After fleeing from an enemy to save his friend's life, Taro finds himself emerging years later to what seems like a deserted Equestria. Taro soon finds a new friend who gives him further instructions on how to bring his country
Name Subject for Change (Somewhat misleading, but it's all I've got for now) Taro has been in Equestria for years. Many years. He has faced dangerous challenges including his own death. He has never backed down from a fight. Until now. Taro has faced an evil so strong, it has forced him to leave one of his best friends. Years later, he returns to find Equestria seemingly deserted. Soon after he resurfaces, he finds that the only way for Equestria to return to it's original status is to activate the Elements of Harmony. The LIVING forms.
A continuation of the Legacy of the Rider series. You do not need to read that series to understand this story. Probably going to change some description stuff, sort of making it up as I go. You have no idea how difficult it was to write half of this.
A Continuation of 'The Legacy of the Rider' You do not have to read it to understand the story, but it would help Name subject for change Do not worry, Mane 6 will come, just give it a few chapters
Chapter 1: Ruins
A magenta unicorn walked through the ruins of the old Canterlot Castle. Once her home. Her home... and her best friend's home. Taro, his name was. The former king of Equestria. Only former because of his absence from the kingdom. He was a dragon rider. "Was" because his dragon had died. Like all other dragon riders, he had developed wings. Like all others... if there were any others. The dragons from his world, the human world, and their riders had died off, except for a few eggs that still hadn't hatched, wherever they were now. The unicorn picked out a stone from the side of a wall that was once her room.
"Nothing's left. It's all like this," said a man from behind him. Taro. He wore his tan overcoat and fedora that he had become known for over the past few years. "Well, aside from this." He held up a green sword that shimmered different shade of green.
"Can that thing even get scratched?"
"Probably..."
"I can't believe we let this happen," complained the unicorn.
"Hey, Silus," Taro knelt down next to her, "It's not like we did it on purpose. Besides, others could have survived."
"But what about the rest of Equestria? Look outside, it's completely deserted."
"Come on, we need to keep moving. Maybe we'll visit what might be left of Ponyville or some other town to see if it's alright."
Seventy Years Ago
Silus closed the log book. It had almost been filled up. She would need a new one soon. The book contained every forecast she had created for Canterlot and Ponyville. Most ponies couldn't believe that a unicorn was the Weather Director, but they couldn't deny the three sparkling water droplets on her flank. Silus left her desk by her bed to the window on the other side of her desk. Outside, pegesi flew around, completing the weather assignment she had issued. Sunny day for Canterlot, as the Weather Council had agreed upon, with a slight breeze from south due north.
Silus turned her attention to the three photos on her desk. One of Taro, the current king of Equestria, her not-so-secret crush, and her best friend, one of her other friend, Faust the alicorn and raiser of the sun and moon, and the last one of her and Taro with a strange man. He traveled through time and space, saving entire civilizations. He did not give a name, just "The Doctor" he said. He was once a pony, but that is another story.
The unicorn sighed. Not bad for a misfit from Manehattan, she thought to herself. Silus and Taro met three years ago. Taro was on a mission and found her being picked on. She had been alone her entire life. Taro took her back to the castle to let her live with him. After two years, they had met the Doctor. One regeneration into a human form later and Silus's love for her friend had been spilled. Taro only had one love throughout his long life. All 1757 years of it. It wasn't Silus. A year later, Silus had been living happily in the castle with her friend once again. A good life, she was living. Not bad at all... she thought again.
She turned toward the door and saw Taro in the doorway, a neutral expression on his face. "Hey Taro. What's up?" Taro walked toward her. "Taro?" He picked her up and lay her on the bed. "Taro, what are you doing?" Taro continued. He flipped her and rolled her, as if searching, ignoring the grunts from Silus. He grabbed her leg and looked around. "Taro, I-I thought you didn't like me like..." Taro put it down. "Hey, come on..." Taro's eyes rested on her horn. He smiled and reached for it. Suddenly his head dropped forward as a book struck it from behind.
"Run Silus!" Taro shouted from the door.
"Taro? How are there..." Silus was interrupted when the Taro next to her grabbed her head and turned toward the window.
"Jierda!" A bolt of energy burst out of Door-Taro's hand, causing the other Taro to drop Silus. Door-Taro quickly grabbed Silus off the ground and ran out the door.
"Taro, what the heck is going on? Why were you grabbing me from the door? Which you is you?"
"Silus, trust me, I'm actually saying something." Taro put Silus down and let her run.
"What are we running from, then?"
"Tell you later, just keep running." As they ran down the stairs passed some guards, Taro said to them, "Go for blood, he's at his weakest state he'll ever be at!"
"Why aren't you fighting?" Silus asked.
"Because keeping you safe is my top priority. You and Faust are in the most danger." Taro and Silus turned toward the library where Faust was last seen, but as they turned the corner, a crash echoed the halls. A blast of dust and a hole in the ceiling later, the other Taro was in front of them.
It landed and ran straight for Taro and Silus. "Go, run!" They instantly turned around and ran down another hall.
"How are we supposed to get to Faust if that thing is going to stop us?" Silus asked.
"Oh, we... hope for the best..." Taro replied. They turned again and saw a large dome window in front of them.
"What do you mean?" Silus asked.
"That thing is getting too close. There's only one hope of outrunning it. It may have wings like me, but it can't fly."
"I don't understand, what does this have to do with Faust?"
"I can't risk loosing you and Faust. Too much is at stake."
"What does that mean?"
"This!" Taro grabbed Silus and flew straight at the glass wall. He turned his back to it and crashed into it, breaking through it.
"Taro, what are you doing?"
"Getting you out of here! If I got anypony, I'm glad it's you, Faust can fly herself to safety. Provided she knows to fly, of course."
"Taro we can't leave her! Go back!"
"I can't! That thing is after you too! If I go back, what's going to stop it from taking you!"
"What's going to stop it from taking Faust!"
"I don't know! I'm worried about her too!"
"So go back!"
"Look, Silus! Sometimes I need to make a decision that I don't entirely approve of myself! I went for you right away because Faust knows how to fly! You don't! I'd rather a chance of her getting away than with you being dead on the spot! Had I not made that decision, you WOULD have died! Now shut up, we can't go back!"
"Where are we going anyway?"
"I don't know, which is good. If I don't know, neither will what's after you."
Taro eventually found a small forest. He landed in a thick area, hidden from sight. "Now," he said, adding some wood to the fire in front of him and Silus, "I owe you some explanations. That thing that attacked you is... well, that's just it. I don't know what it is. It takes the form of one being that it's seen. No one knows what it actually looks like, probably because it keeps changing. It feasts on power, and it needs a lot to stay alive. Once it gets enough, it can stay alive for... well, let's just say a while. But I don't think it was after just a life source."
"Then why did it want me? I'm not very powerful," Silus said.
