I woke up and noticed I wasn't in my usual room and saw it was Luna's old room I then saw Luna wasn't beside me and that I was naked before I remembered our fun time together which caused me to smile. I got up and burned the mixed liquids on the bed and went to pick out some clothing for the day. Once I did I saw a note with my name on it on the dressing table so I walked over and picked it up.

Morning Ash

I didn't want to wake you because of how peaceful you looked so I let you sleep. When you're ready come down for breakfast and also Pip needs to be at school soon so could you please take him while I take care of a matter here.

Yours

Luna xo

I gave a smile at the letter before I put it down and went to clean myself up and get changed. Once I was done I walked outside I then decided to play a song on my IPod while I walked to the dining room.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxCI-8lUjfo

As I walked through the halls I did it with a little dance and smile on my face I gave a little nod or wave to the staff and guards that I passed and they all smiled and did the same. I was walking past a ladder where a maid was cleaning the top of a massive painting but she accidently dropped her duster. I saw it falling in front of me so I just kicked it upward with my foot before it touched the floor and caught it before I used my magic to float it back up to the mare earning a thank you from her before I continued on my way. The song came to an end just as I reached the dining room doors and before I touched them they opened I saw Blueblood stepping out.

"Blueblood," I said with a smile and a nod as I passed him.

"Freak," Blueblood said as he passed me.

I simply ignored the comment and greeted everyone as I sat at the table and Perfect Serve brought out my breakfast which I thanked her for before I dug in and noticed everyone looking at me.

"So Ash why are you in a good mood?" Faust asked.

"How can you tell?" I asked.

"Hm you're smiling for one I could also here you're music from down the hall and also you didn't insult Blueblood when he left even when he insulted you?" Faust said.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked receiving a nod from the ancient alicorn. "Okay yes I am in a good mood not sure why but it's a good feeling."

"I know what you mean," Twilight said.

"Anyway where are the rest of the girls and the stallions along with Cadence, Shining and Flurry Heart?" I asked.

"Oh they all left shortly after you, Luna and our human guests left which is a shame I was actually enjoying my time with Akachi," Discord said.

"Well I'm glad you're getting along with them Discord ever since I gave you that pocket dimension wand you've been in a great mood how's it working out for you by the way," I asked.

"Oh terrifically thank you for asking I can do so much and simply erase everything at a flick of a switch I'd be surprised if you can actually top that Ash," Discord said.

"Oh I bet I can think of something but what are you all doing today?" I asked.

"Well there isn't much to do since you modified the schedule so we might take it easy today but we do have some appointments that need to be completed," Celestia said.

"Um Ash I was wondering since we don't have much to do today I'd like to run some simple tests on you. I've noticed you have gained an incredible growth of magic and it's been getting stronger I'd like to look into it," Twilight said.

"I guess that seems fine Twilight but I have to get Pip to school and check in with Caramel to see if I have any work so I talk to you later," I said as I finished and stood up.

"Okay I'll be the castle lab," Twilight said.

I then gave Luna a kiss and nuzzle and gave Midnight a kiss before I gestured to Pip it was time to leave. We walked to the closest balcony before Pip climbed on my back and I took off to Ponyville I flew straight to the schoolhouse and said goodbye to Pip before I walked into town. I saw Granny Smith wearing a beard made of bees and was wearing a wide brim colourful hat and it looked like she was talking to the bees.

"Granny Smith what exactly are you doing?" I asked with a short laugh as I walked over to her.

"Oh hello there Ash I'm just colleting some honey for the Zap Apple Jam," Granny Smith said as she tipped a hive upside down and began to pour some honey into a jar.

"Zap Apples you mean it's the Zap Apple harvest?" I asked.

"Darn tooting it is sonny and speaking of which I never got to say congratulations you're highness," Granny Smith said.

"Please Granny don't you start you're like the grandmother I never had wouldn't feel right if I started asking you to call me your highness," I said.

"Ohh aren't the sweetest thing," Granny Smith said as she pinched my cheek gently.

"So judging by your bags I'd say you have everything you need," I said gesturing to Granny Smith's bags.

"Uh almost I can't seem to find any pots about and I mean the vintage kind," Granny Smith said causing me to think before I remembered something.

"Granny I think I know how to solve your problem," I said.

"How Ash?" Granny asked.

"Follow me," I said as I picked up her bags and walked over to the forge.

"So what you want me here for anyhow?" Granny Smith asked.

"Granny you know I have a long history right?" I asked.

"Wha-who has a long arm?" Granny Smith asked.

"No long history me," I said.

"Oh why didn't you say that sooner but yes I know there's a long, long history about you," Granny Smith said.

"Well as luck would have it I know how to make the so called vintage pots you need," I said.

"Oh Ash that's mighty nice of ya but you need the right tools and ingredients for that pot," Granny Smith said.

"Don't doubt me Granny Smith I promise I'll have the pot you need ready for you before noon," I said.

"Well if you say you can do it I'll put mah faith in ya but remember it needs to be perfect otherwise it won't work right," Granny Smith said.

"You leave it to me now you'd better get anything else you may need for the harvest and I'll see you later," I said.

"Very well Ash see you later," Granny Smith said before she picked up her bags and left.

Few Hours Later

After making sure I remembered each detail to making this type of pots I knew it was ready when Caramel asked me why I was being so precise with my work. I simply told him that making stuff like this was like making Zap Apple Jam and he understood cause we all knew Granny Smith's story on how Ponyville was founded thanks to her and the Zap Apples. Once I was done I took it over to Sweet Apple Acers where I saw Applejack and Big Mac were hard at work on the Zap Apple Trees. I walked over to the house and walked inside to see Granny Smith with an allied styled World War 2 helmet on her head and she seemed to be barking orders at a couple of glass jars.

"Court Marshalled!" Granny Smith yelled as she tossed a cracked jar into the bin.

"Nice toss," I said.

"Oh howdy Ash what brings you here?" Granny Smith asked.

