After Spyro had defeated Malefor, the world was still being torn asunder. But in the last moments, a bright flash happened, and now he and Cynder are still alive.
That all happened several years ago.
In an effort to try and find Spike's birth parents, Twilight stumbles upon a hidden society of creatures who have been friendly towards ponies for years. Their leaders? Spike's biological parents and two very familiar ones at that.
A story somewhat inspired by Spike's Two Mommies - Fimfiction but with barrowed elements from Ponyville goes to the...dragons?? - Fimfiction such as Ember from the Spyro the Dragon franchise falling in love with Spike but with my own spin of the purple dragon also being sought after by a suddenly jealous Rarity and Garble's own sister Smolder. Yet the main ship will be Spike and StD Ember even if I am coming around to Spike & Smolder as a romantic pairing. This is more so for the purposes of this fanfic's plot more then anything.
Spike's not the only one that's going to be caught in the middle of a love triangle though. I have a couple of tricks of my own up my sleeve. Of course, anyone caught saying my other surprises before I reveal them in the comments will see their comments auto-deleted on the spot so...don't.
Main ship: Spike x Spyro!Ember
Other included ships: Twilight Shipping - FlashLight (Twilight x Flash Sentry), MoonLight (Twilight x Moondancer), and TwiDash (Twilight x Rainbow Dash)
Special: Spike being Spyro's son. Jealous Rarity (Majorly so) Normal Smolder Completely Unnecessary Twilight Love Triangle (I mean, you all should know me at this point)
Spyro had managed to at long last defeat Malafor, the dark master. But the world was being torn apart all around him and Cynder.
Is this...really the end? Spryo thought to himself. Cynder got close to him, and nuzzled him.
"...No matter what, until the end, I'm with you. I love you." Cynder said.
"And...I love you..." Spyro said.
At that moment, a blinding flash occurred.
When the flash faded, the two dragons soon found themselves on solid ground, and in some kind of medow.
"...Where are we?" Spyro asked.
"I...think we somehow stopped it..." Cynder said.
"I...I see..." Spryo said. "Then everything is fine...right?" He asked.
"It...should be. But...what about me? Others still look at me as you-know-what." Cynder said.
"I know. Which is why maybe it's time we created our own society. One that doesn't judge." Spyro said.
Cynder couldn't help but feel the tears in her eyes. "You'd...do that for me?" Cynder asked.
"But of course, Cynder." Spryo said before nuzzling Cynder. "Others need to know, you aren't her anymore." He said.
Cynder smiled. "...Have I mentioned how much I love you?" She asked.
"Mention it all you like, because you know I love you back." Spyro noted.
Present Day Equestria
"Nothing! There's nothing!" Twilight said, throwing another book in frustration into the wall of the Golden Oaks Library.
"Whoa!" Rainbow Dash flew up to avoid it. "What's with this sudden frustration Twi?" The cyan Pegasus asked.
"Oh...hi Rainbow. I've simply been trying to find something to the nature of Spike's origin after that Dragon Migration made him question things about dragons hoping to find something, but the only books on dragons only seem to reiterate what Spike has said about them with Spike seeming to be the lone exception." Twilight said.
"And it's causing you a lot of frustration..." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yes!" Twilight said. But then blinked. "...Since when could you understand something as complicated as that?" Twilight asked.
"I've hanged around you long enough to understand more than I ever thought I would, Egghead." Rainbow Dash said. "Plus, I can just tell your frustrated considering both the mess and the book I just dodged." She added.
"Oh...sorry about that Rainbow. Maybe if you would try using the door next time." Twilight said.
"It's fine. Have you tried asking Princess Celestia?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I could I suppose, but what if she also doesn't have anything?" Twilight asked.
"You'll never know unless you try, Twi." Rainbow Dash said.
"...Your right..." Twilight said. "If only Spike was here right now. I suppose I can prep a letter for Celestia in the meantime." She said.
"Where is Spike right now anyways?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Where do you think he is?" Twilight asked.
"...Rarity's place...either that or probably getting something for her." Rainbow Dash said. "I swear, one of these days the drake needs to move on from her and realize how little she's returning his feelings. He's important to you, so I can't help but worry that one of these days, he's going to wind up with a massively broken heart when Rarity finally gives him a big fat dose of Rejection. Better he moves on from her now before he ends up with a pile of regrets." She said.
"That's...surprisingly wise for you to be saying Rainbow." Twilight said.
"See? Told you you're rubbing off on me." Rainbow Dash said with a smile. Twilight couldn't help but shake her head and smile back. That was close. Can't have her know that I've actually been studying a bit to try and impress her. Heh...who would've ever thought I'd do some studying. Guess having a crush on one of your friends really changes you. Rainbow Dash thought to herself.
Spike was on his way to the market when he caught something in the corner of his eye, it looked like a Griffon, but it wasn't Gilda. This one was black. They were talking to Applejack.
"...And if you would be so kind as to allow me to purchase a couple of apple seeds, it would really help out my special some pony as you would say." The griffon; a female judging by the voice; said.
"Is your special some pony taking up gardening or something?" Applejack asked.
"Something like that." The griffon hen said. "He only said that I should grab some apple seeds for a project that he's been tasked with over seeing." She added.
"Ah see. Well, I suppose I can't help but help out a pleasant girl like yourself Sonic Boom." Applejack said before handing the griffon a few apples and a pack of apple seeds.
"Well, I chose to relocate after practically every griffon in griffon stone started to only look out for themselves. So, I joined this society that's all about not judging others and accepting every creature for who they are. It's how I ended up meeting my special some creature." Sonic Boom said.
"Regardless, it was nice meeting you, Sonic Boom." Applejack said.
"It was nice meeting you too, miss Applejack." Sonic Boom said. Suddenly Spike showed up. Huh? It can't be... Sonic Boom thought to herself.
"Who is this?" Spike asked Applejack.
"Spike, this is Sonic Boom; she says she comes from a society that doesn't judge others and accepts every creature for who they are." Applejack said.
Purple hide, green sub-coloring...could it really be him? Sonic Boom thought to herself.
"Well, it's nice to meet you miss Sonic Boom." Spike said, holding out a claw.
He even has similar mannerisms to the Society's Alpha. Sonic Boom thought to herself. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Spike, right?" Sonic Boom asked, shaking the dragon's hand.
"Yep. That's me." Spike said before puffing out his chest. "The one and only Spike." He added.
...And then there's that. Some traits picked up from the Alpha's mate. Sonic Boom thought to herself. "This may seem a bit sudden mister Spike, but could I ask to see the one you live with?" Sonic Boom asked.
"Sure thing. Come on." Spike said.
I know Sunburn told me to get back as soon as I could, but if this male drake really is the Alpha's missing child, then I must get the one who found his egg and hatched it to meet with the Alpha and the rest of the Society as soon as possible. Sunburn will understand. Sonic Boom thought to herself.
"So, this Twilight Sparkle simply hatched your egg which was found by Princess Celestia near Froggy Bottom Bog?" Sonic Boom asked.
"Yep. Princess Celestia raised me for a while though. Now I work as Twilight's assistant." Spike said.
"...Did you choose that or did one of them?" Sonic Boom asked.
"Well, I did get to see Twilight a few times over, and well...she can be quite the character at times." Spike said. As he and Sonic Boom entered the library, Spike had to dodge a book which hit Sonic Boom in the face. "...Case in point..." Spike said.
"Ow..." Sonic Boom said.
"A griffon? Look, if this is about Gilda, she was messing with my new friends." Rainbow Dash said.
"...Who in Equestria is Gilda? Never met her before in my life. Then again, it's been a few years since I joined The Society." Sonic boom said.
"The Society? What's that?" Twilight asked. "And I'm sorry for hitting you, I've just been frustrated trying to find Spike's real parents as well...he came across some rather unfriendly dragons." She added.
"Question for you then Spike, was one of them colored red by any chance?" Sonic Boom asked.
"Yeah one of them was. His name was Garble." Spike said.
"...Then that's one of the ones that's part of the rival dragons who opposed The Society's leader and his mate. The leader of The Society is known as The Alpha." Sonic Boom said.
"Just what exactly is 'The Society' anyways?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The Society is a group of various creatures; mostly dragons though; who seek to not judge others based on background or species." Sonic Boom said. "But the dragons from the Dragon Lands oppose The Alpha and our community due to the Alpha's mate." She added.
"So Spike, why did you bring her here anyways?" Twilight asked.
"She wanted to see you since you hatched my egg." Spike said.
"Well I was hoping you or Princess Celestia; yes, The Society knows her; might have a remnant of Spike's Egg." Sonic Boom said.
"Well, Princess Celestia did give me a fragment of it as a keepsake." Twilight said before levitating a piece of Spike's egg.
"I didn't know you were given part of my egg." Spike said.
"Well I wanted you to have some remanent of your egg in case any dragons came looking for it." Twilight said. "Didn't expect a griffon to be looking for it." She added.
"Hmm...purple with green spots...found near Froggy Bottom Bog..." Sonic Boom said. "...My suspensions were correct after all...it's him..." She added.
"Spike? What about him?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Remember how I told you how there are dragons who oppose the Alpha because of his mate because of history? Well as the Alpha and his mate were helping out me and several other creatures who were attacked by those dragons, the Alpha's mate lost their only egg in the skirmish. No creature ever found it, not even the opposing dragons. At least, until Princess Celestia it seems." Sonic Boom said.
"So, wait, your saying that Spike is the son of your Alpha?" Rainbow Dash said.
"It has to be. The egg design matches the egg the Alpha's mate lost." Sonic Boom said. "If you wish for it, I can arrange for you to meet with him alongside your Princess first thing tomorrow." She added.
"Well this is as any good of chance as any for Spike to find out who his real parents are. And if the Alpha knows who Princess Celestia is, that will make things go so much smoother." Twilight said. "I got to make a letter to the princess right away!" She added and rushed off.
"...Twilight's always like this, and you just lit a fire under her." Rainbow Dash said.
"Didn't catch your name. What is it?" Sonic Boom asked.
"Rainbow Dash." Rainbow Dash said.
"Rainbow Dash...Rainbow Dash...hmm...sorry, doesn't ring a bell." Sonic Boom said. "Better get going myself." She added and left.
"...Nice griffon." Spike said.
"Yeah a lot different from Gilda that's for certain." Rainbow Dash said.
As Sonic Boom arrived to a part of Everfree Forest cleared away, she's greeted by a Pheonix & Dragon crossbreed.
"What took you so long Sonic Boom? I expected you back an hour before me." The crossbreed said.
"I need to see the Alpha at once Sunburn." Sonic Boom said. "I took so long because I found him...I found The Alpha's child!" She said.
"Then you need to tell the Alpha all the details right away!" Sunburn said.
"When I sent your sister my letter about The Society, I'll be honest I expected my mentor to come by. Didn't expect you though, Princess Luna." Twilight said.
"When we...or rather, I had heard my sister speaketh of The Society and how you mentioned that the Alpha's mate was hated due to her history, I won't deny that my mind knew exactly who it is that you were talking about. After all, she was an old friend of mine from before my bout as Nightmare Moon. And if there's anyone who can now relate to her, it is I, Twilight Sparkle." Luna said. "Before she and I were only friends because she was really the only one who actually enjoyed seeing my night at that time. I never thought she'd still be alive, but then again, dragons do live long lives." She added.
"And now you have a reason to reach out to her once again because of Nightmare Moon, huh?" Twilight asked. "I wonder what it is that Spike's biological mother did that would be similar." She added.
"I could tell you, but it is something I think she would prefer to tell you when she is ready to do so. You have no reason to fear from her, should I accompany you instead of my sister." Luna said.
"But Sonic Boom said she wanted Princess Celestia to come. Probably so the Alpha can think her personally." Twilight said.
"Trust me Twilight, if the Alpha is who I think it is, then he will thank her personally at some point down the road." Luna said.
"Princess Celestia, you say?" A female voice said, coming from a rather large somewhat dark purple dragoness. "I wonder if her sister, Princess Luna is no longer Nightmare Moon." The dragoness said.
"If she is, and she comes instead, I suppose I will have to go to Canterlot at a later point in time." A male voice said. A large purple dragon said from behind the dragoness. "But I really hope to see my son after all this time." He added.
The next day, Sonic Boom was leading the entire main six and Princess Luna as well as Twilight's mother, father, brother, and sister-in-law through the Everfree Forest.
"Didn't realize your group was in here." Fluttershy said.
"We've been clearing out more of the forest over the years. We're hoping to eventually approach Mayor Mare with a proposition to make a civilized path from our civilazation to Ponyville so it'd be safer for your residents to visit us whenever they would like without fear of the forest's various residents." Sonic Boom said.
"So, you have no problems communicating with ponies?" Twilight Velvet said.
"No, not at all. In fact, many of us already have." Sonic Boom said.
"Wait...is that why Fluttershy didn't freak out at Spike my first day in Ponyville?" Twilight asked.
"I'm still working on my courage a little...I just hope your alpha isn't scary..." Fluttershy said.
"I will warn you then, it's his mate who can come off as unintentionally scary just because of her body and the way she presents herself. Even if both are large adults, the Alpha's mate is the one who comes off as the scariest even if she doesn't mean to do so." Sonic Boom said.
"Oh...I'll keep that in mind...scary on the outside, gentle on the inside right?" Fluttershy asked.
"That's what she hopes one will say about her someday." Sonic Boom said. "...We're here." She then added. The large clearing they all arrived in featured a miniature village in the forest in the most literal of terms.
"Whoa...look at all the various creatures. While there are other dragons here, there's all sorts of creatures here. You weren't kidding." Rainbow Dash said.
"It's all thanks to our leader, the Alpha. Come, this way." Sonic Boom said and lead the group deeper into the village to a large platform. "They have arrived to see the alpha." Sonic Boom said to a pair of what seemed to be large golems. Soon the golems came to life and parted the large curtain on the platform.
"...What are those?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah. I've never seen them before in my life." Twilight said.
"Stone Golems are from pre-equestria times. So, it is them after all..." Luna said as a large purple dragon with a gold underbelly and a dark purple dragon with a violet underbelly soon approuched the group. "...It's been a long time since I last saw either of you." Luna said.
"You know those two?" Spike asked.
"She should. I suppose that I should be thankful it was Princess Celestia that found your egg my son and not any of my rivals." The purple dragon said.
"...Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Twilight Velvet, and Night Light, I would like you to meet the leaders of The Society, and Spike's biological parents, and heroes of their own right." Luna announced. "I would be pleased to introduce you to Spyro and his mate Cynder." She added.
"Still got a flair for the dramatic, even after your recent purification huh Luna?" Cynder asked.
"Yes. We have much to discuss Cynder. It has been one thousand years since I had last seen you old friend." Luna said.
"Try as those dragons might, they can't put this girl down~" Cynder teased.
"Aw..." Fluttershy said before flying up to Cynder. "You're not scary at all. I can see it. When it comes down to it, you're just misunderstood and wish to have true kindness shown to you. Whatever pain you've suffered because of your past is just not warranted." The yellow pegasus said.
"...Wow...never seen Fluttershy act like that before to any dragon." Rainbow Dash said. "She only does that when she feels like there's some true gentleness in a creature." She said.
"...I like this one..." Cynder said as Fluttershy was massaging the dragoness. "But...you really don't know what I've been through..." Cynder added.
"Princess Luna mentioned that if anyone could relate to her being Nightmare Moon it would be you. That tells me all I need to know. You were corrupted by some outside force that made you do things you didn't want to do, and every dragon blamed you for it. How close am I?" Fluttershy asked.
"What the...how did..." Cynder was confused.
"...Huh...guess she doesn't have to say any more." Luna admitted said.
"That was easy for me to figure out as well, just based on the logic." Twilight said.
Spike got close to Spyro. "...I feel a very strong kinship with you..." Spike said.
"You should. You too are a Purple Dragon just like me." Spyro said.
"Guessing that's not just about the color." Rainbow Dash said.
"Indeed. I am just one special dragon that is born once every ten generations. And so is Spike. A dragon with magical abilities that far exceed those of a normal dragon." Spyro said.
"Well you should know that Princess Celestia made my family adopt him as my younger brother." Twilight said.
"Well as far as I'm concerned, he shouldn't need to choose. We will not impede on his life with you all, nor should he feel the need to constantly be with us to make up for lost time." Cynder said.
"In fact, if you would be so kind as to look after him in our stead for a little while longer if you would? I was about ready to finalize a meeting with Mayor Mare for that road to connect our villages." Spyro said. "Once that road is opened up, you would be able to come back and forth without any danger from the forest." He added.
"The best of both worlds..." Twilight Velvet said. "Well, it's nice to have more dragons in the family, I'll say that much." She added. "And when that road is opened, I plan on showing you plenty of pictures of Spike from his younger days~" The mare teased.
"Wh-MOM!" Spike yelled out.
"Won't lie, I wouldn't mind also visiting from time to time. Cynder there looks like she could be good for me to keep in shape." Shining Armor said.
Cynder smiled. "It is good you wish to spar with me just because I am clearly strong. It would be nice for a change. I warn you; I will not go easy on you; family or not." She said.