Taro laughed lightly. "Not very powerful? How many other unicorns can control weather? You need a lot of power to do that."
"Well what about Faust? How many other ponies can move the sun and moon?"
"Well, I'm no pony, but..."
"You're kidding, right?"
"No. I never told you? The alicorns who lived last, Luna and Celestia, before they died, the gave me the ability to move the moon and the sun. Another reason I left Faust behind. I am extremely powerful, as well as you. I'm hoping they focus on us more than her."
"Are we staying the night?" Silus asked, concerned.
Taro nodded slowly. "I wish we could return. Tomorrow morning, I'll leave for the castle."
The two sat around the fire silently until Silus spoke up again. "You know, shouldn't today have been longer?"
"What do you mean?" Taro asked.
"I don't know, it just it feels like it was too... short."
"A lot has happened, Silus. Come on, let's go to bed."
Taro woke up, the sun shining bright in his face. It was a quarter way up the sky. Too far up for so early in the morning. Taro ignored it and shook Silus, who woke up.
"I'm going back to the castle. You stay here, I don't want you to get hurt," Taro instructed.
"Okay, hurry back," she said, sleepily.
"Will do." Taro jumped into the air. His wings pumped and he made it through the thick crowns of the tree. Taro searched the nearby area for the mountain that held the city in the air. He floated to the edge of the forest. He saw the mountain, but nothing was on it. "Uh oh..." Taro immediately flew back to Silus.
"Wow, that was fast," she said upon his return.
"It's not that. We got a problem."
"What do you mean 'problem'..."
Taro grabbed her and flew outside the forest. "This is the problem. Can you tell me where Canterlot is?"
"Well it's right..." Silus looked in the direction of their old home. It was dark and gray and torn into ruins as if it was from 100 years ago. "What happened to our home!"
"I don't know, but I think I can guess. Remember your comment last night about the sun going too fast?" Silus nodded. "I think we went forward. Like... way forward."
"How far forward?"
Taro landed and set Silus down. He then dug into his trench coat and pulled out a silver pocket watch the Doctor had given him over one-thousand years ago. "Really far forward." Taro closed the fob watch and looked at Silus. "And I mean REALLY far."
"What happened to Canterlot..."
"I wish I could tell you. That evil essence that took my form. It wanted power, so it sought after you. That means it needed a lot of power. I'm just concerned at what it needed it to do it for. I'm guessing we could find some answers at the old castle."
"What if she didn't make it?" Silus asked.
Taro took a deep breath. He was about to open his mouth to speak, but decided against it. "Come on, let's get to the castle."
A short flight later, they arrived. "The entire city is destroyed," Taro said to himself.
"What do you think he got his hands on to do this?" Silus asked.
"To be honest, I AM pretty worried. But I don't think it was Faust. Her power is stronger than that."
"But what if it didn't use all of its power to do this?"
Taro continued walking through the castle. "Look for anything that remained. Books, ink, a bag of marbles, basically anything but the wall. We'll split up. I'll take the bottom two floors, you take the third and fourth."
"'Kay," Silus replied.
Taro walked through the heating room of the castle. Not even close to the way he left it. He remembered back to when he was there. That was where he discovered himself.
Taro drew his ever-sharp sword, Kveykva, from its sheathe. "What are you here for?"
He didn't answer himself. Instead he lunged at Taro with great speed. Taro was knocked to the floor, but not before he could thrust Kveykva into the monster's gut. The monster halted for a minute on top of him before it stood and ran away. Taro lay on his back for half a second before he threw down Kveykva and ran for Silus.
Taro looked around with his eyes, staying in his same position. a glimmer caught his eye. The reason he was here. He bent down and picked up Kveykva. "Excellent," he said to himself quietly.
He went upstairs to find Silus digging in the wall. "Nothing's left. It's all like this," he said. Silus turned around. "Well, aside from this." He held up Kveykva.
"Can that thing even get scratched?"
"Probably..."
"I can't believe we let this happen," Silus complained.
"Hey, Silus," Taro knelt down next to her, "It's not like we did it on purpose. Besides, others could have survived."
"But what about the rest of Equestria? Look outside, it's completely deserted."
"Come on, we need to keep moving. Maybe we'll visit what might be left of Ponyville or some other town to see if it's alright." They started to walk toward the castle exit.
"Fine, I guess. How long do you think we've been gone?"
"Hard to say. Could be a few months. Maybe days. Maybe Centuries. Can't really tell by these ruins. Who knows how powerful the monster was when he did this."
"Okay, we need to give a name to this thing, we can't keep calling it Monster."
Taro laughed. "Okay, fine. What are you thinking?"
Silus thought. "Hmm... How about... Specter?"
"Alright, fine. Specter, we'll call him."
A raspy voice echoed through the castle. "Hmm, Specter. I like it." It was dark as if from a nightmare. "I'll take it."
Taro pulled out Kveykva. "Show yourself!"
The voice laughed. "Oh Taro, I'm not even here. You can't hurt me. I can't even hurt you."
"If you're not here, then where are you?" Taro asked.
"Now why would I tell the only threat to me my location? But boy has it been a while. I sensed someone in my old castle and decided to take a look. It turns out it was the same person I drove out of this castle so long ago. And look at you, you haven't aged a bit."
"Yeah, curse of a dragon rider," Taro mumbled.
"But this one hasn't aged either. How can you explain that?"
"Well, that's a good question. We went into a forest for a day, next thing we know, we're some time in the future."
"Oh well, not like it matters anyway."
"Oh it matters. We're here now, and I'm going to find out what you did and reverse it!"
"Good luck. And now that I know you're here, I'm coming for you both. I could always use more power and energy." The voice laughed and trailed off.
Taro turned to Silus. "Come on. Let's go to Ponyville."
Taro and Silus walked the streets of the old town. "Where is everypony? This town doesn't seem too destroyed," Silus wondered aloud.
"I don't know. Let's split up and see if we can find someone and get some answers," Taro suggested. Taro left Silus and headed for the town hall. When he got there, he found a group of three ponies. "Hey," he said, getting their attention. "Can you tell me..."
"What the heck are you doing out here alone? It's getting close to night, you shouldn't be out here," said a violet unicorn.
"What? Why not?" Taro asked.
"Dangerous things happen out here at night. Come on back to the base with us," replied a mint colored earth pony.
"Um... I kind of..." Taro started. He was cut off by the violet unicorn pulling him by his shirt. They lead him down the road and came to a stop at what used to be the spa. Most of the spa had been destroyed in a fight between Taro's dragon and Cerberus, long story, so it was rebuilt, half of it above ground, half below. The largest basement in Ponyville.
Taro walked down the steps and into an area where several ponies were. Ponies of all ages stayed in the main corridor, playing some card game or instrument. One of Taro's escorts spoke up. "Hey everypony, we found this guy on the surface. He was all alone, with day coming to an end. We're letting him stay here for the night." The ponies nodded in agreement.
