The wind from the salty ocean was the best. Fresh air. Shadow, Starflare, Garren, Barrier, Dew, and their children were having a party. The occasion, nothing. It was a beautiful day so Stareflare figured, why waste it? She invited only the closest of her friends, and really her only friends. They spent the entire day ,on Shadow's little home on the southern part of Fallen Star. They were talking, showing off new magic tricks, and enjoying each other's company.

They parents were gathered on the side of the cabin, laying on a picnic mat, enjoying some fresh fruits with rare wines and juice, and their children nearby being more inland.

"Look at them." Dew smiled, "Those three are inseparable." Zaz, Dawn, and Lacoden were playing. With Zaz being the knight in shining armor and Lacoden being his sidekick magician, saving the princess, the Rex doll, from Dawn who was pretending to be a dragon.

"You know, Dawn is quite normal when she's just with us." Starflare laughed, "Then she comes and plays, she becomes the weirdest filly. I swear." She took a sip from some wine.

"I can't stand Zaz," Garren laughed almost spilling his cup of wine, "one filly in the house is enough. Too much work."

"Not much different from having a dog." Shadow added. He looked to the fillies, "Sure is a journey though."

"Well, the dog would listen at least." Stareflare said.

"Speaking of which," Barrier announced, he stood over everypony, "me and Dew have some great news." He took a deep breath. "We are having another filly!"

Shadow almost choked on a few bits of carrots he had in his mouth, "What?! Are you sure?"

"Yes, we found out last week and waited for the right time to tell you all. And what could be a better time than with all of us together." Dew smiled.

"See, I told you, honey." Stareflare nudged Shadow.

Garren asked, "What're you two talking about?"

"Shadow and I made a bet about Dew being blessed with another child last week. When they started acting all funny, haha. Congratulations Dew." Starflare was too lazy to get up and hug Dew properly so she just threw herself at her.

"Yup. We are gonna keep this from Lacoden though. Let her enjoy being the only child for as long as she can." Barrier sat back down, "I guess, I can spoil her until the baby is born. What about you two? Thinking about having more kids, that aren't of a different species?" Barrier was looking at Shadow and Star.

"No, I we are fine the way we are." Star looked at Shadow, "Right?"

"I'm happy as long as you are." Shadow answered making a smile.

Garren stood up and raised his glass, "Friends. I say we toast to this great drop of heaven we live on. I have to say I am happy to call this my home." He made a slight bow, then returned to his tall posture, "And I vow to protect our...family, yes that's the word. I vow to protect our family to the best of my ability for as long as I should live. And nothing shall come between."

The others raised their glasses and in unison they cheered, "To our family!"

Lacoden awoke in the brig. She blinked to clear her vision, and felt like their was an anvil on her head. Dawn was alone on the floor still sleeping with a blanket wrapped around her. Without making a sound Lacoden sat on her bottom and looked for clues to see when was it during the day. A tiny bit of sunshine bled through the tiny spaces of the wood that held the ship together. It wasn't bright though, Lacoden knew it was either dawn or dusk. Her thirst for blood was gone and she felt no presence of Rex within her mind.

She smiled and felt grateful to Dawn. Knowing that she saved her when she had every right to end her miserable life. She got off the bed and moved over the blanket. She wanted to have Dawn take her place in the bed, but her head ached so bad she couldn't use her magic. Lacoden didn't dare to leave her cell either, even though the cell gate was left with a little crack; she didn't know what to expect from the others if they saw her alone. So Lacoden laid back in the bed to wait out her headache.

Lacoden felt like a feather, laying so still in the bed. She heard the faint voices from the others above deck. Hearing no fighting. She wondered why. Was the fight over? No, she thought. It was impossible for the fight to have been over. Then she began to wonder how long she has been asleep. She rolled over to face the wall, she noticed a fresh bandage on her left side. She gently pressed on it and winced. She took her hoof away and placed it under the pillow. Somepony was approaching the cell. It sounded like there was only one pony. Lacoden shut her eyes and pretended that she was sleeping to avoid making conversation with the pony. The steps stopped behind her and she her the hinges of the cell gate open. The pony entered the cell.

