I awoke to the sound of an all too familiar click and something small and circler pressed against the side of my head.

"He's waking up," an unknown voice said.

I opened my eyes and looked in the corner of them to see the barrel of a gun aimed at my head. Since we were in the anti-magic zone I assumed these weren't loaded with crystals but instead with bullets. I looked around for my weapons only to see a pony was holding onto them. The others were awake but tied up and in a similar predicament. All of the princesses along with the two Draconequuses had also been tied up and placed in the centre of the room. The ponies guarding them were armed with alicorn stone blades. Daring Do was lying on her belly also tied up and glaring at a pony that was walking towards me. He had grey fur and a black and slightly grey mane and tail with green eyes and a beard. He wore a pale top with a red and white polka dot cloth scarf around his neck and khaki shorts. Everything about this guy was the no good type of archaeologist and will try to get rich by selling valuable artefacts.

"When some of my men said they saw two hairless apes that had wings and could stand on two legs and speak I thought they were speaking nonsense. But then I remembered the tale of the five guardians of secrets I must say Daring Do I'm a little upset you kept this secret from me," the pony said before he placed a hand on my chin to inspect me. I reeled back and bit his hand hard enough to draw a small amount of blood.

The pony screamed in pain while the pony who had me at gun point pushed the barrel into my head a little harder I let go of the ponies hand and he pulled away while holding it.

"Well it appears you have quite a temper on you," the pony said clutching his hand in pain.

"It happens when you take my friends hostage and I'm tied up by a pony I don't know," I said with fury dripping from my words.

"Oh where are my manners I'm Caballero but to you it's Dr Caballero," Caballero said.

"Don't make any difference to me now maybe you can tell me how you got by Slender?" I asked.

"If you’re referring to the monster I was forced to sacrifice some of my men so the rest of us could journey on," Caballero said causing me to hate this guy even more.

"How did you even find us Caballero?" Daring asked.

"When you gave me that bag of fake bits I was enraged so I went to seek you out but that's when I saw you talking to your friends about this place. I was intrigued beyond words so I decided to follow you and well here we are," Caballero said.

"So what do you plan to find in here?" I asked.

"According to the stories about this place there's a massive fortune in these walls along with power without equal. I plan to claim both and with all the princesses of Equestria here there is no one to stop me from doing just that," Caballero said.

"You won't get away with this," Chrysalis said.

"Hm you all are powerless here my men and I have the means to kill you all I believe I'll get away with it," Caballero said.

"Then why keep us alive?" I asked.

"Ah that's a simple one for you see the text says only the worthy can pass these challenges and since you’re a guardian I will need you to lead us through the trials," Caballero said.

"And give you access to such dangerous power no thanks," I said.

"I wasn't giving you an option," Caballero said as he snapped his fingers.

One of the Henchponies nodded and picked up Luna and held his blade dangerously close to Luna's throat.

"If you cooperate nicely there won't be any need for bloodshed," Caballero said.

"Fine but no one dies am I clear that also includes Daring," I said giving the Caballero a death glare.

"You have my word," Caballero said as he gestured to his man to release Luna.

Caballero then pulled me up and undid the ropes holding me while his stallions did the same for my friends. I stood up and looked at the others before I was pushed towards the doorway that led further into the temple. The Henchponies picked up my friends and pulled them along with me I walked up the stairs and entered the dangerous parts of the temple.

Trial of Observation

I walked through the corridors before we came across beams of sunlight that were coming in through the ceiling and stopped.

"Why have you stopped there's nothing to fear here," Caballero said.

"That's what scares me," I said giving him a dark look.

I walked forward and looked at the roof where the beams of light were coming through and the floor before I took a step back. I held out my left hand right in front of the light before I quickly placed my hand in and out of the light. A click sounded next to me and a compartment opened and a wall of spears burst out all along the corridor. Impaled on some of the spears were decomposing bodies the one in front of me still had an eye still in the skull. Most of the group jumped away in fright at the sight while I remained still.

"Light trap very clever," I said as the spears slid back into place.

"How'd you see that?" Daring asked.

"Slender told us that he keeps the temple in perfect order do you really think he'd miss a small section of broken roof. Also if you look at the ceiling you can see a border going around the holes where the light comes in. So this indicates they were designed this way also all the dried blood on the floor along with a little Mayan studying," I said as I stepped through the maze of lights and everyone followed.

"I'm amazed you were able to see through that," Celestia said as she moved her way through the beams of light.

"This is the test of Observation Celestia so it means I have to use my eyes and my head when it comes to this," I said.

"I'm impressed that you humans were able to craft such traps," Daring said.

"This trap is actually one of the classics it's nothing more than a few mirrors sunlight and a few wooden gears and rope to make it work," I said wowing Daring and Twilight.

I looked at Rarity who was just about to come through along with the last Henchpony but the Henchpony accidently moved his arm through the light and a click went off. I immediately grabbed Rarity but the Henchpony was too far away. I pulled Rarity out just as the spears sprang out and impaled the poor pony. I released Rarity and looked at the unfortunate one before I gave a small moment of silence to him.

"Thank you Ash," Rarity said.

"No problem Rarity," I said.