"Hey," Taro said, stepping forward, "I have a few questions. First one is why are you all here?"
An old earth pony spoke up. "There's somethin' out there at night!" The remaining ponies nodded with fear.
"Okay then, what is it?" Taro asked.
"We don't know!"
"What does it do that's so dangerous?"
"W-well, we don't really know... but it's scary!" replied a different pony.
"How do you know it's so dangerous, then?"
"Because it... well..." The pony paused. "Are you saying we should go outside and find out?"
"Not at all, just curious. Next question." Taro surveyed the ponies. "Why are you all unicorns and earth ponies?"
One of Taro's escorts answered. "Because we can't reach Cloudsdale."
"So..."
"Cloudsdale is a place of legend. They say that it hasn't been corrupted by whatever force has changed our land. The pegasai flew straight to Cloudsdale and left us behind."
"Those selfish pegasai! No concern for anypony but themselves!" shouted a pony from the crowd.
"Oi! Watch it! My wife was a pegasus," Taro replied. "Next question. I brought humans to Equestria years ago, yet all I see are ponies. Why is that?"
"The humans fled to Manehattan and Fillydelphia. Some of them are in other towns, I'm sure. We don't know why they left, so don't ask," one shouted.
"Alright, that's all for now." Taro turned to the stairs.
"Where are you going?" asked another one of Taro's escorts.
"Well you said it yourself. Something potentially dangerous is out there."
"Why are you going after it then?"
"Two reasons. One: I have a friend out there. Two: I like danger." Taro took his first step up the staircase.
"I can't tell if you're brave or stupid."
"I like to think I'm both, if you don't mind," Taro said, leaving.
Taro stepped outside. Dusk hadn't quite settled. Taro walked a fair distance from the Ponyville spa, looking for the location of Silus's favorite building, the Ponyville Weather Terminal. Taro saw a glimpse of magic as the building came into view. She turned around and saw Taro. "I thought we were splitting up," she said as he walked closer.
"Change of plans. I found some the remaining ponies of Ponyville. They said that at night, something dangerous comes. I'm not too worried about it, since they couldn't exactly come up with a good reason to call it dangerous, but I still don't want to take the chance. Come on, let's get to the spa."
The two walked through the town, seeing only through the spell Taro had produced with his magic. Being a Dragon Rider had its perks.
"So what did you find?" Taro asked.
"Nothing," Silus replied, keeping a solid tone.
"I haven't investigated much, do to the whole 'night danger' thing. I'll ask the ponies more when we return."
"Cool."
"What's wrong?" Taro asked, turning his head toward her.
"Nothing, it's just..." She sighed heavily, "How long do you think we've been gone? Look at how much has changed. We're in a new world!"
"Yeah, it happens."
"You say that like you've done this before."
"Meh." Taro held out his arm suddenly, dimming his light. "Hold on..." Taro squinted, trying to make out a figure that walked away from them. "I think that might be the danger." Taro then drew his sword.
"What are you doing?" Silus asked.
"Well if you don't mind, I'm going to go take a whack at it."
"Why? You don't know what that thing can do."
"Did I ever tell you I was stupid?"
"No, but you DID constantly brag of how intelligent you are."
"I'm my own oxymoron." Taro took a few steps toward the figure in the dark, purposely making noise.
It turned around. "Taro!" it shouted. It was a she. It was... white with a ruby mane. It was...
"Faust?"
The white alicorn ran up to Taro and hugged him. "Finally! After 70 years of searching for you, I finally found you!"
"Faust?" Silus asked, walking up to her.
"Silus? What? How are... You're so young! How did you keep your appearance for that long?"
"She didn't. We went into some forest and the next thing we new, we were in the future," Taro answered.
Faust thought. "Hmm... must be a Time Seal. It keeps the things inside the way they were when they went in, but it constantly changes time. You must have gotten out at the seventy-year mark."
"So why were you looking for me?"
"Hmm? Oh, right! I was told, or... over heard the bad guy, you know, the one after energy, that the only way he can be defeated is by the use of the living presence of the Elements of Harmony. You were the only one who actually believed in them. I came searching for you so you could beat the bad guy."
"Yeah, about the bad guy, we named him Specter," Silus said.
Taro spoke again. "Not that that's important. I can't do anything about that. The Elements of Harmony only lived when I was how old I look. I can't get them back, as far as I know. There's no possible way to... No! Wait! AUGH! I'm such an idiot! The shrines! In the corners of Equestria are the shrines to the elements! Well, technically Loyalty is in Cloudsdale and Magic is under Canterlot, but who cares, point is, we might be able to do something there! Small, seemingly unimportant legend says emergencies bring them out."
"Bring what out?" Faust asked.
"Not sure, I just hope it's the Elements of Harmony."
"But there's still one thing I'm curious about," Silus said.
"What?" replied Faust.
"Why were you only looking at night?"
"Specter is everywhere in the day and nowhere at night. I can't travel in the day without being detected by Specter."
"Okay, that's weird. To say the least, that is," Taro stated.
"Yeah? That's the way it goes," replied Faust.
"Okay, Faust, tomorrow, you and I will fly to Cloudsdale to get the Element of Loyalty. Silus, you wait for us in the spa, here," Taro insturcted.
"Why the Element of Loyalty first?" Faust asked.
"Well... because it's... closer..." Taro stuttered.
"Okay..."
"Is that the real reason, or is that your reason?" Silus asked.
Taro thought for half of a moment. "Both." Taro started walking. "Come on, let's go show these ponies Faust's face of terror, shall we?"
The other two looked at him a moment and followed. "Oh, Taro!" Faust shouted. "One more thing: No one knows who you are. They forgot all about you."
Taro turned and looked at her. "Well... let's go and fix that, shall we?"
Taro, Faust, and Silus woke up on the floor of the spa's basement. Taro stood up and shook the other two. "Come on, we have to get moving."
Faust looked up at Taro. "But it's day time. We can't move around too much in the day."
"I'm not worried about it. The sooner we can stop him, the better. Come on, Faust. We're off to Cloudsdale to get the first element."
"What about me?" Silus asked.
"You can't walk on a cloud, so we're going to have to leave you behind. We'll come back after we revive Loyalty," Taro replied, leaving with Faust.
"So what are we going to do with everyone living in the spa basement?" Faust asked.
"Well, we could start restoring the town, then they could move out of the spa, making a new town. It'll be just like old times. But let's worry about that later, let's fly."
The city came into view soon and the duo landed on the cloud. Taro looked around and saw all of the pegasus ponies walking and flying through the city as if nothing was happening on the word below them.
"Look at them, I don't even think they know anything about what's going on below them. It's like they've forgotten," Faust pointed out.
