I woke up and my head felt like it was full of pins and needles before I grasped it and rubbed at the sore areas and sat up and looked around the room. The ceiling and walls were made of purple crystal and outside a window I could see Ponyville telling me I was in Twilight's Castle. I sat up and rubbed my head and took a drink from the glass that was on the bedside table and noticed a plain band aid holding a piece of cotton to my right arm before the door opened revealing Spike.

"Ash are you alright?" Spike asked.

"Apart from the headache yeah but what happened?" I asked.

"You were in the forge with some of the others along with Fancy Pants, Fleur De Lis, Saint Blade, Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara then well you went a little crazy and tripped before you hit your head. So they brought you here to see if anything was wrong Applejack thought it may have been the virus when you were bitten but Twilight did a blood test and it was clean so it wasn't that," Spike said.

"Yeah I think I remember now was anybody else hurt?" I asked.

"Nope just you and Ash its pronounced everypony," Spike said.

"And I told you that sounds racist not all of us are ponies Spike you’re a dragon for instance and I'm a human," I said.

"Yeah well that's the way it works but anyway can you stand?" Spike asked.

I did as instructed and stood up with ease.

"How long was I out for," I asked.

"All night," Spike said.

I then dragged a hand down my face and then felt something on my cheek.

"Hey Spike is there a mirror around," I asked.

"Yeah here let me get it," Spike said

Spike then opened a draw and pulled out a handheld mirror and handed it to me I took the mirror from his grasp and looked at it and saw a fresh new scar going across my cheek. It was slim and shallow and should heal up in a few days but it was right where I was slashed by that phantom figure.

"Hey Ash are you alright?" Spike asked.

"Yeah just wondering where I got this," I said as I tapped the scar on my cheek.

"Oh it was there when you got knocked out or so I'm told but anyway we'd better go tell the others you’re up Twilight may have some questions for you so be prepared," Spike said before he walked out of the room.

"This may be a coincidence or was that thing really there?" I asked myself as I put the mirror down and followed Spike.

Spike led me through the corridors towards the throne room and upon arrival I saw the mane 6 and the stallions were here including the royal family and Rage and Eris.

"Ash!"

Luna suddenly teleported in front of me and wrapped me in a hug.

"Hey Luna and sorry I seem to be making you worry about me more than anything else," I said as I returned the hug.

"Well you can always make it up to me later," Luna said in a seductive tone

"Ash what happened?" Faust asked.

"I don't know I was about to write Fleur's order for a necklace in a book when a spike of pain shot into my head then my vision went funny," I said as I stepped out of Luna's hug.

"May I take a look perhaps I can find the source of the problem," Dream Catcher said.

"Go ahead," I said.

Dream Catcher charged her horn full of magic before she tapped it to my head but as soon as we did we both reared away from each other clutching our heads and screaming in pain. Everyone rushed over and I collapsed to my knees desperately trying to sooth the throbbing pain in my head.

"Are you both alright?" Eris asked.

"Fine but something inside Ash's head is stopping me and with force," Dream Catcher said.

"Ash you need clear your mind to allow Dream Catcher access into your head," Faust said.

"I did but something stopped her it's like a failsafe or something," I said before the pain and the ghostly spectres returned only this time it was like we were in World War 2. "Oh great not more phantoms."

"Phantoms what are you talking about Ash," Rage asked.

"The same ones that appeared back in the forge," I said before I Rage was about to get skewered by a figure in a World War 2 allied nation uniform who was armed with a rifle and bayonet.

I pushed Rage away and moved back myself but I tripped backwards and the figure tried to finish me off. But, I dodged left then right and crawled backwards before I stood up and dodged just in time for the spear to cut the side of my jacket. I tried to punch the phantom only for my hand to go through it I then leaped backwards before the phantom could attack again. But suddenly, something grabbed me from behind and turned me around and I saw Rage was shaking me screaming something I shook my head and my hearing returned.

"Ash wake up would ya!" Rage shouted.

"What...huh?" I said.

"Jezz man you were going crazy again said something about a phantom," Rage said.

"There was one right there," I said as I turned and pointed at the spot but saw nothing. "I guess you snapped me out of it."

"Maybe you were seeing things you have been pretty tired lately," Rage said.

I looked down at my jacket and saw the rip from the bayonet was still there I then placed a hand on it and felt it.

"If I was Rage then where did this come from cause it wasn't like this when I came in," I said.

Rage looked at the tare in my jacket before he looked at me.

"The phantom did that?" Rage asked.

"Yeah and this came from another one from inside the forge," I said as I pointed to my cheek I looked at everyone else and saw the worried looks on their faces before Rage let go of me and I slid down a crystal wall and sat on the floor. "Just what is happening to me?"

"I don't know Ash but it appears that only you can see what we can't," Celestia said.

This caused me perk up a bit I then rolled the words around in my head trying to figure a theory out.

"Something on your mind Ash?" Rage asked.

"Hey do any of you have a rune from Corvo?" I asked as I looked at the royal family.

"A rune?" Chrysalis asked.

"Actually I think I do have one," Discord said as he opened a portal and stuck his upper half in and began to toss random objects out. "Nope no not that one no...Oh I was wondering where this went...no, no...Ah ha here it is."

"Discord where did you get that?" Faust asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh I just found it on the ground one day and decided to hold onto it," Discord said.

Discord then handed the rune to me and as soon as it was placed in my hand the room dimmed and everyone began to feel nervous.

"Hello Ash,"

Everyone turned to see the owner of the voice to see him hovering in mid-air in front of me.

"Outsider," I said.

"Wait the Outsider?" Twilight asked.

The Outsider turned to see Twilight and fear filled her when she saw the eyes of darkness The Outsider then looked around at the other occupants in the room before he looked back at Twilight.

"Indeed I am Twilight Sparkle but I'm here for Ash only so if you would be so kind as to keep your mouth shut," The Outsider said causing Twilight's mouth to close.

"Hey no one says that to my friends and gets away with it," Rainbow Dash said before she charged at The Outsider only to be stopped when she was surrounded by a crimson magic aura.

The Outsider then looked at the source of the magic and saw Faust and her horn had a crimson glow.

"Faust," The Outsider greeted.

"Outsider," Faust replied.

"Outsider when last we spoke you said something about something only I can see was this what you meant and if so why did you give this to me?" I asked regaining his attention.

"My dear Ash I didn't do anything but what's happening is you regaining your long lost powers," The Outsider said causing everyone in the room raise an eyebrow at him. "And you seeing ghosts is when the magic begins to overload you showing fragments of memories you've seen in your long, long life. But it will eventually stop once your body becomes used to the power and it won't stop till all your magic returns."

"Outsider why are you even around Ash to begin with?" Faust asked with a flare from her nostrils.

