Within the Everfree Forest, the humanoid Demon Dragons and Dragon Raiders were dressed in their Demonic armors as they were all training hard and quick as they can, along with the Draconian Cult Army and Shadow Demon Tribes at the large yet opened-field. They have waited a long time for this and now, that time is here!

"How's the army, Strikemaster?" Drago ask Strikemaster in determination.

Strikemaster whistled, "Just like walking in the park, boss. Combining our Shadow Demon Tribe and Demon Dragons with Draconian Cults, we're so bad ass army alright; those guys won't know what hit them!"

"Excellent. Proceed with our plans, without any delays..."

Strikemaster chuckled anxiously, "No problemo, boss." This minion will do anything he can to please his boss. The last attempt...wasn't so well.

"I'm gonna check on Sec. Hopefully, his resurrection plan works well. We need all the best and baddest to deal with the ponies. And soon... the Age of Demon Lords and Age of Dragon can finally come true." Drago said, clutching a fist in determination.

Drago is mad, very mad. Bad enough Spike joined the good side, but Lorcan is still alive. Why didn't he return to continue where he had left off?! The coward and failure will paid for his failure and cowardice.

Drago turned and headed off. MC Cobra turns over to the others Dragons, looking concerned as he spoke, "Really not want to talk bad behind our boss's back. But I still ain't think it's a good idea to trust the Draconians...”

DJ Fist nodded his head before crossed his arms. Strikemaster understood that and frowns as he spoke, "Yo, yo man. No can do. Boss calls the shots. If I got memorized it, history says Papa Tadaka betrayed ponies because of Princess Bad Moon who did the mess centuries ago.. He sold his soul to the Demon Lords in order to destroy the ponies and freeing them from their prisons."

"You've got a point... But," MC Cobra scowls in annoyance at the mention of the one who failed to destroy the ponies over and over again, "Hearing that name makes me sick, especially his two sons. They make me sick." DJ Fist showed his disgusted expression.

"Don't remind me. But remember, Tadaka is on our side. We've got nothing to worry about. We're gonna hit Equestria hard and make it our Demon Land; Home for all Demons only!"

"Good idea, Ice."

At the lake, Sec and his three Dragon Generals were setting the ritual up. If all goes well, Tadaka will be back to the land of the living.

Drago chose this time to come over to see how his new allies are doing. The Dragon spoke up, "So, how's the ritual, boys? You're better give me something to put me in a good mood.”

"Process is almost ready. But there are some items we require to perform." Sec spoke. Drago raised his right eye-brow up, wondering what Sec meant. "We need the Blood of His Flesh and Aura of Hatred from a Pony."

Drago groaned in annoyance, "That's gonna be a problem. Any genius got bright ideas?"

"I have one... Twilight harbors a great hatred and anger for Lorcan because of her brother's death. If she and him met, she will do anything to destroy him." Jast said with a cruel idea. He's right. Twilight has never forgiven Lorcan for what he did to Starlight, nor as to what he tried to do during his War back when she was still an unicorn. If she were to find out that Lorcan's alive, the mare would most likely wish to kill him.

Thay chuckled insanely, "I really like it. Pony hates Dragon. And she will do anything to kill him. Pony and Dragons can never be friends." The evil Dragon chuckled evilly at the thought. "I'm gonna enjoy it... very much..."

"There is some problem, brothers. Lorcan did some possible redemption in assisting Twilight and her friends. He may have earned her trust and forgiveness. We must be vigilant..." Cann said seriously. Lorcan must've reformed by now and would likely get the new princess's trust and forgiveness.

Jast just scoff at this, "Highly doubtful. Princess Celestia has hidden him from her friends until the time is right. And by means, Twilight will be doubtful of it."

"What are you trying to say, genius? Better not being an egghead." Drago remarks to Jast bitterly; The villain HATES eggheads.

"What Jast meant is that we make Lorcan a culprit to anger Twilight. As rift continues to grow between those two, Twilight's anger will be complete while Lorcan will drift away from his friends and family." Sec explains clearly to Drago of what Jast just meant.

"Thus, giving us a chance to perform a complete ritual; now this is more like it. MC Cobra."

MC came over as he spoke up, "Sup boss?"

"Keep your sharp eyes on situation and report to me. The Generals and I may have the plans to make Princess very angry..." Drago orders MC. The villain smirks cruelly. If all goes very well, Tadaka will be back and all the ponies are dead.

MC chuckled, "I like it."

"The Plan is in motion, everyone. Be ready..."

---------------------

Lorcan hums as he walks back and forth in his room. The time has come, Celestia has declared it. The former enemy of Equestria has agreed to finally allow Twilight to see him. But what would happen? He may still be angry over Starlight's death...and would most likely kill him on sight; But then again, if Lorcan doesn't show himself...

"Ok, somepony glued my hood down!" Lorcan mumbles, trying to move his hood of his cloak which fails a bit. The Dragon sees his teenage reflection, making him sigh, "Mixed feelings...I'm looking at a reminder of my darkness...on the other hand, I'm not short. I'd rather be short than this...so..." Lorcan puts hood down then glared at his reflection, "no pleasing me..."

Lorcan leaves his room; May as well get this over with...to speak with Celestia to settle on what to do for the destined meeting. During this time, the scarred Dragon wasn't watching where he was going, bumping into a Royal Guard.

The Royal Guard smirks in amusement, then chuckles, "Whoa, whoa. Easy there, little guy. Got lost looking for your mommy?"