"I have the pot I told you to make would you like to examine it?" I asked.

"Oh that's right alright then let's see what you got," Granny Smith said.

I handed her the pot and Granny Smith examined it closely even bit down on it but once she was done she started cheering and jumping around like a little filly.

"I take it I got it right?" I asked.

"Darn tooting ya got it right Ash I'm gonna come to you from now on whenever I need some new pots and pans," Granny Smith said.

"It was a pleasure gave me a chance to refresh my memory and use those skills again. Besides let's face no one makes these things like they used to they’re all too eager to finish it and be done with it I guess," I said causing us both to laugh.

"How about some of my apple pie before you go as a thank you," Granny Smith suggested.

"Now how can I resist that," I said.

Granny Smith then rang the triangle for lunch and not long later Mac and Applejack walked in and Granny Smith told them about the pot which seemed to impress the two apple farmers. Once I finished having lunch Granny Smith gave me a full pie for later before I flew off back to Canterlot. I arrived in the lab and I saw the royal family was in the room and Twilight was working on some kind of large box like chamber almost as big as a small room.

"I thought these tests were going to be simple Twi," I said announcing my presence.

"Oh they are Ash this is just for protection in case things get crazy," Twilight said.

"Why I get the feeling they will," I said under my breath.

"What is that delicious smell?" Eris asked.

"Complements of Granny Smith for making a vintage pot for the Zap Apple Jam that's going to be harvested soon," I said as I placed the parcel on a table and summoned a knife and unwrapped the pie.

"The Zap Apples so the harvest must be soon," Faust said.

"Yep you guys should stop by I'm sure the Apples wouldn't mind a bit," I said.

"Sign me up but first I think I'll settle for the pie," Rage said.

"Help yourselves I brought it up here because it's one of the only things that will get Twilight away from a book or test," I said.

"Hey!" Twilight cried out as she walked up to us.

"Then this pie must be good then," Celestia said.

I watched as the others ate and each one had a look of satisfaction on their faces.

"Mmm my compliments to the chef la *buuuurp*," Discord said as he rubbed his stomach.

"Discord!" all the alicorn siblings shouted.

"I was about to excuse myself...pardon me," Discord said.

"I'll pass the message along telling Granny Smith that you all loved the pie," I said.

"Please do Ash," Luna said.

"Now onto the test Ash could you step into the chamber please," Twilight said.

I did as Twilight instructed and stepped inside before I closed the door and looked around before I looked at everyone who was at the control panel. I then saw Twilight saying something into a mic but I couldn't hear her so I raised a hand to my ear as a silent signal indicating that I couldn't hear her. Rage then pointed at something on the control panel which caused Twilight to blush with embarrassment.

"Sorry Ash but can you hear me now if you can say something we can hear you," Twilight said.

"I can hear you fine Twi now remind me what are you testing me for again?" I asked.

"Your magic levels have been becoming stronger I just wish to observe what you can do so I want you to start with what you already know," Twilight said.

"Alright I guess I'll start with demon abilities but the only trick for that I know of is the Demon Pit," I said.

I then made my arm become demonic and I opened a pit in the corner of the chamber.

"Yikes those things give me the creeps," Eris said before I closed the pit.

"Okay you said that was the only demon ability you know so let's see what you can do with your angel abilities," Twilight said.

I gave a simple nod before I summoned the Heavenly Cross onto my arm and the Halo Blade.

"Interesting Ash I have an ability for you called the Ravage Blades," Faust said.

"Ravage Blades?" I asked.

"Just summon your demon power and focus on a blade in your hand the design will change depending on who summoned it," Faust said.

I did as Faust requested and soon the blade of a double bladed axe appeared in my hand the blades looked like wings. In the centre between the blades it had the image of a screaming skull with long fangs and a single spike coming out of the top.

"Not bad," I said as I swung the blade a few times before making a thrust making it seem I was impaling someone with the spike.

"Alright Ash I want to see what you can do with your Eclipse Breaker," Twilight said.

"Oh I suppose you want me to unleash my Hellish Booster as well," I said sarcastically.

"What's wrong with that?" Twilight asked.

"I can't summon my Eclipse Breaker on a whim it just comes to me on its own example my Hellish Booster unlocked itself from extreme amounts of anger," I said.

"Calm yourself Ash just imagine it like this imagine you have a dormant seal in your body that you can open when you feel like it," Faust said.

"Alright but I can't guarantee anything," I said.

I then closed my eyes and took several deep breaths before I searched for the seal which wasn't very hard because of how much power was emitting from it. I then opened it and felt a familiar rush of energy but when I opened my eyes I saw all my wings had revealed themselves as well as grown and the run circle had appeared. I could sense that using both Life and Death Fire would be easier but the mane and horn hadn't appeared.

"Hey Ash where's the mane and horn?" Rage asked.

"No idea maybe they only appear when I'm in my armour," I said.

"That doesn't matter Ash when you activate you're demonic arm I want you to pull off one of the spikes," Faust said.

"Uh...alright," I said.

I then did as asked but instead of it being just my forearm my entire arm changed and the shoulder had spikes on them that reminded me of Hearless's armour. I then grabbed one of the spikes on my forearm and pulled one off which I found rather easy but suddenly the spike grew and straightened and had a red aura around it. The blade had four spikes made of fire that looked like they were coming from a blowtorch coming the base of the spike making it look like a large dart.

"That is known as the Sin Spear try it out on that dummy," Faust said as she summoned a straw dummy into the room.

I tossed the spear at the dummy and watched it impale it before the aura disappeared and the dummy burst into a pile of burnt or burning straw.

"Well done Ash now I want you to pull out multiple spikes and use Epsilon to lock onto your targets," Faust said as more dummies appeared.

"Epsilon you got all that?" I asked mentally.

"Yes Ash," Epsilon said.

