say that?! Imagine of how Apple Bloom feel so lonely and being bullied when her friends are not there to help. She'll be defenseless and will be bullied like how she and Babs faced. Is that what you want?"

Spike yelps as Twilight scolds him next, "Spike! I'm very disappointed at you too. What happen to your Dragon Code? You said that you will do anything to help and complete your devotion to the one who save you! Applejack save you once before, and you decided to turn her help down!"

Ben, Nyx and Spike remain silent and looked very ashamed of what they had said and are doing while looking worried at Twilight.

"I'm very ashamed of you three! Even if Applejack and her family do move to a new place, there is no telling whether it is safe or good for them to start their new home." Twilight said sternly to the ones backing down. "They might not have much food left to survive. Our Ponyville is founded by Applejack's grandmother! The food comes from the Apple Family. Without them, Ponyville is done and finished! Did anypony think about that?"

Twilight's family remains silent, feeling ashamed and guilty about what Twilight had said. She's right and they know it too.

"That's what I thought. Now if you excuse me, I need to see Zecora. So, I had to be prepared for what I'm doing." Twilight said sternly.

Twilight heads off, leaving her family ashamed and guilt-ridden. What had they done now?

--------------

The next morning, Twilight left. Ben sighs of shame. His love needed him and how does he repay her? By not being there when she needed him! What can he do? Just then Ben heard the door being knocked on then went and checks to see who's here.

After opening the door, Ben is surprised to receive a visit from his old friend, Flash Sentry. He ask, "Flash?! What are you doing here?"

"I'm taking the day off. What kind of day off I'm going to spend is to see my great friend and his fillyfriend and family. Speaking of which, where's your somepony special? I would love to see you both together." Flash said to the stallion with a grin. He noticed Ben's worried face. "What's with the face?"

Ben gulped as he knows that he himself can't tell a lie. He explained about the argument with Twilight.

"You did what?!" Flash ask Ben as if furious by the explanation which the Pegasus pony is.

"I know. Twilight's crazy for going to 'The End of Equestria'! I tried to stop her from doing something that stupid, but her mind is made up." Ben said to Flash in frustration and concern.

"Not that! You! Aren't you shamed of what you just did? Leaving Twilight to go to that place?"

"What?! Flash, are you crazy? That place is dangerous!"

"And your fillyfriend is okay with it? She is doing this to save Applejack and her family while you do nothing?" Flash ask Ben disappointed and upset. He can't believe that his best friend wouldn't even help Twilight. "I'm really ashamed of you, and so does Shining Armor."

Flash turned his back away from Ben, then think for a while. He smirked of how to get Ben to follow Twilight, by using an old strategy tactic of his. Yes, it can work.

"Maybe it was a mistake for me." Flash said, getting Ben's attention.

"Mistake; what do you mean?" Ben asks Flash in concern and worry.

"I should never have trained you to be a hero. It was stupid for me to do it. I thought I saw something special in you. But I was wrong. You might as well be dead as a Demon Pony, you coward and weakling!"

Ben angrily demands, "What?" How dare Flash insult him like that!

Spike overheard the yelling from the next room and came in with Nyx. The baby Dragon ask in worry, "Hey, what are you doing, Flash?!"

Flash smirked a hidden smile as he continues, "I mean that's a very good idea. Boris might be the one who is fit for Twilight's coltfriend. At least he's not a coward, like you." The prince is close to falling for the bait.

"What! How dare you!" Ben demands angrily to Flash. His so-called friend dare compares him to that monster Boris?! Ben risked his life for Twilight and now Flash dare say that?!

"Uncle Flash, I don't think that's the good idea to say that to daddy." Nyx said to Flash in worry.

"Not now, Nyx. Let me finish." Flash said with a chuckle. Time to lure Ben in. "If Boris is too chicken to go to 'The End of Equestria', then I will be the one to help her. That's the right and heroic thing to do. If I couldn't make it out, at least, I did this for Twilight, unlike somepony who's too scared and chicken to fight and help his fillyfriend."

Ben yelled angrily as he pounced on Flash from behind. Ben glared at the guard while he was calm and silent.

"Now you listen! I didn't survive all the hardship of being a Demon Pony, fighting my crazy obsessed rival, saving your Human form from being hypnotized and fight somepony evil and powerful for nothing!" Ben screams right in Flash's face, not noticing his calm look at first. "If you think you're better than me, then you're making a big mistake, pal! I'm not a coward! I'll go and help Twilight. I'll prove that I'm not afraid of anything and even going to 'The End of Equestria'! But let me tell you something, if you say something that bad to me or Twilight one more time, I will break your bones to pieces! Don't say that I won't! Coz I will, even though you're my best friend. I will protect Twilight no matter what!"

Flash smirked as he adds, "Good! That's what I want to hear from you."

Ben blinked and was in shock before realized something, so as Nyx and Spike. Of course, Flash was only pretending to say those things to encourage Ben!

"Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You said bad things to Ben, so that he can go to Twilight without worrying about the danger?" Spike asks Flash skeptically.

Flash smirked before admitting, "That's right."

Nyx sighs in relief, "You scared me when you were insulting daddy, especially acting like you want to steal my mommy, Uncle Flash."

"Sorry, Nyx. I had to say something to your father; otherwise, he will be stuck as a chicken. So, what's your decision, Ben? Still too scared to go to the end of the world?"

"Think again, lieutenant. I'm going to help Twilight." Ben said to Flash in determination. He gotta admit, his best friend pulls off a good trick there and it worked.

"So am I!" Nyx chirps eagerly.

"Me too," Spike exclaims in determination. He wants to help his big sister/mother figure go to the End of Equestria. Twilight's right, he has his Dragon code, time to honor it!

However Ben shakes his head as he said, "No, you two stay here with Flash. He will be in-charge of you."

Nyx and Spike ask in shock and disappointment, "Why?!"

"'The End of Equestria' is too dangerous. You'll get killed when we get there. So stay out of trouble. Do I make myself clear?" Ben asks sternly to the two. Both Nyx and Spike nods in upset mood. They really wanted to go. Ben turned to Flash as he said, "Watch them."

Flash salutes Ben while saying, "Yes sir."

After Ben left, Nyx and Spike looked very upset and unhappy. Flash whistled while looking at the library books. The Pegasus stallion decides to read some book while staying here for now.

"Wow, Twilight and Ben sure love books. You know, when your dad and I were foals, I trained Ben to become a good soldier." Flash said with a chuckle. He joked, "Well, he's not exactly good enough, but I let him read some books. Let me be honest with you, I don't really like them. But since he show me one, I start reading one especially one book I like the most: Space Pony Wars. Boy, he and Twilight are such eggheads. Those were the good days." The stallion chuckled at the past.

Nyx and Spike sigh unhappily, "Yeah."

Flash noticed the looks on Nyx and Spike's faces. He thinks, 'They really want to help Twilight and Ben. I think it's time to let them off.' The stallion spoke up, pretending to be going somewhere, "Listen, I'm going to Sugercube Corner to get you some delicious cupcakes, just for you two. I'm sure you're gonna love them. So, stay here and be good children. I'll be back."

"Okay, Uncle Flash." Nyx said gloomy. As Flash left, the filly groaned, "I can't stand it! I'm not going to sit here and do nothing. I had to do something!"

Spike asks Nyx in worry, "What can we do? There's nothing we can do."

"There is. What mommy had said, I feel so guilty and selfish for not thinking about Apple Bloom. I mean, I'm her best friend! I thought moving to a place for her and her family is the right thing, but it's not. She'll be very lonely. We're going to follow mommy and daddy!"

"Are you crazy?! You'll get yourself killed! Not to mention, you will be in big trouble."

"I don't care. If that place is dangerous, then they need all the help they can get. Sure Aunt Applejack or any the Mane Six can't and dare not go, but I'm going to do it for mine, Apple Bloom and her family. Now, excuse me!" Nyx snaps sternly as she pushes Spike aside, preparing to go out and no pony is going to stop her!

Spike sighed before he became confident and serious, "Not without me. Flash won't be happy to hear of this."

"I know. But I can't let mommy and daddy go without us, Spike. At least, Uncle Flash -"

"Won't notice that you'll be leaving to help your mommy and daddy?" Flash ask as he suddenly appear without warning from behind them. Nyx and Spike were shocked. How did he get there? And how Flash do that?

"How did you know?" Nyx ask Flash, worried that the honorable uncle will be upset for her and Spike trying to sneak out.

"You mean you'd never left for Sugarcube Corner?" Spike asks Flash in bewilderment.

Flash nods as he explains, "It's pretty obvious; your dad and I often to get ourselves in trouble when we go to places that we aren't supposed to go to. Not to mention that we want to help my dad when he was fighting with some bad ponies." Flash chuckled before continuing, "That's pretty crazy and awesome, I tell ya."

"So you're gonna stop us?"

"Nope. I'm going to let you do the right thing." Flash said. Nyx and Spike were shocked to hear that. "If you think you can get back home safely with your mom and dad, and believe me, I know you'll be back. So tell your dad that you fooled Uncle Flash when he goes get cupcakes, without letting him notice."

Flash winked at Nyx and Spike. Nyx smiled as she jumped and hugged Flash.

"Thanks, Uncle Flash. You're a great friend to daddy." Nyx squeals happily to Flash.

Flash chuckled and joked, "Just get outta here before I found out that you've just run off." Nyx and Spike nodded and left while Flash watched them go. He now spoke in thoughts, 'Ben, Nyx and Spike, be strong and stay courageous. No matter what happen, don't die and come back safely to our home and to us. I know you will.'

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Twilight was about to head to 'The End of Equestria' after gathering the list from Zecora when a familiar voice stops her, "TWILIGHT!"

Twilight turned and saw Ben coming here with his bag. Surprised, the alicorn ask, "Ben? What are you doing here?"

"Helping and protecting you. That's what I'm gonna do."

"But I thought -"

Ben interrupts Twilight, "I'm sorry for being selfish and insensitive for not thinking of others. And of course, for letting you go without me. I'm really sorry. I’m ashamed of myself."

Twilight smiled as she said, "I'm glad you did decide to come. Thank you, Ben." Both hugged. "I hope you didn't bring Nyx or Spike here."

Ben smiled as he assures her, "No worries. I left them to Flash. There is no way that they could disobey him."

Suddenly, they heard the sticks twigged. Ben and Twilight turd and saw two familiar figures peeking from some bushes; the parents know who they are from the eyes.

"Correction: Nyx and Spike did disobey Flash. Alright, you two, come out." Ben sighs in annoyance. Nyx and Spike come out. "What were you thinking? I told you to stay home!"

Nyx blushed in shame as she apologize, "I'm sorry, daddy. But I couldn't stand it. I couldn't let Apple Bloom go. It's very selfish of me to think that way. So I want to help mommy to get the ingredients."

"Me too; After all, I owe my life to Applejack. And I'm helping too. You're not stopping me." Spike said sternly and stubbornly.

Twilight roll her eyes as she remarks, "I had the feeling you might say that. But okay, you can come. But please, stick together, who knows what kind of place that 'The End of Equestria' looks like? We have to get out of that place alive."

Ben, Nyx and Spike all calls out, "Right!"

Just then some more bushes are rustling, much to the group's notice. Spike frowns as he calls out, "All right, who's there now?"

"Hoo," A familiar voice calls out from the bushes.

"The one who's spying on us, duh!"

"Don't start that again, Spike. Owlowiscious, come out of there. Koga, Phobos, you two too," Twilight sighs a bit. Phobos and the pets Owlowiscious came out of hiding.

"Awww, how did you two know that it's us?" Phobos ask Twilight with a pouty look.

"Simple because you would follow Nyx anywhere...and I can smell Koga."

Koga whines a bit as he nuzzlse Ben. The stallion picks him up while asking, "What are you three doing here? Let me guess; you saw Spike and Nyx leaving and want to come along too, right?"

"Uhh...I didn't know that there's going to be a test!" Phobos groans a bit as he slaps himself on the forehead. Owlowiscious roll his eyes a bit.

"Well, I guess we can bring them along." Twilight remarks with a shrug, "Looks like this trip has become a family affair."

"What, we're going to bring Grandma, Luna, Uncle Shiny, Aunt Cadance and Grandpa and Grandma Sparkle into this?" Nyx jokes to her mother a bit.

"No, that won't be necessary, Nyx. Come on, we gotta go."

"Hey Twilight Crew! Hold up!" Spoke out a voice that Twilight & her little group knew to recognize it was...Tough Apple.

Course when they turn around, the group saw Tough Apple in a strange carriage cart that was armored up around the sides & 4 defensive wheels for protection. Course what was pulling the armor cart was actually a bull, or more likely, a mechanical one. This was a bull-like machine with black legs & body and neck line, gray gears inside its joints, orange plating on its hooves, knees, back legs, upper neck & on its helmet, had sharp silver horns, glowing light-blue eyes, and an energy core seen from its waist side from both sides. The way it's top body behind to the neck looked like one could ride it, there was even handle rods sticking out for one to ride it, and also on the top of its orange neck above was a red circle with the '15' white number logo. At the moment, some metal settings from the cart were attached to the mechanical bull as it pulled it's rider before stopping near the group...as they stared in surprise.

"Tough...what...what are you doing here?" Twilight spoke off surprise to see who should appear now.

"And what is that thing you're riding?" Spike asked from pointing at the weird machine that looked like a bull.

"'Dis here's de MechBull JU-16! Course Ah like 'ta call him Justin, or just Jus fer short." Tough Apple hopped off the mechanical beast to introduce him to the gang, even with a name too. "He was something a member fro' our family in Canterlot send over. Fella by 'de name o' Hoboken Joe stated 'dat 'dis here machine was made by Spell Nexus & them other mechanics fro' some leftover machine plans fro' Flim & Flam. Hobo Joe said it could be helpful in plowing our farm fields, but also issued 'ta have me bring it 'ta you all fer emergency issues." The tough Apple member explained how he's managed to come across this machine from an old friend of Twilight & Ben's past.

"Why's that?" Ben raised an eyebrow in what his old hobo friend back at the castle was doing in trying to do something like this.

"Cause of wha's happening 'ta our fields ain't growing food, & Ah heard yew all going 'ta 'de End of Equestria 'ta help fix things. So Ah thought o' giving ye'll transportation!" Tough Apple went ahead to explain the matter of learning what happened to his home and brought this MechBull along for aided needs for Twilight's travels.

"Mwoooooo," The MechBull let off a cry in trying to get some attention here.

"Okay, okay, Hobo Joe stated 'de idea." Tough Apple responded off in correcting himself in what the bull here wanted him to actually say.

"Cool! I always wanted to ride on a bull! But how'd Hobo Joe know?" Phobos responded in liking this little picture, but was puzzled about how Hobo Joe knew of their situation.

"Ye kiddin', word travels fast wit' pony gossip, so Ah reckon he pulled some strings 'ta send me 'dis here beauty wit' a carriage puller & wanna let yew folks save up yer strength fer 'de worst." Tough Apple responded off the question to make a stated claim that where the gang are going, they'll need to conserve much of their strength for the serious troubles ahead.

"Can we mommy? This'll really help us out!" Nyx hopped up all excited to have her mother agree to letting them travel by a cart pulled by a mechanical bull. Even Koga whines a bit, wanting a chance to ride as well.

"Well...I'm not sure, is he safe?" Twilight spoke in feeling uncertain at the moment of going with a machine.

"Shoot, fro' what Ah managed 'ta read dis here instruction, a MechBull can travel a good fast paste revealing three ta four carriage driver ponies fro' a number size of four 'ta six Earth Ponies or two 'ta four fast Pegasus Ponies Wing-Power speed." Tough Apple held out a piece of paper for Twilight to read and saw everything about what Justin the MechBull can do. "Plus fro' it's tough endurance could bash through rocks, stomp through rugged bumps on 'de road, an' even given command 'ta charge down somethin' bein' either an object or an opponent with it's sharp indestructible horns." The tough stallion issued off Justin's best qualities to getting the job done.

"Mwuuuaaghh," The MechBull made another roaring noise to get some attention here.

"Fine, fine, he's also a little more alive, like dat Rabbitchu thing, so he'll be almost more like a real bull." Tough Apple rolled his eyes in seeing that the bull here wants him to issue another fact about its designs. "But Ah tells ya, he's about as Bullheaded 'ta wanting some notification in what he wants & what not, don't know where he gets it fro'." The guy shrug off his shoulders in not understanding such weird trait marks.

"I think we can probably guess." Ben motioned this to the others which made Nyx & Twilight chuckle under their breath, the bull was acting almost as stubborn as Tough Apple would be.

"Well, that sounds like a helpful ride for us, so what do you say Twilight?" Spike responded in liking this plan, but wants to see how the princess here will coup with using this travel course.

"Well if we wanna get to where we're going, it may be faster to have me save up magic & not teleport us randomly until we find preciously what ingredients that we're looking for. So, we'll accept this gift Tough Apple." Twilight thought over about what they are going to be doing and decides that they'll give this plan a shot to help them out.

"Mwooo,” The MechBull lets off a loud calling noise, almost sounding happy but also wanted something else, much to anyone's guess.

"And you too Justin, hehe." Nyx patted the bull's nose which it blew some steam that tickled the filly, she figure that the thing wanted some recognition since he was gonna be their transport.

"Hot dog, thanks a bunch! So when are we goin'?" Tough Apple cheered for joy that the gang liked this and asked something shocking.

"We," Ben repeated; could Tough Apple actually wanna come with them?

"Course Ah'm coming, yew'll need a guard 'ta watch them flanks. Ah got me a pee-shooter, Ah've wrestled worst critters, even took on a Sand Worm when I was first gittin' use 'ta this place. Not 'ta mention, when we stop fer 'de night, Ah can bring me Old Joe & play us some country songs 'ta pass on near a campfire." Tough Apple issued off some facts about him coming along to act as an extra helper to the gang here, cause he's fought monsters before and will be equip to handle their own travel needs, mostly his own that is.

"You do realize, where we're going is no campout, a lot of other ponies are too much afraid to go near the End of Equestria." Twilight issued off if Tough was okay, she asked a few of her other friends and they are too fearful of going to such a place that's as dangerous as going into Tartarus.

"Cause they fear ain't nobody coming back, so dat's why Ah decided 'ta step up to 'de plate, Ah may not be 'de smartest, but Ah ain't stupid 'ta watch a pal o' 'de family go off on a risk filled adventure while Ah'm plenty tough 'ta help out." Tough Apple issued off in why some folks rather not go where anyone would lose their life is a fools choice, but he ain't gonna leave those going off alone.

"Do the others from your family know?" Phobos asked in feeling the guy might not have mentioned this to his own Apple Family.

"Eh, they might be trying 'ta talk 'ta Applejack about what happen wit' yer earlier chat. But never mind, get yerselves ready, put what ye need on 'de cart & we'll move out." Tough Apple avoided the question with a different answer before issuing that the group gets ready to move out.

Seeing no way to argue, Tough Apple helps bring Justin the MechBull towards Twilight's little group to start putting their stuff onto the cart. Many has chosen to pack a bit lightly with food supplies, map guides & a Book Twilight got from the library about creatures to be on the lookout for if ever to run into any in the place called: The End of Equestria. The book even tells about creatures that are even said to exist within Tartarus, that just makes the trip a whole lot more stressful, but...better to be prepared than be surprised, right? It's been almost an hour of packing & preparing, now Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike, & Phobos were getting up in their carriage cart while Jus the MechBull was shaking it's head like a horse, awaiting it's command.

Twilight gave the map to the location of the End of Equestria to Owlowiscious. She said with a smile, "This map should lead us to the End of Equestria. Lead the way, Owlowiscious!"

"Hoo!" Owowisicious said as he salutes his owner before taking flight. Everyone, even Koga, got into the MechBull and then drove off following the owl to what may be a very difficult terrifying quest yet.

During the moment Twilight's little band was heading out, from a cliff, the Equestrian Eliminator was watching from behind some trees by their shadows. He brings up a strange com-link device to begin speaking into it.

"Unit Number 13 reporting, the Apples' Farm Crops are ruined. Twilight Sparkle is going for some ingredients to fix it in the End of Equestria territory." The Equestrian Eliminator spoke in giving a report of the situation affecting Ponyville & of what the new princess is doing.

"Impossible! No pony would risk wanting to go into that area to face such dangerous obstacles. It's like going into Tartarus, only it's like its own backyard." A voice responded in disarray to the news, to think that Twilight would go to such a place was unthinkable.

"She is, & she's gathered up a party to help. The new princess is making a bold move." The Equestrian Eliminator reported that Twilight has done the unthinkable and has gathered friends to help her complete a mission to save Sweet Apple Acres.

"Then keep an eye on them!" The voice on the other line directly orders the unit to watch Twilight's group. "Don't let them out of your sight and report every detail of their actions. Our side & our clients went to a lot of work to ruin that field in cutting down their food supplies." The voice from the other end instructed the guy listening while explaining a fact, that the ones responsible to ruining the Apple's harvest field were involved.

"And had the Apples move to another field?" Equestrian Eliminator asked off a rhetorical sense of what happen had the Apple farmers just move to start over, what then?

"That's the point; it's to separate the Element Bearers to make them grow weak." The voice issued the fact about trying to make sure Applejack would be further from her Element of Harmony wielder friends so they would be at a weak point. "Remember, watch their movement. By Grimmore's Law, we must report everything they'll do & learn if they'll either come out victorious or fail." The voice instructed Unit Number 13 of what must be done by their Overlord King's law that they follow.

"Understood," Equestrian Eliminator responded with a nod in hearing that.

Right as the guy hung up the com-link directing him to those he keeps in contact, he looks out to the group on a quest. Seeing Twilight with Nyx & Spike, a sudden image of another unicorn colt is seen with Twilight, but younger. Why was that? But the image faded with this guy becoming focus on his assigned task.

"You're in over your head, Twilight Sparkle. Surviving the End of Equestria is no different than surviving Tartarus; I should know...I survive it." Equestrian Eliminator spoke under his breath about Twilight being out of her mind & league, for danger such as where she's heading, no one...with the exception of himself, has made it out alive. "But this may serve a test, to see if you can handle something like Tartarus or not. The choice is yours....and I'll be watching...every step of the way." As he silently issued this, he begins to fade within the shadows from his own magic.

Something strange will happen and Twilight's gang are about to walk right into it.

Chapter 2: Journey to the End

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Chapter 2: Journey to the End

While Twilight, her family, the pets and Tough Apple are on their way to the End of Equestria, Flash was at the library, reading one of the Space Pony Wars books. He smirked while laughing, "Aw man! That is so cool! Man, I love these books! Got action and drama."

Then a knock sounded on the door. Flash then approached and opened it, the visitors are revealed to be Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, Night Light and Twilight Velvet. The Pegasus looks worried, fearing the worst.

Flash gulped as he bows, "Your highnesses! Captain Shining Armor! Mr. Night Light and Mrs. Twilight Velvet! What are you doing here?"

Shining grabbed Flash's shoulders and lean to his eyes with a worried look. The big brother of the newest princess demands, "Please tell me it's not true! It's not true!"

Flash gulped, "About what?"

Night Light in worry adds, "Our daughter! That's what, lieutenant!"

Twilight Velvet sobbed, "We heard from Canterlot that she decided to go to 'The End of Equestria'! It's not true! Please, she's our beloved angel!"

Flash nodded his head sadly. Cadance looks down as she said, "We're too late."

"This does not bode well. Not only Sweet Apple Acres lose its growth ability for Apples to grow and harvest their foods, now Twilight left to the land of dreadful for the ingredients." Luna sighs grimly, fearing the worst. The Apples' harvest is gone and now the new princess is risking her life to save her friend's farm.

Celestia sighed, "Ever since she lived in Ponyville, her bonding to this place and her close best friends had made her to do right and hard decisions to save it at any cost, even at her life. I can't blame her. I would have done the same thing for Equestria. I only hope that Ben, Nyx, Spike and anyone in her home did not go with her."

"Speaking of that, where's Ben, Nyx, Spike or anypony?" Cadance ask Flash, noticing that the ones she mentioned are nowhere in sight. Flash smiled and chuckled uneasily. That is enough to make the others to realize the worst.

Celestia realize something and ask, "They did go after Twilight including my son, did they? Please tell me that it's not true, lieutenant."

Flash sighed as he nodded his head, "Sorry." Hoo boy, the Pegasus guard is in for it now.

Celestia was in shock to hear this, and so as Luna, Cadance, and Twilight's family. Twilight Velvet gasped in fear and fainted as she fall on her behind. Night Light grabbed her with his hooves to keep the whole falling thing from getting worst.

Luna in her thoughts said in worry, 'Lorcan will be worried and heartbroken should he learn about what Spike's doing.'

"Just terrific," Shining groans a bit. He was too late to stop anyone from leaving. The new prince of the Crystal Empire glared at Flash Sentry while he was both shocked and worried. "Lieutenant Flash Sentry, you've got some explanation to do. Not to mention, what the heck are you doing here?!"

Flash gulped, "Okay I'll explain." He chuckled uneasily and sighs. "Here we go again."

--------------------

Golden Heart and Pinkamena were in a room chatting and Pinkamena's senses went off. The alicorn, noticing, ask his sister, "More foals missing?"

Pinkamena shakes her head as she explains, "No, it seems some evil deed by unknown forces has ruined the crops and it's sent Twilight and friends heading to the End Of Equestia and by Celestia's mane even Psycho Pie would not go there and that's a fact."

"I see, well I have faith that Twilight can do it but still about the crops, I think it's a plan to weaken the bearers of the Elements of Harmony."

"Well I think so too well but I worry for them. I really hope that they make it back alive, Twilight's group better not die on us."

"I am sure that they will make it alive." Golden Heart assures Pinkamena. "In fact this might even be a test for herself."

Pinkamena turns her head back a bit while asking, "Why's that?"

"I mean that if Twilight and her family can make it back alive, they will be ready for the worser things to come."

"Yeah, still remember the last time that I went there but told myself to never go back ever?"

"I know little sister, I know." Golden Heart said to his little sister with a nod. He can only hope that Twilight and her friends can make it back alive.

-------------------

Applejack and Apple Bloom decided to check on Twilight as they head on over to the library. The mare hopes that Twilight isn't too upset for refusing to go anywhere yesterday. After all, the Alicorn wouldn't risk going on a journey to the end of the Equestria alone, right?

"Ah hope Twilight's not upset about yesterday." Apple Bloom said to her sister, worried about how upset Twilight was yesterday.

Applejack nods, saying, "Me too. Ah can hope 'dat she's not doing something stupid." The two sisters arrive at the Golden Oaks Library, preparing to go in to see how Twilight is doing.

"Applejack; Wait up!" A familiar voice spoke up. Applejack and Apple Bloom turn to see the rest of the Mane Six, especially Rainbow the one who spoke, coming over.

"Rainbow Dash; Rarity; Fluttershy; Pinkie Pie; what are yew all doing here?"

"Checking on Twilight; that's what we are doing here." Rarity explains to Twilight.

Fluttershy nods as she continues, "Yes. Twilight's upset of us for not helping you. We didn't mean to dismiss her concern but we just give her a good idea about you living in another place than going to that dreadful place."

"Yeah. Man! Was she ever being more grumpier and crankier as Cranky Doodle Donkey?" Pinkie asks with a scoff.

Applejack sighs, "Ah had 'de bad feeling 'dat she might be upset when Ah told her about moving 'ta a new place. An' Ah dismissed her idea too. Ah know she wants 'ta help me but what she's doing is stupid."

"Then, we'd better check on her." Rainbow said in concern.

"We can only hope that Twilight has comes to her senses." Rarity said, hoping that Twilight would realize how crazy it is to come to the End of Equestria and getting herself killed or worst.

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie nodded their heads. Applejack adds, "Come, y'all. Let's check on her."

The Main Five entered Twilight's Golden Oak Library. They saw Flash who is explaining to Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, Night Light and Twilight Velvet about Twilight and her family. They gasped upon seeing them here. Something has gone wrong apparently.

Applejack was the first to spoke up, "Flash Sentry?"

"Princess Celestia?" Rainbow asks upon seeing Celestia here.

"Princess Luna?" Rarity spoke up, saying Luna's name next.

"Prince Shining Armor," Fluttershy ask in worry.

"Princess Cadance?" Pinkie asks, blinking her eyes in bewilderment.

"Mr. Night Light an' Mrs. Twilight Velvet," Apple Bloom asks as she glances at the worried parents of Twilight.

"What are y'all doing here?" Applejack asks in concern. She notice that Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos and the pets are nowhere in sight. The Earth pony doesn't like this at all.

"I explain everything to them about what Twilight and her family did." Flash said to the mare seriously.

"Did? What did they do?" Applejack asks in worry. The Mane Five and Apple Bloom then realize something, much to their horror. "No! She wouldn't!"

"You're not thinking what I fear I'm thinking?" Rarity asks Rainbow, fearing the worst.

Rainbow gulped, "I hope I don't!"

"Thinking? What are you thinking? I love guessing games. Boy that is so good!" Pinkie exclaims happily, bouncing up and down. Once again, the mare is random, not getting the idea at first! "Let me think she's worried about Nyx again? No, is she having a nightmare again? No, wait! I know! Twilight's going crazy again about her work!"

"Pinkie Pie! This is not a joke," Fluttershy exclaims to Pinkie in major worry.

"Right; Twilight and her whole family are going to ''de End o' Equestria' 'ta git 'de ingredients! That's what we're thinking!" Apple Bloom explains to Pinkie frantically.

"Oh...... WHAT!!!!!!!!" Pinkie exclaims in alarm. She was in shock and scream loudly across Equestria. "Is Twilight going crazy and cranky?! There's no way she can survive 'The End of Equestria'!"

"Twilight's gone crazy again! Yeah! I know it's hard for her and us to see Applejack to move to a new place." Rainbow said, shocked that Twilight would do just a crazy thing like that.

Fluttershy adds in fright, "But that was the only way."

Rarity nods as she ask in disbelief, "What was she thinking?!"

Flash sarcastically answers, "Yeah. What was she thinking?" He glared at the Mane Five then continues normally and in an upset tone of voice, "Or maybe a better question: what were you five thinking?!" The Mane Five was shocked by what Flash had said. "You heard me! What - were - you - five - thinking?! You're her best friends! You claimed that you will help her no matter what! But all you did now is do nothing! Aren't you ashamed of everything?!"

Rainbow glare at Flash when she zoom right in front of him, yelling right back, "What! Are you blaming us? Just because you're Ben's first and best friend, it doesn't mean that you can lecture on us like we're kids."

"Want a bet, Rainbow Crash?"

"Say that to my face, spiky cocky!"

"Yeah! Don't you dare compare us to Trixie! She's the one who run away from the fight and problem like the Ursa Minor incident!" Pinkie remarks, pouting by what Flash said and accuse the Mane Six of doing.

Flash scoffed, "Please! What happen to your 'face your fear' song? Let me think! You've lost the will to do that?"

"Hey! Stop making fun of us! We're braver and stronger than you think, Flash!" Fluttershy protests, worried and scared.

"Really, Fluttershy; What happen to your Stare and your strength when delivering the water to Cloudsdale for weather?"

"Yes, you're right about that one. We're too scared to go to that monstrous place! But you have no right to blame us." Rarity said to Flash upset.

Suddenly, Shining frowns as he spoke up and say something unexpected, "Actually, Flash has the right to blame you." The Mane Five were shocked as they turned and saw the angry faces of Twilight's and Ben's families. The mares did the right thing and suddenly, they themselves were being ganged up on?!

"Wait. What?! Why are you blaming us? We're telling her that moving Applejack and her Apple Family to a new home is for the best. It's safer for them."

"Yes. We're just advising Twilight that going to 'The End of Equestria' is dangerous." Fluttershy explains, not comfortable with the angry looks given to her and the other members of the Mane Five. "We told her not to go because all of us were scared."

"And she ignored your advice. How could you say that?! You are her best friends and the holders of Elements of Harmony!" Cadance points out to the Mane Five sternly and in disappointment. "You work and fight together to save Ponyville and Equestria no matter what! And now all of you did nothing because you're scared of that place?"

Shining nods as he agrees with his wife, "You should be ashamed of yourselves! I may have made a mistake for not believing Twilight about Chrysalis, so I'm not going to again! But you girls! You repeated the mistake twice!"

Night Light nods as he explains sternly, "First, you ignore our daughter's concern of delivering the letter to Princess Celestia. You knew that Twilight is working very hard to be her best to be a good student."

Twilight Velvet adds angrily, "Then, you ignore my daughter's concern about Shining Armor and the Changeling Queen's impersonating Princess Cadance."

"I entrusting my only sister to you to look after! And you just let her go?" Shining ask the girls, a bit upset and more disgusted.

"What kind of friends are you?!" Cadance yells at the Mane Five angrily.

The girls felt worst as Night Light add, "And we thought that we can trust you because of you're my daughter's friends. You five help her get through difficulties and learn about friendship since Ben's disappearance. And now, you abandon her? You five are such immature and irresponsible mares! How and what would your parents say?"

"I know that place is dangerous and scary, but if my sister wants to go there, I would go too." Shining said with a sigh, making the Mane Five want to go home and hide under their beds in shame. "I don't care how dangerous it is as long my sister is safe and Equestria is safe from harm. And the five of you did nothing!"

Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Pinkie looked down after hearing what Twilight's family had said. They felt both guilty and ashamed. The upset ones were right. Twilight needed their help and they refuse to go.

Twilight Velvet turning to Applejack and speak to her, "What would yours say, Applejack, if they're alive and see what you have done? They would be disappointed and ashamed at you for your foolishness and ignorance!"

"That place is dangerous but Twilight is doing it for you and your home, and all you did is ignored her, left her and did nothing?" Cadance ask Applejack in more disappointment.

Applejack remained silent of what Twilight Velvet had said. Celestia finally spoke up, hint of disappointment is heard in her tone of voice as well, "Applejack, Ponyville was founded by your grandmother and your forefathers. When I first met them, I feel pity for them to travel so far in searching for their new home and a better life. Thus, I guide them to the location of what you believe to be your home: Ponyville. Your family had founded, built and supported Ponyville through the use of your supplies. Unicorns, Pegasi and even Earth Ponies have come, stay and live in Ponyville. Without you or your family, Ponyville will not last much longer. They can't keep eating sweets; that could cause terrible stomachaches. They need fresh foods. They need your family. If you move your home to another place, not only Ponyville will be weakened and lost, but the powers of Elements of Harmony will be weakened. United you stand, the powerful you are to overcome difficulties. These are Twilight's reasons."

Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Pinkie and even Apple Bloom were shocked as they realized why Twilight is so persistent on going to 'The End of Equestria'. Luna adds, "Though we were disappointed in you for repeating the mistake and left Twilight and her family alone to retrieve the ingredients from 'The End of Equestria', Flash must also face the punishment for not informing us sooner as well as preventing them from going to the land of dread. This is your second time for making foolishness without realizing the consequences, Flash."

Flash spoke up to Luna in his defense, "With all due respect, Princess Luna, it may have been a mistake, but what I did is the right thing for my best friend and his family! I may have been scared about going to that place but I'm not all scared. I can go with Twilight, but she needs her Prince Charming. Ben is the one who should go and help Twilight. Whatever punishment you had, I can take it; stripped all my ranks from me, if you want. I believed in him."

Luna was about to argue but Celestia interrupted, "Perhaps, he is right again. Flash Sentry, I'm truly grateful for you to be both Ben's guardian and best friend. You are indeed a great hero. Not only Twilight and Hoboken Joe had managed to get Ben to stand up for himself and matured, but you had helped him too through military training. Still, you should have gone with them to help."

"I would but I rather not face his temper again. I tried to fool him to go for Twilight with some insults. And not to mention that I told Nyx to tell a little white lie that I have been fooled by her. To tell you the truth, even freed from being a Demon Pony, he sure have lots of strength to fight especially when he damaged my wings. Ouch."

Flash showed his wings which are in weak and cranky state. Everyone sighed of seeing Flash's wings being damaged. Ben sure freaked out even when he is no longer a Demon Pony, that's for sure!

Celestia nods as she spoke once more, "So we have left one choice: hoping for Twilight to return home safely. This would be the toughest challenge for Twilight and her family."

Everyone looked down in sadness and sigh of worry. Applejack approached to the window and looked at the daylight. She sighed in disappointment; But only at herself.

"'Dis is all mah fault; Ah'm her first best friend she met. An'd Ah let her go." Applejack said, disappointed of herself for what she said and done. "Ah'm really ashamed o' mahself. Ah even disappointed mah ma an' pa about responsibility 'ta our home. Ah'd didn't realize that Ponyville needs them more than we need them because we support an' supplies them wit' our foods. How could Ah be so stupid an' selfish?"

Apple Bloom spoke up, "It's not yer fault, AJ. Yew didn't know, nor did any o' us. But 'dis is Twilight 'dat we're talking about. She's willing to help an' rescue us fro' no matter what danger they face. She's a great friend an' sister, Applejack."

"She is, Apple Bloom. Ah'd only hope she an' her family git back home safely, sugarcube." Applejack sighs as she hugged Apple Bloom and nuzzles her.

"Me too."

------------------------

The news of Twilight heading to the End of Equestria spreads to even the enemies of Equestria. Grimmore informed the Superior after he was informed by his minions, talking to him and the Apocalypse Ponies in their meeting room.

Superior laughed evilly, "Imbeciles! She's truly a fool! Does she really think that she can actually overcome and retrieve the items that easily?"

"I know. Can you believe that? That mare could never survive the 'End of Equestria'. No ponies do." Grimmore remarks in amusement and agreement.

"Indeed. Not only will we able to tear Twilight's friendship apart, but the little princess is walking towards her doom." Merluck said in agreement. Twilight won't get out of the End of Equestria alive and if she did...it will be the last thing that the mare ever do!

"This is much easier than we thought."

"We must not underestimate her. Who know? She could make it back alive. After all, she is the one who overcome the Superior's nightmare spell and managed to give small scratch on you, milord." T. Moon points out to the Superior of what happened during Twilight's visit to the parallel world.

"What she said, father. Don't forget I've been humiliated by Twilight thrice for underestimating her friendship and determination." Trix explains to the Superior in worry.

"Be silent, Trixie Lulamoon! You will learn your place or suffer the same consequence as Sunset Shimmer." The Superior snaps angrily to Trix, making her sit in her chair in a bit of fear and worry. "You may have told me the truth of Sunset's capabilities, but it does not mean that you have earned both my trust and respect. You have a long way to go."

Trixie bowed while she shivered in fear, "Yes, father! Forgive me, Superior."

"Yet, you both are right again. Twilight Sparkle must not be underestimated. Somepony must keep an eye on and see how powerful and capable she is after the event."

Grimmore smiles as he puts in, "All is done. My number 13 is keeping an eye on them as we speak."

"Good. I need somepony to inform Fafnir. I need him to accelerate his preparation for both Brave Heart and Ben Mare. Who knows when Sparkle and her family return, and not mention to that arrogant Scottish Alicorn's arrival." The Superior remark, wanting to be prepared for when the time comes.

"It will be done, father." Merluck said while bowing to the Superior. "Besides, I would inform Boris about Twilight being sent off to 'The End of Equestria'. I enjoy seeing his disappointing mood lately."

Trix smiled as she giggles, "His disappointing face is so cute too when it comes to Twilight."

T. Moon couldn't help but smirks behind her hood, saying, "It looks like somepony is falling in love."

"What?!"

"My little sister is in love with Boris? Why am I not surprised? I knew she would like him." Merluck teases Trix, making her blush a bit and for various obvious reasons.

"I am not!" Trix protests to her brother in alarm.

"Enough!" The Superior snaps, interrupting the latest argument. Now is not the time for this foolishness! "Return to your position at once! I have no interest of your personal interests. In fact, right now, I have some discussion with Grimmore and Ms. Moon of importance." Everyone is glancing at the Superior about the important discussion. "Why are you still here? Get back to your positions at once!"

The rest of the Apocalypse Ponies did not hesitate or question the orders, they activate their portals, heading off to who knows where.

------------------

As Twilight's group was traveling through some canyon area on their mechanical bull ride powered cart, they came across some strange landmark area. After Twilight used her magic to look over a map of their route to take in where to come across an ingredient they need, it looks like they need to place...a strange rock formation.

"Hay, check it out on the map! A giant rock that looks like a bunny rabbit," Nyx pointed out in seeing the rocks look like a bunny rabbit, how cute.

"I'm sorry to say, but that's not it at all." Twilight issued out suddenly to say something off about that rock formation. "According to where we need to go, it's a place called...Skunk Rock." The princess explained to the group in where they need to pass.

"But it's shaped like a bunny." Spike raised his eyebrows in pondering such a confusing issue of identity issues.

"Yes, but what it says on the map, it smells like a skunk." Twilight nods lightly while pointing out why the bunny shape rock is called Skunk Rock for a reason.

"Sniff-Sniff; I knew that place smelled like something, I just couldn't place it!" Phobos pondered off a bit over such a thing from his noise picking up a strange scent, but then looking to his right however.... "Oh wait, never mind. There it is! Bunny Rabbit Rock," From the Moon Dragon's statement, the gang looked to the right to find a rock-shape of a bunny rabbit.

"Skunk Rock," Twilight rolled her eyes to remind the Moon Dragon of its actual name.

"Whatever." Phobos shrugs off his shoulders in not caring about the difference of appearance and name.

"Ugh, whatever is right....just being this close makes it feel like were near a skunk patch!" Ben Mare held his nose from where some green mist were floating in the air, must be skunks from Skunk Rock with a downwind breeze which unfortunately is blowing in their direction.

"Aw man, cough...how long of travel through this area," Spike coughed a bit to shut his nose, followed by the others as well.

"About a half hour, we'll be lucky to get by as long as we don't start to smell like skunks!" Twilight explained this out to her group of how long by the rate of their travel on their ride should get pass this area before reaching a spot where an ingredient should be found.

"Let’s hope that's reassuring!" Spike spoke from holding his nose to sound weird, anymore of this smell & they'll have to either have a lot of baths or remove the scent with a spell....

"If worst comes to it, Apple Bloom said that the best way to remove skunk scent is dipping in a bath of tomato juice." Nyx happily suggested what can also help get rid of skunk smell, and it's with a vegetable.

"Great, and when we come out, we'll look like were bleeding to death!" Phobos rolled his eyes to think after a bath in red tomatoes, they'll make a scare scene of looking like the group is losing blood.

"Come on guys, settle down. We'll figure out what happens later." Ben cuts in the chat with these guys for them to focus here.

Twilight comment, "In an odd way, I am ALMOST looking forward to this adventure. I mean, in the sense of being able to figure out just how powerful I really am now without causing any major property damage. I mean, the bad events sort of take a lot of the enjoyment out of it quite obviously, but that aforementioned detail IS a VERY slight plus side. Ben. I'm really thankful for you to be there for me. I don't even know if I can make it out alive."

Ben sighs in shame, "I do. If Flash hadn't made me stand up for myself, I will never forgive myself for being an irresponsible and stupid stallion."

"Ben, don't talk like that. I'm sure you're scared of this place, and so am I. But I can't let Applejack move her home away from Ponyville. That home needs them because of their supplies, supports and foundation which made us who we are, and not to mention about the Winter Wrap Up. Applejack may have scold me about magic but she's right about one thing, I can't keep relying on it when I'm in a dire situation. I did something amazing in the event since I came to Ponyville: organizing. Not everypony is brave as you are."

Ben smiles as he said, "Thanks. But it was Flash. He is the one who help me to get on my hooves. I'm very glad to have him as my best friend. Don't know what I do if it weren't for him."

Twilight smiles for her love, saying, "Sounds like you and him have been through a lot of fun and adventures in the palace."

Ben chuckled, "Well, not exactly just in the palace, Flash often takes me out to the park, the mall and even the military when Cadance is busy in foalsitting you. We both loved to do mischievous things like pranking on some ponies, playing mud in the rain, helping Flash's dad in capturing the bad guy but I admit that I planned carefully but Flash is the one who caught him, skateboarding and he even trained me to be a fitful soldier. That was crazy and awesome."

Twilight smiled, saying, "Sounds like he taught you well of being a soldier like today, though you had problems in standing up against Boris when we were foals. All you even did is running away."

Ben blushed, admitting, "Well, that's because I'm still shy, remember, Twiley. Of course, like Rainbow tried to get Fluttershy be confident, Flash is very strict and fierce when it comes to training me to push my limits. He'd be pretty mad at me for being lazy and shy. But he let me read my books. I sometimes tried to get him read some instead of his military studies; man, that Pegasus is stubborn and crazy, but he's a great and true friend."

Twilight smiled, saying, "Sounds like Flash has always been support and believe in you to the end. I wonder how he felt when you disappeared. I had the feeling that he is sharing same pain and sadness like Hoboken Joe, my family and mine did."

Flashback

Ben, as the Demon Pony, was done hearing the conversation from Hoboken Joe with Twilight and her siblings. But before the hero can leave Canterlot,, he heads to the place where he and Flash had fun: the skateboard park.

Ben narrates, "I heard a noise and some crying. I check to see who was making it. I found Flash crying on the skateboard ramps. I knew that he's taking the pain hard when he heard that I've been 'spirited away' by the Demon Pony."

The transformed one saw Flash's crying on the ramps. Ben looked down with regret and sad look as he sighs, "I'm....... really....... sorry, Flash."

Ben turned back and is about to leave. He then heard some talking.

"I then heard what he had said, just before I left."

"Ben! I know that you're alive! I don't believe that you're dead! I don't believe it! I know you're out there! One day; someday; when you come back to me, to your mother and to Twilight, I want to tell you something important. Something that I'd never had guts to admit to you since we became best friends!" The Pegasus colt cries out in pain. Ben was shocked to hear what Flash had said. The colt sobbed, "You admit that you're not strong, smart and brave as I am. But you're wrong! Because you're brave and smart when you need help from anypony to help you stand for what you believe in, not like I was! You're stronger than you think, Ben!"

Ben was more surprised of hear it from Flash who continue to sobbed, "Trust me. I know about you more than you know yourself! To be honest, Ben, you're not only my best friend, but a brother to me. I'm really grateful to have you, Ben!"

Ben was shocked as his eyes sobbed of what Flash had said. He mumble, "As you are to me....... Flash, my brother," He then sobbed. "Thank you."

Ben then turned and left, leaving Canterlot for who knows how long.

Back to Present:

Ben sighs as he finishes up, "Flash's like an older brother to me before Shining Armor. Because of him, I keep on training myself to be brave, confident and strong, even when I'm a Demon Pony. Someday I would reunite with you, Twiley. Flash's always right and never lied."

"Yeah," Twilight sighs. "You know, I first came to Ponyville when I'm not making good friends with anypony. Applejack is the first pony friend, I considered her as a sister. She knows how I feel about my family, responsibilities and capabilities. I also know how she feels when it's like mine. If only I was strong and brave enough to save Starlight."

"Twilight, I'm sorry."

Spike sighs as he spoke up, "Twilight, you can't blame yourself about the past."

Phobos grunts a bit, "Yeah, it was that stupid and evil Lorcan's fault for killing him in the first place. He doesn't even use his head to think. He could have asked Princess Celestia about Spike if he's alive, and you didn't mean to blow him up like killing the guy."

"Will you stop bringing my brother up?"

"Well first, he started that mess in the first place! Second, he corrupted my clan, and even me! Third, he tried to kill you! His flesh and blood! So why should I be merciful and sorry for that idiotic brother of yours?! I mean he kill innocents, even Starlight! Don't argue with me when I'm really right, Spike!"

"I – You," Spike tries to protest. But then he groaned in defeat.

Nyx, upset, snaps at her best friend, "Phobos! That's enough!"

Phobos defends himself as he insists, " I'm just telling the truth."

"Yeah, as in hurting Spike a lot! Shame on you, Phobos! I didn't adopt you because of pity and outcast. It's because I thought you would understand and think of others, and be yourself." Nyx scolds Phobos. Spike cried and sobbed. Nyx patted his shoulder. "Spike, I'm very sorry. Phobos really didn't mean to -"

Spike interrupts Nyx, saying, "No. Phobos's right. It really is my brother's fault. He started all the messes, and not to mention my father. I wish I was born on that day, instead of now. I could have met them, and I could've convince them to be good. So, there won't be sufferings."

Phobos sighs, regretting what he said, "Still, Nyx's right. I have no right to talk about your brother. It's just that....... It's so hard for me to get over of what he had done to me. I'm sorry." Phobos hugged Spike, making the Baby Dragon hugs him right back.

"I know. Even he's dead, but I still know I have family: Twilight, Nyx, Ben and Phobos. Twilight has always been there for me no matter what. She's really like a mother to me. I'm very happy of that, just before Nyx, Ben or Phobos came into my life."

Nyx smiled as she said gently, "Me too. Mommy has been in our side and care us like a real family for a long time, even though we're different."

"You said it, little sis." Spike remarks to Nyx with a slight chuckle.

Spike hugged Nyx. Tough sobbed and cried. Everyone looked at Tough Apple with surprised look as he said, "'Dat's 'de most saddest an' happiest moment Ah ever heard. Why shoot mah bucking apples, Ah wish Ah had mah mommy, daddy an' some brothers an' sisters." The tough stallion cried and sobbed, much to their surprise. They barely see him like this! "Well, Fluttershy is kinda like a sister 'ta me already but still it's sad fer me."

Phobos sighed, "Oh brother."

Finally, the traveling group managed to make it out of an area where the scent was....unappealing. And for the smell, that...may have to discuss for later discussions.

----------------------------

Meanwhile, back at the dying Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was preparing for bed, looking out the window, sighing in regret and guilt. The mare can't help but worry about her friend Twilight and her family at the End of Equestria, risking their lives to save the Apples' farm.

And worst yet, Applejack feels guilty for not joining Twilight. Big Macintosh came in, seeing the sad look that causes him to spoke, "Have trouble sleepin', sis?"

"Eeyup; Big Mac, Ah done feel awful 'dat Ah let Twilight go on 'dis journey wit'out me." Applejack sighs in sadness. "Ah must be 'de worst friend ever fer not doing 'de right thing an' save mah home. Ah mean, Ah fought 'de Film-Flam brothers 'ta save it, but not brave 'de place o' danger?! Ah am done lyin' 'ta mahself!"

"Shucks, sis, yew were just scared." Big Macintosh said to Applejack in assuration. "Anypony would be instead o' wantin' 'ta go 'ta 'dat place. Ah'm sure Twilight'll forgive ya when she gets back."

"If she gits back," Applejack groans a bit. "Mah friend could be dead an' it would be mah fault fer not being there 'ta help!"

"She got Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos as well as 'de pets 'ta help out. Also, Ah went by Tough Apple's house earlier an' he left a note." Big Macintosh explains to his sister. "He went off 'ta help Twilight as well."

"Ah sure hope so." Applejack sighs a bit as she looks out the window some more. It will take a miracle for her friend to get out of the End of Equestria alive.

But then again, Twilight has beaten the impossible before so this can't be any different, right?

--------------------------------

"What; Twilight is really going to the 'End of Equestria'?!" Boris asks in shock and disbelief. Merluck, Warring and Trixie came to Safe Haven to inform Boris of what's Twilight is doing...and sure enough he isn't happy indeed!

"Yes, Boris. It is pity that you weren't there because everypony is afraid of that curse place." Trix said to Boris while shaking her head. "I know you're afraid to go there."

Boris shook his head as he snaps, "I'm not, Trixie! I can prove that by going to that dreadful land! This is my chance to get Twilight Sparkle! I will have her!"

"Whoa, whoa! Boris!" Gilda exclaims, putting a claw on Boris's shoulder to keep him from going. "If you leave now, it will make it harder for ya to avoid the authorities looking for ya. Also, us Brotherhood guys are still wanted fugitives from our escape and so we can't go out to do anything. Not to mention Trix Lulamoon cannot go anyway because she broke us out of prison."

"Who cares?! I'm going anyway!" Boris snaps angrily.

"And just what do you think you're doing?" Merluck demands more than he asked as the villain steps in front of Boris, stopping him from going anywhere.

"Going to get Twilight; so, don't you dare interrupt my- Ouch!" The Red Devil Pony screams in pain for a reason. Merluck used his dark magic and blasted at his horn, causing him to scream and yell painfully. Trixie, Boxco and Dum-Dum looked worried and scared when Merluck used his dark magic to torture him like this.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, fool. You had your orders. So, you are not allowed to go unless you get permission from me or the Superior." Merluck explains to Boris darkly. "But if you disobey the order, mark my words; I will turn you into an Earth Pony permanently. Don't say that I won't because I will, Boris."

"Yes, sir," Boris exclaims, trembling in fear.

Merluck stopped his magic and glared at Boris as he rubbed his horn softly. The villain smirked as he suddenly suggests, "Instead of going after that Twilight mare, I suggest you should take a date with Trixie."

"MERLUCK," Trix yells to her brother, blushing for the obvious reasons.

"Am I offending you; my sincerest apologies. Now, excuse me. I have some information to give Fafnir." Merluck remarked, laughing in amusement under his breath.

Boris glared at Merluck as he leaves. Turning to Trix, he snaps, "Man, I hate your brother. Who does that Unicorn think he is?"

"Just obey, and I'm sure that everything will be fine, Boris. Don't want to become Earth Pony state, now, do you?" Trixie ask. Boris shook his head in reply. "Then, back to business. In fact, Merluck has no right to accuse me or you to think we're in love."

Trixie left while Boris stared and glanced at her. Boxco and Dum-Dum smirked at the boss's looking. Boxco laughs, "Merluck could be right."

Dum-Dum nods as he said the last part in a sing-songy like voice, "Yeah, Boris and Trixie sitting in a tree."

"Silence," Boris snaps as he use his magic to levitate both Boxco and Dum-Dum up high and hit their heads to each other hard. "Mind your business! I have my interest on Twilight! I will have her, one day and someday!"

The two stooges nod a bit before Boris puts them down. Bocolix/Boxco remarks, "To be honest, even if you went in disguise and did anything obviously suspicious, Twilight's group would be forced to attack you."

"Yeah, they ain't stupid like we are." Dumbledore/Dum-Dum said to Boris in agreement.

Boris, steamed, snaps, "Isn't anyone here that can be useful to watch over Twilight and get her back safely?!"

Warring Malice chose this time to speak up, "Actually, there may be some volunteers that can pull off the task to seem like they aren't dangerous enemies, but are those that are just lost (and dumb-minded) individuals that the heroes come across."

"What, you," Gilda scoffs a bit.

"Watch it, Gilda! I mean, while I can't be seen yet, the ones to go out will be our pals Dumbledore and Bocolix." Warring Malice explains with a smile.

"Huh. Who are they? Do we know them?" Dumbledore ask as he and Bocolix scratch their heads with their hooves.

"She means you two, you numbskulls!" Boris snaps to his minions in annoyance.

"Right; since the two are hunted by their old unicorn and Pegasus selves, it will be easy for them to blend in." Warring Malice chuckles a bit. Of course, every one of the Brotherhood gang is shocked and concerned by the idea.

"I don't know." Fido said in worry. "Pony Enforcers are powerful."

"Yes, but could they survive the End of Equestria?" Spot ask in agreement.

"Yeah, even we doubt the idea." Bocolix said in agreement. "We are dumb but we ain't that stupid."

"Yes, but Twilight's group will be on the lookout for dangerous enemies...but a couple of goofy alicorns that dare the other to fly over such a dangerous & unexpectedly crash against trouble will seem like a fluke." Warring said with a thoughtful look. "And if you two think about it, you have learned to act differently now, especially with some help from Trix, to do such an act on stage in front of a crowd. You two can introduce yourselves as who you are, the Enforcers known as Dumbledore & Bocolix, a couple of alicorns from a faraway place who don't have such a slight memory of where since you travel and with your goofy personalities, minus your bully parts, will earn Twilight's group trust to ensure that you two can keep Twilight safe and get her back to Ponyville is all hope seems lost."

"Yeah, she got a point, boss." Dumbledore said with a stupid grin.

"Other than that, your Enforcers are powerful alicorns with brute force, speed, agility, flight and more magical powers to defend themselves even in such a terrible place." Warring Malice remarked in amusement.

Boris gritted his teeth, but has no choice. He turns to the Enforcers, saying, "Fine. Listen up, I am entrusting the mare I love to you goofball-headed stooges to watch from above, and if necessary, to dive in to do something to protect Twilight. She better be safe. Got it?"

Bocolix and Dumbledore nod and salute in being given an important mission (and to not screw up). They quickly leave at once as their fellow members watch them.

"Better pray that it would take a miracle for those two to not mess up...or most of all, surprise us by being heroes." Gilda remarks with a grunt.

"Now that is an impossible feat." Film said, shaking his head in dismissal.

---------------

It's been about a while since the group has left their home and travel a bit on their MechBull ride through some terrain fields in entering the End Of Equestria, and it was still just the beginning. Right now, it was about nighttime and Tough Apple help setup the group's camp-sight with a lit fire going on. Koga & Owlowiscious were near Nyx while she, Spike and Phobos were roasting marshmallows for the group. Twilight and Ben were helping to get some blankets out of their cart, and as for Tough Apple, well, he brought out his banjo called Joe and started to play some sorta western or country music with a deep cow-folk accent while playing that banjo in sync.

Tough Apple: Been travelin' on this darken road
Findin' ourselves some lonesome hope?
We're going through a No Pony-Zone
The End Of The Road

Everyone around heard the stallion sing when he gave a little pause motion and suddenly felt a little shift in the atmosphere in hearing this sung with the night sky by the camp fire. Soon Tough was slowly starting to pick up the beat here.

Ohhhhh, End O' 'de Road

The owl and wolf cub started to make animal calls in responding to the stallion as he started to pick himself up to tell this tale of their adventure.

Ah say dat be where we be headin' now
Cause we got a hope ‘ta find,
In 'de End o' 'de Road!

Soon a brief pause with the banjo instrument playing out with the stallion by the camp fire. The song was really helping to fill some of the gang to not feel so concerning at this time. But then Tough Apple started to sing again with another tale to be told now of what's happening.

Crops and fields, dry as a bone
Nothing growin' within our field
Tough choices ‘ta be made and far,
At 'de End o' 'de Road

Another brief pause was made when Tough was getting into the song in recalling what's happened to Sweet Apple Acres. Everyone could tell the guy was really feeling his soul was crying out when he sang, it's like it was reaching out to them. Now the stallion began to pick up on where he was doing.

Ohhhhh, End O' 'De Road

The owl & wolf cub made more animal cries and so did Justin the MechBull, as if joining in on this chanting theme. And Tough Apple still was continuing on now.

We be goin' straight, in de heart o' 'de devil's eye
We got 'ta brace what we will face
At 'de End o' de Road!

The stallion was really beginning to get into the jam of playing and singing this song. As another pause to hear the banjo play while the others station near the fire as Tough Apple continued to sing while having those hear what he had to say.

[Listen closely 'ta mah words
They'll keep us safe an' keep us strong!
But no matter what yew do, don't git lost....

A sudden pause had everyone's attention at the edge of their seats before....the answer came.

At 'de End o' 'de Road

Tough sang forth to lie back in his seat to continue to play from giving his meaning. And after a brief moment, he began to pick it up again.

Ohhhhh, End O' 'de Road

Another owl & wolf cub & MechBull, even Phobos & Spike ended up making some animal or howling cry, much to any pony's surprise as Tough continued to sing his lines.

It's 'de dangerous place yew'll find
Some go in, they don't come out
From 'de End o' de Road

As the stallion was giving a serious look around, he slowly continued to play the banjo. And then after this brief moment had ended, he picked it up again with a very stern expression to tell this warning out.

Some say we be fools 'ta try
Facing danger fro' here 'ta Tartarus!
But Ah got me a feelin sayin',
We gotta brace 'de End o' de Road

There was now another brief moment for the camera angle to focus around those listening to the song. And then suddenly during the next song course, it sounded like some hidden singers are heard backing up the tough pony.

Tough Apple and Backup Chorus: Ohhhh-ohhhh-ohhhh, End of the Road

Another pause from everyone watching and hearing Tough Apple continue to sing, he was pretty good here. And the guy was just about finish with this next part.

Tough Apple and Chorus Singers: It's the End of the Road
We gotta fight the road
Cause we maybe the only ones that may make it back...

Silence filled the air in wondering, what was gonna happen next? And that answer came from a more calm tone from the stallion.

Tough Apple: Fro' the End o' the Road

The stallion was now playing the banjo a bit slower, but still continued to sing.

Tough Apple: Ohhhh.... 'de End o' de Road
Ohhh yeah, dat's right!
Ah said it's....

Now there was a loud response from the banjo, everyone waited for this until....now...

End o' de Road....Woooohhhhh!

Tough Apple slowly sang out with a stretch portion from where he was finishing up his singing. It was here that the song had ended for everyone to respond from what they heard.

"Wow Tough, that was a nice song." Nyx spoke off in liking how Tough sang that nice song for their camp fire during the night.

"Shoot nothin', ye oughta here me sing a song when Ah'm in de shower. Like so!" Tough Apple proclaimed in having another song he does when he's bathing. "Oh mah darlin', oh mah darlin', oh mah darlin'....Feathermay...." The guy would have gone off here if he wasn't cut off...

"ENOUGH!" Phobos shouted out in earning attention to him stopping Tough's next song. "Gee whizz, we already heard one song for tonight!" The Moon Dragon rolled his eyes in stating one song is enough for them.

"Everypony's a critic." Tough Apple rolled his own eyes to criticize how some folks always have something that they wanna say, whether the critics wanna hear him sing or not.

"Well, at least the s'mores is almost ready." Spike spoke in seeing that they got the marshmallows ready, add some chocolate and cracker shells, and it'll taste-sensation.

"Ready for some chow, Twilight...Uh, Twilight?" Ben turns to his love, only to see she was studying the map and plotting how far they travel on their course.

"In a moment, I'm just checking how much we'll come across." Twilight responded to the question while not looking back.

"You know, Twilight, so far, this journey hasn't been completely a disaster." Ben patted Twilight's back to help her ease a bit from working so much to look over of their current state. "I mean, sure, we came across some spots, but so far, it hasn't been what we couldn't handle, right?" The guy was referring to what they came near before they started to camp here after traveling a whole day away.

"I suppose so." Twilight sighs a bit in seeing Ben's point, they've come further by a MechBull power on a cart than the gang ever would on hoof.

"And just look up there. I bet Aunt Luna made the stars extra pretty around our view." Ben stated for them to look up in the night sky, seeing the moon with the stars.

"Yes, they do seem extra nice tonight. Haauugh..." Twilight sighs in feeling a bit relaxed while leaning towards her love to rest her neck to his shoulder.

"Oh, brother, it's a love-sap theme going on." Phobos rolled his eyes in seeing what's going on here.

"Sssh, they're having a moment." Spike hushed Phobos to let the two love-birds have a moment.

"Oh...." Nyx squealed in seeing her parents showing love for the other.

Just as Spike stated, Twilight and Ben were looking from the stars to their eyes that were filled with love. But before they could even enjoy it any further.... "BANG," A sudden gunshot was heard that could nearly wake the dead of the night.

"Waugh/Waaaugh," Twilight and Ben yelped to suddenly get their attention to see...Tough Apple fired his peashooter rifle out in the open dark field.

"Sorry, mah eyes spotted something weird across us, but it was just a lizard." Tough Apple shrug off his shoulders to apologize in claiming that he thought he saw something weird a moment ago, he didn't mean to interrupt.

"Yeeesh and we thought we were in trouble!" Phobos rolled his eyes in seeing that this guy could almost scare the life out of them from such a stunt.

"Hay, mah trigger finger just kicked in, 'kay," Tough protest in stating when he thought danger was near, he quickly acted was all.

"But you don't have fingers." Nyx pointed out that ponies have hooves, they don't have fingers.

"Or thumbs, for that matter," Spike issued to show his hands with his thumbs wiggling about.

"Sure, says the lot that has fingers or gotten a chance to feel what having fingers is." Tough Apple rolled his eyes to remark how the dragons got them fingers and how Twilight, Ben and Nyx, when they were human, had a chance to feel what fingers were.

"Okay, I think we better rest up now before continuing tomorrow morning." Twilight slowly started to get herself fix now to explain that they'll turn in to get up & leave the morning when the sun rises.

"So how long do we have to get to the area with one of those ingredients?" Spike asked off in being curious of how long they looking at during their travel to find the stuff to save Applejack's home.

"We left Ponyville near the afternoon and travel far, so....judging by our current speed at best to come across the ingredients is...a few days at best within the week." Twilight looked over the map, calculated the distance they are in by the land marks to the areas she circled that Zecora told her had one of certain ingredient station there.

"You mean we gotta get all those ingredients in a matter of days that could almost be a week's worth?" Phobos asked off that they might be here a whole week, if not more, to be searching for ingredients.

"Well, shoot, if we pitch in enough, we can cut 'dat time in half." Tough Apple issued off in thinking with a little extra effort, they can search hard to make the longer time be shorter.

"I hope everypony back home can wait that long." Nyx spoke with concerns for the citizens of Ponyville, sure they got Sugarcube Corner, but sooner or later, folks will want veggies, and they'd best help fix the Apple's farming fields to start growing new ones, or else...they'll leave...maybe even be further away.

"They'll have to, honey, and while they do, we'll try hard to help get the Apple's Farm growing food again." Ben patted his daughter's head to insure her that the gang will succeed in their mission.

"Hot diggity dog, Ah can't wait! Speaking o' waiting, time 'ta chow down," As Tough Apple stated that, he took his s'more to eat, only for a long tongue to grab it and was eaten by...a lizard. "Hay, yew little thief, that was MAH Property!" The stallion snapped at the lizard for stealing something that was his.

The gang laughed at this. That helped brighten their moment a bit while Tough Apple continued to snap at the crooked lizard for stealing his meal. It wasn't long after that moment before it got to the point where everyone was resting for the night, well, except for Owlowiscious. Tough Apple was suggesting that he'd stay up to watch the gang for trouble, but Twilight assured him that her owl will let them know if any danger should come near them while they sleep. So now the ponies, the dragons, the wolf cub Koga, even Justin the MechBull was resting, or in a machine's case, powering down to recharge itself. Question of being remain...would the night stay peaceful and quiet...?

----------

In the meeting room, T. Moon stood in front of her Superior who is joined by Grimmore via portal. The mysterious mare asked, "Milord, what is you wish to discuss?"

"My concern is about Twilight Sparkle and Benjamin Mare." The Superior said sternly.

"What of them, my ally?" Grimmore ask, arching an eyebrow in interest at the subject.

"Ever since that former unicorn became Princess Celestia's student and holder of Element of Magic, I always thought she is no threat to my plan. But clearly, I was wrong and rash of not realizing that she was destined to become a powerful being: an Alicorn." The Superior said in concern. "I should have stepped in and kill her at once when I had the chance."

"True. But master, not every Unicorns could sense and see the future such as the discussion we are in. However, if you chose to kill Twilight Sparkle at once before she became an alicorn, you would've have walk into Celestia's traps." T. Moon explains to the Superior calmly. "You claimed it was risky in attacking the holders of the Elements of Harmony without letting Celestia noticed you."

The Superior pauses then nods as he said, "Yes, you are right again."

"What puzzled me is your purpose, such as why do you seek Twilight Sparkle to join your members, from what Ms. Moon had spoken of, King Sombra tried to recruit Twilight to join his cause ever since she starts using Dark Magic through chatting and the use of the Fear door." Grimmore said, reminding the Superior of the obvious. The villain smirks as he explains his reason.

Flashback:

During the events of the return of the Crystal Empire., King Sombra continued to resist Princess Cadance's shield. The Superior appeared from behind King Sombra.

Superior narrates, "I spoke with King Sombra when he was freed from his thousand years imprisonment."

"Greetings, Sombra." The Superior said, getting King Sombra's attention. The evil unicorn looks annoyed, who is this individual who is interrupting him?

King Sombra glared and snarled at Superior, "You! I know you. What do you want?"

"I was merely wondering if you wish to join my organization." The Superior said to King Sombra. Someone like this evil being would be a perfect addition to his Organization.

King Sombra, however, snaps, "I have no interest in your pathetic group. I have interest in crystals."

The Superior sigh in annoyance, "I should have known he's still obsessed in crystals. Fine I would not disturb you. This is completely a waste of my time to seek the great and dark king."

The Superior turned his back and he's about to leave this place. He stops upon hearing King Sombra speaking, "I sense something intriguing." The Superior then looked back at King Sombra as he continues sensing something. "Someone is using Dark Magic, yet it is not the princesses, but rather a young mare."

"A mare; who," The Superior ask King Sombra in interest.

"The purple unicorn with sparkling stars." King Sombra answers as he laughed evilly. "This could be interesting. Nopony could be powerful enough to create Dark Magic. Perhaps I should have a little chat with this one. She could have such potential. Once she join my side, I could teach her the ways of Dark Magic."

King Sombra smile evilly as he use his Dark Magic to contact with the pony.

The Superior thinks about this, 'Twilight Sparkle used Dark Magic? Interesting; Nopony could achieve that power easily. Still, if what King Sombra say is true, then perhaps she could be some use to me. One day, when Twilight's at her weakest point, I will have my chance to speak with her. Thank you for your tips, Sombra.'

The Superior disappeared, leaving the events of the Crystal Empire to continue as they are.

Flashback ended

T.Moon in amusement spoke up, "So ever since Twilight Sparkle used Dark Magic, you believe that she could be some use to us? So the weakest point is fearing what kind of ruler she may become. It appears that King Sombra did an excellent job for us to weaken Twilight for you to speak and convince her to join our side. Interesting, we might have an advantage for our conquest."

The Superior frowns behind his hood as he said, "Yes, but unfortunately and clearly, Twilight Sparkle had resisted the temptation and even her fear of losing the ones that she care for. Even if she turned into my slave, Twilight clearly believed that her family and friends will be there for her and turned her back, no matter what. She is too powerful."

"So you decide to give up on her? Such talented and powerful pony could be wasted." Grimmore remarks in a 'tsk' kinda voice as he shakes his head. "Yet, you have good reason of not recruiting Twilight Sparkle which is logic. So what of Benjamin Mare? You seemed to know his father. Have you met him?"

"I had. However, Ben does not seem to know his true origin. Clearly, Princess Celestia had not told him the truth." The Superior remarked laughing in amusement, "Pitiful Earth Pony."

"What do you mean, master?" T. Moon asks, knowing that the Superior has a good reason for saying what he did.

"I know something that Ben doesn't know, not even his close friends. But, we shall wait until the right time to strike." The Superior remarks with an evil grin. "For now, we must plan everything ahead of our upcoming war, such as dealing with Lorcan, weakening Princess Cadance's ruling and more ways to deal and weaken our enemies."

"What makes you say that about Lorcan?" Grimmore ask the Superior as if not knowing what his ally means.

The Superior smirk as he explains, "When I first deal with Sparkle and her friends, I encountered a warrior who possessed the same ability and strengths as Lorcan. No one could do such a thing. So one possible explanation: the scarred dragon is alive. Despite being my ally, you have your ways at keeping secrets from me. Grimmore, do truly think I'm a fool as Sombra?"

Grimmore smirk, saying, "I enjoy testing your wisdom, old friend. It's true. The Elements of Harmony did not kill Lorcan, but transformed him to his true self: weakling good self."

"And you did not inform us, why?" T. Moon ask Grimmore dryly. Why didn't Grimmore informed the Apocalypse Ponies about Lorcan sooner?

"If I do, you might be distracted from the important event such as using the crown. Not to mention risking your identity to your enemy." Grimmore explains clearly. It's true, if Lorcan was revealed now, it would've put the organization's plans at risk.

"Yes. But it does not matter. They know my rank but know nothing of my true name." The Superior explains that as of now, only his enemies know of his rank. "They know the organization but knows nothing of its name. They know nothing of what happens next and after because the war has long already begun. Now we must be prepared for what obstacle to deal with, my warriors. So we can let our army be prepared to strike."

Grimmore and T.Moon smiled evilly. They cannot wait for the time to begin.

------------

As the night continued on, Twilight's group didn't notice...that something was slithering close to their camp.

"Hoo," Owlowiscious looked around, but saw nothing before returning to it's daily watch over the area.

The strange thing was slithering carefully towards one of the spots. As it lifted its head up a bit, we recognize it as some kinda king cobra. The snake slowly slithered while crushing a little twig in half from its heavy motion body.

"Hoo-hoo," Owlowiscious responded to that one sound, something was out there, and it's his job to warn the others if he sees danger lurking at them.

Too bad what the owl didn't see was the king cobra raising its head over some unsuspecting group resting; Twilight with Nyx and Spike cuddled near the princess's wings and shared a blanket. But none of them knew that danger was lurking behind their peaceful slumber.

"Hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo," Owlowiscious was looking around, trying to spot anything that seemed off...and it did, "Hoo-hoo, hooo!" The owl was yelping in seeing that near Twilight's neck, a cobra was about to bite her....

“Shadow Lock," A sudden voice was heard from out of nowhere during this commotion.

Then around the shadows of the owl and snake glow purplish before they suddenly found their actions....locked; almost like they were statues, only alive.

"Shadow Imprisonment," The voice responded again with something else to be happening next.

Then the snake was suddenly felt it's body slipping into...its own shadow? And from the shadow came glowing light-blue eyes while the shadow of the snake move to wonder, what happened to it? The answer came from when some pony walked in a stealth approach to the camp sight and performed some feat of spells: The Equestrian Eliminator.

"You'll be trapped there until I say when you can be let out." The Equestrian Eliminator explained what his second spell has done to the snake, trapping him in his own shadow, leaving it helpless. "Now leave before I decide to worsen your fate." From his serious expression, this unicorn stallion was not bluffing, this was actually him being....nice; If you can call it that.

The snake hesitated while in its shadow form, there isn't much it can do as a shadow creature. So the snake was leaving the scene, not to cause trouble again while these folks are around. Slowly, the Equestrian Eliminator had its horn glow in undoing the strange Shadow Imprisonment, letting the shadow free from being place in its shadow when it was far enough.

Now during this timely moment, the Equestrian Eliminator suddenly gazes around at the party trying to head towards the End of Equestria. Soon the mysterious stallion agent approached Twilight's sleeping self to slowly...examine her. The agent of Grimmore once remember seeing this mare as but a unicorn, and now she's both a powerful alicorn and princess to believe. It's also surprising that she managed to retrieve her stolen crown from Sunset Shimmer and fight off against the Superior, but that was an enemy that barely was trying to be serious. As he reached with his right hoof, it touched Twilight's mane, and as he slowly lifted a portion, it slip through his hold to come near the mare's face, almost tickling her nose.

"Hmm...hmm...cut it out." Twilight was speaking a bit with her eyes shut while not knowing what's going on. "Quit messing up my mane, hmm....brother, why do you do this....hmm..." The girl was almost reacting from her sleeping state, like this action was something from what happened to her in her waking memory moment, "Starlight." The girl ushered out a name of the one that was fooling around.

Suddenly, a heartbeat motion of the scenery around the Equestrian Eliminator was all but frozen stiff within his mind space. It was not from the action of Twilight beginning to waken from the touch feeling or how it could alert the others that something bothered the princess...what got to him was....the name. The name of Twilight Sparkle's little brother; Starlight Sparkle, the colt that was said to have been killed by Lorcan, Spike's older brother long ago and the body was never found. Why...did that name...bother him, and why from this mare?

"Uagh, did I need to go?" Suddenly, a voice belonging to Phobos brought the mysterious masked agent back to reality to see someone returning from a...bathroom break. The Moon Dragon was still tired, but was trying to wake himself up a bit from seeing...someone near Twilight. "Hugh, um, is that you, Ben? Why are you...." Before Phobos could even speak anymore or any louder, something got to him, "BOINK!" It was a shadow-covering frying pan that smacked right in the Moon Dragon's face before vanishing to show Phobos with a goofy expression. "Duuuuagh, what's for breakfast? Look at the pretty stars. Ugh..." As Phobos spoke from seeing stars rotate around his dizzy head, he fell backwards, out cold now.

"Hmm....hmm..." At the moment, Tough Apple made noises that made the Equestrian Eliminator shot a look if the stallion was sensing his presence. "No, Granny, 'dis ain't a mark on mah lips fro' eating yer apple pie, Feathermay's lipstick got caught there, Ah swear. Hugh-hugh, Feathermay, come give me some sugar now." From the weird action and discussion, Tough Apple is dreaming about being in trouble and making out with the special pony of his dream to even kiss his pillow.

The stallion agent rolled his eyes at this before they were shifted towards Ben Mare, sleeping with his Master Sword in hoof. The Equestrian Eliminator grew curious, the wielder hasn't notice his presence, so maybe...observing his weapon while it's out can give him an understanding of the sword said to be an Evilslayer to all evil creatures. The moment he touched the sword, something strange went on, for starters, the sword that hurts creatures of evil, though he was careful from its sharpness, it did not react to hurting him, how strange.

"Hmmm....I'll protect you, Twilight....my love...." Ben spoke in his sleep to which the agent watched and heard him mutter on about protecting someone he cares for.

Sighing at this, the Equestrian Eliminator decided it was time for him to leave before he gets too attached and the group wakes up to find him. But before he would leave, he remembered Owlowiscious, who was still lock in frozen place from his first spell.

"You'll be fine when I leave, Shadow Magic only stays active so long as the user is nearby or it's lifted by the caster." Equestrian Eliminator explained to the frozen owl of the type of magic he uses that's perfect for an agent or a mercenary soldier like him that serves with the Grimmore Army. "As for you, Twilight, this may be the only chance that you get to rest easily; this was only the first opening stage." He looked to the sleeping Twilight, stating a clear fact with a silent whisper of his tone in what the girl has come to in the beginning, was like the welcoming committee. "If you're not prepared to handle the main center theater...you might not survive....the horrors that await you ahead." He issued this off from looking away with shut eyes, knowing that if the new princess isn't prepared enough, then she'll be another victim at the End of Equestria, "Shadow Vanisher." From mentioning those very words from his open eyes, the Equestrian Eliminator suddenly had his body morph into a shadow, slips into the ground with the other shadows, and vanishes without a trace. Such a stealthy skill seems to explain how he's always sticking to shadows for they allow him to slip away without a trace.

"Hoo-hoo, hoo," Suddenly, Owlowiscious wakes from unknowing that the purplish color on his shadow faded to allow him to notice his surroundings, only to stare in puzzlement. "Hoo...?" The owl responded very confused, everything seem alright, but he recall something almost happened, "Hoo...hoo?" The owl responded while looking down to Koga sleeping beside him, either the dog didn't notice the danger or....something else stopped the danger. The tricky question was in the owl's mind....'Who' did?

---------------

Come next morning, Twilight's group was waking up while packing things in their cart for Justin the MechBull to help them travel some more.

"Everyone sleep well?" Ben asked around if everyone had a good night's sleep.

"Yep, Ah slept like a log!" Tough Apple proudly declared how he slept last night.

"But you were on a log." Nyx issued to remind the tough Apple member that he did sleep on an actual log.

"Ugh, I had a weird dream. A dream like someone smacks me in the face with a frying pan." Phobos groans from holding his face, feeling a splitting headache from what happened to him last night was a blur.

"I told you eating that many s'mores would upset your tummy Phobos." Twilight scolded the Moon Dragon from probably eating too much to have a strange dream.

"Hoo-hoo," Owlowiscious suddenly was flapping his wings to get some attention now.

"Hay, Owlowiscious has something to say!" Spike pointed out in noticing that the owl's weird reaction this morning seemed worried.

"Hoo-hoo, hoohoo, hoo..." Owlowiscious made a few owl noises, which to many had a hard time understanding without Fluttershy being the animal translator.

"Does anybody speak bird?" Phobos asked off a rhetorical question if somebody could translate the owl's talk.

"Well Ah know how 'ta speak Turkey." Tough Apple spoke off in saying he knows how to speak bird talk.

"Why turkey," Ben raised an eyebrow in why anybody wanted to learn Turkey.

"Ehh, birds committee, tried it, now Ah'm stuck with it. But maybe if Ah hum a few bars, 'dis owl can sing me a tune 'dat Ah can follow." Tough Apple shrug off to say while also admitting that maybe with his little bird language, he can make out a few things the owl wanted to tell them.

Soon Tough Apple begins speaking in a weird bird talk while he and Owlowiscious had a chat. After a few short minutes, the stallion was done getting the message.

"So, what's he saying?" Spike asked off in feeling the suspense was killing him.

"Well, he says something almost tried 'ta harm us last night while we were snoozin'." Tough Apple rubbed his back neck in stating what he got from the owl; danger.

"You mean I got hit by a frying pan for real?" Phobos asked off in thinking that what happened to him was no dream.

"What was it?" Nyx asked off in liking to know what danger came near them.

"'De owl said he saw something slithering near Twilight's neck area." Tough Apple pointed off to say in what he could get what the bird mostly saw last night.

"Gee, that sounds like a snake." Spike rubbed his forehead in thinking that the only creature that slithers are...

"SNAAAAAKE," Twilight's voice was heard screaming before a sudden gust of wind made the gang look up to see...the mare flapping herself in the air to keep a distance. "Where is it?! WHERE IS IT?!" She was screaming to look petrified in where a snake was that almost got her and freaked her out like some scared filly.

"Oh, great job, genius! Ya made Twilight perform a Fluttershy yelp reaction!" Phobos dryly remarked off to Spike for doing something to make Twilight be all surprised, and not in a good manner, but a scared manner.

"Hay, I wasn't aware she flipped out if I said that!" Spike protest to say that he didn't know what would happen upon mentioning something like that.

"Mommy, it’s okay, there are no snakes around. I promise you, we're fine." Nyx spoke to calm her mother down that there were no snakes around, they are safe.

"Oh, thanks." Twilight sigh a bit to calm down a bit to fly down where Ben held her to comfort her. "Hearing about snakes brought back a memory that scared the life out of me once." Twilight issued about what happened to her that was a shocking experience with her.

"The one where you fell into a pit of snakes," Ben asked off in recalling an event that he's also familiar with.

"And if you haven't saved me when you were the Demon Pony, I almost would've been snake food." Twilight explained that it was a moment where Ben saved her from a pit of snakes during the whole hunt for the Demon Pony thing.

"Gone one end an' out 'de other, ain't a pretty picture." Tough Apple shrugs off to say about what happens when you get eaten, go through the mouth and come out the back way.

"Ick, I don't think we want to hear that!" Nyx yelped in disgust in hearing Tough even say something like that.

"Alright, everyone, let's just get in the cart and start moving out, time waits for no pony." Ben instructed that they hurry up with the packing so they can get moving on their journey.

"Right, but first, Owlowiscious, did you see what happened? Why the snake didn't attack us?" Twilight agrees, but asked the owl of hers for something that's puzzling; why a snake that attacked last night, doesn't seem like there was one at all’

"Hoo-hoo." The owl responded in its language which Tough heard before translating.

"'De Owl says he don't know, one minute, danger near, next, gone after. Don't make sense 'ta either o' us." Tough Apple shrug off his shoulders in not having a clue where the snake critter went, something musta happened that it didn't cause trouble.

"Hmm..." Twilight hummed to herself to think, but at the same time, was flexing her mane strangely like it was...out of place, but near her front spot.

"Mommy, why are you messing with your mane like that?" Nyx asked from noticing this weird action her mother was doing out of the blue.

"Um, sorry, it's an old habit when my brother messed with my mane when I slept." Twilight spoke to apologize in what she's doing after stating how this reaction is triggered by such an event.

"Which one, Shining," Phobos asked off in recalling Twilight's older brother; Shining Armor, but would he do that?

"No....my other brother," Twilight looked away with a sadden face that the others knew it was from a subject...of a lost family member.

"Gulp...you mean...Starlight? W-w-well, what made ya think like that so suddenly?" Spike gulped in fear that having this memory brought up might not be a good thing, considering how attached Twilight was to Starlight, so he tried to change the subject about what made the mare even think about it so suddenly.

"I'm not sure, but I almost felt like...something nearby reminded me of him." Twilight spoke from feeling unsure, something about what she did, unknown to her, something made her relive something that felt like something involving Starlight, but what?

"Maybe it's this area or because of the stress of saving the Apples' farm, don't worry Twilight, we will succeed. I won't break my promise to help you out here." Ben patted Twilight's worried hooves to assure her, that whatever is making his special pony feel overly concern about things, he'll make sure to help her out of it.

"Yeah, guess you're right, thanks, Ben." Twilight sighed in feeling a bit better from that little pep-talk.

"Hay slowpokes, time 'ta git yer heads outta 'de clouds an' help me pack our stuff!" Tough Apple called out to the group that they need to get going, they don't have time to have their heads in the clouds over such trivial manners.

"Mwooo," Justin made a bull-like noise in responding to tell Tough something of what he just said.

"Hay; Ah ain't being a 'bullhead' in cutting their romantic mumbo-jumbo, we just got a job 'ta do!" Tough Apple spoke in protest in being remarked as being bullheaded, and by a mechanical bull of all things from his little attitude over the situation.

"Mwuuuuaagh," Justin the MechBull just made a long response sound in issuing something different to that claim.

The others had a little chuckle at the moment from seeing Tough Apple and Justin make the situation, a little less stressful for their travels. And after setting up everything, were the group finally back to continuing their journey to find the ingredients for Zecora to help save Sweet Apple Acres.

-------------

The princesses were worried, wondering if Twilight will come back alive or not. As they talk, a familiar hooded scarred Dragon came into the throne room, having heard some of the conversion.

"Where's Twilight going?" Lorcan asks puzzled. Apparently Spike's brother hasn't found out the whole story yet.

Celestia answers sternly, "To the End of Equestira."

"Oh, cool. The end of Equesti-The End of Equestira; what is your student on to go there for! You know just as well as I do what's out there!"

"She needs ingredients to save the farm of her friend Applejack." Luna explains to Lorcan, calming him down a bit. Her bond with the cowpony is closer than one thinks. "It's difficult but hopefully it can be done..."

"Then I guess unless something short of a miracle happens, they'll really be having a hard struggle." Lorcan shrug off his shoulders to say in feeling that Twilight's group needs a savor to come back from what has been said as Tartarus' backyard.

Somehow, hearing that made something in Ceelstia's mind 'click' just now; For in truth, there was 'one' small hope, it's not much, but it's the only way Twilight's group may just come back to them alive.

"Actually, maybe there is a way, if Twilight & friends continue, they may just meet 'him' along the way there." Celestia spoke from thinking more clearly in thought with a very serious expression.

"Him; and who would this 'him' person be?" Lorcan asked off in seeing Ceelstia's expression change, was there someone that could help them out; but how?

"Somepony that 20 years ago I learn that he came back from training in the End of Equestria." Celestia explained off that a few years ago, there was one individual that came from the place of horrors matching Tartarus and that person was training in such a place.

"Wait, someone 'did' return? And he trained in such a place? I thought there were no survivors!" Lorcan spoke off surprised to hear this sudden piece of news.

"That's to keep our citizens from taking such a risk." Celestia explained why the news never got out, she rather not risk a rise of some being foolish to go and prove themselves by such foolish means of heroism. "But if he's there, then this journey may not just be a test for Twilight...but for my own son." The princess issued how this was as much as Ben's test as it was Twilight to overcome such a horror's journey.

"And just what kinda 'test' would Ben Mare face?" Lorcan asked off in suddenly getting interested to hear this story.

"A test in showing a difference of pony characters like never before seen," Celestia explained the matter of the test is to show...a difference unlike anything before. "He'll face the one who has earned the title: Successor Of The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu." Celly knew her son would face an opponent that is truly, someone that has earn a recognition more so then herself, Luna, even Twilight. "I pray that from his time going back & forth...our friends will meet him...." The princess issued with hope that the gang 'will' indeed, find the one she speaks about.

Silence fell before a single sentence was ushered from the princess' mouth.

"Hiko Seijuro," Celestia's voice rang across the throne room before everything went dark. That name alone, is of one pony that can truly be the kind to help Twilight's group in such an event wherever they maybe....they'll come to meet the one called...Hiko Seijuro 'Successor of The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu'. And that name alone...even Celestia feels there was no one else to trust other than...'that' pony in particular.

-------------------

The night time is approaching once more. Twilight and her crew are tired and exhausted from the long journey of entering 'The End of Equestria'.

"According to the map, the first of the ingredients, the Raspy Footlong Cucumber, is in Bullet Acorn Woods." Ben explains as he reads the map. "A forest where the wooden trees develop nothing but acorns, some would think it’s safe, but.... When the trees sense a tremor, the acorns, that are hard as iron, fire at the speed of bullets. What's worse is not only does the area have some tremor quakes every so often, but when the acorns hit the ground, they immediately release poisonous sprouts. For anyone, they need to catch them acorns fired off before they get lodged in the ground.

"Oh yes, a forest; I remember being alone in the woods one time, being found by mommy." Nyx said with a happy smile.

"I'm not sure how far the ingredient we're looking for. But we should camp here tonight." Twilight said with a nod.

"Wait! Seriously; What if there's Hydras, Monsters or Demons out there? Or worst: cannibals!" Spike exclaims in shock and worry. Nyx and Phobos cringed in fear. Koga whined of hearing the last part. Owlowiscious is frightened and feared of the name.

Tough however scoff, "Bah; If they were cannibals, Ah would blasted them 'ta pieces fer good; so no worries, Spiky-boy."

Ben nods as he adds, "Yeah, as long we had Tough here, we've got nothing to worry. Listen, Twilight and I are going to check through the woods for a while, hoping we can get the right direction for us to go through."

Twilight nods as she adds, “Yes. Once we found the route for us to cross, then we marked the woods with red marks. It will be easy for us to see and get across; so, stay here, especially you, Nyx."

Nyx smiled innocently and blushed in embarrassment. She knows how it is when the filly get into trouble...a lot, especially when it comes to 'fooling' Flash earlier…

Ben nods as he points out, "You may have fooled Flash, but right now, Tough will be in-charge. And so I want you and everyone to follow Tough Apple, no matter what happens. Do you understand?"

Nyx, Spike and Phobos all answers, "Yes."

"We'll do our best to get back as soon as possible. So behave." Twilight promises as she nuzzles her daughter. Now Ben and Twilight left to find the routes for their family to get across the woods to their target location. Hopefully they will get back alive.

-----------

During the late night, Tough, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious had their dinners. They are still waiting for Twilight and Ben to return. Tough then start to play his banjo and sings his country song again. Phobos slept like a log on a log.

Koga heard a noise and smelled something fowl. He snarled at the noise and decided to follow it. Owlowiscious noticed Koga and decided to follow him. The others didn't seem to notice as they kept waiting for Twilight and Ben to come back.

Nyx then looked up at the moon and sky while sitting on log. Spike approached from behind and sat on it. The baby Dragon pauses, asking, "Still thinking of old times?"

Nyx nods, saying to her 'brother', "Yeah. I'd never forget of how I met Mommy and not to mention of what I did before in my life."

"C'mon. You'd still worry about the past? Everypony has forgiven you, you know that."

"I know. But it kinda makes me wonder what if I had never follow what those possessed cults had asked me to do, instead doing what she had taught me before. I could have gain ponies' trust and love even more than going through the problems like with Granny Smith. You said you wondered if you had hatched earlier, you could have stopped Lorcan and your evil dad in time and hoping to save uncle Starlight; like we can go back in time to correct the mistake."

Spike nods, saying gently, "Yeah, I know what you mean. But we can't expect to change everything by going back in time. If we do that, who knows what kind of chaotic mess there will be? I mean Twilight messed with her past-self like trying to stop her past-self from being worrying, but ended up for her to become more worried just before the future." Soon Spike felt dizzy. "Boy, talking about time and future is giving me a big headache."

Nyx giggled, "Yeah, you're right. I think it's best that we have to go through it than using short-cuts."

Suddenly Koga is whining loudly and Owlowiscious is heard screeching loudly. Everyone heard the noise and found out something.

"Where in 'de Sam Hill did those night pets went?" Tough ask startled, seeing that Koga and Owlowiscious are gone.

"Beats me; But I'm going back to sleep." Phobos yawned, preparing to go back to sleep now.

"No. We've got to find Koga and Owlowiscious." Nyx said sternly. Even if Twilight and Ben told her not to go anywhere, she can't let Koga and Owlowiscious get harmed by whatever it is that the two pets has indeed found. "They're our pets and family. We are not leaving anyone behind."

"Yeah. Let's find them." Spike said in agreement. Twilight and Ben will never forgive him if he kept their pets get into who knows what.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-wow; Wow there partner; No way you're gonna go off wit'out me." Tough Apple protests to the two in alarm. After all, Spike and Nyx would get into trouble if they face something terrible without him around!

"Relax, Tough. I'm sure that Koga and Owlowiscious are probably stuck on trees again." Nyx said with a smile. Maybe the pets are caught and needed to get free. "It won't be long. I promise."

"Besides, Phobos and I will keep an eye on her." Spike insists, pushing Phobos to wake him up. The Moon Dragon looks annoyed; he wanted to sleep but now Phobos has to do bodyguard duty!

Phobos groaned, "Yeah, ruin my sleep to watch over Nyx."

Tough sighed, "Alright, stick together. Ah don't wanna hear some Demons an' Monsters coming after ya, especially de cannibals."

Spike and Phobos gulps a bit at the 'cannibals' part but Nyx waves him off, saying, "No worry, Tough. We'll be fine."

Nyx, Spike and Phobos head off to find Koga and Owlowiscious. They searched through the woods and keep on trying to find them. However, so far the trio found nothing as they keep on going even further.

"Where did the wolf cub and owl go?" Phobos asks grumpily, looking for any signs of Koga and Owlowiscious. Those two pets have to be here somewhere!

"Something tells me that they've been kidnapped. But who," Spike ask, getting worried. Something must've grabbed the two pets, not good!

Nyx gulped of worry. Suddenly, they heard chatting. The trio quickly hides behind a rock. They then took a peek and saw four ugliest and dirtiest black ponies with sharp teeth heading to the front. But what surprised them is that Koga and Owlowiscious are in small cages, both of them are scared and captured.

Phobos yelps as he asks, "Isn't that -"

Spike finishes for Phobos, "Koga and Owlowiscious! Whatever those ponies are, they took our friends and pets! What are they?"

"No idea. Better follow them." Nyx said in concern. She and her pals got to get the pets back and in a worry.

Nyx, Spike and Phobos followed the strange ponies that carried both Koga and Owlowiscious as they're heading towards the light. The heroes keep on following the strange ponies and saw the camp. They quickly hide behind a rock. Nyx, Spike and Phobos took a peek from the rock and saw something shocking: there are more than four strange ponies. They were about 20 or more of them.

The strange ponies were eating meats. Others drink water. Some dance weirdly and crazily. Most are talking and cooking the food. They then saw their pets have been placed behind three big ponies. The middle is stewing something inside the big cauldron while the other two is near their pets.

Spike gulped, "Are those cannibals?"

"By the looks of them eating meats? Yeah," Phobos said with a slow nod. Not good, those nasty ponies are going to make a meal out of Koga and Owlowiscious! "Man, they are ten times ugly and freakier!"

"We've gotta get Koga and Owlowiscious away from them!" Nyx exclaims quietly and in determination.

Spike ask Nyx quietly, "How?"

"Spike, you go and tell Tough Apple about this. We need him to lose his temper right at those meat eaters if they tried to catch us. Phobos and I will get Koga and Owlowiscious away from them."

"What? You mean saved them from those crazy cannibals? No way," Phobos protests to Nyx. He may be crazy but the Moon Dragon isn't stupid!

Nyx sighed while smirking, "I guess I was wrong again. You're ten times selfish than anyone."

Phobos groaned, "I am not! Fine, I'll help. But if we're captured, don't say I warn you." He hates it when Nyx makes him do this stuff by playing with some of his flaws.

Spike nod his head, saying quietly, "Just be careful. Who knows how clever or dumber they really are, even though they all think of meats."

Nyx nodded. Spike quickly returns to the group's camp. She and Phobos sneaks past all the cannibals by sticking to the shadows and hiding behind the rocks as the meat eaters are doing their business: chatting, dancing, drinking their drinks and eating their meats. They arrived at the cages.

Nyx use her magic to open the cages for both Koga and Owlowiscious. They turned and escaped at once both carefully and quietly. Nyx, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious slowly avoided being spotted and caught by the cannibals through the shadows and hiding behind the rocks. They are almost going to escape to the entrance of the cannibals' camp.

Unfortunately for Phobos, he smells something smelly. It comes from sleeping cannibal's mouth. His breathe is smelly and stinks. This causes him to almost gag as he yells, "Eww! Gross! Dude, can't you even brush your teeth and breath? These meat eaters are even stinkier than their ugly faces!"

"Phobos," Nyx yelps in alarm. But it's too late; Phobos's yelling begins waking up a cannibal that is sleeping nearby.

"Do you mind?! I'm trying to-!" A sleeping cannibal begins to wake up. Soon he spots the group and woke up fully, making him yelp, "What the?! Hey, we've got trespassers! We've got trespassers!"

Nyx, panicked and scared, immediately put the cannibal back to sleep. But it is too late. The cannibals heard the noise. They turned and saw Nyx and her friends who are trying to escape.

"Oh-oh; Run," Nyx yelps. She and her friends immediately escaped but blocked by some cannibals on the way out.

Phobos yelps in fright, "We're busted and stuck."

The first cCannibal demands angrily to the group, "Hey! What do you think you're doing with our foods?!"

The second cannibal, realizing something, snaps, "They're stealing them!"

"What are they? I’ve never seen a chicken and lizard before!" The third cannibal asks, poking Phobos with a spear much to his annoyance.

"They look good. I want to eat them!" The fourth cannibal insists, licking his lips eagerly.

The cannibals yell out in agreement, "Cook them! Eat them!" The cannibals push the group right near the leaders AKA the first few cannibals who spoke up.

"Alright you little chicken; what do you think you're doing?!" The first cannibal demands to Nyx angrily.

"Getting something that doesn't belong to you! And I'm not a chicken! I'm a pony! Geez, they can't even tell the difference." Nyx remarks with a scoff of annoyance.

"And I'm a Dragon, not a lizard! I don't do this." Phobos snaps, sticking his tongue out like a snake, "Dumb cannibals."

"Everything belongs to us, little chicken. So are you!" The second cannibal snaps while grabbing Nyx's tail and Phobos's tail up high. Koga barked and Owlowiscious screeched. "Alright, tell us who else is with you, chicken?"

Nyx panicked as she insists, "Just me and my dragon. We're looking for our pets. And you're stealing them!"

"She's lying!" The third cannibal yells out madly. Nyx and Phobos couldn't have gone here by themselves!

"I'm not!"

"Put them near to the fire! Make them scream and tell!" The fourth cannibals demands madly to his pals. The other cannibals yell madly and in agreement. Maybe being near the fire will get these two to talk!

Phobos panicked screams out, "You're crazy!"

Nyx panicked, it looks like it's over...until a familiar baby Dragon appears and burned the fourth cannibal's butt with his fire breathing. He screamed in pain.

Spike frowns and demands, "Let them go, you crazy cannibal!"

"Or you'll what, lizard," The second cannibal snaps at Spike in defiance.

As if given a chance. a gunshot hit the second cannibal's arm, letting Nyx and Phobos go. They immediately flied off and went onto Spike's back, along with Koga and Owlowiscious. Tough Apple held his gun tightly while glaring at the cannibals.

"Yew heard what 'de Dragon said: let them go." Tough Apple snaps as he held and aimed at the cannibals. "You'd mess with the wrong ponies." The cannibals roared angrily and charged right at Tough. "Kids, stay behind an' close 'ta me. It's open season time, yew cannibals!"

Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious quickly went onto Tough's back as he started firing at the cannibals one-by-on from his left, right and middle as they keep on coming and charging at Tough. One of them climbed onto a back rock. He is about to jumped and pounced onto Tough from behind. Nyx spotted and fired magic at the monster.

Both Spike and Phobos fired their fire breathing at the cannibals coming from behind too. Tough heard the noise and glanced, seeing that Nyx, Spike and Phobos are fighting some cannibals off.

"Change in plans. If we want 'ta escape alive, then we gotta work together," Tough Apple said to his friends with a frown, "Ah'll cover yer back while yew three keeps firing meat eaters in 'de front."

Before Nyx, Spike and Phobos could respond, two cannibals are about to strike Tough down when he was not looking. Owlowiscious flew and scratched at the first cannibal's eyes before going up while Koga bites hard on the second cannibal's leg before going back to the group.

Tough hear screaming. He turned and fired at two meat eaters. He then looked at both Koga and Owlowiscious with a smile. He said, "Yew two. Help us an' keep those freaks out o' our sides!" Tough turned to Nyx, Spike and Phobos. "Ready? Fired an' run!"

Tough fired at the cannibals from his back, Nyx, Spike and Phobos fired their magic and fire-breathings at meat eaters in the front, Owlowiscious and Koga attacked on the cannibals' weakest points from both air and low ground if their friends are being distracted while they keep on running and heading away from the cannibals' camp.

The cannibals keep on charging and attacking Tough. They keep on running away while fighting back at the monsters. They were about to make it out and escape alive. Then, Nyx, Tough, Spike, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious gasped in shock and fright. They saw the cannibals that are in front of them and this time, there are lots of them. Behind them are also lots of cannibals.

Spike gulped in fright, "You've gotta be kidding me."

"Just how many of these guys are there?" Phobos asks in disbelief. At this rate, the group will be dead before even getting to the last of these freaks!

"Ah'm gonna run out o' ammo." Tough groaned, noting that he's about to run out of ammo to fight with soon.

"I'm too tired to fight." Nyx said, panting a bit. All the fighting has exhausted her.

"Me too," Spike said, getting tired as well.

"All of us are too tired to fight." Phobos groans a bit. Koga and Owlowiscious gasped and panted from the fighting as well. The cannibals are approaching Nyx and her gang slowly as they all looked very hungry.

"Got any bright ideas?" Tough ask the group, wondering if there's any ideas left to use against these guys.

Nyx thinks as quickly as she can. She then smirked before yelling out, "Wait!" The cannibals stopped and looked at Nyx with odd and confused looks. "Before you could eat us, we want to tell you something."

"Talking to them? That's 'de idea?

Phobos scoffs a bit, "Nyx, they're dumb as Boxco and Dum-Dum."

"Yeah, no point in talking with them," Spike said in agreement. What's the point in talking to these ruthless killers anyway?

"We've been infected!" Nyx screams out suddenly. The cannibals and even Nyx's gang looked confused and shocked. What is this? "That's it! We've got worms in our bodies. Oh, that's a lot of parasites inside of us. I wouldn't eat them if I were you, otherwise, you get bad stomachache and so you won't live another day to get the foods."

Tough, Koga and Owlowiscious realized what Nyx's trying to do as they smirked and nodded their heads to the cannibals that what Nyx's saying is true. The cannibals gasped in fear and worry.

"Did she say parasites?" Phobos asks, apparently not getting at first what Nyx is doing.

"Nyx; we don't have parasites! What are you trying to do joking around," Spike exclaims to Nyx in annoyance. "In fact, Phobos is the dirtiest dragon!"

"Me? You're the one who is even more dirtier than I am like forgetting to clean your cheek!"

Nyx sighed in annoyance and anger. Tough groaned. Both Koga and Owlowiscious knocked on Spike's and Phobos's heads. They recovered by rubbing their heads as they realized what Nyx is trying to do: make it looks like that everyone is infected.

Spike quickly plays along this time, "Mine's the biggest parasite I ever had!"

"Hey, mine's the biggest! It tastes not very good!" Phobos insists, making a very mad laugh.

"In fact, all o' us have parasites!" Tough exclaims madly as if about to attack. The cannibals looked very worried and scared about eating ponies who have parasites. If it's true, then it's a bad idea to even try!

"Just be nice Cannibals, and let us go. I promise that the food will come to you sooner or later." Nyx said to the cannibals with a secret smirk on her face. For a moment, it looks like these guys are going for it.

However, the first cannibals frown, realizing something as he snaps to the group, "You think I don't know what you're up to? She's trying to trick us! I've been fooled by one chicken when she uses the same words as his. I believed him and I meet two or three, they use the same words. This time, you're not fooling us!"

The cannibals gasp as they realized that they have been fooled. They glared and snarled at the ponies. Nyx gulped, "Worth the shoot."

"It looks like they're not falling for it." Spike said nervously. It was worth a shot still.

"Any more bright ideas," Tough ask his pals, hoping that one of them has more bright ideas.

"One: We're doomed!" Phobos screams like a girl. Tough hugged Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious tightly as they hugged him back with their worried and frightened looks. This is the end this time, no one can save them!

The first cannibal booms out, "No one is going to save you."

"Yeah, it's....... it's what again?" The third cannibal ask, confused as he scratch his head. "I think our dinners passed."

The fourth cannibal, blinking, realizes this as he said, "Yeah. So it's our breakfast time."

The fifth cannibal rolls his eyes as he comments to the good guys, "If you're hoping for morning, then sadly you're mistaken coz we can survive the morning. We're not trolls or zombies."

The first cannibal calls out to his pals eagerly, "Well boys, its breakfast time!" The cannibals roared in excitement and happily as they charged at Nyx and her gang. They held and hugged tightly together.

Suddenly a familiar voice spoke up, "The Dawn will take you all!" The cannibals stopped as they turned back to see the source of the voice. Nyx and her gang looked up and smiled as they looked at the familiar faces. Twilight, the one who spoke, and Ben are standing on a top rock.

"You're not harming our family!" Ben snaps sternly to the cannibals.

"Who the heck are they?" The first cannibal asks in surprise and confusion.

"No idea." The third cannibal remarks with a shrug. But this could mean more food, right?

"Can we eat them too?" The fourth cannibal asks hopefully and hungrily.

"Get them!" The fifth cannibal orders madly as the cannibals prepare to attack the newcomers.

Twilight gathered all of her powers through her horn while all of the cannibals charged at Twilight and Ben. Nyx, Tough, Spike, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious watch on to see what happened.

"Ben, now," Twilight orders quickly. Ben galloped highly up and then stomped on the big rock with the help of his Triforce Elements. The rock cracked in half. Its left side of the rock fell off and Ben quickly moved to Twilight.

Twilight fired her magic power at all of the cannibals who are charging right at the two. They are all blinded. Then, the sun rises and blinded all of the cannibals. The cannibals cried and screamed in pain. All of the cannibals' skins are slowly turning into grayish and hard skins while they all are staring at the sun. All of them have turned into the stone.

Nyx, Tough, Spike, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious were shocked to see this then they cheered happily and wildly. Ben smiles eagerly as he exclaims, "I can't believe that it work! Twilight, what magic did you use? The Cannibals can't possibly be weakened by the sunlight. The trolls are."

Twilight smirked as she explains, "Exactly. By using my 'Strengths and Weakness Switch' Spell, I adapt any animals or species' strengths and weakness. So I chose the troll's weakness. I adapted and focused it on my mind and fired at the cannibals. Once they received the troll's weakness, they are all turned into stone."

"Whoa! That's amazing, Twilight; Crazy but awesome, nice job!"

Twilight smiled as she adds, "It took me a lot of practice on that just before today. C'mon, better check on Nyx and others. I hope they're not hurt."

The two goes down to the group who rush up to them. Nyx hugs her parents, saying, "Mommy, daddy! You're back!"

"Yeah...and didn't I tell you all to stay with Tough?"

"Well, we kinda did...and have to deal with these guys to get the pets back." Spike explains sheepishly as Koga and Owlowiscious laughs in amusement. "But at least these guys got a meal."

"And what's that?" Nyx ask Spike in amusement.

"A 'heavy' diet'."

Most of the group laughs in amusement. Tough of course scratch his mane with a hoof, asking, "Ah don't get it."

Author's Notes:

Whoa; that was a close one. In the next chapter, the group deals with Swarm (Wasp Creatures), Mehitos (Carnivorous Plants), and more cannibals with Nyx reveal a secret power while Rabbitchu returns! Also, the heroes found a Demon holding a weird idol which is the reason that the cannibals are acting crazy...and the group is attacked by the Demon and must destroy the idol to cure the cannibals. Read, review and suggest!

The name Skunk Rock & shaped like a bunny rabbit rock formation came from the 2010 version of Pound Puppies from the Hub Channel.

The song was made up by VISION-KING but it's similar to a certain country star Glen Campbell.

The Equestrian Eliminator use magic of which fits perfectly with the mercenary solider appearance. the Shadow Magic is an inspired idea from Shikamaru Naru from the Naruto Series, as he's a ninja that uses Shadows as his weapon arsenal & in techniques.

The scene involving Nyx's group battling the cannibals is used from 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' where the dwarves tried to save Bilbo from the trolls.

Chapter 3: The First Few Ingredients

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Chapter 3: The First Few Ingredients

"We must contemplate our standings in where everything is going." The Superior spoke in knowing they need to think about what's happening now. "For now, things are becoming a disaster in Ponyville, but at the same time, pandemonium is rising." While Sweet Apple Acres is suffering & so are the Ponyville citizens, Twilight is moving out to fix the problem at hand.

"Indeed, the spell used to remove all the iron around the Apples' farm for our own needs truly has cause measures to raise." Ms. Moon spoke in issuing what was used as a method to ruin the Apples' farm fields & their home. "And as an after effect, the life of all the wooden plants and structures had crumpled from a lost & has broken the cell structure." She issued this part out like she was sounding very knowledgeable about such facts that have taken place, how strange.

"An impressive feat from your handling of magic my dear," The Superior commented to Ms. Moon in being the one to come across that which they used to ruin Sweet Apple Acres. "But the problem now lies with Twilight Sparkle." The leader of the organization pointed out a different problem that needs their focus towards.

"Alas, where the heroes go is likely far worse than the dangers in the Everfree Forest. A place that can be considered the backyard to Tartarus," Grimmore spoke with a sly smile in seeing where Twilight's little party goers are heading towards, is a very dangerous place. "Of course, the actual threat lies going into Tartarus, but the area itself...the End of Equestria, will suffice." The Overlord King feels that had the group venture into his own dominion, they face all the horrors of Tartarus & all the great & ancient evil creatures trapped within.

"I can understand that an agent of yours will tail Sparkle & her little band, but tell us...." The Superior spoke in suddenly becoming curious to Grimmore's little agent watching over Twilight's group and their progress. "What is Number 13 supposed to be? Or perhaps, who he once 'was' at a time," Knowing Grimmore as he does, the one creature following the heroes would be no ordinary underling.

"Hmph-hmph-hmph, hmmm....that is the beauty of it!" Grimmore chuckled under his breath in being ask such a question. "I found him when he was...shall we say 'lying' around, between life & death. And over the years, made him into what I would call....the most deadliest unicorn on Equestria." The Dark Elf exclaimed his issue of explaining but a brief fact about his agent, Number 13, and what he is known as all around.

"To give one pony such a title seems a little...over doing it, don't you think?" Ms. Moon spoke in narrowing her eyes to Grimmore in being intrigue about somepony given such a standard on his existence. "Just who is he...the one called: The Equestrian Eliminator?" She has heard about that code name with the unit number 13, and if the creature in question serves Grimmore, then what is such a pony's history?

"Hpmh-hmph, these are questions that you, among the members, might not want answered. But, I can tell you all this." Grimmore chuckled in amusement before his eyes shut one moment to open them again with a surprising shock. "That Twilight Sparkle has herself to blame...in what he is now." That much alone could leave more questions & riddles than ever before, what did Twilight do to the one called the Equestrian Eliminator?

"Interesting; so he's someone that the new princess has connections to and yet his rise now is a mystery at best?" The Superior held his chin in liking this bit of info, as it holds...promises. "Quite the mercenary assassin you've played out, Grimmore." The Superior gave a compliment to his ally, sending forth such a player to watch over Twilight's progress is sheer brilliance.

"Then if he's such a promising candidate than even Sunset Shimmer was, why not have him eliminate Twilight & the others with her?" Ms. Moon asked a very good question, if the Dark Elf had such a talented opponent, why not have the guy end things quickly than to watch things progress?

"He works from the shadows, just as he was trained to become a shadow one opponent couldn't defeat, let alone a squad. Not even Celestia & Luna's Royal Guards coming at him at once could stop such a foe I've unleashed. After all, they failed to defeat or handle him and not even Lorcan could be of his level of combative skills." Grimmore smiled with a dark pride in explaining that such an agent from his side works in the shadows at best and not a lot of opposers have managed to take down the Equestrian Eliminator, and very few....know of his existence that shrouds in shadows.

"So he is an instrument of your plans as well as our own now?" The Superior spoke in liking this piece of info more and more of what Grimmore was telling them. "But tell me, what if his connection with Twilight Sparkle causes....a self-doubt of thought?" The Superior wonders that if the Equestrian Eliminator & Twilight Sparkle has a connection, what's to say that won't turn against the villains' plans?

"Does it matter? Just as there is the question if the heroes will survive or not, everything....is a game." Grimmore dodged the question in being assured that even now, the moment being played is a game to him. "I seek amusement and watch how pieces play out a course that I observe. And when the amusement has reached its final end....the amusing piece will fall." He smiled wickedly after exclaiming such a statement that when something has reached its useful end to amuse him, it will fall...hard.

"You certainly have a strange way of thinking of matters." Ms. Moon rolled her eyes in seeing just how unpredictable this Overlord King of Tartarus is.

"When you are of a god-like being, everything before you....is there for you to judge how things will play out." Grimmore smiled ever still to address the matter of how he observes it. "Until then, Number 13 will report matters to my side & yours on whoever wants to chat. Until then....we wait for what he'll report of the struggles, the heroes are just getting involved in." Even now, Grimmore's agent watches the group heading to their worst experience yet and he'll be watching & learning everything that happens. "Hah-hah-hah-hah-ha, haaaahhh...." Then with a wicked cackle, Grimmore's portal image of inferno faded away out of existence, leaving only the other members in the room.

"Sometimes, it's hard knowing much of what Grimmore thinks." Ms. Moon signed to take a breather, figuring out that the Dark Elf is harder than planning something big from their side.

"As a powerful godlike deity in Tartarus, he has ways of spreading his reach...I know that for more reasons than any of you." The Superior instructed off to say about having knowledge about Grimmore, and from the sounds of his voice, there is a lot about it. "Right now, Twilight Sparkle & Celestia's son, Ben Mare, will have to pass through much areas in the End of Equestria." The Superior declared off that the heroes venturing to the End of Equestria, most first pass some obstacles along the way. "Wasps, snakes, pony-eating plants and more; if the group cannot get through all those obstacles to find their ingredients, then it will be their grave." He issued forth the matter that since getting through the End of Equestria means facing such dangers, if no one survives that much, then the adventure of the heroes will end before it began.

After the discussion was over, both the Superior and Ms. Moon vanished in their own portals. Leaving much puzzlement in what shall happen to Twilight's group ahead.

-------------------------

In his room, Lorcan looked outside with a worried and sad look. Looking at two pony brothers who were smiling and playing a soccer, Lorcan then sighed of concern and upset as he heard some talking from outside.

"I'm glad we get to spend together, big bro." The small pony said to his big brother playfully.

Big Pony smiled as he gave his younger brother a noogie. They then laughed together before the two hugged. Lorcan turned away from the window as he crawled into a ball form while remaining sad and silent. The scarred Dragon misses his brother big time.

Princess Luna came into Lorcan's room. She noticed on Lorcan's looks, sighed, and approach him. Her 'friend' needs some support right about now.

"Are you worried about Spike?" Luna asks. Silently Lorcan nods his head. She sighed. "I'm truly sorry, Lorcan. I wish I had been there to stop him from following Twilight."

Lorcan sigh, "It's not your fault, Princess Luna. It is mine from the very beginning."

"What are thou talking about?"

"I had murdered Twilight's younger brother. I tried to take over Equestria through brutal, menaced and bloodshed force. And the next thing, I tried to kill my very own flesh and blood. I'm very ashamed of myself for all the things that I've done. I am nothing but my father's heartless shadow and weapon."

Luna sigh, knowing how guilt-ridden Lorcan is right now, "You should not blame yourself. As I had said before, I'm the one who should be blamed. I had brought my hatred and jealousy out to become Nightmare Moon. I killed your father's great bodyguard, causing him to betray and wage war against us, and even using you as a tool."

"Even so, I'm still be blamed. If I had asked Princess Celestia about my brother, I would not have begun the war and bring suffering to anypony. I would have spent my great life with my brother forever and helping Twilight and everypony. I want love. I want to have my own family like Spike, but instead, I have a hatred enemy who hates me for what I had done in the past. I wish I could change it." Lorcan said in frustration, wanting to break something, maybe even himself for what he had did.

Luna pat Lorcan's shoulder, speaking in comfort, "Oh dear Lorcan. You can't change the past just because of what happened of the event. I too think of that. But I must let it go." The Alicorn of the Night smiles as she begins to sing.

Luna: The world gives hope.
The world gives second chance.
Everypony deserve it to redeem from their mistakes.
I who understand your pain.

Luna nuzzled Lorcan's cheek as he sighed.

I who help you, believe you, trust you and be with you.
I who look upon you without hatred.
But what could you do if the mistake had been created.
So, it's best is move on.

Luna spoke a bit, "Lorcan, there is nothing you can do about the past." She goes back to her song.

It is not your fault.

Lorcan: It is mine.

Luna: You should not blame yourself.

Lorcan: I should be.

Luna: There are things that you do not hope and encountered.
You must not blame of everything you did.

Lorcan: I know what you mean it.

Luna: All the things you had done is not your doing.]

Lorcan: It is mine.

Luna: All the things you desire is never be monstrous.

Lorcan: It is too late.

Luna: Why do you blame all the things you had done constantly?
Move it on.
Forgive yourself.

Lorcan: I can't.

Luna: I[I had forgiven you.

Lorcan: I know.

Luna: Just for this once,
Leave your dark past behind.

Luna and Lorcan: And move it on........

As the sing is done, Lorcan hugs Luna, saying, "Luna; thank you for comforting me. I am sorry for everything. But I can't move on. I can't redeem the mistake I had done. I'm not ready to face Twilight and her friends when they return." The truth is, the brother of Spike is not sure if he's ready to move on just yet.

Luna sighs, "I know. But remember, Lorcan. If you truly want to be with your brother, talk with my sister and I. We will always be there and help you."

Luna smiled and so as Lorcan. Princess Luna left the room.

"Be...... there?" Lorcan asks thoughtfully. He looks out the window and begins to sing by himself.

Lorcan: Should I have the rights to move and live on,
For the ponies to forgive me?
All my life I ever been is killing poor souls,
With no love to guide me.
All I ever want is to have a family,
With no such hatred and rage exist.
All my life I wonder how I made today's difference.
Not about redemption, but part of family.
So out there,
Feeling the bonds.
Maybe someday,
Out there,
All I ask is one,
To be with my brother.
Out there,
where family exists,
With no hatred,
But a love,
Just to be with my brother, someday.......

Lorcan then looked outside the window. He sees families that are playing and having fun in the park, sports and fields, sometimes argued and even better to be together in birthday parties and having together.

Out there,
Where family spends together as one and all,
Through sadness, anger and happiness I can feel them.
Everyday parents argue and scold their own child,
In truth they deeply love them.

Lorcan came out of his room and climbed on the tower.

If I was like them,
I'd treasured every moments.
Out there,
Feeling great emotions.
Taste the love and cherish of family.
Like everypony,
Who wants to be loved.
Someday, I will be loved.
And I'd swear I'll protect my family,
Won't Regret!
Won't Despair!
All and then,
I won't care!
Someday, I'll be reunited with my brother............

--------------------

As time goes by, Twilight's group was passing a border area that was within the territory of the End of Equestria. Right now, Tough Apple was helping to steer the MechBull, Justin, across some desert area with some careful watchful eyes. Twilight was having Owlowiscious show her the map of where they are needing to go for an ingredient said to be within reach. Ben was petting Koga while Spike, Nyx & Phobos lay back to look up & around the area.

"Ahhh, what a day, everything seems peachy great!" Phobos spoke with a fine smile in how things are turning out. "The sun is out, the skies are blue, the cannibals are on us again and that backwash from earlier!" The Moon Dragon was pointing to look around in seeing how things are turning, all is...

"Wait! What was that last one again?" Spike suddenly cut Phobos off in hearing something that caught his much needed attention.

"Backwash," Phobos repeated the last thing that he said.

"No, before," Spike issued what he was stating was something before the backwash comment.

"The sun out; the skies blue," Phobos spoke off the last things he said in the beginning.

"No, no, I meant before and then after those!" Spike shook his head 'no' while issuing what he's trying to get what this annoying guy was not getting the major point here.

"Ohhh, you mean about...." Phobos suddenly got the message before suddenly about to say something when...

Suddenly, something fell out of the sky that soon jab a path blocker near the MechBull.

"Mwuuuhhhhh," Justin suddenly backflipped upwards from this surprise stunt which earn everyone to take notice of...

"CANNIBALS," Nyx screamed out from looking forward to put out what she sees.

From another direction pass some hills where some tiny blobs were starting to get a little more recognized. It's more of those cannibals like the ones that the gang defeated last night. There was no denying that these guys also looked like the type of creatures that are not very sociable.

"Dang Gum; Look at them partners! What are they wanting ‘dis time?" Tough Apple responded off in not believing the numbers of them coming foes, now what do they do?

"Explanations a little later." Twilight issue that she'll explain what those things want a little later, they just have to survive them first.

"Right, for now we gotta..." Ben nods that they have only one thing to do.

"Fight." Tough Apple suggested while getting his rifle gun ready when...

"No, flee!" Ben stated that the group don't run, but flee away.

"Hoo...?" Owlowiscious asked off the question in response.

"I think he meant the fleas that dogs have." Spike responded to the owl in thinking that was a question.

"I thought Koga already had his bath!" Phobos scratched himself puzzled in thinking that wolf cub already had his flea bath or didn't he?

"Arrff," Koga responded puzzled, when did this conversation come in?

"Now don't start this again you guys!" Twilight objected to the group confusing the owl's 'hoo' as a 'who' response and about the difference with 'flee' & 'flea' meanings, they don't have time for this confusion.

"Justin, step on it!" Ben Mare shouted an order for the MechBull to start running at mach speed already.

"Mooooowwhhh," Justin heard this before lifting up and plowed down what was blocking his path like a rampaging bull.

Soon the gang was fleeing the scene, but the cannibals were still directly following the gang while making weird battle calls.

"Why'd ya choose to flee instead of fightin?" Tough asked why Ben decided that they had to getaway.

"There's a time to fight & a time to run, we're on a clock and unless something stops us, we can just outrun those things!" Ben responded that they have no time to be dealing with such foes, they are on a deadline here, but if worst comes to it, then they'll have to fight the cannibals.

Then afar from the group, much were hearing cannibal battle cries while some were throwing their weapons to try to skewer them, which luckily them shots missed....barely.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure those guys must be into having their meals to go. Namely....US," Phobos rolled his eyes before issuing the fact that if those guys are cannibals like the other ones, then they'll wanna have the meal which is them to go, real typical pun remark that response was.

"Twilight, just how many cannibals are in this area" Spike asked the smart pony how many of these guys are in the End of Equestria that are chasing them.

"My guess is a lot. No one knows how many ponies came to the End of Equestria and live to tell about it!" Twilight explains as the Ponies fires off magic shots, rifle shots and sword swinging actions while their cannibal enemies chase them like mad.

At a sudden moment, the gang was not paying attention to when they yelped when Justin stopped when they were in front of a large mountain path. They forgot to direct the MechBull to keep going in a path where they wouldn't get cornered.

"Great, we're trapped!" Phobos groaned in seeing that the gang is caught between a rock & a hard place, perfect.

"Tough, you said Justin could break through big rocks right, can it do this?" Ben asked in recalling what this MechBull can do for them, now be a good time to help them out here.

"Sure, show them Jus!" Tough Apple nods while signaling the bull to show what it's made of.

"Mooowhh," Justin lets off a loud bull cry before charging up to the mountain's rocky surface. "BASH/CRACK-Crackvhmm..." Good news was that the bull's horns were indestructible and caused a lot of cracks to show up to be almost a good five meter break-through of the hard rock surface, "Mwuuaahhh!" The MechBull roared out again as it continued to repeat its performance while those in the cart wobbled a bit from the vibrated impact Justin did to break through a few extra feet of solid rock from a mountain structure.

"Course, this may take him a while 'ta bust through, give about...ehh, ten minutes tops." Tough Apple shrug off in seeing that this could take time, the group is bashing through a mountain, and that ain't no picnic to be handling here.

"We may not have ten seconds! Look!" Spike responded with a panicked expression to point what the heroes got now.

Suddenly, the gang saw they were getting surrounded by all sides from these cannibals. Seriously, this was not looking too good for them.

"Ben, with me, Tough, stay here to watch the others, and if those things come near you, go ballistic on them or something," Twilight made a stern face to instruct those of what to do, those that will be attacking and those that will be on the defensive line.

"Yes, ma'am," Tough Apple saluted with his pee-shooter in hand, or hoof, ready to fire when ready.

Soon Twilight & Ben got out, the princess getting her magic ready & the Earth Pony summoning his Master Sword and preparing his Triforce ability. It was just two ponies against a number of cannibals, and soon...the fighting started.

Ben fires off his magic blasts to send the cannibals flying into the air. Twilight single-hoofedly fight and defeat three cannibals literally three times her size by sheer strength, commenting, "There IS a plus side to now having the strength of many Earth ponies." She tries kicking a large rock into another cannibal, only for her to accidentally kick the rock TOO hard (i.e. the rock completely shatters) and amending, "Assuming I learn to control said strength."

As the issue of Twilight & Ben tried to hold back the cannibals, the situation with Tough Apple having Justin bash through more solid rock was about halfway done. But Nyx & the dragons along with the pets watched seeing their friends having their hooves full.

"We have to help them guys." Nyx issued to the ones in the cart, her folks could really need some help.

"What can we do?" Phobos asked off in not knowing what to do here.

"Can't you & Spike shoot fireballs at those creeps?" Nyx issued off what the dragons here can do, they may be small, but they pack some fire in their bellies.

"Hugh, guess she's right." Spike rubbed his back-head in recalling he forgot, after being a dog in that other world of human-versions of ponies, that was a trait that he nearly forgot about.

"Listen, while you do that on the cart, I'll have to try something I may have finally work the kinks out of." Nyx instructed to the dragons to stay and protect their cart of travel while Tough is having Justin bash through the rocky walls to get them through it.

"Wait, if ye go out, them folks o' yers won't be happy!" Tough Apple turn his head in seeing that Nyx was gonna go out and get into trouble.

"Yes, but what I'm about to do is something I wanted to show them for a long time, so...here goes!" Nyx looked back to say before rushing off to join the fight. Her horn was glowing, as her magical aura was covering her entire being...making the girl grow...bigger.

At this moment, Twilight & Ben were back to back from seeing the cannibals were just not wanting to give up on feasting on their flesh, not even an alicorn or an Earth pony with some tricks & a sword would scare them. But then a sudden storm of lightning zapped the cannibals either back or yelped in pain away from the two ponies.

"Nice save Twilight." Ben turn to give thanks to thinking his love did that move.

"Ben, that wasn't me. But who else with magic could have....?" Twilight spoke in seeing that wasn't her, but the only ones with them that have any magic are a total of...three.

"That...would be me." Spoke of voice of a mature mare that rang a few bells in Twilight's mind.

At the moment, some new pony landed before the group. It was an alicorn, black body coat & was as tall as Celestia & Luna, but from the familiar mane & tail, plus the eyes & the Shield Cutie Mark, this was...the filly Nyx. What?

"What the...? You're...." Twilight yelped in surprise in seeing her daughter but, in a different form.

"Nyx; you almost look like...." Ben was almost having a hard time stating who Nyx look like and he's heard the legends too.

"Nightmare Moon, but without the armor & different Cutie Mark, I know." The now revealed grown-up mare form of Nyx spoke with a more different voice of a more mature mare tone in speaking with her parents about her 'new' appearance with a slight difference.

"How are you like that after what happened during the Demon Pony event?" Twilight asked off surprised in remembering how her daughter was once Nightmare Moon during Ben & Boris's final standoff.

"Right, that time, I was turned back to normal, and what darkness you had was gone, so how?" Ben nods in remembering like it was yesterday, the Love of Eternal necklace help restore the stallion from a Demon & return Nyx to her filly state, so how was this feat possible?

"I knew that being a filly wouldn't be much help to you, my parents, unless I was more of something that could truly fight back." The adult Nyx explained her stating while also firing a lightning spell that knock more cannibals away nearby. "I secretly went to Spell Nexus to ask how I could change into a form where I can be at my strongest to protect those I love. He explained that something called a Battle Mode which was a technique taught to allow fillies & colts in the arts of magic and combat of how to change into grown-up mares & stallions for more physical & more magical boost in feet." Hearing this was surprising, Spell Nexus knew of such a spell used to make even young ponies become larger versions to be ready for combat or for war. "Course, the spell can also let one learn of what they may grow up to be if they choose to, and for me, this form is similar to what I'll be, only without the armor part, & not like the evil tales of Nightmare Moon described as in the past. It's the perfect way to allow me a shot to fight. But of course, when I run out of magical energy, I will revert back to my small filly form." So now the Adult Nyx has explained that she can change back to her original self anytime, or change back if she's completely drain of magical strength or defeated, but otherwise, this form gives her a chance to perfectly fight & not just stay out of the way.

"I can't tell whether to think about grounding you or thanking you." Ben responded surprise to his daughter after clashing his sword against a cannibal.

"We'll discuss this after handling these cannibals!" Twilight issued about what they'll talk to their daughter after dealing with this.

"Dragon Rage," Spike's voice was heard from afar now.

"Moon Rage," Phobos' voice was also heard from afar to.

Soon an emerald & blue fire of energy were shot that collided against a group of cannibals that sent them off to crash against other structures while feeling pain. Twilight & Ben saw Spike & Phobos near an entrance cave that Justin must've made, the dragons fired off some attacks to give the others a hand by Nyx's request.

"Mother, father, lets fight...together!" Battle Mode Nyx issued from standing tall, maybe taller than her parents in wanting to have them fight together...as a family.

"I never imagined the day would come us three fought together." Twilight smiled lightly in seeing that she had not only her love helping her, but her own daughter in this case.

"You never imagine our daughter growing up so fast." Ben made a slight joke to his love in them never believing their daughter would be before them as a grown up, it's almost like time was passing much faster than before.

Now this time, the Sparkle Family was really tearing up the filed against the cannibals. But it seemed that the enemy was still trying to out power the group with numbers.

"Okay, time to dish out de secret weapon!" Tough Apple spoke from coming up behind the dragons with a little box in hand.

"What secret weapon? You never said we had a secret weapon?" Phobos asked off in wanting to know what they had that was a secret till now.

"It wouldn't be much a secret if Ah had." Tough Apple remarked off to the curious dragon about keeping things a secret till later.

"Good point, so what is it?" Spike nods in understanding the point, but asked, what was their secret weapon anyway?

"This! Hey Sparkle family, step aside! This one will finish 'de job!" Tough Apple shouted before throwing a wooden box out into the air.

Deciding not to argue, Twilight, Ben & the grown up Nyx steps away while the box crash top pieces before the cannibals gathering around it to face...the secret weapon. But what came out was a yellow rabbit/mouse mixture creation with black stripes and the only thing odd about it, is that it has six tentacles on its back that can stretch a good length range. It looked at the cannibals with its little playful red eyes and....

"Gwahahahaha," The cannibals laugh at seeing this like some joke, a little creature like this was supposed to scare them, yeah right.

"Oh look, they give us a cute rabbit as an appetizer!" One cannibal spoke in pretend fear in seeing what was before them.

"Lets feast on it before we get to the main course!" Another cannibal issued that they come near the creature to eat it & then the others.

That was going to be the cannibals first and last mistake cause this creature was actually...a machine with a special life-stone gem into its creation to function almost like a living being; Rabbitchu, "CHUUUUUUUUUU!" Soon Rabbitchu was expelling a large surge of electricity from its body to make contact with those around it.

"Waaaaauuuhhahahaaaaahhhh," The cannibals were screaming while being shocked by who knows how many voltages.

"IT'S A DEMON RABBIT!" One cannibal that was blackened screamed out to point at the creature was not normal.

"Hiiss..." Rabbitchu hissed to wipe its tentacles to let off a few shocks from its body, ready to deliver another shocking feeling on the enemies.

"Forget these guys, RUN!" Another cannibal issued off in seeing they ain't gonna get some ponies, Dragons & pets if it means dealing with a rabbit demon.

Soon the cannibals were making loud cries while scattering array from the group. After a few short minutes have pass by, all was silent, the group with Twilight have somehow managed to get pass the insane cannibals…without becoming their dinner.

"Tough, what's...how'd you get something like a War Machine from the Armory out of Canterlot?" Twilight turn to Tough Apple in wondering how this pony managed to somehow have an actual Machine of War that Flim & Flam made and they took possession of it to use against any invaders.

"Especially Rabbitchu here," Phobos issued how that getting even one machine like a MechBull was hard enough as it seemed, but the little rabbit with a taste of electrified prey.

"Hoboken Joe pack him away wit' Justin here, seeing ye couldn't be too careful, he pick de only one 'de guards won't notice until later on." Tough Apple shrug off to say while turning to head into the made hole crack wall, somehow an ally they know from afar, was giving aid to the group with something that's a big thing that came in a small package.

"Good old Hobo Joe, he never misses a shot to secretly help out. I'm amazed he didn't just give us the Scout Falcons or the Naga Troopers." Ben shook his head with a little smile in thinking how his old hobo stallion friend at the Canterlot Library somehow pulled wool over anybody's heads to secretly give them an advantage while never getting caught.

"Well, he certainly helped clean those cannibals' clocks, especially for a little yellow guy!" Spike spoke from patting Rabbitchu like a pet in giving him the benefit of thanks. "Zap!" Course the rabbit/mouse machine did let off a spark that caught the Dragon by surprise. "Ouch....right, not a normal bunny, but one with lots of shock bite." Spike yelped from the shock, but let it slide in being happy that they got another helping hand out of that jam.

"Well....another helpful aid is always what we need." Battle Mode Nyx spoke as she glowed before suddenly reverting herself to her original age self of a filly, "Ahhh, back to my little self. Sometimes, I feel more mature when I get bigger." Nyx spoke off sounding & acting like she usually does, that new spell to make her get big, powerful, more fighter material does make her be more like a grown-up, with the side of still being her good self instead of being an evil pony from the past, which is a good thing to be happy about.

"Next time Nyx, you shouldn't keep something like that a secret. If you done that back home, some ponies would think you changed back into Nightmare Moon." Twilight issued to her daughter to let her parents know about what she had develop to help her fight, but should have said about this sooner, especially if she did that form back home, folks would think that Nightmare Moon returned.

"Sorry...I just wanted to be more helpful from now on." Nyx apologized to her mother in feeling like she's in trouble for keeping this a secret, like the time she made a clone of herself during the Lorcan Warfare issue.

"Well I say that showing us that special trick will be easier to let everyone know what you can do now, so they don't begin to fear the worst. But otherwise, you did good," Ben spoke in which both him and Twilight smiled to give a little hug to Nyx, being grateful that their daughter tried to do something to help them out, it's the thought that counts.

"Hehe, thanks daddy," Nyx giggled from the hug, happy to be of help and won't be in the way anymore with her Battle Mode form to give her the edge.

"BASH," Suddenly, a loud smashing sound with dust came from the cave entrance that the MechBull made that alerted the gang, "Mwuuaghhh!" Justin's voice was heard calling out, almost announcing something like a holler noise miners make when they struck something, or found something, whichever. Tough Apple ran inside to check what was going on and report to the group.

"Hey everypony, we bash through, come on over!" Tough Apple's voice is finally heard from within the cave he & Justin made when the stallion rushed to notice, they broke through the wall and can now get to the other side.

"Come on, we better regroup!" Spike signal to the rest that they can now get going now.

"Come along Rabbitchu, you're hanging with the cool crowd. Put her there!" Phobos issued to the little rabbit machine that's basically alive while holding a paw to it to shake.

"Chu," Rabbitchu happily responded to use its tentacle to shake the Moon Dragon's hand. "Bzz..." Course it was so excited, it forgot to be careful of not letting loose its electric power.

"Wooowtch; Guess you gave me a shock!" Phobos yelped from freeing his hand from feeling a shocking experience, and that this little guy will be a shocking addition.

"Come on everybody, we need to get through here to find the ingredient on the other side." Twilight instructed the group about them needing to hurry along so they can find what they need to help save Sweet Apple Acres.

Hearing those words, everyone was going through the cave created by Justin. Once reaching the MechBull, everyone got on the cart, Twilight, Ben, Spike, Phobos, Nyx & Tough Apple helped Rabbitchu to join the little ones with Owlowiscious & Koga together. Once Tough Apple climb aboard, did he signal Justin the MechBull to move out as they were rushing on out of the cave...towards some made light at the end of their little made tunnel to find themselves…in another part of the area they are in.

-----------------------------

In her throne room, Celestia sigh of worriness and upset. She is discussing with Golden Heart and Pinkamena about the important event, "Although I had faith that Twilight Sparkle will return from her journey, I cannot stop my concern but to think of who and why they did such a thing."

Golden Heart nods, saying, "Whoever did this to Applejack's home and crop field surely want to weakened the powers of Elements of Harmony."

"Who else could it be?" Pinkamena ask, hanging upside down fromt he ceiling. "It couldn't be King Sombra coz he's dead. Queen Chrysalis is still trapped in her kingdom with the Changelings! Nightmare Moon, and I don't mean Nyx or Luna, the monster is gone for good. You don't think it's him, do you?"

"Possibly," Celestia said in concern, knowing what Pinkamena is sensing. Suddenly, the pink pony lookalike's sense went off. Golden Heart and Princess Celestia sensed something as well. "Who goes there?"

The black smoke puffed and emerged on the throne room. The trio was in shock as if they're meeting someone. The gray old Earth Pony with black mark on his left eye and white mustache and beard as well as having white mane in ponytail like Ancient Chinese, he dressed in Chinese white silk adviser's robe-like with Yin-Yang on his center. His cutie mark is a Yin-Yang Symbol with Five Cards: Red, Blue, Green, Bronze and Gold Cards. Surrounding him is the 5 pieces of paper cards.

Celestia gasped as she knows who this pony is, "Mystic Tao? What are you doing here?"

Golden Heart frowns as he snaps towards him, "You have no right to come here, Tao!"

Tao smirk and chuckle, "Do you predict my arrival, Golden Heart? I expect no less of a great and might golden Alicorn whose ability can see short distance of timeline."

"Hey, you'd better watch your mouth, Tao! Or I'll gonna kick your flank!" Pinkamena demanded, fighting bad to defend her brother.

"Calm down, sister of Golden Heart. I brought myself upon from Mystic Realm to have a little discussion with her highness of this amiss."

"So what do you want, Tao?" Celestia ask Tao, wondering what the old Earth pony wants from her. He is no threat but can be a hoof-ful at times.

"I wish to know. Is it true that Twilight and her family left to seek the ingredients to bring forth the growth of the land of Apple Family?" Tao ask Celestia in a serious tone of voice.

Celestia nodded, answering, "Yes. Why? Do you know what is going on?"

"So she stepped forward for this great task. She now faced the test of her endurance and determination. It has begun. Impressive; Perhaps, I was right."

"Right? For what," Pinkamena ask Tao a bit confused by what this guy just meant.

"Destined to become not only as a princess, but something worthy and greater to Equestria, Twilight Sparkle will be. I have watched her from the heaven. Her skills, intelligent, courage and love of friendship and family had given her where nopony could never understand the path of benevolent. Great strength and wisdom she possessed to fight for righteous and freedom." Tao answers Pinkamena. The Earth pony apparently knows something about Twilight; that she is destined for even greater things!

"Stop with the riddles! And make sense, stupid mystic!"

"What he means is Twilight Sparkle is destined to become powerful and greater to save Equestria, with the power of her friendship and family." Golden Heart explains clearly to Pinkamena.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Sort of," Pinkamena said, getting the idea, so to speak.

"You'd believe that she would defeat our future great foe?" Celestia ask Tao hopefully.

Tao smiles as he answers, "Yes, my dearest friend; But I do believe I know who is responsible of this mess."

Golden Heart raised his eye-brow, asking, "Who, Tao?" Does this Earth pony know who caused this mess to begin with?

"One whom Twilight and her family had dealt and faced off from the realm of our Human Forms."

"The Superior; He is responsible? He is the one responsible for the mess, our great enemy?" Celestia gasps in surprise yet in a not so amazed kinda voice. No surprise that the Superior himself is responsible!

"Yes. But all of you including Princess Luna and I know his name well. He is the one who brought great despair, chaos and destruction on our land thousand years ago." Tao explains seriously to the group. "He is responsible for bringing forth the demon Discord. His name is feared by everyone across the land of Equestria. Now in the present, his descendants are fulfilling their great ancestor's dark wishes and destiny."

"When will this happen?" Golden Heart asks Tao seriously, fearing the worst.

"Not far distance of our timeline. I know one thing. If you are not prepared for this upcoming war, then face the wrath of our greater enemy. So be prepared for our great battle and war of our history."

Celestia nods, saying gently, "Thank you, O' Wise Mystic Tao."

"I shall take my leave. I shall watch upon Twilight and her friends in her long journey." Tao said, preparing to take his leave for now.

"For thousand years, you're still seeking the one who will not only become the savior of Equestria, but the one who hold principles of benevolent and kindness. Despite wanting to help them, you have your mysterious ways to blend in with ponies as well as guiding them through the use of your wise powers, riddles and questions. You believe that my student will be the one?"

"Twilight Sparkle...... A young mare who desired to do her best to fulfill both her duty and obligation to you, yet knows no knowledge of friendship and benevolent till the day you sent her on the important mission. That very day, Twilight struggle her hardship yet learning the true means of friendship. She had grown very well. She is truly the one. "

Celestia chuckles, shaking her head as she speaks, "You have not change since I last saw you."

"Nor do you, my friend." Tao pauses then got to another subject, a very sensible one, "Tell me, Princess Celestia, how long will you keep the secret? One day, once he learnt the true parentage of his own, do you believe you and him will be forgiven by your son?" Golden Heart and Pinkamena were confused of Tao's words. But Celestia knows, struggling and hesitating.

"Please, don't tell him. Ben's not ready to know about him and me."

Tao sighed, "As you wish, old friend. But keeping this secret can only bring more harm not to your only 'adopted' son but to you, Celestia. Will Megan keep the secret from you?" Celestia remained silent and turned away. "She doesn't. I suggest you must do it before our great foe makes his move; for he knows yours and your child's true origin. Farewell, princess."

Tao disappeared in the puff of blackness smoke. A familiar voice spoke up, "Is he gone?"

"You can come out, Discord." Pinkamena said. Discord appeared as in flesh from the Discord's image in a familiar window.

"Phew. For goodness sake! I thought he'd never leave. I'll get my scale be burned by his 'stupid' magic if he ever sees me. He's so not fun and funny to make with than Golden Heart! He's always ruined my best surprise especially involving a dirty trick for Golden Heart. No offense, Pinkamena."

"None taken; But Yeah! I don't like that Earth Pony, even if he's a good guy and helping us! The way he says and acts like he knows everything. I hate him!"

"Calm down, my little sister." Golden Heart said, calming his sister down. Turning to Discord, the male alicorn continues, "Discord you should not worry about Mystic Tao. I believe he knows that you had reform."

Discord huffed, "Like he ever trusted me to handle the good guy job. Trust me, Goldie, he doesn't like and trust me. And I don't like him too. He's too mysterious, and acts like he knows everything. Please!"

Golden Heart sighed, "Although I admit I'd never like his ways, but his reliable source and ability to see the deep future had helped us through the hardships of uniting the land of Equestria. But now, his words puzzle me. What does he mean 'yours and your child's true origin'?"

Golden Heart was speaking to the princess for the last part. Celestia sighed, "Its best that you must not know of it, Golden Heart. But for now, I can only hope that Ben, Twilight, Nyx and everyone who is with her be safe from their journey."

--------------------------------

Ever since word of Twilight's departure from Ponyville to go to the End of Equestria, the ponies of the town do their best to survive, or even help the Apples. Filthy Rich, concerned, is speaking to Granny Smith, "Well, Granny Smith, can we still get Zap Apples?"

Granny Smith sighed, "I'm afraid not, Filthy. Even if we go and get the small bits of Zap Apples, the ground and trees refuse to grow, and out of life."

Filthy sighed, "So not only will your business goes down, but mine as well. If Ms. Sparkle and her family don't return home as soon as possible, the citizens of this town will be finished."

"I know."

Applejack, Big Mac and Apple Bloom continued to search and look for more and any good and fresh vegetables, with the help of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. And who to show up to give the non-cutie mark ones a bit a surprise? You guess it; Diamond Tiara with Silver Spoon trailing right behind her.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the blank flanks? So, how's your - what again?" Diamond asks, pretending to forget, "Growth going? Not good. Oh sorry to hear," She snorted and laughed. Silver Spoon pretends to laughed and giggled, but deep in her heart, she feels sorry for them. Applejack, Big Mac and the CMC glared at the spoiled brat.

Pipsqueak demands, "What are you doing here?!"

Dinky remarks to the bullies, "You're not welcome here!"

"Go back home!" Twist snaps to Diamond Tiara, not in the mood to hear any of her bullying right when Ponyville is in a middle of a crisis.

"Come now; is that the way to treat your fellow classmate and friend?" Diamond asks the fillies slyly.

"Since when did we ever make friends with you?" Scootaloo ask Diamond in annoyance.

"All you did is insult and making fun of us!" Sweetie remarks in agreement. "Now get lost! We have some food to find and gather!"

Diamond scoffs, "Yeah, the only fresh food is mud."

Diamond laughed merely. Apple Bloom cried and sobbed. She turned and glared at Diamond Tiara, asking, "Yew thinks everything is just a joke?! Yew think 'dat everypony in Ponyville panicking an' being scared is funny?! Yew think sending mah very best friend an' her family 'ta 'de end o' the world is funny?! Yew thinks my family's crop's dead is funny! Don't forget! Yer daddy needs us! So if we're out, then he an' yew are out! Can't you think o' somepony fer once in yer life?!"

"Your point?"

Apple Bloom groaned and yelled angrily as she was about to attack Diamond Tiara but Applejack stopped her by hugging her. The mare insists, "Easy, Apple Bloom! Easy!"

Apple Bloom sobbed loudly, "It's not fair! It's not fair! We've lost mah ma an' pa! We've lost our home! Now we've lost our great friends who we think o' them as part o' de Apple Family! It's not fair!"

Applejack hushed gently to Apple Bloom while hugging her. Diamond Tiara laughed and snorted at them. The CMC, Big Mac and even Silver Spoon glared at her. This isn't even funny or amusing at all!

Big Macintosh demands sternly, "Can't you show some remorse and love for us for once! If you don't, I'll tell-"

"Tell my dad?" Diamond scoffs, rolling her eyes at the 'threat'. "Please, he's busy with that old mare. He won't even know one thing of what I did."

"Diamond Tiara," Filthy is suddenly heard. Diamond turns and yelps as she saw her father who was behind her this whole time!

"Daddy; what are you- Why are you-!"

"Young lady, this is far too much! You're grounded! Now, let's go!" Filthy snaps furiously. Diamond left with groans while her father turns to the Apple Family. "I'm very sorry for what my daughter did. If it weren't for your cousin, she would have causes you problems; my apology."

"Cousin," Applejack and the CMC ask in surprise. Tough is gone so who else could've told Filthy as to what Diamond was doing. Suddenly a familiar cousin from Manehattan appeared, "Babs Seed!"

"I'll leave you and your Apple Family Reunion alone to gather as much as you can. I'm sorry again."

Filthy left as the Apples and the CMC greeted and welcomed Babs Seed. Applejack said, "Welcome, Babs."

"Yer're here, Babs!" Apple Bloom laughs while hugging Babs in surprise. "What - How?"

Babs grins as she explains, "I heard about what happened here. So I told my family to come here. We all are here to help."

Apples and the CMC in surprise ask, "We all?"

Granny Smith appeared, along with the familiar faces of the Apple Family as they carried with their foods and supplies from home. The three Apples and CMC were shocked to see this. The rest of the family has heard of the crisis and came to help them in this time of need!

"Yew all came to help?" Applejack asks her family in amazement.

"Eeyup, we Apples got to stick together to the end." Braeburn explains to Applejack with a grin. "In other words, we're gonna help you with all the foods and supplies we had to help you."

Applejack smiled, saying, "Thank you all."

"It's good thing to know that our family are here to help." Big Macintosh remarks with a nod.

"Just like our Apple Family Reunion." Apple Bloom said with a laugh of delight.

"You said it, cous!" Babs remarks as she gave Apple Bloom a high-hoof.

"C'mon, everypony; Give your best shot! We've gotta keep the Ponyville fit and alive, no matter how long it takes!" Granny Smith calls out to the rest of the family and those who wants to help eagerly.

The Apple Families and the CMC cheers onward, "Yeah!"

As help continues onward, Princess Luna and Flash watch this from nearby. At least now, things are slowing down but it may not for long unless Twilight and her group's quest is a success. The Pegasus couldn't help but remember the conversion and scolding that the Mane Five were given not too long ago.

"Do you think we were being too hard on them?" Flash Sentry asked Luna.

"I don't know," she replied. "I'm not the one who saw her best friend be turned to stone by a cockatrice, kidnapped by diamond dogs, watched her little sister get tortured, watched her best friend get beat up by Lorcan and got bullied at Flight School."

"W-wait!" gasped Flash Sentry. "Those things happened to the Mane Six!?"

"You mean you didn't know?" Luna replied. "Also, Twilight's friends were pretty worried for her so I don't think they are, how you say, selfish. I mean what would if Twilight never came back? Now do you see why Twilights' friends didn't want her to go?"

"I..... didn't know. It never occurred to me that they would be scared of losing her." said Flash Sentry bowing his head in shame. "I'm going to gather Twilights' parents, Shining and Cadence and have a meeting and try to see what we can do for help."

And with that, he trotted away.

--------------------

The group goes through a new grassy area, having onward to where the next ingredient should be at.

"Say Twilight, you and Ben went into the Bullet Acorn Woods, right?" Spike asked off a sudden question while the group was traveling through the desert region here in search for another ingredient.

"Right...?" Twilight slowly responded to that first question.

"So how did you do it, did you two do?" Spike asked off in wanting to see if Twilight and Ben managed to get what they were after before the whole cannibal incident fell into place.

"Well, here's the ingredient: the Raspy Footlong Cucumber!" Twilight opened up a sack she had near her, and with her magic horn, showed everyone that miss out where she and Ben went to...the ingredient. It was black, long and ugly looking, but all in all, if not for a few differences, it looks like a normal cucumber.

"So how'd you get by that woods area with them Bullet Acorns?" Nyx asked her folks with a curious mind at the moment.

"And about the tremors that fire the acorns that release poisonous sprouts unless you catch them, did yah? Hugh-hugh, hugh?" Phobos asked off in really being excited and wanting to know this himself.

"Shoot, Ah like 'ta know what yew did mahself while we're moving along wit' nothing else at 'd time." Tough Apple smiled from up front with Justin, who sounded off to in wanting to hear the story of the two ponies.

"Well...." Ben shrug off to say in feeling it wouldn't hurt to tell, this group at least needed to hear what he and Twilight did before rescuing this lot from cannibal ponies.

Flashback

After leaving the others, Twilight and Ben enters a forest. There appears to be nothing by acorns. The alicorn said, "We need to be careful. It looks safe but can be dangerous, Ben."

"I know, one false move and..." Ben begins to say.

Suddenly a tremor shakes the area, causing the acorns to fire at the speed of bullets. The two ponies quickly dodge them like mad.

"Watch it!" Twilight exclaims as she and Ben dodges the acorn bullets. Some of them hit the ground, causing poisonous sprouts to come out. "Be careful of the sprouts!"

"We gotta find that ingredient somehow." Ben remarks, using a forcefield to block out the acorn bullets and the sprouts; the ground shakes a bit. "Geez, this place has seen its share of earthquakes!'

The two flew through the area. They need to get the ingredient and fast.

"There it is!" Twilight exclaims, pointing a hoof at a cucumber in a tree high above them. "You think you could get it, Ben?"

"No problemo. I can do it while flying." Ben said with a smirk.

Then the brown stallion flew up. Some acorns are thrown at him, but he uses a force field to block them. The Earth pony grabs the ingredient and quickly heads back to Twilight.

"Got it," Ben exclaims with a proud smile.

"Great, now let's get out of here!" Twilight exclaims. The lovers use a force field to block out the poison and the acorns while they make their escape from this mad place.

Back In The Present

"That about wraps up what happened to us." Ben shrugs off his shoulders in wrapping up the case of how he and Twilight did before coming to the group's rescue.

"But at least we've recovered the first ingredient." Twilight sign with relief before putting the Raspy Footlong Cucumber back in the sack; this was the first of many others to gain on their trip into the End of Equestria.

"Cool." Spike chuckles as the group moves on. "We got one ingredient. Hopefully the next few ones aren't so hard to come by."

Unknown to the group, the Equestrian Eliminator was secretly watching them from a tree. Half of him wishes that he interfered to fight the cannibals...but then again, the other half knows better than to be seen. The pony doesn't know it but he ends up being watch as well by a mysterious figure that appears behind him.

"So, you must be the Equestrian Eliminator." Tao spoke, getting the Equestrian Eliminator's attention. The figure is startled that somepony snuck behind him like that. "Nothing but a mere servant of Grimmore; you do realize that he has no heart for you."

The Equestrian Eliminator snaps angrily, "Why should I care for that? I just do what I'm good at. So, stay out of the way, hermit. I've got some important duty to do."

Tao shakes his head as he continues speaking, "Do you wish to know your true origin?"

"Why do you know mine?" The masked pony asks Tao suspiciously. What does this stallion knows that he doesn't?

"I know one thing. You possess the love and family bond to Twilight Sparkle." Tao said mysteriously.

The Equestrian Eliminator glared at Tao as he snaps, "I had no idea what are you talking about! Twilight Sparkle had no idea of who I am. And I had no idea of who I am! She and I had no family connection! Who do you think you're really are? Acting like you knew my true life when you don't even know who I really am!"

The Equestrian Eliminator passed Tao as he was about to follow Twilight and her family. The mysterious pony smirks as if pretending to do some thinking.

"Then, if you truly had no connection to Twilight, then why do you help her, as well as hesitate to meet her in pony?" Tao ask the Equestrian Eliminator, causing him to stop short. "Through your mind you obey the heartless master who never revealed the truth of you, but deep in your heart, you know who you once were."

"Like you can convince me, hermit," The Equestrian Eliminator scoffs at Tao. There's nothing that this pony can do to get him to change his mind at all.

"I can, Starlight." Tao said suddenly.

The Equestrian Eliminator stopped in his tracks and, turned his attention to Tao with a shocked and confused look. He doesn't know what this guy is on about but finds the name so...familiar somehow.

"What makes you say that? My name is not Starlight! He's Twilight's dead brother!" The Equestrian Eliminator snaps, not wanting to believe what Tao just said. "He was killed by Lorcan just before his body......."

"Disappeared?" Tao spoke, interrupting Grimmore's servant. "Yes, it is true that no one knows the fate of Starlight. But I do, for he struggled to live on between life and death, Starlight."

"Stop calling me that! It is not my name! I am the Equestrian Eliminator!" The Equestrian Eliminator yells like mad at this one who would even think of calling him by the name 'Starlight' as if it was his true name.

Tao shakes his head, saying in pity, "So stubborn. So much hate; So much rage; And so much sadness in seeking the truth; in your mind, you may desire no truth of your origin, but your heart does."

The Equestrian Eliminator glared at Tao before demanding, "What do you want me to do? Not because I want to know the truth about me, so I want to shut you up if you keep on like this! You're getting on my nerves."

"Simple; Leave Grimmore and the Apocalypse Ponies for the greater good; If you do, then I shall give you the truth. The truth of who you truly once were before the heartless Lord of Tartarus manipulated you." Tao said mysteriously.

The Equestrian Eliminator huffed at this offer, "Like that will happen. I owe my life to Grimmore. I must obey him. I don't need you, old 'pony'."

Tao sigh, "Starlight, how long can you keep lying to yourself? Ignore the truth of your origin. If this is how you wanted, then let doom come upon you. However, should you and Twilight learn the truth of how the event occurred before today; I shall be there to explain of how it began. Farewell, Starlight."

Tao disappear in a puff of smoke. The Equestrian Eliminator yelled in anger, "My name is not Starlight!"

The Equestrian Eliminator panted and huffed from his anger. He then stomped on the branch hard with both frustration and anger. The Dragons, who weren't too far ahead, somehow heard him.

"Did you hear something just now?" Spike asks Phobos in concern.

"Nope," Phobos said, not really bothering to care about the subject.

---------------

As Golden Heart and Pinkamena along with Gold Wing wait, somepony comes in and Golden Heart knows him.

"Prince Golden Heart, I have found that you were right about the crops, someone had sabotaged them." The mysterious pony came in.

Golden Heart said, "Well, Jack Zen, I thank you for making sure. Now return to your patrols and be on standby until I have a new task that I would like you to do."

Jack Zen bows and heads off as Pinkamena says, "I have to say, Goldie, Jacky is helpful when needed."

Golden Heart nods, adding, "Well, he is not just an Elite Royal Guard, he's a good friend."

Pinkamena nods as she fiddles with a knife. The pink pony soon said thoughtfully, "But you know, if Twilight and gang are to make it- and like you said, Goldie- it will not only mean that they saved the Apple Family's home, but also meaning Twilight will be not a pony to be fooling around with. but I have the strangest feeling that someone is watching them in the shadows."

Golden Heart agrees, "I see, but I have a feeling things will go well."

"I hope so." Pinkamena remarks in agreement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two familiar villains made alicorns watch on in the sky, watching Twilight's group move on.

"You think they will make it through here, buddy?" Bocolix asked Dumbledore curiously. "The boss won't be happy if Twilight dropped dead without warning."

"Oh, they will make it through here, and we are here to keep an eye on them like Boris wants us to." Dumbledore remarks with a grin. "This is like taking candy from an old mare!"

"Uh, isn't that 'taking candy from a foal'?" Bocolix asked Dumbledore puzzled.

"Same deal. Come on!" Dumbledore said as he and his pals prepares to resume following the group.

However, the two heard chuckling, much to their confusion. They heard somepony talking, "How long can your pathetic forms keep you up, Boxco and Dum-Dum? That is the most very pathetic and stupid forms that I ever seen." The two minions turn and saw Tao, standing on a mountain top nearby. They look confused, wondering how he even knew whom the two are.

"Who do you think you are old Earth Pony filth," Bocolix snarls to the enemy, pretending to be dumb (more so than usual). "My name is Bocolix. I don't even know about Boxco."

"Mine is Dumbledore! We're Alicorns, you're just an Earth Pony," Dumbledore remarks with a quick stupid nod.

"Do not underestimate because of my appearance and yours too. I can be easily angered when someone like you who is foolish for not realizing your limits." Tao said sternly as he made five cards appear, much to the so-called alicorns' bewilderment. "But I give you a hint to start your battle. Five cards I possessed are magic. They obey to me only. They strike and defend at my command. Red represent Fire, Blue as to Water, Bronze as to Earth, Green as to Wind, and Gold as to Light. So be prepare of what I'm about to do, or face my wrath."

"Take this for making fun of us!" Dumbledore snaps as he blasted at Tao. But the Earth pony waved his one crimson card. It deflected Dumbledore's attack and blasted back at him.

Bocolix was in shock. Before he could do anything, Tao had launched fire from his red card. Bocolix dodged the attack. Tao use the blue card to launch Water at him but Bocolix dodged in time. The wise old pony then launched light from his gold card at him. Bocolix again dodged but was hit by water.

Dumbledore became annoyed and angry as he blasted the attack at Tao. The old pony deflected the attacks for few times. Bocolix then helped too by firing at Tao. For a few attacks later, Tao remained defending the attacks as he yawned. Dumbledore and Bocolix were in shock, just before they have been frozen up.

"Shadow Lock and Shadow Imprisonment are the most effective powers when trapping the most stupid of opponents such as you. I told you before, your forms are nothing to me, compare of dealing with Discord in my days." Tao said calmly.

Tao waved his green card and bronze card hard. The strong wind came and blew at Bocolix away while a rock hit Dumbledore. They fell right onto the tree's top part. Bocolix and Dumbledore recovered from the injuries. They stared and gasped in fear and worried. They hugged each other as Tao approached Bocolix and Dumbledore.

"What are you?!" Bocolix ask Tao with a whimper.

"No Earth Pony could do like that like Ben did! We're Alicorns! We should not be beaten by you!" Dumbledore exclaims frantically.

Tao smirk as he explains, "I am Equestria's guidance. I shall guide against those who tried to wrong the right such as you." Bocolix and Dumbledore shivered in fear. "I shall spare you, on one condition. Leave and never come back here. You shall inform Boris that Twilight's heart belongs to Ben, no matter how many times he tried. His love for her will be removed as a new one is now within him."

Bocolix and Dumbledore shrug as they had no idea as to what Mystic Tao had said. The Earth pony adds, "One more thing. Tell the Superior that his time of taking over Equestria will not be in fruition, the power of friendship and benevolent shall triumph over evil such as him. He shall not win the war. Deep in the future, the Superior will fall. The dream of his ancestor will fall. Not by me, but by the hands of six heroines. Now leave."

Bocolix and Dumbledore immediately leave. Tao turned and watched Twilight and her family continued to travel to find more ingredients. He mumbled, "The rest is up to you, young Twilight Sparkle. Let your benevolent and heart guides you to seek what you require for the sake of your home."

Tao leaves but unknown to him, two familiar Alicorns watch the old pony quietly. Bocolix ask, "You don't think he's serious, right?"

"Who knows, but who do you rather fear? This old pony's wrath or the boss's if we came back like failures?" Dumbledore ask Bocolix in concern.

The two alicorns pauses a bit then yells out, "The boss's!" They quickly flew off into the sky, not wanting to risk Boris's wrath should the new Alicorns come back as failures.

------------------

Soon, after some time had passed, Twilight's group soon arrived in a field filled with much plant life. It was strange to come across this area in the middle of a desert, some thought of the plants as wild cactus flowers or something. But the target was searching for another ingredient located around here.

"Okay, everypony, we need to find a certain flower around here before leaving the Shifting Sands area." Twilight issued off something to the group in what they'll need to do next here.

"What's it look like, Twilight?" Ben asked in what kinda flower that the group need to find.

"Like this." Twilight showed a picture that her pet owl hovered in the air to reveal a flower that was blue, black and red all over, has seven petals and a green stem on the drawn chart. "It's called the Flower of Eternity, which is supposed to keep things growing without failure, and it should be here." The pony fully explained the conditions of the target ingredient they'll find here.

"Pickin' flowers fer 'de lady, sounds easy," Tough Apple responded when the gang got off of their cart and stood near their MechBull.

"Yeah, maybe too easy; this area's still within the End of Equestria, after all." Spike spoke with doubt that this maybe an easy flower picking job, not around in the dominion lands of this dangerous place no pony ever wanna comes to.

"What could be here?" Nyx asked off in questioning what threat can be around this area, "We already stopped a bunch of cannibals."

"Wruuarrghh," A tiny cry voice was heard that directed everyone to look…down. There was a dark tan-green plant with a red flower bud that looked like a mouth with grip teeth, like it could capture prey if it landed inside it.

"Ah, look, a tiny plant is crying out to us, oh, I feel scared!" Phobos spoke off in poking and teasing the little plant with a mouth that tried to snap at the Moon Dragon, but he was too quick.

"Better be careful there, 'dat looks like one o' 'dem nasty flytrap things." Tough Apple spoke in caution in seeing what they got here was a plant whose bite might be worse than its bark.

"Actually, according to the map, we're supposed to watch out for a carnivorous plant when looking for the flower, but the rest of the writing seems to be missing." Twilight spoke from looking over the map with see of where they are and what to be aware of, but the last few lines seem to have been blocked off…how strange.

"Sniff-sniff...sniff-sniff..." Koga came near the strange plant to sniff it out to learn something of it. "Chomp!" Too bad the plant wanted to make a meal out of the wolf cub, "Arrf-Arrf!" Koga managed to dodge away in time to start barking at the thing like it was an enemy.

"Hey, easy, Koga, it's just one plant!" Ben spoke to ease his pet, what was the worse one little plant could do to them?

"Better let me handle this!" Phobos issued in seeing that if there's a problem, this case will be a snap. Then the Moon Dragon blew his fire that was burning the plant on the spot. "There, problem solved." Phobos declared that with this, now the plant that tried to harm Koga is dealt with.

"WRUUAARRRGHHHH," The tiny plant cried out from within the flames before it was burned to ashes to the ground where the flame cease.

"Um, why do I feel that its cry could lead to trouble?" Spike asked with worry that a weird action like that could mean something bad will happen.

"Cause it did, look!" Tough Apple spoke off from looking serious in pointing at something that's trouble is coming their way.

Soon popping out of the ground were more of the same carnivorous plants, some small, some a bit taller to pony size. "Wruuurarrguhh...Warrrughhh!" And these plants were letting out noises to stretch out and...snap their plant jaws onto the gang.

"Hoot-Hoot," Owlowiscious was flying in the air while avoiding a few chomping plant jaws trying to snatch the bird.

"Hey! Owl is NOT on the menu!" Twilight protests to use her magic to hold these plants to let her owl get by without becoming a meal.

"Bark-Bark; Bark; Grrr...." Koga was seen barking against one plant to growl and start biting its middle root center.

"Chop!" Then the Master Sword was seen swinging to cut off Koga's plant prey in half. "Neither is wolf cubs," Ben protest to the defeated plant about trying to mess with his dog, or wolf cub in terms of the matter.

"WRUARRUGHHH," One tall plant growled to rise up, this carnivorous plant type was about to strike…or was it?

"Bang," Tough Apple soon fired his rifle that blew that plant to pieces right in knocking the head off. "Look alive! We've got a serious WEED problem here!" Tough Apple issued this out to his pals in what kinda situation they be dealing with. "Justin, help trample some o' them things!" The tough stallion was hollering out the MechBull to try and flatten the little bunch while plowing some of the taller plants attacking.

"Mwruuuaaghhh," Justin the MechBull heard the call, and started to charge straight into battle. "Powwvhhmmm….Stomp-Stomp…." A bit of collision and stomping across the ground with some taller plants and a few little carnivorous plants that were getting wrecked across the field.

Twilight used her magic to tie a few of the plants in bows while Ben Mare or Tough Apple slices or blasted the other carnivorous devils apart. Spike and Phobos were really lighting up the party with their fire power, course maybe that was saying too much, considering how much smoke is being started.

"Hay-hay, careful, or you might burn the whole field and the flower that we want!" Twilight spoke with worry, as she used a water spell to put out the fire Spike and Phobos carelessly started.

"Try telling them that!" Spike issued off the direction of the crazy plants trying to come and bite him and Phobos so much.

"Heads up, Nyx," Phobos shouted in seeing his friend was also being targeted by the plants.

"I got it!" Nyx used her horn to cast a protective barrier around herself along with Owlowiscious and Koga with making it hard for the plants to eat them.

Twilight comment, "Let's see how strong my size spells are now." She shrinks a massive plant down to half the size of a mouse and enlarges Spike and Phobos to 30 times their normal sizes (with the appropriate increases in proportionate strength, durability and flame breath) so they can fight six other monsters each approximately the size of full grown Ursa Majors on equal footing.

"Nice, how did you do that?" Nyx ask Twilight in amazement.

Twilight comment, "I remembered all the way back to my entrance exam. When I first hatched Spike, I accidentally enlarged him to almost the size of an adult dragon. Anyway, it dawned on me; if I could do that THEN, as a filly, then I should DEFINITELY be able to do it NOW, as a young adult mare with more than a decade of practice - especially with how much more powerful my magic has gotten recently."

Ben put in, "So you basically just did ON PURPOSE what you did by accident as a filly, figuring that, even if Spike and Phobos shrank back to normal size in a few minutes, the boost in size and power would still be enough to allow them to fight off the monsters attacking them."

Spike put in, "Actually, I wouldn't mind going through that again. I mean, basically the power of my Spikezilla size, but with a calmer brain. That could actually be useful again in future adventures."

Finally, after carefully decapitating another carnivorous plant's head or lightly burning it by Phobos and Spike, the group had somehow managed to tend to the garden work pretty much okay. Course this needed more than a green thumb, especially since ponies have no thumbs, but the Dragons, who shrank back to normal, did but that's a different of opinion.

"Welp, problem solved, now let's look for that plant we want!" Phobos clapped his hands for a job done; now the group can finish their task now.

"Something up Twilight," Ben turn to notice that Twilight was seemingly uneasy, even after they just took care of some wild plant life trying to bite their limbs off.

"It's this part about carnivorous plants, the last writing is hard to make out, it could be a vital clue." Twilight issued to Ben from looking at the map of where they are again, she can't help but feel that this fight against plants were but a trouble issue than a major part; the princess felt something was off with the warning note and tried to uncover the truth. "Hugh, why's this part...mushy?" Twilight tapped her hoof against the words about carnivorous plants to discover a goopy stuff that was almost…like applesauce.

"Oh, Ah see, heck, Ah ate some applesauce one night and it was so dark, I thought it was a napkin, heh, sorry." Tough Apple spoke off in admitting some guilt about what happened one night, he used one of the maps and messed it up; the stallion made a sheepish expression to chuckle off that honest mistake.

"Ugh, well, that explains a lot." Twilight moans for Tough's little mess before magically cleaning it up and… "Oh no," The girl yelped in surprise to suddenly find…something else written for a heads-up notice she never came to read, 'cause the applesauce was in the way.

At this moment, some background theme was suddenly being played out of the bloom.

"Hey, that sounds like the music: VS Sigma, from Megaman X8 Original Soundtrack!" Nyx spoke off in recognizing that kinda sound from somewhere, course that made Tough, the Dragons and pets look at her weirdly in what she said. "It's my Auntie Pinkie Pie's gift of breaking Fourth Walls. But that sound is not good." Nyx shrug off in issuing that it's one of the talents she got from her aunt Pinkie Pie to break Fourth Walls at random moments and so forth.

"Okay, a little weird, but probably a good notice 'ta be on alert." Tough Apple slowly responded off to the weirdness while thinking it's warning them of something approaching.

"Twilight....What's wrong?" Ben asked his love of what made her feel like she saw a ghost or something.

"According to the area of the map we're in, in this field of flowers is not just a few carnivorous plants, but a giant plant that sends out its roots from its body to deal with its opponents. It's called the Mehitos." Twilight Sparkle explained that what the group has been facing isn't of just a few foes, but one giant plant opponent that has been fighting with its many roots and may not be just any ordinary carnivorous plant either.

"Mehitos," Ben responded off a bit weird in hearing the name of the plants they fought…was of one creature type.

"Yes, says here, it was a special Guardian which was made and seal in a ring, and whoever wields the ring can control its actions. Otherwise when let free, it goes wild in its territory that either has wild garden life or just travels in the ground." Twilight explained this other action of knowing what this Mehitos was most likely gonna be, and it sounds pretty dangerous unless it's kept on a leash by the user of the ring…which they don't have.

"What else is there to know?" Spike asked off in liking to be well alerted of what other problems they got to tend to here.

"When it's attack with its small and medium size roots failing, it'll come up to its full size and use all its roots, including larger ones to attack whoever disturbed it." Twilight explained the last issue notes of what to expect when you mess with a wild free plant that's out of control and can be ferocious when angry.

During the moment unknown to the rest, underground within a ray of white light, a shadowy plant was rising up towards the gang with the one in front as a large mouth with tiny root mouths around the body.

"But the one who disturbed it was...." As Phobos was about to ask about who would be targeted by attacking the carnivorous plant first was… "Uh...oh..." At this moment, Phobos froze solid in realizing the error that he was the one at fault for a toasting one plant. And suddenly, the entire ground was shaking, quaking around the gang until… "PowwFruvhmmm…./Gaaaugh!" Suddenly a giant mouth came out of the ground, and clamped itself around the Moon Dragon, and then a yelp from Phobos while something was rising upwards.

"Phobos," Nyx cried out in seeing her pet pal was in trouble, and boy was everyone seeing how 'BIG' Trouble they gotta deal with.

"HEEEEEEELLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLP," Phobos was seen outside with half his lower body in the mouth of some creature that caught him, he was literally screaming up a storm with wide-eye terror while his position from going up was turning a bit to the left side.

And from a far view, the gang could only gasp upon shocking discovery in what they are witnessing that caught Phobos. A giant version of the carnivorous plant was seen bursting out of the sandy ground of the field that stood so very, very tall and large like an empire state building. Around the long root was like other roots of other carnivorous flytrap jaws of medium to small size, but the real threats were those larger than the rest. And right now the biggest one was at the top of the rest holding Phobos in its plant jaw, this was the Carnivorous Plant: Mehitos.

"GREAT FARMER'S FIELD; LOOK AT 'DAT THING!" Tough Apple shouted in surprise in seeing the mere size of the plant they've been dealing with, this was the entire force while they handled by tiny or middle size carnivorous flytrap beasties.

"That's one big plant!" Spike spoke out in utter amazement; they've never face something 'that' big before.

"And it's got Phobos!" Nyx pointed out that their friend is within the jaws of the enemy…literally.

"Auugh…Aaaughh…I'm too YOUNG to be plant food!!" Phobos cried out from trying to pull out of the jaws of this plant beast, he was so spooked out he couldn't think straight to even just try to breath fire on the thing's weakness.

"Everyone, we have to save him. Charge through!" Ben instructed to the group that they need to get Phobos before he ends up getting eaten.

Now everyone was trying to attack and to save poor Phobos in the jaws of the beastly foe. But there were more plant jaws of the carnivorous plant that many used tactics to block, dodge, or attack. Twilight and Nyx used whatever magic they could to stop or blast off the roots. Spike blew some of his fire at the roots while using his Flame Step technique to skip in the air, but too many other plant jaws almost tried to make a meal of him. Ben used his Master Sword to slice across the field of living vines with jaws and Tough Apple kept blasting with his rifle or just rip a few vines in half. The pets stayed with Justin, as the MechBull tried to plow against one large carnivorous plant by the horns, but it was hard to overpower such strength. Twilight took notice of their situation; they won't get anywhere unless they stop the root of the problem. And that made her mind flash.

"Wait a second, the map said about a ring to control Mehitos, then…." Twilight spoke with some thought about what was a way to defeat this plant foe, and it was from the ring that lets one control it. And from a distance, Twilight saw one vine that shimmers from a light reflected of the sun, which showed that it wore something….the ring. "That's it! Ben, fire a Sword Beam twenty degrees longitude and 34 degrees altitude!" Twilight responded to her love in spotting the target in where that was the key to stopping this thing.

"Huh, why," Ben asked off puzzled to see the vine, and he almost thought something was around the neck, like a ring maybe.

"Just hurry, that one vine has the ring, separate it from this plant." Twilight instructed Ben to quickly attack that part of the plant.

"Waaaughhhaaaahhhh; don't let this thing EAT MEEEEEEE!" Phobos cried out from thinking it's a matter of time before one of the other flytrap jaws of this plant come to take a bite out of him within his trapped state.

"Bang-Bang…." Tough Apple fired at a lot of vines with jaws, but he wasn't getting anywhere. "Darn it, there's too many for me 'ta aim right!" Tough Apple cursed that he's been keeping a few of the hungry plants away from Phobos, but his bullets are almost all gone.

Soon a scene shows one carnivorous plant charging straight towards where the Moon Dragon was at, and around its neck was a strange ring that shines a bit in the light, "WRIUAARRUGHHH!" The plant let out its jaws to let off a screeching cry to about to attack Phobos.

"Here goes…Sword Beam!" Ben Mare declared in charging up his Master Sword, and soon fired it off towards the other plant about to attack Phobos.

The entire scenery felt like a slow motion, as the medium size carnivorous plant was about to bite Phobos….it got sliced from its neck area. "SLASHVHHMM…." That one move left Phobos with a wide-eye frozen state, unable to react to what happened in his slow world around him. As for the chopped off plant head, the ring from under the root slipped out, and soon, the entire Carnivorous Plant Guardian, known as Mehitos, was glowing a bright color before….it's entire being vanished into thin air. "CRASHFRUVHMMM…." Of course around the time when the background music stopped, Phobos was dropping like a stun fly before coming into contact with the ground. "Uaaaughh…." And from that tower falling force into the ground, made Phobos let off a yelp cry of pain whelk making a bit of sand dust around him.

"Phobos, speak to us!" Nyx spoke in approaching her Moon Dragon first to pull him out from ending up having his head in the ground, weird as it sounds.

"I'll never complain about my veggies again…cause I think I might be off from eating my salads from now on." Phobos spoke off from getting out, looking dizzy while stating about that experience will make him very concerning of when he sees or touches his veggies or other plants.

"I think he'll be fine." Spike rolled his eyes in seeing this was an action they all can tell right away.

"Mwrruaaghh…." Suddenly, the group turns to Justin roaring near a spot to get the others' attention.

"What's up, Jus?" Tough Apple asked off from approaching the bull in what Justin was going on about here.

"Hoo," Owlowiscious spoke off in issuing a response here.

"The MechBull, who else would Ah…ah darn, yew playing me," Tough Apple was about to respond to the question of 'who' but was fooled by the owl.

"Arrf-Arrf,” Koga was near Ben to circle him in wanting attention around the ground level.

"Hey, check this out, you guys." Ben spoke to kneel down near the wolf cub to spot…a certain flower that the heroes were seeking. "We found it, the flower you wanted, Twilight." Ben turn to his love to have her look at the plant in question; the one that looked like the Flower of Eternity from the map.

"The Flower of Eternity; Oh, thank Celestia it wasn't destroyed from all this commotion!" Twilight Sparkle smiled to use her magic to magically scoop this flower up carefully into a pot and kept it in a case to protect it.

"And look at this! A ring," Nyx spoke in pulling forth from the ground that looked like a gray ring of a plant's teeth mouth, like a Venus flytrap, or of a familiar carnivorous plant they just beat.

"That's the Mehitos!" Twilight spoke to use her magic to bring the ring Nyx had to her eye level to study the object. "Or at least, now back in its state until it's used by its wielder." The princess knew that unless this magical item had a master to summon it, it would stay until it would be summon so long as someone keeps it close.

"Hey, maybe this can be a good thing. You know, if this thing listens to whoever holds the ring, then maybe this plant could help us out on our journey." Spike smiled in suggesting what they can do now that they had this ring that contains Mehitos inside, if they are the users for the plant creature, it'll follow their orders and may help them through the End of Equestria.

"You wanna have us take the thing that tried to EAT ME like Fertilizer?" Phobos protest out in thinking they wanna have something that almost made him into plant food.

"Come on, Phobos, that was when it was wild and without a master to hold the ring use to call it, maybe in Twilight's hold, we can make a difference." Ben spoke to ease the Moon Dragon in over thinking things, so long as they hold Mehitos's Ring, the plant will listen to them if and when they summon it. "There, what do you think, Twilight?" Ben brought out a silver line rope to wrap around Twilight's neck, with an opener connector to which, the stallion let their new souvenir ring dangle from.

"It's nice, a ring around a necklace, and I'll be sure to keep watch over it and use it for emergencies." Twilight smiled to hug Ben for the little aid here, and she'll keep an eye on this magical summon ring, it may come in handy when they need a little help.

"Heck, better than on your hoof, since ‘dat ring looked fit fer only someone with fingers." Tough Apple spoke off in seeing that from a good view, the ring that contains Mehitos seem for fingers instead of hooves.

"Maybe we'll come across other items on this trip that could help us, what do you think, mommy," Nyx spoke with a nice idea that may serve to aid them, if they find other stuff that if the group defeat Guardian Creatures, then an item they are sealed in could be theirs to use for good, then for bad.

"It's a thought, Nyx, but for now, let's just focuses on traveling." Twilight nods with a smile in giving a 'we'll see' kinda response, after all, they are on a journey for ingredients, but a few survivors to collect might not be bad and could help them out in aiding to protect Equestria.

Once everyone was done, they got back on their cart with Justin the MechBull pulling them out again. Now they've managed to collect two ingredients; that's not too bad. If they can get a few more, then they'll have what they need to help undo what happened over the Apples’ Farm.

-------------------------

While Twilight and her family, along with Tough, were visit in the End of Equestria, things aren't doing so well back in Equestria. For starters, Flash Sentry told the other Mane Six at their restaurant what Twilight's group is doing and they are freaking out a bit. And soon word spread, and all of Ponyville is scared that their newest princess isn't coming back. And that's not all...

"Cakes; Sweets; Ice Cream," Caramel ask the Cakes in disbelief. Two days that the ponies had to eat this stuff and even then, they are getting sick of it! "That's all you're gonna sell?"

Lucky Clover agrees, remarking in a cranky way, "We've eaten those for two days."

"I would love to but don't you have fresh foods to give?" Golden Harvest asks the Cakes in disbelief.

"I'm sorry. That's all we had." Mr. Carrot Cake apologizes to his customers in concern.

Mrs. Cup Cake adds in sadness, "We're good at baking cakes and sweets, not gardening and farming like Applejack's."

"C'mon, can't you all eat them?" Pinkie asks the ponies anxiously. But that only made them madder.

"Seriously; we can't keep on like this!" Lyra complains in annoyance. Sweets are fine but the ponies needs veggie big time!

"Where's our vegetables?!" Sweetie Drops yells out furiously. The ponies are getting madder; they are going to riot soon!

"You can't give us like this!" Rosy exclaims as Daisy and Lilly glared at the Cakes, who looks nervous at the glares given to them all.

Even Mayor Mare herself is getting mad, yelling at the Cakes, "You can't keep us like these forever! We want our vegetables!"

Soon the ponies are ganging up on the Cakes, yelling in madness, "We want our vegetables! We want our vegetables! We want our vegetables!"

The Cake Family and Pinkie panicked, they are going to be trampled on or worst unless these ponies get what they want. Rainbow, Rarity and Fluttershy, coming into Sugarcube Corner, saw what had happened. They gasped in worry. Pinkie and the Cakes are in big trouble...and so is Ponyville!

"Aw man! Princess Celestia's right. They can't keep eating the sweets for whole days and weeks." Rainbow groans a bit while slapping a hoof to her forehead. This is bad, unless the ponies get their veggies, this could get ugly big time!

"But what can we do? Applejack is still looking for some fresh foods. I doubt she can get everything done." Rarity said to her friends desperately, looking like she is going to faint at any given moment and with no couch to faint onto this time.

"What can we do?" Fluttershy whimpers a bit. It looks like it's all over for the Cakes and Applejack.

Suddenly, the ponies all heard a noise. They turned and saw that Applejack and her whole family had arrived with large carts of vegetables. Everypony was in shock and surprise. Their wishes have came true!

Once the carts came to a complete stop, Applejack is the first of the family to speak, "Sorry 'ta keep y'all waiting. But our Apple farm is having shortage of foods. We can't promise 'dat we can find more an' replant them, or even gathered 'de foods fro' another area. But we can promise one thing. We must fight our hunger! We must control our hunger till 'de night we eat. We have 'ta wait fer Twilight Sparkle an' her family 'ta git back home. Wit' 'de ingredients they could git, we can replant everything we had lost."

The ponies became uncertain as they chatted. Granny Smith frowns as she shouts, "Now you listen! If it weren't for us, you wouldn't be here! Ponyville wouldn't exist in the first place! I know it's hard! But we must fight! Fight our hunger! Fight for our survival! Coz if you're don't, then we are finished!"

Apple Bloom yells out in agreement, "In other words, yer're all got 'ta eat small pieces o' every vegetables, an' keep it fer 'de next day, an' then after. But if you eat it all at once, yew won't have a chance to live another day. Sorry."

"So, it's time 'ta show Equestria 'dat Ponyville can live fer another day by showing them that we can hold our stomach until tonight." Applejack pleads to her fellow ponies in hope that they can listen. "So, please not fer me, but fer everypony an' Twilight. Ah know it's hard an' tough but it's 'de only way. We must do our best 'ta keep our hunger down."

"Beside, we fought battles like Lorcan, Tirek and the Three Ghost leaders like they're nothing to us. So, show us that being hungry is nothing to us!" Big Macintosh calls out. The ponies are getting more inspired, determined and brave as the Apples kept on encouraging them all. "If we fought them hard, we must hold our stomach hard till night time to have dinner!"

"We fight for our survival by saving foods for once in every night." Granny Smith said with a nod.

"It's 'de only way. It's time 'ta show them what yeu're made o'!" Apple Bloom cheers on. She is even getting the foals' attention.

"Are yew wit' me?" Applejack calls out. The ponies cried and cheered as they're willing to fight their hungers. "Then, let's do it, y'all! Remember, each family get one type o' every food."

The ponies went to the Apple carts to gather the food and willingly to hold their hunger until night time. Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie smiled. Looks like everything is going to turn out fine after all.

As soon as everypony got their foods and left, a shadow approach over the ponies. The Mane Five gasped as it turned out to be Flash Sentry from before.

"Flash? The Mane Five ask in alarm.

"What do you want?!" demanded Rainbow Dash. "Are you hear to make insults at us again?! Fluttershy's been bullied all her life as a foal and now you dare to insult her!?!"

"Ahem!" Rarity exclaims, knowing that Rainbow's tone of voice is rude.

"Sorry. Look, we get it. We really are such irresponsible mares for not thinking of our friends. You're right and we're wrong. Happy?"

"No." Flash spoke. The Mane Five were shocked and confused upon hearing that. "I'm not happy of what I had said."

"Well. You are a rude pony." The white unicorn scoffs a bit. Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rainbow glared at Rarity. "I mean why would you not be happy of what you had said?"

"It's not right to scold the heroines, especially Ben's fillyfriend's friends. It's just that........ I refused to see this happen again."

"What do you mean?" Fluttershy ask Flash, not sure what he meant. 'This happen again?'

"Ever since Ben's disappearance when I was a colt, I couldn't forgive myself for not being there with him. So I vow myself that I will do what I can to help Ben to stand up for not only me, but for Twilight and everything he believed in." Flash explains calmly to the girls. "I also vow to make sure that every best friend must support and help each other, no matter what danger and cost it might be. That's why I'm angry at you two days ago. I'm sorry. I'm ashamed of what I had said."

Applejack pauses then sighs a bit, "'Ta be honest, yew were right 'ta scolds us as Shining Armor had said. We're her best friends. We should help her overcome her problems, instead we ignore her twice before."

"Yeah. I mean, we've been through a lot of adventures, dangers and battles. We'd never run or gave up on our friends no matter what. Though you were kinda rude to us, but still you're an okay pony for fighting and believing in friends." Pinkie adds to Flash with a giggle.

Rainbow smiled as she says, "You know, you really are Ben's first best friend. You'd never give up on him. You believe he can make it back, do you?"

Flash smiled as he answers, "I do."

"What a fabulous and great friend you really are." Rarity said proudly to Flash.

"If you do, then so do we." Fluttershy said with a determined look. If Flash believes that Ben will come back, then the girls shall do the same thing for him and Twilight. "I really wish that I can be very brave as you and Rainbow."

"Being brave doesn't gotta do well with showing off, Fluttershy, it's gotta do with your guts and what you believe." Flash explains to Fluttershy. "So if you believe in Twilight, then I'm sure that she will be back home safely. Like I always believe in Ben, he will always be back home."

"Eeyup," Applejack said while looking at the sky, filled with hope. "Ah too believe in Twilight. She'll be back. I know an' hope for it."

--------------

Twilight's group arrives in more of the desert area. Spike calls out, "So what is this place?"

"It's called the Shifting Sands." Twilight explains while looking at the map. "The next ingredient, The Tasteless Diamond, is buried in this area."

"Tasteless Diamond; I don't know if I wanna be tempted to eat it or not."

"It's called that because it tastes like glass. Trust me."

Suddenly before the gang, a large covering of sand was being blown around them without warning.

"Augh great, sand in mah face," Phobos groans in seeing they are getting sand blown all around.

"Where did this come from?" Nyx asked off in where this sudden sandstorm came from.

"I don't know, just...out of nowhere." Spike shrug off to say since he didn't know where this came from.

"Hay ya'll hear buzzing?" Tough Apple spoke off in hearing a weird sound, kinda like the sounds of...insects.

True to words, there were buzzing sounds, and at that moment, it was making the gang feel pain. Somehow, the group covered their ears in feeling this buzzing noise was effecting them, why?

"Gah; what are those noises?" Ben asks, groaning a bit from the pain.

"It hurts, daddy, mommy! It hurts!" Nyx whines a bit like a horse (which she is of course). Even the animals are making noises of pain from the sudden noises.

At the moment, much of the gang was on their knees, gripping their ears in being unable to handle such irritating sounds.

"Everypony, stand strong, we can't give up!" Twilight instructed to the group as they were now seen pushing themselves back on their feet.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle!" A sudden voice spoke off in a mix of sounding everywhere, and nowhere, and most of all, sounding almost inhuman; almost demonic by the male tone.

"Hugh, that voice?" Twilight yelped in hearing a voice just now, who or what was it?

"You've done well to make it this far." The mysterious voice mix of some inhuman creature spoke to the group.

"Great, I'm hearing voices in my head!" Phobos responded in feeling like hearing voices would make his headache worse.

"Who are you? Where are we?" Nyx asked off in wanting to know who or what this thing was & where they are.

"I am...the Swarm. And this is the center of the Shifting Sands." The unknown strange demonic voice spoke to the group.

"The center," Spike repeated, what did this weird creature mean?

"Don't matter where we are, lets git outta 'dis weird-o place." Tough Apple issued before having Justin try to get them out by running out of here, or so it would have work if the MechBull didn't flinch at...a surprise...

For suddenly, an entire group of wasp insects that form a colony buzz near the stallion appear. But what's worse was that they were making something, a form cloud or shapeless forms of their choosing, all to frighten Tough from going anywhere.

"What da," Tough responded almost totally weird out in seeing something freaky going on before their eyes.

Soon the colony of wasp was forming into a face with empty eye holes & a mouth. It almost look human with the face, eye, mouth, nose structure, but them glimmering yellow eyes and it's spooky bodiless form nearly scared everybody out of their mind. And above the forehead was a yellow gem that glowed, this was the Wasp Creature: Swarm, a new foe for Twilight's group to face within the End of Equestria.

"It's pointless to flee!" Swarm bellowed off in finally appearing before this group in it's form within this sandstorm. "Escaping from the Shifting Sands is impossible." This group of wasp spoke while glimmering from its form being kept together before the gang. "Now, surrender and be given a quick....painless death." The wasp colony face exclaimed in wanting those before him, or it, to prepare to surrender.

"Forget it, you won't make us!" Phobos exclaims to the villain madly.

"Yeah, we can on a quest and you won't stop us!" Nyx exclaims in agreement.

"Scam, git," Tough Apple demands, waving a hoof as he wants the Swarm to get lost so that the heroes can move on with what they are doing.

"You Will Not Survive!" Swarm snarled off to hover it's self over to the group in sounding strict while glowing & even showing its scary eyes.

"No!" Nyx protest to the meany whatever, they won't just roll over and play dead for real.

"Keep away!" Tough Apple snapped off to hold his pee-shooter and fired off a shot.

Swarm was hovering close to the group, making even Justin the MechBull back away from this freaky freak of nature. Soon Justin was given a command to high-tail the group away from this area,....but it seem that no matter how far the gang try to flee, the loud painful buzzing was heard & getting into their minds, almost like Swarm was trying to make them lose all sense & give in.

The more the Swarm glowed with its buzzing, the more Twilight realized something.

"This sound....those wasps!" Twilight spoke from realizing that this creature was made of insects, so then that meant....

"Bang-Bang-Bang," Tough Apple was firing his rifle gun, but every shot just pass through the Swarm like nothing. "Why...Won't...’Dat...Creep...Stay...DOWN!" Tough responded after every shot, nothing was even phasing this monster.

"Tough, it's no use, there's too many of them in small size to hit unless it was larger!" Ben explained to his friend that no matter how much they attack at a time, more will just replace the rest.

"Surrender...SURRENDER," The Swarm hollered out in approaching the group trying to flee ever so more.

"Stop...Stop...." Nyx protest, as she, Spike, Phobos, even the pets held their heads in feeling agony taking over.

As much as Twilight, Ben, and Tough tried to resist what was playing at their minds, the Swarm's glimmering form hovered over the gang, almost like it's mouth was swallowing them along with their MechBull whole. Everyone was wide eye in horror of what was to happen to them until...they just couldn't fight the urge to stay awake. Soon a scene shows the ponies & Dragons drifting down into some abyss.

"Sleep..." Swarm exclaimed to the travelers that were slowly falling into a strange state. "Twilight Sparkle...Sleep with your companions." The Swarm made its final issue before everything seems to go dark around the scenery.

Twilight groans a bit as she looks ahead. For a moment, it appears that...the pony and her friends are back...back home with their friends and loved ones. The whole thing appears to be a nightmare. No disaster, no worries....and best of all, there are the princesses...Sunset Shimmer...

Wait, hang on! Twilight realizes something: Sunset Shimmer is trapped in the parallel world for 2.5 years! This cannot be real! Twilight yells out, "Everyone! This isn't real! Only an illusion! Wake up!"

Everyone else begins to recover, realizing the truth...especially when they see bee figures over the illusions! They gotta escape. Tough moves around quickly, mumbling, "Gotta git, gotta...ooh, apple!"

Tough picks up an apple of some kind...then yelps as Granny Smith's face appears, scolding, "Tough! Haven't I done taught you nothing?"

"What? What does yew mean Granny?"

"Wasps hate fire! Use smoke to escape!"

Tough looks startled as he saw an apple tree with many Granny Smith faces appearing, all of them yelling, "Use smoke, use smoke, use smoke!!!"

Soon the gang snaps out of it, finding themselves in an unknown area...they are trapped! But then, something big and familiar is coming their way...

Suddenly, the scene opens to where in the desert sands were nothing at first.... But then busting through the sands was a MechBull and from it was Justin pulling its companions out of the sand they were buried in out into the light. Everyone was coughing and struggling to wake up.

"Great, I got sand in places I'm too ashamed of to say!" Phobos groans off to say from feeling he's got sand in places he never knew or didn't wanna gross anyone out.

"How'd we get here?" Ben asked off in noticing they were somewhere that wasn't familiar.

"Dat Swarm fella was messing wit' our noggins. But it must not have mess wit' Justin here, since he's a machine. Good work gitting us out o' dat jam pal." Tough Apple explained off what may have happened to them while knowing that only the MechBull wasn't dragged by the illusion trick being done by that wasp creature, even to pat the bull on the head.

"Mwuurrarrgh," Justin the MechBull let off a bull sound in raising its head, happy to be of service.

"Well I'm glad Justin helps us escape." Nyx smiled in seeing their travel ride has helped them out.

"Was that all a dream?" Spike asked off if what they experienced…was all a dream, the thing about the wasp & everything.

"No, it probably wanted us to come here." Twilight issued with a serious expression on her face.

"Why say that?" Spike asked off a bit lost by what Twilight was saying.

"As long as we're aiming for that tower," Twilight instructed from when they looked to the other side in seeing a spiral tower of mountain dirt in this ant-lion sand pit that the heroes are in.

"What do yah mean mommy? What is that thing?" Nyx asked her mother in not following much of what was going on in the slightest.

"Maybe she got too much sand in her brain to know what she's saying," Phobos issued off to say in a silent voice about Twilight got knock on the head to be saying something kooky.

"Apparently, it's the center of the Shifting Sands." Twilight explained this other issue out to her friends in what they may have here of what the area they are standing before is.

"The center," Ben asked surprised to hear this news just now.

"Somehow, it might sound crazy, but...the Shifting Sands itself guides all visitors in the End of Equestria to this tower." Twilight responded in knowing what she's saying sounds hard to believe at first, but it makes sense somehow. "As long as that's where we're heading, Swarm won't try to stop us. Because...that's where another ingredient we need is." The girl spoke out with a determine face in knowing, what they seek, is right where the threat lies in wait for them.

"Wait! We're actually trying to go, where the bad guy is waiting for us? Are we in Crazy-town?" Phobos asked off in almost not believing this to be true, the gang actually wanna go where they'll be prey to a number of wasps.

"Guess we have no choice. It's either sinks or swim time." Tough shrug off to say about their choices here.

Soon the gang had to leave Justin behind with the pets since those that could fly or hover with magic flew over the spiral tower while Tough was climbing pretty okay like he was a pro at this. Once they reached the top, did they look down to where the entrance was, it was like a mountain for ants to call a colony.

"This hole looks considerably deep." Ben spoke with a serious statement about how far deep this hole in the tower mountain must lead.

"It's so dark down there, we can't see a thing." Spike stated from leaning to look closely, but couldn't see much.

"Mommy, are you sure about this?" Nyx asked with some concern if this was really the wise thing to do, it might be dangerous.

"Yes, the ingredient is down there. The list Zecora gave me explained where it usually grows." Twilight nods to state about what they seek, Zecora wrote on where one they are seeking, one can be found in this territory.

"Then there's no mistake." Ben shook his head in understanding things, the adventurers have to brace for whatever is lying in wait.

Suddenly, the gang hears buzzing noises that are painful to their ears, ever since they entered the Shifting Sands. It sounds like Swarm is welcoming them to its lair, though that doesn't make them too happy to hear. Then a rumbling sound was heard, and from the pit blew out like a volcano's top that surprised the gang, but instead of lava, it was....wasps.

"Make sure you don't fall!" Ben instructed around and got a lot of nods in agreement.

Soon the wasp were forming together to recreate Swarm's headless face in the air with the glowing gem in the center. "Welcome...to your doom." Swarm hovered down in issuing this act towards the gang.

"Our doom," Phobos repeated in fright, not liking this thing anymore than before.

"Those are some wasps." Ben remotely issued about their foe is nothing but wasps, but he has his Master Sword, just in case.

"Spike, Phobos; breath fire on this cloth," Twilight instructed to hold a piece of cloth in wanting her friends to burn it while she used magic to make Spike hold it.

"Why? Oh never mind, okay." Spike was about to ask why, but decided against it than just getting into an argument.

"None of you shall escape here." Swarm spoke off while hovering & glowing within the air.

But then the dragon duo blew fire on some cloths, the light made Swarm flinch a bit back in fear suddenly. The Dragons wave this off to try to get the beast of many to back off.

"Mumph...." Swarm yelped from seeing this act, it didn't like smoke or fire before becoming a swarm of wasp to fly back down in its hole.

"What's going on here?" Nyx asked off lost in what just happened now.

"Remember what Granny Apple said in our illusion? Bees, wasp, insects hate fire." Twilight explained to her daughter & group in what the creature that they face hates most.

"But what is with those bees?" Tough Apple questioned about the Swarm creature they chase off for now.

"They might be the being controlled by that gem on the forehead, after much thought, I believe someone made it to have the insects act as one brain." Twilight explained with a serious tone in what they just saw was something made from sorcery. "For now, we may have to defeat it with two weaknesses, fire, and the gem on the forehead by destroying it. Spike & Phobos, stay here with Ben, Tough, & Nyx, & wait for my signal to attack." The girl stated off to issue what they know while instructing what they may need to do next.

"You sure mommy," Nyx asked with concern in her voice.

"Yes sweetie, I can fly down, find the ingredient and fly up to lead Swarm into our trap, but it looks like I'm mostly its target." Twilight kneel down to assure her daughter, she'll be find and get what they came for while having a plan to defeat the enemy of many tiny bugs.

"Be careful Twilight." Ben hugs Twilight in wishing her to stay safe now.

"I will." Twilight return the hug to her love before parting from him…she's got a job to do here.

Soon Twilight took a moment to cast a glowing fireball light spell, and used her wings to flap in flying down with a little light source & protection for her. As Twilight was getting further from her friends above in the light, deep in the dark pit, she heard the loud buzzing noise be louder, meaning Swarm was close. Soon Twilight was in precaution cause the swarm of wasp was buzzing around the alicorn.

"Give yourself up/Give yourself up!" Suddenly, Swarm was making two of his faces & maybe more, issuing for Twilight to give up her foolishness.

"Keep away from me!" Twilight snapped to use her fireball sphere to whirl it around the other

"Give up!/Give up!" The Swarm face figures issued while swirling around to scare the pony, but one face got mostly burned. Soon Swarm had to flee away, giving Twilight a moment to breath.

As Twilight was drifting down, she saw what was a hive made of large material, and more surprising was...a vast collection of valuable treasures of all the victims Swarm had taken. Twilight had a theory the wasp were like bees to gather nectar, but this creature was stockpiling treasures dropped in the desert and made these piles. As Twilight went down slowly, she was saddened in wondering how many lives were lost to build these things to build these hives here. These were like towers of death and it was but one of many places in the End of Equestria.

Once Twilight touches the ground, she used her flaring light to search around, and saw what was clearly the base of the tower; But around the tower was something that was of a substance that Twilight was looking for.

"It's...the Tasteless Diamond!" Twilight issued the ingredient that was before her eyes. It looked like a huge diamond but big and dull looking, nothing Dragons would want to taste, but that was definitely what Zecora requested.

As Twilight began to collect the diamond, she noticed that trying to remove the stuck around the base could cause the whole pillar to collapse.

"You shall not have it!" Swarm's voice bellowed out that caught Twilight's attention. Soon the wasp gathers to form the face to be in front of Twilight, looking almost upset. "You shall not have this Tasteless Diamond!" Swarm protest in seeing what this pony was clearly after his property.

"Keep away!" Twilight used her fireball to wave around, and it looked like it would keep the wasp at bay, but it faded out, "Oh no! I forgot to keep focus to keep it lit!" Twilight was so distracted by this thing's surprise & focusing on the ingredient, she forgot to keep her only spell lit.

Swarm let off a laugh remark in almost smiling at this surprise.

"I have to get that and replace it with something before this structure comes down on me!" Twilight issued her serious case that unless she did that first, she would not escape unharmed, but what could she… "Wait, I know just the spell!" Thinking fast, Twilight reached for the ingredient, and then snatched it along with casting a spell. A lookalike of the Tasteless Diamond appears in the real one place.

"Urraaaughhh," Swarm let off a surprise gasp tone before speaking again. "How dare you!" Swarm snapped at the determined Twilight, as it had its wasps circle the princess. But then Twilight bust out of the swarm of wasp with her wings to fly out, as Swarm was spotting the alicorn trying to flee upwards. "You shall not have it. Return it to us!" Swarm roared out in demand to reform its face before Twilight's under side.

"Ben, Spike, Phobos! Get ready now!" Twilight shouted out for her friends to get ready on their side while picking up speed, but so was Swarm to fly after the fleeing princess heading up.

"You won't get away!" Swarm bellowed out like a demonic demon wanting to take its prey before she or her comrades can safely escape from it.

Above, Ben, Tough Apple, Nyx, Spike & Phobos position themselves in getting ready for whatever was gonna come.

"Remember guys; don't shoot unless mommy is out first." Nyx instructed the Dragons to not fire unless Twilight comes out first.

"Right," Spike & Phobos responded in agreement, the two Dragons don't wanna mess up and toast their friend…they never hear the end of it.

"Here she comes!" Tough Apple issued from looking down below in spotting Twilight coming.

Below in the crater, Twilight was almost reaching where she saw the light at the top.

"Open fire, once you hear the buzzing the loudest!" Twilight shouted in what her group can do to defeat this enemy.

Below Twilight, Swarm's swarm of wasp was forming its face to chase the fleeing pony.

"That's the signal! Standby," Ben instructed the gang to be ready as they were standing by now.

Finally, Twilight rush out of the hole, Nyx & Tough Apple caught the pony to pull her out right on time. But below, the buzzing was truly reaching its loudest, "MRUWWRROOOUUURRRUGUHHH!" Swarm was seen coming up closer with its open insect mouth of wasp, ready to get those that dare define against him.

"Here they come." Spike spoke out in seeing the enemy was about to rush out of the hole to attack them.

"One, two, THREE," Phobos counted when he and Spike stood by the entry, counting down to attack in a sync moment.

Soon the dragons blew out their emerald and blue flames from their breaths over the hole entry. As that was covered, what soon swooped upwards over the flames was the Swarm creature itself, "MWURAARRUGH-ARRUUUGGHH!" Swarm let out an agonizing painful cry in feeling itself being burn to fly around, unable to put itself out.

"Sword Beam," Ben Mare shouted to swing his Master Sword to fire off a charged crescent beam shape attack upwards. "SLASH/Crackfruvhmm…." The beam sliced & broke the glowing gem on Swarm's forehead, meaning whatever kept the creature safe to just get more insects to keep it's self around…was gone now.

"MWRUUARRRUGH-Aaahhaaahhhhh…." Soon Swarm was letting out its last echo of agonizing pain in the air before its entire swarm of wasp were burning away, dropping like dead ashes and smoke to fall back into the spiral tower's hole…never to be seen or trouble anypony again.

The gang could not believe it, they stood there, surviving against a creature that seemed to be one of many that no pony could survive against in the End of Equestria, but they did it. And they got the ingredient; the Tasteless Diamond as Twilight smiled in holding it out for them to see they've acquired their target. After moving out of the ant-lion pit and within their cart with Justin the MechBull managing to pull them out, the gang look over the smoke coming from the spiral tower of the center of the Shifting Sands; now with its guardian foe no longer running the territory.

"Yahoo!; we did it partners!" Tough Apple cheered in seeing they've overcome the first big troublesome issue, even more then the cannibals.

"We made it through, somehow." Ben spoke with a serious thought about making it through one of the few worst areas in the End of Equestria's large size dominion.

"Thanks to all of you," Twilight thanked her friends for the aid in what they've accomplished. "Though we may have been separated, we were perfectly connected, right." Twilight smiled to the others that even if separated, they managed to still work well after all.

"Gee, glad to help." Spike smiled to tap his fingers together in almost being bashful here.

"Yep, maybe we can do this after all." Phobos puff up his chest, feeling the urge of fearing has left him, maybe this trip won't be so bad.

"Yeah, who knows how many more 'dangerous' or 'wildest' events we gotta overcome to get all of the ingredients to save the Apples' Farm," Nyx spoke off in knowing that if they made it through this tricky part, then there is bound to be more, but they won't stop till they help save Sweet Apple Acres.

"Gulp….gee, can't wait." Phobos swallowed hard while moaning about this in remorse, now recalling that this was still just the start for them.

"Come on ye'll, got more now to collect, so let’s… Git-R-Done," Tough Apple spoke off to the group in seeing they have more to work around, so now time like the present.

"MQWRUUAAUGHHH," Justin the Mechbull made a loud bull cry before pulling the cart to pull this group towards their next area for the next target ingredient to find.

------------------------

After escaping from the Shifting Sands, Twilight and her friends continued to move on. Deep in Twilight's thought, she could not help but noticed about how strange the cannibals act earlier before the gang found the flower. There is something...not right with them at all.

Ben, noticing Twilight's look, ask, "Twilight, what's wrong?"

Twilight sighs a bit. "It's nothing."

"Twilight."

Twilight sighed, knowing that it's pointless to keep Ben in the dark, "I can't help but to think about those cannibals. They acted strangely for some reason. It's like something drove them mad."

"What makes you said that? I mean we've come across the cannibals before. They wanna put us near the fire to tell them stiff." Phobos points out to Twilight, recalling the first time that the gang encountered those meat-eating cannibals. "Ha! Wasn't that crazy enough of how cannibals are?!"

"Okay, maybe some are right. But still, Spike, you told me that they are a little bit intelligent, right?"

"Well, yeah." Spike said. She's right, he did say that to her earlier. "When Nyx tried to trick them about us being 'infected', one of the cannibals managed to figure out our escape plan; I guess he had enough of lie experience for him to figure that out."

"Don't forget. They said that there are two or three ponies came across them before. But who," Phobos ask with a ponder; who else has deceived these cannibals before?

"Yew know, folks, Twilight might be on'ta something." Tough said thoughtfully. "Besides, not only they were just charging and attacking, they can plan it too. Like when we tried to get away fro' them, the cannibals trapped us by sending more 'ta 'de front while we got distracted fro' fighting an' running."

"So, something or someone is controlling them?" Nyx ask in bewilderment, wondering if that is the case.

"Could be, Nyx; Ah don't know."

Everyone think of how and why the cannibals are behaving oddly and strangely. Then a flute sound is heard in Ben's ears.

"Stop," The son of Celestia yells out. Everyone stopped as Ben jumped off the cart. "I heard something."

Ben runs off. Everyone follow him. Ben keeps moving as he follows the sound of a faint flute. As he keeps going, the sound is becoming louder. He then came across the large beautiful lake, and even the forest is in green and clear.

Ben was in shock and amazement as he looked around the area. Twilight, Nyx, Tough, Spike, Phobos, and their animal pets came down. They also looked amazed and shocked to see this area as well.

"Wow. I didn't know that 'The End of Equestria' actually had a beautiful land like this." Spike said in amazement. In the past, the End of Equestria was supposed to be ruined, lack of life, but this?

"It's so unbelievable." Phobos said in disbelief.

"The real question is what is this place," Twilight said, wondering where the group is at.

Ben hushed them as he listens to something carefully. He heard the same song. Twilight and others listened carefully as well. Ben walked slowly to find the source of the song. Spike and Phobos gasped as they pulled both Twilight's and Ben's tails. They pointed at something or someone. Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Tough, Justin and Rabbitchu turned and saw something shocking.

The group saw the old gray pony (Mystic Tao) who is sitting on a rock while playing a flute. He then starts singing. Ben approached the pony slowly, followed by Twilight, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Tough and their pets while listened to the song.

Tao: Far over the End of the World rise
Leave us standing upon its end
What was before, we see once more
Our home a distant light

Darkly mountain beneath the light
The words unspoken, we'll be home soon
For home a song that sing goes on
And all who find us will know our tune

Some folk we never forget
Some kind we never forgive
Haven't seen the home of us yet
We'll fight as one as we live
All eyes on the mysterious land
To the End of the World's border
We'll ride in the darkness storm
Until we get our long lost hope

We lay under the End of the World's shadows
In slumbers deep and dreams of faith
We must awake, our lives to make
And through darkness a light we hold

From long ago when lights shined
Till this day our hearts have been touched
Her fate unknown the Harmony
What was lost must be brought back
.
Tao play the flute again. Twilight and her family listen to the song closely. They smiled as their looks looked peaceful and happy as if their hearts and worries was cured. Animals like deer, rabbits, birds, bears, wolfs and more gathered around Tao. They howled, roared, screeched and whistled.

We must awake and make the day
To find a song for heart and soul

Some folk we never forget
Some kind we never forgive
Haven't seen the end of journey yet
We'll fight as one as we live
All eyes on the mysterious land
To the End of the World's border
We'll ride in the darkness storm
Until we get our long lost hopes
Far away from The End of the World's darkness

Tao stopped playing his flute. As he looked up, and turned to Twilight and her family, the old pony smiles while speaking, "Oh. I did not expect a little visit."

"Yeah. Did you play that song?" Ben ask Tao in amazement.

"Why, yes, my dear boy. That song has great meaning. To both nature and harmony of life; without such music, the harmony ceased to exist."

"That's very nice, mister...... Mister...... Uh......What was your name? I don't think we catch that." Nyx said, realizing that the group didn't realize what the pony's name is yet.

"You may call me Tao." Tao said while giving out a mysterious smile. "I'm just an ordinary hermit. Thank you for your pure kind nature of words, my Beauty of the Night's Hope."

Nyx blushed at the compliment. Tough roll his eyes as he remarks, "Well, enough o' 'dat music. What 'de heck are yew doing; Do yew even know where the heck yew are?"

"Such rude and anger, you possessed, could not get the right attention; so ignore, I must, Sir Lord of the Tempered."

"Why yew?!"

Tough would've charged at Tao but Twilight stops him in time, saying, "Calm down, Tough. Let me handle this. I'm sorry for our friend. He doesn't like and trust strangers. He's kinda protective to us since he is our friends' family. My name is Twilight Sparkle. This is Ben Mare. That's Nyx. The Dragons are Spike and Phobos. The rude pony if you consider is Tough."

Tao clapped his hooves gently, praising, "Excellent display of good manners, my dear Princess of the Stars."

Twilight blushed while saying, "I wouldn't said that I'm best at my manners."

"Just wondering, why are you here?" Ben asks Tao in concern. "You do realize that this place is not the safest place."

Tao chuckled gently, "I am aware of it, sir Knight of Justice."

Ben blushed, insisting, "Come on, I'm not exactly a great hero-type."

"There is, my boy. There is more to you than meets the eyes, yet you have not realized your true potential."

"You think so?"

Tao smiles as he continues, "Why, yes, my dear boy. Never let doubts clouded your mind, let your mind and heart be one to guide you to seek and fight for your rights."

"So, what about me? What am I called?" Spike asks Tao, anxious to know if the Dragon got a cool nickname like Twilight and Ben.

Tao smiled as he answers, "The Honorable Warrior, young Dragon."

"I guess I'm going to be called selfish." Phobos groans a bit. He is known to be selfish from time to time and act like it too.

"On contrary, you're known as A Mighty Dragon."

Phobos and Spike smiled happily. Tough quickly interrupts, "Can we go back 'ta our topic? By the way, so what do you call me instead o' Lord o' Temper?"

Tao smiled as he answers Tough's question, "Of course, 'The Tiger Warrior'. As why I brought myself upon here, I have come and seek the peaceful and harmony quiet place. I believe this area is perfect."

"Not to be rude, this is 'The End of Equestria'." Twilight reminds Tao. "I don't think it's quite peaceful and harmony."

"True. But do you not know that this land was known as the 'Valley of Peace'?" Tao spoke mysteriously. Twilight's group was in shock upon hearing that. "There is a tale; A tale that the land was controlled and poisoned by Warlord of Darkness since the beginning of Equestria. He seeks darkness upon our world, and conquered through brutal and bloodshed until a 'Great Mag'ne' had come who brought light and defeated the Warlord."

Twilight's group was in shock and surprise. They know of who the Warlord of Darkness is: Tirek the Aominable. And 'Mag'ne' is Megan! Tao, smiling, continues his story, "With the Warlord's death, the land of Equestria rebuild their losses but one: the 'Valley of Peace'. It is beyond repair because the land has too much of darkness since the Warlord came upon on it. Thus, it became what you had known it: 'The End of Equestria' where no ponies dare to come."

"Now you put it that way. But what about this place; this area doesn't look like it was covered by darkness." Nyx said, noting how this place wasn't covered by darkness at all.

"There is one pony who come from the Heaven: a Mystic Pony. He cured this area with his purity of light, love and nature. An area what stood before you is known as 'Lake of Eternal'. He tried to cure the rest of the 'End of Equestria' but he has no powers left to cure it. And so he returned to the Heaven with great disappointment for he had failed in achieving his quest. Thus, The End of Equestria is what known came before you. Nopony knows of such a place but you and I."

Twilight's family was amazed to hear such pony coming from Heaven. Spike spoke up, "I didn't know there's such pony."

"A pony comes from the Heaven? Mommy, is there such a pony?" Nyx ask Twilight in amazement.

Twilight nods as she answers her daughter's question, "There is, Nyx. The one who come from Heaven is called a Mystic Pony."

"Mystic Pony? What in tarnation is 'dat supposed 'ta mean?" Tough Apple asks, a bit confused.

"Mystic Ponies is the rarest ponies that come from the Heaven. They are either Earth Pony, Pegasi or Unicorns. And they possess both powers and magic because they stayed true to themselves and their principles, values and beliefs of what they believed in. They also guide anypony who passed on or dead to either Heaven or Tarturus. It is said that they guide and answered to anypony who pray for help and guidance to their quests and answers; Hmmm. That's interesting facts. I never thought that a Mystic Pony cure this land, thousand years ago. Does still he exist?"

"Yes and no, my dear," Tao answers Twilight's question in some way. "Mystic Ponies don't appear to ponies easily, unless there is a reason. Myths, ponytales and legends are meant to be silent and fooled to those who of desired power and control of the land in their greed, temptation and hunger."

"So why does he want to cure the 'End of Equestria'? And why the others didn't help?" Ben ask Tao in curiosity.

"For he desired the clean, perfect and love place of nature such as this; the others did not come because they feared of corruption and temptation of this land; Thus, leaving one Mystic Pony to achieve one goal for a year to cure the area."

"I wish I could meet him." Twilight said with a sigh. Meeting this Mystic would've been wonderful to do.

Tao smiled gently as he said, "Someday, he will, my dear."

"So, what are you doing here?" Nyx ask Tao, wondering what the old pony is doing here in the first place.

"I journeyed here for a long time to seek peace and quiet."

Nyx gasped as she realizes something, "You must be the pony that fooled the cannibals before."

"You're right!" Spike gasps. Nyx is right! Tao must've been the pony that fooled the cannibals as mentioned before!

"Whoa. That's crazy but awesome." Phobos remarked, impressed.

"We didn't want to bother you more, but we want to ask you something about the cannibals." Ben said to Tao, wanting some subject about the cannibals clear more.

"Are cannibals truly intelligent?" Tao spoke up, knowing what Ben was going to ask without waiting for him to do so first.

"How did yew know?" Tough ask in bewilderment.

"I come across them once. But I observe their intelligent slowly and cautiously. Though their looks may be ugly as little ugly duckling, but deep within them, there is something unexpected."

"Meaning," Phobos ask Tao in bewilderment.

Twilight, knowing what Tao means, explains to Phobos and the others, "They can be smart sometimes. But they only relied on one leader who thinks smart and observe the situation and experience the hunting and battles."

"Well conclusion, young Twilight." Tao said with a proud smile.

"So, we know 'dat they're smart. But real question is what drove them mad?" Tough ask Tao with a frown.

"Mad?"

Suddenly, some bushes nearby shakes. Twilight's group turn and sees who it was. They soon encounter a black foal whose looks like the cannibals that they met.

"Hey, what are you five and pets doing here?" The foal, who is a colt, asks the group in surprise.

"Five?" The group asks in confusion. Didn't the foal see Tao at all?

"But didn't you see - Hey where did Tao go?" Nyx ask as she realizes something. Everyone except the Cannibal Foal looked shocked and worried when they see that Tao is not with them anymore. Before Twilight could speak, she heard something in her head.

"Seek the Curse. Free the Poor Souls." The voice booms eerily in Twilight's head.

"Huh?" Twilight ask in surprise. What did that voice in her head mean?

"What's wrong, Twilight?" Ben asks Twilight puzzled.

"Didn't you hear that?"

"Beside 'de noise o' de woods, not really." Tough remarked with a shrug. It's obvious that Twilight that the tough stallion didn't see the noise at all. Only the mare is the one who did so.

"I thought I heard something." Twilight said in concern.

The voice spoke up once more, "Seek the Curse; free the poor souls."

In Twilight's mind, she thought, 'Whatever it is, that must be the only reason of why the cannibals became mad and crazy.'

"Uh, what are you five doing here?" The colt asks the group again in concern.

"Maybe we don't wanna tell you, crazy pony." Phobos remarks to the colt with a frown. "You wanna eat us like the others did!"

"Whoa, whoa! I am not crazy like the others. Honest! Most of the ponies who are cannibals were driven crazy by a mysterious force!"

Twilight's group looks a bit disbelief, wondering if they should trust this colt's word. How does the group know that he is telling the truth and isn't planning on backstabbing and eating them all? Ben narrows his eyes as he said, "Kid, if you aren't lying to us, approach us now."

The colt hesitates then gasps as Ben took his sword out. The others wonder what he is up to. Of course, the stallion is doing so to intimidate the young foal. The strange pony then gulps to brave the danger and approach Ben.

"Now touch the sword." Ben said sternly. The colt then touches the sword...and appears not to get hurt in any way.

"Please...if you are here for a purpose, then please, help us..." The colt begs the newcomers.

The others look to Ben who pauses, then nods with a serious face. He say, "This pony isn't lying or trying to deceive us. If he was evil, any evil creature would feel pain from touching my sword since it's known as the Evilslayer."

"Okay, kid, you're cleared." Twilight said to the colt whose lets go of the sword. "Now then, first off, we came here to find some ingredients. And second, what do you need help with?"

"You know that the cannibals try to eat you, right? Well, they aren't normally like that before today! An idol is causing them to behave so strangely. The ponies who come here to the End of Equestria are normally vegetarians like normal ponies but someone, a Demon, is using a strange idol to drive them crazy. They have been worshipping the thing that had robbed all but my own senses to be crazy."

"In that case...lead us to this idol."

"Uh, mommy; you sure this is a good idea?" Nyx ask her mother in worry.

"These cannibals have their freewill enslaved for too long. If we destroy this idol and the one using it, we could cure the cannibals of being insane." Twilight said with a nod. "Colt..."

"Mowgli, my name is Mowgli, miss." The colt known as Mowgli explains to the princess sheepishly.

"Very well; Lead us to where the idol is, Mowgli."

--------------

Mowgli led his new friends through a jungle until they reach the clearing where more cannibals are at, standing like statues in a trance. The colt points to something, saying, "That's him, the Demon. He's the one who drove my family and people mad! He holds the statue. He used it to control them."

Twilight and the group take a closer look at the Demon. He is a skinny black color Demon with bat's ears and large wings. He has small black beard. He has three spiky hair-like on his head. He has long tail. He wore the loincloth.

He looked very angry as he held the monkey-like gold statue on top. The Demon roars, "Useless slaves! You couldn't find something for me to eat! If I don't get any meat by tonight, I will starve you all! I should have control the sky Ponies area, instead of these mindless ponies. But who cares, as long I hold the Xin Kong Zhi Idol, you will do as I command! Bow before me, you useless ponies!"

With the idol held up, the cannibals' eyes are red. The cannibals obeyed and bowed before the Demon. Twilight and her family gasped in worried and shock. Spike ask, "That's the Demon?"

"Whoa. He's scary than he looks." Phobos yelps a bit. "Who is he?"

"That's Hsi Wu!" Twilight exclaims, recognizing who the Demon that is controlling the cannibals is. "He's not just any Demon. He is one of Eight Demon Lords! He is the Demon Lord of Sky."

"Demon Lord? As in very powerful than any Demons?" Nyx ask her mother in worry.

"I'm afraid so. But this demon maybe small, he is very cunning and tricky for us to defeat him."

"So, who's 'de rest o' his family? What's his history?" Tough ask Twilight curiously.

"Tso Lan controls the Gravity, Shendu - the Fire, Bai Tza - the Water, Dai Gui - the Earth, Tchang Zu- the Thunder, Xiao Fong - the Wind, and Po Kong- the mountain. Hsi Wu is the youngest Demon. After Tirek's defeat, the Demon Lords controls the End of Equestria as their lords because they are made of darkness and they're more intelligent to lead." Twilight explains. She sighed. "Unfortunately, they all betray and wage the war against Equestria to control the rest. They were all defeated and banished to the Realm of Demons by Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Star-Swirled the Bearded and the Mystics, with the help of Elements of Harmony. Nopony had ever heard of them since."

"Until today, Hsi Wu's the only Demon we had seen. What's he holding?" Ben asks, noting the idol that Hsi Wu is holding to control the cannibals.

"That's Xin Kong Zhi Idol. It means Heart-Control. It controls anyone or anybody to obey to the one who holds it." Twilight explains. She then realizes something, what the voice was talking about. "That's it. Seek the Curse! Free the Poor Souls!"

"What was that?" Spike asks puzzled to Twilight.

"I heard something in my head. But the more I think, the more I realize. The curse is the idol, and the poor soul is the cannibals. We have to help them!"

"Help the cannibals?! No way. Why should we help the meat eaters," Phobos yelps to Twilight in worry. After all, these guys almost tried to get the gang twice? Why help them after all that mess?

"We had to. I know that they want meats, but they are alive like us. They don't deserve to be punished by the Demon." Twilight explains to Phobos gently. "Besides, as Mowgli said, they are normal vegetarians until this guy changed them. We can't let them continue to be this way."

"How? You said that Hsi Wu is cunning and tricky. So, heading on and attack that Demon is not good idea," Spike reminds Twilight as to what she mentioned before.

"Maybe, but with a little distraction, we might have a chance to get the idol away from him." Ben explains. Perhaps a little distraction could help them in this matter, "But what? Phobos's out definitely, he'll blabbered out too much. Tough can, but Hsi Wu would love to torture and make him angry. So, it'll be too risky for Tough to attack the Demon."

Spike gulped, "I guess that's leave me and Nyx to do it, right; Just great."

"We had to, Spike. We'll do our best." Nyx said in determination; anything to help her new friend Mowgli and free the cannibals from their freewill imprisonment.

"Ah'm going with them." Tough said. Ben was surprised but worried, "Don't worry, Ah'll keep mah mouth shut."

Koga and Owlowiscious nodded their heads as they want to help out. Twilight speaks, "Let's hope so. We're dealing with a Demon trickster. Mowgli, can you help us?"

"Sure! I want that Demon out of my home for good!" Mowgli exclaims in determination.

"Okay, here's the plan."

----------

The cannibals continued to find foods mindlessly and crazily by the order of Hsi Wu. He looked both bored and annoyed of waiting. He then heard the cannibals cheered wildly.

Hsi Wu groaned, "What is it this time? Better hope that it's not another empty hoof." He was in shock and surprise. Mowgli brought in a cart which consists of Tough, Nyx, Spike, Koga and Owlowiscious who are in tight ropes, "Mowgli. You had come. I see you brought me food: Pony food."

"Lord Hsi Wu, forgive me for the delay." Mowgli said with a bow to the Demon. "I found them by the lake. And I had brought them here before you."

Hsi Wu stood up from his throne chair, as well as getting his idol with him. Behind his throne chair are Twilight, Ben and Phobos who groaned. Ben comments quietly, "I guess he's good in not leaving anything behind."

"This is going to be difficult than I thought." Twilight sighs. "I guess being the youngest doesn't mean that he's stupid. I'm gonna try my levitation spell to get the item. I just hope they can hold a little longer."

Twilight approached outside as she used her levitation spell to get the idol as Hsi Wu approached to his prisoner as he looked at them closely and carefully. The Demon then laughed sinisterly and evilly.

"What's so funny, Demon?" Tough demanded to Hsi Wu in annoyance.

"Nothing to humiliate, pony; But I found something to be funnier." Hsi Wu explains with a smirk on his face.

"Was that supposed to be mean?" Nyx ask Hsi Wu in offensive.

"I know who you once were, Nightmare Moon, and Demon son of Tadaka."

"My name is Nyx. Nightmare Moon is gone. What makes you think of that, Sky Demon?!"

"What do you mean me Demon?" Spike demands to Hsi Su in annoyance yet confusion.

"Well you see it's quite simple; Rumors, history and even the events had flown in the air and across the Equestria, even the Realm of Demons. Luna was the first Nightmare Moon. When she transformed back to her true-self, her darkness of rage and anger was left behind for the possessed servants to bring forth their undead princess. And you are the proof, Reincarnated Nightmare Moon. So, you don't deserve your own name, Nyxie. You will always be Nightmare Moon." Hsi Wu taunts Nyx sinisterly. Nyx glared at him. He then turned to Spike. "As for you, my little Dragon, my brother, Shendu, was Tadaka's master but more than that, a sworn brother." Spike was shocked upon hearing that. "That's right. Tadaka learned some dark and demonic powers from Shendu, and to mention he befriend all of us during our reign. When we want Equestria, your father turned against us. He has been helping ponies all along! So, we warned him that he will regret everything that he had done to us, should he choose the ponies."

"So, you're saying that my father was a Demon's servant, but he turned against you because he helped Princess Celestia and Luna? So what is your point? He's helping them for peace and freedom, just before he became evil."

"My point is Spiky-Wikey is that he and we are a lot in common. We want revenge on the ponies for what they had done to us. We share emotions and pains while ponies used us like tools. So your father sold his soul to us to become a powerful Dragon. He is one of us now. Our hatred and anger flows through his vein, and thus his blood has flown through to his sons. In other words, you are one of us."

Spike was in shock. The Dragon protest, "No, I don't believe it! I'm nothing like you. I'm not a Demon!"

Hsi Wu smirks as he remarks, "Of course not. In fact, I'm more surprised that youngest son of Tadaka had never become a Demon with his great hatred but rather be nice and gentle. Yuck; disgusting taste of love; must be your mother's blood interrupting Demonic blood when you were still inside the egg."

Twilight's levitation spell managed to take the idol away from Hsi Wu's loincloth. It is in midair. Tough snaps to the villain, "So what; Coz he's part o' our family! He's nothing like yew!"

Hsi Wu scoffed, "Please. What's so special about family? We Demons may have same blood and flesh, but we desire power and control! We'd never care for each other as long we get what we want!"

"You guys are really monsters!" Spike exclaims in disgust to Hsi Wu.

"Pretty obvious; Oh please, you got caught by my traitorous servant which is so easy." The Demon remarks with another smirk. Hsi Wu grabbed the idol tightly just before he turned to his enemies. Twilight, Ben, Phobos, Tough, Nyx, their pets and Mowgli were shocked. "Please, that's the oldest trick of the book: giving presents to me while I was being distracted, gloating and blah-blah; Game over, Alicorn."

"Not yet." Twilight said in determination.

Hsi Wu smirked as he respond, "We'll see, Princess." He held the idol up high. "Minions attack!"

Hsi Wu immediately took off to the air. Twilight went after him. Nyx transformed into her Battle Mode. She freed herself from her ropes and followed her mother. The cannibals' eyes glowed in red. They roared like wild animals. They charge right at Ben and Phobos. Tough, Spike, Koga and Owlowiscious freed from their ropes.

"Remember don't hurt them! They're under Hsi Wu's control!" Mowgli points out to his friends in worry. This isn't the 'cannibals'' fault, but Hsi Wu's!

"Don't hurt them?! What about us?" Phobos protests to Mowgli frantically.

"Guess, we had to hit them with old pony fashion." Ben remarks while cracking his hooves, preparing to fight.

Ben used his hooves to kick and punched the cannibals off or knock them out, followed by Tough, Spike, Phobos and Mowgli. Owlowiscious flew down and gave the cannibals a scratch on their faces and hands. Koga bites on the cannibals' legs, making them scream in pain.

"Hsi Wu! Where did you get that idol," The alicorn demands. Twilight chased after Hsi Wu with all her might to fly faster. Hsi Wu proved to be faster. Twilight continued to follow Hsi Wu. Nyx followed her mother as fast as she can.

"Would you want to know? Well, it begins with an archaeologist pony who owns the Xin Kong Zhi Idol who came into my home, my territory." Hsi Wu explains to Twilight, telling a bit of the story. "He then found something that opens my escape: the Panku Box. When he played too much of that puzzle, he activated my escape route. So when I did, I took care of him and own this box."

"So that's the pony number two. You'll pay for what you did, Sky Demon!"

"Like I care for a little life."

Hsi Wu flew up high. Twilight followed him to the top. Hsi Wu then comes down. Twilight groaned in concern. Hsi Wu noticed Nyx who is in Battle Mode about to unleash her magic. The black alicorn blasted her attacks at Hsi Wu but he dodged to the left before the Demon could dive down deeper. Nyx groaned and followed Hsi Wu. She near to Hsi Wu as they are close to the ground.

Hsi Wu smirked as he opened his wings and floated up high. Nyx gasped and stopped before she hits the ground. Nyx glared at Hsi Wu, who is now laughing, "What's the matter, Nightmare Moon? Can't keep up with me?"

"You're gonna be sorry for that, Hsi Wu!" Nyx snarls angrily to Hsi Wu.

"Only if you can catch me if you can, little brat."

Hsi Wu flew again. Nyx followed him. Hsi Wu keeps on flying as fast as he can. The Demon then noticed Twilight in front of him. Hsi Wu smirked as he flew very fast right at her. Twilight immediately blast her magic at Hsi Wu rapidly. But Hsi Wu dodged it very quickly. Twilight groaned at Hsi Wu's tricks as he is getting closer to Twilight.

Just before she could fire again, Hsi Wu flew up high. Nyx then hit right on Twilight's head as she thought that she herself caught him.

Hsi Wu laughed, "Cornering me is the best? That's the best you can do? So hilarious! Have you forgotten who I am? I am Hsi Wu, the Demon Lord of Sky!"

Twilight and Nyx recovered from the attack as they rubbed on their heads. The black mare groans, "How are we gonna beat him? He's too cunning for us to stop him."

Twilight thinks for a moment before she smirked, saying, "Instead of us chasing him, we make him come after us."

Hsi Wu glances at the mares, smirking as he taunts, "What's the matter? Copping a plan to bring me down? Too bad because I'm too cunning for you to handle."

"Actually, you're much more cowardly than cunning."

"What!"

Nyx scoffed, knowing what her mother's planning. She plays along, saying, "You're the most cunning than any Demons and ponies. Please, you can't even match against Discord!"

"Don't you dare compare me to that chimera, you runts," Hsi Wu roars, feeling insulted for being compared to Discord all of the sudden. "He's nothing to me; Nothing!"

"Really; I heard that Tso Lan, Shendu, Bai Tza and Tchang Zu are the most powerful Demons among the Demon Lords." Twilight remarked, angering Hsi Wu some more.

"Really; I thought it's Dai Gui, Xiao Fong and Po Kong who are." Nyx said in pretend thought. "I mean, right, they maybe the dumbest, but at least they're the strongest Demons than Hsi Wu."

"You've got it, Nyx."

Twilight and Nyx laughed. Hsi Wu growled in anger. He then yelled in anger as the Demon flew down to attack, roaring, "I'll show who is the strongest Demon among my stupid brethren; I will make you pay!"

Twilight and Nyx smirked as they say at the same time, "No, you won't."

Twilight and Nyx blasted their magic at Hsi Wu as soon as he gets near them. Hsi Wu got hit, and got send away and up. The Demon shook his head and groaned in anger. Hsi Wu yelled angrily. He then blasted at his foes with red lasers. Twilight and Nyx dodged the attacks.

Hsi Wu snaps, "Nobody not even ponies can make a fool out of me!"

Twilight exclaims, "Then, let's fights fairly, Hsi Wu!"

"Unless you're too chicken to fight, Sky Demon," Nyx taunts Hsi Wu. The Demon growls angrily at the comment.

Hsi Wu charged at Twilight and Nyx. They both fired their magic at Hsi Wu while he fired his laser eyes at them rapidly. Twilight and Nyx continued to dodge their enemy's attacks while firing at Hsi Wu. He did the same routine as Twilight and Nyx.

On the ground, Ben and others did their best to fight off the cannibals without killing them, but there were too many for them to handle. They are becoming tired and exhausted. Tough groans, "At 'dis rate, we won't make it out alive!"

"Then, what do we supposed to do?" Spike asks with an exhausted pant. The gang needs a new plan and fast.

"Twilight and Nyx are busy in handling Hsi Wu to get that idol." Phobos groans. "We're ground zero to help!"

"No, we aren't." Ben said suddenly. Everyone looked confused. "Why should we get it if we can destroy it?" Tough, Spike and Phobos nodded their heads. They understood what the stallion is talking about. It could work! "Tough, call our artillery strike! Phobos, tell Twilight and Nyx about the plan. Lure him down as they can. So, I can get the clear shot."

Tough make a whistled sound. Justin the Mechbull and Rabbitchu appeared from the bushes. They make roar noises while scaring the cannibals. Phobos flew up to get to the two mares. Twilight and Nyx became very tired and exhausted from dodging, receiving wounds and attacking His Wu. The Demon felt the same thing.

Phobos came to them as he whispered to Twilight and Nyx about the plan that Ben made. The two mares nodded their heads, and turned to Hsi Wu. Twilight exclaims sternly, "Hsi Wu, this ends now!"

"If you can catch us, wingless bat," Nyx taunts Hsi Wu, angering him some more.

Twilight and Nyx turned away and flew down to the ground, along with Phobos. Hsi Wu groaned, "I will make you pay for that!"

Hsi Wu flew and followed them with all of his might. They are all close to the ground while Hsi Wu is close to them as he was about to use red lasers. Twilight calls out, "Now!"

Twilight, Nyx and Phobos went separately from the group. Hsi Wu was shocked and confused. Just before he could do anything, he saw Ben on the ground who is holding his Master Sword. Hsi Wu looked confused and worried as the hero exclaims, "Game over, Sky Demon Lord!"

Ben threw the sword right at Hsi Wu. The Demon panicked and quickly flew to his left. Instead of hitting him, it hits the idol. Hsi Wu turned and saw what happened after he dodged the attack. The idol is destroyed.

"Nooooooooo," Hsi Wu exclaims in shock.

The cannibals froze up as they were about to do something. Their red eyes turned back to normal eyes. They looked confused and worried as they had no idea of what happened. Ben smirked. Tough, Spike, Koga, Mowgli, Owlowiscious, Justin and Rabbitchu cheered wildly, including Phobos. Twilight and Nyx smirked at the victory.

"You've lost, Hsi -!" Twilight begins to rub it in it.

Suddenly Twilight was hit in her stomach, being send up to the sky. Nyx was about to attack but received a punch from Hsi Wu. The Demon became very angry as he yelled angrily, "I will not defeated by mere ponies! I will destroy you all!"

Hsi Wu yelled angrily as he flew up high. He is above Twilight. Hsi Wu then used his fist and legs to hit and kick at Twilight's both back and stomach as many as he wants. He used two first together and knocked her down to the ground.

Nyx became very angry as she blasted her magic at Hsi Wu. He dodged the attacks and coming closer to Nyx. Before she could do anything, Hsi Wu grabbed one of her back legs. He swings her around and around for 10 times before he threw Nyx to the ground.

Phobos glared at Hsi Wu. He was about to give a punch at Hsi Wu. But he dodged the attack. Hsi Wu then gave the punches as many as he want. He then grabbed Phobos's shoulders. Hsi Wu used his head and hit on the Dragon's head. Phobos was knocked to the ground.

Twilight, Nyx and Phobos were too tired and exhausted as they received minor injuries. Ben and the others came to Twilight and Nyx to check on them. Hsi Wu roars in madness, "I will kill you all!"

Hsi Wu blasted his enemies with his lasers at the trees, grasses and even houses. The former cannibals panicked and screamed as they run away from Hsi Wu. Twilight and her friends quickly went and hide behind the big rock. They braced the attack. Hsi Wu continued to use his red lasers while destroying the cannibals' homes.

"At 'dis rate, we'll be Demon chow!" Tough exclaims frantically.

"We've gotta do something!" Spike exclaims in concern. Something must be done to stop Hsi Wu once and for all, but how?

"But how; He's too strong." Nyx points out in concern. Fighting him only exhausted the alicorns.

"Not to mention he's pretty angry. Wow, no wonder why Demons are banished to Realms of Demon. They're too angry and hot-tempered." Phobos said while shaking his head at this.

"We have to save the cannibals." Twilight said in concern.

"How; it is impossible to attack him, even if you can fly." Mowgli said in concern as well.

Suddenly, the flute, coming from out of nowhere, suddenly hit on Ben's head. It then dropped on his hooves. It confused him. Suddenly a voice spoke up, "Used the Flute."

"What?" Ben asks in surprise. Now he's hearing what Twilight just heard in her head.

"The Sound of Flute shall smite Hsi Wu."

"But..... but......"

The voice interrupts Ben, "Time is of the essence, death approaches!"

Ben nodded his head as he headed out. Twilight and her friends became worried and scared, including the cannibals as they watched and looked at Ben as if he was about to do something. Ben glared at Hsi Wu as he starts playing the flute.

Hsi Wu continued to fire and attacks the cannibals' home. When he heard the sound, Hsi Wu screamed in pain and anger as he stopped his attacks. He quickly closed his ears with his bare hands. The Demon roars in pain, "Who's playing the flute?! I despise the flute!"

Ben continued to play the flute. Twilight, her friends and the cannibals looked amazed and shocked to see Hsi Wu is being weakened. Phobos in amusement asks, "He actually hates the flute?"

"Wow. Hsi Wu must be having a hard time trying to find good music." Spike comments in amusement.

Before any of them could do anything, they heard something else, a familiar voice is heard, "Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

Twilight was in shock as she recognizes the words. Everyone continued to look at Hsi Wu while listening to the chanting words. The flute that Ben is playing glowed in green. Ben stopped and looked at the instrument. The flute then blast at Hsi Wu; a green Chinese door-like appear and open in between.

Hsi Wu turn and saw something that shocked and scared him. The Demon screams, "No! No! No! Nooooooo! Anything but that! Stay away from me!" Hsi Wu tried to fly and escape but the current pulled him back to the door. Unable to keep on flying, Hsi Wu was pushed back as he screamed, "Noooooooooooooooo!"

As soon as Hsi Wu entered the door, it closed. Everyone was in shock and surprise. They cheered happily, so is Twilight and her family. The alicorn hugged Ben, exclaiming, "You did it, Ben! How did you know that's his weakness?"

"Way to go, daddy!" Nyx cheers for her daddy eagerly.

"Yeah, you play like nothing had happened! Hsi Wu then sent back to the Realm of Demons." Spike cheers on with a smile.

Ben smiled and blushed while saying, "C'mon, guys, you're flattering me."

"Gee, I wondered happened to him?"

Tough smirked as he said, "I think he's not gonna enjoy it. After all, he got explanation o' how he managed 'ta git here wit'out letting his family know."

Phobos laughs, "No kidding. They must be a very nasty family."

"Where did you get the flute?" Twilight ask, noting the flute that Ben now got.

Ben blinks, looking confused as he said, "I don't know. It hit on my head, then the next, I heard the voice."

"The same as the one who chants that spell?"

"Yup; how did you know?"

"That's the voice that I heard in my head." Twilight said in amazement. Whoever that voice is has helped him save the day.

"What was that, mommy?" Nyx ask Twilight. What was that spell used to get rid of Hsi Wu once and for all.

"It's an Ancient Banish Spell from the Land of Ma. They used them to banish any Demons, ghosts and evil spirits. But the real question is who did that?"

"I really don't know." Spike said with a shrug. Perhaps the voice's identify will remain a mystery.

"But who cares! That Demon is gone for good!" Phobos cheers on wildly.

"Whoever it is, he must be one good guardian angel." Tough commented with a laugh.

---------

Somewhere in the forest, Tao smiled at the event as if he was expected it to happen. He said gently, "Well done, Twilight Sparkle and Ben Maregillian. You had learned my riddles very well and quickly. I shall watch over you. Move on, my friends."

--------------

The other cannibals gather around, one of them say, "Thank you so much...although I wonder what happened."

Still the other Cannibals cheers, rejoicing that they are now freed thanks to these brave travelers; Twilight spoke up, "So who are you ponies and how long have you been in this land where no pony has returned?"

Another former cannibal comments in confusion, "We don't know. We lost track of our history ever since we came here. We are even having trouble what our names are...except for Mowgli's here. Who are you?"

"My name is Princess Twilight Sparkle, the student of Princess Celestia. This is Ben Mare, her son..."

"The princess has a son?!" The third former cannibal gasps in surprise.

"Yes. I am Celestia's adopted son." Ben explains to the cannibals with a smile. "My mom is still ruling Equestria with Aunt Luna..."

"The Mare in the Moon," The first former cannibal asks in surprise. "She is back?!"

"Wow, you guys have been here for a long time." Spike said in amazement. These guys had missed out a lot since before the return of Princess Luna from her exile.

"The truth is, we were under control of that idol for so long, we have missed out on a lot." The second pony cannibal explains with a sigh. "We thank you all for curing us. We apologize for anything we had done to you while that monster was controlling us."

"Yeah, we also turned some of you into stone a while back." Nyx said sheepishly. "Oh! But I betcha mommy can free them, right?"

"Right; since the idol's destroyed, those cannibals would be back to normal by now. Now then, looks like your home are trashed so I send use my magic to send you all, including the stoned ponies, back to Ponyville where you will be safe and let everyone back home how we are doing." Twilight said gently to the former cannibals.

