Author's Notes:

I know this is not focused enough about the TRUE meaning of leadership and excellence, but why bother?

Chapter XVII: The First Element: Leadership and Excellence

"Wait! We need to save my friend!" Michael exclaimed,

"SHHH!"

Earlier, we sneaked in the castle unnoticed thanks to Michael's stealth knowledge. Inside was… gothic, the insides are full of skulls and torches placed on the walls, blood red carpet and violet colored walls. It's like a room or a mansion of an emo kid. Gives me the chills though.

"Okay! About your friend, where is he?" I asked,

"He's being held in the castle dungeon. Problem is, it's heavily guarded. When I mean heavily, I mean like hundreds of stallions are guarding it."

"Great, what now?" Ray face palmed in utter disappointment. But I can't say no, so… We agreed to help Michael find his friend. Surprisingly, Michael has a wide range of knowledge of the castle grounds, like he has a map inside his head. Which is pretty much handy for newly arrived tourists like us, he led us to where the dungeon is located and snuck past some guards that blocked our way by sticking to the shadows.

"Christ, there are so many guards!" I thought inside my head. While stealthily going to the dungeon's entrance, we overheard a guard talking, "Hey, have you heard that Princess Dark called the Negative 6 in?"

"No way! Did she?"

"Yeah, dude! She said that she's going to use them for some special assignment, I don't know what it is."

"Cool, bro…"

That's new, The Negative 6? Could it be that they are like nightmare versions of the Mane 6? Heh, now's not the time to jump into conclusions, we had the time but instead we're killing it. Ignoring the guards, we continued to go for the dungeon.

After minutes of stealth, we finally arrived at the front of the dungeon's door. Upon opening it, two guards blocked our way. Michael also has knowledge about stealth takedowns, pretty nifty for a guy like him.

We took down the two guards silently and grabbed his keys.

Ray whispered, "What does your friend looks like?"

"Black hair, silver eyes, 6'4" of height, black vest, black combat boots and that's all."

"Found him." Upon looking at the cell, there stands a human that looks exact like what Michael said. I unlocked the cell and unlocked his chains.

He spoke; although his voice was weak I still could clearly hear him. "About… time you saved me from that bitch."

"You alright, Razor?" Michael asked while helping his friend.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Who's your friends?"

"This is Ryan and Ray."

"Thanks for saving me."

"You're welcome." I replied.

"By the way, I'm Razor Volt Fury. But you can call me Razor."

"Nice to meet you." Ray replied.

"Nice, now let's go before somepony sees us." We were about to walk out the dungeon when a faint voice was heard from afar.

"Wait! Do you hear that?"

Away from a distance, we heard faint voices coming from the other side of the wall. Curious, I eavesdropped.

"Excellent, you are all here." A female voice spoke. It sounded too familiar, until I recognized the voice. It was Dark…

"What is our assignment, your Highness?" Another female voice replied.

"Your assignment is to kill a blonde human wearing black clothes. But you will only do that after the party. Dahilia, make it look more amazing."

"With pleasure, boss!"

"Also, kill the superhuman. After that, find their home world and inform me so I can conquer all of those weak and pesky humans. It seems that I can be more powerful when I host more than one human…"

"But Princess, isn't that dangerous?"

"No, my dear Penumbra Sparkle. Ever since Ryan betrayed my love for him, I realized that I can find more humans and eat their spiritual energy on his world. Making myself the most powerful pony in the Universe! MWAHAHAHAH!"

That can't be good… Shit, she found out about me and Fluttershy AND NOW SHE'S GONE COCO NUTS ON CONQUERING EARTH AND KILLING ME! Fuck, I gotta stop her before she does that.

"Bad news… Dark, the princess of the Night Forge… wants to conquer Earth."

"WHAT?!" They all whispered loudly.

"She knew that I have a strong love on another pony. And now she's gone crazy, she's going to conquer Earth and eat all of the spiritual energy there, making her invincible and more powerful."

"Wait, Princess Dark has a crush on you?" Razor asked.

"It's more than a crush. She sent me here with the use of this bracelet because she chose me as her host."

"Oh no… This is really bad. We need stop her before she gets to Earth."

"But how will she do that?"

"…The Negative 6! She's going to use the Negative 6 to kill us and use us to find Earth. The Negative 6 is supposed to be the nightmare versions of the Mane 6."