I gave some control to Epsilon before I grabbed a handful of spikes and noticed the first one grew back before I threw the blades into the air. I then looked at the dummy and saw targeting squares appear around them before the spikes changed and flew at them impaling them resulting the same thing to happen to the dummies.

"Fantastic Ash now there is another trick for your demonic abilities and it is yours to use if you wish," Faust said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Fear Manipulation," Faust said causing Luna and Dream Catcher to have uneasy looks.

"Fear Manipulation?" I asked.

"You can make yourself or summon a creature to intimidate you're opponents or attack them," Faust said.

"Ok well I'm not gonna try and go over the top her but I think I can think of something," I said.

I then twirled my hand around and a red star pentagram appeared on the ground and a hellhound appeared on it the beast reminded me of my feral form but was much bigger as if I could ride on. It and had cracks in its body that were filled with lava the beast then looked around and snarled at the others at the control panel and looked ready to attack. The hellhound then lunged at the others behind the glass but failed. However the hellhound was able to crack the glass.

"Whoa stand down boy," I said as I held my hand out to the demonic dog.

The hellhound then looked at me and his eyes reminded me of The Blanks and Blood Hooves of Sunny Town but I didn't back down. The hellhound sniffed my hand and placed its nose under my palm and I gave him a rub before I dispersed him and I saw the others were just staring at me.

"Too far?" I asked.

"No...No that was nicely done Ash anyway this next one is for your holy side," Faust said.

"Ok," I said as I as I made my left arm return to normal and made my entire right arm become angelic.

"Now Ash this one will be tricker what do you know of Purification," Faust asked.

"It's an ability to remove all evil correct?" I asked.

"Indeed now Ash with your Heavenly Cross it will destroy all evil that touches it including the ones that committed the evil. However with Purification you can destroy the evil without harming the body but it will not change the pony to good," Faust said.

"I get it for that you'd need to convince the pony or person to good with words," I said.

"Exactly now to practise I want you to absorb all the dark magic from this crystal using purification," Faust said as a dark crystal filled with a familiar sense of dark energy appeared in front of me.

"That feeling it's Sombra's magic," I said.

"Yes Ash but there is nothing better for you to practice on," Faust said.

I took a breath before I nodded to Faust and walked towards the crystal I could feel the magic rolling off the crystal in dark waves. I then held my hand out and thought of absorbing the dark magic a beam of bright holy power shot out of my hand but a beam of dark power shot out of the crystal and at my beam. The two powers battled it out for dominance and I could feel the overwhelming darkness from this crystal was stronger than when I fought Sombra. But I summoned as much energy as I could and began pulling at the dark magic. The magic in the crystal then tried to fight back against me but it failed and I soon cleansed the crystal of its darkness before I collapsed to my knees and saw all the glass that made up the room was destroyed.

"Y'know after this I think Sombra wasn't fighting me seriously," I said

"Ash are you alright?" Luna asked as she flew down and helped me up.

"Yeah fine but I think we'd better end the test here unless you want to continue," I said.

"No that's all Ash I have a ton of data I need to go over thanks for your help Ash," Twilight said.

"Okay then if that's all that you lot need from me I'll be on my way," I said.

"Actually Ash I wanted to show you something," Celestia said.

Suddenly Celestia teleported everyone to the hall of windows.

"Why're we here?" I asked.

I wanted to show you this," Celestia said as she gestured to a window.

I then looked at the window I didn't know what to say the window was of me but I was wearing my coronation attire I had all ten wings extended and I was holding Whispering Wind out in front of me with the blade pointing down to the ground. On the right of the window was an image of my wolf self and it was curling around my leg and Dust was flying around next to me on the left of the window. I also saw the sun on the left side of the picture above Dust and the moon was at equal height with the sun and the sky was split down the middle with daylight on the left and night on the right. In-between the sun and moon was my cutie mark and the Demonic Angel symbol was on the shield and the gem on the crown made the entire window sparkle and was probably the brightest part of the window and if you looked at it you could be staring into it for hours without realizing.

"Wow," I said.

"I know I had it put in during the night and was very excited to see it when dawn came up," Celestia said.

"Well I feel spoiled here but may I ask have the others seen it?" I asked.

"No I wanted you to be the first," Celestia said.

"Well I know Rarity is going to use this to make a new line I can see her face now," I said.

"The detail is simply divine," Twilight said in her best Rarity impersonation and pulled of a dramatic pose causing us to laugh.

"But still Celestia its beautiful thank you," I said.

“You earned it Ash,” Celestia said.

???

I was in what looked like an old tower and looked around the room and saw a cot made out of wood hay and a blanket there was also a simple wooden desk with a quill and a few parchments on it. The desk also looked out a window and the landscape outside was nothing but vast, cold, snowy mountains and an endless cloud filled sky I then heard the creaking of a door and turned around to see a large wooden door was open ajar. I walked over to it and opened it the rest of the way and saw a staircase going down so I walked over to it and then down the stairs and into a dark stone corridor. Suddenly a torch lit up down the hallway as if it were telling me to go that way.

I walked down the hallway and over to the torch before another one lit up a little further down the corridor outside a stone arch that led down another corridor I walked over to the torch and looked down the new corridor and saw another torch light up. this continued for a while and I was led all over the castle till a pair of torches on either side of a pair of large wooden doors lit up and I could see an eerie glow come from the bottom of the door. I then slowly walked over to the door and peeked inside.

Inside I saw eight figures standing around a rune circle and the room was lit by several candles the figures were chanting something in an ancient tongue that tingled at the edge of my memory. I then looked at the figures and saw they were all wearing full on armour and they had a different weapon with them. Suddenly, I saw the rune circle had aqua fire flickering in the centre and spread till it reached the edge of the circle and the figures continued to chant only louder.

Suddenly a bright flash filled my eyes and when I regained my sight I was in the room and the candles had been extinguished the figures around me were the eight figures all of them lying on the ground surrounded by pools and splatters of blood. Suddenly I feel a terrifying presence behind me and something wraps around my throat and lifts me into the air. I am then spun around to come face to face with darkness. Suddenly, dark red eyes opened along with the burning silhouette of a mouth with sharp teeth like Rage's.