Needless to say, Lorcan isn't amused or happy. He hates being called small. It pisses him off.

“I don't think so pops! Do I look like a clown to you?!" Lorcan demands angrily to the Royal Guard.

The Guard Pony just laugh as he pats Lorcan on the head, "He's quite a small guy isn't he?"

Lorcan,:ye twitching behind the hood, begins to snap, "Who you calling small like a grain of rice that you can't see been with your eyes?!"

"Nopony said that, now back off!"

"You wanna go a few rounds?!"

"Don't mind if I do." The Guard Pony said with an arrogant smirk. It would be fun to play with this little wimp. "Not like I can't take a short guy like you."

"If you call me short one more time, I'll get Luna on you!" Lorcan snaps furiously, closing to lose his cool and kicking some guard flank.

"As if, pipsqueak!"

"Ohhhhh....it is on; HIYA!"

Lorcan roars as he jumps at the Royal Guard, knocking him down. The two begins to get into a tussle that causes vases and stuff to fall off their podiums, paintings to fall off their walls, and more damages to be done. Needless to say, another Royal Guard has to call for back up just to break this up!

Not easy to be Lorcan, isn't it?

-----------------

At this time within the Secret Dungeon, Pinkamena & Goldie along with their group were working on their own daily things. Just then, the pink pony senses something that made her react in having felt something. She looked around, but there was nothing, but it did earn everyone in the spot's attention.

"What's wrong, mistress?" Omega asked off in seeing she was acting strange.

"I'm not sure, but I think we're about to meet someone we thought was gone soon." Pinkamena held her head in having felt something of what to expect.

"Someone we thought was gone?" Autumn Gem questions the thought to look at her love.

"Well, I can imagine the feeling." Sombra shrug off to say that if those who thought he was gone return, who else could surprise them?

"Sis, can you be a little descriptive?" Goldie asked in wanting more details on the subject.

"Sorry, but the future of what's happening is undecided. Or, there's a lot of stuff happening that's out of our control and that's really making my head dizzy in ways I can't explain." Pinkamena shrug off to break a Fourth Wall in stating she's having a hard time knowing what's gonna go on.

"Sounds like a Pinkie Pie response if I ever heard of one." Jack Zen shrugs off to say in seeing this was a random act case.

"Well, whatever is coming, we'll have to wait and see, now won't we?" Pinkamena stated off in what they can expect in some bit to be sure.

That made everyone nod in agreement while going about their own business. But it might be that something will happen, and it all involves....something...or someone...that isn't as GONE as many of them and the others thought? With that, everything begins to go dark at this time...

---------------

The latest meeting at the Council of Friendship has begun. The mares and Spike are at the table, talking and deciding on what to do.

"Okay, so far, next subject, a list of who is participating in the Winter Wrap-Up." Fluttershy said as she looks over the list. "That way, we can't let what happened last year happens again, right?"

"Right, that was a disaster." Ben remarks with a slight chuckle. Boris almost causes him and Twilight to break up period. At least he hasn't causes any further trouble lately. "But at least your gift to me helped warm things over."

"Also, I have finished my book." Twilight said proudly as she put a book onto the table, getting the interest of the other mares.

"'the Ghostwriter Parable'," Rainbow said, seeing the title of the book.

"A story about my latest adventure."

It's true. A while after Winter Wrap-Up was over, Twilight was abducted by a ghost named Ghostwriter, being put into an office building with a few humans named Danny Fenton, Julayla Beryl and Brock (she was turned into a human too), and a robotic fox named Foxxy the Pirate Fox. The Ghostwriter's story kept them all in a time loop, no matter how many times they tried to end the story itself differently.

Luckily, with the help of a computer being named Alter-Ego, the five was able to break Ghostwriter's story and escape. After returning home and making the gift for Ben, Twilight made a story based on her experience. It isn't out yet but the Alicorn plans on releasing it. She hopes everyone loves it.

"You know, I hope to see these individuals that you met, darling." Rarity said with a thoughtful smile. "I got some fashion tips for them."

"And I missed a party? I hate missing parties!" Pinkie exclaims with a howl. "The Pirate Adventure with Sparrowjack and his crew taught me that."

"Don't we know it," Rainbow remarks with a light chuckle. "So, what's next, Princess Eggy?"

Before Twilight could speak, Spike yelps and begins to spits out a scroll. Must be a message from the princess; the mare took it and looks at it. She begins to read, "'Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle, the time has come for me to reveal an important secret to you. You and your friends must come to Canterlot at once to discuss and speak about someone from your past. Please, try not to panic or freak out when you do; Princess Celestia'."

"Someone from your past," Ben asks Twilight puzzled. "I wonder what it is that mom has been hiding. She always made sure to tell us her deepest secrets."

"I don't know, but it must be something important. Okay, everyone, time we go to Canterlot."

The other mares nodded as they cheer, preparing to take their next trip to Canterlot. Ben ponders what his mom wanted to tell Twilight. Whatever it is must be something important...

------------------------

Lorcan stood outside Celestia's study, crossing hiss arm grumpily. The Royal Guard that he fought survived, but needed a whole lot of stitches.

"Well, you are lucky your cover wasn't blown just yet, Lorcan." Luna said to Lorcan with a sigh of irritation. "Better hope it doesn't ruin the plans we got."

"Hey, he started it." Lorcan snorts at Luna a bit. "The flankhole insulted me!"

"Pretty sure what happened was an accident though." Golden Heart said with a sigh, having coming ahead of Twilight's group. "We can only hope that this won't spread too early."