"I know you're awake, Lacoden." The voice sounded pitiful.

Lacoden opened her eyes and responded, "Who...who is it?"

"Princess Luna. Don't worry I'm just here to check up on you two." Lacoden rolled over and sat up, looked at Luna. "I don't know what to say to you, Lacoden."

"Then don't say anything." She whispered. She got up, "Please. Put Dawn in the bed. I shouldn't even be alive right now."

Luna levitated Dawn and placed her slowly on the bed, and Lacoden walked to the side of the cell and looked at her friend, "Be grateful to her and her father. They are standing by your side. Not even I could dare stand such a position." Lacoden felt Luna's gaze upon her and uncontrollably turned to meet her eyes. "Come up when you feel you have rested enough." Luna left with a swift pivot and trotted her way above deck.

"Why'd you save me?" Lacoden whispered. A tear dropped to the planks. Lacoden walked out the cell and looked around, "I hope Shadow is up there." Lacoden used the side and whatever met her height to help herself get to the stairs. She looked up and saw the blue sky, took a deep breath and trotted up the stairs.
She felt the others staring at her with anger. She couldn't bring herself to look back at them so she kept her eyes on her hooves. She tried to get herself to the railings without bumping into one of them. She heard a few of them cursing her name. Then a pair of dark blue hooves appeared in front of hers, she stopped not knowing who it was until she heard the owner's voice.

"Good to see you're up." It was Shadow.

Lacoden still had trouble bringing her chin up, "I shouldn't be here." She whispered. "Take me back to Dawn, please." She was breaking during her reply.

"Alright calm down." Shadow used his wings to cover Lacoden as he led her back down to the brig. Once downstairs Lacoden fell and hyperventilated. "What's wrong, Lacoden?" He picked her up and walked her to the cell.

"You don't understand. Being in front of them is pathetic."

"Come on, you're stronger than this. I know it. You need to-", a roar rang through their ears. Shadow stopped in his tracks, "Oh no. That wasn't a dragon. Lacoden, stay with Dawn! I can't guarantee you'll be safe without her by your side. Go now! Look after each other." Shadow flew back upstairs. Lacoden leaned against a barrel and heard Dawn call her name.

"Lacoden!" She ran up to her, "What's happening?"

"Cerberus is attacking."

With Share not being too far from shore made it tempting for Garren to catapult boulders to her. He used Cerberus' massive strength to do the job. Since the harpoons Lacoden made were either destroyed or used during the first hours of the battle.

Excaelum and Orcusin returned to Fallen Star. Their battle carried them from all corners of the ocean, but something led them back here. Lord Chronin and Centerra did everything they could to keep the ports on the shores from being destroyed by the two. When they got too close they pushed them back into the ocean.

Lord Chronin and Kishinev were gliding just below the clouds when they spotted Cerberus hurdling boulders at the Share, "Centerra, guard the ship from Cerberus." Lord Chronin ordered. "Time I sent my friend back home." They both descended and on the way down Centerra tackled a boulder moving at incredible speed into the ocean just a few yards from hitting Share. Lord Chronin landed on the beach far from Cerberus. She said in the dragon language, "Chrontola haltuda." Time stop. Everything and every mark bearer, except Shadow, Dawn, Lacoden, Garren, Excaelum, Orcusin, Cerberus, and herself, froze in time. The grains of sand floated where they were. The powers of Life, Love, Mercy. Death, Hate, and Merciless were all muted. The incantations held no power during this time.

Cerberus felt free and as soon as he realized what he could do he looked for Garren, but he was no where to be found. And calmed down as Lord Chronin was approaching him. Cerberus bowed in respect to her power. He was almost twice her height so Lord Chronin met his forehead when he did.

"The power of an Original Time Dragon. Impressive." Orcusin growled. He swiped at Excaelum who was charging at him, sending him to the frozen ocean. Orcusin made his way to the beach where Lord Chronin was.

"Cerberus, you do not belong here." She said.