("Eight men of ancient old who sit in their keep of stone take in a child and help him grow and the boy grows strong as time moves on...,") the dark says in a language that I knew from that era.

"...But the boy becomes death of the men of eight a traitor to all including in the eyes of hate," I finished.

Suddenly the darkness showed me a fort in ruins that was different than the one I saved Faust from.

Once I saw the picture disappeared only to be replaced by the face in darkness before its mouth opened impossibly wide and I was tossed into the flames

I sat up in cold sweat and gripped my head to stop the pain I then looked around and saw I was in the bedroom at my place and Luna was sound asleep beside me and both Dust and Tiberius were still asleep. I then released the breath I didn't realise I was holding before I got out of bed and pored some cold water on my face before I had a hard think about my dream. I then soon realised I felt pain in the dream and realised it was a vision. I then went into my library and picked out a book of fortresses of Equestria and found one that matched.

"Shardore Fortress an ancient fort used by the ponies during the battle with the Minotaur King in 50 A.D. (After Discord)," I said.

I took the map that showed me the fortresses location and gathered my equipment before I left and walked over to the forge and sharpened Whispering Wind. I then made sure I had plenty of supplies and once I was done I saw a pair of single handed axes that Caramel made and they looked seriously cool.

I picked the two axes up and gave them a feel I smiled at the work Caramel put into these I decided to borrow the axes. So I wrote a note to Caramel explaining that I had the tomahawks before I made a hook on the back of my belt for the axes and flew off for Shardore.

The trip took me till day break when I arrived at the place the fort was old but very well made I landed on the bridge that led inside but as I did I felt a dark chill crawling up my spine so I summoned my armour and weapons and began to walk deeper into the ancient ruins. The place had obviously seen better days. Once grand furniture was now a rotting pile of wood and once beautiful glass stained windows were cracked or smashed and the tapestries condition would leave Rarity horrified. All in all it was like any place in ruins that I've been to. Suddenly, I hear rattling and look to see a skeleton lumbering its way towards me with a sword and circular shield in its arms.

"Alright bone head let's make this quick," I said rubbing my hands together.

The skeleton mad a sloppy attempt to kill me but I just dodged the attack and punched the skeleton in the head knocking it off. The skeleton then fell apart and became a pile of bones on the floor I then heard more sounds and saw other monsters had awaken to fight me.

"Well looks like I'm gonna be here for a while," I said as I drew Whispering Wind and my shield.

Ponyville Third Person P.O.V.

The mane 6 were walking around Ponyville enjoying the sunshine and talking they were on their way to grab some lunch at Sugar Cube Corner. As they were passing by the forge they suddenly heard someone shout from inside.

"That Son Of A Bitch!"

The girls then looked at each other in confusion and saw Caramel pacing back and forth with an angry scowl on his face.

"Caramel what in tarnation has got you more wound up then a rattlesnake on a bad day?" Applejack asked.

"Ash took my tomahawks saying he needed them for something important," Caramel said.

"Well if Ash needs them for something important then it must be important," Twilight said.

"I know that but would it have killed him to ask me in person then just leave a note," Caramel said.

"Maybe it was so important he didn't have time to ask," Fluttershy suggested stroking her mane.

"Maybe," Caramel said.

Suddenly trumpets filled the air causing the girls to rush outside and saw the royal carriage was parked in the centre of town and most of the Alicorn siblings plus Faust and Rage were there.

"Twilight Sparkle," Celestia said when she spotted her former student.

Princess Celestia," Twilight said as she walked up to the sun alicorn.

"Twi I know you like bonding time with your former mentor but we need to see Ash it's kinda important," Rage said.

"Ash no one has seen him and I doubt he's in Ponyville because we saw a note in Carmel's shop saying he had something important to do so he was borrowing a pair of small axes," Twilight said.

"Unusual choice of weaponry for Ash but back to main topic looks like Ash has already gone," Rage said.

"That damn fool what give him the idea that said he had to go alone," Chrysalis said.

"Sister remember what I said that this may be a personal task for Ash," Dream Catcher said.

"Wait what's going on with Ash is there trouble?" Rainbow asked

"We think so last night Ash received a vision and it appeared to be summoning Ash somewhere," Faust said.

"The place looks familiar but I can't remember where it's from," Celesta said.

"Maybe I can identify it," Twilight suggested.

The alicorns then looked at each other before they nodded.

"Very well Twilight I'll show you but not here this vision it is a dark one," Dream Catcher said.

Dream Catcher then teleported the group into the map room of Twilight's castle where she showed them the vision Ash had they all watched as Ash walked through the corridors following the torches. When Ash stepped into the room and looked at the figures the group then had to cover their eyes from the blinding flash and were shocked when they saw the condition of the room and jumped when they saw the darkness. But they all became confused when they herd the darkness speak and when Ash responded to it but Faust grimaced when she herd the unfamiliar language and once that happened the image appeared and Twilight gasped.

"Shardore Fortress it was built during the war with the Minotaur 50 years after Discord's rule," Twilight said.

"Well done Twilight," Celestia said.

"Hey did anyone catch what the black thing said cause it didn't sound friendly," Rainbow said.

"It's an old tongue that has not been spoken since before Equestria came to be it is the language of the necromancers," Faust said.

"Necromancers why in Equestria would something like that be in Ash's head," Applejack asked.

"I do not know but I'm concerned on how Ash knows that dark tongue," Faust said causing everyone to look at each other with worry.

"Well we can't just sit here and do nothing if that thing is telling Ash to go there then we should too."

Everyone then looked at the doorway and saw Spike and the rest of the stallions were here.

"What are you guys doing here?" Rainbow asked.

"I invited them here for a little guy time but that's when you lot showed up," Spike said.