"Because like Corvo Ash's future is clouded to me and I'm curious to find out where it leads," The Outsider said.

Faust did not appear to be happy with The Outsiders answer but The Outsider ignored her by turning back to me.

"Whenever you wish to talk seek out another rune bearing my mark and remember he's coming," The Outsider said.

"What hang on you just can't say all that and-," I started before he and the rune disappeared and the room got brighter "-leave *sigh*."

"Well that was intense," Discord said.

"Wish he wasn't so cryptic about everything though," I said.

"Ash where exactly did you meet him?" Dream Catcher asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It was during the zombie incident he kinda 'saved my life'," I said as I air quoted the last part with my fingers.

"What I want to know is what he said about your power returning doesn't that sound weird?" Chrysalis asked.

Everyone seemed to look at me strangely before I looked around to see if they were looking at someone else.

"What?" I asked.

"Ash do you have any idea on what The Outsider was talking about?" Twilight asked.

"Twilight if I did have magic abilities before I'm pretty sure I would remember them," I said.

"The Outsider did say that whenever your power begins to overwhelm you it will show you fragmented memories so maybe I can help you get a clearer picture," Faust said.

"Whoa not happening," I said.

"Why not sugarcube aren't you the least bit curios on what's going on?" Applejack asked.

"I am but have any of you actually thought about this as in maybe these memories are forgotten for a reason also you all saw what happened to Dream Catcher and I when we tried this," I said.

"Thanks for he reminder," Dream Catcher said as she rubbed the side of her head.

"Listen if we go through with this it could cause serious brain damage or kill the pair of us so unless there's a safe way on doing this then I'm all ears," I said.

"Ash does make a solid point who knows what's in this head of his," Discord said as he tapped me on the head twice.

"Oh this so exciting I think I'm going to lose my cupcakes again," Pinkie said as she bounced around me but I stopped her mid bounce and covered her mouth before she could puke.

"Please not here," I said before she zoomed off.

"I wonder what kind of lost information is in your memory," Twilight said as she began to walk towards me.

Suddenly everyone ganged up on me all asking questions or making estimates I was soon overloaded with noise and couldn't take it.

"ENOUGH!," I roared in the Canterlot Royal Voice blowing a few of the group backwards before I flew out of the room through an open window.

"What do you think set him off?" Pierce asked.

"I'll give you a guess," Rage said.

Rainbow was about to take off after him but stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder before she turned and saw it was Luna.

"It's best we leave him alone for now," Luna said.

"Luna's right Ash may be able to work under pressure but there are things that even he must take a breath for," Faust said.

I been pacing back and forth on a cloud over the Everfree forest for 4 hours gripping my head tightly my thoughts were a mess of questions I didn't know the answer to. So I just fell backwards into the cloud and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Wow you look like crap,"

I looked at the source of the voice and saw both Spitfire and Fleetfoot.

"I feel worse than crap but I'm sorry are the two of you on a private date or something and if so I can go," I said with a smirk which became a laugh when I saw the blushing faces.

"Very funny smartass," Spitfire said.

"So care to tell us what you’re doing up here?" Fleetfoot asked.

"Just trying to figure out my life cause apparently it's become a mystery of questions," I said.

"Wanna talk about it?" Fleetfoot asked.

"Hm guess it couldn't hurt," I said as I sat and let the pair get comfortable before I told them of what happened.

"So basically this Outsider told you that you could use magic before you came here," Fleetfoot said.

"And now you’re seeing fractured memories which turn out to be ghosts that tried to kill you," Spitfire finished.

"Yeah it sounds absurd I know," I said

"Well I'd say you’re crazy if I didn't see what those phantoms did to your cheek and jacket," Spitfire said pointing at the spots where the phantoms cut or attempted to stab me.

"Yeah but still that must be a lot to take in huh," Fleetfoot said.

"Well what can ya do one part of me is telling me to leave this alone while the other is telling me to investigate," I said.

"What I find curious is how are you remembering a time during what you called World War 2 you said it yourself your only 20 years old and yet it sounds like you saw something 100 years ago," Spitfire said.

"Ugh I don't get it either," I said.

"You know I think you should just give up on the thinking for now and get back to it once you get your head screwed on," Fleetfoot said.

"That actually sounds pretty good right now got an idea in mind?" I asked.

"Alright then a race to Canterlot we were on our way there when we saw you lounging here," Spitfire said.

"Heh you’re on in fact I know just who to add to this little game of ours if you don't mind some more competition," I said.

"Bring it on," Spitfire said with a competitive smile while Fleetfoot nodded in agreement.

I fished my phone out of my pocket and texted the competitors receiving yeses from all three competitors I gave them the coordinates and in a few seconds Rainbow Dash, Lightning Dust, Gilda and Soarin arrived.

"What took you lot so long?" I asked as I stood up.

"Oh I'll be sure to make you eat those words when I'm done with you," Lightning said.

"So we're finally doing this huh," Rainbow said.

"Yeah I figured it was time was saw whose wings are best your wings or these beasts," I said I extended my wings to full stretch.

"Don't bet on it those wings may look fierce but they won't do much in tight spaces," Soarin said.

"Oh you let me worry about that bub," I said.

"Alright now that were all done yapping we've got a race to Canterlot to get underway," Spitfire said.

I made a line in the cloud and everyone crotched behind eager to start I made sure there was plenty of wing space for everyone.

"On your marks...get set...GO!" I shouted and just like that we all shot off like bullets each of us going so fast we left our own wake in the air behind us.

So far the race was neck and neck Soarin seemed to be slowing a bit my guess he had a few to many pies from the apple family not that I could blame him they were delicious. As for Rainbow, Gilda and Lightning they were slightly ahead and Spitfire didn't seem like she was going to let me pass. So I angled myself to go lower than Spitfire before I flipped myself onto my back and folded my arms over my chest so I was looking up at Spitfire as I flew under her. Spitfire seemed slightly surprised when she saw me I simply gave her a wink before I put more speed in to my wings and shot past her and passing the two leading mares and griffon.

"Eat my cloud dust!" I shouted as I passed.

I kept up the speed n my wings refusing to let up and give the others a chance to pass I could see Canterlot coming into view I looked over my shoulder and saw the others were catching up. I looked back in the direction of the capital city of Equestria before I closed my eyes and took deep calming breaths and when my eyes snapped open my wings felt like someone charged them with lightning. My speed increased and was barely flapping my wings I looked over my shoulder and saw Rainbow was fast approaching along with Spitfire, Lightning Dust and Gilda I was impressed by their will to win this race but I had my own. I flapped my wings hard and zoomed forward I saw a pair of flagpoles on the edge of the city and decided to use those as the finishing line. I didn't look back at the others but continued my persistent rush for victory. But right before I passed the line Spitfire, Rainbow and Lightning appeared next to me and we crossed the line at the same time following closely behind us was Gilda and Fleetfoot then finally an exhausted Soarin. I landed on a roof and the others followed me and when Soarin touched down he collapsed onto his stomach.