"I was forced here against my will, my Lord." Cerberus said in his deep voice.

"You go now. Let us deal with this mess." Lord Chronin placed the tip of a claw between his brows, "Until we meet again, Cerberus."

"I am in your debt once again." Cerberus faded away in thin air. With nothing left behind, but the deep paw prints he had made in the sand where he stood. The Banshees and Amaroks also appeared on the beach and surrounded Chronin. They bowed to her.

"You are all forgiven." She said. She sent them away like she did to Cerberus.

"Amazing." Dawn exclaimed peering over the railings, "How can this be possible?"

"I've never seen anything like it." Shadow added. Lacoden was speechless.

Orcusin landed on the beach behind Chronin, she turned around to him, "Lord, you are stronger than I have expected." He bowed slightly, "Still below myself."

"Strength is more than just your claws and flames, Orcusin." Orcusin creeped closer, "I should say, I am pleased to have seen you grown from a weak hatchling to the strong dragon you are today." Orcusin was only mere inches away from Chronin now. Excaelum landed behind Chronin with blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, "Excaelum," Lord Chronin projected her thoughts to Excaelum and time appeared to freeze for the two, "I wish I had more time with you. Oh, have I cared for you ever since you were born. I apologize. Take care," time again resumed and Orcusin reared back, "son."

Orcusin dug his sharp claws beneath Lord Chronin's scales and clenched down on her heart. Chronin did not scream in pain, she was strong. Strong enough to stare her killer in the eyes, "Ablazon." Lord Chronin's body glowed from within making the skin between her scales glow blue. Flames emerged from her eye sockets, ears, nostrils, and mouth. The flames consumed her. Orcusin slowly took his claws out from her chest and she fell on the sand. A lifeless corpse of a once kind, powerful, and wise dragon. The last Original.

A shade of blue engulfed Orcusin. He flew high above the sky. Into the black sky. Excaelum chased him. Meeting him face to face. With the sun to his right and his brother above him.

"Brother, you have not the strength to best me." Orcusin laughed.

"Orcusin, you are no brother of mine! You're a disgrace to Gravity! To Lord Dragaitas!"

Orcusin flew to Excaelum with flames shooting from his mouth and claws pointed at Excaelum's heart. Excaelum grabbed Orcusin's paws and clamped his jaws on his neck. His teeth crushing his scales and tearing his flesh. The blood danced in the black sky.

Orcusin took his claws and swiped up from Excaelum's chest to the bottom of his jaw leaving three symmetrical gashes. They stung, but weren't close to enough to stop Excaelum's rage. Excaelum recovered and went for his wings. And flew quickly and cut Orcusin's left wing at a joint in the middle of his wing causing him to rely on one wing. Excaelum flew back to give himself some distance, "It's over, Orcusin."

"No, it is not." Silently Orcusin conjured up his power of Merciless. The cut to his joint healed and he extended his wings to their limit. Excaelum complied and did the same. In a flash, Excaelum. Was at his brother's throat with his long claws deep into his neck.

The aura from Orcusin faded away. Excaelum flew to the earth with his brother still clenched in his grasp, flying at speeds he had never flew before. He ignited Orcusin in his tinted blue flame making them appear as a shooting star.

Shadow and the others watched in awe as they saw nothing but a blue comet of flame falling toward the ocean. Orcusin was drowning in Excaelum's flames, roaring in pain and thrashing at Excaelum trying to break free. His cries echoed through the sky. Excaelum did not allow an escape to happen. As they entered the atmosphere their bodies were both being set to flames. Excaelum felt serenity in all his rage and sadness. It was as if he were in a dream.

Excaelum plummeted into the ocean, not too far from Fallen Star, then nothing but an awkward silence fell over. Ashes started to rain down upon the area of Fallen Star. Excaelum surfaced, flew a few feet above the water before letting out an unforgettable, mighty, victorious roar. Mixed emotions were present in all who witnessed this.