"But still were getting off topic we need to go help Ash if he's in trouble," Thunderlane said.

"No I forbid any of you from following if this is a necromancer we're dealing with then I cannot allow any of you to put yourselves in danger," Celestia said.

"Princess Celestia with all due respect that is an order I'm not going to follow," Soarin said earning shocked looks from everyone.

"What?" Celestia asked.

"I said I'm not following that order Ash was right about one thing the day you two spared against one another we're not mindless foals we have to make our own choices even if it gets us killed. Besides Ash's training has prepared us for hard combat even if all of the royals say we can't go it doesn't mean we're going to do as you say cause my mind is made up.," Soarin said.

Same with the rest of us," Pierce said.

"Well if that's how you guys feel then looks like I'm coming too but what about you Caramel?" Rage asked.

"Ya damn right I'm coming," Caramel said as he walked over to the rest of the guys with Rage.

"Are you all insane!?" Twilight shouted.

"Twi we're guys it's kinda what we do," Rage said.

"Well if they're going so am I," Rainbow said.

"No you will not you will remain put," Celestia said.

"Celestia I know that this is probably dangerous but if it's dangerous for us it will be for Ash as well you gotta let us go help him," Rainbow said.

"Mother please they could be killed or worse," Celestia pleaded.

Faust looked at the groups in silence before she closed her eyes with a sigh and looked at the groups again.

"As much as I don't like the fact all of you are going to face what may very well be a necromancer I cannot ignore the fact that Ash may be in grave danger at this very moment and since I won't be able to change your minds I'll permit you to go and provide Ash support," Faust said.

"Yes," the guys cheered.

"Provided you take the Bearers of Harmony with you if it is a necromancer Harmonic magic will be needed," Faust said.

"We understand we'll be there and back before you know it," Twilight said.

"Very well I shall open a portal to Shardore Fortress but please be cautious," Celestia said.

Faust then opened a portal and the stallions, Spike and Rage summoned their robes, armour and weapons before they all walked in through the portal and once they did the group were greeted by the massive crumbling fort. Everyone walked inside and saw what looked like sword slashes on the walls along with scorch marks and there were also decaying bodies in the room.

"Hey that's one of Ash's Sin Spears," Twilight said as she pointed at a body with one of said Sin Spears impaling a body through the mouth pining the body to a rock.

"Damn look at this guy it almost looks human but mutilated in some sick way," Thunderlane said as he gestured to another body.

"It looks like the psychos from Ash's nightmare when he locked himself away for a week but these guys are more...," Rage started.

"Ugly?" Rainbow asked.

"Terrifying?" Fluttershy asked hiding behind Mac.

"Disgusting?" Rarity asked.

"Rabid and bloodthirsty," Rage said causing everyone to gulp.

"So where do we go now?" Comet asked.

"Easy we follow the trail of death and battle Ash has left behind," Rage said as he gestured to the corridor that showed signs of battle.

The group then did as suggested and followed the trail and each dead body looked worse than the last in either appearance or how they died. They came to the edge of the fort and were walking down a hallway where one side had empty arch windows to let in natural light and one side was plain stone with torch stands attached to them.

"Man these slashes on the wall and the way these guys died they look like they were done by someone who was both sad and angry," Spike said.

"Since when were you an expert?" Soarin joked.

"Ash taught me I saw the way he normally takes on his opponents and he's not clumsy enough to leave sword slash marks on the wall he normally does that when he's using his claws like this," Spike said as he walked over to a wall and showed them the long hand like claw marks. "Ash must have used his blood claws here and this one is defiantly from Whispering Wind yet judging from how jaggered this wound is I say Ash rapidity slammed the blade into this guy in an almost angry way," Spike said as he gestured to a body

"Spike I'm beginning to grow concerned on what Ash is teaching you," Twilight said.

"I'm more worried on Ash I mean what's going on with him to make markings like this?" Spike asked.

"Hey Spike up here for a second," Rage said as he gestured for Spike to come over to him which he did. "Do you know what made that?"

The pathway in front of them was in pieces of rubble a massive hole in the wall where the arches once were and deep gashes in the wall opposite.

"Big deep claw marks that looks like something big tried to bite its way through the pillars and the walls below have deep marks. So something big was resting here and tried to reach for Ash when he was here," Spike said.

"Any idea what it could have been?" Rage asked.

"Hm well the thing must have had wings to get here and...Wait a second wings large deep claw marks and teeth that could crush rock I think I know what did this," Spike said in a worried tone.

Suddenly a massive roar echoed around the group and knocked a few stones loose from the ceiling.

"Dragon!" Fluttershy shouted as loud as she could which was more like a loud whisper before she hid behind Mac and trembled like a leaf.

"Flutters chill would ya I doubt dragons even live out this far," Rainbow said.

Suddenly a great wind swept over the group and the shadow of a monstrous object flew over them. The group then saw a massive dragon only its eyes and body had an icy blue glow and everyone could see its bones and rotted flesh and its wings were in ruins.

"Undead dragon," Fluttershy whispered.

"Who would dare defile the body of a dragon?" Spike growled in hatred.

"What's got you all worked up?" Thunderlane asked.

"Do you have any idea on how dishonourable it is for something like this to be done to a dragon, dragon bodies are so sacred to us that if anyone were to rob one of our graves then dragons won’t stop till the one who committed the crime pays for what they had done," Spike said.

"Is this some sort of dragon code sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"Yes," Spike said.

"Well whoever did this has serious balls because that's no ordinary dragon body that's a dragon king's body," Rage said.

"What!" Spike screamed.

"Look you see his massive wing size it's obvious he was a dragon king once," Rage said as he pointed at the dragon's wings.

"That necromancer is not leaving this place alive," Spike growled before he ran towards the gap and jumped over it with a flap of his wings.

"Spike wait!" Rage shouted before he teleported everyone to the other side of the gap and chased after him.