"Jeez...*wheeze*...I haven't flown...*wheeze*...like that...*wheeze*...in a while," Soarin said completely out of breath.

"Damnit Soarin you've been getting lazy I want you're flank on the field 4 o'clock sharp tomorrow morning," Spitfire ordered.

"If I don't die first," Soarin said under his breath.

"Damn Ash I knew you were fast but not that fast," Fleetfoot said.

"Yeah with moves like that and speed also your reputation in combat you'd be a Wonderbolt as soon as you applied for it," Spitfire said earning a jealous look from Rainbow and Lightning.

"Tempting offer but I'm good thanks I have enough duties as it is," I said.

"Don't we all," Spitfire said as she slugged me in the chest.

"Great race you guys but the captain and I have to get going see you lot around," Fleetfoot said before they left.

Rainbow, Gilda and Soarin also headed back to Ponyville leaving me with Lightning Dust.

"Damn it seems so strange that I became a member of the best guards in the world when I wanted to be a member of the best flyers in the world," Lightning said.

"Do you regret joining the team?" I asked.

"Hell no I've got to do stuff I wouldn't be able to do as a Wonderbolt not to mention I get to see royalty every time I begin a new day. Also I have awesome friends now but I guess I can see why Rainbow cares so much about those other girls," Lightning Dust said with a sigh.

"Hey what happened has happened nothing to do now but move on like you said you have your own friends now and you've made amends with Rainbow. So why don't you come out of the past and make the most of the future," I said.

"Heh sometimes I wonder how you got that wise," Lightning said.

I just gave Lightning a smile before I saw a black truck and jeep come down the street and stop in front of a building marked with the sign orphanage.

"What do you think is going on?" Lightning asked.

"No idea but my gut says trouble," I said before I used my wings to silently get to the other roof to get a better view.

I looked at the truck and saw Templars getting off the truck and foals being loaded in once they were in I saw a stallion hand a bag of bits to a mare who came out with foals. He had a rust brown coat of fur and copper mane wearing an old London black coat and top hat before. He then got back into his jeep and drove away with the truck following him.

"What would Templars want with foals?" Lightning Dust asked.

"I don't know but do know one thing nothing good will come of this if we don't act head back to Ponyville while I find out where these guys are going," I said.

Lightning saluted me before she flew off and I turned my attention back to the vehicles before I then scrolled through my songs and found one that I'm sure Octavia would be proud of.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nxnfq3XRMkk&index=12&list=PLu6_FOgZp3eheTtQv0UQ7B4nZukeC1Hcs

I was jumping from building to building and running along the rooftops and when I needed to cross the street I used my wings to propel me into the air giving me the boost I needed making it easy for me to keep up with the vehicles. After a while the truck slowed to a stop in front of a three storied factory that had a chimney belching smoke into the sky labelled Bronze Gear's Steel Mill. I saw the foals from the truck were being unloaded and escorted into the factory and an open window on the second floor. I made my way over to the window and checked to see if the coast was clear before I entered. I stood on a walkway and looked around and saw no one else was up here so I crotched and made my way over to the railing and looked over the edge and saw the factory. There were foals and full grown mares and stallions working on metal and massive containers filled with molten slag giving the room a red glow. I then saw the stallion at the orphanage walk over to a cloaked figure with a horn sticking out of the hood but I couldn't see the colour or face of the figure but I could see the guards that flanked the figure. They wore thick brown clothing and were armed with spears.

"Grandmaster," the bronze stallion said as he kneeled to the cloaked figure.

"Rise Bronze Gear and walk with me," The grandmaster said in an encoded voice so I couldn’t identify it before he led Bronze Gear around the factory. "You're aware of the deaths of Magnesium Flare and Aqua Gold correct."

"Yes grandmaster the news was reported this morning was it the assassins?" Bronze Gear asked.

"Who else," the grandmaster said.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of crashing machinery and a foal screaming in pain I looked at the source and saw some machinery had fallen on a young colt's legs breaking them. Some stallions pulled the piece of machinery off him and some children and a mare came over to try and help.

"Shut that brat up and fix the machine all of you or you can go without rations tonight!" Bronze Gear screamed causing everyone to go back to work while the mare picked up the colt and carried him away.

"Does the caretaker for the orphanage know about our little operation?" The grandmaster asked.

"Yes but she's agreed to keep silent as long as we pay her for the foals she was actually glad to be rid of these twerps," Bronze Gear said.

"Good I'm counting on you to get this done while I try and get the hydro plantation back under our control," The grandmaster said.

"That's going to be tough sir," Bronze Gear said.

"And why is that?" the grandmaster asked.

"Fancy Pants has already brought it and he has a loyal staff working there now," Bronze Gear said.

"Damn I knew I should have sent another group after his head but if it wasn't for that damned sixth knight and these assassins Equestria would already be under our control *sigh* no matter we still have other sources for our latest plan. I'll send a courier when I have new orders for you to follow out but for now may the father of understanding guide us," the grandmaster said.

"May the father of understanding guide us," Bronze Gear said.

I decided to take my leave after hearing all that I climbed out through the same window as I came in being careful not to alert anyone before I took off to the castle.

"Any idea of what this grandmaster is talking about?" Rage asked.

"No but right now we have a target and he's using foals and abducted ponies as his workers in the mill I ran a few faces in the records before I left and they all were declared missing," I said.

"If I didn't like Templars before I sure as hell hate them now," Spike said.

"We'll carry out this op at night less chance of being detected with our shadows and I've also let Faust know of this so for now we're going to train till Faust gives the word to go. Vinyl and Octavia need to learn how to use the basics of their weapons so Rage and Quick Shot will help them while I take Spike as for the rest of you pair up and Soarin," I said.

"Yes Ash what do you need from me?" Soarin asked.

"For you little exercise with Spitfire tomorrow I know it's going to be a late night and if you're still asleep and can't make it I'll provide a cover for you but for the love of Faust please try and get there on time," I said.

"Got it Ash I'll make sure I get there," Soarin said.

I gave a nod to the Pegasus before I led Spike over to the sparing ring and got into a stance Spike understood and got into his own stance we stared at each other for a few intense minutes before we both charged at one another and started either punching or blocking each other. Spike was a great student and a loyal friend but he seemed to be holding back as of late and I wanted to know why.

"C'mon Spike I told you to stop holding back," I said as I blocked his attacks.

"I'm not," Spike said as he continued to try and punch me.