"Yes, we need to catch up on our loved ones since we have been here for so long." The first cannibal said with a nod. "Make it so."

"Thank you all. You gave us our life back." Mowgli said to the newcomers with a smile. Now he see Equestria again for who knows how long and no longer has to deal with Hsi Wu any more.

Twilight's horn glows as she works on her magic. Soon the former cannibals are sent away, hopefully the stoned ones shall follow. The princesses should know what to do. The Alicorn of Magic spoke, "Well, shall we go now?"

The others nods. Their job here is done. They got onto Justin and moved onward to their next destination.

Author's Notes:

Well, Twilight's group has gotten the first few ingredients and save the cannibals from Hsi Wu. In the next chapter, they arrive at Castle Nowhere to look for the next ingredient, the Anti-Evil Roots, when Twilight and Nyx fell through a trapdoor, being captured by a unknown enemy. As Ben's group looks for them, they meet Bocolix and Dumbledore but are these two friends or foes? (As if you need an answer for that one!) And the heroes soon find the alicorns' kidnappers: the evil witch Somnambula, an evil witch from the Gen 1 series who captured ponies to steal their youth and energy. Can she be beaten so that Twilight and Nyx be saved? Read, review and suggest.

The crop fields needing plenty of iron in the soil to grow plants, and other plant life & the ground idea is an inspiration that came from an episode "Scruple & The Great Book Of Spells" from the old classic Smurf TV Cartoon series.

The song Lorcan and Luna sing which is called 'For My Brother' is inspired by 'Out There' from Hunchback of Notre Dame. It was created by Power Master who created all of its lyrics and rhymes one-by-one and carefully.

Think Rabbitchu as Pikachu from the Pok¨¦mon series.

The scene Princess Celestia, Golden Heart and Pinkamena met Mystic Tao: Mystic Tao is Power Master's OC for My Little Pony. He is based on a Dynasty Warriors Character: mystic Zuo Ci. Mystic Tao is a powerful sorcerer who can use magic who stayed true to his beliefs and morality of rights, virtue and benevolent. He is a very old friend and ally of Princess Celestia who helped her through the thousand years in uniting the land of Equestria as its ruler. He seldom tells her important events such as 'the Superior' and his 'Apocalypse Ponies'. He knows everything, even the future but chose not to tell for the pony to make his or her own decision of doing what is right for them and the citizens, as well as the right time before the event occurred. Tao is very mysterious who spoken in riddles and only appeared when the circumstances are in great critical for the land or sensing darkness coming such as the Apple Family's farm losing its ability to grow.

The scene where Applejack and her family told the ponies to fight their hunger until night is inspired from one of Malaysia's Malay Culture before their holiday special, Hari Raya Puasa: Fast and hold the hunger until night time to eat dinner only.

The Git-R-Done is a famous line used by Larry the Cable Guy, which lots of folks know about him, cause he played the role of Mater in Cars 1 & 2.

Tao sang Lonely Mountain from 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'. My pal changes the song lyrics when sending the chapter here.

Need translation? Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao (from Cantonese speaking: —ýÄ§¹í¹Ö¿ì†O×ß) means Evil Demons and malevolent spirits, be gone!

Hsi Wu is from 'Jackie Chan Adventures' as a minor villain for Season 2, along with the Demon Sorcerers. A pal of mine changed Sorcerers as Lords to represent a powerful warrior of Demons.

Castle 4: The Terror of Castle Nowhere

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Chapter 4: The Terror of Castle Nowhere

Equestria is usually filled with life and love (minus some parts like the Everfree Forest and dark castle). In another place and time, there is another universe called the Realm of Demons which is filled with some rocks and emptiness. The clouds and skies are in yellowish.

Hsi Wu suddenly appears, looking peeved. He has been beaten and by ponies no less! The Demon snarls, "When I get my hands on those ponies, I'm gonna rip them a-"

"Silence!" A voice snaps as a hand slammed on a rock near to Hsi Wu. He panicked, and encounter a brown Chinese buffalo Demon-like dressed in Egyptian loincloth known as Dai Gui. "The only Demon who is about to get rip apart is you, brother!"

Hsi Wu became scared and worried. A giant green-scaled frog Demon-like that too dressed loincloth with blue pants, and also had giant hand gloves and boots-like, hopped behind of Hsi Wu. Xiao Fung comments, "Indeed. Let the eternal torment begin!"

"Torment; what do you mean?!" The Demon screeches in fear. Hsi Wu flew away from the two Demons, and his back got hit by something. He turned and encountered a blue reptilian Demon-like who wore hard and mighty armor.

Tchang Zu snaps, "To punish you! You had failed to inform us about the escape plan. You abandoned us!"

Hsi Wu quickly flew away from Tchang Zu but stopped by a blue-skinned mermaid demon-like with her tentacles-like hair. Bai Tza remarks, "While we remained in this realm, you continued to rule the 'End of Equestria', and had forgotten about us!"

A golden Dragon appear with crimson loincloth appeared. Shendu booms out, "For over centuries have passed, we had ruled that land for a long time before our banishment! When you found the portal to escape, you were supposed to inform us, but instead, you chose to take that power away from us!

A giant green female Demon with blue Chinese Hairstyle-like appeared next. Po Kong comments, "You'd never attempt to free us! I care for you! And this is how I get repaid! I really hate you, Hsi Wu!"

Hsi Wu gulped of feared and worried as the six Demon Lords are glaring at him. The Demon pleads, "Please, let me explain! I really want to free you! Honest! But to honor your home coming, I have to get all.......The FOOD; Just for you!"

"Enough of your excuses," Hsi Wu turned and encountered a tall humanoid Demon who's dressed in crimson Chinese Adviser's robe-like with four arms and had long purple hair in ponytail. Hsi Wu shivered in fear to see him, Tso Lan. As the eldest, I had entrusted to each and every Demon of you to do your duty and path to fulfill our mission and objectives. But you had failed us miserably, Hsi Wu!"

Hsi Wu flew back as the seven Demon Lords surround him. Shendu said, "Any last word to speak, little brother?"

"Since when there's the last word for this brat," Bai Tza ask, ready for the big moment.

Dai Gui booms out, "Dai Gui wants to smash him!"

Hsi Wu needs to save his own life and fast. Quickly the Demon calls out, "Wait; Let me explain. This time, it's honest! I had given someone the use of the Panku Box to free any of us from this prison! If I held it, I would have banished to here and impossible for any of us to go back."

Xiao Fung pauses then admits, "Well, that is certainly true."

Tchang Zu then asks Hsi Wu, "So who did you give the box to?"

Hsi Wu, relieved to be saved from punishment for now, explains, "Bai Tza's loyal servant and ally, Somnambula."

"A Seeking-Immortal Witch," Bai Tza asks in surprise. Somanmbula was in fact an evil witch from the times of Ponyland who forced a bird to put the ponies back then in a trance so that she can steal their energy and youth to live forever and make her powers stronger. "Well, at least you did the right thing to deliver it to a loyal servant."

"There's more. The ponies from Equestria had entered our former territories."

"Oh! I love ponies!" Po Kong exclaims stupidly. "They taste very good! They are my favorite dishes!"

"Impossible!" Dai Gui screeches in shock and disbelief. Ponies had actually entered the End of Equestria? This hasn't been done before, except for some! "Noponies dare to come into our territory before."

Hsi Wu smirked as he adds, "We did control the poor ponies as our slaves before."

"That is long time ago, Hsi Wu because they're incompetent and fools to come to our territory just because Tirek's dead." Shendu points out to Hsi Wu bitterly.

"True, Shendu. But nopony is brave and confident to come to our territories without a reason." Tso Lan points out to Shendu with a frown. "Certainly, it must be very important. Who are they?"

Hsi Wu answers the question, "The purple Alicorn, the brown and purple Earth Ponies and a Moon Dragon. But most interesting of all: the son of Tadaka and of course, your creation, Tso Lan: Nightmare Moon."

The seven Demon Lords were both shocked and surprised for the last part. Dai Gui yells out in fury, "Ludicrous!"

Xiao Fung roars out in anger, "Unacceptable!"

Po Kong gasps, "It can't be true!"

Tchang Zu nods as he adds, "Nightmare Moon was destroyed when Princess Luna was restored to her true-self by Elements of Harmony! Her two fail-safes had failed!"

Bai Tza then explains dryly, "Your sworn brother's youngest child is dead as well during the war between Ponies and Dragons! He can't be alive, can he?"

Shendu snarls in rage, "Celestia! That Alicorn witch! She must have kidnapped and turned him into the ponies' slave! I shall not be forgotten of what she had done to my best servant!"

Flashback

Thousand years ago, Shendu was defeated. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Lorcan, Star-Swirled the Bearded, Mystic Tao and the army of Royal Guards surround him. Tadaka approach Shendu, the villain demands in fury, "Tadaka! Why?! How could you betray me?! I have treated you well! This is how you repay your sworn brother! You should not have helped those ponies, for we are the true rulers of the land!" Shendu is outraged as the fact that Tadaka has chosen to turn his back on his allies and sworn brother like this!

Tadaka explains, "I'm sorry. I'm really am. I wish there is another way, Shendu. But what you and your siblings planned is unacceptable! I cannot let you do it!"

"Tadaka, move; we must banish him at once. He is too dangerous to stay here." Celestia explains to Tadaka calmly. If this Demon continues to stay in Equestria, he will continue to make a new army and make terror once more!

"Understood; Farewell, my brother."

Both Star-Swirled and Tao approached in front of Shendu. Star-Swirled wielded the Chinese Sword. Tao made these following words, "Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

Star-Swirled's sword glowed in green. It fired at Shendu. The door behind him appeared and opened. It dragged him to the door. Shendu yells out in fury to his former sworn brother, "TADAKA!!!!!! One day! Someday! You'll regret for what you had done! These ponies will betray you! When that happens, you will fall to your grief and anger!"

Shendu was sent through the door. Tadaka looked regret and upset. This will haunt him for the rest of his days...

Flashback Ends

Bai Tza nods angrily as he said, "At least, Tadaka did the right thing to come and seek us out. He sold his soul to us for good. Thus, he and Lorcan began a war against those ponies. Unfortunately, his wife betrayed him, causing Tadaka to kill her. It is pity for that Dragon."

"Unfortunately for his second child, he was kidnapped and manipulated by that witch." Shendu remarks with a deep frown. "He is now an ally to those ponies. Tell me Hsi Wu, did young Dragon become a Demon before?"

Hsi Wu shakes his head as he adds to Shendu, "As much as I had hoped for, I sense nothing; No hatred; No rage; Nothing but disgusting love and kindness!"

"Then, he is a traitor to us and to his family!"

"What about Nightmare Moon? How can you be certain she's alive?" Po Kong asks His Wu, surprised to hear that Nightmare Moon is still around despite Princess Luna now cured of her darkness.

"If she is, then why do we not sense her hatred and anger?" Dai Gui ask a bit puzzled by this fact.

Hsi Wu explains, "Probably another disgusted love and friendship interference again. She lost her darkness to them. She is now with the Light side."

Tchang Zu snarls in fury, "The ponies shall pay for their treacheries for turning Tadaka's child and Nightmare Moon against us!"

Tso Lan nods a bit as he adds, "For once, we agreed. But the question remained is who are they?"

"I had no idea. All I want is revenge!" Hsi Wu demands in fury. He is still ticked off of his previous defeat at the hands of those ponies and those traitors! "Not to mention, they also destroyed Po Kong's plant pet and Xiao Fing's wasp. I can sense their defeats before I met them so they were the ones responsible for those said defeats!"

"Mephitos is killed! My baby plant is gone!" Po Kong exclaims in furry as she sobbed at this information.

Xiao Fing screeches in fury, "My insect too! Unbelievable! She was my brain trust! And they killed her!"

"They will pay for their treachery!" Dai Gui yells out in anger. No one dares angered the Demon Lords and gets away with it! Nightmare Moon, the son of Tadaka and their allies will pay dearly for what happened!

Tso Lan creates a huge portal in front of him and his siblings. He spoke up, "Despite being unable to rule our land, it does not mean that we cannot see our land for once a while."

They saw Twilight Sparkle and her gang are travelling through the woods. The Demon Lords were shocked to see both Spike and Nyx.

"So that's young Tadaka's son? If I recall correctly, he was named after his grandfather, Spykoran." Shendu said, knowing that Spike was named after his grandfather who is now the Dragon King of the Dragon Clans. Hsi Wu nods his head. Shendu then looked at Twilight, Ben and Tough. "If I'm not mistaken of those two, those are Twilight Sparkle and Ben Mare."

Bai Tza spoke up, "Twilight Sparkle, the pony who was once witch's apprentice and becomes an Alicorn? As for Ben Mare, is it true that he is Princess Celestia's adopted son?"

"I had no idea. When I first met him, I sense that his blood is somehow familiar. But I sense great power within him. If I remember correctly, that mark on his flank is the representation of Triforce." Hsi Wu said, glancing at the cutie mark on Ben Mare.

"It must be! This is going to be good. Any idea where they are going," Xiao Fung exclaims while wanting to know where the group is now headed, with plans of vengeance in his mind.

"Dai Gui does not care! Dai Gui wants to smash them!" Dai Gui booms in fury.

Tchang Zu nods angrily as he spoke, "I agree with Dai Gui! They must be punished! Any ponies or anyone dare to trespass into our territories must pay the price!"

"Or better, having a feast," Po Kong jumps up and down in madness while yelling.

"No." Tso Lan spoke, making the Demon Lords turned to him. "We have an important mission. Our objective is to bring both Nightmare Moon and Ben Mare to our sides while defeating Twilight Sparkle and those who sides with her. If we achieve that, then our victory will be in our hand. We shall have our revenge on Celestia and all of those ponies. With the Triforce on our side and the demise of that Holder of Element of Magic, the Equestria is completely defenseless."

The Demon Lords were shocked to hear this idea. They thought for a while before grins came upon their mouths.. Dai Gui exclaims, "Dai Gui agrees!

Tchang Zu exclaims eagerly, "I shall challenge the one who possess the great power!"

Xiao Fung remarks angrily, "I want my revenge on the ones who destroy my pet!"

Po Kong said with a nod, "I shall devour them, except for our little niece and the browny. They shall pay for killing my pet!"

"This shall be an interesting battle." Shendu said with a smile. A battle is about to come forth with major problems at hoof here. "I look forward to see and challenge the one who possessed the Triforce Elements of Harmony. "

Bai Tza comments, "I shall see and test this Alicorn's power. I doubt she'd be a threat to me."

"Since I've lost, I shall stay and watch." Hsi Wu remarks with a shrug. He already lost to those ponies so may as well to see if his siblings can do better.

"Then, it is acceptable." Tso Lan comments as he glanced at the portal. "Now, let us see where they're heading. Judging on the roads, I presume that they are heading to the castle, Castle Nowhere. But I believe that Bai Tza should go first since she has an ally on the other side. Remember, I want Nightmare Moon and Ben Mare alive."

Bai Tza smiles as she laughs, "My pleasure. Xiao Fung and Dai Gui will join my group. While I had a talk with your creation and deal with Sparkle, Xiao Fung and Dai Gui will deal with those interferences and retrieve Ben Mare."

"My pleasure; I will find the one who burned my pet down, Dragons or ponies, it matters not!" Xiao Fung said in determination.

Dai Gui comments, "Dai Gui shall crush them with his might! Ponies shall be punished. Spike must pay!"

"Then, contact that witch." Tso Lan orders evilly. Time for Somanmbula to step up to the plate...

--------------------

Princess Celestia and her sister looks at the progress. So far, the ponies are doing their best to keep falling to their hunger. The older sister spoke up, "This isn't good. While the ponies are doing their best not to fall to their own hunger, it may not be enough."

"Not unless Twilight and her family return from the End of Equestria." Luna said grimly. Just then, she saw something. "What's this?"

Suddenly a flash appears near the ponies of Ponyville making them gasps in surprise. Soon some weird ponies that they haven't seen before show up from out of nowhere: the former cannibals of the End of Equestria.

"Yes, this is it...the outside world...where are we?" The former first cannibal asks in bewilderment.

"This must be where Twilight and her friends came from." Mowgli said, making the Ponyville ponies surprised upon hearing that.

"Wait, did you say Twilight? As in Twilight Sparkle, a purple alicorn?" Rainbow asks the newcomers in surprise. "Wait, first question I should be asking: who are you?"

"We are the cannibals of the End of Equestria." The second former cannibal explains, making the Ponies gasps and back away. "Oh, but do not worry. We are now cured of our insanity, becoming our true vegetarian selves."

"Welcome to Equestria." Celestia said as she and her sister flew down to the ground and lands. The former cannibals gasp as they bow to the princesses.

"So it is true: the Mare in the Moon has indeed return." The third former cannibal said in praise. "We have been in the End of Equestria for too long."

"Indeed. What has happened? You mention Princess Twilight Sparkle's name, correct?" Luna asks the former cannibal curiously.

It didn't take long for Mowgli and the former cannibals to explain what has happened, especially the ones who are no longer statues, as well as what happened with Hsi Wu. The ponies, especially the princesses, look surprised or stunned while hearing this.

"So...Hsi Wu has tried to return. Luckily my son was able to banish him." Celestia said with a nod. "Well, you and your ponies are welcomed back to Equestria."

"Shucks, we apologize if we don't have much veggies 'ta go around." Applejack apologizes to the former cannibals. "Our farm is in the middle of a crisis right now."

"It is okay, we will get by." The first former cannibal said with a sigh. "We can only hope and pray that Twilight and her group are careful for the next area has the terrible Castle Nowhere which has a terrible witch that steal ponies' youth and energy living there."

"I'm sure they will be all right...I hope." Fluttershy said meekly, while looking concerned. Castle Nowhere sounds like a terrible place to go to.

------------

It was a dark and stormy night in the woods where Twilight and her group are in. They continue making their way to the next location, unaware of two alicorns (so to speak) following them. They manage to keep tabs on the princess and her group, dodging Hsi Wu and that old pony at all cause. So far, so good, right?

Wrong, a familiar old pony appears in front of the two without warning, saying sternly to Bocolix and Dumbledore, "It appears I wasn't clear of what I had said before. So I must punish you both."

Bocolix yelps as he quickly speaks, "Wait! Wait! Wait! Can't you at least let us help them?!"

Dumbledore nods as he explains, "Yeah, I know Ben and Boris is not exactly great friends, but he likes Twilight so much. He doesn't want her dead."

"Besides, if we go back to him now, he'll have our heads!"

"Not to mention, he has a bad temper!"

"Why does that concern me?" Tao ask skeptically. Bocolix and Dumbledore became silent as they had no idea of how to convince him. "Tell me, Boxco and Dum-Dum, what do you desire besides being loyal to your master?"

Bocolix and Dumbledore shrugged. The former explains, "Well, I never thought of what I want. I just follow the boss. That's all."

Dumbledore adds, "Yeah. That's what we do since our foal hood."

Tao placed his hooves on both Bocolix's and Dumbledore's forehead as he closed his eyes and chanted, like he's searching something within them. They shrugged. He then stopped his chanting and let go of his hooves. The old pony smiled at them mysteriously.

"I see. Both of you wish to be better ponies? Tell me, do you feel regret of what you had done to Ben in the past?" Tao ask the two alicorns curiously.

"Well, yeah, a lot. I kinda feel ashamed of what I did to Ben. To be honest, he's not such a weak pony like we thought. He's kinda okay pony, like what happen a few days ago. He's cool." Bocolix admits to Tao. Despite being someone that Boris wants to kill, even the alicorn thought him to be cool.

Dumbledore nods while saying, "Yeah. I mean, we already know that Ben and Twilight like each other before but Boris keeps pining and chasing her. We tried to ask him to find another one. But he wouldn't listen."

"I doubt ponies would forgive us about the mess that we've made."

"Yeah, if Boris had listened to us, we wouldn't be in this mess in first place. Don't tell anyone about this."

"Then, you shall help Ben and Twilight to cross the journey." Tao said suddenly. Bocolix and Dumbledore were shocked. This hermit is allowing them to help their enemies? "Yes, I allow you to help them. After all, it is not Boris's order, but your heart’s desire."

Bocolix and Dumbledore smiled while asking, "Really?"

"Though your heart had spoken truth, your mind I cannot trust. If you ever tried to harm them, using my power will be the least of your concern." Tao said sternly to the two, knowing that if the alicorns even bring harm to Twilight, Ben or anyone in their group, their action will be their last. Bocolix and Dumbledore shivered in fear just before they nodded their heads. "Good. You shall not tell your side about me, nor shall I.” Bocolix and Dumbledore nodded their heads. "Good. Remember. This is your heart’s desire, not Boris's order. So, don't you have a plan of how you meet them?"

Bocolix answers, "Well, we're still working on it."

Dumbledore nods in agreement, saying, "Yeah. So what are you going to do?"

Tao pauses then he said with a smile, "I have my ways to have doing."

----------------------

Twilight and her friends headed off and continued to walk on the dark woods. They saw a familiar mysterious figure whose is walking on the road. Tough in surprise yell out, "What in tarnation; Hey, isn't 'dat -?"

Nyx gasps in surprise, "Its Mr. Tao!"

"You're right! He's okay!" Spike exclaims eagerly. It's a relief to see Tao after his disappearance not too long ago.

"C'mon, let's check on him." Twilight said with a smile. May as well let Tao know what's happening and see if he's okay.

Twilight and her family immediately heading up and catch up with Tao. Ben spoke to get his attention, "Tao!"

Tao turns, smiling at his friends as he spoke, "Ah; Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Tough, Spike and Phobos; I see you had come and join my walking."

"Are you alright?! Did any Demon hurt or capture you?" Spike asks Tao frantically. The old pony looks at the Dragon in amusement as if not knowing what he's on about.

"Demon," Tao ask as he chuckled. "I don't see any Demon here. But I am a fine and healthy old pony who enjoys his walking."

"Seriously," Phobos scoffs in disbelief. The group has been through heck to save some former cannibals from a Demon's control and Tao doesn't even know a thing about it?

"Although I heard some fighting from other sides, I concluded that the cannibals are fighting over the meat again."

"Wouldn't yew believe 'dat 'de cannibals were actually real vegetarian ponies," Tough spoke up with a smile. Tao, pretending to be surprise, blinks his eyes at this revelation.

"Really; oh my; that is shocking. I could have sworn that 'The End of Equestria' do not have ponies." Tao said, pretending to not knowing what's going on apparently.

"No, it's true. Maybe we should tell you about it." Nyx insists to Tao with a grin.

Tao got on the cart. Twilight and her family explained Tao about what happened in the event. He smiled. Tao had already knows it due to his involvement but pretend not to know about it in both surprise and shock.

"Voice; Ancient Banishment Spell; Oh my, that is the rarest occurring event that I heard of." Tao said in surprise and shock by these turn of events. "I wasn't expecting to hear that the Demon Lord of Sky has returned and he got banished."

"Yeah, I know. But if it weren't for the voice, we wouldn't have saved the cannibals." Twilight said with a smile. The mare wishes that she knows who the helper is so she can thank him in person.

"Not to mention to weaken Hsi Wu." Ben said in agreement. That flute that he has gotten from the voice, obviously, has saved the day.

Tao chuckled, "That is amazing, my friends. So, tell me where were you heading?"

"We're heading to Castle Nowhere. We're trying to get the next item: the Anti-Evil Roots." Twilight explains to Tao. According to the map and list of ingredients, that castle is where the Anti-Evil Roots are now.

Tao gasped in shock, "Oh my, that is a rarest item. But it is not safe too."

"Why not," Nyx ask, wondering if she wanna know the reason why.

"Rumors had spoken that there is a witch who lived in the castle, still seeking the immortality, youths and energy of Alicorns. Those who dare to enter it have been perished or killed by her."

"A witch," Spike yelps a bit. There hasn't been much witches in Equestria since the times of Ponyland! The Witches of the Volcano of Gloom has disappeared, they are the most common witches back then!

"Stole the immortality, youths and energy of Alicorns?" Phobos asks in surprise and disbelief.

Tao nods. Tough slapped a hoof to his forehead as he groans, "Just terrific. We're now in deep trouble. First, cannibals, then a pony-eating plant, next 'de bugs, after 'dat Hsi Wu, an' now we had a witch to deal with; so not mah day."

"May I ask why do you need the item so badly? It does not worth a pony's life." Tao said, wondering why Twilight and her friends would risk their lives in going to getting that Anti-Evil Roots in the first place.

Twilight sighed, "Maybe to somepony, Tao. But you wouldn't believe and understand of what I'm about to say. Not to mention, what I'm about to do."

Tao gently pull her muzzle or chin to make her looked at his eyes. He said, "Try me, Princess of the Stars." Twilight explained of what happened at Ponyville. The old pony nods. "I see. I'm truly sorry to hear that, my dear."

"Hey, it's not your fault for not realizing or understanding our goal and doing. Even the journey maybe hard, but our friends need us." Ben explains to Tao in determination. "We can't abandon or let them down."

"Not only because Applejack's my very best friend, but a great sister-like to me. I'm not going to let that suffering happen to me or Applejack. I refuse to see it again." Twilight said gently to Tao. She will risk her life just to help a friend who is like a sister to her.

Tao nodded his head and speaks in his mind, 'Once again, I was right. She truly is the one.' The pony spoke normally now, "Very well. But remember, Twilight, if this journey you truly desire and work very hard for the sake of the one you called 'sister', then let no obstacles and darkness halt you. Let your light and benevolent guide you home."

Twilight smiled, saying, "Thank you, Tao."

"Look sharp, we're here." Tough said as he points a hoof. Everypony turned their attention to a castle that has dark and apparently not seen light or goodness in ages.

Ben nods as he said, "Guess, this must be it."

Spike gasped as he looks around, "Oh no!"

"What now?" Phobos asks, wondering what Spike is upset about now.

"He's gone again!"

"What," Everyone yells as they looked around and saw that Tao is once again not with them but disappeared once more. Just like before at the lake!

"What in 'de Sam Hill is going on? First, he's disappeared at 'de Lake o' Eternal, next we meet up with him on walking towards the castle an' now he's gone!" Tough exclaims in annoyance. That pony is getting weirder by the moment!

"What is going on with that old pony?" Phobos asks in annoyance as well.

"No idea. Is he a........ ghost," Spike gulps a bit, fearing the worst.

"A ghost; It can't be! If he is, he wouldn't have talked with us gently than scaring us." Nyx points out to Spike. Ghosts don't normally talk gently to the living...do they?

"I don't think that's the reason -!" Ben begins to say when it happens again: a voice is heard in his head once more.

"Trust the trapped ones, weakened darkness with impurity." The voice said, much to Ben's surprise and confusion.

"What?!"

"Trust the trapped ones, weakened darkness with impurity."

Ben listens to the voice, looking puzzled as he repeats, "'Trust the trapped ones?' 'Weakened darkness with impurity?' What does it mean?"

"Come on." Twilight said as the group heads over to the castle. Hopefully they can find the Anti-Evil Roots and get out without dealing with whoever that witch is.

-------------------

Soon, Twilight and her group went inside the dark castle. The tremendous hall they were in was as silent as a tomb.

"Wow, creeeeeepy." Phobos said while looking around. He saw some language in a wall. "What's this?"

"Hmmm, I believe these are runes from earlier times in Ponyland, before it was Equestria." Twilight said before she translates. "'Abandon All Hope All Who Enter Here. Beware the Witch Somnambula'."

"'Somnambula'; what the hay is that?" Spike asks the others puzzled.

"Oh, I've read about her. Somnambula was an evil witch who forced a good bird named Kyrie into putting ponies of Ponyland into a trance and lured them to an illusion circus so she can steal their youth and energy to be young and make her powers stronger." Nyx explains to the others.

"Oh yes, I read about her too. After Slugger destroyed the crystal, Somnambula was aged back to an old woman and she disappeared." Ben explains thoughtfully. "Most likely she is dead by now."

"Ah don't know. If what Tao said is true, she may be 'de same witch living here." Tough said uncertainly.

"Relax everyone. As long as we stick together, we will get the Anti-Evil Roots and be out before that witch knows that we're here." Twilight said calmly as she and Nyx trots on ahead. "Try to keep up."

"Uh, Twilight; you may have to watch your step." Spike said to Twilight in precaution. "We don't know what could be in here."

"Relax, what could possibly..." Twilight begins to say in confidence...perhaps 'overconfidence'.

Suddenly, a trapdoor opens underneath Twilight and Nyx. They scream in alarm as they fell through, disappearing from sight before the trapdoor is closed.

"Twilight; Nyx," Ben, Spike and Phobos gasp in alarm.

Ben and Tough tried to open the door with their strengths, but nothing happens. Suddenly, they heard heavy footsteps. They looked up and saw Dai Gui and Xiao Fung who appeared in front of them.

"Ponies; Do you know who we are?" Dai Gui snarls evilly to the remaining group.

"Who are they?!" Spike yelps a bit in worry.

"More Demons; As if the last one isn't enough," Phobos groans in annoyance; First Hsi Wu, now these two freaks?!

"Dai Gui, Demon Lord of Earth and Xiao Fung, Demon Lord of Wind!" Ben exclaims, identifying his enemies at once.

"Great! It looks like Hsi Wu's family are here as well!" Tough groaned a bit. Not good. With Twilight and Nyx missing, they are against two of the toughest Demon Lords.

Xiao Fung smirks as he remarks, "Very perceptive, Benji; since you know our name."

"You shall know our wrath! Traitor! Son of Tadaka will pay for his betrayal!" Dai Gui exclaims madly.

Dai Gui charge at Spike who is now both panicked and worried. Spike quickly jumped back before Dai Gui smashed on the ground, missing the baby Dragon barely.

"What did I do to you?!" Spike protests to the Demon in alarm.

"Isn't it obvious, grandson of Spykoran?" Xiao Fung asks Spike dryly. "You betray your father's true legacy, and sided with the murderers! Not to mention you kill my pet!"

"Pet?! What pet?!" Phobos asks, not sure what Xiao Fung is on about.

"My beautiful trusted bug, Swarm," Xiao Fung snaps to Phobos furiously.

"'De Wasp Queen; Hoo boy; didn't realize 'dat Demon Lords like pets!" Tough groaned a bit. Who could've thought that the Swarm itself was a pet for one of the Demon Lords?

Ben gulped, "Probably for their amusement when the pets are playing with their toys."

"Namely US," Spike exclaims frantically and worried. Great, they just destroyed the pet of one of their newest enemies.

"Spike must PAY!" Dai Gui booms as he prepares for another attack on Spike.

Tough gulped, "Ah think he likes yew; Sort of."

"So what's the plan?" Phobos asks quickly. Twilight and Nyx are missing, leaving the remaining heroes against these two Demons. What's the plan in fighting them off?

"One: RUN!!!" Ben yells out quickly. The stallion knew that the group is outmatched so they must flee to plan again!

Ben, Tough, Phobos and Spike immediately run away. Both Dai Gui and Xiao Fung growled angrily.

"They run like cowards!" Dai Gui exclaims furiously.

"It doesn't matter, Dai Gui! These ponies will pay the great price for their stupidities and betrayal, especially for killing my pet!" Xiao Fung remarks sinisterly. No one kills his Swarm and lives to tell about it.

"After them," Dai Gui yells out as he immediately digs under the ground. Only his horns are on top. Xiao Fung starts sucking all the air in.

Ben, Tough, Spike and Phobos continued to run as fast as they can. Unfortunately, they've been pulled back by the current.

"What in tarnation just happen," Tough yells out, trying his best to escape the mad current.

"No idea! But I'm not gonna like it!" Phobos yells out frantically to his pals.

"Me too," Spike exclaims in alarm. Why can't he and the others escape?

"It must be Xiao Fung's attack! He's trying suck all of us in!" Ben exclaims. Even using his Triforce powers isn't enough!

"I will take it that's bad!" Phobos yells out in alarm.

Ben and the boys, unable to keep on running, stopped and the wind pulled them hard. The stallion yells to the others, "Quick! Grab onto something!

Ben, Tough and Phobos let go of the pillar. They turned and see something shocking and worried. Dai Gui raise up. He glared at Spike for holding his horns while the Dragon glanced at him with both worried and scared expressions, as well as having an uneasy smile. Dai Gui blew his nose out with smoke.

"Oh-oh," Spike yelps a bit. This doesn't look good.

"Spike; Get out of there!" Ben yells out to Spike who is trying his best to get off Dai Gui.

"What does it look like I'm doing now!?" Spike exclaims frantically. Dai Gui growls as he tries to throw the baby Dragon off like a pony at a rodeo. "Yikes! Nice buffalo! Nice buffalo Demon!"

Spike quickly makes his running as fast as he can on the Demon's nose. He then jumped off. Dai Gui shook his head while rubbing his nose hard. The Demon groaned in anger before he roared like a wild animal. Dai Gui quickly runs towards to Spike, Ben, Tough and Phobos before they make a run.

"Dai Gui shall tear that dragon apart!" Dai Gui exclaims madly as he begins his latest assault.

"Why me," Spike groans in despair.

Dai Gui then used his leg and slammed on the ground, causing it to shake. Ben, Tough, Spike and Phobos got shook up and fell to the ground. Dai Gui and Xiao Fung approached them while laughing evilly and menacingly. Dai Gui grabbed both Spike and Tough while Xiao Fung has Ben and Phobos. Their grips are very tight.

"This is all you had? We're so disappointed." Xiao Fung taunts her enemies in amusement. "We're hoping to meet a challenge. A challenge whose defeat and beat Hsi Wu. I guess you're not good enough."

"What a waste of our time!" Dai Gui grunts. He then glared at Spike who gulped in worried. "At least, Dai Gui will have his revenge on traitor!"

"Why does every Demon think that I'm a traitor," Spike complains a bit. Yes, he chose ponies instead of bad Dragons but this is ridiculous!

"Cuz yer old man an' brother work wit' them before!" Tough pointed out to Spike in concern.

"Very clever for a cowpony; too bad, this will be the last time that you had an adventure." Xiao Fung chuckles sinisterly to the heroes. "Benji is coming with us, along our Nightmare Moon."

"Nightmare Moon," The boys yells out in shock. Bad enough that critics still call Nyx that name but now these guys?!

Dai Gui nods as he adds, "Yes. But first, we shall kill three ponies."

"You shall be welcomed to our side, Benji. Our sister is taking good care of Nightmare Moon as well as getting rid of that Alicorn." Xiao Fung said offering Ben a chance to join the bad guys.

"No!" Ben snaps in defiance. He refuses to join the evil side no matter what! No Demon will force him to do otherwise.

Xiao Fung and Dai Gui then smell something burning. They screamed in pain as well as letting go of their grasps on their enemies. Ben, Tough, Spike and Phobos immediately run off before the Demon Lords recovered. They then saw two Alicorns who are in a further room, waving the good guys to come over to them. Ben and the boys immediately run towards the door.

Xiao Fung and Dai Gui recovered as they turn and saw the group running away. Dai Gui yells out, "They are escaping!"

Xiao Fung smirked as he boasts, "Not on my mouth!"

Xiao Fung sucked in the air again, causing the gang to be pulled back again. Phobos complains, "Not again!"

"Isn't there another way to stop him?!" Spike asks the others. There must a way to put Xiao Fung out of commission.

The alicorn known as Bocolix, unknown to the others, yells out to the good guys in warning, "Hit the deck!"

Ben and the boys had no idea who that was, but decided to do what Bocolix shouted by ducking down. Dumbledore and Bocolix launched their spell and blasted at Xiao Fung's mouth.

Xiao Fung's eyes are wide open as he feels something burning and paining. His mouth is on fire. He stopped sucking the air. Xiao Fung coughed out loud as well as panicking.

"My mouth; my mouth; I need water." Xiao Fung exclaims in a panic.

"Give us that-!" Dai Gui begins to speak when a pie slammed onto his face, much to his annoyance.

Dumbledore, the one who threw the pie, shrugs innocently as he asks, "Well, he did say pie, right?"

Dai Gui groaned angrily as he wiped the pie off from his face. Bocolix yelps, "I'll take it as a no! Come in; Quickly!"

Ben and the gang got into the room. Both Bocolix and Dumbledore quickly closed the door. Dai Gui growled and roared angrily. Both he and Xiao Fung charged to the room, no one dares to escape them, no one!

The two Demons slammed on the door with the fists. But the two receive pain causing them to scream in pain. They shook their hands to get rid of the pain. That smarts!

Xiao Fung growls in frustration, "What kind of wood is that door made out of?!"

"Dai Gui hates Alicorns!" Dai Gui grunts angrily.

Inside, Ben and the boys panted from the running away from the Demons. Spike groans out, "That was a close call."

Phobos nods as he remarks, "Remind me not to pick a fight with anymore Demons, especially buffalo and frog demons. That buffalo had anger issues. He's worse than Tough. Not to mention, that frog's breath stinks!"

Ben turned and saw Bocolix and Dumbledore. The stallion, not recognizing the two as Boris's goons Boxco and Dum-Dum, nods as he said, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. I think." Bocolix said a bit awkwardly. This is the first time that the rival of his boss thanks him and Dumbledore for helping.

"Yeah, I think." Dumbledore said in agreement.

"Thanks a lot. But we've gotta move," Tough said in concern.

"Move; Move to where?" Bocolix ask a bit confused as to what Tough is talking about.

"Find Twilight and Nyx," Spike answers, much to the two alicorns' shock.

"You mean they're captured?" Dumbledore ask in alarm. Not good. His boss will be ticked off if something terrible happens to the filly that he wants!

"Yeah, sort of," Phobos said to the two guys.

"Well, you'd better let us in and help." Bocolix said in determination. After all, he and Dumbledore did come to make sure that Twilight makes it out of the End of Equestria alive, right?

"Yeah; I mean the more, the lesser." Dumbledore said stupidly.

Bocolix roll his eyes as he corrects his pal, "I think it's the more the merrier."

"Oh. Sorry, my bad," Dumbledore said sheepishly. The good guys look puzzled. This guy made a mistake in his sentences, kinda like Dum-Dum does.

"Who are you? Why are you helping us? And how did you end up here?" Ben asks the two alicorns in suspicion.

"I'm Bocolix and this is Dumbledore. Well, here's the funny story." Bocolix said as he begins to explain his story, making sure to keep out the important stuff.

Flashback

Bocolix and Dumbledore entered the Castle Nowhere as they are thinking of how they will meet with Twilight and her family while walking in its hallways.

"How about this; Hey, guys and welcome to Hotel Nowhere," Bocolix said, giving out a suggestion to his colleague. He laughs, "What do you think?"

Dumbledore shakes his head as he points out, "Hate to break it to ya, but we're at 'The End of Equestria'. They don't do hotels."

Bocolix groaned, "How?!" How will he and Dumbledore do this whole greeting thing right without arousing suspicions?

Suddenly, they heard bangs and explosion sounds. The two nitwits got panicked and shocked. They saw green lights coming through a crack of a door from another. Bocolix and Dumbledore took a peek on the door to see what's going on.

The two alicorns saw the humanoid witch Somnambula who is opening the portal with a small goblin that is very green and dressed with loincloth. They are waiting for someone coming out of the portal.

On their left side, there are Dai Gui and Xiao Fung. They got panicked while shivered in fear to see Demons. These two guys haven't seen them before but these guys are sure butt ugly!

"Are they........" Dumbledore whispers to Bocolix, looking freaked out.

Bocolix answers, "Demons? Yes........"

The two then saw Bai Tza passing through the portal before it disappeared. Somnambula bows to her as she spoke, "Lady Bai Tza, it is an honor to see you again."

Bai Tza smiled, speaking, "My loyal witch. It's so good to be back home. How's everything around here?"

Somnambula smirks as she said, "Peaceful and dreadful to kill any ponies or Alicorns coming here."

Bai Tza chuckled in amusement, "I see you're still collecting their youths and energies as usual."

"Yes. So what is thy bidding, my lady?" Somnambula spoke, wondering what Bai Tza wishes from her.

"My dear subject, we're having visitors coming here." Bai Tza explains to Somnambula darkly.

"Oh goody; I like visitors!" The goblin laughs stupidly.

"Not any visitors, goblin. The Alicorns and the adopted son of Princess Celestia, as well as an Earth Pony and the Dragons," Dai Gui explains to the goblin.

"They are coming here. So be prepared for a welcome committee." Xiao Fung explains to Somnambula sinisterly. They want the group taken care of.

"It would be my pleasure to take care of the Alicorns for you, milady." Somnambula said with a cruel chuckle; more youth and energy for her to take. Good!

Bai Tza however shakes her head as she said sternly, "No. I want to deal with those Alicorns. I want the black child alive while the purple," She chuckled. "I shall decide her fate. Set the traps for the ladies."

Somnambula bows while adding, "It will be done."

"What should we do?" The goblin asks, clueless as to what to from here.

"Dai Gui and I will deal with the boys." Xiao Fung remarks sinisterly. He and Dai Gui will make it their wild to get rid of the group, especially that traitor Spike once and for all.

"You goblin must take care of Panku Box." Dai Gui said as he gave a familiar box to the goblin. "Leave the castle and go to any place; Await for our order."

"Yes, master. It would be done." The goblin said with a nod.

The two alicorns watch on, worried as Bocolix whispers to Dumbledore, "That doesn't sound good." Not only will Twilight be dead, but so will they if Boris finds out that the two mess this job up.

"What are we going to do?" Dumbledore ask frantically. But he ends up speaking a bit too loudly.

"Who goes there," Dai Gui demands as he looks around. Who yell just now?

Xiao Fung smirks as he said in amusement, "It appears that we had spies in our castle."

Bocolix and Dumbledore panicked before heading off to a hallway. The three Demon Lords, Somnambula and Goblin came out of the room to look for them.

"I do not want any spies to ruin my plan. Find and destroy them!" Bai Tza orders the two Demons sternly. The last thing she wants is any failures! Dai Gui and Xiao Fung nodded their heads before heading off. "Now, goblin; leave the castle at once, and wait for our next order."

"Yes, mistress," The goblin grunts as he immediately leave for his next assignment.

Somnambula spoke up, "Shall we get started?"

Bai Tza smiled as she answers, "Yes. Be prepared for our guests, my hungry witch. Let's head to the dungeon for them."

Bai Tza and Somnambula heads out to set a trap for Twilight and her family. Bocolix and Dumbledore quickly hid inside a room and use their magic to transform the wooden door into strong and hard metal, and locked the door very tight. Dai Gui and Xiao Fung passed them by.

"Do you think they're gone?" Bocolix whispers in hopes that Dai Gu and Xiao Fung are gone. Boy, those two looks nasty! Even those two nitwits know better than to mess with those two Demons.

"I hope so." Dumbledore said quietly. He tried to open the door to take a peek outside but it won't open. "Oh, horse feathers! I forgot to unlock it!"

"Terrific," Bocolix groans a bit. Why must he be stuck with a dumb pal like him?

Flashback Ends

"Somehow, you opened the door and saved our flanks." Ben said, impressed. For two goofups, these guys did all right. "Wow, that's pretty good for two goofy Alicorns. No offense."

"None taken, I guess." Bocolix said sheepishly. Dumbledore shrugged. The two pals don't mind dumb names to them before after all.

"Okay, we now know who sets everything up. This is so not good! We've gotta save Twilight and Nyx!" Spike gulps a bit, knowing that Twilight and Nyx are in danger by Bai Tza. "Who knows what that Demon Lord of Water will do?!"

"But question is where are they," Phobos ask while scratching his head, wondering where the girls are at.

"Duh, the dungeon," Dumbledore said, even being told the most dumbest question in Equestria. "Where else would that witch do to send them?"

"He has a point. So lead us, pals." Tough said, motioning the two new alicorns to lead the group to the dungeon. Hopefully they can find Twilight and nyx before it's too late.

"Wait! You seriously going to trust them; What if it's another Demons' traps? We can't trust them!" Phobos exclaims, looking at the two alicorns in suspicion.

"What choice do we have? We're dealing with three Demon Lords in one castle. It doesn't go well for us so far." Spike points out. So far, the group will have no choice but to trust these two weird alicorns to save Twilight and Nyx!

"So what should we do, Ben?" Tough ask, wanting a decision; should the group trust Bocolix and Dumbledore or not?

Ben thought for a moment as well as remembering the voice whose spokes about 'trust the trapped ones, weakened the darkness with impurity'.

Ben sighed and nodded his head, "We're out of options and definitely out of match against the Demons. Okay, lead us to the dungeon, Bocolix and Dumbledore. And remember; try not to get caught by the Demon Lords. These guys are not joking."

Bocolix and Dumbledore salute to Ben as they said eagerly in unison, "You've got it!"

As the group heads off while following their new 'friends', Phobos groaned, "I've got the bad feeling about this."

------------------

"It's been a few days now!" Boris complains to his pals as he pace back and forth in Safe Haven. Gilda rolled her eyes as she files her claws. Flim and Flam check out some inventions while the Diamond Dogs play some games; Trix watch as Boris comments, "Why aren't they back by now?!"

"Cool it, Boris." Gilda said with a sigh. "It hasn't been that long."

"Right, your pals will be back and Miss Purple Alicorn will be okay." Rover said stupidly, looking confused, "I think."

"Look, no need to worry about her. She doesn't even love you anyway." Trix comments to Boris with a scoff.

Boris snaps at Trix, "She loves me! I know she does..."

"What makes you think she'll love you if you want to kill her friends?" Flam points out to Boris in annoyance. "You can't force her to love you because it won't be real love!"

"I can if I empty her soul!" Boris exclaims in annoyance.

"Yeah, well, I may be a jerk and all that, but face it, even I know you and Twilight aren't meant to be." Gilda comments as she flew off the rock that she herself was on. "Perhaps you're better off with another mare who likes ya."

"Oh, really? Who," Boris scoffs to Gilda a bit. "I am now a wanted fugitive. Who would even want me now?"

"I would." Trix confessed out loud in a serious tone.

Boris doesn't seem to hear her. He heads off to his room, making Trix sigh a bit. It will take a miracle for that stubborn stallion to notice her.

----------------

In the dungeon, Twilight woke up and saw that she's in prison. Twilight turned and saw Nyx who is slowly waking up.

"Are you alright, Nyx?" Twilight ask Nyx in concern while nuzzling her in comfort.

"Yeah, I am. Where are we? The last thing I remember is that we stepped on the wrong floor." Nyx groans a bit. She black out and then the filly is in here.

“I think it’s a dungeon.” Twilight said in realization. The mother and her filly are trapped inside a dungeon but who is responsible? Suddenly, the dungeon's door opened as someone, Somnambula, came in. Twilight gasps, "You're Somnambula?”

Somnambula smiled evilly as she said, “Very perceptive. Mistress was right about you. You’re very intelligent.”

You're the same witch of Ponyland legends! But how is it you're still alive?" Twilight ask in bewilderment of Somnambula being alive today.

The evil witch laughs as she explains, "Over the years, I was able to use a way given to me to steal the energies of unsuspecting ponies who trot into my castle; enough to keep me alive. Earth ponies, unicorns and Pegasi are fine...but Alicorn energy? That is another story."

Nyx gulped, "You're gonna drain our youths and energies?"

"She will, but upon my order, little Alicorn." A voice spoke up. Bai Tza came in the dungeon. Twilight and Nyx gasped upon seeing Bai Tza.

"Bai Tza!" Twilight yells upon seeing the Demon in question.

"Very clever and perceptive for a once unicorn, Twilight Sparkle," Bai Tza taunts Twilight in amusement.

"How did you know that?" Nyx asks, surprised that Bai Tza knew that her mother was once a unicorn even though they just met.

"Trapped in the Realm of Demons doesn't mean that we can't see or hear anything but we chose to find it whenever we desire in time and space, Nightmare Moon." Bai Tza explains to Nyx, even calling her by her former name.

"My name is Nyx! I'm not Nightmare Moon!" Nyx snaps to Bai Tza furiously.

Bai Tza chuckled, "Why must you deny your true name and your true self? Remember who you once were, Nightmare Moon!"

"My name is Nyx, witch!" Nyx exclaims frantically. She isn't going to let this Demon get to her!

Nyx glares at the female Demon as Bai Tza looked at Nyx's eyes carefully. She senses something's not right with Nyx. Twilight screams at her, "Leave my daughter alone, Bai Tza!"

Bai Tza turned to Twilight as she looked at her eyes carefully. The Demon smirked. It all makes sense now.

"I see. That's why Nightmare Moon keeps on denying her former self. You are the cause for ruining our creation." Bai Tza comments, pointing an accusing finger at the one who changed Nyx. "You actually believe that you're its mother? It already has its own."

"Creation,” Nyx yells out in alarm. Did Bai Tza just call her a 'creation'?

"Did you call her it?!" Twilight demands furiously to Bai Tza. “Why do you mean ‘she has her own?!’”

Flashback

Bai Tza narrates, “Why, of course. Tso Lan created it through the use of our rage, hatred, anger and Dark Magic.”

In his dark lab, Tso Lan used his Dark Magic and thunder as he creates the small black ooze-like object. It moved quickly like it is alive.

“After the completion of Nightmare Seeker, he set the target on Princess Luna. She was the perfect candidate for our test."

Tso Lan encountered Princess Luna and Tao during their battle on the moon. After beating him, they both banished the Demon. Just before he was send to the Realm of Demons, Tso Lan threw the flask of black ooze at Princess Luna, without her realizing it. She coughed a bit. Tso Lan smirked before he was trapped within the Realm of Demons.

”For many days, alone in her room, Princess Luna looked at her older sister and the ponies with pure anger and jealousy. Her heart beats harder and louder as the ooze within her grew bigger.”

Princess Luna screamed in anger and pain as the big black ooze appeared and covered her up. She changes into Nightmare Moon, laughing evilly as the villainess had plans for Princess Celestia.

“The Nightmare Seeker’s purpose is to awaken the darkness within anypony transformed into their monstrous nightmare forms through their jealously into hatred and anger. And it worked perfectly. Nightmare Moon is the result of our success."

Flashback ends

"So, you and the Demon Lords are behind Princess Luna's betrayal!" Twilight exclaims angrily. So that explains why Luna turned into Nightmare Moon centuries ago! "But it still doesn't explain about why Nyx was considered your creation, when she was created by my blood and a possessed cult."

Bai Tza laughed evilly, "You still had not realized it, have you, Twilight Sparkle. Nightmare Moon still belongs to us. As you can see, Tso Lan set two fail-safe kinds. One is to possess the ponies to be servants to their dead princess and resurrected her alive with the remains of her armor. Another is to seek out a new candidate should the first fail-safe failed."

Twilight knew that Bai Tza was referring to when the forces from the Moon kidnapped Rarity and made her Nightmare Rarity back when the purple mare was still a unicorn. So that explains that!

Flashback

Spell Nexus and the possessed cult bowed in respect to the Demon Lords through the use of their portals. They instructed them of how to bring Nightmare Moon back alive.

“We had sense that our first fail-safe had activated it powers and possessed several ponies into a cult. We have them an order: make sure that Nightmare Moon must remained the same as they remembered and being ‘blessed’ by her. We told them if anypony dare to stop them, kill them on sight with any means necessary.”

The possessed cult bowed before the Demon Lords before they set off to resurrect Nightmare Moon. The Demon Lords smiled and grinned. Now it’s time for them to wait.

Flashback ends

"We had sense a great darkness in Equestria. So we believed that the possessed cult have resurrected her. We were pleased as we had seen the results of our latest ‘Nightmare Moon’. She was the exactly same as the original.” The female demon explains. Then Bai Tza sighed in disappointment, “But for some reason, we sensed that her darkness is growing weaker. The reincarnated Nightmare Moon is not acting accordingly to her former incarnation, Nightmare Moon. We saw and thought that somepony somehow destroyed her.

Flashback

“Our second fail-safe was our last resort of getting rid of both Princess Celestia and any of those who tried to stop our conquest. It captured and created the monstrous form of the one who had a true dark nightmare. It was a success until some ponies managed to destroy it.”

The black ooze flew around to seek its new candidate. It found Rarity who had a great fear of losing her friends.

Flashback ends

Bai Tza turned and looked at Nyx closely with her glare. The filly became scared and worried as she goes back slowly until she bumped into a wall.

“When Hsi Wu informed my brethren and I about ‘Nightmare Moon’ being alive, we were doubtful until we first saw you and her. We’re concerned and feared that she is no longer the same Nightmare Moon, and wondered what’s the cause of it.” Bai Tza explains with a snarl. “When I looked at this little filly, I'd finally realize its reason of denying its true heritage. You are the cause, Sparkle! Not only you ruin it, you taught it the pathetic lessons of kindness and benevolent! You made it your daughter! You had ruined our weapon!"

Twilight frowns, saying, "So, you're saying that this is my fault because she's not the Nightmare Moon that you expected. Too bad for you, Nyx is following her own path. Despite she's being unnatural, she has her free will! She's not a weapon, she's my daughter; you monster!"

"I... am... not... a... Monster, fool." Bai Tza snarls, hesitating the urge to break into that cell and kill Twilight right here and now. She calms down somewhat while saying, "No matter, I shall take both the young prince and Nightmare Moon back to my Realm while you and the rest will be destroyed.”

Bai Tza chuckled evilly. Nyz became scared and worried as Twilight demands, “What are you going to do with Ben and Nyx?!”

“My brethren and I have so much work to do.” Bai Tza explains calmly to Twilight. “In fact, Dai Gui and Xiao Fung are in the process of destroying the traitor, the other ponies and retrieving the prince as we speak. Now, if you excuse me, princess, I'm taking my little weapon to have a private talking.”

Bai Tza turned to Somnambula, giving the evil witch of Ponyland these instructions, "Suck every life out of her. She does not seem to be worthy to challenge my strengths."

Somnambula smirks eagerly as she says, "With pleasure."

Bai Tza approached Nyx's cell. She opened it as the filly protests, “Leave me alone!”

Bai Tza uses her Dark Magic to trapped Nyx in a watery bubble. Nyx is inside the water as she tried to hold her breath. The water within the bubble drained down. Nyx coughed as she tried to get more air from the water. She turned to Twilight with worried and scared eyes while trying to break free from the bubble.

“What are you going to do with Nyx?!” Twilight gasps in fright. This is similar to when Nyx was taken by Celestia before!

Bai Tza smirked as she explains, “Isn’t it quite obvious, Sparkle? You should know of your past about the event.” Twilight and Nyx gasped, they know what this evil Demon is talking about!

Twilight cries out in fear, “No! I’m not going to let you do it! I won’t let you make Nyx become Nightmare Moon again!”

"Mommy; Help me!" Nyx pleads to Twilight, trying her best to break out but to no prevail. “Let me go, you evil witch! Mommy! Please, don’t let her take me! I don’t want to become Nightmare Moon again!! Please, I want to stay here with my Mommy!!!”

Bai Tza snarled and hissed at Nyx, “A weapon like you should know your place: be always silent and obeying your masters!”

Bai Tza moved as she levitated her to the door. Twilight was in shock. Looking at Nyx's innocent and scared eyes, Twilight was reminded of her past of when she gave her to Princess Celestia when she is trying to figure out about Nyx's true self.

“Please, I don’t want to go! MOMMY,” Nyx cries out in fear, wanting Twilight to save her.

"Bai Tza! Leave my daughter alone! Bai Tza! BAI TZA!!!!!!!" Twilight cries out in pain and sadness. She can't let this happen. Not again!

Bai Tza closed the door. Somnambula in satisfaction turns to the Alicorn, saying, "Its dinner time, Princess."

--------------------

Ben and the boys followed Bocolix and Dumbledore as they traveled down into the basement. After that, they continued to walk to find the dungeon. Suddenly, they heard a rumbling noise. Ben and the boys looked around to find the source. They spotted the source itself. One is in front of Ben and the boys which had horns up and is moving like a shark. And another one is loud blowing, and it's coming from the back.

Ben and the boys became worried as they go stick close together. Dai Gui emerged from the ground in front of them while Xiao Fung landed on the ground. Looks like these two guys found the gang again!

Xiao Fung remarks in amusement, "Thought you would get away from us that easy, didn't you?"

Dai Gui chuckled, "Dai Gui shall crush you!"

Phobos asks the others in worry, "Now what?"

"We fight." Ben said sternly to the others. They look at the stallion as if he came out of the bar drunk.

"Fight?! As in fight with them?! Ben, they're Demon Lords! As in the most powerful warriors among Demons, we're going to be pancakes flat!" Spike exclaims to Ben frantically. It isn't like fighting Nightmare Moon, Discord, the Changelings, King Sombra, Lorcan, Sunset Shimmer or the Superior! These are two nasty Demon Lords!

"Spike's right! This isn't time for a joke!" Dumbledore remarks in agreement to Ben in worry.

"There's no way we can beat them!" Bocolix yelps a bit like a coward.

"They're not like Hsi Wu!" Phobos remarks in agreement to Ben; how could his friend even think of fighting these two freaks?!

"I don't care! I'll get and save Twilight and Nyx, no matter what! I'm not afraid of these Demons!" Ben exclaims in determination. Two of the most important mares in his life...his love and his adopted daughter...are being harmed by Somnambula and the Demon Lords and he will fight through Tartarus itself if Ben wants to get both back no matter what!

"Then, count me in." Tough exclaims in determination. "Ah've been itching 'ta pick a fight wit' Demon since Twilight and Nyx had fun wit' 'de Demon Lord o' de Sky."

"If we're gonna save Twilight and Nyx, then we have one less choice." Spike sighs a bit. It's suicide but it must be done.

"It's worth it." Phobos said in agreement.

Bocolix and Dumbledore both ask at the same time, "So what's the plan?"

Ben pauses to think then came up with an idea of sorts, "Me, Bocolix and Phobos will take care of Xiao Fung. Tough and the rest take care of Dai Gui."

"Me; Dai Gui hates me!" Spike protests to Ben frantically. Dai Gui will most likely crush the little guy into a pulp...and worst yet, Twilight is not here to use her growth magic to help Spike fight this guy!

"'Dat makes yew a perfect distraction. So me an' Dumbly take care o' 'dat freak fro' behind." Tough whispered to Spike with a smirk. The baby Dragon can keep Dai Gui busy while the rest can kick that Demon's tail.

"We're running out of time. We've gotta finish this and find Twilight and Nyx! Everypony charge," Ben orders his troops into the fight.

Ben and the boys except Spike charged at Xiao Fung and Dai Gui, and so did the enemies. Xiao Fung slammed onto the floor. Ben dodged the attack and goes under the Demon's body. He used his Master Sword and wounded the Demon Lord of Wind.

Xiao Fung screamed in pain as he turned to Ben, snarling upon recognizing the weapon that the hero is using against him, "Well, if it isn't the Master Sword, I have not seen it for over centuries."

"Well, get ready to taste its blade, Wind Demon Lord!" Ben remarks to Xiao Fung with a smirk.

"This is going to be entertaining."

Xiao Fung attacked Ben with his both fists. The stallion dodged the attacks as fast as he can. Xiao Fung quickly blew Ben off to the front. The Demon was about to slam Ben as he was getting up. Phobos appeared and fired onto Xiao Fung's face. Bocolix blasted his magic at the Demon onto his back. Both of them flew up and down on attacking Xiao Fung's front and back. Ben charged and attacks at Xiao Fung's hands and legs. The villain tried to slam and attacked them but Phobos and Bocolix flew while Ben moved around the Demon's body and dodged his attacks.

Xiao Fung was getting annoyed by the attacks. Phobos was about to fire onto his face when he slammed him onto Ben to stop the Dragon from moving around. Xiao Fung blew Bocolix away. Ben and Phobos were about to get up, but Xiao Fung sucks them back. He then blew at Ben and Phobos.

Phobos yells out in annoyance, "Not this again!"

Both tried to resist the attack but Xiao Fung's attack current is too strong. They have been pushed and pulled by Xiao Fung, like he was blowing a leaf out of his mouth. Dai Gui is glaring and growling at Spike. He gulped as the Dragon moved back while Dai Gui approached him slowly.

"Dai Gui smashes you!" Dai Gui remarks sinisterly to Spike. This guy is dead serious on doing his threat!

"Can't we be at least friends? That's considered to make up for everything, would you, Uncle Dai Gui?" Spike chuckled uneasily. Of course the little guy doubts that this Demon would listen to that reason.

"Dai Gui needs no friends!"

"I take it he hates it! Somepony help me!"

Spike panic as he quickly run away from Dai Gui when he slammed onto the ground. Spike run as fast as he can while Dai Gui chased after him; suddenly, he felt something on his head. Dai Gui looked up and saw that Tough is on top of his head, holding his horn like a cowpony at a rodeo.

"Yeehaw; Giddyup, buffalo Demon!" Tough cheer wildly.

Dai Gui roared in fury, "Get off, my head, Earth Pony Scum!"

Dai Gui tried to shake Tough off from his head as well as trying to grab him but Tough held his tightly and avoid being grabbed by his hand like challenging a bull on the ride.

"What in tarnation are yew waiting for, partners! Let 'dat freak have it!" Tough yelled out to Dumbledore and Spike with a smirk on his face.

Dumbledore and Spike charged at Dai Gui as they launched magic and Dragon Rage onto the monster at several parts of his body. Dai Gui yelled in pain while he was trying to get Tough off. Dai Gui roared loudly and angrily. Dumbledore charged in and is about to fire an attack. But Dai Gui used his fist to slam Dumbledore down onto Spike.

Dai Gui quickly grabbed Tough from his head. He glared and growled at the stallion while he smiled uneasily. The cowpony said sheepishly, "Hoo boy! Nice buffalo; Very nice buffalo Demon."

"Cowpony and his accursed tricks; Dai Gui shall crush you!" Dai Gui roared at him. Tough smelled his breathe and feel disgusted from the smell. He used his hat to blow it away.

"Hoo boy; 'Dat stinks! Phobos's right. These guys sure got some anger issues, an' not 'ta mention, their breath stinks."

Before Dai Gui could do anything, Dumbledore blasted at his hand to force him to let go of Tough while Spike fired at his face. Dai Gui scream in pain. Tough immediately ran away toward his gang.

"Thanks." Tough said to his group with a smile on his face.

"We stick together." Dumbledore chuckles a bit. Even if he teams up with his enemies, at least the bad guys and the good guys are a good team, right?

Dai Gui roared angrily. Spike yelps a bit, "Not for long if we don't do something about that monster! Here he comes!"

Dai Gui glared and growled at the three of them who are now in both scared and worried positions. They moved back slowly while Dai Gui approached them slowly, snarling, "Prepare for your demise, filthy and weakling ponies!"

"Try 'dis, buffalo Demon!" Tough exclaims as he prepares for another attack.

Tough blasted Dai Gui with his shotgun on his arm but all it did was annoyed the buffalo Demon. Dai Gui wiped the dust off from his hand before he glared at his enemies. Tough gulped in worry while Spike and Dumbledore shivered in fear.

"Dai Gui shall crush you for your mockery!" Dai Gui declares angrily to Tough.

"I think you'd better had a bigger gun, Tough." Spike suggest to Tough in worry. Dai Gui is realty mad now!

"I agree. This buffalo Demon is now very angry." Dumbledoree agrees, then mumbles the next part to himself, "And I thought my boss has some anger issue."

"Ah think ah've got better idea: RUN," Tough scream in fear. He ran away from Dai Gui, followed by Spike and Dumbledore. Dai Gui growl in anger as he digs into the ground. The Demon charge and chase Tough, Spike and Dumbledore like a shark trying to catch his prey.

"Dai Gui shall devour you!" Dai Gui booms sinisterly to his prey.

"Somepony; HELP," Spike exclaims like mad. He and his group are goners unless something miracle-like happens!

Tough, Dumbledore and Spike ran as far as they can while Dai Gui chased them through the ground. The trio hides inside the room as they braced the door tight. Dai Gui dug out and starts hitting the door.

On Ben's team in fighting Xiao Fung, he continued to toy with Ben and Phobos, who tries to escape from the wind pulling and pushing. Phobos screams like a girl, "I never want to blow a leaf again!"

"If we can get out of this mess first," Ben yells out as he continues fighting Xiao Fung's attack like mad.

"This is so much fun!" Xiao Fung roars evilly. Suddenly Bocolix appeared in front of his face. Xiao Fyng gasped while focusing on blowing and sucking the air, not enough to deal with this new pain.

"Not much fun of this! Surprise," Bocolix exclaims. He uses a spell to blind Xiao Fung's eyes. The Demon screams in pain, causing him to stop his attack.

Bocolix head to Ben and Phobos who got up, recovered from the attack. The Earth pony grins at, unknown to him still, one of Boris's enemies as he said, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

"Save the thank you later. We've got some issue to deal with!" Phobos exclaims in alarm. He's right, Xiao Fung has recovered from Bocolix's attack and he is definitely NOT happy at that happening.

Xiao Fung glare at Ben's team. He approach them while Ben's team slowly goes back. Xiao Fung tried to slam onto them with his fists while they keep on dodging from his attack. Xiao Fung was about to blow in Ben's team again but they quickly hide behind the pillars, before he blew them off while sucking in. Ben's team held the pillars tightly.

"Your resistance is bugging me! Just give up already, bugs!" Xiao Fung exclaims to his enemies in annoyance.

"Boy! His breath's stinkier than Diamond Dogs!" Bocolix complains a bit, making a note not to tell his Diamond Dog pals about that remark. "If we can't beat him, then what can we do? Can't we do something like sending him away?"

Phobos then remembers something, smiling eagerly as he exclaims, "You're right! Ben, try the flute! It worked on Hsi Wu, maybe it can work on these two Demons!"

"Worth the shot," The Earth pony exclaims thoughtfully. Perhaps the flute can stop this guy just like with Hsi Wu! Ben glared at Xiao Fung as he exclaims, "Hey, Xiao Fung, prepare to face the music!"

Ben took the flute out from his bag. He then jump in front of Xiao Fung. The Demon looked confused. What is this pony doing? Suddenly Ben then play the flute. Phobos smirked and Bocolix looks confused while they glanced at Xiao Fung.

Dai Gui stop attacking the door as he heard the flute sound. He turned and glanced at the event. Dumbledore looked confused while Tough and Spike smirked as they got out from the room. Spike smirk while declaring, "Game over, Earth Demon!"

Ben stopped the flute and noticed something. The flute is not glowing in green or any door is appearing. Both Dai Gui and Xiao Fung don't look scared or worried. The door didn't appear like before. Both of them then laugh.

"Huh; what just happened," Spike ask in confusion; why didn't the door appear like before?!

"Where's the door or portal thingy?! They're supposed to banish the Demons!" Phobos exclaims in worry. This doesn't look good, not at all!

"What in tarnation is going on," Tough ask in alarm and frustration.

Xiao Fung smirks while gloating, "I must say, your stupidity is amusing. It's hard to believe that Hsi Wu was defeated by his own Mystic Banishment Ingredient: flute. Besides, I like flutes. To banish a Demon Lord, you need the right Mystic Banishment Ingredient. Too bad, we already know ours and you don't."

Dai Gui chuckled, "Stupid ponies."

"That's terrific!" Bocolix exclaims while slapping himself on the face. To beat these guys, the heroes need their own Mystic Banishment Ingredients?!

"Now, we're in trouble!" Dumbledore exclaims frantically. Their one opportunity has been blown!

"That's great! We have to find the right ingredients to beat buffalo and froggy Demons!" Phobos yells in worry, "How come we didn't know it?!"

"I don't know. But if we don't figure it out soon, we'll be Demon chow!" Ben remarks in worry. Their enemies is about to finish them off!

"You lose, Mare! By the way, Ben, that is one funny name." Xiao Fung laughs evilly as he is about to suck the air.

"Grab the pillars!"

Ben, Bocolix and Phobos quickly grabbed onto the pillars as the demon blew and suck the air at them. A yellow flower just passed Xiao Fung which the Demon didn't notice.

On Tough's side, Dai Gui is glaring at them as he snarls, "Game over, Spike!"

"Oh boy," Spike gulps in worry. This is going to be a doozy!

"We're in deep trouble!" Tough exclaims in agreement.

"Dai Gui shall destroy the traitor!" Dai Gui booms madly, much to Spike's annoyance. This guy keeps calling the baby Dragon a traitor when it's obvious that the hero never work for these jerks!

"Would you please stop calling me that; I'd never work for any of you!" Spike yells out in frustration.

Dai Gui is about to slam onto the ground. Tough yells out, "Save it, Spike; Hold 'de pillars tight, coz we're about 'ta git bomby ride!"

Tough, Spike and Dumbledore quickly grabbed onto the pillar to hold tight. Dui Gui shakes the ground very hard. While he continues, a small hand fan appeared. It bounced up and down and passed Dai Gui who, just like Xiao Fung, didn't notice it at all.

The flower landed on Spike's face while the fan landed on Phobos's head. They grabbed it. The two Dragons were shocked and surprised. Spike comments, "A flower?"

"A hand fan," Phobos asks puzzled. What is this hand fan for?

A voice, this time only Spike and Phobos can hear it, spoke out, "The power of Demons shall be weakened by the smallest item."

"Seriously; what could a flower do?!" Spike asks the voice in disbelief. This is his weapon against Xiao Fung; A flower?!

"Is this some kind of joke?!" Phobos yells out, annoyed by the idea of a hand fan being used as a weapon against Dai Gui.

"Do not falter! Strike," The voice insists to the two Dragons.

Spike and Phobos looked worried and scared, but they nodded their heads firmly as the two had no choice. They let go of the pillars as the duo are facing two Demon Lords in front of them. Both Xiao Fung and Dai Gui stopped their attacks as they are staring something shocking which the two Dragons are holding right now.

Bocolix, noticing what Phobos is holding, looks confused as he ask, "A hand fan?"

"A flower; what the heck is that gonna do?" Dumbledore ask confused upon seeing the flower that Spike is holding.

"This is no time to be relax, Moon Dragon! We're in dead trouble!"

Xiao Fung panicked in worry while Dai Gui growl in anger at they look at what the two Dragons are holding. Ben notices the looks and realizes something. Of course! That must be it!

"No. These items are the Mystic Banishment Ingredients!" Ben said with a smile on his face.

"How did yew know," Tough ask Ben in surprise.

"By looking at the Demons' worried faces."

"Stay away from me! Stay away!" Xiao Fung yells out in fear as he backs away from the hand fan being held by Phobos.

"Dai Gui will kill you!" Dai Gui roars out in madness at Spike holding the flower.

Xiao Fung blew Phobos away while Dai Gui charged at Spike. The baby Dragon shiver in fear and worried as he stands still, looking at the rampaging and charging Dai Gui coming towards him. Tough and Dumbledore looked worried at their friend who is about to get slammed by the Demon.

Phobos flapped his hand fan. For some reason, he managed to resist the air sucking. Phobos gasp then smirk as he continued to play his hand fan and approached Xiao Fung. Ben and Bocolix looked amazed at what Phobos's doing.

A familiar voice booms out, "Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao; Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

Everyone was shocked and surprised except the confused Bocolix and Dumbledore. Ben exclaims, "It's the same voice!"

"Yeah, we're saved!" Tough exclaims eagerly. These two Demons are in for it now!

The flower and fan that Spike and Phobos used glowed in green. The two Dragons were shocked as the items were blasted at two Demon Lords. The door appeared and sucked both Dai Gui and Xiao Fung into it. The two screams as they are being send away, "Nooooooooooooo!"

"I haven't got my revenge!" Xiao Fung exclaims in disbelief and anger. He was so close!

"Dai Gui will not forget you, traitor!" Dai Gui yells out to Spike madly.

Both of them disappeared before the door was closed as soon as they entered it. Everyone cheer as they gathered around together.

"Nice work, Spike!" Tough laughs as he slaps Spike on the brat eagerly. "Yew beat 'dat buffalo Demon fer good!"

"Good job, Phobos. That was the close call." Ben said proudly.

"Thanks. Wow, who would have thought that a little flower like this one could give some damage to Dai Gui." Spike said in amazement while looking at the flower. Dai Gui defeated by a flower. That's both funny and ironic!

"Don't forget the fan." Phobos gloats as he held up his victory weapon. "I think I'm going to use it for my vacation, just in case if any Wind Demon Lord tried to attack me."

"What was that about?" Dumbledore ask bewildered, referring to the voice that came from out of nowhere.

"I never heard of that language before." Bocolix said dumbstruck.

"'Dat's 'de Ancient Banishment Spell. Somepony had saved us again." Tough explains to the Alicorns. But who did that spell in the first place?

"We'll thank him later, but now, let's find Twilight and Nyx!" Ben said in determination. Now the gang got to find Twilight and Nyx before Bai Tza and Somnambula can do something terrible to them both!

-------------------------------

Golden Heart, Pinkamena and Gold Wing wait by the activities in Ponyville, trying to survive as they chat more.

"So far the ponies are doing ok but it's only a matter of time." Golden Heart said seriously to Pinkamena. The ponies of Ponyville may not be able to survive long unless Twilight and her family's quest is a success.

"Like you said Goldie, you have faith that Twilight and friends will not fail, just hope that they can survive Somnambula." Pinkamena commented. Golden Heart looks surprised as Gold Wing covers himself with his wing as if the name scares him.

"Somnambula, the witch of Ponyland?"

"Yep the very same but trust me, she will underestimate the gang."

"Well you never wrong about that stuff but we will have to wait." Golden Heart said seriously. He can only hope that his sister is right and Somnambula does underestimate the gang.

-------------------

Twilight is chained to the floor. Somnambula smirks evilly; this won't be like years ago when she uses a crystal to steal the youth and energies of the ponies of centuries ago. This time, the witch will get all she needed for a long time.

"This won't hurt a bit, my little Alicorn." Somnambula remarks madly. She raises her hand and sends a zap at the newest princess of Equestria.

Twilight screamed in pain while closing her eyes, "No! No! Nooooo," This is it!

Suddenly, Nyx's voice is heard in her mind. Twilight saw something shocking. It is from her past about Nyx being taken away by Princess Celestia. The filly cries out to her adopted mother, "Twilight! TWILIGHT! Please, don't let her take me, Twilight! I don't want to go! Please, I want to stay here, Twilight! If I did something bad, I'm sorry! Please, I don't want to go; Twilight; TWILIGHT!"

Twilight became worried. The Princess Celestia figure transform into another person: Bai Tza. She laughed evilly and sinisterly while Nyx cried and sobbed sadly, "Mommy!!!!!!!!"

"Nyx," Twilight yells out.

Twilight opened her eyes. Her eyes are in white. Her horn glow in purplish and blasted Somnambula away. The mad mare then blasts at her chains, freeing herself. Somnambula slowly got up and encounter Twilight who is angry and fierce.

"Get out of my way, witch! My daughter needs me!" Twilight demands angrily to Somnambula. The mother has to stand and watch her baby get taken from her before and she won't let that happen again!

"She belongs to you no more, but to my mistresses and lords. She is but a weapon to them. You shall not pass me, Alicorn." Somnambula remarks sinisterly, taunting the mother.

"Nyx is not a weapon! She's a living being!"

Twilight blasted her magic at Somnambula but the witch dodged the attack as she used her Dark Magic back at her. Twilight dodged the attack. The alicorn run, flew, dodged and avoided being blasted and attacked by Somnambula's attacks while she fired back at the witch. Somnambula also dodged the attack.

Both fought fiercely and hardly, Twilight and Somnambula keep on blasting at each other nonstop as well as dodging the attacks. Twilight charge at the witch, instead of relying on her powers. Somnambula continued to fire her powers but Twilight dodged the attacks. She then gave a punch at Somnambula.

The witch punch Twilight back. Twilight fought back, and then is followed by the witch. Both continued to punched and use their magic to fire and attack.

The dungeon is in a damaged state. Twilight and Somnambula were both exhausted and tired. Twilight became very tired to fight. Yet she tries to move on, mumbling, "I...... can't........ give up. Nyx........ need me."

"I will kill you! But first your youth! You've lost." Somnambula points out to Twilight madly. Is this the best that this world can do after centuries of being missing? Bah!

Somnambula attack Twilight to get more youth. But instead of her, Bocolix and Dumbledore got in the way. Twilight was shocked.

"More Alicorns; Good, I need more!" Somnambula laughs evilly. The more, the better! Somnambula absorbed Bocolix and Dumbledore's youths as they scream in pain. Twilight was in horror but then something begins to happen. Somnambula gasped in pain as she had ceased to absorb. "What is this?! Something's not right! Their youths! They're poison and impurity! That means -!"

Somnambula saw that her skin is turning hard and skinny. The witch gasp before she screamed in horror and terrified. Somanambula then fell to the ground, dead at last.

Twilight was in shock to see the witch dead. Ben, Tough, Phobos and Spike got in and saw what happened. They were in shock too. What happened?

Still, Ben hugged Twilight, saying in relief to his love, "Twilight, you're okay! What happened?"

"Those two; the witch got herself poisoned when she tried to absorb these two." Twilight explains what happened to Ben.

Ben gasped as he realized something, "I get it. Trusted the trapped ones, weakened the darkness with impurity. Bocolix and Dumbledore must be the trapped ones while the darkness is that witch. Meaning their blood and energy could poison her."

"That's their names? Thank you, Bocolix and Dumbledore."

"It's nothing." Bocolix and Dumbledore said a bit awkwardly. This mare wouldn't be grateful to them if she knew whom they really are!

"Hey, where's Nyx?!" Spike asks in alarm. His adopted little sister appears to be nowhere in sight!

"Bai Tza has her! We have to get her before she makes Nyx into Nightmare Moon." Twilight explains to the others in worry. She doesn't want her baby to be someone she isn't, not again!

"Not on our watch!" Phobos growls in determination. He isn't about to let his best friend be turned into a monster!

----------------------------------------------

In her lab, Bai Tza is now having Nyx on her bed. The filly is tied to the bed with chains. The female Demon chuckled for a while as she chant through her Dark Magic while she move around Nyx and writing the strange words on the floor; Nyx became both worried and scared.

"What are you doing?! Let me go, you witch!" Nyx pleads to Bai Tza while squeaking a bit.

"Calm yourself down, my child. You have nothing to fear. You shall be freed from your evil mother's impurity words." Bai Tza said gently yet sinisterly at the same time. "When that happens, you will be the Nightmare Moon that we remembered."

"No! I don't want to become Nightmare Moon again! I don't want to! Mommy! Daddy! Spike! Phobos! Tough; HELP!!!"

"You have no choice, my dear. It is not your choice. Soon, our ultimate weapon will return!"

"BAI TZA!" An angry Mama Bear-like voice roars in fury from out of nowhere. Bai Tza stopped and turned to Twilight and her family who charged right into the room. "Let her go!"

"You heard her, witch! Let her go!" Ben exclaims angrily like a Papa Bear willing to fight for his cub.

"Boy and I thought Sunset is nastier than this. I mean her Demon form." Spike said, remarking sternly at what Bai Tza is about to do.

"No kidding." Phobos comments to Spike in agreement. Bai Tza is in trouble!

Bai Tza hissed and glared at the ponies, "You little insect! You dare interrupt my ceremony of returning Nightmare Moon to her true self?!"

"How many times do I have to tell you?! Her name is Nyx!" Twilight exclaims angrily to Bai Tza.

"Say 'Nightmare Moon' one more time, we'll show you our bad sides!" Ben exclaims angrily in agreement.

"You dare threatened me?! No one threatened the Demon Lord of Water!" Bai Tza remarks angrily. She doesn't know how these heroes had beaten Xiao Fung, Dai Gui and Somnambula, but they won't beat her!

Bai Tza use her water and lift Nyx up high. The filly screams out in fright, "Everypony! Help," She is too struck and frightened to go into her battle form at this moment!

Everyone except Bocolix and Dumbledore yelled out, "NYX!"

Bai Tza chuckled as her eyes glowed in red, "Since Dai Gui and Xiao Fung had failed; it would be my pleasure to tear you apart! Prepare for your extermination, ponies!"

Bai Tza yell angrily as she charge right at Twilight and her gang. They dodged and moved to each sides. Spike and Phobos used their fire breathing at Bai Tza but she slipped through to the ground. She slapped them hard with her tail. Spike and Phobos tried to punch her. She keeps on dodging from left to right.

Bai Tza then give them a hard slap with her hand before she used her water to attack at Spike and Phobos. Both are wet.

"I don't mind water, but using water against us? So not cool!" Spike exclaims in annoyance.

"You said it!" Phobos remarked with a scowl; Tough blast Bai Tza at her back. She turn into water.

"Ha! How do you like 'dat, witch," Tough laughs arrogantly; the water is moving, and transforming back to Bai Tza. She hissed loudly, "What in tarnation - !?"

Bai Tza launch water at Tough. The stallion struggle to get out of water's current. Bocolix and Dumbledore attack her from behind with their magic. Bai Tza dodged the attack. Her tail grabbed Bocolix and threw him right at Dumbledore. Bai Tza then blast at them with water.

Ben yelled as he use his Master Sword at Bai Tza but she dodged the attack. The female Demon blasted at Ben with water. He was hit onto the wall.

"Is that the best you can do? Stallions are always overconfident and arrogant in winning the battle." Bai Tza taunts her enemies arrogantly. "Can't even use your head for once? Pitiful! Well now, the prince will be coming with me, and so as Nightmare Moon."

"I don't think so!" The alicorn princess exclaims in defiance. No one tries to steal Ben and Nyx! Twilight blasted Ice Magic at Bai Tza's hand. It then breaks apart. Bai Tza's hand regenerated. "You have me to deal with, witch!"

Bai Tza smirked as she comments, "You're more persistent and determined than I expected. Perhaps I was wrong. Prepare to meet your fate, princess. Once I'm done with you, Nightmare Moon will be restored."

"Think again!"

Twilight blasted her Ice magic on Bai Tza. She dodged before the female Demon could use the water attack at Twilight. She dodged the attack. Both continued to use the attacks while dodging rapidly. Both fought fiercely when using their powers. Bai Tza then slide through the ground, right in front of Twilight. She used her tail and slapped the pony on the top and then her face. Bai Tza gave Twilight a big slap from her left.

Twilight got up slowly as she wiped her blood off from her mouth. She then glared at Bai Tza. The mare yelled when she slapped at Bai Tza's face. The female Demon yelled in anger. Both Bai Tza and Twilight continued to slap at each other hard and fierce. Ben and the boys got up slowly and saw what happened. They were shocked and surprised.

"Wow, Nelly! Didn't expect to see 'dis one," Tough remarked while whistling. This is one intense chick fight...in this case, a mare against a female Demon!

"Yeah; I know Twilight's fierce and angry when it comes to her homework or test, but I didn't expect this one." Spike remarked in agreement with Tough.

"Remind me not to make her angry." Phobos comments in agreement. It is never wise to get on this mare's bad side from this point on!

Bocolix stares in amazement as he whispers to his colleague, "Do you think the boss still want her with that attitude?"

"Beats me," Dumbledore said with a shrug. Perhaps if Boris were to see this, he would be too scared to want her still!

"C'mon, Twilight; Show that witch what you're made of! Show her for what she gets! For Nyx," Ben cheers on Twilight in determination.

Twilight and Bai Tza continued to slap and punch at each other's faces and even their bodies. They quickly used their magic and blasts, causing them to be pushed back by the current. Twilight charged at Bai Tza as she charged and stomped on her enemy's stomach once the female Demon is down. Twilight jumped up and down on Bai Tza's stomach as many times as she can.

Bai Tza struggled to get up. She quickly used her tail and grabbed Twilight's neck. She threw her onto the table where objects and science tools are at.

Bai Tza hissed, "It ends now, Sparkle!"

"No, you don't!" Ben exclaims in determination.

Ben attack Bai Tza from behind, followed by Spike, Phobos, Tough, Bocolix and Dumbledore. They punch and attack her. Bai Tza yelled in anger as she fought back. Twilight slowly got up. Suddenly, a blue gourd fell from the top and knock on her head. It fell onto Twilight's hooves.

Twilight gasped in confusion before a familiar voice spoke up from out of nowhere, "Let water be trapped within."

Twilight nods her head as she held the gourd tight. She approach Bai Tza whom was busy in fighting with her enemies. Bai Tza managed to beat Ben and others out.

Bai Tza turned and saw Twilight who snaps at her in determination, "Bai Tza! It ends now!"

"Really; how do you accomplish that? You have no hope to save the weapon Nightmare Moon." Bai Tza sneers evilly to Twilight. What hopes does this so-called princess has left?

"You've made me very angry. She is not a weapon! Her name is Nyx! You witch!"

Twilight held the gourd and aim in front of Bai Tza. Bai Tza panicked and was about to escape but she's been lifted.

Twilight smirked, "Don't think so." This Demon is about to learn a huge lesson the hard way: never threaten to take a filly away from her mother!

And like before, a familiar voice booms out, "Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

The gourd glow in green and blast at Bai Tza. She scream in pain. A portal open and suck her in.

"You will pay for this, Sparkle! My brethren and I will have your prince and Nightmare Moon!" Bai Tza continued to scream as she's been dragged to the door.

Ben and Twilight yells out at the defeated Bai Tza, "Her name is NYX!"

The portal closed. The water that pushed Nyx up is slowly goes down. Twilight and her family approach Nyx. They helped her out. Nyx hugged both Twilight and Ben as she exclaims with happy tears, "Mommy; Daddy!"

"It’s okay, Nyx; Mommy's here," Twilight said, comforting her daughter as she hugs her.

Ben nods as he said gently, "It's over sweetie."

"That was a close call." Spike sighs a bit. Bai Tza is even tougher than the previous three Demons. If this's the case, then the next few Demons could be even tougher!

"Yeah; we're saved again." Phobos remarked, still pondering about that mysterious one who just saved the gang's lives.

"Just be glad 'ta have an angel on our side," Tough comments in agreement. The stallion wonders who keeps helping them out.

Outside of Castle Nowhere, Tao is once again smiling as he comments, "Thank the Heaven, Twilight and Ben had managed to not only banished three Demon Lords, but save Nyx from becoming Nightmare Moon. Perhaps I was right about those two stooges. They truly want to redeem the mistakes."

Inside the castle, Nyx notices something growing on the wall, saying, "Mommy? What's that?"

Twilight gasps in delight as she saw that what Nyx saw are green roots are glowing in a blue like aura. The mare exclaims, "That's it! The Anti-Evil Roots! Spike, Phobos?"

The two Dragons quickly dig the roots out of the walls with their claws as to not to kill them by cutting them. Once they are safe, Twilight uses her magic to pull the roots out and put them in the next bag.

"Another ingredient found." Twilight comments then saw a door nearby. "Hopefully that is our exit."

The group took the door and leave Castle Nowhere at last. Ben smiles as he saw the pets waiting for them with Justin and Rabbitchu. The Earth pony comments, "With Somnambula now gone, I doubt any ponies will be losing their energies and youth from coming here anytime soon."

"Yeah, and those three nasty Demons are gone." Nyx squeaks happily, "So where to next, mommy?"

Twilight checks the map, looking at it carefully, "All right, the next ingredient we're looking for it is the Golden Nugget of the End's Center and it can be found at Heavy Drop, a massive underground cave 30 km north of a mountain area. It's about ten thousand meters deep. It's connected to a special magnetic field and air pressure. Also the effects of Earth's gravity are very strong. It's the deepest underground cave in Equestria and it boasts the highest danger level in the pony caution alert notice, with an average level of 50. It's the place where a golden whetstone is mined. It's said that the golden whetstone is able to sharpen any material in the world. When sharpening materials that have a high hardness level, golden dust comes out. This was said about being used as a seasoning. It's composed of new kinds of amino acids and never-before-tasted top quality savory components."

"Well, that settles it. Time to go underground," Phobos exclaims in amusement.

"Hey, Bocolix; Dumbledore; you two can join us if you want." Ben said to the two Alicorns who look at him in surprise.

"Well, you sure; that is, if you don't mind us tagging along some more." Bocolix remarks with a shrug.

"You helped us so I insist."

"Well, all right." Dumbledore said with a nod.

Everyone got into Justin as they drove off to the next destination: the two male Alicorns are still amazed that their enemies still hasn't caught on. And hopefully they won't for a while.

---------------

The Demons whose stay behind looks upset or annoyed as Bai Tza, Dai Gui and Xiao Fung came back in defeat. Their attempts to get Ben and Nyx, as well as kill Spike, had failed.

"It appears you had failed, Bai Tza, Dai Gui and Xiao Fung." Tso Lan comments to the three defeated Demons.

"I have underestimated that pony's persistence and love for that weapon." Bai Tza scowls in annoyance.

"Dai Gui failed to kill that traitor." Dai Gui grunts as he sat on the ground. How embarrassing! He lost to Spike and with a flower no less!

"Still something puzzles me. Who were those two Alicorns? How did we not see them?" Xiao Fung said with a puzzled look. Even those two 'Alicorns' has caught him off guard.

"I have no knowledge of it." Tso Lan admits to his fellow Demon Lords. Even the new additions had caught him off guard big time.

"Now what," Hsi Wu ask with a frown; So far Twilight and her group has beaten four of the Demons, only 4 remain standing.

"I believe it's my turn." Shendu said with a smirk; Time for him to take his shot at these heroes.

"So you planned to go out and fight?" Po Kong asks Shendu skeptically.

Tchang Zu agrees as he said, "Then call the goblin to do it."

"No. Why should I fight when my pet can feast on them," Shendu said with a sinister look on his face.

"What would that be?" Po Kong asks Shendu puzzled.

"Mo Sie the Hydra."

Tso Lan pauses a bit to absorb this explanation then spoke, "Very well, Shendu. Contact the goblin and tell him of your crafty and cunning tricks. Hsi Wu, Tchang Zu and I shall seek answer through our dark meditation about these two Alicorns."

"With pleasure, brother Tso," Shendu said as he opened the portal to the goblin. "I have something for you to do."

Chapter 5: The Wrath of the Hydra

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Chapter 5: The Wrath of the Hydra

It was a while later that turn into night. Twilight and her friends slept during the night after the Castle Nowhere. The shadow emerged from the bushes. The goblin approached to camp. He chuckled softly and merely. The goblin approach Twilight's bag and continued to find something important while throwing the mess out. He found the map. The goblin took it to the fire as he rewrite and redraws the map.

The goblin smile evilly as he put the map back. Spike yawn which shook the goblin whose quickly hide behind the tent and covered his mouth with his hands. Spike look around. He groaned at the mess. Spike approach Twilight's tent as he clean up. No need for Twilight to be upset over this, right?

"Man, I'd really miss home. But gotta...... to find," Spike yawn a bit, "ingredients to save.......Applejack's farm."

Spike then yawned as he puts everything back in the bag. Spike yawned as he goes back to sleep. The goblin smiled evilly as he immediately escaped. The creep makes plans to let his bosses know about what's going on.

-------------

In the Realm of Demons, Tso Lan, Tchang Zu and Hsi Wu meditated in the middle of the rock as they are searching for answers as to whom those two mysterious two Alicorns are. For few hours, they had spent. They opened their eyes like the three have been rudely awakened. And boy, are they not happy, indeed!

Hsi Wu groaned, "Should have known those fools belong to our old ally!"

Tchang Zu snarls, "How dare he betray us?! He shall pay for his treachery!"

"There has to be logic explanation of why he is helping Princess Celestia's students and ponies. But what," Tso Lan ask his allies with a frown.

Xiao Fung hopped before three Demon Lords, speaking, "I've brought news. The goblin did what Shendu planned and had some vital information."

"Hsi Wu and Tchang Zu, head to the others and find out what's happening. I have some discussion with old friend of ours." Tso Lan orders His Wu and Tchang Zu sinisterly.

Hsi Wu and Tchang Zu nodded their heads. They followed Xiao Fung who is hopping back to their family. Tso Lan then creates the portal to find somebody or somepony. It's time to have a chat with his 'ally'...

----------------------

The Superior and his members are discussing of matters and process of their battle strategy, along with Merluck. Superior sensed something, causing him to demand, "Who goes there?!" They saw a figure appearing in a puff of smoke. He gasps in shock. "Tso Lan?! What are you doing here?!"

"Tso Lan?! The Demon Lord of Moon," Merluck ask in shock and bewilderment.

"What do you want from us?!" Trix demands more than she asked.

"Skip the pleasing acts, descendants of Smaug the Great. I'm only interested in learning of your betrayal against us." Tso Lan snaps to the mentioned descendants angrily. "Have you forgotten of your ancestor's oath to us? You dare betray us, traitor! You dare help your enemies defeat us!"

Warring gulps in worry. She got a bad feeling about this. Merluck, looking confused, demands to the Superior, "Father, what is he talking about?!"

"I don't like the tone of that!" Trix snaps, getting annoyed by Tso Lan's nasty tone of voice.

"Milord, what is the meaning of this?" T. Moon asks the Superior in the usual demanding tone of voice.

"Ah had idea o' what he had said!" Liarjack commented, lying as usual under her hood.

"You dare mock us and our glorious leader!" Crarity snaps to Tso Lan, engaged by this fiend's attitude towards the Superior.

"What on scientific logic is he talking about?!" Wilco demand, having no idea of what this newcomer is talking about either.

"What do you mean betrayal?!" Deadly Rager asks in bewilderment. No one in the Apocalypse Ponies has done any betrayal whatsoever...as far as he knows anyway.

"How did you find our lair," R. Chaos demands, wondering how this intruder got into the Apocalypse Ponies' HQ in the first place.

"How dare you call our leader traitor," Suffocator Jill snaps at Tso Lan angrily. She has half a mind to punish this creep for even suggesting just thing!

"You shall pay for that!" Starven Fran exclaims furiously and in agreement with fellow members.

Fluttercruel taunts Tso Lan cruelly, "You're from the Realm of Demons! It's not like you could do anything to kill us."

Psycho laugh, "You said it! There's nothing you can do! There's nothing you can do!"

"Silence," Tso Lan roars at the ones who are yelling at him furiously. "You dare threatened me! I shall show how what a threat's really like, ponies!"

Tso Lan's hands are covered in darkness. He slammed onto the ground with his hands. The ground shakes. The Apocalypse Ponies panicked as their chairs that they're sitting in, tables and equipments moved or floated around. The Superior remained sitting in his chair. He did nothing but to look.

Tso Lan waved his hand down hard. The chairs that the Apocalypse Ponies are sitting in was pushed and knocked to the wall hard and painful. The Demon snaps to the denying ones, "Any pony wish to challenge my power?!"

Apocalypse Ponies remain silent after the attack. The Superior, who was silent during this, spoke up, "Enough showing off your powers, Tso Lan; What you had spoken doesn't make any sense as my children had spoken of. What do you mean I betray you? I had not sent anyone to go to 'The End of Equestria' to kill you and you brethren. In fact, I have plans to get you out from there and rule Equestria, with help of my dark Mystic Pony."

"If that's the truth that you spoke of, then I demand an explanation as to of how those two Alicorns of yours ended up in my territory and are helping Twilight Sparkle!"

"Alicorns; who are they?" Merluck ask, having a feeling that he knows who those two Alicorns are.

"Boxco and Dum-Dum," Tso Lan answers, two of the names were mentioned during the meditation progress.

The Superior was in shock, but became very angry as he groan and growl angrily. The Apocalypse Ponies were in shock as well. Warring gulps in worry. The Superior yelled in anger, "Who ordered those two to go and help Twilight Sparkle and her family?! I did not authorize it!"

"I take it you had nothing to do with this."

"Of course not! I would never send my subordinates to help my enemy! But I want to know who and why?! Trixie and Merluck! You dare send them to help Twilight and her family!"

"Of course not, father, I would never betray despite seeking more powers. I would never help them." Merluck insists to the Superior. He may wish for more power but the unicorn isn't stupid to pull any unnecessary risks.

"I would never sent them to 'The End of Equestria' because they are vital to us!" Trix said to her father nervously.

"Since the rest of Apocalypse Ponies are not part of Safe Haven, however, and those two were not involved of this, that leaves one." The Superior then turns his attention to Warring Malice, who sat uncomfortably in her chair, "Warring Malice! Do you have some explanation of this?!"

Warring panicked insists, "No! Of course not," Of course, she was fibbing. The main reason why she send those two nitwits (giving the suggestion to Boris of course) was that she wanted a challenge for her group to deal with, to not only see if Boxco and Dum-Dum would do something right (for once) but to see if Twilight is indeed a challenge for the Apocalypse Ponies. Plus, she is doing it out of favor for Trixie who Warring feels deserves another rematch again in the future.

"I sense that she's lying." Tso Lan said sinisterly. Warring Malice frowns, she has forgotten that that Demon can do something like that.

The Superior groan and growl in anger, "You'd better tell me the truth or I'll send you to the Realm of Demons for the Demon Lords to have feast upon you!"

Warring decides to give out pretend fear this time, in hope to get out of this with her mane intact, "Okay! Okay! Okay! You're right! I did send those two off! Honestly, it's just my suggestion! I gave it to Boris. I didn't expect him to take it seriously and-"

"So Boris is responsible?!"

"That imbecile! I had warned him before about disobeying the order! Now, he's helping our enemy." Merluck said in fury. Trix looks worried, Boris is in big trouble. "Father, I shall punish Boris at once for helping our enemy! And this time, he will be an Earth Pony permanently!"

Trix gasp, "No, Merluck! Father! I'm sure that Boris didn't mean to disobey and disappoint you! He must be sending them to go to 'The End of Equestria' to finish Twilight and her friends when they're looking back!"

"Is that so? Then, why did Bai Tza, Dai Gui and Xiao Fung were not informed of this by 'Boris'?! It seems that they're willing to attack my brethren. You're trying to deceive me to save him? You love him," Tso Lan remarks to Trix who didn't continue arguing to defend her POV; the Demon huff, "Nothing but troublesome."

"Enough! We shall deal with Boris later. But for now, Tso Lan, deal with Twilight and her family by means of necessary and do as you please." The Superior said, not wanting this foolishness to go further. "If you had to kill my useless imbeciles, then so be it. They're completely of no further use to me. Even if that plan of yours and ours had failed, we had set both ours and new plans for the schedule as we planned."

"So be it. Next time, Superior, you'd better put your organization in a tight leash, should they ever tried to disobey, assassinate and overthrow you. If there is betrayal among my brethren, I shall take all powers of yours and your descendants' possessed away permanently. I will not accept any excuses anymore."

Tso Lan disappeared. The Superior glared at his members as he berates them, "Let me remind you one last time. This organization was built by me! This purpose was built by my ancestor's dark purpose! So, anyone who joined and earned my trust and respect must obey my command only. I will be the one who authorized the mission! I will be the one who decides who to go!"

The Superior turned to Warring as he continues, "Malice, when you had some suggestion, you give it to both Merluck and Trixie or me, not Boris. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, milord," Warring Malice comments, not bothering giving the leader a look in the eye.

"As for you two, you'd better restrain those former criminals tightly, or else being thrown into a jail will be the least of their concern. I do not want more excuses and problems again. Do I make myself clear?"

Merluck and Trix said quickly, "Yes, Superior."

"This will be difficult for us now since Boxco and Dum-Dum is helping our foes." The Superior grunts a bit.

"Milord, what oath does Tso Lan speaks of?" T. Moon asks, curiously as to what oath that Tso Lan is talking about.

"He and the rest of Demon Lords had given the power and Dark Magic to my Great Ancestor for his loyalty and devotions to them. They all vowed that they will rule Equestria together and destroy anyone who tried to destroy and get in their way. Should any of us fall, we shall help and raise them from the darkness."

"That explains why Tso Lan is furious of your 'betrayal'. He expects no betrayals." Deadly Rager remarks in amusement. How those Demons get their tails in a bind when anyone tried to betray them.

"Not to mention that you had plans for them to escape from their imprisonment." Suffocator Jill said, remembering what the Superior mentioned before.

Wilco ponders a bit, adding, "If I recall correctly, master, the Panku Box was the only item to get them out but only one portal for them to come out."

"Yes, it is true. But I have other ways to get them out, without the use of one portal for one Demon Lord, but all." The Superior explains darkly to Wilco. Even without the Panku Box, he has ways of getting the Demon Lords from the Realm of Demons.

"What about your history with the Demon Lords? Better hope it's not too boring." R. Chaos said, bored and wanting to leave already.

"After their banishment to Realm of Demon, my ancestor begins using the powers of Demon for conquest and control of the Equestria as the ruler. He's not strong enough to control and master advanced Dark Magic. Thus, he has no control of Discord like the Demon Lords did. Despite losing that power, my ancestor's dream had passed down to generation and generations to master both Dark and Demon Magic before we begin our conquest."

"Thus, the creation of Apocalypse Ponies begins. Interesting, who would have thought that you were actually helped by the Demon Lords?" Suffocator Jill asks the Superior in amusement.

"To win the war, I must master every Dark and Demon Magic that I possessed from both alone and masters. For once I had, the enemies of mine will fall. Not today, not tomorrow, but one day they shall fall. Now leave me, I got to speak to Grimmore." The Superior orders his fellow members.

The members took the hint, using portals to leave, Trix looks worried as she heads back, with plans to inform Boris that Boxco and Dum-Dum may be in trouble, along with the Devil Pony later. Once they are gone, the Superior made a portal appears, showing Grimmore in Tartarus.

"What is it?" Grimmore ask the Superior curiously.

"Tso Lan was here. He was...upset that Boris sent his two dummies, most likely to help Twilight Sparkle again." The Superior explains to Grimmore darkly. He chuckles a bit. "Tso Lan threw quite a fit, especially with that business involving my ancestor's oath."

"Oh I see. He thinks he and his brethren are in control of you...but the truth be told we are the ones in control of THEM."

"Yes, for the powers I, Merluck and Trixie possess are not theirs but ours...although most of my dark powers comes from you."

"Yes...and of course, I have a feeling that the Demon Lords may outlive their usefulness." Grimmore said with a sigh. "They were powerful back in the day...but the Demon Lords has since become a joke, especially since four of them had fallen to Twilight Sparkle and her allies. We may have to cut them loose."

"Oh, on the contrary, I think with some certain dark magic, we may have use for Tso Lan and his brethren yet." The Superior chuckles a bit. Grimmore laughs, knowing what he means. Oh, this will be interesting when the last of the Demons are beaten.

-----------------------------------

Tso Lan appeared before his siblings. Hsi Wu impatiently asks, "What did the troublemaker have to say? What's his reason?!"

"The Superior's subordinate, Boris the Devil Pony had disobeyed his order and helped his enemies." Tso Lan explains, much to the shock and fury of the others.

"Unacceptable! If they have not come and ruin our plans, Twilight Sparkle would have lost her power, all ponies who dare to enter our territories will fall, and both Ben and Nightmare Moon will be ours!" Bai Tza screams in fury, outraged upon hearing this explanation.

Tchang Zu remarks angrily, "I'd say we should punish them at once! The Devil Pony and his stooges shall know our wrath!"

"Dai Gui will kill that Devil Pony!" Dai Gui growled, wanting so much to punish Boris for his 'treachery'.

"No. We mustn't. For we had a more important mission and enemy to deal with; we will deal with Boris later, should we fail or succeed." Shendu points out to his siblings gently. Boris will be dwelt with at a later time.

Po Kong nod her head, snarling in anger, "Better hope he's not dead, so I can feast upon him!"

"Never mind of that. So what have you learn of our enemy?" Tso Lan ask the goblin, wanting to know what the creature has learned from Twilight and her group.

"The goblin found out that Twilight and her so-called family journeyed here to seek the ingredients to restore the Element of Honesty known as Applejack's farm." Xiao Fung explains to Tao Lan. "Something must have happened to it; But what?"

The Demon Lords thought for the moment. Then Dai Gui snaps his fingers, saying, "Dai Gui knows the answer. When Dai Gui set foot on Equestria, Dai Gui sense a disturbance and Dark Magic."

"What kind of Dark Magic, Dai Gui?" Bai Tza ask Dai Gui curiously.

"The spell that stops the growth of the land for vegetables."

"Ahhh; Yes; I know that well. It's Lifeless Growth Spell. This spell destroys the life and growth of the land." Shendu said with an evil grin. That explains what the princess and her group is doing in the End of Equestria in the first place, to save the farm. "It cease it ability forever. Nothing can restore the damage, not even Alicorns can do it."

"The only ingredients that can restore the growth are here. The ponies have journeyed far to seek them." Tchang Zu said thoughtfully.

"Not to mention, they're tenacious." Hsi Wu said thoughtfully.

"So, what's this plan of yours, Shendu? From what the goblin had said, they're heading to the Heavy Drop." Xiao Fung said to Shendu, wondering if his sibling has an idea on how to deal with the gang.

Shendu chuckled, "I'm afraid that they will be going the wrong way to get there."

"What do you mean?" Po Kong asks Shendu, knowing that he has a plan all right.

"There is a short cut to Heavy Drop. But to get there, you must get across my pet while the long route is the safest way. I told the goblin to change the map's direction. The 'Heavy Drop' that they're going will be misled right to my pet."

"Wow. Now, that's crafty and nasty, Shendu. I'd like to see them try to get out of that one." Hsi Wu chuckles sinisterly and eagerly. He wanted so much to be there and see his revenge for his own defeat be granted.

"All of them shall fall to their demise!" Dai Gui booms madly.

"Yes, Dai Gui, I'd love to see how Twilight escapes that one." Bai Tza remarks in agreement. "She shall soon the regret the mistake that she made."

"Remember, Shendu, I want Nightmare Moon and Ben Mare alive. For their powers are quite useful and essential to our armada and conquest." Tso Lan points out to Shendu. Nyx and Ben must be alive for later on.

"You'd better hope that pet of yours obey very well. Or you shall face my wrath!" Tchang Zu remarks to Shendu sinisterly. She isn't afraid of hurting him should this plan of his goes way south.

"I assure you Tchang Zu. Everything will go according to our plan. None shall escape the wrath of my bloodthirsty pet." Shendu assured Tchang Zu with a dark smile. Twilight and her friends are in for a big surprise indeed.

------------------

The group appears to be on their way now, getting closer to the area of Heavy Drop. Twilight and her family had arrived at the fork road. Spike, glancing at each path, asks Twilight, "Twilight, which way we should go?"

"Let me see on that map again. If I recall correctly, we should go to-!" Twilight stops for a moment and looks confused as she notices something's off, "What the?"

"What's wrong?" Ben asks his love in concern.

"Something's not right. I remember that the map told us to go right. But for some reason, it now says go left."

"Not to mention, there's a signboard." Nyx said as she notices a signboard on the map now.

"But 'dat's good, right?" Tough ask his pals with a shrug, not getting the point.

"No, Tough; I remember that there is no signboard on the map."

"You don't think somepony rewrite and redraw the map?" Spike asks in concern, someone must've rewritten the map but whom?

"Ah don't like it." Tough grunted a bit, suspecting a rat.

Phobos gave a suspicious look to Bocolix and Dumbledore, asking, "Did you two do something on the map?"

"I was sleeping! Honest!" Bocolix insists to Phobos in worry.

"Honest too," Dumbledore exclaims in agreement. After all, why would he or Bocolix do such a thing? Boris orders them to keep Twilight safe at all cost! Messing with the map would jeopardize the whole thing!

"Then who,” Phobos demands in annoyance. Something is not right here, even the two stupid ones that someone or something has messed with the map to lead them all in the wrong direction.

---------

In the Realm of Demons, the Demon Lords were shocked to see this, their Enemies suspects that something's amiss. Shendu growled in anger as he open the portal to his servant.

"Goblin; what did you do?!" Shendu demands to the goblin, suspicious that this idiot has messed up somehow.

"Nothing; Honest; I did exactly like you had said! Changed the location and drew the arrow to the Hydra lair with the signboard." The goblin explains to Shendu in worry. "And then make a signboard on the fork road!"

"You put in a signboard?!" Shendu ask in shock and disbelief. The goblin nodded his head. The Demon then roars in fury, "Imbecile! I did not order you to put in a signboard on the map! I order you to drew the leading to the Hydra lair!"

"But why?"

"They will get suspicious of the map, fool!" Bai Tza explains in annoyance as she slaps herself on the forehead.

"Useless Goblin; always making mistake," Dai Gui grunts in annoyance.

"Now the ponies are in suspicious of the map and signboard!" Hsi Wu groans in despair. The ponies will know who is responsible and go the other way, bypassing Shendu's little pet entirely no thanks to that stupid goblin!

"So how're we going to do it now?! It's too late!" Tchang Zu adds in concern.

"Let's watch first." Tso Lan said to the siblings. Perhaps they can win yet.

The Demon Lords glanced at the portal that consists of Twilight and her friends in figuring out about which road to go.

-----------------------

Ben got down from the cart. He approach the signboard as the Earth pony look closely at it Ben saw the branch. He took it up. Everypony looked at him, including the Demon Lords through small portals to see them.

"What're you doing, daddy?" Nyx ask her adopted father puzzled.

"Figuring out which way to go; there's something not right with both the map and signboard. It's like somepony want us to go to a trap." Ben said with a frown. "So in case of anything like this, use a branch. It'll acts like a compass to get us somewhere nearby."

Twilight smiled as she ask, "Flash taught you that?" Ben's best friend Flash Sentry always help him with some lessons or so.

"Yup. When Flash's dad took us for a campaign trip, Flash used a stick to find which path to go both there and home. That branch's never wrong."

"Well, do it, Ben. Let's just hope we get the right direction." Spike insists to Ben; The faster that the stick can lead the gang somewhere, the faster that the heroes can get to Heavy Drop.

"Here goes nothing." The Earth pony said. Ben pointed the stick to the right and left. He threw the stick up. The stick ends up pointed to the right direction. The Demon Lords saw it, that stick will put a dent in their plans!. Tso Lan quickly changed its direction by using his gravity. The stick turn to the left.

Twilight and her family were shocked and surprised. Ben scratch his mane, frowning as he said, "That's weird. I thought it was the right road."

"But you said that you should trust the branch." Spike reminds Ben of what he said before.

"So, we should go left." Phobos remarks in agreement. If the branch say go left, they should go right.

"I guess. But why do I get the bad feeling that someone is watching us." Ben said in suspicion and concern.

"I don't know. But let's focus on the important mission than thinking about somepony or anything else. If we keep on moving, then we can get all the items we need." Twilight said gently to Ben.

"Ah doubt 'de voice is 'de one 'dat did it." Tough said, knowing that the voice wouldn't try to mislead them like this. Bocolix and Dum-Dum shrugged. At least the gang is going somewhere.

Twilight and her family continue to walk. Nyx look behind and felt like that somepony is watching them. The filly shrugs before she turned to the front. Nyx in her mind thought, 'Maybe daddy's right, somepony wants us to go there but why?'

----------------

In the Realm of Demons, the Demon Lords smirk and chuckle evilly. Looks like the villains got nothing to worry about after all.

"Good trick, older brother!" Po Kong grunts to Tso Lan in amusement. None of their enemies suspect a thing!

"Still, it could be risky, Tso Lan." Xiao Fung said in concern. For all the Demon Lords know, the group may realize what's going on right now.

"They will think that wind changed the direction as their guide to know which location is safer." Tso Lan insists to the siblings in assuration.

"On the opposite, that leads to doom. Well trickery, Tso Lan." Hsi Wu said to Tso Lan with a smirk.

"Indeed, the ponies will fall to our wrath. They shall know what happened, should anyone even ponies dare to challenge our powers!" Bai Tza laughs evilly. Oh, this will be a great victory for the Demon Lords indeed.

"Now, we shall watch what happen next." Shendu remarks with a smile, though the Demon Lord suspects that he has indeed already have won the day.

----------

On the left road, some bushes shaken. A white Unicorn mare appears with short black and navy jet mane. Her Cutie Mark is a hat and compass. The mare looks worried as she saw which way that Twilight and her group are heading to.

"Oh boy. This isn't what my granduncle had planned. That road leads to -!" The mare pauses then she gasped in realization. "I've gotta tell him about this!"

--------------------

For a few hours, Tao waiting near the rock as he wrote the words on it. Tao then look back before he return to the rock.

"Hmmm. Something's not right. They shouldn't be far away from here." Tao mumbles in concern. Something is not right here. "I'm sure this is the road to Heavy -"

"Hey Tao!" A familiar unicorn appears, making Tao almost jump out of his coat.

"Aieeeyaaah; Jade Adventure; don't do that! Wait! What are you doing here?! I told you -"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, unc. I know. 'The End of Equestria' is too dangerous for a not full-fledged Mystic Pony to come here because it can corrupt them easily and quickly. I know. No worry, Tao. I've got the Chi Protection Spell to protect me from it."

Tao sighs a bit in relief, "That I'm glad. But you should not be here! Twilight Sparkle will be suspicious of you and me!"

"Why is that?" Jade ask her uncle, not sure what Tao meant.

"A lone old pony whose keeps appearing and disappearing from their sights, and the voice who gave her riddles to solve and save them when encountering danger. To avoid being suspected by Twilight and her friends, I have to act like I've known this place as a spirit. Suddenly, a confident child appeared with him from out of nowhere! They will be suspicious about me. She will figure it out that I'm the Mystic Pony who helped her throughout the mess! As the Mystic Pony, we are not allowed to reveal our identity to them during their journey, unless the ponies had passed his or her test! I'll reveal it to them if they succeed the mission!"

"Like that's gonna happen if she goes wrong way."

"Wrong way," Tao ask, startled upon hearing this. "What do you mean Jade?"

"Somebody or maybe the Demon Lords rewrote and redrew Twilight's map and lead her and her family to the left road." Jade explains in worry to Tao.

"Left road? Yes, it does have a short cut to Heavy Drop. But the only way to get through is-!" Tao realized something, "Aieeeyaaah! That leads to Shendu's pet, Mo Sie the Hydra! This is very bad."

"I know! We've gotta teleport in front of them at once and stop them!"

"No, Jade. We have to teleport at Hydra's lair, so I can use my voice to stop them before they reach that lair! In fact, Mystic Ponies are not allowed to interfere in mortal's affairs, but act as their guidance. That would be cheating, not evolving. That is the cycle of life."

Jade pauses as she points out "Still, that would make the Demon Lords and the Apocalypse Ponies to win the war, if we keep on hiding."

"There's nothing I can do, Jade." Tao sighs to Jade. "For the Mystic Council, they are the ones who made the decision, not me."

Jade groaned, "So unfair!"

"We do not have much time. We must go!"

Tao and Jade disappear in a puff of smoke. They hope to get to Twilight and her allies before it's too late.

---------------------------------------------

Soon Twilight's group comes across a large open canyon wall that's about as tall as a mountain almost touching the skies. From what Twilight has instructed the group, their path lies to continue forward to get to the other side. Course once they make it to the close edge of the canyon, there is but a single opening; just one problem….it's too narrow.

"Great, we come all the way here, and the opening's too darn small for us to squeeze through!" Phobos complains in seeing their only pathway across is a crack size for single file-line bunch, not a whole cartload.

"How about we fly up?" Bocolix suggested from looking up, thinking that the group can fly over this canyon wall.

"We can use magic to help us." Dumbledore looked to the gang in saying with magic; they'll take everything without much a problem.

"No guys, that won't work. The map says to climb this canyon mountain would take ten days, even our magic would get tired out real fast." Twilight objected to the idea of going over the canyon mountain wall, it'll take too long and time is of the essence around here.

"So we're caught between a rock an' a hard place." Tough Apple spoke off to say in looking at Rabbitchu, the owl & wolf cub in what their situation looks pretty stuck.

"Isn't there some way to get through?" Spike asked off in how the group can get pass this obstacle that stands before them.

"What if we made the narrow opening bigger?" Nyx suggested that they could find a way to make the way through this place wider.

"I doubt Justin could pull that off, just how far feet we talkin?" Tough Apple shrug off his shoulders about that idea, it sounded okay, but the range & level might be a different story.

"Too long, the rock formation is extra thick even for a MechBull's ramming strength." Twilight shook her head in regretting that even bashing through this structure take too long as it would to climb this thing.

"Mruuuwaagh," Justin cried out in feeling depress over what this discussion is turning towards a hopeless case.

"Then how else can we get through, shrink ourselves?" Phobos sarcastically stated about them trying to get small so they fit through the narrow opening.

"Maybe not, being small with giant bugs might be worse." Bocolix issued a problem about being small, then the tiny bugs around will be a bigger issue to deal with.

"Yeah, and around here, who knows how bad the bugs are in giant size?" Dumbledore nods in agreement to that, the insects in the End of Equestria might be more deadly than normal bugs.

"We have, trust me." Ben rhetorically addresses that claim since the gang fought against such creatures; like the Swarm for example.

"Well, maybe…." Twilight suddenly was having an idea come to her mind of a solution. "Maybe a spell to widen the narrow opening all the way across might help us." The girl could try a spell that instead of affecting them, she could make the opening go from narrow to wider length for travel, course that means doing it on a whole canyon mountain level change structure.

"Twilight, are you hearing yourself, this canyon must be a few feet's length across with solid rock structure?" Ben asked if his love was sure about that plan, this canyon might be so wide and too far to even pull off a feat like that.

"I'm an alicorn now Ben, I can do this! As a new princess, I have to try my best for my friends & the Apples' Farm." Twilight issued with a determined face, if she can't create a path to aid in their travels, then Applejack's home is doomed. "You two, can you perform a magic enhancing spell and hold it tight?" She looked to the Enforcers, wanting to know if they can pull off such a spell request.

"I think so, that was something we learn to perform when going into battle." Bocolix nods in recalling that the two did learn such a spell, by Boris's demand.

"We just never done it on our own outside of our home." Dumbledore shrug off to mention this little fact, which was to say they done it mostly in Safe Haven.

"Then since you two know the spell, get ready!" Twilight instructed the two new alicorn allies to help her out. "Ben, I'll need your help with your TriForce to support these two, just in case." The girl requested her love to make sure that the Enforcers get enough help, since they are willing to help; it's still a good idea to have a backup plan.

"Alright, if you say so Twilight," Ben nods in seeing he can't get the mare out of this, so he may as well help Twilight out with her crazy plan.

"Can I help mommy?" Nyx asked her mother in wanting to help in some way.

"Sorry Nyx, but this spell is tricky & I need plenty of enhancement spells to help…but if I need a little boost, then jump right in. Kay?" Twilight spoke to her daughter that she needs more…experienced & strong users of magic, but if things get hard, a little boost from Nyx couldn't hurt.

"Okay, sounds fair." Nyx nods a bit in seeing that if she's needed, she'll offer some magic to help her mother out.

"Ready…here goes nothing!" Twilight made a serious face, as she gets into position with those standing by now.

Soon Twilight's horn was glowing with a lot of magical pinkish aura effect. Dumbledore & Bocolix also had their white & purple magical auras from their horns empowering Twilight's own. Even Ben Mare decided to just use his Triforce power as his Cutie Mark glow and stood near Twilight's side. The entire canyon mountain was glowing from this magical spell effect, leaving the others to watch in awe and wonder. Epesically when it's not every day….a pony tries to move a mountain. Course Twilight was shown having a hard time, her forehead was looking like she was struggling…So Nyx decided to change into her Battle Form as her Adult Self and just give Twilight some of her magical boost. No later did Tough, Spike, Phobos, and the rest soon see…the narrow crack was beginning to stretch, the spell was making the path wider for the opening. In fact, it was working too overly well that the mountain canyon was splitting its narrow path in two directions to the point where a whole herd or a giant could cross the wide path. But unknown to the group, the shaking quake they were doing caused a large boulder near the side break off in revealing a cavern cave that was almost like it was sealed. Once the quake-effect stopped, Twilight and all the other users of magic took a moment to have some moment to breathe easily.

"Hugh…hugh….did we do it?" Bocolix was slowly getting his bearings from using up so much magic in aiding in this assistance.

"Hope so…hugh….we can't mess this up." Dumbledore was also a bit out of it, if the two fail to aid, they'll have to answer to Boris when and 'if' they get back.

"Well you two did alright, you really tried hard." Ben smiled a bit in giving the two new Alicorns the gang have come to know some praise.

"Ah thanks." The Enforcers responded a bit happy and a bit bashful; it's the first time that as long as these two remember….being thanked for a job well done, and with a positive outlook in the atmosphere.

"Phew…Nyx, thanks for the aid. Though I thought I said when I needed a 'little' boost." Twilight sigh with relief before looking to her daughter, as Nyx return to her filly form, about giving the mare only a little bit if needed, instead, they might have over done it now.

"Well, I guess I don't know my own strength." Nyx smiled to shrug off her shoulders; she wanted to help, so perhaps like her mother, she didn't know how to figure out her own strength.

"Hugh; sounds familiar." Phobos responded in hearing what Nyx said, sounded like what Twilight spoke of earlier.

"Very familiar, yeah," Spike nods in agreement, those two are definitely like mother like daughter alright.

Tao and Jade appeared on a rock nearby, unknown to the group, and saw Twilight and her friends had opened the boulder path. The old pony gasps in alarm, "Aieeeyaaah! We're too late! They have opened its door!"

"You can still tell them to get out of there! After that, you can create the boulder and block the monster's way out." Jade suggests hopefully to her uncle.

"Jade, I told you before. I'm not allowed to interfere in mortal's affairs. This is the ponies' journey to evolve stronger and maturity. Once you opened the path, you have no choice but to face it, even the greatest threat of all."

"That's not fair!"

"I'm afraid it is, Jade. Twilight and her family must overcome the serpent beast." Tao said to his niece in regret.

The gang were amazed and mostly around the new princess, Twilight's magic has grown powerful enough to possibly help her split a large canyon mountain wall in half, to allow for travel up to almost a large number of creatures. Course, she needed some help from others, but Twilight seems to have be the one at the most work trying to focus on how to channel that much magical power.

"Whelp, let's git going now, onward 'ta…." Tough Apple was about to issue that they get moving now, but just then…."Hay wait, wha's wit' 'dat cavern there," The tough stallion issued off in noting something near yonder.

The others stop for a moment to gaze in seeing a strange cavern opening nearby and what was a destroyed boulder that sealed the place.

"Hugh, maybe this could have helped us get across." Dumbledore responded off in thinking that this was something to aid the group instead of the canyon path that the gang made.

"Yeah, somepony must've blocked it from us noticing." Bocolix issued how the group never knew another path was available and yet they went through the trouble of opening up a path.

"I'm not sure, judging from what was here, seem to insinuate that it was sealed not to keep us out…" Ben spoke from careful study that what was keeping this cavern from being know wasn't cause nopony was supposed to enter it….

"But to keep something in instead," Twilight finished the last parts Ben was gonna state, this cavern was meant to keep something in and not keep them out.

"But what," Spike asked off in what was even here that was meant to be sealed away.

"I think…we're about to meet him." Phobos spoke from looking at the cavern area with a worried look on his face that earn the others to….follow the gaze in the area itself.

-------------

The Demon Lords watch the fight from where they are at. Shendu grins as he said, "Now, my dearest pet, it is time to awaken from your slumber. Go forth, Mo Sie, feast upon them."

Tchang Zu said to Shendu sternly, "You better hope that snake of yours don't eat Nightmare Moon. We need her alive."

"If that beast can think carefully," Bai Tza remarks, knowing how Hydras tend to not think things through.

"Let the death battle begins!" Tso Lan roars evilly to prepare the fight.

-------------

"Grrruuarrrughhh…" Suddenly during the moment, a strange noise was heard from within the darken cavern, as some form of big…orange eyes like a lizard's was seen floating in the blackness. The gang outside the newly opened cavern stood there, unknowing about their situation. "STOOOOMPFRUVHMMMM…" Just then, a giant size claw stomped outside and dug deeply in the ground. "Hiissss…" Soon something was rising up with a hissing sound before the gang took notice of what was rising up and out of the sealed area in question. It look like a giant dark gray scale serpent-like monster that was…a one-headed Hydra.

"Um, g-g-g-g-g-guys," Tough Apple was speaking a bit gibberish at first while the rest of the group was trying to not lose themselves at what appeared. "Wha do ye call dat thing?" Tough Apple asked off in seeing the one-headed Hydra growling while it reached its long neck height up above them.

"In the words of my Aunt Pinkie Pie, TWO WORDS!" Nyx issued off in how to address the situation by a simple two words here.

"GRAAARRUUAARRRUGHHHHH-Aarrrrughhhh," The Hydra roared off while in the background, the dark clouds seem to flash, almost responding to the beast with lightning & tundra effect.

"AM SCRAY," Nyx screamed out what the heroes & Alicorns should do here and many couldn't have put that to better words.

"Aaaaahhhhhh," Phobos screamed out before he, Dumbledore, Bocolix, Ben & Twilight got into the cart.

"Giddy-up Justin, MAX," Tough Apple grab the liens to issue the MechBull start running, pronto.

"MRUUAARRUGHHHH," Justin heard the command and did not hesitate to start having the gang rush through the newly open pathway through the canyon mountain.

Of course, the Hydra beast of the End of Equestria hissed in seeing its first meal in so long. Soon the beast was starting to move off to chase after its prey, stomping across the ground. Ben Mare saw the foe, and from its size and long neck, even at the speed they are going, it could reach the group, so he pulled out his Master Sword.

"Hay, you're not thinking of fighting that thing?" Spike asked off if this Earth pony was nuts to try that type of thinking.

"Why not, it's only a Hydra with one head, right?" Ben responded off in seeing it's only a small threat, though not really small, but close enough.

"Ben listen, we don't even know what this creature is capable of!" Twilight protests that fighting a Hydra is unexpected since not a lot of them have truly fought such creatures.

"Don't we have one in Froggy Bottom Swamp with four heads?" Phobos rubbed his head to issue about them having a Hydra in their own neck of the woods.

"Yes, but there's no telling how dangerous they are considering no pony ever fought against one!" Twilight slightly nodded to say while issuing that the ponies don't have much about how truly dangerous a Hydra can be, anypony with sense just knows to stay far, far away from it.

"Then coach me while I keep this thing away from all of you and the cart." Ben issued before using his Triforce powers to hover off in flight to approach the chasing beast.

"Gruaarrughhh," The Hydra roared towards Ben for facing him with his bladed weapon, trying to keep it away.

"That's it, dance around him! Dance around him!" Phobos instructed Ben from behind the moving cart in seeing Ben trying to keep the beast at bay.

"Hruuaarrughh,” The Hydra head launched, but Ben duck away from the beast from almost chopping him to bits.

"Watch the teeth! Watch the teeth!" Dumbledore issued a warning in seeing Ben held his sword, keeping the Hydra back while watching out for them sharp teeth.

"Hrrughh," Ben swung his Master Sword that stroke the Hydra face across, almost hurting it a bit.

"Nice thrust, now lean to the left. Lean to your left." Bocolix responded in liking how well Ben was fighting here, just as the Hydra raise up its neck and then…

"Wrarrrrughhhh," The Hydra head roared to dive down, which Ben yelped to duck out of the way before the impact caused the pony to roll across the ground while the enemy bite the ground.

"Hugh…" Twilight & Nyx nearly gasp in seeing this with worry, enough to make Tough Apple cease their fleeing moment to watch what was gonna happen next.

"Ugh, we meant your other left." Phobos slapped his forehead to lie a bit down in exclaiming the other left, meaning Ben's right from their side view of the conflict.

"Are yew fellas trying 'ta confuse Ben on how 'ta fight or wha?" Tough Apple responded off in seeing this fighting was getting silly, too many different direction guiders.

"Don't worry, I'm okay!" Ben Mares poke from getting himself under control to stand up and held up his hooves to hold….nothing. "What the…?" During the whole rolling event, Ben must have released his sword and soon a stabbing noise is heard where the Master Sword got stuck near…a high canyon wall.

At the moment, the Hydra head growled to bite off the ground in gazing at Ben and raised itself upwards, "GRUAARRUGHAARRUGHHH!" The Hydra roared off loudly in its rise in preparing to attack again.

"Ben, get your sword!" Twilight shouted for her love to get his weapon to defend himself.

"But what about the Hydra," Nyx questioned how her father can retrieve his weapon with that beast after Ben

"Wait, how about we hit it with something?" Dumbledore spoke off in thinking of a plan that might be helpful.

"Yeah, maybe that might work!" Bocolix nods in agreement, that plan might be crazy enough to work.

Soon the Enforcers used their magic to break off a piece of rubble like a large spike to toss it at the beast. "CLUMPFRUVHMM…" Course nobody saw the Hydra ended up catching that attack inside its jaws to let off a hiss. "BREAKfruvhmm…" Then what came next to a shocker was seeing the monstrous giant bite off that rock like nothing. "Gruh-Heh-heh, Heh-heehh…." And what was even creepier was seeing the Hydra head chuckle off evilly in staring at such futile resistance.

"Whoops!" The Enforcers gulped big time in seeing that plan was a bust, especially when the large rock got eaten.

Both Jade and Tao watch the battle scene. The mare slaps herself at what the Enforcers did, groaning, "What are those pinheads doing?! Are they helping or killing him?"

"Aieeeyaaah; I had warned those two about the consequences that they faced." Tao groans a bit in annoyance.

"I'd only hope that they don't be Hydra chow."

No sooner did Ben Mare gone off to charge after his blade or so it seemed.

"RUARRRRGUHHH,” The Hydra beast roars to dive its head down to attack Ben.

Acting fast, Twilight cast a protective barrier around Ben as the stallion was soon seen trying to wrestle a Hydra…by the TEETH!

"Hang tight Ben, Ah'll shoot him!" Tough Apple hollered out before trying to aim with his rifle, but…

"No don't! You fire that near Twilight's ears and her concentration might break!" Spike waved off for the tough stallion to not fire his gun or fear that Twilight's concentration will be undone.

"But how else can Ben get free, get his sword and fight back?" Phobos questioned off how else can they help Ben fight against the one headed Hydra & get the Master Sword stuck in the wall.

Nyx suddenly got on her game face and transformed into her Battle Form, and took to the air.

"Naaughh…" Ben finally managed to outwrestle a Hydra head down to the ground, now all that was left was…

"Father…your sword," Nyx's voice was heard from above as she was soaring in her Battle Form while holding…the Master Sword.

"Nyx…" Ben & Twilight responded in surprise, their daughter was entering this and bringing back the sword for the Earth pony to fight with.

"Hisissss….." The Hydra head rose up, and came across the adult Nyx, but the girl hover where she was with her father's sword in hand, or hoof. But then from a sneaky stunt, the beast sent forth its tongue that grabbed Nyx's left leg.

"Wha…Waaaughh!" Adult Nyx yelped from when she was spun and thrown upwards into the air. "Waaaughh…" She let off a cry from feeling herself let go of the sword and the tongue, but saw where she & the Master Sword were heading, "Waaaaughhhh!" Battle Form Nyx cried out in horror, she flew to get the Master Sword before it would be lost in the beast's belly, but…

"CHOMP!" There was a sudden darkness from the shutting of teeth, and outside…. "Gulp," Outside, we see the Hydra swallow what was the morsel that was Nyx with a smile in satisfaction.

Everyone else nearby was horrified in seeing that sweat little filly was eaten. Tao yelps in alarm, "AIEEEYAAAH! What was Nyx's thinking?!"

"Is she crazy?! Is she trying to get eaten alive?!" Jade yelps in fright. "Boy, this is so not good. And I thought I would meet her in pony."

----------

"Shendu, you imbecile," Bai Tza snaps at Shendu angrily. Most of the Demon Lords were stunned or outraged at what happened to Nyx. She was eaten alive!

"You let your pet eat her!" Dai Gui remarks, preparing to come over and stomps Shendu to the ground right now for this outrage.

"We need her alive!" Tchang Zu screams out in anger.

"She's our weapon!" Xiao Fung complains a bit in disbelief. How will they conquer Equestria now?

"Boy, I guess that pet of yours is not exactly smart enough." Hsi Wu remarks with a laugh, making Shendu glares at him in annoyance.

"Did you tell it about your order?!" Po Kong asks Shendu in disbelief.

"What do you have to say?!" Tso Lan demands to Shendu angrily.

Shendu pauses as he speaks, "My apology. But still, once we get rid of the ponies, we'll get our Nightmare Moon out."

----------------------

"BURRRRRPPH," The Hydra head let off a loud burp from enjoying that little meal treat as it was licking it's lips.

"Nyxxxxxxxxx," Twilight screamed out her daughter's name, which unfortunately, caught the attention of the Hydra too.

"Arrrruauaarrughhh," The Hydra head roared out with the background of lightning & loud thunder noise to dive down to feast on the others.

Many were worried to see they were the next victims, but Twilight looked ready to go into an inferno of rage, Ben would about charge in fury too, but…

"Guuppvhmmm…." But then the Hydra head stop, lean upwards to suddenly look…weird; It was having an unusual feeling as it looked down at itself to ponder…what was wrong? Then from its neck, something was poking at it, but from the inside before….a sword swing cleaved it off and out came….Nyx's Battle Form wielding the Master Sword!

Everyone was so overly shock to see this, they almost forgotten about the cleaved Hydra head coming at them before they immediately moved out of the way. And soon the giant serpent body fell on the ground while Nyx landed on her feet, or hooves while seemingly looked kinda sticky.

"Alright; she's okay!" Tough Apple cheered in seeing the little mare, whose was a filly, got out of that one a-okay.

"Hey guys…that….that wasn't so bad, was it?" Nyx spoke from looking a little bit zoozy, as she soon was losing balance.

"I gotcha Nyx," Ben came near to catch Nyx from dropping from exhaustion, who could blame her after getting out from within the belly of a beast.

"Nyx-Nyx," Phobos and Spike came near the girl that has returned from such a moment and wanted to see how she was. "How many tails do you see me and Spike showing yah?" Phobos asked off while from Nyx's view, there were multiple images of tails.

"Ugh….six to twelve," Nyx responded a bit still woozy over just getting out from the beast's belly.

"Eh, close enough." Phobos shrugs off to say in seeing that Nyx will be fine.

"Oh Nyx; I was so worried!" Twilight came up to rest her head to Nyx's neck, expressing how much she was worried sick for the girl, "Don't ever do that again young lady!" Twilight stood up to give a strict tone towards the black pony about trying such a stunt; getting eaten is no laughing matter.

"Hehe, sorry, I couldn't let dad's sword get eaten and then him next. Besides…I think I did okay in busting out the gut of our problem." Nyx gave a little smile to respond to her mother to not worry as she was gonna be okay and she managed alright in defeating and getting her father's sword back.

"Let’s say those jokes for after we help clean you up." Ben assured to Nyx that they can kid around when this child has been scrubbed, especially from smelling like something died in a belly, which was mostly true.

"Boy, nopony will ever believe such a tale." Tough Apple shook his head in feeling this was something so outrageous, nobody is gonna believe them.

"Hey, I was almost eaten too, you know!" Phobos issued off to state about how he too was once nearly eaten alive.

"But you were never eaten." Spike issued off to make a point about Phobos was never actually eaten.

"You two, help me get my daughter to not smell like she was in the belly of the beast, okay." Twilight turn to the Enforcers that were still recovering from what happened in hearing this pony want them to help clean her daughter so she won't smell so bad.

"Roger!" Dumbledore & Bocolix responded without question, as some rain was beginning to fall around them; A perfect time to use magic to get rid of that awful smell off of Nyx's body before they could continue their journey.

Jade cheer on from her hiding spot, "Oh yeah! Nyx did it! She's the hero! She's the greatest. Twilight and her gang won the battle. Bo Yah!"

Tao however frowns as he interrupts Jade, saying, "I don't think it's over. They should not leave it alone."

"What are you talking about, Tao? The Hydra's dead!"

"No, it's the beginning."

-----------

The Demon Lords were relived, so to speak. Nyx is alive but the Hydra is dead...or so it seems.

"Well, at least Nightmare Moon is out of that Hydra." Hsi Wu remarks with a grunt as he sat in his chair.

"Indeed. Safe and sound," Po Kong said in agreement. For once, she and Hsi Wu agree on something.

"Shendu's pet is dead!" Tchang Zu complains in alarm. Their tactic has failed!

"It had failed us! The ponies are alive!" Dai Gui groans angrily.

Shendu smile before he chuckle. Xiao Fung, noticing, demands, "What is the meaning of this?"

Bai Tza, realizing what Shendu is chuckling for, smiles as she explains, "My brothers and sister, do you not realize of what pet Shendu possessed?"

Tso Lan explains, "This creature cannot be killed easily."

Shendu chuckles a bit, glancing at the portal while adding, "In fact, this is the beginning of ponies' demise."

---------------

At the moment when everyone was finally getting ready to set off on Justin the MechBull to travel through the canyon mountain…something unnatural was happening. The top hairs from the Hydra's body were moving, but it was not from the wind. And the next freaky thing was that it almost seems to move….like it's still alive.

"That…doesn't sound good." Dumbledore responded when the group stops to turn around with fearful eyes back at the defeated beast…what could this mean?

The headless body of the Hydra suddenly was moving to stand up, and something weird was forming on its severed neck. Something was trying to burst through some plastic wrapping form, one, no two, maybe three things. "GRUUARRGUH…Urrurrvhhmm….." Suddenly, like a lizard growing a new tail, this creature let off some cries before revealing it had three new Hydra Heads. "Grruavhmm…Urruvhmmm…." The new heads looked to the other with a smiling surprise before they set their sneaky little gazes on….the group below.

"Definitely not good," Bocolix responded in wide-eye surprise, the one Hydra became three, what a weird trip.

"Grruvhmmm…." Then Ben took charge to let the others get to the cart as he held back the three headed Hydra with his return Master Sword, "Graarrughhh!" Course, Ben had more than just his hooves being full, he was trying to keep a distance from the roaring beast.

"Mwrrruaughhh," Justin the MechBull was riding out like a fast bullet train as Tough Apple had everyone settle in to go after one more pony. And boy was Ben trying to get far from the attacking Hydra heads times three.

"Graarughh…Hrraughhh!" Before one of the heads almost bites off Ben, Twilight & Nyx reached from the cart that came near Ben Mare, and pulled the pony in while the beast missed its target.

"Thanks for the save guys," Ben thanked those that saved him in that tricky spot.

"You’re welcome," Nyx smiled in accepting her father's thanks for saving him.

"RUURARRRUGHHH," Soon the Hydra Heads were now stretching off to attack the gain running across the canyon mountain to get away, but not with this chaser on their tail.

"We gotta stop them things from eating us!" Phobos issued off about trying to stay alive from three Hydra heads wanting to eat them.

"Maybe we gotta try to chop off their heads again!" Dumbledore suggested a way to stop the beast from getting to them.

"Worth a shot, it stuns them before! Let’s do it!" Bocolix responded in thinking that plan could work; it can't grow more heads after that….right?

Soon the Enforcers fired off magical energize buzzsaws that severed off two of the Hydras heads.

"Yes!" Phobos cheered in seeing that the beast lost two and down to one, just get rid of the last head and it'll be okay….or so they thought.

"Gruuarrughhh," But then from one to two severed heads came another two to four more Hydra heads.

"No…" Spike responded with worry that the beast recovered quicker, and now had more heads then before.

"Quick! Keep attacking!" Phobos issued off to Dumbledore & Bocolix that made the two become panicky enough to not think, but do…just like they done as Boris' Stooges without careful considerations.

Now the gang had to watch out for more heads trying to attack them. "Grarrrughhhh…" The Enforcers were soon firing a bunch of magical cut type attacks to try to defeat the beast, but each time ended up making more heads come out.

"Guys, how's it go…in…back…there?" Tough Apple turn around to see how the situation of dealing with a Hydra while they were fleeing was going…and he was almost becoming as breathless as the rest.

Soon from a bunch of loud roaring noises, the group stared off in horror within this downpour of a stormy rain to see…that they ended up making an entire forest zone of Hydra heads. All of them where lashing, roaring, and making a lot of noises to move about and come close to wanting to attack the heroes, if the gang was like a mere ten, then they would be facing a hundred to a thousand Hydras.

Jade gasps, "Oh my Celestia! What were those two thinking?! Are they trying to get everypony killed!"

"Aieeeyaaah! That is not how to kill Hydra! That only create more complex and difficult!" Tao exclaims in annoyance and disbelief. Hoo boy!

"BY TARTARUS; WHA IS DAT!?" Tough Apple yelled out loud to reach the skies above, they've gone an entered a whole world's worth of a nightmare here.

"The one Hydra that became many!" Spike gulped with worry in seeing they've got one big enemy…with a lot of heads for an army.

"Ugh, nopony panic, we got this. Don't we?" Dumbledore slowly responded in trying to not get scared here as he turn to Bocolix in hoping they got this.

"Yes, we…just keep attacking and…" Bocolix slowly nods while looking concern, but maybe this beast can't make anymore and will fall if they continue, but….

"WILL YOU TWO FORGET THE HEAD SLICING THING," Twilight yelled out angrily at the Enforcers for trying to defeat the beast by chopping the head that's proving useless. "If you cut off one, it grows two to three, and how many did you try to cut from it?" From the stern princess, Dumbledore & Bocolix listen, but they and the others were unsure if they should even answer such a question when the answer…isn't good.

"Um….more than 50," Phobos slowly estimated a number of times they've done the chopping of heads, and if they grow two, three, four new heads, then they've made too many to deal with.

"Urrrugh…..it's no wonder it was sealed! Anypony that couldn't kill it by just getting the head and not the entire creature made their situation worst!" Twilight sighed to groan in seeing what's happened here, the Hydra will create more heads to attack any that managed to sever its neck, no wonder none could defeat it except by sealing this terrible beast away.

"So how can we stop this?" Nyx asked off in how they can stop something if chopping the neck is a no go.

"What about hitting all of it, the heads and the body, could that work Twilight?" Ben suggested an alternative attack plan, to harm the entire creature so that it can't recover, especially for more heads.

"To pull that off, we need a mountain to bring it down!" Twilight rolled her eyes in seeing that kinda plan needs to be very big to pull off.

"Then yew two use 'dis canyon, it's a mountain, right? So bring her down on 'dat thing!" Tough Apple shouted to point ahead for they are riding through a canyon mountain while trying to escape a monster behind them.

"Okay, Ben, help me out….if I could break a boulder by accident, then maybe I can help bring a mountain down with a good enough impact." Twilight sighed to see that this crazy plan is better than no plan and will need her love to help defend her to pull off such a stunt.

"Don't worry Twilight; no Hydra will make a meal of you, me, or our friends & family." Ben spoke to hold his sword; he won't let Twilight or those he care for be a meal.

Soon Ben and Twilight flew off and into the skies where the heads started to attack. Two Hydras collided against another, leaving them daze.

"That worked out pretty….Gaugh!" As Ben was about to respond, he and Twilight got attack by a head butt from one head that knock them off balance.

"Waaaughhh…" Soon the scene shows Twilight & Ben falling town into a jungle of Hydra Heads, and boy that would not look good for anyone. The beasts' multiple heads soon dive into its own nest to go after its new targets.

"Ben, I don't think we covered this as part of the plan! AAAAAAHHH…" Twilight was shouting and screaming from going through what might be some scary thrill ride through a few loops of the beast's neck line.

Coming near the end was another Hydra Head waiting to eat the two ponies. Course one other Hydra bite that one's neck by mistake which launched the two ponies off that side into the air-space of a Hydra jungle neck zone. From a few maneuvers, Twilight & Ben managed to watch for grasping tongues to avoid getting eaten to finally pop out of the jungle of Hydra heads outside where it was raining and came near the mountain side of the canyon.

"Gaugh…" Ben and Twilight grasp around the edges of the rocky gorge, just before falling down… "Powfruvhmmm…." Course the situation became worst off when the two ponies were within the grasp grip of the terrifying beastly foe.

"Hisisisss…." The large amount of Hydra Heads hiss in gathering around where they caught their prey with no chance of escaping.

"They're trapped!" Spike yelped in seeing what was happening to Twilight and Ben.

"Let's go! They need us!" Tough issued to the group, as he got his gun to prepare to fight now.

"Wait, what about their plan?" Bocolix held up his hooves to stop anyone from going, they haven't let Twilight & Ben's plan to bring a mountain down get done yet.

"Yeah, they said they know what to do!" Dumbledore nods in agreement, the group should at least wait until it was clear that the beast can't be a trouble to them.

"But they might not pull it off in time!" Nyx issued this to the Enforcers of the Hydra holding their friends as they all felt worry if the gang can make it through this at all.

"Bad day," Jade said to Tao in worry. The Hydra is about to finish Twilight and Ben off! "This is so not good! Tao! You've gotta help them! Rules or not, Twilight and Ben won't survive the attack for few seconds!"

"Even if I did use five elements, I would risk the lives of Twilight and Ben. It must be her and young Ben to overcome that battle." Tao explains to Jade grimly. It's up to Twilight and Ben to destroy that monster now.

----------

"Wow; this is the best gladiatorial combat I ever seen!" Hsi Wu cheers wildly. He loves seeing his enemies get mauled to death like this!

"By looking at the Hydra's hungry look on ponies, makes me hungry." Po Kong commented, licking her lips a bit.

Tchang Zu chuckles, "I admit it, Shendu. That is amazing."

"The end of ponies has come!" Dai Gui remarks in glee.

"It is pitiful to see our greatest enemy to fall before our pet." Xiao Fung comments in agreement at this.

"You have done well, Shendu. But it is pitiful to see Ben Mare to fall to its death." Bai Tza remarks with a slight chuckle.

"It doesn't matter. Our least concern is to weaken the Elements of Harmony and Equestria is completely defenseless." Tso Lan points out to the fellow siblings. "Or perhaps, this is my chance to convince Nightmare Moon to surrender."

"I am pleased of it, my brothers and sisters." Shendu remarks in glee as he watch the Hydra preparing for the final attack. "Do you know what is the most favorite part of the game; Sudden death."

The Demon Lords roars out at once, "Death to Ponies!"

-----------

As the fight is about to be drawn to a close, Tso Lan contacted Nyx through psychic. They both speak in minds as the Demon Lord order, 'If you truly want your family alive, you must surrender to me.'

'Who are you?! You're not the same voice who helps us banish the Demon Lords!' Nyx thought frantically, knowing that this voice isn't the one who helped him get rid of the Demon Lords before!

'No questions! Listen carefully, my child. If you want them live, surrender to me and be Nightmare Moon eternally. One word could save them from being devoured by Hydra.'

'Never! I won't become Nightmare Moon!'

Tso Lan chuckles as he continues, 'So be it. You'll regret the decision you had made, Nightmare Moon. Say goodbye to your false family. Death is upon them.'

'Nooooooooooo,' Nyx thoughts in horror as she watch the scene unfolds.

"Ruasssisisisihhh…" Soon all of the Hydra heads were rising up high into the stormy skies to prepare to attack all at once.

"Hugh…." Twilight & Ben gasped in seeing the beast will attack and almost kill them here.

At this moment, Twilight looked up to notice above was….a large edge of the mountain that flash from lightning behind it.

"Ben, hang on…this might be rough!" Twilight looked back from her love to the beast, knowing that this move has to work or they're finished.

"Considering our options, I'll go along." Ben issued in feeling that he'll take such chances then to give up here.

"RUUAARRRRUGHHH," Soon all of the Hydras were diving down at once to eat nothing left of the pony preys.

"NOVA PUNCH," Twilight shouted from using her magic to make a glowing supernova charge glow over her front hooves, and she was performing it on both. "Powwwfruvhmmm…." Twilight delivered a strong force impact from her front hooves directly into the bedrock of the mountain, like a supernova going off to impede around it. The force was cracking itself all the way up towards the top of the mountain above them.

"Gruuaarrughhh…" At the moment, the Hydra heads cease about to attack to notice with wide gaping eyes…what the princess has gone and done. This might be bad for them.

No sooner did an entire rubble from above create a mountain landslide of boulders falling towards where the struggle was. And the shock Hydras were caught off guard to get smack downwards, and even Ben & Twilight brace themselves for this. For soon a large amount of the mountain was raining down, burying the Hydra's body and trapping the heads under tons of heavy gravel until all of them were completely buried. From a flash of lightning, showed the Hydra's one claw rise up in a grip, to fall down on the ground, completely down and defeated.

Everyone else however was very shocked in seeing this feat be done. A large mountain landslide had fallen to bury the terrible beast from doing them harm, but what about those that were still endangered; Twilight Sparkle & Ben Mare. Where were they?

"Twilight…Ben…" Spike slowly spoke in fear of not believing this was even true now.

"Mommy…Daddy…" Nyx called out the names of her folks, they aren't…they couldn't be…

"They're….finished. Oh, what a world,” Phobos responded while groaning in agony over what's happened here.

"Darn good-fer-nothing serpent! If yew weren't dead, Ah mangle ya myself!" Tough Apple snapped off against the dead Hydra buried, he's lucky, but the tough stallion wish he beat the living day lights out of the creature for what it's done.

"Oh no, we know who won't like this news back home." Dumbledore yelped to look to Bocolix, when the news of Twilight dying in this place reaches home, a lot of folks won't be too happy to hear this.

"In more ways than one, we're dead meat if we show up with this to tell!" Bocolix nodded in agreement, if he and Dumbledore return to Safe Haven, they'll be as good as dead when Boris learns that they failed to keep Twilight safe & brought back alive.

"Aieeeyaaah; It can't be. This is not what I foreseen." Tao gasps frantically. Ben and Twilight appears to be gone forever!

"I told you! I really did. But what can you do?" Jade ask Tao in concern. "You couldn't break the Mystic Rules. We're forbidden to interfere and help mortal's affairs. We're only guiding them to seek the answers."

"No Jade. I should have helped them instead of waiting. This is my grievous mistake."

---------------------

Although the Hydra is dead, the Demon Lords appear to be celebrating. Po Kong brought out pots of greenish sludge, calling out, "Who wants Sludge Meat?! Come and get it!"

"Give me some!" Hsi Wu laughs as he took a pot. "Boy, not what we expect for, but worth it."

Dai Gui chuckled, "Victory is ours."

Xiao Fung chuckles in agreement, "Revenge is ours!"

"Today, Nightmare Moon joined our side, tomorrow, Equestria is ours to control, along with our allies!" Tchang Zu boasts madly. Nyx has to join the Demon Lord after having nothing left to stay good for, right?

"Indeed. I'm truly sorry to see your pet's death. It had served us well." Bai Tza said, expressing her condolences for Shendu's loss.

Shendu doesn't seem upset. Instead, he said, "It matters not, my dear sister. Sacrifice requires victory. Thus, it did."

"My brothers and sisters, today is an excellent day. The enemy had fallen before us. Victory is upon us! First, a toast! To our freedom and empire," Tso Lan exclaims as he held up a pot to make a toast.

The other Demon Lords follow as they all cheers out, "To our freedom and empire!" The Demon Lords ate their Sludge Meats; Looks like victory is theirs at last.

------------------

Jade however isn't about to take this sitting down. She pleads to Tao, "Tao! I know you can't break the rules. But if the Hydra eats the rest and the Demon Lords captured Nyx to make her Nightmare Moon, the future of Equestria will be over! Please, you've gotta help them!"

Tao nodded, saying in agreement, “I will, Jade. I cannot let their vain be nothing. If only I could have talk with Ben about his true origin, and so as Twilight about her brother. If they had, at least they would be pleased of it. But I must not let the enemy be victorious!"

"Go Tao!"

Tao made the cards appeared as he began to chant his spells. The cards continued to spin around him as they glowed in bright white light.

Suddenly at this time, a noise was heard from the grip claw of the fallen Hydra, this at first signals everyone's attention of what was happening now.

"Oh no…" Phobos yelped in seeing this act, not good, not good at all.

"It's still alive!" Spike responded in thinking the beast was not dead yet.

"Everypony, stay ready…." Tough instructed the group, the remaining ones can't let their friends sacrifices be wasted, they'll end this here and now to complete the journey to save the Apples' Farm, it's what Twilight & Ben wanted.

But soon an answer came that nobody ever thought they see if the Hydra was truly alive or not, from within the claw were creatures that pushed it open to reveal….Twilight & Ben. They've managed to push themselves free from within that beast's grip and survive the landslide. The Demon Lords watching from the Realm of Demons also saw the events in surprise.

At this moment, there was a large cheering from the rest of the gang for joy that their friends were safe. As Twilight step out with Ben helping her, the rain had soon stopped and the sun was shining down near their spot. The two gave a wave of saying 'hello' as if a ray of hope was lighting what these two have performed before getting surrounded by their travel friends in sheer joy & relief.

"Heh, you know Twilight, I gotta admit….that was pretty heroic." Ben spoke from almost feeling a bit drain, but felt happy that they gotten out of that jam in such a way…it was pretty cool how Twilight performed that.

"Ahah, a little something I whipped up,…in case Boris got any funny ideas." Twilight chuckled a bit in almost feeling bashful by what Ben said, since she developed that move for not only for defensive needs….but to smack an evil jerk if he should ever come between her again.

"Ouch, I hate to be in front of that one." Ben smiled to make a little joke in feeling terrible to get hit by Twilight's new technique, if it could crack a mountain, imagine how painful it be in the face…especially for any enemy.

"You did it Mommy! You and daddy did it!" Nyx came up to hug her parents in seeing that they've defeated the Hydra.

"Yeah, you won by a landslide!" Spike jumped up and down to celebrate the matter of their victory.

"Literally even and boy will that be hard to top when folks hear this tale!" Phobos spoke off to issue how lots of folks back home will find this hard to believe, Twilight Sparkle brought down a mountain to defeat the terrible Hydra at the End of Equestria.

Soon the pets were flying and running around the ponies that won in joy, making Twilight & Ben giggle at this little display of happiness.

"Phewwww, we didn't mess up after all." Bocolix sighed with relief in seeing that Twilight was okay and safe.

"Yeah, now let’s just keep this up and we won't be in trouble." Dumbledore nods in agreeing to his pal there, they were asked to make sure Twilight returns alive or face the angry wrath of Boris the Red Devil.

"Come on everypony, lets git outta here an' find a place 'ta rest an' recover our strength. Ah'm as hungry as a…." Tough Apple was issuing what they best be doing now, get moving and rest up somewhere and that he's hungry, like the beast they just beat.

"I think we get it Tough, and believe us, we don't want somepony as hungry as a Hydra." Twilight beat Tough to the punch in knowing what he was getting to, after that much effort, they all may feel tired and hungry about now.

"Especially when we just survived almost being eaten," Ben rhetorically stated how they all managed to survive a Hydra that wanted to eat them whole.

"Yep, me especially," Nyx nods with a cheery attitude while returning to her original child-like size.

"You especially Nyx, and I'm glad for it." Twilight playful mess her daughter's mane in knowing that what happened in the past with the Hydra eating Nyx before she got out in the weirdest of way, stays in the past of their memory.

The group smiled before they each were slowly turning about to return to the cart where Justin and Rabbitchu awaited them.

Jade cheers on excitedly, "They made it! They're alive! Yes! Woo-hoo! Go Twilight! Go Ben! They're the greatest! They're the best couple!"

"Yes! They did it. I'm glad that they're alive, so I can give them piece of my mind for scaring me!" Tao said in relief, making a point to snap at his friends for almost giving him a heart attack.

Jade smiled, saying, "I think they will, Tao. They will. So what are you going to do now?"

"Set a lunch for them. As for you, go back to the Mystic Realm and ask Dragon Kick and my apprentice, Mighty Heart of how the events of Ponyville and protection spell are going."

"No fair. I want to meet them in pony! They're my heroes, especially Nyx. She's the coolest heroine I ever heard of. I really want to meet them."

"You will, Jade, when this journey is over." Tao promises Jade gently.

-----------

"UNBELIEVABLE," Shendu roars as he smashes his pot and the others' own pots in fury before knocking the table over. "This is unacceptable! How could my pet and plan failed!"

Shendu blasted fire breathing up high and roared loudly. Demon Lords glared at their enemies, including Tso Lan. He mumbles to himself, "My dearest child, you should have surrender to me when your false family have died, either you're stubborn or a fool."

----------------------------------

During the fallen rubble of rocks over the sight where the group had managed to bury the Hydra, something seem to move. And from a tiny dark opening was a hole where one head was seen. But soon it opened its eyes out of the hole to spot one of the heroes closest while the others were getting their cart & MechBull ready to depart the area. "Hiissssiissshhh…" The only surviving Hydra-creature head glared and made a low hiss sound, there was no way it would die out without taking someone with it. "KAPOWVH…" Then without another moment, the nearby rubble of stones was shot off from where the rest still buried the defeated beast.

"Hugh?" Spike looked back to see that something off was happening.

"What the…?" Phobos asked off lost, just what was going on now while a dust cloud block their view.

"GRUAARRRRUGHHH-Aaahhhhhh," Suddenly, a surviving Hydra head lashed out its long neck from the rubble to attack...

"Twilight," Ben Mare shouted in seeing pass the dust cloud to see…his love in danger.

"Huugh," Twilight suddenly turn around while letting off a gasp at what was…coming from behind.

"GRARRRRGUHHH…" The Hydra head screeched out before almost about to have a tasty pony morsel.

"Shadow Grasp," A silent voice spoke off from afar with a commanding tone that sounded…thrustful.

Then the entire scene froze in a gray coloring, as it almost looked like the Hydra was about to eat Twilight…until the color return and something else began to unfold.

"Hisss...Eesisishh…Urraarrugh…" The Hydra head was acting strange, almost like it couldn't…breathe. "Gruuaarrugh…Arrugh…." It made some last moment resistant urges that even left the others watching this in confusion. "Klumpfrvuhmm…." Then the head dropped on the ground, the eyes shut from becoming unconscious; now the Hydra of the End of Equestria was truly down for the count; But how?

Twilight stared what almost seem like forever, what just happened that a survived Hydra head just….suddenly stops and drops in a lost to not support its weight to lift itself up. But when the new princess looked closely at the neck, a sign of it was being strangled, but it did not seem like anything was on the neck, as if by an invisible force…or was it? Closer examination by Twilight's careful eye spotted something a miss….and it was a shadow. There appeared to be a shadow line on the ground, touching the neck of the beast, and thus explains that what attacked the Hydra head was not invisible, but a shadow.

"This is….Shadow Magic. But how….?" While Twilight was baffled in seeing this form of magic, but question remain; who was the caster of such spells?

At the moment, Twilight's eyes saw from pass the dust cloud, where the shadow line was slowly withdrawing towards…its user. Of course, the user was well hidden behind some large shadows overshadowing the area, so the only thing Twilight could see was…some features. It was of a grown unicorn stallion, seems to be very well fit for the body, wore clothing, but the shadows covering over the darkness hid much, and even from the mask over…the eyes. Somehow, Twilight seeing those strange eyes that seem…blank, empty, yet…something about them click in her mind.

"Who…are you?" As Twilight was asking the stranger, he was slipping into the dark shadows to fade away. "Wait!" The girl cried out, as she came a bit closer to find…nothing. There was no pony but of a wall cover with much shadow, yet how was it there was no one here when Twilight was sure there was? Was this some bizarre form of magic?

"Twilight," Ben's voice snapped Twilight back into her reality of her situation. "Twilight, you okay?" Ben asked to approach his love with concern over the Hydra's sneak attack.

"Yes, I'm okay." Twilight slowly nods in assuring she's fine while the others gather around.

"Well golly, ye sure stop this beast fro' biting ya neck." Tough Apple spoke in noticing the fallen Hydra head that broke out of the rubble.

"It wasn't me…there was another pony hidden in the shadows!" Twilight shook her head with a serious expression in stating this job wasn't done by her, but by another.

"A pony in the shadows; Hugh, why does it feel like that happened during the party when we stopped Lorcan's invasion," Nyx responded off a bit pondered in wondering if something about hearing this rang a bell when there was some strange presence at a party they had for Spike when Lorcan was defeated.

"Was it a cannibal that could use magic?" Ben asked Twilight if the strange pony in question was another cannibal that they've seen since entering the End of Equestria wish the group must've missed.

"No, this one seemed different; I couldn't see much of him in the shadows but…" Twilight shook her head from knowing for a fact, that pony was no mere cannibal, he was…much more than even a random pony that got lost in the End of Equestria. "He single-handedly stopped that last Hydra head by strangling it into submission into an unconscious state…with Shadow Magic!" The girl explained out what she could recognize under that tiny moment, even by a small degree that it seem unlike, no mistake in what 'type' of magic she saw being performed.

"Shadow Magic; What's that?" Phobos asked off in not even knowing what kinda weird magic that is connecting it more towards something involving shadows.

"A very strange magic that entails the manipulation of shadows from both the user & others as a weapon arsenal along with techniques, that one would have to be very intelligent to pull off such stunts." Twilight explained that the very basic of Shadow Magic involves controlling shadows to manipulate their form, even from objects around to living creatures. "For such use of magic, one can even blend in with a shadow, travel by shadow and sneak up to anypony with such a silent approach, you never knew that they were there at all." The girl explained the very context of how such magic works for those that can be so sneaky, you never know where it'll come from.

"Wooh, sounds pretty cool, and pretty scary when you say it like that Twilight." Spike responded in almost being dumbstruck to know this, and at the same time, feel a little worry about such magic existing.

"Yah, 'dat sounds like some freaky stuff fer an enemy 'ta pull on us." Tough Apple nods in issuing how such an unnatural type of magic might be something a serious foe would try to pull on them from out of nowhere.

"But then who would help save Twilight? There shouldn't be any pony else besides the former cannibals, so who would this new guy be?" Ben Mare questioned this concerning fact, who would save Twilight if the enemy knew her journey was to save the Apple's Farm, and with the cannibals now cure of being insane, were there actually any other residences here in the End of Equestria that they don't know of?

"How about we just save this chat for later, cause unless that Hydra thing is dead, it could break free and try to kill us?" Phobos interrupted this moment to say they best save the chat later cause if they don't, the fallen Hydra may wake to have a sneak attack…namely on the gang.

"Okay, we're all in agreement, what's important is that no pony, and Twilight especially, is hurt." Ben nods in feeling that as long as they are all okay; they can chat about such a subject later. "Hugh, let’s just hope we'll make it through to rest somewhere safe before continuing our journey." He sighs to see that after getting by another day's worth of traveling in the End of Equestria, to now surviving a terrible Hydra issue; they may all be tired out & in need of rest.

"Great idea daddy; let's hurry up to the cart!" Nyx nods with a smile in agreeing with her father.

As they were leaving the scene of the rubble and loose Hydra head, Twilight seemed to not pick up enough pace to keep up with the others. Her mind was too focus on that new pony that helped her out, just seeing him caused a weird…emotion, like she knows him, but yet doesn't…which is it?

"Twilight…you okay?" Ben's voice broke Twilight's daydream moment to return to reality here.

"I can't help but feel something strange about that mask pony in shadow….like I've known him from somewhere. But where," Twilight responded to Ben with her mind very distracted over what happened, she doesn't know who saved her, but why does she feel like she knows the stallion, her brain being the logical part says she has no memory of the character, so why?

Ben could see Twilight was very distracted with concern worries, but then an idea came to him that made him smile; he knows how to fix the mood.

"Well so long as it's not Boris trying to be dashing for you to fall for a mask ploy just to get you to fall in love with him, I'll be fine then." Ben responded off with a kidder smile to tap Twilight's shoulder in issuing that his love better hope the savior isn't the jerk they know, or Twilight will feel almost like she's fallen for the wrong pony.

"Oh you," Twilight smirked to look back at what Ben was pulling to deliver a more hoof punch on Ben's shoulder to which he didn't mind to much. "I wouldn't fall for Boris even if he wore a nice getup disguise; I could tell by his eyes and yours…which of them is the pony that I love," The girl issued to her love about knowing there was one pony she love, and it wasn't from the school bully jerk the two know.

"That's all I wanted to hear." Ben smiled in seeing the Twilight he knows and loves get out of her stump state.

"And you were making such a comment, why…" Twilight raised an eyebrow in pondering why Ben even tried such a strange tactic on her.

"Just as Flash Sentry pulled one over me to get me to see pass my doubtful mistakes, I had to snap you back." Ben explained that this was a tactic maneuver his Pal Flash Sentry once used on him to overcome his troubles which include to get under a pony's skin, "That, and I just wanted to mess with you." Ben made a sly smile before turning away for a moment to walk off after saying this with a playful tone.

"Ohho, so that's it? Well get ready, cause I'll show you something just as scary as a Hydra!" Twilight made a sarcastic comment in staring at Ben with a 'Oh yeah' challenge expression along with a 'We'll see about that' face in what she'll show this pony to kid around with her, a princess on a journey.

"I better be protective then!" Ben made a quoted comment while he looked back to continue to feel cocky.

"Oh you better be!" Twilight made a sly smile in feeling she'll get Ben back for this little playful stunt, she'll play some funny joke on him next.

"Hay lovy-dubbes; Get yer flanks in gear!" Tough Apple called back to the two lover ponies trying to snatch each other with their hidden words of emotion, the rest are ready to go here.

"Mwurrarurghhh," Justin the MechBull made a loud call out while Rabbitchu sat on it's back, resting, but the machines & everyone were set and ready to go.

Soon Twilight & Ben join the others in the cart before their MechBull was pulling the cart on a more easy going, especially since nothing was chasing them now. But once the gang was away, a sudden large boulder rock fell on the last Hydra head, burring it completely. We see a strange shadowy large finger claw that was grasping lots of large boulders to drop them around the buried Hydra body. Once that was over, the shadow claw was shrinking back down before disappearing within a shadow…of its user revealed to be: The Equestrian Eliminator.

"From the Shadow Claw's use to lift & grab heavy objects like paperweights to drop them around here, now this beast will stay put." The Equestrian Eliminator issued of what move he used that will 'keep' the Hydra from ever escaping again to wreak havoc on anyone that comes here, just as he stared at where the others went. "You were lucky that I was ordered to watch your progress, as for saving your life, you may lose it further ahead; Twilight Sparkle." This guy was issuing that 'he' somehow helped save Twilight, but from the sounds, he just did it as a 'whim' moment to watch how far the new princess can last surviving this backyard of Tartarus. "For unless you escape soon, more tougher creatures will appear, and the question will remain…can you defeat them while accomplishing your objective?" Number 13 was truly puzzled in how far Twilight & her party would step further into danger growing worst by the moment, and if they don't leave soon, their lives will be over. "I guess we'll have to watch such progress from the shadows to learn it." With that last stuff said, this pony begins to sink into the shadows below before vanishing from sight.

Of course, his presence didn't go unknown: Tao spots him vanishing, causing the old pony to speak out, "Starlight. So, he had come as I expected."

"Wait, Twilight's younger brother? He saved her. I guess he remember everything." Jade said in amazement.

"No Jade. He has not. He is still observing and learning his sister's ways."

"Can't you talk with him or something? He can't serve that no good elf!"

"I could. But only he must do it. Starlight must leave Grimmore and helped his sister for the greater good or darkness triumph." Tao explains seriously to Jade of what the Equestrian Eliminator AKA possibly Starlight must do on his own. "If he truly wishes to learn his true origin, I'm honored to tell him."

"Why do we have to keep secrets? It's like hurting them!" Jade complains to Tao. The more we wait, the more problems coming to us! Like what you did for Ben."

"There isn't a way to remove the curse on him from my foe. My small and pure light is the only way to save him by his true love. I believe his true mother and father would think of that too."

"So unfair."

Everything that's happening will just keep pushing Twilight Sparkle further to step up her game and Number 13 is watching of how far such a progress can go. For now Twilight has obtain a small handful of ingredients, but there is still much more to overcome, it's more than anything…the traveling pony party is about halfway through the End of Equestria. What other horrors still lie in wait for them….is a mystery.

----------------------------

"Although my most powerful pet is dead, I have yet begun the fight." Shendu explains to his fellow Demons calmly. "When I meet Ben Mare, I shall tear him apart."

"It does not matter. Since you had lost your pet, who shall be the one to take care of these fools, unless you had knowledge of getting rid of them?" Tso Lan ask Shendu who didn't speak to give out an idea.

Tchang Zu soon spoke up, "I have."

Hsi Wu rolls his eyes as he remarks sarcastically, "So, let me guess. Start a fight with ponies? That's what you and Dai Gui good at." Tchang Zu glared at Hsi Wu who gave an uneasy smile and chuckle, "Carry out, Tchang Zu."

"Why must I fight when I can weaken them?"

"How are you going to do that?" Po Kong ask Hsi Wu suspiciously.

"Let the heroes fight among each other." Tchang Zu explains calmly to the fellow Demons.

Xiao Fung skeptically remarks, "I doubt that would work on them."

"Not them themselves; The Grundles. They will do anything to protect their home, and even at the cost of their lives."

"They have been extinct since the invasion of those worthless witches and Smoozes and disappeared since the arrival of Discord." Bai Tza said in bewilderment. "How is it possible that they're still alive?"

"Where will you find them?" Dai Gui ask Tchang Zu. How is it that his fellow Demon knows where the Grundles were all these years?

Tchang Zu smirked as he explains, "The goblin found them few months ago. This is where my plan unfolds."

"Do it, Tchang Zu." Tso Lan orders Tchang Zu sternly. Tchang Zu opened the portal to the goblin who is waiting for his master.

"Goblin, have you heard 'Grundles'?" Tchang Zu ask. The goblin nodded his head. "Good. Here's what I want you to do before you go and seek them."

Tchang Zu smirked evilly. This is going to be a good plan indeed...

Chapter 6: Down in the Underground

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Chapter 6: Down in the Underground

Twilight and her family have managed to escape from the death by Hydra before resting a bit. Once the gang recovers a bit, they continued to travel to reach Heavy Drop. Hopefully, the heroes can make it without any more trouble.

Spike heard his tummy growling, chuckling sheepishly as he said, "Boy. I'm really hungry."

Phobos nods as he remarks, "Me too."

"Don't forget about me." Tough groaned a bit. The food supplies in Justin are about to run out soon.

Bocolix and Dumbledore both whine and complain like mad, "We're dying! Need more food!"

"Easy to say than done," Twilight sighs a bit. They almost used up whatever food that the gang has for this journey so far. At this rate, Twilight and her group may not make it back to Ponyville.

Ben nods, saying, "First thing, guys, we need to find some fresh foods. That would be very difficult for us to find."

"Yeah, no kidding; It would be easy if the food come to us." Nyx groans a bit, feeling hungry.

Suddenly Nyx's wish came true in an unsuspecting way. Koga then smelled something familiar and good, followed by Owlowiscious. They both make noises. Everyone turned to the pets. Spike puzzled ask, "What's with them?"

Phobos then smelled the food. He licks his mouth as he imagines something. The Moon Dragon says eagerly, "I know one thing: food!"

Spike, Tough, Bocolix and Dumbledore all gasps at the same time, "Really; Where?"

"In the middle of the End of Equestria, that is unacceptable and crazy!" Twilight protests to Phobos in shock and disbelief. How can there be food right here?

"Still, it might lead us to them." Ben said, pointing out to Twilight. "Besides, Twiley, we can't go on with empty stomachs." Twilight's stomach growls a bit. Well, her love is right. She needs food and fast.

Nyx smiles as she motions to the pets and Moon Dragon, saying, "Lead the way, Koga, Owlowiscious and Phobos."

The three pets head off while Twilight and her family followed them from behind. They continued to passed through the forest. The gang then arrived at a campsite where plates have been set up on a table while the food is on the middle of a campfire, along with soup in a cauldron. They were amazed, shocked and surprised to see food in this area.

Spike, Phobos, Tough, Bocolix and Dumbledore all yells out the same thing excitedly, "FOOD!"

The five are about to pounce when Twilight use her magic to stop them. The alicorn princess exclaims, "Wait, guys! We can't simply take them."

"Why not," The Dragons protest with pouty looks on their faces. They're hungry!

"These belong to somepony. It could be pony number three." Ben said thoughtfully. If this food is lay out, someone else must be here as well.

"Question is who and what he looks like." Nyx said thoughtfully. Maybe if she and the others are nice, they can convince the one who lives at this campsite to share his or her own food.

"The pony whose is waiting for you all to come and have lunch since the day we meet at Lake of Eternal," A familiar voice spoke up. Everyone gasped, ranged from being startled, scared and fear. They turned and saw Tao who is carrying a basket of vegetables. The old pony smiled. "Hello."

Everyone except Bocolix and Dumbledore exclaims, "Tao!"

Bocolix and Dumbledore instead calls out, "Old Earth Pony freak!"

They looked at each other for knowing him. Everyone asks at the same time, "You know him?!"

Tao chuckles a bit as he speaks, "Twilight and her family, I'm glad to meet you here. I did not expect to meet the goofy thieves."

"Thieves," Spike ask in realization, glaring at the goofy ponies.

"I knew it! They can never be trusted!" Phobos growls at the goofy alicorns who yelp in alarm from his look.

"What did Bocolix and Dumbledore stole from?" Nyx ask Tao puzzled, wondering what is it that Bocolix and Dumbledore stole from, even if those two don't seem to realize it.

"They stole my food." Tao explains to the group calmly.

"We did?" Bocolix and Dumbledore ask in confusion. Tao glared at the stooges as if saying 'please play along'. "I mean, yes, we did before meeting you guys."

"We were so hungry. We didn't mean to hurt him a lot." Bocolix said, playing along with the story of sorts.

"So, we had no choice but to steal his food. But he beat us to down. That is one tough pony. We promise him that we won't steal from him again!" Dumbledore admits sheepishly to his new 'friends'.

"And why should I listen to you two?!" Phobos growls in suspicion to Bocolix and Dumbledore.

"Yeah, that is not very nice of you do to Tao!" Spike scolds the two nitwits a bit.

"It's okay because I see some goodness in you two, Bocolix and Dumbledore." Tao suddenly spoke up, much to the surprise of the others.

"Seriously," Everyone else ask in surprise and disbelief. These two guys got goodness in them?

"Come, my friends. All of you look so hungry and thirsty. I have set everything up just for you."

"Yew know; Yer're weird fer an old pony 'ta know everything." Tough Apple spoke to Tao with a slight chuckle.

"You mean you predict our arrival and our hunger just before our arrival? That's amazing." Twilight said with a thoughtful look on her face. "I thought only Pinkie is good at this."

"A good explorer like me always be prepare to make a meal for good or bad guests, as long they have manners and respects." Tao explains to Twilight's group with a smile on her face, saying that as long as the guest has manners and respects, he is always welcomed to serve them regardless of background.

"Thanks, Tao." Ben said with a smile.

"For an Earth Pony, you did amazing and magical things." Nyx remarks with a smile.

Bocolix and Dumbledore gulp, recalling the Earth pony's threat from earlier. Bocolix mumbles to his colleague, "As long he doesn't use bad magic on us."

Dumbledore nods as he said, "Yeah; that is freaky."

They heard a loud rumbling noise. Most of everyone all turned to Spike who smiled embarrassingly. He said, "Boy, going through the 'End of Equestria' sure makes me very hungry."

Phobos laughs a bit, "No kidding."

Tao smiled as he motions to the food, insisting, "Come, I've set every foods here, not to mention my favorite food: mum-bean sandwich."

"What's mum-bean?" Spike asks a bit puzzled by the 'mum-bean sandwich'.

Phobos shrugged as he remarks, "Who cares?! I'm starving!"

Twilight and her friends had good lunch with Tao. They also explain what happened from going to the Hydra and battling it. Tao pretends to be shocked and almost dropping his meal. Although he has seen the battle, the old pony kept up his act.

"Huh; you mean you entered Hydra's lair to get across Heavy Drop?! You fought it! Then, you create catastrophe by cutting too many heads! And you got yourselves slammed by boulders to kill Hydra?!" Tao ask repeatedly, feeling like losing his cool at any given moment.

Everyone responded, "Yes?"

Tao scream, "Aieeeyaaah!"

Everyone looked worried of what Tao is screaming about. Ben ask Tao, "What's wrong?" Tao hit on Ben's head and others' with his hoof, causing them all to yelp in pain.

"What is wrong?! You gave old pony heart attack! Do you want to give me that?!" Tao scolds the ponies. Everyone shook their head. "Then, don't do that! It appears that you had gone the wrong way."

"Wrong way; But the map says go to left and says a short-cut to Heavy Drops." Nyx protests to Tao in worry.

"It said that? But did it give you warning?" Tao ask the group in bewilderment. Everyone shook their heads. "Let me see this map of yours." Twilight gave Tao the map. Tao took his map out as he compared both carefully and slowly. The old pony frowns as he snaps, "Aieyah. Your map is wrong."

"What do you mean?" Twilight ask Tao puzzled and in concern.

"Take a closer look at mine and yours."

Twilight and her friends look closely at both of his and their map. They gasped in shock upon seeing the differences.

"So the right road is actually the safest even though it's the longest." Twilight said in shock and disbelief. "The left road we took for the short-cut to Heavy Drop, we have to get across the Hydra's lair?! We'd really go the wrong way."

"So somepony or somebody did rewrote and redrew our map." Spike said with a frown on his face.

"But the question is who?" Phobos asks while scratching his head puzzled. Bocolix and Dumbledore shrugged.

"And why?" Ben asks in concern. Someone obviously led the group into a trap in a mad attempt to destroy them but who it could be?

Tao answers the question, "An enemy of yours refuse to let you live, for you had defeated and humiliated them. And there is more, what you had stolen from them; they shall bring death upon you by means of necessary."

Nyx gulped, "Demon Lords?"

"Ah guess 'dat Hydra is one o' their pets. It looks like we really made them very angry." Tough groaned a bit; Great; First Mehtios, then the Swarm, now the Hydra. How many pets do the Demon Lords has?

"Not only that. You had made me very angry." Tao snaps to the ponies and Dragons angrily, though he is pretending to. "You had wasted time in fighting it. It should be easy for you. You might have spare time to get the ingredients."

"Easy?! We've been running our live from giant many headed snakes that is going to eat us!" Phobos protests to Tao in annoyance. The group has to fight a lot of heads of a monster trying to eat them!

"Phobos's right. We would have been eaten alive, if not for Twilight and Ben's attacking on mountain edge." Spike said in agreement, while recalling how Twilight and Ben were able to destroy the Hydra.

"Aieeeyaaah," Tao yelped, slapping his forehead in disbelief. "That is still foolish! You should have killed it in quick swift."

Bocolix and Dumbledore both yells out in confusion, "HOW?!"

"We keep cutting its heads off and the next, out popped three heads!" Bocolix protests to Tao in stupidity.

Dumbledore nods as he adds, "We'll be dead if we do that!"

"When there's a hard way, there's always an easy way: destroy it with its weakness." Tao explains to the group, getting their attention. There is another way of destroying the Hydra?!

"It has a weakness?" Tough ask Tao in surprise.

"Yes, of course the serpent beast has its weakness. Cut his head off, used fire and burned on its neck. So, it can cease its regenerating more heads out."

"Fire," Everyone else shouts out in disbelief. Why didn't they found that out before? The heroes would've been spared the madness all that time!

"Yes. How do you think Hydras went extinct? In ancient times, the Princess Celestia's champions had managed to defeat the serpent beasts due to its one empty head accidentally touching the fire." Tao explains to Twilight's group while rolling his eyes. "Thus, the extinction of beasts had fallen. Everypony should know of that!"

Ben chuckled, "Funny story. Not everypony knows that because we kinda didn't notice of that or any books that has the information."

"Well, that explained why Hydras are the rarest beasts in Equestria. They all hate fire." Twilight said in amazement. At least there aren't much of those creatures around here anymore, right?

Tao sighed, "Aieyah. Ponies these days are always not prepared for the upcoming and unexpected events."

"Well, I'm glad that we have overcome the Hydra. I just hope that they don't get Nyx and Ben."

Nyx speaks in her mind, getting scared while doing so 'Could a Demon Lord be the one trying to get me surrender when mommy and daddy are trapped by the Hydra? Maybe I should have surrendered to save my family.'

Phobos notices a scared look on Nyx's face. He asks in worry, "Nyx, what's wrong?"

Nyx smiled uneasily, saying while trying to cover up her emotion, "Nothing."

Tao however suspects something's wrong otherwise. He spoke seriously, "There is something disturbing you Beauty of Night's Hope. Is it because of the voice, the dark voice, telling you to do something painful, suffering and feared of losing something important?" Everyone became worried about Nyx. The filly sighs, perhaps now is not the time to cover it up.

Nyx nods as she answers, "Yes. When mommy and daddy got trapped by the Hydra, the voice, but not the one who helped us to banishing the Demon Lords, asked me to surrender to save them. I thought that is a Demon Lord. I didn't want to become Nightmare Moon, so I denied it. Because of that, I nearly had lost my family. Maybe I should have surrender to them, so that my family will be safe from any more suffering."

Twilight gently spoke to her daughter, "Nyx, it's not your fault. It's our decision to fight the Hydra."

Ben agrees as he adds, "Besides, if you surrender to whoever it was, wouldn't that make us more upset and suffering?" Well, even Nyx has to admit, the ones she loves and cares for would suffer more had the filly surrendered.

"C'mon, Nyx; don't blame yourself." Spike insists as he pats Nyx on the back. "That dark voice is trying to trick you to surrender before he could let the Hydra finish us up."

Phobos remarks, "Yeah, Nyx. You're making a bad decision if that happens."

Nyx sobbed, "I don't know what to do. I don't want my family to be suffering. Somehow, I wish that I was never born on that very day." The others look sad and worried upon hearing that comment.

"Do not speak grimly, child. There is hope, Nyx. A warrior who fought for love and care of her family, must never give in to darkness." Tao explains. Nyx was shocked as he continues, "You may not realize it, but your light was created and given by your family. A family who raised you as a part of it, should never want you to lose your freedom and light for the pure darkness of rage you once were, given up all you had, and became something different. Should you ever think that way, loss will be upon you, and the effort of those who care for you will become in vain."

"What 'de heck is 'dat supposed 'ta mean?" Tough ask Tao confused, not sure what the old pony is talking about.

Spike and Phobos insists, "In English, please."

Twilight nuzzles Nyx, explain, "It means that Nyx should never give in to the darkness because she had her freewill to be herself, not others who wanted her to be. And also we, as her family, raised her to have both freedom and life, not slavery. That's what I want for her."

Ben nuzzles Nyx, saying gently, "Your mommy's right, Nyx. I know it's hard for you to see us falling and meeting our doom. But we don't you to give up your freedom for us. You must not give in to the darkness. That is our important gift, Nyx. You mustn't give that up. Fight for what is right, no matter how dangerous it can be."

Nyx sniffs a bit, asking hopefully, "You mean it?"

Ben and Twilight smiles as they say at once, "Yes, Nyx. It's what we want for you to do." Nyx sniffs, got rid the rest of her tears with one hoof.

"I'm sorry for being doubtful."

Ben, Twilight and Nyx hug together; Tough sob and cries, and even Dumbledore and Bocolix. Spike and Phobos sighed of happiness and reliefs. Tao smiled as he said, "I'm glad you learn your lesson, child. But remember this, Nyx, whatever challenges await you, never give in to darkness; For you must be the one to make decisions, with or without your parents' guidance. It is time to awaken your light from deep within your heart."

"What do you mean about that?" Nyx ask Tao puzzled.

Phobos groans, "I have no idea. Besides, I hate riddles."

"I think he means that Nyx have to be the one to make decisions without us." Ben explains to the others. He and Twilight won't always be around to help Nyx in making her decisions. She must do so on her own.

"Me? Alone?" Nyx squeaks a bit in fright and worry.

"It may be difficult to be alone. Remember of what I had said to your family. For your father: Never let doubts clouded your mind, let your mind and heart be ones to guide you to seek and fight for your rights. For your mother: Let no obstacles and darkness halt you, and let your light and benevolent guide you home." Tao said, explaining the advice that he gave to Ben and Twilight before. "But for you is utmost important, never give in to darkness, let your pure light guide and fight for what are your rights and loves. There will be no turning back."

"I guess I'll try."

"I know you will." Twilight said with a smile to her adopted daughter.

"And remember, our heart will be there for you." Ben said to Nyx with a smile on his face.

"Hey, where did the old pony go," Dumbledore yelps all of the sudden. Everyone looked around and saw that Tao is not with them again.

"What just happened? He was here for an hour ago, and the next he's gone." Bocolix said in confusion.

Phobos groaned, "Here we go again."

"This guy is getting on my nerve, now." Spike remarks in annoyance. Can't this guy even stay in one place for too long without disappearing on the gang?

"C'mon, guys." Nyx assures the others with a smile. "Don't be like that, I'm sure that-"

Suddenly a voice spoke up, interrupting Nyx, "Seek the disturbance of misunderstanding, be friendly to extinction."

"What?"

"Seek the disturbance of misunderstanding, be friendly to extinction."

"Okay, that is weird." Nyx said puzzled.

Twilight and Ben both ask Nyx, "What is it?"

"I'm starting to hear the same voice, the friendly one."

"What is it this time?" Twilight ask Nyx hopefully. Every time that friendly voice is heard, it always give out useful advice to them all.

"He said 'Seek the disturbance of misunderstanding, be friendly to extinction.'" Nyx explains to her parents. What could the voice meant this time?

"Disturbance of misunderstanding?"

"Friendly to extinction; Oh boy, that's a difficult riddle to solve." Ben said in concern. That riddle must be tough to crack...but it must have something to do with Heavy Drop. So far, the first two riddles reply to fighting Hsi Wu as well as Somanmbula!

"Whatever it is, we have to be very careful and aware of something that is related to the riddle." Twilight said in concern. The riddle has something to do with Heavy Drop in some way.

"Ah'd really wish an' want 'ta know why he's keeping disappearing like a spirit." Tough growled a bit. That Tao keep disappearing so much, it's not funny anymore! "Not to mention who is 'dat voice we keep hearing?"

"Come on, Tough. Tao can be a strange pony, but he's right on one thing. We're running out of time."

The group didn't waste time. They eat as best as they themselves could. Once the heroes are done eating, they took what's left for later and head off. Tao saw Twilight and her Friends heads off to Heavy Drop.

"Have you come to see me?" Tao spoke suddenly. He didn't turn around while speaking to the Equestrian Eliminator, who was hiding and watching the whole time since before the incident with the former cannibals.

The Equestrian Eliminator glares at Tao, asking, "You knew I was there, didn't you?"

"Do you still wish to seek answer from me? Or did your master order you to kill me?"

"Neither. But what I want to know is who are you and why are you helping them."

Tao smiles as he simply say, "I am their Mystic Guardian. I guide those who seeks peace and justice to the freedom of ponies. What about you? What is your true role?"

"My job is to observe them, that's all. That is none of your concern, hermit!" The Equestrian Eliminator snaps to Tao in annoyance.

"Starlight; you must leave Grimmore and help your sister. I will tell you you’re true origin; for if you do not, death will be upon you; for you brought more suffering to her, should she see you die."

"I told you before, hermit. My name is the Equestrian Eliminator, not Starlight. Twilight is not my sister."

"I would not force you if you denied your true self. But should you see how much Twilight loved her family, it shall awaken your true self." Tao explains to the Equestrian Eliminator. "For you will and must accept it."

"If it did not," The Equestrian Eliminator ask sTao suspiciously.

"Then, learn and observe of your true family, Starlight. Farewell. I must keep an eye on them."

Tao disappeared in the puff of smoke. The Equestrian Eliminator frowns, saying, " That hermit seems to know everything about me. If that is true, why can't I remember all of my past and Twilight, but her brother's name? It's so familiar to me, yet I still cannot remember. What and why did you do to me, Grimmore?! I don't know what are you up to, but clearly, you're keeping secrets from me. But I'll find the truth somehow and someday. But for now, I shall watch Twilight go."

---------------

Pinkamena was sitting on her flank, thinking. Then she spoke up to her brother, "It seems like the gang are having help by others and a long lost brother of Twilight."

Golden Heart, surprised, spoke up, "That can't be, Starlight was dead."

"But the body was not found but for now we just have to wait, ok?"

"Ok."

---------------------

It didn't take the group long to find a cave in a middle of a mountain. The gang got off of Justin and looks at it.

"Looks like your run of the mill cave to me." Spike said in concern.

"Yes, but appearances can be deceiving." Twilight reminds Spike as the group, minus Justin and Rabbitchu, came into the place. "Now if the list is right, hopefully, the Golden Night of the End's Center should be at the bottom of Heavy Drop somewhere about 50 feet."

"50 feet," Tough yelped a bit. "Dang, 'dat's like in 'de center o' our planet!"

"Still, we just need to go down a lot of levels and hopefully dodge the creatures in here." Ben said while looking around. "And we need to keep an eye out. So far, the Demon Lords are trying to keep hitting us wherever we go to so far."

"Right, knowing them, those guys may try to get us here as well." Twilight said in agreement.

The group knew that they need to be careful so they trot/step carefully through the cave. There appears to be a pit heading down. Using magic, hooves and wings, the group came down closely.

"This reminds me of the Diamond Dogs' caves...minus the diamonds and those smelly mutts." Spike chuckles a bit, noting how Heavy Drop looks similar to the caves own by the Diamond Dogs.

"At least we won't be dealing with them." Phobos remarked.

"These caves were said to once be mined for a golden whetstone, which can sharpen any material in the world and makes golden dust." Twilight explains. She notices Bocolix and Dumbledore lagging behind. "Guys, you don't have to lag behind."

"Right; come on, right alongside us." Nyx said to the two Alicorns happily, unaware that she is being helpful to the minions of one of her enemies.

Bocolix and Dumbledore look surprised and a bit touched. In the past, these ponies and such wouldn't give them the time of the day (or any kindness at all). Now, they acted like friends. The two Alicorns flew up to catch up with them.

As the group heads on, Bocolix whispers to Dumbledore, "They're treating us nicer than the boss ever did...and it doesn't look like Twilight under a spell," Indeed, it looks like Twilight isn't under a love spell that forced her to be with Ben.

"Yeah...try scanning her." Dumbledore suggests to Bocolix. The latter nods as he uses a scanning spell on Twilight without her and anyone noticing. Bocolix looks confused as he saw something...something right.

"What the; I’m getting no traces of a love spell...." Bocolix said to Dumbledore in bewilderment. Could it be that Twilight wasn't under a love spell at all; Could Boris been wrong and Twilight truly love Ben?!

"Maybe Twilight truly loves Ben." Dumbledore said thoughtfully. Perhaps he should let Boris knows about this once this is over.

Suddenly, screeching noises are heard as bats flew down at the group. Tough screamed out, "Whoa, nelly; Bats!"

Koga growls and jumps at a bat that flew too close. Owlowiscious flew around, causing the bats to hit each other and into the map. Ben calls out, "Guys, defend yourselves. These bats mean a bit of trouble!"

The group defend themselves as best as they can, hitting and knocking them unconscious. Of course, there appears to be too many to fight.

Twilight and Ben, combining their magic, pull off a magical feat of magic sparkles that impresses the bats enough to, put it mildly, make a VERY good distraction. Twilight comment, "One of these days, I'll have to remember to thank Trixie for teaching me the value of showponyship under the right circumstances."

"Let's hope these bats agree with ya!" Phobos exclaims as the group quickly make their escape down a shaft going further into the caves of Heavy Drop.

The group rush down the shafts and through the bats, fighting more bats as well as slug like creatures in the way. They arrive at a part with water that has pirahna fishes jumping in and out of the water.

"Cave fishes, 'de worst!" Tough groaned a bit. He notices how wide the gap is between where they are and to the other side of the water. "How are we 'ta git by 'dis?"

"Hey, Nyx, wanna play a game of leapfrog?" Ben asks Nyx with a grin.

"Yeah; let's do it, Daddy!" Nyx exclaimed eagerly.

"Watch and learn!" Ben exclaims. He flew up and hit a piranha fish hard, sending it back into the water. The Earth pony hops off each fish that jumps out, getting to the other side. "Okay! You guys try it!"

"Whee!" Nyx cheered as she jumped across to the other side while hopping off each jumping piranha fish, flapping her wings as she does so.

"Spike, Phobos, Koga, get on my back!" Twilight orders as Spike, Phobos and Koga got on her back. The mare uses her magic to lift Tough. As Owlowiscious follows, Twilight jumps up and hops on the piranha fishes each, "Yahoo! It's like pogo jumping!"

"Yeehaw! Hey, Bocolix, Dumbledore, join us!" Tough call out to the two Alicorns eagerly.

"Well, come on, time waits for no pony!" Bocolix exclaims as he jumps from one fish to the fish to get to the other side.

"The others back home would never believe this!" Dumbledore laughs as he jumps from fish to fish to join the others on the other side as well. That was fun!

----------

In Ponyville, Princess Celestia and Luna came to check on the process of Ponyville. They saw all the ponies doing their best not to fall to their hunger. Despite their efforts, they feel very hungry. They all looked upset and disappointed.

The two Princesses sigh of it, Ponyville won't hold out for long. Suddenly, they heard whistles and turned to see a light blue pony with a short spiky black maned and tail, and his Cutie Mark is a red dragon's head symbol in a red circle.

They both gasped of it. The two Princesses looked around to make sure that no one is seeing them. Princess Celestia and Luna approach the light blue pony. Three of them went to the back of Ponyville's houses to avoid having their privacy invaded.

Once it's safe to talk, Celestia spoke to the newcomer, "Dragon Kick, what are you doing here?"

The pony known as Dragon Kick speaks, "My uncle, Tao, asked me to check on Ponyville's status. So, how's everything here?"

Luna sighs, explaining, "Despite the effort of citizens of Ponyville doing their best to withstand their hunger till night time, I fear that some may not hold it longer. They cannot resist the food for too long."

"I'm truly glad to have all members of the Apple Family from across the land come and assist Applejack and Ponyville with some of their supplies." Celestia said with a nod. "But I fear that might not be enough to suffice for them."

Dragon Kick sigh, "This is very bad."

"How is Twilight and her family? Did they make their progress well?" Luna asks hopefully, wanting to know the progress of Twilight and her family's progress.

Dragon Kick nod, "Yes. According to my uncle, Twilight and her family had managed to obtain four ingredients."

"Thank goodness. Thank you, Dragon Kick. But I was wondering. I always had faith that Twilight Sparkle and her family can overcome the problem and tests. Will the Mystic Council be convinced to help us in the future?" Celestia ask Dragon Kick in concern.

Dragon Kick sighs, "I don't know."

"We know your uncle had always helped us, but we fear, alone, he may not be able to overcome the obstacles." Luna said, fearing that even Tao may not be able to overcome the obstacles. "We need everypony to overcome our enemies if what your uncle and them said is true."

"I don't know. The Mystic Council is very strict. Only they decide the fates and decisions." Dragon Kick explains to the Royal Sisters, knowing that it won't be easy to get help from the Mystic Council. "It takes time. So you have to wait. I'm sorry."

"Very well; tell them that if they choose to keep hiding, there will be no hope for not only Equestria, but the Mystic Realm." Celestia said seriously. Unless the Mystic Councils set aside their rules for once, there won't be a future for all of Equestria. "Your uncle and all of us know that the enemy may try to obtain the powers of Mystic. We cannot let that happen."

"I understand. I'll try to convince them to help you." Dragon Kick said with a nod.

"So, what else are you doing here?" Luna asks, wondering about Dragon Kick's other reason for being here.

"Waiting for my friend," Dragon Kick mumbles as he checks his watch. Where is his friend anyway?

----------

In Sugarcube Corner, there is a big and fat yellow Pegasus with a black mane and tail in a samurai ponytail and long black tail. His Cutie Mark is heart shaped with one blue book in Japanese words.

"If you're looking for vegetables, I'm really sorry. We don't sell those. Mr....." Mr. Cake said, wanting the name of the newcomer.

Mighty Heart spoke gently, "Mighty Heart. Do not worry. I came here for cookies."

"How many of them do you need?" Mr. Cake asks Mighty Heart curiously. At least for once the Cakes can sell their usual desserts without fear of complaining from the ponies.

"50 boxes of cookies, please," Mighty spoke, almost causing the couple to faint to the floor upon hearing that.

"Seriously," The Cakes gasps in surprise. No one has ever ordered that many boxes of cookies before! That must cost a fortune!

"It's my habit. Sorry. But I'm going to be very busy in studying. It's too much, isn't it?" Mighty ask the Cakes sheepishly.

Cup Cake spoke in astonishment, "We don't mind giving cookies to somepony. But 50 boxes; Oh my, never met somepony that could eat like that."

Carrot Cake manages to get 50 boxes to the counter, smiling as he spoke, "Here you go, Mr. Mighty Heart."

"Thank you. I hope you don't mind five Golden Eggs," Mighty said as he took out what the pony plans on paying for the boxes.

"Golden Eggs," The Cakes gasps in surprise. Mighty gave five Golden Eggs to the Cakes. They were surprised and shocked. Carrot used the golden egg and hit on the counter. It does not break.

"Oh my," Carrot Cake gasps in amazement. "That's the rarest thing that I've ever seen!"

"I think that will be enough for the payment, Mr. Mighty. Thank you." Cup Cake said to Mighty in delight.

Mighty smiles as he says, "Thanks. I must leave. I'm going to be late for studies."

Mighty run as fast as he can and away from any ponies. Pinkie Pie appeared in front of him. The pink pony grins happily as she spoke, "Hi! Haven't seen you around before! What's your name? What you've got! What do you need these for?!"

Mighty nervously answers, "Uh..... My name is Mighty Heart. I had 50 boxes of cookies for eating during studies."

"Really, you must have work very hard of it." Pinkie said in awe.

"Why, thank you, Pinkie," Mighty spoke up, much to Pinkie's surprise; how did this newcomer pony know her name?!

"Huh! Are you psychic?!" Pinkie asks Mighty, kinda like how her human self respond to Twilight when she wonders how the mare (as a human) knew whom she was!

"Nope," Mighty answers.

Pinkie giggles eagerly, "You must be!"

Mighty chuckles, "I guessed it!"

"Then, you really are psychic! How about a party," Pinkie asks eagerly as she bounces up and down, "To welcome a new guest to Ponyville!"

"What?! I can't!" Mighty yelps in alarm as he has no time for parties.

Pinkie stops bouncing, giving a pouty face as she asks, "Why not?"

"I need to get back home to study!" Mighty explains to Pinkie, much to her disappointment. The pink pony wanted so much to make a party for this new stallion!

"Please! Please! Please! Please! Stay here for fun!" Pinkie insists, bouncing around Mighty, making him more nervous.

"Well, I could, but I- You-!" Mighty gasps as if he saw something and points. "Look; A running cake!"

Pinkie chose this time to turn, asking eagerly, "Where?!"

Mighty quickly escape before he gets more unwanted attention. Mighty ran as fast as he can. When he enters the alley, he knocked into some ponies.

Rainbow, in annoyance, snaps, "Hey, watch it, pal!"

"Oh yes! We seriously don't have time to argue. We need to go and help Applejack." Rarity said in concern, not wanting to argue with any ponies, newcomers or not.

"Please be careful next time, mister." Fluttershy advise the big pony calmly and gently.

Applejack chose this time to show up with Flash, saying, "There yew are, girls; Mighty sorry fer 'dat, sir. Mah friends an' Ah are in a tight schedule in handling 'dis situation."

Flash notices the boxes of cookies that Mighty is holding, making him ask, "Why are you having lots of cookies?"

Mighty smiles, bowing as he apologize, "I'm very sorry, Ms. Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy; I understand, too, Ms. Applejack. That's because I'm very hungry, Flash Sentry. Do your best to gather all the foods. I'm sure Twilight and her family makes it back from The End of Equestria; Gotta run!"

Mighty quickly escape. Rainbow looks shocked as she exclaims, "Wait a sec! Did he just-?"

"Call our names? Tell us to help Applejack to gather the foods? You're right. How does he know that?" Rarity ask in bewilderment.

Fluttershy shrugged, saying, "We just met."

"That is weird." Flash said with a frown. How did this new pony knew his and the other mares' names? Weird!

"How did he know 'dat?" Applejack ask suspiciously.

Pinkie suddenly pops up, saying happily, "Small hint: he's psychic."

"Is she always so random?" Flash yelps, a bit surprised by Pinkie showing up just now. "No offense. Ben told me that he finds her...... weird."

Rainbow rolls her eyes, explaining, "Pinkie Pie is always so random."

"This is no time to chit chat." Rarity said sternly. She's right; the ponies got work to do!

"Right, we'd better make sure 'dat all folks try not to let hunger beat them, as well as finding some food left." Applejack said in agreement. "It's been three days. There's still no sign o' Twilight an' her folks comin' back."

"We must have faith. We're not gonna give up. She's counting on us to be strong." Fluttershy said gently. Twilight would want her and her friends to do their best to keep Ponyville going.

"There is no time to lose, girls. Good luck. I'll be returning to my post." Flash said as he prepares to get back to work. "If you need anything, I'll come and help."

As Flash flew off, Pinkie grins to her friends, saying, "Let's roll, Mane Six."

Mighty keeps running as fast as he can and away until he knocks into somepony. Dragon Kick, annoyed, snaps, "Mighty Heart! Where have you been?! I hope you didn't buy too much cookies. You remember the last time we came to Equestria? They nearly figure us out because of one Golden Egg."

Mighty said quickly, "We'd better get out of here now; we attract too much attention. Not to mention, I give Golden Eggs to them. I don't even have Equestrian Bits to pay."

"You give them what?! Uncle Tao is going to kill us." Dragon Kick groans as he slaps himself on the forehead. Typical, that Mighty!

"No time! Teleport us out," Mighty insists nervously, wanting to get out of here before anypony else sees them.

"No sign of anypony; Right. It's time." Dragon Kick said as he prepares a spell that teleports him and Mighty away from the area.

------------

Golden Heart and Pinkamena were in a room with Gold Wing as Pinkamena's senses go off. She says, "Seems Somnambula is now nothing more than bone and three more Demons are gone but now the gang will be dealing with a harder task and meet some old friends the Grundles. But there might be a fight at first but they will become friends in the end."

Golden Heart in amazement, spoke, "You know, little sister, you seem to know a lot more than you lead on."

"Trust me, Goldie; I took my time to study everything as much as I can and to be ready." Pinkamena explains to Golden Heart proudly.

"Well, okay, little sister." Golden Heart said, hoping that his sister is right.

--------------

The group made it through the caves of Heavy Drop, stopping as they land on some rocks.

"Whoa, terrible," Dumbledore remarked as Koga barks in agreement.

"Right, all those bats and fishes; after all that, what could go wrong now?" Bocolix mumbles a bit.

Suddenly the rocks underneath the group gave way, making them yelp as they fall downward. Tough yell angrily, "YEW HAD 'TA SAY IT!!!"

The group continues falling though some of them use their magic and flying abilities to slow down theirs’ and everyone else's falls. They soon landed in a cave.

Upon arrival, the group saw something odd: some weird monster like creatures are in the middle of something, cheering and having fun. Ben blinks a bit as he asks, "What kind of mad place did we end up in now?"

"Out of the way, strangers," A voice demanded. The group saw a gray, weird-looking monster-like creature wearing a green hat, a golden necklace and a red vest. "As King of the Grundles, I cannot allow ya to mess with the Great Games."

"Great Games," Phobos asked in confusion and disbelief.

"Grundles; I thought you were extinct." Nyx said in bewilderment.

"Move out of the way!" The Grundles’ ruler snaps in annoyance. "You're in the way of the roll!"

"Eh?" Tough turns and couldn't get out of the way as a couple of Grundles who were in the middle of rolling rammed into him, Bocolix and Dumbledore. As the three ponies yelp in alarm, the rolling Grundles got knocked back, "Gah!"

"Ooooh," The Grundles' ruler growl as he jump to the floor. "I, King Hugo, disqualify you for unsportsmanlike conduct and outside inference; Nah nah!"

"Hey, it was an accident!" Bocolix and Dumbledore protest to King Hugo in annoyance.

"Look, Kingy, we got better things to do than argue with a troll-like guy who fell off the face of the planet!" Phobos snaps. "Out of the way, we got work to do!"

"Right, we got a job to do and we ain't leaving until we get it done." Twilight remarks in agreement.

"Oooooh, so you're the ones who came to eliminate the rest of us!" King Hugo snaps to the newcomers angrily. "The goblin told us of intruders who wishes to finish off what happened years ago! Well, you aren't going to kill us all without a fight!"

"What?" Twilight yelps a bit. "Now hang on..."

"I've heard enough!" King Hugo snaps sternly.

With that, King Hugo made himself into a ball and rolls at the group who dodges him. As he unrolls, Twilight jumps up and hits King Hugo on the head.

"Gah; Why you," King Hugo growls as he rolls around the area, even the ceiling, causing the good guys to move to avoid him.

King Hugo then jumps into the background, taking out a horn and blows into it, causing spikes to fall from the ceiling, going right at the group.

Twilight's group split into different directions before the spikes could hit them as Nyx asked out loud, "Since when can Grundles roll like the Terra-Firmians from DuckTales?"

"It's been centuries. Maybe they evolved." Phobos commented.

Once the spikes are gone, King Hugo jumps back into the battle and resumes rolling. Spike jumps up and hits the Grundle on the head again, making him yelps in pain.

"No fair!" King Hugo yells as he rolls around like once more.

"Come on, big boy!" Ben Mare taunted with a determined look on his face before he jumped over King Hugo again.

King Hugo jumps into the background and blows his horn to summon more spikes. The gang dodges it once more. King Hugo growls as he jumps back into the battle once more, only to get hit by a magic blast by Bocolix.

"Ha! Dumber than a bag of marbles," Bocolix laughs in amusement.

"Bag of rocks," Dumbledore corrects his colleague as Twilight hits King Hugo on the head once more.

King Hugo yells as he rolls around like mad, going even faster, making it difficult for the heroes to dodge him. The Grundles' ruler jumps back into the background and blows into his horn.

"Grundles, roll!" King Hugo orders. The newcomers saw rolling Grundles coming at them.

"Whoa! Rolling Grundles coming at us," Spike yelps in alarm.

"Look out!" Twilight shouted as she and her group dodged most of them.

"Oww," Nyx cried the instant she got hit by a rolling Grundle.

Ben flew and grabs his daughter out of the assault. Once the Grundles rolled by, King Hugo resumed the battle.

"Careful! You almost kill my daughter!" Ben exclaims to King Hugo angrily.

"You should've thought of that before trying to force us into extinction, intruders!" King Hugo remarks to the intruders madly.

"Listen..." Nyx begins to say but yelps as King Hugo rolls at her again. "I don't think he's listening!"

"We will have 'ta beat him hard again!" Tough exclaims as he hits King Hugo on the head, making him yelp in pain. "Maybe put some sense into him!"

"If that's the way he wants it, so be it!" Twilight shouted in determination before she had a spellbook float to her.

"Uh-oh; Looks like mommy's gonna use her fighting methods from the cancelled MLP Fighting is Magic game!" Nyx said in surprise.

King Hugo jumps into the background again and uses his horn, yelling, "Get 'em, boys and girls!"

The Grundles roll right at Twilight who is waiting for them. Bocolix yelps, "Better move. I think she's going to do something!"

"Watch it!" Ben shouted as he and the others jumped out of the way.

Twilight's horn glows as she performs the blast, sending the rolling Grundles away and right into the walls. King Hugo yelps as he felt the impact.

"Whoa!" King Hugo yelps as he jumps to avoid a spike that almost ended up hitting him. Twilight flew up and hits him on the head, making him yelps in pain. "Stop, stop! I cease under your assault, strange ones! Do whatever you wish to me; just leave the rest of the Grundles alone!"

"Besides the fact that we have to beat some sense into you, we got no desire to harm you or your people." Twilight points out to King Hugo with an annoyed sigh.

"Eh? The goblin said..." King Hugo said in bewilderment.

"Perhaps we got off with no introductions. My name is Twilight Sparkle, the newest princess of Equestria, student and niece-in-law to Princesses Celestia and Luna..." Twilight begins to explain.

King Hugo gasps as he interrupts, "Princesses Celestia and Luna?! You mean ponies with both horns and wings?!"

"Why, yes! You know them?" Twilight asked in surprise. She had no idea that King Hugo would know about the princesses of the sun and the moon!

"Yes! Grundles are friends of princess ponies from centuries ago, long before the monster known as Discord has took our home of Dream Castle, forcing us to go underground." King Hugo explains to the newcomers with a chuckle.

"Well, Celestia happens to my mother and Luna is my aunt." Ben explains to King Hugo, much to his surprise.

"And she's my grandma!" Nyx chirps happily.

"Ah! I see. Well, I apologize for the misunderstanding. We Grundles have almost fallen to extinction after what happened centuries ago." King Hugo apologizes to Twilight and her friends. "Goblin told us that intruders will come and finish the job."

"Well, the goblin is a liar! He was a minion of the Demon Lords who probably wanted us weakened to pick us off!" Spike explains to King Hugo with a frown.

"Oh geez, I feel like a fool. Once again, I apologize for the misunderstanding." King Hugo apologizes to the newcomers sheepishly and guilt-ridden.

"It's okay, we forgive you." Nyx said with a smile, glad that King Hugo realized the truth about the goblin and Twilight's group.

"Now that we have reconciled, what is it that you wish from us?" King Hugo asked.

"Okay, we're looking for the Golden Nugget of the End's Center." Ben explains. "It's supposed to be gold, big and down here."

"Why do you need nugget?" King Hugo asks the newcomers puzzled. Twilight and her friends explained their journey to get ingredients to help restore the growth that is keeping Applejack's crops from growing, "Oh my! So you came here looking to save a friend's farm, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct." Twilight said to King Hugo with a nod.

"We Grundles know how you feel! Centuries ago, the Smooze took our home of Grundleland..." King Hugo said with a sigh.

"Oh, Grundleland," The rest of the Grundles sobs for the loss of their home, much to King Hugo's annoyance.

"I thought we got over that by now." King Hugo mumbles to himself then he continues speaking to the others. "Then during the time of conflict, the monster known as Discord has used his powers to turn Dream Castle upside down, inside down, forcing us Grundles to abandon our second home and causing us all to go underground!"

"Well, if it helps, Discord has reformed now." Nyx explains to King Hugo with a giggle.

"Discord reformed? That's impossible!" King Hugo exclaimed in shock.

"Yeah, but it happened...and as newest princess of Equestria, I thought I might offer you and your Grundle kind to rekindle your friendship with the ponies." Twilight explains to the Grundles gently.

"You... you really mean it?" King Hugo asked in hope. The Grundles had never interacted with the ponies for a very, very long time.

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Twilight said as she did the Pinkie Promise. "I know the princesses will welcome you back to Equestria."

"Then for Princesses Celestia and Luna, I am proud to announce that we shall help you on your quest!" King Hugo proclaimed before he gave Twilight's group a gold nugget, "Starting with giving you this!"

"The Golden Nugget of the End's Center," Spike laughs as Twilight took the nugget from the Grundles' king. "Looks like the real thing too!"

"Thank you so much, King Hugo." Twilight said, bowing to King Hugo. "Listen, we need a way out of here to get back to the top. How do we do that?"

"Take that tunnel." King Hugo explains as he points to a tunnel nearby. "It should take you and your Ponies friends right back to the surface."

"Great! Now we can continue our quest!" Ben exclaimed with a smile.

"Before you all can go, Nyx, I also apologize for hurting you in that battle we had." King Hugo apologized.

"Apology accepted, Your Majesty." Nyx said as she bowed to King Hugo.

"Wow, with friends like these, who needs enemies?" Bocolix ask in confusion.

"Uh, wait. I think you got that wrong." Dumbledore said in concern.

"I think that explains what the voice meant by 'Disturbance of misunderstanding' and 'be friendly to extinction'." Ben said thoughtfully. "We have to fight in order to clear up the misunderstanding and be friends to those who are close to extinction."

"So it means we'll be seein' more ancient creatures, huh?" Tough asked.

"Probably; let's get going." Twilight said as the group wave goodbye to the Grundles, the gang are heading back to the surface.

-------------------------------

In another plain of existence stood the Mystic Realm, the place where Mystic Ponies lives in a world of peace, paradise and harmony, much like Equestria, except there were no darkness or war like the End of Equestria.

In the Chinese Apartment-like (Imagine Uncle's Antique Shop from Jackie Chan Adventure), Jade explained about her adventure and Tao's order to both Dragon Kick and Mighty Heart. Dragon Kick shakes his head as he exclaims, "Jade! How many do I have to tell you?! End of Equestria is very dangerous place for non full-fledged Mystic Ponies! I told you to stay here. Not to mention, I told you not to use your Battle Forms."

Jade groans angrily as she transform into her filly form. The filly protest, "Yeah, yeah. I get it. But I want to help. Mighty Heart is still studying and making with Protection spell for Applejack's farm while you keep on spying of Ponyville's results. Besides, I want to help too. I want to see what kind of Mystic Pony I become; the magical and sorcery Mystic Acolytes. No, the skillful and powerful Mystic Warriors. These two are better than boring Mystic Civilize."

"There is nothing wrong with being Civilized when it comes to learning of ancients and species. But, you may have a point about helping granduncle Tao. It still doesn't mean you can do what you want, because you are not fully a Mystic Pony.

"If I don't, I would never evolve like Tao had said."

"I know you want to help. But it is too dangerous." Mighty explains seriously to Jade. "What if the Demon Lords or the Apocalypse Ponies had found you and believed that Tao-sensei has been helping Twilight and her family out of the end of the world? It is not wise to do that."

"We can't keep on hiding and let Equestria meets its end. If what Tao, the other Mystic Acolytes and the Mystic Council said is true, we're about to face the worst enemy in Equestria, no, the Universe!" Jade explains to Mighty in concern, "The Superior and Grimmore! Our lives and homes will be vaporized! You've gotta convince them, Dragon Kick, or else hope is lost!"

Dragon Kick sigh, "Don't be such dramatic, Jade; All we can do is wait and watch. Besides, I too want to help those ponies. But I'm not part of the Mystic Council. So there is nothing we can do but wait for Tao."

"Dragon Kick's right, Jade; All we can is wait for Tao's return. He is the only pony who has been given permission by Mystic Council to help, guide and even reveal ours and their identities to the ponies because we must be prepare for the upcoming war with our greatest enemy." Mighty said, much to Jade's frustration. Why can't these two see what's got to be done here?!

Jade nevertheless sighs, "I guess you're right, M."

"Now I require your assistance on working on the protection spell. We do not know if the enemies may try to do same tricks again after or if Twilight's journey is a success."

Jade sighs, "Fine. Still, I think we shouldn't hide. We should help."

"Yes, we will, Jade. When the time is right, we, the Mystic Ponies, will help." Dragon Kick said to Jade in determination. "But the Mystic Council decides the decision. What I had hoped for is my uncle. He had to tell both Ben and Twilight the truth, or else the enemy will use it against them, weaken them and kill them for good."

"That's what I told him. But he keeps insisting to keep it a secret; so unfair!"

-----------------------

"My tactic failed?!" Tchang Zu gasps in shock as the goblin inform him about the tactic failing. "How is it possible?! How did those ponies and mere Grundles figure out my trickery tactic?!"

"I don't know! Honest! Somehow, they figure your plan out! I did not tell them!" The goblin insists to Tchang Zu in worry.

"What could this mean?" Hsi Wu gasps in shock and disbelief.

Po Kong frowns as she comments, "I don't like the looks of this."

"Dai Gui suspects a pony's helping them!" Dai Gui grunts a bit in anger. Somepony must be helping Twilight and her friends out somehow.

"Question is who?" Xiao Fung ask in suspicion. It can't be those new Alicorns. They don't look smart enough to help Twilight out so far.

"There is one possible solution. I doubt Twilight Sparkle and her family had not mastered the Ancient Banishment Spell, though I heard the familiar voice, a voice I have not been heard since our banishment." Bai Tza said thoughtfully. The group couldn't have mastered the Ancient Banishment Spell so somepony else did, someone that Bai Tza hasn't heard of in a long time.

"Yes, you are right, sister dear. There is one or group who could mastered that ancient power." Shendu remarks with a snarl, "Mystic Ponies! One of them is helping Twilight and her family to achieve this mission! We must find out whom!"

"Agreed; But first, to find an answer, we need a pony who had made contact with Mystic Ponies." Tso Lan said with a nod. "Who shall meet them ahead?"

"I shall be the one. I will meet them at Alcoh's Drunken Caverns." Tchang Zu remarks in determination. His plot to weaken them through deceit may have fail but maybe a battle with the group will make up for it. "That battle will test the will of their minds and physicals! The one who stands the alcoholic will be my opponent."

"Very well, brother Tchang."

"If he can use his head for once of a while and remember the importance of mission, or else his excitement personality taken over him." Shendu mumbles a bit, insulting his brother Demon under his breath.

Tchang Zu growl at Shendu, "Mock at me one more time, Shendu, and you shall feel the wrath of Tchang Zu, the Master of Thunder, not even you’re mere 12 Talismans can help you."

"Of course not, I will never mock at you. Do as you please."

"Fine by me; the ponies shall feel the wrath of mine; Goblin, to the Drunken Cavern!"

Author's Notes:

Well, the misunderstanding had been cleared up and the ponies got a new ingredient. In the next chapter, the ponies stop by Ice Limbo to find the Colored Icicle and deal with an ice beast named the Ice Giant Egola, a pet of Dai Gui's and got his magic ring, then pass through Calamity Canyon and got help from a mysterious pony (not Tao or Jade or the Equestrian Eliminator but a new OC) indeed. Then the Superior confronts Boris for disobeying his order but the Red Devil Pony makes his defense that could spare his life and powers. And finally the group arrives at Alcoh's Drunken Cavern and confronts Tchang Zu but can any of them stay sober enough to fight him? Read, review and suggest.

PowerMaster's MLP OC Dragon Kick is based on Jackie Chan from Jackie Chan Adventures.

PowerMaster's MLP OC Mighty Heart is based on Tohru also from Jackie Chan Adventure.

The fight with King Hugo is based off one of the fight in ‘DuckTales Remastered’.

Chapter 7: Ice, Calamity and Drunks

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Chapter 7: Ice, Calamity and Drunks

The scene now opens with Twilight's group in a new area within the End of Equestria, and it is....COLD! The gang's cart was having the MechBull trying to slowly cross a few snowy plains within an extraordinary continent with cold weather that was filled with raging winds. And they were all just trying to not catch a flu.

"AAAAAAACHOOOOO," Tough Apple suddenly went ahead to let off a big sneeze, before rubbing his runny nose. "Sniff...remind me again WHY, we're goin' through a place colder than de Cake's Extra Chilly Ice Cream Cakes?" The stallion asked from feeling himself getting a chill here.

"We're here to find another ingredient." Ben reminded his friend of why they are within such a cold place.

"In the middle of a FROZEN WASTELAND," Phobos snapped off in finding that this place was the WORST place to find any ingredients while freezing their tails off.

"Everypony listen, this area we're entering is called Ice Limbo." Twilight spoke in letting her friends know that they are entering a place that could be described from her map as...the limbo of ice from the underworld, possibly.

"Wh-wha...why is it called that mommy," Nyx asked her mother of why this place was even called by such a name.

"It's cause it's as cold as any area with cold weather we've been in Equestria, and it gets colder as we get closer into its reign." Twilight spoke in explaining the first detail bunch about this area to everyone. "The northern continent of extraordinary cold weather filled with raging winds and ferocious beasts. It's said the inner caves of the area were used by the 'Nobles' of the past to preserve food, which is what now makes up the 'Snow Window', which, when melted by the geo-thermal vents deep below Ice Limbo, produces a soup from a mixture of the contain ingredients." From that explanation, it was a wonder of a tale for the rest of the group.

"An-an-an....we-we-we're searching for 'what' ingredient again?" Spike spoke from rubbing his shoulders, feeling himself getting extra chilly here.

"The Colored Icicle; It's another ingredient that we need and this place has it." Twilight issued the name of their target and that it can only be found somewhere in this area.

"Well can't we keep ourselves warmer? Mah fur's turning 'ta icicles." Tough insisted from noticing his fur becoming like icicles dangling.

"I'm so cold," stated Phobos. "That my scales are coming off!

"I think you're overreacting Phobos." Spike said, rolling his eyes.

"No really!" Phobos shouted. "I'm not that much of a cold blooded person you know?!”

"Hay, how's about a Warm Spell to keep us not so cold here," Bocolix insisted on what the magic users can do to help keep Twilight and the rest warm from the cold.

"Worth a try, if it helps, let's do it." Dumbledore shrug off in thinking that if a spell like that keeps them warm, then it's better than freezing to death or they'll answer to Boris if Twilight ever perished by such means.

Soon the Enforcers used their horns together that made the area around the group's cart, MechBull, all of them get in a nice sparkling warm glow that helped keep the group warm.

"Chu..." Rabbitchu sighed with relief while Justin made another cow noise in feeling its gears not freezing up inside.

"Wow, thanks you two; that helps a lot." Nyx smiled to thank these guys for being so thoughtful.

"I'll say, why didn't we try that before?" Phobos responded off in looking to Twilight & Ben, why didn't those two use their magic to help?

"To be prepared for any ferocious beast that live in this area. We need to conserve some strength, but still, thanks for the warmth you guys." Ben responded in both answering, but thanked the two new Alicorns for being so concern to make sure those of them freezing wouldn't get sick afterwards, they don't want that.

"Our pleasure," The Enforcers responded in being all too happy to aid whenever they can...without messing up.

"I'm concerned." Spike said as he warms himself up. "We haven't dealt with those Demon Lords since the fight with the Hydra."

"Right, they must be waiting to ambush here or elsewhere." Phobos remarks in agreement. "Maybe we..."

"Uh oh; watch it!" Twilight exclaims as several ram-like creatures appears, attacking Justin, "Goat Rammers!"

Justin of course manages to ram through them quickly a bit. Sometimes, they have to deal with a mischievous rabbit or two but the gang manages to knock them right off.

"I wonder if that old pony would show up soon." Dumbledore mumbles a bit while looking around.

"Oh? You mean me, right?" Tao ask as he suddenly appears, making everyone yelps a bit in alarm.

"Gah; I hate it when you do that!" Bocolix exclaims in alarm, making Tao chuckles a bit.

"That's me; Always on top. So what have you been doing, coming all the way out here?"

"Well, we got our task done in Heavy Drop. Some goblin tricked the Grundles into thinking we were trying to destroy them." Twilight explains to Tao, who looks at this in pretend surprise. "Luckily, we were able to overcome that misunderstanding and got the next ingredient. We are here for the Colored Icicle."

"Ah, in that case, I wish you well on your journey." Tao said, preparing to leave much to the group's surprise.

"Wait. Aren't you going to give us some advice or something?" Nyx ask the old pony in concern.

"Just this: try to stay warm."

"Right; and we turn around, you would be gone." Ben said as he and the group turns for a moment then turns to see that Tao is now gone. "How does he do that?"

Just then a familiar voice spoke up, "Defeat the Guardian. Get his ring."

The group pauses, obvious it's another riddle. Koga barks a bit, "Arf arf."

"Looks like another riddle." Twilight said thoughtfully. "That means we have to deal with another Guardian beast."

And thus, the journey continues onward.

-----------------

After much other events going further through the frozen reign, did the traveling group make it to another spot within the Ice Limbo. There was one giant size cave opening that the group was just outside of. And lucky thing too, cause the air and winds felt like it was dropping below zero degrees to the point....they may as well be in suspended animation or something.

"There it is! If we go through that, we'll find the ingredient we're seeking here there." Twilight pointed to her friends in seeing the spot they can go into to find what they want.

"Good cause....brrr....it feels like it's gotten colder than last time!" Tough Apple spoke from rubbing his shoulders together in feeling himself get cold again.

"It's like mommy said, the further in we go in this place, the colder it gets." Nyx spoke from recalling what her mother said, this Ice Limbo is so cold, it's hard to even get pass the outer entry then to get through the rest that becomes harder to bear.

"Can't we-we-we...aaaaachoo! Just use more magic to warm us up?" Phobos spoke before he sneezed from feeling the weather getting to him.

"We've been trying, but it's not enough." Bocolix issued off to the Moon Dragon that the magic users can't use their magic around them to keep them warm any more than they are now.

"Yeah, it's colder than our magic could do." Dumbledore nods in noticing that the magic that the two have around the group is the best it's at, the weather is just too cold to have their magic keep them warm.

"Well let's just we can get a little more warmth by getting out of the blistering cold winds." Spike issued in seeing that if they can get out of the breezing winds, that can be the most helpful, right?

"Wait a second. You guys hear that? It sounds like...giant footsteps." Ben spoke from suddenly overhearing pass the loud winds and all other voices to hear...something approaching them. Question was...what was it?

The answer was soon to be answered when something within the dark cave came into the lift from its piercing red-orange eyes. The creature from within the cave entry the gang was near, soon saw what was a giant made of ice with an icy crown, beard and only red-orange eyes with a star mark yellow opal, seem physically build with bulk arms and feet, "GRUUUAARRRRRUUGGHHH!" This towering behemoth of ice waved out its arms with five sharp fingers, to anyone, this was the Guardian Ice Giant within the Ice Limbo; Egola.

"WHAT IS THAT!?" Phobos cried out in shock to see something has now arrived here.

"An Ice Giant," Spike exclaimed in seeing that this creature was made of ice and alive too.

"That's the mighty giant made of ice within the frozen reign, Egola!" Twilight issued off to warn the others of what sorta new foe they have to face now. "It must be what the voice warned us about!"

"Figures, if it's not something natural, it's gotta be more weird stuff we have 'ta face!" Tough groans in seeing that from wasps, plants, cannibals, witches and Demons, now ice giants, what else?

"URRUUARRRRUGHHH," Suddenly, the gang are overshadowed when Egola towering over their cart. "Stoompfruvhmm...." Then without warning, the ice giant stomped its left foot across a few inches away from the gang, but the force overcollapsed them

"Sword Beam!" Ben used his Master Sword to fire a beam that imploded that broke off...only chunks of ice from the ice giant's wrist. "What! That barely looked like I chip its tooth!" The stallion responded in shock to believe that move didn't do much to help out.

Spike and Phobos approached to melt the giant made of ice, but from their flames trying to melt the titan, its structure was instead refrozen; how?

"Everypony listen! This giant's power increases in areas covered in ice. It's said that while Egola is very strong in brute force and in power, it's a little slow. To defeat such a foe, we have to completely shatter it to pieces so it won't be able to get up again." Twilight shouted out in trying to explain this to her friends that Egola's power comes from the coldness of their frozen area that surrounds them and that from such strengths, the group need to execute the only weakness that comes to mind when facing a creature made entirely of ice.

"Any suggestions if fire spells ain't cutting it?" Bocolix asked off when he was flying in the air for a bit.

"I got nothing on me, so how do we...yikes!" Dumbledore was about to answer his pal, only to yelp in surprise.

Soon the Enforcers got a straight jab punch that plowed them right into the wall made of ice that brought almost the structure down on the others.

"They've been hit!" Nyx exclaimed from transforming into her Battle Form to check on the Enforcers.

"MWUURRAUGHH...." Justin tried to ram at the bottom ice giant's feet, but it barely made Egola flinched from the effort.

Then Egola waved out its hands to unleash a strong gale blizzard wind that was freezing up the surroundings.

"It's trying to freeze us! Like it wasn't cold enough," Phobos remarked to complain in seeing his tail was getting coated in ice.

"Everyone, try to...gagh!" Twilight flew over a few inches off the ground to brush pass the wind, only to get shadowed....by a giant hand of ice that smashed against the Alicorn princess's area.

"Twilight," Ben cried out in seeing that his love was in trouble.

Soon the gang sees Twilight caught in the grasp of Egola's right hand as she felt unable to escape the clutches of the ice giant. Then in the next moment, Egola soon threw Twilight out across the area of ice, Ben leaped up to catch his love, but he then pushed them both to smashed into the ground, creating an ice crater.

"EAT HEADBUTT!" Phobos tried to launch himself to deliver a head butt attack, but the ice giant smashed his noggin with a left fist. "Guuagh..../Poowwfruvhmmm..." That tactic knocked the moon dragon to smash against the ground, but from another view, it showed Egola's left fist a tiny bit cracked.

"Oh boy, we so need a plan here!" Spike spoke in seeing things were not going so well around with them.

"NOOOOOO," Suddenly, Tough was heard screaming as he was checking their cart with a worried face. "Gaugh, 'dat last attack caused me to lose Joe, where is he? Where," The stallion was looking for his banjo, it was missing, what happened after that last attack knock them over.

"Over there!" Nyx pointed in spotting what was a lonesome banjo on the ground....

"Stompvhmm...." But then Egola's right giant ice foot stomped right near that spot, and when it lifted, the instrument was broken to bits.

"Joe....Jo...." Tough Apple slowly spoke in almost gasping at what he seen until... "RRRRRARRRRUGHHH," Tough lost it and went blind raging in there to fight the ice giant.

"Wait Tough, it's too dangerous!" Spike cried out to stop his friend from doing something foolish, too late for that.

"URRARRRRRRUGHHH," Egola saw Tough approaching before lifting up it's right fist. "Powwfruvhmmm...." A direct impact was smashed where Tough Apple was running at him from.

But look to behold in what everyone saw in disbelief, Tough stopped the giant ice behemoth's fist from hurting him and from letting it go back to its user.

"Yew've mess wit' us, hurt us, an’ no' yew've gone 'ta crush good old Joe! He was my favorite banjo, an' yewCRUSHED HIM!" Tough snapped off to Egola in fury in listing the things to complain about, and they were unforgivable. "Now, Ah'll mash yew! RUUARRRRGUHH," As the stallion issued this, he was starting to pull the ice giant's fist with all his might and...

"Breakfrsuvhmmn...." Suddenly in an amazing feat of strength, Tough managed to break off the arm of Egola clear off.

"HE BROKE THE ARM!" The Enforcers, now recovered, saw this act and could not believe one Earth Pony did that. Everyone saw that with shock or gasping mouths.

"But, Egola is capable of using 100& of its maximum potential, especially when everything around it is ice that supports an ice giant like an ally." Twilight issued off in sheer disbelief that Tough Apple was strong enough to overpower an ice giant that is said to be at its strongest when around ice environment to help give it power; it's impossible to believe.

"RUUARRRUUGH...." Tough Apple was then seen swinging that broken arm like a bat before, taking it for a swing test. "POWWVHMMM.../Breakrisvhmmm...." Then the pony smashed the other ice arm against Egola's other arm which broke it off in a clean swipe.

"Apparently, when you get on Tough's nerves, that logic could almost be out the window." Ben rephrase the issue Twilight spoke in seeing now Egola the Ice Giant had both arms removed, so it can't fight with its brute strength now.

"Time I help use a move I haven't used since that time with Boris. Unicorn Burst," Adult Nyx issued off while charging up her horn with a powerful piercer spell move she used to defeat Boris the Red Devil and the Devil's Red Sun long ago when she was revert into Nightmare Moon, but now...it's different with her Battle Form. "Powwwfruvhmmm..../Crackrisfruvhmm..." At that moment, the attack pierced through Egola's chest, breaking him apart until he became completely shattered away.

This was a clear sign; the group has defeated another Guardian foe before them.

"We did it!" Bocolix responded in sheer joy that the group won this.

"We won!" Dumbledore responded in happiness that the grouo defeated the ice giant.

"Correction, Tough won," Phobos pointed out to the two Enforcers, cutting the joy to remind them both, they barely did much since it was another pony that helped out.

"Yeah, who would have seen that coming?" Spike shrug off his shoulders in never guessing Tough could take out a Guardian creature like that.

"Hugh-hugh...dat was fer Joe!" Tough was exhaling his breath in the cold to issue who he did that for.

"Easy Tough Apple, I'm sure a little magic can help fix, ugh, Joe, good as new." Ben patted Tough on the back to ease stress for the pony.

"Ye think so?" Tough asked off in a bit of tears to hold his banjo, Joe, in pieces.

"As my best bud Flash Sentry says; now why would I go and lie to you?" Ben smiled to rephrase a quote that his best pal used to help cheer him up in the past.

"Shot, dat dose make me happy." Tough smiled off to say in feeling much better now, even Ben smiled in helping a friend with such words of good advice.

"Everypony, look at this!" Nyx spoke in reverting to her filly form in finding something in the snow.

"What is it Nyx?" Twilight asked when she and the others came to inspect what the black filly found.

"It's another ring, like when we defeated that plant guardian Mehitos." Nyx issued in showing what was a gray human ring finger with pointed crystal tower ice sculptures on the top, and boy was it a rare but familiar sight.

"She's right, this must be the Ice Giant Guardian; Egola's magic ring to summon and control him." Twilight spoke in using her magic to float the ring to her, recognizing the power contain inside it, with the Guardian defeated, they are now the owners of Egola's ring.

"And wouldn't you know it, we just won the prize. Here, allow me." Ben smiled in seeing they've gotten another rare item, as he takes the new ring and helps to slide it on the necklace around Twilight's neck, adding two Guardian Magic Rings to their collection so far. "There you go Twilight, another Guardian's magic ring for you to help keep track & to help us somewhere along our adventures." Ben exclaimed in seeing that, with this newest addition, they have collected Guardians that depending on the owner can be directed to do good deeds, then evil, especially if the Ice Giant Egola was under orders from one of the Eight Demon Sorcerers.

"Oh Ben, I'm almost thinking this is a habit of you giving me rings!" Twilight playfully waved off in feeling a bit flattered by her love and his generous thinkings about how they can do things in protecting things they love, etc.

"Come on, let’s get this cart up so we can get in the cave and find that ingredient thing!" Phobos shouted off to wake everyone to notice, they still got a job to do in going after what they came to this frozen reign for.

"Phobos is right; we need to really get moving now." Spike responded in agreement, there is no time to be losing here.

Soon everyone helped to set the cart back up and to hook Justin the MechBull back in the connector areas to have him pull the group. Once Rabbitchu helped to charge the bull, a little cow calling made them know, they are ready. Then Twilight's group gets back into the cart after Ben had Bocolix & Dumbledore try to help fix Tough's banjo, for Alicorns, the Enforcers, at first didn't know how to fix an instrument, lucky Ben Mare taught them how. It was the first time Boris's stooges learn to help a friend by fixing something they cherish be fix again, and seeing Tough happy & hug them, too tightly, proved many things. After that little issue was settled, did the group enter the cave to find the ingredient: the Colored Icicle.

There are icicles hanging in certain places in the caves, hard to find. But eventually Twilight's group found a very oddly colored icicle that isn't white hanging alone on the ceiling.

"Okay, so are we going to get that icicle down?" Spike asks the others in concern.

"Why not ask our new friend for help?" Twilight ask thoughtfully as she uses her horn to activates Egola's ring. The others stood back in concern in case the Ice Giant wants payback for its defeat. Egola appears, repaired and grunting, "Egola? Can you please do me a favor and get that oddly colored icicle off the ceiling?"

Egola grunts as he reaches up and pulls on the Colored Icicle with all his might. Soon the Ice Giant removes the thing and gives it to Twilight.

"Thank you, Egola." Twilight said gently as she put the icicle into her handbag. "You may go now. Thanks again."

The Ice Giant roars as he disappears from sight. Ben said, "He's much nicer than this time."

"Well, when one got good matters, it helps."

"Now can we done git out o' 'dis wasteland please? Thank you!" Tough shivers a bit, making the others laugh a bit. Still, the grouo left the cave and got back onto Justin, leaving the Ice Limbo at last.

----------------------

Meanwhile, back in Safe Haven, the villains were doing their various activities, until the Superior suddenly teleports in, getting everyone's attention.

"BORIS THE ANIMAL," The Superior booms madly.

"It's just Boris." Boris growls a bit, a bit irritated by the nickname.

"Do not correct me. I know you sent Boxco and Dum-Dum to the End of Equestria against my orders." The Superior said to Boris sternly.

"Errr, I don't know what you..." Boris said, trying to play innocent but the Superior cuts him off furiously.

"BORIS!!!" The Superior roars in furiously.

Trixie suddenly teleports in, Boris who notice as he ask, “Trixie, what’s wrong?”

Trixie exclaim in worry, "Boris, you must leave now!"

"Why?" Boris asks Trixie in worry.

"Because my father and brother are-" Trixie stops as she saw that the Superior is already here, along with Merluck who appears soon after. "Oh."

"Save it, Trixie. Boris deserves it." Merluck snaps to Trixie sternly.

"Deserves to be part of your organization; told you before, Merluck. I'm not interested in it." Boris remarks to Merluck, rolling his eyes at this.

"We're not here for your recruitment, Boris. Or have you forgotten the subject already?" The Superior ask Boris sternly. "Anyway, like I was wondering, where are your so-called henchponies?"

"Boxco and Dum-Dum; they are sick, Superior." Boris said, trying futilely to cover up their absence.

"Is that so? I don't know what to say to you, Boris. Either you're brave or stupid for not obeying my orders carefully." The Superior said to Boris darkly because he knows that the Red Devil Pony is fibbing to him.

“What are you talking about? I’ve been here for more than a year since that Lorcan war!” Boris protests to the Superior in annoyance.

"You dare to wish to test my patience?! Fine, it seems your skull cannot be breached. Very well; I’ll tell you. I have received some complains and reports from 'The End of Equestria'! Ours plans of getting rid of Twilight Sparkle and her family was interfered by your stupid henchponies!"

"Say what?" Boris asks, pretending to be startled by this part.

“How did he know?” Gilda ask her pals in concern and disbelief.

"Did he say some?" Flim ask in surprise; who would be complaining from 'The End of Equestria' since there are anypony barely living there?!

"But there was no one there but monsters!" Flam exclaims in disbelief.

"That is true. And it's because the Demon Lords controlled that area!" Merluck snaps to the bad guys.

"Demon Lords; I thought they're just myths!" Boris exclaims in surprise. He had no idea that the Demon Lords themselves indeed exist!

"Like the Demon Pony?" Gilda scoffs a bit, reminding him of how he made the same claim a few months ago. "Trust them, and us I think they're seriously real, Boris."

Boris glares to Gilda before turning back to the Superior and Merluck, asking, "So, and your point, Superior?"

"The point of this is what part of getting permission from us do you not understand, devil?!" Merluck snaps to Boris angrily. “I had warned you about the consequences. It seems you wish to challenge my father’s leadership."

“So, what if I am? At least, I don’t have to be a coward like Trixie’s old pony!” Boris snaps in defiance. The Superior stomp his hooves onto the ground with loud boom sounds while the ground shook.

"Don't you dare test my patient, Boris; I'm not in a good mood. In fact, my old allies, the Demon Lords, are not pleased by your stupidity attempts" The Superior remarks, referring to the Demon Lords.

Boris was shocked of this. Trixie nods as she explains, "It’s true. The Demon Lords are too our allies, not only Grimmore. You’d better tell my father the truth, or he’ll send you to the Realm of Demons. This is not a joke!”

Boris, recovering, speaks up, "Alright, you win, Superior. I did send Boxco and Dum-Dum there. So, I can get rid of Ben Mare and get Twilight Sparkle back to me for good!"

"If that is true, why Tso Lan told me that your stupid bodyguards attacked his brethren?" The Superior demands to Boris more than he asked, "Another trickery; It sounds like you're willing to help Twilight and her family more than attacking them."

"I'd told them to protect Twilight, not her so-called family, especially that Earth Pony filth!" Boris waves off the Superior's question. “Once they get out with Twilight only, I’ll have her be with me for good!”

“Imbecile,” The Superior and Merluck both yell at Boris, making him shocked by this.

"You do realize that with one false move of attacking and leaving her family behind, Boxco and Dum-Dum would lose the track and trust of Twilight Sparkle. She and her family would leave them behind." Merluck remarks to Boris, making him groan. "For all we know, those two nitwits may end up betraying us and go over to their side!"

"Betray me?! Please, they will always be loyal to me!" Boris snaps to Merluck's accusation towards Bocolix and Dumbledore.

"Even when you threw a Red Devil Sun at your foes, with your minions in the crossfire," The Superior reminds Boris of what he almost did to his minions during the war with Lorcan.

"Hey, they would've gotten out of the way in time!" Boris snaps to the Superior in protest.

"Getting back to Twilight, in other words, you will never win Twilight’s heart with such pathetic attempts." The Superior roars to Boris making him groan. "I had grown tired of your resistance, Treachery and disobedience, Boris! So prepare to face your punishment, Boris the Animal!"

"I grow tired to following your rules, old pony! And I grow tired of being called by that stupid nickname!” Boris snaps angrily to the Superior, getting really fed up by now. “Do you know why?! It ticks me off than ever before, you coward!”

“What did you call me?!” The Superior demands, anger by what Boris called him.

“You heard me, Superior! You’re a coward! You had powers of Demon and Dark Magic, and you still decide not to attack the Mane Six, the Earth Pony Filths, Princess Celestia and her kingdom!” Boris exclaims, calling the Superior out for some of his flaws. “What are you afraid of?! Afraid of the princesses and the Mane Six; Afraid of the Demon Lords; Afraid of Grimmore; It sounds like you’re really a coward.”

“Boris! You will pay for your fowl tongue for insulting and mocking my father!” Merluck scowls, furious by Boris badmouthing the Superior like that. Trixie is getting worried, Boris is pressing his luck!

Boris kept on pressing as he ask Merluck, “What about you, Merluck?! You’d still follow him because of the blood?! You really are a coward too! I thought you were strong and powerful, but I guess I was wrong. You’re more of a show-off and a bragger than Trixie!”

“Boris, that’s enough!” Trixie exclaims, fearing that Boris is going too far. “You’re making them angry!”

“No! I had something to say! I'd rather faced Ben at once. I'll prove Twilight that I am the one who she should love me; Even if I have to empty the love from her soul to do so!" Boris remarks to the villain sternly.

"Had you taken her soul, she would have died, imbecile." The Superior points out to Boris in fumes.

"I mean get the love of her soul so she would be mine!" Boris corrects the Superior while rolling his eyes. "Do what you want with me, but putting me to Earth Pony state or hurting Trixie will be your biggest mistake!”

The Superior in amusement yet still anger asks, “So, you wish to defend my daughter after her failure attempts since the Alicorn Amulet incident?!”

Boris nods as he said, “She's my boss and leader. Hurt her one more time, I’ll make you sorry for what did! Oh, trust me, I'm just getting warm up! I'll beat the crap out of you!"

"Boris, don't!" Trixie yelps in worry, knowing how challenging the Superior will be a huge mistake. But it's too late to turn back now at this point.

“You had gone too far, Boris!” Merluck exclaims, knowing that Boris has indeed gone too far in his insults.

“It appears Boris had become the Fallen Mystic for he seeks powers and lust.” The Superior said, his voice darken with more anger, “Very well! I will not be merciful! Prepare to meet your doom!”

The Superior unleashes Dark magic through his horn while his eyes glow in green. The former members of Brotherhood of Tadaka quickly hide leaving Boris to face the Superior. Trixie became scared and worried then scream in anger and upset. She then gallops towards Boris and block the Superior from attacking him.

“Father; Please spare him! I beg of you!” Trixie pleads to her father in fear and sadness. “I promise that he won’t be a problem. Do what you want with me! Please, spare Boris.”

“Trixie; I can handle it!” Boris exclaims, assuring Trixie that he will be fine. “I’m an Alicorn. I’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“Boris, please. This is not a joke! My father is in a very bad mood! Apologize now!” Trixie exclaims, pleading to Boris to apologize to her father for his insults and mockery.

“I won’t!” Boris exclaims in refusal.

“It seems that both of you deserve it!” The Superior remarks in amusement at what’s happening. “So be it!”

The Supoerior then fire his Dark Magic. Both Boris and Trixie embrace each other tightly. Instead of the two, a wall exploded.

Boris and Trixie look shocked and surprised as Merluck is. The Superior calmly says, "I will not kill you both. For I have some use of you two, as well as giving great reason why it is not wise to attack Princess Celestia and her kingdom. I will let you get Twilight, Boris, when you receive the mission from me that involve both her and Ben. However, you will not go alone. You will be assisted by Trixie and your henchponies.”

“So, I have my chance?” Boris asks in hope and concern.

“Yes, Boris. But once you learn the truth of Twilight and Ben’s relationship, you will stop your lust or else end up like your father Judge Fordyn."

Boris snarl, "Never speak of my father’s name again!"

"Then, obey, Boris. You'll get your chance. I do not want any more excuses from now on." The Superior said to Boris, seeing how the villain has gotten his point across.