"Anyway, so even if Twilight and her friends could forgive me, whose next; that big Alicorn cousin's of Rainbow's?" Lorcan asked with a scoff. He was concerned as to who else would forgive him for his actions. Brave Heart didn't seem like the type, especially when it comes to bullies like Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

Golden Heart patted Lorcan on the back, speaking to his friend calmly, "Surely he'll forgive you...”

"That'll be the day..." Lorcan grumbled as he lowered his hood, growing into his teenage Dragon form, "When mares wear mini-skirts at least!"

"What?" Luna asked, bewildered by what she's hearing.

"One day...all mares will be required to wear...TINY MINISKIRTS!" Lorcan exclaimed as his eyes sparkled.

Discord and Michael received nosebleeds, goofy grins on their faces. Luna sighed in disbelief as the spirit of Chaos and Royal Guard latched themselves onto Lorcan's legs, drooling over his cloak.

"You're a miracle, Lorcan!" Discord exclaimed, drooling like an idiot.

"We'll follow you till the end of our lives," Michael exclaimed eagerly. Miniskirts sounded awesome!

"Yes!" Lorcan exclaimed, throwing a fist into the air.

"Tiny miniskirts...." Luna said in disbelief. Is Lorcan serious at all?!

"Oh, aye. It was Lorcan's idea!" Michael explained to the Goddess of the Night, excited for the idea as well.

As Luna walked off with an annoyed expression, Brave Heart appeared. Lorcan screamed like a girl and hid puts his hood up, returning to his baby Dragon size, "Don't let him see me!" Spike's brother hid behind Discord, scared that Brave Heart was out to get him.

Discord, on the other hand, laughed madly as he snapped his finger, making the fake Brave Heart go away, "Ha ha ha ha; Oh, oh. You could've seen the look on your face!"

"Very funny, Discord." Lorcan remarked in annoyance by Discord's prank.

"Thought I might lighten the mood," Discord remarked with a shrug to the small former villain.

The doors opened up as Celestia spoke up, "Lorcan, enter."

Lorcan sighs as he came into the room; May as well get this over with. The little Dragon, Discord and Michael approach the princess. Golden Heart decided to wait outside.

“Before we begin, Kemmy has told me you gotten into a fight..." Celestia said, giving a disapproval look at Lorcan as if she caught Ben doing something illegal and wrong.

Lorcan, arms crossed, snapped at the princess dryly, "He called me short."

"Truth hurts, I guess." Discord remarked as he played with a paddleball that the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony just conjured up.

"Say that again, and I'll give you Tartarus!" Lorcan snarled at Discord for that truth remark about him being short.

"Enough, enough; we can't let any delays ruin things, especially the foolish idea of miniskirts." Celestia remarked, shaking her head. "I cannot allow those."

"What do you mean you won't approve tiny miniskirts?! Did you not here my speech about it outside, Celly?" Lorcan protests to Celestia. He can't believe what he himself is hearing.

Michael and Discord, clinging to his legs once more, plead, “Please reconsider!"

"We will discuss this later. Now the time for us to begin," Celestia said, clearing her throat, "Now then, Lorcan, stay in your room."

"I thought the idea was that Lorcan would come with you." Golden Heart said as he and Discord let go of Lorcan in disbelief.

"It was at first, but after the incident earlier, we will have to change things. I will speak with Twilight, Ben, and their friends, soften them up a bit then tell them about Lorcan. Then after I explain everything, I will try to hope for the best." Celestia said with a serious look on her face. "If things go well, it will mean one step forward for Lorcan's path to redemption."

"I still say it's a bad idea." Lorcan remarks with a groan of worry, fearing for the worst.

"Calm yourself, Lorcan." Celestia said, putting a hoof on Lorcan's shoulder, calming him a bit. "Tao will be there to assist in the talking. Just stay out of trouble until then. Can you do that for me?"

Lorcan groaned a bit. He hated being cooped up, the scarred Dragon hadn't seen his brother Spike face to face in a long time. Lorcan hated waiting longer.

But Lorcan groaned, "Fine, okay, I will behave...honestly, it's like I was stuck in that damn room for years."

"Well, it took a while for Jus to actually get to this fan-fiction." Discord explained to Lorcan with a mischievous smile on his face.

Lorcan chose not to ask as he prepared to leave. Luna stopped him, saying, "Don't worry. Soon, you will not hide anymore...and you will no longer be seen as a villain when this is all over."

"I wish I got your confidence, Luny." Lorcan said with a sigh as he left the room with his pals following. "For the love of-"

"Enough with the miniskirts! The author will deal with that a few stories later..." Discord exclaimed to Lorcan with an annoyed sigh. The miniskirts will come later...one can hope.

"No, not that!" Lorcan exclaimed with an irritating groan.

"Then what," Discord asked as he made a chair appear, pushed Lorcan into it and got out some paper, going to work like a psychiatrist, "Tell me what's on your mind."

Lorcan sighed, "Well, first off subject, I think that, well, with you, me and Michael getting closer, I think we need a group name...something like the three Chaos makers."

"That's not all, is it?" Discord asked Lorcan in concern.

"No...can you do something about this cloak?" Lorcan cringed, pulling at his cloak.

"Is there something serious you rather talk about? About Twilight," Michael asked Lorcan. He suspected that the Dragon was still hesitating about speaking to Twilight, despite giving his word to do so.

Before Lorcan could speak, Golden Heart appeared, asking, "Refused again?"