Once I blocked another of Spikes attacks I saw an opening to his chest and used the palm of my hand to push Spike backwards. The force of the push was strong enough to send Spike skidding him across the ring and to open his wings to use them as an air break.

"Spike I know for a fact your stronger then this so I want you to come over and hit this," I said as I held a red rectangle bag in front of me like a shield.

"Ash I really am trying here it's just...," Spike started.

"Spike I'm being serious you and I have spared together since we started this and now your punches are slower and you attacks are weaker if you were out there right now and you didn't have any weapons or your scales you'd be dead right now. The reason I'm saying this Spike is if you died out there how would that affect your team? How would it affect Twilight? How would it affect Nocturnal? How would it affect me cause I am the one whose responsible to make sure you don't die Spike," I said Spike gave a sigh and walked over to me and got into a stance. "Now hit the bag as fast as you possibly can and as hard as you can."

"Ok," Spike said before he took a breath and began punching the bag.

"Harder," I said receiving slightly harder punches. "Harder," I said slightly loader earning harder punches. "Harder!" I yelled causing Spike to punch harder. "HARDER SPIKE!" I roared and Spike let out a roar of his own before his left fist turned black and before I could do anything the punch knocked me off my feet. The black fist then extended from Spike's arm and held me to the floor.

I looked at the black arm in shock before I looked at Spike to see anger in his eyes when he shook his head and saw what happened the arm disappeared allowing me to stand up. Spike collapsed to the floor and looked at it with tears in his eyes I saw the others were staring in shock at what happened before I gestured them to go back to what they were doing. I walked over to Spike and sat in front of him.

"Spike when did this start happening cause I can tell this isn't your first time doing it," I said.

"Last month I was in the library sorting out some books for Twilight when I needed to put one in a shelf on the other side of the room then I planned to just reach out and put it in but that's when it happened. My arm stretched out and put the book in the shelf before it disappeared," Spike said.

"Does Twilight know?" I asked.

"No and I have two reasons why first is kinda silly but I don't want to be some kind of lab rat for Twilight especially when I have things to do," Spike said.

"Don't worry you’re not alone when it comes to that," I said.

"Secondly I thought everyone would be scared of me if she could see if I could do this and Faust or Celestia would have to send me away from Equestria and I'd never see you guys again," Spike said.

"Hey Spike listen and look at me," I said causing Spike to raise his head and look at me. "There is no way in all of Tartarus I would allow something like that to happen you’re my friend first and the others would agree with me."

"But this is shadow magic Sombra also used shadow magic and he was evil what if I become evil as well?" Spike began to panic before I slapped him across the face.

'Spike shadow magic is not evil misunderstood yes but it's not evil," I said when Spike looked at me after I slapped him. "The only time magic is good or evil is when someone uses it that way shadow magic is no different. Hell even dark magic isn't all bad I do avoid it yes but only because I haven't a use for it so unless you want the magic to be evil you need to be the evil one is that what you want?" I asked.

"No never," Spike said.

"Then get up we have some work to do," I said.

"What do you mean?" Spike asked.

"I'm going to teach you how to control your power," I said as I looked over my shoulder with a smile.

The brotherhood and I crept across the roof of the steel mill before I attached my rope launcher to the gutter and dropped down to the windows on the third floor.

"Alright team shadows up," I thought as I put my ring on and coated myself in my shadow before I looked at the others and saw the ones who couldn't use magic pull out a magic crystal and their shadow's cloaked them. But, I stopped Spike before he could don his shadow. "Not you Spike you can use shadow magic let's see if you can get your shadow to obey you."

"Alright Ash," Spike thought.

Spike closed his eyes and I looked at his shadow and saw it start to crawl up his feet then his legs but falter a bit when it came up to his torso before it completely covered him. but when he opened his eyes they were glowing white.

Damn Spike that's one scary look," Rage thought.

"Really Ash do you have a mirror?" Spike asked.

"Later dude right now we have a mission to complete," I thought.

Spike nodded before I led the others inside I saw a group of stallions in the centre having a few drinks and dinner while foals and adults worked around them. I gave the others instructions on what they had to do as I looked at the floor for Bronze Gear but, I saw his shadow go past the office window. The office itself was a cube sitting on the catwalk on the second floor providing anyone who was looking out its windows a perfect view of the entire factory and I saw a hatch above the office and I nudged Rage and pointed to the hatch which he nodded and we made our way over to it. We got onto the roof of the office and I had a quick look around before I saw myself standing near the entrance along with the team the mane 6 and royals along with Shining, Cadence, Eris, Gilda, Trixie and a unicorn stallion. He was dressed in a light brown trench coat that reached his legs and a matching fedora on his head and from what I could tell he had tan fur. I shook my head telling myself I was seeing things before I lowered myself down into the room and saw Bronze Gear had his back to us and was sorting through some papers on his desk.

"Ah you must be the courier sent by grandmaster I must say that was quite the silent entrance didn't even notice the door open nor the fact that the grandmaster would send his orders so soon. Anyway just hang and I’ll have a look at them in a second then I need to give you a message for the grandmaster...let's see...no not that one," Bronze Gear said all the time he wasn't looking at us and focusing on the desk.

"Really this is so embarrassing," Rage thought.

"All yours," I thought.

Rage walked up behind Bronze Gear and waited for him to turn around.

"Now then let’s see those papers tho--Who the hell--," Bronze Gear said.

"Oh shut up," Rage said as he slit Gear's throat with both his hidden blades in an X pattern and let bronze fall to the floor before Rage searched the body. "We have the letter now what do we do?"

I looked around for a bit and saw some pipes going along the wall I put my ear to one and heard gas running through them. I tore open the pipe before I grabbed some cloth and stuck it in front of the gap in the door to stop any gas from leaking out.

"Uh Ash question are you trying to get us killed cause I don't want to die in a cloud of gas," Rage said.

"Trust me just use the magic in this to protect you," I said as I handed a magic crystal to Rage.

"What does it do?" Rage asked.

"Remember that trick where I walked out of the fire pit on Nightmare Night?" I asked.

"Yeah," Rage said.

"Well I was thinking why don't we give the Templars a show on how fierce we are where all we need to do is light it up and do what we do but first while we wait for the gas to fill up I need to look at something," I said.