The Superior turn away from Boris and his gang, along with Merluck; His son frowns as Merluck ask, "Father, why do you not punish him for his disobedience and treachery?"

"I will, my son. But not me, The Demon Lords will. Tso Lan told me that he and his brethren wish to punish that imbecile personally." The Superior said calmly. He is explaining how it is better for the Demon Lords to punish Boris, not the Superior alone.

Merluck smirk as he comments, "I understand."

"Besides, you're right about Trixie's relationship with Boris. I believe this is the beginning of their romantic relationship." The Superior chuckles a bit much to Merluck’s notice.

“So, that’s why you pair between them.” Merluck said in amusement yet puzzlement. “But, that is unlike you, father, for thinking of romance.”

“No, it isn’t. I merely making sure that fool don’t do anything stupid.” The Superior explains as he and Merluck teleported out of Safe Haven. Boris and Trixie look at their position; they blush just before the two quickly separate.

"Are you alright, Boris? I'm sorry for not informing you earlier." Trixie said to Boris in guilt. She would've told him about the punishment before but the mare got delayed.

Boris doesn't seem worry as he comments, "No worries. Besides, I'd always want to speak against your stupid father."

Trixie slap Boris's face, snapping, "Don't get used to it, Boris. I'm pretty ticked off at your stupid stunt."

Boris groan, "I won't, boss."

"I'm not your boss. I'm your friend." Trixie said to Boris in gentle.

'Yeah, we're friends." Boris comments with a sigh, making Trixie sighs a bit. When will he ever realize that she wants to be more than just a friend?

"For now, better hope that two pals of yours don't get killed." Trixie sighs a bit. "Why do you even hang with them anyway?"

"I don't know." Boris remarks to Trixie with a sigh. "The truth is, they're the only ones who aren't scared of me when I was a bully back then, both of them are willing to hang with me. Sometimes, I treat them more like mindless minions...sometimes I treat them like the only friends that I got."

Trixie sigh a bit as she hugs Boris in comfort. He will be needing it.

-----------------

Dai Gui roars angrily, "My pet is defeated!" The Demon Lords has been informed of yet another defeat of another pet of the Demon Lords. This time, it's Egola, who is Dai Gui's pet. The Demon is not happy at all.

Hsi Wu groans, "Great, another pet of ours lost. These ponies are getting more tenacious than we realized."

"Perhaps, Hsi Wu; While Tchang Zu made some necessary preparations for our enemies' arrival, we must make ours for the future," Tso Lan said calmly. Hopefully their preparations will at least make up for what happened so far.

"Indeed. How unfortunate for us to be beaten by not only ponies, but Mystic Banishment Ingredients," Xiao Fung remarks with a frown. "So four of us down and four are still in."

"Well, if you can count five when Tchang Zu is defeated." Hsi Wu said, suggesting that Tchang Zu will most likely be beaten next if Twilight and her friends found out what Tchang Zu's Mystic Banishment Ingredient is.

"Tchang Zu will not! His plans and prowess cannot fall easily to mere ponies. He will avenge my pet's defeat!" Dai Gui roars angrily. He wants Egola to be avenged soon enough!

"Don't remind me of that. It's so hard to believe that Grundles are determined to defend their home, and the next, they befriend the ponies." Bai Tza said, recalling how the Grundles became friends after King Hugo was beaten. "Unbelievable, for an extinct species, they are too friendly."

"Tchang Zu should have ordered the Goblin to lead them to safety for me to feast." Po Kong grunts a bit in disappointment. "So, that no pony can get Golden Nugget since the King of Grundles has it."

Hsi Wu rolls his eyes, asking his fellow Demon dryly, "Really? Food is all you can think of?"

"I can't help it, Hsi Wu. After all, it's a habit. I am the Demon Lord of Mountain. I hungered and devoured anything, even smallest pieces. The more I eat, the stronger I get." Po Kong said, explaining how she tends to get stronger when she eats.

"You should know of that, Hsi Wu. Still, what would a Mystic Pony be doing here in the first place?" Bai Tza asks, getting to the subject as to what a Mystic Pony is doing in the End of Equestria in the first place.

"We will never know, my sister dear. But I do know that if it is an old enemy of mine, I will tear him apart, especially his nephew. Both of them are bothersome and nuisance!" Shendu remarks, recalling the past as to how two certain enemies of his were a mind to him centuries ago.

Flashback

At Shendu's Palace, Dragon Kick, Tadaka, Lorcan, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are fighting Shendu while leaving the Royal Guards and the Ninja Shadow Demons, blue humanoid black ninjas to battle. While flying up high, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna fire their magic at Shendu, causing him to be pushed back into a wall. Both Tadaka and Lorcan charge at Shendu.

Shendu immediately dodge the attacks and used his tail to swipe Tadaka's leg fall. Lorcan jump up high and is about to attack Shendu. Shendu grab Lorcan's leg. He swung him for a few times before he threw him at the Princesses up high.

Shendu roar and glare at Dragon Kick, "I'll tear you apart, Mystic Warrior!"

Shendu starts chasing Dragon Kick who yelps in worry, "Bad day! Bad day! Bad day! BAD DAY! Uncle! Hurry!"

Dragon Kick climbs onto a wall with his two legs. Shendu charge right at him before he quickly jump over before Shendu crash onto the wall.

Dragon Kick quickly stomps on Shendu's head. The Demon roared angrily. Dragon Kick jump out and start running while Shendu chase after him.

During this time, Tao is mixing potions with the help of Star Swirl the Bearded and Golden Heart. Star Swirl ask Tao in concern, knowing that the others may not hold out against Shendu for long, "How long will it take, Tao? Our allies cannot hold him long!"

"Patient, A little bit more, old friend!" Tao remarks to Star Swirl sternly.

"If it doesn't work, you will be sorry, Tao!" Golden Heart said to Tao with a scowl.

Tao hits Golden Heart's head, snapping, "Manners, Goldie! You do not have the knowledge of Mystic Magic Potions! Do you want to defeat Shendu?" Golden Heart nods his head."Then help me with swift as a rabbit!"

Golden groan, "I hate it when he was right." He quickly helped Tao with the ingredients that Tao had.

Shendu was about to fire his attacks through his hand, eyes and mouth. Dragon Kick cried in fear as he keeps on running until he was pushed to the right by Lorcan.

Dragon Kick sighs in relief, "Thanks, Lorcan."

"Don't mention it." Lorcvan said with a grin to his ally.

Dragon Kick and Lorcan armed their battle position as Shendu is coming at them. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Tadaka came to them as quickly as they can.

Tadaka calls out, "Look sharp, here comes the bad Dragon."

"Dad! Is this the time to joke?" Lorcan asks Tadaka, a bit annoyed by the joke.

"No! It's clobbering time!" Tadaka exclaims in determination. Both he and Shendu roar angrily as they both charge and held their fronts tight and strongly. They both glare at each other. "Shendu, give it up! You can't win this fight! All of your brethren have sent to the Realm of Demons by brave Mystic Ponies! So, I suggest you surrender! I don't want to hurt you as my friend!"

Shendu growl, "If you are, then you wouldn't side with weakling ponies in the first place! For what; for glory; Was mine isn't enough?!"

"It's not the power, Shendu! It's helping my friends! I cannot let you harm them, not while I stand as my father did before me!" Tadaka exclaims to Shendu in determination.

Shendu just scoffs at this, "Your father is a weak-minded fool! He knows nothing of strength!"

"How dare you speak to my father that way," Tadaka roars to Shendu in fury by Spykoran (AKA the original Spike) be insulted that way.

"You will pay for insults, Shendu!" Celestia exclaims sternly over the Dragon King being insulted that way as well.

"Prepare yourself!" Luna said in determination.

Celestia and Luna launched their magic powers at Shendu's eyes. While trying to recovered from the attack, Tadaka quickly push him out while Dragon Kick and Lorcan jump over his father. They both used their fists and punches on Shendu's face, knocking him down to the ground. At first, they were okay. They screamed in pain as the two shook the pain off from their fists.

Dragon Kick yelps in pain, "Those talismans of his are making him stronger. That hurt!"

"Unless we stop his powers, we won't get a break." Lorcan groans in agreement. Shendu is going to be hard to beat unless his powers are taken from him!

"Fear nothing, our allies. Our magic will temporary stop his powers. Tao, now," Star Swirl calls out in determination.

Tao, Star Swirl and Golden Heart placed their cards in front of them with strange words that symbolized 'Power Ceased'. The old pony mumbles these words, "Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao; Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

The cards glow in green. They then fire at Shendu as he screams in pain. After that, Shendu slowly get up while Princess Celestia, Luna, Dragon Kick, Tadaka, Lorcan, Tao, Star Swirl and Golden Heart prepare to attack.

Shendu tried to fire from his mouth and hand, but nothing happens. He also saw his Shadow Ninja Demons are not there. Shendu was in shock as he shivers in fear.

"What did you do to me?!" Shendu demands to his enemies frantically.

"Temporary Stop Attack Spell; Just for the right monster," Tao explains to Shendu calmly. That spell will keep Shendu's powers in check.

"In other words, you have no hope to use your powers or your army." Golden Heart explains clearly to Shendu. The Demon's reign of terror ends today.

Star Swirl nods as he adds, "You had lost, Shendu."

"I have not!" Shendu exclaims in madness. He refuse to lose so close to victory!

"Think again!" Dragon Kick and Lorcan exclaims. They jump high and kick straight at Shendu's face. Tadaka charge and gives some punches onto Shendu for few times. Princesses, Tao, Star Swirl and Golden Heart launch their magic on Shendu.

They continued attacking Shendu for few times until Dragon Kick and Lorcan gave the last punches at Shendu on his face. Shendu was knocked out to the ground. Everyone surrounded him.

Flashback Ends

Tso Lan hold a fist in rage, commentating, "Tao and Dragon Kick. Both of them are the reasons of our defeat. I presume that one of them is helping our enemies."

"Yes. One of them; and I presume the old pony is." Shendu said thoughtfully. Come to think of it, the old voice does sound like Tao's! "So what plans we must be prepare, Tso Lan?"

"As far as I know, our only remaining pets are four: Bai Tza's, Tchang Zu's, Hsi Wu's and mine while I, Shendu, Po Kong and Tchang Zu are still open to our portal." Tso Lan said, recalling how there are only four pets left while four of the Demon Lords are still able to get to Equestria. "To defeat our enemies, we will strike them at the last item they require."

"I know what you mean. So both you and me will be the last line of defense." Shendu said evilly.

"No, I will be. Shendu, you must guard the last ingredient, and make sure that our objective is secured and cleared." Tso Lan explains to Shendu clearly of what must be done. "That ingredient must not be retrieved from your palace."

"Understood, Tso Lan," Shendu said, bowing a bit.

"So, I guess I will be at my territory for my food to come. But what about you," Po Kong ask Tso Lan, wondering what he will do if the heroes were to get the last ingredient.

"Yes, my little sister. Should Nightmare Moon and her family succeed in task, they will be on their way home. That will be my entrance and my stand against them. I will bring her back to us, even if I had to spill her blood out to create a new Nightmare Seeker. "Tso Lan said in determination. Nightmare Moon will be the Demon Lord's no matter what.

"Do what you must, older brother. Our freedom and victory depends on the four of you." Bai Tza said sternly. "Remember do not underestimate them, especially Twilight Sparkle. She is the reason for making your weapon and daughter as her daughter. She might have ways to defeat you."

"Do not worry, Bai Tza. Instead of defeating Twilight, I have some use of her and her so-called husband. We will not fail this mission." Tso Lan said in confidence...maybe too confident.

"Understood," The Demon Lords said in determination.

"We shall be freed from this imprisonment! I shall find the way to free us, instead of Panku Box. Equestria will fall to our hands." Tso Lan roars eagerly.

---------------------------

In the meeting room, the Superior contacts Grimmore once more, the Dark Elf ask, "Well?"

"Boris doesn't deny it...I will let him live for now." The Superior said calmly. "If the Demon Lords don't kill him first..."

"I doubt it. The Demon Lords can't do much if they are beaten and banished back to the Realm of Demons once more." Grimmore said calmly as well. "Boris is quite a troublemaker."

"Not much like his father." The Superior remarked. "Now there's a pony who knows what he's doing."

"Then I suggest we replace that disgrace with him." Grimmore suggested.

"Not now. Boris can still be of use to us all. If Boris keeps stepping out of line too many times, then I will do something about him." The Superior said in dismissal. "Now let's get back to another matter...according to what T. Moon has informed me about...the Hole."

Grimmore ask in interest, "What of this Hole?"

The Superior explains, "It is destroying another universe..."

---------

The Hole is already wiping out another universe, confronting a version of Spike, demanding "Merge With me!"

"Never," The alternative Spike snaps. He only yells as the Hole overshadows him, preparing to do whatever he wants to do.

--------------

"Perhaps this Hole is better off as an ally than a foe." The Superior said calmly. "If he comes here eventually, what universe will we have left to rule?"

"We will keep an eye on that Hole as well. We all need to keep an eye on some individual we don't trust." Grimmore commented.

"Like a certain robot that I found. How pathetic," The Superior chuckles a bit.

A figure in the shadows glares at the Superior with red lights for eyes, mumbling, "Those pathetic meat bags..." He flexes his mechanical claw before disappearing.

-----------------

Shining Armor visits Twilight's home at Ponyville. He looks around and sees the family book. Shining opens it and saw a picture of his foal hood with his parents, Twilight, his dead-brother and him. He then flips into the next one. This one consist not only his family, but Friends and Royal Family: Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Ben, Nyx, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Spike and Phobos. They all looked happy from last year after Lorcan's War.

Tears drip slowly from his eyes, they dripped and flow down Shining Armor's face. He sob softly and sadly while looking at the photo album.

Shining sobbed, "Twiley; My Little Twiley."

Princess Cadance, Night Light and Twilight Velvet came in and saw Shining Armor crying. They approached him and comfort the stallion with Night Light saying, "Shhh.....It’s okay, son. It's not your fault."

"It is, dad! I'm her Big Brother Best Friend Forever! I'm supposed to help, support and protect her at any cost because I don't want to repeat the same mistake like losing Starlight!" Shining exclaims to his father in sadness. "It's all because of me! I'm such an irresponsible stallion!"

Twilight Velvet sighs, saying, "No, you're not. Besides, do you think that you're the only one who suffered in seeing her off to the end of the world?"

"No, mom," Shining admits.

"Then, don't blame yourself, young stallion. This is Twilight Sparkle we're talking about. She'll do anything to help and protect her friends and family, just like we did." Twilight Velvet explains to Shining gently. "You know that like when she tried to defend you from evil queen and her Changelings."

"Don't forget about saving the Crystal Empire from evil king. It's very hard for us too, son. But in our family, we cannot lose that faith. We must believe in her and her family coming back to us." Night Light said, saying that no matter what, everyone must believe that Twilight will come back soon.

Cadance hug Shining Armor, saying kindly, "Don't give up on your sister because I'd always believe in her coming back and save us. She always does."

"I know, Cadance. It's so hard for me to see her off. What if I'd never see her again? I don't want to see this event again," Shining said, worried about him losing Twilight like he has lost Starlight.

"I know." Cadance said in understanding.

Night Light and Twilight Velvet smiled as they approach and hug both Cadance and Shining Armor. Twilight's father asks Shining, "Shining Armor, do you remember our lullaby?"

"Yeah, dad, we sing together to make us feel better." Shining said with a small smile, recalling that lullaby all so well.

"I know it's not the time to sing our song. But it makes us better. I'm sure Twilight wouldn't want you be upset." Twilight Velvet suggests to Shining. Perhaps a song would help make him feel better.

Flashback

Filly Twilight approaches the sad Shining Armor in his room. He is on his bed as the colt stares at the window. Twilight jumps on his back that startled him.

"Are you alright, big brother?" Twilight ask Shining in concern, wanting to help him.

Shining sighs, "I'm fine, little sis."

"No, you're not. What is it?" Twilight insists to Shining. Something is bugging her big brother and she won't be happy if he isn't happy.

Shining sighs, knowing that his little sister won't give in until he talks, "Okay, little sis, you win. I failed the test again. My dad is so gonna kill me. I know I want to become the Royal Guard, but I can't, because of my mistakes. Maybe I should think of another way."

"No way! You're not gonna quit, mister!" Twilight squeaks a bit in determination. "You're not gonna give up!"

"But, Twilight......It's-" Shining begins to say but Twilight, who won't have it, interrupts him.

"No excuses, Shiny. You're my Big Brother Best Friend Forever. I don't want you to give up your dream. Because it's what you want. That's who you are." Twilight explains to Shining. As he looks at her, the filly continues, "Being Royal Guards doesn't need the smart ones, they need heroic, brave and kind soldiers like you. You may not be the smartest pony, but you're the kindest and greatest brother that I ever had, no matter who or what ponies said."

Shining gasps but smile, "Oh, Twiley, I forgot how smart you'd really are. Thanks sis. You are the best."

Twilight smile as she said, "Don't forget Starlight."

Shining chuckles, "I wouldn't."

Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle hug together. Night Light, Twilight Velvet and Starlight saw what happened, and they smiled to see it. It's great to see these two siblings helping one another no matter what.

Twilight giggles while asking, "Can you sing our lullaby?"

Shining smile as he answers, "Anything for you, little sis." They both sing together.

Flashback ends

"I guess you're right. I'll sing for Twilight." Shining said as he begins singing.

Shining: Please stop your crying, it will be alright
Just take my hoof, hold it tight
I will protect you from all bad ponies
I will be here, so don't cry

Cadance: For one so young, you seem so strong
My hooves will hold you, keep you safe and warm

Night Light smiles, remembering his memories. He misses his daughter enough to sing along as well.

Night Light: This bond between us can never be broken

Twilight Velvet: I will be here, don't you cry

The family hugged each other, singing together.

Shining, Cadance, Night Light and Twilight Velvet: 'Cause I'll be in your heart
Yes, I'll be in your heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

Shining and Cadance: I'll be in your heart
No matter what they think

Night Light and Twilight Velvet: I'll be here in your heart,

Family Together: Always

Twilight Velvet: Why won't they understand our bond and love?

Night Light: They just don't trust what they don't understand.

Cadance: We maybe different, but

Shining: Deep inside us, our hearts are bonded as one as a family.

Family Together: And I'll be in your heart
Yes, I'll be in your heart
From this day on,
Now and forevermore.

Night Light: Don't listen to them, 'cause what do they understand?
(Twilight Velvet: what do they understand)

Twilight Velvet: We need each other, to have strengths of our love.

Night Light and Twilight Velvet: They'll see in time, I believed.

Cadance: When destiny calls you, you must be strong
(Shining Armor: You gotta be strong)

Shining Armor: I may not be with you, but you've got to have faith.

Shining Armor and Cadance: They'll see in time, we know.
We'll show them together, 'cause

Family Together: I'll be in your heart,
Believe us, I'll be in your heart.
I'll lwas be there from this day on, now and forever more.

Night Light: Oh, I'll be in your heart
(Twilight Velvet: I'll be here in your heart)

Cadance: No matter what they say
(Shining: I'll be with you)

Family Together: I'll be here in your heart
(I'll be there)

The song is close to ending as everyone grins.

Shining Armor: Always

Cadance: Always

Night Light: I'll be with you,

Twilight Velvet: I'll be there for you always

Night Light, Twilight Velvet, Cadance: Will and always be there for you
Our bonds are strong
Our bonds are great
Our bonds are one and love

Shining Armor: I'll be there always.

Once the song is over, Night Light, Twilight Velvet, Shining Armor and Cadance hugged together. They hope for the safe return of Twilight and her group

Outside of Twilight's home window, Jade saw and heard everything. She sobbed and smile at the scene.

Jade sniffled as she said, "Twilight and Nyx are lucky to have their family. If only I could see mine 190 years ago. That would be nice."

Jade rub her tears off before she left.

--------------

In front of a canyon, Dragon Kick informed Tao about the status in Ponyville, as well as the mistake he made. Of course, Tao wasn't pleased at all.

Tao screams in anger, "Aieeeyaaah!"

"What is it, Uncle?" Dragon Kick asks his uncle. As a response, Tao hit on Dragon Kick's head, making him yelp in pain.

"How many times do I have to tell you; do not give mortals Golden Eggs! They will be tempted and greedy for them!" Tao scolds Dragon Kick. "Were you listening?! No; How on heaven are you becoming a better and powerful Mystic Pony if you keep repeating same mistake?!"

Dragon Kick rubs where Tao hits him with a hoof, asking with a groan, "Why do you have to hit me for over a thousand years, Uncle, when you know it wasn't my fault? By the way, Uncle Tao, I retired from being a Mystic Warrior. I am a Mystic Civilized as archaeologist."

"That won't be any Mystic Civilized if you're not careful, like I'm entrusting you in my absent duty." Tao snaps to Dragon Kick sternly. "Your job is to keep an eye of any trouble, but instead you let Mighty Heart give Golden Eggs, all for cookies?!"

Dragon Kick sheepishly said, "Sorry."

"Golden Eggs not important; this is not good. If we do not accelerate this mission, the enemies will strike. The Superior and Grimmore will stop at nothing to destroy all the life in Equestria. I feared that darkness will triumph." Tao said in concern, fearing for the future of Equestria.

"I wonder if Twilight and her family had arrived here." Dragon Kick said, pondering if Twilight and her group has arrived yet.

"Only one way to find out," Jade said, almost causing Tao to jump out of his coat as well as freaking out Dragon Kick.

"Jade; I thought I told you-!" Dragon Kick begins to scold Jade once more.

"How many times do I have to remind you? I had Battle Mode to maximize my Chi Protection Spell." Jade snaps to Dragon Kick in annoyance. "So no biggy; Speaking of which, somepony is coming."

Tao, Dragon Kick and Jade spot Twilight and her family from far. Tao smile as he prepares himself, saying, "That would be my entrance. Good luck for me."

Dragon Kick and Jade activated their invisibility spell. They vanished from sight. Hopefully, this meeting will go well.

------------

Twilight and her family was heading to the next area when they spotted Tao. Nyx comments, "It's Tao."

"What's 'dat old pony doing?!" Tough ask puzzled. Tao is collecting rocks for some reason. That old pony is getting more mysterious by the moment!

"No idea. Let's check on him." Twilight suggests as the group came over to Tao.

"Hey, Tao," Ben calls out, getting Tao's attention.

Tao smiles as he comments, "Ah, Twilight and her family. I see you're out of the cold. You had me worried because you might become Ice Ponies."

Phobos groan, "Don't remind me."

"Not to be rude, but what's with the rock collection?" Spike asks, glancing at the rocks that Tao is picking up.

Tao smile, answering Spike's question, "Do you know that rocks have some meanings?"

"I don't get it." Bocolix said in confusion, not understanding what Tao is going for here.

Dumbledore nods in agreement as he adds, "Yeah, they're just dumb rocks."

"Well, he had a point." Spike spoke up with a shrug.

Phobos nods, adding, "I couldn't agree more. Rocks have no meaning."

Tao hit Spike, Phobos, Bocolix and Dumbledore's heads, making them yelp in pain. The old pony scolds the disbelievers, "More than just dumb rocks, Dragons and thieves. They maybe small as one, but as together, they united as large and create massive quake and destruction. Beware of them."

"Wait! Yer're not talking about a landslide or a rock slide, are yew?" Tough ask Tao in concern.

Tao answers, "Mostly."

"So you're advising us not to underestimate the rocks?" Nyx ask Tao while blinking her eyes which may be a clue to the next area. Odd, normally, it was the weird voice which helped with the riddles.

"Exactly," Tao comments as he points to up ahead. "Up ahead is Calamity Canyon. It is the most dangerous area where rocks fall from the heaven. So, you'd best be luck for this mess, my friends. Be aware of danger."

"Got it, Tao," Ben said as he turns around, "In 3, 2 and 1."

"For what," Phobos ask as he and the others turn around, wondering what Ben is counting down to.

"Tao's gone again." Twilight said suddenly. Everyone looked surprised of when they saw Tao is not with them again.

"When did you become psychic, Twilight," Spike ask Twilight in amazement.

"I didn't. It's just Tao's habit for disappearing for 5 times, so far. But I'm not saying he's a ghost. I still don't know how he does that." Twilight said with a chuckle. It's amazing how Tao kept disappearing for some reason or so.

"Here comes the voice, right?" Nyx ask, knowing that the voice is about to appear at any given moment.

As if on cue, the voice spoke, "Beware of the raining rocks, a powerful warrior shall come and aid you."

"Well, another habit for the voice. These things keep getting weirder and weirder." Spike said with a shrug.

Phobos nods in agreement, saying, "No kidding."

"No time to talk. Let's head off." Ben said as the group heads off to Calamity Canyon itself.

As the group leaves, they fail to see Tao reappearing along with two relatives of his. Jade, puzzled, ask, "Okay, wanna tell us why you decide to say the riddle once?"

"That's because two of them are not a threat." Tao explains to Jade clearly.

"Uncle Tao's right, Jade; Egola was a prisoner to Dai Gui while the falling rocks, I believe we'll be there to help, right?" Dragon Kick suggests to Tao.

Tao hit on Dragon Kick's head. He scolds, "I told you, we cannot interfere in mortals' affair! But somepony will."

Dragon Kick and Jade ask at once and in bewilderment, "Who?!" If the Mystic Ponies cannot interfere, then who will?

-------------

Now the scene focuses near what could be the largest canyon where it looks like giants could march through and they still not reach the top unless they were double to triple the size. What was interesting to Twilight's group as they stopped on the entry point to this canyon that seemed stringed; From a few spots ahead were rubble scattered around, like rocks have fallen and could crush the gang if they aren't careful.

"Where are we now?" Tough Apple asked off to the rest in wondering where they darn ended up in within this dominion that is; the End of Equestria.

"A place called Calamity Canyon." Twilight spoke from looking over her map to explain the location they are now in.

"Wow, just hearing the name sounds like calamity in the waking!" Phobos issued off in knowing that just coming to such a place must be asking for a calamity to fall on them.

"Wha….what else does it say about this place Twilight?" Spike asked in having the strangest feeling that this place has some surprising secrets around.

"It's a canyon where speed is the key, unless we go really fast, we'll be crushed by falling boulders coming at us like raindrops." Twilight explained from seeing her map that tell her about what this Calamity Canyon place is known for.

"That really does sound bad, then!" Nyx exclaimed from having the weirdest sense that this could be a tricky place to get by.

"The tricky part is that the road's open path ahead or so can get tricky to run across with so much rubble piled around the areas." Twilight explained that just getting through the canyon will be hard, cause even if they ran or flew, there is bound to be piled up rubble from low, medium to high, and that can make things hard. "Worst of all is that it's said farther ahead, larger boulders may begin to fall, which means we've really gotta outrun it or risk getting flatten." The girl explained the serious part of what still lies ahead for them was that the deeper they try to pass through this place, larger boulder obstacles will come out to stop them.

"That, all together, makes us now see why it's called Calamity Canyon." Ben nods in feeling he gets why this canyon is called 'Calamity Canyon', it's almost sounding like an 'Obstacle of Doom' for the Wonderbolts to overcome.

"Gee, the place sounds like we can't even go backwards when we're so far ahead." Bocolix responded in seeing this was one tricky area that the group had to overcome to complete their gathering ingredients (and bring back Twilight Sparkle).

"Can we use our wings to get across or just teleport all the way? It might be wasteful, but what else do we got?" Dumbledore shrug off to say that unless the group have another way to get through this canyon of calamity, then it'll be almost hard to overcome without getting crushed.

"Or we can try a new idea 'ta give us more power 'ta speed fer Justin here, using Rabbitchu's electricity 'ta give us the boost we needs." Tough Apple issued off something just now that completely caught everyone here by surprise just now.

"Hugh, that sounds like it might actually work." Twilight rubbed her chin with a smile in rethinking it, and Tough's suggestion may just be the key to not use up their own magic strength or physical energy, and use that when they really need it.

After a few minutes with Twilight's aid, Tough, Ben- and even Dumbledore and Bocolix- aided in trying to follow the smart mare's idea in how to give Justin a supercharged boost from Rabbitchu. It involved a little spot where the bull's back would allow the little yellow rabbit/weasel to station itself to help transmit it's strong storage of energy into the MechBull. Soon the job was done, Rabbitchu sat on top of Justin's back near the neck and waist spot, and soon everyone else got into the cart while Tough Apple was station for the driver portion.

"Okay, Rabbitchu, give Justin a charge." Tough Apple instructed the little mechanical rabbit to give the MechBull a great big charge.

"Chu, chi…." Rabbitchu nods in response before it lets its tentacles wrap around Justin to sit tightly so it won't get knock off. "CHUUUUU……/Bzzz…." Soon Rabbitchu was unleashing a large surge of energy that was coursing through Justin's entire being.

"Mwrrughh….URRARRRUGHHH," Justin could suddenly feel all that extra energy inside him, making him have a lot more strength then he's ever had. Then the MechBull was charging off two to three times its speed strength of 20 Pegasus fliers pulling a cart, and that's if they were Wonderbolt material to be in fast shape.

"Yeeeehaaaaaah; we're charging through now partner!" Tough Apple cheered off to say while everyone was just keeping themselves sit tight in the cart so they wouldn't get blown off from much wind pressure force.

Soon, the gang was zipping through to dodge a few of the average-sized boulders while thanks to Justin's boulder smashing horns and being supercharged in speed boost, it is excellent to ram through any piles of gravel or rubble without any accidents.

"Hey, maybe this calamity thing isn't as bad as we thought!" Phobos spoke off to kick back to relax, everything looks like nothing could harm them.

"Wanna bet?!" Spike cried out to shout in worry to notice, something harmful is coming their way.

"BASH…BASH…Crashfruvhmmm…." Soon what was coming down was very large size rocks that smashed and bashed around, almost causing a quake that shook the gang. The good news was they were alright, but question remain, how long, especially when more larger size rock boulders would come falling down to crush them.

"Dadgum! We're at max speed an' them bigger fellas sure are hitting hard!" Tough Apple curse in seeing that Justin and Rabbitchu are giving them everything they got, yet if the objects are too big, they can't dodge since the wide room isn't long enough to maneuver about.

"We need to stop them!" Nyx stated that the group has to stop those falling boulders from almost getting to them.

"You're right, Nyx, we'll have to destroy them." Twilight nods in believing her daughter made a good point, they have to destroy those large rocks before they touch the ground and almost hit them.

"Hey, Bocolix, Dumbledore, think you can actually help break a couple of giant rocks?" Ben smiled to turn to the Enforcers while getting his Master Sword and Triforce power ready here to fire off some range techniques.

"You kidding us; Of course we can!" Bocolix spoke off with a smirk as if stating that was a trick question to them.

"Yeah, let's break them rocks to pieces!" Dumbledore nods in stating that the two goofy Alicorns will gladly help in breaking some rocks to pieces.

Now this gang of travelers was not letting a few large falling rocks stop them, even Nyx transformed into her Battle Form to give better aid here. Little by little, from the dragon's firepower, Tough's gun aim to a few magical spells and some flying maneuvers from the other ponies of the group, managed to make the job seem pretty easy; if your either alicorns or an Earth Pony with a powerful element inside. After such a near particular experience, the gang was seeing the exit up ahead that would lead them out of this tricky canyon.

"We're almost there, the exit, it's as clear as day." Spike spoke in noticing that just a few more miles away was the exit in which they would succeed in getting through Calamity Canyon.

"Don't you mean night?" Phobos asked off a sudden random question out of nowhere.

"Why would you say that Phobos," Nyx looked to her friend puzzled, it's still some daylight left, so why?

"Hay, wait, he's right! Look, we're in a large shadow!" Dumbledore spoke from seeing a large shadow had covered their very being now.

"And weren't we just in the daylight, too?" Bocolix asked off puzzled, this seemed really confusing to them now since everything was now dark as like the day was over.

"Something's not adding up, no way is the timezone here any different when mom sets the sun for aunt luna to make it nighttime." Ben issue from having a weird feeling this was not the time of day to go night, he should know, but then why was it getting dark all around?

"Then what…." Twilight was trying to figure something out…only to look up and feel shocked. "Oh no…." She slowly responded in sounding almost completely shock and stump in what she witnessed above.

"Twilight….what's wrong with you," Ben asked from seeing his love was looking almost struck with fear, this earn the others' attention too.

"That!" Twilight cried out to point at what she saw up ahead of their moving cart ride.

Suddenly, above the gang's heads was not the skies turning dark. On the contrary, what it was was much more solid…more wider….more rocky. What was shown over the sun and passing to let light through was that what was decreasing was by far….A MOUNTAIN! Yes, it would appear that Calamity Canyon's last largest boulder to be seen near the end would be a tower of unbelievable magnitude that might be the greatest threat to stop.

"GREAT CELESTIA! 'DAT THERE IS A MOUNTAIN-SIZED MONSTROSITY!" Tough Apple screamed out in terror, how can they even hope to avoid a mountain coming at them.

"Twilight, tell us we can break that?" Spike asked the smart pony for an option here, if not, they are as good as…well he rather not say.

"ARE YOU NUTS? LOOK AT THAT THING!" Phobos snapped to Spike like he lost it, that last boulder is too big even for them to stop.

"Forget the size, just attack it!" Ben issued to the gang to forget the technical matters and just focus on destroying it before it gets too close.

Soon, everypony was giving it everything to destroy that mountain size boulder. The dragons were firing their flames and Tough Apple fired his rifle, Ben used his Master Sword to fire Sword Beams. And from those that know the technique: The Unicorn Burst, Twilight, Adult Nyx, Dumbledore and Bocolix fired the spell to hopefully break the mountain. But alas, even such powerful spells were not showing signs of breaking through or destroying that which would take a mountain of sheer power and strength to destroy a mountain (boy, in some of the ponies' minds, they almost wish Boris the Black Devil was around…."almost", that is).

"We're not even cracking its surface with our magic!" Dumbledore responded completely stump, just how thick was this rock anyway.

"We're even trying that Unicorn Burst, but it's only made holes." Bocolix issued about using the strongest piercer magic, but they, Nyx and Twilight have managed to chip most of the larger pieces away while not getting the bigger bunch.

"Holly-Frank, 'dis looks like we're plain crush done!" Tough Apple yelped to cover his noggin, this looks like the end of their road now.

"Keep trying, don't give up….we have to keep fighting, we have to….WE HAVE TO!" Ben tried to keep everyone to not give hope as he was charging up his sword to unleash his energy in this next shot.

Soon Ben fired a Sword Beam to try to break the rock and watched it fad from a tiny impact. It looked like that tiny bit couldn't do anything and nothing would stop the island size boulder….or would it? "SLASH!/Breakfruvhmmm…." But then in an instant, the giant island size marvel was instantly sliced in half, clean across by some…sharp blade. But how, "Kapowfruvhmmm…." Then both halves impacted separated spots away from the gang while they were passing through to see such cleavage in the center of the rock. By now, everyone's mind was on one thing only; what just happened.

"Hey everypony; we're okay!" Nyx issued to say to the rest that they were not dead, they made it out okay.

"HOORAY!" The others cheered in feeling they managed to escape that terrible dilemma by sheer luck, boy, it's a wonder if anypony could get by in the End of Equestria from something like that.

"Ben, how'd you pull off such a miracle?" Twilight asked her love from seeing he was the last to attack that large island size rock, how did he do such a feat in cutting it in half.

"Well, Twilight, I gotta be honest with you and everyone. I have no idea, that move was nowhere near what I tried to do." Ben spoke in honestly saying that he wasn't the one that broke that large rock in half, it seemed like it was…done by an unnoticeable source, but what.

"Wait, it isn't from you? Then who did it?" Spike was now very concerning, if Ben from his special power or his special sword didn't slice that large mountain size island, then what in Celestia's name did?

"Who cares! So long as we get out of this calamity zone and out into the safe zone!" Phobos waved off such a matter that if the group can get out of here first, then they'll be able to live and learn about such issues later.

"The Moon Dragon fella's right, let's chit-chat when we're safely away fro' 'dis." Tough Apple nods in agreement, the sooner the group leaves this canyon of falling rocks the better, especially since they rather not go against a second mountain to come out of nowhere.

"Agreed," The Enforcers nods in agreement to Tough Apple, they rather not wanna go through a spot where their lives, especially Twilight's life, will be in anymore danger.

Ben was very much in deep thought while they were coming out of Calamity Canyon. Celestia's son couldn't help but wonder if maybe someone was helping them, but then again, who would they be, friends, enemies, he doesn't know. The issue about Dumbledore and Bocolix were on a good term pair of allowing these Enforcers to tag along to help their journey, then that mysterious masked stallion Twilight saw that helped her when a surviving Hydra head tried to get her. Question remains now, is if this was a new individual around the End of Equestria, and also….if this character is seriously strong enough to slice a mountain in half perhaps. These questions….will be answered eventually in Ben's mind.

The group's rescue was witnessed by three familiar Mystic Ponies. Jade looks dumbfounded as she ask, "Who did that?"

Dragon Kick, recognizing, gasp, "That move; could it be -"

Tao smiles as he finishes for Dragon Kick, "Yes, Dragon Kick. An old friend of yours has come upon my request."

"Hiko Seijiro." Dragon Kick said. So Hiko is still around!

Jade gasp in excitement, "The super samurai pony; cool, let's meet him at once!"

"And ruin the surprise lesson for Ben? I don't think so, Jade." Tao said sternly to Jade. "Besides, I had planned the meeting for him and others as soon as they reached the last two ingredients."

"So uncool. Again," Jade groans a bit, she never gets any fun anymore!

"Now, don't you two have some assignment to do?" Tao ask, reminding the two of an assignment that they must be doing.

"Of course, uncle; I'll keep an eye on Ponyville while Jade does hers, both her homework and helping Might Heart in performing protection spell." Dragon Kick commented. Jade groans angrily. So unfair!

-------------------

Pinkamena is reading and a knife balanced on her nose. She says while sensing something, "Well seems like the gang are now heading out to get the other ingredients but might get into more danger and I think there are more than just Tao helping us."

Golden Heart nods as he said, "I see but for now we will just have to wait." Pinkamena nods while lifting her nose, sending the knife into the air then catches it with her teeth and, with her mouth, flings the knife at a target getting a bullseye. "Man I hate to be the enemy in your line of sight."

Pinkamena just smiles and goes back to reading. The pink Pinkie lookalike comments, "Indeed but I will let you know if anything new happens."

"Ok."

-----------------------

A while after getting out of the Calamity Canyon safe and sound, Twilight and her family had arrived at a river. The alicorn mare sighs, "Well, getting out from canyon sure put us in dire situation."

"In other words, we're so thirsty." Spike said. It's true, the gang is getting thirsty.

"Do you think it's good to drink the river?" Nyx ask her mother while glancing at the river. "We're already out of our drinks again."

Ben sniff the river. Then he frowns while saying, "I'm not very sure of that yet."

Tough lick and drank bits of it. He spits out and look disgusted from it while snapping, "By 'de taste o' 'de drinks, Ah'd say yuck!"

"Why drink the river when you had somepony bringing drinks here?" A familiar voice spoke up. Everyone yelp and they turn, seeing Tao on top of a rock, drinking tea.

"Tao," Everyone exclaims in surprise. Where did Tao came from this time?!

"Wouldn't kill you to stop that?!" Spike scowls at Tao in annoyance. That old pony keeps on coming out from hiding like that. Very irritating!

Tao grins as he answers, "Didn't Twilight told you? It's just my coincidence habit. I like to appear and disappear, young Spike."

Phobos groan, "This is getting annoying." Tao hits his head, making him yelp in pain.

"Respect your elders, Phobos. Or I'll call you another name."

"Sorry, old pony Tao."

Tao, satisfied, motions to the drinks, saying to the group, "Come, have some good drinks. Green tea tastes good." Everyone get their drinks to fill their thirsts. Nyx saw a bottle. As she was about to open it, Tao took the bottle away. The old pony then passes Green Tea to Nyx. "I'm afraid this drink is off limits, Nyx."

"Why?" Nyx ask Tao puzzled.

"Because this is alcoholic wine from Land of Ma; although it tastes good for grown-ups, it's bad for young foals and fillies like you. It might create complex, as well as giving ponies out of focus and talk about something that doesn't make sense. So I suggest you should not drink it."

"Hope yew don't mind if Ah take it?" Tough ask while glancing at the bottle, "Maybe some o' them too."

"Don't mind if I do, Tiger Warrior." Tao said as he pass the bottle to Tough.

Tough took and drank one bottle, followed by another and the next. He drank about 30 bottles. Everyone but Tao was shocked and surprised of it. This is one tough pony whose can hold his liquor!

"Wow." Bocolix whistles in amazement.

Dumbledore nods in agreement, saying, "Didn't see that coming."

"Didn't know you actually like it, Tough." Ben said impressed of how Tough was able to keep that stuff down.

Tough smirked while explaining, "When Ah was still Black Pony, Ah'd always go and get a cup of drink o' 'dis stuffs. They're kinda helped me git off some bad day an' memories."

"But wouldn't that get you in trouble?" Twilight ask Tough, worried that his drinking would cause more harm than good.

"Well, yeah. Yew've got a point. Still, Ah gotten used 'ta it because Ah've won contests drinking wines an' alcoholic drinks fer four times. Ah withstand 'dat stuff. After all, mah temper git that stupid bad mind off o' mah head. So no worries," Tough burp loudly, "Pardon me, folks. 'Dat taste good."

"I see. An interesting ability and skill, you had display, Tiger Warrior." Tao said, impressed. "You know there is a warrior from my old home who drank that too."

"Really?"

"His name is Warpath Temper. Although he is not the cleverest or brightest, his temper is his weapon to defeat his enemies. Drinking wines calms and makes him better, and even making him smart, although it often cause him some trouble if he drank the wrong types of wine. But you, you had withstood the drinks despite drinking 20 different bottles of it; Impressive."

"So, yer're saying 'dat Ah'm better than Warpath because Ah can handle any kind o' alcoholic drinks?" Tough ask Tao, arching an eyebrow at what the old pony is suggesting here.

"Indeed. My advice to you is proves your stand and worth to a dangerous opponent who underestimate the drunken warrior whom has a great rage of fire." Tao said, giving out advice once more.

"In English, pal?"

Ben explains clearly to his friend, "I think he means that even though you're drunk, your temper helps you fight and focus no matter what happens and what drinks you had."

"Wow. Thanks fer 'de comment," Tough said, a bit thankful for the comment given to him.

"Think we can handle the drinks?" Spike asks Phobos eagerly while glancing at the drinks.

"Let's try it!" Phobos exclaims excitedly.

The two Dragons were about to help themselves, but a glare from Twilight stops them. The purple Alicorn snaps sternly to the two, "Don't even think about that, you two."

Spike and Phobos protest to Twilight in disappointment, "Why not?!"

"You guys are still babies. In fact, the more you drink them, the crazier you get. So don't try it." Ben said to the two Dragons sternly. Even baby Dragons can't keep themselves from going crazy from that wild stuff.

"Fine!"

"Call me crazy when I drank this." Bocolix groans while he hiccups a bit. The Alicorn looks up and notice something. "I think the old pony's gone." Bocolix hiccup once more.

"No kidding." Dumbledore said as he hiccups as well. Sure enough, Tao is gone. Everyone looked at Bocolix and Dumbledore; both looked crazy, dizzy and tired from drinking the wines and beers.

Phobos rolls his eyes while remarking, "I don't know who's crazy: two pinheads or Tao."

"I'd take Bocolix and Dumbledore." Spike said with a shrug.

Tough chuckle, "Ah guess these fellas can't handle 'de drinks."

Just then like before, a familiar voice came out from out of nowhere, "A drunken warrior possessed rage of fire shall smite the arrogant warrior of Thunder."

"What 'de-?!"

"A drunken warrior possessed rage of fire shall smite the arrogant warrior of Thunder."

Tough blinks a bit as he remarks in confusion, "Wow, Nelly; Now, Ah'm hearing 'dis." Now the pony is hearing what others had been hearing many times before.

"So, Tough, what did the voice said?" Nyx ask Tough, wondering what riddle that the group has gotten this time.

"He said 'A drunken warrior possessed rage o' fire shall smite 'de arrogant warrior o' Thunder'. Ah had no idea what he means."

"Whatever it was, be prepared. Coz, we're about to face a dangerous battle." Twilight said in concern. Looks like a dangerous battle is about to be coming up very soon and the heroes must be prepared for what's coming up next.

-----------------

The group goes through the next area which is called 'Alcoh's Drunken Caverns', a cavern surrounded by a strange bronze mist, they say that any who inhale the stuff, will be induce with whiskey drink that's 83% alcohol, very strong liquor. Rumor has it, that no matter how heavy a drinker one is, that's a liquor guaranteed to leave anyone drop-dead drunk. They say that the cavern's rocky surfaces have collected enough mist around that when excavated can be used to crush the minerals to collect the liquor mix in the structure.

Fortunately, the group does their best not to inhale the stuff at all cause. As they move onward, they spot a pond nearby.

"At least, we found the very good pond to drink." Bocolix commented, licking his lips at the sight of the water.

Dumbledore nods as he comments, "No alcoholic, no beers and no green teas; Just fresh water."

"Well, better collect it." Spike suggests. The gang may need some water before moving onward.

"Drinking time," Phobos exclaims eagerly. The Moon Dragon then stops as he smells something in the water, "Well, I smell something funny."

"Let's drink it before we head off. Besides, this place makes me thirsty." Twilight said, needing a drink of her own right now.

Bocolix, Dumbledore, Spike and Phobos went and drank some water from the pond. Twilight, Ben and Nyx were about to drink as wellwhen Tough is heard yelling, "Stop!" This stops the three from drinking the water just in the nick of time.

"What's wrong, Tough?"

"'Dat water is not water, partner! It's 'de alcoholic water!"

Everyone yells out in alarm, "What?!"

Everypony but Tough were shocked to hear this.. Bocolix, Dumbledore, Spike and Phobos spits the water out.

"Oh boy," Bocolix groans as he hiccups once more like mad. "Here we go again!"

"Why there's," Dumbledore made a hiccup, "two of you?"

Spike sniffs the water and groans in disgust, "Yuck! Phobos's right. This stuff stinks! I'm glad that I took a sip of it."

Phobos nods, "No kidding. I think I drank too much of it." The Moon Dragon felt very dizzy as he danced weirder and crazily.

Nyx in worry ask Tough, "What's that, Tough?" What is this stuff that is alcoholic and causing Phobos and the new Alicorns to act more weirder than usual?

"'Dat alcoholic water may look like water, but wit; 'dat smell o'f it, Ah'd say it's a bad sign." Tough explains to Nyx in concern. "Trust me, kid; 'Dat drink taste a lot o' worse than any beers an' alcoholic stuff. It even makes old ponies an' kids go crazy 'ta do something stupid. Ah've tried it but Ah got drunk. Ah was lucky 'ta go someplace 'ta go crazy. But there's another way 'ta git snapped out o' it: something unexpected happening."

Ben sigh in relief, "Thanks for the save, Tough. Or else we'll be drunk, well counting Bocolix and Dumbledore out."

"Most impressive, cowpony," A voice spoke up sinisterly. Everyone turn and look up to see a new Demon entering the battle field. "You sure have your ways to know your drinks. And you ruin my plan again!"

"Who's that?!" Nyx gasps in alarm. Another one of the Demon Lords, no doubt!

Twilight gasp as she recognizes the Demon in general, "It's Tchang Zu the Demon Lord of Thunder."

"That's bad, right?" Spike asks Twilight nervously.

"I'm seriously," Phobos hiccup a bit, "not wanting to hear it."

Tchang Zu roll his eyes as he explains, "I was hoping to get every pony drunk, especially Nightmare Moon. She likes wines a lot when she was one of us."

Everyone, and even Nyx looked disgusted at what Tchang Zu had said. Spike and Phobos, after the Moon Dragon returns to himself, yells in shock, "Say what?!"

Bocolix shook his head before returning to normal, protesting, "That is wrong!"

Dumbledore returns to normal after shaking his head out. He agrees while saying, "A kid like her drink that kind of stuff. Yuck!"

"Okay, first, my name is Nyx! And second, I do not drink wines! My parents forbid it, pal!" Nyx snaps to Tchang Zu angrily. Why can't these dumb Demon Lords get the hint already?! "Like Tough said, this stuff's are not good for me!"

Tchang Zu chuckle, "Guess what, Nightmare Moon? You don't need permission from them because you're coming with me."

"Think again, Tchang Zu. We won't let you take her away again!" Twilight exclaims as she stood in front of her daughter. The mare won't let any monster take her baby from her ever again!

Ben stood near Twilight, saying sternly, "We've beaten some of the Demon Lords, so we can beat you!"

Tchang Zu angrily yells, "You dare mock the Demon Lords?! Nightmare Moon belongs to the Demon Lords. You all shall pay for your treacheries! Take this; Thunder Spear!"

Tchang Zu threw thunder shaped in spear-like and fired right at Twilight and her gang. They quickly split up. Nyx transform into her Battle Mode. They armed themselves while preparing for battle. Tchang Zu roar before he jump down to the ground.

Tchang Zu took the large gourd out. He swoop the alcoholic water up. He drank it as much as he can. Everyone was shocked to see this happening.

Tchang Zu roars madly, "Who dares to challenge me?"

"Attacking head on is a bad idea." Twilight suggests to her group in concern, knowing that attacking Tchang Zu head on is suicide. "We will blast at him from the distant."

Twilight, Bocolix, Nyx and Dumbledore fire their magic at Tchang Zu for many times as they blasted. The Demon remains still as he slowly approached his enemies. Twilight gasps. She shook her head before she continue to fire her magic, along with Bocolix, Dumbledore and Nyx, at Tchang Zu.

Tchang Zu chuckle. Spike and Phobos attack him from his back by firing their Moon and Dragon Rage. His head was burnt. Tchang Zu growl as he turned and glared at the two Dragons; they gulp as the villain declares, "Prepare to face your punishment, traitor; Thunder Spear!"

Tchang Zu threw two thunders at Spike and Phobos who scream in panick as they quickly run away. Tchang Zu threw lightning shaped weapons at Spike and Phobos as many as he can. The two Dragons yelp in pain when their tails got burned. That really hurt!

Phobos quickly uses the fan to blow the burning parts of his and Spike's tails. The Moon Dragon yelps in pain, "Ouch! Ow! OW! If you think Dai Gui is the worse, try this guy!"

"For once, we're agree," Spike yelps in agreement.

Tchang Zu threw one big thunder at Spike and Phobos. They scream in panick just before the impact. The two turn into black burnt as they felt very dizzy, just before the two Dragons fainted on the ground. Tchang Zu approach while raising his hands up high. He fires his lightning strikes at Dumbledore and Bocolix. They shout painfully like if the two Alicorns sat in electric chairs.

Tchang Zu grab Dumbledore and Bocolix's back legs up high. He starts hitting them on the ground, rocks and even water for few times. The Demon then hit the two both on their heads. Tchang Zu drop them down as Bocolix and Dumbledore moan in pain. He then stomp on their stomachs tight and hard.

Tchang Zu mumble softly, "This is what you get for attacking us, traitors."

Tchang Zu grabs Bocolix's and Dumbledore's tails. He swung them around and around for few times before the Demon threw them into the pond.

"Not again." Bocolix yelps as he hiccup, getting drunk once more. "Hey, look at me," The fool hiccup once more. "I'm a donkey."

"Really," Dumbledore groans as he hiccup as well. "I thought I'm the bird." The alicorn made another hiccup.

Tough blasts at Tchang Zu with his gun; the villain turns and approach the Earth pony, preparing on attacking him next.

"Unicorn Blast," Twilight yells out a familiar attack.

"Night Blast," Nyx yells out her attack.

"Sword Beam," Ben exclaims in determination.

The three of them fire together at Tchang Zu. Tough tried to shoot around him to get the Demon distracted. Tchang Zu yelps in pain. He then laugh evilly and then approached them slowly.

"Is that the best you can do? Your mere powers are meaningless." Tchang Zu taunts his enemies sinisterly.

"Something tells me it's not working!" Nyx exclaims to her friends and family in worry. They need another plan in hopes to stop this creep!

"This is not good." Ben said in concern. The ponies' group will have to find Tchang Zu's Mystical Banishment Instrument to beat him.

Twilight kept on the attack on Tchang Zu, yelling out to the others, "Keep fighting! We can't let him win! I won't let him get you both!"

The three of them keep on firing at Tchang Zu. Tchang Zu caught Tough before throwing him into the pond. The Demon then turns and threw three thunders at Twilight, Ben and Nyx. They got shocked literally. He unleashed his lightning strikes at them, causing the tro to scream painfully. Their animal friends whimper upon seeing how cruel and evil Tchang Zu is. He stops firing his lightning strikes as Twilight, Ben and Nyx fell to the ground.

Tchang Zu laughs evilly as he approach the defeated ponies. Twilight, Ben and Nyx tried to get up but struggled. It looks like it's really over this time.

Tchang Zu chuckle, "You're persistent and stronger than I realized. No wonder Tso Lan wants you two alive as well as getting rid of you, princess." Tchang Zu then summons the lightning from the cloud. They fired at Twilight, Ben and Nyx. The trio screamed in pain while Tchang Zu laughs evilly. "This is where I avenge my comrades' defeat. I'll be taking them now, princess."

"No!" Twilight protests to Tchang Zu. She won't lose Ben and Nyx, not to these Demon Lord monsters!

Ben snaps angrily to Tchang Zu, "I won't join your side!"

"I won't become Nightmare Moon!" Nyx exclaims painfully yet kept on defying. For a moment, it looks like nothing can stop Tchang Zu...until something unexpected happen.

A rock hit Tchang Zu hard causing him to stop his attack. He grow in anger as the Demon slowly turn and glare at Tough who is now out of the pond. Twilight, Ben and Nyx gasp in worry, concerned as to how this will go down.

"Impossible!" Tchang Zu exclaims angrily. The Demon thought that Tough was done for!

"Bob, yer're barking at 'de wrong tree." Tough declares to Tchang Zu in determination.

"What will you do? You're just an ordinary pony. You just stood in everyone's way. Trust me, I can break you into pieces, or even hurting something stupid precious of yours, drunken."

"Okay, bob. Ah don't mind being beaten up. But hurting mah precious; Yer're talking about Joe, Nyx and some o' mah pony friends, aren't yew?"

Tchang Zu laughs as he taunts his enemy, "What if I am? Trust me, you're just drunken, and there is nothing you-"

Tough punch at Tchang Zu's face, causing him to yelp in pain before the Demon fell to the ground. The Earth pony stallion snaps, "Watch yer mouth, pal; Ah may have drink wines an' beer, but Ah ain't drunk; Yer're messing wit' 'de wrong pony, bob!"

Tchang Zu groans as he gets up, "Clearly, I had underestimated a mere pony. It seems you handled the alcoholic well." Tchang Zu took the gourd out. He took as much alcoholic water then drank the first half. He then passed it to Tough who look confused at it. "A warrior needs a drink like this before the fight. Let us see who will be the one handled the alcoholic: me or you."

Tough drank the other half then burp. He wipes the water off from his mouth. As Tough threw the gourd away, Tchang Zu declares, "Let's rumble, pony."

"Bring it on, lizard face," Tough roar in determination.

Tough and Tchang Zu charges at once; They started their fight as the two punched at each other's faces and bodies many times. Tchang Zu hits Tough to the wall. Just before the villain could punch at his face, Tough moved to his right. He grabs Tchang Zu and threw him into the pond. Tough yells angrily as he jump up and smack Tchang Zu down.

Tough starts punching at Tchang Zu as many times as he can; The Demon then grab Tough and drag him to the pond. Tchang Zu push Tough into the pond then starts punching him; Tough strike back at Tchang Zu by grabbing him down into pond and beating him down. Both Tough and Tchang Zu did the same routine for a few times. The two fighters Zu held tightly and hardly as they pushed each other like mad.

Twilight, her family, Bocolix and Dumbledore, after recovering from being drunk were shocked while watching the mad battle. The purple Alicorn declares in amazement, "We're glad to have Tough with us."

Ben nods, commentating, "With a temper like his, he can sure beat that no good Demon."

Nyx cheers on her friend like mad, "Go Tough! Go!"

Spike cheers on Tough as well, "Beat that no good Demon Lord!"

"Teach that Demon lessons!" Phobos cheers wildly. Tough could win this fight!

Bocolix cringes at how hard Tough punched Tchang Zu next, causing him to comment to his colleague, "I'm not sure if I want to face him again in the future."

Dumbledore shudders, remarking, "Let's try not to fight with him the next time."

"I wonder if the riddle has to do with this," Twilight ask thoughtfully. Perhaps that riddle that they heard a while ago is the key to stopping Tchang Zu.

"I think it is. 'A drunken warrior possessed rage of fire shall smite the arrogant warrior of Thunder.'" Ben said, recalling how the riddle went. "I think that drunk warrior who possessed rage of fire is Tough."

"Tchang Zu is the arrogant warrior of Thunder. He's got overconfident in winning, just because Tough's a drunken Earth Pony."

"That's what he gets for messing with the wrong pony." Nyx remarks playfully and happily.

Tchang Zu and Tough continue to fight and beating nonstop and continuously. Tchang Zu growl in anger as his hand is charging up with electric. He then punch at Tough's muzzle up high, just before he landed into the pond. In the pond itself, Tough himself felt very dizzy and tired. He then notices something. Tough saw a castanet; He grabbed it and got out from the pond, coughing out loud. He then stares at the castanet.

"What in tarnation?" Tough ask puzzled, wondering what the castanet is for.

Suddenly a familiar voice spoke up, "Dance like beautiful swan, Demon Lord shall fall to it."

"Yew've gotta be kidding me!!!"

"Do you wish to defeat Demon Lord?!" The voice scolds, sounding like a certain old pony that the heroes knew. Tough nods, "Then, dance like a swan!"

Tough growls and mumbles angrily as he quickly stood up; Tchang Zu approach him from behind. Twilight, her family and friends became very worried. As Tough turned around, Tchang Zu drank another large sip from the pond while Tough did the same as they both glare at each other.

"Impressive. You're indeed good at alcoholic drinks. But I'm better." Tchang Zu boasts to his opponent arrogantly. "Prepare to meet your fate, drunken Earth Pony!"

Tough glare at Tchang Zu and growl in anger, "Okay, bob; Yew had made a big apple mistake. Ah don't mind me calling Black Pony, Stubborn Pony an' Stupid Pony! But calling me 'Drunken Pony'; Yer're dead meat, partner!"

Tough and Tchang Zu glared at each other, and they're ready to fight. Tough took the castanet out and said in Mexican, "Hola Senor!" The heroes look confused, what the hay?

Tough starts dancing while playing his castanet; Tchang Zu was shocked while Twilight and her family were surprised and shocked. Bocolix looks confused as he asks the others, "Is it just me or is Tough playing around?"

Dumbledore answers in bewilderment, "I think so. But this is fighting, not ballerina!"

"Wait, guys! What if dancing and playing castanet are actually...." Spike begins to say, starting to realize what's truly going on here.

Phobos finish Spike's deduction, "Mystic Banishment Ingredients!"

Nyx nods as she cheers on Tough, "Come one, Tough; Dance; Dance!"

"He'd better act fast!" Twilight exclaims in worry. Tchang Zu may snap out of his stupor and snap Tough's neck at any given moment!

"Tchang Zu may try to run away or attack Tough!" Ben exclaims in worry. But the hero spoke too soon.

"I will destroy you!" The Demon roars in fury. Tchang Zu threw multiple thunders right at Tough while he continue to dance and playing the castanet as fast as he can.

Suddenly a familiar voice boomed out, "Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

The castanet glows in green. Tough stop dancing as his castanet shielded Tough from the thunders. It then fire and blast at Tchang Zu right back, making him yell in pain. The door appears and drag Tchang Zu in, much to his shock and horror.

Tchang Zu screams, "Curse you Earth Pony! How can I be defeated by a drunken Earth Pony?! Curse yoouuuu!"

The portal closed down after Tchang Zu got in. Twilight and her family cheer happily as they quickly approach Tough. But before they could, Tough put his hoof in front, snapping embarrassingly to them, "Tell anypony about this, Ah kill yew!"

Spike smiles as he said, "Wow, easy, Tiger Warrior. We're going to say that was awesome."

"Yeah, for a bad temper pony, you sure got good moves." Phobos exclaims in awe and amazement. Those moves Tough has done were able to help in the defeat of Tchang Zu!

"Besides, Tough, you're great! You're not a drunk; you're an expert of alcoholic drinks!" Nyx exclaims happily to Tough. "If you hadn't told us about it, we would have become drunk."

"Well, we got that twice!" Bocolix exclaims, embarrassed by the stupid mistake that he and Dumbledore has done twice though is scared by Tough's reaction. "Just don't hit us! We won't tell anyone!"

"We like it! Don't kill us!" Dumbledore exclaims, scared of what Tough would do to him and his pal.

"I guess we owe it to the voice again." Twilight said with a smile, knowing that the voice once again helped in the defeat of another Demon Lord.

"Yeah, well done, buffalo Demon." Ben said, praising Tough for his victory.

Tough scratch the back of his mane, saying sheepishly, "Oh sucks; don't. Ah'm flattered. But tell nopony, especially Feathermay, about mah moves."

Everyone smile as they all said sincerely, "We won't."

"Ah wonder if de voice actually makes up der dancing part?"

Far away from the ponds of Alcoh's Drunken Cavern, Tao smiled while chuckled, “While the castanet is the Mystic Banishment Ingredient to banish Demon Lord of Thunder, dancing, I made that up. I just want to punish him for being rude to me when we first met at the Lake of Eternal. His dancing is very funny."

-----------------------------------

Tso Lan and Tchang Zu had a discussion after the later came back following his defeat. The Demon felt humiliation for being beaten, especially by a drunk Earth pony whose can sing and dance!

"I had failed. Not only was I defeated by the ponies, but I failed to retrieve the information about the Mystic Pony. I deserve punishment." Tchang Zu said, willing to accept punishment for his defeat.

Tso Lan however wave off the request as he say, "Do not worry, Tchang Zu. Remember, Nightmare Moon has yet to leave."

"What is your next plan, brother?"

"Whenever they go, Nightmare Moon and her family will face greater and dangerous challenges ahead. When they do, they shall fall by the wrath of Demon Lords. Both she and Ben will be mine to control. Come, let us gathered our siblings and see where these fools are heading."

Tso Lan and Tchang Zu left at once while Shendu appear from behind like phasing out from his shadow. The monster whisper to himself, "It appears you had failed, Tchang Zu. For an arrogant and overconfident Demon Lord, you never learn to control your personality well; Pitiful. I truly am." Shendu continue to glance at Tso Lan. "Tso Lan, you're not the only Demon Lord who wants something return to you. I too wish Spike return to me. This is for you, Tadaka and Lorcan. I shall make Spike a Demon that you both had desired. I will avenge your deaths. I will complete our revenge, starting with the one who raised him to become a slave: Twilight Sparkle."

Shendu disappear from sight. This matter is not yet over.

Chapter 8: The Driver Fight

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Chapter 8: The Driver Fight

In the Castle Nowhere's dungeon, Somnambula still remains on the ground, dead. Her eyes are closed. Her skin and body are still hard and dry. Suddenly, her hand twitch like it's trying to move. The scene then turned to her face, and then zooming and closing in to her eyes. They opened rudely.....

-------------

In the Realm of Demons, Tso Lan and seven Demon Lords have been gathered once more. Tchang Zu informed his brethren of his mission and let's says that it isn't a good time for him at all.

Hsi Wu smirk then laughs cruelly, "Ha; told ya that Tchang Zu would lose the battle!"

Tchang Zu scowls angrily to Hsi Wu, "Silence!"

Tchang Zu threw a Thunder Spear at Hsi Wu. He got shocked. Hsi Wu got impacted and turned into black burnt. Hsi Wu coughed a bit. Tchang Zu can be touchy when he's ticked off.

Xiao Fung chuckle, shaking his head while saying tauntly, "Nice going, Hsi Wu; You've made Tchang Zu very proud."

Hsi Wu scowls angrily, "It wasn't my fault if Tchang Zu got so arrogant and confident that he can't beat a 'drunken' pony."

Tchang Zu yells in fury, "You dare mock me, Hsi Wu?!" The Demon has a right mind to throw another Thunder Spear for that remark.

"Dai Gui should have silenced you when you returned to us, brother!" Dai Gui grunts angrily to the nervous Hsi Wu.

Hsi Wu recovers however as he snaps to Dai Gui, "I dare you to try now, buffalo moron!"

"If he can think carefully, Hsi Wu; I'm not saying that Tchang Zu and Dai Gui are the most cleverest Demon among our brethren as we both." Xiao Fung jokes a bit. Needless to say, Tchang Zu and Dai Gui got very offended by the joker big time.

"You dare taunt at us?!" Dai Gui roars at Xiao Fung in fury.

"You shall feel our wrath, worthless scums!" Tchang Zu exclaims, getting ready for battle. No one makes a fool out of him twice! A battle soon begins in the room right now.

"Rock Thrower," Dai Gui exclaims as he is raising his hand up high, causing the rocks to come up and threw them out.

"Thunder Spear," Tchang Zu yells as he is throwing thunder spear-like.

"Wind Blower," Xiaon Fung exclaims as he blow out intensely.

"Heat Beam Blast," The first defeated Demon yells out as Hsi Wu blast his red eyes out.

The four attacks were about to impact until Tso Lan came into middle, yelling, "ENOUGH! Dark Claw," His hands are covered in darkness as they then enlarge into giant claws. Tso Lan place his two hands on both sides and stop the attacks. Tso Lan then waved them back. Dai Gui, Xiao Fung, Hsi Wu and Tchang Zu got hit by their own attacks, knocking all four down and injuring them. "I do not want to hear this childish nonsense argument! We must focus on the important task."

Bai Tza nods in agreement as she adds, "Indeed, Tso Lan. We must eliminate Twilight Sparkle. As long as that Alicorn lives, your daughter will continue to deny her true identity, heritage and destiny."

"It will be difficult to bring her back to us, brother." Shendu said, knowing that Nyx won't come with the Demon Lords with Twilight still alive.

"It doesn't mean that we can stop. But first where those ponies go," Po Kong ask wondering where the ponies are heading to next. Maybe the Demon Lords can try again.

Tso Lan open the portal, and it revealed Twilight and her friends continuing to walk through the forest. Tso Lan move to the portal to the front, and saw the area that is familiar to them.

Tso Lan answers, "The Lake of Tears."

Bai Tza hiss, "My empire?! So Twilight Sparkle and her family are seeking the next ingredient:the Lover's Tears. I certainly cannot trust my pet to do it."

"What concern you, my sister dear? You had destroyed that area and built it as your domain, especially getting rid of its ruler and the guardian. All of them are under your control." Shendu said, wondering why Bai Tza is angry all of the sudden.

"That's the point, Shendu. I have to make sure those insects not ruin my empire, especially winning my pet's trust and restoring that alicorn ruler! If that happened, my pet and empire will be restored to its former self. The only way to do that is," Bai Tza hiss before continuing, "Pure light magic such as Elements of Harmony and Triforce Elements. I cannot allow that!"

"What can you do? Your portal is locked permanently, unless there's a way to reopen it." Dai Gui remarks to Bai Tza, pointing out that as long as Bai Tza's portal is closed, she can't go back and stop her enemies from doing the inevitable.

Po Kong grunts, "We definitely cannot trust the Goblin in taking care of the mess either."

Suddenly a voice spoke from out of nowhere, "Lords and Mistresses of Demons......." The Demon Lords yelp and gasp in shock. Someone or something else is here with them!

"What was that?!" Hsi Wu yells in alarm while looking around to see who just intruded the Realm of Demons.

"An Intruder," Tchang Zu demands.

"Impossible! No one could have entered this realm or contact us, unless they've been banished or made contract with us." Xiao Fung said in shock and disbelief; How could anyone get into this realm unless otherwise?!

"We would have sense it earlier." Shendu said suspiciously.

"Who could it been?" Dai Gui ask angrily.

"Lady Bai Tza......" The voice said. Bai Tza looks shocked as she recognizes the voice, one that the female Demon thought she wouldn't hear again since the Castle of Nowhere!

"Impossible! That witch lived?!" Bai Tza gasps in shock and disbelief. But Somnambula died when she tried to absorb the youths of Bocolix and Dumbledore, so how is it that the witch is even alive?!

"Perhaps; or perhaps not; Let us find out." Tso Lan said thoughtfully. He open the portal to the person who called them. It revealed to be a deformed and dying Somnambula.

Po Kong, stunned, gasps, "She's alive?!"

"How is it impossible?! You told us that Somnambula was killed by ponies!" Dai Gui exclaims to Bai Tza in shock and disbelief.

"I thought so too." Bai Tza said in bewilderment.

Somnambula spoke slowly, "Milady, I was... Uh... temporarily.... poisoned .... by false Alicorns'... energies and youths. But I'm... too... weak."

Tchang Zu however scoffs as he snaps, "Excuses! She should be executed for her failure!"

Suddenly Bai Tza spoke up, much to the surprise of her cohorts, "No."

"Why not," Dai Gui demands to Bai Tza in frustration. "She failed to absorb purple Alicorn!"

"True. But Somnambula is the only servant I can trust in handling and looking out for my kingdom when I was banished. She will make sure that my pet do not do anything stupid."

Po Kong pauses then nods as she said, "She's right. We cannot let those ponies continued to retrieve the ingredients."

"We have to be ensured that she and others fail their mission miserably. Once they are down, we'll have our chance to capture Nightmare Moon." Xiao Fung said sinisterly. If Somnambula can complete this task this time, then Nightmare Moon will be the Demon Lords' once more.

"While that is true, Somnambula is too weak to fight." Hsi Wu said, reminding the others of Somnambula's predicament, "How can she accomplish of that with her state like that?!"

Tchang Zu nods, saying, "Even she did recovered, the witch will never make it in time to stop those insects. They will be gone and Bai Tza's empire will be in ruins."

"Not if we had special spell to stop them from retrieving it. A spell that will make any pure light and anything into permanent darkness, as long as the dark user remained alive and intact with the item of Dark Magic." Shendu said thoughtfully. "All of them that are near to her will be cursed, as well as giving the user eternal life."

Bai Tza smirks evilly as she said, "The Corruption Youth Spell. Yes, Shendu, that spell will make my empire eternally under the sea and cannot be restored to its former self. As long both Somnambula and the Dark Item is alive, pure Light Magic cannot restore the losses of that old home. Well thought, my brother. This could work."

"Do it, Bai Tza. And remember, the Corruption Youth Spell has a terrible price to pay." Tso Lan warns Bai Tza in precaution. "If your servant let the item be destroyed, the spell will not only kill her, but immediately reverse all of its and your curse of that land and restore to its former self."

"I will not let that happen. My servant will avenge my defeat." Bai Tza assures Tso Lan. She turn to her former servant. "Do you wish to live, my faithful servant?"

Somnambula nods as she said, "As long ....there's eternal... for me, I'll... continue to serve... and... get... revenge... on those...PONIES!"

"Then, listen carefully. I have an item and spell that not only restore your state but make you stronger and powerful. Here's what you must do. And make sure you bring Nightmare Moon and Ben back to us!"

"I will... milady."

Bai Tza smirked evilly. This time, the Demon Lords will succeed...

------------------

At a lake that Twilight and her family will soon arrive at, Tao look at the Lake of Tears. He sighs at the sigh, with the looks of sadness on his face.

"I'd never thought that I would see that land again. I wish I could restore this and the rest. But everywhere I go and cure them, the darkness prevented me. It may try to destroy me from saving the Valley of Peace." Tao said in sadness. He sighs, "Jade, stop fooling around and hiding from the bushes."

Jade groan as she came out of the bushes nearby, "How did you know I was here?"

"You'd never listen. Did you finish your assignment?"

"Homework checked, grandunc."

Tao nods as he said, "And you'd left Mighty Heart behind in working on protection spell again. Dragon Kick will not be pleased of it, Jade."

Jade sheepishly said, "Right...... Anyway, what's with the sad look?" The pony nods a sad look on Tao's face. She realizes something, remembering his problems. "Look, Tao, I know you want to restore the Valley of Peace, but look around you. How can one Mystic Pony cure a large land of dead?! You could have asked some Mystic Ponies to help."

"Even if I did, the Mystic Ponies won't come. They still feared darkness and corruption. Our family's element is pure light which could withstand them. But I feared that my power alone, even with my knowledge and wisdom, could not restore them. It took me a year to cure the Lake of Eternal, which caused me to nearly be corrupted. Unless there is a source of it, I cannot restore the land."

Jade groan, "Easier to say than done; It's that what you said?" She looked at the Lake of Tears. "If I remember correctly, this place used to be a land where good ponies lived before it was turned into bad lake, right?"

Tao nod, answering, "Indeed; this is where Dragon Kick's first love-interest lived."

"That is so sweet and -" Jade stops as she realized something, much to her surprise and amusement. "Wait! Dragon Kick got a fillyfriend?! Weird, when I ask him to take a date for Hearts and Hooves Day, he avoided it. So this must explain why he'd hate it so much because of her, right? She broke up with him!"

"No, Jade. Dragon Kick never took interest of other mares because he lost the ruler of this land when Bai Tza took over it."

"'Ruler of this land'; Wait! You mean Dragon Kick's fillyfriend is an Alicorn and ruler of that area?! That must have hurt Dragon Kick's heart to see her being turned into stone!"

Tao sighs sadly, "Yes. I tried to restore her and the land. But I feared the Alicorn's guardian may try to prevent me from helping them. The guardian I know has been corrupted by Bai Tza. I do not wish to harm her; for she is that ruler's guardian and friend."

Jade in concern asks her granduncle, "Well, if you can't help them, then who?"

"The only ones who can assist me in saving these poor souls are Twilight and her family. They might be the key to save them and break Bai Tza's curse."

Jade sigh, "I hope you know what you're doing."

"Yes." Tao said with a nod. He then straightened up. "Return home now, Jade, and please help Mighty Heart."

"Okay."

---------------------

Pinkamena was reading her book but stiffens and the book falls as her senses go off like mad twitching. Golden Heart says in worry, "What's wrong and by looks of things it must be rough."

Pinkamena slowly gets up and sits down getting her book and says while recovering, "Even if the gang did get more of the ingredients but to let you know one, the Hole just took another AU and it seems Somnambula might come back from the dead and much worse."

"Oh dear but I have faith that they will win."

"You're right brother I know they can do it but still things will be more tougher for them and I am planning to make something but I will tell in a later chapter or other fanfic."

Golden Heart blinks as he answers, "Ok?"

---------------------

During the group's travel so far now, from passing a few canyon rocky valleys, they came to a new place that was between the nighttime area; strangest thing was, the area was almost covered in gray mist, which was not so blinding, but its source...came from a lake. All around the outskirts, seem like a wasteland while there was water around with only a tiny island with a strange shaped rock form in the center that almost looked like a female alicorn in a praying form.

"Brrr....'dis place gives me 'de hibby-gibbies!" Tough Apple rubbed his shoulders in feeling something making him shiver about this place.

"Yeah, I feel something like that too." Dumbledore responded in seeing this place gave off weird vibes to them all.

"Just where have we come to now?" Bocolix asked in where the group arrived in now on their journey quest.

"According to the map, this place is called...The Lake of Tears." Twilight used her magic to levitate it up for her to study and see where they are, at a lake area.

"Wooh, how'd it get that, a giant crying to fill a lake?" Phobos responded in almost wondering how a lake gotten such a name.

"Phobos, I doubt that's why it's called that." Nyx rolled her eyes in hearing her pet pal make such jokes at this time.

"Still, I liked the other lake Tao showed us, The Lake of Eternal, that place was more peaceful, this place is...making my scales shiver!" Spike spoke in preferring the lake Tao showed them then this place, the two's different atmospheres felt...far different apart.

"Twilight, what's the ingredient we're after in this area?" Ben asked his love in pondering what they are looking for around here.

"The lake here is said to produce an ingredient called; the Lover's Tears." Twilight issued the name of the ingredient that they are seeking now. "It's said to be somewhere on the lake." She issued off that for the group, they need to find the next ingredient within this lake.

"Can we even cross, if it's too deep, then..." Tough was about to issue this fact when he was cut.

"Looky here," Dumbledore spoke when he and Bocolix got off the cart to walks a bit on the lake.

"It's kinda of swallow!" Bocolix issued in seeing where he's walking, the water isn't so deep near them.

Soon everyone got off of the cart left Justin & Rabbitchu to watch over the pet owl and wolf cub. The gang was slowly walking a bit at first, so far, nothing found so far.

"Don't waver guys, the ingredient must be here somewhere." Ben said to his group in precaution.

"Arrroooo," Suddenly, the crying calls of a wolf cub, Koga, alerted the group.

"Heads up, something's coming!" Phobos shouted out in getting a bad feeling, something was coming at them to freak a wolf cub out to alarm them.

Ben brought out his sword, Nyx transformed into her Battle Form, the Enforcers & Twilight got in stances with their magic ready and Spike and Phobos got themselves ready for anything, even Tough got his shotgun ready for anything. Then something swam in the water and then leaped out to attack and the group and they are, guess what; SNAKES!

"SNAAAAKES," Twilight screamed out in terror in seeing these things and was soon charging and blasting each snake that she saw, almost like she gone in a panicky crazy mode to aim, fire, look and repeat.

"Wooh, she really hates snakes!" Bocolix yelped to dodge Twilight's shots to fire his own to beat a snake.

"Who wouldn't like them, right?" Dumbledore responded after blasting his own snake after seeing Twilight's stunt.

"Hyrrrruuhh," Ben was making battle cries to slice a few snakes in half that tried to attack the group.

"Bang-Bang, Bang," Tough Apple was seen trying to blast a few snakes in the water with his shotgun with good aim. "Step back fellas, or slither back, whichever. Just git," Tough remarked off to say but gave it second thoughts about snakes not having feet, but didn't care so long as they weren't coming at him. "Bang-Bang-Bang-Bang...." And that tough stallion was blasting like nobody's business at the slithering fiends.

The Dragons were breathing fire to roast some snakes and Nyx did well in casting spells that fired sphere balls that imploded on the slither things. After a few short minutes, the group was back to back in wondering if anymore snakes would lash out to them, so far nothing, maybe they got rid of all the threats.

"Did we get them all?" Phobos asked off in pondering if they managed to defeat all the snakes that were living in the lake.

"I don't know, there might be more," Spike responded in feeling unsure if the group did or didn't get all the threats.

And as the gang was looking to see if anymore threats were left in the lake, the truth comes forth. For something was seen far off near the tiny island Alicorn statue center that showed....something swimming; fast! There was only a fin extended from the water before going back in the water to almost disappear from sight.

"Over there!" Adult Nyx pointed in seeing something moving in the water, but what?

"It looks too big to be a snake, maybe a fish!" Phobos spoke from trying to get a good look; the creature doesn't look like a snake, more like a fish actual.

"Well hay, maybe we can grill us up some grub if we catch it!" Tough shrug off in thinking that the heroes may strike having fish for dinner now.

"You might wanna rethink that plan Tough." Spike pointed with worried concerns in guessing that was no ordinary fish.

As the unseen creature in the lake swam, parts of its features were seen above the watery surface for the group to take notice of. It was a giant turquoise color fish monster which apparently was a mix of an eel, a catfish and a shark. And most of all were the red eyes it gave off, that was no ordinary fish, it was known as the Guardian Fish Beast: Driver. It dives into the water, the others stood ready, but then a geyser erupts from the front side, "GRUUARRUUUURRRUGHHH!" And soon the giant fish was rearing its open jaw teeth to swim so fast up to the group from its splashes to eat the targets.

"SEPARATE!" The Enforcers responded before they quickly pushed the gang in left to right areas. Soon the Fish Beast swings itself in a fast U-Turn motive just before the creature dives down. Bocolix was with Nyx, Spike & Phobos while Dumbledore was with Twilight, Ben and Tough as they were standing up.

"Everypony alright," Ben called out in wanting to know how everyone was.

"I'm fine, father." Nyx said to Ben with a nod.

"Same here, Ben," Twilight said, assuring her love that she is fine as well.

"Shucks, Ah ain't missing a limb or Ah is fine too!" Tough grunted a bit.

"So are we!" The two nitwits call out to Ben in relief.

"Listen, we can't tense up, we have to attack from an opening." Ben explained what their best course to deal with this creature.

"Got it," Dumbledore responded in hearing that issue crystal clear now.

"Cause its back!" Bocolix responded in seeing that the giant fish was coming back.

"RUUUARRRUGHHH," Soon Driver was roaring to swim straight for the Enforcers as they brace themselves before the two got tackled!

"Dumbledore; Bocolix," Twilight cried out in seeing their new friends were knocked back by the fast fish beast.

"Hruuaayghhhh," Ben makes a battle cry to charge forth when he saw the beast turning around in the water to come at them. "Stabvhmm...." Soon Ben stabbed the beast from leaping to impact which let of an eerie cry, "Woooh!" Ben suddenly lost his hold to fall off the charging beast into the swallow water.

"Ruuarrrrrughhhh," Soon Driver was swinging around to charge forth back at where Ben was with intend to eat him.

"Eat 'dis, fish face!" Tough came up and thrown a bag right into the beast while getting Ben out of the way, that caused Driver to be distracted enough at the time.

"Everyone, back on land," Twilight shouted before they all left the lake as the fish beast swam around in driving off trespassers.

----------------

Moments pass by within the night sky with the light of the full moon was seen. Twilight's group was on land after being a bit unsuccessful in passing through the Lake Of Tears with that Fish Beast guarding it.

"So 'dis is all we have left now?" Tough asked off in noticing that the group's little food that they collected looks a little muddy.

"It'll probably taste like mud now." Phobos groans in seeing and eating a mud-half covered blueberry.

"From that issue in the lake, why wouldn't it?" Spike groans in feeling that what happened in facing Driver, that Fish Beast is not an average fish to any fishermen.

"Twilight, are you sure that the ingredient is here?" Ben asked his love who shared her meal with Nyx at the time.

"I'm certain Ben, the map says the Lover's Tears is located around here." Twilight responded that what the group seek, is without a doubt, is here.

"How are we gonna search this muddy lake?" Bocolix asked off puzzled in how they search around.

"We could try to have that Rabbitchu electrify the lake." Dumbledore issued an idea in what they can do to get rid of the troublesome fish.

"No, if the ingredient is in the lake, we would end up destroying it; we need to get it without any change to the water, especially with the temperature." Twilight issued that if the group used electricity, or freeze the lake, or use heat to boil the water, it could damage the ingredient.

"Well why not distract the thing so the other can dive from a cliff & search?" Phobos spoke off an idea in what the group can do here.

"No way, I learn from Miss. Cheerilee that fish would feel the movement in the waters." Nyx shook her head 'no' while explaining how fish knew in their waters if there was a sudden introduction in their area.

"Then it looks like we're not coming up with anything or what we may be dealing with." Spike sighed in feeling like they don't know how to deal with this now.

"What you are dealing with is no ordinary fish, this is true." Spoke out an old familiar voice during the gang's distracted minds.

Just when the gloomy mood seem to penetrated the depths of the group's hearts, they look to see on a cliff over their heads, an old pony sitting by who they least expected to see; Tao.

"Mr. Tao? Why are you here?" Twilight responded surprise to seeing this old pony out of nowhere now.

"An where did ye go after we last saw ya?" Tough issued off in what or where this pony was that made them so worried.

"Oh, here and there; the usual manner; Everypony doing alright," Tao shrug off in avoiding the question while answering it somehow before asking how the gang are.

"Not really, we're having a problem with a fish situation." Nyx shook her head in knowing they are having a problem at this moment.

"A fishy tale hugh, then you must have come across the Guardian Fish Beast; Driver. Created by the Demon of Water to be her pet and guard this area." Tao spoke in suddenly knowing what was troubling this group of travelers. "Any that enter will become fish food and the beast launches its spines off like pin-needles that look like rain from the skies. And the only thing worst about it would be its teeth to chomp. To defeat it, one must be able to handle holding above the creature to deliver enough strike blows to the head to completely immobilize it." Hearing this much made the gang realize how much of a troublesome fish they are truly dealing with.

"No offense, but I struck it, but it still remain strong; And the Master Sword should finish off evil creatures like the Swarm." Ben spoke to Tao in recalling he landed a blow, but that sword strike didn't do too much on the target.

"Perhaps you have not notice that you must struggle between two acts in what you see is best. Both seem hard, but only one is the right way." Tao explained the serious issue for the moment as it were.

"What does that mean?" Spike looked a bit lost in what this old pony was saying now.

"I shall tell you, before, this area was a land...where ponies lived in joy, but then the demon named Bai Tzu appeared, used a spell that summoned much water, to which the aftermath...is the lake. It's called the Lake of Tears, because the joys were turn to tears that day." Tao spoke in sounding a bit blue in recalling what this area use to be a beautiful place before a familiar demon the group had met before ruined it.

"Oh, so sad," The Enforcers spoke in feeling sadden in hearing what happened to this area now.

"And since then any that enter the mist, their strength & magic are cut in half, and unless the guardian is beaten, it will not leave. Tao stated his exclaim about whenever ponies enter this place, they don't know it, but their strength is cut in half cause of the mist.

"So then, how can we get through defeating that creature if our strength is zapped and we can't get it back without beating the Driver?" Ben asked the old hermit pony in how they can defeat a creature that lets off something in the air that cuts their strength and it won't go unless the Driver is dealt with.

"I am sorry, I have no answer." Tao sadly shook his head in response, before suddenly perking up the group here. "But perhaps, with my music, it can help calm down your stressful minds to find a solution, yes?" He asked to show a little leaf he'll use to play a little tune for the gang.

"Well, I'm not sure if that can help." Twilight responded in thinking that might not help their solution against the Driver Fish Beast, but...

"Come on mommy, maybe Mr. Tao's music from his leaf flute could help us a little bit?" Nyx asked her mother to let them hear something to ease their minds before coming up with a plan.

"Well...alright, Mr. Tao," Twilight nods in accepting the decision before turning to the pony hermit.

"Of course," Tao nods in seeing the group is ready to hear him play.

Soon the Mystic Tao was playing a harmonic tune from the leaf that helped calm and ease everyone's minds. The music rose in lilting waves, feeling the dead air with beauty. Everyone's minds were imagining things differently from where they were in hearing the music; Crystal-clear water trickling in cool shade, birds singing in leafy green, children laughing and playing, flowers lifting their faces to the sun and blooming magnificently. The images helped bring smiles to everyone's faces, it was as if this is the story that Tao's song told.

Suddenly, the water from the lake splashed off a bit before louder noises were heard that caught more attention. The Enforcers turn to notice what it was, and was fearful of it.

"Ah, guys, we..." Bocolix spoke in wanting the gang to notice something.

"Pipe down, we're listening here?" Tough hushed the Alicorn males in wanting to hear Tao play his song.

"But you really should..." Dumbledore was trying to say until he was cut.

"Oh brother, what is it?" Phobos groans to complain, what could be so important to pay attention to.

"That!" The Enforcers pointed at seeing what everyone should see.

Just on the land from the lake's water was the Fish Beast; Driver, as it lied there. Strangely, it was sitting there peacefully, unmoving like it was not of a life-threatening now, was it cause of the music. During the time, Tao cease playing when he was done.

"It's the Fish Beast Driver!" Phobos shouted out in suddenly seeing this foe until...

"Do not move." A voice spoke out in instructing everyone what to do. "Keep playing." The voice seem to originated from where the twinkle from Driver's eyes seem focus, as the fish was the one that spoke. "Play, now!" It issued off in a strict demand in wanting Tao to continue to play his melody from earlier.

"Hmph, well no need to be hasty, but...I suppose if you like the melody." Tao was huffing at first, but shrug it off in seeing this was a creature that liked his music.

Soon Tao began to play his leaf like a flute, and from the calm melody, Driver's eyes shut to let the melody calm the ravage beast. The others could not believe many things, Tao's music helped calm Driver, the Fish Beast of this lake, or that this creature could speak.

"Why have you come to this forbidden place?" Driver asked the gathered group in why they have come to this place.

"It...can really talk." Twilight responded surprised, which from this action caused everyone to flinch, even Tao cease playing his music in sensing tension in the air.

"Do not stop!" Driver snapped off to Tao who cease playing all of a sudden. "Continue playing." Driver instructed in wanting the hermit to continue to play his song.

"Well, some manners wouldn't kill you. But, alright, not every day I'm asked to play my music for a fish," Tao responded off issuing before shrugging off in not bothering, since he's asked to play a melody so he shall.

Soon Tao continues to play his leaf by a flute melody which helped to have Driver close his eyes to feel peaceful and calm now.

"Answer me. Why are you here?" Driver once again, wanted a response from the group in why they are here.

"We came here looking for an ingredient." Ben spoke in issuing the reason why they are here with a stern face in speaking to this foe. "It has special meaning to us." The stallion explained that they are here for that purpose.

"An ingredient," Driver responded surprised to hear some travelers are here for just that, why?

"It's called the Lover's Tears and it's said to originate around here. So we need the ingredient." Twilight explained of their objective target and that they need to find it.

"Right, to help fix our friend's farm and bring plant life back to it," Nyx issued of another point to their journey here.

"I know the ingredient of which you speak." Driver issued in response in knowing that which this group is seeking.

"Where is it?" Twilight asked with a serious face in wondering, where their target lies?

"It is in my keeping." Driver issued that he has what the group is looking for.

"What; really; Huh," The group exclaims in shock and surprise. So that's where the next ingredient's at!

After everyone got over being surprised did another shock come forth before them.

"It is the only thing in this lonely, bitter place that comforts me in my misery." Driver issued that it has the ingredient as an object that helps to ease the fish's misery. "Do you think that I would let you take it with nothing in return?" The Fish Beast Guardian remarked off with a stern tone that he will not give what aids his pain without something in return from this group.

"What do you want in return?" Twilight asked off puzzled in what they need to do to get what they seek from this giant fish creature.

"If it is within our power, we will pay it." Ben steps forth to say that they will do everything in their power to grant Driver's wish of what they can give this fish to get the ingredient without a fight.

"Gehihihiheeehh...." Suddenly, Driver lets open its mouth to let off a laugh in finding this surprise response very surprising. Soon this caused Tao to stop playing in sensing something else about to happen here, "Very well. I will tell you." Driver was now calm down in responding to this quick decision act the group has shown. "I want him!" The fish tilted its head to the left in narrowing the gang's eyes towards...Tao's position. "I enjoyed his song...." Driver issued with finding Tao's music very pleasing for him to hear.

This caught everyone's attention to rethink what they would have to do if they agreed to such terms.

"HIM," The Enforcers responded in surprise, they fought Tao, and if the fish thinks he'll come quietly, this guy may become fish-food instead.

"You want an old hermit?" Phobos asked off in not believing what they heard.

"Hugh, being asked to stay and play my music for a fish, even for a hermit, it's...something unexpected. If not flattering," Tao responded in finding the invite a little strange.

"No way," Twilight rejected the idea with a stern expression on her face.

"Come with me!" Driver instructed the hermit to come with the fish where it shall take Tao. "Come into the lake with me and sit on the weeping stone." The Fish Beast Guardian turn its head towards the statue figure of an Alicorn mare praying, but from another look, it does look like...it weeps. "Play to me through endless days and lonely nights." Driver instructed in wanting the old hermit to play his leaf like a flute for the melody that the fish likes. "Ease my pain for as long as you live." Driver exclaimed in wanting Tao to play the melody music that would ease the fish's pain till the day, well the old hermit ceases to live.

Nyx, Phobos and Spike cringed in not liking this debate, if the group goes along, sure they get the ingredient from Driver, but at what cost? They have to willingly give up Tao's freedom to serve a fish and that's the fishiest excuse anyone would ever do. Just then, Tao leaps down from where he sat on the cliff to be behind the group.

"Mr. Tao?" Twilight responded in seeing the old hermit before them, Tao isn't actually gonna...agree to the terms of surrender to allow them the chance for the ingredient.

"Well, if that is what you wish, then I shall agree to the terms. To think, as a hermit, my life would finally meet its final path, never would have guessed this." Tao responded in preparing to go along without showing any fuss or argument.

"No way Tao," Ben held the old hermit's left hoof to keep him from going off.

"Right-o, we ain't letting yew give ye're self up 'ta a fish!" Tough objected to grab Tao's left hoof to keep him from doing this, it all sounds fishy to the extreme here.

"I appreciate your thoughts for my wellbeing, but I have no problem. I am old; surely you would not rest your mission, of saving many lives, for just one, would you?" Tao ask the group a simple question.

Ben heard this and almost instantly froze in hearing this. He was asked this familiar question about choosing two hard choices that one would have to act in which were right, but difficult to go for. If they save Tao, they can't get the ingredient to save the Apple's Farm, but if they get what they came for to complete the journey, would they live with themselves of losing one life. This was a hard situation to overcome, how can one choose between two paths, only to lose out on the other, there just has to be a way around it; but how? Their options are limited along with time.

"It appears he wishes to join." Driver responded in seeing that the old hermit wishes to join the fish as part of the agreement they set for letting the group have their ingredient. "Let him do as he pleases." The Fish Beast issued that if Tao wants to join him, the others shouldn't get in the way.

"There's no chance we're handing him over to you!" Spike snapped off to grab Tao's back hooves to keep the old hermit from going with the Guardian creature of the lake.

"Yeah, he maybe an old hermit, but he's OUR old hermit!" Phobos declared off that the group doesn't care about the ingredient with such a lousy trade deal like this one.

"And our friend," Nyx spoke with a stern tone that no matter what, the group can't give up one life even to save more, there has to be another way.

"Give him to me or I will kill you!" Driver spoke in sounding very upset while making a threat that if the gang cut out of the deal now, there will be consequences to pay...with their lives. The Fish Beast rose up from the water, opening its mouth to prepare to attack those that get in the way.

"Just try it!" Ben responded in getting ready for round two against this foe.

"GRUUARRRRUGHH," Soon Driver roared to attack by charging at Ben, who used his sword to block the attack when the fish swung around in the water.

"Urrrgh...." Ben cringed a bit from that move, now the fish was really mad with them now.

"Ben!" Twilight cried out while she and the others were on dry land to keep Tao from leaving them or do anything funny.

As Ben was thrown in the air, he suddenly grasped something during the fall, which was of the whisker of the Fish Beast; Driver. Getting a determine face, Ben held his sword near the beast's eye, trying to catch the creature's attention.

"How about now; we like to see you kill us!" Ben issued off in challenging the foe's issue of wanting to kill them to get Tao.

"No!" Driver responded off in seeing the pony was going to attack him and finish him off, the creature cannot die from this.

"We won't hand over Tao!" Ben sternly was issuing that they will not give up the old hermit pony to this creature. "He's traveled around for who knows how long, he may have suffered some spots along the way of his travel, and just meeting him has helped us feel like we've managed to learn that the End of Equestria is not all a lost cause." What the stallion spoke was true words, thanks to his group meeting Tao, did they learn and find many things they never knew. "He came here for our sake when we thought things were a lost cause. No matter what, you won't have him!" Ben issued from where the others heard the brave stallion make this claim of protecting a friend.

Suddenly, during the moment, Ben's Triforce Cutie Mark began to glow in responding a bit to the stallion's heart on response with his words. The others could see this and could almost tell that Ben's special power was making something happen around the Fish Beast.

"Mommy, it's daddy's Triforce!" Nyx spoke with a smile in seeing something happening here.

"It's responding to Ben's emotions to helping us." Twilight responded in recognizing this feeling, the mist that once cut off their abilities, was fading away.

"Wooh," The Enforcers responded in finding this very surprising, so that's Ben's power, the Triforce, they never expected the light to feel so...warm, gentle, and caring, very different from Boris's actions that they tolerate.

"A decision, well-spoken of, young Ben Mare," Tao secretly smiled in seeing Ben's chosen a right act to follow; not to give up a life, but not wanting to give up others as well, so Celestia's child will make sure they can save all even with his own life at the risk now.

"Grrruugh...You would throw away your life for him? For the hermit," Driver groans from what was happening, this pony was wanting to risk it all for another, it's unheard of. "And he would do the same for you." The Guardian Fish Beast issued in knowing Tao wanted to help even by his own risk for this group; it was very much the same thing.

"That's what Friendship is all about." Twilight spoke next in flapping her wings to approach the now unresisting Driver to speak about what they are doing, is acts of caring for a friend is. "Friends would help from anywhere, and if one was to give up their own to help another they care for, that would rise to others, no matter how much they fear it." The princess spoke words that came from the heart, that everyone heard and felt something spark in their minds; the words that helped shape one's state to learning, caring, and loving another, from friendship & love, and many others.

"Yeah Twilight; You tell the fish!" Spike cheered to clap his hands in seeing that Twilight truly had this down.

At this moment, The Guardian Fish Beast; Driver absorbed all this to suddenly come to terms in how much the group was staying true. Even Tao smiled ever still in seeing the group really helped to become more aware of how to defeat an enemy that suffers.

"It would seem Twilight Sparkle has learn a special lesson; 'How to Truly Defeat Your Enemy'. The answer would be none other; 'Then By making them you’re Friend'. This teaching can only be reached to some, but even a little change, can come a long way." Tao spoke in seeing that Twilight has learn a lesson not very much something seen, to defeat an enemy by making them your friend is a special secret not performed so often, it's almost hard to say if it even works. But cases like the disguised Dum Dum & Boxco, it may just be a weapon to use in the future, but only for some cases. For not all enemies, can become friends.

"A long time ago…" Driver spoke off from when the moon light brightens the field around the Lake of Tears. "I would have done the same thing." As Driver spoke this from its eyes focus above at the moon, the Guardian Fish Beast began to glimmer in a color aura from Ben's Triforce power while…making the dangerous creature sound like it too; would have been in the pony's shoes or horse shoes in this case.

"Wow, is it me, or is that Fish Beast, Driver, actually…" Tough Apple responded in being almost stun to believe in what they may be seeing.

"Actually glowing along with Benny boy's power?" Phobos responded to finish the statement in what was even happening here, it made no sense.

"But why would that happen if Ben knows evil creatures would take advantage of it?" Spike asked off in not knowing if Ben was doing this on purpose or by his own power acting to aid him during the hour, it's so puzzling.

"What if…if maybe this fish isn't as evil as we think," Nyx spoke in thinking, the enemy was not really an enemy, but a poor soul that was place here in the End of Equestria.

"Hugh?" The Enforcers looked back in confusion, what was the little filly even saying?

"It is as spoken, let us hear this creature's words & learn of it' fate." Tao nods calmly to issue that they hear what Driver wishes to say about itself.

Twilight nods as she and everyone was quiet to hear what this former foe of the lake wish to say.

"Something is happening to me!" Driver spoke from suddenly realizing that whatever Ben was doing to it, it felt strange to him, yet it was not much like he was endangered. "You can see into my mind!" The Fish Beast responded to Ben in suddenly feeling that the stallion was peeking into his very mind.

Ben was confused at first until he had the Triforce of Wisdom to clue him in. "My Triforce…It must be reacting to both our wills." Ben couldn't explain it but his power from Courage must be affecting the fish creature in acknowledging that from the stallion's words of strong & true friendship made a strange reaction.

"Nrruuaarughh," Suddenly, Driver's eyes widen and a heartbeat was reacted from him by surprise in what Ben was doing, was strangely effecting the creature, but at the same time, not hurting the fish. "In another time, another place…I was like that…" During the discussion, the Alicorn statue from before is seen again, but more of a living pony when Driver issued about being like Ben & his group, wanting to risk the other to save the one they care for.

The new Alicorn was a mare, she has a silver fur coat color, the mare's mane & tail was a mixture of gold, silver and platinum, her eyes are green, and the Alicorn is middle size, beautiful and has a scepter with stars on it as a cutie mark. This Alicorn smiled towards what was inside the Guardian Fish Beast, Driver, before an evil shadow enshrouded her…meaning a terrible fact happened. Another scene shows a strange water nymph, a female, entering the area. And this creature was trying to stop the evil shadowy force from trying to harm the pony she cared for. But the act was too late as the Alicorn was struck with some magical curse, leaving the water nymph wide eye in shock, tears filling the eyes in seeing the act performed.

Back to the present, we see the still golden aura covered Driver, with the fish's eyes widened in almost being lost. "What is this?" The Guardian Fish Beast asked in being completely "What sorcery are you…" The Driver asked in being unsure what Ben was doing to it, was the pony trying to now harm him or…trying to help the fish creature?

"It's not sorcery." Ben responded in feeling a bit calm in speaking to this creature now not as an enemy, but as someone that wishes to answer the question of one that is strangely 'not' evil. "Somehow my Triforce's ability with Courage is showing you the truth with Wisdom aiding it." The stallion responded in answering the question forth here, "My guess. What you just saw is the truth!" Ben stated this out for Driver to understand the fish's own situation.

The bright light coming from Driver was glowing brighter suddenly bringing into the light for all to see & not be afraid.

"Woouuaaghh….You can see into my mind!" The Driver cringed its eyes in feeling the effects of the Triforce were making Ben see things in its mind. "I…I'm the Guardian Fish Beast Driver, I am the loyal pet servant of Bai Tzu. That's who…I am! Am I?"

"Bai Tza!" Dumbledore responded off in remembering that name from Castle Nowhere now.

"The Water Demon," Bocolix issued in knowing that name was from a Demon of water.

"I figure she must be involved with this place." Twilight sighed in annoyance; it figures that this Fish Beast Guardian had Bai Tza's theme work all over it.

"Fear not, your friend seems to have helped calm & ease the beast." Tao patted Twilight's shoulder to ease tension for Ben has perform a deed in helping a poor soul in peril rather than ending its life.

Soon the bright glowing golden aura around was fading, and from the clear full moon in the skies, anyone could see the calmness that has gone around, even the lake's water was splashing calmly near dry land. We soon see Ben holding onto the part of Driver's whisker part, but the fish was not showing any resistance, but a tame theme to the stallion on it.

"What…do you want?" Driver slowly spoke in feeling submission from Ben, willing to allow what the stallion wants.

"The ingredient; The Lover's Tears," Ben issued in what he and his group need from this fish guardian. "Please, give it to us. Not only for our cause, but perhaps, even to help to go back to what you once were!" Ben issued that after they get the ingredient, they can help Driver be what he once was after learning the truth. "To get back what you lost!" Ben spoke this with some sorrow in his voice, but was firm, whoever Driver use to be, this fish was once a good creature before Bai Tza did something and made this creature into a pet.

"Uaauughh…" Driver's eyes were still wide in feeling that for the first time, Ben & those with him wish to even help the fish that tried to harm them earlier. "I will." Driver responded in complete obedience in seeing that if Ben wants what he seeks, the fish will allow it without question.

Then from some motion, Driver was turning it's self in the lake around and heading directly for the tiny island center of the lake. The others watched in surprise, they never would have believed that they get help from a strange fish. Tao on the other hand nodded to smile in seeing that some good was happening here.

"Tell me, how did you become like this with one of the Demons?" Ben decided to bring up a conversation to learn a bit more about this Fish Beast & about Bai Tzu's involvement.

"Long ago, I was a guardian to an Alicorn named Gwen Fillyson, she helped setup a beautiful area in the Valley of Peace, before it was the End of Equestria. This was once our home called 'the Ominidrex Kingdom' before it was a lake. But that all changed when evil forces invaded, Bai Tza came here, used a spell to create mountains of water, and destroyed everything." Driver explained the harsh memories the fish recalls of the past of what happened to this area long ago. "This place represents the tears of sorrow of all those that lived here, which is why it's called; The Lake of Tears. Bai Tza decided to change me into a creature as a pet to watch over her favorite dominion of conquest." Driver responded in feeling agony in knowing that many things felt tears of sorrow in what they lost and the fish was turn into a servant for one of the Eight Immortal Demon Sorcerers.

"I'm so sorry to hear that." Ben patted gently on Driver's wet scales in feeling pity for the poor fella, that stuff this creature experienced musta been hard for anyone to live through. "But don't worry; whatever pain you've gone through, I promise, we'll help set you free. Bai Tza won't hurt you no more." Ben spoke in assurance that he and his friends will aid in helping to make sure Driver is no longer a prisoner of misery from Bai Tza's curse.

"How can you be so certain?" Driver asked off with raised eyebrows, what makes Ben so sure he could help this fish when so many others haven't.

"Now why would I go and lie to you? Even lie to a fish, I can see that you're a person despite what you look like and how you acted earlier." Ben smiled to proudly use Flash Sentry's words to help calm Driver's mind and soul that he was not gonna lie about helping the fish.

Soon Ben reached the weeping Alicorn rock statue from Driver's aid, leaped off onto the rocky area to begin searching. He started to climb the structure a bit, hoping to come across what he was knowingly looking for. Suddenly from a reflected light, Ben reached an area where he saw…the ingredient. The Lover's Tears, solid black rock like tears with the symbol of Love right on the center.

"Is that what you are seeking?" Driver asked off in seeing Ben has come across that which he and his friends were seeking.

"This is…" Ben slowly spoke in taking notice of the ingredient that he was seeing now. "I thought Twilight said the color was of another color." The stallion responded confused to himself in recalling what the Lover Tear's was, and that Twilight said it was pinl.

While Ben was unsure in his confusion, he can feel that from his Triforce of Wisdom that this was indeed the ingredient they seek unmistakable. Still, why was this ingredient this color in the first place?

"What is the matter?" Driver asked in seeing some hesitation from Ben after finding the ingredient the fish recognized as such.

"Um…nothing," Ben responded in not bothering to tell this fish guardian that what Driver was guarding wasn't what they seek as he could sense that the creature of this lake was not a liar. "Let's go back to the others." Ben issued from picking up the strange ingredient.

Back with the others on the dry land part outside the lake.

"Look, they're back!" Nyx pointed with a smile in seeing her daddy was coming back, and was glad to see their new friend coming to, even if it was…a fish.

"Ohhh," Phobos responded in agreement to Nyx, the girl was right.

From within the lake, the group sees Ben riding Driver through the water with the ingredient in his possession.

"He got 'de ingredient!" Tough Apple smiled in seeing that their pal has gotten what they came for in the Lake of Tears.

"But wait! It's weird, he doesn't look too happy." Spike responded puzzled in noticing Ben's expression was not of a successful face of obtaining their target.

"Hmmm…you're right. Something seems up." Twilight responded with a stern face, they got out of this situation okay & obtain the Lover's Tears, but what was making Ben seem…uneasy?

As Ben was slowly heading back to the others, he was pondering about the color of the ingredient. He was carefully having his Triforce of Wisdom fill his mind with thoughts about this mystery. Turns out the Lover's Tears was of a special object for more than just an ingredient needed to cure the Lifeless Growth Spell that happened to the Apple's Farm; Turns out that the Lover's Tears grows pale in the presence of evil, or when misfortune threatens its' owner. The adoptive son of Celestia looked to the object in seeing it was pale in color to what it's supposed to be.

"So the pink's gone pale, and become black…" Ben theorized the matter of what has happened to the Lover's Tears now. "Oh no! Driver, we need to watch out for something!" Ben turned to warn the Guardian Fish Beast of misfortunate that was approaching them now. "Something evil is near!" The stallion issued this word of final caution out in fearing that if the ingredient has gone pale because of some evil within the area, things won't be pretty.

Tao was able to hear that warning and looked up to notice…the evil that would approach.

"It would seem nearer than one believes, young Benjamin." Tao responded in whisper silence in sensing what evil lurks near the group.

From above in the clouds, they turn red while covering the moon. And then if that wasn't enough, lightning began to flash from the clouds that attracted attention. But weirder still was when the lightning soon aims together above and then drive itself downwards towards…Ben's fish riding position. "Powwfrusvhmmm…." That sudden impact in the lake caused by the lightning, created a force shock-wave, and worst news was….water and electricity, definitely, shouldn't be mix in.

"Guuuagh-Haaaugh…Aaaaahhhh!" Ben held onto Driver's fin part from feeling the after-effects and the surge of voltage getting him.

"Ruurrarrughhh," Driver was feeling the worst effects since it was a fish, a water amphibian; the shock was harming it more than the stallion.

"Brzizizvh….KAPOWWWFRUVHMMM…" The entire spot where the attack happened was electrified to the point where a giant explosion imploded that shook the entire lake and knocked those still there off their rockier.

"BEN!" Twilight cried out from where she and the others saw what happened in shock and horror, where did it come from?

"It would appear an evil villain foe has come to face you all, it seems." Tao responded with a stern face in seeing another threat was going to come up between Twilight's group now.

From the Lake of Tears, Driver was seen out of it, the Guardian Fish Beast was floating around near outskirts of where giant flames erupted from the area the lightning bolt struck. "Huh-hahahah-ha-hah…." Then there was some laughing from behind the flames, and a strange figure was seen. "Welcome to my mistress's garden." The voice issued from the flames before being seen as…some sorta young female foe before the group as she was seen smiling from her lips within the blistering flames.

"Gruuvmhmm…" Driver suddenly gasped while aching in pain while Ben held on with wide-eye shock in seeing this villain that appeared, but there was one problem.

"My name…is Somnambula!" The strange figure held her right hand which held a mysterious red ring with a demonic eye carving center of the sorcerer's ring figure, now revealed as….a witch version like Somnambula! Expect this woman's hair has a white streak in her black hair. She is now wearing a red robes with a silver belt, golden bracelets and green eyes.

Everyone is shocked and surprised to see Somnambula alive, especially Twilight who is stunned since she saw the witch died after trying to absorb Bocolix and Dumblefore. But the woman's different from what her old form or even gaining young pony's youth energy has done for her in the past. Her skin color is even more smoother. Besides her new appearance, her new ring, given to her by the Demon Lords to give the witch a second chance, make her more powerful now, giving her a new form & new identity, with more power than ever before.

Somnbabula then speak using "Moonspeak", which is simply unidentifiable mumbling before her ring glows & shouts her new name to fire a beam, "Vanity!" The newly young & powerful witch decides to aim it at a disobedient pet of her mistress.

"KURBOOOMFRUVHHMMM," Once the newest enemy had arrived in the area and fired an attack, it impacted Driver right on the forehead area, "GRUUAR-Arrrruuuuugh!" Driver let off a painful cry from its mouth to be blasted back and swung off Ben with the fish.

"Gaaughh…." Ben was knocked off, but at the same time, he lost his grip on the ingredient, "Guuagh!" Ben gasped in seeing what he's done, but say the object landed near the Alicorn weeping statue area & then in the lake before the stallion landed in the water, "Guuagh!" Ben finally pokes his head up from the water, that little surprise act completely caught him and the others off guard.

The group laughs as Vanity addresses Ben & company, "You dared enter Bai Tza's domination? You all killed or freed creatures that the Demon Lords kept as Guardians or pets or both. And now, you are making another creature of the Demon Lord's hand work do your will! You even defeated five of the Eight Immortal Demon Lords, much to my agony & heartbreak of this...unforgivable!"

Then in the next act, the new enemy cast another spell that ended up exploding and knocking Ben across the lake unprepared, much to the foe's amusement. But turning attention towards a Fish Beast that lies in the lake's water, weaken and hurt from that full close impact of a spell; the new enemy smirked with a 'huff' remark at Driver in what pitiful state the creature is in was its own fault.

"Did you think to escape?" Vanity responded with a dry remark towards the Guardian in what it was hoping to achieve. "You will always be my mistress's creature! Lord Bai Tzu's pet!" From hearing these cold remarks from its weaken and hurt state, Driver was unable to answer, too badly wounded from being punished by its disobedience in willing to aid the ponies in their quest then of serving a demon by forceful means as a servant.

"Ben, you okay?!" Twilight ask as she and the others come together to check up on the Ben in lake.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Ben said to the group in assurance. Of course all but Tao watches in seeing the act's going on, yet he knows he can't interfere for less he reveals he's a Mystic Pony to Twilight's group.

"What about the Lover's Tears?" Nyx ask her father who held up a familiar idea. "Wait, why is it black and not pink?"

The new foe laughs at the group while issuing, "You can't escape from me now!"

Tough snaps, "Yew old hag," The Earth pony got his shotgun and fires at her, but Vanity uses a magic barrier to protect herself, blocking Tough who curses against the smirking witch.

Vanity remarks to the pony, "Do you honestly think in thought that such an attempt would work on me?" She send in a blast, causing Tough in getting knocked back across the lake to Tough's pals. Twilight and the others are still lost, how is it when they saw Somnambula die from Dumbledore & Bocolix's interference, she is now before them?

Twilight is the first in demanding to know, "How could you survive?! I saw you died when you tried to absorbed Bocolix and Dumbledore's energies!"

Vanity smirk as she explains, "While it's true, in reality, I was poisoned and weakened."

Nyx then ask, "How did you restore your strengths and become stronger?"

Vanity smile evilly as she explains, "I was restored by someone who I truly owe to. She's the reason why I become stronger than before, ponies. And you're the reason of her defeat!"

"Wait! You're not saying -!" Ben yelps, realizing whom Vanity is referring to.

"It's yours truly, Benjamin Mare." A familiar voice spoke up. Bai Tza's transparent head appeared before Twilight and her families. They gasp.

"Bai Tza!" Twilight gasps in shock and alarm. "You're the one who resurrect Somnambula?!"

"Yes. I'm glad you remember my name, Sparkle. I have not forgotten the defeat and humiliation you gave me, Twilight."

"How did you find us," Nyx ask in bewilderment, wondering how Bai Tza found out where the group been all this time!

Bai Tza chuckles as she explains, "I told you before, Nightmare Moon, being trapped in the Realm of Demons, doesn't mean we can't hear or see, thus this is the result."

"I'm getting tired of you guys calling Nyx, 'Nightmare Moon'!" Spike groans in annoyance.

"You said it!" Phobos growl in agreement. "So, why don't you scram, you witch; Moon Rage!"

Phobos launches his fire attack on Bai Tza. But it passed through. Everyone was shocked to see this. Tao remain silent. Bai Tza chuckle, "You amused me even more, Dragons. Though I can see this scene, but I cannot harm you nor could you, because my body is still in the Realm of Demons."

"You won't get away with this!" Twilight exclaims in determination.

"Especially what you did to these ponies and Driver; we'll beat your servant, and find a way to restore this land!" Ben exclaims in agreement.

Bai Tza snaps, "Fools! Do you think you can come here and change my scenery of empire?! Think again, mortals! I'll not let you ruin my beautiful garden! You will never restore this poor unfortunate land! Somnambula or Vanity; finish all of them! Show them your great powers! And remember; bring Nightmare Moon and Ben Mare back... alive."

Vanity bows as she says, "With pleasure." Bai Tza spot Tao. She hissed at him while Tao glare back at her. Her head disappeared. "But it does puzzle me even more: why is your Alicorn friends' energy and youths are impure?! Usually, Alicorns are pure, either born natural or become natural. It makes concluded that you're not really Alicorns, aren't you?! You used some kind of magic potion to become one didn't you or someone help you?

Bocolix and Dumbledore panick. Everyone but Tao was confused of this information. Twilight puzzled ask her new friends, "What does Somnambula mean that you use a magic potion to become Alicorns?"

"Guys, what's going on?" Ben asks the new Alicorns in a bit of suspicion.

"Okay, you win. The truth is we're not really Alicorns!" Bocolix groans a bit, fearing the worst.

"He's right! Because we were just ordinary.... um.....Earth Ponies," Dumbledore said, covering up whom he and Bocolix really was. "So, we traveled far to find ...... good potions to make us immortal!"

"It worked perfectly! We just want to live on! We're afraid to die! We didn't mean to lied to you!"

"We're really sorry! We didn't mean to put a lot of troubles on you all!"

Bocolix and Dumbledore cry. Tao pauses as he said gently, "Despite lying to your friends, you did good and harmony deeds."

Bocolix and Dumbledore sob while looked confused. Ben said in agreement, "Tao's right, guys. Even though you're just regular ponies, but you saved Twilight, didn't you?"

Bocolix and Dumbledore nod. Tough adds in, "Ben's right. While Ah hate lying, yew did 'de right thing: saving Twilight fro' Somnambula getting her youth."

Bocolix and Dumbledore both ask at the same time, touched by the kinder words, "Really?"

"Yeah. You're the good guys. That's for sure." Spike said, though he still got some mixed feelings about those two ponies at this point.

"Spike's right. You saved everyone, even though you made some mistakes." Nyx said with a smile.

"I can't believe I'm going to say this: you guys are cool friends." Phobos remarks to Bocolix and Dumbledore. They feel touched, being given kind words than what their usual allies would give them.

Vanity huff, "It matters not. I shall make sure that you will not succeed this mission! I'll bring both Nightmare Moon and Ben Mare back to my lords and mistresses!"

Vanity's body glow darker and blacker. Tao look around his surroundings while gasp in worry. The lake grew darker and more upset. The old pony said in thought: 'I sense great darkness. I sense the Dark Magic. It's the Corruption Youth Spell! That explains why Ben is upset of the Lover's Tears he found. Both the land and ingredient were corrupted. I cannot interfere in the battle, but I can find the source of Corruption Spell.'

Tao notice the flashlight from Vanity's hand and spotted the ring on her finger. He thought, 'I had found it; Time for my voice.'

Twilight prepares herself while saying to her family and friends, "Okay, everypony, get ready to fight."

Tao manages to throw in his voice without anyone suspecting a thing, "The Lake will not be cured, as long as the curse item existed."

"What?"

"The lake will not be cured, as long as the curse item existed."

"Curse item? But I don't see it." The purple Alicorn said in concern. A flashing hit Twilight's eyes. She turn and spots something on Vanity when she raised her hands up. She gasp. "That's it!"

"What's it, Twilight?" Ben asks, wondering what Twilight is realizing just now.

"The voice warned me about the curse item, and the lake."

"What was that about?" Spike asks Twilight, wondering what his adopted mother/sister meant.

"The reason why the Lake of Tears and Lover's Tears grew more darker and corrupted, it's because of Vanity's ring!" Twilight exclaims as she points to the ring that the evil Witch is now wearing.

"Meaning," Phobos ask, wondering what the point is to this.

"If we defeat Somnambula and destroy that ring, we can restore the land!"

"Alright, then it's clear. Let's do it!" Ben exclaims in determination.

Twilight and her friends armed themselves in the battle against Vanity. She land on the ground safely. Tao look at the battlefield while saying to Twilight, "Be careful, my friends, especially you, Twilight and Ben. She will not be the same as before."

Twilight answers, "Thanks for the advice, Tao."

Twilight, Nyx who transformed into her Battle Mode, Bocolix and Dumbledore fire their magic powers at Vanity on the front while Ben, Tough, Spike and Phobos launch their attacks from her back. The witch quickly unleashes her protection spell and protects herself from both sides of attacks.

"Oops. It looks like I prevent you from attacking me." Vanity mocks her enemies in amusement.

"Now what," Spike groans; how in the world will they even hit something that can't be hit?!

"Keep firing!" Phobos exclaims.

Spike, Phobos, Dumbledore and Bocolix continue to attack and firing their magic, Dragon and Moon Rage at their enemy. Vanity's shield continues to resist and defend the attack.

"Not good. Her shield won't go down! We won't able 'ta attack her!" Tough exclaims in frustration to his allies.

"There has to be another way. She can't be invincible!" Nyx exclaims. Vanity can't be invincible all the time, she must have a weak point somewhere!

Vanity smirk while taunting, "Unfortunately for you, I am truly invincible. Prepare yourself! Take this!"

Vanity drops her shield and places her hands on both sides, firing her Dark Magic laser beam-like at them. Twilight and her friends dodge the attacks. Twilight flew up and fired at Vanity, but she quickly shield up from the attack. Twilight groans at it as she landed down.

"Too slow," Vanity remarks to Twilight sinisterly, but the Alicorn got a thoughtful look on her face.

"The only weakness is when Vanity wants to attack; she has to drop her shield down." Twilight said in realization. "Everypony, keep an eye out for an open space!"

Everypony armed themselves and readied to attack when Vanity dropped her shield down. She smirked to chant her spells. Twilight and her friends were ready to attack. Vanity's hand glows in dark purple. She let her shield down and immediately punched on the ground, causing the shock wave-like. The ponies got hit by the wave, knocking them all down.

Twilight recovers from the attack and fires her magic at Vanity but she blocks the attack. The witch launches and threw dark balls-like at her enemies after she lowered her shield down. Everyone quickly dodged the attacks quickly. Nyx, Spike and Phobos quickly went back at Vanity and launch their attacks at her. She quickly turns and blocks the attacks with her shield.

Vanity lowers the shield down and launches the lightning at Nyx, Spike and Phobos. They dodge the attacks. Tough fires his gun at the witch at once; But Vanity quickly deflect the attack with levitation, right at Ben. He quickly block with his sword and then quickly charge, trying to slash her down. Vanity block and make Ben bounce back.

Nyx groans out, "This could be a problem. Every time we attack, Vanity prevented us."

"In that case, we'll have to keep an eye on her move to attack." Ben advised the ones in his group. There must be a way to get an attack onto Vanity somehow.

Vanity lowers her shield down. Ben quickly uses his Sword Beam at her but she launches her black laser-like at the Sword Beam to block it. Bocolix and Dumbledore charge in and are about to fire. However Vanity moves the laser impact and hit both Bocolix and Dumbledore.

Vanity laugh, "What can you do?! Even if you do know my weakness, you still cannot defeat me. I won't let go of it."

"We'll see about that, witch!" Spike exclaims in determination. He won't give up just yet!

Phobos agrees while snapping, "Try this witch!"

Spike and Phobos fire their Dragon and Moon Rage at Vanity but she quickly use the shield and deflect the attack. Vanity exclaims in madness, "Doing nothing but dodging! Take this!"

Vanity lowers her shield down and launches her magic attacks while spinning around. Twilight and her friends dodge the attacks. The Alicorns flew up while Ben, Tough, Spike and Phobos dodge by jumping over the attacks. Twilight and her friends launch their attacks at once at Vanity. But the witch manages to finish her attacks, and put up her shield.

Twilight groasn while Vanity laughed evilly and wickedly, "As I had said before, there's nothing you can do now. But I'll spare you if you surrender both Nightmare Moon and the Earth Pony to my lords and ladies."

"I won't surrender to you!" Nyx snaps to Vanity in defiance.

"Forget about it, witch!" Ben exclaims angrily and in agreement. He won't be given up to the Demon Lords! The prince would rather die first!

Somnambula laugh evilly, "Then, you are doomed."

"At this rate, we will never beat that witch!" Bocolix exclaims in despair.

"We can't attack head on or wait for her to drop her shield down for us to attack. It's getting hopeless!" Dumbledore exclaims with a groan. So far, all the group's attempts have failed.

"Not yet. We'd still have our chance to win. We'd need some distraction." Twilight said in concern. The group needs a distraction to get a chance but what?

Suddenly, a flute is heard sounding. Everyone turn and saw Tao who is playing his leaf flute. Phobos puzzled asks the others, "What's Tao doing?"

"I don't know. I think he's helping us." Spike said in bewilderment.

"How's music is gonna help us?" Tough ask doubtfully, wondering how music can stop Somnambula/Vanity now.

Vanity laugh evilly at what she thinks is a poor attempt, "Your mere leaf flute cannot harm me, hermit pony. Do you think you can stop me? Your music is nothing but a nuisance."

Tao stops playing to speak sternly to the witch, "I wasn't trying to harm or stop you. I was creating a peaceful song. Something that witches like you couldn't understand it. Obtain victory doesn't require brute force, but having faith to earn it. Believe me. Music creates harmony, and it is not a nuisance. It is you."

Tao continue to play his flute. Vanity snarls and growl at Tao. The music irritated and annoyed her a lot when listening to it, too peaceful and harmony for her.

"I'll teach you some lessons! You'll pay for your insolence!" Vanity exclaims in madness. Tao shall go next!

Vanity focus on Tao as she chants her spells to attack. She fires her magic at Tao. But he moves to his right while continuing to play his song. Her shield lowers down. Vanity became annoyed as she continues to blast her dark magic at Tao while he keeps on dodging and playing his flute.

Twilight, seeing an opening, yells out to the others, "Everypony, now!"

The four Alicorns fire their magic at Somnambula/Vanity. The witch gasps as she got hit hard and pushed back. Tough punches on her back hard; Phobos and Spike fire their attacks on Vaniy's front. Ben try to attack her with his sword but she dodge the attacks by jumping back. Vanity was about to used her shield, but the flute was sounding once more. The witch got annoyed, turning and glaring at Tao who is playing the music.

Tao smirk while taunting the once Somnambula, "Where is your boast, Somnambula? Have you lost it because of music; Pity."

Before Somnambula/Vanity could do something, Tough quickly hit her back with his head butt. Spike and Phobos gave punches on the witch hard, just before Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore launch their magic attacks. Ben charge and try to slash on the witch's hand. Somnambula/Vanity dodges the attack and is going back to the defensive. But instead, the witch got hit by the four Alicorns' attacks from the back while her front is attacked by Spike's and Phobos's Dragon and Moon Rage.

The heroes and allies had blocked Vanity's advanced and attacks. She got weakened by the attacks and growled before yelling in anger. Vanity launches the shock wave and hit on the ground. Everyone got hit and fall down to the ground.

Vanity turn and glare at Tao, yelling, "I've had enough of your music, hermit! Time to die," He chuckled, much to her notice and further annoyance. "What is this?! You're just a hermit who enjoyed music and peace! You just laughed for what; for fun?!"

Tao spoke, "Actually, this is a victory for Twilight and her family."

"What do you mean-?!"

With a slice of a sound, Somnambula/Vanity was in shock. Everyone turn and saw Ben. He held his sword that has blood, and on the ground is witch's hand with her ring.

Vanity screams in horror, "What?!"

Ben smirks as he taunts, "It's over, Somnambula! You had lost."

Ben used his sword and slam onto Somnambula's ring. The ring was smashed into pieces. Somnambula/Vanity was in shock.

Somnambula scream in anger, "Nooooooooo! This cannot be!"

"It seems you had underestimated them. Brute force will never obtain victory, but faith will. Though the Corruption Youth Spell may have worked on the user to have eternal life and curse everything into deep darkness and curse, but should it be destroyed, there is a price to pay." Tao explains to Vanity in amusement.

Somnambula/Vanity screams in fear as she look at her body. She saw her hands have been transformed into something dry and hard, along with her body.

"Curse you, ponies! Curse you!" Vanity screams as he body slowly transform into a tree. Her ring's darkness dispelled in smoke, into white light.

"It is over. Lake of Tears shall return to its true form." Tao said in relief and triumph.

Suddenly, during the villain's defeat, bright light was coming from the background, before a huge geyser erupted which made the heroes decide to run from where they are. And during the villain's spot of defeat, the body twitched to the point that it impeded into dark shades that vibrated from where it's being even existed. The huge geyser erupted to cover over the area before all went dark.

Then the screen focuses where in a surprising twist, a sun-rise was happening over the mountain areas. Soon the area was zoomed into what was now a dried up Lake of Tears with only a few fish flapping around. And the focus came near the weeping Alicorn statue, still in place, but now one can walk to it without worrying of deep waters and swallow areas.

"Guuuaghhh…" The scene showed us Driver was near the statue as it was gasping from lack of water in its fish lungs, "Guuagh-Haaaugh!" But suddenly, Driver was covered with a golden magical dust that surprised the fish. "Waaaugh-Aaaugh…." The Guardian Fish Beast was exhaling it's breathing before…it was magically glowed. And then in an instant, the giant fish vanished completely while leaving a new glowing creature in it's to land on the dry ground, "Uuugh!" And now the revealed Guardian Fish Beast: Driver, was changed into something before the curse from Bai Tza: a beautiful sentient being made of water, a water nymph by some records, with gray bands around her waist & neck, a light violet triangle marking across the chest area, turquoise clear eyes, and her legless tail of water that hovered above the ground, from there to over her body & head were white cloth drapes with written symbols. This was the true beauty hidden within the beast, a Water Nymph Guardian.

The other ponies and Dragons were staring in surprise as was the original form of the fish foe they believed was an enemy.

"Ye mean 'dat ugly fish was a pretty lil' water lady?" Tough asked off in almost being spellbound in seeing this sudden surprise.

"I think they are known to be called 'Water Nymphs', Tough?" Nyx issued that what they are seeing was called as such from what the little filly studied in learning what type of creature this was.

"But, now this here's a real beauty on sight!" Phobos spoke off in almost staring non-stop in seeing that for the first time, there was truly something 'beautiful' within a region that was filled with despair & ugliness.

"You can say that again!" Spike responded in almost sighing in feeling that seeing a real water nymph has got both Dragons almost forgetting things nor the troubles that they had.

Twilight & Ben rolled their eyes in seeing the dragons, Tough, even Bocolix & Dumbledore get a bit goofy & amazed in seeing something beautiful, but in retrospect, they aren't surprised while being happy to see something good happen.

While this was happening, another event was taking place; the Alicorn statue was glowing a blue line coloring with light escaping the cracks.

"Look! That statue," Twilight pointed out from where the gang was on a cliff in observing things taking place here.

The Alicorn statue of a weeping pony was cracking around from the escaped light all around.

"Hugh!" The water nymph looked up to gasp in surprise, could this possibly be…true?

"Kapowfruvhmmm," Suddenly, the entire rocky structure exploded into pieces to scattered apart. Then what would appear in its place from a statue, to the real live Alicorn mare called Gwen Fillyson, who smiled upon being freed. And then the mare held out something that glowed from within her hooves, it was the ingredient, the Lover's Tears, only this time, it was representing it's true color from not being pale, now with no evil around or misfortunate.

"The Lover's Tears," Ben shouted off in surprise in seeing what was now seen before them, the ingredient he lost was with the freed Alicorn mare that was a statue.

"Gwen Fillyson….you're free…" The water nymph was so overjoyed that from her features, tears leaked out, but they were of pure joy than of sorrow.

Soon the new mare Alicorn came up to the water nymph by her wings to land, kneel before her friend with a smile. "I have missed you to, Undine." Gwen Fillyson responded with words of praise in missing...an old friend of hers as well.

Soon the revealed water nymph lifted her hand to touch the Lover's Tears before a bright flash of light erupted from it and the two. The light completely started to spread around from where they stood to change the wasteland lake into lust greenery. And more so then anyone's guess, a few surprises came when other ponies of Earth, Pegasus, and Unicorns were seen lying on the grass plain then of the rocky lake when the magic passed over the fish; the ponies around the Lake of Tears were turned into fish! Who knew, right? Stallions, Mares, even colts & fillies that were big or small fishes were seen lying on the ground, and began to stand up in realization; their curse was lifted and now they are free. As the new batch of ponies that were taken by the End of Equestria stood up in joy, hugging with their friends and love ones. Seeing this action, really even helped give an extra warm feeling for Twilight's group in seeing, they've performed another miracle in this dangerous region; The End of Equestria, like they did with the former cannibals.

"Those fishes were really…ponies!" Dumbledore exclaimed in almost being completely shocked in witnessing this transformation here.

"I'm just glad we never decided to catch any!" Bocolix responded that if the group ever wanted to get fish to eat, they never succeeded cause, well, of this really.

"Trust me…Huummmmruagh….just thinking about it an' 'dat Fish Beast if we ate them makes mah stomach all quizzy-like." Tough Apple responded to hold his mouth from vomiting in just thinking if they did such a thing, they'll be like the former cannibals, eating a live-pony creature without even knowing it.

"Incredible….the ponies of Ominidrex Kingdom have been brought back!" Twilight responded in surprise, this was a sight to truly be called a miracle in helping free pony lives that were lost to this land.

"It is like a dream…" Ben spoke with a few words from his face in acknowledging this; this was both out of their way, but a true blessing to see.

"But it seems pretty real." Nyx responded in seeing that ponies were once fishes and now they turn to normal was the real deal here. "Or we're all dreaming the same dream." The little filly responded in feeling that maybe everyone in their group was seeing this and believe they are dreaming.

"I guess when we defeated Somnambula or Sombula, whatever, her power of a Demon from being Bai Tza's representative must have been the key and the curse was lifted." Twilight responded with the only clear logical choice in the matter, that when they defeated the foe here, it help lifted the curse that Undine, A.K.A. Driver The Fish Beast was under and freed a stone Alicorn to which their union helped set this land area back to being it's peaceful ways like evil never touched it.

The gang smiled for joy in knowing this, so long as all things turn out good, that's all that really matters the most; helping lives.

"What about you Tao? Um…Tao," Spike was saying before he turns to see, Tao was no longer with them, he vanished again.

"Great, that old hermit has gone and bailed us again!" Phobos groans, how many times is Tao gonna show up and leave them hanging with more questions about his disappearing act?

"My friends…" Suddenly, the gang turns their attention towards an old fish foe that was nearby.

"Driver…" The gang responded in recalling who this water nymph use to be or was until she was changed back.

"Actually, my name is Undine; I am a Guardian Water Nymph." The revealed water nymph issued in stating who she was to the brave heroes. "The ponies of the Ominidrex Kingdom are in your debt." Undine spoke with appreciation towards those that have helped freed those trapped under a curse. "Especially to the gallant warrior that aided in the final strike to the witch," She issued to the other person in the group that helped landed the last blow that helped defeat the enemy that appeared here.

Everyone smiled in hearing that a bit of cockiness was being shown from Spike, Phobos, Tough, Dumbledore & Bocolix which made the rest chuckle at their sheepish behavior in getting such compliments. After a few moments, we see some calm breezes blow through the grass-fields of what was once a lake. Now Twilight's group stood before the former Fish Beast Guardian; Driver & the weeping Alicorn statue: Undine & Gwen Fillyson in about to have a chat now while the freed once fish pony civilians gather round to hear things out from the two they considered to lead them.

"This here is my owner, Gwen Fillyson." Undine introduced the rest of Twilight's group to the new free Alicorn that arrived here from being stone. "She is the leader of the pony citizens of the Ominidrex Kingdom. And we have been freed from the curse Bai Tza placed on all of us, thanks to you." Undine responded with much a smile

Soon the now freed Alicorn mare approached Twilight with something in her hooves. "You were seeking this, correct?" Gwen Fillyson responded in showing the object Twilight & her party had been seeking.

"Y...yes," Twilight responded a bit flattered and surprised as she held out her hooves to accept the ingredient from a fellow mare Alicorn as the Lover's Tears was now given.

"We are all grateful to you." Undine responded in feeling very glad that Twilight and her friends for what they have done. "For a long time, we have been suffering at Bai Tza & Somnambula's hands." The water nymph issued about what has been happening to many of the civilians within this area that were once cursed. "And now we are finally free!" She exclaimed with much appreciation that they are free from a Demon Lord's curse.

Twilight's group was now feeling very much overwhelmed but they smiled in accepting this compliment towards them. It was like when the gang freed the once cannibal ponies in the End of Equestria, from Hsi Wui's control when he held the tiki idol, it was almost the same thing….almost, but just a hint different with the usual happy ending afterwards. Soon Twilight moves to place the gain ingredient the Lover's Tears in a bag with the others, but then the necklace Ben made for her glimmer from the light.

"That…that is…" Undine responded in seeing that what surprised her and her Alicorn friend Gwen Fillyson to gasp in seeing….some Guardian Rings the Demon Lords held possession over: Mehitos & Egola. "Those are Mehitos & Egola's Magic Guardian Rings! I thought they were still in the possession of the Demons. How are they here?" Undine asked these surprised questions in never would have believed she see those Guardians that were under the Eight Immortal Demon Lords within the Demon Realm.

"It's a long story." Nyx shrug off in responding that question in seeing they got some explaining to do now.

"I guess I shouldn't ask why. But why is there only two attached to that necklace?" Undine responded puzzled in seeing only two Guardians' Magic Summon Rings around Twilight, like there was a thought of more than that.

"It's something I made to allow Twilight to carry these things, since…well ponies don't have fingers." Ben shrug off his shoulders in saying he made the necklace for Twilight so that the Guardian Rings would be with them and never again in evil's clutches.

"Then tell us, have you've faced Evil Guardians, like the Wasp Creature: Swarm, belonging to Xiao Fung, the Wind Demon or even the terrible beast none has ever imagined to defeat called: Mo Sie the Hydra, a vicious pet belonging to the Fire Demon, Shendu?" Gwen Fillyson clapped her hooves in almost asking a question in denial, if the group had already fought off Evil Guardians already.

"Wait! You mean frog-face's pet bug, and worst…That snake-head-splitting Hydra that tried to nearly be the end of our lives?" Phobos asked off in almost not believing that these new faces were asking if they defeated such Guardian foes of evil, like that was some joke to be spoken of.

"Boy howdy, we already survived those terrible varmints an' just barely survived them!" Tough rolled his eyes in sighing in relief to push that memory out, it was a near life-death experience, way too scary to even imagine.

"That is what has happened. I can hardly believe it." Gwen Fillyson rested her left hoof to her chin in letting this information sink in, defeating the Guardian Creatures are no small task for any pony, and yet this group has gone and done the near impossible. "I feared from what Bai Tza promised us before she sent us into darkness…that Equestria would lose one of its princesses & the balance of good and evil would shift now within the course of the years. She said that nothing would be the same again…" She spoke in feeling that events that lead to Luna being Nightmare Moon to many other events have been spoken for already.

"Wait, how long have you been cursed?" Spike asked in almost mishearing that last part.

"Since Celestia & Luna first became the rulers, why?" Undine responded puzzled, was there something that they miss knowing since time was the last thing on their minds when being cursed?

"Again, boy, how many ponies have been here without knowing the times?" Phobos sighed in seeing that it's the cannibals’ event of missing out all over again and they gotta explain things.

"You see, a lot of things happened, when Luna left a 1000 years ago in being within the moon before she returned, and…many other events did play out as you were told." Twilight spoke in slowly starting how things played out during such cases.

"But no matter what, we're still fighting strong against problems, and even now to help save lives, much like yours." Ben spoke in assurance while smiling to say that they are slowly making things how they were, just like with these ponies that were under a curse and are now free.

"Indeed, you are correct." Gwen Fillyson spoke with responding to such a term by the young ones before them. "No cause is lost while brave souls live and do not despair." She smiled in issuing that so long as there are brave heroes, then even in despair, there is no lost for hope at all.

The gang smiled in hearing such words, it was the perfect kind of medicine to help anyone, pony or otherwise, know that nothing was too far for them to find hope in despair. Then in puzzlement, they suddenly hear what sounded like a church bell.

"What's dat sound?" Tough asked confused, it's the first sound of civilization since being in this place.

"It is our bell…" Gwen Fillyson smiled in responding in recognizing the sound that was the bell that belongs to this group of freed ponies while a gentle breeze blows through with flower petals.

The group of freed ponies looked to the clear skies in joy and relief in hearing the bells coming from an old ruin that was of their old home; it was the new sound beginnings…of hope. While everyone was distracted however, a lone rat came by near where the fallen witch villain's body disappeared, leaving only the Demon's Ring to get taken and ran off to who knows where.

"We shall never forget any of you brave souls for saving us." Gwen Fillyson responded with a smile on her face in staring at the heroes.

"Here, I'll magically transmit a spell to your mind, so you can teleport everypony here, to Ponyville, and hopefully, meet the princesses again." Twilight leans her horn close to the new alicorn mare, a little glimmer came between them, but Twilight managed to give coordinates in where Gwen Fillyson can take her group of ponies back to their home.

"It's been forever since I've seen Celestia…Luna…Golden Heart, and many others like us that have lived the longest, thank you." Gwen Fillyson spoke with a smile in thanking Twilight for allowing her a chance to see faces she hasn't seen in ages. "I too, shall give a gift to what may aid in your quest. Undine," She responded in saying before turning to the water nymph.

"Yes…" Undine spoke to approach in what her owner wants of her.

"Please join this new princess and help her as you've done for me. As she'll be your new owner and friend," The new Alicorn before Twilight's group issued a request that caught everyone by surprise.

"Wait, you mean she'll come with us?" Dumbledore responded a bit surprised in what was going on here.

"Weren't you two like friends separated so long?" Bocolix asked in recalling Undine was a curse fish while her friend was a statue, shouldn't they stick together?

"It's true, but now she sees that my aid now is to help with the next generation of heroes." Undine nods in feeling like she understands what her now previous owner wants of the Guardian Spirit of Water. "You've gotten most of the Guardian's that were never evil, but were forced to do evil biddings. I am happy, and yet worried about others out there, as well as how many of the Eight Immortal Demon Lords you've faced so far." Undine spoke with both relief and worry, some of her own Magical Guardian Kind are saved while others that are not evil, are still force to be evil in whoever wields their rings, namely the Demon Lords

"Well there's the bat-guy, then the frog-guy, then the bull-groundhog, and then the fishy-water lady. As well as the weirdo that shoots out lightning. Anyone else," Phobos counted up to the number of Demons they fought so far by their appearances, it seems.

"You've faced the Demon Lords of Sky, Wind, Earth, Water and Thunder. All that are left are just Fire, Mountain, and Moon." Gwen Fillyson spoke with caution in her advice in sensing what were left would be just as hard to overcome for the gang.

"Great, can't wait to meet them." Tough remarked off with a dry tone in learning this just now.

"Until then, good luck," With that much said, soon Gwen Fillyson glowed her horn and then in an instant, all the other civilian ponies (even their bell from the church ruin) were teleported upwards like a bright sphere and zoomed at fast speeds; heading for the gang's home & outside the End of Equestria.

"Here is my ring, should you ever need me." Undine spoke in magically making a gray ring with an 'S' symbol top center be seen, like a wave of water, now appear on Twilight's necklace. "Just ask for my aid, and know, that even if you or your friends are my master & owner, we'll be friends to help each other. Just as you all have helped remind me…thank you." With that last stuff said from Undine, she magically vanished in a beautiful aura to return to her Guardian Ring that Twilight now keeps.

The gang was now staring at Twilight's necklace that held three Magical Guardian Rings: first was Mehitos, second was Egola, and now Undine. For the most problems they've faced, perhaps from obtaining these magical creatures from this land, can help the gang survive when they least expect it.

"So….what do we do with her now Twilight?" Spike asked off in not knowing if this was a good thing for them now.

"I've read about Water Nymphs before, Spike. That they have devastating torrential power, they can create and shape water. Like erupting geysers from the ground where there's no water or make water appear like magic like a sphere in their hands." Twilight explained to her friends about her understanding of water nymphs, especially since the group has fought off against a water sentient before like Bai Tza, but Undine here was not evil. "I once heard that if you played them like some jerk, they could form a water bubble to cut off one's air." She issued off in knowing that if 'some' males were trying to be 'rude' to water nymphs; those creatures would show their scary fangs in a new way.

"Yikes, cool, but scary!" Phobos yelped in issuing that from hearing that.

"At least she & Bai Tza are different types of water nymph creatures, with the part of not being evil and demonic." Nyx issued how Undine was much nicer and pretty looking then the evil Demon Lord of Water was.

"Undine….She has her own will and I can sense she's extremely loyal to whoever holds her ring." Twilight spoke in sensing the new Guardian Ring she has that was of Undine. "I'm hoping that we can all become such good friends." She smiled in wishing that they can be friends with this water sentinel Guardian for a long time to come.

"I'm sure Twilight, I'm sure." Ben patted his love on the back in assuring, that they'll be friends with this new Guardian Creature, no questions needed.

"Hay fellas, let's pack up an' head off 'ta 'de next place, kay." Tough issued off in wanting the gang to pick up their pace, cause they still got plenty more stuff to go after.

With everything on that agreement, the gang returns to Justin the MechBull & Rabbitchu awaiting them. They repacked their things in the cart, with a few things accomplished; an ingredient obtained, a freedom of more lost ponies in the End of Equestria, and a new Guardian added to the collection. Soon the gang was riding off where the sun was held up high in the sky, most of them may have to takes a little nap, since they miss some sleep, but things will be well when they wake to arrive…at another destination.

Twilight and her friends left the Ominidrex Kingdom and headed for the next item. Puff of the smoke appears behind Gwen Fillyson. She turned and gasped to see someone familiar to her.

"Tao; is that you?" Gwen Fillyson ask Tao hopefully.

Tao smile as he responds, "Hello, my dear Gwen." She hug Tao and he hug back.

"You're alive. I thought I'd never see you again."

Tao chuckle a bit, "Oh, Gwen. You have forgotten that I'm no ordinary pony."

Gwen Fillyson giggle, "Of course I know, Tao. But it's so good to see you again. I have not seen you and Dragon Kick since-" The Alicorn gasps as she realizes something, "Dragon Kick! Is he-"

Tao smile as he assures Gwen, "He's fine. In fact, he's been thinking and loving you so much since you had been turned into stone."

Gwen Fillyson sighs in sadness, "I must have hurt his feeling since that day." The mare sobs, feeling terrible. "I'm really sorry, Tao."

"Sorry nothing, my dear. But most important of all, you and ponies are restored and saved. In fact, if you wish to see Dragon Kick, I suggest you go to Ponyville."

"Understood, Tao."

"One more thing, Gwen; When you reached Ponyville, you must not reveal anything about me or the Mystic Ponies for helping Twilight and her family to anyone but the Princesses Celestia, Luna, Golden Heart, Pinkamena, Discord and Lorcan." Tao said, giving Gwen Fillyson a word of precaution as to not reveal about him and the Mystic Ponies helping Twilight and her family out.

Gwen Fillyson gasps in shock and disbelief, "Discord? He is one of us? That's impossible. Why I can't reveal about the Mystic Ponies to anypony but our friends?"

"There are lots of changes, my friend. Discord is reformed by Twilight's kindhearted friend. But more will come, when you see Princess Celestia and others. As for the Mystic Ponies, ever since the Demon Lords, Discord and Smaug the Great brought ruins to Equestria, the Mystic Council left no choice but to banned all of us from helping and interfering in the mortal's affairs while being hidden from them. For we feared that they will be in lust, tempt and greed for more powers of Mystic." Gwen Fillyson sighed about this. "However, we only guide to those who seeks peace, freedom and justice for all ponies and harmony in Equestria, such as Twilight Sparkle."

"So no one, not even today's ponies, had known about you or anyone?"

"Yes. But do not be grim, my dear. If Twilight and her family had succeeded in the journey, I will reveal my identity and the existence of Mystic Ponies to them. It proved that ponies and Equestria had proven their worth and determination in defending world's freedom and hope, despite some crimes and battles. The ponies have grown stronger, braver and kindhearted. This may convince the Mystic Council to change their rules and minds. We may have a chance to protect Equestria from forces of evil."

Gwen Fillyson smile while saying, "Thank you, Tao. But when I see Dragon Kick, do you think he wants me?"

Tao smile as he answers, "More than anything, my dear. He missed you so much and dearly. But remember do not reveal anything about your past with him to anyone but our friends. This may create complications. When you see him, you follow him to have a private chat."

"I understand. What will you do?"

"I'm Twilight, Ben and their family's Mystic Guardian. It is my duty to guide them through the difficult journey and battle to gain the ingredients as much as they need, and to home. Now, I must leave."

Gwen Fillyson bows, saying in respect, "Till we meet again, Tao."

With a puff of a smoke, Tao disappear in it. Gwen Fillyson smiles, she can't wait to see Dragon Kick again.

--------------

"Unbelievable," Po Kong exclaims in shock and disbelief. The Demon Lord got word of the witch's defeat and once again, they aren't happy at all.

Dai Gui roar in worry, "That witch had lost the battle again!"

Tchang Zu slaps himself in frustration while saying, "I knew she's useless to us!"

"My empire is now in ruins! My pet has reverted to her true form! The ruler has been restored! Curse you, Twilight Sparkle!" Bai Tza exclaims angrily. That Twilight Sparkle is beginning a true pest to the Demon Lords.

"They had obtained the ingredient again!" Shendu exclaims, knowing how his enemies now have the Lover's Tears.

"This is so unfortunate!" Xiao Fung exclaims while shaking his head. Isn't there any way to stop these enemies?!

"Now what," Hsi Wu asks in anger and disbelief. All the Demon Lords' attempts have failed big time!

Tso Lan spoke up, "It is not over yet, my brethren. They may have freed Bai Tza's slaves and obtain the item, but our battle with them is yet over."

Chapter 9: Po Kong and her Hunger

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Chapter 9: Po Kong and her Hunger

On the rooftop of one of ponies' homes, Dragon Kick continues to spy on ponies in Ponyville through his telescope. He saw many ponies continuing their best to hold and fast their stomachs. Some are still upset and disappointed, other fainted and slept. Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Fluttershy and Pinkie help around to make comfort to both grown up and foals, and making sure that they won't fall to their hunger.

Rarity and Sweetie Belle gave small pieces of vegetables to stallions, mares, foals and fillies. They ate them. Fluttershy remain nice, gentle and kind to the foals and fillies whose complained and wanted foods, telling them to remain strong and brave. They did. Pinkie made jokes and funny faces to make all ponies be happy with smiles.

Dragon Kick removes his eye from his telescope, speaking in concern, "This is bad."

"No kidding." Jade who is nearby Dragon Kick spoke while shaking her head, making him glare at her.

"Remind me why did I bring you here?"

"Well, let me see. I finish my homework, I helped Mighty Heart and he asked me to get some cookies for him while he continues to work on the protection spell, just in case. So, in other words, I'm helping him."

Dragon Kick rolls his eyes while saying, "More like giving the same excuses."

Suddenly, a bright light appear in the middle of Ponyville. Dragon Kick and Jade turn to their attention to the light. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and some ponies came to the light to see what's going on. They gasped as everyone saw some new visitors AKA Gwen and her ponies.

"Who's that?" Rainbow asks her friends puzzled, wondering who the newcomers are this time.

"Just hope it's not 'de same mistake like 'de former cannibals." Applejack said, not wanting to make the same mistake twice.

Celestia, Luna and Dragon Kick gasp upon recognizing the alicorn, "Gwen Fillyson?"

Dragon Kick's tears come out while smiling. Jade smirks upon noticing, making her say, "It looks like your fillyfriend and Ominidrex ponies are freed from their imprisonment."

Dragon Kick rub his tears off while saying, "Yes, I know. It's a mir-" The pony stops as he realizes something. "How did you know my fillyfriend? Jade, did you go to 'The End of Equestria', again?" Jade smile uneasily making Dragon Kick groan, "What am I gonna do with you?"

"Hey. Just be glad that granduncle Tao, Twilight and her gang saved and rescued your fillyfriend and her ponies."

Dragon Kick sigh, knowing that Jade is correct on this, "I guess you're right."

"So what are you waiting for? Go and see her, dragon boy!" Jade insist anxiously. Dragon Kick coughed a bit, reminding her of a certain rule. "Oh right, we're not supposed to talk right in front of the ponies."

"I guess I'd have to wait."

Dragon Kick shivers in fear. Jade notice as she asks, "Dragon Kick, what's wrong?"

"I don't know what to do! It's been thousand years since she's been turned into stone! I feel guilty, selfish and irresponsible! I don't know how she'll react to me! She's so gonna hate me! She and I -" Dragon Kick sigh in sadness, "We'll never be together again." Jade hits on Dragon Kick's head, making him yelp in pain.

"Get a hold to yourself, champ! Don't you dare say stupid things! Listen! Do you miss Gwen that very much," Jade demand to Dragon Kick who nod meaning 'yes'. "Do you even care for her like you and her are meant to be?" Dragon Kick nods. "Do you really, really and really like and love her so much since you met her at the Ominidrex Kingdom?"

Dragon Kick nods, saying, "Of course; more than anything; I'll do anything to help and protect her."

"Then, go out there and talk with her! Prove to her that you're sorry for not rescuing her in time! And of course, show her how much she means to you. I don't know much of yours and her relationship. But I bet that she feels the same way as you are."

Dragon Kick smile, saying, "You're right, Jade. I don't know what to do without you."

"Just be glad, that I'd always go for the adventure." Jade commented. Dragon Kick was about to come down when she stops him, "As soon as the ponies leave first, Dragon Kick. You so do not want your uncle to hit your head again."

Dragon Kick nods, he knows that is true. Now down below, Gwen saw two familiar princesses, smiling as she exclaims, "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna! You're alright!"

Gwen hugs her friends. Celestia smiles as she comments, "Old friend, you're alive and back."

"We thought we would never see you again." Luna said with a smile. It has been centuries since what happened to Gwen and the Ominidrex Kingdom. Now the two alicorns are relieved that their friend is back after so long.

Gwen smiles as she explains, "It's all thanks to Twilight and her friends."

"Twilight; Yew mean Twilight Sparkle an' her family," Applejack gasps in surprise as the others look hopeful. Their friend and her family were able to rescue Gwen from a terrible fate! "Are they alright? They're not hurt, are they?! Please, Ah need 'ta know!"

"You must be the one who has the farm that Twilight wanted to save?"

Applejack sob as she admits, "Yes, ma'am. Ah'm Applejack. Twilight is mah very best friend, an' a sister-like 'ta me."

Gwen pats her on the back, assuring the sobbing Earth pony, "I can assure you that your friend is fine, as well as saving our lives from Bai Tza."

"So how it happened?" Rarity asks, wondering how Twilight and her friends was able to complete their task.

Gwen explains the ponies of Twilight and her family's journey, as well as the ingredients that they retrieved. The other members of the Mane Six were shocked and surprised to hear this. Twilight, Ben and their group were able to avoid getting hurt or worst in the End of Equestria! Amazing!

After Gwen is done, Applejack is the first to speak, "Twilight an' her family had managed 'ta git 7 ingredients."

"Flash's right; we'd never give up or lost our faith on our great friend." Rarity said with a smile.

"Yeah; Go Twilight! I hope they can get back home ASAP." Rainbow cheers on wildly, anxious for Twilight and those with her to get back home safe and sound.

"I'm sure she'll." Fluttershy assures Rainbow gently. "Remember what Flash said: don't give up on our best friends."

"In other words, we've gotta be strong and has some faith that Twilight and her family be back!" Pinkie exclaims as she bounces up and down happily.

"Hsi Wu isn't the only Demon Lord that escaped from his imprisonment but Dai Gui, Xiao Fung, Bai Tza and Tchang Zu as well." Celestia said, now seeing what Demon Lords that Twilight and her friends were able to defeat so far. "We're glad that Twilight, Ben and others have managed to banish them."

"Indeed, sister. Though these Demon Lords are very tenacious and determined to get Nyx, I wonder if this has to do anything with Nightmare Moon." Luna said in concern, suspecting that her former evil side is involved in this.

"Perhaps; But I can only hope that Twilight and others must remain cautious and strong, when it comes to Shendu or Tso Lan. They're the most powerful and dangerous Demon Lords that we ever faced."

"Though Po Kong may not be a clever Demon, she could be dangerous due to her ability as the Mountain Demon Lord."

Gwen nods as she say, "I pray they'll be in a safe journey."

Celestia smiles and nods; suddenly, they heard a whistle. Celestia, Luna and Gwen turned and saw Dragon Kick and Jade, making the Alicorns gasp a bit. Celestia and Luna turn to each other and nod their heads. They both know what this means.

Celestia turn to the ponies of Ponyville as she advises, "Citizens of Ponyville; do not give up your hope and faith. Remain strong and brave. Twilight Sparkle and her family will return sooner or later. Ponyville will survive for another day. Now go and do your best to stay firm and strong."

The ponies cheer happily and wildly. Everypony left and do their own business. Celestia, Luna and Gwen turn and head to the back of house. Luna comments to her sister and Gwen, "Although this might not satisfy their hunger, this will boast their morale to stay firm."

"Indeed."

Applejack and her friends discuss this. The Earth pony spoke to the others, "Alright, y'all. Twilight an' her family did their part, but we had 'ta does ours hard; Ah'm believing 'dat Twilight and her family will be back home."

"You said it, AJ! Rock on!" Rainbow exclaims, giving a hooves up big time.

Rarity smile as she says in agreement, "Absolutely."

Pinkie Pie bounces up while cheering, "Let's do our part hard and best!"

"Yeah." Fluttershy said meekly.

"Alright, Mane Six, let's roll! Ah've gotta tell Flash an' Twilight's family about 'dis first." Applejack say, knowing that Flash and Twilight's family wants to know how Twilight and her group are doing.

Applejack and her friends separate and went to help the ponies and find some vegetables. Celestia, Luna and Gwen look around, making sure that no one is following them. They meet up with Dragon Kick and Jade as they went back to the house's back.

Dragon Kick sheepishly looks to Gwen, speaking, "Hello."

"Hi." Gwen comments. They both blushed as the two look away for a while before glancing and looking at each other. The two lovers haven't seen each other in somewhat ages.

Dragon Kick breathes in and out before speaking, "Gwen. Listen, I know I promised that I'll always be there to help and save you. But I failed. I... wish I could be stronger and braver." The Mystic Pony begins to sob. "I'm really sorry for leaving you behind! I really am. But please! I really do and really like and love you so much in my heart and my soul; if you want anything. I'll make up everything. Anything just for you -"

Gwen hug and kiss on Dragon Kick's lips. The Mystic Pony, surprised and happy, kisses her back. They both closed their eyes while their tears flowed down; Jade smiles and sob and so as Celestia and Luna. This reunion has been a touching one indeed.

"It's always good to see them both together again, sister." Luna said to Celestia with a smile.

Celestia nods, commentating, "Indeed. This reminds me of how much my son and student loved each other."

Dragon Kick and Gwen depart from kissing while smiling at each other. The Mystic Pony spoke in surprise, "I don't understand. I thought you'd be mad at me."

Gwen shook her head, explaining, "I'd never be mad. I, too, was afraid of you for losing your love for me after I turned into stone."

"You would never be second, Gwen. Not in my heart or soul."

Dragon Kick and Gwen hug together. Jade smile as she approach and took a picture of Dragon Kick and Gwen with her camera. They got surprised as the two turn to her. Jade spoke up eagerly, "Now, this is a best romantic moment."

"This is...?" Gwen asks, wondering who this little filly is.

Dragon Kick sighs, rolling his eyes as he answers, "Jade Adventure; My niece."

Gwen smile as she held out a hoof, saying, "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," The niece say as Gwen and Jade shook their hooves. "I hope you don't give my uncle problem."

"Now why would I do that?"

Jade smiles as she laughs, "Just kidding; I'm just want to make sure that Dragon Kick doesn't get a heart attack."

Gwen chuckles, "Nope, I won't."

Gwen and Jade giggle. Dragon Kick turns to Celestia and Luna, saying, "I'll keep the update to you." In other words, the Mystic Pony will do his best to give out updates of Twilight and her friend's progress.

Celestia smiles as she said, "We know, Dragon Kick."

"Try to stay out of trouble. You remember the last time you came here." Luna said, giving a word of warning as to what happened the last time trouble like this was made.

Dragon Kick chuckles, "I won't."

"So, why don't you and Dragon Kick date for today's special?" Jade ask eagerly, much to Dragon Kick's embarrassment.

Dragon Kick blush, exclaiming, "Jade!"

"That's an excellent idea, Jade." Celestia said with a smile. Perhaps Dragon Kick and Gwen would go on a date after not seeing one another for so long.

"That's considered a best gift for both of you. Of course not here. In our palace where no ponies bother to see you," Luna said, deciding to let Dragon Kick and Gwen have their date at the palace to give the two lovers privacy.

Gwen nods, saying gently, "We have so much to discuss about here. This will be like our old times."

Dragon Kick says, "Yes. It will be. I'll tell you how it happened in Equestria."

Dragon Kick and Gwen smile. This will be a date to remember indeed.

----------------

"You saw Mystic Tao?!" Shendu yells in shock and rage. Bai Tza has informed the Demon as to whom she saw with Twilight and her group back at the Realm of Demons. The Demon of Fire is engaged that his old enemy was in fact helping the new Alicorn Princess and her group the whole time!

Bai Tza nods, saying, "Indeed, brother. He's the one who had helped them since Hsi Wu's defeat."

"That sly pony is going to be sorry for this!" Hsi Wu yells out in fury. If it weren't for that old pony, he would've kept his hold on the cannibals by now! "So what's the next plan?"

"We certainly cannot let our enemies get away with this!" Tchang Zu remarks angrily.

Xiao Fung nods as he said, "Indeed. We have to stop our enemies at once, especially Twilight Sparkle."

"How do you propose to do that?" Po Kong ask Xiao Fung in concern. "We had lost five battles to them! We had three pets left, unless we sent one of our servants to deal with them. The one I suggest is the best of the best."

Tso Lan shakes his head, saying, "No, Po Kong. He is our triumph card. He is not allowed to join in the battle, but rather to study them carefully. For he has great knowledge in winning the battle; we will not use him as a frontline unit. In fact, I want Twilight Sparkle to suffer by his hand."

Dai Gui chuckle, saying, "Do not worry, brother. We will not use him, but the other servant."

"Whose servant will that be?" Tchang Zu ask Dai Gui, pondering what his sibling meant.

"Mine."

"Seriously; since when did you had a servant?" Hsi Wu asks Dai Gui, bewildered that his sibling even has a servant at all!

Dai Gui smirk, answering, "Since you escaped from this world, with the help of a pony."

Hsi Wu gasp in alarm by this answer, "What do you mean?!"

"Dai Gui is not stupid. A pony is the one who helped you escaped before you took care of him. Dai Gui met this pony when he touched my Dark Item. He speaks to me as he wants to live. So I gave him a special gift. Thus, he is my powerful and brutal servant."

"Well thought, Dai Gui." Tchang Zu said thoughtfully. Whoever this servant is, will be the one to get rid of the ponies once and for all.

Po Kong smile as she said in agreement, "Good thinking."

"For a buffalo Demon, you sure know how to use your head." Xiao Fung chuckled, amused that Dai Gui was able to do some thinking for once.

"Dai Gui chose not to be smart sometimes." Dai Gui remarks to Xiao Fung proudly.

"Well, that explains why you relied on your strengths before your plans." Shendu said in ponder.

"Indeed, Dai Gui had."

"Well thoughtful, Dai Gui. Sent your servant to deal with this matter," Tso Lan orders Dai Gui; Time for the new servant to deal with the ponies and the Dragons once and for all.

Bai Tza hiss eagerly and furiously, "Make Twilight Sparkle pay and suffer for not only my defeat but for ruining my empire!"

Dai Gui open a portal to a black figure to make the order. He spoke to him carefully, "My servant. It is time. Listen carefully, my loyal servant."

-----------------

Twilight and her friends continue their journey until they spotted Tao nearby. Spike exclaims, "Its Tao!"

"Doesn't that old pony get tired of appearing and disappearing?" Phobos asks in frustration and annoyance by how Tao kept disappearing and reappearing by magic.

"Phobos, behave yourself. That's Tao's ways." Nyx said to Phobos with a frown.

"Whatever he's doing, he might know something." Ben said thoughtfully, expecting that Tao knows what's to come next.

"Let's find out." The Alicorn suggests. Twilight and her friends approached Tao. "Mr. Tao."

Tao turn and smile, saying, "Ah, Twilight, family and friends, welcome."

"So, what's an old pony like yew been doing?" Tough ask Tao, wanting to know how he was doing since not too long ago.

Tao smile as he turned to some old relics as he checked and analysis them. The old pony explains, "Why doing research. It's one of my hobbies."

"Really; Wow, I thought I'm the only pony who is been doing the research." Twilight said with a smile. It's great to know that she isn't the only pony who does research from time to time.

Spike chuckled in amusement, "Who wouldn't?"

"So what are you researching for?" Ben asks Tao curiously.

"Learning the old pasts of The End of Equestria such as the Demon Lords you spoke of. I overheard that you have manage to banish five of them." Tao explains, showing how much he knows about the group's efforts so far. "I'm very curious as to how the Demon Lords managed to escape from their prisons since they have been banished once by Princess Celestia, Luna and the brave Mystic Ponies."

"Yeah, we've been wondering of that, Mr. Tao. So do you know how they escaped?" Nyx ask Tao, wondering if the old pony has an answer.

"Well, there is one item I know of: Pan'ku Box."

"Pan'ku Box; I did remember what Hsi Wu had said something like that." Twillight said, recalling something from a past adventure. She then realizes something, "Of course!"

"What?" Spike asks, wondering what Twilight just realize.

"The Pan'ku Box is the reason how the Demon Lords passed through here."

Tao nods, confirming Twilight's answer. He spoke, "Correct. But that box can only open the portal for once and for one being to leave the prison. In order to do so, one must solve it with the right puzzle. How did you know?"

"Hsi Wu told us that an archaeologist pony solved the Pan'ku Box and opened his escape route." Nyx explains to Tao.

Tao nods, pretending to be surprised while saying, "I see."

"So the Pan'ku Box is like a puzzle box?" Bocolix ask, scratching his head at this.

"To open the door for the Demon Lords to come out," Dumbledore ask, puzzled as his colleague is.

Tao nods as he answers, "Precisely."

"So if we get it first, there won't be any Demon Lords to come out. Am I right?" Ben ask Tao, wondering if the Panku Box is gotten, then the Demon Lords will no longer cause any trouble for the gang.

Tao nods as he answers once more, "Indeed."

"Yeah, hate to break it to you. But where are we gonna find the Pan'ku Box?! It could be anywhere!" Phobos complains a bit to Tao.

"Or anybody who has it. This is going to be difficult." Spike said with a frown. Whoever has the box won't give it up so easily.

"So what, partner? Ah mean we beat those no good five Demon Lords. So no biggy," Tough remarks, not seeing what's the big deal here.

"Tough's right; Even we can't find the Pan'ku Box, we can beat them with the help of the voice and the Mystic Banishment Ingredients." Ben said in agreement. The group was able to beat the Demon Lords with the voice's help and the Mystic Banishment Ingredients before, they can do again!

"You said it, daddy." Nyx said in agreement.

Tao nods while saying, "Wise and brave words, Ben."

"By the way old pony, do you think that banishment thingy has permanently sealed the portals and keep the Demon Lords from coming out?" Bocolix ask Tao in concern, not wanting to deal with the Demon Lords again in the near future.

"Of course."

Dumbledore sigh in relief, "Phew. I thought we would be dead if one escaped again."

Tao however adds sternly, "But even if you had sealed the portals, they can be weakened for the next thousand years, unless the Pan'ku Box must never be used again."

"In other words, we've gotta find it, right?" Tough ask Tao, knowing there's no other way out apparently.

Tao nods before adding, "But do not worry. Your mission must come first, but if you ever see anyone holds the Pan'ku Box, you know what to do."

"Snatch that box." Spike said, knowing the answer already.

"Beat that crap out of the creep." Phobos remarks, cracking his Dragon knuckles anxiously.

"We'll make sure that no Demon Lords could ever walk on Equestria ever again." Twilight said in determination.

"I don't have to worry about them anymore." Nyx said happily. If the Pa'nku Box is found, those creeps would never bother her again!

"Then, it's settled; Thanks for the advice, Tao -?!" Ben stops as he saw that Tao's gone once more. "There he goes again."

And like before, the voice that gave the riddles is heard, "Freed the poor soul from the Demon Lord of Earth's curse."

"Another riddle?"

"Freed the poor soul from the Demon Lord of Earth's curse."

"Poor soul; Demon Lord of Earth's curse," Ben ask, pondering what this riddle mean. Apparently Dai Gui has got somepony in a hold but who could it be?

"So what does he said?" Twilight ask Ben curiously.

"’Free the poor soul from the Demon Lord of Earth's curse.’"

"You know, daddy, I've got a feeling that there's gonna be lots of ponies being cursed or used by the Demon Lords." Nyx said in concern, suspecting that a lot of ponies and creatures in this area may be cursed or used by the Demon Lords in the End of Equestria.

"Whoever the poor soul was, hope he's friendly for us to help." Spike said in concern.

"Hopefully, it's not like the Hydra again." Phobos remarks with a cringe. Facing something like the Hydra again is something he wishes to avoid.

"Don't remind me. C'mon let's go." Twilight said as the group heads onward to where they gotta go to next.

--------------

Right now, it looks like Twilight's group is doing fairly well in where they are currently at. Justin was pulling their cart into some weird little field of a deserted forest and the area they are in was wide-range enough for either a large crowd or to duke a battle. But right now, the focus comes from…something unexpected…

"Quicksand," A sudden voice was heard off from the distance during this moment that broke the silence.

"Crusvhmmm.../Waaaugh," Suddenly, the gang screams from a sudden breeze of sand blasting around them, but the worst of it was…their cart was sinking in quicksand that shouldn't even be in this area.

"Wha in tarnations; where 'dis come from?" Tough shouted off surprise that suddenly, the ground that the groupp stood on turn into quicksand, what is this; some hocus-pocus sprung trap?

"Everypony, leap off the cart!" Ben instructed the others to abandon their cart for the time being.

During the moment of jumping, something popped out from below the sand, some rope that bind the Mechbull along with only the other pets while the rest had escaped.

"Mruwaaawughhhh," Justin cried out in being stuck and unable to escape the quicksand's grasp and trap.

"Looks like something grabbed the bull here!" Dumbledore responded stump in seeing what had just happened now.

"Yeah, and it ain't by the horns, but the whole thing!" Bocolix issued about a pun used with Justin, but with a different vice-versa method.

"Since when did quicksand ever try something like that?" Spike asked off in never seeing a quicksand that not only tried to suck anyone down, but also restricts movement with ropes.

"Since we entered an area that's different from Equestria, duh,” Phobos remotely issued that answer for Spike, nothing in this place made sense since the gang entered it.

"Well we gotta free Justin & the other animals somehow!" Nyx spoke with worry in seeing that Justin, Rabbitchu, Koga and Owlowiscious that were tied up at the moment.

"Question is was this an unnatural event or some magical force?" Twilight pondered with a serious face in wondering, was this quicksand a normal thing of a natural course in the End of Equestria that got sprung now or….did it get triggered by someone near?

"I can answer that one!" The same rogue-like voice stated in being extremely arrogant and yet dense at the same time.

Soon the ponies and Dragons soon see some strange figure from a tall hollow dead tree to drop down. "Kapowwfruvhmm…." By the sounds of it, this guy must be a heavy weight from when he stomped on the ground about nearly shook the entire area for Twilight's group to feel that strong force tremor. The opponent appeared to be a largest & bulkiest humanoid creature, wearing a blue uniform getup of a ninja, white stripe lines around his feet with sandal pads, a dark violet loincloth hanging in the front of the waist and from the back is a bit ripped to dangle behind the knees, wears a gray net shirt inside the blue uniform, wears red bulk shoulder pads with gray spikes on them, brown gauntlets under the sleeve cloth, a brown cloth around his shoulder, upper chest to over his head region, even dangles behind his back down to the waist, and wore a white mask with a red eye mark with an inner dark blue eye center hole and on the four top, bottom, right & left corners were dark green cloud streams. Just the mere sight of this guy was enough to make some ponies respond in surprise of never seeing such a creature, or if it was even human while keeping its identity secret.

"Wooh; Dat fella sure looks big," Tough yelped in seeing who was showing up before them suddenly.

"Is he even human?" Spike asked off if this guy was human or something else.

"I say more along the lines, an ogre." Phobos rudely stated in judging this new opponent as a creature close to ogre size.

"But he almost looks like a big ninja!" Nyx issued in how this big guy behind a mask seems like some ninja to blend in.

"Real….big," The Enforcers slowly responded in seeing that this opponent look about as big as some enemy would rather than a giant size beast.

As the group was getting defensive, seeing that they may have a possible enemy…the guy before the ponies and Dragons soon spoke again.

"Are you the group that's been traveling in the End of Equestria?" The mysterious masked mini-giant addressed the gang before him. "And if you are, are you the ones that have been fighting the harsh creatures & even the Demon Lords?" He was questioning if this was the traveling group of ponies and Dragons that have been doing stuff since entering the End of Equestria.

"Yeeeeah; that would be us," Ben slowly responded to this strange new opponent in addressing them as such.

"And why is it you wanna know?" Twilight asked from feeling that they may have another obstacle to face, and by that, she means fighting this foe that stands before the gang.

"My name….is Kouga; The Powerful Soldier of Demons," The revealed giant figure introduced himself for those to register who he is. "I have been given two assignments by the Eight Demon Lords, first is to capture & bring back the Nightmare Moon reincarnate & the stallion with the Triforce. Second is to kill off the rest of you lot along with the traitorous Dragon called Spike and the mare called Twilight." This guy went froth in telling the gang of what his assigned task are; to get Ben and Nyx and kill off the rest in which is pretty much all there is to do.

"Oh come on, again with Demons wanting me dead!" Spike complains off in hearing this again, why is it that Demons he has no beef with say that he's a traitor and should be dead?

"At least he recognized you. What am I, chop-liver to not being a threat to Demons or what?" Phobos complained off in seeing that he was left out of even being registered as much of a threat, how insulting is that.

"Listen pal, ye think we's gonna let yew git away wit' any o' dat?" Tough issued this off with a stern tough guy talk in not just give up Ben & Nyx to roll over and die, ain't happening.

"If you're wishing to go against me, then you’re welcome to it." Kouga responded off in seeing if this group will not do things the 'easy' way, then it'll have to be the 'hard' way instead. "Daimonji!" Suddenly from a few hand-sign movements, a puff of smoke enters Kouga's spot to reveal spinning in mid-air before he caught it in his right hand was…a giant, five-bladed shuriken. The guy pose in a stance when he called forth the weapon in a unexplainable red background light, like what some folks have seen in ninja-base film theme movies or something.

"Wooh, he can really perform ninja stuff!" Bocolix responded in never seeing such a ninja-performance action until now.

"That's something you never see coming!" Dumbledore issued how seeing such an action, even in modern pony age, it's a rare thing to see.

"Well then get prepared you two!" Nyx spoke to snap the Enforcers to the attention while magically transforming. "Cause here he comes!" Battle Form Nyx spoke with her mature sounding voice in seeing they'll have to face this unknown foe.

"Durrearrrrughhhh," Soon Kouga was seen charging straight towards the gang without any signs of stopping.

"Guys; Watch yourselves while he tries to attack!" Ben instructed the others in what to be wary of against this opponent.

"Grrruuaarughh," Soon Kouga swung his weapon against Ben who dodged around that one swing "Druuuargh-Deeeaaaugh!" Then Kouga was just brutally swinging his weapon to clash the ground that almost got Spike & Phobos if they didn't jump quickly enough away, "Taaaaugh-Grrruaaghhh!" Kouga continued to swing relentlessly at any of the targets and the gang just knew enough to keep a distance.

"Alright, we got this guy on the ropes." Phobos cheered in seeing their worries were for nothing against this masked ninja wannabe.

"Hey, maybe since he doesn't seem so fast, we may have a shot." Spike responded in thinking that the group's chances are higher than expected.

"No, something is strange about this isn't right." Twilight spoke with her narrow eyes in being serious in watching what their fight is starting to be.

"Hugh?" The two Dragons responded puzzled and confused, what did Twilight mean by…'this isn't right' anyway?

"Bang-Bang-Bang," Tough was firing his rifle, but the enemy used that big weapon to block the shots. "Dag gum! Dat weapon ain't just for offense, it's sturdy & big enough 'ta help him block mah shots!" Tough complained.

"Then I'll try to do something with my own weapon. The Master Sword," Ben issued off before summoning his sword in his hoof to become able to fight with this weapon, "Hiuuuuaaaghh!" Soon the stallion with the blade charges forth and clashes his sword against the giant shuriken.

"Geeieghh-Hrrrughhh….Nrruaghh…Geeeuuaaghhh," Soon Kouga is swinging his giant shuriken off left and right to clash his brutish strength against the stallion.

"Geh…Heehh…Neeeigh," Ben is showing much easier blocking against the big guy's attacks with defending with his sword.

"Nrrruauuaghhhh," Soon Kouga drives his next attack downwards…which caught the Master Sword in a weapon-lock hold, "Gruuuaarughhhh!" Then the giant brute lifts his weapon up and thrown Ben up in the air.

While the Enforcers & Tough were worried at first, they realized when Ben used his Triforce to hover down behind Kouga.

"Hmph; Uuuuagh," Kouga turn his head from up to behind him in noticing, Ben landed with grace in his spot, "GRUUARRRRUGHHHH!" Now Kouga turns to wave off his weapon to attack again.

"Not this time, Huuaaghh!" Soon Ben made a counterattack in striking at the right moment.

"Clashfruvhmm…." During a flash of light in quicker than the eye, Ben was seen pointing his Master Sword to Kouga who was weaponless. "Duupoofruvhmmm…." And soon the giant shuriken fell to jam itself right in the ground a bit far by a distance of the fight going on.

"Father did it!" Adult Nyx responded with a tiny smile in flapping near Twilight in watching the fight play out without so much their own involvement.

"Nice work there Ben," Dumbledore cheered in seeing that their friend had this Kouga guy weaponless now.

"Yeah, finish him off!" Bocolix exclaimed that the Earth stallion end this fight right now here.

"Guys, something's strange here." Twilight responded with a stern puzzled face that earned the others to turn to the mare with confusion. "I'm sensing something strange; this guy's magical power seems too unorthodox for a human." Twilight focused her eyes in studying like she always done, but this time, studying the enemy's patterns to better figure them out, at least with Kouga. "His attacks are barbaric and he leaves too many openings." Twilight could see this opponent was big with his bulky muscles but lack speed to be slow.

"Also, he moves slowly." Phobos bluntly pointed out how Kouga was really slow, like this guy could be hard to fight and catch them.

"Yah, we probably rank this guy in the middle of the nearly-above villains at best." Spike rubbed his head in pondering where from high villains like Grimmore, the Superior & the Demon Lords to the middle class of villains of being about stronger than the usual performance of the Brotherhood group.

"Then why is someone like him out there? Why would the Demons send him to fight us?" Nyx asked in pondering this very tricky question in why this foe that wasn't as stronger than the Brotherhood's own Boris the Red Devil was doing here to fight them.

"Maybe it just means yer special-lover's that much stronger!" Tough responded off to state that Ben was just stronger to beat Kouga easily. "Yo Ben, go off an' beat him until he can't move no more!" The tough stallion cheered from nearby in wanting the Earth stallion with magic and the sword to end this battle.

"We should help too." Dumbledore responded with feeling cockiness with worry leave him.

"Yeah, we're pretty nimble!" Bocolix nods in agreement, they'll use their speed & magic to win this.

Soon the Enforcers dive through with their wings and teleportation magic to back Ben up. And soon Dumbledore & Bocolix were aiding Ben by appearing and disappearing in a repetitive work around Kouga that made it hard for the guy to follow such movements.

"Nrruaghhh," Kouga let off a snarling growl in seeing more of the ponies trying to act 'cool' to be going around him. "Dammit, these guys move around like a rat." Kouga responded in seeing that the fighters were moving so quickly with their magic & wing power, it was hard for him to catch a glimpse, "MRUUWAARRRRUGHHHH!" Soon Kouga lifts up his right fist in the air before throwing it downwards.

"POWWWFUFRUVHMMM…" And that one attack bashed through the ground to leave a giant hand crater while Ben & the Enforcers dodged away in time.

They and the others could see this opponent was tough, but very much slow, so Ben decided to act.

"Hrruughhh," Ben soon took a swing of his sword that fired off a Sword Beam from a far enough range of safe point.

"Kapowwww/Gaaaauuuaaghhh," That attacked smacked across Kouga's mask face that made him yelp off a cry, "Grrugrraaaughh!" And soon the giant brute lauded across the ground on his back, apparently down for the count.

Ben soon landed on the ground as well by floating down from his own special magic.

"Way to go Ben!" Dumbledore cheered for the pony that dealt that blow.

"You knock him flat!" Bocolix responded in seeing a victory moment.

"No, something is off with this guy." Ben responded with a stern expression on his face.

"Hugh?" The Enforcers responded a bit puzzled, what did Ben even mean?

"Is that all you got?" Ben asked off in finding this fight to be almost 'too' easy. "Are you sure you're the guy that the Demon Lords interested to capture me and Nyx?" Ben questioned the fallen brute on the ground if he was even

Soon Kouga was sitting up with his right hand holding him up while his left hand rested on his left knee, apparently not done yet. "Wipe that proud look off your face." Kouga spoke off with a sound of making an arrogant remark towards what Ben was showing, just as this guy slowly rose up to stand up again. "You've ticked me off to the core!" The ninja foe declared off in being annoyed much by Ben by a strange meaning, "Quicksand!" Suddenly, Kouga performed some hand-signs of ninja work before aiming his right hand outwards. "Crsusufruvhmmm…." And then suddenly, a familiar burst breeze of sand brushes pass the guy towards the others.

From everyone's shock, Ben, Twilight, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Dumbledore, Bocolix, and even Tough suddenly find that their own hooves are caught in a made sand trap.

"Hey! This is what happened before!" Spike yelped from recalling this happened to their vehicle transport.

"Only now, it got us!" Phobos remarked off in issuing this fact in finding this subject not to pleasant.

"Hrugh-hrugh-hrugh-hrugh, hrruuuuagh…." Kouga lets off a deeply brutish chuckle in watching his captive foes be helpless by the surprise. "Once you're caught by this, you won't be able to get out." Kouga responded out in explaining what contexts the gang is now facing as he has something else happen.

Then in another feat of surprise, what caught the group's cart & Justin soon appeared from the sand to capture & tighten with binding ropes around the ponies’ legs, waist, and heads along with the Dragons' own arms to their chest and faces. The gang yelps from this sudden action as they see they were caught, and once more, they were having a hard time moving.

"Now you can't even move, can you?" Kouga addressed out to the gang that had free mobility of movement, for someone that was slow, he's turn the tides with this surprise trick. "Hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph…." He lowers his right arm to let off an inner chuckle while slowly walking over towards the gang restricted of their movement and movement of their body by the ropes. "First things first, I'll take Nightmare Moon." He issued about planning to take the target that the Demon Lords want, their weapon.

"Try it, and I'll show you how terrible I am, even when I'm caught!" Adult Nyx protest with an angry face in showing even a caged creature will show it's fangs.

"Urragh…." Ben tried to pull up his Master Sword, but it's positioned downwards and it's hard for him to move it right.

"Darn it! He's sealed our bodies tighter than Granny's nit-sweaters!" Tough curse in seeing what the enemy has gone and done to them now.

"But…you forget buddy, we're not just ponies without our own unique traits." Bocolix spoke off in feeling that the group still had a way to fight even with their bodies and wings sealed off.

"As long as we can use our horns, we won't have a problem." Dumbledore issued this off that as long as they can do magic, even with their bodies tangled, they can still fight.

"Take this! 13 Totem Poles," The Enforcers roared off from waving their glowing horns now.

And then suddenly in a surprising event, fully sized dark-gray totem poles with pony faces rises up from the ground, like they were bursting from the ground at high speeds.

"What?" Kouga yelped in seeing this sudden surprise from the two male Alicorns. As the totem poles were popping out of the ground like magic, went in a straight line until…they reached and one rise from underneath the enemy. "Gwuuaaauuuughhh…." Kouga let off a cry from being sent flying upwards in the air without any signs of defending against that. "Guuaawwughh…" Then he landed on his head in the dirt, and then his body tipped over to where he was seen laying on his front and back exposed from the dust clouds.

"They did it!" Adult Nyx responded surprised in seeing what Dumbledore & Bocolix just did here.

"Pinch me, I must be dreaming in seeing those two pull that out of nowhere. Owwww," Phobos spoke with much disbelief in seeing what happened as a complete shock, only to yelp in feeling Tough pinch him.

"Well ye asked 'ta be pinched, right?" Tough spoke off puzzled to the confused expression he gave at the upset Moon Dragon.

"Where did you two learn that spell? I never thought anypony could still use it!" Twilight exclaims, surprised that the Earth ponies turned Alicorns can do a spell like that.

"What'cha talkin' about Twilight; ye know what they did?" Tough ask in surprise by Twilight's reaction.

"That spell allows the user to cause a number of giant totem poles to rise from the ground. The number of totem poles can vary every time it is used. Using the totem poles, there are many ways to attack the opponent." Twilight spoke of the first explanation of how the spell; 13 Totem Poles, is performed. "The user can cause the totem pole to emerge directly underneath the opponent which will send them flying. One can also make one totem pole burst through the ground at high speeds to attack an opponent with a surprise attack. Once the totem poles have surfaced, they can be directed to charge at the opponent at great speeds. The totem poles can also separate to fire individual sections at the opponent. This can also be used defensively where a totem pole is fired out of the ground to intercept an attack before it can hit." Now everypony was well aware of how such a spell could work, there was just one bigger question to answer. "But there hasn't been anypony magic user that pulled off that in so long, how'd you two come across such an old tactful maneuver meant for combat?"

"Eh, a friend of ours introduced us to it as something to protect us." Dumbledore responded off in stating how a 'friend' of theirs introduced the two Enforcers to such a spell.

"Yeah, she wanted us to practice it until we perfected it." Bocolix responded off in knowing that the two had to make the spell completely usable to them for when they fight.

Course in both the Enforcers' minds, the spell was given to them as a learning experience from Warring Malice, having obtain such magic as something used from old wars in the past. And seeing that such a spell hasn't been used much and to anyone's minds of how to combat with or against such a magical trick, it was taught to Dumbledore & Bocolix, which they now finally show such a unique ability to the whole gang.

"Hugh, I guess all in all, Kouga doesn't come close to what he claims to be." Spike responded in feeling some reassurance overseeing the defeated ninja giant foe fall in such a display.

"Sorry to break this pleasant moment of congrates you guys, but….not yet." Ben spoke with a serious face in noticing something that would break the good moment for them.

"Urrarugh…" Soon we see Kouga moving his face from being stuck in the dirt, "Grruagh-Urrruagh!" Kouga not only got the front face with the mask out, but he bend it to left and right sides to make 'crack' noises of the jolts to check for any cramps. "Huuugh-Huuuaaah…" Kouga had actually chuckled that feeling out of his systems like the attack barely harmed him.

"Uuuugh," The Enforcers stared with wide puzzled faces, that spell should have dealt a pretty good amount of damage, so why didn't it?

"Heeeh-Heheeeh…" Kouga soon stood up again while letting off a deep chuckle afterwards.

"What happened? Our spell was cast perfectly?" Bocolix asked off to his pal in what happened just now that left them baffled.

"I know! 13 Totem Poles were ineffective!" Dumbledore responded confused, this wasn't something to be brought up suddenly.

"He stood up." Spike responded shock to see Kouga stood up after being hit with that one blow.

"Unbelievable." Tough exclaim in finding such an act hard to believe, especially when one didn't guard.

"Hmmm, Twilight, do you think…" Spike hummed to himself in thought of what was going on, did the smart pony notice what she found suspicious of Kouga?

"Yes Spike, I guess that's what makes him the idle man the Demon Lords request him to fight us." Twilight responded in starting to see what was going on here. "This might take some time." With their stuck state and with how their opponent is, he maybe more a problem than they gave credit for.

"Mwuhah-heheeh, geheheheheeheehee…." Kouga was now seen walking across the spot in laughing off what he felt like nothing even affected him.

"Grrrr….this guy's looking down on us." Bocolix growled in finding this masked ninja to be too cocky in thinking they were nothing.

"Like we're gonna be humiliated by this!" Dumbledore responded in thinking it's time to show more of their stuff than just their appearance.

"13 Totem Poles," The Enforcers announced from having their horns glow with magical aura again to re-perform the same spell.

And just like before, the tome poles were emerging from the ground from their spinning drill force.

"Guwaaaaughh," Soon Kouga was once again making a yelp cry in being impacted by another totem pole that emerged to launch him upwards. "Pow-Pow-Pow-POwwvhmmm…" And during the guy's fall, four more totem poles burst up to bash Kouga like a bean-bag, "Guuaaaaaughhh!" And then Kouga smacked into the ground by his front side. "Urrragh…" But when the dust cleared, the guy rose up with his hands pushing the ground to look forward. "Huch-huch-huch-huch, hechechechee…." And soon stood on his feet to begin once again, walking towards the captured gang in his Quicksand bind.

"Oh no; He's risen again!" Tough yelped in seeing this ninja foe is up and coming towards them.

"13 Totem Poles," The Enforcers shouted in repeating the same tactic move as before now with emerging totem poles spinning out of the ground.

"GWUUAAAGHHH," And again, Kouga gets bashed up by a totem pole by below up into the air. "Powvhmmm…Powvhmmm…" And then gets an upper-jab by the old one-two performance by two more totem poles. "Bashhfruvhmmm…." And lands hard o the ground while the totem poles laid around i the land area from being popped out; But then Kouga slowly gets up from his down state to stand up to slowly walk once again. "Huch-huch, huagh-huagh, hechechech-hee…." And from behind that mask, he lets of another deep voice chuckle in not reacting in being in pain from what harmed him even at this moment.

"I don't believe this! He's taking so many direct hits with that 13 Totem Poles spell, and yet…" Adult Nyx responded from where she and others around her showed caution and concerns in what display Koaga is letting them witness his constant standings.

"Is he invincible?" Phobos asked off in almost seen gritting his teeth, just what was Kouga, an opponent that can't be knocked down no matter how many times they hurt him.

"We've never seen anyone like him. He's different from the Hydra, but still…" Spike responded with concerns in seeing that the group face an opponent that just won't go down so easily, just like when they fought the Hydra, and that was a really difficult task to overcome.

"What are we gonna do Twilight? Tell us ye got a plan?" Tough asked the smart pony if she has a way to get them out of this stuck position of being trapped and facing a rising foe.

"13 Totem Poles," Dumbledore & Bocolix shouted anion in redoing the same tactic that is not as terrible as when they cut too many Hydra heads off, this strategy should be working.

"Huagh-huagh…huuuagh…" Kouga was seen slowly walking while the next attack was coming, but did not show any resistance to dodge away, "Guuaaaughhh!" And once again, the guy was impacted from below by another totem pole head-butt attack, "Powwvhm-Poqwwvhm-Powwwfruvhmmm!" And then after being sent flying did the foe get hit by three more totem poles again. "Kabammfruvhmmm…." And soon Kouga crashed onto the ground with enough force to create a dust cloud. "Uaaughh-Huagh-huagh-huagh…." But then the guy ends up re-standing himself after another crash fall without batting an eye. "Huagh-huagh-heheheh…." Kouga was again slowly just walking across the field without a care or concern. "Gehe-heheheheehh…" And from behind the mask, it sounds like this guy was quite likely enjoying seeing his opponents struggle.

"Grrr….this guy just won't quit from upbeats!" Bocolix growled in seeing that Kouga kept taking attacks and kept standing back up, unbelievable.

"In that case…let's try a separate approach!" Dumbledore exclaimed in gazing at the foe approaching their pals, time for a change in plans.

"Wait, you two aren't gonna?" Ben was about to ask what these two aAicorns would do next until…

"Yep; watch," The Enforcers responded to Ben in having to pull off a different move to fight this tough foe.

Soon the standing totem poles brook off into separate head sections that floated around. And then in an instant, the sections were fired off like projectiles at their target. "Pow-Pow-Pow-Powvhmm…" And a few of the sections of the totem poles' heads crashed around Kouga's marching path. "Bammfruvhmm…" Course the enemy was not bothered by this assault of bombarding projectiles to continue to move, but…. "Kaplowwwfruvhmm…/Gaauughhh," Course that was until one section clashed that knocked Kouga backwards from getting it tackle his entire body.

Soon afterwards, everything was done when the gang saw nothing but a large pile of totem pole head sections piled up top of the ninja giant. The Enforcers were at a loss of wonder from their loose breath between their teeth, they ponder if that move helped them protect their pals to defeat the enemy or not. The other ponies and Dragons were pondering this exact same thought with concerns.

"Is it over?" Spike asked in wondering if that finally did the foe in.

Once the dust cleared away from the totem pole pile, the gang was still strap in by the rope binds and quicksand. "Gungvhmm…" But just then, the first top pile of totem pole heads were shot off suddenly. "Grrruaughh…" And coming from underneath them was Kouga as he held one head section over his head from digging himself out of being buried alive.

"What!" The Enforcers responded in utter shock, they thought that move would have taken down an opponent, it was different, but effective, so why?

Tough, Spike, Phobos and Adult Nyx gasped in shock in seeing the giant ninja-theme opponent rising again after that assault. Twilight & Ben gritted their teeth, not liking how despite their friends wanting to help out, their hard effort tactic was proven useless against this opponent.

Kouga stood there like a giant holding up a big piece of boulder over his head like a mighty titan, "Drruuugh-Arrrrrughhhh!" Then he pulled his arms back and then thrown with all his might, the totem pole section directly for the Enforcers & Ben in front of the others.

"Quick! Dispel it before it hits us!" Ben shouted for the Enforcers to cancel their work before the next targets of their spell becomes their allies.

"Ri-right," Dumbledore & Bocolix responded with gritted teeth to focus their magic here now.

And in a split second, the totem pole head section that almost collided to hit the ponies vanished in a pixilated dust of magical particles in the air by its caster. And from that moment, the other totem pole head sections scattered around Kouga that tried to bury him were vanishing after the users were ceasing such use. Now with that plan in a failed motion, Kouga was free to approach the captured gang.

"Hmph; that didn't even warm me up," Kouga held up his head to look above his view in remotely stating that such an effort barely even made him get warmed up for the real show. "Now it's my turn." He looked back towards the trapped captives and those that showed to be the more resilient ones, "Centipede!" Then from performing some new ninja hand-signs, another weapon came out after Kouga stretched his left arm out. And he was soon coated by a weapon attached to his hand from the shoulder joint that looks like a gray centipede with red insect eyes. And from him lashing this insect weapon to extend itself, Kouga pose in a ninja-pose with a red background in showing his new summon weapon; Centipede.

"First a shuriken, now a centipede," Bocolix responded in seeing another weird ninja-theme use of a weapon appear now.

"What else does this ninja giant have?" Dumbledore responded in not knowing what other crazy stuff they'll be seeing here.

"Brace yourselves you guys, he's gonna attack now." Ben struggled in his spot of the bind ropes, their enemy will now attack.

"GRUUARRRUGHHH-WRARRRRUGHHH," Now Kouga was lashing his Centipede weapon left and right in making a few strikes, "Greee-Yehyeh-Yraaahhhh!" The big guy was really letting loose a lot of his attacks on those he's attacking.

"Gaaaughhh…" And Ben and the Enforcers were sadly the ones in front of the others, receiving these blows against their bodies while being caught in quicksand and moves restricted by ropes.

"GRUUARRRRUGHHH," Kouga was seen expending his weapon to continue to slash and whip the two Alicorns and Celestia's son that had no defense with a battle cry.

Twilight, Tough, Spike, Phobos and Adult Nyx could only watch their friends and love ones getting attacked so brutishly.

"Ben…" Twilight muttered under her breath in witnessing her love take a beating without much defense or aid from them at this moment.

"Father…" Adult Nyx muttered in watching her adoptive father get hurt, she was not liking this display, not a bit.

"Grr…lett'me at him," Phobos growled to struggle to get out of his bind trap to attack the enemy.

"Urgh, if we weren't bind here, we aim our fire breaths without hurting the others." Spike struggled to say, he and Phobos can't attack without worrying about being unable to move and for hitting Ben's front group ahead of them.

"Guuuagh…" Ben yelped off from that last strike as the Enforcers were letting off exhausted breaths from just barely hanging in there from such attacks.

"Huagh-hechechhechheeeeh…" Soon Kouga was stopping his barbaric acts to look up in staring at the ponies he's dealt blows to. "You're starting to look better." Kouga cruelly remarked off in addressing how Ben & the other two Alicorns are looking.

Ben soon turns his gaze eye focus on Kouga when he was done harming him, Dumbledore & Bocolix. But from Ben's eyes, they were the eyes of being serious and focus on trying to play in beating this character.

"There's a reason why you or the others can't beat me." Kouga remarked off to say about why the gang has no shot of beating him. "Do you have a clue what that might be?" He asked off in questioning those here that can answer this tricky riddle of his.

"Hugh; got me." Bocolix responded off in stating he hasn't a clue what Kouga meant.

"Not a clue." Dumbledore responded off to shake his head in being lost here.

"Who knows…" Ben responded to shrug off; he doesn't know the answer either.

Soon Kouga points his free right hand's index finger to the stallion with the Triforce and the alicorn males. "It's that face of yours…that and those other Alicorn males…" Kouga exclaimed in stating off the obvious, much to anybody's confusion at first. "You don't have a face of a strong man." He issued this claim of what the stallion before the Alicorn males don't show.

Ben snorted off in hearing such a response out of nowhere.

"A face o' a strong man," Tough repeated off in hearing this sentence right.

"But Ben's a pony." Spike pointed off in recalling what Ben is, a stallion.

"Unless he meant a pony of a man," Phobos pointed off in making a different theory statement.

"What are you talking about, Kouga?" Twilight demanded in what this foe was even blabbing on about.

"I'll show you all what an actual strong man's face should look like." Kouga responded off in declaring he'll show the gang of what an 'actual' strong man's face should even look like.

Soon Kouga raises his right hand to grasp the bottom chin area of his mask and begins to tip it up. Now the others stare off in wondering, what sorta face does Kouga have behind the mask? The answer came to the question as Kouga removed his mask to reveal his face. It was indeed a man's face, a human man's face that looked a bit, well…ugly. With a scar over the nose, an unfriendly smile and overshadow over the eyes, blood veins over his forehead where any hair seem far from possible, truly….he did not look good looking.

"Brother, if that's the face of a man, I'm glad to be a Dragon." Phobos spoke off in liking to keep the face he has.

"An' me a pony." Tough responded off in liking to have his face be the same.

"Me too, on the former part before that last one." Spike responded in stating in agreement to Phobos on the Dragon part only.

"This is it. Do you get it?" Kouga responded off in addressing his fact out to the group here. "Because of this ugly face, I've been treated miserably since I was reborn. I've been making all those who mistreated me pay for what they did, no matter how many times they tripped over me." He's been struggling to survive from having such an ugly face that others mistreat him so, but he stood up each time. "To me, this face is a medal." He smiled in proclaiming this fact with an ugly smile of wickedness before putting the mask back on. "A guy or pony with a clean face like yours has a nasty heart." Many that heard that comment towards Ben were either shock or appalled to believe such nonsense. "My heart is clean and pure, so I'm going to clear out all the trash in this End of Equestria." Kouga declared off in what he'll continue to do as always, clear out any that are 'impure' of hearts.

"That's all just really disturbing." Adult Nyx remotely issued this in finding such logical way out there.

"Kouga, what do you mean you were reborn?" Twilight asked with a focus face in finding something about Kouga very off.

"This may come to you as a surprise, but before I became a Powerful Soldier of Demons, I was once like you all…" Kouga responded off in stating this tricky fact, until he made it clear… "Yes…a Pony!" The guy actually went off to state in whose he used to be.

"What!" Tough, Spike, Phobos, and the Enforcers heard this in almost complete shock, can such a thing happen?

"I was just a pony archeologist that found a magic item called the Pan'ku Box, a magic item that when solved, unleashes a portal to the Demon Realm, and I meant with one." Kouga responded off in explaining his story of who he 'once' was long ago. "Yes, the Sky Demon, Hsi Wu, killed me and took an idol that would enslave a pony tribe's mind." The gang instantly recalled Hsi Wu telling them how he got free and what he did, so Kouga is an unfortunate soul in this land. "But when he left, I still carried with me this curse mask of Dai Gui, the Earth Demon, and for wearing it changed me into a powerful solider." The foe explained how he became what he is now because of the mask he has in his possession.

"Wait, so you turn from a pony into a large, ugly human creature with less IQ, to serve them Demons & do their biddings?" Tough questioned off in seeing that this fella was once a smart guy, but when he was on close to death, he was given new life, but it came with a price to serve evil demons.

"Correct, I abandon my old life to begin a new as Kouga. My soul must do the Demons' biddings without question or I'll lose myself again." Kouga explained this critical principle that he himself is now a servant and must always follow it to the letter. "And now I stand by my own principles of my new life while extending my rage against others with good fortune. Starting with those of you with a handsome face and a happy life that alone, will not give you true strength," Kouga declared off in making this issue claim that many were shocked to hear this off now.

Suddenly, Ben lean his head down to make a 'huff' sound in almost making a chuckle with a smile. "You know Kouga? You're all wrong." Ben addressed off in stating this claim out of nowhere.

"Hmmm," Kouga looked upwards at Ben in being puzzled, what did the stallion mean?

"This battle is not to be fought based on a face." Ben calmly addressed the matter they are currently doing that has nothing to do with their appearance, butter their skills.

"Silence You!" Kouga snapped off towards Ben for speaking off all cool like. "That stud face of yours & those Alicorn males, I'll make sure that you'll never want to look into a mirror again!" The big ninja foe declared in going to make certain he'll crush these targets so they'll look so bad, seeing a mirror will be the least of their concerns, "DRUUARRRRRUGAAAAAAAHHHH!" Then Kouga raise up his weapon Centipede to extend it to attack Ben i the front center of the Enforcers and of the others.

"Okay you two, try that spell of yours one more time, but under us instead, but gently." Ben quickly instructed the Enforcers to redo that earlier spell work they did, but different targets this time.

"Um, okay." Dumbledore & Bocolix responded off in not arguing if Ben has a plan to help them out.

Soon from Ben's focus eyes in seeing the attack of the enemy coming, before it reached them, the Enforcers managed to fire off a totem pole from below all the caught members in the quicksand and bind ropes. And during their uprise to freedom, the weapon Centipede clashed against the totem pole in bouncing off by the hardness.

"What?" Kouga yelped in seeing this sudden display happen before him now.

Soon when the totem poles vanished again, Twilight & Adult Nyx focused their magic to make the bind ropes disappear to give them and everyone else the chance to move freely; Twilight & Adult Nyx grabbed Tough, Spike & Phobos to fly in the air while Ben decided to lead the Enforcers with him downwards.

"Darn you." Kouga cursed the ponies for their trickery in escaping his clutches. "Suffer Centipede! DRUUARRRRRARRRRUGHHHH-UARRRRUGHHH," Soon from moving his left arm forward, Kouga was letting his weapon extend to its furthest to reach for the targets up in the skies and coming towards his area.

"Not gonna take that one again! Master Sword!" Ben soon recalled forth his Master Sword out of thin air and held it above in preparing…to jab it downwards, "Huuuuaghh!" Soon Ben pulled off a new stunt, a force of magical pressure from below his blade as he was dropping down fast to smack his blade-downwards.

And soon when the sword's tip was in the Centipede weapon's mouth, Ben was slicing through the steel components like knife with butter. Soon Ben leaped backwards when he finished slicing the Centipede towards Kouga's hand point, "Kaboomfruvhhmmm!" At that moment, the weapon from the enemy giant ninja exploded in light from being defeated, "Gauwwaaaughhh!" Kouga let off a cry in being blasted backwards from that explosive act from the cool stallion.

As Ben stood, Dumbledore & Bocolix landed next to the guy in surprise, as they never thought of that plan to escape until he stated it out from his power of Wisdom. "Sorry about that you two, we could have gotten out at any time. I just was measuring this guy's strength if he's really among tougher villains thus far." To Ben, he wanted to know if Kouga's strength is what made him the opponent the Demon Lords could expect him to take down the gang.

"Well, we're just glad to be free." Bocolix responded in feeling glad to be out of that trap.

"Yeah, all of us are now. See!" Dumbledore pointed in seeing Twilight & the others now free.

"Ugh….what are you studs blabbing about? What did you say?" Kouga slowly was looking up from his sit position in hearing what Ben was stating out here.

"The results are clear. You became recognized by the Demons from that unusual toughness. Due to your vast amount of strength and a sturdy stamina which takes in unusually low damage from the most destructive attacks, no doubt the only power you received from a mask by Dai Gui." Ben explained with a serious face towards Kouga in figuring out this guy's abilities and his limits. "But your magical powers and weapon strength are more along average opponent class. Your no better than the Brotherhood Of Tadaka compared to the seriously stronger foes we fought after those guys." Kouga was indeed strong, a powerful soldier, yes, but he is only another opponent who's power can't be near the scale of the Demon Lords, the Superior or Grimmore.

"Hump; so what if it is?" Kouga rose to his feet to remark off in not caring what Ben was saying, like he cares what his strength is at now. "You're a wimp. Can't you win without relying on magical power from your Triforce?" He issued this off in stating that without that powerful magic stuff, Ben is not so tough, "How about this? Let's fight without any magic, only with our fists, or in your case, hooves. Eh, stud?" Kouga responded off in making a challenge to be interesting, they all fight without any aid of magic at all.

"What?" Ben responded puzzled, what was this big enemy up to now?

"Smokescreen," Soon from performing new hand-signs, Kouga was having his hands near his mask to blow out some gray mist.

Soon upon Ben's notice and everyone else's senses, the strange mist was covering the entire desert forest.

"What's this?" Phobos asked off in seeing this stuff all over them.

"Smokescreen," Spike responded off in noticing what this stuff is.

"Darn! Ah can't see much a thing in 'Dis place?" Tough cursed off loud in being unable to see much with this stuff around.

"Everypony, this isn't an ordinary smokescreen." Twilight issued with a serious face in knowing what type of smokescreen this stuff is was not normal.

Within the gray mist, Ben was unable to see anything all over the area. From all sides, corners, tops and below his hooves, was all covered in this strange smokescreen. Dumbledore & Bocolix tried to use some magic to light their sights, but…then the magic just vanished.

"What," The Enforcers yelped from seeing their magic failed them, why was that?

"Everypony, this smokescreen…it's affecting our magic." Adult Nyx cringed a bit in feeling a bit weaken, this mist was affecting her Battle Form, almost making her reverts to her filly form.

Even Ben's own Master Sword vanished from his grip, "My sword! Gaaugh," But suddenly, Ben was suddenly punched by an unseen fist from the mist.

All through the mist, anyone of the gang was suddenly being attacked by an unseen foe. Ben, Dumbledore, Bocolix, Twilight, Adult Nyx, Spike & Phobos; The fist came out of nowhere to delier a punch to their faces without them being on guard. When the attacks cease, everyone in the mist showed an upset expression, this was Kouga's work and he hid from their sights to deliver sneak attacks.

"How is it? This smokescreen has the power to nullify any magical power. Making me hide my own from you all," Kouga's voice spoke from with the mist "Now none of you can use your magic anymore." The guy's voice was very confident in having the major upper-hand

"Grrr….that's a fine dirty trick you've come up with. Gaaaugh," Ben growled in seeing such a disadvantage before he got punched in the face again by an unseen hand.

"Come on, bring it on. Heheheeehh…" Kouga's voice bellowed out in wanting more out of Ben Mare here while letting off an evil snicker.

"Ugh, Ben is…" Phobos groans in having a bad idea that somewhere in this mist, Ben is in trouble.

"Where is Ben?" Spike called out in not knowing where his friend is.

"What's going on in here Twilight?" Tough asked off with worry in what was happening to their pal at this time.

"Ben…" Twilight silently spoke her love's name with concerns for him.

Right now, Ben was down on the ground, struggling to push himself up from being attacked.

"I can't stand that stud face of yours!" Kouga snapped off to say from with the mist in seeing the face of what Ben has.

"Guuuaaugh," Just then, Ben let off a cry from being kicked from a boot below to his face, "Guuagh-huugh!" Ben soon stood up again, but was having a hard time keeping it up.

"I can't stand the cities and the sceneries of Equestria. I lost sight of that when I lost my life to become this and serve Demons. I'll break them, Equestria's peacefulness all into pieces." Kouga stated off his upsetting issue of breaking everything that is beautiful, as he can't stand the sight of it, "Powfuvhmmm!" Then another unseen fist collided to smack into Ben's face that pushed him backwards again. "The Demons said to bring back Nightmare Moon in one piece and alive, but…I'm sure they won't mind seeing your face ruined beyond repair before they take your power." Kouga issued off this other part in what shall happen afterwards.

"Gruuagh..Huuraaaugh…" Ben soon dropped on his knees after that last punch to grit his teeth to not lose himself or this battle.

"Father, don't give up! You alone have much strength even with the Triforce & Master Sword cut off from you! Remember the trip to the other world! Remember your beliefs that made you strong!" Adult Nyx's voice was heard from within the mist in trying to encourage her father to not give up when the chips are down, he's overcome such obstacles before and stood just as strong, he just needs to remember.

At the moment, Ben recalls the events that played out in his mind; From the Demon Pony to Lorcan to Tirek's Return, the Three Tribes to the eventful battle against Sunset Shimmer and the Superior. A memory from that last encountered help remind Ben that so long as he had faith, hope, friendship and love, even if one was powerless, they still had 'inner' strength to draw forth.

Soon at the moment within the mist, another fist from Kouga was about to smash into the defenseless Ben Mare…or was it? For suddenly at this moment, Ben lifted up his left hoof that ended up stopping the incoming right hooker shot.

"What?" Kouga responded puzzled in seeing this while he struggled to push his fist, but Ben was not budging at all.

"Thanks to you beating the snot out of me, I've been reminded of an important memory." Ben responded off in giving thanks to this foe in making him remember something that has just helped him out.

"Grruauaghh.…" Kouga struggled to try to press his fist through Ben, but the stallion's strength…where was it coming from?

"You can't beat me." Ben responded as he slowly stood himself upwards now. "Do you know why?" The guy was asking Kouga these exact words the foe questioned to the others.

"Wh-What did you say?" Kouga responded off puzzled while struggling to pressure his fist to Ben, but was not even able to do that much.

"You don't have the heart of a truly strong man, or rather, the heart of a truly strong pony." Ben rephrases these words in a dignified matter in a better approach to how Kouga issued off such a statement. Soon the stallion opened his eyes to stare off towards his foe, as without warning, Ben's Triforce glowed within a golden aura around his entire being.

And then what happened was a swirling vortex around Ben that was pushing off everything from the mist to Kouga, "GURRARRUGHHH!" Kouga let off a yelp cry in being pushed backwards from that force while the mist completely evaporated, "Guuuaaauuaghhh-hughhughhhh!" Soon Kouga clashed against the ground on his bottom and fell on his backside from that magical pressure force.

"The smokescreen's gone!" Bocolix responded surprised by this surprise stunt now.

"And our magic is not affected anymore!" Dumbledore responded in feeling that the magic users can cast spells again.

"How'd Benny-boy pull 'dat off?" Tough questioned off in never seeing such a feat be done before.

"Impossible! Your magical power should have disappeared in the smokescreen. Just like the others and even among alicorns couldn't perform so!" Kouga slowly stood up baffled, how did Ben pull that off suddenly when not even Alicorn magic could defeat the smokescreen to nullify magic, it's simply impossible!

"He did it!" Spike cheered forth in seeing that Ben has truly turn the tide around.

"That was great, Ben!" Phobos cheered in feeling that the heroes are now back in business.

"But how did father managed to do such a deed?" Adult Nyx questioned how when their magic was cut, Ben was able to outdo the mist that nullified their magic since it covered them, she almost lost her Battle Form if not for this surprise.

"Ben released all the magical power that he had stored from all three form elements of the Triforce: Wisdom, Courage, & Power." Twilight issued off in exclaiming the basic method in what Ben did just now that turn the tide. "My guess is that Ben's level of magical power from the Triforce overwhelmed the smokescreen's suppression." She smiled in seeing that her love managed to pull off a real surprise that would even leave Pinkie Pie speechless, for once.

"Now it's time we finish where we started." Ben issued off from re-summoning his Master Sword in his hoof to charge forth against his opponent.

"Grrr…Curse You!" Kouga growled to curse Ben before deciding to just charge forth to fight Ben as he was coming, "Giieeeeughhh!" When they came close, Kouga grabbed his giant shuriken nearby to about to clash with the pony…

"Hirrarughhhh," But Ben reacted faster to swing his sword in a thrust manner.

"Hugh…Huurgh-Hrrugh!" Kouga was suddenly backing away from when Ben's sword was almost cutting pretty close to his mask. "H-H-E-E-He's fast." He was dodging those attacks while being unable to block or counterattack, Ben was too fast for him to read, "Gruuarrughhh!" Suddenly, one strike against Kouga's Daimonji pressed it back to clash against the mask that made the giant ninja foe cry out in pain backwards. "Gruuarugh…Gruuaarrughhhaahhh." As he lied on his backside, he was almost feeling overwhelmed by this pony's newfound strength, "Huuaagh!" Now Kouga dodged a sword tip that pierces the ground if he didn't move where his head was to get back up again, "Hugh-Huuogh-Hoohohaaaughh!" Now Kouga was just trying to keep himself distant from Ben as the stallion was showing much agility to try out a few thrust shots that the foe couldn't block or attack with his own weapon; he was trapped with nothing but to avoid the attacks.

"Yeah; Go Ben!" cheered forth in seeing that Ben was having the enemy on the run now, big time!

"To overwhelm an opponent with a sword after Dumbledore & Bocolix couldn't beat him with a pole, looks like both Ben's speed and power increased." Twilight issued off in studying the change in how Ben is now having a better chance in facing off this once hard foe.

"No matter how tough the opponent is, if the opponent's attack doesn't hit, victory is only a matter of time." Adult Nyx addressed that just causes Kouga was tough to be durable, if he can't harm Ben when her father attacks, victory will come to them in a matter of time.

"Hrugh-Nrrugh…" Kouga was trying to keep away from Ben's attacks; they were getting too close to his curse masked.

"Huuuagh," Ben threw another strike that completely made Kouga nearly out of breath.

"Why you…" Kouga growled in feeling anger rising when he finally managed to stop to catch himself a cease moment of fast onslaught attacks. "Don't think you can beat me with speed alone." The giant ninja foe remarked off declaring that just ’cause Ben's fast, doesn't mean he'll still be beaten by terms of increased speed and power from his adversary. Soon Kouga reached into his cloth by his chest to pull something out from his right hand to unveil….a gray necklace chain with an egg-shaped pendent with purple spots at the bottom and yellow dots on the four corners.

"Wait, is that…?" Tough responded off in seeing and recognizing that item from staring at Twilight's necklace of Guardian Rings & other trinkets.

"A Guardian," Spike responded in recalling how tough they had in just fighting those types of foes in this land.

"But of what?" Phobos questioned what kinda Guardian will they soon be facing now?

"Hugh-hugh-huuuagh, a little something the Demon Lords presented to me for my services. Everything I've done for them has earned me recognition, and now, you'll face my true terror!" Kouga issued this message out for all of those that are opposing him and the Demon Lords, shall soon see this guy's true power come forth. "Appear….Amphibian Martial Artist Guardian…" Soon the necklace glowed bright blue while Kouga held it before his very presence, "Kung Kuu Frog!" The guy announced forth the name of the Guardian while the necklace vanished for a moment.

Then a swing of Kouga's right arm and then appeared a hole in the ground before an implosive steam popped up and then…something just 'hopped' up when the ground resealed to show…the foe's Guardian creature. As it stood up, it took a strange martial arts stance as its appearance was that of a huge red frog with a dark-violet color top for the back with yellow spots, biddy-eyes & a thin long mustache, a chubby belly & blotted cheeks in giving the impression of a Kung Fu Fighter Master. From its very form and name, this was Kouga's Guardian, Kung Fu Frog the Amphibian Martial Artist.

"Tuuoooaaghh," Soon Kouga made a leap movement to suddenly position himself in a sitting position on the frog guardian and position his hands in a ninja-theme hold. Now both ninja and summoned frog stood before all while a strange 'gong' noise was heard, almost like a reacting of a martial arts film, how that happen is beyond understanding, "Wohohohhoahahahaah! Your luck just ended when you allowed me to use this." Kouga laughed off boastfully in declaring that now Ben & the others are at a lost, since he summoned his own personally guardian.

"There it is, another ninja performance!" Bocolix spoke off in seeing before the group and other act of using a ninja like skill to perform such ninja task.

"The art of summoning an animal," Dumbledore issued this display as another ninja skill where one calls an animal; it's truly not seen every day.

"A-A frog," Spike responded with a wide-eye gasp responsive face in not believing what just appeared.

"What is that?" Phobos requested with a sweat-drop in finding this creature unheard of as if frogs are scary.

"Duh, a frog no less," Tough pointed out like that question was an easy thing to answer.

'I've seen frogs from Fluttershy, but nothing like…this one." Twilight responded in remembering when Fluttershy brought frogs to Froggy Bottom Swamp and this Guardian was way different from those simple creatures.

"What abilities could it have?" Adult Nyx questioned her mother in not knowing what kinda foe her father is facing, even if it's a, well, a huge frog.

"Kung Fu Frog's speed is in the top class amongst the Guardian Creatures." Kouga was explaining this while his guardian was moving about its legs and arms in feeling flexible to get moving anytime now. "You won't be able to follow him." The guy stated that with such a speedy creature, not even an average fighter could follow such speeds.

At that moment, Kung Fu Frog vanished like a shifting blur down the left side of where Ben was facing it until it was gone.

"Hugh? Where'd they…" Ben yelped in surprise to look where the frog guardian is, only for Kouga to zip pass his right side, "Hmmph?" He looked from his right side, but Ben was unaware that danger zipped by to his left exposed side.

Then the huge red frog held up its left hand to then bring it down a-thunder, "Poowwfruvhmmm!" And that one moment of its attack smashed the spot to make a sizable crater where what should be Ben…is not here.

"Eeehhhh," Ben used his Triforce to fly away from being hit by that attack just now, "Ehhh, that is one tough frog!" Ben responded with surprise eyes while he hovered in the air for a moment.

Then without warning, Kung Fu Frog opened its mouth to let out a long stretching pink-violet tongue right at…Ben's mid-air state.

"Guuuaaghh," Ben yelped off in being tackled by the frog's long lashing tongue that smacked him quite a few distance spaces away.

The others were very surprised that Kouga had such a guardian, some more surprised of other reasons of this foe's secret weapon unleashed.

"'Ta think frogs were dat tough." Tough responded in never knowing such a degree with an amphibian.

"Try telling that to frogs really big, with really long tongues, and move swiftly fast." Phobos remarked off in stating how if there are other frogs like this one, they'll be harder foes to beat.

"I-I think this is the only one." Spike responded in feeling like this is a nervous moment for them to face.

"Oh boy…" The Enforcers responded with worry if Ben can even beat a frog, course when one thinks about that, it sounds silly.

"Gaaugh…" Ben managed to land on the ground to stare up at his new opponent. "Boy, for a huge frog, its fast." Ben quoted in recognizing this Guardian didn't earn the rank class of fastest for nothing, "Guuagh!" Then Ben had to dodge another tongue pierce lash fro the frog that broke apart of the ground he stood on to get further back.

"You said that I couldn't beat you, didn't you?" Kouga spoke from still sitting onto of the Guardian frog creature in what he heard Ben say to him earlier. "I'll make you take that back!" He issued in preparing to have Ben take back what he said to him.

"Sorry, but I won't take it back." Ben issued off with a sly smile in stating he won't take back what he said to the guy.

"What?" Kouga responded astounded to hear that Ben refuses to give up even at this stage.

"Since you will be done with my next attack and I'll completely destroy that mask you said cursed your second chance at life with unhappiness." Ben exclaimed off saying while keeping his confident expression still on his face.

"I don't know what you're up to, but it's too late." Kouga remarked off to state this that no matter what Ben is gonna try; he'll end this battle quicker. "Final Move, Kung Fu…" Soon a yellow background appears behind Kouga & his Guardian, as Kung Fu Frog was starting to prepare some final move by doing strange stances.

"Sorry, you're the slow one!" Ben responded off stating from activating his Triforce mark on his flank as a familiar golden aura begins to cover over the stallion's body is showing the symbol of his Triforce.

Now Kouga & Kung Fu Frog were facing before them the strange power that Ben was unleashing.

"Wh-What is that?!" Kouga asked off completely surprised in seeing this all of a sudden.

"By the time you find out, you'll be beaten by then." Ben responded off in answering that question with a different response.

"Mother, isn't that move father's…" Adult Nyx was about to ask in recalling what move Ben was about to use here.

"Looks like he won't be able to go anywhere anymore once Ben uses 'that' move," Twilight addressed off to say in seeing how Ben is going to stop the enemy's movements with this technique.

"Th-This looks like a bad one." Kouga responded in feeling himself a strange sense of caution in what he's facing of Ben's inner power. "Kung Fu Frog, get the stallion with your finishing move!" Kouga instructed to his Guardian that they'll get Ben before he can even strike them. "Finally Move, Fung Fu…" Soon Kouga & his Guardian are in a background of an orange color to have the frog move in a strange motion of moves to unleash its final move to end this….

Then without warning when Ben opened his shut eyes, a ray of light stuns Kouga & his guardian that was horizontally in front of the stallion.

"What? What's going on?" Kouga yelped to notice he and his Guardian were trapped in something, caused by Ben's handy work that was two images of the Triforce. "Grughmm-Mrruvhmmm…." Both Kouga and his Guardian tried to break this strange substance, but their pushing hands to hand-slap martial art moves weren't cutting it.

"Sorry, but once I start this and you get caught, you'll be done for." Ben responded with feeling like he's about to finish this battle now.

"What?" Kouga responded in utter disbelief in hearing this, he'll be done for, for real, "Gruauaghh! Dangit, I can't get out." Kouga groans from seeing neither he nor his frog guardian could escape what kept them trapped.

"So, are you ready to say any last words?" Ben spoke in holding his sword in preparing to unleash his best move.

"Hold on! Stop! Stop," Kouga press his hands against this trap in trying to plead for the stallion to not be hasty. "Studs are supposed to be kinder, right?" He was trying to get Ben to not perform something while the mask was glowing, warning Kouga of the dangers if he doesn't escape.

"Sorry, I'm not a stud." Ben responded off in saying he ain't no stud even if he has the looks. "Well those last words were odd. And you know something? Your face doesn't matter." He opens his yes in preparing to address this serious matter about Kouga and about his own problem with looks. "What's really ugly is that your heart that some Demons mold for you to become what you are. I'm about to end such sufferings right now."

"You-you don't mean that." Kouga responded in feeling extra nervous while the mask was glowing in feeling Ben's power nearly about to touch them both.

"Triforce Slash!" Ben announced forth the name of his move in now going to unleash it now.

Ben dashed at the stun opponents before striking Kouga & his frog guardian with a fury of slashes for immense amount of damage.

"GRUUARRRUGHHH/Crack, Crack-crackvhmm…" Kouga let off a silent scream, but during the moment, his mask was beginning to crack.

"HRUUARRGUUHH," Ben was pausing for the final blow while giving a mighty battle cry. "Powwvhmmm…" Then with one strike, it launched Kouga & Kung Fu Frog off from enough power to about KO'd them.

"GRUUUARRRRRUGHHH!Urrarrrughhh!" Kouga & Kung Fu Frog let out cries and was sent crashing against the ground and plowing through the desert trees. Once things settled down, the opponents were down for the count, this time showing plenty of damage that hurt them that even through Kouga unique toughness would not stand up anytime soon here.

"Alright, Ben actually did it!" Dumbledore cheered in seeing they scored victory here.

"He won against that giant!" Bocolix proclaimed in seeing Ben took down Kouga.

"No, not yet, where's the mask?" Ben spoke with feeling this was not over yet with a serious face.

At this moment from Kouga's struggling position from what he suffered through, the cracked mask was floating off of him. And soon the mask was floating straight towards Ben's group as if by magic.

"Look out! A freaky floating mask," Tough yelped in warning in what he sees is coming.

"How's that mask moving on its own," Spike asked off in finding this little magic display, odd.

"It really is cursed and now it wants us!" Phobos exclaimed in seeing this mask was magically cursed and wants them next.

"Nyx; It's trying to get you!" Twilight spoke in seeing the cursed mask going for her daughter, just as the Demon Lords order Kouga to do.

"I got this mother!" Adult Nyx spoke from suddenly casting a magic barrier around herself that repelled the attacking mask.

Kouga's mask felt daze, but was not aware of Ben coming up from behind until… "Slissssivhmm…" The stallion used his sword that sliced the evil mask in half, making it drop as two before fading away into complete darkness. "That's what you get for thinking you could destroy us and take me or my daughter. Now it's finally over."

"Oh Ben, thank Celestia you're okay after that!" Twilight came to hug her love in feeling glad that Ben was okay after that fight.

"Sorry if I had to take the challenge away from you guys." Ben sheepishly apologized to his friends for stealing anyone from joining in, this was sorta something he had to deal with…personally maybe.

"Ehh, no problem, and looky here; Thanks to you, Justin's finally free from his own trap," Tough spoke from seeing that not only did Ben win, but from Kouga's defeat, their cart and MechBull are out of the quicksand trap.

"Mwrruaaarghhh," Justin responded in feeling glad to be out of that sticky situation.

"Looks like everything gets a happy ending," Spike smiled in thinking that now all things will end well now.

"No, there's still one last detail we need to see to." Ben spoke with a stern face that the group still had one last task to complete here.

"Hugh?" The Enforcers responded puzzled, what was the last thing to do after beating an tough foe that kept standing up after each time until now?

Soon the gang approach the defeated Kouga and see his frog guardian are both unmoving at the time being. The giant ninja human with the ugly face struggled to lift his head in seeing he's about to be surrounded by his foes with no way of escape.

"Ehhh…so you've come to finish me off, have you?" Kouga sop softly in seeing the group of travelers is near him, probably to finish him off now. "No point in resisting, looks like my second life ends now." He closes his eyes to awaits for his death to be upon him now.

"Kouga, were you truly happy being a servant to Demons?" Ben asked off with a look of pity on this defeated sad sight of a foe.

"Eh? What are you rambling about stud?" Kouga responded confused in what on Earth was this pony talking about.

"You don't get it, the cursed mask you wore is now destroyed, you're no longer a prisoner to the Demon Lords." Ben issued off in explaining this concept for Kouga to know, he doesn't have to heed the words of Demons anymore.

"Shut it! How can you understand me? Wherever I went, every creature saw what I look like and fled in terror and hated & laughs at me!" Kouga snapped off in annoyance, how could Ben truly know what he's been through to lose what he was to become something no one else wants to be around.

"Believe it or not, a couple of jerks tried to prank me and turn me into the Demon Pony. Years of being that creature, I almost began to lose myself to it." Ben explained with a serious face about what happened to him was almost like what happened to Kouga, both were ponies and became ugly monsters to the world. "But I overcame that curse because there were those that were my friends and love ones that helped me out of my dilemma." Ben smiled to Twilight, Nyx & Spike, for they were there to help him when he was down. "The same can be for you, now be honest with yourself. The fight is over already." Ben asked again in wanting this fallen fighter to be truthful, there was nothing to be afraid of now that the battle was over.

"Grruraghh…" Kouga let off a growl in losing to this debate and sighed before giving in. "All I…ever tried to do, was search in this forsaken region called the End of Equestria, hoping….to uncover a way to return it to its former glory as the Valley of Peace." Kouga explained about what he was once trying to do, trying to make a difference in the world and help out. "But Hsi Wu killed me, I began to have doubts in my heart and just wanted to live and the mask I found was the Earth Demon promising me a new life at a cost in return with service to the Demon Lords." He sighed in knowing that it's ironic, a Demon that killed him; he gets saved by Demons and now must abide to their wishes as a muscle-bound soldier lackey. "After I put the mask on, my body warped and I changed from a pony into a human." Kouga remarks how once he wore the curse masked from Dai Gui, his life changed in more ways than he ever thought would happen.

"So is this what you would look like in another world, per-say?" Phobos asked off in questioning this puzzling question of his.

"Phobos, I don't think this form would have been Kouga's first choice either." Adult Nyx issued this off to her friend for believing Kouga, being a pony before, would be like this human appearance, this was by Demon sorcery after all.

"Well shoot, if yew hated what yew became, why serve them no good varmints?" Tough asked puzzled to scratch his head, why would someone wanna work for such bad creatures in the first place?

"Because the mask forced me to do their bidding and over time…I began to lose myself in darkness, and finally gave in to become who I am now," Kouga sighed in sorrow in slowly coming to terms, he lost his good side of a pony, and began to become a big monster that despised its own existence.

"So with the mask destroyed, then the unfortunate soul…" Bocolix slowly was understanding what Kouga's situation is now.

"Had to do the biddings without question of suffer, right?" Dumbledore pointed off in seeing how this guy had been force to do manly labor.

"Yes, but now….I'm unsure of what to do…are you just wanting answers before I slowly perish?" Kouga nods before questioning what the gang are wanting, just a few questions answered and then he'll just fade away…like he should have been before being saved by a cursed mask.

"No, you were evil, but only because of the mask manipulating you by the Demons themselves. Twilight…" Ben responded in telling Kouga this bunch of facts before looking towards Twilight in requesting something.

"Alright Ben, seeing it's already over with." Twilight nods in accepting this little moment in knowing what the two of them shall do with Kouga's defeated state.

Soon the two lovers performed magic from their horn & Triforce together. It released a gentle glow of sparkling gold dust that rain down around everyone. And injuries from the gang seem to fade away like cuts disappearing.

"Krruvhhmmm…" Kung Fu Frog slowly was rising up from feeling much better and so was Kouga. It was here that the two realized that they were being healed up by their enemies.

"Wh-what is this? Why did you heal your enemy?" Kouga asked off puzzled in not understudying, why he was being helped at all?

"We didn't heal an enemy of the Demon Lords." Twilight spoke off in explaining the first part to Kouga.

"He helped heal a poor pony soul in need of help." Ben finished off stating in who they were actually helping out here, the real creature inside of Kouga.

"Quit fooling yourselves! I'm no pony anymore, I'm human now! An UGLY Human," Kouga snapped off in feeling upset, why would his targets pity him when he's not of the pony species no more and is more ugly to not even be considered a human transformation?

"True that." Phobos responded off in not disagreeing in where Kouga was standing out.

"Phobos," Adult Nyx sternly scolded her pet pal for pointing out the issue when they are trying to be nice.

"Well, can't we just change him back into a pony?" Spike asked off fro the rest if there was a way to change Kouga into a pony.

"Spike's right, can't any o' yew Alicorns or Benny-boy do it?" Tough responded in agreement, surely the magic users could pull something like a transformation spell.

"Can we?" The Enforcers questioned this fact for themselves, for they have never tried anything like 'that' before?

"The principles of changing some creature into another isn't impossible, but…" Twilight spoke that such a spell could be what an Alicorn can perform, but there was more to it than that. "This was done by Demon magic, and done when he was near the end of his life. I'm not sure if I could perform it unless it was written in the Forbidden Book of Spells." Twilight wasn't sure if any of them could perform such a complex spell done by demon magic, it may not even be listed in the Forbidden Book of Spells the ponies know that contains many secrets….but would it contain such a spell was a question.

"It would mean that if we did so, then he be a pony again, but would shortly live at the moments he has left." Ben explained with a serious face that if they did turn Kouga back to a pony, he would only live shortly before perishing afterwards.

"Hugh….it's okay; leave well enough alone." Kouga sighed to express that the group has done more than enough to let things stand. "This may just be my own punishment to atone for my mistakes and sins commented." He may have been a once good pony, but he has much to answer for from performing terrible deeds for the Demon Lords.

"Are you sure we can't help?" Adult Nyx asked the former evil foe if there was nothing that the group can do now.

"You've done enough in just beating me and making me able to walk to decide my own fate without Demons pulling my strings." Kouga exclaimed in telling Nyx this fact about his situation of being free from control, is plenty even without returning to his original self. "I may just carve a new wooden mask to hide my face, so no creature, human or pony, will see it." Kouga exclaimed from breaking off some bark wood to begin carving it.

"You know, the face part won't matter." Twilight responded to tell this guy that having a mask to cover his face isn't a problem to be so concern for.

"It won't?" The Enforcers, Tough and Phobos responded off a bit puzzled in hearing this.

"Cause maybe, if you tried to find actual friends that can see the you inside or what was once a pony, then you can surely get along despite what face you have on." Twilight explained that if Kouga leaves this place to venture out to find ponies and more friendly creatures that will wanna be friends with him, and not care what his face will look like.

"Are you certain of that?" Kouga responded off puzzled in hearing this with an astounded expression just after he finished making a new mask from wood. "Hugh, maybe….I'm not a hopeless cause after all. Alright, I'll give it a try." He sighed to actually show an honest to friendly smile in which was not evil in taking in that advice. "But I think I'll do this alone, by going on a long joinery to find myself. Kung Fu Frog," Kouga exclaimed this matter with a serious statement before putting on his new mask and called to his frog guardian.

"Kruuarrughhh," Kung Fu Frog leaped up to stand where he is while Kouga leaps up to get into a sit and pose position on the huge red frog's noggin.

"Before I leave, I shall give you two alert notice in giving you my thanks in stopping me & freeing my soul." Kouga looked down to the others in going to give them some heads up advise for helping him out here & freeing him of demon control. "First, continue this path and you'll probably find something else your seeking." The gang could almost think instantly that this meant another ingredient they seek. "Second, watch out for two other servants of the Demon Lords." Kouga forewarn this group of two other servants that serve the Demon Lords.

"There's two more?" Phobos asked off in disbelief in not believing this at all.

"Like the Witch Somnambula who served Bai Tza?" Spike questioned off in recalling the witch that served the Demon of Water they managed to defeat.

"Yes, one that serves the Thunder Demon; goes by the name of Maha Vailo; you might be able to beat him with enough luck." Kouga issued that what he speaks is true while warning the group of the first servant they might just beat. "But the bigger threat lies with a guy named Peta; he's more dangerous than us or even that witch Somnambula. Be careful when you meet him, he's the guy that helps see that the End of Equestria runs as it should." Kouga gave a serious warning about one enemy that was not just a servant to the Demon Lords, but maintains watch and control to the End of Equestria being as it is.

"Thanks fer de heads up, fella." Tough nods in feeling appreciated of this guy warning them of some other enemies to watch out for.

"One more thing….don't die." Kouga exclaimed in wanting these ponies and dragons to not die when they are here. "I travel to this place in hoping to bring back life to this place and help Equestria, but failed in my old life. But seeing you young folks and how you managed to beat me when I was under evil's service, maybe….there's a new hope rising from the ashes." To this guy that was a pony, only to be magically reincarnated as a giant human being, if anything, a new generation of heroes can help make a better difference then he could. "Farewell! Let's go, Kung Fu Frog!" Kouga responded in saying goodbye to the group before instructing his Guardian Martial Artist Amphibian to have them go.

Then without another moment, Kung Fu Frog boosted itself off the ground to zip across the air like it was flying at top speed. During the moment, Nyx changed back from her Battle Form back into her filly form. As the group see one victim that came to the End of Equestria before them, a former archeologist that died and was brought back to life as a soldier for the demons service. Many wonder from all the other lives they saved & helped out, that if there were truly other souls that failed here that needed aid in being free, so many questions leave many unsure…what to expect ahead.

"Mommy, we'll make it out of this and help our friends back home, right?" Nyx asked her mother in wondering, if they'll truly succeed in their mission.

"Of course Nyx, for the lost souls that were taken by this place & made to suffer, we shall succeed to honor others that back before us." Twilight smiled to assure her daughter with much gentleness in her voice, that they shall get all the necessary ingredients to help return the Apple's Farm back to how it was and they'll even honor many other brave souls from before that came to this place…to return back home victorious.

"That's a good way to look at it Twilight, now come on, let's continue our journey…together." Ben responded with a smile while offering his love and child to follow his hoof wave towards the rest of their gang.

Now the group quickly gets together near Justin, as he and the other animals were happy to be free from their sticky situation. After settling a few other things, it was time for the traveling ponies and dragons to get themselves back on the road with their assigned task; get all the ingredients & return back to save Sweet Apple Acres…alive. With that in mind, did the MechBull pull the cart to continue where they left off before being sidetracked….

Kouga continued to walk down, and then he encountered Tao in front of him. The former pony ask the old pony in concern, "What do you want?"

Tao smiles as he explains, "I'm here to help."

"How can you help me?"

"Trust me. There is more to me than meets the eye."

Tao approach Kouga as he places his hoof in front of his head while chanting. Kouga looked surprised as his hands and body is starting to change. He changes into a dark green Pegasus pony with short yellow and gentle mane and tail, and his Cutie Mark is hat, archaeologist pick and compass. He has a cowboy's hat-like.

Kouga looked surprised to see his body; even the Kung Fu Frog is astounded. The pony spoke up, "How did you-! Who are you?"

"I am Mystic Pony, Jones Venture." Tao said, calling Kouga by a new name...or in this case his former one.

"Impossible. I'm actually meeting one, and you know my name?!"

Tao smiles, saying, "Not important. I'll send you to Ponyville where you'll be safe from harm."

"Thank you, Mystic Pony." Jones said while patting Kung Fu Frog. "All right if I bring him along? It wouldn't be right if I leave him alone."

"That you shall allow to take him. One more thing, you must not reveal about me helping you. Tell them that Twilight and her friends did. They saved you from Dai Gui's imprisonment."

"Understood, Mystic Pony."

Tao chants as he sent Jones and Kung Fu Frog to Ponyville. The Mystic Pony smiles; Once again, another innocence saved from the Demon Lords at last.

-----------------------

Inside the HQ of the Apocalypse Ponies, a shadowy figure was busy glancing on the Superior who is busy at work. As he does, a portal opens as someone spoke through it.

"Did you do well on your spying so far?" The voice asks causing the figure to turn around.

"Buck off, creature! You said that I-" The mysterious one said before the monster known as the Hole interrupts him.

"...would have your revenge. Yes, I know. But if you don't do what I order you to do, I can promise you this: your universe and your mechanical marvels will be a part of me!"

The figure growls as he said, "Fine! What must I do?"

"Stay out of sight for now...kill as many ponies as you please, but do not enter the home village of the Elements of Harmony." The Hole instructs the figure calmly.

"But you-" The figure begins to say but the Hole cut him off once more.

"I KNOW!" The Hole roars as he turns a purplish color in its rage. "I KNOW WHAT I SAID, BUT I EXPECT COMPLETE LOYALTY IN RETURN!" The figure was silent. "Besides...don't you want to take your time with killing her this time?"

"Affirmative," The figure said.

"Good. Be sure you keep your identity a secret. Wear the skin suit as long as I command." The Hole said to the figure with a nod.

"If I serve you, I demand to see your face!" The figure demands as he hasn't seen the Hole's true face yet.

The Hole pauses as he answers, "Very well...Droid."

The Hole reveals his true face, much to the surprise of the figure known as Droid. He scowls in disbelief, "So...who would've guessed that you're an alternate version...of him?"

-------------------

After Pinkamena and Golden Heart met Gwen Fillyson, they were in the secret dungeon that Pinkie keeps underneath Sugarcube Corner. Golden Heart said, "Never thought you made a secret tunnel from here to your room in Canterlot."

Pinkamena grins as she say, "You'd be surprised of what I can do and like I said before, I let you know of new info there is. The gang got another ingredient and saved another land but more dangers occurred and Somnambula is now a tree in the land."

Golden Heart as he asked, "Okay, but what you'd like to show me?"

Pinkamena makes it to something covered in a sheet as she said, "For some time, after seeing so many machines like the Garoozis and such, I decided to make something myself."

"By the looks of things, it's pony size with a horn and wings." Golden Heart said while observing the sheet covered object in gentle.

"Might be but it's not just an Alicorn." The pink pony said. Pinkamena then removes the sheet and we see that it's a robot cyborg as Golden Heart looks surprised.

"And I thought the return of Gwen Fillyson was surprising enough." Golden Heart commented in amazement.

"I know and this robot is designed with really durable alloy metal and can't be reprogrammed no matter how powerful a hacker is planning and no matter what kind or a powerful foe hits it, the robot will not get scratched or damaged and it is water proof and other kinds of weather and such and has wings that are not only as strong as the plating, but can take in sun and moon energy. It is also eco-friendly, there are more weapons and such but for now I will show the horn which is made the same like the rest and can blast a high powerful blast of pure powerful Harmony and is more powerful than the most powerful spells in all of Equestria and beyond." Pinkamena explains some more. "The horn can absorb magic spells from foes and sends it back to the user."

Golden Heart was really surprised and said, "I have to say, that's a lot of work you done and I'm asking what will its name be?"

"Its name will be Omega, and mind helping me get it to my room in Canterlot?" Pinkamena ask her brother curiously.

Golden Heart nods as he said, "Okay."

Golden Heart uses his magic and lifts up the robot and carefully. Pinkamena says looking at the watchers as she follows her big brother, "This might take a bit, maybe next chapter so go and see how our friends are doing."

-----------------------

"Noooooooooooo," Dai Gui roars in fury as he pounds the ground and anything else nailed to the floor. The other Demons do their best to keep out of his way. "Not only has my servant betrayed me, but my Dark Item is destroyed!"

Hsi Wu smirk as he remarks, "Knew it; so now what?"

"Twilight Sparkle and her family have proven to be more tenacious and determined pests, especially Nightmare Moon." Tchang Zu comments with an angry scowl. So far, there isn't anything stopping the heroes and their so-called allies.

"Masters," A familiar voice spoke calls out, much to the villains' notice.

Upon hearing the voice, Shendu open the portal to the goblin. The Demon spoke, "Speak, goblin."

The goblin with an eager face spoke, "Goblin saw the enemy going to Durian Valley!"

"Why, that's my territory! This might be my chance to get Nightmare Moon." Po Kong said eagerly. If five of her siblings have failed, maybe she can do better!

"You're not suggesting that you can handle this, are you, Po Kong?" Xiao Fung asks Po Kong dryly and unamused.

"Yes, she has to." Bai Tza said with an annoyed sigh.

"But Po Kong will get distracted by her hunger." Dai Gui points out to the other Demons with a scowl. "She certainly will fail her mission."

"In fact, all of us had planned the strategy. I'll be guarding the last ingredient while Tso Lan will prevent Nightmare Moon and her family, should they succeed their mission, from trying to leave." Shendu advises the other Demons. If by any chance Po Kong has failed, it will be up to Shendu and Tso Lan to finish the job.

"Shendu's right. Five of us have been imprisoned while three of our siblings are the only ones can enter the portal." Tchang Zu commented, knowing that only 3 Demon Lords are left.

"Tso Lan and Shendu, I can trust, but Po Kong, I'm worried." Hsi Wu said, not sure if he could trust Po Kong with going after the group this time.

Po Kong huff at the remark, "Don't worry for your big sister. I can beat them with the help of my ability."

Tso Lan smirks as he said, "In that case, do your best. If you wish to perform the Restoration Spell, that is fine, but make sure you sent Nightmare Moon to us. You'd better not think of your stomach. Deal with Ben later."

"I won't." Po Kong assures Tao Lan. She then turned to the goblin. "You know what to do."

The goblin smiled while saying, "Yes, mistress."

-------------

It took a while since the gang left where they fought Kouga. Twilight spoke up, "Okay, I think we should rest for a while."

"Good idea, Twilight." Ben suggests as Justin slows to a stop. "Boy, fighting most of the bad guys including Kouga sure tired me out a lot."

"No kidding. You know, I feel sorry for him a lot. I wish we could have helped him." Nyx said with a sigh. Of course, the filly is unaware that Tao has saved the group the whole trouble.

"I too think that, sweetie. But there's nothing we can do. He is under Dai Gui's powers. And it will be difficult for any Alicorns or Unicorns to remove that Demon Curse." Twilight explains to Nyx gently. "But the only way to remove that is Mystic Magic."

"It is very bad news since you never had that power before." Spike groans a bit, pointing out that Twilight doesn't have the powers needed.

"Not to mention that Mystic Ponies are a myth. It's so gonna hard to find and ask them to help us save that Kouga guy." Phobos comments with a shrug, believing that Mystic Ponies are nothing more than a myth to some folks.

"Nothing we can do, but 'ta believe 'dat Kouga is safe fro' trouble, partner," Tough suggest, wanting to hope that Kouga is safe for now.

"For once, we can rest at ease." Dumbledore said, falling to the ground in exhaustion.

Bocolix falls as well, remarking, "Eeyup. No monsters, no running for our live and best of all: No Demon Lords. Just be glad that there is no giant and enormous ones."

Suddenly, the ground shaken, and so as the trees shaken off the leaves and fruits, rocks shook and vibrate, as well as small ponds. Everyone felt that. They became worried as the land continued to shake even harder. Twilight and her friends quickly grab the trees tightly.

"Earthquake," Spike yelps in alarm, feeling the vibrations like mad.