"Yeah, I can see that. Come on, let's get to that shrine. It's over this way." Taro and Faust walked until they came to a gray stone shrine with a red lightning bolt on the top. The shrine had a stone disc under the stone rod that protruded from the center, and, atop the rod, sat the bolt.
"Wow," Faust said as her eyes lay upon the stone.
"Yep. Now, let's get Loyalty back," Taro suggested.
"What is it with you wanting the element so eagerly?" Faust asked.
Taro stopped. "Honestly, I'm surprised I've never told you about the elements. The living forms of the Elements of Harmony were my best friends. They were the first ones I met when I arrived in Equestria."
"Oh, that's it?"
"No, not really. Loyalty was different. Loyalty was... Rainbow Dash."
"Oh, I see. After not having her for so long..."
"Yeah. Anyway, let's see here." Taro walked around the shrine. "How do we... Oh." Taro stopped behind it. "Well... That's easy."
"What? What is it?"
"It's a button that says to push it in emergencies."
"What..." Faust walked over to Taro and looked at it. "Huh..."
"Well, let's do this." Taro gently pressed the button, causing a beam of light burst from the stone. The energy was so powerful, it blasted Taro and Faust back a few feet. As Faust flapped her wings to stabilize, Taro grabbed at his fedora, keeping it on his head.
"What the heck is up with that?" Faust said over the blast.
"Well, it should be bringing life. It's most likely using up a bunch of energy to open the gate. It's actually quite impressive how it's only this bad. I would expect..." Taro quieted as the blast and light faded, revealing a cyan pegasus lying on the ground. Taro opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
The pegasus looked at him. "Taro?" she asked.
Taro's mouth sat open. "Taro, is that..." Faust started.
"It worked..." Taro said quietly. "It actually worked."
The pegasus stood up and walked toward Taro. "Wow..." she said. "What..."
"Rainbow Dash..." Taro said.
"What..." she said again.
Taro straightened hi hat and bent down to hug her.
The two embraced each other. While hugging, Rainbow said again, "What..."
"Are you going to finish that..."
"What are you wearing?"
Taro face-palmed. "Almost two-thousand years apart and THAT'S what you say?"
"Yes," Rainbow Dash replied calmly.
"I missed you," Taro said, hugging her again. He soon stood and straightened his fedora. "Alright, one down, five to go. Faust, let's go back to Silus and head for Canterlot to get Twilight."
"Fill me in, Taro. What's happening now?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I don't entirely know. Something with a jump into time from a forest and Silus and I got sent forward. Point is, we need you six to defeat him. I'm powerless against him now," Taro explained. "Now we need to get back to Silus and start our way to Twilight's shrine."
The three landed near the spa and already ponies were coming out into the sun to rebuild Ponyville. On top of the spa, Silus was moving clouds around.
"Hey, Silus, what's up?" Taro shouted to her.
"Oh very funny, on a building, 'what's up?'" she replied.
"Actually, I meant that. What happened while we were gone?"
"I managed to convince everypony to restore the town. I'm just working some magic to conduct some weather around here. It's too dry, it's not good for the land."
"What? A unicorn is a weather pony?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Silus looked down. "Hey, you got loyalty!"
"The names Rainbow Dash. Heard o' me?" Rainbow gloated.
"All too much from Taro," Silus replied jumping down to them. "Plus we met a few years ago."
"Not for her," Taro said.
"Right," Silus said. "Several hundred year ago."
"Now then. Let's get moving. We need to get to Canterlot. Faust, are the trains working still?"
The train traveled down the tracks. Night had fallen and everyone in the car had turned in for the night. Except one. Rainbow Dash sat on the small section of platform at the end of the train, taking in the sight, smell, and feeling of the wind and cool air.
Inside the car, Taro sat up slowly. His head almost hitting the top of the car from the top bunk. He quietly jumped down and exited the car. He quietly grabbed the railing and leaned on it next to Rainbow Dash.
"It's a beautiful night," she said, breaking the silence of the night.
"Yeah," Taro agreed. "You should have seen it before this happened."
Rainbow Dash stayed looking at the tracks. "How long has it been? Since I died."
Taro looked down. "Over one-thousand years."
"And you've been alone?"
"Of course not. I had Jarden and his family, then Thatch,"
"And where are they now?"
"Dead, but then I had Faust and Silus. They've been my best friends for a while."
"But you were still alone, weren't you?"
Taro sighed. "Without you? I'm always alone."
"And that's the problem. You could have had anyone else. You could have fallen in love again."
"I couldn't."
"You didn't think about it?"
"No, I did. I just could stand it."
"Stand what?"
"Waking up each morning, looking at her..." Taro sniffed and wiped a small tear that formed at the edge of his eye. "...and being reminded she's not you. And that I'll never get back."
Rainbow was silent.
Taro knelt down to look Rainbow in the eye. "Is that why you're out here?"
Rainbow blinked slowly, looking down. She then looked back up to him and kissed him. "You've been alone for so long, just for me."
"Of course."
"Thanks." Rainbow hugged Taro and he sat in the corner of the rail.
"No problem."
Morning had come and the car had been lighting up. Silus fell onto the floor, landing on her hooves, followed by Faust. "Morning, Faust," Silus greeted.
"Good morning," Faust replied. "Taro, get up. Rainbow, you too." There was no answer. "Taro? Rainbow?" The two ponies looked at each other, then at the two top bunks that were Taro's and Rainbow's.
Silus jumped up and looked at the two beds. "They're gone." Silus walked outside to the back and saw Taro holding Rainbow in his arms. They were both fast asleep, Rainbow Dash's mane flying around in the wind of the moving train. Quietly she closed the door and turned to Faust. "Look at those two," she said.
Faust opened the door and looked at them. She walked back in. "I don't think I've ever seen him this happy."
"Who would have thought that one pony could make Taro act so..." Silus searched for the right word "...different? Sweet? ...Happy."
Taro opened the back door, carrying a sleeping Rainbow Dash. He set her down on a nearby bed. "Morning guys."
"Morning, Taro," They both replied.
"What were you two doing out there last night?" Silus asked.
"Talking," Taro replied sternly. "She'll probably sleep for a while."
"Why?" asked Faust."
"Energy deficit. Bringing her to life takes enough energy, now her body needs to collect more energy to bring her back to her top physical condition. Is there still breakfast on the train?"
"Yeah. Good idea, I'm getting hungry," Faust replied.
The three walked into the kitchen and they all grabbed a plate. Taro piled his with donuts, eggs, toast, and various other breakfast foods.
"Geez Taro, that's a lot of food," Silus pointed out.
"It's not all for me. Most of it is for Rainbow Dash. She's collecting energy and that takes calories. She needs this food."
"This stuff is complicated."
"Yeah, you'll get it eventually." Taro sat down on the floor by Rainbow Dash. "Hey, I got you some food. Eat something."