"Let’s keep moving," Caballero demanded.

I gave Caballero a scowl before I walked upstairs to the next floor.

Test of Honour

The next test led us to a doorway and we walked through we were almost blinded by the amount of gold that was piled in the room. There was so much of it I doubt anyone would know what to do with it all. The gold was piled on two sides of a small path 10 of the Henchponies ran ahead of us and went to fill their pockets with gold. I looked around and I saw a good number of golden statues odd thing was they all were of explorers. Each one of the statues looked terrified and were trying to shield themselves from something. A thought hit me as I looked at the ponies playing in the gold and jewels.

"Hey wait don't touch that!" I cried out but my cries fell on deaf ears.

"Why'd you tell them to wait Ash?" Rainbow asked looking about at the massive room.

"Rainbow tell me in every Daring Do book you've ever read has Daring ever found treasure in a temple by completing one trap?" I asked.

"Ash's right," Daring said.

Just then, the ground started to shake violently the Henchponies realized their mistake and ran back to us. But, it was too late golden gilded spears shot out of the ground and created a force field between the bars separating the Henchponies from us. The Henchponies pleaded for help but we were unable to do anything just then the gold started to rumble and shift. We all watched as the gold came together and formed a giant dragon made of golden items and gems. The dragon had two extremely large rubies as its eyes and let out a mighty roar which shook the room. The dragon then opened its mouth and aimed its head at us. I backed everyone as far back as we could go the dragon unleashed its breath but instead of fire it was melted gold. The gold rushed at us and hit the Henchponies but it didn't touch us because of the force field. The melted gold continued to splash against the shield but then the gold just flowed away. All that was left of the ponies were gold statues of them. The dragon then used its tail to pick up the gold statues and placed them off to the side before it looked at us and gave us a snort and dissolved and all the gold returned to its proper place.

"Maybe from here on out I should lead," I said.

"Agreed," Caballero said.

I then stepped forward and looked around the room I then walked past the piles of gold and at the back of the room I saw an open doorway so that we could go further into the temple. I then saw a large bowl sitting on a pedestal in the path way. I walked over to it and saw a barrier in-between me and the pedestal. I scratched my chin in thought before I reached out and touched the barrier only for my hand for my hand to go through it. I walked past the barrier and suddenly the ground then rumbled but not as violently as before and I saw the large dragons head materialize. I went back to focusing on the bowl on top of pedestal. I looked inside the bowl to see a golden dragon egg I assumed that egg was trapped inside the barrier and the larger dragon was its mother. I went to reach for it so I could carry it but the mother growled telling me to back off so I did. I looked at the bottom pedestal and saw a leaver I reached down and pulled it and the barrier turned off. I turned around to face the giant dragon and the mother dragon was silently staring at me. She then lost interest in me moved her head to the pedestal and peered at her egg. The dragon then picked up the egg gently with her claws and turned towards me. She then bowed her head to me and extended a claw just in front of me and treasure fell from the claw and at my feet. The gold continued to flow until it reached my knees. I was a little confused then I just smiled and looked at the dragon and shook my head.

"Thank you for offering but this belongs to you also I don't have a use for it nor could I carry it," I said.

The dragon gave me a final nod before she, her egg, the statues and the treasure at my feet turned into a golden streak of air. The streak then rushed to a stone slab above the door once the golden streak hit the slab it exploded. Once the golden smoke disappeared a golden picture of a dragon and her egg were in its place.

"Why didn't you take what it offered you or just walk away when we had the chance?"

I turned around to see Trixie was the one who spoke and the others were behind her just staring at the picture.

"It wouldn't have been very honourable if I took something she was protecting for a long time plus being made of it and she needed help and I was able to help her," I said.

"A truly noble deed," Chrysalis said.

"I'm seriously confused here there shouldn't be any magic here but back there that was definitely magic even when Slender moved those trees," Twilight said.

"Maybe it's because we passed through that field it did something that stops us using our magic and they didn't that go through it which allows them to have magic in this place," I suggested.

"Yeah that must be it," Twilight said

I gave the mare a nod before I walked towards the doorway that left this room.

Test of the Penitent

We were walking through a narrow corridor and I saw the skull of a pony on our way up and I was feeling a little edgy now.

"Hey Ash?" Daring asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"What exactly is the next test?" Daring asked.

"Well my next test is the Test of the Penitent," I said.

"Penitent?" Daring said confused.

"I don't know myself but it sounds familiar I remember something in the books about this place saying only the Penitent will pass," I said.

Just then a Henchpony pushed his way past me because I was slowing down a bit but I wasn't worried I was busy trying to figure out what penitent meant.

"Penitent, penitent, penitent, penitent has two meanings penitent is a feeling when you seek forgiveness for something you did," I said as I we walked.

The corridor soon widened slightly in a small circle and in the centre of the circle was a pedestal. On top of the pedestal a statue of Faust with her wings outstretched giving her a goddess like appearance. Before we entered the circle I saw the skull from before skeletal body lying on the ground.

"The second meaning is when someone is wishing to repent for their sins and doing this by kneeling towards their God *gasp* KNEEL!" I shouted as I grabbed Daring by the back of her head and pushed her down into a kneeling position.