Third Person POV

The Templars the table continued to eat and on an occasion tossed scraps to the working kids who rushed to grab it and share it with the others before suddenly an explosion goes off blowing the office apart from the inside. The Templars are out of their chairs and gaze at the explosion along with the children before they see two black figures walk out of the flames giving them the appearance that they just walked out of hell. The two then jumped off the second floor and onto the ground with no problem at all and the Templars themselves looked scared of the two before more Templars appeared. The figures were soon outnumbered 40 to two and another 5 of them being the grandmasters elite guard Ash saw earlier. Ash then let out a whistle that sounded like an eagles screech and suddenly, massive bowls used for pouring molten slag into containers tipped on both sides of the room illuminating six more of the brotherhood. Chains then fell from the roof and four more slid down them and when thy touched the ground they brandished their weapons before the Templars suddenly a deep angry growl appears at the entrance and the Templars turn to see a figure step out of the darkness. The figure lifted its head it reveals a pair of bright white eyes causing the Templars to back away in fright while Ash turns his head to see the group from before he entered the office. But, now that he could see them closer he saw that they were phantoms of a phantom eye spell but Ash decided to check on that for another time he looked at the phantom Ash who was dressed in casual wear to see him nod his head. Ash returned the nod with one of his own before he saw a Templar slowly go for his gun but Ash drew first and hit the Templar in the head with a magic bullet. The bang from the revolver is what started the show and the Templars charged at the small group of assassins but the assassins held their ground till Ash charged into the fray. One of the elite guards made an attempt at impaling Ash but Ash leaped onto the spear and leaped over the Templar before he drove a hidden blade into the neck of another before he saw a Templar come at him with a mace. But Ash leaned backwards avoiding the underarm strike before he drew Whispering Wind and drove it into the Templars collarbone and pulled it out through the chest. Ash then kicked a Templar in the side who was going for Vinyl who was dealing with another guard. Suddenly, the elite guard returned with 7 guards as back up and Ash sheathed Whispering Wind before he gestured for the guards to come at him which is what they did. A guard made a stab with his sword but Ash pushed it to the side making it go past me before he used his right foot to kick him in his left knee shattering it and causing him to kneel before Ash stabbed him in the throat with a hidden blade. Suddenly, Ash felt something shatter against his left arm and turned to see a sword shattering and the owner of the blade staring in shock at what happened. Ash then used his left arm to backhand the Templar sending him fly through the air and into an iron support for the catwalks and when he collided with the floor Ash saw his neck hit first sending a nasty snap across the factory. Ash then turned and saw a Templar come after him at the front before Ash looked behind him and saw a chair so in one quick twirl Ash grabbed the chair by its backrest and brought it down on the Templar knocking him out cold. Ash saw another preparing to bring a knife down on Ash so using the remains of the backrest he brought it upward causing the blade to go through but not break the backrest. Ash then threw the backrest down causing the portion of the blade that went through the backrest to go into the Templars leg before Ash jabbed him in the throat with a spear hand. Suddenly, Ash heard screaming and turn to see a Templar standing in molten metal and was being burned alive before Ash looked around and saw Templars were setting the factory on fire in hopes to burn all the evidence here. Ash then saw the foals and ponies who were being forced to work here trying to keep away from the fighting and fire Ash then signalled Octavia and Vinyl to get the civilians out while the rest handled the remaining Templars. The pair nodded before they ran over to the civilians while Ash stopped a Templar who was going after them but while Ash was distracted a pair of Templars grabbed Ash's arms while a third prepared to kill Ash with an axe but that didn't happen. A knife found its way into the axe wielding Templar and Ash looked to see it was Thunderlane who threw the knife Ash gave a nod to Thunderlane before he extended his wings forcing the Templars off him. Many of the Templars stared in shock at the sight but then an elite ordered the guards that grabbed Ash to kill him and so the Templers unsheathed some blades and rushed at Ash. But, Ash turned the feathers in his left wing into blades and used it in a spin to slice the Templar on Ash's left in two and the other Templar ran into Ash's other wing when Ash completed the spin knocking the Templar off his hooves. While the Templar was air born Ash brought his left arm down on the Templar and extended the hidden blade slamming the Templar into the ground before Ash stood up. Ash then saw the elite was charging at him so Ash did the same and as the elite guard swung his spear horizontally at Ash but Ash slid under the strike and kicked off the ground. As the elite turned around Ash landed on the elite's shoulders and in one quick motion of his body Ash twisted the elite's head to make a complete 180 before Ash back flipped off the elite guard. Ash saw the body then fell to its knees then into the hot melted metal burning the body before Ash saw the rest had cleared up the remaining Templars and left leaving Rage and Ash. the pair nodded to each other before they began to make their way out.

"Wait,"

Ash turned around and saw a Templar holding the foal that had its legs broken earlier at gun point and the colt was in tears.

"Rage I'm going to give you an opening you grab the kid and take him to the train station with the others," Ash thought.

"Understood," Rage thought.

Ash then looked at the Templar and saw he had an itchy trigger finger so taking the knife Thunderlane threw Ash stopped time and threw the knife before he restarted it and the knife went into the Templars hand that was holding the gun causing him to drop it without firing a shot. Ash ran at the Templar and punched him across the face releasing the child only for Rage to grab him and go for the door.

"Thanks mister!" The child yells to me before they leave.

Ash stared at the Templar and he stared back at him the Templar goes to draw his sword but stops when he sees Ash get into a stance and raise his arms the Templar then let's go of his sword and gets into his own stance. The two of us just stare at each other knowing nothing else not the fires that burn the building or the melted steel that surrounds them it's just him and Ash. Suddenly, the Templar rushes forward and delivers a left hook but Ash uses an elbow block to stop his attack before he punch him in the chin. But, the Templar then sweeps his legs under Ash and knocks him off his feet Ash looks and saw the Templar was about to stomp on Ash’s head but Ash rolled to the right and got up before the Templar could do any more damage. Ash then threw a right hook at the Templar only to for him to block it but Ash followed up with a right kick to his ribs Ash then sent punch after punch at the Templar. But, the Templar blocked and dodged them all before he made a blind jab but Ash moved to the right and let him pass and when the Templar turned to face Ash he ran at the Templar and jumped over him using his shoulders as support before he landed behind him. With his back to the Templar Ash reached behind and wrapped his right arm around the Templars throat and pulled forcing the Templar to look upwards.

"Who the buck are you?" The Templar asked.

I looked at the entrance and saw the phantom group who were still watching us.

"I'm your worst bucking nightmare," Ash answered before he pulled on the Templars head resalting the back of his head to touch his back Ash let go of the body before he looked at the phantom group to see them look at the kill in horror and disgust. Ash took out a note from his robes and looked at it before he walked out of the steel mill and over to a barrel on a shop corner and placed the note on it before he turned back to the phantom group that was following him. Ash then heard the sound of sirens approaching before he looked at the tan coloured unicorn and saw his horn was glowing meaning he was using this spell. "Gotta go but I'll trust you'll do the right thing for them," Ash said before he slowly reached out and flicked the unicorn's horn resulting them to disappear before Ash made my way onto the roof tops and ran towards the train station.

Ash leapt from rooftop to rooftop not slowing down at all till he reached the station there was nopony around so Ash made his way to the platform where he saw the foals and the rest of the team still in disguise.