The chase led them through the hallways where they continued to see more bodies and battle marks and then they heard the dragon again only it sounded like it was fighting. Spike followed the sound and the rest followed till they came to a large circular courtyard where the dragon was and Ash was also there. The group looked through a hole in the wall and saw the two circle each other suddenly the dragon lunged at Ash ready to chomp down on him but a simple swing from Ash's sword knocked the head away like a cannon hit the dragon instead.

Ash then ran at the dragon but the dragon used one of its claws to hit Ash and sent him flying into a wall but Ash wasn't down yet he immediately stood up and charged back at the dragon. But, the dragon had also recovered from its blow and was about to unleash its breath on Ash but Ash then raised his shield and the group watched as Ash was hit by a tsunami of flames. But, once they stopped they saw Ash had his shield out in front of him and it was larger before it shrank down to its normal size.

The group then watched as the two opponents stared at each other when they saw Ash disappear and reappear on the dragons left before he ran at the dragon. He then leapt at the ribcage and slashed at the glowing orb of magic inside it before he flew out of the other side and skidded to a stop while the dragon roared in pain. The dragon then collapsed to the ground but the dragon had just enough strength and life left in it to look at Ash before it spoke in an old language.

"Spike can you understand what he's saying?" Rarity asked.

"No he's speaking ancient dragon as far as I know," Spike whispered.

The group then watched as Ash and the dragon had a brief conversation before Ash bowed his head before he placed his shield on his back and wedged Whispering Wind into the ground before he kneeled to the dragon. Once Ash kneeled his armour disappeared and suddenly a colourful glowing wisp like wind flowed out of the dragon and circled around Ash. Suddenly, bones lifted off the ground and shrank as they floated over to Ash and then they attached to Ash becoming armour. Finally the skull of the dragon shrunk and floated over to Ash and spoke a few more words before the light faded from its eyes Ash then placed his forehead against the skull's before he turned it around and put it over his head and stood up and looked at his armour.

"Okay what just happened?" Rainbow asked.

"No idea but this battle isn't over yet," Rage said.

Suddenly the armoured figures from Ash's dream appeared out of nowhere and surrounded Ash but they all had a familiar ghostly aura around them and they were all armed while Ash grabbed both his shield and sword before he readied himself.

"Ghosts and these guys don't look friendly," Comet said.

"Shh Ash looks like he's about to say something," Twilight said.

"I wish you all stayed in the tomb I built you," Ash said before the ghosts let out a shriek in response.

One of the ghosts attacked but Ash used his shield to bash the weapon away before he slashed at the ghost causing it to disappear but reappear of to the side. This continued for a few minutes with the other ghosts and the ghosts were disappearing quickly and landed several hits on Ash before vanishing. One ghost managed to crawl up a wall and leap into the air summoning a spear but when Ash goes to block the attack three other ghost attempt to kill Ash however a wall of emerald green fire smashes into the ghosts dispersing them. Ash then bashed the attack from the ghost above him and thrusted Whispering Wind into it causing a bright light to erupt from its core and causing the ghost to shake uncontrollably before disappearing. Ash then looked at where the fire came from and saw it was Spike with an unhappy look on his face which was aimed at the ghosts.

"Only warning you'll gonna have get lost," Spike growled.

Three of the ghosts just shrieked at Spike and disappeared before they reappeared around him in a triangle but one of Spike's arms was coated in shadow before it turned into a blade and impaled the ghost while Spike used his flame breath to burn the ghost in front of him. The last ghost was impaled by a burning blade in its back thanks to Rage and the last ghost then looked at Ash while Ash just shrugged. The final ghost charged at Ash but Ash stood still till he got close and once he did Ash spun out of the way and slashed at the ghost's back making it collapse to its knees and break like a stone slab before it disappeared itself.

"What the hell are you two doing here!?" Ash demanded.

"Saving you're life nitwit," Soarin said as he also appeared from behind cover.

"You too geez is there anyone else hiding behind that wall?" Ash asked causing the rest of the group to appear. "Fan-fucking-tastic."

"Ash what is going on here?" Twilight asked.

"Guys it's not safe here you need to leave," Ash said.

"Whoa hang on were not leaving without you Ash," Rainbow said.

"Well you need to go now," Ash demanded.

"Not until you tell us what's going on," Rage said.

Suddenly the air became cold and fog floated around the group.

"Alright fine I'll tell you all later about what's going on but first you all need to get out of sight now and don't interfere this time please," Ash said.

The group then did as instructed while Ash turned around and sheathed both his shield and Whispering Wind. Suddenly breaking noises came from within the fog and it looked like a figure was calling out of the ground the figure then stood up and was bigger than Ash but not by much only by 4ft. The figure wore robes and a cape that fluttered in the cold wind the figures face looked human like with a crown of spikes on its head. But, the thing also had a pair of eerie blue lights coming from where its eyes would be.

The figure then stepped out of the fog to reveal an undead monster it was dressed in tattered black robes and armour in a terrible state its body was skeletal and had rotting flesh still clinging to its bones. Its eyes were ice blue lights and it had metal spikes coming from the top of its head and it looked like a crown and the mere aura screamed bad news. But, the worst factor about this thing was its cape instead of it being made of fabric it was made of pony’s cutie marks that were stitched together. This caused Ash to clench his fists and the creature then unleashed a screech that caused the ground to be laced with ice before it summoned a massive sword.

"My god...a lich," Rage whispered.

"Uh refresh my memory but what is a lich?" Rainbow whispered.

"It means corpse but some think of them as undead necromancers," Rage said.

Ash then grabbed both the axes on his belt and twirled them around in his hands before he ran at the lich but the lich summoned a wall of ice and Ash stabbed his axe into the wall and used the force of the rising wall to leap over it. Once Ash was above the wall he threw an axe at the lich but the lich blocked it before Ash landed on the ground. Ash then rolled behind the lich and drove the second axe into the lich's leg causing it to fall onto one knee.