I also kneeled and just in time as a saw blade shot out of the wall and almost severed off both our heads. The Henchpony in front of us wasn't so lucky and was beheaded I helped Daring back up and looked at the headless pony before I looked at Caballero.

12 of your ponies are dead Caballero I suggest you turn back before something really bad happens," I suggested.

"No we go on," Caballero said as he poked me with his revolver to indicate me to continue.

I turned around and walked towards the door on the other side of the corridor.

"Ash how did you know you had to duck?" Shining asked.

"Well I remembered what penitent means it's when someone will seek forgiveness from their god or show their commitment to their god by kneeling and giving a prayer. When I saw the statue of Faust back there it gave off a goddess like feeling. Also the severed head from the skeleton gave it away as well," I said.

"Well thanks for the save," Daring said rubbing her neck.

Test of Hope

We walked up the stairs to the next test and once we arrived I saw a large room with six pillars and was filled with stone statues of ponies. Only one was wearing a crown and was standing up while the rest were on their knees begging. At the bottom of the stairs we were standing on was a stone sword on an altar. I walked down the steps followed by two Henchponies I reached the bottom of the stairs and walked over to the alter. I looked at the blade for a few seconds before I picked it up and examined it.

"Ash watch out!" Luna cried.

I looked up to see a whip made of fire rush at me but I dodged to the side and the whip wrapped around the midsection of one of the Henchponies. In a yank the pony was torn in two and turned into a burning inferno. I looked at the owner of the whip to see the statue of the pony with the crown had come to life with glowing red eyes and the whip made of fire was in his hand. I ducked behind one of the pillars just before I got hit.

"Ash!" Rage yelled

I looked at the group to see they were behind spikes again and Rage tossed my shield over the spikes and over to me. I caught my shield and peeked out from behind the pillar to see the Henchpony was shooting the king pony with his rifle but it wasn't doing any good. I looked around and I saw a statue who was more like kneeling and his expression looked fed up. His hand looked like it could grip something. I then looked at the handle of the blade I picked up to see it would make a perfect fit. Just then I saw the king pony managed to grab the ponies rifle with the whip and yanked it out of his hands. It was about to strike again but I ran out of cover and grabbed the pony and brought him to cover.

"Stay here and don't come out until it's clear," I said

The Henchpony nodded before I ran out from behind the pillar and was blocking attacks from the tyrant king and ran over to the kneeling statue. I managed to place the sword in his hand before I ducked behind cover. I looked at the statue to see it stand up and raise the sword at the tyrant then all of a sudden the pleading statues stood up and charged at the tyrant and overwhelmed him. They then grabbed his arms and held him for the sword wielding pony to stab him through the heart. Once they did they all stopped moving and went silent and the spears separating me from my friends went down and the Henchpony came out from behind the pillar. I handed my shield to a Henchpony. I led the others to the door and was about to walk through but Rainbow asked me a question.

"Hey Ash why did you save that guy?" Rainbow asked.

"Just because he's an enemy doesn't mean I can't save his life," I said before I walked through the doorway.

Test of Order

Or next room led us to another large room with statues only they looked like they were arguing with each other about different things. There was a throne with a crown on it in the centre of the room. I looked around at the arguing ponies before I spotted one off in the corner with a parchment and quill and was writing something on it. I then walked over to the crown and picked it up before I placed it on writing ponies head. The pony then went around and helped all the other ponies with their problems before they placed him on the throne and kneeled to him.

"How'd you know about this one Ash?" Celestia asked.

"Arguing ponies in the Test of Order and someone needing to lead them yeah not really that hard to figure out sort of reminds me of Twilight in a way," I said causing most of the group to giggle and for Twilight to blush before we walked through the door.

Test of Faith

I then led the group through a narrow passageway but stopped as I reached a ledge that stood over a pitch black hole and hanging on a wall next to me was a stone falcon's head.

"So anything from your books that mentioned this?" Thunderlane asked.

"Yeah this is the test of faith and the books said that a leap from the falcon's head will prove thyself worthy," I said.

"But this is insane," Twilight said.

"I know that's why it's called a leap of faith," I said.

I turned around and took several deep breaths before I closed my eyes and leaped from the ledge and spread my arms and wings out and fell into darkness. As I fell I did a front flip folded my wings and prayed for a soft landing. I continued to fall before I landed on something soft I opened my eyes and my vision was filled with hay. I then got out of the stack of hay and looked up to see it was a 40ft drop I made. I looked at everything on the ground and saw large spikes with a few bodies impaled on them. I then checked to see if the Apple of Eden was still in the same place as I hid it to discover it was. I looked around and saw a leaver so I walked over to it and pulled it and stone stairs slowly emerged from the wall and went up in a spiral. After a while the others walked down and joined me and Luna ran straight for me and locked me in a bone crushing hug. But, the reunion was short lived by Caballero when he nudged me with his revolver. I gave him a scowl but complied as I walked over to the doorway.