"In the End of Equestria," Phobos yelps in shock and disbelief.

"I don't think so. There shouldn't be any earthquakes in this area, according to the map." Twilight said in concern. She's right; the map doesn't mention any earthquakes in the new area which is called the Durian Valley!

"You don't think it's Dai Gui? I mean, he is the Earth Demon Lord." Nyx said in concern, worried that Dai Gui has returned for another round.

Ben shakes his head as he said, "That's true. But he's been banished to the Realm of Demons."

"If it's not him, then who," Tough ask frantically. If Dai Gui wasn't the one causing the earthquakes then what was.

Everyone heard a loud roaring sound. Bocolix and Dumbledore turn to the location that they heard the sound from. Their eyes are in wide shock then both Bocolix and Dumbledore scream like girls.

"I think we're about to find out." Bocolix said in alarm.

"Everypony; Look," Dumbledore yelps as he and Bocolix points to a direction to show what they just saw.

Twilight and her family turn to Bocolix and Dumbledore's pointing. They gasp in shock as they saw something big or bigger.

The creature, revealing to another Demon, smirks as Po Kong booms, "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."

"WHOA NELLY! She's as big as a….a…." Tough yelped off to say, but the words just couldn't get out of his mouth.

"A mountain," Phobos finished that sentence in seeing this was a new big problem…to the EXTREME!

"That's a sister of the Demon Lords!" Bocolix asked off in not believing what they are seeing here, the other five were small compared to this one.

"Must be their 'BIG' Sister," Dumbledore stated off in thinking that out of the other seven Demons, maybe this one was the oldest for being the biggest, maybe.

"Mommy; who is that?!" Nyx gasp her mother frantically.

"That's Po Kong! One more thing: she's not the 'big' sister. She's the 7th younger sister of Demon Lords." Twilight corrects the two so-called Alicorns in concern.

"How can you tell? For us, seeing her size, I'd say she's supposed to biggest and oldest sister." Spike said, glancing at Po Kong and her size frantically.

Ben, in concern, spoke, "Twilight's right."

"Why'd ya say 'dat, Benny?" Tough ask Ben in concern.

"If she is, Po Kong shouldn't have her childish look." Ben said, noting how Po Kong appears to look like a child than an older sibling.

"Even so, we're in deep trouble!" Dumbledore yelps a bit in fright and horror.

"So, what do you think she wants?!" Bocolix ask, though he already knew the answer to his question.

"I found you. So do me a favor. All of you but Nightmare Moon goes into my stomach." Po Kong said with an evil hungry look on her face, much to the disgust of the others. "Then, I shall take her to Tso Lan."

"Think again, fatso!" Tough yell out as he blast his gun at Po Kong's shoulder.

The female Demon, however, waved off the dust from her shoulder then snarled at him.

"Way to go! You're making her angry!" Phobos exclaims frantically. Po Kong is mad now!

"Twilight, the Size Spell!" Spike exclaims to Twilight. Maybe him and Phobos growing big can give the two the advantage over this Demon!

"Alright; Here I go!" Twilight exclaims in determination.

Twilight blasts her magic at Spike and Phobos as they grew bigger. The two Dragons smirk as they turn and are ready to fight. As the two Dragons did however, they looked stunned and shocked as they are facing Po Kong...who is bigger than Spike and Phobos are!

Po Kong smirked as she said in a mock gentle-like voice, "Hello, tinies."

Spike and Phobos gulp, "We're in trouble!"

"Mommy, can't you make them bigger?" Nyx ask her mother in worry. Spike and Phobos are in big trouble. Literally!

Twilight shakes her head as she explains, "I don't think so. My magic for size is limited."

"This is bad." Ben said in worry.

"We still can fight!" Spike exclaims in determination.

"Yeah; the bigger they are, the harder -" Before Phobos could finish, Po Kong use her fists as she slammed both Spike and Phobos down to the ground. Both of them shift to their normal size. Phobos groans. "They hit."

"Ouch! She's way worse than Dai Gui and Tchang Zu!" Spike groans in pain.

"Let's try our 13 Totem Poles!" Bocolix suggests, planning on using a move that worked on Kouga temporarily.

"Let's see how she likes our moves!" Dumbledore smirks eagerly.

Bocolix and Dumbledore flew up, ready to attack. Po Kong however smirks at them. Ben noticing calls out, "Guys; don't! It's a-"

Bocolix and Dumbledore yell out at once, "13 Totem Poles!"

Ben groaned, "Trap!"

They both charge right at Po Kong. Just as they were about to hit her, Po Kong grab them with one hand. They got crushed. Po Kong moves her hand up and open the said hand as it revealed the crushed Bocolix and Dumbledore.

Po Kong smirked as she said slyly, "How about one little finger flip two little ponies?"

Po Kong flip both Bocolix and Dumbledore to the ground. They fell to it hard before moaning in pain. Everyone became worried and scared as they slowly go back while facing Po Kong. She slowly approaches them with smirk.

"Better give up, tinies. You have no chance to beat me. Give me Nightmare Moon now!" Po Kong demands eagerly to her enemies.

"Never! Why won't you and your siblings leave Nyx alone," Twilight demands furiously to Po Kong. These creeps just won't stop until Nyx is theirs!

"Yeah, I belong to my own family!" Nyx exclaims in agreement.

"Adopted family; Tso Lan is your creator, Nightmare Moon." Po Kong remarked, pointing out a fact to Nyx. "So you belong to us and one of us. Nopony will ever accept you as theirs."

Nyx looked down sadly at this. Ben, however, snapped furiously to Po Kong, "Leave Nyx alone, Po Kong! We'll beat you somehow."

Po Kong scoffed, "Even if you did, do you actually think we're about to let you off that easily. Think again, chocolate pony. How will you able to protect her from us if you truly accept her as yours? We'll get Nightmare Moon back, even if we had to crush you like insects to bring out her anger and rage to become her true self!" Twilight look worried when hearing what Po Kong had said. "Mark our words, ponies, we shall not be stopped until Nightmare Moon is in our palms. No matter where you go, you cannot escape from us."

Twilight shook her head as she protests, "No! We will escape! I won't give Nyx to you! You can forget about it, Mountain Demon!"

"If you're hoping to bring me in, you can forget about it!" Ben exclaims in defiance, refusing to give himself up as well.

Po Kong laugh, "You are so funny! Too bad for me and you, I'm gonna have to eat you. I haven't eaten any foods." She then licked her mouth as water dripped from it.

"Got any ideas? We can't fight her like this, not to mention, we're really hungry!" Twilight exclaims, knowing that the group are at a disadvantage.

"Hay, Ah just got a good idea," Tough spoke off in getting the gang's attention here now?

"This oughta be good." Phobos rolled his eyes to say, they got a mountain size demon on them, and Tough's got a thought to fix this.

"If she's hungry 'ta gobble us up, why not overstuff her belly?" Tough spoke off in thinking they can just feed Po Kong enough that she won't chase after them.

"You're joking, right? That's just…" Twilight raised her eyes in finding the idea crazy, who agree to that?

"A GREAT IDEA; we'll stuff her so she can't eat us!" Spike shouted out in liking the idea, much to Twilight's surprise.

"Well, any of us know any food materialization spells?" Ben asked off in wondering if they knew how to make food appear out of thin air, it's a spell top magic users perform to be prepared with consecutive food supplies, but the trick is how 'much' one is trying to bring out, either for one, or an entire population.

"We do!" The Enforcers responded off in saying that they know how to perform the spell requested.

"You do? Gosh, that's a strange thing to learn." Nyx raised an eyebrow in hearing these two know the spell to stop Po Kong.

"Ehh, when you’re not around towns, you tend to make food appear before you." Bocolix shrug off to say that they don't stop much in towns, so they make their own food just in case.

"And now maybe that can help save us. Let's give it a go now!" Dumbledore responded in thinking that the two goofy ponies can do something good to take down a mountain size foe, this could be big.

Soon, the Enforcers had their horns glow to fire a double beam shot in the skies. Dark clouds formed to swirl around before it began to rain….SWEETS! Yes! All the sweets imaginable- pastries, cakes, donuts, cookies, cupcakes, you name it. And if Pinkie Pie were there, she'd almost call this the Sweet Rain of Plenty. And no sooner was the gang's Demon Lord Foe coming at them, until she noticed something that attracted her attention.

"Mmmmmmm….sweets; my favorite; Ahhh-Crumh," Po Kong smiled in liking this little surprise supply of food falling from the skies as she began to open her mouth, chow down while her arms reached forth to grab the sweet stuff off the ground.

"It's working, she's taking the bait!" Ben responded in surprise, they got the Mountain Demon eating out of their hooves, sorta speak.

"Aahhh-Crumh-Crumh! MOOOORE," Po Kong was seen grabbing what was a large mountain pile of collected pastries, cakes, ext. for her to take, but wanted more.

"We need another helping servicing, partners!" Tough shouted out to his buds that were casting the spell, they need to overstuff this Demon, she still got lots of room.

The Enforcers heard the plea and began to work a bit faster and focus more on the spell in the skies. Soon what was happening next was BIGGER food size portions were falling down. This caused some problem for Twilight's group because now they have to watch out for giant food servings. Some almost got crushed by a donut, a GIANT CHOCOLATE-GLAZED DONUT WITH SPRINKLES, FOR PETE'S SAKE! And that was just the tip of the icing when even ice creams, chocolate syrup, bananas, whip cream & with rains of cherries made like an ice cream mountain.

"Mmmm….Mmmmmhmmm….Bring Me MORE," Po Kong was chowing down a lot of the stuff around, and was surrounded by more large piles of food while wanting more. "AND THROW IN SOME SLUGS WITH SALT FLAVOR FOR MY MEAL WHILE YOU'RE AT IT!" The Mountain Demon instructed to her foes to give her some slugs, after all, Demons love those things.

"That's….a weird appetite." Nyx raised her eyebrow in hearing that request was a weird thing to consider it being…a meal.

"About as strange as a Dragon eating gems," Twilight sighed to shake her head in feeling that Po Kong has an even weirder appetite than Dragons like Spike and Phobos that eat gems.

"Ahhh-Crumh-Crumh; MORE; MOOORE, I SAAAAY," Po Kong was seen eating all the meals that were surrounding her like a pool canyon of tasty treats, but she was still wanting more; SERIOUSLY.

"Aaahhhh….I'm feeling a little woozy." Dumbledore groan from his magic from his horn was feeling a little off, and he was getting exhausted now.

"Me too; Aaahh, is she done yet?" Bocolix moans to say in feeling this spell going on for what seem like hours to him be stressful on him, was the enemy even overstuffed?

"No, Po Kong's still going, and she's asking for more." Spike shook his head to the alicorn males that their foe has not dropped at all from eating so much.

"JUST HOW MUCH CAN ONE DEMON EAT," Phobos shouted out to the heavens in not believing this, Po Kong must be a glutton; that much food could make even Ponyville citizens sink from eating too much.

"If you're a mountain size, probably a lot," Ben issued that they are dealing with a Demon of the Mountain, so unless they fill up a creature with an appetite that big, it won't matter.

"Aaahhh," Finally, the Enforcers dropped down on with their legs across the ground, exhausted and poof out. And with that, the spell was starting to cease with the dark clouds fading and now the materialized food piles around Po Kong were starting to almost get finished.

"They're tired out, and Po Kong's finishing the last of the meals. Quickly, we need to vacate from here!" Twilight instructed to her friends in seeing they need to get out of here to rethink their strategy, or they'll be the main course in Po Kong's meal.

With that said, the gang quickly was picking up the pace to get aboard Justin to have the MechBull pull them a bit far from this Mountain Demon. Course during the timing, Po Kong was licking her fingers in finishing the last of the meals from heaven, only to spot her other feast foes escaping.

"Come back here! How dare you make fun of me," Po Kong demands furiously.

Po Kong chase after Twilight and her friends as they went deep into the forest. Po Kong continues to push the trees aside. Twilight became very worried as she looked back on Po Kong.

Twilight said in thought, 'If what Po Kong said is true, how can I continue to save and protect Nyx if I died? No! I can't think of that now!'

While doing her walking, her feet stepped on splinter of the wood. Po Kong's eyes widen in shock. She screams out loud. The female Demon jump around while holding her foot. Everyone looked surprised.

Phobos commented, "Wow. Who would have thought that a splinter like that saved our butts?"

Spike nods as he comments, "Just be glad we're saved."

Twilight and her family gone into deep of the forest; Po Kong took the splinter off her feet. She glared at the direction that Twilight and her friends headed off to.

"My brother is going to kill me." Po Kong grumbles a bit.

Tso Lan's head appear from Po Kong's back as he said wickedly, "That can be arranged, Po Kong."

Po Kong yelps in concern, "Wait, Tso Lan! Give me another chance. I can get Nightmare Moon and young pony prince."

"Luckily for you, you haven't been banished yet so you can still get your chance." Tso Lan said to Po Kong, visibly upset. "Get going and don't fail again!"

"Yes, sir!" Po Kong replied frantically before she headed off.

---------------

Twilight and her friends gasp as they are tired and exhausted in running away from Po Kong. The group begins to rest for a while. Twilight looks at Nyx who is now looking at the scenery.

Twilight said in her mind, 'Nyx, will you stay true to yourself if I'm gone and dead? I don't want to see that happen again. I'm afraid to lose you again. I don't want you or Ben to be gone again.'

Twilight sighs of worry. Ben notice her look, making him worried.

Phobos spoke in relief, "Well, we got away from Po Kong. That's good news."

"But bad news is we're hungry and exhausted." Spike groans as he can hear his stomach growling.

"So what are we gonna do?" Tough ask, pondering what the group can do for lunch or dinner or whatever.

"Try asking somepony." A familiar voice spoke up causing everyone to yelp. They turn and saw Tao who is behind them. That old pony always has a way of sneaking up on them like that.

"Tao," Twilight said, relieved to see a friendly face.

"Don't do to that to us! We barely escaped our lives from Po Kong." Phobos scowls to Tao in annoyance.

Tao gasped in pretend shock, "The Demon Lord of Mountain? Ai-yah! I'm glad that you're safe from being devoured like the Hydra."

"Tell me about it." Spike sighs as he fell to the ground, tired and exhausted.

"What are you doing here?" Ben asked, wondering what Tao is up to this time.

Tao smiles as he answers, "Why, I'm cooking the food for my lunch."

"Don't suppose yew mind about letting us in an' have lunch?" Tough asked the old pony hopefully and hungrily.

Tao smiled kindly as he replied, "Of course. I told you that I welcome to anyone who has both respect and manners."

"So what's on the menu?" Bocolix ask while licking his lips.

"The usual, especially mum-bean sandwich," Tao answers honestly.

"Boy, I'm a little hungry. So, don't mind if I start first without any of you?" Phobos asks hungrily.

Tao hits Phobos's head as he scowls, "Not until I set everything up. If the food is not set, then no one is allowed to eat. I told you that I welcome the guests as long they had manners and respects."

Phobos, grumpily, groans, "Sorry."

"Maybe we can help out. That way, we can get our lunch in time." Ben suggests, wanting to help out in making lunch for everyone.

Tao smiled, saying, "Thank you."

Twilight and her friends help Tao to set the food and plates up. They ate their snacks and told him about Kouga and running away from Po Kong.

"Oh my; the archaeologist pony you spoke of is alive?" Tao asked in surprise, though hiding the fact that he helped Kouga in the end.

Nyx sighs, "Yeah; Poor him. He wants to help save the End of Equestria and turn it back into the Valley of Peace."

"Yeah! It's all thanks to that no good Hsi Wu." Spike grumbles while biting into his sandwich.

"I'm truly sorry for him sincerely and deeply." Tao said in sincerely.

"Wish we could help him." Tough groaned a bit. Of course, Tao secretly smiled, knowing how he already took care of Kouga/Jones's problem.

"You did, didn't you? You freed him from Dai Gui. That is good enough." Tao explains gently to the group. "I'm sure he will be safe from harm.

"Better well is that we're safe from Po Kong for now." Ben said, hoping that the group has lost Po Kong for now.

"Don't know if she's coming or not. If she did, we'll continued 'ta run away fro' her." Tough suggests since the group got no way to fight Po Kong for now.

"Running away from your enemy will only create more complications. To avoid such catastrophe, you must defeat her, or she will succeed her mission." Tao explains seriously to Tough.

Twilight looked down while sighing before she said, "Tao's right. To defeat Po Kong, we need the Mystic Banishment Ingredient. So, we can keep Nyx and Ben safe from harm, no matter what the cost."

Ben notice Twilight's looks and tone. He said, "We'll find it later. But for now, we need a plan; A plan in beating Po Kong."

"Yup, you got it, Ben. But we're safe for now so, we should-!" The goofy Alicorn was about to continue but Bocolix got splashed. He glares at Dumbledore who is the one who open the drinks. He smiled uneasily, "Really?! Can't you be more careful of that?!"

"Sorry." Dumbledore said to his colleague sheepishly.

Bocolix rolled his eyes as he scowls, "Yeah, sorry for a pony to shout and lock the door from Castle Nowhere!"

"Hey, how am I supposed to know that my voice could attract unwanted attention?! At least, I didn't cut the Hydra's head as many times as you did!" Dumbledore snaps to Bocolix in frustration.

Bocolix snaps right back, "Well, at least I'm not drunk as you are!" The others watch as the two goofy Alicorns are arguing with each other like mad.

"At least I'm not the one who said to use the Totem Pole 13 against Po Kong!" Dumbledore growls at his pals, getting more upset.

"Want a bet, dummy?!" Bocolix snaps, getting in Dumbledore's face.

"Say that to my face!" Dumbledore exclaims furiously.

Bocolix and Dumbledore argued. Twilight and her family were in shock while Tao sighed and approach Bocolix and Dumbledore from behind. He hits their heads.

Bocolix and Dumbledore yelps in pain before they shouted in unison, "What was that for?!"

"You ponies are bickering like young colts! You are stallions now! So you should behave like some, not act like childish colts!" Tao scolds the two arguing ponies.

"Is arguing that necessary?" Twilight asked the two stallions in disbelief.

"I mean, yeah, there are some mistakes, but you didn't mean to do that. You just want to help." Ben said in agreement, wanting to show the two that no matter what,

"Daddy's right. You guys are good friends. It's just a small mistake." Nyx said in agreement with her parents.

Bocolix groaned, "You had no idea of how small that mistake can be when it comes to a dummy like him."

Dumbledore frowns as he snarls, "Wanna know why, pal?! Because of you, I've been holding back for too long!"

Phobos pauses as he comments, "I hear music coming in."

"If I didn't have you, I wouldn't be in this mess! And I can do whatever I want." Dumbledore argues with his friend once more. Soon he begins to sing a song.

In an imagination world, Dumbledore starts playing the drums, along with the band.

Dumbledore: I'd be rocking with the band!

Dumbledore flew around the area with the Wonderbolts.

Hanging with the Wonderbolts!
I'd be flying 'round this world in a minute

Dumbledore is dressed in king clothes and smile proudly in front of the crowds.

Dumbledore, they would sing
'Cause I would be the pony king

The scene shifted into another scene, Dumbledore threw a dart at a stuffed Bocolix on a dart wall. Dumbledore glare at Bocolix as he pushes his head against him to go back.

I would love this world without you in it!
If I didn't have you!

"If you didn't have me," Bocolix asked in outrage.

If I didn't have you!

"Well, how about if I didn't have you?!" Bocolix snapped before he got hit by one of Dumbledore's blasts. "Ouch!"

Dumbledore and Bocolix dance around before Bocolix takes over, and then Dumbledore took it over. Bocolix push him aside.

Both: Oh, what I could be if there was only me!
Oh, what I'd do if I didn't have you!

In the real world, Ben spoke in concern, "C'mon, guys, it's just a small mistake."

Twilight nods, adding, "Ben's right. Stop bickering and get your act together."

Back in the imagination world, Bocolix is dressed in a black suit while he held Dumbledore down onto the ground. Bocolix continue to step on Dumbledore as he continue to walk and dance on his back. Dumbledore shout in pain.

"Act; did somepony say act? I can act!" Bocolix bragged with a smile before he began singing his part.

Bocolix: If only I had my own parts

Bocolix smiled proudly while holding the skull on his hand, and is dressed like William Shakespeare. He then act any kinds of actors in front of an audience.

My career would be the arts
I'd be the star of Canterlot
You'd be the half that the whole world forgot!

The scene shifted. Bocolix glared at Dumbledore who is glaring right back. He then put his hoof over Dumbledore's shoulder tightly and closely to him.

If I didn't have you!

"I should be so lucky!" Dumbledore remarked dryly.

If I didn't have you!

"Oh, wait! You'd be dead!" Dumbledore shouted.

Bocolix and Dumbledore look annoyed while glaring at each other before they start dancing and chasing around like dog chased the cat, as well as starting to fight.

Both: Oh, what I could be if there was only me!
Oh, what I'd do if I didn't have you!
Oh, what I'd do if I didn't have you!

Bocolix is trapped in his prison while Dumbledore smirked. The former yells out, "Trapped! Aah! Trapped!"

Dumbledore said dryly, "Stuck here with you since our foalhood!"

"Oh, brother, it's hard to count." Bocolix remarks in annoyance.

Bocolix used his hoof and hit on Dumbledore's head. We now see the former, dressed in lawyer clothes while Dumbledore is dressed in prisoner clothes in a court room, both continue to glare at each other.

Dumbledore snaps angrily, "If you'd got me a good lawyer I would have split when we're foals, pal!"

"Now, listen here, pal! I didn't come here to be insulted!" Bocolix protests to Dumbledore.

Then, lightning struck at Dumbledore's head. The scene shifts into a blue background with Bocolix and Dumbledore continuing to glare.

"Oh? Well, where do you usually go?" Dumbledore challenged Bocolix in amusement.

Nyx, watching, said to the others, "I don't like where this is heading."

Spike nods in agreement, saying, "Tell me about it."

Bocolix transform into a giant Dragon and breath fire at Dumbledore who stood proudly while stepping on Bocolix's body.

Bocolix: I'd be a fire-breathing lizard!

Dumbledore: I'd be one high-flying wizard!

Bocolix grab Dumbledore and starts fighting in a puff of smoke. Bocolix dressed as the hunter with his gun on his hoof step on Dumbledore who looked beaten up.

Bocolix: You'd be nothing without me!
You'd be extinct! You'd cease to be!

Bocolix and Dumbledore glare at each other.

Dumbledore: I'm so tired of your nagging!

Bocolix: And I'm so tired of your bragging!

Dumbledore: Without me, you'd have no brain.

Bocolix and Dumbledore starts fighting by punching and kicking each other’s while having strange positions like Bocolix sitting on Dumbledore while drinking, the next is tying Bocolix with ropes while Dumbledore is dressed like a cowpony and so on.

Both: With which to think!

Dumbledore:I'd be rocking with the bands
(Bocolix: If only I had my own parts)

Dumbledore: Hanging with the Wonderbolts
I'd be flying 'round this world in a minute
(Bocolix: My career would be the arts)

Dumbledore: Dumbledore, they would sing
Cause I would be the pony king
(Bocolix: I'd be the star of Canterlot)

Both: I would love this world without you in it!
If I didn't have you!
If I didn't have you!

Bocolix holds Dumbledore tightly on the ground.

(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)

"How did you like that, dummy pony?" Bocolix taunted.

Both switch their positions. Dumbledore held Bocolix down tightly.

(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)

"Think again, moron horse!" Dumbledore snapped.

Both continue to fight each other in a puff of smoke. They then begin dancing around together. They then shifted into their Elvis Presley outfits.

Life could be so sweet if these were both my feet!
What I'd do if I didn't have you!
I got you, babe!
Oh, what I'd do if I didn't have you!

Well, oh, if I didn't,
Oh, if I didn't,
Have you!

"Thank you very much!" Dumbledore said with a grin.

"Thank you very much!" Bocolix repeated.

"Thank you!" Dumbledore grinned.

"Bocolix has left the building!" Bocolix bragged.

"You've never sung before, have you?" Dumbledore asked Bocolix.

Once the song is over, a frowning Tao grab both Dumbledore and Bocolix and hit their heads hard again. They are both knocked out. Everything returns to reality.

Phobos sighs in relief, "I thought they'd never shut up."

Twilight and her friends shook their heads. Those two need to get their act together.

Tao spoke, "Somehow, sooner or later, Bocolix and Dumbledore will realize that they need each other to overcome the problem."

Tough ask Tao, "When will that happen?"

"You'd never know." Tao said mysteriously as usual.

"Tao, I need to speak with you privately." Twilight said, glancing at Nyx and is getting scared and worried.

"I do not mind." Tao said as he motions himself and Twilight to head on out.

Ben spoke up, "I also need to talk with you, Twilight."

"Mommy; Daddy," Nyx ask, getting worried.

"We'll be right back. Just stay here, okay?" Ben asked while patting his daughter on the head gently, assuring Nyx that she and Twilight will be back soon.

"Whatever happens, call us, we'll be back." Twilight said with a nod.

"Okay." Nyx said with a sigh. Hopefully her parents won't be gone too long.

Twilight nuzzled Nyx then turns to Spike, asking, "Spike?"

"You've got it, ma'am." Spike said, knowing that Twilight would want him to keep an eye out on Nyx at all cost.

Tao guided Twilight and Ben to a deeper part of the forest to have a discussion while leaving Tough, Phobos, Spike and Nyx to look after Bocolix and Dumbledore. Unknown to them, behind Nyx and her friends, a mountain nearby suddenly had a woman's demonic face.

Po Kong smirked evilly as she comments, "They're so gonna be sorry for making fun of me."

--------------------

Tao, Twilight and Ben headed down through the forest and stops near a lake. Ben, concerned for his love's behavior, turns to her, asking, "Twilight, what's going on?"

Tao ask, "So what is it you wish to speak of, Twilight?"

Twilight sighs sadly as she explains, "It's about Nyx."

"What is wrong with her?" Tao ask, noticing the scared look on Twilight's face.

"It's nothing wrong. It's just that..... I'm worried." Twilight said, scared and worried at the same time.

"Twilight," Ben ask, noticing that Twilight is getting more frightened than usual.

"What are you afraid of?" Tao ask suspecting that there's more on the poor mother's mind.

"I'm afraid that I can't protect and save Nyx. The Demon Lords are tenacious in getting rid of me, and trying to get Nyx." Twilight said, shivering in fear and sadness. "It's like I'm the plague to her. From what Bai Tza and Po Kong said, Nyx was Tso Lan's creation. If I died, I don't know what will happen to her. I'm afraid that the Demon Lords will take advantage of Nyx's emotions. They'll make her become Nightmare Moon."

"Twilight; Nyx won't become Nightmare Moon, not as long as I lived." Ben said while hugging Twilight gently. "I won't let them kill you. The Demon Lords won't have their ways without a fight."

Twilight nods while saying, "I know, Ben. But what if it really happen, is there something that I could save Nyx from becoming Nightmare Moon? I know we known you for three days, Tao. But I felt that you might be the only one to help us. That's why I want to speak with you."

"I cannot promise that, Twilight." Tao said making Twilight sigh while looking down. "But I do know what you and Ben can do. Remind Nyx of what is important, as well as my advice. If she keeps recalling all the things that she had done for good and family, then Nyx may never become Nightmare Moon. But remember, Twilight, this is Nyx's choice to make, not yours."

"That's what I'm worry. What if she chose wrong? What if I won't see her again? What if Nyx forgets about the good times, her friends, her family, Ben and me?" Twilight ask as tears came out of her eyes.

"Twilight; you must have faith that Nyx will not become Nightmare Moon. Recall the past of what Nyx did from your valuable lessons. You will realize that Nyx can handle that by herself." Tao assures Twilight.

Twilight look worry but decided to do it as she looked through her memories. Twilight remembered one thing. Despite being Nightmare Moon, Nyx is still herself. She's risked her life to saved Twilight from death, freed Spell Nexus and the possessed cult from the 'blessing' and defends Ponyville from monsters. She also remembered that Nyx chose to take the responsibility of the mess that she made from Princesses Celestia and Luna.

Twilight smiled. She opens her eyes and turn to Tao, speaking, "You're right. I must have faith for her. She's willing to do the right thing since that very day she and I met. I can only hope that Nyx remembers what is important than just relying on hate and anger."

Ben nuzzles Twilight, saying, "Because love, family and friendship make her stronger and possible."

Tao nods in agreement, "Indeed."

------------

On Nyx and her friends' side, Bocolix and Dumbledore woke up from their knockouts.

Spike chuckles as he asks, "So how's your dream?"

Bocolix and Dumbledore groans, "Fine."

Phobos asked the two goofs, "Still arguing over the problem?"

Bocolix and Dumbledore glare at each other before they turn away and huff. Tough remarks, "Ah'd take no fer them."

Nyx sighed, "C'mon, guys. Can't you make up for the mistake you made of? I know there are some you had made, but you didn't mean to do it."

Dumbledore roll his eyes as he say, "Of course, I didn't mean it. But Bocolix came in and ruin everything!"

Bocolix snaps to Dumbledore angrily, "Said to somepony who doesn't use his head."

"Why, you," Dumbledore scowls as he got into his colleague's face again, making the others sigh. Not again!

Bocolix snaps in a challenge, "I dare you!"

Just before Bocolix and Dumbledore could start the fight, they heard and feel the ground shaken. Everyone in the camp was scared and worried.

Phobos asks in fright, "Is it an earthquake?"

"Or maybe -" Spike yelps as he recalls what happened the last time this happened.

Nyx screamed while pointing at her direction, "PO KONG!"

Everyone turn and scream in fear and worry as a giant hand's coming to them to grab the group.

---------

Tao, Twilight and Ben heard the screams. They gasp in worry and went back to the camp as fast as they can.

Tao calls out to the others, "We must make haste!"

"Po Kong is onto us." Ben said, knowing that it wasn't long before Po Kong would find the group again.

Twilight gasp in fright, "Everypony, hold on!"

Twilight, Tao and Ben ran as fast as they can to their campsites. The trio soon found that Nyx and others were missingl the land has a large hole like something grabbed them and a large footprint.

Tao in concern said, "We are too late."

"Nyx... Spike... Our friends..." Twilight said as she begins to sob. Her family and friends are taken just as the Alicorn has feared, "Noooooooooo!"

Ben pats Twilight on the shoulder saying, "Don't worry, Twilight, we'll get them back."

Tao nods as he said, "Then, there is no time to lose. We must haste."

---------------

Nyx yawn a bit as she wakes up somewhere, "Oh my head. That really hurts. What happen? I remember that Po Kong trying to grab me and the next I know is black."

As she got up, Nyx knock on something. She quickly shook her head in recovering and gasp. Nyx saw a glass in front of her and look around her surroundings to see where she herself is. She found out something shocking: She's in a jar.

"What's going on; why am I in a large jar?! What is this place?! Where am I?!" Nyx ask frantically while she looks around. The mare saw knives, plates, firewood, pots and more nearby. She realized something shocking. "I'm in the kitchen; How did I end up here; Where's Spike; Phobos; Tough; Dumbledore; Bocolix; Koga; Owlowiscious!"

"Nyx; is that you?!" Spike calls out. Nyx turn and saw all of her friends and pets are inside the jars: Tough, Spike, Phobos and their pets in one jar, Justin and Rabbitchu in the second jar while Bocolix and Dumbledore in another.

Phobos said in relief to Nyx, "Boy, glad to see you're alright."

"Well, at least Twilight an' Ben are safe wit' Tao." Tough said, knowing that Twilight, Ben and Tao are safe from Po Kong. "Don't know if they had noticed us missing."

"Where are we?!" Bocolix ask, looking around and freaking out.

Dumbledore answers his buddy in worry, "Don't know. I think it's a kitchen; But whose kitchen?"

Before Nyx could speak, she and her friends heard footsteps, very heavy and loud ones. Everyone turn and saw Po Kong approaching them.

"It's Po Kong!" Bocolix screams out like a girl of sorts.

"We're so in trouble!" Phobos yelps in worry. Po Kong is going to eat him and everyone else!

"This is not good!" Spike exclaims, getting worried and freaked out of course.

"Yer're gonna kill us?!" Tough ask Po Kong, fearing the worst.

"Oh yes, my little ponies; But first," The Demon begins to say. Po Kong turns to Nyx's jar. She smiles. Nyx gulp while shivering in fear, "Nightmare Moon."

Po Kong took and brings the jar towards her. Nyx shiver and scream in fear. Po Kong opened the jar. Her hand reaches and grabs Nyx tightly. The little filly try to get out of Demon's grip but to no prevail. Nyx gasp and so is everyone else. Po Kong put her in front of her as if she's about to eat the former villain. Before Nyx could do anything, Po Kong nuzzles her on her chin. Tough, Spike, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore and their pets were shocked and confused as their mouths were wide opened. What just happened here?

Nyx begins to say in confusion, "What the-"

Po Kong interrupts Nyx with a giggle, "Oh my favorite little niece, Nightmare Moon is back with me and my siblings. We are family together again!"

"Family; What are you-"

"Better let your Aunt Po Kong kiss you."

"What," Nyx screams in terror.

Po Kong put Nyx near her mouth. The filly panicked while trying to get out. Everyone gasp. Instead of eating Nyx, Po Kong licks on her face. They became shocked about this along with being disgusted.

Nyx cringes while groaning, "Eww! That is disgusting!"

Po Kong looks upset as she ask, "Disgusting?! I thought you like it! You'd always let Po Kong give you the best kiss. After all, Po Kong made very good aunt to you than Bai Tza."

Po Kong continues to lick Nyx. Spike groans in disgust, "I rather think Nyx have Rarity, the Mane Four and Princess Cadance as her aunts than that fat Demon."

Phobo nods while saying, "Agreed. She's so ugly."

"Something's off, partner. It's like 'dat Mountain Demon trying 'ta be nice 'ta Nyx. Why?" Tough ask in concern and suspicion. Why is Po Kong being nice to Nyx than all the other Demons before her?

"I don't know. If we don't do something, we're so gonna be Demon chow for good!" Bocolix suggest, knowing that Po Kong will be eating the rest soon enough.

"How're we gonna get out?!" Dumbledore asks frantically, trying to figure out how to get out of these jars.

"Hit 'de glass hard, partner! Charge," Tough ordered his pal. He and the gang charge and try to break the glass. But instead, they bounced back.

Po Kong smirks as she explains to the attempted escapees, "Its magic. Using muscles would bounce you back."

Spike feels his forehead while groaning, "That hurt."

Phobos groans in agreement, "Remind me not to do that again."

"Now what," Dumbledore ask in worry; Po Kong will eat the group soon enough unless they come up with an escape plan ASAP.

"I don't know. Why don't you come up with the idea, dummy," Bocolix ask Dumbledore angrily, getting into another intense argument with his former friend.

"How about you come with that since you talk a lot?!"

Bocolix and Dumbledore continue to glare while Tough, Spike and Phobos groan in annoyance. This could take a while. To make matters worse, Po Kong smile at Nyx while nuzzling her. The filly looks worried and freaked out by this enemy's behavior.

"Why are you being nice to me? I mean most of the Demon Lords want to capture me by brute force!" Nyx points out to Po Kong in worry.

Po Kong explains eagerly, "Why you're my favorite niece! Why wouldn't I be nice to you?"

"It's kinda weird for a Demon Lord of Mountain."

"I maybe Demon Lord, but it doesn't mean I'm all bad. Well, I do make ponies as slaves. Besides, we get out lunch together. Then, we go home where your real daddy is waiting."

"Real daddy," Nyx ask Po Kong as if saying 'what the hay are you talking about?'

"Who's her dad?! I mean she already has Ben as her dad!" Spike demands to Po Kong in annoyance. After all, why would Nyx go back to someone who isn't her daddy when she got Ben as one already?

"Adopted father, traitor; She is one of us, and never be with you from beginning. After all, Tso Lan is her creator." Po Kong points out to Spike roughly.

"Tso Lan is my real father?! No way! I won't believe it." Nyx protests angrily. She refuse to believe that monster is her father! The filly wanted Ben as her father, not some monster who wanted to kill Twilight and her friends!

"It's the truth, little pony. Just face it. Anything you need, I'll be nice."

"Okay, now we know you're nice. But wouldn't you mind letting me and my friends off?"

Po Kong gasp as if hearing something mean, "Leaving so soon?! We haven't gotten eaten lunch, especially your favorite meal."

"What meal be that?" Spike asks Po Kong, getting worried by the hungry look on Po Kong's face.

Dumbledore gulps a bit, "I'm not gonna like it."

Po Kong smirks as she gave her wicked answer, "Pork and pony chop! Those are mine as well." Po Kong laughs evilly. Nyx and her friends gulp about this.

"Meats; I eat meats?! Yuck! That's even worst, ridiculous and stupid than Tchang Zu's wine!" Nyx exclaims to Po Kong in disgust. The mare has never eaten meat and she refused to do so now!

"She's a pony!" Spike points out to the villainess with a frown.

Phobos nods as he adds in, "What makes you think she eats meat?!"

Po Kong smile and laugh, "My brethren were right. All of you are very amusing and funny. Have you forgotten that she was Nightmare Moon's first fail-safe, her reincarnation? She has Tso Lan's blood, and she has our rage, anger and hatred. Thus, she is one of us. She's a Demon."

Nyx look down at this while sighing. Tough however snaps to Po Kong furiously, " Leave 'de filly alone, monster."

"Back off, fatty! She's Nyx and a pony! She belongs to Twilight and Ben. They're her real family." Bocolix exclaims to Po Kong in defiance. While Boris may not like Nyx, at least Bocolix and Dumbledore knows better than to force Nyx back to the Demon Lords!

"Yeah; you're barking at the wrong tree! Wait she's a dog Demon, right?" Dumbledore ask in confusion, wanting to make sure what Po Kong really is.

"She's a troll, dummy!"

"Don't call me that! I know that, you moron!"

Bocolix angrily demands to Dumbledore, "Why do you always steal my ideas?!"

Dumbledore snaps to Bocolix right back as the others watch on, "Hey, you're the one who always steal my foods!" Soon the two got into a hoof fight, trying to knock one another down.

"Take that back, dummy!"

"Think again, moron!"

Po Kong groan then yells to shut the two goofy Alicorns up, "SILENCE! I'm an ogre; Stupid ponies. No matter, I'll set mine and Nightmare Moon a lunch. First, I set the fire and pots first. Then, I cook seven of you. After our lunch, I'll take Nyx back to her real daddy." Po Kong approaches the jar and put Nyx in it. She put it on the table near the female Demon. "Don't go anywhere, little Nighty. Auntie Po Kong is going to cook the best meat meal in the world."

Nyx gags while snapping, "And I'm not going to like it. Not one bit."

Po Kong set all the kitchen equipment. Spike in worry whispers, "Twilight, Ben, Tao. Where are you?"

----------

Somewhere in the forest, Twilight, Ben and Tao ran as fast as they can while looking around their surroundings, hoping to find any sign of Nyx, Spike and the others.

Twilight spoke up, " Nyx and others had to be somewhere here. I can't believe that we didn't notice her from the beginning."

Ben nods while saying, "We know that Po Kong is a very enormous and giant Demon Lord. But why didn't we notice her from the distance? How she avoided that?"

Tao answers the worried parents, "Po Kong maybe the gigantic Demon Lord but she has the special ability to blend in and void being detected. And that is shaping herself as one of mountain."

"Well, that explains why she's Demon Lord of the Mountain." Twilight said, explaining why Po Kong is known as the Demon Lord of the Mountain. "I hope we can get Nyx and others before who know what Po Kong will do to them, especially..." The mare begins to sob. "Especially..." The worried mother sob some more, fearing what will happen to her poor baby filly.

Ben pats Twilight on the back, saying gently, "Easy Twilight. We'll get her. I promise. We won't let her eat our friends and take Nyx to her Demon Lords."

"Yes, we will get your friends back. But for now, I need a break. You must go on without me." Tao said, motioning his friends to deal with Po Kong by themselves, much to their shock and alarm.

"But, Tao-"

"Ben, I appreciate your worries and thinking of my well-being. But if you do not rescue your daughter in time, Tso Lan, the Demon Lord of Moon, will make yours as his."

Ben looks startled by what Tao just say. He then ask, "Wait, what do you mean making mine as his?"

Twilight gulps as she begins to ask, fearing the worst, "Tao, you're not saying that-"

Tao look serious as he explains, "Tso Lan is the creator of the Nightmare Seeker with hatred, rage and anger, from what you spoke of. However, the creation cannot be created without the means of having life to move and think."

Ben and Twilight both gasps as they came up with the same answer, "His Blood!"

"Correct. Without it, his creation would not have existed in the first place while Princess Luna would not have become Nightmare Moon."

"So that means Tso Lan is Nyx's real father! No way," Ben exclaims angrily. He will not accept that Tso Lan is Nyx's real father, not by a long shot!

"It's hard to believe, I know, my boy. But that is the dark truth." Tao said to Ben with a sigh. He knows how hard it is to accept the truth but there it is.

"Even so, Tso Lan maybe Nyx's real dad. But a true father is not about based on the blood or flesh, but how much you care for Nyx. From what I can tell, these Demon Lords wouldn't care for Nyx so much, but their own empire and winning."

Twilight agrees, saying, "Ben's right. Nyx may have Tso Lan's blood, but she has mine as well. Nyx has her freewill. She chose light and freedom, not dark and slavery. I'm not going to let Nyx be Nightmare Moon again."

Tao smiles, proud of what the parents just say; He said, "Well spoken. True parents are not necessary based on child's blood and flesh, but how much love and care for the child as their own. Go now. You must save her. She must not be restored to her demonic form."

Ben nods. But as he and Twilight are preparing to head off, he turn and ask Tao, "Will you be okay, Tao?"

Tao smile, answering, "I'll be fine. Even if I disappear, I'm sure we'll meet again. But the life of your daughter must come first. Both of you are her true parents."

"Thank you. We'll come back to you as soon as possible." Twilight promise Tao, hoping to come back ASAP.

Twilight and Ben left Tao behind. They gallop as fast as they themselves can in hopes to save Nyx and the others in time. Jade appear from Tao's behind. She frowns while saying, "You could have help them to save Nyx and others."

Tao sighs as he speaks, "Jade......"

"I know. We're not allowed to interfere in mortal's affairs until they succeed in their mission. But still, your prediction said that you'll help them soon."

"That is true, Jade. My nemesis is waiting for me to appear and make my move. However, I must put Twilight, Ben and their families’ safety first before I engage the battle with Shendu, with my powers. At the end of their journey and mission, I shall reveal mine and every Mystic Ponies to them."

Jade nods, saying, "I understand. I hope you know what you're doing."

"Everything will be fine, Jade." Tao said, hoping that what he just said is in fact true.

------------------------------------

Back to Po Kong's home, the female Demon continue to cook her breakfast while Tough and others try to figure out on escaping the prison. Meanwhile, two certain nitwits kept on with their foolish argument.

"This is all your fault!" Dumbledore exclaims to Bocolix furiously, making the others sigh in irritation.

"How is this my fault?!" Bocolix demands to Dumbledore in frustration.

"If you hadn't argued with me, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

"You're the one who messed up my mane! I bet everything we do is always your mistake, dummy! That's how we got into a mess in the first place!"

Dumbledore glares at Bocolix as he snaps, "Take that back, moron!"

Bocolix snaps right back, "I won't!"

Dumbledore and Bocolix start fighting again in a puff of smoke. Tough, Spike and Phobos got annoyed by it. Twilight's assistant yells at the two in annoyance, "Will you knock it off?!"

The two stop fighting, looking at their pals as Phobos asks, "Don't you guys get it?! Your argument is the reason how we got caught! If you both hadn't started it, we would have gotten out together."

Tough nods as he said, "'De dragons are right! 'Dis is not 'de time 'ta fight each other. We gotta git Nyx away from'Po Kong!"

Bocolix and Dumbledore both look down in regret, saying, "Sorry." Their allies are right. They got captured because of the fact that Bocolix and Dumbledore were arguing too much.

Po Kong licks her lips a bit as she smells the taste of the soup. The female Demon said eagerly, "The food is ready." She turns to Nyx. "Okay, Nightmare Moon, it's time to-!" Po Kong gasps upon noticing something, "What the?!"

Po Kong saw Nyx lying down on the ground. Her eyes are closed as if she's sleeping. Po Kong quickly open the jar's cover. She poked on Nyx's stomach three times. The filly didn't respond. Po Kong gasps, and so as other Nyx's friends. She's dead!

Everyone except Po Kong gasps in horror, "Nyx!"

"By Demon's beard! I'm in trouble! If my oldest brother sees this, I'll be in big Demon trouble!" Po Kong exclaims frantically. Tso Lan is going to kill her when he finds out that Nyx is now dead!

Tso Lan is heard yelling, "PO KONG!" His transparent face appears from behind Po Kong's back. She yelps in worry and getting scared. Po Kong, panicking, quickly closes the jar. She turns and faces Tso Lan while putting the jar behind her back.

"Tso Lan! Nice to see you drop by!"

"Skip the formalities, Po Kong. I wish to know. Have you completed the mission? Have you retrieve Ben, or at least my daughter?"

Po Kong nervously answer, Well, I had managed to catch some ponies and traitorous Spike."

Tso Lan glares as he speaks, "I told you before Po Kong. I want Nightmare Moon back here. If you want to perform the Restoration Spell or not on Nightmare Moon, it's fine. But I want her back to the realm! So I suggest you do it now at once, instead of your stomach!"

While Po Kong and Tso Lan are talking, Nyx open her eyes and wink at her friends. Tough, Spike, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore, Koga and Owlowiscious gasp. The little filly was faking her death the whole time!

"She's not dead?!" Spike gasps in surprise yet relief.

Phobos said, "Correction: She's playing death; Why?!"

"Why would she do that?! She's giving us a heart attack." Bocolix remarks in relief though a bit annoyed by what Nyx just did.

"Is she trying to scare us or something?!" Dumbledore ask the others in bewilderment.

Nyx panic as she quickly goes back to her pretend 'death'. Tough frowns as he snaps at the others, "Idiots! Quiet! Yer're making things worst! Nyx's trying 'ta escape by faking her death at Po Kong!"

Everyone from the jar nod their heads. Tso Lan, hearing something, demands to Po Kong, "What is that noise?!"

"My.....uh.....lunch!" Po Kong said nervously, covering up Nyx's 'death'. "Boy, you know them, they're always like to panic when I'm hungry."

"I do not care for your stupid stomach, Po Kong! I want Nightmare Moon found alive! So get the job done!"

Po Kong nods her head. Tso Lan's head disappear. She then turned to Nyx's jar, looking worried and scared. Tso Lan is going to kill her when he finds out about his creation's death.

Po Kong groans like mad, "What am I gonna do?! What am I gonna do?!"

Po Kong thought for a moment. She gasps upon getting an idea. Everyone look at the scene carefully as Phobos ask, "You'd think Po Kong will let Nyx out to the outside?"

Spike said hopefully, "I hope so."

"Look! Something's about 'ta happen! Ah hope she's escape." Tough said as Po Kong open the jar. She took Nyx out by pulling her tail. The filly continued to pretending to be dead as Po Kong glance at her.

Po Kong sigh, "It's always good to that know you're alive. But it is pity to see you like this. Oh well, goodbye, my beloved Nightmare Moon."

Po Kong licks her mouth as she move her hand up high. Everyone saw what happens. Po Kong's mouth opens. Everyone was in shock. Spike scream, "Oh no! Nyx's gonna get eaten alive again!"

"That's definitely not what we had hoped for!" Phobos exclaims frantically. Not good, not good!

"She's gonna eat Nyx! Darn it! We've gotta do something!" Tough exclaims in alarm. The group got to get out of the jars in hope to save Nyx in time before it's too late!

Bocolix nods frantically as he said to his colleague in privacy, "If we don't get out of here soon, Twilight will be very upset! Who knows what she's gonna do next after Nyx?! She could kill herself."

Dumbledore frantically said, "Boris will definitely kill us! Not to mention Ben and that old Earth Pony! We've gotta do something!"

Everyone from the jar attack the glass as hard as they can, though it keeps them bouncing back. Bocolix and Dumbledore then launch magic at the glass. The glass breaks. They fire right at Po Kong's hand. The female Demon yelp in pain while letting go of her grasp; she turn to the jar. After hitting Po Kong's hand, their magic shot straight out of the window's glass.

-----------------

Outside, Twilight and Ben saw the glass breaking from a house as well as magic lights. Ben gasps, "Could that be -!"

"It has to be! Hang on, Nyx! We're on our way!" Twilight exclaims as she gallops towards the direction of where the commotion's coming from.

The voice from before said mysteriously, "Two must unite to defeat the Mountain."

Both Ben and Twilight heard the voice. The stallion asks his love, "Think that will help us?"

Twilight spoke, "We can think of that later, our friends and Nyx need us."

The couple follows the lights as they are heading to the house. Nyx and the others must hang in there!

----------

As Nyx continue falling down to the ground, everyone good gasps in fear, "NYX!!!"

Nyx woke up from her pretend death. She gasp and quickly fly up high. Po Kong gasps in alarm, distracting the female Demon enough to allow Bocolix and Dumbeldore to free Tough, Spike, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious from the glass jars.

Po Kong screams in anger to Nyx, "You deceived me! I treated you well! You dare lied to Aunt Po Kong?!"

"Even if you're nice, you're still a Demon!" Nyx scoffs to the fake aunt sternly. "Besides, even if you agree to what I want, you will kill them!" Nyx transform into her Battle Mode. "I won't accept you, Po Kong!"

Po Kong snarl, "Insolent brat! You will pay for your treachery, Nightmare Moon!"

"You're gonna had to beat me down first, Mountain Demon!"

"So be it!"

Po Kong took the pots, plates and any equipment and ate them one-by-one. Nyx was shocke to see this, and so as the others. Po Kong continue to eat, and her body starts growing bigger and bigger. Tough yelp, "What in tarnation?!"

Spike asks in alarm, "What's going on?!"

Phobos asks in disbelief, "Should she fighting us?" Po Kong appears to be eating than fighting!

Nyx gasps in realization, "Oh no! It's Po Kong's powers! The more she eats, the stronger and bigger she gets. So that's why she ate lots of them. We'll be in trouble if we don't stop her. Everypony attack her at once!"

Everyone, except Koga and Owlowiscious who sticks with Justin and Rabbitchu who are in their broken jar, charge at Po Kong who continues to eat the stuff. Tough use his gun and fire at Po Kong's shoulder, but she didn't feel pain. Spike and Phobos fire their Dragon and Moon Rage at her face. Po Kong yelp in pain but she did not stop but continue to eat the food as fast as she can.

Bocolix and Dumbledore fire their magic at every parts of Po Kong while flying around. Nyx attack at Po Kong's face, though she felt pain, Po Kong continue to eat the stuff and equipment.

Nyx calls out to the others, "Everyone, together!"

Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore fire their attacks on the front of Po Kong while Spike, Phobos and Tough attack from behind. Despite yelping and feeling pain, Po Kong continues to eat.

Spike groans in irritation, "Doesn't she ever stop eating?!"

"So how much food she can take," Phobos asks, a bit disturbed by how much Po Kong is eating.

Po Kong ate the chair lastly. She then burps loudly. Tough looks disturbed as he said, "Ah'd say now 'dat's enough fer 'dat Demon! An' we're in trouble!"

Po Kong roars at her enemies, "Prepare to be devoured!"

Po Kong charges at her enemies. She uses her fists and slam onto the ground hard, causing the others to dodge the attack. Tough was about to fire his gun, but instead Po Kong kick him up high. She continued to kick the stallion like playing soccer without touching the ground, just before the female Demon slap him to the kitchen's wall.

Spike and Phobos continue to run as fast as they can away from Po Kong. She walks towards them in 2 or 3 meters. The Demon is now in front of them. Spike and Phobos got panicked. Just before they could start running, Po Kong kicks them out to the wall. Spike and Phobos land on the ground hard.

Spike groans while rubbing his tail, "Ow! Ouch! She's worst!"

Phobos agrees while groaning, "No kidding! How on Dragon's name are we gonna beat that thing?!"

Po Kong roars angrily. Bocolix and Dumbledore blast their magic at her while flying up high. Po Kong jump and try to attack them with her palms. Booclix and Dumbledore dodge and avoid being hit by Po Kong. She became very frustrated and annoyed. The villainess took some rocks nearby and threw them at Bocolix and Dumbledore.

The two Alicorns dodge as fast as they can until big one hit them hard. They landed on the ground hard.

Po Kong snarls, "That get rid of nuisance. Now, it's your turn, Nightmare Moon!"

Nyx yells out to Po Kong angrily, "My name is Nyx! Wouldn't it kill you Demons to remember my name?!"

"Nightmare Moon is your real name. I'm going to punish you, you little brat!"

"Try me, Po Kong!"

Nyx charge and flew right at Po Kong. She was about to slam on Nyx but the mare blast her magic at Po Kong before flying up to the sky. Nyx repeat the same trick on Po Kong for a few times. Po Kong became very annoyed at it while she growl in anger. Nyx was about to launch the attack at Po Kong's back.

Po Kong turns around. Nyx gasp and quickly stopped until her enemy use her hand and grab the mare tightly. The female Demon smiles wickedly while saying, "Gotcha, my pretty." Nyx try to het free from Po Kong's grasps while groaning. The villainess brings Nyx close to her face. "Aunt Po Kong is going to spank you big time, you little brat! I'll teach you some manners! After that, I'll devour your friends for good!"

Nyx groans in defiance and determination, "I won't let you!" There's no way that this female Demon is going to get her, not a chance in Tartarus!

Po Kong chuckle sinisterly, "But what can you do? You're stuck in my hand now. You belong to us!"

Po Kong's hand got blasted, letting Nyx escaped. Both she and Nyx turn to the source of attacks. Twilight, her horn glowing, said sternly, "Correction, Po Kong; Nyx belongs to her real and good family!"

"So paws off our daughter!" Ben exclaims sternly to Po Kong.

Nyx smiled while exclaiming, "Mommy; Daddy!"

Po Kong snarls before chuckling, "Oh, good. I've been wondering when you're gonna show up!" Twilight and Ben armed themselves in the air. Nyx join her parents to fight off Po Kong.

"Mommy; Daddy; be careful! Po Kong will eat more food to not only stuff herself, but making her stronger."

"Then, we have to make our moves first! Sword Beam," Ben exclaims as he fires a blast from his Master Sword.

Twilight fires out a familiar attack, "Unicorn Burst!"

Ben and Twilight blast his sword and her magic at Po Kong's shoulders. The female Demon snarl angrily, "I'll rip you apart!"

Po Kong roars as she charge right at Twilight, Ben and Nyx. The trio flew far and far away from Po Kong while the Demon took rocks and dirt to throw at them with everything she had. Twilight, Ben and Nyx continue to dodge the attacks from her as fast as they can. They blast back at Po Kong.

Though the attacks affected her, Po Kong did not feel pain and only snarl as she keep on throwing the rocks at her enemies. As Po Kong continues to attack Twilight, Ben and Nyx, Tough, Spike, Phobos, Bocolix and Dumbledore recover from their injuries. They charge and attack Po Kong from behind.

Tough charge and grab Po Kong's hair as he try to pull her down with his strengths and temper. Po Kong yell in pain and anger, "Impossible!"

Tough smirks while saying, "One, fatty Demon: never mess wit' one angry pony like me! Try 'dis!"

Tough continue to pull her down with his strengths and temper. Po Kong was dragged down half way to her back. Spike and Phobos fire their Dragon and Moon Rage on Po Kong's face. She yell in anger as Po Kong pull herself out from her back with her might, causing Tough to hold onto Po Kong's hair tightly. Twilight, Ben and Nyx blast their attacks at Po Kong when she got up from her back.

Po Kong yells in anger as she grab Tough from her back hair. The female Demon threw him at Spike and Phobos hard. She then quickly grabs all three of them. Bocolix and Dumbledore charge at Po Kong from her left. She threw Tough, Spike and Phobos at Booclix and Dumbledore. The five of them got knocked down and fell to the ground. Po Kong then turn to Twilight, Ben and Nyx. Twilight flew right at Po Kong while calling out, "Nova Punch!"

Twilight use her hooves and punch right on Po Kong's face, knocking her down to the ground. Twilight turn and fire her magic at Po Kong when she's down. Ben and Nyx charge and blasted theirs as well. Po Kong yells in anger as she got up quickly. Twilight, Ben and Nyx turn and were about to fire at Po Kong. But she grab Twilight, Ben and Nyx tightly in her both grasps.

The trio tries to break free but got trapped. Po Kong smirks while looking at them. The female Demon spoke to herself, "Hmm...... It looks like I finally got my lunch. Which one should I do? Eat these ponies, or deliver Nightmare Moon to Tso Lan? Tough choice," Po Kong's stomach growl loudly. "I'll take food; Lunch time."

Nyx screams in alarm, "Nooooooo!" That Demon is going to eat her parents.

Ben, struggling, turns to Twilight, exclaiming, "Twilight! You think you can get us out?"

Twilight struggles as she answers, "I don't think so. I can't use my magic. They are ineffective against Po Kong. But my Nova Punch is the only ability to defeat her."

"No. This can't end like this!" Nyx exclaims in alarm.

Tough, Spike, Phobos, Bocolix and Dumbledore recover from the attack. They gasp as Spike exclaims, "Oh no! Twilight, Ben and Nyx are trapped!"

"We've gotta to do something!" Phobos exclaims in alarm. Something must be done, but what?

"Everyone charge!" Tough ordered. He, Spike and Phobos charges at Po Kong. Po Kong turns and kicks them into a jar. She quickly closes the jar tight.

Phobos slaps himself on the forehead in irritation, "I hate it when she does that!"

Spike said as he tries to break free again, "We've gotta do something."

Po Kong smirks as she turns to Twilight, Ben and Nyx. The daughter pleads to the female Demon, "Po Kong! Leave my parents alone! I'll do anything! Please spare them!"

Po Kong shakes her head as she answers, "Sorry, my tummy said it's lunch time. Say goodbye, Twilight and Ben."

Po Kong dip both Twilight and Ben on the salts while licking her mouth. They both cough as they two were being pulled up. Nyx gasp in worry. Dumbledore and Bocolix got panicked. This won't end well for not only Twilight and Ben, but them as well!

Dumbledore exclaims to Bocolix frantically, "We've gotta do something!"

Bocolix ask Dumbledore, "Like what?!"

"I don't know; something to do with a Mystic Banishment Ingredient, moron!"

"How are we gonna find it?!"

A drum hit on Bocolix's head, and then land on Dumbledore's hooves. He blinks while asking, "Is that a drum?"

Bocolix, rubbing his head, recognizes the drum and gasps, "Not just any drum, it's -!"

A familiar voice spoke up, "You two must be united. Bang the drum three times."

"Why should I?!" Dumbledore demands to the voice angrily. Why should he work with Bocolix after all the trouble he has caused?!

Bocolix agrees as he snaps, "After all, it's his fault!"

"I couldn't agree more since he start the mess in the mistake in the first place!"

"Even if I did, you're the one who repeats the mistakes as many as you did before!"

Dumbledore snaps to Bocolix angrily, "So not!"

"So too," Bocolix yells at Dumbledore right back.

The voice scowls, interrupting the arguing, "Stop bickering! Will you forgive yourselves if your friends are devoured? How will you repay the debt after what Twilight and her family did for you?"

Bocolix and Dumbledore turn. They became shocked and worried. The voice is right; the others help them so how will they forgive themselves for letting their friends get eaten like this? Po Kong held Twilight and Ben up high while her mouth open. Nyx sob in sadness. Tough, Spike and Phobos try to knock the glass out as hard as they can.

Nyx sob while pleading, "Po Kong; Please! Don't!"

Po Kong chuckles as she answers, "Sorry. I'm very hungry. Once I devour your adopted parents, you'll be the Nightmare Moon that we know of."

"Please! Don't!"

Twilight screams out while struggling, "You won't get away with this!"

"We'll beat you!" Ben exclaims while trying to escape but to no prevail.

Po Kong laugh, "I doubt of that. It's lunch time."

Bocolix and Dumbledore became worried and scared. The voice reminds them, "Remember: this is your heart desire, not Boris's order."

Bocolix pauses then spoke up, "Well, I did say I want to be actor so everypony can respect me."

Dumbledore say as he adds, "I want to be rock star. To be honest, being with Twilight and her family, kinda make me a better pony."

"Me too; I'm very sorry, Dumbledore."

"So sorry too."

The voice then asks the two gently, "So what is your choice?"

Bocolix and Dumbledore look at the drums before they said at the same time, "Helping our friends."

Bocolix turns to Po Kong then calls out to get her attention, "Hey freak!"

Po Kong turns and saw Bocolix and Dumbledore who held the drum. She gasps as Dumbledore demands, "Let go of our pals, or to the Realm of Demons is your last stop!"

Po Kong snarls furiously, "I'll rip you apart, ponies!"

Po Kong roars as she put Twilight, Ben and Nyx in another jar and tighten it. Po Kong charges at Bocolix and Dumbledore who glance and smirk.

"Ready?" Dumbledore ask Bocolix in determination.

Bocolix nods as he motions to the drum, saying, "Be my guest."

Dumbledore hits the first sound, followed by Bocolix hitting the second. As they were about to hit the third, Po Kong shook the ground. Bocolix and Dumbledore got shaken and fell to the ground. They turn and saw Po Kong in front of them. She glared at them while demanding, "Give me that drum!"

However the familiar voice calls out quickly, "Finish the last beat. Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

Bocolix smirks as he taunts Po Kong, "You want it?"

Dumbledore finishes up, "You can have it!"

Bocolix and Dumbledore threw the drum right at Po Kong's face. With the third sound beats, the drum glow in green and blast at Po Kong. She screams in pain. A large door appears from Po Kong's back. She gasp and try to hold tight onto the ground but the current dragged her to the door.

Po Kong screams out in fright, "Nooooooooo! I haven't eaten my lunch!"

The portal closed. Twilight and her friends cheered proudly and wildly. Bocolix and Dumbledore cheer while hugging together.

Bocolix exclaims to his pal, "You did it, Dumbly!"

Dumbledore smiles while saying, "We did it, Boco!"

Bocolix smile as he said, "C'mon, let's help our friends."

Bocolix and Dumbledore help Twilight and her friends out from the jar. Ben smiles to, unknown to him still, his rival's minions while saying, "Thanks for the save, guys."

"See, Bocolix and Dumbledore, Tao's right. You guys should stick together no matter what, even the smallest argument." Twilight said, reminding the two as to what Tao said. No matter what, Bocolix and Dumbledore needed one another.

Nyx nods as she transform back to her filly self, saying, "You guys rock. You're heroes."

Spike nods as he said, "You said it, Nyx."

Bocolix and Dumbledore blush embarrassedly while both say at the same time, "Shucks, it's nothing. We're glad to help."

"But no more music about arguing; I find it irritating." Phobos scolds, having enough of the argument song from before.

"Just glad 'ta see yew git together again." Tough remark, relieved that Bocolix and Dumbledore has patch up their differences.

Ben ponders something as he said, "I wonder if this has to do with the riddle."

Twilight smiles as she answers, "I think so. Two must be referring to Bocolix and Dumbledore while Mountain is Po Kong. They have to put their differences aside and helped us defeat Po Kong."

"Just glad that's everything is over."

Outside Po Kong's home, Tao and Jade overheard and saw everything. The filly smiles while saying, "Those two sure cause a lot of problems."

Tao nods as he adds, "True, but if it weren't for them, Twilight and Ben would have be lost in the belly of Po Kong."

"So, you'd think that plan of yours work? Ya know about Boris?"

"It takes time. But first, Bocolix and Dumbledore had to understand the true meaning of heroes and friendship. If that happened, they and Trixie will help us in the future."

Jade nods while adding, "I hope so."

Tao and Jade turn and walk off. The old pony spoke of something else, "One more thing. Is Dragon Kick having good time with Gwen?"

Jade smile as they puffed out of sight in the smoke that appears. That means yes.

-------------

Po Kong screams as she continue to fall from the top in the Realm of Demons. Tso Lan and his brethren notice her from below. They yelp in worry and fear as the Demons quickly escape except Hsi Wu and Xiao Fung who knocked their heads into each other. Po Kong slam onto them both.

Hsi Wu, struggling to escape, groans out, "Get off of us, Po Kong!"

"You're killing us!" Xiao Fung yells out frantically.

Po Kong got up slowly while rubbing her head. Hsi Wu and Xiao Fung are in flat shape. Po Kong turns and saw her angry siblings. She said sheepishly, "Sorry."

Tso Lan sighs in annoyance as he ask Po Kong, "Po Kong, what am I going to do with you?" Once again, another attempt to get his creation back...foiled!

Shendu reminds Tso Lan, "Remember, Tso Lan, it is not over yet."

"Indeed, it has not.

Author's Notes:

And another Demon beaten with more on the way; In the next chapter, Tso Lan send his pet the Loyal Beast Flying Leo to capture Nyx but after defeating it, the group arrives at a place called 'Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate' where they must reach the other side to get something. The heroes also must deal with a creature called the Shadow Ghoul. Can they beat him and escape? Read, review and suggest.

The fight with Kouga is nearly similar in reference with Mar Heaven's episode 55.

The cursed mask in control is a reference in near close inspired idea from Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask in being about similar.

Jones Venture is named after Indiana Jones.

The food falling from the skies and getting bigger was from an inspired idea from ‘Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs’, and from the sequel of the film.

The song that Bocolix and Dumbledore's singing is 'If I didn't had you' from 'Quest for Camelot'.

Chapter 10: Victims of the Labyrinth

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Chapter 10: Victims of the Labyrinth

Po Kong informed her brethren of her mission. And of course, as usual, the other Demon siblings weren't very pleased of the failure at all. And as usual, they are ticked off.

Dai Gui snaps to Po Kong in annoyance, "How could you think of your stomach during your mission?!"

Tchang Zu agrees while snapping, "You're hopeless!"

"Be nice to Nightmare Moon?!" Xiao Fung asks while rolling his eyes in disbelief. "That's the stupidest thing I ever heard of!"

"I thought a little something that Nightmare Moon likes would wake her up." Po Kong said sheepishly and innocently.

Hsi Wu groan, "Like that ever work before. Now we failed again! Six Demons stuck in this realm while two more are left to the portal!"

"To get Nightmare Moon back to us, Twilight Sparkle must be eliminated! She's the plague and cause to our weapon!" Bai Tza remarks. Twilight is still alive and is a big problem to them all.

"Yes, she must. For a few battles, she had survived them very much! It seems that Twilight is willing to protect Nightmare Moon from harm at any cost, even at her life." Shendu said, commentating as to how Twilight was able to survive so far. "But the losses of any of her family, especially Twilight Sparkle, could trigger her darkness to return to Nightmare Moon."

"That is true, Shendu. But we will use it as our last resort. There is another way to get my daughter back." Tso Lan said, knowing of another way to get Nyx about no matter what.

"What would that be?" Po Kong asks Tso Lan curiously.

"It is time for my pet to hunt and bring her back to us. He will not fail me, even at the cause of his injuries. If she did exactly as I expected, she would fall to the power of Darkness."

"Agreed to that, brother," Bai Tza said in agreement. Hopefully this plan will work this time.

"Indeed, Tso Lan. Let us hope that we must not fail this mission." Shendu said in hopes that Tso Lan's pet would succeed where other pets have failed.

Tso Lan open a portal to a black-shaped as lion. He spoke to it, "It is time, my loyal pet." The creature roar. "Good. Listen carefully."

-----------------------------------

As the scene now shows the gang still traveling through a barren wasteland area, looking losely, only Justin was seen being active and pulling the cart. The others were taking a little nap after their little work from their last little area in looking, passing and finding another ingredient as well as fighting Kouga and Po Kong. They were nearly exhausted to the bone, they were even pondering, are they even a third-quarter to reaching all of the End of Equestria? After that last adventure in freeing more ponies from night to day as well as the confrontations with Kouga and Po Kong really took much a toll. During this little moment, Nyx woke up to step up forward into the open where Tough Apple sat to hold the lines to command Justin the MechBull.

"Boy, today sure has made us tired. Yawwwnnnn….hope things can go…hugh?" While a tired Nyx yawned, she looked up to notice from above, there was a shadow of something flying through. "Hey everypony, I see something!" The filly issued to which it was starting to make a few ponies and Dragons in the cart wake from their naps.

"Wooough, what is it Nyx?" Spike yawned a bit from waking up in hearing Nyx's voice.

"Ugh, what at this hour," Phobos groans from not getting enough sleep to be awoken at this time of day.

"Take a look, there's something in the sky!" Nyx pointed in wanting the gang that could wake a bit to take a look at what she sees.

Soon the three along with the other pets came out to peek as much as they could to see….from the sun was some shadowy creature….with wings and some pair of feet.

"Is that a bird?" Nyx responded in thinking that was the type of creature to be seen flying.

"Maybe a Dragon," Phobos responded in thinking what they are seeing is a local Dragon in the area.

"But way out here in the End of Equestria," Spike responded in not getting why any Dragon, besides him and Phobos, would be in this terrible place.

"It could happen, we've seen ponies, why not something else?" Phobos shrug off to issue about finding more than just simple ponies in peril, maybe there might be a few strangling Dragons too.

"Wait, its features are coming up closer. It doesn't look like a Dragon, it looks like fur." Nyx spoke from focusing her gaze in seeing something from the shadowy feature that was conceal with the sun….from the wind breeze, something on the body moved in the pattern of fur then of feathers.

"A griffin; Hay wait, what if it's Gilda, Rainbow Dash's rival and an escaped crook," Spike yelped in fearing that if this was a griffin, but once more, was one of the missing Brotherhood Members that are still loose in Equestria.

"Crook; Where," Dumbledore quickly snapped out of his sleep in responding to the question.

"We are innocent!" Bocolix also responded while stating that he & Dumbledore were not crooks.

"He meant the thing in the air, jokers." Phobos rolled his eyes in seeing the Enforcers actually get a misunderstanding of their chatter, oh boy.

"It looks like, ah….ah…hugh!" Nyx was focusing very hard in trying to tell what sorta creature that was getting bigger and bigger as the filly noticed the shadow was large enough to…cover their entire area in the cart…

Then suddenly, quicker than a blur of some unknown flash that happened, the group was soon noticing that they were fine. Course, had there been much more closer attention, there would have been something amiss, but that was soon going to be taken as a notice now….

"Hugh? Wha happened? Was it de wind passing through me?" Tough Apple yelped himself awake in thinking some wind blew pass him, however….

"HEEEEEELP," Nyx's voice was heard shouting out from where it was…the sky.

And look and behold, the screen focuses on what was Nyx in the claws of white-gray fur of a giant lion, bigger than a usual one, black nose, pointed ears with tan-violet inner ear coloring, clear yellow eyes and has from its back…a pair of wings. While the wings were the same color as the fur at the front top, the feathers were light-violet, which was the same for the mane & the top edge fur hair from the tail, "Rooarrrrrurrrghhhh!" The mighty lion roared, as this was no ordinary lion from its large size, it was a Guardian, The Loyal Beast: Flying Leo.

"Hugh, Nyx!" Twilight peeked out from the cart along with Ben in seeing something happened right under their noises.

"Guys, what happened?" Ben asked off to those around in what even happened just now.

"Would you believe a lion with wings swooped down and snatched Nyx into the air?" Phobos spoke off in casually stating what happened without a second thought to what he was saying.

"WHAT!" Both parents shouted in horror in what happened to Nyx from out of the blue.

"I think they believe it." Spike pointed out in sensing from that tension, both Ben & Twilight are not so pleased.

"Tough! Make this thing go faster! My daughter's life is in peril!" Twilight issued with a snappy tone in wanting the tough stallion to pick up the speed to find & catch up to the filly-snatching creature.

"So should Ah avoid all safety reasons?" Tough asked off this little question about dropping all know-how's in driving safely and just be reckless in how to drive them.

"YESSSSSS," Twilight shouted out so loud that it almost broke someone's poor little ears, this mare was clearly not in any good mood.

"Okay, Yo Rabbichu, give Jus some juice!" Tough Apple responded in not arguing while wanting the little mechanical rabbit to give them a little juice of energy.

"Chhuuuuu," Soon Rabbitchu was laying its tentacles around the MechBull, fueling it with surges of energy.

"MWURARRRRRUGHHHH," Soon Justin felt energy coursing inside and soon dashed off with more lightning speed than usual.

"This might get rough!" Bocolix cringed from feeling their ride was getting a little more bumpy with each rock that they rolled over.

"For them or us," Dumbledore issue in sensing that if things aren't rough with the group, then it will be rough for them if they don't help Twilight out.

"Be careful my friends." A sudden voice came that all heard, and it was…a familiar female voice.

"That voice…Undine." Twilight spoke in surprise before looking at her necklace with the Guardian Rings with one of them lighting up a tiny bit; speaking by telepathically.

"The creature that took Nyx is following its orders from the Moon Demon. The Loyal Beast: Flying Leo is a Guardian with the incredible speed & movability of a hawk & the incredible strength of a lion." Undine's voice was giving words of caution that the gang is now facing another Guardian that has appeared with much skills to make it tricky to deal with a king of the jungle. "Whether in the air or on the ground, it's a fierce beast to tackle when it comes to combat. But when the creature serves the owner of it's ring, the Flying Leo will do any bidding without question or judgment to its own safety." The water nymph's voice issued that Flying Leo is going to be a tough opponent since it can fight on land & air so the gang's advantage is cut off a bit.

"No matter, for Nyx's sake, I'll pluck off that cat's feathers if he harms one paw on my daughter just so much for scratching her!" Twilight issued thus off to the Guardian from the ring that she doesn't care about her own risk, she'll get her daughter back and tear through anything that gets in her way; oh, scary.

Now this chase is gonna get really wild up now, as Justin was plowing through everything without much care while trying to catch up to what in the distance…was a giant flying lion creature carrying off a little pony in its paws.

Soon the scene changes to where the Flying Leo was now flying with its catch of the day in its tight paw-grip as Nyx was seen with half her lower self encase by this giant beast. No matter the little struggle that the filly tried, the Loyal Beast Guardian would not open & let its prey escape the mighty king of beast's grasp.

"Let me go! Why did you take me away from the others? What do you want?" Nyx issued out a lot of thing in why this thing came out of nowhere and pony-napped her.

"The question right now is, what are you doing now?" Spoke the voice belonging to a familiar Mood Demon within Nyx's head.

"This voice…you're that other voice that wanted me to surrender & be Nightmare Moon." Nyx froze up in recognizing who she was speaking to, the dark voice that Tao told her about.

"Correct, in case you have forgotten, I am Tso Lan, the Moon Demon. And I have sent my loyal pet to retrieve you and have him bring you…to us." Tso Lan's voice exclaimed forth in explaining the case while issuing of what deed is to be done.

Suddenly ahead of Nyx by what was 15 millimeters…a strange rift of red, black, dark green, bronze, and a whole lot of messy colors appeared like some wicked vortex to who knows where.

"You mean….you're trying to take me to where you Demon Lords are?" Nyx asked off in feeling a bit fearful within the lion's grasp in where it was taking her towards.

"Within the Demon Realm, correct. Here, you will be taught the property tutelage in becoming a true weapon." Tso Lan responded in explaining that he has plans to bring Nyx to where his demon brethren are and will show Nyx in becoming the weapon the Moon Demon wanted her to be.

"Thanks, but no thanks! I already said I wasn't gonna be a weapon!" Nyx snapped off in protesting this invite that she doesn't wanna go to.

"You appear to be delusional of your fate, Nightmare Moon. Just be patient young one and your true restoration shall be at hand in removing your weaken form." Tso Lan's voice exclaimed with a wise and calm tone in addressing that once Nyx is with the Demons, they shall mold her into the image she was supposed to be, Nightmare Moon, the evil weapon to bring Eternal Night all around.

"I already told you….I'm 'Not' going! And the Name's Nyx," Nyx snapped off in feeling really, really mad at ,this point and time now. "And one more thing…" As the filly was speaking, she was focusing her magic to glow around her body, which blinded Flying Leo before feeling the little filly…getting bigger. "I' am not so 'weak' to truly not defend MYSELF! HRUUUARGH," Nyx's voice was heard of a more mature adult tone as the scene shows that the little filly has transformed into her Battle Form before beginning her 'real' resistance.

At that moment, Nyx broke free from the Guardian's hold to suddenly zip out upwards to expand her flooded wings to soon fly, "GROOUUARRRRUGHHH!" Flying Leo roared to cease itself to turn away from the portal vortex in seeing the now transformed Nyx flying away from it after catching it by surprise by that stunt.

"Do not let her escape my servant. Fetch her!" Tso Lan's voice spoke strictly towards the flying lion creature in wanting it to go after the fleeing mare that was once a filly.

"ROARRUURRROGHHH," Flying Leo roared in pursuing after the Adult Nyx after hearing that order from its owner.

As Nyx's Battle Form was flying at a good distance, she looks back from hearing loud lion roars to see Flying Leo was vastly approaching her. She knew that she wanted to reunite with the others and plan to fight off this tough Guardian but it had a way bigger start and Twilight's group might not have enough time to catch up. So there was no other choice left for the big mare with the heart, mind & soul of a little filly, except…to fight back!

"Okay, relax Nyx, this'll just be like the time you fought off a herd of giant creatures from Everfree Forest that tried to attack Ponyville when you….accidentally placed Luna & Celestia in the Moon & Sun during the whole Cult event." Adult Nyx spoke in trying to keep herself in complete control of her situation. "I accepted my fate when Celestia spared me in her judgment in letting me start over small, as a filly, with all my powers gone to Luna. But now…" She looked to the foe after remembering her little state in life in what happened to her. "Now I'm fighting with my own strength & magic…the stuff I worked hard to acquire…to help protect the things I care for."

"ROOUUARRRRUGHHH!, Flying Leo soon came near the alicorn mare, swung it's sharp paw nails but hit….nothing. "Grrrrgurghaauaahghh…." The lion was growling when studying what it did yet didn't accomplished that puzzled it's mind.

"Night Illusion," Soon illusions of Nyx's Battle Form appeared like those that appear by magical illusion blurs to take form of the caster that surrounded the foe. "You shouldn't be surprise….while I may be related to Luna with the moon & stars, doesn't mean I haven't learn a few other extra 'tricks' to unleash on those I face." Adult Nyx responded out from one of the other copies in explaining that she's learn a few other 'tricks' than a simple Battle Form spell to make her bigger, stronger, and increase her magic power, she's got other techniques on hand to, or hoof, give or take.

"GROOARRRUGH…ROORUUARRRUGHH!" Flying Leo snarled and roared to attack the one that spoke, only to find it was a fake, and was soon attacking whichever of the moving illusions was Nyx.

Many of the Nyx illusions moved, behaved, and performed things like it was the real deal. But each time, the Loyal Beast missed to catch it's pray to be like it's playing 'cat & mouse' here.

"Powwfruvhmmm…." Even one attack that struck a mountain nearby from the lion's paw hitting an illusion of Nyx made a large crater in that side of rocky bedrock. Still, Flying Leo did not give in to just try to find and fly while fighting all of the illusions.

"He's very swift in speed, very nimble & quick in flight, and he has a monstrous strength to wrestle even another giant creature." Nyx's voice spoke from studying Flying Leo's movements while hiding in a higher cloud to find any sort of opening she could take. "There has to be a way to weaken it, right now, tiring it out seems my best option." The transformed Alicorn mare of Nyx's adult form exclaimed that she cooked up a plan to tire the foe out before delivering the final blow.

Sensing this struggle was useless, Flying Leo decided to rely on its other sense than its eyes, it used it's ears & it's nose.

"Drat! He's noticed me!" Adult Nyx cursed in seeing the flying lion has already found her too soon now.

"ROOOUUARRROGUHHH," Flying Leo soon swiftly pushed itself upwards with its wings to plan on catching its prey.

Adult Nyx quickly cast a strong barrier around her possession and like a cat-toy, Flying Leo rose up and hit the mare's barrier dome like a ball. That force sent Nyx far off before hitting a nearby cliff, her force field held, but then came another surprise. Flying Leo pounced on Nyx's barrier before whacking it across the wasteland. Then the beast flew in to pounce again but tried to break Nyx's barrier with its jaws, it was hard almost handling the shaking and almost being eaten…like from with the Hydra.

"Okay, should have realized protection spells shaped like a sphere in front of a cat, seriously a bad idea." Nyx responded in seeing this tactic was not working and needed to come up with something else, "Time for another trick. Night Dust," This determined mare issued in feeling the time to begin the next counterstrike was now.

Suddenly, Adult Nyx's body became dust around her barrier's walls before…the force field cancel out, letting Flying Leo chomp, but caught nothing except some dust blurring around its face, "GRUARROGUH-Roourrrrarrrugh!" Flying Leo growled and roared, whatever this stuff Nyx was was getting in its eyes to blind it and making its nose develop snuffiness to which, it can't smell now.

"Sorry, but in this form, you can't really harm me, but I can actually be a bit harmful to you," Nyx's adult voice spoke from near the lion's ear in earning attention in that direction.

"ROORUUARRGHH," Flying Leo roared in listening carefully to attack blindly in the general direction. "Powwffruvhmmm…." The beast thrown a punch that bashed against some rock, but did not actually get the target.

"Sorry, that was a miss." Battle Form Nyx's voice issued off a miss by the flying lion's attempt to get the not-so solid pony.

"GROOARRRUGHHH," Flying Leo roared again in figuring out where the voice came from this time to attack again, "Crumpowwfruvhmmm!" And struck a cliff that broke it in half to fall, but that was also not where the pony that was toying with it was.

"Let's see you escape this." Adult Nyx spoke from her dust form preparing something to end this fight.

Suddenly, now sparkling stars were getting all over the flying lion's body. And as the creature tried to swing, shake, and even fly off a different direction, it never saw Nyx's Battle Form remerge from her dust form above with her horn glowing, preparing for her next measure to end this.

"Night-Star Implosion," Adult Nyx announced forth in having her horn let off a bright flash 'zap' effect before...

"Boom-Boom-Boom-Boom, KUPOW-Kupow-Kupow, Kaboomfruvhmmm," Suddenly without warning, all over Flying Leo was a bombardment of tiny flash spheres that exploded like stars imploding from the night sky that completely overwhelm the entire sky-range where the giant creature was in. "ROOUUARRRUGHHHH!" Flying Leo roared during this infliction of attacks hurting it to the point it loses altitude to deceased in a spiral formation head first. "Crasshfruvhmmm…" The beast smashed against a cliff's edge while continuing to dive down in its current trajectory.

From afar with Twilight's group riding off at a fast speed, where last reaching where they saw Nyx get taken. And during the moment, they heard an explosion to look up in the skies to see something falling from the clouds….the Loyal Beast Guardian; Flying Leo. And where that creature is, Nyx is not far behind either.

"There it is! Step on it Tough!" Twilight issued off in seeing where her daughter might be and issued in wanting them to get there no matter what.

"Roger!" Tough responds in hearing this to command Justin the MechBull to really go the distance with more disregard to safety, even their own.

"Wait guys, that looks like a steep canyon, we should avoid…" Ben was looking ahead in noticing that they may wanna slow down causes the canyon that they're entering will be steep and going through there in an uneasy ride is…well crazy.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHH," The Enforcers screamed to hug themselves with Spike & Phobos following along, this will get ugly…really fast now.

Now the scene changes to focus on where Flying Leo was slowly falling downwards to the bottom crater. "KURCRASHFRUVHMM…" A large crashing sound was heard that completely covered our field of view when the giant beast came close to the ground, "Gruarrrorrurghhhh!" And then the wailing of a lion's cry was heard, a bunch of its feathers were scattered around from where it had itself crash landed, "REOOWWRUGH-Woorrooohhh!" Now the beast was making loud cat noises in tearing to force itself back up to continue, but sadly, it was barely able to move much less stand on it,s own four legs.

At the same time, Nyx in her Battle Form flew down to arrive where her defeated foe lie across from her. She had done it, she won all on her own without aid from her mother, father, or friends, she made her decision to act like a grown up would and managed to do just fine in the end.

"It's over. I've won now." Adult Nyx responded in signing in relief to see that she's managed to win this fight for her freedom against the beast that kidnapped her.

"Is that so my child?" Tso Lan's voice was heard from a distance, but was much more being spoken in the transformed Nyx's mind.

"Save it! I'm not your child; Twilight & Ben are my adoptive parents." Adult Nyx issued off with a more grown up tone to dish out than her little filly form ever did in hearing this Moon Demon talk to her like she's his child and not her own pony person.

"Even if you continue to deny yourself, what you've managed to perform shows the same high-expectations I've long knew you were capable of." Tso Lan's voice explained forth that Nyx has shown promise, as expected from the handy work by the Moon Demon that created Nightmare Moon's evil long ago. "But sadly, you won't be able to escape."

"Just watch me!" Adult Nyx issued off to turn away to ignore the voice saying that she can't get away, well, she's about to do so now.

"My pet won't let you." Tso Lan's voice breeched the air in stating a little fact, that his servant isn't through yet.

"REWOOWWWH-GROREOWWWWOOHHH," Soon Flying Leo broke from its lying state to leap forth to stop in front of Nyx's position. "Clupfrushvmm…." But at the same time, the Loyal Beast's legs felt damage in areas to which caused it to drop on its knees, "Rweeoo-Rooarrrughh!" Flying Leo roared off in its struggles to get itself back up in facing that which it fought to capture.

"Looks like your pet is too wounded to stop me," Adult Nyx spoke off to the dark voice in her head with sarcasm in seeing that this creature can't stop her in such a shape.

"Even so, Flying Leo is the Loyal Beast Guardian, and it knows 'not' to disappoint its master, even at the cost of its own injuries." Tso Lan's voice remarked the fact that the creature before Nyx will end its own life to capture the pony and be brought to the Demons.

"You really are a Demon." Adult Nyx dryly muffed out in just hearing this kinda talk about life was….really getting to her.

"The next act is yours Nightmare Moon. Try to flee and my servant will struggle to bind & catch you to be brought to me. Or…" Tso Lan responded in giving out options in which way Nyx shall act in this case. "You can finish this right now in destroying this creature, making your freedom, guaranteed." So it was either flee to fight a struggling beast or put the thing out of its misery.

"And what makes you think I wouldn't have done so when I had the chance?" Adult Nyx raised her eyebrow in questioning the dark voice's suggestions.

"Then what is stopping you? If you have the will to fight, then fight, lose that will and submit in defeat and you are ours again." Tso Lan spoke in puzzlement in what shall happen if Nyx chooses to kill or be taken, she only has one way or the other.

Nyx was thinking hard in trying to not be lost by Tso Lan's riddled filled words. It's true that she and her family have fought other Guardians, both good and evil, and the results were their defeats. But something about this situation didn't sit well with Nyx's position, almost like there was….another force….glowing around her to actually make the choice to finish the job. And even if the girl flees, this creature will end up finishing itself to catch the pony. But the longer Nyx looked at Flying Leo's hurt & stuck state; something suddenly snapped in her mind….it was like seeing an image of Nyx as her filly form. Seeing this image reminded Nyx that from her side was her Battle Form of an adult and before her was like an illusion of her lost filly self that her mother, Twilight Sparkle, found her in a bush trapped in thorns when the Cult made her incomplete. In an almost nutshell moment, Nyx was recalling how Twilight first saw her, afraid at first, and almost deciding to end the filly, but was showered with kindness to help a poor soul in peril despite believing she was the evilness of Nightmare Moon reincarnate. Soon reality brought Nyx to seeing that Flying Leo was in the same state that the adult Nyx once experienced; trapped, struggling to get out and against an unknown force that could bring harm to it. All this was rushing in Nyx's mind and the familiar pains & experiences were there, almost helping to guide this mare away from killing this Guardian.

Finally, the decision to act finally arrived where Nyx in her Battle Form roses her shut eyes in knowing coming to terms with….what she will do with her foe.

"I know what I'm going to do!" Adult Nyx issued off with a determined and conclusive statement in her tone in what she'll do now.

"Then do so, Nightmare Moon. Do so…" Tso Lan's voice addressed in sounding almost interested to see what Nyx will do while the mare just ignored being called Nightmare Moon again.

The Adult Nyx steps forth in coming ever closer to Flying Leo when it was growling in it's weaken state before roaring at the approaching pony.

"Sssshhh…it will be over soon." Adult Nyx spoke in preparing to end things here that will finish the suffering.

Suddenly during the moment, Nyx's horn began to glow with magical energy that began to spread around the Guardian Creature.

"Groroourrrrororughhh," Flying Leo let out a mighty roar against this act, as now what was about to become its fate was now brought forth by its prey becoming the predator.

However at this time, something became amiss when Nyx's act of magic was covering the Loyal Beast, what should be ending the foe was instead….healing the lion's injuries and wounds, even fixing what was once a broken wing from the crash.

"What are you doing? This is not a merciless act a weapon would be performing!" Tso Lan's voice issued off shock and surprised, the pony was not killing the Guardian, but helping it.

"No, not an act of a weapon, an act of a pony helping a hurt soul," Adult Nyx sternly told the dark voice that what she was doing was not being misled by a Demon to become what Tso Lan wanted her to be; an evil creature that shows no emotion in bringing harm to a helpless soul in peril. "Fluttershy showed me that when an animal is frightened & scared, it may act defensively against intruders….but show it caring and let them know you want to help." She remembered how Fluttershy helped Nyx as a filly, care for animals, and this was the way to help.

"Grugrugraa…reoowwwuvgh…" Flying Leo let off a little growl noise, but was feeling somewhat at ease.

"My servant; Obtain Nightmare Moon while she is distracted," Tso Lan's voice was heard within the air in issuing an order to the giant lion creature.

"Nrruarrorrrugh…." Flying Leo narrows it's head down in Nyx's magic, hearing it's orders from its owner, but….did not act upon it.

"What are you waiting for, heed the words of your loyal master and get the weapon." Tso Lan's voice spoke puzzled in sensing that Flying Leo was not proceeding it's orders, what was the Loyal Beast doing?

"Flying Leo, you should be free to make your own choices." Adult Nyx spoke in showing a smile of kindness to the Guardian being healed. "You maybe a Loyal Beast, but you should know…that when loyalty is to be seen, a loyal friend is something to be happy for. You should know about having a loyal friend being loyal to you than being loyal to one that shows no regard to what happens to yourself." The mare knows that being loyal is one thing, but wouldn't it be better to have the same loyalty shared between friends that can count on another to support each other?

"Roouuarrugghhhh," Suddenly, Flying Leo stood up on its hind-legs and wings spread as the magical healing process ended when giving a mighty beast roar. "Reoowwrrughh…Ruuuoovhhmmm…." Soon the Loyal Beast approached Nyx to lean its head before her and….cuddle against the mare's body like some overgrown kitten.

"Hehe, easy there big kitty, easy there; Good boy," Adult Nyx giggled from feeling the big mane from the lion tickle her a bit, looks like she earn this creature's loyalty…by showing loyalty in friendship.

"Unbelievable! You've managed to turn my Guardian servant against me! You and the others were never this kind to the others!" Tso Lan spoke in acts of being surprised while reminding Nyx that she and her group never were kind to the other creatures they fought.

"I treat those that want to be treated the same, those other creatures, Swarm, the Hydra, they acted on their own without much need of being controlled by you Demons." Nyx spoke with a stern tone in knowing that those that are evil will act as they are, but if there is a sense of good, then treating them like a friend is better.

"Grouurrrroguhhh," Flying Leo roared in agreement to the black mare's words.

"You may have escaped & foiled our plans for now, but you 'will' be ours, along with the stallion that bears the Triforce. You cannot escape your fate." Tso Lan's voice slowly issued this last stuff before his words began to fade and he was now done talking.

"I believe otherwise!" Nyx shouted out to the outer area to hear her echo in the canyon where she and Flying Leo heard the repeats. "Well, better find my family & friends." Adult Nyx sighed in seeing if this was over, time to reunite with the others.

"WAAAUUUAAAAA-AAAAAAAAHHHH…. Suddenly, there was a loud screaming noise that earned some attention that made a sudden…impact. "CRASHPOWWWFRUVHMMM…" Suddenly, a loud crashing sound made Adult Nyx & Flying Leo turn in spotting a crash site. "Uuuaagh-Aaaauughh…." Then from the smoke screen, was seen that the cart with the MechBull had crashed on the ground while in one piece, but the other living organic creatures like ponies and Dragons were moaning in pain.

"Look! There's Nyx & 'dat critter! CHAAAAARGE," Tough Apple issued out before grabbing his rifle and lead the first attack.

"Waaughhh," Soon Spike, Phobos and the Enforcrers were making battle cries while Twilight & Ben rushed out to fight the Guardian to get their daughter until…

"Wait!" Nyx came in-between the others and the now good Guardian. "It's okay, he's friendly now." She issued that Flying Leo is now a nice creature than of an evil servant.

"Friendly? You mean you tamed him?" Spike responded off in almost finding this hard to swallow.

"Reowwvuhmm…." Flying Leo was nuzzling Nyx in a playful nod that made her laugh playfully with a smile while the others….were pretty much speechless right there.

"Wooh, she actually managed to save herself out of danger." Dumbledore responded in seeing this act as something that the group never knew Nyx could do.

"And against a big kitty that could crush us like a mouse!" Bocolix issued off in how the Enforcers saw things differently if they were gonna fight the giant flying lion.

"Nyx, how'd you do it?" Twilight tried to ask this question, and was given the answer.

"I did what you did when you found me the first time mother; I helped guide him from following down the wrong path." Adult Nyx smiled proudly to pet Flying Leo's mane which was soon followed when the mare wanted the others to do it, which afterwards when they all tried, help make the Loyal Beast 'purr' like a cat in feeling good from the nice feeling.

"Well, Undine did say the Loyal Beast; Flying Leo, was naturally a good Guardian, just that he was stuck with a bad owner." Ben smiled in recalling what the Water Guardian told them about this Loyal Beast, it was not evil, just mislead.

"So….can we keep him?" Adult Nyx asked with wanting to know if they can keep this creature.

"Great, like I'm not in competition enough with an owl and a wolf cub, How am I gotta TOP a giant Lion with Wings?" Phobos remorse off in feeling like he'll have to complete against something like THIS, how's one Moon Dragon gonna do that?

"Nyx, I think we might have a hard time fitting something…like him…in our home." Twilight shook her head playfully in the thought of what Nyx asked was silly for them to picture getting this thing in their home.

"But that doesn't mean that he won't be with us." Ben smiled in stating, that like with the other Guardians from Mehitos, Egola & Undine, they will add a new one so that it's magical abilities will be used for good.

Nyx smiled while reverting to her small filly form before Flying Leo. "Okay big fella, you're free to decide if you like to come with us or not." Nyx gave this Guardian on if he wants to be loyal to them or decide not to, and the answer was….this!

"GROOUURRARRGHH," Flying Leo roared a mighty cry before vanishing in a bright glow of light. And then what should appear around Twilight's neck area, just attached to the necklace with the other Guardian Rings dangled what was a bracelet with cubic shapes around a chain to the one design of a lion's head from two wings off its side.

"Hugh, guess 'dat's a yes." Tough shook his head in seeing the Guardian decided to follow and be loyal to them, not too shabby there, right?

"So, shall we get out of here?" Nyx turn to the others in thinking it's time they get going now.

"We can't. The path is too much unstable for a MechBull to walk upwards while pulling us without the risk of falling." Ben shrug off in seeing they can't go back the way they came, the path is unstable and unsafe.

"I can't believe we fell down here when there was no safer way to come down here." Twilight sighed in feeling regretful now in what rash act they've taken.

"Hay, yew said avoids all safety measures, so Ah did," Tough protest in reminding Twilight that she told him to do everything to catch up to Nyx that was being abducted.

"So how do we get out?" Phobos asked off in what can they do in getting out of here.

"Hay, what's that other there!" Spike spoke in pointing at something far ahead of them.

Soon the group approach a towering canyon where heavy clouds covered the very top that even fliers can't go over to look below with such thickness. As the gang approach what was an opening, there was a strange sing outside the entry and in writing that was some instructions to any travelers that make it here. Twilight approached the sign before the others to learn what it was that they were about to face.

"The sign mark says…the Labyrinth of Fate's Illusion. 'All who enter, if what you hope to find, get through the maze and thy prize you shall claim.'" Twilight read the sign that explained some instructions of where the gang is and what this place is. "'But be warned, the Shadow Ghoul will try to fool you to take a different path of fate, and spend eternity lost in where your choice lay wait.'" That was the last thing the pony read out; looks like a place where one has to figure out how to escape a labyrinth.

"Boy, that doesn't sound too friendly of an invite!" Dumbledore exclaimed in not liking how that notice even sounded to them.

"Yah, let’s go back up instead, we'll fly or use magic." Bocolix stated in thinking that the group best leave here and continue on.

"Wait! Maybe this place can help us!" Twilight stopped the Enforcers from leaving in having second thoughts…maybe this place has an answer to what they are seeking.

"Hello, place of evil here! How's it gonna help us?" Phobos remotely issued if this pony was crazy, just the view said otherwise.

"One ingredient is said to be very hard to find because the trees that made them vanished & last anypony recalls were them being in the End of Equestria." Twilight spoke forth in what they need to find is very hard and very rare for them to even acquire on another scale measure of searching. "They were called Glow Leaves, a very rare leaf from the glow tree that produced much leaves that glow. Maybe what we'll find could be through here." Twilight felt that if they could find that type of ingredient, maybe such a rare object that can't be found elsewhere, was hidden in this place.

"Gee, if we've even managed to search everywhere and not find that one leaf, it's like a needle and a hay stack. That would make things really hard then." Spike spoke in thinking that if they managed to search all over the End of Equestria, would they truly find that one ingredient that might be extra hard to come across?

"It's a long shot. But…let's stick together, kay gang? Especially you Nyx, I rather not have my daughter swiped by another flying lion." Ben sighed in feeling that the group may have to brave the task and go into the maze and also wanted Nyx not to be unsupervised this time in making a tiny joke of her getting taken by another lion that flies.

"Hehe, I won't this time daddy, I'll stick close to everypony this time." Nyx giggled happily near her father in stating that she'll stick with her group no matter what.

"Alright ye'll, hope in, next place….through a spooky, creepy, an' possibly dangerous maze o' no return." Tough Apple called out to issue off, but then got weird looks from the group in how he announced that to them. "Eh, not as much sounding o' encouraging as it did in mah noggin. Dag gum!" The tough stallion shrug off to say before snapping his luck in messing up how he wanted to encourage the gang, not make it sound terrible, it was a slip of a tongue.

Then after everyone gather near Justin, the MechBull pulled their cart with all ponies & Dragons along with the pets inside to move forward. They slowly enter the strange towering opening that could not be seen from the foggy cloud ceiling. Looks like whatever they'll have to face, they'll have to get through this labyrinth maze and find what might possibly be a special rare ingredient they need. Questions are rising if the gang will get through this….or face unusual trails ahead.

------------

Tso Lan appear before his brethren. Shendu, though he doesn't really need an answer, spoke, "I take this mission is a failure."

Tso Lan nods as he answers, "Indeed. I have underestimated Nightmare Moon's ability and choice. It seems that she believed herself as a pony than a Demon and weapon."

Bai Tza hiss in fury, "Unacceptable. We need to separate her and others so we can obtain her. But first, where would they go?"

"Based on my observation, Twilight and her family are heading to the Labyrinth of Fate's Illusion."

Xiao Fung smirks as he comments, "If I recall correctly, brother, that's where Hsi Wu's devious and cunning servant work."

Dai Gui chuckle, "This might be our advantage to obtain Nightmare Moon." If the ponies and Dragons fail to make it out of the maze, Nightmare Moon will be the Demon Lords' once more.

Tchang Zu nods in agreement, "Indeed, Dai Gui."

"Oh. I love to see them to try to escape that." Po Kong remarks anxiously. "No ponies or even human escaped that labyrinth."

"Permission, big brother," Hsi Wu ask, wanting permission to begin the next task.

Tso Lan nods, saying, "Do it, Hsi Wu. Once they are separated, I would make my move. Even if she refused my offer again, I doubt that she can escape the sins of her past."

Bai Tza smirk while laughing, "Once a Demon, always a Demon."

"Yes, Nightmare Moon can never escape from her fate." Shendu said sinisterly, believing what the others say to be true.

Hsi Wu opens a portal to a black figure. He smirk evilly as the Demon spoke to the newcomer, "Shadow Ghoul. I have an important mission for you to do."

Shadow Ghoul smile, saying, "Cunning is my game, enemies fall to their deep fates."

Hsi Wu smirks as he continues, "Good enough. Now listen carefully."

--------------------

Upon arrival, Twilight and her friends spotted Tao in front of labyrinth. The Alicorn spoke up, "It's Tao."

Ben sighs in relief, "Thank my mother, he's okay. C'mon, let's check on him." Twilight and her family approach Tao to see if he's all right since they last saw the old pony during the conflict with Po Kong.

"Mr. Tao."

"Ah, Twilight, Ben," Tao said upon noticing Twilight's group. He glances at the others. "I see you have managed to save Nyx and others. Well done."

"Yeah. But glad to see that you're safe." Ben said to Tao with a smile, relieved to see the old pony is safe.

"Do not worry of me, my dear boy. I told you that we would meet again. And here we are."

"So what are you doing?" Spike asks, glancing at the latest meal in front of Tao while wondering what his friend is up to this time.

Tao look at his cookies as he answers, "Why having good cookies."

"Cool, I could have some snacks." The Moon Dragon said anxiously. Phobos ate a whole cookie. But Tao hits his head, causing the Moon Dragon to spit the cookie out. "What was that for?! I wasn't trying to be rude!"

"That is not the way of eating the cookies!"

"Isn't it supposed that we eat them like ate them whole?" Spike asks Tao, not sure why the old pony is upset for 'not eating the cookies' right'.

"No. These cookies are different. These are Land of Ma's famous dessert: fortune cookies." Tao explains clearly to the two Dragons.

"Fortune Cookies; Wow; I'd always want to know what kind of future the cookies hold." Twilight commented, squealing in delight.

"So fortune cookies are showing the futures of ours?" Nyx ask her mother in curiosity.

"Sometimes yes and no; But it depends of what kind of future lies in the cookies, whether it's good or bad. But I do know that we'd always be prepared for it."

Tao smile as he said, "Indeed. Perhaps, you wish to know your future through wisdom of cookies. One more thing: once you take the paper out, you can have the rest of cookies."

"Don't mind if we do." Ben said with a smile.

Everyone had fortune cookies of their own. They opened and read their fortune with Twilight reading hers first as she said, "'Wise, kind, noble and brave live as long as magic exists among friendship.' Through my experience in living in Ponyville and some adventures, I'd say that is very true."

Ben reads his own fortune, "'Once a sensitive pony turned into a true hero.' Well, I'm not exactly sure of that one."

Tao chuckles as he explains, "I told you, Ben, that you have so much potential; but used it wisely."

"Got it."

Spike begins to read his fortune, "'Be always generous and reliable to friends, love is always rewarded'. Well, I've always stick together with Twilight and everyone. I'm happy to be in service. That's good enough."

Phobos reads his fortune in a bored tone of voice, "'Do not be selfish, always be generous'. That sounds stupid."

Tao hits Phobos's head while scolding, "Never mock the cookies." This makes the Moon Dragon groan.

Tough reads his fortune cookie carefully, "'Control your temper, be always calm and patient'? What the hay is 'dat supposed to mean?!"

"'Once an enemy'," Bocolix reads his fortune cookie, gulping a bit.

Dumbledore then reads the fortune that is the second part of his pals', "'Had the chance to redeem the mistake they deem'. You'd think we're actually redeeming our mistakes?"

"Beats me; But as soon as this journey's over, I doubt we'll be friends again since you know who we once were."

Dumbledore nods. Spike glances to Nyx as he ask her, "Hey, Nyx, what's your fortune cookie?"

"'The Past and Darkness may haunt you, but the Light of Love, Friendship and Family will guide you home'. I don't know what it means." Nyx said puzzled a bit.

"It means, young Nyx, that you'd always have family and friends be with you no matter where and what, my dear." Tao explains gently to the young filly. "Darkness will not triumph over you."

Nyx smiled, saying, "Thanks, Mr. Tao."

"One more thing: do you intend to enter the labyrinth?"

Twilight nod as she explains, "Yes. The ingredient is inside. We intend to get it before leaving."

Tao nod while speaking in concern, "Then, I wish you luck. Nopony has ever escaped their fate."

"What do you mean?" Ben spoke up although he always knows.

"There is more to labyrinth than meets the eyes. For those who seek answers and freedom, it brings the terrible fate and questions of the one's existence."

"In other words, it sensed our fears, doubts, concerns and desires?" Twilight ask Tao, a little frightened.

Tao nods as he continues, "Indeed. Beware of it or you will never see the day of light ever again."

"I guess you're right. I hope we can escape from this place, Mr. -" Nyx stops as she saw that Tao's gone. Again, "He's gone again."

As like before again, the voice is heard, "Face your fate, remember the importance within you."

Twilight, Ben and Nyx ask at once, "Huh?"

"Face your fate, remember the importance within you."

"I've got the feeling that whatever inside, we had to be strong and firm to withstand our fates." Twilight explains to the others as she starts to suspect what the voice is telling her and the others now.

"Yeah; this is going to be tough." Ben said seriously, knowing that this labyrinth will not be easy for him and the others at all.

"Let's do our best and leave this place." Nyx said as she and the others finish their cookies and make their way into the labyrinth itself.

As Twilight and her family enter the labyrinth, Tao was watching from hiding. He smile while saying, "I have faith that Twilight and her family will overcome their deep and dark fates."

"You think?" A familiar filly spoke from nearby. Tao groan while glaring at Jade. "I know. I just want to see what kinds of fate that they're facing."

Tao sigh, "Just stay out of trouble, Jade as soon as they finish their journey." He and Jade continued to see the event. "One more thing: stop stalking at us, Starlight."

Jade gasps as the Equestrian Eliminator land on the ground. He glares as Tao while asking, "You're good at this, aren't you, old hermit? And who is the child?"

Tao smile as he explains, "I'm good at prediction and enemy's movement, of course. This child is none of your concern if you truly think harming an innocent will reward greatness."

The Equestrian Eliminator glare at Tao then asks, "So, she's close to you? You need not to worry, hermit. Although I'm the assassin, harming innocence such as the child is not one of my work."

"So, tell me what you learn of Twilight?"

"Twilight Sparkle is one who risked everything and even her life to protect the lives of her friends, family and even Nightmare Moon."

Jade snarl, "Her name is Nyx, Starlight!" The Equestrian Eliminator glares at Jade. "So you don't like somebody who call you by your old name! So don't call somebody's name by something else, pal!"

Tao scolds Jade sternly, "Manners, Jade."

"Yet, I still don't know why the name keeps bothering me, like it’s trying to reach me." The Equestrian Eliminator comments as he glares at Tao. "You know something about me, don't you?"

"Indeed, I do. But I will tell you, if you agree to leave Grimmore."

"I will not. Tell me, old pony, that labyrinth will reveal the desire and fate of the one who goes in, am I right?"

Tao smile as he answers, "Indeed. If you're hoping to find the answer of your true origin, then you may go in. But beware of what you want, and what choice you chose."

"Very well, hermit," The Equestrian Eliminator said. He pauses before speaking once more, "Why do you even care for me?"

"You already know the answer, Starlight. And of course, I know you were once a good pony with a good heart."

"I'll be honest that I can't be good. But I'll find my reason in there."

The Equestrian Eliminator threw the smoke bomb down. He disappear a the puff of smoke. After coughing a bit, Jade spoke to her granduncle, "You think that's a good idea of letting him off?"

"There is no choice; Come, let us see the event of Twilight and her friends." The old pony said as he open a portal for him and Jade to watch Twilight and her friends to see what they're doing.

-------------

As of right now, we return to what is now happening to the gang that had entered the Labyrinth of Fate's Illusion. They were going in with both caution and slow concerns in feeling that this place has some secrets to keep the gang from escaping. But Twilight once read about these mazes and learned that what humans always did was place their left hand to the left wall to follow the trail to eventually find an exit. So the gang will do the same, except, well, with different means.

"So far, everything seems pretty quiet around here." Dumbledore spoke off in seeing all seems quiet upon their entry.

"Yeah, but what about the whole 'too quiet' theme," Bocolix issued in fearing that maybe this was the calm before the storm of trouble.

"Brother, those clouds block out the view above that we can't even tell if it's night or day." Phobos remorse off in staring up in seeing no light, the walls of the labyrinth were too high up with much clouds blocking anyone to see things.

"Yeah, and these walls, I can't help but think they aren't even rocks but….mirrors." Spike spoke in noticing that the walls of the labyrinth seem almost…reflective, like crystal mineral or ice, almost like a mirror.

"Must be the temperature rupturing the molecular structure and the cloud mist seem to almost aid in making this maze make you think we're seeing an illusion of things." Nyx spoke off in making a strange theory exclamation to which, a few of the others didn't follow through at all.

"Um, sorry, Ah don't speak much brainiac tongue, ye gotta tone it down 'ta us folks dat ain't super-smart." Tough Apple responded to Nyx in stating that nobody except Twilight could follow that statement of smart-pony chatter.

"Nyx means that this place is made to almost fool us in thinking that there are illusions. At least, I hope that's all there is." Ben responded in understanding what his daughter was issuing, at least for the most part, the next part might be of a magical touch…if nothing else, from the Shadow Ghoul from within.

"Remember everypony, just stick close. As long as we have one grasp on the left side, we'll be fine." Twilight stated from leaning from her side in the cart to keep a left hoof to the wall side while their cart was being pulled so that they know that they themselves are following the path to not get lost.

"Question, what about the way back?" Phobos asked off this part of wonder in his mind.

"Why would we wanna go backwards if we can teleport?" Spike asked off in why the Moon Dragon would even ask such a question.

"Cause I think we just got lost! Look!" Phobos dryly remarked before wanting the gang to take notice of something.

Just like that, something was behind the gang in what was the left turn area that they came from….now long gone. Instead of it was replaced with a wall that meant no way to go through. But the group came from an opening, so how was it that it vanished and they are walking away from a wall, it made no sense, was this even real?

"Ugh, weren't 'dat 'de opening 'dat we just turn from, an' when did a wall appear behind it?" Tough spoke off in seeing there was something not right in where they came from, like it up and vanished on them.

"Something isn't right here. That can't be an illusion already." Twilight issued with a serious look, she was certain that the group can't be lost now, but how did this happen?

Nyx used her magic to throw a little pebble and soon…it made contact, dropped to make a sound; it's the real deal. "It sounds real." Nyx replied in stating that what she hit was not a fake illusion.

"Um, guys….why do the ground feel all shaky?" Bocolix asked off from suddenly feeling that the ground that the gang is on from the cart was….moving in an unsteady movement.

"And more importantly than that…why we're all shaky?" Dumbledore asked off with worry in noticing that the gang was more shaking than the ground was.

Just then, the most unexpected thing was happening from the ground and the walls and above, the quakes were not natural, and here's why. The walls were either expending or shrinking of turning in a different pattern, worst yet, the ground was popping and the walls were sinking while everything was just simply reshaping its appearance. The worst of it all was that during the process, the gang was stuck right as this stuff was happening on their watch.

"Wooh, what's happening to this place?" Spike yelped off in seeing something was happening in the maze, everything was going crazy now.

"The maze….it's shifting itself! Hold on-Aaaahhh," Ben was issuing what was happening and just as he was about to state a word of caution, the ground beneath them gave way that caught them by surprise.

"Waaaughh," During the shaking, a lot of the ground was blasting upwards of cube towers that knocked and pushed the gang's cart upwards that made them scream in surprise. The entire labyrinth was shifting and changing its entire outlet layer form to begin a hard trial for the ones coming in. And then if that wasn't enough, the screen shows that Justin the MechBull was wailing to steady its self while grabbing the lines were Rabbitchu, Koga and Owlowiscious helping to calm the big creature which when everything settled down, they all did. Once the ground was no longer shaky & the structure was done, the animals noticed that they were short a few passengers, the ponies and Dragons and lead up to a very important question: Where did the others go? And could the cart filled with pets & machines find their way out of this place and reunite with their missing friends?

"Heh-hehehehe-hahahahaha-Aaahhhhh; Welcome," A cackling voice issued off all over the labyrinth in which we soon see the camera zooming around before finding…the other missing travel members, "Said the spider to the flies. You are now within my web." During this wicked announcer's creepy intro, we find Ben somewhere by himself, Twilight & Spike in another area, and Nyx was stuck with Tough, Phobos and the Enforcers in another part of the maze. "You will face trails in which it's for those of you alone, in a pair or in a group. In either way, if you wish to leave my labyrinth, you must first face your fate's challenge. If you can….Keh-heheheh-Hahahahah," That cackling voice echoed all over when the others stood up to notice their surroundings and can tell that if they wanna get out of here…they have to play the games of the 'host' of the Labyrinth of Fate's Illusion; Great.

"Um, Twilight….you do have a plan to get us out of here, right?" Spike asked his smart pony friend if there is a way for them to get out of this mess and meet up with the others in this maze.

"At the moment, I'm more worried about the others' safety just as much as our own. Come on!" Twilight issued off about being concern about those the two got separated from as she begins to lead them down a chosen path in hopes to find the others.

"But-but….oh man, if this was one of Pinkie's surprises, its one thing! But this feeling of surprise just isn't a good one!" Spike groans in seeing that Twilight is rushing forth without hearing him out, just before chasing after the pony to hope they can escape this peril that the End of Equestria has unleashed that it'll take more brains then brawn to survive in.

"I better find Twilight, Nyx and the others. They gotta be here somewhere." Ben spoke from where he was in seeing that no one else but himself as he spots a path down to his right. "Hopefully, they'll make it out to the exit." After saying that, the Earth pony rushed off to find a way out while wanting to meet up with the others, wherever they are.

"Oh no, what do we do? What do we do?" Dumbledore grasp his cheeks in fearing the situation was bad, real bad, cause they were separated from Twilight.

"We have to fly up and find Twilight & anypony else." Bocolix issued that the Enforcers need to hurry up and find where the others are, if not, they'll face 'bigger' trouble back home.

"Hello! You two are more likely having your heads in the clouds without going up and actually doing that sorta deed." Phobos dryly remark in telling the Enforcers that they can try to go up, but they themselves won't be able to do much even if they flew up.

"Besides, ye never find them, 'dat stuff looks way too thick, it's like cutting through a mist like it was pea-soup!" Tough responded from seeing above in the clouds that with the maze's walls, seem almost going forever, it be hard to learn if they can find a path to escape from here.

"But…but…." The Enforcers were afraid that if they can't find where Twilight was or Ben & Spike, then the two failed and they'll face the consequences….if the two get out of here that is.

"Everypony, listen!" Nyx suddenly spoke off in stopping the adults with their loose control of thinking straight.

"Gegh-hum," Phobos coughed in reminding Nyx, that he's a Dragon.

"And Dragons," Nyx corrected herself in seeing that Phobos wanted that done, so she did. "Mommy said to stick to the plan, left hoof on the wall and follow it to the exit." She held her hoof up to the wall and instructed that they do just that to escape.

"But wha if 'de maze shifts again?" Tough questions if the maze tries to give the group another issue to separate and confuse them even more.

"It might have done that to split us up." Nyx stated that from a point, it's job was done and might not do that now. "Come on, as long as we stick together, we'll be okay." The little black filly stated with a smile to help brighten the group to not give up just yet.

Tough & Phobos shrug off in deciding to agree on Nyx's point, if this filly managed to take out a Guardian by herself, then they can trust her to help lead the way. The Enforcers were amazed by Nyx's calmness and willing to help them get through this difficulty state, Dumbledore & Bocolix almost feel like the times they saw Nyx as Dum Dum & Boxco, she's really showing some stuff from this journey. After setting aside many thoughts and doubts, did this group of five followed down one path in hopes…to finding a way out and reunite with the others in the maze.

Now all sides were gonna act on their own to get through the maze, three areas moving, and only a clear path to either freedom….or despair.

------------------

As Ben goes down a path somewhere in the labyrinth, a familiar face appears from out of nowhere. Tso Lan spoke, "Benjamin Mare, we meet at last."

"Who are you?" Ben ask suspiciously. This must be one of the Demon Lords but which one? So far there are two that he and the others haven't met yet!

"I am the one controls the moon. I am the one who is oldest of the Demon Lords. I am Nightmare Moon's creator and true father."

"Tso Lan!"

Tso Lan smirks as he begins to ask the son of Celestia, "Tell me, Ben, do you truly care for her as your daughter?"

"Of course, I do! She's part of a family." Ben insists sternly to the villain.

"Is that so? Is it because of the appearance of her cuteness or is it because of her loyalty?"

Ben snarl, "I don't know what you're trying to do. But I know one thing for sure. It's not about her appearance, but her heart. She's different from you, Tso Lan! She belongs to a good family."

Tso Lan asks in his own amusement, "Is that so, Ben?"

"Yes! You and I are maybe Nyx's dads. But there's a difference between us, Tso Lan. And that is how much I love and care for Nyx while you cared for your empire."

"I only desire one thing, Ben; The conquest of Equestria and full of loyalties of minions such as all those who served us, along with Nightmare Moon."

Ben snarl while snapping, "She's not a weapon! She's a living pony! I will not let you take her away from us."

Tso Lan remarks in amusement, "We shall see, Ben. Let us see how brave and strong you truly are in your test."

"I know one thing for sure. I will pass and protect Nyx from you!"

Tso Lan smirk just before his head disappear.

-----------------------------

Back in the Realm of the Demons, the Demons themselves were talking amongst each other.

"Let us see how you could escape this fate, Benjamin Mare." Shendu said in amusement.

Xiao Fung nods as he said, "Indeed. Let us see how good he's facing his Demonic self."

"He's going to be sorry for playing the flute. He will be defeated." Hsi Wu said while fuming in fury. Ben will rue the day that he even decided to use the flute to banish him in the first place. Vengeance will be his!

-------------

We soon focus on where Ben was traveling down one path he was going through within the maze, thinking about nothing but to find Twilight, Nyx, and the others. They all must be worried and there is no telling how much of them have been separated and are worried if they'll be easy pickings, well not on Ben Mare's watch. Course, that's assuming he'll find and watch them to pull off that action.

"Okay, so I've gone done this path." Ben spoke off to knowing of where he is station here. "And so far, all seems alright. Hope the others are getting through." The stallion spoke with worry for his love ones and friends, he has to get through this…for their sake.

"You should be more worried about yourself, my little stallion. Keh-heheheeh-Hahahahah," At that moment, the sick & twisted voice was heard again from within the room in speaking towards Ben Mare.

Ben reacted to this to turn in spotting something on the walls, something that was showing a magical warp of shadows beginning to form….something. It was firstly just the head without a body in this magical labyrinth, but the features were disturbing none the least bit; the head of some emerald color bug with weird choppers, four antennas and what looked like nine red eyes with four of each side and one in the center.

"So you're the Shadow Ghoul. Are you all eyes and nothing else?" Ben spoke off with making himself not afraid of what this freak looked like and registered him as the creature the gang was warned about since entering the maze.

"Oh believe me, having a physical form now when you're all so strong & healthy, and filled with hope….is not tenderizing for my appetite." Shadow Ghoul revealed responded with a strange hankering personality of a twist in liking to play with its meal…..before beginning the festival feasting.

"Okay, that's some sick and twisted sense you got there." Ben raised his eyebrows in just finding this type of enemy to be about as weird as psychopaths get to, at least at the time being here.

"Thank you…and now, time to face your trial, Young Mare. Kehihihihihh-hahahahaa-Haaaaahhh…" Shadow Ghoul responded in being amused to let off a creepy laughter within the dark that ticked Ben off along with how this guy was toying with him. "Choose your actions, for your fate within this labyrinth will lead you to freedom or in my clutches!" And with that, the creepy creep's face was vanishing like a blur stain that never appeared on the wall in mystery after giving a clue to Ben's task.

"Alright….I knows I never figured out the voice in my head that helped me out, but I think I prefer that over this guy. Still…" Ben was issuing how if he wanted to hear a voice, he rather it be a friendly one than of a creepy, insane, freaky nut-job he had the unpleasant moment of meeting. "What did he mean?" The station held his chin in thought about what the Shadow Ghoul spoke about his only way to escape the labyrinth or be trapped within it.

During the confusion, Ben was walking aimlessly down one part of the maze's route…..which began to display a weird fog mist around the area, hover, the stallion kept his hoof on the left side of the wall. But as he continued, the stallion suddenly heard something that was more surprising, more shocking, more undeniable in what he could honestly say wasn't prepared to face a trial of horrors within the End of Equestria, which was….the sounds of happy laughter from children! Yes, by the time Ben came to the area, he ended up spotting what was no doubt, some fillies running around, playing games, each acting different and the strangest thing was….they looked like the filly forms of the Mane Six.

"No way, those are…" Ben was protesting in seeing this, and was denying the possibility, this was…this was…his friends.

"Hey looky; A new playmate," A Young Pinkie Pie popped up around Ben by surprise that made him yelp a bit. "Did you come to play with us, hugh-hugh-hugh? Did ya? Did ya?" The little pink filly was bouncing and hopping around, just like Ben knew she does when she was older.

"Ugh…" Ben was a little unsure how to deal with talking to a younger filly of his friend.

"Settle down Pinkie! Sorry mister, she gits excited when she sees a face." Young Applejack came near the young Pinkie Pie to apologize for the rudeness.

"Yeah, I can tell." Ben held a bit of his chuckles in figuring this Applejack was being honest about such things.

"Um, can you tell us, who you are? If-if you don't mind." Young Fluttershy came up, but was feeling very shy in wanting to know who Ben was since they don't know him yet.

"Well it's…um….Benjamin!" Ben was thinking fast in what to do about stating his real name, so instead, he goes with his first full name than just Ben, in case of anything off should happen.

"Hugh, not a bad name there big guy," Young Rainbow Dash flew up near the big stallion adult in checking him out.

"Yes, and you certainly seem like a role model, and that Cutie Mark, why….it's simply marvelous!" Young Rarity spoke in coming up to see Ben and just loved his appearance and even his mark on his flank was something amazing.

"Thanks….I think." Ben responded off a bit in seeing how these other two were also like his friends.

"It's very nice to meet you Mr. Benjamin. So, why are you here?" Young Twilight came up to join her small bnad of friends while pondering of Ben's sudden appearance to them, which the later was almost lost in seeing…he's speaking to the pony that he himself loves, but much younger from his childhood.

"I was trying to find my way out, um…I don't suppose you can tell me." Ben spoke a bit in trying to stay focus overseeing the filly that he fell in love with before issuing about trying to get around this place.

"Sure, don't know why we're in a place, playing around like all is well either. Maybe it has something magical involved! Oh, maybe it has something to do with you! Oh-oh, or maybe…hmph-hmmm…" Young Pinkie was starting to speak off a few other random things about the girls’ situation until Applejack covered her friend's mouth to stop the non-stop chatter.

"Buddy, just follow 'dat there light over yonder," Young Applejack pointed from where ahead of their area, there was a little light coming from the little mist spot.

"Yeah, it'll help lead you out of here, lickity-slip!" Young Rainbow flew up in making a statement that the stallion can't miss that area and it'll lead him out.

"Are you sure?" Ben raised his eyes in almost finding that, since he's in a maze, and in the End of Equestria, this sounds too easy.

"Oh, well, if you're not sure, then…you don't have to listen to us. After all…you must know what's best than from a few fillies." Young Fluttershy spoke in feeling like they were not being helpful to Ben, since he's a grown up and they're just silly kids.

"Now wait, I never said that!" Ben responded in feeling that he never actually was saying such things, the last thing he would do is hurt a sweet filly's heart.

"We know, Fluttershy here just feels that we're not helpful in guiding a stranger lost is all." Young Rarity spoke in assuring Ben that Fluttershy was just concerned if they were truly being of any help at all.

"Well, could you feel better if I was…a friend?" Ben spoke with a smile in thinking, the best way for them to get along well, is if they could be friends and not strangers.

"That would help and I wouldn't mind being a friend to you Mr. Benjamin." Young Twilight spoke with smiling at the older Ben Mare, stating that she's happy to be his friend.

"Thank you." Ben smiled much from the outside and inside, hearing Twilight say she be his friend from long ago when he was a colt. "Well, I better head off, enjoy yourselves, okay." Ben spoke from standing up and beginning to walk pass the little fillies group.

"Okay." The Mane Six or five of them responded in staring at Ben's leave. "Bye-bye!" Young Pinkie Pie finally got her mouth free to speak off in saying bye-bye to their new adult friend.

As Ben was further from the fillies, he stop to look at them young lookalikes of Twilight's group play like there was nothing going on. It was still amazing to see Twilight, playing with her five friends as fillies, almost like in a different life; they met earlier to become friends.

"This is weird, like Pinkie Pie weird." Ben responded in not helping, but smile in seeing his love one and friends having fun without any worries, but was still puzzled. "How am I seeing younger forms of my friends?" The stallion did not figure out why such an event was occurring around him at all, until….

"Isn't it obvious?" Shadow Ghoul's voice spoke before his floating insect head appeared near the stallion.

"Oh, what do you want?" Ben frowned to look in seeing this strange foe from within the labyrinth, what does this guy want now?

"Just popping in and enjoying the show! Kehihihihih-hahahahahaaaah…." Shadow Ghoul responded in letting off a cackle in liking what he was seeing so far, much to Ben's own confusion.

"Well if you're trying to get my guard down, forget it. Showing me my friends as little fillies isn't gonna make me lower my senses for you to use them in attacking me." Ben declared off in figuring that whatever this creature of the labyrinth is up to, he's not gonna drop his guard.

"Oh, ye of little imagination," Shadow Ghoul responded in sounding almost in pretend shock in hearing this. "I have only showed the illusions from your heart, young Benjamin." The creature from the shadows spoke in explaining what he was truly doing at this time.

"My heart," Ben responded off lost and confused, what did that even mean that his heart is what made the illusions?

"Yes, the heart that knows your friends from spending so much time with them, and even if you never met them long before, their personalities are the same." Shadow Ghoul explained the matter that for Ben Mare, his heart is so connected to those that are his friends that even their previous selves as fillies would act and behave like their adult forms would be.

"Hugh, guess that explains it. No way could you make a possible Pinkie Pie personality when you never met her." Ben thought this over and had to agree, not even from seeing Pinkie Pie here, could Shadow Ghoul manage to make an evil fake that's THAT perfectly like Pinkie Pie.

"There's that, but there's more to be expected." Shadow Ghoul shrug off that topic before focusing on another part here. "For unless you figure out your fate here, you'll spend eternity on the wrong path you've chosen." The creature instructed Ben that if he can't overcome this trial of fate's illusion, he'll never escape.

"Gee, spending forever with my friends as fillies that like to play, that doesn't sound too much of an evil degree for a villain." Ben made a sly remark with a smirk in issuing, this wicked insect can't be serious; this was nowhere near vile villain’s level of torture.

"Who said there wasn't any suffering to be involved? Take a look over this way!" Shadow Ghoul issued off that Ben was mistaken, there was more then what was being seen.

Suddenly, much of the mist was clearing a spot, only to find another pony figure on a lonesome bench. And when Ben saw the pony, it was a little colt, but this was not any colt, it was….

"That's…me! Before I was…" Ben gasped in seeing the familiar features, that's his younger self, before his disappearance.

"Yes, before you left for so many years as a Demon Pony." Shadow Ghoul responded with a sneaky sly tone in making this statement. "But surely you must know that what your heart remembers is what you 'were'….the shy colt that never could fit in with others, and feels alone in the world! Keh-hihihi-hahahah…" The vile creature of the labyrinth was making a sinister cackle in finding this teasing to be truly enjoyable.

"You're pushing it buster." Ben narrows his angry eyes at the headless ghoul from that tone. "What does this have to do with me now?" The stallion wants answers, what does seeing his past self has to do with now?

"Why not find out for yourself, unless you figure it out…your fate is sealed." When that was spoken, Shadow Ghoul vanished from the spoke after giving Ben a hard riddle to solve.

Ben was really starting to dislike the creep popping and going as he pleases. But now wasn't the time for that, Ben had to solve the riddle to get out of the labyrinth and meet up with his friends. And to do that, the mystery, the key, lies with his younger self.

"Hay there buddy; what's wrong? What's your name?" Ben approached his younger self to sit down and to chat.

"Sniff…I'm…Ben Mare…and I'm…by myself. No pony wants to play with me." Young Ben spoke from feeling a bit sadden in being all alone with no pony to be with him.

"Why would you think that?" Ben asked off in puzzlement by such a claim.

"Cause I'm…well….I just can't do it." Young Ben was about to say, but just issued off that he couldn't play with other ponies.

"Can't or won't? Cause those two is a big difference." Ben raised his eyebrows in suspicion about what his younger self was protesting. "Why don't you wanna join those fillies over there? They seem nice." Ben had his younger self look to where the Mane Six Fillies were playing a game of tag.

"But, they're scary." Young Ben spoke from looking away in fear that the fillies playing…were scary.

"Scary? Them; you're kidding me, right?" Ben asked off skeptical with an expression that said 'you're pulling my leg' sign, why would his younger self even say such things?

"No, it's true. Like that….orange filly that looks tough and that she took rope to tie up that pink one that always pops out of nowhere to scare ponies." Young Ben spoke in seeing what the younger forms of Applejack & Pinkie Pie were doing, thinking that they were scary ponies.

"What, Applejack and Pinkie Pie?" Ben asked off in seeing what made his young self feels nervous. "Listen, Applejack maybe strong, yes, but she's an honest pony to her friends and wanting to help. And Pinkie Pie, yeah, she surprises ponies, but not to scare them, it's only cause she wants to have fun with everypony, even throw a party with all of them laughing to have a good time." The older stallion explained about the good sides to the ponies his younger self never knew about.

"But what about that blue Pegasus that seems so quick, she could spin circles around me? Or what about that quiet yellow Pegasus, what if she's just playing and could be real mean?" Young Ben asked off in seeing the younger forms of what Rainbow Dash & Fluttershy are doing and finds them suspicious.

"You're kidding on those parts, right?" Ben asked off in a rhetorical sense in finding this hard to come from his younger self's mouth. "Rainbow Dash maybe a cool show off, but the part of her that counts is being loyal, that's a friend who won't let you down. And Fluttershy is shy, but she's also very kind to others, and is a gentle pony, you just have to look pass her fragile self to see she can be brave for you." Ben was once again, explaining the parts of those flying ponies for his young self to not feel worried about.

"Well…what about the two unicorns, the white one that keeps making the others wear strange things and the other one…." Young Ben stopped from seeing the young Rarity to be a bit bashful in seeing Twilight. "Well, she seems more into books than wanting to know me." The young colt felt that maybe the filly that was into books wouldn't even notice him.

"Trust me; they'll get to like you." Ben made a playful expression to pat his young self's shoulder to ease up over his problems. "Rarity loves jewels and fashions to help her friends by being so generous. And Twilight…" Ben stopped from seeing the filly form of Twilight and spoke with memorable parts of what he knew of her in the past. "Twilight Sparkle is a pony that loves to study things and learn lots of things, and deep down…she's a pony that really feels better when having those she can call friends that give her a strong magical feeling inside." Hearing much of this made even the younger form of Ben Mare look to his unknowing older self, sounding very sure on all those claims.

"Gee, they all sound so different from what I thought." Young Ben spoke in second guessing himself on what he once believed.

"I know it's scary to try to fit in, but everypony is different, and if you get the chance to know them, you can show them what's the real you is," Ben spoke in encouraging his younger self to make himself be known and not always be afraid to show his stuff.

"Well…" Young Ben was starting to feel some courage built up inside of him, until….

"Aaaahhhhh," Suddenly, a bunch of filly screams were heard that made Ben & his young self turns to see…trouble. The Mane Six were cornered in being approached by a large pony of a different texture matching……a Demon Pony!

"The Demon Pony; How's…." Ben responded off to stand up from the bench in seeing another blast from his past, but how?

"Kehi-hahahahahhaha…surprise," A wicked cackle spoke to appear and hover around Ben's left side.

"You again; are you really this annoying?" Ben narrows his upset eyes at this creature in beginning to really dislike the guy.

"More annoying than that Moon Dragon or that rogue farmer or maybe those lung-headed male Alicorns? In any case, it matters little." Shadow Ghoul remotely issued the claim around before deciding to return on the subject. "The question remains, what will you do when you see your greatest fear as an obstacle to your fate?" The ghoul spoke another riddle that Ben had to solve or risk never getting out of here at all.

"So you're making me now stand up to my own fear?" Ben asked off in getting what this creep wants from him to stop his past Demon Pony self from hurting his friends in the past.

"In a way, 'yes', and I'm 'so' looking forward to how you'll escape your fate….if you can. GWEHAH_hahahahaaahaaahhhh," Shadow Ghoul lifted his eyes in responding to that question very shrew before disappearing to cackle in leaving Ben more questions than answers in how to get by this area.

Ben got serious in seeing the Demon Pony was cornering the six little fillies, he has to act and save them from the monster that he was. The stallion now had things that could make him capable of taking down the beast, his Triforce, the Master Sword; it would be cake walk to him now. Ben Mare was stronger, he was more courageous, Ben Mare was now a pony that can make the difference. But then he noticed something near him, Ben's young colt self was shaking like a leaf….being afraid & nervous about such actions since that was what the older stallion was long ago instead of what he is today.

"Hay, don't be afraid. It'll be okay." Ben tried to calm his younger self to not feel scared by this.

"N…no it won't; Look at that thing! It's too scary! I'm afraid…" Young Ben protest in feeling that he can't do anything to stop something like that, he just can't.

The older Ben felt like he didn't have time for this, he saw the Demon Pony approaching the fillies of Twilight's group of the past. However, before the stallion, Ben, could go in there to stop this act, something entered his mind…

'Wait! This is all an illusion, right?' Ben spoke in his thoughts in just recalling this trial within the labyrinth. 'And to escape from the labyrinth, I have to face an illusion of my fate to escape! 'Both are my childhood self being shy and the other was being the Demon Pony.' Ben remembered these parts of his past; they were the things he never could overcome much of. 'What if the two are connected? What if…I'm not supposed to fight off my greatest fear, but help overcome it?' The clue was for Ben to find a way to defeat the Demon Pony using a different method, but it would not be of his present self. 'I grew out of my shyness when I was with Twilight, and when I was the Demon Pony, I felt like a little colt trapped inside a beast and never escaping my imprisonment. What if possibly…' Ben was coming close to unraveling the mystery to not choose a fate through an illusion's act, but go for one that can be the correct choice.

A dawning moment flash in Ben's mind to stare at the Demon Pony, the part of him that was a loose beast of his nightmares in being on the run and then to his younger self in being shy & nervous of ever having friends. The two were the challenge to Ben, and to overcome this, the stallion realized the right answer to the mystery.

"It's not me that has to conquer this trial…" Ben spoke in coming to terms from looking away at the Demon Pony, to the Young colt of himself. "It's to help my young self deals with both cases; facing what I feared in always being and never gaining friends." It made sense, it was to help Ben's younger self overcome the trial, for if he can't, then the older Ben will never escape the labyrinth. "Listen Ben, you have to block that pony's march." Ben kneeled down to speak to his younger self in trying to give a big task in wanting the colt to stop the Demon Pony.

"What! Face up to the Demon Pony? But I can't take him on! I don't have that kinda power! I'm just…just too afraid!" Young Ben spoke in surprise and disregard it as crazy thinking, he can't face the creature of legend that has always been terrifying.

"It's scary, I know, but…" Older Ben nods in understanding his younger self's doubts…before trying something to help this colt out of it. "Power isn't the only thing you need. You need Courage to push yourself; Wisdom to guide you through the hard roads. Only from those two, can you unlock true Power in you." Ben was explaining how in truth, his abilities of the Triforce Element, can serve to help anyone, even when they don't have the magic power. "And it's not only from that, but if you cherish other ponies, you'll stand stronger than you would stay alone." Ben gave the final key point that if his young self knows this, true strength comes from not by the one, but from wanting to protect others.

"Re...Really; Do you think even I…could do the impossible?" Young Ben asked off in feeling some of that stuff made him believe it, could he do all that?

"Yes, I believe you can, and you can to if you believe." Ben smiled at his young self in stating that he believes the young colt can achieve that much from believing.

"Aaahhhh…" Young Twilight's scream brought the Ben forms of his stallion and colt to notice the Demon Pony was almost closely closing in on the six fillies trapped in a corner.

"Now go show that Demon Pony what you got and help your friends out." Ben instructed to his younger self with a 'can-do' attitude here.

"My friends…?" Young Ben responded to look from his older self to the six fillies in peril. "My friends….need help. I get it!" The colt responded in suddenly brightening himself up in realizing things, he has friends, and the six fillies are his friends to be and need help.

Then the young Ben dashed off quickly while leaving the older Ben standing up to now watch calmly in how this little scene will play out.

"Grrr…." The Demon Pony was growling to about to attack one of the fillies frightened until one brave colt cut across its path and made everypony pay attention to…Young Ben Mare's standoff.

"Li…Li…Listen up, Demon Pony." Young Ben spoke in trying to stand up against this scary Demon Pony. "I…I don't want you to trouble us, you…you maybe big and scary, but I won't let you hurt these ponies, cause…" Young Ben looked back to the young forms of Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity and even more so at Twilight Sparkle, the colt swallowed hard before facing the scary monster. "Cause I wanna be their friend and I won't wanna lose having friends to you. So just back off," The young colt issued off this final claim to wanting this meant to not hurt his new friends.

Then the little brave colt then did something surprising, by turning around to buck-hoof the Demon Pony's chin area. And that in some unexpected twist, the strength of a little colt easily sent the big Demon Pony backwards to….to where it's legs snapped like the sounds of twigs and it had its head fall off…like it was not real, but made of cloth.

"Hugh?" Young Ben responded puzzled and confused, that was not a real Demon Pony, it looked more…like a fake. Even the older Ben was puzzled in where this was leading to.

"Hehe, nice shot there Ben." Suddenly, what came out of the body of the Demon Pony, much to the shock of older Ben was…his other old pal in his colt years; Flash Sentry.

"Flash…Flash Sentry; what are you doing?" Young Ben responded in surprise, what was his friend from the castle of Canterlot doing here?

"Helping make a costume to help the Royal Guards practice if they face a real Demon Pony," Young Flash responded off in stating what he was doing here for the gang to know. "I got so hot wearing the costume that I became dizzy. Sorry." The colt sheepishly explained that when he was wearing the costume, it was so hot inside, he felt dizzy and didn't know what to do.

"You mean you ended scaring us for nothing?" Young Ben asked off surprised that his best pal from the guard nearly had them all scared out of their wits….by a costume.

"Us; You mean them?" Young Flash Sentry pointed to the fillies that were coming around in seeing no danger now. "Hugh, well I'll be, you stuck up for yourself to protect some ponies in believing that they were in danger." The colt responded in seeing how young Ben did for himself, helping to protect others that were in trouble; that was really noble of the adoptive son of Celestia.

"Well…I thought I was…Guess it was silly to think I was being brave against a real Demon Pony." Young Ben sighed in feeling disappointment, he thought he was actually able to stop a real Demon Pony, but it was just a costume and Flash being unknowing of his actions….this effort might not have been needed after all.

"Are you kidding me? You were awesome!" Young Rainbow Dash flew near the young Ben in issuing off that the Earth colt was actually very amazing.

"Darn shooing, why, we thought it was 'de real deal an; were too shaky 'ta move." Young Applejack spoke in saying that the fillies thought that Demon Pony costume was so real, it even had them fooled.

"But…you both look so much stronger than me?" Young Ben asked in believing that these two ponies were far much more better to handle themselves than he would have if he didn't interfered.

"Silly, it's not about the strongest pony, it's about the heart. And you surprised us by being so nice." Young Pinkie Pie popped near the colt in exclaiming the matter isn't about who's strongest, it's about heart and that counts.

"I was scared too, but then…you wanted to help us, and we didn't even ask, and so…it was very nice of you." Young Fluttershy came up to smile a bit in feeling that what Ben did was very kind and brave that showed he cared for them.

"And while I admit, the costume was…authentic to being very real, you on the other hoof, showed much bravo." Young Rarity spoke in trying to say that while the costume may not have been much of being real, Ben showed much courage to face what they didn't see was not so scary.

"Um, thanks." Young Ben responded in not knowing how else to respond, he's never been giving such compliments from other kids his age.

"What's your name?" Young Twilight approached young Ben with a smile in liking to know this colt here.

"Um…it's….it's Ben Mare." Young Ben felt a bit weird in speaking to this filly from feeling so….bashful around her. "I know, my last name is of a female pony, but…" He was about to say about knowing his last name was weird, but…

"Yew kidding partner, wha does 'dat matter." Young Applejack waved off that such a thing don't matter.

"Right, a name don't mean squat, even if it sounds silly." Young Rainbow nods in thinking that what makes a good pony won't be looked over by the name.

"Right, we cherish the pony's acts, not by what he is on the outside." Young Rarity nods with a proud degree in stating how the fillies like to see a pony.

"You all…really mean that?" Young Ben asked in being very surprised by this, he almost thought they would laugh at his last name.

"Well yes, and….is it okay, for us to say you're our friend as you said we were." Young Fluttershy nods with a shy request if it's fine to say they are friends.

"I…well….I have nothing wrong against it." Young Ben was so overwhelmed, that he finally got together in saying he was fine with them being friends.

"In short, my pal means, he be glad to be your friend." Flash Sentry steps in to help his pal out in cutting straight to the point.

"Great, then what are we standing around here for? Let's go setup a party to celebrate Ben being our friend!" Young Pinkie Pie jumped for happy joy in thinking they gotta throw a party for this special occasion.

"Do you wanna join us Ben? I…we…really like to get to know you more." Young Twilight asked before looking away in feeling a bit bashful, she thinks this colt was kinda cute.

Young Ben was lost when he noticed this act Twilight did in blushing…like the filly may like him just as he likes her. But from the colt looking to his unknown older self who nodded with a smile, that answer was clear.

"Sure. I love to!" Young Ben responded in feeling very happy from having such a big number of friends around.

Soon the Mane Six giggled and laugh with young Ben & even Flash Sentry joining in to play around now. The older Ben Mare watched this with a smile, he was happy to see that his past self was having so much fun…like all the troubles he's felt the hardships were fading away.

"Gwwwuuuhhhuuuughh; you were supposed to attack the Demon Pony!" Shadow Ghoul snapped from sounding upset to appear near Ben Mare watching the little kids having fun, it seemed the Earth Pony has completed the trial of what his fate he wants to take is.

"I saw through your plot. You said I had to overcome my fate of my childhood and my worst Demon, I just decided to help inspire myself to beat it and earn himself the belief in having friends." Ben responded in seeing what was the real trick to this trial and the stallion decided to have a moment of overcoming the illusion of fate in where his young self overcame his Demons in more ways than one.

"You are more clever than I anticipated, but know this! You may have won and earn your freedom, but unless the others do so, they'll never escape." Shadow Ghoul snapped off to hover around the stallion in underestimating Ben's potentate, but the same could not be said for the others with such luck. "You've won…NOTHING! Gweh-hahahahah-Aahhh….." The evil creature let off a sick and twisted cackle that was heard all over. "KLUNKVHMMM…" Course that ended very fast by the sudden introduction of…a frying pan in its face, "Gwaaaaaauaghhhh," Shadow Ghoul cried out from being stun, who would dare to smack him?

Ben soon saw who whacked the creep in the first place and with a frying pan no less.

"Hoboken Joe; is that really you?" Ben was so surprised, it was Hobo Joe, his hobo friend from his childhood in what he is today, but was it real or an illusion?

"Hehe, it is what it is, Ben." Hobo Joe responded with a little laugh before speaking up. "Course I'm not really here in person, why I'm but an illusion made from this place…from your heart." Ben remembered that his heart helps make the illusions seem real, and this was how he recalls Hobo Joe a lot.

"Niiiiiegh, I won't be silence by my own magical illusion work! You stay out of this now, or…." Shadow Ghoul recovered to float near the old hobo stallion before… "Klunkkfruvhmmm…." Yep, during the threat making, got his face whacked by another frying pan by that old Earth pony, "Giaaaaaughhhh!" Shadow Ghoul cried out from another hit before fading away from the scene.

"Heh, teach that ghoul to not underestimate what an old stallion can do from a pony's heart." Hoboken Joe remarked off in seeing the ghoul leave them in peace, good riddance to bad company.

"Hugh, I guess you're right. You're everything I remember you from when we met." Ben smiled in seeing his old friend, everything that makes Hoboken Joe, the same older Earth pony the guy remembers long ago.

"Yep, and you just single-hoofed off this trial and opened the path from your fate's course." Hobo Joe pointed to the light form the mist as it glowed brighter to reveal a way out for Ben. "Ye did good Ben." The old stallion smiled with proudness for what Ben has done and very well too.

"Thanks, but you know, it's strange," Ben nods in thanking for the compliment, but turns to see how his colt self is doing, even in this illusion plain within the maze. "When I look at my younger self, how he's now playing around with others, having plenty of friends & facing his troubles…I envy that." Ben felt almost so happy that he's seeing how his younger self is living now than what he ever had when Boris pranked him in becoming a Demon Pony to leave home for so long.

"Cause that was something you've long wanted for yourself, right?" Hobo Joe issued of in completely knowing all what Ben Mare here would have wanted in his past. "Benny boy, I know that your past can't be unchanged, but in the present, you can make something for de future." The old hobo issued that there is a way to make a good future, by learning things from the past. "After all, that's wha truly counts, right?"

"Yah, you're right, as always, old friend?" Ben smiled before he came up, and even thought Hobo Joe was an illusion, the sense to touch was not a fake from the strong magic that makes the illusion physical. "It's like Nyx said, you make a fine uncle, always helping to watch over me and give me advice." Ben issued how this old stallion would make a great uncle in helping to give wisdom to a young pony in need of learning things.

"Well, not always, but I try whenever I can. For now, you can make your own decisions to help others. Just like you helped yourself now," Hoboken Joe responded with a smile and pat Ben's back in knowing the stallion has learn some things from him, but he'll make his own choices to help out others in need. "Ben, try to get a good look at this. It may be an illusion, but it can help let ye know that in a different life….you would have been friends with them ponies no matter where or when you meant." The old stallion issues in seeing the younger forms of today's ponies play games and do so many things, it's like watching new beginnings.

"I guess so, and it's funny…I don't have much memories of having fun with other fillies and colts, other than with Flash from the Royal Guards, Twilight…and you." Ben Mare responded in knowing how he's only had this many friends in his past, seeing his younger self with others was…a new good feeling. "I'll remember this scene in my heart, to know that deep down, my life, despite what happened to me, would have lived a happier childhood. And I'll treasure how that feeling would be whenever I'm with Twilight & her friends…cause they're my friends too." Ben spoke that he'll always remember this and treasure this as something to fill in his heart with happy colt memories…from seeing his younger self play with his friends & love one of the past and currently in the present.

"Good to hear, now ye better move along, your opening to exit this place is waiting." Hobo Joe issued off in wanting this pony to quickly get moving, he's got a lot of things to finish up on his journey.

"Until the next time Hobo Joe," Ben signals off to his old friend with a happy smile.

Soon Ben turns to look back in seeing Hoboken Joe wave out to him while seeing the younger Ben Mare play, laugh, and having fun with the Mane Six & Flash Sentry. And he can almost see an illusion of a distinct future, them grown up and having such a happy life, it was all….so beautiful, and happy. If such a path ever happened to Ben, he would have loved experiencing such times growing up, but he's already happy…just where he is now.

"Until the next time, you'll always have happiness Ben, be it your old life or your new one, true friendships will be as they should stand….always." Hobo Joe responded with a pride & proudful smile while he was slowly disappearing in the light when Ben had left through his exit of the maze. It was now clear here, Ben Mare's trial of facing the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate: Pass.

As Ben leaves the trial area, Tso Lan's head appear, saying, " Most impressive, Ben. It seems your memory and experience had taught you, hadn't they?"

"You bet, Tso Lan. No matter where I go, I'll always have friends and family. Nyx risked everything to save me. It's my turn to save hers from you." Ben said to Tso Lan in determination.

"What one promise, cannot hope to protect another, if sacrifice's required to obtain victory."

"I won't let you harm Twilight! I won't let you get Nyx either."

Tso Lan remarks, " I look forward to find out."

Tso Lan's head disappear.

------------

"Unbelievable; He escape his fate!" Hsi Wu exclaims, a bit upset over Ben's victory in his trial.

"Impossible. How did he manage to overcome that?" Xiao Fung asks in disbelief and curiosity of his own.

Shendu chuckle as he spoke to himself, "Benjamin, you're indeed a worthy opponent. I shall challenge you and take the Triforce Elements of Harmony."

-----------------

Jade, who saw how Ben has succeed in his task, whistles in amazement. "Wow. Ben's good. But how did Ben know that?"

Tao explains to his grandniece, "Through his experience and life for such as being shy as a foal and Demonic tempered as a Demon Pony, Ben knows how to connect them and defeat his fate. I have watched him carefully through his life since his birth."

"So if he fails?"

"Ben's childhood form will never make friends, as well as being brave. Thus, Ben will regret slaying the very best friend that he ever has before. He would have become Tso Lan's slave."

Jade nod as she and Tao continues watching the show.

---------

Two familiar friends walk through a hallway to their own trial. Tso Lan's, Shendu's and Bai Tza's heads appear in front of Twilight and Spike. The Dragon, startled, exclaims, "Yikes! Bai Tza! And who's other two?!"

Twilight recognize the last two Demon Lords instantly, "Tso Lan and Shendu!"

Tso Lan smirks as he said, "You know my name, Twilight Sparkle. Well intelligence you possessed. But it is a pity that being the mother of Nightmare Moon will be your great burden."

Shendu remarks as he glances at Spike, "As well as my sworn nephew, which he belongs to me!"

Twilight glare at Tso Lan and Shendu, demanding, "Why do you even care?! Her name is Nyx, Tso Lan! Spike never belongs to you, Shendu! All of you want is the empire and never care for them!"

Tso Lan, Shendu and Bai Tza laugh. The female Demon remarks in amusement, "I'm truly curious of you, Twilight. Since when did you care and love the creatures that ruin your whole life such as Spike and Nightmare Moon?! Spike is Lorcan's brother. Thus both are your enemies."

Twilight groan as she answers, "That maybe. But I'll never mistreat them as you did to any innocent lives!"

"Regardless of that, Twilight Sparkle, you did something bad to them before. We had watched the battle and event as well. Such as Spike, you replaced him with a new assistant and blamed him for the mess. You also did not told him the truth of his past and family." Shendu spoke, reminding Twilight of some of her biggest failures.

"You mostly mistreat Nightmare Moon, despite showing love and care for her. You are the reason of bringing her reincarnation complete, and such as allowing two filthy ponies to bully her and lead her to the ruins of the Princesses' old Palace. You had surrendered her to Celestia to eliminate the threat. Thus, you had completed her resurrection." Tso Lan remarks, accusing Twilight of what happened in the incidents that brought form the return of Nightmare Moon.

Bai Tza then adds, "So tell us, Twilight, are we the ones that mistreat Nightmare Moon and Spike or did you?"

Twilight remain silent while looking worried of what the Demons had said. Spike however spoke up, "You may be right. But there's one thing I know Twilight's trying to do: protecting me and Nyx from someone like you!"

Twilight spoke gently to her little brother, "Spike........"

The three Demon Lords laugh evilly. Shendu remark in amusement, "You are so much like your grandfather, father and brother, for they possessed compassion and loyalty to the ponies. It is a pity to see them but your grandfather betray their former allies. You are alone, Spike."

"Maybe; But I'm not. Do you know why? I've got a family to be there and care for me. Twilight is the first pony that cares for me!" Spike snaps to the trio of Demons sternly.

Spike hugs Twilight as she hugs him back. The Alicorn smiles as she said, "Spike's right. As long we're together, we'll overcome anything, and even you! We're a family."

"We shall see. You cannot hope to protect everyone you love from the darkest hour and your enemies, Twilight. But mark my word; I will have my daughter back to me." Tso Lan said in determination and darkness. "When I do, I'll make her kill you and Equestria will be ours to control!"

"Not going to happen! Nyx maybe your real daughter, Tso Lan, but she's mine as well. She chose the light over dark!"

"Never be sure of the one's fate such as Nightmare Moon when it is not decided, Twilight Sparkle." Bai Tza said to Twilight in amusement.

"We'll see about that, Demon Jerks!" Spike remarks with a frown.

"Indeed, we will, Spike. Till we meet again," Shendu taunts as his head disappears. That concerns the duo, worrying if they will complete their trial or not.

-----------------------------------

The scene soon opens up towards where we see where the others are trying to deal with things on their own. For example, we see walking through a pathway was Twilight Sparkle and following her was Spike, both were keeping a left hold on the wall to keep themselves going in the correct way so to not get lost. Their objective was to find a way out, reunite with the others, and obtain an ingredient that they can earn by getting in and out of the Labyrinth of Illusions Fate.

"Twilight, you sure we're going down the right path," Spike asked in having a really bad feeling that they've been doing this for some time, and wonder if this was the right path they are leading on.

"Spike, the path is the same so long as we know where we've been." Twilight responded to the baby Dragon's question with an assured answer response.

"I know, but you saw the maze shift to change itself, what if it happens again?" Spike responded in getting the issue, but what if what happened that separated them happens again?

"Then we'll just have to be out of here before that even happens." Twilight issued to her friend to not worry, they got to get out of here and meet up with the others.

"My, my, what an interesting pair of spices we have here." Spoke a very creepy sounding voice coming from anywhere in the maze.

"Whah; who-who said that?" Spike yelped to get near Twilight in not liking the sound of who spoke to them.

"Show yourself!" Twilight demanded with a stern face in who was trying to speak to them.

"Kweh-hihihihi-Hahahahah," Suddenly, a familiar ghoulish face of an insect that was headless appeared before the two.

"YIKES! What are you?" Spike yelped in surprise; that was not normal, seeing a head without a body.

"You're the Shadow Ghoul of the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate, aren't you?" Twilight sternly issued in seeing who the two are dealing with here, the creature that would be their enemy in this maze.

"Guilty as charged, my pretty. Hehehe-hhahaha…." Shadow Ghoul responded off in identifying himself while making an evil cackle that was just plain creeping the group out. "And I must say, you two are an odd bunch, now aren't you?" The ghoul responded in hovering above in studying the pony & baby Dragon.

"Odd, have you seen yourself? You're a floating talking head with a creepy laugh!" Spike issued in stating that the only odd and weird creature was Shadow Ghoul itself.

"What are you saying?" Twilight demanded with a serious tone, what was this ghoul trying to say about her and Spike?

"I'm saying that fate must have been cruel to have put a pony & a Dragon together! Never being one or the other!" Shadow Ghoul spoke in a riddle motion about the two creatures being different.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Twilight snapped off to this ghoul freak in his words of meaning. "Spike and I are happy together, he's been there for me and I have for him too." The pony exclaimed how she and Spike have been there to help the other's back.

"But are you his mother? Or are you his sister?" Shadow Ghoul asked off this issue to which made Twilight fell silent at the moment. "No, you're nothing but a pony that was greedy to keep a Dragon around instead of with his own family." The creature hovered around the two in pushing some buttons to get under their skin.

"Hay buddy, what's that supposed to mean anyway?" Spike snapped off in feeling annoyed in what this creep was getting at.

"Your fates are something, hmmm, tangled in a mistaken working." Shadow Ghoul spoke off in a random manner in making a tease statement there.

"Mistake," Both Twilight & Spike responded in not believing what they just heard.

"One is a pony. The other a Dragon; why could the other not be like the other is?" Shadow Ghoul remotely issued how things be simple for this family, if one was the other, and vice-versa.

"Um, wha with the what-what now," Spike was now literally all confused in what this headless freak was getting at.

"Are you playing mind games here?" Twilight asked off in feeling annoyed in what this ghoul was trying to do to them.

"I am speaking in what you may as well deny yourself of ever being." Shadow Ghoul spoke forth the issue about the two's issue of ever being as they are. "Do you long to be like the other to feel like a family or is it that you can't tell who you really are?" The head floating freak spoke in his hidden riddles in pressing a tricky quiz that was hard to solve.

Both were puzzled in hearing this and when they would have just boosted off what they think, the thought instead took its toll on them. From their experiences, there could have been times Twilight wish to not be a pony and Spike wishing not to have been a Dragon. And when the two finally became like a family, could the issue say that they are all good with a Dragon & pony relationship in an adoptive family matter or was the real thing of being with one kind all the bigger difference?

"Twilight…" Spike spoke in wanting his friend and family friend to help answer this, but...

"Ugh…" Twilight was so at a lost in not being able to respond back to Shadow Ghoul's mind games about themselves.

"You shall face a trial that you must prove to escape the maze, only one fated path will help bring you together, but the other will lead you away." Shadow Ghoul issued off in turning to the two in announcing their challenge of fate they must pass. "Kehihihihi-hahahahaha, I wonder what your answers might be? Are you a Pony….Or a Dragon?" The ghoul made a cackling remark with a wicked twist of humor of the manner of the situation. "Time we find out…by severing your path." That last issued seem to make a statement that didn't sound good.

"Clupvhmm…" Suddenly, a wall popped up in-between Twilight & Spike, leaving the pony up front and the baby Dragon in the back; cut off from the other.

"Spike," Twilight called out to turn to the newly form wall to reach her baby Dragon friend.

"Twilight," Spike shouted out to bang against the wall that was here, but got nothing.

"Until you can meet again…and if you want to make the other happy, by being what is best….QWAH-Hahahahaha-Haaaahhhh!" With that finally issue, Shadow Ghoul vanished from sight from this scene.

"That laughter of his is really annoying!" Spike responded in feeling just about enough of hearing that weird creep and his voice, it was like hearing a madman talk to them.

"Spike, listen! You have to follow a path that will lead you to me." Twilight called out to her friend on the other side with instructions to help them get through this.

"But what if I can't, I'm not a pony with a magic horn or wings?" Spike asked off from being unable to do the stuff a pony could do in where he stood.

"I know, and I'm not a Dragon that could breathe fire to signal my presence." Twilight responded from her side in issuing her own problem in where she was in.

"Then…we have to try to find each other, alone?" Spike asked off with wide eyes that the two have to find each other by themselves.

"Just trust in yourself Spike, we've overcome other obstacles before." Twilight called out from near the wall to have her baby Dragon believes that they've been through worse.

"Yeah, but I feel like maybe…being a pony should be what I have been born to be." Spike spoke from turning to lie himself against the wall to drop to his bottom, feeling some sorrow in having second thoughts now. "Being born a Dragon of a father & older brother that wanted to kill ponies and the thing with the Demons now…I'm wishing that I wasn't like this." He folded his arms to his knees to sink in, feeling that after learning a bunch of connections to terrible enemies of Equestria, maybe Spike would have been better off not being a Dragon at all.

"Spike, not all Dragons are evil, you know that from King Spykoran the Old, your grandfather." Twilight lean to the wall in trying to have Spike not feel so terrible about himself and how he was born a Dragon. "Sometimes, I even wished I could understand what it means to be a Dragon of the good kind, how they appear powerful, long lasting, creatures that stand at the top of other animals." The mare turn to the wall too slip and land on her flank in admitting something to Spike about sometimes, feeling she even wonders if she was meant to be a pony at all.

"Wait, so you've always wondered what it be to be a Dragon?" Spike asked off a bit surprised from the other side of the wall, Twilight wanted to be like him…a Dragon?

"About as much as you wonder how you be if you were a pony." Twilight spoke off a little half a smile in quoting that from her side of the wall.

"Well…I guess we better hurry up and try to find each other." Spike slowly responded to look what's in front of him in knowing…they have to find a way back to the other.

"Yeah, we'll use our magic auras & your nose to learn of our presence. Okay." Twilight responded from having her horn glow to help her learn which way her Dragon friend is.

"Okay…" Spike responded from sniffing a bit before wiping off any tears from the eyes.

"Good, don't worry Spike, it'll be fine….we have to be fine." Twilight spoke softly to pat her hoof to the wall, and in vice-versa, Spike did the same from his side….like the two were almost about to come in contact from the wall that separated them.

Soon both Twilight & Spike sat up and were going down their own paths within the maze. To find themselves, and more importantly, finding out whom they really are…

At this time, a musical number was being played when Twilight & Spike were going down separate paths. We soon focus solely on Twilight, as she was traveling down a path with the reflective walls & sparkling glimmers off the area. The pony was completely in sorrow from the passing of time that seemed forever to her, and soon started to express herself….by singing.

Twilight: I reflect on my reflection
and I ask myself the question

Twilight was approaching one side of the maze's walls in feeling sadden in her thoughts. And soon Twilight stops near one of the walls to see clearly her Alicorn pony form in the reflection of herself, looking almost pitiful and lost within sadness and sorrow that was questioning her logic.

What's the right direction, to go
I don't know

Twilight turn her head in the other direction of where the maze gives her the choice to pick. But Twilight leans her head down in sorrow to shake it in being unable to think or even know what she should do at this time, everything now, everything she ever knew, done, believed, was her existence of being what she is doing now…really what she is meant to be.

Am I a pony or am I a Dragon

As Twilight was singing this out towards the reflective wall, her own pony image began to fade away from her spot. And what instead came was a purple Dragon with a dark purple with a pink stripe in its hair as well as purple eyes. No mistake about it, what was here was none other than Twilight Sparkle…as a teen Dragon.

Dragon Twilight: (am I a Dragon)

The reflective Dragon image of Twilight sang forth to her pony self, which the latter turn to look behind her…to not see someone there; this was an illusion in showing a different version if the pony Twilight was a Dragon.

Pony Twilight: If I'm a Dragon, then I'm a very womanly Dragon

Pony Twilight sang forth in issuing this message about herself…to her reflective Dragon self from the mirror wall rock.

Dragon Twilight: (a very womanly Dragon)

Dragon Twilight responded to this like a mirror, but only in a difference appearance in the formality.

Both Twilights: Am I a Dragon (Dragon) or am I a pony (am I a pony)

Soon the scenery changed where Pony Version Twilight was going through more parts of the maze while singing, just as she leans near another mirror wall to see her Dragon version lean to see her in repeating them other parts of the song.

Pony Twilight: If I'm a pony that makes me a Dragon of a pony

Pony Twilight sang off to look upwards to sigh this out before leaning her head to see her reflective Dragon form speak next.

Dragon Twilight: (a Dragon of a pony)

Dragon Twilight also lean from her side to make this response as both pony & Dragon lifted their hoof and claw to touch the surface; almost like they are closer of being the other than they think.

Suddenly, during a short scene changed, we now find where Spike is. Just walking across another area within the labyrinth in a deep thought state before he too….begins to sing his emotions of his difficult state he's in.

Spike: I look into these eyes
and I don't recognize

Spike was looking around the mirror walls of the maze, issuing what he was staring at through his own eyes. But even from seeing the reflection of his baby Dragon form, he doesn't recognize himself as being….who he really is of being.

The one I see insi-i-i-ide
It's time for me to decide

Spike looked around the reflective mirror walls as he was walking, but no matter how many times he's seen his reflective Dragon side, he can't recognize who he truly is at this time. And soon Spike stops in front of one mirror wall while in a room that had plenty others showing himself on all sides, this one…the baby Dragon wants to stare at in deciding….what he is meant to be for real here.

Am I a pony or am I a Dragon

As Spike was singing this, his reflection of a Dragon on the mirror wall began to fade away from the spot. And what instead came was a baby light purple with a light chartreuse Alicorn, a pony with a green horn and purple wings, with a moderate sap green mane and tail, a greenish gray underbelly and light lime ears and chartreuse green eyes. No mistake about it, what was here was none other than Spike….as a baby Alicorn.

Pony Spike: (am I a Dragon)

The reflective pony image of Spike sang forth to his Dragon self which the latter turn to look behind him…to not see someone there; this was an illusion is showing a different version if the Dragon Spike was a pony.

Dragon Spike: If I'm a Dragon, well I'm a very manly Dragon

Dragon Spike sang forth in issuing this message about himself….to his reflective pony self from the mirror wall rock.

Pony Spike: (a very manly Dragon)

Pony Spike responded to this like a mirror, after both touch their stomachs that were different from their two appearances being a Dragon & pony in feeling what it possibly felt like.

Both Spikes: Am I a Dragon (Dragon) or am I a pony (am I a pony)

Now both Spike's Dragon & pony forms sang off this part together in questioning themselves. Which were they to be, a Dragon or a pony, both check themselves of different bodies and yearn to know….who they rather be.

Dragon Spike: If I'm a pony that makes me a Dragon of a pony

Dragon Spike responded off in gazing at his reflection to issue off in seeing his Dragon form right now of what he be from the outside part to the inside.

Pony Spike: (a Dragon of a pony)

Pony Spike gaze to his other self in repeating those words back in how they both would be like, completely understanding the other; and like a reflection, when the Dragon moved onwards, so did his pony self in going somewhere.

Now as if by magic, within a white void realm, we see two sides of both Twilight & Spike, both pony & Dragon versions of themselves; two for two, making it be four in total. And they were all about to sing this part…as a group chorus quartet.

Twilights & Spikes: Here I go again
I'm always running out of time

The two of two different versions of pony & Dragon were playing a piano in issuing their state about their time.

I think I've made up my mind
Now I understand, who I am

Suddenly, both Twilights of pony & Dragon stare to the other as did the Spikes of Dragon and pony in understanding from their made up minds…in who they are: and what they are meant to be. And this act will affect the decision of the twos fate within the labyrinth once...and for all.

The instruments pick up the drama beat, now that the scene changes to Twilight's station where she was before…giving her answer out.

Twilight: I'm A Pony!

Twilight stretched her wings to soon fly and stretched her hooves in announcing that she is to be as she is….a pony.

Spike: I'm A Dragon!

Then the scene shifts over to where Spike is, raising his claws up against the reflective mirror rocks showing his Dragon self after issuing that he is….a Dragon.

Twilight: I'm a Dragon of a pony

The scene shifts back to the white realm with the pianos as we see Twilight declaring this off with much pride & self-awareness while her dragon self was seen to acknowledge this fact.

Spike: I'm a very manly Dragon

And Spike was seen in the white realm playing the piano with his pony self in herby declaring that he himself is a noble dragon while the pony version played the piano in responding to this response.

Twilight: I'm a Dragony Pony

The scene shifts bad to Twilight soon soaring up higher and higher in the labyrinth in digging deep in declaring that she is a proud to be her, be issued pony or Dragon, she will be as she is.

Suddenly during the instrument vers, Twilight's horn reacted brightly in finding something before her….a light behind the mist, as she soon realized where it should lead her to and dove in.

Back with Spike's area, he stood still in looking at one reflective mirror rock that showed the illusion of his pony self. And then in another magical moment, the image of the Pony Version Spike faded away as now there stood the Baby Dragon form of this Spike. The baby Dragon has accepted his role of being who he is, be it Dragon or pony, he'll be as he should be.

"Spike," Spike heard Twilight's voice, as he turn to see the alicorn drop down near him.

"Twilight; you're…still you." Spike responded surprised that Twilight found him and she's still a pony and not a Dragon like him.

"And you're still you Spike, and that should never change. I'm so sorry I never realized how you felt." Twilight responded with joy to smile in being glad Spike is a baby Dragon instead of being a pony as she apologizes for not understanding his hardships of being who he is.

"Really, well in truth, I'm glad you're a pony, and….I'm still a Dragon." Spike responded with a happy face in being glad Twilight was glad he's still a Dragon, cause he likes himself for who he is.

At this, the last part of the song is soon sung from voices afar.

Twilight & Spike: That's what I am

"We'll be who we are meant to be no matter the outside." Twilight responded to soon come forth to hug Spike with her hooves and her wings.

"Right. Cause it's the person inside that matters." Spike responded with a smile to return the hug to his caring friend, they like being who they are no matter what others say.

At this moment, the instruments come to a close in showing a perfect union of two creatures, they are who they are, and true friends respect that and never wants to change that. And for that, Twilight and Spike learn a lesson to be who you are, never change yourself, cause that's the most important part that makes them…who they are.

"GRUUAARRRUGHHHH! Curses," Suddenly, Shadow Ghoul's head figure appeared in looking really ticked off in annoyance to hover around the two victorious challengers, "First that stallion with the Triforce, now you two! You shouldn't have overcome your fate! Especially with such a thing like singing," The ghoul cannot believe another made it through his trap of illusions, he should have bagged these two, but they outdid themselves.

"Triforce…Ben. Ben made it out!" Twilight smiled in realizing that Shadow Ghoul was issuing her love got through A-KO.

"Alright, then we'll see him soon too." Spike smiled in liking this, best news they've heard all the while.

"You may have escape getting caught in my web, but make no mistake, the last ones that stick together…shall perish together! GWAH-Hahahaha-Hahahahaaahhh," Shadow Ghoul hovers near the pony & Dragon to make this vile and wicked threat notice while letting off a sinister cackle in what he'll do for the others.

"If me, Spike, and Ben could do it, so can my daughter Nyx & the others!" Twilight issued off in stating that if they & Ben could do this, so will the others too.

"Then we'll see, won't we? I'll make sure there are no errors this time with their illusions of fate." Shadow Ghoul responded to glare into the serious Twilight Sparkle's eyes; the creep will not lose again.

"Until then, why not deal with other problems?" Spike pointed off in making a sly smirk in issuing something the ghoul head can do instead.

"Others; what others," Shadow Ghoul responded puzzled in hearing this suddenly, what did Spike mean?

"Oh, the two different illusion versions of me and Twilight," Spike pointed behind the ghoul as the Pony Spike & Dragon Twilight leaped upwards to…attack their other version's foe of a head.

"Wha…GWAAAAAUGH! GET OFF OF ME! I AM THE MASTER OF THE LABYRINTH!" Shadow Ghoul yelped from getting grabbed and beater by more illusions from the victors, as he was wiggling around until he faded from this area to go down another pathway

"He'll be busy for a while now. Come on Spike, let’s go." Twilight smiled in stating that Shadow Ghoul will be kept busy while they concentrate on leaving this maze behind them to reach the exit.

"Twilight, you think if we were different creatures, we learn this lesson too." Spike asked his friend in wonder, if they were switched from a Dragon being a Dragon and pony being a pony, would their alternative selves appreciate being who they are like they just did?

"I think we would have cause friends will cherish a friend & love ones will cherish love ones, no matter what their origin maybe." Twilight smiles to tell Spike that be it here or another world, where ponies are Dragons & Dragons are ponies, so long as they know that single lesson to respect a different being with caring and friendship; nothing is impossible.

Smiling to this, Spike soon hopped onto Twilight's back to get comfy. And from seeing another glowing light seen from some mist shine brighter, they have clearly overcome the illusion fate of their own troubles. Now the two flew off and went straight through the light to meet up with their colleague; Ben Mare. Now this time was clear for us, Twilight & Spike's trial of facing the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate: Pass.

As the duo are leaving as well, Twilight and Spike spot Tso Lan's floating head once more. The baby Dragon smirks as he declares, "How do you like that, Tso Lan?!"

Tso Lan said, "Most impressive. But your journey is far from over."

"You're right. We'll get all the ingredients we need. If any of you or the monsters tries to stop us, we'll beat you all! I'll save and protect Nyx no matter what. I have faith that Nyx will never become Nightmare Moon and be with you. Nyx will always be herself!" Twilight exclaims to Tso Lan in determination.

"You may have escaped your fate, Twilight, but how will your daughter escaped hers since she had made terrible sins? She knows it well. She will return to me since there is no one who will accept her. She is destined to become Nightmare Moon."

"Maybe; But Nyx is willing to redeem everything. Everypony had accept and forgiven her. She's not a monster, Tso Lan. I know, because she's my daughter."

Spike adds in, "And my sister, pal!"

Tso Lan chuckle, "Let us how right your words can be, my dearest Twilight Sparkle."

"Count on it, Moon Demon!" Twilight exclaims. Tso Lan's head disappear, leaving the two alone.

-------------

"What; they defeat their fates!" Xiao Fung exclaims back in the Realm of Demons in defeat. Now Twilight and Spike has succeeded!

"Singing?! That is stupid!" Hsi Wu scowl in disbelief by the duo's beating their fates by singing!

Dai Gui grunts a bit, "Unbelievable!"

Tchang Zu ask the other Demon Lords in annoyance, "How could this be?!"

Po Kong scratches her head while commentating, "Though that song is good, I kinda like it."

Bai Tza sigh while shaking her head, "Twilight is truly determined to protect her loved ones, even though she knew it's the truth."

Shendu frowns as he said to himself, "Spike. You are so much like them, yet you deny your destiny as the servants of the Demon Lord of Fire. But nevertheless, I'll defeat Twilight."

-----------

Jade whistles in amazement as she and Tao saw the results of Twilight and Spike's trial, "Whoa. Ponies said that music beats the darkest problems and challenges; never thought that they actually did it on labyrinth."

Tao nods as he speaks, "Indeed, Twilight and Spike learned that they are not necessarily need to be the same species, but how much you truly care for each other."

Jade smiled as she comments, "You bet. We and them are like family."

Tao smiled some more as the two now watch the final trial in motion.

---------------------------

Sometime after, Golden Heart and Pinkamena made it to the room with the robot cyborg. Pinkamena says, "Thanks for helping me in getting Omega here and also to inform you about what is happening; the gang were able to beat another Demon and saved another pony who was cursed; they almost got though all of the Ends of Equestia."

Golden Heart, looking at Omega, ask his sister, "I see but what I'm asking is how does it turn on?"

"Easy, it will turn on right now."

As soon as she said it, the cyborg's eyes glow yellow as it turns on. The cyborg's joints move a bit as it looks around slowly and says in a robotic like sound, "Systems on; begin quick scan of everything." The cyborg then scans as Omega stops as it looks at Pinkamena and Golden Heart. "Scan complete, standing by for any task."

Omega goes on standby as Golden Heart says really surprised, "Have to say, it works."

Pinkamena nods as she say, "Yep but for now we wait for what will happen next and maybe we can put Omega on a test run on a later chapter."

"Um ok."

--------------

Things have come down to Nyx and her group's trial. As the three trots on, Tso Lan's head appear in front of Nyx and her friends.

Bocolix yelps in alarm upon seeing the head, "Who's that?!"

Dumbledore gulps in fright, "I don't like the looks of that one!"

Phobos nods in agreement while exclaiming, "Me too!"

Tough blinks as he recognizes the Demon, saying, "He's 'de same creep 'dat talk 'ta Po Kong!"

Tso Lan said, "Correct. Nightmare Moon should know of me."

Nyx gasps in shock and anger, "Tso Lan! Will you leave me alone?!"

"Unless you surrender to me first, my daughter."

"So what if Po Kong said it's true? I already have a father!"

Tso Lan chuckles as he explains, "One who claimed you as his daughter is never your real father from the beginning, for the blood we possessed, we're truly one."

Nyx glare at Tso Lan while protesting, "You're not my real father!"

Phobos remarks in agreement, "Yeah! Leave Nyx alone pal! Or I'm gonna-"

Tso Lan interrupts sternly to Phobos, "Moon Dragon such as you will learn his place not to speak against the masters!"

"No! Phobos's right! Ben is Nyx's real dad, maybe not blood, but how much he cares fer her!" Tough exclaims, siding with Nyx and Phobos. "Nyx's nothing like yew!"

Bocolix exclaims in agreement, "Yeah, pal! Beat it!"

Dumbledore remarks, "Or you're gonna get our bad sides!"

Tso Lan chuckle as if this was a joke to him which it is, "Such amusing. We shall see, imbeciles. Enjoy your trial while you can, my child. But be warned, once you enter it, you cannot escape your sins of the past, Nightmare Moon."

"I'm not afraid of you! We shall see." Nyx exclaims to the Demon Lord in defiance.

"You will, my daughter, you will."

------------------------------------

Now we focus on where the scene opens up near where the last few others are dealing with the matter in their own way. As we see leading was Nyx, followed by Phobos, Tough Apple, and the Enforcers: Dumbledore & Bocolix. They had their hoof and Dragon claw on the left wall to help them be on the right direction to leading them out of the labyrinth & not get lost in doing so. And boy, it's a miracle so far with 'most' of this group sticking to the plan and not doing something foolish while trying to get back with the others and still located an ingredient hidden within the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate.

"Dag gum. Can we put our hoof down, it's getting' tiring holding it against 'de wall side." Tough moaned to complain that they're getting tired of holding up their hoof to the wall side.

"Me too," Bocolix responded in agreeing to this debate.

"Me too," Dumbledore also was responding to this discussion.

"Me three; Oh wait, or am I four?" Phobos replied off, but second-guess about it since it had him at a loss of number order.

"Come on guys, we can't just give up here. The others are counting on finding us." Nyx spoke to encourage the others here to not give up just yet now.

"Ah know 'dat. But it's like a needle in a hay stack, an' trust me, Ah've lived through 'dat experience." Tough Apple shrug off to say about this place is like looking for their buds in a big place that's very hard to get through. "'Dis maze must be so big; it's a wonder we're still together." The tough stallion issued how that with the labyrinth being so big, it's a miracle they themselves, aren't split apart.

"Oh yah, considering what our group is made of," Phobos rolled his eyes to remark the fact about those of their group that aren't 'exactly' the ones to best be stuck with.

"Hay," The Enforcers snapped off in feeling hurt by that remark by the Moon Dragon.

"Stop it! We need to keep ourselves focus!" Nyx stopped the others from getting into an argument; they won't get by with this attitude. "Remember, we have to use our heads to get out of here."

"And it's those precise heads you'll lose if you make even the most stupidest of mistakes." A sneaky, creepy, and twisted voice spoke from all around the group's surroundings.

"Aaaahhhh," The Enforcers screamed out to hug the other in fear of that creepy voice.

"Who said that?" Phobos asked off in not finding anybody around.

"Where it come from?" Nyx asked in not knowing who or what even spoke to them.

"Hey mister, quit hiding an' show yerself!" Tough Apple snapped up to the ceiling in demanding that whoever was scaring them, come out now.

"Very well…." Suddenly, what would appear then an insect head of a familiar creature of the labyrinth, "Gwehhhihihihihih-hhahahahhaha!" Yewp, it was Shadow Ghoul and he was making that creepy laughter of his that could scare even little fillies and colts out of their minds.

"Wha-wha-what is that thing?" Dumbledore muttered off in feeling that there were no words in describing this creature.

"It looks like a headless insect head?" Bocolix issued off in having his best guess that this thing, was a bug without a boy.

"'Dat is disturbing on soooooo many levels." Tough spoke off in feeling like he's already feeling sick in seeing what the gang noticed was anything normal.

"You and me both," Phobos dryly issued on having the feeling this freak was disturbing for all of their sense and wills.

"Are you…are you the Shadow Ghoul?" Nyx slowly asked off in recalling what her parents read from when they came into the labyrinth, to be weary of a creature by the name and…might be the one they are witnessing before them.

"Why yes…that I am, little one. And my…." Shadow Ghoul responded in staring at Nyx in focusing on the black filly in question. "Aren't you a piece of resistance? Keheheh-hahahahah….." He lets off a creepy cackle that made even Nyx swallow hard in not liking what was spoken.

"Hay buddy; Back off!" Phobos steps in front of Nyx in not liking this weirdo anywhere near the filly.

"Yeah, ye be creeping us out!" Tough snapped off to step up further to be the grown up in scolding this ghoul on what he's doing.

"Well you should be frighten, because what I'm about to do…is challenge your fates." Shadow Ghoul spoke in hovering closely near this group in making a creepy issue…that he's got something very nasty in store for them.

"Gulp….our fates?" The Enforcers responded from gulping at not liking the sound of that issue.

"Yessss…..and make no mistake, what I have in store for you all will be the hardest to surpass. This time, there will be no mistakes." Shadow Ghoul spoke in making a dark menacing tone about making sure, that no one will escape what he'll setup now.

"This time," Nyx repeated hearing that before something came to mind. "Wait a second; that would mean you didn't succeed before?" The black filly could tell that this ghoul had failed in making sure others wouldn't succeed, and that might mean their friends and family did.

"Wha's wrong, lose out 'ta Twilight or maybe Benny boy or how about little Spiky." Tough asked off in making a sly smile in asking which of their pals he never did beat.

"Hah! I bet this joker lost to them all and is cheese'd off!" Phobos taunted to make fun of the ghoul head creep in losing to all three of their pals in a row.

"Gruvvhhmmm….." Shadow Ghoul growls in getting upset in being reminded of his failure. "As I was saying….what you will face is a trial." The ghoul creature continued to tell this little band of what they'll be facing next. "You will be given an illusion so difficult that what I did to the others was child's play! For this challenge, you will have to escape the haunting of your crimes." Shadow Ghoul explained the rules of what this group of five will be facing and it's a trial related to their crimes.

"Crimes," The group responded in almost finding that to be the most unbelievable thing ever told.

"Hay buddy; what kinda junk you selling here, hugh?" Phobos asked off in not liking this weird talk in the slightest bit.

"Yeah, we ain't 'de bad guys! We're 'de good guys!" Tough Apple issued off that they were not bad, they were good.

"Ohh….I beg to differ." Shadow Ghoul proclaimed to float around the two protesting what he said. "For many of you hold chains of sin that weigh you down. And you try to hide them." The ghoul issued this off in seeing what he can tell, when someone hides a terrible deed from the past.

"And….these crimes are…" Nyx slowly swallowed up her fear to ask what the answer could be, but it might actually be…..closer to her than the filly thinks.

"Will start with you…little Nightmare Moon." Shadow Ghoul spoke in narrowing his focus on the filly who was truly the Mare in the Moon that was evil once.

"My name…is Nyx!" Nyx protests in getting tired of being addressed by that other name.

"Does it matter; a name can only hide so much." Shadow Ghoul spoke forth in insinuating a fact of what Nyx still is in truth. "You are the reincarnation of evil from the Moon Princess, Luna. And you've even taken the mantle of accepting on who you were after being told the truth!" This evil creature was trying to give a lot of push comes to shove in what course played out for Nyx. "And you've done things…sinful things. Taking over as the New Ruler, imprisoning Celestia & Luna in the Sun & Moon, and even after being spared of your fate….it haunts you ever still!" It raised its eyes in bringing down the heavy stuff of what Nyx had done and even to this point, that act….still haunts her daily day.

"I…I…" Nyx was a bit lost in words in fearing to respond cause; it was all true and how can she argue against it.

"Buddy, keep talking and I ROAST YOU!" Phobos steps up to issue that if this weirdo doesn't step-down, he'll burn the floating head to dust.

"I wouldn't take that tone if I were you, Moon Dragon." Shadow Ghoul remarked off in floating around near Phobos area. "What was it, you served in Tadaka's Dragon Army and got banished into the Void because of the evil Dragon's plan to kill off everypony in Equestria." That earned some silence from the Moon Dragon as the insect head continues. "You were apart of it, and once you've joined, trying to get out of your fate with evil will lead to pulling you back in. Mwuhuhuhuhhahahahaha…." The evil cackling of this freaky freak made even Phobos fell speechless in what truth was revealed.

"But I…that wasn't…I was…" Phobos was trying to protest about his past, he's a good Dragon now, he's not bad; it was just a mistake…wasn't it?

"Okay listen mister, leave them little critters alone! So they made mistakes, we've forgive an' forget, 'dat's life." Tough stood near Nyx & Phobos to stop this ghoul from toying around with what they did and what sin they now have to bear, but everyone at least deserves another shot, a second chance in life.

"Is it now? That's unusual, coming from you!" Shadow Ghoul spoke from hovering closer to Tough in curiosity. "As I recall….you were a rotten apple since birth, Mwuhmhmhmhmhm…..and a lost of temper at that." This little taunting & laughter was making Tough grew mad in hearing those insults. "Yessss, why, you're so strong and fearsome, yet that's why others stay away from you….they don't wanna be hurt by somepony that is more trouble than he's even worth." Shadow Ghoul was really letting himself float around Tough to get under his fur and the stallion was getting madder by the minute.

"Now hay there! Ah've changed, Ah'm a better pony." Tough snapped up in his defense in being label as a pony that's no better than a bad guy. "Sure Ah've lost mah cool, but Ah got friends an' my family, even mah Cutie Mark was changed fer 'de better." Tough Apple could never forget how he once was, but all that changed when he came to Ponyville, he ended up learning self-control of his temper, gain some loving respect, and even his rotten Cutie Mark changed from discovering his true self.

"Maybe so….but all I can see…." Shadow Ghoul appeared behind Tough in preparing one final push that would be over the edge. "Is coverings to conceal your past, a past of terrible deeds you can't easily fix by saying 'sorry' all the time!" The ghoul could almost sound like it was amusing itself in seeing the stallion's eyes beginning to look red.

"Why yew little….Ah feel like wrangling yer neck fer 'dat!" Tough Apple turns to about to choke this insect freak for those taunts.

"And I rest my case." Shadow Ghoul responded with a remark before floating away from Tough before the stallion could try to harm him, if he could that is.

"Hugh?" Tough raised an eyebrow in not following what just happened.

"He means you proved his point, Tough." Phobos rolled his eyes to issue a clear case of Tough being beaten when this guy got his point taken crystal clear from the stallion's action just now.

"Do'h!" Tough Apple cursed under his breath, why do things like these always bite him from behind?

"Let's see, whose left?" Shadow Ghoul spoke to look around, he's done Nyx, Phobos and Tough Apple, and that leaves…two left here. "Ah yes, you two are a pair of faces that seem to have some 'good' ones." The ghoul addressed Dumbledore & Bocolix, and when he said 'good ones' by that freaky & creepy tone, it musta meant something bad.

"N…No, we don't; we're not 'really' bad!" Dumbledore nervously replied in stating the Enforcers weren't actually bad as they thought of being.

"Yeh, we only did that thief thing with that old pony!" Bocolix nods with a worried face while bringing up the lie Tao told to the others.

"Oh….then maybe I'll save the trouble of pointing out other faults and just skip for the direct manner." Shadow Ghoul remotely issued in seeing that if it comes to the last ones here, he'll just spill it out in one statement. "You two…Aren't….Heroes." The creepy ghoul floated near the two Alicorn males in darkly issuing of who they 'are' and not what they 'believe' to be.

"Whah," The Enforcers yelped in what was said about them, what did that even mean?

"Yes, you two are nothing but hopeless cases and it's amazing your dumb luck lasted this long, even when being Alicorns." Shadow Ghoul spoke in circling the two in issuing these facts with much cruelty in its voice. "Or is it you 'truly' think you have a chance, so long as you're with 'them'…to make ends meet?" The ghoul asked in pretend remark if Bocolix & Dumbledore believed that they could be heroes with the group in Twilight's exploring group. "You both are delusional to believe that you can be anything else….you may as well face facts; You're not Heroes, your both Zeroes. Kehihih-Hahahahah….." That last part earns the wicked ghoul head to flip its head in laughing at such pitiful states of false hope and beliefs.

Dumbledore & Bocolix were silent in feeling more miserable then when they were working with Boris during the Demon Pony event to banishment and for learning something in trying to actual do good for a change: they are nothing but fakes.

"Leave them alone!" Nyx steps up to defeat the male Alicorns from being discouraged from what a floating insect head was pulling.

"Oh, hmph-hmph, how amusing, you wish to defend the dopes when you have no clue about them?" Shadow Ghoul asked off in sounding amused to see one little filly, defending the ones that once tried to do Nyx harm in the past.

"I know plenty! I maybe what I am cause of what others know and fear but that doesn't mean I can't be given a shot to prove that I'm a better pony." Nyx issued off in making her own statement claim of knowing who she once was and who she is now. "If Dumbledore & Bocolix feel that they wanna be somepony to fix their mistakes and prove they aren't losers like you says. They aren't perfect, but that's okay as long as they try." The black filly's words were so pure that even Dumbledore & Bocolix couldn't believe that this little pony was defending them, the former average Dum Dum & Boxco like they are truly friends and deserve to be having a second chance.

"Oh brother, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm with Nyx in defending those two goofs." Phobos slapped his forehead in seeing this act and can't help but get into it.

"Same here, well…except fer 'de goof parts." Tough issued off to say while correcting about how he was saying this defensive claim.

"We'll take on your challenge trial and take the path that will be our real fate and not some illusion." Nyx made her final decree that they will pass whatever this ghoul has for them, cause nothing will stop them from getting out of here & joining the others.

"Very well, but remember…" Shadow Ghoul spoke in floating upwards while giving this final claim to the group below. "You asked for it and this time….I will not spare any chances of you overcoming my web. And when you fail, you, little Nightmare Moon…" Nyx glared at the ghoul for calling her that name while it had something extra to say to her. "Will be led down fate as your true nasty self….Kehihihi-Hach-Hach-Hahahahaaahhhh!" With that final remark and laughter, the ghoul vanished away in stating when this group fails to pass, Nyx's fate will have her become….the evil that is Nightmare Moon.

"Hay buddy, her name's Nyx!" Dumbledore snapped off in making a defense claim for the filly.

"Remember that, jerk!" Bocolix also protest in arguing what the ghoul freak was doing in teasing Nyx.

"Thanks guys." Nyx smiled to the Enforcers which made the male alicorn stallions smile a bit bashful from being thanked. "Now come on, lets face whatever he's got ready for us." Nyx lean her head over in the direction for them to face the trial awaiting them.

"But where to?" Phobos asked off, they're in a maze, so how will they face what Shadow Ghoul has prepared for them?

"Maybe 'dat there weird light through 'de mist maybe it." Tough pointed out in which the group turn to see….a little light from some mist area; it must be where they need to go.

"Worth a shot, come on!" Nyx responded with a shrug shoulder response before issuing the group check it out.

The group was in agreement, if nothing else, they have to pass whatever illusion of fate that tries to stop them.

At the time, the five went through the mist and soon the light flash a bit before…the mist began to fade away from their area. And in it's place appeared what could almost be described as some courtroom.

"Great. Just where a couple of criminals end up….IN A COURTROOM," Phobos dryly spoke at first before loudly snapping that they have just walked into a place where wanted fugitives end up, just peachy.

"Phobos, ease up a bit, kay?" Nyx tried to have her Moon Dragon pet pal calm down during the little outburst.

"How can I relax, you heard what that creepy ghoul said?" Phobos spoke off in remembering Shadow Ghoul's last words, they'll be judged by their crimes.

"'Dat 'de fella make 'dis 'de hardest illusion fer us 'ta face our worst fate?" Tough pointed off in recalling that whatever bad stuff they've done in the past is about to come at them hard.

"Gee, I'm starting to wonder if it's too late to us our magic to teleport out of here." Bocolix responded off in thinking that the group needs to use magic to escape if they should fail to pass.

"Yeah, maybe we can just teleport to where Twilight is instead? Right," Dumbledore nods in feeling to agree there, if they find Twilight's magical presence, they'll teleport there, right?

"You there," The group of five turn to encounter a big muscular griffin wearing some uniform; like a bailiff for the court house. "Don't even think about leaving, you're on trial!" The griffin bailiff instructed the group to not be going anywhere here.

"Ye mean a trial 'ta pass?" Tough asked off a bit confused by what the word meant here.

"No, I mean a trial in judging your future for a list of crimes against Equestria." The bailiff issued off in telling this group about facing the trial of crimes than a trial that leads them away.

"Crimes to Equestria," The Enforcers repeated off a bit surprised and spooked out, this almost makes them recall how the other Brotherhood members were on trial before being sent to prison.

"Sir, we're willing to face this trial, and we won't flee no matter how scary!" Nyx steps up in declaring with a determine face, they are gonna face this trial, fate or judgment, and get by it…somehow.

"Brave words from a little filly; and sorry to say, age restrictions won't save ya here!" The bailiff responded in seeing the little filly maybe brave, but even Nyx will be judged and won't be let off easy cause she's under age. "As acting bailiff, you each got crimes of being reincarnation of Nightmare Moon…" Nyx swallowed her gulps in hearing this in almost remembering how Celestia once prepared to pass judgment that took away her powers & memories of Nightmare Moon back to Luna. "A Moon Dragon apart of Tadaka's Army…." Phobos was twiddling his fingers in looking a bit shaky in having this brought up. "A loose rogue stallion vandalizing & destroying property damage…." Tough made a nervous sheepish face to rub his back neck in feeling that might be bad in how it's sounding to him. "And I go on, but the list is too long. Looks like your fates are already sealed." The bailiff shrugs off the list he hands in stating, it isn't looking too pretty for this bunch.

"Gulp," Bocolix & Dumbledore swallowed much gulps down their throats, maybe Shadow Ghoul wasn't kidding when he said; he's not taking any chances for any mistakes.

"Come on guys, remember…we have to get through to find mommy, daddy and Spike and get the ingredient." Nyx turn to her band in trying to help make them not give into their fears of what judgemnt that they'll suffer for.

"Nyx is right; it ain't over till the fat lady sings." Tough responded in suddenly snapping himself to be like his name states; tough, they ain't gonna crack from being scared.

"How's about a fat judge instead," Phobos pointed out in a dry remark in noticing who their judge was gonna be.

"Clank-Clank, Clank," Suddenly, a gravel was whacking on its pad that earn some silence in the room. "All Rise For Judge Stonewall!" An announcer spoke that had all the crowds and jury stand, even Nyx's group followed through. And the judge that sat in the high stand to stare down the entire courtroom was depicted with a bull or a lion's body, eagle's wings, and human's head. This was a creature called a Lamassu from its black hoof feet but showed fingers on the front arms, was big, bulky from its bull/lion body that was gray fur, white eagle wings & tail, showed a long black beard and a long curve mustache that seem sneakily sinister looking, from his male human face was bright emerald eyes, he had bronze horns stuck off on his head where his only hair up top was a back-blown Mohawk style up against it's back; giving the appearance of a near bald-headed middle-age person. This was the judge of the courtroom within the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate, Judge Stonewall, the Lamassu.

"So what do we have here?" Stonewall spoke off with a deep voice in addressing the case that is presented to him, "A couple of ponies & a Moon Dragon who deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law." He exclaimed the matter that Nyx's group is willingly (or most of them), awaiting to take punishment by the full extent of the law for their past in breaking the law. But in truth, this was just gonna be a trial of an illusion of fate the ponies & Dragon had to overcome, simple, right…? WRONG!

Suddenly without warning, some heavy beat of rock music

"My Law!" Stonewall addressed off with a sneaky declare that showed Shadow Ghoul in the background, like he's playing the game now. "Gehahahahahahaha….." The Lamassu raised himself up to stretch his arms in laughing maniacally in seeing he'll pass judgment on those below him of their fate.

Nyx, Tough, Phobos, Dumbledore & Bocolix looked to the other in feeling concern in what they are truly…about to face their judgment.

Stonewall: You think you're Big Men!
When you're out on the streets

Soon the judge is showing by a magic illusion of Nyx's group driving a fancy big monster truck type carriage.

You got BIG Plans,
And you run fast on your feet!

Phobos in the illusion notices the time and steps on the gas petal that made the ride speed off on the street, crashing through many houses in Ponyville; ouch, bad driving.

But all that changed, when you came through my door.

Now the illusion shows the gang bust into the court of Judge Stonewall as he was snapping angrily at the bunch for the damage that they've done.

We play by MY Rules!

Then the judge brought out a magic wand that shrunk the others to the size of peas.

[You won't be so BIG anymore!

The four ponies and Moon Dragon were so tiny to land on a gravel pad before looking up.

And I mean no rules I have my face is TESTING!

And from the illusion came Stonewall lifting his gravel mallet up leading the tiny pea creatures screaming before….they got flattened.

"HUUGH," From Stonewall's voice, the illusion broke apart as our focus returns to the courtroom in section.

HARD TIME!

The judge slams his mallet on the gravel in in declaring this forth.

Is just around the corner

Stonewall pointed around his backside in stating where the 'jailhouse' is located.

HARD TIME!

Stonewall slammed his mallet gravel on the stand in announcing this fact again.

Is waiting for yooooouuuuu!

The judge points his mallet at the convict group in stating that prison is waiting for their arrival.

HARD TIME!

Stonewall announced off in slamming his mallet on the stand in stating this again.

Is just around the corner

He once again points to behind him in where the prison is located.

And there's nothing you can say or….DOOoooooo

The judge points his left hand in declaring there is nothing Nyx's group can say or do anything at all while waving his arms upwards on that last part.

I'm Arresting Yoooooou!

Stonewall waved his mallet to shake it near the ponies and Dragon in saying that he's gonna arrest them.

"Teh-hahahahaaa…." Stonewall lets off a cackle laugh in smirking in what fated plans he'll have for this guilty party.

During the moment, Dumbledore & Bocolix had their legs shaking together like skeleton bones from being afraid, Phobos was biting his nails from being nervous, Tough Apple gulped in not liking this state, and even Nyx was seeing their bravery slipping; as this judge continued to sing.

I got your new cloths!
I think they'll fit you just fine

The next magical illusion shows Nyx's group wearing prison stripes fitting for ponies & Dragons.

I hear that stripes are red
Where you'll be spending your time

The judge leans to whisper this latest tip notice about where the group gets sent will be red & white instead of black and white.

The cells are cold
And the beds are hard

The next illusion shows that the group are feeling cold in their cell and they can't get comfy with hard beds.

But there'll be lots of friends to play with….In The Yard!

And the latest scene shows an illusion of Tough, Dumbledore, Bocolix & Phobos in the yard of their jailhouse breaking gravel before they get surrounded by….the big tough prisoners that look mean & looking ready…to beat the group here.

Even though they're not the kind that you can TRUUUuuUST!

Soon the other prisoners dive bomb the four in a dust cloud to start beating them up to a pulp; yewoch!

That illusion fades away, as we return to the situation unfolding in the courtroom now.

HARD TIME!

The judge slams his mallet on the gravel in declaring this forth.

Is just around the corner

Stonewall pointed around his backside in stating where the 'jailhouse' is located.

HARD TIME!

Stonewall slammed his mallet gravel on the stand in announcing this fact again.

Is waiting for yooooouuuuu!

The judge points his mallet at the convict group in stating that prison is waiting for their arrival.

HARD TIME!

Stonewall announced off in slamming his mallet on the stand in stating this again.

Is just around the corner

He once again points to behind him in where the prison is located.

And there's nothing you can say or….DOOoooooo

The judge points his left hand in declaring there is nothing Nyx's group can say or do anything at all while waving his arms upwards on that last part.

I'm Arresting Yoooooou!

Stonewall waved his mallet to shake it near the ponies and Dragon in saying he's gonna arrest them.

Jury: We're here to take you away

Stonewall: WAH-Hahahahaaa-Hughuuuagh…

The judge was laughing madly while the jury is seen discussing the matter at hand.

Jury: We're coming to take you away (YEaaahhh!)

The jury was a flock of griffins that stood up in declaring this while the judge cheered during this stuff.

Stonewall: HARD TIME!

He looked to the jury in wanting to know if this lot was guilty.

Jury: We're coming to take you away

The jury shook their heads in stating that they have not come to complete terms for that…yet.

Stonewell: GRRRrrrrr…..HARD TIME!

The judge growled in annoyance and demanded again if these ponies & Dragon are guilty or not.

Jury: We're coming to take you…

Stonewall: WELL…

The judge wants the answer NOW and it is…

Jury: AWAAAAAY!

The griffin jury cheered forth in declaring this with thumbs pointing down; stating the party be guilty, much to Stonewall's sneaky smile.

Stonewall: The deputy for determining'…
So that you can pay your DEBT….to Society!

Soon the judge grabs a lever and switches it from middle and instead of down left side label 'innocent', it went to the right side label 'guilty' on it. And then a trapdoor opened under Nyx's group's position to fall down a hole and soon land in a strange gray color wasteland all around them without any color…or life for that matter. And this group turns behind them to find the Lamassu judge flapping his wings to appear towering them.

I find no reason to convict you

The judge addressed off in pointing to the group in seeing nothing worth in convicting the convicts of their crime.

Then it's time to see
What assist you can do

Then Judge Stonewall magically pulled out an electric guitar from nowhere and started to play it in picking up a beat in announcing what assistance Nyx's party can do.

CAN DO FOR YOOOoooooUUUUuuuu!

The Lamassu was really playing that guitar for so long with eyes shut that the Enforcers panicked to quickly snatch the others to fly away to flee: Bocolix carried Tough while Dumbledore had Nyx & Phobos to try to get away.

AAAahhh!

Soon the judge was done with that solo moment before flying off in pursuing the guilty party.

HARD TIME!

Stonewall declared off what will happen to those that flee from his grasp.

Is just around the corner

When the Lamassu aim its top part of the guitar down which was shooting off lightning, LIGHTNING! The gang saw this and the Enforcers picked up their speed to fly faster away from this.

HARD TIME!

Soon Judge Stonewall saw the ponies & Dragon escaping further ahead of him…or so it seemed.

Is Waiting For Yooooouuuuu!

Then the Lamassu leans across the skies to play the guitar in that extra beat moment. And in a sudden moment, the ground erupted into a square form tower, pushing the gang upwards.

HARD TIME!

When the ground stopped, the gang notice where they were and peek out to look down in seeing their pursued judge was down below by a thousand feet from their height; wow.

Is just around the corner

Stonewall pointed to behind him, in stating where the prison is that's nearby.

And there's nothing you can say….

Soon Judge Stonewall was playing his guitar, as strikes of lightning zapped him from above, suddenly making the Lamassu creature into a towering titan with the guilty party below him.

Nothing You Can Do! Yeah!

Now the size-enhancing work cease, and now Nyx's party was witnessing a titan that announce there was nothing they can do now.

HARD TIME!

The males were a bit shaky like bones in fearing what was happening here.

Is just around the corner

And when the gang looked to the corner to see a scary image in what was prison known as Grimdark, the second fearful prison next to Tartarus.

HARD TIME!

And from within Grimdark were ghostly images of Tough, Phobos and the Enforcers as withered away spirits of old and de-crippled age in waiting for freedom….it was truly horrible.

Is so….Waiting For Yooooouuuuu!

The males were screaming their heads off in seeing what was about to become their WORST fate…EVER! And it was about to get worst, when lightning struck Stonewall's open right hand that forged into….a gravel mallet fitting a titan judge.

HARD TIME!

Soon the grim shadow of the titan form of the Lamassu judge blocked the gang's only light with much of them showing some form of fear.

Juuuuust around the corner

Stonewall leans down to wave his free hand in where the prison; Grimdark is, as it shows itself like a nightmare for any pony wishing to never go.

And there's nothing you can say or….DOOoooooo

The Lamassu held out his mallet in declaring there was nothing this group can do as he lifted his mallet high above the skies. And on that last part line, swung the mallet that let the others scream in terror before Nyx tried to use her magic to save them…. "Powwfrusvhmmm…." And soon the titan's mallet completely bashed the tower structure that wrecks it to pieces with almost a good chance of getting the others.

GERRrrr-Hach-Hach-HachHachHachHaaach-HachHachHachHachHachHum….

Judge Stonewall was seen laughing maniacally with the head spinning in a vortex while the entire scenery was warping back…into the courtroom. There during the timing of only instruments being heart, Nyx's magic managed to save her friends, but was tired, Bocolix, Dumbledore, Tough & Phobos were hugging the filly with fearful faces until they noticed their return station.

"Now…. Stonewall spoke in speaking to the guilty party. "Do you Lower life forms have ANYTHING to say?" He asked in wanting to hear any last words from this gang, "BEFORE I SENTENCE YOU!" He lifts up his gravel to prepare in sentencing the criminals to their worst fate.

"Oh please be merciful, your honor! Pretty please," Nyx spoke in trying to speak in wanting the judge be merciful without knowing Shadow Ghoul was pulling the strings now.

"Yeah, some of us & those two bozos meant no harm." Phobos pleaded to clap his hands in before pointing to themselves and the Enforcers about their situation was not of being harmful.

"Right, we're just trying 'ta complete our journey as a bunch o' Player Performers." Tough nods in stating of what the heroes are just trying to do even now.

"PLAYER PERFORMERS," The Lamassu judge responded in surprise to hear this before leaning forward a bit from his stand. "You fellas are player performers?" He asked in becoming interested in learning this fact.

"Why ugh, yes your highness!" Dumbledore slowly responded with a smile in thinking this was a good thing.

"Yeah, we can sing & dance too." Bocolix nods in agreement that if the judge knows this, they'll be okay…right?

The judge was giving some second thought in hearing this. "Well you know, fellas? I can never get enough from that Classic & Theatrical Opera House Performance." Stonewall spoke off with a happy tone in what he likes to see, performers for the opera theme. "THERE FOR!" He boldly announces off in wanting to get attention here. "I hereby sentence you…to Two-Thousand Hours of community service." He held his gravel mallet in preparing to sentence the gang here of some community service. "Where you will play nothing….but Classic & Theatrical Opera House Performance…while on your journey." Stonewall made a smile to secretly wink in liking the gang to perform nothing but long hours of putting on a show of opera themselves from classic to theatrical, no exceptions.

"Ah No-NO," Phobos cried out in fear in not wanting this. "I Can't STAAAAAAND Opera House Performances!" The Dragon held his ears in almost in pain; he can't stand doing something like opera shows!

"Me neither! It's so boring, Ah feel like one could DIE fro' it!" Tough spoke off in fearing that if he hears opera and it becomes so boring, somepony might just pass over from the boredom.

"Guys, is it really that bad?" Nyx asked off if her group was…overreacting a tad bit.

"YES!" The others replied off that doing nothing but an opera performance for 2000 hours is gonna be a killer task, for them and when they can't stand it.

"WE'RE DOOOOOMMMMM!" The Enforcers cried out to hug the other, they'll be living in a fate of being in an opera business forever.

"Nyx; you gotta do something to help get us out of here!" Dumbledore looked down to the filly in asking where to help get them out of this jam.

"Yeah, cause if not, our fate is gonna be in the boring theater!" Bocolix pleaded for the filly to have an answer for them to get their flanks out of here.

"Okay guys, I think I may know somepony to help us. A pony that could blow away this kinda trouble we're in." Nyx responded in agreement in having an idea on how they can get help here, "Pinkie Leaf Blower." Nyx issued the name of their only savior that can get them out of this.

"Who," The others responded a bit puzzled, who was that pony?

"She's somepony Aunt Pinkie Pie issued could appear when the justice was being wrongly accused and blow them away like a leaf blower." Nyx explained out what she was told by Pinkie Pie of a pony that could help them when the justice system was not doing its job right.

"Isn't that just Pinkie Pie with another alias name?" Phobos asked off with a raised eyebrow suspicion about the two ponies with Pinkie in the beginning.

"Who cares! Ah don't mind if it was 'de Mag'ne herself!" Tough issued off in not caring much of the difference, so long as they can escape.

"We'll take that bet Nyx." Dumbledore nods his head that they'll listen to get that savior.

"How can we get her here?" Bocolix asked off how they can get the one Nyx is requesting all the way out here.

"Use our magic horns to call her and sing a song to summon her. That's what Aunt Pinkie Pie said works." Nyx explained how they can do this in contacting that pony.

"Works for us," The Enforcers responded in agreeing to that idea without any disagreement while the instruments were ceasing from the earlier song.

Soon the Alicorns were using their horns in bringing them together to make some sorta signal receiver making contact with another pony, "Calling Pinkie Leaf Blower! Calling Pinkie Leaf Blower! Please Respond!" Nyx issued off in trying to reach the one pony that might be able to get them out of this fix courtroom.

At that moment, a new jam pack rock song was being played. As the scenery was slowly and magically letting illusions begin to make a bright yellow background. And who should appear from the rising sun, then a familiar Pinkie Pie that has a strange hat, cloak-cape to carry a leaf-blower while her Cutie Mark seem to have a leaf with balloons (or was it just a leaf on her flank, oh well?). Now the song picks things up before Nyx's group begins to sing during this action.

Phobos: She'll risk it all, for the sake of adventure!

The scene shows the pony of mystery, going off on an adventure with a happy smile.

Tough: Laughing in 'de face o' de sun

And she's seen on a hill-top, laughing into the sun like all happy like.

Bocolix: With her mane mess with leaves
And sure it's colored red, she loves being under the spear

Then we see the pink pony's mane a bit messy with leaves in it. And while the mane & tail maybe reddish, she's seen ducking below an incoming spear.

Dumbledore: Though she walks among mortal ponies

Soon it's seen that the mysterious pony with leaves is walking along your other everyday ponies.

Nyx: She's surely not one of us, guys

Nyx happily cheered off in issuing how that pony is not like ordinary ponies like them.

And around here, the entire group of Nyx, Phobos, Tough & the Enforcers joined the number.

Group: When there's danger anywhere
You can bet that she'll be there!

The group of five march forward in proudly declaring a hero to show up wherever danger shows up.

Pinkie Leaf Blower…
Pinkie Leaf Blower!

Soon blowing across the screen on a leaf blower blowing a breeze and leaves was Pinkie Leaf Blower herself. And from zipping over the others below, in the skies was her name written in the clouds.

Tough, Phobos & Nyx: She'll streak across the sky

The three held out their hooves and claw in witnessing a pony streaking fastly across the skies.

Dumbledore & Bocolix: On a leaf blower as she flies

The Enforcers waved off their hooves in the air in stating how this pony travels before signing together in a group again.

Group: Pinkie Leaf Blower…

The group was again in their marching performance at this moment before pausing and…

Pinkie Leaf Blower!

The group cheered off in declaring the pony hero they know that can come to help them.

"Isn't she great guys," Nyx asked off with a smile to her friends about the pink pony with a leaf blower.

"Heck, I'll say she is!" Tough responded in thinking that pony may just help them after all.

"I agree wholly!" Phobos responded with the Enforcers nodding in whole-heartily agreement there.

Soon the instrument vers was ending to bring back everyone to sing again.

Nyx: She'll defeats that are Death…Defining!
As though danger…was all just a game

As that was sang out, what we see the heroic pink pony doing in defeating bad guys…was actually a board-game.

Dumbledore & Bocolix: And we'll watch with wide-eyes
As she goes soaring by

The Enforcers watch from below in seeing the pink mare go by on her leaf blower at such speed, it was….

Phobos: A speed you can reach on a Pegasus

The Moon Dragon popped in to show a bunch of Pegasus flying but there was one that went by even faster, and with a leaf blower to boot.

Tough: Cleverly disguise as a master

The scene shows Pinkie Leaf Blower wearing fake mustache to slip pass a couple of Diamond Dogs.

Nyx: No one comes to the rescue, FASTER!

Nyx turn to her pals in proudly announcing that the pony they are calling can get here real fast.

Soon the scenery returned to the entire group joining in now.

Group: When there's danger anywhere
You can bet that she'll be there!

The group of five march forward in proudly declaring a hero to show up wherever danger shows up.

Pinkie Leaf Blower…
Pinkie Leaf Blower!

Soon blowing across the screen on a leaf blower blowing a breeze and leaves was Pinkie Leaf Blower herself. And from zipping over the others below in the skies was her name written in the clouds.

Tough, Phobos & Nyx: She'll streak across the sky

The three held out their hooves and claw in witnessing a pony streaking fastly across the skies.

Dumbledore & Bocolix: On a leaf blower as she flies

The Enforcers waved off their hooves in the air in stating how this pony travels before singing together in a group again.

Group: Pinkie Leaf Blower…

The group was again in their marching performance at this moment before pausing and…

Pinkie Leaf Blower!

The group cheered off in declaring the pony hero that they know that can come to help them at any minute now.

Suddenly, the scenery returns our focus back towards…Ponyville.

Female Chorus: The punishment, to the len

Pinkie Pie is seen, but her ears twitch when suddenly picking up something in the air

The fellas are in-rich!

Soon the pink pony zips pass other ponies to go near the Fall Leaves March place for some strange reason.

These feathers, through the heaven

Pinkie Pie gets a bag from a large hollow tree to dump some rainbow colorful leaves in some nearly deep pit.

Unless this rhythm, on the edge!

Then after grabbing some getup, Pinkie Pie quickly jumps up to dive down into a pit of colorful leaves which…glowed.

Suddenly during the instrument vers swirling near Nyx's group in a cyclone of leaves for a brief moment; and then when that scene was all over, who should appear then…

"Pinkie Leaf Blower," The others responded in not believing it, they've managed to call forth the pony Nyx said would help them.

"I am the Tourney Leaf Blower!" Pinkie Leaf Blower presented herself with a badge in issuing that she's now a 'Tourney' in her line of work.

"Wha's that mean, like an attorney," Dumbledore asked off a bit unsure in how to register that claim as.

"If it's our lawyer, we'll take it!" Bocolix shrug off in stating if she helps them in court, who cares, right?

"What seems to be the problems, boys and girl?" Pinkie Leaf Blower leans down to smile in liking to know what was up that this group needs her.

"Oh please, you gotta get us outta here!" Tough begged near the strangely if not familiar pink pony.

"Yeah, that-that….judge just sentence us to playing 2000 hours of…NOTHING…But Opera Performances on our journey." Phobos issued off in almost choking and squeezing his ears in almost feeling in pain of what they've been sentence to.

"Can you help us out?" Nyx asked with hope that the pony Pinkie Pie said could help would do the task.

"Leave everything….to me!" Pinkie Leaf Blower porously declared that she will handle this situation.

Soon we return to the courtroom, where Pinkie Leaf Blower is now Nyx's group's attorney in their defense.

"Excuse me…Your Honor." Pinkie Leaf Blower spoke in wanting to speak with the judge. "These so-called as you say harden criminals are not fit to live! Let alone play Opera performances." The pink pony was pointing at the gang in issuing they rather die than to actually do opera performance. "And further more! I feel…" She was about to continue going on until...

"Psss…." Suddenly, Nyx came up to stop this pony in what she's doing. "You're supposed to be defending us." The filly was telling this pony with a leaf blower that she needs to defend the gang, not be against them.

"Oh ah, really," Pinkie Leaf Blower raised surprised eyes to ask if that was the case.

"Yep," Nyx nods in assuring, that was the case here.

"Ugh, your honor," Pinkie Leaf Blower turns to the bored judge in preparing something entirely different, "When in the course of pony events, fine young individuals like these guys are unjustified accused." She was pointing towards Nyx's group in issuing some laywer language chatter, "Where as the postulant of detrimental reliance here to for, tends to strifeful…this sight," This pony was about to continue going on with more things to protest and argue about until….

"CLANK-CLANK-CLANK…/ENOOOUUUGH," Judge Stonewall was whacking his gravel on his stand in stopping this attorney pink pony's protesting degree. "I can't TAKE…anymore of that lawyer….galloping pony!" The judge was unable to handle and about to lose his mind in hearing the pink pony annoy him to no end here. "Just get them varmints…OUTTA here!" He turned to point his gravel to have Nyx's group leave and be gone if it'll stop this lawyer chatter; and even Shadow Ghoul glared from the shadows, he's been dealt a major blow setback.

During the moment, the rest of the song sung by Nyx's group was gonna be finished up.

When there's danger anywhere
You can bet that she'll be there!

The group of five march forward in proudly declaring a hero that showed up wherever danger shows up.

Pinkie Leaf Blower…
Pinkie Leaf Blower!

Soon blowing across the screen on a leaf blower blowing a breeze and leaves was Pinkie Leaf Blower herself. And from zipping over the others below in the skies was her name written in the clouds.

Tough, Phobos & Nyx: She'll streak across the sky

The three held out their hooves and claw in witnessing a pony streaking fastly across the skies.

Dumbledore & Bocolix: On a leaf blower as she flies

The Enforcers waved off their hooves in the air in stating how this pony travels before singing together in a group again.

Group: Pinkie Leaf Blower…

The group was again in their marching performance at this moment before pausing and…

Pinkie Leaf Blower!

The group cheered off in declaring the pony hero that came to save their day.

When there's danger anywhere
You can bet that she'll be there!

The group of five march forward in proudly declaring a hero that will show up wherever danger comes up.

Pinkie Leaf Blower…
Pinkie Leaf Blower!

Soon blowing across the screen on a leaf blower blowing a breeze and leaves was Pinkie Leaf Blower herself. And from zipping over the others below, in the skies was her name written in the clouds.

Tough, Phobos & Nyx: She'll streak across the sky

The three held out their hooves and claw in witnessing a pony streaking fastly across the skies.

Dumbledore & Bocolix: On a leaf blower as she flies

The Enforcers waved off their hooves in the air in stating how this pony travels before singing together in a group again.

Group: Pinkie Leaf Blower…

The group was again in their marching performance at this moment before pausing for the drama moment…

Group: PINKIE LEAF BLOWER!

The group cheered off in extra loudly in declaring the pony hero of the hour in the final stretch to the song.

"Ohhh, thank you Pinkie Leaf Blower," Dumbledore & Bocolix thanks their savior by shaking her hoof.

"Ye saved our hides!" Tough thanked the Miss Leaf Blower pony for the save.

"We'll finally get outta here!" Phobos cheered in knowing they'll not be stuck here now.

"I knew Pinkie Pie's words in Pinkie Promising you come was no lie, she never break such a promise." Nyx smiled in knowing that if this pony was a lie, Pinkie Pie would have broken a Pinkie Promise, and non-DARE do that.

"No….problem," Pinkie Leaf Blower responded to the group here. "And besides, you'll get my bill in the mail. For now, charge my leaf blower to help us leave this place." She responded to issue off this little thing before planning for their leave near a glowing light from a mist spot.

"Coming right up," The Enforcers responded to charge their horns to give the leaf blower a super-magic charge.

"Like I'll allow it; Nruuaagh," Shadow Ghoul appeared to wanting to stop this group, but….

"Poofruvhmmm…./GWUUAAUGHHHH!" Suddenly, a dust of clouds and leaves blasted everywhere with the gang of ponies and Dragons blasted off through the white light. Thereby allowing the group to overcome the trial of their fate's illusion of crimes & sin acts and now from Nyx, Phobos, Tough, Bocolix & Dumbledore's acting in the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate: Pass.

"PINKIIIIIIE LEEEEEAF BLOOOOWEEEERRRRR!" And then the scene shows that above the cloudily area of the Labyrinth of Illusions' Fate, a cloud of leaves blew out with a hollering voice of the pink pony. And soon that cloud and swirling leaves vanished from sight entirely to leave anybody in mystery to what happened and where the pony came from.

Tso Lan's face appears once more, speaking to Nyx, "Well done, Nightmare Moon. Never thought that you would summon an ally of yours to help you; but this is far from over."

"What do you mean of that, Tso Lan?!" Nyx demands to Tso Lan in suspicion.

"You will soon learn that obtaining victory requires great sacrifice. Question is how long will Twilight Sparkle keeps you away from me?"

"As long as we're together, Tso Lan! We'll beat and overcome you! After all, Ben, Twilight, Spike, Phobos, my father's and mother's sides are great family!"

"You said it, Nyx!" Phobos cheers on, agreeing with Nyx.

Tough remarks, "Yeah, yew freaks are gonna think twice fer making fun o' us!"

"You betcha," Bocolix cheers on eagerly.

Dumbledore nods while adding, "Don't mess with the pony!"

Tso Lan chuckle loudly, "We shall meet again, little Nightmare Moon. Once we meet, you shall learn why you should have surrender to me from beginning of your journey."

Tso Lan's head disappear. Nyx sigh, "I won't give up. I'd never join you, Tso Lan. I have a family. They protect and care for me. I shall do the same for them. I will defeat you, Tso Lan."

-------------------------------

Jade sighs in relief as she saw what's happening from the usual portal place, "Phew. That was close. I was worried that Nyx is going to fail. Who would have thought that Pinkie Leaf Blower help them?"

Tao smile while saying, "Nevertheless that Pinkie Pie had surprised me even further than before. She had done well in saving the lives of her friends despite being afraid of coming here."

"Wait! Pinkie Leaf Blower is Pinkie Pie?!" Jade ask in bewilderment. Tao nods. "Wow, weird. Pinkie could have made as Mystic Pony."

"Nah! Pinkie Pie has lots of things to learn and understand."

"Like how not to be random so much?"

Tao and Jade laugh together. It's funny because it is so true.

--------------------

Now the scene changes to where we find what looks like the entry to the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate, but in actual truth….it is the exit. Yes, not long before, Ben had come out of the labyrinth and soon followed by Twilight & Spike. The two pony lovers hug in rejoice in seeing the other made it out alight. Spike was welcomed back as well by Ben, and by a surprise, Justin the MechBull with the cart and everything in it. And their questions remain in how the others were faring only to see an answer….when a breeze of cloud and leaves blasted out from the entrance to show…Nyx, Tough, Phobos and the Enforcers outside; a bit knocked around and piled together, but okay non the least.

"Hey, you guys made it out okay!" Spike responded surprise, but in joy to see his friends appear with them at last.

"Oh Nyx, you're safe! All of you are!" Twilight came up to nuzzle her head to her daughter in speaking on being glad Nyx was safe, and looked up in being happy the others are too.

"What happened to you all, how'd you come out like that?" Ben asked off a bit surprised in seeing how the last of their friends that made it out done it a bit…..differently.

"It's a long and unbelievable story." Phobos rolled his eyes in stating that even talking about such a thing would take too long to explain.

"Darn right, heck, Ah ask mahself if any o' dat was real!" Tough responded in knowing that what they went through is unlike anything they've ever done before.

"Mwrruuaghhh," Suddenly, the others turn to see a familiar MechBull pulling up near them with their pets in tow.

"Hay look, it's our cart buddies!" Bocolix pointed out in who was showing up at this moment after so long.

"How'd they make it here?" Dumbledore asked off puzzled, they each took trials of fate to get out of the maze, but what of the animals group?

"Good question. How did these guys get out of the maze?" Spike asked from coming near Justin, Rabbitchu, Koga and Owlowiscious in thought, how did these guys make it out at all?

"My guess, they were ignored and the illusions didn't affect those with machine features." Ben responded in thinking that the ones with the cart were ignored and the ghoul from the maze focused solely on the ponies and dragons. "Probably meant that they used their own senses and abilities of direction to get out of there, hugh guys?" He shrug off in thinking that these guys used their other senses to lead them out much better than the others did.

The pets and machines responded with their own cheers and replies which everyone smiled in seeing they all made it out, safe and sound.

"Wait, what's this on you all?" Twilight took a piece of some weird rainbow leaf that was shifting colors to glow and…. "Oh my gosh! This…this is…a Glow Leaf!" She yelped in realizing what she picked up from what was in Nyx's mane…was the ingredient they were seeking that was rare to come across.

"Hold on! Ye mean dat stuff we was gonna get at 'de end o' making it out?" Tough Apple asked off in recalling that the group went through the labyrinth to find this bunch, and now they got it, but how?

"How'd you come across this stuff when we never got it?" Spike was asking how the last group to come out managed to come across this rare ingredient leaf.

"It musta been Pinkie Leaf Blower!" Phobos responded off in thinking back to the pony that blew a breeze with leaves to help them out, the object in question musta came from her.

"Right; she musta blown the leaves and us out, and somehow, we musta got some stuck on us!" Nyx responded in looking at herself, Tough, Phobos and the Enforcers, they had some of them Glow Leaves on some part of their body when they were blown towards and out of their exit route.

"Um guys, what are you talking about? Pinkie Leaf Blower," Ben asked off in feeling like the only pony lost in this weird conversation. "It sounds like a nickname Pinkie Pie came up with herself." The stallion responded in recognizing the 'Pinkie' part from the pink pony they know back in Ponyville.

"But we saw her! She came to our rescue!" Dumbledore responded in stating that the group saw the real deal before their eyes.

"Yeah, and she had a leaf blower, and…" Bocolix was stating the stuff they saw that was a different pony before being cut off...

"I think the illusions from the maze made what you 'wanted' from your hearts to appear when you needed aid." Twilight issued this off in having a theory in what may have truly happened to this group. "Ben told us of what happened to him, so it makes more logical sense that way." She issued from where her lover is in recalling what Ben saw was illusions made from the heart to help guide one through their path.

"Hugh, maybe she's right." Phobos scratched his noggin in feeling that maybe what his group saw was only an illusion.

"But still, what a stunt 'dat missy showed ‘dat ghoul face!" Tough smiled off in recalling what Pinkie Leaf Blower did to Shadow Ghoul right before they left.

"So tell us Twilight, what's so special about these colorful glowy leaves?" Spike asked from looking at the collected bunch of colorful leaves changing colors from where the light angle changed to glow them.

"It's simple really. Glow Leaves can possess magic to transport anypony that jumps into a pile any random area of the user's choice of feeling." Twilight explained the properties in what one single Glow Leaf can do and imagine the larger pile of numbers brought together. "For that reason, in the past, many ponies seek'd out the special leaves, for if one could transport one to any familiar area or to another pony's side, a large pile could have them go to meet those from Ponyville to the Crystal Empire." Twilight knew why these leaves were rare, even none unicorns or ordinary unicorns that could hardly travel such far distances, relied on these Glow Leaves for such usage for easier needs.

"Wow, those leaves sound very important!" Dumbledore responded a bit surprised to hearing this stuff while never knowing it.

"I can't tell if we got them by the maze or not." Bocolix responded in puzzlement in how they came across the leaves by luck or something of helpful aid of outside source.

"I wonder if what made Pinkie Pie always so random to pop around anywhere was cause of those leaves." Phobos issued off in thinking that maybe these Glow Leaves gave Pinkie Pie the unusual ability to pop in at any time and even sense if somepony was gonna break a Pinkie Promise….it could be possible.

"Come on, you think Pinkie Pie would keep a bunch of Glow Leaves hidden somewhere and have some on her to pop out of nowhere all the time?" Spike rolled his eyes in thinking that the Moon Dragon was getting a little ahead of himself in thinking of such thoughts.

"It could happen," Tough shrug off his shoulders in never knowing if their pink friend had such things.

"Maybe we'll ask Pinkie if she does and about this Pinkie Leaf Blower stuff." Ben spoke off in making this suggestion in what they'll do when they return home. "For now, we're together, we have another ingredient;, we're getting closer and closer to our goal now." The stallion looked on the brighter side of things in how they've obtain another ingredient to help save the Apples' Farm.

"I agree Ben, we're very close indeed." Twilight smiled to nod in agreement, the group is getting closer with each step.

"Then lets head on out to find more ingredients," Nyx cheered off to say with a happy face, the sooner the gang get moving, the sooner they'll be able to head home and fix everything.

After getting everyone together and packing their gears in the cart, did Tough Apple took the front seat to grab the liens to tell Justin the MechBull to start moving out. From the roaring of a bull cry, the mechanical creature was pulling the group's cart to continue their journey, Dumbledore & Bocolix were telling Spike, Ben & Twilight of their trial challenge in the labyrinth and how thanks to Nyx, they made it out. Course, the question about how it all went down will be discussed later when the gang plans to camp out to rest. Right now, Twilight was counting the different ingredients that they've managed to gain: the Raspy Footlong Cucumber, the Flower of Eternity, the Tasteless Diamond, the Anti-Evil Roots, the Golden Nugget of the End's Center, the Colored Icicle, the Lover's Tears and the Glow Leaves, so far, that was a total of eight so far. Just a bit more and the gang will have about gotten enough ingredients from traveling a 3/4th or so in the End of Equestria.

However, once the gang left the area by about 20 to 40 or 50 yards, they were too far to see…what happened next. For coming out of the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate was a familiar head of an insect foe; the Shadow Ghoul. Only now the head was rising up to the point that some shadowy mist stretched from it and the maze to make…a form. The ghoul that was only a head of illusion's from the labyrinth was forming a body, it was a large insect-humanoid body with long arms with three talon claws and about five legs with three talon toes (two in front, three in back), and even those red orb marks on it's knees, shoulders and long neck area; it was truly a giant insect that creep out from the shadows of the labyrinth.

"You may have gotten out of the labyrinth, but my prey will not escape my clutches." Shadow Ghoul issued this in grasping its claws up in preparing to make another strike on the gang. "I am the source of the labyrinth, I hunt my prey that comes inside, but if I must, I shall return to my physical form to go forth and finish them off to feast on their flesh before I'm satisfied, and…" The ghoul was about to rush forth to attack Twilight's gang, killing them without any care or the order to get Nyx & Ben, but… "Stabfruvhmmmm…." Suddenly, something ended up striking the insect that pierced through its chest, "Gwuuhhuuuhuu-Haaaa-Haaaughhh! Whhaaaauuugwhaat!" Shadow Ghoul yelped in pain to clutch itself to not lose balance as he looked to see the object was….a spear…made of shadow magic, "Grrruvhmmm….a Shadow Spear? But where…?" The ghoul questioned off in not knowing where this magic object made from Shadow Magic came from, however...

"Shadow Assault," Suddenly, another voice was heard from afar and before the ghoul could react, he was soon in the line of being surrounded by hovering forms of Shadow Spears by an almost unlimited number of them.

"Gwuuaguh…" Shadow Ghoul cried out in gasping horror in not going to like this. "Thous-Thous-Thpous-Thous…." And soon the unknown figure unleashed a storm of Shadow Spears that not even the ghoul could block or reflect, "Nruaarrrrughhhhh!" Shadow Ghoul screamed out in pain from being stabbed all over of the spears that pin his position, just before topping over on the ground. "Gwuuhhh-Haaaughhh….Whoo…" The insect cringed from the pain, but tried to look around, wanting to find who was attacking him, the Shadow Ghoul.

Soon entering the scene out from the shadows was none other than an agent from Tartarus, Number 13: The Equestrian Eliminator. And from his cold emotionless expression, he showed no signs of being intimidated or frighten of being seen by this giant bug. So the mystery of who used those earlier Shadow Magic spells was from this masked pony of mystery.

"Y-Y-Yooooouuuuu; what is….the meaning of…this?" Shadow Ghoul snapped off in near rage, what was this creature of being that serves evil doing here?

"It's your sentence for failing in your task." The Equestrian Eliminator responded for the ghoul creature to understand his position as it were.

"Nrrrughh….Who put you up…Nrrrughh….to this?" Shadow Ghoul struggled off to speak his words in wanting an answer. "I was aiding the Demon Lords. Why….would they do this," He asked off in why an agent that serves the side of darkness and evil, is suddenly attacking a ghoul that serves Demons.

"My orders in attacking you did not come from those eight." The Equestrian Eliminator responded with a dry tone to move a bit off near the wounded ghoul "My orders came….from a higher up than your class." He issued this off with a serious gaze about taking about those higher up then the Demon Lords that the Shadow Ghoul serves.

"Huuuaagh…The…Demon of Godhood…the imprisoned being of Tartarus…you can't mean…" Shadow Ghoul was gasping in almost nearly forgetting his pain in realizing, what this masked stallion was speaking. "The Dark Elf, Grimmore; The Overlord King?" Even this ghoul that works from the shadows knows of the powerful dark elf from long ago.

"Exactly…" Agent 13 responded that what was spoken is indeed the one person, the one powerful deity that he serves.

"But…even the Superior would not cross with the Demon Lords to finish me….I am still of use!" Shadow Ghoul spoke in protesting that the Superior would not dare do something to upset the eight Demon Lords, even if none dare raise a rebellion against the dark elf in fear of his great force.

"Your actions speak louder than your words, you plan to kill them, including Nightmare Moon & the stallion with the Triforce." The Equestrian Eliminator broke the camel’s back in reminding the ghoul that he betrayed the eight Demon Lords in defining the strict orders to get Nyx & Ben alive, killing them along with Twilight's entire party was NOT part of the order.

"Gruvhmm…Mruvhmmm…." Shadow Ghoul groans from his pain in realizing his major mistake that may be costly to himself in being tortured. "Hugh….But wait….how could you be here….and I never sense you?" The ghoul suddenly realized, how did one of Grimmore's agents get here, he have to get through the labyrinth, and Shadow Ghoul would have known his presence, so why?

"I slip within the shadows, you never noticed because your focus was elsewhere." The Equestrian Eliminator responded that the ghoul did not notice a shadow slip by since this creature was focus on Twilight's group.

"But you should have come across a trial of fate…you should have!" Shadow Ghoul protest that his labyrinth reveals one's own fate by illusion, unless conquered, they'll never escape the maze.

"Indeed and the trial I face was….executed." The masked pony responded with a stern face from its eyes being serious in what he's done. "It showed me images of something I have no recollection of; Twilight Sparkle as a filly with her little brother, Starlight, and facing the Scarred Ruler before his earlier death, Lorcan. I decided to just end the test before it began by decapitating the Dragon and moving on…." The Equestrian Eliminator explained that what he saw was of the past of what happened to Twilight Sparkle with her younger brother's death by the evil dragon Lorcan to which this masked unicorn ended it to move on without delay or bother.

"Whah….but then your fate in the illusion was…" Shadow Ghoul was shocked to believe this, that meant that this guy should be trapped, but then…how is he here?

"It didn't matter, the young ponies were only fooled to believing it was a dream I put on them, leaving a different life….to nothing but your illusions." The Equestrian Eliminator responded that he didn't see a point in letting an illusion play out from his act, and left Twilight & her brother Starlight, even as illusions live like the fate of meeting Lorcan never existed.

"No….Gwuuagh….that should have been the illusions from your heart….it was meant to break the will of visitors! I've done so for the Demon Lords for ages…" The Shadow Ghoul protested again through his pain he was enduring in his stabbed place, how could one pony overwrite fate like that, his service has never been defeated like this with the Demons.

"And now the time of your role has reached a verdict." The Equestrian Elimiinator responded in seeing this creature, has lived up to its end of the bargain of service. "My Lord, the one above your Demon Lords, sees your use has long be overdo, and there is no need for a piece that has lost it's use…." The stallion issued before turning to slowly leave from where he stove near the ghoul.

Suddenly, a strange spell that was of glowing red lines was forming from where the masked pony stood. And the lines went in two way splits around the Shadow Ghoul to further sides of the canyon walls, almost like they were creating a smile piece, or was it supposed to be…a circle.

"Wha…wha are you doing?" The Shadow Ghoul asked off in noticing a spell that was being cast, but something was wrong; it was almost like it stretched to him & the labyrinth; what powerful spell was it?

"You are a creature of shadow; therefore, my magic has pierced your shadow molding to return to the labyrinth as well as injured your body. But I am far from done." The Equestrian Eliminator responded in issuing these facts while the spell on was reaching more parts of the labyrinth during the discussion. "Seeing Twilight Sparkle has best'd you, it makes little sense for an insect to try again, so everything here….with cease to exist." During that last bit from this agent of Grimmore, the scene shows the strange spell line appears near the entrance of the labyrinth before connecting: and above the blocked clouded skies, a giant red line circle could be seen.

"GWUUAHHH-Haaaughhh-Hhaaughh…." Shadow Ghoul gasped in almost understanding what was happening and was almost shown sweating, this spell….it couldn't be meant to….destroy him & the labyrinth!

"This is farewell; this is neither an act of good or evil…" The Equestrian Eliminator issued off the further he was leaving, the lines in the ground were glowing ever stronger as if a force of concentrated power is about to be unleashed. "It is simply the will when you've reached the end of the line." The masked pony stops to turn a little of his head to stare with emotionless emotions in stating that the ghoul has outlived its use and shall perish along with everything in the area.

"Noo…Noo….GWUUAAGH…HAAAAVVVVE Mercccccyyyyyy," Shadow Ghoul cried out in trying to raise up its claw to beg for its life, he doesn't wanna go out this way, he can't…he…

"Shadow…Obliteration!" Equestrian Eliminator responded with a glimmer of red from his eyes as this simple magic spell he cast to now fully be…unleashed and deliver it's fatal fury on the victim & everything else.

"Gruvvhmmm….." Suddenly from around the far side corners to the mid line where Shadow Ghoul was, he witnessed a dark margarita color rising up from the sides to almost…close between where he stood. "GIIEEEAUUGHH-AAAAAHHHHH…" Shadow Ghoul unleashed one last agonizing cry when this spell was reaching his area to almost enclose him before… "Clumpvhhm….." The ghoul was soon seal shut and the entire screen shows what spell the Equestrian Elimanitor cast; one that form a sphere of darkness with a shut mouth in trapping anything inside with crescent eyes still shut. "Trussfruvhmmm!" Then the eye marks from above the sphere opened up, as something was about to react. "TRUOOSSVHMMM…TRUOOSSSVHM…./Wruusssuuvhhmmm…." The face vanished, flashes of white lines dash across the surface before….it looked like an inferno contain about to explode… "Roousssfurvhmmm!"

---------------

Now suddenly afar with Twilight's group, two sudden moments happen area their area. First the alicorns & Ben felt a strange magical force, and then they and the others heard to look back in witnessing…. "BOOOMKRUFRUVHMMM…" A large implosion of light from the labyrinth area they left from. The entire area was quaking from the shock force to tremble even the mountain canyons around to come tumbling down. Everyone on their cart was feeling that shake, even Justin was jumping up from feeling the tremor shake around them.

"Dag Gum! Wha happened?" Tough Apple yelped off to control the MechBull from getting scared over what happened behind them.

"That came from the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate!" Dumbledore issued off in recalling that location from afar.

"But we just left, so what in Equestria could have happened?" Bocolix responded confused, what happened all of a sudden?

"You guys aren't gonna believe this but…" Spike was looking through a pair of binoculars, only to nearly gasp in what he saw. "There's an open path there now and maybe a crater, the labyrinth is completely….gone!" The baby Dragon lowered the binoculars in almost being completely shock and speechless, the place that the gang escaped from, was gone in an instant.

"Gone; what do you mean, it's gone? How could a large structure just up and go?" Phobos asked off in finding this the most unbelievable story he's ever heard.

"Some of use sensed it; some very strong magic was used." Ben spoke with some thoughts of concern in what he felt back there. "But a spell that powerful…..you think there was someone that knows a spell powerful enough to pull that off. What do you think Twilight; did you also sense something else?" Ben was stating and asking his lover; whoever pulled off that big flashy and quaking display did more than destroy the labyrinth, but possibly the creature from within it.

"I sensed it too Ben, somehow, the darkness of Shadow Ghoul just faded away." Twilight responded in feeling that whatever presence of the ghoul they all saw was no more. "The question remains, if whoever used a spell that powerful, it almost contains strong portions of dark magic. But the real question behind it is…." She stopped herself to think this question carefully before issuing it. "Is the caster a Friend or Foe? Because depending on it, coming across a powerful spell like that would be disastrous," The new princess could tell that whoever used such a powerful spell, would be dangerous as an enemy, but more likely a helpful ally, but of course, that remains to be seen.

"So, should we turn back to investigate?" Nyx suggested this out if this was concerning everyone here.

"Go back to check what? I say, serve that ghoul right in what he tried to do!" Phobos remarked off that going back shouldn't be a concern, since the only one gone was Shadow Ghoul and a villain gone is better since it means one less bad guy to fight.

"Little fella's right, besides, we gotta pick things up, time waits fer no pony." Tough nods in agreement to Phobos, they can't stick around too long, the gang got more ingredients to find.

"Come on guys, for now, let’s just be thankful that no more innocent lives will be lost in that labyrinth again." Spike spoke to try to ease some tension rising by pointing out the good thing and not the bad parts about it.

"Spike's right mommy, at least that's some relief," Nyx smiled in telling her mother about a positive moment that occurred to them now.

"I suppose so." Twilight sighed in agreeing with what her daughter was saying, so long as no one else gets lost in a troubling labyrinth, it's not a complete bad thing to have happen.

"Come on, let’s continue to move on and then we'll find a place to camp out….probably further away from here at least." Ben suggested that they continue to travel, and then find a place to rest furtherest away from the labyrinth's former area.

Now the group moves on to leave the scene, they've already had what was another handful in being within the End of Equestria. Each passing day, the challenges and obstacles get harder and harder, and more exhausting; it's a wonder that the group is still kicking it alive. Course, with luck, the group will be even luckier to get back home with everything intact, cause whatever maybe out there that destroyed the labyrinth, should be taken heavy precautions if it's another threat for the future.

----------

But back at what 'used' to be the Labyrinth of Illusion's Fate, we see a huge crater that showed smoldering redness in the ground. Apparently, the spell technique performed completely disintegrated anything within the sphere of darkness. All the towers that reached the skies of the labyrinth were gone, even it's guardian that prey on visitors; the Shadow Ghoul, was completely annihilated in that one spell. And just outside near some dust clouds near a field from seeing his work, the Equestrian Eliminator stared at what he's performed.

"This place may have been made to capture lost souls, but that age is over. Shadow Obliteration will disintegrate anything, big or small, no matter what it is." Equestrian Eliminator issued off this statement in the powerful spell he's used that could take out giants & armies after wiping out the spot in this land that has taken many other lives. "Your group is slowly progressing well, Twilight Sparkle, but the more you close further in, the harder things become." He turns to look down the pathway that leads to where Twilight's group was while continuing to leave, unaware in whose has aided from the shadows. "Nothing's changed, if you can survive the last parts, then you'll truly overcome all obstacles." The agent from Grimmore responded that if Twilight can get by the last few areas, she'll have proven herself that she's grown stronger than ever. "But for me, my destiny….whatever it is that connects us, I will not allow it to interfere in my work." The Equestrian Eliminator issued this cold fact out with glaring eyes in stating this what is starting to distract him, a connection he has with Twilight that is clouding his judgments. "I am a mercenary assassin under Lord Grimmore's orders to watch you on your progress. However, if it comes time to where I must face you." The stallion looks between his largest made crater from his strongest dark Shadow Magic before turning towards a different direction while addressing a fact about what happens if Twilight & he were to ever come face to face, but may end up fighting… "Then you best be ready to face me, whatever concerns there is of you, and I, and Starlight…my will…is the will of Grimmore's Law." And with that final settling, the masked pony slowly walks in to the dust clouds and when the wind blows them away, the stallion was long gone. Just like a shadow, this Number 13 agent of Grimmore is not only craft, clever, stealthy, and skilled for combat….he appears very powerful, and could either become an ally…or an enemy to Twilight Sparkle & all of Equestria. The choices….are still a mystery around this one.

Of course, the Equestrian Eliminator didn't go long as he encounter Tao and Jade. He pauses while asking, "Tell me, is what you said is true? Am I truly Starlight?"

Tao nods as he answers, ”Indeed, you are, Starlight."

"If that's even the case, how did I become Grimmore's servant? Why did he erased my memories? For what purpose?! Destroy Twilight? So that's his plan, isn't it?"

"Indeed, Starlight."

The Equestrian Eliminator spoke sternly, "I don't deserve that former name even if that was the case."

Tao ask the one who could be Starlight in concern, "Why not?"

"Because I am the Equestrian Eliminator; I live to serve my master without question and mercy. Tell me, old hermit, why are you helping me?"

"Family. You are Twilight's brother, and never be the enemy. I will not force you to come with me. Learn more of Twilight Sparkle. You'll understand that Twilight's love for family and friendship made everything possible and miracle."

The stallion pauses then spoke, "Perhaps, or perhaps not. But I'll take your advice for once, hermit. I shall decide what to do and what my decision should be. I'll learn more of Twilight Sparkle."

"Once the journey ends, you'll decide the fate of your choice, Starlight. Goodbye. We must leave." Tao said as he and Jade disappear in a puff of smoke. The Equestrian Eliminator stares and glance at Twilight Sparkle and her friends still in the distance.

"I don't know who or what I was before I'm Equestrian Eliminator. But somehow, learning and seeing you, Twilight, it felt familiar. I shall keep an eye on you."

-------------

Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, right near the pit where Pinkie Pie dropped in, she popped out while removing her disguise as Pinkie Leaf Blower.

"Okay, now that 'that' random aid is done, time to put everything away." Pinkie Pie responded before firing her leaf blower in the pit and opened her bag sack to bag all the Glow Leaves inside.

"Pinkie Pie; What are you doing?" Suddenly, Fluttershy came from behind to see what her friend was doing, catching her off guard.