Ash then grabbed Whispering Wind and was about to drive into the lich's face but and blast of magic sent Ash flying through the wall of ice and into another wall before he collapsed to the ground. Ash then got up on his hands and knees before an icicle embedded itself into the ground. Ash then looked at the lich and saw it create another icicle before it tossed it at Ash barely has time to move and was pierced through the left side of his waist.

Ash culched his side but stood up and charged at the lich again and the lich raised its sword to cut Ash down the middle but Ash teleported behind the lich and leapt into the air and repeatedly thrusted his sword at the lich's back with lightning speed. Once the attacked finished the lich turned to look at Ash and swung its sword at him but the sword barely gazed Ash before the lich punched Ash in the face causing Ash to fly backwards. Ash then back flipped onto his feet and skidded across the ground to a stop.

The lich then charged at Ash and made a thrust but Ash then held his sword backwards and pushed against the lich's sword causing it to narrowly miss hitting him before he slashed at the lich's side and leapt away from the lich.

"Let's end this you ugly freak," Ash said.

The two then clashed swords and despite the blade's massive size the lich was able to wield it with ease and the two left great amounts of damage on the other from both swords and magic. The lich then summoned power from an amulet that went around its neck and charged it into its sword and made another thrust. But Ash grinded Whispering Wind against it again and screamed in pain as the magic from the lich's sword rushed around him.

Ash then leaped away from the lich and saw smoke rising from underneath his dragon bone gauntlets Ash then glared at the lich before he held Whispering Wind out in front of him in both hands before his arms became demonic and angelic. Ash then pulled his arms away from each other and Whispering Wind split in two in Ash's left hand the sword was flaming and red and had lava filled cracks in it and the wings that were the cross guard were webbed. In Ash's left hand it was white and gold and had a holy glow to it and the cross guard's wings were feathered.

"Ash can duel wield?" Thunderlane asked in shock.

The lich then charged his sword again and swung at Ash but Ash stood there and used the red Whispering Wind to stop the lich's attack as if it were nothing surprising the others. Ash then charged up the sword in his right hand and sent a wave of energy at the lich which hit it in the chest causing the lich to hiss in pain at the attack.

The lich then shot an icicle at Ash and made an overhead strike at Ash but Ash dodged the icicle and blocked the lich’s sword with both his swords. Ash then sucked in some breath before he unleashed a fiery breath made of rainbow coloured flames causing the lich to stumble back and try and put out the flames.

"Alright Shooting Star Strike," Ash said.

Suddenly Ash's blades began to glow brighter as Ash charged at the lich and was cutting it in several places at once getting faster and faster with each strike. But several times Ash took a hit from the lich but it didn't stop Ash, Ash then made a thrust at the lich with his flaming sword but the lich dodged to the left and grabbed Ash's sword and was about to strike at Ash with its own. But, Ash then flipped up onto the lich’s shoulder and placed a boot on the lich’s face and pulled the head backwards and rested his foot on the lich’s crown. Ash then let out a war cry before he thrusted the sword in his left hand into the lich's face.

The lich then screamed in pain and Ash pulled his sword out of the lich's glowing cracked filled face and grabbed it's cape before he leaped away from the creature and landed on the ground. The lich then stumbled back gripping its face all the while it screamed in pain and exploded shrouding Ash in smoke.

The group then looked at the smoke and waited for anything to happen and that's when the smoke cleared and Ash was standing in the same place as when the lich exploded. Both his swords had become one again when suddenly Ash fell backwards and lay flat on the ground.

"Ash!" Twilight yelled as she ran over to him and helped him stand.

"Thanks," Ash said in a raspy voice.

"You alright?" Caramel asked.

"The lich's icicle did more than you think it's like someone pored liquid nitrogen on your crotch," Ash said causing the guys to shudder while Ash used his magic to hand Caramel's axes over to Caramel. "They worked perfectly."

"Thanks," Caramel said as he grabbed the axes.

"Ash why on earth did you grab that," Rarity yelled as she pointed at the lich's cape.

Ash then got Twilight to set him down where he folded the cape and placed it on the ground and did a small prayer before his right arm became angelic and tapped the cape. This caused the cape to burn away in a simple flame before he stood up.

"I wasn't about to let that thing keep it in the afterlife those ponies have been laid to rest," Ash said before he almost collapsed if Mac didn't catch him.

"Easy Ash let's get you outta here," Rage said as the group began to walk away.

"Hang on we can't leave that here," Ash said.

"The lich's amulet why take that accursed thing?" Spike asked.

"It's a worse idea to leave it here for anyone to come take it," Ash said.

"Alright I'll grab it but if it does something it's on your head," Rage said.

"It won't do anything unless you put it on," Ash said.

Ash's P.O.V.

The group then helped me through a portal that led to Twilight's castle where I saw the royal family waiting for us.

"Ash!" Luna cried as she leapt at me giving me a hug.

"Ow, ow, ow, let go let go!" I cried causing Luna to let go while I clutched my side.

"Ash what happened and what are you wearing?" Celestia asked as she gestured to my dragon armour.

"Can the questions wait Ash isn't in the best condition to talk," Rage said.

"Here let me have a look," Faust said as she stepped over to me and moved some of my new armour out of the way revealing a wound filled with ice. "Ash is there anywhere else?"

I then removed my gauntlets revealing my hands which were badly scorched

"We'd better treat this immediately and while we're doing that the rest of you can explain what happened," Faust said.

I was soon placed in a guest room where my armour was removed and placed on a mannequin and I had to admit the damn thing looked totally badass on me. The hands had claws on hands and feet and a tail on the back in-between the two skeletal wings that provided a little protection. But, my mind was then refocused on the pain in my side and hands as Faust drew a healing rune on my body healing the injuries. While, this happened Rage explained the situation and Pinkie showed them all a recording of everything which Rainbow requested causing her to blush.