"He wouldn't want you to. Oh, by the way, I'm Princess Cadence; when I acended into being an Alicorn, I was adopted by Princess Celestia to be here niece. Now I'm married to Twilight's older brother Shining Armor." Princess Cadence said.
"Don't forget that you also were my foal sitter." Twilight said.
"Guess I spent too much time worrying about my own child I must have missed you." Spyro said. "But it's nice to meet you all the same, Princess Cadence." Spyro said. "Now, while I am letting you look after my son while the road details are worked out, I wish for one of my people to accompany you as a Laison to Ponyville on behalf of The Society." He added.
"That would be nice for one of you to see how he's been living since he and I moved to Ponyville as I didn't want to leave my new friends." Twilight said.
"Friends are important." Spyro said. "Ember, step forward." He said.
A pink dragoness about Spike's age seemingly came forward. "Yes Alpha?" She asked.
"You are to accompany my son Spike back to Ponyville while I work to open the road up." Spyro said.
"Well, isn't he a cute fifteen-year-old~" Ember teased. "Let's get going." She added.
Rarity just realized what Ember just said. D-did she just say fifteen? AND CALL MY SPIKEY WIKEY CUTE?! Oh, it's on girlfriend! She thought to herself.
"Ow ow ow ow ow..." Garble said as his sister was tending to his wounds.
"Geez, how in Equestria did you substain such injuries?" His sister, Smolder, asked.
"I didn't even know the little punk kid had it in him...don't even know what happened. One moment I think I'm about to throw him, and the next, he shoots out this green flame that caused this to happen!" Garble said.
"Seems to me like you've met a Purple Dragon that's not Spyro." Smolder said. "Which means it's up to me to do some much-needed damage control and soon." She added.
"Why bother? The last Purple Dragon ended up becoming mates with Cynder of all dragons." Garble said.
"Which is all the more reason that I need to do some damage control and soon. If that Purple Dragon joins up with The Society, we'll never have a chance at making that witch pay for what she did to our lands years ago." Smolder said.
"Whose to say they haven't already reached out?" Garble asked.
"Even if they have, that just adds to the reason for me to do some damage control." Smolder said. "You said he looked to be about fifteen years old, right?" She asked.
"Yeah, what of it?" Garble asked.
"Well, that's my age too, as you know. Which means I have a good chance at getting in on him. I can do a lot more than just persuade him to go with the true dragons of Equestria; I can make him my mate if I play my cards right~" Smolder said.
"You're not seriously thinking of romancing the kid, are you?" Garble asked. "He lives with PONIES of all things..." He added.
"And your point is?" Smolder asked.
"My point is that he doesn't know what true dragons are like." Garble said.
"And your point is?" Smolder repeated.
"My point is that you'll have to do a lot of work." Garble said.
"And your point is?" Smolder repeated again.
"...There's no way I can talk you out of this, is there?" Garble asked.
"Nope~" Smolder said as she finished treating Garble's wounds.
When Ember was directed to where Spike & Twilight Sparkle were staying, she had a puzzled expression on her face.
"...Twilight Sparkle here is an alicorn princess yet you two live in a library of all places?" Ember asked.
"Admittedly yes. But that's just because I much prefer this place. This was where I moved to after coming to oversee the Summer Sun Celebration." Twilight said. "I much prefer this place to a castle. Besides, I've grown too used to it." She added.
"...Huh. Fair enough. The least you could do is expand it a little maybe? Just throwing that out there." Ember said. Just then, a pegasus stallion entered.
"Things are--wait, whose this?" The stallion asked.
"She's from The Society I told you about last night Flash. Her name is Ember." Twilight said.
"...Huh...and what is she doing here?" Flash asked.
"I think it's best if your Princess fills you in on the details, guard boy." Ember said. "That outfit just screams royal guard." She added.
"...Wait Flash, I told you a million times not to wear your armor into the library!" Twilight said.
"Sorry...I kind of forgot..." Flash said. "Well my name is Flash Sentry, captain of Princess Twilight's royal guard. Well...actually I'm the only real member of it." He added.
"And I'm Ember, one of the members of The Circle of Entrustees." Ember said.
"The Circle of Entrustees? We didn't really get to meet anyone else in that part of The Soiciety when we were there." Spike said.
"Actually, you've already met the other members: Sunburn, Sonic Boom, Spyro, and Cynder. We've been looking for a sixth member for the circle for a while now, but no one in The Society has yet to show the right initiative for it. The CoE is THAT strict on who is a part of it. To be in, you have to not only be a highly trusted member of The Society itself, but also you have to show initiative by coming up with a way to improve and expand the capabilities of The Society in a way that will ensure its survival even if The Alpha were to somehow get murdered." Ember said. "It's a fancy way of saying we are the group that is a 'in case of Alpha's death, keep The Society together' thing." She added.
"Isn't it a little unorthodox to have The Alpha himself on there?" Twilight asked.
"Which one of those is this 'Alpha'?" Flash Sentry asked.
"I'll tell you later." Twilight said.
"The Alpha is the one that created the CoE in the first place, so he sits on every meeting the CoE has. We don't want a traitor in our mist. It's why the CoE is VERY strict about its recruitment. To date, only me, Sonic Boom, and Sunburn have been the only ones that have fulfilled the requirements." Ember explained.
"And what about Cynder?" Twilight asked.
"Considering none of us would even be here right now if she and The Alpha didn't save the world, that's kind of reason enough outside of being The Alpha's mate. Cynder ain't afraid to throw her weight around." Ember said.
"So, by process of elimination, you just told me who The Alpha is." Flash Sentry said. "But what's his interest in Spike?" He asked.
"I have so much to tell you. Spike, why don't you go give Ember a tour while I inform Flash Sentry?" Twilight asked.
"Sure, thing Twilight." Spike said and then took Ember away for a tour.
"...This is one of those moments where you said 'sometimes I am going to have to mix business with pleasure' huh?" Flash Sentry asked.
"Trust me when I explain everything, you'll understand why this time." Twilight said.
Several hours later...
"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Flash Sentry exclaimed.
"I know! I was just as surprised as you are, and I JUST found out about this this morning!" Twilight said.
"I suppose it would explain away Spikezilla and how he was able to completely OWN that red dragon known as Garble in the Gauntlet of Fire." Flash Sentry said.
"...Spikezilla? Really? REALLY?" Twilight asked.
"Pinkie Pie's words, not mine." Flash Sentry said. "When she saw Spike grow to massive size before I saw him and start owning Garble, she yelled, and I quote 'RUN! IT'S SPIKEZILLA!' causing me to get curious on what she meant and well...that's when I saw Spike in a monstrous size beating the crap out of Garble." He added.
"Still, Spikezilla? I am SO going to have a chat with Pinkie Pie later." Twilight said.
Meanwhile, an orange dragoness was standing outside of Ponyville. "So, this is Ponyville? Got to admit, it's got its charm. And if you ask me, my brother's desire to see these ponies crushed is just stupid. Sure, we can survive without them, but they do have their uses in places my brother just doesn't understand. And probably never will." Smolder said. "Looks like The Society has already made contact with Spike though. That's fine. I know how to play my cards right all the same." She added. "Look out pink dragoness who shares the same name as my dragon lord; I will win Spike's heart and he will turn on your so called 'Society'!" The dragoness concluded. Smolder paused. "...Just realized that there's two dragonesses who share the same name with each other...woo boy...that's not going to get confusing at all; obvious sarcasm is obvious." She said to herself at the end.
As Smolder headed into Ponyville, she had no idea that a strange black fox spying on her.
"...Let's just see how this develops. I grow tired of those two never getting their happy ending. If I must do what I must do, then I will." The black fox said before suddenly they vanished into thin air.
Rarity was trying to focus on her work, but her mind kept wandering back to what Ember had said.
Well Aren't you a cutie for a fifteen year old?~ The Pink Dragoness's words echoed in the white mare's head.
"...If that pink Dragoness thinks she can take Spikey Wikey away from me, she's got another thing coming." Rarity said before grabbing the Fire Ruby that Spike had given her. "After all, Spikey Wikey gave this to me. If she wants his heart, she'll have to pry it from my cold dead heads if I have anything to say about it." Rarity said.
Ember was enjoying talking with some of the ponies. Who were mostly more curious than anything. Suddenly, Scootaloo was coming towards her with the other CMC inside. "Oh hey, are you one of those Society Members Rainbow Dash told me about?" Scootaloo asked.
"That's me alright. My name's Ember." Ember said.
"...Like the dragon lord?" Scootaloo asked.
"...Dragon lord? Sorry, doesn't ring a bell." Ember said. "But more importantly, what are your names?" She asked.
"I'm Sweetie Belle, Rarity's sister." Sweetie Belle said.
"And ah'm Apple Bloom, I'm Applejacks sister." Apple Bloom said.
"AND WE'RE THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!" The three said together.
Ember was so caught of guard by the shout, that she had to cover her ears. How in Eques are these fillies able to muster THIS much lung compacity? The pink dragoness thought to herself.
"Ember? Oh, I see you've met Sweetie Belle and her friends." Spike said, coming up to the group.
"Hey Spike. We were thinking of trying something new to try and earn our cutie marks." Scootaloo said.
"Something new? Please don't try and make another 'Cutie Mark Crusader's Dragon Slayers' thing out of me and Ember, please." Spike said. Ember cocked her head.
"Oh don't worry. We were hoping to actually try sky diving, and since you know how to operate a hot air balloon thanks to Pinkie Pie, you might be willing to take us high enough for it." Apple Bloom said.
"Oh no. HELL. NO! Your sisters would have my HIDE about it." Spike said.
"Hrr...he's got a point. Especially Rarity." Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah. That'd probably end in a LOT more tree sap then normal." Scootaloo said.
"No kidding." Apple Bloom said.
"...Do I even want to know?" Ember asked.
"Apple Bloom and her friends here are always doing something crazy to get their cutie marks. Sure it annoys the town, but, then every pony remembers, they were like this once too." Spike said.
"Huh...hope the lack of a cutie mark doesn't cause them any misfortune." Ember said.
"Except it does. Their names are Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon." Apple Bloom said. "But the strange thing is, I haven't seen Silver Spoon around much lately." She added.
"Ugh..." Silver Spoon said.
"Are you okay? You were taking quite a nasty fall." A strange Unicorn and Dragon hybrid said.
"I'll be alri--AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Silver Spoon exclaimed before she saw the hybrid. "DRAGON!" She said before running.
"Hey wait! ...Fuck. Not again with this Whirlwind. Face it, you'll never be accepted anywhere..." The hybrid said.
"Hey you." Rarity suddenly said, coming up to Ember. "I don't know what you think your going to pull, but Spike is MINE." Rarity said.
"He's not some prize; so maybe give him a little respect." Ember said.
"Oh, you want to have a go huh? I'll make sure to smack you a few times." Rarity said.
"Oh it is so on, diva." Ember said.
"Uh oh...you had to go and call my sister the d word." Sweetie Belle said. "She HATES it when any creature calls her the d word." She added.
Rarity was fuming. "DIVA?! THAT'S IT! I'M GOING TO BUCKING PUMMEL YOU!" She exclaimed. She rushed towards Ember, only having to dodge a rainbow magic blast.
"What the heck?" Ember asked as a unicorn dragon hybrid showed up.
"Geez, what is this suddenly? Can't you have civalized discussions like normal people?" Whirlwind said. She noticed Rarity was staring at her. Uh oh...not another unicorn... Whirlwind thought.
"STUNNING! SUCH STUNING BEAUTY! OH MY I AM BEING FILLED WITH MASSIVE CREATIVITY!" Rarity said, eyes sparkling. "I MUST ASK YOU TO COME TO MY PLACE AND LET ME GAIN INSPERATION FROM YOU. I'M SURE I CAN CREATE MANY WONDERFUL DRESSES!" She exclaimed.
...This is new... Whirlwind thought to herself.
"Huh...a unicorn and dragon hybrid. I suppose after Sunburn, I shouldn't be surprised." Ember said.
"What's going on over here?" Spike asked, going up to the group. "...What's with the hybrid?" Spike asked.
"Beats me." Ember said.
"I just stopped a fight between these two females because of some guy. Seemed the unicorn got peeved that the dragon called her a diva." Whirlwind said.
"Ember, was there a reason you called Rarity the d word?" Spike asked.
"She was talking about you like you were some prize to be won. And I wasn't having it you know. After all, you're the Alpha's son." Ember said.
"...Rarity, is this true?" Spike asked.
Knowing she was beaten, Rarity just nodded. "So, can we just...pretend this never happened? Maybe?" Rarity asked.
"I won't." Spike said. "Rarity, I am going to have to ask you to return the Fire Ruby I gave you to me." He said.
Rarity frowned but did as asked. "So...I guess you're going to eat it now." Rarity said.
"No, I'm going to give it to a person who won't treat me as some prize and one I choose as my mate. And you need to learn I'm not some prize to be won. I can't believe I ever had a crush on you if this is the way you were going to act towards me. So, try me again in three years if I'm still single by then. And that's probably going to be a really big if." Spike said.
"Hey, you, maybe you'd like to join the Soiciety. Just follow these directions. I'm sure you'll fit in with the rest of us." Ember said.
"Th-thank you. My name's Whirlwind. I hope to see you again sometime." Whirlwind said before leaving.
"...Heh...not going to lie Ember, that was very generous of you." Spike said.
"I only did my part." Ember said.
Rarity had her head in a pillow as she cried. She had screwed up with Spike. It was all her fault. She doesn't know why she acted like that, but needless to say, she had no chance of ever winning Spike's heart now. In fact, Rarity doesn't even think she deserves it anymore. Not after that.
Smolder was looking at Spike and Ember being with one another. "The Society really want to keep a close eye on Spike for some reason. Well, whatever. It doesn't matter. Even if by some miracle he turns out to be Cynder's kid, the sins of the mother should not reflect on the child." Smolder said to herself before getting up and heading over to the two dragons.
"Hey, you smell like one of them dragons from that dragon clan out near what used to be the volcano at Munitions Forge." Ember said.
"Chill out Society girl, I'm not looking for trouble. You don't want to attack me unprovoked, do you?" Smolder said. "The current dragon lord granted me permission to be here. Her idea of wanting to be more open towards ponies." She added.
"The dragon lord sent you?" Spike asked.
"You bet for sure she did. And just in case, she told me to tell you specifically Spike that she's keeping Garble under wraps." Smolder said.
"...Ah. I see. You can relax Ember; Smolder's one of the good dragons it seems." Spike said.
"Honestly, I couldn't even begin to tell you why Garble's desire to kill off ponies is the stupidest thing in the world. I don't know why he wants to do it, but if you ask me, it's stupid." Smolder said.
Spike laughed. "Oh yeah, you were certainly sent by the dragon lord if you think the same as she does about the whole thing." He said.
"Don't think I'm not going to keep an eye on you all the same." Ember said.
"Heard your name by the way pinkie. Turns out, you and my dragon lord share the same name as one another. Heh...what are the odds of that?" Smolder asked.
"Wait, your dragon lord is also named Ember? Wow...what are the odds indeed." Ember said, relaxed. Perhaps this dragon lord that shares her name isn't too bad after all.
"I didn't catch your name by the way, what is it?" Spike asked.
"My name is Smolder. Oh, and just so we're clear on something Spike...don't hold what Garble did against me okay? The sins of one sibling should not be carried over to the other." Smolder said.
"Sins of the--wait, Garble's your brother?" Spike asked.
"Trust me, despite being his little sister, even I can agree Garble's whole hatred of ponies is a bunch of dragon droppings. I really don't understand why he has it, but what can I do really? He's my brother." Smolder said.
"Giving him a sterner talking to about it would be a nice start." Spike said.
"Except you kind of did that for me. My brother should've known better then to take on a Purple Dragon." Smolder said.
"Wait...you know about that?" Ember asked.
"Yeah. Just because we want your alpha's mate brought to justice, it doesn't mean we hold a full-on hatred for your whole lot. We just want Cynder to stand trial is all." Smolder said.
"The Alpha knows you won't be fair with it. It's why he's impeded your progress time and time again." Ember said.
"Then perhaps, once that road of yours opens up, we can discuss the potential of Equestria's Royalty performing the trial?" Smolder asked.
"...Wait what?" Ember asked.
"In this whole situation, they would be a third party. In fact, I actually pitched the idea to DL Ember before coming here." Smolder said.
Smolder's Flashback
"...Let the Equestria Royalty settle the matter of Cynder's crimes once and for all?" Ember asked.
"The society will never agree to let Cynder stand trial for her crimes if it was our dragon clan doing the trial." Smolder said. "But once they get that road opened up, I was thinking that, we use a third party to preside over the trial." She added.
"...We tell them the list of charges and the accusations against Cynder, and then she gets to plead her case. It's such a foolproof plan. Of course, we'll leave out the fact that if Cynder if found guilty, it will be us who decides on her punishment. And I know for a fact that, Cynder will be declared guilty." Ember said.