"Yeah. I'm just saying ponies could use clothes. What went wrong?" Lorcan mumbled a bit, shaking his head. A few times he tries to get Celestia to order that ponies were miniskirts. And a few times, especially now, she had refused.

"Probably the fact that if you wear miniskirts, that doesn't stop bucking colts looking at their bucking flanks..." Michael commented with a light chuckle.

Lorcan looks disgusted, remarks, "Never thought of it like that, actually." The former villain sniffed his cloak, gagging a bit. This smells." Lorcan prepared to take off his cloak.

"Pony at two o'clock," Discord called out as he took the form of a pocket watch as if making a pun.

"Uh-oh," Lorcan yelped. He put the hood back up, resulting in him changing back to his baby Dragon form as a pony passed by. That was a close one!

"What's the cloak for?'" Golden Heart asked Lorcan, puzzled. During all this time of seeing him in the castle, the Alicorn never thought of why his friend keeps wearing that thing.

Lorcan sighed. May as well explain the truth, "Hiding myself and keeping the small part of Tadaka inside me at bay; Not even Celestia and Luna could keep me in a permanent form."

"I see." Golden Heart said, thoughtfully. "This is just me pitching but it looks like your inner darkness is still trying to get control."

"I know! I keep it at bay by wearing the cloak. If I put my hood down, then I will instantly change into my teenage self!" Lorcan explained in a frustrated tone to Golden Heart. "I was hoping one day that I wouldn't put up with this but it has been years since that defeat long ago."

Michael whistled a bit, "Sounds like you still got daddy issues."

"And what I'm worried about most of all? Twilight may not want to forgive me...at all." Lorcan remarked with a groan.

"She forgave Trixie, Sunset, even Discord." Golden Heart said calmly to Lorcan, recalling Twilight's past successes, "Why not you?"

"Because I took her brother away...even though...I don't know what happened to the body." Lorcan explained bitterly to his friends. "It makes me wonder why I didn't continue looking for one."

"Let's leave that to later, my friend." Discord said, picking up Lorcan. "We got a meeting to prepare for."

"Okay... but I'm still not sure about this." Lorcan said with a sigh.

-------------

Pinkamena was sitting in a chair at the throne room with the group waiting for Twilight and gang. She said, "Okay, we need to be ready. Twilight is really ticked, and once she sees Lorcan..."

Golden Heart spoke up, "I know, that's why we are ready, right?"

The group nodded as Omega had the binds ready and Sombra. His horn's glowing, ready along with the others. The group wanted to be prepared in case Twilight loses it when she finds out that Lorcan is alive.

"Do not go overboard; just make sure nothing goes wrong, okay?" Pinkamena reminded her friends carefully.

They all nodded as they wait. Twilight and her friends arrived at the throne room. They were told to wait for the princesses and Tao to come and explain as to what's going on. The Princess of Friendship was curious. She hoped whatever her former mentor called her here for, the heroes could find a way to help Equestria in some way.

"Oh, I am nervous. I haven't been this nervous since I was trying to find a way out of that office building." Twilight said nervously, recalling the incident with Ghostwriter once more.

"Looks like we ain't 'de only ones," Applejack said.

Sure enough, Applejack was right. Some old Mystic Pony friends were here as well. Blade Dragoon, noticing, saw the Mane Six, Spike and Ben, "Hmm? Ah, my friends, it is an honor to see you here."

"Yeah, it's quite some times since that Clone incident." Warpath said smiling. He hasn't seen these ponies since the incident with the Clones.

"Hey, good to see you two again," Ben said, bowing to his old friends.

"Right, we were wondering what you two has been up to." Fluttershy said with a happy grin.

Virtue grinned to Warpath and Blade Dragoon, speaking to them as if speaking to honorable warriors, "So, these are the brave warriors Blade and Warpath that you spoke of? I am honored. My name is Virtue Dragon."

Twilight bowed to Virtue, speaking, "An honor to meet you, Emperor of Dragon West."

"Twi; Wanna tell me why he was called by that?" Rainbow asked Twilight, puzzled.

Intellect chuckled as he spoke up, "Allow me. Lord Virtue was a peasant before he and his Sworn Brothers joined the Imperial Qin's Army as Captain in dealing with Yellow Horsemen Rebellion. After the Fall of Wrath Qin, Virtue, he journeyed across the Land of Ma in search of helping and protecting innocents from wars. During his journey, he met countless warriors and intellect such as me, Dragonspear and more. After the Battle of Crimson River, most of the Dragon Warriors headed to the west. And it is where our foundation was built as the Dragon West Kingdom."

"Wow!" Rainbow exclaimed in amazement.

"That's awesome!" Spike exclaimed, standing on his one tail.

"Yes, it is a wonderful honor." Rarity said in agreement.

"Are you the reason mom called us here?" Ben asked Virtue curiously.

"I wish." Virtue said, wishing that was in fact the case. "No, there is another reason which only some of us knew of personally."

Twilight was puzzled. If Virtue wasn't the reason for Celestia wanting her, Ben and her friends to be here, then what was?

A light blue Pegasus named Dragonspear, who had a spiky brown mane and tail in a ponytail, and dressed in green armor, spoke up, "Anyway, indeed. It's much like Azure Phoenix and Claw Tiger. Because of my lord's kindness and selflessness, most of us warriors follow him till the very end. For Dragon West's only purpose is to build benevolent for all."

"So Virtue, what brings you here?" Twilight asked, pondering what brings Virtue here.

"I came here to talk... with an old friend of mine." Virtue explained seriously to the princess.