She looked at Taro and smiled slightly. She took a small bite of a donut and fell back asleep. Taro laughed to himself. He some donuts and sat against the other wall so he was facing her.
Faust sat near him, and Silus her. "So how did you two meet?" Faust asked to break the silence.
Taro thought a moment. It had been so long ago, although he remembered it so well. "When I first arrived here on a mission, she let me stay in her house. It was only for two or three days, but..."
"But that's all that it took to draw you in, huh?" interrupted Silus.
"No. My mission was complete and I went back home. Four months later I was called back to Equestria. I stayed with her again. Then we ended up together. It wasn't long, something else happened and we got separated for a little while. At that point, my student dragon rider was ready to stay and protect my home while I stayed in Equestria. I said it was to make sure no harm could come to this land, but really, I just wanted to stay with Rainbow more."
"That's it?" Faust asked.
"What? What more do you want?"
"Well I expected some kind of rescue mission. You know, 'Oh, my daughter has been stolen! Quick save her!' kind of thing."
Taro laughed. "My life isn't a fairy tale. After Rainbow's death, I've been unable to live happily ever after."
"Love you too, Taro," Rainbow said quietly from her spot on the bed.
Taro smiled at her and he saw her smile back without shifting her head. Within minutes, light snoring replaced her blissful laugh. Taro took a long breath. "Well, I'm going out to stretch my wings."
"I'm coming with," Rainbow Dash said, jumping down from the bed.
"Will you make up your mind. Sleep or fly?" Silus asked jokingly.
"Both." Rainbow Dash fluttered up into Taro's arms and got comfortable. "Come on, you can do the flying."
Taro laughed again and he left the train grinning.
The train jumped as it rode along the tracks, causing Taro to wake himself. He looked at his chest. A blue pony was sleeping. Taro stoop, holding her and looked out a near by window. Canterlot was getting extremely close. They would reach their destination in a half-hour.
"Come on, everypony. Wake up. We'll be in Canterlot soon. We don't have enough time to be lazy today," Taro ordered, shaking the ponies and setting down his own.
"Five more minutes..." Rainbow Dash mumbled.
"Sorry, Rainbow. Can't. We need to eat and by then we'll have arrived in Canterlot."
"Fine..."
"That'a gir..."
"I'm not eating then."
Taro looked at her as she jumped up on the bed. "You sure?"
Rainbow Dash nodded her head as Silus jumped down from the top bunk of her bed. "Is she always this lazy?"
Taro looked at Silus for a minute without saying anything. Then he looked back at Rainbow Dash. "Yes."
After a quick breakfast, the engineer spoke up from the loud speaker. "Canterlot Station. Or what's left of it."
The team walked off the train and Taro went to see the conductor. "We might be a little while, depending on obstacles along the path. And since, by the look of it, no one is even here, so could you wait for us before departing to Vanhoover?"
"Well not many other ponies ride the train anymore, and I only do it to see the sights, I guess so," the conductor replied.
"Thank you."
"So, where to?" asked Faust.
"The tourist center. The caves beneath Canterlot that everypony loved when it was put there. Twilight did a lot of studying there, too, so it makes sense that she would want to be there."
"Studying? Oh, look I found a rock. Ooh! Another one! And, hey, here's another!" Rainbow Dash mocked.
"Oh come on, Rainbow. Twilight was one of your best friends. Besides, she lived almost 200 years. What else was she supposed to do?"
"Wait, 200 years? Why?" Silus asked.
"What do they teach in Manehattan?" Faust interjected. "Twilight Sparkle was one of the most famous ponies of all time. The history states that she was once a unicorn, but someone turned her into an alicorn."
"Not just history. Who do you think taught them?" Taro stated.
"Really? Who turned her into an alicorn?" Silus asked.
"That's be this guy," Rainbow Dash said, pointing at Taro.
Taro waved his hand as if he swatted away the answer like a fly. "Not just me, I just provided enough energy for the spell to take hold." The crew walked into the entrance of the caves.
"There's a spell for it?" Silus asked.
"Well, no. I combined my magic and... I don't know, it's confusing and it happened a long time ago. I can't remember each detail."
"Okay, geez..."
A few minutes of silence had passed. "So... how far do we need to go..." Faust asked.
"Shouldn't be too far now. If I remember correctly, it was close to the center of the tunnels. These caves branch off into several different paths, all meeting where Twilight is. Well, where she will be. By my calculations, it will be about..."
"Found it," Silus interrupted.
"Now."
The team approached the shrine. It looked similar to Rainbow Dash's, only where the element hung above the stone, there was Twilight's element instead.
"So, how does this work?" Silus asked.
"Well first, we hit the button," Taro explained.
"Button?"
"Yes, button. It's right there." Taro... well... hit the button. A pillar of light erupted from the shrine and dissipated. In front of the shrine lay Twilight. She slowly stood and looked around. Her eyes rested on Taro and Rainbow Dash.
"Taro, Rainbow!" Twilight exclaimed, running for her friends.
"Welcome back, Twilight."
"Good to be back, Taro."
"Now then..."
"Wait, Taro. One more thing. What in the name of whoever is princess of Equestria now are you wearing?"
Taro looked at her. "It looks awesome. Anyway, let me introduce you, that's Silus, that's Faust. Faust is the one you were referring to. Now then, let's get back to the train and head over to Vanhoover. I believe Fluttershy is there."
Taro took the lead while Rainbow Dash and Twilight stuck toward the back to talk.
The train rolled down the tracks to Vanhoover. No stops in between unless for more supplies for the train. Twilight lay on a bed, reading a book, Rainbow Dash and Taro sat on a bed together, Silus practiced her magic, and Faust was speaking to the Conductor.
Rainbow Dash whispered to Taro, "So why did I need to regenerate energy by sleeping, but Twilight is wide awake?"
"You have to remember, Twilight is an alicorn. She has energy to boot, even after death." Taro took a deep long sigh. "But that doesn't mean, I'm not BORED!" Silus's water base fell from the distraction and Taro jumped off the bed and went through the drawers in the nightstand next to the bunk bed he was on.
"Let's see, pair of socks for ponies who don't wear them. Well... Empty can of popcorn, oh. That's cool. Hey Twi."
"Hm?" she asked, not looking away from her book.
"Chess bored. We never did play each other."
Twilight looked at him and he held a wooden board and some pieces.
"Want to play?" Taro asked, setting up the bored on the floor.
Twilight put a ribbon in her book and jumped down to the floor and sat across from Taro.
"Oh boy, this is gonna be a long match," Rainbow Dash said, turning toward the chess board.
Taro moved a piece. "All this time we've known each other, and we haven't played a single game of chess."
The game went on for a while, Twilight carefully considering each move. After Taro had collected several pawns, a bishop, and both her knights, and Twilight got a rook and three pawns, Taro made a move and walked outside for some air, Rainbow Dash following behind him.