Present Day
"She actually said it'd be the perfect way to settle the whole matter once and for all." Smolder said. "Because let's face it, dragons like you hate our clan simply because we want Cynder to stand trial for her crimes. But we ain't got nothing against the lot of you or the rest of your Society. Pitch the idea to your alpha the next time you see him wouldn't you? There doesn't have to be any further bad blood with this whole thing. It's why I came up with the idea on my own." She explained.
"...Your going to let this be a fair trial, and accept the result of the trail right? No take backs?" Ember asked.
"Only if you promise that you will also accept the result. Once the verdict is handed down no one complains about anything. Justice gets served, and everyone gets to live happily ever after at the end of the day." Smolder said.
"Sounds too good to be true. How do we know it's not some trap?" Ember asked.
"Wait Ember." Spike said. "Let me handle this." He said.
"Spike..." Ember said.
"I want you to make a Pinkie Promise Smolder. Make a Pinkie Promise that you will accept the result of this trial no matter what it is. And I'll do the same on behalf of the Society." Spike said.
"Sure but...what's a Pinkie Promise? The way your playing it up, makes it sound sacred." Smolder said.
"It is. Because breaking a Pinkie Promise is a good way to lose a friend FOREVER." Spike said. Smolder gulped.
"...Walk me through it." Smolder said.
"I Pinkie Promise that The Society will accept the result of this trial no matter what it is; cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Spike said. The motions Spike did, made even Ember know, this was something you could not break.
"I Pinkie Promise that I will accept the result of this trial and do my best to get my clan to do the same; cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Smolder said, mimicking Spike.
"What makes you so sure they won't?" Spike asked.
"I can't speak for all dragons, but if nothing else, DL Ember will understand. And she'll force the other dragons of my clan to follow my example and accept the outcome." Smolder said.
"Well, since you were sent by her, I trust you." Spike said.
"Until then, I hope you mind if I hang around. Got a problem with that, Pink Ember?" Smolder asked
"No. No I don't. I'm just glad we can finally settle this. I'm sure the Alpha will be pleased." Ember said.
Some Time Later...
"Hmm...a trial here in Equestria by your court system using your laws." Spyro said.
"I made Smolder pinkie promise that she'd accept the result, and I bet she'll tell DL Ember about our acceptance." Spike said. "...I hope that's alright mom." He said.
"Actually, I'm very proud of you. You've found the perfect way to end my pain once and for all. Thank you, my son. You are very much like your father." Cynder said.
"And the meeting with the mayor went well as well. Their hoping to open the road up by the end of the week." Spyro said.
"That's good news. It won't be much longer then." Twilight said. "Then you and Cynder can see Spike whenever you want, as can he see you. That road will allow all of us to get what we want in the end." She added.
"Yes. A happy ending for all." Cynder said.
Meanwhile, Smolder was in her hotel room DL Ember had set up for her. "...Enjoy your last few days of freedom Cynder. Once every creature understands what you've done, even your precious society will be calling for your head. You're a monster. You will pay one way, or another." Smolder said.
Spike was currently with both Society Ember and Smolder. The two dragonesses were actually having pretty good fun together with Spike. They didn't know Rarity was just watching them while sipping some lemonade. They though she was just enjoying the sun for a change.
Rainbow Dash went up to her friend. "...Still sore about what Spike did?" The Pegasus asked.
"It wasn't wrong of him to let me down the way he did. In all fairness, he should've done it more gently, but I suppose that I had grown too greedy wanting him to myself. He seems to be fine now. So, I'm simply going to take notes. Hoping that whoever I pursue next, I don't make the same mistakes again." Rarity said. "And from now on, no fantasies. I mean, just look at Twilight: You and Flash have both been doing things that you are hoping will gain her interest in one of you over the other, but you aren't treating it like some competition. Yet, she is a princess, and the two of you are far from it." She added.
"That's because me and him we shook on it." Rainbow Dash said.
Rainbow Dash's Flashback
Rainbow Dash and Flash Sentry were at the former's cloud house.
"All right Flash, it's become clear to me that you are willing to pursue Twilight. And I'm doing my part to pursue her as well." Rainbow Dash said. "But I know Twilight quite well, and she won't have us fighting over her like she's some prize." She added.
"What's your point?" Flash asked.
"My point, is that in the case she chooses you over me, I don't want to ruin my friendship with her. So, I'm willing to call a truce: You won't sabotage my stuff with Twilight, and I won't sabotage yours." Rainbow Dash said. "This needs to be fair. I live to have things earned, not given to me on a silver platter. That's why I want this little contest for Twilight's heart to be done my way: We do this fair, and we stay out of each other's way when it comes to romancing Twilight." She added.
"Well I'm at a disadvantage all the same. She's known you for longer after all." Flash Sentry said.
"Don't count yourself out on my account. Celestia knows what could happen." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yeah. Your right. Thanks. I needed that." Flash Sentry said. "But just so we're clear, if someone else comes along, we make them agree to the same truce. Big if." He added.
"See, that's the kind of stuff I need to know about. You also never considered that Twilight may find herself unwilling to choose between the two of you, and just have the three of you become a harem." Rarity said.
"...Huh...didn't even think of that." Rainbow Dash said.
"Gee...maybe I should talk to DL Ember about opening channels to The Society once the trail ends." Smolder said.
"You sure she would do that?" Society Ember asked.
"You don't know about how DL Ember became the new dragon lord, do you?" Smolder asked. "Well...from what my brother tells me..."
FLASHBACK
Spike found the Bloodstone Sceptor at long last, but then he realized, that if he took the Sceptor, he would have to leave his pony friends behind to become the new dragon lord. He couldn't leave them. So, he decided right then and there, that if he couldn't have the sceptor, no dragon could.
"SPIKE PROTECT!" Spike yelled out as dragons entered the chamber, and before long, Spike grew to massive size. "SPIKE PROTECT!" Spike growled in an extremely deep voice as he swatted the dragons away like flies; among them was Garble.
"Wh-where did that pipsqueak get so much power? He...he has to be...a Purple Dragon..." Garble said while in massive pain. Suddenly DL Ember showed up.
"Sp-spike? Is that you?" DL Ember asked.
"SPIKE PROTECT PONIES! SPIKE PROTECT SCEPTOR! NO DRAGON WILL HAVE SCEPTOR!" Spike said.
"RUN! IT'S SPIKEZILLA!" Spike could recognize the new female voice as Pinkie Pie.
Gotta find a way to calm Spike down. DL Ember thought to herself.
"GAH! WHAT THE HELL?! RUN! IT'S GODZILLA! I KNOW IT'S NOT REALLY GODZILLA, BUT WE SHOULD ALL STILL RUN LIKE IT IS GODZILLA!" Flash Sentry could be heard saying.
"Spike, listen to me. I don't want to declare war on the Ponies." DL Ember said. "That's why you don't want any dragon to get the sceptor right? You can trust me. All I want is to hunt down a wanted criminal that the dragons have been after for the longest time. Once she's in custody, your pony friends will have no further interuptions from us. I...heard about this thing. I Pinkie Promise that I will never start a war with ponies. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." DL Ember said.
"...Spike trust you. Only you." Spike said before allowing DL Ember to grab the Bloodstone Sceptor.
Present day
"Of course, I didn't know at the time that she was referring to my biological mother, but hopefully Cynder can get her happy ending." Spike said as he and the two dragonesses were having tea.
Smolder did a spit take. "I-I'm sorry, did you say your mother was Cynder? What about your father?" She asked.
"It's Spyro, our Alpha." Society Ember said.
"Right...guess that makes sense in hindsight. Look, do you know about what Cynder did?" Smolder asked.
"Actually yes. I know the full story. Something I doubt you know." Spike said. He then went on a lengthy explanation that couldn't be heard. But at the end of it, Smolder was in tears. "...Smolder?" Spike asked.
"...What...she....she was just...she was being used..." Smolder said. "She couldn't control herself...she knows what she did while corrupted, yet she had no control..." She said.
"Smolder?" Society Ember asked.
"She's...she's a victim in everything just like we were...and yet...I was raised under the belief that she chose to do what she did. That she willingly went through with everything..." Smolder said. "...But if she's just another victim...then why...what's the point of taking her to court? What...what even is the reason for our clan?" She asked. It was clear, she was shaken.
"You going to be okay?" Spike asked.
"Yeah...I'll be fine. I need a few days to process this. But, this doesn't change anything for us Spike. If anything...just means you've got one awesome mom." Smolder said before going off.
"...I have a feeling she's suffering from having everything she's ever been told flipped on it's head. And she's about our age." Society Ember said.
"Let her process this Society Ember." Spike said.
"Fair enough." Society Ember said.
Smolder was in her hotel room. "Everything...everything I've ever known is wrong..." Smolder said. "Cynder...Cynder can't be found guilty of the charges...I won't let her..." She added. "I WON'T LET HER!" She yelled out.
"So, any idea what this hamster wants?" Twilight asked Flash Sentry as she and the main six headed for the fountain. It was so mysterious, overnight a single black furred hamster showed up and sat on the edge of the fountain.
"Beats me. When I gave him something to write with; because he very much understood yes or no questions; all he wrote was 'Main Six'." Flash Sentry said.
"Guess that explains why we are here then." Rainbow Dash said. The Main Six soon approuched the black hamster.
"Right. I brought them. So now what?" Flash Sentry asked. The hamster said nothing. "...Need more paper?" Flash asked. The hamster nodded. "Fine..." Flash handed the hamster a whole notepad to the hamster just in case. The hamster soon took out a pencil and then after seemingly drawing something, showed off the front page of the notepad. It was a circle.
"Is...that a circle?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Not quite a perfect circle, but that is still pretty good." Twilight said.
"Of course you'd noticed that." Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes.
"...Still don't get it. What was the point of drawing a circle?" Flash Sentry asked.
"...Start...and end..." A male voice came out of the hamster.
"He TALKS?!" Applejack asked.
"A circle has a start and an end. But with a perfect circle, you can't tell the start from the end. This fountain is a perfect circle. The walkway around this fountain is a perfect circle. You can't tell where their start point is from its ending point because they are perfect circles. I drew a circle to demonstrate that simply drawing circles is different from making one." The hamster said. "There's a saying that things can go full circle, that the start of a journey is nearly identical to its ending with some key differences. But at that point, what really is the journey's start, and where is its end? At what point can one really say a journey is completed? Aren't we all on journeys until the day we die? So then where does the saying of things coming full circle come from?" The hamster asked.
"And now I'm chocking this up to him being borderline nuts." Rainbow Dash said.
"I would account it more for philosophical pondering." Twilight said.
"Right. Because of course the egghead gets it." Rainbow Dash said.
"...I am Cole." The hamster said. "I am a traveling scientist who questions the idioms of society and the common folk who do exist in this great reality of ours. I also hold many secrets close to my chest; things I keep sacred so that no one can abuse the information for their own personal gain. I am a being who has darkest depths of reality, and that is where my philosophy derives from." Cole explained.
"Is there a reason your bringing up circles and stuff?" Applejack asked.
"Perhaps there is, perhaps there is not. I am but just one being in our reality after all. One amongst many. If I told you the things I have done, would you call me crazy? Would you lable me a madman? Good money says that you would. Because that is what everyone thinks when they find out. This road that'll be built...it is but a beginning. A beginning to an end for one being's story. And yet, once that road opens, beware; beware of the hay-sayers. Beware of the opposition. Keep an eye on your enemies, least you forget them in the midst of everything." Cole explained.
"What the buck are you talking about?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"This is what I'm talking about: A warning. With the opening of one road, a path emerges. And with that path will come opportunity. If nothing is done, then all is lost, and war is upon the horizon for this world...this story." Cole said.
"W-war?!" That got every pony's attention.
"Three trials...the prophecy had mentioned three trials there must be before the hero's journey is complete. A dark being with powers that rival the gods and a battle for the saving of a race. The third trial goes unlisted, almost as if on purpose. What is this trial? What does it entail? I have a feeling reality will know the answer soon. As for you...let what I'm about to say simmer in your minds." Cole said. Suddenly he looked up from his feet. "A road is opened, and with it causes problems for a particular dragoness. A dark purple with red underbelly will face scrutiny. If nothing is done, and her defense is broken, war will come to your world." Cole said, his voice suddenly taking on a much darker tone. "...Head my words. Or don't. It's your choice." Cole said before getting off from the fountain and then walking off, disappearing into a dark alley.
"...Can anyone tell me what the buck did we just witness?" Twilight asked.
"If-if Twilight's the one asking...then you know something freaky just went down..." Rainbow Dash said.
A week has passed since Cole had delivered such a cryptic warning with even more cryptic sayings behind it. The main six chose to ignore what they couldn't pinpoint. They instead focused on one thing: Cole was warning them that if Cynder is pushed to her breaking point without a proper defense attorney, then she will be found guilty and war will consume the entire planet as a result.
And while a defense attorney needed to be found, there were more pressing matters to attend to, as Pinkie Pie had a reason to throw quite the town-wide party: The road between where the Society hung out and ponyville had been completed. As such, Pinkie Pie decided to throw a big town-wide party with every creature from the Society all too welcomed to join in.
There was cake, games, food, and drinks galor.
"So, you mean to tell me that Pinkie Pie managed to somehow pull all this together within an hour?" Cynder asked Applejack.
"Ah know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth. And if there's one thing you should know around these parts is that you should never question Pinkie Pie." Applejack said.
"I'll have to keep that in mind." Cynder said. Hmm...I wonder...no, no cynder. You promised yourself you'd never think aout the monster that ruined your life again.
Elsewhere with the party, Twilight was confronted by none other then Moondancer.
"I'm very surprised to find that you joined the Society." Twilight said. "...Your not...mad at me for what happened...are you?" She asked.
"The past is the past. Besides, thanks to The Society I understand things now. Besides, this gives us a good chance to start over as friends." Moondancer said, smiling.
"Heh...I wasn't the best friend before. But I'm going to be better from here on out." Twilight said.
"I'll hold you too that." Moondancer said. As it might just allow me to finally figure out how I really feel about you. She thought to herself.
Rainbow Dash was by herself mostly; looking intensely at Moondancer. "Can't believe there's a second egghead going to be around now. As if Twilight alone wasn't enough." Rainbow Dash said. She felt someone next to her.
"Hey Rainbow Dash, pretty interesting party isn't it?" Spitfire asked.
"C-captain Spitfire?! Ma'm, what ar--" Rainbow Dash was stopped with a hoof.
"Relax. I'm not your captain right now. Tartarus, I'm not even a Wonderbolt right now. Right now, I'm just Spitfire. Figured I'd join in on your party. After all, with The Society being part of Equestria Proper, it opens Celestia knows how many doors. This is why I'm hoping that once the trial ends, I was thinking about giving you the Wonderbolts test early. I managed to convince the higher ups to that at the least. Once you've passed that test, your one step closer to becoming a Wonderbolt." Spitfire said.
"That's...wow...I shouldn't get such treatment..." Rainbow Dash said.
"Don't get too excited. You still gotta pass the test first. But I know you'll pass it with flying colors. Just be sure to start studying." Spitfire said and went off to enjoy the party.
"...Oh boy...studying...my least favorite thing..." Rainbow Dash said. "Maybe I can ask Twilight for help..." She added. "I suppose Moondancer would be nice to ask for help as well." She added.
In another part of the party, Society Ember and Spike had passed out due to drinking too much punch.
"...Seems dragon or no, kids will be kids." Spyro said.
"Wonder why they drank so much punch? Even the CMC aren't being this reckless." Twilight Velvet said.
"Beats me. Must have been some contest or something." Spyro said.
As the party continued, more and more things happened, including Fluttershy throwing up in the middle of the party.
"She doesn't look so good..." Sunburn said.
"Yeah. Pinkie Pie, would you mind if we took Fluttershy home and made sure she got some rest?" Sonic Boom asked.
"Sure thing. Just take some cake to go." Pinkie Pie said, handing them some cake. The gryphon and Pheonix Dragon soon left, dragging Fluttershy out of the party.
"Looks like Fluttershy's still a bit of a lightweight." Rainbow Dash said.
"She really didn't look like she could handle her liquor at all." Twilight said.
"You can say that again. Not litterally of course." Moondancer said.
"Fluttershy is such a lightweight." Pinkie Pie said, showing up between Rainbow Dash and Moondancer.
"PINKIE!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
The party kept going well into the night...
Meanwhile, as the party started to wind down, the strange black fox had been overlooking the entire town and party from the same hill, holding a heartshaped locket before he put away behind some kind of egyption shirt.
"...I promise you Spryo and Cynder..." The Black Fox said. "This time I will make sure you get a happy ending personally...even if I have to do something bad to achieve it. But, sacrifices must be made." He added.
Deep out in space, there was a mysterious robot heading for Equestria contining a strange black creature known as a Devil Chaos Chao.
"...I hope I'm not too late..." The Chao said.
Meanwhile, in a dark ally post the party Pinkie Pie threw was Cole, looking over a glowing blue crystal he found in the ally.
"All beings see darkness as being full with nothing but evil and hatred. But take a closer look, and you'll find light in some dark beings." Cole said.