Excaelum silenced himself, but his roar echoed. He flew over to the body of Lord Chronin. Her body was like a charred pice of wood. Still maintaining the majority of its form with cracks and parts that fell off that revealed the burning amber within. Centerra landed on the beach and joined Excaelum, grief riddled both their faces. Excaelum lifted her body using his powers, not missing a single part of her, then he flew into the sky.

"Now is my chance." Shadow thought. He took off in the hunt for Garren.

Lancer shouted, "We will end this today! All able fighters eliminate the Changelings! Keep them away from Shadow!" He took off quickly, so did the rest of the RAK, even the Princesses joined in.

Garren was beside the trunk of a tree, talking to himself, "I will not fall, not like this." He looked up and saw Shadow fly pass him. "Zaz!"

Shadow turned around and saw that Garren was behind him, with a black aura. "Flare." Shadow's white aura covered him, "Its just you and me now, Garren."

Without reply Garren charged at Shadow with his full force. Taking him miles away from Fallen Star. Shadow and Garren were both lightning fast with their strikes and every time the metal of their swords clashed they created sparks of light that made the sun seem dim.

He fought against his old friend and teacher; he needed to end his life. He didn't want to. The Pegasus he faces now wants to kill him. They shot toward each other and collided. Shadow was struck right under his wing. He crashed into the cold ocean below. While sinking down to the abyss his armor separated and gradually sank down. He heard a voice of one he thought had died many years ago, a familiar voice.

"You are not done finished yet. You still have a family to protect." It said.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw an illusion of his deceased wife. She was a beautiful and strong unicorn. Her long white mane had streaks of light pink, her coat was a normal-shaded pink. Her name, Starflare, granddaughter of Star Swirl.

"I can't.....I'm weak." he said in his head,"I will die here."

"No you won't. What will become of your daughter if you die here? She will be left in a world of nothing."

"I'm sorry, I-I just can't. I can't kill him."

"Then he wins the war, then he will continue to kill. No one will be able to stop him. Only you can."

"How can you still have faith in me after all this?"

She said tenderly, "You're my husband. You been through so much already. Why stop now? Get up."

Shadow's wound started to seal itself. He opened his eyes fully and spread his wings. He rocketed through the disturbed surface and shouted at his enemy,"I am not done with you yet!"

"Do you believe you can defeat me?" Garren replied.

"You will fall under my sword."

It seemed Shadow's confidence angered Garren,"Well then, show what you have learned over the years my former student!" They both enabled their magic. Shadow's aura glowed white while, Garren's glowed black. Their auras were seen miles away to a cliff where Princess Celestia and the others waited. The next thing they saw were the two warriors charging with great speed toward each other.

When they struck their lights combined making a bright gray sky, in the epicenter of this explosion Shadow and Garren were staring into each other's eyes. The color of their coats began to trade. Garren's white coat turned dark blue and Shadow's whitened. They pressed their swords against each other's, trying to push one another back to make an opening for a fatal attack.

"Zaz!" Garren shouted, he began to overcome Shadow slowly, anger fired up in Shadow. And he launched Garren back.

A burst of Life propelled Shadow into Garren tackling him, shooting Garren into the mountain of Fallen Star. Shadow flew fast to the crater and saw Garren tumble down the side. Shadow flew to the bottom where Garren would be. Garren hit the ground with a hard thump.

"How dare you!" Shadow screamed, "Use your son's name."

"His name is my strength." He coughed up blood, "Same reason you chose her name." He fell not his knees and propped himself up with his sword, "My coat, is blue now." He chuckled.

Shadow said, "Garren, let's end this."

"I agree." Garren stood up, "No, magic. Just our own strength."

"Very well. Just like old times then." Shadow dispelled Life. And Trotted to Garren, he waited for him to get up.

Garren stood strong, same as Shadow. They began. Garren swung from Shadow's right, Shadow slipped under the sword, struck at Garren's foreleg, nicking him. They reset. Shadow stepped in for a stab, but was cut when Garren pushed his leading foreleg away and cut his neck. They reset again.

This time they flew above the tree line. Shadow and Harren circled each other, then Shadow came in, Garren deflected him went in for a stab, Shadow evaded. Shadow had an opening and went in for a stab at Garren's side. It connected. Shadow pulled himself away and Garren fell out of the sky.