"I don't think I've seen a game last this long," Rainbow Dash complained.
"Twilight's a strategist player. She seems to like taking her time to play over several possible moves in her head. Even with her, it takes a while for her to figure these strategies out. I, however, have done things like this my whole life. I'm used to going out on a whim and analyzing the situation quickly. By the time it takes her to think of a third plan, I've got ten."
"Really? What happens when she moves that queen to take out your knight?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I move my bishop to take out her queen. Check."
"Twilight moves her pawn, taking out your bishop."
"Take a knight out with my rook."
"And if she moves her bishop to get your pawn?"
Taro looked at her while leaning forward on the rail. "Are you just guessing the location of her pieces?"
Rainbow Dash laughed. "Pretty much." Rainbow extended her wing over Taro's shoulder and Taro leaned into her.
"How much longer until we're done collecting our friends?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Taro took a long deep breath. "Depends," he started. "If we can keep the conductor going where we want and we get no trouble along the way, we shouldn't be out longer than a week and a half. Maybe two weeks."
"Two weeks that I get to spend in your arms," Rainbow Dash replied blissfully.
Taro looked up and sniffed the air, closing his eyes. "Shame. I was having fun here too."
"What? What is it?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well I don't know what, but something is off..."
"How can you..." As Rainbow Dash spoke, Taro's eyes grew wide. He quickly grabbed her and jumped as high as he could right before an unseen force knocked the train on its side.
Taro quickly ran into the train to make sure his friends were alright. When he entered the sideways train, Silus had a small cut on her forehead and the beds were on top of each other. Other than that, everything was fine. Well, the chess board was flipped over.
"Taro, what was that?" asked Faust.
"I don't know yet, but I intend to find out." Taro dug his sword out of the rubble and jumped out of the train to face the attacker. He looked around to find nothing but an open field. Taro grunted and flew up a little to get a larger view of the surrounding area. Nothing. "Great," he mumbled to himself as he flew back into the train.
"What was it?" asked Twilight, dusting herself off.
"I don't know, whatever it was, it got away. I'm going to check on the conductors."
As if on cue, the two earth pony conductors entered the overturned car. "Is everyone alright?" asked one.
"We're all fine. I was about to see if you two were alright," Taro replied.
"Well we're just fine. Unfortunately, we can't go any further. Half the train is turned on its side. We're going to have to call it quits. Journey's over."
"What, no. We can't. We have to keep moving. What if we get the train back on the tracks?" Taro asked, trying to reason with the conductors.
The second engineer scoffed and said, "Good luck. I don't think anyone would be able to do that."
"But what if we can?"
"Well I suppose we'll get going again, but it's not very likely you'll manage it. Not even that alicorn would be able to lift this with her magic. Or that other alicorn for that matter."
As Taro was about to exit the train, Twilight stopped him. "Are you sure you can do this? I know you're strong but, do you really think you can do this?"
"Nope. But I've learned a few tricks and I've discovered a few things since you left."
"Like what?"
"Well, being the last dragon rider or really the only one who can understand the ancient language at all means there's no one left to govern the rules. I spent the last couple hundred years or so weakening the barriers a little."
"What did you manage to come up with?"
Taro exited the train with a look that said "see for yourself." Inaudible words came from the outside of the train as everypony began to float and the train flipped back onto the tracks. All the beds, sheets, and even the chess bored with all the pieces returned to their normal spots. Soon, Taro opened the door to the train panting slightly and grinning. "Shall we be on our way, then?"
The train had stopped at a station near Smokey Mountain.
"We need to get more coal if we want to make the long trek to Van Hoover," explained one of the engineers. "It may take a while, so you can leave the train for a little while if you want. We won't leave until we get the 'go-ahead.'"
"Alright, then. You four go into town and see if you can get anypony to stop being afraid of Equestria. I'm going to patrol around for some extra coal and wood or something for the engine," Taro instructed the team.
"Are you sure?" Silus asked.
"Yeah, you're going to be heading into a branch of the Everfree Forest," Rainbow Dash stated.
"Don't worry about me. I've got Kveykva. I'll be fine."
"Be careful, Taro," Rainbow Dash requested.
Taro ventured through the expanse of the trees in the dangerous, earth-like forest. Despite its danger, the forest almost always seemed so calm to Taro. A branch shifted in the wind out of the corner of Taro's eye, but he paid it no mind.
Birds flew away from the trees, startled by Taro's presence. He liked being with his friends again, but he like having this time to himself. A faint growl erupted from behind Taro. He turned to investigate. A pack of Timber Wolves started circling Taro. Smirking, he drew Kveykva from beneath his overcoat.
The wolves pounced, slashing and tearing, trying to gain the upper hand against the powerful hero. Taro slashed the head off one of them and knocked it back. After a minute, it brought itself back.
"That's what I hate most about these things," Taro muttered to himself.
A Timber Wolf tried to attack Taro's back, but it was stopped, not by Taro, but by a girl. A human girl with sort red hair and a silver short sword. She slashed and stabbed at the wolves behind Taro while he hit the ones on his front. "Yeah, I hate these things," she said.
"I take it you deal with these things a lot?"
"Way too often. Although, I have found a pretty fun way to get rid of them."
"And that is?" Taro stood his guard as the Timber Wolves continued their onslaught.
"Brisingr!" she shouted from behind Taro. All the wolves were retreating, following one with his whole face on fire.
Taro slowly put down his sword, his face in awe.
"There. Impressive, huh? Human using magic?"
"What did you just say..."
"Impressive, huh?"
"No, before that. You said brisingr. You said and manipulated fire. Where did you learn the Ancient Language?"
"My mentor taught me."
"What was his name?"
"Alexander."
"Impossible. No, I know an Alexander. DID know an Alexander. How could he teach you? The Alex I know is dead by now."
"My friends believed I was going to be the one to save Equestria. They sacrificed their energy to make me younger."
"Well, they must've had a strong belief in you."
"What about you? How do you know the language?"
"I'm the one who brought it to Equestria two thousand years ago."
"No... No, you can't be. What's your name?"
"I am Taro, Dragon Rider of Old, King of Equestria."
"King of Equestria, huh? Well you're doing a pretty crappy job."
"It's not my fault, I was protecting my friends. It may not have turned out well, but I didn't have very long to make my decision. Anyway, what's your name?"
"I don't really have a name. Well, I used to. I stopped caring about it, though. Everyone who met me, though, calls me the rising hope, so I guess you can call me that."
"Rising Hope. I kind of like it."
"Well I meant The Rising, but that works too."
"Come along, Hope. I've got some ponies to introduce you to."
"Why introduce me?"
"Because you want to end this dark period in Equestria. And we know how to do it."