Ember was currently with a forign dragon that had agreed to prosecute Cynder for DL Ember's dragon clan. This dragon was known infamously as "The Fire Kraken" in court, as he has never lost a case. He had agreed to prosecute Cynder on one particular condition.
"A plee deal?" DL Ember asked.
"Let me be frank with you, miss Ember: Because of how long ago these events took place, you are referring to events that would've happened to your ancestors. That is why I'm going to give miss Cynder an out by offering her five years of community service to your clan." Kraken said.
"We want the bitch dead for the damage she caused our ancestors." Ember said.
"But those events don't effect you in the here and now. Of course, should Cynder refuse my offer, then I will prosecute her to the fullest extent of the law." Kraken said. "If she's smart, she'll accept the alternative though." He added.
"Tch...fine. We'll accept the five years of community service but that's only if; and a big if at that; she pleads out." Ember said. "Besides, that would be community service on our terms. Even if we won't kill her, I won't promise we won't break her." She added.
"That's your decision." Kraken said.
A day later, Canterlot Castle was going to be home to a legitimate trail. It had been so long since a proper trial had taken place. This one was known to be unique though.
"Hey, where's Smolder?" Twilight asked.
"She said she wouldn't come to this. But she did say that she knows a dragon that owes her a big favor. She would not specify more though." Spike said.
"I do wonder who Smolder could be getting." Spyro said.
"I don't care what sort of prosecution is ahead of this. You know as well as I do that once I state my side of this tale for the record, then every one of those dragons will realize that they are fighting a losing battle." Cynder said.
"Well I highly doubt those dragons will just change their minds." Spryo said.
"We'll see." Cynder said. The group entered the courtroom. This was going to be a pre-trial specifically requested by the prosecuting attorny. And when Spryo saw who it was...
"...The Fire Kraken..." Spryo said.
"Been a long time, Spyro." Kraken said.
"Not long enough." Spyro said. "Thought you'd actually be on my side after all this time." He added.
"The other clan asked me first. And you know that I won't be loosing this case." Kraken said. "Which is why I called for this pre-trial." He added.
"What are you talking about? What's your end game?" Spike asked.
"I'm giving Cynder here the deal of a life-time: Five years of community service in exchange for pleading guilty to the charges against her. This way, we don't waste any creature's time, as we both know the outcome this will go in." Kraken said.
"You say that now, but you haven't heard anything from me specifically." Cynder said.
"I wouldn't bother if I was you. Do the smart thing and plead out while you have the chance." Kraken said. "Though maybe you should talk with your defense attorney first. Speaking of which, where is your defense attorney?" He asked.
"Didn't think I'd need one for some lousy pre-trail where you know I won't plead out." Cynder said.
"Maybe so, but I'm not going to lie to you: Those dragons want you dead for what you did." Kraken said. "Which is why I'm pretty much telling you to plead out. Take it from an old friend of Spyro's." He said.
"And what garentee do you have that my mate will be the same when she returns to me?" Spyro asked.
"I'm afraid what the other dragon clan does to Cynder is out of my claws." Kraken said.
"Then I stand by my decision of not pleading out." Cynder said.
"And like I said, maybe you should talk with your defense lawyer a bit. And since you don't have a defense lawyer present, I'm sure the court would be willing to assign one to you." Kraken said.
Spryo glared at Kraken. "You'd let someone who doesn't even know Cynder's side of the story defend her? Some friend you are." Spyro said.
"This is just business Spyro. Surely you understand that." Kraken said.
"I understand that you are a traitor." Spyro said.
"...Wow...that's how it's going to be huh? You didn't even bring a defense attorney. So this is going to be easy as pie to get your wife found guilty of all charges and well...from there, she'll die. Is that really what you want, Spryo?" Kraken asked.
Spyro opened his mouth to retort when suddenly...
"OBJECTION!"
Suddenly, entering the court room was a male dragon whose entire body was black as night. He quickly joined Spyro's side of the courtroom.
"My apologies for the delay. And may I be frank, threatning the defendent would sooner put you in contempt of court and thrown out of here; getting your entire case dismissed. Or should I say, a lack of a case." The dark dragon said.
"It's you..." Kraken said. "Your Blackout...the most renowned defense attorney in the world." He added.
"I've been more then briefed on Cynder's situation, not just the charges against her, but her entire side to this tragic tale. And I'm way more than confident that I can have the charges fully dismissed and Cynder be sent free." Blackout said.
"Ha! I have yet to lose a single case I've taken up. What makes you so sure that you can win this? What could Cynder's side of the story really change?" Kraken asked.
"You'll see very shortly." Blackout said. "So, miss Cynder, exactly how do you plead to your charges?" He asked, knowing the answer as he smirked.
"...You really should've taken the plea deal." Kraken said.
"You shouldn't have taken this case then." Blackout said.
Out in the lobby, everyone on Cynder's side was with Blackout.
"So...were you the one Smolder said she'd send?" Spyro asked.
"She briefed me on everything. And well, safe to say that once I manage to call Cynder to the stand to testify about her side of the story, the prosecution's entire case will be in shambles." Blackout said.
"How'd you get here so fast?" Applejack asked.
"That my dear, is a trade secret." Blackout said with a serious look on his face. Applejack just nodded her head.
"I understand." Applejack said. "This is one of those it doesn't really matter in the end situations anyways." She added.
It was only an hour later when the proper trial was ready to begin.
"Court is in session for the case of the Dragon Lands VS. Cynder." Celestia said. Normally during court, she wouldn't bother with testimonies and jump right into the charges before sentencing whoever the defendant was. But for this case, the sun princess was forced to actually have a proper trail in her courtroom.
"The defense is ready your majesty." Blackout noted.
"The prosecution is ready. And they advise that the defense throw in the towel now while they still have the chance before every pony not part of the Society turns against the defendant." Kraken said.
"Even if they were to do so, that tone would shift once the defendant is allowed to testify." Blackout said.
"If they even want to do so that is." Kraken said.
"Of course, I'm going to testify. And once I do, you'll realize how much of a folly this is." Cynder said.
"Very well, we'll see how long you hold that up." Kraken said. "The defendant's charges are as follows: Kidnapping, Treason against dragon kind of the highest degree, and having a hand in events that almost lead to the destruction of our very world." He said. "What does your defense laywer say to those charges, hmm?" Fire Kraken grinned. He was sure Blackout would bow out from those charges.
"What I say to those charges is that it's based on only one side of the story: The side of the story of dragons that were hurt by actions of Malafor, the dragon often referred to as The Dark Master." Blackout said with as straight of a face as possible. Suddenly the entire crowd gasped.
"Malafor?" One Pony asked.
"But I thought he was dead!" Another pony exclaimed.
"While it's true that Malafor has been killed successfully by Spyro, it is no secret that Cynder helped a great deal in making sure the current Alpha of The Society was successful. And yet, the clan of dragons you represent Kraken have been so scared by the actions caused by the Dark Master's right-hand ape who was known as Gaul who was operating on orders from Malafor himself, that they can't see that they are trying to punish someone who was just as much of a victim as they were." Blackout said.
Kraken was admittedly shocked initially. "Really? You say the defendant is just as much of a 'victim' as the dragons that chose to follow Torch; the current dragon lord's father?" Kraken asked.
"Yes, that is very much fact." Blackout said.
Kraken began to get heated. "...The prosecution herby calls to the stand Torch, the former dragon lord and father of Dragon Lord Ember." Kraken said.
Torch soon took the stand.
"Mister Torch, you were actually one of the very few remaining dragons who were alive during the time period when Cynder had done her vicious campaign." Kraken said.
"That is correct." Torch said.
"And can you describe what happened while she was effectively the one in charge of things?" Kraken asked.
"Oh, it was just terrible. Because of what the defendant had done to our lands, we couldn't grow any food. And as a child dragon of that time, I wasn't even allowed to go outside because my parents feared that if I was spotted, I'd be tortured endlessly, a fate worse than death. As any dragon kids who had been spotted by Cynder and kidnapped had never been seen again." Torch said. A few murmurs happened in the gallery.
"Got any answers to that defense?" Fire Kraken asked.
"Here's a question: Has it ever been confirmed where the dragon kids had gone? Did anyone ever bother checking?" Blackout asked.
"Well...no. We all assumed they died shortly after Spyro managed to stop Cynder." Torch asked.
"And as they say, assuming makes an ass out of you and me. Or in this case just you." Blackout said. "I reveal this..." He said before taking out a suitcase that showed pictures of the guardians with several dragon kids. "After her defeat and return to normal, Cynder was able to help the Guardians find the missing kids. And each one went on to have families of their own. The children of which, are actually part of the Society." Blackout revealed. "The locations of these families were kept secret from your clan, because the Guardians fear that you'll try and convince them to turn against Cynder. However, as you can tell, their children wouldn't even EXIST without Cynder essentially rescuing them before any of them could be turned into more servants for Malafor." Blackout said. The gallery murmured again.
"You act as if that makes up for everything Cynder did. She also kidnapped and drained the guardians of their power. What sort of argument do you have prepared for that?" Fire Kraken asked.
"It's not me who will answer that question. But rather the defendant herself." Blackout said. "With the court's permission, I would like to call Cynder herself to the stand to testify to her side of this tragic tale." He added.
"OBJECTION! You can't just call the stand just like that." Kraken said.
"OBJECTION! I have the right to call forth witnesses same as you do, and I call my own defendant to the stand." Blackout said.
"OBJECTION! Your honor, the defense is grasping at straws. I propose we move to call forth a different witness instead of the defendant." Kraken said.
"Now who's grasping at straws? Princess Celestia, I believe the prosecution doesn't HAVE a second witness." Blackout said. Kraken gulped.
"...It seems you were bluffing then, prosecution. Your objection is overruled. The defendant will take the stand and testify on her side of this story in ten minutes." Celestia said.
Kraken sweat dropped. Never before has someone managed to call his bluffs. The famous Fire Kraken had to admit one thing: Blackout was good. REAL good.
Dang, I'll have to thank Smolder when I see her next. This Blackout guy is good. Spike thought to himself.
Currently, there was some chatter about what just happened.
"My mother and father always told me that I owed my birth to miss Cynder. Didn't think that meant they would've never gotten together if it wasn't for her." Society Ember said.
"How did you know exactly where the dragons your corrupted self-took where?" Twilight asked.
"Just because I wasn't in control of my actions doesn't mean I wasn't aware of them." Cynder said. "So yeah, I knew exactly where each and every dragon that had gone missing where located. To prevent that ape Gaul from getting a hold of any of them, I told the guardians where all the dragons that had gone missing where located. I didn't want anyone else to become used by that stupid ape and Malafor." She explained.
"What exactly happened to Gaul exactly?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Certain circumstances lead to Spryo killing him." Cynder admitted.
"Dad killed him?" Spike asked.
"It was a few days after the Guardians rounded up the missing dragon children that Cynder left the safety of the temple. Shortly after that, Gaul's forces attacked the temple and Ignatus sent me off to look for Cynder, starting by looking for a giant tree. During that time, I was guided by a voice from my dreams I came to know as a dragon known as The Chronicler. The guardians all knew the name, not the face apparently, but knew it was a being I could trust. Eventually, it was discovered after an attack on the Pirate Squadron that Gaul's forces had recaptured Cynder and took her to the Mountain of Malafor otherwise referred to as the Well of Souls. When I told the Chronicler that's where I wanted to go, not only did he not stop me, but he also opened up a short-cut that allowed me to get there quickly. When I eventually cornered Gaul, we fought for some time, but during the battle the battlefield we were fighting on collapsed, and during that time, I had fallen into the corrupting force of the Well of Souls itself." Spyro said. "It was then and there I realized how much of a victim Cynder was at the end of the day." He added.
"Wait, what exactly happened after you fell into that corrupting force?" Fluttershy asked worriedly.
"I couldn't control myself, but I was fully aware of what I was doing. I couldn't help but watch as I used dark powers to outright kill Gaul. But I knew deep down it wasn't me who was controlling me. And it was three years later when I found out exactly why The Dark Master had used me to kill Gaul." Spyro said.
"Yeah. Turns out Malafor had no love loss for the apes. He turned the lot of them into ghost skeletons; doomed forever to wonder the world." Cynder said.
"O-oh my..." Fluttershy said, hooves over her mouth.
"I was lucky that Cynder snapped me out of the influence and stopped me before I got further. I guess because I hadn't been affected long, I didn't go full blown like Cynder had." Spryo said. "...Court's about to resume." He added.
"Right. I'm ready." Cynder asked.
"I'd hope so." Blackout said. He was fully aware of all the details, and he knew Cynder would be able to say the truth.
And thus, Cynder did indeed testify as she had stated the truth about what she had been charged with, revealing that she was not in control of herself, and that her actions were driven by Malafor himself.
The Fire Kraken tried to argue that that shouldn't change the charges, but then Cynder had pulled the ultimate uno reverse card.
"Oh really, Fire Kraken? Then tell me, why was Princess Luna never tried for her crimes as Nightmare Moon?" Cynder asked, smirking.
"Well...that's...err..." The Fire Kraken was shaken. "...That's...honestly a good question..." He stated.
"Because Princess Celestia knew that her sister wasn't fully herself as Nightmare Moon. That sort of situation is the same as mine: Yeah we were both fully aware of what happened, but we had no control over our actions. I couldn't tell you who had a hold of Princess Luna, but I know Malafor was in control of me. If anything, Malafor is the one responsible for what occurred while I was essentially corrupted." Cynder said. That caused a lot of murmurs amongst ponies in the gallery.
"I...I..." Fire Kraken wanted to object, but before he could, the entire gallery suddenly took Cynder's side as it erupted in support of Cynder.
"Please every pony! Order in the court." Princess Celestia said. "Kraken, how do you wish to proceed from here, hmm? Because it's clear beyond a shadow of a doubt that these charges against Cynder are completely fabricated." She added.
"...The...the prosecution...rests..." Kraken said, head hung low in defeat.
"A wise decision." Princess Celestia said. "This court herby clears Cynder of all charges." She added.
"Wow, that moment when Kraken realized he was unable to win no matter what he could do was just awesome." Rainbow Dash said.
"And now we just wait for Smolder to get with Dragon Lord Ember and convince the dragons in the dragon lands to leave mom alone." Spike said.
Two days later...
Smolder was entering Dragon Lord Ember's room. "Sorry for the intrusion, Dragon Lord; but I wanted to talk with you." Smolder said.
"Make it quick, I'm busy." DL Ember said.
"Busy with wh--" Smolder noticed the map in front of her. "...Wait, what are you doing?" Smolder asked.
"That witch believes that she's getting off easy with her testimony? Well if those ponies want to protect her from suffering for her crimes, then I'll just kidnap Cynder and kill her personally." DL Ember said.
"But...that will cause a massive war between the ponies and The Society." Smolder said.
"So? I don't care. I want to make that witch pay for what she's done." DL Ember said. "My father will never forget what he suffered through because of her, so neither will I." She added.
Smolder said nothing as she left. I've got to stop this before it starts! She thought to herself as she flew off.
"SAY WHAT?!" Spike exclaimed. Smolder had just gotten to Ponyville to warn every pony and creature she could.
"Didn't you say you'd try to convince Dragon Lands Ember to accept the outcome?" Society Ember asked.
"I wanted to, believe me. But from what she was saying, I could tell right away she wasn't going to have any of it." Smolder said.
"After I went and made her dragon lord. I even made her pinkie promise and everything on it." Spike said.
"Oh boy. I think Spike is PISSED." Pinkie Pie said.
"I think the current dragon lord of the dragon lands better watch out. I recognize that look in my son's eyes." Spyro said.
"Of course, you would. It's similar to mine when I get similarly pissed off." Cynder said.
"Of course, Dragon Lands Ember must realize what this means." Twilight said.
"War?" Flash Sentry asked.
"Let's talk with Princess Celestia about this." Twilight said.
Princess Celestia was filled in. "Unbelievable. I don't understand why they would go this far just because of something Cynder was unable to have any influence over." The sun princess said.
"I honestly don't want to believe it myself, but I won't take that chance if I can help it. I should've never let Ember have the Bloodstone Sceptor." Spike said. "And with it, she can use it to command whatever dragons she wants from the Dragon Lands." He added.
"Bloodstone? You mean the Dragon Lands STILL use that magic-less ruby as a symbol of power and stuck it on some staff to call it a sceptor?" Spyro asked.
"...You mean to tell me that the ruby in the Bloodstone Sceptor is completely devoid of magic?" And that there's nothing preventing us from just destroying it after we're done?" Spike asked.
"Basically yeah." Cynder said. "The ruby however, is kind of precious to Spyro: It's all that remains of Ignatus, the only dragon elder who didn't survive the war against Malafor." She added.
"Oh..." Spike said.
"...It has to be done." Spyro said. "I doubt Ignantus wouldn't want what remains of him to be used for such an evil purpose." He added.
"...Heh. You know what, you're probably right. So, what do you say we don't even hestiate, hmm?" Cynder asked.
"For Ignantus's sake, we have to destroy that ruby." Spyro said.