"Fuck… Now what?" Ray questioned.

"We need to find the battery fast."

We ran out the dungeon and went straight to the throne room. Fast but stealthily, we avoided the obstacles in our path. This is unbelievable, how did she know about us and 'Shy?

…Storm!

Storm is Dark! With the power of magic she has now, she would be able to tail me. That's why Storm is acting weird all around Fluttershy… SHE WAS JEALOUS!

It was all clear, the answers are jigsaw pieces. Slowly moving back together and finally a part of the image was seen. I needed to do what is right… WE needed to do what is right.

Sneaking past thousands of guards, we finally reached the throne room. Upon entering, I was almost shot by a poisonous arrow.

"Shit, the place is booby-trapped. How are we going to cross to that battery mysteriously standing on that pillar?" Ray asked.

"Easy." Michael responded and pointed, "We go the other way around. Normally, we'll just walk straight to reach the battery, but for security circumstances, we can just go around and stick to the wall."

"Okay… Let's do what Michael says." I said.

So we slowly tip-toed around the room to avoid the booby traps.

"RYAN, 6 'O CLOCK!"

Quickly, I dodged the arrow almost hitting me to the back.

"Jesus… That was close…"

We are almost to the battery when suddenly, a guard detected us. "STOP! What are you doing!"

"Shit, we're spotted!"

After that, swarms of guards quickly barged into the room and charged at us.

"IN THE NAME OF PRINCESS DARK, STOP THOSE HUMANS!

"My God… What now?!" Ray shouted. Thinking hardly, Michael thought of a brilliant strategy to take down the guards.

"Ray, you handle the left side. Razor, go for the right. I'll go for the middle and Ryan, get the damn battery!"

In a quick flash, the battle has begun. Teams of guards on the left charged Ray, but he was too strong and fast for them. Dodging spears fast, not even breaking a single sweat!

Razor, using a combat knife, non-lethally knocked the other guards unconscious. But the way he moves is incredible! By the looks of him, he must be trained by a professional.

Michael was indeed excellent. Wave by wave of enemies charging at him, they were no match for his strategic skills and moves. Fluid moves of combat were amazing! He can even close his eyes while doing that!

"Razor! SWITCH!"

In a quick motion, Razor and Michael switched places. Ray, on the other hand, is having a hard time. "Guys?! Need some help here!"

"Coming!" Michael shouted. Defeating the left side, Michael helped Ray defeat the swarms of guards.

Quickly reaching for the battery, I wore the ring and charged it by the battery when suddenly…

"AGGGHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRGGGHHH!"

The power of ring made me feel more alive the before. Its energy flowing through my veins… filling me with unimaginable power… I am improved!

"I AM THE LIGHT…"

*BOOM!*

A loud explosion obliterated every single enemy inside the room and left the rest of it clean. I opened my eyes to see that I have new clothes. White extended leather coat that reaches down to the ankles, white pants, white shoes and finally, white polo shirt with the White Lantern insignia on the my chest. And most of all, I look good in my outfit.

"Holy Cow! That was amazing!" Ray praised.

Razor stepped in and spoke, "I have to admit, that was pretty amazing. Despite that you have the White ring, means you are immortal?"

"No, the ring can't do that until I unlock its full potential."

"Pretty dope."

"I know."

"Let's g—" Razor was interrupted when Dark showed up.

"My lover! There you are! Come on, let's go! We're late!" Without uttering a single word, Dark teleported US to the party area, not even paying attention what happened to the throne room. Before Dark could even teleport us, I grabbed the battery and I suddenly noticed I'm at another place.

The place is a party area. So many ponies gathered to join and dance while Ray, Razor, Michael and I are just standing there, knowing what the hell just happened.

Ray scratched his head, "Where the hell are we?"

"Seems like a party. Dark invited us to a party… SHIT!" I shouted, the thought hit me like a nuclear bomb.

Surprised, Razor questioned "What?"

"After the party, THAT'S THE PART WHERE SHE KILLS US!"

"Fuck! Now what?"

"Guys, I got a plan." Michael responded, "We have to act normal. If we notice anything suspicious, that's the time that we should act. We have to stick together to do this."

"Alright, let's party guys…"

Acting cool was not my forte, but when it comes to life and death, I'll do it smoothly.