Warpath huffed in anger, "More like an enemy..."

Blade groaned at Warpath's attitude, "Warpath, not now."

"Enemy; what do ya mean?" Applejack asked in wonder.

"You will find out soon, my friends." Intellect said with a serious look.

Sure enough, the Royal Sisters, Azure and Tao finally came in, preparing for what's going to be the biggest conversion. The Alicorn of the Sun could only hope it doesn't end badly.

"Thank you all for coming. You all probably wondering what I called you up here." Celestia said seriously.

"Nope; pur names are the Mane Six and other names. Too late to change them all to 'up here'," Rainbow joked a bit, making some of her friends roll their eyes at this bad joke.

"Pleasant. Now then, as you know, over the years, the Mane Six has grown, making new friends and dealing with enemies alike." Celestia said. She motioned to her sister while saying, "Enemies like Nightmare Moon who is reformed and/or changed in some way. Discord, whose is now on our side. Sombra..."

"That's me." Sombra said with a growl, nodding a bit.

"As well as those still at large, like the Changelings, the Dark Mystic Ponies, the Apocalypse Ponies." Celestia said, bringing up the names of the villains. "But over time, like I said, some of them can be changed if we understand them and are able to reform them."

"Right, Luna and Discord are those who showed that they could change their colors." Ben said with a delightful smile.

"Yeah...not like those meanie pants Dark Mystic Ponies, like Shadow Dragon!" Pinkie remarks, a hint of disgust seen on her face. Tao, of course, seemed about troubled about that.

"Quite right," Rarity said with a sigh, nodding in agreement.

"And Lorcan! Ooooh, don't get me started on him!" Pinkie exclaims, making the Royal Sisters and Tao worry upon hearing that. Luna motioned her to stop, but Pinkie kept on yelping, "That Lorcan was mean! Remember what he did, Twilight, huh? When he beat every one of us up, tried to kill the ponies with his army, and even whacked your brother?"

"I can still remember that day when I lost Starlight!" Twilight exclaimed in disgust and anger. She hadn't forgotten or forgave Lorcan for what he did to everyone, especially to Starlight. “That murdering Dragon!”

"Yep! You don't catch Benny's mom and auntie hanging around with a war mongering murderer!" Pinkie giggled as she somehow got near Celestia's head, giving her a big noogie.

"Yeah...funny you should mention Lorcan." Celestia said awkwardly.

Luna, Azure and Tao nodded quickly. Better get to him now.

--------------------

Lorcan groaned a bit as he walked back and forth in his room. How long is the pre-meeting going to be? The Dragon hated waiting.

Oh, well, may as well take his frustration out. So Lorcan used his magic to make some plates appear, then fired at them, destroying the plates. Lorcan nodded with a grin behind his hood. That felt better. Lorcan made more appear.

Unknown to everyone, the castle maid was heading down a hallway to check chambers for her to clean. The princesses ordered her not to get into any that are labeled "Do not enter without authorization by Princess Celestia." Unfortunately, the princesses had forgotten to tell Lorcan this...and the sign that was over his door was knocked down during his fight with the Royal Guard earlier, falling into the trash!

"Well, may as well clean in here." The maid mumbled a bit as she headed into the room.

The maid came in...and yelped as a blast almost hit her. She looked up and gasped upon seeing the cloaked Dragon teen, whose looked at her in alarm. But unfortunately, things were about to get worse...she could see his true face and his scar!

"Ah, horse crap." Lorcan mumbled under his hood.

The maid screamed loudly in panic, "GUARDS! GUARDS! WE GOT AN INTRUDER!!!!"

The maid was so loud, the Royal Guards heard her and rushed over to the chamber. They saw Lorcan, making him feel hasty, considering that his secret cover got blown.

The guards fired their magical spears, making Lorcan dodge and jump out of the window to avoid them. He landed outside, sighing a bit.

But Lorcan looked up and saw that he landed in the center...allowing more ponies to see him, gasping in shock and alarm.

Lorcan groaned, "Nowadays, you can't make a great escape."

Lorcan made a run for it, jumping as more pursuers chased after him.

-------------

"So Celestia, why did you bring up that scarred monster?" Twilight asked Celestia puzzled. Why would she of all princesses bring up a Dragon who tried to take over Equestria and wipe out every pony there was?

"Careful, that's my brother." Spike said, reminding Twilight.

Celestia was about to speak when a commotion was heard outside. The princess frowned as she flew over to the main doors and opened them.

"What's going on?" Celestia demanded as the Royal Guards are rushing out quickly.

"We got an intruder, princess! The maid found a scarred creature in one of the chambers." A Royal Guard explained to the princess. "But no worries, we are going after him now!"

"No." Celestia gasped in shock, secretly cursing herself. That chamber of Lorcan's was supposed to be labeled!

"Princess, what's going on?" Spike asked Celestia in concern.

"I will explain later." Celestia said seriously, looking at the ones who knew the truth. Luna gasped quietly while Tao nodded grimly. Looks like the cat's out of the bag now! Or in this case, the Dragon!

----------------------

Lorcan ran through down, knocking down trash cans to slow his pursuers down, dodging magic that broke certain parts of the wall. He can't harm any of the ponies! He feared it will let him be seen once again, like his evil self!

"Ugh! Why the hay wasn't this happening years ago," Lorcan demanded as he came to a ledge.

"Got you now," A Royal Guard exclaimed while approaching.

"All this over little ol' me," Lorcan joked a bit. "I'm touched."