Taro and Rising returned to the small town to find Silus and Rainbow Dash moving clouds and Twilight and Faust helping rebuild the various buildings with the other ponies.
"So, did you hear anything from the engineer, Taro? Oh and another question. Did you bring home another stray?" Faust asked sarcastically.
"Gee, thanks. I already feel welcome, Taro," Rising said to Taro.
"I'm only kidding. I'm Faust, one of the rulers of Equestria."
"Oh, another ruler who failed to protect our country from some kind of invader."
"Well it's not MY fault, Taro was supposed to..."
"What? Don't pin the blame on me!"
"Hey, Faust. I'm only kidding."
Faust was speechless, her words twisted around herself.
"Taro, who's your new friend?" Rainbow Dash asked, flying down next to them.
"This is Rising Hope. Well, that's what she calls herself anyway."
"Finally a normal name," Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Hi, I'm Rainbow Dash.
"A decent greeting. She's winning, Faust," Rising joked.
Just then, one of the engineers came to them in the town square, telling them that they were set to go.
The team had Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Rarity and were on their way to get the only one who could make the journey fun or interesting. Pinkie Pie was waiting for them in Baltimare, then they would head down to Apploosa. Every stop along the way, the towns were reforged and rejuvenated. The cities were prospering once again. Unfortunately, that meant Taro and his team were getting noticed. Twice they were attacked by random animals that didn't even know what they were doing.
Night had fallen and Taro was on the balcony of the caboose with Rising. "We're almost done," Taro said to her.
"Yeah," she replied. "What will we do then?"
"Well I'll have to rebuild Canterlot. Maybe I can actually fix everything that I didn't like about that castle."
"What about me?"
"Well you can stay there if you want. There's going to be plant of room."
"What about all of your friends?"
"Of course they can stay. Rainbow Dash is probably going to sleep with me in my bed. We'll have a large canopy in the shape of clouds and lightning bolts hung across the ceiling."
"What is with you and that pony?"
"What do you mean? We're married. We have been for almost two thousand years."
"Really?"
"Well she was dead through most of it. But even still."
"Have you ever considered finding somepony else to love? Or some human?"
"A few times. But I've never loved them like I did Rainbow Dash. I can't begin to..." Taro was interrupted by the back door slamming open and a cyan Pegasus falling out.
"Woah! Okay, double barrel roll cloud edition does not go over well in doors..." she complained rubbing her head.
"You think?" asked Twilight.
"Honestly, it's like you just learned a life lesson from that," Rarity complained.
"Well it was a fun idea," Rainbow Dash defended.
"What did you break in there, Dash?" Taro asked.
"Oh, it's uh... well. So long as you stay out here for another day and a half, to your knowledge, nothing."
"She broke our bed, didn't she?"
The ponies in the door nodded.
"Rainbow Dash, you are so wild. Why did I chose to love you?" Taro asked, jokingly.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm just that awesome."
"Sure are. Come on, let's fix it up." Taro walked passed her, petting her on her head. She smiled as if she was proud of what she did.
After about an hour of trying to fit all of the pieces together, Taro started to not like the idea of rebuilding his own bed to sleep in.
"You can sleep in my bed," offered Fluttershy, "if that's okay with you..."
"I don't want to take your bed, Flutters, where will you sleep?" Taro replied, magically sealing a bored.
"Well I don't want you AND Rainbow Dash to be uncomfortable. Better one sleepy pony rather than two."
"Thanks Fluttershy, but we'll pass," Rainbow Dash declined.
"Yeah, I can fix... WHERE THE HECK DOES THIS PIECE GO! RAINBOW DASH! THIS ISN'T EVEN WOOD!"
"What? You know how I love to go fast! It's not my fault. Well, technically it is, but still."
Taro sighed. "Rising, you mind helping me out with this?"
"Sure," she replied. "Okay, so this piece goes here..."
"No, that goes over there."
"Well then what's this part?"
"I have no clue, what did you do to this thing, Rainbow?"
After an hour of complaining and confusion, Rainbow Dash and Taro just settled on what was left of the mattress and slept.
The next morning, one of the conductors entered the train car. After wondering what had happened to the bunk bed, he informed the group that they had to stop for more food and they were going to refuel on coal while they waited.
"Well then, shall we head out and fix up this place?" Taro suggested.
The team had been walking around and rebuilding the town for a half hour. Buildings were restored... again, weather was being managed... again. "Great job, girls. Now let's get that Cumulus over..." Taro directed.
"Um, Taro..." Twilight interrupted.
"What?"
Twilight pointed toward the forest. High above the trees, smoke rose from a single clearing.
"Oh no..." Taro took off toward the smoke stack as fast as he could and landed behind a few trees and started walking when he got close.
In front of him was a man with a blue box that was smoking. The man was coughing and aiming a fire extinguisher into the door of the phone box.
"Woah!" he said. "No more tea by the console, bad idea, stupid plan. Especially when the shields are down and you're being chased by Sontarans." He sprayed gas into the box again.
"Are you the one creating all of that smoke, Doctor?" Taro asked, walking up to him.
"Well of course Taro, don't you know me at all?" replied the Doctor.
"I suppose not. What are you doing here?"
"Well, stopping for a... reboot. What about you?"
"Oh, you know, saving Equestria from certain doom, nothing special."
"Taro!" Rainbow Dash shouted, flying up to him. "There you are. Is this the guy who had that stupid fire? You know you're an idiot, right?"
"Rainbow Dash, good to see you again. How are you?" asked the Doctor innocently.
"Oh, have things gone all wibbly-wobbly again? Hmm... when did we last meet?"
"The regeneration."
"Oh yeah, good to see you're still alive."
"Taro, what does he mean by that?" Rainbow Dash asked, concerned.
"It's a long story, point is, what are you really doing here?"
"Well, I've run into a slight problem with the Tardis and..." The blue box sparked and leaked a little more smoke. "Well, yeah. That happened."
"Do I want to know why that happened?" Taro asked.
"Probably not. So I'm at a loss for a ride. How are you getting along?"
"Train, of course. How did YOU get places?" Rainbow Dash asked impatiently.
"Come on, Doctor, you can ride along with us while you wait for your Tardis to fix itself," Taro said, almost ignoring Rainbow Dash completely.
"Sounds like a plan," The Doctor replied, walking forward. "So, still got Silus with you, or did she..." The Doctor paused, implying something had happened.
"No, no. She's still here."
"Okay, good. Then how is Rainbow Dash here?"
"Hold all of your questions until later tonight. Everyone can ask away."
"Oh, I hate waiting. I usually skip it."
Within minutes, the three exited the small forest and into the town.
"Taro, welcome back," Silus greeted. "Doctor? Is that you? Again?"
"Hello there, Silus. How are you?"
"Can we skip re-introductions, please. Have you finished with the town?"