Test of Peace

The next room was large like the others and had what looked like animatronic body parts on long thin poles that held them in the air. At the back of the room was a picture of two ponies fighting with swords and around the room were pictures of grim and terrified faces. The floor was checked and riddled with holes for something. In the centre of the room is what looked like a bronze staff with lenses and a candle on it. I gazed at the staff in curiously but then, a Henchpony tripped over and tumbled down the stairs. I tried to grab him but before I could do anything bars of fire cut me off. The pony stopped falling when he reached the bottom of the staircase he looked around and scrambled to stand up he then put on a brave face and walked forward slowly.

"Hey dose anyone here that or is it just me?" Discord asked.

"Yeah it sounds like bugs," Pierce said

I listened for the sound carefully and when I heard it I swear my face turned pale.

"Get out of there now!" I shouted to the Henchpony.

But I was too late the mouths of the pictures on the walls opened and large black beetles stared crawling out of them. They made their way over to the Henchpony and once they reached him they crawled under his skin and noticeable bulges started running all over his body. The pony screamed in pain and the group could only watch as the insects devoured him from the inside out. Once they were done the only thing left was skin and bones. Suddenly the floor came alive with fire and all the beetles scurried back into their hiding places. Once they were gone the ground stopped smouldering with fire the mouths on the pictures closed and the bars of flames disappeared. All of the remaining Henchponies dropped their gear and my weapons and ran away leaving Caballero.

"Get back here," Caballero demanded.

"Well, well, well looks like your own Caballero," Daring said.

Caballero spun around only for Big Mac to knock him out I then tied him up with some rope the Henchponies used before I put my weapons on.

"What were those things," Dream Catcher asked looking sick at what happened with those beetles.

"Those were scarabs nasty vermin that live in ancient burial grounds or in hot desert areas in my world. These guys are only native in Egypt and are man eaters they can also survive on nothing for over a 1000 years as well but they hate light and fire," I said.

"I say you guys are lucky you don't have them here," Rage said giving a small shudder.

"So what do we do to get past them?" Rainbow asked.

"I'm sorry everypony but were not," Celestia said.

"Why not," Luna demanded.

"Because this just became too dangerous that's why," Celestia said.

But it was dangerous when we first walked into this place," Chrysalis said.

"Yes but we were held captive we had no choice but to go. Also I will not risk the lives of my little ponies or my family any-," Celestia said.

"Ash what are you doing!?" Daring shouted.

Everyone looked at me as I ran across the floor over to the bronze staff.

"Ash get back here!" Celestia demanded but the bars of fire shot up and cut us off.

I made it to the staff and saw the mouths of the pictures began to open I took out a box of matches and tried to light a match but the scarabs were closing in fast. I managed to light the match then I lit the candle and a circle of light appeared on the ground holding the scarabs at bay. I let out a sigh of relief I didn’t know I was holding along with the group. A beam of light also shot out through the lenses lighting up the wall. I picked up the staff and walked around while the scarabs stayed away from the light. I aimed the circle of light that was on the wall around and thought about how to open the door. I then looked at the picture of the two sword wielding ponies then at the body parts and then at the circle before I worked it out. I walked around a bit more and found what I was looking for. It was a bunch of body parts that when lined up it creates a body. I shined the light at the mural before I placed the staff in a hole at my feet. On the mural of the fighting ponies was the shadow of a third pony. The limbs on the poles and picture moved to show the third pony was breaking up the fight between the other two. Once they stopped moving the mouths where the scarabs came out from had fire shooting out of them along with ground. The only place it didn't touch was where I was standing since the scarabs had nowhere else to hide they were all burned. Once the fire stopped I looked around and not one of the scarabs survived the blaze and the bars of fire disappeared. The others came down to join me but Celestia looked pissed.

"I told you that we were going back," Celestia said.

"Sorry Celestia I can't obey an order when I wasn't paying attention to it also I have to keep going you all can turn back if you wish but I need to lock away the Apple of Eden," I said.

Celestia gave me a ticked off look but she knew I was right in what I was doing.

"How many more tests must you do?" Celestia asked.

"Two left so we’re almost there," I said.

Celestia gave me a nod before I led them through the next door.

Test of Courage

It was a dark spooky corridor we were walking down now there was not much to see. We reached the test only to see a large slab and below that slab a pit of black water.

"Ok Test of Courage simple enough face my deepest darkest fears," I said with an uneasy tone.

"Ok so what do you fear most Ash?" Soarin asked.

"That's the thing I don't know," I said.

"How's that possible?" Caramel asked.

"When you’re living a life of fear you start to see less and less fear," I said.

"Ok well maybe this won't work then," Soarin said.

"Maybe or maybe it will just create something to fear," I said.

The group then went silent before Luna spoke.

"You've already done so much Ash I clear this test so we can continue," Luna said as she place a hand on my shoulder.

"No sister I'll do it if this is like facing nightmares then it shall be me after all you need to raise the moon," Dream Catcher said.

"I will not allow my sisters who I just regained after years risk themselves falling back into darkness I'll go," Celestia said.

Soon everyone was arguing about who should go and who shouldn't all except me and Rage I then removed my hidden blades and shield and handed them to Rage. I also handed him the Apple of Eden but kept Whispering Wind on my back. I gave a nod to Rage which he returned before I stood at the edge of the water and dived in creating a splash loud enough to be heard by the others. Suddenly the large slab of stone covered the water cutting off anyone from following and behind the slab of stone a glowing orb on a pedestal that slid over and onto the stone slap.