"I'm all on board with that." Spike said.
"Count me in. I don't care if her dad is basically bigger than me; we've got Spyro and Cynder behind us." Smolder said.
"We won't let the dragon lands disturb what we've built so far. So let us make sure they don't get to do it." Princess Celestia said.
Meanwhile, in a different location, the black fox was standing over a very injured dragon from the dragon lands. "So, do you feel like telling me what I want to know? Or am I going to have to show you just how futile it is to fight me some more?" The black fox asked.
"T-torch isn't even the dragon lord anymore. You're asking the wrong question to begin with." The dragon said.
"If he's not the dragon lord anymore, then you know who is. Tell me, and I'll let you keep your ability to fly. And trust me, that can be a fate worse than death." The black fox said.
"Alright, alright! I'll tell you: It's his daughter, a blue dragoness named Ember. Don't confuse her for the pink dragoness of the same name that's part of The Society." The Dragon said.
"Good. You know when you're beaten." The black fox said before proceeding to knock the dragon out. "...I'm coming for you, Dragon Lord." The black fox said before leaving the scene.
The dragons from the dragon lands were already on the search for Cynder. One such dragon was doing his best to sneak through the woods. That's when he encountered a dragon with a mechanical top half and mechanical wings.
TARGET AQUIRED, LASER BLAST ACTIVATED A robotic voice rang out before suddenly the eyes of the half-mechanical dragon fired off a pair of laser beams that hit the dragon that encountered it, causing the dragon to half to run.
"Heh, that'll show him. Way to go Drobot." A strange blue dragon that had no wings said.
REPLY IRRELEVANT The mechincal voice said before the blue dragon touched something. "...I always forget to turn that off." The actual dragon said this time.
"Lucky I like sticking by you so much." The blue dragon said.
"Only because I always need a recharge Zap." Drobot said.
More dragons were going through the woods when the trees mysteriously came to life and trapped them.
"What the...since when could trees move?!" One dragon said. And then they were blasted off by some sort of exploding fruit.
"Take that." A plant-dragon hybrid said. "No one messes with my friends, let alone invade this forest without permission." He added.
"How's it hanging Camo?" Spyro called out to the dragon as he and Twilight came up to the plant-dragon hybird.
"Same as ever: Protecting this forest from those mean dragons." Camo said.
"Never thought there could be so many hybrids." Twilight said.
"This is absurd! How could you all have possibly failed to find Cynder?!" Ember exclaimed, outraged.
"I got blasted by eye lasers." The dragon that encountered Drobot said.
"Me and my friends got hit by exploding fruit." one of the dragons that encountered Camo said. Then there was a dragon brining in a dragon who was acting like a giant baby; even sucking one of their claws.
"...What happened with him?" Ember asked.
"I don't know. He hasn't spoken or said anything. I just found him just outside the dragon lands like this." The dragon who carried the dragon who was sucking his claws in said.
"I've been traumatized." The dragon in question briefly said, though he said it very weirdly.
"It's almost like those ponies knew we were coming." One of the other dragons who got hit by the exploding fruit said.
"Grr. I will not stand for this. If those ponies are willing get in our way, we will show them what will happen to them should they continue to interfere." Dragon Lands Ember said.
Nearby, a red dragon looked horrified.
"Winona? Where are you girl?" Applejack asked as she went around the farm. She was going to provide the troops with some fresh apple pie. That's when she discovered Winona near her usual outdoor doggie dish. But something wasn't right. "...Winona?!" Applejack exclaimed before rushing over to her dog. "...No Winona..." Applejack said.
"...Poison. Must have been those dragon land dragons." Cynder observed.
"Darn varmits. They took things way too far now." Applejack said.
"We weren't even the ones who fought back the initial invasion force, and still those dragons targeted us where it hurts." Twilight said.
"This...this is just sickening." Smolder said. "I can't believe I was ever trying to follow the dragon land code. I would never do something like this. I'd rather sacrifice my own life then do something like this." Smolder said.
"The dragons of the dragon lands will pay for this. Of this, there can be no doubt. Let us make plans to go to war more properly now." Celestia said.
A very wounded red dragon laid to the side. "...I won't ask again. If you value your ability to fly, you will tell me where the blue dragoness named Ember is." The black fox said.
"You don't understand. The girl has gone batshit crazy. She did something horrible not too long ago." The red dragon said. "I don't care what you do to me. I'm just trying to flee this country. Far, far away." The red dragon said.
"...I see. Then the situation is worse then I thought." The black fox said. "You may continue to flee, but if I ever see you again, there will be no mercy. Period." He added.
"Y-yes sir!" The red dragon said before flying off fast.
"...Whatever it is the blue dragoness named Ember did, it's gotten that one to flee. I must hurry." The black fox said before continuing to walk towards the dragon lands.
Dragon Lord Ember was very angry when she found out the Ponies were readying themselves for war against the Dragon Lands.
"This is an outrage! Didn't the message get sent the right way?!" The dragon lord exclaimed.
"I'm still more concerned that the Ponies knew we were coming." The dragon that had got laser blasted spoke up. "If we figured out the traitor of our ranks, we could show those ponies what we'll do to them if the witch is not handed over for her due punishment." He added.
"...You know something? That idea might just work better. Yes. Perhaps we didn't send a clear enough message." Dragon Lord Ember said. "There's just one problem: I have no idea where to start my search for the traitor." She added.
"Actually, I think it's pretty obvious who the traitor is. I mean, there has only ever been one dragon who spent a lot of time with those Ponies." One of the dragons that got hit by the exploding fruit said.
"...Smolder. Of course. I suppose it would be rather obvious. And I bet she even helped get Cynder off the hook too. All the more reason to teach her a lesson about disobeying the dragon lord." DL Ember said.
Smolder was shortly found and kidnapped from the pony lands in the middle of the night, the day before the ponies would be going to war with the Dragon Lands.
"Guess she's still sleeping." DL Ember said. "She better rest while she still can. Because come morning, she will be brought forth and killed before the ponies as their final warning." She added. DL Ember started to leave the chamber where Smolder was being held when she was hit by lasers that would fully paralyze her for a couple of hours.
TARGET NUTRALIZED Drobot said in his cyborg voice before turning his cyborg self off. "Right, now let's get..." Drobot went to get Smolder, but upon looking at her, he suddenly fainted.
"Drobot, did you forget to turn--" Zap took one look at his friend and noticed Drobot crashed. "...What the heck? I better get them both back now." He added.
The next morning, Zap was with the ponies and Drobot was still unconcious.
"So, you have no idea what happened?" Spyro asked Zap.
"Nope. And we won't find out what happened until Drobot reboots." Zap said.
"In the meantime, I doubt he's comfortable with that tech on him." Twilight said before moving to Drobot. She was stopped by Cynder though.
"Don't remove it!" Cynder yelled out. "Because of Drobot's birth defect, those cyborg parts are the only thing keeping him alive at all." She added.
"He...he has a birth defect?!" Fluttershy exclaimed.
"That's right. He was born with a brain that was far too big for him to be able to survive past his fifth birthday. But Drobot was determined to live a long happy life. So, by a miracle of miracles, when he was only four years old, Drobot created the cyborg parts that you see on him and made it so that they could make his brain become smaller so that he could live." Cynder said. "...However, this came at a cost: He can now never take those cyborg enhancements off, or else he'll die right then and there." She added.
"Wow. I have to admit, that was clever of him, yet it's sad that now he can't live without that tech." Moondancer said.
"I agree. I'd love nothing more than to study tech like this, but something says I shouldn't touch it." Twilight said.
"Meh. It's not like he can't build an exact replica, right?" Rainbow Dash asked. Every creature in the room looked at her. "...What? What did I say?" Rainbow Dash said.
"I don't think it ever crossed Drobot's mind to create a replica of the tech he uses to keep himself alive. And I should know, I'm Drobot's best friend." Zap said. And on that note, Drobot suddenly came too. The lights on his helmet were lit again. "Oh hey Drobot. So, what happened that caused you to get knocked out? Did you have an epic fight with that Blue Ember chick?" Zap asked.
"Not...really." Drobot said. "I simply used my stun lazers to keep her paraylized for a few hours." He said.
"Then what happened dude? I've never seen your entire self shut down like that brefore." Zap said.
"I-I don't know. I just took one look at Smolder and then something occured that caused me to just...faint." Drobot said.
"Oh. Oh I see what it is." Zap said. "Ha. Seems you've got a crush on Smolder." He added.
"Th-that's what was wrong? I suddenly developed an instant crush on her? I guess it's only normal. I never saw her before, only heard of her." Drobot said.
"Heh. Don't worry, I'm sure you can fix yourself so you don't faint like that upon seeing her." Zap said.
"Yeah. I'm sure I can." Drobot said.
"But for the dragon lord Ember to kidnap Smolder, she's gone way too far. I didn't want to have to do it, but I got no choice now. I'm going to have to invoke Thurvahzah." Spike said.
At that moment, both Celestia and Luna dropped the cups they were holding in their magic. "P-princess Celestia, w-what's wrong?" Twilight asked.
"Are you sure you want to do that Spike?" Celestia asked.
"What other choice is there? The less bloodshed that gets spilled the better." Spike said.
"...I see." Celestia said.
"Heh. Guess he gets that from his mother." Spyro said.
"Oh, really now? I remember one time where you didn't have a choice in the matter of something." Cynder said.
"Yeah, but I didn't go this far." Spyro said.
"...True. Very true." Cynder said.
"What's is Thurvahzah anyways?" Moondancer asked.
"It is an ancient decoration that exists since even before the world became what it is today." Princess Celestia said. "Because declaring Thurvahzah, means you are challenging a dragon to the right to rule." She said.
"Wait, so you mean Spike is..." Twilight picked up what was being put down as she looked to her adopted brother. "...He's going to challenge Dragon Lord Ember for the right to rule the dragons of the dragon lands." Twilight finished.
"At least then, it'll just be between me and her. And if I win, I can simply stop this war right there and then." Spike said.
Woof. Thought Society Ember.
Meanwhile, a black creature was almost at the dragon lands, but it was not the black fox. Instead, it looked very much different.
"I just hope I'm not too late." The black creature said.
Chapter 15: The Fallen Hero - The Fallen Hero Part 1
The ponies and dragons were there on the battle field. Dragon Lord Ember was not pleased in the slightest. But she was wondering why the ponies weren't attacking yet.
"DRAGON LORD EMBER!" Spike yelled out. "YOU HAVE TAKEN THINGS WAY TOO FAR AND BROKEN YOUR PROMISE." He continued to yelll. "I HEARBY INVOKE THURVAHZAH FOR THE POSITION OF THE DRAGON LORD OF THE DRAGON LANDS!" The purple dragon finalized.
Every dragon suddenly gasped, with Dragon Lord Ember quite surprised. "Really? This is your big plan? What makes you think I'll accept it?" DL Ember said.
"I'm afraid that wouldn't be wise. If you do not accept Spike's challenge, you'll forfiet the title of Dragon Lord to him right here and now. That's how the decloration of Thurvahzah goes my daughter." Torch told his daughter.
"...Very well then. I guess that means I'll have to win then, huh? That will be easy." DL Ember said. "I'LL ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE SPIKE, PREPARE TO--" She started before Spike went Spikezilla on her. "...Right. I forgot he can do that." DL Ember said before she was very promptly defeated with very little effort on Spike's part.
"...Well, this is anti-climatic." Flash Sentry said. "I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen, I just know it." He added.
"Wow, way to be a downer." Rainbow Dash said. "Spike won, so no more war. Sure it was basically one note and we didn't get much of a fight out of it, but the fact is Spike won and now all the dragons can't touch Cynder without disobeying Spike." She added.
Spike wasn't done, he then destroyed the Bloodstone Sceptor right then and there. "YOU FOOL! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Torch asked.
"The right thing." Spike said before returning to normal. "That sceptor is powerless. It has no control over dragons." He added.
"...Oh boy..." Torch said. The other dragons there did NOT look happy to hear that.
"YOU MEAN WE'VE BEEN TRICKED?!" A chorus called out from the dragons.
"Heh. That's my son alright." Spyro said.
"Indeed." Cynder said.
Suddenly, a black creature showed up and went up to Ember. "YOU! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!" The creature said.
"Um, who are you?" Blue Ember said.
"My name is Dr. Crono. But that's not important right now. What's important is that you broke a promise!" The creature said.
"Well yeah. Of course she did. So I'm going to have lots of fun with her." Pinkie Pie said. Every creature suddenly felt a chill. But then they noticed fog rolling in.
"Um, what's with this fog?" Twilight asked.
"Oh...oh no...oh no no no no no no!" Dr. Krono said.
"Is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked.
"He's here...I'm too late..." Dr. Krono said.
"Who? Whose here?" Blue Ember asked. Suddenly a black fox appeared.
"...Him..." Dr. Krono said, pointing at the black fox.
"It-it can't be..." Rainbow Dash said. "R-rob Snowden..." She added.
The chill in the air persistent, even as the fog lifted.
"Seems I'm a little late to the party. No matter." Rob said before approuching Blue Ember. "So, your Torch's daughter Ember, are you?" He added.
"Y-yes. That's me." Blue Ember said.
"You broke a promise, and caused another one to be broken. Not only that, but you nearly started a gigantic war that would've caused damage to this world. You should be thankful that young Purple Dragon is all that prevented that last one from going all the way." Rob said, mentioning Spike.
"Hold up there, what are you planning on doing to her?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"That is none of your concern. You should know better than to challenge the likes of me." Rob said.
But Rainbow Dash took one look in Rob's eyes, and her resolve hardened. "...No. No I won't let you do anything." Rainbow Dash said.
"...How foolish. I suppose I'll just have to show you just how unmatched you are." Rob said. "...I hope you do the sensible thing, and give up before I harm you so badly, you no longer will be able to fly." He added before suddenly taking out a small necklace. "...You have no idea what pain I've gone through." Rob said looking at something inside the necklace and then closing it. "...But I can tell your serious, so I won't hold back for long." He added.
Rob pocketed the necklace before he got up into the air with some kind of strange magic. "WHAT THE HELL? HE CAN USE MAGIC?!"
"That's right. Because Rob is capable of much magic." An eletronic voice said.
"Deca, did you have to speak up now of all times?" Dr. Krono said, taking out some kind of tablet that had a face on it.
"I can't help it. I am an AI program given the designation D.E.C.A. which stands for Digital Encyclopedic Computerized Assistant after all." The voice came from the tablet.
"...Oh Deca..." Dr. Krono just shrugged.
"Oh, and if that's too big of a name to remember, you can just call me Deca." Deca said.
"...Later." Twilight said. "I'm dealing with this later." She added.
Rainbow Dash was able to doge most of Rob's attacks, which involved many different kinds of magical attacks: Fire, Ice, Water, Thunder, the list wouldn't end. There were even certain magical attacks that were raw magical energy or more attuned to nature. There were even a few magical energies that were elementaless.
"Hmm. Not bad. Seems you've survived my initial onslaught. Now try this on for size." Rob said before the fox suddenly glowed a little.
"What just happened?" Twilight asked.
"Rob's used his inner strength to unleash his potential to the highest limits that most people could theoretically achieve." Deca explained.
Rob's attacks mixed up now, with him trying to get going with a few elementally charged punches but Rainbow Dash was still fast enough to doge them and attack Rob. "Impressive. I guess I should've expected this much at the least. However, you better give up now while you still have the option to do so." Rob said before suddenly powering up further, with more of a silver glow around him. And he was much more faster.
"And this state is known as Maximum Overdrive. It pushes one's body beyond it's natural limits. This is power has it's drawbacks, as not many can sustain it without causing major side effects that can cause them to be paralyzed or worse." Deca said.
"...And let me guess: Rob is one of the few who can sustain this without those side effects?" Moondancer asked.
"You would be guessing correctly." Deca said.
However, Rainbow Dash was still having an edge up on Rob. "...Interesting. Very interesting." Rob said. "Honestly, I'm impressed. You've gotten further then any one else has ever been able to get. I should've expected as much from my favorite pony." Rob said.
"Um...thanks?" Rainbow Dash said.
"However, I'm giving you one last chance to quit now." Rob said.
"Fat chance buddy." Rainbow Dash said. I can't quit. I need to win so I can heal him. She thought to herself.
"...Very well then. Don't say I didn't warn you." Rob said. "I didn't want things to get this far. But you've left me no choice. I will punish that blue dragoness by any means necessary." He added before he suddenly started gathering even more power.
"What's going on now?" Twilight asked.
"! No. He wouldn't!" Dr. Krono said. Suddenly a blinding light occured, and now Rob was surrounding by an aura. An aura so bright, that if you were to put it next to snow in a light up, snow would go to jail. This was an aura of pure willpower.
"R-Rob's just invoked his most powerful state of all: Hyper Break!" Dr. Krono said.
Down below, it looked like Rainbow Dash got hit without Rob moving at all. But Rainbow Dash saw it briefly: Rob was right next to her just before that first punch. And Rob was punching her faster then any creature on the ground could even see.