Lorcan jumped off then lands on a clothes line, sliding down it fast. He unintentionally collected clothes while doing so. However, at the end of the line is a window where a mare was at.

"AAAAAHH," The mare screamed as she closed the shutters to her windows.

"OOF!!" Lorcan grunted as he hit the closed window before falling downward.

Lorcan landed on the ground. Luckily, the clothes softened his landing. He got up, sighing.

"There he is!" A stallion called out from the rooftop above.

"You won't get away that easily!" Another Royal Guard exclaimed furiously.

"You think that's easy?" Lorcan scoffed a bit as he got up and runs off.

"Gotcha," The first Royal Guard from before exclaimed as he grabbed him. "And this time..."

"Look! A mare with no self-esteem," Lorcan exclaimed, pointing to nothing in particular.

"Huh?" The Royal Guard asked confused as he looked away for a moment.

Lorcan quickly turned the guard's helmet around, blocking his sight. The pony yelped as he let the Dragon go, moving around.

"Guards, useless," Lorcan joke a bit as he ran off quickly.

The Royal Guards kept chasing him with ponies joining in. They ran past a strong tough pony doing poses to a crowd. Lorcan was behind him, mimicking his moves to be hidden.

Unfortunately, Lorcan made a mistake, causing the crowd to gasp on seeing him. He groaned, "Okay, not a bright move."

Lorcan rushed off with the angry crowd chasing him. He leapt over a pile of hot coals. The Royal Guard, Earth Pony types, chased him without noticing the hot coals at first.

"Ouch! Owie! Oh-oh," The Earth Pony Royal Guard exclaimed like mad, their hooves burnt a bit while going across the coal pit.

Lorcan rushed by a crowd watching a pony swallowing swords. He rushed back and grabbed one, making him yelp. The Royal Guards stopped, gasping as Lorcan landed in front of him, waving his sword around tauntingly.

"Want a piece of me?!" Lorcan asked with a mischievous smile behind his hood.

"He got a sword!" One Pegasus Royal Guard exclaimed in terror as Lorcan kept on waving his sword at the guards.

"You idiot," A Unicorn Royal Guard snapped in annoyance as he revealed a sword while shouting, "We all got swords!"

"Yeah," The other guards exclaimed in unison as they got their own swords out.

"Heh heh; Later," Lorcan said meekly, putting his sword down then running off.

Lorcan rushed off, but saw original ponies heading his way. He then saw the Royal Guards getting closer behind him. Thinking quickly, the scarred Dragon climbed up a wall in time, causing his pursuers to crash into one another.

Lorcan continued running, but more ponies joined in the chase. He soon found himself back against a wall that could not be climbed.

"We got you now!" A citizen cried out angrily. "We won't let you almost harm the princesses!"

"Wait, come on." Lorcan said as he took a wallet, opening a part that shows some photos. "I got photos of a wife and three foals, see?"

"Yeah, I got the same photos, too." The Unicorn Royal Guard said dryly as he opens his own wallet, showing the same photos. "They all came with the wallet!"

Lorcan chuckled awkwardly as he ditched the wallet. So much for that! The Dragon took a pair of glasses from out of nowhere and put them over his face.

"You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses, would you?" Lorcan asked mischievously.

A big Earth Pony frowned as he grabbed the glasses then smashed them over Lorcan's head, breaking them. The Dragon cringed as he was given the glasses back.

"Right, right You would hit a guy WITH glasses. Yeah, I saw what you did there." Lorcan said awkwardly.

The crowd roared as the Royal Guards closed in. Looks like this could get ugly.

"ENOUGH!" Luna boomed out in her Royal Canterlot voice. The crowd gasped as they moved, allowing the Royal Sisters, the Mane Six, Ben, Spike, Pinkamena's group as well as the Mystic Ponies to enter. "OUR SISTER AND US SHALL DEAL WITH THIS!'

"What's this? Another Apocalypse Pony’," Rainbow asked in disbelief, shaking her head at Lorcan, "Gotta admit, those guys must be getting desperate. They send in a weak guy who couldn't even fight back."

"All right, who are you? What are you doing in Canterlot?" Ben demanded sternly to Lorcan. "Trying to kill my mother or steal something?"

"Look, my business is...not your own." Lorcan said, trying to disguise his voice, but was having trouble doing so.

"Weird, you sound familiar." Spike said in concern, making Lorcan sweat under his hood. "Say, aren't you the same guy who..."

"We will find out once we open the hood!" Twilight exclaimed sternly. The Alicorn began using her magic to grab at the hood. Once this intruder is revealed, all would be answered.

"N-n-no, don't touch the hood!" Lorcan yelled out frantically. He tried to escape, but it was no use.

His hood was removed...and he grew to his teenage Dragon size. Everyone but those who knew the truth gasped in shock and horror as they saw a familiar figure whose no one had seen in years.

"LORCAN," Most of the Mane Six gasped in shock.

"Lorcan?" Spike asked, stunned. His brother; Here; And still alive?

"Lorcan," Twilight exclaimed in shock and fury, glaring at the murderer whom she'd rather NOT see again!

"Pinkamena," Pinkamena exclaimed happily, making most of everyone looks at her. "What?"

"You see why I wear it?! Old daddy's magic is still inside me...I wear this to stay in control." Lorcan explained frantically and angrily at Twilight for removing his cloak.

"Wow, this day just keeps getting better." Ben remarked sarcastically at this turn of events.

"Everyone leaves but myself, my sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends, and the ones with me." Celestia said seriously to the Royal Guards and the mob involved in the chase.