"Still wants to keep you all safe," Rage said to the group before he walked over to the orb and looked at followed by the others.

I swam through the water but my left arm made it hard to move I reached the other side of the stone slab and kicked off the floor and shot to the surface. I then pulled myself out of the water and looked at my surroundings only to see a dark room. The only light source in the room was a lamp hanging from the ceiling. In the light was some kind of table with restraints so you couldn't move.

"You’re just in time,"

I spun around to see Pinkie Pie only her mane was flat and she had a strange look in her eyes and the only word to describe it was creepy.

"Pinkie why did you follow me and what exactly am I in time for?" I asked.

"My name is Pinkamena and you’re just in time to help me make cupcakes silly," Pinkie said.

"Cupcakes but what with there aren't any ingredients," I said.

"That's because you are the ingredients Ash," Pinkie said.

I almost missed it but I saw Pinkie pull out a kitchen knife and tried to stab me in the stomach. But, I dodged to the left but Pinkie still managed to slash me in my waist.

"Pinkie what are you do_AAARRRHHH!" I yelled only to be cut off as I felt pain go right through my wing.

"Need any help Pinkamena?"

I looked at the owner of the voice only to see to my horror Fluttershy holding a bloodied chainsaw and my entire left wing on the ground from when she hacked it off. I backed away from the two I then felt something inject into my neck so I quickly pulled it out to see a syringe. I turned around and I saw Rainbow Dash only she was wearing a lab coat stained with blood. I then felt a little funny and started to sway a little before I regained my balance.

"Oh still not down huh well maybe another dose will knock you out and while you sleep I'll take your blood and turn it into the red that will go on my rainbows," Rainbow said with a snicker.

"Rainbow, Flutters, Pinkie snap out of it this isn't you what would your coltfreinds along with Gilda, Trixie, Spike and the other girls say if they saw you like this?" I said trying to get them back into their own selves.

"Oh you mean our former coltfreinds they’re all over here," Rainbow said as she flicked a switch.

Suddenly strange coloured liquid flowed into containers providing more light to the room and to my horror I saw the stallions along with Trixie and Gilda all chained to the wall. Some had their chests opened up and their organs removed while the others had missing limbs.

"As for the rest of us we think their new personalities are delightful,"

I turned around only to have a crescent branding iron burn through my clothing and burn my chest causing me to scream in pain. I leapt away from my attacker before I looked at the pony only to see Rarity only she had cat scratches across her face. Her hair was springing out in places like Twilight when she had the smarty pants incident. Speaking of Twilight she was also standing next to Rarity with the maniacal smile and hair sticking out and was armed with a scalpel.

"You know I always wondered what it is that makes humans tick maybe after I carve you up and report my findings to Princess Celestia she'll forgive me for being tardy," Twilight said.

"Twilight that was ages ago Celestia didn't need to forgive you for missing one deadline," I said.

Twilight responded by throwing the scalpel at me I went to block it but my body was surrounded by a magenta aura by Twilights magic. I could only watch as the scalpel went into my right eye. Once it hit Twilight released me and my hands shot to my face as I pulled the scalpel out without pulling out my eyeball. Once I did I looked to see a shadowed figure on the other side of Rarity.

"I'm gonna take a guess and say that the figure over there is Applejack," I said covering my right bleeding eye.

"Oh no darling that's my pet I made," Rarity said.

Just then the figure stepped into the light and the sight almost made me sick there before me was Spike except his eyes were made of buttons and he seemed to be swaying on his feet.

"I made this out of the parts our former friends were so generous to donate to us and the scales of my dear little Spikey Wikey," Rarity said.

"Donate you butchered them and took pieces of them skinned Spike and turned them into a puppet that's just sick!" I shouted.

All of a sudden I received a kick to my ribs and was sent flying into the table. I hit the table but I was sent into a spin before I landed on the other side. I shakily got to my knees and saw Applejack had kicked me with her special kick she only uses to buck apple trees.

"Your one to talk when you murdered Luna," Applejack said as she stood up and walked towards me.

"What are you talking about I would never dare harm her," I said.

"Well what's her body doing there then?" Applejack asked as she pointed to a corner.

I followed her finger and there I saw Luna lying on the ground with a knife in her chest.

"And isn't that her blood all over you?" Applejack asked.

I looked at a trail of blood and followed it and it led to me and I saw my clothes were stained in blood I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"Face it Ash you’re just as crazy as us now why don't you let us put you out of you misery," Pinkie said.

I sat in silence before I stood up slowly despite the horrible pain I was feeling both physically and emotionally I kept my head down before I spoke.

"If I'm to suffer for the rest of my life then so be it however I will not let you all harm others with your insanity," I said.

"And just how do you plan to stop us?" Rainbow asked.

"Simple I'll bring you all to peace by stopping your misery in any way possible like any friend should then I'll see to it that I suffer for what I did," I said before I unsheathed Whispering Wind.