The party wasn't any other normal party. Rock songs are heard booming on the loud speakers, ponies dancing hardcore. The thought of it makes me sick, considering the punch is fucking blood, I would rather shit myself to death rather than attend this nightmare.

After a while, a pony approached Michael, "Why hello, handsome."

"Uhhh… hi!"

"Are you available tonight?"

"I'm sorry but no."

"That's too bad… Wish that I could rip those clothes off of you…" Her seductiveness is exposing. Michael, sweating and panting nervously, tried to think of a way out.

"H-Hey look! Punch!"

He quickly grabbed a glass of punch and drank it. Suddenly, he spat out the drink.

"What the hell?! What are in these?"

"Blood." The mare responded. Traumatized, all of us avoided all of the guests here.

Minutes after playing it cool, Dark went to the stage and announced something with a cake covered with a large white sheet beside her.

"In celebration of my coronation as the New Princess of the Nightmares, I present to you THIS CAKE!"

When the cake was revealed, its looks more worse than 2 Girls and 1 Cup. It was horrifying and disgusting!

"BLEAUGH! I think I'm going to be sick…" Ray vomited on the punch.

"Oh my God… This is disgusting…" Michael spoke in utter disgust.

"MY EYES! IT BURNS!" I followed.

"I've seen worse…" Razor too.

The cake was red, white and black. Frosting made out of blood, and OH MY GOD! Still beating organs inside it! The heart, the lungs etc.! Jesus Christ… I don't wanna see it anymore…

"HURRMPH… Gah… I need to go to the balcony." I said holding my mouth from vomiting.

"We'll… come with you…" Michael said and followed me.

"Oh LOVER! Would you like some of this cake?"

"ARE YOU NUTS?! FUCK NO!" I shouted then I went to the balcony.

"Look at those humans. It seems that they don't like our food." Wind chuckled, staring at the humans at the balcony.

"Indeed, considering that they are from another world." Thorn replied. These two stallions have some kind of grudge towards the three humans yet it is unknown why.

"They're hogging all of the mares in Night Forge, and no more room for us stallions."

"Indeed they are, Thorn."

"We'll wait for the right time to strike. For now, let the Negative 6 do the job."

Eerily staring at the humans, they trotted away towards the punch.

"How are we going to do this?" Ray asked us, still sick from the image of that disgusting cake that was revealed a while ago. Thinking of it only makes him more sick.

"Just act cool. We have to work together to fight Dark." Michael responded.

I can't take it anymore! Letting out my frustrations, I shouted "But dude! These ponies are crazy! Look at the damn cake, is that enough evidence to prove it?"

"Ryan, calm down. If we don't work together, we'll be dead in a second!"

"*pant* Okay, I'm sorry. It's just that, it's my fault that I'm here. If I hadn't worn this bracelet and made love to another pony, we would still be back on Earth." I sighed in hopelessness.

"Hey, man. Look, it's not your fault that we are all here. You were just caught in a cross-fire between love and lust. But it's not that of a big deal. If we work together and team up, we can go past through this." Ray said.

Bringing back the hope in me, I vowed, "I guess your right… Besides, I took the responsibility of both human and ponykind. There's no turning back now. From now on, I'll put myself aside and place the innocent lives as my first priority."

"That's the spirit, bro!"

Razor continued, "Has anyone seen my kni—" but someone, err—SomePONY cut him off.

"Good evening, you delicious beasts…"

I turned to look around to see RED THUNDER trotting seductively and slowly towards… Ray?

"Oh no… Damn it, it's Red!" I whispered.

"Who is she?" Ray asked.

"Dark's sister! She also wants to find a host like her sister! AND NOW SHE'S GOING AFTER YOU!"

"Oh fuck! How do we escape?" He asked. A realization hit me like a .50 caliber bullet; this can be easy as a pie.

"Red… NO."

"Aw what?! Why?" She became like a 5-year old. Huh, I knew it.

"I said no! If you want a host, go find another!"

"Awwww… Stupid Ryan…" She then trotted away from us. So much for being subtle.

"How did you do that?" Michael's eyes widened in shock.

"Dark's maybe powerful, but her sister is weak when you're standing up, be strict and firm with her."

"Nice, man."

After minutes of recovery, we came back inside to see that the cake is gone and finished. Thank God for that. Suddenly, I felt a strange feeling of apprehension in my gut. It's telling me that I have to get out of here and make a run for it.