"But Princess, with all due respect..." The Unicorn Royal Guard said, trying to speak reason.

"We shall handle this, lieutenant. Everyone else, please leave."

The mob looks a bit uncomfortable, leaving the heroes of Equestria to deal with the one who tried to wipe out the pony kind with his Dragon army. But they all agree to leave the scene, leaving the heroes of Equestria and the Mystic Ponies to handle Lorcan alone.

"Okay, what the buck is going on? How is Lorcan still alive when I clearly saw him dissolved right before my eyes," Twilight demands. She then looks upward, being pissed, "Ghostwriter! If this is another story you're putting me in, I am not impressed at all!"

"Twilight, who the hay are you talking to," Golden Heart ask Twilight a bit puzzled as to why she's talking to the sky like that.

"Twilight was abducted by a meanie ghost writer and was forced to be in a story with a couple of humans." Pinkie explains happily to Golden Heart. "She went through a lot of endings and was killed twice!"

"Twilight got better with each reboot though." Fluttershy explains to the ones who don't know.

"Twilight, listen. This is real, not a story made by a writing villain." Tao explains calmly to Twilight. "Everything you see...is real."

"Oh. Well, if that's the case, then answer me this...WHY THE HAY IS LORCAN STILL ALIVE?!" Twilight yells out angrily as she glares at Lorcan who glares back at her.

Azure decided at this point to speaks up, "Twilight. It's time to put you on another test; A Test of Forgiveness and Release the Darkness."

"Okay, what do you mean? It involves Lorcan, doesn't it? I can't believe it...my brother is here...and alive..." Spike ask, still amazed that Lorcan is still living this whole time.

"But how is he still alive?" Applejack asks in disbelief. "We done saw him git dissolved..."

"Though Twilight did got this feeling that he's still alive, so there's that," Rainbow said, recalling how Twilight got this hunch that has her and her friends investigate Lorcan's former castle and the Everfree Forest.

Warpath sighs, "I know this is going to be a problem if they're gonna shown him to us."

"Not now, Warpath." Virtue scolds his friend not to cause any problems right now.

"The time is now, Princess..." Tao said seriously to the princess. Celestia must explain what is going on before things get way out of hoof here.

"Very well," Celestia said, breathing in and out before continuing to speak. "You all saw Lorcan dissolved right? But in reality, he survived his fight...and has been living here in the castle since then."

"What?" Most of the ones in the dark gasped in shock.

"My brother has been living here the whole time?" Spike asks in surprise and amazement.

"That is correct." Celestia said to Spike, nodding as she confirms what he's thinking.

"Mother, why didn't you let us in on his survival sooner?" Ben asks Celestia in concern.

"The truth be told, I was waiting for the events of Lorcan's war to die down...as well as planning to reveal his survival...but with what's going on since then, it was hard for me to do so. But now, with your recent dream about Lorcan, Twilight Sparkle, Azure decided that the time has come for this to happen. You must forgive Lorcan."

"This is your test, Twilight. Pass it... I may reconsider helping you to achieve your Dark Form." Azure explains calmly to Twilight. In other words, the test is that Twilight must forgive Lorcan to get to her Dark Form.

"You want me to do what?! No! I won't accept it! How could you?! You know that tiny Lorcan can never be forgiven! You should know what he has done to Equestria and Spike." Twilight protests angrily to Azure. Bad enough she found out that monster is alive, but now the princess and Lord Azure wants her to...forgive him?!

"I'm not that little, genius!" Lorcan protests in irritation.

"Yeah, we agree. He beat us up, try 'ta kill everypony we know." Applejack said angrily.

"He almost killed poor Nyx and attacked your son as well." Rarity explains to Celestia as to what Lorcan has done.

"As well as corrupt the Elements long before we send them back to the Tree." Rainbow said with a scowl, glaring at Lorcan.

"Also, he is a Super Meanie Killer Pants." Pinkie remarked, giving a raspberry at Lorcan who raspberries her right back. "Hey!"

"Uh...no comment," Fluttershy said meekly, not having anything bad or any reason to badmouth Lorcan.

"Twilight, girls, the darkness in Lorcan is smaller than one may think." Celestia explains calmly to the Mane Six who still has doubts about Lorcan. "Plus, Lorcan has helped you in the past, correct?"

"Yeah, I saved Fluttershy from changelings when Tirek went all Grand Theft on your kid's body." Lorcan explains, pointing out what he did when Tirek came back the first time. "I even aided you in your fight against the Superior when you first went to the human world to retrieve your crown from Sunset Shimmer, you know, the one from this world."

"That was you?!" Twilight yells out in shock to Lorcan.

"Yep; I could've left you all to rot, but I didn't."

"I supposed it was you who appeared on the Muppet Show with Michael Trotter, huh?" Ben asks Lorcan curiously, suspecting that he was there too.

"Yep, and I did one Tartarus of a number thank you very much." Lorcan explains, proud of the musical number that he and Michael had done for the Muppet Show back then.

"You see? Lorcan had done well for you all in the past. As you have redeemed Discord, Sunset Shimmer, and even King Sombra, you can redeem another soul." Celestia explains clearly to the Mane Six.

Most of the group seems convinced. Perhaps the time has come for Lorcan to be forgiven...

"Are you kidding?! What makes you think Lorcan needs to be forgiven?!" Twilight disagrees as the others nod in agreement. "How do we even know that he isn't pretending to be clear of his darkness?"