I kicked Rainbow in the gut and sent her flying backwards Pinkie tried to stab me once more but I grabbed her arm and spun her around before I tossed her into Applejack, Twilight and Rarity. I grabbed the knife was holding and the puppet Spike attacked. But I drove the knife through the puppets head then I pulled knife out and let the deformed body fall. Fluttershy tried to take my head off with the chainsaw. But, as she spun around after she made her swing I used the knife to slash the nape of her neck making it quick and painless for the once shy and timid Pegasus. I then walked over to Rainbow as she stood up she charged at me. But, I dodged to the left and as she passed me I grabbed her and snapped he neck also making it quick and painless. I turned to see Applejack jump over the table and tried to punch me. But, I dodged right just as Applejack smashed the ground with her bare fist. I held the knife backwards and stabbed her in the nape of her neck then Rarity used her magic and her sewing materials to sew my right arm to my body. Twilight then charged at me with a scalpel but I dodged left just in time before I kicked Twilight in the stomach. The kick sent Twilight flying into the side of the table she hit her head and the result was a quick death. I then tore my right arm from my body ripping off a fair amount of skin before I pulled the rest of the thread out. I then saw Rarity come at me with the branding iron. I readied myself with Whispering Wind and charged as well. When we passed I sliced the branding iron in two before I threw the kitchen knife at the back of Rarity's neck. I then looked around for Pinkie I then sensed her presence to my side I quickly ducked her attack from another knife. I then lifted her into the air and threw her into the table where she landed on it perfectly. The restraints snapped closed holding her in place I then sheathed Whispering Wind before I walked over to the former party pony.

"You think you can escape madness Ash you’re just as insane as us maybe even more," Pinkie said.

"That may be true Pinkie but at least I'm still sane enough to stop your madness," I said as I reached the table. "Pinkie I know you all too well you would rather die then do something like this so I’m helping you," I said as I placed my hands on the sides of Pinkie's head. "Next time we meet I'll make sure I throw the biggest I'm so sorry for killing you party I can make. It may not be as good as yours but I'll put my heart into it, see ya around Pinkie," I said before I snapped the ponies neck.

I then stepped away from the table and sat on the floor on my knees I then started to cry but I didn't care I let all of it out from tears to screams. I eventually stopped crying and looked up at the back of the room and saw a pedestal with a vial on it. I stood up and walked over to it the vial was filled with a green liquid and had writing on it that said poison. I picked it up and had a look at it I then though about what I just did and how I was a bad luck magnet for others. I took the vial in my hands and uncorked it and brought it to my lips. But, before I drank any I then thought about something Alex said to me once.

"No matter what happens in life if you ever came to an option to kill yourself after you did something terrible think about the ones you care about. Would they want you to die yet or carry on living for them until you couldn't anymore. Great courage comes from continuing despite the pain of losing others," Alex's words echoed in my head causing more tears to fall.

With those words in mind I removed the vial and corked it before I tossed it into the air and unsheathed Whispering Wind and slashed the vial. Once the vile shads hit the ground the world became bluey. Suddenly, a silver mist surrounded me and pulled my wing over to me. I could feel all the wounds I received repair themselves and reattach my wing. Soon I was completely healed and my clothes repaired. I looked around to see the room I was standing in was empty except for old bones. All of a sudden I felt a little uneasy and dropped Whispering Wind I stumbled backwards and hit the floor and not long later I heard hoofsteps/footsteps running across the floor.

"Ash, Ash are you ok?" Rage asked as he helped me sit up.

"Rage what's going are you dead too?" I asked.

"Pull yourself together dude you completed the Test of Courage," Rage said.

I thought about what he was saying then it all came flooding back.

"Of course it wasn't real but it was at the same time," I said.

"Yeah we saw everything from the corridor an orb showed us what was going on in here and by the way that was a pretty damn brave thing to do," Rage said.

"That water must have done something to make you temporarily forget what you were supposed to be doing," Daring said as she came into my vision.

I then looked behind me to see the mane 6 all looking at the ground I then stood up and walked over to the mane 6 and spoke.

"I'm sorry I did that to you all I was out…," I was cut off as the mane 6 grabbed me in a hug.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Ash if anything we want to thank you there is no way any of us would want that to happen to us and we'd rather die then commit such things," Twilight as she buried her head in my chest and cried while the rest nodded in agreement.

I couldn't help but smile at my friends before I wrapped my wings and arms around them in a hug.

"Now these are the friends I know and love," I said.

"Are you feeling alright Ash?" Fluttershy asked in the voice I sincerely missed.

"A little sore in my torso but I'll live," I said.

The girls gave me a smile before let them go and turned to the rest of the group to see them smile at me as well. Rage handed me Whispering Wind and the rest of my gear before I led the group through the exit doors to the last test.

Test of Judgement

I walked through the hallways with the others before we arrived at the last test it was a large room like the others but a giant stone golem with a giant sword was blocking our way.

"STEP FORTH THEE WHO WISHES TO BE JUDGED!" the stone golem roared in a deep voice making Fluttershy cower.

I stepped forth to face the creature but somepony grabbed my shoulder.

"Ash you can't go against that thing you can barely stand," Luna said.

"Who said I have to fight it anyway it has to be me remember," I said.

Luna was hesitant but let me go but not before giving me a kiss once we separated I gave her a nod before I limped over to the towering creature.