"Oh Fluttershy, I…um….just watching the leaves," Pinkie Pie kept things behind her back before trying to make something up while not ruining the surprise here.

"But we were wondering where you went off to." Fluttershy stated about when the pony left, the Mane Four got worried.

"Long story, I'll explain later. Tell the others that I'll be right there." Pinkie Pie patted her friend on the shoulder with a smile in saying all is well.

"O…okay," Fluttershy slowly responded in deciding to let that be the answer before taking off to rejoin Applejack and the rest of the Mane Six's party group.

"Pheww, it may be a while before I reveal these magic colorful leaves I found longs way back. They help me pop up whenever there's a pony in need of a little Pinkie Pie random action." Pinkie Pie sighed in relief in seeing she managed to keep this little secret, a secret for herself in using the glowy leaves without knowing what they are, to help her pop around places. "For now, I'll keep them here. And put the leaf blower here too." She quickly hid the bag of Glow Leaves and her leaf blower in a hollow tree for safe keeping, "Time to get back to helping ponies with the veggie shortage." She turn in declaring what she'll be doing now after finishing her little work here.

With that, Pinkie Pie was bouncing along to join with the others while having a good feeling, Twilight's group is gonna be fine. And for the secret behind Pinkie Pie's secret popping up in random places with magic Glow Leaves may remain a secret for the time being, including her other self that she disguised as Pinkie Leaf Blower. Boy, with this pink pony, ain't nothing ever simple or logical, it's all just so…random.

Author's Notes:

Okay! The group has beaten the Shadow Ghoul and gotten the next ingredient, as well as us learning more about the Equestrian Eliminator as well as Pinkie Pie's random secret. Could the former be Starlight? In the next chapter, the gang deals with bad luck when the Enforcers finds a little filly named Karma and misfortune appears to follow her all over. Things turn for the worst when nasty creatures called the Kobalos steal the ingredients...and Hsi Wu's pet the Guardian Gorgan Snake Lamia appears! Read, review and suggest!

The Shadow Ghoul is a Duel Monster Card from the Yu-Gi-Oh Card Series. The personality trait being act out can be more closely related to Tarantulas from Beast Wars TV Series.

The song Twilight & Spike sang is a different version "Am I A Man Or Am I A Muppet" from the Muppets' 2011 film, which can be dub as "Am I A Pony Or Am I A Dragon" in this fanlike.

A reminder reference of Twilight being a dragon & Spike being a pony are from my fanlike version: 'My Little Dragon: Friendship Is Magic' in a retelling in how two different creatures would play out a different role if not almost similar to the series.

The next two songs are from a Ren & Stimpy episode: Radio Daze were 'Hard Time' & 'Powdered Toastman' (with this one being rewritten as Pinkie Leaf Blower) during the courtroom scenes.

The spell, Shadow Obliteration, is an inspired idea from what was used called; Dark Obliteration, from Velgemon seen in the Digimon Frontier TV Series.

Chapter 11: Bad Karma

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Chapter 11: Bad Karma

Meanwhile as these events are occurring, in an alternative universe a samurai in teal armor read the events from his computer. The samurai read the story closely and gingerly before gently closing his laptop.

"Another chapter, and another time," the samurai stated as a sword leaning against a wall with a metal dragon plate with glowing blue eyes attached, glowed to the response of its wielder.

----------------

Hsi Wu scream in anger, "Are you certain that both the Shadow Ghoul and Labyrinth of Fate's Illusion are gone?!" The goblin has informed him of the fates of the ones mentioned...and of course he is very ticked off at this latest setback.

The goblin nods as he explains, "Forgive me, masters! Really! I don't know who did it!"

"Unacceptable! Curse those ponies!" Dai Gui grunts as he kicks over an object.

"What is our next intention?!" Tchang Zu demand in frustration and angry. Why is it so darn hard to get rid of a bunch of ponies and Dragons while getting a weapon and a Triforce holder?! "I proposed that Shendu and Tso Lan should attack them at once!"

"Tsunami Torpedo," The Water Demon yells as Bai Tza blast the water current at Tchang Zu, thus pushing him against Po Kong's stomach, "Fools! The plan has already been set! You dare change them?!"

"Forgive me, sister. I'm angered by these ponies' tenacious and strengths! I'll do anything to rip them apart."

"And so as that traitorous Spike!" Dai Gui grunts a bit in annoyance. Something must be done!

Xiao Fung nods as he adds, "Bai Tza is right. In fact, both Tso Lan and Shendu will be the last line of defense in capturing Nightmare Moon, and destroying our foes for good."

"Then, I supposed we should sent the remains of our servants and pets to do it." Po Kong grunts a bit, knowing that the Demon Lords has a few servants and servants left to use.

Bai Tza said, "Indeed, Po Kong. But instead of attacking those ponies, we should remove their retrieving items."

Hsi Wu chuckle as he got the idea, "I get it. If the items are gone, those ponies will have to start their scavenging hunt all over again."

Dai Gui thought of something as he adds, "Or perhaps, they will be desperate to continue to gather the items."

"Thus, leaving any strong servants to deal with them for good, as well as retrieving Nightmare Moon," Xiao Fung suggests with an evil grin.

Po Kong jumps up and down, saying eagerly, "My servants will do their work."

Bai Tza skeptically looks at Po Kong, asking her, "Are you certain that we can trust those troublemakers, Kobalos?"

"Do we even had a choice? They are the reason of bringing my food before our banishment."

"Well, I do had one, brothers and sisters. If those Kobalos planned to betray us, my pet will make example of them." Hsi Wu suggests with an evil grin, deciding to bring in some extra 'help'. "Remind them who is in charge of these dreadful lands. Should Kobalos fail, my pet will take care of the rest."

Xiao Fung nods, saying, "Ah..... Always set a backup plan before the first order; Well thoughtful, Hsi Wu."

Tchang Zu looks around, noting that two certain Demon Lords are nowhere in sight. He asks the others, "Where are Tso Lan and Shendu?"

"It matters not. After all, Bai Tza is in-charge of us now. Let us focus on those ponies." Dai Gui insists eagerly. He doesn't want to wait around for Tso Lan and Shendu to give them the word to deal with the matter.

"Indeed. Po Kong, Hsi Wu, gathered your minions. Set them on the mission and be prepared for any betrayal. I do not want any of that ruining our plans." Bai Tza orders the two Demons sinisterly. She can't afford any more slipups!

Po Kong opens a portal to a black small figure. She spoke to him anxiously, "It is time, my Kobalos. Listen closely. This is very important." He smiled back to his mistress.

Hsi Wu opened his portal as well to a black figure with snakes-shaped. The Demon cover his eyes with his hands while speaking, "Lamia, my beautiful pet, I have a secret mission for you to do."

-------------

At this time, Twilight's group has settled in around their camp area after another long, enduring journey through the lands that is the End of Equestria. Right now, it was just about around the morning part of their day as Tough was packing a few of their camp gear into the cart with Rabbitchu helping out while Justin was fully charged for another run.

"Everything all set Tough?" Ben called out to his friend in how things are going.

"Ye know it Ben! We're about done here!" Tough responded that they're about halfway done packing for another trip.

"We've managed to clean up the campsite." Spike spoke when he, Phobos and the pets were all done doing their task.

"Hoot!" responded off in saying this off during the discussion.

"Us, that's….Do'h, the owl tricked us!" Phobos was about to respond, but yelped in realizing that he was getting confused by the question.

"Arff-Arrff," Koga happily spoke to run around Ben's hooves all joyful.

"Hey, where are Dumbledore & Bocolix?" Nyx spoke off in noticing that the two male Alicorns with them are not here.

"I sent them out to scout for any food nearby, I was gonna do it, but they insisted." Twilight responded that when she was gonna scout, the two Enforcers insisted that they do the job for the mare.

"I thought it was quiet without those two around." Phobos remotely stated in how things felt quieter without Dumbledore & Bocolix around.

"When will they be back?" Tough asked off in when those two new fellas journeying with them will come back.

"They'll come back after a half hour searching; we need to continue our journey." Twilight responded in how long she wanted to scout this area to the Enforcers before coming back to give them a report.

"Well let’s hope they can take care of themselves." Ben issued off in hoping nothing happens to the two they meant back in Castle Nowhere.

"I think the term is, hope they don't get lost in finding us." Spike responded to the question of thought in another way of speaking.

"Nyx, do you ever have a feeling that something suspicious is happening but you don't know why?" asked Phobos curiously.

"Well, sometimes. Why do you ask?" questioned Nyx.

"It's just that I think that Bocolix and Dumbledore are shifty figures. I mean, why were they even in a place like this anyway?"

"Phobos!" gasped Nyx. "Those two have been helping us with the ingredients. There's no way they can be evil! Can they?

Soon the scene shows the Enforcers exploring a cave region about ten meters away from the campsite with Twilight and the gang. They used some glowing sphere magic to light up the dark cave to allow some light to see. And they were looking around trying to scout anything to be wary of or at least something to eat.

"Whose dumb idea was it to come here again?" Bocolix asked off in why they were down in this place in the first place by the other one's idea to come.

"Neither of us, but if Twilight went off and got killed, Boris rig our necks." Dumbledore responded off in knowing what their boss do to them if Twilight was alone, anything would happen.

"Oh right, that reason. But still, what are we searching for?" Bocolix nervously responded in understanding the point, but wondered what the two are seeking.

"Anything. Something to eat or something to watch out for," Dumbledore shrug off to say that they either find food or a dangerous creature they need to stay away from.

"Hope it's the former one, last time, we were nearly Hydra chow." Bocolix spoke off in shivering in recalling that one bad experience from a cave event that lead to them fighting a terrible Hydra.

"Yeah, no kidding, now come on! We need to keep…" Dumbledore responded in agreement, and was about to say they should move on...

But at this moment, both Alicorns shut their yapping mouths when they thought…they heard something. The Enforcers got into goofy stances before correcting themselves in preparing what could be a monstrous enemy. However, upon listening, the two Alicorns settle down because the sound was actually….the voice of a gentle song. Mesmerized by the sound, the Enforcers walked forward a bit until they found where the source of the voice came from. What they found was not as any would believe, there was a strange trigram spell circle inside one cavern area that glowed brightly yellow that felt very powerful. And in the center was not of a monster, but it looked like it was possible….a pony. This pony was a filly with dark violet magenta fur coat, a dual color style for her classic fluff mane and fluff tail that were of pink magenta & light-pink stripe design. The other thing was from her gray color eyes that showed half-closed with a sorrow face, and that this filly was a unicorn at best. The most unusual thing about this pony was that she seem asleep in crystal ice that hovered in the center of this spell, yet Bocolix & Dumbledore still hear a 'La La, La La' voice of somepony singing, it might be from the filly inside.

"What the….some little filly is trapped!" Dumbledore yelped in seeing this and finding it shocking.

"Yeah, we gotta help get her out." Bocolix responded in thinking that the two gotta help the trapped pony out.

Just before the two were about to use their magic to perform a spell in freeing a captive, something come to mind.

"Wait! What if this is a trap?" Dumbledore suddenly did a second-thought in what could be a setup here.

"What kinda trap could it be?" Bocolix asked off in not knowing what they would be facing here.

"Maybe a shape shifter, like them Changelings; Only much worse and it's in a form to make a couple of dunces like us free it." Dumbledore spoke off in thinking this was a trick, a ploy to make them free a creature that's taken the form of a pony, but will attack them when their guards are down.

"Well if that's the case, let’s try a Scan Spell to see if maybe this trapped pony is really a pony or some dangerous creature." Bocolix requested that if they wanted to be sure this was not a trick of a disguise enemy, they'll use a spell to learn the truth of the matter.

With that agreement settled, the Enforcers used their horns to begin scanning the encase filly in crystal and the spell circle on the floor was not stopping this action since it was not breaking what it kept in case hovering. But when the spell was done, both Enforcers got a surprise look on their faces in discovering the truth of the trapped filly in crystal….was real & not a trick..

"She's one hundred percent pure pony." Dumbledore responded in surprise that this was no enemy ploy, it's a real pony sealed in crystal.

"Yeah, but why is she here alone in this place?" Bocolix responded in getting the picture, now the question remained; why and what for?

"I don't know and I don't know why one filly is stuck in a weird spell circle and encase in crystal ice." Dumbledore waved off his hooves in being unable to answer a complex question that he has no idea about.

"Maybe she's like those cannibals and that curse group of ponies from the Lake of Tears? Can we free her?" Bocolix issued how this pony is a victim like a bunch of others that came to the End of Equestria.

"Well….we are Alicorns. And maybe by doing this by ourselves, we can earn a little more favor with Twilight's group." Dumbledore spoke in thinking about this for some moments, if they do this other good deed, Twilight's group might have a little more extra fate in them.

"Then what are we waiting for, lets hurry up and set free an innocent pony and get out of here." Bocolix responded off in feeling eager now, since they got more magic, and work together, breaking a seal spell like this should be a no brainer….or at least if they try hard enough.

With that much in mind, both Dumbledore & Bocolix were charging their magic through their horns…before firing a strong DeSpell Seal Spell at the trigram circle & at the crystal. The two seem hardly affected by this magnitude of power, but the Enforcers saw that they needed to push themselves harder and so they did. The magic blast were seen growing bigger and more fiercer then earlier, and it almost seem to be making the trigram circle begin to stop spinning in place and even frozen the rotating ice crystal with its pony captive in place. Dumbledore & Bocolix were beginning to sweat from feeling their exhaustion starting to kick in, so they decided to go all out. And with one mighty burst, unleashed a charged sphere that traveled their magic streams, and came into contact with the trigram & crystal. The force impact suddenly caused the trigram circle to vanish while the crystal ice soon cracked up before…..light escaped to be followed by an explosive force of light. This unexpected force blinded the Enforcers to cover their eyes while being enveloped by the light that went throughout the entire cave and outside until slowly beginning to fade away.

However, unknown to the Enforcers, by breaking this certain trigram spell, the user that made such a powerful seal would sense the disturbance in the magic.

"Hmmm, interesting...very interesting." Tao said thoughtfully. "Looks like her time has come..."

The scene returns to the Enforcers recovering from what happened, and they check themselves to feel they are in one piece, good news, they were.

"Phew, we're alive!" Dumbledore signed in relief, for a minute, they could've been killed?

"And…so is she!" Bocolix pointed off in almost feeling breathless in seeing just before them…something else.

Now both Alicorns turn in staring that from a small clearing of misty ice from the shattered crystal, a little filly that was trapped was slowly beginning to move in a dizzy state. After slowly getting herself to feel more awake, she opened her eyes to look out, saw a few blurs in the version before the sight managed to become crystal clear. And that was when the freed unicorn filly saw….that she was freed and had company.

"Hugh…? Who…who are you?" The freed filly yelped in seeing those here before her after being in stasis.

"Us," The Enforcers yelped upon being asked that so suddenly at this situation. "We're um…um…" They were both a little off from how the Enforcers had recovered from freeing the filly, the two forgot about letting her know they were not enemies.

"Um, we're…Aicorns. As you can see from our wings & horns, right," Dumbledore spoke forth in stating that the two are Alicorn ponies to the little one.

"Ye-yeah! I'm Bocolix and that's Dumbledore. We helped freed you, um…" Bocolix responded in introducing the two, but also wondered who this pony was.

"My….my name is…" The filly spoke in feeling shy in speaking what her name is.

"Yeah, yeah, go on." Dumbledore responded in liking to know the name.

"What's your name?" Bocolix asked off in liking to know the name too.

"It's…hum….Karma…" The filly sigh before saying her name out to the Alicorns before her, thought she doesn't sound too happy about it.

"Karma," The Enforcers responded a bit lost and confused to hear that name.

"Yeah, like….bad karma." Karma made a little smile to try perking up in stating how her name relates to being 'bad karma' to others.

"Well gee, why are you called that?" Bocolix asked off in confusion about this filly named while saying it's bad, "Crackfruvhmm…/Owwww!" Suddenly, a breaker part of the cave broke off that broke into pieces that landed on the stallion's noggin.

"Cause I'm kinda bad luck, actually." Karma moved her hoof on the ground to state about being….'unlucky', as it were.

"Bad luck? Well heck; we all have that from time to time!" Dumbledore spoke off in thinking that it was just a little bad luck that happened here.

"So you two are really Alicorns?" Karma asked in pondering about these two ponies before her. "Which princess do you serve?" She asked with a slight interest about a princess that the Enforcers work for if they are Alicorns.

"Uugh…" Now both Enforcers were a little lost by this question, especially since they work for neither Celestia nor Luna.

"We're….ugh, you know….a couple of pass-byers on a quest." Dumbledore responded off in issuing that they are free agent Alicorns.

"Yeah, but-but, we are accompanying a 'real' princess right now!" Bocolix spoke off to suddenly bring up who the Enforcers are currently aiding.

"Really; Who's that? Princess Celestia? Or Princess Luna," Karma asked off a bit curious in hearing this piece of news suddenly.

"Ugh, actually, it's a new princess." Bocolix spoke off in stating that the princess that the Enforcers are discussing was a different one than of the sun and moon.

"Twilight Sparkle, hey, we can take you to her." Dumbledore spoke off in feeling that if the two bring Karma to meet Twilight, maybe something good can happen for the filly.

"Oh, I'm not sure that's a good idea." Bocolix spoke with some precaution at this time. "What if something bad happens?" If the filly says that she's bad luck, what if when the two do something, something bad will happen?

"Come on, what harm could happen from…Wuuaaaulp!" Dumbledore was about to state, but slipped to bump into a crack spot in the wall. "Crack-crackfruvhm…./Grugrufruvhmm…." And at that sudden moment, the entire cave was beginning to quake in an unsteady work, which signaled as….

"CAVE IN! RUUUUUN," The Enforcers yelled out in realizing what was happening and needs to get out of here.

Soon outside, the cave entrance, lots of smoke was seen coming out of it. And out of it were Bocolix, Dumbldore and using their magic, levitated Karma with them out of the cave to escape the cave in.

"Pheww…" The Enforcers sighed in relief that they managed to escape being buried alive.

"I tried to tell you." Karma shrug off her shoulders after being set down on the ground when the spell wore off as she did warn the two about her bad karma acting up.

This little event may take a while for the two male Alicorns to get by, let’s just hope their 'luck' will hold out.

During the moment back at the camp area, Twilight's group had completely finished packing up and was just waiting around the cart. Just of being here, why were they waiting, cause they were short two other players.

"Brother, Ah've seen turtles move faster than what those two are doing!" Tough groaned to complain about the Enforcers being awfully late.

"Yeah, it's been over 15 minutes over the half hour!" Phobos complained off in how much time they've waited, what's with those late Alicorns.

"Come on guys, I'm sure they have a reasonable explanation." Ben spoke that maybe the two are too hard on Dumbledore & Bocolix.

"Well, probably…or got klunk'd on the head." Spike spoke off in thinking those two got knocked out and are sleeping on the job.

"Hugh, let’s just hope they…." Twilight sighed in about to say those two are alright when…

"Look, here they come!" Nyx pointed out in seeing something, it was their other party members.

Soon flying through the air was the familiar Enforcers: Dumbledore & Bocolix. But on Bocolix's back and hidden behind his mane, Karma watched where they were going. Soon the Alicorns landed on the ground near their friends awaiting them.

"Where were yew two? We were getting worried?" Tough asked off in demanding to hear where these two were that made them worried sick.

"It's a long story." Dumbldore spoke off that what the two have to tell is a long story to tell here.

"And what's your excuse for the day?" Phobos asked off in crossing his arms, thinking that these two are gonna make up an excuse.

"It's no excuse, we found something!" Bocolix spoke in their defense about something that happened to them.

"What did you find?" Spike asked off a bit curious in what these two even found that caused their delay.

"Her." The Enforcers lean their heads in the direction of what they were carrying. And soon Karma popped from behind Bocolix to land on the ground, making her presence…present before the rest. And Twilight's group was almost spell shock to see a lost filly come to them from out of nowhere.

"Wooh, it's another pony!" Nyx responded in never being able to see a pony like her age around here.

"He-hello…." Karma slowly spoke with a nervous response in meeting these strange ponies and dragons.

"What's your name, sweetie?" Twilight approached to bend down to calmly speak to the new little pony that was joining them.

"K…K…Karma." Karma responded a bit quaky in her voice in speaking her name.

"Wait, as in like BAD Karma?" Phobos asked off in wondering if that name was meant for the bad term vers.

"Phobos," Nyx scolded her pet pal for being a little harsh about Karma's name.

"Ignore him. Nice to meet you Karma," Ben smiled to help ease the new pony that was a bit nervous. "I'm Ben, this is my fillyfriend Twilight, our daughter Nyx, the tough stallion is…well, Tough Apple, and you've met Phobos and lastly is Spike. And you already know Dumbledore & Bocolix." The stallion introduced the rest of the others to this filly while she may have already gotten to know Dumbledore & Bocolix.

"And these are 'de little critters, Ben's pet wolf cub, Koga, Twilight's owl, Owolowiscious, an' our mechanical rabbit weasel Rabbitchu, an' our MechBull, Justin." Tough spoke in pointing at the other creatures the group got around the cart that they use for traveling.

The mentioned animals responded in saying hello to Karma now.

"So….what are you doing here?" Spike asked off a bit puzzled in why Karma was here in the End of Equestria.

"I was…told to stay where I was until my freedom can be cured." Karma slowly spoke in stating what she's doing here, awaiting her freedom and to be cured it seemed.

"Freedom to be cured," Twilight asked off puzzled in hearing this strange response that made weird sense to her.

"Yes, for you see….I was put under a magic trigram spell and encased in ice 2 years when I came here." Karma issued about what happened to her before being freed by the two Enforcers.

"Two Years! By yourself," Ben responded a bit surprised to hear this from the little filly, that's a long time to be stuck here and be alive when alone.

"No, my big brother was also with me. We both originally came from Las Pegasus." Karma shook her head while issuing that she had a sibling and where they original came from.

"Las Pegasus; that's like the city of lights," Bocolix yelped in surprise in knowing of that name that everypony knows.

"The hit casino of paradise fun," Dumbledore issued off in knowing that place is famous for their casinos and gambling.

"Dag gum! Ah've heard about dat place, never been 'ta it, but Ah heard it's 'de busiest place in Equestria!" Tough responded a bit surprised, so they got a filly from Las Pegasus, now that's really rare.

"My brother was a star player in the casino; ponies always said…his luck was unlike anything ever seen." Karma explained her story about her brother to this group. "And from playing cards, dice, the slot machines, spin wheels, much of his prize winnings, he spend to help with our livings." She explained from recalling back the days of her brother helping them out with his winnings.

"What do you mean?" Nyx asked from wondering if there was more to the story.

"Our parents were in an accident and have been hospitalized and my brother had to help pay out the medical bill, plus bills we have hard time paying." Karma explained the hardships of paying debts to others, especially for their parents. "But whenever I'm around, bad luck seems to affect others, which was why nopony wanted to be friends with me. Even from how we got here." She sigh in sadness that for her, she's bad luck, which is why she has no friends to begin with.

"How did you got here?" Twilight asked with concerns in feeling this is the explanation that the group will need to hear now.

"My brother got a winnings from a griffin that spent his boss' money in a poker game, but we never realized….he was a part of a mafia." Karma explained this with a harden expression in recalling that one moment, their lives changed. "We found out that they were a part of some Mafia Family that runs a criminal empire underneath Equestria's nose, and when the boss wanted his money back, my brother said: 'That's life with gambling', but the griffins boss didn't find it funny. Soon he issued a challenge, to survive and reclaim my brother's winnings under a two year stay…in the End of Equestria." She issued this off about what happened that suddenly a different action soon took place.

"Don't tell me….your brother…" Spike was worried now, did Karma's brother….say 'yes' to the challenge?

"Yes, he accepted. But then the griffin thrown a magical orb that unleashed a vortex, it took my brother & me to end up where we are." Karma explained this part with a sorrow face in knowing how things ended up being now. "We were separated at first and I've been living to survive on my own without my brother's aid or his luck…or his love to protect me." The others could almost feel sorry for this poor filly, being alone in this terrible place, it musta been rough. "Apparently, my bad luck helped save me from monsters and wild beasts trying to eat me, and I've found food fall on me or fell into a lake of clean water by chance. Of course, that may have been lucky for me, but not in a way that brought me comfort." The filly issued how such actions may have helped Karma survived the place no pony can survive in, yet with her luck, she managed to. "I met a pony in a cloak who said he contain my luck in a crystal spell, and when somepony come, they bring the cure of what may truly free me." Karma explained the last part of her story, about some mysterious being, a pony no less, said a time would come that she would be free & cured of what suffers her life.

"And that's when these two jokers found yah?" Phobos pointed to Bocolix & Dumbledore, sensing the lunk heads ended up awakening the kid by some luck, or rotten chance.

"Heeeyy," The Enforcers remarked off in not liking that insult just now.

"So, wha'll we do?" Tough turn to Twilight & Ben in what they'll do with unicorn filly from Las Pegasus.

"We better send her to Ponyville where she'll be safer there; hopefully princess Celestia may help cure her, whatever it is." Twilight issued off in thinking that the group can't let Karma stay in this place anymore and she'll get better help with those they know can do so. "Okay, one teleport spell coming up…Hugh?" As Twilight was about to use her horn, something happened…no magical glow was coming up instantly like usual; that's weird.

"Twilight, what's wrong?" Ben asked from seeing something was not right with his love, but what?

"I'm not activating my magic right. Rrrrugh…I can barely manage a levitation spell!" Twilight struggled with some sweat in trying to focus her spell to work, even to levitate herself in an aura, but it felt harder than usual. "What's happening?" The mare was done with the magic work, something was not right in how Twilight's spell casting was not working right.

"Oh no, what if it's the bad luck," Spike yelped in fearing that maybe this was a sign of bad luck.

"Spike, there's no way it's that." Nyx issued to tell her brother that this wasn't bad luck, right?

"Wait, what's with the ground?" Twilight spotted the strange gray-magenta color flooring of the soil. "Hmm, maybe a little diagnostic spell and…oh no." When Twilight used a little magic on the soil, the glow affected it, but vanished before the mare came to a shocking conclusion.

"Wha, what's wrong Twilight?" Ben asked in not liking the looks of how Twilight reacted just now.

"This entire area we're on is made….of Negamite!" Twilight responded off with much fear and worry in where they are.

"Negamite; Wha in Sam Hill is dat?" Tough Apple responded off in not getting what the mare was talking about, just what was the deal with the stuff in the ground?

"A Mineral property that's principle is made to cancel off and weaken any positive magic from any spell caster." Twilight explained to her friends about the context on the subject of this land's soil. "That explains why I can't teleport Karma out. This area is interfering with my spells being at their strongest." The girl really found this bad and the group never knew that they camped here.

"Well at least the bad guys won't fight as much then." Tough shrug off in thinking this'll be a handicap for everyone and not just them, but….

"Wrong, Demon Magic is a negative form of power, so is darkness when used by dark wielders. It's only us that'll be most affected." Twilight issued this off about the bigger problem they seriously got on their hands now.

"Wait, you mean….our magic is weakened? And now we'll have an even harder time getting by?" Nyx asked off in almost complete disbelief in what's happening here.

"Sorry…." Karma lowered her head in shame; once again, her bad luck is jinxing her new friends here.

"Great….'now' we're in trouble." Phobos groans to complain about their situation is seriously messed up now.

"Mhhh…I can feel my Triforce Magic, but this area must be affecting me too." Ben was glowing his golden aura, but even from his special powers, the area is still affecting him. "Think we can get out of here?" Ben turn to Twilight if maybe if they are out of the area with Negamite properties, then maybe they can use their magic better.

"I'm not sure, usually, any area with Negamite was labeled of how much a region it covered, it may be a lot more than just a few meters." Twilight shook her head in being unsure; this area could stretch for miles wide long before they are out of the area zone of Negamite.

"Then we better hurry, if we get attacked now with your magic's depleted and weaken, we'll REALLY be in trouble!" Spike responded with a panicky face to state they have to leave quickly or else.

"Come on guys, so it’s one little bad luck, it's not like things could git worse." Tough responded to issue with a calm attitude, as he was leaning on the cart. But then his left hoof came near Justin's right back hoof,and the stallion stepped on it.

"MWRUUARRRUGHH," Justin cried out in annoyance before leaping upwards and charging out without warning.

"Wha..GAAAAUGH," Just as Tough was responding to this, he got tangled by some loose ropes and was being dragged by the MechBull running loose. "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow….Bad Justin! BAD! SLOOOOOW DOOOOWN!" Tough cried out and shouted out for Justin to cease and dismiss at once, this was bruising him.

"Sorry about this. If you want, I'll just leave." Karma sighed in apologizing again before thinking it's best that she not come along if her bad luck will ruin things.

"Wait Karma; It's not your fault! Plus, once we get out of this field of Negamite, we'll send you back." Nyx came up to stop the unicorn filly from leaving in thinking that the group don't want her around, they can still help Karma out.

"Nyx is right, besides, we've face far worst stuff around here, and if you can do it, so can we." Spike spoke in feeling a little ensured that if the heroes can best the End of Equestria's worst areas of places, monsters & beasts, Demons, then they can handle some bad luck.

"Really…then…maybe I'll find my brother too." Karma spoke in feeling a little more hopeful in sensing all is not a lost for her.

"Of course, I promise you, we'll get by this." Twilight spoke with an assured smile that they'll get through this, together.

"First we gotta catch our ride." Bocolix pointed out that Justin was still dragging poor Tough across the dirt.

"Yeah, it's running loose!" Dumbledore nods in agreement, that MechBull is really running crazy without being calm down.

"Come on you two, you have wings, so you'll probably reach the MechBull much easier than me." Ben spoke in nodding his head for the Enforcers to help do the task, since magic is cut a bit for them, they'll have to depend of physical labor & wings to help in situation, and the first is helping Tough calm Justin the MechBull.

"Awww…alright," The Enforcers sighed at this; the two may as well since they 'did' bring Karma and feel some responsibility in what misfortunate has come to them.

Looks like things here are gonna a little bumpy with the gang here when they get their ride and cart under control to bring one little addition; Karma, the filly with a strange habit of luck that seems….a bit unsure of its calling.

--------------------

Pinkamena was reading as she says, "Well seems like there will be one less evil in the world and the gang will be dealing with more dangers and such and Pinkie Pie just did one of her random skills to aid the gang a little."

Golden Heart nods, saying, "I see but I wonder how you plan to test Omega."

Pinkamena smiles, gets up and moves to Omega as it looks at her. She says, "Omega I have a little task I like you to do."

Omega booms out, "I am ready for whatever you ask""

"I like you to hunt down some dark elves roaming around and bring the head of one of them so I can add it to my collection."

"Orders received, beginning task now."

Omega then leaps out an open window and it opens wings as some little rockets aid it in flying. As Omega heads off, Golden Heart says as Pinkamena goes back to reading, "Um you sure that Omega can do it?"

Pinkamena explains, "I know he will do it but we will have to wait next chapter to see if he does it. But for now let's see how the gang is doing."

------------------

Once the gang recovers Justin, Twilight, her family and Karma continued to travel until they spots someone familiar. The new filly spoke out in curiosity, "Who is that?"

Nyx answers her new friend happily, "Its Tao."

Spike nods while saying, "As usual, he's an okay pony."

Phobos rolls his eyes, remarking, "Correction: He's a weird pony."

Everyone glance at Tao who wore weird necklaces and pendants around his neck and a hat with five horseshoes while holding a left basket with one rabbit and another which is a basket of garlic. He wore a belt on his waist. Tao is dancing around.

Tough blink while asking his pals, "What in tarnation is he doing now?"

"No idea. And I thought someone we know is weirder than him." Bocolix comments, referencing to either Pinkie Pie or Discord, give or take.

Dumbledore agrees, "No kidding."

"Whatever he's doing, I think he knows something about Negamite." Ben said, hoping that Tao knows how to get rid of the Negamite or knows of a direction that the group can go to get out of the stuff.

"Hope so. Hopefully, I don't make a mistake like not believing Pinkie's Pinkie Sense." Twilight said, recalling what happened during the incident with Pinkie's Pinkie Sense.

"That's for sure, Twi." Spike chuckles, recalling that event in a funny way.

Twilight and her friends approached Tao. Nyx was the first to speak to him, "Uh...... Mr. Tao."

Tao turn to Twilight and her friends. With a smile, he said, "Ah, Twilight, and everyone, greetings. Oh, I see you had a new friend."

"Yeah, her name is Karma."

"Karma; Do you mean-"

Phobos remarks in amusement, "He's gonna said 'bad luck'."

Tao hits Phobos's head, scolding, "Manners, Phobos. I was going to say: is she related to the pony gambler named Joey Dice?"

Karma ask Tao hopefully, "You know my brother?"

Tao shook his head, saying, "Nope; Just a rumor. As soon as you went missing, rumored spoke that Joey Dice gave up the gamble as he seeks his little sister; She who somehow ended up in the End of Equestria. I'd never thought I would meet her here." Of course, the old pony recognized her as the same filly whom seal that he was responsible for the seal spell with a certain nephew's help.

"Well, speaking of rumor, what's with this stuff?" Spike asks, noting the items that Tao has with him.

"Oh. You mean my hat, necklaces, pendants, belt, baskets of one rabbit and garlic? Why these are my good luck charms."

Everyone ask in once and in surprise, "Good luck charms?"

"What is 'dat stuff fer, Tao?" Tough ask Tao puzzled.

Tao hits Tough's head, scolding him, "Preventing more bad luck; did you read the books about bad and good luck?!"

"Well, I did, Mr. Tao. But those stuff are just superstition." Twilight said in disbelief. She presumed that the stuff involving bad luck is just nonsense to her!

Tao hits Twilight, making her yelp as well. The old pony comments, "You believed in myths, magic, curses, secrets and faith, yet you don't believe in superstition? Humph. You really need to be open minded to any kinds of situation such as luck, Twilight."

"I'm not saying I don't believe it, Tao. It's just so hard to believe that there's such -" The Earth pony was interrupted when a big rock hit Ben's head. "OW! That hurt!"

More rocks hit on Twilight and her friends, and even Karma, except Tao. Everyone try to avoid the attacks while screaming in pain.

Spike yells out, "How come Tao is the only pony that didn't get hurt?"

"I'd say lucky, I guess." Phobos exclaims while getting hit by the rocks as well.

Bocolix groans in pain, "This is so not our lucky day."

"Somepony stop the falling rocks!" Dumbledore exclaims frantically. Surprisingly, the rocks stop much to his surprise. "What do you know? It works. So I guess our luck change."

Then, it rain on Twilight and her friends. They are wet while Tao used an umbrella to protect him from being wet. The rain stops. Tough groan in annoyance, "Yew had 'ta say it."

Everyone shook their bodies and manes off to get themselves dry. Tao waits until they're finished to speak up once more, "So tell me: are you still doubtful of superstition?"

Twilight rub her head as she speaks, "Okay, I admit that was my mistake, Tao. I guess I should have known that I have to be open-minded, no matter what kind of situation that I faced."

Tao smile as she say, "Good enough."

Karmka, feeling guilty, looks down as she say, "I'm very sorry for that."

"Why would you apologize, Karma? After all, it happened to everyone when it comes to luck."

"But I am bad luck. I bring nothing but bad luck to anyone."

Tao chuckles, saying, "Nonsense, child; Luck is not necessary relied on nature or items, but how much you believed in faith to have luck."

"Do you mean it??" Karma asks Tao hopefully; Odd, he kinda say that same words as the pony in the cloak did 2 years ago.

"Indeed, Karma. No matter what kind of problems you face, always have faith, because everyone you know will always be in your heart. That is true luck."

"I don't know."

Tao turns to Nyx, asking her gently, "Nyx, can I entrust you to make sure that Karma always have faith in herself?"

Nyx nods slowly as she speaks, "Well, I can try."

'Hopefully, we need all the luck to overcome the problems." Spike said, knowing that the group, who turned around for a moment, will need a lot of luck to get out of this mess alive.

Phobos cringe a bit, adding, "No bad luck, please."

"It got worst. Tao's gone again." Bocolix remarks with a frown. Sure enough, as the gang turns back, Tao is gone...again.

"Terrific. We were hoping that we need his lucky charms for our survival." Dumbledore groans in despair and disbelief.

Just then, a familiar voice spoke up from out of nowhere, "Bad Luck Be Lucky, Be Faithful, Be Yourself."

"What?" Nyx ask, a bit startled by the latest riddle in line here.

"Bad Luck Be Lucky, Be Faithful, Be Yourself."

"Just great; His riddle had gotten weirder than before."

"So, what's the voice said?" Spike asks Nyx, wondering what the voice is saying this time.

"'Bad Luck Be Lucky, Be Faithful, Be Yourself'." Nyx explains the riddle to everyone else.

Everyone look awkward. Phobos remarks in annoyance, "That is the most stupid riddle that I ever heard of."

Tough agrees, grunting, "'Dhat doesn't make sense."

"Like no warning or something for what we're dealing with?" Bocolix ask puzzled. Normally, the group would face something terrible up ahead. What's up now?

"So not our lucky day," Dumbledore groans in annoyance. Ever since the Enforcers had found Karma, they run into bad luck, lack of use of magic and now this darn riddle.

Twilight sigh, "Well, whatever it is, we just need all the luck that we had to get out of the situation." With the magic still having a bad time, the group will need luck to get out of the Negamite area.

"Hopefully, no more bad luck," Ben nods in agreement. The group then heads on off on the next part of their journey."

Tao watched Twilight and her friends continue to travel. Dragon Kick, Jade and Mighty Heart appear from behind him. The old pony remarks, "Aieyah. I only hope that they had faith in themselves especially Karma."

Dragon Kick, recalling his first meeting with Karma 2 years ago and putting her in the crystal in the first place, frowns as he spoke, "Uncle, you could have help her when we first met her."

"I could, but Karma is the one who should help herself."

"What I don't understand is why go through all the trouble for Twilight and her friends to help Karma? She is bad luck."

Tao hits Dragon Kick's head, making the nephew yelp in pain. The Mystic pony scolds him, "Do I have to remind you?! Karma is not bad luck! Karma lacks her faith and luck to balance her light chi. Her light chi relied on her brother. Without him, Karma continues to have more bad chi. To avoid them, Karma must learned to have faith to build her good luck."

Jade asks Tao curiously, "And that's why you choose Nyx to be her guidance?"

Tao nods. Mighty scratch his mane while speaking next, "Sensei, I don't understand one thing. Why did your riddle sounds different this time? Shouldn't you give the riddle about the monsters that they are facing or what they need to do?"

"I did. And that is for Karma to help them." Tao explains to Mighty. "If Twilight and her friends can teach her the means of faith and luck, Karma may finally balance her chi and save them."

"Hopefully, there's good luck for Twilight and her family." Jade said, hoping good luck on her friends.

"One more thing: How's everything going on from Ponyville?"

"Well, Gwen and I had good times, and so far no ponies spotted me being somehow related to her." Dragon Kick explains, blushing a bit. "Gwen's so sweet and cute when she blushed."

"Ponyville is still in a bad mood, but the Mane Five are still doing their best to help." Jade said, explaining how the situation in Ponyville hasn't improved any at all.

"The Protection Spell is still in good process. I just need to add more ingredient to the potion. So I guess we should go back." Mighty said, saying that the group should go back now.

"No. You can watch. Let us hope they can figure my riddle sooner or later." Tao said, suggesting that the others can watch. Maybe if Twilight and her friends can work the riddle, Karma's bad luck will be over for good.

-----------------------

The 'Droid' was busy, keeping an eye out on the Superior. Things were doing fine...until the leader turn and spoke to the Droid, "Android."

The Droid responses, "Meatbag."

"In order for you to keep a low profile, you are to wear these black slippers to those...unique claws. Also, I am assigning you to an ally..."

The Superior gives the Droid some black slippers. He blinks and takes them. Better be worth it...

-------------------------

And so, we focus our view of Twilight's crew riding in their cart with Justin fully under control as the MechBull was pulling them. As of now, Karma was riding with them until they can escape the region of this land that's got much Negamite inside that cancels and weakens magic users. So the group will have to depend much on their physical labor skills by Earth & Pegasus abilities, and of course some Dragons and machines, and some pets with their own skills wouldn't hurt.

"Okay, if we travel along this path, we 'should' come across a region where there won't be any more Negamite in the area." Twilight explained to the group in what the group needs to be doing if they wanna get out of this area that's messing up their magic.

"Then we best hurry." Nyx responded in thinking that the group needs to get out of here as fast as they can.

"I'm sorry, this was my fault." Karma sighed in sorrow in feeling that this mess was kinda her fault.

"Hey come on, so we learn we're in a place we're our magic's a little off. Things could be worse," Ben smiled to the filly in assuring her that this situation seems bad, but it could be worse. "Like…Guuugh!" The stallion's words were suddenly cut off when something white smacked against his face that knocked him backwards.

"Ben!" Twilight cried out when she and the others saw that something got their friend.

Soon Ben was seen knocked out the back of the cart to land on his back before the others stopped to inspect their friend if he was attacked. But truth be told, what ended up hitting Ben was not an attack, but….a white duck. And the funny thing about it was that the stallion was struggling to remove a duck's bottom from his face which he succeeded in and breathed easier.

"Ugh…hugh….what just happened to me?" Ben coughed a bit in spitting some feathers off his mouth, confused by what occurred.

"In plain sight, yew met a fowl's end, Ben buddy. Hehe, git it, cause fowls are water, an' by 'de end, it was them bottom. Hooo, didn't see 'at one, did yah?" Tough Apple responded with a tiny crack smile in making a funny statement that Ben just meet his end by a duck fowl's behind and it made him crack a bit to let off a giggle.

Spike, Dumbledore & Bocolix tried to contain their inner laughs in finding this situation funny but it was so hard to do. Twilight gave a stern face to the others to try to keep them from laughing, but in truth, she covered her mouth to stop herself from giggling at how funny this was.

"Sorry honey, but it was silly, you taken out in such a way I mean." Twilight responded to say sorry, after all, if her love was beaten in such a way, who's to say that it wasn't a funny gag?

"Yeah, well what happens if that happened to you, I don't know if I could live with it or laugh about it too." Ben made a sly smile in stating how his love feel if she meant her end, but in a comical way.

"Oh you," Twilight rolled her eye to pound Ben's shoulder with a left hoof, seeing that the pony trying to be clever.

"Quack-Quack," The duck was quacking around the gang with an upset face.

"Hey buddy, go away! You done your deed for the day." Phobos stood near the duck that cause this little stunt.

"Quack-Quack," The duck however, was not moving back and just annoyed the Moon Dragon.

"I said go!" Phobos issued off when the duck was too close, and he pushed the rude bird away.

"QUACK-QUACK; Quake, Quake," The duck however, got any to start flapping its wings in attacking Phobos

"Phobos, maybe you shouldn't tease it so much." Nyx spoke to her friend in maybe he should lay off, it's just one duck.

"Not when he's roughing me up with feathers! I said…SCRAM!" Phobos issued off in about having enough of this one duck getting on their nerves, "Powwfruvhmmm!" That's when the Moon Dragon blew blue flames from its mouth to roast the duck.

"QUACK; QUACK; QUAAAAAAAAAACK," Now the duck was flapping himself from almost being roasted to make the loudest cry that was echoing all around.

Suddenly, the entire area fell into silences and everything from winds died down; something was not right.

"That…doesn't sound good." Ben responded in having a very odd feeling what the group did triggered something.

"Quack-Quack-Quack…." Then more noises of ducks were heard, but the gang could not see them.

"I hear duck calls close by." Dumbldedore issued off about that sound being more ducks nearby.

"And they sound louder, maybe closer." Bocolix stated from hearing the sounds get louder the closer it got.

"Um guys, look up there!" Spike nervously pointed out in noticing something that the others should see.

Soon what the group was seeing the skies show some white figures flapping around, surrounding all areas to be like a closing tornado for the group as the eye of the storm.

"By Grandma's name; It's…a…" Nyx was about to say something with her frightened expression, but the answer came to them all, this was….

"DUCK-MA-GEDDON," Tough cried out in fear in witnessing a near Armageddon event playing out, only with one force of creature: DUCKS!

"QUACK-QUACK-QUACK…" A large battalion of angry ducks were diving and surrounding the gang before….they began the assault-work.

"Ow-ow; cut it out!" Spike yelped from the ducks were biting him all over.

"Ahhhh, they're in my mane!" Bocolix cried out in noticing the ducks were getting in his mane and messing it up.

"They're under our waist!" Dumbldedore yelped when some ducks went below the stallions to knock them off balance.

"What's with these ducks?" Ben cried out in trying to swat the ducks away, but they just kept attacking them.

"They're…ow….Angry Ducks! Ow-Ow…said to attack anything that harms one of their own! Ouch! They're very fearsome!" Twilight was issuing off between yelp cries when the ducks were biting of pecking her all over.

"Gugh-Peetowee; Hiyah Justin, Hiyah; Git our flanks ou' of here," Tough spits out some feathers before he got onto the cart with the rest to get out of here.

"MWRRUUAAUGHHH," Justin the MechBull let off a bull cry before pulling the gang's cart to get them away while being pursued by a flock of angry ducks chasing after them.

-----------------------------------

After surviving a onslaught of attacking fowls and loosing those cranky ducks around the corner…the gang stop near another area. Course Twilight's group is a bit messed up with scattered feathers all over them and cleaning them out of the cart while moving along.

"Okay, so that was a little….hairy, in expecting the unexpected." Ben spoke a bit sheepishly in seeing that what they encounter was a little different than usual.

"If you mean being attacked by ducks, then yah, it was." Phobos spoke off to say that being attacked by everything more ferrous, and they got about beat by ducks is the most unexpected thing to see happen.

"I'm so very sorry for the trouble.” Karma sighed in feeling that this incident was her fault again.

"Don't be, that was….an incident. And Phobos shouldn't have tried to attack something that would call in its flock to back it up." Twilight spoke to comfort the lost filly into knowing that this was not Karma's fault; rather, if Phobos didn't start it, they wouldn't have ended up like this.

"Sure, how was I to know?" Phobos dryly exclaimed in sarcasm in seeing he's getting the blame.

"I find it hard to believe one duck, let alone a whole flock could be so mean." Nyx spoke in pondering how some unseen batch of ducks would end up being so mean into becoming hostile.

"Hay fellas; Ah think Ah got just 'de medicine 'ta cheer us up!" Tough spoke off in seeing something ahead that made him smile to brighten their day. "Some good ol' sweet honey, Ah'll be right back!" The stallion issued from seeing a lonesome tree with a hive, and where there are bees, there is bound to be sweet honey.

Soon Tough stops Justin to approached the tree to collect some honey for the gang.

"Oh, maybe we should help." Bocolix spoke in thinking that the Enforcers should pitch in to collect some honey.

"Nah, what if we get strung?" Dumbledore issued off in thinking that the two get strung by angry bees if they got near.

"Come to think of it, didn't we kinda tick off another bunch of insects earlier?" Spike asked off in recalling what the gang once did to an Evil Guardian to the Wind Demon.

"Don't worry Spike; that was with Swarm, these will just be normal bees." Twilight spoke in assuring her baby Dragon friend of no dangers.

"In the end of Equestria," Phobos remotely reminded the mare that this is no ordinary area, and that even average creatures might be scary.

"Okay, sure, there's that, but…" Twilight was about to say something for that when...

"Woooh," Suddenly Tough's voice made the others seen him fall on his flank from breaking off a branch, "Crackfruvhplushvmm…" At that moment, the hive fell and shattered to pieces. "BIizizizizizizi…." And from that busted hive came a lot of bees swarming together, looking and sounding mad, "Oh Joe….YIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!" Tough responded to himself before quickly screaming and running for his life.

Soon the scene shows the gang standing by and watches what happens when a pony upsets angry bees….the stingers of the first thing to watch out for.

--------------

Now we enter a part where the gang are having Justin pull their cart while Twilight & Nyx & Spike are helping to put some ointment on Tough, being strung all over; ouch.

"Settle down Tough, this stuff will help ease the stings." Twilight spoke to wanting the tough stallion to settle himself.

"Ouch….dah gum! Them bees were worse than Swarm was," Tough cringe to yelp from the medicine that strung the spots that hurt him.

"Lucky thing Dumbledore and Bocolix swooped down to get you out of there while we steer Justin far away." Nyx stated about the good thing that happened after getting away from angry bees to treat their friend.

"Crack-crackvhmm…" Suddenly, something was cracking that could be heard within the cart.

"Hay, you guys hear something? Sounded like a crack." Spike asked off in not liking what the group just heard, sounded bad.

"Okay, who cracked the eggs?" Phobos asked off in demand if somepony sat and cracked a carton of eggs that they brought.

"Ben, what's going on?" Twilight asked in the front where her love and the two Enforcers were driving Justin.

"I think it's the ground, it seems thin here." Ben responded to Twilight in issuing what the gang may have stepped into…trouble.

"Crackfruvhmmm…/Waaaaughhhh," Suddenly, the entire ground broke from underneath the gang that they screamed from falling down into something… "Plufrupvhmm…." Then the group splash landed right into some green goopy messy pit area that was below about 5 to 7 feet deep.

"Yuck! This tastes like slime!" Dumbldedore responded off grossed out in swallowing this green goop.

"And like it had some slugs swimming in it!" Bocolix issued off in the same disgust in what the goop tastes like.

"Cause it is." Twilight suddenly issued off from when the gang noticed; they fell into a pit of slime and some green slugs. "Eek, we fell in a pit with slime and is apparently…a slug's nest." Twilight responded off in feeling like how Rarity reacts, this was very messy indeed.

"Gross!" Nyx stuck her tongue out in feeling disgusted as were the pets that were covered in slime.

"I'm sorry; my bad luck has struck again." Karma sighed to apologize for thinking that they all ended up here, cause of her.

"Bees, now slugs in slime," Tough groanly remarked off in wiping the nasty stuff off him.

"Uuuugh, we'll argue about this later, Bocolix, Dumbledore, I'm sorry to ask, but can you help get us out of this pit?" Ben spoke to calm the group down while asking the Enforcers to help use their wings to bring them up to solid ground level.

"Sure thing," The Enforcers got around the cart to lift it up almost to the top, only for the slime to slip from their hold that dropped the surprise group back in the pit of slug slimes. "Whoops!" The Alicorn males sheepishly responded in seeing that they have some butterfingers on their hooves, or in this case, slimy fingers on their hooves.

"Anybody got a dry towel to wipe off the slime?" Spike asked off to shake the sticky stuff off of him again.

"Yeah, cause we may 'be' here a while." Phobos dryly remarked off in seeing this may take more time than they think.

And so things here was gonna be a bit sticky, with the Negamite around, using magic or focusing much of it was a no-no, and the only way out…was by flying. So yeah, the gang will get out, just…give them time to coordinate & have a solid firm grip.
-----------------

The Rainbow Droid arrives in some sort of dark lair that the Superior has directed her to. What kind of mad pony would live here? He is about to get his answer the hard way when a voice greets him.

"Welcome to the lair of SCIENCE! To the lair of," said the voice as a figure walks out of the smoke and stops under the spotlight, "Dr, Pinksano!!!!!!!"

Dr. Pinksano press a button on a remote control causing cannons to appear, shooting out debris all over the place along with balloons and such. The RD just stared, not impressed as he ask, "...what the hay?"

Pinksano gasps upon seeing the Droid, rushing over and saying, "Oh my gosh; you sound like her, only like she's talking through a tube. Could you teach me how to speak with a robot voice sounding my own?! Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease-"

The Droid tears off a slipper, revealing a... "SON OF A ..." As he rants, the Droid begins to sound more robotic until there's no trace of Rainbow Dash in his voice. This only happens when he gets angry.

---------------

The group with Twilight was again seen, out of the pit and was near a creek to help them clean off the slime all over them. After a few minutes, ponies and Dragons had finally about cleaned themselves, their cart and animals.

"Well, at least we're clean." Nyx sihned in seeing they managed to get cleaned up now.

"Hugh…." Karma sighed in feeling a bit sad about what's happened here.

"Hey Karma, you can't think that incident was your fault. It just happened." Twilight spoke to help cheer this filly up from feeling too sorrow about what's happened to them.

"I understand you're trying to say that you're not mad, but eventually….you may just wanna leave me!" Karma exclaimed that somehow, this group will eventually get tired on having had bad luck ruin things.

"No way; what kinda friend abandons another friend just cause of a little bad luck?" Ben protests that it makes no sense for a friend to leave another, just cause of bad luck.

"The honest kind," Phobos silently spoke in pointing out how an honest friend would break the mold of the moment.

"Sssshh…keep it down, kay." Spike hushed the Moon Dragon to not be causing trouble here.

"Hey looky fellas; some fish," Tough spoke from spotting some fish moving around in the creek.

"Think they are ponies turned to fish?" Dumbledore asked off in joining Tough in spotting the fish.

"Nah; that was only the other area," Bocolix waved off in thinking what they last encountered, can't be the same here.

"Come on, maybe some fish will help…" Tough was about to say something, but was cut off here….

"Hiiiyaaahh/Kurchop," For without warning, a lone fish leaped from the water and delivered a karate chop right on the stallion's nose.

"Gooowh; Wha n' Tarnation," Tough yelped off in shock, what just happened here?

"Tough, what's hap…" Ben came over to see what the commotion was, only to get interrupted himself, "Ka-Pow/Owww!" Ben yelped when some fish that jump up had chopped him behind his neck.

"Hugh!" Dumbledore & Bocolix were about to see what was going on… "Whack-Whack," But these two also got attacked by fish jumping and attacking, "Ouuuch!" The Enforcers cringed out from feeling that last attack bruising them.

"Whipfruvhm…." One fish came up that delivered a punch to the baby dragon's elbow, "Ow, hey!" Spike yelped off to rub his aching shoulder; that was not funny.

"Kickvhmmm…" Another fish came out that kicked the moon dragon from his behind. "Hay, watch it!" Phobos snapped off in looking ticked off against these little fish devils.

"You two, get back!" Twilight quickly got Nyx and Karma out of the creek and near the cart.

"Mommy, what's going on?" Nyx asked from seeing something was going on, but why fish?

"I can't say, but I think we just came across Karate Samyn." Twilight responded in having a bad feeling in what kinda trouble they ended up in. "A weird group of fish said to live in a creek of water and any trespassers that enter, they'll attack with skilled martial art moves." Yep, sound like another unlucky event is taking place, and boy is it fishy.

The male group is gonna be having their hands, or hooves, filled with fighting off the terror of fishes of the deep and the not so deadly and ugly kind.

-----------------------------------------------------

After a while of separating the guys from the fish kicking their butts, the group was on the road again. Course now Twilight had to help tend to those that felt bruises from getting slapped around, and some were holding ice packs up to where it needed to be cooled down.

"How humiliating, getting whoop'd by fish!" Tough groans to keep an ice pack near his bruised black eye, them fish were rough even if bit-size.

"It's a fishy tale if anyone's ever heard." Bocolix spoke off from rubbing his ice pack in admitting how fishy hearing such a tale is.

"Yeah, what else could happen?" Dumbledore shrug off to say from lifting his pack of ice off his noggin.

"In case you two never knew, we get more problems when one 'ask' for it." Phobos dryly remarked this fact for the thick male Alicorns missing how situations work.

"Come on Phobos, sure we got slapped, but we've survived tougher stuff." Spike spoke off to have his friend else up, it's not the end for them if they got beat by tiny fish.

"Grugrugfruvhmm…" Suddenly, the ground was starting to crack with a sign of red lines.

"Uh-oh," The gang responded in not liking what this could be.

"Powwfruvhmmmm/Waaaaughhh," And then without a warning, a lava geyser shot off from the ground that threw the gang off while screaming. "Clupfruvhmmm…." Soon the cart landed back on the ground, toppled over and making a dust cloud.

"Mruuaawwruughhh," Justin popped its head out from the clouds, showing that he's alright and so was Rabbitchu since both were machines, but for the rest….they ached in pain.

"Owy, what was that?" Nyx rubbed her aching noggin in what happened to them that time.

"My guess, a hidden magma that erupted," Ben shook his head to regain his senses in what just happened to the group.

"And why our spot," Phobos asked off in remarking why they were over such a spot, like it wasn't obvious?

"Hugh, I'm terribly sorry for this mess." Karma sighed in feeling like this was her fault once again.

"Hay chill, me and Phobos are Dragons, so, we're good, so are Justin & Rabbitchu, and the cart's sturdy to take the heat." Spike spoke to have the filly unicorn not be so hard, most of the gang were resistant to that and the rest were in the cart so the magma's hot lava didn't burn their flesh.

"Right, let’s get this setup again before trying to continue, and AVOID, any more surprises on the road." Twilight nods in agreement, that much was not so bad, mostly, but now they need to fix their tipped vehicle of transport.

This got everyone to be in agreement before working together to reset the cart and help connect it back on Justin's sides.

------------------

In the next scene, we see the group of travelers going across some strange vine field of wild flowers. Many remember their battle with the Guardian Carnivorous Plant, Mehitos, but they should have things under control here.

"Great, plant life," Phobos groans in seeing this scene now all of a sudden now.

"What's wrong with him?" Karma asked in seeing Phobos act upset over plants.

"Nothing, he just remembers of almost being eaten once by Mehitos." Nyx shook her head in explaining how her pet pal almost got eaten by a plant.

"At least he wasn't actually eaten like Nyx was by the Hydra; that was so scary, we thought she never return." Spike issued to tell about what happened to Nyx that was even scarier for them to handle.

"You were?" Karma asked off surprised when Nyx nodded her head to that. "Wow, and I thought 'I' had bad luck!" Karma responded in finding that event sounded like terrible luck to encounter.

"Yep, guess we both were lucky to avoid such things." Nyx smiled to issue this off to her friend on the subject.

The two fillies giggled and it was the first time Karma felt happy after being stuck in the End of Equestria.

"It's nice to see Nyx help Karma out." Ben smiled in seeing his daughter help their friend out.

"Yeah, let’s hope we can find her brother." Twilight replies in agreement, they have to help Karma find her brother and escape this region covered in Negamite in order to use their magic better.

"Hmph," Tough responded off weird in seeing…something moved through the vines. "Hay folks, Ah think Ah saw something!" The stallion stated from having Justin stop in what looked like they had uninvited company.

"What is it?" The Enforcers asked in being in the caution zone for anything here.

"Don't know, but if it's something o' another misfortunate, it ain't getting 'de drop on us! Every stallion an' Dragon; come on! Let's flush 'dis thing out!" Tough responded off before grabbing his rifle to prepare to defend himself and wanted the tough males to accompany him.

"Strong Alicorn males," Dumbledore stood up ready to aid here.

"Reporting in, sir," Bocolix issued off that they are here to fight.

Soon Spike & Phobos jumped from the cart in being asked to help in whatever they gotta deal with now.

"Be careful Ben." Twilight spoke with concerns in not knowing what they'll come across here.

"Twilight, it'll be fine, what could we find we couldn't handle?" Ben spoke with a smile in assuring his love, all will be fine.

Now while Twilight, Nyx & Karma stayed with Justin, Rabbitchu and the other pets, they watched the others. But soon found what was a tall plant of a slender body with daisy petals around its neck and covering it's seedbed head form. It looked like a humanoid female from vines making its legs and arms.

"Wait, what is that?" Phobos asked in seeing a weird plant figure that looked…human-like.

"It looks like a living flower!" Spike responded that whatever the creature is, it's more plant than animal.

"I think I heard of them, they're Exotic Daisies, said to be over-extreme when it sees a male!" Ben stated off in recalling what they may be seeing here and it's something if it survived in the End of Equestria.

Soon the revealed daisy creature turns to see she had company. And her beautiful face of a perfect human female with bright blue eyes saw what was before her and….

"Aaaaahhh…MAAAAAAALE!" The Exotic Daisy shouted out with a look in looking like she pass over her peaceful side to be replaced by….a hungry mode of being in love.

"Um Ben, she sees us." Dumbledore spoke in not liking how this weirdness they are feeling in the air didn't sit well with them.

"And giving us them weird eyes." Bocolix pointed out from them weird eyes seem like she wants them badly and looked ready to go crazy.

Suddenly, the Exotic Diasy jumped to drop everything it was doing to hang it's tongue out to rush towards…the males.

"EVERYPONY MALE; RUUUUUN," Tough screamed out in suddenly being given a look of fear and terror.

"Aaaaaahhhh-Aaaahhh," The entire male lot was now screaming to run or fly away from whatever was chasing them.

"Ben, what happened?" Twilight asked from seeing the guys returned, what happened, they heard screams.

"Exotic Daisies," Ben cried out before passing his love to continue running.

"Talk later! RUUUN,” Phobos shouted out from passing Twilight that they couldn't explain now.

"She's after us!" Spike screamed out from when he, the Enforcers & Tough ran pass the cart to get distance.

Soon the males ran away from their female pals, and soon Nyx, Karma & Twilight saw what stopped near their confused faces…the Exotic Daisy.

"You hoo, lover boys; Come to Daisy!" The Exotic Diasy waved off in trying to flirt with the scared males before rushing on after them.

Now the situation was filled with lots of confusion, puzzlement, a weird feeling that this day of sense went out the door.

"Mommy, are daddy and the others gonna be fine?" Nyx asked her mother in wondering what's gonna happen to the others.

"Um, well, you see Nyx…Exotic Daisies tend to overreact with affairs in seeing a male. They'll wrap them up in their vines & almost end up giving to many kisses of their effecting." Twilight slowly spoke in explaining how Exotic Daisies work, they show too much effecting when they see one or more males and will show it as too much for any to stand.

"Well, I guess that was really lucky it wasn't us, but I feel sorry for them." Karma spoke that at least the girls were fine, but looks like the boys will have their hands full.

"I'm sure they'll escape, if our 'males' could fight demons, a crazy in love flower won't be much a problem for them to lose." Twilight spoke with a little smile in thinking that Ben and the others can handle this; it won't kill them from one crazy in love flower.

"MY MALES; Mwwwwughhh," A loud voice of the Exotic Daisy was heard from a distance while she sounded like she was gonna kiss someone, "Wuaaaaughhhhh!" A few male screams are heard during the moment that sounded like they were screaming for their lives.

"Eheheh, course…it maybe a while before they meet up with us." Twilight sheepishly chuckled in suddenly feeling that maybe the guys will be stuck with this issue.

So now Twilight had Justin bring them up to a hill zone to show where they be for their missing friends to meet up. Course, that didn't mean the girls wouldn't end up seeing how the guys are seen running in terror of one overly excited crazy hybrid flower in love, it's almost Pinkie Pie crazy, only with different standards. And when the males get back, they'll end up looking silly with kiss marks all over and the girls in the cart might have a hard time getting over something 'that' funny.

---------------------------

And suddenly, we see the group of ponies and Dragons…rolling down on sphere-shaped rocks down a steep hill, and it's VERY STEEP!

"HOW DID WE END UP LIKE THIS?" Phobos shouted off loudly in not recalling how they ended up like this in the first place.

"I DON'T KNOW!" Spike yelled out in being unable to remember the instant the gang ended like this.

"ONE SLIP AND ITS DOWN HILL," Dumbledore cried out loud in recalling one incident made them come into this scene.

"A REALLY-REALLY STEEP HILL," Bocolix pointed out in seeing they were really going downhill.

"HOLD ON EVERYPONY!" Twilight shouted from holding onto Nyx and Karma so they wouldn't slip while she tried to keep from slipping herself.

"KEEP BALANCING AND DON'T SLIP!" Ben shouted out in wanting the rest to not lose their bottom hooves trying to roll and steer the rock.

"AND ALSO, KEEP SCREAMING!" Tough shouted out louder than the rest in what else they had to do.

"AAAAAHHHH…" The gang screams before disappearing down pass some dead trees that blocked our view, "Kurpowwfruvhmmmm!" An unseen crash sight happened before a lot of dust clouds covered the area we see the gang all over the place, but alive at least. "Mwrruaaghh…." Justin was seen walking up slowly towards the crashed sight of the others with the other pets aboard, this was gonna be another eventful moment.

As the string of bad luck continues on, Tao's group watches on. Jade cringes a bit while saying, "Ouch, that's gotta hurt."

"I'd never forget of how I tried to get Karma to the cave where Uncle Tao's working the seal spells." Dragon Kick remarks, recalling what happened when he brought Karma to that cave 2 years ago that got him hurt like this. "That was very long bad day for me. Now, it's bad day for all of them."

Mighty nods, turning to Tao and say, "I think you should give them a more specific riddle for them to understand."

Tao hits Mighty's head before scolding, "Do not question my wisdom! I'm sure Twilight and her friends will figure it out."

Jade sigh, "I hope so." This is going to be a long adventure for the gang.

---------

The Demon Lords laugh evilly and nonstop. They are watching the madness unfold on their portal back in the Realm of Demons, and boy, was it fun for them all!

Hsi Wu laughs, "Now, that's gotta be funniest thing that I ever seen!"

"It looks like they all had bad lucks!" Po Kong laughs a bit. Perhaps this make up for all the bad luck that the Demon Lords has to suffer themselves!

Dai Gui grunts, recalling the kissing flower part, "Spike gets love poison from stupid pretty."

Tchang Zu wipes some tears from his eyes, saying in glee, "It looks like we finally have our hatred calmed down for good."

"Indeed, it looks like our luck has been changed. We now have our advantage!" Xiao Fung remarks in amusement. As long as the heroes got all the bad luck, the Demons has the advantage.

"Indeed. Though death does not satisfy our anger, but seeing them hilarious and funny had made me better." Bai Tza said, a bit amused by what happened but the death won't satisfy the Demons' anger until Nightmare Moon and Ben are theirs and the rest are destroyed.

The Demons all continued to laugh evilly.

------------------

At last, we finally see the gang, riding on their cart with Justin pulling them to go up and over a cliff from a spiral mountain. They have endured much unfortunate luck moments while stuck being unable to use their magic with the Negamite around messy up their focus and control. The gang only hopes they'll make it across this and hopefully, be out of range of what was making them work their fingers to the bone, course, if they had fingers if one was a pony.

"Can I say this is really risky?" Phobos asked off to the others in wanting to say this.

"No!" The others responded that they don't wanna hear that when they are doing this.

"Okay, it's really risky, going over this area, with no magic, and….MISHAPS!" Phobos calmly explained this before shouting out loud in what's been happening to them this whole time, bad luck in every turn.

"Come on, so we hit a few bumps along the way." Nyx spoke in trying to make the subject not be totally bad as it sounds.

"One; Hah; Wha we got was over a dozen or so moments we rather not talk about?" Tough laughed off in issuing how they've gone over dozens of misfortunate events they never dealt with before.

"Especially during that flower hugging us," Dumbledore issued off in remembering what happened during the plant lady meeting.

"And then brought those lips to kiss us?" Bocolix exclaimed with a nervous face in recalling what they've went through afterwards.

"Eeeehieihiehiehieeeee…." The Enforcers shook like leaves in finding that event scared their afterlife out of them, that's a relationship with a crazy plant lady no male should suffer through.

Ben's right eye twitched in recalling that event, there was such a thing as a limit….

"Hay Ben, she didn't scare you that much, did she," Twilight asked in seeing her love was twitching a bit from memory before snapping back to reality.

"Whah, hugh, come on! I've faced a Hydra that tried to finish us, it's just…" Ben responded in trying to not sound so bothered while looking away to softly speak this out. "Getting cornered by a crazy love-drive person was….a little more out of it." To Ben, he thought he's seen plenty of scary things, but in cases of a weird soul that means no evil show such affection, too much of it, then a sensible male would not, he's not crazy enough to stick around and learn what happens next.

"Oh buck up you." Twilight perked a bit to knock her love's left shoulder to make a playful act.

"Heh, thanks." Ben laughs off slightly while rubbing his shoulder; leave it to Twilight to get him to get out of what troubles him, which is why he loves her.

"I'm hoping we'll be alright, after…" Karma spoke in fearing for thought of the alternative course of this travel.

"Hay don't sweat, we'll make it through this no…" Nyx was about to calmly say they'll get by this without any problems until….

"Hehehehe…." Suddenly, a strange laughter was heard in snickering at the scene of the fillies chat.

"Phobos," Nyx spoke off with an upset tone to her Moon Dragon pal.

"What? What I do?" Phobos asked off in sensing something that was gonna be his fault.

"Stop laughing at Karma!" Nyx scolded Phobos for thinking he was being bad to laugh at the unicorn filly for not having such luck.

"But I didn't even laugh!" Phobos issued off his defense over this matter.

"It's true, I was with him." Spike nods in agreement, he was watching Phobos and he never spoke or laughed.

"Then who else was laughing?" Nyx raised an eyebrow confused in who else was laughing just now.

"Not me!" Tough shook his head from the front about not being the culprit.

"Us neither!" The Enforcers declared together in not being of the guilty party.

"And it wasn't me or Twilight, so then who…" Ben spoke for his and Twilight's defense, but if none of them laugh, then who even did?

"Hehehehehe….." Then that laughter was heard in the very back of the cart that made the others turn to see what it was. It was a gnome-dwarf wearing a cloak with black clothing & red belt sash & brown boots. But the worst of it all was that it held a sack, but not any sack bag, this one contained…their objectives.

"Kobalos," Twilight exclaimed in shock in recognizing the creature, but more so, became wide eye in what it was holding before them. "And he's taking our ingredients!" She cried out that this little thief was stealing their hard work under their noses.

Soon the thief got out and by the time the others reach the back, saw the Kobalos riding away on….a unicycle? How'd a gnome-dwarf get one of those is beyond their understanding.

"Hiyah Justin! After that rascal," Tough issued out an order for the MechBull to pick up the pace here.

"Mwruuuoooowwhh," Justin roared off before picking up speed to chase after the thief on his own mode of transport.

"Twilight, what is that thing?" Spike asked off puzzled in what was it they were chasing and Twilight seems to know it.

"Kobalos are mischievous creatures fond of tricking & frightening mortal beings like humans. They've been depict as 'impudent, thieving, droll, idle, mischievous, gnome-dwarfs' from Greek myths, and as 'funny, little triksy elves' of a phallic nature." Twilight explained what that creature was to the gang, and from the details of it, it was seriously bad news for them.

"Talk about…" Phobos was about to say at the moment, but….

"Don't say it! This was not bad luck, just rotten timing!" Twilight cut off Phobos in bringing up if this was more bad luck, they aren't gonna blame this on Karma; it was just an unexpected surprise.

"Aren't they the same thing?" Bocolix questioned off to his partner in silence about how one addresses the manner of speaking.

"Sssh, don't make her mad." Dumbledore hushed his friend so they don't make Twilight upset or disrespectful towards the chat leading towards Karma, since it wasn't her fault, sorta speak.

Now the group was rushing along the dangerous cliff sides up a spiral mountain cliff on a wagon while their thief was getting away on a unicycle with better balance work. The gang was starting to catch up to the Kobalos, but it turn around to look at the others…..with a sneaky smirk across its face; like it either found the gang funny, or something else was afoot.

"I don't like the way that he's looking at us." Spike spoke in not liking what the thief was doing, almost like he wasn't nervous of being caught by them, why?

"Who cares, get me close and I'll roast his bottom!" Phobos spoke off in just wanting to teach this guy about stealing from this gang.

Suddenly, the cart felt shifty from feeling unbalance, almost unsteady from how the gang is going fast on this rocky road.

"Tough, ease this thing, okay?" Ben requested the stallion driving them; they are in a bad spot pretty close to going over an edge on this spiral mountain path.

"'Dat wasn't me. Something ain't right." Tough spoke off in stating this wasn't his act, something just made things shake up.

"Look! In the Kobalos's hand," Nyx spoke in noticing the gnome-dwarf ahead to see he showed something in his other possession.

"Those look like….the bolts that kept the ropes & cart connected to Justin." Twilight spoke in recognizing that stuff the Kobalos showed and then her expression turn to much worry now.

At that moment during a 'U-turn' when the thief went around, Justin made the turn, however….the others in the cart went over the edge.

"For the record, I blame our sense of not seeing this one coming! Waaaahhh,” Phobos dryly issued this comment to the rest before gravity took over and he was then screaming.

"AaaaaaHhhhhh," The entire gang was screaming as they were falling down, rolling out of control down the mountain until… "Clupsfruvhmmm…." Soon another crash happened then the group's cart bashed against another wreckage sight of wooden carts of the last visitors of this area. "Aaauauuuuuyuuagh…" Everyone was seen crawling to get up from what happened to them this time, most of them were scattered around.

"Is everypony okay?" Twilight groans to stand up on her hooves to see how the others are.

"I'm fine mommy." Nyx spoke from where she and Karma got up near a spot.

"Everypony here accounted for except Phobos." Ben spoke from getting up near Tough & the Enforcers, the only one missing is the Moon Dragon.

"I'm here!" Phobos was seen popping out from near a bush in the area. "Well, lucky thing this bush broke my fall." Phobos sign in relief, he actually landed in something soft for a change.

"Ugh, 'dat's actually poison ivy. Been in one once before an' 'de itching is terrible." Tough spoke off in notifying what that bush 'really' is which the other knew what this could mean.

At that moment, Phobos was suddenly scratching himself all over, unable to stop.

"Um fellas, we're also near an old cart of mirrors here." Tough spoke in noticing the number of carts and one of them has a lot of mirrors placed around.

"Oh no….that ain't good." Dumbldeodre yelped in worry in what this could even mean.

"Right, keep them away!" Bocolix exclaimed in not wanting to break those things or bad luck will be with them.

"Ugh….whoosh," Karma was slowly feeling dizzy from the landing, but she didn't watch where she was going.

"Karma, watch it!" Nyx tried to stop her friend from wobbling too close to the mirrors…

Too late as Karma bumped into a mirror that waddles a bit before she landed on her flank in noticing this and everyone cringed with worry of what else was gonna happen. Soon a worried Karma moves away, but too late, like a domino game, one mirror fell to crack itself, then that mirror behind did the same until ten mirrors broke. Then the top pole broke off that knocked the top cover down, a nearby hung mirror cracked before dropping to break, then another hung mirror by a tree broke suddenly. Twilight grit her teeth during this whole thing before she and Nyx opened their eyes to see the damage as one last mirror came off from a nearby tree and began to roll away free off the roof top that lean. Soon the mirror rolled itself towards Tough, Ben & the Enforcers, as they saw the mirror roll like a coin until it soon toppled onto its backside…unbroken which made some relief. But soon the last mirror completely shattered that caught the gang by surprise and soon behold the damaged to this area of broken mirrors cause by Karma.

"Wooh, thirteen broken mirrors," Tough spoke off amazed in how many mirrors they managed to see break all at once.

"Times seven is….91 years!" Twilight counted to multiple the math in estimating how many years a broken mirror is to give a creature bad luck.

"And if we think about in dog years, its…um…" Spike tried to think of the number in what would happen if they added in a total for dog's years.

"It would be 637 years, for dogs like Koga here!" Twilight answered this off in knowing that answer and it's a big number indeed to have to live that long with bad luck.

"GUAAAAAAAAUUGHH," Phobos screamed out from scratching so much, he was looking red all over from the poison ivy spreading and it's made his eyes go red. "I'VE HAD IT! THIS IS AS FAR AS MY PATIENCE WILL GO!" The Moon Dragon screamed off in finally cracking under pressure here. "This Whole Mess Is The Fault Of YOU Two!" He turns to point the entire blame at Dumbledore & Bocolix.

"Us," The Enforcers yelped in seeing they are now being given blame for something.

"Yeah, cause you freed a pony that was 'supposed' to await for heroes that could break her bad luck and instead 'we' got her! And look where it's gotten us!" Phobos issued off in seeing that Karma should have gotten those she was told to wait for, and instead got them and now their luck has gone down the drain. "We've had too many misfortunates in the last couple of hours; lost our ingredients to save the Apples' Farm after surviving every horror imaginable, only to lose in the end….FROM BAD LUCK THAT YOU TWO DOLTS BROUGHT!" The Moon Dragon was clearly in a loss of rage from the poison ivy infection, and thanks to the Enforcers in bringing a filly that was cursed, they lost their only way to save Applejack's farm.

"But we….we were….it ain't our fault that this happened." Dumbledore responded in trying to say that this was not seriously their fault.

"Right, we were just being nice & wanted to help out." Bocolix responded in trying to say that the two aren't at fault and only wanted to help.

"Well thanks to you fools, our luck…HAS RUN OUT!" Phobos dryly remote off to say, and then unleashed a loud fury that was heard echoing all over the area.

Karma was feeling a little sad to almost begin to have her face about ready to pout in tears in witnessing what this could mean. The filly saw it and knew what it means; her bad luck was true and now from the mirrors she broke, she'll remain unlucky for her life until it ends. Sniffing her nose while breaking a few slight tears of sadness, Karma soon immediately broke off to run away from this group. By the time anypony recognized this action, Karma was very much putting much distance between herself and those she has caused harm with her misfortunate.

"Wait Karma," Nyx called out to her friend that was soon long gone, and she was clearly heart broken.

"Boy, you've really done it now Phobos." Spike rolled his eyes to cross his arms, why Phobos had to go and now make everything more difficult.

"Yeah, ye gone an' made 'de little filly cry! Ye outta know she apologized & thought o' not being around, but she been alone then!" Tough responded in agreement, the poor filly was sent here, been alone without a brother, and she believes her bad karma ruins everything for every creature, good or bad.

"Ohhhh, sorry, with all these things, and this unbearable itching, urrrrgh, I couldn't control myself." Phobos spoke off from being unable to stop scratching, he now realizes too late the damage that he's done; he feels just terrible now.

"Hugh, but maybe he's right. We might just have been nothing but fools to think we help." Dumbledore spoke in letting the others know not to blame Phobos cause the two Alicorn males are as much to blame as anypony here while thinking about what they clearly are.

"Yeah, besides that one time at the castle, we've only been the goofs that haven't been much." Bocolix spoke off in thinking that the Enforcers haven't been much help, they may have saved Twilight from Somnambula, but after that, nothing good else came then.

"Listen you two! I don't care if you both are seen as jokers or as fools! What you did was not wrong!" Twilight came up to sternly give the Enforcers a stern talking to that they truly did nothing wrong…at least this time. "You saw a pony in trouble and wanted to help, any pony would help a friend in need! And right now, that same pony needs our help!" Dumbledore & Bocolix felt some relief from Twilight's kind words that they helped a filly that was in need, and there is no shame in doing it, any good pony with the right sense would never just avoid it unless they had no heart.

"But where do we start? 'Dat Kobalos took off somewhere wit' them ingredients & Karma might be anywhere!" Tough made a good point in stating out the clear facts, that gnome-dwarf had a big lead start with their ingredients & they gotta get them bad, not to mention that Karma could be anywhere in the End of Equestria.

"We'll have to split into teams," Ben issued this off with a stern face in seeing they need to get ready for action. "Tough, you'll stay here with the pets to get Justin & fix the cart. Me, Phobos, Dumbledore & Bocolix will find that Kobalos with the ingredients." Ben was giving assignments to everyone here from fixing their transportation to finding the thief that stole their hard obtained ingredients, "Twilight, you, Spike & Nyx try to find Karma. With any luck, and that's a long shot, she isn't far." Ben turn to his love in wanting her to find the missing unicorn filly, hopefully the princess of magic can perform a magical miracle to help Karma with her troubles.

"Understood," Twilight nods with a determine face, she will not lose this, if the princess can't even help a child, she may as well call it quits now and go home a failure: NOT ON HER WATCH!

"But what about your magic, what if we still hasn't cleared away from the Negamite and it disturbs you guys?" Spike asked in worrying that if the group are still around the region and haven't escape from what is causing the gang to not have their magical abilities, they are just at half-strength and in a handicap predicament.

"That's a chance we'll have to take." Ben stated with a stern face that whatever the odds, they'll face them.

"Alright everypony, let’s go get our ingredients and friend back!" Twilight issued off to the rest that they have a job to do, and they will either come back with one or the other, but hopefully…with both.

Now things are really gonna be heating up here, with Tough working on getting the cart up and the pets assisting while Justin comes over…the rest heads off to find their valuables: the ingredients & Karma. The Race…Is ON!

---------------

In a cave far away from the group, the three Kobalos contacted the Demon Lords about their mission success, and demanding something important to them.

"You dare request me to give your freedom?!" Po Kong demands to the Kobalos in disbelief.

The first Kobalos snaps, "Yeah! We work for who knows how long! But no more! For me and brothers are solo!"

The second Kobalos adds, "Besides, you trapped inside the Realm of Demons for good."

"I'm not enjoying your stupid humor." Xiao Fung said, a bit irritated by the Kobalos's bad sense of humor.

"Dai Gui shall not forgive you!" Dai Gui roars at the Kobalos for what these thieves are trying to pull here.

"You will pay for your treachery!" Tchang Zu exclaims in agreement, planning on getting back at these guys.

The third Kobalos couldn't help but taunt his Demon overlords, "Whatcha you gonna do? You're stuck inside, while we're outside."

Hsi Wu and Bai Tza smirk as the former ask slyly, "Are you certain?"

Before the Kobalos could speak, they heard a roaring sound. The first Kobalos who held all of ingredients that Twilight and her friends retrieved look up and scream in worry as he saw something. He then turned into stone. The other two Kobalos panicked.

"Tell me: is this a wise decision to defect from us?" Bai Tza challenge the thieves to continue their idea of defecting. The Kobalos shook their heads. "Then, listen carefully, I want you deal with Ben and his companions at once. I have a feeling that they might tried to find their ingredients while Hsi Wu's pet will take care of Twilight, Spike and the Unicorn as well as retrieving Nightmare Moon."

"Does she make herself clear?" Po Kong demands. The Kobalos nod their heads. "Get back to your work!"

The Kobalos rush off in a panic, fearing what would happen if they mess up or try to defect...again!

------------------------

The war between the remaining two Kobalos and Ben's group has begun as the thieves set off traps to slow them down. There are some like holes in the ground, electric nets, bee bombs and such to some that's lame like stolen rainclouds, apple cores and whatever not so creative. Ben's group even fell into thorn bushes, coming across a warthog the hard way or dealing with Moblins.

Now we see Ben's group reached a part of the cave they've entered, only to find that they've come to a closure. It was a dead end; there was no other way out.

"Great, now what," Phobos asked off dryly in what do they do now, they have nowhere else to go after losing their pursuers.

"Give me a second, I'll figure something out." Ben spoke in needing time to figure this whole thing out now.

"What about that there," The Enforcers pointed out in noticing something to their attention.

Soon they find two Kobalos that appear out of the shadows as if they were cleverly hiding to surprise the gang, but not in the good Pinkie Pie style were everyone laughs together; this was sneaky mean.

"Alright you two, answer us this! Where is our bag of ingredients?" Ben sternly demanded the two gnome-dwarfs answers his question or else they'll cause trouble.

"You want bag, you gotta know where to go." The first Kobalos responded off with a sneaky expression.

"Yes, and for you to get pass, you must pay a fee." The second Kobalos issued off with a twitching of his fingers to be seen.

"You're blackmailing us for cash?" Phobos asked off in disbelief in what these guys were asking of them.

"No, we shall be honest. To help you on your way," The first Kobalos responded in stating what they are wanting here.

"You must play us a song and a path will open." The second Kobalos requested this off right out of the blue.

Soon the Kobalos showed a piano after pulling a clever sheet down from the wall to show the instrument to the ponies and Moon Dragon.

"So let me get this straight, we can get out of here & find what one of you took from us by playing a song from a piano?" Ben asked off in trying to understand this clear point in what they gotta do and that's all there is to it.

"Yep," Both Kobalos responded in answering that question like it was the easiest thing in the world. "Let us help straighten it up for you." Both gnome-dwarfs responded together in wanting to prepare the piano for the pony group to play it.

Now the Kobalos went to make sure the front & back of the piano was working. But behind the piano was a large stack amount of TNT & bombs placed there with tricker wiring for a 'certain' action to trigger an explosion. As the gnome-dwarfs secretly chuckled under their breath, they moved the piano to a wall for this group searchers to see.

"There's your piano, ponies!" First Kobalos pointed the piano was all set and ready to be used.

"Now let’s see you play it!" Second Kobalos instructed that now the ponies here have to play the piano.

"Ugh, sure, what song request do you have in mind?" Ben responded with a raised eyebrow, but wanted to know one thing; any request.

"Why not….'Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms' song," First Kobalos issued off in thinking what song he wanted Ben's group to play for them.

"Yes, now play it and if you do right, an answer you will get!" Second Kobalos demanded off in how the ponies will get answers after they play that song by instrument.

Soon the gnome-dwarfs turn to rush out of the way of the ponies and the piano to strangely take cover behind a boulder corner. Ben had a strange suspicious about trusting Kobalos, like Twilight said, they can be mischievous & tricky; something about this didn't sit right.

"Well Ben, you gonna do it?" Phobos asked off if Ben was gonna play that requested number on the piano or not.

"I think something stinks about this. It either could be what can help us or a trap. We just can't tell." Ben spoke in having a suspicious suspicion about what those Kobalos are up to.

"Maybe we should play the piano instead." Dumbledore spoke in offering to provide some aid for Ben instead.

"Yah, we'll be the ones to play it & find out!" Bocolix responded in agreement that maybe the two can do something.

Soon the Enforcers came up to the piano in hopes to help 'make-up' for past failure moments and for the trouble they believe to be blamed for.

"Are you sure we should let those bozos to this task, what if they mess up?" Phobos silently whispered this to Ben in having doubts those two new Alicorns can even be helpful now of all times.

"Maybe…or MAYBE…this is just what we need." Ben responded with a strange hidden smile in seeing something come together; maybe to beat a Kobalos, they may need…some 'dumb' luck on their side for a change.

Soon Dumbledore & Bocolix were by the piano and the former took the first shot. He was playing the right key notes that were in the request of 'Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms'. Course hidden from view was a strange looking wire to one key with a box underneath, it might be the trigger mechanism the Kobalos want any pony to press for that 'right' rhythm. Course, Dumbledore ended up missing that key from the right and left, leaving the middle trigger key untouched.

The Kobalos heard this and knew that something wasn't right, that was NOT how to play that song and trigger the explosives.

"Nooooooooo; that's Not It," The Kobalos came out with the first one snapping off in anger that the Enforcers didn't play that song part right at all.

"Wrong Keynote; Try AGAIN!" Second Kobalo snapped off in demanding the two dolts make certain to play the 'right' keynote for the song.

Then both the Kobalos quickly went back into their hiding spot while peeking to see when their trap will be sprung.

"Hugh, I thought that 'was' the right song notes." Dumbledore spoke puzzled in what the Enforcer may have done wrong here.

"Let me have a shot, maybe I can get it instead." Bocolix insisted that he might do better at this than his pal did.

As Dumbledore watched, Bocolix was soon playing the first beginning key notes correctly for the song. But once again, he even managed to miss the trigger key with the wire around the spot by tapping the right and left sides.

Finally, both Kobalos came out of hiding, looking like they lost patience. The gnome-dwarfs came up to the Enforcers in looking ticked off by how dumb these two ponies are in messing up.

"Ohhhh…you Stupid Ponies," The first Kobalo snapped off against the Enforcers in how they couldn't play a tune right.

"Outta the Way; LIKE THIS!" The second Kobalo yelled out annoyed to push the Enforcers away so the two gnome-dwarfs would show how's supposed to be done.

Now the Kobalos were the ones working together to play the piano keys. The two were giving a quick demonstration in playing the keynotes in how to correctly play 'Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms' is done. But they also tapped the center keynote with the trigger wire twice in forgetting their setup, "KAPOWWFRUVHMMM!" And soon a large explosion covered everyone's sight, and from the smoking clearing out and loud piano bust noise, we end up seeing two toasted Kobalas a little messed up before gravity knocks them to the ground, with a stump stuck face. And then if that wasn't enough, a new opening was made from that blast to lead this group out.

"Great job you two." Ben smiled at Dumbledore and Bocolix for that job well done here.

"It was?" The Enforcers responded off puzzled, they actually did something right instead of wrong by not playing the piano right?

"Yeah, I figured that those Kobalos planted a trap and so the only way to beat a trickster at their own game is with annoying them to see their trick isn't done right by blockheads." Ben smiled in stating how the gnome-dwarfs were said to be mischievous, but they hate seeing their trickery not pulled off to end up getting involved. "And with that lucky break, you two pulled it off and made sure we didn't get hurt." The stallion thanked the Enforcers for that helpful moment that saved them from getting an explosive surprise in the end.

"Hugh, I guess we did an okay job after all." Dumbledore spoke in starting to feel pretty good about himself now.

"Yeah, it actually paid to annoy others for once." Bocolix responded in feeling good in what they've done here.

"I don't believe what I'm seeing and hearing. These two ACTUALLY did something right with 'Dumb' Luck!" Phobos slapped his forehead in finding this sorta action to be the dumbest thing ever expected to happen.

"Now come on! Twilight and the others must have found Karma by now, and we gotta find where they stash away our ingredients." Ben instructed the group here that they need to get going and find what they came to find here.

With that in mind, this little group went through the open hole to hopefully find their stolen bag of ingredients and reclaim them. And of course, hope the other party of Twilight's group is fairing just as much luck in finding Karma and that's a pretty tall order of luck they'll need.

------------------

Soon we find Twilight, Spike & Nyx entering a cavern area of much develop structure from the walls. They could tell that some water was hidden around here, just not sure where.

"Boy, where do you think Karma is?" Spike asked from not seeing the missing filly anywhere.

"She has to be somewhere." Nyx stated that they have to find her, Karma should be somewhere around here.

"I think I just found her, look!" Twilight spoke in suddenly spotting what they are looking for ahead of them.

Ahead near a cavern cliff's edge was Karma that sat, alone, looking sad and in sorrow. She apparently was having many things on her mind, sniffing from signs of crying, but not as much as when she soon heard…the voices of company.

"Karma…" Twilight spoke from afar in trying to speak to the unicorn filly feeling down. "It's okay, what happened wasn't you. It was just…" She was going to say that what happened wasn't Karma's doing, however...

"Stop, just stop alright. Just don't, okay." Karma sternly turns to the others to have them stop with an upset face. "I know you're trying to do a nice thing, Miss. Sparkle. But you don't understand." She sadly expression'd while showing she's not happy by what Twilight is trying to do or to prove here. "I'm not just bad luck. I'm a Loser!" Karma issued in acknowledging that she herself is not just a pony with bad luck, but is also a loser at being what she is, "A Reject! I'm the girl that everypony wants to stay away from!" She stood up to snap this off to the surprise Twilight, Nyx and Spike about what she is and what she is meant to be. "So just do the same, okay? I have no one else, my parents, my brother. Just let me be the Loser I know I am!" Karma signed to look away in depression in saying it's 'okay' for this group to see that they can't help her, so they can just go in seeing….this pony is a lost cause.

Now Twilight's group showed sad signs on their faces, Nyx almost felt a few tears down her eyes in seeing what suffering Karma has gone through. Spike even felt bad for the unicorn filly more that Karma felt like an outcast, the baby Dragon knows it but this is a new level that he can't compare to. Twilight was the most lost in seeing Karma like this, seeing that sad face and lost hope, she felt so….so….so upset in seeing it.

"No…" Twilight made a stern face to shake her head in rejecting that idea of Karma's request.

"Whah," Karma raised an eyebrow in confusion, did Twilight say…she wasn't gonna let her be who she is?

"You heard me right. I'm not gonna let you be who you think you are!" Twilight sternly issued that she will not let this filly believe her life is over and will just have to live with it, not on her case.

"Yeah, no pony is perfect, I should know. I was once the reincarnation of the evil Nightmare Moon but mommy here helped me on the right path." Nyx explained to approach Karma to let her know that even this black alicorn filly went through troubles, but if not for her mother, Twilight, she would never be on the good path she is on now.

"And if not for Twilight, I wouldn't be friends with ponies." Spike spoke with a smile in telling this filly about himself and what he went through. "Why, even Ben was once a Demon Pony, but Twilight never gave up on him." He happily issued how thanks to Twilight, she saved her long-lost love from staying a Demon.

"Even someone like Tough always was seen as a tough rogue that his anger got the best of him, we helped change him, even his Cutie Mark fit with his 'real' self." Twilight smiled to tell about how they have helped many ponies and others with such problems that seem hopeless, but they did the impossible.

"You…you are all serious?" Karma asked off in almost feeling like she's forgetting her sadness. "Does that mean, my bad karma…can be changed too?" She asked in wanting to be told the truth, can even she be changed from being bad luck?

"Heck, it can be good karma if you wanted to." Nyx smiled to happily say that Karma could have good luck when she thinks about it.

"Right, you said so yourself, your luck helped you survive this harsh place and against hostile beasts, that's majority good luck." Spike smiled to pat Karma on the back to think about the crazy stuff this filly overcame and that was lucky there.

"The point is you been thinking too much that what you do is all bad, but never knew if you can show good luck wherever you are." Twilight smiled to approach Karma to issue that if the filly wants, she can make even her own luck be what it is. "Maybe your brother helped you feel at ease and that's what helped you feel happy to not be unlucky." Being a young sister to a big brother, Twilight knows how Karma's big brother must have been looking out for his little sister.

"Sniff….so then…there's still hope?" Karma rubbed her runny nose to smile more brightly than ever before in liking what she's heard.

"Yes, there is." Twilight nods in assurance, where there is a will, there will be a way.

"Hey everypony; look over by that cliff," Nyx pointed in spotting something near the other cliff spot.

"The missing ingredients, we found them!" Twilight spoke off surprised when this group has found what was stolen, and the sack was hanging over the edge of that cliff's tip.

"Um Twilight…I hate to ruin the moment, but I think we got company." Spike spoke from looking behind the group that was staring elsewhere to notice they have more company coming up. "Gulp…the bad kind!" He swallowed much of this nervous tone done his throat after saying what was coming was not their friends but…something else.

Soon what got the others attention was noticing that there was the slithering sound…of a snake. Twilight almost yelped in hearing a serpent sound, but what she and the rest saw coming into the little light from the caverns was…something else. It was a half woman, half snake, simile to that of the mythological Naga. With dark emerald snake scales and tan-turquoise belly scales, to light tan turquoise human skin with tan blue long hair down her back and across her front. Her similarities to a siren or mermaid, especially with a gold harp in hand while looking like she has pointy elf ears. But what came around its wrapped tail was…..a gnome-dwarf, now…a Kobalos statue. This creature was none other than the Guardian Gorgan Snake: Lamia and what she will do to any she meets.

"What is that thing?" Nyx shouted out surprise to seeing some creature the gang hasn't encountered…until now.

Soon the Naga guardian came full forth into the light, and then…opened her eyes!

"EVERYPONY; DON'T LOOK IN ITS EYES!" Twilight shouted to shut her eyes to look away before it was too late, but….

"Waaaaugh," Too late, from the screams heard, Twilight turn to look behind her in seeing…Spike, Nyx, and even Karma slowly begin to turn to stone starting at their bottom legs.

"Wha-what's happening? Why are we turning to stone Twilight?" Spike yelped in trying to move his feet, but he felt he couldn't even move a pinky toe, why?

"Be wary friends. For you face the Evil Guardian; Lamia, the Gorgon Snake." Undine's voice is heard inside Twilight, Spike & Nyx's minds in what new enemy they face, an Evil Guardian. "If you do not magically shield your eyes from its own, you'll slowly turn to stone and the only way to stop the process is to finish her before the effects can compete over the victim." The Water Guardian instructed the cautions in dealing with such a foe and how long those affected by the gorgon power have.

"Any suggestions," Twilight asked the Water Guardian from her collection of rings around her neck.

"Sadly, none, unless it was with an owner, but it is serving the Demon Lords, so you'll need to find another way." Undine's voice sadly stated that Twilight will need to find another way to defeat such a dangerous opponent.

"Well for now, this spell should shield me eyes." Twilight soon used a little magic glow around her eyes to help protect them for a while against any gorgon magic, course the effects of this spell might not be perfect from any nearby Negamite in the area. "You guys stay put while I handle this!" Twilight turns to those having a slow transformation into stones.

"Like we have a choice?" Spike cried out with worry that if Twilight doesn't do something, they'll be garden ornaments.

"Don't worry Karma, it'll be okay." Nyx looked to her friend to help make the unicorn filly not feel bad about the situation.

"I…I hope so." Karma responded in trying to not lose her hope now, not after being cheered up & with friends wanting to be with her.

Soon Twilight flew in the air to get some distance from the creature, but this Naga opponent was shown to be much quicker than expected. What was more of a problem was that Lamia was firing energy blast at Twilight by playing her harp that released an electric surge to cause a shocking harm. The attacks went flying around wherever Twilight flew, but some missed, some almost got where the others were stuck on the cliff and one even cracked the edge where the sack of ingredients where.

"Careful! We're right here!" Spike yelped from how Twilight was not watching where she was going and nearly had the Naga lady almost hit them. "Oh man, I feel like my life as a Dragon will end and I'll be nothing more than a Garden Statue!" Spike moans in seeing he's only got about half of his flesh body left since the stone transformation is up to his waist.

"Have fate Spike, mommy will free us!" Nyx spoke in wanting the baby Dragon to not lose hope here.

Soon Lamia tried a different approach, in tossing one of the stone Kobalos at the mare from its mighty tail. Twilight managed to dodge that, but heard a smash cracked sound, and soon saw that the gnome-dwarf that she recognized as the thief was smashed to pieces; he too was a victim of Lamia's Gorgon Eye curse.

"Wait, did she….she turn that Kobalos into a stone statue, and it broke. Which means…hugh," Twilight was so busy in realizing what happen if she never beat this foe in what happen to the others, only to be distracted and snatched by the Naga lady's tail.

"Oh no, she's in the gorgon's lock!" Karma yelped in seeing that Twilight has been caught.

Twilight could almost feel the squeeze she's feeling from Lamia and the lower snake body was clearly stronger in capturing and crushing foes inside. During the moment, Twilight's magic around her eyes were fading a bit, Lamia noticed this that without that, the mare will be helpless to being turn to stone.

"Uuuuugh….my magic around my eyes is…wearing off. If I…ugh….don't figure out how to beat this thing, we'll all become stone from the look in her…eyes?" Twilight struggled from being constrict by her enemy and knows that if her magic around her eyes vanishes, she'll be vulnerable to the curse of staring at the eyes to be turn stone…or was it bad. "Wait, that's it! Gorgon Eyes! That's its own weakness!" Twilight suddenly realized that maybe her situation can be turn into an advantage to stop this creature.

Twilight was now in the middle of her struggling while the others on the cliff watched while having up to their chest potions now covered in being stone. But then the gang saw the Gorgon creature slowly plans to open its eyes.

"Oh no, it's opening those eyes again!" Nyx yelped in seeing that her mother was about to be exposed to those gorgon eyes.

"We got bigger problems! The floor beneath us is giving away from our heavy stone weight!" Spike spoke with worry in seeing the heavier they become stones, the ground beneath them will break from that last attack that damaged the flooring.

"Nyx; Karma; Listen to me!" Twilight shouted from her spot to get those she called to hear her. "On my word, you both need to use any magic you may still have to make a mirror." The mare went off to ask a very weird random request at this troubling state she's in.

"But why do you need that?" Karma asked puzzled in what Twilight was planning to do with a mirror.

"Trust me and don't do it until I spy the glimmer of Lamia's Gorgon Eyes!" Twilight instructed in wanting those that have some magic to combine it to provide her aid, even with the Negamite, two fillies magic should forge a simple mirror creating spell.

"Mommy must have a plan, so let’s do it!" Nyx responded in having fate in her mother that wouldn't steer them wrong.

"And hurry too!" Spike requested that the group speed the request up, the stone transformation was now up to their neck point.

"Okay, I'll try to make amends." Karma nods with a determine face in preparing herself to make things right now.

Soon Twilight's tight squeeze state was making her struggle hard and her magic around her eyes faded. Soon Lamia came close to prepare her eyes to stare directly at the mare with no way to look away now.

"NOW," Twilight shouted out loud in signaling the moment to begin things here.

Soon from Nyx & Karma's combined efforts, they used their horns to send a magical aura to appear near Twilight's fact between the gorgon lady; Then for a brief moment, floating in midair was an average mirror, but soon Lamia stared her glowing eyes directly into her prey, except the target was…herself.

"Ruarrrughhh," Lamia was sound heard yelling, as its grip on Twilight slowly was released to let the mare fly away. "Arrruuarrrrughhhhuuuuuhh…." Lamia was wailing out a long screechy sound while its body was slowly being turn to stone until finally….it was covered all over. "Crack-Crack…./THRUWBOOOMFRUVHMMM!" In a sudden flash instant, the Snake Gorgon Guardian erupted in an explosive light before exploding into pieces; Twilight Sparkle has defeated the Evil Guardian Lamia.

And in that record breaking moment when Spike, Nyx & Karma were up to only a half of their faces left as flesh, their stone skin shattered off them like a second skin. With the defeat of the gorgon, the spell curse of being turn to stone was broken.

"She did it!" Karma responded in surprise with a smile, Twilight had some amazing luck there.

"Mommy won!" Nyx cheered in seeing her mother had won that fight hands down.

"Um, girls…." Spike suddenly became fearful in noticing, they were not out of the woods yet.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Spike broke off and he dropped after yelping. Nyx and Karma saw this to quickly grab their friend, but he was heavier than expected. And with Nyx's small wings and both hers' and Karma's magic on the 'Frits', keeping a baby Dragon dangling off an edge was tricky stuff.

"Hugh!" Twilight turns to see the others in trouble, but also saw the ingredients that were slipping. "My magic is still a little unstable with any Negamite; I can't do two things at once, so…I have to choose!" Twilight feared that she could only choose one of the others to be saved; question was…which would it be?

Then in an instant, both fillies dropped below the cliff and they and Spike screamed in falling until….they got swept upwards by their savior; Twilight. Twilight zip upwards with her catch, but at the same time, the ingredients' sack broke off from the cliff's edge to drop below to diaper into a darken hole. Soon Twilight landed on the ground from flapping her wings before setting herself to allow Spike, Nyx & Karma to get off and to see if they were safe.

"Everypony alright," Twilight asked after saving this group from falling into a bottomless cavern.

"We are, thanks mommy." Nyx nods with a smile to thank her mother for the save there.

"Yeah, thanks for the quick save." Spike nods in feeling glad that they were saved.

"But…you lost your ingredients. All that hard work…" Karma looked over the edge with a sorrow face, she felt sad that this group lost what they work so hard to obtain, only to see it slip their grasp.

"Hey, we've collected them before, we can do it again." Twilight approached Karma to pat her back with an assured smile to not worry about this; they'll just search again to re-obtain what they had. "Between saving thousands while not saving one small life is the same thing as not saving any. I'll still save my friend's home while helping anypony in need." Twilight spoke like a truly respectful and promising princess in wanting to help even if it's one life at a time.

"Well spoken honey!" Ben's voice spoke before look and behold, the stallion was seen on top of Bocolix & Dumbledore with Phobos in their hooves and holding…the ingredients.

"Ben? Where'd you…?" Twilight responded surprise like the others were doing, how did these guys suddenly appear out of nowhere?

"We popped from below where there was a secret tunnel!" Phobos issued off in what happened to them that they ended up in this state.

"And we saw the ingredients and quickly caught them from going down a vortex thing." Bocolix explained the other part in what they did to show they saved what they almost lost.

"At least our luck seems to have improved, we managed to be helpful now." Dumbledore smiled in seeing they've managed to make some amends in fixing this problem at the very least.

"Yes, now come on, let’s get out of here and meet up with Tough." Twilight smiled to nod to that claim and now that they have their ingredients and Karma back, they can now leave this place behind them.

Everyone was in an agreement here and quickly took the quickest way to lead them out of here and get back outside to join with their other friend waiting for them…with some lucky news to tell.

---------------

After leaving that caverns, did the group managed to find Tough with Justin pulling the cart and with their animal pets with the tough stallion.

"Hoo boy, ye fellas sure look like ye been busy! Ye got back everything, fro' de filly 'ta de ingredients." Tough spoke off in being glad to see his pals have returned, and with everything in check to.

"Twilight, I wanna again say…thanks." Karma slowly spoke in wanting to give her thanks to this princess. "I guess I've always thought my luck was bad, but in truth, it can be whatever I want it to be." The little unicorn filly spoke in never believing she was special with her luck, and now, she has learn it.

"That's good to hear Karma." Twilight responded to praise this filly with an encouraging smile.

"Hey guys! I think we're out of any Negamite zones now." Ben spoke from beginning to have his TriForce mark glow as he floated off the ground. "I can feel my Triforce power feeling much better with some control then before with that stuff interfering." As he set down, it was proof the gang are finally out of being in the zone of a large region of Negamite, now they can use their magic without a problem.

"That means, all our magic is fully used again!" Nyx spoke with a big smile for joy in learning this news.

"Alright," The Enforcers cheered from using their horns to make a few flashy sparks appear.

"That means we can help send Karma back home to Ponyville." Spike responded with a smile in knowing they can help sent Karma home and away from dangers here.

"Finally, our luck has changed for the better." Phobos smiled from feeling glad, that and Nyx was using her magic to help cast a magical poison ivy removal spell.

While the others were cheering, Karma was seen quiet from the celebration here. It wasn't long before a few of the others noticed this quiet act of the freed filly that they found.

"Hey Karma, don't worry, here or back home, you make your own luck, kay?" Ben kneel down to encourage Karma about her situation with luck.

"Yah, thanks…I will." Karma wiped off some sorrow on her face to smile happily in knowing that was true, she'll be much better off than she was in the past.

"Karma, look…on your flank," Nyx yelped in pointing at something that surprised Nyx quite a bit.

At the moment, everyone soon saw what was on Karma's flank side and was all surprised. It was a golden balance scale, and from the scale plates were two objects would sit; one representing luck & the other being jinx. The mark was indeed something that shows a blanche between fortune and misfortune for one that has good or bad karma.

"It's….my Cutie Mark! I…I finally got my Cutie Mark!" Karma responded in shock surprise, and was smiling bigly at this news.

"Wow, earning a Cutie Mark in 'de End of Equestria, wha are 'de lucky chances?" Tough rubbed his noggin in seeing this as something no pony ever would imagine could happen.

"About as long as the world's longest sub sandwich." Phobos spoke off of the chances to earn a Cutie Mark in this terrible place was like making a really long sub.

"What do you think it stands for?" Spike asked off puzzled in what Karma's Cutie Mark even represents the unicorn filly.

"Probably in balancing both luck & jinx, controlling good and bad, like a balance board," Twilight said thoughtfully. "Now you know you’re not bad luck Karma, your name could be bad for your foes, but good for your friends."

"Hehe, I'll be sure to remember that." Karma giggled in feeling so happy to have earned her Cutie Mark, after overcoming her troubles with thinking she was bad luck. "I just wish my brother could see this with me." She was a little sad in not being able to have her missing older brother be here to witness this.

"Don't threat, we'll find your brother and send him to you." Twilight patted Karma on her head in assuring the girl, they'll send her brother to meet with her after they send her back to Ponyville.

"Or maybe her 'brother' will show up instead!" A sudden young voice that sounded enthusiastic and sounding like a guy that would fight to help people one loves with a Brooklyn accent.

Now at this moment, up on a hill was a strange pony in a red raggedy cloth cloak that concealed his identity while teleporting from his spot to join the gang belong. And then when he removed the cloak, it was revealed to be of a young stallion unicorn with a light-green coat, a dirty blond mane in the sporadic hairstyle and the tail was long in a similar style, but different, and he has brown eyes. He appeared well psychically fit & in shape with his body, and on his flank was a Cutie Mark in the form of two pairs of dice together showing off their six number patterns.

"It's My Brother! Joey Dice! You're okay!" Karma responded to rush over to hug her missing brother, she was so happy to see him back.

"Course I'm okay, you think spending so long around this place could knock me for a loop, not a chance!" Joey Dice responded in stating that he's fine and dandy as nothing would keep this stallion down.

"Where were you, were you sealed like Karma was?" Bocolix asked in wondering where this pony was during the entire event they had Karma with them.

"Nah, I was traveling around in surviving this place, with some explosive dice help." Joey Dice respond off to magically use his horn to make dice appear and thrown them off to see them explode off sight. "They don't call me 'Mr. Dicer Dealer' for nothing with my magic I'm packing." He issued off with pride in having the luck and magic to survive his areas, be it in casinos or in the wild life against dangerous obstacles.

"But you've been here for two years, right?" Dumbledore pointed off in how long this pony has been here from what Karma once told them.

"What! It's been that long? I was so focus on finding Karma that I didn't count the days of being stuck here!" Joey Dice yelped in realizing something that completely slipped his mind at the time. "When I get my hands on those Griffins from Las Pegasus, I'll teach them not to drag my sister when it was supposed to be a gamble with me involved!" The stallion shook his right hoof in threatening the guys that ain't here in what this pony will do when he gets to the griffins that done all this to him.

"Boy, you must have been pretty thickheaded not to have noticed your gambling would attract the bad crowd." Phobos dryly issued while rolling his eyes in seeing what kinda brother Karma has to deal with.

"HAAAAAY; How's about a little respect here," Joey Dice responded off in feeling a little annoyed off in being insulted just now about his standings.

"Don't mind him; he gets under lots of ponies' skins." Spike spoke off to have Karma's brother forget about what Phobos said, he does this a lot to annoy and get attention.

"Still, I wanna thank you for watching out for my sister." Joey Dice responded in feeling thankful to this group for all they done for Karma. "And boy, my kid sister got her Cutie Mark the moment I found her! What luck and I missed out!" He responded in seeing this was a big moment for his sister, only to miss out on it.

"Hehe, don't worry brother, you'll see plenty of it, now that I realize who I am in not being all bad luck." Karma laughed a bit happily to let her brother know that he'll see much more of her new Cutie Mark a lot when they get home.

"Well, if you’re both ready, I'll teleport you both to Ponyville and you can get a ticket to get straight to Las Pegasus." Twilight stated that with everything all ready, she'll send the siblings back and out of the End of Equestria.

"Wait, before we depart, I know we just met, but here…look through this sack of mine of anything you want. It's yours." Joey Dice stops the others to drop a sack he carried to let Twilight's group take whatever they like he has on him.

"Really," The Enforcers asked off in finding this offer too good to be true.

"Yah, I've been looking and you find her and then soon enough, I finally catch up. It's the least I can do." Joey Dice issued this off with a smile that he wants to show an appreciation to those that helped his sister, so a reward is his way of giving thanks.

"I can tell she means a lot to you. You must be good to your family and to your little sister." Ben responded with a smile in seeing this pony was someone that wanted to help his family out no matter what troubles lie ahead.

"Believe me, when you care about somepony, it helps make you stronger, and that's the kinda motive to help us get through." Joey Dice issued this part to Ben in knowing that when it comes to family, it'll make anypony get a motive to go the distance to help save someone they love.

"Wait, what's this thing?" Bocolix asked off in finding something very weird from the sack bag.

"I don't know, it's weird," Dumbldedore pondered off puzzled in what the Enforcers even found.

The gang noticed what the Enforcers showed from the little sack bag Joey Dice had his other stuff. One item caught one pony's interest which was Twilight, the object was the Giant Rabbit's Foot and the princess mare could only gasp in recognizing it.

"Hugh! That's the Giant Rabbit's Foot, another ingredient off our list!" Twilight gasped in surprise in recognizing that object as an ingredient they need to find.

"What, that thing? I stumble across it while looking for Karma. Tell you what, as a special offer, it's your pay fee for helping watch, take care, and reunite my sister with me." Joey Dice recalled off in explaining how he came across that ingredient when he was searching for Karma, so the pony just picked it up along the way.

"Yew serious," Tough responded off in disbelief, finding this a very surprising feat.

"That means we'll have obtained another ingredient today!" Spike issued off in knowing that they got another ingredient from the list of what they are seeking.

"Boy, all our time with luck started off bad, but now it's skyrocketed to pure gold!" Phobos responded off in looking back in how things started out bad, to now being good at this moment.

"Hehe and you have these two to thank for helping me meet all of you." Karma giggled off in knowing that she has the Enforcers to thank for helping to free her to meet with the ones that help give her freedom with a cure to her troubles.

"Aw shucks there." Bocolix responded in feeling bashful in being given praise from a filly of such a young age in what they did.

"It was nothing." Dumbledore spoke of in feeling that the Enforcers didn't do much, sure they found the filly, but that was…well, luck in their minds.

"Yo sis, time we get ready to head home or close to being in Equestria!" Joey Dice called to Karma in issuing their time to head back to where they belong now.

"Okay!" Karma responded to her brother calling her over. "Thanks everypony, I hope we'll see each other again?" Karma responded in wanting to see everyone here again someday in the future for helping her.

"We all do, take care." Twilight responded with a smile in wishing the best luck for Karma and her brother.

Then with Twilight's magic from her horn, it flew off like a magical light that became a sphere around Joey Dice & Karma. Soon that sphere of light floated upwards before shooting off like a shooting star's speed, projecting itself straight towards Ponyville and letting two more pony souls escape the End of Equestria.

"Well, there they go…brother and sister, united again." As Ben spoke this, he soon saw Twilight looking a little sad. "Hey Twilight, you okay?" Ben didn't know if something was wrong for Twilight to seem a little sadden after just helping some ponies be together and sent out of this dangerous place.

"Yeah, just, really happy for them is all." Twilight smiled to shake off her earlier sad expression to tell her love this. But in truth, seeing those siblings again, it kinda remind’d Twilight about her and her big brother Shining Armor and also…her younger brother Starlight…but she shook that memory out to not let it distract her focus here.

"Come on gang, we's got more of this place to continue our journey," Tough signal off to the others that they need to be heading on out now.

"You know, I'm gonna miss that little filly with the habit of misleading us into trouble." Phobos spoke off to say in feeling he'll miss Karma and the unfortunate luck they had during this whole time.

"Really, you are?" Spike asked off surprised to hear Phobos say this.

"Just a little, okay," Phobos issued off that he meant a 'little' bit, not a whole lot, nobody wants to go through what they've experienced.

"Oh Phobos," Nyx smiled to giggle under her breath in how silly her moon dragon was being.

Twilight, thoughtfully recalling the riddle, spoke up, "You know I think I figure the riddle out."

"Really," Ben asks Twilight curiously.

Twilight nods as she explains, "Bad Luck is referring to Karma. 'Be Lucky, Be Faithful, Be Yourself' means that -"

Nyx answers, " Karma needs to have faith, luck and be herself that everypony she knows of will always be there for her."

Twilight smile as she says, "Exactly. I'm glad to see both her and Joey Dice are together again. That is best reunion that I ever see."

"Yeah. We're lucky to help those ponies." Ben said in relief, knowing that it's good to reunite another family who was separated for so long.

Tough got Justin ready while calling out, "Ready 'ta heads off?"

Everyone nodded their heads as they continued to move on. Once the gang got themselves together onto the cart and with Tough signaling Justin to move out, the gang was once again on the move. This day might have been an experience where luck really can affect any adventurer's journey, through good or bad, one has to overcome such odds. And boy, did the gang really learn such an important lesson from all of this from Karma & Joey Dice's involvement, sorta. But now they'll be off, with another ingredient obtain, the next adventure…will be another day within the End of Equestria.

A familiar group watches as Mighty said, "That was close for them. They're lucky to survive of that."

Jade add with a smile, "You bet, M. Karma finally got all the things she needs: her luck, her faith, her cutie mark and best of all: her brother."

Dragon Kick said with a nod, "Yes. No matter what happens, we'll always have our luck. Family is my lucky charm."

Tao nods while adding, "So as mine, Dragon Kick." He, Dragon Kick and Jade hug before Might Heart grabbed and hug them tight. After letting go, Tao said, "Now, everything's alright. I believe you had something to do.:"

Dragon Kick, Jade and Mighty Heart nod their heads before they disappear in a puff of smoke. Tao continue to glance at Twilight and her family continuing to move on.

------------

"Just terrific, our luck just changed." Xiao Fung groans as he kicks at a rock. The Demon thought that he and his siblings would succeed, only for the plan to backfire...again!

Hsi Wu groans in despair, "So not my lucky day. I've lost my pet!"

"I've lost my servants!" Po Kong sobs while hitting the table in sadness. Why must she get all bad luck lately? First she lost her pet, then she herself lost a battle and now Po Kong lost her servants.

Dai Gui roll his eyes while grunting, "Luck or not, Po Kong's servants are useless!"

Tchang Zu agrees, "Indeed."

"Our fight with the enemies is not over. We will be victorious. We will get Nightmare Moon back to us. It is not over yet." Bai Tza assures the other siblings that the battle isn't over just yet. There are still more to come.

------------

Shendu and Tso Lan continue to have a discussion. The latter used his powers to put the former up high as the Fire Demon made what appears to be a berserk proposal. Shendu ask nervously, "I don't suppose you would reject my proposal, wouldn't you?"

Tso Lan glare at Shendu who gulped. He put Shendu down gently while saying, "Very well, Shendu. But if Spike does not join our cause like your former servants, you know what to do."

"I understand."

"Come let us check on our brethren. They better hope that they had good news."

Author's Notes:

Karma is helped, more minions are defeated and another ingredients has been gotten. Not bad, eh? In the next chapter, the group meets a magician named Maha Valio who is a servant of Tchang Zu. Can they defeat him? Read, review and suggest.

Karma is an additional OC, her abilities with causing misfortunate could almost be similar to Jinx from Teen Titans TV Series. However, her other actions that take place in the story were inspired from Taboo from Pound Puppies, and a younger sister to Joey Wheeler from Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters. (Which her brother in question is a guy that does things in gambling his luck and chances, possible name might be Joey Dice with a pair of dice as his Cutie Mark & is more a young stallion)

The bad luck stuff that happened are inspired references to 'Legend Of Zelda: Link's Awakening' & 'Ocarina Of Time' (Idea From Harming A Chicken Too Many Times), 'Open Season', the Lilo and Stitch episode 'Shoe' and 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'.

The piano trap is a reference to certain Looney Tunes episode which involves Bugs or Road Runner playing the piano wrongly and one of their enemies (Daffy, Yosemite Sam or Wile E. Coyote) angrily correcting them, only for the explosive plan to blow up in their faces (literally).

Chapter 12: Magical Terror!

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Chapter 12: Magical Terror!

In a part of the Everfree forest, a dark elf was in pain as 7 others are dead by a cyborg. The place was torn a little and there;' blood everywhere. It then thrown a dark elf that Omega just killed it with his owns blade.

The cyborg looks at the last elf and it moves to him with a blade that came from its hoof. The elf says in fear, "What…are you…"

"I am your end, servant of Grimmore." Omega booms a bit.

The elf watches in fear as Omega then raise the blade and then the screen goes black. It then flashes red from the slash sound.

---------------

Bai Tza informed both Tso Lan and Shendu about their mission. The female Demon bows in regret as she said, "Forgive us, brother. We were so close in achieving our goal. Unfortunately, their luck somehow returned to Twilight and her family."

Tso Lan waves this off, saying, "It matters not. Both Hsi Wu's and your cunning and sly plans were effective, were they not? I might use it against them later; not only driving Nightmare Moon anger, hate and rage to released her full form of darkness but more."

"Agree, Tso Lan." Shendu said in agreement.

"So what's next? As far as we're concerned, we've lost four pets to Twilight and her family, three dead pets and left one." Hsi Wu points out to his siblings in concern. Already the Demon Lords has lost Mahitos, Egola, Undine and the Flying Leo to the heroes, the Swarm, Hydra and now Lamia are now dead. Only one pet or a few remains.

"Not to mention we had lost most of our servants, including Shendu's former ones: Tadaka and Lorcan." Xiao Fung said, counting down the servants that the Demon Lords has lost. "Our remaining servants are three."

"What do you propose to do?" Dai Gui ask, wondering what move will be left to do.

Tchang Zu thought of something as he suggests, "With your permission, Tso Lan, both my servant and pets will finish the job."

Po Kong nods as she comments, "I see, Tchang Zu. With all of them together, they will finish the job, am I right?"

"Precisely."

"Very well; are you certain that this servant is willing to serve us?" Tso Lan ask Tchang Zu curiously, wondering about the trustworthiness of the final servant.

Tchang Zu chuckle as he explains, "I am certain, older brother. After all, it was I who offer him sanctuary. I who spare his life; I who entrusted him my pets; He is my servant."

Shendu scoff as he scowls, "He'd better hope not to betray us."

"Then, I shall remind him again, and again of who is the one saved his life." Tchang Zu opens the portal. A black figure awaits his order. "My servant, it is time for you to rise your magic. Do what you can to finish Twilight and her family. And Remember, bring Nightmare Moon and Ben Mare alive."

The black figure nods his head, just before the portal closed.

Hsi Wu groans in suspicion, "I don't trust him. He's kinda reminds me of that sly old pony."

Xiao Fung nods as he remarks, "I couldn't agree more."

"Indeed. But we have are left with no choice, my brethren, but to rely on him." Shendu said, knowing that the Demon Lords has fewer options left at this point. "Though we are determined to fulfill our objective, Tso Lan and I had planned another to do such a thing before our confrontation."

"What would that be?" Tchang Zu asks Shendu, wondering who he's preferring to.

Tso Lan smirks as he answers, "You'll soon find out. When the time comes to our last servant, the interesting parts shall emerge."

---------------

Back in Ponyville, the Apple Family, Mane Four and the Cutie Mark Crusaders continued their search on finding more food, hopefully both food and tasteful for Ponyville. Apple Bloom looked around her surroundings, just before she sighed. Apple Bloom heads to the barn. Applejack's dog Winona spot and follow Apple Bloom.

Applejack continues to search more foods, along with her family. Suddenly, she heard sobbing. Applejack turns and found Winona who is looking at something. Applejack heads to the barn and found Apple Bloom who is crying behind the hays.

Applejack approach Apple Bloom from behind, asking in concern, "Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom startled saw her sister, speaking quickly, "Oh, Applejack? Sorry about 'dat. Ah'll be right back 'ta work." Applejack put her hoof on Apple Bloom from going. Something's wrong and the big sister must know what it is.

"Apple Bloom, yew still missed Nyx?"

Apple Bloom nods while sobbing, "Yeah. It's been six days an' still no sign o' her an' 'de others coming home. Ah'm getting worried, Applejack. Do yew thinks they're coming back?"

Applejack sigh, "'Ta be very honest, Apple Bloom, Ah don't know. But Ah can only hope 'dat they can come home soon." The Earth pony sobs a bit. She is worried, missing Twilight big time.

"Yew missed Twilight?"

"Eeyup."

Apple Bloom sigh while saying, "Ah wish we could be brave like them, but we're not. We're hopeless."

Applejack sighs while saying, "Ah know. But we're not, Apple Bloom." Apple Bloom looked shocked at the comment. "Even though we didn't go wit' them 'ta 'de End of Equestria, Ah know one thing, we can't lose faith. We always had one fer them 'ta come an' save our home, no matter what. Ah'm not gonna give up on 'dat hope."

Apple Bloom smiles and sobbed, "Me too, sis."

Applejack and Apple Bloom sob while hugging each other. Big Mac, Granny Smith, the Mane Four and the other CMC came in. They notice the two sisters sobbing while hugging each other, making them concerned.

Granny Smith was the first to speak up, "Everything alright?"

Apple Bloom nods a bit, smiling sadly as she said, "Yeah, Granny. We're okay."

"Don't worry, Apple Bloom. We're not giving up our hope and faith on our friends, and of course Tough as well."

Big Mac nods while saying, "Eeyup."

Sweetie Belle asks Rarity hopefully, "Rarity, do you think we would ever see our friends again?"

Scootaloo nods as she adds, "It's never been the same without any of them. They're the coolest, awesomeness and best pals we ever had since Twilight and Spike move to Ponyville. Aren't they, Rainbow?"

Rarity pauses and said truthfully, "I don't know, Sweetie Belle. But I'm not going to lose my faith on Twilight. Are you going to lose that?"

Sweetie Belle shakes her head, saying with a smile, "Of course not, Rarity. I'd always believe in them, and Nyx."

Rainbow remarked in determination, "Me too, Rarity and Scootaloo. Listen, it's hard to see our best pals go, but it doesn't mean that we're going to give up. Got it, squirt?"

Scootaloo giggles, "You said it."

Fluttershy smiles while saying, "Let's hope and pray for Twilight and her family's safely return home."

Pinkie bounces up and down, saying eagerly, "And when they do, we're so gonna celebrate the best party ever in our whole life! Yippee!"

Dinky comments, "I hope Nyx and her family are fine in their journey."

Twist said with a nod, "Yeah, me too, Dinky."

Babs speaks up, "We'd better do our best, ya'll. If we're counting on our pals for coming home, then I bet they're counting on us to stand strong."

"You said it, Babs." Pipsqueak said. He notices something outside. "What's that?"

Pipsqueak approach a box that he saw outside the barn, along with his friends, the Mane Five, Granny Smith and Big Mac. They open the box and gasp in shock and surprise upon seeing the contents inside.

"Applejack; is 'dat -" Apple Bloom begins to ask in hope.

"Oh mah herd; its pictures o' all o' us: adventures, parties, games an' anything we do." Applejack said in amazement. Everyone took the photo frames out. They saw their photos of all of them including Twilight and her family smiling. "Ah don't know what 'ta said."

Rainbow smiles at her own picture, saying, "I do. It kinda helps me cool down."

"Me too, Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said, agreeing with her unofficial big sister.

"Seeing this picture is giving me hope and faith." Rarity sighs while looking at a picture of her with a smile.

"I feel better too, Rarity." Sweetie Belle said, giggling in happiness upon seeing better. These pictures are enough to keep the filly unicorn going.

Fluttershy ask her friends, "Do you think we can survive this situation?"

"No worries. We can do this. Nothing is impossible when you had faith on our best pals." Pinkie assures her friends with a smile.

"Fer a random pony, yer're right about one thing." Applejack said with a smile to Pinkie. "We can do this when we had faith in our best friends."

Rarity nods in agreement while saying, "Absolutely." As long as the group has faith in their friends, that's enough to keep the ponies going no matter what.

"Let's do this together." Rainbow said while holding a hoof up in determination.

"Eeyup," Big Mac said in his usual line of agreement.

All CMC members cheers eagerly, "Yeah!"

Granny Smith ponders a bit, " I wonder who gave this box to us? More importantly, how does anypony know that?"

Behind the barn, Dragon Kick and Jade smiled at the scene. The filly spoke, "You know, I kinda feel bad for not helping Applejack and her friends around. I know we can't, but it's so not fair."

Dragon Kick said to Jade in comfort, "I'm sure the photos will boost their faith and morale. With that, the Mane Five and all the ponies in Ponyville can't give up."

"I guess. I hope Tao can make the journey end soon."

"I hope so too."

"Excuse me." A voice spoke to the Mane Five's group. They turn to see a stallion unicorn with a filly nearby. "My name is Joey Dice and this is my sister Karma. Any chance you can direct us to the train station? We're planning on taking the next train to Las Pegasus."

"Sure." Applejack said as she gave the directions to the newcomers.

"Thank you...say, do any of you know an Alicorn named Twilight Sparkle correct?"

The group gasps in surprise and hope. Sweetie spoke, "You mean, you met her?!"

"Yeah, she is the one who reunited me with my brother and help me with my luck." Karma giggles a bit. She explains the latest adventure in the End of Equestria as well as how she got her cutie mark and the reunion with Joey Dice.

"Wow. That is awesome...using bad luck against the bad guys." Scootaloo remarks with a smile.

"Yeah; I'm glad that Twilight was able to help me...otherwise, I would still be feeling bad about being a jinx."

"Shucks, there ain't a thing like 'dat. Just as long as yew believed in yerself," Apple Bloom assures Karma. Then the filly got a thought. "Say, Karma...Ah know yew just got yer Cutie Mark...but how would yew like 'ta join 'de Cutie Mark Crusaders?"

Pipsqueak smiles as he suggests, "Yeah! You can make a Las Pegasus branch and help ponies look for their cutie marks!"

"Really; that means...I could make more friends?" Karma asks the CMC hopefully.

"Sure!" All the CMC exclaims in agreement.

"Joey?"

"Sure, why not? The more friends you get, the better!" Joey chuckles to his sister, patting her on the head.

Karma squeals a bit as she jumps up and down. Apple Bloom grins while saying, "Come on. We can make yew a cape of yer own, give yew yer coronation an' other stuff."

"As long as it isn't like the time I got into your group." Babs chuckles while cringing. "Man, what a nightmare that was."

Applejack smiles a bit while shaking her head. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just got a new member and a new branch to boot.

-----------------------

Pinkamena was reading a book as Golden Heart was done talking with Jack Zen. The Alicorn says, "Well sister Jack told me that the ponies are still fighting the hunger but time is short."

"I see. Well once more the gang has beaten more harder tasks and are almost done in their quest." Pinkamena said to Golden Heart. "And Omega should be coming right now with his task done."

As on cue Omega came through the window with the head of a dark elf. It places the thing next to Pinkamena and Omega says as Pinkamena was smiling spooky like, "My task is done and the enemy is purged and I got you a head of one of them. I also removed any trace of a battle so not one of Grimmore's forces might find it."

"Well done Omega, now go on standby until I can think of any other task."

Omega nods and heads to a place and goes on standby. Golden Heart says as Pinkamena places the head at her table desk, "Well seems like he has done the task and you were right about the other forces of Grimmore being here."

Pinkamena nods as she said, "Indeed but for now, "I will let you know if anything new happens."

"Ok."

------------------

The journey continues on but Twilight and her friends took a break in the middle of the dark forests. Spike shudders while commenting, "You know, these forests are kinda scarier than the Everfree Forest."

"I know. I can only hope that there isn't any sneak attack or surprises when it comes to this place." Twilight said in concern. The last thing that she needs is for her group is to be attacked right now.

"Speaking of surprises, we should be expecting somepony." Ben said, looking up as if expecting somepony to show up right about now.

Nyx blinks as she asks her father, "What do you mean?"

"I'm not gonna like this." Phobos remarks, frowning as he hates the sound of what Ben just said.

"So who is 'dis somepony we're expect-" Tough was about to begin. Suddenly he heard his banjo being played. He turns and look at his banjo which is still in the same place, "What in tarnation?! Who played mah Joe?!"

Bocolix looks at Tough as if he has gone mad. The goofy Alicorn said, "That wasn't me."

Dumbledore gulps, "Me neither."

Phobos shakes his head while insisting, "No way I'm gonna touch that!"

"If not any of us did, then who did?" Spike asks, getting a bit scared. If no one played Joe, then who did?

"I did." A familiar voice spoke up. Tao remove a cloth out. Everyone got startled once this happened. "Hello."

"How did you do that?! Was that magic? But how could an Earth Pony -" Twilight begins to say, a bit bewildered by what happened.

"Calm down, Twilight. It's not magic. This is Trickster's Tools."

"Trickster's Tools," Nyx ask Tao puzzled.

Spike asks Tao in curiosity, "What's that?" The baby Dragon has never heard of such a thing until now!

"I'll show you," The old pony said with a smile. Tao cover himself with the strange cloth. "Now you see me, now you don't." Tao's cloth makes him disappear, much to the amazement of the group.

Everyone gasp. Bocolix looks around frantically as he ask, "What just happen?!"

Tough's banjo got played again. The annoyed tough stallion scowls, "Quit it, Tao!"

Tao, still invisible, chuckle, "But I'm right in front of you."

Tough yelp when he turns to the front, "Somehow, yer're getting stranger than before."

"And you need to calm down with your temper, sir Lord of the Tempered."

Tough groan in chagrin, "Ah was hoping 'dat yew would forget 'dat."

"So Tao, what's Trickster's Tools?" Ben asks Tao in amazement and curiosity.

Tao removes the cloth to make himself visible before he continues, "The most famous magic trick tools ever made by Humans."

Everyone ask in surprise, "Humans?"

"Wait, you're not referring to Megan, are you?" Twilight ask Tao in surprise as well. Megan was one of the few human who has ever been to Equestria (formerly Ponyland) in the past. Was this trick one of the inventions that she brought over from Earth?

"Why, of course. My forefathers have passed this trinket from one generation to another to have fun and amusing times." Tao explains to Twilight's group. The Alicorn looks amazed. Yet another one of the inventions introduced by the Mag'ne herself!

"The strange cloth," Spike ask Tao, glancing at the cloth in general.

"It's a Blending Cloth. It allows any user to blend in with any kinds of environment, and such as before. Speaking of environment, where is your little filly friend? Nyx, did you ignore my request?"

"Of course not; I did exactly what you asked." Nyx explains to Tao with a smile. "In fact, Karma was very happy than before."

"I would like to hear your tale of Karma." Tao requests to the group. Twilight and her friends explain to him about Karma and Joey Dice. The old pony pretends to be surprised as he spoke, "Oh my. That is horrible. Through the painful experience of bad luck, you managed to turn the tide. Well done. That rash gambler sure took a big yet reckless risk to seek and save his sister in the End of Equestria. My. He's such a good brother."

"Indeed, Tao, he really is." Twilight sighs. Joey Dice reminds her of her own brother Shining Armor. Yeah, he can be rough sometimes (especially when he was fooled by Chrysalis posing as Cadance at the time) but the stallion cares for his sister, enough to risk his life to help her.

Ben glanced at Tao's box, pointing a hoof at it as he asks, "So what else are in there, Tao?"

Tao smiles as he asks the group, "Would you like to know more?"

"Sure love to." Spike said then nods to Twilight. "But of course, Twilight's the real deal with magic."

"Spike, don't be rude. Besides, I told you that all I could do is practice." Twilight said, scolding her adopted little brother for being rude to Tao.

Tao smile as he said, "That is true, Twilight. But of course, Spike's right. You're the real deal. I'm not planning to have competition, but to have fun."

Tao place his top hat that he took out on the box. The stallion waves his hoof around then put it in to grab something. He pulled out: a rabbit. Bocolix, Dumbledore, Spike and Phobos said in amazement, "Cool."

Tao took some cards out. He shuffled them for a few turns before he place them in front of Nyx.

"Pick the card, any card, Nyx." Tao requested. Nyx took a card out. She looks at it for a while before the filly put it back. Tao shuffle for few times before he took the card out. He placed it in front of her. The card revealed to be a red heart. "Is this your card?"

Nyx gasp in amazement, "Yeah. How did you do that?"

"A magician never reveals his secret."

"That reminds me of someone else who did that part before." Spike remarks, recalling how Trixie did some magic tricks before; and maybe Pinkie.

Tao place a bottle in front of Twilight and her friends. He then places a big coin on the bottle, just before he pressed it down. The coin suddenly ends up inside the bottle. The audience gasps in amazement. They have seen some great magic tricks of sorts.

Phobos asks Tao in amusement, "So how many tricks can you do? I mean no offense, but no Earth Pony could do that except Pinkie Pie."

Tao smirks as he explains, "As I said before, a magician never reveals his secret. Now, I must continue."

Tao place five hats in front of his friends. He took out an orange ping-pong ball and places it on the middle hat, just before Tao move them around. Twilight and her friends continue to stare and look to find the ball. Tao stop his moving.

"So which hat possesses the ball?" Tao ask the group. Ben looks at the hats closely, just before he pointed to the far left one. "Whoops; Wrong hat."

Tao took the hat out from the middle and reveal the ball. Everyone gasp with Ben saying, "I did not expect that."

"No way," Bocolix exclaims in amazement.

"It can't be! Can it? Please, you've gotta tell us! How did you do it," Dumbledore insists to Tao anxiously.

"Told you once, I'll tell you twice: never reveals his secret." Tao explains to the Alicorns in amusement. These two are anxious to know the secret big time.

"So, as a magician, they're not supposed to reveal secrets? Why?" Twilight ask Tao puzzled. Why is it that magicians never reveals their secrets at all?

"Some desired to keep their techniques to themselves for gain and selfish desires. Others fear that some ponies would never understand or are ready for the path that they faced. Mostly, the magicians believed in magic and faith. That is such as you, dear Twilight; Now for my last trick. Twilight, will you be my volunteer?"

"Okay." The Alicorn princess said, willing to try anything. A bit later, Twilight is inside a rectangle box. "So, why am I in this box?"

Tao took a saw out. Everyone gasp in worry. Spike yelped, "You seriously going to do it?!"

"You're crazy than weird!" Phobos exclaims frantically. Tao could end up killing Twilight, even if she's an Alicorn now!

"Are you sure I'm going to be fine?" Twilight ask Tao in worry. This box appears to be magic proof so she couldn't teleport out should the worst come.

Nyx hides behind Ben while gulping in fear, "I don't like this."

"No offense, Tao. Are you sure that's good idea?" Ben asks Tao, concerned for Twilight.

"Do you believe in magic?" Tao ask making Ben nod. "Good, watch and be amazed, my dear friends."

Tao start sawing the box slowly. Twilight close her eyes to be prepared for the worst while others watch especially Ben and Nyx. After the saw, Tao open the box in half. Everyone was in shock, including Twilight. Bocolix and Dumbledore fainted. Tough, Spike and Phobos open their mouths in widen amazement.

"I think I'm going to be sick!" Spike groans, feeling like throwing up at any given moment by what he just seen.

"Me too," Phobos remarked, turning almost green as well.

"Mommy; Are you alright?" Nyx ask Twilight in worry.

Twilight blinks as she answers, "Well, I don't feel any pain, at all. It's kinda weird."

Everyone but Twilight and Tao ask in amazement, "Seriously?" No pain, none at all?

"How can that be? Tao, can you explain?" Ben asks Tao in amazement. Twilight is all right, not hurt at all?

Tao smile as he said, "Of course; And now for the revealing part."

Tao approach Twilight's top part. He hit the box making it open its own front. The top part reveals Twilight's whole body inside the front box. Everyone was shocked but amazed.

Bocolix and Dumbledore, who recovered, gasp at this sight, "No way!"

Tough remarks in awe, "'Dat is some trick."

"I'm glad that it's not real." Spike sighs a bit. The princesses and his family would kill him if anything were to happen to Twilight.

"Me too," Phobos said in agreement. Twilight came out of the box, safe and sound.

"I'm glad to see you're alright." The Alicorn said as Nyx nuzzle Twilight's leg while she nuzzles her daughter's head.

"That was shocking but amazing. I thought I would be killed by the saw." Twilight said, relieved to still be alive after this display.

"Yeah, that's amazing. But be glad that I didn't want to lose my temper." Ben said sternly then spoke to Tao softly, "No offense, Tao."

"None taken my dear boy." Tao assures Ben with a light chuckle. "I wasn't expecting somepony to understand my tricks. After all, like I said, everypony, a magician never reveals his secrets."

"Even so, I'd say that's a great trick, Tao." Nyx squeaks in delight. Tao must be an expert magician in this.

"Yeah, but promise me not to perform the 'death' trick." Spike said with a shudder, preferring to the saw one.

Tao smirks as he remarks, "No promises can be made, Spike."

"That's amazing, Tao. I wish I could understand your secrets." Twilight said to Tao. The Alicorn is anxious to know how those tricks that Tao pulled was done.

"You'll soon find out, my dear. Oh, one more thing: despite not knowing a magician's secret, there's one thing you could do to him, using his trick against him."

"What's that supposed to be mean, Tao?" Ben asks Tao puzzled, not sure what his friend meant at first.

"I'm sure you'll find out soon, my dear boy. Now for my final trick," Tao waves his stick around his head, "Alakazam!"

Tao hits his head with his black magic stick. A puff of smoke appear, Tao disappear in it. Everyone gasp to see this grand finale! Amazing!

"He's gone. Again," Phobos said in amazement.

"I was hoping to see more of his tricks." Spike said with a pouty look on his face. Tao's tricks were awesome too.

"Well, as long he doesn't play mah Joe again, oh he's gonna be sorry fer 'dat." Tough remarked while fuming.

The gang waits in case Tao is sticking around again. But after a while of silence, they came to the conclusion that Tao is gone for good this time.

"I was wondering if that's the trick he used to disappear?" Bocolix ask, pondering if that disappearing trick is how Tao disappeared from the group before.

"Beats me," Dumbledore answers with a shrug.

And soon, a familiar voice spoke of, "Defeat Magic of Darkness with tricks, free the magician and beasts from chains of Thunder."

"Huh?" Twilight ask, wondering what the choice is referring to this time.

"Defeat Magic of Darkness with tricks, free the magician and beasts from chains of Thunder."

"Let me guess, another riddle?" Ben asks Twilight, knowing that another riddle has occurred, involving the next obstacle in the gang's path.

Twilight nod as she repeats the riddle, "'Defeat Magic of Darkness with tricks, free the magician and beasts from chains of Thunder'."

"Ah bet my hoof 'dat Tchang Zu is holding a poor pony or creature as his servant or prisoner." Tough said with a ponder; Kouga, after the group freed him from Dai Gui, told them about two other servants like Maha Valio and Peta. Perhaps the 'magician' is one of them.

"To free him, we had to beat him like we did to Kouga." Spike said, recalling what the group did to save Kouga before.

"I guess so." Phobos mumbles, knowing that freeing the next pony means fighting him roughly again.

"We know the last part, but what does he mean 'Defeat Magic of Darkness with tricks'?" Nyx ask, puzzled by that part of the riddle.

"I don't know. But whoever this pony is, he could be very powerful in using magic." Twilight said in concern. Tao's magic is parlor tricks; the next magician may be for real.

"I bet we had to use our tricks and wits to beat him." Ben suggest with a nod.

"Then, let's go. Be prepared for anything, guys. I have a feeling that these Demon Lords are not giving up yet."

"Right," Everyone said as they prepare themselves for the next area and servant in line.

-----------------

Within a certain part of the End of Equestria, the skies seem to swirl around, seem like a dark storm was coming. Within them clouds was rumbling, flashing, quaking noises of thunder & lightning. And at the mere center, Twilight's group was riding their cart from across some open plains with Justin pulling them while Tough was seeing them unnatural weather patterns.

"Them clouds don't seem natural." Tough spoke off in seeing something begin to stir up above them.

"Since when is anything in the End of Equestria 'natural' to us," Phobos spoke off in seeing that this weather is like anything else them face, unnatural to their very lives.

"These things don't look like Pegasus made them, why's that Twilight?" Spike questioned the thought of seeing these clouds aren't done from pony skills and wanted to know why.

"Some parts in Equestria aren't controlled by Pegasus Ponies, Spike. They help control the weather to help safe guide ponies, but anywhere else is possibly too dangerous for them to control, so they just leave it to nature." Twilight explained this logic to everyone that while the group have their skies under control with their weather usage, the Pegasus can't control natural weather creation in areas too far or dangerous for a Pegasus to reach for.

"Brother, if it is nature, then where's the rain?" Dumbledore responded off in puzzlement in seeing this situation and wondered, where the rain be?

"Forget that, rain and lightning don't mix well with us." Bocolix protest the idea of having their situation hard enough without extra dealings.

"Wooh, but look at that up ahead!" Nyx responded to look forward with Rabbitchu, Owlowicious & Koga looking out with her at…something.

At the moment, some bigger flashes of lighting, louder noises of thunder & strong vortex winds center above the skies where the gang are traveling through. The weather just went from just an average stormy section to becoming a more fearsome force than they were anticipating.

"Ah was right; 'Dis Ain't Natural!" Tough shouted from the storm becoming a bit more fearsome suddenly.

"Wait, I think I see something!" Ben stated from looking ahead of them to notice….a shadowy figure on a hill spot ahead of the gang. "Is that….a person?" Ben pondered off in not having good enough vision to tell with this storm coming in and ruining much of his eyes' sight.

"He must be either very brave or very stupid to stay out during this storm." Phobos remarked off in seeing this weird character appear and isn't reacting to the storm happening around.

"Not unless he's controlling it." Twilight issued with a raised eyebrow in having a different thought of what this person was 'truly' doing.

"He is?" The Enforcers responded lost in puzzlement, who could be controlling the weather in the End of Equestria?

"Why do I get the feeling we're gonna approach the trouble," Spike gulped in having a feeling they are gonna approach where trouble maybe awaiting for them to come and get some.

"Cause we got no choice! Hiyaaah! Justin!" Tough Apple responded to Spike of that issue while ordering Justin to head towards the stranger ahead.

"Mwruuaaghhh," Justin roared out during the storm before trying to pull the gang's cart.

Now the group approach what was a tall hill spot where it wasn't steep, easy to scale, and there was some person who sits cross-legged and meditated with his hands cross and eyes shut. It was a tall humanoid male wearing a dark gray-blue cloth (the outfit maybe navy blue), gold jewel chest-plate up to his shoulders, blue blades out of his back, a top pointed dark gray-blue wizard hat with golden spike horns with two that dangle round red orbs & one red jewel from above the hat near the forehead, and from his tan skin is dark blue eyes with a red painted forehead mark, and above his cheek & above forehead are golden horns shaping like the style of a dragon's mouth; Just then, the strange figure that could almost be like a magician opened his eyes to stare at….some new presences around his field area.

"So, you have come…at last." The mysterious magician spoke in focusing his serious gazes at those approaching him from below.

"Alright buddy, just who would you be, the weatherman?" Phobos asked off to rudely demand whoever this guy was and what business he has in being here, and for what, to cause them trouble.

"Phobos, now's not a good time to tell jokes." Nyx hushed her friend to not being starting something without getting all the facts of the situation here.

"My name…is Maha Vailo." The mysterious figure spoke from looking at the travelers in stating who he is to them. "I am….a Magician, seeker of perfecting my abilities." He exclaimed himself formally in what he is and what he is doing with his station.

"Maha Vailo? Ain't 'dat 'de name fro'…?" Tough spoke off a bit curious like the gang heard this name from somewhere.

"What Kouga warned us about; He's one of the other servants to the Demons!" Spike yelped in pointing out, that this new guy was another servant to the Demon Lords.

"You are correct; I serve Tchang Zu, the Thunder Demon." Maha Vailo spoke with a firm expression in not being wavered by the actions the others below are doing. "I was once taken to study magic by traveling, ways to perfect my own skills; only to become a prisoner to one of the Demon Sorcerers." He spoke in explaining himself of being one that walked his own path, but now has become a prisoner to serve Demons.

"Wait a second here. Demon Sorcerers," Dumbledore responded a bit puzzled in hearing a different name for the eight demons they have come across so far.

"I thought they were the Demon Lords!" Bocolix responded of in recalling that the eight Demons in this place went by a different name, so why this sudden issue?

"They abide to any of those names." Maha Vailo issued off with a calm demeanor before going into further details, "For they are Demons that know sorcery, and are considered dangerous from Ancient China. And now as of today, many consider them, the Demon Lords for ruling over all things as the Eight Immortals of the world." This explanation has helped clear up a few things for the gang that either knew or didn't know this part of some facts. "Long ago, I came across one, I fought to my best and lost." This spell-caster explained himself of what happened to him to his present state.

"So now you’re just a servant?" Ben raised an eyebrow in getting what this guy was about now.

"I am a prisoner, yes. But even still, I do not let it detain of my path." Maha Vailo responded with a diligent attitude in stating he has not let his possession change his 'true' course. "Tchang Zu, the Thunder Demon, who I fought and lost to, gave me a place to serve them…" Many can now figure out, the Thunder Demon wanted this guy as his own private servant and seem to have gotten it. "Realizing my state, I decided to follow up with a fail-safe deal. I shall serve under the Demons, and until I am defeated by a stronger spell caster, wizard, magician, anyone at all, shall live with this curse that I cannot undo, no matter how powerful I am." He explained with his closed eyes in stating a sad fact, that even if the magician has become powerful in due time, he can't get out of being signed to serve Demons so easily.

"That's terrible." Twilight responded in horror and sadness, this guy is a prisoner, like so many others the Demon Lords have ruined.

"Indeed, serving under evil was not of my choice, but my options were little, so I made the best of it." Maha Vailo opened his eyes in answering Twilight's response of feeling sympathy for him, but he's managed to get by somehow. "And now I have been sent to face the foes that have face and defeated much enemies within this land, even the Demon Sorcerers themselves." He was slowly getting out of his sitting possession to hover himself up into a standing possession before the ponies and dragons group; his targets. "Let me see it, the strength that can fight against the powerful Demon Lords. But be warn, I have spent much time making myself much stronger and I may even surpass my old self that fell to the Demons, to be now their rival in the arts of sorcery." Maha Vailo forewarned this group to be wary, he was sent to fight, stop, and defeat this group by the Demon Lords, and he is on a level to be a much harder rival to match the Demons that he lost to.

With that said, the gang quickly got out of the cart to scatter themselves around. Tough got his rifle and shotgun, just for double insurance of anything. Nyx used her magic to transform into her Battle form and was feeling ready now. Ben summoned his Master Sword in preparing for anything against this magician, even Twilight & the Enforcers brace their magical horns. Spike & Phobos were standing ready for…well, anything to happen, they guess.

"Everypony, fire your attacks at once!" Twilight instructed the group in what they'll try first here.

Soon everyone either used a magic spell, Dragon fire breathor rifle shots that were all unleashed to attack the opponent that stood there. But as the attacks were going after the target, he made no signs of dodging what was coming, why?

"That trick won't help when I use this." Maha Vailo exclaimed in not showing any fear as he has a trick up his sleeve, "Mirror Force." He spoke forth these words while waving his left hand out forward.

Suddenly to everyone's shocking surprise, a magical glass rectangle top to bottom mirror formed up that took all of the absorb attacks. And then without another second afterwards, the mirror completely shot off those that it took to be fired right back at the other side in a scattering barrage force.

"Watch out, he's sprung a trap!" Ben shouted out with a worried face, their foe just pulled a stunt which the group set off.

Now the gang was ducking and dodging from all flashy light beams that were impacting and destroying every single spot of ground near them. It was almost amazing to believe that was supposed to be their strongest combined effort and now it's used against them. Once that event settle down, did the group see that it was okay to come out from their cover areas…for now.

"Man; that was close! We almost got knocked out by our own attacks!" Spike responded a bit shaken in what almost got the gang by their own attacks.

"Don't sell yourself short yet! This guy looks like he still has other tricks to play!" Phobos issued off in feeling that this Maha Vailo guy ain't out of tricks yet.

"Hey Bocolix, lets hit him with that spell!" Dumbledore spoke off towards his pal in what they can do to fight against this guy's tactics.

"Right, only this time, we'll stop it before then!" Bocolix nods in getting what the Enforcers can do and what to perform to not fall for the same trick.

"13 Totem Poles," The Enforcers announced off in having their thirteen totem poles pop out of the ground before splitting into sections to fire off multiple attacks.

"An attack is still the same; however, there is another method to stop it." Maha Vailo spoke off in stating what he sees coming, only to prepare a method to stop the attack. "Negate Attack!" He spoke forth these words while waving his right hand out forward.

Then without warning, a swirling turquoise, pink-red and dark color vortex pattern appeared with three swirl light trails flowing inside it. This spell that was cast completely took the attack of the thirteen totem pole sections that impacted Maha Vailo's area to cease their attack attempts.

"Whhaaat; He stopped it!" The Enforcers yelped in seeing this move that completely left them totally shock that that stunt was stopped easily.

"It appears I'll have to show you…my strength." Maha Vailo exclaimed in seeing he'll have to show what his strength in magic really is made of, "Sacred Lightning!" He holds up his hands which begins to create a storm cloud above with this next spell maneuver before suddenly, unleashing lightning magic that came down to his hands to fire it off at the targets.

Now the gang ends up with quickly either evasive actions of defense or offensive stunt works. As the attack zapped over their heads to almost give a shocking feeling that would have been harmful, even if it did blow away some portion of a boulder nearby the cart.

"MWRUUARRRUGHHH," Justin was suddenly acting all frighten to start riling up to start charging and bashing against random things, even almost it's passengers.

"Heads up! Run-Away Bull!" Tough shouted off to the gang in seeing Justin going a little out of control here.

"Nyx, you, me and Ben will try to fly around his blank sides." Twilight instructed to her family in what they can do to fight against this spell caster guy.

"Right, this guy doesn't look very fast." Adult Nyx nods in hearing this, from what they can tell, Maha Vailo hasn't moved much after standing.

"Yet there seems more to him that we can't figure out." Ben stated with a stern face, this guy seems like he's hiding too many secrets for them to not know what will come.

The trio begins to fly off in an attack coordinated pattern when approaching their foe. Course, question remains…should the best with magic usage lead this attack while the others are left behind?

"If you're going to attack me, try making sure you don't leave your companions too…vulnerable." Maha Vailo responded to the group's endeavor would not be enough, unless they can protect what helps them out, "Raigeki!" He held up his hands to the skies to prepare another spell to be unleashed here.

At that moment, worry and concern filled in Twilight, Ben and Nyx's minds when they heard this claim and learn of what was to come. They could attack, but then their friends would be wiped-out by what was about to come their way without much protection from other strong magic users.

"Quick, teleport to the others and cast a barrier!" Twilight instructed quickly in fearing what this opponent was gonna try out on their group of friends.

Quick as they did, Twilight, Ben and Nyx got back to the others, even informed Dumbledore & Bocolix to cast a strong barrier. Next moment to happen was a large thunderbolt that smashed into the ground and was dragging around the entire spot where the heroes were positioned. Once the fierce lightning show was over, a lot of the ground was completely a wreck, if anything was hit by that spell, they be vaporized out of existence, that's some serious stuff.

"How was he able to cast such a strong spell?" Ben asked off in finding that what this magician did seemed, a little extreme.

"That could have destroyed any of us in one hit." Adult Nyx issued with concerns, despite Maha Vailo not liking to serve Demons, he won't be so easy to fall.

"It seems it's time I try something else." Maha Vailo responded in sensing a shift in the battle time, as he magically summoned something around…..his neck around. "First, I shall reveal this; the Black Pendant." And then suddenly that appeared in a glow of light, was a necklace with purple beds and a strange golden line frame around the outskirts of a violet pendant before he worn it around the neck. And from a sudden moment, a glow came around the magician from one source, but then a second source was seen before fading, he had activated something.

"Wait! Now he's showing us his jewelry, what kinda freak of an opponent shows us his bling-bling stuff?" Phobos asked off puzzled in not getting why this weird foe of theirs is showing some jewelry, who does that kinda stuff during a battle?

"Hey Ben, try firing something stronger. Ah got my hoofs full trying 'ta relax Justin." Tough issued from where we see the stallion wrestling to settle their MechBull down after what happened earlier.

"I got just the attack. Hey Maha Vailo," Ben responded before bringing his Master Sword to get charged and called out their opponent. "Try stopping this move! Sword Beam," With that challenged issued, Ben fired another sword crescent beam from his weapon heading for the magician.

"As you wish…Spell Shattering Arrow," Maha Vailo responded before casting from a wave of his hands, to unleash….a golden arrow with light-violet tail feathers in the back, as it glowed with some pink sphere sparkles. And soon that arrow was shot off, once it came in contact with Ben's attack, the odds were…shattered. The arrow completely destroyed the Sword Beam technique when they impacted while some unseen pink spheres flew off that bypass Ben's presense from the shocking force of that collision force.

"No way; He actually broke my attack!" Ben responded in almost being completely shock that that happened. "Ughh…and why do I feel a bit hurt now?" Ben held his sides in feeling some inflicted pain, something musta hit him during that time that arrow destroyed his own attack.

"Because for every spell you all control, for each destroyed by this type, inflicts damage to those that brought out their spells." Maha Vailo explained what spell that he used, the Spell Shattering Arrow can inflict pain when it destroys one or many spells one target or more use out during the battle. "Now I shall use this next spell to increase my strength, but weaken little of my defense, Elf's Light." Maha Vailo issued forth in preparing to increase his strength while letting a little of his defense drop.

At that moment, from waving his hands form, created what seem like a small elf fairy of light & gold, as it flew around Maha Vailo, increasing his glowing aura of strength while another glow was seen that triggered another stage from this active spell.

"Let’s fry this turkey!" Phobos issued this off to Spike in what they can do to stop this opponent.

"I'm with you!" Spike nods with determination in going along here.

"Eat shotgun pal!" Tough shouted out to the magician with his shot gun aim, "Bang-Bang-Bang!" From the loud noises of Tough's gun and then the combine fire attacks from both Dragons were going at the magician.

"With this Amulet of Ambition," Maha Vailo spoke in presenting something from within his cloth; a golden sun-star shape item with an open eye center that was crafted as an amulet, "If I battle those with a higher level, I shall gain more attack times the difference in our levels from this continuous spell." He explained the ability this object would grant him as his body was glowing from a golden light with another mix of energy as well.

Then the magician performed another Sacred Lightning that completely totaled the others attacks and was going right for the attackers.

"Yiiikkkesss," And that caused the Dragons and Tough to duck and dodge away as they saw that attack completely zipped pass them.

"Ugh, fellas, anytime which ye save our hides; Nows a good time 'ta do it," Tough asked out towards the ones with magic to help save the day or something here.

"Gladly," Ben stated forth before using his magic to fly up to prepare to strike down the opponent.

"A blade for a blade," Maha Vailo responded before casting a spell around his right hand, "Miracle Sword." He spoke these words before another magical glow covered him firstly and then a second glow effect was seen.

Then Maha Vailo made a sword saber appear, but one with a large size pink-red gem form cover over the thin blade. And soon Ben Mare was clashing his Master Sword against the magic blade of the magician.

"Brother, is there always something to you making things appear?" Ben remarked off in saying how that this magician makes a lot of things appear look magic, was that a thing with this guy.

"There is, for if we battle and if you still remain on the field at the end of where you should have taken damage." Maha Vailo was responding in stating something of what's to happen to the stallion at this moment of time. "This equip item can be used to disappear to prepare another spell." As he spoke this, he pushed himself away before his own weapon vanished at that moment.

"And that is….?" Ben raised an eyebrow in not knowing what this guy was up to.

"This…Thousand Knives," Maha Vailo slowly spoke which surround him that were a bunch of knives in the numbering count of a thousand as he grabbed some in his hands.

There the magician fired forth the bunch of knives that were heading directly for their target.

"Ben! Watch out!" Twilight cried out in seeing her love was about to face a battalion onslaught of 'killer' knives.

"I got this, I hope!" Ben responded to assure his love, but sheepishly issued this last part in feeling that this might be even an extra bit for the stallion to survive this.

Soon Ben was dealing with the heaviest burden he ever seen, trying to survive an onslaught stunt of a thousand knives all among to cut him up. As Ben had to be quick, he was using his sword to swing of to bat a few knives and fired a Sword Beam to help stop most. Course the stallion made sure to be evasive, especially when some knives got through to his defense and managed to land a cut or two. After a mere few minutes, Ben slowly levitated back to the group where the others saw a few minor cuts on him.

"Father, are you injured?" Adult Nyx came near her father with concern in seeing this.

"No, just a few scratches, but that was almost too close." Ben responded in trying to push off that it wasn't he couldn't handle, but truth be told, it was almost lights out for him.

"It's time I decide to continue my advantage….by letting myself look through this." Maha Vailo spoke in bringing out another item for him to use now; a tome-book with a lock keyhole seal. "Yes, the Magic Formula shall be perfect to increase my attacks a good seven-tenfold." As he was skimming through the book to know it's contains of knowledge, his magical aura glowed more and a second glow even made it brighter were his strength, was going up.

"That…doesn't make things with us feel any better." Spike spoke of in having a bad feeling that this Maha Vailo guy keeps finding ways to attack, trap them and keeps getting stronger, but was that all there was?

"You said it, like this guy getting stronger each time with trinkets wasn't bad enough." Phobos groans off to feel that when this magician brings something out, they are on the edge of their life.

"And now…." Maha Vailo finished looking through the book formula of magic to prepare himself, "Sacred Lightning!" He held up his hands, a storm cloud began to rumble before lightning came down and then he aim it from his hands at the group, which they dodged, but it blew off a larger batch of dry trees.

During the battle, the gang suddenly begins to notice…something off; That the last few latter attacks seem stronger than they should be from their understanding.

"Is it me or does every time this guy puts on or carries something, he gets stronger?" Spike asked in having a strange feeling, that their opponent keeps getting stronger each time he wears or wields something.

"That must be it, those magic items & things must act to increase his power!" Twilight responded in suddenly realizing what the magician is trying to do here.

"You are half correct on that assumption, however…." Maha Vailo spoke in seeing thay the group has begun to notice things, but there's more to it than that. "My true skill is for each magical object I equip with to myself, my special inner ability ends up increasing my own magical powers far higher than what others expected." From this explanation alone, it's crystal clear; Maha Vailo kept getting a secret additional strength whenever he used an object item, no wonder he was stronger than appeared.

"Wait, so every time you wear something or wield it, you get double the boost effort? That's totally unfair!" Phobos complained off in suddenly realizing what was happening now, and it was a complete disadvantage to their side.

"Wait, that means if we can remove that special effect of his…" Bocolix responded in suddenly getting an idea in what the gang can do to defeat this magician guy….

"We can regain a lost advantage! Let's try it out!" Dumbledore responds to his pal that if Maha Vailo can't use his special ability, he won't get any stronger.

"A valiant effort, but too late," Maha Vailo responded without a change of his focus expression as he waved out his hands from his scantier to his sides.

Suddenly, something shifty showed up that was a strange spacy cosmic ring that rotated around the magician.

"I have cast a continuous spell: Constellar Belt." Maha Vailo responded in stating what he has just performed just now. "Now any effort of my abilities' activation cannot be negated." He explained that now no matter what the group tries, they can't stop his ability from being stopped.

"Awwwhhhh…" The Enforcers moan at this, now they lost a chance for an advantage.

"Then just try this!" Adult Nyx flew from above the foe with her horn charging an electric glow, "Thunder Burst!" The Battle Form Nyx announced off in lifting her head upwards for a bit.

Soon Adult Nyx fired that looked like a blast wave of thunder electricity towards her target; But then something truly unexpected happen when it came near Maha Vailo. The guy waved his left hand to suddenly make, a dark violet cylinder with question marks in the mid center and diamond figures near the bottom and top and one was sitting by while another was taking Nyx's attack.

"What? Is that a cylinder?" Adult Nyx asked off puzzled, what was this guy doing with her attack?

"Magic Cylinder; when you declared an attack, this trap was sprung." Maha Vailo explained what he was doing at this moment when all of Nyx's attack got absorbed. "This negates the attack and allows one to inflict to my opponent equal to its attack." He explained how this trap spell works in negating enemy attacks to sending them back.

Then the magic cylinder was finished before the other one turns to suddenly unleash the absorbed attack right back at the attacker; Adult Nyx. Luckily though, Ben managed to cast a strong barrier that protected his daughter, though it pushed her back from feeling how strong that force was.

"Gees, I know my daughter is stronger in that form, but I never thought I defend against her own attack." Ben responded in never seeing that he do something like that soon.

"Um fellas, where were we precisely?" Tough asked off a sudden question that puzzled his mind.

"Why are you asking that question now?" Twilight raised an eyebrow in not following what Tough was asking now.

"Cause of the area, look!" Tough issued off to say this simple answer about where they are.

All around the gang, they finally took notice of the atmosphere and the land, becoming dark and red color framework around the ground work. Something about this could almost give anybody the shiver in what happened that this place changed like…like magic.

"What happened to this place? It never looks a bit dark & red?" Bocolix asked off in finding this little environment way different than before.

"It's like we've entered a field of fiends and they might pop out." Dumbledore spoke off in what they could see this place be home to.

"Long have I performed this Field Spell as a continuous for our battle; it is known as Yami." Maha Vailo explained forth that he changed this entire field they were fighting in to something else for his advantage. "And slowly, it has turn this entire field we fight in into my advantage for a small portion of strength & defense will come to Spell-casters & fiends, while it decreases all fairy type creatures." From this explanation alone, makes one know, the opponent now has the bigger advantage here.

"Oh No; Wait, we're ponies and Dragons, right?" Phobos yelped off to say, but then asked which creatures that the gang were in this place.

"Yeah, but it's not good for us if he keeps getting stronger!" Spike snapped off to have the Moon Dragon realize that their situation is earning more attention at this time.

"Now, to aid my needs…with the Book of Secret Arts," Maha Vailo spoke from bringing out a new book and a feather ink pen to write stuff in. "Thus increasing my offense & defense, three-fold." As he explained this, his strength grew and his secondary ability increased it as well.

"Everypony listen, we have to weaken him somehow or he'll keep getting too strong for us to even defeat." Adult Nyx turned to shout this out to her friends and family about taking down this magician that keeps getting stronger.

"Let’s hope we can even make it 'ta try 'dat?" Tough asked off in feeling if the group don't do something, they won't get anywhere fast enough.

"Swords of Revealing Light," Maha Vailo spoke forth in waving his hands out towards….Nyx's Battle form position.

At the sudden moment, something shot down that came around Adult Nyx's air-space, glowing swords of light. And once they were set in, everything around Adult Nyx…just froze, no other movement was made at this time.

"Nyx," Twilight cried out in worry in seeing something happened to her child. "What happened? What did you do to her?" She sternly looked to Maha Vailo in whatever he did to Nyx that she's frozen.

"I can assure you, she is unharmed, however…" Maha Vailo spoke in explaining what his efforts here are not harmful to Nyx's condition. "Continuing this battle would put her in danger and the Demons want her alive. So the spell used will keep her frozen in place….for three executive moments of us battling each other." That explanation was enough to say that Nyx will be free to move after this guy has made three moves in fighting the enemy.

"Then we'll either have to stall you or beat you in three more times of either us attacking the other!" Ben declared off in how they'll try to fight this guy to help get Nyx out of that frozen state.

"That won't matter, once I perform this." Maha Vailo issued before magically summoning a book in his hands, "The Spellbook of Power. I shall gain hundred-folds in strength." As he spoke from holding the glowing firry outward appearance of a book of tremendous power, Maha Vailo's magic grew far more in strength and even hiss secondary ability gave another boost to that too.

"Wait, isn't that…like a 1000?" Spike yelped to ask if what this magician was gonna do was get more stronger than before.

"I'm really feeling like we're facing the Superior again, only this time…this guy's a lot nicer, sorta." Phobos moans to state that this fight is like the Superior giving them trouble, except this Maha Vailo might be a nicer guy than that mysterious enemy.

At the time, the battle was shifting where now the heroes were starting to see…how out-class they are against a magician with such tricks. For anytime Maha Vailo fired his attack, the power and force of it was tremendously huge that even simple barrier spells could block little to leave teleport or dodging around that. Even Spike & Phobos were having their own fair share of difficulty with this guy, their own attacks and skills to fight against Lorcan and this magician just managed to pull more surprises from the next.

"It's time for you to decide what act you'll follow through." Maha Vailo issued off before he is seen preparing another magic feat. "I will hide and you must choice how to fight. Magical Hats," With that, he entered what were four large black top hats with yellow question marks and a checker's flag stripe around the bottom center. When the hats shuffled before setting themselves out, this made the gang have to figure out…which hat to attack.

"He's kidding, right? He wants us 'ta find him in a bunch o' hats?" Tough asked off with a raised eyebrow in finding this act of guessing a little weird, even against an opponent that's a magician.

"Clearly, he doesn't realize 'who' he's dealing with!" Twilight issued off in having her horn glow extra bright with magical focus, "Twilight Star Shower!" The mare made her familiar move rain down a bunch of shooting stars of energy around the area of the foe.

"Sword Beam," Ben shouted off from having a charged sword before swinging it out. It wasn't long before all the hats were gone, not a single one was left here,

"Did that get him?" Spike asked in wondering if they got their target, but…

"I'm afraid not." Maha Vailo's voice spoke off from appearing a distance away from the group and from where the attack hit the four hats.

"Hey no fair; you said we could choose which to attack and we attack them all!" Phobos protest in seeing that this guy cheated when they tried to figure out which hat he hid under.

"I anticipated that and used the Shift spell." Maha Vailo responded in stating what he performed to avoid such a ploy. "But you should be more aware of the Trap Spells that you set off." He issued with a stern face in saying the group here has triggered something in not being careful it seems.

Just then, Ben was caught by a sudden surroundings of chains coming out of nowhere to bind and tighten him in keeping him from moving.

"What, what are these?" Ben struggled with the chains, but he somehow couldn't get them off of him.

"Shadow Spell," Maha Vailo addressed the Trap Spell that caught the wielder of the Triforce. "You triggered it and are now caught that you can't attack while losing a seven-tenth of your strength." That explanation spoke enough that Ben felt his strength weaken all so sudden.

Then around Twilight came a strange spell circle with other strange symbol patterns on the top, bottom, side to side, almost like a hexagram form. And when they enshrouded the mare in the center, she suddenly felt…unable to escape.

"Ugh…what's happening to me?" Twilight struggled to see her stuck fate and was unable to know what was going on.

"Spellbinding Circle," Maha Vailo addressed the next Trap Spell that has caught the new Alicorn princess here. "You also triggered this when you attacked the hats at once to activate it, now you cannot attack and can't escape being caught while also having seven-tenth of your strength decrease." From that explanation, Twilight felt her own strength beginning to fade a bit.

Now with Ben and Twilight in a near submission, only a few other choices were left to use in attacking and escaping their binds….with magic.

"Now's the time in where even magic shall be ineffective. Behold…" Maha Vailo spoke from opening his right hand that magically summoned a staff; it was a blue staff with a fin-butterfly wing off the top near the orb before the guy held it. "The Rod of Silence - Kay'est." He addressed the wand that he now holds within his hand.

"That won't stop us, once we get out of this magic and hit you with…hugh?" Twilight and some of the others were gonna use their magic…but it never came. "Nothing happened!" This left the mare confused, what was going on around here?

"As spoken, this rod is a continuous spell, negates other spell effects that target the equipped wielder." Maha Vailo explained froth that so long he holds the rod, none of the group with magic can harm him.

"Boy, you really have us in your trap, don't you?" Ben responded off in seeing this Maha Vailo really have them in a tight spot.

"Don't threat Ben, you's got me, Spike & Phobos 'ta back ye up," Tough spoke in saying that Ben has the others to help him if those that can't use magic are out of the job here.

"Us too," The Enforcers proclaimed that they won't let this guy hurt Twilight; they gotta protect the mare or feel the angry wrath of Boris.

"Unfortunately, that too is at an end." Maha Vailo responded in being ever claim as he prepares to spring…another trap for this occasion. "For now I trigger my continuous trap spell….Gravity Bind." He issued this off to lower his left hand that focus his magical power….downwards.

Just then, something was appearing on the ground, green line patterns that was covering everyone and…making them feel strange.

"Urrrrgh, what is this? I feel….like I've put on weight." Phobos groans to struggle in what was keeping him down, unable to get up.

"This spell makes those that are stronger than a level 4 & higher caliber of creatures, unable to attack." Maha Vailo explained the power that this spell can perform when used to trap targets. "And since normal civilians cannot venture to this land, only the strongest can get through. It's sad to see that strength be turned against you." He addressed that now the strength of the others is being turn against them instead of helping out.

Now the gang is truly in a pickle, they are stuck in a trap where they can't move, can't use magic, what can any does to defend? Suddenly, one creature was seen moving against Gravity Bind to stand up for its friends and it was….

"Chu…." Rabbitchu, yes, he stood forth in wanting to protect those that were its friends from harm.

"Rabbitchu, hugh, guess you must've found a loop-hole to this guy unable to bind you." Spike responded with much relief; guess Maha Vailo's trap spell doesn't register the little yellow rabbit/weasel in a high enough level to be frozen in place.

"It seems I shall weaken you all with this next attempt…" Maha Vailo issued off in seeing that it's time that he deliver the next attack to end the traveling group, "Diffusion Wave-Motion!"

At that moment, from the rod was unleashing a shockwave of magical forces to all around, all attempting to impact it's targets.

"Chhuuuu….." Rabbitchu soon stretched off its tentacles to firing a lightning surge of electricity. The little guy made a barrier wall of his tentacles with the electricity in the center.

Both forces came in contact before a large explosion covered the area, everyone wondered what happened. Once the clouds cleared, Rabbitchu managed to extend its tentacles to stretch far to absorb all those scattering spell attacks, but it left the little guy very much damaged. All of the metal frames seem ready to tear off at the moment another attack like that was fired.

"Uh oh; Rabbitchu's a little low on fuel!" Bocolix yelped in seeing the little mechanic was looking low on fuel.

"And we're about to get another serving!" Dumbledore cried out in seeing what their foe was gonna do next, hit them again.

"Now to finish you off; to destroy all of you on this field….and what I'll retrieve shall be…the remains for the Triforce within one of you. Its spell properties, I'll study over them." Maha Vailo issued off in preparing a spell to end his foes here while later shall find Ben to study his Triforce for its magic intrigue magicians like him. "Now behold the final curtain….Flash Of the Forbidden Spell!" He held his arms together before flapping them out in aiming his rod to unleash…a flash of sealed magic in fire form...

"Hoooo," Suddenly, Owlowiscious is seen flying up to Maha Vailo's face to attack him.

"Arff-Arff," And Koga leaps off from the owl's back to drop in on the new spell that was launched, but the cub's weight shifted it mostly.

"Gaaaugh," At that moment, Maha Vailo yelped when an owl and wolf cub attacked and with the latter that kick the rod off of this magician's grip.

"He dropped the staff!" Tough shouted in seeing the thing that stop magic spells from being done is out of the guy's hold

"Quick, use magic to free each other and stop that attack!" Twilight instructed the group in what to do as she was starting with her own situation.

Now the gang was acting fast in freeing themselves and in preparing to stop the attack Maha Vailo fired off. With luck the two pets escaped Maha Vailo, only for him to see the caught opponents escaped his traps to now have the spell casters make a powerful spell that completely stopped the Flash of the Forbidden Spell cold by turning it ice.

"I did not foreseen owl & a wolf's cub interfering." Maha Vailo spoke off in being calm to state how he never expected to be attacked by little animals like these.

At this moment, the spell that held Adult Nyx allowed her to be free. And now the girl was trying to figure out and recall everything that happened.

"Nyx, stay there and wait for our signal!" Ben secretly spoke by a telepathic mind-link to his daughter to discuss a secret plan to finally beat their foe, "Hey Maha Vailo! How about you try a spell to really finish us off," Ben shouted out to point his sword in challenging the magician to give the next one, his all.

"Yeah, if you're so powerful, why not make ugh…" Dumbledore was slowly trying to play along in trying to taunt the opponent, but didn't know what else to say.

"Ugh…ugh….oh wait, I got it! A Black Hole," Bocolix was in a loss of what to say to sound intimidating, and then just blurted out what came to his mind.

"A what," Tough, Phobos, & Spike responded a bit surprised that they were asking for something that could truly finish them off.

"To ask for such a challenge, I shall not back down. Very well, I didn't want to perform this, but you made your choice." Maha Vailo responded a bit surprise himself to be ask this, but never the less, he responded to such a challenge.

Suddenly, something began to form in the center field of where the gang was, and it was first…a dark sphere. But then that sphere began to swirl out to expand its range to form what looked like a black hole. The gang was mostly worried while they backed away on the ground or flew further up away, the gang gets sucked in by that thing's gravity and who knows where they'll end up.

"The Dark Hole shall suck everything away. A pity you wanted to go out this way." Maha Vailo issued off in floating near the gang while careful not to be suck in, now once this spell sucks in the ponies and Dragons, it'll be all over.

"Not us! But you," Adult Nyx came to suddenly tackle the surprised Maha Vailo in forgetting about her after his last attempt to end her friends failed from their pets.

"Uuuaaghhh," Maha Vailo yelped from his decent to end up having his lower half get drawn in by the black hole spell while Adult Nyx flew away, "Noooowwughh!" Maha Vailo struggled to get himself out of this bind that would end him.

"No matter how powerful an opponent maybe…" Twilight spoke with a stern expression in explaining this issue that even if opponents, foes or otherwise, they think becoming powerful is the key to everything. "They can't survive something even they would be finished with." To the mare, losing the ability to breathe or get sent in a black hole, even those that are mortal can't survive that.

"Uaaugh…Huuuagh!" Maha Vailo was struggling to get himself out, one of his hands got sucked in too; this might be it.

"Quick! Give us your hand!" Ben flew over with his Triforce power to offer a hoof to the magician.

"Why? You've won! It's my loss!" Maha Vailo asked off confused, why would his opponents try to save him?

"Not on your life!" Ben issued off that he won't let a foe's life be taken by such means.

"Literally speaking'!" Tough issued off that Ben won't let an opponent's lost be the loss of his life, that ain't right.

Seeing a chance, Maha Vailo took the hoof by Ben that slowly helped him escape his own demise by the powerful spell that the magician conjured up. Soon the spell of the Dark Hole slowly vanished when it was no longer being of use, giving the others a chance to sigh with relief that they won't worry about that spell no more.

"Why…did you save me, when you could have let me perished and you would be victorious?" Maha Vailo asked off from getting himself together, why did one of his opponents risk to saved him?

"Hay buddy, do you even hear half the stuff your saying?" Spike asked off in not believing what this magician was saying much the things from his mouth.

"You're a good magician Maha Vailo, but ending a life to gain victory is no small price to pay for, even in defeat." Twilight explained this matter of their meaning to the guy that was saved by them, their opponents. "Wasn't there something else to your life besides seeking to better yourself in magic?" She asked in wanting to know, if perhaps, maybe…Maha Vailo wished to gain something else besides more ways to increase his magical abilities from his special trait with magical equipment.

The magician was silent in hearing this before sighing to speak here. "I have one, wishing to know the meaning of having comrades, true friends that I've never been able to learn." Maha Vailo answered off in wishing to know what it feels like, to have friends, "Somewhere when I left my home, far from this place that's known; as the Secret Village of The Spellcasters. A place long made after many of use seek'd guidance from the Moochick society and have since developed our own society in the studying of magic." He explained something where there is a hidden village of many spell-casters like him but the village was helped made by the Moochick society to help in their development.

"Wow, sounds like your one of the best bunch." Tough responded off in thinking this magician was one of the best magicians of spellcasters the gang has meant.

"No, I am still a novice compared to the other Spellcaster magicians, many are young & inexperience, others are wise & very powerful." Maha Vailo spoke forth in issuing how that there are many that are either beginners to those truly powerful Mages. "I seek'd to explore and develop my abilities, until that path was stopped…" He looked away in stating what happened to him on his journey.

"By the Demons," Adult Nyx spoke while reverting back into her filly form, the Demon Lords must have stopped this guy when he was exploring.

"Well, that shouldn't be a problem now, remember what happens if you come to being defeated." Ben smiled in stating that if they beat Maha Vailo, then he won't serve the Demons since it was only as long as he's never defeated.

"I would…be released from their service. Only in defeat and since I continued to make myself stronger…" Maha Vailo suddenly realized that since he always made himself get stronger with passing of time, it would be seen he's made it almost hard for any to free him…until now.

"You lost anyway to us cause we managed to figure out how to be clever." Phobos smiled off to issue how this group managed to beat Maha Vailo hands down, before getting a slap from behind on his head, "Owww, hey!" The Moon Dragon groans from whoever hit him, but there were too many whistling innocently.

"So, what are ye gonna do now?" Bocolix turned to ask what the magician will do now.

"You gonna try to stop us?" Dumbledore asked in hoping this guy doesn't wanna continue their fight from earlier.

"No, I admit my defeat; you've beaten me fair and square." Maha Vailo slowly began to sit up in admitting this was his defeat. "I suppose now I can leave this place, maybe return to my own home." Maha Vailo responded with some deep thought in what he'll do now. "Before I depart, I shall give you these as a reward for beating me." He issued with some compassion in his tone in wanting to award the gang that defeated him.

Soon Maha Vailo waves his right hand that glowed and passes over Twilight's neck-line. And then what appeared were gray rings with one that looked like a Manta-ray with a black hole on its back with a yellow eye and the other was like a long serpent around a center red-gem in the middle. The new princess was baffled in seeing not just four items that were around her neck, but six.

"These are…Guardian Rings." Twilight yelped in recognizing the new item rewards they got from Maha Vailo were of Guardians.

"Correct, they are Torpedine & Gymnote, The Electric Sea Creatures. Both are Guardians that focus around lightning. I was given them by Tchang Zu, the Thunder Demon, as creatures to have them seek terror, I sought no such means." Maha Vailo nods his head in explaining what those Guardians were for Twilight's group to know their names & standings with one of the Demon Lords. "But seeing you hold four Guardians of your own, you will need much strength ahead of you." He issued with a serious face that the gang will need plenty of strength in what will lie ahead of them.

"Why's that, is it because…?" Ben raised an eyebrow to almost ask the question, but was done for him already.

"You are getting closer and closer to ending your quest. I know of the spell, Lifeless Growth that has affected your home, and the ingredients that you've collected." Maha Vailo nods with a deep understanding emotion of what was happening with this group as they were shocked to learn what horrible spell caused the events in Sweet Apple Acres to start in the first place. "Do take care for there lies the last few perils left unfazed. One of which is where you may come across Peta." The magician pointed down a path for the group to continue to travel by, for there they shall find other places to overcome and find things they seek as well as face another foe to watch out for.

"Ye mean 'dat jerk 'dat's said 'ta be even scarier than yew & Kouga?" Tough pointed out with a raised eyebrow in recalling from Kouga of how bad this Peta guy might be.

"Peta was the only one that has truly become a creature to serve the Demons. And he contains great power." Maha Vailo nods with a serious face before explaining things more of the next foe to watch out for. "He is favor to the Demon Lords because he insures the End of Equestria never becomes anything than a terrible plain for where none can return from." He issued what horrors this Peta person is and seems to be a very serious creature to be on the watch out for. "If one can defeat him, then this place that was once the Valley of Peace can be able to slowly recover…in due time." From hearing this claim, many began to wonder, if this forsaken place can truly begin to slowly thrive like it was in the past before great evil ruin it. "I've told you all there is, I shall heal your injuries before departing, safe juries to you all, my unique comrades." Maha Vailo responded in believing that before he leaves he'll heal those that have helped save him and have become….his friends of a unique meaning.

Soon Maha Vailo began to cast a healing spell, all the injuries and wounds and cuts the group has gotten…vanished without a trace. All feelings of pain were gone like they were never there, the ponies and Dragons were amazed that such a high-level of healing magic was possible. Soon the magician vanished into the skies after giving his final farewells to the group in wishing them luck. And once the magician was gone, the field returns back to the way it was before it was changed into Yami, but when in the End of Equestria, it's hard to tell apart.

"Well, he's gone." Dumbledore responded in seeing they saw another new former foe turn friend leave them.

"And we're healed up." Bocolix responded in seeing that everyone is all 100 percent back to being healthy again.

"Good, ye can help me get Justin back on 'de crate fer our traveling need," Tough spoke towards the Enforcers that if the others are fine, they can help the tough stallion get their MechBull back in the cart of their ride.

While the stallions were helping to settle Justin the MechBull of the worries of the storm and everything was settled, those that stayed around were chatting something.

"Say Twilight, you think what he said was true?" Spike asked Twilight something on his mind.

"About we're almost being through?" Phobos stated that they heard Maha Vailo say they were almost being done in their journey; the term use was 'almost' by the way.

"It is true, cause we're just about there." Twilight smiles to nod that the group are almost through in getting what they need before heading home.

"That's great, then what are we waiting for, lets continue our journey." Nyx smiled to say that if they are about done, then they better continue this trip on the road again.

"Let’s just hope we'll manage to make it through without any more magicians or spell-casters giving us such a hard time." Ben smiled to make a joke about how if they meet any more like Maha Vailo, it'll be another long day for them to get through.

With laughter filling the air did the gang get together on their cart to have their MechBull pull them to continue where they were heading off; And boy howdy, that was one magic duel fight the gang almost thought was even harder against Maha Vailo then it was with Kouga. But while both former foes were tough to beat, the trickery part will be what still lie ahead, other dangers in this land that's the End of Equestria, other creatures to face, and even the Demon Lords & Peta at best. Things are gonna continue to exceed up for a bit more with Twilight's group. But the heroes aren't gonna call it quits until the job gets done. Besides, with two more additional Guardians with the gang, if the gang gets into trouble, they'll know what to do.

Chapter 13: Ways of the Warrior

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Chapter 13: Ways of the Warrior

It didn't take long before Maha Valio's defeat and salvation reach the Demon Lords...and enough to tick off a certain Demon about it, especially with the Demons.

"That traitor; How dare he betrayed me," Tchang Zu roars in fury. "Maha Vailo had the advantage yet he did not finish them with my pets?! He just gave them to the ponies!"

Dai Gui grunts in anger, "Unacceptable!"

"I knew that magician can never be trusted! That freak is too nice!" Hsi Wu remarks in anger and disgust, knowing beforehand that Maha Valio cannot be trusted in the first place.

Po Kong groan, "Now we have two servants left: Tso Lan's and Xiao Fung's! How do you propose we succeed now?!" Only a few servants of the Demon Lords are left big time. Not a good number!

"Indeed. How? I can sense that the ponies are almost finishes their gathering all the ingredients." Bai Tza said, knowing that the Demon Lords' enemies are almost done in their scavenger hunt. "We need to stop them at once."

"Indeed, my brethren. But remember, this is not over yet. In fact, despite all the failing we had, there is some success." Shendu explains to his brethren with a cruel smile on his face.

Xiao Fung looks puzzled as he asks Shendu, "Such as, Shendu?"

"While Twilight and her family think that they had achieved their mission well and defeated our servants and pets, they are unaware of something unexpected that is about to happen." Tso Lan explains with a cruel smile.

"What do you mean, Tso Lan?" Bai Tza ask Tso Lan curiously.

"The master plan of restoring Nightmare Moon draws near."

"Really," Hsi Wu asks in surprise, amazed that there was even a master plan at all that he was unaware of until now.

"How," Dai Gui ask, wondering how this master plan is possible.

"Other than using the Restoration Spell, there is another way to achieve in bringing Nightmare Moon back to herself." Shendu said with a nod, revealing of another way of bringing Nightmare Moon back to herself.

Po Kong asks anxiously to Shendu, "That would be?"

Tso Lan smirk as he comments, "You'll soon learn of our three master plans."

"Three?" Tchang Zu asks Tso Lan in surprise. There are three master plans to get Nightmare Moon into being again?

"What would that be?" Xiao Fung asks, wanting so much to know.

Shendu smirks as he adds, "You'll soon find out, Xiao Fung."

"Xiao Fung, sent your servants and be prepared for those ponies' arrival." Tso Lan requests to Xiao Fung, referring to his sibling's remaining servants.

Xiao Fung nods as he says, "At once, my brother."

"I can't wait to find out more of your master plans, brother." Bai Tza said anxiously, wanting so much to know what these master plans are.

"You will be intrigued, Bai Tza. Trust me." Tso Lan assures Bai Tza with a cruel smile.

-------------

Tao has his back leg crossed while his front hooves push clench gently. Twilight and her group just arrive when they spotted him like this, all of them are curious.

"It's Tao. And what's he doing now?" Spike asks the others puzzled.

Phobos shrugs, suggesting, "Sleeping?"

"I don't know. He doesn't look sleeping to me." Nyx said, giving a curious glance to Tao.

"Let's find out, guys." Ben suggests to the others.

Twilight and their friends approach Tao. Just before they could do anything, Tao smile while he's closing his eyes as he spoke, "I see you have arrived just in time, Twilight and her family."

"What 'de," Tough yelps, startled by Tao speaking to them without opening his eyes. "How does he-?"

"I can hear your footsteps. They are very loud. And they're disturbing my meditation."

"Mommy, what's meditation?" Nyx ask Twilight, arching an eyebrow of curiosity at this.

"It's making the ponies to be relaxed and calm down from any kinds of stress, emotions and problems." Twilight explains to Nyx clearly. "It's so also to train yourself to have patience, calm and faith. Some says it gives you strength. Other says it let you feel the flow of the internal energy. And also, it's the tradition from the Land of Ma and Kouma Island."

"By the look of this, I think it's more like sleeping than training." Bocolix said confused more so than usual.

"Yeah, no kidding," Dumbledore remarked in agreement to his colleague. With the way that Tao is doing it, how could anything be meditating like this?

Tao smile as he taunts the group, "Is that so? Then, I dare you to attack me." Everyone looked surprised and worried. Is it a wise idea to attack their ally when he's vulnerable like this? "Well? Go on. I will be fine."

"I rather not," Bocolix said, shaking his head. This old pony may not be vulnerable if he has a good reason for suggesting an idea like this.

"Yeah, me too," Dumbledore said, not wanting to do so either.

"Then, I'll do it." Phobos remarks as he punch at Tao. But to his surprise, the old pony moves to his left side. The Moon Dragon groan as he was about to attack him again on the right, but Tao dodged. He gave Phobos a big slap on his back head. The Moon Dragon groans. He then attack Tao by punching while the old pony dodge his body continuously. And at the same time, Tao gave a slap on his head each time thatr Phobos punched on any sides.

Phobos gasps for more air. Just before he could do anything, Tao placed his hoof on his forehead. He pushes him down gently, defeating the Moon Dragon.

Nyx gasps in amazement, "Wow. That's amazing."

Phobos pant, "How," He pant some more, "does he," More panting, "do that?"

Tao smile as he explains, "Patience and calm are the virtue to the center of a warrior as light as a feather. Courage, wisdom and power gave strengths and knowledge of the warrior. Friendship, family and love gave the heart of the warrior. Faith is the way of a warrior from those who believed in him and his hope."

"Um......I don't get it." Spike said, blinking a bit. The baby Dragon is not sure what the old pony is referring to.

Twilight of course knows as she explains, "He means that as a warrior, he needs to be himself from learning the principles: patience, calm, courage, wisdom, power, friendship, family, love and faith."

"That sounds cool. I wonder what kinda moves you had Tao before we met." Ben said to Tao with a grin.

Tao grins as he answers, "There are so much more yet mystery for you to discover, young Ben. While it is good for one to admire of another who possess strength and skills, yet it is he must learn of the importance of lessons. A wise seeks power within himself, the foolish seeks others within."

"Say what?" Bocolix ask as this lesson appears to make him even more dumbstruck as usual.

Dumbledore scratch his mane, confused. He adds, "I really don't get it."

"I'm sure you'll soon find out on the battlefield, my friends." Tao assures the group as he smiled as if feeling something. "Ah. Can you feel the wind? It gives harmony and peace to the minds of ponies."

The ponies and Dragons turn for a moment, feeling the wind itself. It does bring harmony and peace to their minds when one thinks of it.

"It sure does, Tao-?!" Ben said as he turns and saw that Tao...is gone...again. "Huh? He's gone again."

And like so many times before, the voice said, "True Strength lies within Unity."

"What?"

"True Strength lies within Unity."

"Another riddle to do," Spike ask Ben, knowing that the voice must be nearby, giving out yet another suggestion on dealing with the next task. The baby Dragon suspects that this voice may be connected to whenever Tao keeps disappearing each time.

"Hopefully, it's not so ridiculous and stupid than the bad luck riddle." Phobos groans, recalling how ridiculous and stupid (to him anyway) the bad luck riddle was before.

"'True Strength lies within Unity'." Ben repeats the riddle to everyone else.

"Well, whatever it is now, something tells me that we had to be prepared for whatever is coming." Twilight said, knowing that the next obstacle is about to get rough.

"But as long we stick together, we can overcome anything, right mommy?" Nyx ask Twilight, nuzzling her legs a bit.

Twilight nuzzle Nyx right, smiling as she respond, "Yes, indeed it is, Nyx. So, let's move on."

"Right, ma'am," Tough said, giving a salute to the princess as the group moves on to the next area.

-------------

Pinkamena was reading as she says to Golden Heart while Omega remains on standby, "Well the gang won Yo-Gi-Oh style and have a new ally; they are doing so well. I have a feeling that they will return soon once they get the remaining things."

Golden Heart smiles as he said, "I see, well I hope that the ponies can remain strong from hunger for a little longer."

Omega was hearing what was said as he says, "Even if I'd scan, all I know nothing about some things of life before I came."

Pinkamena moves to Omega and says, "Well I will tell you all about Equestia and such but might be too much for the readers so anyway you folks go watch the others while I talk with Omega, ok?"

Golden Heart chuckles while shaking his head, "She is as random as Pinkie Pie but she's my little sister."

----------------

The scene soon opens to a flatland area where there was only so few greenery of grass around & some wood trees. Course our focus is more on those traveling across this valley area, Twilight's group riding with Justin the MechBull pulling their cart.

"Where are we now Twilight?" Ben asked his love in scanning their surroundings, not knowing where they ended up now.

"I'm checking, we're…" Twilight was checking their map to understand where they have gotten to until…

"Near a pottery making shop," Phobos interrupted to say something really off random at the time.

"A what," Twilight responded a bit lost in what she just heard just now.

"Phobos, there can't be any pottery shops around here." Nyx responded off in thinking that her friend was delusional or something.

"Then what do you call that there, an empty shack with pottery?" Phobos issued off in stating something was right in front of his very eyes.

Soon the group saw what looked to be of some fashion made-building of a Japanese-home structure with wooden doors & boarded line near the windows. A stack of chop fire logs so neatly cleaved, nothing was a split end. Near the outside of the place was a fashioned made pot-maker chamber where a lit fire would be set underneath a rack for a clay pot to be made.

"Hugh, what do you know, there really 'is' a pottery shop here." Spike rubbed the back of his head puzzled in seeing such a place was in this area.

"But the map doesn't say anything about a shop being setup around here." Twilight insisted that such a structure was not known to be what her map was telling her, and who setup shop in the End of Equestria territory.

"Maybe cause it's new, looky here." Tough Apple pointed out from inspecting the wood, it seemed just basically sturdy and not so rotten. "Dis place looks like it's been here fer a couple o' years, not since 'dis place was made." From the stallion's notice, this place is still young while the surroundings are far more older.

"But who wanna open up a pottery shop in the End of Equestria?" Ben Mare asked the biggest thing on their mind, who would setup shop or even live in this area dangerous to ponies?

"Maybe we should go in and check." Dumbledore shrug off his shoulders of their next choice of doing something now.

"See if the owner is at home, maybe." Bocolix nods in agreement, if they find the owner, maybe they can get some information.

"And if he's not home, what then?" Twilight asked off the subject if the owner of this pottery place wasn't in, what would they do then?

"Maybe you should look behind yourself to find that answer." A voice responded from behind that sounded like an adult and it didn't come from the gang.

Now everyone was almost frozen in shock before turning around to take notice of….a visitor; this creature, physically, he is a tall Earth stallion with a somewhat angular face and a phenomenally develop physique. His mane is jet black and long, and usually kept in a ponytail. His coat is grayish gamboge and his eyes are moderate blue. His attire consists of a set of black pants with European styled boots, and a short sleeved shirt, colored grayish opal. He also wears a floor length, red and white cloak. He appears in his late twenties, but in truth, he is 43 years old. His Cutie Mark, that is hidden, is of that of a katana being taken out by an inch from a bronze sheath; whoever this pony was, he’s good.

"Who, where'd you come fro' mister," Tough Apple yelped in seeing a new pony figure appear out of nowhere just now.

"From behind, and you folks are?" The mysterious older stallion responded to that question with either a sarcastic or egotistical manner of speaking.

"Um, travelers just passing through," Bocolix shrug off to say that they are just those that are traveling by, even in the most dangerous place next to Tartarus.

"Yeah, we're looking for ingredients." Dumbledore nods in agreement while issuing that they are here cause they are seeking some ingredients found in the End of Equestria.

"But first, can you explain to us about…yourself. Are you in charge of this place and why are you here to begin with?" Twilight soon started to ask the series of serious questions of why a single Earth Pony was all on his own in this dangerous place.

"I could ask you all the same thing, but for now…just come in and I'll prepare some tea." The mysterious stallion responded off as somewhat lazy in not answering to instead turn things around a bit.

"Tea," The others responded all a bit off-guard in actually hearing such a response out of nowhere.

Soon after a while of some unusual moments, the group find themselves inside the structure where around some parts were some Japanese style furniture, food barrels, and a wooden stack of pottery. For those that could have brought Rarity to see such fine crafted pots, she find that they would be perfect in a room where somepony in her outfit would look fantastic for such showmanship. Moments afterwards, a table was setup in the middle of the room, where the mysterious host had finished preparing tea to serve it out while everyone was either sitting on their flanks or their knees…if they can on that last part, it's hard to get such a feeling.

"So your name is…" Nyx was about to say, but that answer was gonna be done for her and the rest.

"Hiko Seijuro." The revealed stallion "I'm a Potter Perfectionisty, a skilled pottery maker and a true master to make fine pots to help travel around to sell my works to earn a little money to make a good living."

"Wow, no wonder! These here are some quality fine merchandise!" Tough Apple spoke in admiring the pots, for a place that ponies say is a land filled with terror and destruction like Tartarus, finding pots of such craftsmanship that ain't busted is a treat.

"It's no wonder he can live off wealthy." Dumbledore spoke off in seeing how this one guy can live or at least live well enough even without the other fancy stuff to a home.

"But where does he keep it all?" Bocolix asked off in where this guy would keep such a large amount of cash that he makes by selling such fine pottery.

"I think we're getting off track here." Twilight cease the Enforcers little chatter on talking about something that's out of their way. "Mister, tell us, how long have you been here?" The girl wanted to get straight to the point about this new pony's background, at least why he's here.

"Or a better question is, why 'are' you still here?" Ben went off to ask something with a more serious expression.

"Hmmm….and what do you mean?" Hiko slowly sip his tea to narrow his eyes at Ben in asking such a question out of the blue.

"That you're more than a pottery maker and some stallion that makes nice tea. You carry a weapon with you for a reason, don't you?" Ben pointed out a lot of good points that Hiko here, was no ordinary pony, especially when they are within the border territory of the End of Equestria.

"I do, and the point being?" Hiko slowly nods in responding while wanting to know of what Ben's point is.

"Just that for any pony to be so calm while setting up shop here, despite how many ponies have heard terrible things about the End of Equestria, why is it you seem so calm & without worry?" Ben asked off a big issue about this stallion's presence in this border realm that is more like the backyard to Tartarus, both that no ordinary pony could ever live through.

"Probably for many different reasons than you may think, and so…because of the same thing that you yourself is far from normal." Hiko was responding in such a strange manner of speaking, it was both wisdom & simple statement of a new meaning. "An Earth Pony will skills above the average to be seen as something that defines magic & logical meanings. And through the ways of the sword, I have done so." He responded this last part with his eyes looking upwards in stating a claim, that he and Ben Mare are of the very few Earth Ponies that are very much special than what others may think of ponies without horns and wings.

"So like….you use a sword?" Phobos responded off in seeing that this Hiko guy was a stallion that uses a sword in fights.

"It's called a katana, Phobos. Something that old traditional folks wielded, especially those called a samurai." Nyx explained to her friend in judging from this new guy, he wields a sword that's in a form for samurais to fight with.

"Say, maybe you can help us; we're collecting some ingredients to help save our friend's farm back in Ponyville." Spike spoke in suddenly getting an idea, maybe Hiko hewer might have some information to benefit their journey.

"Right, mah family is in jeopardy, an' we need…ugh…." Tough Apple was about to say they need to find the last few ingredients, but just then, something came up. "Wait a second! How many more are we in need o' now?" The stallion farmer was right about his confusion, the group know how many that they've gathered, but how many are left to go?

"Hugh, good point; in all the surviving for our lives, we forgot to recall the number." Ben rubbed his chin in thinking back; they never did know how many are left at this point of their journey.

"Well we're in luck everypony, we only need just 'two' more ingredients before we can go home." Twilight smiled in letting her group know that from their hard struggles, they are now down to just two final ingredients to claim.

"Only two more," The Enforcers responded with both stumped, surprise, but also relief; they do this, and Twilight won't be in this dangerous area no more.

"That's great mommy! What are they?" Nyx smiled in hearing the news, but wondered, what were the last two ingredient names?

"One's the Sacred Flame & the other one is the Magical Fable Dust." Twilight explained the first names of the last two that they seek. "One's where we're heading, the Degree Volcano, and the other, the Perish Falls, will be in a hard place to get." The girl stated about where one of the ingredients they'll find, one's simple, but the other is more difficult.

"Gee, I can't wait," Phobos rolled his eyes in seeing that this will be another dangerous event to overcome now.

"One of those names you seek, I've come across into my possession." Hiko spoke after sipping some of his tea calmly in addressing the manner of the discussion.

"What!" The others nearly yelped from where they sat, did this Earth stallion say what they think he said; he has one of the last two ingredients?

"So you do have one of the ingredients we're still needing?" Spike asked with hopeful needs in wanting this to not be a joke, but the honest truth.

"Yes…" Hiko nods with his eyes shut in addressing the matter very clearly.

"And you'll give it to us?" Twilight asked off in seeing if they can get one of the ingredients now, he'll be a big help to them no matter which one it is.

"That….remains to be seen," Hiko narrows his eyes from Twilight to his tea in addressing the answer a bit oddly with a serious tone.

"Um, come again now?" Tough responded puzzled to scratch his head, what did that answer even mean for them?

"If you wish to obtain that which I possess, you must show me the 'will' to convince my judgment before me and earn it." Hiko explained that before the gang can get what he has, they must first prove they have the 'will' to convince him of such.

"Wait, you mean we have to fight you?" Dumbledore responded off lost in hearing this just now, they have to fight this guy from the other dangerous foes seen so far?

"Well probably isn't that hard, right?" Bocolix shrug off his shoulders to say, after all, they are Alicorns against one Earth pony, right?

"You may recall, I performed an act that saved your lives from being crushed." Hiko spoke with a calm tone in addressing the manner of what he's done to help the group out of a certain jam.

"Wait a second, the only thing we've done was face off obstacles and guardian creatures and other stuff, so…." Twilight was processing what they've went through while solving that riddle question until… "Wait! The canyon, Calamity Canyon; that was you," Twilight suddenly figured it out, when the gang was almost getting crushed by a size they couldn't break through, something sliced it in half…that was 'this' stallion's work.

"Indeed, you looked like you had a hard time against a large piece of rock, so I helped cut in down a tad." Hiko spoke from finishing his tea to set it down on the table, right after letting the group know what's going on.

"Gulp," The Enforcers, Spike & Phobos swallowed hard that if not for Hiko here, they be flatter than pancakes from that little exploration.

"So-So…So we gotta prove dat we can take you on, an' then git de ingredient off yer hoof?" Tough Apple asked off in suddenly thinking that the group gotta beat this one stallion that could slice a mountain in half, is that even possible?

"Unless you want to go to the other areas, but know that time is essential of your journey." Hiko was issuing to explain what the group can do; get the item they want from him, or go after the area he got the ingredient from. "Which will you choose; the long path or the hard path? Both are hard cases, so choose carefully." He issued that if the gang travels to find the ingredient he has from further away, it'll take much time, but if they face him, it could be difficult, so they themselves must choose one or the other; The fact of time for the Apples' Farm rest in the gang's hooves and hands.

"But can't you just let us have it without going through all that?" Nyx asked politely if the group can just have the ingredient, without it, they might not be able to help save Sweet Apple Acres.

"No Nyx, I hate to say it but….he may have a point." Twilight stopped her daughter with a serious face before she started to explain something of the gang's situation itself. "Time is critical, and if he has one of the ingredients and if we leave it be, then how else can we take on the rest of what the End of Equestria may have?" Twilight was right, if the gang can't fight against even one Earth Pony that can slice a mountain, then they may as well have given up this whole time.

"Then Mr. Seijuro, I shall request to face you, one swordsman to another." Ben spoke from summoning his Master Sword, stood up with his Triforce mark glowing.

"Hmmm…true you possess something fierce of great power & a blade to say plenty that are the real thing." Hiko spoke in witnessing that Ben Mare does possess something to be of a formable opponent. "But if you're not careful with your own being, then they'll all be a waste." He issued this with his eyes shut to sip his next cup of tea.

"Don't worry, I'll fight against you and show you how strong our will is!" Ben responded with determination, he'll show this stallion that the gang will complete their task to save the Apples' Farm, no matter what.

Silence filled the air while the others looked between Hiko Seijuro and Ben Mare, seeing a small dense atmosphere of their auras.

"Very well, we'll duel. Meet outside, there's a spot where we can have a proper duel." Hiko slowly nods his head in accepting the challenge as they shall do a duel outside.

Now things were really gonna get off, for the only way they'll get one of the other last two ingredients was to defeat this mysterious stallion of mystery. Soon everyone is outside near a lard land-field with plenty of space for any swordsman to fight in a duel against an opponent.

"Listen everypony, keep out of this…whoever this pony is, if he can slice a large island mountain in half, then I don't wanna risk everyone partaking, so I'll do this instead." Ben instructed his friends to let him do this, if anything, he might be the only strong wielder of a blade to match against someone just as strong.

"Ben…../Daddy…." Twilight & Nyx responded from the sidelines while the others were silent in about to witness a big battle coming.

Hiko saw how the others were reacting to this, they showed much praiseful hopes that Ben would win and be safe when during this.

"Are you ready?" Hiko turned to ask Ben if he's ready to face him, as he grip a katana with a wooden sheath and hilt of its design, showing he'll fight with such a blade.

"Ready! I've had plenty of training to face off tough opponents before, believe me." Ben responded to hold his Master Sword up, prepared to go at it here.

"And….who were your trainers?" Hiko asked in becoming interested to who was it that helped train Ben to be good with a sword.

"Well besides having the wisdom from the Triforce, my bud Flash Sentry, and Twilight's brother Shining Armor, and even Golden Heart were pretty much like my teachers." Ben Mare shrugs off in explaining how he's had a good moment to know and even learn how to fight with a sword.

"I see…those names." Hiko Seijuro slowly responded in hearing right, as he looks up to the stallion opponent. "Those last two, I know them well. They were once students I helped raises up to be good swordsmen." Hiko spoke off to say that those that the gang knows those that fought with beam saber swords, he helped to train once.

"What?" Ben yelped a bit surprise, as did the others; their pals in Equestria got training from this one pony?

"Now, let our duel commence. My Winter Moon against the Master Sword," Hiko issued from unsheathing his katana by its name as he soon held it with one hoof at the moment.

Now the time for the little chit-chatting had reached a verdict. For now a duel of unlike any other shall soon commence right before everyone's eyes…

The scene now focuses on two Earth Ponies, as they are wielding their weapons in front of their being. Eyes focus, never blinking, it was like a standoff and whoever makes the first move would either gain advantage or get a disadvantage.

"Here I go!" Ben announced, as he held his sword while at the moment, quickly giving it a charging process.

"Ben's already going off first!" Phobos issued off in seeing their guy was gonna make the first move, how bold.

"Sword Beam," Ben shouted out before swinging his sword that unleashed a crescent sword beam straight at the target.

But at the moment, Hiko still kept his usual appearance of never flinching from this act, being calm and collective.

"Hmm…." Hiko kept himself focus to slowly put his sword in his sheath before… "Hi-Ryu-Sen," He spoke those very words and drawer his sword out of the sheath quickly with his left hoof, sending the sword flying like an arrow, aiming the hilt at the vital point of the attack… "Breakfrusvhmm…." That one sprung sword technique, ended up breaking through the Sword Beam to be split in two while missing the swordsman.

"Uuuaghh…" Ben was now gasping in shock to seeing that his first shot to deal any damage and Hiko Seijuro defeated it.

"Eeeeehhhhh," Dumbledore & Bocolix were wide-eye surprise that it wasn't just Ben Mare that might be an Earth Pony who was tough, this Hiko character might be more than he appears.

"Wha…what happened…just now?" Bocolix responded in not believing what happened had even happened now.

"He completely broke that attack!" Dumbledore issued how Hiko busted a move from Ben's sword that usually doesn't get beaten by villains, course Hiko is NO villain.

"Dag-gum…..what move was 'dat Twilight?" Tough Apple cursed in asking the smart pony what they just saw and how it was even pulled off.

"I'm not sure, it moved to fast to follow." Twilight shook her head in being unable to answer what had even happened just now. "The only thing I can describe is that name that he used, according to a translation book that I once read, that attack is nickname…the Flying Dragon Flash." She issued off that she could only figure out the name of that swordsman technique of what it stood for from translating it.

"He used a move that moved faster than us Dragons could follow?" Spike responded off amazed by that sheer speed that a dragon could pull off.

"This isn't good?" Phobos shook his head for worry, this swordsman pony might be tougher then they gave him credit for.

"Nrrughh…" Ben gritted his teeth, he's seen the first move of what Hiko can do and now it's the other guy's chance to get him.

"I've told you earlier, to be prepared….now, try facing this." Hiko issued off to let Ben be remembered that this will be a fight one needs to prepare for against, and he begins his next move, "Do-Ryu-Sen!" Now he raised the sword up, then immediately bringing it towards the Earth, striking the blade with immense force against the ground. "Pow-Pow-Pow-Powvhmm…." The force of the strike was causing the ground to explode at the opponent, sending a shower of rocks towards them.

"Wooh," Ben yelped as he used his sword to try to defend against the shower of rocks, one think it's easy to swipe off a couple of rocks, but in truth…it isn't 'that' easy.

"Hay, he's fighting dirty now!" Tough yelped to issue off with a frown, that guy was using the ground to attack poor Ben with.

"Unfortunately not, that's an attack called: Ground Dragon Flash." Twilight shook her head to issue this serious issue that was of another technique at work here.

"Another Dragon name and of the Earth too," Phobos responded off in not believing this, Hiko can use a move with his sword to do something to the ground too?

"Hang in there daddy!" Nyx shouted out to support her father fighting hard at this moment.

"Right, you can handle this, right!?" Spike shouted out in giving the same support, at least, he hopes so.

Ben heard those voices after surviving that barrage of stones to just look a little messy, but still kicking at the moment.

"Of course I can you guys, and I'm not gonna fall from a few rock hits!" Ben issued to let his group know he's not giving up yet, far from it actually.

"Then, try to handle this one if you can." Hiko issued the next challenge with a serious expression as he has another maneuver to play out.

Then at the moment, Hiko vanished faster than even Rainbow Dash would have done.

"What! Where'd he…?" Ben yelped in surprise, but kept his guard, where will the swordsman strike from?

"Above!" Twilight shouted to warn Ben of where she managed to find his opponent.

Soon Ben looked up to see Hiko had leaped up very high and so fast while descending towards his opponent.

"Ryu-Tsui-Sen," Hiko announced forth as he soon brought forth another swordsmanship technique.

"Clashvmm…." Ben managed to block in time, but Hiko used his weight and force of the landing to hammer him towards the ground, even Ben's back hooves dug deep in the ground; just how heavy was this guy?

"That was the Dragon Mallet Flash!" Twilight issued in recognizing that move that was performed and what it stood for.

"Boy; that must hurt for Dragons!" Bocolix responded off in thinking what a move like that could do.

"Yeah, I'll say!" Dumbledore responded in agreement to that claim after seeing it be performed.

"Rrrrughhh…" Ben growled from the weight this guy gave him, this opponent was no joke and he had to get serious. "Looks like I got no choice, I'll bring out 'this' move! Triforce Slash!" Ben muffled under his breath in seeing he'll have to get even tougher on Hiko here and so he'll use something that can't be stopped.

Suddenly, Ben's Triforce mark on his body glows with the symbol, as his entire body glows with a powerful aura. Then without another warning notice, a ray of light stun Hiko Seiijuro that was horizontally in front of Ben.

"Wooh, wha's dat little move?" Tough Apple responded surprise to seeing Ben pull something new out of his hat, even if the guy doesn't have a hat per-say.

"It's the move Ben used against the Superior in the Human World version that we went to." Spike responded in recalling Ben unleashing that move before when they went to get back Twilight's crown.

"Yeah, that move really helped him give that guy a good beating, even if the opponent appeared unharmed near the end." Phobos nods in agreement, thought was puzzled to recall that even when they thought they won, the Superior was still unhurt and might not have been all out in the beginning.

"Phobos," Nyx sternly spoke to her friend and pet about bringing up the bad memory of that time.

"This one might do it!" Twilight stated with a hopeful expression, this move of Ben's might help turn the tables here.

"This seems nice, but…." Hiko responded in not feeling any worries as he saw he was trapped to notice two images of the Triforce, and to notice Ben dashing at him to attack…however… "Ryu-Sou-Sen," Hiko spoke from his eyes opened wide to unleash a move that would seem like the katana seemed to fly.

Ben was delivering a fury of slashes, but what Hiko was doing was performing a technique extremely fast repeated blows towards Ben's attacks. Then when Ben was about to fire the final blow with a mighty battle cry, Hiko ended up wielding his sword to end up stopping it while a sonic-boom of wind pressure broke out around and the Triforce images vanished…leaving many stumped.

"No way….you've broken through that one!" Ben responded in almost not believing it himself, that move should have worked, so how… "Just what kinda Earth Pony are you?" Ben asked off in demand, how could one earth Pony be this tough?

"Listen carefully and I'll tell you." Hiko spoke before pushing Ben off a good distance, giving the prince a moment to keep away for any surprises while everyone listens in. "I am Hiko Seijuro: Successor Of The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. I've trained myself to the point that I'm not even considered a 'mere' Earth Pony, I've learned & granted title mastership over the technique: The Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu." From just hearing these words alone was enough for Ben to realize little by little who he's really up against. "As such a swordsman, my caliber makes my sword a barrier of sorts, that if one were to enter this barrier, they would be defeated instantly. Even such creatures like Ursa Majors & Dragons or any giant creature cannot even take me on…alone." From the serious gaze from this guy's eyes, this guy was serious, he's even fought against such dangerous and powerful creatures. "Even as it stands for today, I'm known to be the most powerful swordsman in all of Equestria, the thirteen successor to the sword art of Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu," When this last part was spoken, that really hit things off with a shock that may have effected this entire battle here.

The others heard this, some were even pondering this 'serious' information about Hiko Seijuro being noted the Strongest Earth Pony of all times. There was no lying in his voice, there was not even any denying that what they are seeing, noticing, plus more that couldn't issue that everything said…was true. And if so, just what is the gang truly facing?

"O-O-O-Oh, is he kidding us?" Phobos was speaking off in almost feeling like this was too much to even be considered true, it seemed totally unreal to take it in. "Is this guy pulling our legs or what?"

"I don't think he is, from slicing a mountain in half to just this much, where was he this whole time?" Spike felt like he was really getting nervous now, there was a pony this strong and if he was with them during their other big time battles, he could have been the greatest assistance ever, so why….

"Gulp….I think I once heard of him. A pony registered by even Equestria's Rulers: Princess Celestia & Princess Luna, as a friend to them, but that was over 20 years or so ago." Twilight swallowed hard in recalling a long while back, how her mentor spoke of a pony of high-caliber that even a Ruler like Celestia says there was none quite like him.

"But tis here fella looks in his 20s!" Tough issued off from seeing that Hiko was about 2o so years old, so how could he be older from something a longs way back?

"Another matter to know, from learning the skill, I've learn to keep my body healthy & strong." Hiko responded to that question that surprised many, he's in his 40s, yet he still retains a young appearance; unbelievable.

"Boy, dat's some diet plan!" Tough Apple responded in finding that knowledge that this pony swordsman has gotten good with a technique to even make his body retain a young appearance, it's simply amazing.

"Ben Mare was it?" Hiko spoke in now focusing his narrow gaze towards Celestia's child across the field from where he stood in almost having something to say now. "You maybe a special Earth Pony from the TriForce, but….unless you've truly become a master with the blade & undergo the measurements; then you might not be able to live up to the Hero of Time of long ago." Hearing this was all kinda harsh in how this swordsmen was pushing one young stallion over the limit in what he's managed to get through, but has a longer way to go apparently.

"Grrr…Just cause you've surprised me, won't mean that I'll roll over. It's true, you're strong; you remind me much of how strong a difference there was from me facing the Superior." Ben growled to struggle with his own bearings in seeing he's truly up against a pony that might even be stronger than him, even with his own special magical ability. "But I won't stand by and let someone that dangerous be loose; I'll push myself to the end to defeat any evil that wants to threaten my home, my friends, and my family." Ben gathered his courage to know that no matter what, he won't let anything harm those he cares and loves, even with his own life endangered.

Things here were really starting to get turn, nopony or anyone would see the day that Ben was up against something since the Superior, to give such a difficult battle. Suddenly at this time, some unexpected rock music was heard in the background.

"Hey, it's the song "Hopeless" from Breaking Benjamin." Nyx spoke off this Fourth Wall Breaking issue of what she's hearing just now.

"Is that supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing now?" Dumbledore asked off in being unsure what to make of something Nyx just spoke.

"Whichever it is, it's hard to tell who's gonna be winning this duel." Bocolix responded in utter confusion since this scenery is playing out weirdly.

Now things were really gonna get things underway, as some singing is heard while the action goes on.

Singer: Here I lie forever, sorrow still remains

Soon Ben charged to strike against Hiko but he held up his katana to block the young stallion's strike attempt.

Will the water pull me down and wash it all away?

"Hrrrughhh," Ben lets out a mighty cry to push with all he's go, but Hiko was not budging from his standing.

Come and take me over, welcome to the game

"It's time you learn a lesson, young stallion." Hiko spoke in issuing this towards Ben struggling so hard but was not even getting by with that.

Will the current drag me down and carry me away?

Soon both swordsmen spark their swords against the other that pushed the other or Ben backwards.

Suddenly the light begins to fade

"Sword Beam!" Ben fired another range technique by charging his sword.

"Clash," Hiko however did what he did before by using his technique that broke through the sword beam technique by Ben's will.

Hopeless, I'm falling down

Soon Hiko dashes so quickly that Ben was seen struggling to keep his opponent from harming him with just his sword.

Filthy, I can't wake up

The others watched as the battle looked to be near intense.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Urgh…Urgh…" Ben was really being pushed come to shove here, what was this guy.

Worthless, it's over now

"Ryu-Sou-Sen Garami!" Hiko spoke to perform a different move from the Ryu-Sou-Sen in which he made blows directed at the neck, but Ben quickly reacted to block such close shavings there.

Guilty, there's no way out

"Nrrguhh…." Ben was starting to sweat up a storm in seeing how close this one pony is to getting to him; the moves are almost too fast to see.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Ryu-Kan-Sen!" Hiko was suddenly unleashing another move as he was besides Ben; Hiro turns in delivering a backhanded swing at the stallion, almost near the neck.

"Huugh…Haaaughh…" Ben was almost gasping before quickly leaping out of the way, that last move….nearly got him. Pause of instruments is heard at the moment.

"What was that move just now?" Spike asked off a bit nervous in seeing what happened just now.

"That move, it was different, but its last word was kanji at the end of the skill, simply would mean 'to attack at the head'." Twilight explained with a very worried look, noticing that what Hiko performed, it was almost an attack around Ben's neck area.

"Yikes! This guy sounds seriously scary!" Phobos yelped in fear while the Enforcers swallowed hard, this Hiko guy is not to be underestimated.

"Better bucket up, cause they're going at it again!" Tough Apple issued their focus back at the battle.

Now the singing of the song is heard again while the fight continues.

Silent I go under, I am not afraid

Ben was seen trying to make another go but fired off a spiral move of his charged Master Sword.

I can see the daylight shine and slowly drift away

"Arashi!" Hiko responded in where he curls himself into a ball then began to spin in a complete circle with his sword extended.

Safe to say it's over, sink into the grave

"Clashvmmm…" Both swordsmen clashed their attacks, and Ben's attack was again, overpowered to have pushed him back.

There is nothing left inside, but I am wide awake

"What was that move?" Dumbledore asked Twilight in not knowing what the name of that attack was.

"The Storm," Twilight responded with a narrow eye motion in what was the name of Hiko's last move there.

I can hear the devil call my name

"That sounds really bad." Bocolix issued in not liking the name of that technique performed by Hiko Seijuro.

Now the combatants soon charged off to clash again.

Hopeless, I'm falling down

Ben was trying everything in his strikes with both hooves around his blade, but….

Filthy, I can't wake up

Every-time a strike was thrown,. Hiko was able to read through it and predict many countermeasures to overwhelm Ben.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Ryu-Tsui-Shou-Sen!" Hiko soon leaped up to perform a descending downward move with the Ryu-Tsui-Sen.

Worthless, it's over now

Ben was able to counter but the difference was this guy immediately rising back up with the Ryu-Shou-Sen for a double hit attack that caught the stallion off guard.

Guilty, there's no way out

"Urrrugh…" Ben struggled from that last impact, and could tell he just barely survived that one.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Sou-Ryu-Sen!" Hiko flipped his sword, soon was drawing the sword with immense speed from the sheath. Ben managed to block that but then Hiko used his sheath for a second attack that caught Ben off guard.

Another pause moment for Instruments while the group were doubting what they were seeing.

"A two sword technique: Paired Dragon Flash, that was…." Twilight was almost gasping in surprise, this Hiko Seijuro, he knew so many techniques with the sword.

"Totally unfair in mah book," Tough Apple remarked off to say in what the group witnessed.

"This guy seems really, REALLY good mommy?" Nyx responded with worry in seeing her father almost on a last leg.

"Ben, you gotta try something unexpected!" Spike shouted out to encourage his friend.

"Yeah, hit him with something BIGGER!" Phobos yelled out for what the Earth stallion from their side can really do.

Now the singing returns, with Ben hearing what the Dragons said to him.

Hopeless, I'm falling down

"Alright Hiko, try taking on a move even Lorcan couldn't block!" Ben challenged the swordsmen with a special move up his sleeve.

Filthy, I can't wake up

"I see then I'll bring out something of equal means." Hiko responded with a light nod, as he prepared himself now.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Get ready!" Ben issued, as a glowing bright golden aura covered around his body & surrounding himself by floating triangle forms.

Worthless, it's over now

"Triforce-Charge Strike!" Ben roared out as he was running, his Triforce mark glows more & his speed increased infinity well.

Guilty, there's no way out

That speed of Ben's was happening in a blink of an eye as he charged himself to impact Hiko with a tackle, plus with the Master Sword create even more of an impact force.

I cannot hold on, I will not let go

"Hiten Mitsurugi Style: Ku-Zu-Ryu-Sen!" Hiko spoke from gripping his katana in the sheath to perform this when Ben comes.

"The 9 Headed Dragon Flash; No…BEEEN," Twilight whispered in surprise before shouting for her love to stop his attack.

But it was already far too late for that…

Hopeless, hopeless

Within the rank of godlike speed of that style, a light flashed from Hiko Seijuro, an illusion of nine swords striking forth at once. A form of Japanese Kanji words showed up to where Ben Mare's charged attack was frozen, and each different kanji. Ben's frame was red while the types of attacks in kenjutsu-first, the karatake (downstroke), Kesagiri, the slantwise downward stroke to the shoulder, reverse Kesagiri, right Nagi (belly stroke), left Nagi (reverse belly stroke), right upward cut, left upward cut, and the Sakakaze, upward stroke; Finally, the stroke that pierces at the shortest range to the chest, the Tsuki. A Japanese kanji frame was seen in the background, as Hiko Seijuro was seen across the field with eyes glowing from showing his strongest form while the color scene of everything was normal and everything return to its proper speed length. In a shocking display, Ben's technique & glowing aura vanished without a trace as he fell onto the ground.

Now as the music was ending, it looked like from Ben Mare's situation, it would indeed be his loss. Then everyone only stood to watch in surprise as now Hiko Seijuro slowly was moving his katana from his position when he made his move. But just as he was about to turn to leave…

"Wa…Wait…" A voice was heard, making all eyes focus on…Ben Mare. "This…isn't…over yet." Ben spoke to bring himself up by grabbing his sword to push himself upwards.

"Hoo….You're still conscious? Even after I hit you with one of my Succession Techniques," Hiko responded in feeling a bit amazed that Ben managed to get by that last technique, "As expected of Celestia's child & wielder of the Triforce." He issued in seeing that Ben is truly not one to crawl over to play dead.

"Now I can see why you're said to be the best…hugh-hugh…" Ben spoke from his exhausted breath to carefully pick himself up while looking like he's struggling with his own body. "Which is why….no matter what happens, I'm not about to give in. Not when so much is on the line." Ben issued that he won't call it quits, too much of Ponyville & the Apple's farm depends on their mission.

"Are you so certain? You're willing to risk the chance, that's your decision, but…" Hiko spoke with a serious expression before looking to Ben with this issue. "What of those that care for you?" He stated about what Ben will do about himself when those that care for him see the risk of losing the young stallion.

Ben froze in surprise; that certainly was an unexpected surprise he wasn't expecting to hear; what did Hiko mean?

"Even if you say you're doing this for them, if you die here, then it will only trouble them with grief." Hiko Seijuro remotely issues this statement with careful words to choose in addressing the manner. "It's one thing to fight for what's right, but to blindly risk yourself for others without thinking about your existence in their lives is no better than losing yourself in the mist of foolishness." He was telling Ben that just letting himself risk the dangers without the consequences if he wants to live or not will do more harm than good. "I shall ask you this question….how strong is your will to go, should you not remember to be with those around?" Hiro narrow his eyes to Ben, expecting the truthful answer to what he's wanting to do, either sacrifice himself to protect others or live to always be with those one cares for.

Ben thought about this very hard, in the past, he's only cared much for Twilight, for Nyx, for his mother, his aunt, and many other friends he's come to make. But now with him having abilities of great responsibility, he has to protect all he cares for, however….can it be said he hasn't realized that if he dies, what then? What would happen to everyone he's come to know, love and want to spend his happy life with…what then?

"You're right….about that." Ben sighed in giving himself to sigh in defeat over what Hiko has said. "If I die, then it wouldn't matter if my friends & family are safe, they would be sad…just like Twilight was when I was gone for so long." When he was turn into the Demon Pony, he made a lot of ponies that care for him sad, Ben doesn't, he never wants them to feel that way again. "I won't die & let that happen, I'll fight to live and fight to make sure they live with happiness. I'll do it because I want to live beside everything that happens." Ben looked up with a determination all over his face, he sees something he never came to understand, and now….Ben knows.

Suddenly, something was happening that the Triforce glow a strange new force that released glowing particles that came around Ben's area. As everyone watched in either amazed or stump expressions, something was forming from the little lights into objects. One was an adult-sized metal heater shield of silver outlines and inner blue surface, it bears the emblem of the Triforce in it's golden coloring as well that of a red bird below the Triforce. The second object was of a bow with some gray silver bottom and top in the middle and decorative bottom and top edges with a string attached.

"Wha…what's this?" Ben responded confused to seeing the two strange new items on him now, and strangely, his injuries were slowly being healed up by the Triforce's magic; unreal.

"It would seem that from your Wisdom of acceptance, Courage to overcome a fearful image has granted a new Power of awakening within you. Two other gifts that the Hero of Time once wielded," Hiko spoke in issuing what Ben seems to have done is awaken something by the three elements of the Triforce directly close to the Hero of Time himself. "The Hylian Shield, used by knights of old & the Hero of Time himself, but over the courses, the shield may possess more than the strongest & unbreakable shield of such durability, but gain a trait to block fire, electricity, even curse attacks. And to have the ability of the Mirror Shield to deflect sunlight, magic & attacks," After he explained what the shield near Ben is capable of doing, next was the bow. "Even gain the Hero's Bow to create unlimited enchanted arrows, with that, you can fire arrows of fire, ice, and even light arrows. And the last ones are said to smite evil with the light of justice, a few average creatures of darkness would instantly be defeated by those while giving harm to the stronger ones." He finished explaining how now with the bow, Ben can now gain access to using it to fire off some arrows of a different element to serve him, even one to cause the most hurt on evil creatures.

"Wha…I…I don't believe this!" Ben was so surprised by all of this at once, he was left utterly speechless. "All I did was…" How did one thing he did cause him to now have not just a sword, but a shield and bow & arrows now?

"You've managed to uncover your next step in getting stronger and these are the rewards." Hiko point blankly explained the matter right before Ben's presence. "Now, I guess if that's settled, if we should continue; only now….if I should be serious enough." He question that with Ben now much stronger now, and with new gear to his arsenal, he'll be tougher at this point for Hiko to not be so easy on him.

"Wait! Wha yew mean serious, weren't'cha already?" Tough asked off a bit lost and confused, so were the others. They thought Hiko Seijuro was being serious from fighting Ben.

"I think that's his term answer alright." Nyx responded that if the fight got any serious, this could get ugly real fast.

"When we were fighting, you used both hooves on our weapon, a smart choice to increase more from your body giving extra strength to deal greater blows. However…" Hiko was explaining the manner that for any swordsmen, using two hands or hooves to wield a weapon will give more strength term of power to the swing. "I haven't begun to be serious, and as such, have fought you with only my one hoof on the blade." He explained a crucial point that this whole time, Hiko was fighting with only one hoof on his katana, he never even welded it with two.

"You mean you STILL haven't gone all OUT?" Phobos screamed out in disbelief, that's gotta be even more harder to believe then the rest.

"Wha…what happens if you do?" Spike nervously asked what happen if Hiko Seijuro fought with both hooves on his weapon.

"Well, if I was more serious with one hoof, this would happen." Hiko issued from approaching near a spot where behind his side was a mountain, "SLASH/Kurpowruvhmmm…" Then from swinging the katana against in an upper vertical manner, the mountain was shown slipping down from where it was station. "A mountain would be split in two, if I had both, an entire canyon would be chop in half." Hiko explained this with a serious manner that once again caught everyone by surprise.

"Gulp-Gulp…." The Enforcers swallowed double hard, that did look freakishly scary, so if Hiko fights super-seriously, then it's an instant 'game over' for them.

"Are you ready young stallion?" Hiko turned to Ben as he was now feeling like his strength return anew, heals recovered and with more things to wield.

Ben was still puzzled if even now, with a shield and bow that may have belong to the Hero Of Time long ago can help him defeat a great swordsmen like Hiko Seijuro. But then suddenly, who should step in front of Ben to keep him from going near or from Hiko coming to the young stallion than…Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight," Ben responded off in shocking surprise, what is the mare doing in blocking him from Hiko?

"If you want Ben, you'll have to go through me!" Twilight issued with a serious face that if the swordsmen wants her love, he needs to get by her first.

"Interesting challenge, considering he asked you to stand aside while only us swordsmen fight." Hiko spoke in studying Twilight's act while recalling this was a fight between only him and Ben, none of the others.

"Then if you wish to continue, cut through me!" Twilight sternly issued to objecting that if Hiko wants to continue, he must get by her. "You may be strong, even stronger than we thought, but I won't standby to watch the pony I love struggle anymore." Twilight is tired of watching, she'll fight to make sure she doesn't lose Ben ever again.

"That so," Hiko raised an eyebrow in focusing more on this brave Alicorn princess here.

"Wait-wait," The Enforcers suddenly steep in to block Hiko from Twilight with very equally worried and terrified faces.

"Don't kill Twilight Sparkle, sir! Please!" Bocolix requested that Twilight would not be harmed here in anyway.

"Yeah, you never hurt a lady, would ya?" Dumbledore issued off about this guy would never hurt a mare, now would he?

"You two, what are you doing? I can handle this!" Twilight sternly asked why Dumbledore & Bocolix were doing this; this is her issue, not theirs.

"But if you get killed, we know a lot of ponies will be miserable." Dumbledore issued off about what happens if Twilight dies suddenly, many of those that love her will feel sadden.

"Yeah, and believable us, we don't want that any more than they do!" Bocolix nods in agreement, especially since if Twilight dies, Boris will be madder than any angry devil and they wanna avoid that.

"Shoot! If it's about protecting mah pals, then step aside an' Ah'll help out!" Tough Apple soon approached to bring out his gun in wanting to protect his pals. "Ah may not have magic, but Ah got guts and a pea-shooter! So go on an' hit me, Ah won't beg & cry!" He issued his own resolve to not sit back and watch this; he'll protect his buds to the end.

"I'm standing by my parents!" Nyx issued from transforming in her Battle Form to stand up to the strong swordsmen. "I've been reincarnated as suppose to be evil, but Twilight brought me to see things differently and with Ben, I gain somepony that was special to her. I have parents now and I won't stand to see either of them leave me." The adult Nyx issued about how she now has something that she cares for much, and won't let anyone try to harm those she has come to love like a child to her parents.

"Twilight took me in when I was a baby hatchling and raises me like I was her own brother. I won't just watch her die, OR any of my friends!" Spike issued from becoming serious to step up and even pulled out his own flaming beam saber.

"Yeah, and I say some cool stuff too, but everyone else already used them. So I'll just say, you wanna get to one of us, you gotta beat ALL of us to do it!" Phobos steps up to the plate, but shrug off his shoulders to not having something clever, but even he knows they stand strong together.

Ben & Twilight smiled in seeing their friends and family stand up to give aid even against such a situation. And the one who saw this act was Hiko as the guy looked to everyone's eyes to close them…seeing what needed to be seen.

"Very well…" Hiko Seijuro spoke in a quiet tone at first that was mysterious while putting his katana back in it's sheath. The others thought the guy was reaching for something from his clothing until… "Here." He issued to suddenly toss out something in a wrapped cloth shape.

Twilight used her magic to catch the item and gently unwrap it…only to discover that…it was some magic colored dust, could this be…

"The Magical Fable Dust ingredient; from the longest & hardest place we haven't gone to yet in the Perish Falls!" Twilight exclaimed in utter shock to see that they have in their possession, the next to near final ingredient. "But…why are you…we haven't even beaten you!" The Alicorn princess was confused, why was Hiko Seijuro giving them the ingredient that he had and believed to get it if the gang proved their will of worth to him?

"I said I was wanting to see and test your will if you wanted the ingredient and you've proven that right now." Hiko spoke with a calm response that he just wanted to test out the group's will to where he could give them that ingredient. "A strong stallion stands up for himself and even stronger stallion stands up for others." He spoke with this quote that was important for the group to hear out. "When you fight, one must always remember, they are never alone. Keep in your hearts of those you care and they'll inspire strength the likes you can only imagine." He explained that for those that fight, so long as they are never truly alone, they can accomplish many things.

"Wooh, I never would have thought of that!" Dumbledore responded a bit surprise to hear and learn this piece of news.

"Me neither, it sounds almost….awe-inspiring." Bocolix responded in feeling a bit touched by those words of wisdom.

Soon Hiko turns to point at something of a path ahead of the gang, further from his area. "Travel down through this area and you'll come across the last thing you seek." Hiko issued in explaining where the gang can go and hopefully obtain the last thing they need for their journey.

"Really; you mean it?" Nyx responded with a smile before reverting back to her filly form.

"I think he does Nyx." Spike smiled to look to Nyx in seeing this guy was being straight honest.

"Oh-boy; The final ingredient," Phobos cheered in liking what they've just been noted, it was perfect.

"Well Ah guess we's were wrong 'ta think ya a bad pony, sorry about dat there." Tough Apple spoke to sheepishly apologize in thinking this Hiko guy was being bad, but he wasn't, just a strict teacher maybe. "I guess yew wanted 'ta teach us something', hugh?" The stallion responded in thinking he gets what was going on somehow.

"The lesson is learned and for one of you has helped you've uncovered much sleeping abilities within." Hiko nods with a calm expression while slowly walking up to the group. "But keep this in mind, as a wise word of caution." He stops near the gang and near Twilight & Ben to listen to this carefully. "Like myself and even Ben Mare, there are different ponies that are just as strong that they are not just Alicorns or Unicorns. They can be Pegasus and even Earth Ponies with unique abilities & special magical powers unlike the average bunch." What he spoke was an alert warning that out there, there are creatures, ponies that are far more than average, they possess something to be equally surprising that they aren't even in the league strength or magical scale readings of Alicorns.

"Wait a second, others…like you and me?" Ben shook his head in almost being so shock to believe, that means he and Hiko were not the only ones, there are possibly others too.

"Tell us, could those others possibly be what the Superior has gathered for his twelve members?" Twilight asked in wanting to know, she and her friends fought against the Superior, he might not be a normal villain, and if he has others working for him on a near comparison, that could explain a lot.

"Hard to say, you'll need to uncover the truth for yourself." Hiko shook his head with a stern face as he doesn't have the answer to that. "But as long as you keep in mind the strength with your friends, then you can become a stronger princess than you are now." Hiko looked his eyes down to Twilight in explaining that if she lets it, her friendship with those around her, can give her much in the upcoming battles.

Twilight felt silent in hearing those words, yet seemed almost trouble by them. Would Twilight be strong after what happened in her coming here without the rest of the Mane Six, that was the hardest thing on the pony's mind. But perhaps, she can learn to forgive and forget, after all, friends only do what they think is best for another, even if it's by different meanings & terms.

Now the gang got onto Justin the MechBull to set off on their next destination. Many were giving a little farewell wave to Hiko as the lone Earth Pony stood near his area to watch them disappear down a hill zone. Now he was all alone…of was he?

"You should know, to never sneak up behind a swordsman that has such sharp senses." Hiko Seijuro spoke to with his eyes close to grip his katana to bring it out to prepare to attack….a nearby shadow.

"How long did you know?" A voice came from the shadow near the house as it took the form of the Equestrian Elimantor while keeping himself in shadow form in case he needs to escape from an attack.

"Long enough to know that you dodge close when I struck that last mountain area." Hiko smiled off to issue how long he's known of the extra company, and how this agent of Grimmore was near a mountain the swordsmen attacked. "If you're going to fight me, then you best be prepared for it!" Hiko exclaimed about if this guy wanted to fight, he best be ready for what he can do.

"I am." Equestrian Eliminator issued from knowing his combat skills are superior to others so he'll handle facing the strongest Earth Pony but by his own ways.

"Really then, which part," Hiko suddenly issued this off that caught the pony in shadow by surprise, "The part where you serve a master or the part where you must keep close eyes on the princess." Hiko exclaimed that for this strange pony, it's seeing what his task is, to serve Grimmore or learn things about Twilight Sparkle by keeping close tabs on her.

"Hmmm…" The Equestrian Eliminator snarled a bit to look away, even in shadow form, it's easy to tell his expression. "I can see that fighting you will be more troublesome than it's worth. Whatever, I have my mission." He shrug off his second guessing to get his head in the game instead of letting this one pony play mind games with him.

With that, the Equestrian Eliminator soon vanished into his shadows to leave the area. While Hiko Seijuro could sense the guy's presence no more, he did sense another character coming up behind the hill.

"That one still has doubts of his existence, doesn't he?" Hiko sighed to exclaim while sheathing his katana as the one that appeared was…Tao.

"Indeed and I almost doubted if you were not taking it easy on Celestia's child." Tao slowly nods while issuing the fight that he saw, Hiko was a little rough around Ben Mare, it was a first to fight somepony that has the strength of a monster, sorta speak.

"Doesn't matter, he's learn the lesson, now I'll be off." Hiko responded to Tao before turning to prepare himself to leave now.

"Oh, to do more training or to sell pottery; which I must say, I was hoping to purchase some this evening." Tao responded with a cheeky expression to ponder what would Hiko do, and he has his eye on purchasing some nice pottery for himself to own.

"Both I suppose." Hiko stops to respond to the old pony's requested question before his eyes shifted upwards to the sky to…think. "A New war struggle will rise, from powerful adversaries while at the same time, new heroes will dawn in the hour of the light." He spoke in telling himself and Tao that it won't be long before great evil comes out and that it'll take great heroes to stand up to them.

"Indeed and that youth may even play a key role when reunited with Twilight, but Grimmore's wicked powers have tangled 'too' tight on his soul," Tao nods to that agreement, but it seems that the one called the Equestrian Eliminator is very much trapped within servitude towards the Overlord King: Grimmore. "Every day, the seal in Tartarus grows weaker, one day soon, the Dark Elf will be truly free unless something can be done." Tao issued about the coming when Grimmore can be free to rain havoc, and stopping him is gonna be very hard.

"Something will be done but not yet as it stands. Grimmore & the Superior are both taking steps with their own goals." Hiko Seijuro responded that in due time, something will accrue that they'll need to be wary off. "For now, all we can do…is prepare for the fight against some of Equestria's most powerful forces come into the picture." Hiko gaze off across the horizon in knowing full well, that the world of Equestria shall be facing two powerful foes, question remains; how will the heroes respond to such matters.

Hiko notices two familiar ponies arriving. The first one, Dragon Kick, spoke, "Hiko Seijiro."

"Dragon Kick, It's been a while. For an immortal Mystic Pony, you haven't change a bit. I'd say you had so much more to learn as Mystic Warrior."

Dragon Kick groan, "Why does everypony still think that I'm Mystic Warrior??"

Jade scoffs, "Duh. Coz you beat some Demon Lords from the past and not to mention some couple bad guys like Discord, Smaug the Great and Grimmore."

"While that is true, for Grimmore, I was lucky to survive of his stupid tricks and magic. I really hate him."

Hiko glances to the filly, asking, "This is......."

Tao responds to Hiko, "Jade Adventure, my grandniece."

"And my niece," Dragon Kick explains with a shrug.

"So, you're Hiko Seijiro? Cool! Can you teach me the ways of samurai?" Jade ask the samurai hopefully.

"Absolutely......" Hiko said at first. Jade smiled hopefully, "Not."

"What?! Why not?! Don't tell me I'm just child for not understanding about the ways of samurai. I hate it like Dragon Kick just said it."

Dragon Kick scolds his niece, "Jade, manners."

"While it is true, Jade, I don't teach the students, all for the sake of violence and bloodshed, but rather for the sake of harmony and peace." Hiko explains calmly to Jade. "Violence is not the way to save the Equestria, unless if the enemy proven to be dangerous and powerful threat to Equestria. Such as understanding my principle can you achieve it, I will not teach you."

Jade groans in disbelief, "Great. First Dragon Kick couldn't teach me about having Ma Fu flank-whooping when I was 100 years-old, and now the super samurai pony won't teach me; So uncool and unfair."

Hiko sigh in annoyance as he speaks to Dragon Kick, "Does your niece enjoy violence that much?"

Dragon Kick sighs, "All because of my adventures against the Demon Lords and Grimmore. Ouch. That elf sure has bad magic against me. It hurts me a lot when he uses his Dark Magic. I tried to teach Jade to have discipline and the ways of Ma Fu. But you get my point."

Hiko nods while answering, "I understand. Your niece really need some discipline and calm herself down for once in a while."

"Don't I know it."

With that much said, things will truly begin to shake like never before. As the scene grows a little dark with Hiko Seijuro leaving to perform his own objections while Tao, Jade and Dragon Kick slowly vanishes in their own form of magic. Things around here are just gonna keep getting more out of control until something truly big happens….and then everything will rest of fate itself.

----------------------

At the CMC's tree house in Ponyville, the ceremony for a new Cutie Mark Crusader was about to commence.

Sweetie smiles as she prepares to read, "Ahem, uh..." The unicorn notices that most of the coronation paper has been eaten. "Wait, where's the rest of it?"

Twist burps a bit then said sheepishly, "Sorry, Sweetie. I was so hungry that I ate most of it."

"Twist," The other CMC shouted in annoyance and unison.

"Never mind, I don't need the rest, just the important stuff." Karma said with a smile.

"Right; Yew git all 'de rights 'dat we will tell yew about, as well as instructions on making 'de branch in Las Pegasus." Apple Bloom said with a smile. "But mah cousin Babs Seed will fill yew on those details, right cous?"

"Right, Apple Bloom!" Babs laughs as she hugs Karma. "Leave it 'ta me, Ah will give ya the instructions needed."

"Yeah, it must be cool to be a Cutie Mark Crusader!" Karma laughs with glee.

"Just watch out for two things: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon." Scootaloo said to Karma in concern. "Well, okay, just Diamond Tiara."

"She's a bully an' a liar." Apple Bloom explains to Karma seriously. "She's done a lot o' bad things."

"Each worse than the last," Sweetie added.

"Relax; I got luck on my side." Karma explains with a smirk. "Good for me, bad for her."

"I would believe it when I see it." Scootaloo said with a frown as the foals walk out of the tree house.

"Hey, losers," Diamond Tiara taunts as she and Silver Spoon walk by. "Still hanging out? I'm surprised your place is still standing."

Diamond laughs cruelly, but fails to see a huge hole in the ground until the mare screams as she fell into it.

"Oops. Big Mac just dug 'dat up." Apple Bloom said in surprise.

"I rest my case." Karma said proudly.