"That's impossible! Rob's moving at the speed of light!" Twilight said.
"Hyper Break is a recent power. Even I have yet to fully document and discover it's limits. That is, if it even has a limit to speak of." Deca said.
"What do you mean?" Flash Sentry asked.
"Rob unleashed this power against the rogue Fate known as The Omega. And in this state, from what I have documented, is that Rob's will has become so strong, that it's overwhelming." Deca said.
"But, wouldn't that normally make someone lose their sense of self?" Moondancer said.
"Normally yes, but it seems that Rob is able to take control of his overwhelming will and use it as a weapon. So whatever Rob wants to do, it is possible. One could say that this power has the ability to defy the hand of fate itself." Deca stated.
"No! Rainbow!" Twilight said.
"It's too late. Once Rob goes into this state, there is no way to save your friend. She chose not to give up. So this is her pennance." Dr. Krono said.
"Is there really nothing she can do?!" Moondancer exclaimed.
"...No." Dr. Krono said simply. Soon enough, Rainbow Dash was beaten down and crashed into a nearby mountain.
Rob floated down to where Rainbow Dash had landed. The rubble moved slightly. "Stand down. Know when you're beaten." Rob said. "Bring me that blue dragon--"
"NO!"
Rainbow's voice rang out, before a flash of rainbow light came from the rubble, and then...well, things just paused.
Previously, Spike had easily beaten Blue Ember to stop the war and was able to do so with so much ease, that something didn't feel right. Sure enough, this feeling was right, when the legendary justice hero Rob Snowden showed up. Rainbow Dash saw something in Rob's eyes that caused her to challenge the justice hero to a battle, but it seemed that this was a battle she could not win.
But now, one has to wonder, what just occured?
Flash Back to after the Tornado Incident Three Months prior
"You can't just quite like this Rainbow Dash." Spitfire said.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't." Rainbow Dash said. Spitfire was notably silent. "That's what I thought." The cyan mare said.
"If your so detirmined to quit. I'll race you for it. If I win, your staying in the academy. But if you win, then I'll let you go." Spitfire said.
"Fine. But this won't be like the Equestria games." Rainbow Dash said. "I'm winning this time." She added.
It was a bit later that during the race, Spitfire was worried that she would lose, but somehow, as she watched Rainbow Dash keep up with her, something clicked within her. And that allowed her to push ahead of Rainbow Dash and win the race.
"...I lost. I guess I'm staying on." Rainbow Dash said. "But please, don't do something like Lightning Dust again." She added.
"I did that to try and get your ego in check. But it seems that I didn't realize how reckless Lightning Dust really was." Spitfire said. "...And for that, I apologize." She added
"I...I see." Rainbow Dash said. "But the fact of the matter is I still lost to you, Captain." She added.
"...Actually Rainbow, during the race I saw something in you. For the longest time, it seems I've lost sight of what it means to be a wonderbolt. But as I looked into your eyes, I felt a sense of familiarity. It gave me hope that, maybe there are still those out there that wish to inspire others." Spitfire said. "And I won't lie, if I didn't get that hope back, I would've never have beaten you today." She added.
"Th-thanks Captain, that means a lot." Rainbow Dash said, before giving a hoof to shake.
Spitfire then hugged Rainbow Dash. "No Rainbow Dash, thank you. You've given me a reason to hope for the good of the wonderbolt's future again." Spitfire said. Rainbow Dash said nothing. But she could tell, she had healed Spitfire's heart.
Present day...
And when Rainbow Dash looked into Rob's eyes, the mare could tell that the fox was hurting. And that he needed to let go. Which meant it was up to her to do for him what she did for Spitfire. But Hyperbreak quickly proved too much at first, so Rainbow Dash was defeated...or so it seemed.
No! I can't lose like this...if I don't beat him...he'll never heal... Rainbow Dash thought to herself and started to move.
"Stand down, know when you're beaten." She heard Rob say.
I don't care. I can't lose. Not now. I won't let him hurt any further! Rainbow Dash thought to herself, not realizing a familiar aura was surrounding her.
"Bring forth the Blue Dragon--" Rob was saying further.
"NO!"
With a bright Rainbow Light, Rainbow Dash then came out of the rubble, and smacked Rob as some music played in the background.
As the music started up, Rainbow Dash managed to hit Rob again. She was moving even faster than ever before, and it brought confusion to the onlookers.
Rainbow Dash hit Rob once more and stopped soon. That got everyone a good look at her. She had unleashed Hyper Break.
"N-no way!" Dr. Krono said.
Rainbow Dash continued to hit Rob before they got into a back and forth blow fest that no one could follow, before Rainbow Dash used a back leg to hit Rob where she then hit him again a few times before the music took a bit of a different tone.
Just as the different tone changed, Rainbow Dash was in front of the sun, causing Rob to go wide eyed. Soon, Rainbow Dash unleashed a laser that Rob had to counter with one of his own. This led to a beam struggle that lasted for a while.
But then, Rob gave off a small smirk before he stopped his laser and depowered. Just as the music finished up, he was struck by Rainbow Dash's laser.
"D-did Rob just lose?!" Dr. Krono exclaimed, not believing his eyes.
Rob was knocked into the same mountain, but wasn't buried like Rainbow Dash was. "...Why'd you hand me the win? You could've clearly kept going." Rainbow Dash said, flying down to Rob, before she too depowered.
"...It wouldn't have changed the outcome. You would've won regardless. I just decided to go with the option that would've saved lives." Rob said. Rainbow Dash smiled. She did it, she could tell: She healed him.
"So, guess that means you won't kill Blue Ember now." Rainbow Dash said.
"...Kill her? I was never going to kill her." Rob said. "Who told you I was even coming and told you that I would kill that blue dragoness?" He asked.
Wind Rider was waiting patiently with a tied-up Changeling. "Grr, how long does it take for news of Rainbow's defeat at the hands of the legendary justice hero to come up?" Wind Rider asked. "As soon as it does, I'm going to be here with you, and then pin everything on you. You really think I'm going to let changelings live with Ponies? You wish. Your parasites. Disgusting nasty parasites." He added.
"That's all I needed to know." Rob said before Wind Rider was grabbed in Rob's magic. "You've been caught red handed for trying to frame a changeling for a crime they didn't commit and got involved with official JHF business. Your under arrest." Rob said.
"...Ah crud..." Wind Rider said.
Later, Wind Rider was loaded up into a space ship that was designed like a police car with a place in the back for criminals.
"Clear Skies, it's nice to see you again." Celestia said.
"It's nice to see you too, Princess Celestia." Clear Skies said.
"So, your Lightning Dust's brother huh?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yeah. Her older brother mind you. I guess her recklessness is because I left to persue a different career path then her. I'm now part of the IPF. which stands for the Intergalactic Police Force." Clear Skies said. "And having attempted to cause problems with the image of a JHF member; JHF standing for 'Justice Hero Federation' by the way; it means his crimes fall under our jurisdiction which is above even Princess Celestia's clearance." He added.
"I guess that's fair. So, what's going to happen to him now?" Twilight asked.
"He'll be taken to the IPF Prison Compound where he'll be carrying out an eternal life sentence for his crimes. It's not that different from him getting locked up in Tartarus, I'll be honest with you." Wind Rider said.
"So then why not send him to Tartarus?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The IPF Prison Compound is more off the radar then Tartarus. And you'd have to be a fool to break into there." Wind Rider said. "...Didn't stop this one space viking from doing it though. But that's been the only incident we've had." He added.
"And how do you know that won't happen again?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Our security has been beefed up since then. The likelihood of someone being able to pull that stunt off a second time is going to be much harder and would risk that person getting caught. We were caught with our pants down as some creatures of the meta-verse would say with the Space Viking incident." Wind Rider said.
"So your learning from your mistakes and doing your best to improve them. Interesting." Twilight said.
"Well I have to go now. I'll be in touch with you later, Princess Twilight." Wind Rider said before getting on the shuttle and leaving.
"Shame we couldn't say goodbye to that Rob guy." Moondancer said.
"I have a feeling we'll be seeing him again real soon." Rainbow Dash said as she looked to the sky where the shuttle took off to.
Spike had asked Society Ember to meet with him shortly after everything with Rob finished up and the black fox went somewhere.
"So Spike, what do you want?" Society Ember asked.
"Well, it's just that, I have made a decision. After how much we've been through these past few days..." Spike then produced the fire ruby necklace. "I figured, I'd give this to you." He added.
"Spike that's...so sweet~" Society ember said before kissing Spike. "I'm glad you think the same way I do. We can wait a while, but I think we can really start dating now~" She added.
"I think the same way." Spike said.
Post A/N: As a reminder, this scene takes place shortly before Rob goes and arrests Wind Rider. And I didn't want to break up the flow of the arc's ending and disctract every pony. So, I hope you enjoyed this short scene.
Twilight was at the Library. "I can't let Spike leave me behind. I really need to figure out who I want to be with myself." She said as she had notes on Flash Sentry, Moondancer, and Rainbow Dash.
Meanwhile, a black fox girl was on a train headed for ponyville.
Also meanwhile, Cole wasn't in the ally now, but he was behind Sugarcube Corner drawing something. On his paper were colored heads of Twilight Sparkle, Moondancer, Flash Sentry, and Rainbow Dash, with wings/horns where approate. There were lines connecting Twilight to the three other ponies and right now, cole was drawing a picture of a different black fox from Rob. She looked to be the same kind of fox though.
"Some royalty has trouble with love, others with socialness. But there is one that I know of that thinks of her people first, is a social butterfly, and has found love after so long." Cole said as he finished drawing the female black fox.
MY LITTLE PONY: CLASH OF DRAGONS ARC 4: THE SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Chapter 17: The Social Butterfly - Wonderbolt Test
Rainbow Dash entered the chambers of the Wonderbolts Falculty. While Cresent Moon managed most of the wonderbolts stuff, if he or Sptifire ever did something that didn't sit well with the Wonderbolt Higherups, they would get overruled by those very ponies.
And yet, Rainbow Dash was told that she was being requested not because she was in trouble though. But the Wonderbolt Higher Ups wanted a meeting shortly after it was discovered that she had stood up for what Equestria had believed in: Forgiving and forging friendships.
"Rainbow Dash, we apologize if this was short notice." One of the higher ups said.
"Yet, given recent events, we felt that this was important." Another higher up said.
"Is this about how I battled Rob Snowden? I get that me beating him was sort of a big deal and all, but, I wanted to do something. I saw him hurting, and I had thought that he was going to cross a line he couldn't come back from." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yes, Spitfire was quite detailed in her report about what had occurred based on what you told her, but we wanted to hear it from you. Guess we did without you needing to be prompted." The third higher up said.
"So is that it? Is that all you called me for? Because I'd like to get back to Ponyville so I can ask one of my friends to help me study for the test that'll get me into the Wonderbolt Reserves." Rainbow Dash said.
"Actually, speaking of that test, there has been a slight change in plans." A fourth higher up said. "If you manage to pass that test, you will not be going to the reserves itself." She added.
"Given what had occurred and how you stood up just out of nowhere against Rob Snowden; famous as he is; we have decided that should you pass the test, you will be sent straight into the Wonderbolts Line-up." The fifth higher up said.
"Huh? But I thought the roster was full." Rainbow Dash said.
"Normally, you'd be in the reserves until a position would be opened up, but even though you were tricked into thinking Rob would kill the now former dragon lord Ember, you still defended her like she was a fellow pony." The first higher up said.
"I honestly didn't care that she was a dragon at all. And I would've easily done the same for any creature; pony or otherwise; because why wouldn't I do that?" Rainbow dash asked.
"That statement is proof that you examplify everything the Wonderbolts are meant to stand for: Protection and insperation. That's why we believe that this decision is the right one." The second higher up said.
"That said, you still must pass that test. You have three days." The third higher up said.
"R-right." Rainbow Dash said.
"Spitfire, please see Rainbow Dash out. Take some time to say good bye, because the next time your here Rainbow Dash, you will be taking the test." The fourth higher up said.
"May Celestia grant you the best of luck." The fifth higher up said.
"I make my own luck." Rainbow Dash said and left with Spitfire.
"...Well, I have something I need to go do. Excuse me." Crecent Moon said.
Crecent Moon had flown off to and approuched a strange pink onion fairy like creature.
"...You are back. I see you've discovered the one I was referring to." The creature said.
"So, Tellma, you knew it was Rainbow Dash all along. You knew that's who would help the Wonderbolts return to the way it should be." Crescent Moon said.
"I did warn you that my forsight powers would be vague. Though it should've been obvious that Spitfire was not the one I was referring to." Tellma said.
"What is she capable of really? How can she use that hyper break state or whatever it was called?" Crescent Moon asked.
"...Pardon, did you say she has accessed Hyper Break?" Tellma asked.
"Yeah. Your the one that can see the future. Surely you knew that would happen." Crescent Moon said.
"...The only thing I saw was her being in front of the sun and being able to defeat Rob. I never forsaw how exactly this would come to pass. After all, that image is reflective of the dream Rob had before he started his own tale." Tellma said. "Rob dreamed of a rainbow up in front of the sun. Rainbow Dash being in front of the sun as she defeated Rob would heal him from the pain he carried from his battle against The Wildman. A pain that Rainbow Dash has healed from his heart." She added.
"So you had no idea she'd use Hyper Break then." Crescent Moon said.
"In hindsight, I should've suspected she would. But my powers of foresight are vague even to me. I once forsaw me becoming the immortal known as The Goddess of Time, not realizing that such a position had to be created first." Tellma said.
"Well what can you tell me about Rainbow Dash's future? What's in store for her?" Crescent Moon asked.
"...Only that as we speak, she is making history yet again. Beyond that, I see something not for her, but for her adoptive sister. Something that I'm afraid I can't see clearly. All I see is the color purple." Tellma said.
"That could be anything." Crecent Moon said.
"Exactly. Something is stopping my powers from getting a more accurate picture. Something evil is stirring." Tellma said.
At that, Crecent moon gulped. "Wh-what can you tell me about this evil." He said.
"I'm afraid my powers have reached their limits on that. I do see one thing though: I see a courtroom battle in the future." Tellma said.
"...But Cynder is free. What else would we need a court--" Crescent Moon went wide eyed. "...It can't be..." He said before leaving.
"...Hmm. I didn't even have to get more specific there." Tellma said.
"So, you really think Princess Twilight can help you?" Spitfire asked. "Must be nice, being friends with a princess." She added.
"Twilight's different. Sometime, you've got to come and try to be friends with her. You won't know unless you try." Rainbow Dash said. She noticed a white unicorn stallion in the lobby.
"...The Creator..." Spitfire said. "What brings you here?" She asked.
"That would be Rainbow Dash." The Stallion said, his voice pretty much god-like.
"Me? Also, do you know that Omega thing Deca talked about?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The Omega...yes I know him. I assisted in his destruction alongside The Guardian and many others. The Omega was a rogue fate who had stepped out of his proper tasks and refused to go back to neutrality. So, with permission from The First One, and some help from the Immortals I created, an army was cast against The Omega. Eventually, he was defeated thanks largely to Rob unlocking the power of Hyper Break. Something you too have unlocked." The Creator said. "That's why I'm here actually. It seems right now the power is sleeping in case you ever need it again, but worry not: It will not effect your normal perfomance. It's not essentially a cheat code or anything. That power will only assure that you achieve what you want if nothing else works." He said.
"So, are you another one of the fates then? I'm glad your social." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yes. I am another of the fates. I go by many names, but I much prefer to be called The Creator. I wanted to check on you since you achived the power of Hyper Break, as I want to tell The First One right away. I'm sure he will be quite the interesting character for you to meet." The Creator said before suddenly vanishing in a blinding light.
"Dude really knows how to make an exit." Spitfire said.
"Guessing he's chummy with Princess Celestia." Rainbow Dash said. "Better go to Twilight now." She added.
"How exactly do you think she can help?" Spitfire asked.
"I don't know how I was able to see this, but just before that first punch Rob hit me with when he was using Hyper Break, I could actually see him next to me." Rainbow Dash said.
"B-but that's impossible! He was moving at light speed! How were you even able to see that?!" Spitfire exclaimed.
"I don't know. That's why I need to talk with Twilight. She's better at the geek stuff then I am." Rainbow Dash said.
And that's what Rainbow Dash did, making Twilight get freaked out.
"RAINBOW DASH, DO YOU EVEN REALIZE WHAT THAT MEANS?!" Twilight exlcaimed.
"...I'm kind of a fellow geek as you say Rainbow, but, I admit I don't know what Twilight is freaking out about." Moondancer said.
"Considering it's Twilight freaking out, I'm guessing it must be huge." Flash Sentry said.
"Oh, only the hugest thing ever. Rainbow Dash, it seems your awareness for when you're flying causes you to have basically picture-perfect sighting to the point where no matter how fast you or something else is, you can recognize and memorize it in an instant." Twilight said. "In other words, I believe that while flying, you retain information much better than any other time!" She added.
"Well, meet me the day you have to go get your test done. And I'll gadly show you." Twilight said. "Don't worry too much about studying though. If I'm correct in my analysis of what you told me, you won't need it." She said.