"I will be judged," I said.

"KNOW THIS MORTAL NO ONE HAS EVER PASSED!" the golem said before he raised his sword above his head.

"I'm ready," I said.

The golem then brought his sword down on me but as it came in contact the blade broke around me before the rest of the blade turned into dust.

"ASH BLADE KNIGHT OF EQUESTRIA YOU ARE WORTHY TO PASS INTO THE TOMB OF YOUR BROTHERS IN ARMS BUT BE WARNED THERE ARE CREATURS IN THERE THAT MUST NOT BE DISTURBED FROM THEIR SLUMBER!" the golem roared before he too faded into dust.

I took a breath before I saw the others just stare at me in shock.

"Are you all alright?" I asked.

"You must be harder and braver then anything I've ever seen before," Applejack said.

"He was judging me to see if my intentions were pure enough to pass if they were then what you saw will happen if not well it wouldn't have been pretty," I said.

"Come let us finish what has been started," Chrysalis said.

I gave her a nod before I began to walk to the doors.

"Hey what do we do about this guy?" Mac said gesturing to the still unconscious Caballero.

"We'll take him back with us and he can be placed in a cell for the remainder of his days or we can leave him to Slender to deal with I'll let you all decide," I said before I walked over to a large pair of doors covered in golden yellows blues and whites. Pictures of the five knight’s marks were carved into the doors along with mine in the centre. I saw a circle with a handprint in the door I just rolled my eyes and cut my right hand with my hidden blade and pressed it against the handprint. The door made a few clicks and we saw some gears turn. I could feel magic heal my hand before the door opened and we walked through.

We arrived at the top of a large staircase and stood in a massive room white and a red carpet that spread out in a T shape. We were standing at the bottom of the T and ahead of us was a raised platform. Above the platform at the top of the T was a dome ceiling and along the carpet were relics the knights had taken for safe keeping from the outside world. Tapestries also lined along the carpet that had pictures of the knight’s battles or of their marks including mine. I even saw battles I fought were a part of the collection. In the spaces in-between the carpet were shelves of books and pillars holding up the ceiling.

"This…I…there are no words," Twilight said as she looked at the thousands of books in the room.

"Indeed look at the beauty of these wonderfully made pieces of art," Rarity said.

I just rolled my eyes at the two before I walked over to the platform but a case caught my eye so I went to have a look at it. When I got close I saw it was a book but this book’s cover was made of skin and fur from a pony along with a diamond dog, a Minotaur, a centaur, and griffin all stitched together. The spine of the book was made of a dragon’s spine and the cover of the book had a circle with a star pentagram on it and was drawn with blood. The book was locked with a large lock and it looked like the lock had sharp teeth. I noticed a word had been placed in a name plate just below the book that read Necroidion. I looked back at the centre of the pentagram to a griffin eye opened and looked at me causing me to jump back in fright.

"Whoa okay that was messed up," I said.

"Find something Ash?" Rage asked.

"Yeah remember that powerful Necromancer book that I was mentioned in the knights books?" I asked

"Yeah the Necroidion," Rage said.

"Well I found it," I said.

"WHAT!"

I turned to see it was all the princesses who shouted even Twilight was horrified to here that the book was in this place.

"I said that the Necroidion is here and locked away," I said gesturing to the case.

Celestia ran over to the case along with Luna, Dream Catcher, Chrysalis and Discord and peered inside while the Necroidion glared back at them.

"Doesn't seem happy to see you," Rage said.

Just then the book shook the case trying to get free while it let out growls of anger.

"Same to you pal," I said.

"Yeah book," Pinkie said while glaring at the Necroidion

"Wait you both can understand it?" Discord asked.

"Sort of and you guys really don't want to know what he thinks of you," I said before I walked over to the raised platform.

I walked up the stairs and looked up to see a beautiful stained glass window with the five knight's marks all around my mark. I then looked ahead of me and saw five thrones and a skeleton on each one it was the first time seeing the knight without being a silhouette.

The one in the centre was Link.

Next to Link on right was Altair.

On the far right was Ezio

On the left of Link was Arno

And finely on the far left was Corvo

I was impressed with their clothing and I was soon joined on the platform by Celestia, Luna, Chrysalis, Dream Catcher and Discord. They all walked slowly towards the skeletons but that's when more trouble appeared.

"I must say I am beginning to enjoy this place,"

I spun around and ran to stairs to see a large purple part dog part ape creature wearing tribal jewellery like when I was in the arena. He was standing at the stairs with a large amount of tribal warriors.

"Let me guess Ahuizotal you decided to follow me so you could have vengeance on me for destroying the fortress of talicon. But when you saw Ash the last guardian you decided to follow us to the vault and take everything," Daring guessed.

"Always spot on Daring Do now hand over all the Pieces of Eden or she dies," Ahuizotal said stepping to the side to reveal Rainbow Dash gagged and at spear point.

I felt a strange sensation come from behind me so I looked behind me to see the knight’s skeletons eyes begin to glow and move. I then looked at Ahuizotal and took the Piece of Eden out of my arm.

"Is this what you’re looking for flea bag," I said.

"A legendary Piece of Eden hand it over," Ahuizotal demanded.