"Okay, I believe it." Scootaloo said with a laugh.

Meanwhile, Joey Dice explains to the princesses of his and Karma's problem with the Mafia in Las Pegasus.

"I see. Well, Mr. Dice, rest assured that I will send the Royal Guards to deal with the Mafia." Celestia assures Joey Dice with a smile. "I doubt that they will give you any future problems."

"Thank you...but with what's going on from what you told me, princesses, I feel that Karma and I can't leave until this mess is resolved." Joey Dice sighs, knowing that it wouldn't be right to leave while Ponyville is in the middle of a crisis. "Is it really as bad as all that?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Luna said seriously. "And if you wish to assist Ponyville in this time of need, we will appreciate all your kind efforts."

"Thank you." Joey Dice said with a nod. "I will do what I can to help."

Joey Dice trots to inform Karma of his decision. Celestia looks worried. Luna notices as she ask, "Sister, is everything alright?"

"Oh, I was wondering if my son and his family will come back soon." Celestia explains to Luna with a sigh. "I know so far that they made it through the End of Equestria okay...but I fear what would happen once they take on Shendu or Tso Lan. They are the most powerful demons of the Demon Lords to date."

Luna then pats her sister's back, saying gently, "Be brave, sister. Twilight Sparkle, Ben Mare, Spike, Nyx, and yes, even Tough Apple and Phobos have fought worst before. Remember, Twilight risked her life to defeat my evil self, Discord back when he was evil, the Changelings, King Sombra, Lorcan, and even your former student. Your son has dealt with various obstacles as well as Boris and the Superior. And you do remember Nyx's tasks when she started out, correct?"

"Yes, I remember...when she banished you and me to the sun and moon…but although her cult wanted her to be the Nightmare Moon that they wanted, Nyx wouldn't have it." Celestia said gently. "She instead became a different ruler...and when the time came, she helped Twilight and her friends free us."

"Then worry not. They will come back someday. I believe they are the right warriors to help Ponyville in this time of need." Luna said to Celestia with a small smile.

"I can only hope, Lulu." Celestia said, looking up to the sky, wishing for the best.

------------------------

Twilight and her friends were on their way to the next location which is a huge dangerous volcano. As they do so, they spotted Tao who is on top of a plank that consists of first: one big pyramids, second: vertical line of three boxes and third: three balls. He also stands on the plank while balancing the stick on his two hooves with many plates that consists of different kinds of fruits.

Tao threw them up. He then jump and then balances his front hooves down while his back one held the sticks to the plates and fruits.

Spike spoke, "Its Tao. But what's with those stuff that he's doing?"

"Each time we came, Tao's acting strange and weirder in doing something........strange." Phobos commented, recalling how stranger Tao was whenever the group finds him.

"Even so Phobos, I'd say it's okay for him." Nyx said to Phobos with a nod. "After all, he did advise us on something important each time."

"What I'm worried about is what he's doing." Twilight said, worried about what Tao is doing at this moment.

"True, let's find out what Tao's been doing." Ben suggested.

Twilight and her friends approach Tao. Upon doing so, the Alicorn was the first to speak, "Tao?"

Tao looks down to the group literally. Smiling, the old pony said wisely, "Ah, my dear friends, I see you had arrived."

"Yeah, as usual, but what's wit' 'de stuffs?" Tough ask, glancing at the stuffs that Tao has now.

"Why I'm balancing." Tao explains to Tough with a grin.

"Balancing? For what," Nyx ask curiously while tilting her head a bit, pondering.

"Don't you think what you're doing is dangerous?" Spike ask, concerned for Tao's safely.

Tao chuckle, "Spike, have you ever heard of 'never judge a book's cover'?"

Twilight giggle as she answers, "Funny. We're kinda been there before." It's true, the ponies has deal with the same judgment concerning a 'book's cover' before in the past.

"Good. Then, you should know that what I'm doing is not dangerous, but rather be cautious, patient and calm in balancing the stuff." Tao explains to the group with a smile.

"Why?" Bocolix ask, a bit unclear by the answer.

"Is it so important?" Dumbledore ask, bewildered as well. What kind of answer is that anyway?

"Of course," The old pony said. He push his front hooves down before he jump up high. The balls falls on up. Tao lands on the plank while holding the plates and fruits on his left, and his right holding the three balls. He is fine, much to the group's amazement. "Imagine the stool. If one of the stool's supports failed, then it shall fall from not only its balance, but its unity."

"How's that gonna explain to us?" Phobos asks confused.

Tao threw the two items up high. He then kicks the balls to Phobos just before he held the sticks to balance two plates and some fruits. The balls hit on the Moon Dragon's head. They bounced just before going down on him. Phobos try to grab them, but instead, he got three in a vertical line. The Dragon try to hold them, but the balls wiggle and shake. His hand slips the three balls off. They fell and bounced on Phobos's head a few times.

Phobos became dizzy from the ball bouncing. Tao smiles as he explains to him, "That's the reason it's important of balance, Phobos."

Spike did some thinking, holding his chin as he begins to speak, "So, let me get this straight. If the stool's like us, and one goes down, then others will fall, too? Like Game over?"

"Indeed. Unless one must balance the weights and fates of the mission and battles, one will not only lose his chance of victory, but the ones that he cared for." Tao explains the secret of unity. "The unity shall fall. You can't rely on magic to do it. It must be you alone to balance them."

"'Dat would be?" Tough ask Tao skeptically.

Tao threw the sticks, plates and some fruits at Ben who panicked and shook his head. Ben quickly grab the sticks first, then the plates and some fruits while standing with his two back hooves down. He balanced them all at once, much to the amazement of those with him.

Nyx cheers on, "Wow; Way to go, daddy!"

"See? Everything and everywhere requires balance and even for light and dark. Balance is very important to both individual and unity. If one fails to cooperate and work as a team, then the unity shall be destroyed." Tao explains the balance thing to the newcomers.

Twilight, whose back was turned as the others look at her, nod as she said, "I understand, Tao. And thank you for the advice--" Of course, when the gang turns back again, guess what happened? "Mr. Tao?"

"He's gone, again." Spike said as Tao is now gone, even the area where he was is now vacant. That old pony has a weird habit!

"Boy, talk about a few times of déjà vu all over again." Phobos groans, wondering how many times that Tao must do this.

"Wait. If Tao's gone, then what happened to the pyramid and boxes and plank?" Bocolix gasps in alarm, recalling the stuff that Tao was holding before.

Everyone look at the pyramid, boxes and the plank, which are no longer held by the missing Tao. The boxes and plank were about to fall upon Twilight and her friends. The plank fell towards Twilight. She quickly hold the plank, just before putting it down. The three boxes are falling down. Tough quickly grab the boxes in a vertical line quickly. He sigh of this as he put them down slowly.

"I guess Tao's right about one thing. We rather have to balance by ourselves than using magic." Nyx said, now understanding what Tao is explaining to the group.

"You bet, Nyx." Spike said in agreement. Maybe without magic, the gang can find another way to balance.

"Well, balance is important. But to do that, we have to be very patient, calm and cautious, or else who knows what happen if one is not careful with balance." Twilight explains to the others, knowing that unbalance could lead to disaster.

As usual, the voice returns, saying, "Guide the unbalance to the balance of the twins."

Everyone all ask at once, "Huh?"

"Guide the unbalance to the balance of the twins."

"Okay. We know that we had to be balanced, but what's with 'guide unbalance to the balance of the twins'?" Spike asks, scratching his scales in curiosity. Sounds like the oddest riddle yt.

"I had no idea, Spike." Nyx remarked, not having a clue either. This riddle sounds like a toughie.

"I bet someone is worse than us for not understanding the balance." Phobos said in concern. The Moon Dragon suspects that it involves trouble up ahead.

"Whoever it is we're dealing with, we'd better be careful." Ben said, knowing that the riddle must prefer to something up ahead.

"Right, c'mon. The last item is beyond somewhere in the forest. Let's move on." Twilight said, urging everyone to continue onward for the last ingredient.

-----------------------------------------------------

In the deep dark forest, Twilight and her friends continue to move on in their cart. As they did, they heard something 'zoom fast' sound-like on the trees. They look around as to be cautious as the next foe may be here.

Spike looks around, startled while asking, "What was that?"

"I'm not gonna like it." Phobos remarked, fearing the worst as usual.

"I smell rats in this forest." Nyx said with a frown. Something is not right here.

"Okay, guys. You know the drill." Ben said as he got his Master Sword prepared for what could be a major fight.

"Prepare for the enemy come out." Bocolix said, knowing the next drill in line.

Dumbledore got ready as he continues, "Beat the crap out of them."

"Ready 'ta lock an' load, Ben." Tough grunted while getting his gun out.

"Whoever we're dealing with, it's gonna be tough opponents." Twilight said as her horn glows. The next opponent or opponents could be tough ones so she cannot get her guard down for a moment.

Twilight and her friends continue to be vigilant and cautious in their surroundings while moving on as the enemies go around and around on them. The trees got rustled by their surroundings. Suddenly, the 'zoom fast' sound is heard. The ground is stomped by someone.

Twilight and her friends turn and encounter two humanoid rabbits dressed in white robes uniforms. The first one is blue and male while another is pink and female with small purple bow.

As the others look oddly at the newcomers, the Rabbit Boy spoke, "We've been expecting you, Twilight and family."

"Welcome. We are-" The Rabbit Girl was about to say but without warning...she was cut off.

Spike sigh while rolling his eyes, "You're Xiao Fung's Servants."

"And you're not Peta that we're expecting." Phobos adds while looking a bit bored, much to the twins' surprise.

"But you're here to stop us from gathering the ingredients while trying to capture me and my dad to Demon Lords." Nyx said, a bit bored as well. Somehow, this isn't what she's expecting.

The Rabbit Boy and Rabbit Girl were shocked and surprised. Both yell out at the same thing, "How did you know what we're gonna do and who we are?"

Twilight shrugs as she explains, "We've been fighting most of your masters, servants and monsters. It's always the same routine in fighting us."

Tough remarks as he adds, "Yew can't be Tso Lan's servant. Ah bet mah hoof 'dis servant is most fierce an' smarter than anyone, even yew two." The rabbits glared at Tough, annoyed by the comment.

"If we remember what the other guys said before, Peta is very dangerous and powerful servant than anyone." Bocolix said, recalling what Kouga and Maha Vailo has mentioned before.

"Eeyup," Dumbledore remarks while nodding a bit.

"As far our concern, the servants we know of are Bai Tza's: Somnambula, Dai Gui's: Kouga, Hsi Wu's: Shadow Ghoul, Po Kong's: Kobalos, and Tchang Zu's: Maha Vailo." Nyx said, counting off the servants that the group has took on and defeated so far in their adventure.

Spike sigh, "I bet my scales that my dad and brother were Shendu's servants." How ironic that two members of his family were indeed servants of Shendu.

"Thus, it concluded that Peta is going to be Tso Lan's." Twilight said, deducting in conclusion.

"While you're Xiao Fung's servants, you're not what we expecting. So who are you?" Ben ask curiously to the rabbits.

The male rabbit known as Yang groan to the female one known as Yin, "I told you that they would figure it out. I told you that we should sneak attack on them. But no; it has to be the code of Ma Fu, P-lease!"

Yin frowns as he snaps, "So what? This is a code of honor. In fact, I couldn't care of what Xiao Fung had said. I'd said we do what we want in dealing with the situation."

"Whatever." Yang scoffs before turning back to the group. "By the way, ponies, the name's Yang."

"And I'm his first twin sister, Yin." Yin explains with a smirk.

"We're the Yin-Yang Twins. We're here to stop you here for good." The Yin-Yang Twins said, doing some poses. Of course, the group just stares at them oddly.

"It would be awesome that we'll be the one that kick Wilight, two purple Demons and some doofus ponies while getting Nightmare Moon and En." Yang explains with a laugh.

Twilight sighs as she corrects Yang, "It's Twilight, Yang!"

Spike and Phobos snaps in annoyance, "We're Dragons!"

Tough, Bocolix and Dumbledore offended by the doofus remarks, yells out, "We're not doofuses!"

"It's Ben!" Ben corrects Yang in irritation.

"And my name is Nyx!" Nyx exclaims to Yang with an annoyed sigh.

Yin in amazement asks, "Nyx? Wow, that name is better than Nightmare Moon. I think it fits for a little filly."

"Thanks. At least, one servant is respectful as Maha." Nyx said, pleased that at least one servant is respectful to call her by her real name.

"Whatever. As I was saying, if we beat you guys down for good, then we can earn our freedom!" Yang exclaims eagerly. Hearing this caught the group's interest. So more folks enslaved by the Demon Lords!

"Let me guess, Yin-Yang, you guys got captured and forced to serve Xiao Fung?" Ben asked the Yin-Yang Twins curiously.

Yang groans in chagrin, "I hate it when they do that!"

"Ignore my dumb brother, but you're right about us." Yin said. "We were once ponies and the best martial art fighters from the Land of Ma."

"You were both ponies?" Spike asks the group in surprise and curiosity.

"I guess Kouga isn't the only one." Phobos said impressed.

"What were you doing here?" Nyx ask the rabbits, wondering what the two former ponies turned rabbits are doing in the End of Equestria in the first place.

"That. You can ask my stupid brother." Yin said, giving an angry glare to her brother.

"Why are you blaming me?" The male rabbit protest. Yin glared at Yang who groans. "Okay, okay, fine, it was my idea. Since we became the best martial art fighters, so we deserve the challenge to fight."

"In other words, you came here without realizing the consequences?" Twilight guesses, although she doesn't really need an answer.

"You fought Xiao Fung but ended up losing. You were turned into humanoid rabbits as his servants." Ben said, guessing the next part right.

Yin shrugs as she answers, "Yup."

"Of all the animal beings, why stupid and fluffy bunnies," Yang ask, annoyed by his appearance. "Somehow, I think Xiao Fung is making fun of us, just because we got a little overconfident."

"A little," Yin scowls to her brother in irritation.

"Okay, a lot." Yang admits, rolling his eyes.

Phobos pauses then spoke dryly, "That's........dumb, pal."

"Seriously, all for the sake of fighting and winning," Spike ask Yin and Yang, rolling his eyes at the explanation. "You guys really need to be careful of what you're doing."

Yin and Yang scowls angrily, "Hey!"

"Look, we don't want to make problems. You guys look okay and innocent." Twilight said, knowing that Yin and Yang aren't truly bad. "Maybe you should let us by."

Yang interrupts with a snap, "Oh no, egghead! You're so not going by without a fight."

"Besides, after what you did to the other servants, the Demon Lords especially the frog Demon are putting pressure on us." Yin explains the problem that she and Yang are going through right now. "So, you know what this mean."

Ben groan in disbelief, "Why do we even bother to ask; the immature ponies."

"We're not immature, pal!" Yin and Yang both yell at Ben at once.

"Sure sounded like ones to me." Spike remarks in amusement.

"Anyway, let's get down to business." Phobos remarked, preparing to fight these two rabbits and get it over with.

"You're right! Enough talking, it's fighting time!" Yang remarks as he prepares to rumble.

Ben groan, knowing that it comes down to this, "Why do I even bother?"

Nyx transform into Battle Mode. Twilight and her friends armed themselves: Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore armed their magic, Tough armed his gun. Ben armed his sword. Spike and Phobos readied their fists. Yin and Yang readied to fight. Yin's hand is filled and glowed with blue aura. Yang armed his sword.

"Twilight; You, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore will take care of Yin while me, Tough, Spike and Phobos take care of Yang." Ben instructs the others on what to do in the battle. It's going to be a tough one...

"Okay, Yang, we need some plan to defeat our enemies." Yin instructs Yang with a smirk.

"Who needs it?! Kowabanga! Ponies," Yang exclaims as he charge right at Twilight and her family. Yin groans angrily. He swung his sword at them as fast and hard as he can. Twilight and her family dodge as fast and far away from them. They kept on dodging while Yang continue to attack while groaning, "Why you keep running away from us?!"

"Boy, yew really need 'ta calm yer temper down!" Tough exclaims to Yang. He then realize something, the stallion sounded like Tao from earlier. "Wow, now I sounded like Tao."

"I don't care! Just get into the fight."

Spike rolls his eyes while remarking, "Boy, and we thought some ponies are dumber."

Phobos nods in agreement, "No kidding."

Yang continues to swing his sword at his enemies until he got clashed with Ben. The stallion spoke to the rabbit calmly, "You know, Yang? You're quite an amateur."

"Why you," Yang scowls, a bit annoyed by the comment. "I'm gonna get you, pal!"

Ben and Yang fought through their sword fighting as they clash their swords while blocking and avoiding the attacks as fast as they themselves can. The two fighters got their swords clash just before they move out. Ben hits on Yang's head. The male rabbit groaned as he turn and glare at Ben. Yang yells angrily as he swung his sword at his enemy as fast as he can. Ben continue to dodge and block the attack as fast as he can while the Earth Pony hits and slaps on Yang's head after evading them.

For a few turns of the battle, Yang groan angrily of letting his head get hit. He was about to attack Ben. But instead, Phobos and Spike gave Yang a big punch.

Yin shakes her head while remarking, "Yang really need to calm his temper down. I'd swear if we survive this, I'm gonna lecture him to the end."

Yin arms herself in battle while her hand glows in blue. She blast her blue orb blasts at Twilight and the Alicorns. They kept on dodging the attack. While Yin is close to Twilight or any of the Alicorns, she attacks them with her punches and kicks. The Alicorns continued to dodge the attacks as fast and cautious as they can. Twilight use Levitation Spell and levitated Yin up. The female rabbit growl angrily as she shook the purple aura out as hard as she herself can.

Twilight chuckles a bit while saying, "Boy, you're worse than Yang."

"Hey, I'm not immature as he is." Yin protest to Twilight in irritation.

Nyx sigh at this, "Yeah, right."

Bocolix laughs a bit in amusement, "She really needs to calm down."

Dumbledore nods in agreement, "Yeah, kid....."

"KID," Yin screams in rage at what Dumbledore just called her just now. "You do not call me that; Alicorns!"

Yin yells angrily as she stretch her arms and legs out while her eyes glow in blue. The mad rabbit freed herself from Twilight's Levitation Spell, much to the princess's alarm. Yin blast her blue orb blasts at Twilight and her friend but they dodge the attacks as fast as they can. While Twilight and her friends continued to dodge the attacks, the Alicorn Princess herself gave Yin a big slap on her head.

Yin growl angrily, "Hey! Quit it!"

Twilight said, "Not until you give up."

Yin growl angrily as she continued to attack Twilight with her blasts, punching and kicking while Twilight continued to evade the attack, and at the same time the mare gave the punches and slaps on Yin's head. The female rabbit got annoyed by this, why won't she give up?! She was about to attack, but instead, Yin got blasted by Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore's attacks.

Soon Yang and Yin got defeated as both opponents fell to the ground. For a moment, it looks like the fight is truly over. Just before Twilight and her friends approach them however, Yin and Yang yell angrily as their hands glowed in red and blue. Yang's hand became fire while Yin's hands are ice. The battle isn't over yet!

Twilight and her friends were shocked at this latest turn in events. Yang remarks madly to the group, "You're so busted, pal! Feel the burn, pal!"

"And Ice!" Yin exclaims n agreement.

Yang and Yin fire their fire and ice at their enemies. Twilight and her friends continued to dodge the attacks as fast as they can and away from them. Yang yell angrily as he used his sword which engulf in fire and blast fire-throwers at Ben, Tough, Spike and Phobos. Yin blasts her ice beam at Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore.

While Yin and Yang continue to attack, Twilight's team and Ben's team continue to dodge the attacks. They came across each other. Twilight's team flew over while Ben's team went under them. Yin's ice power and Yang's fire power got collided and clashed at the same time. Thus, it engulfed in an explosion, causing them to almost be knockout.

Yin growls to Yin in annoyance, "Hey, watch it pal!"

"You're the one who needs to watch it!" Yang yells out at Yin right back.

"That's it! I so had it enough. I don't know what you've been doing! But this has gone too much!"

"You said it, sis. It's time for our special technique!"

Yin and Yang screams out at the same time, "Xros Fusion Spell!"

Twilight gasp in worry, she knows this spell from a certain forbidden book that her teacher told her to study. Yin and Yang stood on the ground while moving their hands around three times. Their hands glow in both red and blue. Yin and Yang blast their red and blue at each other that collided and clashed. The blue and red mix together into the purple; The purple aura itself fire back at Yin and Yang and drag them both, combining the two into one giant purple rabbit while dressed in black Kung Fu Uniform.

The creature known as Yinyang with a brutal voice booms out, "I am Yinyang; I shall be the one to destroy you all! Prepare yourselves."

"This is not good. Xros Fusion Spell is giving them strong powers." Twilight gulps in worry. She feared to deal with something like this someday but why now?

"So how are we gonna beat them?" Ben ask Twilight, wondering on a way to stop these rabbits in their combined form.

"Even though Yin and Yang had combined their strengths as one, but they're still immature. If we beat them with our tricks, they should be able to deactivate their Xros Fusion Spell and argue at each other. As long they had positive energy with them, they will continue to stay in unity."

"Then, let's do it!" Nyx shouts out in determination. Time to take these twins down!

Twilight and her friends charge at Yinyang. Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore flew up high and fired their magic at Yinyang as fast as they can. The fused being tries to smack and punch on Twilight and her friends but they're too fast. On the ground, both Ben and Tough charge at Yinyang's legs. They hit his legs very hard. Yinyang fall to the ground. He was about to get back up, but instead, Spike and Phobos blast their Dragon and Moon Rage at Yinyang's face.

Yinyang scream in pain as he got up quickly. Just before the fused creature could do anything, Twilight used her Nova Punch on Yinyang's face, along with Ben's Sword Beam and Nyx's Night Star Implosion. Twilight and her friends continue to use their magic and powers to beat and defeat Yinyang as hard as they can while dodging his attacks.

"Why can't I defeat you," Yinyang demands in frustration. So far, he is losing to these ponies and Dragons!

"You two are amateurs. You can't even fight well. I bet you just skipped all the lessons about Ma Fu and ends up losing." Ben explains to Yinyang. He isn't taunting, just explaining the truth to the two inside the being.

"Shut up!"

"Just admit it, Yin and Yang. The reason you go to the 'End of Equestria' is because of your laziness and obsession in winning. That's why you got caught by Xiao Fung." Twilight explains, trying to reason to Yin and Yang.

"Shut up!" Yinyang screams. He refuses to admit his mistake or admit defeat so easily!

"There is nothing wrong to admitting defeat when you know it's the truth." Nyx points out to Yinyang. "You need balance to be together as well as being hardworking ponies. You two seemed to argue a lot."

Phobos chuckles a bit, "I guess they don't know the meaning of hardwork and balance."

"Yeah. Not like any of us. We keep on practicing and working hard." Spike explains while motioning to himself and the others. It's true because thanks to practicing and working hard, they were able to do better each day.

"Yew bet, yew two," Tough remarked in agreement.

"It looks like Yinyang needs timeout." Bocolix commented, knowing that Yinyang will need major timeout to think about what he was told.

Dumbledore ask Bocolix curiously, "How much time will that be?"

"Hmm; I don't know; Forever."

Twilight and her friends laugh. Yinyang growl angrily as he yells angrily. But in this case, it was two separate beings taking turns doing all the talking.

"Shut up! You ponies! I'm the best in all of Equestria!" Yang scowls angrily to his enemies.

"You; you can't even do well in your chores." Yin snaps to Yang in disbelief.

"At least, I'm good at fighting than you are."

"I'm way better than you in studies. I'm the best because I'm oldest."

Yang continues arguing with himself/herself/whatever, "It's not!"

Yin snaps at Yang right back, "It's too."

Yinyang mumble and argue himself with Yin and Yang's voices. Yinyang glow in black as he started to shrink into two familiar beings: Yin and Yang. The two fought each other in a puff of smoke for many times. It would've been funny in any other cases. Eventually though, Yin and Yang got exhausted and tired before they lay down; those two aren't resolving anything fast!

Twilight pauses a bit before saying, "It looks like we win." It's funny that the group won so easily in this contest

Yin pant while asking, "But how?"

"We're the best. We're good at martial arts. We cannot be beaten!" Yang groans in disbelief. How could those ponies and Dragons has beaten both him and Yin? They didn't fight hard enough!

"That's because you two argued and always think of your goals." Twilight explains clearly to Yin and Yang. The truth sounds a bit hard but it's the only way to explain the losses to the opponents.

"The reason that you're beaten is because you guys don't understand the first meaning of 'balance' and 'hardworking'. None of you had." Ben explains calmly. "That's why you keep on arguing and fighting over stuff."

"You two maybe good at martial arts, but you two always fighting and arguing over for what? For fun," Nyx ask Yin and Yang, wondering what's the point in fighting and arguing with each other anyway.

Phobos remarks to make a point, "I may be selfish, but I'd never let my friends down." It's true. The Moon Dragon may be a bit of a jerk but at least he does his best not to let his friends down no matter what.

"No matter what kind of arguments we had, we'll always be together." Spike said, hugging Nyx and Phobos proudly.

"You know. You two remind of us of having an argument." Bocolix said thoughtfully. It's true, Yin and Yang reminds him of when Bocolix has argument with Dumbledore over some silly thing or another; Kinda amusing, to be honest.

"We maybe argue, but we'll always be together." Dumbledore said in agreement. Yeah, he and Bocolix almost lost their friendship due to a foolish nasty argument that the two had but ever since the fight with Po Kong, the two has done their best to do better.

"What about yew? Don't yew care fer each other?" Tough ask the rabbit. Yin and Yang thought for a moment, just before they sobbed and cried. The stallion's question has indeed hit home big time for the two...and what the ponies said has touched them in a way none as ever done before.

"You know. You're right. We'd always argue and fight over something we want: to be top of the martial art champion. We'd never care for each other because of our stupid rivalry. We were so caught up of being the winner." Yin explains, sobbing a bit in sadness.

"So, we thought going to the End of Equestria will make us be famous and best; to see who will be the one to become the best martial art warriors. But we got caught because of our argument and fights." Yang continues, sobbing some more.

"Besides, I guess we deserve to be punished."

"You bet. Both of us never care for each other. I'm sorry, sis, for bringing you into a mess."

"Me too, Yang; I wish we could be like you." Yin said, saying the second part to Twilight's group.

"Somehow, you guys are awesome. We wish we could have met you earlier." Yang said in sadness and regret while looking downward.

Twilight however just smiles as she spoke, "Admiring is fine, but you have to be yourself to prove that you can do it."

"But most important of all, you need family to stick together, no matter what." Ben explains to Yin and Yang calmly.

"It balanced our dream of what we want and love of who we care for." Nyx said in agreement.

"If you have that, then I bet everything will be fine." Spike said. The Baby Dragon and the others are indeed correct. With balance and family, Yin and Yang will be fine from then on.

Yin and Yang pauses to think, then smiles while saying at the same time, "You're right."

"So do you care for each other?" Phobos asks Yin and Yang.

"We do because we're twins and family."

"I love my brother, even though he's quite annoying and a jerk." Yin chuckled, ignoring the glare from Yang. "But sometimes, I felt being protected when he's been there for me whenever I needed. He's like a real warrior." This causes Yang to smile because of that.

Yang spoke next, "I really hate to admit it but I too love my sister. She can be pain in my flank like she's so smarter than me. But to be very honest, I'm glad to have a smart sister like her."

"Do you mean it?"

"I wouldn't lie to my sister when it comes to battle except for food."

"Come here, you arrogant bunny!" Yin laughs eagerly.

Yin and Yang hug. But suddenly, their bodies glow in white light as they all transformed into a blue Pegasus colt with black spiky hair and a pink Unicorn filly with a white long mane. They are both dressed in white Kung Fu uniform. Yang has a sword Cutie Mark while Yin has a book Cutie Mark.

Everyone gasp at this miracle. Yin was the first to speak, "We're....."

"Ponies again! Yeah, we're ponies again! No more rabbits! Yippee!" Yang laughs. Yin and Yang hug and bounce around, happy to be released of their curse after so long, so to speak.

Twilight pauses to recall the riddle from before. She smiles while saying, "Guys, I figure the riddle out."

"Really," Ben asks Twilight in amazement.

"The twins must be referring to the Yin-Yang Twins."

"I bet we taught them about the importance of dream and love of family, am I right?" Spike asks Twilight with a smile.

Nyx nods as well, adding, "Spike's right. I think we had to help them to be balanced together."

"I bet Xiao Fung took advantage of it, and make them hate each other until they had forgotten the importance of life: family." Ben said, suspecting Xiao Fung's role in Yin and Yang's transformation. "That must be his curse, and only the balance of Yin and Yang can overcome it to be loved and together again."

"Just like us." Phobos said thoughtfully.

Yin and Yang bow while saying at the same time to the ones who helped them, "Thank you so much! We're in your debt, Twilight and her family."

"No problem. Okay, I'm going to teleport you two safely to Ponyville. You'll be safe from harm." Twilight said, preparing to teleport Yin and Yang to Ponyville so that they will be safe from the Demon Lords and any further harm.

"Thank you."

Twilight used her magic and teleport both Yin and Yang out in a bright light of orb. Nyx sighs happily, "It's so glad to see them both together."

"You bet. I only hope they don't forget." Spike said. The baby Dragon is hoping for Yin and Yang's sake that those two don't forget their lesson anytime soon.

Ben smiles, patting Spike on the back while saying, "I'm pretty sure that they won't, Spike."

"Ben's right. C'mon, let's finish this journey for good. Let's roll everyone." Twilight said as she and her friends got on the cart, and move on to the next journey. Only one more ingredient and their journey will finally be over.

-----------

"Why do you even keep those two jokers in the first place; they're much more annoying than Kobalos." Hsi Wu asks Xiao Fung in annoyance. The Demon Lords heard about the latest failure but unlike the last few times, they are annoyed by Yin and Yang than the success of the enemies.

"Hsi Wu's right. Why do you make them as your servants in first place?" Po Kong ask Xiao Fung with a frown.

"They're jokers to play with. I guess they're useless to us now." Xiao Fung remarks with a shrug.

"That leaves one only." Dai Gui said. The Demon knew that there is only one servant left to stop Twilight and her family now: Peta himself.

"Do you believe Peta will complete his mission, brother?" Tchang Zu ask Tso Lan in concern.

"What of your master plan, Tso Lan?" Bai Tza asks in insistent as she wants to know what he and Shendu has been up to.

Shendu smiles as he asks Tso Lan, "Brother, is it time?"

"Indeed, it is. My brethren, it is very pointless for all of us to continue in hunting and capturing Nightmare Moon while performing the Restoration Spell on her. As far as I'm concerned, all of our servants and pets have failed us miserably. But in fact, this is great advantage to my master plan." Tso Lan explains sinisterly. All of the Demon Lords but Shendu were confused and shocked. What is he talking about? "Now, my first master plan begins." Tso Lan opened a portal to a black figure waiting for him.

The servant known as Peta spoke in a booming voice, "You summoned me, master?"

"Indeed, my faithful servant. It is time to show these imbeciles of what they should and shouldn't have done. I have special mission, just for you to do it."

Peta smirked as well as Tso Lan. The first of the master plans is about to start...

Author's Notes:

The group has gotten another ingredient and defeated/freed more servants of the Demon Lords. But the road to the end is about to get bumpy starts begin time. In the next chapter, the group goes through Boney Valley and meets Michael Jackstone in a tribute to the late Michael Jackson's son 'Thriller'. Also, Twilight discovers something that ticks her off. Read, review and suggest!

Ma from Chinese and Kouma from Japanese mean 'Horse'; Thus, the Land of Ma for China and Kouma Island for Japan.

Ma Fu is the parody of Kung Fu.

Hiko Seijuro is an OC Pony Version of the Hiko Seijuro from the Samurai X Series and was created by VISION-KING.

The shield & bow are also items from the Legend of Zelda series (and it can even be worked out with Ben now able to summon the sword, shield & bow n arrows to aid him.

Yin and Yang are of course references to the cartoon 'Yin Yan Yo!'

Chapter 14: Thriller: MLP Style

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Chapter 14: Thriller Night: MLP Style

A blue light appears in the middle of Ponyville. Everyone gather and surround the area as they were about to meet someone just like before, including the Mane Five, the CMCs, the Princesses, Twilight's family, Shining Armor, Flash Sentry, Zecora, Mowgli and his ponies, Gwen and her ponies, Jones Venture, Kung Fu Frog, Joey Dice and Karma.

The pony known as Yin looks around, asking hopefully, "Is this -"

Yang cheers and whistle wildly, "We're home! Well, almost home! But who cares! We're home; Freed from Demon Lords!"

Mowgli in surprise ask the two former servants of the evil ones, "You've been victims and slaves under Demon Lords like us?"

"Oh my, that's terrible. I'm glad to see you safe." Gwen said, relived that Yin and Yang are safe and sound.

"You two are very lucky." Karma comments with a smile on her face. Besides being a new Cutie Mark Crusader, seeing someone new is the best thing that happened all day.

"I bet my guts that you've been through lot of worse in that dead land." Joey Dice comments with a laugh. "But you're safe now. I bet Twilight and others had saved your flanks in time."

Yin and Yang chuckle uneasily. The former was the first to speak, "Yeah, here's the funny thing."

Yang was about to explain, "We're not exactly-"

Jones interrupt Yang as he guess, "Victims as Demon Lords' slaves or being cursed in stones, but victims as warriors to hunt and attack Twilight Sparkle?"

"How did you know that?" Yin asks Jones in surprise and bewilderment. Weird, this pony looks familiar but where has she seen him before?

"Do we know you? You're quite familiar and that frog too." Yang said, glancing at the Kung Fu Frog nearby.

Jones smiles as he explains, "I was Dai Gui's cursed servant, Kouga."

Yin and Yang both gasp at once, "Kouga, But Kouga was a huge humanoid...but he was really a pony?!

"You're alive?!" Yin asks the former creature known as Kouga in disbelief.

"We were told that after you had lost the fight to Twilight and her family, you disappeared from sight." Yang said from what his former masters has told him and Yin. So Kouga AKA Jones is still alive!

"True, but to Twilight and her family unknown of how it happened, I was freed from the curse when they destroyed Dai Gui's Dark Item." Jones explains with a chuckle, deciding that it's best not to mention Tao's involvement in his transformation for now.

"You're freed from it? Wow." Yin said in amazement.

"That's awesome." Yang remarks in a chuckle by what he just heard.

"Excuse me, colt and filly?" A certain female cowpony begins to speak. Yin and Yang turn to Applejack who continues with hope, "We wouldn't bother yew, but we were wondering."

"How's Twilight an' her family doing? We were so worried." Apple Bloom said in concern. She was hoping that Twilight and the others with her are all right. "It's been six days. Please, tell us 'de good news."

Yin and Yang explain everything to the ponies in Ponyville. They were shocked and amazed of how Twilight and her family's been doing. The group is almost done with their list and once they're done...that means, they all can finally come home!

"I can't believe it. Twilight and her gang made it!" Rainbow cheers on, thrusting a hoof in the air.

"That's nice and amazing." Fluttershy said in happiness. Her friends are doing so well. Perhaps the End of Equestria wasn't to be feared if Twilight and those with her are able to do the impossible.

Twilight Velvet sobs in happiness, "My sweet little angel did it."

Night Light hug her as Twilight Velvet covers her muzzle and face with her hooves. The father said gently to his wife, "Easy, dear. I'm sure Twilight will come back. I know it."

Shining sob happily, "Twiley did it!"

Cadance sob with a nod, "So as Ben. They managed to gather as many ingredients as they can."

Pinkie smiles eagerly, exclaiming, "This is so super terrific, magnificent and the best day ever!" The pink pony got a huge HUGE party planned once her friends come home from their business.

"Indeed it is, Pinkie. Although that was funny to see you both had argued, but I'm glad you learnt the important lesson about family." Rarity said to Yin and Yang with a smile, referring to the arguments that the two former rabbits had done.

"Just like me and Rarity. We had a silly argument, but we managed to stick together." Sweetie giggles happily while nuzzling her big sister.

"Yeah; that's gotta hurt for you guys in the End of Equestria from doing stupid. No offense." Scootaloo said, apologizing for the offensive part.

Yin and Yang smile as they both say at the same time, "None taken."

"This is amazing. Twilight and her family had overcome the battles." Mowgli said with a smile. Perhaps Twilight and her group can do it, restore the End of Equestria to what it once was.

"Just one more item to collect them all," Gwen said with a nod. As she and most of the others know, there is only one more ingredient left to collect and the mission will be done at last; Simple, right?

"Oh dear, hope, I only have for Twilight and her family to be aware of something important." Zecora said in shock, realizing something that she had forgotten until now. "I had forgotten to wipe some dirt off of the list that it have."

"Say what?" Joey Dice ask Zecora, a bit startled by what the zebra just mentioned.

"What do you mean?" Karma asks Zecora in worry.

Zecora looks grim as she explains, "One and utmost important ingredient can be found in the most dangerous and terrible place for no ponies dare to go and retrieve it."

"What is it?" Yin asks, fearing the answer.

"Yeah, quit giving suspense! I hate it!" Yang insists impatiently, much to Yin's annoyance for his usual rudeness.

Zecora pauses as she answers, "The Sacred Flame which can be found at the Degree Volcano at Shendu's Palace."

"WHAT," Everyone screams in horror and fear. The last ingredient is in the threshold of one of the most dangerous Demon Lords ever?!

"That palace is too dangerous! I fear that a minion of Demon Lords will open a portal for Shendu or Tso Lan to come out and stop Twilight and her family from achieving their mission, as well as taking both Nyx and Ben." Jones said in worry and fear.

"This is bad." Yin gulps in fear. If Shendu or Tso Lan appears, then Twilight and her family are done for!

"Yeah, I hope those guys can be prepared for it. Or the worse it gets." Yang gulps as well, fearing the worst.

Lorcan overheard everything from behind the house. The former villains sigh while speaking to himself, "Spike, please be very careful. Shendu may not realize as you and others that I'm alive. But he'll get you to be his new servant. I pray for you to be safe from harm." The Dragon then rush off to avoid being seen.

"So, these two Demon Lords are the worst?" Twist asks, making some of the former servants nod in confirmation.

"I'm worried for Nyx now. I hope she can come back home soon." Pipsqueak yelps a bit, fearing for Nyx's life.

"I'm scared." Dinky whimpers while nuzzling her mother Derpy.

Derpy pats her daughter on the head with one of her wings while saying, "It's okay, muffin. You have me."

Time Turner AKA Dr. Hooves smiles while adding, "And me."

"And of course me, Dinky; you don't have to be afraid." Sparkler, Dinky's half-sister, said with a smile.

Dinky nods, calm down while saying, "I guess you're right. Thanks mommy and big sister. And you to, Mr. Turner."

Time, Derpy, Sparkler and Dinky hug together; Babs speaks up to give out confidence to everyone, "Even so, you all know that Twilight and others had made it far, didn't they? So, we can't give up our hope yet."

Granny Smith agrees as she adds, "Babs's right. Twilight and her friends had gotten almost all of ingredients, hadn't they? This is not over until they come back home safe."

Big Mac remarks in agreement, "Eeyup."

Ponies mutter as they thought for the moment and slowly realized about something. The others are right, as long as they keep on hoping, their hope will never go out no matter what!

"Come on, ponies. You want to live forever? Time to show the world that Ponyville will survive! If Twilight, Ben and their family can, then so can we!" Flash exclaims to the other ponies in determination.

"Yew said it, Flash. It's not over yet, ponies! Stay strong! We can do it! We can make it! We will survive!" Applejack cheers on to the others ponies in determination.

"Come on, everypony! Let's do it!" Apple Bloom laughs as she bucks up and stood on her back two legs. "A true, true friend never gave up on 'de friends 'dat they have an' made!"

Everyone cheer wildly, heroically and loudly. Celestia smiles proudly as she adds, "Indeed it is, my fellow subjects. You had done well to face all the battles that you had. I'm most proud of all that you all had withstood the hunger for six days. I'm truly sorry if I'm not worthy to be a good ruler."

Derpy spoke up, "Don't say that, your highness!"

"You taught Twilight Sparkle, didn't you?" Dr. Hooves ask, not wanting Celestia to feel bad for feeling worthless in being a bad ruler so far.

"He's right. If you hadn't, then Ponyville and everything we've been through and knew about won't be here." Caramel said in agreement. If it weren't the princess, then everything would've been gone by now!

"We can't give up yet!" Lucky cheers on in agreement.

Lyra calls out eagerly, "We can make it!"

Sweetie Drops agrees with her roommate, saying excitedly, "You said it! We can do this!"

"We will survive!" Rose exclaims with a quick nod of happiness.

Lilly and Daisy all cheer on wildly, "Yeah!"

"We can do this." Mr. Cake said in determination, willing to do what it takes to survive his hunger even more.

"Don't give up hope. Right, Pumpkin and Pound Cake," Mrs. Cake asks her foals with a smile. The parents tickle Pumpkin and Pound while holding them on their hooves as they giggled.

Mayor adds in support to the princess, "While we had relied on you too much to help us and be kind to us, your highness, it is our turn to help. We will survive this. We can assure you, Princess Celestia. For not everypony is strong, but together we can make it. So please, do not be considerate of that way."

"Are you certain?" Celestia ask the mayor in amazement.

"Yeah," The ponies cheers on. Celestia smiles proudly and in approval. It makes her heart happy to see her subjects this way, willing to survive, help each other in this desperate hour.

"Then, stay strong, my subjects; we may have lost most of our food, but we had not given up our hope. We will make it."

"Then, fight, ponies! Fight your hunger till the end of Twilight's returning home!" Luna urges the ponies to keep on fighting until the day comes when Princess Twilight Sparkle finally come home from her quest.

Ponies cheer wildly and proudly. Flash smiles in approval. Looks like things will be okay in Ponyville.

Flash turns to Applejack, saying, "We can make it, Applejack. It's not over until they come home."

Applejack nods, saying, "Yew bet, Flash. We can do 'dis. We can make it."

Yin, Yang and Jones whispers softly as to keep their conversion private. Yin asks Jones, "By the way, how did you managed to get your form back?"

Yang nods as he whispers, "Yeah. The Dark Item that effect anypony like you can't be cured easily, unless there is a reason behind it."

Jones smirks as he explains in a whisper, "Between you and me, I was saved and cured by a Mystic Pony."

Yin and Yang softly ask, "Really?"

Jones nods. Yin pauses as she asks in concern, "By the way, Jones, when you came here, did the ponies react strangely?"

"What do you mean?" Jones asks, not sure how to answer that question.

"Your frog pet, duh......" Yang said, rolling his eyes while speaking as if stating the obvious.

Jones chuckle as he knows what the twins are referring to now, "Funny. When my pet and I came here, we weren't exactly welcome because of my little pet until Applejack and Flash managed to calm them down." Yin and Yang chuckles. That would've been a sight to see.

"Just be glad that it's not us for being a rabbit."

Yin nod as she whispers, "Well keep it a secret until the right time about the Mystic to be revealed has come." She decides not to tell anypony about how Jones turned back to normal until the time is right.

"My lips are sealed." Jones assures his friends with a smile.

-------------

We go back to see Pinkamena was done telling Omega about all that's happened and such. As she sits back down and reads her book, Omega says, "It seems there is much more than I thought there was."

Pinkamena nods as she say, "Indeed so you know what you need to do when the time comes."

"Yes I will help the ponies."

"Good."

Golden Heart was nearby watching as he speaks up, "Well maybe when the time comes when my sister no longer needs to hide, maybe Omega will not need to hide as well." The Alicorn figures the time will come when it will be safe for Pinkamena to appear.

Just then Pinkamena, remembering something, spoke, "Oh Goldie? I forget to tell you that the gang are nearing the end of their task."

"Ok."

----------------------

We suddenly find the gang traveling in the End of Equestria arriving near a valley entry zone. And at this moment, there was possibly one thing that they could do without….IN WAS FILLED TO THE BONE….WITH BONES! Yes, a valley that was filled with more bones than Twilight's group has ever seen, every species of animal, pony, Dragon, you name it and it would give one shivers.

"Boy, this place is making my bones shake!" Bocolix shiver a bit in not liking the looks of where the gang is heading to now.

"Yeah, and it ain't our funny bones neither!" Dumbledore spoke off in finding this place really creeping them out.

"Bony Valley; Also known as the Land of Bones," Twilight explained forth in using her magic to show the map of it that the group have in the End of Equestria. "They say that for anything, those that lost their lives fighting were placed here with others as a graveyard landmark. And they say it's hard to stomach because of the putrid smell like you’re in a dump site." She spoke in hating to admit it, but going to such a place might be really hard considering….it's filled with decay bones of once living creatures.

"Well it's a good thing Ah brought nose-clippers!" Tough spoke off to show what he had with them, some nose-clippings to protect their noses from terrible smell.

"Remind me again, what are we searching for here?" Phobos asked off a bit concern in why they are here again.

"Nothing, we're just passing through to the next ingredient in the Degree Volcano." Twilight explained to the gang in what they are not searching for around here, and it's not found in a place filled with that of the dead but in a huge volcano like place. "We find that, than our mission will be complete. It's the last ingredient." As she said this, she used her magic to check off the other ingredients they've collected thus far, and from what Hiko Seijuro gave them, this is the final ingredient that the gang needs to get.

"Um, Twilight, what's that mark under that ingredient?" Spike pointed in seeing a tiny green stain underneath the name of the last ingredient of the heroes seek.

"Hugh? That's just a stain, Zecora gave me this when she made her list and it was urgent, so I…" Twilight responded off in telling her baby Dragon friend in what that was from when the pony got this list in the first place, nothing really big about it, really…or was it?

"Twilight, you may not like this, but….let me try something." Ben spoke from using his magic from his Triforce in preparing something that he felt that the group should notice.

Soon Ben used his magic on the stain to make it evaporate off the paper. But there was a shock that surprised everypony here more ways than Pinkie Pie could have ever done. Underneath the ingredient for the Degree Volcano, the Sacred Flame, there was….ONE MORE!

"Is that…..another ingredient?" Nyx responded in seeing it like the others and knew what this mean;, the last ingredient the gang believed to be going after was in truth the 'second-to-last' ingredient before the final one could be brought up.

"WHAAAAAAAT," Twilight screamed out in looking overly shocked in seeing the truth be unveiled here.

Suddenly, Twilight burst into an anger issue so huge, her entire appearance was about like a pony on fire, literally.

"Yikes!" The Enforcers yelped in terror in seeing Twilight suddenly burst into flames.

"FIIIIRRRREEEE!" Tough cried out in fear in yelping from the extreme temperature going up.

"You mean there was 'one more' and we were not aware cause of a smug on it? And if we didn't see it after this retrieval, then that meant we fail to get everything and we…" Twilight was letting off a lot of steam and shouting like she was so lost in rage right now, nothing was gonna calm her down.

"Twilight, Twilight, easy now, calm down. Try counting to ten…" Ben was nearby to pat his love to calm down, after Twilight heard the pleas, she tried to settle down a bit. "That's it, just like that." He spoke in seeing that now Twilight is calmer after that little outburst.

"Look on the brighter side mommy, better to know it now than learn we messed up before going in the valley, right?" Nyx spoke to have her mother see that there was a good thing that came out of this.

"Hugh, I suppose you’re right, sorry for scaring you all." Twilight signs in feeling a bit more relieved now and turns to give a formal apology for scaring the others with them from her little 'temper-tantrum' issue over discovering one more ingredient added to the list.

"Oh…..don't worry; we're fine as long as your fine, Twilight." Spike, Phobos, Tough, Dumbledore & Bocolix responded with equally feared looks on their expressions

Once getting the situation under control, did Twilight managed to calm the others that were still recovering from their shock at how mad their friend got over one….simply easy mistake. By the time the group was riding into Bony Valley, did they forget what frighten them to focus more on not losing their nerves OR…their lunch, over the bony structures and the weird misty odor in the air that was gassy repulsive to stand.

"Geee, this place looks like something big and mean would have eaten these guys." Nyx spoke from having some old bad memories of something could come out like a nightmare to eat the gang.

"Don't say that Nyx, the last fearsome creature we barely escaped from was that Hydra!" Spike spoke in not wanting the filly to relive that horrible event that nearly ended up with their own deaths.

"Yeah, and with him gone, who else would eat any visitors to dispose their bones here by coughing them up or just…" Phobos responded off in making this new claim of what happens if folks got eaten and they come out the mouth or from the next place, which was…

"Wooh-wooh, let’s not get ahead of ourselves in that discussion, shall we Phobos?" Ben stopped the Moon Dragon from saying any unnecessary things that the young ones shouldn't hear at this time.

Then all of a sudden, a spooky noise started playing in the background before the gang was even so far in the valley.

"Wha-wha-wha was dat noise?" Tough yelped from looking around in surprise, whatever the sound was, the wolf howling noise was making even Koga suddenly get active.

"I don't know; creaky noises. Freaky footstep sounds. And howling wolves," Bocolix looked around nervously with a straight expression of fear.

"Yeah, that's enough to be more like it’s scary here than at Castle Nowhere," Dumbledore also responded in having the same face as his pal.

"Why do I feel this might be a sign of something coming?" Twilight responded with a stern expression in having a bad feeling, this could mean something was gonna happen to them, as usual...

Then suddenly, the noises started to pick up a bit which got most of ponies & dragons spooked BIG TIME! This sounded unusual to the group ponies for some reason.

"OHH NOOO!" Nyx looked around nervously even before shouting out this with unimaginable fear pasted on his face! "This theme & rhythm are too much in sync!"

"Nyx, what's wrong?" Twilight asked his daughter from weirding out so suddenly.

"Oh no, when she gets like that from Pinkie Pie, it must be bad news!" Phobos yelped in believing this must be bad for Nyx to almost go crazy here.

"What?" The others asked in not getting what spooked the black filly until she tells them.

"This sound is from a song called Thriller." Nyx pointed out her answer and that response was soon responded as well.

"Come again? It's wha now, Nyx?" Tough asked in surprised and shocked to hear that from his friend while feeling like he knows that name somewhere.

"Gulp; Nyx; You've don't mean from…?" Spike tried to say it nervously and slowly in concern, but Nyx beat him to it.

"Yeah, from an old rocker that was Johnny Brock's predecessor in being famous in rock and roll, Michael Jackstone." Nyx said a bit nervous too in knowing that this event's sounds of the name were fitting of the mentioned pony.

"No way, I remember that stallion!" Ben responded off to say in surprise in hearing the name as we hear a pick up jazz beat in the background while the stallion continues. "I used to hear all his albums. Michael Jackstone was a beloved rockstar until one day he vanished off the face of Equestria!"

Everyone turn to see that the decay bones rattled to the music before what appear popping out from the ground to be a tall physical built Earth stallion creature of black messy mane & tail, but wore clothes similar to Michael Jackstone and his coat color looked a bit gray-like from the dead. He came out with neon lights flashing for his entrance and what an unexpected entry.

"AHHHHHHH; ZOMBIES," The Enforcers screams out from seeing the real thing, the disappeared rockstar and him, 'it', being a zombie.

"From coming to the End of Equestria, what magic could turn him into an….ahh….ZOMBIE! RUUUUUUUN," Twilight tried to issue before throwing that logic out and screamed out in panic at what she believed to be 'the' Michael Jackstone returning from the grave.

"AHHHH," The traveling gang all screamed while trying to get away by having Justin the MechBull pull their cart with all it's got.

Just as the zombie stallion started to sing his Rap song!

Michael Jackstone: It's close to midnight

The stallion Michael Jackstone zombie sang while dancing with some magical bones coming up to dance with him to raise other zombies from the ground.

Something evil's lurkin' in the dark

The zombie stallion slide to the left and right, as did the skeleton & other zombie figures which cause more to appear around the ponies & Dragons.

"Daggum; we're surrounded!" Tough said off in a panicky tone at what was happening here with their path blocked out at the moment.

Under the moonlight

The zombie stallion said while moving closer to the scared group under a moonlight.

You see a sight that almost stops your heart

As the zombie stallion said this, Tough held his heart like it just almost stopped all of a sudden!

You try to scream

Michael Jackstone said this out to the travelers. "Ga-gah," Phobos tried to scream, but couldn't get the words out.

But terror takes the sound before you make it

The zombie pony said while moving back towards the dancing skeletons & other zombie creature ghouls.

"Gagh…I can't make a peek!" Phobos responded off while holding his neck in confusion, why can't he scream out for help of fear of these zombies?

"How can't you scream from THIS," Spike pointed out in a worry scare voice tone that his Moon Dragon couldn't let out a scream noise from all of this happening here.

You start to freeze

Everybody freezes after hearing Michael Jackstone say that.

As horror looks you right between the eyes

Bocolix slowly turns his head but he is frozen because he sees Michael Jackstone's eyes in front of him.

You're paralyzed

"Uurgh!" Bocolix couldn't move, but he fell backwards off the cart and on the ground from yelping in fear.

'Cause this is thriller

"Gahh," The ponies & Dragons screamed while trying to run or fly away with Justin following along.

Thriller night

But more zombie & living skeleton figures appeared and block one path for them.

And no one's gonna save you

Then Michael Jackstone danced around the nervous group again.

From the beast about to strike

The zombie pony then jumped at them gang with its face staring at the traveling group which got them good.

You know it's thriller

"WAAAAHHH!" The ponies & Dragons screamed again from this surprise close up action.

Thriller night

Michael Jackstone and his undead members made some moves with their legs, arms and hooves too if they were ponies.

You're fighting for your life

As the gang tried fighting some of the skeletons away by breaking pass them, more just kept coming.

Inside a killer

A shadowy ghoul came around from behind Dumbledore's shadow which scared him by surprised and not a funny 'ha-ha' one either.

Thriller tonight, yeah

"Let'me Outta HERE," Dumbledore cried out from getting away from that shadowy ghoul.

"How do we get through this, mommy?" Nyx asked her family & friends how to get out of this situation.

"Ah say, when things git tough...'De Tough Then Runs Spooked Outta Mind!" Tough said in drama like speech before jumping in the cart and having Justin running pass the others like a spooked out colt.

"Never heard that, but can't argue with this point!" Ben said in a dry tone before he and the others ran after Tough with Justin & the cart without arguing about the plan to run.

You hear the door slam

"SLAMMED!" Everybody stopped when they heard a sudden door slam noise!

And realize there's nowhere left to run

Everybody looks around trying to find a way out of here.

"Brrr….I feel cold; Like I've got the 'Brrrs', why?" Spike asked from suddenly catching a chill from out of nowhere.

You feel the cold hand

Twilight turns and sees a cold hand reaching her which made the mare yelp. "YIKES!"

And wonder if you'll ever see the sun

Everybody backed away from the mysterious hand before it disappeared.

You close your eyes

"Think of a happy place! A happy, happy, happy place," Bocolix chanted over & over while having his eyes close.

And hope that this is just imagination

Dumbledore came near his worried friend to tap his shoulder from what he was doing.

"That won't work, not now at least." Dumbledore pointed out the bad news to Bocolix, much to his regret of being out of his happy place.

But all the while

Then Michael Jackstone and his undead group made like a song chant just now.

You hear a creature creepin' up behind

The ape pretends to creep up to the scared group.

You're outta time

The others looked back as Nyx shouted a warning to them. "Look Out!"

'Cause this is thriller

Suddenly, Michael Jackstone and some other zombies appeared while some were dancing to the music.

Thriller night

"YIPES," The ponies and Dragons yelped and jumped back from that sudden appearance right now.

There ain't no second chance

The zombie rock stallion moved its body through some twirls.

Against the thing with the forty eyes, girl

Suddenly, forty glowing red eyes appeared from inside hidden bushes.

Thriller

"Take Cover!" Twilight shouted to her group from another surprise coming before them, about forty by her guess.

Thriller night

The gang moved to their left before some dancing zombies & skeletons swung their hands/paws/claws, etc. near the living group.

You're fighting for your life

Spike & Phobos were back to back, watching from each of their sides before they saw an emerging shadow ghoul.

Inside a killer

"Whulp," Both little Dragons ducked under the ghoul since they were small enough.

Thriller tonight

"This way," Ben called out for his friends to follow him from a small way out.

Night creatures callin'

Michael Jackstone said this as some ghost came out from beneath the ground suddenly.

The dead start to walk in their masquerade

The ghost started to move in front of the running heroes & their MechBull pulling their cart to follow them.

"Daggum, wha now," Tough asked puzzled what this group of undead group is going to do.

There's no escaping the jaws of the alien this time

"Go back! We have to reverse our pace!" Ben cried out in having the group turn back the way that they came.

(They're open wide)

The gang soon reversed the steps in what they did and in a funny way too.

This is the end of your life

Michael Jackstone and the undead followers raised their arms while doing this song chat.

"Let's scram on outta HERE!" Phobos said to the gang from noticing a possible battle position, fighting the dead ain't a good idea in his book.

They're out to get you

Michael Jackstone said this towards the group before him.

There's Demons closing in on every side

Everyone dodged a few skeletons from each swipe of their arms from left and right while yelping each time. "Yikes!"

"Here comes some more!" Nyx said to her friends & family from seeing more undead ghouls are on the way.

They will possess you

Then Michael Jackstone moves towards the group again.

Unless you change that number on your dial

Michael Jackstone said this to the ponies & Dragons while having his hooves perform a phone imitation.

Now is the time

Suddenly more zombies surrounds Michael Jackstone while he dances.

For you and I to cuddle close together, yeah

The zombie stallion opens his arms out like it was inviting the group for a hug.

"Although I like to hug with friends, with the undead….might be over the top." Twilight said in disgust if that was even close to what was going to happen (even Rarity might have some dejection to this manner, possibly).

All through the night

Then Michael Jackstone raises his hooves up in the air so did the undead creatures of the valley.

I'll save you from the terror on the screen

The zombie rockstar pointed towards the traveling group like he was speaking to them for some reason.

I'll make you see

Michael Jackstone pointed his hoof at himself when he sang.

That this is thriller

Then the undead creatures; zombies, skeletons, ghost, etc. started dancing around the group in a big circle, three circles, one right, one right, and another left.

Thriller night

The zombie rockstar appeared in the middle center of the circle as he, or 'it', shouted out this phrase.

'Cause I can thrill you more

Michael Jackstone moved around Twilight's group while singing.

Than any ghoul would ever dare try

The gang just stand there, watching this zombie stallion rocker dance around them.

(Thriller)

The undead creatures raised their heads to respond to their singing, even though 'most' don't have mouths with living vocals.

(Thriller night)

"Now wha's happening here?" Tough asked puzzled in what's happening now suddenly.

So let me hold you tight

Michael Jackstone spoke to the gang for them to listen here.

And share a

The group moved back but were unaware of something behind them.

(Killer, diller, chiller)

Three groups of undead creatures showed up from each side, surprising Twilight's gang with each turn.

(Thriller here tonight)

"Hugh; they're everywhere!" Phobos said in a scared tone in seeing never ending undead ghouls, zombies, living skeletons, etc.

Cause this is thriller

Then Michael Jackstone started moving around the dance floor even faster then before.

Thriller night

The undead creatures moved quick to catch up with the zombie rockstar's quick moves.

Girl, I can thrill you more

Michael Jackstone moved around the travel gang while addressing the group's female companions.

Than any ghoul would ever dare try

"He can?" Bocolix asked puzzled from hearing this.

"Wooh, odd now," Dumbledore said in finding that statement odd indeed.

(Thriller)

Then Michael Jackstone moved back after that stunt.

(Thriller night)

"Wha-what's coming next?" Spike asked in not sure how much more of this he can stand.

So let me hold you tight

Michael Jackstone then turn its back to the group while it sang.

And share a

Then the zombie rockstar stallion stopped before making some pose marks.

(Killer, thriller)

Michael Jackstone moved his body and head, left and right with each beat.

"We have 'ta get out o' 'dis bony mess!" Tough issued off with a panicky mood in knowing that the gang gotta scram.

"Agreed," The Enforcers nods in agreement while their teeth begin to chatter.

"We better go before that voice comes out!" Nyx broke off the Fourth Wall to mention this out now.

"Wha voice," Spike asked off in not knowing what voice this filly was talking about.

"I don't think we wanna know!" Phobos pointed out in terror while the last part was extra loud from his voice!

I'm gonna thrill you tonight

Michael Jackstone said before he and the undead creatures all disappeared through the shadows of darkness.

Rap By: Vincent Price (A.K.A. the guy with the best spooky evil laughter for all scary movies): "Darkness falls across the land"

Said the voice from within the emerging cloud of darkness.

"It's him!" Nyx shouted in Fright and scared tone in his voice, that's the voice alright while Twilight & Ben stood near, but also shaken a bit.

The midnight hour is close at hand

The voice said through the darkness surrounding the ponies & Dragons.

"Say what?" Ben exclaimed shocked, as he was seeing a pocky watch he carried, (Surprising that it's that time right now!) to him and the others shock to know this.

Creatures crawl in search of blood

The voice said while red eyes of the undead started to crawl out of the shadows.

"Wh-where now?" Tough asked nervously while searching around the area all scared like now.

To terrorize y'alls neighborhood

The zombies rose' up from the ground and started walking like zombies towards the others.

"They're coming!" Dumbledore & Bocolix responded in a terrorized scare tone while pointing to the approaching zombies.

And whoever shall be found

The group tried searching where that voice was coming from, but could not finding it.

"Ie-ie-ie-ie…" Phobos speaking in gibberish language in unable to figure what will happen.

Without the soul for getting down

Soon the ghosts rose up from the ground and started hovering around the gang in a circle.

Must stand and face the hounds of hell

Soon the zombies, ghosts, living skeletons, ghouls, etc. join together in a group while approaching the scared group of ponies & Dragons.

"Um, do we need to?" Spike asked a bit scared on both the 'hounds' and 'hell' mention words.

And rot inside a corpse's shell

The gang turns around and gets a scared seeing coffins right behind them.

"AHHHH," The group scream, realizing they're in the grave yard of which was Bony Valley, OF ALL PLACES TO BE NOW SUDDENLY.

Michael Jackstone: I'm gonna thrill you tonight

The Michael Jackstone Ape zombie appeared again and was dancing around the graveyard!

(Thriller, thriller)

"Jackstone," Twilight responded off surprised fright to see that zombie rockstar once more as more undead creatures surrounded the graveyard area from both ends.

I'm gonna thrill you tonight

"What are they planning?" Bocolix asked his pals confused while the zombie stallion's voice was heard over them.

(Thriller night, thriller)

"Trapping us, what else?" Phobos pointed out nervously at what the situation seems to be at right now.

I'm gonna thrill you tonight

"So then, ho-how do we get out of this?" Dumbledore asked all nervous in hoping that the others have an escape plan.

Ooh, babe, I'm gonna thrill you tonight

Michael Jackstone said this while he's seen dancing on top of a grave stone.

Thriller night, babe

"Ah'm not sure there is." Tough responded for someone to answer Dumbledore's question which like usual, never is answered so easily.

Rap: The foulest stench is in the air

"Sniff! Sniff!" Tough smelled the air from what the voice said!

The funk of forty thousand years

"Eewwwww!" Tough said in disgust from hearing that last part of what the smell was.

And grizzly ghouls from every tomb

The ghost came from within the tomb stones.

Are closing in to seal your doom

"More undead ghouls," Nyx shouted in shock surprise, the undead creatures started to move closer towards the frighten travelers now.

And though you fight to stay alive

Twilight's gang tries to defend themselves from the approaching enemy.

Your body starts to shiver

"I-I can't move! Why?" Twilight asked from both she and her friends weren't moving to protect themselves at this critical moment, why?

For no mere mortal can resist

As the voice sang, a large shadow covers the field, the gang couldn't see where the undead ghouls were anymore.

The evil of the Thriller

That last part sounded so evil, the ponies & Dragons didn't want to stay a second more!

"Hurry; we need to teleport far across this…" Twilight advised, as the gang turned around to flee, UNFORTUNATE MISTAKE, cause there was the zombie Michael Jackstone showing a creepy dead smile, "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" This was giving the gang the screams while we hear evilly laughter in the background.

AH-HAHAHAHAH-BWAHAHAHAHA!

The evil voice laughed evilly so much that the space around our heroes started to swirl around within the dark abyss, before they know it, Twilight & Ben used their magic to magically teleport everyone before falling in an unconscious state for the moment.

After that song and track background music was done, we see the travelers make a magical appearance near the outskirts between Bony Valley by a large crack; Course as they appeared, they fell, even their cart & Justin landed on the ground, still a bit shaken up from what happen earlier. While some of the others were recovering from that horror show, Twilight quickly used a spell from her horn that made a large seal door completely cover that back entry back into Bony Valley to keep things there & not follow. Tough, Bocolix, Dumbledore & Phobos had fainted after the song ended, which was no surprise on how scary it was. Most of the group was now starting to get up or sit up after what happen to them just now.

"That….was the worst thing to EVER Experience," Twilight spoke between her tired breath in what she experienced was worst then anything before; Maybe almost as bad as if she was dating Boris….okay, maybe 'just' as bad as that which she never do in a life-time.

"Hey Nyx, how you doing," Ben checked on his daughter he held tight to make sure he wouldn't lose her to that place of darkness…or if something tried to take her during their fearful distraction.

"Hmm…I'm good, a bit shaken, but not stirred." Nyx responded in trying to keep positive expression that she'll be fine…in due time.

"Oh man, I feel like we just woke from a nightmare." Phobos responded as he and the others were waking up, going through what they saw was terrible in a whole new level.

"Bad news, we're still in a nightmare. In the End of Equestria," Spike broke the camel’s back in reminding these guys, they still have to endure the nightmare of traveling through this place that nopony is even lucky to survive this long.

"Wait! Ye mean those things happened? Ah thought it was 'dat rotten apple Ah ate!" Tough spoke off in disbelief and here he believed it was something he ate.

"Oh man, are we safe now?" Dumbledore asked off in wondering if they no longer have to deal with that terrible issue of more undead creatures.

"Don't thread, Twilight put up a seal to keep whatever was there away from us." Ben stated pointed to the seal barrier door to keep whatever those creatures were on their side….until the spell wears off, but they'll be luckily further away by then.

"Oh good, cause we feel too Poof to puff!" Bocolix sighed in feeling glad to know that the gang won't worry about that situation anymore.

"So Twilight, what do you think that was really all about?" Ben turns to ask his love in what that entire situation they experienced was even about. "I mean, Michael Jackstone was said to long be missing for ages that some say…he passed away while only his legacy lives on." To think they see some pony that was the first earlier rockstar before Johnny Brock was a new shocking discovery.

"I'm not sure Ben, but for now, let's just honor that no pony forgot him and for the most, 'he' didn't wanna fight us, but scare us." Twilight issued off to say that for the most part of what happened, it looked like Mr. Jackstone was just luring them to get away from….maybe that scary voice.

"Unlike dat other fella during 'dat last bit of the song, he almost scared us out o' our wits end!" Tough rolled off his eyes to say, no questions asked, that was the voice to scare any creature, young or old, out of their shorts.

"Great, so we learn a mystery, now can we please leave and never return?" Phobos groans to say before asking that the gang get moving from here now.

"One thing's certain, many ponies would kill to see a legend like that. Unfortunately, they might get their wish granted too literally for that request." Spike addressed off to say that if other ponies knew where they saw Michael Jackstone, they come here, but end up losing their lives to just see a living legend of rock.

"Hugh…..wait; what about the ingredient? Do we have to go back to get it?" Nyx suddenly snapped her attention to recalling if the gang even bothered to look for the ingredient that they were seeking.

Many were almost frightened if that answer was yes, but however….salvation came to their aid.

"No need, we just went through what was likely a powerful spell that affected everything there to stop us." Twilight explained the matter in what they faced was set to stop the gang's efforts. "After calming down, I realized that and the ingredient is said to be resting what will be an actual grave area pass the first entry." She showed the map by levitating it for all to see, they have to travel a few more miles through this valley's gorge to reach where the ingredient is said to be station.

"Then we better make sure everypony is here and get Justin to take us further along this big valley." Ben responded off in thinking they need to get everything set before setting off cause it'll take some time to travel along from here.

Once things settled for the group to calm their nerves a little more, did they all get in the cart, saw their pet friends were still there, still fine. And then from Tough Apple getting in the front seat, did he grab the line ropes to command Justin the MechBull to pull their cart to get them further away from here and off towards where they really need to be. From the bull cries from the MechBull, Justin was pulling with his might while the gang tries to recuperate their stamina after such 'frightful' terrors they must've used up….so it'll be a while.

As the gang leave, they fail to see a familiar zombie watching them go. Tao appear behind Michael Jackstone, sighing in annoyance, "Really, M.J.? Was that scary part necessary?"

Michael Jackstone grins as he spoke in his voice, "What's the matter, old timer? You've got problem with scary stuffs?"

"I think that is too much."

"Sorry about that, pal. Wanna tell me why you're asking me? But don't you think that's rude to wake me up from my death?"

"My apologies; Perhaps, I should've gave a little more specific riddle but I was wondering if the riddle I gave was it at all. These days, ponies are not clever to understand it." Tao explains to MJ with a shrug. "But your job is to inspire them, not frighten them, Jackstone. After all, in the old days before the event of the Elements of Harmony begins, you were a famous singer."

Michael sigh as he said, "I did say I'm sorry. Geez, these old ponies need to speak more clearly. Now, can I go back to my bed? These dancing and singing movements are cranking me up."

"Not at all; Rest, Michael Jackstone." Tao said. He takes Michael Jackstone to the graveyard and to his waiting grave. Once the zombie is in, the old pony prefers a ritual, causing a seal to appear and seal the zombie within until next time...hopefully there won't be one. As the task is done, the old pony said to himself in concern, "Twilight, Ben and everypony. You have come very far. The next battles will not be an easy task than any before you had faced. Beware of them. I pray for your safe journey. Good luck, heir to the ponies' hope and future. For you and the rest of holders of Elements of Harmony are the ones to stop both Grimmore and Smaug while we, the Mystic Ponies, shall continue to guide you."

Chapter 15: The Terror of Peta

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Chapter 15: The Terror of Peta

The Demon Lords are talking to their last servant, Peta who has informed them of what he learnt from the previous adventure that the gang has gone through so far.

Tso Lan spoke, "So, tell me, Peta, what have you learn so far?"

"Compare to most of your brethren's servants and pets Twilight Sparkle and her family had fought, they are nothing. I did as you instructed, master. I learn all of I need." Peta said to Tso Lan with a bow to the Demon Lord. The Demon smiles evilly. He knew that he himself has chosen the right monster for this task.

"Good, Peta. Here's the mission that I want you to do. Retrieve the bloods of my daughter, Twilight Sparkle, Ben Mare, Spike and Phobos."

Peta smirk while saying, "Ah yes........ I know what you desired. Nevertheless, I will complete without failing you. If my life needs to be sacrificed to achieve it, then so be it."

"Do what must be done; all of the Guardians are under your control, Peta." Tso Lan said to Peta calmly. Everything will go accordingly to his wishes, no matter what happens at this point.

"It will be done."

The portal closes. Tso Lan turn to his brethren with Hsi Wu the first to speak up in surprise, "So, that's your master plan? To get their blood and combined them into the new Nightmare Moon. Am I right?"

Tso Lan answers his sibling truthfully, "Precisely. I predicted that most of our servants and pets will fail us, but that time, I was mere testing the strengths and intelligence of Nightmare Moon, Twilight and her family. So far, they are worthy to our agenda, unlike the weak and simple minded fools like Boxco and Dum-Dum."

"I see." Po Kong comments as she licks her mouth. "Well, as soon as Peta finished them, if he can, he had to deliver me my meal."

Tchang Zu smirks while remarking, "Indeed. Once we gathered their blood, we, at once, create the new Nightmare Moon."

"Indeed. This Nightmare Moon is no longer any use to us." Xiao Fung said in agreement. It is decided that since Nyx won't go back to the Demon Lords, there is no further use for the failure formerly known as Nightmare Moon.

Dai Gui comments sinisterly, "Victory belongs to us."

However Shendu spoke up, "No; we will use the blood of Nightmare Moon later; for two of our master plans have been planned. We still have some use of this reincarnation."

"I see. I understand your plans, my brothers." Bai Tza said, understanding what both Shendu and Tso Lan are up to. "This reincarnated one will be a distraction and a pawn, while another one is our triumph card; Excellent work."

"Indeed, it is, my brethren. Now, I must be excused. I need time alone to rest for a while. Inform me of the success, my brethren." Tso Lan said. The Demon decides to rest for a while until the time comes for himself to enter the battlefield. He will be looking so forward to it.

The Demon Lords bow while saying at once, "Yes, brother."

Tso Lan, with the ability of his gravity powers, floated up above Demon Lords. He is heading to his own area for resting.

-------------------

Pinkamena was lightly giggling as she was reading her book. Golden Heart looks at her and says as Omega stares, "You ok?"

Pinkamena said, "Yep, just the gang just went on a thriller of a night but now they are off to get the last things and fight the last foes and will be coming home."

"Ok."

------------------

As the Goblin is seen moving along, carrying the Kan-ku Box, he begins to mumble to himself from being given his next orders in where to find another portal, and by the Demon Lords attitudes raining down on him.

"Brother, I think being servant to the witch and now slave-driving Demon Lords is tiring; Goblin this, Goblin that; Just Goblin, but not my own name, Todd. Saying Goblin is better for servant!" Goblin responded off in complaining of his situation at this moment. "Maybe I should have listened to my cousin to join the Grimmore Army. I heard that many goblins there get nice getups, net-o gear & abilities, plus make you look much taller, 7 feet. Plus, you get to rid cool transportation on giant demonic bats to fly around with two types." He spoke in picturing how luckier Goblins are in the Grimmore Army and those guys are not just simple grunts, but well feared & respective, and simply feared soldier warriors. "And they make wicked cackle laughter that are so cool, I could do that! Hahahaha…Cough-cough…cough, okay, still needs work." The Goblin tried to make a scary laughter, but he chocked from trying too hard, boy, the others he's heard about make it sound so easy. "What were some of their names that other Goblins talk about…Hobgoblin….Green Goblin…Demogoblin; So many different Goblins with big names in that army. Boy, if this job doesn't work out, maybe I'll think of making my resume to join those guys, who knows?" He spoke off in thinking that if his duty for the Eight Demon Lords don't work out, maybe being with the cooler Goblins on Grimmore's team make his social life a lot more interesting, heck, sounds better then lackey servant.

And soon the goblin leaves to perform another duty task by the Eight Demon Lords.

-----------------

Twilight and her family continued to travel down on the road for two more ingredients. They spotted Tao who holds his joysticks in front of the foods of vegetables and gravestones.

"Hey, it's Tao. What's he doing?" Spike asks, wondering what Tao is up to now.

"What's with giving the food to stone tablets?" Phobos asks in confusion. Then again, the group is still in a graveyard so does it matter?

"Phobos, the stone tablets are graveyard stones. I can only guess that there is great battle here before." Twilight said with a sigh while glancing at the graveyard stones. Tao must be paying his respects.

Ben nods while adding, "A battle against the Demon Lords, no doubt."

"So, should we ask him?" Nyx suggests to the others.

"I think we should. I had the feeling that he knows what's next." The Alicorn princess said in agreement. Twilight and her family approach Tao from behind. The old pony put the joysticks on the grounds. He then push his hooves gently to each other and bow before them.

"Mr. Tao?"

"Ah, Twilight and her family, what brings you to the Graves of Brave Heroes?" Tao ask his friends in respect and politeness.

Everyone all ask at the same time, "Graves of Brave Heroes?"

"So, 'dis is a graveyard?" Tough ask a bit frightened and freaked out by what he's seeing in front of him.

"Indeed. Thousand years ago, a battle had taken placed between good and evil here. After the battle, those who had taken part buried the brave and defeated soldiers here as the honor of being heroic and self-sacrificed." Tao explains, motioning to the graves of those who fought and gave their lives in this battle.

"So, what are you doing here?" Bocolix ask Tao puzzled.

Dumbledore adds in, "Yeah. No one buried their graves here, which is kinda dangerous, unless there is a reason."

Tao nods as he explains, "I have come here every year for paying my respect to these brave heroes. The reason behind this is to remind anyone that coming to a place like this is very dangerous to come, unless you had courage and faith."

"So, what's with the food?" Phobos asks, glancing at the food that Tao has; Makes him hungry all over again.

"Offering."

"Cool, I could use some break."

Nyx stops Phobos before he could think of taking a bite, scolding, "Phobos, Don't! Tao meant offering the foods to these passed on soldiers. That's one of the Land of Ma's traditions."

"But they are dead. How can they eat the food when they're dead?" Spike asks Nyx. How can anyone dead eat any offerings that way?

"Physically can't, but spiritually can. For once they leave their bodies behind, they will go to heaven. Those who followed the tradition of my former home always and must bring and offer the foods to friends, ancestors and family while respecting them," Tao explains clearly to Spike. "One more thing: Do not used the word 'dead' in front of them. It is very rude."

"Sorry."

"I guess. Some of your ancestors got involved inthe battle, along with their friends, am I right?" Twilight ask Tao, suspecting that some of his ancestors were involved in this battle as well.

Tao nods as he answers, "Indeed it is."

Ben looks down and spoke to Tao in sympathy to give his consolations, "We're sorry."

In Tao's thought, the Mystic Pony said in his head, 'Indeed, you are. But there is nothing you can do to change. Be lucky, that you're not born on that day to see this. You had no idea how painful it can be when coming to these graves of brave heroes, and unaware of me being involved there, thousand years ago.'

"Can we pay our respects? I know we're not close to any of them. But we just want to respect them for their deeds." Nyx offers Tao with a smile. After all, the least she and the others can do is pasy their respects as well.

"Indeed, you are allowed. I'll teach you on how it works to respect them." The old pony said with a smile to Nyx's offer. Tao gave the three joysticks each to Twilight and her family. He then lights them up with his match. The joysticks start burning. "First, you need joysticks as in representing as wishes and respecting to the passed ones. You can ask them as guidance to help you through the hard journeys."

The group held the joysticks gently while facing in front of the gravestones. Tao continues, "When praying and paying respect to the passed ones, be silent at all, let your mind and spiritual speak to them. Let them hear your wishes and thoughts."

Twilight and her family were in silence as they speak to the passed one through their minds to respect them.

A while later, once all is done, Tao ask, "Done? Good. Now, place the joysticks on the ground in front of them. Let them burned as they send messages to the spirits of brave heroes." The visitors place the joysticks on the ground before they bowed to the gravestones "Well done, my friends. These soldiers are in peace for any of you show good respect to them. Be mindful of them, everypony. Be respectful and humble to them, at all time. I pray that you will be in safe journey.

Twilight smiles, not looking at Tao while saying gently, "Me too, Tao; me too."

"He's gone." Spike said. Sure enough as usual, Tao has disappeared from sight.

"Great. Can't that old pony stay here for once in a while?! Not to mention that we had to do some silly praying to the dead." Phobos groans in annoyance at this latest happening.

"Phobos; be nice! And be respectful. We're still at the graveyard." Nyx scolds her best friend, reminding the Moon Dragon as to where they astill re.

"Nyx's right, Phobos; I know it's scary. But please, be respectful, okay?" Ben insists to Phobos. After all, what if being disrespectful be a problem in the afterlife?

Phobos groans, "Fine. At least, it's not scary ghosts."

"Hopefully, not like before." Spike groans while cringing. He still hasn't gotten over what happened earlier with Michael Jackstone.

The group waits, knowing that the voice will soon speak. And sure enough, it did as everyone heard, "Guardians must defeat Guardians. Faith defeats the Darkest Hour."

Everyone all ask at once in confusion, "Huh?"

"Guardians must defeat Guardians. Faith must defeat the Darkest Hour."

"Okay, now what's the riddle's saying about?" Spike ask, a bit puzzled by the latest riddle.

"'Guardians'; is he referring to our guardians?" Phobos ask, suspecting that the Guardians parts is referring to the Guardians that Twilight has around her neck.

"Ah think he is, Phobos." Tough said thoughtfully.

"So what's with 'Faith must defeat the Darkest Hour'?" Bocolix ask, a bit puzzled by the last part of the riddle.

"Beats me; I'm not good at the riddles." Dumbledore remarks with a shrug, meaning that he doesn't know either.

"I can only think of one thing. We're not giving up our hope. We've made this far. We can do this and win this fight." Twilight said in determination. She knows that everyone has made it this far, they aren't giving up yet! The gang must move on, all of Ponyville depends on them all.

Ben nods as he looks on ahead, saying grimly, "I had the feeling that we're about to face Peta."

"I can only hope it's not Tso Lan or Shendu that we're facing with." Nyx said with a shiver. She rather faces Peta than any of those mentioned Demon Lords.

"If they are," Spike asks, fearing that the group will face those two villains eventually.

"Then, we face them, together. We have overcome the battles so far. We can do this. So let's go, everypony." Twilight said in determination.

"Right," Everyone said at the same time in determination.

From a safe distance, Tao glanced at Twilight and her family as they moved on. Dragon Kick appears in a puff of smoke to see the sight.

"Do you think that Twilight and her family can defeat Peta? Peta is a very powerful and dangerous mage." Dragon Kick said, recalling his previous battle with Peta and not with fondness. "I overpowered him because of my skills. But he escaped. Darn it. If I had caught him in time, Twilight and her family wouldn't have this problem."

Tao spoke, "There is nothing that we can do, Dragon Kick. But I have faith that Twilight, Ben and others will overcome the battle."

"I hope so."

"So, Starlight, have you come with something important?"

The Equestrian Eliminator, whom Tao suspects to be Starlight still, land on the ground. Once again, Tao has sense his arrival. The agent of Grimmore frowns as he said, "Indeed, hermit. I suggest you need to make sure that somepony knows not to sneak behind me."

The Equestrian Eliminator took something from behind his back. He held Jade's tail making Tao and Dragon Kick gasp. Jade giggle uneasily, "Hi........" She's in trouble.

"Jade! When will you listen," Dragon Kick scolds Jade for getting into trouble...again! The pony glares at the Equestrian Eliminator while saying, "If you harm her..."

"As I had said to the hermit before, I do not harm the innocents." The Equestrian Eliminator said calmly. He put Jade down before she gallops towards Dragon Kick as she hugged him. "I suggest you put a tight leash on her."

"Like you as a slave to Grimmore? Never!"

"If you don't, then she will be killed on the battlefield. You will be the one to regret it."

Dragon Kick sigh, "Yes, that is true. But I would have found a way to make sure that Jade is safe, without using the leash on her. This is called unselfish and caring."

"Yeah. Even though my uncle won't teach me and tells me to stay down, I won't." Jade said to the Equestrian Eliminator sternly, "Because I have instinct that Dragon Kick needs help, so I'll be there for him, even when I'm in big trouble."

"This is foolish." The Equestrian Eliminator scoffs at Jade's words. What nonsense!

Dragon Kick and Jade said at the same time, "It's called family." The Equestrian Eliminator groan angrily while clenching his hoof. He then turns to Tao.

"So, aren't you going to say my other name and ask me to do something?"

Tao shook his head as he said in sadness, "You know the answer, Equestrian Eliminator."

"Why did you call me that?" The Equestrian Eliminator asks in bewilderment. Before now, Tao called him by this 'Starlight' name. Why his agent name now?

"Grimmore's power is too strong for me to reach your heart and soul. Although not powerful enough against the power of Mystic Magic, Grimmore has his ways in achieving his goals. I believe he knows that I am here from beginning."

"So, you're not advising me something?"

Tao shakes his head as he said, "Nope. But I have a gift for you."

Tao threw something right to the Equestrian Eliminator who caught it. He saw a picture of someone that shocked and surprised him.

The Equestrian Eliminator hesitates as he asks, "What is this?"

"Considered this a farewell gift, my friend; for we must keep an eye on Twilight and her family for now; Make your own decision of what is right." Tao explains to the stallion gently.

"So be it, hermit."

With the smoke emerged, Tao, Dragon Kick and Jade disappear from sight. The Equestrian Eliminator took a glance at the photo. At first, he was about to destroy it but the pony sigh. The Equestrian Eliminator decided to keep it in his suit before he disappears in the shadows.

----------------

As our traveling friends continue across the gorge valley of what is Bony Valley, everyone in Twilight's party feels more refresh now. After a little time, they've become more relax after having the near scare of their life so far, and that's saying something when it's a musical number. But now, we see that everything shall be where the gang try to reach an area to locate the ingredient within this valley of bones, the Glowing Mites, somewhere that is.

"Grugrugrruuaaghh….." Suddenly, a weird gurgling growly noise was heard that earn everyone's attention.

"Tough, could you keep your stomach down?" Twilight asked from feeling bothered that Tough's loud stomach was making that hungry noise.

"Dat wasn't me." Tough spoke off in protesting that what was heard, didn't come from him.

"Phobos, was that you?" Nyx turn to ask her pet pal if he made the growly noise.

"Why am I the next one? Why not those two," Phobos spoke off in his defense while pointing at Dumbledore & Bocolix being the most likely guilty ones.

"It wasn't either of us!" The Enforcers spoke that neither two Alicorn males made the sound.

"Not me either, what about you Ben," Spike responded that he didn't make the weird noises, so what if that was Ben Mare?

"Wasn't me, nor was it Twilight. Koga, was it you or Owlowiscious?" Ben stated that what was heard didn't come from him or Twilight, then that left their pets to answer the mystery here.

"Bark-Bark/Hoo," Koga & Owlowiscious responded that neither of them made a sound of what was heard.

"Chu…/Mruaawwurghhh," Rabbitchu & Justin also responded in answering the question.

"Well it wasn't our two mechanical critters, dat's fer sure!" Tough stated from hearing the two Machines of War give their two-cents of when or if the noise was them, which wasn't at all. "So…wha…" He yelped from something that fell on him and it was a gooey substance. "Yuck, wha is 'dis wet stuff?" The tough stallion stopped their MechBull pulling their cart to try to see what he got covered over him.

"It doesn't look like rain." Spike responded in seeing from the skies to Tough's state that what hit him isn't liquid of water.

"It looks like…saliva." Phobos responded off in seeing what got the stallion was something from some kinda thing's mouth that drooled.

"Yuck!" The Enforcers stuck out their tongues in finding this to be a little disturbing to them.

"But where it came from?" Twilight asked from using her magic to remove the saliva from Tough, much to his thanks.

"Saliva of that much had to come from something alive, either those that make enough or something big." Ben spoke from having a good guess theory in where that substance would come from, just not where at this time.

"Um mommy, daddy, everypony, you might wanna take a slow look upwards." Nyx spoke from looking above her in seeing…something very much attention grabbing.

Suddenly, the gang slowly looks up to learn where the portion of salvia came from…and boy was it big like….Dino-size! It was in the form of a tyrannosaurus Rex, but had wings & two spike horns of a Dragon. It's scales looked a bit of dark & light emerald green color with some strange dark violet marks on the body that looked like…it was decaying. Yes, from its dark violet talon nail feet to its stretched long arms with four dark violet claw nails, two dark violet horns and it's wings looked like dark violet color, but they were decayed to the point this creature might not fly with holes in its wings. What the gang saw was the very sharp teeth of the creature and from orange-red mix color with a yellow pupil, it's like staring into the setting sun, but from the creature's mouth was a dark-green reeky breath color. This was an insentient Dragon breed that was seen with decaying skin and reeky breath, hence it's known as Guardian Zombie Beast: the Dead Dragon.

"ROOUUARRRUGHHHH," The Dead Dragon let off a mighty roar that nearly shook the area in letting it's presence be known…to its prey.

"RUN AWAY!" The gang screamed while having Justin the MechBull let off a scream to immediately start to run off like they need to get away from a hungry beast. And from there, the gang was being chased by a rampaging dinosaur coming after them.

"Ah knew being in a graveyard was creepy, an' 'dis proved it!" Tough complained off to say about where their situation has gone and turn out for them.

"What is that thing?" Dumbledore asked off in not knowing what kinda creature was after them.

"It looks awful!" Bocolix spoke off in seeing the decaying creature and it's reeky breath almost made him turn green in the face.

"Hey mommy; didn't you and daddy say you once chatted with great-grandma Megan about dinosaurs? So haven't you seen a dinosaur before?" Nyx spoke this sudden thought that came to her in remembering an event that from this creature pursuing them, kinda made her think about her folks learning about dinosaurs from the Jurassic period.

"Not with SKIN on IT!" Twilight shouted off to issue that they may have study such creatures, but not when they were alive, but extinct.

"Technically, it's scales!" Ben pointed this fact out for Twilight to recall, dinosaurs are lizards with scales, not with actual skin like apes or other animal types.

"Then Spike & Phobos are practically one o' them critters. So don't they have any ideas or can chat wit' it?" Tough spoke off in thinking maybe their own Dragons can try to handle the situation if whatever this creature was, Spike & Phobos might know what to do with Dead Dragon here.

A sudden stretchy noise sound happened that was sounding like a comical thing, almost like hearing a scratching record player. But the main focus was what Tough was asking of the two little Dragons.

"I beg your pardon but what did you say about us Tough?" Spike responded in feeling upset in how that response from the stallion came out.

"Yeah; that's like us saying you ponies are practically a pet horse from the Mag'ne's world!" Phobos pointed off in feeling offended by what Tough said about their Dragon species to relate them with dinosaurs.

"Yeah, just because we're in a close connection of the lizard family, doesn't mean we're all in the same boot. Like us Dragons!" Spike spoke off in issuing this statement that if the ponies didn't know of this little issue of theirs.

"Yeah, we, mostly some, fly, breath fire, chew with our mouths closed. And have you smelt its decaying breath?" Phobos spoke off to explain, though stated off about Spike flying, the Dragons could do other things, but that dinosaur was gonna chew them out with an open mouth and its breath was stinky too.

"Alright already, gee-wiz, sorry Ah even brought it up," Tough spoke off in moaning off in seeing that he made one mistake and the little Dragons get up in his face about it.

"Guys, you ain't gonna believe this, but…" Bocolix was slowly speaking in starting to see something a bit surprising here.

"That thing…is actually flying in the air!" Dumbledore finally stated out what their pursuer is now doing even in such a state.

Like the Enforcers spoke, Dead Dragon was seen actually flying up high in the skies and with wings that look like they couldn't lift the heavy thing with holes in the structure. But what was worst was when the decayed Dragon opened its mouth to spit out a flaming fireball that came in contact where the gang's cart moved pass, but the area was set on fire.

"IT BREATHS FIRE!" Phobos & Spike schemed out in shocking surprise to see that feat come from something that was almost more a dinosaur than Dragon.

"So it is a Dragon, despite it being a T-Rex." Nyx pondered off in guessing that the group shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

"Tough, heads up!" Twilight shouted off in seeing something ahead that the gang is heading for if they do not act with caution.

Soon the gang had to immediately stop when they reach what looked like a grave area filled with grave-stones and scattered bones with clothing to weaponry, etc. which was cluttered around a hill area. There was even a Roman building infused in the mountain while just pass that, was some steel gate that kept anything from leaving. Course when the ponies & dragons were distracted by this, their pursuer was also approaching as Dead Dragon was about to attack….

"At ease, Dead Dragon," Spoke a voice from out of nowhere that could be heard. "Hmph-hmph, to think these stranglers would make it this far." The voice sunder like it made a joke of sarcasm while Dead Dragon drops to the ground, heeding the orders it heard.

"Who's there?" Ben shouted out with a serious voice in demanding to know who else was here if not them.

Soon an answer came from who appeared from the Roman temple area. To the gang's surprise, it was a strange human being with very pale apple green skin color with light apple greenish gray long flow of hair that reached his back waist and short drags in front near his neck-chest spot, and only one dark-emerald eye is seen on the left side. He's seen wearing a sorcerer's black robe with three triangles of reds and one white in the center (think the Triforce image) as the line design at the bottom of the exposed black boots to the edge of the sleeves with the wrist collars stretching down near the leg side, and at the bottom of his pointy triangle cap-shape dunce. This guy wears an opera necklace around his neck, and this guy gives off the impression of being calm & intelligent, but maybe very much bloodthirsty figure, literally perhaps.

"I see you were fleeing for your pitiful lives from the Zombie Beast Guardian, Dead Dragon." The mysterious being spoke with showing a slight amusement in what was being seen here.

"Dead….Dragon," Tough slowly responded in almost not liking the name of such a creature, especially one that is…dead.

"Then….he really is dead?" Spike spoke out in fearful request if that was indeed true.

"A decay form, but very much living, he's an insentient creature that is incapable of feeling or understanding things; an inanimate living vessel." The mysterious mage answered off to the group about the Guardian that the gang tried to not get eaten by, was nothing but a decayed beast.

"Buddy, who the HECK do you think you are, trying to bring an insult to us Dragons!" Phobos snapped off in demand in who this new face was to try to bring a harmful image to dragons by having a Dragon that's like a zombie be their challenge.

"Ah yes, introductions." The mysterious figure responded in never wintering from such a burst before getting down to business. "I'm Peta. The one in charge of making up strategies and keeping all creatures in the End of Equestria to how the Demon Lords want them to be," Now the gang has finally met the guy that was present, and the name did ring a few bells. "In short, I'm a strategic officer mage, who knows just the right amount of effort to put into anything and also cunning." This guy was clearly in the top branch league with the Demon Lords and has been making the End of Equestria be like it is, a place no pony can live in peace and the dangers are too much to stand.

"So you're the guy we have to face." Ben issued off from summoning his Master Sword; this will be another opponent that the group gotta get through now.

"Hmph…Ah, yes….you met Kouga & Maha Vailo." Peta raised an eyebrow before realizing, this group was alerted about him by the other two opponents they fought that served the Demon Lords. "Hehehehehh….to believe those two would fail in stopping you, it just shows how worthless they truly were. Just like Somnanbula?" He issued how those he knew, even the witch that stole ponies youthful energy were nothing that he cared for.

"What? Are you really insulting your own comrades?" Nyx responded shock in what this villain was saying.

"The term for them are just servants to Demon Lords, little Nightmare Moon." Peta responded off, much to those that didn't like him calling Nyx by that name. "While those two as well as the Yin-Yang Twins were forced into it, only Somnambula and some of us are are the true loyal followers and have been with the Demon Lords the longest." He explained that there was a brief time in two beings or a witch and mage that serve the Demon Lords for the longest time. "I am subject to any of their beliefs, and promised to archive immortality like they are." Now the gnu was really surprised when they heard this claim as Peta soon noticed it. "But I am leading off, leads get back to other measures. Is this what you seek?" He spoke from reaching out to pull something out from his left sleeve.

Soon Pete magically made something appear to be presented to the gang. It was a strange object; a bunch of glowing green bugs that crawl around. But no sooner did Twilight immediately recognize what Peta was holding that shocked her….

"The Glowing Mites," Twilight shouted off in having the others hear it too, that which Peta holds is the ingredient that they were seeking in Bony Valley.

"Yes, I've kept it with me while watching your struggles throughout the End of Equestria." Peta spoke in holding the prize that the ponies & Dragons have wanted to get as he knew that they would try coming after it eventually since he seen them in action before…

Then this guy waved off his left hand to present illusion images in the air. Each one showing Twilight's group in how they survived their treacherous events, obstacles and even fighting against other creatures, foes, opponents, Guardian Creatures, even six out of the eight Immortal Demon Lords.

"Wait, you've been spying on us?" Dumbledore asked off in wondering if this guy was spying on their adventure the whole time.

"Isn't that an invasion of privacy?" Bocolix issued off in thinking this was kinda a creepy invasion of their own privacy at hand.

"Hmph, it's simply a key insight to watch an enemy's movements…to determine the best course of actions to unleash the final blow to equal one's victory." Peta spoke off in issuing this as a means to an end in studying a strong foe before crushing them.

"That's all nice, but it'll take a lot more than your petty words to frighten us!" Ben stated with a determine face that the heroes won't be beat just cause this weirdo watched them travel through to whole time.

"I should expect such challenge remarks from the wielder of the Triforce." Peta closed his eyes in knowing how Ben would make such claims against him, but then his open eyes said something differently. "However, this shall be your finale stand against my lords. For the only way you'll get out of here & obtain this ingredient is to face me." With that mentioned, Peta used his magic to make the ingredient he held vanish from sight and it will remain hidden until he's beaten.

"Hah! Face yew, partner," Tough laughed off in finding this challenge to be too funny to not find humorist to him. "No offense, but we've each took on yer old chump buds & beat down yer Demon Lords & their nasty pets like no tomorrow. If we can handle 'dat, wha can yew dish out," Tough issued off that after everything else they faced and fought to now, what can one measly mage guy do?

"Hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph, true…" Peta was seen chuckling in understanding the thick-headed Earth stallion's key notes. "Even if I have one Guardian, he's only 'V' number with a name called Funf in being the strongest." Peta looked to Dead Dragon in addressing the Guardian as such in what he holds.

"V?" Twilight responded puzzled in hearing this out of nowhere now.

"That's the Romain numeral for five, isn't it?" Nyx responded a bit in thinking what Peta was saying to them.

"Which means…this Dead Dragon isn't the only Guardian he's got!" Ben responded off in thinking that Peta was saying…this was only the fifth Guardian he's got on hand.

"Correct and once you're all finished, I'll reclaim the Guardians you've taken from my lords." Peta addressed off with a fiendish smile in how he'll end those here and reclaim what the Demon Lords want from the gang.

"Forget it! These Guardians aren't going to be slaves under their evil! They have feelings like us, I've seen it!" Twilight protest to hold her necklace of the retrieved Guardians that she knows would not want to serve the likes of evil beings like the Demon Lords, not when they are free of being prisoners.

"Then try to survive not just two…but an onslaught number of the most dangerous Guardians that I have kept to myself." Peta exclaimed off in seeing that now is the time to show this group of heroes, what true terror can be. "While my masters have each chosen their own for a pet of service, I've managed to obtain ones that are truly powerful beings." Hearing this news did not sit well with Twilight's group in where Peta was getting, did he have even…'stronger' Guardians? "Now, I'll show you them. First the bracelet of Dead Dragon, the Zombie Beast Guardian," Peta spoke in showing what magically appeared on his left arm shoulder was a bracelet chain of circle symbols with the last unconnected piece being a skull with a cross that was dangling from a circle ring by the skull's teeth.

"ROOUUARRRUGHHHH," Dead Dragon roared forth in magically reappearing before the downhill side of where Peta stood at the hill top while his Guardian stood ready in front of the gang.

"And now I'll present to you Zwei, number II of being strongest, the Dark Herculean Soul Guardian: Remrace!" Peta spoke from an arm bracelet with a strange center symbol of some creature's head and the bottom was a mouth.

Once the glow happened of blue swirling magical summoning, a new Guardian entered the picture. It was another giant size titan that looked like a humanoid entirely dark violet/black with bull-horns on its bald-head and a long flat tail, was very bulky, had only a diamond-square mark of red lines on its right shoulder while its blank eyes were red and inside it's pointy sharp teeth. From its big feet & large hands of five toes & fingers, it looked seriously muscular to bench-press….well, about anything. This was the insentient creature, the Dark Herculean Soul Guardian: Remrace, and if looks were frightful, this one could beat any in an instant.

"GROOURRAAAAUAAURRRGHHH," Remrace did something shocking when it let off a mighty roar, the monster looked like its mouth was cracked across its cheeks to let itself open its sharp jaws more.

"That…looks like a Herculean version…of common dark souls." Twilight spoke with looking almost very pale in what she was seeing here.

"Come wha now?" Spike asked off lost, what was Twilight even saying and that word 'herculaen', what does it all mean with this Remrace Guardian guy?

"I looked it up that it means displaying superhuman strength or power, 'herculean exertions'. It's powerful, superhuman, above or beyond the human demanding more than human power or endurance." Twilight explained this brief little portion of her facts before continuing. "For anyone that is in-league to it would be difficult, hard, not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure The very word herculean means extremely difficult; requiring the strength of Mag'ne's old greek gods of legends, Hercules." That last part set off a big emotion that what the gang are seeing in a creature that would be considered on a scale pair to a Greek Roman God of Megan's Earth's History tales.

"You mean that thing could be as strong as a guy from the Mag'ne's world?" Phobos asked off shocked to believe this, not only do they have to deal with Dead Dragon, but an equally strong Remrace too.

"Um, nothing to fear, so wha if he's got…" Tough was trying to not lose his cool of their situation, but….

"Oh I'm far from done! Behold!" Peta spoke in having another strange ring on his left hand's ring finger that was of an opal center with a diamond symbol, like a shield thing. "The Guardian under in being the first, number I, come forth….Armored Spear Knight Guardian: Eins!" Peta called forth in using the magical ring he had to magically call forth another Guardian Creature.

Then from another glowy light appeared a giant knightly armored creature with a dark gray opal shield and long spear, wore brown boots, tan brown pants & sleeve shirt, dark emerald and front gray waist guards with its upper gray armor covered by a puffy shaggy fur coat around the shoulder region and worn a bronze basket helmet with one hole for the left eye of tan dark blue color, three spikes from near the right forehead area and a red fluffy hair topping in a spiky-form. This guy, despite looking strange, is still a knight guardian, hence while he is the Armored Spear Knight: Eins.

"Nrrughh…so you're the guys I get to destroy?" Eins spoke in sounding somewhat like it's wanting battle and somewhat arrogant by its personality.

"It can talk?" The Enforcers responded off surprise in seeing that this was a Guardian that could speak to them.

"Just like Undine & Swarm, but different," Twilight spoke in recalling the last two Guardians that could speak to the group while others were not much talkers.

"And more to still come; Monstrous Form Guardian: Peryton!" Peta then showed another magical ring that was she of diamond pieces to nearly be dots to line a real thing & one tiny piece in the center…just before it too glowed in summoning another Guardian.

And from another glowy light appeared a monstrous form of a creature physically built, it's got dark blue/violet skin color, three silver color toe talons, a long skinny flat lizard tail with a scaly design line, long bulky arms with golden wrist bracelets, a gray-bronze waist belt seen around it's waist-line, two to three spiky stuff coming out of its back across left & right side like the appearance of wings while the center shows little spikes across the back line. From the head shows two long horns of a bull, each with a bracelet in the middle, light-turquoise on the right and golden on the left and its face appears monstrous of a white color with a wide mouth exposing it's sharp teeth and red-orange crimson eyes. And even on the edge wrist of the left horn and around it's left arm are turquoise color brace-bands. Truly this guy here was definitely looking like a monster foe that was both tough & powerful, not to mention scary, the Monstrous Form Guardian: Peryton.

"GRAAAAROOOUURRRRUUAAGHHHH," After the monster landed on its feet and palms, it lifted its head as Peryton was letting off a mighty monstrous roar that about shook the valley.

"That thing looks mean!" Bocolix responded in seeing what came and boy did it look fierce.

"Not yet! Still more! Limbo Serpent Skull Guardian: Wakan Tanka!" Peta spoke off in showing what appeared by magic was a long golden cross pendant with some circle symbol chains around to the pendant as it began to glow.

And then from that glowy bright light before a shroud of bursting flames arise over what was coming just as the flames cease. The next creature was a giant form of a winged skeleton-bodied skull with glowing red eye dots and a bony tail. The wings showed a dark-blue feathery touch, the skull's forehead had on some bandanna with a lock on the ear portion with two large feathers & three dangle ear accessories, and it's top was a long blue flaming lock in which case, seem similar to a feather headdress hat by Indian folks, and this creature might have some connection to the style & appearance. Though embodying the "divine sacred", the summoning has minimized the 'Great Spirit's' omnipotence in this giant form, albeit retains some of its ascendancy. Truly if there was a creature of which some would fear as an evil spirit, look no further than the Limbo Serpent Skull Guardian: Wakan Tanka.

"GRUWWRRUUGH..Grugrugruaaarrughh…." Wakan Tanka was letting off an eerie growling and snarling noise while any that look into its glowing red eyes….would feel like they feel a huge magical difference from the huge amount this creature is putting out that would hit anyone hard with magical senses.

"That thing looks worse!" Dumbledore yelped in not liking what Peta just called forth next that was nothing but bones.

"Come forth now, Living Inferno Bird Guardian: Phoenix!" Peta responded in showing his right hand that magically showed a dark-gray ring with a flame going around the sides like an active fire.

Then another new glory light flashed with the ground igniting before what entered was something the ponies and Dragons were gasping at the sight of a creature that emerged from the ground's inferno. It was a giant bird made of living fire, the only noticeable features where it's one legged yellow talon with sharp black talons and it's face was like a bronze head-figure of the beak & it's forehead to its eyes which seem burning from the heat pressure. The freakiest thing was seeing when it opens its mouth, one can see the living flames from the rest of its body and it's eye-sockets were of bright flame-lit like staring at the sun, but different. This was a creature from within the sacred flame of its cyclical rebirth and may consume all his opponents in flame, the Living Inferno Bird Guardian: Phoenix.

"GRUUARRRUUUOOOGHHH," Phoenix let off a monstrous bird squawk noise that almost made the pets shiver from sensing a really scary creature that holds dominance.

"He's summoned a phoenix!" Spike exclaimed out in shock to seeing a Guardian Creature in a phoenix form and it's really big & with one leg.

"And even bigger then what Celestia or the other birds we've seen are!" Phobos responded in recalling how they've seen phoenixes before but nothing like this Guardian Creature.

"Now for a terrifying creature, Kamikaze Dark-Bringer: A Bao A Qu!" Peta issued forth when he brought out a gray bracelet with two pointy daggers near the center piece of a dark-gray skull with a long neck-beard shape as it glowed before magically shattering to pieces in some summoning set.

Then something above the clouds darkened when something was deciding down in a truly scary form. A skull with its lower jaw attached to a sharp, arched claw and where should be its cheeks two 3-piece claws. Its coloring was a mix of dark & gray of blue coloring while it's two eye-sockets had yellow eyeballs there. Then suddenly from activation from being arisen, it's asteroid "jaw" and "cheekbone" cleave, from the 4 parts that separated to reveal a giant malicious eye of pink back coloring to its yellow eye color with the black pupil, appearing from some shroud of darkness. The ponies & dragons saw this creature, recalled a mystical monster of Malaysian legend. Thus was the creature of which its presence could scare any out of their minds, the Kamikaze Dark-Bringer Guardian: A Bao A Qu.

"Oh boy, that looks bad now." Ben responded in almost sweating right now, this creature looks just as freaky and there is no telling what tricks it pulls out.

Soon the gang was up against nearly six to seven Guardians that stood or hover in defending Peta's position. The eve lame could tell that from the heroes' expressions, they were in a very deep pickle against so many Guardians at once.

"Heheheheee….you may as let me give you a quick death sentence, you'll never be able to defeat me with this many Guardians around." Peta let off a chuckle in seeing that the ponies & baby dragons have zero chance against such overwhelming odds like these.

"We don't know the meaning of give up!" Nyx spoke in defense before transforming into her Battle Form to stand ready. "Everypony, we have to fight back and defeat him." Adult Nyx stated off that if they want to win, they have to have fate in themselves and not quiver from sheer surprises like this.

"Against them numbers," Tough asked off in seeing that from seeing how hard it was beating a single Guardian, beating that many is not simple task.

"Perhaps you like what just one Guardian can do against you." Peta smiled in sensing that he'll have to show the group what his collection of Guardians can really do here. "A Bao A Qu, show them." He turned to address the one Guardian that was seen floating after it was summoned by him.

Suddenly, A Bao A Qu's eye gazes towards Tough Apple's spot, and before the stallion knew it, some glass was in front of him.

"Hayl Wha-wha is 'dis?" Tough yelped in seeing he was encased in some glass ball sphere that lifted him up off the ground and couldn't break out.

"What do you think you're doing to Tough?" Ben turns to Peta in demanding to know what the enemy was gonna try to do.

"Simple means of disposing worthless opponents." Peta addressed off the manner while earning angry glares before explaining what he's truly doing. "A Bao A Qu is a Guardian that explodes. By encapsulating targets and it explodes from the inside." That explanation seems enough for any mind to understand why this Guardian was known as the Kamikaze Dark-Bringer.

"What!" The others responded in almost not liking the very sounds of this piece of news.

"Unfortunately for your companion, when I say a certain word, he'll be done for." Peta remorse over what will happen if he says one word to trigger A Bao A Qu's ability.

"Wha; Daggum; Let me outta here!" Tough yelped in hearing that in his glass prison, he's trying to break out, but it's no use.

"Now, to see if your name stands for your being; Hehehehehh…" Peta cackled off evilly in seeing if Tough can survive this tragic ordeal of being enveloped in an explosion. "Burst Up!" Peta shouted out in issuing the command for the technique to begin here.

Suddenly at that moment, the skull's yellow eyes flashed brightly upon the command. "Puufffruvhmm…." Then in Tough's imprisoned state, tan-pink smoke filled from the bottom that covered the stallion. "Crack…Crack…Crackvhmm…" Then some forms of cracks began to spread out from the top of the glass ball before…. "BOOOMMFRVUHHMMM…" All to suddenly, a large explosion happened that spread around the field in releasing the imprisoned smoke clouds. "GAUURAAAAUGHHH….Guuoopphh…" At the moment, the gang saw Tough falling from the explosion before crashing on the ground, making a lot of smoke clouds upon impact. "Uuuaagh…Uaaugh-Aaauaaaughh…." Tough was seen with his mouth open, yelping out in pain from what was inflicted upon his bruised body from taking an explosive force.

"Tough!" The gang cried out before coming over to surround and check their wounded friend. He looked like he himself just came out form a terrible explosion and was a covered a bit in wounds.

"Tough, are you alright?" Twilight asked from trying to have herself & Nyx use healing spells to recover their friend.

"Cough…Ah've been better." Tough coughed up from snapping back awake from what hit him hard now while giving off a little smile of assuring he's okay.

"Oh man, how are we gonna beat this guy with such powerful Guardians if one could do that much? It's almost like facing all Demon Lords at once?" Spike asked off in having serious doubts if they can even overcome this big moment, it was hard getting through everything else, but now they are facing odds that were like almost all the Demon Lords or just the Superior all at once to be nearly impossible to overcome it.

"Call in us!" Spoke the voice matching a familiar Water Guardian that Twilight's group knows after Tough was completely healed up.

"Undine," Twilight responded a bit surprised in hearing their friend speak to them by mental needs.

"To defeat a Guardian, you need a Guardian of your own to help win." Undine stated to Twilight's group that if they wish to defeat an enemy's large forces, then only Guardians can defeat Guardians. "Please call in us and we will aid you." Undine's voice pleaded to let those the group have collected by of service to them in order to repay for saving them & for the trouble that has been caused.

"Alright, I understand." Twilight nods in understanding Undine's…no, the Guardians she has around her neck's wishes. "Everypony, get ready, this….is gonna be a bit more extreme." Twilight spoke to step forth in feeling ready to do something that'll really surprise them all.

Hearing that, Ben, Adult Nyx, the Enforcers, Tough, Spike & Phobos move back to give Twilight some room; Even from the cart with Justin & the pets, they saw Twilight focusing her magic for a brief moment as the others around was soon about to see….a big show.

"Come forth! Mehitos! Egola! Undine! Flying Leo! Torpedine! Gymnote!" Twilight opened her eyes in now using what she has to call forth many Guardians from obtaining them to stand present with the gang.

Soon from a glowing of light from the Guardians rings & necklace around Twilight's neck soon called forth those the gang had earned on their earlier journey here. And soon the Guardians of the Carnivorous Plant: Mehitos, The Ice Giant: Egola, the Water Spirit Guardian: Undine, the Loyal Beast: Flying Leo, have entered the field. And soon above the skies were two new Guardian creatures the group is now seeing. The first was seen flying across the skies from the light exposing what was like a giant stingray that was blue scale, a pointed tail pole and on its wings were golden bands with some writing on them that are attached under the wing to overlap the top area. It had yellow tan eyes and a third one on the forehead and with a mouth on its back with a few sharp fangs. Next to appear flying across the skies from the light exposing it was what resembled a giant, pink, eyeless electric eel with a tan underbelly with big fin-shaped ears and from its back head was likely its loose fin-hairs. Both new creatures let off roars that made the skies begin to rip from their electricity to cause a storm; they were the Electric Sea Creature Guardians: Torpedine (ray) & Gymnote (eel).

"Those are the new Guardians we got from Maha Vailo? A giant Manta Ray & an Eel," Phobos asked off in disbelief, he was not expecting such differently form Guardians from the sea.

"Well, their electricity, so they gotta be very strong, right?" Tough pointed out in thinking if these new Guardians were not from an electric ability, they might not have enough power to give them a bigger boost.

At this time, two sides had a small number of Guardians lined up against their summoners; Each one staring across in seeing their opponents and targets, an eye for an eye and a Guardian for a Guardian.

Peta saw this action by Twilight Sparkle and he could not help but smile in seeing what was standing before him now. The defeated Guardians that were once in the possession of the Demon Lords, now serving their new owner, a princess pony no less, what are the chances of seeing such 'horse power' being displayed here.

"Hehehehh….so you decided to go against the odds? Very well," Peta smiled ever more in seeing if the heroes wanting fight his Guardians with their own small band, then so be it. "We'll see who is the strongest and only one side shall fall!" He issued this off that only one of them will be able to leave this Bony Valley alive, whoever it shall be is the victor.

"We couldn't agree more!" Twilight spoke with determination, it's time that they begin to fight back here.

Soon the sides where Twilight's friends gathered, even Justin, Rabbitchu, and the pets near their front line of Guardians. Peta's side of Guardians was awaiting their orders in when they attack. Silence filled the air, it was almost like a showdown here, and whoever makes the first move will get either the advantage or disadvantage…..whatever moves can be made…will happen now!

"Get them." Peta issued off his orders for the army of Guardians on his side to begin already.

Now soon both sides of Guardians were rushing off towards the other from the other side. And before anybody could tell what happen, it looked like a car wreck had gone by. For soon each different Guardian was clashing or knocking another one off backwards from when they tackled.

As things were turning out, Undine was trying to fight off against Phoenix; water to put out its flames…easier said than done we're afraid to say.

"Groorrruaghhh," Phoenix opened its mouth to let off a flaming energy blast.

"Uuuagh….this battle will be difficult." Undine managed to dodge around the opponent, truly, this Guardian is more stronger.

Soon Egola & Remrace came up to the other and soon got into an arm-lock hold. As both Guardians let off growling noises, the Ice Giant was making it's area of frozen ice to give him extra strength, at least enough to keep it's self from losing to a Herculean creature like Remrace.

Mehitos was trying to handle A Bao A Qu, considering that when the skull creature tried it's explosion work, the plant just regrew itself.

Flying Leo was seen taking to the skies while Wanka Tanka flew off and breathe fire in unleashing it off as some very hot stuff. The lion creature was dodging while turning to try attacking but the winged-skull head used its tail to whip around its foe.

Another event took in where Peryton & Dead Dragon were facing off against Torpedine & Gymnote as the flying sea creatures unleashed attacks. The ray creature fired bolts of incredibly-high voltage lightning from its mouth while the eel fired an 'Electric Shock' from its mouth down where Eins was, but it used its shield for defense.

As the Guardians were clashing against the other, Twilight's group was rushing off towards fighting the ring-leader that stood alone: Peta.

"Hooo, so you used your servants to distract my own to come get me. A wise tactic," Peta responded in seeing how this group was trying to reach him by trying to distract him by their Guardians fighting.

"One issue; we had our 'Friends' stop your Guardians to give us a helpful aid!" Twilight snapped off to say in what the gang considered the Guardian Creatures they've obtain as friends, allies, not servants.

"Then if it's a clash of physical standards you want, I shall oblige." Peta responded in seeing that if they are to battle with their own bodies, then so be it, "Sickle Death." He held out his right hand and then a red scythe engraved with a gory vulture's head with a gray coloring of the face with the eye seen on either side.

"Watch out! He's got a creepy scythe like a Grim Reaper!" Tough shouted out in seeing this eve lame give him the creeps in what trick he's pulled out just now.

"I got this! Hrrughhh," Ben soon charged ahead to throw himself with the Master Sword to strike.

At the moment, Peta defended from Ben's attack but was pushed back.

"Surprise," Suddenly, Spike & Phobos appeared behind the evil mage to deliver a double knee-jab to Peta's below chin spot.

"Guwwwaughhh," Peta yelped off from that sudden attack that knocked him backwards. "Grrruurreeeh," Peta rested his ground to frown in growling at the ones that dare hurt him, which the baby Dragons smirked proudly for.

"Those two are in the lead now!" Dumbledore spoke from seeing what happened from above their view.

"Yeah, maybe this guy was all talk!" Bocolix responded off in seeing Peta was all talk; no action here.

"Mother, did you notice, he's slower than how fast we are?" Adult Nyx stated with a serious look to her mother, their enemy isn't as fast as them for some strange reason.

"Hmph…" Peta soon re-position himself to let off a smirk against his opponents like he's far from being done.

"Hruuarughhh," Soon Ben charged again to attack Peta with his Master Sword.

"Guuahhaaugh," Peta used his sickle to guard but was being overly pushed back.

"Heads up," The voices of the Enforcers flew from behind Ben to deliver a surprise tackle to Peta that knocked his scythe off and spin across the ground.

"Guagh…my weapon," Peta yelped in seeing those two Alicorns knocked his weapon out of his hands.

"Your mine now," Ben roared out before swinging his blade now.

And in that sudden instant, the Master Sword sliced Peta's waist to send his upper half flying off slowly.

"Alright; He got him!" Tough cheered with a big smile, they took down the baddy here.

Soon the scene shows Peta's upper body slowly fall back to the ground and land with an impact touch. But during that whole scene, the evil mage's expression was still…a smile. Why was that; was he just psychotic or just plain crazy insane in not seeing what happened.

"Way to end this Ben. You made this a quick win." Phobos landed near Ben to smile and pat the stallion for a job well done here.

"Hey wait, why aren't those guys stopping?" Spike spoke from noticing the Guardians battle against the others was….still not ceasing.

The scene shows the heroes Guardians are still having their hands full against Peta's own batch. Phoenix was really heating up with Undine almost being evaporated but kept a safety distance. Egola was seen cracking under pressure, literally while trying to re-heal itself with more cold, but the monstrous strength of Remrace was giving the ice giant a hard time. Mehitos was still in a stalemate with A Bao A Qu, even with the vines mostly being on fire from the explosions. Flying Leo's struggles with Wanka Tanka soon came down where Eins collided with the flying lion by surprise. Toredine was blasting electricity to Dead Dragon who fired off its own flames from its breath while Gymnote did the same attack Peryton, but the monstrous form creature emitted energy from its mouth before firing it off. All sides were either even or more likely trying to gain advantage, but nothing was speeding this up unless the gang decided to help their Guardians in need.

"Peta's control over those Guardians should have cease when he was defeated. Just what's going on here?" Twilight asked puzzled in what was happening here, usually when an owner is down or dead, the Guardians that they summon begin to disappear, so what was happening here?

What was going on indeed.

Twilight's group was in a major thought about what was going on, for starters; their fight here. Peta seemed too easy to beat and his Guardians have not disappeared while facing off the other Guardians with the heroes. Something was way off here, and any wrong moves could be costly, so what was behind this mystery of why the battle wasn't ending?

"Nrugh-huhuhuhhh…" Suddenly at this moment, a wicked laughter was heard that made everyone almost become wide-eye shock in surprise, that couldn't be… "Gruhuhuhh-hhahahahah-huhuhuhh…" Yes, from Peta's upper half was laughing with his same expression, he was still alive even when slaved in half.

But that wasn't the end of the freakiness for the guy was turning to some goopy purple stuff. The upper body half that was goop was moving like it was alive and was going into contact with Peta's lower half with the legs still standing and the waist…bubbling? When the two split halts came into contact, the top was merging with the served body to begin something….creepy.

"What is that?" Spike asked off shocked in not believing what was being seen.

Soon the upper goop was wiggling around on the top of the waist body before….one part of it showed a face with only a one eye seen. And soon that goop became Peta, his upper half remerge with his severed lower half like he wasn't cut at all, and he was laughing with an evil sense to it from seeing everyone's surprise faces. "You're wondering, how am I still alive?" He responded the question that was on all of his foes minds, how can he be alive after being sliced in half.

"Aaah, yeah, if you don't mind," Phobos slowly responded that they 'do' mind since the heroes don't know and wanna know.

"Phobos," Spike hushed his friend so that they can learn what they are dealing with here.

"Because of this, a magic wrist bracelet made from the Demons: Blood Body." Peta responded off in showing off from his left hand's wrist was a gray wrist-bracelet with a white center oval.

"What?" Twilight responded off surprised in hearing what kinda item Peta has and the name is not to friendly to hear about.

"Just what kinda demon artifact is that?" Ben asked off puzzled in why the Demon Lords they fought would give Peta such an item.

"With this artifact, lets me recreate the body of its user into blood thus immunizes any wielder against all physical attacks." Peta started off in explaining the basic function of the wrist-bracelet he wears that makes him safe from physical harm. "So from now on, physical attacks won't work on me…heheheheheh, while I have the Blood Body active." Peta finished explaining while he let off an evil laugh while his artifact ceases glowing white in the center to being red again.

"Yuck, 'dat means 'dt weird goop was…blood?" Tough responded off in realizing, that the goop form Peta was turn into was actually…some form of blood.

"Eeeeiiiiieeehhh," The Enforcers shivered in the thought of hearing this so suddenly.

"I had a strange feeling that it was too easy, but it figures a villain would pull off a sneaky trick." Adult Nyx responded in seeing that the tactic to harm this foe was not as easy as they had expected.

"Hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph…" Peta lets off a low chuckle in seeing the group's stump expressions in knowing that they have lost one way to attack him. "So what will you do now?" Peta asked off in wanting to see what this gang of trouble-makers for the Demon Lords will do now if they can't use physical means.

"I think the answer is simple, if Ben's sword won't work…" Twilight spoke off in seeing another solution to their problem here.

"How about magic instead," Ben spoke with a sly determine smile in getting what Twilight was suggesting they do instead.

"Oh course, magic!" Adult Nyx responded in understanding the plan, Peta can't be harm by physical, but magic was nonphysical substance.

"Yeah, lets hit him with some fire breaths too!" Phobos nods with a smile in seeing they have a way to hurt this guy now.

"Hey you two, try to help aim for this guy!" Spike turn to Bocolix & Dumbledore in wanting some extra magic users here.

"Right," The Enforcers responded to stand up to get into position with the rest.

Soon Ben was charging up his sword for a Sword Beam while Twilight, Dumbledore & Bocolix prepared a Magical Beam Shot, Adult Nyx was gonna fire her Night Burst while Spike used his Dragon Rage & Phobos use his Moon Rage attacks. And soon all the heroes fired their magical and elemental attacks to go directly for the evil mage. But strangely, Peta was neither concern nor worry, he seems…perfectly calm.

"Dark Reflector," Suddenly, Peta held his hands forth across his chest area with a sneaky smirk while he magically creates what takes the form of a black hole.

And then in that instant, when the gang's attacks impacted Peta's little move, a very unexpected event happened; it absorbed all the launched moves & magical abilities. Then Peta focused to suddenly have all that which was gunning for him, then blasts it back in the caster's direction; namely Twilight's group.

"What?" Ben yelped in seeing what was coming at them, and they couldn't avoid it in time. "Gaaughh…./Gaaaaughhh!" Soon Ben and everyone else was instantly impacted, HARD by their own attacks sent back at them.

Twilight's group struggled with some aching pains coursing through their bodies, most of them handled a little of that stuff, but still, what a knock off force from them.

"Guhahahahaaahhh…" Peta laughed off at this while dispelling his Dark Reflector to smile at the group's agonizing pain.

"Ooohhh, dat there hurt!" Tough cringed in seeing since he didn't attack with magic, the stallion watched how his buds didn't like taking that kinda inflicted pain.

"Grrughh…this guy's strong." Spike struggled from getting himself to stand up after that impact he took of his own attack.

"He'll resist the physical attack with that Blood Body move…" Adult Nyx spoke in stating that no physical attack could harm this evil mage.

"And return our magical and element attacks with Dark Reflector." Twilight stated another issue where their magic will be reflected back at them.

"So we can't hurt him physically or with distance magic." Dumbledore spoke in seeing how the gang can't do the two things that can deal damage to an enemy.

"Don't we have another source to use against him?" Bocolix asked if they had another way to attack this villain.

"Right now, our own Guardians ain't here to help try something to give us an advantage." Phobos responded in seeing that their own Guardians are still at by with Peta's Guardians and it's still looking rough there too.

"There has to be a way to weaken this guy. The Master Sword should hurt evil creatures, so somehow, that 'Blood Body' move of his keeps avoiding the sword's holy power." Ben issued responded with a stern face in how his sword could hurt this Peta guy, but with a body that turns into blood to avoid being harm by sharp physical touch is a hard riddle to figure out.

"What's wrong, are you done already?" Peta broke the group's time in having some quiet moment to chat up some counter-measure plan against him.

"Actually, we just came up with a plan. If we can't slice or burn you…." Ben responded in feeling like his courageous self again in what they can do here if two options were out in hurting Peta. "Then we'll strain you away!" The stallion responded to bring forth his sword to hold it up high.

"Yeah," The Enforcers & Tough responded in agreement as they were gonna back Ben up.

Soon Ben charged forth to deliver another slash against the unmoved Peta which sliced him up. Dumbledore & Bocolix tried to fire off some magically formed buzzsaws to help Ben slice up Peta's body into a few more pieces. The scattered body shrouds of Peta were floating and yet they began to move. Tough saw them and decided to use his rifle to blast a few extra holes to make the pieces of Peta even smaller.

"And now's a good as time for a high speed magic attack guys!" Ben issued in seeing this was their chance before Peta can reform himself to reflect their magic attacks.

The group was trying to make their attacks be faster this time. Soon the heroes unleashed what was a very swift speed of magical and element attacks that seem to be blowing across the goop blood shrouds of Peta and they seem to have been sent outwards in looking like the heroes won…

But then something was off, the scattered purple blood goop froze in midair that define the logical sense of the mind.

"What the," Twilight yelped in wide-eye surprise, what kinda trick was this now?

"Why did it stop?" Adult Nyx asked off in not understanding, this should have worked unless…

At this time, the scattered blood goops of Peta's being were molding together in a loop ring and then fell on Ben Mare.

"Guuuaggh-Aaaauuukh," Ben yelped from getting caught as he brace himself but was caught in a messy situation. "Gruagh…I'm stuck! Guuagghh," Ben struggled in seeing the goopy liquid blood caught his hooves and soon was stretching to cover the rest of his body.

"Ben!" Spike cried out in horror, their plan to get Peta this time failed them.

"He's being caught by that goopy substance!" Phobos responded off in seeing that now their pal is really in a messy state.

"Guuagh…Nrruuaaghhh!" Ben is seen really struggling to get out of his sticky state, as the goopy form was having all but his bottom hooves and head covered up. "Guaugh...Huaarguh…Grruaaghh!" As Ben struggles to get himself free, one goopy blood substance over behind his head begins to show Peta's face.

"Nhuhhuhuh-hahahah…" Peta's head becomes solid for him to laugh against his caught stallion.

"Hang tight Ben!" Dumbledore shouted out for Ben to hear them.

"We'll help out!" Bocolix issued off that they'll come and help now.

As the Enforcers were flying off to tackle Peta to free their friend, something happened.

"I rethink your strategy for I have a surprise for you two fools." Peta spoke in seeing the approaching Enforcers as he has a surprise to turn this battle more in his favor. "Come out, Giant Hands Guardian: Saint Anger!" Peta issued forth in surpising everyone in calling forth a Guardian's aid here.

Then without any warning, bursting out of the ground were what was two gigantic armored gray hands with blue color cloth wrists with dangling green orbs with red drapes around the collar; they looked so big, so powerful, that these things could crush opponents with their…well, bare hands. These were the Giant Hands Guardian: Saint Anger.

"Uh-oh," The Enforcers responded in seeing that they were now facing a Guardian of not one, but two gigantic hands that could crush them, "Yiiiikes!" The two yelped when the two giant hands grabbed them in their clutches.

"Another Guardian; and this one is a pair of giant hands." Adult Nyx responded off surprised to see this unexpected surprise twist.

"Waaaheeelppp," Soon Dumbledore & Bocolix screamed out from being thrown across to end up hitting… "Guuuaghhh," Yep, they were thrown to be rammed into the other before falling onto the ground, very much in pain.

"It's always best to keep some reserves; you showed me your entire fold, a big mistake to be costly." Peta spoke in instructing the heroes of how one needs to plan to keep their best cards in play until the timing calls for them.

This made the gang growl in fury, Peta had another trick like this up his sleeve and they fell for it. But now Twilight & Nyx saw Saint Anger coming towards them and used their magic to take Tough & the two Dragons to teleport out of the way.

"With those two Alicorns & your friends distracted, now for you, wielder?" Peta remotely exclaimed in having his surprise stunt catch Ben's friends off guard that they can't come to the stallion's rescue. "Die." Peta addressed this off with an evil sly smile across his face in what he'll do now.

"GUUAAAAUGHHH," Ben screams, as those around see that Peta's bloody goop form begins to put the 'squeeze' on his caught prey. "Grrrugh…Uurrgh…." Ben was feeling his body getting crush by this death-gripping hug.

"Nuhuhuhu-GWuhuhuhuhoohhh…." Peta was just smirking and laughing at the stallion's pitiful state.

"Grrrrr…if I've survived hugs from Big Mac & Tough, then yours…is nothing…when I cut it! Master Sword!" Ben struggled with his hoof near his sword as he decided to take a swing. Soon in a quick motion, Ben managed to slice Peta's bloody goop body to get free to move away. "Hugh…haaaugh…" The stallion settles himself down after just getting out of that hard trap.

"Ben/Father," Soon Ben was accompanied by Twilight & Adult Nyx, followed by Spike & Phobos.

"Darn it! Now we're two Alicorns short o' a gutter wit' them being chased by giant hands!" Tough cursed their situation, now the Enforcers have their hands or hoofs full with a new surprise Guardian of two hands trying to capture them.

At the time, Peta completely reform his bloody body back into its original form shape to show off that creepy eerie smile of his.

"Grrugh….what is with this guy?" Spike growled in seeing that their plans in facing Peta are not helping them out.

"It's like beating putty, but much harder!" Phobos complained that this evil mage was like putty in their hands, only they can't beat such difficult putty.

"Hugh-hugh….just keep focusing everypony." Ben slowly spoke from sitting himself up to hold his sword against their opponent. "Hugh-hugh….we can't fall here, not when we're so close." Ben issued from keeping a determine face in seeing if they fall now, it's game over.

"Hahahaha-heheheh-haaahh….Garnet Claw," Peta was laughing off in finding this scene to be truly amusing, and soon from holding up his left hand, a set of razor-sharp blood-colored claws that are made from his fingernails appeared.

"Heads up, his nails got wickedly long! I'll hold him; you all heal Benny-boy!" Tough stood defensively ready to aim his rifle gun to hit the target to keep him at bay. "Bang-Bang-Bang…." Try as the tough stallion could, his bullets could not harm the Blood Body of Peta and the villain came up to instead….slash his sharp claw nails against Tough, "Guagh-Gaaugh, Geeehhh!" The stallion was getting the worst slash cuts he's ever had, even worse than paper-cuts.

"Hehehehahahahaha," Peta let off an evil cackle in slashing across the defenseless Earth stallion that held no value to him.

"Gaaugh, Grrugh…" Tough made a few over yelp cries from taking on such an abusive slaughter of attacks.

"Tough!" Twilight shouted off in seeing her friend was not able to defend when Peta had the upper hand.

"Gruuagh…Guuaugh!" Tough was last seen knocked backwards from that last strike against the sharp nails by Peta, he dropped his rifle before hitting the ground.

"Abyss Cannon," Peta aimed his right hand forth that soon unleashed what looked like tortured souls that he fired at his enemies as a mouth cannon.

"Guuaaaughhh," Twilight, Adult Nyx, Ben, Spike & Phobos were launched backwards to land hard on the ground, batten and a bit weaken from what hit them by surprise just now before the technique faded.

"Grrugh…he's too strong." Phobos groaned to say in sensing this guy was really a strong foe.

"Not a single form of attack will work on him." Adult Nyx responded in being baffled, how can the heroes defeat someone that has the unbeatable street like Kouga & the magical abilities of Maha Vailo, but in another league?

"How did you like that? A technique that feeds upon the hatred of more souls than there are in Underworld and expels it," Peta explained how he managed to pull off such a technique right now. "Of course, this area holds the most, seeing that every single decease creature that lay waste here was put by me!" As he was explaining this fact, his evil smirk was seen in explaining such a statement issue.

"Wha…what," Twilight responded off in not believing what the gang just heard now.

"They were heroes too, but they were meaningless creatures that were worthless." Peta spoke off in making light conversation over the decays of the the graves the group sees around them. "I've been following the Eight Immortal Demon Sorcerers before they became known today as Demon Lords. They'll eventually make all of Equestria their possession." He issued this forth as a forth-coming event that will change Equestria for all times. "From them, I became aware that humans & all natural life are trash as well." To Peta's eyes, all human life & other intellectual creatures are worthless to those that are not eternal, "The flowers, trees, and humans & all intelligent creatures. Those with life are only pretending to be of the beauty of the world. But, they're only getting ready to rot away or perish. The only true beauty is eternity. And with the immortal Demons, we'll burn the wretched, and purify this world." This explanation was long, but it sounds like from what were dices, the Demons plan to have complete control over this world & instruct terror and fear to all life…for all time. "Do you understand? Their ideals are mine in making this world be ruled by them." He issued in wanting this degree of his philosophy to be well-known.

The gang growled in hearing this evil mage's view of the world. Believing in Demons, becoming immortal, out-living life and never rot away, seeing natural life if you’re not a powerful ever-lasting creature is nothing special. And to control all things against their will is just…so wrong.

"I bet you lot don't," Peta remotely issued how this group of heroes doesn't fully follow his ideal matters even now.

"Heh, why should we care about that?" Ben spoke from when he and the rest were getting up which made Peta focus on them.

"Yes, our purpose is to gather the ingredients to save our friend's home and all of Ponyville's need of balance." Twilight spoke off in issuing what they are here for and nothing will stop them from pulling this act off.

"Ye mess wit' mah family's farm an' yer're gonna pay!" Tough Apple stated off with a stern face in ready to pop if he's gotta go through walls to save his family's home.

"Along with some revenge for all the other souls you took away that came here!" Spike snapped off to tell that they'll also avenge the lost souls Peta took when they came to this place.

"Yeah, don't think that Blood Body of yours will protect you forever!" Phobos also declared forth that they'll find a way to beat this creep, count on it.

"How pointless," Peta responded with a dry response to this bravo act of heroism. "It's such minor issues." He spoke off in addressing the heroes’ claims as miner things. "How's about I let you all experience the pain that other travelers felt." As he spoke this, he held up his arms while making a fiendish smile appear from his face.

"Hugh? What's it now 'dis time, buster?" Tough asked off with showing a cheeky & cocky attitude in not being scared.

"You shouldn't worry for this technique is meant for the more 'special' types." Peta exclaimed of what he's going to unleash is not gunning for Tough but the others with him instead. "Blood…" As the evil mage held up his hands together, a dark sphere form near his wickedly evil smiling face, "Syringe," After he finished saying that line, nearly six spheres that were suddenly changing into…spiked glass orbs with needle spikes.

And then in a sudden instant, and much to anyone in a slow reaction, Ben, Twilight, Spike, Phobos & Adult Nyx were stabbed from either their exposed backs or behind manes or just their scaly bodies with them orbs acting as needles. They each made yelp cry responses; Adult Nyx was a bit more, since she was suddenly jammed with two spiked orbs. And then what happened next was that a sudden flow from the spikes was filling the glass orbs….it was their blood.

"Aarrughh; this is why I hate needles!" Phobos yelped to cringe from feeling like he got a shot from a doctor.

"Uuuugh, what did he do?" Spike groans from feeling awfully strange all of a sudden.

"Grrrr….he's….sucking away our blood." Twilight moans from the pain but looked at Peta with her gaze eyes in what this vile mage was doing.

"I see, so…this is what he's done to unsuspecting heroes that came before us." Ben cringes a bit from the pain of what he's feeling that's happening to the group.

"You stole their blood and let them die out, didn't you?" Adult Nyx snapped off in feeling mad, this Peta guy was clearly heartless in this action in killing off heroes that came to the End of Equestria.

"Not only the blood." Peta inters the subject that what the heroes are feeling are more than a loose of blood. "Blood Syringe absorbs your magical power & health." This message was clear, Peta was gonna weaken the heroes of their health and drain away their magic too. "In other words, it sucks away life itself." As Peta was explaining this, the spiked glass orbs were now completely filled up with blood.

"Wait! Wha yew say," Tough yelped in hearing this right, that sounds like the worst thing to ever befallen a hero.

Suddenly, Twilight's group begins to yelp in slowly falling backwards from a sudden feeling. As Tough watched, and even the Enforcers saw from afar from trying to deal with Saint Anger that their friends are in trouble. Peta however stood over the lot in laughing wickedly.

"Noo…we can't fall yet…" Ben spoke this out within his mind with concerning expression in what's happening before…they hit the ground.

"FELLAS," Tough cried out in seeing what has happened to his pals and it wasn't good.

Twilight, Ben, Adult Nyx, Spike & Phobos lie still from what has happened to them; It really looks like their states are in a cross of being near life and death.

"You rotten crook; Why'd yew try 'dis; Ah thought them bosses o' yers wanted Ben & Nyx alive!" Tough snapped off to Peta in demanding to know what he's thinking, the Demon Lords want two of his friends taken alive, not dead, right?

"Correction, they want the Triforce & Nightmare Moon." Peta issued to make a correction to Tough's little assumption of what is to be played out. "While killing Ben Mare and taking his body is one way to work, Nightmare Moon is a tricky case." As Peta spoke this, one spiked glass orb on Nyx's Battle Form popped off from her to come to him. "Hehehehehe, but I've been given special orders to even take her life and bring her back so the Demon Lords can restart from scratch." He actually let off an evil cackle while stating how even if Nyx dies to bring her corpse body and the Demon Lords will revive her…as a weapon that they know; Nightmare Moon.

"Wha," Tough yelped in shocking horror, the Demons are now trying that now?

"There's more. Their genetic coding in their blood is also the key accentual to everything of possibility. Imagine…." Peta spoke in showing the container of Nyx's blood and how it along with the others under the same situation is having their blood taken. "The blood of Nightmare Moon brought back, along with that of the new Alicorn princess, the blood that once felt the Trifroce & still is connected; add in the Moon Dragon and even Tadaka's son that should hold Demon blood within." He spoke of Nyx, Twilight, Ben, Phobos, and even Spike of the imaginations of having such blood of such characters in the palm of villain's hands. "And with Nightmare Moon's blood & the rest, they can create more evil creatures of this lot or more so….create a SUPER Weapon by mixing their blood!" Peta exclaimed forth the unimaginable imagine in where the group’s blood is used to create a creature of such power and terrifying might, it will be a weapon of great disaster.

This left many that were still standing to be in shock. The Guardians with Twilight's group wished to help, but the Guardians under Peta's control still made that impossible. Even the Enforcers that tried to dodge from getting grabbed or bashed by Saint Anger couldn't help but find the news shockingly surprising.

"Did he say mixing their blood?" Bocolix asked off in hearing what he heard but couldn't believe it.

"He said that and it sounds bad!" Dumbledore responded in fear, mixing Twilight's & the gangs blood for evil sounds extremely bad.

"You got it now!" Peta spoke off in seeing if these fools were getting the bigger picture here. "I not only take blood, but save it for my Demons as my service! So they can use the blood of powerful creatures to create more powerful creatures!" That alone set in motion of great evil to be born by the blood of others of great power of good, made to do bad, "Imagine it, a new Nightmare Moon with Twilight Sparkle's Element of Magic, Ben Mare's Triforce and a bonus of a Moon Dragon's strength & the dragon cross Demon child from Tadaka & Shendu! The very creation that Tso Lan would feel please to gain for their conquest!" Peta's smile grew so wide, imagining such a weapon of such proportions could equal total dominance to all of Equestria.

"Buddy, yer're a crazed-up evil mage fruit-loop!" Tough snapped off in saying that Peta's mind is more a mess then he believed, "Hey yew fellas! Get up! We can't let 'dis varmint win!" The tough stallion turn to those that were down, they have to stand and stop this lune.

During the moment, the spiked glass orbs were still stabbed in those with Twilight, she, Ben, Adult Nyx, Spike & Phobos. They have not move for over a minute at this time.

"Not yet….it's not over yet." Peta responded in seeing that this situation with his foes is still not at an end yet.

At this moment, the heroes that were believed to have fallen are still showing signs of life.

"Hmph-hmph-hmp-hmph….they're not dead yet." Peta was seen chuckling evilly in seeing this lot was not dead yet, which meant more time for him to have fun. "Hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph…." He continues to laugh in seeing that the heroes that he's taken into such a state are not done yet with him.

"Yew dang vile mage," Tough growled in about to lose his temper here.

Soon we see the others that have fallen, each of them looking like they are just struggling with their bodies to move. But during their unmoving stasis, they are hearing voices of evil.

"Is that all?" Peta's voice called out from speaking that Twilight, Ben, Adult Nyx, Spike & Ben heard in their minds with their eyes still open. Within these fives minds were their home, Ponyville, and all of Equestria…that was seemingly set on fire caused by evil's hand in the matter. It's like a painful scene in foreseeing what tragedy awaits for the gang's home if they fail. "Is it over already, little ponies & Dragons?" Soon the evil version image of Peta was seen over in the inferno background of the gang's ruin home, him and the Demon Lords.

From the gang's eyes, seeing such a vision was snapping them out of their stasis mode.

"Don't kid yourself." Ben groanly issued from his eyes glaring upwards in what he saw in his mind & heard and won't allow it to come true.

"There's no way!" Twilight spoke from struggling her own depths in her mind in not wanting what the fallen ones saw to come to pass.

"We let you getaway…." Spike growled with his teeth grinding together to spat this out.

"With any of that," Phobos snarled off in looking ready to explode from his developing anger.

"We will not….fail!" Adult Nyx responded off with a determine face in refusing to fail here and everyone else.

Suddenly, during the moment, Twilight, Ben, Adult Nyx, Spike & Phobos were suddenly letting off a lot of their magical auras over their bodies. Trying to force fight themselves to not give up and push hard.

"Hmph-hmph-hmph, hmph-hmph; that's right; struggle more," Peta chuckled in seeing that the heroes were trying to struggle when they were nearly of death's doorknob. "Struggle & use up the last ounce of magical power you have left." Peta was wanting the group who's had a loss of blood use up all of their last strength as an act to struggle to fight on.

"If ye don't shut up, Ah'll make yah!" Tough snapped to show his shotgun, having enough of Peta talk down to his pals.

Hearing Peta's crawl remarks of them struggling to only end up dieting really set the others to crunch their teeth to struggle harder now. At the sudden moment, some of the spiked glass orbs showed cracks happening when being enveloped by the more magical power that the heroes are letting out that they seem hard to absorb. Then from one mighty battle cry from Twilight, Ben, Adult Nyx, Spike & Phobos, they unleashed so much of their inner magical aura that the Blood Syringe glass orbs completely shattered.

Tough and the Enforcers saw that act and were very much surprised, but relieved.

"Oh, they broke them orb things." Bocolix responded to say while ducking a giant fist that almost smashed him.

"And with their magical power too!" Dumbledore issued in what else was seen while watching a giant palm slap from the giant hands.

"Nice going gang!" Tough cheered for his pals in getting through that tough case.

Course even from all the cheers, it was clear that those that had their blood, health, and even magical powers taken were shown to be very weak. And most strange still was seeing the destroyed glass orbs' contained blood from the group hover above them.

"Guuagh...huuuagh; Grghh…guuaghh…" Ben was struggling first to push himself up while the others were trying to push their own efforts up.

"Guuuagh…come on….everypony…guagh!" Twilight spoke from holding her side from feeling some pain.

"We can…do this…" Spike spoke off in stating they can still turn this battle to their win.

"I ain't…done yet!" Phobos struggled to say when pushing himself upwards here.

"Me….hugh…neither!" Adult Nyx spoke from a few short breaths, but was pushing to keep from falling.

But while these five show much resilience, their foe was however….simply not worried of what happened.

"Hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph…" Peta was seen smiling to let off an evil laugh at witnessing the struggling five as he raise up his hands. "Congeal!" Peta announced off in suddenly making the escaped blood that hovered suddenly shot off into the skies. The blood was forming above together, a flash soon revealed a stone-carved blades that are soon thrown downwards.

"Fellas; Watch out!" Tough shouted in seeing that evil mage was pulling another nasty surprise.

Twilight's struggling group heard the warning, but could not act quick enough. Suddenly, a cry groan escaped from some voice before the shocked Tough and Enforcers saw what happened. The bladed stones made from blood had pierced…Undine the Water Nymph Spirit. When did she get there when she was struggling with Phoenix?

"Hmph, decided to risk yourself for them since you failed to protect your old owner?" Peta remotely remarked off dryly in how Undine's previous owner, she failed her when Bai Tza did a curse in torturing the souls the Water Demon conquered. "Give it a rest already." Peta spoke off in never ceasing his smile in talking down to his foes. "I'm sure those five don't even have the energy left to fight back." As Peta explained this, Undine was seen shielding Twilight, Ben, Adult Nyx, Spike & Phobos with her back exposed and the stone blade pierce through her watery body, all to protect them.

"Guagh-haaugh….I rather take this pain, then see more lives…lost. Ugh…" Undine struggled from feeling this magical pain, she saw what was happening and rather take this then see her friends hurt anymore.

"Not yet…" Twilight struggled to say in finally getting herself to stand.

"We won't let you hurt us or our friends." Adult Nyx groanly stated to the evil mage of not watching this act go on.

"You think even Guardians don't have feelings then you're clearly wrong after what one just did for us." Ben spoke in feeling that while Peta sees Guardians as nothing but tools, then he's sadly mistaken there.

"Right, they're our allies." Spike responded in agreement to that part.

"And allies help each other!" Phobos issued off about them helping an ally in need.

Soon Twilight, Ben, Adult Nyx, Spike & Phobos came near Undine whose back was still jabbed. Their auras were glowing while they pushed themselves up to help Undine that was in pain. And then in a sudden unexpected surprise, the heroes’ auras magical force shattered that bladed-stone of blood to pieces, thereby freeing the Water Nymph Guardian from being stabbed.

"Hmmm…" Peta responded a bit surprised by this action, never expecting the five that should be weaken, to help save another from suffering on their account. "Wow." Peta actually let off a smile in being astounded by this scene, Twilight, Ben, Nyx's Battle Form, even those two little dragons showed much strength despite being so very weak.

"Guaugh…huaghh…you….shouldn't worry over me." Undine spoke from feeling herself at a near lost of her strength in what's happened to her so far, even if her body is made of water to handle this kinda punishment.

"Like Tartarus would we do that," Adult Nyx spoke off in protesting to hear that excuse.

"Cough-cough…yeah, what Nyx said," Phobos let off a few coughs from what they did just now.

"Tough, please….watch over her." Twilight turns to ask the Earth stallion to help watch Undine, they won't let Peta hurt her like the Demons did long ago; friends won't let other friends die this way.

"Ah'm doing 'dat, plus shooting 'dat darn Phoenix 'ta keep back!" Tough responded off in stating while he spots something coming and shots at it with some magic coating his shotgun.

"Arrrourrghhhaaaahhh," Phoenix let off a squawking noise to dive around and missing the target here.

"Boy, I'm hoping when this is over, that Phoenix could be a friend instead!" Spike struggled to say in smiling to think, it be nice if that giant phoenix was not an enemy, but on their side.

"Gaugh….I'm sure….it would Spike." Ben spoke with a half-made smile in liking the idea, a phoenix as an ally.

As the group of five were slowly pushing themselves up, Peta was staring shocked at such tenacity that left him speechless. Course, as they tried to get their balance, Twilight, Adult Nyx & Ben used their magic to give any healing while not using too much and some to help Spike & Phobos. But truth is, they were just pushing themselves on sheer will power alone here.

"It's hard to believe that you can still stand." Peta issued off in seeing the struggling five heroes push themselves to such limits seem about impossible.

"Heh, you don't say." Phobos ended up making a small smile in hearing that they surprised this evil mage.

"Right, we can't die like this." Spike spoke in where a puzzled Peta hears out this claim. "Cause if we die, then we'll make sure you die with us." The baby dragon proclaimed this matter that if any of them die, they'll take Peta with them.

"We'll gain the ingredient you have and have our friends obtain the last one…hugh…hugh…" Adult Nyx spoke from her struggling breath in telling this issue like it is.

"Our friends & all of Ponyville needs us and we won't perish without saving those we care for!" Twilight spoke with her struggling position but was determined to not go down and let all those counting on them be heartbroken.

"It's absurd." Peta spoke this out in his mind with a blank surprised face in what he was seeing here. "These ponies and Dragons shouldn't be able to do anything more than stand." He can see that these five that came to the End of Equestria, are just standing on their last leg of strength but yet why are they not falling down in defeat. "Then, what is this fear?" For the first time in so long, Peta is seen actually sweating from being nervous, he's been on the unbeatable side, but somehow, he's actually afraid of what Twilight's group can actually do that he cannot see.

"What's wrong…you look like you've seen a ghost." Ben responded off in holding his sword to lean on, seeing, or more likely, sensing Peta begin to fear this band of heroes.

Now that last act just pushed by Ben when stating if the evil mage of the Demon Lords, was actually afraid even from such advantage against the heroes.

"Geeeh…..I'll start by ending you for that insult, Ben Mare!" Peta growled in feeling a tins bit upset by that remark, "A Bao A Qu!" He turned to call forth his Guardian that was still fighting against Mehitos.

Suddenly, the Guardian with the big eye turns to begin a glare gaze work….at Ben's spot.

"Father,” Adult Nyx suddenly pushed her father out of the way, only to instead be caught…in the glass ball trap by the Guardian that makes explosions.

"Nyx," Twilight called out in seeing her daughter get raised up into the air while inside the glass ball.

"She's stuck in that glass orb that could explode!" Spike yelped in realizing what could happen to their friend, like with Tough, and he just barely got out alright.

"No way, this creep must know that she's already hurt enough and could take her back!" Phobos protests in stating that instead of Nyx getting blown up, Peta could just take her away.

"Phobos," The others snapped in hearing the Moon Dragon says such things at this time.

"What, just saying so he doesn't blow her up!" Phobos spoke in his defense that he doesn't want Nyx to be blown up and at least the captive approach is still with her alive.

"While that idea is what the Demon Lords want…" Peta spoke with a sneaky smile on his face, like there was going to be a 'but' quote in what they are discussing. "I still have samples of her blood and that of all of yours. In short….YOUR EXPANDABLE," That last part was shouted out in much to anyone's horrors that even this evil mage could just kill then & not bother keeping them alive, cause he has collected their blood samples to create evil creatures instead. "Burst Up!" Peta soon made the command order in issuing what he wants A Bao A Qu to do with its new captive.

Suddenly at that moment, the skull's yellow eyes flashed brightly upon the command given again. "Puufffruvhmm…." Then in Adult Nyx's imprisoned state, tan-pink smoke filled from the bottom that covered the Alicorn mare whose was bracing for what was to come. "Crack…Crack…Crackvhmm…" Then some forms of cracks began to spread out from the top of the glass ball before…. "BOOOMMFRVUHHMMM…" All to suddenly, a large explosion happened that spread around the field in releasing the imprisoned smoke clouds. "Uuuarrrughh…Gaaaaughh…" At the moment, the Nyx's group saw her Battle Form falling from the explosion before crashing on the ground, making a lot of smoke clouds upon impact. "Nrrugh…hruagh…aaauughh…" Now inflicted upon her bruised body from taking an explosive force, Nyx was apparently unable to make much moving effort, it's an amazing feat she hasn't reverted back into a filly or this stuff would have killed her for sure.

"NYX," Twilight, Ben, Spike, Phobos, Tough, and even the Enforcers shouted out in watching what happened to their companion.

"You…monster," Twilight growled in feeling angry, but from feeling so depleted of her magic, she couldn't even burst in flames from her feelings of rage now.

"Don't worry; you'll all be joining her soon." Peta assured Twilight with his evil smear face that where Nyx is going, the others will follow…to death.

"You may think you're winning, but we're not giving up! And that's why you’re afraid of, hope that can find a way through to beat you!" Ben issued to tell this towards Peta, no matter what this evil mage does, he's now showing he's afraid of them and that will lead to his downfall.

Peta was now frowning in hearing this, and so he'll make a response to it by not with words….but action. Soon Peta reactivated his Garnet Claws from his nails and now he has himself armed again, "Grruauaghhh!" And with that, the evil mage begins to go forth to attack by slashing.

"Guuuaagh…" Spike yelped from being the first to get slashed by the nails.

"Trruaaghhh," Peta roared off in swinging his next hand off against these weaken heroes.

"Doough…the nails," Phobos yelped off from getting slashed by pointy nails.

Soon the scene is showing Peta on-slaughtering Twilight & Ben along with Spike & Phobos with his Garnet Claws as they were only just able to stand and not defend. Tough was watching this while shooting off Phoenix but seeing this one-sided battle was just too much even for the tough stallion to bear watching.

"Gaaaaughhh…" At the moment, the scene shows Twilight, Ben, Spike & Phobos falling backwards from that last strike. These four landed on the ground across a few meters away from where Nyx's Battle Form rest near; They all looked up to the sky and almost believing to reach their end. Strangest thing was, they began to hear voices of their friends while in their frozen staring to the skies state.

At the hour, Peta soon turns to notice something…to his pleasing moment. "Wooh, looks like the Guardians battle is over." The evil mage spoke in sounding very cocky in noticing another event that's played forth into his hands.

Tough heard this to turn around and got a big surprise in what was coming to a bad closing. Remrace swung Egola out of their hand-lock to leap in the air, clasp it's hands together to deliver a powerful skull-basher on the Ice Giant's noggin. That enough caused Egola to have a cracked head to fall on the ground before Remrace approached, used it's horns to lift up the ice giant, grab it's left arm and the back of it's left leg, and soon the herculean creature was starting to bench-press Egola's body, like a toothpick or a wish-bone, and after that painful moment, did Remrace toss the Ice Giant to crash below the hill where above the others were fighting. Phoenix long left Tough to attack Mehitos by diving and setting the plant on fire, burning its roots to make it cry, Wakan Tanka opened its mouth on Gymnote, the eel let off a screechy scream while feeling some powerful flames burning it's scales. Flying Leo & Torpedine were tackled above by the Dead Dragon & Peryton that crashed them near the defeated Egola. Eins was seen dragging the plant vines of Mehitos over to be tossed with the other defeated lot while A Bao A Qu floated near it's other summoned Guardians near the beaten ones.

"Guuaaghhhh," And then from out of nowhere, two gigantic hands from Saint Anger gave palm smacks into the ground were Dumbledore & Bocolix.

"Yew guys, don't tell me yew were..." Tough yelped in not believing this, even the Enforcers got pinned big time and by giant hands no less.

"We were." Dumbledore responded from feeling himself trapped underneath this giant hand.

"Sorry." Bocolix apologized while trying to get out of this squash state, but the big hands wouldn't let them.

"Heh, they and all of you never stood a chance." Eins spoke off in seeing that the Enforcers & the heroes Guardians stood no chance from the beginning.

"No, this can't end like this!" Undine gasped for fear in what was happening and would mean one thing for the defeated Guardians.

"How unfortunate but you've been beat from the beginning. I'll take back the Guardians you have and present them back to my lords!" Peta spoke towards the Water Nymph Guardian in sadly saying that all those that were gained by Twilight's party shall be return to their Demon Lord Masters. "I'll be given a greater reward of service than ever before. Hehahahahahaaahhh," The evil mage exclaimed with a wicked intension of what service he'll receive when he shows the dead heroes & presents the stolen Guardians back to serve the Demons, what a tragic end for the good guys.

During Peta's witty-banter monolog, Adult Nyx was awake enough to glare from the vile evil mage to notice something that glimmer on the ground. And that's small enough to fit in the palm of one's hand or hoof. The design was of an asp etched with the carving of a white maiden from a dark emerald center of the shield while the rest were of gray lining and structure. Whatever or wherever this object came from, just seeing it made Nyx become curious to find something beautiful when in this situation of crisis.

"What's this…a shield charm?" Adult Nyx asked off from struggling to use her right hoof to scoop up an item that must have gotten lost in this valley be left here. "It's small and it looks like it couldn't defend something this big. Kinda like how I was." This pony remembers how she, used herself as a shield to protect others, she might have been small to be protective against big threats, but she tried, and that counts for something. "Please, if this is a sign, help give us strength. Help by shielding those I love very much and help us stay safe. Please…." Adult Nyx pleaded this last part out silently, but never the less, was begging, hopping, an answer could come to save those from dying here.

Peta could see from the fallen heroes here that it was over. He had the advantage and with all the good guys forces finally beaten, it was time to pull the finishing blow. As a smirking Peta raised his left hand up and suddenly used with magic to lift his Sickle Death scythe back into his grasp as he held it.

"Haheheheheheehhh-huuuagh…." Peta let off an evil chuckle before taking a breath to continue laughing. "Hahahah-huhuhuhahahaahh…." As he was letting off this evil laughter of victory, he welded his scythe up to prepare the killer strike blow here.

"Noooo," Tough, Bocolix & Dumbledore cried out in horror as they could do nothing but watch the unthinkable begin to happen here.

The entire scene seem frozen in where one strike from Peta's scythe and he'll perform the act of a grim reaper….killing off the living, starting with these ponies & baby Dragons.

"Diiiieee," Peta roared forth in swinging his weapon to kill the fallen heroes and send them to their graves.

Twilight, Ben, Spike, & Phobos looked like nothing was gonna save them this time….or would there be? For without a single explanation, a white shield barrier formed around the heroes in time to stop the attack.

"Geeeighhh," When Peta's Death Sickle impacted this barrier, it snapped his scythe off to spin in the air…and landed behind him.

"W-Wah…Wha is 'dat?" Tough responded off surprised in seeing something save his pals, but what?

The Enforcers that were pin down were left speechless too, who actually helped them out here?

"Haaaugh-Haugh-Huuuaghh…" Peta was seen shaking his nervous hands on his broken scythe in being almost exhausting his breathing from what happened, "W-What? What is this?" Peta let off in gasping in shocking surprise, what was this that stopped his attack.

Those within the barrier could almost instantly see something that protected them; it looked like….the spirit forms…..of the ones they care for. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Shining, Candace, and many others Twilight's group has come to known as friends, including Nyx's filly form as they were forming a line wall with shut eyes as if focusing. Soon their spiritual forms began to fade a bit into energy particles.

"Please let our friendships & love ones protect us." Nyx's filly form spoke from within the distant winds.

And then without another single warning, a great holy light was flashing forth across the wounded heroes. The light was helping to seal up and close wounds all over Twilight, Ben, Spike, Phobos' bodies, even Adult Nyx herself was being treated. And the light was even scratching further to the wounded Guardians of their team, even Tough & the Enforcers felt…their injuries and strength returning to them.

"Guuuaghh…What is going on?" Peta gasped in yelping backwards at this sudden action in shock, why are the wounded suddenly being healed when this lot has not much magic to do that, what magic is this?

"What is that light over there?" Dumbledore asked off puzzled in what was going on here.

"Their wounds are healing along with ours." Bocolix responded in being lost during this himself.

"That power, can it be? The Legendary Holy Item, Aegis." Undine responded off surprised in realizing what was being done while feeling herself healed, this magic was…from 'that' source.

"Legendary Holy Item," Tough responded in almost being completely stun in hearing this out of the blue.

"Uuagh…ugh," Twilight and the others began to twitch their eyes in feeling their injuries and cuts, even pierce marks from when their blood was taken begin to smoothly fade away like they never existed.

"Aegis uses the strength of any person's heart to protect others for shielding & healing. It's a item with a very rare ability, said to have only been with mystic beings before disappearing." As Undine was explaining this, Adult Nyx began to stand up while holding up in her hoof…the revealed small shield item that was glowing; she had found Aegis, the Legendary Holy Item.

"Wooh, guys, what's happening?" Spike asked off in feeling weird, but in a good way now.

"I feel all better and no shots included!" Phobos responded in feeling fine, and not from a doctor's needle shot or from Peta's attack.

"Nyx, that item in your hoof?" Ben asked in seeing his daughter had something that was actually helping them get better, but what was it?

"It was something I found, I don't know why, but I prayed that with hope, that I won't see us get hurt and to help our friends." Adult Nyx responded lost herself; she only wished to protect those that she cares for and then this happened.

"I don't believe this. That item's magic is what's protecting us." Twilight responded in feeling amazed, such majestic magic, it's almost like the time with the 'Necklace of Eternia' that it performed a miracle that saved Ben's life & Spike's own.

"The stronger & more earnest feelings Aegis experiences, the greater the effect," Undine spoke to explaining what power the Holy Item Nyx has found is capable of.

"Guuhhaaaugh…What is going on? This holy power…" Peta gasped in sweating from his face, this power was unreal; how did his foes even possess something like this, "Guuaaghhhh!" Suddenly, a brighter flash of light caused Peta to yelp in shielding himself from this.

And suddenly appearing to even the now wide-eyed and gasped Peta where Twilight, Ben, Adult Nyx, Spike & Phobos from within the shadow; And the light was so strong, it even caused the Guardians of the heroes to rise up again slowly, Tough felt like he could stand and even the Enforcers used their magic to teleport out under Saint Anger by surprise to be near the tough stallion.

"Impossible." Peta responded in utter shock of disbelief, this couldn't be happening in what else he was seeing.

From the glowing Aegis item, it's glow faded to soon show the entire gang of ponies & baby Dragons together….all fit, fine, and seem to be in perfect health.

"Looks like…we're protected by everyone," Twilight smiled in feeling that those that are her friends, even if they are not here, somewhere in their hearts, those that care for them, their feelings were reached even in the End of Equestria.

"Geehiiiihh….Darn you," Peta growled to glare at the ponies and dragons that are healthy again as he swung off his broken scythe away, seeing it's useless. "I've heard that you may have been receiving aid to defeat my lords and this is obviously their work! Tell me, where are the Mystics!" The evil mage snapped off in stating that he heard from the Demon Lords that a Mystic being was aiding this group and this might be another of their works.

"Mystics," Spike, Phobos, Tough and the Enforcers responded a bit lost, what was this guy talking about?

"We have no idea what you're talking about." Ben responded a with a raised eye, it's almost like the Mystic Ones sound almost like Mystic Ponies, but that can't be it…can it?

"Don't play dumb! They must be behind this ploy, just as the Mystic Banishment Spells that sealed the other Demon Lords! Now answer, what do you know of the Mystic Ones!" Peta snapped at this group in feeling a loss of temper, he wants to know what makes this group so special, is it cause of Twilight Sparkle, Ben Mare, Nyx, or Spike, why would the Mystics aid this lot if they were not special to them?

"Even if we knew of who you spoke of, we wouldn't tell you!" Adult Nyx issued off in stating that even if the group knew who helped them, they would never rat out a friend.

Now that just set off the evil mage to get angry here in not receiving an answer, "Blood Syringe," Soon he held up his hands to his chest, creating another purple energy force that began to become six. "Suck away their magical power again!" He ordered out his technique to perform the same stunt before as he sent them forward.

Before the ponies or Dragons could react, Aegis vanished from Adult Nyx's hoof to reappear to grow in size until it covers the user & allies from any attack heading in its direction, "Bam-Bam-Bam-Bam-Bam, Bam!" And soon all six of those spiked glass balls impacted the shield that caused them to impede on contact.

"Wow; 'Dat's some trinket ye found Nyx!" Tough respond in being surprised in what his pal managed to pull out of nowhere here.

"I'll say!" The Enforcers nods in feeling like they completely agree here.

"And I think this cover gave me an idea, Twilight, everypony, listen up." Ben responded in seeing their new state, smiled in coming up with a new battle plan to finally gain the upper hand against Peta. "I got a plan, but first, Spike & Phobos, distract Peta to have him focus more on us!" The adoptive son of Celestia wanted the two little Dragons to help stall their foe for a bit here.

"Right," Both Dragons responded in understanding to climb up the shield until they stared down at their enemy with cocky attitudes being seen.

"Hey buddy, what's wrong! Losing against our shield here?" Phobos asked off in trying to annoy this foe to take the bait they are giving out.

"Try and break this down if you can!" Spike waved off his left claw in challenging the evil mage to come at them.

"Grruhuuaghhh," Peta yelped in grinding his teeth with a sweat drop, that attack of his was blocked so easily. "You leave me no choice now." Peta responded off in seeing that he's now in an angle to force his hand. "I'll use my last & strongest weapon." He clutched his opera necklace in stating he'll use his own weapon that is his own strongest possession in this battle. "Come out my Guardian. Black Diablo: Body Eye!" Peta spoke these words with his right hand on the necklace as it let off a glow effect.

Then from above the skies grew dark clouds as something began to pierce through the clouds surface. What was coming out was some wingless Diablo with runic bonds sealing it's lower half, it looked like a black 3-eyed monster with a fourth eye on its breast (two normal eye locations were glowing red, the other odd spot eyes were yellow-orange eyeballs with red colors with a black opal center). This creature appeared to have been called forth upon the Earth as a depending doom to any that come across it: the Black Diablo Guardian: Body Eye.

"GROOOUURRARRRUGHHH," Body Eye let off a very eerie howl wail sound that could almost make a person see a real demon in front of their presence. And what was dropping on the ground was more of that weird purple blood stuff, most likely from this creature's entrance. Soon Body Eye flew down to stand above its master, Peta, in awaiting it's orders.

"Hmph-hmph-hmph, hehehahahaha, guaaaghh…" Peta was heard laughing maniacally over seeing he brought forth another Guardian Creature that was of his own favorite. "This here is my own personal Guardian, a true Demon, he however doesn't possess any satanic extraordinary; its power manifests in a myriad of bats while it itself wrecks massive destruction with its hands."

"Okay, I didn't expect him to pull that one out." Spike responded in seeing this was not a part of the plan if the enemy did that.

"Yeah, like he didn't think of using his other Guardians, he pulls out another." Phobos groans to complain in seeing this situation was really getting crowded with so many Guardians around.

"Body Eye, destroy that pesky shield first. And with that gone, get the rest behind it," Peta gave out the order for his Guardian to destroy the shield that helped heal his prey of their injuries.

"Gruoorrruaarrghhh," Body Eye heard the order clearly, as it crossed it's arms while it's center eye forehead glowed bright. And then it unleashed a swarm of manifested bats of darkness to attack the shield. The baby Dragons yelped out of the way when the bats impacted the shield to disappear, but each time they hit, little by little, the shilled started to show light cracks. Then Body Eye was diving down and soon raised its right claw to deliver…the final blow. "Breakrsivhmm…" Soon the Aegis that was morph into a shield was broken into pieces and scattered across the ground. Those behind the shield were Twilight, Adult Nyx, the Enforcers, Tough, and rejoined by their baby Dragon pals; Phobos and Spike.

All were present here...except for one.

"Wait a second….Ben Mare is not there." Peta glared off annoyed in noticing that there was one person missing that was behind the shield, so where was the stallion with the Triforce?

"Gee, I wonder. Any ideas everypony,” Twilight spoke off with a sarcastic response to her friends that showed pretend unknown faces, now they were just pulling the evil mage's leg.

"I'm over here!" Ben's voice was heard from way above the enemy's head.

"Guugh,” Peta gasped a bit to look up and to see Ben was pointing his Master Sword downwards to plan a dive trust maneuver on the unsuspecting enemy.

"Haaayihh," Ben's sword made its impact in the ground, but it did not actually hit Peta?

"Guuaaghh," Peta yelped backwards from this surprise stunt by the enemy, what was the point of attacking with physical means if he can counter it?

But unknown to Peta during a slow scene of dodging the attack, on his left wrist-bracelet, the artifact that he got from the Demons soon broke off from being damaged from the pointed weapon edge from Ben's sword.

"Gughhaaaugh; what was that for?" Peta stepped back enough while unaware that his item was scattered on the ground in pieces.

"Heh, we figured out how to truly get pass one obstacle with you!" Ben laughed off to pull his word out of the ground to hold it up-straight, "Now that I broke that agent of your little magic trick." The stallion was talking about the item Peta used that was exposed and since he never felt it on the body, he couldn't change into a bloody goop to avoid it.

"Gaugh-huhaaa-huuuagh," Peta suddenly reacted to hearing this news to stare in shocking horror, his item to perform Body Blood was the true target and with it gone, he's not immune against physical attacks. "Darn you." The evil mage glared at the stallion that managed to destroy that which kept him safe from physical harm.

"Wha's wrong, can't fight if ye don't cheat?" Tough asked off in taunting the bad guy that looked like he lost a HUGE advantage here.

"Yeah; You afraid to fight fair and bear," Bocolix asked off in seeing this guy couldn't fight fairly without his little trick ability.

"No, that's fair and square! But, who cares now!" Dumbledore corrected his pal for mixing the different meanings of his words, but that can be slipped out for now.

"Now we'll let you feel the wrath of twice the magical power you stole from us." Adult Nyx issued off with a stern statement that they'll make this guy, feel trice the strength of these heroes then they were previously.

"Thanks to that Holy Item, Aegis, it helped return vitality to us with a lot of injuries and loss of a lot of blood." Twilight stated that from what her daughter found, they have been completely healed, completely recovered, and back into feeling more prime than ever to take on this evil mage and win.

"So ready to face the odds here," Spike spoke off in showing his hands to say 'come and get some' to Peta now.

"Cause it's not only us that are back in action, so are these guys!" Phobos spoke off in turning his head to smirk at seeing that the main group aren't alone in facing this jerk.

True to Phobos's words, their Guardian Allies of Mehitos, Egola, Undine, Flying Leo, Torpedine & Gymnote were back to being healthy again, and a sudden surge of empowered moment made them feel…stronger. There were a few let off battle cries and growly sounds or just those that let off a normal wail sound, but they were now fully ready to go out into battle now. During the sudden moment of the situation, some background music began to be heard, it was an extended song of 'Seeker' from Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope that was being played right at this critical moment of a final battle to happen here.

"That's nothing compared to my deadliest creatures! Go, A Bao A Qu, Eins, Peryton, Wakan Tanka, Phoenix; Finish them!" Peta shouted off for these called Guardians of his to begin attacking now. Soon the Guardians on Peta's side begin to go forth to attack.

"GROUURARRRUGHHH," Phoenix roared from still flapping it's flaming wings in the skies before diving down to burn it's enemies.

"I know you are a prisoner, but this shall do you good!" Undine spoke to fly up towards her opponent with her water-like abilities, this time, to put out such extreme heat, needs extreme moisture of liquid. So the water spirit nymph created a sphere of water, and was focusing all the slow time she could muster to make it big before the Phoenix attacked her….but made the tactical area of entering the large water sphere.

"KRUWWRARRRGUHHHH," Phoenix let out an eerie screech cry from where all can see the bird made of flame was being put out, before slowly vanishing while nothing but steam escapes the water sphere; The first of Peta's forces, mighty Living Inferno Bird Guardian, Phoenix, Defeated.

"Augh…Phoenix….it's flames were put out!" Peta gasped in staring in shock and disbelief that one of his fearsome Guardians was stopped so easily. "Teeeeh, what are you all doing, get that Water Nymph!" Peta growled before looking to his other Guardians to attack Undine right now.

"Grruurarrrughhh," Eins was seen charging to attack Undine but then Tough stood near to protect the nymph. "If you wanna die, then so be it!" Eins responded to prepare his spear to screw this enemy.

"Too bad Ah ain't an' yew shouldn't harm a lady. Now eat 'dis magic enhanced bullet stuff, buster!" Tough issued off to say while getting his shotgun ready and it was magically enchanted with magic, "Bam-Bam!" Soon he fired off two powerful shots going right for the target.

"Like I'll be hit with them with my shield to block it," Eins responded off to lift his left hand's shield to block the shots.

"MWRUUAGHH/Clopvhmm…" At this sudden moment, Justin the MechBull came and bashed against the shield to trip the giant Guardian's balance.

"NRruagh…blasted bull-headed…" Eins yelped in dropping his guard to snap at the mechanical beast that attacked him…. "Stab-Stabvhmm…." But the moment this Guardian failed to watch out, Tough's shots impacted to crack his helmet near his eye. "Gwuuaaugh…." Eins let off a yelp cry from now being aware that he was attacked and realized the MechBull was a decoy. "Uwaaaugh…./Clupowwfruvhmmm…." From another moan, this guy fell backwards to impact the ground hard before disappearing, now the Armored Spear Knight Guardian, Eins, is defeated.

"Eins has fallen by just one mere Earth stallion?" Peta responded in shock to see what has happened to his other Guardian. "Then in that case, A Bao A Qu, capture him again!" He turned to give the order in wanting another Guardian to finish off Tough, this time without any mercy.

A Bao A Qu's center eye caught a gaze in where it was staring at. It had caught Tough as he was lifted up off the ground, but then without warning…the stallion's body was shifting like a bad image projection.

"What! An illusion," Peta yelped in seeing that and then looked that under the Guardian was…Twilight Sparkle, preparing a powerful spell in her horn. "Hugh, Twilight Sparkle….she isn't about to…" The evil mage yelped again in seeing this action and could only guess where it might lead to.

"Unicorn Burst," Twilight shouted before firing her spiraling beam of pierce type magic towards her target.

A Bao A Qu was about to dodge, but then Mehitos came from underneath to keep it from moving before taking the full force of the powerful spell. Twilight's technique broke through the center eye causing the rest of the body to fade away afterwards, now Kamikaze Dark-Bringer Guardian, A Bao A Qu, was defeated.

"My exploding Guardian….defeated…grrrrr…." Peta responded in sheer surprise shock, even the most deadly Guardian with explosive touch was beaten, this infuriated him. "Remrace, Dead Dragon, get that alicorn princess now while she's distracted!" Peta turns to give his orders out the stronger Guardians that he had left to take care of this problem's issue.

Hearing the orders, Remrace soon ran forth to begin its own attack. The Dead Dragon was soon opening its mouth to suck in the air of some energy form.

"Those two are going after Twilight!" Phobos spoke from noticing what the bad guy was doing now.

"Not with our team, they won't get her." Spike smiled to state that the gang have no worries cause they know who can stop this stunt.

Now Remrace leaped into the air and was about to swing a right hook to hit the target… "Poowwvhhmmm," But in an unexpected new feet of strength, Egola interfered to smack Remrace with its left hand. "Powwfruvhmmm…." And from being knocked across, Remrace impacted the ground but that powerful punch broke off its left horn and cracked its left face side. Soon in that matter, Remrace's presence vanished from the field of battle.

"What! A single Ko'd punch from Egola, but he had no ice, so how…" Peta was staring in complete puzzlement, where did such strength come from, it couldn't be from…the heroes empowered the Guardians they have with more strength than before. "Nrrrugh….Wanka Tanka, get them!" He growled ever more before turning to get the flying skull beast to get the others.

Wanka Tanka was soon flying across the skies before going down to chomp or breath fire at the gang…or would he?

"13 Totem Poles," The Enforcers voices are heard before spiraling from under the ground where thirteen totem poles that went of flying. The totems soon made two poles bash against Wakan Tanka's head, making the Guardian roar out in pain before…it's glowing eyes faded away. And zoo the totem poles cracked through the skull and then split apart to start dropping in and smashing the other pieces. It wasn't long before the bony remains began to fade away, showing that the Limbo Serpent Skull Guardian, Wakan Tanka, is defeated.

"Oh yeah; we broke bone-head's bones!" Bocolix cheered off in seeing they totally owned that Guardian just now.

"That'll teach him not to mess with us!" Dumbledore smile din seeing they did very well here, even for some stooges; that was pretty good.

"It can't be! Even those two nitwits managed to beat one!" Peta responded in near gasping surprise, that the Enforcers that were just dumb ponies with special abilities won; inconsolable. "Peryton, get them all!" Peta turns to give orders to the other Guardian he had to deal with the troublemakers.

Peryton heard this and soon began by opening up its chest to show an orange orb as it began to power up.

"Time for us to get in the shots," Spike turns to Phobos in issuing that this will be their moment to step in.

"You said it!" Phobos nods with a determine face, time they turn up the heat; Dragon style.

Both Dragons fired off their strongest berths of fire against Peryton as the Guardian soon fired off a powerful light-violet beam ray that caused both attacks to stop in their tracks. The two sides were in a stalemate of being even, but it looked like the Guardian would have the advantage. But in another twist, Torpedine was seen above and unleashed a high-voltage surge of electricity. Peryton saw this and was about to dodge but it couldn't without dispelling it's focus on the Dragons attacks and soon was impacted by that, lost its focus to give the dragons the upper hand, "GROOUUAAARRRURGHHH!" The attacks collided to cause the creature to let off a wailing cry before its presence vanished in the light, now issuing that the Monstrous Form Guardian, Peryton, was defeated.

"We rock!" The Dragons jumped to give a high-five here, they did it; they won.

At the time, the Dead Dragon had completed absorbing energy into its mouth. "Powwfruuvvhmmm…." And the decay dragon fired a powerful purple beam stream heading for the target; Twilight & her other ally friends.

But soon Ben Mare steps into the game and soon presents a new twist, his shield; the Hylian Shield. And soon the attack from Dead Dragon was pressing against the shield.

"Nrrughh…you think that shield will protect your love one?" Peta growled in struggling to see that Ben was putting up a mighty effort here.

"I don't think, I KNOW!" Ben remarked off to declare this statement here.

"Then let it be Shatter!" Peta roared out that he'll break Ben's hopes of winning here.

"No…CHAAAANCE!" Ben shouted off in being raring to go all serious now.

"Powwwfruvhmm…." Suddenly, Ben's shield started to respond to his Triforce, and in that instant, the fire ability was absorbed enough that a pure form of flame went off towards the Dead Dragon. "Truussfruvhmm…." Dead Dragon was completely enshrouded in this attack and there was nothing left that it could do…but fade away from where it stood. Ben soon stood proudly over defeating that powerful Guardian with a gift he unlocked from his own small portion of abilities.

"Urr…Rrrrrrgh, in that case, Saint Anger!" Peta growled in seeing he's being pushed into a corner, time to try a different tactic. "Capture Nightmare Moon and crush her!" He issued forth on what he wants the other Guardian he has to do now.

Saint Anger appeared from beneath the ground where Nyx was before the giant armored hands caught her in their grasp to haul her up into the air.

"Heheheeh, what will you do now?" As Peta was laughing evilly, he soon noticed that the gang's expressions were not caution or concern, or even anger, but…calm determination, "Hmmm? What's with your expressions? I have your friend!" The evil mage asked off in not knowing what was happening here, why was these ponies being so calm when their friend is in trouble of being killed.

"What you caught is a world of hurt." Twilight smirked off to issue this fact that what Peta has done, he'll be in for a world of hurt now.

"What?" Peta responded lost and puzzled, what did that message even mean?

"My name is…" Adult Nyx's voice is heard from within the gigantic armored hands. "My name is…." At the inside, we see Adult Nyx had her eyes shut for a brief moment before….she shot them wide open, "NYYYYYXXXXXX!" Adult Nyx suddenly was heard shouting her name before light escaped from the giant crack marks on the Gaurdian hand's fingers. "Powwfruvhmmm…" At that moment, Saint Anger was pushed away from a glowing aura off of Nyx's Battle Form of unlike any magical force before, causing the hands to tense from the pressure. The hands soon vanished from the overwhelming aura that they were hit with, now resulting with Giant Hands Gaurdian, Saint Anger, to be defeated.

"Im-IMPOSSIBLE," Peta was seen sweating a storm in staring with his one seen wide-eye, that Nyx overpowered that powerful Guardian by her sheer will. "She overcame Saint Anger….with inner Magical Force! Is this really….the Weapon Tso Lan wanted to create?" The evil mage could not believe this was the same Nightmare Moon the Moon Demon wanted to bring forth; it was more powerful than it should be to his knowledge.

Once Adult Nyx landed on the ground, she seems a little wasted, but kept herself from losing balance. She really did gone maybe a tiny bit overboard there, the term use is 'tiny' bit. Question now would be, what it would be if it was 'Overboard' measures?

"I'm sorry Tso Lan, but until she's detained from serving good, she'll have to die! Aybss Cannon!" Peta apologized under his breath in seeing that Nyx is too dangerous to be let off easy, as he fired the same technique of evil spirits mouth cannon towards Nyx's area.

Adult Nyx saw the attack coming, but then Twilight teleported before her daughter, horn glowing to prepare a shield barrier when….

"Shadow Wall…" A sudden male voice was heard from out of nowhere during the confusion. And then without warning, a magical wall of shadow emerges from the ground that protected Twilight & Nyx from Peta's attack as it absorbed it all. Once that was done, the wall made of strangely solid matter of shadow, evaporating downwards to sink into the ground while leaving much confusion in the wake.

"This technique; It's…" Twilight responded a bit surprised in seeing this and recognized what it was…

"Shadow Magic; since when could Twilight Sparkle perform this?" Peta responded in surprise, he's heard of this magic, but could not believe that someone here was using it, course he thought Twilight did it, but in truth, it was an outside source.

"ROOURRRGUHH," Peta's actions were caught, as he had to dodge Flying Leo that clawed the ground after seeing that act, and the Guardian approached Twilight & Adult Nyx. Just like a loyal beast, awaiting & willing to protect its owner.

Seeing they were safe now, Twilight turned to see near a bottom hill behind some graves, was the same unknown masked pony from the Hydra event. But then the masked pony vanished from all the debris smokescreen. Twilight couldn't stop him from going, seeing him again made her feel strange of his presence and actions, but for now…those thoughts will have to be saved for after they defeat the enemy here.

"You're beat buster! Ye're alone now!" Tough pointed out in seeing Peta's lost practically all of his Guardian army.

"Wrong, I still have a Guardian at full strength and you've used up all of the others!" Peta issued off that he's not done yet, he still has one Gaurdian, Body Eye, and this group already used up their entire strength to stop the others.

"Not everyone." Spike spoke off with a sly smile in saying they haven't had all of their reserve members duke out.

"Or have you forgotten that today’s sushi menu is….eel!" Phobos smirked to make a fun rhetorical sense of what this guy is about to face and would be something off the menu in sushi bars.

Soon what was rising up into the skies for all to bear witness was a long giant size pink eel Guardian we know, "GROOUWROOUUUGGHHHH!" Gymnote let off a roar up to the skies in being presented before it's friends to be of service of their aid now.

The evil mage saw the heroes had one Guardian that has plenty of renewed strength and must take care of it; posthaste. "What are you standing around for, Body Eye? Slice it away!" Peta issued off in annoyance in seeing his Guardian stand still when there is an enemy to face.

"Gruuarrrroorrrughhh," Body Eye turned in hearing it's master's orders to roar off to attack its new target.

Body Eye swung itself to attack Gymnote, but it fly around like it swim in the skies to escape that attack. Body Eye saw where its target went and tried to try another jab attack with its left claw, but during the moment, Gymnote circle around in the air the enemy thrown its attack in….for the eel to squeeze in to grasp the target. Soon with only its two free arms, Body Eye was smashing Gymnote's body to weaken it to release him.

"Grrrnrruaaaaghhh…" Peta was growling in anger in seeing that its Guardian was caught and wanted it to escape while powering it up with his own magic.

But at the same moment, Twilight's group was letting their magical aura glow to give it…to their Guardian friend fighting.

"Sorry, but we can't, Peta. We can't lose to you no matter what!" Ben responded off with a serious tone in his voice in them not wanting to lose here.

"You showed your true colors and we won't let you continue harming anyone else ever again!" Twilight issued this off that they will stop Peta from doing any more harm under the Demon Lords orders, and that, is a promise to the future.

At the time, Gymnote rises its long neck over Body Eye's right shoulder to trap it's arm, as it begins to put the squeeze on the enemy. "Gruuoorruarrghh!" Body Eye had one arm left but it let off a crying roar in feeling itself…be crushed. "Breakrisfruvhmm…." And at that moment, Body Eye's entire body was broken to pieces that was raining all around while Gymnote lessen itself in seeing it's crushed prey gone. This would be noted that the Black Diabloe, Body Eye, was now defeated totally without any complains.

"Guuagh..Uuuaaggh! My Guardian….My Black Diablo," Peta squealed in terror and horror in seeing this happened to his only defense, "Guoowhugh-Haaaugh!" Then he yelped when his opera necklace where Body Eye came from completely broke apart upon defeat, "Huuagh!" But then Peta looked up to notice that things were not settled yet.

For above, Gymnote flew upwards to lean it's head towards something; Peta's position, even without eyes, it knew where he was, "GRUUAOORRRUGHHH!" For soon Gymnote let off a roaring scream to dive down towards its allies' enemy.

"Guumpvh…" Soon Gymnote created a gust of wind from its speed pressure as Peta yelped from this when the eel came near him, "Guuagh….Gulp…Gruaarrughh!" Now Peta was suddenly getting caught in the giant Guardian eel's body as he felt himself get a tight squeeze. "Guuahhuuagh…I can't move...Eeehhuuagh…I've lost Blood Body and now…I can't even use Dark Reflector in this state." Peta was now seeing he was in trouble, the monster couldn't become a a blood goop to avoid physical harm with Blood Body destroyed and Dark Reflector requires his hands which are tied up: he's caught in a trap.

"Alright; we caught him!" The Enforcers cheered in seeing they caught their enemy, now he's on the ropes now.

"Settle now, it's not over…till it's over." Adult Nyx told Bocolix & Dumbledore that this wasn't over…until they put Peta down for the count for good.

"I can't lose!" Peta opened his shut eyes to cry out this claim that he can't lose here, "GWUUAAAAAAAAAAUGHHHHh!" Peta let off a scream to struggle for his freedom, he's come so far, Peta had dreams with becoming Immortal to be like the Demon Lords, to have it all end here…it can't be.

Soon within Twilight's group, they were preparing some final attack move on the caught mage.

"Too bad," Spike responded off to issue this off on Peta's luck being up.

"You should have thought of that before trying to stop us!" Phobos remarked off in claiming that if Peta didn't get in their way, things would have been different; oh well.

As Gymnote lie it's head low to the ground while it's upper part held Peta upwards, still trapped, and with the heroes finally ready to unleash their full-force of attacks on this villain's zero defense.

"GUUAAAWWWUAGHHHH-Huuuuaagghhh," Peta was squalling out with horror in the eye, from this pain that he was feeling while gasping from being in the front-row seat of this magical stream wave of the heroes combined attack, "Guagh-Gaaughaauh, WAAAAUUGHHAAAHH! Graaarrughhh," Peta lifted up his head to let off a painful cry of agonizing pain coursing through his very being before….he was blasted out of the giant eel's grasp.

"Here's the Finisher! HUURRYAAAHH," Soon Ben was seen charging down with his Master Sword in his hoof and soon took a swing at the enemy that was exposed with zero guard.

Everything was silent when the screen focused off set above this valley and also at the time the background music finished at this point.

Soon our focus goes towards a sight where a body impacts the ground, as it was Peta….with a shock horrified expression. The body lies still there while Twilight's group watched on in what has taken place and Ben recalled his sword to disappear for the time the battle was over. Then spectacles of light were flying off from Peta's body, no doubt his life source. It wasn't long before the body begins to evaporate into red sparks of demon magic, clearly obliterating Peta's form when he's perished away. Soon nothing is left, the others were surprised to see that, but figure that at least now, Peta will never hurt anyone, human, pony or any other creature again for the evil Demon Lords, now he'll rest in peace.

"Feewww, Ah feel exhausted!" Tough sighed from feeling tired out about now, that fight really took it out of them.

"Why are you tired all of a sudden here?" Dumbledore asked off confused in what Tough was saying here.

"You only fired your gun with our attacks." Bocolix issued that they fired with powerful spells, not a shotgun, even with enchanted properties.

"Still…we should give our thanks…to this," Adult Nyx spoke in magically bringing up the now small shield that was whole again; Aegis, "Coming across this, I wonder…if fate had a helping hand with us here."

"Whatever the reason honey, we owe a big thank you to you for coming across it." Twilight said with a smile. "And another pony, just who was he; the unicorn that uses Shadow Magic, why does he appear & disappear instead of coming up to us? Why?"

"Twilight Sparkle & friends," Undine soon hovered near the group with her hands clutching something. "We wish to thank you, for what you've done in aiding us in this battle. Here…" She gave thanks with a smile and presented two things, the ring of the Living Inferno Bird: Phoenix and what was a gray bangle of armor covering with two armored fist bumping their knuckles in a lock, this was the item that contain Giant Hands: Saint Anger. "I've managed to uncover the Guardians: Living Inferno Bird, Phoenix & Giant Hands, Saint Anger. They are now Guardians whose loyalty & trust of being with you in seeing your strength of friendship & speaking to free them of evil has helped them a lot." The water nymph used magic to make the ring connect with Twilight's necklace with the other Guardian Rings and even had the bangle connect onto Twilight's left hoof wrist spot.

"Thank Undine." Twilight nods to thank the water nymph for these gifts they shall treasure, and new Guardian friends to have around & let them be free of evil.

"Wait, that's only two Guardians!" Spike responded in seeing the number count that the gang got out of the fight.

"Yeah, what about those other six or seven guys," Phobos asked off in not seeing themselves get those other cool, if not scary and dangerous guys they just survived beating.

"Unfortunately, during the confrontation….they seems to have been recruited by another presence. It's strange, but the magical aura that reached them felt….unease. Between light & dark," Undine spoke with a puzzling expression, that the other Gaurdians missing: Peryton, Wakan Tanka, Eins, the Dead Dragon, Remrace, and A Bao A Qu, even Body Eye if it is around, may have already been taken into custardy by a being who's path between good and evil is still in questioning….for the moment.

"Sounds like it might be whoever it was that may have been lurking in the shadows." Ben said in concern, remembering what his love just mentioned. “Twilight said she saw a strange masked pony when he saved her from a Hydra attack and we may believe he was responsible for destroying that labyrinth we escaped from its illusions."

"So is this hidden guy, a friend?" Dumbledore asked off in being unsure if whoever was helping them from the shadows; was he a friend?

"I don't know, he maybe an enemy!" Bocolix groans out in not knowing an answer like that, for all they know, it's a stealthily enemy.

"Like you two aren't suspicious enough." Phobos rolled his eyes in having strange suspicions about the two Enforcers that the gang is stuck with on their journey.

"Chill Phobos, we don't know much of anything of what's going on." Adult Nyx spoke to scold Phobos to be nicer just as she used her magic to change back into her filly form. "Besides, we still gotta find that ingredient Peta showed us." Nyx issued off in seeing they need to find the Glowing Mites before finishing their mission to save Sweet Apple Acres.

"Oh my goodness, that's right! We have to find it! Everypony fan out!" Twilight yelped off in remembering this and issued for everyone to find that ingredient.

"Good luck, and remember, if you need us, just call our names and we'll be there." Undine spoke with a gentle smile as she, Egola, Mehitos, Flying Leo, Torpedine & Gymnote glowed before vanishing in light, back into their rings & bracelets that Twilight held around on her made necklace by Ben…until needed.

"Yew know Nyx, wha yew did back there in beating Saint Anger was 'de most awesomest stunt Ah ever done seen pulled." Tough spoke with a smiling face in complimenting the filly for that one heck of an act she pulled that surprised them all.

"Yeah, maybe your lost powers Princess Celestia gave to Luna are slowly coming back to help out. What do you think?" Spike nods in feeling that Nyx being this strong must be a sign she's regaining her old strength, but without being all evil and looking more like Nightmare Moon.

"Heheheh, it's a nice thought if they did, I thought they would if I grew up. Just never expected that they work faster in a Battle Form," Nyx let off a giggle in thinking that was the answer to how she felt much stronger. She held the Aegis charm shield with a smile and decided to keep it for the next time they need it to save their bacon from such close callings.

After about fifteen or so minutes later, the gang was finishing up getting their gear near the cart with Justin the MechBull being ready. Rabbitchu and the other pets were fine, thanks to the former watching over them. After much time went by, the gang found the ingredient turns out in was in that Roman ruin in the center pillar stand for display, what are the odds? But they obtain what they needed, and that's good enough.

"We finally obtain it! The Glowing Mites of Bony Valley," Twilight expressed her gratitude in using her magic to bring the ingredient over before bagging it in their sack.

"Mwruauaghhh," Justin made a loud sound off in feeling ready to go now.

"Okay everypony, Justin & our cart's set up! Time to head out," Tough called out to the gang in having everything ready now, they can now leave this bony valley place behind them.

"The last ingredient," Spike spoke with some thoughts that since this weren't the last, but second to last ingredient, just one more is out there.

"Yeah, the very last one," Phobos nods in agreeing to Spike, they bag the last ingredient then they'll have everything on the list that Zecora gave them.

"If we get this, then that means…." Dumbledore spoke off in smiling to his pal in knowing what this'll all mean to them both.

"We can go home & out of this place!" Bocolix responded for joy, they'll get out and Twilight will be safe at last and so will they from Boris's wrath.

"See our friends & family again!" Nyx issued off in knowing they can see their friends & family once they get home, oh the joys.

"And help save our home's vegetable lose & keep a friend from leaving." Twilight stated off in knowing they'll help the Apples not leave while making sure Ponyville has their vegetables.

"Alright gang, according to the map, we'll just go over this large gate & we'll be out to travel towards the final place to accomplish our task. So lets do this!" Ben explained this out to the others in seeing they need to open the gate's doors that reach up to the top of the valley, the group open that, they'll head out to what else is there for them to travel through and obtain their final ingredient.

That speech was enough to make everyone in the cart cheer with their spirits encouraged. With that, Tough signal Justin to pull them off towards preparing to leave this place now. Once the group reached the gate's door, did the magic users put their might together to make the giant gates open that would have taken a colossus, or unless there was a mechanism they missed, oh well. With the deed done, did the travelers make it through the gate while it was closing behind them; This is where they say farewell to Bony Valley and pray that the fallen spirits of this land can at last…rest in peace, and that with the evil mage Peta gone….the End of Equestria can begin a new slow recover…in regaining its old Valley of Peace appeal scenery in a couple of years.

However, once Twilight's group had left this ending part of Bony Valley, something began to happen; the rings & necklaces of the defeated seven Guardians under Peta's control began to appear from the shadows to hover up. And then from a bright flash of light, the defeated were seen again: the Monstrous Form; Peryton, next the Limbo Serpent Skull; Wakan Tanka, third was the Armored Spear Knight; Eins, fourth was the Zombie Beast; the Dead Dragon, fifth was the Dark Herculean Soul; Remrace, the sixth was the Kamikaze Dark-Bringer; A Bao A Qu, and the seventh to lastly Guardian favor to Peta the most, the Black Diablo; Body Eye. These seven soon registered their area just as lost & confused by what happened to them.

"What is this? Weren't we defeated?" Eins, the only Guardian among this group lot that could speak, responded in not figuring out how they are here? "Those ponies & Dragons are gone and Peta's magical presence has vanished, so who summoned us?"

"I can answer that." A mysterious, serious tone voice spoke out in answering that question of thought.

And soon something came from the shadows like a blob at first before taking form. And soon came forth the image that was of the Equestrian Eliminator, the agent from Tartarus that is currently observing Twilight Sparkle & her group as they travel. And right now, he seems to have business with these Guardians that he has helped to bring up after their defeat by the heroes.

"It was I that managed to obtain your items with Shadow Magic, and hence forth…with Peta the Evil Mage cease among the living, his ownership is changed." The Equestrian Eliminator spoke forth in stating that with these Guardians now freed agents for new owners, he's obtain them through his own stealth approach of magic.

"And we're supposed to accept that you are our new owner?" Eins spoke for all the other former Guardians under Peta's service that they just kneel over just cause a pony in a mask says so. "It's just the same as before, working for someone underfoot of the Demon Lords." This Guardian in a knight's form responded off that from their view, this stallion that came from the shadows is a servant to a Demon, even if they don't know which of the known Eight Immortal Sorcerers.

"No, my lord is different from the Eight Immortal Demons within the Realm of Demons."The Equestrian Eliminator responded with a serious dry tone in stating he works for a demon of an even higher order. "I serve the demon Dark Elf, Grimmore, the Overlord King of Tartarus." He explained who he served, and the name of his lord, really set things into motion now.

"What? Grimmore," Eins yelped off to say in being surprised, as were the other Guardians that stared to the other in learning of this huge piece of news. "Nrrrugh, so you’re not only a pony, but you serve the most dangerous demon prisoner sealed in Tartarus. That dark-elf containing a godlike power unlike anything that had to be locked away!" Even the Guardians from any parts of the End of Equestria know much about from the eight Demon Lords to the Dark Elf in where they stand in totally different levels of power and authority.

"Yes, that much is true." The Equestrian Eliminator nods in issuing that what is mention about his lord was the truth of the matter. "And if you come willingly, then you shall serve under my order." He issued this off for the seven Guardians to recognize as his offer for their service.

"What's the catch?" Eins asked off from looking from the other Guardians in speaking for them in what this masked pony was saying. "Surely you didn't just take us from joining those heroes." If this stranger just took them to have them take orders from him, it's not that much different from what Twilight's little band of travelers would want.

"Your prowess is more suited to combat and bringing destruction around your area." The Equestrian Eliminator explained the context of why he selected these Guardians under his eyes and interest of their abilities. "They may have obtained the Guardians: Phoenix & Saint Anger, but you seven will be more putting your skills to better use in my line of work." The agent of Grimmore declared that from his line of work, these Guardians will be performed for the jobs this pony does in his own service.

"And what is your work?" Eins asked with some interesting in wondering what their new owner does for a living.

"Mercenary…Assassin…Spy….an Agent to Grimmore, Number 13. Code Name: The Equestrian Eliminator." Equestrian Eliminator introduced his porfolily to the Guardians to not keep much of any secrets of what he does when serving Grimmore and his own army. "I shall ask again, side with me and you'll be treated much better than you would have with Peta. You'll be given some freedom, but under strict rules….My rules." From his narrowing focus eyes, he was not kidding, he wants these Guardians to know they'll be free to be not as slaves or tools, but the masked pony will want them to perform task for him.

Now the seven Guardians begin to look at each other while sending signals from their eye expressions and low growl noises to communicate. After a while of discussing, did the one that spoke simple English turn back to the masked pony.

"Alright, alright, seeing that we're lucky to even still be alive, you must want us since you summoned us." Eins held up his hands in saying they get what is happening and seeing their options to reject seem pretty far off now. "Very well, it's decided…we'll serve you as our new owner & master." He issued this off in what the other Guardians have decided on, this masked stallion may not seem like it, but he seems very skilled and very powerful for a unicorn…maybe even more then Peta was.

"Good, now that the agreement has come into term." Equestrian Eliminator nods in signaling from his eyesight that the arrangements in siding with him are done with. "It's time we continue to watch their progress." He instructed the first task he and his own brand of Guardians will be doing now.

"Their progress; who do you mean?" Eins asked puzzled that neither he nor the others are following.

"Twilight Sparkle & her band; they've managed to overcome this area and shall soon be heading for their last ingredient." Equestrian Eliminator stated how that Twilight's party is about to enter the next area to obtain the final ingredient and he is to see if she can do so…or fail, it matters not so long as their is results.

"Grugruaaoorurghhh…." Body Eye soon let off a response here in making some attention in what it's trying to communicate in its language with the other Guardian Creatures.

"Hugh, Body Eye says he saw you did something to save that pony. Why'd you do such a deed if you're a Demon's agent?" Eins responded a bit puzzled in trying to figure out their new owner, like why he save Twilight if he's on the Demon's side?

"Isn't it obvious?" The Equestrian Eliminator stated off with a dry remote response in saying his answer is clear.

"Eh?" Eins responded lost, as neither him nor the others were even following or this guy was getting them sidetracked.

"Because I've been order to see her active progress within the End of Equestria, even without my aid, she would have stopped Peta's last attack well enough." The Equestrian Eliminator closed his eyes in explaining his case was simply a matter of knowing the results that would have played out in the end; even without interfering….or was that really all? "I only thought it was just a wasteful effort for your former owner to go for such lengths." He exclaimed to open his eyes in stating out, that what he did was cause Peta was already wasting effort to attack when he already lost after his Blood Body broke. "By the way, what did he do with the blood samples that he got?" The masked pony narrow his eyes in asking around a subject, recalling Peta got sample bloods of those among Twilight's group with special magic properties, save for Tough, Bocolix & Dumbledore.

"Heck if either of us knows, Peta magically sends it to where other villains or Demons could study powerful creatures by their blood types." Eins shrug off to respond that non of the Guardians here that serve Peta knew what he did with the blood samples, he could have sent them to be hidden or given to clients of evil, even Demon servants.

"I see then it may mean….new enemies may arise from that gathered blood and may pose some neutral threat. By that doesn't matter much." The Equestrian Eliminator closed his eyes in understanding the events that may play out, having a theory that new foes may rise from the blood of powerful foes by used….to create evil life and so forth. "We're going. Follow my orders well without too many questions, and our mutual arrangement in working together as a unit, will be essential." He opened his eyes to focus on his own band of Guardians in saying they shall aid him in whatever filed he'll work in, and wants them to follow along and they'll be fine then.

"Huh…Uh-hugh," Eins yelped before nodding to agree there, now he & the others got a new, if not unusual owner different from Peta. Not really sure if this pony is evil or not, but for now, whatever decisions are made, they will follow them.

With that settled, the Seven Guardians: Peryton, Wakan Tanka, Eins, Dead Dragon, Remrace, A Bao A Qu, and Body Eye, disappear from view to return to their magical summon items. All these Guardians that serve a new owner, Agent 13 of Grimmore's Order, the Equestrian Eliminator, now holds new power in his hoofs. Soon the masked stallion looked around the grave site, sensing the souls that have long since deceased feel somewhat at ease. But from their purity, some form of light particles shows up near Agent 13 in…the form of a young unicorn colt; Starlight. The Equestrian Eliminator doesn't make any sudden motions towards what he believes is an illusion and of something he keeps telling himself that he is NOT that decease colt. With a magical motion from his horn, the Equestrian Eliminator soon disappears back into the shadows to leave this area…and continue to trail Twilight's party on their progress. But during such a departure, the spirit form of Starlight begins to fade while saying this response…

"Keep watching out for her, kay?" That was all the spirit form illusion of Starlight said before disappearing. Seems another mystery keeps appearing one after another with lots of questions? Just what is going on around in the End of Equestria, and how will Twilight's group handle obtaining the final ingredient….it all remains for fate to decide…and for us to see next time.

------------

"They did it!" Jade cheers on as she and the others saw Twilight's group now leaving Bony Valley. Peta is defeated, that means the Valley of Peace is one step closer to being restored.

"Amazing; The Holy and Mystical Item had saved them in time! Now, they had to seek one more ingredient." Dragon Kick said with a smile. One more ingredient to be gained and it's over.

"Indeed." Tao said in amusement. A familiar figure appears from Tao's behind. "So, has Grimmore decided to kill me?"

"He's still unaware of it yet. But I've considered something about Twilight. Each time I see her, my memory seems slowly return, especially the photo you gave me. Why," The Equestrian Eliminator demands, narrowing his eyes at the old pony.

"You already know the answer, my dear boy."

"I understand, hermit. But I doubt she would accept and see me again after long disappearing since Lorcan came to me and her, if this is truly the case of my identity."

"There is no doubt, but faith. But take time, my friend. Someday; But maybe tomorrow, next day or years later; But who knows, you may change sides." Tao said to the Equestrian Eliminator, who he knows to be Starlight.

The Equestrian Eliminator was silent for a moment then he sighs, "Perhaps. But my heart and soul are still in a tight leash as you had said. Perhaps I can break free; someday."

"Patient is the way to earn victory and reward."

"Perhaps; before I leave, I have present for you to return." The Equestrian Eliminator threw three rings to Tao, Dragon Kick and Jade. They saw the rings of Guardians Peryton, Remrace and Body Eye. They were surprised, "Considered this: even, hermit."

The truth be told, the Equestrian Eliminator felt like it's best that the mentioned Guardians be in the possession of someone who could used them better than he could. The stallion has already discuss the idea to the others and they approved...as long as the Equestrian Eliminator comes back to get the trio when need be.

"Then, so be it, Starlight." Tao said with a nod.

"But we shall meet again, hermit." The Equestrian Eliminator said as he turn, preparing to leave, "One more thing. Be warned and aware of Grimmore. He may be close to you than you think."

"I'm not afraid of him." Jade said sternly, not aware of the one called Grimmore.

"You will be. You will."

"Bad Day," Dragon Kick said, worried that what the Equestrian Eliminator said will need come true.

"Thank you for the information, Starlight. I knew there is good in you." Tao said with a slight smile. Grimmore can try all he wants but he will never get rid of the good that is still Starlight.

"You will never know when I'll be backstabbing, old hermit. So you'd better watch out." The Equestrian Eliminator said, giving Tao and the others a fair warning.

The Equestrian Eliminator disappears in the shadows; Most likely to keep on following Twilight and her group no doubt.

------------

In the area that is filled with rocks, Tso Lan is still standing and staring at the space. The Moon Demons has yet to know about Peta's failure...and even if he did, Tso Lan didn't think of that now as a song begins to play.

Singing: Great Demon Father,
You know I am a great Demon Lord
Of my judgment I'm justly proud.

Chorus: Et tibit Pater (And to you, Father)

Tso Lan turn around and head towards the fireplace. He begins to sing.

Tso Lan: Oh Great Demon Father,
You know I'm so much intelligent than
The common, vulgar, weak, licentious crowd

Chorus: Quia peccavi nimis (That I have sinned)

Tso Lan's look became worried and feared.

Tso Lan: Then tell me, my Father
Why has my daughter denied her destiny
Why has she betray her own blood

Chorus: Cogitatione (In thought)

He then cross his hand tights while looking at the fireplace. The fire shaped the form of Nyx. Then appeared the form of Twilight Sparkle; They both hug together, much to the Demon's fury.

Tso Lan: I fear her, I'm losing her
Twilight Sparkle has taken control of her
Has driven me out of all control.

Chorus: Verbo et opere (In word and deed)

Tso Lan's eyes grew in widen with both fear and concern.

Tso Lan: Like magic
Demon Magic
This witch's in her blood

He sigh. Tso Lan then clench his hands tight.

This power
Desire
Is turning me to light

Suddenly, the humanoid dressed in black hooded ones appear on the left and right. Tso Lan gasp.

It's not my fault

Chorus: Mea culpa (Through my fault)

Tso Lan starts floating away but more of black hooded ones appear on sides.

Tso Lan: I'm not to blame

Chorus: Mea culpa (Through my fault)

Tso Lan: It is that Alicorn Witch
The princess who sent this light

Chorus: Mea maxima culpa (Through my most grievous fault)

Tso Lan: It's not my fault

Chorus: Mea culpa (Through my fault)

Tso Lan: If in my Father's plan

Chorus: Mea culpa (Through my fault)

Tso Lan stood before the black hooded ones as they slowly faded back. The fire flow and passed him by. Then, it enters into a fireplace.

Tso Lan: He made the angel so much
Stronger than a Demon

Chorus: Mea maxima culpa (Through my most grievous fault)

Tso Lan looked very worried and feared as he continue to watch both Nyx and Twilight playing together.

Tso Lan: Help me, My Great Father
Don't let this siren cast her spell
Don't let her take my daughter away

Tso Lan clenched his hand tight and raised his up. In the fireplace, he saw Twilight Sparkle shot down by Dark Magic. Then, imagination of Nyx appeasr before him. She bows before him as Tso Lan hug her tight.

Destroy Twilight Sparkle
And let her taste the Demon Magic of Darkness
So my daughter can finally return to me.......

"Brother Tso!" A familiar voice yells out. The Nyx that Tso Lan hugged disappear. Tso Lan himself, awakened from the dream, pant as he turn and saw Hsi Wu flying towards him. Tso Lan shook his head and make his hair gentle.

"What is it?" Tso Lan ask Hsi Wu, wanting to know what he wants.

"Peta's lost the battle. Twilight and her friends escaped death again."

"What?"

Hsi Wu smirks to Tso Lan, adding, "Don't worry. Good news is that Peta sent all the blood including Nightmare Moon's to us before his death."

"Well done. Inform our brethren gathered up for the meeting." Tso Lan said anxiously. Hsi Wu nods as he flew away. "I will have her. I will bring her back, even if I had to break her heart to pieces! And that is your mother: Twilight Sparkle!"

Tso Lan glared at the fireplace as he resume singing.

Demon Magic
Dark Magic
Now, my dearest daughter, it's your turn.
Choose me, or your mother's death.
Be mine, or you shall be in pained!

Tso Lan blast his Blackish Blade on the fireplace. The fire grew in darkness and became larger. Tso Lan stared at the flames as it grew darker and larger.

Chorus: Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)

Tso Lan: Demon Father have mercy on her

Chorus: Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)

Tso Lan: Demon Father have mercy on me

Chorus: Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)

Tso Lan: But she will be mine
Or she will be in pained!

Once the song is over, Tso Lan continue to stare at the fireplace as it slowly return to its normal size. He panted as he himself at once leave his area and meet up with his brethren who were waiting for him to show up.

Tchang Zu glares at Tso Lan as he demands, "What took you long?"

"You were okay at first, but now you're tired." Hsi Wu adds in concern, noting how tired his brother is.

"Care to explain?" Po Kong asks a bit curious.

"Having trouble with the fireplace; But I am fine. For now,” Tso Lan said with a sigh. Perhaps now is not the time to explain what happened. That will give them more reason to worry.

Shendu on the other hand can guess what happened. Deciding to drop the matter, the Demon Lord said, "I see."

"Here it is the blood of Nightmare Moon, Twilight Sparkle, Ben Mare, Spike and Phobos." Xiao Fung said. Tso Lan receive five tubes of his enemies' bloods from Xiao Fung. He smirks.

"Excellent. With their blood on our sides, we will create the perfect duplicate Nightmare Moon with such magnificent and powerful strengths and might in the world." Tso Lan chuckle in delight. "Shendu, proceed with the second master plan. And be sure about what you had said before."

"I assure you that I will succeed in capturing both Nightmare Moon and Spike." Shendu said with a smirk as he turns to the goblin, "Goblin?"

"Yes master." The goblin, annoyed by his real name not being used again, grunts.

The portal is opened in front of Shendu ho passed through it. Once he is done, Bai Tza spoke up, "So what is your second master plan?"

"A soon as Shendu captured all of them while dealing with Ben Mare as he requested, I have some use of Nightmare Moon and Spike in against the one who raised them." Tso Lan explain. Hearing Spike's name made the other Demon Lords gasp in shock.

"Spike," Po Kong yells out in shock and alarm.

"I understand Nightmare Moon, but why Spike?!" Xiao Fung asks in shock. Why in the world would Tso Lan want with that little traitor?!

"But he is a traitor." Xiao Fung said in concern.

Hsi Wu asks suspiciously, "Can he be trusted?"

Tchang Zu, agreeing with the skeptic siblings, adds, "He is now an ally of ponies!"

"Never say never, my brethren. Shendu requested me." Tso Lan explains, making the other Demon Lords snarl at the request. "But do not fear and worry. For we had more surprises for our enemy, such as Shendu possessed more than just the Fire Element. "

The Demon Lords looked confused. Bai Tza, being the first to get it, smirks as she said, "I see. I can't wait to find out more of how Shendu achieved in bringing Nightmare Moon and Spike back to our sides."

"You'll be intrigued, my brethren. Victory will soon be ours."

Tso Lan laugh and chuckle evilly, followed by the Demon Lords. Everything will go as planned...

Chapter 16: Shendu's Second Master Plan

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Chapter 16: Shendu's Second Master Plan

The Degree Volcano is one of the hottest places, and I mean HOT because it is also a volcano. This place is also the home to the palace of one of the most evilest Demon Lords in Equestria: Shendu and he's about to return home.

In Shendu's Palace, the goblin had solved the puzzle after making both together. The Pan'ku Box glows in green, floated, and then fire on the giant throne chair. It then attach to the chair then the Pan'ku Box beam out as it open a big portal Shendu stepped out from his portal, freed once more.

Shendu breathe in and out before he looks around. With a cruel smile he said, "Yes; Freedom at last. At long last, my powers...once more used outside the realm of my imprisonment. Speed... Invisibility... Astral-projection; and my personal favorite: Ruuarrghh!" From the glowing red eyes, the Dragon Demon roared before preparing something. "Combustion! "

Shendu clasp his hands to form a sphere of pure fiery energy that fire off a discharge at the entrance. The goblin panic while screaming. He quickly ducked down before he gets his head roasted.

"Booomfruvhmmm," Soon outside Shendu'a palace, a highly destructive & explosive force destroyed the outer walls while sending any gravel off down below. Man, talk about some serious firepower, both mentally & physically to be sure.

Shendu chuckle evilly, "Perfect. My powers have been perfectly restored to me." He turned to the goblin who quickly bows down. "You have my thanks, Todd."

Todd, surprised that Shendu knows his name, asks, "You know my name?"

"While you're not a great warrior as anyone else, you have great loyalty to me and my brethren for many years. Be sure that we have not sent you to battlefield to get killed."

"Oh thank you, Master Shendu! I thought I would change sides to join Grimmore because you didn't give me credit."

"Huh?! What was that?!" Shendu demanded, wondering what the goblin just said.

Todd quickly said, "Um......Nothing!" Last thing he wants is Shendu to punish him...harshly for suggesting that.

Shendu glare at Todd with his glare. The goblin shivers as the Dragon Demon said, "Matters not. Now, go to Tso Lan's Palace and await for his order, Todd."

"Yes master."

Todd immediately left the chamber as quickly as he can. Shendu approach and sat on his throne chair. His eyes glow in red. In every corner of the shadows, creatures are hidden that has red eyes and are looking at Shendu. They await his orders.

"Be prepared for our visitors. This time, we will succeed." Shendu said to the hidden ones sinisterly.

The hidden ones nod as they get ready. No more failures this time. Shendu will succeed...

--------------

Twilight and her group sweat a bit. The Degree Volcano is indeed one huge volcano. No wonder the last ingredient, the Sacred Flame, can be found here.

"So, Twilight, where's the last ingredient we're looking for?" Spike asks, wondering what ingredient is the last to get here.

Twilight looks at the map then gulps while answering, "I'm not going to like this, Spike. But the last ingredient we're looking for is inside of Shendu's Palace."

Everyone but Twilight gasps, "Shendu?!" The Sacred Flame is in his home?! Oh, not good. Shendu is one of the most powerful Demon Lords besides Tso Lan.

"Oh boy, that's not good." Phobos said with a frown.

"The Demon Lord of Fire," Nyx yelps with a fright. She was worried that the group would come to this moment but why now?

"Of all of the places, can't the place at least be nice and good?" Dumbledore groans a bit in despair and fright. Not good at all.

Bocolix nods, saying, "Yeah, that would be nice." Anything is better than coming to Shendu's wicked palace of fire!

"Everywhere we go is always 'de worst." Tough said, commentating on no matter where the gang goes, they always find a dangerous place or so to go to. "Even so, Ah'd say we can handle 'de battles pretty well."

"Tough's right; We had faced and overcome the Demon Lords' pets, servants and even six of themselves." Ben said, nodding in agreement. "Besides, we're almost finished in gathering all the ingredients. We need the last one. If those Demon Lords were to come and face us, we still have the voice and the Mystic Banishment Ingredients to fight them."

"You're right, daddy. We can do this. We had come too far for this." Nyx said in determination. The group has made it here this far, time to finish it with the last ingredient.

Twilight smiles in determination, speaking to the others, "Yes. I'd say we finish this journey once and for all. Are you with me?"

Ben smile, hugging Twilight while saying, "To the end."

Nyx jumped up and down like a certain pony, giggling, "Me too."

Spike throws a fist into the air, remarking, "Let's do this, guys."

"After this horrible trip, we can all go home." Phobos said. Once Shendu is beaten, the End of Equestria quest will finally be over.

"Yew bet, guys." Tough said, agreeing to join in as well.

"I wonder if they're gonna forgive us for lying to them if they know that we're really Boxco and Dum-Dum." Bocolix whispers to Dumbledore in concern. What if their new friends find out the truth of who the new Alicorns really are? Would they be forgiven?

Dumbledore whispers right back, "Doubt on that one, pal. But still, we did manage to get Twilight Sparkle safely, didn't we? So, let's finish this nightmare trip for good."

Bocolix nods. Twilight trots on, saying, "Alright, everypony, let's go; One last journey."

Twilight and her friends got onto the cart. They move towards Shendu's Palace for one last journey, preparing for the worst. Koga heard rustling coming from some bushes. He turn and snarl at them before barking at the bushes.

"Easy, Koga; I know it's scary but we're almost done." Ben said, petting Koga though the stallion is unaware as the real reason why his wolf cub is doing that. "Just wait a little longer. I promise you. We'll be fine."

Koga whimper in worry as he turn back to the front. Unknown to Twilight and her friends, the bushes open up to reveal reddish eyes, glaring at them while hiding in the shadows.

------------------------

Pinkamena was reading but shivers and says, "It seems that some time or so a new enemy will be made from the blood of some of the gang and the gang will be dealing with a powerful Demon."

Golden Heart say in concern, "I see but nothing that the evil ones will make be strong enough to beat the powers of light and friendship but the fight I cannot do."

Pinkamena heads to Omega and says, "Omega, I need you to help Twilight and friends beat this powerful Demon and then once you done return back here,:

"Understood."

Omega heads off at fast speed to get to the gang as Pinkamena sits down and begins reading again.

Pinkamena spoke up, "Anyway the gang are doing well."

"Ok." Golden Heart said, relieved to hear that.

------------------

Twilight and her family had entered the large hallway of Shendu's Palace. They saw the bones of ponies and some strange creatures, along with their broken weapons and torn clothes. They looked scared and worried at seeing the scene. Ponies must've come here and not came out to tell the tale.

"Wow. That's some whack place." Dumbledore remarks with a shudder.

"I wonder what really happen in this place." Bocolix comments while looking around in concern.

"What you see is the battle between forces of good and evil." A familiar voice spoke. Everyone yelp as they turn and saw Tao who smiled. "Hello."

"For Dragon's sake, Tao, will you quit doing that! We had a heck enough in fighting with the monsters for a week!" Phobos complains to Tao. That last surprise was unnecessary and scary!

Tao hits Phobos while scolding, "Respect the elders."

Spike chuckle as he apologize to Tao, "Sorry about that, Tao. You know, we're so tired from fighting and running for our lives."

"I see. So what are you doing here in this dreadful palace of Shendu?"

Twilight sighs while explaining, "We come for the last ingredient, Tao."

Nyx smile while asking, "Do you know what this mean?"

Tao smile while answering the little filly, "Indeed, I do, Beauty of Night's Hope. This will be your last journey to get the ingredient. Thus, you'll save the home of your dearest sister-like, Twilight and my dear friends."

Twilight smiles; She says, "Indeed, it is, Tao. And, thank you too."

"For what?"

"For helping us; You see, ever since we came to the End of Equestria, we were so worried that we wouldn't make it out alive until you came."

Tao pretends to be confused as he spoke out, "But I'm merely hermit pony. All I did is give advice to you."

Nyx smile while pointing out, "That's the point, Mr. Tao. Your advice has given us confident and hope; We had overcome everything. Now we made it to the last ingredient."

"You said it, Nyx." Spike laughs while patting Nyx on the back.

"Thank you so much, Tao. Once we turned, we won't be seeing you again." Ben said, knowing that Tao would disappear again like so any times back. Everyone turn to the front for a while. They turn back but gasp upon noticing that...the old pony didn't disappear! "Wait! You didn't disappear like before. Why?"

"And let you journey through this dreadful palace? I don't think so, Ben." Tao said to Ben in concern.

"Then, why not before, pal?" Phobos asks Tao with a frown.

"Because Shendu's Palace is very a dangerous place, especially since this involve Shadow Demons."

Bocolix and Dumbledore ask in alarm, "Shadow Demons?" That doesn't sound good.

"What's that?" Spike ask, getting worried by what Tao just said as well.

"Shadow Demons are very mindless yet persistent and loyal to their masters. Though not powerful, they are very fierce and a dangerous army." Tao explains to the group. "They will spawn more to increase more soldiers. Shadow Demons has eight tribes: Tso Lan's Razors, Shendu's Ninjas, Bai Tza's Squids, Tchang Zu's Samurais, Dai Gui's Crabs, Xiao Fung's Mantises, Po Kong's Sumos and Hsi Wu's Bats. Each of the tribes possessed the unique ability and talents in battling their enemies. We must be very cautious."

"So, these Shadow Demons, where are they?" Tough ask while looking around. If the Shadow Demons do exist, they may be watching the gang right now!

"Hiding in shadows, in their deep Ssumber and awaits for their masters' arrival and order."

"So how do we avoid them?" Nyx ask Tao in worry. She wants to be ready in case those Shadow Demons were to show up, causing trouble.

"By not making any noise; I shall guide you through this palace." Tao said to Nyx gently. If the group doesn't make any noises, they can find the ingredient and get out without causing any confrontations with the Shadow Demons themselves.

"Thank you, Tao." Twilight said. The group will need all the help that they can get.

Tao took the torch and light to the stairs while leading Twilight and her friends up to the top floor. Twilight and her friends looked around and saw the dead bodies. What happened here?

"So, what happen here?" Ben asks Tao curiously yet worried.

"Thanks to Tadaka and Lorcan, heroes from old age have managed to defeat most of Demon Lords and their army. And this place is the final battle between Princess Celestia and the forces of good and the last Demon Lord, Shendu." Tao explains grimly. "Though they had won the battle, there is a price to pay: brave souls of ponies had sacrificed their lives to save their homes from being destroyed."

"That's very sad." Nyx said, making a sniff. A lot of ponies had lost their lives to save Equestria from an evil monster and his horde.

"I don't like the word of 'sacrifice'." Spike remarks with a shudder. The word 'sacrifice' reminds him of how he gave his own life to save everyone that he cared about from Lorcan.

Tao nod, saying, "Indeed, it is very painful to anyone to see the fallen heroes like the ones in this place."

Twilight thought for a moment, then she begins to speak, "Tao, I was wondering. Is this the reason why the Mystic Pony couldn't restore the End of Equestria to the Valley of Peace because of the Demon Lords' curses?"

Tao nod as he said, "Yes, Twilight. After the Demon Lords' banishment, a Mystic Pony believed that his Light could cure and restore the land. But unfortunately, the land consists of both Warlords and the Demon Lords' Dark, Demon and Curse Magic, it had nearly corrupted and consumed him to become corrupted from restoring it."

"Ouch, that really hurt." Dumbledore remark, cringing at what the Mystic Pony has gone through.

"I hope he's okay." Bocolix said in concern.

"You know, Tao, I really wish to meet this Mystic Pony, like Twilight had said. I hope he's okay." Ben said with a nod. If the Earth pony can meet the Mystic Pony who did all he could to try to restore the Valley of Peace, it will be worth all the trouble.

Twilight said, "Ben........"

Tao smile while saying, "Someday, you will, Ben."

Twilight and her friends continue to go up the stairs. They had arrived on the top floor. The group continues to journey and arrived at the fork road that consist of two entrances.

"So which way to go," Phobos ask while pondering which way to go now.

"Aieyah; I forgot." Tao groans as he slaps himself on the forehead with one hoof in embarrassment. "I had not been in this place for 30 years. This curse place shivered me a lot."

"I can tell of that." Spike said with a nod. He knows how it feels to forget something upon being terrified.

"There's nothing we can do, but to rest until Tao remembers." Ben suggests.

Twilight and her friends took a break and rested for a while. Tao play his leaf flute while looking at the entrance. Nyx sighed as she approached Tao, "Tao, I need to ask you something."

"What is it, Nyx?" Tao ask, wondering what Nyx wish to ask him of.

"I need you to be honest with me. Did you and my parents had a talk about me? Is Tso Lan really my real father? He told me who I really am, especially from what Bai Tza and Po Kong had told me before."

Twilight and Ben turn to Tao and Nyx; Looks like the time has come. Both parents are worried as to how their daughter would feel about hearing the truth the hard way. Would she be the same afterwards?

Tao sigh, "Promise me that you will not be angered." Nyx nods. "It is true."

Nyx look shocked while sighing, "So, I really am a Demon. I really am Tso Lan's daughter."

"Nyx, you're not a Demon." Twilight said to Nyx gently. She refuses to let her daughter berate herself like that.

"You shouldn't let that bother you." Ben said in agreement to his daughter.

Nyx sob to her parents, "Why are you being so nice to me? You already know the truth of who I really am. I brought sufferings and harm to you and everyone I know of. I am Nightmare Moon's Reincarnation and Tso Lan's daughter. Why, Twilight and Ben," Why would the two ponies even care for her after hearing what Tao just said?

"Because Nyx, you're our daughter and part of a family."

"You'll always be in our heart. You're not a Demon, you're a pony." Twilight said with a smile to the worried Nyx.

"Do you mean it, Twilight, Ben?" Nyx ask. Twilight and Ben smiled while nodding. "Even so, I don't know how long can you two keep this up. Tso Lan will do anything to kill you. Maybe I should have given up."

"Nyx......." Ben said in concern.

Twilight shakes her head whiles aying, "No......."

"Despite knowing your true identity, are you happy of your decision?" Tao ask Nyx, wondering if the filly would keep her decision and be happy with it.

"But what can I do?" Nyx ask Tao in plead. She wants an answer.

"Fight and defeat Tso Lan." Tao answers. Nyx looked shocked. "I know, it is hard and dangerous to face with him. But action speaks louder than words. If he won't listen to your words, then he shall listen to your action. Only you must face him alone."

"I guess so. But do you think I can handle it? I'm not sure if I can face my own father?"

"You have to, Nyx. Even if Tso Lan is your real dad, he's noting like Ben." Spike explains. "He doesn't even care about you like my brother did or your dad."

"Spike's right, Nyx; I'd say kick his flank for hurting us." Phobos remarks in eagerness. The Moon Dragon figures that if Nyx takes down Tso Lan, only then would that monster would pay.

"We'll be there fer yew, Nyx." Tough said with a smile. If the ponies are there for Nyx, they will give her the courage needed to defeat Tso Lan for good.

Bocolix and Dumbledore both said in agreement, "Yeah."

"No matter what happen, Nyx, we'll help and protect you." Ben said, nuzzling Nyx in comfort.

"You'll always be in our heart, Nyx." Twilight said with a warm smile to her little filly.

Nyx sob while smiling, "Thank you, mom, dad and everypony." Hearing that has change her doubts for good this time.

Nyx hug her family while Tough, Dumbledore and Bocolix sob. Tao smile at the scene, then he gasps in recognization, "Aieyah. Now I remember."

Everyone ask at the same time, "You do?"

"Left; come, my friends, we must make haste."

Tao leads Twilight and her friends into the left entrance. After a long hallway of the entrance, they have arrived at a large hall. The group looks amazed and surprised of the place.

"The Sacred Flame that we're looking for could be anywhere." Ben said while glancing around the hall.

"How we gonna find it in a large hall?" Nyx ask while looking around herself. Looking for a big flame is like finding a needle in a haystack back at Sweet Apple Acres.

Phobos spots the white light on the left side. He points while saying, "Over there."

"Phobos," Tao ask while turning to see where Phobos was pointing at.

Phobos heads to the left room. Everyone followed him. They arrive in a room that consists of more dead ponies skeletons, and in the middle is a big rectangle stone-like coffin. Most of the group shivers at this sight.

"Is that a coffin?" Spike asks in concern.

Nyx ask, "But whose coffin?"

"I see something on the tomb's top part." Phobos said, spotting a label on the coffin. He flew up high and read it, "'Tenkai the Spiritual Mystic.'"

Everyone but Tao ask in surprise, "Tenkai?" The group ponders who that pony is.

Tao was the one who answers their question, "A Unicorn, one of Mystic Ponies who controls and connects to the spirits and the Spiritual World."

"Tao, is he the one who restored the Lake of Eternal?" Twilight ask Tao, wondering if Tenkai is the same one who restored the Lake of Eternal to what it was before.

Tao shook his head as he corrects, "No; that was a Light Mystic."

"So, what's a Spirit Mystic doing here? Is he trying to cure the land too?" Ben ask Tao, pondering what a Spirit Mystic is doing here in the first place.

"Indeed. But going to the Demon Lords' Palace will put grave danger to anyone, even both Alicorns and Mystic Ponies. They may end up being corrupted or death."

"This is bad." Nyx gulps a bit. She and Twilight are Alicorns, would that mean that they would be in danger too?

"Indeed , it is." Tao said with a grave nod.

"Hey, look what I found." The baby Dragon calls over. Everyone turn and saw Spike holding a large dusty old book. "I found a book from the dead pony. Well, I wasn't trying to be rude."

"I know, Spike. Let me read this book, it might give us the clue." The old pony requested. Spike gave the book to Tao. "Heed carefully, this could be important."

Everyone gather around Tao, but Bocolix and Dumbledore spots the dead demon's skeleton, sitting on the well. As they look at it. Tao read the journal, "'My journey to restore the Valley of Peace had become in vain. I should have heeded the wisdom of my ally. I thought using my powers of connection to Spirits could help me restore it. But I was wrong. I sense nothing of their good essence but darkness. But worst is that more Shadow Demons have appeared. And it seems that they're very fierce and angered by my attempts. As I feared, the Shadow Demons continued to spawn more until the arrival of any masters to come. To prevent more spawning, all eight Demon Lords must be resealed again. My dear old friend; please be ensure that no monsters could ever come out from their prison. Or Equestria will fall.'"

"That's bad news?" Spike asks Tao in worry. The journal entry sounded like a nightmare!

"Indeed , it is, Spike. We must find the ingredient at once."

"Yes. I had the feeling that Shendu is here as well." Twilight said grimly. Shendu would most likely be in the palace by now.

"I can only hope that he doesn't spot or heard us." Ben said in concern.

As Bocolix and Dumbledore were about to touch the dead pony, something come out from the well. They both panicked while screaming. Everyone turned as Bocolix and Dumbledore return to the group at once.

"Bocolixl Dumbledore! What in tarnation did yew do?!" Tough demanded, wondering what those two goofy Alicorns has done now.

"Something's just come out!" Bocolix exclaims frantically to the others.

"Whatever it is, it's not good." Dumbledore points to the direction of the well while screaming.

Tao look shocked and worried while mumbling, "They know we're here."

Everyone look confused and worried. They soon saw the area covered by some shadows which emerged from the ground and form into blue humanoid-skinned creatures with black ninja suits with reddish eyes. They all glare at Twilight and her family. Twilight and her friends gather around Tenkai's tomb. This is not the welcome party.

Spike gulps, "Let me guess......Shadow Demons?"

Ben said sternly, "Shendu's Ninjas."

"Prepare yourself." Tao said to the group sternly.

Twilight and her friends armed themselves as Ben and Tao unsheathed their swords, the old pony got one out from his long bag, Nyx transform into her Battle Mode and armed herself with Twilight, Bocolix and Dumbledore, Tough armed with his gun, and Spike and Phobos were readied.

Phobos looks startled upon seeing Tao's sword. He exclaims, "Wait! You have a sword? Why didn't you tell us?"

"Only for emergency," Tao explains to Phobos.

"I guess this is." Ben said with a nod since this battle most likely count as an emergency.

"Everypony, get ready," Twilight yelled out to everypony and everyone else.

The Shadow Demon Ninjas charge from the top and the ground. They attacd Twilight and her friends as the good guys dodge the attacks while fought back against the Ninjas. Justin, Rabbitchu, Koga and Owlowicious stay back near Tenkai's Tomb to look after themselves and the ingredients and stuffs. Ben and Tao use their swords to block the attacks as well as dodging them from the Ninjas' attacks in using their weapons, fists and legs. While doing that, they fought back through slicing, cutting, attacking and defeating the enemy.

Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore sticks together as they continue to dodge the attacks while firing their magic at the Ninjas who either attack from the distance or charging in. They sometimes used their hooves to fight when Ninjas come too close to Twilight and her friends. Spike and Phobos did the same routine as the others did: dodge and avoid the attacks while firing their Dragon and Moon Rage at the Ninjas or punching on their faces and legs. Tough use his gun and fire at them and sometimes fought them with his hooves against the Ninjas.

Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix, Dumbledore, Spike, Phobos and Tough had gather around together in one big circle to fight off against the Shadow Demon Ninjas. During that, some Ninjas swung their chains on top of their heads. They threw the swinging chains right at Twilight and her friends. Their hooves or claws, necks, tails and even bodies were tied up by the chains. Twilight and her friends tried to escape, but it is too tight for them to do so.

More Ninjas jumped down from the top floor or charged on the ground. They surround and grab Twilight and her friends. The black ooze appears on the ground. The Ninjas starts descending down to the black ooze while holding tight on Twilight and her friends who scream out loud.

Ben and Tao have managed to defeat the Ninjas when they heard the scream. The two turn and saw their friends had been grabbed. They’re starting to sink down. Bocolix, Dumbledore, Phobos and Spike got sank already.

"Nooooooooo," Ben screams in horror. He starts running towards Twilight and Nyx. He quickly grabs their hooves tight. Ben try to pull them out, but the ooze is too strong to let Twilight and Nyx go. "Don't let go!"

"I won't!" Twilight exclaims, fear in her eyes.

"Help us, father!" Nyx cry out in fear.

While Ben is being distracted in helping Twilight and Nyx, Ninjas armed their bows and arrows. They're aiming at Ben. Tao gasp as well Twilight and Nyx upon seeing this. The old pony charged in as quickly as he can.

Tao, Twilight and Nyx yell out to Ben, "Ben/Daddy, watch out!"

Ben turn and saw the arrows which have been released by Ninjas. They are shooting right at Ben. Tao grab him out of the arrows' range, just in time. But Twilight and Nyx got sank into the black ooze. Ben spot them in shock and fear. The black ooze disappears, preventing another chance.

Ben shook his head while screaming, "Nooooooooooooo! Twilight! Nyx! I fail them."

Tao pats Ben on the back as he say, "It's not your fault, Ben."

"But why; why would Shendu kidnap my family; Why not me?"

"I do not know. I do not like it either."

"I do." A familiar voice spoke up. Shendu's head appear before Ben and Tao, smirking like the evil Demon that he is.

"You're Shendu?! Where is my family?" Ben demands angrily to Shendu, wanting so much to hurt this guy for taking Twilight, Nyx, Spike and the others like that.

"They're in safe hands for now, Benjamin. I have a proposal."

"What do you want? I'll do anything to save my family and friends."

Shendu smirk while continuing, "Nothing difficult. Challenge me, Ben. I had seen your courage, wisdom and power to overcome your fate and my beast. I must say, that was impressive. If you do accept it, then come to my throne chamber."

"How'd I do that?" Ben asks Shendu, wanting to know how to do just that.

"Just follow the ninja."

Shendu chuckle as his head disappear. Ben is about to move, but he was stopped by Tao who said to him seriously, "I know you want to help your family. But you do not possess the means of understanding of defeating Shendu, Ben. It is too dangerous to face him."

"I have to. My family needs me." Ben said to Tao seriously. If he must face Shendu to save the ones that he himself care for, then so be it.

"Patience, Ben. We will save them. But you need to understand Shendu's powers first. "

Tao approach the animal pets and cart to find something from his bag. Ben sigh of this, he got no time for this. Twilight and Nyx needs him now!. He turn and spotted something. Tao continue to search until he found something and took it out.

"Hatcha; I found it. With this book, you can defeat Shendu." Tao said with a smile. He turns and found that Ben is nowhere nearby. Where could he be? Tao became very worried and concern; Justin, Rabbitchu, Koga and Owlowiscious turn and looking at the entrance that they came in. Tao's eyes are widen as he gasp, "Oh no. He wouldn't."

Ben has decided to take on Shendu alone.

------------------

Twilight groan as she gets up slowly. The mare soon found out that she's in a weird sphere. Twilight try to use her magic to break through it. But for some reason, it didn't work. She looks around and found some of her friends and family, trapped in other spheres as well. Nyx is now in her filly form.

Twilight calls out, "Is everypony alright?"

"I'm okay." Nyx spoke to her mother.

Spike nodded while getting back up, saying, "Me too."

"What happen?" Phobos mumbles, trying to figure out what just happen just now.

Tough grunts as he explains, "Those ninjas grabbed us down 'ta 'dis dark place, an' 'de next, we somehow end up here."

"I don't like it." Bocolix gulps a bit in worry. Shendu isn't wasting any time in getting what he wants.

Dumbledore looks around, asking, "Where are the ninjas?"

"The better question is why Shendu didn't finish us while not getting Ben but Nyx?" Twilight ask in concern. Shendu didn't get Ben for some reason so why didn't he? Unless...the Dragon Demon has something big in plan!

"Because I have something special, a challenge for Ben," A familiar voice spoke up.

Everyone turn and spot Shendu who came in from a door in the room. They say in alarm, "Shendu."

"We meet again, my enemies."

"What do you want? Why did you kidnap all of us?" Twilight demands angrily to Shendu.

Shendu smirk as he explains, "Well, I would have taken both Ben and Nyx to my brother at once. But I decided not to; because I wish to see and test the will of the holder of Triforce Elements of Harmony. And of course, to provide Nightmare Moon to know who is her true father."

Nyx groan in annoyance, "Look Shendu, I'm really getting sick of hearing you and the Demon Lords keep calling me Nightmare Moon, and you're thinking that I'm Demon? I admit that Tso Lan is my real father. But the real one who cares and loves me is Benjamin Mare!"

"Yeah! Nyx's a pony! Why don't you leave her alone," Spike demands to Shendu in agreement. These Demon Lords are like a broken record!

"I won't, Spike. Both of you belong to us, a family. I will prove to you, Nightmare Moon that Benjamin Mare is not your father." Shendu said darkly to Nyx, "For he is not strongest and powerful as Tso Lan. He is weak. Once I'm through with him, I shall bring you both back to us."

"Wait! Bring me back to you?! I thought you guys hate me?"

"You call my father weak?!" Nyx yells out angrily, outraged by what Shendu just called Ben.

Shendu nods as he continues, "While my brethren doesn't like the idea of bringing you back to a family, I wanted, Spike. For your father and brother were my trusted allies and part of my family, they were blinded by ponies, but no more." He then turn to Nyx as he continues. "If your father truly thinks he's powerful, then he shall prove himself to me of how strong his words and actions can be."

"Trust me, Shendu, he'll beat you. I don't need a strong and powerful father. All I need is somepony loving and caring like him."

"Even though you accepted me, I already had a family, pal!" Spike exclaims furiously. No way is he going to be family to this freak!

"Spike........ Nyx........" Twilight said, touched by Spike and Nyx's loyalty to their true family.

Shendu just chuckle while remarking, "We shall see. Come; let us prepare the welcoming celebration for the arrival and demise of Benjamin Mare. I shall prove to you that Tso Lan is the true father to you, Nightmare Moon. And Spike, you cannot escape your true purpose of family."

----------------------

Ben follows the ninja whom he spotted from Tenkai's Tomb area. It continues to jump over column by column from left to right. The ninja land on the ground and face him. Ben then arrived at the large entrance. The ninja disappear by phasing down into the ground.

Ben sigh, "This must be it." This door that the stallion is looking at now must be where he must face off against Shendu.

Ben opens the large door. He saw an area which is covered by pure gold, some treasures, gems and jewels, as well as Ancient Chinese structure-like stuff. He then saw Shendu, and his family and friends who are trapped inside spheres. Ben is surrounded by thousands of Shadow Demon Ninjas, who aren't going to let him attack early unless their master wills it.

"Welcome, Ben. I've been expecting you." Shendu said to Ben darkly.

"I did as you want. Now, let go of my family so we can start our battle." Ben demands to Shendu. He came so the others must be free at once!

Shendu smirk as he said, "I think not, my dear boy. For you see, you have two options to deal with."

Shendu put his claw up and reveal the Sacred Flame, a huge ball of fire which doesn't appear to be burning him at all. Everyone was in shock and surprise. What is this Demon Lord up to?

Ben said upon recognizing the item in question, "It's the Sacred Flame."

"Indeed , it is. We Demon Lords are aware of your arrival and purpose, Ben. Who would have thought that someone like our ally did a horrible thing to you?" Shendu ask slyly to Ben. Everyone was in shock upon hearing this. Someone was the reason why the Apples' farm isn't growing anything anymore?

"Wait! You're behind the attack?! Why?! So you can get me and Nyx?!"

Shendu smirks, shaking his head while explaining, "No, Ben. I believe you know your enemy very well, Ben since he is the one that you fought from the Realm of Humans."

Ben gasp as he knows what Shendu is referring to, "The Superior?! He's the one who did this! Not only has he gone too far to hurt poor ponies, but attacking and starving ponies to death. This is too much! So where is he?! You know him well, didn't you?"

"Indeed we do, but that is not important; back to our topic. While I hold this last ingredient you require, you have to make a choice." Shendu said. Ben was in shock, knowing what the villain would want him to do. "Answer me this, Ben. Will you sacrifice the lives of your family or thousands of innocent lives? Let us see why you've been chosen by Triforce Elements of Harmony in the first place."

Ben groans angrily as he thought for the moment while closing his eyes. What to do? What to do? Give up his family or Ponyville? The Earth pony of course isn't going to let one nasty Demon force him to make a tough decision.

Ben open his eyes with a determined look as he answer, "Guess what, Shendu? I'm not choosing. I'm doing both. I'll do what I can to save my family and Ponyville by defeating you!"

Everyone smile and cheer. Shendu said in amusement, "I see. You have the eyes of a hero, that's why. Very well, if you can defeat me, perhaps I could let them go. Don't get confident in defeating me, Ben."

"Count on it!"

Shendu stood up and prepare to attack Ben. Ben armed himself with his Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Everyone look on the battlefield carefully. The major battle is about to begin.

"Colt, you are going to meet your maker soon enough." Shendu comments to Ben with an evil grin. "And once you're gone, Nyx will return to Tso Lan. Are you ready to face defeat?"

"Never! I will never surrender, and I won't let you get Nyx and Spike!" Ben shouted in determination.
Ben charge and attack Shendu with his sword, but unfortunately, the Demon disappear from sight. Ben remain cautious to find him. Suddenly, he got his back attacked and hurt badly. He got hit onto a wall, very hard. Ben got up as he turned and saw Shendu appearing. He was in shock.

Dumbledore looks shocked as he yells out, "WHAT THE-!? HE SHOT HIM OUT LIKE NOTHING?"

"THAT AIN'T NORMAL STRENGTH!" Bocolix screams like a lunatic.

"How did you do that; your strengths; argh; it hurts!" Ben cringes a bit, feeling his back hurting big time.

Shendu smiles as he explains, "Invisibility and Super Strength. There's more where they come from. Come and give me your best shot."

"Sword Beam," The Earth pony yells. Ben blasts his weapon right at Shendu's chest. The Demon yell in pain as everyone cheer for Ben.

"Alright; that'll put a cramp in the Demon's pants!" Phobos cheers on eagerly.

As the smoke clouds clear, Shendu was seen growling from what hit him as a hole mark was seen in his chest.

"Did that work?" Nyx ask curiously wondering if that stopped Shendu.

"How do you like that, Shendu?!" Ben asks Shendu with a smirk.

"Not good enough, I'm afraid." The Demon said, apparently not weak. Shendu's chest slowly regenerate like cells. Everyone was in shock. "While destroying my heart is my weakness, as long I possessed both Healing and Immortality powers, I cannot be harmed."

"Even so, I'm not done yet!" Ben exclaims in determination.