"Guys, we need to escape now while Dark and the others are busy."

"Great idea, Ryan." Michael said.

Stealthily, we snuck out the entrance of the ball room and quickly made a run for it towards the castle library to learn some spells to fight Dark and the Negative 6.

What we didn't know is that Dark saw us escaping, "Wind! Thorn! Stop Ryan and his human friends and bring them back here!", and sent guards to come find us and bring us back to the ballroom. But it was too late, the two stallions named Wind and Thorn found us.

"STOP! Surrender now and go back to the ballroom." Wind commanded.

"Let's split up!" Michael ordered. Me and Ray went to the left while Razor and Michael went to the right.

"Ray! Jump!" I shouted.

Ray leaped and the guards attention was brought to him while I blasted some light energy at the guards. After minutes of fighting, we finally reached the library but saw that the other two wasn't still there. Guess we were the first ones, so we grabbed a spell book and started to learn.

"Michael, catch!" Razor shouted. Seeing the flying guard hurling towards me, I caught the guard and threw it to a group of other guards. All of them were finally knocked out, but not one.

Grabbing him by the neck and lifting him up, I tried interrogating "Where's the library?!"

"Agh… Why… should I… tell you?" He tried his best to speak.

"I'm going to make you talk. No matter how much pain you endure before that is in your hands."

"Buck… you!"

"I don't have time for this."

"Ok, Okay! Just go right, down that path and you'll see the library! Now… AGH! Let me go!"

"Alright. Now you get to take a nap." Finally knocking him out, we went straight to the library went suddenly, Dark teleported in front of us. Damn it…

"Am I too late?" She said with an evil and sinister voice. It doesn't sound good. I gritted my teeth, preparing for the consequences.

"I don't know how to fucking do all of the spells!" Ray shouted in frustration.

Closing the book, I held my head, "Me too, man. This is so bullshit. Where are Michael and Razor anyway? It's been an hour already!"

"I don't know… Maybe they're in trouble!" Realizing the problem, we ran through the door when suddenly, we saw Dark standing before us, with Ray and Michael knocked out by the hands of the guards.

"Damn it…"

"Tried to escape, eh?"

"What's it to you?"

"You dare talk to me like that?!"

Unexpectedly, we were knocked out by Dark's magic.

What is this? Why am I here? Is this a dream?

My nightmares were never like this, straight lines were curvy and wavy, blood red surroundings and green snow falling from the black skies. It was disturbing enough for me to make myself wake up.

"Where the hell am I?"

Suddenly, I was greeted by Fluttershy. "'Shy? Is that you?.

"No…"

"What?"

"Come back to me, Ryan."

"What in the—" Suddenly, she hugged me… Tightly.

"'Shy, what the…"

When we separated, I saw that I stabbed her. Blood flowing out of her side, "No! NO!"

"Why…"

"'Shy, no! I didn't do it, I swear!" I was crying, thinking that I killed her…

"Your turn…" she

"What?"

She seemingly grabbed a sword out of nowhere and—

*SHLICK!*

"GAH! NOOOOO!" Finally waking up from that horrid nightmare. I checked myself to see if I had wounds on my stomach, but actually none.

"*pant* Thank God… *pant* How long do all of these hallucinations end?" I said to myself.

"Enjoying your little dream there, lover? Or should I say traitor?!" Out of nowhere, a voice spoke inside my head.

"Dark? You were the one giving me these disturbing delusions?"

"After I found out about you and that yellow mare… I did."

"God damn it, where am I?" I asked.

"Back at Night Forge, my dear."

"Why am I here?!"

"You need to find my subjects and defeat them… before they kill you."

Shit, she was talking about the Negative 6…

"If you manage to defeat them, come to me. Here's a map to show their location."

"Where are my friends?!"

"Don't worry, they are safe. Just hanging around on my dungeon, being punished by the executioners."

"I'll never do what you tell me! You're not the boss of me!"

"If you don't do what I say, I'll kill your friends."

My options decreased to a singular course. Of course, I did what she said.

"Alright… I'll do it."

"Great! See you later!" Then, she was gone.

Great… Fight the Negative 6 and save everyone was my only objective now. Whoever they are, I need to fight them and save my friends before they'll die. So LET'S KICK SOME PONY ASS!