"No if you want it you'll need to pry it from my cold dead fingers," I said.

"Get it he can only use the apple once or it will kill him," Ahuizotal demanded.

The mane 6 who weren't captured along with the stallions, Trixie, Spike, Gilda and Daring ran over to us along with the tribal warriors. I handed the Piece of Eden to Dream Catcher before Rage and I walked forward with our swords drawn. We stood half down on the steps as my friends ran past us. Just then, the skeletons of the knights leapt over us and charged into battle with the tribal ponies with Rage and I not too far behind. The five knights were very skilled in combat and fighting side by side with these great warriors made me feel all giddy inside. I blocked a spear strike to my head before I grabbed the pony and threw him into the air. The pony was then struck by a dart from Arno's phantom bade. Corvo was a whirlwind when it came to the sword he then whispered a spell and a swarm of rats appeared out of nowhere and started to eat the ponies alive. The rats didn't stop until there was nothing left of the ponies before the disappeared. Link was very skilled when it came to sword and shield like I was. He then took out a bow and arrow and hit a pony right between the eyes. Ezio was rather skilled with his hidden blades he slashed at a pony’s neck and that spun the pony around giving Ezio a clear shot at his back to stab. Altair was skilled combining his sword attacks with his hidden blade and able to hit five targets at one with his throwing knives. The battle was soon over and all that was left was Ahuizotal and the ponies holding Rainbow Dash.

"It's over Ahuizotal you can run now and never come back or this place shall also become your tomb," I said.

The ponies released Rainbow Dash and ran off while Rainbow raced over too us but Ahuizotal just charged at us picking up some weapons that his warriors dropped. I ran at him and jumped into the air and did a front flip. As I did I extended my leg and brought my heel down on top of Ahuizotal's head knocking him out in one blow. I landed on the ground and I saw the knights of Equestria give me a nod before they sheathed their weapons and teleported back onto the platform. I ran over to the platform and when I arrived, I saw the knight’s skeletons were back on their thrones and their ghosts stepped out.

"I must say it was nice to stretch out those old bones," Link said.

"True that," Corvo said.

"Hey guys next time you pull something like that please make sure you don't try and give everyone a heart attack," I said

"What do you mean?" Ezio asked.

I gave him a deadpanned stare before I gestured to my friends half of which were spooked out of their minds.

"Well it's not like we can do anything about it," Ezio said.

"Oh yeah," I said.

"G...g...g...g," Twilight stuttered.

"Yes Miss Twilight Sparkle we're ghosts I suppose you owe Ash an apology now right," Altair said.

"Uncle Altair," Luna said as she gazed at the silhouettes.

"Long time no see," Link said.

"Uncle Link," Dream Catcher said.

"How have you all been?" Corvo asked.

"Uncle Corvo," Discord said.

"It's good to see you all," Ezio said

"Uncle Ezio," Chrysalis cried.

"You all seem to have grown a bit," Arno said playfully.

"Uncle Arno," Celestia cried as well.

"Would you lot just hug already," Rage said.

The princesses and Discord ran at the ghosts and managed to hug them it was a wonderful reunion that made me tear up a bit once everyone was released from the hug Luna spoke.

"I'm sorry I'm so, so sorry to all of you," Luna cried.

"We did this to all of you," Dream Catcher said.

"You girls have nothing to be sorry for," Corvo said.

"No matter what happens we never give up on family even if they turn against us besides you were both manipulated," Link said.

"And we’re glad your all safe and I more happy that you found love with someone Luna," Ezio said.

"Same but the nobles will be in a fit when they hear about this," Luna said.

"Well guess what they don't get to make the rules you do," Altair said.

"Right," Luna said with a smile.

"I'm sorry to break up this moment but I believe I should put the Apple of Eden in a safe place," I said.

"Oh yes here you are Ash," Celestia said handing me the Apple of Eden.

"There should be a case for it down that way," Arno said pointing down the carpet that went left.

I gave a nod before I left to go lock the Piece of Eden away.

I walked along the carpet and looked at the different relics until I found a case that held three other Apples of Eden. I opened the case and placed the Apple inside of it before I closed it and all of a sudden I felt something warm behind me along with a pair of eyes. I turned around and I saw an empty suit of armour made for an alicorn inside a glass case. The armour was chained to the floor with sealing runes around it. The armour was dark red and had horns and spikes like Rages only made for an alicorn. I looked at the name plate below and saw it said War Sword just then the armour came alive with fire and smoke billowed out of the nostril area. Red slitted pupils appeared in the eye holes and stared at me.

"So your Faust's new pet huh," the armour hissed.

"War Sword the alicorn of war," I said.

"Oh so you know who I am and why I'm here," War Sword said.

"No on the last part but if you’re in chains with sealing runes around you and you’re in this place then you must be for a reason so don't expect me to free you," I said as I began to walk away.

"I don't need the help of a worthless creature like you I doubt you'll last two second against me," War Sword said.

"Well if or when you get out we'll just have seen won't we," I said.

"And what is the name of my soon to be opponent?" War Sword asked.

"Ash Blade knight of freedom," I said.

"Then until we meet again Ash Blade," War Sword said as I walked away.