The royals were surprised by the damage I left behind and were shocked when they saw the undead dragon king and silently watched as I battled it and obtained its bones and again silently watched as I battled the ghosts but were shocked when they saw the lich. They all then became angered when they saw the lich's cape but they were surprised when they saw me duel wield and how strong I became from it.

"Well that was certainly an intense fight," Chrysalis said.

"Well done in dispatching that lich Ash but might I recommend you use more caution in the future," Faust said as she finished healing me.

"If I didn't Faust I would be in a much worse condition then when I arrived," I said as I stood up off the bed.

"Ash what exactly happened with that dragon back there and why did you take its bones," Dream Catcher asked.

"I didn't he gave them to me," I said earning confused looks from the lot. "Here I'll show you and make sure it's in English so you can understand."

I then pulled a memory from my head and showed it to the others the image was me looking at the undead dragon before I snapped my fingers changing the language to English.

"Brave warrior I thank you for freeing me from my imprisonment," the dragon said.

"It was no problem great one," I said.

"By dragon lore I am bound to serve you till the debt is either repaid or I perish however I am already dead and I feel my life slowly slipping. So as a thank you I gift you my bones to become a new set of armour to protect you," the dragon said.

"Wait you don't need to do that please understand that if any other dragon were to see me wearing you're bones they would get the wrong idea," I said.

"Fear not for I shall place a charm on you so you will be protected if you are wearing my bones in the presence of another dragon show them my mark on the palm of your right hand that way they will know you obtained my bones by a great deed. This is my repayment please honour me this last request," the dragon said.

I was silent before I bowed my head and kneeled to the dragon and removed my armour.

"Do as you will then," I said.

The group then watched as my body was surrounded by a colourful wisp like wind and the bones floated over to me and attached to my body and the head floated into my grasp.

"Farewell great warrior," the dragon whispered before the life left it.

I then tapped my forehead against the dragon’s before I put the skull on and looked at my right palm and as the dragon said a red mark appeared on my palm.

"Kimerth Eternal Fire," Celestia said when she saw the mark and the memory ended.

"You knew him Celestia?" I asked.

"Yes he was a good friend and a wise king and one of the greatest dragon kings to rule," Celestia said.

"I'm sorry about what happened," I said.

"It's alright now explain to me who those ghosts were from your vision?" Celestia asked.

"Well guess that explains how you found me but the names of those ghost is one even I can't remember but I tell you what they were like but understand guys that this part of my history doesn't have a pleasant ending," I said causing everyone to find or summon a place to get comfortable on. "During one of the more forgotten times of earth’s history I was left outside the door of a keep in the mountains and in the keep lived eight great men all healers and very wise men who would help anyone who came to them. These men took me in and raised me as if I was their own they taught me so many things from potion making to rune magic and astronomy I was really happy there.”

"Now I wasn't the only one there I had a bit of a rival he was a lot like me except in appearance but he resented me always said he was the better student. But, one day when I asked the eight if he was better the only answer I got was you're better if you choose to be. At first the meaning was lost but overtime I figured it out and decided to attempt making him into a friend instead a rival. But, all my attempts didn't go as planned he still scorned me but I ignored it but I'm getting off topic here," I said as I cleared my voice.

"During my time of studying I never noticed a darkness fall over the keep till one night I couldn't sleep so I walked around the castle till I came to a room where I saw the eight men performing a forbidden ritual I once saw during one of my studies. It was a necromancer ritual when I looked at the men I looked up to I didn't see them instead I saw dead men I don't know how to describe it but I know it wasn't them. So doing what was necessary I went and grabbed a dagger before I faced the pale imitations and killed them but all the while the ritual continued," I said before I took a breath.

"After I finished of the last one I looked at the ritual circle and saw a dark shape crawl out of the circle and send me flying into a wall and I looked at the thing and saw a pair of eyes and a mouth in the shadow and the very aura of the thing was evil the creature stared at me. I then blacked out and once I woke up I saw the shadow was gone and my rival found the scene and accused me of murdering the eight before he fled the keep. After that I built a tomb for the eight under the castle and placed a powerful rune spell on their tombs to prevent anyone from trying to resurrect them before I shut myself away in the keep and did what I always did to pass the time I studied," I said.

"So what happened?" Twilight asked.

"Not long later an angry mob broke into the keep and confronted me but I didn't fight back I said I killed the eight in spite and that was it," I said earning shocked looks from the group.

"Why did you say something so stupid!?" Rainbow shouted.

"I wasn't about to let the image of eight great men be ruined because of what happened and even if I did there was no actual proof that I was innocent. Also I made sure to destroy the evidence of the eight committing necromancy," I said.

"So what happened?" Discord asked.

"Well I was tossed in a cell and my rival visited me once asked me why I did it so I said because you were always the better student. But like always he called me a liar and demanded I tell the truth so I got up and walked over to the cell bars and glared at him before I then told him of what really happened which made him recoil in shock and disbelief. I then told him that he had to keep it secret which he hesitantly agreed before he apologized for everything he did to me. So in the end I made a friend of him after all and after that I was led out of my cell and up to a tower where they built a ledge that hung over a cliff and after that," I said before I raised my hand above my head and made it seem like I was gripping something and gave it a yank upwards and made a snapping noise with my mouth giving a clear indication of what happened causing the others to gulp. "I died that day never knowing why that happened or why that shadow spared me and I was seen as a criminal and murderer in almost everyone's eyes and they were right about the murder part."

"Ash look at me," Faust said in a scorn filled tone and I obeyed. "What you did was right covering up what happened to keep the image of those men alive you kept their hope alive even if it meant taking both the blame and the fall. I'm sure those men would have preferred death then what was happening there aren't many who would do such a thing for another I'm sure you would have made them and you're parents very proud."

Faust then embraced me in a hug and the rest followed while I just sat and enjoyed the warmth of the hug.

Author's Notes:

This is an announcement to inform you all that the next chapter will be released sometime after the 26th of March because the next chapter will take place with the first episode of season 6.