Garren had stopped himself from hitting the ground hard by catching himself by flapping his wings with the last bit of energy he had left. He landed on his hooves. Shadow landed in front of him, "Looks, like you've won....Shadow." Garren uttered. His sword clattered on the ground.

Shadow trotted to Garren, "I'm sorry, but I can't be sure my family will be safe with you still alive."

Garren nodded, "Make it fast." A small smile appeared on his face. "Farewell, Shadow." He shut his eyes.

Shadow took in a breath and exhaled, "Farewell, Garren." Shadow raised his sword, "Flare." Shadow's sword glowed white and a swift slice to Garren's neck ended his life painlessly. His body toppled over and his head rolled off.

Shadow stared off into the blue sky, quietly enjoying the end. Then he felt something cold against his neck, a sword. He turned to see who it was and so that it was a Changeling. The Changeling backed away.

"I would've killed you, but your mark told me who you were. You ended our service to him. And for that I thank you, Pegasus." It said. The Changeling spread his transparent blue wings and disappeared into the swarm with his own kind.

About three minutes later the princesses and the RAK appeared from the sky, landing around him. Mistake in him for Garren, because the color of his coat. Once they noticed his mark they lowered their weapons, "What happened?" Luna asked.

"Its over." Shadow replied. While walking to the beaches no pony said a word. The ocean was in sight and Shadow saw that Share, Dutchcolt, Abyss, and Reef were beached. All the crew stared at Shadow at first glance, but like the others didn't attack. Longbeard approached Shadow, "I'll get a fire started, Shadow. For both our warriors and theirs."

"Thank you, Sparsa." Longbeard nodded and began telling the others to gather the bodies, as many as they could find. When Shadow got closer to Share he saw that Dawn and Lacodwn were peering over the railing at him. He walked up the plank and was greeted with a hug from Dawn. Lacoden smiled at Shadow.

"Your coat, dad. What..."

"I'm starting to think there was more to me than I thought." He chuckled. "Do you think you can take us back home?"

"Yeah." Dawn grabbed Lacoden and her dad and they huddled. Dawn teleported them to their cabin, they looked out to the ocean.

"Dawn, Lacoden," Shadow said, "I haven't felt this much at peace for the longest time. Looks like Garren wasn't able to get Magnus Lumen to do what he wanted."

"Neither have I." Lacoden said. She looked up, "Look who else made it." Excaelum landed beside the cabin with Centerra next to him. "Wait.."

Dawn teleported next to Excaelum's claws, "Here, before I forget." Dawn took the red tassel and attached to a scale behind Excaelum's right eye.

"Very fashionable, Dawn." Excaelum said, "Thank you."

"It's not done yet." Lacoden cried. "We have to get off the island!"

"What? Why?!" Shadow replied.

"Rex was control and Garren was power. With both of them gone, Magnus Lumen will become unstable and like before it would threaten all life. We have to stop it!"

"What? There's nothing wrong. Nothing is-" the island shook hard enough to throw them off their hooves. Excaelum held Dawn close, "No...no." Shadow exclaimed. "Not again."

"We need one of the Lights to balance out its power back into stability. I'll do it. I shouldn't be alive alive anyways."

"No! I won't allow that!" Dawn shouted.

"It's the only way, Dawn!"

"No, its only right that I end this." Excaelum spoke, "my father stopped it before. It's my turn." Shadow flew onto Excaelum's back.

"Fine, but if there's the slightest chance I can save you I'm gonna do it." Shadow said. Dawn and Lacoden teleported onto Excaelum's back.

"Centerra, get them off Fallen Star!" The island shook violently again. Almost feeling like it would spilt in half. The mountain the the center began to split down the middle. And a loud deep howl ran through the sky. "Centerra, go!" Excaelum roared.