"Twilight, what Celestia said is the truth. And you must learn to forgive him." Tao said calmly to Twilight.

"If I don't?"

"Then, you fail. Hatred will consume you."

"But Lord Azure...Master Tao...Lorcan can't be trusted." Twilight insists, giving a scared and angry look at Lorcan. The monster almost wiped out Equestria...everyone she knew...and even killed Starlight.

Tao whacked Twilight's head. She yelps in pain as the Mystic Pony scowls at her, "Pay attention! Give him a chance. After what he did wrong since Spike learns the truth, he is redeeming his mistakes."

"Watch carefully of what he's doing, then you will be convinced to forgive him. Are you willing to accept it?" Azure asks Twilight clearly.

After some thoughts, Twilight sighed, "Fine... I'll do it."

"Good... While I'm away with Dragon Kick for some... important request, the Dragon West will be your guide and assistance." Tao explains, pleased that Twilight, despite some hesitation, is agreeing to this. "They will watch your progress and youré doing. Don't do anything so foolish. And don't take advice from Warpath, he's terrible."

"Hey!" Warpath exclaims, offended by the remark.

"I trust you're ready for this."

"Yes, sir. I won't let you three down." Twilight said, trying not to keep her patience. If the Mystic Ponies demanded her to do this, then it shall be done.

Azure put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder, lifting her head as he said calmly, "No... Don't let yourself down. You... have to be the one to free from within..."

"What do you mean?"

"You will find out. Rest Assure..." Tao said to Twilight, knowing that it's up to the Princess of Friendship to figure that out herself.

"That's what I'm worried about..." Twilight groans a bit. She is going to find it hard to even forgive Lorcan or see anything good about him.

"Master Lorcan, it's an honor to see you again. Let us rekindle our friendship. Hopefully, we'll have a good time again." Virtue said to Lorcan with a grin on his face as if greeting an old friend for the first time in years.

"Yeah. Hopefully your friends and brothers are okay with me." Lorcan said with a sigh. If Virtue's friends and brothers can accept him, at least that's one hell of a start, right?

Blade, Dragonspear and Intellect smiled and nodded their heads in agreement. Warpath gave a skeptic look to Lorcan, snapping, "I'm keeping an eye on ya, traitor. Just because you did good doesn't mean I can go easy on you. I never like you, shorty."

Lorcan groaned, "Quit calling me that, numbskull!"

"You wanna mess with me, brat?!"

"I dare ya, you knucklehead!"

Twilight groaned in annoyance, "Sure... this is gonna be fun... Having my enemy at my home only... to be tested to forgive him and having Dragon West be with me. This is gonna be fun... Great..."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Rainbow groans angrily, agreeing with her friend/princess. "I don't think Ponyville will be happy to see him."

"They will most likely shoot at him when he shows up." Rarity said with a scoff.

"Oh, come on, girls. He's my brother...and he seems to be cleared of most of his darkness." Spike said to the Mane Six, trying to explain that Lorcan may really have changed for the better. "If we at least give him a chance...who knows? Who knows?"

"Well...Spike does got a point. I mean, most of you didn't trust Discord at first...but I was given the task to reform him." Fluttershy explains softly to her friends. "So maybe...we should...do the same for Lorcan?"

"Fine, fine...but I will do so and continue doing so on one condition..." Twilight said sternly. She then points a hoof at Lorcan, snapping, "He has to stand trial!"

Most of everyone gasps in surprise and/or shock at this demand. Luna in concern arches an eyebrow as she asks though the princess knew the reason that Twilight would say that, "And pray tell, why?"

"Oh, let's see...attacking Ponyville, almost killing me and my friends, as well as most of Equestria, assault, stealing the Elements, releasing an evil Dragon army...must I go on?!"

"Twilight does have a point. Ponyville won't simply let Lorcan roam around. It's best for him to stand trial before we continue anything." Ben said in concern. Ponyville will not allow a war criminal like Lorcan to roam around free. It's best he stand trial for his crimes before the reformation can begin.

"And since he attacked Ponyville and it's my kingdom, he shall stand trial there." Twilight said sternly.

Celestia pauses a bit then she turns to Lorcan, speaking, "Lorcan? It's your call."

"...fine, fine. You want me to stand trial? I will do it, just to prove I am on the level." Lorcan said calmly. If he must stand trial for his crimes, then so be it.

"Good...I can't wait to see you sweat." Twilight said, giving out an evil grin on waiting Lorcan to sweat in court and be punished for his crimes.

Twilight's group as well as Lorcan then takes their leave, preparing for a trip back to Ponyville to begin the trial as well as the reformation. Luna looks worried and deeply emotional. It would take a miracle for Lorcan to even win his trial...

Author's Notes:

Well, Lorcan is revealed...but will he survive his trial? In the next chapter, Lorcan returns to Ponyville but no one is happy to see him. And the trial begins, but who will defend him? And who is...Detective Dan? Read, review and suggest!

This chapter has references to my fanmake of "The Stanley Parable" which is called "The Ghostwriter Parable", which is a crossover between Danny Phantom, my MLP: FIM series, Kouja no Senshi, Toonwriter's Pokémon Legends, and Five Nights at Freddy's.

Pinkie badmouthing Lorcan before the chase scene is a bit of a reference to Genie doing the same thing to Iago in "The Return of Jafar".

The chase has references to the "One Jump Ahead" song sequence in "Aladdin". The bits at the end of it are from a Tiny Toon Adventures episode where Hamton tried to kill a lobster, and from "Wreck It Ralph".