"Glad you made it out," Rage said.

"Likewise but we may need to get back soon something tells me we'll be back really soon," Ash said.

"What should we do with these foals they're all orphans so shouldn't we take them back to the orphanage?" Octavia asked.

"No the mare who is running that place is horrible to the foals there they can't go back so it is why I'm entrusting them to Princess Cadence," Ash said.

"He's right,"

Ash looked at the source of the voice to see it was the foal with the broken legs and saw both of his legs were in cast's and he was using a pair of old and ready to fall apart crutches to support himself.

"Madam Ever Ring is horrible and I don't want to go back there she'll beat us with a stick if we do," the colt said.

Ash took out some paper and a special quill that changes the handwriting of one who’s writing to match the one of the person who’s reading it before he turned to the rest of the foals. "Can you tell me anything more about her?"

"She likes to drink a lot of cider," a foal said.

"She leaves us in the orphanage on our own for days before she comes back," another said.

"She yells at us all the time," another said.

"She hits us," another said.

"We don't get to eat enough food," one foal said.

"And when were injured she doesn't even help us so we have to do it ourselves," one foal said.

"We're basically her slaves as well," the colt with the broken legs said.

Ash rolled up the letter along with another he grabbed in the office before it blew up and handed them to the colt.

"I want you to give this to Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armour and if you can tell them everything you can about this Ever Ring," Ash said.

The colt took the letter before he wrapped an arm around my neck and hugged me.

"Will we need to go back," the colt asked.

"No never I'm going to help you get to a better place than here you'll maybe even find a family there," Ash said as he petted the colt’s back.

"Thank you," the colt said as he released me.

"Question how do you know Cadence is even here and will help these foals?" Caramel asked.

Ash simply pointed to the royal crystal train cabin that was parked at the platform.

"Oh," Caramel said.

"And as for your second question Cadence isn’t one to leave foals like this to a woman like Ever Ring but right now I just need to talk to the station master to get these foals on board," Ash said.

Ash then walked off in search of the station master and saw him sleeping on a bench before he walked over and gave a light kick to the station master’s leg rousing him from his slumber. The station master had a grey coloured coat with a white mane and moustache and wore a pair of glasses on the end of his snout. He looked at Ash then the other way before his head snapped back at Ash and tried to get away.

"Please don't hurt me I don't have any money either if that's what you want," the stallion said in an old voice.

"Please calm yourself I'm not here to end your life or anything bad I just need your help," Ash said as he raised a hand before he began to tell him of what happened and how he wants to help these foals.

"Well I guess I can help seeing you put it that way after all you saved one of our princesses so that doesn't make you against them," the station master said.

"Here for your trouble," Ash said as he handed him a large bag of bits.

"I can't accept that," the stallion said as he held up a hand.

"Just think of it as me paying for the foal’s trip," Ash said.

"Well when you put like that alright," he said as Ash placed the bits in his hand.

"Thank you now me and the rest must be going before we cause a scene," Ash said before he and the group vanished.

Ash's POV

I walked into my home with Lightning Dust and fixed us something to drink before we fell into the couch ready to pass out from exhaustion. I began to shut my eyes when suddenly I felt like falling and landed on the floor of Luna's and my room and Luna was looking at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Where have you been?" Luna asked.

"Couldn't sleep so I went for a walk," I replied.

"Never mind I received a letter from Celestia saying a fire has started in Canterlot and that shadow vigilantes were responsible we need to gather the elements," Luna said.

"Alright I'll make the call," I said as I fished out my phone and called the others including Vinyl and Octavia all agreeing to come.

After I finished Luna dragged me along with Lightning who she grabbed along the way over to Twilights castle and as we arrived I saw the others were just arriving. The stallions were being dragged behind their marefriends and Vinyl was dragging Octavia. Once we were all in the castle library Luna grabbed everyone's attention.

"Everypony brace yourself I'm going to teleport us to Canterlot," Luna said before her horn lit up and immediately our surroundings changed. We were two stories in the air we all fell and I hit the pavement first and the rest fell on top of me except for Luna who glided to the ground.

"Next time I'm teleporting us," I said as I crawled out from under the others and was offered a hand by Rage and helped me up.

"So where's this crime scene at," Rainbow asked as she stood up and dusted herself off.

"You’re in front of it,"

I turned to look and saw Faust, Celestia, Dream Catcher, Chrysalis, Discord, Eris, Shining, Cadence and the tan unicorn I saw from before standing in front of the remains of the steel mill.

"I'm sorry for the wakeup call everypony but I believed you all had to see this," Faust said.

"Witnesses said that the vigilante group were seen fleeing the building along with workers who were inside at the time. We also discovered the workers inside were actually kidnapped ponies from across Canterlot and foals from orphanages," Celestia said.

"But you can be assured that we will return the ponies back to their family's and loved ones after some questioning and the foals will be returned to the orphanages where they came from," The stallion said.

"Uh who are you?" Rage asked.

"This is detective Critical Eye he has been Camelot's top detective for five years and has been interested in this business with the shadow vigilantes since it started," Celestia said.

"Great a stalker," Rage said.

"If everyone would like to follow me I can use the phantom eye spell to figure out exactly what happened," Critical Eye said some of the stallions and Octavia gave off worried looks but I calmed them with a simple message through their minds before we were led inside. When we entered I looked at the charred bodies of the fallen Templars the heated liquid metal that cooled from the water that was used to put out the fire and wrecked machinery. "Alright everyone this won't hurt a bit."

Critical Eye's horn lit up and in a few seconds we saw the factory reconstructed and the Templars were in their table and the workers were still doing their jobs I looked at the royals and saw how unhappy they were watching their subjects be treated this way. I nudged Rage in the side and pointed towards the roof of the office where we entered as the rest of the group looked around I counted down the seconds before the office blew up scaring the crap out of most of the group. When Rage and I walked out of the flames I was proud of how badass we looked the stallions, Spike, Lightning, Vinyl, Octavia along with Gilda and Rainbow also seemed impressed while the rest were shocked by the appearance. The feelings increased when the rest of the team showed up after more Templars appeared but the group was stunned when they saw Spike walk out of the shadows even Spike was stunned on how he looked. I looked back at myself and I saw him look at me and saw a Templar start to go for his gun I gave a nod to myself and he returned his own before he shot the Templar in the head beginning the brawl. The battle was intense but everyone seemed captivated by it Rainbow and Gilda let out cheers when I used the chair I grabbed as a weapon to take out two Templars I could even see Spike using his new shadow abilities to disappear and take out the Templars. But, everyone gasped in shock when they saw me throw the Templars off of myself using my wings but thanks to the shadow cloaking me it made it difficult to identify my wings.