They flew toward their horror. Remembering the last time it happened. The sky in the sky dimmed. The closer they got, the more violently the trees were ripped apart from their roots, the louder the howling got. Shadow knew what was going to happen. He remembered that even Lord Dragaitas, the great Gravity Dragon, couldn't stop the crystal without sacrificing himself. One of them wasn't leaving the island, and he wasn't going to let it be Excaelum, Lacoden, or Dawn.

Excaelum flew up and began to dive. Lacoden, Dawn, and Shadow knew what he was gonna do so they hugged Excaelum's back pressing themselves as much as they can. Excaelum didn't want to waste time by landing so he crashed through the side of the hollow mountain. Inside the howling was deafening. None could hear what the other had to say even if they shouted at the top of their lungs. So they communicated telepathically.

"I won't be leaving this place. Go on you three." Excaelum said.

Shadow took in a breath, "I'm sorry, Dawn, Excaelum, Lacoden." He looked at each of them in the eyes and most at his daughter.

"It's not your fault, dad." Dawn replied. "Excaelum, there must be some way we can save you!"

"There isn't." Lacoden added.

"She's right, now leave!" Excaelum shouted.

"No! I can't leave you, Excaelum!" Dawn screamed with tears going down her face.

"Flare!" Shadow shouted in the silence of the loudness. Lacoden and Excaelum fell to their knees, their skulls pressing against their brains. "This is where my life ends." He looked into Dawn's eyes.

"Father, no!" She shouted.

"I want the three of you to look after each other." Dawn faced the inevitable and cried, Shadow was smiling, "Please, go now. You haven't got a minute to lose."

"I love you." Dawn said.

"I love you too, Dawn." Dawn, Lacoden, and Excaelum disappeared before his eyes and he was alone. He stared at Magnus Lumen, "Flare!" Shadow shouted with all his might. He reared back and flapped his wings and flew faster than he had ever had before in his life head on toward Magnus Lumen. His body fused together with the crystal and the howling ceased. The island stiffened. The crystal imploded. But the sun was still dark, like if it were the moon.

Dawn, Lacoden, and Excaelum were all free falling high above the sky. Excaelum shook out the aches from his head and cursed, "Damn." He opened his wings caught Dawn and Lacoden and placed them on his back. He turned to the island and saw it was again still. He and Dawn no longer felt a direct connection with Shadow. "Never have I met a Pegasus as stubborn as Shadow." Excaelum said. Excaelum flew down to Share and landed on the deck. His passengers jumped off and explained briefly what happened.

Princess Celestia was trying hard to make the sun burn brightly. She tried, but couldn't do it. Dawn walked to the stern of Share and shut her eyes. "Heartbeat." She said. Using her powers to calm her mind. She saw that the sun was bright again through her eyelids, she thought to herself that Princess Celestia had succeeded. Dawn made a rhythm with her breathing.

She felt like there were weights on her sides, she assumed that it was her muscles relaxing, but they were too heavy to be her muscles. She opened her eyes and saw her shadow in her peripheral vision. She turned around to look at the others. She saw only the top of their heads. They were bowing.

She addressed them and they rose their heads. Dawn didn't feel like royalty. She looked at them like before, like friends. She didn't feel like there was any sort of coronation to be held. All she felt was that she wanted to go home.

Dawn and Excaelum were back at their home in Lalifong, the sun was setting. They stood next by each other looking at the orange, yellow sky.

"Now what?" Dawn said, relaxed.

"There are still things that need my attention, Dawn. Questions to be answered."

"Yeah, you're right. I need to learn more about our powers. Excaelum?"

"Yes?"

"Be safe out there."

Dawn and Excaelum faced each other and pressed their heads together. And without another word Excaelum expanded his wings and headed north to who knows where. When Excaelum was no longer visible Dawn went into her home. She closed the door behind her. Dust was still dancing in the air, but the didn't bother her. She wouldn't be spending the night inside tonight anyways. Instead, she walked upstairs. Past the empty rooms and to the balcony. Where Dawn had a small bed waiting for her. She laid on her back and drifted off into her dreams.

Author's Notes:

I hope those of you who made it this far have enjoyed what I have written. Any questions or comments just type away. Thank you for your support!