Ben charge and swung his sword at Shendu, but his enemy moved back in one swift move. Ben was in shock, but he shook his head as the pony continue to attack Shendu as fast as he could. But the Dragon Demon move faster than Ben is. The hero became exhausted after a few rounds of attacking Shendu. The villain quickly gave Ben a big punch on his muzzle, causing him to hit the ground hard.

Ben groans a bit, "Let me guess: Speed?"

Shendu chuckles, "Indeed it is. When you're done, you get burned. Now, face my three fire powers; Dragon Flame, Combustion Blasts and Heat-Beam Eyes!"

Shendu's fire off an unusually strong and powerful beam of pure yellow-colored heat energy from his eyes, hands and mouth that blew off the ground floor; He blast right at Ben. The Earth pony quickly escapes.

Spike yells out in shock, "HE SHOOTS BEAMS FROM HIS EYES!?!"

Phobos groaned, "Great, like your brother Lorcan wasn't bad enough when he used that on us!"

Ben quickly uses his Hylian Shield and cover himself from being burned. For a few minutes, Shendu stop. Ben remove the shield as he was about to attack his enemy but Shendu is in front of him. The Dragon Demon gave hard punches onto Ben as hard as he can before he went invisible and escaped from Ben in speed.

Ben remains cautious as he prepare to attack and defeat Shendu. But the monster attack Ben from behind, before he disappear and escape. He then attack on Ben's front, then the left and the right before the back. Shendu continue to attack the Earth pony as fast and hard as he can while the Demon disappear and escape with his speed. Shendu then blast Dragon Flame, Combustion Blast and Heat-Beam Eyes at Ben. But he quickly covers himself from the attack with his shield. Just before the Earth pony could attack Shendu, he attacks Ben first and continuously beating him down.

Ben received major injuries. The hero coughs out while spitting some blood out. Ben looks around and saw that Shendu hasn't appeared. He looks up at the throne room in precaution. Ben groans as he drags himself to Twilight and her friends, despite receiving some injuries.

Before he could do that, Ben yelps as he's been lifted up. Ben was turn to the one who did that to him: Shendu himself.

Ben groans out, "Let me guess, your power is psychic?"

Shendu answers, "No. This is Levitation Power or you could say Telekinesis Power."

"Just who...or...what are you? How could you have more powers? You're the Demon Lord of Fire." Ben said in disbelief. Shendu apparently has more powers than most of the Demon Lords. How is that possible?

Shendu chuckle, "I am the keeper of the Talismans. I am the Apocalypse of which legend speaks. And I am, for once and for all, your executioner. There are things that you'd never know of my capabilities and powers, Ben. It looks like I've won. You had lost." He then turned to Nyx. "See, Nightmare Moon, I told you that your father is weak. He had failed you and his family."

Shendu grab and clench on Ben hard and tight. The Earth pony screams in pain while struggling to use his sword or shield to fight.

"Father; No," Nyx gasps in terror. At this rate, Ben won't make it!

"Ben." Twilight said slowly, tears in her eyes.

"How did Shendu do that?" Spike asks in anger. Shendu is playing dirty!

"I don't know, and I'm not gonna like this." Phobos gulps in worry. Ben won't last longer at this rate!

"Me too, guys," Tough said in agreement, fearing the worst.

Bocolix and Dumbledore nod their heads. Shendu chuckles sinisterly as he now say, "Now that I'm the victor. I shall claim my prize: the Triforce Elements."

Shendu's eyes glow in blue and fire right into Ben's eyes. He shouted in pain, "What are you doing?!"

"Absorbing your elements; while I'm done with that, I'll finish you off. Or perhaps, you can be still use to my Demon Brethren, and such as making your mother to surrender her kingdom to us." Shendu suggests darkly.

"Nooooooooo," Ben yells out in refusal. There's no way that he will be as a leverage to make his mother Celestia give out her kingdom like this!

"You do recall all the times she was criticized about her status as princess, and how she was being doubted by her critics." Shendu taunted evilly, "One day, she will snap and turn evil, just like your aunt Luna used to be."

"Even if that's the case...we would do our best to free her." Ben snaps to Shendu weakly. "Go ahead, do your worst. I won't be used as a leverage."

"Very well, your funeral," Shendu taunts his enemy cruelly.

Before Shendu could say anything else, he heard a weird yet swirling sound making him yell out, "WHAT?!"

Shendu, being hit from out of nowhere, let go of his grasp on Ben. He turns to find out who attacked him and then turned back and gasped upon seeing someone. Tao held Ben on his back.

"You," Shendu roars upon seeing Tao.

Everyone else but Ben calls out, "Tao!"

Ben weakly groans, "Tao......" It's a relief to see the old pony here but why?

Shendu spot Tao holding two octagon-shaped stones-like a light greenish snake and purple rabbit. The Demon roars upon recognizing them, "My TALISMANS! Give them back!"

Shendu was about to attack Tao and Ben, the old pony held tight on the two talismans as they both glow. Tao disappeared and zoom fast as quickly as a rabbit.

"Where are you?!" Shendu demands while looking around for an invisible Tao but could find no trace of him.

Tao's voice is heard, "My dear friends, hold on tight! We'll come to you as soon as Ben recovered from his injuries."

"Please, take good care of Ben!" Twilight calls out to Tao; Looks like this fight is put on hold for now.

"Please, Tao! He's my only father that I wanted." Nyx cries out to Tao hopefully.

"Hey, what about us," Phobos ask in alarm. Tao and Ben are just going to leave him and the others here at this monster's mercy?!

"Are you nuts, Phobos? Tao and Ben can't attack Shendu unless they know what kind of power that they're facing." Spike reminds Phobos. It's suicide to face an enemy that no pony got any clue against.

"Spike's right. 'Dis Demon Lord is different than anyone else," Tough said in agreement. "They have 'ta come up wit' a plan."

"I hope it's a fast one." Bocolix said hopefully.

"Or else, we'll be Dragon chow!" Dumbledore adds nervously.

Shendu growl before he smelsl something. The Demon saw some blood that Ben spits out during the battle. Shendu approach the blood as he smell closely. His eyes are widened in both shock and worry.

"Impossible! How could he be?! I must inform my brethren about this!" Shendu said. He then turns to his Ninjas. "Guard the prisoners."

The Shadow Demon Ninjas nodded their heads as their boss heads off to inform his brethren of the latest development.

-----------------

Ben slowly opens his eyes. He was in shock and worried as he have realized something.

"Twilight; Nyx; Everypony; Arrgh," Ben exclaims as he got up quickly but instead, he shout in pain as the colt felt his body wounded and injured.

Ben cringed at his injuries. He saw Justin, Rabbitchu, Owlowiscious and Koga are close and surrounding him. Koga lick Ben's face making him pats the wolf cub on the head. Ben tries to get up but was stopped by Tao who held a bottle of light bluish water.

"Easy, Ben; you had received terrible wounds from the battlefield." Tao explains calmly to Ben.

Ben sigh upset, "What happen?" Ben thought that he was a goner for a moment.

"I saved you from danger or else Shendu would have possessed the powers of Triforce Elements." Tao explains to Ben. "Thank the Heaven that I've come just in time."

"Twilight; Nyx; Others; Are they...?" Ben asks in concern. Twilight, Nyx and the others must still be held by Shendu!

"I'm sorry, Ben. Your live is in peril danger. I must tend to your wounds first." Tao explains to Ben seriously.

Ben sigh, "Tao, when you tried to warn me about Shendu, he has more powers than fire, isn't it?" The stallion felt foolish about going after his enemy unprepared.

"Yes." Tao hits on Ben's head. As the stallion held his head while groaning, the old pony continues, "That's what I've been trying to tell you. But that's not important. Listen, Ben. Shendu not only possess Demon Fire Magic, but twelve Mystic Animal Powers."

"Twelve Mystic Animal Powers; that's many! But he only show me 8 of his powers. But why not 4 of his," Ben asks Tao in surprise.

"Some are powerful or dangerous, others are too important to be used. But know this, Ben. Each power belonged to twelve Mystic Zodiac Animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig." Tao explains, counting down the Zodiac Animals.

"Horse; Wait, one pony is a part of the Zodiac? So what's Shendu's history?" Ben ask Tao. He wants to know what's the history of Shendu and if the horse part is indeed part of the Zodiac.

"Yes, Ben. The Horse is indeed a pony but also an animal too." Tao answers. Then the pony got to the history part, "After the long war between Earth Ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi, the Mystic Council decided to choose twelve animals as not only guardians of Equestria, but to balance between good and evil. But unfortunately, after the unification of the three pony tribes, Shendu used his copy spell on the Twelve Zodiac Animals as his own powers to become powerful and invincible."

Ben sigh, "Great. I thought the Demon Lords are tougher than he is. Now, it's hopeless to fight against him," May as well give up. The Earth pony cannot win.

Tao hits Ben's head, snapping, "Not yet, Ben. When there's strength, there's weakness. To defeat Shendu, we must remove all of the Talismans."

Ben felt his head. He knew that Tao is right. Shendu can be beaten if his Talismans is gone. Won't be easy but it can be done, right?

"How," Ben asks Tao, wondering how the task can be done. There must be a way!

Tao took a book out, explaining, "Before you learn the extraction potion, you must understand the powers of the talismans first."

"Okay." Ben said with a nod; May as well figure out what to do here.

Tao hits Ben's head, scolding, "That's for being reckless and foolish!" He hits him again. "That's for giving me a heart attack!" Tao hits Ben, making the pony cringe. "That's for being doubtful and hopeless! And-" The Earth pony is about to embrace for the next attack. To his surprise, it never came as Tao hug Ben instead. "This is for seeing you fine, Ben."

"Um........Thanks?" Ben responds with a blank look on his face. Not what he's expecting, but it works.

Tao depart Ben as he put some water on his body. He continues, "While I tend to your wounds, you must attend to your studies of understanding the powers of talismans."

"Got it; By the way, what's with the bottle, Tao?" Ben asks, glancing at the bottle that Tao has. It must be important.

"This is Healing Water. It will heal your wounds, cuts and bruises as fast as it can." Tao explains. "But now, you must study and understand the powers of Talismans first. One more thing: you will use these two talismans to fight: Invisibility and Speed. They come in handy."

Ben nods as he read the book while Tao put some medicine on his wounds. The son of Celestia will need all the help that he can get to save Twilight, Nyx and the others from Shendu.

--------------

The Demon Lords appear as in transparent heads; their sibling has summoned them for something important. Shendu has informed his brethren about his discoveries on Ben's blood and they were in shock.

"Ludicrous!" Dai Gui yells out in shock and alarm. This can't be!

"It's impossible!" Tchang Zu exclaims stunned.

"How can this be," Po Kong asks, still absorbing what Shendu has informed her and the other Demon Lords.

"I knew there's something fishy about that brat!" Hsi Wu growls. Ever since he first met Ben, there's something about him that the Demon did not like.

"But what could this mean?" Xiao Fung pondered; If what Shendu suspect is true...

"Clearly, Princess Celestia is hiding something from us." Bai Tza said with a nod. "But what and why?"

"I don't know. But what should we do with Ben, my brethren?" Shendu ask his fellow siblings. "Should I kill him at once when he returns to the battlefield?"

"No, Shendu. Even though we know his origin, we still have the advantage in taking over Equestria, and reveal the truth to them as well." Tso Lan assures Shendu, dismissing the idea. The Demon Lords will get to that problem when they can.

Shendu nods while saying, "I see."

"Since we're done with Ben Mare, what about Twilight Sparkle? She needs to be terminated at once." Bai Tza demands. As long as Twilight is still alive, Nyx cannot be brought back to the dark side.

"And she will my dear sister, Bai Tza. In fact, I have someone else do our work." Shendu said with an evil smirk, already having an idea on to getting rid of Twilight once and for all.

"Indeed , Shendu. Both my daughter and another shall do. But I'm mostly concern for the other is Spike." Tso Lan said with a frown.

"Dai Gui does not understand your purpose, Shendu. He is a traitor!" Dai Gui exclaims angrily. Why would Spike be needed since he betrayed the Demon Lords, in Dai Gui's POV, "Why do we need him?! He helped ponies."

"Indeed, he must be terminated!" Tchang Zu exclaims in agreement.

"Or he can turned against his own allies without them realizing that Spike is one of us." Shendu suggests darkly to the fellow Demon Lords.

"How do you intend to make him join us? Restoration Spell can only work on person that lost the former self from the past such as Nightmare Moon." Po Kong points out to Shendu. It's true, the spell can only work on someone like Nyx.

"I agreed with her of that one, Shendu." Tchang Zu remarks with a deep frown.

"Don't tell me you're gonna talk to a Dragon who sided with the ponies for who knows how long." Hsi Wu remarks in annoyance and disbelief.

"I intend to awaken their darkness, rather than using the Restoration Spell." Shendu said sinisterly, much to his siblings' notice.

"So, that is your Second Master Plan. Using the Tiger Talisman; Impressive, brother," Bai Tza said impressed, now understanding what Shendu is planning on doing, yes, it could work.

"It is said that it not only separate the person's Yin and Yang, but also to make either his/her light or dark reach its full extension and existence of good or evil." Xiao Fung recalls how the Tiger Talisman works.

Hsi Wu chuckle, "I'd say. It's a nice trick that you have, Shendu."

"Very well, for once, we shall allow Spike to return to us since your former servants did before." Dai Gui said. If Tadaka and Lorcan can return to evil, it makes sense for Spike to do the same thing.

"Indeed, it is, my brethren. The second master plan is in place. Shendu, you know what to do." Tso Lan orders Shendu evilly.

Shendu smirk as he says, "I will. You all shall be honored to watch the 'Demise of Twilight Sparkle'."

-------------

In the throne chamber, Twilight wore the Anti-Magic necklace while her hooves are in tight chains as she was led by 3 Shadow Demon Ninjas before Shendu. The Alicorn doesn't like this. Ben hasn't come back yet.

Twilight gulp, "You're going to kill me?"

Shendu however gave a simple smile as he asks, "Now why would I do that, Twilight?"

"As long as I lived, Nyx won't come back to you. Besides, Demon Lords like you are not always keeping their words." Twilight exclaims angrily. She knows this to be true since Demon Lords always known to back out of their word at the last second.

Shendu chuckles, "Impressive display of analyzing and conclusion to the situation, Twilight; while it's true, I rather save my energy for Ben. But my servants will deal with you."

"So what's the deal?" Twilight ask Shendu suspiciously. Who are these 'servants'? As far as the princess knows, Tadaka and Lorcan are since gone (though Twilight still doesn't know that Spike's brother is still alive!).

"Should Ben fail to return to battlefield, I'll give you and your friends' freedom and a prize to get by defeating my servants," Shendu explains to Twilight calmly as if going through on his war.

"Shouldn't be that hard since I defeated your pet, Mo Sie the Hydra, if I recall correctly," Twilight said with a smirk. After all, she and her friends has defeated the Hydra, defeating Shendu's newest servants can't be hard, right?

"Don't get confident, my dear. You'll soon find out and regret the decision you made." Shendu said cruelly.

Shendu return to his throne chair. Twilight notice something not right in the prisoners' caged spheres. Two members of her group are missing...two that the Alicorn cares about.

"Where are Nyx and Spike?! What did you do to them?!" Twilight demands furiously to her enemy.

Shendu snap his fingers. The Ninjas freed Twilight from her Anti-Magic necklace and chains. Shendu point to the front. Twilight turn and saw something shocking and worrying to her. The Ninjas freed Nyx and Spike from their chains and Anti-Magic Necklaces. It didn't take long for the princess to realize what 'servants' that Shendu is referring to!

"No! Nonononono! No! I won't do it! I won't hurt Spike or Nyx! They're not your servants, Shendu!" Twilight protests to Shendu in alarm.

"What; you mean we're facing Twilight! No! I won't do it!" Spike yelps in shock. Shendu promised him and Nyx that they and the others would go free if they defeat their enemy in combat...but the Demon Lord didn't bother to mention whom their opponent was!

"Me neither! She's my mother!" Nyx said in agreement.

Shendu's eyes glow in black as he booms, "You will, Spike and Nightmare Moon. Twilight Sparkle is not your mother! She is an abuser, a monster, a traitor and she doesn't even care for you! Now, unleash your true colors. Tiger Talisman: Darkness Overtake!"

Soon something begins to happen. Shendu blasts right at Nyx and Spike. They both shout and scream in pain. Twilight and her friends were in shock and worry to see this. The two soon transform...into something hideous.

Nyx transform into Nightmare Moon while Spike transformed into a giant furious and fierce dragon with large wings and sharp claws. They both laugh evilly. Not good. The heroes knew that Shendu must've use his talisman to corrupt them somehow!

Twilight was in shock as she screams, "Spike; Nyx; Noooooooo!"

Shendu smiles as he said, "Correction, dear Twilight Sparkle; Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon. Welcome home, Children of the Demons."

Twilight snarl angrily, "Change them back now!" She won't be forced to fight those that the filly cared about!

"I'm afraid I won't. I told you that to gain your freedom and prize, you must defeat my servants or be perished." Shendu reminds Twilight.

"I won't do it!" Twilight exclaims in refusal. There's no way in Tartarus that the mare will fight her adopted baby daugher and son.

"Then, you are destined to meet your fate, Twilight Sparkle." Shendu said in amusement. The Demon Lords' transparent heads appeared. "My brethren, behold the 'Demise of Twilight Sparkle'."

The Demon Lords laugh evilly, sinisterly and wickedly. The ones still trapped watch helplessly. There is nothing they can do at this point.

Twilight turns and faces Spike and Nyx who are now Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon. She got to get through to them! The mare exclaims, "Spike! Nyx! Fight back! Fight Shendu's Magic! Remember who you once were!"

Spike with a brutal and vicious voice snarls, "Why do you even care; All you did is 'Spike this', 'Spike that' and ask Spike do anything you wants! You tried to replace me with that stupid owl! You even keep the truth about my family from me! I'm sick of listening to you, Twilight! I hate you a lot!"

Nyx with a sinister and heartless voice adds, "Indeed , Demon Spike. You will pay as well! I love you so much, but you turned against me! I tried to tell you about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, but you wouldn't listen. Thus, making me lost in the forest! You also gave up on me to Princess Celestia too! I didn't want to go! But you gave up on me! I hate you, Twilight Sparkle!"

Twilight Sparkle is heartbroken to hear this. Tears came out of her eyes while she tries to explain, "No. I would never..."

Spike interrupts Twilight, "Save it; Time for your punishment!"

"Prepare yourself, Sparkle!" Nyx exclaims darkly.

"Nyx, please," Twilight begged tearfully.

"There is no Nyx, only Nightmare Moon, peasant!" Nyx booms evilly, much to Twilight's horror. It's like her disowning the mother all over again...and this time, Spike is by her side!

Twilight became scared and worried as she goes back and back. Demon Spike attack Twilight with his claws as hard on her face and body while punching her to Nightmare Moon. The corrupted Nyx attack her with magic as many times as she can give. Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon continue to attack Twilight as hard and fierce as they can. No matter how hard, the mother shows no resistance in fighting back. She struggled to get up.

"Get up, Twilight! What's the matter? You're too kind to fight back?!" Spike demands, frustrated as to why Twilight isn't fighting back.

"We had our fun. It's your turn to fight." Nyx demands to Twilight darkly.

"No." Twilight said in refusal.

"Then, more for us; come on!" Spike laughs evilly.

The others watch in horror as Nightmare Moon and Demon Spike continue to attack, punch, kick and using their powers against Twilight Sparkle. She shouted in pain from the attacks.

"Nyx; Spike; Stop it; STOP!" Phobos exclaims to Nyx and Spike frantically. That monster Shendu!

Tough hits the glass very hard while groaning angrily. Bocolix and Dumbledore cover their eyes from watching the scene. If Twilight is gone, then fearing Boris's wrath is the least of their worries!

The Demon Lords smile and laugh, but Tso Lan and Shendu did not for some reason. Bai Tza asks, "What is the matter, brothers? Victory is in our grasps."

"Something's not right with this battle." Shendu said with a frown. Why isn't Twilight fighting back? Doesn't she wish for her freedom or life?

Tso Lan agrees saying, "Indeed, Shendu. Twilight Sparkle did not seem to fight back against her enemies."

Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon gave the last attack by blasting their Dragon Rage and Night Star Implosion at Twilight. The Alicorn got her head on the wall. She pant in being tire and exhausted. At this rate, Twilight won't have much time left.

"Last chance, Twilight Sparkle. Fight back now!" Spike orders the Alicorn.

"This is getting bored for not having fun to fight!" Nyx complains in frustration.

Twilight shakes her head while refusing, "I'll pass."

Shendu roar in disbelief, "You're throwing your life away! Are you willing to accept defeat, Twilight Sparkle?" The Dragon Demon is upset that Twilight isn't even fighting back!

Twilight has struggle but manage to get back up. She glared at Shendu while responding, "Defeat? No, you're wrong, Shendu. It's love. I love Spike and Nyx as my children, no matter how different they are. This is something that you and Demon Lords will never understand."

The Demon Lords chuckle as if Twilight just told a joke. Tso Lan comments, "It seems that you were unable to defeat your sinful past. It shall haunt you continuously such as today's event."

"Twilight Sparkle believes that love conquers all? What a joke!" Dai Gui remarks in amusement.

Tchang Zu agrees while saying, "Indeed. What could love do?"

"Love will only bring harm and betrayal to friends, family and somebody special like what you did to Nightmare Moon and Demon Spike." Xiao Fung said trying to make a point to Twilight.

Hsi Wu chuckle, "That is the result of how love becomes tragedy."

"What a pity for a mother being betrayed and killed by her own children." Po Kong remarks with a cruel chuckle.

"The whole purpose of you battling Nightmare Moon and Demon Spike is to gain your freedom and prize." Bai Tza said to Twilight in amusement.

"But you are unwilling to kill them. All because of love," Shendu said while shaking his head. He turn to the corrupted ones, continuing, "Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon, finish her off. Make her suffer for what she had done to you."

Demon Spike grabs and caught Twilight in his tight grasp. Twilight try and struggle to get out but to no prevail. Nightmare Moon appears before Twilight on Spike's hand. Both Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon gather their energies as they armed themselves: Spike's firebreathing and Nyx's Dark Magic in preparing to finish their enemy off.

Tough, Phobos, Bocolix and Dumbledore were in shock. The Moon Dragon calls out in terror, "Nyx! Spike! Don't do it!"

Before the two could do the task, Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon notice and heard something. They look at Twilight Sparkle: she's crying and sobbing. They were shocked of this as memories came into their minds...

Spike's Flashback

As a baby Dragon, Spike saw and heard the lightning and thunder coming out a window of the tower. He cries and sobs in fear in his rocking bed. Filly Twilight heard the crying and came over to Spike. She used the Levitation Spell on him, Spike being lifted and brought to her. The filly doesn't want him to cry...she has come to care for him as the brother that Twilight always wanted...especially after what happened to Starlight.

Spike sob. Twilight smile while she wiped his tears off while saying gently, "It's okay, Spike. It's just lightning."

Spike in a soft and gently voice spoke, "Spike...... scared. Spike scared."

Twilight rock him gently with her Levitation Spell while smiling. Spike giggle cutely while smiling. The lightning doesn't seem to scare him anymore.

Twilight continues, "It's okay to be scared. But as long I'm here, you don't have to worry about what you're facing. I'll always be there for you."

"Mommy......." Spike said with a soft smile.

Twilight was shock at first but smile as she said, "I'll sing for you."

Twilight hum at Spike while rocking him gently and softly.

Nyx's Flashback

Nyx sob on her bed, both upset and disappointed. Twilight came up to her room and found that she was crying. Something is wrong with her daughter. She approach Nyx, and nuzzle her gently.

"Sweetie, everything alright," Twilight ask gently to Nyx.

Nyx rub her tears off as she spoke, "I'm fine, mom." Twilight gave a stern glare at her. Nyx sigh. May as well fess up, "Ever since after the Nightmare Moon incident, no ponies but you, the princesses and my friends still won't accept me; they still think that I'm Nightmare Moon, especially Granny Smith; I tried to be nice, but they still hate me. To be honest, I should have been banished than be staying here."

"Don't talk like that, Nyx. The ponies are still trying to get used to what happened." Twilight assures Nyx that ponies outside the group are still recovering what the incident. "Remember, Nyx, not all ponies hate you. It's just that they're just scared. Give them a chance, honey, for a few days. Maybe someday, they'll get to know and accept you. But remember, Nyx, no matter what happen, Nyxie, I'll always love and help you."

Nyx sobs while smiling, "Thanks, mommy."

Twilight and Nyx hug together. The mare smiled while asking, "How about a lullaby?"

"I would love to, mommy." Nyx said with a nod. Twilight still hug Nyx while humming the song.

Flashbacks ends

Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon cease their attacks as they looked shocked in seeing Twilight crying. The mare sob, "Spike........ Nyx........ No matter who said otherwise to you, I'll always love you as my children. Both of you will always be in my heart."

Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon were shocked as something else return to their minds.

Flashback

Twilight put both Spike and Nyx into their beds. Just before she could go to her bed, Spike pull Twilight's tail. She turn to him and ask, "Yes, Spike?"

"I know that I'm older, but can you sing our lullaby?" Spike asks Twilight hopefully for the lullaby that he adores when he was littler.

"Pretty please, mommy. I like it so much." Nyx said with a smile.

Twilight smile as she said, "Of course."

Twilight nuzzled both Spike and Nyx then she begins to sing.

Twilight: Please stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hoof
Hold it tight

I will protect you
From all bad ponies
I will be here
So don't cry

For one so young,
You seem so strong
My hooves will protect you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can never be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry

'Cause I'll be in your heart
Yes, I'll be in your heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

I'll be in your heart
No matter what they think
I'll be here in your heart, always
Always.../

Twilight smiles; Spike and Nyx yawn as she nuzzles them both gently. No matter what happens, the mother will care for them always...

Singing and Flashback EndsDemon Spike and Nightmare Moon were shocked as they both sob and cry. Twilight noticing asks, "Spike; Nyx?"

Demon Spike put Twilight down. Both Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon glow in white lights. The Demon Lords were shocked to see this. This wasn't supposed to happen!

Shendu's eyes glow white all of the sudden. He screams in shock, "What is going on?! What is wrong with my Tiger Talisman?!"

Shendu scream in fear and pain as his eyes blast right at both Demon Spike and Nightmare Moon. They both continue to sob while both glow in light as they both transform back into their normal forms: baby Dragon and filly form.

"Nyx; Spike," Twilight sobbed in relief and happiness as she hugged her children.

Spike and Nyx were scared as they looked at their hands or hooves in both shock and worry. What did they almost do? Although Twilight was still shocked, she is still happy while hugging both Spike and Nyx some more. They were both shocked. How could she still love them after what Spike and Nyx almost has done?

"I don't believe it." Po Kong said in disbelief, not believing what she is seeing.

"Unbelievable!" Tchang Zu yells out in fury and shock. The second master plan was supposed to be foolproof so what in Tartarus has happened?!

"Ludicrous," Dai Gui grunts, upset as well.

Hsi Wu stunned spoke, "Nobody or even ponies could restore the balance of one person's light and dark. Only Shendu can control the Tiger Talisman."

"It's impossible." Xiao Fung said in agreement. How coudl the pony known as Twilight be able to do what hasn't been done before?!

"How could Twilight Sparkle achieve it," Bai Tza demands furiously.

"How could my talisman reacts to them? It's only me to decide." Shendu said, still stunned and shocked over what just happened. Somehow Nyx and Spike has shaken off their darkness and restore themselves to normal!

Tso Lan chuckle in amusement as he spoke, "Incredible. Twilight Sparkle, you truly are a worthy opponent. I'm impressed with your tenacious and love for them."

Spike and Nyx were shocked to see Twilight hugging them. The baby Dragon was the first to ask, "Twilight? Why?"

Nyx continues, "We hurt you badly. But you forgive us?"

Twilight smiles, tears of joy came out as she explains, "Of course, you guys. Because I love you both no matter what. You'll be in my heart, always. That's what mothers do for their children."

Spike and Nyx sob and hug Twilight. Then the mare heard them say something, but is surprised to hear it from Spike, "Mommy!"

"Spike; did you call me -?" Twilight gasps in surprise and happiness. Spike called her...mommy.

Spike nods while saying, "No pony, human or Dragon could be best and better as you are, mommy."

Twilight smiles, hugging Spike while saying, "I accept that so much, my son."

Twilight, Spike and Nyx continue to sob while hugging. The others trapped smiles. Nyx and Spike were saved. Looks like the second master plan didn't go as planned. Not everyone is happy though.

Tso Lan clench his fists tightly, he snarls to Shendu, "Shendu, finish the job. It seems that your Talisman had failed us. And bring Nightmare Moon back to me." Forget Spike, he wants only Nyx now.

Shendu growl, "Understood."

The Demon Lords' heads disappear. Shendu jump and stomp his feet right in front of Twilight, Spike and Nyx. They got shocked and panicked as the three of them were levitated by Shendu. Shendu separated them: on his left is Twilight while on the right is Spike and Nyx. Shendu clench Twilight in his tight grasp and squeeze her tight. If Spike and Nyx can't kill her, he will finish her himself!

Spike and Nyx screams out in horror, "Mommy; Nooooooooo!"

"How is it that one pony could achieve the impossible powers?! No one, not even a mere Alicorn such as you could restore the balance of one's Yin and Yang." Shendu hiss furiously to Twilight, still outraged of how Twilight was able to do the impossible.

Twilight struggle to get out of Shendu's grasp while glaring at him. She said, "I told you before Shendu. My love for my friends, family and special ones conquer the impossible. You don't even know and understand that much as I do."

Shendu snarl at Twilight, "This time, Twilight Sparkle, I'll put you to death permanently. Nightmare Moon and Spike will return to us!"

Shendu squeeze tightly on Twilight. She screams in pain as she try to get out of Shendu's palms but is trapped tightly. Twilight coughs out some blood.

Spike and Nyx scream in worry, "Twilight/Mommy!!!" Shendu chuckled evilly. This will all be over soon.

Shendu continue to squeeze on Twilight as she shouts in pain while gasping for more air. Nyx and Spike sob to see their very mother dying.

Just before anything happens, Shendu's back of his scales has been magically penetrated. The Demon Lord roar as he stopped squeezing on Twilight, "WHAT; AGAIN!"

He shook off his back. Shendu turned and saw the deactivating invisibility to reveal Ben Mare with his glowing hooves while holding the light greenish Sheep Talisman.

Everyone calls out in surprise and happiness, "Ben!" The son of Princess Celestia has arrived!

Spike and Nyx sob in happiness, "Daddy!"

Twilight sobs in the same way, "You came back."

"So you had return?" Shendu ask in amusement. So the weakling has returned to face his final demise. Well, perhaps he could finish Ben off before finishing Twilight off next!

"You bet Demon jerk! This time, I'm ready. This time, I won't lose!" Ben exclaims in determination, preparing for his rematch.

"We shall see, mortal fool!" Shendu exclaims sinisterly.

Shendu levitate Twilight, Spike and Nyx and threw them over his back. They were about to hit the ground but luckily, Tao came in with Justin with the cart, Rabbitchu, Owlowiscious and Koga. They land on the cart safely. Tao sigh in relief. That was a close one!

Twilight, Spike and Nyx exclaims upon recognizing their friend, "Tao!"

"It looks like we've made here just in time; Apology for leaving you behind. I couldn't risk Ben's live while he was being weakened." Tao explains that he didn't mean to leave the trio and the others behind. The old pony must tend to Ben first.

"I know, Tao. Besides, you saved us in time, didn't you?" Twilight ask, smiling in relief and assuring no hard feelings.

"That makes us a-okay ponies." Nyx giggles in relief.

"What's with glowing hooves?" Spike asks as he notices that Ben's hooves are glowing for some reason.

"That is the Extraction Potion. It allows Ben to extract twelve Talismans out, making Shendu completely vulnerable and useless to fight." Tao explains to the group. So that's why it took him and Ben long to get here.

"Twelve Talismans," Twilight ask in surprise.

"That many; No wonder, he's powerful and stronger than the six Demon Lords." Nyx said in amazement and concern. That does explain how Shendu got so many powers.

"But bad news is that Ben won't able to get them all." Spike said.

Tao however smiles, saying, "Not necessary, Spike. The key to defeat Shendu is to remove the Rat Talisman. It has the ability to give motion to motionless."

"Huh?" Spike asks, unsure what Tao is referring to at first.

Twilight explains, "It means that Shendu will revert back to his original state and making sure that he cannot move again."

"That's good news." Nyx said with a smile. If Ben could get the Rat Talisman, then Shendu will fall!

"I only hope that Ben finds the Rat Talisman ASAP or he'll be Demon Chow." Spike said in concern.

"Oh, Ben, please hurry..." Twilight prayed out loud.

Shendu goes around on Ben while growling at him. Ben goes back while looking at Sheep Talisman. He mumbles quietly to himself, "Okay, what does the Sheep Talisman do? What power does it have?"

Shendu blast his Heat-Beam Eyes at Ben on the ground, causing him to be pushed back and got hit on the wall. The Sheep Talisman glow as it activated its power. Ben got up but he found himself unsuspecting different. His body is completely transparent while his solid body is down there. Ben panicked and is shocked to see this. Was he killed?!

"Aw man! Now I remember!" Ben exclaims, suddenly recalling what the Sheep Talisman does now!

"Aieyah; Wrong Talisman to use, Ben," Tao exclaims to Ben in alarm.

"Detail," Spike asks Tao, wanting to know what the Sheep Talisman does.

"The Sheep Talisman is Astral Projection. It not only gives the one who possessed the ability of spiritual form, but to enter ponies' dreams." Tao explains the details to Spike.

"I'd take that is not good to use." Nyx suggests, knowing that she got her answer anyhow.

"This is very bad! Ben better hurry now!" Twilight calls out to her love to return to his body ASAP!

Shendu smell and sniff Ben's body. With an evil grin, he snarls, "Hmmm.........Fresh Meat."

Ben panicked while his eyes are widened, exclaiming, "Aw man!"

Ben's spirit form enters his solid body. The pony open his eyes before he scream in panic. With his speed, Ben goes under Shendu's body while touching his legs. He took a talisman out. Shendu growl angrily as he chased after him before Shend could fire his Heat-Beam Eyes at Ben. The stallion quickly dodges the attack to his right and activated his next talisman. It fired at Shendu's top head making him shock.

Ben glances at the talisman: a dark reddish Dragon Talisman. Spike cheers on wildly, "Alright! Booyah! Go, dad! Go!"

"Keep beating that Demon!" Nyx cheers on her father.

"Ben, keep finding that Rat." Twilight said to Ben with a nod.

"Indeed , he must end it." Tao said with a nod of agreement. Ben must get the Rat Talisman to stop Shendu for good.

Shendu's head is restored into his completely healed body. He smirk making Ben groans, "Great. Ancestor of all ponies gave healing to the enemy."

Shendu roar angrily as he launches both Dragon Flame and Heat-Beam Eyes at Ben. He quickly dodges the attack as quickly as he himself can. Shendu flew over Ben with Levitation Power . The pony quickly stop as he saw that his enemy is about to use Super Strength to punch Ben. The Earth pony quickly used Snake Talisman as in Invisibility. Shendu slam onto the ground only, much to his anger.

Shendu felt his body being touched. He growl angrily as the Demon turn and glare at Ben who now has two talismans: a black and white Tiger Talisman and a brown Monkey Talisman. Before Ben could do anything, Shendu use his tail and swipe atBen's legs, causing him to lose the Snake Talisman and the Rabbit Talisman. Shendu levitate them both back to his body.

Shendu snarl while smirking. Ben shook his head as he looked at two talismans. One of these must help him somehow!

Ben mumbles, "The Tiger is out because its power is balance. Monkey Talisman; what does it do?

Shendu stomp on the ground while demanding, "Give me back my talismans, brat!"

Ben yelp in alarm, "Yikes! Better think before I become a kitten!"

"You can do it, Ben!" Phobos shouted.

The Monkey Talisman glowed. Ben noticed as he quickly uses it and blast at Shendu. The Dragon Demon transform into a kitten in a light glow, much to the awe of everyone else.

"Aw....... What a cute little kitten." Ben said with a smile.

Spike chuckle in amusement, "Guess he's no threat to us." With Shendu as a kitten, he won't cause any further trouble, right?

Nyx smile as she giggles, "I could pet another kitten."

"Monkey Talisman changed anything into anything?" Twilight ask Tao curiously, wondering if that's what the Monkey Talisman does.

Tao smiles as he answers, "No. It changed anything into any animals."

Phobos huff in annoyance, "Hopefully, I don't get turned into a fluffy doggy by that Monkey Talisman. I already lived through that back in the human version of Equestria!"

Ben chuckles. Shendu glare and hiss at him as his eyes glow in yellow before he blast at Ben. Looks like this kitty isn't so harmless after all! The Earth pony dodge the attack as the wall behind him got blasted. Shendu disappear from sight. Ben gasps in alarm.

"Where are you?!" Ben asks as he looks around for Shendu.

Suddenly, Ben felt his hoof got bitten. He let go of the Monkey Talisman. Then, it was being levitated in midair and away from Ben. Shendu deactivate his Invisibility while he holds the Monkey Talisman as it glows. The Dragon Demon transform back into his humanoid dragon form.

Shendu roar in fury, "Try to escape this, Chicken boy!"

Shendu blast his Monkey Talisman right at Ben but he escapes the attack. The blast hits a vase as it turn into a chicken. After dodging, Ben quickly ran as fast as he can while Shendu chase after him as well as firing his Dragon Flame and Heat-Beam Eyes at him. The hero quickly used his Hylian Shield to block the attack. Shendu hit the shield as hard as he can. But Ben pushes his shield aside while using the Dragon Talisman and blast at Shendu's chest.

Ben quickly touches Shendu's leg and took the light red Rooster Talisman. Ben continues to run as Shendu got up while roaring. The Demon chases after Ben. Shendu break the pillar and threw it right at the pony who yelps. He held tight on Rooster Talisman and hope for the best. The pillar stops. Ben was shocked but smiled at this turn of events.

Ben, using Levitation, threw the pillar back at Shendu. But the villain dodge then he snarl and glare at Ben who panicked and quickly escape. The Earth pony got cornered by on the throne chamber's corner. Shendu used his Speed and Super Strength as he ram right into Ben in hopes to crush him. The Earth pony dodges the attack by going under his bottom while touching his two legs. Shendu turn as he was about to attack. Ben attacks his enemy by kicking on his face.

Shendu got knocked to the ground while Ben land onto the ground safely. Everyone but Tao was in surprise to see this. He then looked at the talismans that Ben now got: the Rabbit Talisman and one with a bluish ox's head: the Ox Talisman.

Ben grin as he cheers, "Alright, I've got Super Strength."

"Ben! Look out!" Twilight screams out as she saw something.

"Huh?" Ben asks but Twilight's warning came too late.

Shendu grab Ben tightly while throwing him to the corner. Luckily for him, Ben use his Rooster Talisman and land on the ground safely. Before he could do anything, Shendu attack Ben from behind. The hero quickly held his hooves tight against Shendu. Both held their hooves/claws tightly as they keep on pushing.

Ben groans, "Give it up, Shendu! You can't win! The plain field... is almost even...Shendu!"

Shendu snaps, "You may have possessed the Triforce and 6 Talismans but you believe that you can win?" The Demon chuckle, "You shall learn the hard way that I not only known as the Demon Lord of Fire because of my savage might, but because of my cunning."

"We'll see about that, monster!" Ben shouted in anger.

Shendu chuckle as he disappears from sight again. Ben groans as he armed himself with Master Sword and Hylian Shield. Before Ben could do anything, his back leg was being grabbed and has slims and saliva on it. As Ben was being lifted up, he shouts while dropping his sword, shield and 6 Talismans that fell down to the ground. Shendu appear as a Hydra in a solid body. He held Ben tight on his left back leg.

"Oh no; Not again," Ben exclaims in alarm at seeing the Hydra, so to speak.

"Pity that you will not live to witness me & my siblings reign over your world," Shendu gloats to Ben. "But you shall be the first pony to be tasted."

Using his long tongue, Shendu drag Ben to his mouth while he Ben screams. This could be it!

Everyone else yells out, "BEN!"

As soon as Ben is close in Shendu's mouth, the Dragon Demon closes his jaws tight. Shendu's jaws are being lifted up. Ben held tight and push up in the Demon's mouth as he try to escape. Shendu's jaws continue to push Ben down.

"We've gotta help Ben!" Spike exclaims in alarm.

"I can't lose him!" Nyx cries out. She got to help Ben!

"We have to do something!" Twilight exclaims in determination. She almost lost Ben so many times before; the mare doesn't want to go through that again!

"That we will," Tao said as he took out a flask of yellowish water. He pour onto the others' hooves and claws for Spike, as well as his own. "With these, we can finish the battle."

Twilight nods while exclaiming, "Let's do this!"

While Ben continued to hold his strength, Shendu use his tongue and wrap his hoof, causing him to fall down. The Demon closed his jaws hard with Ben trapped inside his mouth. Just before Shendu could swallow him up, figures appear all over him. Twilight on Shendu's head, Nyx and Spike on his leg and Tao on his back, penetrate and touch on Shendu's scales. He roar in fury. With his mouth open, Ben escape and jump onto Shendu's face. Five of them continue to search through Shendu's scales for the remaining Talismans.

Twilight, Tao, Spike and Nyx took the talismans out. They escape and got away from Shendu. Twilight has the Monkey Talisman and the light blue Horse Talisman, Spike has the pinkish Pig Talisman, the Nyx has yellowish Dog Talisman and Tao has the Snake Talisman. Twilight fire the Monkey Talisman at Shendu. He return unwillingly to his humanoid dragon form as Ben continues to look for the Rat Talisman.

"We have Snake for Invisibility, Monkey of Animal Transformation; Horse for Healing, Pig for Heat-Beam Eyes and Dog for Immortality." Tao said, counting down what Talismans that the group has so far.

"That leaves one for Ben." Twilight said, knowing of only one Talisman left for Ben to get.

Ben took a blackish Rat Talisman out, grinning as he shouts out, "Alright; Rat!"

Ben jumped down quickly. Shendu gasp before he roars, "Not that; Noooooooo!"

"Do it, daddy! Do it!!" Nyx shouted eagerly.

Shendu glow in bright yellowish light as he was transformed into a statue with his head out. He flew to the ground. Everyone cheer. Shendu has fallen!

Twilight hug Ben while saying, "You did it, Ben!"

"We did it." Ben said with a smile. He has done it with the others' help. Shendu has fallen!

Twilight, Ben and Nyx help their friends out from the spheres. Spike took the Sacred Flame and passes it to Twilight. Yet another ingredient recovered....and it's the last one!

"We have all the ingredients that we need." Twilight said eagerly. The mission is a success! All the ingredients have been found!

"So Shendu's original form is a statue?" Nyx ask, glancing at Shendu's statue form in amazement. To think, she was scared of something like that.

"Mystic Ponies put a small curse on Shendu after he copied the Twelve Mystic Zodiac Animals' powers. And that is the Rat Talisman." Tao explains to Nyx. "Without it, he will revert to his statue form."

Spike, Phobos, Dumbledore and Bocolix stick their tongues out at Shendu while taunting, "Nah-nah! You can't hurt us!"

Shendu glares while hissing before he fired his Dragon Flame at them. But luckily, they escape from the attack. This monster is a threat even when he's a statue!

"You shall be sorry for the mockery! Fools," Shendu roars out to his enemies in fury.

"One more thing; Shendu can still talk and breathe Dragon Flame." Tao explains to the group though his warning came a bit too late.

"Could have told us a little earlier," Phobos exclaims to Tao in irritation. Why didn't the old pony just tell them and spare what happened?

"Mark my word, Benjamin. You may have won the battle but I will have my revenge!" Shendu demands furiously to Ben. "I will get Spike and Nightmare Moon to the Demon Lords! You cannot hope to protect them from us. We will get them. When we do, we will have them killing you!"

Ben snarl as he raise up a hoof, "Think again, Shendu! Even without the Mystic Banishment Ingredient, you can't do anything because you're a statue. You had lost most of the talismans. Say goodbye, Shendu."

Ben use the Dragon Talisman as he was about to fire the attack on Shendu. Tao hits Ben's head, stopping him in time. What gives now?

"Do not destroy Shendu! Shendu cannot be killed!" Tao exclaims to Ben in alarm and fear.

Ben rubs his head while asking, "Why?!" If Shendu isn't destroyed, he would come back somehow, so why not finish him off?!

"Should his vessel be destroyed, his spirit will seek a new one, possessing the new body as his own." Tao explains clearly to Ben. In other words, Shendu's spirit will find a new host to possess if his vessel is destroyed!

"You mean us? That means if he possess any of us, he will take us to the Realm of Demons." Nyx yelps a bit. Even Ben looks a bit alarmed. He almost made a terrible mistake!

"What; Aw man! What was I thinking?!" Ben asks in guilt and embarrassment. He almost cause a disaster even after winning!

Twilight hug Ben while saying, "It’s okay, Ben. You didn't know. At least, it's over."

Shendu hiss in fury, "Perhaps. But I am not through with you yet! Prepare for my final ploy; Structure Destruction Spell!"

Shendu's eyes glow green as he fired at the ceiling. The building starts shaking and some woods and bricks start falling down. Everyone was shocked. That doesn't look good.

"What did you do?" Ben demands to Shendu.

"Your destruction," Shendu explains darkly to Ben.

"Twilight; what's going on," Spike yelps as he held Twilight by one of her legs. The whole place appears to be coming down!

"Shendu used the Structure Destruction Spell to bring the whole building down, along with us. We have to escape." Twilight said in alarm. Shendu is going to assure that if he does down, his enemies goes with him!

"What about the Talismans? They might come in handy." Bocolix said in concern about the Talismans that were dropped after the battle.

Suddenly, the Ninjas appear along with six different kinds of Shadow Demons: bulky and big Sumos, creatures with wings Bats, the armored samurai-like Samurais, the muscular warrior with scorpion tail and crab's claw Crabs, creatures with four tentacles Squids and the creatures with Mantis's blade and four legs: Mantises. They glare at Twilight and her friends. The Talismans is apparently the least of their worries!

"Um; never mind," Dumbledore said sheepishly.

"My friends; we must leave now!" Tao ordered. Twilight and her friends got onto the cart that connects Justin. They quickly escape Shendu's throne chamber which is collapsing.

"After them; Bring Nightmare Moon and Spike back!" Shendu orders his minions. Almost seven Shadow Demon Tribes went after Twilight's group. "And bring me my talismans at once!"

-----------------

Twilight and her friends continue to escape through the hallway as fast as they can while dealing with some resistance of 7 tribes of Shadow Demons that are trying to stop them. Tao and Ben slice and strike at the Shadow Demon Ninjas and Samurais when charging out from shadows, rooms or hallways. Dumbledore and Bocolix fire their magic at Shadow Demon Bats. Spike and Phobos fire their attacks at Shadow Demon Crabs and Mantises. Twilight and Nyx protect Tough and the cart from being attacked by Shadow Demons through arrows, shurikens and spears while firing at Shadow Demon Sumos and Squid who are trying to block their way out. Shendu's minions are going way out in their attempts to stop our heroes from escaping.

Justin ram at the Shadow Demons with the help of Rabbitchu in firing its electrical shock on them. They continue to fire and fought the 7 tribes of Shadow Demons as hard as they can. They went downstairs but Twilight and her friends soon find out that the area that they entered is a long road and stairs.

"Nuts! There's long way to go!" Bocolix exclaims in alarm and worry.

"This is so not good!" Dumbledore remarks in agreement. This could take forever!

"How are we gonna escape?" Tough ask his friends in concern.

Tao pant tirelessly while looked worried and afraid. Ben notice his condition as he ask the old pony, "Tao?"

"I am fine, Ben." Tao insists to Ben, trying to assure him that everything's fine...or is it? He notices something far away from here. "There. That is our escape route." Tao turn to Ben while continuing, "Listen closely, Ben, I do not have much time. No matter what happens to me, you must lead your family to escape this place."

"Tao?"

"We must move at once! Do not falter!"

Twilight nods while saying, "Got it, Tao. Tough; head off!"

Tough whip his ropes on Justin. Twilight and her friends rush off as fast as they can through the stairs and the long road. The group must get as far away from their enemies as possible. They arrive on the bridge. Twilight and her friends stop at once. The bridge looked unstable, how would anyone cross it?

"Aieyah; we're trapped!" Tao exclaims frantically. "If we go move too fast, the bridge will not support our weight."

"Nope, not yet; we can't fly up too high. More Shadow Demons will be attacking us from the air. We'll have to go one by one." Twilight suggests thoughtfully. Perhaps going one by one can be better than going on all at once; "Tough heads first.

Tough nods as he and Justin slowly move onto the unstable bridge followed by Owlowiscious and Koga. Spike and Phobos were about to move until the arrows and shurikens attack them. Tough and Ben turn to find the source of the attack. They found the attacks from the top as more arrows and shurikens continue to strike down on them. Twilight, Tough and Ben shoot the enemies with their magic, gun and Hero's Bow at the enemies from top.

Some Shadow Demons were attacked, wounded and killed by Twilight and her friends; they either fall into the pits of darkness or onto the ground of their position. Spike and Phobos continue to get across the bridge. Bocolix and Dumbledore quickly get across the bridge. The bridge suddenly broke into small halves. This bridge might not have much left!

"Do not delay!" Tao exclaims to the allies quickly, seeing how the place is falling down like mad. "We must move! Shendu's Palace is going to be destroyed sooner or later."

Tao gallop and jump over the gap of bridge, Bocolix and Dumbledore grab him in the nick of time. Tough, Bocolix and Dumbledore covered Twilight, Ben and Nyx's escape by blasting their magic at their enemies from top floors.

"C'mon, guys!" Spike calls out to Twilight, Ben and Nyx, the only ones not across yet.

"Hurry," Phobos calls out as well.

Twilight quickly flew over the gap. Both Ben and Nyx were about to get across when the bridge's part start to fall apart. Ben and Nyx went back as fast as they can. More Shadow Demon Bats flew down as they prepared to attack Ben and Nyx.

Twilight calls out in worry, "Ben; Nyx!"

"Nyx, remember the leapfrog?" Ben asks Nyx, recalling the game that they played back in the caves that led to the Grundles' home.

Nyx nods, answering, "Yeah? Why?"

"Jump over the bats."

Ben and Nyx quickly gallop and jump on the Shadow Demon Bats one-by-one on their heads and backs. They jump over their enemies until Ben and Nyx arrived on the bridge. Twilight grabs both Ben and Nyx in time, happy and relief for their safely.

"That was close." Ben said with a sigh. Looks like the worst is over...but then again, one can speak so soon.

Shendu roar in fury, "Twilight Sparkle! Benjamin Mare!" The group gasps in alarm. The Dragon Demon must've been restored to his Dragon form after getting the talisman back!

"Quick! We must leave!" Tao calls out quickly. Twilight and her friends continue to escape as Shendu came down the stairs. He looked very angry, vicious and tempered.

Twilight and her friends had crossed the long bridge and arrived at the large door. Ben, Tough, Bocolix and Dumbledore try to open the door but to no prevail.

Bocolix exclaims in alarm, "It's locked!"

"Now what," Dumbledore ask frantically. There must be a way to get out of here and in a hurry!

"Look up!" Tao exclaims as he points a hoof to a huge lock on the top of the door. It didn't take long for Twilight to figure the whole thing out.

"It's the lock. We can use our magic to open it." Twilight explains to the others clearly. "Come on, we need to make haste."

Twilight, Bocolix, Dumbledore and Nyx use their magic and zap at the lock to open it. Shendu roar angrily, the monster is not too far behind!

"Shendu's coming!" Spike yelps in alarm and worry.

"Hurry," Phobos exclaims in worry and concern. The magic users may not have much time left to open the door before Shendu arrives!

"My friends; Open the gate quickly! I'll hold him off." Tao exclaims sternly to his friends.

"Old Tao, don't!" Tough exclaims in alarm while freaking out; However Tao gallop back to the long bridge, preparing for what could be a fight for his life. Ben groans while shaking his head. He was about to gallop after, much to the shock of some of the others.

"Hey! You're not planning to fight Shendu?!" Bocolix calls out to Ben frantically. Fighting this creep would be suicide!

"I have to. I'm not leaving Tao behind. Open the gate as fast as you can!" Ben exclaims to the others sternly.

"Ben/Daddy," Twilight & Nyx calls out at the same time. Ben gallop to the bridge where Tao is standing in front of it. They both held their swords tightly, ready for combat.

"We cannot afford to rely on removing talismans now." Tao explains to Ben in concern. "Time is not on our side. This palace will be destroyed in anytime. We must hold Shendu off."

Ben nods while saying, "I know. Let's do it."

With loud and heavy footsteps, Tao and Ben encounter the angry Shendu and the army of seven tribes of Shadow Demons. Shendu roars in fury, "You will not escape, fools! I will have both Spike and Nightmare Moon back! This is for you, Tadaka and Lorcan!"

"We will escape." Tao said to Shendu in determination.

"But not with you to follow us, Shendu. This will be our final duel. I will protect Spike and Nyx from you!" Ben exclaims to Shendu. He is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his loved ones safe.

"Then, so be it." Shendu remark. He then roars, "Shadow Demons, attack!"

All seven tribes of Shadow Demon armies charge at Tao and Ben. Shendu charge as well. Tao and Ben dodge the enemies' attacks, such as Squids striking the enemies with tentacles, Samurais, Crabs and Mantises attacks them with their own weapons, and Ninjas, Sumos and Bats attack them head on.

While dodging, avoiding and blocking the attacks, Ben and Tao continue to fight off against the Shadow Demons through slicing, striking and attacking their heads, shoulders, legs and bodies. Shendu growl angrily as he launches Dragon Fire, Heat Beam Eye Blast and Combustion Blast at Tao and Ben. But they dodge the attacks by moving to their sides. The attacks hit on the some troops of Shadow Demons.

As Shendu is ready to use another powerful attack, he gets hit by a beam and is sent back a bit as the Demon blocks it. The gang looks to see a robot cyborg Alicorn. As the gang look puzzled, it says, "I know what you're thinking but I am not made by those unicorns Flim and Flam but right now we need to defeat this Demon."

The gang decides to get back to fighting Shendu along with this unknown ally. The one known as Omega (unknown to the group), Tao and Ben charged at Shendu. The monster punch at the three but they dodge the attack while he slammed onto the ground. They sliced and blast on his hands and legs as many times as the trio can. Shendu's wounds heal as he use his speed and chased after Tao and Ben, despite Omega blasting at him. They both moved to the left, thus hitting some of Shadow Demon Sumos, Samurais and Crabs to pieces.

"This Demon is a crazy one indeed." Omega mumbles as he flies towards his new friends, fighting at Shendu.

Shendu brought the rocks down from the ceiling through his Levitation. Ben, Omega and Tao keep dodging and avoiding being hit by the rocks while battling with the Shadow Demons who are charging and attacking them. Shendu then use his super strengths to punch at the three but they instead dodge. Shendu destroy half of the Shadow Demon Squids and Mantises army in the progress. The Shadow Demon Bats and Ninjas attack Omega Tao and Ben from the air but the three jumps up high in midair and slice/blast their enemies one-by-one as they come down.

Shendu then used his invisibility. Omega, Ben and Tao look out for any attacks from Shendu. Suddenly, the three of them receive punches very hard from the front, back, left and right, just before more Shadow Demons attack them with their fists, legs and weapons to attack.

"This does not compute!" Omega booms as he fires at the Shadow Demons, only for them to knock him down.

Tao and Ben receive injuries, but they continue to resist and fought off the Shadow Demons just before something hits onto the ground, causing a shock wave to goes against Tao, Ben and some Shadow Demons. Shendu appear from behind as he blast his enemies through Dragon Fire, Combustion Blasts, Heat Beam Eye Blast and levitating the rocks and threw them at Omega, Tao and Ben.

Omega, Tao and Ben manage to dodge and avoid being hit but they received some wounds (metal damage for Omega) from some attacks. Before Tao and Ben could do something, Shendu appear in front of the two with one second arrival. He then gave them a hard punch. He then punches Omega as well, hitting him the hardest.

"You cannot hope to win this fight, fools. You have lost." Shendu said to his enemies sternly. "And metal one: whoever sends you to interfere will pay three times than what you're getting!"

"Not if you fall first, Demonic one." Omega remarks to his enemy with major beeps.

"Now what," Ben ask with a frown to Tao.

"Focus your Triforce powers and let it give you the strength to overcome Shendu. You and Triforce must be one." Tao advise to Ben carefully. Maybe there's a way for the trio to win.

Ben nods, saying, "I'll try."

Ben closes his eyes as he focus all of his powers from the Triforce Elements to give him strength. Thus, the Earth pony glow in golden before he open his eyes; Looks like it works.

"Ready?" Ben asks Tao and Omega in determination.

"I shall fight by your side always." Omega said with a salute.

"To the death," Tao said with a nod to his allies, ready to fight for his life if need be.

"Let's do it." Ben said in determination.

Ben's golden aura went to Tao and the Alicorn robot. They and Omega move very quickly just before Shendu and Shadow Demons could make a move. They strikes their enemies one-by-one with a quick swipe and strike as well as avoiding the attacks from Shendu's powers and talismans powers. Ben, Omega and Tao had defeated Shadow Demons. Before Shendu could launch his fire attacks, they attack on Shendu from the legs, body, hands and then his head. Ben and Tao used their hooves and slam onto the Demon's head down. Shendu scream in pain just before he land on the ground.

"It appears enemy is down." Omega said. Ben and Tao have won the battle. More Shadow Demons appear to make things difficult. Twilight, Nyx, Bocolix and Dumbledore continue to use their magic to open the door. With the sound of unlocking, the door opens. Everyone cheer in triumph.

Spike head to the long bridge. He wave them high up while shouting, "Ben! Tao! Weird robot thing! Hurry! The door is open!"

Ben, Omega and Tao turn and head off to the bridge. Shendu slowly get up while the Shadow Demons chased after the fleeing trio. Spike, on the bridge, waved them hard to motion them quickly. But without warning, Shendu use his Levitation on Ben. Spike gasp in worry. Ben tried to run as far as he can but Shendu brought his enemy over to him.

Ben chuckle uneasily, "Hi?"

"I will rip you apart, heir of Celestia!" Shendu exclaims furiously to Ben, planning on ripping this stallion to pieces.

Phobos yelps in alarm to Spike, "Where's your beam sword! Use it!"

Shendu roar angrily but before the Demon could do anything, he felt his leg being kicked and slashed at. Shendu look down to see someone that he did not expect.

"Spike," Ben and Shendu asks at shock as Spike is slashing at the Dragon Demon's leg like mad.

"Let my dad go!" Spike demands furiously. Ben looks shocked and amazed. Did that baby Dragon just called him 'dad'?

"Say what?" Ben ask Spike hopefully.

"First, you accept Twilight Sparkle as your mother and now Ben Mare as your father!" Shendu exclaims, outraged over this turn of events, "How dare you accept the ponies as your family?! We are family, Spike! You are under my right from your father's vow. Don't you see?! You lost your family all because of the ponies. Don't repeat your father's mistake which he learn too late. It cost him & your brother their lives!"

Spike glared at Shendu as he said, "Here's a little something! You're wrong, even if what you say is true, I already have a family. My father & brother may have lost their sense by evil, but I'm not. And I won't lose my family! So let my father go!" The baby Dragon activates his beam sword. "Come get some; Dragon Rage!"

Spike fire his Dragon Rage and burn on Shendu's face before jumping up to slash him cross the chest. Shendu yell in pain as he let go of Ben who lands safely on the bridge. Spike sob as he hug Ben, happy that he's all right.

"Spike," Ben asks Spike, still surprised over what the Dragon called him before.

Spike sniffs a bit while saying, "I'm glad that you're okay. I always want to have a dad. And you're the one. Twilight and Nyx sure pick the right stallion, especially a father that I want."

Ben hugs him back, saying gently, "Like Nyx, I'll accept you as a son to me, no matter how different you are."

"Thanks, dad."

"Not to be rude, Ben and Spike. But we must go!" Tao said, reminding his friends that they still got to make their escape ASAP!

Shendu roar loudly and angrily while shaking his head hard. He hiss loudly making Ben and Spike yelp, "Right!"

Ben, Tao and Spike ran across the half of the bridge. Tao stops right there. Ben stops as well when he noticed that the old pony has stopped. What is Tao doing?

"Tao, hurry, we've gotta move!" Ben exclaims to Tao in concern.

"We're almost there!" Spike exclaims with a nod, knowing that the group are almost out of this place of evil.

"Ben, this is where my path ends." Tao said mysteriously and suddenly, much to Ben and Spike's shock.

"What are you talking about?!"

"What?! No! We're in this together! We're going home together!" Ben exclaims to Tao in alarm. The old pony isn't going to come with him and the others?! Doesn't he wish to escape as well?!

Tao stood his ground, saying calmly to Ben, "Ben, promise me. No matter what happens to me, you must lead your family to escape this place. Please, this is my goodbye."

"Tao! Don't you dare -!"

Tao slam his sword straight into the ground, causing the bridge to break apart. Ben stop his tracks before he could go forward to help the path between him and the old pony breaks away. Twilight and everyone were in shock to see what's happening.

Spike gasp in shock, "No........."

"Tao! WHY," Ben calls out to Tao in horror. The old pony is about to fall along with Shendu and the bridge just to keep the monster from going after the others!

"Ben, Spike, I'm truly appreciated you to think of my well-being. But now, it is my turn to take care of yours." Tao said, keeping his mind on his decision. "Ben, you must escape at once. I am proud and honor to fight alongside with you, my dear boy."

"Tao!"

"But -!" Spike begins to protest but Tao interrupts him, not having any of it.

"Please, Ben! Honor and respect my last wish and request. This is our goodbye." Tao said to Ben sternly.

"Tao........" Ben begins to say in sadness.

"Fly, you fools," Tao exclaims as he turn and face Shendu and the armies of Shadow Demons. "You shall not PASS!" Tao charge and attack the Shadow Demons while using his sword in all of his might. This is going to be his final battle especially since he is planning on staying.

Ben and Spike screams out for their friend, "Taaaaooooooo!" The two yelped and move away to avoid any of the falling structure that fell from the ceiling.

Ben groans while shaking his head. Spike frantically exclaims, "We have to go back and help him!"

"There's nothing we can do." Ben said to Spike in sadness. This is Tao's decision; he and the baby Dragon must respect it.

"But- but -!"

"I know it's hard. But this is what he wants for us. We have to do it for him."

Spike sob, "Noooooo..... We can't." The baby Dragon won't forgive himself if he leaves Tao to die like this! It won't be fair!

"I'm sorry. C'mon!" Ben insists quickly to Spike.

Spike groan angrily. Ben and the baby Dragon turn and went to their family and friends. Twilight in concern ask, "Ben, Spike, where's Tao?"

"He's staying back to fight off Shendu and the Shadow Demons."

Tough, Bocolix and Dumbledore all gasps at once in shock, "What?!"

"That's stupid!" Phobos exclaims, not believing what he just heard.

Spike sob, "But," The baby Dragon sob once more, "I want to - But-" He sobs for a third time.

"I don't want to leave Tao behind too, Spike! But he wants us to go. This is his wish. I," Ben begins sobbing as well now, "have to," The hero sob once again, "honor," Ben made another sob in upset, "his wish."

Nyx sob in worry, "But we can't. We have to-"

"Nyx, please! We have to honor and respect his wish. I know it's hard, but this is what he wants."

Spike sobs in agreement, "It's true, guys. I'm sorry, mom."

Twilight nods while hugging Spike. She said gently to him, "It's not your fault. This is what Tao want. We have to do it. I know it's hard but that's what he wants. Okay, Spike and Nyx?"

Spike and Nyx sob while saying, "Okay." It's hard for them but Tao would want them to escape with their lives and ingredients, right?

Everyone got into the cart. Twilight sobs while looking at the battlefield but rub off her tears. She turn to Tough while ordering, "Tough, get us out of here!"

Tough nod as he whips Justin to head off and escape from Shendu's Palace at once. The whole place's structures, bricks and woods continue collapsing and falling down. Everyone took one last glance back at the battle as Tao fought bravely, ferociously and determinedly in fighting against the Shadow Demons and Shendu.

Ben said quietly and sadly, "Goodbye....... Tao......"

Tao turns and glance at Twilight and her family while saying, "Goodbye, my friends."

As soon as Twilight and her friends got out from the battlefield, Tao turn and face Shendu and his minions. He close his eyes before the old pony open them. They glow in white as five cards appear from his robes and kill most of the Shadow Demons. Tao place his sword in front of Shendu who growl at him while the 7 tribes' army of Shadow Demons appear and glare at Tao.

"I was wondering why you did not use your true power . And it seems that I found my answer." Shendu remarks in amusement to Tao. "None of the ponies had known the truth about the Mystic Ponies' existence, haven't they? Is it because of the fear of lust and temptation of mortals? Pity, isn't it?"

"No, it is not. Now, my nemesis, it is time to finish of what we have started." Tao said in determination. As the structures continue to fall apart, the Mystic Pony place the sword in front of himself. "Do you recognize this?

Shendu gasp in fear upon recognizing the sword, "No! The symbol of Mystic Sword which defeated me! It is the only sword that can banish me! You have kept it until today?!"

Tao's five cards are spinning on it while he glow in golden light and cover by a sphere of wind, along with horizontal lines of fire in center, water in right diagonal and earth in left diagonal. The time has come for Shendu to fall once more!

"I call upon five elements to guide me to defeat the Demon Lord of Fire. Water, Earth, Fire, Wind and Light," The Mystic Pony booms. Tao glare at Shendu. "This is our final duel, Shendu! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

Shendu's eyes are in wide open as he screams "No! NO! Not again! Shadow Demons, destroy him!"

All of the Shadow Demons charged at Tao. But instead of attacking him, his elements block the attacks and kill all of the Shadow Demons who comes too close to him. Tao's sword glow in green as the final moments is about to come underway.

"Diiiiieeee," Shendu roars in fury.

Shendu blast his fire attacks on Tao while he blasts his sword at Shendu. Both powers clashes and impact; they both struggled to fight the powers while the structures from top continue to collapse. Both opponents continue to fight and struggle their powers to win the battle.

"For the Mystic Realm; For Equestria; for friendship and my family," Tao exclaims in determination. With his shouting, Tao glow in gold, his sword blast more and pierce through Shendu's fire attack and blasted on him. Shendu scream in pain as the final moments are coming.

Twilight and her family have escaped Shendu's Palace. They took a glance at that place as it continue to collapse while a green light shot out to the sky. The door appears behind of Shendu. It drags him to the door. Shendu grab onto the floor tight but the door continue to pull him in.

Shendu screams out to Tao, "Curse you, Tao! I will have my revenge on you and those ponies; TAO!"

Shendu got in the door, just before it close. With him gone, the Shadow Demons disappear into the shadows. Tao pant while gasping for more air. He drops his sword down, along with his five cards then landed on the ground hard. It appears that this is his final battle.

Tao gasp weakly, "So...... this is how it ends? How pitiful...... How regretful of me...... not telling him....... the truth....... Yet.......I'm....... Happy to fight alongside with....... Ben. He...... is so much...... like his parents...... I'm...... honored to be with him......."

Tao's eyes are closed as the building continues to collapse, falling down from the ceiling to the bottom. Soon Shendu's Palace fallen into pieces and ruins. It is destroyed, ending his rule once and for all.

Everyone gasp in shock and worry just before they sob, upset and in sadness. Ben hits on the ground with his hooves continuously. Shendu has been beaten, yes, but at the cost of Tao's life.

"Ben, easy; it's not your fault." Twilight said, trying to calm her true love down.

"I fail to save Tao! I can't believe I left him behind! How stupid I really am," Ben groans in sadness and regret. A friend died whom he left behind! Why didn't the stallion saved him when he had the chance?!

Nyx sob while trying to help, "Daddy, please; don't blame yourself about this mess. It's not your fault."

Spike sob in agreement, "Nyx's right. Tao would want us to go back home and save Applejack's home. That's what we've come here for."

"Do you think Tao would be happy to see us failing, Ben?" Phobos asks Ben, pointing out a fact. Tao wouldn't be happy if Ben and the others' quest would to fail right here, right now.

"They're right, Ben. If Tao hadn't stayed behind, Shendu would continue 'ta hunt us." Tough explains to Ben. "Ah'm not sure where 'de voice or the Mystic Ingredient Banishment is. There isn't time. Ah know it's selfish and wrong, but he wouldn't want us 'ta let everything down fer our folks."

"Tao banished Shendu, didn't he? I think it's good right." Bocolix points out with a sad smile. Tao must've banished Shendu, right?

Dumbledore nods, adding, "I know it's hard. But he would have wants us to live, wouldn't he?"

Ben sigh, "You all are right. Tao wouldn't want us to give up the mission in saving Ponyville. We're going to honor his wish. Before we leave, I want to build a tomb for him, without magic." It should be the least he can to do to honor the one who gave his life to help the heroes move on.

Everyone nod their heads as the heroes got to work. They put mountain of rocks onto the ground to make a grave for their fallen friend. The gang then bow in respect to the rocks while sobbing.

Bocolix begins the opening prayer, "I don't know how to say. But to be honest, if you hadn't come to us, we don't even know what we're supposed to do and deem good deeds."

Dumbledore said with a slow nod while doing a prayer, "Yeah. You're great and good....... for an Earth Pony."

Phobos continues, "You know. I really hate your riddles and guts to hit my head. But sometimes, I felt like that you had helped us; I kinda thankful of that. I'm really sorry for that, Tao. I'll be generous more. I promise."

Tough continues the prayer, "Ah didn't get mah chance 'ta say sorry an' thank yew 'ta yew, Tao. But thanks fer 'de compliment, an' sorry fer being rude. You're an okay pony, Tao. That's fer sure." The stallion felt better; his prayer has truly open up a lot for him.

Spike now says his own part of the prayer, "Tao, I can't understand your riddles, but I can understand one thing: you're trying to help us be better and not giving up. If you hadn't been there for us, we wouldn't know if we can survive this place or not. Thank you."

Nyx sob as she continues the prayer, "Tao, you told me not to give the important gift up that my family gave me. I promise you that I won't. I won't give up on theirs and yours. I promise you that I'll always be myself no matter what. Thank you for everything, Tao."

"Tao, even though you like to disappear and appear in anytime and anywhere, you're a good pony." Twilight said calmly while continuing with her part of the prayer, "I'd always thought the 'End of Equestria' is going to be the worst place to go to. But it's not. We're not afraid anymore. You are the reason of helping us to get through, no matter what happens. I'm very thankful of that, Tao. Thank you for being there for us and for giving advice. You're a great hermit."

Ben sighs as he spoke, "Tao, I'm sorry, I couldn't save you. But you wouldn't want me to give up the important mission. I get it, Tao. I don't want to sacrifice any more lives all for the sake of mission. But sometimes, we have to do it for our home and family. You told me that I'll be hero. But to be honest, I wasn't sure at first. But seeing you being there for us and on the battlefields, it makes me more confident and determined. If you had faith in me, then I promise you one thing: I won't give up on that. I promise you that I'll do anything to save lives and protect our home. Thank you for being there for us. Thank you for teaching me to be hero."

Everyone finish the prayer up, "Thank you, Tao. Goodbye."

Twilight and her friends bow in respect. Ben put the flute near the rocks. They got on their cart and leave. Ben took one last glance at Tao's grave. During their journey back home, everyone look very upset, sad and disappointed. They got all of the ingredients but Tao is gone.

After a pause of silence, Nyx became the first to speak up, "Mommy; isn't there another way to save lives without sacrificing good ponies? I don't want to see that happen again. It's not what we wanted."

Twilight sighs as she answers, "To be honest, sweetie. I'm sorry." Nyx look down. "But I do know one thing, Nyx. We'll do our best to protect the world from harm and evil. We also do our best to save lives, without sacrificing another hopefully. It's what brave ponies do and wanted."

"Not only for home, Nyx, but for everything they believed in." Ben adds to Nyx, smiling a bit sadly.

"Like Tao believed in us to be ourselves and save Ponyville?" Nyx ask her parents, recalling what Tao has believed in.

"I hope its worth for his effort." Spike sighs a bit while looking downward, knowing what it cost Tao to save them all.

"Yes, Nyx and Spike; we won't let all of his effort be in vain." Twilight said smoothly while patting her children on the back. She's right. The group can't let one death put them down. They must move on no matter what.

"Okay. We'll do our best to protect our home. No matter what happen," Nyx said with a sad sniff while getting rid of some tears from her face.

"It's what heroes do, like all of us did before." Spike said with a nod. It's sad knowing that a friend of his dies but he would want his allies to go on, right?

Ben nods, saying, "Yes, Nyx and Spike. We'll do our best to save our home, no matter the cost. We will not sacrifice any more lives for our sake."

Twilight and Nyx nod. Ben, Twilight, Nyx, Spike and even Phobos hug together. This is a family hug that they want to remember for a very long time.

After the family stops their hugging, Twilight spoke up, "Come on. Let's go home and save our friends' home. This is for you, Tao. It's what you want for us to do. Goodbye, my friend."

Twilight and her family continued to journey: going back home. They have lost a friend today but they themselves have gotten something back in return: hope and renewal.

"Say, where did that robot went off to?" Bocolix ask, noticing that Omega has gone missing since the escape from Shendu's Palace.

-----------

Omega comes back to the room and tells Pinkamena and Golden Heart, "The task is done and the gang will be coming home soon."

"Well done, now regain your strength Omega, you did good." Pinkamena said with a smile on her face. Twilight and her friends are coming home at last! Wonderful!

Omega goes on standby as Golden Heart says, "I have to say. Omega is powerful."

"Yeah but to tell you the truth, he only help in evening out the Demon's tricks and such."

"Ok."

Author's Notes:

And so, Shendu is defeated and the last ingredient has been gained...but at the cost of Tao's life. But is he truly gone? In the next chapter, the gang heads on but unfortunately, their ingredients get stolen by the final Demon Lord Tso Lan who already captured Ben and Twilight! It's up to Nyx to defeat her former father once and for all but will more lives be taken like before?! Read, review and suggest.

All of the Shadow Demons Tribes are Shadowkhans from 'Jackie Chan Adventures', except Mini Khan.

This whole chapter is referenced to Lord of the Rings' Moria Scenes.

Shendu's Second Battle is referenced to 'Jackie Chan Adventures' Season 1 Episode 13.

Shendu's Final Battle is referenced and a combination of the Lord of the Rings' Balrog Battle and the Kingdom Hearts II's Cerberus Battle.

Chapter 17: The Final Assault of Tso Lan

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Chapter 17: The Final Assault of Tso Lan

At this time, within the realm of Tartarus, a news report from Captain Dread of the Black Warrior Elves has heard of a certain event of dark elf members being wiped out. Grimmore sat on his throne to rest his arm to his chin while his loyal captain kneeled in addressing the serious matter.

"So you're saying, something attacked & executed eight dark elf creatures & they never sense it?" Grimmore spoke off in hearing this info right, someone or something, managed to kill off some of his forces.

"Yes master, we learn that a battle caught some by surprise, but all traces were removed. What creature with the ponies would be capable of such...?" Dread nods in regrettably reporting this issue with his deep regard to how this happened that they never saw coming, just what could have done this to their army?

"I have a suspicious theory of 'who' be so bold, so ego, so crazy, and yet...so foolish to try." Grimmore spoke from narrowing his eyes off to above in having a 'good guess' whose would have done such a stupid thing like attack his forces, the Pinkamena Diane Pie, she was the likely ringleader to try this. "I can sense them; their bodies were taken away while one's head....seems to be for a trophy." The Overlord King spoke in sensing what happened to his own brethren, slain while one is decapitated.

"Forgive us my lord, we shall find the creature & extinguish his life for this vile act on our proud race." Dread spoke with his loyal response to find who has done this and make him or her pay for ruining their name, be it Dark Elf or Black Elf, they are all elves.

"No need, I have a far more....'interesting' idea in mind." Grimmore spoke from being seen in a calm manner, even made a strange sly smile at this part. "I know that the ponies have a shortage of food from their farming. And they try to survive with little bits gather around to keep their beliefs & stand strong nonsense." He has seen, the villain knows that Equestria is troubled by the shortage of vegetable balance meals and all of the citizens are waiting for Twilight's group to save them.

"My master, what do you plan to do?" Dread lifted his head with looking a bit puzzled, what does his lord & master tends to do?

"Send a little 'message' to whoever wanted a head of a dark elf as their keepsake, a fair warning." Grimmore spoke from his eyes focusing forward, almost like they were magically...piling the outer layers of the dark elf's castle walls to across Tartarus realm region. "Cross my path and suffer 'dire' consequences at your feat." Grimmore's voice spoke forth while the scene is shifting quickly & bypassing many areas from Tartarus towards Ponyville in question at this time.

--------------

Meanwhile, in Pinkamena's area where she set up her dark elf head as a set head trophy in the pony's idea of where she wanted it. But soon the head begin to show a sinister dark purple glow around itself...something from which it's Overlord King of Tartarus; Grimmore, has managed to connect with the head despite such far reaches of where they are. The head was beginning to glow and almost looked like a dark act was about to befallen on it...and any within the area.

Outside was Ponyville, where everypony is continuing to get by with their veggy shortage. So far, they've received much good news about Twilight's group managing fairly well, and within their hearts, believed that they had nothing to fear.

"Kupowfruvhmmm...." Or so the citizens believed until an off center show & noise caught all the ponies to turn to see...a giant explosion of dark clouds & flames rising up into the skies.

"Wooh; where that came from?" Lyra responded off surprise to seeing this out of nowhere.

"Who's attacking us during our veggy shortage?" Sweetie Drops asked off with worry, they aren't ready for an evil force while they themselves are having a vegetable shortage.

"Forget that, look up...in the skies!" Noteworthy shouted out in pointing to see something falling out from the large smoke clouds.

"It's raining black flames!" Daisy issued off in seeing what looked like raining meteor showers of dark violet flames in yellow rocks...COMING STRAIGHT AT THEM!

But while the citizens were running to get away from the unexpected showers, they saw something more horrifying to their dire hour.

"Oh now, the gathered vegetables are on fire!" Caramel cried out in seeing their last supple of vegetables is caught in a blaze, and if that goes, they can't hope to survive much more.

"Quick! Call in the pony fire brigade! We can't lose our only supply of remaining veggies!" Mayor Mare shouted out in wanting their own fire brigade to help stop this or else their struggle to get by to this moment will be for nothing.

The ponies got to work as they and the Mane Five lookalikes work on putting out the fire. The Pegasus ponies bring in rain clouds, Unicorns uses their magic to make it rain or levitate buckets of water, Earth Ponies get water from their water supply in buckets or everyone are trying to put out the fire by burying it in dirt. The folks must not let all of their veggies die or else all is lost!

Golden Heart, Pinkamena & Omega saw this action and were shocked in what happened.

"Where did this surprise attack come from?" Golden Heart asked off in not believing this, where or how did they get attacked from, there shouldn't be anyone attacking them with such careful eyes watching around, right?

"Scans indicate origin from where severed dark elf head was last placed." Omega spoke from scanning to pinpoint the origin of the start of this mess from the dark elf Pinkamena was given and lift in her spot.

"What! But how," Pinkamena asked off shocked and surprised, how'd a severed dark elf head even cause a sudden raining meteors of dark flame to fall on them, that's crazy talk!

"Scans also say that some outside source connected to the head and triggered a magical self-implosion spell to rain down this burning fire storm around the area." Omega explained that somehow, a powerful magic at work connected to the decapitated head of the dark elf and made it explode to bring down a fiery wrath to the ponies in their home and on their last supply of gathered food.

"Aw man, why do I get the feeling that we either ticked Grimmore off in what Omega did to some of his dark elves or that he actually used such a victory to really put the hurt on us when we're on a weaken state of the other citizens hunger?" Golden Heart groans to complain in seeing this time, the three really are in a tight jam and all from one dead creature used as a triggering bomb that went off and is burning away the only hope that they have to keeping the ponies from going wild again.

"Great, last time I ask for the head of dark elf. Next time, I'll target one of the other forces of the Grimmore Army." Pinkamena remotely issued off in saying that she'll just go after some other target instead since this action happened.

"How about we don't for now and focus on putting out the flames? Omega, tell me you have a built in fire-extinguisher." Golden Heart calmed his sister to forget wanting any dead enemy heads and to focus on putting out the rest of the fire; he even asked Omega if he has a function to help them.

"Affirmative, stand back." Omega nods to this before quickly preparing himself to help cease the fire spreading all over Ponyville.

Later on, the good news was that some parts of Ponyville were saved from the unexpected & horrible fire event, and its citizens were all in one piece with not too much lose on their lives. The bad news was that ,despite such hard efforts, the fire pretty much burn off more of their stock supply of vegetables and now it was down to about a mere day's worth for an entire town. Or even worst, for about 12 hours if Ponyville Cloudsdale & Canterlot each take a small fraction, there be nothing left. And even cutting the veggies smaller won't do, this was on the final driving point.

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Dragon Kick, Jade and Mighty Heart appear in puff of smokes at the sight of the battle against Shendu. They all looked worried and concern at the remains of what was once Shendu's home. Tao is trapped in that mess somewhere. They rush to the ruins of palace in hopes to get him out. Dragon Kick, Jade and Mighty Heart dug out the bricks, woods and materials out. They continued to do that until they found something under the ruins.

Dragon Kick gasps in concern, "Uncle!

"Granduncle," Jade yelps in shock and horror upon seeing the sight in front of her.

"Sensei!, Mighty exclaims in alarm .

Tao is lying down on the ground and did not move. Dragon Kick and Mighty Heart shook Tao as gently as thei can. Jade sobbed. This could be it; Tao may be gone for good.

Dragon Kick shakes Tao like mad while yelling, "Uncle! Uncle! Please wake up!"

"Please, Tao! You can't leave us!" Jade exclaims while shaking in worry

"We need you, sensei! I've done the Protection Spell Potion. But I need you to help me. I'm just an apprentice. Please, sensei, don't die!" Mighty exclaims worried to Tao. He won't know how he himself will go on without his mentor and friend.

Dragon Kick, Jade and Might Heart all cry out at once, "Tao; Tao; Tao!"

Tao's dream

Tao is still sleeping. To him, it feels like the old pony is finally at peace...but of course, a ghost of an old friend of his of centuries ago is about to give Tao one Tartarus of a wakeup call.

"Tao; Tao; Tao; Wake up, you hopeless Mystic Pony!" Star-Swirl called out to Tao sternly and impatiently.

"Yes, Star-Swirl the Bearded," Tao ask his friend with a slow groan. This is it, his time has finally come.

"By herd's beard; what happened?! By the look of your state, old friend, you seemed to had lost all of your energy."

"I forced all of my energies to defeat and banish Shendu."

"I understand. One more thing: Twilight Sparkle and her family's mission are yet complete. You must return to the battlefield as the voice to guide them home, at once, old friend." Star-Swirl said to Tao sternly. The Mystic Pony looks bewildered. Does his friend know that it's impossible to do now?

"But I'm....... dead, old friend." Tao reminds Star-Swirl in sadness. His answer just made the wizard a bit more annoyed.

"Oh for the love of - How can you be dead if you are Mystic Pony?! They don't die easily. They're tired or pained from battles or using too much of energies, such as you. In this age of yours, you had barely fights in a battle after long thousands of years."

"Oh." Tao said in realization as he chuckle a little. So the Mystic Pony isn't really dead, he is only resting, "My apology."

"Another thing," Star Swirl said as he hits Tao's head. That is all too familiar to the old pony. "GET UP!"

Tao's Dream Ends

Tao got up, much to the surprise and happiness of the others before him. The old pony held his head with one hoof while groaning, "OW! That hurt! Wow, I didn't realize that hitting on ponies' heads sure give a big headache."

Dragon Kick, Jade & Might Heart all cry out in happiness, "Uncle/Granduncle/Sensei! You're alright!" They hug Tao; the trio is all relieved that Tao is alive and well…

"Dragon Kick; Jade Adventure; Mighty Heart; All of you are here?"

Dragon Kick wipes tears from his eyes as he explains, "The Mystic Council inform us about the battle with Shendu. We came here ASAP. We were so worried."

"You gave us a heart attack." Jade scolds her granduncle kinda like how he does to ponies whenever they almost gave him a heart attack.

"We're glad to see you alright," Mighty said with a happy smile. Tao has arrived to live another day...for who knows how long?

"Indeed ." Tao sigh in relief. Shendu is gone for who knows how long; at least he won't cause trouble ever again. "I'm truly exhausted and tired. I have not been in the battlefield for thousands of years. This is why we Mystic Ponies need to reconnect and work together with the Equestrian Ponies. We can't achieve victory like this."

"Guess what, uncle? The Mystic Council had made their decision ever since some incidents in Ponyville." Dragon Kick said to Tao with exciting news. He couldn't believe when he himself heard it either but it's true. "We'll help those ponies as both allies and guardians in protecting Equestria and our home from Grimmore and Superior."

"In other words, no more hiding; No more waiting; And no more running; the bad guys are so in trouble." Jade said with an eager smile. That means she can finally meet the Cutie Mark Crusaders and be friends with them and other ponies.

"But sensei, there's one objective that you need to complete so that the Mystic Council would agree to the treaty with Princess Celestia." Mighty said to Tao, revealing of one more task that must be done before the Mystic Ponies can reunite with the rest of Equestria.

Tao nods as he said, "To guide and observe Twilight and her family home from their harsh journey safely, if they are worthy to Mystic Ponies."

"Yup; if they do, the Mystic Council will definitely agree to this." Jade said with a slight nod

"Yes, we'll be ready for our enemies. Not to mention, that we don't have to worry any Demon Lords." Dragon Kick said with a smile of determination.

Tao however shakes his head as he adds grimly, "I'm afraid it's not true. Tso Lan is the last Demon Lord that Twilight and her family need to deal with. This will be their intense battle that Twilight and her family will face. This will be Nyx's last test to prove that she is no longer Nightmare Moon."

Dragon Kick, Jade and Might Heart nodded. Tao is right. Nyx must defeat Tso Lan to prove that she is not Nightmare Moon any longer. Once that happens, then Nyx can finally be at peace.

Jade said, "I hope Nyx can pass."

"Most important of all, Nyx have to be herself." Dragon Kick said in determination, putting hope that Nyx will complete the task at hoof.

"Hopefully Grimmore don't interfere in their journey." Mighty remarks grimly. He knew that if push comes to shove, Grimmore will probably do whatever it takes to keep his enemies from succeeding.

"I hope so too, my family. Now, let us observe the battle." Tao said, knowing that it's time to observe the big battle at hand later.

-------------

Shendu is back in the Realm of Demons and maybe for a long time this time. He informed his brethren about the battle that he himself had. And of course, the Dragon Demon isn't pretty happy at all.

"Curse that Tao! He had interfered in the battle for the last time." Shendu hiss furiously. He was almost within victory's grasp and that Tao has to go and ruin everything!

"But didn't you finish him off? He should be gone for good." Po Kong points out to Shendu puzzled. Tao is gone so why does it matter?

Hsi Wu just scoffs as he said, "Hardly. Mystic Ponies don't die easily; mostly tired out from using too much energy in banishing Shendu."

"Even so, I'd say this is quite an advantage we have for our last stand against Twilight Sparkle and her family, as well as retrieving Nightmare Moon." Xiao Fung said thoughtfully. Tao is gone for now so the Demon Lords can take one final chance in getting Nightmare Moon once and for all.

"Ponies think Tao's dead. We have the advantage in winning this battle." Dai Gui remarks with an evil grunt. The Demon Lords' enemies will be at a disadvantage.

"Indeed , Dai Gui, this will be our last chance." Tchang Zu said sinisterly.

"Yes, indeed , my brethren. We'll defeat Twilight Sparkle, the ponies and Dragons, as well as reclaim Nightmare Moon and Ben Mare, even though we'd know his origin." Bai Tza said with an evil grin.

Shendu hiss, "Indeed , Bai Tza. We will defeat our enemies and achieve our victory."

"We'll be victorious. Twilight Sparkle, this will be our last stand. I will reclaim my daughter. Mark my word." The final Demon Lord mumbles as Tso Lan open the portal to the goblin. "Goblin, it is time for my last stand."

The goblin nods as he said, "Understand, my master." The portal open in front of Tso Lan. The time has come for the last Demon Lord to make his stand. No one will stop him now.

"I will have her. I will bring her back, even if I have to break her heart to pieces; Demon Magic; Dark Power . Now, my dearest daughter, it's your turn. Choose me or your death. Be mine or you shall feel the pain!"

Tso Lan close his eyes while enter the portal. He arrive at his old palace which is still clean and clear. His room is filled with scientific tools and gears. This place is perfect for the final confrontation, one that Tso Lan knows that he will win.

Tso Lan raise his hands up while commanding, "Come, 8 Shadow Demon Tribes. Your master commands you to come." The Shadow Demon Ninja, Bat, Sumo, Samurai, Squid, Crab, Mantis and Razor, a ninja with sharp claws and his leg is like sharp pin appear from the shadows of the ground. "The time has come. We shall make our stand. Nightmare Moon and her family must not escape. "

The Shadow Demons nod to their master before they disappear in the shadows. Tso Lan continues, "Now I have all the plans and resources that I need to complete my battle: retrieving their items and using Nightmare Moon's adoptive parents to bring forth the anger and hate within her to complete the true form of Nightmare Moon."

-------------------

Things calm down somewhat. The ponies are in a big predicament than before. They knew that they themselves must hang on and hope for the best that Twilight and the others would come back safe and sound.

Pinkamena was reading but Golden Heart sees a tiny tear from his sister. He says as Omega's nano bots repair what damage that he got, "Something wrong?"

Pinkamena sighs while saying, "Even if the gang are almost done, they must deal with one last Demon that Tao had gave his life to save the gang."

Golden heart hugs his sister while saying, "I see but I know the gang will not let his life go in vain, that I promise."

"Ok, may you Rest In Peace Mystic Tao; you were a great friend to us all."

-----------------

Twilight and her family continue to move on. They all looked very upset, sad and disappointed. Yes, their mission is a success...but the fate of their friend Tao is still in their heads. Will they themselves ever forgive themselves for what happened?

Spike notices how sad that his pony family is. He ask, "Twilight, Ben, Nyx, are you alright?"

Twilight sighs, "I'm fine. It's just that........"

Ben continues on for her, "I can't forgive myself for not being there for Tao. I'm such an idiot."

"Ben, you shouldn't blame yourself about this. It's what Tao wants."

"What about what we want? We want him to come with us. I don't want anyone sacrifice their lives for us. It's wrong."

"Daddy....... mommy........ This is my fault. If I had-" Nyx spoke with tears in her eyes. The poor filly still feels responsible for what happened to Tao. Perhaps if she had gave herself up before, then the old pony would still be alive. Nyx felt like she is better off with the Demon Lords after all.

Phobos however interrupts Nyx, "Not another word, Nyx!"

"Phobos's right. If you gave the important gift up from Twilight, Ben and Tao, you would never be yourself. You would've become Nightmare Moon." Spike said to Nyx, reminding her to never give up the most important gift of them all up.

"But I don't want to see my family suffer. I don't want anyone keep sacrificing their lives to help us. This is too much." Nyx said in sadness, feeling like she wants to shrink and never show up again.

"Nyx, yew need 'ta toughen up." Tough said sternly, wanting Nyx to toughen up already. "There isn't a choice fer any o' us 'ta do fer Tao. He want us 'ta complete our mission. Guess what?" The stallion sobs, much to the others' notice. It takes a big pony like him to do something like that. "We're gonna do just 'dat."

Bocolix and Dumbledore sob while nodding their heads. Twilight adds, "I'm afraid Tough's right. It's what Tao wants, sweetie. I'm sorry."

Twilight hug Nyx while sobbing. Ben sighs about this but then something happened that interrupts this sad moment. Spike spots a giant but very tall and longest Chinese Palace-like in the distance.

"What's that?!" Spike yelps in alarm and worry.

"That's Tso Lan's Palace." Twilight said in concern. This must be Tso Lan's place. He is the only Demon Lord left so it won't be any surprise that the monster would be the last one for our heroes to face before going home.

"Wow; that is very scary." Phobos remarks in worry.

Nyx glance at the palace while mumbling, "This place....... It's like I've been here before. Why do - Arrrrrghhhhhh!" The filly screams in pain. Nyx felt her chest pain and clenched her chest. Everyone turned to Nyx in worry.

Twilight cries, "Nyx! What's wrong?"

"Nyx, are you alright?" Ben asks Nyx in alarm . His daughter feels like she is getting stabbed or blasted all over!

Nyx groans in tears to her parents, "It hurts! My chest hurts!"

"How? You were okay before, but, why now?" Spike asks Nyx in concern. Why is it that this is happening to his adopted sister?

"I don't know. I'd never felt it before. It's like someone calling me through my blood. I can feel it." Nyx said to Spike eerily and freaked out. Something about this place makes her hurt a lot.

"How," Phobos ask Nyx a bit skeptically.

"Oh no," Bocolix gasps as he saw something happening. Something not good!

"The ingredients," Dumbledore exclaims in horror. Sure enough, the bag of all ingredients floated in midair. Everyone glance at them and gasp in shock and worry.

"What in tarnation," Tough ask in shock and alarm . Why is this happening all of the sudden?! The bag then begins to move. The gang saw that it's heading right to Tso Lan's Palace.

"Stop it!" Twilight ordered. If that bag is lost, so is the chance to save Ponyville!

Both Ben and Twilight jump and grab the bag tightly. Suddenly, both of them are pulled, along with the bag to the palace. Twilight dropped her necklace of seven Guardians Rings in the progress.

"Nooooooooooo," Nyx screams in terror. As soon as Twilight, Ben and the bag got into Tso Lan's Palace, the door slammed in close, "Mom; Dad; Noooooooooo!"

"What just happen?! Is it a ghost?" Bocolix ask frantically and freaked out.

"I don't like it. What are we gonna do?" Dumbledore ask his friends scared. Their bag of ingredients is gone, along with Twilight and Ben! This must be Tso Lan's work!

"We've gotta help them! I don't care what happens to me but I'm not going to let my family get killed again!" Nyx exclaims in determination. She doesn't care what happen to her as long as her parents are safe!

"We're with you, Nyx." Spike said to Nyx in determination.

"Besides, you need all the help you can get." Phobos remarks with a nod.

"Here's 'de puzzle, fellas. Why Nyx felt very pain? How did 'de bag float? Most important o' all, why Twilight and Ben," Tough ask the others, a list of puzzles are in his head even as we speak.

"There's one Demon Lord I know of to do such a thing. And I can bet that he's the reason of why my chest aches badly." Nyx snarl as she narrows her eyes. There's only one Demon Lord left who would do this stunt.

"You don't mean Tso Lan?" Spike asks Nyx frightened.

"Nyx, it could be a trap." Phobos said to Nyx in concern. Tso Lan would most likely lure his so-called daughter into his clutches, using Twilight and Ben as leverage.

"I don't care! I'm not going to risk more lives for me anymore. If you're not coming with me, that's fine. I'm going in." Nyx said angrily to Phobos. She will get her parents back with or without her pals if need be.

Nyx transform into her Battle Mode. Tough interrupts her before she could head on in, saying, "Now hold up, Nyx. We're coming too. Don't go off wit'out us. Who knows what Tso Lan is capable o'?"

"Tough's right; we need to stick together." Bocolix said in agreement with Tough. "Besides, whatever inside there, it's gonna give us goose bumps."

"Me too," Dumbledore said, agreeing with his colleague.

Nyx nods. She leads her team inside Tso Lan's Palace. A major battle will soon happen and Nyx will need all the help that she could get.

------------

Twilight and Ben woke up from their knock outs, the two ponies' world went black the moment that the door of the palace slammed. They both have Anti-Magic necklaces on their necks and have chains on their hooves. Apparently their captor isn't taking any chances.

"Ben, are you alright?" Twilight ask Ben, hoping that her colt-friend is safe and sound.

Ben nods, answering, "Yeah, I'm fine. But where're the ingredients?"

"Behind you," A familiar voice said. Twilight and Ben turn and saw Tso Lan held a familiar bag with his small hands.

"Tso Lan!" Twilight and Ben both exclaims at once. This must be Tso Lan, in person, at last!

"We meet again: Nightmare Moon's biological father meets biological mother and foster father. It is ironic to meet like this. I'm truly impressed with your skills, strengths and powers throughout all of journey and battles against my brethren, servants and pets, especially Hydra that I sent you there."

Ben gasp, "So that was you?! You're the one who sent us to the path near the Hydra; how did you do that?!"

"Using his gravity powers; He changed the stick direction to the wrong way, Ben." Twilight explains to Ben. It's the only explanation as to how the gang ended up in the Hydra's area in the first place.

Tso Lan chuckles, "Impressive, Twilight and Ben, you had found the source of the problem. But now, I've prepared something important to do."

"You're not planning to use us as hostage for Nyx to join you."

"You can forget about it, Tso Lan!" Ben snaps to Tso Lan in defiance. He and his beloved won't be used as leverage to force their filly to join Tso Lan no matter what!

Tso Lan chuckle again, "I think not only that, my dear and my boy. I have some use of you two as a special gift to my daughter."

"What will that be?!" Twilight demands angrily to Tso Lan. Whatever this Demon Lord has in store, it isn't good at all.

"You'll soon find out, my dear." Tso Lan approach Twilight. He levitates her to come closer to him. Tso Lan touch her mane and her muzzle, causing Twilight to gasp in fear and worry. "Your appearance and eyes is the most beautiful feature I have seen. I can tell that you’re intelligent and skills are most impressive. Indeed , you would make a fine concubine for me, as well as mother for Nightmare Moon."

"Paws off my fillyfriend, pal!" Ben exclaims furiously.

"Ben's right! I'm Ben's fillyfriend. And I am Nyx's mother. Ben is Nyx's father! Don't expect me to change my mind of joining you." Twilight said to Tso Lan furiously. "One more thing: Her name is Nyx!"

Tso Lan smirks while saying, "I do not intend to, my dear. As I had said before, you'll soon find out. If everything goes as I had planned, then Equestria will be the Demon Lords' to control. We will be victorious."

Tso Lan placed Twilight down near Ben. The Shadow Razor appears from the ground as he bow before his master. The minion got some information to tell him about.

"Has she?" Tso Lan ask as he listen to the minion, understanding him. The Shadow Razor nodded. "Just as I predicted, Nightmare Moon is on the stage. All the plans and failures from the few days had met my anticipation."

"What do you mean?" Ben asks Tso Lan in suspicion.

"Ever since you two almost get killed during the battle against the Hydra, my brethren, and the loss of your pony friend, young Nightmare Moon began to develop her own fear. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering. With these stages completed , Nightmare Moon will be restored."

Twilight and Ben gasp. This is not true! Their filly will not be going back to what she once was! It will not happen!

"No! We won't let you!" Ben exclaims to Tso Lan.

"You won't get away with this, Tso Lan! Nyx won't let her anger control her." Twilight said in agreement. She knows that Nyx would never let anger control her...right?

Tso Lan just glares at the two ponies, saying, "In reality, I already had, fools."

Tso Lan chuckle evilly. Twilight and Ben looks worried. If what their enemy is saying is true, Nyx may not either live...or be herself again after all of this is said and done.

------------------------

Nyx look around the palace closely and carefully while Spike, Tough, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore and their animal pets followed her from behind. Before she could proceed further, Nyx turn and fire at the roof. Spike and others got shocked to see this. Something dropped down: a Shadow Bat. He was burned. So that was what Nyx attacked.

Spike spoke, "You could have told us, Nyx."

"It doesn't matter, what matters is to find my parents. Come on! Time is not on our side." Nyx said upset as she head off.

"I'd never seen Nyx's so angry and upset like this." Phobos said in concern. Nyx is getting to the point of not being recognizable anymore. Why?

"I do, Phobos. She kinda reminded by betrayal or losses of someone she cares for." Spike said with a shudder, recalling what Nyx reminds him of.

Bocolix and Dumbledore ask while blinking their eyes, "Who?"

"Twilight Sparkle."

"Twilight; Oh yeah, Nyx told me a story about her unhappy foalhood when she was born. She must be very upset of that." Phobos said, recalling what Nyx has told her about.

"Ah hope Nyx's not going 'ta does something stupid." Tough said in concern, worried as to what Nyx would do to fight off Tso Lan.

"Me too, Tough; me too; Come on!" Spike said as he led the others into following their filly pal.

Felt with anger and rage, Nyx continue to walk on the hallway. Spike and others continue to follow her. Behind Nyx, two Squids were about to grab her but Nyx jump ahead before turning back and fire at them with her magic.

Nyx in her thoughts said, 'Tso Lan had gone too far to get me. I won't let him harm my family anymore. They had been raising and protecting me since I was created by magic. It is worth fighting for." With heavy footsteps being heard, the former villain turns and encounters the Shadow Demon Sumo, 'Someone worth dying for.'

Nyx charges right at him. The Sumo was about to give the punch, but instead, Nyx fly over the Shadow Demon She turn and fire her magic at him, turning the minion into shadow pieces.

'I will not stop. I will not run. I will not hide. I will finish the fight.' Nyx thought in determination. She continues to move on. The filly stops as she encounters something. Shadow Demons appear from the ceilings, walls and grounds. 'Tso Lan won't stop me.'

The Shadow Demons charge and attack Nyx at once. She dodges them by going back as fast as she herself can before Nyx blast her Night Star Implosion at them. More Shadow Demons continue to appear and attack her such as Ninjas, Razors, Samurais, Crabs and Mantises attacking in maneuver. Nyx dodge the attacks while punching and firing magic at them.

Bats attack from the air with their archery. Nyx use her Night Star Implosion at them before they could shoot her. Squids and Sumos appear in front of her. They charged and fought with her. Nyx dodge the attacks while attacking them with her magic and hooves. She killed them all with her Night Star Implosion.

Nyx levitate some of Sumos and threw them at other Shadow Demons. More continue to charge and attacking Nyx who fought them back by using magic, hooves and even levitated their weapons to defeat them. Nyx continue finding against Shadow Demons as fast and hard as she can.

Spike, Phobos, Tough, Bocolix, Dumbledore and even their animal pets were shocked and worried as they watch what's happening. Spike said quietly, "Nyx........" She is acting like what she herself used to be: Nightmare Moon.

Nyx charged up all of her powers. She shot up high and cried, "Twilight Star Shower!"

A blackish orb shot up high and blast into smallest pieces. They went and strike every lasts of Shadow Demons down. All of the Shadow Demons were either kill, incinerated and killed. More Shadow Demons were about to charge in. Nyx quickly use her Night Star Implosion right at them. All of Shadow Demons were all killed.

Phobos whistles in amazement, "Wow."

Bocolix nods while remarking, "Nyx's very angry."

Dumbledore in concern adds, "You think we'll be alright." He hasn't seen Nyx like this before.

"Nyx, yew need to calm down fer a while." Tough said to Nyx, worried for her. If this keeps up, the filly may lose her mind or worst her soul!

Nyx however would not have it. She yells, "This is not the time to rest! We have to get my parents at once! I'll defeat Tso Lan. This time, he will not harm any of my family anymore. Come on!"

Nyx head off quickly. Spike and others followed her as Phobos asks, "You know? I'm really worried about Nyx. I think this whole fighting with Demon Lords, monsters, and even calling her bad names are driving Nyx nuts and crazy."

Tough nods in agreement, saying, "Ah know what yew mean, Phobos. In fact, Ah'm worried o' how Nyx react to her so-called father, Tso Lan."

"What do you mean, Tough?" Bocolix ask Tough, having a bad feeling for the answer.

"I've got bad feelings that I'm not going to like this." Dumbledore said with a gulp.

"Tso Lan could set something up 'ta bring Nightmare Moon back. An' we really need to keep an eye on her." Tough suggests in worry. It's true. Tso Lan may be doing what he can to bring Nyx back to Nightmare Moon, even capturing Twilight and Ben to help him do so!

"I'll stick with her. After all, Nyx is the reason of making me happy. She's the reason why I called her sister. She's my responsibility. I can't afford to let her down." Spike said with a nod.

Nyx continue to move on while looking very angry and upset. The poor pony looks like she may be in for a boiling point...

---------------

Tso Lan watch everything from the portal, along with Twilight and Ben. For a while, it appears that the last Demon Lord's chances of winning are falling by each second.

"What's the matter, Tso Lan? It seemed that all of your Shadow Demons are failing you." Ben taunts Tso Lan in amusement.

Twilight nods, saying, "Once Nyx come here, you'll be sorry for what you did. Trust me, Tso Lan, Nyx will save us."

Tso Lan smirks as he said something unsuspecting, "Precisely."

"Huh?" Ben and Twilight both ask in confusion and concern. They don't like the sound of that.

"From beginning of your journey to the end, all those monsters, servants and pets you all had faced, Nightmare Moon is developing her fear, anger, hatred and now rage. You thought that Nightmare Moon is saving your lives. While that is true, Twilight and Ben, deep in her mind, she wants revenge on me for what I did to her."

"What?! Revenge; No way," Ben protests to Tso Lan in alarm . "She wouldn't do such a thing. I know her. She would never think of that."

Tso Lan smirk, adding, "Think of what I had done to you both. Both painful and suffering," Twilight and Ben looks horrified. It didn't take the parents long to figure out what their worst enemy has in store.

Twilight gasps in horror, "No! You won't get away with it. If you do that to us, Nyx will kill you."

"As you can see, Twilight, she is my daughter by blood. If she achieved in killing me, her anger shall guide Nightmare Moon back to her true form. She shall take my place as the Demon Lord of Moon. She is my successor."

Both parents of Nyx looks horrified. Tso Lan is more determined than ever to get Nyx by his side: by corrupting her into darkness! If she succeeds in killing him, then the Nyx that Twilight and Be knows will be gone forever!

"Nyx won't do it! She is a pure kind and loving filly that I ever raised and known for." Twilight said to the villain in defiance.

Ben remarks, "Bet on it, Tso Lan. Nyx'll beat you without using her anger. You can count on that, pal."

Tso Lan said, apparently unworried, "I look forward to know how the results turned out. Whose result will be right; yours or mine? But first, I must make sure that Nightmare Moon must come to me alone."

----------------------

Nyx and her friends continue to move on while keeping an eye out on any Shadow Demons. So far, it is too quiet; too quiet.

Phobos was the first to break the silence, "This silent place is giving me goose bumps."

Tough nods, saying, "Yeah, Ah agree, Phobos. We need 'ta stick together. Keep eye out fer any sign o' traps. Ah have 'de feeling 'dat it's gonna be worse."

Bocolix gulp, "Hopefully, we can get out of here alive."

Dumbledore nervously adds, "You know. We could really need some help from the old pony. Well, if he's alive."

"Yeah. He's the only one who can make us and Nyx happy."

Nyx continue to move on while Spike is getting close to her. The baby Dragon does his best to get through to her as he speaks, "Nyx, we really need to be careful. I have a bad feeling that we're falling into Tso Lan's trap."

Nyx frowns, saying, "Now's not the time to be cautious, Spike."

"I know. But Nyx, Twilight and Ben wouldn't want you to lose your cool and gone into a big mess. Think about it, please? I don't want to lose you."

Nyx glare at Spike before she snaps to the worried Dragon, "Look, I don't have time to think about my welfare! The only thing that I should be worry is to get my parents back! Don't they mean anything to you?!"

"They do, Nyx. Loving and caring me like a son to them, especially Twilight." Spike said, not wanting Nyx to get angrier at him but at the same time he doesn't want her to get too angry. "She wouldn't want me to lose my cool because of the truth. She wouldn't want you to feel the same too, Nyx."

Nyx looked worry. She looks down while saying, "Look, I'm sorry, Spike. But this is not the time to dwelling. We must move on."

"I know, Nyx. I would feel the same if Twilight or any of my family get hurt or killed. I would never want that."

"Me too, Spike."

Nyx and Spike hug together. Tough, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore and their animal pets are getting close to Nyx and Spike.

Just before the gang could do anything, all of them heard a heavy and rumbling noise in the hallway. Nyx and her friends became worried and scared of the situation. They looked around to find the source of the noise. Just before the gang could do anything, the hallway starts banging and rumbling. They became now very worried.

Shadow Demon Sumos, Crabs, Samurais and Mantises are attacking and knocking on the walls from each room, bringing the hallway's ceiling down. As they did, the ceiling starts having the crack. Tough spot it before he yells, "Everypony; Move!"

Tough, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore and their animal pets ran as far as they could to reach Nyx and Spike. With the last attacks from the four strong tribes of Shadow Demons, the ceiling collapsed into small pieces and rubbles to the ground. Tough and his team stop at once while Nyx and Spike moved to the front just before the rubbles hit the ground. It came with the smokes

Nyx and her friends were separated: Nyx and Spike on the front of the road while Tough and others are behind of it. They cough for a while before recovering from it. This is obviously Tso Lan's work once more!

"Tough! Phobos! Guys! Are you alright?" Nyx calls out to her friends behind the rubble.

"We're okay, Nyx." Tough responds to Nyx, assuring her that he and the others with him are safe.

"What about you two?" Phobos calls out to Nyx, wondering if she and Spike are all right.

"We're fine too." Spike responds to Phobos.

"This is so not good! We fell into a trap!" Bocolix yelps a bit frantically. He and the others knew that Tso Lan would pull something like this!

"What are we gonna do?!" Dumbledore screams like a coward while shaking Bocolix like mad. They are separated, this whole thing is getting to be tiring.

"Nyx, listen carefully. Wait here. We'll gonna find a way 'ta git 'ta yew." Tough said calmly to Nyx. Maybe the gang can find a way around this mess and get to Nyx and Spike safe and sound.

"Whatever you do, just wait for us. We need to stick together." Phobos suggests to Nyx in agreement.

However Nyx shakes her said, saying, "No."

Spike gasp in worry. Everyone from other side were shocked and worried. What did Nyx just say?!

"Why not?! Tso Lan will definitely take us out one-by-one!" Bocolix exclaims to Nyx frantically.

Dumbledore may be dumb but even he knows what Nyx is going to do. The goofy Alicorn protests, "Nyx! You can't beat Tso Lan all by yourself."

"I have to. Tao said that me, and only me, have to face Tso Lan. The more I run away, the more danger I'll put to my family and friends." Nyx said calmly to her friends. She knew that as long as she herself not bothers to confront Tso Lan, everyone that she knows will be in danger. "Tso Lan will get me. I'm not going to let that happen. I can't let my parents died for me. No more sacrifice. No more lives destroyed. I'm sorry. You have to find your own way to get up."

"If she's going, I'm going too. It's my responsibility." Spike said in determination. He isn't going to let his adopted sister die all by her lonesome no matter what. "Besides, we have Undine, Leo, Phoenix and Egola to help us while you have Mehitos, Saint Anger, Gymnote and Torpedine."

"Nyx! That's crazy!" Bocolix protests to Nyx. Even he knows that what she is planning is like committing suicide!

"You can't do this all by yourself." Dumbledore agrees in worry. Tso Lan may kill her or worst do something terrible to the poor pony.

"No, she has to, guys." Phobos said suddenly. Everyone looked shocked. Their Moon Dragon is agreeing to Nyx's request. "Nyx, if you think you're willing to stop that Moon Demon Lord, I'd say give him a big kick for everything that he has done to all of us."

"Phobos......." Nyx said, touched by Phobos's words and faith in her.

"If Phobos had faith in yew, then Ah should too." Tough add with a nod. "But be very careful, Nyx, who knows what kind o' tricks Tso Lan has."

"I will."

"Spike, take good care of our great friend." Phobos requests to Spike calmly. Since the Moon Dragon can't be there to help his best friend, her adopted brother will have to do the job for him.

"Of course, I will." Spike said with a nod.

"Good luck, Nyx." Bocolix said to Nyx, knowing that it may be a while before the gang can see her again.

"We'll get to you. Somehow." Dumbledore said with a nod as he and the others look for another way around the rubble to get to Nyx and Spike.

"Okay." Nyx said. She turn to the front. "Spike, let's go."

"I hope you know what you're doing." Spike said, still concerned for what Nyx is going to be doing.

"To be very honest, Spike, I hope so too."

Suddenly Undine is heard speaking from one of the Guardian rings, "Nyx. I understand your wish to save Twilight and Ben. But please be cautious, battling Tso Lan will not be an easy task than any Demon Lords that you had faced before."

"I know, Undine. But I'm not going to lose my family again. I don't want to see that event again. I promise Tao that I'll keep the gift. I intend to do." Nyx said quietly to Undine. She made a promise to herself and Tao and the mare is intending on keeping both.

"Very well, Nyx. Lead the way."

"Let's find our parents." Spike said in determination. Twilight and Ben must be in this place somewhere.

"And defeat Tso Lan for good." Nyx said as she and Spike head off to find Twilight and Ben."

----------

Tso Lan have watched everything from his portal. True, Nyx isn't alone as he wanted but then again, the Demon Lord can still get his prize either way.

Tso Lan chuckle, "Just as I predicted. Now Nightmare Moon, it's your turn. Surrender to me, or suffer great consequence."

"Nyx, stay strong and brave," Ben said while hugging Twilight in hope and concern for his daughter.

"Please be very careful. Don't lose to the darkness." Twilight said quietly while hugging Ben right back.

-------------

After separating from Tough, Phobos, Nyx and Spike continue to walk on the long stairs of Tso Lan's Palace. Nyx look around in her surroundings. Her eyes grew and opened in wide, Nyx became very worried and scared when looking at the surroundings. She could hear the heart beating very loud from her chest. Nyx gasp in worry and is scared.

Spike notes Nyx's latest reaction, making him ask, "Nyx, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. After all, I didn't come all the way here for -" The mare stops as she notices that Spike is glaring at her. "What?"

"Nyx. I've known you when you came to Twilight's, everypony we know of, and even mine. I know there's something bothering you. I need to know. You need my help, as well as others."

"I don't need help. I am fine."

Spike would not have it. He said gently, "Please, Nyx. Not because I'm your friend, I'm your big brother as your BBBFF."

Nyx gasp, "Big Brother Best Friend Forever?" Spike nods. She sobs softly and hug Spike. "Thank you, big brother. That's all I need. Listen Spike, I'm scared. This place is like very familiar to me. But I'm not very sure if I can really overcome this battle, especially facing my real but dark father, Tso Lan. I'm worried of what he's going to do to our parents.

"Don't worry, Nyx. We'll overcome it. You've gotta be strong and brave because you had me, Phobos, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Mane Five, Shining Armor, Princesses, Twilight and Ben. They and I will be there for you. You can do it. We'll save our parents. Believe it."

"You're right. Come on. Let's move on."

Nyx and Spike continue to walk on the stairs. They have arrived on the top floor then enter a room. The two soon saw and found themselves in the room of many big tubes, some old machineries and some scientific tools.

Spike gulp as he looks around the place of science and evil, "What is this place? Boy, this is even scarier and creepier than any place, and even Tso Lan's outside palace."

Undine's voice spoke up, "I've been to this cursed place. This is Tso Lan's laboratory. This is where many innocent creatures such as humans, ponies, animals and even me been experimented and manipulated into mindless and dark beasts."

Spike gulp, "I don't like the sound of that."

"Nyx, there's more. I never want to reveal your dark origin in this place."

"My dark origin; you mean this is where the original Nightmare Moon was created and trained to become the cruel, heartless and manipulative pony?" Nyx ask Undine, starting to suspect what Undine was trying to avoid telling her.

Undine's voice pauses for a bit then she spoke, "Yes, Nyx. Forgive me."

"Hey, it's okay. Even though my original was created here, I was created by my mother's blood. But I'm not the same as her."

"I'm aware of it. But you must prove to Tso Lan that you are not her. Prove him that you are Nyx, not Nightmare Moon. Be careful."

"Then, I will." Nyx said with a nod, determine to prove just that.

Nyx and Spike continue to move on while observing the lab through the hallway while it has the ancient artifacts and picture frames.

Spike remarks, "This is getting creepier."

"MOM! DAD! Where are you?!" Nyx calls out. No answer responds. "Please! Where are you?!"

Nyx continue to move on. While she continues to walk, the mare pants for some reason. Though she did not walk fast but rather feel something in her mind and feelings, Undine noticed Nyx's looks.

Undine spoke once more, "Nyx. I suggest we should wait for the others. I'm in great concern of your well-being."

Nyx groans a bit, "I can't, Undine." She can't slow down, not even for a second.

"I know how you feel. But fighting Tso Lan is too dangerous. He is the mastermind of winning the war, as well as killing those who tried to stop him and torture innocents' lives."

"I really can't. You know I have to, Undine."

Undine sigh, she knows how this is important to her so the Guardian decides to respect the mare's decision, "Very well, Nyx. I respect your decision but please be very careful."

"I know." Nyx said with a slow nod.

Nyx and Spike continue to walk on while looking at the laboratory. Nyx gasp even more.

Spike in concern asks, "Nyx, are you okay?"

"It's like I've been to this place before, Spike. I'm scared. I'm scared of how original Nightmare Moon was created. I'm scared that I'm gonna lose myself." Nyx said to Spike in fear. What if she has made a bad mistake in coming here? What if instead of saving all that Nyx knew, the mare becomes Nightmare Moon once more?

"No, you're not! Don't give in. I bet Twilight and Ben are somewhere nearby. Come on, Nyx. Don't give up. Whatever memory comes into your mind, fight back; don't worry, you'll be fine."

Nyx nods, saying, "You're right. Come on." She must calm down no matter what.

Nyx and Spike pass by the first long tunnel road. The mare yells in pain as she felt her chest pain again. Spike came to her in hopes to yelp his adopted sister. Suddenly, Nyx open her eyes in shock and push Spike aside. Nyx blasted her magic at the dark laser-like thing that appeared. She encountered Tso Lan who smirks sinisterly.

"Where are they?" Nyx demands angrily to her so-called father. Tso Lan and the mare continue to launch their magic blasts in the clash. The Demon Lord quickly uses his 2 hands and blast her off. Nyx lands on the ground. Tso Lan approaching her slowly as she demands, "Say something!"

Tso Lan raise his two hands up as he was about to fire. Nyx quickly blasts her magic at the villain in his face. After the impact, Tso Lan faded in the smoke. Nyx gasp. She scream in pain as the mare clenched her head tight.

Flashback

"Rise, my child," The evil Demon Lord of the Moon known as Tso Lan said gently.

Through a point of view, her eyes opened. A mare saw and found out that she is inside of the water tank or tube-like with red blood watery. She saw Tso Lan in front of her, what's going on?

"Who........ are you? Who........am I?" The mystery mare asks in concern yet fright.

Tso Lan smiles as he said, "I am Tso Lan, your father and creator. And you, my child, are my very first experiment to be a success while others had fail, Nightmare Moon."

"Is that my name?"

Tso Lan smirk as he spoke to the now christened named mare known as Nightmare Moon, "Indeed , child. You possessed great ability and darkness. It is time for your training. Let us see how powerful and capable, you really are."

Nightmare Moon bows her head, saying, "Yes, my father."

In a normal scene, Tso Lan remove the container through the power of gravity. The red blood splashes out as young Nightmare Moon slowly gets up and faces her father. She bow making Tso Lan smirk. He took and guides Nightmare Moon to the entrance of his palace.

"This will be the last place you'll remember, my dear." Tso Lan explains to his creation. "With more training , my dear, your powers will increase and grow stronger and powerful as my first creation."

Nightmare Moon smirks while saying, "I understand."

"Come; let us meet your aunts and uncles."

With Tso Lan and Nightmare Moon gone out, he used his gravity powers and closed the door behind his back.

Flashback ends

Nyx shook her head after the flashback. Spike came and pat on her shoulder, speaking, "You scared me, Nyx. What happened?"

Nyx frowns as she spoke, "Didn't you see Tso Lan?" Didn't Spike even saw what has happened just now?

"I don't think so, Nyx. I've got the feeling that Tso Lan is playing tricks with you in your head."

"I hope you're right. Come on, let's keep moving."

Spike nods. Nyx and the baby Dragon continue to walk and have arrives at the second lab with more scientific tools.

Nyx called out, "Tso Lan! Come out; Mom; Dad!"

Suddenly Twilight's voice in her head spoke to Nyx, "Who are you?" The mare gasps and looks around. But where is Twilight? Didn't she hear her?

Ben's voice in her head spoke, demanding, "What do you want?" Nyx looks confused. Don't her real parents know her?

Nyx clench her head tight as the whole area starts shaking and breaking down and into pieces. The mare moans in pain. Spike became very worried of seeing the event. Tso Lan is seriously trying to freak her out here!

"Mommy; Daddy; It's me! It's Nyx, your daughter!" Nyx exclaims in worry and fear.

However Twilight said, "I don't have a daughter. I don't know about Nyx."

Ben remarks angrily to Nyx, "You're not a pony. You're a monster!"

"Mommy! Daddy! Please!" Nyx pleads to her parents in fear and sadness. Her own parents cannot have disowned her and forgotten her already!

Spike slap Nyx's face while yelling, "Snap out of this!" Nyx shook her head and panted. "Are you okay? Maybe Undine's right. We should have waited for the others."

"I'm fine. Come on, let's keep moving."

As Nyx and Spike continue to moves, the heroine hiss and groan in pain while the whole lab starts shaking, glasses breaking into pieces and more items falling, collapsing and breaking.

Spike gasps in fright, "Nyx!"

Nyx scream in pain as she heard the voice, "You're Tso Lan's puppet, weapon and daughter, just a body whose purpose is to seek one's jealousies, fears, anger and hatred. Creating and transforming the former one into dark and monstrous forms of its former shadow such as Princess Luna that you had corrupted.”

"No!" Nyx exclaims in fright. She refuses to believe that even the voice would turn on her!

Nyx arrive and pass the second tunnel while clenching her head tight from hearing the voices. Just before Spike could do anything, he spots Tso Lan emerging from behind the shadows. The Demon Lord is about to attack Nyx but Spike jump and grab his neck. Not a chance!

"Leave her alone, freak!" Spike exclaims to Tso Lan in determination.

Nyx gasp as she turns and saw Tso Lan grab Spike's neck. The Demon Lord blasts his Dark Laser Beam at her but she counters it by blasting her magic at it.

"What have you done of my parents?!" Nyx demands to Tso Lan. The Demon Lord must've messed with Twilight and Ben's minds somehow...or he is messing with her head. Either way, the heroine doesn't like it at all!

Tso Lan remain silent as he continue to pressing fire his powers at Nyx. The mare's power is depleting as Tso Lan's power is breaching down to her. Nyx gasp. Spike quickly bites Tso Lan's hand, causing him to lose his focus on his attacks while letting loose his grasp of Spike. Nyx fired her magic back. But their attacks are in match and tie.

"Why have you taken them," Nyx demands to Tso Lan in frustration. Why won't this creep answer her?!

Tso Lan remain silent as he continue to be firing his Dark Laser at Nyx. Spike quickly pulled Tso Lan's hair tightly back. Nyx ram on Tso Lan back to the wall. But he faded into the shadows once more. Nyx gasp before she yells in pain again.

"Nyx!" Spike gasps in worry. Not again!

Flashback

Tso Lan observe Nightmare Moon in finishing her foes into pieces through magic, weapons and combats. Soon, things will become into fruition.

"Now, Nightmare Moon, begin with your special ability: attach your host and allow him or her to become one with you." Tso Lan said to Nightmare Moon with a sinister smile on his face.

Nightmare Moon transform into black ooze Nightmare Seeker. She attach onto a red humanoid Demon. He struggle to get out by pulling it our as hard as he can. But the Demon stops as the black ooze have covered his body into a very blackish Demon with armor. The Demon laughed wickedly, just before the ooze comes off from him. It formed into the form of Nightmare Moon.

Tso Lan smiles as he spoke, "Well done, my child. Your combat and magic battles are complete as well as your special ability. However, your only weakness is the Elements of Harmony."

Nightmare Moon ask Tso Lan in ponder, "How will I prevent it?"

"Seek and destroy them. To complete such mission, you must capture one of their holders: Princess Luna."

"When will we begin?"

"Now," Tso Lan said. He took a flask out in front of her. "But remember, you will only appear in your mightiest form when Princess Luna let her negative feelings out. With that, she will accept you."

Nightmare Moon bows while saying, "Yes, my father."

Nightmare Moon transform into the Nightmare Seeker as she enter into the flask. Tso Lan hide her in his robe.

Tso Lan said wickedly, "Equestria will be ours to rule."

Flashback ends

Nyx shook her head again. Spike, seeing this, ask, "Nyx?"

Nyx looks up while yelling, "TSO LAN! Come out and face me, you coward!"

Nyx and Spike continue to travel inside of the third laboratory as they look around their surroundings. The two were shocked, worried and scared in looking at the area. Most of test tubes consist of dead ponies who either look scared, shocked, feared, worried, upset and lost in the sea of blood. Others like them had the mixing and combination of monsters like Minotaurs with more snakes on his back, a human male with long snake's tail-like, a headless pony and more in the container of blood.

"Undine, what is this place?" Nyx ask Undine. But to her surprise, there is no response, "Undine? Undine! Spike, something's not right. Undine's not responding."

"So as the other Guardians: Leo, Phoenix and Egola." Spike said, noting how the other Guardians aren't responding. "I bet Tso Lan's Demon and Dark Magic is preventing them from helping us."

"You're right. Come on, let's move on. Stick with me. This place is even scarier and creepier than any labs before this. I have a feeling that this is where most of ponies, humans and creatures died when Tso Lan tried to create Nightmare Moon."

Spike gulp in fear, "Okay."

Nyx and Spike continue to pass some containers and large tubes by while remaining cautious in anything suspicious. They arrived un the next hallway, and in front of them is a large door. Nyx sigh while breathing in and out before she moves on. Before Nyx could open the door, she was being lifted up and felt her neck being strangled.

"Nyx," The baby Dragon gasps. Spike turn and saw Tso Lan who is clenching his fist tightly like he's holding something. Spike growl. "Let her go!"

Spike was about to attack but ends up being lifted. Before Tso Lan could do anything, Nyx turn while glaring at him. She has had enough of him!

"Unicorn Burst," The mare yells. Nyx blast her bluish magic power right at Tso Lan's body. But like before, he disappears in a puff of smoke. Nyx yell in pain again.

Flashback

In the Everfree Forest, Nyx, before she was named and found by Twilight, continue to hide inside the bushes. She sighs as the filly thought Demon Pony (Ben) was looking for her for a snack. Before Nyx could do anything, she heard swirling sounds. She looked around and saw something coming out from out of nowhere. Tso Lan appear in a spiritual figure form.

Nyx gasp softly. Tso Lan float on the ground as he look around his surroundings as if looking for something.

Tso Lan frowns as he spoke, "Hmm........ I could have sworn that I sense something familiar here." Nyx shiver in fear when looking at Tso Lan as he looked around his surroundings while floating on. "She has to be somewhere here. I can feel her blood." He then slowly turns to the bushes where Nyx is hiding. "Hide and seek? I am not amused by this child's play."

Tso Lan approach the bushes. Nyx remain quiet while whimpering as the second strange is approaching the bushes closer and closer. Before Tso Lan could do anything, both of them heard a noise.

"Where is my saddlebag? I hope I don't find anything missing. Princess Celestia will kill me if I lose any of that." The voice of, unknown to the before named Nyx, Twilight mumbles as she comes closer to the clearing.

Tso Lan gasp, "Curses! Twilight Sparkle is here. I'll be back for you, my child. Wherever you are; as long you possess the connection to the Elements of Harmony, you will not be harmed."

Tso Lan disappear as he phased out. Nyx shiver in fear with her eyes widen in both fear and worry. What will happen to her now?

Flashback ends

Nyx panted from remembering and looking at hers and the original Nightmare Moon's memories. What is going on?

Spike in concern spoke, "Is Nightmare Moon's memories bothering you?"

Nyx nods as she answers, "I don't know why and how. But coming to this place, I'm getting more of Nightmare Moon's memories than Princess Luna's. It's like she was actually a living being before she was attached to Princess Luna."

"In other words, Tso Lan really did create you as his daughter and weapon." Spike said. He shook his head. "Even so, you're part of Twilight's and my family. You're a good filly. I know it, because you're my sister."

Nyx smile as she said, "Thanks, big brother." Spike and Nyx hug together before they depart. "Come on; let's find our mom and dad."

"Right behind ya, Nyx."

Nyx and Spike open the large door as they prepared for one last fight with the Demon Lord.

-------------

Meanwhile, back in Equestria, Tao's group was heading towards Ponyville to check the status of the town. Upon arrival, the trio looks stunned as they saw parts of the town on fire with the Royal Guard doing their best to keep the upset crowds under control.

"What's this?!" Tao gasps in shock and alarm upon hearing what happened. Dragon Kick disappears from sight for a moment.

"Dragon Kick is gone!" Jade gasps in shock and worry.

"Relax. He must be trying to figure out what has happened." Tao assured Jade. "What has happened? Mighty, I thought you put up a forcefield spell!"

"I did!" Mighty exclaims in concern. "Something must've happened."

A few minutes or so later, Dragon Kick teleports back. He explains, "Gwen told me that an attack happened that destroyed most of their vegetable crop. Fireballs had gotten through somehow."

"But how did anyone get through the force field spell?" Jade ask in concern and worry. "It was supposed to be powerful."

Mighty frowns and shakes his saying, "We can keep the evil forces out, that's true, but if powerful creatures like Grimmore have an ability to connect with any of his creatures that were brought in those that are protecting the place, it's possible for even using a dead warrior or even a severed head as a calling beacon to cause some chaotic mayhem in the area."

"It has to be Tso Lan's doing!" Jade assumed.

"No, Tso Lan is too busy to deal with Twilight's group to do this. Only one demon has enough time to do so, and that's Grimmore himself." Tao said, reminding the group that while Tso Lan would be the one to do something like this, he is too busy going after Twilight's group at the moment.

"And here's the worst part. With most of the veggies gone, Ponyville don't have much left." Dragon Kick explains grimly, much to Jade and Mighty's horror. That means it won't be long for the town to really lose it.

"Then we can only hope that Twilight and her family and friends can make it back before time runs out." Tao said with a grim nod. Time is running out even more than usual.

--------------------

In the palace of Tso Lan, Nyx and Spike saw many large metal rounded-structures floated in midair while surrounding and rotating on the giant, fat and tall pillars. They were about three pillars and on top of the peak is very far and long. But what shocked Nyx and Spike is that they saw the water tanks , tubes or containers that had all 8 different types of Shadow Demons. They gasp in fear.

Spike gulp in concern, "Wow. This even scarier and spookier place that I ever been to."

Nyx nods as she speaks, "This is -"

"Where you and the 8 tribes of Shadow Demons created to obey and follow the orders of Demon Lords." A familiar voice spoke. Nyx and Spike were shocked as they look up and spotted Tso Lan on the third level of floating large discs-like.

Spike gasp in alarm , "Is that-"

"Tso Lan!" Nyx exclaims in anger, finally confronting the one who kidnapped her true Parents right in front of her eyes.

Spike prepares to do something when Tso Lan spoke up, "What are you doing, Spike Draconian?!"

"What?" Spike asks, confused by what Tso Lan just called him.

"You don't know your family name? A pity..." Tso Lan remarks with a sinister chuckle of amusement.

"Draconian...my family name?" Spike asks in bewilderment.

"Seriously," Nyx asked in shock.

"Nyx," The familiar voice of Tough is heard. Nyx and Spike turn and saw him, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore and their animal pets have finally arrived and caught up with their friends.

"You guys made it." Spike said with a smile, relieved that the others are safe.

Nyx sigh, "I'm glad you're okay."

"Well, yeah! We handle some crazy Shadow Demons, barely!" Phobos remarks eagerly.

"Guys, about me, I found out that I'm-" Nyx begins to say but a certain tough stallion cut her off.

"Nyx; we told yew before 'dat yer're not Nightmare Moon! She's gone! She's dead!" Tough insists to Nyx in determination. "Ah'd say yer're different fro' her! Coz yew care so much fer your folks an' pals 'at much, unlike Nightmare Moon! So don't yew worry, okay?"

"You're right." Nyx said with a soft smile. At least she won't worry for a while.

"Come on, y'all. Ah believe we've got some fighting 'ta deal wit'," Tough said in determination. Only Tso Lan left to go and the last of the Demon Lords will be beaten.

Everyone look up at Tso Lan who is glaring at them. Bocolix yelps, "That's Tso Lan?"

Dumbledore, noticing Tso Lan's look, spoke, "I don't like how he looks."

Tso Lan glare at Bocolix and Dumbledore. He uses his hands and flipped like he was hitting something. Bocolix and Dumbledore yell in pain on their chests. They have been dragged back by force. They scream in fear.

Tso Lan chuckles cruelly, "That get rid of some nuisance." Justin, Rabbitchu, Koga and Owlowiscious stay behind as they are afraid to face Tso Lan while Nyx, Spike, Phobos and Tough glare at the Demon Lord of Moon. "So you have finally come, my daughter. Now it's your turn to make the right decision. I will ask but one last time, return yourself, to us and we may yet 'spare' those you hold dear."

"Forget it! I won't betray my family!" Nyx exclaims in defiance. No matter what Tso Lan does, she will never turn her back on those that she cared about!

"Oh, but you already have." Tso Lan said cruelly, thinking that Nyx is referring to the Demon Lords.

"She meant us, jerkface!" Phobos snaps to Tso Lan in annoyance.

Tso Lan glared at Nyx and her friends then say, "Then you will die here where you were created."

Nyx hissed in anger and hatred as she swipe her right leg against on the ground for a few times. Spike blocked Nyx's path, protesting, "Nyx. Don't you dare-" The mare yell in anger as she ignored him. Nyx gallop before flying up over Spike, "Nyx; don't!"

"Nyx! Come back!" Phobos exclaims in alarm .

"Don't fight wit' him all by yerself!" Tough exclaims in worry knowing that this is what Tso Lan wants!

Nyx lands on the third level. Tso Lan slowly move back. She and the Demon Lord are now in their final battle. Nyx took her father's sword: the Master Sword. Tso Lan puts his palm together in front just before it glowed in darkness. He made his long and demonic sword-like appear before he grabs it. This is going to turn into one intense sword fight! Nyx scream in anger as she charge right at Tso Lan but he block the attack. Their swords get clashed before they departed. The two fighters strike again as many times as they hit. Both dodge and block the attacks from each other.

Tough, Spike and Phobos became very worried as they watch Nyx continue to fight against Tso Lan, all by herself. Bocolix and Dumbledore return to the scene from the entrance. They watch the battlefield. What will happen next is everyone's guess.

Dumbledore spoke, "You think Nyx can handle it?"

"I only hope so, pal." Bocolix said in concern. This is one of the rarest times that the goofy Alicorn shows much concern for his boss's enemy.

"We've gotta help Nyx!" Phobos exclaims. Nyx may want to fight Tso Lan alone but she may not win against him or worst!

"But how," Tough ask, pondering as to how the gang can help their mare pal.

Spike spot some stairs emerging from the ground and connecting to one of the rounded-structures which have launched the stairs to connect with it.

Spike calls over to his pals while pointing to the stairs, "Over there; quickly!"

Spike, Tough, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore and their animal pet headed for the stairs to climb up. After they're done with climbing up the stairs, Spike and others spotted Nyx is on the third level, fighting with Tso Lan. Spike himself groan.

Phobos spots the stairs that connects to the second level of rounded structures, exclaiming, "Over there!"

Spike and others try to get there but the stairs submerged and it rotated around. Tough spoke, "Ah guess we're gonna have to wait."

Of course, waiting could take too long. Spike spot more stairs emerging from the ground. He spoke, "Or we make it fast. Come on! I think the stairs will come out and connect to the next disc thingy for a few seconds or one minute."

"Lead de way, Spike!" Tough exclaims with a nod.

Spike and his friends jump over to the next rounded structure to get up the stairs.

Nyx and Tso Lan continue to fight and battle. The heroine attacked Tso Lan's head, but he quickly blocked the attack. Tso Lan pushed Nyx back away before he thrust it through her head and her belly. Nyx move to her left while swipe his sword up before she strikes back but Tso Lan block the attack. The Alicorn depart from the attack as she try to strike from the top but the Demon Lord place his hand in front like he's trying to grab something, it affects Nyx to stop. Tso Lan threw her down to the ground.

Tso Lan strikes his sword down on Nyx who quickly block the attack with her father's sword. The Demon pushes his sword against Nyx's Master Sword down. They glare at each other.

Tso Lan spoke up in a taunt, "You are a fool to come alone and face me, my child."

Nyx groan, "You'll have to kill me this time!"

Nyx blast her magic at Tso Lan's chest, causing him to go back. As she got up, Nyx charge right at Tso Lan. Both have their swords clashed. Nyx and Tso Lan depart from their clashing swords while going back further away. They both glared at each other. At this point, this fight is turning into a stalemate.

"Unicorn Burst," Nyx calls out her attack.

"Blackish Blade," Tso Lan yells out his next attack.

Nyx launch out her dark blue laser-like Unicorn Burst while Tso Lan blast a blackish laser-like Blackish Blade through his palm. Their powers clashed and neither of them gained the upper hand to attack.

"Hate is your ally, my child. Let darkness guide you to win." Tso Lan said with an evil grin. So far, all he's doing appears to be working. If you don't, your family will be perished. Destroy me!"

Nyx scream in anger. Her eyes glow in red. But before she could attack, Spike yells out, "Nyx! Don't let your anger control you!"

Nyx's eyes return to her normal dragon irises as she spoke, "Spike?" That was a close one. The mare almost turns to the dark side for a moment!

"Hang on! We're coming!" Spike calls out to his adopted sister.

Spike and others have managed to get up to the third level before the rounded structures moved and the stairs submerge to its ground. They jump over to the next which connects to the next disc where Nyx and Tso Lan fought. The villain spot Spike and his friends coming and he isn't pleased at all.

"Shadow Demons; Deal with the intruders. Shadow Demon Razors, come to my aid!" Tso Lan roars out evilly.

The test tubes nearby break and shattered by Shadow Demon Ninjas, Bats, Squids, Sumos, Samurais, Crabs and Mantises who are inside. They descended from the top or emerged from the ground, ready to kill the intruders per their master's orders.

The Shadow Demons attack Spike, Tough, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore and their animal pets. As they fight back, Spike exclaims, "We don't have time of this! We have to end it quickly!"

"I'm with you!" Phobos exclaims in agreement. The group got to take these freaks down quickly and help Nyx!

"Make it quick!" Tough called out to the Dragons while shooting off a Sumo with his gun.

Spike and Phobos use their fists and their Dragon and Moon Rage on the Ninjas, Squids and Crabs. Tough is faced against the Sumos and Samurais. Bocolix and Dumbledore faced off against the Bats and Mantises. Razors emerged from the shadows and attack Nyx who quickly abandoned her Unicorn Burst and allow the Blackish Blade to pass through.

Nyx quickly dodge and block the attack as fast as she can while blasting her magic at the enemies.

"The family is meaningless!" Tso Lan remarks cruelly to Nyx.

Nyx glares at Tso Lan while yelling, "They are not!"

"Yes, they are, and once you become Nightmare Moon again, you will understand why!" Tso Lan shouted.

Nyx glared angrily at Tso Lan, who launched multiple Shadow Balls at her. Nyx had managed dodge, avoided and block the attacks as fast as she can while allowing the Shadow Demon Razors to get hit by Tso Lan's Shadow Balls. As soon as the Razors were killed, Nyx was about to attack Tso Lan. But the Demon floats up high and higher above her. He had reached and landed on the 5th level of second pillar.

Using his gravity powers, Tso Lan brought one rounded structure down from the sixth level, causing the balance of them to fall and collapsed down. Tso Lan threw it right at Nyx but she quickly use her Levitation and Gravity Spell on the giant disc-like to save herself in time. She growled loudly as the mare keeps pressing her magic on it from coming down on her. The disc stopped. Nyx place it near the 3rd level of the second pillar.

Nyx glared and growled at Tso Lan as she jump and flew up to the second pillar's 5th level while dodging the throwing test tubes and containers thrown by her dark father. She arrive and attack Tso Lan who block the attack. They push their own swords against each other in an attempt to hit or hurt once another.

Tso Lan tries once again to hurt Nyx emotionally as he said, "You have been deceived by all of your family and friends, including your so-called dying friend, Tao. He died for nothing."

"He died for the love, honor and care of nature and ponies' lives!" Nyx snaps, outraged by Tso Lan disrespecting Tao like that. "He's a wise and the most kindest pony that I ever met! I won't let you insult him like that!"

Both Tso Lan and Nyx depart from the attacks. They use their swords to hit against each other 3 times before they had the clash. They push their swords against each other.

"I'm nothing like you, Tso Lan! I'm stronger than you realized!" Nyx exclaims to Tso Lan in determination.

"Yet you failed to save your so-called family. If you wish to play a heroine, then so be it." Tso Lan said to Nyx cruelly and darkly.

Both Tso Lan and Nyx continue to press their attacks on each other before they depart. Tso Lan was about to attack Nyx, but she jump over his back and kick on it. Tso Lan manage to recover from the attack. He floated up high to the next rounded structure. Tso Lan levitated some tubes and containers and threw them right at Nyx. She dodges them as quickly as she herself can while charging right at Tso Lan in the midair. Nyx grab Tso Lan's body as she brought him down to the ground. They rolled over for few times until Nyx held Tso Lan down on the ground. The two then clenched their hands/hooves tightly while pushing each other.

"You are weak! Broken! You'll die like the rest of my experiments!" Tso Lan exclaims to Nyx in madness, apparently whatever is there doesn't care what happened to the former Nightmare Moon as long as he wins!

"Think again!" Nyx exclaims to Tso Lan.

The Eight Shadow Demon tribes emerge from the shadows or breaking and shattering the tubes that they are inside of. They were about to attack Nyx from behind. But instead, they were attacked by Spike and his friends who defeated some of the Shadow Demons from the first pillar's 3rd level, and have managed to get to the second pillar's 5th level. They punch, kick and even used their artillery strikes: dragon fire breathing, magic and gun blasting, against the Shadow Demons; the works.

Nyx and Tso Lan got up. The mare pushes her hooves against his palms as hard as she can. The Demon Lord quickly creates his small Shadow Ball from his small hands. Nyx spotted this and quickly create her Night Blast. They departed and fire their attacks at each other like mad. Nyx's Night Blast and Tso Lan's Shadow Ball got collided and created a small explosion between them. Both Nyx and Tso Lan got pushed back by the blast.

Tso Lan floated and move to the next area of the third pillar and Nyx followed him. Both fighters use their swords as they strike and attack at each other with quick swift, and sometimes they dodged the attacks or used their magic to fight. Nyx swung her sword at Tso Lan's head but he dodged it by going down. The villain swipes his sword to uppercut but Nyx dodge it. Tso Lan continue to swing his sword on her head, body and legs but she dodged them by going back quickly. In frustration, the Demon Lord try to attack Nyx's head but quickly defend it by blocking the attack and push Tso Lan's sword away.

Nyx swung her sword back at Tso Lan. They continue to swing their swords to attack as quickly as they can. Nyx and Tso Lan have their swords clashed while glaring at each other. This fight could go either way at this point.

"You are a weapon, an unnatural being, and a Demon." Tso Lan exclaims to Nyx sinisterly.

Nyx outraged yells out, "I am not! I am a pony!"

"What you are is in denial of what you know is true!" Tso Lan snapped.

Spike and others have managed to defeat the second wave of Shadow Demons. Spike spotted Nyx and Tso Lan battle on third pillar's 5th level, the gang got to get to the mare. Spike and his friends got across the bridge before it submerged. Spike and others were about to help Nyx, but were blocked by the third wave of Shadow Demons.

Tough groaned in irritation, "Don't these bugs git tired?!"

"We don't have time of this!" Phobos exclaims in agreement.

"Now what," Bocolix ask frantically to the others.

"Nyx needs us!" Dumbledore exclaims in worry. Nyx needs her friends' help and Tso Lan is trying to stop them!

"We'll help her! We'll have to beat these creeps first!" Spike exclaims in determination.

Just like before, Spike and others made their quick attacks on the Shadow Demons. Tso Lan and Nyx continue to swipe their swords against their enemies as quickly as they can and sometimes they dodge the attacks. Nyx tried to punch on Tso Lan as quickly as she can but the Demon move and dodge quicker.

"I made you, and now I will destroy you." Tso Lan exclaims wickedly to Nyx.

Nyx glared at Tso Lan. She used her Night Blast and then Unicorn Burst at him. Tso Lan had been hit, but he quickly unleash his multiple Shadow Balls at her just before he collided down onto the ground. Nyx was injured by the attacks.

Spike and his friends have defeated most of the Shadow Demons. They quickly turned and ran towards Nyx to help her. Tso Lan and the mare clash their swords again while glaring at each other. Before anything happen, Nyx gasp upon hearing something.

'I should never be born in first place.' Nyx's voice is heard in her own head.

Nyx looked worried and scared. With the mare being distracted, Tso Lan gave a big slap on her face, before he pushed the heroine by his gravity power . Tso Lan quickly flow up high to the 7th level. He then land on the balcony with the door leading outside and enter the room.

Nyx shook her head. Spike and his friends came to Nyx as the baby Dragon ask in worry, "Nyx, are you okay?"

"Come on. Let's finish this fight." Nyx said with a frown. Whatever Tso Lan has done, he won't get away with this!

Nyx use the Levitation Spell on both her and her friends. They headed up to 7th level where Tso Lan escaped to. Nyx and her friends had run up through the hallway of the palace. They arrive in an area that has Japanese room style-like with glass windows and a darker color tone along with a clean and formal place.

Nyx and her friends look around to find Tso Lan. The mare found Tso Lan right in front of her. Nyx glared and snarled at him, "Where are they?!"

Tso Lan snapped his fingers. Two Razors emerged, along with Twilight and Ben who are still in tied up with chains and Anti-Magic collar. They looked worried and scared. Tso Lan, using his small hand, took the bags of all ingredients out from his robe.

"'De ingredients," Tough exclaims, recognizing the bag instantly.

Twilight and Ben spoke up, relieved that their daughter has been turned yet, "Nyx?"

"Mom..... Dad....." Nyx said with a smile on her face. Tso Lan didn't kill them yet, that's a good one.

Before any of them could do anything, Tso Lan raise his right hand up and booms, "Shadow Grasp!"

Tso Lan's shadows extended to Twilight's and Ben's shadow's necks. His right hand clenched tightly. Twilight's and Ben's shadow necks have been touched by Tso Lan's shadows making the real ponies both gasp in pain while their eyes are widened like they were being strangled. Nyx and her friends gasped in fear. Tso Lan's magic shows no boundaries or mercy!

Tso Lan glare at Nyx while demanding, "Bow before your true father and master."

Nyx shivered in fear and worried as she continued to watch her parents struggled to get more air. If she gives in, the mare would be the evil that Tso Lan wanted her to be; But if not...

"Wait! Wait!" Nyx exclaims. Twilight and Ben shook their heads while struggling to get out of Tso Lan's Shadow Grasps, not wanting her to do what they fear that she would do. Nyx sigh as she drops the Master Sword while looking down. "I will do your bidding . Please, father, let my family go. Please. They mean everything to me."

Everyone but Tso Lan and Nyx became very worried. The Demon Lord smirked as he relaxed his hand from clenching. His shadow is removed from touching Twilight and Ben's shadows and return to him. Victory is his! Twilight and Ben fall to the ground as they gasp for more air.

"Kill your comrades at once." Tso Lan said suddenly. Spike, Tough, Phobos, Bocolix, Dumbledore and their pets were in shock, and so was Nyx. This wasn't the deal! "If you refuse, they die."

Twilight spots Ben's Master Sword in front of her. She slowly approached it as Tso Lan, unaware of this, continues, "You will return to me and give yourself to Demon Lords. If you resist, they die. When your training and restoration are complete, you will hunt down and execute both the Princesses and those who dare to resist us. If you fail, they die."

But without warning, Twilight swung Ben's Master Sword at Tso Lan's head. He quickly moved aside. Twilight held Ben's Master Sword tightly with her magic. The mare isn't down just yet!

"I won't let you take my daughter away! I won't be your hostage! I have faith that Nyx won't become Nightmare Moon, Tso Lan!" Twilight exclaims to Tso Lan furiously.

"Mother, don't!" Nyx gasps to Twilight in worry. Tso Lan won't be easy to threaten!

"Faith," Tso Lan scoffed. "What could mere faith do? But then again, I suppose I can grant you a simple wish of that; Shadow Assaults!"

Twilight gasps in fear. The shadow spears-like attacked and wounded Twilight's wings, horn and body like mad. She screamed in pain as her body, wings and horn bleed. Twilight gasped, panted and moaned in pain. That villain is merciless!

Everyone was in shock but Tso Lan. He levitated Twilight towards him as well as all of the ingredients in front of him. To him, if the Alicorn Sparkle wishes to die for a worthless cause, then so be it.

"Goodbye, Twilight Sparkle. This is the crime you must pay." Tso Lan said darkly to the helpless princes. "You have manipulated my daughter for far too long; Blackish Blade!"

Tso Lan blasted his Blackish Blade at both all of the ingredients and Twilight. Twilight took the last glance at Nyx. The daughter sobbed while shaking her head. This cannot be happening!

"Nyx....... don't give in........to the darkness......." Twilight said weakly to her daughter.

Twilight was about to hit on a window nearby. Everyone gasp in shock while their eyes are wide opened.

Nyx scream in horror, "MOTHER!!!!!"

Everyone but Tso Lan screams out, "Twilight!"

Twilight was thrown out from Tso Lan's throne chamber. She falls into deep into the large crack of an abyss outside and disappears from sight. Everyone in the room was shocked. No, this cannot be... Nyx sob in sadness just before she growl angrily. That monster Tso Lan took his mother away...now he will pay!!!!

"Yes.......My child. Let the anger and hatred consume you!" Tso Lan insists to Nyx in madness and darkness. "Return to your true form; Nightmare Moon!"

Nyx yell angrily while sobbing as she grabs the Master Sword. Nyx charge right at Tso Lan but he quickly levitate the mare and throw her out of the window . Nyx land safely but hard on the ground of the balcony. Tso Lan landed down safely as well, with his long sword. Nyx glared at him. The clouds turn into dark and cloudy and started to rain. More thunders strike and begin to sound. The big battle is about to commence.

"Now, Nightmare Moon, will you spare your enemy?" Tso Lan taunted his daughter wickedly.

Nyx yelled in anger as she charge right at Tso Lan. She swung her sword against his own, Tso Lan who swung back at her for a few times. Ben and his friends came to the broken window . They saw that both Tso Lan and Nyx were about to have a fierce battle.

"Nyx," Ben calls out to Nyx in concern.

"We have to get down at once!" Spike exclaims. The gang got to get down there in a hurry!

"Come on!" Ben exclaims.

Ben and his friends were about to move, but they were grabbed and attacked by more of the 8 Shadow Demons tribes. These monsters aren't about to let their enemies interfer in Tso Lan's battle! The group soon managed to break free by hitting the Shadow Demons' heads with their own heads.

"That's it! I seriously had enough of you!" Spike exclaims angrily to the Shadow Demons.

"We don't have time of this!" Ben remarks in agreement. Nyx needs him now!

Ben punch and kick at the Ninjas and Razors while dodging the attacks and blades from the Razors or the kicking and punching from the Ninjas. Tough rammed on a Sumos against his kinds. The tough stallion grabbed a Crab and threw it right at his own kind. Bocolix and Dumbledore flew and blast their magic against the Bats while punching and kicking Samurais while they dodge the swinging swords. Spike and Phobos dodge the attacks from the Squids as quickly as they can while launching their Dragon and Moon Rages on them.

Tso Lan and Nyx have their swords clashed. They quickly depart while the Demon Lord announces, "Behold, my Mastery of Gravity and Darkness."

Tso Lan raise his four hands: both large and small up. The area, objects and even the forests begin to shake, followed them by floating and levitated up. Tso Lan yelled in anger as his body is covered in darkness.

"This is where it ends!" Nyx announces in determination. Tso Lan will pay for what he did to Twilight!

Nyx yelled angrily as her body glowed in dark. Nyx charged and attacked Tso Lan. She swung her sword as hard and quick as she can at the monster but he continues to defend and dodge himself from the attack. Tso Lan quickly launch his hand out and fire his Dark Claw at Nyx, making her hit the pillar tightly. The Demon Lord then uses his Blackish Blade at Nyx. She quickly uses her Unicorn Burst and fire at Tso Lan, causing him to push back and let go of his Dark Claw.

Nyx charge in and clash the Master Sword against Tso Lan's sword, yelling, "I'll kill you!"

"Rise above this. She means nothing." Tso Lan said, taunting about Twilight once more.

Nyx and Tso Lan departed their swords away from their clash. The Demon Lord quickly swung his sword on the mare's head but Nyx dodge in time. She quickly thrust her sword at Tso Lan's head but the Demon block and push her sword. Tso Lan was about to strike from the top as Nyx attacked him from below. Both had their sword clash.

"Her death gives you strength. Embrace it, my child." Tso Lan said with another wicked and insane smile. Things are going through as he wants it to.

Nyx sobbed in anger, "I will kill you!"

"If you wish to join your mother, then so be it." Tso Lan said with a smirk. Soon Nyx will be the Demon Lords' once more and no one will stop it!

Nyx and Tso Lan departed from their clashing. The mare swung her sword in striking and clashing against the Demon's sword whose did the same routine against her before they clash again. The two opponents depart as Tso Lan use his left hand and small hands to levitate magically on the rocks, swords, weapons, arrows, pillars and boxes. He threw them right at Nyx. She avoids the objects by jumping, flying and dodging down. Unfortunately, Nyx receive major injuries during her avoiding the attacks from the objects. A big rock hit on the mare on the head, causing her to fell to the ground.

Tso Lan float towards her. He swung his sword on Nyx. The mare dodge the attack as Tso Lan's sword hit the ground. Nyx blasted her magic at Tso Lan and hit the pillar hard.

Nyx screamed in anger, "Lightning Strike!"

Nyx fired her lightning attacks from her horn at Tso Lan. He screams in pain as the villain receive more damages and shocking literally from lightning. Nyx stop the attack. Tso Lan land on the ground safely.

Nyx was about to attack, but Tso Lan blasted her back with his Blackish Blade and multiple Shadow Balls. Nyx screamed in pain. Tso Lan was about to swung his sword at her, but she quickly blast him back with Night Blast. Tso Lan recovered from the attack before he and Nyx swung and attack with their swords but clashed for few times, just before they had their swoirds to be clashed and glared at each other.

"Twilight Sparkle will never accept you. She will never love you! And so as your family and friends!" Tso Lan remarks sinisterly to Nyx. He is almost there; the villain's triumph is at hand! "What else can you be when the world can only see a monster?"

Nyx yelled in fury, "You will die where you're standing!"

"Try if you dare! Twilight is dead, and there is nothing you can do about it! NOTHING," Tso Lan shouted evilly.

Tso Lan and Nyx departed as they continue to attack. The mare swung her sword on his head, followed by his body, then his hands and finally his legs. But he dodges them by going back, blocking the sword and using his Shadow Balls to deflect the sword away. Tso Lan fought back by swinging his sword at Nyx at her head, neck, body and limbs. But she managed to dodge and go back as fast as she can.

The fighters both have their swords clashed tightly. Before Nyx could do anything, she was being lifted by Tso Lan's gravity powers up high. The Demon Lord uses his Dark Claw and grab Nyx in his tight grasps with his left hand.

"Blackish Bla-" Tso Lan started, but he was cut off and for a good reason.

That good reason was Ben, he and his team had defeated the Shadow Demons, the stallion grab onto Tso Lan's neck down, demanding, "Leave my daughter alone!"

Tso Lan yelled in anger, "Do not interfere!"

Tso Lan was about to grab Ben, but his leg was bitten by Koga, his hair is being pulled by Spike and Phobos. Dumbledore and Bocolix grabbed Tso Lan's left two hands while Tough grab his right one. Owlowiscious scratched on his face. Tso Lan yell in anger and pain. During this time, Nyx freed herself from Tso Lan's Dark Claw. She looked down but gasp in fear and worry.

Tso Lan stretched his hands out. His body launches his darkness laser beam-like out while he screamed, "Dark Destroyer Blasts!" Tso Lan's Dark Destroyer Blasts blasted Ben and his team out. The villain then levitates the Earth pony while he held his sword tight by his right hand. "I could have used your powers, Ben. But your head will be the perfect gift to bring Celestia to her knees."

Ben gasps in fear. Tso Lan is preparing to go through with his dark threat but a familiar voice interrupts him, "Noooooooo!"

Nyx flew down as fast as she can. She yells in anger as her horn is charging up. Tso Lan heard the noise and looked up to see Nyx coming down on him.

"You'd never learn. Shadow Balls," Tso Lan said darkly as he threw Ben down and launch multiple Shadow Balls at Nyx high up.

Nyx received major injuries and damages but her power reached its peak. The mare exclaims, "This is for you, mother; Twilight Star Shower; Lightning Strike!"

Nyx blast both powerful star balls-like and lightning attacks right at Tso Lan. The Demon Lord's eyes are wide opened as he screams in pain. The two attacks hit multiple strikes and hit him. Tso Lan was wounded and injured and the Demon gasp of exhaustion while coughing as well. This could be the end of him...and the beginning of Nightmare Moon once more.

Nyx held the Master Sword in front of Tso Lan. She glared at him while snapping, "You've taken everything from me!"

Tso Lan panted, "Your feelings for your friends, your ponies, your family and your mother are not real."

"They are real to me! Prepare to die!" Nyx declared. This is it, Tso Lan will meet his demise. Just before Nyx could strike, but Spike and Phobos held her hooves tight while Tough bit and pull Nyx's tail back. "Let me go! Tso Lan must pay!"

"You can't, Nyx! This is not what Twilight wanted! Please! Don't do it! I beg you!" Spike begs to Nyx in worry. He now realizes what Tso Lan wanted. To make his daughter evil like she was back when she was once Nightmare Moon!

"He killed our mother, Spike!" Nyx reminds Spike furiously.

"Don't you get it, Nyx?! He's trying to make you his successor as the new Demon Lord of Moon! He wants you to forget the love and feelings for friends and family!" Phobos exclaims in worry. He's right, the others now understand what Tso Lan is planning all along; To make her like him forever.

"Do it, Nightmare Moon. I have killed your mother. It is your destiny." Tso Lan suggested evilly to Nyx. The mare is hesitating now, wondering if she should do it or not.

"Don't yew dare do it, kid! Don't do it!" Tough pleads to Nyx in worry.

"Strike me down. You are destined to become a Demon Lord. It is in your blood." Tso Lan said to Nyx. The mare groans as she felt her head hurting. Nyx doesn't know who to listen to at this point.

"What would revenge do, Nyx?! It won't bring happiness to you!" Dumbledore exclaims to Nyx. While he may not convince Boris (if the dummy would try anyway) to go back from vengeance, Dumbledore isn't going to give up on Nyx!

"Please, Nyx. Don't do it! What about everypony? What about your friends and family? What about Tao's advice?" Bocolix ask Nyx sadly, reminding the mare of everything that she cared about...as well as what Tao has told her.

"The world will never accept you. What else can you be when the world only see you a monster?" Tso Lan ask Nyx in amusement.

Nyx glared at Tso Lan while growling and snarling. Ben put a hoof on her shoulder as he says calmly, "Nyx........tell me. Would your mother be proud of what you did?"

Nyx gasped, "What do you mean, father?"

"Please, Nyx. Don't become of what my brother had become. I don't want to lose you again! I don't want you to become Nightmare Moon!" Spike insisted to Nyx, tears in his eyes. He will never be the same if the mare did do what Tso Lan demanded her to do.

Nyx look at her family and friends' faces. She was in shock and is scared as the heroine looked at her hooves. Nyx is close to finishing off the one who took Twilight...but is it really worth it?

"Nyx, think carefully. I know it's hard. But always remember, that your both sides of your family, friends, everypony, me and your mother will always love you no matter what. You'll always be in everypony's hearts." Ben said to Nyx gently. It's up to the mare now what her decision is going to be.

Nyx cried for a while. She thought for a moment and yelled out as she raises the Master Sword up high. Everyone but Tso Lan is worried, fearing the worst. But then, something unsuspecting happened: Nyx slammed the weapon onto the ground instead of Tso Lan's head.

Tso Lan was shocked as he asked, "Why won't you kill me, Nightmare Moon?" The mare should've finished him so why didn't she?!

"Because........ I'm nothing like you. My name....... is Nyx. I am...... a pony. Not a Demon like you. I may have your blood, but I have my mother's. I made my decision. I chose light and love....... over dark and hatred." Nyx said slowly and in determination. Even if Tso Lan has taken her mother, she won't be like him and never will be.

Ben sighed in relief, "Atta girl. You had me very worried."

Nyx sobbed while hugging Ben, "I'm sorry, father; my true father."

Ben pat Nyx's back as the two hugged for a while. Spike hugged Nyx and Ben while Phobos and Tough sobbed. Dumbledore and Bocolix smiled as well, along with the animal pets. It appears that Tso Lan's third master plan had indeed failed. Before any of them could do anything, Tso Lan clenched his fists tightly. He yelled in anger as he raised his four hands and blasted Blackish Blades at Nyx, Ben and their friends away.

Tso Lan floated before them, snarling, "Nightmare Moon, you imbecile! You should have surrendered to me! For you will bring the suffering of all creatures on your world."

"What's that supposed to be mean?!" Nyx demanded to the villain.

"Yeah, what are you talking about?!" Phobos demanded as well. What is Tso Lan up to now? He lost!

Tso Lan glared at Ben while saying, "You have ruined my master plans far too long! I was so close to bring forth my daughter's true form! You dare interrupt me at the moment of triumph?!"

Ben huffed at this, "Your triumph? Don't you mean your defeat? You may be Nyx's father by blood, but the one who loves her her is the true father. And that's me! I'll never let my daughter become a monster like you, Tso Lan. You're a terrible father! You'd never love her like I do! Trust me. I won't give up on her."

"This… is... where... it... ENDS," The Demon Lord roared in madness. Tso Lan's body glowed in darkness. He growled in anger, "It seems that I have left with one choice to achieve victory: Seizing control of the Moon's gravity; So that I may 'pull' the ball from its orbit."

Everyone gasped in horror, "What?!" Tso Lan cannot be serious!

"He can do that?" Spike asked the others in worry. Tso Lan can pull the moon from its orbit?!

"Spike, Tso Lan is Demon Lord of Moon. And it means that he can control the moon as Princess Celestia, Luna, Nightmare Moon and I can." Nyx said to Spike seriously. If Tso Lan can do it, he may wipe out Equestria just for victory!

"This is what my aunt is afraid of the most! Moving moon from its orbit will destroy Equestria's Eco System!" Ben exclaims in worry.

"How do yew know 'dat," Tough ask Ben in alarm .

"Twilight and Luna told me about the science planetary movement. If the moon gets too close, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and hurricanes will happen, it'll rip our home of almost any living creature." Ben explained seriously to Tough, making the ones with him gasp in shock and horror. Most of Equestria will be wiped out if there were to happen!

Tso Lan smirked as he said, "That is correct, Ben. And only then will Equestria's landscapes be fit to my liking especially when it comes to backstabbing former servants."

"That freak Demon wants to kibosh the whole planet!" Dumbledore exclaims in alarm and fear. “And backstabbing former servants?!”

"Yes. A certain...servant tried to leave my services...tried to steal my part before escaping, but I took care of him." Tso Lan explained with an evil smile to his enemies, referring to a servant who tried to betray him.

"Whoever did that must have been very stupid!" Bocolix exclaims frantically and in agreement. Even he and his pal wouldn't go that far!

"Just be glad 'dat he did not show his face, coz Ah'd lose mah big temper!" Tough exclaimed angrily.

"That 'traitor' has been taken care of. But now, the destruction of Equestria is on my hand." Tso Lan exclaimed with a laugh.

"We won't let you do this, Tso Lan!" Ben shouted in determination. The group must stop Tso Lan once and for all!

"I'm afraid you have no hope to achieve that. It appears the pleasure of destroying you shall be mine alone." Tso Lan said suddenly. He floated up to the sky as his body started to glow in darkness.

"Everypony; we have to stop him at once!" Ben exclaimed as the group prepares for combat to stop Tso Lan before it's too late.

Just before Ben and his friends could do anything, the land shake, followed by some objects, pillars, broken weapons, stones, forests and more levitating and hover in midair while leaving Nyx and her friends slammed onto the ground tight.

"I can't get up!" Spike groans as he tries to get up but to no prevail.

"We're stuck!" Bocolix and Dumbledore exclaims in alarm . What is going on; Why can't anypony move?!

"How," Tough asked while struggling to get up but to no prevail.

"Tso Lan altered Equestria's gravity!" Ben groaned as he tried to get up. Not even his Triforce powers could help!

"That explained why he is called as Demon Lord of Moon!" Phobos groaned a bit. The gravity is ten times harder on the moon than it is on Equestria!

"We have to stop Tso Lan." Nyx groaned while struggling.

Tso Lan smirked as his body continue to glow in darkness. He speaks, "And for you all, and my dearest daughter, things look very grave......." Tso Lan looked up at the moon. He smiled wickedly, "Could use a face lift ."

Tso Lan's four hands glow in darkness. He fire right on the moon's surface as it began to cover the moon within a shadowy spot from below. It began to spread like a stain….trying to cover what it's trying to take control of.

-------------------

In Ponyville, everyone panicked in fear and scare as they all looked at the moon is covering in darkness. Something is going on; Bad enough that most of their crop is gone, but this?!

"Oh, mah herd, what is going on?!" Applejack asks everyone in horror.

"What's with the moon; It's getting covered in black!" Rainbow said in alarm .

"Don't tell me that the Nightmare Forces are back and have gone insane again!" Rarity exclaimed in fright. She doesn't want to deal with being Nightmare Rarity again! The last one almost destroyed all of Equestria!

However, Luna shook her head as she said grimly, "I'm afraid not, Rarity. This ability could be achieved by one powerful Demon Lord. So, he decided to make his move. Now, I can no longer control the moon. I never thought that he would do it."

Celestia nodded as she spoke, "Tso Lan."

"Is he scarier than any of the other Demon Lords?" Fluttershy asked the princesses meekly, fearing the answer.

Pinkie noted the serious looks on the princesses' face. The pink pony yelped, "I don't like the looks of that too."

Celestia said grimly, "I'm afraid so." The rest of the Mane Six gasped in horror. So it is true!

"The only hope to prevent this is to remove Tso Lan from this world." Luna said in concern. Unless Tso Lan is removed, Equestria will be destroyed!

Shining silently prayed with his wife, "Twiley and Nyx, stay strong. Please."

"And you too, Ben." Cadance said, hoping that her cousin could find a way to stop Tso Lan once and for all.

"Don't give up now, Ben. Please. Equestria's counting on you. I know you can make it home with your family." Tso Lan said quietly to himself.

Even Discord is freaked out by the madness that is happening. The Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony gulped a bit, "I never thought I was going to say this. Tso Lan's chaos is worst! But not good as Grimmore."

Lorcan hid behind the house, seeing what has happened. As the scarred Dragon prepared for what could be the end of destruction, he mumbled to himself, "Spike, be strong. Please."

-------

At Tso Lan's Palace, Tso Lan continued to launch his powers over the moon. He smirks while saying, "This is where it ends."

Nyx looked around her surroundings. She looked very worried and scared. All of the options appear to be running out at this point.

"NO! It can't end like this." Nyx exclaimed frantically. There must be something that she can do but how if the mare cannot move? Suddenly, a pink lotus pod appeared and landed on Nyx's muzzle. The mare took the lotus pod and asked, "A lotus pod? But what is it doing here? Unless it's..." She gasps in realization. Of course, that's it! The mystical banishment item!

Sure enough, a familiar voice was heard, speaking gently this time, "Young Nyx. Through hardships and battles you had fought, you have proven yourself that you are no longer Nightmare Moon, but to be yourself. It is time to show the Moon Demon Lord of what you're made of. Light everypony's darkest hour, dear."

Nyx looked at the lotus pod as she thought for the moment while closing her eyes. She open them again with firm and fierce eyes.

"I'll do it; for everypony; for my friends; for my family; for my mother!" Nyx exclaimed in determination. Tso Lan will be defeated! She tries to get up but struggle to do so. Nyx gasp as she remembers something. "If I'm correct, I should able to do it. Behold; My Mastery of Gravity!"

Nyx's eyes glowed in white. Her horn sparkled as it spreads around her body and glow in white. Nyx stood up with ease, looking confident and firm. Everyone looked surprised by this.

"The battle ends today." Nyx announced in determination.

Nyx flew up high while dodging the levitated objects. The moon is almost covered in shadow. Nyx approached Tso Lan from behind.

"Tso Lan!" The former villain known as Nightmare Moon exclaimed. Tso Lan turn and saw Nyx's coming towards him, much to his shock. "This is where our fight ends."

Tso Lan gasped in shock, "Impossible!" His powers are supposed to keep Nyx down!

"Kick that tall, dark and creepy Demon!" Phobos exclaimed to Nyx with a smirk. Tso Lan will wish that he was never born!

"Git him, Nyx," Tough cheer on for Nyx eagerly.

Dumbledore and Bocolix both cheered on the big mare, "GO NYX!"

Koga, Owlowiscious, Justin and Rabbitchu make their respective animal noises. Spike smirked while yelling, "You can do it, Nyx; for our mother!"

"You can do it. Remember, everyone you know will always be in your heart." Ben encourages Nyx in determination. Hearing those words of confidence is enough for the black mare to do what must be done.

"I hear you, guys, and I will defeat him!!!" Nyx shouted as she charged towards Tso Lan.

Nyx held the lotus pod in front of Tso Lan. The villain gasps in fear, "No! You wouldn't dare harm your own father, would you?"

"My own father; I would never do that." Nyx answered. Ben gasped, as well as his friends. All of them ise fearing the worst; That is, until Nyx glared at Tso Lan while continuing, "But you, I will! You will never harm my family ever again!"

"Wise decision you had made. Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!" The voice boomed, giving out the familiar chanting words used many times before.

The lotus pod gave a green glow. Nyx aimed it in front of Tso Lan. The pod began to blossom, and soon, a bunch of colorful white and pink array of light beams right at Tso Lan.

"Noooooooooo," The Demon Lord screamed in horror. The white lights hit Tso Lan's body before getting to his head. Everything that had been levitated, dropped onto the ground. Everyone who got stuck on the ground is now freed and can move freely.

Tso Lan's scream was heard as he flipped himself up straight and soon, dark beams of light were escaping his chest like the spell was causing him pain. As he spun around while this display was happening, his face almost looked like it was cracking. And from within Tso Lan's right eye, a trigram sign of two split halts up top and bottom and one solid line in the middle was the trigram mark of the Moon Demon, the same one the Goblin used for the Pan'ku Box to set him free.

Suddenly, in that moment, the entire moon that was covered in Tso Lan's dark magic began to fade away. From the top, it shrank back to where it started from, returning the moon to its good light from before.

----------

At Ponyville, everyone saw the event. They cheered wildly, confidently, hopefully and faithfully. The princesses, the Mane Five, Twilight's parents, Flash and CMC cheered as well. That was the closest one ever!

"I have regained control of the moon. This could mean one thing, sister." Luna said with a smile to her sister.

"Twilight, Ben and everyone there have defeated and banished Tso Lan." Celestia said gracefully. Tso Lan has been banished, hopefully now for a long, LONG time.

Flash whistled, "Ben, Twilight, Nyx and others did it." The Pegasus doesn't know what has happened to Twilight though.

Applejack whistled and cheer, "Way to go, Twilight! 'Dat's mah best friend," The Earth pony can't wait to see her come home...but will she come back?

----------

The portal appeared from behind Tso Lan. It dragged him to the door. The Demon Lord took a glance at Nyx, the one who has betrayed him.

Tso Lan sighed before he said, "So, it appears you truly are no longer the Nightmare Moon that I remember. Very well, Nyx, I accept my defeat. But mark my words, I will have my revenge. When I do, I will kill you and all of your family personally!"

Tso Lan entered the door. It closed immediately soon afterwards.

---------------

Everyone but Ben, Spike and Nyx cheer loudly and hopefully. Tso Lan is defeated, the last of the Demon Lords has fallen! However, while the others cheer on, Nyx transform into her filly form and sobbed over the love of her mother.

"We've won!" Dumbledore cheers on, not noticing Nyx's sadness at first.

"All 8 Demon Lords are gone for good!" Bocolix laughs eagerly. The Demon Lords are banished; they will never cause trouble for any pony or anyone else ever again!

However Nyx wasn't happy for this victory. She ask in sadness, "But at what cost? We've lost Tao, then all of the ingredients, and now my mother. I should never be born."

"Nyx......." Spike said to Nyx in sadness and concern. He knows how she is feeling at this point.

"Yew can't be serious," Tough said in disbelief. Nyx should be happy that she has avenged Twilight; now the filly acted like she should never been born?!

"It's not your fault." Phobos said to Nyx gently, patting his friend on the back.

"It's always been, guys! If I had never been born in the first place, all of you will be safe from harm. It's what I really want. It's what best for my family." Nyx sobs a bit. As she continues crying, the others look on, not sure what to do for her now. "I am....... and always be.......a Demon. I had failed. I fail to protect the very pony who raise me, who understand me and who love me before others."

"Nyx......." Ben said gently. It isn't really Nyx's fault for what happened. It was Tso Lan's.

Ben tries to pat Nyx's mane but she slap his hoof away. Nyx sob in upset and angry before running into Tso Lan's Palace.

"NYX," Everyone exclaims in alarm . Spike and Phobos want to run in there but Ben stops them both while shaking his head. His daughter need some alone time right now.

---------------

Nyx had arrived at the lab where it is filled with a bed that is broken, torn books, notes, glasses, woods, bricks, tools, mirror and broken tubes with water spreading. She pants for a while. Nyx sobbed as she sat down.

Nyx then looked into a mirror. She sobbed as the filly begins to sing a song.

Nyx: Can someone tell me who I really am,
Who should I be.

She saw an image of Nightmare Moon.and gasp in fear and worry.

Can someone show me what my sins are
I must know.......

Nyx turn away and look at the empty frame in sadness.

How could I let my loved ones be harmed?
For protecting me.....

Nyx then look at the old and ancient arts of Demon Lords and Nightmare Moon.

I[If I'm not really a pony,
Then, who I really am?

Nyx sobbed as she went through the memories of sins such as attacking and banishing the Princesses to the sun and moon, attacking the Mane Five and locking up Twilight and the CMC in the dungeon. What a terrible mare that Nyx was back then!

I can't go home (Can't go home)
Oh, this pain is too much. (This pain is too much)
It might be better that I'd never be born
In first place.

Nyx sobbed as she remember about what Twilight did for her, such as teaching her, protecting her, helping her and being there for her.

I've gotta find my identity (Gotta find my identity)
Oh, I'll find my true self somehow. (I'll find my true self somehow)
If only there was a place where I could be,
Just Me.

Nyx then look down as she imagines herself and her mother playing around. Cartoon chibi figure-lie of Twilight disappears while leaving Nyx's cartoon chibi figure-like alone. She looked scared and worried, before she sobbed.

Nyx sobbed: If only there was a place where I could be,
Just Me.

Once the song is over, Nyx sob some more, her mother is done and she didn't do a thing to save her. She looks at the blood watery. All she saw is her reflection which turned into Nightmare Moon. Nyx yell in upset as she splash the blood watery as hard as she can. At the same time, she sobbed some more.

Ben approach her from behind, speaking, "Nyx?"

Nyx startled before turning to him, answering, "Ben?"

"What happened to 'dad', Nyx?"

"If only I really am a pony."

Ben sighs then say gently, "Nyx, don't talk like that."

"Why not?! I've let so many ponies down, including Twilight! I was Nightmare Moon! I have to accept it, no matter how many times I denied it." Nyx sobs some more. She tries to escape the truth but no matter what happen, it keeps on returning like a cockroach! "Tso Lan's right; What could I be when the world only see a monster?"

Ben approach Nyx and brings her closer to him. Ben wipes the blood watery off from her head and body. The stallion refuses to let his little filly act like this, not now or ever again.

"You know what I see, Nyx?" Ben begins to speak. Nyx look confused as he continues, "I see a black filly and what she needs the most is a family to be there for her, raising her, taking care of her, protecting her and loving her."

"Are you sure?" Nyx ask Ben hopefully.

"Now why would I lie to you when you are such a great daughter I ever met in my life?"

"But I'm very different than any pony. I'm a monster."

"You're a pony, Nyx....... You're not different, Nyx. I'll show you. Feel carefully. What do you feel?" The Earth pony said. Ben put Nyx's hoof to her chest. She feel beating.

Nyx blinks as she answers, "My heart."

Ben smile as he continues, "Good. Now listen to mine." The Earth pony brings Nyx close to his chest. She put her head near Ben's body as she listen carefully. All she could hear is a heartbeat. "What do you hear, Nyx?"

"Your heart."

"See? We're not different, Nyx. You may have Demon's Blood, but what you have something important of all that no Demon Lords have: a heart." Ben explains. Nyx smile sadly. "Do you know what else I see in you, Nyx?" The Alicorn filly shook her head. "I see there's a great heart, kindness and selfless within you. You risked everything to save everyone you care. You will never give them, me or Twilight up. You love your family very much. This is what I love you about; a selfless, brave and kind filly that I ever raised with your mommy."

Nyx sobbed, "Do you mean it, Ben?"

"Of course, Nyx; you will always mean to us, as long there is a heart within you."

Nyx sobbed as she remembers the loss of Twilight, "I miss her." The filly will never move on without her mother but she will do her best to try.

Ben sobbed as well, hugging his daughter while saying, "Me too, sweetie."

Both Ben and Nyx sobbed as they hugged together. They will miss Twilight and know that she is watching somewhere always...

--------------

Beneath the depths of the abyss, the rubble beneath on the small cliff is starting to move. The rubbles have been moved by someone. A certain Alicorn who is still alive despite what Tso Lan almost did to her! Twilight is alive!

Twilight pant while saying, "I'm lucky to survive that." She then look at the bag and check all of ingredients to make sure that they're still in there. Twilight sigh in relief. "At least, they all are alright."

Twilight then look up. She saw that the edge above is very tall and a long way up to go. The mare then looks at her wings and her horn. They were bleeding from her weakened and wounded wings and horn. Twilight may have difficulty in getting out of this abyss safe and sound.

Twilight sighs, "With my wings and horn damaged, I have to climb up. There isn't much choice."

Twilight bites the bag to hold on. She starts to climb up the mountain. The Alicorn climbs for around 6 meters. But she panted as if her strengths had been depleted. As Twilight tried to grab onto the small rock that attached to a mountain's wall, the rock broke off. Twilight scream as she fall down to the ground. She pants and looks up again. Impossible!

Twilight sobbed in despair, "It's hopeless. There is no way that I could get up in time. My family would be dead. All my friends and family will starved to death. I fail everything. I fail you, Applejack. I'm very sorry. You were right. This journey....... is...... impossible."

Twilight look up at the mountain's peak again. She then sobbed then images the upset, sadness and unhappy looks of all her family, friends and ponies of all Equestria, sobbing if they heard the news of hers and her family's failure and deaths, especially Applejack and Flash Sentry. Twilight then begins to sing.

Twilight: I have to find a way
To make this all okay.
I can't believe this small mistake
Could've caused so much heartache
Oh why, oh why?

Twilight then imagine the destruction of Ponyville and all of her friends and ponies who lived there being left no choice but to depart and going their separate ways to find a new home and life: Rarity, her family and the Unicorns at Canterlot, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and the Pegasi at Las Pegasus, Pinkie Pie and the Earth Ponies returning to her old home and moving to Fillidelphia, and Applejack and her family moving to a new land.

Losing promise
I don't know what to do
Seeking answers
I fear I won't get through to you
Oh why, oh why?

Once the song is done, Twilight sobbed, "I'm sorry, everypony. I fail you." What kind of princess is she? Perhaps the mare is better off returning back to Canterlot at the very beginning when Princess Luna was restored.

As Twilight continues to sob, a glowing white light appear in front of her. It then transform into the form of a familiar pony that Twilight had never thought that she could meet again.

Twilight sobbed in surprise, "Tao?" Is that him, really?

"Rise, Twilight Sparkle. Your family and home awaits you. You have a mission to complete." Tao said to Twilight with a grin.

Twilight looks down, asking in sadness, "What mission? I can't fly, can't use magic and have no strength to move on. It's hopeless." She sobbed as if just staying here and wanting to die.

"So, you decide to give up, have you?"

The image of her surrounding turns into black. She then gasped as the mare saw some ponies have become weak, upset and sad as they dig on the rocks or walls from the mines or mountains to collect diamonds, jewels and gems.

"Will you abandon their hope? Can you feel their desperation and sadness, Twilight?" Tao ask sternly to Twilight. More ponies, and even foals and fillies continued to pull the carts of gold, weapons, jewels, food and more to someplace else as if they all turned into slaves by an evil force. "Will evil triumph over good? Will evil take over the lives of goodness? Will darkness overtake light?"

Twilight then saw a black unicorn with crimson messy and spiky mane and crimson eyes, who smile evilly, along with Grimmore, Tso Lan, the Demon Lords, and more members of the Apocalypse Ponies standing before all of ponies, and all of her friends and family.

Twilight gasps in fear, "This can't be!" Will this happen should the Alicorn princess give up now?!

"Have you forgotten what is important?!" Tao scolds Twilight. He wants her to remember the important things in her life!

Twilight then remember the pasts of her journey: defeating Nightmare Moon and Discord with the Elements of Harmony, Twilight facing many challenges in Ponyville, she raising and guiding Nyx, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Rarity defending Spike from Garble and his gang, Twilight put Shining Armor's crest properly on his red suit, she and Ben reuniting and had kiss after the Demon Pony event, Twilight seeing the beauty of Crystal Empire's lights, the unicorn became an Alicorn and she making friends with human version of the Mane Five and Flash Sentry.

Then, Twilight imagine what would happen if she gave that hope up now. The Alicorn could see the evil smile of a mysterious black Unicorn who sat on the throne while looking at the weakened and defeated Mane Five, the Princesses and all of her family, friends and ponies. He then laughs evilly. No, Twilight cannot let that happen!

Twilight was in shock with her eyes wide-open. Her eyes turn into a determined state as she declares, "No. I have not forgotten."

"Then, rise, Twilight Sparkle. Show me the will of determination and endurance." Tao said to Twilight, proud that the Alicorn chose not to give up after all.

Twilight try to get up but struggles while doing so. With the looks of her determined face, she got up with all of her strengths. The black background returns to reality. Twilight then look up at the mountain, the Alicorn cannot give up now, no matter how hopeless it seems. Her family needs her, everyone that the mare cares for needs her.

Twilight smiles to what she believes to be Tao deceased, saying, "Thank you, Spirit of Tao."

"I guide and help those who are in loss of darkness. Good luck, Princess of the Stars." Tao said to Twilight with a smile.

Tao then disappear in light. Twilight starts to climb up the mountain once more. She kept on climbing for 8 meters of mountain, but struggle and nearly falls down. Twilight held her hooves tightly and firmly on the wall. The Alicorn groaned as she continues to climb up. No matter what happens, the Alicorn Princess must not give up!

------------------------------

Ben and Nyx came out from Tso Lan's Palace and meet up with Spike, Tough, Phobos, Enforcers, and their animal pets. The baby Dragon asks Nyx sadly, "You okay?"

Nyx nods and say in sadness, "If only I could save my mother, just in time."

Ben sighs while saying, "I know Nyx. With Twilight's gone, we can't give up yet. We'll have to start the scavenging hunt all over again." Of course, it may be difficult to get the ingredients and back in time.

"It's hard but as long you don't give up your hope." A familiar voice spoke up, much to everyone's shock and surprise. Could it be...?

Everyone gasp as they turn and saw the weakened Twilight Sparkle with her wounded and injured wings, coming out from the bottom of the depths while holding the bag of ingredients in her mouth. She smiled to them, happy to see them all okay.

Everyone but Nyx and Spike calls out happily, "Twilight!"

Nyx and Spike both exclaims in happiness, "Mommy!" Twilight is alive, she is alive!

Everyone but Bocolix and Dumbledore came and surround Twilight as they hug her softly. Spike sniffs while saying in disbelief, "But...... but we saw you-"

Twilight weakly smile as she explains, "I was lucky to land on the edge. My wings and horn were injured. So I had to climb up. I thought I would lose my hope until Tao came."

"Tao," Everyone else ask in surprise. Tao has appeared?

"As a spirit, he reminded me the importance if my friends and family be in danger. So, I did not give up on that. I climbed up to here." Twilight sobbed as she nuzzles Nyx. "I was so worried that you would become Nightmare Moon."

Nyx nuzzles right back, sobbing, "Not anymore, mommy. Because I'd always have you and everyone I know that will always be there for me. You'll be in my heart, mommy, and so as everyone. I made my decision. My decision is to be with my family and friends to the end; because I am a pony, and never be a Demon."

"Yeah, you should see what she did!" Phobos exclaims excitedly. He still hasn't got the memory of Nyx's fight with Tso Lan out of his mind!

"Yew betcha; Ah'd say Nyx did well." Tough said eagerly. "All 'dem 8 Demon Lords are gone back 'ta portals."

Spike sigh, "But we still didn't find the Pan'ku Box." Even if the Demon Lords are gone, they can still come back unless the Pan'ku Box is found...and it appears that it will never be the case.

"Actually, I did." The Alicorn said with a smirk. Twilight reveal a blue box with yellow rounds with red squares on each side from her bag. "Tso Lan killed the goblin for his betrayal. I took and hide it in my wings when Tso Lan was battling with Nyx and the others."

"Does this mean-" Bocolix begins to ask hopefully. If the Pan'ku Box is found, does this mean...

"We don't have to worry about them anymore?" Dumbledore ask hopefully and eagerly. With the Demon Lords banished and the Pan'ku Box in the gang's possession, the heroes will never worry about the Demon Lords ever again! Especially since the goofy Alicorns will never be killed for interfering in the Demon Lords' matters in the first place!

Twilight smile as she answers, "Yes, everypony. It's over. We still have all of our ingredients, and we have each other."

Spike smile as he adds, "Most important of all, Nyx is still herself. No more Nightmare Moon to be bothered about."

Phobos smile while remarking, "You said it. We have no worries about the Demon Lords, especially them trying to capture and make Nyx to become Nightmare Moon."

"Tao would be proud of you, Nyx. You didn't give in to the darkness; you lighted your darkest hour. You didn't give our important gift and his advice up. You save all of us. You had defeated Tso Lan." Ben said while hugging his daughter, proud for what she did especially the Mystic Pony who would be proud as well.

Nyx smile, saying with tears of joys in her eyes, "Thank you, mom and dad. Thank you, everypony."

Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Koga and Owlowiscious hugged together. Tough sobbed and so as Bocolix and Dumbledore.

"You know. Maybe the boss is wrong after all." Dumbledore said with a smile to his colleague.

"You bet . Twilight and Ben are really meant to be together." Bocolix said to Dumbledore, wondering why Boris would ever want Twilight since she is with whom she really belongs with. "Because they care and love Nyx like a real family."

"I bet this is what the old pony's been telling us."

"I guess we redeem everything, but the next day, we'll be enemies. But, it's best that they don't know our true selves."

Dumbledore nods, saying, "Yeah. I'm not sure how Tao react to our ways when we get back to our home." Would the Mystic Pony still trust the two Alicorns when they go back to being the bad guys later?

------------

Somewhere far away from Tso Lan's Palace, Tao, Dragon Kick, Jade and Mighty Heart saw the event. The filly cheers on while jumping up, "Nyx did it! She is still Nyx; Yeah!"

"So, all eight portals are sealed. The Pan'ku Box is retrieved," Mighty said with a smile while nodding.

"Indeed . Now only task one left and that is Twilight and her family going home." Dragon Kick said wisely and thoughtfully. Twilight and her group are done in the End of Equestria. Now is the time for them to go on home.

"One more step. Then, the alliance treaty between Equestria Ponies and Mystic Ponies will be restored and completed ." Tao said with a smile, knowing what's to come. "We'll be prepared for the future and our enemies. I am proud of you, Nyx. You had made the wise decision. You had overcome your fear."

Tao, Dragon Kick, Jade and Might Heart disappear in puffs of smoke. Looks like the worst is over...or is it?!

Author's Notes:

Tso Lan is defeated, Twilight is safe and sound and now the gang can finally go on home. But in the next chapter, while the Demon Lords is no longer a huge threat, the Apocalypse Ponies and Grimmore makes their biggest move as the dark elf releases...the Shadow, a giant demonic monster whose entire body is comprised of darkness and fire and ashes! Can the group escape it and the End of Equestria alive? Also, Grimmore makes a grim warning to the Mystic Ponies. Read, review and suggest!

The scene Nyx fought against the army of Shadow Demons is referenced to the 'Star Wars The Force Unleashed II' Trailer where Starkiller battled against Stormtroopers, Terror Droids and Terror Walker.

The scene where Nyx suffered the original's flashbacks and battles against Tso Lan is referenced to 'Star Wars the Force Unleashed II''s Starkiller vs. Darth Vader fight.

Nyx's Sad Song is from Tarzan II's 'I Need to Know', but more focused on Nyx's identity and sins.

Twilight replay her song: 'I've got to find a way'.

Twilight's scene with Tao is referenced to the 'Samurai Jack' Episode 20 where Jack is reminded by Mountain Monks of his important mission.

This chapter or all scenes are reference to 'Past Sins', along its tagline: 'What else can you be when the world sees a monster?

Chapter 18: Beware the Shadow!

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Chapter 18: Beware the Shadow!

Meanwhile at this moment, we focus on the Room That Never Was, where the thirteen members of the Apocalypse Ponies were stationed here once again, with the addition of Merluck, and even another surprise, Grimmore by his inferno portal window . It looked like there was a major discussion going on and the main subject in itself was the conditions happening in Ponyville. But more so than that, the journey Twilight's little band is going, especially since the traveling heroes are on what is the last item for them to pick up and save Sweet Apple Acres. The heroes had already defeated the last of the Demon Lords as well. The magical portal showed the ones in the room of what's happened up to this crucial point.

"How is it that one pony alone can cause such trouble for us?" Deadly Rager asked off in seeing that Twilight Sparkle has outdone herself once again here.

"Hehehehe, yah, especially since she's escaped nearly every beasties that were either guarding or imprisoned to either kill or make them be lunch." Psycho Pie responded off in making the situation sound funny when one thinks about it, Twilight's little travel party escaped from being killed and eaten, it's just something out of the ordinary.

"I believe they get so overly obsessive over such items is beyond my understanding." Crarity remotely issued in not caring about the stuff the traveling heroes are doing, since they are nothing of priceless objects in her eyes.

"Says the mare that likes to have all valuables and never share!" R. Chaos remarked off to tease her fellow member that the last pony to talk about being 'overly obsessive' over things is Crarity herself.

"Ah'll share my fortune wit' y'all!" Liarjack spoke off to say, which was more in clear a lie.

"I don't want fortune; I only wanna see pain and suffering!" Fluttercruel snapped off to issue what she would have wanted to see, Twilight's party getting severally beaten to meet a cruel end, and that was impossible at this point.

"Unfortunately, once they've gotten the last ingredient, the spell over the Apple Farm will return to normal along with everything else robbed of the iron protein." Ms. Moon spoke in sorrow in seeing that if the group in the End of Equestria succeeds, then the farm will return to normal.

"I wish that Hydra could have finished Twilight Sparkle off, but she had to go and bring a MOUNTAIN down to crush it!" Wilco snapped off in being upset in seeing that Twilight had even managed to stop the invisible Hydra of the End of Equatria, no normal pony could have done the deed. "And worst yet, she and her friends has defeated and banished the Demon Lords, the toughest in the End of Equestria!"

"Hugh, looks like we're on a losing streak again," Suffocator Jill sighed to lie back in her throne in seeing that it's their lost here.

"Yeah, they've beaten everything & helped cure & befriend the locales, not to mention defeat the witch that their ancestors were a prey to long ago." Starven Fran spoke off in recalling the other events that have played out the travelers, from Cannibals cure from a curse idol & the spot where they meet some locale Grundles, even defeated Somnambula that stole the ponies of long ago's youth, only to lose again; it's unbearable. "They also got new Guardians and beaten the Demon Lords too."

"I have to say, Sparkle's party that was small certainly have grown big. Wouldn't you agree Trix?" Warring Malice responded in finding this sorta action to be all 'too' into how one Element Bearer got through so much without the other five.

"Well I ugh…" Trix was about to respond to this, only to be cut off.

"Can't be helped that her love interest sent his two stooges to bring Twilight back if all else fails, ruining Boris's different love interest. Who knew they be a pain to keep up the act of being their friend?" Merluck spoke from leaning near one of the tower thrones in quoting something here about his sister's love, Boris, sent Dumbledore & Bocloix to watch & bring Twilight back safely, has gotten out of hand now. "Bad enough it causes Tso Lan to get on our flanks about it!"

"Now Merluck, I…" Trix was about to object to what her brother said while trying to hid some red shade on her face.

"Relax, I suggested that plan to Boris, so I never expected Trix's followers to be helpful in being so deceptive to deceive even themselves. That's really something there." Warring Malice shrug off in taking most of the blame in seeing what she's done seems to have causes more issues then they ever imagined could happen.

"Enough of this idle chatter; we must discuss our top objective." The Superior interrupts this petty argument to return their focus at what they need do now. "Twilight Sparkle, Ben Mare, even the little one Nyx, have grown stronger than expected." He's seen how powerful those mentioned three have gotten after braving through all of the End of Equestria's borders of horrors to be like the backyard to Tartarus.

"Especially when the reincarnation of Nightmare Moon learn to make herself grow big, caught us by surprise." Wilco issued about how many were not expecting the little filly of the evil know as Nightmare Moon to show a trick to make herself bigger, stronger, and more potent of a threat when in battles from now on. "She even stood up and defeated her so-called father Tso Lan, not turning to the dark side!"

"Surprise indeed ! Oh, anypony want my special cupcakes then?" Psycho Pie responded at first, before suddenly wanting to offer a cupcake. For any, they just would be best to not take a cupcake from this psychopath.

"Sure, an' Ah already knew about 'de surprise fro' 'de start!" Liarjack spoke off to say one of her lies at this moment.

"Did not; Ugh, we should have acted when we had the chance!" R. Chaos snapped against Liarjack's lies while stating how the order should have gone after Twilight's group from the beginning.

"Maybe if you weren't so pushy, I could have done this!" Fluttercruel snapped off to argue that she could have been picked if R. Chaos didn't cause so much to not be selected.

"I simply would have loved to take every single gem in that area, anything valuable would have been mine." Crarity spoke to polish a newly found gem for her to marvel at while not paying any attention to the atmosphere.

"Apparently you all fail to see the bigger picture." The Superior cuts in between his members having a chat to rest his sleeve cloths over his chin. "Twilight Sparkle's group must not return with those ingredients." He stated that for the time being, they cannot let the heroes bring back what may fix the problem that the group wanted to cause.

"Agreed, Superior," Ms. Moon nods in being humbly agreeable to her leader on that idea.

"So do you send in one of us or get Trix's lover to stop Twilight, father?" Merluck smirked to issue the task being them or getting Boris to handle it while making another tease joke about Boris & Trix being in love.

"Merluck; Will you stop with the teasing!" Trix snapped in almost looking a bit more shade of red, why must her brother always bring up that subject, it's a bit embarrassing.

"Hmph-Hmph-Hmph-Hmph, Ha-ha-ha-ha-hah…." Suddenly, Grimmore started to laugh in the middle of this serious discussion.

"And what's so funny?" Deadly Rager asked in finding the moment of laughter a bit….rude, even if from a Demon godlike being.

"That you all can't stand the defeat, so now you want to end it all right here. Correct?" Grimmore spoke from where he rested in his thrown to point out; the time to end the heroes before they escape is near.

"Why not ask your Number 13 agent to strike those heroes?" Starven Fran asked off in why this Overlord King can't make his Equestrian Eliminator do the deed for them.

"As much as that 'would' be something to see, I think I'll pass." Grimmore shrug off his shoulders in finding that such a task seems hardly an effort. "I have a more….'unique' term to make matters interesting." He made a sly expression when he spoke of having something a bit more in mind to deal with the problem.

"Make things interesting?" Suffocator Jill repeated confused, what was the Dark Elf planning that sounded so mysterious?

"Now what would the mighty Overlord King plan to stop Twilight & her party?" Warring asked off in being a bit interested in how Grimmore is gonna do something for a change. "Gonna send in your troops, a whole army, those special Elite Warriors? Give us something to know." The pony of war wanted some detail information about what's to be expected here.

"Oh, it won't be any of them, the idea I have is a little more….'in' the End of Equestria that no one would ever believe to exist." Grimmore smiled in issuing that what he has plan is to unleash something not from Tartarus, but from the End of Equestria instead.

"And just what do you mean by if it ever existed?" Wilco asked off a bit puzzled in hearing this strange claim all of a sudden that got their interest now.

"Just stick around to watch, I promise you all, it will be very…Entertaining to see…" Grimmore spoke with his wicked smile growing to show a hidden agenda that what he'll perform, will be something 'worth' entertaining…if you’re a villain. "Hugh-hahahahahaaahh…" With a wicked cackle from his voice, Grimmore's inferno portal vanished from within the chamber of the thirteen members.

"Father, what is Grimmore planning?" Trix asked her father in having a worried feeling that whatever the Dark Elf is gonna do, it will be something worth noting over that such a powerful villain going active maybe going over the edge here.

"Something that will surprise us truly and I for one…." The Superior spoke to his daughter in almost having a hide smile under his hood, "Can hardly wait." The high rank member of the order responded in feeling that whatever Grimmore shall pull off will be worth observing to them.

"Then let’s keep watching & see what the mighty Dark Elf of Tartarus can do. It's sure to be something after the Lorcan War that he became active." Merluck responded in thinking that if anything, it's been almost ages since Grimmore pulled something so big since that time the Scarred Ruler: Lorcan, made his last stand against Equestria's ponies with an army of dragons to the dark power that created Psycho Steel the Destructible.

The members agreed to sit back and view things from their magical portal that will show them everything. Whatever shall happen to Twilight's group in the End of Equestria, whatever Grimmore's got plan, the land may live up to its name….and 'END' the heroes' journey.

--------------------

Tao's group is checking out Twilight's progress. The mare is safe and is on her way home with her family and friends right now, so things should be fine from here on in, right?

"So far, so good," Dragon Kick said with a nod of approval

Tao nods. He pauses then spoke without turning around, "Still stalking on me as usual?"

The Equestrian Eliminator lands on the ground. Mighty Heart clench his hooves tight, making the masked agent smirks while taunting, "Nice bodyguard you have."

Mighty glare at the Equestrian Eliminator who could be Starlight, snapping, "If you harm my sensei -"

"If that was my intention, I would have done it when we first met."

Tao smile, saying, "Wise choice, indeed; so, tell me, I presume Grimmore is becoming aware of my existence and quest?"

"Indeed, it is." The Equestrian Eliminator said with a nod.

"I supposed you are here to kill me."

"Perhaps, or let us say, I have one gift for you to deal with."

"What will that be?" Dragon Kick ask sthe Equestrian Eliminator puzzled. The villain already has given some of the Guardians to Tao. What else is there left to give the Mystic Pony?

"Ever since Twilight and her family defeated all of the eight Demon Lords, their servants and pets, Grimmore decided to send his beast to deal with them at once. A beast had not been awakened for a long time." The Equestrian Eliminator explains grimly to the group. He knows this because the masked pony was there when Grimmore has told the Apocalypse Ponies his plan so he decided to give a warning ahead of time.

Jade scoff, "Yeah, like a monster is gonna scare me. Dragon Kick is going to give him some flank whooping!"

Jade stood up with two legs while her left hoof is faced in front of her and right is on top. The filly yell excitedly as she charge ahead. She jump up and is about to kick the Equestrian Eliminator. He quickly moves to his left then grab her tail. Jade looked shocked. As the Equestrian Eliminator glare at her, she smiled uneasily.

"I meant to do that." Jade said to the Equestrian Eliminator sheepishly.

The Equestrian Eliminator threw her to Mighty Heart who quickly caught her with his two hooves. The agent spoke on, "True attack does not rely on imitation, but hardship, endurance and determination. That is how I survived in Tarturus. Your martial arts require war and battle experience to sharpen your skills."

Dragon Kick nods, speaking, "True but martial arts re more than just war, if you had reconsidered it."

They both glared at each other. Before the Equestrian Eliminator or Dragon Kick could do anything, Tao place his hooves on each side, saying sternly, "That's enough. If what Starlight speak is true, Grimmore may try to attack Twilight and her family by means of anything to ensure their defeats and failures."

Mighty nods while asking, "So we must be aware of anything suspicious?"

"Of all the bad guys, why do we even let Grimmore live in the first place?" Dragon Kick asks with a groan of disbelief; If the Mystic Ponies would've destroyed Grimmore in the first place...

Tao hits Dragon Kick scolding, "Grimmore was once an ordinary elf became so obsessed with knowledge in magic and weapons of darkness, creating him to become a very powerful and immortal warlord for more than thousand years. It took great numbers, strengths and wisdom of Acolytes and Warriors to defeat that Demon. But we're lucky; we are able to banish him for more than a thousand years. This buy us more time to defeat him. Don't tell me, you forgotten that."

Dragon Kick groan while feeling his head where Tao has hit him, "No, I had not. I was hoping to forget it."

"So, we should check on Twilight and others?" Jade ask her group in concern. They should be warned of what's to come.

"We better," Mighty said in agreement. Something must be done.

The Equestrian Eliminator however stops the group from leaving as he spoke, "Hold it, hermit. If you ever tried to do something foolishly like destroying Grimmore's pet, the result will be the same as to what happened to Pinkamena's foolish and reckless tactic."

"Wait! Golden Heart's sister is the reason of how Ponyville got low foods?" Jade ask in surprise. This made the Equestrian Eliminator nod at this. "That's so awesome. Going and killing a Dark Elf's stupid army is so cool."

"No! It's not. That would only make him angry. In fact, what Golden Heart and Pinkamena doing is very stupid and reckless." Dragon Kick said sternly to Jade. Golden Heart and Pinkamena's foolish action is what put Ponyville in their predicament in the first place. "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they were the ones who send that robot that Tao spoke of about before!"

"On the contrary, this might convince our leaders." Tao said, much to the others in his group's surprise.

"Sensei, are you certain?" Mighty ask Tao, wondering if the old pony is right about what he just said.

Tao smile as he adds, "Certain nothing. Come, we must keep an eye out for any sign of Grimmore's pet. If he does shows up, we must ensure that Twilight and her family escapes first before we have a 'surprise' for him."

Jade giggles in delight, "Can't wait to see the major look on that Overlord's face."

"Wait. Tell me, hermit. Why would Twilight risk everything to save that Demon? And more importantly, why do you have faith in them, especially her?" The Equestrian Eliminator asks Tao, the 'Demon' is referred to Nyx herself. "One more thing: who are you? You're no ordinary Earth Pony, including this family of yours. I saw you fall to your doom during the battle against Shendu."

Mighty gulp nervously, "Did he study us?"

"I think he did." Dragon Kick said in concern. If the Equestrian Eliminator had indeed studied the group for some reason, he could give the information about to Grimmore or worst!

"Who are you calling Demon, pal?! That's a pony and her name is Nyx!" Jade exclaims, annoyed by what the Equestrian Eliminator just called Nyx.

"Since the day Twilight took Nyx in, her loving relationship and bonding with her daughter grew stronger, closer and meaningful, Twilight will do anything to protect her until one day, she would grow older and stronger. I have faith in Twilight, for she has something to play a part in the 'Elements Prophecy'." Tao said mysteriously.

"Elements Prophecy," The Equestrian Eliminator asks Tao in surprise. He has heard of that prophecy but never gave it anymore thought...until now.

"You'll soon know more about it, my friend. We are the legends that speak of 'protection of harmony and peace'. We are the Equestria's guardians and protectors. We bring balance to the world. Twilight and her friends is the worthy to be the Elements of Harmony. They are the symbols of 'hope', 'faith' and 'miracle'. This is one of my early missions and study since the return of Nightmare Moon, and Princess Celestia chose her to be her successor. And I know she made the right decision of that."

"I see...... Perhaps, Twilight is not truly fool or arrogant than I thought and realize. She's quite intelligent, tenacious and determined to protect what she believed in. No wonder, she's been chosen as an Alicorn; Impressive."

"Indeed it is. I doubt you would change your allegiance that early." Tao said sternly, knowing that it won't be easy for the Equestrian Eliminator to change sides...not yet. "But healing and restoring your true self takes time. I would not force you to go in the battlefield nor making a decision early, dear boy; But I rather you to understand of Twilight Sparkle, who is your true connection and your hope."

"Perhaps; I doubt you would stop me to understand and realize my origin." The Equestrian Eliminator said with a sigh.

Tao smile, patting the stallion on the back while saying, "You're learning. Well thoughtful. Do not worry about your Peryton, Ramrace and Body Eye, we would take good care of them until you return and ask for their assistance."

The Equestrian Eliminator raised his eye-brow at Tao, speaking, "So you knew I would return for them, didn't you? Why? Why didn't you stop me and get the rest of rings?"

"I believe in hope; A hope that one day that you would break free from Grimmore's control. Of course, while we maybe the opposite of our forces, the guardians may prove to be intelligent than you realize. They are living sentiment beings. You can't fool the old hermit easily."

"I see; Very well. I'll be watching Twilight's process. But be warned, hermit, Grimmore will appear anytime, so be prepared for his arrival. He will not be pleased of your quest and hobby."

Jade huff arrogantly, "Let him try that."

Dragon Kick and Mighty scolds, "Jade!" Now is not the time to be arrogant and/or foolish!

"For a little pony, you're quite stubborn as a mule. I wish you survive well." The Equestrian Eliminator remarks to Jade in amusement. Turning to Tao, he adds, "Maybe one day, I would like to know more about your true identity."

Tao smile as he spoke, "You are welcome to watch the event of Ponyville. The part of ending is approaching."

"Maybe......."

The Equestrian Eliminator went back to the shadow and disappears. Jade, upset by what he called her, scowls, "He did not call me a mule!"

"Never mind that. We must be aware of our enemy's movement." Tao said seriously, knowing that Grimmore is about to make his next move soon.

"Yes, uncle," Dragon Kick said with a serious nod. Whatever Grimmore is up to, could destroy Twilight and her friends unless something is seriously done.

"I suggest we start keeping an eye on for Twilight and her family." Mighty said, knowing that Twilight's group has disappeared from the group's view during the conversion.

"Yes. Time is running out. We must make haste for Twilight and her family. Once the journey is done, I would like to give piece of a mind to those two troublemakers for the mess they had made!" Tao exclaims, knowing of two certain ponies whose will need a good speaking to, AKA Golden Heart and Pinkamena Diane Pie!

Jade groan, "I had the feeling that he's going to say that."

"Golden Heart, I understand that he wants to help. But his sister, why is she so reckless and irresponsible of protecting the world?" Dragon Kick asks, not sure about Pinkamena.

"I think it’s best not to question, but answer later, Dragon Kick," Mighty said to Dragon Kick in precaution.

"Come, we must make haste. I sense great darkness approaching here." Tao said, sensing darkness is coming right now...

---------------

Now the scene opens to where we left Twilight's group in the Cutlass Fields, where they've overcome another trail to obtain the Sacred Fire the final ingredient and defeats Tso Lan. At long last, the gang have collected all the ingredients: the Raspy Footlong Cucumber, the Flower of Eternity, the Tasteless Diamond, the Anti-Evil Roots, the Golden Nugget of the End's Center, the Colored Icicle, the Lover's Tears, the Glow Leaves, the Giant Rabbit's Foot, the Magical Fable Dust, the Glowing Mites and the Sacred Fire, they were all collected. Now the only task remaining for the group, is to head on home to Ponyville, get Zecora the requested stuff, and the Apples' Farm is saved.

"Okay, everypony ready." Twilight responded to those with her group if they are ready to head home.

"Ah'm ready here," Tough spoke from sitting by the driver spot of their cart to head home.

"Me too," Spike waved off in being in the cart, waiting and willing here.

"Me three here," Phobos waved off near Spike to make a playful joke about being the third to respond.

"Me four," Dumbledore popped above Phobos in issuing him as the fourth member with the travelers.

"Me five," Bocolix also popped next to Dumbledore in issuing that he's the fifth of the gang ready here.

"Me Six; Heheh…" Nyx responded with a giggle in being the sixth little addition here.

"How about yew Justin; An' of course, yew too Rabbitchu," Tough Apple turns to the Machines of War in seeing if the two are ready here.

"Mwoorrughhh," Justin the MechBull made a loud calling noise in responding to the question.

"Chuuuu…." Rabbitchu stood up on the MechBull to happily wave off in being here.

"Guess that's all of us Twilight." Ben smiled towards Twilight in seeing that everyone is accounted and present now.

"Good, I have to say, after everything we've been through, it'll be nice to leave this place & be back home…with our friends." Twilight sighed in feeling like it's been such a long journey to this place; she's looking forward to going home now.

"I couldn't agree with you more, my love." Ben came behind Twilight to lean his head towards the mare that he loves, the girl smiled to close her eyes to enjoy this moment of peaceful joy.

"Oh boy, more love sap!" Phobos groans in seeing this sorta thing was going on.

"Ssshh," Spike hushed Phobos to not ruin this; those two deserve it after so much has happened.

"Hay, time's wasting, we got mah family's farm 'ta save!" Tough Apple interrupted Twilight & Ben's time to issue their schedule, it's been almost a week or so, they gotta help restore the farm.

"Alright everypony, settle in." Twilight instructed when she and Ben got on the cart to prepare their next trip plans. "Here we go, next stop…..Ponyville!" Twilight responded in powering up her magic horn with a magical glow, ready to instantly teleport them all…home.

The moment where Twilight's horn glowed seem like the happiest moment where the gang will be back home, safe and sound, with friends & family welcoming back with open joys. But of course, that moment came crashing down when Twilight's magical aura cover horn faded away in an instant, like it broke from its focus.

"Hugh?" Twilight yelped in surprise by this unusual action; that never happened to her before.

"Whah," The Enforcers yelped in noticing this, so did the others in not getting…what happened here?

Now the new princess had to try to focus again, her horn glowed, but it almost seems to repeat that cycle. Every time Twilight wanted to teleport them home, the magic disburse itself, almost like it couldn't even perform the requested task.

"Okay Twilight, real funny, but quit horsing around. No pun intended, you see. But we wanna go home now." Phobos spoke off in not finding this delay stuff any funny; the group wanna get going back to Ponyville already. "Unless there's that stuff around that keeps unicorns and Alicorns from using their magic..."

"I don't see any. I'm….urrrgh…trying." Twilight struggled once more, only for her horn's magic to disappear again, to which she signed in defeat. "But for some reason, the teleportation spell isn't working even if there's none of that stuff around!" The girl responded that she's unable to make her magic teleport them out of the End of Equestria.

"But then how do we get home?" Nyx asked off in how else can the group get back home now.

"Well, we could help by using…" Dumbledore was about to make a suggestion here until...

"Wooh-wooh, don't mention 'that' to them!" Bocolix covered his friend's mouth to not have him speak that.

"What are you two talking about?" Ben responded in seeing the Enforcers act a bit strangely all so suddenly.

"Um, could you give us a moment?" Bocolix responded to Ben before he dragged Dumbledore with him off the cart.

Soon the Enforcers were hiding behind the cart while the others were lost and confused. What were these puzzling guys gonna talk about now?

"What's with you, this is the moment to get us all and Twilight out of here." Dumbledore silently spoke off in not seeing the issue here about not taking this chance to help bring Twilight & the others back with them.

"You were gonna mention the Magic Gate Spell, weren't you?" Bocolix snapped silently about what his pal was gonna say all to suddenly of what option that they had if not a teleportation spell.

"Yeah, so what's the point, it's easier than just teleporting across a few miles!" Dumbledore saw nothing wrong in using a spell that's far better for travel then teleporting.

"Yeah, but if they learn that, and learn how to figure out the spell, it could lead them to Safe Haven!" Bocolix issued that for a fact, that spell is also connected to their secret villa hideaway, they use it, then Twilight or Ben could try to discover it and find the escaped Brotherhood members.

"But the boss said to get Twilight back safely and we're too far to just travel by foot or fly, right?" Dumbledore responded that they are so far ahead, it be hard to get back by land or air travel.

"I suppose, they have to carry all that stuff and it be tiring to stop and rest each minute." Bocolix sighed in seeing a point, if the two did go by air, they use magic and they exhaust themselves from overworking in flying and carrying lots of things.

"So we're in agreement. A Magic Gate Spell it is then!" Dumbledore smiled in seeing that his point is made very clear here, and they have to do so or Boris will be even madder.

"Yeah, let’s just make one for Ponyville, at least that way, we don't screw up too much." Bocolix sigh in defeat, they'll use that spell in one clear focus target so nopony can learn it's also connected to their secret hideaway.

"Are yew two done yammering?" Tough Apple interrupts the Enforcers behind the cart with their secret chatter; they got to get going here sooner or later.

"Yeah, we just thought up of using our own unique spell for travel purposes." Dumbledore responded to when the two flew over to the front in stating a plan that they hatched.

"Yeah, we're gonna use a Magic Gate Spell to get us from here to your home." Bocolix responded that they'll create a magic gate to get them through the area and back home in a split second.

"Hugh, didn't Boris the Red Devil use something like that before & some of his Brotherhood members?" Phobos rubbed his head in recalling an event where Boris, the evil Red Devil & Lorcan's former Brotherhood gang used such a spell to travel much faster than by teleportation.

"Ease up Phobos, not every villain can know that spell, like these two here know it & they seem pretty okay." Nyx responded to have her pet pal ease up, she's sure that Dumbledore & Bocolix were nice since they offered to use a tricky spell used by villains that they've seen in the past, but that don't mean anybody that uses a Magic Gate Spell is evil, right?

"Eh-heh-heh, heh," The two Enforcers chuckled nervously, Nyx said that they were okay, and last time, this little filly gave them the Stare that freaked them to blab out everything Boris did to Ben during the Demon Pony incident to being banished while as their old selves: Dum Dum & Boxco.

"Then what are you guys waiting for, open us a gate here." Spike responded off in wanting these two Alicorns to hurry up and give them a way out of here.

"Ri-right," Dumbledore slowly nodded in snapping his attention out of his daydream moment of distraction.

"Of course," Bocolix also came back to the reality in knowing that the two gotta make this work, it just has to for them.

"OPEN!" The Enforcers hollered out in soon using their horns together to create, a magical white & purple swirling portal gate to appear out of nowhere At the moment, the Magical Warp Gate looked very stable, to which the group in Twilight's party's impressed, maybe they can get out of here by this little spell. But then something happened, the gate started to act weirdly to the moment it vanished from sight. "Hugh!" Dumbledore & Bocolix responded puzzled and confused, that never happened before when they used it from time to time.

"Um, fellas, wha happened?" Tough Apple asked off in what just happened that their next way to leave just disappeared on them.

"I don't know, we couldn't have messed up such a simple spell to get across anyplace so badly!" Dumbledore responded in being completely lost over what's happened was beyond his understanding.

"Yeah, we may not be as good as other Alicorns, but we basically gotten some spells down alright." Bocolix explained that while the two may seem like a couple of goof-headed goofballs, they've study to understand how to perform magic.

"Then what could be affecting spells to have us leave here? Is it this place?" Ben spoke off the very thought in what could be affecting any spell that's main focus; is them leaving.

"Everypony said no pony ever returned from the End of Equestria, being unable to teleport could have been a possibility." Twilight spoke off in stating from thinking this over about how nopony that ever came to this area that was too dangerous and none never came back. "But it feels like it's only happening now that something is messy up our magic to travel out of here!" The girl thinks something was acting up, cause this never happened earlier when they were just starting to come into the End of Equestria, so why now of all times?

"Hey, maybe there's a storm brewing & it's messing' wit' them magic signal things." Tough Apple responded off to say while his focus seems to be up in the skies.

"Why would you say something like that?" Spike asked off in thinking that was a little silly to say.

"Cause its true; Looky up there, above us," Tough responded in wanting everyone to pay close attention to what's happening over their heads.

Above the group, a strange swirling of dark clouds was looking a bit ominous to them and from it not being natural made anypony feel the urge to be very worry.

"Great, what else can happen when we're close to leaving this miserable place?" Phobos groans to make a new complaint when they were almost gonna leave, something happens, so what else will be new.

Suddenly without warning, purple lighting came from above that struck a tower area far from the gang. That tower area was completely dissipated in one shot that completely surprised them to shield their eyes from the flash work of that large implosive explosion. One thing was gonna be very clear, after seeing that, this storm was definitely not of any ordinary storms, not even in the End of Equestria; something else was afoot here.

And what would make the scenery just as terrifying if not for the background music being heard to which Nyx noted, "Oh no! That sounds like 'Universal Dilemma' from Star Ocean: The Last Hope, the extended part. And even breaking that Fourth Wall, it sounds seriously bad!" Nyx broke the Fourth Wall in warning the others of this in a weird and scary way, mostly the last part.

"HAH-HAH-HAH-HAH, Hahaaaaahhh…..oh how long it's been, little ponies," An wickedly evil voice spoke from within the clouds themselves while the swirling clouds and flashing lighting sparkled within the center of the storm.

"That voice is…" Spike yelped up in almost recognizing the voice as if it was something that he could not forget.

"The Superior," Phobos asked off in thinking the voice kinda sounded like the guy they fought in the human world, but….

"No….I thinks it's…" Spike shook his head off, it was not the voice of the Superior, the sound was almost familiar, but this voice…the baby dragon knew right away, "Grimmore!" That was it, the voice belong to the godlike Demon imprisoned in Tartarus, the Overlord King, the Dark Elf himself the gang have only seen his appearance once longs ways back; the terrifying & unknowing creature that is…Grimmore.

"I had to ask, didn't I?" Phobos groans to see that he ended up getting a really, REALLY bad response to his answer, and of any of them, a villain that is said to be just as scary as any other, next to the Superior, or someone almost close.

"Hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph….I'm impressed you remember my voice, little Dragon." The voice of Grimmore spoke while the clouds swirl around ever still to the point where they slowly turn a darker shade of violet without so much as this being any ordinary storm spell being cast, but manipulated by the Overlord King of Tartarus.

"How could I forget that voice after what you did to me," Spike snapped with stern eyes in never forgetting the guy after what he did during his older brother's loose reign in Equestria, no pony could ever forget that memory, especially when the baby Dragon almost died.

"And which do you prefer? The one where you were killed by a Magical Kamikaze Spell that even powerful Dragons can't survive from or…" Grimmore's voice spoke from above the spiraling storm clouds forming while he brought up topics that have happened around Spike during his brother's final battle, "When you were used as a little tool to execute your brother, after feeling the power of the Triforce that I've copied from the original source." Many recalled those events, about Grimmore using Spike to attack Lorcan with a power of the Triforce too much to not unleash its fury and even a creation of darkness that took the baby Dragon to self-destruct to finish them both off.

"Grimmore, don't you dare try to play mind games with Spike!" Twilight stood in protecting Spike from the evil lord that rules Tartarus.

"Right, are you just hiding in the clouds to just frighten us? Well it isn't working!" Ben snapped off to issue that the group is not so easily intimidated by this powerful godly foe of demons.

"It isn't?" Dumbledore & Bocolix responded while hugging the other in fear, truth be told, even 'they' have heard tales of Grimmore being trapped in Tartarus.

Soon within the skies begin to act stranger than strange as they swirl around to take a form and shape. And soon hovering above was what looked like a darken cloud version of Grimmore, sitting in his throne, his right hand being used to rest his leaning head. Even if it's only the image form of the Dark Elf, this guy was looking down on the gang as if they were nothing but ants of interest.

"Hmmm…" Grimmore hummed to himself in seeing & studying the group, and from his eyes, could see some hidden color aura of those like Twilight Sparkle, Ben Mare, Nyx, and a bit from Spike along with Phobos that show how much their magical strength has gone up, course there was Dumbldedore & Bocolix, but he didn't seem bothered by the extras. "Yes, you've little lot of grown quite much since last I've seen you during Lorcan's little invasion." The cloud form of Grimmore spoke while thunder and lightning clashed around his area, as he can tell that some of the group here have indeed , become stronger since the last time he saw them. "It was fun to watch the entertainment, just before I grew bored and…cut the string of one player that outlived his use." The Overlord King smiled with a cocky remark about how he remembers how much pleasure he enjoyed the entertainment from Lorcan's little war…before he decided to cut loose with the Scarred Ruler at the time.

"That's my BROTHER you're insulting! And you were mostly the Cause of him believing to accept your gift for revenge!" Spike shouted off loudly in knowing that while it was the baby Dragon's father that pushed Lorcan to being evil, Grimmore was just another aid that made his brother go down the wrong path that finished him off.

"Yeah, you played Lorcan like he was a toy." Nyx snapped off against this really evil creature in the clouds.

"A busted toy from the beginning actually," Phobos silently whispered in still having some bad issues with Lorcan.

"Phobos," Spike & Nyx snapped to look at the sheepish Moon Dragon for even saying that now in front of a serious adversary.

"Um guys, scary elf cloud-shape boogie in 'de skies staring at us?" Tough reminded the group that now isn't the time to fight against themselves; they got an enemy watching over them here.

"What is it you're plotting Grimmore?" Twilight sternly asked in what this Dark Elf was planning now, could he be the cause of why the gang can't teleport out of here?

"Now why would I go and spoil the surprise, Princess Twilight Sparkle?" Grimmore smiled off to wave his left hand casually in feeling that telling what he's up to, would spoil everything, now wouldn't it?

"So you're here to stop us from our quested journey? Is that it!" Ben snapped off in preparing his Master Sword, his Hylian Shield & the Hero's Bow, fully well-armed against such a strong opponent should they fight now.

"Perhaps…or….perhaps not," Grimmore slowly responded in not seeming the 'least' bit intimidated by the group below preparing to fight, in fact, from his view, they hardly are enough to even face him.

"Um, I'm confused. Is he wanting to stop us?" Dumbledore spoke from feeling a bit nervous in seeing that the group got a really scary case to deal with.

"Yeah, if he was, why would he say he isn't?" Bocolix responded confused, this was one enemy that looked scarier than Boris or Merluck, so why was he insisting he might not stop them?

"You lot have done what not many brave souls could do, surviving the End of Equestria, and what irony, you've reach the end of its continent." Grimmore playful waved off his left hand in seeing the land before him, not many could survive such a ruined place, but this lot has, "Why you even defeated the Demon Lords, which some say was rarely done before. So I like to entertain myself…with a little preposition that you can't refuse." He issued that he wants to offer something, to which the heroes can't refuse.

"And what would that be?" Twilight sternly raised an eyebrow in whatever could Grimmore be planning here.

"Simple. If you can escape to the outside border of the End of Equestria, then you'll be free to use magic to get yourselves back home, all the more sweeter." Grimmore twinkled his left hand's fingers to marvel at them while explaining how what he's offering the group, is a chance to return home safely.

"And why do I get the feeling it's not as 'simple' as you make it sound." Ben sternly raised an eyebrow to not trust this guy, after all, he used Copy Gems to stab his Triforce to copy it's power , course he was never injured so badly, but the stuff smarted like a needle poke.

"Hmph-hmph, how correct you are to observe the issue." Grimmore chuckled darkly under his breath in hearing what Ben was issuing towards him. "The condition is that you must make it out before 'that' which I shall release takes away your freedom to escape. And it really will be the end for you." The Dark Elf in the form of clouds explained his basic rule for the group to escape this ruin land before what he unleashes gets them.

"Great, just what we wanted 'ta know!" Tough remotely rolled his eyes to sarcastically issue how the gang got themselves something troubling on their shoulders.

"Just think of this as a race, reach the finish line that is the border out of the End of Equestria and you can magically teleport back to your home." Grimmore smiled ever still to simply point out how this setting the challenge will work best for the heroes and to his amusement.

"So we have to race your guy to the finish line or what?" Phobos asked off rudely in getting what they gotta do, beat whoever they are pit against and they've home free, simple right?

"Hmmm-hmmm…hardly," Grimmore suddenly closed his eyes to let off a fiendish chuckle before narrowing his eyes below the group to explain more of the 'condition' to be set. "It's you that want to reach it, for the one opposing you, will actually…'want' you and you have to be ahead or risk falling into a grasp which no matter how strong you are, you won't ever get out from." From that much explanation, it's clear: the gang must stay ahead to never get drag behind to reach their exit goal, or they'll never have another chance.

"That…should very bad." Nyx responded a bit in worry in starting to think that such a suggestion of what the group must perform might be the most difficult, this is Grimmore the group is talking about.

"So who are we going against, one of your guys?" Spike snapped off to ask if this Overlord King of Tartarus has one of his army guys be their pursuers.

"We've already conquered this land's terror and all the hostile foes. So facing another won't make us flinch." Ben issued off with a serious face that after overcoming much of the End of Equestria & it's hostilities, they aren't gonna lose to something Grimmore has cooked up.

"Sorry to say, but that's where you're wrong." Grimmore suddenly issued this off with a hidden sly expression on his face upon his clouded form. "The End of Equestria is just as others say the backyard to Tartarus. And the creatures I rule are just as terrifying as the enemies you've almost couldn't handle." Hearing this made the gang either get a bit worried, nervous, or just a bit annoyed that this guy was really putting his head in the colds to brag this out, literally even. "So as such, I will bring forth a creature of this land to do the bidding for me." The titan of power responded to slowly rise himself upwards from his head leaning on his right hand, about to prepare in bringing forth…a final foe.

"And what creature would that be?" Twilight asked off in wanting to know just what kinda enemy Grimmore will set loose to stop them.

"Observe to learn fear of why I am a far powerful force to fear as much as you fear the one called the Superior & his order." Grimmore responded to Twilight's claim with his own resolve of evil to be so terrifying, that even the gang's last strongest foe; The Superior is but another stepping stone.

Soon Grimmore's right clouded hand was blazing into an inferno state, as it was slowly reaching down to the ground. Loud noises sounded off, like a meteor falling from the skies to pierce the sound barrier and the size was that of a mountain, no a city, no….almost an island. Ben suddenly felt something, his Triforce was acting up, and when he looked up, he saw the inferno claw's palm glow the same power , the power that Grimmore has acquired.

"Hear me, creature made from the ashes of victims that have fallen within this land. That which was created by trolls and then slain to fuel your very being," Grimmore spoke from preparing some dark form of godly magic of summoning when his inferno hand was reaching the near ground.

Things begin to shake as the land's landscape started to dry out of any life left, rocks beneath the ground quaked and spike towers, even mountains and canyons slowly begin to break little by little. The gang was starting to witness for the first time since the Lorcan War Invasion, the first inner depths…of Grimmore's power . And it's only while he's still sealed, imagining him being free is far worse.

"You that was once an existence shall now undergo a transcendence." Grimmore hollered out his voice across the four corners of the End of Equestria, as a spell circle spiral from where his inferno claw was about to touch the ground. "Become what you were meant to be, serve under your 'New' Master and do my bidding ." The entire realm itself was unleashing hurricanes & tornados, the quaking never ending, as the scene focuses towards… "Be revived….The SHADOW!" Grimmore slowly roared out with wide-eyes of demand of all that is evil to bring forth a creature of untold dangers.

"KURPOOWWWFRUUVVMMMM…" Now the giant claw of inferno palm-smashed itself right into the ground that caused a grander quake that shook while a spell circle glowed around it. At the moment, both things vanished without a second warning, leaving nothing but a magma pit of lava and burning flames scattered around. The group saw Grimmore's clouded hand return to his cloud form, and everything around seem to quiet down….or was it only the calm before the greater storm to arrive.

Soon everyone saw the dark clouds, the fires and ashes were rising up in forming some giant supernatural monster that could rival a mountain size, maybe even further. It wasn't long until suddenly, the formation was complete , and soon rose up a giant demonic monster whose entire body is comprised of darkness and fire and ashes, and has 2 sharp red eyes, but no face. And even when the eyes are seen, unless the mouth is open, the mouth is red like the eyes, almost like a Demonic fire that makes the creature live, "GRURGRRUAAARRUGHHH!" The new beast let off a growling call in feeling its existence has been made, this was the one called: The Shadow!

"BY 'DE PITS O' TARTARUS; LOOK AT 'DAT THING?" Tough screamed out in nearly having his eyeballs blog out in sheer shock in what they are witnessing. The others were almost too stupefied to make any moves, the Enforcers were gasping with white eye expressions in seeing this; everyone couldn't believe what was called forth.

Grimmore smiled in seeing the little expressions from the heroes, what a treat it was. "If I were you, I act like ants and scurry on over to your home as fast as can be." The Dark Elf responded from when The Shadow was standing up tall before its master, awaiting to be unleashed like a dog on a collar leash.

The others were so much in in shock that they could only stare, they've faced great threats, but those that are sensing the pure magical level strength from both Grimmore & the Shadow was….too wide a gap to tell if they could face.

"Nothing to say, hmph-hmph, as expected." Grimmore smiled to let off a light chuckle in seeing how much the gang have nothing to say now after all that talk claim of not being afraid. "If you think the Superior was someone to fear then let's reminisce of why you're lucky to be alive while I'm not truly before you. Shall we?" The Dark Elf smirked ever fiendishly that if the group were instead facing Grimmore, their chances of living are very low and they are lucky cause he's still trapped in Tartarus, but even still…his powers know no limit.

"Get in the cart, Tough; get ready to move…." Ben whispered with his teeth gritted so hard to instruct his friend to have their mode of transportation made a run for it.

"R-r-r, right-o…" Tough Apple responded a bit in trying to keep himself together, but it wasn't easy, especially with their situation.

"Well, time for the entertainment to begin now…" Grimmore spoke off before his eyes slowly narrow towards his new servant; The Shadow, "Now do enjoy 'The' Shadow, and like I said….you get caught…it's game over." The Dark Elf spoke towards the gang in explaining they best hurry and leave while their chances are good, or else….they'll never see home again.

"Everypony, quickly fasten yourselves, hurry." Twilight silently issued this order which no pony argued, they have to go; NOW.

"Now…" Grimmore slowly drifted his eyes and slowly brought his right clouded hand up, to point forward. "Start running. Time is ticking….to your fate." The terrifying Overlord King issued in what this group should do now, flea, for the clock ticks and their decided fate to escape to live or be trapped to die…rest solely on their act. "You may play with them now, my servant." Grimmore turns to The Shadow in instructing the monstrous beast, to have some 'fun' with the others.

"Roooaarrrrrruugghhhh," The Shadow turned from its new master towards those below and let off a roaring howl from its Demonic voice that quake even the skies.

"RUUUUUUUUN AAAAAAAAA-WAAAAAAAY," Tough Apple screamed at the longest his vocals have ever done before everyone was in the cart to whip the lines for them to get outta here.

"Yaaaaaahhhhhh," The Enforcers screamed out in pure terror to hold the other in seeing a beast approach them.

"MWRUUAARRUGHHHH!/CHUUUUUUU!" Justin & Rabbitchu soon were pulling the cart with the MechBull getting super-charged by the little yellow rabbit/weasel empowering it with lots and lots of voltage juice.

"GRUAARRRUUGHHHHHH," Soon 'The Shadow' let off a loud holler roar in shifting it's form towards the fleeing heroes as it was moving across the land with speed that was of the ever skies moving faster than the ones on the ground.

"MWUHA-HAH-Hah-Hah-Hah-Haaaauuughhh…." Soon Grimmore's imagine within the clouds was getting covered by more thunderous clouds before his presence disappeared with only his evil laughter echoing across all.

Now true terror was unleashed from where now the heroes are now trying to get themselves out of here by foot, and with a rampaging monster that will chase them. And then the music suddenly shifted towards "Hour Of Judgment" from Star Ocean: The Last Hope, extensive version to settle the mood (even when the scene of what is happening shifts later here). Now the bigger question remains for us to wonder: HOW ARE THE GANG GONNA SURVIVE THIS!!

-------------------------------------

Back in Equestria within Canterlot Palace, the Royal Sisters were discussing matters until….

"Ugh…." Celestia held her head in feeling unwell at this moment.

"Sister, did you feel that?" Luna asked what troubled her sister while also sensing….a terrible power unleashed.

"Yes, a great & dark power has just moved." Celestia nods to Luna, she feels something, a powerful foe has just begun to act now.

"Is it the one called the Superior?" Luna asked her sister if this was the work of the last foe Twilight's little band that went to the Human World version met before.

"No, far from it, it's….Grimmore's work." Celestia shook her head with a serious face, this terrible power that the Alicorns feel belongs to the Dark Elf that rules Tartarus.

"Now, but what could he do at this…" Luna responded surprised, why is Grimmore acting, he usual like to observe & does little acts, but to perform something bigger would mean….

"He's done something when Twilight & Ben are in the End of Equestria." Celestia issued out in notifying the cause of the meaning of why the Overlord King is going more out then usual and it's not good.

"This bolds not well, the last time he acted was with Lorcan. To now act again is never a good sign." Luna spoke with much concern and worry, the last time Grimmore displayed his power , poor Lorcan was a victim of the Dark Elf's plot, now Twilight's group is about to face a portion of the Overlord King's might.

----------

At this time, Lorcan was outside a balcony, gripping his claws on the rail while he still hid under his cloak. He felt something as he rested his left claw over where his scarred eye is in feeling it burn, as if alerting him.

"Grimmore…you're going after the others? Curses," Lorcan growled to groan in feeling himself aching all over in feeling the great & terrible power of something he's familiar with. "Spike, my brother…please….you has to escape before the Dark Elf catches one in his clutches. Please…" The guy in the hood asked off in praying that his brother to escape from what is about to come for the baby Dragon.

Lorcan grips the rail so hard that he leaves claw marks in its wake.

"Hurry back." Lorcan's voice issued off from a distance of his presence, wishing for his brother to safely return.

---------

Even where Golden Heart & Pinkamena were performing some acts, what's happening outside of Equestria, does not go unnoticed to them either.

Pinkamena was reading as she smiles brightly and says, "Tao's alive."

"I see." Golden Heart said with a smile. Looks like Tao has lived after all. But then Pinkamena yelps a bit. Something's wrong.

"Eeeek; this music in the background; He's acting!" Pinkamena responded in a strange random action that puzzled us at the moment.

"I sense it sis, Grimmore." Golden Heart narrow his eyes towards a direction, sensing the power that the siblings can sense was the Overlord King of Tartarus; Grimmore.

"Not good, I can already guess Twilight's band have the ingredients, but now that guy's gonna interfere." Pinkamena responded in feeling this situation isn't good, the villains trying to attack when their friends are about done on their journey.

"Last time he acted, he practically ended up finishing two Dragons off." Golden Heart responded in recalling how Grimmore used Spike to finish Lorcan, the Scarred Ruler was weaken before his defeat to where a rogue darkness machine self-destructed to kill the baby Dragon.

"All we can do is trust they'll come through now." Pinkamena responded in feeling they'll have to wait to see what happens next.

"I truly hope so." Golden Heart responded with a serious tone, for what happens now will depend on everything in the future.

-----------

As Twilight's friends were performing some help with veggie shortage, Pinkie Pie ended up acting all weirdly. Up to the point where she went inside out with her hooves and head, and soon started to roll in a ball and spin off, performing a pinball game around Ponyville before stopping in bashing against the Mayor's Office.

"Oh my, Pinkie Pie, what's wrong darling?" Rarity spoke to help her pink friend up from whatever got into her.

"My Pinkie Senses are going wild!" Pinkie Pie responded off about what happened to her.

"Gee, you don't say." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes in pretty much guessing what happened was the result of such things.

"I don't know, but it's a warning of a huge scary thing and event about to unfold somewhere and it might involve our friends!" Pinkie Pie shook her head in responding that something seriously bad was about to happen with Twilight's group and where they are.

"Oh dear, what could it be?" Fluttershy gasped in surprise, that doesn't sound good at all.

"Ah don't know partners, but it doesn't sound pleasant." Applejack spoke with a serious tone, the dangerous were bad enough, but if there's something worst….

"Pleasant nothing, that evil music being heard is what makes me think something terrible is gonna start !" Pinkie Pie responded in issuing this fact that was completely leaving the others puzzled.

"Okay, that's creepy. Random, but creepy," Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow in finding that act kinda creeping her out.

"Oh no, will they make it back?" Rarity feared the worst if they truly won't see their friends, and after having such high hopes.

"I really hope they do." Fluttershy responded in fearing with concerns, she doesn't want to never see those she cares for ever again.

"We can only pray, mah friends, we can only pray." Applejack responded off with a stern tone, she doesn't like this situation one bit. But for now, the Mane Five have to believe that they'll see their friends & help save the Apples' Farm.

-------------

he sudden shift sense of the balance of good & evil was tipped, and no later from off a cliff area in the End of Equestria, did the Mystic Ponies of Tao, Dragon Kick, Jade Adventure, even Mighty Heart appeared by magic. They ended up witnessing something very big, very black, and also…very bad rising up for nearly every point of the End of Equestria to bear witness; the rise of 'The Shadow'. Just seeing the giant demonic monster whose entire body is comprised of darkness & fire & ashes, & with two sharp red eyes, but no face, unless the mouth is opened to look red, almost like a demonic fire of the living creature.

"AIIIIYAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH," Tao cried out so loud in witnessing a behemoth the size of a country. This must be what the Equestrian Eliminator was warning him and his group about!

"Bwaaughhhh," Dragon Kick yelled out with his eyes wide in seeing such a giant foe.

"Whaaaughhh," Jade also screamed out in seeing something that scary for a child her age and she's over the age of adults.

"Huuuughh…" Mighty gasped in staring at such a creature, almost…petrified at its presence.

Soon the monstrous creature was unable to register the Mystic Ponies as it had 'others' in mind: Twilight's fleeing group that were trying to escape.

"Ohhhh….I have…the Willies!" Tao spoke off in showing that his body was shaking from a nervous system.

"Uncle Tao, tell me that isn't what I think it is. Ow!" Dragon Kick asked off in wanting to be relieved of what he didn't wish to know was true….only for Tao to whack his forehead.

"What do you think it is? Tooth-fairy," Tao remotely stated about what else this creature is in a rhetorical sense of the matter.

"Okay, I'm a little lost here. Just what 'is' that thing?" Jade asked off in not recalling ever hearing or seeing such a creature like the Shadow before.

"A great evil of long ago….The Shadow!" Tao registered with a stern expression, as his gaze eyes shifted to his family in how he sees what this creature is.

"The what?"

"The Shadow...a terrible creature that was once one of the Demon Lords' servants as it roams around, making the land what it is together...and with what's happening. It could do so again!"

"But how could such a creature be revived now, Sensei? Who could have performed a revival spell this powerful, so efficiently without aid or assistance of more casters?" Mighty asked his sensei about where the Shadow came into the picture, and who may have caused it to reappear again. The Demon Lords are trapped in the Realm of Demons now so who else could be responsible?

"That person is none other than; the Overlord King, Grimmore. He gave me the Willies; he has revved a creature of unbelievable magical level of power ." Tao explained out in being very strict in his seriousness, that the Dark Elf is the cause of this. "It appears Starlight was correct in telling us what his master was doing."

"But Tao, Grimmore should not be able to even stretch his powers this far! Ow!" Dragon Kick was stating how that shouldn't even be possible for a prisoner of Tartarus, but got another serving of some whacks to the forehead by Tao.

"Were you listening? Nooo.... Then maybe, you forget what happened during Lorcan's Invasion?" Tao sternly addressed for his nephew to register the matter of what happened long ago when Lorcan had his final battle with Equestria's pony forces. "Grimmore sieged a moment to acquire power, power great enough that only he alone, managed to duplicate it…as a copy." Tao explained about how Grimmore used that war to obtain a large portion of Ben's gifted ability to have as his own, even if not the original.

"Wait, you mean the Triforce from Ben Mare?" Jade asked off in recalling that old fight the Mane Six & Spike went through that was life or death.

"A power such as that, 'would' indeed makes sense." Mighty exclaimed in nodding in understanding what his teacher was telling them. "And just a copy of such a power would give anyone such ability." A copy or the real thing, the Triforce is such that it could be most dangerous in the wrong set of hands.

"And for a Demon whose more godhood equals a very bad day." Dragon Kick thought over with a serious face in not liking this bit of news.

"But Ben is stronger now too, right? After all, he's already unlocked some abilities & cool gear?" Jade spoke in thinking Ben Mare was gonna be fine, he's slowly unlocking that power of his, even got a sword, shilled & bow with arrows to prove that stuff. "Hay, Ben and his friends took on the Demon Lords themselves, living to tell about it!"

"Jade, even so, Grimmore is using the power that he copied & stole from Ben to use against them, that's just raw material. Ow-ow!" Dragon Kick tried to explain this to his niece, only for Tao to give him two more whack jobs on his head suddenly.

"You do not hear yourself sometimes, there is more to this than that!" Tao sternly issued off in what Dragon Kick pointed out, was not the entire thing. "Grimmore plans to expand that power coping even the copy to help him underdeveloped stronger copies." Tao explained that what the Dark Elf is doing is making more of the Triforce’s unimaginable power. "He has already figured out how to create others like the Triforce, that he's presenting his own army with new elite soldiers, and soon, he'll unveil greater ones until finally….he makes the perfect replica to increase his own….beyond imagining." What this old pony is saying is that soon Grimmore's entire forces will be so strong, that unless someone stronger comes along, nothing can stop that which holds a multitude of power in their clutches.

"And this display, it's just…gulp…the basics, of his power ! Dragon Kick, was he that strong when you fought him?" Jade responded to stare off in where the Shadow was going, fearing that if Grimmore could do something like this, then was her uncle Dragon Kick serious about being 'lucky' to survive the Dark Elf when he met him.

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid not, I was 'really' lucky last time. This time…" Dragon Kick spoke from feeling a sudden surge of worry, caution, and concern in seeing, an old foe like Grimmore is not what he use to be. "He maybe too strong with his Dark Magic that even Mystic Ponies might not be enough. And Grimmore was already crazy powerful before this. Ow-Ow-Ow," Course during this explanation, he ends up getting three whack jobs from Tao on his forehead.

"Do not sell all of us short now!" Tao scolded his nephew for believing that not even all of the Mystic Ponies could win a battle against Grimmore as he's slowly rising up stronger heights then before. "While this was not a part of our planning, we must hope that Twilight's group escapes from the Shadow!" Tao explained that this was an event that was not foreseen or prepare Twilight's group of the danger.

"But what's wrong with us fighting that big bad Shadow thing to help them escape?" Jade asked in liking to know, only for Tao to give her a look that made her mope a bit. "I know, I know, we are not to interfered, but to watch. But it'll almost lead to the Hydra if we don't act!" The girl issued how that if they don't help when this obstacle is too much for Twilight's group to handle, they may just die for real & Tao already helped out once already. "Plus, I thought we agree to do something like this, right?"

"Sensei, unless the Shadow is stopped, what will happen to the End of Equestria? Now with all evil signs weaken to begin its recovery." Mighty asked Tao in knowing a lot of evil such as the Demon Lords & their evil servants & creatures are now gone, but while the land can recover, what's to say that recovery may be harmed by the Shadow's involvement?

"The Shadow is a problem we will have to solve…later." Tao addressed off to say in trying to get himself under control of the situation. "For now, making sure Twilight Sparkle & friends make it out of this land is more important. One More Thing…." He spoke in having the answer they need to be watchful on while having another thing to say.