Rainbow Dash was a bit worried.
About three days later, Rainbow Dash did just that, and when she took the test, she got a ninety-eight percent on the thing. Which shocked Rainbow Dash. Not just because it's the highest any pony had ever scored, but because Rainbow swears she didn't study, so she checked with Twilight. Which is when the purple alicorn revealed that on the way, ponies had things set up that would show Rainbow Dash the history of the wonderbolts.
"So that's what you mean then." Moondancer said. "Wow. She has near picture perfect memory of things she sees when she's in the air." She added.
"I guess that would make sense. The entire test, I knew things but didn't know how I knew them. It seems that I really do retain things better when I'm flying." Rainbow Dash said.
"And that relates to how you were able to see Rob's first punch. Your perception when you're flying is so laser focused, that I doubt you even realize that you have such high visual awareness when flying ninety percent of the time." Twilight said. "Oh my gosh, this is groundbreaking." Twilight said.
"...I think we've lost Twilight." Flash Sentry said.
"Agreed." Moondancer said.
"Yep. She'll be like this for a while." Rainbow Dash said. Suddenly Spike came in.
"Hey, we got a message from Celestia. Apparently, Ponyville is expecting a royal from a desert kingdom to show up at some point." Spike said.
"Wow. Then I hope I make a good first impression." Twilight said.
"And she's back." Flash said.
The train bound for Ponyville with the black fox soon stopped ther, and the black fox got off.
"Mmm...smell that fresh country air~" The black fox said.
Chapter 18: The Social Butterfly - From the Desert
A female black fox was wondering around Ponyville, and was stopping to chat with Bon Bon and Lyra. And the black fox was giggling.
"Yes my dress is egyption based. I come from a kingdom out in the desert. It's called Mirage Oasis." The black fox said.
"That's so cool. Do you have any of those Anubis Status out there?" Lyra asked.
"...Anubis? What's an Anubis? We have Jackal Statues." The Black Fox said.
"An Anubis is a Jackal silly." Bon Bon said. That's when Twilight came up to the group.
"Well Bon Bon, that is true that Anubis is a Jackal, but you should be aware that Anubis is also associated with being the god of the dead in egyption mythology." Twilight said.
"...Well that's definitely the opposite of what we of Mirage Oasis should be worshiping. Those jackal statues will need to be replaced then. Mirage Oasis does not worship the god of the dead, we worship the Goddess of Fertility." The Black Fox said.
"Wow. A whole desert kingdom that celebrates the miracle of childbirth. How fun~" Lyra said.
"...Desert Kingdom? I almost forgot. I'm expecting royalty from there." Twilight said. "Oh, I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle, but I prefer my friends call me Twilight. So, who are you?" She asked.
The black fox giggled. "You can call me Patra, Twilight. I'd love to be your friend. There's nothing I love more than making friends with royalty and commoners alike. That's just the kind of person I am." She explained.
"Well Patra, I'd love to stay and chat, but I gotta find that Desert Kingdom Royal." Twilight said.
Patra giggled again. "Silly Twilight, you're talking to the Queen of Mirage Oasis." Patra said.
"I am?" Twilight said. "...Wait, I am?!" Twilight exclaimed.
"WAIT THEN SO WERE WE!" Bon Bon and Lyra exclaimed at the same time.
Patra giggled. "I already told you. I love nothing more than making friends with royalty and commoners alike. That's just who I am. I'm what you could call, a Social Butterfly." She added.
"YES! FINALLY SHE SAID IT!" Pinkie Pie said, jumping out of a nearby bush. "Now I can go work on that 'Welcome to Ponyville' Party for Queen Patra!" She added before speeding off.
Patra giggled again, which caught even Twilight off guard. "Err, you find those antics funny?" Twilight asked.
"I've encountered far stranger things then a pony who hides in a bush and wants to throw a party for a royal before speeding away like that." Patra said.
"Pinkie Pie does that to every creature though." Bon Bon said.
"Yeah. I still remember my 'Welcome to Ponyville' Party." Lyra said.
Patra giggled again. "Quirky. Still not the strangest thing I've ever encountered, but still quirky." She added before heading off.
"...Did I seriously just meet with some creature who DOESN'T question Pinkie Pie's antics up front? And here I thought Pinkie Pie couldn't have a deeper mystery to her." Twilight said.
A bit later, after the party, Patra was in the Library with the main six, Moondancer, Spike, Society Ember, and Flash Sentry.
"Ah Pinkie Pie was it? You throw one hell of a party. I think I know who to turn to if I ever want to throw such a huge party like that." Patra said.
"Yay. I made a good connection!" Pinkie Pie said.
"Seems Patra just clicks with Pinkie Pie. Guess they are both pretty similar. Most of the time." Spike said.
"What do you mean, most of the time?" Moondancer asked.
"Well, there was that one time when my friends were throwing me a surprise party on my own birthday, and I got so depressed because I thought they were getting rid of me, and it made me get really sad. But then my friends revealed everything, and it made me so happy~" Pinkie Pie said.
Patra giggled. "Well, you shouldn't have doubted your friends like that. But it was very nice of them to give you something special for all the smiles you probably spread each and every day for every creature else." She said.
"Wow. When you put it like that, that was super duper ultra mega nice of them. Now I really wish I had thanked them harder." Pinkie Pie said.
"Meh. Don't sweat it Pinkie." Rainbow Dash said.
"This is why I love being such a social butterfly. Really makes me feel like I'm actually being a good Queen. Seriously, I love making friends with royals and commoners alike because I want to be the best Queen I can be. Mirage Oasis isn't just about the royal family after all." Patra said.
"Heh. It's like you're a fusion of Twilight and Princess Celestia rolled into one." Flash Sentry suggested.
"I'm more surprised that your not trying to suggest I get a castle." Twilight said.
"Hey, if anything, living in a library shows every pony that your super friendly and willing to chat with commoners." Patra said. "Wish I could live in a Library." She added.
"It makes more sense for Twilight. If she wants to, she could add some extensions to this library, make it a library castle hybrid." Flash Sentry said, joking at the end.
"Flash that's-that's brilliant!" Twilight said.
"Err...I was joking." Flash Sentry said.
"It may have been a joke, but that would actually work! I should get onto researching how to go about that right away!" Twilight said before leaving.
"...Huh. Didn't expect that to happen." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yeah I've never seen her take something said as a joke so seriously before." Moondancer said.
"I would like to state for the record, that I mentioned the Library Castle Hybrid thing as a joke." Flash said.
"WE KNOW!" Both Rainbow Dash and Moondancer said at the same time.
Patra meanwhile, was looking at the three of them. Interesting. I think these three are into Twilight. I'm going to have quite the fun being friends with this group. She thought to herself.
Chapter 19: The Social Butterfly - Twilight's Choice
Rainbow Dash was at the Library early in the morning.
"Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Rumble have all gone missing?!" Twilight exclaimed.
"That's right. Cheerilee was hosting a spring break camp-out in the safe zone of Everfree Forest; you know, part of where The Society had cleared out?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Well apperently, when it was time for roll call last night, all six of them didn't show up. Which is why she had to end the camp out early and then asked me and several others to help out." Rainbow Dash said. "I know I promised to hang out today Twilight, but I want to help find them. Especially Scootaloo." She added.
"...I understand. And this is far more important anyways." Twilight said. Suddenly Flash Sentry barged in.
"Th-the foals. They've been found!" Flash Sentry said.
"Wait already?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Sure enough, all six foals were well and accounted for. In fact, none of them seemed any worse for wear.
"What exactly happened? Where did you six go off to for mearly six hours?" Cheerilee asked.
"Huh? Six hours? Now that can't be right." Scootaloo said.
"What do you mean Scoots?" Rainbow Dash said.
"She's got a point. From my track keeping, we've been gone for six days." Silver Spoon said.
"But you've only been missing for six full hours." Cheerilee said. "It was enough to miss roll call." She added.
"I knew this would happ--" Spoiled Rich started.
"Don't. Even. Mother." Diamond Tiara said. "You don't even get to talk down to them like that. Not now, not ever. Not after what we went through." She spoke. "It may have only been six hours for you, but it's been six full days. And I for one, don't need you breathing down my neck after I JUST got back home. And I'm definitely NOT going to be some filly you can mold anymore." The pink filly said before going home.
"...What was that about?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"...Yeah, funny story there..." Scootaloo said, motioning to her flank. She and the other CMC members had cutie marks now.
"Wait really? Wow. Must have been something crazy. At some point you have to tell me what it is you six went through." Rainbow Dash said.
"Heh. Sure thing." Scootaloo said. "But for now, I would so like to head to bed. It'll probably take all six of us the rest of spring break to readjust our sleeping schedules." She added.
Meanwhile, Diamond Tiara had informed her father of what her mother was trying to pull behind Filthy Rich's back. This led to an argument that could be heard half-way across ponyville.
That night, Twilight had come to a conclusion. She had made her decision with a little help from Patra.
"C'mon, you should know all too well whose the best fit for you. There's only one option that works with who you are." Patra said. "Want some advice? Don't think about the what ifs. Think about what you've experienced with each pony, and who was there when you needed them the most. And defiantly don't waste time. This is your chance to lead your ideal love life." She added.
Twilight couldn't help but admit it at the time, but Patra was right. There was only one answer to her problem. And she knew exactly who it was that her heart was set on already.
Which is why the next day, Twilight had chosen Flash Sentry as who she would marry. Rainbow Dash took it better then Twilight had hoped and decided that she would try with Moondancer. More so in secret.
"Thanks for the advice Patra. I couldn't have come to this conclusion without you." Twilight said.
"It was nothing really. I was more so speaking from personal experience. I once had ruined the opportunity to have my own ideal love life. But thankfully, things are a lot more patched up." Patra said. "And I would like to thank you especially Rainbow Dash." She added.
"Huh? Why thank me?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Rob is much brighter and a lot more carefree. Just like he was before. After what happened, he almost lost his way. And he said I had you to thank for bringing him out of the darkness." Patra said.
"What do you mean what happened? Does this have to do with that Wildman character I heard mentioned?" Spitfire said. She was there on request as the wonderbolts had been called in to perform at the wedding of Twilight Sparkle and Flash Sentry with this being Rainbow Dash's first official Wonderbolt showing.
"...Perhaps you shall see the truth with your own eyes." Patra said before lifting her shirt. There was a diagonal part of her fur that was slightly lighter than the rest of her black fur.
"That's not normal." Rainbow Dash said.
"No. It's not. The Wildman had caught me by surprise, and burnt that part of my fur off with a flame claw attack. Ever since then and especially after The Omega incident, Rob was starting to lose himself. But thankfully you brought him out of that darkness." Patra said.
"Why? Why are you so important to him?" Rainbow Dash asked. But then she went wide eyed. "...Wait. I think I know." She added.
"...Figured it out did you?" Patra said before putting her shirt back down. "Rob Snowden, is my husband." Patra said.
Spitfire suddenly fainted. "...I DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING!" Twilight said before fainting as well.
Blue Ember was very furious. Everything had been taken away from her because of Cynder. "...No. I can't just go and kill her anymore. I'll just have to issue her a genuine dragon challenge." Blue Ember said. She was very much pissed.
Meanwhile, Cole was drawing a picture of Cynder and Blue Ember in the middle of a forest.
"There are those in this vast meta-verse of ours that will find themselves with nothing less to live for but everything to gain." Cole said. "And if there's one thing I've learnt about society, it's that those are the most dangerous people of all." He added.
MY LITTLE PONY: CLASH OF DRAGONS ARC 5: CLASH OF DRAGONS
You've taken everything from me. And thus, have given me no choice but to intact a dragon challenge upon you.
And refusing is not an option. Refuse away at your own peril.
I hope to see you in the mountains east of Ponyville by 3 PM today.
Otherwise, you will see what happens when you deny some creature who has nothing left to lose.
From the Former Dragon Lands Lord, Ember
"Tch. How childish." Cynder said, tossing the note away. "She really believes she has any strings to pull now? She has zero influence left in this world." She added.
"Yeah. She can't do a thing. She should just let go." Spike said.
Smolder had come to in the hospital. "Ugh. My head. Where am I?" Smolder asked.
"The hospital." Drobot said. "Seems the drug your former dragon lord gave you knocked you out for a lot longer then she planned it too." He added.
"...I see...So what have I missed?" Smolder asked. Drobot went into great detail. "...Darn." Smolder said.
"Rest for now. I am hoping to move you to my house at three PM today. I've got the papers signed up for it and everything." Drobot said.
"Thanks. Who are you again?" Smolder asked.
"Call me Drobot." Drobot said.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE PAPERS FOR HER RELEASE ARE MISSING?!"
There was ringing in the ears of ponies, dragons, and other creatures alike when Twilight yelled out in the patented Canterlot royal voice when the group had come to release Smolder from the hospital at three PM.
"I wish I knew where the papers for Smolder's release were. But we can't find them. So, I'm going to have to ask you to resign the papers. And then you can come release her tomorrow. Rules are rules after all." Nurse Redheart said.
"How can a bunch of papers just disappear!?" Twilight exclaimed.
"...This can't be good." Flash Sentry said. He noticed something in Smolder's file. "...Hold up Twilight. I don't think this was an ancident." He added before pointing out what he saw.
"...It can't be." Twilight said before taking out a letter from Blue Ember.
Dear Cynder
Consider this a small sample of what I am capable of if you continue to refuse my challenge. And I can do worse. A lot worse. If you care about your friends at all, you will accept my challenge.
Otherwise, I'm going to make the lives of every creature around you as miserable as possible. And it'll be all your fault. There's no way out of this: Either you accept my challenge, or every creature you know will soon find their lives filled with nothing but absolute misery and despair.
From The Dragon with Nothing to Lose, Ember
"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!" Twilight said.
"Agreed. Princess Celestia must be notified at once." Flash Sentry said.
"...Don't bother..." Cynder said. "That message will just be intercepted and aid won't come." She added.
"...Cynder, you can see it too, can't you?" Spyro asked.
"I'm afraid so." Cynder said. "There is no other option. I won't allow this one to ruin the lives of those around me like this if I can help it. But rest assured, I will make her pay dearly for this." She added.
"...Heh. I see. I think we should leave this to Cynder then. Give that bitch hell Cynder." Spyro said.
"As if she deserves less." Cynder said. "For all the problems she's already caused, I will show her just who the better dragoness between the two of us is." She added.
Cynder entered the arena area that Blue Ember set up. "Seems there's no low you won't stoop to just to get my attention." Cynder said. "...Well you have it now. So, how about you admit to the crime you committed and turn yourself in while you can still do so willingly." She added.
"Says the one who still has yet to pay for the crimes she brought on. You think I care that you were corrupted? Do you even realize what one of the dragons that were killed was?!" Blue Ember exclaimed. "I'm talking about the one known as Ignantus. He did not have to die. But you...you killed him." She added.
"If anyone killed Ignantus it was himself. Spyro was there and would gladly back me up on that." Cynder said.
"That Purple Dragon could just be covering for you just because he doesn't want to comprehend that his own mate would be guilty of cold bloody murder." Blue Ember said. "You may have pulled the wool over the eyes of others, but you'll never do so for me." She added.
"...You've become blinded by your rage. And if you continue to be guided by it, it'll bring you to ruin." Cynder said.
"STOP TALKING WITCH! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!" Blue Ember said.
"...So be it. For you own sake, I can't afford to lose to you." Cynder said.
Blue Ember began the battle by taking to the skies and Cynder followed close behind. And the Air element helped with that aspect.
"What the...you can use the Air Element? But your so closely associated with the shadows!" Blue Ember said.
"If there's one thing I can thank Malafor for, it's giving me the same capabilities Spyro has: The ability to master more than one element. And I won't hesitate use them on someone like you to stop you from crossing a line you can't uncross." Cynder said.
"SAYS THE BUCKING MURDERER!" Blue Ember said. The two dragons began battling it out in the sky, with Blue Ember trying to use her fire breath but Ember countered with a Poison breath. "Poison too?!" Blue Ember said.
"Funny enough, I always found myself more attuned to the Poison Element. Not the Shadow one dragons associated me with. I think I may have originally been intended to become a Poison Dragon." Cynder admitted.
"...I think your lying. You were always meant to be a Shadow Dragon!" Blue Ember said before suddenly Cynder Vanished. "What the--" Blue Ember said before getting hit from behind by Cynder and some kind of Shadow energy.
"And that also plays into the fact that, Poison is the only element I seem the most attuned to be spewing out of my mouth. The others have their uses, but I definatly find Poison as more my speed." Cynder said. As Blue Ember suddenly charged ahead again, she was knocked down by a Fear Element Punch. And it was hard.
"Ugh...Your...strong..." Blue Ember said.
"Did you expect anything less? Spike is my son, and you got your tail handed to you very quickly." Cynder said. "And that was because he would not show restraint over your broken promise. But I am simply going to make sure you realize just how underclassed you are compared to me." She added.
"...I must...I have to avenge Ignatus..." Blue Ember said, trying to get up.