"An alicorn!" Celestia gasped.

"And it appears to be a male as well," Chrysalis said.

"But how is that possible?" Twilight asked.

"Shows not over yet I don't think," I said.

The me in the memory then took out the two Templars with his wings gobsmacking the group especially Lightning, Rainbow and Gilda but, were shocked even more when they saw me snap the elite's neck. As Rage and I were about to leave only to be stopped by the Templar holding the foal at gun point I saw Rainbow about launch herself off the ground but I placed my foot on her tail making her fall over before I reminded her that this is just an image of the past. I then looked and watched how I threw the knife at the Templar and then punched him while Rage grabbed the foal and left. Everyone watched as the Templar and I fought with our bare hands and when I got the Templar in the hold the others began to freak out as I looked right at them.

"Who the buck are you?" The Templar asked.

"I'm your worst bucking nightmare," my past self-replied before he pulled on his neck earning grossed out looks and looks of disgust from the others.

"Nast," Rage said.

"You said it Rage," Discord said.

Once they saw me pull out a letter and walk out of the factory they followed me over to the corner store where I placed the letter on the barrel before he turned around to look at us causing most of us to sweat. My past self then listened to the incoming sirens before he turned back to us.

"Gotta go but I'll trust you'll do the right thing for them," my past self said as he reached out to Critical Eye and flicked his horn causing him to cry out in pain as we appeared back in present.

"How the buck did he do that?" Critical Eye asked as he rubbed his horn.

"That's impossible how could he see us?" Twilight asked.

"I don't know young Twilight but I'm concerned what he said," Luna said.

"Well he did leave us a parting gift," I said as I pointed to the letter that was on the table.

Celestia grabbed it and opened it but what she read startled her.

"It's an address but the writing is in my handwriting," Celestia said.

Discord then flew behind Celestia and looked at the letter with a puzzled look.

"That's not your handwriting that's mine," Discord said.

"What?" everyone asked.

"Discord this writing is too neat to be yours," Celestia said.

"It's too unorganized to be yours Celly," Discord said.

“Is not,” Celestia said.

“Is too,” Discord said.

“Is not,” Celestia said.

“Is too,” Discord said

"Stop it you two you both may be eons old but you still behave like foals," Faust snapped.

"Sorry mom," Discord and Celestia said as they hung their heads.

"Now let me see that," Faust said as she held out a hand and Celestia handed the letter to her before she looked at it. "Odd now it’s in my handwriting."

"That clever bastard he's using a copycat quill," Critical Eye said.

"You mean those special quills that whoever looks at what's written they'll only see their own handwriting," Twilight asked.

"Yes they are used to cover one's tracks and you can enchant an ordinary quill to do it or a while ago buy one from a store here in Canterlot but those quills were banned from being created for good reasons. But, for this guy we know one thing now and that he has spent probably most of his life covering his tracks there's literally nothing that could help us find him," Critical Eye said.

"Except he left that address where is it mother?" Chrysalis asked.

"It's the train station I'll teleport us over," Faust said.

Before I could protest we arrived on the ground in front of the station we walked up the steps and onto the platform where we saw the station master walk over to us and bow.

"Hello your majesties I'm assuming your here because of the shadow vigilante group," the station master said.

"That is correct Steam Whistle but how did you know?" Celestia asked.

"Oh them fellers stopped by about an hour ago asked me to help them with something," Steam Whistle said.

"Help with what exactly?" Cadence asked.

"I can show ya but ya need to be quiet it took me awhile to help them get to sleep," Steam said confusing most in the group before he led us to the crystal train.

Steam silently opened the door of the carriage revealing about 20 foals all snuggled together on chairs or on the floor with blankets wrapped around them causing a few to daw at the sight.

"Why would the vigilantes bring these foals here," Cadence asked as she kneeled down and stroked a filly’s mane.

"It's because they can see that the caretaker of that place is more rotten then an apple filled with worms," Steam Whistle said.

"Hey now ah-," Applejack started before I covered her mouth and gestured to a colt who shifted in in his sleep from the outburst.

"Steam Whistle can you please explain what you’re saying," Celestia asked.

"He means that Madam Ever Ring is a nasty pony,"

We all turned our attention to a colt who had both his legs in casts and used crutches to move closer to us.

"Iron Heart what are you doing up," Steam Whistle asked.

I couldn't fall asleep till I gave this message to Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armour," Iron Heart said before he was about to collapse but stopped when he was wrapped in a blue magic aura and was placed upright before Cadence and Shining Armour.

"Well I'm Shining Armour and this is my wife Cadence little stallion so what message do you have for us," Shining asked.

"It's from those shadow ponies," Iron Heart said as he pulled the scowls out of his pocket and presented them to the pair before he almost kneeled over again.

"Whoa steady on sugarcube its way past your bedtime," Applejack said as she picked the colt up and carried him over to an empty chair and laid him on it along with a blanket and before you know it he was out like a light.

"What happened to him?" Twilight asked while she pointed at Iron Heart.

"He was brought in like that and when I asked he said a piece of metal from a machine fell on him breaking his legs earlier today," Steam Whistle said.

"So the colt was injured today," Chrysalis said with a snarl.

I looked at Shining as he read the contents of both letters and the expression on his face showed he was not happy.

"This is a page torn out of an account book about prices for the number of foals that were brought from this Ever Ring and the other one is all the wrongs she's done to these foals during her time as caretaker," Shining said as he held up one page then the other before he handed them to Faust to look over.

"Well since we can't send them back what do we do with these foals now?" Luna asked.

Everyone seemed to be lost in thought before I spoke up.

"Cadence I remember you telling me that you have an orphanage that's recently opened at the empire why don't we send the foals there," I suggested.

"Ash that's a brilliant idea," Cadence said.

"Indeed and we can take care of Ever Ring tomorrow but for now I wish to speak to you all at the castle. Steam Whistle will you watch over the foals for the night I will send some breakfast down for them as well. And Critical Eye I want Ever Ring apprehended and brought before us first thing tomorrow morning," Celesta said.

"Understood your majesty," Steam Whistle and Critical Eye said in sync before we vanished in a teleportation spell leaving Steam Whistle and Critical Eye at the station.

We arrived in the throne room and Celestia was rubbing her temples with a hand asking herself how she could have let this happen.

"Celestia please stop pacing like that and speak what's on your mind," Luna said.

"I don't understand any of this what these Templars are after why they have to harm mine and others citizens to achieve it just why does it need to happen I worked hard to secure peace in Equestria and now it's falling apart," Celestia said as she sat on the steps of the throne and began to cry.

To say everyone was surprised to see the radiant goddess of the sun start to cry would be a massive understatement I was about to walk forward to speak when Faust grabbed my shoulder and walked forward instead. She sat next to Celestia who grabbed Faust and cried into her chest while Faust wrapped her wings around Celestia in a hug.