"What is it?" Dragon asked in wondering what his uncle wants to tell them.

"Do not let the beast touch you, unless you cast a strong barrier coating spell over the body, what else?" Tao spoke off to blankly say the simple answer in which case, don't let the Shadow touch them, or it'll be over.

"Heheh, course it would be that." Jade lightly chuckled in hearing this claim under such conditions, course it would be something like that.

"Then we best be on our way!" Mighty responded in staring how far ahead the Shadow is as it's targets are the heroes trying to escape, with the ingredients in tow.

Soon the Mystic Ponies vanish in their own portals, and what they'll do from there, is anyone's guess under these dire situations.

------------

"Ha ha ha ha; and they say that nothing's good on TV nowadays!" Psycho Pie laughs. She and the rest of the Apocalypse Pones are watching what's happening to Twilight's group by their magic view portal.

"Yes, maybe now the mare will regret going." Wilco said with an evil grin behind his hood.

"Ha ha ha; they're going to suffer!" Fluttercruel laughs evilly.

Merluck laughs in amusement but saw that Trix isn't happy. He spoke up, "Oh calm down, sis. It will be over soon."

"But this might be too much! My own followers Dumbledore & Bocolix are still with the group and they can't even escape by Magic Warp Gate Spells." Trix points out to Merluck in worry. It's true. Dumbledore and Bocolix are still with Twilight's group and they would be killed unless those two are saved!

The Superior remarks this to his daughter, "In such matters my daughter, sacrifices must be done, for the greater cause of our goal."

That comment leave Trixie unable to counter that while she and everyone in the room watch what will become the fate of Twilight Sparkle and traveling allies.

---------------------

Now the scene focuses back towards the End of Equestria, just as the music in the background seems to have ended. However, the music in the background now was changed to 'Maelstrom's Clutches' from Star Ocean: The Last Hope (extended version), in what was going to happen now. But during the moment, the entire realm that was the End of Equestria began to shake in terror and fear, all the areas around were crumbling from a terrible event playing in the realm. From the desserts to mountains, even the creepy castle, all began to nearly break away as if things were ending. Even the peaceful creatures living in the Lake of Eternal yelped in sensing the approaching danger to scurry to hid in the area.

At this moment, we end up seeing the entire landscape was rumbling non-stop as Justin the MechBull was rushing out at super-charged speed with the gang in the gang. And right behind them, The Shadow was pursuing them in the race to escape the End of Equestria & not be caught by the creature Grimmore had brought into existence. At the very least, Ben, Twilight, Nyx in her Battle Form all fired their magical attacks & Sword Beams, even the Enforcers offered aid while Spike & Phobos tried to fire off their flame attacks. Everything was soon made contact with The Shadow, but the creature was not phase, not even caring, like it was all…nothing.

"CAN'T WE GO ANY FASTEEEEEER," Phobos yelled out in wanting this cart to move faster or be at risk of getting taken away by the Shadow.

"AH'M GIVING IT ALL SHE'S GOT! AH MEAN HIM! AH MEAN IT! AH MEAN…THEM! DAAAAAUGH…..AH CAN'T THINK STRAIGHT UNDER PRESSURE!" Tough Apple shouted out back in remarking the fact while getting all confused over what's happening here.

"It looks like everything is a falling apart! And it's all cause of what's happening with us now!" Spike slapped his forehead in not believing this, this was supposed to be their moment to return home, and now they get stuck with running for their very lives.

"ROOOUURRUUAARRRUGHHHH," The Shadow roared in pursuing the prey before it as its smoky structure was moving to almost enshadow the group.

"To think, we're facing something Grimmore released on us, I can't tell if he's playing or toying with us!" Nyx responded in finding this sorta situation that the Dark Elf unleashed was either to mess with them with this race for their lives or just to have a good run of entertainment.

"A bit of both, to think he end up bringing whatever this was up and now if we get caught, it's over." Ben shook his head in disbelief, they really gotten themselves in a deep fried pickle now.

"I've only heard about the creature called: 'The Shadow' as some monstrous creature long forgotten from days long ago. To think we would be seeing it." Twilight responded to gaze back at the giant monstrosity that was almost towering over them, to think such a fearsome beast lie beneath the End of Equestria, none of them saw it coming.

"We'll all die if that thing catches us! Should we split up?" Bocolix responded in seeing this wasn't looking good, what can the gang do to survive this?

"You kidding, we can't leave our pals behind, that thing looks serious!" Dumbledore insisted that if they leave, even if they survive, Boris would have their heads for leaving Twilight.

"Maybe one of my new weapons can stop that thing." Ben responded in checking what he's got that can help as he pulled it out for him to grasp.

"The Hero's Bow," The Enforcers, Spike & Phobos responded in seeing Ben bring out his new bow for all to witness it.

"Which are you gonna try?" Spike asked off in what arrow Ben was gonna use.

"Yeah, you got a shot of three elements." Phobos reminded Ben of what types of arrows with elements that he can use.

"Maybe a Fire Arrow could burn it." Dumbledore suggested in what can be used to help harm the beast.

"Nah, a Lightning Arrow might work to paralyze it." Bocolix waved off that idea to suggest a different method.

"Neither, I'll use the Light Arrow and see if it can at least hurt the thing." Ben responded that he'll use the one that can most likely harm a creature of evil.

"But Ah thought yer sword's beam thing wasn't able 'ta hurt it." Tough responded off in seeing that the Shadow was not phase from the range magical attacks Ben used from the Master Sword.

"It may need to be weakened by a strong holy power before the sword can do anything." Twilight spoke in thinking a theory in what can be used best of the two different weapons Ben now holds.

"Okay father, try it and see." Nyx nods in agreement while wanting her father to fire away.

"Here goes," Ben spoke in pulling the arrow back with his bow, as s glowing magical aura was shown, like it was charging the object of what Ben wishes to use.

Soon Ben fired off that arrow of light as it soon traveled to impact on the towering beast of shadow by the chest point.

"GRUUUOORRRAARRRRUGHHHH…" The Shadow let off a cry to hold it's chest from feeling where that Light Arrow impacted it.

"It got him!" Phobos cheered forth with a smile that the enemy was slowing down, that's a good thing to see, right?

"ROOOOHURAARRRRRUUGHHH," Suddenly, The Shadow let off a roaring tone of anger as it was not happy in what was done to it. "BASHHFRUPVHMM…" Then from a smash from its right hand against the ground, cause everything within the landscape, to shift and break apart.

"WOOHHHH-Ooohhhhhhhhh-aaaaahhhh," The gang was suddenly launched off the ground and into the air with only a few broken stepping stones for the gang to try to get footing to keep running.

"Da-Da-Da-ag-ag-ag-Gu-Gu-Gu-Gu-um-um……" Tough Apple was yelping from his lips against each step they landed on before touching the solid ground that was almost like traveling up or down stairs when on wheels.

"That plan didn't work so well!" Bocolix spoke off to get himself together in what happened to them.

"Yeah, it only made it madder!" Dumbledore responded to take into account that the gang made the shadow creature very mad.

"And now it looks ticked to want us more! Look!" Spike issued off with a fearful expression to point out something.

Suddenly behind the group, The Shadow that was dragging at first; suddenly picked up a bit more speed to continue its pursuit of the fleeing travelers.

"It's picking up speed!" Nyx yelped off in surprise, the Shadow was really trying to catch up to them now.

"Grimmore really sent us a troubling opponent to face." Ben sighed in really hating to say this, but the powerful enemy in Tartarus really let loose an opponent that's hard to deal with.

"Twilight, how closer are we out o' de border to 'dis place?" Tough Apple yelled from where he's driving in wondering how much they need to pass to get out of this terrible area.

"By the speed we're going, almost half a full week." Twilight responded in seeing how the heroes are at max speed and that's how much they still have to travel by now.

"I don't even think half a day will help us, that things moving too quickly!" Spike yelped in noticing that with the Shadow's speed in chasing them, they need to pick up the pace, pronto.

"We need more SPEED! Can't those machines give it anymore?" Phobos responded off in thinking that the gang has to get going, so how is it the two machines pulling them can't go even further.

"Ah can't! Push too hard an' 'de little fellas burn their systems & then we're deep fried." Tough Apple responded that Justin & Rabbitchu are doing their best, anymore and they'll really be in trouble.

"I have a plan; we need some ponies that can step out to help pull us to out run the creature." Twilight exclaimed in suggesting a course of action by getting more runners to help them increase the speed they need to outrun their shadowy pursuer.

"Who would do that?" Nyx asked her mother in who they have that could do just that.

"I think I got a plan." Ben responded to turn in facing where the Enforcers are in the cart. "You two, are you pretty fast fliers." The guy asked if the two new Alicorns were pretty much fast when it comes to flying.

"Well yeah, sure we are. We like to test or speed & strengths." Dumbledore responded off that the two Enforcers have done something in wanting to see who was better.

"We're Alicorns, so we race to see who's faster, stronger, more magical, even better looking." Bocolix issued off what the two do to test the other out in their obstacles.

"Brains however, might not be their strong points." Phobos whispered out to the others in seeing that these two might be tough, but smarts seem to have skip them even as alicorns.

"Sssshhhh," Nyx hushed her friend to not be rude, especially when their lives are on the line.

"Listen, if we're going to survive, we need your help, we'll tie you with magical rope so you can pull as hard as you can while not breaking off from us." Ben instructed to Bocolix and Dumbledore in how they'll use a special rope to give enough pull force to their cart so the group won't get separated.

"But….but…." Dumbledore & Bocolix were feeling a bit unsure if they themselves were gonna be the key players to their entire survival of escaping from the Shadow, they themselves feel like nothing but fakes.

"Please, if we can pick up enough speed to outrun the Shadow, we can get to the outer borders to teleport us to safety." Twilight insisted that these two try to understand, even if it's not a lot, a little can go a long way to help them out.

The Enforcers were now in deep thought over their situation. When Dumbledore & Bocolix were just plain old Dum Dum & Boxco, they only managed to do things right, only to do something in messing up or that they were nothing but muscle for Boris since their colt years, their thinking thoughts matter little to the guy they listen to. Even while in the form of Alicorns, the two stooges have grown in power than before as the now known Enforcers, yet why did it feel like the true strength…came from helping others than bully others for supremacy.

"Okay, we may not be the best at being heroes." Bocolix responded with a little smile in seeing what was happening here, to now go from foolish losers & bullies to maybe…just maybe, something more in growing up.

"Or being smart, but we'll try…for our friends." Dumbledore smiled to look to his pal, seeing if others wanted to truly give them a chance, even beliefs, than perhaps for those that are their friends, they'll give the heroic part a good old try.

Now Dumbledore & Bocolix leaped out with magical ropes around their waist as the two join the MechBull to start flying fast to give everything they got.

"Hay ye'll, it's working!" Tough Apple responded in noticing that they are suddenly getting faster now. "We're going faster!" Responded off in seeing they were going much faster than before, that's a good sign.

"But it's still behind us!" Spike yelped out in noticing, their pursuer was still coming even at this speed.

"ROOOUURRARRRRRUGHHHH," The Shadow roared out in vastly accelerating its motion to catch the fleeing preys. "Froopfruvhhmmm…." Suddenly, from a wave of its left hand, sent a wind current like a hurricane force.

"Waaaaaaaaughhhh……" The others screamed from the powerful wind force that seemed to almost lift them off the ground, but Twilight & Nyx used their magic to keep them stable so to not lose momentum in keeping their speed course or falling behind.

"Mother, how much more have we've pass?" Adult Nyx asked off in wondering how much more do they still need to get by now.

"There's Castle Nowhere & the Shifting Sands, we're about three to two days worth at our top speed." Twilight pointed from noticing from a distance, the areas where they came across way earlier.

"Come on fellas! Work them tails to 'de bone!" Tough shouted off to those running or flying to pick up the pace, they gotta win the race or die trying.

"Easy for you to say," Bocolix remarked off to say this to Tough of where he sat during this.

"We're doing all the pulling!" Dumbledore issued off about the Enforcers doing more pulling to help them get away from the beast.

"Just do it or we're dead meat!" Tough snapped off to make the Enforcers pipe down and to just continue to give it their all, which they groan under their breath.

"Chhhuuuuu," Rabbitchu was trying to give more electric power to Justin with all its energy from going out for so long.

"MWRUUARRGUHHHH," Justin the MechBull was really pushing its gears to the limit, it was almost starting to turn red, but not from anger.

Now the gang was picking up some speed to keep a better distance from their pursuer. The Shadow however noticed this before picking up its own pace like it was nothing to catch its prey.

"It's still not enough!" Twilight issued off in seeing their speed level isn't helping them getaway fast enough.

"Any other ideas Twilight, we'll need plenty of juice to speed up?" Ben asked if the smart pony has any ideas on how to keep a distance from The Shadow.

"Try throwing out some of our supplies. Everything BUT the ingredients, it'll lighten our weight." Twilight instructed those around to get everything

Soon the group was tossing their food supplies, a few camping gears the stuff that they won't miss to help increase their speed. So far, that was working; they themselves just had to do this until they ran out of things to throw away. Course the Shadow was still after them, so Phobos looked around with fear before smiling at what he found and was about to toss it out until...

"Phobos; Mom said NOT to throw out the ingredients!!" Nyx sternly snapped at seeing Phobos almost throw out the bag holding what they risk their lives to gather to save the Apples' Farm.

"Sorry, fear of death made me forget." Phobos shrugs off to say, the whole survival thing has really stress him out to not think. "How about those magic guardians we picked up that's around Twilight's neck." The guy asked off about something else they can throw out, however…

"No, those are too important to lose either!" Nyx snapped off to say, the group won't get rid of what they've also got as souvenirs, if they themselves did, the creatures from within would get loose without a master to command them.

"Well gee; can we make up the mind then?" Phobos rolled his eyes to see that he got on Nyx's bad side, they can't lose stuff that are important for a mission and what can't be left to be used for evil.

"We're picking up more speed now." Ben issued in seeing they've gotten a bit more faster than before, that's good enough for the moment.

"Hoot," Owlowiscious responded off in hearing this to respond.

"Us, that's who…oh, really!" Ben responded to say, only to realize what the owl was doing even now.

"Arrf-Arrff," Koga barked off during the commotion.

"We still need to increase speed; we need some other pony to try to help those two Enforcers pull us!" Twilight responded off in seeing that the group may need others to get out and pull their vehicle to outrun the Shadow.

"How about me and Phobos go, he can fly and I got my Flame Steps to help me speed off pretty quick." Spike suggested that the two dragons with the gang can be of help to them.

"Spike, are you sure?" Twilight asked with concern if Spike was up to this task, it'll be hard, but….

"Yeah, I won't let us die here." Spike nods with a determined face that said plenty to Twilight's worries. "You ready Phobos!" He turned in wanting to know if the Moon Dragon was gonna help out now.

"Gee, between sitting here to be afraid of shadowy guy chasing us to running for my life while pulling this cart? I say…." Phobos spoke in pretending to think about their situation, just before he gave off an answer. "LET ME RUN FAST AND GET US OUTTA HERE!" Yep, the guy screamed to quickly tie rope around his belly, he wants them to escape quickly without any waste.

"Guess that's a yes." Ben shrug off his shoulders in stating what kinda answer that the others got out of Phobos.

Soon Spike & Phobos leaped out to join the Enforcers and the MechBull to pull them. Now the Dragons boost in speed was helping to make the cart going even faster now, they were picking up extra bits of speed now.

"Looky there, we are really going fast here!" Tough Apple smiled off to issue in what they're doing is really helping out now.

"Hugh…hugh….how much…more?" Dumbledore spoke from almost losing his breath during the continue fleeing work from their wings.

"Hugh….are we almost there," Bocolix spoke off from a loss of breath while not calling it quits, but like to know if they are almost there.

"We've still got more to cover, but at this rate, we're almost going to escape." Twilight spoke in looking at the map to their area now, they are very close to escaping the End of Equestria now.

"ROOUUARRRRGUHHH," The Shadow roared from being a bit behind the increasing fast group trying to get away from it.

"And I think he's not looking to please to see us go, mother!" Nyx spoke from looking behind in seeing the chaser was not going to call it quits yet.

"Ben, can you possibly try firing those Light Arrows directly for the eyes." Twilight requested to her love if he could try to fire another of his arrows with the light element to aim near the creature's eyes.

"Sure, but can that be enough to stop him?" Ben shrugs off to say that he could do it, but would that help slow The Shadow down enough?

"Possibly enough to slow him down; Once distracted, I need you to help the others in pulling us." Twilight explained in what she has that can help, blind the beast & have Ben use his Triforce power to give them their final speed boost to the max. "Nyx, I'm going to need you to help me combine our magic to not only makes us go faster, but to sense when we're outside the End of Equestria's borders to help instantly get us home." The new princess instructed in what she and her daughter will be doing to make sure they can reach the outside border to escape & get home without being chased anymore.

"Alright, I'll do my best." Nyx nods in hearing the plan, she won't let her mother down in the task.

"As will I, cause here come the Shadow now!" Ben nods in determination as he sees the creature coming at them from behind again.

"GRUUOOORRRUGHHH," The Shadow growled to raise up it's right smoky hand to almost grasp the gang until…. "Powwfrup…Baangfrupvhmm…." Ben fired a Light Arrow from the Hero's Bow that had two arrows and they both pierce the creature's firry eyes. "GRUARRRRUGHH-ARRRRRGUHH…" At that moment, The Shadow stopped to feel pain in being temporally blinded now.

"Now's my chance," Ben wrapped around a magic rope, and jumped forward in front of the MechBull with the Enforcers & the two Dragons, "Triforce-Charger!" Once he called this out, Ben's body glows with the golden aura and surrounding himself by floating triangle forms.

"Poowwfruvhmmmm…." At that moment, the Triforce mark glowed around Ben and those that would run with him, to pick up the moment to run at speeds in the blink of an eye. "WOOOOHHUUAAAAUGHHH…" Those in the cart were almost holding onto the rails or rope lines in feeling they are gonna break sound barrier and make a sonic-boom soon.

"Wooh….we're really going fast now!" Spike yelled out from within the force of their inherence speed pressure.

"Awehahahahahah-Sohohohohohme," Phobos spoke out in trying to talk, but his mouth was flapping around from the wind force.

"Yeeeeeeehaaaaahhhh!/Whooopppeeeee!" Tough & the Enforcers cheered from feeling this was a big turn around for them now, they are truly gonna get out.

"I can almost sense it, we're a few more miles away from finally getting near the exit border." Nyx spoke in alerting her mother that they are almost out of the End of Equestria, especially from seeing Bunny Rabbit Rock, A.K.A. Skunk Rock where they came across before.

"Yes, I can almost fell the magic returning…we can make it now." Twilight spoke in almost feeling that the gang can finally use their magic to get themselves back home now.

However, situations like that were not as easy, especially with what was chasing the gang, "GRUUUOOOARRRRRUUGGHH-ARRRRGUH!" The Shadow recovered from its blindness, pulled off a speed bullet of blasting across the landscape before letting the prey escape. "POOOOWCRASSSHHH-Bashhhfrupvhmmm…." But then a massive smash from its fist together impacted the ground caused the gigantic quake that broke off almost like the entire content.

"WAAAAUUUGHHH….." The gang was thrown up from being blasted off the ground again, this time without anything to run on and was trapped in a spinning formation.

"No, just a few more inches!" Twilight cried out in seeing how the gang are so close now, they can't let it end like this.

"It's approaching!" Nyx cried out from noticing that the Shadow is really coming at them.

"GRUUARRUUAARRRRGHHHH," The Shadow roared in approaching the group that it's finally caught.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUGHHHH," Tough, Spike, Phobos, Dumbledore & Bocolix suddenly were screaming with wide mouths and wide eyes, this looks to be it; the end.

The scenery was slowing down as the gang was thrown in the air with The Shadow opening its mouth to look like it's gonna swallow the spinning out of control group spinning forward, but not much.

"Urrgh….one chance, hope this works…." Ben suddenly brought forth his Master Sword to stick it far ahead of him with one hope left….

At the moment, when the sword's edge reaches a point, an invisible magical line was seen below to which Twilight sensed it.

"We're near the border's outer reach; we've stuck a portion of us out; that should do it." Twilight responded in seeing from Ben's sword, like in a race, it made it to the finish line; meaning they've reached the outskirts that lead into the End of Equestria.

"Hurry mother, the Shadow is approaching" Nyx cried out in noticing that the beast was now about to close in on them.

"Here goes….." Twilight was concentrating with all her might with her horn & Nyx's horn glowing with all they got now.

"GRUUARROOOUURRARRUGHH…" The Shadow dropped its mouth to about to capture the targets…. But then suddenly, the gang's entire presence vanished before the shadowy beast could swallow them; they've escaped, they've managed to make it out alive. "ROOOUURRARRRRUUURRRGHHHHHH…" The Shadow roared out in fury, the prey he was given have escaped the End of Equestria and of its wrath. It was also around here that the music in the background slowly began to fade from coming to a close.

From afar in watching the Shadow let out its rage, the Equestrian Eliminator watched behind some shadows of a rocky cliff. He sees that Twilight's group has managed to do the impossible; they have entered and escape the End of Equestria.

"So you watched what has happened?" A voice spoke that a creature was walking up to approach the Equestrian Eliminator without causing him to react in noticing…it was an ally of evil that came. A sinister black coated Alicorn like pony with blood red eyes, a black goatee, a long black tail, along black hair and bat wings instead of the usual Pegasus wings. His cutie mark looks like the Eye of Sauron from the Lord of the Rings series. This was Fafnir, the creature that is currently serving the Superior at this time.

"Fafnir, what are you doing here?" Number 13 asked off from not looking to see who was here near him.

"I came to see how things would go, and I must say to believe some random group of heroes escaped this awful place….is puzzling indeed ." Fafnir responded off in issuing that he wanted to see how the events were going, only to be left surprised that Twilight's group managed to getaway in time with their lives intact.

"Then just take this." The Equestrian Eliminator turned around slightly to use his magic to make a magic scroll float over for the other villain to catch it. "A report on what has been done by Twilight Sparkle's group, how much their strength has grown, and what they now have in their possession." The agent of Grimmore responded that from that magic scroll, all information of those he spied on is listed.

"I see, very well, I shall give this to the Superior. And what of you," Fafnir responded in accepting this before asking what this masked unicorn will do now.

"I must return to my lord, await orders from him & those within Tartarus to continue watching over the ponies." Equestrian Eliminator responded that he'll leave to return to Tartarus before leaving to probably continue to spy on the ponies for his lord & master.

"I see; well good luck with that. I've got my own agendas to deal with, but the Superior will at least like the report." Fafnir responded in understanding the issue before planning himself to get going now, "Fare-thee-well." With that, the villain vanished in his own magical portal of bursting flames to wherever he wanted to go to.

Once that character was gone, did the lone masked unicorn looked out to the Shadow letting out loud roars at its lost before turning to leave the scene to do anything it wants after being created.

"Surviving that which even Lord Grimmore unleashed is a very rare feat for you, Twilight Sparkle." The Equestrian Eliminator responded in acknowledging that to survive a great ordeal from the Overlord King of Tartarus is no small feat to be done. "But you should watch yourself more carefully, for if there is a next time, I may just be an enemy than an ally." With that much spoken and done with, the masked pony turns into a shadow to disappear with the other shadows.

Things in what awaits all heroes, from the Superior, Grimmore, the Shadow, Fafnir, and even the Equestrian Eliminator. So many questions are left in the dark in how the good ponies of Equestria shall deal with such powerful forces…the next time.

The Shadow roars angrily. He was considering invading Equestria for revenge when a voice stops the creature.

"Hey!" The Shadow turned and saw Dragon Kick. He glare at him as the pony sticks his tongue out. "Catch me if you can!"

Dragon Kick quickly run off before Shadow roar angrily. He starts chasing Dragon Kick with his mouth opening to attack. Mighty Heart roars angrily as he jump from the cliff and smack the Shadow down. Mighty quickly grab the Shadow with his hooves and yells out, "Mighty Hooves!"

Mighty's hooves glow in golden light as it grew bigger, bulkier and muscular as he held tight onto the Shadow. He squeeze tightly on the Shadow very hard before he himself let go. Mighty quickly gave big punches on Shadow as hard as he can for a few times. He then gave hard punch to his face. The Shadow received major injuries as he turns to the front.

Dragon Kick jump and kick on the Shadow before he starts punching on the monster's face for a few times. Dragon Kick punches the monster's face to Mighty Heart, who punches him back to Dragon Kick. Both of them continue to punch on the monster as hard as they can.

"Dragon Kick; Mighty Heart; Incantation Spell Time," Jade calls out from nearby.

Dragon Kick and Mighty Heart nodded. They both quickly stepped away and disappear in sight from the Shadow. The Shadow itself looks confused. He then heard a noise as well as looking at his body. The Shadow looks for the source of the noise. He then looked up and saw Tao stirring a stew with green color of soup and combining some of vegetables while Mighty held and swing the lantern, Dragon Kick bang the drum as many times, Jade held two bags while going around her family.

Tao, Dragon Kick, Jade and Mighty chant, "Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

The Shadow looks shocked and scared. Tao placed the chili on the stew and it puff of smoke. A big rectangle-like golden light comes out from the stew and fire right at the Shadow which scream loudly and painfully. The Shadow itself incinerate into ashes; All the last thing that Tao and his family seen is a burned mark.

"That was easy?" Mighty ask in amazement. The Shadow fell like that after a while of chasing Twilight and her group.

Tao scoff, "Shadow is nothing to compare to my battle against the Demon Lords since thousand years ago and present."

"Well, it's over right? I can bet the Mystic Council will be pleased of the result." Jade said hopefully. Once the Mystic Council hears of the progress, at least that's enough to convince them, right?

"Indeed , it is." Dragon Kick said while patting Jade on the back. Looks like it's over...right?

Suddenly, the clouds above the End of Equestria started to become….ominously strange.

"Ohhh….the Willies," Tao spoke in feeling himself get the shivers, something was not right. There was 'evil' & 'darkness' in the air.

"MWuhahahaha-haaaah, look at what is happening now!" Spoke an evilly diabolical voice within the air that could send shivers down other folks’ spines.

"Bwaaahhhh; Oh no, please tell me it isn't…" Dragon Kick cried out in looking around and then upwards in being horrified, that voice couldn't belong to...

"Oh, but it is…." Suddenly, taking in the form of clouds again was the Overlord King; Grimmore as he appeared in a sitting form like before. "How amusing, you Mystics usually don't interfere much, but this adventure has been an interesting moment." He spoke from having his right hand rest his chin, finding how Tao's group has done a few extra activeness than the usual Mystic Ponies would do.

"Wooh and I thought bad guys put their heads in the clouds too much with their egos." Jade spoke in being surprised to see this Grimmore guy for the first time.

"Geh-taguugh, Jade, don't intimidate him!" Dragon Kick yelped off in seeing that his niece was doing something really bad & dangerous, insulting a major villain is not a good idea.

"To imagine, the Dark Elf would appear before us now under such a situation." Mighty spoke in having his eyes focus seriously on the enemy above them, this did not bold well.

"Aieeeeyaaaaaah; we are not prepared for this!" Tao cried out to hold his head, to have the godly Demon sealed in Tartarus appear now without being prepared is like jumping off a cliff to below a spiky canyon. Granted, the Equestrian Eliminator told them that this would happen but they were busy preparing for the Shadow that they didn't have time to prepare for Grimmore.

"Well Dragon Kick, how long has it been since I've seen you and your old uncle, Tao?" Grimmore remarkably issued in seeing those he recalls from the past long time ago, before he was possibly even imprisoned. "Ah yes, back long ago, to a time where even Smaug the Great was once performing his actions." He showed a sly smirk in remembering such old events; the day ponies saw Smaug The Great attack the Flutter Ponies by summoning Discord, and other events possibly from the Three Tribes, etc.

"What do you want with us?" Dragon Kick asked off a bit baffled, shocked, but still tried to be serious in what this Dark Elf wanted with them all of a sudden.

"Oh nothing at all, just to see those I haven't check in for so long. And I see you both have some new…company, in your group." Grimmore spoke off in sounding so very sure of himself, even if the clouds were not the real eyes, they stared at Mighty Heart that swallowed hard at this while Jade Adventure didn't seem to have felt such a powerful level threat reading, being still so young.

"Yeah, well get ready, cause we just put the stop to the Demon Lords & made sure Twilight's group escaped." Jade declared off in sounding cocky in telling this fact like it is to the Dark Elf guy. "Course, it would have been better if we were more 'active' with those that really beat those eight Demons, but eh, them's the rules?" The young Mystic Pony remotely spoke that last claim not so loud since the fact remained they 'mostly' watched while Twilight's group won those battles & escaped.

"My, so this is the niece that gives you a wild time, Dragon Kick. She certainly has spunk, to not be afraid." Grimmore spoke with a small inner chuckle in watching the display of Jade Adventure, she must certainly be a handful for Dragon Kick to keep under control in dangerous situations.

"Please Jade; don't try to push your luck any further." Dragon Kick spoke to try to keep his niece from making matters any worse than they already are.

"Why do you try to appear before us now, unless you've come to brag?" Tao sternly spoke to glare at the Overlord King of Tartarus, something of this meeting of old foes just doesn't sink right, especially when a powerful Demon god is staring right under you from above the clouds.

"Oh, I'll tell you why." Grimmore slowly spoke in feeling like he'll talk, but because he wants to and to smear it in these fools' faces. "The age where Equestria shall enter a new era as the contestants of old & new partake and only those that last long can try to overcome the difficulty." He explained in already knowing of what is to soon come and it can't be stopped. "After all, my side & that organization will begin to slowly unleash their might, soon enough." Hearing this part almost made a lot of the others fell over with some concerns.

"So then the situation with the Apple Acres was indeed cause by an unnatural spell, just as Tao told me to look into." Mighty spoke in realizing that when he looked over at what happened to the Apple's farm, that a spell was used to ruin the crop field, the organization Grimmore spoke, the Apocalypse Ponies must have been behind that.

"Bring on buster, we're not scared!" Jade shook off her left hoof in challenging this major dark elf villain to bring out his worst, they'll handle it.

"Oh really; Hmph-hmph-hmph, hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph...sniff…." Grimmore raised an eyebrow to begin to chuckle wickedly before taking a moment to exhale here. "Then perhaps a 'little' demonstration is in order." He spoke from opening his eyes to gaze at the ones that wish to challenge him so showing off a bit may serve as a reminder.

"No, no, no, no! No demonstration!" Dragon Kick yelped to panic to wave up his hooves to say they don't want that, it's a mistake, a BIG one.

"Now you should know better, Kick. When someone asks for something," Grimmore slowly spoke in slowly moving his right hand outward over his cloud thrown image. "I deliver the goods!" The Dark Elf responded with a very suspicious gleam that from focusing on the eyes showed he had something diabolical plan in what he'll unleash here. Two words: Uh oh!

Suddenly, the ground begins to show strange white light escaping from beneath its surface.

"AIIIIYAAAAAAH; He's Going To Blow Up The Ground We Stand On!" Tao shouted out so loud over the rumbling ground beneath them in seeing what was going to happen.

"Gaaugh," Dragon Kick yelped off in seeing this and he had to quickly begin to run.

"Five….four…" Grimmore began a slow countdown while taking in the display ever slowly to revel in it's performance.

"Waaaughhh…" Jade yelped from being picked up by Dragon Kick, as he, Mighty & Tao were making a split to get away over to the area that was not showing any lighting up.

"Three…..two…" Grimmore counted down in watching the act below before he soon…. "One," He reached the final end of his count, so it's time to show….his powerful might as a Demon god.

"Oh no…" Mighty responded to where he quickly grabbed Tao as the two along with Dragon Kick & Jade were mere feet away to reach their safe destination while looking back at what's to come.

"Gigantic Aftershock Wave," Grimmore announced off loudly enough to lift his right hand up to unleash a truly shocking display.

"KABOOOMFRRUVHMMM…" Then without warning, behind the Mystic Ponies, a giant explosion erupts underneath the area where the light escaped from about to inflict a great amount of damage if it reaches the escapees.

"Bad Day, Bad Day, Bad Day, Bad Day, BAD DAAAAAAAY!" Dragon Kick was screaming out while he and everyone else was running, or choosing to fly or levitate, whichever, cause this attack was catching up to them BIG TIME!

"PLOWWFUVVHHHMMM…./Bammfrvuhmmmm!" Soon Mighty Heart & Dragon Kick managed to dash with enough strength to step out of the exploding area they were in but saw the large white explosion that blew nearly the entire area up to crumble. Soon the display began to slowly fade, showing what was a normal flat-land to be a rubble of smoking & crumbling waste-field that could have taken them out. Tao & Jade got off from being carried to study this transaction, truly that is what a hero needs to watch out for, a villain that packs a lot of power too dangerous to be left alone (& by alone, we mean to bring an army to fight just one foe).

"Hoooooh, to disrupt the planet's geomagnetic field; with a shift upwards motion of the hand, he created a massive atomic explosion that has the potential to cause an almost endless crater in the desired area." Tao gasped in sheer shock in seeing this kind of power even level an entire field so big, wide and large, it would take much power to pull it off, and this was very serious scary stuff.

"To think he could cause this, even while still imprisoned in Tartarus. And his use of 'small’ could only mean it wasn't going to be any larger than what he wanted to use on us." Mighty explained from witnessing this feat himself, if Grimmore wanted to, he could have done more than this 'small' display and that's frightening to even picture such a possibility.

"Um, I think I'm beginning to see why you never liked his tricks, Dragon Kick." Jade gulped from looking back a bit worried & concern in why her uncle Dragon Kick found the Dark Elf, Grimmore, such an opponent he never liked, trick question is, what even IS there to like such a guy?

"This is bad, very bad." Dragon Kick responded in looking around to see such waste in one fell shot, "If we were even caught in that, it could almost even finish a Mystic Pony. Ow!" Just as he was saying this of terrible picturing thought, Tao whacked him on his forehead.

"You should have made sure to waaaaaarn us of such a technique coming! How did you let that slip your mind?" Tao scolded his nephew for forgetting such a powerful move that could have wasted them.

"But I didn't expect him to use a similar technique like the Exploding Wave Spell from the Forbidden Book of Spells!" Dragon Kick spoke on his defense in this situation, that spell the Overlord King performed was a spell too powerful & any regular unicorn that use that without concerns of everything around them would destroy their home & everyone else that weren't prepared for such an attack.

"Grimmore is older than us; the book was not made until thousands of years later." Tao scold the stallion for not recalling who they are dealing with here. "One More Thing, there is no spell to this day and age that has not been listed or seen performed. One More Thing, you should know to expect the unexpected. One More Thing…" Tao was goon be going on in scolding Dragon Kick for lacking these things to keep in mind.

"Um, guys…he's still here!" Jade spoke in looking a bit pale in seeing above their heads…a familiar cloud form of the Dark Elf was looking down at them.

"Hahahahahaahh…..surprise and that was only fair warning." Grimmore cackled off to remark to the Mystic Ponies about what he did was only giving a warning sign.

"You call trying to obliterating us 'fair warning'?" Dragon Kick asked off in mere disbelief that what Grimmore calls a warning, could have killed them, this Dark Elf is seriously toying with them to his own amusement.

"It's to leave my mark in giving my message to be clear as heard." Grimmore replied off in relaxing in his thrown to make his point fair. "Do not trifle in the affairs of my agents." He issued this off with a lower eye gaze in dryly saying with some annoyed wrath tone in what the Mystic Ponies were doing to one of his agents.

"Trifle; Affair; Hugh," Jade repeated those words while seeming a bit lost by such pronouncements.

"It means…a thing of little value or importance and an event or sequence of events of a specified kind. But what does he mean by of his agents?" Mighty explained the details to the young Mystic Pony, but was puzzled in what the dark elf even meant.

"Huuugh, Starlight!" Tao gasped in horror and shock, Grimmore was taking about Starlight Sparkle, A.K.A. Agent 13; the Equestrian Eliminator...who he was helping during this adventure in the End of Equestria.

"You may think I don't know what was going on, but you be sadly mistaken." Grimmore spoke off in stating this little issue for the Mystics to know, he was no fool, he saw what was happening. "You thought you could easily shift the will of an agent that I created?" He exclaimed that Tao was trying to make the masked pony agent question his background history like what he was before becoming the Equestrian Eliminator.

The scene shifts to where the Equestrian Eliminator is right now, back within Tartarus, but he feels strange….his eyes behind the mask shift colors & his magic seem more unusual than before.

"You thought wrong, even know, the heart & soul of the Equestrian Eliminator begins to mix from my own shroud of darkness." Grimmore spoke with these words as the image of Agent 13 was shown a dark violet aura over his body, and his eyes seem to glimmer a crimson red for a brief moment before fading away. "He shall live under my will, my law, MY Rule! Until…his purpose has come to an end." The Dark Elf declared in what shall be the fate of those that serve him, even a pony that could be the decease younger brother of Twilight Sparkle.

At this moment, the scene returns to Tao's group staring up against the mighty Dark Elf, hard to know if they'll fight or not, but this feels like the battle could take up nearly all of the End of Equestria before things settle down.

"So fairway and let this fearful encounter remind you & your other Mystic friends…." Grimmore spoke in feeling like he's enjoying to see Tao's group squirm in seeing they have meant a match they can't compete against. "That my time of freedom grows ever closer, with each day, my power grows, and soon….there will be both an end, and a beginning from my return." That message alone showed that from the cloud version of Grimmore's eyes issue that his freedom grows nearer & truly when it happens, all of Tartarus will break loose cause that's what will happen. "Mwuhahahaha-HAHAHAHAAAAAUGHHH…" Soon the cloud form of the Overlord King began to fade & scatter, but Grimmore's wickedly evil cackle could still be heard even as the skies were clear: this just proves how serious the situation is becoming.

"Boy, now this really strikes as an out for us." Jade spoke off in seeing how much of a terrible foe that the ponies got on their hands, or hooves for a pony, the Dark Elf that rules Tartarus seems like a majorly big threat, right next to the Superior.

"Sensei, could what Grimmore say be true? That the Equestrian Eliminator is still under his control?" Mighty Heart asked his teacher if the masked pony agent that has trail Twilight's group, still has difficulty escaping the Dark Elf's control.

"Whether he is or isn't, so long as Starlight has second guessing, that will weaken the darkness that binds his heart." Tao wisely explained the matter in how the deceived Starlight that continues to believe he's the Equestrian Eliminator can believe he was another pony before an agent of Grimmore. "But the only one that may truly set him free, maybe of Twilight Sparkle." The old pony declared out that if anypony can help the Equestrian Eliminator be who he once was as Starlight, it maybe Twilight Sparkle when the time truly does come for them to meet, face to face, and more clearly too.

"Which means that Grimmore or even the Superior will make a big move," Dragon Kick spoke in understanding what will soon happen, either Grimmore or even the Superior, is gonna make a big move that will leave a big mark in Equestria's history books. "And when they do, we can only hope that Starlight can realize who he truly is." He sighed in feeling that when such a big matter does occur, the agent under Grimmore's will can choose what to forever be, a servant to an evil dark elf or be a free stallion that longs to be loved by love ones.

Silence fell over the gang after that, for they know that as Mystic Ponies, they are to watch & guild others down the 'right' path. And very soon, when a battle too big to avoid arrives, the Mystic Ponies may have to break that rule. But for now, they have 'other' matters to attend to.

Of course, when it involves the treaty...

Chapter 19: Aftermath of the End

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Chapter 19: Aftermath of the End

Now the scene opens to where we see that the Mane Six's five members are in the restaurant own by the Mane Six Lookalikes. After what Pinkie Pie issued off earlier, they needed to come to a place to settle their worries. This place was slowly trying to get up after the Sandworm issue that happened from a smelly cheese problem, but that's in the past.

"So now what do we do," Fluttershy asked off in what they'll have to do about now.

"A.J., how's the veggie supply?" Rainbow Dash asked in trying to start a conversation.

"We're down 'ta very little, mah family's cousins can't bring enough, fast enough, or deplete much in their own homes." Applejack sighed to feel they have some serious problems with keeping everypony to have their vegetables.

"Oh this is terrible! What else can go wrong?" Rarity asked off in seeing they need to do something but what?

"De-Do-Waugh-Eek; Wababah; Oink," Suddnely, Pinkie Pie was doing some weird action movements that surprise her friends until; she stopped, "Oh no! Uh, Feathermay! Do you serve meat around here?" The pink pony asked the mare from her six working friends about a question on her mind.

"No. Hey girls, she asked if we serve meat." Feathermay responded confused before turning to ask the others that were lookalikes of the Mane Six.

"Eeew, no," Firecracker Burst exclaims, a bit disgusted by what Feathermay's suggesting.

"We don't do that here." Roseluck said with a shudder.

"Right, dreadful." Cherry Pie remarks with a frown, "To think of the very idea!"

"No, not really," Flitterheart said in concern while Plumsweet shake her head meaning no to Feathermay's question.

"Pinkie, why ask such a thing?" Rarity raised an eyebrow in finding that question to be really random, even for her.

"Cause I sense there was gonna be a bull charging through and ram us across a few distances!" Pinkie Pie responded off another randomly weird response out of nowhere.

"Oh, that does sound terrible!" Fluttershy responded worry if that was the case, but….

"Except we just got over in hearing that there are no bulls in this place, so we're all…." Rainbow was about to easily object to that even happening until…

"Poofrsuvhmmmm…./MRUUAAARRRRUGHHH!" Suddenly, a magical bright burst cloud came from within the kitchen of the restaurant.

"Fine…." Rainbow Dash finished her sentence in being a bit surprised to hearing a bull just now.

"Girls…?" Feathermay raised an eyebrow to her friends, they aren't supposed to serve meat, so why was that a bull calling from their kitchen?

"Odd, that never happened before." Firecracker said puzzled by the bull calling.

"Why in the Sam Hill there's a bull in our kitchen?" Roseluck ask her friends in confusion.

"Bad luck?" Plumsweet ask while eating a treat. Flitterheart and Cherry Pie are bewildered as well.

"Wha in tarnation," Applejack was about to ask what was going on, however….

"POWWVVFRUUVHMMM…./MOOORUUARRRGUHHH!" Suddenly without any warning, something rammed to break through the kitchen double doors to show a roaring rampaging MechBull busting through.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhh," The Mane Six's five members screamed in seeing this, and the creature coming towards….them!

Outside the restaurant, things seem fine that the citizens pay no mind…well that would soon change.

"POWWWVUHMMM…./URROOOARRRGUHHH!" For suddenly without warning, a mechanical bull ended up breaking through in roaring fit out of the restaurant while scarring some crowds, "KAPOW! KAPOW! Kapowfrvuhmmmm," Then outside of Ponyville, lots of loud implosive sounds of something bashing against some homes to end up crashing right near the side of what was Sweet Apple Acres; And during which, many of the residences were gathering around in chatting what was going on.

"Yikes! Are we being attacked again?!" Mrs. Cake gasps in horror and concern.

"As if the last time wasn't bad enough," Cheerilee cries out in worry.

"And we are down on our last supply of veggies as well." Caramel said, looking down in worry.

"Is this a bad omen sign?" Lyra asks Sweetie Drops who looks scared herself.

Soon near what was a rubble of plowed dirt and wrecked wooden structure, the dust clouds clear for all of us to get a view in what we are dealing with. First off, the Mane Six's five members were at the bottom, coughing from what happened before setting themselves up. After cleaning the dirt off, did they see what new problem they got.

"Goodness Gracious! What was all that about?" Rarity spoke off in fixing her mane after what just happened to her now.

"Oh, don't you remember, a bull came from out of the kitchen; we rammed across a few buildings, and ended up here!" Pinkie Pie happily some off in issuing what they had just went through now.

"Yeah, I think we know that after going along for the ride." Rainbow Dash narrow her eyes in thinking that the Mane Fiver knew that, question was, why?

"But, why was a bull there to begin with?" Fluttershy asked off in feeling concern over what happened even now.

"Bigger question is, how'd it even ram us fro' here 'ta mah family's farm?" Applejack pointed out in seeing where they are, at the ruined farm.

Suddenly, as if something was to answer all those questions and more, the rubble began to move that alerted the five mares & the other pony citizens of something moving under the gravel.

"Moowrruaaghhh," Suddenly, what was a MechBull brought out to shake it's body while some pony was letting the tail pull him out.

"Cough-cough, dag-gum; what a ruckus; Hugh…" The stallion in question was Tough Apple, but when he had his eyes blurry, he saw….the crowd that spooked him, "SHADOW! Back- Back!" The guy yelped in misunderstanding the crowd as the beast; The Shadow from the End of Equestria, "Bang-Bang-Bangh!" And soon the stallion got his pea-shooter to start blasting to frighten anypony that was near.

"Eek-Whoop, Yikes," Pinkie Pie yelped to dance away while the others were puzzled, what was Tough doing now?

"Boink," Suddenly, a whack to the stallion's head by a frying pan did a number to snap him out. "Tough, will you stop shooting them ponies for no reason!" Granny Smith snapped from throwing her frying pan to sternly get the pony under control, him and his losing temper.

"Oh Granny, am Ah glad to see yew! Is 'dat Shadow not here?" Tough Apple finally recognize his surroundings to sigh in relief while asking if the monster called; The Shadow, was no longer near.

"Cuz, what are yew blabbing about?" Applejack raised an eyebrow in what got Tough to be acting so strange now.

"Eh, Ah'll tell yah after Ah settle down. Come on Justin," Tough shrug off his shoulders to seeing that he'll explain better in a bit while getting the MechBull to follow him.

"Mwrrooughhh!" Justin responded off as the MechBull was slowly walking down from the pile of rubble.

"Chu," Rabbitchu suddenly popped out to hop on over to the other ponies while surprising them; they know this machine.

"Is that Rabbitchu? What are you doing here little thing?" Fluttershy responded in surprise as she bent down to see & ask it a question.

"Chu-Chu, chi," Rabbitchu responded in speaking in its animal talk.

"What! You & Twilight's group escaped from a scary Shadow?" Fluttershy responded in understanding what the creature told her.

"Toughy!" Feathermay came out from the crowd to hug the stallion that returned with such worry and overjoy. "So you made it back!" The mare responded in being happy that this tough Apple member return, she was worried when she heard he left to go somewhere dangerous.

"Gosh Feathermay, sorry if Ah worried yah over me," Tough Apple blush a bit under his fur in seeing that he musta made the mare he love worried sick.

"Wait, if you're here, then where are Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spiky-Wikey & Phobos?" Rarity asked off in remembering, Tough went with the others, so where are they?

Suddenly, some rubblling was seen that brought everypony's attention on some Dragon claws digging themselves out.

"Ugh….anybody got the number of what of what we hit?" Spike groans in coming out while feeling like he can't remember what hit them just moments ago when Justin ram through town non-stop.

"A restaurant, a quill store, a cake's store, a spa place, the mail room, and a bunch of other things my aching head can't remember enough." Phobos responded off in marking the areas that he last recall before not knowing any, they must have wanted to get away from the Shadow so bad, when the gang teleported here that they forgot to stop.

"Spike & Phobos; You guys are okay!" Pinkie Pie cheered with joy, more friends have return.

"Yeah, I'm thinking that going through what they went through wouldn't be called 'okay', Pinkie." Rainbow Dash slowly remarks the fact of what's happened here was anything 'but' being okay.

"Hoot…hoot/Arrf-Bark!" Suddenly, what should scurry out of the rubble than a familiar owl and wolf cub.

"Of my, Owlowiscious & Koga; Are you hurt?" Fluttershy spoke to approach the pets in seeing that they came to wiggle out the dirt & dust on themselves while they shook their heads 'no' for the question. "Oh that's a relief!" The kind hearted pony sighs in relief to hear the pets were safe & not injured.

"But wha about Twilight & de rest o' her family?" Applejack asked off in wanting to know where her friend & her family are.

Just then, something was seen pushing against the rubble and it was shown to be seen…as a shield. And in a strange moment, some drama trumpet noises were heard during this moment (think of Disney's Hercules after the hero came out of the Hydra's claw to show he was alight). Everypony gasped in shock to see that from the light, Ben wielded the Hylian Shield that helped protected him and shown that Twilight was underneath. Soon the stallion offered his hoof to help Twilight up as she happily accepted it. The crowds were stunned at first then went into a loud cheering moment.

"They LIIIIVE," Big Macintosh shouted out in seeing that the two ponies were alive.

"Princess Twilight & Prince Ben have returned!" Golden Harvest exclaimed for joy for mentioning the names of the returned ponies that left them.

During the moment, Twilight & Ben wave around to the cheering crowds in happily being glad to have returned home again.

"Boy, are we happy to see you!" Rainbow Dash came over when the two ponies came down from the rubble, happy to see them again.

"We're happier than a gopher biting through a crop line." Applejack responded in her own sounds of joy that her pals have return now.

"Darlings, we were so worried when we heard the news." Rarity spoke in almost feeling traumatized over what their friends even thought of doing to help the farm.

"We're so happy to have you back. I think we should throw a party to celebrate your return from a land no pony's ever come back from." Pinkie Pie responded in being so happy that she bounced all around. "Except for the bunch that said they were cannibals and you saved them, but that's a different story." The pink pony stopped to quote off about the cannibals that came here by magic. "And maybe some more ponies but that's too long to explain."

"Um, where's Nyx?" Fluttershy spoke in noticing that some pony was still missing.

Suddenly, a record-scratching noise cut off the proud trumpet playing background with a sudden realization; where was Twilight & Ben's child?

"Nyx; where are you honey?" Twilight turns to call her child to answer her.

"Nyx, do something so we can find you," Ben hollered out for his daughter to show them where she is.

"BOOM,” Suddenly, an explosion blew off much more rocky rubble to allow some pony behind a cloud of dust to stand.

"Cough-cough, if that ain't a sign of something to locate Nyx then I'm not a Moon Dragon." Phobos coughed from all the dust in the air that got in his lungs.

"Then wha are ye, a donkey?" Tough Apple raised an eyebrow to ask Phobos this.

"Nooo; I was being sarcastic!" Phobos snapped off about still being a Moon Dragon.

"Cough…cough, mother…father….I'm okay." A 'Voice' came from the clouds of dust from that explosive stunt; it had to be Nyx, right?

"Hey, whose voice is 'dat?" Apple Bloom responded in hearing the voice, she didn't think it was Nyx.

"Sure doesn't sound like the Nyx that we know," Scootaloo spoke off puzzled about knowing their black filly friend's voice was much younger.

"I think we heard that voice long ago, but from where." Sweetie Belle rubbed her chin in pondering something on the mind in hearing that voice.

"Me too, it's like from the day I was honored Cutie Mark Crusader." Twist rubbed her chin in recalling something of Nyx and the voice that sounded like an adult mare.

Soon when the clouds of dust clear for everyone to see the little filly pony Nyx, except they would see a big surprise they never expect to see; When the grown-ups saw Nyx in her Battle Form, they were whispering words from 'It's Nightmare Moon' & 'Did something happen to Nyx' & 'Why is she like she was?' & 'That's Nyx's Cutie Mark, so it must be her.' & so much gossip that the adult Nyx frown in seeing a situation she once lived through once.

"Hey you lot, wha's eating yew? Can't yew show a little joy 'dat Nyx is okay," Tough Apple spoke off in not liking how stunned that the crowds are in seeing Nyx in a more grown up form.

"You don't know since you weren't here, but that form…is the form the Cult used to turn the filly into Nightmare Moon." Filthy Rich issued in stating a moment that lead to a strange cult, which he was unwillingly a part of, that made Nyx as the reincarnation of the evil Nightmare Moon.

"But we were told she was stripped of that power to remain a filly to begin anew!" Soarin' responded puzzled, the other ponies all heard about Nyx return as a filly to start life all over again as a fresh start.

"We're not sure if it's a curse or if something happened to you on your journey." Lucky claim with worry, what it something made Nyx return to her grown up form and it may only be a matter of time before….

"Everypony, what's your deal, she's still Nyx." Spike snapped off in not believing this crowd.

"Yeah, it's a form that she developed to fight in." Phobos issued off to tell the crowd this so they feel less worrisome.

The crowds weren't sure about this, many were still discussing in thought if Nyx was still her good filly self that was the adoptive daughter to Twilight & Ben or reverted to the evil Nightmare Moon; Decisions among decisions.

"Wait, we're still missing two others." Nyx's Battle Form responded in seeing that their group was missing two others.

Soon some magical rubble was lifted off the ground that surprised the crowds, what could this be now? And soon what came out were what Twilight's group could tell were the Enforcers: Dumbledore & Bocolix.

"Boy, talk about your rocky start!" Bocolix rubbed his head in feeling like that was a real bumpy part of the road trip.

"Yeah, I think that race was more Ben's win than ours." Dumbledore issued off in rethinking that Ben won the race for their lives, but it's better than losing to the Shadow.

"Hay, who are those two," Caramel responded puzzled in never seeing those new Alicorns before.

"They are some friends that came to help us on our journey." Nyx spoke in approaching the two new Alicorns to the crowd with an expression that was not the evil Nightmare Moon, but the pure & good hearted Nyx that they all knew. "They are Dumbledore & Bocooix, the Enforcers." Adult Nyx introduce the two Enforcers from the crowd to recognize.

"The Enforcers," Feathermay responded in hearing the name of the two Alicorns that must be a duo group.

"Wow, more Alicorns!" Braeburn responded with a smile in never seeing more Alicorns come around here.

"Are they heroes?" Sweetie Drops asked off in wondering if the two new Alicorn males are heroes, like Twilight, their two other princesses, even Golden Heart.

"Well, I wouldn't say that we're heroes." Dumbledore rubbed the back of his neck in feeling a bit bashful in being said as heroes now.

"Yeah, we were just in the neighborhood." Bocolix shrug off with a smile to say they just appeared before Twilight's group, nothing else, really.

"Everypony listen, a lot of things happened that if not for what we've gone through might not have return at all." Twilight instructed the crowd to hear her out about what the group went through to their return.

"Right, besides the ingredients, I've gained a shield & bow with arrows, Twilight gotten a few magical objects, Nyx showed us a magic trick called a Battle Form that can help her fight in the form you see, only without the armor, so she's not the Nightmare Moon of evil that we once remembered." Ben Mare explained to the other ponies about the crazy stuff that they came across, and boy, was it something wild to experience First Hand or hoof.

Now the pony citizens were starting to feel a little more better and not so afraid with Nyx's Battle Form that it may look like Nightmare Moon at first, but much of it was different, this one…was the Nyx to be when grown up.

"Nyx, why don't you show them," Twilight smiled to have her daughter show the ponies that she is still who she is, no matter what form she takes.

"Oh course mother." Adult Nyx responded with a mature tone that amazed the crowd then she glowed to revert to her smaller form. "See, I'm still me, I just changed forms now. Neat trick, hugh?" Nyx responded to which the crowd almost thought there was a change in personalities, but it was still a better thing than an evil Nightmare Moon personality, that they can deal without.

"Neat nothing, 'dat was amazing!" Apple Bloom came up to Nyx in feeling what she did was super amazing.

"You've got to show us that trick more often!" Scootaloo responded off in liking what Nyx has got could be helpful in their duties as CMC.

"Think you can teach us?" Sweetie Belle asked if maybe Nyx could teach her, a unicorn, such a spell, if possible.

"I thought that voice was you, we never forget a friend's voice." Twist responded with a smile in remembering how she saw Nyx in her grown up form in giving her the CMC cape long ago and even helped give her a neat gift on her birthday, the other CMC members.

"Ah, thanks girls." Nyx smiled in now hugging her friends in being happy to be back and that everypony accepts that no matter what form she's in, they'll still love & trust her.

Slowly, all the ponies began to feel good and decided to chat with princess Twilight, Prince Ben, even the Mane Six wanted to know some things too. Even Bocolix & Dumbledore were getting surrounded by lots of pretty mares complimenting them and the two didn't even make some comments of not liking Earth Ponies cause, well….they never actually been treated nice and be nice, that such Boris logic went out the door.

"Easy their ladies, like we said, we're no heroes." Bocolix held up his hooves to say that they've tried to say that the two aren't the real heroes.

"Yah, I mean, we helped some way, but those guys are better heroes!" Dumbledore reported the honest truth; the Enforcers were with Twilight's group for other reasons.

"Well yes, Twilight, Ben, Spike, even little Nyx are heroes." Lyra responded in letting the two Alicorn makes know that they knew about that fact.

"But it's not every day we get to see more alicorns." Derpy issued about how the ponies never get the chance to see more Alicorns these days.

"Especially two good looking ones like you that must be good ponies!" Golden Harvest stated how from just seeing the two, these Alicorn males don't seem evil in the least bit.

"You….mean it; Are we…really like good ponies?" Dumbledore asked off completely shocked upon hearing this, being Boris's minions, they did terrible stuff, but never thought that the two were good ponies.

"Would that mean, you even welcome us after helping out Twilight's group?" Bocolix asked off a question that was on his mind and thought…would this act let them be welcome back to their home?

"Of course," The flower trio mares responded that they thought the two alicorn males were something & be welcome to their home.

Dumbledore & Bocolix felt a little wrath in their hearts for the first time. Sure, this place called Ponyville may not be the great & fancy lifestyle of Canterlot, but here there were no such separate terms of classes of unicorns & Pegasus, they were just…ponies. And even though the two Enforcers were banished because of the trouble of the Demon Pony & for falling in Boris's plot that angered the sun princess, maybe their life could be better than they were of an evil Pegasus & unicorn stooges, maybe starting fresh as…good Alicorn ponies.

"Wooh, this does feel different from what we were used to being." Dumbledore responded in feeling this kinda kindness felt good to them.

"Yeah, and I…kinda like it, especially being welcomed." Bocolix responded in liking to be welcome back, while their old selves are banished, they can start better now as Alicorns.

"Pssss….Psss….." Suddenly, from the shadows behind the Enforcers, they notice a pony in a familiar cloak. From the hood remove, the two Alicorn males recognized it as a mare that they knew too well.

"Trixie," Both Enforcers responded surprise in their minds in seeing their ally and friend was here, but why…was it to remind them of their need to return before the authorities come and question their origin; well that would be bad for them, they guess.

"Um, we'll have to chat with you mares another time." Dumbledore responded in feeling a bit uneasy at the moment to say something came up.

"Yeah, we need to get going, sorry we can't stay." Bocolix responded that the two Alicorns love to stick around, but they can't and they really want to too.

"Aaawww…." The mares that were liking the new Alicorns responded in sorrow to hear this.

"Wait, you two are leaving?" Spike spoke from seeing and hearing what the Enforcers are gonna do now.

"Do you have to go?" Nyx asked in looking at the new friends that she & the others made when in the End of Equestria.

"Yeah, I was starting to like complimenting you guys." Phobos shrugs off to say something at this moment about the two Alicorns.

"You were?" The Enforcers asked off with hopeful smiles, the Moon Dragon had something nice about them.

"Hello, sarcasm, boy, you two are slow." Phobos issued off that he was pulling the two's legs, they really are slow on the subject and how they became Alicorns is a big mystery.

"Ohh…" The Enforcers mopped in hearing this, so much for thinking Phobos was actually wanting to be nice.

"You two really haves helped us out." Ben smiled to offer a hoof shake to which both the Enforcers did in surprise.

"Yah, maybe we'll see each other again someday." Tough Apple issued to give a hard pat on the two male Alicorn's backs, much to their surprise in how tough this Apple member was.

"It's strange, you two remind me a lot of two colts that I use to know." Twilight approached the two Alicorns in issuing this fact that completely caught Dumbledore & Bocolix by worrying surprise…does she know… "But they were different from how you two Alicorns acted in helping us today. Knowing what two colts I remember did things with their so-called boss of a jerk." The new princess smiled to shake her head about such thoughts in thinking of different ponies from her past that were involved with Boris.

UAh yeah, totally different," Dumbledore responded a bit worried if Twilight does recall that he was once the unicorn named Dum Dum.

"That be us, Alicorns all the way." Bocolix responded off in trying to shake off in recalling how Twilgith remembered him as the Pegasus named Boxco.

"Whelp, bye-bye!" The Enforcers quickly gave a little wave of farewell before they used their horns together. With that, they went through their own Warp Gate Spell and it closed soon afterwards. This left many spectators 'awing' over such an exit route by two mysterious Alicorns.

"Hugh, well that was weird." Twilight raised an eyebrow in finding that action a bit awkward.

"Princess Twilight! Princess Twilight!" Suddenly, who should enter the scene, then Private Kenny, out of breath, "Hugh-hugh, I have a message from Princess Twilight. Doh, I mean message about Ben Mare. Gaugh, I mean….the Princess wants to see you two at the palace! Hooo…" The private that's been running Shining Armor's jump as captain got a few things mess up on what his message was.

"Princess Celestia wants to see us?" Twilight responded of surprise that the princess wants to see them right away.

"You, your company, including your friends apart of the Mane Six group," Private Kenny issued off that the princess of the sun wants the entire group of Equestria's heroes of tough times to come at once.

"Can't this wait until after the farm is fixed?" Ben asked off in seeing that the group were gonna try to help fix the Apples' Farm so they can grow things.

"No time, urgent that you see them at once." Private Kenny shook his head in issuing that the ponies here need to go directly to the palace, it sounds very urgent.

"Well if we're going in a hurry, may as well try a new spell I've learn to perform." Twilight Sparkle spoke to see if they have to quickly meet with the princess of the sun, then she has the right spell to help, a new one too.

"New spell," The Mane Six repeated off confused, Twilight has a new spell to help them out?

"Yep, hang tight girls; and the rest of you too. Ready?" Twilight responded while wanting those to gather around her for what she's about to do. "Here goes….Comet Run!" Twilight Sparkle shouted out near that last part while her horned glowed.

Suddenly with another warning, Twilight, the Mane Six, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, and even Tough Apple & Private Kenny got swiped into a glowing white flashing ball with a tail-wave. And just as the name said, it looks like a comet shooting across the skies and over the distance at a fast rate to reach from Ponyville to Canterlot in a new quick way that the new princess is capable of now presently. However, behind a corner of a building, Dumbledore & Bocolix were actually there and haven't truly left their area, cause they were meeting with their friend, Trix Lulamoon

"Oh thank goodness! You two made it back alive!" Trix spoke to suddenly hug the two goofs by surprise; she was really worried for them. "Honestly, I wish Boris realize how lucky it was that you weren't killed in that area!" The girl sternly digress the matter that Boris could have lost some very loyal ponies & her close friends in the mess that they went through.

"Gee, you really mean that Trix? That you care about us?" Dumbledore responded in being surprise to actual hear this stuff.

"Yeah, we always see you loving the boss while we were just goofballs." Bocolix responded in hearing this & recalling what Trixie use to do when they interrupted her time with Boris.

"Uuuagh, why must you two even bring up 'that' relationship?" Trix groans in seeing that even the Enforcers bring up that relationship about her and Boris, really. "I don't even know where you got that." She huffed off in feeling a bit upset about the whole thing that got the rumor started.

"Well, we kinda notice it from afar." Dumbledore shrug off to say that even the two goofs that work for Boris noticed this action of love.

"And about Twilight might not be in love with Boris." Bocolix responded off to also issue another fact for Trixie to know.

"I don't wanna hear….wait. What do you mean?" Trix was about to snap, but stopped in being curious of what she heard.

"We check to see if Twilight was under a love spell , but she wasn't." Dumbledore reported about Twilight not being under some love spell to be loving Ben.

"Yeah, she's free to choose who she likes, which means its princess Celestia's kid." Bocolix issued that Twilight has just been 'natural' in love with Ben Mare.

"You don't say." Trix smiled under her lips in finding that info very pleasing to her…until she snapped to her senses. "Uhpm, anyway, let’s get back to Safe Haven, Boris will want to hear the news." The mare issued that they need to return to inform about what they've managed to learn.

"Um, could we tell him in say…a week or a month from today? Maybe two even?" Dumbledore responded in feeling a bit nervous about going now to tell Boris about their return, among 'other' issues to discuss.

"Right, if he learns what we experienced, it's not just about Twilight being safe, but about him wanting her." Bocolix responded that when Boris learns of Twilight's love situation, it'll only make the Red Devil pony madder.

"Nonsense, in anyway, come on, I'm sure the other Brotherhood members will be very 'surprise' to learn of your experience in being on your own." Trix waved off such thoughts while insisting that they get going now, they have to tell the other members of their group about what has happened.

Dumbledore & Bocolix couldn't help but give in to Trix Lulamoon, when she makes her point, she won't stop until it's heard.

"You've done very well, Boxco and Dum-Dum." A familiar voice interrupts the departure. The two Alicorns gasp in surprise as a familiar old pony is nearby, something that they thought that they themselves will never see again.

"Tao; you're alive!" Bocolix and Dumbledore exclaims at once to a friend that they thought was gone for good.

"Tao; As in Mystic Tao, one of Mystic Ponies and one of Mystic Council; Powerful and great Mystic Pony of Light," Trix ask in amazement and curiosity.

Tao smiles as he answers, "I wouldn't want to be arrogant, Trixie, but yes, I am. You've done well, despite being the daughter of Smaug."

"Look, if you are here for my punishment, I haven't done anything wrong."

Tao smile, waving a hoof to assure her of no worries while saying, "It's okay, Trixie. In fact, I am here for three of you for two missions that I've made."

Trix, Boxco and Dum-Dum ask in surprise, "Missions?" What does this Mystic Pony mean?""

"Three of you had made the first step of redemption. I'm proud to see that. Your mission is to redeem Boris from not only his darkness, but his lust. For one day, Boris will be freed from his blinded lust."

"Do you think so?" Trix ask Tao hopefully.

"We really can do it?" Bocolix ask with a hopeful stupid look on his face.

"I don't know. Boris is very hard pony to convince." Dumbledore said, concerned as to how hard it is to convince Boris to let his lust for Twilight just like that.

"Never gave hope up. Always have faith." Tao advises the two goofy Alicorns and Trix wisely.

Trix smile while saying, "I understand. So, what's the second mission?"

"I want Boxco and Dum-Dum to help you in spying and helping Princess Celestia by knowing what our enemy is planning."

"You work for the princess?" Bocolix ask Tao in surprise.

"So that's why you're so busy on something. But why do we need to help?" Dumbledore ask, knowing that the princess herself is not happy with him and Boxco right now.

"It's not that we hate it. It's just Princess Celestia won't forgive us for the things we had done."

"She will, my friends. For she knows you from the beginning, you had redeem it." Tao said to the two mysteriously.

"I don't know. When boss or the Superior asked us to do something, we might be doing something bad." Bocolix explains to Tao in hesitation.

"Yeah; you're not mad at us, right?" Dumbledore ask Tao, hoping that the old pony isn't mad for what he and Bocolix has done under Boris's or the Superior's orders.

"Perhaps, I will. But that's the reason why Trixie avoid anything by acting cruel, boastful and arrogant, to avoid being detected or suspected by her dark father." Tao explains to the three with a grin.

"In other words, we played dumb?" Bocolix ask a stupid question.

"Aren't we always?" Dumbledore ask Bocolix in confusion.

"It might be hard and painful for you to do bad things again, but it worth everyone's effort. After all, you have desired to become something more. And that you will, if you help us, we can end the war, by making everything looked okay, but in the end, failure." Tao explains what must be done to stop Grimmore and the Apocalypse Ponies once and for all.

"Don't worry, I'm here to help. I'm willing to take the punishment." Trix said with a nod.

"Really," Bocolix and Dumbledore ask Trix in surprise, surprised that their pal is willing to take the punishment regardless of what she does.

"Yes."

Bocolix cringes then shrugs as he say, "It might be painful, but hopefully one day to redeem it when this mess is over. Sign me in."

"Count me in, too. You're a true friend, Trixie." Dumbledore said to Trix with a smile.

"Good now, I believe the Superior or the Brotherhood is waiting for you. Remember, you must do something bad to Twilight and her friends to avoid suspicion from your allies." Tao warns the trio in precaution. "If they do, it will be difficult for any of us to win the war."

"We won't let you down!" Bocolix exclaims stupidly while saluting the old pony in his usual way.

"You can count us out." Dumbledore remarks stupidly while nodding.

"It's 'You can count us in'. Boy, you haven't change." Trix said with an annoyed sigh. Even when they are Alicorns, those two still mess up their sayings.

"Patience is the virtue. Everything will be fine. Now go." Tao said, giving out one piece of advice for the bad guys in spying.

"Thank you, Mystic Tao."

Trixie, Boxco and Dum-Dum left at once. Soon the three traveled by a Warp Gate Spell that would lead to their Safe Haven, and from what happens next will be another surprise to come from the news of what happened in the End of Equestria.

Tao smile while saying, "Good, everything is in places. Now, we had to wait for the right moment to redeem Boris, or he will end up like his dark father."

And now, the time come to reveal himself alive at last...

-----------------

Back in the realms of Tartarus itself, the Equestrian Eliminator was struggling to keep what Tao has told him alive while dealing with the evils of the world itself. As he does, a voice spoke up, "I see you had enjoy your mission and had socialized with old hermit and his family very well, haven't you, Equestrian Eliminator?"

Starlight turn and encounter a pale pony with dark, spiky and long mane and tail while his eyes are snake's irises-like and wore the hard, strong and steel armor. His Cutie Mark is the head of black Dragon and Snake formed into heart shaped and faced at each other.

"Shadow Dragon," The Equestrian Eliminator said with a frown. He knows this pony too well.

The Shadow Dragon smirks as he said, "It's been while, hasn't it?"

"What do you want? For a duel we had last time from my training?"

Shadow Dragon smirk as he said, "Not exactly. I'm here for the mission as well though I can see that it's now finished. Like you, I have come to check progress on the holder of Triforce Elements of Harmony by my personal reason and my master's command. It's hard to believe that the heir of Celestia will be chosen by my former powers."

The Equestrian Eliminator look shocked as he ask, "So, you're telling me that you are the predecessor of that powers?"

"Indeed . But I was too obsessed of more powers, and demanded more to become powerful warrior. That Triforce was mine to command. Curse that council, they removed it from me and bestowed to someone who is worthy to them."

"Ben Mare?"

"Indeed . But it matters not. I enjoy the show, especially Ben's performance." The Shadow Dragon comments then he chuckle evilly. "Ben may not realize that everything he believed is nothing but false history with his mother."

"What are you talking about?!" The Equestrian Eliminator demands suspiciously to the former holder of the Triforce Elements.

"Pity that Grimmore never knew about Celestia's and Ben's true connection, unlike my master, who prepared the important event: 'Elements Prophecy'. Its time is upon us."

"The old hermit spoke of it as well. What is it?"

"If I told you, that would create the spoiler of our fun." The Shadow Dragon taunts the former pony known as Starlight wickedly. "Besides, my master is making return to Lord Smaug after this event."

"I see. The Great Dark Mystic Pony has returned from his Dark Mystic Realm." The Equestrian Eliminator said, understanding who the Shadow Dragon is referring to.

"You have to make the right decision, Starlight, or you will died."

"Between Twilight and my master?"

The Shadow Dragon smirks as he trots around the conflicted Equestrian Eliminator, taunting, "Between him and my master. We may have become the alliance to Smaug, but we do not trust Grimmore with plans we had stored for our enemies. So be wise of it, Equestrian Eliminator."

The Equestrian Eliminator huff, "So be it, Shadow Dragon. I do not trust him either, but I am his servant. I must obey."

"Not necessary. For a servant who surpassed everything will become the master, I'd say Grimmore feared your powers."

"What makes you say that?"

"How else my master knows about Grimmore since thousand years ago? In fact, they weren't great friends, but rather rivals to prove who is the true master of darkness," The Shadow Dragon explains sinisterly to the Equestrian Eliminator, getting the latter's interest some more.

"I will be pleased to find out." The Equestrian Eliminator remarks while nodding a bit.

"Indeed you will, Starlight. If you chose us, the truth of your existence will be revealed. Farewell. Be warned of anything you chose."

"I'm not afraid."

Shadow Dragon smirk as he said, "You will be, my boy. You will be......." The villain disappears into the shadows.

The Equestrian Eliminator is not sure what to do at this point...

------------

Soon after Twilight's group have entered the throne chamber, princess Celestia, Luna, Golden Heart, plus Flash Sentry as well as Cadance, Shining, Night Light and Twilight Velvet; A warm-hearted greeting to the brave ponies; Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Tough, and especially the brave little Dragons, even the animals, living and metal that were within the room. After such matters were already done & settled, the time of reporting of what Twilight Sparkle had decided among herself in venturing to the End of Equestria & bringing a small band of volunteers to even having Hoboken Joe secretly give out two Machines of War to go along the journey, which that last one might have been of extra support aid, it was done without permission, much.

"I gotta admit, we deal with some major problems like cannibals, the Swarm, Hydra, the Grundles who I am happy to report are still around and wish to be friends with us again." Twilight said, smiling on the last part.

"That's good to hear." Celestia said, pleased to hear that her friends from old ago are safe and are willingly to return to friendship with the ponies.

"And then, there's the peaceful lake where we met a new friend." Nyx said with a sad sigh, recalling the loss of Tao.

"And the defeat of the Demon Lords...and that robot thing," Ben said, scratching his mane puzzled. "Who is it anyway?"

"That can be resolved for later." Golden Heart remarks with a slight chuckle. He smiles, knowing that it's still best to keep Pinkamena safe.

"And of course Nyx and I almost fell to darkness twice." Spike remarks, shuddering about the fights with Shendu and Tso Lan. "And then the Shadow..."

"Creepy!" Phobos remarks with a shudder of his own.

Pinkie Pie comment, "I knew you would make it back. Not only does the author have A LOT more stories in his series, but Season 4 starts in a few months or days. For the record, the only two real reasons I didn't go with you is because 1. It wasn't in the script and 2. I had to foalsit Pound and Pumpkin anyway."

"Twilight, could you & your friends please step forward for moment," Celestia spoke in wanting the ones called to come before her. "Now Twilight, tell us all, when you went to the End of Equestria, you had with you a different group than of the other five Elements of Harmony?" She knows that Twilight wanted her five original friends to aid her, but they didn't and got a different group instead.

"Ye…yes," Twilight slowly nods before Celestia.

"And so tell me, should you have managed to get your five friends to come along, would the results have been the same?" Celestia asked the next question with a steady tone in awaiting a response.

"Umm….I…I…" Twilight was at a loss of words, she didn't know how to respond…

"Mom, it's not Twilight's fault, nor was it the others, they were just being concerned about not losing a friend." Ben spoke in wanting his mom to understand the different circumstances.

"Which is why, they knew what was best for them and what was best, for you all," Celestia spoke in which earn much confusion from the regulars. "Twilight has shown much improvement in becoming an Alicorn, I'm seeing her teachings have helped her face such terrible conflict even in the End of Equestria. And you Ben, you've helped Twilight because of what your heart told you. And you've even managed to meet Hiko Seijuro that helped awaken your abilities further." She was issuing facts in how both Twilight & Ben have overcome some obstacles that have helped make them stronger, form enemies to unexpected opponents that lead to discoveries.

"So you did know him mom? I have to say, that guy was no ordinary Earth Pony, even Boris would be shocked from the strength that guy possesses." Ben responded while smiling in thinking in thought, what Boris do if he met an Earth Pony that even a Devil Pony couldn't beat no matter what?

"Indeed, but if not for that confrontation, you might not have been able to gain the Hylian Shield & the Hero's Bow, with them along with the Master Sword, the weapons from the Hero Of Time & the Triforce, have helped make you stronger at this stage & time." Celestia responded that it was thanks to Hiko Seijuro, that Ben acquired new arsenals to give him better usage in fighting evil.

"And me grandma?" Nyx asked in wondering if she grew stronger from this journey.

"I was especially surprise to learn of what you've displayed Nyx, and to think Spell Nexus didn't tell me of this was almost surprising." Celestia spoke towards Nyx about her own surprises from the black filly. "To unlock a power that gives you back the strength you once had or possibly more so then that with change, with your own Battle Form, you can truly be like what you've done before. Defending Equestria like a shield to protect those you love." The princess of the sun nods in feeling that from Nyx, she can truly become a great force to protect Equestria from evil, even while still so young.

"Awww…thanks grandma." Nyx smiled to feel happy to hear this.

"Um, ma'am, um…princess….is there nothing about me; Heck, Ah know's Spike & Phobos must be special, but…" Tough Apple was a bit nervous in speaking to royalty and didn't know if he was anything special at all.

"True, Spike & Phobos show a little of improving while truly being there for their friends & family, even the pets here showed much courage to face such dangers." Celestia spoke from seeing how the Dragons, even the pets showed courage in facing such horrifying trials. "But such things would not be possible, if not for the strong heart with plenty of strength of a courageous tiger could not have done what he did to protect those around him." Celestia smiled in saying that Tough Apple played a part, being strong, willing, and being there to helping keep those he cares for out of harm's way whenever he can.

"Gehhh…gosh princess, ye's making me blush." Tough Apple felt like he was gonna blush all over in hearing such things.

"And now, for the rest of you," Luna turned to look at Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. "As you know, you have chosen to not go where danger lay wait. You began to puzzle yourself if what you did was the right choice." The princess of the moon issued this puzzling fact towards the mares.

"Truth be told, you did what you had no obligation to object what you knew was true to yourselves." Golden Heart shrug off to say that those five had no choice but to not risk the dangers.

"Hugh?" The Mane Six's five Members responded puzzle, what did that even mean?

"Begging ye pardon princesses & Golden Heart?" Applejack spoke in wanting to say something here.

"But what do you mean?" Rainbow Dash asked off in what was even being said here.

"Yes, this obligation as you said it." Rarity spoke in pondering the very question as it were.

"What does that even mean?" Pinkie Pie asked off in not knowing what obligation stood for.

"And how is it being true to ourselves, um, if you don't mind answering please," Fluttershy asked off in feeling, but shyly asked in liking to know here.

"For you see, Twilight, Nyx & my son aside, they possessed powers to aid them even against the land that is the backyard to Tartarus." Celestia spoke in notifying that those that risk and have return from such dangers have become stronger than before.

"In short, everypony has a limit they can never surpass unless they are strong enough to do so." Golden Heart pointed out the blank issue about reaching a limit one can't easily get over.

"You five, you faced much danger, we know this is true, but…" Luna spoke in acknowledging the five mares of the Mane Six that have face such other challenges in the past, however…. "Had you listen to your hearts, then instead of aiding a friend, you would cause her to lose something more…your lives." What Luna said was of a very stern and strict meaning of what the outcome may have become if Twilight's original band journey to the End of Equestria.

Utter silence filled the room that everyone was in thought. It's true that no normal pony could have braved the task to travel and go all the way across the End of Equestria; anyone would perish during the trip.

"So…dat's it…we're not strong enough 'ta help Twiley." Applejack uttered out in disbelief in realizing their own weakness.

"I know we're not soldier material but…that's just unfair!" Rarity spoke in feeling that she maybe classy, but she still doesn't accept this.

"I may be a bit shy, weak maybe, but…I really do wanna help." Fluttershy spoke in feeling that she doesn't wanna let anyone down because of her.

"Me too, me too; I don't wanna let some limitation keep me down!" Pinkie Pie spoke off in a bouncy way about wanting to show that she can conquer her limitation.

"Yeah, there are tons of villains out there like the Superior & Grimmore! Twilight will need us to fight against them!" Rainbow Dash issued off in protesting this, the other five have to be there or else Twilight will be alone.

"You girls," Twilight spoke in feeling touch, her friends may have not come with her for fears and reasons of her safety and theirs, but she was happy to hear they still wanna help her out.

"Boy, this seems like a tough case." Spike spoke in seeing this little display is hard to get over.

"Yeah, how can they be the Elements of Harmony if five aren't as strong as the leader?" Phobos shrug off to say about Twilight being so strong, the others don't stand much a chance.

"Phobos," Nyx sternly scold her Dragon for saying that too loudly.

"I hate to say this, but it might be even harder now for us girls." Twilight sadly spoke in staring at the ground in admitting, the issue here of her friends helping might be out of line. "I've been studying the Xros Fusion Spell to where it's our bound in friendship to make us fuse into a strong being, rather than by force. But that might be farther away that we need more training." After what's happened, the friendship the six mares share might be uneven and even using the Xros Fusion Spell might be dangerous if not done near perfectly.

"Dag-gum; isn't there someway 'ta help them yer highnesses?" Tough Apple cursed in seeing this was a tough break, there has to be a solution somehow.

Silence filled the air in almost feeling like there was no other hope to help give the other mares from the Elements of Harmony to help Twilight. Will there be nothing for the five mares but to be lightweights?

"There may be one 'other' way, Twilight. A spell that can bring forth the power from each of your six elements," Celestia suddenly spoke in earning some attention at this hour.

"Sister, you're not suggesting that." Luna spoke in almost being surprised in what Celly is saying, she couldn't mean….

"I think she is Luna and that's a big gamble." Golden Heart nods in having the feeling; Celestia truly means 'that' other way to help the Mane Six in their situation.

"Private Kenny, the elements if you please." Celestia issued the private nearby to bring something to them.

Soon Private Kenny came back later with all six Elements of Harmony as the Mane Six place them on themselves while still confused.

"Princess, what is it you have planned?" Twilight asked puzzled, what does her mentor have planned here anyway?

"A certain spell that that can make any element wielder acquire a power to ascend themselves." Celestia responded to twilight of having a way that the Mane Six may acquire a power to go beyond their limits. "It is called; 'Element Evolution'." The princess of the sun responded with a very firm tone in addressing such a magic type force.

"Element Evolution," The Mane Six & a bunch of other ponies responded to this as they have never once heard of this type of spell or magic. Just what was it that could help them out, the group are about to find out.

"This power however requires something in which once cast over the users of elements will make it harder to the point you might not use the six elements of harmony to cast the rainbow force unless you unlock your 'true' inner self of your respected element." Celestia issued what the cost of performing such a spell to unlock such magic will do as it will make it harder for the mares.

"Why is that, princess?" Twilight asked in liking to know this answer for herself.

"Because even if one of you manages to awaken your evolution of one of your respective element, controlling it also requires you wear or are the symbol of that element." Golden Heart took the moment to explain the next part that the six mares need to know. "Like Crash Fire says he's an element of fire or Johnny Brock is the element of music, those are different types from the jewels of the elements of harmony; even the Triforce is different from them that Ben has." From that explanation, it's clear there are other ponies with such elements that they represent by birth or other talents, unlike that like the original Rainbow of Light to the Triforce.

"The risk are very high, it was something even myself & my sister….have had the most trouble doing." Luna spoke in recalling that even the Royal Sisters, have 'yet' to complete such an issue themselves and apart of a different history to what leads to the present. "We maybe powerful, yes, but even we have yet to master that which can be in a form that some say, is nearly related to being a Mystic Pony." The princess of the moon issued this fact out that literally surprised everyone in either knowing what a Mystic Pony was, or know it from experience of meeting.

"So now I ask you, do you accept, once you try to surpass your limitations to try this, there will be no going back." Celestia issued that she wants the six mares to think this over careful, once they take the step, going back will not be possible unless the mares wish to remain as they are.

Now the Mane Six gather around in a group huddle to discuss what they have been offered. And there were a lot of chats in what they should do or not do in this case.

"Wha do yew girls think?" Applejack asked around to get others opinion here.

"I say we do it!" Rainbow Dash issued that they take what is being offered to them.

"But if we do, can we even handle being in sync to unleash a rainbow when things look bad," Rarity asked off, performing a rainbow when the mares use the elements normally tired them out, now they'll have to struggle just to summon it to defeat their foes before they unlock their inner power.

"Um, maybe if we try, really-really-really-really hard, it might." Pinkie Pie thought for a second to respond a simple idea to her child-like thinking.

"Oh this is so scary, what do you think may happen if we go through an evolution? Can we ever change back?" Fluttershy asked off if they should really do this or not, it should like they'll change and might never change back, it's not like Nyx's Battle Form…or is it?

"Fluttershy, I think since the princess said that it's almost related to the Mystic Ponies, it just means we can power -up when we go into a serious battle and afterwards change back." Twilight calmly explained the issue so her friend will not think badly if they go through with the choice.

"But can we even do it, we already failed ya once." Applejack spoke in sorrow in knowing that she didn't even helped Twilight when she was gonna risk to save her family's farm.

"Too true, we reach our…dare I say; limit, as it were." Rarity spoke in nobly agreeing that the mares have come across a bridge that they couldn't cross.

"Listen to us, the only reason we're such as we are is cause we haven't tried to go over our limits." Rainbow Dash tried to get the girls here to see that if they themselves can surpass the limit they have for themselves, the mares can become ponies to truly be of much better help.

"I'm not sure Rainbow, you & Applejack might, but I'm not sure I could." Fluttershy spoke in feeling that she alone would be the least helpful one.

"Maybe I could. But the question to how makes me almost wanna puzzle myself even more," Pinkie Pie spoke off while questioning her own thought over the matter.

"Girls listen, if you don't wanna do this, I'll understand, you're my friends, and that's all I care for even if we're not powerful." Twilight spoke in feeling she shouldn't force her friends to go through something that they don't feel comfy with. It's the same as asking them to travel with her to the End of Equestria all over again.

Hearing this from their princess friend made Twilight's five mare pals realize…they just care too much for the other to not be supportive. Twilight went the distance and came back stronger than ever. If someone that was even a bookworm that they meant could do that even after becoming an Alicorn, then maybe…just maybe; there is hope for the lot as well.

"Twilight, we're right about us being friends. Which is why….we can't back down," Applejack responded with a serious and determine face in wanting to go ahead with the offer Celestia is giving them.

"Hugh?" Twilight yelped in surprise, was AJ being serious or just reckless?

"Applejack is right darling, if we're afraid to even take a chance to help, then we'll still be the same cowards as before." Rarity spoke in being noble in her decision, they'll just be like they themselves were before, letting a friend down, and they can't have that.

"I may be scared, but…when I'm helping a friend or a poor hurt animal, even I can be brave enough to face any danger. And this time, I truly wanna mean it." Fluttershy spoke with showing a little more of a smile in wanting to be a more supportive friend to Twilight in her cause.

"Yeah, life's too short for the party to be cancel on such short notice." Pinkie Pie smiled widely in pointing out another way to look at this.

"So you better be ready, and don't threat, we'll work extra hard to make sure we can still fire a rainbow attack. But I bet it'll be awesome when we get that 'Element Evolution' stuff down and we won't be tired out from using even a rainbow then!" Rainbow Dash spoke off with her same old confident attitude to never get scared, always look forward, and with this open chance, they can possible become better than they are presently.

Twilight stared with noticing the smiles from Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and even more so from Pinkie Pie. Twilight was very lucky to have meant these girls and become friends, even if they were friends from Rainbow's Sonic Rainboom stunt that helped earn their Cutie Marks. Sighing in knowing this relief, the group broke off their huddle and turn towards the princesses, Goldie and for everyone else to watch…their decision in action.

"Princess Celestia…we're ready to accept the task." Twilight addressed Celestia that she and her friends have come to the decision; and will acquire the power of 'Element Evolution' here.

"Luna…" Celestia turned to her sister to come before her for what they shall do. "You are very brave my little ponies." Celestia responded before both her horn and Luna's horn glowed in sync here.

Suddenly, the horns from the Royal Sisters shot six magical beams in the gem stones of the six Elements of Harmony. At the moment, the Mane Six were glowing white and looking like they were about to unleash a rainbow of light version lie they've done in the past to previous villains. But then the six mares floated down, touch the ground, and the glowing white aura around their bodies…cease. When the Mane Six came to it, they check themselves out, but they as did their group of friends notice, nothing else has shown a change for them.

"Um, nothing happened?" Pinkie Pie asked off in seeing she was still the same, nothing at all has changed her.

"Did we do something wrong already?" Fluttershy asked off worried if they failed to do what they were given right just now.

"Goodness and I was prepared to get dirty too." Rarity issued off that she was gonna do something she never does, but that won't seem to be the case.

"Princess Celestia, what happen 'ta 'de spell?" Applejack questioned the two princesses in why the spell to give them a new form of magic doesn't seem to look like it worked?

"Are we able to evolve or not?" Rainbow Dash blurted out if the 'Element Evolution' thing didn't work and now they won't be able to perform something against their more powerful foes.

"As mentioned, the spell, when cast, will sleep inside yourselves; but when you wear your element, and if you manage to truly unlock your true self, you'll know it. And from that awaken magic, you'll become much more." Celestia wisely spoke that in due time, when the Mane Six face something to help them overcome it and unlock their 'true' inner selves, a certain moment will happen that can be the sign of the 'Element Evolution' at work.

The Mane Six smiled a bit, they may not technically be powered up now, but during the course of time and whatever they may face….if they can unlock their true inner selves, then they'll be able to stand a new fighting chance. And that maybe the best hope to face against the Superior's 13 order organization and even Grimmore's own army.

"Mom, could you…maybe try that spell on me too?" Ben asked his mother if she could see if he may be able to perform the Element Evolution himself.

"My son, your ability sleeps inside you already, but once you've truly unlocked & uncover your inner power , you too will know it." Celestia spoke with a kind smile that for Ben, her son's Triforce will awaken its own inner powers for him, one step at a time until the stallion truly wakens it's full use for the greater good.

"I understand." Ben nods in completely understanding his mother's message of advice.

"Wow, I feel so motivated now!" Spike responded in just witnessing this stuff was being enlightened somehow.

"Yeah, so…can we go now?" Phobos shrugs off that feeling to say if they can head out about now.

"That's right; we still have to help bring back the crops in the Apples' Farm." Nyx responded in recalling that the gang need to hurry back to bring back the veggies now.

"Then go little ponies." Luna issued to have the group go and finish the task they started.

"And make us proud now." Golden Heart smiled in wishing the group much luck here.

"Remember, when you have your element, and when you truly face a challenge before you, if you can overcome it…then the power of Element Evolution, maybe the next key to our salvation to gain peace." Celestia spoke her final advice for the Mane Six, that so long as they wear their jewel element and when they face a challenge to discover their true inner self, the power that is Element Evolution will shine their way.

"We'll remember that princess Celestia, I serve as a princess, and to my fellow ponies. We'll work hard to keeping peace in Equestria." Twilight turned to tell Celestia with a positive expression, that they shall succeed in their task to protect that which they love, they'll get through this like they've always have, even if the events play out differently, they'll get through anyhow.

With that, the ponies were now leaving the room to finally help fix the Apple's Farm by giving what they brought back, to Zecora. Now the only ones left in the room were Celestia, Luna & Golden Heart when they finished their chat with their friends.

"Can I come out now?" Lorcan is heard speaking. Celestia nods as the scarred Dragon came in with a smile. "My brother is safe."

"As we have hoped," Luna said to Lorcan with a giggle. "So what is it you wish to tell us?"

"Trixie just reported that she brought the tweedles back to Safe Haven...and get this; those two Alicorns? They are really Boxco and Dum-Dum turned into Alicorns!"

"Interesting, like how Trixie was turned from an unicorn to an Alicorn." Golden Heart said in surprise. "But why did they help Twilight and her family and friends?"

"Simple; Boris ordered them to go out to keep Twilight safe...though it was mostly on Warring Malice's suggestion." Lorcan explains with a shrug then looks thoughtful. "Although I am thinking that those two dimwits seem to have changed a bit."

"Yes, Trixie should keep an eye on them both. Who knows? They may surprise us yet." Celestia said with a smile. "Come, let us...well, Lorcan in hiding...see the progress of the return the Apples' crops and the safely of Ponyville..."

-----------

"Well, to make up for our currency of military might." Flim spoke forth in having something to say about their situation right now.

"We've created a new batch of machines to aid our Brotherhood." Flam issued forth that the brother salesman mechanics have created something astounding.

"And that would be?" Gilda asked with a raised eye in what the two unicorn brothers made, and she was speaking with a dry bored tone.

"Behold!…The Steel Clan!" Flim & Flam waved up their hooves to the upper ceiling for the rest to see…their latest creations.

Suddenly, some loud noise sounding….like a rockets engine was heard before the Brotherhood members, except for Flim & Flam, nearly yelped in what descended down from above in large numbers. They appear as an impressive figures, tall and powerfully-built gargoyles. At first, they seem like they are alive, but they are armored battle robots with their abilities & appearance modeled after 'real' gargoyles in general, specifically the one shown as the mightiest warrior & even most formidable opponents cannot easily defeat them. While the others are gray & black trim, one is distinguish by its red & black trim, but they all share the same red clear optic eyes. As they landed, their rockets ceased and their wings folded back. This was the Steel Clan and there was a nice battalion of over so many, it left the other Brotherhood members speechless.

"Wow, you guys sure been busy." Dumbledore responded off surprised in seeing the vast new mechanical creations by Flim & Flam.

"When did you finish making them?" Bocolix asked off that since the Enforcers have been away, they don't know when 'these' guys were done.

"Just recently, with some aid from the other Diamond Dogs of course." Flim explained that with the number of many Diamond Dog soldiers, they helped speed up in building this many number of the Steel Clan.

"And speaking of which, this batch was 'specially' crafted made." Flam exclaimed to say that the Steel Clan is by far, that which was made specially from a unique source from their appearance alone.

"Specially crafted," The Diamond Dog leader trio responded a bit surprised, what kinda special use did Flim & Flam use to make the Steel Clan different?

"Yes, these mechanical marvels possess rockets on their backs along with stabilizers on their feet which allow flight and razor-sharp wings for maneuverability." Flim explained from going near the Steel Clan to have all eyes see the wings function part and on the backs were jetpacks, why even under the uprise heels would shot off jet thrust.

"They are equipped with retraceable arm-cannons on their right forearms along with razor-sharp talons." Flam pointed out as some of the Steel Clan had the said arm reveal an arm-cannon that looked seriously loaded & could pack a wallop, even the claws could be seriously wickedly dangerous if someone got scratched. "And the batch is capable of generating electricity along their bodies to prevent enemies from coming into physical contact with them." From that statement, one of the Steel Clan bots produce electricity as some protective coating, so even enemies that wanted to fight physically, would be given trouble.

"Hugh, you actually made something useful for us." Gilda rubbed her chin in beginning to lighten up in seeing with these gargoyle machines to aid them, they might be a bit tougher than before.

"It's impressive, but how are they any special from the Machines of War, which you two FOOLS let Celestia's forces acquire?" Boris responded off at first before snapping that a lot more of the Flim-Flam Brothers machines were left for the Mane Six & Equestria to take to aid in stopping Lorcan's declaration of war & uses the weapons made for protection against tough invaders.

"Why with a third member to our aid, he provided assistance we never imagine or dreamed of such possibilities, thanks to Trix of course." Flim spoke off in a highly creditability of someone else that gave the unicorn brothers a hand, or hoof, in creating the Steel Clan.

"Yes, a smart fellow that helped provide a special powerful gem to give their system & weaponry power and the machinery is very high-tech." Flam responded in commenting the other person as a member of the order in which only Trixie has had enough times to know such a character of such brains with machines.

"Yes, Wilco 'did' provide guide aid from a magical portal chat." Trix spoke off remotely in looking away, recalling someone from the organization she requested help her friends, even by a long-distance working order. "But, what of their programming," Trix asked in what the program function of the Steel Clan is after being seen physically impressive, but how was their I.Q. function?

"Well, it maybe primitive, sorta speak if they make mistakes." Flim rubbed the back of his head to sheepishly say that the Steel Clan has a few minor problems that need fixing.

"But, they, unlike real gargoyles, have many superior abilities." Flam boldly spoke that besides that technical problem of being primitive, the Steel Clan are still in another league then the real living creatures.

"Real gargoyles can only glide on wind currents in the manner of gliders, the Steel Clan are equipped with rocket engines, giving them the power of controlled flight." Flim explained the basic difference between a living Gargoyle to their latest creation of fighters.

"They are also armed with a magical beam weapon that is built into the forearms and have a magical control system that links them to a command interface, especially for the Red Gargoyle." Flam stated how these Steel Clan can attack from a distance, and can communicate with a magical connection to receive orders, especially from the red type which seems to be the leader.

"So instead of Diamond Dogs working overtime?" Fido slowly spoke in figuring something out here.

"Diamond Dogs can finally be given break?" Spot issued that with the mechanical gargoyles around, the Diamond Dogs won't be working 24/7 as much.

"Finally, you have enough hands to work longer than our entire army." Rover sighs in relief, ever since they had to increase security from an intruder issue, the rest of the Diamond Dogs haven't gotten much sleep.

"So what, just cause we have air-support won't mean we'll stand a chance against Equestria." Gilda dryly remarked about them having more troops as military might, won't mean a thing even now from what's happen since they've gone into hiding. "After hearing how Twilight Sparkle's group survived the End of Equestria, they'll be better than us! And I really hate to admit when there really is someone better than me, only means Rainbow Dash will find a way to catch up!" The griffin huffed to herself in knowing that from what Dumbledore & Bocolix told them, Twilight's group has gotten plenty of experience to become strong opponents from surviving all of the End of Equestria's bonders, including going against the Eight Immortal Demon Lords.

"Says the little lady that was given our latest griffin weaponry class design; to which, we customized it for her own talents be it melee or range usage." Flim spoke off in making a rhetorical comeback statement in pointing to what Gilda wore; was a gray-bronze gauntlet with thin, sharpen, long kataras that extend and retract from the metal guard on either wrist and comes with a cross-bow feature.

"The Rogue Gauntlet, modified to give a normal griffin extra 'slashing' ability to break through solid stone, and comes with specially design crossbow feature to fire charged arrows." Flam explained how well the weapon Gilda has makes her a much more harder griffin to beat, and add the range function with her flying ability makes her a more formidable foe now.

"Wait, they made Gilda that?" Dumbledore asked off lost and confused by this sudden introduction of a new arsenal for their member pal.

"I never saw it until now!" Bocolix rubs the back of his head in puzzlement, Gilda didn't have that before during Lorcan's Invasion right or did she? It's hard to remember that terrible day.

"The Diamond Dogs still have classic enhanced weaponry from swords, shields, clubs, axes, spears, crossbows." Flim explained the basic equipment they've even given to the other Diamond Dogs around the Brotherhood members.

"Even Rover, Fido, and Spot use them and we tried to make theirs stronger from their soldiers." Flam pointed how the three trio leaders carried their own weaponry choices but much stronger than their soldiers.

"It's true!" The Diamond Dog leaders responded to wield their own chosen materials. Rover has a huge sword, Fido a mace with crystals on it and Spot who is wielding a battle ax.

"But still, despite our own comings, no doubt we're only at a good half-baked strength, compared to the Organization & even the Grimmore Army." Boris rolled his eyes to rhetorically claim that the group is only a medium class of powerful villain foes, the true terrors lie with the Superior's Apocalypse Ponies & Grimmore with his own army in Tartarus. "We need something to truly topple in our favor. At least a nice leverage to say we're not completely powerless." Boris snapped off that if they don't show something that proves they are not second-rate class and should be feared with respect.

"Which is why we been secretly working on a top project." Flim spoke off with a cocky smile in having just the sorta project to give Boris what he needs, besides Twilight Sparkle's love.

"What's the secret?" the Enforcers asked off together in liking to know what the Flim-Flam brothers were gonna say.

"If we told, it wouldn't be a secret, now follow us everyone." Flam issued that they can't tell a secret project without revealing it, but instead…will show to the group.

Soon Flim & Flam…It looked like a giant dinosaur (note: resembling Godzilla in the form that looks like Gigan), stood almost 65 to 120 feet in height and may weight almost 25,000 to 60,000 tons. From the white metallic scales around the waist to the knees, show dark-bronze/gray ankles to three sharp toes, and even off the upper legs show four crescent design facing vertically upwards. Then from the chest was gray & tan-red trim plating with a cannon from the chest, and gray arms with five sharp finger claws. A long darken steel tail was seen that looked like it could strangle anything caught in one's clutches. And from the neck, was gray with the head of a Dragon, golden mouth jaw-bites & a blue visor over the eyes. In back of its head was a steel Mohawk that if the creature swung it's head near a mountain, could chop the thing off. There was even a dome where a pilot seating was set for one or two controllers to sit in to pilot this powerful beast

"What….is that?" Trix asked off amazed in seeing something like this that stood towering over them, it's as tall as an Ursa Major, maybe more.

"My dear, meet the titan that is very strong, & 'very', hard to beat. To which even magic isn't enough, especially if that opponent was someone like Lorcan." Flim pointed off in exclaiming a fact that what the group have is something the brothers made with a strong chance that even tough villains like Lorcan can't beat this kinda machine, they've learn from the last time Flim & Flam tried to fight that Scarred Ruler in Gazooris and won't make a second mistake.

"The Metallosauras, this monstrous beast is so strong, from the physical immeasurable strength to the claws & teeth, the stretchy tail and the cannon off the chest just says; watch out, all over. Plus the addition dark blue & red crimson beams from the visor could really take out opponents flat." Flam pointed forth in sounding so assuring that what the brothers have made, is a true titan of terror to which even fighting an army of Dragons couldn't break a sweat with this beauty under their control.

"Very impressive; is this the weapon to help us if we're in a jam?" Boris nods with a showing of a smile in starting to rethink Flim & Flam done something worth wild here.

"That's where another secret project we're currently working on comes in, with the use of the Steel Clan's aid. Our own airship," Flim spoke forth in announcing another secret project the Flim-Flam Brothers are working on, an airship vessel.

"Airship?" the others responded in surprise as they saw the Steel Clan was leaving while taking with them…some metal materials & other stuff for the brothers use.

"We like to call it, the Aerial Fortress, if we need to work from Safe Haven or in the skies, we'll still be free as birds." Flam spoke proudly forth in saying that if the group need to work in on something, be it here or even from another area, no one will even know until it's too late.

"Hmmm, very well, seeing as how things have turned out, I'll let you carry on." Boris slowly nods in seeing Flim & Flam truly have things under control as the Brotherhood member's mechanics. "The Superior & I don't see eye to eye and perhaps a secondary base of operation wouldn't kill us neither," To the Devil Pony's mind, Trixie's father might try something, and if Safe Haven is no longer suited to protect them, they may have to leave in this Aerial Fortress vessel. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some training to attend to." Boris responded off before turning to prepare himself to leave from his fellow members.

"Training," Fido responded off in hearing what Boris just said.

"With who," Spot asked off lost if Boris had someone to train with.

"Any of Diamond Dogs," Rover requested to know who out of the Brotherhood or even their army of Diamond Dog soldiers, would Boris need to train against.

"No, with my own supply of troops, my Lava Stallions," Boris responded off with a strict tone in having his own 'resources' to give him his own army even without aid of the others.

Suddenly, a vast number of large stallions of a muscular mass, fast speed and powerful strength to break the stone pavements on the solid ground floors with ease appeared from flaming markers. These stallions were strangely spooky because of their appearance, black coat, blazing flames of their manes and tails, even their orange-yellow eyes were just glowing with no pupil marks. The freakier thing was they got weird fiery style marks on their hooves with a line from under their bellies and a line starched under their necks. These beasts were made from tar and lava but in the form of some devil stallion brigade. These were the very same fierce creatures Boris the Red Devil once commanded a few during Lorcan's wrath on Equestria, but now….there was more of them and looking far more intimidating than before.

"I've been making myself strong enough to summon my own army, for the more of them I can create, the stronger my own Devil powers become." Boris explained his own training issue to make certain that he gets far stronger, the more he can call upon his Lava Stallions to his aid. "I have already managed to succeed in creating tens to ten-thousands of them, it may be tiring, but overcoming that alone, allows me to summon them with ease. And my own physical strength & magic have increased enough to feel stronger than last we even serve under Lorcan." Boris had his horn glow, his Devil's aura brightening & his own magical power could be felt in the room; it was both amazing & terrifying at the same time. "Now with everything all set, I leave to train, for my rage & hunger feed me the fuel to push myself beyond what I once was." With that last stuff spoken, Boris opens his wings to take flight while his own army of Lava Stallions follows him.

"It is very true, Boris has grown stronger and all of us have slowly shown it too," Trix responded in seeing that all of the Brotherhood members have shown some increase in their skills since Lorcan's war on Equestria, and Boris has not been slacking. "Hugh, just wish it was not under such negative impulse." She sighs in feeling that Boris was only getting stronger because he still wants Twilight and that rage of desire will push the devil pony to the limit until he gets what he wants.

"Something up Trixie," Gilda came near her ally to stare a bit puzzled in seeing that the Great & Powerful Trix feel their struggle to become better was 'not' something she felt was good considering that Boris kept his eyes on another prize.

"Nothing, I'll chat with you all later, I have some….little errands to run." Trix spoke in feeling she'll need to excuse herself now.

Now even Trix became a magical dust of sparkles to leave the scene and gone through their Magical Gate across from them….having another 'matter' to attend to.

"Boy, you think after surviving the worst place in Equestria, we could relax." Dumbledore responded in thinking that the two Enforcers just came back from a place like Tartarus's backyard and think that it be over. Of course, he, Bocolix and Trixie still got spying work from Tao but still...

"Yeah, but after everything we went through, our judgment is in question." Bocolix issued off to the Enforcers that their situation isn't over by a long shot.

The two Enforcers knew what Tao told of them and their new found emotions of experience in hanging with Twilight's group. When the time comes, both sides will learn the truth and Dumbledore & Bocolix may have to decide…what is the 'right' choice for them to choose under: Minions under Service or Friendship? These questions will come at a later time.

--------

Ponies gather around the ruined Apples' farms. What will happen? Zecora nods to Twilight who holds out a bag of ingredients as she say, "Put the ingredients into the hole." Sure enough, the zebra had Big Macintosh make a hole in the ground big enough.

Twilight obeys as she puts the ingredients into the ground. Once that's done, Big Macintosh covers them up. Zecora sat down and motions everyone else to move away. She needs quiet for this task.

As everypony watches on, Zecora begins to chant a few words...and begins to glow. The ponies gasps as the ground begins to glow as well...then shoot a ray of light into the sky, startling a few. They wait for something to happen.

Soon it begins to rain, hitting the ground, trees, everything. To the surprise of many, crops came out of the ground as the trees begin to glow, getting better. Even the houses around are restored back to normal. The spell worked! The Apples' farm has been saved, everything is growing again!

Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Tough, the Mane Five, CMCs, Shining Armor, Flash Sentry, Twilight's parents, 3 Princesses, Zecora, Golden Heart, Pinkamena (though in disguise) and citizens of Ponyville and victims from the 'End of Equestria' smiled in amazement, joy and happy, as well as the animals. Everyone cheers for seeing Applejack's home restored. Twilight sigh as she looks down, as well as Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos and Tough. Koga and Owlowiscious whimpered. Ben patted on Koga's head gently.

Celestia, noting her student's sad look, ask, "Twilight? Ben? What's wrong? Were you not happy that Applejack's home was restored, as well as Ponyville is safe from harm?" The last thing she saw her niece-in-law like this is when Twilight is sad that she may have to leave Ponyville back after Princess Luna was restored.

"I know, princess. It's just....... it's just that......." Twilight sobs a bit. How can she explain what happen to her teacher?

"Twiley; what's wrong?" Shining ask Twilight in concern.

"Did something happen at 'de 'End of Equestria', sugarcube?" Applejack ask Twilight in concern. Something must've happened to make her friends sad like this.

Everyone became very worried. Twilight sobbed, "Yes. We met this pony. He's an Earth Pony. He came to the End of Equestria for peace and quiet, just before he started helping us."

"Who is he, darling?" Rarity asks Twilight, wondering who this pony that her friends has met is.

"His name is Tao. We've met him for a several times just before we begin the fight with our enemies and gather the ingredients." Ben explains to his friends and family in sadness.

"But when we got the last ingredient, we've lost him." Nyx said in sadness.

"Lost him?" Fluttershy squeaks a bit in worry, not liking the sound of that.

"Wait! You don't mean he's gone, as in 'dead'?" Rainbow gasps in horror.

"No way......." Pinkie whimpers as her mane went flat just like it always does when something sad happens to her or somepony else, whatever she knows them or not.

"It's true. We got out of Shendu's Palace just in time, but Tao couldn't because," Spike sob as he continues barely, "Because he sacrificed himself to save all of us from Shendu."

"The last thing we saw is the green light from Shendu's palace before it got destroyed." Phobos explains with a sigh. "So, we'd think Tao banished Shendu."

"But we'd never see him again," Tough groan a bit in sadness. Tao is gone and he never got to say goodbye.

"No." Gwen said in shock and disbelief. Tao, her old Mystic Pony friend...is gone.

"This cannot be." Jones said in concern and sadness. Tao has helped in changing him back to the pony that he was truly was instead of Kouga. And now...the old pony is gone.

Behind Applejack's home, Lorcan overheard everything. He sobbed softly, "No....... Not him. Anyone but Tao; He can't be dead. He can't be."

Celestia, Luna, Golden Heart and Pinkamena gasp in shock. Pinkamena sobbed loudly while Golden Heart patted her on her back. As Luna sobbed, Celestia's wing is placed over her back while nuzzling her face.

Twilight sobbed as she speaks, "I may have saved Ponyville, but I failed to save Tao. One life is not worth to be sacrificed for the mission. He maybe a strange hermit, but he's good friend and ally we ever met. It's all my fault."

Ben sobbed as he hugs Twilight, "No, Twilight. It's all my fault. I had the chance to save him but I fulfilled Tao's wish instead. I left him for dead. I'm such an idiot and selfish."

Both Twilight and Ben continue to sob. Shining Armor, Night Light and Twilight Velvet approach and hug Twilight. The mother said to her daughter softly, "Oh, my sweet little angel. Don't cry."

"It's hard, I understand, Twilight, but there's nothing you can do. I'm sorry, dear." Night Light said in agreement.

"Shhh.....Calm down, Twilight. I'm very sorry. If I could be here earlier, I would have saved your friend in time." Shining said to his sister in concern. If he would've arrived earlier, the stallion would've come along to help and maybe save Tao.

"Even so, Shining Armor, Tao wouldn't want you to be dead. I know because he wants what best for my home." Twilight said to Shining with a sad sign. No matter what happens, Tao doesn't want others to give his life just for him.

Celestia, Cadance and Luna hugged Ben. The mother said, "Don't blame yourself, Ben. It's not your fault. It's the right thing to do. It's what he wants. I believe he knew that you need all the ingredients to save Ponyville."

"But what about what we want? I don't want his life be sacrificed for our mission, mom. I wish there is a way to save him." Ben said in frustration while hitting a hoof to the ground. He wanted Tao to be with the gang to celebrate their victory but now...he's gone!

"I know how you feel, my dear nephew. It's okay to cry for someone we don't know who risked everything for us. Tao made a great heroic deed." Luna said to Ben, assuring him that it's okay to cry regardless of whom they know or not.

"Shhhh........Calm down, Ben. Be calm. We're here." Cadance said while hugging her cousin gently.

Nyx sobbed, "I wish I could thank him for giving me a good advice."

Spike hugged Nyx as they both sobbed. Phobos sobbed loudly, and so as Tough. Flash sigh, "I'm sorry, Ben. I really am. I should have gone with you. If I did, I could have flew and get him out."

Ben shakes his head, speaking, "It's not your fault, Flash because I know Ponyville needs more help than us. And that is you, Flash. Thanks for taking care of our home."

Flash sigh, "But I still don't deserve it."

"Twilight, Ah'm very sorry." Applejack said as she put her hat over her head out of respect for poor Tao. "If all o' us had been there fer yew, we would have saved 'Tao' in time. Ah'm very ashamed o' all 'de things Ah did fer a week. It took me long 'ta realize 'dat running away fro' problem like mah home will bring pain an' suffering 'ta anyone we know o'. Ah'm very sorry, Twilight."

"Indeed . We are terribly sorry, Twilight." Rarity said in sadness to her dear friend Twilight.

"Some heroes and bearers of Elements of Harmony we turned out to be." Rainbow groans a bit, feeling like hiding in a cloud and never come out again.

"I really wish we could be braver and stronger like you, Twilight." Fluttershy whimpers while her ears fold back a bit.

"Me too; this is so not the good and best day ever." Pinkie whimpers while crying like mad.

"Girls, it's not your fault. I know, because all of you are scared and afraid." Twilight said, assuring her good friends that it's not really their fault for backing out of this mission days ago.

"Still, it's not 'de right thing 'ta do, Twi. Ah'm really sorry." Applejack said in shame.

Apple Bloom sigh, "Ah guess we're not great an' reliable friends as we thought."

"We're very sorry, Nyx." Sweetie sighs to Nyx while patting a hoof on her back.

"I guess this is the end of the Cutie Mark Crusaders since none of us are great friends. When friend needs the most, we just left them." Scootaloo groans a bit. She and the original members felt bad for not bothering to help when it was needed.

"What; Why?" Nyx ask Scootaloo, shocked by this comment.

"Because of the cost we paid, you'd lost a friend who helped you out in your journey." Pipsqueak explains to Nyx.

"We're really ashamed of ourselves." Dinky said to Nyx looking down a bit.

"Yeah, Dinky; All of us feel that way." Twist assures Dinky while patting her friend on the back.

"I guess this is the end of our club." Babs groans a bit, feeling that the CMC is finally over big time.

"Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. None of us know what will happen next." Nyx assures her friends that what happened wasn't any of their fault at all.

"Yeah; I wish Tao's here." Spike sighs a bit in sadness. "He would be happy to see Ponyville is safe and beautiful as the Lake of Eternal."

"Sure hope so, Spike, I sure hope if that really happen." Phobos said in agreement. He also wishes for Tao to see how Ponyville is restored once more but now...that will never happen.

"Yewu bet . Sure hope we could listen 'ta his music again." Tough grunted a bit.

Everyone look down to hear what Twilight and others had said. Suddenly, as if a wish was granted, a flute is heard playing. Everyone heard the song and are surprised to hear somepony singing.

?: We must awake and make the day

Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Tough, Koga and Owlowiscious were both shocked and surprised as they recognize the song. Could it be?

To find a song for heart and soul

"'Dis song......." Tough said in shock and disbelief. He heard this song before back in the End of Equestria.

"No way! It couldn't be! Could it?" Phobos exclaims in bewilderment. Only one pony could play that song but he's gone now! Isn't he?

"I know. But this song is played by somepony that we know of." Spike said spooked as the song continues onward throughout the area, much to the surprise and confusion of everypony listening.

Some folk we never forget
Some kind we never forgive

Applejack notes the shocked look on Twilight's face, making her ask, "Twilight?"

"What's going on?" Flash ask in alarm. Who is playing that song and why does Twilight and those who came with her to the End of Equestria are familiar with it?

"There's one pony we know who play this song before." Ben said in amazement, recognizing the song for sure.

Nyx nods as she adds, "We saw him gone in Shendu's Palace when it was destroyed."

Everyone keep on looking for the source. They turn their backs and saw a familiar pony playing the flute. It's him!

Haven't seen the end of journey yet
We'll fight as one as we live
All eyes on the mysterious land
To the End of the World's border

Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos and Tough gasp. The purple Alicorn was the first to speak, "It........ It can't be."

We'll ride in the darkness storm
Until we get our long lost hopes
Far away from The End of the World's darkness.

Tao stop playing his flute. Everyone looked confused and shocked as he look up. The old pony smiles while saying, "Oops. I hope I didn't interrupt anything. I hope I didn't mean to ruin your sadness moment."

Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos and Tough sobbed, "TAO!"

Tao yelp when Twilight, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos and Tough jump up high, and even Koga, Owlowiscious, Justin and Rabbitchu. They all hugged Tao down and do so tight. Everyone but Celestia, Luna, Golden Heart and Pinkamena were surprised and shocked to see this; the ones who weren't surprised and shocked smile at the scene; Somehow, they knew that this would happen.

"Aieyah; that hurt; Get off me; I'm not young stallion that I used to be." Tao exclaims in pain yet a bit happy for this greeting from those who thought that he was gone forever.

Twilight and her family giggle and chuckle as they got off of Tao. He smiled as the old pony slowly got up. Twilight sobbed while smiling, "You're alive!"

Ben sobbed in confusion, "But -! But we saw you -! The green light! Shendu's Palace," He thought that Tao was dead!

Nyx sobbed with a smile, "We thought you're dead."

"Let's say I'm lucky to survive that, my friends." Tao said to his friends who believed him dead with a chuckle. He then looks at Applejack's farm. "I see you did an excellent work on saving your sister-like's home in time."

Spike sniffed, wiping while a tear while adding, "Yeah. We did it. We managed to overcome it too."

"For a weird and strange hermit, you are one tough pony." Phobos remarks to Tao with a grin. The old pony was able to survive the fall of Shendu's Palace so easily!

"It's so good to see yew alive, old pony." Tough laughed eagerly to Tao, happy that his friend is alive and well.

Tao smile as he said in a riddle, "Appearances can often fool everyone, my dear friends."

Twilight sobbed, saying, "It doesn't matter. What matters is to see you back and alive."

Twilight hugged Tao, followed by Ben, and then Nyx and Spike while Phobos and Tough sobbed. Applejack looks confused as she ask, "Twilight, who is this?" How is it that she and those with her knew him?

"Ben, is he -?" Flash ask Ben, suspecting who the newcomer is.

Ben smile as he spoke to everypony else, "Everyone, this is Tao. He is the one who gave important and great advice to us."

Twilight nod as she adds, "He is the one who sacrificed himself in saving us from Shendu."

"He's the reason why I defeated Tso Lan. He gave me hope and confidence." Nyx chirps while nuzzling Tao happily.

"Mr. Tao, thank yew so much." Applejack said, bowing to Tao in respect for all he has done for Twilight's group.

"Yeah; Yer're one amazing pony." Apple Bloom said happily to Tao.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh remarks with a smile.

Flash nods, adding, "You help us very much, sir. You bring our best friends and sibling-like we ever thought of back home." It was thanks to Tao that Twilight's group came back safe and sound.

Rarity giggles, "If they never made it back, we would be very guilty and regret of decision that we made."

Sweetie Belle nods, adding, "We would be very upset of not seeing them back."

"Yeah, it wouldn't be 20% cooler to see them back alive." Rainbow remarks with a smile, happy that her worries has been calmed down at last.

"You said it, Rainbow Dash." Scootaloo remarks to her sister idol proudly.

"Not to mention that the parties I've been working so hard for them to come back wouldn't come true. We're really ashamed to ourselves for not being good friends." Pinkie, with her mane turned back to normal (or what's close to it anyway) exclaims, bouncing up and down happily.

"Yes. I'm very happy to see our friends back. Thank you so much, Mr. Tao." Fluttershy said to Tao politely.

"We all are so grateful, Mr. Tao, for helping my sister. That was amazing guts you got there for defeating Shendu and army of Shadow Demons." Shining said, impressed and grateful for Tao helping his sister and her family and friends like that.

"We are in your debt. You are truly an amazing pony in surviving the battles." Cadance said with a nod.

"Yeah," The Cutie Mark Crusaders exclaims happily.

Tao chuckle as if trying to wave the whole thing off, "I am merely an ordinary hermit. All I did is give advice. That's all."

Phobos scoffs as if saying 'yeah right' which he did, "Yeah, right. Like how you lied to us that you had a sword." Spike hits Phobos's head. "Hey! What was that for?!"

"Be respectful! Or had you forgotten that you promised Tao that you'll be generous?" Spike scolds Phobos for almost breaking a promise made not too long ago.

"Oooooh. Looks like 'de Moon Dragon got himself busted." Tough laughed a bit at Phobos breaking his promise without remembering it.

"Note to self: never make promises to dead pony when you can't make it." Phobos groans to himself.

"Phobos, be humble." Nyx giggles to her best friends. Turning to Tao, she said in awe, "You did an amazing thing, Mr. Tao, especially fighting with the Shadow Demons and Shendu. That is so heroic and amazing!"

"You said it, little sis! Tao is a hero." Spike said with a smirk, giving a thumbs up to Tao.

Twilight smile as she said, "Thank you for everything, Tao."

Ben smile as well, adding, "Welcome back home alive, our friend."

Tao smile, saying as if nothing matters, "It's nothing special, my dear friends. I did what ponies do: saving lives."

Everyone chuckle and laugh together. In hiding, Lorcan chuckle softly, "That old pony. He hasn't change a bit. Tempered, weird and strange on the outside, but wise, brave and kind on the inside; He's one tough Mystic Pony."

Celestia, Luna, Golden Heart and Pinkamena smiles as they approach Tao while everyone bowed before their rulers AKA the Royal Sisters themselves. Soon what happens next, almost no pony has realized until now.

"It is so good to see you again, my dearest old friend." Celestia said while hugging Tao gently.

"Dearest old friend," Everyone ask in surprise. Tao is one of the Sun Alicorn's dearest old friends?!

Tao smile, hugging back while saying, "Indeed , it is; I hope my death did not bring grieve to you."

Celestia smile while assuring, "Even though of what my son had said, I had no doubts that you'll never be defeated easily, old friend."

"Yeah, it was, pal! You scared me to death when I sensed sadness from Twilight and her friends when they're on their way home!" Pinkamena, still hidden, remarks in amusement. "Man! For a hermit, you had strange ways to scare us!"

"For an alternate pony, brave lion you once were had turned into squeak little mice." Tao said to Pinkamena, making another joke at the alternate pink pony's expense.

Pinkamena groan, "I'd still not used to your jokes."

Golden Heart chuckle while shaking his head, "Even so; It's so good to see you're alive, old friend."

"Indeed it is." The old pony said pleased. Tao spotted Luna who is behind Celestia, recognizing her at once. "Luna? Is that you?"

Luna trots over to Tao, bowing her head while saying, "Tao. It's been a while."

Tao smile as he said, "Indeed , it is." He notice her sad look. "What is the meaning of this, my dear? Were you not glad to see me alive?"

"I am. But I don't deserve to see you because of what happen in the past." Luna explains. She sobbed. "I'm sorry, old friend. I'll never be good as my sister because of my jealously and hatred."

Tao patted on Luna's shoulder, saying with a gentle look, "Those are thousand years ago. I had already forgotten and forgiven of what you had done since that day you became Nightmare Moon. I knew that you never want to hurt your family and friends, because there will always good in you."

Luna smiled while sniffing. She said quietly, "Thank you, Tao. I missed you so much after a thousand years."

"Thousand years," Everyone yells out in shock and alarm; how could Tao be around for a thousand years?!

"No way," Soarin' exclaims in alarm. "Wouldn't he be...uh..."

"Dead; Yeah, I know!" Sweetie Drops exclaims in disbelief.

"Whoa, he must be old!" Scootaloo exclaims making Nyx nudge her in annoyance. "What?"

"Wow, creepy yet amazing," Plumsweet remarks with a giggle.

The victims from the 'End of Equestria' approached Tao, as well. Gwen hug Tao while saying, "Thank Celestia, you're alright. I thought I would lost you when I heard what Twilight and her family had said. But I'm so happy to see that you're alive."

Tao chuckles, hugging back while saying, "You should know, Gwen. I cannot be defeated or killed easily."

"Indeed it is. Besides, all of us from the 'End of Equestria' owe Twilight and her friends, and as well as to you, too." Jones said to Tao, still grateful for being back to normal after so long.

Gwen and her ponies and the Kung Fu Frog nodded their heads while Mowgli and his ponies, Yin, Yang, Joey and Karma looked confused. Tao smiled though the ones outside of them are determined to figure out the mystery of this old pony...with the ones who came to the End of Equestria trying to figure out who Jones is.

"Hey, who are you?" Spike asks Jones in suspicion. Weird, this pony looks familiar for some reason.

"Yeah; you kinda look familiar." Phobos remarked, glancing at Jones curiously.

"Whatcha yew talking about," Applejack ask, a bit puzzled by what's going on.

"He's the guy you rescued from 'End of Equestria'." Rainbow said, reminding the two Dragons as to whom Tao is. What, they forgot already?

Twilight and her friends that went with her look confused. Rarity clears up the confusion, "I think what Rainbow darling saying is that you saved and bring him back to his pony form after you freed him from Dai Gui's curse."

"But- but- But-! 'De only servant who got cursed fro' Dai Gui is Kouga." Tough pointed out in bewilderment. They never saw this Jones pony before...did they?

"Wait a sec! You're Kouga?!" Ben gasps in shock, finally recognizing Jones who was once Kouga. This was the former giant minion of Dai Gui?!

"Not anymore, Ben. My real name is Jones Venture." Jones explains to Ben with a smirk.

"How is it possible?!" Nyx ask in amazement. She and her group didn't restore Kouga back to normal...so who did?

"What's wrong, Nyx?" Cadance ask Nyx, wondering what is on her niece's mind.

"From what Jones told us, you freed him from the curse after you destroy the Dark Item, and he teleport himself here and cured." Shining explains to Nyx with a smile.

"Um...... Shining, destroying the cursed mask didn't free, cure or teleport him." Twilight explains awkwardly to her brother.

"What do you mean?" Fluttershy ask Twilight puzzled.

"I don't follow, Twilight." Pinkie remarked, not wondering what Twilight is talking about.

Twilight explains, "The mask Jones wore is Demon Magic. No ordinary magic can cure a cursed servant to his original self. Only one way can cure him is Mystic Magic." It's true; the mare doesn't have Mystic Magic so she and her pals didn't restore him after beating Kouga.

Everyone, but Celestia, Luna, Tao, Golden Heart, Pinkamena, Jones, Gwen, Yin and Yang, look confused and shocked of this. Ben spoke to the former minion known as Kouga, "Kouga - I mean - Jones, what really happen? You're hiding something from us."

"Better be a honest one." Flash suggests to Jones wisely.

"Ah don't take a liar very friendly if yew tells a lie." Applejack remarks sternly to Kouga. The mare should know, she was once a liar herself thanks to Discord.

"I wish I could tell you. But the answer you're looking for lies with him." Jones explains as he pointed at Tao. Everyone look confused and shocked; Celestia, Luna, Golden Heart, Pinkamena, Gwen and her Ponies smiles, knowing something that they don't know.

"But what's that gotta do with Tao?" Spike asks in concern. How is Tao involved in Jones being restored to normal?

"I really don't get it." Phobos remarks with a shrug, not getting it either.

Twilight thought for the moment as she recall how her mentor, Luna, Golden Heart, Pinkamena, Jones and Gwen are somehow connected to Tao, his status for living over thousand years, and his role of being there for them since they entered 'End of Equestria'. It didn't take long for her to suspect something.

"Tao...... Who are you?" Twilight ask Tao, looking at the old pony suspiciously.

"Uh...... Twilight, he's Tao, remember?" Phobos asks Twilight, reminding her. What, she forgot whom her old friend was all of the sudden?

"No, Phobos. What Twilight mean is what are you really?" Ben asks Tao curiously, "Like you had known my mother, my aunt, Golden Heart, Pinkamena and Gwen Fillyson for a long time, as in thousand years ago."

"Not to mention, you had something to do with helping Jones becoming pony again." Nyx said with a nod. She suspects that Tao had a hoof in how Jones became what he was again.

"Don't forget, you appear and disappear for more than one time, just before the fight starts." Spike said, recalling how Tao kept appearing and disappearing various times. "I think you had watched us from the beginning to the end, didn't you?"

"So, Tao, who are you really? You're not an ordinary Earth Pony." Twilight said with a nod. Tao can't be just an ordinary Earth Pony.

Tao smile before he chuckle, "My, my, and I thought I'm the only one who has been observing and analyzing you the most, Twilight Sparkle. Most impressive, you're actually studying me. But I shall give you a hint of a riddle: 'beginning of the day we met, when you heard a tale of I had spoken somehow connected to what he and I desire, before the last ingredient you found and my end'."

Everyone look confused, shocked and annoyed as they mumble themselves while thinking of the answer. Pinkamena groan, "Here we go again." These riddles are confusing than ever! Celestia and Luna giggle while Golden Heart chuckle.

Celestia smile as she explains, "As usual, Tao loved to give riddles for ponies to figure out."

"He hasn't changed. That old and sly pony," Luna said while shaking her head at Tao and his usual techniques.

Golden Heart smile while adding, "Indeed he hasn't."

"Great; I had forgotten of how much I love riddles since high school, and now I hate it." Shining groans while slapping his forehead. "It's giving me a headache. Do you know anything, Cadance?"

Cadance shakes her head while saying, "Not really, I maybe a princess, Shining, but it doesn't mean I know everything from my long past."

"Hoo boy! I didn't expect to meet this kind of challenge." Flash said with a groan, not getting the riddle either.

"Yeah, Ah'm not sure Ah'm getting 'ta there, partner." Applejack said, not understanding the riddle either.

"Me too," Apple Bloom remarked with a shrug, clueless as her sister.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh remarked, not understanding the riddle either.

"Boy, you guys'd never told me that he would give a riddle. I hate them a lot. They give me a big headache." Rainbow groans while feeling her forehead. That riddle gave her one Tartarus of a headache!

"You said it." Scootaloo said agreeing with Rainbow.

"Agreed; Puzzles and riddles are not my dazzling style to answer." Rarity sighs a bit.

Sweetie nods while remarking, "This is going to be tough."

Pinkie giggles playfully, "I love guessing! Is it Time? No wait! It's journey! No; I know, he's an Alicorn! That's the only explanation of how he lived for thousand years, and knows Celestia and others from the past."

Everyone awed at Pinkie's answer. Tao however chuckles, "Not exactly, Pinkie Pie."

Pinkie gasps in amazement, "Huh?! You know my name?! How?! We just met!"

"Please, Mr. Tao, can you give a more simple and easy riddle?" Fluttershy ask Tao meekly. "I think it's too hard. Can you explain of how you know so much about us?"

Tao chuckle while shaking his head, "Sorry, Fluttershy, there is no shortcut, you have to answer it. If you answer correctly, then I'll explain it."

Tough yell angrily as he threw his hat down, "Blasted Pony Feathers! 'Dis is even harder than Ah thought. Not to mention he almost knows everypony like he met them before."

Phobos groans in frustration, "I-hate-RIDDLES!"

"I don't think we understand that, Tao." Spike sighs to Tao, giving up on answering the riddle."

Tao smile as he insists to the clueless and frustrated ponies, "Keep on trying. Just recall what you had been doing since you had entered the 'End of Equestria'." He said the last part to those who has been to the End of Equestria before.

"'Since you had entered the 'End of Equestria'? Wait a sec; I think I know what he meant about 'beginning of the day we met'. At the 'Lake of Eternal' is where we first meet with Tao." Nyx said, recalling on how she first met Tao before.

"Of course; Nyx, you're a genius. Then, he told us the story of how a Mystic Pony cured the Lake of Eternal." Ben said, recalling the story. "'Before the last ingredient you found and my end' means when we found Sacred Flame and Tao's gone at that time."

"We got almost all of the puzzle right. 'Somehow connected to what he and I desire'? This is something I don't get. I know Tao is referring to the Mystic Pony and himself. They both desired the clean, perfect and love place of nature. Mystic Pony has been there for a long time. But Tao......I can't seem to find some connection between two -" Twilight gasp in realization. Of course! It makes sense now! "It...... It can't be. It's not possible."

"Twilight?"

"What's de matter, sugarcube?" Applejack asks Twilight, wondering what her friend just realized.

"I know who Tao really is. I'd never thought all of us had actually met one from the beginning." The Alicorn said with a smile while pointing to Tao. Everyone look at Twilight. What is she talking about? "He's the Mystic Pony!"

Everyone gasp but Celestia, Luna, Golden Heart, Pinkamena, Gwen and her ponies, and Jones who know all along. Spike ask in surprise, "Seriously?!"

"No way," Phobos said in disbelief. Tao is the Mystic Pony that was mentioned trying to cure the End of Equestria?!

"Twilight, are yew sure?" Tough ask Twilight to see if she's right.

Twilight nods, explaining, "Yes. Appearing and disappearing in the End of Equestria like nothing's wrong with the world, voice is heard and having weird stuffs before the battles begin, and even most of the Mystic Banishment Ingredients appeared and helped us defeat Demon Lords. There's no spirit or ghost, but one I know who has been watching us from the day we met. Isn't it, Tao?"

Tao smiles and chuckle, "Most impressive, Twilight Sparkle. You solved the mysterious pony's tricks and purpose."

Everyone was shocked to hear this. Ben spoke in disbelief, "No way."

Tao smile and ask, "Don't believe me? Can any Earth Pony or your Triforce do this?"

Tao wave his hoof out as five cards flew out from his robes. The ponies were shocked to see this. Tao move his hoof from left to right, and back to left, and repeats the routine. The cards follow Tao's hoof movement. Everyone watch the performance in amazement and shock.

Tao stop moving and closed his eyes as five cards surround him. He opens his eyes as they glow white. Tao stomp his two hooves in front of his cards. Rocks emerge from the bronze card, and fire emerges from the red one. He then stomps on his back. Both air sphere-like appear from the green card and water emerged from the blue one. The golden card in front of him glows in white as his body glow in gold. Everyone was shocked and surprised to see this while gasping. Tao's eyes slowly return to normal, his glowing body slowly is depleting to his normal self, and his cards stopped moving.

"Still having doubt about me?" Tao ask the ponies. Everyone shook their heads. "Good. The connection, relationship and alliance between mortals and immortals have been restored."

"Wait a sec! If he's really a Mystic Pony, then why wouldn't he help us from beginning," Phobos demands in annoyance. Why didn't Tao helped out the gang during all this time?! "We would have gotten all the ingredients and get out from 'End of Equestria' sooner!"

Tao sigh, "Have you learn nothing about Mystic Ponies?"

"Actually, we do; Now we know why yew keep disappearing an' appearing 'ta us fer so many times," Tough said, explaining as to why Tao kept on disappearing and appearing a few times.

"Duh....... They are only here to guide us or anyone else for the answers that we're looking for. That's for us to find the ingredients." Spike explains to Phobos while rolling his eyes.

"But to do that, we had to deal with obstacles that stand in our way." Nyx said, recalling the obstacles that the group had dealt with before.

"The obstacles we're dealing with is are not only the Demon Lords, but some monsters and servants to deal with and rescue everyone who got involved in the End of Equestria to themselves." Ben said, recalling what he and his group has deal with in the End of Equestria.

"Tao, is that your only purpose?" Twilight ask Tao hopefully.

Tao shook his head while smiling. He explains, "There is more, my dear. My job is to observe of how strong and great your will is. If you had proven that, the Mystic Ponies will agree to the alliance between mortal and immortal ponies." Everyone looked surprised and curious of to what Tao had said.

"So what's the alliance for?"

"Defend Equestria and the Mystic Realm and defeat both Grimmore and the Superior." Tao answers, making everyone gasp. "That is the true threat to both mortal and immortal."

"Threat to you and your Mystic Ponies; Seriously," Rainbow asks Tao, disbelieved by what she just heard.

"But I thought Mystic Ponies are immortal, powerful and invincible. They can defeat anyone, and even Grimmore or this Superior." Rarity said, recalling what she heard.

"But why would they be threat to the Mystic Ponies?" Fluttershy ask Tao in concern.

"Well, hello. Earth to Mystic Pony," A certain funny pink pony giggles. She uses a stick and poke on Tao's body. It annoyed him but he remained calm. "It's not like the Superior or Grimmore can do anything harm to you like Discord or King Sombra."

"Pinkie's right. It's not like they're after something." Applejack said, not sure why Tao is concerned about the bad guys being a threat to the Mystic Ponies.

"I'm afraid there is more, Applejack. Grimmore has his ways of defeating us. But they also seek something from the Mystic Realm. And that is the Mystic Crystal." Tao explains seriously to everypony.

Everyone ask in surprise, "Mystic Crystal?"

"What's that?" Ben asks Tao in concern. That twist seems to have come from out of nowhere!

"The Mystic Crystal is the life energy and powerful crystal. It gave not only life of Mystic Ponies, but the powers of the special talent they possessed after they earned Cutie Marks or the lessons and principles they carry on. Mystic Ponies are not necessary be given birth, but can be chosen if one had truly shown great potential, remain to their true beliefs and power to surpass great challenge." Tao explains to Ben as to what the Mystic Crystal is.

Everyone was surprised and shocked to hear this. Nyx is the first to ask, "So, do you think that the Superior and Grimmore are after that source?"

"Indeed it is. The Superior will do anything to gain more powers to become powerful a warlord. But Grimmore, it's a different story; for he seeks destruction of immortal ponies, we had wounded, prevented and banished him to Tarturus for many long years. We won't know of how long can the seal holds. This is the reason why we must be united again against the threat."

Everyone became worried and scared. Celestia nodded as she spoke, "So, the Mystic Council finally understand the situation. If they succeed in capturing all of Equestria, they would find the source of portals to the Mystic Realm."

"Mystic Portal; is that have something to do with Superior's and Grimmore's purpose if they ever show up in the Mystic Realm?" Twilight ask, worried by what her enemies can do to get Equestria and everything.

Luna nods as she speaks, "Indeed . While the Mystic Ponies have ability to pass through between ours and their realm, there is another way to get there. And that is the Mystic Portal."

"Mystic Portal; don't you mean like the mirror to the human version of our world?" Spike ask, recalling the mirror that he, Twilight, Ben, Nyx and Phobos once used to enter the world that is a human version of Equestria.

"So where is this portal?" Phobos asks in concern.

"Indeed it is. There are more than one around Equestria, but we've hidden them, so no one, and not even our enemies, could find them." Luna explains. "But to find one is difficult, but to get there is even more difficult. "

Celestia nods as she continues, "To find one requires the guidance of the Mystic Ponies or the map to it. For you see, the Mystic Portal to the Mystic Realm can be opened by purest light of magic and hearts of ponies, and even the Mystic Ponies."

"Wait. What does yew mean 'even Mystic Ponies'?" Applejack ask, bewildered by that sentence.

"As you can see, my friend Applejack, not every Mystic Ponies can be pure and good as Tao, but rather some can be evil if they're too greedy and lust as a dragon or prideful and wrath as the griffon." Zecora explains seriously. "If they are not careful of that, the Mystic Portal can no longer recognize Mystic Ponies as one of their kind."

"I think I had my brain hurts." Rainbow groans while feeling her forehead for anything that hurts.

"Tell me about it." Scootaloo groans in agreement.

"Ah'm not sure Ah'm following it, Zecora." Apple Bloom said to her friend with a deep frown, not getting what the zebra is saying.

"Me too," Sweetie groans a bit while holding her head.

"What Zecora means if any of the Mystic Ponies prove to not showing love, caring, generosity and kindness to us, they can no longer be Mystic Ponies, but Dark Mystic Ponies." Twilight explains seriously to her friends.

"Dark Mystic Ponies," Everyone else gasps in surprise and worry. That doesn't sound good!

"For short, Dark Ponies; for they are either corrupted, greedy, spoiled, selfish, lusted, cruel, ambitious and pure dark and evil." Tao explains seriously of that part.

"You mean like an evil version of the Mystic Ponies?" Nyx ask Tao in concern. The way that he sounded it, the Dark Ponies sounds like cruel creatures indeed !

"Yes, Nyx; The Dark Ponies are very dangerous and powerful as the Mystic Ponies, but they are very focused on powers and control of mortals because of their beliefs." Twilight said, recalling what she knows about the Dark Ponies.

"What beliefs will that be, Twilight?" Spike asks Twilight, not liking that one bit.

"Dark Ponies think that they are high and mighty than any of us just because they had more powers and live for than thousand years." Ben explains to Spike while rolling his eyes at this.

Flash groan, "That is so uncool to treat any of ponies in Equestria."

"Why Ah outta-" Applejack growls a bit. What kind ponies are these Dark Ponies anyway?! "'Dat is so not 'de way 'ta treat 'de ponies. They are worse than Boris fer treating Earth Ponies like garbage. But now, some bad Mystic Ponies think 'dat like they owned 'de barn 'ta themselves!"

"You said it, AJ." Rainbow said, agreeing with her friendly rival.

"How selfish and greedy," Fluttershy said, frowning at what these Dark Ponies is.

"Not gonna make party for those bad ponies. But they are such thing, are they?" Pinkie asks in concern.

Tao nods while answering, "Indeed it is, Pinkie Pie. Be vigilant and cautious, of how they behave and do; for I fear, they might be working for the Superior."

"I understand, Tao." Twilight said in concern. It may be difficult to see which one are indeed Dark Ponies but she will try.

"By the way Tao, how long have you known my mother, aunt and anyone else from the past? And I meant more than 30 years ago." Ben said to Tao. He wants to know how long that Tao has known Celestia, Luna and anyone from the past.

"A lot, young Ben; When I was a young stallion, Megan, your mother, aunt and Star-Swirled the Bearded came for my help," Tao explains seriously to Ben.

"I can bet , you would -" Spike begins to say but Tao cut him off.

"I refused, Spike." Tao said suddenly. Everyone were shocked but Celestia, Luna, Golden Heart and Pinkamena. How could Tao refused to help Megan, the Royal Sisters and Star-Swirled, "Because of my disgusted liking to see ponies being friendly with cruel and savage Humans. But I see the potential of the two princesses, and even Megan, they are unlike any of the archives or experience I've learned so far. For they possessed that is similar to one I had not seen for a long time: the Elements of Harmony or the Rainbow of Light."

"So you agree to help them?" Twilight ask Tao hopefully.

"Indeed it is, Twilight. Thus, I have joined Celestia's and Luna's quest in building the new world and order: a unification of three pony tribes. But I believe you know much of that already, as well as my involvement against Discord, King Sombra, Smaug the Great and even the Demon Lords and Grimmore. After a long battle and journey, peace has been restored and new age of Equestria had begun. But the tragic had happened."

Everyone's eyes are widened of what Tao is about to said. Nyx was the first to answer, "Nightmare Moon."

Tao nods seriously as he continues, "Indeed , it is. For you see, the Mystic Ponies couldn't take much more of war, betrayal and bloodshed after seeing how blind we did not foreseen that Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon, while allowing Tadaka and Lorcan wage a war against the ponies. They believed that ponies like you will be lusted for more powers. Since that day, we have disconnected with the mortals and remained in the Mystic Realm for over thousand years."

Rarity sigh upon hearing this, "That's the worst - possible - thing -ever!"

"Yeah, because of her jealousy and hatred for Princess Celestia, Luna transformed into Nightmare Moon. Things had gone wrong." Rainbow remarks, recalling how Luna's jealously and hatred caused trouble, enough for the Mystic Ponies to leave Equestria.

"Actually, Rainbow Dash, there's more to that." Nyx said in sadness. Everyone looked confused but Twilight, Ben, Spike, Phobos and Tough who knew already. "Nightmare Moon was actually a living being, not part of Princess Luna. She was created and trained by Demon Lords to control Equestria."

Celestia and Luna gasp in shock. The Goddess of the Night said, "That explain why I couldn't control my emotion and powers; allowing this monstrous to take my body and mind."

"And so, that explains why in the past, the Demon Lords made you so obsessed in killing me. To prevent me from finding any new holders," Celestia said, now realizing what has happened back then.

"So sugarcube, yer're saying 'dat Nightmare Moon is actually a living being? Like yew?" Applejack asks Nyx in worry.

"But that's okay. We saved Princess Luna. We even make Nyx to be herself than Nightmare Moon when she first came to our world. At least, it's fine in the end." Fluttershy assures that everything turned out fine. Luna is back to herself and even Nyx has become more than just Nightmare Moon.

"No it isn't." Nyx said in more sadness, much to the others' confusion and/or concern.

"What do you mean?" Pinkie asks Nyx, unclear as to why she means.

"Nyx, what's wrong?" Apple Bloom ask Nyx who looks away in sadness.

"Did something happen at the 'End of Equestria'?" Sweetie asks Nyx, knowing that something has happened in the End of Equestria that made her this sad.

"Yeah, don't keep us in suspense of it." Scootaloo urges Nyx to tell everypony already. What is bugging her?

Nyx sobbed as she spoke, "Nightmare Moon is not only the Demon Lords' creation, but rather Tso Lan's daughter. If Nightmare Moon is his daughter, then I am his as well. I am her reincarnation."

Everyone was shocked to hear this. They turn to Jones, Yin and Yang, who were once servants of the enemies, who nodded their heads. They mumbled about Nyx, more concerned about her and maybe a bit doubtful.

"No! I don't believe it! Nyxie is not a monster." Shining protested, refusing to believe that his niece was a monster. True, he was suspicious of her since she freed him from her dark essence but at least the stallion forgave her around the time of the wedding!

"I agree with Shining Armor. There is no way Nyx can be a Demon." Cadance said in agreement with her husband.

"I'm with ya. As far as I can see about Nyx, she's a very good filly to her family and friends." Flash said in agreement. The Pegasus guard refuses to believe what may be clear about the filly.

"I'm not gonna believe that! You're not a monster, Nyx!" Rainbow exclaims, wanting to cheer the filly up and not letting her believe the worst about herself.

"Rainbow Dash's right, Nyx; you are kind, gentle, brave and loving filly that we ever met since the day you came to Ponyville and save our lives from monsters." Fluttershy said, trying to cheer Nyx up as well.

Rarity nods while adding, "What you're talking about is nothing but nonsense."

"Yeah! You can't be A Demon. Wanna know why, because they're evil, cruel, selfish and monsters too! They're so not like you." Pinkie insists to Nyx.

"Listen Nyx, yew shouldn't believe what yew heard fro' those Demon Lords. They are nothing but liars." Applejack insists to Nyx. She can't let the filly believed what was told to her otherwise.

Apple Bloom nodded in agreement, exclaiming, "Yeah; 'Dat's stinky garbage!"

"You're not a monster!" Sweetie exclaims to Nyx in determination.

"You're a great friend to us! Right, girls and guy," Scootaloo exclaims to the other members of the CMC, wanting some support and backup.

"I won't believe it too. Nyx is not a monster." Pipsqueak said with a nod.

"Yeah," The rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders said with nods.

However Nyx just sobbed, insisting, "But it's true. I saw it with my own eyes."

Spike nods as he explains, "It's true, guys. Not to mention, I also learned that my family were once Shendu's servants. But unlike Nyx, they are willing to kill me."

"Except Shendu," Phobos points out to Spike.

"Anyway, my point is that because of me being daughter of Tso Lan, I almost brought danger to my family. Somehow, I should never be born on that day. I wish I would have been died." Nyx said while slumping not. Not good, the poor filly is feeling down and out again.

"Nyx, don't talks like that. It's over. You are home with us, with friends and with family. You are safe. We got home safe and sound." Twilight said, hugging Nyx and not wanting her to feel this terrible again. Not after what the gang endured against Tso Lan.

"In fact, you have beaten Tso Lan for good. You had proven to him that you are not Nightmare Moon that he created before." Ben explains to Nyx, reminding her what she did. The filly has stopped Tso Lan, so she can't be Nightmare Moon!

Nyx sobbed while saying, "But still. Tso Lan will return and take revenge on me. He might want to make me the completed form of Nightmare Moon. There is no turning back. I don't know if this will happen to me again or not."

"Oh Nyx," Twilight sighs in sadness. What will she do with Nyx?

"Don't think of that." Ben said to Nyx seriously.

Both Twilight and Ben nuzzle Nyx on her face while she sobbed. Tough, Spike and Phobos look down while everyone, even Celestia and Luna, looked worried about Nyx. How can they help her? Tao approach Nyx as he suddenly said, "Nyx, throughout your harsh and difficult journey, you had overcome your fear and inner demon. Since the day you were born, you had grown so much love towards to both your family and friends than what original Nightmare Moon couldn't. In fact, like your mother, you had the right to earn it."

Nyx sniffed as she asks puzzled, "Earn it? Earn what, Mr. Tao?"

"Although your birthday is not too distance in future, it does not mean that I can't give you the important gift now. Now it is time."

"Huh?"

Tao smiles as he answers Nyx's question, "Your true heritage."

Tao place the small bottle in front of Nyx and close his eyes. For a moment, he open his eyes with pure glowing purple light. Suddenly, a purple piece of light-like appears out from Nyx's chest. She looked confused while Twilight gasps in seeing this. The purple light goes around her body. It then splits into three: one hover on her head, the second on her upper body and another on her lower body. Nyx was lifted up high as Tao used his right hoof to lift her up.

Everyone look concern and worried, as well as wondering as to what's going on. Tao pointed his left hoof at Ben. Suddenly, Ben's golden soul comes out. Tao move his left hoof and clap on his right one, causing the fourth part light to move, splits into three and join with another three purple lights spinning on Nyx. They spun together. Nyx was shocked to see this event happening. Soon Tao use his right hoof and point at Nyx who felt her chest hurt. She stretched out when the Mystic Pony pull his hoof back hard. The long black light comes out from Nyx's chest. Everyone was shocked and amazed to see this happening.

Tao move his right hoof and make his like slamming on the floor, causing the long black light to go down into a bottle. With the black light inside the bottle, Tao, psychically, closed the bottle's cap. The Mystic Pony used two hooves of his, spinning around, causing both golden and purple lights to move around on Nyx. She was shocked and confused. Tao stop spinning around as both purple and golden lights stop. He push his hooves in front of himself, causing both lights to hit and enter Nyx. The white light emerged from her body as it glare and glow in a bright light.

Everyone use their hooves to block their view from the glaring lights. After a while, they remove their hooves and saw something shocking. They saw a familiar navy shield with light crescent symbol. Tao move his hooves down gently and slowly, causing the picture of cutie mark slowly descending. The light of Nyx's cutie mark slowly fades out while revealing the familiar figure in front of them.

"This just like before, Twilight," Applejack said, recalling what happened when Twilight turned into an Alicorn princess.

"But question is what's going on now? I seriously doubt it's becoming a princess." Flash said puzzled. Nyx is already an Alicorn so what's different this time?

"Yeah, I know, Flash; I think we're about to find out." Ben said, knowing that he and everypony else will soon find out what's going on.

"Nyx; is that you?" Twilight ask her daughter hopefully.

With light's gone, Nyx slowly gets up. Her eyes are closed. She slowly opens them. Nyx's eyes are now normal pony's eyes with light blue cyan with rounded black and small rounded whites. Everyone gasp in shocked and surprise.

"Oh mah herd......." Applejack said in amazement.

"For real," Rainbow ask in bewilderment. Nyx's eyes are like when she disguised them before.

"Nyx......" Apple Bloom begins to speak in amazement to her friend.

"Dude, your eyes........" Scootaloo speaks, not sure how to explain what happened to Nyx.

"My eyes; what's wrong with my eyes?" Nyx ask Scootaloo in confusion.

"I think you're about to find out." Rarity said with a smile.

Sweetie Belle giggles, "I don't know if you're gonna be happy or sad about this."

Rarity levitates a small mirror in front of Nyx. The Alicorn filly looks closely at the mirror and gasp while looking at her own eyes. Nyx exclaims, "My eyes! Oh my grandmother....... I'm...... I'm....."

"Normal," The Mystic Pony ask with a smile as he approach Nyx. Everyone turn to him as he explains, "Like I said before, Nyx, you earned your reward. Ever since you and your family enter the End of Equestria, I begin my test on all of you and those from Ponyville, and it is the same: Test of Endurance, Determination and Faith. But yours is different: the Test of Identity and Heart. For you, you must choose what is really right, not for your family, but for yourself."

"So, Nyx has passed the test?" Fluttershy ask Tao in hope.

Tao nods. Pinkie bounces up and screams out, "This is so goooood!" She bounced around happily.

"But is eyes my reward?" Nyx ask Tao suddenly. Are her eyes changing the only reward that she got for passing this test?

Tao smile as he answers, "Let's find out. And see how your reaction is when you encountered him again."

Tao spins his right hoof for three times as it creates a dark sphere before he slammed down onto the ground. A puff of smoke emerges as an illusion of Tso Lan's appearance appear. Everyone gasp in worry and scared. What is going to happen? Nyx looked worried and scared of him. Before she could do anything, the filly noticed something...something different this time.

"My chest...... I don't feel any pain anymore." Nyx said in amazement. In the past around Tso Lan, her chest would feel pain but now? Not this time.

Everyone looked confused and shocked, especially her family. Spike points out, "But when we came to Tso Lan's Palace, you feel the pain because of Tso Lan being near us."

"But what does this mean?" Phobos ask wondering what this new development means now.

"I....... I don't know." Nyx said dumbstruck. Even she is unsure how to answer that question.

Twilight nuzzle Nyx as she said, "There must be reason as to why you didn't feel pain. According to Tso Lan, whenever your body feel in pain, that means he's close by."

"Tao, can you explain?" Ben asks Tao, knowing that the Mystic Pony has an answer.

"Of course, Benjamin; did you see the piece of light?" Tao ask, making everyone nodded. "That piece is the soul and blood of an individual. Each individual possessed different colors as in representing their minds, souls and hearts, such as Twilight Sparkle's Purple Soul represent Intelligent and Curiosity, and Ben Mare's Golden Soul represent Courage and Wisdom."

"But what's that gotta do with Nyx?" Spike asks, not cleared by this.

"I'm not done yet. Tso Lan's Black Soul represent hatred, anger, cruel, ruthless and darkness. So I removed that essence, blood and soul from Nyx, and replaced with what she had long desired. Combine and united with the one's blood who is now her biological mother."

"Say what?" Phobos ask in confusion. He doesn't get it.

Twilight gasp as she got it, "I am Nyx's biological mother because of my blood. But when you said, you removed and replaced Tso Lan's blood with Ben's. Then, that means......"

Ben's eyes are wide opened; he spoke hopefully, "I'm Nyx's real and biological father." Everyone gasp in amazement. That does mean one thing!

"So, Tso Lan is no longer my biological father, but Ben. That means......." Nyx gasps in happiness and hope. "I finally have a real family! Yeah! I finally really have one!" The filly hugs Ben and Twilight. Everyone smile and cheer at this event. No longer will Nyx has to worry about suffering by Tso Lan any longer.

"Wow, I can't believe it. I'm really Nyx's dad?"

"I think it is." Twilight said to her love with a warm smile.

"Nice work, Ben." Shining laughed as he pats Ben on the back proudly.

"Congratulation, Nyx." Cadance said with a warm smile. Nyx is definitely a Sparkle and a Mare for sure!

Twilight and Ben nuzzle Nyx softly while Spike patted on Nyx's head, saying, "Welcome to your true family, Nyx."

Tao smiled at the scene as Princess Celestia approached him, speaking, "That is very kind of you, Tao. Though I'm pleased to hear that Ben have Nyx as his own and real daughter, I'm in concern of something else."

"Sister," Luna asks Celestia, wondering what is wrong with her sister. Celestia is conflicted, scared for some reason. Does this have anything to do with Ben wanting to find his real parents not too long ago?

"What's wrong?" Golden Heart asks Celestia in concern. Why is the Sun Alicorn feeling worried?

Tao sighs, knowing what his friend is going through, as he said to Celestia, "One day, you have to tell him the truth, your highness, or things may get worst. I may have known of your past with 'him'. But I cannot reveal it to your son, without your permission."

"Then, it's best you do not. Please, old friend, for old time's sake?" Celestia pleads to Tao with puppy dog eyes, even for a grown mare. She wishes to tell her son when the time comes.

Tao sigh as he agrees, "Very well. You know you are stubborn as he and his son are, but it is very good to remember about him, my dear. But I suggest you must do it before we meet our enemies in the future."

"Sister, is something wrong?" Luna asks Celestia in concern. She must know why her sister is acting like this all of the sudden.

Celestia shakes her head as she speaks, "I will explain later, Luna. Promise me, that you will not tell anyone about this. This is something that happened to me, my son and Tao when I 'found' him."

"Something tells me, this is not very good. But very well."

Nyx approach Tao, getting a serious look on her face as she speaks, "Mr. Tao, thank you for giving me the best gift. But can I ask you something?" Tao looks confused. "Can you return my eyes to original ones?"

Everyone gasp in confusion. Nyx's eyes are now changed to a normal pony but now she wants her Nightmare Moon ones back?

"Did she say-?" Spike asks in surprise and disbelief.

"Want her eyes return to the way it was? As in having her dragon irises-like," Phobos asks in concern. Why would Nyx want her eyes back? Doesn't she wish to be a normal pony?

"Why would you need it, Nyx?" Scootaloo ask Nyx in concern.

"Aren't you happy of what you are now?" Sweetie asks Nyx. Her friend wants the eyes that remind ponies of what she once was?

"Yew did say 'dat yew want 'ta be normal like everyone else." Apple Bloom reminds Nyx of what she said. Her friend wants to be normal but wants her old eyes back?

"True, but to be honest; I know my eyes are different than anypony, but I like it. Not because of how scary it was, but how much hope I have. When I look in a mirror, I always thought that I'll always be a monster." Nyx explains as she sighs. "But living here and meeting new friends, I'm starting to accept them. It's not the curse; it's my faith and hope."

"Nyx; Are you sure?" Ben asks Nyx, wondering if having her old eyes back is what she wanted.

"You know that you'll always be in everypony's heart, no matter how different you are." Twilight said to Nyx gently. No matter what appearance she is, the filly is in everypony's heart.

"I know. But this is my decision. And I want my real eyes back. Not because everyone can recognize me, it's who I really am. So, can you please return those to me?" Nyx pleads to Tao seriously.

Tao smile in understanding as he said, "Of course. I had a feeling you might say something like that." Tao touch Nyx's muzzle as her body slowly glow blue. Her eyes are slowly changed and returned to her original eyes: dragon irises. Tge Mystic Pony show the mirror to Nyx as he said, "There it is done. I have returned what you truly want as a symbol and the identity of who you are."

Nyx smile as she chirps, "Thank you, Mr. Tao." She hugs Tao tightly. True, she got her old eyes back...but her blood now belongs to Twilight and Ben. No one will ever take that away from her. Tao smile as he and Nyx depart from hugging.

"Now that is over. I would like to introduce you to my family."

"Wait, you have a family?" Spike asks in surprise. Tao has a family of his own?

"So who is -?" Twilight begins to ask when somepony interrupted her questioning.

Nyx yelp when someone just pushes her. Everyone gasp in shocked and confusion as a new filly, Jade, hugged Nyx tightly, making the filly ask, "What the -?"

"Oh my gosh; I can't believe I finally meet her! I finally meet the heroine who was the bad guy, saved the day from monsters of terror! Oh yeah! Jade made contact and touched with Nyx!" Jade exclaims, giggling like an obsessed fan.

"Uh....... So, Jade is your name?"

"So, who in tarnation are yew?" Apple Bloom asks Jade, wondering who she is.

"We'd never seen you around." Sweetie said, not recalling seeing Jade in Ponyville so who is she?

Scootaloo looks at Jade awkwardly as she adds, "Not to mention, you're weird. No offense."

Jade giggle as she departs from hugging Nyx. Tao chuckles as he introduces Jade, "This is Jade Adventure. She's my grandniece."

Nyx and the CMC gasps in surprise, "Grandniece?!"

"So, how old are you?" Pipsqueak asks Jade curiously.

Twist smiles as she speaks, "You must be a Mystic Pony, right?"

Dinky chuckled, "Wow, things getting really exciting."

Babs nods as she remarks, "This is so cool, you all."

Karma smiles, commenting, ""First, our friends made it home and now we're meeting a Mystic Pony."

"Yes, I'm a Mystic Pony. I'm 200 years-old. And guess what? I'm good at one thing: Ma Fu flank whooping! Check this out." Jade said eagerly, wanting to show off to her new friends.

Jade breathe in and then out as she position herself in a battle position. She then starts to punch ahead for a few times with her front hooves and then jump and kick for few times with her back legs. Jade then slammed onto the ground with one hoof. The ground shakes causing everyone to awe at Jade's ability. Nyx and the CMC awed and cheer at Jade's ability.

"That's amazing, Jade," Nyx said to Jade eagerly.

"It was nothing. I am a Mystic Warrior." Jade bragged to Nyx.

Suddenly Dragon Kick appears, saying in irritation, "Jade, you are not a Mystic Warrior. You haven't even matured or grew older enough to understand the powers within you yet."

"Dragon Kick, it's so good to see you here." Gwen said to her love with a warm smile.

Dragon Kick and Gwen hugged together. Ben in amusement ask, "I'd take you two had known each other for a long time in the Omnidrex Kingdom?"

Gwen smile as she explains, "Indeed it is, Ben. Thanks to you, I finally returned to the one I truly love. I miss him so much."

"Yes, this reminds me of how much I miss Ben." Twilight said warmly making Ben blush at this.

"By 'de look o' yer body, Ah'd say yew've got some workout well." Applejack said, impressed with Dragon Kick's body work.

"So, Dragon Kick, you've got some good moves like Jade Adventure?" Rainbow asks Dragon Kick, her eyes arch in eyebrow at the Mystic Pony.

Dragon Kick chuckles as he explains, "Yes, of course. I learn it by myself."

Tao hits Dragon Kick's head, scolding, "You took credit from my training and good influence as your own. In fact, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't make a good Mystic Warrior in the first place."

"Uncle, I am not a Mystic Warrior. I am a Mystic Civilized archaeologist."

"That's so boring. I mean seriously? You were a warrior, now you turned into a wimpy egghead?" Rainbow ask, unimpressed with this. "Of course, you're like Daring Do. I might like adventures."

"Archaeologist; Oh my, a gentlecolt like you work for the dirt? That is uncouth, Mr. Dragon Kick." Rarity said, the idea of dirty disgusts her a bit.

Dragon Kick groans in irritation, "Archaeologist is not an egghead! It's the research and study of understanding and learning the ancient pasts of our old times. It’s worth everything, Rainbow Dash. Do not use the word. You won't know until you found something interesting like gems."

"Gems; Of course; I'm sorry for my rude behavior."

Dragon Kick roll his eyes as Fluttershy said kindly, "I think it's nice."

"Yeah! It's so super adventure." Pinkie giggles. She bounces around until the pink pony bump into someone in front of her. Pinkie recognizes who it is from days ago. "Hey, it's you!"

"You're the guy we bumped into." Flash said as he recognizes Mighty from days before.

Mr. Cake exclaims to Mighty with a smile, "Mr. Mighty Heart!"

"We've been looking everywhere for you! We thought you might want more cookies." Mrs. Cake said to Mighty eagerly as she shows 50 boxes of cookies to the big pony.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Cake," Mighty said as he took the 50 boxes of cookies. "I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to bring Golden Eggs."

Tao hits Mighty's head as he scolds, "In fact, you shouldn't! Golden Eggs are the bits for our realm, not Equestria!"

"Really; Oh my! We didn't mean to disrespect you!" Mr. Cake gasps nervously as he bows a bit, a bit embarrassed as if disrespecting the Mystic Ponies unknowingly.

Mrs. Cake holds out the eggs that Mighty paid with earlier, saying, "Sorry, Mr. Tao; Here's the eggs."

Mr. and Mrs Cake return the five Golden Eggs to Tao. He smiles as the old pony wave his hoof around the eggs. The Golden Eggs transform into lots of bits. Everyone gasped upon looking at this.

"How did -!" Mr. Cake exclaims in amazement by this.

"I am a Mystic Pony, my friend." Tao said to Mr. Cake with a mysterious smile.

"Hey, Jade. I was wondering. Would you like to join the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Nyx ask Jade with a smile. Somepony like her deserves to be with friends like the CMC!

"Really," Jade asks Nyx excitedly and hopefully.

"Seriously; Yer're asking 'de Mystic Pony 'ta join us?" Apple Bloom ask Nyx who nodded, "'Dat's a very great idea!"

"I really, really love it!" Sweetie exclaims, excitedly about having a new member and friend.

"This is so awesome! So what do you say, guys?" Scootaloo ask the other members of the CMC their opinion.

"Yeah," The Cutie Mark Crusaders cheers on in eagerness, now accepting Jade as one of their own.

"Awesome! Dragon Kick, can I join the Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Jade ask Dragon Kick with puppy dog eyes look.

"Hmm....... I don't know. Let me think." Dragon Kick said in hesitation, wondering if allowing Jade to join the CMC is a good idea.

"Please! I really need it! I finally get to meet Cutie Mark Crusaders, Nyx and the heroines of Equestria!"

"Please, Mr. Dragon Kick! I'll look after her." Nyx pleads to Dragon Kick, giving him the same look. Darn, those puppy dog eyes are irresistible even in Nightmare Moon eyes.

"Please," The Cutie Mark Crusaders plead.

All of the Cutie Mark Crusaders gave the pouty eyes to Dragon Kick. They and Jade pleads hopefully, "Pretty Please?"

"Hmmm," Dragon Kick hesitates then he sighs. The Mystic Pony gives up, he can't say no to those eyes. "Okay. But better make sure you get your work done."

The CMC cheered on, "Yeah! Welcome to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Jade!"

Jade grins, holding a hoof in the air while exclaiming, "Oh yeah; Jade's in the house!"

Tao approach Princess Celestia with a flowing paper in front of her. The Alicorn looks at it carefully then hopefully ask, "The treaty?"

"So does this mean -?" Luna asks, hoping that this means what she thinks it means.

Tao nodded as he answers, "Yes. The alliance is complete. We are prepared." It's official. The Mystic Ponies are now rejoining their old allies of Equestria once more.

"Indeed." Celestia said, pleased that her old friends of thousands of years ago has rejoined Equestria. It seems like yesterday when the Flutterponies rejoined after Megan's return. Celestia sign on the treaty paper with the feather pen. Everyone cheer eagerly.

"There is one more thing to do. Places, everyone," Tao makes his cards spin around him while Dragon Kick, Jade and Mighty Heart push their hooves gently to each other. "Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao! Yu Mo Gwai Gwaai Fai Di Zao!"

Everyone gasp in shock. Applejack's home and crops glow in white light. But hers isn't the only one, but the rest of Equestria including Ponyville, glow in white as well. For a few moments, it burst out, causing the Rainbow shockwave across the world. Many Dark Elves were shocked to see this from where they are. They quickly and immediately escape the battle or whatever it is that they are doing at once but the shockwave hit them hard.

Grimmore shout in anger as all of his portals are closed off. And so as the Superior, his portals are also closed as well. Both yell out furiously, "Curse you, Mystic Ponies!"

"The Protection Spell is complete . I have set everything in all of the areas. So, the Superior and Grimmore cannot harm you or your home anymore. But if they come here personally, be prepared for it." Tao said in precaution. He knew that the Protection Spell won't hold out the enemies for long, they will find other ways into Equestria and Ponyville.

Twilight nods as she said, "I understand. And thank you very much, Mr. Tao."

Ben nods while adding, "Yeah. You helped and saved us, Tao. You create a Miracle."

"We owe everything to you." Nyx said to Tao gently.

"Me? You're mistaken, Twilight and Ben. Everything I did is guiding and making you prepare for the enemy's arrival and battles." Tao insists to his friends with a light chuckle. "In fact, it is you, Ben, Nyx, Spike, Phobos, Tough and those come came with you that had created the Miracle for everyone. While some may not go to the end of the world, they had never given up on your hope and faith. So, it proved to me and on my behalf of the Mystic Ponies that the Equestrian Ponies are indeed worthy, determined, enduring and faithful. All and each of you possess one thing in great common: Friendship. Your ruler will be proud of you, my dear friends."

Dragon Kick said with a nod, "Yes. If you need anything, call us. We'll be there for you."

"After all, it's what friendship is all about." Jade said happily.

"Nothing, it's impossible when you believe," Mighty said mysteriously. Don't ask.

Twilight smile before speaking, "Mr. Tao, I was wondering. I know you are done with all of the mission but will you stay here for a while? My friends and everyone will like to get to know about you."

"Please, Tao. It's very important for everypony to get to know more about you, especially a Mystic Pony like you." Ben said to Tao with a hopeful smile.

"Pretty please," The filly asks as she gave the pouty face to Tao and his family. They smile.

"I will be honored, my dear friends." Tao said gently to his allies.

Everyone cheered as Pinkie bounces up, cheering, "It's time for a Party! Party for Twilight and her family's homecoming! Welcome Party for Tao and his family!"

Tao smiles while adding to Twilight and Ben, "One more thing; for you two, I have one riddle for you to listen. Because deep in the future, you will face a great challenge: No matter who and what happens to among your family, always remember that deep in their hearts they will always love you."

Twilight gasp as she ask, "Is it about my brother?" Could it involve Starlight and what happened to him? His brother was never found so it may help!

"My parents included?" Ben ask making Celestia gasp in worry and concern for some reason. The mystery around his origins may get mysterious by the moment.

Tao smiles as he explain, "That you must solve alone. If you need more guidance, I shall be there for you."

"Yes. Thank you, Tao." Twilight said with a smile. Maybe someday, she will find out the answer to the mystery that haunted her for years.

"We are ready for anything." Ben said in determination.

"One more thing: the Element Prophecy is upon on us. Should anything happen, seek the origins of Elements of Harmony." Tao said mysteriously, much to the ponies' puzzled state.

"What was that about?" Nyx ask puzzled; 'Element Prophecy'? What is Tao talking about?

"Something's bad is about 'ta happen?" Applejack asks in concern; The Element Prophecy?

"I've got a bad feeling about this." Flash spoke, wondering if this Element Prophecy will be a factor someday.

"I only know what event is coming, but be prepared for it." Tao said to his friends and allies in precaution. When the Element Prophecy does happen, the ponies must be ready for when it does.

"We will. Right, everyone," Twilight ask her friends with a smile.

"Yew bet , Twi. A'll be there fer yew, mah sister." Applejack said in determination. She let Twilight down before, but not this time!

"Absolutely," Rarity exclaims excitedly while smiling.

"Rock on!" Rainbow laughs while flying upward in determination.

"Ready whenever you are," Pinkie remarks while saluting her good friend Twilight liked a soldier to a general.

"Yes, we are not afraid of anything. Of course, not everything," Fluttershy said, getting meekly at the last part.

"I'm always with you, Twilight." Ben said, putting a hoof around Twilight.

"Me too, mommy," Nyx giggles while nuzzling Twilight on one of her fore legs.

"Count us in." Spike remarks while giving a claws up to his sister/mother/friend.

"We dare the danger." Phobos remarks in eagerness.

"We are ready fer anything!" Apple Bloom exclaims with an eager smile on her face.

"You said it!" Scootaloo laughs while giving Apple Bloom a high hoof.

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders will be ready for anything!" Sweetie exclaims cutely.

"Yeah!" The rest of the CMC cheers on wildly, ready for anything.

Shining smiles as he speaks, "I'll be there for my sister."

"Don't forget about me." Cadance said, hugging her husband gently.

"I'm ready for danger!" Flash laughs as he got his sword out, waving it around recklessly.

"Always remember, Twilight, everyone you know, will be there for you." Celestia said to her student/fellow princess/friend/niece-in-law gently. The newest Alicorn will be reminded that she got friends who will be there for her always.

"In mind, heart and soul, my dear family and friends," Luna said wisely to Twilight.

"One more thing," Tao said with a frown. He hits Golden Heart and Pinkamena's heads, making them yelp in pain, "Golden Heart and Pinkamena! Thanks to you, you almost brought danger and destruction upon Ponyville! One more thing, I warned you not to attack Grimmore! One more thing, you should be very careful especially in collecting that stupid trophy of yours; One more thing!"

Golden Heart and Pinkamena are ready to embrace the pain. To their surprise, it never came as Tao said gently, "Thank you. For if you had not made Grimmore show what he's capable of, even in his seal, the Mystic Council would've been hard to convince. I, old friends, owe you a great debt."

"Thanks. And sorry the mess that we made," Golden Heart said to Tao sheepishly. Luckily, some of the ponies didn't seem to hear Pinkamena's name so she is safe for now.

"I promise that I would be careful not to play fire or anything, without any supervisor." Pinkamena said though her hooves are somehow crossed behind her back.

Tao smile while saying, "A lesson learned indeed . Well done. Come, my friends, we celebrate victory! Victory that we ponies are united as one, as well as showing our enemy that we will not fall, we will rise!"

Everyone cheered together happily, faithfully and hopefully. The CMC hugs each other, Ben and Twilight nuzzles one another and dancing a bit. They begin to sing a new song.

Nyx: I'd always thought there's a darkness, but no more.

Apple Bloom: Ah used 'ta be afraid, but no more.

Sweetie Belle: Now I have faith that we will be one and safe

Scootaloo: And now we will face our darkness together

Jade: Our hope and faith will never be lost again.

Spike: Our unity will be strong and powerful always.

CMCs: Let our Harmony light our darkest hour

Twilight and Ben: I'd always thought there's a darkness, but no more.

Applejack and Flash: I used to be afraid, but no more.

Rarity and Pinkie: Now I have faith that we will be one and safe

Rainbow and Fluttershy: And now we will face our darkness together

Princesses and Shining Armor: Our hope and faith will never be lost again.

Everyone: Our unity will be strong and powerful.
Let our Harmony light our darkest hour.

Miracles can be made,
When you believe.
Though the hope is frail,
It'll never be lost.

Twilight and Applejack: It'll never be lost.

Everyone: Who knows what miracles,
When you had faith.

Ben and Flash: When you had faith.

Everyone: When you believe,
Somehow you will.
Now you always will.
You will when you believe.

Mane Six, Ben, Flash, Nyx, All CMC, Spike, Phobos, Tough, Shining, Cadance, Celestia, Luna, Twilight's Family, Tao and his family: When you believe

Nyx and Spike: You will always when you believe.

Once the song is over, everyone smile and cheer happily. Twilight and Ben gave each other a kiss while Flash patted on Applejack on the back while she patted his. Tao smile while saying, "You are ready, my friends."

------------------------

Now the scene focuses on the Apocalypse Ponies in their gathered meeting. They have finally witnessed the even where the Apple Farm has been fix to where their plan was completely ruined. And despite the portals being closed, the Apocalypse Ponies can always make more.

"Well it appears we've failed entirely." Suffocator Jill sighed in seeing that the heroes have won once again it seems.

"This is becoming a bad habit on our part." Deadly Rager issued in seeing that this was becoming problematic with the dealings of Twilight Sparkle, Ben Mare, and the other heroes.

"Yeah, and did you see how much close the Shadow almost had them? Hehehehe, makes me almost wanna bake them cupcakes….AND WATCH THEM SQUIRM FROM ACID FLUIDS!" Psycho Pie was laughing like a mad lune, even stating something crazy that she would have done to the heroes.

"Well I would have enjoyed the spoils of having those Guardian Rings, they simply are divine." Crarity spoke in her own greedy thought of what she would have taken from the heroes had they failed.

"Aw, who needs those Guardians if they were beaten so easily, I say…let them keep them! They're of no use for us!" Fluttercruel snapped off in a remarking tone about not caring if they had those Guardians under their control, if they lost to Twilight's group, what use are they to them?

"I still can't believe Grimmore brought out something that powerful & that much chaos didn't finish the job." R. Chaos spoke off stunt shocked, Grimmore summoned the Shadow, yet it didn't win nor lose, cue the prey managed to escape before they were caught & finished right there.

"It was unbelievable when they managed to defeat all of the Eight Immortal Demon Lords, even acquire the Pan'ku Box, to keep it so they never escape the Realm of Demons?" Ms. Moon spoke from stating what she learned has also happened as of recently, the heroes have the object that frees the Demon Lords, so now from their defeat, the eight Immortals can't get out even if another thousand years pass by.

"To think even Twilight Sparkle survived not only the injures done to her by Tso Lan, she escaped the Shadow by an inch of luck. How I despise that!" Wilco snapped off in feeling his arms screech like metal against his throne, once again seeing how Twilight Sparkle has cheated death on such close accounts.

"All things seen, it would make sense we underestimated them a bit 'too' much now." Starven Fran issued off in starting to see they overlooked the potential from Twilight's small band of travelers, even if they were not of the original Element Bearers, they still performed better than they had expected.

"I'll say we have. But then again, they don't know how strong we 'really' are, so that'll leave us with some chance to catch them off guard." Warring Malice spoke off in stating her own claim, Twilight's group may have some stronger players, but they don't know the 'real' terror of the members of the Apocalypse Ponies, especially when they barely survived an illusion image of the Superior in Sunset Shimmer's human world version territory.

"And what do you think of this, father?" Trix asked to look at her father & leader, what will his reaction be from seeing this work unfolded?

"You're probably not too please that even our own ally Grimmore didn't end things." Merluck spoke in thinking that even their best ally didn't help stop the heroes.

"Patience, my children; As Grimmore claimed, he wishes to entertain, and so he was entertained." The Superior spoke to hold up his cloak sleeve in stating a fact, Grimmore was just wanting to be entertained, the odds were never much to his concerns if the enemy lived or perished. "He's a formidable foe that when he truly becomes serious, then all of Tartarus will be on the loose from his onslaught." The Superior's darken tone issued a serious warning threat, that if Grimmore were to ever, EVER, become serious, nothing could stop the demon god, even while still imprisoned in Tartarus.

"Well I wasn't bought by thinking he was actually gonna succeed." Liarjack spoke off in once again, lying about her belief that the heroes were gonna be done in.

"Wilco, how goes the 'gift' we received from Grimmore some time ago?" The Superior turns to the schemer in how goes progress in something they gain that will still tip the balance to their side.

"I've nearly finished my work, Superior, soon, the copied portion of the Triforce from the Copy Crystal will give us strengths unimaginable." Wilco spoke to humbly bow to his leader, stating the item they got from Grimmore, a Copy Crystal that has the raw power portion of Ben's Triforce, is nearly complete & will be used for their own gain.

"And once it's complete, our day of hiding in the shadows will be long over." Deadly Rager issued off in smirking in seeing that soon, all shall fear them.

"Wow, can't wait for that to happen." Warring smiled in thinking the idea was something a pony of war would get into.

"Aren't we rushing things a bit?" Trix asked off in thinking they sound like they are ready to strike Equestria; hard! If that becomes a situation, she'll have to warn Celestia of the dangers as an inside spy.

"Why, are you 'scared' to fight? After being beaten when you work under Lorcan?" Fluttercruel cruelly remarked in thinking that Trix here was afraid to fight after what happened during Lorcan's Invasion event.

"Ease off, that's my sister you’re speaking to." Merluck spoke off in protecting his little sister from being ridicule by such awful manner of a memory.

"At last, we'll show them what 'real' chaos looks like!" R. Chaos pumped herself in feeling the urge to cut loose, at last.

"Everything will begin, but only when our leader gives the word." Ms. Moon calmed the others to say they can't do much of anything without their leader's okay, and going against orders is punishable.

"Is he gonna say it? Ohhhh, this is driving me crazier than usual!" Psycho Pie asked off in wondering if the Superior will finally say 'Yes, we'll attack now' for them to be more active.

"Any crazier and we be doomed." Suffocator Jill spoke off in hearing what this member said, like she isn't crazy enough as she is now.

"As stated, my members….our time will come. For now…." The Superior issued off in stating that the time when they finally act will be near, but not yet. "We must carefully bind our time, our planning, and then when Equestria least expects it…" When he was saying this, he almost sounds very serious in his darken words. "We'll have them all within our grasp." With a lift of his hooded end of a sleeve, it looked like he was grasping the chance to obtain victory in crushing Celestia & Luna's kingdom.

"And the Demon Lords, what about the situation we were in, thanks to Boris's goofballs?" Ms. Moon spoke in recalling that Tso Lan was very upset in what the Enforcers from Boris's side did in aiding the enemy, the Demon Lords will want revenge for that.

"I would almost destroy them where they stand, however…." When the Superior spoke this, Trixie got worried if her father would do it, but that was pushed in the back of her mind. "This situation may turn into our own favor. For there will be useful pieces in strategy, and every sacrifice is necessary to obtain victory." The way he spoke, it sounded like he will use Boris & his forces until the day comes where they outlive their usefulness.

"Father, what are you…?" Trix was about to make an objection here, if she wasn't cut off.

"Consider Boris's pardon, a gift, my daughter, but the next slip up will not be so forgiving without punishment." The Superior pointed to Trix in stating that he's giving mercy to Boris the Red Devil, but the next time that Devil Pony does something against his back, there will be consequences.

"Ouch, sounds like your lover's in hot water again." Merluck spoke off in remorsing the fact in hearing what will happen to the guy Trixie's got a crush on.

"MERLUCK; REALLY; Must you do this overtime we have to discuss things?" Trix snapped off at her brother to almost be flustered by her red embarrassing face on the idea, even if it's kinda true on her part.

"There's an old say I find amusing to my station. All's Fair in Love & War. And I enjoy seeing the love of war." Warring Malice issued this off with a cocky smile in loving to go to war, and the love part was what she enjoys.

"Hugh, why do I even bother?" Trix signed in annoyance in getting nowhere here with these members.

"Meeting adjourned, return to your stations to continue your assignments." The Superior waved out his arm in giving the order to his members.

All the members nodded with serious looks on their faces before their meeting here was finished. They each disappeared through their own Corridors of Darkness; everything was soon quiet after that with some sneaky suspicion, that this group is closer to becoming active than anyone thinks.

-------------------------------------------

At this time, Twilight, her family & friends were all down having some picnic & to fun moment to chat. Even Nyx was having fun with the Cutie Mark Crusaders since it's been ages since they were last together, even the pets of Twilight, Ben & Phobos join the Mane Six's pets to have fun, and it was even crazier fun when Justin the MechBull joined in along with Rabbitchu. Things seem to be getting quite strange, but then again, it's the sign of much happiness to being home with familiar faces.

"I got to admit, after all that adventuring, I am happy to be home again." Twilight said while lying down on the blanket. "Seriously, I felt like I was in the End of Equestria for months!"

"Probably because the delays by the authors and such," Pinkie chirps a bit, making the others look at her oddly. "What? It's true."

"As usual, Pinkie, you are random." Rainbow remarks while shaking her head a bit.

Meanwhile, as things were happening with the gang having a peaceful moment, Nen Mare was lying against a tree that provided him shade as he was seemingly taking a nap. From all the stuff that's happen & the fights & acquirements he's achieved, he felt that he himself desire the first peaceful nap since being home again.

But little did Ben know it, some strange mist cloud was surrounding the stallion's body while at the same time, his Cutie Mark glowed.

"Hmm…wha….?" Ben struggled in opening his eyes when he felt something weird about himself.

Finally opening his eyes, Ben found himself in some cloudy fog bank with nothing around to be seen. Once more, the grassy ground & the tree he lied against was now long gone, causing the Earth pony to stand on his hooves.

"What's going on here? Where am I?" Ben asked in not knowing where he was, how he got here or where Twilight & the gang were for that fact.

Suddenly, as if answering the question, the sound of an animal cry was heard near the right foggy distance….weird as it sounded very close to….a horse.

"Who's there?" Ben asked in getting a bit defensive….in case it's an enemy come to do him harm.

Then some clanking hooves in horseshoe-wear were heard and approaching from the fog was some shadowy figure unknown to Ben Mare. As Ben would have gone defensive, something happened that caused him otherwise because…when the creature came into view….it was a surprise for the stallion to see….an Earth form base horse, like from the Mag'ne's world. This was some brown coat stallion with a white long flat messy mane & a drop tail, white furry color ankles near his bronze hooves, a brown muzzle and blue eyes. This horse even had on some equipment meant for someone to ride it.

"Who…are you?" Ben asked in utter surprise, he can't help but feel that there's something about this horse that differs from regular ponies in Equestria.

The mysterious horse responded not with words, but a basic language of an average ccreature from Megan's world from a few snorts & 'nahh' sounds.

"Your name's….Epona? And you’re a…" Ben spoke in finally catching the name of this unique horse before him and amazingly, the stallion understood everything that was said.

The revealed horse nods while making horse snort-like sounds like it's trying to speak with Ben.

"Okay, but tell me. How did I get here? And why are you here?" Ben asked from trying to get to the point of how in Equestria, he ended up in this limbo place.

Epona made some horse noises while stomping it's hooves in also communicating by body language.

"You're saying…I'm here & seeing you cause….we shared a connection." Ben responded off a bit puzzled when he heard something like 'that' out of nowhere. "What kinda connection?" Ben asked in feeling unsure what connection he has to this creature, just what was it?

Epona nodded his head to Ben's flank where it seemingly glowed a bit. Maybe cause without Ben knowing it, he somehow was understanding Epona from the Triforce's magic, perhaps.

"The connection that revolves are….the Triforce?" Ben responded off a bit more confused, did this average horse have some connection to the power within Ben, but how?

Suddenly, a whistle noise was heard that caught Epona's attention to turn and walk towards the sources.

"Hay wait, where are you going?" Ben cried out in not wanting to be left alone here.

Ben was chasing after this mysterious horse called Epona, wondering who was calling him. Only to get an answer from seeing two more shadows within the fog, only their shape seem familiar for Ben to tell.

"Wait a second, are those….people," Ben responded off in having a good look to see, what was behind the fog was not a pony or another creature, but human figures, like the ponies human friend Megan from her world.

When coming into the picture, the two shadowy figures were revealed that were petting Epona.

One to the left side was an elf girl with blonde hair wearing a crown, & the other one on the right was a male elf wearing a green outfit. Another interesting fact was seeing the male elf wield the Hylian Shield on his back, carrying the Hero's Bow, and another surprise was the Master Sword only supposed to be wielded by the Hero of Time.

Now Ben was really surprised to see some human elf creatures because of their pointy ears, he's basically seen the Dark Elf Grimmore, but these folks seem more good & nicer than that villain is.

Epona made a horse sound which Ben understood from his Triforce as the latter seemed surprised.

"You're saying that they're your friends?" Ben responded in hearing Epona say those here were this horse's friends.

Epona made some sounds while moving his head from the female to the male on each of his sides to speak something.

"One is the Princess of a kingdom called Hyrule from long ago, Zelda." Ben heard the first part to stare surprise in meeting a princess of long ago, but was then looking at the other guy, "And the other….Is your rider & friend, Link. And he's…." Ben almost stopped in hearing that latter part he translated to be wide-eye shock to know who this Link guy is. "He's….the Hero of Time." Ben finished off to say, but was stump to believe it. He's heard of the Hero of Time so many times, the connection between him, the Triforce, the Master Sword, and the other items used by this person called Link.

Epona nodded in saying that Ben was correct in what he learned.

"Unbelievable? The real Hero of Time? But then, that means you…?" Ben was so stump to believe this, that something also came to his attention, where these elf citizen maybe, just maybe….

At this time, Link & Zelda held up their right hands where a green & blue triangle shape of the Triforce was seen. And in response, Ben's Triforce glowed in accordance to their own; this meant one thing to which even Ben realized…he was standing before the original bearers of the Triforce.

"They were once the chosen ones of the Triforce? Zelda was the Bearer of Wisdom, and Link the bearer of Courage." Ben spoke in seeing & understanding the different Triforce marks on the hands of these two, especially since the color was an easy give away. "Tell me something, I've always been curious. Why was I chosen to bear the Triforce?" Ben has wondered this for some time, maybe he'll be given the answers that he needs to know about.

Epona answered that with a little horse response & tap of its front hoof to the ground which Ben followed easily.

"Because over the years, only a descendant from the Hero of Time would be bestowed the gift," Ben responded a bit puzzled in hearing this correctly by his translation skills. "But that makes no sense, I'm a pony and it shows that I can't have inherit a bloodline from an elf creature," From Ben's view, both Zelda & Link were not of his species, so how was it possible he got the Triforce by a related blood…then it hit him. "Unless….through the descendants, it was not for his kind of people, but….his steed," Ben turn to Epona with a wide-eye shock, could it be…since he was an adoptive child to Celestia with no memory of his own bloodline family….was he perhaps….a descendant from Epona, the steed connected to the Hero of Time, Link.

Epona nods his head in signalling the answer very clearly; this also left Ben astounded to realize…that's how he & Epona were connected; unreal.

Now Zelda & Link wave their hands with the Triforce marks to magically summon something in midair. And it took the form of something Ben recognized, the flute he obtain & left behind in the End of Equestria.

"Wait, that's…the flute I used to beat Hsi Wu with!" Ben exclaimed insurprise, why was that object here of all places, for what purpose?

Suddenly, a magic from the Triforce logos embodied the flute in a magical glow before it soon floated over to Ben Mare's spot to find…it had changed. Now the flute was of some light-tan blue ocarina with seven holes & around its base hold…was a gray band with the symbol mark of the golden Triforce. Ben ended up holding the item when the glow faded, and he felt…something.

"What…is this?" Ben asked completely surprised to be holding this something he doesn't recognize, but remain astounded.

Epona responded with a few horse made sounds in saying something.

"The Ocarina of Time," Ben responded off puzzled in learning of what the name of the flute object he now holds.

Zelda's lips never moved, but her hand with the Triforce glowed in almost sending a signal in communicating to the stallion.

"A sacred instrument secretly passed down for generations within the Royal Family of Hyrule, kept it safe from those that would exploit its power to cause others harm." Ben responded in somehow understanding the explanation Zelda told him in his mind.

Then Link performed the same deed, he used his Triforce from his hand to glow & speak to Ben through the stallion's mind.

"This treasured heirloom of the Royal Family was only given to the one who will open the Door Of Time to retrieve the Master Sword and that person was…the Hero of Time. That was you, Link?" Ben was now responding the words that he heard from Link about how important the ocarina really was that aided the hero long ago.

Link nods in agreeing that what was said is true, he is, or was, the Hero of Time long ago.

"This thing with endless mysterious powers, why give it to me?" Ben looked at the ocarina in concern, why would these two bearers give him such a treasured & potentially powerful item?

Epona spoke in saying something in his natural tongue for Ben to follow.

"Because I've proven myself from the harsh trial that I've face, not only myself, but my friends & love ones." Ben responded in somehow, understanding this claim. He has faced much, has slowly awaken the Triforce's three elements, and now this proves he's another step closer.

The three nodded their heads in saying that what Ben Mare said is the truth.

"But tell me, how can I know how to use it?" Ben asked in never once, practiced an instrument when he was young, sure he pulled off the flute with Hsi Wu, but that was not a mysterious instrument like this ocarina is.

Zelda pointed to her glowing hand with the Triforce of Wisdom reacting, signaling this meaning to Ben.

"The Triforce of Wisdom will teach me how to use it & that the songs I'll learn will be passed down for me to use," Ben responded in understanding this meaning from the princess.

Soon Ben felt his own Triforce glow for a moment, he yelped before…suddenly feeling some unexplained 'knowledge' coming into his head. The stuff was about the Ocarina Of Time, the songs one can use to solve puzzles, affect the weather, communication, calling allies, warping to certain locations around Equestria, healing tormented souls, awakening those from deep slumber, makes listeners fall asleep, invigorates singing voices, create a replica, slow down or fast forward time, & other song melodies that were so overwhelming. Once the deed was done, did Ben sigh in feeling like he has absorbed a lot of information, but knew what to do with it.

"Thank you, I feel like I might not have been the most worthy in obtaining the Triforce or the other weapons & items bestowed to help me, but…." As Ben spoke, he held the ocarina close to his chest, feeling like he's making a pledge. "I promise to use them wisely and to use that power with courage…to face whatever comes my way." Ben spoke that he'll use what he has and what he'll gain to do what is right, to protect those he cares for, that is all.

Epona made a loud cheer in hearing that claim while saying something else.

"Wait, you say before I go, Zelda & Link want me to listen to something? Well okay, I'm game." Ben responded a bit puzzled in thought, but decided, sure, why not?

Soon Zelda took some harp out while Link brought forth his own Ocarina of Time, much like the one Ben now holds. Soon the two were playing something, a melody Ben, despite having its knowledge, found it ever so soothing, it calmed himself, he felt like his worries would fade away.

"Ben….hey Ben; wake up…." A sudden voice spoke during the scenery that a bright flash blinded Ben's presence with Link, Zelda & Epona.

"Hugh, what now…?" Ben's eyes were seen waking himself up, to notice the others gathered around him to stare at him. "Um, everything okay?" Ben asked from having a weird feeling by the sudden attention here.

"Ben, you've been asleep very deeply, we were getting worried." Twilight spoke in feeling worried about her love that seems so much asleep, he wouldn't wake up no matter what the group did.

"An' 'dat's after Ah hit dat noggin o' yers wit' a Frisbee, sorry." Tough Apple spoke off in apology in being at fault in what happened to Ben.

"I said he wouldn't get knocked out by a Frisbee, but then again, who hasn't?" Phobos rolled his eyes in stating this little fact about those getting unconscious by such acts.

"Hey Ben, what's that behind your back?" Spike asked in noticing something behind the stallion's backside.

Ben reached behind himself in puzzlement until he felt something. When he pulled it out, he soon saw to his surprise, that it was the very Ocarina of Time that Link & Zelda presented to him….so it wasn't a dream.

"The Ocarina of Time," Ben responded shocked, where he went did happen, he didn't imagine it while his friends never saw it, it must have happened when it was just his soul that was separated from his body momentarily.

"The whatty-wha-the again," Rainbow Dash repeated off lost and puzzled, what was this guy even saying?

"It's something related to me, to the Triforce…and to…The Hero of Time." Ben slowly spoke in sating these facts while holding the flute in his grasp, recalling the hero that he's now knowing of his connection to, even if it's just a tiny bit.

"Why darling, that's simply marvelous of a gift that you've gotten." Rarity spoke in feeling this was a nice little thing for Ben to be given.

"Oh, can you play a song for us; Huh-huh-huh, can yah? Can yah?" Pinkie Pie popped around in asking if Ben can actual play such an instrument.

"Twilight, does Ben know how to play an instrument? Oh, if you don't mind me snooping around for such an answer," Fluttershy asked her friend meekly in wondering this puzzling question of thought.

"It's fine Fluttershy, but…I don't think Ben's played an instrument when we were young. The only time that he played a flute was our moment in the End of Equestria." Twilight spoke with some thought in mind, the only time she saw Ben play a flute was against the Sky Demon Lord, Hsi Wu.

"So hon, think ye might play a tune fer us?" Applejack asked with a smile in thinking this boy might play them something nice.

"I think I know a good number of songs to try, but I think I got one for just relaxing us." Ben spoke in thought, he has a whole knowledge of songs, but Ben may have something that can be helpful in just relaxing those that need serious R&R.

"Can you play it for us, daddy?" Nyx asked with excitement on her face, wondering what her father might be able to lay.

"Sure, this one's called…'Song of Healing' to help us heal over our stresses." Ben spoke in having a song that was label to be the perfect key to recover all of the things that they've felt over their adventures.

Soon at the moment, Ben was playing that song by his flute, the entire background was filled with utter peace. The silent sounds of a piano with the stallion playing his ocarina flute seem to help calm every pony & Dragon's minds. For Twilight, Nyx, Spike, Phobos & Tough, their pets, this music sounded as nice and peaceful comforting from when Tao played his leaf to his lips. It wouldn't be long before a lot of citizens felt like their minds felt calm & collective, the music, the melody, it was so relaxing, it felt like all their troubles could just…fad away. Even from behind the shadows, Lorcan watched, but felt some force of that melody calm him while he continues to hid from ever being spotted.

Once the song is over, Celestia appears, joining in on the celebrities. The Alicorn look surprised upon Ben's Ocarina of Time, asking, "Son? Is that...

"An ocarina; Mom, it's a long story." Ben said to Celestia. The mother smiles as she sits down near her colt son.

"Tell me. I got all day."

-------------

Grimmore was having another meeting with the Apocalypse Ponies...when a noise interrupts the whole thing. The evil Overlod King demanded, "Who goes there?!"

A puff of black and darkness appear. Everyone in Apocalypse Ponies' chamber coughs. Soon they soon encounter Shadow Dragon, DJ Red, Clumsy Rat and Shades, a black Unicorn with a long white beard, his eyes are left green iris and right yellow iris, and wore the black Chinese robe, and his Cutie Mark is 'Darkness' Chinese Symbol with dark staff. The second pony is a dark blue Pegasus with orange spiky hair, small mustache and tail, his Cutie Mark is black tiger picture head.

"You again," Grimmore ask upon recognizing one of them.

"Dark Curse and the minions of Dark Mystic Ponies," The Superior said, recognizing the group.

"Wait! As in Dark Mystic Ponies?! I thought they're just a myth!" Wilco exclaims in amazement upon seeing the legendary evil ones besides the Demon Lords.

"Like the Demon Lords or Mystic Ponies we had encountered?" Suffocator Jill ask while rolling her eyes. "Believe me; I think he's far too real."

"Agreed," Starven Fran said with a nod of agreement.

"One who help us in building the powerful organization, and the army of Dark Mystic Ponies," Merluck said with a smirk on his face.

"Oh no......." Trix said in concern. If this was the case, Boris's punishment may come regardless of what the Superior said earlier!

"Greeting, unworthy mortals, and God of Useless," Dark Curse said, taunting everyone in sight much to Grimmore's annoyance.

Grimmore snarl, "Have I ever told you of how annoying you can be?!"

"Did I ever tell you of how stupid and unintelligent you can be?!"

"Have I told you that this is your fault from beginning?!"

Dark Curse kept on insulting Grimmore, not caring about how angry he is making him, "Have I told you that I'm the one who breaks the small portions of your seal? Allowing you to slowly breaking the seal parts, slowly and patiently?"

"Have I told you -" Grimmore begins to throw out another insult but a certain cloaked one has had enough.

"Enough!" The Superior groans in annoyance. Honestly, for two serious villains, they acted like little foals! "You two haven't changed a bit, have you? So, what is it, old ally?"

"So Twilight Sparkle and heir of Celestia had managed to overcome the End of Equestria?" Dark Curse asks the Superior and the others in amusement.

"Indeed . I presume you had predicted it?"

Dark Curse chuckles, "Indeed ." The villain licks his mouth, much to the disgust of some of the members. "It's hard to believe that Tao had managed to convince the foolish Mystic Council to rebuilt their alliance with Equestria when they know that the mortals are nothing but weak, useless and pathetic excuse slaves, such as poor ancestor of yours, Lord Smaug. "

Superior groan in annoyance, "Do not use that name in front of my members!"

Dark Curse chuckles, "My apology. But do not forget of what I had done as a favor for you than the mere fools of Demon Lords had given. Your missions are nothing but failure." The Dark Pony chuckle wickedly, "In fact, this is where the fun truly begins."

"What?! Are you saying you planned everything ahead of me?!" Grimmore ask insulted. The Dark Elf is the one who does that, not this Dark Pony idiot!

"Jealous, I sense?" Dark Curse chuckle evilly. "Pity, isn't it?"

"I have never seen Grimmore been more upset and angry when encountering Dark Curse. Impressive," Deadly Rager said impressed. He sits back uncomfortingly upon seeing Grimmore glaring at him. Perhaps now is not the time to aggravate him.

"Oh........ This is so gonna be good." Psycho giggles like a fool.

"Immortals or not, I don't care who's powerful! I want the job done! As far as I can see, none of your warriors are so ferocious as Hydra, especially that orange mustache Pegasus." Fluttercruel remarks to the newcomers cruelly.

"Ouch. Bad move, bad version of Fluttershy." DJ Red remarks to Fluttercruel with a smirk as if what she did wasn't bright at all.

"She's so in it." Clumsy said in amusement.

Shades nods while adding, "Black Tiger is going to kill her."

Black Tiger growl angrily as his eyes are widened with great anger, hatred and raged. He yells out, "Angry crow takes flight!" Black Tiger jump up high. "Evil stands on the mountain!" He landed on the chair in front of Fluttercruel. She gasps. "Black Tiger slaughtered on insolent fox!"

Black Tiger strikes his hoof right in front of Fluttercruel. She quickly covers herself. But instead of hitting on her face, Black Tiger stopped his attack in front of her while growling at her.

"Maybe unwise to do that,." Fluttercruel said a bit nervous and freaked out. Perhaps insulting Black Tiger wasn't the best way to go after all.

"Indeed , worthless mortal," Black Tiger remarked in satisfaction. Of course, secretly, Fluttercruel plans on punishing this jerk later for trying to do that to her.

"Black Tiger, return!" Dark Curse orders Fluttercruel. Black Tiger land on the ground near his master.

"Ah'm sure yer're a good use 'ta us." Liarjack said, lying as usual.

"As far as my welfare, you are nothing but show-offs." Crarity said, waving off the newcomers as show-offs to her.

"Give me one good reason as to why should I listen to you guys. I rather beat those punks upside down." R. Chaos remarks in annoyance to these guys. Why should she bother with these goons?

"Are you testing my powers?" Dark Curse ask R. Chaos in amusement. Time to prove her wrong, "Very well, DJ Red, Clumsy Rat, Shades, will you show them what powers are we capable of?"

"I thought you'd never ask, boss." DJ Red said with a wicked grin.

"The bad guys' song incoming," Clumsy Rat remarks madly and eagerly.

Shades smile while adding, "Rock and roll time."

"You should be careful of what you request, mortals." The Shadow Dragon warns the doubtful Apocalypse Ponies in amusement.

"You'll soon regret everything." Black Tiger remarks in agreement. He can't wait to prove these doubters way wrong.

DJ, Clumsy and Shades move to the middle as everyone in the room watch the event carefully. They soon begin to sing, showing off and using moves.

DJ, Clumsy and Shades: By the power of Darkness...

DJ: Evil...

Clumsy: Devil...

Shades: Shadows...

DJ: Demons...

Clumsy: Cruel...

Shades: Ambition...

DJ: Selfish...

Clumsy: Heartless...

Shades: Lust...

DJ: Gluttony...

Clumsy: Greed...

Shades: Envy...

DJ: Sloth...

Clumsy: Wrath...

Shades: Pride...

DJ: Faithless...

Clumsy: Lost...

Shades: Death...

Clumsy: Fallen...

Shades: Rising...

DJ: Darkness...

DJ: Evil...

Clumsy: Devil...

Shades: Shadows...

DJ: Demons...

Clumsy: Cruel...

Shades: Ambition...

DJ: Selfish...

Clumsy: Heartless...

Shades: Lust...

DJ: Gluttony...

Clumsy: Greed...

Shades: Envy...

DJ: Sloth...

Clumsy: Wrath...

Shades: Pride...

DJ: Faithless...

Clumsy: Lost...

Shades: Death...

Clumsy: Fallen...

Shades: Rising...

DJ: Darkness...
So you think you've got friends in high places
With the power to overthrow us

Shades: Well, sorry to say these smiles on our faces

Clumsy: You'll know what power is when we are done

DJ, Clumsy and Shades: Idiots...

DJ: You're playing with the Dark Mystics now

Clumsy: Playing with the Dark Mystics now

Shades: Oh, That's pretty.

DJ: Ev'ry spell and gesture

Clumsy and Shades: Tells you who's the best

DJ, Clumsy and Shades: You're playing with the Dark Mystics now[

You're playing with the Dark Mystics now
You're playing with the Dark Mystics now

DJ: Stop this foolish petty argument

Clumsy: Watch a true evil

Shades: Give an exhibition how

DJ, Clumsy and Shades: Better respect us, fools
You're playing with the Dark Mystics now!

Choirs: By the power of Darkness...
Evil...
Devil...
Shadows...
Demons...
Cruel...
Ambition...
Selfish...
Heartless...
Lust...
Gluttony...
Greed...
Envy...
Sloth...
Wrath...
Pride...
Faithless...
Lost...
Death...
Fallen...
Rising...

DJ, Clumsy and Shades: You're playing with the Dark Mystics now

You're playing with the Dark Mystics now
By the might of Dark Curse
You will listen and do for us
Kneel to our powers of darkness...

DJ: You put up a front

Clumsy: You put up a fight

DJ: And just to show we feel no spite

Shades: You can be our acolytes

DJ: But first, ponies, it's time to bow

DJ, Clumsy and Shades: Or it's your own grave you'll dig, ponies
You're playing with the Dark Mystics now
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Playing with the Dark Mystics
Now!

Once the song is over, the Apocalypse Ponies (most of them) look in awe and amazement. Crarity pauses then speaks up, "Now that's evil."

"Alright, Dark Ponies, you win." R. Chaos remarks with a shrug. Fine, she and her pals will work with these guys. They're in.

"Now, that's what I call killing ponies!" Psycho remarked with a mad laugh.

"This is more entertaining than before." Fluttercruel said in agreement. Their words of evil are cruel...perfect for her!

"Perhaps, more allies we require for our assistance and war as well." T. Moon remarks in amusement. The more allies that the villains get, the better for their conquest of Equestria.

"Now, that is clear, so any plans do you intend to do, old friend?" Dark Curse asks, wondering as to what the Superior has got planned.

"A lot, Dark Curse; In fact, Tso Lan and his brethren had failed us miserably." The Superior remarks with a frown on his face, recalling the Demon Lords' precious failures against the heroes.

"So it is pointless to bring them back, am I right?" T. Moon ask, knowing that since Tso Lan and his siblings has failed, what's the point in them returning, right?

"Indeed . Let us eliminate them at once. Let them know who is the one in charge." Grimmore said with a nod. The Demon Lords are now useless...or are they?

Dark Curse shook his head while chuckling, "My, my, Grimmore, once again, you lack the bigger picture."

"I beg your pardon, you insolent pony!"

"Why destroy them, when they are still some of use to us, and especially their very weapons, powers and minions?"

"Yes; that I agree the most, Dark Curse. In fact, you predicted even earlier before my opinion opened." The Superior said with a smirk on his face. Grimmore fumes a bit. He is the big Demon around, not Dark Curse and his idiotic band! This will not do!

"I did at what I'm good at. But there's a price for this mission." Dark Curse explains to the Superior in precaution.

"I'm listening, old friend."

Dark Curse explains the plan of what to do with the Demon Lords. By the time he's done, even Grimmore seems rather impressed with the idea.

"Despite your annoyance, your plan is still flawless and perfect." Grimmore said, admitting that even Dark Curse's plan is still flawless and perfect.

"There are so much more you do not know what are my plans; that is why I never trust you in the first place, even though I had helped milord more." Dark Curse points out to Grimmore, making the Dark Elf a bit irritated. One of these days...

T. Moon approach Shadow Dragon as she asks, "So what is this about, my dear friend?"

Shadow Dragon smile while saying slyly to T. Moon, "You will soon find out, Princess of Darkness. Be sure that you will be pleased of it." The mysterious hooded one couldn't help but giggle in delight underneath her cloak.

"I can't wait."

--------------------

The Demon Lords sat in the Realm of Demons. All of the Demons are fuming. Their enemies has beaten them, Nyx is out of their reach and worst, Tso Lan has found out that Tao is not only still living (as the Demon Lords knew all along) but he also changed her blood with Ben's! Now Nyx isn't his daughter anymore, blast that Mystic Pony!

Suddenly a familiar hooded figure appears, much to the notice of the Demon Lords. He spoke, "Greetings."

"What do you want?!" Po Kong groans to the Superior. Had their ally come to spread more salt onto the wounds?!

Hsi Wu snarls angrily to the Superior, "How dare you visit us?!"

"This is your fault, Superior!" Dai Gui snaps as he and the other Demon Lords felt that the Superior is to be held responsible for their banishment and humiliations.

"Indeed. If your minions hadn't interfered in our plans from the beginning, we would have won!" Xiao Fung snaps furiously to the Superior, still recalling how Bocolix and Dumbledore got in the way in the first place.

"When we are free, we shall tear you apart!" Tchang Zu remarks angrily and sinisterly.

The Superior just chuckles, shaking his head while remarking, "I do not care of what you think, imbeciles! If you want to leave this world, you will do as my command, from now on."

Bai Tza hiss in anger, "You dare request us to be your slaves?! After all the things we had given to your ancestor, this is how we are repaid?!"

"We shall take your powers now!" Shendu snaps furiously. The Superior will pay for his insolence and demanding!

Before any of the Demon Lords could go through on the threat, the Superior smirk as he spoke, "I'm afraid you can't." The Demon Lords were shocked and confused. What does he mean? "The powers did not come from you, but from some ponies that I called allies."

"Who will that be?" Tso Lan ask the Superior puzzled by the explanation.

A familiar Overlord King appears, smirking as he taunts, "Me." The Demon Lords yelp and gasp in fear. They all know him...and would be foolish to even go against him, no matter how strong that these Demons are.

"No! Not him!" Shendu exclaims, shaking in fear even for someone who fought Twilight, Tao and their group to a standstill.

"The Overlord of Tarturus," Bai Tza exclaims, trembling in fear as well.

"Dai Gui feared his powers." Dai Gui whimpers while covering his eyes.

"Indeed !" Tchang Zu exclaims in fear. Grimmore puts fear in the Demons, even the lords themselves.

"Spare us! Don't kill us!" Po Kong cries out as she jumps behind a rock in a poor attempt to hide.

"We want to live!" Hsi Wu exclaims frantically, fearing the worst.

"Have mercy on us!" Xiao Fung insists to Grimmore, begging for his life.

Surprisingly, Tso Lan is the only one not trembling in fear. In fact, he just stood there, calmly apparently as he spoke, "I understand. So, you are the reason for giving Smaug the powers. I'm impressed. Perhaps, We had underestimated the ponies for far too long."

"I could end your life. But your powers, resources and armies are useful to our forces." Grimmore explains to Tso Lan in amusement. Of course, it was Dark Curse's suggestion but still he took it as his own.

"You're not suggesting our death?" Shendu ask Grimmore in surprise. Even after threatening the Superior, the Dark Elf isn't interested in finishing the Demon Lords off at all!

"On the contrary, I can ways to get you out." Dark Curse exclaims as he appears, much to the notice of the Demon Lords.

Hsi Wu, recognizing Dark Curse, spoke, "The leader of Dark Mystic Ponies, Dark Curse."

"Nice to see you drop by." Xiao Fung said, amazed to see Dark Curse in the Realm of Demons at last.

"How do you intend to do that? All the portals have been sealed!" Po Kong points out to Dark Curse in concern. All the portals had been sealed thanks to the Demon Lords' banishment.

"Pan'ku Box had been taken by ponies!" Dai Gui groans a bit, knowing that the only way to get out has been taken from the Demon Lords.

"Lies will not be accepted." Tchang Zu points out to Dark Curse. If this Dark Mystic Pony even thinks of lying to the Demon Lords, then his death is sealed!

"Thunderstorm Lightning!" The Dark Pony booms. Dark Curse fire his powers at Tchang Zu with humongous powers of thunder and lightning, causing him to scream in pain. He chuckles while the Dark Pony continues, "I do not lie to my allies of darkness, but to your enemies of Light, including Princess Celestia and her heir: Benjamin Maregillian."

"Perhaps, you know something about Celestia and her secrets?" Bai Tza asks, suspecting that Dark Curse may know the secret that the Demon Lords has found out about Ben not too long ago.

"Indeed . I know, all of you want revenge. It shall be done; for I have a special spell to bring you out from this pathetic world."

"These are desperate times. However, I want revenge on the mortals, especially Spike. He is now my enemy. It is pointless to bring him to our side." Shendu remarks with a grumble. Spike is now and forever the enemy of the Demon Lords. He will soon pay for his betrayal.

"Indeed . So what is our price to pay?" Tso Lan ask Dark Curse, curiously as to what the Dark Pony has in mind. The other Demon Lords are agreeing to take whatever price to get revenge on the ones who defeated them.

Dark Curse smirks as he explains, "Excellent choice, my Demon friends. Once I removed the souls from your former bodies, you will bond with the mortals that Lord Smaug had chosen. But we will leave some powers with you such as the powers of elements, the Shadow Demon Tribes and the 12 Mystic Talismans. But be warned, should your hosts died, get injured or somehow ejected you, you will return to this accursed world."

Tso Lan look at his brethren, who nodded their heads. He now speaks again, "Very well, we agreed. We are now your servants, Lord Smaug."

"I like it. But rather as my servants, you eight will be my only trusted generals." The Superior said to the Demon Lords, pleased by their cooperation.

"Dai Gui like it. Dai Gui smashed the enemies!" Dai Gui laughs as he smashes a rock nearby. The Demon can't wait to get back to Equestria and punish those who wronged him.

"As long there is a fight, I would be honor to enjoy this." Tchang Zu remarks with a shrug.

"Hopefully, I can get more good foods, especially sludges." Po Kong said, licking her lips hungrily.

"As least, I could have wings. It wouldn't be fun for me to be on ground." Hsi Wu said while spreading his wings a bit.

"When there's a intelligent and cruel being, I would love to torture my enemies." Xiao Fung remarks cruelly while laughing a bit.

"I would like to have my revenge on Twilight Sparkle, Lord Smaug." Bai Tza said eagerly. Twilight has defeated her servant, her pet, Bai Tza herself and taken her empire away from her! This shall not stand!

"So do I. I want the heads of Spike and Ben. They will pay for ruining my plan." Shendu remarks cruelly and angrily.

"Indeed . Nyx will be punished for her treachery against us, her family." Tso Lan said with a nod. Nyx will pay for even allowing herself to become something she is not to him: a pony.

Grimmore smirk while stating, "I'm starting to enjoy this."

"You may begin, Dark Curse." The Superior said, giving Dark Curse permission to do what he must.

Dark Curse close his eyes for a while, before he open them in black lights and his horn glow in mixed with black, red and green. He shouts, "Souls Removal! Powers Intact! Talismans Removed!"

Dark Curse fires his magic at the Eight Demon Lords. They cry out loud in pain. While screaming, something is slowly coming out from their bodies: the transparent heads of the Demon Lords. Their bodies fell to the ground. Shendu's body glow in darkness as the Talismans slowly comes out from his body. The Superior and Grimmore smirk at the scene. Things are going well.

"Removing the souls from bodies is complete ." Dark Curse explains to the Superior, "Now, your order, Lord of Equestria?"

The Superior smirks as he speaks, "Behold the chosen ones I have selected." Eight portals open in front of the Demon Lords. "Now go, and don't complain of the chosen ones I chose."

"Female, Male, children mean nothing to us. As long there is freedom, we are free. Now onward, my brethren," Tso Lan said in glee. He and his siblings are freed to cause trouble anew .

Tso Lan and Shendu heads to the left middle two portals, Bai Tza and Tchang Zu to the right middle two portals, Po Kong and Dai Gui head to the left two portals, and Hsi Wu and Xiao Fung head to the right two portals. They cried out loud as the Demon Lords enter the chosen ones that the Superior picked. The chosen ones hiss in pain while closing their eyes. They open up and revealed crimson eyes.

"Howdy, Demon Lord o' Earth. 'De name's Liarjack." Liarjack said, revealing herself to Dai Gui.

"The liar pony; But you like torture the enemy?" Dai Gui ask Liarjack puzzled.

"Sure do."

Suffocator Jill finds herself in an uncomfortable position with Po Kong in herself. She groans, "Unbelievable. I've been chosen by the fat Demon. She would probably want more foods."

"The more food we eat, the powerful we became." Po Kong points out to Suffoator Jill with glee.

"Better than nothing."

"Are you ready to kill anypony and turned them into cupcakes?" Psycho laughs eagerly to her bonding partner AKA Tchang Zu himself.

Tchang Zu chuckle in amusement, "I like your guts! I definitely like meats!"

"Do you have wings?" Hsi Wu asks his own bonding partner AKA R. Chaos herself.

"What do you expect, a wingless pony, Hsi Wu?" R. Chaos ask with a shrug as she held out what appears to be the weirdest pair of wings that one don't normally see on a pony. "Do you fly faster?"

"You bet, brat!"

"Sweet."

Tso Lan meanwhile is proud of whose body he is possessing. He spoke to the one called T. Moon, "Interesting. You had taken the powers of my daughter from another world?"

"Indeed." T. Moon remarks to Tso Lan evilly. "You're an interesting person, Lord Tso Lan. You and I and master Shadow Dragon will made an excellent team."

Tso Lan smirk as he comments, "I look forward to it." Perfect, very perfect indeed .

"Do you swim well, mortal?" Bai Tza asks Starven Fran curiously. She wants a pony whose can swim!

Starven Fran huffs in disbelief, "Do I look weak to you? I am one of the strongest and powerful members among Apocalypse Ponies! You want Twilight Sparkle's head, work with me. I'll get her head for you."

Bai Tza hiss anxiously, "Indeed ."

"So tell me, are you going to be nice?" Fluttercruel ask Xiao Fung, her bonding partner, cruelly. She can't have any Demon who is nice at all!

"Now, why should I when I can be crueler and evil? With my Wind Power , we can destroy our enemies." Xiao Fung said to Fluttercruel eagerly. Now this is his kind of pony!

"Fair enough."

"Such power ; I can feel the fire within her. She is perfect." Shendu chuckles as he is now with his bonding partner: Warring Malice.

"I'm so not liking this." Warring Malice said in concern. She knows that the Superior picked her as punishment for having Bocolix and Dumbledore, through Boris, go to the End of Equestria in the first place.

"Care to explain, Superior?"

The Superior, appearing, explains, "She is the reason of how our plan went wrong. As long you're in her body, you make sure that she doesn't try to do anything else foolish in the future."

"Very well," Shendu said sinisterly. Warring Malice cringes in more worry. It's going to be hard to pull something when this Demon inside her.

"And now for the Talismans," Dark Curse said as he pass out certain Talismans to the Apocalypse Ponies and their Demon partners. "Each of you will take one for your own interest. Rat for, Ox for Liarjack, Tiger for Fluttercruel, Rabbit for Rainbow Crash, Dragon for Warring Malice, Snake for Deadly Rage, Horse for Trix Lulamoon, Sheep for Wilco, Monkey for Suffocator Jill, Rooster for Psycho Pie, Dog for Twilight Moon and Pig for Crarity."

"I do not need the Talismans. For mine alone, it's enough to finish my enemies for good." The Superior said, having no need for a Talisman of his own to use. His powers from Grimmore are enough.

"Then, it is settled. Our battles with mere fools will continue as we planned." Grimmore said pleased. With the Demon Lords with the Apocalypse Ponies, things are going onward as hoped.

"Indeed ." Dark Curse hiss eagerly, "Our enemies will fall before our might. Nothing can stop us."

"Yes, Indeed it is. Our forces against enemies will require more plans and ideas in creating both fear and destruction." Tso Lan said to Dark Curse with a nod.

"You're starting to get the ideas." T. Moon said impressed. "Purr.... I like your style. But of course, I rather be with Shadow Dragon; For he's much more handsome than Benjamin."

"I'm touched by your sweet and devoted words." The Shadow Dragon remarks to T. Moon, touched by her words.

"Wow, you guys heard it?" DJ Red asks his colleagues in amusement.

"I didn't know Shadow Dragon is taking a date with Twilight Moon." Clumsy Rat remarks in amazement.

"Well, after all, the Shadow Dragon never likes to reveal the truth to anyone." Shades said with a slight chuckle.

"Yuck. Love drives me nuts. Anyway, I would like to proceed to do something special." Tso Lan said with a sinister smirk. The Demon Lords had decided on punishing the one, besides Warring Malice, who dared send those idiotic Alicorns to get in the way in the first place.

The Superior smirk, "Very well, but make sure you bring him back in one piece." He promised that he himself will spare Boris as a pardon.

Too bad the Superior didn't say that the Demon Lords didn't make the same promise!

---------------------------------

Boris got his training done when the Superior appears, much to his notice. The annoying hooded one got a mission for him apparently.

"Boris, it is time for your next mission." The Superior said mysteriously.

"Good, time for my battles." Boris said pleased for his next mission. What he hears next shocked him.

"Face your punishment."

"What?!"

"Hello, Boris." The voice that Boris never heard of until now he heard.

Boris turns and saw Twilight Moon, Warring Malice, Starven Fran, Psycho , Liarjack, Fluttercruel, Suffocator Jill and Rainbow Chaos. The Red Devil Pony in worry ask, "Guys or girls?" Why are they glaring at him like that? And what's wrong with Warring Malice?

Suddenly the spirit forms of the Demon Lords appear. Shendu mocks, "I was expecting powerful pony."

"Agree, brother. He is nothing but a joke." Bai Tza said to Shendu in agreement. Boris looks worried. These must be the Demon Lords...and they are obviously not happy about him sending in Bocolix and Dumbledore into the End of Equestria in the first place!

"You are unworthy to be an Alicorn." Tchang Zu points a finger of accusation at Boris.

"Dai Gui shall punish you!" Dai Gui exclaims madly.

"Let the torture torment begins." Xiao Fung said sinisterly, waiting so much to punish Boris after so long.

"We shall have our revenge, not on your lackeys. But you," Po Kong exclaims eagerly and madly, much to Boris's horror.

"Prepare for it." Hsi Wu suggests Boris sinisterly. Any anger that he wants to direct towards Ben and Tao will be directed at this fool instead.

"What's going on," Boris ask in alarm and worry.

Bocolix and Dumbledore were heading out to the kitchen for some snacks when they saw eight familiar Demons that they themselves wish to never see again. Bocolix gasps in fright, "Oh no! It's them!"

"The Demon Lords! How?! We're doomed!" Dumbledore exclaims frantically.

"Do not worry, Boxco and Dum-Dum. Your lives will be spared, for Boris must face the punishment for disobedience and disrespect my authority." The Superior explains to the two lackeys evilly. The two looks worried. Their boss and friend is getting punished for their mistakes!

Before Boris could do anything, he got shocked literally by Tchang Zu. Psycho remarks with glee, "Ouch; that really got it hurt."

"Serves that idiot," R. Chaos taunts Boris cruelly.

"Nah, Ah think he deserve a better life." Liarjack remarks with the usual lie.

"Who cares; as long there's fun to play, I would like to torture." Fluttercruel exclaims, eager to torture Boris until the cows come home (more or less).

"Thanks to you, I've bounded to the fat Demon!" Suffocator Jill exclaims angrily, blaming Boris for being bonded with Po Kong in the first place!

"But it is worth it, doesn't it, my sisters and comrades?" Starven Fran asks with a sinister smile to the others.

"Indeed , it is." T. Moon said with a pleased look behind her hood. "With the Power of Gravity, Darkness and Intelligent, I can destroy my enemies with one strike."

Warring sobbed, "I'm sorry. I really am." She didn't wish to do this but with Shendu bounded to her, what choice does the Apocalypse Pony of War has?

"Torture and punish him as much as you want, but I want him back alive. I have some use of him." The Superior said to the Demon Lords and the Apocalyse Pony members calmly. Boris won't be killed...until his usefulness comes to an end that is. For now, the Demons will have their 'fun'.

"It would be done." Tso Lan said sinisterly. "Come, my brethren. It is time."

Shendu smirk while agreeing, "Indeed it is."

"So, Boris; Say doom," Hsi Wu remarked with a laugh to the terrified Boris.

"Nooooooooooooooo," Boris screams in terror, struggling to escape but to no prevail. He is in BIG trouble now and all because he went and pulled a dumb stunt!

Using Psycho's and Liarjack's bodies, Tchang Zu and Dai Gui dragged Boris to the entrance while Tso Lan and his brethren followed. With the door slammed, Trix sobbed while Bocolix and Dumbledore shiver in fear and worry. The Superior smirks. Maybe next time, Boris will learn to respect and learn to listen.

"Now for the next plan," The Superior said in amusement, plotting his next move.

Dark Curse and the Shadow Dragon watch from the shadows. The latter remarked to his colleague, "The Superior is enjoying it, doesn't he; especially when this involved the 'Element Prophecy'."

"Indeed it is my apprentice. I know you had interest in Ben and his powers. So once, the truth of Ben's poor and unhappy childhood is out, bring him to us. We will train him the true path of darkness. He would make an excellent Dark Mystic Warrior." Dark Curse orders to Shadow Dragon. Once Ben learns the truth, things oughta be more interesting for the Dark Mystic Ponies.

"I am honored. He and I are the same, feeling betrayed by family and friends of the secret, forced ourselves to fight for our lives, and we would not forgive our enemy for hurting our loved ones. It will be done, Master Dark Curse."

"Be prepared for my order. It would be an interesting battle."

Shadow Dragon smirk as he finishes, "I am; my master and dark father."

Nearby, the Equestrian Eliminator was watching them. He whispers to himself, "You'd better be prepared for this, Twilight. War is about to come and so as the Element Prophecy."

The Equestrian Eliminator looked at the photo before he put it back into his suit. It won't be long now...

--------------

Meanwhile, within the region of a castle palace in the center of Tartarus, we see the Overlord King himself, Grimmore. As the Dark Elf sat on his throne, resting his head in his open right palm as he saw everything that happened so far by a magical portal view mirror made of inferno flames. The Shadow creature being unable to catch Twilight's group & making it back home to save the day. But when that portal vanished, something warped in dark energy in a sphere appeared that was of a dead creature. This was none other than the goblin that Tso Lan killed, Todd. But what was the Dark Elf planning on doing with this dead creature?

"Hmph-hmph-hmph-hmph, hmph-hmph, what a pity," Grimmore chuckled in what was before him, the creature that was now by death's doorstep, "A Servant that was killed by his master, such a shame for you." He spoke from knowing full well of what Tso Lan did to this goblin.

Then with a single bolt from one index finger, it course through the body of the goblin inside the dark sphere.

"GUHAAAAUGH; Gahugh-haaugh-haaaaaaugh…." And in that unbelievable moment, the dead Todd has risen to catch his first breath in such a while. "Where…am….I…?" Todd requested from trying to see where he was, only to see he was in the throne room, of the Dark Elf ruler of Tartarus, Grimmore.

"In my dominion; let me ask you something." Grimmore spoke in cutting straight to the point of this talk. "Do you wish to live; do you want to be better than you are now? If so, then say so, and the only price for it….is to join my army & serve me afterwards when you are….'rebirth', anew." The Overlord King can make such a possibility happen within his godly Demonic power , the only thing to pay for it…is servitude.

"Huuuagh…HuuuuAAAaugh…..I….Wiiiiiill…Aaaugh…." Todd the Goblin spoke from trying hard in taking his breaths as he gave his answer to serve the Dark Elf if it means his life can be restored, even if it means he won't be the same.

"Excellent choice then let the transformation begin." Grimmore spoke with his eyes narrowing in seeing the helpless creature was ready for him to begin things.

Then suddenly, the dark sphere of energy was pulsing with life and it was coursing with jolts effecting the creature inside; the goblin.

"Huaarrugh…Huuagh..HRUAARRRUGHHHH," Todd the Goblin was gasping in feeling something was beginning to happen; something from the Dark Elf's terrifying power was grasping his body & soul.

"Life Creation - Dark Renewal," Grimmore spoke to hold up his left free hand to have it glow a dark magenta color before he slowly was making it grasp while steam was flowing from it towards….the sphere with the living vessel inside.

"HROOUURRARRRUGHHHH," Suddenly, the darken cloud completely covered the sphere of darkness while blocking out he screams of the person trapped inside. Soon the body struggling scene was quickly coming to an end, and soon it dropped before the dark powers were infusing into the creature's skin; warping the structure entirely. The being inside was changing to become something different, even the clothing worn was warped & different accessories were mix in. "HARROORARRRUGHHHH!" Soon the sphere of darkness began to respond a horrific wail, as it landed on the ground to slowly vanish entirely….leaving a new creature in place of Todd the Goblin servant of the Eight Demon Lords. This character looked like he was 5' 7' feet in height, look to weighed at 140 lbs. (64 kg), seemed vaguely more muscular while his appearance is strangely a dress of Middle-age standard. Seems to wear what was a full black body suit that covered all but around the neck, wore a dark turquoise cap with it covering around its neck & provided a hood over his head. The outfit was composed of a chain-mail mesh capable of deflecting small arms fire, from bronze knee-boot & shoulder pads, to tan turquoise armor from a steel-toe, back heel, on his chain-mail outfit to pocket bags around the knees & shoulders, even provides gauntlets. What's more surprising was the face of this goblin creature, tan turquoise with a jaw mouth structure, a near-flat diamond nose, pointed ears holding the hood to allow clear red eyes from the face to be seen. The new goblin was in a kneeling pose, seemingly aware of what's happened to it.

"Arise, my new goblin….from this day forth, you shall be known as….Goblin Knight." Grimmore held out his free hand in signaling the new creature to rise up for him to see.

"Goblin….Knight…" The new goblin spoke while slowly moving his body up, his voice was far deeper then Todd's voice ever was, it sounded very demeaning. "Is that….really me, my lord?" This goblin now called Goblin Knight asked in puzzlement, almost like his old memories of Todd were but a breeze from the wind.

"Of course, have a look see." Grimmore spoke to soon snap his fingers to show this goblin his new appearance fitting his name.

Soon a magic mirror appeared for Goblin Knight to study, register the movement before…understanding that that's really him.

"Hooo….I like it; me….I…am Knight Goblin." Knight Goblin smiled in liking his appearance, very intimidating to frighten foes. "What can…I do?" He looked back at his lord & master that gave him this new life, what can he do now.

"Like the Goblins in my army, like you…they have Superhuman Strength, Speed, Stamina, Durability, Agility, Reflexes, even a Regenerative Healing Factor." Grimmore explained the benefits of what the goblins in his army are capable of that average goblin don't seem to have much of. "But for you, your laughter will become a weapon, capable of creating sound waves disorienting to most people." The Dark Elf explained that this new goblin will have a special power of his very own.

"I can do all that?" Goblin Knight responded with a smile in hearing the skill that he can do now. "Hugh, maybe I'll call it….my 'Lunatic Laugh', yes….it sounds right." He held his chin in thinking that be a good name for his laughter to be his weapon, at least, Todd the Goblin's old dream to sound evil with a maniacal laugh is more than come true.

"And more, with proper guidance; you'll be able to use goblin weaponry & gear." Grimmore explained the other matter of what this new goblin shall obtain while here, "Time to meet your fellow Brother Goblins." He spoke before his eyes focus on the open door as if 'expecting' something.

Soon something was seen flying within the air and on flying beast type creatures. We slowly get to see there was a total of three as their appearances were noted of being scaly flesh beings while in strange Middle-age, yet custom suits to fit their goblin appearance at a height of 7 feet tall..

"Hobgoblin," Grimmore spoke of the first of the three to be revealed.

The Hobgoblin had yellow & gray skin as he prefer to wear a cape & hood over his head. He wears blue clothing legs & arms while having on orange boots, gloves, waist & chest clothing along with an entire orange cape while having red eyes.

"Green Goblin," Grimmore then went off to speak of the next creature from this lot.

The Green Goblin had green skin, as he wore a purple outfit that only are boots, gloves, waist & chest parts and a cap over his head, while his arms and legs are seen without them while having yellow eyes.

"Demogoblin," And finally, Grimmore called out he last guy from this flying group having some crazy fun.

The Demogoblin had gray skin while he wore a blue outfit with orange boots, gloves & inside color for his cape while having orange eyes.

These three mentioned goblins flew around on their large human size purple bats with yellow eyes for the casual travel before landing them before their lord. These goblins, unlike the average bunch, perform more stunts of stealth, thievery, treachery and approach without so much being seen. But the moment anyone knows about them, they carry bombs in the shapes of pumpkins, once pricked off their tops and/or thrown, will expect with a green mist explosion while taking out a portion of any area. Other weapons may even be razor batwings; even their gloves can pack a magical shocking jolt blast at their enemies. They're basic modes of transportation are giant demonic bats for flight with two different types. Large human size purple bats with yellow eyes for the casual travel and enlarge size silver bats with yellow eyes that can provide more speed and allow access to firing pumpkin grenade bombs from a device strapped around their waist.

"So…these are my Brother Goblins?" Goblin Knight asked in seeing these three, he seems to recall knowing them from when he was Todd; just that now….they're the real deal.

"Indeed. But while you all have the same power, your abilities can only be so far similar to Skilled Combatant, Expert Marksman, Magic Manipulation to even Genius Level Intellect." Grimmore responded in stating that Goblin Knight will possibly show abilities different from those here that are only capable of one or two or three area fields of expertise. "You three may take him to begin his training and bring forth his own giant demonic bat for transportation." The Dark Elf pointed to command the other Goblins here to aid the new one while helping to give him transportation of a bat to ride on.

"Yes, Lord Grimmore." The three newer goblins bow in showing respect to their Overlrod King. Once that was done, Goblin Knight was approached and guided by these 'superior' Goblins of Grimmore's Army.

"Well newby, be get ready for ROUNDS of Fun around here! HeHeHeHe-Hahahahah," Hobgoblin spoke off with a madden expression in making this stated claim while making a cackling laughter.

"Quite true, you have to be crazy to survive what's inshore for you! Especially when you join this army! Ger-Hahahahaha-haaaa," Green Goblin responded off in almost sounding insane in the membrane when he stated this with his laughter.

"And the fun will be a laugh riot when your enemies tremble in fear of you. With their souls! Gwu-Hahaha-Whahahahahaaaa," Demogoblin issued this off while sounding so sure to laugh it all out like a demonic being.

"You know what? I think my new life here will be pretty well fit for me. So what are we waiting for, let’s have a BLAST!" Knight Goblin smiled in feeling his old WEAK personality of Todd slipping as he begins to embrace his new persona & identity with his truly terrifying Goblin Brothers here.

Soon the four goblins were off on their bats to prepare Goblin Knight a welcome onboard to their side of the Grimmore Army.

"I'm amazed you took that deadweight when Tso Lan killed him." A voice spoke to Grimmore when he appeared behind the Dark Elf, being a Chinese Dragon of a bio-mechanical structure.

"A Ji-Ga-No, you should know, when I find something amusing, they'll be something worth keeping….for the time being." Grimmore spoke with a dark hinted remark about having Goblin Knight around, so long as he is useful to the Dark Elf. "It was the same when I used that very same spell that gave birth to the Equestrian Eliminator. My, how little the years pasty in this realm of mine," Grimmore held his chin in recalling the day long ago, he acquired Agent 13, the Equestrian Eliminator, by the same spell that he used that gave Goblin Knight his new life & identity.

"Indeed . And how are you reacting to the failure of the Shadow?" Ji-Ga-No responded off to say while pondering something about the Shadow Grimmore summoned that didn't finish off Twilight's group in time.

"A tiny act that the ponies were lucky to escape from, nothing 'too' big to be concern for." Grimmore spoke from still being ever calm and collective, like the act was nothing but an ant-size to him.

"Then why wait, they've already grown strong enough that the time for action is near." Ji-Ga-No asked off in demand, surely his lord will wish they now combat the weak ponies & conquer their world by now.

"True, but why spoil it? When it's time to unleash 'some' of my forces, they'll begin to quake with fear." Grimmore spoke in feeling he'll unleash his army, but not all of it, little by little to rattle the ponies chains. "But when my Elites are sent, things will shake much more….just before my next work, of Warlords, is complete ." He smiled wickedly in just imaging the powerful players he'll unleash on the unsuspecting ponies of Equestria. "By then, the Apocalypse Ponies will have done something on their side that I can truly go as 'wild' as I please." Grimmore smiled ever still in knowing that organization run by the Superior, needs to perform something to allow him…a chance to truly 'cut' loose; MAJORLY!

"Then it won't be long then, now will it?" Ji-Ga-No made an evil smirk across his dragon muzzle, feeling the hour draws closer & closer now.

"No, not long at all." Grimmore spoke from his eyes looking upwards to the skies in declaring this 'hour of fate' that approaches. "Hah-hah-hah-hah, HAAAUGH-haahaahaahaahaahaaaa," The scene grows dark while the castle is slowly being zoomed away. Seems trouble in Tartarus is going to get even busier than the good ponies of Equestria ever believed. And when that happens, they'll have to pray Twilight & her band of allies…can stop it.

-------------------

In her room, Pinkamena closes the book and says, "Well book is done and the gang made it back."

"That is good but you look a little upset." Golden Heart said as he notes the upset look on his sister's face.

"Well I sense somepony's think we are reckless that might be and if the head did blew to cause a food to lessen I did get something from the dead elves so I can plan to make an army. Of course, we saw what happened already, right?"

"Right. Anyway, an army of what?"

"Well come this way." Pinkamena said. She heads off as Golden Heart follows.

Pinkamena and Golden Heart make it to her basement and she opens a hidden door to a room and enters. Golden heart says upon seeing Omega working, "Um, asking sister, what is Omega doing?"

"Well I ask him to do this real quick in making sure that the army is ok as they sleep."

"Um what army?"

"Well when there is Dark there is always..." Pinkamena said with a smirk, leading up to something.

"Um light," Golden Heart suggests with a nod.

"Right!"

Pinkamena turns on some lights and he sees in surprise elves in some containers that fit sizable humans and sees the skin a little brighter than the dark elves. Golden Heart says in shock and surprise, "How you done this?"

"Well times like these and a little of DNA and molding it and well boom," Pinkamena said to Golden Heart proudly, "And Goldie? I like to show you Equestia's newest allies The Light Elves."

"So when will they be ready?"

"Well not for a while but they will soon but for now let's go, Goldie and Omega." The pink pony suggests. They nod and head off as Pinkamena is last to leave. She says as the pony looks at the readers, "We will see who is reckless when the time comes."

Pinkamena dims the lights as she closes the door. The screen goes dark.

The End

Cast list
Tara Strong: Twilight Sparkle, T. Moon
Jason Marsden: Ben Mare, Shadow Dragon
Daveigh Chase: Nyx
Cathy Wesluck: Spike the Dragon, Mayor Mare, Alternative Spike, Pony Spike, Golden Harvest
Scott McNeil: Tough Apple, Rover, Flam
Chris Sanders: Phobos the Dragon
James Arnold Taylor: Boxco/Bocolix
Richard Steven Horvitz: Dum-Dum/Dumbledore
Kazyie Rogers: Koga the Wolf Cub
Ashleigh Ball: Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Liarjack, R. Chaos, Rainbow Droid
Andrea Libman: Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Fluttercruel, Psycho Pie, Dr. Pinksano, Pumpkin Cake, Flitterheart, Rose, Daisy
Tabitha St. Germain: Rarity, Princess Luna, Nightmare Moon, Nyx Battle Form, Granny Smith, Mrs. Cake, Crarity, Derpy Hooves, Pound Cake
Rebecca Shiochet: Twilight Sparkle (singing voice), Dragon Twilight
Shannon Chan-Kent: Pinkie Pie (singing voice), Silver Spoon
Kazumi Evans: Rarity (singing voice)
Michelle Creber: Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle (singing voice), Cherry Pie
Claire Corlett: Sweetie Belle
Madeline Peters: Scootaloo
William Lawrenson: Pipsqueak, Mowgli
Cathy Cavadini: Dinky Doo, Firecracker Burst
Alexandra Carter: Twist
Brynna Drummond: Babs Seed
Nicole Oliver: Princess Celestia, Cheerilee
Andrew Francis: Shining Armor, Lucky Clover
Britt McKillip: Princess Cadance, Lyra Heartstrings
Peter New: Big Macintosh, Various Cannibals, Justin the MechBull, Caramel
Brenda Crichlow: Zecora
Vincent Tong: Flash Sentry, Various Cannibals
Orlando Bloom : Golden Heart
Yuri Lowenthal: The Equestrian Eliminator
Ikue Ootani: Rabbitchu
Tim Curry: The Superior, Grimmore
Brian Cox: Merluck
Monica Rial: Warring Malice
Kathleen Barr: Trixie Lulamoon/Trix Lulamoon
Eric Stuart: Wilco
Tom Hiddleston: Deadly Rager
Meredith McCoy: Suffocator Jill
Cree Summer: Starven Fran
Crispin Freeman: Boris
Maryke Hendrikse: Gilda the Griffin
Richard Ian Cox: Fido
Lee Tockbar: Spot
Samuel Vincent: Flim
Matthew Mercer: Tso Lan
James Sie: Shendu, Dragon Kick, Shades
Sab Shimono: Mystic Tao, Karate Samyn
Stacie Chan: Jade Adventure
Noah Nealson: Mighty Heart
Mona Marshall: Bai Tza, Po Kong
Frank Welker: Dai Gui, Hydra, Bats, Baliff, Kobalos, Private Kenny, Flying Leo, The Dead Dragon, Remrace, Peryton, Wakan Tanka, Phoenix, Body Eye, Gymnote, Grundle 1
Clancy Brown: Tchang Zu, Clumsy Rat
Corey Burton: Xiao Fung
André Sogliuzzo: Hsi Wu, Michael Jackstones
John DiMaggio: Black Tiger
Adam Baldwin: DJ Red
Latham Gaines: Dark Curse
Jim Cummings: Mehitos, the Swarm, Egola, Judge Stonewall, The Dark Elf Captain Dread
Laurence Fishburne: Driver
Grey Delisle: Undine
Sean Schemmel: Eins
Carter Hayden: Todd the Goblin
Brad Garrett: Kouga
Ashley Johnson: Gwen Fillyson
Scott McCord: Jones Venture, Yang
Jeff Glen Bennett: The Shadow Ghoul
Lisa Ortiz: Karma
Wayne Grayson: Joey Dice
Dan Green: Maha Vailo
Phil LaMarr: Hiko Seijuro
Stephen Morgenstern: Yin
John Hurt: Peta
Jim Miller: King Sombra
Vic Mignonga: Lorcan, Omega
Jayson Thiessen: Royal Guards
Kevin Michael Richardson: General Spanish Steel, Ji-Ga-No
Cody Ruegger: Small Pony
John De Lancie: Discord
Brian Drummond: Filthy Rich, Mr. Carrot Cake, Dr. Hooves, Noteworthy, Jack Zen
Chantal Strand: Diamond Tiara
Michael Daingerfield: Braeburn
April Winchell: Sweetie Drops
Jeremy Irons: Tadaka
Danny DeVito : King Hugo
Michael Bell: Grundle 2
Susan Blu: Grundle 3
Peter Cullen: Grundle 4
Ian McKellen : Star-Swirl the Bearded
Scott Menville: The Hole
Sam Riegal: Hoboken Joe
Tony Anselmo: Ducks
June Foray: The Exotic Daisy
Marnix Van Den Broeke: The Shadow
Monica Stori: Feathermay
Laraine Newman: Roseluck
E.G. Daily: Plumsweet
Matt Hill: Soarin'
Mark Hamill : Hobgoblin
Neil Ross: Green Goblin
Steven Blum: Demogoblin
Steven Weber: The Goblin Knight

Author's Notes:

Folks, I am finally done after a long time! It's been a long road but this fanfiction is now closed! I like to thanks my co-writer Neros Urmaehsi and the folks for giving me the suggestions. Can't wait for the next MLP: FIM and here it is!

"Multiversal Conversation: (one-shot; crossover with the future 'My Little Heroines' series, set JUST after 'Road to the End') Shortly after Twilight finishes her trek to the ends of Equestria to help Applejack, Twilight does a little reading. And in her reading, she discovers a spell that will allow her to communicate with beings in other universes without venturing into said universe herself. As an experiment, Twilight ends up making contact with the recently crowned Princess Blossom, a super-powered heroine who's life seems remarkably similar to her own (except that Blossom is the Element of Justice instead of the Element of Magic); complete with her own recent adventures in a parallel universe where she had to make due without her powers AND a journey to the ends of her own world to help out a friend.
Villains: Numerous villains discussed by Twilight and Blossom (all mentioned only)
Pairings: Twilight x Ben, Blossom x Dexter"

Sounds like a keeper so read, review and suggest! Later!

'Past Sins' is referenced.

Shadow Dragon is a pal's OC and based on Chase Young from Xiaolin Showdown.

The 'Element Evolution' is something very much like Super Evolution From Digimon Xros Wars.

The Steel Clan & the Fortress are preference towards Disney's Gargoyles TV Series.

The Metallosauras is from Power Rangers Turbo, as it's second upgrade appearance.

The Elements Prophecy is for the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 4 episode 'Princess Twilight'.

'When you believe' is from 'Prince of Egypt'.

Epona, Link, Zelda and the Ocarina of Time are from the Legend of Zelda series respectively.

The Dark Mystic Ponies are referenced to Sith Lords

DJ Red, Clumsy Rat and Shades sing 'Playing with Dark Mystics' which is referenced and inspired from 'Playing with Big Boys Now' of 'Prince of Egypt.

Dark Curse is the same pal's OC based on Daolan Wong appearance from Jackie Chan Adventure but more of Mesogog's personality from Power Rangers Dino Thunder.

Black Tiger is the same pal's OC based on Hak Foo from Jackie Chan Adventures.

The voices of Hobgoblin & Green Goblin are from the 1994 Spider-Man TV Series. Mark Hamill as the Hobgoblin & Neil Ross as the Green Goblin. The Demogoblin's voice Steven Blum played the Green Goblin from the Spectacular Spider-Man TV Series. And for the Goblin Knight, Steven Weber did the voice of the Ultimate Green Goblin, or just The Goblin. They are all from the Marvel Universe.