"...I didn't want to have to do this. But maybe you'd rather see the scene for yourself." Cynder said before envoloping Blue Ember with Shadow Fog.
"Wha-what is this?!" Ember said. She recieved no answer. Just that she felt something happening around her. There was a scene playing out before her, it was of Ignatus's sacrifice. "YOU CAN'T FULL ME WITH YOUR ILLUSIONS CYNDER!" Ember said. But then she saw Spyro momentairly go dark. "W-what the...Spyro was never said to have gone dark at all." Ember said. "Wha-what happened to him?" She added.
The fog lifted, and Cynder was seen normal. "Do you remember what happened with Gaul, the Ape King? The official report is that Spyro had defeated him and he was killed by Malafor. But this was not the case." Cynder said. "In reality, Spyro had fallen into the well of souls, and it turned him into a corrupted dragon known as Dark Spyro. This Dark Spyro outright killed Gaul, and it was me who saved him from that corruption. But it seemed the process wasn't perfect. Spyro began to lose himself after Ignatus sacrificed himself, and I managed to bring him out of it before it got too far." She added. "These reports were never mentioned because if word got out that another Purple Dragon had gotten a taste of the dark side, well..." Cynder trailed off. "...I don't need to tell you what that would've done in regard to the war, now do I?" She asked.
"...Creatures of all kinds would lose hope, and the war would be believed to have been lost..." Blue Ember said. "That's why the lies were created and passed down weren't they? They wanted to make sure you took the full blame." She added.
"Not quite. It's true I did bad things, but only as a pawn of Malafor. And Spyro? He was forced to be a different pawn so all the apes could parish." Cynder explained.
"...All this time..." Blue Ember began to tear up and break down.
"Do you see now where your arrogance has lead you? It's not too late to try and start again you know. All it takes is being able to do the right thing." Cynder said.
"I still can't face the dragon lands again. Not like this." Blue Ember said.
"Then don't. Find new ventures. You've got your whole life ahead of you. Don't throw my mercy away." Cynder said. "Where you go from here, that's on you." She added.
"I'm afraid it's not." A voice called out. It was some of the royal guards. "Under the authority of the High Court, Ember is being taken in for a trial that, should she be found guilty during, will effect your Society too." The royal guard said.
A white stallion known as Chancellor Neighsay was looking over the papers of The Society.
"So, you think I'm just going to sit back and let you outsiders do as you please in Equestria?" The stallion asked. "...Well then think again." He added before taking out a container containing a dark cloud. "But just in case I don't win the case against that former dragon lord, I have a backup plan at the ready." Neighsay said before giving off a chuckle.
Meanwhile, Cole was drawing a picture of a courtroom in the ally he was in before using the light of many crystals.
"And thus, this story reaches its climax. But one must never assume that they have the winning hand." Cole said simply.
MY LITTLE PONY: CLASH OF DRAGONS FINAL ARC: OBJECTION!
The Main six, the CMC, Spike, Society Ember, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Rumble, Spyro, and Cynder were with the royal sisters.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NONE OF US CAN DEFEND HER?!"
Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs in the Canterlot royal voice.
"It is as I said. The high court has made it clear that none of those gathered here are allowed to defend the former dragon lord." Celestia said.
"What even is this high court stuff anyways? This certainly did NOT exist last I checked." Cynder said.
"There were a group of ponies who believed not everything I did was for the best. And I almost lost my right to rule over ponies because of this group. However, a middle ground was reached: A group of five ponies would be elected and at any time, could override my authority just to make sure I would never abuse my power as a ruler of Equestria." Celestia explained. "And unfortunately for me, this was one of those times." She added.
"But who is that guy whose prosecuting Blue Ember? I don't recognize him." Spyro said.
"His name is Chancellor Neighsay. Up until the former dragon lord's challenge against Cynder, he has tried desperately to banish all non-ponies from equestria's boarders forever." Celestia said. "But he has always been shut down by the high court. That is, until that moment." She added.
"...Smolder's release papers..." Twilight realized. "He's using that of all things as proof that all non-ponies should be banished from Equestria's borders." She added.
"And if that former dragon lord gets found guilty, that's exactly what will happen." Luna said. "But if you ask me, I believe that Chancellor Neighsay has found a way to rig this in his favor." She added.
"What do you mean sister?" Celestia asked.
"Let's face it: Outside of those here, who on earth would make sure that Ember would be found not guilty just so none of the Society can be banished from Equestria forever? Because I wouldn't put it past Chancellor Neighsay would easily bribe any lawyer from Equestria into losing on purpose." Luna said.
Twilight's eyes went wide. "That bastard. He's got covered every possible angle. Is there really nothing we can do?" She asked.
"Twilight darling, language! The foals are in the room." Rarity said.
"Sad as it is to say, I don't think there's anything we can do. The only way we can beat this is if a miracle occurs." Celestia said.
The doors suddenly opened. "It's a good thing I like making miracles then, huh?" A male voice said.
"! No way..." Rainbow Dash said. It was Rob. "Rob, how did you find out about this?" The wonderbolt asked. Spitfire followed suit.
"I may have had an inclinling this would happen. And I figured there was no better 'un-biased third party' then Rob Snowden himself. Thankfully, I had a little help. That Dr. Krono guy never really left." Spitfire said.
"And he's not going to be the only one on that former dragon's side that I've brought alongside me." Rob said.
"...The defendant; while not having a degree; has a fair point, Chancellor Neighsay." The high court's main speaker said. "How do we know that you haven't paid off every single possible lawyer in Equestria just so they would lose on purpose." She added.
"Hmph. So, what if I do? What does that change? We can't have a trail without her having a lawyer. And if the high court drops the charges labeled against the defendant, then the ponies of Equestria better start thinking about the next High Court election." Chancellor Neighsay said. "After all, not having a proper trail so we can get these charges straightened out properly would reflect badly on the current members of the high court." He said. There were many ponies in the gallery that were in agreement.
"ORDER! ORDER!" The speaker said.
Great. He's backed the high court into a corner. Either a proper trial takes place, and these charges are addressed in the here and now; or the charges are dropped, and after the elections later this year, the charges are brought up again with the exact same circumstances as this time, only that high court would learn and pretty much throw the book at me. Chancellor Neighsay has every angle covered. The bastard. He's basically assured his victory no matter what. Blue Ember thought to herself.
"It seems then that this court has no choice. Either a proper lawyer who can't be bought comes forward and defends Blue Ember, or we will have to find the defendant guilty of all charges in leu of a proper defense attourney." The speaker said.
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT! If you did that, then that would just lead you into the same situation." Blue Ember said.
"Oh, but I would be getting what I want in the end either way. Face it, you can't win dragon; even if a lawyer who can't be bought by me were to come forward, I would still win against them." Chancellor Neighsay said. "My case is solid. There's no hope for you." He added.
"OBJECTION!"
Suddenly Rob entered the courtroom, followed by four beings. The Main Six, the royal sisters, the four dragons, and the foals all were seated in the gallery now.
"There's Dr. Krono." Twilight recognized the tiny devil-isk creature immediately.
"And that white alicorn stallion is that Creator I told you about. He's chummy with Princess Celestia." Rainbow Dash said.
"But what's with the purple flying pig thing?" Spitfire asked.
"Hey, I recognize that Tsukaimon. That's Tex." Scootaloo said.
"What's a Tsukaimon?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"We'll tell you after the trial." Diamond Tiara said.
"...Where exactly did you go, Diamond Tiara?" Filthy Rich asked.
"Well if you know him, he has to be a good...whatever he is." Twilight said. "But my main concern is that giant walking statue." She added. "It reminds me of the human world." The purple alicorn said.
"You mean where Sunset Shimmer is?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Yes. That." Twilight said.
"Chancellor Neighsay, your policy is unethical and not at all how the country of Equestria should be upheld to. The fabric of this country is changing. So, you better change with it, or you risk Equestria becoming so dependent on itself, that you ruin the very foundation of the nation you live in to begin with." Rob said. He produced an Attorny's badge. "...Which is why I am here to take down your policy of discriminating non-ponies once and for all." He added.
Chancellor Neighsay slammed his hoof onto his bench.
"You really think you can just come in here fox and defend another outsider? Just who do you think you are, anyways?" Chancellor Neighsay asked.
"...Wait hold up, you DON'T know who that is?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"He's just an outsider who doesn't know what's up from down." Chancellor Neighsay said.
"OBJECTION!" Rob said. "If you knew anything about me, you'd know I'm the perfect third party to make sure you don't win this trail." He added.
"GRR...YOU REALLY DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH ME!" Chancellor Neighsay said.
"On the country, I've got every advantage to my favor. I've even brought some friends of mine to make sure your policy is removed from play entirely. Without that, even if the defendent were to be found guilty, you can't banish all non-ponies from equestria. Plus, that methology is obsessive. Your taking the actions of ONE individual and using it for your own selfish ends." Rob said.
"What?! WHY YOU--" Chancellor Neighsay said.
"...Now that he brings it up, it is rather excessive to just ban all non-ponies from equestria just for the actions of one dragon." The High Court said.
"And that's not even mentioning that there are animals around Ponyville itself that depend on ponies for their protection. Need I even need to bring up Sweet Apple Acres and their various animals? Are you going to banish them alongside the actually sapient creatures if you win?" Rob asked.
"Err...well that's...well..." Chancellor Neighsay was suddenly sweating. He believed he had thought of every possible argument that could be used against him, but he clearly didn't expect that.
"Oh, Rob is good. Really good." Spitfire said.
"Heh. He wouldn't have become the legendary justice hero if he wasn't so good." Rainbow Dash said.
"The defense has asked you a question Chancellor Neighsay. How do you respond?" The High Court Speaker said.
"...Well...I...I..." Chancellor Neighsay said, sweating still. He collected himself quickly. "OKAY FINE! MAYBE I WON'T BANISH THEM. BUT THESE OTHER CREATURES ARE GOING TO BRING HAVOC TO EQUESTRIA IF WE DON'T GET RID OF THEM SOONER RATHER THEN LATER!" He added.
"Sounds to me like your still not being very specific. As then the royal guard under the orders of the high court can still round up and banish any non-pony creature they find. Including the ones that depend on ponies." Rob said.
"...Err...well...that's..." Chancellor Nieghsay was back in his corner.
"That is a fair argument to make." The High Court Speaker said.
"I think it's time I called my friends to stand. And they have quite a bit to fill you in on." Rob said.
"You should really just admit defeat here while you still can. I once tried to keep something to myself and it cost me more than you think. The form you see before you now isn't my original one." Dr. Krono said. "I used to be human if you can believe that. And I had an illness that at the time, was uncurable. And this led me to take drastic actions to fulfill my life's dream. Of course, I never put anyone in any real danger. I targeted places that were either abandoned or due for demolition. When my disease almost took my life, it was the kindness of another that saved it, though the side effects of how I was saved turned me into this." Dr. Krono said.
"The point is that every creature; both on this planet, pony, or otherwise, will make mistakes. But banishing them outright is a step too far. And that's exactly what Chancellor Neighsay wants: He wants Equestria to not get friendly with it's nieghbors. But if Equestria doesn't stop living in fear of other creatures, then the whole objective of The Society that many of you from Ponyville have come to know will be for naught." The Creator said.
"Let it be known now that this pony you appointed as Chancellor does not have this country's best interests at heart. He wants Equestria to remain a pony only land, but that sentiment is foolish when it was the efforts of two dragons that allowed this planet to continue to exist in the first place. You don't know this, but Malafor almost destroyed the very planet you live on." The statue said.
"THAT THING TALKS?!" Chancellor Neighsay, and practically every member of the main six said at once.
"WHAT IS THAT, REALLY?!" Spitfire exclaimed.
"...I think we know. Don't we girls?" Rumble asked.
"Heh. Yeah, I'm picking up what your throwing down. Figures he'd be here." Scootaloo said.
"The six of you kids REALLY need to tell us what happened when you went missing." Silver Spoon's mom said.
"Admittedly I'm starting to get curious myself." Spoiled Rich said.
"Later mom. This is getting good." Diamond Tiara said.
"And who was it that saved your planet? Not ponies, that's for sure. No, it was the dragons Spryo and Cynder. How quickly you are to forget that factoid of your planet's history." The statue said. Ponies started to rabble and started to turn against Chancellor Neighsay.
"This is an outrage! I will not accept this!" Chancellor Neighsay said.
"Ugh. Man, can you please stop persisting?" The Tsukaimon known as Tex asked. "It's bad enough your legislation is still existing." He added.
"THERE'S NO CARDS TO PLAY, TIME TO PAY!" Rob yelled out.
"NO! I WON'T ACCEPT THIS! I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS!" Chancellor Said.
"ENOUGH! The high court has come to a decision. We herby render Chancellor Neighsay's policy of a pony-only education system null and void!" The speaker said. Chancellor Neighsay's policy was ripped in two in front of his eyes. "And as for the defendent? She will have to do some community service all the same, but we refuse to banish her or any other non-pony creature just for the small action of stealing a few documents." The speaker added.
"Well Chancellor Neighsay, looks like your own policy has become nothing but hearsay now." Rob said.
"...Really Rob? That's the one-liner your going to spout now?" Patra's voiced asked. She showed up soon too. "Ah who am I kidding? It's nice to know your actually doing those again~" Patra added before giggling.
"THIS ISN'T OVER!" Nieghsay exclaimed, slamming his desk with his hooves.
"I don't know. Seems pretty over to me." Rainbow Dash said.
"If I can't ensure the future of Equestria, then there soon won't BE a future!" Chancellor Neighsay said before producing a capsule containing a dark cloud.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" Twilight exclaimed. Chancellor Neighsay has produced a capsule with a strange dark cloud inside of it.
"This isn't good." Shining Armor said.
"Keep it away from Flurry!" Cadence said.
"When were they here?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I honestly have no idea what's inside this, but whatever it is, it's probably really evil and really angry for being encapsulated for so long. And I can't wait to watch it make the entire world burn!" Chancellor Neighsay said before throwing the capsule on the ground, breaking it.
"No!" Dr. Krono said, but was stopped by Rob. "Rob, what are you--" The creature said.
"Wait." Rob said. The dark cloud soon formed into a black alicorn foal; one no older then Flurry Heart. It was sleeping, peacefully.
"...Uh...what?" Dr. Krono asked.
"...Anti-climatic much? We were scared over an encapsulated Alicorn Foal?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I...I don't understand...where's the beast? Where's the destruction?!" Chancellor Neighsay exclaimed.
"Just as I suspected. Seems a piece of The Darkness servived after all." The statue said. "It seems I must thank you, Chancellor Neighsay. You have allowed the missing fate to be reborn in your world as a baby colt." It added.
"What? What do you mean the missing fate?" Chancellor Neighsay asked.
"That's right. That must be the only remaining piece of the fate that The Omega destroyed long ago. The fate known as the Being of Necessary Evil, The Darkness." Rob said.
"Necessary evil?" The High Council speaker asked.
"Indeed. While there must always be good in this world, there must also be evil to balance it out. That was the purpose of The Darkness. But The Omega destroyed The Darkness, and I thought all remnents of it were lost forever." The Statue said. "And yet, it seems one piece did survive. And wound up in Chancellor Neighsay's possession." It added.
"YOU! YOU DID SOMETHING, DIDN'T YOU! YOUR SOME MAGIC STATUE!" Chancellor Neighsay said and charged the statue, only to get caught in some unseen magic.
"You really shouldn't have done that." Rob said. "You just tried to attack The First One and creator of The Darkness and The Omega. Or at least half of him." He added.
"You may call me Silten" The Statue said before Neighsay was tossed around like a ragdoll with the unseen magic. "To attack me is foolhardy. I'd normally kill you where you stand but I'm letting you off easy. EXTREMELY easy." He added before Nieghsay was beaten up pretty bad. "This better be the only act of villainy on your part, or I might make your life a living hell. And trust me, that would be a fate worse than death." Silten concluded before letting Neighsay go. The stallion ran off as fast as he could, scared for his life.
"Knew that was you." Scootaloo said, flying over to Silten. "What's up Silten?" Scootaloo asked.
"It seems you are doing well. And so am I. Just figured I'd put a stop to something that shouldn't go through." Silten said.
"OKAY, THAT'S IT. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE: SCOOTALOO, WHAT DID YOU AND THE OTHER FOALS DO WHEN YOU WENT MISSING?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.
"...I think even the high court is curious now. We demand a full report." The High Court speaker said.
"How much time do we got? Because this could take a while." Diamond Tiara said.
"Yeah. That's no lie." Apple Bloom said.
Meanwhile, Cole was sitting on the fountain from before, holding some sort of device. "You have seen the tale of this story through to it's conclusion, however, the tale of what happened to the six foals? Now that is a story that takes place in another world." Cole said before showing the screen of the strange device to the audience. "I stated before that all journeys come to a circle, but don't end up the same way as they start. So, here is the evidence that that statement is true." He added.
STAY TUNED FOR A CLASH OF DRAGONS SIDE STORY: THE DIGITIAL WORLD CRUSADERS