"Celestia I could not be happier or more proud of you for what you have done while I was away you have kept the peace for so long since and since my absence you've always been the voice of reason and comfort. You’ve also been the one that held your siblings together and when things got tough you carried burdens of so many Celestia and now I think it's time I lift one from you,” Faust said with a sigh. “Do you know what Altair, Ezio and Arno did back on earth what they did to become members of the Five Knights of Equestria?" Faust asked earning no's from the royal siblings. "Well it's because I asked them to keep it secret because you were too young at the time to know," Faust said earning confused looks from everyone. "Ash would you mind?"

"Not at all," I said before three spheres of light appeared.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc-ClutaN_I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p7l1l_rlE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PykXyQohLI0

"Those were parts of Altair's, Ezio's and Arno's memories and to put it simply they were all part of a secret creed of assassin's who fought the Templar order to protect their world," Faust said causing the royal siblings to look at the memories in shock.

"That was awesome," Rainbow shouted.

"I'm beginning to like these guys," Gilda said.

"Those three weren't the only ones with something to hide Corvo did as well," Faust said before she created her own sphere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeIn3WjbVbw

"I could only guess what it must have been like in Dunwall but that was horrible," Twilight said.

"Corvo wasn't a member of the brotherhood but the reason he killed was for vengeance against the ones who framed him for the death of his empress and to return the home he loved to what it once was much like the assassin's. So I guess you can call him the assassin before the Templars," Faust said.

"What about Link what did he have to hide?" Celestia asked.

"In his time on earth he had nothing to hide he was a simple goat herder but when the Templars first came here and I allowed Altair, Ezio and Arno to establish their creed. Both Link and Corvo became members I believe I have a picture of Link in his robes," Faust said as she summoned a portrait of Link in his robes.

"Where was that hiding?" I asked myself.

"He certainly looks dashing," Rarity said

"So they were all assassins?" Luna asked.

"Yes Luna but it's my fault for asking them to keep that secret I didn't want the image of your uncles to be shattered when you were all still so young," Faust said.

"That's all good but what does this have to do with the Templars now and the shadow vigilantes," Chrysalis asked.

"The Five Knights may have been powerful but even they couldn't be everywhere so they recruited civilians who have had their struggle with the Templars and so the assassin's creed was born into Equestria. As for the shadow vigilantes I believe some could be decedents of their assassin ancestors and kids I’m sorry I had to keep this a secret from you all and I hope you can forgive me," Faust said before the siblings hugged her.

“You were just looking out for us like you always do mother of course we forgive you,” Celestia said.

"Well what a touching little family chat almost made me sick,"

I looked around for the voice but there was no one else.

"Show yourself," Luna demanded.

"As you wish,"

Suddenly a pillar of fire bursts out of the centre of the room and a figure walks out of it.

"HEARTLESS!" Faust yelled in anger.

I snap my head towards Faust before I look at the figure in the armour.

"Long time Faust," Heartless said.

In an instant I'm dressed in my armour with my weapons and rushed in front of Heartless and tried to slice him from his right shoulder going down diagonally to his left him but before I could touch him he pulled a sword from his back and used it to block my blow.

"Oh eager to die are we," Heatless taunted but I didn't say anything but used my right leg to kick him in the side but he grabbed my leg before it could make contact I then leapt off my last leg and used it to kick Heartless in the chest causing him to stumble backwards and release my leg. I back flipped in mid-air and used my wings to fly at Heartless but as I got close he used his fist and sent me into a wall. I quickly got up and ran at Heartless with Whispering Wind secured in my hand as I drew close to him I thrusted Whispering Wind at him and he did the same to me. Both our sword tips met in a clang and we held them there the both of us trying to push against the other only to remain still un moving except for the shaking of our swords causing the others to watch in awe. "So you’re the sixth knight that is said to fight me in the prophecy."

"Again with this prophecy what are you talking about?" I demanded.

"You haven't told him yet Faust or have you forgotten also but I suppose it was a long time ago," Heartless said.

"Silence your tongue if your words hold no meaning or I'll cut it from your head," I said as I used my shield to break the connection between our blades and hit him with it breaking his defences before I prepared to strike.

Suddenly, I felt something lift me into the air and squeeze my throat choking me I looked at Heartless and saw his hand was outstretched and was in a position like he was choking me before he moved his arm like he was throwing me away which is what happened. I was thrown into a corner of the room where I fell to my hands and knees I was about to get up only for a lance made of dark purple magic to skewer my right shoulder to the floor.

"You," Heartless said gaining everyone's attention as he pointed at Luna. "You’re the one that he loves and are also carrying his child."

Luna wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach while everyone else prepared to stand and fight. But suddenly, a familiar dark purple lance flew by Heartless's face causing everyone to look in the direction it came from to see me standing up.

"Take another step I fucking dare you," I growled with the promise of bloodshed in my voice.

"Relax scary I'm not interested in those two and I gotta say that the lance that went through you and that you threw at me is made of a paralysis spell strong enough to freeze a hydra dead in its tracks just by touching it. You fighting against such as spell it is quite impressive but, however I'd like to wrap this up," Heartless said.

"Ash look out!" Rage yelled.

I turned around and was met with a pillar that sent me flying into the wall on the other side of the room burying me in a pile of rubble and before I could get up the pillar that sent me flying landed on top of me causing me to cry out in pain. Heartless then teleported on top of the pillar and sat on it.

"Y'know the reason I came here is because I wanted to meet you in person and I gotta admit I'm not disappointed but you still have a long way to go before you can beat me. And you not knowing what's really going on why this feud between Faust and I is just sad especially for you and me when we have so much in common," Heartless said.

"We're nothing alike," I spat.

"Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes I destroy you protect and all that our goals and motives may differ but I'm not talking about that no we are similar in other things though but I'll let you figure that out on your own. But, this should help speed things up a little quicker," Heartless said as he held a white glowing sphere in his hand before he shoved it into my head causing me to scream in pain and black out.

Third Person P.O.V.

"What did you just do," Faust demanded.

"Don't get your mane in a bunch I haven't killed him…not yet anyway but I'm going to wait to do that at the right time," Heartless said as he turned around on his seat to face the others.

"Right time?" Faust asked.

"You still don't remember well you're going to have quite a serious journey down memory lane when Ash remembers maybe he'll even forgive you for what happened and all will be well oops spoiler," Heartless said with a laugh.

"What do you mean? What did you do to Ash," Celestia said.

"Weren't you all listening all I did was speed up Ash's memory recovery by providing the first piece to the puzzle nothing more. But, as fun as this was I'm a very busy guy so I must be off ta," Heartless said as he vanished in blaze of fire