"Just about, and the conductors said they were ready to leave as soon as we finish here."
After ten minutes, the team reunited and set off after Faust insisted in speaking to a few carpenters from the town.
The team was assembled. All they had to do was gather in the right spot in Equestria. The weakest spot where the Elements of Harmony could summon Specter.
"The train can't go far enough. We'll have to walk the rest of the way," the Doctor stated, looking at his silver cylindrical device. "But no matter. it won't be too long."
The train stopped and let the team off. "We'll stay back here for you, Taro," the conductor said as Taro stepped off the train.
"Thank you," he replied.
"Not far from here is an area we can use. It's weak and easily defendable. Now Taro, when we do this, I would like to point out that I do not approve of violence so please don't be too graphic," the Doctor said, walking with his device.
"What is that thing anyway?" asked Rising.
"Sonic screwdriver. Here we are. Faust, instruct with whatever knowledge you have."
" Okay. Twilight, you and the other elements stand in a circle. All you have to do is activate your elements and then Specter should reveal himself," Faust explained. "I'm not entirely sure of how this will work, so be prepared for some bumps in the road."
The Elements of Harmony circled a small area of grass on the small plains, facing toward each other. The elements slowly glowed and lit up. The ponies levitated into the air, slowly making a small, semi-transparent dome over the area.
"Taro, that might be a force field! Get in there!" instructed the Doctor. Without a moment to think, Taro quickly ran into the dome, just in time for it to solidify.
Twilight and her friends became encased in their own smaller domes, with lightning surging through the dome in one straight line. Slowly, a figure started to appear in the middle.
"There. That's him," Faust said to herself.
"Taro, good luck," replied the Doctor.
"Thanks," Taro answered. Specter solidified.
"Congratulations Taro. You've brought me here. Now what?" Specter asked.
Taro reached into his coat and drew Kveykva. "Now I kill you." Taro swung his sword at Specter, who quickly drew a sword of his own to block. Swinging back and for, No one got the upper hand. Taro swung from the right and Specter ducked. He thrust his sword at Taro's chest and Taro deflected the blow. Taro swung and Specter blocked it, locking the swords. Taro brought up his leg and kicked Specter in the waist, knocking him back.
Regaining his stability quickly, Specter blocked Taro's oncoming attack. Specter released a large barrage of blows toward Taro, Taro blocking all of them, his stamina, though, slowly draining.
"Your energy is fleeting, Dragon Rider. Well I suppose you haven't been called that in a long time."
"I'm still strong enough..." Taro mustered up. He could hear pounding. Dramatic pounding that he couldn't place the source. But that did not matter. He had to fight. He thrust his sword at Specter, who deflected. Specter was also tiring, but not as quickly as Taro.
"Come on... You can do better than that..." Specter taunted.
No... Taro thought. The pounding got louder. He thought it was his heart, but he had never heard it like this before. Constantly beating, stopped less frequently. 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. Like a drum.
"You're mine!" Specter lunged at Taro, striking him with his sword.
"NO!!" Taro's friends shouted.
"TARO!!!!" Rainbow Dash screamed. "NO!"
Taro collapsed to his knees. "Doc...tor... I can... hear it..." he muttered. "Can I?"
"You can't... I don't know how well you'll be able to fight. It's a dodgy process, and you've spent a lot of time here," replied the Doctor.
"Is there any... way..."
"Well, I did it once, but it was extremely close to me. I don't think you can direct it at anyone else."
"Taro, do me!" Rainbow Dash shouted. "Direct it at me!"
"Can I?" Taro asked, starting to glow in his hands and face.
"Worth a shot."
"Tell me..." Taro didn't finish his sentence. He burst into a shot of yellow energy, shooting out of his neck and arms. He was motionless, aside form the yellow.
"NOW TARO!" shouted the Doctor.
Taro turned his arms toward Rainbow Dash, shooting the yellow energy to her instead. Taro calmed, but what was happening to Taro moments ago was happening to Rainbow.
"Go Taro!" shouted Twilight.
"Right." Taro removed his coat and grabbed his sword. "I believe we have unfinished business to attend to."
"I don't know how you did that, but I don't like it. No matter. I've killed you once, I'll do it again."
The rivals swapped blows once again. "You are at a disadvantage. You just finished a fight," Taro taunted, pointing out that Specter was slowing down.
"No matter, I shall still..." as Specter rose his blade, Taro struck him deep in the heart, letting his body drop.
"There. Done. No more..." Taro replied, throwing his sword to the side.
"Taro..." the Doctor said quietly. "Rainbow Dash..."
Taro turned around. The Elements slowly fell from their prisons, dropping gently onto the ground. Where Rainbow Dash should have been lay an adult woman.
Taro walked up to her. "Twilight, grab my coat." He turned Rainbow Dash's naked body over as Twilight handed him the tan cover, which Taro wrapped around Rainbow. The once pony slowly opened her eyes.
"Oh, Taro. Did you win? What happened?" she said quietly.
"Yes, I won," Taro responded.
"Oh good. Am I wearing your coat?"
"Yes"
"Why?"
"Because Rainbow, you're naked."
"So what, so's Rarity, Apple Jack, and everypony else."
"But that's just it Rainbow Dash. You've regenerated for me. You're not a pony."
"Don't be ridiculous..." Rainbow Dash raised her hand in front of her face. "Arms. Hand. Fingers. Lots of fingers." She reached up to her face. "Eyes, ears... chin?" She felt around her chin. "Blimey. Hair? Oh please my hair..." She grabbed a clump. "Oh good, not ginger!"
Taro laughed. "Yes Rainbow Dash. You're human. Right?" Taro turned to the Doctor.
"Hmm... Yes, indeed. She is. 100 percent. Well, 95 percent, having wings isn't really human, but yes, she is human," replied the Doctor. "And what's wrong with ginger? Never been ginger before."
"But why am I human?" Rainbow asked.
"Well the body does it's best to retain the form of the previous regeneration as best it can, so it changed you into a human, also with a pegasus with your same lovely rainbow hair, trying to sustain pegasus as well as human. Mainly human sense it came from Taro."
"Excellent, now then. Let's head back to the castle ruins and work on fixing it up. I want enough room for all of you if you so wish," Taro said, helping up Rainbow Dash.
"Hold on, Taro. I actually had some people go back to Canterlot to fix up the castle. They were so grateful for our assistance, they offered their skills for free," Faust stated.
"Oh, excellent. Come on, then. Let's go help them."
"Actually Taro, can we get me some clothes of my own first?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"What, you don't like my coat?" Taro replied.
"I'd rather wear a bow tie, to be honest. Bow ties are cool," Rainbow Dash responded.
"Now that's the spirit," the Doctor joked. "Maybe a fez to go along with it?"
"No, fezzes are dumb. I have this deep sensation within me to shoot them with ray guns," Rainbow Dash replied.